Pineapple Plant

Pineapple Plant

Common Names: Pineapple, Ananas, Nanas, Pina.

Related Species: Pina de Playon (Ananas bracteatus).

 Distant affinity: Pingwing (Aechmea magdalenae), Pinguin (Bromelia pinguin), Pinuela (Karatas plumier).

 Origin: The pineapple is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay where wild relatives occur. It was spread by the Indians up through South and Central America to the West Indies before Columbus arrived. In 1493 Columbus found the fruit on the island of Guadaloupe and carried it back to Spain and it was spread around the world on sailing ships that carried it for protection against scurvy. The Spanish introduced it into the Philippines and may have taken it to Hawaii and Guam early in the 16th Century. The pineapple reached England in 1660 and began to be grown in greenhouses for its fruit around 1720.

 Adaptation: The pineapples is a tropical or near-tropical plant, but will usually tolerate brief exposures to 28° F. Prolonged cold above freezing retards growth, delays maturity and causes the fruit to be more acid. Pineapples are drought-tolerant and will produce fruit under yearly precipitation rates ranging from 25 - 150 in., depending on cultivar and location and degree of atmospheric humidity. They are successfully grown in southern Florida and coastal areas of southern California. The small plant adapts well to container and greenhouse culture and makes an interesting potted plant.

Health Benefits

Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive Benefits

 Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances that can be extracted from the stem and core fruit of the pineapple. Among dozens of components known to exist in this crude extract, the best studied components are a group of protein-digesting enzymes (called cysteine proteinases). Originally, researchers believed that these enzymes provided the key health benefits found in bromelain, a popular dietary supplement containing these pineapple extracts. In addition, researchers believed that these benefits were primarily limited to help with digestion in the intestinal tract. However, further studies have shown that bromelain has a wide variety of health benefits, and that many of these benefits may not be related to the different enzymes found in this extract. Excessive inflammation, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of tumor growth may all be reduced by therapeutic doses of bromelain when taken as a dietary supplement. Studies are not available, however, to show these same potential benefits in relationship to normal intake of pineapple within a normal meal plan.

Antioxidant Protection and Immune Support

 Vitamin C is the body's primary water-soluble antioxidant, defending all aqueous areas of the body against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. Free radicals have been shown to promote the artery plaque build-up of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, cause the airway spasm that leads to asthma attacks, damage the cells of the colon so they become colon cancer cells, and contribute to the joint pain and disability seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This would explain why diets rich in vitamin C have been shown to be useful for preventing or reducing the severity of all of these conditions. In addition, vitamin C is vital for the proper function of the immune system, making it a nutrient to turn to for the prevention of recurrent ear infections, colds, and flu.

American Food Favorites...

American Food Favorites...

American food favorites like scrumptious apple pie, green bean casserole and family-favorite macaroni and cheese. Traditional recipes for holidays too like Thanksgiving turkey, 4th of July grilling recipes and Super Bowl snacks.

 This baked macaroni & cheese is a true crowd pleaser! It's creamy & cheesy which pleases the kids yet comforting with that southern, homestyle flavor that pleases the adults!

Ingredients

. Equal Parts Chicken Broth & Water (To boil Macaroni in)

. 3 cups macaroni (uncooked)

. 2 Tablespoons Butter

. 2 Tablespoons Flour

.1 cup chicken broth

.1/2 cup half n half

.1/2 cup milk

. 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

. 4 cups plus additional to go on top finely shredded cheeses (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, muenster)

. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

. A few dashes paprika

 Sweet Potato Pecan Pie is a nice new twist on a traditional holiday favorite.

Ingredients

11/2  cup pecans

1/2  cup bourbon whiskey

1 1/2  lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces

1/2  cup water

2  eggs

3/4  cup packed light brown sugar

2  tablespoons light corn syrup

1/3  teaspoon salt

1/3  teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8  teaspoon ground ginger

1/3  cup whipping cream

1  cup whipping cream, whipped

1  Pillsbury® Pet-Ritz® Frozen Deep Dish Pie Crust

Halo-Halo A Filipino Dessert

      Halo-Halo A Filipino Dessert

      Halo halo is a famous Filipino dessert alternative to ice cream and their kinds. “Halo” means “mix” the Filipino dialect. So the word halo-halo literally means mix-mix. To have the complete idea, halo halo is a dessert composed of sweetened fruits like banana (saba), jackfruit (langka), coconut sport strips (macapuno), sweetened beans and purple yam, crushed ice and creamy milk all mixed together. There are so many varieties of halo halo recipes depending on your favorite ingredients and taste. They usually top it with ice cream, too. Summer won’t be complete without a tall glass of my favorite halohalo. As to how we eat it? Commonly, we eat it by mixing and stirring all the ingredients together til the ice blends with them.

