Six Fascinating Health Benefits of Lentils

It seems as if lentils have become the new super food, if the current statistics are anything to go by. What was previously known only to some native parts of India and some part of Eastern Europe, are today a household name in most families throughout the world? Could this be attributed to their high nutritional value, or could it be their irresistible characteristic taste and color that brings variety to the dinner table? Here are some of the top notable benefits that will make you consider them as part and parcel of your dinner.
Prevention of Cancer
Are you genetically predisposed to cancer? Well as a matter of fact, you do not have to be at risk of cancer to contract the disease today. Cancer is spreading fast, which is attributed to the kind of lifestyles people are leading today. A study conducted by the Nutrition Department at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that those who consume peas and lentils on a regular basis have a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer. This is attributed to the potent levels of flavones found in these legumes.
Reduced Heart Diseases
By the same token, studies conducted on heart diseases and diets show that those who consume high fiber legumes such as lentils are at a significantly reduced risk of contracting heart diseases. This is attributed to potent levels of magnesium and folate in these legumes.

Weight Loss
For those struggling with weight issues, some good news comes in the form of lentils, your everyday fiber-rich food. Because of the fact that insoluble fiber does not get digested meaning it goes through the body as it is, it introduces very few calories in the body. And since the digestive system can handle only as much bulk at any given time, it means foods rich in fiber (read legumes) tend to be more filling, hence people end up consuming less.
Cholesterol reduction
Owing to their high levels of soluble fiber, lentils have proven to be a very effective legume for getting rid of cholesterol. This it does by binding to the cholesterol, which ultimately reduces blood cholesterol levels. Some studies also show that lentils can slow down the rate at which cholesterol is manufactured by the liver, significantly reducing its levels in the body.
Potent source of Iron
Lentils are equally known as a very potent source of iron, and are an ideal way to refill depleting iron stores in the body, particularly for those who do not derive irons from red meat, such as vegetarians and vegans.
Perk up the Metabolism
Because of the minerals found in lentils such as potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium, you can bet that lentils will help you maintain a strong nervous system, maintain your energy, and above all else, a functional and active metabolism.
One thing that is for sure is that the health benefits of lentils are fascinating; no wonder they are gaining such huge popularity throughout the world.

Remy is a freelance writer that loves to share tips when it comes to healthy eating. You can have a look at his site where you can get some useful information on meal replacement shakes reviews.

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5 Healthy Breakfasts for Toddlers

Toddlers can be picky eaters, and since toddler’s are in the prime of learning how to make good food choices and needing nutrients to help them grow, many parents find it difficult to find breakfast foods that are both healthy and enjoyable for their toddlers.
Choosing breakfast foods that your toddler enjoys and that is healthy does not have to be difficult. Try out the following options or mix and match a few of them to ensure your child is getting a healthy breakfast.

Smoothies
Some children can refuse all food placed in front of them, but most will be intrigued by the creamy drink—especially if it’s served up with a straw. Blend milk or yogurt with fresh fruits  and give it to your child as a tasty breakfast treat. They’ll be so happy for the new menu option, and you’ll be happy at all the nutritional benefits they’ll receive. Plus, smoothies are a great breakfast for those rushed mornings. Make a batch the night before and serve them up as you’re heading out the door.

Eggs
Eggs are another great breakfast food for toddlers because they’re packed with many nutritional benefits. They’re a great source of protein, and because they can be cooked in different ways makes them great for toddlers. Serve them scrambled with cheese or vegetables, or serve them sunny side up and let your toddler dip toast into the yolk.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great breakfast food because it is full of fiber. Plus, oatmeal’s blander taste gives you the ability to add in fresh fruits or nuts to give it additional health benefits and flavor. Just beware that your toddler may enjoy eating oatmeal more with their hands than with a spoon, so be prepared to clean up a mess when breakfast is over.

Breakfast Roll Ups
Grab a whole wheat tortilla, add some peanut butter and banana and let your child enjoy a tasty and healthy breakfast roll up. You can also change up the inside ingredients to ensure it’s something your child will like. Also, if you get your child involved in the creation of these tasty breakfast treats, they’ll be more likely to enjoy the end result.

