The Red Bananas

Red bananas are of high nutritional value and usually contain a high levels of potassium, beta carotene and Vitamin C. 1 Medium sized banana contains the following:

110 Calories
0g Fat
0g Cholesterol
0g Sodium
29g Carbohydrates
400mg Potassium
1g Protein
21g Sugar
4g Dietary Fibre
15% Vitamin C
2% Iron

These red bananas grow all over Asia and South America. The red banana tree can grow up to 8 to 25 feet depending on the plant variety. Fruits ripen during springtime.For red bananas planting to harvest is usually around about 18 months and grows in subtropical areas. Planting your own red bananas is always a great idea as they are known to be quite expensive all over. Make sure your soil is well-drained, slightly acidic and moist at all times. These red banana plants grow well in direct sunlight but you will need to protect it from the wind to avoid the leaves getting torn.

Benefits of Eating Fish

We all need protein in our diets, and fish provides one of the best sources.

Fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids which have numerous health benefits and are one of the leanest meat sources you can choose. The American Health Association recommends two servings per week with an emphasis on fatty fish (salmon, herring, and mackerel).

As mercury is a concern there are species to be avoided, these include golden snapper, swordfish, king mackerel, and shark. These predators consume large amounts of other fish and thus have higher levels of mercury.

The main benefits you'll derive are a healthier heart and a healthier brain. Supplements are available, but suppressed immune function has been noted when taken daily for over 3 weeks at a time. Sometimes too much of a good thing can be harmful.

Take care your health. Eat healthy!

Why Whole Grains?

An easy step you can take to improve your health dramatically is incorporating whole grains into your daily diet. The hard part is finding true 100% whole grains. When you buy bread for example, most of it's enriched white bread made to look like wheat. During processing all the nutrients that were put there by nature have been stripped, by law they have to add the B-vitamins back to prevent widespread deficiency diseases.

Benefits of whole grain products include:

* Soluble fiber which can lower LDL cholesterol
* Help protect against cardiovascular disease
* Full of countless chemicals which we have yet to discover for optimal health
* Fiber leads to satiety which leads to less consumption

Other whole grains you can add to your daily diet include quinoa, millet, steel cut oats, couscous, rye, and buckwheat. Begin today by reading the ingredients in your grain products, more often than not you'll find enriched in most of them.

Benefits of Honey - Good For Your Health And Skin

Honey, one of the natural syrups, contains glucose, fructose, vitamins, and minerals. It offers a large number of benefits. Honey was considered good for health in ancient times, and the story continues till today even after scientific intervention—researchers also accepted its value and they endorsed its use in various ways. Honey contains sugars like fructose and glucose, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur, chlorine, sodium, phosphate and iron. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B3, B5, and C are predominant in honey. Following are few of the advantages of eating honey:

Health benefits of honey

* Honey is broadly used as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.

* Honey has wonderful wound healing capacities. It can cure burns, ulcers and wounds and is used as an antiseptic curative agent.

* Honey can improve performances in athletes. The ergogenic aid present in honey helps in this.

* Honey improves blood quality by keeping a check on the free radicals.

* Honey is great substitute for sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and is good for cholesterol patients.

* Honey relieves nasal congestion, helps digestion, gives relief from cough and helps in conjunctivitis. It acts as a sleeping aid when taken with hot mug of milk.

* Honey is known to soothe tissues and help retain calcium in the body.

* Honey is known to be effective in countering anemia.

* Consumption of honey can rev up your immune system.


Honey as a beauty aid

* Pat your skin with honey while you go for a shower and keep patting till the honey gets really sticky, this helps improve blood circulation and lends a glow to the skin.

* Rinse your hair with honey and lime; this will add shine to your hair.

* Add ¼ teaspoon of honey to your bath and this will bring a glow to your skin.

* Mix honey with oatmeal and ground almonds, this will make for an excellent face cleansing scrub.

* When apple and honey are blend together and applied on the face for about 15 minutes, it acts as a brilliant moisturizer while also making the skin firm and soft.

* As a facial mask mix 2 tsp. of honey and 2 tsp. of milk and leave it for 10 minutes, this will get your skin glowing.

* Honey acts as a lotion for dry skin, mix ¼ tsp lemon, 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1 tsp honey and leave it for 10 minutes.


Flavor deserts and fruits using honey

* Honey is widely used to flavor deserts and fruits. The acidity prevailing in honey helps the fruit retain its original color. While using honey for fruits ensure that you use mild one lest the honey overpowers the fruit flavor.

