CD Mohatta asked:


Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

·    2 1/2 cups flour

·    1/4 tsp salt

·    1/2 tsp baking soda

·    2/3 cup sugar + 1/4 cup

·    1 cup margarine, pre-softened

·    1/4 cup tofu (mixed with liquid)

·    3 tbsp lemon juice, preferably fresh

PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl.

In a separate large bowl, beat together the 2/3 cup sugar, margarine and lemon with zest until smooth and fluffy. Add the tofu and whip until well mixed.

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the margarine, the remaining 1 cup of sugar, the remaining 1 tsp. of lemon oil zest with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the tofu and beat until well-blended. Add the flour mixture to the margarine mixture and stir until well combined.

Form dough into one-inch balls, and roll into the 1/4 cup sugar until well coated. Flatten slightly.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until lightly golden brown.

Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

·    1 1/2 cups peanut butter

·    1/3 cup margarine or oil

·    3/4 cups regular or brown sugar

·    2 cups flour

·    1/2 tsp baking powder

·    1/2 tsp salt

PREPARATION:

Combine peanut butter in a large bowl with margarine or oil until smooth (it helps to soften the peanut butter by microwaving for 10-20 seconds). Add sugar and mix until smooth. Add remaining ingredients until well combined.

Roll into 1 inch balls or drop 1 inch spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Optional: Gently flatten balls of dough with the back of a fork in a patchwork pattern before baking. This is traditional for peanut butter cookies and makes them look smooth and finished rather than rough, but your cookies will taste great either way!

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

These recipes are easily prepared with alternative ingredients and are both delicious and safe for a person who is allergic to certain foods. They will enjoy having cookies during the holidays and you can be sure that will not have a reaction to the egg substitute.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.



Beverly

Tom Noonan asked:


Everyone knows that losing weight comes down to more than just eating fewer calories and exercising.  Some foods are known to actually help us lose weight, more than just having a lot or a little calories in them.  For example, it is widely known that grapefruits help people burn more fat.

So we will start with #5 – grapefruit.  Grapefruits are high in fiber and have a lower glycemic value, which makes them actually help you lose weight.  Countless studies have shown that adding grapefruit to your diet can help you lose more weight than if you didn’t eat any at all.  You can cut it in half and go at it with a spoon, drink grapefruit juice, or peel and eat like an orange.  As long as you are getting plenty of grapefruit in you each day, the weight should just fall right off.

Next, we have #4 – Spinach.  Normally we put lettuce on our sandwich or salad.  Lettuce isn’t bad; it just doesn’t have that much nutritional value.  Its mostly just water.  Spinach is different.  Spinach has loads of anti-oxidants, more protein, way more vitamins and minerals, and a lot more fiber.  The one downside is that there are a few more calories in spinach, however this is basically negligible.  You may not like spinach, but it is a way better weight loss diet food than lettuce could ever be.

#3 – Water. What better beverage to consume than water.  Water not only helps our digestion, it also keeps us hydrated, healthy and sometimes full.  Research shows that we need between 64 and 128 ounces of water per day.  I have a 32 ounce cup I drink throughout the day and refill several times.  Drinking lots of water will help you lose weight and control appetite and cravings.

#2 – Tofu. Tofu is a great alternative to meat products.  Tofu has plenty of great stuff like fiber and protein, but a lot less fats and calories.  Try and opt for a tofu dog instead of a regular beef frank whenever possible.  Eat tofu burgers instead of regular hamburgers.  Use tofu in your cooking instead of ground beef.  Use tofu to replace normally fatty foods to help achieve your weight loss goals.

#1 – Chewing Gum.  Have you ever noticed how hard it is to eat when you are chewing gum?  A lot of the time, when we are hungry, it is because we just want to be eating something.  We just want to be munching on something that tastes great.  A stick of gum usually has about 5 calories, and can last for hours.  If you get the craving to snack when you shouldn’t be, just plug your mouth with a stick of gum to help satisfy your cravings.

Losing weight can be easy.  Take advantage of the whole book of tricks, and always remember to exercise.



