Archive October 2009

Onions: from A to Z 0

Oct31



Stop Onion Tears

When an onion is pierced, a chemical reaction takes place, which releases sulfur compounds. These compounds may irritate the eyes and cause tearing.



To reduce tearing:

Chill onion for about 30 minutes before cutting. Always use sharp knife. Begin cutting at the top, leave root end uncut as long as possible as it contains the highest concentration of sulfur compounds.

The Secrets on How Onions Can Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels

Have you ever wondered why onions are able to lowering blood pressure and decrease cholesterol levels?

It is all because onions are low in calories yet add abundant flavor to a wide variety of foods. With only 45 calories per serving, onions are fat and cholesterol free, very low in sodium, high in vitamin C, and a good source of fiber and other key nutrients.

Furthermore, onions contain a variety of other naturally occurring chemicals known as organosulfur compounds that have been linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Thus, it is proven that onions in the function of natural cure since as a part of natural home remedies.

Onions Categories

1] Spring/summer Fresh Onions

Spring/summer fresh onions are available in yellow, red and white throughout their season, March through August. Fresh onions can be identified by their thin, light-colored skin. Because they have higher water content, they are typically sweeter and milder than storage onions. This higher water content also makes them more susceptible to bruising.

With its delicate taste, the spring/summer onion is an ideal choice for salads and other fresh and lightly-cooked dishes.

2] Fall/winter Storage Onions

Fall/winter storage onions are available August through April. Also available in yellow, red and white, storage onions have multiple layers of thick, dark, papery skin. Storage onions have an intense flavor and a higher percentage of solids.

Storage onions are the best choice for savory dishes that require longer cooking times or more flavor.

The Color of Onions

Onions come in three colors – yellow, red, and white. Approximately 87 percent of the crop is devoted to yellow onion production, with about 8 percent red onions and 5 percent white onions.

Yellow onions are full-flavored and are a reliable standby for cooking almost anything. Yellow onions turn a rich, dark brown when cooked and give French Onion Soup its tangy sweet flavor. The red onion, with its wonderful color, is a good choice for fresh uses or in grilling and char-broiling. White onions are the traditional onion used in classic Mexican cuisine. They have a golden color and sweet flavor when sautéed.

Start now and do not delay any seconds for your daily intake with onions in your meals!

Courses in Oriental Medicine 0

Oct29



When you enroll in courses in Oriental medicine, you will be pleasantly surprised at the diverse assortment of holistic treatment modalities that these programs entail. Among some of the popular therapies that are taught in Oriental medicine courses include acupuncture, veterinary acupuncture, auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture), Chinese herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) philosophies, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure, and more.

If you choose to become a D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), there are in-depth courses in Oriental medicine geared specifically for this career field. In addition to learning all of the abovementioned therapies, candidates participating in this course of study learn several biomedical sciences including gross anatomy, pathology, physiology, psychology, pharmacology, neuroanatomy, histology, microbiology, and elective studies.

Elective studies in courses in Oriental medicine may include but are not limited to homeopathy, moxibustion, cupping, and ear candling, among others.

In addition to these comprehensive courses in Oriental medicine, students who prefer shorter coursework may opt to enroll in programs that are concentrated on Asian bodywork like acupressure, meridian therapy, or Tuina (Chinese medical massage). Commonly open to the public, are Eastern medicine programs that entail workshops/seminars in Tai Chi, Qigong, and home herbal remedies.

Acupuncturists and Doctors of Oriental medicine must have achieved a high degree of education and instruction. Though not all acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools are alike, students can expect about three to four years of academic training; and like most medical professionals, these health care providers will need to achieve and maintain licensure and/or certification to practice in the field.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about these or other alternative health programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore courses in Oriental medicine near you.

Courses in Oriental Medicine



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Flavored water for healthy life style 0

Oct28

Water is essential for our life. If we don’t drink water we become dehydrated. To keep ourselves hydrated we need to consume a certain amount of water every day. It forms sixty percent of our total weight. By itself, water is tasteless. It is difficult to drink plain water when we are not thirsty. Flavored water is a good option when compared to colas and other soft drinks which have a lot of sugar and is harmful for health in the long run.

There are many manufacturers who sell bottled water with different flavors added to it. Some of them are really very tasty. They not only make us want to drink water but are also good for our health. They contain various types of natural minerals and herbs which give the water a different flavor and make it easy for us to drink water.

Many people, children and adults, do not like having bland water. So, they have colas, coffee or tea. If taken in large quantities, these are harmful for our health. When water is flavored with herbs and other minerals, it tastes very good. Some of the flavored water companies add sugar while others do not add sugar. As too much sugar is not good for health, it is best for adults to have flavored water without sugar.

You can make flavored water at home by adding different flavors to the water that you drink. You can add lemons, pineapple, watermelon, ginger, basil leaves etc. You can also make flavored ice cubes and add it to the water that you drink to add flavor to it. You can also add coconut extracts, chocolate flavor, mint, grape juice etc. You can also add the flavor of oranges or strawberry. You can also add peppermint candy to get a peppermint flavor. You can add cucumber slices to make the water tasty. You can even add a little bit of coffee to get a coffee flavor. When such water is cooled it really tastes good is very refreshing.

The reason to choose flavored water is that they do not contain empty calories like colas and have not carbohydrates or empty calories. It is essential to drink the necessary amount of water daily. This helps us to maintain the body temperature and helps in flushing out the waste from our body. For some of us it is very difficult as we find plain water without any flavor very dull, boring and tasteless. The flavors added not only make it interesting, tasty and refreshing, but is also good for our health, as we get the juice of the fruits and herbs in this manner.

Choose the flavored bottled water that you are going to drink, with care. For a healthy lifestyle, it should not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. It should have natural flavors without artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors and preservatives. Do not buy flavored bottled water that claim to calm you or give you extra energy as these would not have been tested for the same.

The clear liquid having the hint of a flavor is enough to make us drink the water. As drinking water is so very important, it would be best to make the flavored water at home with all the fresh natural ingredients. If this is not possible, you can always go in for many varieties of flavored bottled water. As the main point to be noted is that we should consume enough water, we can make clear natural flavored water at home or buy it.