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Is Too Much Rice Bad For You?

Is Too Much Rice Bad For You? rice cooker reviews.

White and whole grain rice is generally known as being healthy for the body.  Rice has been a part of the food pyramid for years and it’s recommended that people eat it almost every day.  Although rice is good for the body, too much of it can be unhealthy if it’s not balanced with other food.  Here are some common mistakes people make when eating too much rice and how to correct these mistakes.

rice

Mistake #1:  Eating too much rice and not enough vegetables and meat

Rice is packed with healthy nutrients that can give people energy and make them more alert.  Unfortunately, a lot of people overcompensate and eat way too much as a way to gain more energy.  This causes them to eat less meat and vegetables since rice is already so filling.  People may feel energized immediately after eating but this wears off shortly since their bodies don’t have enough proteins and vitamins to carry them throughout the day.  In order to avoid this situation, people should reduce their rice intake to about a bowl per meal.  This will give them plenty of room for the essential meats and vegetables that their bodies need.

Mistake #2:  Using rice as a way to lose weight

Many people use rice for weight loss because it’s very filling.  People can eat bowls of rice and consume very few calories.  This eventually results in rapid weight loss in a short period of time.  The bad thing about this form of dieting is the fact that it’s extremely hard on the body.  Not only is the body forced to lose weight quickly, but it’s also denied the essential nutrients that come from other foods.  People who want to get thinner might reach their goals but their bodies and minds will pay a price.  Rice should never be used as a dieting tool.  Instead, people should eat wholesome and balanced meals using healthy rice recipes on a regular basis.   This will help the body to maintain a healthy and consistent weight.

These are two of the main mistakes that people make when it comes to eating rice.  A rice cooker is really convenient in the kitchen but it shouldn’t be the only appliance that’s used.  People need to incorporate other nutritious foods like chicken and fish into their daily diets.  Balancing out rice with wholesome and tasty foods is the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and you can find the best product for home use with these rice cooker reviews.

08/04/2012 | 0 comments | View Post

Cajun Okra and Tomatoes

You might think of okra and tomatoes as more of a soul food dish or as a  general southern food dish than as a Cajun recipe, but think again. Many Cajun recipes pay homage to the “cooking trinity” – onion, bell pepper, and celery. All these fit nicely with the main ingredients in this dish – tomatoes and okra. After all, where would Cajun cuisine be without these two staples? Rice is also an important element in most Cajun foods, and okra and tomatoes are awesome when paired with rice. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever once eaten okra and tomatoes any other way!

What makes this version of okra and tomatoes “more Cajun”? Look back to the holy trinity. All three are represented, along with some herbs and seasonings that are typical in Cajun and Creole recipes. If you want an even more authentic Cajun experience, try using sliced smoked sausage instead of bacon.

Cajun okra and tomatoes recipe

Ingredients:

3 strips bacon, chopped (or sliced sausage)

1 small onion, chopped or diced

1 stalk celery, chopped or sliced thin

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

3 cups fresh okra, rinsed and sliced

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Louisiana hot sauce, to taste

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: Cook bacon or sausage in an iron Dutch oven for two minutes. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook until meat and veggies are done. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer pot ingredients for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over white or yellow rice.

A more traditional way to make okra and tomatoes is featured in the following video:

21/03/2012 | 0 comments | View Post

Food Hygiene In The Home

I’m not a fan of cooking. Never have been and I doubt I ever will be but – if there’s one thing I do like it’s a well prepared meal. So saying that despite my natural dislike of cooking, it is then cancelled out by my need to eat well!

The odd part is that I come from a family of foodies – my father is a chef, my mom loves nothing more than to bake as much as possible, and my sister is a home economics teacher in a local college. Maybe that’s why I never really liked cooking … I was a lazy kid and got used to others putting my food on the table. Plus much of what I was raised on was Cajun – which is the best food the world over in my opinion!

These days the only one putting the food on the table is me, and me only so whether or not I like putting there is irrelevant. So – that leads me to food prep, and how to. Many people start cooking at home without realizing how important it is to practice good food hygiene standards.

By paying attention to how you prepare your food, you are making sure that:

  • cross-contamination is prevented
  • food is cooked as it should be
  • surfaces are clean
  • that you’ve gone a long way towards preventing possible food poisoning

Food poisoning is a very real risk in the home and the odd thing is that those that take the right precautions are more likely to turn out a tasty meal, if for no other reason than they’re paying attention to details.

Believe it or not there are more germs found in the kitchen than there is in the average bathroom! The germs that are the most commonly found are also pretty damn nasty – E Coli and Salmonella are tow that spring to mind.

Another type of good practice is to invest in the best cheese board or butchers block that you can afford. Buying top quality kitchen products, such as knives, chopping boards and so on, will also help you prepare food better, and keep your work areas clean.

Take it from a (very) reluctant cook – if I can cope with hanging around the kitchen and turning out good home cooking without self-poisoning myself anyone can!

 

14/03/2012 | 0 comments | View Post