Papaya Park

Toxic Fumes in the Air

What are Toxic Fumes?

Unfortunately, we are constantly exposed to toxic fumes due to the serious pollution in our environment. These fumes and gases make their way into our direct environments and homes, too. In urban settings, they are everywhere.

Toxic fumes and gases can be poisonous to varying degrees. Sometimes, they are seriously dangerous to human health. Sometimes they are only present in the air in low concentrations, having lower impact on us. Still, the impact is there and it can accumulate, having a quite bad effect on our bodies.

Symptoms of mild exposure to poisonous gases can include mild headaches, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, nausea, fainting, fever, chest pain, etc. Long-term inhalation or more serious doses of toxic gases can lead to lung diseases, heart diseases, cancer and even death.

Shape Magazine Headache
Shape Magazine

Most toxic fumes are the result of man-made processes and products. They may originate from a wide range of places including our heating and air conditioning systems, emissions from our cars and other motor vehicles, by-products of production and manufacturing in our factories, side effects of chemical processes and even from the smoke given off by cigarettes and candles.

We are constantly exposed to toxic fumes generated by our own modern lifestyle. In order to eliminate some of these toxic gases from our lives, or at least to limit their presence, we need to change our lifestyle.

What To Do About Toxic Fumes?

Unfortunately, we have to be realistic and have to acknowledge that we cannot change the industrial, modern world. We cannot live without the use of fossil fuels at the present time. We cannot stop industrialisation and environmentally unfriendly manufacturing practices and the use of harsh chemicals, overnight. As the humans of the 21st Century we depend on these non-ecological substances, methods and practices.

What we can realistically do is to limit our own harmful, environmentally-unfriendly practices, changing our own attitude toward the environment, being more aware of the adverse health impact of our modern lifestyle and trying to lead a greener and environmentally-conscious life.

Toxic fumes environment.co.za
http://www.environment.co.za/

In order to limit our exposure to toxic fumes, we may start to eliminate them from our own direct environments and homes. The following tips may be useful in doing so:

  • Limit usage of chemicals as they generate fumes. These gases may be toxic to the environment and human & animal health.  Some of their impact may not yet be known to us. Eliminate synthetic cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products from your home and opt for safer, ecologically-friendly products and organic or fully natural alternatives.
  • Limit the use of plastic in your home and in your environment. Plastic always contains phthalates, which are chemicals that may disrupt the hormone system. You may be surprised how much plastic products you may be able to eliminate from your environment, or at least recycle. Let’s start with limiting the usage of shopping bags, plastic bottles, packaging materials and let’s start recycling. Aim to buy products made out of natural materials instead of for a mass-produced plastic version. Even though it is probably going to be pricier, it will be more durable, healthier and kinder to the environment.
  • Ditch artificially scented candles and air fresheners as many of these cheap home scenting agents that emit volatile organic compounds. These may contain formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, alcohol and esters, triggering allergic reactions. It is a better idea to use organic beeswax candles and pure essential oils to scent your home.
  • Paint can be a problematic substance in your home as it may release toxic fumes. If you can smell the characteristic chemical smell of paint, it is a bad sign that you are and will be exposed to potentially toxic fumes in your own home. Make sure to use a healthier version of paint, which contains no volatile organic compounds.  Alternatively, wax can be used as a finish on wood.
  • Using public transport or a bike instead of going everywhere by car will limit the emission of toxic fumes into the air. It may be a big change in your life to walk or cycle to the nearby shop or use public transport when you go to the office. It may be strange to give up the privacy of your own car for a while, but soon you will realise the benefits both to your own health and to the environment.

Do you have further tips that may limit the release of toxic fumes and gases into the environment? If so, let us know; we would be keen on your tips, too!

Rubbish Island in the Maldives

The Maldives is a unique holiday destination, a honeymoon dream destination for many. With its pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and shallow waters, the island nation offers the holiday of a lifetime. Its fabulous setting and luxury resorts are truly unparalleled. These features are coupled with one of the most friendly and hospitable people on Earth, who make an escape to the Maldives truly special.

When we see pictures of this paradise country in glossy magazines or hear about a perfect honeymoon spent on one of the islands of the Maldives, it does not really occur to us where the waste products go from these impeccable luxury resorts and how the country disposes of its rubbish. If we were to know, we might be shocked.

CésarQuintero-Pinterest-Maldives
César Quintero - Pinterest

Thilafushi, the Waste Dump of the Maldives

The waste of the otherwise perfect country is disposed on an artificial island named Thilafushi.

Thilafushi is less than 7 kilometres away from Male, the capital of the Maldives. It was brought into existence in the early 1990s after reclaiming one of the shallowest lagoons in the country, Thilafalhu. At that time the lagoon was barely 7 km long and 200 meters wide. Today, due to the landfilling activity of two decades, the landmass of Thilafushi is 0.43 square kilometres (4.6 million square feet).

Currently, Thilafushi is partially a waste dump and partially an industrial area. At its creation Thilafushi-2 was used as supplement land for ever-growing industrialisation. It is used for boat manufacturing, cement packing, methane gas bottling and warehousing. All of these industrial activities take place on landfill.

According to environmentalists, Thilafushi is growing by one square meter a day due to the vast amount of rubbish – approximately 330 tonnes – arriving on the rubbish island on an average day.

