How Making Infant Nutrition With Organic Foods?

Infants need baby food just as adults need their favorite food. But baby nutrition has been deeply affected by the growth of non-organic foods. The concept of organically produced foods has caught wind in the past decade, tracing its emergence to the mid 1990's. Would you like it if somebody told you to drink a gallon of nitrate fertilizer: would you even do it? Well, you might be shocked to know you might have consumed more than a gallon after eating fertilizer-laden produce for all your life. The concept of fertilizer was used to get rid of pests and insects in the soil. They destroyed the crops and so fertilizer industries blossomed all over the place.

But the same tool that got rid of the insects has now turned its fire on the human population. Years of crops smothered with fertilizer makes the fertilizer go right down into the soil. The soil holds this fertilizer for years which makes it all the more harmful as the fertilizer is now expired and has become downright deadly to grow any more crops in.

Ripple effect

Chemically potent soil gives rise to chemically harmful crops. If you remember your school science, you will recollect that roots absorb mineral salts and water from the soil. If the soil is tinged with nitrates, the water will be tinged with nitrates too. This alarming transplanting of chemicals affects the crops grown; this deadly crop travels down to the supermarkets in trucks and finally sits in our shopping bags to come home with us.

Fertilizers are used to boost crop outputs. Large crop outputs lead to big money. So the obsession with making money has led to the sacrifice of health. A carrot or an apple today is scientifically proven to contain only 50% of the nutrition it used to hold about 50 years back - which means you think you're eating a wholesome carrot but you are not. What you are eating is a carrot look-alike - with nitrates in it.

Effect on meat

Animals that live on the farm graze on the grass there which means they also get contaminated. Then again in a lot of farms dairy and poultry animals are force-fed with anti-biotic medicine to increase production of milk and eggs. Disease can also spread from eating such farm products. When these animals die, they decompose into the soil and leave the remnants of the anti-biotic and the chemically eaten grass back into the soil; and the story begins all over again. So meat, milk and poultry products are not exempt either.

Organic baby food

With adults in danger, it makes it imperative to make babies safe from this kind of chemical attack. Babies need to be fed only with organic baby snacks like Earth's Best products to protect them from diseases. Babies' bodies are delicate and vulnerable to disease as their physical systems are still in the early stages of development. The parents may buy baby food unsuspectingly from the supermarket, but that might not be natural baby food at all but baby food prepared with the same chemically treated ingredients.

Real dangers from eating chemically treated crops

The list of diseases that can spring up from eating fertilizer doused crops begins with cancer. The growing number of cancer cases all over the world is a strong pointer to this. Other diseases related to increased chemical toxicity in the body are obesity and Alzheimer's disease.

Turning back the clock

Now luckily due to growing awareness, every supermarket has organic sections where organic produce is displayed for purchase. Organic food refers to crops grown without fertilizers. Naturally these crops are more expensive as the organic farms strive to produce crops without artificially inflating their rate of growth. But if this extra money means a healthier body with an improved immune system then the money is an investment not expenditure. Perhaps this explains why people of olden days lived longer and healthier lives though the medical facilities were not so far advanced back then. They didn't need the medication!

Why Eat Meat The Healthy Way?

The word meat has been around for a long time. It dates back to the old English word mete, meaning food. Today the word is mainly used to describe animal flesh that is used to food. The type of meat we eat and the amount of it can significantly affect our health.

Eating too much meat is never a good thing. Studies demonstrate that this can have adverse effects on our health, especially when eating red meat. Some of these health problems include heart disease, obesity and even cancer. Processed meats as opposed to organic meats have also demonstrated to cause adverse health effects. Some people claim that meat is crucial to our diet because of the protein that we obtain from meat. Recent studies contradict this claim and it should be understood that other foods besides meat are good sources of protein.

Eating meat from animals that have been grass fed as opposed to being fed grain or other food has proven to be healthier. One of these reasons is the type and ratio of omega fatty acids that are found in these different types of meat. Our bodies function best when we have omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats at a ratio of three to one. Most people have far too many omega 6 fats in their diet. It essential for us to obtain omega 3 fats in our diet as our body cannot manufacture them from other fats.

Grain fed animals are known to have omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats at a ratio that exceeds twenty to one. Meat from grass fed animals is much healthier with a ratio of three to one. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the health and growth of our bodies. They also help to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, auto immune disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

It is better to eat chickens that have been fed vegetables, fruit, grass and insects. These have also proven to be much higher in omega 3 fats than chicken that is fed other food and kept in a confined space. Chickens that eat vegetables and fruit produce healthy eggs that have omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids of a ratio of six to three. Eggs found in the supermarket often have an unhealthy ratio of 20 to one for omega 6 fats to omega 4 fats. Fish are also a great source of omega three fats. It is best to consume fish that has been caught in the wild as opposed to fish that is farm raised.

How to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables?

Children like sweet food, rather than bitter tasting stuff, and they are conservative, meaning that they don't like to try new things; they have to see food a few times before they will try it according to some psychologists, they have a term for this- "neophobia"- the fear of new things. One way of overcoming this is to engage your child in making a menu for a week or a day or two at least, and taking them shopping, so that they can see what is displayed on shelves.

You can make a deal with them that they can choose vegetables, and fruit if this is also a problematic area, as long as they eat it. You can also allow children to "help" with the cooking and preparation of vegetables, or at least they can watch as you make a carrot flower or a tomato rose. These can be given to the child to try raw, but they do look enticing on a plate as nutritional garnishes. You can also deseed bell peppers and make them into containers for cream cheese or other dips that your child enjoys and gradually get him or her to eat the container. These can also be made into baskets to hold carrot and celery strips.

We eat with our eyes, so to get children to eat anything, apart from sweet things it has to look appetizing. You can make smiley faces on pizzas and quiches with different vegetables, red bell peppers make good lips and a carrot strip can be made to look like a nose, while the eyes can be green peas or strips of green pepper and so on. If it looks interesting it may be eaten.

