Delicious Food

Hearty coq au vin

Published on 2010-04-09 22:39:00

  I had never thought of making the classic French dish coq au vin until I moved to China. To me it sounded too intimidating to cook. But several weeks after moving to Beijing, the shellshock of living here hadn't faded and I needed to tuck into a home-cooked meal to last me several days. My version uses a minimal amount of ingredients since many local grocery stores don't carry a wide array of basic Western foods, and because Jenny Lou's - the supermarket geared toward expatriates - is a

13 Keys to a Healthy Diet

Published on 2009-07-02 08:18:00

Developing healthy eating habits isn't as confusing or as restrictive as many people imagine. The first principle of a healthy diet is simply to eat a wide variety of foods. This is important because different foods make different nutritional contributions.Secondly, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes—foods high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, low in fat, and free of cholesterol—should make up the bulk of the calories you consume. The rest should come from low-fa

The role of sugar and salt in a healthy diet

Published on 2009-07-01 08:17:00

Sugary Drinks and SweetsIt is natural to like sweets. And it is okay to enjoy them as an occasional treat, but it is vital to keep consumption to a minimum. Refined sugar is one of the bad carbs mentioned above. Not only does it cause problems with our blood sugar level, but it also uses up stored resources within our body (such as minerals and enzymes) in order to process the sugar. In addition there are many negative health effects that sugar contributes to including: hypoglycemia, suppression

Healthy Fats and Oils to support brain and body functions

Published on 2009-06-30 08:16:00

Foods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA can reduce cardiovascular disease, improve your mood and help prevent dementia. The best sources for the EPA and DHA omega-3 fats are fatty fish such salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements. Canned albacore tuna and lake trout can also be good sources depending on how the fish were raised and processed.You may hear a lot about getting your omega-3’s from foods rich in ALA fatty acids. Main s

Fats: avoid the bad fats and enjoy the good fats

Published on 2009-06-01 08:16:00

Fats are another vital part to a healthy diet. Good fats are needed to nourish your brain, heart, nerves, hormones and all your cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Fat also satisfies us and makes us feel full. It’s the type of fat that matters in addition to how much you consume.Saturated fats, primarily found in animal sources including red meat and whole milk dairy products, raise the low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol that increases your risk of coronary heart dise

Oh Mint Bath Towel Wraps and More

Published on 2009-05-29 08:59:00

Have you been trying hard to find something interesting for your friends? Let me introduce some beautiful gifts !1.Oh Mint Bath Towel WrapsThese are the softest, most colorful gifts you can give. The fabric is extremely soft and pleasant to the touch. The bath towel wraps are available in three sizes and nine colors. Monogram it for a gift that will remind her of you every day. These are also very popular for bridesmaid's gifts!2.Oh Mint Personalized Nap MatsPerfect for younger children an

Dairy products and other sources for calcium and vitamin D

Published on 2009-05-29 08:15:00

Dairy products provide a rich source of calcium, necessary for bone health. Most are fortified with vitamin D, which helps the small intestine absorb calcium. Calcium can also be found in dark green, leafy vegetables, such as kale and collard greens, as well as in dried beans and legumes.Recommended calcium levels are 1000 mg per day, 1200 mg if you are over 50 years old. Take a vitamin D and calcium supplement if you don’t get enough of these nutrients from your diet.Choose non-fat or low-fat

Nuts, Seeds, Beans, and Tofu: alternative sources for healthy proteins

Published on 2009-05-28 08:14:00

Beans, nuts, nut butters, peas, and soy products are good sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Many of the foods in this group provide iron, which is better absorbed when a source of vitamin C is consumed with the mealChoose: Black beans, navy beans, garbanzos, lentils, and other beans. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans. Soy products like tofu, soymilk, tempeh and veggie burgers. All of these are great sources of protein for vegetarians.Avoid: Salted or sugary nuts; refried bea

Putting protein into perspective

Published on 2009-05-27 08:14:00

During digestion, protein in food is broken down into the 20 amino acids that are the basic building blocks our bodies use to create its own protein. Our bodies need protein to maintain our cells, tissues and organs. A lack of protein in our diets can result in slow growth, reduced muscle mass, lower immunity, and weaken the heart and respiratory system. Protein gives us the energy to get up and go –and keep going. Keep in mind that it is vital to eat healthy protein that is free of hormones

Support your health and the environment by eating locally-grown food

Published on 2009-05-26 08:13:00

Eating fresh food is an important part of a healthy diet. It has become standard practice for fruits and vegetables to be shipped across the country or even across the world before they arrive on our supermarket shelves. Locally-grown food is fresher than what you'll find in the supermarket, which means that is tastier and more nutritious. And since the food travels a shorter distance to get to you, it is better for the environment and helps us reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Following are