Category Archives: Food Facts

Sangria’s Best

Smiles, Laughter, Friends….Sangria’s Best

Summertime, Laughter, Memories, Mixed Drinks!!!! HAVE FUN….

Sangria should be refrigerated 24 hours before serving.  Any soda drink, or sugar added 30-60 minutes before serving.     Carrafe or bottle must accomodate about 4 liters of liquid.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 Peaches peeled, pitted and diced.
  • 2 Apples peeled, cored and diced
  • 2 Oranges peeled and cut into rounds
  • 1 cup Cherries pitted and halved
  • 1 cup Berries of choice
  • 1 750 ml Sangiovese wine
  • 1 750ml Lambrusco wine
  • 1/3 part (250 ml) Rum
  • 1/3 part (250 ml) Brandy
  • 3/4 liter (750 ml)  sprite or coke (added 30-60 minutes before serving then reseal bottle.)
  • 4 Cinnamon sticks

Mix all ingredients in container seal and store in refrigerator for 24 hours.

Presentation and Flavor

Prepare an additional:  3 Peaches, 2 Apples ( cored and diced), 2 Oranges cut into rounds, 1 cup Berries and 1 cup Cherries.  Toss fruit in a bowl and keep close to Sangria for serving. Mint Sprigs, Cinnamon Sticks Lime cut into round circles for presentation eased onto side of glass.

Serve:  Pour Sangria over  a few ice cubes in cup and  add freshly cut fruit.

Drink Cautiously.  1 glass for women. 2 glasses for men. Have appetizers available  before drinking, always eat first!   (Food higher in fat absorb alcohol,  like cheese, or chip/dip, so that the alcohol will not be absorbed by the brain) .

Benefits of a Cappuccino on Bones

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the  sound of  milk being frothed at the cappuccino maker, beckons many of the  sleep deprived population to stumble from their homes into coffee shops everywhere.  Caffiene is the one energy product that so many will not split hairs over, but instead will readily agree to, that “IT” gets us through our morning.   So, great news for Starbucks cliental and frequentor’s of local cafe`s, “You can have your cappuccino and drink it too!” 

 Various studies have been conducted on  how caffiene effects an individual’s calcium absorption. Some studies showed that caffiene interfered with calcium absorption while others showed that the information was misleading.  A third study was performed and showed that certain cultures may consume less dairy products, therefore,  caffiene then seemed to negatively influence calcium absorption.  However, by adding 1-2 tablespoons  of milk to the beverage, ones dietary intake seemingly  improved.

In conclusion and according to the latest study done at Creighton Universty in Omaha, Nebraska, “There is no evidence that caffeine has any harmful effect on bone status or on the calcium economy in individuals who ingest the currently recommended daily allowances of calcium.”

Kim Crocker

Dietitian for Children and Adult Nutrition

(calcium supplements 1000-1500mg)

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12204390

Minerals Compliment Vitamins

MINERALS are an important part of our daily diet. Did you know that without certain minerals consumed in our diet that we risk changes in blood production, bone growth, organ function, and vessel stability? While only 5% of the human body is made up of mineral matter, they are critical to keeping the blood and tissue fluids from either becoming too acid or too alkaline.  Minerals allow other nutrients to pass into the bloodstream, which aids in the transportation of nutrients to the cells and also draws chemicals in & out of the cells.  It’s a big job for such a small object whose sole job is to make sure, that our bodies are healthy and strong.

Additionally, vitamins cannot effectively work in our bodies without the correct balance of minerals. In other words a well balanced diet must be eaten.  For example; calcium is needed for vitamin “C” utilization, zinc for vitamin “A”, magnesium for “B” complex vitamins, selenium for vitamin “E” absorption, etc.

 

Calcium: Dairy Products, Tofu, Salmon, Almonds, Oranges, Broccoli

Zinc: Oysters, Crab, Beef

Magnesium: Grains, Legumes, Nuts, Beef

Selenium: Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts

Vitamin B and Vitamin E

Vitamin B’s strongly impact the entire body and are therefore a critical part of ones daily dietary intake. Vitamin B is critical for neuro functions, metabolisom which controls and regulates the body, and energy production.

Listed below are the benefits that the body receives from from this important vitamin.

  • Increase mood stability
  •  Creates energy and reduces headaches, (B-2)
  • Increase blood circulation and is a vessel dilator (B-3).
  • Reduce depression and stress (B-5 and B-7),
  • Reduces weakness, numbness, tingling in arms, improves on diabetes (B-6)
  • Improves and promotes heart health, (B-12)

Dietary Source: Liver, Shellfish, Milk, Eggs, Fortified Cereal, Garbanzo Beans, Chicken, Banana, Spinach, Tomato, Potatoes.

Vitamin E is an important body lubricant for all organs and muscles, in other words it helps your body run like a smooth “Oiled Machine”.  Additionally, it keeps skin, eyes, and the heart healthy. Vitamin E is credited for increasing HDL (healthy) cholesterol and reducing LDL (lousy) cholesterol.

Dietary Source: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Avocado, Almonds, Olives, Nuts, Seeds Green Leafy Vegetables, Sardines and Crab.

Healthy Skin, Vitamin A

 The largest organ of the body is skin, having two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. Skin is made up of: Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc. To ensure the growth of your child’s healthy body, encourage them to eat foods from the following list.

 Fruits:   Apricots fresh or dried, avocado, cherries, guava, grapefruit, oranges, cantaloupe melon, mango, plantain, pomegranate, watermelon. Vegetables: Raw or cooked carrots, broccoli, dandelion greens (chard), mustard greens, turnip, squash, spinach, pumpkin, tomato sauce, peas, sweet potatoes and yams.

Remove and drain water from vegetables after 7 minutes of boiling in order to optimize their nutrients. If boiled longer than 7 minutes vegetables lose their nutritional value.

The appearance of skin, hair and nails are important to understanding the health of the individual, or any present deficiencies.

· Diet is critical to restoring and maintaining the body’s health.

· Drinking water aids in healing dry skin.

· Daily consumption of an egg corrects brittle nails and returns the shine to dull hair.