The History of Cilantro and its Culinary Uses
By KC Kudra | August 12, 2008
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Perhaps you have wondered why certain cookbooks have you put coriander in salsa, while other cookbooks call for you to include cilantro. In addition, when you take a trip to your local grocery store, you see signs around that say coriander/cilantro. Therefore, you may be wondering if there is actually any different between them. Actually, there is not difference at all since coriander and cilantro come from the very same plant.
Cilantro is a versatile herb, which is part of the carrot family. It can be used fresh or dried and it tastes a little like citrus. Coriander is a spice rather than a herb. When cilantro is harvested and dried, it becomes coriander. The stem and leaves of the cilantro plant are used to make coriander.
For many years, cilantro has been used for cooking and baking; in fact, even the ancient Egyptians used it. There are Egyptian writings that mention coriander seeds and the seeds have also been found in ancient Egyptian tombs as well.
Some stores sell Mexican parsley and this looks like cilantro. In fact, it is the same herb and coriander, Mexican parsley, and cilantro all come from the same plant. Cilantro is very versatile in Mexican cooking and Caribbean cooking, the same way as parsley is used in many American recipes.
Cilantro can be found in nearly any supermarket and will be in the produce section. You buy it in a bunch. You can tell the difference between parsley and cilantro by looking at the leaves and smelling it. Cilantro has a stronger, more pungent small and the leaves are wider than parsley leaves.
Cilantro can be used in dips, dressings, salsas, and sauces. Some Chinese recipes use Chinese parsley, which is actually another name for cilantro. Coriander features in many Asian recipes and also everything from hearty stews to curries. It also complements many different meat and fish recipes.
If you purchase cilantro and bring it home, you should place it in a glass of water with only the stems left in the water. Then you can use a plastic bag to cover up the leaves. This helps to make sure that you keep the tasty flavor and it is much better than drying the cilantro.
When you are ready to add the cilantro to a recipe, you can crush the leaves with a pestle and mortar. This releases the flavors and aroma of this wonderful herb. If you are cooking with cilantro, add it towards the end because it is a delicate herb and cooking destroys its aroma and flavor.
Topics: Nutrition | No Comments »
Will Hoodia be Effective in Slimming You Down?
By Philip McDonald | August 12, 2008
Although the Hoodia Gordonii plant has been in use for millenia, it has just recently become more popular in the West, specifically as an aid for losing weight. Due to media coverage, Hoodia Gordonii products are in demand, whether the product is Pure Hoodia or Hoodia is just one of several ingredients.
You may be tempted to hurry and buy a Hoodia supplement, but before you do, you will want to perform some research. You should take the time to understand about what studies have shown in reverence to Hoodia Gordonii for weight loss.
Knowing the facts will help you find the best products and avoid the fake ones. There are many types of Hoodia plants, but only the Hoodia Gordonii class contains an active compound that aides in appetite suppression.
Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous manufacturers who are trying to cash in on the current popularity of Hoodia by selling products claiming to be Pure Hoodia. Although these products may come from Hoodia plants, they are not necessarily using Hoodia Gordonii.
Many companies are making the claim that their products containing Hoodia will help you lose weight. However, only the ‘P57 molecule’ found in Hoodia Gordonii has been proven to do so. Since they conducted the initial studies on the Gordonii plant, the Phytopharm Corporation has been granted exclusive rights to the ingredient.
These studies showed amazing results, including the fact that people classified as morbidly obese consumed over one thousand calories fewer per day when taking a supplement with ‘P57.’ That is a solid reason why many are touting Hoodia as the newest super supplement for anyone looking to trim down, including those considered to be obese.
You should also keep in mind that if a product claims to be extracted from Hoodia Gordonii, it should show that as one of the product’s active ingredients. This active ingredient, studies show, can only be found in the plant’s core.
The ultimate question is will you lose weight with Hoodia? The answer is a resounding yes! But only if you make sure you use supplements with genuine Hoodia Gordonii and not some substitute.
Topics: Lose Weight | No Comments »
Eat Healthy by Avoiding 3 Common Weight Loss Mistakes!
By Gail M. Davis | August 12, 2008
Are you ready to eat healthy but you just aren’t sure how to make it work this time? Are your past failures keeping you from taking that first step? Start by making a commitment that this time will be different! This time you’ll succeed by avoiding these three common diet mistakes.
When you’re trying to eat healthy, never dwell on the “big picture.” This is the first common diet mistake to avoid. Needing to lose large amounts of weight can be so daunting that it can paralyze you from starting a new program. Narrow your focus and celebrate in five pound increments. Better yet, each day when you wake up, vow to eat healthy that day. Those daily promises will add up to big pounds on the scale.
Declaring a time limit on your diet is the second most common mistake. You’re going to want to eat healthy the remainder of your life. Sure, while you’re losing, you’ll want to have fewer calories, but even after you’ve reached your weight loss goal, you will need to eat healthy to maintain the loss. If you declare that you want to lose 50 pounds in five months, and you only lose 40 pounds, aren’t you going to be disappointed? So, get rid of the time restraints and lose weight on your body’s natural timeline.
The third and final diet mistake that you will want to avoid is making too many changes at once. If you need a weight loss plan, then you probably have developed some poor eating habits. These are not going to change overnight. Trying to make too many changes will leave you unhappy with your plan and will sabotage your efforts. Small changes are best. These can be made in waves as you feel strong and in control. This series of small changes will add up to big losses on your scale.
