TAMARIND FRUIT, IT'S HEALTH BENEFITS AND TAMARIND SODA

the tamarind fruit

Tamarind Soda

tamarind in brief

The tamarind is a long-lived, bushy tree with drooping branches and leaflets that close up at night.

 The fruit has a hard, brown shell and in it, contains a fleshy, juicy pulp which is brown or reddish-brown when ripened.

We call this ‘asam jawa’- tamarind is native to tropical Africa, abundant in  India and South Asia. 

The tamarind fruit is used extensively in cuisines around the world with some traditional medicinal uses and over ten health benefits.
I really like the name “tamarind” or ‘tamarene’ as known by the Maoris of Cook Island… sounds beautiful.

It's edible pulp is more palatable when ripened. The unripe hard green pulp is sour and acidic too.

NUTRITION
The tamarind fruit has a sweet sour taste, high in acid, sugar acid, sugar, B vitamins, vitamin C, carotenes, calcium, fiber, potassium and magnesium.

culinary uses  

In Western cuisine, it is found in Worcestershire sauce and HP sauce.

In some other countries, it is used as in tamarinier jams and syrups and as snacks- either dried and salted, sweet, soft clusters or candied.

Or the tambran balls rolled with white granulated sugar and a blend of spices. 

Also used to make sour chilled drink and carbonated drink. 
Commonly for us in Southeast Asia, tamarind is used as a souring ingredient in food dishes. 

A salad dish of young tender tamarind leaves, boiled beans, topped with crushed peanuts and crispy fried onions, is served in rural Myanmar.

traditional medicinal uses  

In Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and Javanese traditional medicine, tamarind leaves are used as a herbal infusion for malarial fever, the fruit juice as an antiseptic, and for scurvy and even cough cure. Throughout Southeast Asia, fruit of the tamarind is used a poultice applied to foreheads of fever sufferers.

In ayurvedic medicine, it is used for gastric and/or digestion problems, and in 
cardioprotective activity.

health benefits 

It is rich in antioxidants and this helps fight against cancers.
It also helps lower cholesterol and treat bile disorder.
Helps in digestion, acts as a mild laxative and can be gargled to ease sore throat.

Based on human study, tamarind intake may delay the progression of skeletal flourisis by enhancing excretion of fluoride. However, additional research is needed. Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive consumption of fluoride.

Drinking tamarind juice can help reduce this risk for diabetics and is of benefit in relation to blood sugar levels.
The juice is good for the skin, apply on the skin for that healthy glow.

tamarind- it’s side effects

Although generally safe, tamarind juice can have adverse effects on health. It can increase the absorption of aspirin and ibuprofen by the body and should be avoided by those taking these medicines. It may cause acidity in people who suffer from acid reflux.
Links here  and  here 

other uses

Tamarind concentrate can be used to remove tarnish from brass and copper.

Tamarind Soda 

5 tbsp heap tamarind pulp

Brown sugar to taste

2 tsp nutmeg powder

1 can carbonated drink ( sprite, 7up or lime flavored sparkling mineral water)

Mix tamarind paste with 5 cups of water, squeeze out juice from pulp. Strain away residue. Add in sugar and nutmeg powder.  Heat up, when boiled, let steep for 5 minutes. Leave to cool.

Keep chilled, when ready to serve, add in carbonated drink.

THE DEADLY SEVEN INGREDIENTS IN GROCERY FOODS

the deadly seven ingredients in grocery foods

We eat for good health, yet we are mostly eating food that promotes chronic diseases and may be death. 
Some of the ingredients found in food these days can be considered to be very toxic- such as MSG artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, preservatives, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. 
There are endless ingredients at the supermarket but not everything belongs in our body.

STEVIA FLOWERS- photo credit-wikimedia commons

grocery TIPS from the organic consumers association

Link here   -Excerpt from Mike Adams in Organic Consumers on:
the deadly seven

‘Deadly seven” is the name he refers to some food ingredients, as they can directly promote heart disease, migraines, obesity, outrageous food cravings, osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis and even birth defects.
Says he,

Dear consumers,
The top three most dangerous ingredients I've found in my research are:

1) Sodium nitrite –a color fixer chemical that can cause cancer, found in processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausage. Used to make meats appear red.

2) Hydrogenated oils - Used to make oils stay in the food, extending shelf life. Sometimes also called "plastic fat”-  they can cause heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, general deterioration of cellular health, and much more.