Jeffery

asked:


Soybeans: The Food of the Future – Norman A. Rubin

(Soybeans contains cheap protein that is convenient of process, can take on any form of

texture and has a long shelf life.)

The majority of individuals in the western world have a fairly regular eating habits; eating occurs three times a day at mealtime with snack at a coffee or tea break. The issue of healthy eating has long been an important concern to individuals or to the society as a whole. Amoung the varied practices is to have a diet with a limited meat consumption and more vegetables and fruit – ‘soybean’, as a food product, substitute for meat, food addition, is one that is highly recommended in one’s diet by dieticians and doctors alike.

Soy components are found among varied products, in breakfast cereals, cheeses, processed meat, ice cream products, baby formulas including milk substitute, cakes and cookies, backed goods and sauces. The soy protein is a relatively heat-stable storage protein. It is this heat-stability of the soy protein that enables soy food products requiring high temperature cooking, such as tofu, soymilk and soy flour to be made.

In fact the next hamburger, schnitzel or hot dog one may buy at the grocers or order at a restaurant could be a soybean substitute or an addition to meat products. Various spices and flavor extracts are added to the mixture. Colors from natural sources are then added to the mash – the hamburger and schnitzel gets its brown color from caramel and the hot dog gets its color from beets. Log on “www.unitedsoybean.org’’ to find listing of soy-based products, and to help you incorporate healthful soy foods into your diet.

Soybean oil is widely used oil and is commonly called ‘vegetable oil’. Soybean oil is a very healthy food, as it does not contain much saturated fat. Soybean oil is also used by the food industry in a variety of food products including salad dressings, sandwich spreads, vegetable margarine, health bread, mayonnaise, non-dairy coffee creamers and meat substitute foods. (Saturated fat can cause heart diseases and is mainly found in products from animal origin.)

Soymilks, cheeses, and yogurts are placed side by side in the dairy case with milk products; soy butter is next to peanut butter; and frozen microwave items, sausages soy burgers and schnitzels are all mixed together with meat products in the freezer case.

The soybean pods are similar to the size of the peapod; the soybean within the pod is similar and size of a pea with a firm, crisp texture. Green vegetable soybeans are highly recommended as a vegetable, which may be eaten as a side dish or snack, or used in salads and soup, etc.. ‘www.soyfoods.com’. or

‘www.revivalsoy.com’. is a source for soy food information based on data obtained from the Soyfoods Association of America.

Eating soybean-based foods may reduce the risk of a range of health problems, including coronary heart disease: it could be wise to include whole soy foods in the daily diet. Soy is a high quality protein and high in fibre. It is one of only two known plant foods to contain all the essential amino acids, similar to those found in meat. Eating soybean-based foods may reduce the risk of a range of health problems, including coronary heart disease. Additional research is needed, but the evidence so far suggests that it could be wise to include whole soy foods in the daily diet. See your doctor or dietitian for further guidance.

At www.amazon.com you can order the ‘New Soy Book: Tempting Recipes for Soybeans, Soy Milk, Tofu, Tempeh, Miso and Soy Sauce by Lorna Sass and Jonelle Weaver (Paperback).

NOTE:

1) Before the end of World War II, soybeans were mainly used as animal feed and fertilizer. Then a way was found to remove the characteristic flavor and taste from soy and process it quickly, break it down to its basic components and use it cheaply for human consumption in a variety of foods.

2) Tofu is a cheese-like food made from soybean “milk”. Tofu contains no cholesterol, is low in sodium, and is a good source of calcium, iron, and B-vitamins. And is recommended on for a baby formulae when babies cannot drink regular milk (consult your doctor before usage for your child).

