Heart rate app

My heart rate is 74bpm. With new improvements to the app you can measure your BPM. For people with blood pressure problems I highly recommend this app. Its called Instant heart rate, you can get in the Play store for free

Potato chip torta

Today my mom cooked for us a fine breakfast and I remembered sweet breakfast I had last summer at my sister's. So I decided to share with you what we had.
This recipe is very simple, but flipping the torta takes a bit of practice. Don’t get discouraged, take your time, and be gentle. It may take more than one time, but you’ll get it eventually. Once you give this dish a try the practice wont be an issue because you’ll be craving a slice every Sunday morning.

About this recipe

Yield: 4 serves
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Special Equipment: 10 inch non-stick skillet

Ingredients

6 eggs
1 tablespoon (14 grams) of sliced scallions
2 cups (466 grams) of potato chips
kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon (14 grams) of butter
sliced scallions (to garnish)
Yogurt (to garnish)

Procedures

Beat eggs and scallions in a large bowl. Gently fold potato chips into eggs, trying to break as few as possible. Season with salt.
Heat pan over medium high heat and add butter; when foam subsides, add egg/chip mixture and turn heat to medium low. Using a rubber spatula, gently pull eggs away from sides of pan while the eggs set.
When eggs have begun to set, use a oven mitt and a plate to flip over torta. Place plate over pan, and securing the pan to the plate with an oven mitt, flip pan over so torta lands on the plate, then gently slip torta back into pan to finish cooking.
Slice into segments and serve with more sliced scallions, cracked black pepper, and yogurt

Let the music rhythms adjust your health

Unplugging from the daily rigors of life, heartbreaks, financial crunches and disappointments and recharging with music may be just what you need. Recent studies have shown that music has beneficial effect on your body's immunity and overall health. This gives you abetter chance to fight off disease and protect itself against the attacks of many illness.
This may sound unbelievable but the soothing impacts to your health may surprise you. Throughout the ages, people have listened  and played music in an effort to live happier and healthier lives, in fact in my country they played music in dance contests just to win a hand in marriage for a woman. Good music can also put you in a better state  of mind and help your overall emotional and physical well being. Whether, you are angry, feeling downcast or happy, music has a way of making the day better and life worth living.

  Take a moment and think about a life without music, a world without music is a sad and gloomy indeed. Listen to music and be happier. Music has been proven to lift our spirits during difficult or lonely times. Build up a large cache of the particular music that you play on a rainy day to lift up your spirit. Besides obvious health benefits, and throughout generations, music has connected people of different creeds and nations in a way that nothing else can. Music is a powerful bond that can come simply through a shared enjoyment.
Remember, you're never too old or young to learn an instrument that makes one feel that his life is worthwhile. Am learning how to play keyboards and am excited about it.You can either hire a tutor or attend lessons. Happy Summer

9 Homemade refreshing drinks for the Summer

Do you wish to try some easy to make and savory drinks this summer? Well you might wanna
drink a little bit more in summers as compared to winters, so why not drink something that lowers your temperature and keeps your mind cool and relaxed. Here are some nine innovative homemade drinks that are sure to refresh your body to keep it cool and fresh.

1) Mixed berry shake

If you are fond of berries, then a mixed berry shake can be the perfect solution to beat the heat, this summer. These shakes are easy to make and are immensely delectable to drink. Simply blend strawberries and raspberries and then, mix it with water to create this shake. You can also add some mint sprigs to add a hint of innovation to this drink and make it all the more refreshing.

2) Mango Slushie

Mango Slushie can be another viable option, if you are totally “gaga” over mangoes. Simply mix the mango pulp with milk and shake it well in order to create this delicious drink. You can also add a spoonful of sugar, if you want your drink to be extra sweet. This mango slushie tastes best when it is frozen.

3) Peanut butter Crusher

Peanut butter crusher is a unique drink which is light, refreshing and highly delicious. Add 2 scoops of creamy peanut butter, 2 scoops of vanilla ice-cream and half a tea spoon sugar, to a glass of milk to make this savory and delectable crusher. Freeze this crusher to enjoy the best of this drink.

