Ian asked:


You might have found lots of databases on Italian cooking through the Internet and be excited about trying to delve into the world of parmagiana, pesto, and pasta.

It would be useful to have on hand some basic ingredients that are found in lots of Italian cooking. By that way, you will be able to serve your Italian food most days without having to do an extensive grocery shop.

Lets look at the ingredients that you need to have in your grocery list.

Garlic: This may sound like a cliché to you, but this modest bulb has its own place in all Italian kitchens. Keep garlic in a dry and cool place, such as a pantry or root cellar. Look for bulbs with no discoloration on the bottom when buying garlic as these discolorations indicate moulding and age.

Tomato Sauce: You do not have to buy the expensive tomato sauce. The national brand or house brand at your nearby local grocery store will be fine in your Italian dish. Local made tomato sauce does not affect the taste of your Italian cooking. Try not to buy from the “pre-seasoned” blends, as you will be adding your own spices and herbs.

Pasta: Do not buy a huge quantity of any one specific pasta. It is preferable to keep a little amount of the most regular types such as wide egg noodle, large and small shells, elbow macaroni, linguine and spaghetti. It will be good if you have storage so that you can keep the long noodles in a long container. Moreover, you can find many tuppaware makers that are specially design to keep the pasta in to maintain freshness.

Parmesan Cheese: Freshly ground Parmesan cheese is always a welcome addition to the top of any Italian dish even though it may not always be needed in the ingredients of the Italian recipe you are cooking. The famous cheese brand, Kraft, has a new product with a block of cheese in its container along with its grater. The price is not expensive and it works very well with Italian cooking.

Olive oil: One of the mistakes that many Italian food amateurs make is using pricey olive oil for things like pan-frying. Using the standard olive oil, which is yellow in colour is just fine for this.

Keep these ingredients well stocked and you will be ready and prepared to cook any Italian dish.

Robert asked:


There are very little natural products that are able to deliver not only maximum nutritional value but also health related benefits that can impact in a positive way the functions of a person’s metabolic system. The metabolic system is key when we try to explain the reason why a person is able to eat so much and yet remain so skinny and can also provide several answers and very good theories about the reasons why some people who barely touch their food gain weight almost uncontrollably.

From time to time we hear about natural compounds and ingredients that are found in plants, roots and even flowers in remote countries of the world that may be able to positively impact the metabolic process which can help people lose weight in a more healthy manner and at the same time eliminate the toxins that are obviously not good for our bodies.

Toxins

These are chemical compounds which can prove to be poisonous to living tissue, ironically these substances are produced by living working organisms or cells but, the amount that is produced and the intensity of the toxins is not as high as those produced by external agents.  A high concentration of toxins can effectively cripple the functions of living tissue, when it comes to the human body the only positive remark that we can make in regards to toxins is that they can be cleansed from our system.

The Many benefits of Acai

This Brazilian food is one of the reasons why we hear about more and more about preserving the rainforest, this exotic berry past a high concentration of antioxidants which are well above any other fruit or berry that has been studied until today, the natural substances found in this product are able to slow down the aging process by providing all the nutrients needed for healthy cellular activity.

The presence of toxins in our body can only help the oxidation process accelerate, oxidation has been linked to many of the degenerative diseases known today, and some of them include: Cancer, Cataracts, cardiovascular diseases and even the aging process.  Taking these facts in consideration which can only conclude that in order to reduce the effect of toxins and oxidation we must consume natural products which are able to deliver a high amount of antioxidants in order to avoid diseases and detoxify our system.

Acai is known for having weight above levels of antioxidants and nutrients that can help a person loose weight, have more energy and effectively reduce the effects of toxins which trigger oxidation.  Additional benefits of consuming this exotic fruit include:

– Improves the digestive system

– Cleanses and removes body toxins

– Helps burn extra calories

– Strengthens the immune system

– Improves circulation

– Alleviates the symptoms of diabetes

– It possesses active viral and antibacterial agents

With so many benefits, more and more people have turned to this Brazilian miracle in order to detoxify their bodies and experience the many benefits that this superfood can provide.

