Monday, November 30, 2009

Good Food for Healthy Life

Nestle promotes good food and good life

Author: Rose Flores-Martinez, Contributor
Column: Life

Nestle shares an advocacy of wellness, promoting a healthy lifestyle for Filipinos, through their I Choose Wellness (ICW) program. It is a program enhancing the value of good food and good life, including proper nutrition and physical activity. This campaign gives nutrition counseling to public and private agencies, business establishments, schools and retail outlets, conducted by expert nutritionists, chefs and fitness instructors, among others.

According to the World Health Organization, “Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Nestle pitch in in promoting health by offering good food for a good life.

Cora Sager, corporate wellness head, noted that there is no good food and bad food, but only good and bad diets. “Moderation, variety and balance are keys to wellness,” she added. Moderation is eating the right serving portion. Variety is having different fruits and vegetables. Balance is more water and less sugar, salt and fat.

Over the years, Nestle has been allotting a big portion of its budget for research and development to offer the public nutritious and high-quality foods. In fact, Cerelac, the first Nestle product, was formulated out of founder Henri Nestle’s desire to save a dying child from malnutrition.

In choosing the right food for well-being, fads and extravagance are out. Simple enjoyment is in. There is no need to skip meals or fast, just moderation. Eating the right combination of bread and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and protein will give you the energy and protection the body needs. Of course, there must be exercise or physical activity. Then we are on the road to wellness.

To learn more, visit www.choosewellness.com.ph.

Source: The Daily Tribune

Gerry's Grill

Gerry’s Grill, A Favorite Dining Place

Gerry’s Grill remains a favorite dining place among Filipinos since it opened its doors to the public on February 14, 1997. It is a perfect place to visit if you are looking for a dining place to hang out with your family and friends with its menu that fits right into your budget.

Dining at Gerry’s Grill is a place to experience. Diners can choose from a wide array of sumptuous foods ranging from grilled seafood and Filipino favorites to exotic cuisine and tastefully prepared beermates and pica-pica. Every item on the menu goes perfectly well with your favorite beverage whether it is alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

From Gerry’s Grill first restaurant located along Tomas Morato corner Eugenio Lopez Avenue in Quezon City, it has expanded with 44 branches (two of which are in the United States) and is still growing!

Its catering and delivery services are committed to provide the customers with the highest quality of food and services available. For delivery, call 332-1111.

/Eden Flores
Backroom, Inc.

http://ishalleatandcook.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Cooking Magic

November 16, 2009


Create magic for your cooking. Innovate with the newest recipes that are healthy and easy. Have you heard the word about “Guisado vs Ginisa?”

Two homemakers, Dona Rikada and Mrs. Guisado had an exciting showdown during a cook –off. Dona Rikada represents traditional homemakers who believe that good tomato-based dishes only come when you saute real onions, garlic and tomatoes while Mrs. Guisado is a modern housewife who uses the new UFC Tomato Sauce Guisado. “Let’s put it to a taste,” was Dona Rikada’s challenge to Mrs. Guisado.

Chef Jeremy and Chef Nino did the cooking.

Audiences were brought wondering who would win – mothers, kids, foody at heart, cooks, and just everyone.

All time and special recipes authenticate that sauces give elegance to food. The rich and healthy flavor of tomatoes bring out an appealing luscious taste of bread, meat, vegetables, fish, and pasta in different parts of the world like France, Italy, United States, Mexico, India, and the Philippines, among others.

Tomato, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Sauce Guisado
Tomato is the top source of vitamin A and C. It contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, beta-carotene, iron, lycopene, niacin, potassium, and thiamin. In the olden times, tomato seeds were said to be seeds of divination.

Tomato sauce comes from tomatoes. It colors the food red, and as children like it the sauce dresses the food in superb thick taste like real tomatoes, “the taste children would love because it has no bitter compared with raw vegetables,” asserts a mother.

In some countries tomato sauce is also known as “ketsup.” For us Filipinos, we mix our tomato sauce with recipes like marinara, spaghetti, pochero, menudo, caldereta, and home cooked sardines. The sauce blends with the finest ingredients , spices, and herbs.

Both homemakers, Dona Rikada and Mrs. Guisado agree that traditional cooking goes well over time, however, the present time creates innovative cooking for a budget meal, quick menu, and a “true guisado taste.”




Tomato Sauce Guisado: Trusted Ally in the Kitchen

UFC’s newest Tomato Sauce Guisado comes out of the market to be a trusted ally in the kitchen. It is the first and only tomato sauce that’s already been sautéed with real garlic, onions, and tomatoes to especially blend and capture the true guisado taste. It is convenient to use and gives afritada, menudo, mechado the complete and savory flavor of “ginisa”.

