Archive for June 2013
Debate Over Fructose
In recent years the sugar fructose in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been linked to obesity, diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Media coverage might lead some people to think all fructose is bad which is far from the truth. Fructose is found in fruits, vegetables, honey and sugar ... more
Read moreMediterranean Diet Prevents Vascular Disease
Research by Harvard Medical School reported in the May and July issues of the Harvard Heart Letter continues to affirm a Mediterranean style diet with olive oil as the major source of fat, abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and moderate amounts of cheese and wine while limiting red meat ... more
Read moreRolled Oats vs. Steel Cut Oats
For decades, oatmeal in the United States was dominated by rolled oats. The original variety was made from steamed and rolled whole oat grouts. Regular, also known as old-fashion, oats is a whole grain that can reduce blood cholesterol. A bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, lunch or dinner is a ... more
Read moreAbout Wheat Flours
Most Americans think of refined wheat flour when they hear the word flour. Until very recently, refined white wheat flour was the only flour sold in most stores. That is changing. Today, Americans can buy a variety of wheat and other flours. Flour is also milled from corn, rice, rye, ... more
Read moreDieting and Portion Size
One of the biggest myths about dieting to lose weight is that portion sizes must be no larger than a deck of playing cards. Several diet plans and manufacturers of lean frozen entrees limit portion sizes to 350 calories or less. But there is no rule stating thou shalt eat ... more
Read moreWorthless Warranties
The goal of many American manufacturers and retailers is too sell products at the lowest possible cost no matter how low the quality or how much it will cost consumers in the long run. If you love to cook and bake, it usually isn’t worth the few dollars you save ... more
Read moreCorn Muffins
Corn is an abundant and relatively inexpensive grain. Originating in the Americas, American Indians and Spaniards called it maiz. In Italian it is mais or grano. An inexpensive Italian peasant food food derived from corn is polenta a cornmeal mush that can be baked, fried or grilled. American ingenuity has ... more
Read moreHow to Perfectly Poach Shrimp
Many recipes like Shrimp Cocktail cook raw shrimp in boiling water. But shrimp, like most seafood cooks in just minutes making it easy to overcook producing a tough, rubbery, chewy consistency. Precooked, frozen shrimp is usually grossly overcooked. The secret to perfectly cooked succulent shrimp is poaching. Poaching is the ... more
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