How to prepare a Halo-Halo:

 * Put all ingredients to a glass or a bowl except for the milk, ice cream, leche flan.

 * Put shaved ice on the glass, pour the milk according to your taste and top it with leche flan, and ice cream.

 There are other options for your ingredients; you can add crushed pinipig, bananas and even strawberries. It's up to you!

Ingredient:

• Sweetened red beans • Sweetened garbanzos • Sweetened saba banana • Sweetened kamote • Sweetened langka • Sweetened kaong • Cooked sago • Pinipig Macapuno • Fresh fruits • Crushed ice • Ice cream • Ube haleya • Leche flan • Milk • White sugar or muscovado

Filipino food – Fresh Lumpia Vegetable Roll

  Filipino food – Fresh Lumpia Vegetable Roll

How to make it?

VEGETABLE FILLING:

Saute garlic and onions in oil. Add pork and saute until fat begins to render. Add water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer until pork is tender. Add shrimp and fish sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Add vegetables and stir-fry 5-10 minutes, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain in a strainer and cool.

WRAP:

Combine eggs and salt. Gradually add flour, alternating with milk. Beat with a whisk until smooth. Beat in oil gradually. Refrigerate batter 1 hour.

To cook, brush a nonstick pan with oil and place over low heat. Ladle in 2 tablespoons batter, swirl to cover pan and pour off excess. Cook until the wrapper can be lifted with a spatula without sticking (if batter bubbles, the pan is too hot). Turn and cook just to warm the other side. Set aside and cover with a towel to keep warm. You can also keep the wrappers in a tortilla warmer.

SAUCE:

Combine all ingredients in a small pot and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm. Transfer into a gravy boat just before serving.

GARNISH/TOPPINGS:

Remove the brown skin on the peanuts and pulse in a food processor or grinder until finely chopped. Transfer into a condiment dish or small bowl. Set Aside.

TO ASSEMBLE:

Place a lettuce leaf in the center of a wrapper. Add 2 tablespoons filling. Fold bottom of wrapper over filling; wrap one side over filling and roll to the other side. The edge of the lettuce will stick out. Seal edge with water. Wrap each lumpia in wax paper. Serve with sauce, minced garlic and chopped peanuts.

INGREDIENTS:

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/3 lb ground pork

1/3 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined and minced

2 tablespoon fish sauce

1/2 lb green beans, french cut

1 small cabbage shredded, (approx 2 lbs)

1 large carrots, julienned

1 chayote, julienned

10 romaine lettuce leaves, cut into 2 horizontally

1/2 cup water

salt and pepper

WRAP:

2 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

2 cups milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

SAUCE:

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

6 tbsp soy sauce

1 cup water

1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

GARNISH/TOPPINGS:

6-8 cloves garlic

1/2 cup peanuts

Cream Corn Soup

Cream Corn Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups fresh corn kernels
Kosher salt and white pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh minced thyme
4 cups corn stock (recipe follows) (you can also use canned low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock, if you’d rather)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
Hot sauce, to taste

How to Make Corn Stock
cobs from which you cut the corn kernels, cut in half
1 large onion, scrubbed but unpeeled, cut into four pieces
1 shallot, scrubbed and unpeeled, cut in half
6 white peppercorns
A few thyme stems
2 bay leaves
6 cups cold water, or enough to just cover the cobs and vegetables
Put all the ingredients in a stock pot.  Add the water.
Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for three to four hours.  Spoon off any scum that rises to the surface.
Strain through a fine strainer.  If necessary, reduce over medium-high heat until you have four cups.

Guyabano Fruit

Guyabano  Fruit

Guyabano graviola tree or sabana abundantly grow in some part of the Philippines but sad to say most of the people did not know the benefits of eating this kind of fruit. In our place there are some of this plants that are already bearing fruits, but I my self did not care or appreciate this kind of plant as I do not like to eat this stuff.

