Healthy Vegetables?

Many take vegetables for granted without really taking into consideration what good it can do to our body. Aside from the fact that some of them look and taste unusual, we practically ignore most of them on sight.
In truth, many health experts believe that vegetables are a great day-to-day added sustenance to the human body. Different kinds of vegetables offer their own blend of nutrients that can provide us the energy we need for our daily routine, keep our body in top shape and a higher resistance from diseases as it boosts our immune system.

Health Benefits from Vegetables

The human body requires a balance of nutrients to keep it going at a normal pace – and vegetables can do just that. Here are some of the vegetables you can practically see around the common market and what it can do for you.

1. Cauliflower. This tasty vegetable is quite common in most Chinese cuisines, and is served because of its high nutritional value not to mention the added flavor it gives to the recipe. For starters, cauliflower contains minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium and sodium; as well as vitamins A, C and B6. It is known to fight cancer and regulate the hormones to a normal level and a health food for those who suffer from high sugar content or diabetes.

2. Squash. Whether the winter or summer variety, the squash is well known around the world for being rich in Vitamin A; which is very good for your eyesight – though the summer variety contains more of it than its winter counterpart. Turning this into a soup would be quite delectable.

3. Carrots. The carrot is well known for containing Beta Carotene, another variation of Vitamin A known to fight and limit the growth of cancer cells in our bodies. This tasty food is quite delicious served raw with a tasty dip, boiled, juiced, or even grated in a veggie salad.

4. Green Pepper. Often served on our choices of pizza for garnishing, we usually set it aside due to its bittersweet taste. This vegetable is rich in Vitamin C and is a great antioxidant that protects our cells from free by-products that can affect our body’s metabolism.

5. Mushroom. Practically the only vegetable that can give you the much-needed Vitamin D. Mushroom helps our body absorb more calcium and magnesium for healthy teeth and stronger bones. Usually we get Vitamin D from sunlight, but if you don’t want to get sunburned by staying outside too long, try eating mushrooms instead.

6. Spinach. Popeye, a cartoon sailor is often seen munching on a can of this before clobbering the bad guys; spinach is rich in Vitamin K, same as with other dark-leafy vegetables. Vitamin K plays an integral role in blood clotting, as well as regulating the blood calcium levels to keep your bones at peak condition.

7. Lima Beans. These are a good source of Vitamin B9 or commonly known as folic acid. Folic acid is usually synthesized with diet supplements, and is required by your body to produce red blood cells, as well as improving your nervous system. This is very advisable among pregnant women due to its capabilities of increasing cell growth production and improves the development of the embryo. Best paired with vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli; best sautéed.

Preparation

Since vegetables are 100% natural, complete with vitamins and minerals for a healthy diet, they should be eaten fresh if you don’t want to lose all those precious nutrients. Fresh from the market, you should take some care in washing them clean in running water – not too much or you might get them soggy in the process.
Some vegetables can be eaten raw like carrots or asparagus, and would taste even better with a dip. Some require you to boil or even sauté with other veggies with some spices to bring out the flavor. Here is one recipe that should set your taste buds drooling:

Creamy Squash Soup
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp sliced leeks
3 cups cubed squash
2 medium size potatoes, cubed
3 cups of chicken broth
1 cups water
1 250ml. NESTLÉ All Purpose Cream (or any cream that will suit your taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Melt butter and sauté leeks until they are nice and limp. Add the squash and potatoes and cook for around 2 minutes to let the flavor seep in
2. Pour the chicken broth and the water and bring to boil until the vegetables are tender. Then remove from heat then let it cool.
3. When cool enough to handle, transfer it over to the blender and puree until the consistency is smooth
4. Strain the mixture to remove any lumps, and simmer again in a soup pan. Add the cream and cook for a minute or two.

Truffles and More Truffles A French Kiss Dessert Gift

The purpose of the Truffles and More Truffles — A French Kiss Dessert Gift is as a gourmet gift.

