Corsica – An Island For Foodies

The island of Corsica is odd-shaped, think of a bunch of grapes held by the stem at the top. The wild and stunningly beautiful Cap Corse forms the stem. The balance of the cluster, is reflected by the enormously varied topography, mountain peaks (120 summits reaching over 2000 meters), river gorges, sandy beaches and lush plains. My husband and I were told by some friends that Corsica is like a mini-France, offering a bit of everything in a small space. Unquestionably, the island offers the traveller a rich and tasty experience within its’ 1000km coastline. The Corsican population is fiercely proud of their locally produced food and beverage products, we felt it our duty to sample a wide variety of the available goods during our stay.

The following are the ABC’s of Corsican offerings for the hungry and parched traveller: Continue reading “Corsica – An Island For Foodies”

Tips for Adding Herbs and Seasoning to Pasta for a Healthy Snack

Pasta can be a healthy inclusion in a balanced diet. The pasta itself will not contribute to an unhealthy meal but the sauces we choose to make can if we do not make good choices. Sauces that are heavy with thick cream are not good for those individuals on low fat diets. Consider using healthier olive oils and mixing it up with different flavours and spice blends for a tantalising taste of flavours from around the world.

I personally only eat gluten free pasta and I try to limit this to once a week. I do not follow a low fat diet as I believe good fats are actually beneficial in assisting with weight loss and maintaining a healthy body. So when I cook pasta as a main meal I then use the leftovers for snacks (when there are any leftovers!)

I like to try out different flavoured olive oils as a very simple sauce for my pasta. For example you could try these three flavours:

1. Thai Inspired Olive Oil – Thai-inspired extra virgin olive oil with lemongrass, garlic, basil, lime and chilli. Continue reading “Tips for Adding Herbs and Seasoning to Pasta for a Healthy Snack”

Superfood: Olive Oil

Olive oil, the keystone food of the Mediterranean diet, helps prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, inflammation, skin aging, and cognitive decline. The powerful protection of this oil reduces the causes of death and the effect of aging. It an essential ingredient for this longevity diet.

Olive oil is certainly not new to us, but the health benefits increase if we completely eliminate butter and related products and increase the use of this oil. This is especially true for the first press of extra virgin oil that has higher polyphenols which in turn combat inflammation. Why is inflammation bad? Its present with and worsens chronic diseases which is correlated with premature illness and death.

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Best Diets (Ranked)

The best diets are ranked by doctors, nutritionalists and dietitians for U. S. News and World Report(1) annually. There are many factors that go into the ranking like its heart and diabetes ratings, weight loss potential, ease of following and best plant based diets. These different ratings are combined to afford its overall rating.

One of the first things you notice reviewing the list is how the trendy diets are near the bottom. Here is a list of the top and bottom five diets:

The Worst:

The Fast Diet–weak on dietary guidance when not fasting

Atkins–good for weight loss, not for nutrition or heart health Continue reading “Best Diets (Ranked)”

Visit Malta – A Unique Malta Experience

The island of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, is inhabited by 400,000 people, and is geographically tiny. It’s charm and character however are so much bigger, and some would find it hard to believe that such a small country could be so diverse and entertaining. In short, it is a place for culture, shopping, swimming, sports, spas, dining, language learning, business, diving, art, theatre, religion, photography, history… need we say more?

Maltese Culture

Malta’s weather constitutes hot summers and mild winters, ideal for walking around the old villages and spectacular monuments throughout the Maltese island. The oldest and most impressive structures are the prehistoric temples which are even older than the Egyptian pyramids! A definite must-see! The island’s rich history has also left behind a series of historical cities and buildings, particularly those built by the Knights of St. John which also merit a visit. Continue reading “Visit Malta – A Unique Malta Experience”

In Defense of Food an Eater’s Manifesto

Book Review: In defense of food an eater’s manifesto by Michael Pollan

This is a really well structured and to the point book which works really great for the information that it holds.

There are a number of different types of diets which are adopted in different parts of the world. Some of these diets are from the Mediterranean while some come from Japan and Masai. Then there is the diet of the Eskimo’s which is more or less comprised of fish and meat and many more. The point basically is that human beings are able to adjust to a number of different kinds of diets and living conditions and each has different effects on the body. It is the conclusion of many researchers that the ‘Western Diet’ as it has been named which puts emphasis on quantity in place of quality is much more popular than most others. This diet though has been known to be prone to diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. Continue reading “In Defense of Food an Eater’s Manifesto”

The Beneficial Properties of Mozzarella Di Bufala Campana DOP

Mozzarella di Bufala is a delicious popular cheese hailing from Campania. Non only is it good, but also rich in beneficial properties for health. But make sure that what you are buying is an original Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP!

A few years ago, the Mediterranean Diet was included in the lists of the UNESCO cultural heritage of humanity as a healthy lifestyle and nutritional model.

In the Mediterranean diet, the big consumption of foods of plant origin is accompanied by some foods of animal origin such as milk and cheese. Among the Italian cheeses, the most famous one, together with Parmigiano Reggiano, is undoubtedly the buffalo mozzarella, both for its strong link with its territory of origin, and for its nutritional properties.

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Nordic Diet and Its Benefits

Nutrition experts are buzzing about the Nordic diet. As the name suggests, the Nordic diet consists of foods that are locally sourced and traditionally eaten in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Typically, the Nordic diet includes whole-grain cereals such as rye, barley, and oats; berries and other fruits; vegetables especially cabbage and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots; fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring; and legumes (beans and peas).

Many call it the New Nordic Diet, which has become a new food culture developed in 2009-13 with key emphasis on gastronomy, health, and environment. The New Nordic Diet is based on Nordic ingredients but is adaptable all over the world. Continue reading “Nordic Diet and Its Benefits”

Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Your Vision Health

Certain healthy changes to our diet can go a long way in improving our vision health. One aspect of improving our eyesight is ensuring that we use healthy oils that benefit our general health. For example, we can replace unhealthy oils we use for cooking such as vegetable oils with healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When it comes to choosing healthy oil for cooking numerous studies confirm that Extra Virgin Olive Oil has multiple health benefits. It reduces inflammation and also promotes better heart health. Additionally, it helps to maintain good cholesterol levels. But did you know that this healthy oil is also good for your eyes as well? Therefore, when you are making additions to your diet to improve your eye health include this food on your salads, your fish and your favorite cheese omelette. Here are some of the general and eye health benefits of Olive oil:

Better Heart Health: According to the FDA including just 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil a day may reduce your risks for heart disease due to the fact that it consists of a healthy fat called Monounsaturated Fatty acids. Olive Oil can improve the health of the lining of the arteries in the elderly making it a good addition to your diet for maintaining better heart health. Continue reading “Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Your Vision Health”

Lavender Can Add A Certain Sachet To Any Garden

Lavender can spruce up any garden area or home. It is the perfect touch to add to any garden to create a smooth, relaxing scent. Use lavender flowers to give your garden that appealing look or smell, and make them last longer than ever!

Origin

Lavender comes from the genus species of the Lamiaceae, which is native in the southern region of Arica and the Mediterranean. Lavender has a part different things for twenty-five to thirty years. Lavender, as well as other members of the Lamiaceae, can also be found in India country. Lavenders are growing in the wild in countries like Arabia, the Canary Islands, and even southern Europe. People have been growing lavenders in their gardens for ages. Continue reading “Lavender Can Add A Certain Sachet To Any Garden”