Total Pageviews

Tuesday 30 November 2021

Creamy Turkey Bake with Broccoli and Mushrooms : Low Carb


It's definitely the time of year for Turkey! Why not try this one step low carb creamy turkey bake. Minimal preparation is required, making it perfect for busy weekdays... or any day!

Ingredients
Serves 3/4
3.4 g carbs per serving
300g tub of full fat crème fraîche
3 tbsp. milk
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt & pepper to taste
600g fresh (British) Turkey breast, diced
1 head of broccoli, cut into thumb sized florets
250g mushrooms, sliced
To Serve
Some may choose boiled new potatoes …
My choice, lower carb oven-baked swede (rutabaga) wedges.
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C / 160 fan / gas mark 4.
2. In a large bowl, combine the crème fraiche, milk, garlic, mustard and sage. Season well to taste with salt and pepper and mix until smooth.
3. Add the diced turkey, small broccoli florets and mushrooms to the sauce and mix together really well so everything is coated with the sauce.
4. Pour into a large oven dish and bake for around 45 minutes until the turkey is cooked through and the broccoli is tender. If the sauce splits a little, give it a mix when it comes out of the oven, and it will come together again.
5. Garnish with a few crispy-fried sage leaves (if desired), and serve with your choice of accompanying vegetables.
From an idea here
You could of course use chicken in this recipe, and for our vegetarian/vegan readers, I'm sure you could use substitutes such as tofu...


Did you know
Broccoli contains almost 5 times as much vitamin C as potato, 8 times as much calcium as potato and almost 2.5 times as much dietary fibre as potato.


~ it's starting to look a little Christmassy ~

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Monday 29 November 2021

Why You Should Rest Your Chopped Garlic for 5 Minutes Before Cooking


Researchers at the American Institute for Cancer Research found that chopping or crushing garlic activates its natural cancer-fighting components. But you should let the chopped garlic sit for about 5 - 15 minutes before you cook it, or most of the cancer-fighting substances are deactivated.

Garlic is a recipe-changing flavour, and I do enjoy using it in recipes. The best part about garlic is it doesn’t just add a mouth-watering taste, it’s packed with delicious benefits.

Acillin is the 'magic' compound
So what is acillin? We know that it’s a compound, but what does it do? Research has shown that this compound may help ease swelling and block free radicals that harm cells and tissues within your body and lead to disease. The compound is one of the main active components of garlic and what gives it its distinct taste and scent.

And where do we find it? The chemical is found in fresh garlic. An enzyme called alliinase is activated when the clove is chopped or crushed. This enzyme converts alliin into allicin.

Why You Should Chop Your Garlic And Let It Rest
Pure allicin only remains stable in freshly crushed or cut garlic for a short time. But letting garlic sit for 5-10 minutes after crushing or cutting it may help boost levels. So before you start cooking your garlic straight away, remember, 'Chop, then stop' is the health mantra for garlic lovers, or even 'Crush don't rush', and for those who like to use a garlic press it's 'Press, then rest'. 😀
Words above from here and here

Do you like to use garlic in your recipes and menu plans?
If you would like some recipe suggestions that include garlic, here are some.

Pork Stroganoff
more details here


Mustard and Sage Chicken with Celeriac Mash
more details here


Baked Garlic Parmesan Salmon
more details here


Smoky aubergine/eggplant timbales
more details here


Dear reader, this blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Saturday 27 November 2021

It's The Weekend

Yes, the weekend is here.
Will you be shopping, seeing family / friends, writing Christmas cards, catching up with housework,
or perhaps you may find time to put your feet up and relax with a good book or listen to some music.


If you plan on taking some time to relax, with a cup of tea / coffee
you may also like to enjoy a slice of
Clementine Almond Cake
the recipe is low carb, flourless and gluten free
see more details here


~ However you spend your weekend, I wish you a good one ~

Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas are within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Friday 26 November 2021

'How To Choose The Best Olive Oil'

Today I am sharing an article by Mark Sisson, he writes:
"When you go to a grocery store, you’ll see a lot of different kinds of olive oil – different colours, from almost clear to yellow to deep green, different descriptors on the label, and vastly different price ranges.