3) Soybeans belong to the legume family and are native to East Asia. They have been an important protein source in the Orient for millions of people for over five thousand years. Soybeans can be grown on a variety of soils and a wide range of climates, ranging form tropical Brazil to the snowy lands of North America. When soybeans arrived in America in the early 1800’s – as ballast aboard a clipper ship returning from the Far East and viewed with curiosity. It wasn’t until 1879 that a few brave farmers began to plant soybeans as forage for their livestock. By the turn of the century, the US Department of Agriculture was conducting tests on soybeans and encouraging farmers to plant them as animal feed. In 1904, chemist, George Washington Carver at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama discovered that soybeans are a valuable source of protein and oil.



Robin

Paul Hata asked:


Even if your reasons for turning toward a vegetarian lifestyle are moral, ethical or religious, it is common to miss the taste of meat especially when you first start your walk as a vegetarian. The first rule to enforce is not to feel guilty about that. Just loving meat doesn’t make you a bad thing. After all, most of us are raised eating pork, chicken, beef and other meats and if our parents did not have scruples about meat consumption, you have that as part of your upbringing.

The good news is there are lots of substitutes for meat and wonderful recipes you can use so you can eliminate meat from your diet and not feel like you are “going without”. The added benefit is that vegetarian eating is much healthier for your body than a diet where meat is a common ingredient. Meat carries such a higher incidence of calories and fats that are harder for your body to digest and assimilate that you are doing your body a big favor switching to a meatless lifestyle.

One way to still enjoy some of the aspects of meat but eliminate the actual animal part is to go with meat substitutes in traditional meat meals. Many restaurants serve veggie burgers where you get the good taste and familiar meal that we all like about hamburgers but you are still staying totally vegetarian. By shopping at markets and groceries that are supportive of the vegetarian lifestyle, you can often find other traditional meat meals prepared entirely without actual meat to help you get past missing that source of protein.

A staple of vegetarian diet planning is Tofu. Tofu is made from Soya beans so it is totally natural and a good fit to your vegetarian meal planning. But it is full of proteins and it is a very flexible ingredient for vegetarian recipes because it reflects the flavors of other foods and herbs and it works well in dishes that use sauces so it can almost be mistaken for a meat dish.

As you set about building your library of vegetarian recipes that are designed to take meat out of the equation, you will often find Tofu as one of the ingredients. That is because it works so well in lots of different recipes and responds well to grilling, baking or any other preparation method. Just be sure you take the time to dry your Tofu by putting it on a towel and removing the excess moisture before using it.

If your commitment to vegetarian living also meals the elimination of animal products such as milk and cheese, soy milk has become increasingly popular in the last few years with vegetarians and meat eaters alike because if its health and diet benefits. Not only is it delicious to drink as a beverage, it can replace milk in recipes just as successfully.

To eliminate animal based cheese from your diet, you might try a product called Tofutti. They offer many varieties of vegan chesses including cheddar and mozzarella so you can enjoy that flavor with a clear conscience. You can even find good substitutes for yogurt that is made from tofu or soy milk so you don’t have to cut popular tastes from your diet entirely.

Tofu is such a great meat substitute and an outstanding nutritional source that you can even use it in traditional egg dishes such as quiches, custard, omelets or any other meals that would emphasize an egg taste. If you mix pureed tofu with your recipe, you could virtually serve an egg dish even to a meat lover and they would not be able to tell that you had them eating vegetarian.

As you continue to explore vegetarian cooking, there are a number of other meat replacements that do well in various cooking contexts.Tempah comes from a soy bean that has been fermented. Tempah works well once you braise it in a sauce for about an hour. Once prepared it can be fried in flower and served with a sauce for flavor and be very satisfying.

One of the big projects of making the change to a vegetarian lifestyle is learning ways to substitute healthy alternatives such as we have discussed to take meat and meat products out of your diet. It will take some learning but that learning can be fun as you reinvent cooking and shopping to fit your new passion for vegetarian eating



Jessie

Tony Ailton asked:


For good reasons, Thai cuisine is one of the most popular in the world. Although popularly described as a single cuisine, Thai food is actually best characterized as a combination of four regional cuisines coming from Northern, Northeastern, Central and Southern Thailand.