4) Fruity Soda

If you wish to add a punch of fruitiness to your drink, then you can definitely try this fruity soda. Simply mix cranberry juice, mango juice, orange juice, strawberry juice, blueberry juice and any other relevant fruit juice to create this delicious soda. You can also add maple syrup to enhance the sweetness of this drink.

5) Fruity crusher

This crusher can be a pretty intriguing option to cope up with the summer heat. Simply add mango and orange juice and blend it with some peeled pineapple chunks to create this fruity crusher. Add some ice-cubes to this drink in order to enhance its taste.

6) Sparkling mocktail

This mocktail can be the perfect summer drink, this season. Add apple cider juice, orange juice, mango juice, raspberry juice, blue berry juice and some maple syrup to create this innovative drink. Freeze this mocktail and enjoy its refreshing taste.

7) Chocolaty coffee crusher

This is probably the best drink this summer. Simply add a teaspoon of coffee and 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream in a glass of chilled milk to create this crusher. You can also crush some biscuits and blend it well, to enhance the taste of this drink.

8) Banana Honey Shake

If you want to enjoy the taste of a refreshing, healthy and delicious smoothie, then this banana honey shake can be a perfect alternative. Blend banana, honey, ice-cubes and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make this unique and tasty smoothie.

9) Sweet Lime Soda

This age old lime soda is the one of the most classic summer drinks. Simply add a few drops of lime juice and some ice cubes to a glass of soda. Blend this drink in a blender to make this innovative and refreshing drink.

Tips and Mistakes to avoid in making Guacamole

I don't mess around when it comes to guacamole. We understand the importance of this simple avocado dip. No party is really worth it unless there's guacamole.Guacamole is just one of those foods that makes people happy.





With all that avocado dip consumption, we've gotten to the bottom of what makes a guacamole great -- and what simple mistakes people make that can ruin the most perfect of foods. Don't be the person responsible for destroying such a good dish. Read on for what not to do when you make your next batch of guacamole (which we hope is within the next couple of hours).

• 
  
  Don't Get Stuck With Bad Avocados
   
  Look, you can't make good guacamole without good avocados. It's just not possible. Only make guacamole if you have perfectly ripe fruit, don't bother with anything else. Learn how to pick the best ones, it will serve you well in life.
• 2
  Don't Use The Wrong Avocados
   
  The best avocados to for guacamole are the little Hass varieties. You might be tempted to buy the big avocados that come from Florida because it means more guacamole, but those avocados contain more water which doesn't make for a great guacamole.
• 
  
  Don't Forget The Acid
  Flickr: dierken
  Whether you prefer lemon or lime, make sure to add some to your guac. Adding both is a good idea too.
• 
  
  Don't Omit The Spice
  
  Even if you're not into spicy foods, adding a little bit of fresh chili to your guacamole adds the right kind of flavor. Of course, if you don't mind spicy foods, feel free to liberally add in jalapenos, habanero or serrano peppers.
• 
  
  Don't Skimp On The Fresh Herbs
   
  Cilantro haters need to back away from the guac, because it just isn't guacamole without freshly chopped cilantro. Of course, adding in other fresh herbs like chives and scallions impart a nice flavor too.
• 
  
  Don't Shy On The Seasoning
  
  Most of us have learned to use salt sparingly when cooking, but when it comes to guacamole don't even think about it. This fatty fruit demands a good amount of seasoning. Gradually add more salt than you normally would, tasting as you go and you'll see what a big difference a little extra salt does for making a great guacamole.
• 
  
  Don't Over Mix
  
  While yes, there are some people who think they prefer easily spreadable guacamole, they are wrong. The best guacamole always has a little texture to it. It just adds to the flavor. Mix your guacamole only till the flavors are combined, leaving plenty of chunks, and you'll see what a difference it makes.
• 
  
  Don't Let It Turn Brown
  Flickr: BocaDorada
  Because that's just gross. Once you make guacamole, it's just a matter of time before exposure to the air causes it to oxidize and turn that unappetizing brown. Sure, you can just scrape that layer off. But you can also stop the oxidation. If you're not serving your guacamole right away you should know that there are a lot of tricks to keep guacamole from turning (like leaving the pit in), some more effective than others. We like the water trick best. Top your well-packed guacamole with about 1/2 inch of lukewarm water while it's stored in the fridge. This stops the air from oxidizing the guacamole. When ready to serve, just pour off the water and mix in the extra moisture.

