Delicious Red Apple

Who wouldn't love seeing a red delicious apple and enjoying eating it?   But, how do you like your apple?   Are you the type that loves to dig your white teeth to that beautiful red skin of an apple?   Or, are you the one who wants it all clean and peeled and ready to munch?   Well dear, think again.   Latest info based on a new Cornell study says that they have identified a dozen compounds - triterpenoids in apple peel that inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures.   This triterpenoids may be doing much work by not only fighting cancer cells but also by reducing the number and size of mammary tumors in rats.  The analysis is from the 230 pounds peel of red delicious apples from Cornell Orchard by Rui Hai Liu, associate professor of food science and co-author Xiangjiu He, Cornell postdoctoral researcher.   They've isolated the apple peel's individual compounds and identified their structures.   Afterwards, they've tested the pure compounds against the cancel cell growth in the laboratory.   Previously, Liu has also identified compounds called phytochemicals such as flavonoids and phenolic acids in apples and other foods that seem to  have anti-cancer properties as well, including inhibiting tumor growth in human breast cancer cells.

So, when you eat that delicious red apple, always remember this:  an apple peel a day might help keep cancer at bay.


Image source:
PicassoDaVinci

Source info:
Cornell University (2007, June 3). An Apple Peel A Day Might Keep Cancer At Bay. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/06/070601181005.htm

Read more »

Red Juicy Strawberries

Among the berries family, I am more familiar with the delicious taste of red strawberries.   Maybe because it is available and being grown in La Trinidad, Benguet here in the Philippines.   I remember way back in 2005 when La Trinidad baked the Strawberry Butter Cake.   The Guiness World Book of Records confirmed it and declared it as the largest fruit shortcake in 2007.  It was shaped as a giant strawberry, weigh 9,600 kilos, 8 feet high and 12 feet long x 9 feet wide.   Most importantly, fed 42,080 people.   Beat that!

 Aside from eating strawberries fresh, it is also made into yummy strawberry jam just like what you can buy when you go up to Baguio City.   And oh! I also love it as flavors in ice creams, shakes and yogurts.  Opps, love those pies, too!

Just what do we get for eating that sweet red fruit?   It's a fact that strawberries are high in vitamins and minerals like B2, B5, B6, Vitamin K, copper and magnesium.   The fiber content in this little sweet fruit helps the body absorb nutrients, helps stabilize the blood glucose and inhibits the production of cholesterol in liver.  The potassium content will help regulate the electrolytes in the body and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.   It is also high in folate, a key ingredient in the manufacture of red blood cells.   The high antioxidant level in the strawberries can help neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals in our system and help repair our body tissues.

So next time you bite that red juicy fruit, smile and savor the taste because those strawberries gives you a lot of health benefits.

Image source:

By velmapopham

Read more »

I Love Mango!

Yes! Mango has and will always be a favorite fruit of mine.   I love the sweet and fragrant smell of the ripe ones.   I can really devour several pieces of that golden yellow, heart-shaped fruit especially when I was younger.   Pity I am diabetic now that's why I slowed down eating this lovely fruit because it is classified as Medium in the Glycemic Index of Food.   Glycemic Index as Wikipedia defined is a measure of effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.   I remember way back then during my 5th grade when our family relocated from Manila to Laguna. Me and my friends had the joy of climbing the mango trees and picked the mangoes we like and eat them there and then.  They have 3 varieties: Kalabaw, Piko and Indian.

Mango is rich in anti-oxidant - vitamins A and C.   Vitamin C is more pronounced in unripe or green mangoes.   It also has traces of vitamins E, B and K.

Mangoes are also used for culinary purposes.   They are used for sauces, cakes, preserved like jams and pickles, jellies, shakes, sorbets and ice creams.  Locally, we see dried mangoes on the shelves of the supermakets and some brands are already being exported to other countries.  Philippines is one of the major exporters of mangoes in the world.

Here is one of the refreshing mango drink developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST at their website written by Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, NCS, RUMD:

Mango Medley


Ingredients:

1. 1 piece ripe mango
2. 1 piece banana - lakatan
3. 1 slice papaya
4. calamansi juice (lemon)
5. sugar to taste

Procedure:

1. Blenderize the fruits until smooth.
2. For every 1/3 cup of fruit pulp, add 2/3 water.
3. Stir in calamansi juice and sugar.
4. Chill.

It makes 4 servings.   Enjoy this healthful drink!

Image source:
rickguatzjr

Read more »

Buko Salad or Buco Salad (Young Coconut Salad) - 1

Buko Salad has always been a part of Filipino tables during birthdays or feasts.   Coconuts are very abundant in the Philippines and you can always find them at supermarket or wet market or from farmers selling their harvests by cart plying in the streets.

Here is the recipe for Buco Salad:

Ingredients:

1. 4 buko
2. 1 can condensed milk (big)
3. 1 can pineapple chunks (medium)
4. 2 egg yolks
5. 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese (grated cheese ball if available)

How to Prepare:

1. Shred the buko.   Make sure that the young coconut is not too soft nor hard.   Set aside in a big bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks until it is frothy.
3. Mix the beaten yolks to the condensed milk.
4. Mix the pineapple to the buko.
5. Add the egg and milk mixture to the buko and pineapple.
6. Chill before serving.

Enjoy this delicious buko (buco) salad.   Happy eating!

Image source:  daljeri

Read more »