Healthy Foods
Strawberries for Valentine seductive
Want a romantic gesture for your partner this February 14? Surprise him with a heart-shaped strawberries covered with chocolate and topped with champagne.
An old legend says that if you start a strawberry in half and that half is shared with a partner, be in love with each other, and that if we also added chocolate, romance double in intensity.
Ingredients:
* 24 strawberries
* 1 / 2 cup dark chocolate
* 1 / 2 cup white chocolate
* Finely chopped almonds
* Finely chopped pistachios
Preparation:
* Rinse strawberries and dry them with paper.
* Place the chocolate chips in two separate cups microwave on medium power (50%) of 1.5 to 2 minutes.
* Stir the chocolate until smooth. If not completely melted, place a few seconds in the microwave.
* Top with chocolate, almonds and walnuts 3 / 4 of the body of the strawberries.
* Place on a sheet of wax paper for baking.
* Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
* Cover with 2 or 3 layers of chocolate. Since the first layer of chocolate is dry, cover with a second, exposing the first layer of contrasting form.
* Decorate with chocolate. Place the chocolate in a plastic bag and put it in the microwave until melted. Make a small hole in the bag to decorate the strawberries and put them duya way to cool.
Functional Foods
We have seen in a previous post various types of functional ingredients. Today we will continue with others, including different kinds of fats, and see what are the benefits to our organization, and how they contribute to the maintenance of health or prevent and even correct certain disorders.
Olive oil is rich in oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acid, AGM) and also has significant amounts of linolenic acid and linoleic (polyunsaturated fatty acids, AGP). The AGM and AGP have the ability to halve the blood levels of cholesterol compared with saturated fatty acids (SFA), present in butter, margarine and palm and coconut oils. It also contains phenolic compounds are important antioxidants. Several studies show an association between olive oil consumption and decreased risk of coronary heart disease, lower incidence of certain cancers, and modification of the inflammatory and immune responses.
Ω-3 fatty salmónÁcidos: Fish fats are rich in fatty acids docohexaenóico (DHA) and eicosapantenóico (EPA), which are polyunsaturated fatty acids (AGP), commonly called ω-3. Numerous studies have demonstrated its role in preventing cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory diseases and various mental illnesses. Therefore, there are also many foods that have taken away their originals and fats have been replaced by ω-3. The problem is that many of these foods contain very small amounts of ω-3, which is not sufficient to produce the effects observed in clinical trials (made with much higher doses of these fats). While it is true that the fact of replacing a saturated fat (such as milk, butter, or fat often found in many cookies) by polyunsaturated fats such as ω-3 as an improvement of lipid profile diet.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) under this name are grouped a set of isomers of linoleic acid, present in small amounts in seed oils and animal fats relatively abundant, especially the milk of ruminants. The effects of fat have been extensively studied in animals, with very promising results in reducing body fat and improved lipid metabolism, anticancer, antidiabetic and improved immune function, but human studies have yielded somewhat ambiguous. It also attributed some adverse effect of insulin resistance. Thus, while today there are many supplements and functional foods that have CLA; more studies are needed to determine the roll that takes humans to establish appropriate recommendations.
We saw that one of the features that should meet these foods that could be considered functional is that its positive effects on certain body functions or prevention of various diseases were to have been scientifically proven. Another is to be consumed (to observe the functional effect) in the amounts usually consumed in the diet. These two features currently are not always met, and many manufacturers mentioned in advertising or packaging of their products, the functional properties of the ingredients they contain, although these proportions are insufficient, so the amounts usually consumed the functional food are not observed the therapeutic effect promised, or without sufficient scientific backing. To prevent such abuses to the final consumer, who does not have enough information, the European Union has created a European Commission Concerted Action on Functional Food Science in Europe (FUFOSE), which aims to develop and establish a scientific approach to the evidence needed to support the development of functional foods. To implement its findings and principles has created a program of concerted action by the European Commission, Process for the Assessment of Scientific Support for Claims regarding Foods (PASSCLAIM), which aims to resolve issues the scientific validation and verification of claims and consumer information.
