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Chef Tim Johnson

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Information Entrepreneur
Nouveau Cuisine Specialist
/Nutrition Expert
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Health Motivational Speaker,
Herbalist and Naturopath practioner

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Healthy Cooking Tips

Eat To Live!™ with Chef Tim Johnson

THE SIZE OF A THING!

Diabetic Exchange List Groups and Serving Sizes
 
Exchanges are a method of meal planning for diabetes, and a diabetic exchange list can be a handy tool when learning to eat well with your condition. Foods are clustered into groups or categories of similar foods which all have approximately the same amount of carbohydrates per serving size. Serving sizes are established that keep all foods within a group at approximately the same amount of calories and fat, as well as grams of carbohydrates.
 

Exchange lists can simplify meal planning and ensure a consistent, nutritionally balanced diet. If you are on insulin, following an exchange diet makes it easier to figure out your ratio of carbs to insulin doses.

Exchanges also add variety to your diet. You can swap one food in a group for another in the same group when you are making your food choices.

According to the American Dietetic Association, there are now 8 exchange lists and all foods within a list have approximately the same carbs, protein, fat and calorie value per specified serving.

What are the lists and their values? Check out this handy chart.

Current Food Exchange Categories and Values
Type of Food Serving Size* Calories Carbohydrates Fat
Vegetables 1/2 cup - 1 cup 25 5 grams 0
Fat-Free or Very Lowfat Milk 3/4-1 cup 90 12 0
Very Lean Protein 1 oz. (varies) 35 0 1
Lean Protein 1 oz. (varies) 55 0 2-3
Medium Fat Protein 1 oz. (varies) 75 0 5
Fruits 1 piece, 1/2-1 cup 60 15 0
Starches varies 80 15 0
Fats 1 tsp, 1-2 tbls. 45 0 5

Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

Chef Tim Johnson

Remember...Grace is upon so eat to live!

WEIGHT BY DESIGN!

Don’t Believe the Hype - Fructose Truly is Much Worse Than Glucose



 Research shows that there are big differences in how the sugars fructose and glucose are metabolized by your body. Overweight study participants showed more evidence of insulin resistance and other risk factors for heart disease and diabetes when 25 percent of their calories came from fructose-sweetened beverages instead of glucose-sweetened beverages.

A study looked at 32 overweight or obese men and women. Over a 10-week period, they drank either glucose or fructose sweetened beverages totaling 25 percent of their daily calorie intake.

Both the groups gained weight during the trial, but imaging studies revealed that the fructose-consuming group gained more of the dangerous belly fat that has been linked to a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. The fructose group also had higher total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and greater insulin resistance.



 This is not the first study showing that fructose harms your body in ways glucose does not. Two years ago, another study concluded that drinking high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) -- the main ingredient in most soft drinks throughout the world -- increases your triglyceride levels and your LDL (bad) cholesterol.

 And, just like this latest study, these harmful effects only occurred in the participants who drank fructose -- not glucose.

 How Much Fructose are You Consuming?

 Today, 55 percent of sweeteners used in food and beverage manufacturing are made from corn, and the number one source of calories in America is soda, in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

 Food and beverage manufacturers began switching their sweeteners from sucrose (table sugar) to corn syrup in the 1970s when they discovered that HFCS was not only far cheaper to make, it's also about 20 times sweeter than table sugar.

 This switch drastically altered the average American diet.

 Corn syrup is now found in every type of processed, pre-packaged food you can think of. In fact, the use of HFCS in the U.S. diet increased a staggering 10,673 percent between 1970 and 2005, according to a recent report by the USDA.

 By USDA estimates, about one-quarter of the calories consumed by the average American is in the form of added sugars - the majority of which comes from high fructose corn syrup.

 As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, processed foods account for more than 90 percent of the money Americans spend on their meals, so it's no wonder the yearly sugar consumption of the average American weighs in around 142 pounds a year.

 This is a staggering amount, but if you eat mainly processed foods, you're likely in this category whether you're consciously aware of consuming that much sugar or not.

 Ironically, the very products that most people rely on to lose weight -- low-fat diet foods -- are often those that contain the most fructose!