Environmental Apocalypse on Thilafushi

The shocking thing about Thilafushi is not the landfill or the rubbish island by itself. It is not beyond imagination that waste is produced even on the paradise islands of the Maldives and there is a need to get rid of it. It can even be said that it is sensible that the waste is accumulated in one place as opposed to be burnt locally on each island or dumped into the sea.

The problem with Thilafushi is twofold:

  • The way the rubbish is collected and processed on the rubbish island does not happen in an environmentally-friendly way. The waste is not sorted properly. Only plastic bottles, engine oil, metals and paper are extracted from the inbound rubbish and sent to India for processing. Everything else – including electronics and batteries – are simply burnt on the spot. As a result, toxic fumes are created, which simply go up into the air, polluting the environment.
  • As a result of land reclamation by landfilling, toxic waste is simply placed into the ocean. Lead, mercury, asbestos and other hazardous waste ends up in the water, which may poison the water, marine life and consequently endangers the food chain, risking human health, too.
  • Several dozen migrant workers are employed on Thilafushi, whose work conditions are of a serious concern. According to reports, they work 12-hour shifts 7 days a week on the rubbish island, without any safety clothing and equipment. This means that they constantly breathe in toxic fumes as a result of irresponsible burning of waste products.
DailyMail-Mail Online-Maldives
Daily Mail, Mail Online

Is There a Solution?

The government of the Maldives signed a privatisation deal with a German-Indian waste management company back in 2008. It promised to deploy modern technology to process waste on Thilafushi. However, the private company has not arrived on the rubbish island, to date.

Promises are made that the private partner will start work this year and will install an incinerator on Thilafushi. From this it is expected that the open burning of unsorted waste will stop on the island.

Environmentalists call for more effective waste collection, recycling and monitoring of air and sea pollution around Thilafushi, too.

As Thilafushi is in a state of crisis at the present time, hopefully, the government will finally stop delaying the implementation of a resolution for the matter.

Superfoods in Action

What is a Superfood?

Superfood is a buzzword in the nutrition & health literature these days. It is a commonly used term; even the Oxford English Dictionary includes it as an approved word. A superfood is: “a food considered especially nutritious or otherwise beneficial to health and well-being”.

The term “superfood” has been subject to misrepresentation and misuse by food manufacturers, who sometimes use it as a mere marketing tool. The European Union, for instance, prohibited the use of the term “superfood” to market food products as of 1 July 2007, unless a specific medial claim for product can be validated, supported by credible scientific research. In other jurisdictions the term “superfood” may appear on food packaging without any basis.  We should be careful what we believe about this claim.

The “real superfood” is used to refer to foods that have high nutrient value or phytochemical content, the consumption of which has proven health benefits. Normally they are raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, grains and certain types of fish. Packaged and processed foods do not tend to be superfoods.

My Favourite Superfoods 

I do eat a lot of plant-based superfoods, which – I do genuinely believe – help me to stay fit and healthy. Here are my top 10 superfoods that I love and whose health properties I have confidence in.

Berries including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are nutritional powerhouses. They contain a moderate-to-rich concentration of anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese and dietary fibre. They taste absolutely fabulous and are relatively low in calories.

Dark leafy vegetables including spinach, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard. These vegetables fight cancer; improve cardiovascular health and help brain function.

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Taliah Rivera, Pinterest

Dark green vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. They contain antioxidants and folate, which help to prevent heart disease. They also contain lutein, which contributes to delaying the progression of age-related macular degeneration, which causes impaired vision and blindness. They also contain sulphoraphane, an anti-cancer phytochemical.

Beans and lentils are very good sources of protein, plus they contain fibre, iron and calcium. The glycaemic index is low so they are digested slowly and are absorbed into the bloodstream gradually.

Olive oil is the primarily ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, which has proven health benefits. The monosaturated fat in olive oil lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol levels. It is rich in antioxidants. Nonetheless, it is very rich in calories, so its best to use sparingly.

Wholegrain bread is the only good type of bread in my view. It has a low glycaemic index, protects against heart disease, while being rich in fibre and containing essential fatty acids.

Green tea is famous for its health properties, especially due to it being rich in catechins, an antioxidant. These protect the artery walls and prevent the formation of blood clots.

GreenTea-JacquelineCoyne-Pinterest
Jacqueline Coyne, Pinterest

Garlic and onion are very beneficial for you if you have high blood pressure. Additionally they fight cancer, kill bad bacteria, improve cholesterol and strengthen heart health.

Nuts including walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.  Plus they are good sources of plant-based protein. Eating a handful of nuts regularly can help to reduce risk of heart disease. Brazil nuts are especially rich in selenium, which may protect against cancer, depression and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Apples are packed with antioxidants, in particular vitamin C. They contain pectin, which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and helps with healthy digestion. They support healthy skin and gums, too. The glycaemic index of apples is low.

Other plants that have superfood type qualities I would recommend for regular consumption are tomatoes, grapes, pumpkins, carrots, bananas, pineapples, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, beets, mushrooms, brown rice and dark chocolate. They are very rich in phytochemicals, tend to have anticancer properties, taste fantastic and are generally very healthy for you.

I do not eat meat or fish, as I am a vegetarian. Therefore I do not count fish as my personal superfood. However, fish can be rich in omega-3 depending on its type and origin.  If you do eat fish, you may consider salmon, mackerel and sardines in your superfood-based diet. They are good sources of protein, vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, they help reduce blood clotting and inflammation in your system and they may prevent depression and dementia, too.

If you have a personal favourite superfood that you eat regularly, do let us know. We are keen on hearing about further nutritional powerhouses!

