Easy Meatball in Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, or about half of a small onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 1 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed golden mushroom soup

Preparation:

In a large bowl combine beef, oats, onion, garlic powder, seasoned salt, pepper, eggs, and 1/2 cup milk (mixture will be soft). Using about 2 tablespoons of mixture per meatball, shape 18 to 20 meatballs. In large skillet melt butter and oil and brown several meatballs at a time, turning carefully with spatula. As meatballs brown, remove to a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

To the drippings in skillet add the remaining 1 cup milk and the soup; cook and stir just until mixture begins to boil. Pour over meatballs. Cover and bake at 350° for about 60 minutes or until meatballs are thoroughly cooked. Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles. This recipe for meatballs serves 4.

Medical Uses of Banana

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit�s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at an English school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin � known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart-burn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods � such as bananas � every two hours to keep levels steady.

PMS: Forget the pills � eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, trypotophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking, as the high levels of Vitamin C, A1, B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water-balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rates

rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a cooling fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that, if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

Olive Oil linked To Lower Blood Pressure

A moderate intake of olive oil was found to reduce blood pressure in men who don't usually eat a Mediterranean diet, according to a new study. The results look to keep consumer interest in olive oil high, as other studies have also linked the diet to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. The researchers of the latest study, from the University of Barcelona, randomly assigned 110 healthy men from non-Mediterranean countries, and 45 from Mediterranean countries to include particular olive oils in their diet daily. The significant change was recorded in the non-Mediterranean men, whose blood levels of oleic acid increased significantly, while the Mediterranean men did not record any significant increase.

Coffee May Reduce Risk of Liver Cancer

Regular and high coffee drinking may reduce the risk of liver cancer by as much as 55%. A new study in Europe has found a strong link between the consumption of coffee and a lower risk of developing liver cancer.
Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, and the third most common cause of death from cancer. The highest incidences of liver cancer are found in east and southeast asia, where coffee consumption is significantly less frequent than that of other parts of the world, such as Southern Europe.

Peanut Chicken Burger

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground chicken burger
2 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter (30ml)
2 teaspoons of sugar (optional) (10ml)
2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce (10ml)
¼ cup of chicken broth. (62ml)
1 tablespoon of minced garlic (15ml)
½ cup of chopped fresh cilantro (125ml)
¼ cup of chopped fresh mint (62ml)
¼ cup of chopped fresh chives (62ml)
salt and pepper to taste


Method:

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Roll out and flatten into equal sized patties and place on a baking sheet lined in waxed paper.

Place them into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.

Preheat the grill to medium high heat  3 steamboats.

Oil the grill and place the patties on the grill. Do not use a spatula to press on the patties. Leave them to cook for approximately 5-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.

Let the burgers rest under a foil tent for 5 minutes before serving.

Broccoli

Scientific Name: Brassica aleracea

Biological Background: Broccoli is a dark-green vegetable with small, tight heads (curds) mounted on stem-like buds, and is a member of Brassica family of the Cruciferous vegetables. It is one of the most popular vegetables and was originated in Italy.

Nutritional Information: One cup of chopped and cooked broccoli (146 g) provides 46 calories, 4.6 g protein, 8.7 g carbohydrates, 6.4 g fiber, 178 g calcium, 1.8 mg iron, 220 RE vitamin A, 0.13 mg thiamin, 0.32 mg riboflavin, 1.18 mg niacin, 98 mg vitamin C.

Pharmacological Information: Broccoli is a spectacular and unique package of versatile disease fighters and abundant in numerous strong, well-known phytochemicals and antioxidants, including indoles, isothiocyanates, quercetin, glutathione, beta carotene, vitaminC, folate, lutein, glucarate, and glutathione. Broccoli is extremely strong in anticancer activity, particularly against lung, colon, and breast cancers. Like other cruciferous vegetables, it speeds up the removal of estrogen from the body, helping suppress breast cancer. Broccoli is rich in cholesterol-reducing fiber and has antiviral and antiulcer activity. It is a super source of chromium that helps regulate insulin and bloodsugar. Broccoli is also a good source of calcium, thus help fight osteoporosis. However, brocoli is one of the leading intestinal gas producers.

Eating Tips: Heavy cooking and processing destroy some of the anti oxidants and phytochemicals such as indoles and glutathione. Eat raw or lightly cooked as in microwave and stir-fry. To reduce its gas production, eat broccoli with ginger or garlic.

(foodasfood.com)

Apple

Red, green or golden, apples are one of the ultimate easy, tasty, good-for-you snacks.

You know the old saying about an apple a day; well, it was coined for a reason and there is some truth to it. Among other nutritional benefits, apples are a great source of vitamin C. One medium apple supplies about 15-percent of a day's worth and only 80 calories. In addition, you get plenty of fiber from an apple. Eat it with the skin on and get twice as much fiber, about four grams, than if you peel it. You'll also be snacking on more vitamins and minerals.

Storing and Purchasing
Apples can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to six weeks. For safety reasons, avoid unpasteurized apple cider because it can contain harmful bacteria - all unpasteurized juices carry a government warning label. When purchasing apples, look for very firm ones, with no bruises or broken skin.

Ways to Use Apples in Your Recipes

• Add raw, sliced apples to salads
• Apples add crunch and texture to rice and other grain dishes.
• What could be better in fall than a simple baked apple? Cooked apples play a role in sweet and savory recipes.
• As we all know, apples are delicious in cakes, pies or tarts, as well as in sauces for poultry or pork

(fitnessandfreebies.com)