Which one goes with which application? How does the taste compare? Is the expensive stuff worth the money? In this article, we’re going to go through it all.


Types of Olive Oil
Virgin, extra virgin, light, blended… what does it all mean? Here, we will go through the different types of olive oil and the pros and cons of each.

Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil is produced only by physical means, rather than by chemical treatment. The best stuff comes from only ripe olives (as green and overripe olives produce bitter and rancid oil, respectively) ground into a paste using millstones or steel drums. By definition, a virgin olive oil has not undergone any processing other than washing, decanting, centrifuging, and filtering (although none of these are required for virgin oil, nothing else is permitted). Some heat can be applied and, as long as it doesn’t alter the composition of the oil, the process can still be dubbed virgin pressing.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is extracted from the first press. As with virgin olive oil, processing involves only washing, decanting, centrifuging, and filtering. Low heat can be applied as long as it does not alter the quality of the olive oil.

Extra virgin olive oil is widely regarded as the pinnacle of olive oils. According to the International Olive Oil Council, extra virgin olive oil must contain at most 0.8% acidity, with a “superior taste.” Extra virgin can also be unfiltered (which deepens the flavour and reduces shelf life) or cold-pressed (wherein the pressing is slow and gradual, without generating much frictional heat, and which results in better flavours). Most extra virgin also contains the most polyphenols, which are some of my favourite antioxidants.

Extra virgin olive oil will generally be more expensive than virgin olive oil of similar quality.

Light Olive Oil
Light olive oil doesn’t have fewer calories than the other varieties of olive oil. It just lacks flavour and colour. It may also contain less of the beneficial polyphenol compounds that make olive oil so appealing.

Refined Olive Oil
Refined olive oil takes poor quality (either due to acid content or other defects) virgin oil and processes it until it is edible. Refining is usually done with charcoal filters or chemical processes. Refined olive oil is more shelf-stable, but it’s also essentially flavourless.

Olive Pomace Oil
Olive Pomace oil is extracted from the olive solids (pomace) leftover from the pressing, usually using chemical solvents. This isn’t culinary olive oil, and it’s definitely not meant to be eaten. Most olive oil-based soaps you see are made with olive pomace oil.

Blended Olive Oil
Blended olive oils are, in my opinion, to be generally avoided. While it can be a blend of different olive oil varieties, most often you’ll find it blended with cheaper industrial seed oils like canola or some other vegetable oil. You’ll get increased shelf life and polyunsaturated fat content along with less monounsaturated fat. No thanks.

What to Look For When You Buy Olive Oil – A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Just because something is labelled “extra virgin,” though, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good. In fact, rather than buying a mid-priced or inexpensive bottle of Italian or Greek extra virgin olive oil, you might look for a domestic brand. Those extra virgins are fragile oils, and the journey from the Mediterranean can result in a bland bottle. I’ve also read that a lot of the extra virgin that makes it over here to the USA in mass quantities isn’t worth it (and that’s been my experience, sadly).

When choosing an oil, treat it a bit like wine and engage your senses. Smell it – it should smell like olives, very clean and almost like grass and apples. Don’t rely too much on sight – the colour of an oil is easily manipulated. Instead, go with the one that really matters: taste. Take a half teaspoon or so into your mouth and swirl it around (again, like wine). First and foremost, it should taste like olives, but there are other flavours in the best oils. Grassiness, apples, even fennel are pretty common in really great olive oil. If it’s metallic-tasting or has a faint paint thinner scent, it’s probably rancid. If it’s light, delicious, and barely coats your mouth (without feeling greasy), it’s probably great stuff. And then my favourite part, the finish. The best oils from the first harvest with the highest antioxidant content will leave a spicy finish on your throat, like mild peppers.

Just experiment. Keep trying them until you find one you like. The different varietals are all unique, so your journey might be a long one. 

The thing with olive oil is that you need to use it the right way. The best extra virgin, unfiltered, cold-pressed olive oil should never be used to sauté something because heat can mar the delicate flavour. Instead, use high quality stuff as a finisher. Cook with butter then top the dish off with your prized extra virgin oil. That way, the taste and nutritional benefits are retained without wasting any of your precious nectar on a cast iron skillet.