Poison in Perfume

Fragrance is Everywhere

Fragrance can be found in most personal care and household products. It is used abundantly in perfume and in every single type of skincare, personal care and cleaning product ranging from hairspray to dishwashing liquid. These fragrances tend to be created via synthetic and chemical methods (barring genuine organic and natural products that use either no fragrance or only pure essential oils for scent).

Chemically derived scents are cheap and are very easy to produce. They motivate us to buy the products, as we all respond well to attractive scenting. That’s why the personal care industry uses an overwhelming amount of synthetic fragrance with one single objective in mind: to boost sales.

The problem here is that thousands of chemically-created ingredients end up in these products, which we absorb via our skin or through inhalation. These may be either known irritants or allergens, or have unknown potential side effects.

MattMands-Flickr
Matt Mands, Flickr

Trade Secrets and Insufficient Regulation

Fragrance is a special type of ingredient, which perfumiers and other personal care manufacturers are not always required to disclose. Ingredients may be protected from disclosure as they qualify as “trade secrets”. Therefore, hundreds of chemicals can be disguised as “fragrance”, “perfume”, “linalool” and “limonene”. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA), which has over 100 members manufacturing perfume & fragrance all around the world, keeps lobbying for the protection of the formulas of perfumes and scented products, under the proviso of “trade secrets”.

As a consequence of the lobby activity from organisations like the IFRA and manufacturers, there is no federal regulation regarding the disclosure of the ingredients used to create scents of cosmetics, personal care and household cleaning products in the United States. The European Union is somewhat stricter in regulating the use of fragrances. It restricts the use of nitromusks and other synthetics. It requires manufacturers to use warnings on products if their scenting formula contains any of 26 known and commonly used allergens.

Research Shows…

Scientific research has been conducted on several occasions on perfumes and fragrances, by independent organisations. Their results tend to be alarming.

Most recently the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – a non-profit organisation – completed an analysis of 17 popular perfumes, including well-known brand names. The research found that a range of chemical ingredients is included in these top-selling perfumes, without such being listed on labels. Further, several ingredients were found to have the potential to trigger allergic reactions and cause hormone disruption.

The research found alarming results, including the identification of ten sensitizing chemicals associated with allergic reactions like asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis.  As well as four hormone-disrupting ingredients linked to sperm damage, thyroid disruption and cancer, in the analysed perfumes.

toxic-cosmetics-rainontheland.blogspot.com
www.rainontheland.blogspot.com

The alarming results of the research conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics implies that thousands of other fragrances may contain the same or similar harmful ingredients, without any listing on their labels. Products ranging from perfume and body spray to hair spray, dyes, air fresheners, scented candles, shampoos, soaps, perfumes and cleaning products can all contain such items.

What to Do?

Given that regulations do not require manufacturers to list many of the potentially harmful chemicals used in these products, it is a prudent idea to ditch cosmetics, personal care and household cleaning products that are synthetic. However, that’s easier to say than to do, as we are all swamped with chemically-manufactured products. To help you filter down your synthetic products, here are a few tips that you may wish to consider:

  • Get rid of your synthetic perfumes. Opt for natural brands using pure essential oils extracted via a cold pressing process, without the use of solvents.
  • Choose genuinely natural or organic skincare and personal care products with no scent, whenever possible.
  • Go for natural, ecologically friendly and home-made cleaning methods.
  • Choose natural beeswax candles instead of commercial, fragranced candles to scent your home.

What is Behind The Global Success of Zumba?

One of my favourite exercise types is Zumba. In today’s article I am going to give you a bit of insight into this fitness programme. If you can dance a bit or are used to other types of dynamic aerobic classes, it won’t be difficult for you. If you have never danced or participated in choreographed aerobic classes perhaps it will take a couple of occasions to be able to follow the routine. Don’t be shy or afraid of trying. Just give it a go and get hooked. It is fun!

Krista-Oetjens-Zumba-Pinterest
Krista Oetjens, Pinterest

 Zumba = Fitness & Fun

Zumba is an exciting and dynamic fitness regime, which involves dance and aerobic elements. The programme includes steps from a range of dances including chachacha, cumbia, flamenco, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, reggaeton, rumba and tango. You may even find hip-hop, belly dance, Indian Bollywood and bhangra dance moves in a Zumba regime, as well as squats and lunges. It is sometimes fast-paced and sometimes slow and the various Zumba regimes vary. Instructors have the freedom to assemble their own routine, that’s why Zumba classes can be quite different. Nonetheless, all use the same steps and step combinations, so it is surprisingly easy to adapt to different classes run by different instructors, once you got the feel for it.

Zumba classes tend to be an hour long, just like normal aerobic classes. The fast and slow dance elements & the varying rhythms change, supporting cardio health. Most of the time they are accompanied by some resistance training, too. There are eight different Zumba class types, which suit different ages, fitness levels and fitness objectives. These include special classes like Zumba Gold, targeting the elderly; and Aqua Zumba for those who wish to exercise in the swimming pool. All of the regimes are done to high-energy music and their objective is to motivate you to exercise in a fun way. The key elements of Zumba is to have fun and stay fit.