Beautiful Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo was once the center of slave trade and ivory trading. It was the last point reached by the caravans of the slaves who arrived here for transportation to faraway places. Today, this attractive coastal town still bears reminders of its past-the fortified house where slaves were kept while waiting for transportation still stands, as does the tree under which they were brought and sold.

The town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast and the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans traveling on foot from Lake Tanganyika on their way to Zanzibar. Missionaries active in abolishing the slave trade made Bagamoyo, whose name means ‘bury my heart’ in Kiswahili, a center of their activities.

These days, Bagamoyo is now a center for dhow sailboat building on the Tanzanian coast. A quiet village with a few German colonial buildings still standing, in the past, the town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the entire East African coast. Its port was the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans that traveled on foot all the way from Lake Tanganyika. Once the caravans reached Bagamoyo, the slaves and ivory were shipped by dhow to Zanzibar, where they were then dispatched all over the world.

It is possible to take boat trips from Bagamoyo to the Ruvu River Delta of which you can see several species of mangroves and water birds. Hippos also swim in the Ruvu water and you'll catch glimpses of them along the shore and in the water.

The Bagamoyo Beaches are unspoiled, white sand beaches. All of the lodges are located along the beach. Visits to the historical sites can be done in the mornings, returning to the lodge for lunch, and relaxing on the beach during the afternoons.

Concise History of Ancient Egypt

One of the most strong Kingdoms in Africa are the Egyptian, reading their history made me wonder how life was at the ancient times.
Ancient Egypt, a civilization with very strong traditions of architecture and sculpture (both originally painted in bright colours) also had many mural paintings in temples and buildings, and painted illustrations on papyrus manuscripts. Egyptian wall painting and decorative painting is often graphic, sometimes more symbolic than realistic. Egyptian painting depicts figures in bold outline and flat silhouette, in which symmetry is a constant characteristic. Egyptian painting has close connection with its written language – called Egyptian hieroglyphs. Painted symbols are found amongst the first forms of written language. The Egyptians also painted on linen, remnants of which survive today. Ancient Egyptian paintings survived due to the extremely dry climate. The ancient Egyptians created paintings to make the afterlife of the deceased a pleasant place. The themes included journey through the afterworld or their protective deities introducing the deceased to the gods of the underworld. Some examples of such paintings are paintings of the gods and goddesses Ra, Horus, Anubis, Nut, Osiris and Isis. Some tomb paintings show activities that the deceased were involved in when they were alive and wished to carry on doing for eternity. In the New Kingdom and later, the Book of the Dead was buried with the entombed person. It was considered important for an introduction to the afterlife.

Summer Garden Gazpacho

 

Description

This is by far my easiest recipe and at the end of summer when the farmers market is in full gear these ingredients are overflowing in my fridge. Serve this cold soup with toast  and an avocado spread preferably on the porch and with a tall glass of lemonade!

Ingredients

2 tomatoes
2 red pepper
1 cucumber
1/2 c green onion
1/4 c cilantro
3 cloves of garlic
1 cup water
juice of 2 lemons
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste

Methods/steps

Peel the cucumber and  place half in the blender with the 2 tomatoes, 1/2 red pepper, green onion, cilantro, ceyenne, juive of lemons and water
blend until smooth
dice remaining cucumber and  red pepper and add to blender, pulse once or twice just to chop it a bit
mix in olive oil and salt & pepper to taste
serve cold with toast or croutons!

How To Make Ice Cream Without a Machine

People have been making ice cream far longer than the invention of electricity so there’s no reason you can’t make ice cream and sorbets at home without a machine.
The advantage to using an electric or hand-cranked machine is that the final result will be smoother and creamier. Freezing anything from liquid-to-solid means you’re creating hard ice crystals, so if you’re making it by hand, as your ice cream or sorbet mixture freezes, you want to break up those ice crystals as much as possible so your final results are as smooth and creamy as possible.