Found in cookies, crackers, margarine and many "manufactured" foods.

3) Excitotoxins – a chemical food flavoring- such as aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG.). These neurotoxic chemical additives directly harm nerve cells, over-exciting them to the point of cell death.

They're found in diet soda, canned soup, salad dressing, breakfast sausage and even many manufactured vegetarian foods. They're used to add flavor to over-processed, boring foods that have had the life cooked out of them.

cookies-preservatives, artificial flavor and color

Mike Adams's tell-all book, written on the subject: "Grocery Warning." Link here

Based on thousands of hours of research, this book exposes the truth that food companies will never admit to and the mainstream media will never print (because they receive advertising funds from food companies, of course!). Examples:

-Feeding children hot dogs increases their risk of brain cancer by 300%?

Colors using dead beetles? yuks!!

-Strawberry yogurt, fruit punch and other red-looking grocery products are often colored with dead, ground-up cochineal beetles? The ingredient is called "carmine," and it's made from insects.

-Food companies now "hide" MSG in safe-sounding ingredients like yeast extract or torula yeast? Other hidden sources of MSG include:
Autolyzed vegetable protein . Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Metabolic disruptors prevent your body from healing

He said nearly all modern diseases are caused by what he termed as  "metabolic disruptors." They are found in common ingredients, such as white flour and sugar and they prevent your body from healing.  

Metabolic disruptors are used most commercially prepared foods, which means most products on your grocer's shelves contribute to poor health. 

The longer the ingredients label, the less healthy the food.

Read those ingredients list, if you discover chemical names that you can't pronounce, don't buy the food!- Mike Adams the Health Ranger.

anything artificial
has no business in the body

I believe it  is not too difficult to memorize these chemical names that can be very toxic for the body, when consumed so often or in quantities above safe levels.  Once we remember the names, we can shop wisely and not deadly, for ourselves and our family.

Say, if i cook something, using preserved and frozen ingredients with artificial colorings- my dish will contain three baddies inside. Then, if during cooking, i personally add in a dash of MSG, it means i now have a total of four baddies in one meal. Think again, think of yesterday’s meals, think further… 

Where i am, food outlets commonly use MSG. When they used in excess, i can tell, I will get a headache after eating.

Further details from various sources-

1-artificial colors- example, Sodium nitrite can lead to allergies. The artificial colors of blue 1 and 2, green 3, red 3 and yellow 6 have been linked to thyroid, adrenal, bladder, kidney and brain cancers.

2-artificial flavors-  MSG, the ultimate flavor enhancer. High levels can have serious effect on brain chemistry. May increase risks of chest pains, heart palpitations and headaches. – MSG brand examples- Ac'cent, Aji-No-Moto, and Vetsin.

3-artificial sweeteners- names like aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, cyclamine and acesulfame potassium etc are harder on our metabolic systems than plain old sugar

-Aspartame- found in brands like Equal and NutraSweet

-Sucralose – in brand name Splenda and Kirkland

-Saccharin- brand names such as Necta Sweet, Sugar Twin and Sweet andLow –banned in Canada and some other countries

-Stevia (Rebaudioside A)- brand names like PureVia, Sun Crystals and Truvia. It is the steviol glycoside, one component of the stevia plant that provides sweetness.

In 2012 FDA posted a note on their website regarding crude Stevia plant: "FDA has not permitted the use of whole-leaf Stevia or crude Stevia extracts because these substances have not been approved for use as a food additive.

Link  here  Although stevia sounds like a miracle herb, some scientists are concerned that it may be a mutagen, meaning that it could cause cancer. 
Stevia has also been linked to reproductive malfunction. Some of these studies have been imperfectly performed, hence the need for more thorough analysis. 
Given the argument over this sweetener, it would appear that more controlled studies are needed.

-Acesulfame Potassium- found in brand Sunett

-Cyclamate – brand Assugrin- cyclamate is banned in the USA- may cause bladder cancer.

-Sorbitol/ Glucitol- side effects includes abdominal pain and intestinal difficulties.

4-trans fat- more like ‘the cholesterol-maker’. A risk for coronary heart disease. These fats also known as 'shortening' or 'hydrogenated', may help prolong the shelf life of most products  by raising levels of bad LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.

5-preservatives- example, Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to serious thyroid damage.

