Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Food for thought: The value of a bowl of beef noodle

On 2013-07-30, I ate a bowl of beef noodle at a food court near my mum's home. The price was S$4.50. I estimated the cost of the beef and noodle were $0.35 and $0.15 respectively.

So the gross profit margin was about 88.9%.

The cost of food only accounted for 11.1% of the selling price.

Are the rental and salaries the main operating costs of the stall?

In my opinion, it is better to find time to cook or prepare our food at home most of the time. We can make sure the food is healthy and nutritious and save a lot of money! 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Choline ( by WebMd)

Choline (by WebMd)

Info source:

This little known nutrient is essential for building and maintaining healthy cells. It is particularly important for muscle and nerve function.

How much to shoot for: 425 milligrams for women per day ; 550 milligrams for men per day.

Where to find it: Eggs, cooked dry beans, peas.

Bonus nutrients: Beans and peas are nutritional treasure troves, rich in protein and an array of nutrients, including folate, magnesium, and potassium.

Simple changes you can make: Have a hard-boiled egg for a snack now and then. Whip up an omelet with vegetables for lunch. Add cooked dry beans to your favorite Italian tomato sauce and spaghetti recipe.

Vegan sources of choline? (veggieboards.com)



"Is vegetarianism really healthier?": Diet Community - forums.webmd.com/3/diet-exchange/.../6

"Is vegetarianism really healthier?": Diet Community 

8 posts - 3 authors
WebMD: Losing weight,eating well and getting exercise can be hard. Getting expert input and members ...

The Food-Mood Connection "The Take-Home Message"

The Food-Mood Connection "The Take-Home Message"

The following was extracted from 

Last reviewed and revised by Faculty of Harvard Medical School on January 16, 2013
By Maggie Shapiro, M.P.H.
Brigham and Women's Hospital

----------------------------------

The Take-Home Message

Eat small meals and snacks every 2 to 3 hours to avoid dramatic rises and falls in blood sugar.

Limit the simple carbohydrates in your diet, which can cause you to feel irritable, tired and hungry.

Eat complex carbohydrates, which contain fiber and can help control blood sugar levels from rising and falling rapidly.

Include some protein with meals and snacks to slow absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. This will help prevent the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar, and stabilizing mood and appetite.

For a calming effect, eat complex carbohydrates.

For a boost of alertness and energy, focus on the protein-rich foods.

For memory and cognitive functioning, consider eating more choline-rich foods.

Stay well hydrated.

Get adequate sleep every night.

Stay active and try some stress-reduction activities.

Once you understand how food affects your mood, you can begin to make changes to your diet to shape how you feel. 

Remember that the best part is that your diet can be modified at any time — so take control of your mood today!

For detailed info, please visit


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Fish Really is Brain Food (by WebMd) and omega-3 fatty acids

Fish Really is Brain Food (by WebMd) and omega-3 fatty acids

A protein source associated with a great brain boost is fish -- rich in omega 3 fatty acids, essential for brain function and development. 

These healthy fats have amazing brain power: higher dietary omega 3 fatty acids are linked to lower dementia and stroke risks; slower mental decline; and may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older.

For brain and heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.

Get Ready for a Big Day (Want to power up your ability to concentrate? ) by WebMd

Get Ready for a Big Day (Want to power up your ability to concentrate? ) by WebMd

Start with a meal of 100% fruit juice, a whole grain bagel with salmon, and a cup of coffee. 

In addition to eating a well-balanced meal, experts also advise:

-- Get a good night's sleep.

-- Stay hydrated.

-- Exercise to help sharpen thinking.

-- Meditate to clear thinking and relax.

Benefits of a Healthy Diet = Better brain power. Why?

Benefits of a Healthy Diet = Better brain power. Why?

It may sound trite but it's true: If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can decrease your ability to concentrate. 

Eating too much or too little can also interfere with your ability to focus. 

A heavy meal may make you feel lethargic, while too few calories can result in distracting hunger pangs.

Benefit your brain: Strive for a well-balanced diet full of a wide variety of healthy, wholesome foods.