Machines are relatively inexpensive nowadays with models costing less than $50, and yes, I’ve seen the ball, but if I started tossing one of those around the streets here in Paris, I’d probably get even more strange looks than I normally get. (Plus you’ll need to lug some rock salt home as well.)
But not everyone has the space or the budget for a machine, so here’s how you can do your own ice cream at home without a churner. I recommend starting with an ice cream recipe that is custard-based for the smoothest texture possible. You can use my Vanilla Ice Cream or another favorite, or even this Strawberry Frozen Yogurt recipe using Greek-style or drained yogurt. The richer the recipe, the creamier and smoother the results are going to be.
Ice cream made this way is best eaten soon after it’s made—which shouldn’t be a problem.

Making Ice Cream Without A Machine

1. Prepare your ice cream mixture, then chill it over an ice bath.
2. Put a deep baking dish, or bowl made of plastic, stainless steel or something durable in the freezer, and pour your custard mixture into it.

3. After forty-five minutes, open the door and check it.
As it starts to freeze near the edges, remove it from the freezer and stir it vigorously with a spatula or whisk. Really beat it up and break up any frozen sections. Return to freezer.
4. Continue to check the mixture every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing. If you have one, you can use a hand-held mixer for best results, or use a stick-blender or hand-held mixer.
But since we’re going low-tech here, you can also use just a spatula or a sturdy whisk along with some modest physical effort.
5. Keep checking periodically and stirring while it freezes (by hand or with the electric mixer) until the ice cream is frozen. It will likely take 2-3 hours to be ready.

You can easily make Stracciatella ice cream with Italian-style chocolate chips:
Drizzle pure melted dark or milk chocolate (about 5 ounces, 140 g) over the almost-frozen mixture, then stir, breaking up the ribbons of chocolate as they start to freeze, to create little ‘chips’.

Transfer the ice cream to a covered storage container until ready to serve.

Shiitake Mushrooms

What's New and Beneficial about Shiitake Mushrooms

• Although immune system support has often received much of the spotlight
  
  in shiitake mushroom research, recent study results involving support of the cardiovascular system have caught the attention of many researchers. In particular, recent studies have shown the ability of shiitake mushrooms to help protect us against cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerosis) by preventing too much immune cell binding to the lining of our blood vessels. In order for immune cells and other materials to bind onto our blood vessel linings, certain protein molecules—called adhesion molecules—must be produced and sent into action. By helping to block the adhesion molecule production process, substances in shiitake mushrooms can help protect our blood vessels. (The adhesion molecule production that is partially blocked by shiitake mushroom components includes the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin.)
• Shiitake mushrooms have long been recognized as a very good, non-animal food source of iron. But a recent preliminary study has determined that the bioavailability of iron from shiitake mushrooms may be even better than we thought. Although conducted on laboratory animals (female rats) rather than humans, this study found the iron in dried shiitake mushroom to be equally as bioavailable as supplemental iron in the form of ferrous gluconate. (Ferrous gluconate is a very commonly used low-dose iron supplement.) While we don't usually spotlight research on laboratory animals, we found this result to be especially promising for individuals who consume little or no animal products and are often looking for foods that can supply valuable amounts of bioavailable iron.
• Shiitake mushrooms can be one of the most sustainable foods in your diet! While the majority of shiitake mushrooms produced worldwide have been grown on sawdust block in a non-natural setting, it is fully possible for shiitake mushrooms to be produced on natural hardwood logs in a forest setting. This approach to shiitake mushroom production is called "forest farming" and it has become an especially popular way of growing shiitake mushrooms in the U.S, where there are now more than 200 shiitake mushroom growers. Unfortunately, forest farming is not a requirement for organic certification of shiitake mushrooms. However, all of the plant crop standards in the National Organics Program regulations apply to shiitake mushroom production, and so the combination of these two features—certified organic shiitake mushrooms that have also been forest farmed—can make a great food choice in terms of sustainable agriculture. Just look for the USDA's organic logo on your shiitake mushrooms to determine if they are certified organic. Then check for information about forest farming on the packaging. If no information is provided, there is a good chance that your shiitake mushrooms were not forest farmed. For this reason, we encourage you to ask your store staff or contact the product manufacturer to determine if your shiitake mushrooms were grown on hardwood logs in a natural forest environment.

