Salami - Italian Dry Sausage

Salami (Salame in Italian) is yet another example of an Italian sausage tradition that has been abused by mass production and over processing. In America salami has been reduced to pre-sliced waxy discs on sandwiches and pizza that barely resembles their namesake. However just like many foods still made in their time-honored way in Italy, Salami (or Salame) is way beyond similarly named products found in most supermarkets.

Salami (Salame) is not one specific sausage; it is a generic term describing any type of encased (insaccati) meat product. The origin of the word comes from the Latin word "Salumen" which describes a mix of salted meats. Like many other Italian pork products, Salami has a long history even pre-dating ancient Rome. Over these centuries regional variations as well as preparation techniques have created various types of these sausages.

 Each type of Salami (Salame) is made different then any other, that is why it is hard to describe a general production method. However they are all part of the same family of pork sausages and go through the same stages. Salami is differentiated by the fineness of the ground meat and each variety has a different type of meat consistency as well as a different spice mix. However all salami is made with pork, which has been blended with a particular ratio of high quality pork fat. Favorite spices and flavorings include salt, pepper, garlic, wine, mace, fennel and sometimes cinnamon. Some preservatives are used, but only in amounts allowed by food purity laws and some salami is also colored. Once these meat and spice combinations are blended and packed in natural or synthetic (for cooked salami) casings, the sausage is aged in dark cool cellars.
Salami can be prepared in either fresh, cooked or dry-cured varieties. Dry-cured salami (often seen hanging in markets, butcher shops or Italian grocerias) is ready to eat once it is sliced, while the fresh variety must be cooked beforehand. Both fresh and cooked varieties do not have a long shelf life and must be eaten shortly after slicing. All varieties of salami should share some certain characteristics: the meat must be well compacted with a red/pink interior speckled with fine grains of white fat. Much like another famous sausage Mortadella di Bologna, these fat bits should not separate from the meat when sliced.

                                                                                                                           by: Justin Demetri

Foods of Love

    Valentines Day is a time of year when romance is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than an evening out to dine with your beloved, or preparing and cooking them a delicious meal.

There are some foods that are synonymous with romance or considered huge aphrodisiacs. These are considered such foods for several reasons. One reason is that they have ingredients or minerals in them which is said to enhance sexual arousal or stamina, another reason is because they may look like something sexual (I cant personally see a huge resemblance but asparagus is said to be phallic, and oysters resemble female genitalia). Another reason is because they may be expensive foods, and wealth in itself can be an aphrodisiac for some people.

Here is a list of some food that you may want to serve your beloved on February 14th (or any other day for that matter).

 Oysters - Oysters are allegedly a very effective aphrodisiac food, and are said to increase sexual desire of consumers. They contain a high level of zinc which is known to help produce sperm, increase testosterone and increase libido in both men and women. Oysters have scientifically proven potency, they are believed by many to keep men sexually active well into old age. The aroma of oysters is apparently quite the same as female pheromones and has been proven to be sexually arousing.

 Champagne - Champagne is associated with celebrating and wealth, both aphrodisiacs in themselves, and small amounts of alcohol are proven to lower inhibitions and increase sexual desire. Due to its bubbles champagne hits the bloodstream quickly and warmly intoxicates the body. Studies have shown the smell of champagne is similar to that of the female pheromones.

 Chocolate - Chocolate is a natural aphrodisiacs. It is effective when it has been refined into the product we find in shops, but chocolate in its pure form is the best. Pure chocolate contains anandamide which is a chemical gives a natural psychoactive good feeling. It also contains phenyl ethylamine which is the 'love chemical that releases dopamine in the brain's pleasure centers and this can peak during orgasm, in addition it induces excitable feelings and stimulates both attraction and euphoria.

 Figs A fig opened, is said to resemble the female genitalia and this is mainly why this fruit is known to be sexually arousing. Fig leaves were believed to be used to cover Adam and Eve's genitals in the bible, as well as in Greek Mythology. The ancient Greeks looked at figs as a sacred fruit that was responsible for love and fertility!

 Honey - Honey is another food that is considered a strong aphrodisiac. Honey contains several B vitamins which are required for testosterone. It is also a source of boron which is a mineral trace that assists the body in using and metabolizing estrogen which is the female sexual hormone.
               
                                                                                                                                     by: Rubel Zaman

Green Living With Tava Tea - 100% Pure Green Tea To Lose Weight

      Although it may look like that Tava Tea wellness blend is like any other tea on the market, it has some properties that the others do not. Similar to Earl Grey and Darjeeling teas, Sencha, Oolong and Puerh have been around for a very long time and considered beneficial for one's health. The Chinese have been drinking Sencha, Puerh and Oolong for more than five hundred years. Tava Tea, with all its great nutrients, is a perfect blend of these three teas.

One of the key ingredients of green tea is Catechin which is a type of important antioxidant recognized as Polyphenol. There are extremely high levels of Catechin contained Sencha. Polyphenol antioxidants occur in numerous forms but the healthiest is catechin. There are high concentration of a strong type of Catechin in green tea known as Epigallocatechin gallate. Part of living green is to utilize products that are not just great for the environment but enhances your health as well.

Tava Tea is well viewed not only for weight loss but to help restore the body to a healthy state too. It has been clinically shown that Tava Tea can help lower the amount of body of fat while balancing cholesterol amounts. Other benefits of Tava Tea aside from losing weight include improved digestion of food, reducing bloating and burning twice more calories than normal green teas on the market. It's likewise found to minimize the effects of consuming carbs. Just consuming a cup of tava tea approximately 15 minutes before you eat a food with lots of carbs will help to reduce the production of insulin, and as a result, you will put on less fat.