Add a Daily Dose of Nuts and Chocolate to boost your brain power

Add a Daily Dose of Nuts and Chocolate to boost your brain power

Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is associated with less cognitive decline as you age. 

Dark chocolate also has other powerful antioxidant properties. And it contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus and concentration.

Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts and dark chocolate to provide all the benefits you need without excess calories, fat, or sugar.

Eat Breakfast (high-fiber whole grains, dairy, and fruits) to Fuel Your Brain

Eat Breakfast (high-fiber whole grains, dairy, and fruits) to Fuel Your Brain

Tempted to skip breakfast? Studies have found that eating breakfast may improve short-term memory and attention. 

Students who eat breakfast tend to perform significantly better than those who don’t. 

Foods at the top of researchers' brain fuel list include high-fiber whole grains, dairy, and fruits. 

Just don't overeat; researchers also found high-calorie breakfasts appear to hinder concentration.



Avocados and Whole Grains to improve your focus and memory


Avocados and Whole Grains --- two of the Foods to improve focus and memory (By WebMd)

Avocados and Whole Grains

Every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain. Eating a diet high in whole grains and fruits like avocados can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower bad cholesterol. 

This reduces your risk of plaque buildup and enhances blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells.

Whole grains, like popcorn and whole wheat, also contribute dietary fiber and vitamin E. 

Though avocados have fat, it's the good-for-you, monounsaturated fat that contributes to healthy blood flow.

Info source:


夏白菜 xia bai cai (Brassica rapa pekinensis,Brassica campestris pekinensis,Brassica pekinensis)

On 2013-07-27 (at about 1130 am) I bought a packet of this organic green leafy vegetable (about 270 grams) which I did not see 
at my regular vegetable for a long time. 

The producer is Fire Flies Health Farm.

This veg is 夏白菜 xia bai cai (Brassica rapa pekinensis,Brassica campestris pekinensis,Brassica pekinensis)



Friday, July 26, 2013

Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH

Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life. Motivating older adults to become physically active for the first time, return to exercise after a break in their routines, or build more exercise and physical activity into weekly routines are the essential elements of Go4Life. 

Please visit 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

About Edible Gardens, Singapore -- a social enterprise which helps people grow their own food in Songapore

About Edible Gardens, Singapore -- a social enterprise which helps people grow their own food in Songapore

Info source:


About Edible Gardens, Singapore

Edible Gardens LLP was started as a social enterprise in June 2012 by three eco-conscious musketeers who are passionate about championing the “Grow Your Own Food” movement in land-scarce and import-dependent Singapore, where food safety and security are taken for granted.

We believe that every urbanite can grow his/her own vegetables and herbs, even in the smallest way.

We provide bespoke urban farm consultancy, focusing on designing, building and more importantly, maintaining (by educating and guiding our clients) edible gardens in tropical urban environment. Our mantra: Beautiful gardens should be productive too.

Collectively, our team has close to 15 years of farming experience. Our head designer has won several awards in garden design and construction in the United Kingdom. We understand farming and subscribe to sustainable agriculture, using traditional natural methods and recycling resources and minimizing waste.

For more info, please visit 


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Wheat germ

Info source :

http://www.joybauer.com/food-articles/whole-grains.aspx


Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is the nutrient-rich part of a grain of wheat that is lost during milling when grains are refined. 

Wheat germ is a very good source of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, B vitamins such as folate, and zinc — which in combination help reduce the risk of arthritis, cataracts and macular degeneration, memory loss, and skin and hair damage. 

Other nutrients in wheat germ, including magnesium and manganese, may help prevent and manage high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and PMS symptoms. 

Wheat germ is not gluten-free and is therefore unsafe for individuals with celiac disease.


Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair (A WebMD Feature by Elizabeth B. Krieger)

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair
(A WebMD Feature by Elizabeth B. Krieger)


The foods include :

Sardines, mackerel. Salmon, walnut, carrot, egg, sweet potato, avocado, pumpkin seeds, oyster, nuts, beef, mango, chicken, Fish, pork, lentil, soya bean, kale, spinach, Greek yogurt, low fat cheese, skimmed milk, whole grains, black sesame seeds,  Kiwi fruits, tomatoes, straw berries, blueberries, fruits and vegetables,
etc. 