* To preserve fruits for the coming winter season, add honey to the crushed or sliced fruit and freeze it. For whole fruits, add 1 cup of water and two cups of honey till the fruit is covered.

* Honey can be used as a topping for fruit puree.

* Yogurt and honey make for a great desert.

* Substitute honey for sugar while you make pancakes, it will taste great.

* Banana with some honey to top it makes for a great pudding.

* Mix honey and butter and sprinkle over your desert like cakes, this gives it a sugary and glossy look.

Honey is tasty. Honey is medicinal. Start eating honey now!

Learn Sushi Terms

For sushi lovers, you should know some terms regarding your favourite dish...Personally, i love to eat Sushi coz they are simply delicious.

Sushi Terms

akagai - ark shell
ama ebi - raw shrimp
anago - sea eel
awabi - abalone
bakagai - round clam
buri - adult yellowtail
chutoro - in between fatty and lean tuna
daikon - giant white radish
ebi - cooked shrimp
fugu - blowfish
hamachi - young yellowtail
hamaguri - clam
hirame - fluke
hotategai - scallop
ika - squid
ikura - red salmon
roe kaibashira - sweet center of small scallop
kaiware - sprouts of vegetables such as mustard greens or daikon
kani - crab
kanpyou - seasoned gourd
karei - flatfish
katsuo - bonito fish
kazunoko - herring roe
kohada - gizzard shad
kuruma ebi - prawn
kyuuri - cucumber
maguro - tuna
mekajiki - swordfish
mirugai - horse clam
natto - fermented soy beans
nori - sheets of dried seaweed
oshinko - Japanese pickles
ponzu - citrus vinegar
saba - mackerel
shake - salmon
shako - mantis shrimp
suzuki - sea bass
tai - sea bream
tako - octopus
toro - fatty tuna
torigai - cockle
uni - sea urchin roe
unagi - eel
wasabi - horseradish
yaki tamago - Japanese omelet

Learning About Fruits : Pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the oldest known fruits and has been revered for centuries, making appearances in Egyptian and Greek mythology, and the Bible and Torah. For such a noble fruit, it’s surprising how few Americans enjoy it in its whole, natural form. Now that the California Pomegranate season has begun, Frieda’s Specialty Produce hopes to encourage more people to pick up one of these fresh garnet delights at their local supermarket produce department.

Inside the Pomegranate’s leathery skin you will find myriad tiny, edible seeds encapsulated in ruby-colored tangy-sweet juice (arils), nestled among thin white membranes. The flavor is bright and refreshing with that pop-in-your-mouth sweet-tart quality. Pomegranate arils can be enjoyed out of hand, sprinkled on salads and desserts, or made into juice for a variety of uses.

Pomegranate Facts:

* The fruit originated in Persia and spread to Asia, Europe and eventually the North America.


* The Pomegranate’s name was derived from the Middle French term, Pomme Garnete, which means “seeded apple.”

* In Jewish tradition, the Pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness because it is believed to have 613 seeds, corresponding with the 613 commandments of the Torah (which is why the fruit is often eaten during Rosh Hashanah/Jewish New Year).

* Some historians believe that Eve gave Adam a Pomegranate in the Biblical Garden of Eden.

* In Spanish, the fruit is called Granada, and in French, it’s called la Grenade. In fact, the weapon by this name was named after the fruit.

* Grenadine, the fruity red syrup used in cocktails was originally made with Pomegranate juice.

* The rind was used by ancient Romans as a form of leather and the juices were used for a fabric dye.

* The Pomegranate was featured in Catherine of Aragon’s (Henry VIII’s first wife) coat of arms.

* Shakespeare and Homer both wrote about the fruit.

Food Tips

Back to basics

1. Use carrots instead of sugar to sweeten your sauces.

2. Sweet onions are better than yellow onions. Though sweet onions bruise more easily than yellow onion, they taste better.

3. If soup has too much salt, cut up a raw potato or two and drop into the soup. The potato will absorb some of the salt.

4. Fresh seafood looks firm and shiny, not soggy.

5. A fish’s eye is a clear indicator of freshness.

6. Fish should not smell fishy. Instead they should smell like the sea. Only bad fish smells fishy.

The Benefit Of Dates - The Wonder Fruits

Dates are a delicious fruits contain calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, magnesium, volatile oils, Vitamin-B6, folic acid, Potassium, Iron and Magnesium, proteins, sugars, vitamins and are rich in natural fibers which contribute to a healthy body and mind.

