
Thursday, October 28 2010
You hear every day on TV, read in the newspapers or on internet about the importance of eating healthy natural food. The fact is that when we go shopping for food it can be difficult to determine the things that are best to eat. We often hesitate whether to take this or that apple or tomato and not so often we are sure that we've made the right choice. Experts suggest that we need to eat food labelled as "organic" that indicates on some information about the quality as limited use of chemicals and pesticides. The fact is that you don't have to buy organic to eat well - natural foods are a very good alternative, without the hefty price tag. By natural food means foods made of simple, familiar ingredients that you can identify that came from the earth, not from a factory so the nutritional value is preserved. Also you should look for words like local and seasonal because that signifies that you are eating things when and where they supposed to be eaten. It's natural to know and consume what is grown and caught near you. Now when you know how to choose your food, we are going to point you at the top 10 natural foods that should be eaten. You are what you eat and your life is not just one of the cooking games. - As a great source of proteins, vitamin E, and calcium, we recommend you almonds. They also prevent from heart diseases, help decrease cholesterol and can help with weight maintenance and loss. - The apricots, fresh or dried, are also a "super food". They are very rich in fiber, full of potassium, and low in calories. - Maybe you are trying to avoid eating chocolate, but you must know that chocolate and cocoa are the source of powerful antioxidants that help fight diseases. Taking them in reasonable quantities help you to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow-plus. Also here is the effect of a better as an added bonus. - Cucumbers are principally composed of water. They are mineral rich, full of potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C, but low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. - Figs are an excellent source of dietary fibre, as well as calcium. - Maybe you don't like so much green bean but you should know that it is an excellent dietary supplement. It's low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol but high in fibre, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. - Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin B6 and E, provide protection against many diseases, including heart disease. - Probably you didn't know that lemons are one of the top detoxifying foods that help fight degenerative diseases, thanks to their diuretic qualities and antioxidants - Red Peppers actually have more vitamin C than an orange, provide a great energy boost and serve as an antioxidant, fighting disease. - Yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium, helps to improve digestion and boost immunity, and increases your body's ability to absorb other beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Tuesday, October 26 2010
Mexican food is internationally recognized for its distinctive flavors. It has a big influence of different cultures and that is what makes it so interesting and delicious. It is an amalgam of Prehispanic and European elements. During the Prehispanic era the natives had their diet mainly based on vegetables but the most important ingredients were Corn and Chile. There were also tomatoes, cactus, avocado, pumpkin, vanilla and cocoa(chocolate). They also had animals in their diet like turkey or what they could hunt as deer, badger, quail, duck and white fish. Since the Spanish Conquest new ingredients were added, meat like pork and cow coming from Europe. For this interesting fusion, Mexican food is considered one of the most delicious Worldwide. Some of the conquistadors also took some of their main spices and ingredients to the rest of the world so there is a lot of influence of the Mexican food in the International Gastronomy as well. In the last 2 decades emerged a new style of Mexican food which is The Gourmet Mexican Cuisine or New Mexican Food as is called, this new trend is bringing new energy to the traditional Mexican food. Food and Cooking are a very important in Mexico, and can be the center of social life. It is an event that binds friendships, reinforce family bonds; even important business transactions take place around Dinner or Lunch. There are dishes for special events or parties like Mole or Tamales but even though these are festive meals menu, they can be eaten any time in the year and for no specific reason. Tequila is a very distinctive drink made in Mexico only and now Mexican Beers and Wines form Baja California and Queretaro are also internationally known. In Mexico there are different styles of Mexican food depending on the area. In each State they have their specialties but all of them keep the Corn, Chile and Beans as the main ingredient. Corn is used for tortillas or for Pozole or Menudo. In Mexican food flour is use to make sweet bread and pastries or to make flour tortillas for quesadillas and chimichangas or buñuelos which is a sweet fry tortilla. In Mazatlan the traditional regional food is delicious and not as hot and spicy as it is in the south of the Country, but it is very tasty. Some examples of traditional dishes Sinaloenses are: Pollo a la Plaza, Asado a la Plaza, Pozole, Menudo, the wonderful tortilla soup, chilaquiles, enchiladas and of course sea food, especially since Mazatlan is considered internationally the Shrimp Capital. At any home it is common to find marlin stew or shrimp ceviche, Pescado sarandeado, or mahi mahi garlic filet, breaded shrimp, shrimp empanadas, shrimp brochette and more; any of this dishes are served with rice or guacamole on site. Do you like fruit? In this Estate you will find the freshest fruit like mango, pineapple, guava, banana, watermelon, papaya and surely coconut. There is a very characteristic drink made of fruits like a smoothie and is called "Raspado". Well I have a good recommendation for you, after eating any of this succulent treat and make it part of your daily life take a nice and slow walk by the largest boardwalk in Mexico "El Malecon de Mazatlán" just to keep in good shape and feel the cool breeze while enjoying our worldwide sunset. That is what a lot of people who have made Mazatlan their home do; and they really enjoy living in this Paradise. Many of them were captivated by the natural beauties, by the excellent Mexican food and friendly people on their very first visit and decided to swim in to Mazatlan Real Estate Ocean just to call Mazatlan their own.
Thursday, October 21 2010
Everyone knows that the best gifts are from the heart. Since the economy slowed to a stop,people are afraid to do much more than give a gift card to your favorite restaurant or shop. Most people have over - looked the impact that giving a personal gift will make. The one thing that all human beings love to do is talk about themselves and have others enjoy vacation photos and that of there kids and family. With the technology we have today, you can personalize just about anything. From clothing, to glassware and even food!