Whole Grains: The Whole Truth Why seek out whole grain products?

Whole Grains: The Whole Truth
Why seek out whole grain products?


Whole Grains: The Whole Truth
Why seek out whole grain products?
------------

The outer layer of a grain is rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and important phytochemicals like phenols. When a whole grain gets refined, however, it loses this outer layer. Even when manufacturers “enrich” their refined grains, they still don’t possess the full health benefits they once did.

If you choose whole-grain products, make sure the word “whole” is on the label. Multi-grain, seven-grain and bran breads are not necessarily whole-grain products. If the ingredient list on a wheat bread lists only “wheat” and not “whole wheat,” it’s not a whole-grain product.

Of course, there’s more to whole grains than whole wheat.

Get acquainted with some of the other whole grains:

Barley: Hulled barley is the true whole grain. Pearled barley, however, which loses both its outer layer and its bran layer, retains most of its whole-grain nutrients and fiber.

Buckwheat: If you’re allergic to wheat, buckwheat’s your answer. Kasha, or roasted buckwheat, is a great source of the antioxidant rutin, which benefits circulation.

Corn: Look for whole-grain cornmeal at the grocery store.

Millet: Very nutritious and easy to digest, millet makes a great hot breakfast cereal.

Oats: Easily digested, oats provide B vitamins. Oatmeal and oat bran are excellent for lowering cholesterol.

Quinoa: (keen-wah) A high quality protein, quinoa is also high in iron.

Rice: Choose brown or wild rice over enriched white rice whenever you can.

Wheat: Whole-wheat bread and pasta are widely available. Bulgur wheat is a form of cracked wheat. 

Wheat germ, although only a part of the whole grain, is an excellent source of Vitamin E.

Published on June 23, 2011

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)

Fosters research on diet and prevention, and offers educational services.


Cancer prevention and food

Cancer prevention and food.

The following is from 


-------------------
There are a number of different foods that may help to prevent certain types of cancer. “For example, tomatoes, watermelon, and other foods containing lycopene have evidence showing that they probably reduce the risk of prostate cancer,” Bender says.

But if you’re aiming to slice your risk of many cancers across the board, load your plate with plants, particularly non-starchy vegetables and fruits. 

That’s why American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) report’s No. 4 recommendation is to eat mostly foods that come from plants -- at least 14 ounces (about 400 grams) every day. 

The Mediterranean diet, St. Tropez diet, and the green diet all are based on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. 

Diets that tend to prevent cancer are rich in plant-based foods.

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) AICR’s “new American plate” plan offers an easy cheat sheet on eating to prevent cancer. 

Fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains should cover two-thirds of your plate; the other one-third should contain lean meats, fish, and low-fat dairy.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

My green smoothie on 2013-07-21. 700-gram Ingredients: kiwi fruit, orange banana, carrot, organic kailan, frozen organic cai xin .

My green smoothie on 2013-07-21. 700-gram Ingredients: kiwi fruit, orange banana, carrot, organic kailan, frozen organic cai xin . Plain water 200 ml. Smoothie made: 950 ml. Taste: Good!


Can the food you eat make you suicidal? (Nutritional Suicide -CNN iReport)

Nutritional Suicide - CNN iReport


The biggest quantity ( 2 kg ) of organic green leafy vegetables I ever bought for my family and my green smoothie for the coming week.

On 2013-07-20, Saturday, I bought 7 packets of organic green leafy vegetables (produced by Fire Flies Health Farm) from the market near my home for the family and my green smoothie for the coming week. 

1. Organic kailan ( about 270g)
2. Organic jing bao cai ( about. 270g)
3. Organic cai xin ( about 270g)
4. Organic xiao bai cai ( about 300g)
5. 3 packets of organic green spinach ( about 300g each).

(Note: organic red spinach was not available.)

This is the first time I bought so much organic green vegetables = 2 kilograms !!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

The right carbs to eat to increase serotonin levels

The right  carbs to eat to increase serotonin levels are oats, whole grain, barley, buckwheat, yam and sweet potato.

