Healthy Salad Secrets

There are many salads nowadays but how would you actually make the most of it. Here are pointers from the experts, It will change the way you make your salads.

1. For the citrus fruits, make sure they are firm and fragrant upon smelling.

2. For the meat, as long as it's vacuum packed. Or if buying pre-packed meat, it should be pink and to red in color.

3. For the prawns, go for those that are gray and firm.

4. For the salad greens, go for leaves and herbs that are fresh and crisp.

With salads it's nice to try out the different textures like crunchy and soft, This can also be something chewy, Having different textures, as well as different flavors gives dish some variety, Making it more enjoyable. Because usually if it is vinaigrette or a vinegar or a citrus-based dressing, you would want to balance the acidity to something sweet. So a balance of sweet and sour is nice, and if you can put a little bit of a bitter taste, a little bit of salty taste, even better.

Salads are a versatile type of dish, and aren't just measured by dressing and lettuce. Experimenting is a good way to spice things up. There are different ways to of doing the dressing, and not just the usual oil or vingar, fruits or vegetable purees are options. For starters try mango or raspberry puree.

Health benefits of Lutein

There are so many health supplement nowadays and people just can't get enough of it. There is this one eye supplement that has been trying make a name in my country, I'm not going to tell the brand, but what is important to me is to know exactly what makes this supplement, different from the other ones, What is it that make it work? and does it have any side effects? and stuff like that. So, What is Lutein?

Lutein is another antioxidant that is one of the caretenoids these are pigments that are usually found in different types of vegetables and fruits, such as squash, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, corn and dark, leafy vegetables like those of kale, collards, bok choy and spicnach. but what exactly does lutein does to help us?

Studies indicate that lutein plays a vital role in reducing the risk of AMD or also known as Age-related Macular Degeneration and can also help slow down the progression of the disease. Lutein deposits in the macula - the part of the eye that controls accurate vision - and helps filter out harmful blue light which stops it from reaching and damaging the sensitive back tissue of the retina, effectively acting as natural sunglasses.

A lot of people may not need to take any supplements like Lutein, especially if they have well balanced diet and a higher intake of lutein-rich foods, but for those people with serious eye problems, a supplement wouldn't hurt. but better chekc your doctor first.

Brain food? Take the B Vitamins.

Image via WikipediaMemory loss, Memory gap, Are just some of the things that happens to us as we age. But you don't need to grow old to wait for these things to happen to you. Why don't you do something for yourself while you were young. I have given some tips on my previous posts about how you can improve your memory. But what is the specific vitamin food that helps boost your memory?

Vitamin B Complex can actually boost your brain and enhance the power of your memory. You should try to eat Vitamin b-rich foods. And try to stay away from foods that may reduce or lower the Vitamin b complex. Here are the list of foods that are rich in Vitamin B.

Potatoes
Avocados
whole grains,
Tuna
Oats
Turkey
Bananas
Legumes
yeast, meat, low-fat dairy products,
Brazil nuts
lentils and leafy greens.

Oh and beer too. Yes, you heard it right, but it doesn't mean that you have to reason this to drink more beer. eat right and balance your diet.

Health food, Noodles from seaweeds and vegetables.

Last time, i wrote about how popular Camel's milk now in UAE,. In the Philippines The government is now introducing veggie noodles. Through the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of Department of Science and Technology.

They developed different types of noodles that were made out of different vegetables, like squash,jute leaves and other green leafy vegetables, not to mention seaweeds too.
Vegetables are known to be very rich in vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, iodine, iron, protein and a lot more.

Noodles that are made of squash are pasta, instant noodles, and fresh miki or eggless noodles. Seaweeds and jute leaves were made as instant spaghetti, flat noodles and iodine-rich fresh miki.These noodles was first made for a feeding program to the less fortunate. Especially those who have Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), Iodine Deficiency Disorder(IDD) and Protein Energy Malnutrition. This is just on time right now, While the price of flour(one main ingredient of noodles) is constantly increasing in the world market.