Olive Oil Storage
Store your oil in a cool, dark place. Heat and light are now your biggest enemies (be sure to buy an oil in a dark bottle). Extra virgin is the least stable, so keep it at a good temperature (somewhere between 57 and 65 degrees, like a wine cellar). You can refrigerate other olive oils if your kitchen is too hot, but refrigerating extra virgin olive oil can disrupt the delicate flavours. If you get extra virgin that’s tasty enough, of course, you won’t have to worry about long-term storage – you’ll be guzzling it straight out of the bottle."
These above words by Mark and all relevant links can be seen at original article here

Two Related Posts You May Wish To Read

The Best Oils To Cook With
Choosing the best oils to cook with doesn’t need to be daunting, it simply comes down to a simple two-step approach. Firstly, is the oil or fat in its nutritious raw form and suitable for human consumption in small amounts? And secondarily, does the oil have a high smoke point, in that it can resist high temperatures before oxidizing, which can create harmful free-radicals? More to read here

Olive Oil, some facts and information
Olive oil is probably the most widely-used oil in cooking, olive oil is pressed from fresh olives. It's mainly made in the Mediterranean, primarily in Italy, Spain and Greece (though countries such as America and Australia also produce it). Much like wine-making, climate, soil and the way the olives are harvested and pressed all have an impact on an oil's character. More to read here

Do you like to use Olive Oil?  I always have some Extra Virgin Olive Oil in my Low Carb Pantry


Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Thursday 25 November 2021

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake : Enjoy A Slice : Low Carb : Vegan


As good today as it was in 2018 when I first shared this low carb vegan version of lemon poppy seed cake. Make sure the kettle is on, a slice is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!


Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup stevia (sweetener)
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. flaxseed meal
1/4 cup poppy seeds
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
lemon zest, 1 1/2 lemons
2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tbsp. coconut oil
3/4 cup water
pinch salt

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a loaf tin with cooking spray and line with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Add dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Add the lemon zest.
3. Add lemon juice and the rest of the wet ingredients a little at a time, stirring well between each addition.
4. Transfer batter to loaf tin.
5. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool in tin before inverting onto a place and cutting into slices.

This low carb vegan recipe makes 9 slices, each slice is 16.6g fat, 3.7g protein, and 4g net carbs.
If you need help with weight/measurement conversion, see here

There is also a nice Orange and Poppy Seeds Cupcakes low carb recipe here


We bring a variety of recipe ideas to this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Wednesday 24 November 2021

Thanksgiving 2021

Here in the UK the Countdown to Christmas continues. Christmas Cards are being written, Christmas Gifts being bought … and possibly you've got some food in the cupboard or freezer waiting to be consumed over the Christmas festivities.

Of course if like us you have American friends and bloggers they have been getting ready for Thanksgiving Day which is tomorrow, Thursday 25th November, … for our blogging friends in Canada they have already celebrated theirs!

As Covid is still a world-wide issue holiday celebrations for many of us may still be different this year but we can all do our best to have a healthy holiday season.


"Thanksgiving is an unusual holiday because it doesn’t always fall on the same day of the year. But unlike Halloween and Christmas the holiday always falls on the same day of the week, Thursday.

While this may make planning around the holiday easier every year, many people don’t seem to know why the holiday is scheduled this way.

This year, Thanksgiving will fall on Nov. 25, which is the fourth Thursday of the month. This has been the way that the date for the holiday has been determined since 1941. Before this, the holiday was traditionally held on the last Thursday of November.

In 1939, however, the last Thursday of the month was also the last day of the month. President Roosevelt was concerned that this would hurt shorten the Christmas shopping season, so he issued a proclamation that Thanksgiving would occur on the second to last Thursday of November instead.

This was a controversial decision, and in 1941, the House and Senate passed a resolution saying that Thanksgiving would occur on the fourth Thursday of November. This would thereby maintain the Christmas shopping season during years when November had five Thursdays.

This may answer why the holiday is scheduled the way that it is, but it doesn’t explain why Thursday was chosen instead of another day of the week.

The reason for this is a bit unclear. Going back to the earliest days of the tradition.