Bariatric Food Products asked:


Who ever said that dieting and eating healthy had to be boring? Certainly not the group over at Bariatric Food Products, who’s owners Gene Carbonell and Jan Chadwick have developed 4 outstanding new recipes featuring the very bariatric-friendly products they sell on their online store.

The following recipes, in addition to the many others featured on their website, combine bariatric approved foods and other natural, fresh foods to create new and exciting ways to prepare meals, drinks, desserts, and snacks. The idea is to simply provide dieters and post-bariatric surgery patients with some flexibility in their diets. These recipes also allow dieters to keep their diet interesting and exciting… something, as most of us already know, is very difficult to do.

Without further ado, here are 4 exciting recipes for dieters and post bariatric surgery patients:

Wildberry Sparkler

Our first recipe is a beverage called “Wildberry Sparkler”. A wildberry sparkler is a fruity tasting drink that is not only a healthy, refreshing choice for a lunch or dinner beverage, but one that is also post-bariatric surgery friendly.

To make a wildberry sparkler, combine 1 packet of Wildberry Drink Mix with your choice of either 8 ounces of diet 7-up soda or diet seltzer into a blender. Blend on low for 10 seconds, and then serve over ice. You may garnish the beverage with a fresh mint if you desire.

Nutritional Information for Wildberry Sparkler

Calories: 100

Protein: 15g

Carbohydrates: 7g

Fat: 1.5g

Sweet Potato and Fruit Fritters

Our second recipe is for a super sweet dish called “Sweet Potato and Fruit Fritters”. Yum! While this dish promises to be absolutely delicious, it also promises to be both diet-friendly and post-bariatric surgery approved.

To make this dish, combine 1 package of Vanilla Creme Pudding, a 1/2 cup of cooked mashed sweet potato (canned sweet potato works great too), a 1/2 of a mashed banana, 2 tablespoons of crushed pineapple, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg into a mixing bowl. Mix ingredients and then flatten batter into 5 patties. On medium heat, cook each patty in a frying pan until golden brown and crisp. Top with artificial sweetener or sugar-free maple syrup, and serve.

Nutrition Information for Sweet Potato and Fruit Fritters:

(per serving)

Calories: 216

Protein: 14g

Carbohydrates: 38g

Fat: 3g

Creamy Spinach Chicken

Our third recipe is for a hearty and healthy entrée called “Creamy Spinach Chicken”. This rich creamy chicken and garden vegetable combination is ideal for lunch or dinner, and is both diet and post-bariatric surgery friendly.

This recipe starts off with bringing 4 ounces of water to a boil and adding in 1 package of Cream of Chicken Soup with Vegetables, your choice of either 1 cup pre-cooked frozen leaf spinach or broccoli, and an 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir well. Once ideal consistency has been reached, pour sauce mixture over 2 ounces of pre-cooked, boneless chicken breast.

Nutritional Information for Creamy Spinach Chicken

Calories: 202

Protein: 34g

Carbohydrates: 13g

Fat: 2.5g

Fiber: 5g

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Surprise

Our last recipe is an absolute fantastic dessert called “Chocolate Covered Pretzel Surprise”… a dessert so wonderful tasting that you’ll have convinced yourself that you’ve cheated on your diet. Don’t worry though, before sentencing yourself to the corner for a timeout, rest assured that this recipe is both diet and post-bariatric surgery friendly.

We start this recipe with 1 packet of Chocolate Pudding with Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips. Prepare the pudding according to the package directions. When finished, open up a package of Pretzel Twists and proceed with dipping each pretzel into the prepared pudding and then placing it on a sheet of wax paper. Then, freeze your chocolate covered pretzels for 40 minutes, and serve.

Nutritional Information for Chocolate Covered Pretzel Surprise

(per recipe (15-20 pretzels per package)

Calories: 200

Protein: 24g

Carbohydrates: 16 g

Fat: 4 g

Fiber: 5 g

For more information on Bariatric Food Products.com or on the products and services that are offered, please visit the Bariatric Food Products.com website at http://www.bariatricfoodproducts.com or call Gene Carbonell and Jan Chadwick at (678) 398-0330.