Category Archives: Food

Cowboy Caviar

Posted on July 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

black beans spicyHere’s a no-cook summer spin on tangy Texas black bean dip.  It’s rich in texture and flavor and has lots of kick!  Scoop it up with baked tortilla chips or veggies as a  snack/appetizer, enjoy it as a spicy salsa over salad, tacos, grilled fish and chicken, or dish it out as a hearty side.

It’s made from a spicy base of cholesterol-free protein and fiber (black beans) and vitamin E-rich avocados. This recipe yields a lot and tastes better the longer it sits, but you’ll find it disappears fast!   Continue reading →

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Posted in "FIT FOOD" Recipes, - Appetizers & Snacks, Food, Heart Healthy

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How to Pick a Ripe Pineapple

Posted on July 3, 2009 | Leave a comment
Look for a nice golden color

Look for a nice golden color

Pineapples are a great source of valuable enzymes, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy this tasty tropical fruit, but trying to pick the perfect pineapple doesn’t have to be a hit-and-miss effort.  

Pineapple season is March through July in Hawaii where they peak in April/May.  They will not ripen nor will they become sweeter after they’re harvested.  Pineapples do not have extra starch reserves, like bananas or pears, which can easily be converted into sugar after they’re picked.  To select one of these popular Hawaiian jewels:

  • Look for a pineapple that has a nice golden color with fresh, deep-green leaves.
  • Avoid a pineapple with any bruises, brown dry leaves, mold, or soft spots.
  • Tug on a leaf from the middle.  If the pineapple is ripe, it should slide out easily.
  • Smell it — ripe pineapples should smell fresh and fragrant at the stem end.  (Pineapples ripen from the bottom up.)   Continue reading →

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Pineapples, Post-Surgery, and Pain

Posted on July 3, 2009 | Leave a comment
Pineapple can help tissues recover after surgery

Scientists have investigated pineapple enzymes for its medicinal properties

Q:  I heard that eating pineapple is beneficial after sustaining an injury or having surgery.  Is there any truth to this? ~ J.C., Seattle, WA

A: Pineapples are refreshing tropical fruits and contain a natural enzyme called bromelain.  For hundreds of years, pineapples had been used in folk medicine to treat digestive ailments and treat inflammation.   Natives applied pineapple dressings to wounds and skin injuries to reduce inflammation and drank the juice of the fruit to ease stomachaches and indigestion.  Recently, research scientists have investigated possible medical uses for this enzyme.

The Evidence

Proponents use bromelain to reduce swelling, bruising, inflammation, and pain after surgery and injury.  Bromelain has been approved for these uses by the German Commission E since 1993.  According to an article posted by the American Cancer Society, research studies have been conducted to prove that bromelain may:   Continue reading →

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Posted in Food, Supplements

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When Organic Produce is Worth the Price

Posted on July 2, 2009 | Leave a comment
Organic vs. Conventional - How do you choose?

Organic vs. conventional - Is is worth the cost?

Q:  We eat lots of fruit in the summer.  Is organic produce really worth the extra expense? ~ G.M., El Cerrito, CA

A: Summer is synonymous with sumptuous fresh strawberries, peaches and watermelons.  They’re great sources of antioxidants and fiber and a special treat at this time of year.  However, fruits consistently top the list of produce that are most contaminated by pesticides.  Buying pesticide-free produce is the best choice, but they’re generally more costly or may be unavailable.

During tough economic times, coming up with the extra cash to buy organic can be difficult.  Knowing when it’s smart to buy organic and when it makes sense to go conventional, you’ll spend your money wisely.   Continue reading →

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Posted in Food, Organic, Save Money

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Mesquite-Grilled Eggplant Dip

Posted on June 29, 2009 | 2 Comments
A delicious, easy and heart-healthy snack

A delicious, easy and heart-healthy snack

If you’re in need of a fast off-the-shelf appetizer or snack, try Affi’s Aubergine and Baked Crackers by Marin Gourmet, Inc.