Fruit and Yogurt
Cut up different types of fruit into fun shapes and toss them on a plate with yogurt as a dipping sauce. Toddlers will be attracted to the different colors and will be more interested in eating the different shapes. Plus, toddlers love dipping, so letting them dip the fruit pieces into yogurt can help make your toddler more interested in what’s on their plate.
The best thing to know about a toddler’s palate is that they’re still trying to figure it all out. Your toddler may love blueberries one day and despise them the next, but that doesn’t mean you should rule out blueberries forever. Instead, you just need to continue trying.
Toddlers are picky, and it’s important that you give them healthy food options that are appealing to their needs and tastes. Use these five suggestions to help give your child a breakfast that they’ll be happy to eat and that you’ll be happy to serve.

Kathryn Thompson is a cook and self-proclaimed health expert.  She enjoys blogging about healthy eating and recipes in her spare time.  When she doesn't have time to cook up a fancy dinner for her family she turns to healthy frozen dinners instead.

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Moist sour cream banana bread recipe

Banana is a fruit that has many benefits for our body health. But many of us who do not like the taste or eat it directly, perhaps we need to make a banana into something different, may be we can change into another form of food but with the nutrients that are not reduced to the health needs of our bodies.

One of them is to change it with a cake, here is a recipe taken from a pdf www.easy-banana-recipes.com

Moist sour cream banana bread Makes:
1 loaf | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Baking time: 1 hour

What You Need

• 3 over-ripe medium (1 cup) bananas, mashed 
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 cup butter, melted 
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 
• 2 eggs, beaten 
• 2/3 cup sour cream 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 
• Pinch of salt 

What You Do
1. Preheat oven to 350oF/180oC.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed bananas with butter.
3. Add in eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and mix.
4. Add in sugar, baking soda, salt and mix.
5. Add flour last and mix until just combined.
6. Pour mixture into a greased and floured bread loaf pan.
7. Bake for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool before removing from pan.
9. Glaze with icing or whipped cream, and sprinkle with mixed peel, if desired.

Variations 
This recipe is so versatile, you can add almost anything to it. Try adding 1/2 a cup of chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, dates or anything else you like to the mixture. Remember to stir them in last, just before pouring the mixture into the pan.

About Author
I fall into the category of women who cook for convenience. I’m Dorena Long and I’m a work-at-home mother of 3 wonderful kids who keep me busy
and grounded every single moment.
I love cooking, eating, but hate washing-up. And I lack patience good cooks naturally have, which is probably why I am always “short-cutting” my way
through for the easiest and quickest recipes to cook for my family.
Over the years, I have diligently compiled a list of wonderfully easy and good recipes that has helped me spend less time in the kitchen, and spend more
time pursuing other interests like my website, www.easy-banana-recipes.com. I also love travelling, writing, investing, reading and watching reality shows
(which I am not very proud of). I can often be found at book stores in Kuala Lumpur whenever I am free.
Source [www.easy-banana-recipes.com]

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Beef with broccoli recipe chinese style

Healthy food menu is that must consum for our daily lives, by consuming a healthy food, the body becomes healthy. Every activity in work or anything can be done well.

Maybe thi meal is one of them, but not too much cholesterol can be affected.
This is Beef with Broccoli chinese recipe can help you to make a healthy food.

Eat vegetables every day is good for the body, broccoli is one of the foods that can make our body healthy.

image source : photobucket.com

BEEF WITH BROCCOLI

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb broccoli (you may also substitute other vegetables if you wish)
• 15 oz of beef, cut length wise. (you could also use chicken, pork lamb or a combination of meats)
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tbsp of soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp of dry sherry (may substitute with wine or beer)
• 1/3 cup of oil
• 1 clove of garlic smashed and minced
• Green onions to garnish (chopped)

~~Sauce~~

• 1/4 cup of oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp seasme seed oil
• 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dry sherry
• pinch of sugar

~~Corn starch solution~~

• 1/3 cornstarch to 2/3 water
• 1/2 tsp MSG if wanted.
• Can also add a little chicken stock too if desired

Marinate the meat in egg white, cornstarch, soy sauce, salt, and
Sherry; set aside for 10 minutes.

Blanch the broccoli untill 3 minutes,set aside.Heat 1/4 cup of oil in
your wok or pan and stir frie the beef, about 25 sec,no longer !
Remove and drain. Heat 3 tbsp of freash oil and heat throuh the
broccoli, coat completely with oil. Return the beef and then add the
sauce ingredients. Heat through. Thicken with cornstarch solution.