Dates provides natural sugar in the form of glucose and fructose which is ready for immediate absorption and, is infinitely far superior to cane-sugar.

Dates are used abundantly in the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The sweetness of the date takes the edge off hunger and this is another reason why fasts are opened with dates. This prevents a person from overeating after he has opened his fast.


Eating dates has great benefits which can be illustrated as follows:

Prevents Cancer: Dates are very nutritious and contain natural fibres. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. In general Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer.

Weak heart: Dates are an excellent remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight should be taken twice a week which strengthens the heart.
Bedouin Arabs who regularly consume dates have shown an extremely low rate of heart disease.

Treatment for Obesity: The wide variety of nutritious elements in dates makes it hunger-resistive! So treatment by eating few dates when feeling hungry helps reduce hunger and be filled. These dates will provide the body with the necessary sugar and stimulate the intestine which reduce hunger greatly, and eventually, reduce food consumption.

Eases child-birth: Eating dates eases the pain of childbirth. Scientifically they are known to contain hormones which strengthen the uterus, help produce milk for nursing mothers and also prevent blood loss after childbirth. (The ripe fruit contains a substance that urges uterine spasms and increases contractions especially in the time of delivery. This substance resembles 'oxytocin' that is secreted by pituitary gland, which encourages contractions of the uterus. Dates contain some stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery and reduces post-natal bleeding).

Ideal for breast-feeding mothers: Dieticians consider dates the best food for breast-feeding mothers. This is because dates contain elements that assist in alleviating depression and enrich the breast milk with the nutrients needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease.

Bones: Calcium is important for strong bones so this is an additional benefit that dates provide. As dates are rich in calcium, they contribute to healthy bones. For this reason it is recommended that children and older adults, especially women, eat plenty of dates to strengthen their bones.

Modern science has also proved the effectiveness of dates, in preventing diseases of the respiratory system.

Intestinal Disturbances: Eating dates in the morning on an empty stomach kills intestinal worms and other parasites, for dates have an antidotal potency which restrains their growth. According to Metchnikoff, a great Russian scientist, liberal use of dates keeps in check the growth of pathological organisms and helps to establish a colony of friendly bacteria in the intestines.

Improves Eye sight: Dates are also important in maintaining good vision and are effective in guarding against night-blindness.

Cures constipation: Dates are also highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.

Remedy for Sexual Debility: Date syrup can be used as a treatment for weak heart. It can also be use for the treatment of sexual weakness. When it's mixed with milk and honey, dates can be used as a tonic for the treatment of sexual disturbances for both sexes. And such syrup strengthens the body and raises its energy levels. The elderly would benefit from this syrup too. It improves their stamina and purges their bodies from the toxins that have accumulated in their cells along the years.

Remedy for Liver and Inflammations: Dates remedy Lever and purge it from toxins, Breaking the fast with dates, is one of the most magnificent of natural remedies for the maintenance and purging the Lever from accumulated toxins. And also drinking dates juice could be used in the treatment of sore throat, various types of fever, rhinorrhia and common cold.

Remedy for Intoxication: Dates are an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. In such a case, drinking water in which fresh dates have been rubbed or soaked will bring quick relief

Children's Disease: Dates tied to a wrist of the baby and allowed to be sucked during teething period hardens the gums and also prevents other complaints like restlessness and diarrhea.

In short sentence, one date satisfies the minimum requirements of a balanced and healthy diet - so cultivating a healthy habit of eating dates miraculously preserves our health and attains longevity.

Caffeine : Why do we all crave it so much?

You probably already know that caffeine is addictive. More than 80% of the entire world population consumes caffeine, whether it be in coffee, tea, sodas, or candies, each and every day. Around 90% of all Americans consume the stuff on a daily basis. More than half of them consume more than 300 milligrams each day. That is a lot of caffeine.

So just what is caffeine and why do we all crave it so much? Caffeine is the lay-man's term for chemical compound 1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine. In its pure, unadulterated form, caffeine is a white crystalline xanthine alkaloid with a bitter taste.

Caffeine was first discovered back in 1819 by a German chemist called Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, who called it kaffein due to the fact that it was found in coffee or kaffee in German.

Caffeine is naturally occurring and can be found in a variety of plants; it actually acts a pesticide, keeping insects at bay.

Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant and a diuretic, meaning it makes one feel awake and less drowsy and it also increases the production of urine. It is processed by the body within 30-45 minutes of ingestion; the effect wears off in about three hours depending on the amount consumed.

There are varying opinions as to the effects and benefits of caffeine. High caffeine consumption which is considered to be more than 6,000 mg/day (most Americans consume about 280 mg/day, while about 20-30% consume more than 600 mg) is considered to be adverse to one's health. It can lead to sleeping problems and it is addictive.

People tend to build tolerances to caffeine, much like other drugs. This means they need to ingest more caffeine to feel the effect. Caffeine tolerance is known to develop quite rapidly. Those who consume large amounts of caffeine may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, stomach pain and irritability when they have not had any caffeine.

Moderate consumption of caffeine seems to increase one's capacity for physical and mental labor. It can actually enhance athletic performance and endurance. Caffeine works by stimulating your neurons.


Your typical drip-brewed coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. A cup of black tea (8 oz) contains 50 mg of caffeine. Sodas such as Coke and Pepsi contain 40-50 mg per 12 ounce can, while chocolate contains 6 mg per ounce.

Caffeine is not recommended in large quantities for pregnant women. Although the findings are as yet inconclusive, there is some evidence to suggest that caffeine may affect the formation of the fetus or possibly increase the risk of miscarriage. It may also affect fertility. That being said, there is no direct link connecting caffeine to miscarriage.

Variety India Cuisine

Indian recipe is really a flavorful mix of excellent food, tasty dishes, and healthy beverages that Indians believe help attain a sound, well-balanced spiritual, physical and emotional state. Although mostly vegetarian, Indian cuisine also has some non-vegetarian offerings that are succulent and as healthy as the vegan offerings. Indian non-vegetarian recipes extensively use chicken, fish, as well as a sprinkling of poultry and meat dishes.

Chicken is perhaps the most popular meat of choice in Indian cuisine since it is used with many things for a variety of recipes. The traditional Indian biryani, an Indian fried rice mixed with various herbs and spices like tomatoes and ginger, are sometimes served with roasted chicken on top. It is a basic Indian rice meal usually spiced up and made more flavorful with chicken

There's an entire array of chicken meals in Indian recipes. Chicken drumsticks, chicken curry, butter chicken, chicken Afghani and chicken Danuba are just some of the selections.

Fish is also common in Indian cuisine. From the basic fried fish to the more exotic Patrani Fish and yogurt fish dishes, enjoy the distinct fish flavors in exotic spices and herbs.

The third most common ingredient from the non-vegetarian lineup of Indian recipes is egg. It's the same basic egg recipes you're familiar with, like omelet, pouched, and stuffed, except with an Indian twist. It uses basic herbs and spices like ginger, chili, and tomato.

Much like in any other culture, Indian recipes include an abundant choice of sweets and pastries for dessert. Its collection of cake recipes include familiar ones like apple, carrot, honey, peach and marble cakes. There are also several chocolate cake variations in Indian recipes. Naturally, the range won't be complete without a uniquely oriental offering. Not entirely Indian but oriental in itself is the pineapple upside down cake and the tasty coconut cake, both made with real pineapple chunks and coco meat.

Indian snacks are a genuine treat and the variety is immense. They're found everywhere in India, right from trendy restaurants to fast food joints and is a popular street food too. You will find wheat buns filled with deep fried mashed potatoes and green pea, crispy friend onion rings, samosa, dahi puri, pani puri bhel puri and much much more. Indian snacks and street food is loaded to the brim and one ought to try them.

There are ample other Indian recipes you can try to experiment with. Especially if you want to test a lot more than the basic boiled or fried rice, the Indian collection of rice recipes can provide you with excellent cooking ideas. In addition there are collections of regional recipes or place-specific dishes. The Punjabi Food collection, for example, can be a stimulating mix to explore. Indian recipes have a powerful ethnic and oriental flavor and one can experiment with them to experience a whole range of tastes. But mind you they are not subtle in nature and packs quite a punch - try the numerous rice recipes of India and do not miss out on the varied biryanis on offer. Punjabi recipes would be a very good place to start with.

Tie that apron on, don the cap and begin twiddling with Indian recipes. It's versatile, it's nourishing, it's piquant and interesting. All you actually need to do is to have an adventurous character and an open palate to enjoy the exotic aromas and flavor of this unique Eastern cuisine.