….The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976.
The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…
…Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests,
yet no double-blind clinical trials–
the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a
treatment’s value- -were ever initiated..
A study published in the Journal of Natural Products,
following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to
selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin.. .”
….The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that
Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched.
Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells),
causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.
….A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers…
Seven years of silence broken–it’s finally here!
A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil, is finally available in America .
The full Graviola Story–including where you can get it and how to use it–is included in Beyond Chemotherapy:
New Cancer Killers, Safe as Mother’s Milk,
a Health Sciences Institute free special bonus report on natural substances
that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer.

Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake

These cakes are naturally priced higher due to the product and skill set required to create a beautifully covered fondant cake.  Our house fondant is a marshmallow base and is surprisingly good!  Some cake styles require fondant for structure and design such as 3D cakes.. Selection of fun fondant pieces that can add that extra WOW factor to any order.  Fondant pieces range from letter & number pics, bows, borders, animals, people, to intricate collectible pieces like Shoes and Crowns. If you’re looking for an engagement cake then you’re either engaged or looking forward to your engagement. It’s a very special time and we’re here to assist if you’d like us to. If you’re looking for a cake quotation, please contact us to discuss your requirements. We’d do this online to save time if we could but there are just to many exciting options when it comes to wedding and engagement cakes.

Fruit Shake

Fruit Shake 

These are so good as the weather warms. Nothing beats a fresh pineapple or lime shake while enjoying a hot summer day.The great thing about these fruit shakes is their simplicity. Most smoothie style recipes get it all wrong. All you really want in a fruit shake is an icy and refreshing liquid taste of fruit; and as such these shakes have just three ingredients. Fruit, Ice, Sugar syrup... Fruit. The amount for most shakes can be thought of as a banana equivalent amount of fruit 1-3 or more tables of simple syrup Crushed ice, fill the glass you'll use about 3/4 full of crushed ice. Dump all the ingredients in a blender and give it about 15 seconds and you are done. The amount of sugar needed will vary with the acidity of the fruit. A sweet fruit like a banana or papaya will need very little sugar, but a lime or tart orange shake will need considerably more. Just add a bit to start, and stir in more as needed.

Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad

Everyone loves chicken.  Surprisingly not, since it is affordable, low in fat content, quick to prepare and taste good too.  However, the main attraction why cooks opt for this meat is because it goes well with various kitchen repertoires. To simply say, chicken perfectly complements other dishes, particularly salads.
Most often than not, the breast meat is use for salads because it contains thick meat, as well as easy to cook, juicy and tender.  How to cook chicken for chicken salad is not difficult to do.  It is not time consuming and does not required kitchen skills.  Learn some tips and ways to cook chicken for chicken salad into perfection.
Chicken salad, as its name implies, is mainly made of chopped chicken and mayonnaise.  The rest of the ingredients depend on your choices of add-ons.  For instance, you may add nuts, cheese, celery, etc.

                                                               Ingredients:
                                                    1 pound breast meat halves
                                                          1/4 tsp dry mustard
                                                                  1 egg
                                                              Half tsp salt
                                                     1 tbsp white wine vinegar
                                                             1 cup olive oil
                                                        1 cup chopped pecans
                                                    1 cup crumbled blue cheese
                                                              2 tsp hot water
                                                    2 cups red grapes (seedless)

I Love Chocolate Milk

I Love Chocolate Milk

Recently, chocolate milk has received a substantial amount of publicity as a recovery drink. As a scientist and endurance athlete who has religiously used recovery formulas for 10+ years, I chose to take a closer look at chocolate milk for meeting an athlete’s post-workout needs. Chocolate milk is familiar, affordable and delicious. No wonder it has become popular with endurance athletes looking for a tasty and convenient recovery drink. But the question we want to answer is whether or not chocolate milk is indeed a superior recovery formula. We are not disputing its price, taste, or its nutritional value. So let’s compare an athlete’s nutritional recovery needs after a workout to what chocolate milk actually provides.

The Lunch Box

The Lunch Box

Today's box and bag lunches are going gourmet.

No more dry Peanut butter-and -jelly sandwiches or soggy lettuce and tomato. Insulated tote bags and "canned ice" make it possible to pack all yesterday's unpackables: