Beef Dinuguan

Dinuguan is a Filipino savory stew of meat and/or offal (typically lungs, kidneys, intestines, ears, heart and snout) simmered in a rich, spicy dark gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili (most often siling mahaba), and vinegar The term dinuguan comes from the Filipino word dugo meaning "blood". Beef dinuguan is same procedure to pork dinuguan. 

Here is my own version of dinuguan. 

Wash the meat or kidneys, intestines, ears,  and heart very well and boiled it with lemon grass to get rid of the odor for 30 minutes more or less. Wash again and slice it into thin or your desire sizes. Heat the frying pan and pour it with 3 tbspn cooking oil. Sauté garlic until brown add onion, ginger, red bell pepper, sliced meat and lemon grass for 20 minutes more or less with occasional stirring. Add vinegar, soy sauce, msg, black pepper powder, chile pepper, salt to taste and mixed it well.  Put the fresh strained blood with continue stirring until it becomes sticky. And served while it is hot.

What is a good food to eat before bed?

Good nighttime nutrition is important to help your body rebuild damaged muscle tissue. Eating the right foods before you go to sleep will give your body the nutrients it needs to recover from intense workouts and help get you in better shape. Eating the wrong foods will lead to an increase your body fat temperature percentage.

Sauteed Vegetables with Pork

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo of pork

1 onion/ minced

1  tomato/ minced

1 garlic/ minced

3 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tspn black pepper powder

1 tbsp monosodium glutamate

1 sayote (christophine)

1 bundle of string beans

1/4 squash

3 tbsp oil

Procedure

Separate the fat meat from the lean meat. Cook the fat meat first until brownish. Then pour with 2 tsp cooking oil and saute it with garlic, onion, tomato, pepper and lean meat. Cover it for 3 mins. Then add the string beans and cover the pan for about a minute. Add the squash and sayote. Mix it with 2 tbsp soy sauce and cover the pan again for about 1 minute, Add 1/2 cup of warm water and let it boil until vegetables are tender. Do not overcook. Add salt to taste and MSG. Serve while it is hot. 

Kangkong – Never Out Of Season

Any dish using kangkong should be popular these days, as the water-loving vegetable is the only one in abundance at public markets; all other vegetables from the lowlands and the mountains have been damaged by typhoons and the habagat rains.

3 TYPES FOR ALL SEASONS – Kangkong grows almost everywhere, and this is evident in the three distinct types sold in the Philippines.

Mung Beans – Appetizer To Dessert

Non-stop rains this week stranded many commuters and kept many home from schools and offices which suspended operations due to floods caused by a combination of heavy downpours, release of water from dams and an unusually high tide.

Unable to go to market, housewives have to turn to non-perishables in the pantry to make meals for the family. Some of the most popular dishes during the rainy season are dried fish, sardines and soupy stews based on mung beans, a most versatile legume that Filipinos use in appetizers, main courses, merienda and desserts.

World's Most Expensive Burger

They’ve doled them out for furthest eyeball pop, stretchiest skin, heaviest car balanced on head and most naked rollercoaster riders, but New York City’s Serendipity 3 snagged the Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive hamburger last week. 

Developed in honor of National Hamburger Month, the iconic restaurant’s “Le Burger Extravagant” cashes out at $295 US dollars and boasts an ingredient list that’s a mouthful. 

Amazing Ampalaya

Ampalaya or bitter melon (Mormodica charantia) has been proven to be effective in lowering the blood sugar of people with non-insulin dependent or type 2 diabetes, the type of diabetes that afflicts 90 to 95 percent of all diabetics.

A substantial number of scientific studies on the effect of ampalaya on blood glucose levels have already been undertaken. The most compelling of these is a 10-year trial, which was conducted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) that compared ampalaya leaves with the anti-diabetes drug glibenclamide. The results of the trial showed that the blood sugar lowering effect of a 100 milligram per kilo dose per day of ampalaya is comparable to 2.5 milligrams of the anti-diabetes drug Glibenclamide taken twice a day.

Tinolang Manok

Tinolang manok or chicken ginger stew is one dish that almost all Filipino families cook and serve for lunch or dinner. Tinola is tasty dish made by boiling chicken sautéed in ginger and adding vegetables and spices. It is best eaten hot as soup or eaten with steamed white rice and seasoned with patis (fish sauce) and chilies.


