Hot out of the oven... Pineapples

Adapted from:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276903.php

*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.

Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love. That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story. I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.
Welcome to Hot Out Of The Oven food news, I have yet another edition of food news coming straight from no other source but, Living Better Cafe of course. As you have read through many editions of (H.O.T.O), since I have started this food news addition. You have became more wiser about what you buy,and place into your mouth. While I am very happy to continue to keep "Hot of the oven" going as much as you keep enjoy reading it every Monday. In this second January edition I will be bring you the benefits of Pineapples.

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. While many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like pineapples can decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

While pineapple has possible health benefits that includes:

Age-related macular degeneration: A higher intake of all fruits (3 or more servings per day) has also been shown to decrease risk of and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Asthma prevention: Pineapple has lowered the risks for developing asthma in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, found in plant foods like pineapple, mangoes, papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots.

Blood pressure: Pineapple has shown Increasing potassium intake by, consuming high potassium fruits and vegetables can help with lowering blood pressure. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults meet the daily 4700 mg recommendation.
Also noted, a high potassium intake is associated with a 20% decreased risk of dying from all causes.

Cancer: Pineapple has an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C, pineapples can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer.
Diets rich in beta-carotene may also play a protective role against prostate cancer, according to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health's Department of Nutrition 7 and has been shown to have an inverse association with the development of colon cancer in the Japanese population.8
High fiber intakes from all fruits and vegetables are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society:

"there has been studies suggesting that bromelain [which is found in pineapple] and other such enzymes may be used with standard cancer treatment to help reduce some side effects (such as mouth and throat inflammation due to radiation treatments)."
Diabetes: Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One medium pineapple provides about 13 grams of fiber.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25 g/day for women and 30-38 g/day for men.

Digestion: Pineapples, because of their fiber and water content, help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
Fertility: Pineapple has antioxidant-rich diets have been shown to improve fertility. Because free radicals also can damage the reproductive system, foods with high antioxidant activity like pineapples that battle free radicals are recommended for those trying to conceive. The antioxidants in pineapple such as vitamins C, beta-carotene and the vitamins and minerals and copper, zinc and folate have properties that affect both male and female fertility.5

Healing and Inflammation: Some studies have shown that bromelain, the enzyme found inside pineapples, can reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain associated with injury and surgical intervention. Bromelain is currently being used to treat and reduce inflammation from tendinitis, sprains, strains, and other minor muscle injuries as well as swelling related to ear, nose and throat surgeries or trauma.9
Heart health: The fiber, potassium and vitamin C content in pineapple all support heart health.

In one study they have said, those who consumed 4069 mg of potassium per day had a 49% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium (about 1000 mg per day).

High potassium intakes are also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.

Skin: The antioxidant vitamin C, when eaten in its natural form (as in a pineapple) or applied topically, can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the support system of your skin.

Pineapple is also a great way to get your source of important vitamins and minerals such as, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, manganese and potassium and antioxidants and polyphenols, such as beta-carotene.

How can you,(We)incorporate more pineapples into our diet:
When going to the grocery store you want to, select a pineapple with a firm, plump body without bruising or soft spots and green leaves at the crown. A green outer shell does not mean the pineapple is not ripe and contrary to popular belief, neither does the ease in which the leaves pull from the crown.

You should pick pineapples at their peak ripeness since unlike other fruits, they will not continue to ripen once picked. Whole or cut pineapple should be stored away in the refrigerator.

Potential health risks of consuming pineapples:

We as people have a tenancy of consuming too much potassium, which can be harmful for those whose kidneys are not fully functional. If your kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood, it could be fatal.

While those with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience an increase in symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation when consuming highly acidic foods, however individual reactions vary.

It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a diet with variety than to concentrate on individual foods as the key to good health.

New Orleans grits

Note: If you have any food allergies to shellfish, opt out the seasoning mix.

If you are looking for the taste of new Orleans, you can enjoy this bowl of Southern right at your fingertips.


Serves: 4

1 c. Grits
4 c. Water
1 Stick margarine, melt
1 1/2 tsp. Freshly minced garlic
1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1- 2 Shrimp seasoning (ramen seasoning packet)



Directions:

1. In a medium sized pot add butter, and minced garlic. Allow the butter to melt. Once Margarine is melted remove from the burner.

