The Benefits Of Slow Food Over Fast Food

blogger

Fast food is a phenomenon that most people in the world are familiar with. However, slow food is less well known. The name slow food is slightly deceptive as it is much more than the opposite of fast food. The slow food movement advocates more than just care and attention to what we eat. It offers an alternative to fast-paced modern life by encompassing the philosophy behind why and how we should eat by providing information on sourcing produce, methods of cooking and the positive social aspects of eating and sharing a meal.

What is Fast Food?

To understand what slow food really is, we need to understand what it is the antidote to: fast food. Typically, the term fast food refers to quickly prepared food with low quality ingredients and preparation that is served in disposable packaging at franchised restaurant chains, independent outlets and kiosks. It is often over-priced, low in nutritional value, and eaten “on the run”.

It is frequently manufactured in an industrial environment, pre-packed, and then shipped to retailers where it can be reheated or cooked quickly. While some fast food is healthy, such as sushi, quick fried or grilled fresh meat and vegetables, baked potatoes, salads, fresh sandwiches, most is not. Common fast foods such as burgers, french fries, fish and chips, pizza and kebabs are often highly processed and contain large amounts of additives, are high in calories, trans fats, sugars and salts, and come in relatively small portions.

What is Slow Food?

Slow food is a system of values that is designed to combat the detrimental effects of fast food. Its whole ethos centres on the idea of “living an unhurried life, beginning at the table.” The Slow Food Movement was formed in Italy in 1986 and has grown to around 83,000 members in 122 countries.

Among the key values it promotes and encourages are the extensive use of regional and local produce, traditional farming and cooking methods, and sharing the enjoyment of carefully and slowly prepared and cooked foods in the company of others all of which nurtures a healthy mind and body.

However, its remit also extends to the preservation of regional and cultural foods and ingredients such as plants, seeds, and domestic animals through programmes such as taste education, and offers support to those who wish to source and promote traditional, local high quality food that is more nourishing and tastier than fast food.

Health Benefits

By eating and adopting the social attitude of slow food, both bodily and mental health can be improved much more so than a fast food diet. Fast food providers, especially in the US, urge consumers to buy “Supersize” which has contributed to the problem of obesity, which increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, blood diseases joint problems.

Fast food is often eaten fast, which is often anti-social and bad for digestion. With slow food, a meal is made into a special event. During preparation of the food, people take time to relax and share a conversation, which extends well after the meal is finished. Because slow food is made from the freshest, local ingredients and produce (often organic, hence free from manmade chemicals), diners have peace of mind knowing where their food came from and that it provides high nutritional value.

Many people are surprised to learn that slower eating aids weight loss. The conditioned behaviour of eating until we are full is a complex process that depends on how many times we chew, how long we eat for and the amount of food we eat. If we chew and eat more slowly and spend more time at the table, most people find that it takes less food to feel full.

Lifestyle Benefits

In addition, eating is made more enjoyable because of the sharing. Mealtimes have traditionally been a time when people can come together and not just share a meal, but bond. This makes for closer relationships with friends and family members that are happier because of the sharing.

Eating more slowly enables us to taste more. Fast food is designed to be eaten quickly, which is why it has concentrated flavours. However, the taste doesn’t last long and is ultimately unsatisfying. Slow food on the other hand, is made with the best ingredients and produce which is packed full of natural flavours. When we eat slowly in relaxing surroundings, we experience more flavours, textures and aromas, and will gain new appreciation of our food.

Organic Food Tax Write Off

blogger

I am finally preparing to have my taxes done this evening. Thats right, I did put it off until the last minute. I was contemplating what to write about for todays article while in the back of my head, thinking about what I will need to bring to the tax office tonight. I remembered a great idea that I had about this time last year about our taxes and the purchase of organic food.

You hear about it in the news, on TV shows and from politicians that Americas getting fat. Its not just the weight as much as it is our overall health that we should be concerned about but in todays economy it is very difficult for many people to eat healthy. It certainly helps to have an incentive in mind when deciding to switch to a healthy diet and many people are still skeptical about switching to organic food, assuming that its just a fad. It is slightly more expensive to eat organic but the truth is it that its the best choice we can make for our health.

America has become aware about the benefits of going green and making strides toward improving our environment but what we should also be concerned about is improving our health. If we can make America healthier one step at a time, a great start would be to allow tax payers to write off some of the cost of organic groceries. Not only will people eat healthier knowing that they will be partially compensated for the cost, it will benefit our country as a whole in many ways.