Pros: No matter what the occasion — a birthday, an office party, a baby shower, a wedding shower or any other gift-giving occasion Vyou simply cannot go wrong with one of the Truffles and More Truffles - A French Kiss Dessert Gift.

You might choose the Gourmet Truffle Sampler. There are ten of each of the six truffle varieties included. You might choose to send a box of truffles that are all the same kind. Each Truffles and More Truffles - A French Kiss Dessert Gift includes 60 truffles. The six unique flavors of truffles offered by the Gourmet station are Razz Mojito Truffle, Tropical Splash Truffle, Beurre de Noisette Truffle, Peanut Eclipse Truffle, Cherry Caramel Truffle, and Dulce de Leche Truffle.

The truffles are handmade by French Kiss Desserts, using only the highest quality all-natural ingredients with no preservatives.

Cons: Food and food choices are personal things. Also, many people have food allergies. It is important that a customer be aware of any such problems before placing an order for gourmet food because there is a $25 charge for cancelled orders.

Guarantee: Gourmet Station does guarantee that the foods will arrive undamaged and that the food will arrive on the date that the customer specifies. The company will reship or refund your money but you must notify them immediately.

Value for money: The Truffles and More Truffles - A French Kiss Dessert Gift is of excellent quality and it is a very good value.

Fasting

I regret not having posted for a long time...

Well it is before easter and that means: Fasting time!

The most comprehensive information about fasting ist mostly found on german websites, because fasting in the US is reduced to colon cleansing or detoxification.

I found this article in german on Squidoo today about fasting:

http://www.squidoo.com/heilfasten
Maybe you want to take a look at it...

Agaricus blazei Murill Immune Enhancement

Those shopping for vitamin and health supplements

The purpose of the Agaricus blazei Murill Immune Enhancement is to enhance the immune system.

Pros: There is an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It means that avoiding a problem (particularly a health) problem is better than all the medicine you can take to solve the problem or cure the ailment. A lot of old sayings are based on a wealth of experience, and this is one of them. It is always better to avoid getting sick than it is to have to take medicine to try to get well again and the immune systems that are built into our bodies is what prevents illness. If we can make that immune system stronger, then we just won’t get sick as often. Agaricus blazei Murill Immune Enhancement can help to make your immune system stronger.

Agaricus blazei Murill is made with only Grade A mushrooms. That means that only the very best part, the cap of the mushroom, is used, rather than mixing grades A, B and C.

Cons: The lack of a guarantee of satisfaction is a con, in my opinion. I like guarantees of satisfaction for purchases made on the Internet. There IS contact information given on the website. The Agaricus blazei Murill Immune Enhancement seems to be a good product and one that will deliver what it promises, however.

Guarantee: There is no guarantee of satisfaction posted on the Life Expand website.

Value for money: Agaricus blazei Murill Immune Enhancement is a good product at a reasonable cost. It is a good value.

DDF Titanium and Zinc Sun Block

Sunscreens can contain ingredients that can provide the required sun protection. These ingredients can vary in chemical composition. Some are physical compounds while others are chemical and organic compounds. The naturally-occurring compounds that are safe for use in sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Titanium dioxide or titanium oxide is derived from the oxide of titanium. It is regarded as the most widely-used pigment in paint. When it is used as a pigment, it is called titanium white.

Aside from paint, titanium dioxide is used in cosmetics and as a tattoo pigment. In skin care products, the compound is popularly used in sunscreens. It has an opaque quality that can resist UV light. Its ability to reflect UV light is also the quality the compound is more preferred as an active ingredient of sunscreens than other chemical compounds.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are naturally-occurring compounds with white pigments. They are also used as semi-conductors in electronic applications. These compounds are more recommended for use in sunscreens for they are less likely to bring skin irritation than other chemical compounds. Zinc oxide is a compound that has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Both of these compounds can be found in some sun block products although other sunscreens use any of the two compounds as active ingredients.

