Pomegranate for Heart, Bone, Fresh Mouth and Strong Teeth

Currently, pomegranate is quite popular. We can eat it directly or made juice of pomegranate. Because of its high vitamins and antioxidants, this sour but fresh fruit is able to counteract diseases.

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) has round shape almost as big as oranges. It's tree can reach up to 5-8 m high. People of South China and Southeast Asia often plant it in the yard as an ornamental plant. Besides it tastes good, pomegranate also has tremendous benefits for health.

Pomegranates are rich in  polyphenols antioxidant (annins and anthocyanins), vitamin C, vitamin B5, potassium and fiber. Recent research suggests that, drinking pomegranate juice every day may lower cholesterol levels, and increasing blood flow to the heart. Pomegranate juice is also effective for maintaining stable cardiac performance and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Here are some great benefits of pomegranates for health:

Heart
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants that are good for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Pomegranate also maintain the arteries, in order not to be blocked by "plaque", which can lead to stroke risk.

Erectile Dysfunction
Drinking pomegranate juice for three months on a regular basis can prevent erectile dysfunction of men.

Tooth
Pomegranate fruit has antibacterial subtances which are good for "cleaning" the mouth cavity, preventing plaque on teeth and bad breath.  Just gargling with pomegranate juice regularly, and we will have fresh breath and strong teeth.

Bone
Pomegranate has good subtances for reducing bone inflammation and preventing bone loss. therefore regularly eating pomegranates is good for preventing osteoporosis.

Cancer
Researchers believe that eating fresh pomegranate or pomegranate juice will prevent and treat lung, prostate, skin and breast cancer.

Alzheimer's
Antioxidants in pomegranates can prevent Alzheimer's disease. For the pregnant woman, eating pomegranates or pomegranate juice can protect the fetal brain from damage.

And try to eat fresh pomegranates. If you have to buy pomegranate juice, make sure it's made of 100% of pomegranate, in order to get maximum benefit of this fruit.

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Tips to Make Delicious Broth

If you thought  making the broth is easy before; boiling bones or meat into the water, then finish. Apparently, it's not as simple as that! Many people doing the wrong way when boiling bones or meat, so that the broth doesn't have a good quality. So if you don't want that to happen, try to follow these cooking tips.

1. To make delicious broth can never be instant, time spent for cooking broth is 1-2 hours.
2. If the broth looks dirty (because of some residual blood, fat, etc.), discard the broth, wash the meat/bone immediately. Then re-boil meat/bones in fresh water over medium heat. Once boiling, immediately turn off the heat, discard the water. Prepare a hot water again, put the meat / bone in the hot water and cook over low heat to make a good broth.
3. Never use high heat to make broth, because the marrow and blood will be separated from the rest of the bone (if the broth is made from cow/chicken bone). As a result, the broth will become muddy and fishy, and the tasty bone juice will be trapped inside and couldn't be released. Use the slow cooking technique.
4. If there is floating foam on the boiling broth, skim and discard the foam.
5. Never put raw bones into the boiling broth.
6. Do not mix the broth with un-boiling water, the flavor may get change, and the broth will become easily stale.

additional tips:

1. The broth shouldn't smell fishy. To eliminate the fishy smell, you can add other ingredients such as green onions, celery, or carrot skin while boiling the broth.
2. The broth shouldn't greasy.
3. The broth color should be clear.

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Spices that You Should Have in Winter

In each different seasons, of course the foods we eat will be different too. If the summer comes, the choice will fall on the kind of fresh food and drink, then when winter comes, the candidates must be warm and spicy meal. Let's see what spices are typically used as a food ingredients in winter.

Ginger 
Spice with the Latin name Zingiber Officnale, is the type of rhizomes that widely used as ingridient, whether for cooking, or a mixture for warm drinks. The spicy flavor of ginger comes from a compound called zingeron.

