Caribbean Food - A Little History

The Arawak, Carib, and Taino Indians were the first inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. These first inhabitants occupied the present day islands of British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Trinidad, and Jamaica. Their daily diet consisted of vegetables and fruits such as papaw, yams, guavas, and cassava. The Taino started the process of cooking meat and fish in large clay pots.

The Arawaks are the first people known to make a grate of thin green wood strips on which they slowly cooked meat, allowing it to be enhanced by the flavor of the wood. This grate was called a barbacoa, and the word we know today as barbeque is taken from this early Indian cooking method.

Food

The Carib Indians added more spice to their food with hot pepper sauces, and also added lemon and lime juice to their meat and fish recipes. The Caribs are said to have made the first pepper pot stew. No recipes exist since every time the Indians made the dish, they would always add new ingredients. The Carib had a big impact on early Caribbean history, and the Caribbean sea was named after this tribe.

Caribbean Food - A Little History

Then the Caribbean became a crossroads for the world . . .

Once the Europeans brought Africans slaves into the region, the slaves diet consisted mostly of food the slave owners did not want to eat. So the slaves had to be inventive, and they blended their traditional African foods with staples found on the islands. The Africans introduced okra, callaloo, fish cakes, saltfish, ackee, pudding and souse, mangos, and the list goes on.

Most present day Caribbean island locals eat a present diet that is reflective of the main ingredients of original early African dishes, and includes cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, plantains, bananas and corn meal.

African men were hunters in their homeland, and often away from home for long periods of time. They would cook spicy pork over hot coals, and this tradition was refined by the early slaves in Jamaica. The technique is known today as "jerk" cooking , and the secret involves a slow meat cooking process. Jamaica is famous for jerk chicken and pork, and you'll find jerk all over the island.

After slavery was abolished, the Europeans went to India and China for labor, and more cooking styles were introduced. Much of the Indian cooking culture remains alive and well in the Caribbean of today with the introduction of curried meats and curry powder. Indians call it kari podi, and we have come to know this pungent flavor as curry.

The Chinese introduced rice, which is always a staple in home cooked island meals. The Chinese also introduced mustard, and the early Portuguese sailors introduced the popular codfish.

Most visitors to the Caribbean have no idea that the fruit trees and fruits so familiar to the islands were introduced by the early Spanish explorers. The fruit trees and fruits brought from Spain include orange, lime, ginger, plantains, figs, date palms, sugar cane, grapes, tamarinds and coconuts.

Even the Polynesian islands play an important role in Caribbean cooking. Most of us remember the movie "Mutiny on the Bounty", but do not know that particular ship carried breadfruit, which was loaded on board from the islands of Tahiti and Timor. In the movie the crew took over the ship, forced the captain into a small boat to fend on his own, and they threw the breadfruit, which they considered "strange fruit" overboard. Another ship was more successful in bringing breadfruit from Polynesia to Jamaica and the St Vincent and the Grenadines. Breadfruit is a staple diet in the current day Caribbean

America is responsible for introducing beans, corn, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, and chili pepper to the Caribbean. In fact these particular foods had never been seen in Asia, Europe or Africa, so America actually introduced these foods the rest of the world via the Caribbean.

So it's no wonder Caribbean cooking is so rich and creative with the flavors of Africa, India, and China, along with Spanish, Danish, Portuguese, French and British influences. Food served in the Caribbean islands have been influenced by the cultures of the world, but each island adds its own special flavor and cooking technique.

Caribbean Food - A Little History

Linda Thompkins is a Caribbean travel consultant and owner of Travel 2 the Caribbean online agency. Linda and her husband reside in Indianapolis, Indiana and have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean.

Travel 2 the Caribbean has been in business for seven years and offers secure online booking, and travel agent booking.

[http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com]

Iron As a Plant Nutrient - In What Circumstances Should Iron Fertilizer Be Used?

I was recently asked to give a consultation on the state of the plants in a private garden. I live and garden in central Israel, which has a typical Mediterranean climate, similar to places like southern California, south west Australia, and central Chile. I was inspecting the plants together with the homeowner, and while looking at a citrus tree, the lady suddenly said, "Oh and please show me how to apply iron fertilizer - I'm not very happy about having to use it every two weeks or so".