KristaOetjens-Zumba-Pinterest
Krista Oetjens, Pinterest

The Humble Start of a Global Success Story

Zumba was invented by a Columbian dancer and fitness instructor, Alberto “Beto” Perez. Stories about the origins of Zumba suggest that he substituted an injured aerobic instructor in a local gym in his Columbian home town, back in the 1990s. However, he forgot to take the tape with him. Fortunately, he had a Latin music tape in his backpack, so he decided to use that and improvise. His accidental dance aerobic class became an instant hit and a new style, “Rumbacise” set off on its successful journey. It was so successful, the gym kept it on its schedule. Fast forward a few years, Beto moved to Miami. He renamed and refined “Rumbacise”, teamed up with other entrepreneurial spirits and launched “Zumba”. Within a few years, the fitness regime of Beto had reached an audience in 150 countries and had become a widely popular programme all around the globe. As the company’s CEO and Marketing & Business Development Expert, Alberto Perlman suggests that Zumba: “offers South Beach coolness with classic Latin American and Colombian flavour, mixing them into something unique and distinctive”. This must be the core of Zumba’s worldwide success.

zumba-beto-perez-zumbamanchester.co.uk
www.zumbamanchester.co.uk

Zumba Today

Zumba is not only a widely popular fitness regime that you can practice in lots of local gyms all around the world. It is much more than that. It is a fitness empire – running under the name “Zumba Fitness” – which does not charge licensing fee from gyms but offers unique training and membership services to instructors. Within eight hours of formal training, anyone can become a licensed instructor for approximately USD 250. Once licensed, for a monthly membership fee, instructors may become members of the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN). The ZIN provides fresh and unique choreography, new music choices, marketing support and a listing of vacancies for licensed instructors.

Zumba also offers its own clothing and footwear line and accessories, CDs, DVDs and Zumba-themed video games. The company commissions Latino musicians to create music for Zumba classes and nurtures young Latino artists, dancers and choreographers, too.

ZumbaVideoGame-KristaOetjens-Pinterest
Krista Oetjens, Pinterest

Research Proves Benefits of Zumba

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Department of Exercise and Sport Science were mandated by the American Council on Exercise to conduct  scientific research on Zumba, to determine whether it is an effective form of physical exercise.

The researchers used volunteers regularly attending Zumba classes to determine exercise intensity and energy expenditure during class. Once the baseline fitness levels of volunteers had been determined, the volunteers regularly participated in Zumba classes equipped with heart-rate monitors. It transpired that an average of 369 calories are burnt during a Zumba class. Zumba therefore helps with weight loss or weight maintenance. The research suggests that it burns more calories than other types of exercise including cardio kickboxing, step aerobics and power yoga. The data suggested that Zumba boosts cardio endurance regardless of existing fitness level. Zumba proved to be a total-body exercise useful for core strengthening and improving flexibility, too.

Zumba is therefore not only fun but very effective in helping you achieve your fitness goals. If you have experience with Zumba, know about further benefits or just have an interesting story connected to a Zumba class, let us know!

Living Long In Okinawa

Okinawa is a Special Place

Okinawa is a rural prefecture of Japan, famous for the longevity of its population. It is a special place, as on the islands of Okinawa the number of centenarians – i.e. people who live at least 100 years – is one of the highest in the world, in proportion to the total population. Currently there are approximately 700 centenarians living on the islands of Okinawa, according to Dr. Bradley Willcox, a geriatric specialist.

AubreyBackscheider-Pinterest
Aubrey Backscheider, Pinterest

The centenarians and other elderly of Okinawa are a prime example of successful aging. Okinawans do not only live long but they live a long and healthy life. They go through a slow and delayed aging process and they experience cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia to a much lesser extent than other populations.

Although the genes of Okinawans may play a role in their longevity, the way they live may also give us indications as to a lifestyle supporting a long and healthy life.

The Okinawa Centenarian Study

In order to determine the secret of longevity of the Okinawans, Japan’s Health Ministry has been funding a health study among the Okinawan elderly since 1975. This ongoing health study is The Okinawa Centenarian Study (OCS). The OCS aims to uncover the genetic and lifestyle factors associated with longevity of Okinawans; and based on the results it wishes to improve the health and life expectancy of other populations.

The age of the subjects of the OCS have been validated through the Japanese family registration system, the so-called “koseki”. The physical and mental state of the subjects has been assessed by baseline geriatric examinations. Since the launch of the study in 1975, the assessment of 900 subjects has been carried out and further assessments are to be expected. The OCS is highly respected in the scientific community and its results are assumed to be generally valid.

JakeJung-Flickr-OkinawanWoman
Jake Jung, Flickr

Let’s see how Okinawans live and try to follow at least some of components of their lifestyle.

Lifestyle Tips of The Okinawans to Support Longevity

According to the results of the OCS, the lifestyle and the unique diet of Okinawans may be the most important factors in favour of their long and healthy lives.