If you avoid these three common weight loss mistakes, you can achieve your goal and eat healthy for life! Deal with your problem one day at a time, take away your self-imposed time limits, and let small changes accumulate for large rewards.
Topics: Lose Weight | No Comments »
Smooth 5.45 Treadmill Review: Best Buy Under $1,000
By Travis Van Slooten | August 12, 2008
People who don’t want to spend over $1000 for a treadmill may want to check out the Smooth 5.45 from Smooth Fitness. This is an excellent machine that is an upgrade from the “best buy” Smooth 5.25 treadmill. The changes that were made to create this new model were based on consumer reviews and the result is a superb folding treadmill for the home.
I have people asking me all the time about the price of the Smooth Fitness machines and how the company can price treadmills like the 5.45 at such economical prices. The answer is in how the company does their business. They primarily sell their machines online. They essentially remove all the middlemen-including retailers. When you take away all the costs of operating brick and mortar stores, or selling to wholesalers, you can easily see how Smooth Fitness works. The money they save is filtered into bringing exceptional machines to the marketplace at affordable prices.
Smooth Fitness knows that a machine is only as good as the motor that is inside of it. The Smooth 5.45 has a quiet, smooth, 2.5 continuous duty motor that is ideal for people who walk or lightly jog. People who have this machine report that the motor is so quiet they can use it anytime of the night or day without disturbing everyone around them. This is great for moms of small children who may be napping or going to be early.
The only thing I would like to point out is the Smooth 5.45’s motor is best for people who will be walking or lightly jogging. Intense runners may find the motor on the Smooth 5.45 treadmill isn’t powerful enough for them. If you are a runner, you may want to opt for the Smooth 6.45. It has a more powerful motor and can handle the pounding of intense running.
Another area that Smooth Fitness really goes the extra mile on is their decks. The shock absorption deck on the Smooth 5.45 treadmill is really high-tech. Users are reporting that there is a great deal of difference between the deck on this machine and other treadmills. People with back, knee, or joint problems really gravitate to this machine because of its absorption deck because they can workout longer on this machine without stressing out their bodies.
A welcome upgrade from the 5.25 to the Smooth 5.45 was the deck. It was extended to make it more accommodating and comfortable for long-limbed individuals. Also, the durability and the stability of this machine was improved. The Smooth 5.45 treadmill weighs in at 210 pounds, which is 20 pounds heavier than the previous model. No matter how much of a pounding you give this machine, she isn’t going anywhere. Please keep in mind that this machine is rather difficult to move around so make sure you set it up where you think you’ll want it permanently!
With all of the changes that have been made to create the Smooth 5.45 treadmill, one thing that stayed the same is the dependable warranty that comes with all Smooth Fitness machines. This machine comes with a 3 year parts warranty, a one year labor/service warranty and a lifetime warranty on the motor. With everything taken into consideration, the Smooth 5.45 is on my “best buy” list. It is an excellent folding treadmill for the home for under $1000.
Topics: Lose Weight | No Comments »
Facts About Fast Food
By Joel Riley | August 12, 2008
It seems we are all running in the fast lane; there never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all we need to do. Our jobs, families, and social lives consume our every waking minute. Who has time to cook a real meal anymore? It’s just easier to drive through and pick up dinner on the way home from work.
Most people work at least 8 hours a day and then there’s the commute home; who wants to cook dinner after all that? It’s very tempting to just stop and pick something up; a readymade meal to just set on the table and dig in. However, it may be fast and easy, but it’s not always good for you. Here I will explain some of the facts about those easy, fast food dinners you bring home to your family.
When you think of fast food you think of McDonald’s. Let’s say you order a double cheeseburger with fries and a medium coke. If your diet allows you just 2,000 calories a day, you’ve just gotten half of that in one meal. The meal described above has over sixty grams of fat and 1,100 calories.
Good old Kentucky Fried Chicken; a very popular fast food restaurant, is a favorite of a lot of people because they think chicken is a healthy meal. It is if you cook it correctly. However, one chicken breast, cooked in the original style is loaded with 21 g of fat and over 300 calories. Add the mashed potatoes, slaw, gravy, and biscuit, and now, what you thought was healthy has turned into a fat feast.
Pick up the phone, order a pizza from Pizza Hut and have them deliver a large pepperoni pan pizza to your door, along with 14 grams of fat and 270 calories a slice. It’s easy and tastes so good, but not a healthy choice.
If you eat 2 slices of that pizza, you will have consumed around 28g of fat and about 540 calories total. Add extra cheese or other toppings and you’ll cost yourself even more fat and calories.
If you are thinking that Subway is a healthy choice, you might want to think again. Most regular item subs (excluding those on the low cal/low fat menu) can add up to 500 calories and 18 grams of fat per six inch sandwich. Sure, Jarred lost weight on this plan, but he chose healthy choices from the specialty menu. The regular menu items are still very high in calories and fat content.
It’s best to steer clear of fast food eateries, but if you’re forced to go to one for convenience, try to scout out the menu ahead of time on the Internet to find out what menu options they have that won’t blow your diet plan for the entire day.
Topics: Lose Weight | No Comments »