Cinnamon 
Cinnamomum Verum, is one of the oldest spices that has been used by humans as a food ingredient. Cinnamon belongs to the type of spice-scented, has a slightly sweet flavor as well as spicy. Cinnamon contains various chemicals sompounds, such as essential oils eugenol, safrole, sinamaldehyde, tannin, calcium oxalate, resins, and tanner.

Cardamom 
If you ever eat a bowl of curry, you'll find a sensation of unique taste from Amomum Cardamomum, the Latin name of cardamom. Essential oil in cardamom oil is quite high, resulting in burst of the fragrance smell.

Clove 
Known by the Latin name of Syzygium Aromaticum or Eugenia Aromaticum. This native spice of Indonesia has a distinctive aroma which is produced by the main compound of clove called eugenol. Eugenol acts as antiseptic and anesthetic.

Turmeric
Considered to be natural antibiotic, makes Curcuma Domestic become a traditional medicine that's quite popular. A number of studies stated that turmeric has anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone, which can relieve pain. Turmeric also is a herb which also gives natural color for cooking.

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I Choose Egg for Breakfast

Egg is the sort of food that's quite popular around the world. We often use eggs to make many varieties of foods. And therefore, many studies have been conducted to uncover the benefits of eggs for health. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition stated that people who ate eggs for breakfast will feel full longer and eventually will choose the type of food with the least amount of calories at lunch.

Not just for breakfast menu, another study stated that eating eggs after heavy physical exercise or sport will assist in boosting tissue repair and muscle growth. To achieve this effect, don't miss the egg yolk. Some people often get rid of it, because it's being considered to have excess fat. Nevertheless, the study mentioned that the yolk provides half the protein in eggs. It means, if you miss the yolk, you will lose six grams of protein.

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Tips: How to Store Fish at Home

Fish is rich in nutrients. Its nutrients even exceeds the other sources of protein, so it is important to understand the right way how to store fish. The correct way will minimize the lost of nutrients during storage. Here are some tips that might help you keep your fish better at home:

1. After you bought the fish and get home, clean the fish and store it in refrigerator (if you don't want to process it immediately).
2. In the cleaning process, use cold water. It's better to use water that has been filled with ice cubes to help remove dirt and bacteria in fish.
3. Dry the fish with a clean cloth or paper towels in order to remove any residual water left in the fish. Water can be a good  media for bacterial growth.
4. Put the fish in an airtight plastic bag, but before, coat the fish with paper so the moisture from cold air of refrigerator, doesn't seep into the fish.
5. To maintain oil levels in fish, particularly in salmon, store the fish up to three months. The longer it is stored, more of fish oil will come out, so that when it's ready to be served as a meal, the fish will be more juicy.

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Dark Vader Burger

Perhaps the story of black burger is an old news, but I could not resist the urge to write that black burger on this blog, it's just so exciting!

Quick, once again made a sensation! After a few years ago, Quick launched a foei gras burger, one month ago they introduced the black hamburger. And this black burger immediately attracted the attention of French.

The launching of this unique burger was actually a part of the promotion of Star Wars Episode I 3D in France. Therefore, this black hamburger earned the nickname of 'Dark Vador Burger'.

As the name suggests, its uniqueness lies in its solid black bun with beef, cheese, and vegetables. In addition, there are also several other types of burgers with the name of a character in the Star Wars movie, like the Jedi Burger.

Both burgers are offered in two different versions. These burgers were marketed across the network of Quick with time-limited, lasting only for one month.

Previously, Quick also has made several promotions that attract public attention, not only in France but also worldwide. They are foie gras burger for Christmas and the only halal burgers for French Muslims.

Quick is a franchise of Belgium which first opened its branches in France about 30 years ago. Until now Quick has over 362 outlets scattered throughout France.

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Tips to Make Pretty and Crispy French Fries

French fries is deliciously served by sprinkled with salt and pepper, dipped in chili sauce, mayonnaise, or aioli sauce. To get pretty (not too tan) and crispy french fries, please consider these tips.

Want to make your own french fries? It's not too difficult. The usual problem we meet is the brown color of french fries, while what we want is french fries with an attractive white color.

