Tips of ordering when eating out

At day, do you feel tired after a long day work and don’t wish to lift a finger for cooking.. Want to dine out or call for delivery service and still keep a healthy diet?

Just like to share some tips on ordering:

1) Try to keep the main dish to fish such as Salmon or Tuna as they lower the risk of heart disease.
2) Avoid food that are prepared by: 1) Fried, Braised, buttered, creamed, escalloped, hollandaise, cheesed or cream sauce. Do away with dishes that are in gravy (example curry sauce), pan-fried or cooked in butter sauce.
3) Go for those that are steamed, boiled, broiled, baked, grilled, poached, roasted.
4) A Dessert after a meal is always refreshing. Share your food.
5) For Chinese food: Skip the fried stuff like chicken wings, wantons(dumpling), sweet and sour pork, fried noodles. Choose the steamed or stir-fried dishes like steam grouper, red snapper example, beancurd, vegetables.
6) Malay/Indian food. Say no to creamy curries which is usually cooked with high content of coconut milk. No mutton or beef rending. No deep fried food as well. Those are very rich with high fats and calories. Stick to the vegetarian dishes or beans products for a healthier choice.
7) Italian food, stay away from pasta in creamy and cheesy sauces or pastas stuffed with cheese. No fried calamari, no finger food. Ask for light sauces like primavera, marsala or marinara.
8) For pizza lover, order a thin crust and ask for vegetable toppings with less meat and cheese. Take a slice or two.

Though, above are some tips which you can follow while eating out, it is still healthier if you cook for yourself as you are have more control over the dishes you are cooking, its cooking styles and the amount of seasonings to add etc etc.

Baked Salmon

INGREDIENTS:
1 Onion, Sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 tablespoons light olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon


DIRECTIONS
In a medium glass bowl, prepare marinade by mixing garlic, light olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Place salmon fillets in a medium glass baking dish, and cover with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator about 1 hour, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and seal. Place sealed salmon in the glass dish, and bake 35 to 45 minutes, until easily flaked with a fork.

Wine

Personally, I prefer red wine by Taylor's. It is dried and the after taste is good.

A glass of red wine after dinner is nice. Anything more than one I probably be knocked out.

Many Studies has demonstrated that moderate consumption of alcohol and wine is statistically associated with a decrease in death due to cardiovascular events such as heart failure. And between the red and white wine, the former seem to show better cardiovascular protection properties. It could be the polyphenols that is present it.

Besides being a cardio pro beverage, it is also a drink for the ladies and guys. It has the age defying properties. The small of chemical in the red wine called resveratrol works its wonder. Other beneficial compounds in wine include other polyphenols, antioxidants, and flavonoids.

Hence it is always good and beneficial to have a small glass of red wine after meal.

Just like this saying: " In wine there is truth", so try it to get the zest out of it.

Black Sesame Dessert

Ahhhhhhhh.....grey hairs....

As I was combing my hair I was devastated to see strands of grey hair popping out around the fringe. They say it is a representation of wisdom. To me, I think it is just consolation statements. Sob, sob....

Whether your wisdom grow or not, I would prefer my black than grey hair.

My mum have said black sesame seeds will help to maintain and regain the blackness of the hair. Is it true? Nevertheless, I am going to try it and have a bowl of black sesame paste today.

For those who are interested, I have the recipe which you can try it at home. It is nice with thick and flavorful texture.



Ingredients:

1 cup rice (long grain or short grain)
1 cup black sesame seeds
1/2 cup water
7 - 8 cups water, depending on how thick or thin you want the soup
1/2 cup granulated sugar / Chinese Rock sugar

Preparation:

1. Soak the rice in cold water for 1 hour. Drain.
2. Toast the black sesame seeds in a frying pan on medium low heat for 1 - 2 minutes, until they are fragrant and the pan begins to smoke. Remove and cool.
3. Grind the sesame seeds in a blender until they are fully ground and the sesame smell is very fragrant. Add 1/2 cup water and grind briefly until the mixture forms a grayish paste.
4. Bring the soaked rice and water to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and add the sesame paste mixture, stirring.
5. Stir in the sugar. The soup is ready when the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is starting to thicken (5 - 8 minutes). Serve hot.

cont'd Benefits of coffee

Today, I have an alarming discovery to read upon that coffee has such a level of antioxidant. All along, I just know it is a caffeine beverage or addictive drink. Never did I know it has such kinds of benefits.