  • Okinawans follow a primarily plant-based diet. They eat at least seven servings of vegetables and a few servings of fruits on average, in particular dark green leaves, seaweed, bean sprouts, green peppers, onions and sweet potatoes. The vegetables and fruits they eat tend to come from their own farms and gardens.
  • Okinawans used to consume lots of sweet potatoes. It used to be so popular that sometimes it made up to 70% of the traditional Okinawan diet. This may be very significant, as sweet potatoes have a low glycaemic index and contain a type of flavonoid in abundance. The OCS shows that when the sweet potato consumption of Okinawans tended to decrease in favour of rice, type II diabetes and obesity started to increase among the subjects of the study. A lesson to learn is to eat carbohydrates with low glycaemic load, e.g. sweet potatoes instead of white rice.
  • Soy consumption is key in the diet of Okinawans, which may be responsible for avoiding menopause symptoms like hot flushes, osteoporosis and heart disease. As soy is a weak estrogen, it creates a protective effect against diseases like breast cancer. Other isoflavones in soy slow the development of prostate cancer, which is virtually non-existent in Okinawa. As soybeans, tofu and miso are eaten every day in Okinawa, it’s time for us too to incorporate them into our diet.
  • One of the favourite spices of Okinawans is turmeric, which as been popular since the first imports from India arrived in the 6th Century. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric is assumed to be a powerful anti-inflammatory substance that can be efficiently used in cancer prevention and treatment of tumours. As the cancer rates in Okinawa are exceptionally low, the turmeric consumption of the population may be responsible for the low prevalence of the disease. Check out Terrific Tumeric to know more about this special spice.
  • The people of Okinawa eat meat as only a rare treat. They do consume pork and beef, however they do so sparingly and tend to save it for special occasions. They do eat fish in larger quantities but do not eat dairy at all. Their diet is largely vegetable-based and their primary source of protein are legumes and soy. The lesson to learn is to limit meat, fish and dairy intake and try to follow a primarily vegetable & fruit-based diet.
  • Okinawans drink lots of water and green tea. They consume up to 12 glasses of water a day and drink lots of unsweetened green tea, too. The potent blend of Okinawan blend of green tea, Sanpin, protects against cancer, heart disease and the aging effects of UV rays. Try to get hold of Sanpin or, if not possible, at least drink lots of Japanese green tea.
  • The people of Okinawa start a meal by saying “hara hachi bu”, which roughly means “eat until you are 80% full”. They eat slowly and they stop before getting full. Thanks to this habit Okinawans are accustomed to living on less calories – only 1200 – than other populations. These eating habits reflect their cultural values of respecting moderation and balance. Let’s try to eat less, but more nutrition-rich food, eaten slowly, just as the Okinawans do.
  • Last but not least, the Okinawans lead a peaceful, stress-free lifestyle. They wake up at sunrise and go to bed at sunset. There is no rush and no artificial stress in their lives. They meditate, follow the rhythm of nature and they are very optimistic and positive people. It’s a useful lesson to learn from them to limit our exposure to stress and learn to cope with it.

Let us all follow the Okinawans and live long and healthy!

EddieLevin-Pinterest-OkinawanElder
Eddie Levin, Pinterest

If you are interested in The Okinawa Centenarian Study in more detail, the official website is as follows: http://www.okicent.org/

Herby Artichoke Casserole from England

The cuisines of Italy, France, China, India and Mexico have managed to earn worldwide fame, thanks to their distinctive flavours. The English kitchen has never managed to establish a fame or even a good reputation for itself, which is a bit of a shame. The world outside the United Kingdom – in my view – is losing quite a bit by simply throughout not knowing about English dishes, beyond fish & chips.

The English kitchen is traditionally simple in terms of cooking methods. Also, the dishes of England tend to use high-quality local and natural ingredients. Stews and broths are very popular and very delicious, so are the desserts.

UKTV’s Good Food Channel describes the cuisine as “unfussy dishes made with quality local ingredients, matched with simple sauces to accentuate flavour, rather than disguise it”. This describes well the essence of traditional English cuisine.

Today I’m bringing a very easy to make vegetarian casserole from Nigel Slater, to you. He is one of the most established food writers in the United Kingdom, who tends to create traditional, simple, honest but very flavourful recipes. The Herby Artichoke Casserole is a perfect dish. It is very simple to prepare but its various ingredients and herbs merge together into a stunning combination of flavours.

I love to make it any time, but perhaps autumn and winter suits this dish best. The colours and flavours of this healthy and hearty meal evoke such times in my view.

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BBC Food

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 parsnip, chopped
  • 1 turnip, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 tsp lemon thyme leaves
  • 500ml/18fl oz vegetable stock
  • 400g/14oz canned flageolet beans
  • 200g/7oz jar artichoke hearts, drained
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Preparation method:

  • Add the oil, celery, onion, carrots, parsnip and turnip to a large pan.
  • Put the herbs into the pan and fry until soft and browning slightly. Add the stock and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add the beans and artichokes and simmer for another five minutes. Add the chopped parsley at the end and serve.

Bon Apetit!

If you try this dish, let me know your opinion. Also, if you have similar recipes, I would love to try them, so don’t hesitate to send them to me.

Marvellous Mauritius

Mauritius is a lovely island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is beautiful and its culturally diverse population makes it a fantastic travel destination. The island offers beautiful scenery, spectacular beaches, interesting cultural sights, wildlife and natural parks and an absolutely delicious cuisine. Its people are very friendly and welcoming and it’s very safe to explore the island. Besides being enchanting, Mauritius has a special place in my heart as I got married on this beautiful and romantic island. It was indeed a perfect wedding destination.

The Pearl of Africa

Mauritius is a tiny island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The country belongs to Africa. However, its main island lies 2,000 miles away from the south-east coast of the continent, as part of the Mascarene Islands.

Mauritius is the main island of the country, which also encompasses the islands of Rodrigues and Agaléga, as well as the archipelago of Saint Brandon. I had the good fortune to explore the principal island as well as Rodrigues, which lies 560 kilometres (350 miles) east of Mauritius. (Nonetheless, I did not visit the two smaller dependencies, Agaléga and Saint Brandon. Both of these are very far from the main island: 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) and 430 kilometres (267 miles), respectively. They are tiny and barely inhabited, so I guess there is very little to see there anyway!)

AdrienneHunt-Pinterest
Adrienne Hunt, Pinterest

Island with History

The islands known as Mauritius & Rodrigues today were first discovered by Arab merchant sailors during the Middle Ages. At the time of its discovery, the islands were uninhabited and unknown to the world. The Arab sailors had the privilege of naming these beautiful pieces of land in the middle of the ocean. They chose to call the two islands Dina Arobi and Dina Mozare.

At the beginning of the 1500s, Portuguese sailors were aware of the existence of the islands discovered by the Arabs and launched their own expedition, renaming the island to “Ihla Do Cirne”, i.e. “Swan Island”. Later, at the end of the century, Dutch explorers visited the island and renamed it to “Mauritius” after the Dutch Prince, Maurits van Nassau. The Dutch then claimed ownership over the island, establishing the farming of sugar cane and domestic animals; and logging of ebony trees. However, after just 100 years, the governor and settlers were forced to leave the island after a cyclone had devastated it. Later, the French, who were at that time present in nearby territories that they called Bourbon Island (currently Reunion) and Madagascar, decided to seize Mauritius, renaming it to “Isle de France”.

Under French ownership, colonisation took place at an accelerated pace. The French developed the island, established a significant naval base on it and built the capital city of Port Louis. Thanks to the location of the island being along the Spice Route, the French East India Company established its capital here and was authorised to administer the island. As the island became a significant commercial hub, slaves from Madagascar and Mozambique were brought to the land. Following a peak economic period commercial activity declined, a new governor was appointed.  He launched various projects to revitalise the island. By the late 1700s trade was liberalised with India and the island’s port became busy again.

In 1810 ,the British took over the island and returned to its Dutch name “Mauritius”. Nonetheless, the French settlers were allowed to stay. The French legal system, language, traditions and religious practices remained in place, despite English rule. The English abolished slavery in 1835. The abolishment prompted indentured labourers from India to appear on the island, changing its ethnic profile forever. In the subsequent period, malaria epidemics and industrialisation caused the population to move around the island, which resulted in various residential settlements being established, all over the island.

In 1968 the island gained its independence and the Republic of Mauritius was declared. Nonetheless, it continues to be a member of the Commonwealth. Currently the island nation is the only fully democratic nation in Africa, according to The Economist.

Diverse and Friendly Population

There are roughly 1.3 million inhabitants on the main island, while Rodrigues is occupied by less than 40 thousand people. The two tiny territories of Agaléga and Saint Brandon provide a home to less than 300 people altogether. The country is home to various ethnicities, including Indo-Mauritians, Franco-Mauritians, Creoles and Sino-Mauritians and all cultures and religious are equally respected. The population is very diverse. Various languages are used and several religions are widely practiced. The country is a prime example of peaceful and harmonious co-existence. In order to bridge the diversity of languages, most Mauritians speak English and French is widely spoken, too.

Unbeatable Cuisine 

The cuisine of Mauritius is absolutely unique and delicious. It is unique as it is influenced by Creole, Indian, European and Chinese gastronomies. The combination of flavours has produced something very distinct.

French gastronomy has been popular since the era of French rule on the island. Bouillon, civet de lièvre and coq au vin, amongst others, are popular dishes. The island adds some ingredients and spices, which offer some different flavours to traditional French cuisine. At the time of the arrival of Indians, their particular dishes came with them and their flavours were added into the Mauritian cuisine. Flavours and tastes from several Indian culinary traditions appeared, including various curries, chutneys and rougaille. When Chinese migrants appeared on the island, they brought with them south-eastern Chinese recipes, including rice-based dishes and noodles. Hakien and crispy meats were added to the culinary mix of Mauritius.

The different gastronomic traditions were mixed and matched, adjusted and developed, creating the uniquely flavourful Mauritian cuisine. It is a real treat to eat out in Mauritius, so if you have a chance to go, take a chance to explore the country’s culinary traditions. Also, do try a tot of Mauritian rum, which is fairly famous all around the world.

Paula and Fauvel Pelletier Pinterest
Paula and Fauvel Pelletier, Pinterest

Worth Visiting

Depending on how long you stay in Mauritius, it may be worth splitting your holiday in various locations on Mauritius and potentially visiting Rodrigues. For my own experience, I am happy to recommend staying in Flic en Flac, in the west, and around Mahébourg at the south-east of the island. It is a historic town, which was built where the Dutch first landed on the island.

Take a day trip to Port Louis, where you can wander around this compact city and take a look at some of the remaining colonial architecture. You can also pop in to the Blue Penny Museum, where you may take a look at a dodo skeleton, the famous extinct, indigenous bird of the island. You can also see the world’s first colonial stamp in this museum. You will come across churches, temples, mosques. The port area of the city is charming, it is worth spending some time with a walk along the promenade.

HannesWimmer-Pinterest
Hannes Wimmer, Pinterest

If you are big into nature, the Casela Nature & Leisure Park is for you. This is a sanctuary for rare birds, but you can walk with lions here, too. Mini-safaris are on offer, too. The Black River Gorges National Park is home to macaque monkeys, as well as to the highest point of the island, where you can trek.

For enthusiasts of colonial history, visiting the French colonial mansion, Eureka, is a real adventure. It used to be owned by the biggest sugar cane plantation owner on the island and was equipped with all the luxuries of the era.