A glance at the menues of Thai restaurants in western countries suggests that there is almost no place for vegetarian food in Thai cuisine. However, this is not the truth. Most Thai dishes consist of rice with vegetables, meat and sauce on top. Meat and fish or sea food are viewed as just one portion of a meal and not as the primary ingredient of the meal.Much of the flavour of Thai food comes from the sauces and vegetables, so you can frequently substitute bean curd or other ingredients that you do eat for the specified meat.

Below, you will find a vegetarian meal from Central Thailand.

Vegetarian Thai Stew

Ingredients:

2 sweet potatoes

2 carrots

2 onions

3 cakes of tofu (bean curd)

250 grams of ricestraw mushrooms

15-20 small cherry tomatoes

150 grams of green beans

1 tbsp of light soy sauce

1 tbsp of dark soy sauce

3 cups of vegetable stock

2 tbsp of arrowroot starch

salt and pepper

vegetable oil

Wash and cut the tomatoes into pieces and then fry them in the oil.

Cut the carrots into 1-inch pieces and the onions into quarters.

Wash the mushrooms and cut them into halves.

Cut the tofu into flat pieces, about 1/2-inch thick.

Marinate the tofu in dark soy sauce for about 20 minutes.

Fry the marinated tofu until it’s brown and firm.

Add the vegetables, soy sauce, salt and pepper.

Mix the starch with water and add it to the stew.

Boil the stew for a few seconds and serve it in a warm bowl.



Connie

Nicholas Tan asked:


Most milk is mucous forming.  When a cold develops or pneumonia sets in, the last thing offered should be a milk product due to the mucous in it. Soy is still milk, even though it is called a “vegetable milk.” Children under two years of age are being advised not to drink cow’s milk due to the high protein in it. Yet soy milk is high protein also, and is seriously being promoted for children today, especially those who have had milk allergies.  The soy milk is curdled and hung in a cheese cloth, this forms a sold curd which is called tofu or soy cheese.  Processed soy products is the most mucous forming food on the planet!

It has been proven in Japan that soy has goitrogens in it, which depresses thyroid function. It also is high in phytic acid and is 99% genetically modified, plus having one of the highest percentages contaminate of pesticides there is.  Scientists are beginning to agree that grain and legume based diets high in phytates are helping spread mineral deficiencies in 3rd world countries. 

Soy has come to us from the Orient where it is called “the meat without a bone.”  Tofu is a very natural protein based product from soy that replaces meat in the Orient. Traditionally, it was eaten by the Japanese as part of a mineral-rich fish broth.  Recent studies show vegetarians who eat tofu and bean curd as meat substitutes for dairy products and meat, are at risk for mineral deficiencies. Supplements need to be added to compensate for this deficiency.  Vegetarians who consume tofu and bean curd as a substitute for meat and dairy products risk severe mineral deficiencies.

The Chinese did not eat soybean as other legumes and lentils. They felt that the soybean contained large amounts of harmful substances.  Many reasons are cited for it, but soy products continue to grow in the United States at an alarming rate. Chocolate soy milk and vanilla soy milk are just a few products that we find in our grocery stores today.



Keith

Raymond Lee asked:


Can tofu help prevent ****** cancer? Increasingly, it looks that way. Soy foods – soybeans, tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk, soy protein and textured vegetable protein (TVP), but not soy sauce – offer all the healing benefits of the other beans. In addition, they contain unusually large concentrations of chemicals – isoflavones and phytosterols – with cancer-preventive value. These chemicals may help account for the low rate of ****** cancer among Asian women, who eat soy foods as staples.

Breast cancer. Soy isoflavones and phytosterols first came to American scientific attention at a National Cancer Institute conference in 1990. isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens show the most powerful anti-cancer effects. They are structurally similar to the female *** hormone, and they bind to the same receptor sites on ****** cells. But unlike hormonal estrogen, isoflavones and phytosterols do not spur the growth of ****** tumors. When the soy chemicals bind to estrogen receptors, they prevent hormonal estrogen from doing so, which in turn prevents tumor growth. Soy foods’ marked influence in estrogen metabolism was demonstrated on six women in their twenties with regular menstrual cycles add two ounces of TVP to their usual diets. Within a month, their menstrual cycles were two to five days longer. Longer menstrual cycles mean less lifetime exposure to estrogen and, many scientists believe, less risk of ****** cancer. It was also then substituted the same amount of miso, a fermented Asian soy food, for the TVP and found an even greater effect.