 Recommendations

People do not usually consider including mushrooms as part of their meals for their nutritional content. However, shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of three B vitamins (vitamins B2, B5 and B6); a very good source of one additional B vitamin (B2); a very good source of six minerals (manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, copper and zinc); a very good source of dietary fiber; and a good source of protein, magnesium, and vitamin D (in the D2 form). They also provide a wide variety of unique phytonutrients. To maximize their flavor and the retention of their nutrients it is important to not to overcook them. That's why we recommend Healthy Sauteeing shiitake mushrooms for just 7 minutes to bring out their best flavor while maximizing their nutrient retention. For more on our Healthiest Way of Cooking shiitake mushrooms see the How to Enjoy section below.

Nutrients in
Mushrooms, Shiitake
87.00 g (87.00 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

 vitamin B316.8%

 vitamin B513%

 vitamin B612.5%

 vitamin B211.1%

 manganese10%

 phosphorus9.7%

 fiber8.6%

 potassium7.5%

 selenium7%

 zinc6%

 copper6%

 vitamin D4.3%

 magnesium4.3%

 protein3.9%

Calories (29)1%

This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Mushrooms, shiitake provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Mushrooms, shiitake can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Mushrooms, shiitake, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.

Health Benefits

Shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms are widely referred to as "medicinal mushrooms" due to their long history of medical use, particularly in oriental medicine traditions. It's important to distinguish, however, between extracts and medicinal preparations made from these mushrooms and their appearance as whole foods in an everyday diet. Most of the medicinal research on shiitake mushrooms has been conducted on laboratory animals or on individual cells studied in a laboratory setting. There are hundreds of lab and animal studies that clearly document the medicinal properties of shiitake mushroom extracts. As important as these studies are in a medical context, they are still very different from studies that examine shiitake mushroom as a common and beloved food.
In contrast to the wealth of medicinal research on shiitake mushrooms, there are very few studies on shiitake mushrooms in the human diet. Among the human dietary studies that do exist, however, there is a clear message about shiitake mushrooms: they can provide us with some fantastic health benefits. Below are areas of health support that make the top of our list for shiitake mushrooms when enjoyed as a whole food.

Immune Support

No health benefit is better documented for shiitake mushroom than immune support. In fact, the immune support track record for this mushroom is fascinating. On the one hand, numerous studies have shown the ability of whole shiitake mushrooms to help prevent excessive immune system activity. On the other hand, an equal number of studies have shown the ability of shiitake mushrooms to help stimulate immune system responses under certain circumstances. In other words, from a dietary perspective, shiitake mushrooms appear able to enhance immune function in both directions, giving it a boost when needed, and cutting back on its activity when needed. It's important to note that dietary shiitake mushroom intake—unlike intake of medicinal shiitake extracts—has not been shown to be strongly suppressive of the immune system or strongly activating. From our perspective, this finding makes sense. We wouldn't want our everyday foods to strongly suppress or strongly activate any body system. What we would want from our foods is support of body systems under a variety of circumstances—and that is exactly what we get from shiitake mushrooms with respect to our immune system.
One especially interesting area of immune system support involves the impact of shiitake mushrooms on immune cells called macrophages. Among their many important activities, macrophage cells are responsible for identifying and clearing potentially cancerous cells from the body. In order to carry out this task, they need to be "activated" in a particular way. (In more scientific terms, their activated phenotype needs to reflect a higher level of interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and a lower level of interleukin 10.) Shiitake mushrooms are able to help macrophage cells achieve this activated profile so that they can do a better job clearing potentially cancerous cells. Researchers refer to this result as an "anti-cancer immunity" that is enhanced by shiitake mushroom intake.
The most famous immune-supportive components in shiitake mushrooms are its polysaccharides. (Polysaccharides are large-sized carbohydrate molecules composed of many different sugars arranged in chains and branches.) Although many fungi are well-known for their polysaccharides, no single fungus has been more carefully studied than the shiitake mushroom. We know that this fungus is unique in its variety of polysaccharides, and especially its polysaccharide glucans. (Glucans are polysaccharides in which all of the sugar components involve the simple sugar glucose.) Among the glucans contained in shiitake mushroom are alpha-1,6 glucan, alpha-1,4 glucan, beta-1,3 glucan, beta-1,6 glucan, 1,4-D-glucans, 1,6-D-glucans, glucan phosphate, laminarin, and lentinan. Shiitake mushrooms also contain some important non-glucan polysaccharides, including fucoidans and galactomannins. The immune-related effects of polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms have been studied on laboratory animals under a wide variety of circumstances, including exercise stress, exposure to inflammation-producing toxins, radiation exposure, and immunodeficiency. Under all of these circumstances, the polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms have been shown to lessen problems. There is also some evidence that shiitake mushrooms' polysaccharides can help lower total cholesterol levels.