 I recommend that you limit your intake of added sugar to about 2 pounds per year in order to optimize your overall health, and one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to focus on fresh, whole foods that have not been altered and processed.

 Fructose is Metabolized Differently by Your Body

 Despite the fact that this and other studies show clear differences in how fructose is metabolized by your body, researchers claim that the findings do not prove that HFCS is worse for your health than other sugars.

 That simply makes no sense.

 They keep claiming that HFCS is chemically similar to other widely used sweeteners, including table sugar (sucrose), honey, and even sweeteners made from concentrated fruit juices.

 But this is clearly not true.

 HFCS is a highly processed product that contains similar amounts of unbound fructose and glucose. Sucrose, on the other hand, is a larger sugar molecule that is metabolized into glucose and fructose in your intestine.

 And whereas the glucose in other sugars are converted to blood glucose, fructose is a relatively unregulated source of fuel that your liver converts to fat and cholesterol.

 There is over 35 years of hard empirical evidence, in addition to this latest study, showing refined man-made fructose like HFCS metabolizes to triglycerides and adipose tissue, not blood glucose.

 The danger of that is that fructose does not stimulate your insulin secretion, nor enhance leptin production, which is involved in appetite regulation. 

 Because insulin and leptin act as key signals in regulating how much food you eat, as well as your body weight, dietary fructose can also contribute to increased food intake and weight gain.

 So, if you need to lose weight, fructose is one type of sugar you'll definitely want to avoid, particularly in the form of HFCS.

 Beware of New Super-Charged Fructose Sweetener!

 Despite the evidence against fructose, industry has created a new high-octane version of HFCS that's 99 percent fructose, called "crystalline fructose."

 Clearly, all the health problems associated with HFCS could become even more pronounced with this product.

 Adding insult to injury, crystalline fructose may also contain arsenic, lead, chloride and heavy metals -- a virtual laundry list of toxic agents you clearly want to avoid at all cost. Especially if you have children, as all of these contaminants can impact your child's development and long-term health.

 Fructose Raises Your Risk of Heart Disease

 Aside from the weight gain and increased risk of diabetes, fructose has been shown to increase your triglyceride levels. In one previous study, eating fructose raised triglyceride levels by 32 percent in men.

 Triglycerides, the chemical form of fat found in foods and in your body, are not something you want in excess amounts. Forty years worth of research has confirmed that elevated blood levels of triglycerides, known as hypertriglyceridemia, puts you at an increased risk of heart disease.

 How to Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

 Ideally I recommend that you avoid sugar, in all forms. This is especially important for people who are overweight or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

 But if you're looking for the occasional sweet treat, I recommend:

 1.       The herb stevia (this is the best and safest sweetener, although illegal to use as a food additive, according to the FDA)           
2.        Organic cane sugar            
3.        Raw, organic honey

 I recommend avoiding all other types of sugar, including fructose, HFCS, and any type of artificial sweeteners. As I mentioned earlier, the absolute easiest way to do this is to stop drinking soda and avoid processed foods.

 Small amounts of whole fruit, which do contain fructose, are typically not a problem. As long as you're healthy, feel free to enjoy fruit and berries in moderation according to your nutritional type.
Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips
Chef Tim Johnson
Remember...Grace is upon so eat to live!

LETS GET RID OF IT!

Detox Information
 
 

Choice of Directions

There are countless suggested means of ridding the body of poisons. I am sure that they differ in approach and scope, depending upon the type of poisoning encountered. I shall attempt to accumulate a number of regimens for eliminating the body of the leftovers from aspartame consumption: methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. I doubt there is any residual methanol because the liver either converts it to formaldehyde, or formic acid. The body cannot effectively eliminate formaldehyde, and has a difficult time eliminating it. So some of it is combined with water and stored in the fat (i.e. weight gain) or further converted by the liver into formic acid. Poisoning from methanol, formaldehyde and formic acid causes cumulative damage (it adds up) and at some point the victim gets some bad news. The damage varies in type and amount from victim to victim… from immediate seizures or migraines to being on the verge of death from unknown factors fifteen years later. Two of the three poisons, formaldehyde and formic acid, are said to be carcinogens. I doubt that anything can be done about any effects of the tumor agent called DKP (diketopiperazine).