We hope that through these initiatives we are better informed consumers and therefore more protected.
Legumes High Quality Vegetable Protein
The consumption of vegetables has dropped sharply in recent years for various reasons. Those who are dedicated to the world of nutrition do not get tired of insisting that food is a rich and balanced, it should be part of a healthy diet. Legumes are more plant foods high in protein. Stand out for its high content of carbohydrates and fiber, low in fat and rich in certain vitamins and minerals. With this letter sure all you urge to eat more often.
As I said in the introduction, the vegetables are high in protein (20%) of high biological value, because such a large proportion of essential amino acids. They are a bit deficient in the amino acid methionine, complemented perfectly with the grain, low in lysine. Thus, when mixed in a single meal a legume and cereal (lentils with rice, soup and noodles cooked with chick peas) get a high quality protein equivalent to any animal protein (meat, fish, eggs and dairy), but a much lower price. For this reason they are often called “the flesh of the poor.”
Legumes are rich in carbohydrates starch type (80% amylose and 20% amylopectin). This ratio amylose / amylopectin determine its low glycemic index (about 30), as amylose (present in greater proportion than amylose) is an unbranched helical structure, which hinders the action of digestive enzymes, slowing digestion and So the speed at which blood glucose rises after ingestion. Amylopectin, having highly branched chains is more accessible to digestive enzymes and digested more quickly.
They are high in fiber, soluble and insoluble type. It also contains short chain oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose and varbascosa), which are fermented by the intestinal flora, producing various gases, and therefore responsible for flatulence that sometimes occur.
Are very low in fat (except lupine, soybean and peanut) and, unlike meat and fish, have no cholesterol, making them ideal for all types of diets, especially those with cardiovascular risk. Among the few fats that have (1-5 g/100 g) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (omega-6).
Legumes are rich in magnesium, manganese, iron, and zinc and rich in B vitamins (B1, folic acid nicina). They are also low in sodium and rich in potassium, making them ideal for people with hypertension.
For all these reasons are ideal for a balanced diet. Its content in low-glycemic HC makes them ideal for diabetics and, contrary to popular belief, for those who want to control your weight. Because of its high fiber content is very beneficial in maintaining good bowel health, maintaining low levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Its low fat content is a big advantage over animal protein, often high in fat.
legumbres_verano Some tricks: when cooking salt should be added at the last moment to prevent the skin hardens. For people who find it very difficult to digest, or that they produce many gases, can take crushed, mashed. I will recommend that a couple of times a week to replace the typical menu of rice / pasta salad + protein + vegetable dish with rice and vegetables (which give flavor), along with a mixed salad. Play with the spices and blends flavors and discover delicious dishes, super nutritious and fun. The possibilities are endless. Cocináis If so, a simple and light, I feel great. You can leave greasy and heavy dishes (stew, cooked) for special occasions.
Does Milk Commercial Birdseed
We all know the properties of the milk of birdseed, but although its preparation is simple, not every seed is safe for human consumption. It is therefore important to know whether or not milk is sold birdseed and what are the different brands that exist in various countries.
In Chile is not yet widespread commercial sale of milk birdseed birdseed or seeds of silica fiber-free, because you could only buy some organic food specialist ditéticas, or through the ebay site in the United States.
In countries such as Canada, Mexico and the United States is more widespread marketing and you can buy different brands such as “Agatha,” “Purity”, “Naturel” “canary-Lac” and “Birdseed Milk Melonite 100% natural.”
These same brands are available in Europe through and health food stores. Canary seeds are sold in different forms whether seeds, powdered or liquid form. Remember that if you buy the seeds, they must be 100% free silica fiber.
Food for Better Rest
Sleep is a hormonally controlled process by serotonin. Its secretion is triggered by the amino acid tryptophan, so that there are those who postulates that contain foods that help sleep. Here are some examples, to cease to be insomniacs, foods with tryptophan and other substances that can help you.