Cardiovascular Benefits

The cardiovascular benefits of shiitake mushrooms have been documented in three basic areas of research. The first of these areas is cholesterol reduction. d-Eritadenine (also called lentinacin, or lentsine, and sometimes abbreviated as DEA) is one of the most unusual naturally occurring nutrients in shiitake mushrooms that has repeatedly been shown to help lower total blood cholesterol. This nutrient is actually derived from adenine—one of the building blocks (nucleotides) in the mushroom's genetic material (DNA). The beta-glucans in shiitake mushrooms are also very likely to contribute to its cholesterol-lowering impact.
Another basic area of cardiovascular support involves the interaction between our cardiovascular system and our immune system. Recent studies have shown that shiitake mushrooms can help protect us against cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerosis) by preventing too much immune cell binding to the lining of our blood vessels. In order for immune cells and other materials to bind onto our blood vessel linings, certain protein molecules—called adhesion molecules—must be produced and sent into action. By helping to block the adhesion molecule production process, substances in shiitake mushrooms can help protect our blood vessels. (The adhesion molecule production which is partially blocked by shiitake mushroom components includes the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin.)
A final basic area of cardiovascular benefits involves antioxidant support. Chronic oxidative stress in our cardiovascular system (ongoing, oxygen-based damage to our blood vessel linings) is a critical factor in the development of clogged arteries (atherosclerosis) and other blood vessel problems. One of the best ways for us to reduce our risk of chronic oxidative stress is consumption of a diet rich in antioxidant nutrients. Shiitake mushrooms are a very good source of three key antioxidant minerals: manganese, selenium, and zinc. They also contain some unusual phytonutrient antioxidants. One of the best studied is ergothioneine (ET). This unique antioxidant is derived from the amino acid histidine, although it's unusual since it contains a sulfur group of molecules that are not present in histidine itself. In studies on ET and our cells' oxidative stress levels, one fascinating finding has been the special benefits of ET for cell components called mitochondria. Mitochondria use oxygen to produce energy for the cell. Heart cells have greater concentrations of mitochondria than most any other cell type in the body. For this reason, researchers believe that ET may be one of the key nutrients from shiitake mushrooms that provide us with cardiovascular support.

Anti-Cancer Benefits

Most of the research on shiitake mushrooms and cancer has been conducted on laboratory animals or on individual cells in a laboratory setting and has involved mushroom extracts rather than whole mushrooms in food form. For this reason, our understanding of the anti-cancer benefits of shiitake mushrooms as a whole, natural food is still preliminary. But based on research to date, we believe that adding shiitake mushrooms to your diet is likely to offer you anti-cancer benefits, especially with respect to prevention of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
Medicinal extracts from shiitake mushrooms have been studied much more extensively than the whole food itself. In cell and laboratory animal experiments, numerous components of shiitake mushrooms have been show to help block tumor growth, sometimes by triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the cancer cells. These components have been collectively referred to as "anti-tumor mycochemicals" provided by shiitake mushrooms. Researchers have speculated that more than 100 different types of compounds in shiitake mushrooms may work together to accomplish these anti-tumor results. While the unique polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms were first thought to be its primary anti-cancer compounds, scientists are now convinced that shiitake provides many non-polysaccharide substances that have anti-tumor effects.