Choosing Potatoes
Potato type greatly influence the texture, flavor and color of french fries. If you buy potatoes that have been packaged, and ready to be fried, you should select a high-starch and low in sugar, as this will reduce the possibility of discoloration. Avoid packing potato that contain wax, because wax makes french fries not so crunchy.

If you buy fresh potatoes, it's better to choose potatoes that are not bruised with smooth skin. Don't buy potato with greenish skin, this green color is the result of sun exposure, and the green spots on the skin of potatoes contain solanine or toxins.

Boiling
Boiling potatoes briefly in water, drain and then soak in ice water before frying to reduce discoloration. This process will remove wax and dissolve the sugar found in potatoes. Sugar makes french fries become too tan.
In addition, the hot water will reduce the polyphenol oxidase enzyme, a natural enzyme in the potato which is the major cause of the color changes to gray. By boiling the potatoes can disrupt the activity of the enzyme and prevent the discoloration to gray and also to avoid oil spurt when frying.

Soak in ice water
To get good color, in addition of boiling process, we can also soak potatoes in cold/ice water for 1 hour. Fry potatoes in hot cooking oil and drain the potatoes and let the rest of the oil drain by itself. It will give good color and crispy french fries.

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Are You on Diet? Try to Eat Slower.

Do you often eat in hurry? If you're trying to lose some weight, avoid this habit. Eating in a calm and relaxed will effect on body weight. Just enjoy every taste, texture and aroma of food slowly!

Due to the short lunch/dinner time and tight activities, often make people tend to eat and chew their food in hurry. If you are currently trying to lose weight, avoid this bad habit.

The study conducted by University of Rhode Island found that those who want to have a slimmer body are advised to chew food longer. Chewing longer will significantly reduce the amount of calories into the body.

The study involved two groups, women and men as participants. Men tend to have a habit of eating more quickly than women. The result, men tend to be heavier. By chewing longer, make the brain sends satiety signal to the stomach, so the body does not want to eat more.

Chewing for longer time also lowers ghrelin, hunger hormones circulating in the digestive system. This hormone was found lower on responders that chewing food slowly. This is an effective and simple solution to overcome the problem of obesity.

Kathleen Melanson, a professor of nutrition at the University of Rhode Island noted that people who eat fast are able to consumed 100 grams of food per minute, medium speed for 70 grams of food per minute, while the slow eaters consumed 60 grams per minute.

This is the first discovery confirmed that people who eat a high pace tend to have excess body weight, than those who were slower. That way, this shows a link between eating pace and weight.

Eating too fast is very influential on obesity. Therefore, ehen eating fast, body will not aware of satiety. Conversely, when you eat more slowly, the body can taste food, smell, and feel the texture, which makes people pay more attention to what they eat and how much food is in, so the stomach tend to be full longer.

Other researchers also agree with the opinion of Melanson that gender is related in speed of eating. Because, during the lunch time, It was found that men consumed 80 calories per minute and women consumed only 52 calories per minute.

Melanson adds that, those who eat quickly have a relationship with greater energy requirements. That is why many of men eat quickly, because a man needs a higher energy than the women.

Even so, the relationship between speed of eating with obesity remains to be studied properly. Melanson adds that, those who ate slowly produces fewer calories, compared with those who ate fast.

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Salmonella Outbreak in England, Be Careful to Eat Watermelon

One person died and 34 others are still lying sick from salmonella bacteria in the UK on imported watermelon. The number of victims continues to grow even to this day.

This outbreaks caused by Salmonella Newport is expressed by UK Health Protection Agency (HPA). Together with Food Standards Agency (FSA) are both investigating the source of the outbreak that occurred throughout the UK and has even reached Germany.

The presence of Salmonella Newport was first identified by scientists from the HPA. Through several tests conducted from a number of suspected food samples. And finally Salmonella Newport was found in these samples of watermelon .

As quoted from dailymail.co.uk, HPA teams said: "Salmonella Newport infection cause pain similar to other form of salmonella infection and symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever."