Info source: 


Eat Protein-Rich Foods to Boost Alertness (tyrosine)

Eat Protein-Rich Foods to Boost Alertness (tyrosine)

Foods rich in protein, like turkey, tuna, or chicken, are rich in an amino acid called tyrosine. 

Tyrosine may help boost levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. This boost helps you feel alert and makes it easier to concentrate. 

Try to include a protein source in your diet several times a day, especially when you need to clear your mind and boost your energy.

Good sources of healthy proteins: 

beans and peas, lean beef, low-fat cheese, fish, milk, poultry, soy products, yogurt
 
Info source:

One way to prevent lung cancer and other cancers, as well as heart disease and diabetes is by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables

Exercise and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These healthy habits will lower your risk of several forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

Info source:


Friday, July 19, 2013

100 grams of cooked beef

Just 100 g of cooked beef provides an entire day's recommended intake of protein, vitamin B-12 and zinc and contributes substantially to meeting the riboflavin and iron recommendations. 

"Nutritional Importance of Animal Source Foods" by Suzanne P. Murphy and Lindsay H. Allen

"Nutritional Importance of Animal Source Foods" by Suzanne P. Murphy and Lindsay H. Allen 
(The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, 2003)

Please visit



5 Muscle Nutrients Found Only in Animal Foods (Published on July 1, 2013, Written by: Kris Gunnars)

5 Muscle Nutrients Found Only in Animal Foods (Published on July 1, 2013, Written by: Kris Gunnars)

1.  Creatine.
2. Animal Protein
3. Carnosine
4. Vitamin D3
5. Saturated Fat and Cholesterol

Please visit this link for detailed info.


Creatine, body builders and competitive athletes (Info extracted from University of Maryland Medical Center )

Info source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/creatine

Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid (protein building block) that's found in meat and fish, and also made by the human body in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is converted into creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine and stored in the muscles, where it is used for energy. During high-intensity, short-duration exercise, such as lifting weights or sprinting, phosphocreatine is converted into ATP, a major source of energy within the human body.

Creatine supplements are popular among body builders and competitive athletes. It is estimated that Americans spend roughly $14 million per year on creatine supplements. The attraction of creatine is that it may increase lean muscle mass and enhance athletic performance, particularly during high-intensity, short-duration sports (like high jumping and weight lifting).

However, not all human studies have shown that creatine improves athletic performance. Nor does every person seem to respond the same way to creatine supplements. For example, people who tend to have naturally high stores of creatine in their muscles don't get an energy-boosting effect from extra creatine. Preliminary clinical studies also suggest that creatine's ability to increase muscle mass and strength may help fight muscle weakness associated with illnesses such as heart failure and muscular dystrophy.


Sources of creatine ( from University of Maryland Medical Center )


Info source:

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/creatine

Sources of creatine

About half of the creatine in our bodies is made from other amino acids in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. The other half comes from foods we eat. Wild game is considered to be the richest source of creatine, but lean red meat and fish (particularly herring, salmon, and tuna) are also good sources.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Thursday, July 18, 2013

How many servings of fruits and vegetables should a person take in a day? (Answer: 5 is optimal)

How many servings of fruits and vegetables should a person take in a day? (Answer: 5 is optimal)

The following info has been extracted from

The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows the five-a-day recommendations are optimal, said Alicja Wolk, who worked on the research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

Her team did not find any improvement in survival for people who ate more than five servings of fruit and vegetables each day, compared to those who just met the guideline.

The results are based on data collected from more than 71,000 Swedes, aged 45 to 83, who were followed for 13 years.

Participants were surveyed about their diets in 1997 and 1998 and reported how often they ate fruit - including oranges, apples, bananas and berries - and vegetables, such as carrots, beets, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes and pea soup.

Nearly 11,500 of those enrolled had died by December 2010.

Wolk's team found that people who had reported eating no fruit or vegetables at the start of the study were 53 percent more likely to die during the follow-up period than those who got their five daily servings.

Participants who ate at least one serving of fruit daily lived 19 months longer than those who never ate fruit, on average. And those who ate at least three servings of vegetables per day lived 32 months longer than people who reported not eating vegetables.

For more info please visit