Chef BBB

09/10/2014

Hi Everyone!
It has been a while since I sent out anything. Many other events and stuff were taking place.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy receiving this little "newsletter" or information on foods and spices:-)

Cardamom is one of the most fragrant spices used in baking. This morning I decided to check out health benefits. There are a bunch! I found two sites in particular that had good information. The first is Web MD:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-614-cardamom.aspx?activeingredientid=614&activeingredientname=cardamom

The second is

http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/15-health-benefits-of-cardamom/

15 Health Benefits of Cardamom

It is related to ginger and has some of the same benefits plus more. It has been used as a breath freshener for centuries, chewing some of the seeds after eating. Listed among the benefits are stomach, antioxidants, cancer fighting and aphrodisiac! Check out these sites for more information! "
cardamom has the added benefit of turning coffee from acidic to alkaline" I did put it in my second cup of coffee this morning and it seemed to help!

One of my favorite cakes that uses cardamom is an Egg-less Pear Cake. It is kind of like a pineapple upside down cake in that there are pears lining the pan and the mix is poured on top. When done, the cake has the pears on top in a flower pattern. It smells so good while cooking! And then the taste - served warm with a dollop of whipped cream - divine!

Any of the baked items you have tasted or purchased from me can be made sugar free, gluten free or any other special dietary needs.

Happy eating and spicing!

Find patient medical information for cardamom on WebMD including its uses, effectiveness, side effects and safety, interactions, user ratings and products that have it.

09/06/2014

I was at the Columbus hitchin post farmer's market this morning and came home with some summer squash. I wasn't sure about the best way to store it until I was ready to cook. I found this on Worlds Healthiest Foods website. Wrap it in a plastic bag unwashed and press as much air out of it without bruising it then store in the crisper part of your refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Here is the link with more info: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodtip&dbid=120

Non-profit foundation providing reliable, scientifically accurate, personalized information for convenient and enjoyable healthy eating.

09/02/2014

Found and interesting article about foods that help you not gain weight and may help in weight loss among other claims. For a while I had a cough that just wouldn't go away. Jalapeños were one of the only things that stopped the coughing and made my throat feel better. Now I know it has to do with the anti-inflammatory properties of the pepper!
https://www.yahoo.com/health/10-foods-to-eat-so-you-never-have-to-diet-95124687008.html

Garlic This herb does more than just give meals extra flavor and scent—it can also help keep your tummy flat through its naturally occurring chemical allicin, says registered dietitian andNutritious Life founder Keri Glassman. “Beans are unique in that they offer significant amounts of both fiber an…

08/06/2014

After researching raw honey and the benefits I finally tried it on my own sore. I have a skin irritation I've been fighting with antibiotics and specialty creams. I have started putting raw honey on them while I'm in my house. Wow! It really does work! Here is some information and web links for more info:

About honey: "My son, eat thou honey, for it is good” — King Solomon – Proverbs: 24:13

At the bottom is a link to a couple article with benefits of honey. Basically honey has been used from ancient Egyptian time for a healing balm for skin and infections prevention to care for stomach, cancer, cough irritations, blood sugar regulation, and probiotics.
These benefits are found in the raw honey rather than the processed. Processing takes out most of the healing properties of honey.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-health-benefits-of-honey.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/112833-benefits-honey-skin-care/

Discover the health benefits of one of the oldest sweeteners on earth, plus some interesting trivia, some great recipes and a few cautions.

08/05/2014

Chocolate Beet cake has the richest dough of anything I've ever seen. It is always exciting to see this come together

08/05/2014

Looks like I may make the farmers market tomorrow! National TV crew will be there also. Come on out Starkville! I will have some mini cupcakes good for school lunches and muffins for kids breakfast. Hope to see lots of people there!

07/27/2014

When i talked about beets there are a couple warnings I forgot to say. #1 is do not wear good clothes while doing anything with beets. they color everything red! #2 not a warning:-) Beets can be used to add color to vanilla or light color puddings by letting a couple pieces of peeled, uncooked beets either sit in the liquid for a little while or for a few minutes while cooking. I made a beautiful pink pudding this way.

07/25/2014

The limes turn for zesting :-)

07/25/2014

Sweet Potato muffins came out really good! Plus lots of benefits from sweet potatoes, raw honey, whole wheat flour, almond milk plus use real butter and cage free eggs

07/25/2014

Lots of zest ing lemons for the brownies

07/25/2014

Chocolate beet cake batter very rich looking - looks kind of like red velvet cake but natural deep red color and healthier too! Very exotic taste