Historians believe that Thursday was chosen because it was one of the more convenient days of the week to have an annual feast. For the early Puritan settlers, Sunday was the Sabbath. It’s likely that the early days of giving thanks were purposely scheduled not to interfere with the Sabbath. Also, Fridays were commonly days of fasting, making them inconvenient feast days for many people.

Since ministers would often give lectures on Thursdays in the New England area, Thursday seemingly became a convenient day for Thanksgiving. As the years went by, it became a tradition. By the time George Washington issued a proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving, Thursday had already been associated with feasts of that nature."
Words above from article here

Related Post
Turkey, a fool-proof guide, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas - see it here

Looking for alternative Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving / Christmas recipes have a look here please note not all shown in the link are low carb!

This blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.


Wishing all our readers who may be celebrating Thanksgiving a Happy Day
Good luck and good health to you all

Jan and Eddie

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Tarragon Chicken ... it's terrific !

Today, I am sharing a Chicken recipe, inspired by a French classic. It is a rich, creamy and fragrant chicken dish. Simple but stylish, which makes it perfect for both casual suppers and dinner parties, Covid restrictions allowing!


Ingredients
Serves Four
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken thighs, bone in and skin removed
6 garlic cloves, sliced in half lengthways
4 large shallots, peeled and finely sliced
8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, rind removed and sliced into 2cm/¾in pieces
280g/10oz chestnut mushrooms, roughly chopped
400ml/14fl oz dry cider
4 tsp Dijon mustard
30g/1oz tarragon leaves, finely chopped
150ml/5fl oz double (heavy) cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Melt the butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large casserole dish over a medium heat. Season the chicken thighs and fry on both sides until golden before removing and setting aside.
2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the casserole and add the garlic, shallots and bacon. Sauté for about 8 minutes, stirring often, until the shallots have softened and the bacon has started to colour.
3. Add the mushrooms, fry for a few minutes and then add the cider, mustard and half of the tarragon. Return the chicken to the casserole and bring to a simmer. Place the lid half on and gently cook for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Stir in the cream, bring back to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes with the lid off. Season with salt and pepper to taste, scatter over the remaining tarragon and serve.

Recipe Tips
Some may like to serve this dish with basmati rice, or creamy mashed potatoes.
A lower carb alternative would be cauliflower rice, or mashed swede.
However, a big pile of greens, such as steamed spinach, chard or green beans is lovely too.
From original idea here


Tarragon is a popular and versatile herb, it has an intense flavour that's a unique mix of sweet aniseed and a mild vanilla. The leaves are narrow, tapering and slightly floppy, growing from a long, slender stem. It's a key herb in French cuisine (it's an essential ingredient in sauce Bernaise), and goes very well with eggs, cheese and poultry.

For readers who may like a vegetarian recipe, there are five choices here
For readers who may prefer a vegan recipe, have a look at these five choices here


Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Monday 22 November 2021

'The Health Benefits of Grandmas'

"It's official : Science says grannies are good for you:


Scientists say they have proven what many people fortunate enough to grow up with theirs have known all along: Grandmothers have strong nurturing instincts and are hard-wired to care deeply about their grandchildren.

A new study recently published in the Royal Society B is the first to provide a neural snapshot of the cherished intergenerational bond. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers at Emory University in the southern US state of Georgia scanned the brains of 50 grandmothers who were shown pictures of their grandchildren, who were between three and 12 years old.

As a control, they were also shown pictures of an unknown child, an adult parent of the same sex as their grandchild, and an unknown adult. "They recruited areas of the brain that are involved with emotional empathy, and also areas of the brain that are involved in movement and motor simulation and preparation," James Rilling, an anthropologist and neuroscientist who led the study told AFP.

"When they're viewing these pictures of their grandchild, they're really feeling what the grandchild is feeling. So when the child is expressing joy, they're feeling that joy. When the children are expressing distress, they're feeling that distress."

The same motor related regions of the brain also light up in the brains of mothers, and are thought to be related to the instinct to pick up a child or approach and interact with them.

By contrast, when the grandmothers viewed images of their adult children, there was a stronger activation of brain regions linked to cognitive empathy -- trying to understand what a person is thinking or feeling and why, without as much emotional engagement.

