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Olive Leaf Tea Health Benefits Revealed – The Secret Behind the Success of the Mediterranean Diet

Never heard of or experienced the taste of olive leaf tea? You are not alone. This pleasant tasting tea is not a common staple in tea houses or stores. But, it should be. The olive leaf has been a diet staple in many Mediterranean cultures for centuries. These same cultures enjoy a low incidence of viruses, heart conditions and cancers. We all have heard researchers, scientists and nutritionists promote the health benefits of olive oil and the Mediterranean diet.

What they do not tell you is that you can enjoy the health benefits of the olive leaf in a wonderfully pleasant tea as well. For those that are counting their fat grams and calories, this is way to enjoy the health benefits of the essential oils in olive leaf without the fat. Continue reading “Olive Leaf Tea Health Benefits Revealed – The Secret Behind the Success of the Mediterranean Diet”

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Properly Seasoning a Wok – Method 1

I enjoy Oriental cooking. I especially enjoy cooking Oriental cooking in a well-seasoned wok. Not only is it the ultimate “One Pan” cooking experience, the cleanup is easy, quick, and convenient.

I repeat: To achieve that level of performance, one must have a well-seasoned wok.

My other article in this series: “Properly Seasoning a Wok – Method 2” spells out an advanced way to season a wok, but it is not entirely suitable for all. The method does generate a considerable amount of smoke, which in a small apartment could be uncomfortable (smoke alarms are definitely noisy little wonders). I did try using an outdoor grill, and had moderate success. Continue reading “Properly Seasoning a Wok – Method 1”

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Yogurt Cacik and Raki Alkol

Yogurt Cacik is a meze mainly made by Turks and Greeks. It is usually eaten as appetizer with food with strong alcohol named Raki Alkol or Uozo. I use Danon yogurt and Yeni Raki for this combination mix.

1 lbs Danon Reduced Fat Plain Yogurt
2 Cucumbers
Salt
Olive Oil
Fresh Dill
Dry Red Pepper

Dump Yogurt into a medium pot. Add salt and mix with spoon to until the salt is all saturated. Continue reading “Yogurt Cacik and Raki Alkol”

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Body Building and The Mediterranean Diet

The Seven Basic Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in Body Building

Introduction

As we move forward into the 21st century, more and more men and women are involving themselves in body building. In order to be successful at body building, a person needs to coordinate an ambitious exercise routine with an appropriate diet regimen. In the end, body building success depends as much upon what you do with your body in a gym as it does with what you put into your body at home.

Certain diet routines and plans have proven to be beneficial directly to the goals of body builders. One regimen that contains the elements of health eating that are essential for a dedicated body builder is found in the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet is a perfect choice for an ardent body builder for seven basic reasons. Continue reading “Body Building and The Mediterranean Diet”

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Quick and Easy Crockpot Dishes For The Whole Family

There’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal with the people you love. If you want to cook something special for the whole family for lunch or dinner, take out your slow cooker and let it do its magic. Start with any of these quick and easy crockpot dishes!

Mediterranean Style Artichoke and Beef

What you need:

  • 1 kilogram stewing beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and halved
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Continue reading “Quick and Easy Crockpot Dishes For The Whole Family”

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Why the Mediterranean Diet Is Good for You

The Mediterranean Diet has been widely recommended by nutritionists and medical professionals for many years now thanks to all of the health benefits the diet provides. It is also a largely preferred diet by people of all ages because of the delicious and inexpensive options this diet provides. However, for elderly and senior participants, the Mediterranean Diet has many pros such as decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

How Has It Been Studied?

Back in 1980, a professor by the name of Ancel Keys investigated heart-related deaths in many different countries. Keys found that cardiovascular-related deaths were much higher in Greece, Italy, and Japan while they were much greater in the United States and Finland. The Mediterranean lifestyle and diet were then investigated in hopes of better understanding why people in this area lived longer and healthier. It was concluded that diet played a large role.

What Does It Include? Continue reading “Why the Mediterranean Diet Is Good for You”

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Plants and Herbs of the Cycladic Islands – Greece

The Cycladic islands are famous all over the world as an ideal holiday destination, especially one worth exploring by sailing boat, which allows the visitor to get to know many islands. The sea is the protagonist in a sailing trip but the visitor shouldn’t miss coming into contact with the unique landscape and products of these islands, where the origins of the first Hellenic civilizations have been found and where nowadays you can come across a rare gastronomy made up of local products and herbs that create a unique tradition.

The combination of bright sunlight, salty breeze and strong winds is the gift of nature to the flora and fauna of the islands. In the Cycladic islands, you can find many indigenous plants with specific characteristics. Their flavor is more intense as a result of the Cycladic microclimate and they therefore give extra taste to food. Continue reading “Plants and Herbs of the Cycladic Islands – Greece”

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Why Is Olive Oil A Healthy Food?

Olive oil is one of the world’s healthiest foods. If you are starting a new healthy eating program you want to make sure that this oil is included. It is the foundation of the Mediterranean diet, who have the world’s longest-living cultures. Many of the health-promoting effects of the Mediterranean diet have been credited to olive oil consumption.

What Are The Health Benefits?

The reason that olive oil should be on your healthy foods list is down to a combination of two key health boosting nutrients. These two nutrients are monounsaturated fats and tyrosol esters. Continue reading “Why Is Olive Oil A Healthy Food?”

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The Importance of Spices Rack in Our Kitchen

A spice stand is a kind of kitchen equipment that is designed in holding spices in containers which are uniform in sizes like glass jars or metal canisters. There are plenty of configurations intended for food seasoning stands, starting from little wall-mounted styles to big rotating spice stands designed to be set aside in the kitchen having sufficient counter space. In addition, spice stands are made up of broad variety of supplies and finishes in order that they will match up with kitchens having diverse styles. In all instances, the aim is to preserve spices organized and also available for the one who cooks. Continue reading “The Importance of Spices Rack in Our Kitchen”

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5 Distinguishing Characteristics of Greek Cuisine

Greek Cuisine is certainly one of the most wanted flavors in the entire world. Mediterranean in foundation, the dishes from Greece, Cyprus and the Islands have truly attracted a lot of foreign visitors and tourists to try it out for themselves, usually leading to much fulfillment in the taste buds and the tummy. Once you’ve tried a few of the tasty dishes, you will surely have to read up a cookbook and discover how you can make them yourself upon returning to your country. There are a lot of recipes to be found, although one has to wonder, “What is it about Greek food that makes it so exceptional?” There are some specified qualities which you will need to look into if you really want to determine what makes individuals go crazy for Greek dishes.

1. The basic ingredients in Greek dishes are usually nourishing. you’ll find a lot of vegetables added to the mix, with fish, legumes and cereals being some of the other main ingredients in traditional recipes. Continue reading “5 Distinguishing Characteristics of Greek Cuisine”