She had apparently been "advised" by a neighbor's gardener that the fruit trees should be so treated during the growing season. I looked again at the tree and what I saw were lovely dark green healthy leaves and plenty of decent looking fruit hanging on the branches. Her remark typifies to some extent, some of the misconceptions common amongst home gardeners on the important subject of plant nutrition.

Nutrient

Iron is one of the twelve minerals essential to plant growth and development. It is a micro-element, meaning that the plant needs it in relatively small quantities, as opposed to the macro-elements, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium, which are required and consumed in larger amounts. Iron is rarely absent from soils, at least in dry climates, but a high soil pH, meaning alkaline conditions, prevent it dissolving in the soil water, thereby rendering it unavailable to the plants' roots.

Iron As a Plant Nutrient - In What Circumstances Should Iron Fertilizer Be Used?

The clearest sign of iron deficiency (a condition known as chlorosis) is leaves whose blades are yellow, but whose veins are green. If however, the leaves are perfectly green, the indication is that iron is definitely not lacking. Applying iron fertilizer when it is not needed is not simply unnecessary, but liable to be damaging as well, since excessive micro-elements in the soil water can actually be toxic to plants.

Significant iron deficiency will seriously retard the plants, but the idea that fertilizer should be added to the soil in order to pre-empt the possibility of chlorosis is utterly false. Iron fertilizer should never be applied unless there are definite signs of chlorosis. This often occurs when building rubble has been buried in the soil, or when plants are close to a wall, and the lime in the cement residues raises the pH to levels where minerals crystallize and cannot dissolve. In general, the best way of securing soil conditions whereby the micro-elements are readily available to the plants, is to periodically add compost or humus to the soil, as this balances the pH towards neutral, (neither too acidic nor too alkaline) at least in the alkaline soils common to most dry climates.

Iron As a Plant Nutrient - In What Circumstances Should Iron Fertilizer Be Used?

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19th Century Food And Drink

Eat, drink and be merry! That was the cry of the Victorian era and the people of that period attacked their meals with great gusto! A revolution in stoves, cookware and kitchen gadgets, combined with the discovery of canning and food sterilization techniques, open up endless possibilities for the motivated domestic servant who held the position of cook.

Eating was an event in the Victorian home. Even the breakfast meal featured a variety of fruits, scones, omelettes, bacon and more. From the ritual pouring of afternoon tea, complete with its own elaborate rituals and opportunities to show off the lady's finest silver, china and linen, to elaborate banquets attended my noblemen and their guests there was always something on the stove in a Victorian kitchen.

Food

In reality, the Victorian menu wasn't terribly different from what is served in homes today or at least in the homes where someone still cooks. Meat, fish and poultry were common and fresh or canned vegetables were served with most meals. Winter and autumn meals usually included hearty soups and stews while chicken and lighter dishes prevailed in the summertime.

19th Century Food And Drink

Holidays meals were special celebrations and called for the finest dishes including Roast Mutton, Pork or Turkey, Boiled Beef, Stewed Rabbits, Plum Pudding and Mince Pies. Baked good were plentiful and cooks were especially prized for their dessert-making skills.

Most evening meals were served in courses with raw or baked Oysters a popular appetizer. The second course featured cream soups or plain bouillon along with a serving of baked or broiled fish. The main course, usually roasted poultry, pork or beef, accompanied by a variety of savoury vegetables, fresh baked bread, and frequently some pasta, was presented by the serving maid in grand fashion and to the great delight of those seated around the table.

The dessert course featured several puddings, cakes and highly prized specialities such as Nesselrode and Plum Pudding. Of course a variety of cheeses and fresh fruit were often served when available.

Wine was not particularly popular, but beer was and continues to be a favourite beverage in England. But it wasn't all alcohol in the Victorian home. Lemonade, root beer, hot tea and, yes, Perrier were also popular beverages.

Yes, the Victorians loved to eat and drink. We have them to thank for a long running tradition of good food served with gusto and a pint of beer!