Hot flashes. In Japanese, there is no word for “hot flashes,” the uncomfortable feeling of heat that plagues many women during menopause. Hot flashes develop as production of hormonal estrogen declines. It is suggested that the estrogen-like chemicals in soy replace declining hormonal estrogen and prevent hot flashes. Japanese who eat a traditional Japanese diet consume about 24 pounds of soy a year. Americans consume about 3 pounds annually, mostly because soy protein is added to many processed foods. Eat as much soy as you can, as long as your soy foods are low in fat.

High cholesterol. As beans replace meat in the diet, cholesterol levels decline. Research showed that, compared with other beans, soy foods are effective cholesterol cutters. In a study, volunteers whose average cholesterol levels were very high (353 mg/dl) and who were already on low-fat diets. Some continued eating as they had been, while the others’ diets were modified to include generous amounts of soy. After four weeks, the ones whose diets were unchanged showed no change in cholesterol levels, but among the soy eaters, average cholesterol levels plummeted 27 percent, to 257 mg/dl.

Prostate and colon cancer. Tofu and its soy cousins may also help prevent prostate and colon cancer. A study showed that those who ate the most tofu had the lowest rate of prostate cancer. It was also discovered that as soy food consumption rises, colon cancer risk falls. Scientists theorize that in addition to soy’s direct anticancer effects, people tend to use it to replace the meat in the diet. Meat’s high fat content has been linked to both prostate and colon cancer.



Amanda

CD Mohatta asked:


As we saw in earlier parts of this article, there are many different kinds of food allergies. The “big eight” list of known allergens should not prevent anyone from enjoying the food they eat. We have looked at some recipes for cookies that are appropriate for the Christmas holidays but can be used all year long. The last cookie recipe in this series will be the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies that follows. Some ideas for other foods that can be served to avoid other allergies will follow this recipe.

Peanut-free Diet for those with allergies to all kinds of nuts, as well as foods that may contain “peanut protein” or oil from nuts. Foods with these ingredients should be prevented for consumption if you happen to have people who have peanut allergies. It has been discovered that “soy nut” is the best substitute for food preparation, which is free from peanut. A soy nut does not belong to the “nut” family since the term is coined for soybeans that are drenched and baked for a crispier taste. There are a lot of peanut-free recipes you can prepare. To name a few of peanut-free recipes are (1) Soy Nut Butter Cookies and (2) Tofu Pie made from Soy Nut and Bananas and (3) Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

·    1 cup margarine

·    1/2 cup sugar

·    1/2 cup brown sugar

·    1/4 cup soft (silken) tofu

·    1/2 tsp vanilla

·    1 1/2 cups flour

·    3/4 tsp baking soda

·    1/4 tsp salt

·    1/2 cup peanut butter

·    1 cup chocolate chips

PREPARATION:

Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF degrees.

In a large bowl, add together the margarine, sugar and brown sugar and mix until creamy. Add the tofu and vanilla and whisk until smooth and creamy.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt.

Add to the margarine mixture and combine well. Add the peanut butter and mix well, then fold in the chocolate chips. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until cookies are golden brown.

Milk-free Diet is for those with a milk allergy, which is an allergic response of the immune system when an individual has consumed one or more proteins acquired from cow’s milk. If you are allergic to milk, you should not consume foods or beverages which contain milk, butter, different types of cheese, and sour creams. Some of the dairy-free recipes which you may want to prepare are: (1) Potato Soup, which is homemade; (2) Grilled Salmon or Shrimp, which is marinated and then grilled; (3) Pecan snack; and (4) Spaghetti with No Red Sauce.