People who live healthy lifestyles will require less medical care. This is most likely a pipe dream, but it wouldnt hurt if our insurance would cover natural, homeopathic medicine as well as treatments like acupuncture and massage therapy, etc. Healthier citizens are more productive citizens. Employees will be more productive at work as they will be more alert, focused and happier because they will not be full of the toxins that can cause emotional problems, difficulty concentrating and so much more. Children who eat organic food function much better at school and will most likely earn better grades, increasing their chances for a decent job once they have graduated. I feel comfortable stating that the economy can only benefit from such a change.

We have two paths we can take. We can support local business owners like farmers as well as companies offering products that better our health and increase longevity, vs. giving our money to fast food and pharmaceutical companies. Why support businesses like McDonalds that entice prospective customers with visions of cheeseburgers dancing in their heads while delivering our children food that makes them look and feel terrible, not to mention includes meat from sick, hormone-injected cows. Come on guys, mommys taking everyone to McDonalds for dinner! I dont get the concept and the government shouldnt either.

We seem to be taking baby steps toward eating the right foods. Organic sections at grocery stores are growing and consumers are reading the labels before purchasing products. Now we just need the support of our government. If were not going to get rid of enterprises like McDonalds, lets at least offer even more incentives (above and beyond the obvious) for people to eat healthy. If our money goes toward organic food only, I guarantee you that businesses will want to accommodate our needs in order to thrive and our country will blossom from there.

Its time to come out of the closet about organic food. This is not a fad that will change over time- not once people notice the benefits that a nutritional diet can have on their health and appearance. Some people just need a little nudge in the right direction and a tax break just for one year just might do the trick!

Check out Discovery Health with Dish Network satellite television.

By: Frank Bilotta

Height Increasing Food – Grow Taller and Stronger

blogger

We tend to believe in the herbal remedies for every problem without any exception. The natural format of healing touch appeals us the most. Though having a short attribute is not any form of disease, still many people silently suffer due to their height. They believe that there is a strong correlation between the success and tall attribute. Though it is not true to a great extent, still a few dollops of truth can not be ignored. There are few sports and military services that require the tall features, let alone driving the other sexes wild.

Many trust that practicing the strenuous exercises regularly is the only tonic to increase heights. But it is only a myth and not a reality. Though it is the top priority in the list of the increase height tips still there are several other ways that should fetch equal attention from the persons. One of them is of course inviting the height increasing food in the daily diet. Taking the healthy diet that is enriched with the height increasing agents is considered to complement the rigorous physical training.ng.

The stretching exercises are believed to fuel the height and a height increasing food is supposed to add fuel to the fire of natural growth. Increase height tips consider the physical training as well as the proper diet as the two inevitable parts of the height increase program. The teenagers will be greatly benefitted if they start practicing the exercises on the regular basis. They should also take the foods that are rich in protein and minerals as these will stimulate the growth hormones to flow in the right magnitudes. The height increasing food will not only help them to grow up but also keep their health in good conditions.

Why do the increase height tips place so much importance upon the height increasing food? We need food for the sake of survival and the balanced diets to remain strong and healthy. The students have to work hard to excel in the studies. They are also engaged into the extracurricular activities. The healthy diet is necessary to top-up the calories that are daily burnt to supply the requisite energies to do every bit of work. The balanced food is not imperative to the growth of the bones and muscles but equally important to feed up the grey matters in our brains. Meat, eggs, cereals, apples, lemons, vegetables and vitamin B enriched products fall under the category of the height increasing food that carry the stimulating ingredients to grow taller.

The long bones build up the tall attribute. So both the training programs as well as the healthy diets concentrate on stuffing up the strength in the bones and lengthening it. Calcium is the main component of the bones. The height increasing food should include the sufficient amount of calcium-enriched items. The teenagers do not need to adopt the surgery or gulping down the pills to increase their heights. The natural way is the best for them as the hormones have not yet stopped to secrete. But the adults who are past their adolescent period may think over shunning the natural increase height tips and embracing the other recipes to grow taller.

Why Invest In Food Industry In India

blogger

Food joints and restaurants have been flourishing in the Indian market since long time. Moreover, with the growing urbanization, globalization, and changing lifestyles, the food industry has set a firm foothold in the market which is worth INR 580 bn and shows vast prospective to grow and prosper in future.
The changing trends of eat outs and increased proportion of young population alongwith changing lifestyles of people has driven the market.