This dip is made with simple ingredients:  several varieties of eggplant, fresh home-grown herbs, garlic, olive oil, and no preservatives.  Their crispy baked crackers pair perfectly with the tasty mesquite-flavored spread and are free of salt, sugar, and fat.   Continue reading →

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Posted in Food, Heart Healthy

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Can Enzyme Supplements Prevent Gray Hair?

Posted on June 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Q: Regarding your post on How to Prevent Gray Hair, can an individual augment the level of enzymes to generate pigmentation with pills or injections? ~ D.E., Santa Fe, NM

A: Thousands of enzymes are manufactured by the cells in all living matter with each having a specific purpose.  All chemical reactions in the body (i.e. breaking down or synthesizing compounds) are regulated by enzymes and you could not live without them.

From Body to Bottle

supplementsDue to the “more is better” mentality, there are many enzyme products and advertisements in the marketplace.  However, there is not enough clinical evidence that would support swallowing or injecting enzyme supplements to keep you healthy as well as prevent gray hair (in particular, the enzymes catalase to break down hydrogen peroxide and tyrosinase to produce melanin).

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Posted in Aging, Hair, Supplements

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Hawaiian Tofu-Salmon Salad

Posted on June 26, 2009 | Leave a comment

tofuHere’s the perfect summer salad that’s as colorful as nutritious.  This 7-layer Hawaiian-style salad is a meal in itself and easy to make.  The light tangy Asian dressing blends the silky texture of the tofu with the crunchy veggie layers.

Made with fresh chopped vegetables (local grown is best!) and salmon that’s packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  Tofu is a high-quality source of vegetable protein, contains no cholesterol, and is rich in healthy isoflavones.

Continue reading →

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Posted in "FIT FOOD" Recipes, - Salads, Antioxidants, Food, Heart Healthy

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Bruschetta with Garden Tomatoes & Basil

Posted on June 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

roma tomatoesBruschetta  (pronounced “brusketta”) is a healthy snack or appetizer and easy to make.  (Chopping tomatoes required, but can be therapeutic.)  If you’re so lucky to have vine-ripened tomatoes and homegrown basil on hand, this refreshing Italian dish promises to be extra flavorful.  The tomatoes add a rich source of lycopene making it a red-hot antioxidant that’s protective against aging and a growing list of cancers.

Continue reading →

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Posted in "FIT FOOD" Recipes, - Appetizers & Snacks, Antioxidants, Food, Heart Healthy

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How to Prevent Cancer (Soap and Animal Fats)

Posted on June 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

Q: What’s the difference between the more expensive soap made with vegetable oils and the cheaper commercial brands of soap? ~ D.W., Los Angeles, CA

A: Soap is the resultant compound made by reacting fat (either from vegetables or animals) with sodium hydroxide.  The less expensive, commercially-manufactured soaps use tallow (animal fat).

Tallow – Is It Fit To Be Fat?

Tallow is a low-cost waste product of the meat industry.  It is basically fat stripped from slaughtered cattle, but it may also include fat rendered from slaughtered sheep and pigs.

Ivory is made from tallow

Ivory is made from tallow

Soap manufactured from animal fat is called sodium tallowate.  50% of a slaughtered steer is tallow and bones – the main ingredient of commercial mass-produced soap.  Ivory® states that their tallow comes from meat processing scraps and consists of beef and/or pork hide and bones.

The Skinny on Animal Fat

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, from the time cattle hides are removed from the animal, rapidly-growing bacteria populates the fresh hide.  In order to control bacterial growth, bactericides and detergent or large amounts of salt need to be used as a preservative.  Further, cattle hide is one of the primary sources of E.coli contamination on carcasses.   Continue reading →

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Posted in Cancer, Chemical Additives, Dioxins, Food, Meat, Soap & Cosmetics

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Silken Manhattan Clam Chowder

Posted on June 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

chopped clamsThis version of Manhattan clam chowder uses lycopene-rich tomatoes, but includes a touch of milk to soften the acidity.  It’s high in flavor, but low in fat.  Fresh clams can be added, but canned clams are used here to make it an easy, full-bodied soup that you can throw together fast.  