Children don't like strong flavours, and if you recall your childhood you probably realize that you didn't approve of brussel sprouts or soggy boiled cabbage, or even asparagus which is considered a gourmet food. Go for caramelized onions and glazed carrots and cook your peas with mint sprigs to produce a sweeter taste.

Often it is the texture of vegetables that kids don't like, so puree veggies and take the seeds out of tomatoes and see if that helps. Make your own sauces for pasta and shred carrots into them and put in peeled, de-seeded tomatoes with onions and try a little garlic and oregano to help the taste.

Make your own soups and puree them so that they don't have to be chewed. If your child will eat mashed potato (perhaps smothered with tomato ketchup) then you could mash cooked carrots or swede with this and so disguise the fact that there are vegetables in it. You could add grated cheese too as this will help disguise the taste.

Eight Facts About Fruits Maybe Not You Know

You should consume a variety of fruits is what you always get to hear from several people like dietitians, doctors and your family. Of course, because it is necessary for your body to get the essential quantity of vitamins, minerals, fiber, sugar and even water. Fruits provide these nutrients to your body and form a very significant part of your diet. But do you know all the facts about fruits? Below are given some of the facts about fruits you may not know about.

1. Fruits have low calories

Fruits are filling but they don't have excessive calories or fats in them. They contain vitamins, fiber and sugar - all of which are required to keep us in the best of health.

2. Fruits reduce cardiovascular diseases

Many fruits have the capability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke as well as cancer. So those who have heart problems can gorge on fruits as they are known to be naturally reducing the risk of heart strokes and other related diseases.

3. Fruits don't have any cholesterol

Many people have high cholesterol in their systems due to the intake of unhealthy products. This makes them vulnerable to heart diseases and other illnesses. But fruits can easily avoid that as they are 100% cholesterol free.

4. Fruits aid in digestion

Fruits have natural fiber present in them. This fiber is very essential to ward off the cholesterol and fats from the body, thus making the body more fit. It also helps in digestion and reduces the chances of constipation as well.

5. Fruits build immunity level

Fruits are very high in antioxidants like vitamin C and anthocyanins. These when combined reduce the risks of oxidant stress, diseases and cancer. Moreover, they also help in building the immunity levels of the body and thus protect it from such diseases.

6. Fruits prevent aging

Many fruits like mulberries, blueberries, blackberries and other such blue fruits have properties to prevent the signs of aging too. Thus, the lines and the pigmentation on the face can be avoided by eating such fruits. They protect and rejuvenate the body cells, tissues as well as organs.

7. Fruits regulate blood pressure

Fruits such as avocados and apples are known to be helpful in balancing the blood pressure levels of the body.

8. Fruits help us live longer

Five Reasons to Try a Paleolithic Diet

In this article, I'll describe to you exactly what the Paleolithic (or "Caveman") Diet is, and 5 reasons why you should give it a try!

So, What is a "Paleo" Diet? The modern paleo diet is based on the assumed diet of our ancestors several thousand years ago. Back then, before agriculture, diets consisted of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. There was no access to dairy products, processed fats, oils, or sugars, or mass farmed grains like wheat.

Some nutritionists believe that the human body evolved over thousands of years to process and digest these kinds of foods, and that the rapid expansion of agriculture in comparatively recent years has left the human body trying to digest unfamiliar foods. Reverting to a Paleo diet is supposed to model more accurately what the body had evolved to digest, and provide a number of health benefits.

Why Try a Paleolithic Diet?

Here are my top 5 reasons:

1 - Studies have shown that the diet is more filling per calorie than other diets. Even healthy "Mediterranean diets" tend to make you consume more calories before feeling full. So, as part of a calorie controlled diet, the Paleo diet could help you to lose weight more efficiently.

2 - Early studies suggest that eating a Paleo Diet can lower blood pressure safely, and reduce the amount of CRP in the blood. This helps to control the bodies inflammation response, which may lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

3 - The Paleo Diet is very high in fibre, which helps maintain a healthy digestive system, reduce cholesterol, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4 - It reduces diabetes risk. More than 70% of the total daily energy consumed people in the United States comes from dairy products, cereals, refined sugars, refined vegetable oils and alcohol, all of which have high Glycemic Index values. In contrast, the Paleo diet has very low GI values, helping to maintain a stable blood sugar level, and reduce the risk of diabetes.

5 - Fewer adverse reactions. Huge numbers of people in the world are intolerant to dairy, gluten, or nuts. Some people are mildly intolerant, and may not even realise it. This continued consumption of foods your body rejects causes you to feel tired, bloated, or generally a bit "down". The paleo diet has none of these food groups. The very fact that these most common allergies are not part of the paleo diet lends weight to the theory that our bodies are ill-adapted to the modern diet. Trying the paleo diet for a few days might just make you feel more energetic, brighter, and more healthy.

How Way Pickling Your Vegetables For Long Term Preservation?

One of the most popular ways to extend food life is to pickle it. Pickling is the process of preserving food through fermentation in a brine. Many vegetables get pickled or made into relish including cucumbers, okra, peppers, summer squash, unripe cantaloupe, watermelon rind, tomatoes, eggs, onions, garlic, etc, etc. Pickling lowers the PH to less than 4.6, which is sufficient to kill most bacteria and is somewhat easier to do than canning in that the vegetables do not have to be completely sterile to pickle.

You will need to buy some equipment up front but after your initial investment, you should not need anything but a few ingredients to pickle your food. You will need a large pot that is big enough to boil water and mostly submerge the jars in order to seal them. You can seal the jars one at a time or get something big enough to do several at once. Buy as many 1 QT canning/mason jars as you think you will need (I buy them by the case), just make sure they have rings to seal the lids. Though the process is not too difficult, it makes sense to make as many jars as possible at one time, given you have enough vegetables.