19th Century Food And Drink

You can learn more about Victorian Food and Drink by visiting http://www.thecooksguide.com a site brimming with historical recipes and household management wisdom imparted by the celebrity chef of his time Charles Elme Francatelli

Nutrition - Ten Reasons For Proper Nutrition

Nutrition is what we provide to our bodies, in the form of food and drink, to support life within our body's cells. It is what we eat and drink, which is known as our diet. People provide themselves with all kinds of nutrition, and not all of it is beneficial to supporting life. Experts recommend that we eat and drink certain nutrients for good reasons. In this article, we discuss ten reasons for giving your body proper nutrition.

Ten reasons for giving your body proper nutrition are:

Nutrition

1. Reduce the risk of certain illnesses.

Nutrition - Ten Reasons For Proper Nutrition

Most people want to have the chance of a long healthy life, and therefore want to reduce illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancer. Proper nutrition goes a long way towards reducing the risks.

2. Improve our Immune System

By taking certain nutrients, we build up our immune system, and are less susceptible to viruses that other people have.

3. Get Fit

If we are unfit already, it's a real challenge to exercise because of the lack of energy. So, if we feed our bodies with proper nutrition, we'll get more energy and feel like exercising to get fit.

4. Have Fun and Do the things we Want to do

If we are on a good diet most of the time, we can do new and strenuous activities like rock climbing or wind surfing, or scuba diving, things that take a lot of energy and strength. Having the right nutrients in our bodies, builds our strength and confidence to do different things.

5. Look Good and Healthy

When taking good nutrition, we look good. Our bodies are trim and lean, and our skin looks clear and healthy, nails are stronger, and our hair looks shinier.

6. Feel Good

I believe this is the most important. With good nutrition, we feel much better because our cells are getting the nutrients they require.

7. Improve the Quality of Our Lives

When we look and feel good, we have a lot more confidence. It's easier to get the job we want or to have a successful business, or just to do the things we love doing.

8. Learn More Easily

Healthy children learn more easily, and this is shown by research studies. I believe this is true for adults also, and that learning is a fun part of life at any age.

9. Improve Vision

Good nutrition improves our vision, including night vision.

10. Improve our Memories

Our memories will be improved if we take certain nutrients, and this will improve our working life, or make it more fun in relationships with other people, to remember things we've heard or read before.

By reading about these ten reasons for good nutrition, I hope you were inspired to learn about proper nutrition and to think about what you eat and drink.

Nutrition - Ten Reasons For Proper Nutrition

Julieanne van Zyl writes news and updates about Nutrition Go to the following page if you want to know more about the Nutrition Supplements you can drink each day, and obtain the life-giving whole food phytonutrients and antioxidants your body cells deserve.

Nutrition, Supplementation and Acupuncture Support For Cerebral Palsy

Nutritional needs are determined by a few key factors. First, the overall stress burden on the body, second the digestive ability of the body and third previous exposure to diminished nutrient quality. People living with cerebral palsy have an increased need for adequate nutrition because of the increased stress burden of the body and because the multiple interventions common among people with this condition create an environment of diminished digestive ability. Essential nutrition must begin at birth and then be considered a critical part of all ongoing care. There are five basic rules of optimal nutrition that can be paired with four basic supplementation guidelines and the use of acupuncture that will magnify and improve overall health, energy, inflammatory response and quality of life in most people living with CP. The guidelines do not vary much from the optimal nutritional needs of all people; however, when there is a greater need in the body, it is essential for good nutrition to be applied with great care. If deficiencies of basic nutrients develop, or digestive inflammation sets in, it is harder to treat when multiple problems present at one time. Applying good nutrition from birth prevents having to manage consequences later and will provide essential inflammatory control.

The deficits associated with CP are often static, but additional problems can develop when malfunction of one area affects another part of the body, this is where nutritional support is essential. Common areas of increased stress and therefore increased need are adrenal glands, large intestine and the immune system. As the stress burden grows, so does the nutrient need, and then the cycle just grows. Childhood nutrition greatly impacts lifelong health factors.

Nutrition

Children function best with breastfeeding but that is not always possible. In situations where breastfeeding cannot be done, making formula by following the guidelines of the Weston Price foundation will provide the most significant advantages for any child. Traditional store bought formula often contains sugars, processed fats and additives that are detrimental to digestive function and may set up a pattern of digestive inflammation and impaired nutrient absorption that can later lead to increased sensitivity to foods.