Clams also top the list as a source of B-12. One serving of clams (three ounces) has 14 times more vitamin B-12 than a fortified breakfast cereal with 100% of the DV! Add a green salad and whole grain bread and you have a healthy, heartwarming meal.

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Posted in "FIT FOOD" Recipes, - Soups, Antioxidants, Food, Heart Healthy

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How to Prevent Aging and Cancer (Sodium Benzoate)

Posted on June 15, 2009 | 2 Comments

Benzoates are widely used preservatives

Benzoates are widely used preservatives and linked to aging and cancer

Sodium benzoate (also known as E211) is a chemical preservative used to help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungus in acidic products. It is linked to aging and cancer and is widely used in foods, beverages, cosmetic, dental care products, and pharmaceuticals that contain:

  • Vinegar (salad dressings, pickled foods)
  • Carbonic acid (carbonated drinks)
  • Citric acid (jams, fruit juices, cough syrups, baby wipes, liquid hand soaps)
  • Alcohol (alcohol-based mouthwash)
  • Other high acids (soy sauce, Chinese food sauces)

Sodium benzoate is used in some sodas

Sodium benzoate is used in some sodas

Manufactured from Crude Oil

This crystalline powder is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and is produced by reacting sodium hydroxide (lye) with benzoic acid.  Benzoic acid is commercially manufactured by reacting toluene with oxygen.  Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane, is related to benzene (a carcinogenic substance). Toluene is found in crude oil and used to make gasoline.

Due to the unpleasant aftertaste of sodium benzoate and not so much for toxicity, sodium benzoate concentration is limited by the FDA in the U.S. and should not exceed 0.1% by weight.  Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is an alternative preservative to sodium benzoate.  When lower sodium content is required, potassium benzoate is used in place of sodium benzoate.   Continue reading →

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Posted in Aging, Cancer, Chemical Additives, Food, Longevity

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What’s In Artificial Food Coloring?

Posted on June 13, 2009 | Leave a comment
Gatorade_3 colorsQ: What’s in the artificial dyes that are used to color our food? ~ C.O., San Ramon, CA

A: Synthetic colors used to make products more attractive, appealing, and appetizing originally started out from coal tar crudes and are often still called “coal tar colors”.

The origin of colorants

The origin of colorants

Today, according to the Food and Drug Administration, many certified dyes are synthesized from petroleum (crude oil) – a naturally occurring flammable liquid found in the Earth’s rock formations.  Benzene, a known human carcinogen, is a natural constituent of crude oil and coal tar.

It’s hard to imagine that these usually black or dark brown (and sometimes yellowish or greenish) hydrocarbons are the primary raw materials used to manufacture the colorants widely used in:

  • Dawn_purpleFood
  • Drugs
  • Soaps
  • Cleaners/Detergents
  • Cosmetics

Moreover, synthetic coloring agents are recognized as a frequent cause of skin and eye irritation.

Sample of heavy crude oil

Sample of heavy crude oil (the base ingredient of artificial colorants)

Adverse or Carcinogenic Effects 

Even though coal-tar and petroleum are extremely volatile, toxic substances, the FDA determines that there is “reasonable certainty” that a dye poses no harm, or the risks are extremely small when used under its proposed conditions.  However, the absolute safety of any substance can never be proven.

In 1900, there were approximately eighty (80) food color additives being used and considered safe.  Due to adverse or carcinogenic effects since then, the list of acceptable FD&C (Food, Drug, & Cosmetic) colorants in the U.S. has been reduced to nine (9) certified colors.

Bay leaf1THR Tip: Steer away from artificially-colored products which you consume or slather on your skin.  By doing so, you’ll eliminate unnecessary petrochemical additives and possible carcinogens from entering your body.

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© 2009 Karen Owoc and The Health Reporter™.  All Rights Reserved.

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Posted in Chemical Additives, Food, Soap & Cosmetics

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