As we have seen, it should not be boring to eat for people with food allergies. It does, however, take a lot of creativity and resourcefulness so that a person with food allergies can eat the foods that they want using different food substitutes. It can be done and all it takes is some beforehand time and preparation to make delicious treats that will not affect the person who is allergy prone.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.



Jackie

SUBHASH CHAND asked:


Protein is without a doubt, the most important nutrient for packing slabs of lean muscle mass onto your body. You may lift weights until you turn purple or consume all the carbohydrates, fats, and other micro-nutrient in the world, but if you fail to feed your body with adequate amount of protein, you can forget about having a lean muscular physique. High protein consumption is a must for serious mass development and also for repairing muscle tissue damaged after an intense iron blasting workout.

How much protein must one consume daily to build muscle successfully? For proven results, the general rule of thumb should be approximately 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds you should strive to consume about 150 grams to 225 grams of protein per day. For more details www.build-own-list.com Now how does one consume a large amount of protein on a daily basis? No worries as I’ve compiled a list of 7 high protein foods that can help you build muscle in record time.

1. Whey – Without shadow of a doubt, the king of all protein sources. In terms of quality and biological value, whey protein is definitely way ahead (pun intended) of other protein sources. We’re talking about a top quality, complete protein source which has significantly faster absorption rate compared to other high protein foods, and includes every essential amino acid for increase strength and quicker muscle growth.

2. Eggs – Never forget to add this natural food source to your muscle building diet as they are jam packed with protein, vitamins, and other essential minerals. Eggs are regarded as the standard food for developing an impressive muscular physique and have long been treated as a bodybuilding staple. One whole egg contains approximately 6 grams of high biological value protein. Eggs are also easy to prepare and simply delicious to eat.

3. Fish – Another great high protein food. A can of tuna in water for example, provides about 30 grams of protein and here’s the kicker; it has absolutely zero carbohydrates and fat! If tuna is not your thing (I don’t really fancy it either), you may try other types of fish such as Spanish mackerel, cod, or salmon fillets. Most fish fillets have approximately 22 grams of protein per 3.5 oz serving. Apart from being an excellent source of protein, fish also contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for proper functioning of the body and brain.

4. Chicken or turkey ****** – A list of high protein foods that build muscle is incomplete without this excellent protein source. Chicken ****** is considered among the best sources of protein available because it comprises of mostly lean white chicken meat that contains minimal fat, and loaded with vitamin B6 for optimal heart protection. For more details www.37-list-building-secrets.com Best of all, this portion of the meat is extremely high in protein. How much protein you ask? Well, a staggering 30 grams of protein per 3.5 oz serving! Consuming 7 oz of chicken ****** nets you about 60 grams of protein which is almost half of your daily mass building requirement if you weigh 150 pounds.

5. Red meat – An extremely tasty protein source which has all the trimmings of a great muscle building food. A large 6 oz steak provides about 40 grams of high quality protein. Beef is rich in B-complex vitamins and also loaded with creatine to help you hit the weights aggressively by boosting your cellular energy through the roof.

6. Milk – This beverage serves as a decent muscle building source due to its high protein content including a large array of amino acids for promoting muscle growth. If that’s not enough, this highly nutritious beverage also offers many health benefits by providing a respectable amount of vitamins, mineral, and calcium. Drinking milk is a great way to achieve your daily protein target. Have a 6 oz serving of steak plus 375ml glass of milk which supplies approximately 11 grams of protein. That’s a total of 51 grams of muscle building protein in just one single meal!

7. Tofu – I included tofu among the list of high protein foods that build muscle largely because a lot of vegetarians who are into bodybuilding consume tofu almost exclusively in order to meet their daily protein requirement. I’m not a vegetarian but I do eat some tofu every now and again because they are a good low-calorie protein source, perfect for adding mass and getting lean. Aside from its high protein content, tofu is also cholesterol free and contains calcium, B-vitamins, and isoflavones making it one of the most nutritious high protein foods available. Half a cup of Tofu can supply your body with about 20 grams of protein.



Bill