Nutrition, Supplementation and Acupuncture Support For Cerebral Palsy

Digestive inflammation is the result of long term ingestion of foods that the body has difficulty digesting. Often the symptoms of inflammation are masked as other conditions and get misinterpreted but generally can be classified as food sensitivities. Food sensitivities are different from food allergies as they are more of an inflammatory response to a food that happens with mild symptoms that can then grow into large scale tissue inflammation. The most common sensitivities are milk, egg, wheat, soy, corn and peanut. Once sensitivities set in, inflammation results which can generate a condition called leaky gut. Leaky gut occurs when the cells lining the digestive tract become inflamed and as a result, the junctions between cells expand and food particles pass into the blood stream before being fully broken down. These larger particles cause an immune response because the body perceives them as it would a virus or bacteria. This immune response produces inflammation. If this process occurs everyday multiple times per day, the result is chronic low level inflammation that can lead to digestive symptoms of gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion. Other parts of the body can also have symptoms that relate to this such as behavior problems of anger, easy frustration, bed wetting, sleep issues, frequent colds and infections, allergies, fatigue and diminished muscle function and strength. In order to maintain adequate digestive function, the right foods must be eaten, and proper support nutrients must be used.

In order to maximize nutritional absorption, foods consumed must be close to their source, produced with very little processing and high quality. All food consumed must still resemble what it comes from, such as an apple or an egg. Foods should be free of preservatives and additives as most compounds used to preserve foods have been linked with adverse effects on the nervous system and brain. Organic foods are always better than non organic in order to minimize exposure to chemicals and pesticides used in large scale commercial farming. Although guidelines will vary depending on the individual body chemistry and needs of an individual, the basics remain the same. Protein should be from either vegetable source like beans, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds or animal sources not treated with hormones and minimally processed. Eggs are an essential source of good quality fats and cholesterol needed to produce hormones. Good quality eggs should have an orange yolk of a vibrant color. Fats are the cornerstone of long term health; the most ideal fats are raw coconut oil, cold pressed olive oil, and butter from organic milk, full fat raw milk and lard from pasture raised animals. Fats that will perpetuate inflammatory cycles and disrupt health are vegetable fats like canola and corn oil. Carbohydrates in the diet should ideally come from vegetable sources and when grains are used they must be in their whole unbleached form and ideally sprouted in origin. Nutrition is about chemistry, the way that nutrients interact, their levels, and how they get into and become incorporated into cellular function are all key to they impact the body. For most people supplementation is essential and when applied properly greatly improves overall health and digestive function. A few properly applied nutrients can make a significant difference.

There are four key categories of supplementation essential to everyone. First, a good quality multi, that is easily absorbable, supports cellular function and antioxidant status. Second, an essential fatty acid such as fermented cod liver oil, third a probiotic ideally containing HSO, soil based organisms, and fourth an antioxidant support formula with specific attention to increasing glutathione levels. Incorporating good quality supplements from these four categories will provide basic support and enhance long term health and inflammatory control. As proper nutritional routines are implemented, adding acupuncture will magnify and increase efficacy in controlling inflammation and enhancing digestive function.

Acupuncture dates back to the Stone Age. It originates in China and can be used to treat all types of health conditions. Acupuncture works by stimulating better organ, nervous system, muscle, and hormonal function by using points on energetic pathways called meridians. Meridians are well defined energetic pathways that relate to organ and nervous system function. On each meridian there are numerous points, with very precise locations where in treatment needles are inserted. Each point has a set of functions and when combined with other acupuncture points produces an effect changing body function. In the case of chronic inflammation as the result of nutrient deficiencies, acupuncture helps to eliminate inflammation, restore normal digestive function and increase nutrient absorption. Acupuncture treatments can also be used to improve muscle tone and strength, nerve conductivity and balance emotional responses. Generally, the effect of acupuncture is achieved through multiple treatments, however, each person is unique and treatment plans will vary.

Properly applied nutritional and acupuncture therapy will make dramatic enhancements to any health plan. People living with CP have certain functional challenges, but poor nutrition and uncontrolled inflammation could turn functional challenges into global dysfunction. Proper nutritional support prevents system stress from becoming dysfunction and disease and enhances life quality.