FISH, GREENS AND AN EGG RECIPE. HEALTHY NUTRITOUS EGGS.

fish, greens and an egg

a one dish meal packed with highly nutritious ingredients.

this is eaten with hot rice for lunch.

a glass of green tea with lemon will be perfect.

ingredients

Fish – 2 pieces- fry till done.  How cooked depends on you. Place on serving plate and add raw greens at the side… as above

Next and is a must, is to use the same oil for frying fish above, when cooking. It makes a world of difference

3 cloves garlic- minced

1 large onion- slice/ minced

1 red  and 1 green chili – slices

2 stalks curry leaves

1 slice asam gelugor / substitute with 1 tsp lemon  juice

1 tbsp soup powder

Salt and pepper

Veggies- 1 cup cut cauliflower and 1 medium tomato

1 hard boil egg

Raw greens of your choice for garnishing

Canola vegetable oil for frying

the healthy benefits

*Vegetable oil lowers cholesterol. So does garlic and onion.

*The soluble fiber in veggies drag the cholesterol out of the body. Best examples are egg plant, okra and beans.

*Fat soluble red lycopene  in tomato increases 4 times when cooked. It protects against oxidative damage and cancer-causing effects (prostate, pancreas, colorectal, lung). The body uses lycopene better when cooked with fat such as oil.

*Catechins anti oxidant in green tea helps reduce damage cause by bad cholesterol LDL.

*The ten benefits in eggs as listed below

ASAM GELUGOR- garcinia

cooking method

Using a little of the same fish oil, heat up and fry onion. Once golden, add in garlic, chili and curry leaves.

Stir for about 2 minutes, add in cauliflower and tomato as well asam gelugor, salt, pepper, soup powder and half cup water. Very flavorful already.

Cover pan with lid for 4 minutes.

Ensure cauliflower is cooked  al dente or crisp tender. Remove from pan and pour onto fish. Add egg on top.

Ready to serve, best eaten hot.

ten health BENEFITS  IN eggs

Athough egg yolk contains fat and cholesterol, the egg yolk  is also a major sorce of vitamins (A,D,E,K) and minerals. Egg yolk is one of the few foods naturally containing vitamin D.

Egg has many other health  benefits such as protein, also lutein and zezanthin which are great for the eyes (prevents macular degeneration and lowers  eye cataracts risks).

Choline in eggs is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. 
Women who consumed 6 eggs per week may help lower breast cancer risk by 44%.

It’s sulphur content promotes healthy hair and nails.

In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, strokeand heart attacks.

the double egg yolk

Double egg yolks may be the result of a young hen's reproductive cycle not yet being synchronized. 
There are some hybrid breeds of hens which produce double-yolk eggs by default. 
Such eggs are produced in India. Eastern states known for that are West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.  Link here and here

CUCUMBER SANDWICH. HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCMBER.

the cool vegetarian day

cucumber sandwich recipe

trying out health tips, like eating fruits and veggies only for a day,

i have decided to instead, have a vegetarian diet once a week.

Feels fine, light and easy to prepare and lighter , easier for the tummy.

very simple ingredients

1 medium size cucumber

14 pieces sandwich bread slices

7 tbsp finely minced fresh mint leaves... love this

Some nutmeg powder, salt, pepper and paprika

Unsalted butter for spread

Hazelnut butter / peanut butter for spread- if you are a health freak, use the organic variety

the cool way to prepare 

Mix butter with mint leaves, nutmeg powder, salt, pepper and paprika.

Slice cucumber slightly thicker than thin for a crunchy taste and dab with paper towels to dry.. or sandwich between two paper towels.

Slice off bread crust for a cool look

Spread butter mix on 7 pieces of bread for base of sandwich.

Arrange cucumber slices on bread

Spread hazelnut butter for remaining 7 pieces of bread and place on cucumber, as sandwich top

THE COOL LOOK

Using a sharp knife, cut each sandwich into four making  squares, for a cool look

Arrange sandwiches at random on a white plate for an even cooler look

Ensure your thumb and middle finger handles this delicately and enjoy the cooling effect of cucumber and mint…..

you never know how delicious and crunchy this healthy treat is…

JUST FANTASTIC FOR A LIGHT VEGETARIAN MEAL
DO YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A CUCUMBER SANDWICH CALLED THE BUCKINGHAM PALACE? yes, but i cant remember the ingredients.