The question is: Did you see the cooking magic? Try.

Judges in the Cook–off event weren’t really able to tell the difference. “Magkasing-sarap talaga,” many of them said. Staff, guests, kids from Pinewood Foundation, and the crowd around Market Market joined the performances of Dona Ricada and Mrs. Guisado. It featured Raymond Lauchengco, Manilyn Reynes, Jolina Magdangal, Jan Nieto and was hosted by Janice de Belen. The event organizer is Almed Garcia of Boy Abunda’s Backroom, Inc.

Chicken Afritada Recipe with UFC Tomato Sauce Guisado

Ingredients

1 pouch (200g) UFC Tomato Sauce Guisado
½ kg chicken, cut into pieces
2 pcs medium potatoes, cut into chunks
1 pc green bell pepper, sliced into strips
1tbsp patis (fish sauce)
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Simmer chicken in ½ cup water for five minutes.
2. Add UFC Tomato Sauce Guisado, carrots, potatoes and pepper. Simmer until tender.
3. Add the rest of the vegetables. Cook until done.


/rose flores – martinez, 11.16.09
http://rfvietnamrose09.blogspot.com
Also see, www.PressExposure.com

Water For Healthy Lifestyle

Our bodies need water more than ever. The recommended daily amount is 64 ounces. Most tall drinking glasses are sized about 12 ounces and individual plastic bottles are about 20 ounces. It is known that 75 percent of people are chronically dehydrated. And watch out! Dehydration is serious. Lack of water is the number one trigger for daytime fatigue. Even mild dehydration will slow down ones metabolism by as much as 3 percent. A mere 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty facing the computer screen.
It is vital that we drink water before we even feel thirsty because thirst is already and indication that we are dehydrated. A lot of people even mistake their thirst for hunger, and about 37 percent of us do this constantly. A glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100 percent of dieters who participated in a study.
Moreover, preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of the sufferers. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79percent, and one is 50percent less likely to develop bladder cancer. Water clears the skin and flushes our impurities better than any other cosmetic. There are no negative side effects drinking too much water.
For some people, water is just too plain. A few lemon slices can go a long way. Nowadays, some beverage companies, have gone a step further - and flavored water, with different colors, and attractive bottles.
While plain water is always the best choice for health, flavored waters can count glass-for-glass towards the daily requirement, says a spokesperson from a beverage outfit. There are many brands of flavored water available today and vitamin filled, too. Some of bottles of it, can even be substituted for a bottle of dextrose.
So to drink or not to drink? Drink. Drink lots of water, for a healthy lifestyle.


Rosalinda Flores Martinez
submitted for Ezine Articles
http://rfvietnamrose09.blogspot.com
4.28.2009

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosalind

Melt in Your Mouth Gelatin

September 13, 2009

Melt in Your Mouth Gelatin

Gelatin is unique in flavr, texture and taste. Ait comes in various shapes, in the colors of a raindbow. It defies one’s image of poetry and pleasure. It melts in your mouth. Ask any child.

Not only that – it has numerous functions in food whether as a gelm, thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, binder, or ari breather. As a protein, it is nutritious and cholesterol free – Here are the ways that gelatin is used in food:

Gelling agent
Thickener
Film former
Protective colloid
Stabilizer
Emulsifier
Foaming /whipping agen
Beverage fining agent


Gelatin is a dessert, too – whether as a ready to eat product; as jelly crystals (a dry blended powdered mixture), or as tablets in which the sugar, gelatin acids, flavoring and coloring have been dissolved.

Jelly tablets are very popular in the United Kingdom, while jelly cyrystals and ready – to – eat products are common in other countries – particularly in the United States. In the Philippines gelatin is easily had as jelly candies, crystals, ready- to- eat products, gelatin cakes and gelatin flans. Not to forget our “black gulaman,” “gulaman palamig,” and almond jelly in syrup which are uniquely Filipino.

Gelatin Desserts

Gelatin is highly soluble and with its strong water binding properties, a gel of excellent quality is produced. Jelly tablets and crystals can be made at home by simple purchasing a box of instant jello, dissolving the tablet or crystal in hot water, then cooling it in the refrigerator. The gelatin’s meting point of 25-35degrees Celsius lends it its melt-in-the-mounth” quality, and excellent flavor.

Now, get that gelatin as it melts in your mouth and taste poetry, too.