Nutrition, Supplementation and Acupuncture Support For Cerebral Palsy

Dr. Julie TwoMoon is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor with a degree from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland Oregon. She also holds a Masters of Science of Oriental Medicine. More about doctor TwoMoon can be found at [http://www.breathingwaters.net].

7 Proven Weight Loss Tips For Teenagers

I'm not going to try to sell you something. All I'm going to do is give you the facts about how to lose weight through safe and successful tips. The rest is up to you.

The First and Most Important Rule of Teenage Weight Loss

Nutrition

1. Eat Healthily! Starvation is not the Solution

7 Proven Weight Loss Tips For Teenagers

Every so often we hear about a teenage girl starving herself to reduce weight quickly in order to attend a special function, a dance or a prom. The person that I have in mind was about eighteen years old, let say her name was Brandi. Brandi wanted to loss approximately 22 pounds in 5 weeks to attend a wedding as a bridesmaid. She wanted to be noticed by by her friends, and in particular one boy.

During that time frame the most weight Brandi could have expect to lose and still maintain her health was about 10 to 12 pounds. In her effort and without getting her doctor's advice decides to starve herself. So she went off and starved herself for until her desired weight was accomplished.

What happened? Later, I learned she lost about 8 pounds within 2 weeks. During that time she developed spots all over her face and body. Yes, you guessed right, Brandi was not able to attend the wedding as a bridesmaid. Brandi spent several weeks under the care of her doctor undoing the damage she had done to her body by starving herself. Teenagers, let this incident be a warning to you! "When we stop eating, we stop giving our bodies the nutrition it requires to stay healthy and it begins t malfunction."

2. Healthy Eating is Better Than "Dieting"

The primary reason why adults experience weight problems and eventually become ill is due to them undertaking drastic measures or unhealthy weight loss diets during their teenage years. Teen Diets should not be considered until their physical growth has been completed This completion in teenagers usually occurs around 18 years of age.

Until that time teenage weight loss should not be considered without consulting your doctor. He will recommend dietitian who would be able to recommend a safe and healthy diet. A diet which would permit healthy growth and weight loss control.

3. Dieting Can Causes Health Problems in Teens?

Yes, dieting can cause health problems in teens. During your teen years, between the ages of 12-17 years, approximately 90% of your body frame structure and bone mass of an adult is laid down as a foundation. This not the time to be depriving your body of the essential vitamins which it requires like calcium, vitamins C&D.

During these years, even a short period of "strict dieting" could lead to a low bone density level. Low bone density weakens your bones in your later years; they become fragile and are susceptible to fractures and breakage.

Teen Dieting can also lead to low levels of frolic acid and iron, both of which may prevent you from becoming anemic. An anemic individual tends to be constantly tire. Their intellectual performance becomes impaired.

There are other health problems which are associated with teens undertakings "strict diets", but there are too many to mention here.

4. What Does Healthy Eating Really Mean?

Teens, as long as you eat a variety of foods, from the 5 major food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains [rice, pasta, oats etc] lean meats, dairy, low fats) in the right portions you should get all the nutrition you need.

5. Are Certain Foods are Off-Limits?

No. healthy eating doesn't mean depriving yourself of higher-calorie foods, like ice cream, pizza, cheeseburgers etc. You can enjoy all these foods and others in moderation.

6. Snack on Fruits to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Take snacks of freshly slice fruit to school with you. You can also include some Walnuts or Brazilian nuts to munch on

7. General Rule of Eating Well

Make sure that half the plate contains vegetables and the remaining half divided equally between protein (meat, eggs, beans) and carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes). When eating pizza, go easy on the cheese and pepperoni an heavy on vegetables and fruit.

Some time teens trying to lose weight encounter severe hunger pangs; in these situation they may consider a supplement to their weight loss program by using a natural appetite suppressant pill like Hoodia Gordonii Plus which is virtually 100% pure

7 Proven Weight Loss Tips For Teenagers

Are you serious about losing weight? If so, then go to Official Weight Loss Guide. This website provide a wealth of information on weight loss. It is easy to use.