Now that you have your equipment, and hopefully picked some fresh veggies from your organic garden, you are ready to pickle. There are thousands of recipes for pickling, and different nuances according to the different vegetables. It would be impossible to cover everything, but there are numerous detailed books about pickling available to give you ideas and guidance. My favorites are a combination of multiple recipes that I have tried over the years. What follows is a very basic recipe that will work for just about vegetable, but it should be considered a pickle recipe:

Pickling Ingredients: 

- 7 wide mouth quart jars, lids & rings

- fresh dill (keep the heads on the stems)

- cucumbers (washed/scrubbed). I use pickling cucumbers, about the size of the average pickle.

- garlic cloves (jalepenos, small peppers and onion can also be added)

Brine: 

- 8 ½ cups of water

- 2 ¼ cups white vinegar

- ½ cup pickling salt

Pickling Directions: 

Do all of this before filling your jars -

1. Wash the jars in hot, soapy water. Rinse and fill with hot water. Set aside

2. Fill canning kettle half full with hot tap water. Set on burner over high heat

3. In a medium sauce pan, fit lids and rings together, cover with water, bring to a simmer (you are make them sterile).

4. In a large pan, bring the brine (water, vinegar and salt) to a boil. After it boils, turn off the heat.

5. Fill jars - place a layer of dill at the bottom of every jar, along with a clove or two of garlic (if you are using it). Tightly load cukes from your fresh organic garden into the jar to the neck of the jar. You may need 2 layers to achieve this. Put a few more sprigs of dill & garlic to the top.

6. Pour in brine, leaving about a half inch from the top.

7. Screw on lid w/ ring gasket, making sure it is tightly sealed.

8. Place jars in a pan (or canner) with water just to the neck of the jars

9. Bring water almost to a boil (should be about 15 minutes, depending)

10. Remove jars, set on a dish towel and cover with dish towel & let cool.

11. Check for seal (indented lid). If they are not sealed, you can try re-sealing them in the near boiling water.

12. Label the jars/lids with content, date, recipe (so you will know which ones you like better).

13. Store in a cool, dark place

How Avoid Pests With Quality Food Packaging?

Although food shopping can be quite an annoying ordeal, I cannot help but get excited when it's time to open up a new package of food and snacks, especially after a long day at work. All I want is an easy package to open with fresh quality food inside for my taste buds, and my stomach, to enjoy. Imagine one's surprise and horror when you find some unwelcome guests in your food. That happened to me once with a tub of oatmeal. Needless to say, I was not happy. Not only was I disgusted to find bugs in my food, I had to make the effort to go back to the store to get a refund. That's time, food, and money wasted. Not to mention it makes me less likely to purchase that particular brand ever again.

Obviously pests in food packaging are bound to happen at least once in your lifetime. But it still makes you think twice before placing that exact same item in your shopping cart again. Call it paranoia, call it food anxiety, call it what you will but chances are you will choose the other brand for your oatmeal. And maybe after a few years have passed and your memory is a bit hazy, you don't remember which brand was involved in the incident and you will purchase from them again.

All that can be avoided though when you invest in the best quality food packaging. Not only do you need to seal in freshness, you need to seal out pests. Otherwise a poor experience can really put a stain on your name. The customer won't just relay the story to his immediate family. No, he'll tell all his friends and coworkers and suddenly the news will spread faster than a Justin Bieber album leak. Everyone will know that story all too well and suddenly they are boycotting your products as well. Your company name should be synonymous will high quality, not high bug content!

It's not just about preventing an insect infestation before the products reaches the customer's home. It's also about making durable and flexible food packaging that can withstand possible bugs inside the customer's home as well. Cheap packaging means mice and insects will be able to smell the food from a mile away, even if it is sealed. And they'll be determined to burrow their way into the food. Flimsy packaging is just as high an offense.

Food packaging is the only defense against intruders so never skimp on the quality when it comes time to choose a packaging corporation.

The Nostalgic Candy That Brings Back Memories

Ever wish you could get your hands on some good old-fashioned candy? Whatever happened to licking Mega Buttons off of a waxy strip? How about chewing the gummy wax top off of Nik-L-Nip bottles to savor the sweet, tasty juice inside? Now, you can find your favorite nostalgic candy that you enjoyed so much during childhood. Here is a comprehensive list to currently available nostalgic candy that brings back memories.

Mega Candy Buttons: Again Enjoy the Sweet Strips of Sugary Sweetness

Still set in colorful rows on long strip after strip, candy buttons are now available for you to enjoy and as an added bonus, they come mega-sized! Candy buttons, sometimes known as candy dots or candy pox were all the rage when introduced in 1980 by Necco. Each strip comes with three flavors: cherry, lime and lemon. The mega-sized candy buttons measure about 3/4 inches wide for maximum sweetness! You can also find them in a sour version.

Again Enjoy the Waxy Bottles of Nik-L-Nip

Almost a century year old now, you can still find, packaged inside bottle-shaped wax, the sweet juicy goodness of Nik-L-Nip candy: ""Bite 'Em, Drink 'Em, Chew 'Em!" Created by Tootsie Roll Industries, this nostalgic candy comes filled with blue, red, orange, yellow and green sugary juices. According to Tootsie Roll, "Nik-L-Nip brand name is a combination of the original cost (Nickel) and preferred wax bottle-opening technique (NIP)."

Bringing Back Bosco in Candy Bar Form!

First selling chocolate syrup, Bosco has been around since the 1920's, manufacturing sweet treats out of New Jersey. After recently pairing up with distributor, the Praim Group, Bosco has released its chocolate bar. According to Steve Sanders, CEO Bosco Products Co., "We're so excited for Bosco to have a chocolate bar. It will make a great nostalgic gift for that special someone, or is simply perfect as an afternoon chocolate fix." Sanders acknowledges, "Generations have grown up with Bosco Chocolate Syrup and our team believes the Bosco Chocolate Bar is the perfect brand extension. It's an honor to be trusted to help expand this legacy."

Bosco's chocolate bar is made from all-natural milk chocolate, specifically, sugar, whole milk, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, and vanilla. Enjoy the new conveniently wrapped chocolate bar to bring back all your Bosco memories from childhood.