Based on FNRI 50-gram serving of squash noodles, can give 16 % of energy, 20% of protein and 24% of Vitamin A. Which is just enough for recommended Energy and Nutrient intake for children ages 4 to 6 years old. While noodles made of jute leaves can give us 15 % of energy, 18 % protein and 36% of Vitamin A. And seaweed(guso) noodles/ pasta can give us 12 % protein and 22 % of iodine. These may not be much, but it's better to eat veggie noodles than just the plain ones.

The color of squash noodles are bright yellow. While noodles from vegetables are all green. These noodles are firm and don't have unpleasant smell. and has a fine texture compare to those commercial noodles.




image courtesy of www. allposters.com

Healthy foods: How to make toddlers eat.

Never force children to eat something that they say they "hate". Instead try to combine these nutritious food items with those that they like . For example", If your tot love hotdogs, make a sandwich with an iron-fortified hotdog, vitamin-enriched margarine, a slice of cheese, a little mayonnaise with minced carrots, and serve with glass of fresh fruit juice.

Nutrients are better absorbed when combined in a dish such as serving vegetables with meat cubes. for instance. Small frequent feedings are better for this stage since they can only eat so much with their small appetites.

Here are top must lists of healthy foods for your toddlers:

The primary food that toddlers should have in their priority list is milk. It is an excellent source of calcium and protein. It is also a good source of phosphorous, some B-complex vitamins, and Vitamins A and D. as well as some magnesium. Toddlers need fats contained in full cream milk, so low-fat or non-fat milk are not recommended. If your toddler gets tired of drinking same milk over and over, try to be innovative: add a teaspoon or two of chocolate or strawberry flavoring. better yet mix it with some fresh fruits your little ones love or make it into a nutritious milkshake.

The next in line, vegetables. vegetable provide minerals, vitamins and fiber. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach contains vitamin c and A , iron, calcium. while yellow veggies such as carrots and squash are rich in Vitamin A.

Third group and non-negotiable food are fruits. fruits are rich in vitamins and are well-liked by most kids. Bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamin b6.

Make sure your toddler eats whole grain breads or enriched rice and cereals, as these are good source of iron, thiamin and riboflavin..

When your tots really hates the taste, try to add bitter/bland tasting veggies into their meal by making a puree or or use a juicer then hide it by mixing it to their favorite foods. It is important that we don't take healthy foods for granted. We only want whats best for our kids.

Does Wheat grass really make us healthy?

Wheat grass for good health? Image via Wikipedia Last Saturday, i learned something new... to me, but it was already known ages ago.I just wanted to share something that i found amazing.(Courtesy of Ms. Jessica Soho)
A lot of people may know wheat grass as just a grass that makes your front lawn looks pretty neat. And cows, goats and horse's daily meal.

Wheat grass is a type of grass that is rich and high in vitamins and minerals, but of course it still a grass. So for some people, they may find these unpleasant to eat or drink. But let me show you what really caught my attention, Producers of wheat grass said that There's a lot of ways to take wheat grass. But you can try to put some in a juicer so you can take the juice from it and drink it from a shot glass. They say that even the pulp has benefits too.(you can use it as a facial scrub.) They claim that one shot glass of wheat grass is equal to 1 kilo of green leafy vegetables. If this is true then I'd better get one of these.

Here are some more benefits of wheat grass that proponents claim:

help make menopause more manageable

prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease

It cures constipation

It detoxify heavy metals from the bloodstream

promote general well-being.

improve the digestive system


This study was pioneered by Dr. Ann Wigmore , a health practitioner, nutritionist,whole foods advocate, and a doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Ann Wigmore has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass. Wheat grass may or may not prevent cancer. But i strongly still believe that nothing beats a well balanced diet, So don't just rely on one food to cure a disease. Wheat grass is healthy so you can add it in your daily diet. And you may be surprised what it will truly brings to your health.