It is wise to know about investing in food joints whether you want to earn profit from public interests in restaurants and eateries or just want to earn the name of the firm or to provide support to the food company youre investing on. If you really want to invest, youre at the right path to have chosen the food industry especially in metros.
But there is a problem. Before you make any decisions, though, be sure you understand the ins and outs of investing in this growing industry.
With numerous food joints and chain of restaurants in the market, you might be perplexed over the thoughts as to which company to choose from to invest upon. Luckily, there is a solution to it. The best way you can firm up your decision over which food joint to choose ends at Moti Mahal (www.motimahal.in) chain of restaurants.
Moti Mahal has been the pioneer of Mughlai and tandoori restaurants; the creator of the original Indian Butter Chicken & Tandoori chicken which is now having more than 90 branches all over the country with a history of expertise in restaurant management and catering services going back to 1920.

Although investment under Moti Mahal restaurants is sheer assurance of myriad funds but one, for his core satisfaction, can also appraise the eatery (or any other) and his investments for the following assessments-:

1.It is not advised that you assume you cant lose money just because the food joint is growing and is having a great prospect. You must first decide upon the investment that you can put up making sure not to lose more than what you can afford.

2.Get a clear concept over the companys ethics and various other aspects. Make sure it has a regulatory department that is always fair trade, or socially or environmentally not hazardous.

3.Undertake research works over different food companies. Once you have a clear vision of your investments, start your research with manufacturers and gradually to food chains you already buy from. Look for companies to invest in and shortlist firms you believe would result in good investments.

Investing in food joints isnt about investing in best firms and ideal companies but rather the decision to pick out companies on the right track.

Food restaurants are the way of life. The Indian food restaurants arent going to break up anytime soon either. Due to its enormousness, there might be times it changes.
The only restriction they can encounter is the banning of items such as Trans fats etc. Health related issues are the most eyed on problem that can surface with the progress of food restaurants. Thats why choosing fast food restaurants to invest upon can turn out to be problematic. At such stages, ethical Indian restaurants such as Moti Mahal can keep their heads unshaken. After all, Indian restaurants like Moti Mahal are the food firms that have taken the Indian culinary to a global new echelon.

Fast food chains cannot adopt to all the measures overnight. Worldwide, this cause has triggered consumers and investors to choose from Indian food chains and Indias culinary which now without doubt has a great prospect ahead not only in India but globally.
While many of us love fast food joins and might consider choosing them, Indian restaurants like Moti Mahal are the brand new emissaries to taking the Indian food industry to the zenith of worlds culinary map.

Increase Platelets – Eliminate These Foods If You Have Itp Blood Disease

blogger

If you have Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura can you increase platelets by eating the right foods?

Or for that matter can you decrease platelets by eating the wrong foods?

The answer is yes on both accounts. Eating properly can have a major impact on your ITP disease. But just how can you increase platelets?

First you must be very mindful of what you put into your body in the way of food. Rememberthat ITP is a breakdown of your immune system mostly caused by rampant inflammation in the body. Many foods are known antagonists to your immune system and should be avoided like the plague. Also, you may be sensitive to certain foods and they can irritate your system and cause your ITP disorder to worsen.

On the opposite side of the fence, there are also many super foods out there that can build up your immune system thereby helping you increase platelets.

Foods to Eliminate if you want to increase platelets.

Sugars table sugar, commercial syrups, (especially high fructose corn syrup which basically wreaks havoc with our metabolism and immune system causing inflammation in the body- unfortunately now days HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup is prevalent in a majority of our foods )

Refined Grains white flour, white rice, processed breakfast cereals, pasta etc. (these foods have had most of the good stuff removed and then a bunch of synthetic vitamins added which are not good for your battle to increase platelets.

Processed Food Packaged food AKA dead useless food. Not only do these foods do nothing for your health but they are actually in the long run harmful and will do nothing to help you increase platelets. The cardboard box is probably better for you than what is in it!

Bad Fat Commercial vegetable oils, margarines and especially trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) If you want to increase your platelets be sure to eliminate all the above from your diet!

Nutritional Supplements Not all vitamin and mineral supplements are created equal and a large percentage of supplements on the market have been proven to actually cause free radical formation which in turn causes inflammation which will never help increase platelets. Instead they could actually cause you to have low blood platelets.

Dairy So many people are actually sensitive to dairy products without even knowing it, and our commercially available dairy products will not help you increase platelets. With all the hormones and antibiotics that are given to our cows, coupled with the processing that is used, dairy products as we know them today are very acid forming in our body, which in turn will increase inflammation and never help to increase platelets.

Fast Food Increase platelets? No way. These are highly processed foods laden with highly saturated fats for longer shelf life and chock full of all sorts of chemical preservatives and fillers. Not only will you get fat by eating fast food, you will become inflamed and get sick. Fast food will NEVER increase platelets!