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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Broccoli Sprouts

"Broccoli sprouts are three- to four-day-old broccoli plants that look like alfalfa sprouts, but taste like radishes. The radish flavor comes from a phytochemical that may act as protection against vectors (see also radical or free-radical theory) while the broccoli plant is still young.[1] This phytochemical not only benefits the young plant, but also when eaten by humans, may act as an antioxidant to stimulate the ability of cells to protect against disease."

While health-conscious people in the 1970s embraced raw sprouts as a dietary staple, it was not until the 1990s that broccoli sprouts became the mainstream.


That is because in 1992[2] a team of Johns Hopkins University scientists isolated a cancer-fighting phytochemical in broccoli called glucoraphanin, which is the glucosinolate precursor ofsulforaphane (SGS).[3][4] When chewed, broccoli releases glucoraphanin and myrosinase, an enzyme found in another part of the plant cell, which work together to produce sulforaphane, which, in turn, activates a transcription factor, Nrf2 in the cell. Once activated, Nrf2 then translocates to the nucleus of the cell, where it aligns itself with the antioxidant response element (ARE) in the promoter region of target genes. The target genes are associated with process which assists in regulating cellular defences. Such cytoprotective genes include that for glutathione. Around 200 genes have been well-characterised, as many as 1700 are thought to be related to this aspect of cellular defense.

The 1992 study was followed by the discovery in 1997[5] that glucoraphanin is in higher concentrations in the three- to four-day-old broccoli sprouts, at least 20 times the concentration of full grown broccoli. This discovery was written about in the New York Times,[6][7] and created a global shortage of broccoli seed that could not meet the sudden high demand.


"Broccoli sprouts are available in grocery and natural foods stores across the US and in other countries. Broccoli seeds are available for home growing. One can sprout broccoli seeds using a jar or a commercial sprouting kit. Broccoli sprout powders and capsules are also available. However, many of these products are produced from myrosinase-inactive sprout or seed extracts. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the consumer to identify which products contain both the essential precursor glucoraphanin as well as the active myrosinase enzyme. With a myrosinase-inactive product, an individual may not convert any of the glucoraphanin to sulforaphane. Because so little is known about the role of human gut microflora at this stage, reliance on the gut microflora with its wide variability could pose a significant limitation on the achievement of a biochemical response."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoli_sprouts

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Pepperplate Software (Plan, Cook, Share)

manage your recipes
  • Import and edit recipes from the most popular recipe sites by simply pasting a URL.
  • Add and edit your own recipes.
  • Create your own unlimited categories to organize your recipe library.
plan meals and create shopping lists
  • Plan menus for special events or regular meals.
  • Add meals and recipes to the calendar so you’re always on schedule.
  • Automatically arrange your shopping list the way you shop in the store.
  • Scale recipes to make the right amount.
cook with ease
  • Cook several recipes at the same time and set timers for each one.
  • iPad Cook Mode prevents screen from dimming.
  • Eliminate stacks of books and piles of paper in the kitchen.
  • Recipes, menus and schedules appear on the iPad without connecting to a computer
be mobile
  • Carry your shopping list with you and add to it in store with your recipe collection (no internet connection required).
  • Monitor cooking time without being tied to the kitchen.
  • Track and update timers remotely.
Source: http://www.pepperplate.com/

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Recipe: Vegan Avocado/Basil Fresco Spaghetti

This is a great summer recipe I just made up. Very tasty.

Vegan Avocado/Basil Fresco Spaghetti

Ingredients:

6 ounces Thin Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Sauce:
1 Ripe Avocado
1 Cup Fresh Basil Chopped
1/4 Teaspoon White Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Clove Crushed Garlic
1/4 Box Silken Tofu
1/4 Cup Almond Milk

Garnish:
1 Tomato Chopped
1/8 Cup Pine Nuts
A few Basil leaves thinly sliced

Boil Spaghetti.  While Spaghetti is cooking, combine in blender: Heat the silken tofu in the microwave until steaming. Reserve the tomato, pint nuts and few basil leaves for the garnish.  Blend all remaining ingredients with the steaming tofu until smooth. Taste and season as necessary.  Drain Spaghetti and mix in bowl with sauce.   Take thongs and plate and sprinkle the tomato, pine nuts and basil leaves on top.




Wednesday, August 8, 2012

SoyaPower Plus Soy Milk Maker

From the company pioneered soymilk makers comes this newest, third-generation milk maker, now 2011 model and in white color. Absolutely the best seller with highest customer satisfaction!

"SoyaPower Plus offers a revolutionary leap in milk making technology", reviewed by Vickilynn Haycraft, and earned her top rating after testing and reviewing about every maker on the market. It is the only milk maker with four push-button operations, each optimized for making milk from soybeans, grains, seeds/nuts or unlimited combinations of them. 

"SoyaPower Plus is the most advanced and versatile milk maker today". It boasts the quietest operation and highest energy efficiency thanks to its thermo-plastic outliner over the stainless steel body. With unique safety features such as safety latch and thermo-isolation, the SoyaPower Plus is about the only UL approved filter-less soymilk makers on the market.

The Tornado Grinding System (TM) enables not only the highest milk yield and easiest soymilk making operation available, but also the capability for making non-dairy milks and porridge from any type of beans, rice, grains, seeds and nuts, such as soybeans, mung beans, oats, millet, wheat groats, quinoa, almonds, hazelnuts, hemp seed, or any combination of them. It can even make broths and soups like soy-pumpkin soup and rice-sweet potatoes soup.

Sanlinx, the Soymilk Maker company, has been focusing on improving and marketing soymilk makers since 1998, with the longest history for product innovation and customer satisfaction. Gets the newest design with unique features at the best price directly from Sanlinx. For your piece of mind, Sanlinx offers 90 day unconditional guarantee! Currently there is also a promotional offer of 1-year additional (total 2 years) warranty ($20 value), and free UPS ground shipping.