This, said Rilling, might be linked to children's cute appearance -- scientifically known as "baby schema," which the young of many species share in order to evoke a caregiving response.

First of its kind study
Unlike other primates, humans are "cooperative breeders," which means mothers get help in rearing offspring.

Rilling, who had previously conducted similar research on fathers, had wanted to turn his attention toward grandmothers in order to explore a theory in anthropology known as the "grandmother hypothesis." This holds that the evolutionary reason that human females tend to live long lives -- well beyond their own reproductive years -- is to provide benefits to their grown offspring and grandchildren.

Evidence supporting the hypothesis has been found in societies including Hadza hunter-gatherers of northern Tanzania, where grandmothers provide nourishing tubers to their grandchildren.

The effect also been seen in other species such as elephants, and has been observed in orcas, which like humans -- but unlike the vast majority of mammals -- also experience menopause.

"This is really the first look at the grand maternal brain," said Rilling, explaining that brain scan studies on the elderly normally focus on studying conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The grandmothers, who were drawn from the Atlanta, Georgia area and came from a cross-section of economic and racial backgrounds, were also asked to fill out questionnaires. Grandmothers who reported a greater desire to be involved with caring had greater activity in brain regions of interest.

Finally, when comparing the new study with the results from his earlier work on fathers, Rilling found that overall, grandmothers more strongly activated regions involved with emotional empathy and motivation. But he stressed that this finding was only an average and doesn't necessarily apply to any given individual.

Rilling also interviewed each of his subjects to get a sense about the challenges and rewards of being a grandparent. "Consistently, the challenge that came up the most was the differences of opinion they would have with the parents in terms of how the grandchildren should be raised -- their values, and the constant struggle to step back from that," he said.

On the other hand, "We joked about it, but a lot of them talked about how you can give the grandchildren back, it's not a full time job," he said. Many grandmothers felt they could be more present now that they were free of the time and financial pressure they experienced when raising their own children. "So a lot of them reported actually enjoying being a grandmother more than they enjoyed being a mother," he said."
Words above from article here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here

From personal experience this Grandma (Jan) and Grandad (Eddie) love to spend time with all our family which includes five grandchildren, in the photograph below we were able to make more happy memories with two of them.
Do please share your thoughts about this article in the comments section below.


~ peek-a-boo Grandad we can see you ~
photograph from post here

The best things in life
are the people we love,
the places we've been,
and the memories we've made
along the way.

All the best Jan

Sunday 21 November 2021

Quiche Origins and three low carb recipe suggestions

QUICHE ORIGINS
Although quiche is now a classic dish of French cuisine, quiche actually originated in Germany, in the medieval kingdom of Lothringen, under German rule, and which the French later renamed Lorraine. The word ‘quiche’ is from the German ‘Kuchen’, meaning cake.

The original ‘quiche Lorraine’ was an open pie with a filling consisting of an egg and cream custard with smoked bacon. It was only later that cheese was added to the quiche Lorraine. Add onions and you have quiche Alsacienne. The bottom crust was originally made from bread dough, but that has long since evolved into a short-crust or puff pastry crust, including variations to encompass a lower carb recipe.

Quiche became popular in England sometime after the Second World War, and in the U.S. during the 1950's. Because of its primarily vegetarian ingredients, it was considered a somehow ‘unmanly’ dish, - “real men don’t eat quiche.” Today, one can find many varieties of quiche, from the original quiche Lorraine, to ones with broccoli, mushrooms, ham and/or seafood (primarily shellfish). Quiche can be served as an entrée, for lunch, breakfast or an evening snack.
The words above taken from here

So now onto three delicious low carb quiche recipe suggestions, which one catches your eye and taste buds, please share your thoughts in the comments.