Here is my own version of Tinolang manok:

Wash 1 kilo dressed chicken and slice it into your desired sizes.  Heat the casserole in medium heat and pour 3 tbspn cooking oil. Soute the garlic when it turn to light brown add onion, ginger, slice meat chicken, lemon grass with occasional stirring then cover. After 7 to 10 minutes, add 6 cups of warm water and let it boil to make it tender. Then add salt to taste, 1 tspn MSG and  malongay. After 2 minutes of boiling serve it while hot.  

Dinuguan

Dinuguan is a Filipino savory stew of meat and/or offal (typically lungs, kidneys, intestines, ears, heart and snout) simmered in a rich, spicy dark gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili (most often siling mahaba), and vinegar The term dinuguan comes from the Filipino word dugo meaning "blood".

Here is my own version of dinuguan. 

Wash the meat or kidneys, intestines, ears,  and heart very well and boiled it with lemon grass to get rid of the odor for 30 minutes more or less. Wash again and slice it into thin sizes. Heat the frying pan and pour it with 3 tbspn cooking oil. Sauté garlic until brown add onion, ginger, red bell pepper, sliced meat and lemon grass for 20 minutes more or less with occasional stirring. Add vinegar, soy sauce, msg, black pepper powder, chile pepper, salt to taste and mixed it well.  Put the fresh strained blood with continue stirring until it becomes sticky. And served while it is hot.

Grilled Squid (pusit)

Procedure :

Wash the fresh squid properly. Marinate it with lemon juice, soy sauce, salt to taste and msg for just 3minutes more or less. Insert lemon grass inside the belly of squid. Grill the squid in charcoal for 15 to 20 mins. Do not over cook. Serve while it is hot.  

How to prepare Lechon

Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically Spain and its former colonial possessions throughout the world. In our family we prepare and cook lechon whenever there is a special occasion. Here is how to prepare lechon. In every 50 kilograms of pig, you need the following ingredients:

1/2 kilo salt

1/2 kilo spring onion

1/2 kilo lemon grass

54 grams MSG

100 grams garlic

1/2 cup black pepper

Put all the ingredients inside the belly of the pig. Cover the opened belly of the pig by stitching it using a wire to avoid spill of the ingredients. Wipe the whole pig with 12 oz of coca cola mixed with 1 cup of water. This will make the skin of the pig crunchy. Grill the pig in a charcoal for 2 -3 hours. Serve while it is hot.

Bibingkang Kanin (Rice Cake)

My wife bought a rice cake for my mother's birthday last monday. Everybody loved it! Bibingkang kanin is a type of sweet rice cake that originated in the Philippines, and it is commonly made by people of Filipino descent during holidays and other celebrations. It is a luscious and versatile dish that is often served as a dessert but is also eaten for breakfast and as a snack. Bibingkang kanin contains only three main ingredients --- brown sugar, coconut milk and glutinous rice --- and you can whip up the delicious dish in about an hour or less.

Grilled Tuna Panga

Grilled panga or tuna jaw is a classic dish in our family. The most common misconception about grilled panga (jaw) is that it is something complicated to prepare. Actually, it’s the easiest thing to cook.

Ingredients:

1 Tuna Panga

1 clove of garlic

1 tablespoon of salt

3 tablespoon of soy sauce

4 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon corn oil

black pepper powder

Procedure in cooking:

1. Mix salt, soy sauce, garlic, black pepper powder, lemon juice and the corn oil and place it in a bowl.

2. Marinate the tuna panga into the mixture. The marinating of the tuna panga would take at least 30 minutes. The longivity will enable the mixture into the tuna panga meat.

3. Start cooking the tuna panga in charcoal. The cooking procedure would take at least 30-40 minutes before the fish is ready to be serve.

Overview and Facts about Rambutan

Often called rambutan, it is regarded as Nephelium lappaceum botanically. The rambutan is a type of tropical tree that is from Sapindaceae family. Even though it is not very tall, it yields an ample crop. Rambutan is commonly marketed all over Malaysia, Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries and is recognized by different names in certain countries. For instance, in Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, rambutan is known as mamon chino while people of Thailand refer to it as ngoh. In Malaysia, a different type of rambutan available is known as wild rambutan. While red is the typical color of rambutan, this fruit is yellowish. The skin of the rambutan has to be removed to obtain the pinky or whitish flesh. They usually taste sweet although some are sweet and sour.