/rose – flores martinez
Article update 2009
revised old Cook Magazine article
http://ishalleatandcook.blogspot.com

Soup Wonders

SOUP WONDERS

I. Let me share, “The Stone Soup Story”

A long time ago, somewhere in Europe, a terrible famine spread throughout the land.

People were selfish with each other that each family kept their food hidden away so no one would find it. Each one fought over food.

One day, a poor traveller arrived and set up a tent by the side of the road. He had with him a large pot, a wooden spoon, and a stone.

The villagers said, “You can't stay here! There is no food for you.”

“That doesn't matter. I have enough food I need,” said the traveller.

In front of his tent, the traveler gathered his sticks and built a fire. He placed his pot on the fire and added some water. The villagers came one by one watching him. The traveller smiled with satisfaction. Then from his pocket, he took out a big stone and put it in the pot. He waited for the water to boil as he stirred patiently and gracefully.

The villagers had gathered around the pot. They were all curious. “What are you making?”

“Stone soup,” replied the traveller. “ It smells good isn't it? Of course, salt and pepper and some potatoes would make it more delicious.”

“I have salt and pepper,” one villager answered.

“I have some potatoes,” another one answered.

The villagers looked at each other. Each brought something to put in the boiling pot.

The rumor spread around the whole village, as each desired for the boiling soup that smelled so fragrant. Truly, the villagers hungry stomachs craved for the stone soup.

Each household took a dish and there was plenty of soup for everyone to eat.

II. Healthy, Affordable, Easy, Staple Soups

No doubt, soup is boiled water/liquid or sap and all the nutrients of the ingredients in it. It is liquid food by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables. It can feed anyone – both babies and the elderly. It can feed the sick, those who diet, and just anyone all the time of day.

In different countries soup is a famous dish. Oftentimes, it comes before the main dish is served. It can go with a side dish, bread or croutons, or just simply the soup itself.

People like soup because it warms the stomach. It comes in a variety of foods mixed
even with milk, paste, cream, among others. Of course, the ideal soup comes in measuring the right ingredients to make up for almost a complete food.

1. Baby soup. An old tradition from the province believes that the rice stock (am)is good for babies who are starting to feed on solids. This rice stock with some milk added contains a lot of nutrients. Some old folks even say that it is cheaper than milk. But of course, the nutrients found in milk are different. Rice stock plus milk would make good food served together, especially for babies.

Some mothers even prepare 1 kilo of ground rice and cook it in small amounts adding water and a bit of salt or sugar.

2. Everyday soup for good health. Malunggay leaves, squash, or any vegetable boiled in water make a healthy everyday soup. Grandparents love this soup. Again, rice stock or any meat stock (but not so fatty) are boiled with the vegetables.

The simple malunggay leaves soup is boiled in water, salt, and garlic. For added flavor, it could be dashed with desired spices. The malunggay leaves (rich in vitamins and minerals) is plucked leaf by leaf, washed thoroughly, then boiled for a few minutes. The soup would turn yellow and smell good with the garlic flavoring.

Various veggies can be cooked with ginger and rice stock. The vegetables are sliced in tiny pieces, washed thoroughly, then boiled. A bit of salt may be added.

3. Common vegetable soups. Some veggies may also be boiled and mashed. With the sap in water, milk or cream plus spices.

For variation we can add Knorr or Campbell ready soups. Usually mushroom, asparagus, and chinese soups blend well with fresh vegetables.

4. Chicken soup. Again elders tell us that chicken soup has lots of nutrients to restore sick people. And especially those who got flu and are recuperating. Chicken essence has special extracts old people believes.

5. Egg soup. Egg soups are very easy for moms to prepare. Egg is added to broth, which is classified as thin soup.

6. Seafood soup. This soups contain mussels, clam, and shell families sauteed in ginger with tomatoes, onions, or leaves of, and some herbs that make up a healthy seafood soup.


III. Complete Food for the Sick

Moreover, soups are convenient and healthy food for the elderly, those who can't eat from the mouth, and those with tooth problems. Ingredients blended together makes a rich complete healthy food ... Slurp!

And don't forget the alphabet soup for children, the noodles and macaroni soups, the fish lip soup that make wonders for everyday meals.


/rose flores martinez, 2009
http://ishalleatandcook.blogspot.com
http://rfvietnamrose09.blogspot.com
also see, ezine articles, soup wonders

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I Shall Eat and Cook.blogspot.com

Please visit my new blog

http://ishalleatandcook.blogspot.com

thanks
http://rfvietnamrose09.blogspot.com