Just do not get “blind” to eat what we tell you because then you might sleep but from above the toilet …
* Brown rice. Take boiled. You can accompany it with a protein source as a simple omelet.
* Tuna. Add it to your salads.
* Avena. You can take the form of flakes added to a glass of milk or yogurt.
* Watercress. In salads or mixed with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
* Lentils. You can prepare in the traditional way or even add to a salad.
The Beauty of Beet Juice
Juice
The beet juice gives the body a very good amount of nutrients that helps increase blood flow to the brain. For that reason, we could fight dementia. Furthermore, as indicating the last study conducted found that older people may have better virtues to this problem.
In turn, the beet roots contain a very high amount of nitrates. These are converted into nitrites after passing through the mouth bacteria. These elements are best together to open the body’s blood vessels and increases blood flow and oxygen to areas without it.
Another important issue that was discovered after the analysis was how the affecting food nitrates all adults who are older than 70 years. For this we developed a task that lasted four days. During all that time went by selecting the most important nutrients that could be attributed to the subjects.
The results were very eloquent and threw left no room for discussion. Blood flow in the elderly a long time elapsed healthy diet as nitrites, had increased considerably. The brain areas that are most associated with the degeneration that is what causes dementia with other cognitive disorders are viewed favorably improved. For that reason, the beet juice is within one of the components that are inevitable at the time of dieting. At any time it can add this component.
Enjoy the Great Taste of Leeks and Discover its Diuretic Effect
Within the work of your daily routine should always pay special attention to your daily menu, ie, commitment to quality food for it, spend time each week to make the purchase is in your basket fruit should not miss, vegetables, fish, meat, vegetables … Today I would like to pay special attention to an excellent food with which you can develop safe quality food at home with which to surprise your family: leek.
A food that also has great diuretic effect that takes care of your body. That is, the leek is a food you can buy at the supermarket because it helps prevent fluid retention and contains virtually no calories. It is a vegetable that is present in the market throughout the year. So, enjoy the flavor of leeks every month of the year.
The leek is a water-rich food that helps you to hydrate. On the other hand, one of the direct effects of this delicious vegetable is that it helps to prevent constipation which is so annoying and uncomfortable in your daily routine. The leek is rich in fiber. Interesting data that when put this food in your daily diet to bet your health and your family.
Moreover, the leek not only helps you avoid water retention but also, it is also an excellent vegetable to help you take care of the bronchi. Do you like the taste of leeks? The truth is that even children should get used to eating everything from an early age. That is, should acquire healthy eating habits with which convert food into an art of health, hope and happiness.
Rejuvenate and Enjoy All the Goodness of Celery
Celery, besides being a food to which he attributes a large amount of iron and magnesium, essential combination for nourishing the body’s cells, is a vegetable that contains an exceptional amount of sodium, which, among other things, is an element important in maintaining calcium, an essential element in the body. Any food that has been processed organic calcium becomes inorganic.
The inorganic calcium is unable to provide a truly efficient nutrition for regenerating the body’s cells. Excessive consumption of calcium through refined or chemically altered products can overwhelm the body of calcium, inorganic, and instead of that diet actually nourish the body’s cells is causing an obstruction of the functioning of systems which do not just cause, eventually, diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, kidney problems and gall bladder, but the skin will look tired and dull as the cells are not being well-nourished and regenerated. The role of sodium is precisely to maintain an undesirable insulating solution this calcium in the body until it can be removed.
Sodium has a very important to maintain good blood flow and the lymphatic system prevents the blood from becoming too thick. Celery juice combined with carrot is an ideal tonic to nourish the body and mineralized, especially the skin, eyes and blood appreciate this food. Celery juice, lettuce and cabbage is very good tonic for those suffering from frayed nerves, or insomnia, in addition to cool the body in very hot places.
It is important that there siemrpe diet containing calcium organic food because otherwise it can promote pulmonary diseases. The lack of organic calcium is one of the fundamental causes of premature aging.