Reference [www.books-for-everyone.com]

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Shrimp toast chinese recipe

Creating of food is a daily activity, any food that we serve will certainly make us a spirit of doing the activity, especially the healthy foods.

Do you like Chinese food?, I think many of us who like Chinese foods, because beside delicious, Chinese foods make us healthy with the vegetables menu.

Here in Meal ideas blog now will present a Chinese recipe namely is shrimp toast, I present this menu with chinese style. maybe you will like it.

You can  serve for breakfast with your family or your home alone with the begin of the first activities is to make a shrimp toast with your own hands at home.

image source : photobucket.com

Shrimp Toast Recipe

Ingredient

• 12 fresh uncooked large shrimp

• 1 egg

• 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Pinch pepper

• 3 slices sandwich bread

• 1 hard−cooked egg yolk

• 1 slice cooked ham (about 1 ounce)

• 1 green onion

• 2 cups vegetable oil

Direction

1. Remove shells from shrimp, leaving tails intact. Remove back veins
from shrimp. Cut down back of shrimp with sharp knife. Gently press
shrimp with fingers to flatten.
2. Beat 1 egg, cornstarch, salt and pepper in a small bowl until blended.
Add shrimp to egg mixture and toss until shrimp are completely coated.
3. Remove crusts from bread. Cut each slice into quarter. Place one
shrimp, cut side down, on each bread piece. Gently press shrimp to
adhere to bread. Brush or rub small amount of egg mixture over each
shrimp.
4. Cut egg yolk and ham into 1/2 inch pieces. Finely chop onion.
Place one piece each of egg yolk and ham and a scant 1/4 teaspoon
chopped onion on each shrimp.
5. Heat oil in wok over medium−high heat until it reaches 375F.
Fry 3 or 4 shrimp−bread pieces at a time in the hot oil until golden,
1 to 2 minutes on each side. Drain on absorbent paper.
Reference [Cookbooks]

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Assorted vegetables in a clear sauce chinese recipes

For those of you like to eat vegetable dishes this may be suitable for you, and this is recipe for chinese food.
For some of you this may be easy chinese recipes and it is very easy to cook this.

This Chinese food dishes are often called Assorted vegetables with additional sauce to taste and taste buds.
Just direct us to the recipe. Recipes for chinese food

image source : photobucket.com

ASSORTED VEGETABLES IN A CLEAR SAUCE

Ingredients

• 2 med Turnips

• 2 sm Carrots

• 2 tbsp Peanut oil

• 4 Green onions

• 2 c Chicken stock

• 3 Fresh asparagus spears

• 1 tsp Salt

• 1/2 c Button mushrooms

• 1 pinch Sugar

• 1/2 c Peeled straw mushrooms

• 8 Baby Sweet corn

• 1 tbsp Chicken fat

• 8 Water chestnuts

• 1/2 c Crab Meat or shelled Shrimp (opt)

• 1/2 tsp Fresh ginger root

• 1 tb Tientsin preserved

• Cornstarch Paste

Direction

1. Peel turnips & carrots. 
2. Use melon scoop to cut turnips into large balls.
3. Slice carrots 1/2" thick; then with paring knife, cut 4 evenly spaced notches into rim of each slice (don't cut into center core). 
4. Carrots should look like little flowers. 
5. Parboil turnip & carrots in stock until barely tender. 
6. Remove from stock & plunge pieces into cold water; drain.
7. Cut onions, asparagus & baby corn into 1 1/2" pieces. 
8. Mince together fresh ginger root & Tientsin preserved Vegetable. 
9. In a small pan or beaker on med heat, render pieces of chicken fat. Stir-frying: Add peanut oil to Hot wok. When it begins to smoke, briskly fry crab Meat or shrimp for 1 minute. 
10. Add asparagus, baby corn, mushrooms & water chestnuts, stir-frying until they are Hot. 
11. Add ginger mixture, then onions. Stir-fry another 30 seconds. 
12. Add 1/2 stock, salt & Sugar; bring to boil. 
13. Add turnips & carrots.
14. Cover & reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Uncover, push ingredients out of liquid, & dribble in cornstarch paste to thicken slightly. 
15. Stir liquid to prevent lumping while it thickens to a thick Soup. 
16. Recombine, then mix in chicken oil. Place on serving platter.

Reference [www.books-for-everyone.com]

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