Don’t miss the crater lake of Ganga Talao (or Grand Bassin), which is considered sacred by the Hindus of Mauritius. You can find temples here and you may encounter pilgrims walking bare feet to the lake, from their homes.

If you feel like visiting Rodrigues, you need to take a flight from Mauritius. On doing so, you will encounter a very quiet island where African culture is much stronger than in multicultural Mauritius. It is a charming and quiet island, which you may explore within two or three days. You can’t miss Port Mathurin, the capital city.  It is home to roughly 6,000 people. A tropical Roman Catholic Church is a local attraction, so is the viewpoint of Mount Fanal and the Church of Saint Gabriel. You may explore wonderful, secluded beaches and islets here. If you want to be all on your own, it is the place for you!

DavidGervel-Pinterest-Rodrigues
David Gervel, Pinterest

I loved Mauritius and Rodrigues and I am hoping that destiny may give me the chance to return to this wonderful country with my husband in future. If you go before I return, let me know what you think!

Terrific Turmeric

Turmeric has recently became a hot topic in health and nutrition books & journals. There is talk of it being a new superfood.  Or more precisely a super spice, which may reduce cancer risk and ward off a wide variety of other illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, allergies and arthritis . Let’s see why turmeric is considered to be so beneficial to health and how it can help us protect us.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant, with its root being used both in fresh and preserved forms. The preserved form, turmeric powder, is widespread. It is made by boiling the fresh root of the plant for 30 to 45 minutes.  It is then dried in a hot oven and ground into a powder. Fresh turmeric leaves may also be used to wrap food. While turmeric spice can be consumed both in a fresh and in a preserved form, the leaves tend to be used in fresh form only.

turmeric_16x9-BBCFood
BBC Food

Turmeric grows in tropical climates where rain is plentiful. It is indigenous in South and South-East Asia, in particular in India and Indonesia. Nonetheless, turmeric can be found in the cuisines of Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam too. In addition to these regions, it can be found in the gastronomy of the Middle East, notably so in Iran. It is a distinctive spice, but it is neither super hot, nor does it have a flavour. It adds a bit of an earthy quality to food, as long as only moderate amounts are used. Where it is used in a plentiful manner, it has a slightly bitter flavour and a smell which reminiscent of mustard. It is primarily used in curry sauces, including commercially available ones, in which it tends to be mixed with coriander, cumin, cardamom, fenugreek and pepper. If you ever wondered why curry has a distinct colour, turmeric may be responsible as it can constituent one fifth to one third of some curry sauces.

Turmeric is not only used for its flavour. Its strong yellow colour makes it a good colouring agent too. Packaged food products including canned and bottled beverages and juices, packaged sauces, bakery products, dairy products, cakes and biscuits, cereals, sweets, mustards and condiments may contain turmeric. The food industry often uses turmeric as a food additive under the name “E100” to derive natural colouring.

Turmeric as a medicinal plant 

Turmeric has been in use in South Asia, South-East Asia and the Middle East, both as a spice and as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. It has been used as a cooking ingredient not only for its taste, but for maintaining health. Plus it was used to cure various diseases.

The Ayurvedic tradition in India recognised the health benefits of turmeric consumption thousands of years ago. Ever since, it has been thought to have cleansing and purifying qualities; and has been used to treat a wide range of conditions including digestive disorders, fever, infection, arthritis, dysentery, jaundice and other diseases of the liver. Similarly to Ayurveda, Chinese medicine has also used turmeric to treat diseases of the liver, bleeding and congestion. The Assyrians noted turmeric as one of two hundred and fifty medicinal plants. It was also widely used both as a medicinal plant and as a spice in the Ryukyuan Kingdom, in the Okinawa region of present-day Japan to maintain health and cure diseases.

UtsavShashvatt-Pinterest
Utsav Shashvatt, Pinterest

Due to the presence of turmeric in these ancient medicinal traditions, scientists of the modern era have also gravitated toward researching turmeric in recent years.

Recent research assumes that turmeric may be capable of inhibiting cancer growth. Although epidemiological research on turmeric has not yet been completed – which would have found a definitive link between turmeric intake and the prevalence of cancer – laboratory research shows impressive results. On this basis, scientists believe that frequent and relative large-scale consumption of turmeric may make a significant contribution to the low cancer rates found in India. This health property may be arise from turmeric’s active ingredient called “curcumin”, which possesses complex pharmacological activity; and has a very strong potential as an anticancer agent. This substance seems to be responsible for the health benefits of eating turmeric and might be able to prevent and treat stomach, intestinal, colon, skin and liver tumours. Furthermore, it may assist in fighting infections, reducing inflammation, and treating digestive problems. All this sound good enough to give it a go and include turmeric into your diet, doesn’t it?

According to leading researchers in nutritional science,  the health benefits of turmeric are enhanced by the consumption of pepper at the same time, thanks to it increasing the extent of the absorption of curcumin into the bloodstream. Simply put, this means that we need to add some pepper to our turmeric consumption for maximum health benefit. As pepper has always been used in curries in India, the culinary synergy between these two ingredients may be behind the proven low cancer rates in India.

How to use turmeric?

Try to add a dash of turmeric & pepper to soups, curries, stews, pasta sauces and green smoothies. I always do that and as long as it is only a dash, it won’t change flavours in any way, let alone dramatically. Nonetheless, even these small dashes can have a huge impact on your health.

