How to use your food processor efficiently?

The cuisinart custom 14-cup food processor is a  powerful reliable and versatile thing in your kitchen. This food processor chops, grates, dices and mixes fruits and vegetables accurately and efficiently. What can you achieve with it?

With the multipurpose stainless steel blade you can chop, prepare puree and mix ingredients. This mini multipurpose stainless steel blade fits in the mini bowl and performs exactly the same functions as the large one but for small portions.  You can use your food processor for chopping vegetables and fruits such as potatoes onions mangoes and melons.

Juicing is a very healthy habit, it gives you7 many nutrients in one go, try having vegetable and fruits juices at home, get yourself the best vegetable juicer from the market , see here to know more about juicer that suits you the best.

You can use the reversible shredding disc for grating hard vegetables and fruits such as carrots potatoes and apples. One side of the disc produces fine stripes and when you turn the disc over you will end up with medium sized stripes. Use the great shape disc for grating hard cheeses, processing ice cubes and shaping chocolates. Make sure that the ingredients are well chilled otherwise you will end up with a sticky mess. You may use the french fry disc to cut potatoes into french fry shape. 

Use the citrus press to squeeze the juice from the citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons and grape fruits directly into the work bowl for lovely fresh juice bursting with vitamins.. By the way you can use the work bowl or the prep bowl while you are using your food processor.

You can always get professional results every time you use the cuisinart custom 14-cup food processor. Here  is a page on this processor you may take a look to know about it more.

How to make pizza dough in your food processor?

Tonight I am going to make really funny and yummy pizza using my food processor. This is my homemade perfect pizza dough. You need one cup of water around 110 degrees Fahrenheit, 1 teaspoon yeast, one teaspoon salt, two teaspoons of regular white sugar and two table spoons vegetable oil. You will also need about three cups of all-purpose flour. So these are the ingredients. So let us get started.

I will put my dough blade in there and get all my water and pour it in. Take one cup of flour, the sugar and the yeast and put them all inside. Then you have to pulse this. Stop the pulse and add the oil and salt. Then add one and a half cup of flour again. Now turn on your food processor and watch the dough getting in the shape of a ball but it is extremely wet. So stop the food processor and add a few more flour. Note. always unplug your food processor before putting your hands inside.

Top Fruits and home remedies For Diabetes

As fruits are generally sweet, people often think that a diabetic person should avoid eating them. But there are several fruits that are particularly effective at managing blood sugar. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, fruits are a healthy addition to any diet.

Some fruits are better than others for diabetics. Moreover, diabetics also need to consider factors like glycemic index and glycemic load as they offer information on how different foods affect blood sugar and insulin levels.

Low glycemic index foods are believed to have a beneficial effect on blood glucose control as they do not significantly impact blood sugar levels. Usually, foods with a glycemic index score of 55 and below are classified as low glycemic index foods. Those with a glycemic index score of 70 and above are considered high glycemic index foods.

Top fruits for diabetes

1. Apples

The crunchy, juicy and sweet apples may offer protection against diabetes. Apples are high in soluble fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. They also contain pectin that helps detoxify the body and remove harmful waste products as well as lowers the insulin requirements of diabetics by up to 35%.

Plus, apples help prevent heart attacks, reduce the risk of cancer and ward off eye diseases among diabetic people.

Glycemic index: ranges from 30 to 50

Suggested serving size: One small to medium-sized apple daily is recommended.
2. Cherries

Cherries have one of the lowest ratings of any fruit on the glycemic index at 22. Cherries contain antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Plus, cherries contain anthocyanins that are known to help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin production by up to 50 percent. They also help fight heart disease, cancer and other diseases that are common among diabetic people.

Suggested serving size: Cherries can be eaten fresh, canned, frozen or dried. One-half cup of cherries a day is a good option.

3. Black Plums

Black plums, also known as Jambul or Jamun, can help a lot in controlling blood sugar. Researchers from the Father Muller Medical College in India looked at the effects of black plums in the treatment of diabetes. The presence of anthocyanins, ellagic acid and hydrolysable tannins in black plums makes this fruit extremely beneficial for diabetic people.

The fruit helps control the conversion of carbohydrates into blood sugar. The excessive thirst and frequent urination problems common among diabetic people can also be controlled by this fruit. Along with the fruit, the leaves, berry and seeds of the black plum tree can be used to control blood sugar level.