Other Benefits

The special combination of antioxidants found in shiitake mushrooms together with their highly flexible support for immune system function make them a natural candidate for providing us with protection from a variety of problems involving oxidative stress and immune function. This includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an area that has begun to interest shiitake mushroom researchers. Although research in this area is preliminary, we expect to see large-scale human studies confirming the benefits of shiitake mushrooms for prevention of RA.
Medicinal extracts from shiitake mushrooms have well-documented effects on a variety of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses (including human immunodeficiency virus-1, or HIV-1). While we have yet to see large-scale human studies on whole food intake of shiitake mushrooms and decreased susceptibility to colds, flu or other problems related to unwanted activity of micro-organisms, this is a very likely area for future food research and discovery of health benefits.

Description

Shiitake mushrooms have brown, slightly convex caps that range in diameter from about two to four inches in diameter. They belong to the basidiomycete family of fungi. Until the early 1990's, they were widely known by their scientific genus-species name of Lentinus edodes. However, during the late 1980's and early 1990's this genus-species name for shiitake mushrooms was largely phased out and replaced by a new genus-species name, Lentinula edodes.
The common name for this mushroom, "shiitake," comes from the Japanese language. "Shii" in Japanese refers to wood belonging to the Pasania species of tree on which shiitake mushrooms naturally grow. "Take" simply translates as "mushroom." You may sometimes also hear shiitake mushroom being referred to as the "Black Forest mushroom," and they do indeed grow naturally in that German mountain range.
Other mushrooms with Asian roots that are also becoming more popular are reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and maitake (Grifola frondosa). Reishi mushrooms usually have an antler or rounded, fan shape; the most popular type of reishi is red in color, although that is just one of the six colors in which they grow. Maitake mushrooms grow in a formation of clustered brownish fronds of fan-shaped petals and are commonly known as "Hen of the Woods." These types of mushrooms are available in food markets specializing in Asian foods.

History

Shiitake (as well as reishi and maitake) mushrooms have grown wild since prehistoric times. Their therapeutic value has been prized in Asian countries, where they originated, for thousands of years. They play a critical role in Asian medicinal traditions and were noted in some of the first books on herbal medicine written thousands of years ago. In the past few decades, these mushrooms have become more popular in the United States as a result of an expanding body of scientific research supporting their numerous health benefits. The U.S. is currently home to approximately 200 commercial growers of shiitake mushrooms, and nearly half of those growers use forest farming to produce shiitake mushrooms in a natural forest setting using downed hardwood trees as the cultivation medium.
Although Japan was at one time the world's largest producer of shiitake mushrooms, that distinction now goes to China, which produces over 80% of all commercially sold shiitake mushrooms. Japan, Korea and Taiwan also produce shiitake mushrooms, as does the United States. One quickly growing market for shiitake mushrooms is Brazil, which currently produces more shiitake mushrooms than any other South American country.

Canvas Footwear History

In 1933, canvas footwear pioneer BF Goodrich patented the Posture Foundation insole, an innovation in comfort and performance, and began adding the new technology to its action shoes. Goodrich shoes with Posture Foundation became known simply as 'P-F' in 1937.
Fashion trends in the Forties and Fifties saw PF Flyers escaping gyms and ball fields to become fashionable active footwear for everyone. PF Flyers styles ranged from high and low-top sport shoes to oxfords and moccasins 'for work, relaxation and play.' By the 1960s, PF Flyers was one of the most popular shoes in America.

But even the sneaker shoe that helped millions 'Run Faster and Jump Higher' struggled with industry changes in the early Seventies. Today, PF Flyers action shoes have returned, with the original synergy of good looks and active comfort stronger than ever.

How to cut an avocado

Avocados are delicious in sandwiches, salads and everyone’s favorite game-day dip: guacamole. Today, Mexico is the largest world producer of avocados. Produces approximately 1 107 140 avocados, though Haas avocados are typically what we see in the grocery store. Slicing is easier than the fruit's thick skin and unwieldy seeds (or pits) might lead you to believe. Here's how to get the job done.

Step 1: Give it a squeeze.

Choose an avocado that's ripe but not overripe; an avocado past its prime will be too soft to slice cleanly. At the market, look for avocados that are firm to the touch. If you want to use them immediately, look for avocados that yield to gentle pressure when touched.