Health Benefits of Eating Rambutan

• Rambutan fruit is rich in sugar, mostly fructose and sucrose, but less calories, only around 60 in a fruit. Rambutan fruit is abundant with vitamin C and has potassium, iron, beta carotene or vitamin A, and a little calcium, magnesium zinc, sodium, niacin, fiber and protein.
• The fruit has been employed in traditional medicine in Malaysia and Indonesia for hundreds of years as a treatment for diabetes, hypertension and various ailments. Besides the antioxidants obtained in its beta carotene and vitamin C, research workers at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand found that the rambutan pulp, seeds and skin have strong, plant based, antioxidants calledflavonoids. Certain kinds of flavonoids are believed to reduce cholesterol and possess anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory attributes.
• One of many organic compounds contained in the skin is Gallic acid. This compound behaves like a free radical scavenger as it helps protect against oxidative damage in our body and is regarded as a strong aid in the battle against cancer. Due to its extensive antioxidant activity, compared to other exotic fruits like pomegranate, rambutan skin extract may be promoted as a drug or health supplement product.
• The rambutan is abundant with vitamin C. 10-12 rambutans provide 75-90 mg ascorbic acid, more than double the amount recommended to take daily. An essential antioxidant, vitamin C prevents body cells from being damaged by free radicals and helps the absorption of iron.
• The fruit also has small quantities of copper, necessary for the creation of white and red blood cells, and also manganese, which our body needs to produce and activate some enzymes.
• A single serving of rambutan functions as an excellent iron source. The iron in what you eat promotes the correct amount of oxygen inside you, which help stop the dizziness and fatigue due to anemia, an illness caused by low iron.
• Additionally, you will obtain 4.3% of the daily recommended intake ofphosphorus when you have a serving of rambutan. Phosphorus helps remove waste in your kidneys and is essential for the development, repair and maintenance of tissues and body cells. Rambutan also has a small amount ofcalcium; both phosphorus and calcium work together to fortify your teeth and bones.
• Besides nutritional benefits, rambutan also has therapeutic functions. Consuming the fruit can help kill intestinal parasites, while help relieve symptoms of diarrhea. Some traditional healers in Malaysia also employ parts of the fruit to cure fever. Talk to your doctor before using rambutan as a remedy for any ailment. 

Rambutan Nutrition and Calories Nutrition Facts of 1 Cup (150.0 g) Rambutans, Drained
Calories	123
Total Fat	0.3 g
Saturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	17 mg
Total Carbohydrates	31.3 g
Dietary Fiber	1.4 g
Protein	1.0 g

How to Choose and Buy Rambutan?

• Select rambutans that is firm when touched gently. The spines have to be firm and not brittle to touch.
• Try to find brightness in color. Refrain from rambutans that are blemished or bruised by any means. 

How to Store Rambutan?

• Keep rambutans in the refrigerator. Put them in a plastic container and cover with a lid. They are going to keep for about a week.
• In the event you store them at normal room temperature, they are going to last about 3 days. In such cases, they are best consumed within 2 days of buying.
• Rambutans may be stored in glass storage containers in the refrigerator if desired.

Source: www.101healthyrecipes.com

Health Benefits of Cassava

Cassava, also known as yucca or manioc, is the third largest source of carbohydrates in the world and is a staple food for more than 500 million people. Among crop plants, the cassava plant provides the highest yield of food energy per cultivated area per day, next to sugarcane.

Lesser known foods such as cassava are not so much considered for snacks but there are more reasons why you should think otherwise.

Cassava root is very rich in starch and contains significant amounts of calcium, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin b6 and vitamin C.

Dietary fiber has been associated with lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer, and helping control diabetes.

A recent study conducted in the Philippines (one of the countries where cassava is an important crop) looked into the effects of root crops and legumes in lowering cholesterol levels among humans with moderately-raised cholesterol levels.

The study showed that cassava significantly decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered as “bad” cholesterol), and may help lower triglyceride levels due to its high total dietary fiber content.

Other studies show that cassava may help support the nervous system and help alleviate stress, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome.

Crispy Fried Chicken

Procedure :

Wash 1 kilo of fresh chicken meat. Slice it to your desired sizes. Mix it well with 1 tbspn black pepper powder, garlic, salt to taste, magic sarap(optional), monosodium glutamate/ vetsin(optional). Let the seasonings absorb for not less than 10 minutes. Heat the fryingpan into medium heat. Pour it with cooking oil. The cooking oil must not too hot in temperature. Fry the chicken pieces for about 8 minutes more or less. Turn once in frying. The amount of time needed for cooking will depend on the thickness of the pieces. Golden brown color is indication that the chicken is cooked.

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The Health Benefits of Guyabano

Guyabano, The Soursop Fruit has cancer curing abilities. The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo. ..

Guyabano is a tree called graviola in Brazil , and “soursop” in English.

This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types. Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

Pork Adobo

After three days of not eating meat, I was craving for a pork adobo. So decided to cook my own version of it.

Procedure : 

Wash 1/2 kilo of fresh pork meat, cut it into your desired sizes. Put it in the frying pan with 1/2 cup of water. Boil it to make it tender. When the sauce is evaporated add 1/4 cup vinegar, 3 tbspn soy sauce,1/2 tspn black pepper, 3 heads of garlic, salt to taste and 1/2 tspn monosodium glutamate/ vetsin (optional). Cover it with occasional stirring. When the oil comes out, stir it until light brown and serve while it is hot. 

Health Benefits of Decaffeinated Coffee

Caffeine consumption is associated with a number of benefits, from increasing mental function to reducing asthma symptoms. However, caffeine intake can also have side effects, including anxiety, restlessness and headaches. As a result, people often choose decaffeinated coffee, which evidence indicates provides a positive effect on overall health.

Kinilaw na Pusit (Squid Ceviche)

Preparation:

Make sure that the Squid is fresh. Wash half kilo of squid properly. Remove the intestine. Cut the Squid into your desire sizes. Set aside the raw squid and have it chilled for 5 minutes. While preparing for the seasoning.

In a separate bowl mix 8 tablespoon of vinegar, a clove of onion, ginger cut into small cubes, a quarter teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 2 tablespoon of lemon juice, chili (optional), and add salt to taste.

Get the chilled raw squid from the refrigerator. And mix it well with the prepared seasoning. and serve it.

Chicken Sotanghon Soup

Ingedients :

1/2 kilo fresh chicken
200 grams sotanghon/noodles
250 grams cabbage
1 sayote/ christophine
1 carrots
1 onion/ minced
1  tomatoe/ minced
1 garlic/ minced
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tspn black pepper powder
1 tbsp monosodium glutamate
salt
4 tbsp cooking oil

Procedure :

Wash the fresh chicken meat well.slice it to your desire sizes. Heat the casserole in the stove in medium heat.  Pour it with cooking oil and saute garlic until light brown, add onion, tomatoe and chicken meat then cover it. After a minute put 10 cups of warm water then cover. Let it boil for almost 10 minutes and add the  carrots, sayote, and  seasonings. When carrots and sayote turn to tender put cabbage and  sotanghon and stir it softly until it's tender and serve it while hot.

Health benefits of Ginger

1. Ginger has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
2. The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness I your throat.
3. Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
   

Ginataang gulay at daing

Ingredients :

250 grams dried fish
500 grams squash
300 grams egg plant
300 grams okra
bunch of malunggay
2 pcs coconut
3 pcs lemon grass
2 cloves onion
2 pcs tomatoe
ginger

Procedure :

Add 1 cup of water into the desiccated coconut and wring it. Use strainer to separate the coconut milk from the desiccated coconut and set aside. Add 4 cups of water and follow the same procedure to have another extracted coconut milk. Grilled the dried fish and wash it. Put all the ingredients into the casserole including the dried fish and use the second extracted coconut milk to cook on it. When the vegetables turn to tender add seasoning to taste. Pour the last coconut milk. After a minute of boiling serve it while hot.

10 Health Benefits of Bananas

Bananas have a lot of health benefits, but we are aware of only very few. Shall we take a look at the health benefits of banana? These benefits include bowel regulation, reduce stress, heart diseases, depression, menstrual pains, anemia, increase in brain power. Know more health benefits of banana here.

1. Bananas regulate the bowel system: Are you suffering from constipation? The best solution to constipation is eating a banana a day. This is one of the major health benefits of bananas. Bananas are rich in fiber that helps in regulating the bowel functions.

2. Bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases and blood pressure: You might be surprised to hear this health benefit of bananas; yes, bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases as well as lowers blood pressure levels. How? Bananas are rich in potassium, which is very vital for the muscle contraction and proper functioning of the heart and nervous system. Do you know how much of potassium is required a day? It is just 4g and you get this by eating a banana. Isn’t this health benefit of banana amazing?

3. Bananas reduce depression: Tryptophan acids are present in bananas and these help in reducing depression and thereby improve your mood. Studies show that bananas are also helpful in reducing stress levels. In this age of stress, this health benefit of banana is truly great.

4. Eat bananas for healthy bones: What do you require for healthy bones? One requires calcium for healthy bones, am I right? Probiotic bacteria help in absorbing calcium and increasing the digestive ability. This helpful bacterium is present in bananas. Green bananas are especially helpful in absorbing calcium.

5. Reduce menstrual pains with bananas: Do you get menstrual pains? Majority of the women folk take pills to reduce menstrual pains. Rather taking these pain killers eat a banana. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 that helps in regulating blood glucose levels. This helps in balancing your overall mood and hence reduces menstrual pains. I found this health benefit of banana very useful. How about you?

6. Bananas help ulcer patients: Another major health benefit of bananas is their capability of fighting intestinal disorders. Eating a raw banana reduces irritation in the stomach and reduces the effect of over acidity.8. Quit smoking by eating bananas:Another amazing health benefit of banana is that it helps people who wish to quit smoking. Smokers have a high level of nicotine; minerals in banana like potassium and magnesium and vitamins B6 and B12 help in reducing nicotine. Smokers, take a note of this and quit smoking by taking bananas.

9. Bananas increase brain power: A survey was conducted very recently among 200 students at a school in Middlesex. They were given bananas along with their normal diet for their breakfast, break and lunch. Research proved that potassium in bananas helped to increase their mental alertness and boost brain power. Remember this health benefit of banana and make your child eat a banana everyday to score high in studies.

10. Reduce itching of mosquito bites with bananas: What do you normally do when there is an itching or swelling due to mosquito bites? We go in for creams that reduce itching and swelling. Rather using these creams, use banana peels. Rub the itching or swelling area with the inside of banana peels and see for yourself how soon you get relief from mosquito bite itching or swelling.

With these health benefits of bananas, I am sure everybody will now start to grab bananas and there will be acute shortage of bananas.

Antioxidant benefits of chili pepper fruit and leaves

I read an interesting article about chili pepper from Dr. Rodriguez, Professor from the Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines. Her article detailed the promising health and wellness benefits of fruits and vegetables and I want to focus strictly on Peppers. According to Dr Rodriguez, photochemical are what help people stay healthy. Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur in fruits, vegetables and other plant species consumed by man.  These naturally-occurring compounds which act as anti-oxidants capable of metabolizing free-radicals in the body that can cause cell death.

In chili pepper, carotenoids and phenolic acids are the phytochemicals that can be derived from its leaves and fruits. The potential disease-preventive mechanisms of pyhytochemicals in fruits and vegetables and their constituents are not limited to antioxidant activity alone.  The phytochemicals can also act in the modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, alteration of cholesterol mechanism, and blood pressure reduction.

My wife grows the most common species of chili peppers in our garden. She utilizes the fruit and leaves from all varieties in preparing culinary dishes. The capsicum frutescens is my favorite and is one species of chili pepper that has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The labuyo fruit was earlier utilized as a herbal plant to ease arthritis and rheumatism and is suppose to be an effective cure for dyspepsia, flatulence, and toothache.

The leaves and fruits both can both be consumed in a variety of culinary dishes. The leaves, freshly picked from our garden and cooked in soups or stir fry dishes are one of my summer favorites. Leaves should be added during the last 3 or 4 minutes of cooking. Capsicum may cause stomach irritation. Should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation.

All hot chili peppers contain photochemical know as capsaicinoids. Here is some interesting information:

Capsaicin was shown, in laboratory settings, to cause cancer cell death in rats.

Research in mice shows that chili (capsaicin in particular) may offer some hope of weight loss people suffering from obesity.

Researchers used capsaicin from chilies to kill nerve cells in the pancreases of mice with Type 1 diabetes, thus allowing the insulin producing cells to start producing insulin again.

Research in humans found that “after adding chili to the diet, the LDL, or bad cholesterol, actually resisted oxidation for a longer period of time, (delaying) the development of a major risk for cardiovascular disease.