The victims, ranged in age from 6 months to 85 years, have fallen ill since December. Seventy percent of them were women. And recently, the number of cases occurre three times higher than the previous two months. Even it has been reported that a patient had died, although the death was also triggered by other health complications he had.

Dr Bob adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at the HPA, said that although it is too early to mention what caused the infection. But early indications suggest that a number of people became unwell after eating watermelon. A similar information is obtained in several cases that occurred in Scotland and Germany.

Current outbreak of watermelon-Salmonella Newport case occurred in England (26 people), Wales (3 people), Northern Ireland (1 person), Scotland (5 people), the Republic of Ireland (5 persons), and Germany (15 people). Salmonella Newport Outbreak also have occurred in UK  in the previous 2004. Although that time, the suspect was salad.

Until now, cases are still under investigation and the HPA to remind the public to wash fruits and vegetables throughly before eating them.

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Why You Should Not Spoil Your Children with Foods.

Weekend is usually the time for parents to 'atone' on their children. Ice cream, chocolate, fried chicken or burgers, You will easily give all of them as a 'gift' to your kids. Be careful, this habit could actually damage the health of your beloved children!

Recent research conducted by British Heart Foundation, shows children today can no longer be wooed with a bag of potato chips or chocolate. Because these foods are now their daily foods and easily obtained.

"Food is one of parents' ways to show affection to their children," said Judy More, dietitian and nutritionist who specialises in child nutrition.

"Low-income families are still capable to spoil their children with cheap chocolate  or chips. But, middle class family is doing the same" said Judy.

Excessive consumption of sugar, salt and fat will cause obesity to children. Overweight children, as compared to children with a healthy weight, are more likely to develop many health problems such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are associated with heart disease in adults. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in overweight children and adolescents. Children at a healthy weight are free of these weight-related diseases and less at risk of developing these diseases in adulthood. Obesity may also interfere with children's physical activity, and their concentration while in the class.

What children eat today is much different than the kids in the 1950's. In the past, children consumed lots of fiber from whole grain bread and milk for calcium. They also ate less sugar of soft drinks and candy.

Children 60 years ago also consumed lots of vegetables and fruits as a source of fiber and minerals, red meat as a source of iron that are essential for their growth.

Ironically, modern children are now crammed with too many sugary foods and a variety of salty chips. Parents should really care what their children eat.

In matters of activities, children in the past were more active, so there was good balance between food intake and energy spent. And because of that, obesity was less common.

Foods Industry should also participate in this matter, reducing salt in a variety of chips and no longer selling chocolate in large size. Parents in the UK also require government intervention such as the prohibition of appealing snacks and chocolate on the shelves within easy reach of children.

The British Heart Foundation even asking food manufacturers to label 'Junk Food' on the food they produce and stop tucking a variety of games and prizes on food packaging and their website.

Well, Do you have the heart to seize your child's favorite chocolate or potato chips? Start with small changes. For example, invite your children to make their own food, which are more healthy, delicious and inexpensive. Are you ready?

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Top 10 High-Calorie Foods in America!

Ever feel guilty after eating junk food? In the United States, 2 of 3 adults are overweight or obese. One of the reasons, is the penchant of people to consume junk foods. Here are top 10 high-calorie foods in United State of America.

Junk food contains trans fat 2-fold of calories than carbohydrates and proteins. High number of calories in the body makes a person get fat, even obese. This can lead to the emergence of heart disease and cancer.

According to the Dietary Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, adult's calorie requirement per day is 2.000 kcal. This 2.000 kcal is not for one meal, but for all foods and beverages that are consumed during all day.

A nutritionist from the University of Texas, Lona Sandon, mentions that people can enjoy delicious high-calorie foods only once or twice a year. The rest, would be a problem for waist circumference and health.

And even worse, many restaurants in the United States are now competing to break the record for presenting a super fatty foods. You will be amazed to see the number of calories in one serving of these foods which almost meet the needs of calories in a day or even 3 days.