What follows are as many different non-drug (i.e. natural) regimens for purging the body of these chemicals, and helping to repair the damage as I can find. I am not a medical doctor, I am a herbalist and food specialist who happens to be a chef, so I suggest that you print out this WEB page, take it to a medical practitioner you trust, and formulate your own cleansing/renewal course of action. Common sense and help from those whom you trust in the medical community should prevail.

Should anyone know of additional suggested means of recovery from this type of poisoning, please let me know

 

Detoxification Method 

 A great number of health problems can be attributed to exposure to toxins. Toxicity from foreign chemicals (excitoxins) can cause damage to almost all organs of the body. Symptoms include: fatigue, headaches, neurological disorders, chemical sensitivities, immune dysfunction, and liver disorders. Food is often the main source of toxins. There are approximately 3,000 chemicals used by the food industry during processing. There are approximately 12,000 chemicals used in food packaging materials. Pesticides found in 90% of foods. In addition to these external sources of toxins, the body also produces toxins called, endotoxins resulting from digestion, immune system functions, stress, etc. Endotoxins may also be produces as the result of food allergies and sensitivities. Increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) can result in an increased absorption of exotoxins, endotoxins, antigens, and microorganisms. Candidiasis and intestinal microflora imbalances (dysbiosis), and parasitic infections increase the amount of toxins entering the circulation. Congestive bowel toxicity can greatly increase the amount of endotoxins produced.

Detoxification Pathways

Fat-soluble toxins are easily absorbed but poorly excreted. They may accumulate in the body and cause damage to tissues and organs. Fat-soluble (lipophilic) chemicals are converted to water-soluble chemicals by enzyme conversion in the liver in a two step process so they can be excreted. In the first phase the lipophilic chemicals are oxidized, reduced, or hydrolyzed by the enzymes cytochrome P-450 or monooxygenase. Monooxygenase is primarily used. During this phase, free radicals and toxic compounds are produced which can cause damage to organs and tissues. Adequate antioxidants must be present to detoxify these intermediate (bioactivated) compounds produced in the initial detoxification phase. In the next phase the intermediate compounds undergo enzymic conjugation by reacting with methyl donors, sulfhydryl donors, and other conjugating agents. The major conjugation reactions are glucuronidation, glutathione conjugation, amino acid conjugation, sulfation, acetylation, and methylation. These conjugated compounds are less toxic, water-soluble, and easily excreted in the urine and bile.

Nutritional Support

The first step is to eliminate foods from the diet that create allergies or sensitivities. The second step is avoid foods that contain preservates, pesticides, saturated fats, red meats and other meats containing additives, saturated fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, excessive salt, alcohol, and caffeine. Also avoid foods that are over processed. The third step is to take digestive enzymes with cooked foods. Raw foods are best. The fourth step is to properly combine foods. Fruits should be eaten alone. Do not combine animal proteins with starches (rice, pasta, bread, potato). The fifth step is to avoid over-eating which can lead to digestive problems and congestive bowel toxicity. The sixth step is to drink uncontaminated water. Tap water should be filtered to remove lead, chlorine, other heavy metals, and bacteria. The seventh step is variety of diet. Food allergies and sensitivities can develop from specific foods eaten continuously. Specific foods should not be consumed continuously for more than four days. The eighth step is to reduce oxidative damage. Depletion of antioxidants can occur from tissue damage from disease, injury, exposure to environmental pollution, radiation exposure, chronic drug and alcohol use, antibiotic and non steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) overuse, excessive iron supplementation, intestinal dysbiosis, and intestinal pathogens. The ninth step is to re-establish proper intestinal flora. Supplementation with probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus bifidus is important. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) can help to re-establish a healthy bowel flora. The tenth step is to eliminate intestinal pathogens. Candidiasis is the most common pathogen, which results in the overgrowth of candida albicans.The eleventh step is to prevent and/or eliminate congestive bowel toxicity. Dietary fiber contains soluble and insoluble compounds. Soluble fiber is fermented by the microflora of the colon and produce short chain fatty acids such as butyric acid. Butyric acid is used by the mucosa of the colon as its main source of fuel. Butyric acid is metaboliszed to glutamine which is an essenial fuel for the small intestines. A high fiber diet should be followed on a regular basis. The high fiber diet should be supplemented with “fresh” fruit or vegetables and fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Fresh juice is made fresh from fruits or fresh vegetables using a “juicer” machine and served within one hour of production. Psyllium, oat products, guar gum and fruits and vegetables are a good source of soluble fiber. Most plant foods are a good source of insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber also binds with endotoxins and help eliminate them though the bowels. Bentonite can be used to bind with endotoxins to prevent their absorption. The Twelfth step is a two week bowel cleansing. During the first week take: Aloe Vera resin, Olive Leaf extract, Cascara Sagrada, Cayenne, and Valarian root. Cascara Sagrada (rhamnus purshiana) promotes peristaltic action in the intestines. Cayenne (capsicum frutenscens) stimulates nerves of the stomach, promotes digestive secretions, and assists peristaltic motion. Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is a strong nervine having a sedative effect, used as a tranquilizer but leaving one feeling refreshed rather than sluggish. In this formula, the valerian root is used to relax the muscles of the intestines. During the second week, add psyllium husks and activated charcoal.

Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

Chef Tim Johnson

Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

SWEET LOVE!

                          Apple Pecan Cobbler
 
 
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:35
Categories    : Desserts                         Fruits
                 
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
      1/2  Cup           Brown sugar
      1/2  Teaspoon      Cinnamon
      3/4  Cup           Coarsely Chopped Pecans -- divided
    4      Cups          Tart Apples -- thin sliced
    1      Cup          Un-bleached Flour -- sifted
    1      Cup           Cane sugar
    1      Teaspoon      Baking Powder
      1/4  Teaspoon     Seasalt
    1                    Egg -- well beaten
      1/2  Cup           Evaporated Milk
      1/3  Cup           Butter--melted

Mix sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 cup pecans.  Place apples in bottom of a
greased 8 1/4 x 1 3/4-inch round baking dish.  Sprinkle the cinnamon
mixture.  Sift together the dry ingredients.  Combine egg, milk, and
butter; add dry ingredients, all at once, and mix until smooth.  Pour
over apples; sprinkle with remaining pecans.  Bake at 325° about 55
minutes or until done.  Spoon warm cobbler onto dessert plates; top with
cinnamon-flavored whipped cream or ice cream.
Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips
Chef Tim Johnson
Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

HAWAII FIVE-O

Coconut Crumbed Mahi-Mahi
 
  • 2 pounds fish fillets skinned and boned
  • un-bleached flour
  • 2 eggs
  • oil - light -peanut?
  • 1 cup crumbs -bread
  • 1 cup dessicated Coconut
  • SAUCE
  • 2 mangoes skinned and flesh removed
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil-use thai basil if you can get it
  • 1 clove garlic s
  • plash white wine -1/4 cup ?- Vermouth ? Midori ? I Digress here !
  • Ground black pepper to season and a touch of soy sauce
  • Finely chopped Hab
  • Process Sauce ingredients till smooth -Set aside.
    Flour fish, combine crumbs and Coconut. Dip fish in beaten eggs and coat with crumb mixture -press crumbs into fish. Chill fish for 1 hour to set coating. Shallow fry 2 min each side drain and drizzle with sauce.

    Now i would put some sauce around the fish and run a circle of Coconut milk/cream around the outside and do that swish Knife thing to make it look pretty .But then again i would also soak my dessicated Coconut in the Coconut milk/or cream for an hour to give more flavour .,and also whip a bit of candied Ginger into the sauce ,not much ,just a hint . But then again you probably would do much the same.......
    To serve 4-6 ? this all depends on whether your Country club members still eat Nouveu Cuisine or go for broke .

    Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

    Chef Tim Johnson

    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

    NATIVE LOVE!

         Yamassee Ginger Snap Crusted Chilean Sea Bass

    2 - 7 oz portions Sea Bass or any firm white fish
    Ginger Snap Crumbs...
    Dredge bass in crumbs, coat on both sides Bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes, or until firm Serve with 2 oz. of kiwi lime sauce.