The All-American Sky Bar will Bring Back Memories

The Sky Bar zoomed on the scene in the 1930's with a brilliant ad campaign during the golden age of advertising. A chocolate bar segmented in four sections full of caramel, vanilla, peanut and fudge, was first released to the public through ads in the sky. That's right: the Necco company announced their new candy bar through skywriting! Notoriously hard to find in recent years, with a quick internet search nowadays, you can again enjoy the Sky Bar.

Get Nostalgic with Classic Charleston Chew & Doscher's French Chew Taffy

Who can forget the Charleston Chew in all its nougat and chocolate goodness? Named after the popular dance at the time, this gooey goodness hit the American market in 1922. Later sold by Nabisco in 1980, the company then released the Charleston Chew in strawberry and also, vanilla.

In 1993, the beloved Tootsie Roll Industries again began to distribute the Charleston Chew, again marketing the many ways to enjoy the popular candy bar: "They're frequently enjoyed frozen, offering the classic "Charleston Chew crack" as folks love to break them into small pieces prior to eating."

Doscher's French chew taffy is again available in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and banana taffy. Taffy, a chewy candy, was made popular when in the early 20 century children brought it home as a souvenir of many coastal resort towns. Doscher's French chew taffy will make you nostalgic for long days at the beach, bringing back cherished memories from childhood.

Sweet Treats We Still Love: Chuckles and Jujubes

Chuckles, around since the 1920, are sugar-coated jelly candies, come in cherry, lemon, licorice, orange and lime flavors. Chuckles come packaged in a strip with every flavor and were a mainstay at every neighborhood's five and dime store. Chuckles have come a long way, as it is now readily available, most easily online.

How Tips For Buying Healthier Foods?

What is Health Food? What is Organic Food? What is Natural Food?

Organically grown foods are the foods that are produced without using chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides. Organic poultry, dairy products, and meat means that the grass fed beef, or other animals and birds, were not given growth hormones, steroids, or antibiotics. The awareness of the adverse effects of chemicals in non-organic food is spreading, and more and more people are opting to buy organic and to eat 100% grass fed beef and dairy products.

It is more costly to grow organically and to raise animals and birds organically, and that is the reason it is sometimes more expensive than common supermarket food. In spite of the cost difference, more people are switching over to organically grown foods because of the indisputable benefits; it is well worth any extra money spent due to these advantages:

1. Organically grown food has a high nutritional content. When no pesticides, insecticides, or chemical fertilizers are used for growing plants, the plants start to produce more proteins and antioxidants to fight against the pests, insects, and other diseases that attack the plant. The same thing applies for 100% grass fed beef raised on a certified organic farm. Their bodies start to produce more vitamins and minerals to survive. It is no wonder that some organically grown foods can have up to 50% or more nutrients and less fat than non-organic food.

2. The chemicals used on the plants we eat, as well as the plants which animals eat, enter our bodies when we eat non-organic food. These chemicals often can increase the risk of Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Obesity and Food Allergies. Infants and children are at higher risk of birth defects when a pregnant woman eats non-organic food. Breast fed children also may be affected. Studies have proven that these chemicals may affect the neurological development in infants. The hormones injected into the animals and poultry also reportedly may decrease fertility.

3. Organic food can be tastier than other food. As the plants are naturally grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, the harvested products are more pleasant tasting. Warning - once you taste organic, your taste buds may be reluctant to accept other food.

4. Organic farming helps in increasing the fertility of the soil. The animals that live in organic farms are healthier. Environmental pollution is minimized.

It is clear that organic foods are beneficial. Do you want to buy organic food? If the answer is YES, the next question that will arise in your mind is, 'Where do you buy organic food?" Your local market or the super market in your area may not sell it. Even if your local market sells it you may not be certain if the product is genuine and certified organic.

Many food labels will say "Natural" or "Healthy" on the label, but do not be deceived; this means nothing as far as the organic content or nutrition in the food. You should read the entire label. If you want to insure you are buying certified organic food, the best advice is look for the USDA Organic Seal.

The USDA has three categories of labels for organic food:

1. 100% Organic: means made with 100% organic ingredients

2. Organic: means made with 95% minimum organic ingredients

3. Made With Organic Ingredients: means made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, with strict restrictions for the other 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)

Anything with less than 70% organic ingredients can list organically produced ingredients on the side of the package, but cannot make organic claims on the front of the package.

It is to your advantage financially to buy organic online. When you buy online you save a lot of time, and your time is certainly worth money. You can always work to make more money, but once your time is gone you can never get it back. Add the savings in gasoline, wear and tear on your car, and eliminate drive time to and from grocery stores; you will find that any extra costs you pay to buy organic food online is more than worth it.

Making Vegan Recipes for Vegetarian Dads On Father's Day

Father's Day is a special day for the most important and special man in the family. Celebrating the day with the whole family is one of the best gift that can be given to a father. A day full of love and pampering that will leave an imprint to his thoughts as one of the best memories he can ever have. Finding creative ways to make it such sometimes pose a challenge too especially for a vegetarian dad. Preparing meals for the special occasion for the whole family to share and enjoy all through the day can eventually make it one cherished memory.

What about pampering a vegetarian dad the moment he wakes up with a breakfast in bed consisting of a blueberry vegan pancake and a veggie sausage? Surely he'll love it especially when each family member shares his breakfast right in the confines of his bedroom. A riot but enjoyable.

Vegan Blueberry Pancake with Veggie Sausage

Ingredients:

1 lb. Veggie sausage

1 tbsp. Olive oil

1½ cups blueberries, mashed

3 cups flour

3 level teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon salt

5 tbsp vegetable oil

soy milk (for thicker pancakes use a little less milk)

Procedure:

Put olive oil in a non-stick, deep and large skillet. Place the veggie sausage and cook over medium heat until brown. Remove, place in a strainer to drain and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift all together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add soy milk and oil and whisk for consistency. Add mashed blueberries and mix well.

Pour ¼ cupfuls of batter in a greased skillet placed over a medium-heat and cook for about 3 minutes on each side till golden brown.

Place in a platter and serve hot with honey and veggie sausage on the side. The recipe makes 5 to 6 servings, everyone can partake to enjoy breakfast in bed with the extra special man of the day.

Prepare this Vegetable Delight for dinner.

Ingredients:

400 grams vegan cottage cheese cut into sticks and deep fried

1 cup mushrooms, quartered

1 cup baby corn, cut into strips and blanched

1 cup spring onions

20 grams each of celery, chopped ginger and chopped garlic

10 grams toasted sesame seeds

25 grams chilli sauce

25 grams tomato catsup

3 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

Heat a large saute pan. Add oil and saute ginger, garlic and celery until light brown. Toss in the cheese, mushrooms, baby corn, spring onion, chilli sauce, catsup and salt. Mix well and transfer in a serving bowl and garnish with sesame seeds and some green part of green onions. Serve hot.

Bell Pepper Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1½ cup green or red bell pepper, remove seeds and sliced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 large onion, sliced

¾ cup tomato paste

3 cups vegetable stock

2 tbsp chopped basil

green part of spring onions to garnish,chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

Mix all together bell pepper, garlic, onion, tomato paste, vegetable stock in a large pot and bring to a boil while constantly stirring. Reduce heat and simmer until bell peppers have softened. Drain or sieve the mixture and set aside the liquid. Puree the leftover bits.Boil together the liquid, the puree and chopped basil in a large saucepan or pot and garnish with chopped green part of spring onion. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Green smoothies go along well to quench thirst next to water. They can be easily prepared with combinations of fresh fruits and vegetables. When fresh, they are sweet enough to refrain from adding sugar,. They are now popular health trends as they are good for the immune system, for detoxifying, for cleansing and energizing the body and weight loss. Coconut water can be blended with spinach, mango and wild honey. Combinations of other fruits and greens can be experimented for the desired taste. So easy now with blenders and other kitchen gadgets around.

Make him feel special by preparing these veggie recipes specially for your vegan dad. After all, the saying " A way to a man's heart is through his stomach", still applies Father's day or not. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in the whole wide world!

About Healthy Foods For Vegetarians

Unlike meat, vegetables do not contain cholesterol or any saturated fat but just nutrients and vitamins. That is why models and celebrities in entertainment and sports choose to minimize or even refrain from meat and preferred vegetables since their careers require them to stay fit and healthy. Based on their interviews, here is their common list of ingredients found in healthy foods for vegetarians.

1. Antioxidants

Strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and blueberries are known to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to reduce a person's risk of being infected with heart diseases as well as reducing stress and high blood pressure.

Other foods containing antioxidants are tomatoes, red bell pepper, prunes and green tea. The same goes for fruits containing high amount of water like apples, honeydew, pears and watermelons.

2. Fibre And Protein

Dry nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts are another healthy foods that will keep your heart and body healthy as they contain good amount of fibre and protein which helps to prevent heart-related ailments.

Compared to salted peanuts, they are free from cholesterol and monosaturated fats. They can be served as wholesome cereal meals together with fresh milk, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

3. Calcium And Magnesium

Green veggies like broccoli and spinach serve as excellent sources of calcium and magnesium that protects you against heart attacks.

4. Vitamin B And Folate

White chickpeas and red kidney beans are believed to be healthy sources of vitamin B and folate since they help to build up your immune system and keep your energy levels high for a longer period of time.

5. Vitamin E

A good proportion of coconut, mustard and olive oils can beneficial to you in terms of Vitamin E.

They are also said to keep any sicknesses in check as well as preventing stroke and heart attack.

6. Vitamin C

For those who are addicted to desserts like ice cream and cakes, you might want to consider fruits as your alternative.

As we are told by our parent and teachers since young, fruits are the primary sources of vitamin C. They can be eaten as whole or slices like apples, grapes, honeydew, pears and pineapples. Or they can be served and mixed as iced fruit juices or even hot tea as both drinks and desserts.

How Making Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Rice?

Do you have childhood memories of being cajoled into eating?

Shiny shoes with glistening buckles swung, knocking at the kitchen cupboards whilst I was perched onto a kitchen worktop in velvety dungarees and a sympathetic, fresh polo neck jumper. Mum or Dad leaned their tummy gently against my knees, for balance and in sing song and over-enthusiastic grins and upstretched eyebrows, they transported 'aeroplanes' loaded with rice, bathed in tomato soup and widened their mouths, hoping that I'd mirror them.

It's the sort of food that's easy, juicy and sweet in a dribble inducing sort of way. Modest, economical but its familiarity and succulence is calming...but you know that I like to meander to new ways with gorgeous stuff. These days it's a roasting red, spicy kick that I'm longing for. The thought of dried red chillies, releasing their sweet heat when soaked sets my heart a-flutter (but not on fire, I don't go that far!). That's why this recipe I'm about to share with you gives me my fix; I can change it to suit my mood. More or less heat, some veg, a bit of bite or crunch or something soft or squidgy. To be honest, I could make a meal out of this recipe, I don't need much else.

Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Rice

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 cup tomato pulp

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

200g of roasted red peppers (the jarred stuff is fine to use for this recipe)

4-5 shallots, finely chopped

7-8 curry leaves

2 tbsp. Channa dhal (Bengal gram)

10-15 cashew nuts halved

2 red chillies and 1 green chilli (or to taste)

300g uncooked rice

The spices; ½ tsp. garam masala, ½ tsp. mustard seeds, 1 tsp. cumin seeds, pinch of asafoetida, salt to taste,

Method

1. Wash and boil the rice and then keep it to the side 

2.Whilst the rice is cooking, whizz (roughly) together the tomatoes and the roasted red peppers to a deep red pulp 

3.Heat the oil in a deep pan, then add the asafoetida, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, chillies, Bengal gram and curry leaves and cook until the gram is golden brown and crunchy 

4.Stir in the cashew nuts and stir until they've browned a little 

5.Bring it together with the onions, add the salt and sauté for a couple of minutes before bringing in the garlic and sauté until they have softened 

6.Add the tomatoes and red pepper and bring It to a gentle simmer before stirring in the garam masala and then stir in the cooked rice 

7.Serve with something yogurt and garnish with coriander.

A Delicious and Healthy Pizza Recipe in 7 Easy Steps

Health is wealth as they say. In this age of technology where everything comes lightning fast and people seems to get stuck in a nine to five desk job with unhealthy lifestyles, maintaining to be healthy and fit is becoming a tedious task. Some exercise which is good and some watch what they eat and this recipe is actually to help on the healthy eating.

Who's among us don't like pizza? Of course everyone wants a piece of it. But there's a dilemma we are facing just thinking about eating one: delicious pizza isn't healthy and healthy pizza isn't delicious, right? Or if there's an available veggie pizza it turns out it cost that much more than your regular meaty pizza and it's not available a few blocks from your home.

This pizza recipe is a personal recipe made to fulfill a craving pizza lover who needs to start eating healthy without truly giving-up the delicious food.

Pizza Spectrum

pizza crust tofu (cubed or diced into tiny bits)

butter or oil

mushrooms

pineapple tidbits

cucumber

tomato sauce

green bell pepper

Edam cheese

mozzarella

Procedure:

1. Pre-heat your oven at 375 F (190 C) for 20 minutes.

2. Lay your pizza crust in a baking pan.

3. Spread the tomato sauce evenly on top of the crust. You can actually use any kind of brands of tomato sauce but I prefer Del Monte's Gourmet selection since it has already that distinctive classic taste that you don't need to add anything because the sauce is complete in itself.

4. Then add the grated cheese. For this particular recipe I used Edam cheese since that's what we have available. Though it's perfect since it's a bit salty so it became also a substitute for salt.

5. Meanwhile, fry the tofu in butter or oil. I prefer the tofu almost grounded for it's more crunchy and will appear and taste like unsalted chicharon. But if you don't like crunchy you can just slice it into cubes and don't over fry it so this way it will taste and feel like meat. Then sprinkle it on top of the crust.

6. Next add the remaining ingredients: cucumber, mushrooms, pineapple, and bell pepper and manage to decorate the pizza as well while adding them. Then sprinkle the grated mozzarella on top.

7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until crust is brown. Then serve with hot sauce or ketchup.

How Tips For Incorporating Fruit Into Every Meal?

You already know it: fruit can help you in many ways. Fruit in every meal can help you lower your cholesterol, it can help you lose weight. It can increase your life power.

Even if you are completely healthy, the addition of fruit to your meals is certainly a good idea.

Not only are most kinds of fruit tasty, but all of them are fiber rich. Fibers are good for various reasons. First of all they help us cut down on the intake of food.

They satisfy the stomach because they fill it up. They help our digestive system to do its work with more ease. For this reason, they will help you lose weight if you have to. If you don't have, your weight will stay where it is..

You are just having a healthy meal.

I would suggest you try to incorporate a banana into your breakfast. You may eat it as it is or cut it down and have it with your cereals. You may add a 100% fresh orange or grapefruit juice to your breakfast as well..

A banana gives you approximately 80 calories but a wealth of fiber and vitamins like the complex of the B-group with the exception of B12. In other words a banana contains the vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9. But that is not all. It also contains the vitamin C and the vitamin K. It is furthermore rich in potassium. The vitamin K helps you to maintain the cardiovascular health and the potassium helps you to avoid cramps in your limbs.

At lunch, whether you eat at home or at work you may consume, a part from your bread, an apple, an orange or grapes. If you want you may also eat another banana. The apple and the orange give you fibers and a good deal of vitamin C. The grapes that are both sweet and fresh, can help you prevent cardiovascular disease as they contain the vitamin K that regulates the density of your blood. If the grapes are dried, their content in sugars is much higher reason for which you should eat less of them.

For dinner you may add pineapples or apples to your salad. You may also prepare a waldorf salad with apples, celery and walnuts. Consume with a light dressing. This is a fresh dish that contains only vegetarian components and highly satisfies your stomach and also your cravings for sugar.

You may also add fruit to meat like chicken. Add apricots or mango chutney. I also recommend a combination of carrot salad with ginger in syrup. Prepare the carrots with a little salt, lemon juice and some olive oil. Then add this chipped ginger in syrup. It is very tasty and gives you fiber, vitamins and phytonutrients.

Fruits are also perfect for snacks. Eat a cup of fresh berries. They all come with a great taste and most of them have many health promoting nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. Cranberries, for example help prevent bladder disease, whereas blueberries contain lutein that is indispensable for a perfect eyesight. For a snack also grapes are a good solution. Whether you prefer white or red grapes, depends on you. Both types of grapes give you important and precious help for your health.

You can also add fruit to your dessert. Eat a baked apple. it is a delicious sweet. You can also consume pears or prepare a fruit salad that contains various kinds of fruit.

As you see, fruit is always precious in every meal. The various kinds may be combined with meats or with other ingredients of dishes, like rice, pasta, potatoes, various kinds of vegetables.

What Led to Use Of Hydroponics Systems in Green Houses?

Did you ever notice that the market nearest to your house has equal number of racks dedicated to tinned food and fresh vegetables? Yes, this is the outcome of an age where no one has the time to stop and think. Therefore, no one seems to notice that fresh vegetables and fruits are the outcome of synthetic additives being extensively used in farming practices. In the past decade, the age old practice of growing vegetables in private kitchen gardens had lost its popularity. This was due to an increase in the number of high rise buildings.

More and more people started living in apartments or flats that did not provide the space required for gardening. Fast lives and busy schedules slowly converted the lifestyle of urban masses and therefore today, the harmful effects of fertilizers and chemical pesticides have come as an eye opener for everyone. Yes, people have been forced to stop and take note of the various effects of fertilizer residues found in the so called 'fresh' vegetables and fruits.