It is highly recommended that when menstruating or nursing women, take a celery juice, spinach, carrots and 3 almonds or oats (containing calcium). This juice is really beneficial to restore the whole body and restore the iron and calcium the body needs in high demand.
So if you want to rejuvenate your appearance and your health, do not forget to include in your daily diet where you include a juice celery and organic calcium that comes in many vegetables, fruits, seeds and other foods such as brewer’s yeast, honey bee, lemon, orange, pollen, seaweed, sprouts, alfalfa, etc.
Properties of the Parsley and Pepper
Parsley is a vegetable rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and chlorophyll. Its properties are essential to maintain normal functioning of the adrenal glands, and thyroid. Uen food is optimizing the functioning of capillaries and arteries. It is very nutritious to strengthen the genital and urinary systems. Its function is primarily active medicinal in the circulatory system, bladder, liver, kidneys and spine, as well as everything related to the hearing. For those who eat lots of meat, a vegetable juice with parsley should not miss in your diet, as this vegetable also helps eliminate uric acid digestion.
It is important not to use parsley juice or eat too much just because it has a really strong effect when concentrated and can cause a disruption in the nervous system. Twigs combined with carrot juice or some other vegetables are sufficient to benefit from their properties
the pepper provides the body a big dose of silicon and fluorine, which is very important for nail, hair and skin, and regulate the sebaceous glands. A juice daily health and beauty can be any vegetable juice in the mix to be varied and some of them, such as carrot and pepper, or parsley, lettuce, peppers and spinach, green beans or carrots, parsley, etc.
The therapeutic properties of pepper are used by people suffering from gas, digestive problems, constipation, intestinal disorders, skin problems, hair loss, brittle nails, skin or greasy hair, suffering from cramps, inflammation and headaches. For these conditions should be drinking three glasses of carrot juice mixed with the juice of a green pepper and fresh spinach. Drink half a glass before each meal and snack to take small sips the juice until it is gone.
To prevent any of the above conditions, it is recommended to consume green or red pepper salad also. Below is a little recipe to prepare delicious and nutritious salad:
Pepper Salad, Alfalfa and Spinach
Ingredients:
- A bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- Alfalfa Sprouts
- Spinach, finely chopped
- Olive oil
- The juice of three lemons (or to taste)
- The egg yolk
- A crushed garlic
- Salt to taste
Dressing: In a bowl mix the egg yolk, garlic and lemons and add 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Add salt to taste. In a separate refractory put spinach and sprouts and stir well. Decorate top with the sliced peppers you. Bathe the above with the dressing.
Super Foods Part 2
Blueberries
Sweet, spicy and fragrant, onions are one of the oldest medicines.
Onion has also been used to pay the rent and to congratulate the newlyweds. Onions are rich in antioxidants and may be one of the best foods to fight cancer. Shallots, red and yellow are the richest dietary source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant. Anticanceríginos many actors in onions are effective against cancers of the mouth, throat, lung, and stomach, colorectal, breast, ovarian, prostate and liver, according to Galeone.
Eat plenty of onions may reduce the risk of throat cancer by 88% and prostate cancer by 71%, according to La Puma. People who live in Vidalia, Georgia, home of the Vidalia onion, suffering a third of the stomach cancer rate in the U.S., concludes Carper.
Onions are also good for the heart, reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Contain anticoagulants that thin the blood and reduce the blockage of the arteries. They can even block the activity of blood coagulation caused by fatty foods.
Centuries old, has proven effective in diabetes treatments. Cooked or raw, onions reduces blood sugar and the more you consume, the greater the effect.
It also helps to fight other diseases. Onions are antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory nature. Help dilate the bronchial tubes, making breathing easier for mild asthmatics, those suffering from hay fever and people with chronic bronchitis. Onions can even help you cope with stress. Quercetin is a mild sedative to induce relaxation and sleep.