Suggested serving size: One-half cup of black plums daily is recommended, when the fruit is available in the market. You can also make a powder of dried seeds and eat one teaspoon of the powder with water twice a day.

4. Guava

Guava has a high concentration of lycopene, a high amount of dietary fiber and a good amount of vitamin C and potassium. All these nutrients are helpful in maintaining the blood sugar level.

Those who are at a risk of developing diabetes can help prevent it by drinking guava leaf tea. Dry the guava leaves and crush them. Boil one tablespoon of crushed guava leaves in hot water. Let it steep for five minutes, and then strain it. Drink this tea once daily.

Source : www.top10homeremedies.com/kitchen-ingredients/top-10-fruits-diabetics.html

Flax seeds (Alsi)

Due to their high fibre content flaxseeds help digestion and aid in the proper absorption of fats and sugars. Consuming flax seed helps reduce a diabetic’s postprandial sugar level by almost 28 per cent.

Tip: Consume one tablespoon of ground flaxseed powder every morning on an empty stomach with a glass of warm water. However, do not have more than 2 tablespoons per day, as it can be detrimental to your health. Here are 11 ways to include flaxseeds in your diet.

#3 Leaves of bilberry (neelabadari) plant

The leaves of bilberry have been used in Ayurveda for many centuries to control diabetes. Recently, the Journal of Nutrition stated that the leaves of the Bilberry plant contain high amounts of anthocyanidin, which enhance the action of various proteins involved in glucose transportation and fat metabolism. Due to this unique property, bilberry leaves are a great way to lower one’s blood sugar levels.

Tip: Crush bilberry leaves in a mortar and pestle and consume 100 milligrams of this extract everyday on an empty stomach.

#4 Cinnamon (dalchini)

Also known as dalchini, it improves insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. Having as little as ½ teaspoon of cinnamon per day can improve one’s insulin sensitivity and help controlling weight, thereby decreasing one’s risk for heart disease.

Tip: Include about 1 gram of dalchini into your daily diet for about a month to help lower blood sugar levels. Read more health benefits of cinnamon.

Source : thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/home-remedies-for-diabetes/

Herbs and Plants That Will Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

Nearly one third of adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. A quarter of all prescribed medications are for high blood pressure and long-term use often leads to heart failure, heart attacks, and interference with calcium metabolism. If you are thinking of turning to herbal treatments for lowering your blood pressure, you have many options and there are many effective remedies at your disposal.

1) BASIL

Basil is a delicious herb that goes well in a variety of foods. It is originally native to Iran, India, and other tropical regions of Asia, but now it is widely available throughout the world. Basil has antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumorigenic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It also helps lower your blood pressure. Extract of basil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Adding fresh basil to your diet is easy and certainly can’t hurt. Keep a small pot of the herb in your kitchen garden and add the fresh leaves to pastas, soups, salads, and casseroles.

2) CINNAMON

Cinnamon is another tasty seasoning that requires little effort to include in your daily diet and that may bring your blood pressure numbers down.Cinnamon combined with magnesium, diet, and lifestyle changes may lead to overall reductions in blood pressure up to 25mm Hg. Consuming cinnamon every day has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with diabetes. Include more cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling it on your breakfast cereal and even in your coffee. At dinner, cinnamon enhances the flavor of stir fries, curries, and stews.

3) CARDAMOM

Cardamom is a seasoning that comes from India and is often used in the foods of South Asia. As with many spices, cardamom has been demonstrated to have antioxidant properties. Kikuzaki, Kawai, and Nakatani (2001) examined extracts from black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) for their ability to scavenge radicals. A study investigating the health effects of cardamom found that participants given powdered cardamom daily for several months saw significant reductions in their blood pressure readings. You can include cardamom seeds or the powder in spice rubs, in soups and stews, and even in baked goods for a special flavor and a positive health benefit.

4) HAWTHORN

Hawthorn is an herbal remedy for high blood pressure that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Decoctions of hawthorn seem to have a whole host of benefits on cardiovascular health, including reduction of blood pressure, the prevention of clot formation, and an increase in blood circulation. You can take hawthorn as a pill, a liquid extract, or a tea.

Source : healthimpactnews.com/2014/9-herbs-and-plants-that-will-lower-your-blood-pressure-naturally/

Naturally occurring medicinal plants, herbs having hypotensive/antihypertensive potential

Agathosma betulina

(Family: Rutaceae; Common name: Buchu). It is a South African medicinal plant and has been used by the indigenous people of the area for centuries to treat wider ailments. It is an effective diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Early Dutch settlers used buchu to make a brandy tincture, which is still used today to treat many disorders.[25]

Allium sativum

(Family: Alliaceae or Liliaceae; Common name: Garlic). Garlic has long been used for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, especially hyperlipidemia. It has also been reported to have hypotensive action. It is thought to increase nitric oxide production, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilatation. One of the primary active compounds that gives garlic its characteristic odor and many of its healing benefits is called allicin. Meta-analysis of randomly chosen literary data has demonstrated that garlic is related to decrease of BP in patients with increased systolic pressure, but not in patients without increased systolic pressure.[26] Garlic preparations have been found to be superior to placebo in reducing BP in individuals with HTN.[27] The antioxidative and antihypertensive effect of garlic has been observed in 20 patients with HTN compared to 20 patients with normal pressure, who have been receiving garlic pearls preparation for a period of two months. The results have revealed decreased BP, significant reduction of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosin, level of nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation, and an increased level of antioxidative vitamins (C and E). This study points to the beneficial cardioprotective action of garlic in essential HTN.

Source : www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210006/

What raw food do you prepare for your son?

The great thing about raw foods is that they make cooking for toddlers so easy and they love them. The easiest food to prepare is the tasting plates I make for Lucas. These are made up of diced fruit, vegetables and a little bit of a raw treat, such as raw chocolate or some of a protein ball. But my son’s favourite raw foods are the juices and smoothies I make him everyday and these are great for Mums because you can hide any fruit, vegetableor superfood in the juice/smoothies without your toddler knowing.

And lastly, as special treat he loves my coic-chipice-cream and caramel slice.

Raw Food Diet Recipe and FAQs

It's so easy to get stuck in the dieting "rut", eat the same old salad or other (raw food) diet recipe every day. You follow the diet for a while, might even loose some weight but before you know it, you're back eating Haagen Dazs ice-cream before the TV like every body else. That's not going to happen this time, right?!

Not after using some of the easiest and most delicious raw diet recipes and tips below.

What do you want to achieve most with this diet? Weight loss, detox or improved health? Everything?

With some creativity and a bit of planning, you'll have everyone wanting to know your secret. People will be talking about how great you look for weeks. And you won't be hungry, ever! This diet is a breeze...

Because most of your planning has been done for you!

You will need four things to help you plan:

    The easiest and most delicious raw diet recipes (below);
    Helpful raw food diet plan, tips and suggestions;
    Instructions on how to prepare raw food.;
    Shopping lists and where to buy.

On this page you'll find the yummiest, quick and easy raw food recipes.

Source : www.thebestofrawfood.com/raw-food-diet-recipe.html

How did you start with your raw food journey? Were you always health conscious?
I started on my raw food journey the start of 2014 a few months after giving birth to my little angel, Lucas, but have really stepped up the pace after having a bike accident last year that put me out of action for 3 months.

I have been health conscious since my late teens/earlier twenties and I naturally leaned more towards raw foods without knowing there was an actual ‘raw foods’ thing out there. The popularity of super foods is what really introduced me to raw foods. My desire to create the healthiest life or Lucas and I is what got me interested in super foods and once I found the benefits of raw foods I was completely hooked.

On your first website, you stated that you went through emotional turmoil when you gained weight after giving birth, what advice can you give to new moms who are interested in raw diet?

The best advice I can give new mums interested in raw food is to love yourself and really learn to listen to your own body. I highly recommend a raw food diet, because personally it changed my whole health after giving birth. All my emotional turmoil linked to gaining weight was built around old beliefs of lack of self-worth and the thought that I needed my pre-baby body back to feel good again. Eating raw foods I discovered I could feel amazing without having my pre-baby body back and it didn’t matter,  but once going raw my body is now better then it was before giving birth and it was so easy.

What is the best raw food recipe that you highly recommend for people with hectic schedules?

Raw protein balls of any form. They are quick, easy and you can put so many superfood nutritional goodness into onesmall little ball that you can carry in your bag. I take them to work for snacks, back them for Lucas’ snacks and take themon training with me. They can be used for everything and you can change the flavors to suit your own tastes, for example ILOVE chocolate, so all of mine have a nice raw cacao layer on the outside.