One of the sun block products in which the two compounds can be found is DDF- titanium & zinc sun block.

DDF titanium and zinc sun block can provide UVA and UVB protection. It can be used in any skin type including children’s skin. This product can not cause acne nor can burn eyes during perspiration.

DDF titanium and zinc sun block does not contain chemical ingredients to block UV rays. Its active ingredients are composed of 4% zinc oxide and 2.5 % titanium oxide. Its other ingredients can compose of organic compounds where eleven of these are known as anti-oxidants. Its other ingredients could include soybean sterols, CoQ-10, green tea extract, beeswax, redox of Vitamin A, C and E and other chemical inactive compounds.

DDF titanium and zinc sun block can be applied on the face and body before exposing to the sun. For women, it can be used before applying make-up while for men during after-shave or cleaning the skin.

DDF titanium and zinc sun block should be re-applied after swimming or after excessive perspiration.
More information about DDF titanium and zinc sun block can be found at some websites. You can also find other products of sunscreens that contain the two active ingredients that can resist UV rays.

Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate Gold Coins

Consumer: Chocolate lovers or gift givers

The purpose of the Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins is to provide a unique chocolate gift for chocolate lovers.

Pros: The Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins will make wonderful small gifts for friends and family. There are three little mesh bags in the Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins package. Each bag contains 3.5 ounces of Nirvana milk chocolate that is wrapped to look like gold coins. These would make wonderful little keepsake remembrance gifts for brides to give to their attendants, or they could be used as stocking stuffers during the Christmas season.

The chocolate included in the Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins bags is absolutely marvelous! Nirvana Chocolate is made in the town of Brugge, Belgium. The town is famous for at least three things. Some of the world’s finest lace in made in Brugge. There is medieval architecture that is a feast for the eyes and, of course, the best chocolates in the world (in my opinion) are made there.

Cons: It is hard to find anything to complain about Nirvana chocolate in any form. The Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins will leave recipients wanting more.

Guarantee: There is a guarantee of satisfaction posted on the Chocolate Source website that reads in part, “If you need to return your item due to error, defects, or damage during shipping, or for any other reason, please notify Customer Service within 14 days of delivery and we will gladly replace it, exchange it or refund your money.”

Value for money: The Nirvana Chocolates Milk Chocolate gold coins gift really is a very good value and will provide a very unique gift of chocolate.

Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee from Coffee For Less.com

Consumer: Coffee drinkers

The purpose of the Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker is to provide coffee-making equipment for the serious coffee lover.

Pros: There are coffee makers and then there are COFFEE makers. The Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker is in the latter category. The Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker is the absolute top of the line. The carafe is thermal, so coffee stays hot even after it has been removed from the warming tray. The Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker can make up to 14 cups of coffee in a single brewing, or it can make fewer but stronger cups of coffee.

The Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker is equipped with a water quality monitor and safety brewing lights. Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker also comes with a full three-year warranty from the manufacturer.

Included with the purchase of the Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker is a choice of either a professional or an ultimate coffee server.

Cons: The price of the product may turn off many purchasers who would like a decent coffee maker but are concerned about the cost. In addition, the Aquabrew TE 216 Granite Coffee Maker does require installation of plumbing.

Guarantee: There is a guarantee of satisfaction that reads in part: “If for any reason you need to return or exchange an item, call 1-800-784-8400. RETURNED MERCHANDISE MUST BE IN SALEABLE CONDITION WITH MANUFACTURERS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
Please send your package to us via insured and prepaid UPS or US Mail. Sorry, shipping fees are not refundable.”

Value for money: For those who make coffee daily not only for themselves, but also for offices, shops, and restaurants, or for those who love coffee and for whom money is no object, this product offers a decent deal for the money. If the customer makes coffee only for his/her household, he/she may be better advised to seek a less expensive product.

CJ