Crustless Quiche Lorraine
This simplified version of the classic French tart requires no pastry skills.
Delicious served warm from the oven or cold the following day.
Ingredients
Serves Four
4g carbs per serving
low-calorie cooking spray
8 lean bacon rashers, roughly chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
6 large free-range eggs
100g/3½oz Cheddar, grated
2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
100g/3½oz cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
salt and freshly ground black pepper
crisp green salad, to serve
Instructions
can be seen here


Ham and Cheese Quiche With Cauliflower Crust
This lovely quiche features a crust made out of cauliflower rice.
It is a wonderful low carb brunch or dinner recipe.
Ingredients
Serves Six
4g net carbs per serving
Crust
350 g cauliflower florets, riced
40 g shredded/grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Filling
170 g smoked deli ham, cubed or diced
110 g cheddar cheese, shredded/grated
5 large eggs
80 ml heavy (double) whipping cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
Instructions
can be seen here


Vegetarian Low-carb Quiche
always enjoyable and great for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Ingredients
Six Servings
10g net carbs per serving
Pie crust
2 oz. butter, softened or coconut oil
1¼ cups almond flour
½ cup sesame seeds
1 egg
1 tbsp ground psyllium husk powder
1 pinch salt
Filling
9 oz. kale, de-stemmed and chopped
3½ oz. leeks, finely chopped
5 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
3 eggs
1¼ cups heavy whipping cream (double cream/thickened cream)
3½ oz. walnuts, chopped
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
4 oz. sun-dried tomatoes in oil
Instructions
can be seen here

Need help with weight/measurement conversion
see here


Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas and articles within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Saturday 20 November 2021

Wildlife Photography To Make You Smile

From time to time we post something completely different …
Like these photographs from the 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards


'Can I Play You A Tune'
The Flautist - Ground Squirrel - R Kranitz


'He Went That Way'
Directing Penguin - C Taylor


'I Guess Summers Over'
Pigeon - J Speirs

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was co-founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam who wanted to create a competition that focused on the lighter side of wildlife photography and help promote wildlife conservation through humour.

This year, the competition is supporting Save Wild Orangutans by donating 10% of its total net revenue to the charity. The initiative safeguards wild orangutans in and around Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo.

“We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of entries we received this year, with well over 7,000 photos submitted from every corner of the globe,” says Paul Joynson-Hicks. “It was an amazing turnout, especially given the impact of the pandemic. The huge number of images we receive every year illustrates the appetite there is to engage with conservation and reminds us that wildlife truly is incredible and hilarious and, we must do all we can to protect it.”

Read more, and see other, amazing photographs here

All the best Jan

Friday 19 November 2021

'Floor Sitting Is Good For Your Health'

"Why Longevity Experts Say You Should Get in the Habit of Sitting on the Floor

Sitting on the floor may not be that comfortable, especially when compared with the relative luxury of a chair, but the simple practice is great for your longevity, according to a study of the world's longest-living populations.


Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner says that people living in Okinawa, Japan, keep furniture to a minimum in their homes, so they naturally do most of their sitting on the floor. And, he says, the health benefits are evident. "The longest-lived women in the history of the world lived in Okinawa, and I know from personal experience that they sat on the floor," he says. "I spent two days with a 103-year-old woman and saw her get up and down from the floor 30 or 40 times, so that's like 30 or 40 squats done daily."

Some researchers wouldn't be surprised to learn that a woman who is able to repeatedly stand up from a seated position on the floor has lived to be (at least)102 years old, as they claim that your ability to stand up from a seated, cross-legged position without using any of your limbs (known as the sitting-rising test) is a good marker of your longevity. A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that those least able to complete this movement were five or six times more likely to die than those who were best able to complete the task.

“It is well known that aerobic fitness is strongly related to survival, but our study also shows that maintaining high levels of body flexibility, muscle strength, power-to-body weight ratio and co-ordination are not only good for performing daily activities, but have a favourable influence on life expectancy,” the study's lead researcher, Claudio Gil Araújo, said in a press release.

Moving from a seated position on the floor to one standing, multiple times per day, strengthens the core muscles and works balance, both of which can improve and extend your overall muscular-skeletal fitness and mobility. It can also help prevent you from falling down when you're older, which is one of the top causes of unintentional-injury-related death for those over 65. "Another huge benefit is when you are able to sit down and stand back up from the floor with relative ease, it’s a wonderful sign of overall structural, skeletal health and muscular balance and alignment," says body alignment specialist Lauren Roxburgh.

Many of us have been sedentary for too much time, she says, and in likely less-than-ergonomic environments. "Getting out of your chair and sitting cross-legged onto the floor can help realign your body, centre your sitz/sitting bones, and engage your core stability—improving strength, natural flexibility and overall movement," she says.