     

    Ginger Snaps

    6 oz. butter, softened
    1 cup sugar
    3 Tbsp. molasses
    1 egg
    2 ¼ cup sifted flour
    ¾ Tbsp. ground ginger
    ¾ Tbsp. ground cinnamon
    2 Tbsp. baking soda

    Cream together butter, sugar, molasses, and egg until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients and gently stir into the mix. Form dough into small ball shapes. Bake at 325F for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Puree cookies into a fine meal in the food processor.

     

     

    Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

    Chef Tim Johnson

    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

    Kiwi Lime Sauce
    Yield: 3 cups

    1 cup white wine
    ½ Tbsp. minced shallots
    2 Tbsp. fresh minced ginger

    Combine above ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce mixture down by half.

    8 kiwis peeled
    2/3 cup fresh lime juice
    ¼ cup honey

    Add above ingredients to mixture in saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in food processor. Strain.


    MY SWEET TOOTH!

     
    YAMASSEE
    Honey Peach and Blackberry Cobbler
     
     

    Yield

    12 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup cobbler and 1 biscuit)

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/4  cups un-bleach all-purpose flour, divided
    • 8  cups  chopped peeled peaches (about 4 pounds)
    • 1/4  cup  honey
    • 3  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
    • 3/4  teaspoon  salt, divided
    • 3  cups  blackberries
    • Cooking spray
    • 3/4  cup  granulated sugar
    • 1  tablespoon  grated lemon rind
    • 1  teaspoon  baking powder
    • 6  tablespoons  chilled butter, cut into small pieces
    • 1 1/4  cups  low-fat buttermilk
    • 2  tablespoons  turbinado sugar

    Preparation

    Preheat oven to 400°.

    Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

    Combine 1/4 cup flour, peaches, honey, juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; toss gently. Let stand 15 minutes. Fold in blackberries. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

    Combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, granulated sugar, rind, and baking powder in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk, and stir just until moist.

    Drop dough onto peach mixture to form 12 mounds. Sprinkle mounds with turbinado sugar. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

    Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

    Chef Tim Johnson

    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

    PATHOGENS ANYONE!

    The Food Lottery



    Are you an average adult American?  If so, then you consume 70 pounds of beef, 60 pounds of pork, and 550 pounds of dairy (love that ice cream).  Americans feel safe eating because they know the foods they eat have been monitored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    But, how safe is our food industry really?  Do the USDA and FDA really monitor our food for quality and safety?  Is there anything to fear?

     In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there are more than 200 foodborne illnesses, from allergies to "stomach flu" to vomiting; the CDC have identified 30 pathogens associated with these foodborne illnesses, classified as bacteria, virus, chemical, parasitic, prions, antibiotic residues, genetic modifications, or unknown.  In fact, the CDC estimated the average adult American consumes 10 pounds of additives each year, pathogens included!

    And any one of these pathogens could cause or lead to illness, disability or death.

    Consumers play a lottery every day they eat.  But it isn't just E. coli and Salmonella that cause illnesses to occur.  Sure, they cause the classical signs of stomach and digestive distress, but what about those illnesses that occur down the road from eating foods?  What about antibiotic resistance or allergies?  These too are now being considered foodborne illnesses.

    The CDC stated that foodborne illnesses cause 9,000 American deaths annually, 81 million are sickened, and 325,000 require hospitalization.  The long-term effects of some food-borne contaminants are still being studied by the CDC; these effects are cancer, paralysis, and disability.

    As many illnesses are now being considered "food-borne" because they began with food, this article looks at the "traditional" foodborne illnesses (i.e. parasites, bacteria, viruses), genetically modified foods, hormones and irradiation.  Each needs to be examined for its impact on health, as the building blocks to health begin with what we put in our mouths.

    Food Poisoning (previously considered as "Foodborne Illnesses")

    Foodborne illnesses used to be considered as illnesses caused by eating food contaminated with a bacteria, virus or parasite.  The majority of the time the symptoms are digestive:  diarrhea and vomiting are the two main symptoms.  Each year, hundreds of millions become sickened worldwide.