The benefits of giving personalized gifts for the giver and the receiver. You can actually get away with spending less money on this type gift and emerging with something that looks like you spent a lot. You can easily wow your boss and co-workers for special occasions,office parties and holidays. When you make it personal it looks as if you really took a lot of time and energy to choose the gift. It is also great if you have to stick to a certain minimum. You may just get more bang for your buck and not go over the secret Santa budget! One thing that the economy has not stopped is weddings. You can personalize gifts for your bridal party and for all your guests. Edible ones are the best memory and you can keep what it is wrapped in for life or even recycle it into a photo box or money pouch! There are benefits to giving personalized gifts to spouses for anniversaries too. The edible kind that you can together for several days or weeks. I think by now you know that you can not go wrong with this fast,easy, and inexpensive choice. You can now sit back and relax while you plot your holiday and special occasion gift giving. Tuesday, October 12 2010
By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine
In the produce aisle, we often find ourselves in deer-in-headlights mode when we get to the greens -- there are just so many options. Lately, kale has been getting loads of attention for being a vitamin- and nutrient-packed superfood. But, aesthetically, we're drawn to watercress, with its pretty, petite leaves. Related: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss Turns out, watercress gives kale a run for its money. In fact, while much more research is needed, a recent study found that watercress might reduce your risk ofbreast cancer, thanks to a compound that inhibits a protein related to tumor growth. "In addition to the compound in this study, a cup of watercress contains plenty of vitamins A and C and boasts an entire day's worth of vitamin K, a nutrient that helps keep your bones strong and your heart healthy -- and just four calories," says Monica Reinagel, M.S., a nutritionist, chef and blogger for our new sister site, Nutrition Data. "It's also a mild diuretic, which can help you shed excess fluid if you're bloated from too much salt or before your period," she added. Here are 3 smart, easy ways to add watercress to your diet: Related: Analyze Your Diet and Create the Perfect Meal Plan 1. Pair It With Chicken or Fish. Sulforaphane, an antioxidant in cruciferous veggies, is up to 13 times more effective at fighting cancer-causing free radicals when eaten with the mineral selenium, which is found in seafood, poultry and some vegetables. 2. Mix It Into Warm Pasta. Slightly wilted greens are easier for the body to digest, which allows you to soak up more nutritious goodness. We love this recipe for Linguine With Chile, Crab, and Watercress from Nigella Lawson's "Forever Summer" cookbook. Related: 15 New Healthy Fall Recipes 3. Make It Part of an All-Round Heart-Healthy Meal. Preliminary research has linked watercress to cardiovascular health. While more animal and human studies are necessary, there's evidence that watercress can reduce triglycerides (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease). To further boost the heart-pampering prowess, pair it with other items from SELF's hearty-healthy shopping list. And this shrimp, watermelon and watercress salad will blow your mind. Related: Snack Attack? Chow Down on These Sweet 100-Calorie Eats Click here for a full nutritional analysis of watercress. Inspire us! What's your favorite leafy green, and what's your favorite way to prepare it? More From SELF: Friday, October 08 2010
First, the best nut--peanut Cooked peanut not only is easy to digest and absorb, but also plays an important role in health care. Peanut can inhibit the dissolution of fibrin, promote the neogenesis of platelets, strengthen the contracting function of the capillaries, treat thrombocytopenia, prevent the hemorrhagic disease, etc. What's more, peanut also has the effects of lowering blood pressure and adjusting cholesterol. The best vegetable: lotus root In addition to the large amount of carbohydrates, lotus root also contains plenty of protein and various kinds of vitamins and minerals. What's more, it is also rich in dietary fibers, so it is very useful for the treatment of constipation. The best drink: yellow rice wine The best fruit: pear Different ways of eating pears can produce different effects. For example, eating raw pears can significantly relieve the symptoms of the infection of the upper respiratory tract such as dry throat, itching, pain and so on. While if the pear is cooked or steamed, it can play the role of replenishing vital essence and nourishing the lung, relieving the cough and eliminating phlegm. What's more, it is also very effective in the prevention and treatment of gout, rheumatism and arthritis.
Wednesday, October 06 2010
When it comes to preparing healthy meals at home, don't underestimate the value of your freezer. A well-stocked freezer can save you a trip to the store when you're pressed for time, which could mean the difference between making dinner and ordering in. It also lets you save meals that you prepare in big batches ahead of time, take advantage of discounts at the grocery store, and keep food that might otherwise go to waste. Freezing is also an easy way to preserve local, in-season, fruits, and veggies that you buy at farmers markets or grow in your garden. If you want to eat delicious tomatoes in the dead of winter, for example, but are intimidated by canning, freezing is worth considering. But just how long will that casserole or whole chicken last in the freezer? According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, food stored in a freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will stay safe indefinitely. But that doesn't mean the taste and texture will remain the same. Here is a guide to how long you can freeze foods before you sacrifice quality. Keep in mind that quality does deteriorate the longer food sits in your freezer, so aim to defrost sooner rather than later.
Basic tips for freezing food:
How to freeze fresh produce:
Friday, October 01 2010
Around the end of August every year, stores begin to flood with flavors and scents that conjure visions of falling leaves, hay rides, and warm cozy evening spent with family and friends. Fall fruits and veggies are an excellent way to bring both health and great taste to your table. Whether you purchase products that are derived from these fall foods or you cook up a healthy fresh serving of them, they are sure to bring to bring the wealth of the season to your taste buds.
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