7: Broccoli
Raw broccoli is an ally against multiple diseases. It is full of powerful antioxidants that fight lung cancer, colon, prostate, gastric and breast cancer. The compound indole-3-carbinol containing broccoli, you can:
* Halting the proliferation of cancer cells in breast and prostate
* Inhibit the reproduction of herpes virus
* Slowing the growth of cancer cells in the thyroid and goiter
* Stop in the bacterium H. pylori, associated with stomach ulcers and stomach, according to studies by Fahey, Zhang and Talalay
Broccoli contains many minerals and vitamins that fight disease, including chromium, an important element in the regulation of blood sugar and insulin. High levels of acid beta-carotene and folic acid help prevent cataracts. Folic acid stops the virus that causes cervical cancer. Broccoli is a good source of calcium, an agent that reduces blood pressure and is necessary for bone strength.
This food also can make us smarter. Provides iron, essential for healthy brain functioning. Contains boron, a trace element that increases the activity of brain waves and speeds physical responses. In addition, beta-carotene of broccoli improves the ability to think.
8: Beans
Beans are low in fat and are high in fiber, are rich in protein and are cholesterol free. Like honey, the wide variety of dried beans, including chickpeas, reduce triglycerides, blood fats that can cause heart attacks. It also lowers blood levels of so-called bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Its high carbohydrate and fiber content helps regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes under control. The beans can also help prevent colon cancer, largely due to the fiber.
According to Carper, the recommended daily dose is 50 to 75 grams of beans. This amount has been shown that:
* Reduce triglycerides by 17 percent
* Lowers cholesterol by an average of 10 percent
* Neutralizes stomach acid
* Protects against breast cancer
* Reduce the levels of plasma glucose and insulin in people with type 2 diabetes
* Strengthens bones
Moreover, according to La Puma, people who eat beans regularly tend to weigh less (3.2 kg) than people who rarely use them.
To avoid gas, it is recommended to soak the beans overnight before cooking.
9: Honey
Cave paintings in Spain dating back to 7000 BC show people gathering honey from the hives. Temples, tombs and sarcophagi of Egyptian Pharaohs and kings incorporate representations of bees and honey. Virgil and Pliny and Hippocrates extolled prescribed. The armies invading Romans brought with them hives for use in food, medicine and gain energy. Meanwhile, the old British fort attributed to the mead, a fermented honey drink.
Unlike sugar, honey is a sweetener rich in nutrients, provides many minerals and vitamins C, D, E and B complex It is a concentrated carbohydrate that raises much-needed energy for the sport. Paradoxically, honey is also beneficial for promoting sleep. Soothes sore throats and coughs quiet night.
Studies have shown that honey lowers blood triglycerides. It also inhibits tumor growth and cancer in mice. Honey inhibits the cells that cause bladder cancer and protects against colitis. It has antiseptic properties that make it good topical treatment for infections, wounds and burns.
For pollen allergies, local honey is a remedy more enjoyable and profitable than injections. The honey collected within a radius of 32 kilometers from the house of an allergy can be immunized against the pollen in the vicinity. Dr. Leila Denmark, who graduated from the Medical School of Georgia in 1928 and practiced medicine until he retired at the age of 103 years, we recommend adding a teaspoon (2.1 grams) of local honey to the diet daily to treat pollen allergies. Children up to one year of age should not eat honey because it can cause adverse reactions.
10: Blueberries
Cranberry juice black or blue can prevent bladder infections by the same mechanism of cranberry-Prevents E. coli from sticking to the walls of the bladder. This also prevents antibacterial action and accelerates the relief of diarrhea.
Native Americans believed that cranberries were magical. They were used to dye clothes and also assessed their dietary and medicinal properties. The powerful antioxidants that protect us from soft top to bottom. High concentrations of anthocyanins that produce the blue color can also protect vision and fight against free radicals that cause cancer. Besides its ellagic acid appears to inhibit tumor growth.
Blueberries may even reduce belly fat. The effects are best when consumed within a diet low in fat, but a study by the University of Michigan shows that are also beneficial in diets high in fat. The reason is that the blueberries are involved in the storage system and burn fat while improving the use that the body makes glucose.