Step 2: Use Caution.

Hold the avocado gently but firmly so it doesn't slip from your hand. With a large, sharp knife in the other hand, cut the avocado lengthwise around the pit. Slightly twist the two halves, separate and remove the seed (see below).

Step 3: Remove the pit.

You can scoop the pit out with a spoon, cut around it or -- if you're confident in your knife skills -- tap the avocado pit with a knife until it makes a significant cut in the pit. Then, just twist the pit out.

Step 4: Scoop it.

If you're making guacamole or serving the avocado mashed -- say, on a sandwich -- scoop the avocado flesh from its shell with a spoon. If you're making a salad and prefer to dice the avocado, slice a crosshatch pattern with a small paring knife into the avocado. Alternatively, cut each half into long wedges with the peel still on; remove the peel once the pieces have separated.

How to make expensive nut butters at home

Though supermarkets and natural food stores boast a growing array of yummy nut butters, you can save big bucks by making your own nut butters at home. Here's how.

Freshly ground nut butters are as close as your food processor. Not only do freshly ground nut butters boast richer flavors, making nut butters at home gives you the opportunity to enjoy them without any added sugar, salt or preservatives. Though homemade nut butters are more perishable than store-bought, you can make them in smaller batches and store them in the refrigerator. For easier spreading, let them return to room temperature before using.

How to make nut butters at home

Toast nuts for more nut butter flavor

Regardless of the nut you choose, raw nut butters are divine but toasting the nuts before grinding will give you fab flavor not found at your local grocery store. Simply toast nuts on a dry baking sheet at 400 degrees F. until nuts are fragrant and lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Keep on eye on them because nuts easily scorch. Let nuts cool enough to handle before grinding.

Grind nuts in a food processor for yummy nutty butter

There is a 2 to 1 ratio of nuts to nut butter. To make 1 cup of nut butter, start with 2 cups of shelled nuts. For all nut butters, simply place nuts in a food processor and grind. Since different nuts have varying oil contents, you may have to add a bit of canola oil to achieve a buttery, rather than crumbly, consistency. If available, try same flavor nut oils. For example, add a little almond oil to the food processor when making almond butter.

Nut butter guidelines

The large array of nuts lends a wide variety of nut butters you can make. Nut butters and jelly may be a standard pair, but nut butters have far more culinary versatility for both sweet and savory dishes.

Almond: Raw whole almonds with skins will blend into a brown-flecked spread. Process for 3 to 4 minutes. Try spreading almond butter on whole grain bread and top with thin slices of brie and apple slices.
Brazil Nut: A rich source of vitamin E, brazil nuts become a scrumptious butter in about 3 minutes. Thin with water for a thick creamy sauce for pasta, vegetables, chicken or fish.
Cashew: Grind cashews for 2 to 3 minutes for a smooth butter that is particularly delicious paired with crushed fresh blackberries on whole grain toast. You can also use cashew butter in place of tahini.
Hazelnut: Grainy and sweet, hazelnut butter comes together in about 3 minutes. For a delectable dessert spread (similar to the wildly popular Nutella), process with a generous drizzle of dark chocolate syrup. You may need to add a little water to make a pourable sauce.
Macadamia: High in fat and the smoothest of butters, it purees in about 2 minutes. Blend with cream cheese or sour cream for a nutty yummy dip.
Peanut: The standard of nut butters, making peanut butter at home will revive your love of peanut butter sandwiches. Grind for about 2 minutes. Turn peanut butter into a spicy peanut sauce for pasta or dip for chicken satays.
Pecan: A tad bitter because of the skins, pecan butter is a divine addition to savory dishes. Serve as a complement to meat or lamb dishes. Pecans will process in 1 to 2 minutes.
Pistachio: One of the more interesting nut butters, pistachios blend into a crumbly paste that can be blended with cream cheese for a nutty cheesecake or a simple nut dip. Grind for 3 to 4 minutes.
Walnut: Walnuts blend into butter in 1 to 2 minutes. Thin with water or cream to create a scrumptious sauce for pasta, chicken, fish or vegetables.

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