1. Personal PANormous Meat Lover's Pizza, Pizza Hut (1.470 kcal)
A serving of pizza consists of ham, sausage, pepperoni, bacon, beef burgers, and cheese and abundant sauce. This specially for meat lovers pizza is claimed to be 80% larger than a personal pan pizza ever.

 

2. Chicken Pasta Carbonara Breadbowl, Domino's Pizza (1.480 kcal)
Breadbowl is freshly baked bread, with pasta covered in and cream. The amount of trans fat and carbohydrate in it are far surpasses the protein, fiber, and fresh ingredients in it.

3. Shack Stack at Shake Shack (1500 kcal)
This burger consists of a pile of bread, two beef burgers, two singles cheese, fried Portobello mushroom filled with cheese. This giant burger is the most popular menu at Shake Shack.

4. Tuna Melt, Quizno (1.535 kcal)
This sandwich consists of tuna salad, cheese, fresh vegetables, and mayonnaise. However, it turns out the fat in it reaches 110 grams.

5. Big Box Meal, KFC (1.680 kcal)
A serving of this menu can be enjoyed by a whole family. In this big bowl, there are drumsticks, chicken strips, popcorn chickens, two additional menus (side dishes), biscuits, and optional potato wedges or baked beans.

6. Double Meatball Marinara with Cheese, Subway (1.720 kcal)
the meatball was mixed with cheese and tomato sauce makes this meal high in calories, fat, and sodium.

7. Fried Banana Split (2,000 kcal)
These desserts are balls of banana, honey, and peanut butter, then coated with flour and then fried. Then, these balls dusted with powdered sugar, given the caramel topping and chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped cream, banana-flavored ice cream, and cherries. Can you imagine the calories in each spoon?

8. Burrito, Jack n Grills (3.764 kcal)
Here, women are challenged to eat up a burrito containing eggs, ham, peppers, potatoes, cheese, and onions. Those who managed to eat a whole 3.5 kg meal without going to toilet, are rewarded with a free meal ticket for entire life.

9. Mega Mel Burger, Mel's Country Cafe (4.556 kcal)
Per serving of this giant burger are made from ¾ pounds ground beef, ½ kg of bacon, and 1 / 8 pounds American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and bread.

10. Fifth Third Burger, Fifth Third (4,800 kcal)
Here is the giant food that has unusual high calories. Burger consists of an 8-inch bread, five pieces of hams, five pieces of singles cheese, one cup of chili sauce, corn chips, and abundant salsa sauce. It's so big, that makes this burger appeared on Unwrapped, Food Network channel.

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Practical Steps Preventing Food Poisoning

Be careful with the food we eat. Has it been processed correctly and hygienically? Food poisoning can bring a variety of problems, ranging from annoying symptoms to result in death.

Food poisoning is an illness caused by consumption of contaminated food by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It could also be caused by chemical or natural toxins such as poisonous mushrooms.

Symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, and abdominal pain. Some serious cases require the victim to be hospitalized. In fact, some are dead after eating certain foods.

According to the new estimate, about 48 million people get sick and more than 3,000 die each year from food poisoning in the United States.

There are several steps can be taken to prevent food poisoning. The main thing is to maintain cleanliness of both hands, kitchen utensils, and work area. Don't forget to wash your hands after going toilet, or before and after handling food. Keep your kitchen from insects, pests, and other animals.

Separate raw food from cooked food, especially meat. Use different equipments (eg knives and cutting boards) for cooked food or non-meat. Wrap separately in order to avoid contact between raw foods with ready-to-eat foods.

We recommend that all meat, both red meat, chicken, as well as seafood, must be well done cooked. Especially poultry. Boil chicken and duck until the water is actually clear, not pink. Cook with a minimum temperature of 70 C, because at this temperature microbial pathogens will die.

Use water that is guaranteed both cleanliness and safety. Choose fresh foods with good quality. Be sure to processed foods correctly and hygienically. For vegetables and fruits, wash under flowwing water. Also, do not consume expired foods.

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