Thursday, July 25, 2013

"International Year of Quinoa"

Quinoa Health Benefits: A Protein That's Low In Carbs, Gluten-Free, And Full of Nutrients


The United Nations has declared 2013 as "International Year of Quinoa." This tiny edible seed, which is related to spinach, offers a source of gluten-free protein.


Health Benefits of Quinoa

Most often used as a grain, quinoa in a singlecup serving has 5 grams of dietary fiber and 8 grams of protein. This tiny edible seed, which is related to spinach and beetroots, can be cooked, and added to meals where it serves as a main or secondary protein. Most people believe its light, fluffy texture is similar to couscous.
According to the UN, quinoa is the only plant food that contains all the essential amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements, while containing no gluten. Significantly, essential amino acids are found in the nucleus of the grain, unlike rice or wheat or other cereals, in which they are located in the exosperm or hull.
Quinoa also contains magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, lysine, manganese, and iron. This particular combination of nutrients and antioxidant materials translates into helping to prevent both cell damage and cardiovascular disease. Plus the low ratio of carbohydrates to protein helps it regulate blood sugar and for this reason is considered to be good for diabetics.

Cooking With Quinoa

To cook this grain, simply rinse and place within a pot of broth or water, two parts liquid to one part quinoa, and then bring the liquid to boil. It is recommended that you cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Many cooks use quinoa in place of pasta and rice. Other cooks, such as Charlotte Bradley, include the grain in recipes for salads. For her quinoa tomato salad recipe, go here.
In support of International Year of Quinoa, the UN updated and reissued its report "Quinoa, an ancient crop to contribute to world food security."

Monday, July 15, 2013

New cleaning innovation for life’s “little” messes from Windex

Life is full of little messes. Toothpaste splatters on the bathroom mirror, food run off on the stove, coffee spill-overs, and little muddy hand/paw prints on home surfaces are just a few daily messes we encounter. 

Each of these messes comes with a mess maker who may be responsible like the kids, the pets, the spouse or even ourselves (yes us!). While a deep household clean is not always needed, sometimes a little touch-up will do the trick.


Now available in Canada, Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Touch-Up Cleaner is a new innovative product that allows for a quick clean up when you need it most. 

It is a small attractive bottle that can be stored out in the open rather than under the sink due to its appealing new shape and size. 

Instead of a traditional spray the new bottle acts as a pump so all Canadian’s need to do is briefly dab, wipe and be done.









Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Touch-Up Cleaner includes additional benefits like:
·         Multi-surface cleaner for hard, non-porous surfaces like sinks, countertops, stainless steel, sealed marble and more!
·         Kills 99.9% of common household bacteria such as staph, strep and listeria
·         Has a lockable component to release the cleaning solution
·         Prevents bigger messes by cleaning smaller messes instantly


Friday, July 12, 2013

Blueberry Cinnamon Pancakes (gluten-free) by Mia's Domain



Blueberry Cinnamon Pancakes (gluten-free)

1/2 cup white sorghum flour
1/2 rice flour
1 tablespoon stevia
2 teaspoons GF baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
3 tablespoons lemon zest
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 large egg, room temperature
3 tablespoons melted butter

Combine the dry ingredients. Blend milk, lemon juice, zest, egg, and melted butter. Add to the dry. Fold in fresh blueberries. Add more milk to the batter if the consistency is too thick for you.

Heat a lightly buttered griddle or frying pan over medium heat. When griddle or pan is hot, pour 4 1/4 cup of the batter into the griddle, cook until bubbles appear on the surface (about 1 to 1.5 minutes). Flip over and cook a further 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the batter.

Serve with warm maple syrup and fruit.


Friday, July 5, 2013

Freshline Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Dark Glass "Marasca" Bottles

Product Overview                             

Ingredients:
100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Koroneiki Variety Olives.
The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Used:
A superior quality cold extracted extra virgin olive oil (amongst the best olive oils in the world). Carefully gathered by hand, from centuries old Olive Trees, these Koroneiki variety Olives, maintain their nutritional characteristics resulting in an extremely low acidity (less than 0.2% at harvest). This pure extra virgin olive oil has a full, fruity, fresh green olive flavour with a very slight pleasant peppery bite in the back of your throat. This peppery finish is an indication of a fresh (newest crop) and very carefully processed olive oil extracted from healthy, fresh ripe olives.
Characteristics:
  • Origin: Greece.
  • Acidity % as elaic acid (at harvest): less than 0.2%
  • K232: 1.43
  • K270: 0.11
  • Peroxyde: 6.5 meq O2 / Kg  
  • Cultivar: 100% from the finest Koroneiki Variety Olives.
  • Harvest: Hand Picked.
  • Extraction: Cold Extraction. 
  • Colour: A very bright, vivid green colour.
  • Flavour: A full, fruity, fresh green olive flavour with a very slight pleasant peppery bite in the back of your throat. This peppery finish is an indication of a fresh (newest crop) and very carefully processed olive oil extracted from healthy, fresh ripe olives. This elegant and harmonious taste, satisfies consumers that desire a natural and very tasty diet.
  • Scent: A very pleasant, freshly fragrant and clear green olive scent, from which you can easily recognize the rich and fruity aroma of the just harvested olive fruit.
  • Appearance: Clear.
  • Nutritional Properties: Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a high percentage of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and provitamins of oil, as well as polyphenols which protect cells from oxidation and free radicals. Therefore due to its vast organoleptic qualities and its nourishing and dietetic features, our extra virgin olive oil is to be considered as highly nutritional.
Offered in four formats:
  • 250ml (8.5fl oz)
  • 500ml (17fl oz)
  • 750ml (25.5fl oz)
  • 1lt (34fl oz)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • superior quality olive oil
  • certified olive oil
  • olive oils
  • gourmet olive oil
  • premium olive oil
  • best olive oil
  • evoo olive oil
  • pure extra virgin olive oil

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Are flip flops a flop for feet?


Nothing says summer like a pair of fashionable, lightweight flips flops, but experts say we should think carefully when we reach for our summer footwear.

“We strongly recommend balancing style and ease with comfort and support,” says Ryan Robinson, a Canadian Certified Pedorthist and president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. “If you are at the pool or sitting in the back yard, flip flops may be an appropriate choice. But if you are walking any distance, a pair of flimsy, ill-fitting footwear can cause a lot of harm.”


Basic flip flops, he says, lack support and often fit badly, which can lead to strains and
pains in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. Unlike walking shoes, which are
designed to meet the requirements of the foot and lower limbs, most flip flops do not provide the support, motion control and cushioning required by the foot during walking.
For the committed, however, not all flip flops are created equal.

Unlike the bargain basement brand, some footwear companies design them with the health of your feet in mind.  To minimize injury, flip flop lovers should look for ones with supportive footbeds, adjustable straps, thicker soles and deep heel cups to provide the foot with much needed support and protection.


Although these more supportive styles should never be substituted for walking shoes when a long walk or rough terrain is involved, they are a suitable choice for short walks and may reduce the risk of injury compared to regular varieties.

More information on this topic can be found at www.pedorthic.ca .