Researchers found that the amount of insulin required to lower blood sugar after a meal is reduced if the meal contains chili pepper.

Chili peppers are being probed as a treatment for alleviating chronic pain.

Spices, including chili, are theorized to control the microbial contamination levels of food in countries with minimal or no refrigeration.

Studies found that capsaicin could have an anti-ulcer protective effect on stomachs infected with H. pylori by affecting the chemicals the stomach secretes in response to infection.

By combining an anesthetic with capsaicin, researchers can block pain in rat paws without causing temporary paralysis. This anesthetic may one day allow patients to be conscious during surgery and may also lead to the development of more effective chronic pain treatments.

Here are seven reasons to turn up the heat in your next meal.

The main reasons you should include chili fruit and leaves in your diet.

Fight Cancer: Studies have shown that capsaicin causes cancer cells to commit suicide.

Pain Relief: A topical form of capsaicin can be used to treat osteoarthritis pain. Studies have found that capsaicin both relieves and prevents cluster headaches, migraine headaches and sinus headaches.

Sinusitis and Congestion Relief: Capsaicin has potent antibacterial properties that fight and prevent chronic sinus infections, or sinusitis. Because it is hot, it also helps to stimulate secretions that help clear mucus form your nose, which relieves nasal congestion. May also help relieve sinus=related allergy symptoms.

Fight Inflammation: Capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory agent. It has the potential for treatment for arthritis, psoriasis and diabetic neuropath.

Intestinal Diseases: Capsaicin may lead to a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The substance can help bacteria, which can help prevent stomach ulcers.

Lose Weight: Capsaicin is a thermogenic agent which increases metabolic activity. This helps to burn calories and fat.

Heart Protection: Capsaicin may help protect your heart by reducing cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet aggregation. It may also help to dissolve fibrin, which is necessary for blood clots to form. Many cultures around the world use hot peppers in their food and have significantly lower rates of heart attack and stroke than cultures that do not.

I will end this article with some information I just found out about “How Hot is your Pepper”.

Hot peppers’ heat is measured using the Scoville Heat Scale. While pure capsaicin measures in at over 16 million Scoville Units, most popular varieties rank around 30,000. Bell peppers make up the baseline, at zero Scoville Units. While the habanero pepper was once thought to be the hottest pepper, measuring in at 300,000 units, an Indian chili pepper called Naga Jolokia was tested in 2000 and received a searing score of 855,000 units! Most recently, a friend of mine provided me with a pepper extract that has a scoville rating of 1 Million?

Health Benefits of Apple

Bone Protection

French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help

One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer's Prevention

A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Lower Cholesterol

The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention

According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention

A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention

Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management

The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss

A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

Tortang Dilis (Long-Jawed Anchovy Omelette)

Ingredients :

1/2 kilo dilis(long-jawed anchovy)
2 pcs. egg
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, minced
2 tbsp flour, (corn starch)
1/2 tspn black pepper powder
monosodium glutamate (vetsin)
salt
cooking oil

Procedure :

Wash the long-jawed anchovy(dilis) and drain it in the separate plate. Mix all the ingredients well and add salt to taste except the oil. And put the drain anchovy(dilis) into mixed ingredients. Heat the frying pan and pour the cooking oil. Then fry the mixed anchovy(dilis) by using the tablespoon as your measurement to your desired sizes. Let it turn into light brown. And serve it while it is hot.

Crispy Chicken Adobo

For a 1/2 kilo fresh chicken, cut the chicken into your desired sizes. Marinate it with the following : 6   tbsp vinegar, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp black pepper powder, garlic, salt to taste and vetsin.

Heat the frying pan with medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup of cooking oil. Add the marinated chicken with its sauce and cover it. Stir occasionally until the chicken meat turns to brown. Serve it while it is hot.

Health Benefits of Chicken

Nutrients in
Chicken
4.00 oz-wt (113.40 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

tryptophan128.1%

vitamin B377.7%

protein70.3%

selenium44.7%

vitamin B634%

phosphorus25.8%

choline22.7%

Calories (187)10%

Health Benefits

Chicken is rated as a very good source of protein, providing 67.6% of the daily value for protein in 4 ounces. The structure of humans and animals is built on protein. We derive our amino acids from animal and plant sources of protein, then rearrange the nitrogen to make the pattern of amino acids we require.

A Very Good Source of Protein

People who are meat eaters, but are looking for ways to reduce the amount of fat in their meals, can try eating more chicken. The leanest part of the chicken is the chicken breast, which has less than half the fat of a trimmed Choice grade T-bone steak. The fat in chicken is also less saturated than beef fat. However, eating the chicken with the skin doubles the amount of fat and saturated fat in the food. For this reason, chicken is best skinned before cooking.

Protein Protects Against Bone Loss in Older People

Studies show that some sections of the population, especially older people, have poor protein intake. But protein may be important in reducing bone loss in older people. In one study, the 70- to 90-year-old men and women with the highest protein intakes lost significantly less bone over a four-year period than those who consumed less protein. Animal protein, as well as overall protein intake, was associated with preserving bone.

With data from 615 participants in the Framingham (MA) Osteoporosis Study, researchers examined the relationship between protein intakes in 1988-1989 and changes in bone mineral density four years later. They accounted for all factors known to increase risk of bone loss.

Participants who reported the lowest daily protein intakes—roughly equivalent to half a chicken breast—had lost significantly more bone in the hip and spine four years later than those with the highest intakes—equivalent to about 9 ounces of steak and 1 cup of tuna salad. The group with the next lowest intake—equivalent to about 2 cups of cottage cheese—also lost significantly more bone than the highest protein intake group, but only at the hip.

Chicken's Cancer-Protective Nutrients

Chicken is an excellent source of the cancer-protective B vitamin, niacin. Components of DNA require niacin, and a deficiency of niacin (as well as other B-complex vitamins) has been directly linked to genetic (DNA) damage. A four-ounce serving of chicken provides 78% of the daily value for niacin.

Chicken is also a very good source of the trace mineral,selenium. Selenium is of fundamental importance to human health. It is an essential component of several major metabolic pathways, including thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems, and immune function. Accumulated evidence from prospective studies, intervention trials and studies on animal models of cancer have suggested a strong inverse correlation between selenium intake and cancer incidence.

Protect against Alzheimer's and Age-related Cognitive Decline

Research published in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry indicates regular consumption of niacin-rich foods like chicken provides protection against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

B vitamins for Energy

Chicken is not only an excellent source of niacin, but is also a good source of vitamin B6. This particular mix of B-complex vitamins makes chicken a helpful food in supporting energy metabolism throughout the body, because these B vitamins are involved as cofactors that help enzymes throughout the body guide metabolic reactions.

Both of these B vitamins are important for energy production. In addition to its DNA actions, niacin is essential for the conversion of the body's proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into usable energy. Niacin helps optimize blood sugar regulation via its actions as a component of a molecule called glucose tolerance factor, which optimizes insulin activity. Vitamin B6 is essential for the body's processing of carbohydrate (sugar and starch), especially the breakdown of glycogen, the form in which sugar is stored in muscle cells and to a lesser extent in our liver. A four-ounce serving of chicken supplies 78% of the daily value for niacin and 34% of the DV for vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6 for Cardiovascular Health

In addition to its role in energy metabolism, vitamin B6 plays a pivotal role as a methyl donor in the basic cellular process ofmethylation, through which methyl groups are transferred from one molecule to another, resulting in the formation of a wide variety of very important active molecules. When levels of B6 are inadequate, the availability of methyl groups is also lessened. One result of the lack of methyl groups is that molecules that would normally be quickly changed into other types of molecules not only do not change, but accumulate. One such molecule, homocysteine, is so damaging to blood vessel walls that high levels are considered a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As noted above, 4 ounces of chicken will supply about one-third (32.0%) of a person's daily needs for vitamin B6.

Chicken Liver Adobo with Hard Boiled Egg

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo chicken liver

1/2 dozen egg

1 pc red bell pepper

1 clove onion

1/2 tbsp black pepper

1/2 tbsp monosodium glutamate

4 tbsp soy sauce

6 tbsp vinegar

salt to taste

6 tbsp cooking oil

garlic

Procedure:

Boil the egg for about 10 minutes and peel it. Wash the fresh chicken liver. Mix it with black pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate. Heat the frying pan. Pour the cooking oil into the pan until it is hot. Saute the garlic until it turns to light brown, then add the union and red bell pepper, and mix the prepared chicken liver and the seasonings. Cover the pan, put the peel egg and  mix it ones in a while with a very low heat until the sauce becomes sticky and brownish. Serve while it is hot.