With that said, Roxburgh notes that if you're going to engage in floor-sitting, it's important to pay attention to your posture. "Avoid slouching, which can increase pressure and lower back pain," she says. "Make sure you also keep your weight centred over your hips so you reduce the pressure in your ankles and feet." In her opinion, the best way to sit on the floor for optimal alignment is by sitting on a cushion, the edge of a folded blanket, or a soft, squishy ball. "This helps raise your hips slightly for better alignment."

Nobody is saying you need to spend the entire day on the floor, though Buettner does advocate for buying lower furniture, or getting rid of a few pieces of furniture altogether. Fortunately for those who aren't going to clear out their homes of seating anytime soon, however, Roxburgh says it's most important just to mix it up. "The key to longevity, staying flexible, fluid, and maintaining a healthy body is to create continual postural shifts throughout the day [as you're able]," she says. "So sitting on the floor and periodically doing long, deep squats are a great way to boost circulation, blood flow, and energy, increase flexibility and range of motion, create space and build some deeper awareness of your body while helping you feel grounded."
Above words and picture from article here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here

Interestingly
Fellow bloggers at The Diabetes Diet Blog wrote about 'The Sitting Rising Test' back in 2017 - see here 
You will also see my comment "The older we get the more difficult this gets for most of us. Just a gentle word of warning. If readers should try this … I would suggest care is taken … the last thing you would want is to over balance and fall. I do know of folks this has happened to."

Other related articles/posts you may want to read
Are You Sitting Comfortably ? - see here
Is Sitting Too Much Bad for Your Health? - see here
Is Eating While Standing Up Bad for You? - see here

Dear reader, do please share your thoughts and comment about the above.

I hope you are having a pleasant November

A variety of articles and recipe ideas are within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Thursday 18 November 2021

Cinnamon Cake : Three Lower Carb Recipes Suitable For Diabetics and Non Diabetics

These three recipes for cinnamon cake, are ideal for anyone generally trying to reduce the carbs and sugar in their life. They are suitable for both diabetics and non diabetics. Have a look at the recipe links and see what you think.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake
recipe details here


Cinnamon Tea Cake
recipe details here


Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake
see recipe details here


Does one of these recipes catch your eye?
Will you prefer tea or coffee to accompany a slice of cake?


~have a happy day~

Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas and articles within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Best Sources of Vitamin B12 for a Plant Based Diet

We certainly eat a wide variety of food in our house, just recently chicken, pork and fish have been in our meal plans. Sometimes we will take a vegetarian option. I know many readers choose to eat vegetarian, and some vegan, and what we eat is of course a personal choice, but one thing we must all take into account is the nutrients we get from the foods we eat. 
Just recently I was reading an article by James Colquhoun, he was writing about Vitamin B12 and a plant based diet, I thought it one to share ...


"Best Sources of Vitamin B12 for a Plant-Based Diet
Struggling with energy levels? B12. Can’t make sense of your mood? B12. Dizzy and blurred vision? You guessed it, B12. If you’ve ever explored a plant-based diet or even practised complete veganism, B12 will be a familiar-sounding vitamin to you. That’s because, as amazing as plant-based diets can make us feel, they can also be one of the hardest places to find this essential nutrient.

B12 is one of the B-group vitamins (there are eight essentials) that have widespread functions in the body. Vitamin B12, one of the most commonly occurring deficiencies due to dietary, lifestyle, and age factors, has a significant role in the production of red blood cells and DNA. Without it, our bodies can become nutritionally depleted.

Symptoms of deficiency can take years to show up and can sometimes be mistaken for folate deficiency. Some of the most symptoms include mouth ulcers, disturbed vision, pins and needles, weakness & fatigue, pale and jaundiced skin, significant mood changes, breathlessness, and dizziness.

Why Do Plant-Based Diets Struggle With B12?
Unfortunately, vitamin B12 is most abundantly found in animal products like pasture-raised dairy products, eggs, grass-fed meat organ meats, grass-fed meats, wild-caught salmon, wild-caught trout, clams, and sardines. It means that for vegetarians, you can become solely reliant on eggs and occasional dairy, and for those practising a vegan diet, you have to look elsewhere.

