According to the general opinion about the proper amounts to be consumed during meals, which many of us accept maybe without even questioning; there should be a hearty breakfast, lunch should be a little bit lighter and dinner should be a very light meal. In fact, this view is based on the assumption that we are constantly on the move during the day, expending a lot of energy; so, what is eaten is easily burned off. However, a weight problem or the body’s fat burning and storage mechanism is not a simple energy spending issue. The... [read more]
The mineral fibres of asbestos are Fireproof and heat insulating, resistant to heat and acid – ideal for applications in buildings and plants – however, the typical characteristic of the silicate minerals serves for numerous other applications, from car brake lining to furnaces sealing. Manufacturers described the material as a ‘miracle fibre’ with Asbestos being popular from the 60s up till the 80s. The fact that contaminated sites are so often found in our environment is therefore not surprising. ... [read more]
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” (Albert Einstein, 1949)The importance of honey bees and wild bees for our ecosystem starts with the symbiosis they constitute with plants: Bees need the nectar of flowers (honey essence) as nutrition for life; while plants need a fertilizing agent to spread their pollen to reproduce. Among all natural pollinators, bees have the most important... [read more]
In the past, it wasn’t possible to find fruit and vegetables at any minute as it is right now. Each one had a season. Nowadays, almost all fruit and vegetables can be found at the stands in every season. Vegetables and fruit grown seasonally are more delicious and healthier. As they are grown naturally, and ripen naturally, they are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain more flavor. Moreover, their prices are more economical. Vegetables and fruit which are grown seasonally are richer in terms of nutritional value,... [read more]
Widely cultivated for its tender, succulent, edible shoots, asparagus cultivation began more than 2,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region. With its designer looks, air of sophistication and unique herbaceous flavour, it is no wonder that the popularity of fresh asparagus has stood the test of time. Asparagus is a member of the Lily family. Its spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils. Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24 hour period. The growing, harvesting and packing of... [read more]
Coffee is a product which has been consumed and used as merchandise for almost 1000 years around the world. Although it is acknowledged that the first coffee plants were discovered in the high plains of Ethiopia, coffee bean remains dating earlier than the known coffee discovery date were found in the Chad region. What is certain is the fact that the root of the coffee tree came from Africa. Yemeni merchants who encountered difficulties in the procurement and shipment of coffee from Ethiopia started planting coffee in Yemen. The... [read more]
If you regularly crave sweet things or you find it impossible to stop after just one biscuit or one piece of chocolate, you may have a case of sugar addiction. Your drive to eat sweet things is disrupting your blood sugar levels, diet and then ultimately your weight. Here are seven simple tips to help you beat that sugar addiction:
Stick to foods that are closest to their original form. The closer a food is to its original form, the less processed sugar it will contain
Eat protein for breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day.... [read more]
For many years health conscious people have been told to avoid eggs because they were high in cholesterol. But today research has shown that eggs fit easily into a healthy eating plan and what's more they are packed with good nutrition the whole family can benefit from. Eggs contain one of the highest sources of available protein and provide all the amino acids needed for growth and repair. They are relatively low in fat (5gms per 50g egg). Another benefit of eggs is that they are a source of iron, folate, phosphorus and vitamin B12. So as... [read more]
What exactly are amino acids? Amino acids are the chemical units or the 'building blocks' that make up proteins. Protein could not exist without the proper combination of amino acids. To understand how vital amino acids are, you must understand how essential proteins are to life. It is proteins that provide the structure to all living things. Each organism from the largest animal to the tiniest microbe is composed of protein. And in its various forms, it is protein that participates in the vital chemical processes that enable us to sustain... [read more]
The dietary guidelines for Australians recommend that we choose plenty of fruit and vegetables for good health. With the busy lives that we lead these days, sometimes this can be easier said than done! The good news for health conscious consumers is that frozen vegetables are a nutritious alternative for the busy cook. Frozen vegetables are pre-washed, peeled and sliced or diced so they require little preparation and cook quickly. Freezing can be a very efficient method of maintaining the nutrient content, flavour and texture of many... [read more]
Chia is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the lamiaceae family. The fruits of these plants, originally grown in southern Mexico and northern Guatemala, are called chia seeds. Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language and was once the “runners food” for Mayan messengers as the Mayans were already well aware of the energy-giving property of these small seeds. Hidden in these small unprepossessing seeds is an undreamt-of wealth of nutrients. The seeds contain 25-40% fat made up of 60% alpha-linolenic... [read more]
Fresh herbs are the secret to fantastic food. A handful of fresh basil can lift a basic tomato paste dish to new heights, fresh coriander transforms an ordinary omelette into a gourmet omelette and finely chopped chocolate mint adds a huge amount of guilt-free flavour to a winter fruit salad. The trick to having these flavours on hand for everyday cooking is having them growing in pots on your kitchen windowsill or balcony. They are then always fresh and ready for use. Sweet basil, coriander, tarragon, parsley and chocolate mint are just a... [read more]
Mangoes are Australia's most popular seasonal fruit with a unique flavour, fragrance, taste and heath promoting qualities. We eat our way through eight million trays of mangoes each year! Did you know our humble mangoes are rich in history and rich in benefits? Mangoes originated in South East Asia and have been right there in our backyard for at least 5000 years! There are unbelievable 1000 different varieties of mangoes found all over the world.
Mangoes are not only delicious but are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and... [read more]
Kiwi fruit may not be one of your first choices when buying fruit, but it should be! It is a small green fruit with fuzzy brown skin and small black seeds. The seeds and skin are edible, although most people peel kiwi fruits to avoid the rough texture of the skin. If you choose to eat the skin, the fiber and vitamin content will be higher. Kiwi fruit is nature’s own multivitamin, it is a powerhouse rich in nutrients. In an analysis of the ability of 27 most popular fruits to provide the recommended amounts of nine essential nutrients... [read more]
It is interesting to see how many reports have made the headlines recently about “the break-through” that was made in the studies on obesity; the fact that according to research, nearly 25% of women are insulin-intolerant and could benefit from a diet that is lower in refined carbohydrates and higher in protein. That maintaining a traditional low-fat, high carbohydrate diet, combined with a lack of exercise, can wreak havoc in the body, possibly resulting in among other problems, insulin-resistance and type 2 diabetes. Even though... [read more]