The Crisis and Its Solution: Green Revolution

Scientists and food experts claim that nitrate compounds found in these fruits and vegetables have been found to cause cancer and other disorders like the Blue Baby Syndrome. They immediately suggested the many advantages of using organic vegetables. To be very precise, organic vegetables are developed under controlled natural conditions and do not use any fertilizer or pesticides to promote plant growth. This advancement came as a great boon for the common man.

It brought back the popularity of vegetables and fruits grown in private gardens, as organic vegetables are essentially produced in a similar manner. The only difference between kitchen gardening and present day organic food production practice lies in the fact that natural conditions are created in the latter. Yes, organic vegetables are produced in green houses, that optimize all natural conditions required for plant growth.

Sunlight is trapped to enhance the warmth inside the green house and moisture is provided to the plants using humidifiers or hydroponics systems. In America, home green house kits are made available to families who want to build their own green house, and produce fruits and vegetables in them. These kits come with the necessary requirements to set up hydroponics systems in your green house. You only need to make sure that you install the green house according to the steps mentioned in the guidelines.

Raw White and Dark Chocolate Layer Torte

This raw cake is incredibly quick and easy to make. One can use any type of nuts and dried fruit as sweetener. The cacao flavour of this cake can also be changed into a more fruity one, by blending in frozen or fresh fruit and the cake will still set perfectly.

Crust

3/4 cup raw almonds (not soaked; but if soaked already, dehydrate first until dry)

1/2 cup coconut chips

3 Tbsp carob powder

1 tsp vanilla powder

pinch of Himalayan salt

5 fresh dates, chopped

2 - 3 Tbsp apple juice/water

Method for crust

1. Place the almonds in a food processor fitted with an S-blade and process until coarsely chopped.

2. Add the coconut chips, carob powder, vanilla and salt. Process to coarse-fine.

3. Add the dates and apple juice or water. Blend briefly. Add more liquid if the mixture is too crumbly.

4. Press the mixture into the bottom only of a cake tin with a removable bottom (spring-form).

5. Place in the freezer while you make the dark chocolate filling.

Dark chocolate layer

1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked 2 - 3 hours and drained

1/2 cup thick home-made almond milk

4 Tbsp apple juice

4 Tbsp raw cacao powder

3 Tbsp Irish moss blend *

1 tsp vanilla powder

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Method for dark chocolate layer

1. Place all the ingredients in a strong liquidizer. Use the plunger to make it easier on the blades.

2. Pour the smooth mixture onto the crust in the cake tin. Keep about 2 Tbsp back to decorate the torte with later.

3. Level the surface as best you can. Wipe off any spills on the sides of the cake tin with a damp piece of kitchen paper. The torte displays more beautifully if the layers are level and clear with no smears.

4. Place in the freezer for the chocolate layer to set quicker.

White chocolate layer

1 cup cashew nuts, soaked 2 - 3 hours and drained

1 cup thick home-made almond milk

1 ripe banana

4 Tbsp raw white coloured honey OR 4 Tbsp light agave syrup (not a raw product though)

2 Tbsp Irish moss blend

pinch of Himalayan salt

Method for white chocolate layer

1. Place all the ingredients in a strong blender. Use the plunger again to assist the blades.

2. Pour carefully on top of the dark chocolate layer.

3. Drop half teaspoonfuls of the dark chocolate filling on top of the white layer and with a chopstick draw curly-tails beyond the circles onto the white layer for decorative effect.

4. Place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to set.

Makes 1 medium large torte, enough for 12 - 16 slices.

* Make your Irish moss blend by soaking a handful of dried Irish moss in a bowl of water for 2 hours. Rinse well. Place in blender with about 1/4 cup of filtered water. Blend until smooth and thick. Add a little more water if the mixture seems too thick. Store what you don't need for this recipe in the refrigerator.

Healthy Gluten-Free Baking: Gluten-Free and Flour-Free Banana Muffins

For too long, gluten-free baking has been lacking in flavor, fiber and nutrition as most recipes are dependent upon gums, starches and refined flours. This method of baking, in contrast, uses presoaked whole grains and is a wonderful alternative as it produced baked goods that have great texture, flavor and nutritional quality. It is also much less costly to prepare than gluten-free mixes and traditional gluten-free recipes. This has the added bonus of making wholesome gluten-free recipes affordable and appealing to the whole family. (No more making the gluten-intolerant family member eat differently from the rest!).

I usually refer to these recipes as "blender recipes" because the whole grains are soaked for a period of time to allow for the breakdown of enzyme inhibitors and to increase nutritional value, and then are processed in a blender for use in a pancake, muffin, cake or cookie recipe. The texture of baked goods made from blended soaked grains is superior to those made with gluten-free flours and is much more similar to that of the white flour products we're accustomed to. They are more nutritious and economical too! Gluten-free "blender" recipes are some of my favorites and definitely worth the extra effort expended to set some grains to soak in advance of baking time.

So here's a basic blender recipe for-

Gluten-free Flour-free Banana Muffins

1 1/3 cups brown rice

1/2 cup whole millet

1/3 cup raw buckwheat

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

_________________

1 1/4 cups water

2-3 ripe bananas

2 Tbsp. oil/butter

3+ Tbsp. honey*

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup ground flax

1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

3/4 tsp. sea salt

___________________

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

Soak grains overnight (or for at least 8 hours) in plenty of water plus the 1 Tbsp. vinegar. Drain and then add to blender with the ingredients in the right column. When batter is quite smooth, gently blend in baking powder and soda (sift through a sieve and whisk in to avoid lumps). Pour into oiled muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen muffins.

* or agave or maple syrup

Option: add 1 cup of raisins to muffin batter before baking.

Be sure to oil your muffin cups well so they release easily. I prefer using a baking stone (muffin top style) as the clean-up is simplified.

Vegan (Sugar-Free) Cantucci Dipped in Apple Nectar

In Italy, when visitors drop in at one's house in the afternoon they are welcomed with a glass of Vin Santo and sweet biscuits that resemble biscotti but which are smaller. This makes it easier to dip them into the wine glass. However for people who do not drink alcohol, this is a recipe of delicious sugar-free Cantucci served with pure apple juice simmered with raisins. It still tastes wickedly sweet, but is more wholesome and a lovely treat to have with guests.

Ingredients

apple nectar:

3 cups good quality, clear apple juice (preferably home-juiced)

½ cup raisins

2 tbsp apple syrup

'Cantucci:'

2 tbsp wholemeal spelt flour

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp ground linseeds (flaxseeds)

1 cup wholemeal spelt flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

4 tbsp apple syrup

2 tbsp soy milk

2 tsp vanilla-infused grape-seed oil / walnut oil

2 tsp almond butter

1 tsp almond essence

2 tbsp natural almonds

Method:

1. For the apple nectar: Simmer 1½ cups of the apple juice with the raisins and apple syrup for 5 minutes. Cool completely. Strain off the raisins and add the reduced apple juice to the remaining 1½ cups of apple juice. Refrigerate.

2. Make the starter dough: stir the 2 tbsp of spelt flour and 2 tbsp of water together. Leave for a day on the kitchen counter covered with a damp piece of absorbent kitchen towel. Stir a few times.

3. When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 190°C (370°F). Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking parchment.

4. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

5. Mix the liquid ingredients together in a cup. Add the starter, mix and pour into the dry ingredients. Fold the ingredients together to incorporate as much air as possible.

6. Pat the dough into a log. Make a shallow cut in the centre down the length of the log. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

7. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Lower the oven's temperature to 150°C (300°F).

8. Cut the log into 1.5 cm thick slices. Dry the 'Cantucci' in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

9. To serve, place the 'Cantucci' on a serving plate. Pour a glass of apple nectar for each person in which to dip the 'Cantucci'.

Serves 4.

No Problem Healthy Vegetarian Meals For the Holidays

One of reasons people start getting serious about their health come January 1st is not only to have a New Year's resolution but to start setting goals to change their diet, get in shape or lose some weight. Usually people tend to eat more than normal during the holidays in the months of November and December. And if you are like most people....maybe some of the food choices are less than healthy - after all, how can you resist your mom's baking? Between the feasting and drinking, it takes a toll on our bodies. And so goes the resolution.

Don't feel as though you have to continue down this path. You can start a vegetarian lifestyle right now. Healthy vegetarian meals can help with this change and it is a perfect idea to help yourself or those you love. Finding ways to enjoy the holidays AND include vegetarian dinner recipes to your menu does not need to be stressful. The traditional holiday menus that we all love can be sprinkled with healthy choices.

Most people wait all year for enriching holiday moments and special celebrations with their families and friends. Don't let diet strain relationships and ruin holiday cheer. Here are some tips to become a master at creating familiar dishes that are sure to fit within your family's culture and traditions and will appeal to all taste buds. 

It is very easy to find vegetarian recipes for Thanksgiving for example - as vegetables are mainstays in many parts of this meal.

Instead of your traditional turkey, you can enhance your guests with a herb roasted soy vegan chicken, served with your traditional vegetable side dishes

For those that normally serve "beef" at your turkey dinner, try something like a Vegan Beef Wellington with a traditional salad to entice their taste buds

Want to be warm and cozy, serve something like a Vegan Chicken Pot Pie, warm cranberry sauce and some mashed potatoes with a vegan gravy (yummy)

A traditional chef prepared Meatloaf, ala vegan style, that would food the Queen of England

People want to be healthy, but they don't want to give up the taste of traditional fare of meat at their holiday meals. Once you realize how easy it is to find vegetarian dinner recipes, you will feel joy in making and eating such healthy fare. You can show people they don't have to give up anything; You will bring delight to the table and health to those you care for.

Quick Cheesy Casseroles For Vegetarian Dinners

The holiday season is here and that means busy days and nights. If you're looking for quick and easy dinners, stop right here. Three entrees that depend on cheese, fill the bill to fill your family's tummy. The first is cheesy broccoli and rice. Even children who don't like broccoli like this dish. The second is a spicy enchilada casserole and the third a gourmet take on mac and cheese. All three dishes are vegetarian which means they save you money.

Start off with a preparing a silky cheese sauce.

Combine 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of flour until smooth. Heat in the saucepan until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Add 1/2 cup of your favorite shredded cheese. You'll need one cup of this sauce for every two servings. Since the ingredients below make dishes that serve four, make 2 cups.

Cheesy Broccoli

Cook 2 cups of broccoli in the microwave until it's softened but still crisp. The broccoli will finish cooking in the oven. Combine with 2 cups of cooked rice. Or use instant rice with water as the directions specify. Add 2 cups of the cheese sauce. Stir well.

Top with an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Either freeze this in an air tight container for a dinner you only have to bake later or bake in a 350 F oven for 30 minutes until the dish is bubbly and the cheese melted.

Enchilada Casserole

If you can layer you can make this dish. You won't be using the cheese sauce for this dish. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to two 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce. Add more cayenne pepper for a hotter kick or add several chopped jalapeno peppers.

Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer in five or six corn tortillas. Add another 1/2 cup of sauce and spread over the tortillas.

Slice one medium onion and layer over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the onions. Finish with 1/2 cup of sauce and another layer of tortillas. Spread the remaining sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Bake 45 minutes in a 350 F oven.

Gourmet Mac and Cheese

Butter the bottom of a casserole dish. Combine 4 cups of cooked macaroni with 2 cups of cheese sauce and 2 cups of frozen defrosted peas. You don't have to cook the peas. Place in the casserole dish. Cover with a layer of breadcrumbs -- about 1 to 1/2 cups and an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Heat at 350 F until the breadcrumbs are brown and the cheese topping melted. This is oh so much better than the boxed stuff.