So What Are The Best Sources Of Vitamin B12 For A Plant-Based Diet?
Thankfully, there are some plant-based sources of B12 which means we don’t all have to rely on supplementation and fortified foods. The best sources include:
Nutritional Yeast (pictured above)
Seaweed
Algae
Mushrooms (in very small amounts).

Apart from mushrooms, we don’t often find these foods in an everyday diet. Even when we do make a conscious effort to eat them, we might not be getting enough. So we rely on some handy hacks to boost our intake.

Try Supporting Your B12 Intake These Ways:
Too much folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. Research suggests that high folate levels can even exacerbate the anaemia and cognitive symptoms associated with a lack of vitamin B12, so ensure you are monitoring these.

Decrease your alcohol intake, as this has been shown to impair absorption"
Words above, and more to see in the original article here


Related Posts
Diagnosing and Treating Vitamin B12 Deficiency, see it here
B12 deficiency is a serious situation. Maybe it would help all concerned to remind themselves of the damage that can be caused by B12 deficiency by watching this video, especially if you use metformin (as many diabetics do), as Metformin can deplete B12.

Metformin beyond it's blood sugar lowering properties, see it here
Metformin is believed to be the most widely prescribed diabetes drug in the world. It was introduced into Britain in 1958 but not licensed for use in T2 diabetes in the US until 1994. It works by blocking the production of glucose in the liver and also by helping the body to utilise insulin properly.
It appears to be most effective in helping with weight loss and thus reducing insulin resistance. This effect is not maintained at the same rate after the initial period of weight loss and treatment, but many patients, including those not overweight at diagnosis, continue to take it for the cardiovascular protection it is said to afford.

Nutrients You May Be Missing On A Plant-Based Diet (And What To Do About It), see it here

The above is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.


Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas are within this blog. It is important to note, that not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

Tuesday 16 November 2021

Coq au vin with celeriac mash : A lower carb meal

It's the middle of November, and I don't know about you, but I've found this year has simply flown by! Here in the UK, we have been experiencing cooler weather so perhaps time to turn to a tried and trusted chicken dish. I do find that this recipe is quite often a November favourite!
But do you cook it with skin on or skin off? That is the question! Whatever your preference, I think you'll find that the mix and flavour of the chicken with the vegetables and herbs is just delicious. The accompaniment of celeriac mash, always a low carb winner, just adds nicely to this dish - so have a look at the recipe and perhaps give it a whirl ...


Ingredients
Serves 4
Olive oil spray
100g diced pancetta
8 chicken thighs, (skin removed if preferred)
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and cut into half-moons
2 sticks celery, trimmed and finely chopped
250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp thyme leaves
1 sprig rosemary, leaves roughly chopped
1 tbsp sage leaves, roughly chopped
1 bay leaf
300ml red wine
500ml chicken stock
10 shallots, peeled and halved
2 cloves garlic, crushed
800g celeriac, roughly cubed
Parsley, to serve
Method
1. Spritz the olive oil in a large saucepan and cook the pancetta until it releases its natural oils. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 4-6 minutes until well browned all over. Remove the thighs and set aside.
2. Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pan, season, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until just tender. Add the mushrooms, turn the heat up and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring until a paste has formed.
3. Stir through the herbs and pancetta, then pour in the wine. Leave it bubbling for 2-3 minutes until the alcohol has evaporated. Add the stock and peeled shallots, then bring to the boil. Place the chicken thighs back in the pan and cook with the lid on for 10 minutes. Take the lid off and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is cooked through, always check chicken is thoroughly cooked.
4. Meanwhile, make the mash. Lightly spritz a saucepan with the oil and cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the celeriac and cook for 1 minute, before pouring over cold water to cover. Bring to the boil and cook for 8-10 minutes until very tender, then mash well with seasoning.
5. To serve, spoon the chicken on to a bed of celeriac mash and sprinkle with parsley.
Taken from an original idea here

Some readers may also like this vegetarian dish served with celeriac mash
Mushroom Bourguignon with Celeriac Mash
see the recipe details here


This blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan