Sunday, January 30, 2011

Good Food: Prevent Cancer!


It is known that cancer is a dreaded disease. The word deems to be scary as if thinking "I'm doomed," or "I'm going to die soon, if not tomorrow." These are the lines we often hear from cancer patients.

What is cancer?

It is a disease of the body cells and the microscopic units that form and repair tissues and organs that provide protein and energy-producing compounds the body needs to remain alive and healthy.

For many reasons, some known and other not - certain cells become cancerous, that is they suddenly develop abnormal growth pattern and reproduce uncontrollably. As cells multiply, they form lump or primary tumor. From this tumor cancer often travel through lymphatic system or the bloodstream to other parts of the body, and form tumor there, as well. This spreading and clumping of cancerous cells is known as metastasis.

During the times my mother struggled with cancer, she went into several medications and therapies to battle with the sickness. Some doctors say cancer is now curable, depending on the stage and how the body would respond to the therapies, medicines and/or surgery. She lived more than a year more eating the right foods and maintaining body glow and beauty. Thank God, for at least she became happy adjusting to the situation.

And of course, with all these and other factors, "God has the final word."

Dr. Gerardo Cornelio and Dr.Roa (San Juan de Dios Hospital, Daughters of Charity) were the doctors attending to my parent, with my Mom's family doctors Dr. Evalyn Roxas (Philippine General Hospital/Ospital ng Maynila) and Dr. Glibenette Panlaqui, (skin specialist) among others.

Prevention

Prevention is very important because modern treatment have not significantly altered survival rates for the most common cancers. Evidence bases on extensive research indicates that certain environmental factors or agent do indeed increase the risks that cancer may develop by avoiding such agents which are labeled carcinogenic or cancer causing.

These materials can cause cancer:

Vinyl chloride, asbestos and benzene
Tobacco is known to be a potent carcinogen
Various forms of energy such as x-rays and ultraviolet radiation of the sun are also carcinogenic

Certain studies suggest that particular foods and nutrients may be helpful in reducing the odds of getting cancer. For example there is an evidence, that high-fiber food such as fruits, vegetables and whole-grain cereals offer protection against cancer.

Vitamin A and C appear to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Vitamin A found naturally in orange, yellow and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach has been credited to provide protection against cancers of the lungs, esophagus, stomach and larynx.

People who regularly eat vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage develop few cancers of the digestive and the respiratory systems.

Let us help prevent cancer by eating the right foods. Live healthy and be safe!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Food: Basic Nutrition Guuides


Good food is essential to man. In fact, they come first in the table of man's basic needs. The ocean and the fields are made by God to supply man, all he needs to sustain his life. The mountains become a breeding ground of more food and meat and cattle.

To live healthy man has to eat the right foods, as he is endowed with the gift of knowledge and resources to preserve generations.Variety, moderation and balance are the keys to a healthful eating plan.

Leading health agencies and nutritionists give these basic guidelines:

Eat a wide variety of foods. Eating many different food assures you of getting a full range of nutrients.

Maintain a healthy weight. A quick way to determine if you are overweight is to compare your waist measurement with that of your hip. For both men and women, the waist should be smaller than the hip.

Reduce fat, especially saturated fat. Fat intake should not exceed 30 percent of the day's calories, with less than 10 percent of calories coming from saturated fat.

Eat an abundance of vegetables, fruits and grains. Adults should eat at least three servings of vegetables, two servings of fruit, and six servings of grain product especially whole grains, everyday.

Use sugar in moderation. Ideally, salt consumption from all sources, including the saltshaker should be no more than 1 to 2 teaspoons a day.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Not only does alcohol offer empty calories, but excessive use of it leads to ailments such as kidney and liver diseases.

Health agencies must be sure to check safety handling of food manufacturers, sellers, restaurants, stores and supermarkets, among others. Food sold and catered to the public ought to be clean and fresh or newly packed. Expiration dates must be indicated in food labels.

I have heard of some meat handlers selling double dead meat (in Filipino, "botcha"), that usually the mothers buy (of average and low-income families). Some buyers are not aware of these tactics because they think they could save up; yet, buyers must know if the meat is of good quality.

Perhaps, those traders/ markets that cater bad food to the people/public (rich or poor) must be punished and should be charged with legal action. They must be aware that it is every right of a person (human right) to eat good food. Don't forget good food is nourishment to life, and if not served "clean and safe" it is equal to "poisoning" others.