What is your most highly recommended raw food recipe?

Raw Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.

I made this for Lucas’ 1st birthday and everyone loved it. All the children loved it and the parents didn’t have to worry about the normal sugar high and lows that kids normally get at birthday parties. It is a great cake for all occasions and to introduce people to how delicious raw foods can be.

Source : rawfoodrecipes.com/interview-with-new-raw-food-recipe-chef-mel-hayes/

Does Your Diabetes Type Ever Change?

Even ignoring the high numbers of people with Type 1.5 who are initially misdiagnosed as Type 2, the lines between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes often get blurred over time. Due to aging and weight gain in those with Type 1, the progressive nature of beta cell failure in Type 2, and the mixture of obesity and antibodies in young people, those with one type of diabetes often tend to take on characteristics of the other.

With less exercise and more weight around the middle, some Type 1s become not only insulin deficient but also insulin resistant. They can develop the cardiac risks associated with the Metabolic Syndrome and benefit from medications that lower cholesterol and blood pressure. More insulin is required to control glucose levels, while certain Type 2 medications, like Glucophage (metformin) and GLP-1 agonists, may benefit their control.

On the other hand, as Type 2 diabetes progresses, insulin production may diminish to a point where it can no longer maintain normal glucose levels. Insulin will be required to keep glucose levels under control. Some people with Type 2 eventually become totally dependent on insulin and can go into ketoacidosis in stressful situations. In fact, ketoacidosis is about twice as common in Type 2 diabetes as it is in Type 1.

Weight Loss Plan : Raw Food Diet Plan

The raw food diet has been around for many years, with a recent trend picking up over the last decade more so than ever. As a means to get healthier, eat more fruits and vegetables, have more energy, lose weight, or possibly even reverse some forms of disease, many people turn to a raw food diet for the answer. While raw food may or may not do these things for all of us, it is safe to say it’s one of the easiest, healthiest ways to fit more fresh produce into our day.

 For those of you that aren’t familiar with the raw food diet, it revolves around the principle that no food is eaten that is heated above 118 degrees. Think no microwaves, ovens, or cooking on the stove top. The idea behind the diet is to preserve the “life force” of a food. Raw foods are packed with enzymes and possibly more nutrients as a result. Many are also easier to digest because enzymes help aid in digestion. Though this isn’t the case for all raw foods, one thing is for certain: raw foods are packed with dense, unprocessed nutrition that each of us can benefit from, even if we don’t go 100 percent raw.

A raw food diet can be as simple or complex as you want, and there are no rules, counting calories, or anything else rigid unless you choose to make it so. The dishes are usually salads, smoothies, room temperature soups, raw energy bites and bars, raw soaked grain cereals, raw nut milk, and some fancier things such as raw tacos, raw lasagna, and even raw cakes and pies. There is no sugar, alcohol, animal products, caffeine, or anything else that acidifies the body eaten on the diet. It’s a way to alkalize the body with real, whole food nutrients, raw superfoods and as fresh of food as possible. You can use fancy raw food kitchen equipment such as dehydrators, a fancy mandoline or a spiralizer, but you really don’t need anything to eat raw food if you stick to the basics.

source : onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/weekly-meal-plan-the-raw-vegan-menu/


Green Thickies

This diet is a raw foods diet, which means nothing is cooked.  Raw food diets pack in so many nutrients, give you a great detox and help people maximise their weight loss.

The great thing about this diet is that because the allowed foods are so healthy and natural, you can eat as much as you like.

I would suggest using this diet plan as a detox and follow it from between 1-7 days and see how you feel.
Tropical Salad on the Raw Food Diet PlanFoods allowed on this diet

    All fruit
    All uncooked vegetables (e.g. tomato, cucumber, onions, avocados, carrots, peppers, olives)
    Filling carbs (Sweet potato, soaked quinoa, buckwheat, sweetcorn)
    All Nuts
    All Seeds
    All Dried Fruit
    Flavourings (Cocoa powder, herbs, spices, healthy sweeteners, olive oil, salt, pepper, vinegar, lemon/lime juice)
    Herbal tea
    Water
    Freshly squeezed fruit juice

source :greenthickies.com/healthy-meal-plans-for-weight-loss-1-raw-food-diet-plan/