Sushi Not For Me – Too many bare hands in my food!

Sushi may be the newest fad or a keeper on the North American scene but no thank you very much, I am not thrilled with it.  I like sushi if I make it myself.  But having someone handle my food and pressing down rice against the nori is not my idea of good practice.

Who knows where those hand went  before they started messing around with my food. Call me picky but I think it’s time sushi makers start wearing something on their fingers. It’s not like the food is going to be cooked after they have handled it. From their hands it comes to my mouth and that’s not alright.

   People do a lot of things with their hands.  They could be touching their nose, scratching their head or have a dog lick their fingers and forgetting to wash their hand.  They could come from the bathroom, they could wash their fingers but on their way out open the door and there lies your bacteria.

Sushi is a nice light snack but it has to be prepared under more stringent hygenic conditions.  We’re just waiting for a sushi generated outbreak!

Lighter fare Oldtime recipe – M and C

Ingredients

• 2 cup(s) pasta, elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup(s) onion(s)
• 1/2 cup(s) milk, fat-free evaporated
• 1 medium egg(s)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, black
• 1 1/4 cup(s) cheese, cheddar, low-fat

Preparation

1. Cook macaroni according to directions, but don’t add salt to the water. Drain and set aside.

2. Spray casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

4. Lightly spray saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add onions to saucepan and sauté for about three minutes.

5. In another bowl, combine macaroni, onions, and the rest of the ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

6. Transfer mixture into casserole dish.

7. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Source of anti-oxidant rich foods

There is a lot of talk about the health benefits of anti-oxidant rich foods. Taking anti-oxidant supplement is not supported by all the experts.  Recent research appears to show there are no real health benefits in taking this supplement. There are however research showing there are benefits from eating anti-oxidant  rich foods and here are some of the richest sources of anti-oxidant you can find in a supermarket near you.:
1. Pomegranates
2. Green peppers
3. Kale
4. Red kidney beans
5. Pinto beans
6. Blueberries
7. Cranberries
8. Artichokes (cooked)
9. Blackberries
10. Garlic
11. Raspberries
12. Strawberries
13. Apples
14. Spinach
15. Pecans
16. Sweet cherries
17. Brussels sprouts
18. Yellow squash
19. Black beans (dried)
20. Plums
 Enjoy!

Organic and extra-lean ground beef contaminated

A  recent outbreak of gastro-intestinal illness in Oregon and Washington has been linked to an Extra-Lean Brand of ground beef sold under the “Northwest Finest” brand name as “natural ground beef” and also as organic beef.  The UPC code reads 7 52907 6001 2 7. There is no UPC code on the organic ground beef.

The two people who fell ill in Washington have recovered.  The normal incubation period for this illness to surface is about a week.  About 8 people fell ill with infections from E-Coli bacteria in Oregon.  Symptoms include severe cramps and diarrhea. In some extreme cases there might be kidney damage due to complications of the infection.
Anyone having this brand of beef in their refrigeration, it could be contaminated. The best thing is to return it to the store and ask for a refund.

Dark chocolate is good for health…BUT

Chocolate lovers beam when they hear that chocolate is good for your health. Those who love chocolate and have high blood pressure have all the more reason to smile because the experts have found that the flavonols in the dark chocolate may be a contributing factor in lowering blood pressure.

Not to burst your bubble but they are talking about a tiny sqare of chocolate and we who love chocolate know that we are never satisfied with a teeny-weeny square so why tempt yourself at the risk of gaining weight.  There are lots more stuff out there that is good for blood pressure that does not carry the weight gaining factor.

Try some hot cocoa. Buy a tin of Fry’s cocoa and add milk and a little bit of sugar and cinnamon and you will get the benefits of chocolate without the calories.

Swallowed a piece of gum? No Problem

According to recent report, contrary to what we may tell our children about swallowing gums, the experts says that it passes through the  digestive tract without harm and eliminated at the same rate as our food.  As with everything we eat it can cause complication and obstruction but this is rarely the case.

In any case, it is best to deter small children from swallowing too many pieces of gum.  This cannot be a healthy habit.

A film coating is coming on your fruits and vegetables in a Supermarket near you

 Don’t be surprised in you start seeing your fruits and vegetables in your local supermarket having a shinier look to them.  It’s the edible film to protect our foods from spoiling or making us sick with foreign bacterial. They are talking about this in the New York Times of today’s date. Scientist are perfecting ways to keep our foods longer on shelves and preventing spoilage.  Why would they want to do that? Once they start tampering with the natural properties of food you are getting something more than you paid for. And it is generally not good. We have enough stuff added to our foods now they are working on an edible film.  Not like the film we find on our apples and vegetables.  This would be one that would have nutrients as well.  The film resembles a plastic wrap that dissolves in water. It can be infused with molecules from cloves, thyme or other foods that can keep unhealthy bacteria from growing.  They can even be flavoured films, the report stated.

Food Science professor Mark Daeschel  and  food scientist Yanyun Zhao of Oregon State University teamed up to  produce this  edible film made from a fiber found in crab and shrimp shells. They mixed in lysozyme, a protein found in both eggs and human tears that has proven effective against listeria and staphylococcus. “It’s why we don’t get eye infections,” he said.

  There are other scientists also working on their own brands of films. Keep on the look out for this product and be informed. Oh my God what are all those things doing in my food.

Is your low-fat diet getting in the way?

When dieting something you have to remember is that everything has a caloric number.  Some people think that when something is fat free that is a license for them to eat as much as they like. This is where you sabotage your diet.  Most people tend to overeat when they are eating something that say’s fat free and that counteract the purpose of eating fat free. Fat free is not always the answer. It may better to eat a regular meal and feel satiated than eat far free that leaves you wanting to eat more. That defeats the purpose of dieting.

The key to losing weight is to reduce your caloric intake and up your physical activity. The experts say those physical activity need not be going to the gym and engage in high intensity workouts. It could be doing work around the house. You can scrub the floor manually instead of using a machine, mow the lawn, cut the hedges, and walk up and down the stairs in your home a few times a day. Little things add up to big losses.

Unless you are suffering from high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart conditions, eating regular fat can be helpful in maintaining your optimum weight.  When you eat regular fat you feel full and may not be tempted to dip your hand in the cookie jar for that second.

Another good thing for you to do is to read the labels carefully see if the lower or reduced fat foods are that much lower in calories.  Do the math you might be surprised.

 Tip: Burn 150 calories easily this wayGardening  30 minuteswashing windows or floors 50 minutesWalking w miles in 30 minutesRaking leaves 30 minutesFast dancing 30 minutes

Growing Evidence CLA May Help in the Fight against Obesity

Evidence is beginning to show that conjugated  linoleic acid (CLA) may succeed where other weight loss supplements have failed according to recent research by University of Wisconsin researchers.  CLA is a polyunsaturated fat that comes mainly from beef and dairy products, breast milk and some vegetable oils.  Research concludes that it reduces body fat, increases muscle mass.  The researchers cautioned that further study is needed to provide conclusive evidence

Are you an Antioxidant Fanatic? – Perhaps it’s time to jump off the bandwagon!

According to a report I read today in the Consumer Bureau Newsletter, the American Health Association now recommends against taking antioxidant supplement as clinical trials that tested the disease fighting potentials of antioxidants have failed to justify the hype it is getting.The key to proper health is always moderation.  Choose nature over nurture always. Whatever they are packing in the pills comes from a natural source. Variety is also the key to good health. One food by itself the report suggested does not hold the promise of a balanced diet, mixing and matching, eating from a variety of food sources are what will get you through.  It makes common sense to me.