    The two most common pathogens (illness-causing substances) are E. coli and Salmonella, with Salmonella being the leader in causing deaths from foodborne illness.  E. coli in itself is considered harmless because it exists in human and animal digestive tracts; however, when too much E. coli enters the body through ingesting it, illnesses can occur.  Most cases of E. coli do not harm a person long-term; however there is one E. coli that can lead to disability and death:  E. coli O157:H7.  Approximately 3% of the deaths from foodborne illnesses occur from having this deadly form of E. coli.
    Most cases of foodborne illnesses are mild, so people attribute the symptoms to being the "stomach flu."  Plus, people rarely make the connection between their symptoms and food from two days prior.  Most cases of foodborne illness do not occur shortly after eating.

    The USDA states that foodborne illnesses are primarily caused by improper food handling, storage, and preparation.
    *  Food supply is changing in ways that promote foodborne illnesses: ex:  large numbers of animals herded together; broad distribution, so contaminated food can reach more people in more locations.

    *  Demographics: certain people are more at risk for foodborne illnesses:  those with suppressed immune systems, children in group daycare, and the elderly.

    *  Three of the four most common pathogens the CDC consider most important were unrecognized as causes of foodborne illnesses 20 years ago: Camphylobacter, Listeria, and E. coli O157:H7.

    *  Bacteria already recognized as sources of foodborne illnesses have found new modes of transmission: ex:  E. coli O157:H7 previously found only in uncooked hamburger is now being found in other foods such as salami, raw milk, apple cider, and lettuce.

    *  Some pathogens are far more resistant than expected with long-standing food-processing and storage techniques: ex:  Yersinia and Listeria can continue to grow in food under refrigeration.

    *  According to the CDC, virulent strains of well-known bacteria have continued to emerge: for example  E. coli O104:H21 is another new potentially deadly strain of E. coli.
    The two government agencies that monitor food quality in the United States are the USDA (monitors meat, poultry and eggs) and the FDA (monitors everything else).  Because of the vastness of the food processing industry, only 2% of the annually estimated 5 million shipments of food are inspected; but still, all commercialized food bears a label as being inspected by either the USDA or FDA.  Unsurprisingly, perhaps, 2/3 of all outbreaks of foodborne illnesses are from FDA- or USDA-regulated foods.
    The commercialized beef and poultry industries blame the organic farmers for the increased incidences of foodborne illnesses and the enhanced virulence of the pathogens, stating that organic farmers use cow manure as fertilization instead of chemical fertilizers, and they do not use antibiotics on their cows and chickens. 
     In the larger commercialized farms, cows, for example, are cared for through automation.  The milking is done by machine, the feeding is automated, and distribution of antibiotics is automated.  When the cow reaches the factory for slaughter, it too is automated, and severely dirty with cow manure that finds its way into the meat that is processed.  The meat from one "bad" or contaminated cow can be mixed into many pounds of meat, and distributed across the United States.
    Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips
    Chef Tim Johnson
    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

    MY TREAT OF THE WEEK

    Peasant Pasta
     
    This idea for peasant pasta is a vegetarian recipe based on ingredients that we nearly always have in the kitchen.

    It's nice to cook with all fresh ingredients, vegetables in season and so on but now and again the need arises to cook something tasty with whatever we have available. All the ingredients are available in forms that can be stored, I only used dried mushrooms in this version.

    To make 2 servings:

    kcal
    1 small onion, chopped 29
    1 clove garlic, crushed 4
    10g (1/3oz) dried mushrooms 30
    1 tomato, peeled and chopped 26
    15ml (1tbsp) olive oil 119
    Pinch sugar 4
    Salt & pepper to taste 5
    5 sprigs parsley, chopped 2
    160g pasta shapes 572
    30ml grated parmesan cheese 44
    Total 835
    Around 420 kcal per serving

    Put the dried mushrooms in a heat proof container and pour on 300ml (1/2 pint) of boiling water. Stir and leave to soak for 5 minutes or so.

    Fry the onion, garlic and parsley very gently in the oil until the onion is soft and translucent.

    Drain the mushrooms and add them and the chopped tomato to the onion. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar, cover and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.

    Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling, salted water for 5 to 10 minutes.

    Drain the pasta and return to the pan. Add the cooked sauce and mix together. Serve with a topping of grated cheese.

    There you have it, a vegetarian pasta recipe made from ingredients you probably have already. 

     Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

    Chef Tim Johnson

    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

    YOU JUST CAN'T EAT ONE!

     Hydrogenated oils are Trans Fats and guilty as charged!
     
     

    They're in Ritz Crackers, Hostess ho Hos, Oreos, Kellogg's Pop Tarts, and hundreds of other processed foods. They're the principal ingredient in margarines and shortenings. They're hydrogenated fats.

    Many journalists, and a few researchers view hydrogenated fats with great suspicion. And more than a few consumers won't touch margarine. Some aren't sure why they distrust the stuff. Others know exactly why. Margarine contains "trans" fats.

    Manufacturers hydrogenate (add hydrogen to) liquid oils to make them semi-solid. In the process, some hydrogens in the fats get rearranged. Scientists refer to fats with the ordinary arrangement as "cis." The new ones are called "trans".

    Despite the rumors, there is little good evidence that trans fats cause any more harm than other fats. Though new questions can always be raised, some of the standard accusations can be laid to rest.

    Does Trans Equla Trouble? In the Goldbecks' Guide to Good Food, Nikki and David Goldbeck state that trans fats "are suspected of interfering with fath metabolism, disrupting normal heart functions, enhancing fatty deposits in the arteries, inhibitng the production and utilization of substances in the body which influence the immune system, and reducing the body's ability to rid itself of carcinogens, drugs, and other toxins." Other authors have raised similar concerns.

    Much of the anxiety over trans fats stems from their reputation as "unnatural." Yet ruminants, such as cows and sheep, hydrogenate oils in one of their several stomachs. So although most of the trans fat people consume today is man-made, about 5 to 20 percent comes from beef, lamb, and dairy products.

    In rat studies, trans fats appear safe. Animals absorb them just as well as they absorb other fats and oils. And rats fed high levels of trans fats for 46 generations lived as long as other rats, reproduced as well, and appeared normal.

    Hydrogenated Hearts. But these studies have not stilled all fears. Some claim, for example, that trans fats raise blood cholesterol levels. That's a serious charge against trans-fat-containing margarines, which are marketed as heart-healthy.

    In some animals, trans fats do raise blood cholesterol; in others, they don't.  But it makes sense to look most closely at the evidence from human studies.

    Although some human studies suggest that trans fats do raise blood cholesterol, most of these had serious flaws. Several, for example, used an unusual fat with two trans groups. This fat is not present to a significant extent in commercial margarines or oils.

    Only a few studies were well designed, and these showed that hydrogenated (trans-containing) and non-hydrogenated fats produced similar cholesterol levels. 

    Cancer Worries. In 1978, Mary Enig and others at the University of Maryland examined the rise in our vegetable fat intake since 1910. This rise, they asserted, was linked to  increase in the number of people who developed or died of cancer, especially breast and colon cancer, during that period. The trans fats in vegetable fats, suggested the scientists, could best account for the "significant positive correlation" with cancer rates.

    At most, associations of this type can only provide clues about the cause of a disease. In no way do they prove cause and effect. But this particular analysis had serious flaws.

    For example, experts pointe out that most cancer rates, including deaths from colon cancer, had remained essentially stable during much of the period in question.

    In most animal studies, trans fats don't increase the incidence of tumors. But non-hydrogenated corn, safflower, and sunflower oils, which contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats, are relatively strong tumor promoters, at least in animals.

    Unfortunately, few people are familiar with these studies. Instead, many have heard of the cancer "correlation," but not of its flaws. So the rumor that trans fats cause cancer persists.

    Cell Membranes. Animal studies show that trans fats, like other fats, may beome incorporated into the membranes that surround all cells in the body. Some fear that the incorporated trans fats might alter the normal passage of substances into and out of cells, perhaps permitting carcinogens to enter cells with greater ease.

    Courtesy of Healthy Cooking Tips

    Chef Tim Johnson

    Remember...Grace is upon you so eat to live!

     

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