Home Economics.

It seems there never is "enough time" to get our meals prepared correctly to get the proper nutrients that our bodies need. However, it is possible to make sensible healthy meals in just a few minutes. The first thing(s) I emphasize as a must have in every kitchen is glassware not plastic tupperware. From water bottles to the lining of food tins, the chemical BPA is present in most plastics. BPA is what’s known as a suspected endocrine disruptor this basically means it can mimic the body’s hormone system and potentially create reproductive health problems, with possible links to cancer. So, people add some class and get some glass!
The whole idea in having glassware is so that you can prepare food and store it for a couple of days. How great would it be to actually still enjoy a healthy meal that you know how, when and who prepared it. Having enough food prepared for a couple of days can save you money ( for some glassware!) In comparison to eating out on a day to day basis which can drain your wallet, lead to poor eating choices and sometimes not worth the experience.

Eating healthy does not have to be a challenge and does not need to be costly. There is a difference between eating and being hungry. Try to start your day with breakfast in your stomach. It is definitely the most important meal of the day and gets the wheels turning. Limit your meals to three balanced meals. Snack sensibly, drink water, avoid unnecessary salt and sugar as most foods already own these properties naturally, Importantly stay hydrated! The human adult body is made up of 55-60% water. Incorporate some exercise even something as simple as walking is great extender of life! Smile and laugh more it reduces calories and relaxes the muscles of the face.

Even though all foods are important, I have a list of foods that I hold up on a pedestal because of how much our bodies benefit from them. The three main basic vegetables that are easily accessible and affordable year round are collard greens, red onions, and tomatoes. All vegetables are good for you unless of course you have allergic reactions or simply just do not like the taste. In those instances you can find a way to make the vegetables more appealing to your pallet example: use variety of spices and get creative. Remember the more green leafy vegetables you eat the better!


Saturday, March 15, 2014

WINE NOT?


I enjoy wine, oh yes! I do, particularly a chilled good chardonnay, at the end or maybe middle of the day with a good meal and company or maybe with just a meal and good music. Anyway, wine also has great benefits to the body of course just like everything it should be consumed in moderation. Sorry, I do not encourage expectant Mothers to consume wine it is a poor choice and can be harmful...Be Smart.
Wine in moderation reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Once again I emphasize in moderation.
 The fruit of the vine appears to boost levels of HDL "good" cholesterol and helps prevent LDL or bad cholesterol, from causing damage to the lining of arteries. Consuming the equivalent of a glass or two of wine each day can  significantly create higher levels of "good" cholesterol because they remove the "bad" artery-clogging LDLs before they have a chance to choke blood vessels. Indeed, wine seems to facilitate that process hence making it easier for HDLs to hustle their dangerous counterparts out of the bloodstream. When LDLs remain behind in the arteries, substances in wine called phenols appear to help prevent the bad cholesterol from causing injury. Recent studies show that wine also may protect against several forms of  cancer. The same phenolic compounds that lower heart disease risk also may slow the growth of breast cancer cells, red wine might help ward off oral cancer.

Wine can also be enjoyed in food. While cooking and you take some of the fat out of the food, you usually will need to add another ingredient to replace the lost moisture and wine can help you do that. Example: Wine helps add flavor to fish: Deep-fried fish dipped in sauce completely defeats the nutritional purpose of eating fish. If you really want to lock the flavor and moisture to fish, cook it with wine and spices.Wine is a great ingredient in marinades as well. It is basically an acid ingredient (which helps tenderize the outside of the meat) and it has a lot of flavor. A wine-based marinade will help keep meat, poultry or seafood moist while it cooks. You can add wine to the pan while the fish is simmering, poach the fish over a saucepan of boiling wine, or drizzle fish with a tablespoon or two of wine and bake it...absolutely magical!

The next time you have a glass of wine in your hand make it a habit to appreciate it. Take a minute to stop conversation, shut out distractions if you are able and try to focus your attention on the wine’s appearance, scents, flavors and finish you will be surprised by what your pallet will find. If you are ordering a bottle of wine at a restaurant you want to be certain and happy with your choice and that the wine you receive tastes the way it was intended to taste. From my experience you cannot always rely on servers in restaurants to notice a wine that is corked. Ultimately you are the one who will be asked to approve the bottle and being able to sniff out common faults, such as a musty smell from a tainted cork called TCA, will certainly make it easier for you to send a wine back. So, don't be shy to ask for a little taste of your wine before you dine. And wine is Gluten Free! So Cheers! Darlings, drink responsibly!

In Kenya wine is being produced in Naivasha, Yatta  Plateau and along the Great Rift Valley Escarpments. The two big names in the trade now are Rift Valley Winery and Kenya Wine Agencies Ltd; with Leleshwa Wines and Yatta Wines respectively. Enjoy your wine drink responsibly and remember to do it in moderation. A glass or two a day not a litre of wine a day...Do not drink and drive. Be smart!




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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMarch 15, 2014 at 9:53 PM

    This is an amazing blog. Very informative and i must say the pictures are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

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LOVE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.