FOOD ENERGY AND SOURCES

food energy and sources

high and low energy foods

high energy foods are best eaten in their highest energy form, which is in raw state.

eating is sustainance- mostly, must also become medicinal

preventing and healing illness food, is medicinal

yogurt with fruit topping

Nearly all cases of mid-morning blahs, afternoon space-outs, and general exhaustion at work can be attributed to low blood sugar. If we grab a cup of coffee and a bagel at 7:30AM on our way to work, the caffeine and carbohydrates offer a powerful but short-lived energy boost. It's almost a guarantee that by 10:30AM we will be spacing out again.

This isn't to say that carbohydrates are bad; we still need them to live and for basic brain function.

A diet comprised mainly of carbo, however, is a recipe for ”a constant cycle of blood sugar highs, lows, and the accompanying feelings of exhaustion that go with them”.

A diet on protein, is a recipe for the “slow burning that keeps one going”. Ideally the blood sugar and energy levels should be slow and steady (as in protein), not swinging wildly up and down (as in carbo).

high energy breakfast menu

Some of the high protein breakfast foods to choose from:

-Eggs- Scramble, fry, poach, hard boil etc- high protein content and a good source of fat and vitamin A.

-Protein powder –add this in the cereal or beverage

-High protein breakfast cereal (eg kashi above), not just any cereal

-Peanut butter, sweetened with a little honey, instead of jelly on toast.

-Yogurt- a great source of protein and choose the plain/unsweetened type. The fruity kind is packed with sugar.

On snacks- eat food that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates.

Drink water regularly. The minor signs of dehydration include lethargy, headaches, muscle pain and a general sense of confusion. Water also helps us feel more energized. Link here

our body needs energy

wiki-Food energy is the amount of energy obtained from food that is available through cellular respiration. Food energy is expressed in kilojoules or food calories.

The human body uses the energy released by respiration for a wide range of purposes: about 20% of the energy is used for brain metabolism.

The rest of energy  is used mainly for metabolic requirements of other organs and tissues.

Energy is also used for the production of mechanical energy by skeletal muscle to maintain posture and produce motion.

In cold environments, higher metabolism is needed to produce heat to maintain body temperature- higher metabolism will burn more calories, thus need more/ higher energy.

Carbohydrates, fiber, fats, proteins, organic acids, plyols and ethanol all release energy during metabolism—this is often called 'food energy'. When nutrients react with oxygen in the cells of living things, energy is released.

a good diEt helps to heal sickness

Avoid poor diet and learn to de-stress. It helps the body cope better.

High energy foods support the natural healing process. The more raw, the more healing they are.

Separate out our personal list of ‘good foods’ and ‘bad foods’. We need to know which foods give good nutrients for the body to naturally heal itself and which foods weaken the body’s immune system.

Recognize what foods and some of their symptoms. Eating an apple, for example, is generally good, but to a patient suffering from CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), this may cause him pain, fatigue (tiredness), a sense of depression, itching eyes, headache, palpitations or other reactions.

The body tends to heal itself. To maximise that healing power, one must increase the overall vitality (energy) of the body, so that natural defences can fight whatever complex factors are causing illness.

‘High energy foods’ eliminate toxins and enable healthy absorption in the gut. 

Scientific research has shown that raw vegetables not only boost immune function but actually kill the bad bacteria in the gut (bad bacteria overload is part of what is making us feel so ill).

High sugar food, chemical exposure, long time taking antibiotics, can kill off the beneficial flora in the gut (which is an important part of our immune system to fight illness).

Immune boosting foods are:

-Take the highest energy food: Garlic

-By all means eat some dark chocolate (70% cocoa) now and then. No milk. Coco increase blood flow to the brain. It also creates a happy aura.

"Research findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... milk may remove the potential health benefits from eating dark chocolate."

-Whole grains (which are not depleted of iron, vitamins and fiber)

-Pulses (beans) which contain fiber and nutrients

-Fresh fruit and vegetables, full of Vitamins C and E, beta carotene, fiber and natural sugars

-Low fats which do not deplete oxygen

-Fish rich in vitamins and Omega 3 (oily fish)

-Eggs rich in iron, zinc and magnesium

-White meat, cooked in unsaturated fat

-Olive oil and garlic (medicinally used since ancient times). Link here

cocoa