Oh my god, I am so ignorant!

Well, to continue our discussion on coffee...

A recent Pennsylvania study found that coffee offer the no.1 source of antioxidant in the U.S diet. The study include tea, coffee, cocoa & other foods.

The show an average U.S adult consume ~1300mg antioxidant daily from coffee than any dietary source, while 294mg from tea, follow by ~ 80mg from Bananas, ~70mg from dry beans & ~50mg for Corn.

Question here is can we totally depend coffee for our antioxidant source? The answer is no as coffee do not offer any fibers as a beverage. Hence, the more we should continue to get our nutrients and fibers from the fruits and vegetables.

More health benefits and information about coffee...

Coffee contains Tannin and antioxidant which is beneficial to the arteries and heart. It is good for liver, can prevent gallstones, improve blood circulation, cut down asthma. Other incredible benefits of drinking coffee regularly include risk of developing Parkinson disease, reduce risk in colon cancer and a decrease live cirrhosis.

If all the benefits that I read is true, then I won't really mind to get addicted by this alluring drink, .... hahaha...I am really glad that I have done my research..

Coffee, is it good for health?

Coffee has been my morning beverage. A cup of it is a no miss for me. Otherwise I will be like a coffeemonster (see below picture), work and move like a zombie. Do you call this addictive? I don't crave for it but but I just need a cup to perk me up for the morning, at least.

I read from many reports some say coffee is good for health while other say differently?
Hmmm.... let me check it out and report later...

Vanilla Cinnamon Spiced OatMeat

For the past few weeks, I have instant oat for my breakfast with minimal sugar. Very plain and very healthy and light however kind of boring huh...

Well, it is going to change at last with the below vanilla spice oatmeal.

Check it below for the recipes..

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, optional
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch nutmeg
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more, to taste
1 cup lowfat milk, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon



Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and raisins, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

In the meantime, place nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

When the oats are cooked remove pan from the flame and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Swirl in the brown sugar and place the oatmeal in serving bowls. Pour 1/4 cup of milk on top of each bowl, and top with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Note: For a quicker version using quick cooking or plain instant oatmeal: Cook the oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Stir raisins, brown sugar, and nutmeg into the cooked oatmeal. Top with milk, nuts (toasted or un-toasted) and cinnamon.

Benefits of Honey

I can't seem to get enough of Honey...
As an orential singaporean, I know a lot from my mum who has taught and informed me well lot of good values of Honey.

Not only does this delectable liquid stimulate your taste buds and whet your appetite, its unique taste and aroma has sprung off many times honor cooking ideas and recipes such as the cannot-be-missed honey baked ham and honey dips.

Honey offers incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties for our body and health, hot beauty and skin care tips for ladies, and amazing healing properties as a head-to-toe remedy, from eye conjunctivitis to athlete foot. Its powerful healing attributes have long been used thousands of years ago and known to promote healing for cuts, cure ailments and diseases, and correct health disorders for generations after generations.

Needless me to say more, I believe some of you may already benefitted from it.

It is better to let the truth say for itself.

Ginger Honey Salad Dressing

This Ginger Honey dressing is suitable for all types of Salads.However, I especially recommend it for Parsely Walnuts Salad for its simpleness yet flavorful texture of the Walnuts. See below for its recipes. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Salad Dressing

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup honey
3 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger root, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt, to taste

Parsley Salad:
2 to 3 bunches of parsley, curly
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup California Walnuts, finely chopped