If you are interested in the topic, check out my book recommendation on “Foods to Fight Cancer” by Richard Béliveau, PhD. and Denis Gingras, PhD. http://bit.ly/1iZEEt9

The Perfect Pad Thai

Pad Thai is probably the most famous item of Thai gastronomy. It is not only popular all over Thailand, it tends to make its way to the heart of most people who taste it, all around the world. Let’s see what is behind the sweeping success of this dish.

Pad Thai tends to be the first introductory dish to Thai cuisine thanks to the fact that the dish has a particular taste, it balances well the salty, sour and sweet flavours characteristic to Thai food and it is not too spicy. It evokes an exotic cuisine without being unusually strong, sharp or spicy. In my view it expresses the gentle nature of the people of Thailand and it represents well the Thai take on life itself. It’s delicious, light and flavourful.

JennaMcJenna-PadThaiVegetarian-Pinterest
Jenna McJenna, Pinterest

The base of the dish contains rice noodles, which are stir-fried with various ingredients. The combination of these ingredients creates the unique flavours of Pad Thai. The original recipe contains tamarind, palm sugar, eggs, garlic, salted radish, tofu, bean sprouts, peanuts, prawns, chicken and pork as well as fish and soy sauce. Nonetheless, the recipe is tweaked according to region and taste; and basically every cook interprets Pad Thai in a slightly different way. To cook a good Pad Thai, one must feel the dish. That’s why one simply cannot find the same Pad Thai in two different places, even though it is served at thousands of food stalls, eateries and households on a regular basis. Still, the characteristic flavours can be found in every single Pad Thai. This diversity makes it extremely exciting and truly Thai.

Although the dish is known as “Pad Thai”, it has a “proper” name, i.e. “Kway Teow Pad Thai”, which simply means stir-fried rice noodles in Thai-style. Although it is the flagship dish of Thai gastronomy, Pad Thai probably originates in China as the term “Kway Teow” refers to rice noodles in Chinese. According to food historians, noodles hail from China and the cooking style of stir-frying is of Chinese origin, too. So, the basic characteristics of Pad Thai may originate from China’s southwestern region. Nonetheless, the distinct flavour and the texture of Pad Thai makes it different to any other Chinese noodle dish.

Although the dish is very delicious, there is something other than just its flavour that accounts for its widespread popularity. Namely,  a political decision made by Prime Minister and Field Marshall Plaek Phibunsongkhram aka Phibun. This gentleman was behind the original recipe of Pad Thai and what’s more, he was the driving force behind making it known and popular among the Thai people. Phibun was the Prime Minister of Thailand between 1938 and 1944 and between 1948 and 1957. He renamed the country from Siam to Thailand, which literally means “The Land of the Free”. He introduced various measures to modernise the country and to strengthen its economy.

Pibul-Songkram-www.asiaobserver.org
www.asiaobserver.org

The introduction of Pad Thai into the country took place during the Second World War. It was probably invented in Phibun’s own household with the aim of making the diet of the poor more nutritious, compared to the plain rice they ate with chilli paste, salt and green leaves. Also, the dish was promoted as a sanitary food due to the cooking method, using stir frying at high temperatures. It was also very cheap, at that time a portion cost no more than 1 Baht (which was equivalent to a few pennies). The objective of inventing a national Thai dish also had the aim of boosting the national pride of the Thai as it was different to the Chinese noodle dishes that were available in Thailand at that time. Further, it helped local farmers sell their produce to wheeled food-stalls in Bangkok, sponsored by the government, which specialised in making the new dish, based on the original Pad Thai recipe. These mobile food stalls made the dish widely available in Bangkok and thanks to its delicious taste and cheap price, it quickly set off on the path toward worldwide fame.

If you are Thai, you may feel the dish and can create a perfect one without any recipe. For beginners, though, the following recipe by Jill Dupleix from BBC Food – and tweaked by myself to suit vegetarians – is  good guidance and a starting point.

Ingredients: 

  • 100g dried rice stick noodles
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 200g tofu chopped up to cubes or slices
  • 100g bean sprouts, rinsed
  • 2 spring onion greens, chopped into 3cm/1in lengths
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp dried chilli flakes or cayenne
  • 1 tbsp palm sugar (palm sugar is preferred but you may replace it with brown sugar)
  • 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, lightly crushed
  • 2 tbsp coriander sprigs or dry coriander according to taste
  • 1 lime, quartered for garnish

 Preparation method:

  • Cover the noodles with boiling water and leave for 15 minutes or until al dente. Rinse in cold water and drain well, then use 1 tsp of oil to coat your hands and run them through the noodles to help prevent sticking.
  • To make the omelette, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a wok and swirl to coat the surface. Pour in the beaten eggs and swirl to make a very thin omelette. Run a knife around the edge, turn out, slice into strips and set aside. (If you are vegan, you may leave the eggs out entirely. The dish will taste different and it will no longer be a Pad Thai, but you will still get a decent Asian-style noodle dish.)
  • To cook the noodles, add remaining oil to the wok and heat. Add the garlic and the tofu and toss over high heat.
  • Add the noodles, omelette strips, bean sprouts, spring onions, soy sauce, lime juice, chilli and sugar, tossing constantly over high heat until it combines well.
  • To serve, scatter with crushed peanuts, coriander leaves and quartered limes.

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Jill Dupleix, BBC

I hope you enjoy trying the dish.  In the Comments below, let us know if you have any favourite Thai dishes and what it is about them that make them so appealing!