2. Slowly stir grits plus garlic butter,Cajun seasoning,Cayenne, Shrimp seasoning into boiling water.

3. Reducing down the heat to medium-low; cover. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until desirable texture.

Food News Flash.... Recall

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dole-salad-recalled-after-listeria-kills-1-sickens-12-n502311

Food News Flash:
Living Better Cafe want to keep you in the know of food recall's that just recently appeared into the news, as this recall just came to my ear's today. So, I want to share it among you all. this is coming straight to you from "NBC news ", without any adaption added to this news. I am about helping you stay safe. So, please click on this link and continue to read, and don't forget to pass this on to your family/ friends as well. It's all about caring for the one's you love.


Happy Journey to Living Better!
Katrina Smith, (Creator/ Administrator)

Vegan Taco Chili

Who said Chili is just for meat eaters only? Not Living Better Cafe.
This chili you are sure going to love
Serves: 5

1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery,chopped
1/2 (29 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 1/2 (15 oz.) cans pink beans
1/2 (11 oz.) can sweet corn (not creamed corn)
15 oz. Soy chorizo (casing removed)
1 1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 1/4 Tbsp. ground Chili powder
1 1/4 c. fresh cilantro, roughly chopped


Directions:

Heat the oil in a large dutch oven skillet. Add the soy chorizo and break up with the wooden spoon, until crumbled for 2 minutes and Set aside. Sautee the mushrooms, garlic, bell pepper, onion and celery until tender. Transfer them to a stock pot . Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chorizo,beans and corn. Cook for at least an 45 minutes to blend the flavors. Stir in the cilantro and simmer for 15 more minutes.

Coffee Talk... Episode 4

www.livingbettercafe.blogspot.com/coffeetelevision

On episode 4 of Coffee Talk, I will be discussing on "What Anaphylaxis is"?

If you enjoy watching Coffee Talk and think someone you know can benefit from this, consider "sharing" because it's not only helping you it can help others as well.

French Onion Soup

Serves: 1

1 c. sliced onions
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. Margarine
1 Beef flavor ramen packet
Course Himalayan Salt
Freshly grounded pepper
1 slice French bread
1 slice provolone cheese
1/2 slice Swiss cheese, diced
1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. Fresh thyme

Directions:

1. Melt Margarine with olive oil in an 8 quart stock pot on medium heat. Add onions and continually stir until tender and translucent. Do not brown the onions.

2. Add beef flavor, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Heat the oven broiler.

4. Carefully Ladle soup into a oven proof safe serving bowls and place one slice of bread on top of each. Layer each slice of bread with a slice of provolone, Swiss and Parmesan cheese. Place bowls on cookie sheet and broil in the preheated oven until cheese bubbles and browns slightly.

Orange juice cookies

Adapted from: http://catcora.com/recipes/desserts/lemonade-cookies/

When I made Cat Cora's delicious Lemonade cookies for my family one spring day. I thought to myself that theses cookies can also be made using a different kind of juice, and I so happened to think Orange Juice.

Serves: 3 dozen approximately

1 6-oz. Can of Frozen orange Juice concentrate
1/2 lb. Unsalted margarine (2 sticks) (Softened)
1 C. Pure cane Sugar (Plus extra to sprinkle over the cookies)
2 Tbsp. Orange Zest (Finely Grated)
2 Large Eggs
2 1/2 C. All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/8 tsp. Course Himalayan salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Fill a metal large bowl with warm water, and place unopened can of orange juice inside to thaw... meanwhile mixing the cookie dough.

3. In a large glass bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar with a hand mixer, or electric mixer. Add in the orange zest, if desired. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until the mixture is light and creamy, 4-5 minutes, then set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

4. Measure out about 1/2 cup of the thawed Orange Juice and set the rest aside. Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture to the creamed margarine and sugar. Stir, then add about one third of the 1/2 cup orange juice. Continue adding the flour and orange juice alternately, stirring after each addition, until the mixture shows no signs of flour. Beat on low speed with the mixer just until all the ingredients are combined.

5. on a ungreased cookie sheet drop teaspoonful of dough 2 inches apart.

6. Bake the cookies, checking them after 8 minutes. When the edges are just starting to brown, remove the cookies from the oven. (The centers will still look soft.) Using a pastry brush, immediately brush the top of each cookie very lightly with a little of the remaining Orange juice concentrate, then lightly sprinkle with sugar. Transferring the cookies to a rack and allow them to cool completely.