Ishalleatandcook
Ishallwrite
RoseVoc2

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Basic Nutrition Guides

Good food is essential to man. In fact, they come first in the table of man's basic needs. The ocean and the fields are made by God to supply man, all he needs to sustain his life. The mountains become a breeding ground of more food and meat and cattle.

To live healthy man has to eat the right foods, as he is endowed with the gift of knowledge and resources to preserve generations.Variety, moderation and balance are the keys to a healthful eating plan.

Leading health agencies and nutritionists give these basic guidelines:

Eat a wide variety of foods. Eating many different food assures you of getting a full range of nutrients.

Maintain a healthy weight. A quick way to determine if you are overweight is to compare your waist measurement with that of your hip. For both men and women, the waist should be smaller than the hip.

Reduce fat, especially saturated fat. Fat intake should not exceed 30 percent of the day's calories, with less than 10 percent of calories coming from saturated fat.

Eat an abundance of vegetables, fruits and grains. Adults should eat at least three servings of vegetables, two servings of fruit, and six servings of grain product especially whole grains, everyday.

Use sugar in moderation. Ideally, salt consumption from all sources, including the saltshaker should be no more than 1 to 2 teaspoons a day.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Not only does alcohol offer empty calories, but excessive use of it leads to ailments such as kidney and liver diseases.

Health agencies must be sure to check safety handling of food manufacturers, sellers, restaurants, stores and supermarkets, among others. Food sold and catered to the public ought to be clean and fresh or newly packed. Expiration dates must be indicated in food labels.

I have heard of some meat handlers selling double dead meat (in Filipino, "botcha"), that usually the mothers buy (of average and low-income families). Some buyers are not aware of these tactics because they think they could save up; yet, buyers must know if the meat is of good quality.

Perhaps, those traders/ markets that cater bad food to the people/public (rich or poor) must be punished and should be charged with legal action. They must be aware that it is every right of a person (human right) to eat good food. Don't forget good food is nourishment to life, and if not served "clean and safe" it is equal to "poisoning" others.

IShalleatandcook
ishallwrite

How To Cook One Meal In A Pot

Let us use the rice cooker.

Because of busy schedules, many of us are in a hurry. Even cooking has to hurry. What I do is cook it all in the cooker and get a complete meal. But then, this should not be everyday, only at times you really run out of energy to do cooking, to get more free time.

1. Rice with squash and leaves in curry

Prepare 2 cups rice.

Dice yellow squash thinly and in bite size.

Wash "mallunggay" leaves (around 12 stems) and leaf one by one.

Wash rice and put water as measured in the rice cooker.

Wash vegetables separately.

Mix washed vegetables with rice grain, and then put one cube (or 2 tablespoons) curry powder or curry sauce (Japan made or any curry powder that isn't so hot). Add one cup water.

Cook all the mixture in the rice cooker. Simmer and eat.

If you want, you can eat this rice curry: with canned tuna, boiled eggs, or heated ham slice. Or you can just eat the meal, on its own.

2. Soup with noodles and vegetables

Cook in a casserole boiled noodles with "miso soup."

Boil noodles (half cooked)

Put bits of vegetables like spinach, carrots, radish, and/or potatoes.

Scoop 2-4 tablespoons of "miso soup mix" (Japan or any fresh miso).

You may crack and mix one egg and add "cooked siomai" in the soup.

This one is complete meal already.

3. Assorted vegetables mix

Slice 2 carrot, 10 pieces Baguio beans, 1 chayote, and/or 1 potato

Boil the veggies until half-cooked. Set aside.

Open one (1) can of whole corn kernel.

Butter the skillet (3-4 tablespoon), or as desired.

Pour in corn and cooked veggies in the skillet with butter.

Mix well. This meal is ready for eating on its own, and good to be eaten with steak, chicken, fish, or toast bread with egg.

Remember keep in your refrigerator and/or cabinets the basic condiments and food ingredients. Read labels, proper storage and expiration dates.

Take note:

Don't use or give to others food that aren't in good condition. Throw it; life is more important than the money spent with that food. To save, cook those foods near expiration dates and share it while still in good condition. In supermarkets and stores, they give big discounts and include in a sale while stuff is still in good/safe and delicious for eating.

Serve food with a conscience. It is essential nourishment for good health and smart minds. Let us thank God for the food and those who make them. Happy eating!