Free radicals harm the body at the cellular level, making individuals more prone to get coronary heart disease, different chronic conditions as well as cancer. One more healthy feature of this type of green drink is that it is rich in the amino acid L-theanine, which has been proven to relax the body and calm the mind. The aminoalkanoic acid, L-theanine, raises alpha brainwave activity which, in turn, increases the amount of Serotonin and Dopamine released which helps you to feel relaxed.

A group of men and adult females, taking part in a study, drank Wuyi Cliff Oolong green tea for 15 days. The end result revealed an amazing 50% lessening of free radicals for everyone in the group. Lowering the amount of free radicals in your body is an important point in slowing down the process of aging. By drinking two or more cups of Wu Long tea every day, you can lower the prospects of heart disease by as much as 26%. While you may not be thinking green to save the environment, you should at least be thinking green for your health.

One little thing you can do to improve your health is to consume green tea each day. The best green tea you can find is Tava Tea. On top of all the health benefits, Tava Tea comes with a six month money back guarantee. A lot of companies extend free trials but in majority of cases, they are cons since they get you signed up for automatic monthly charges. To protect your health, begin consuming Tava Tea, the number one rated green tea.

                                                                                                                         by: Marcus Wilson

African Mango Extract

       African mango is the latest superfood that is taking the US health and weight loss market by storm.
 Researchers have stated that the African mango might possibly be one of the greatest breakthroughs in the health and diet industry in recent years.
Contributes to significant weight loss
Proven to lower cholesterol levels
Reduces blood sugar levels after meals
Stops hunger and cravings

What Is In African Mango?

African mango is derived from the seeds of the Invingia Gabonensis tree which is found in western Africa. Locally, it is known as ‘bush mango' or ‘wild mango'.

Each capsule contains 600mg of pure African Mango

The African Mango diet is one the hottest and newest trends in weight loss today. African mango is a weight loss supplement that specifically targets belly fat. The supplement helps users burn fat and cleanse their systems thoroughly. It's know to purify the blood and eliminate bad enzymes within the body. It stimulates metabolism accentuation and gets the body moving fast and burning fat regularly. Mango's grown in Africa has distinct qualities and the ingredients are unlike any other mango found on the planet.

It looks like every single few months a brand new wonder weight loss pill hits industry, the most recent getting the particular African Mango Diet Pill. Are these kinds of tablets well worth that, or even are they the newest way to consider your hard earned money and obtain your desires upwards prior to causing you to be no more healthy before you decide to got all of these? Let us take a look. The facts?

Statistical figures about obesity are quite shocking. Everyone knows that obesity has attained epidemic proportions in the U.S. Surveys show that over 1.7 billion people in the world are overweight. Moreover, there are billions of people who need to lose the extra pounds to stay in the range of normal weight for their height. Fad diets have proven to be disastrous for many dieters. Now is the time to take action. Take a look at the natural weight loss supplements that work and choose a suitable one for you.

Effective Natural Weight Loss Supplements

Bitter Orange: The plant named Citrus aurantium is commonly known as bitter orange. It carries several medicinal properties and the extracts of its flowers and leaves have been a part of traditional Chinese medicines. These days, the plants are grown in California and Florida. Manufacturers of the weight loss supplement claim that 'bitter orange weight loss supplement' works as natural, herbal appetite suppressant. By reducing your appetite, the supplement helps reduce weight. Whatever studies were conducted, showed that the supplement led to increased metabolism and weight loss. Some studies showed that octopamine and synephrine from bitter orange can affect heart health seriously. So people diagnosed with heart diseases should stay away from bitter orange. Overdose can result in life threatening side effects like stroke, blood in stools, diarrhea, chest pain or blurred vision. Many diet pills contain bitter orange, so one should read the labels carefully and follow the instructions strictly.

Irvingia Gabonensis: Irvingia gabonensis or African mango or bush mango is native to the West Africa and Southeast Asia. The tree produces mango like fruits which are being consumed by the local people since hundreds of years. The seeds of these fruits are useful for weight loss. This supplement is one of the latest natural weight loss supplements that work. The seeds of this plant were used as medicine by the local inhabitants. Manufacturers claim that irvingia gabonensis extract helps lower cholesterol levels. It also reduces fat deposits. The extract is obtained from the nuts (seeds) of African mango. The nuts are rich in soluble fiber which helps remove cholesterol from the body. The supplement prevents growth of fat cells. It is believed that the supplement helps stabilize glucose levels and hence, is good for diabetics. More studies are required to prove the benefits for diabetics. Those who want to take this supplement, should stick to a low calorie diet and a good exercise regimen. Following the instructions regarding the dosage is essential, otherwise you may suffer from side effects like flatulence, headaches, sleep problems, etc. Browse through another article 'safe and natural weight loss supplements' on buzzle for more information.

Green Tea: The extract from green tea boosts your rate of metabolism and promotes natural weight loss. Green tea is an important Chinese medicine. In China, green tea has been successfully used to control weight. It is used in some diet pill formulas. The element 'Epigallocatechin Gallate' (EGCG) from green tea makes it a perfect ingredient for natural weight loss supplements for men and women.

Whey Protein: Whey powder is produced from milk and it is the best source of high quality protein. It keeps you energetic and fit. You can add whey protein powder to water or milk. Whey protein keeps you healthy and active. It keeps you satiated for a long time and curbs your food craving. Whey protein thus helps you maintain a good body mass index ratio. Besides, the immunoglobulins present in whey protein help strengthen your immune system. It promotes the production of glutathione, an antioxidant which helps reduce the effects of free radicals on the body.

Ayurvedic Supplements: Trifala, Guggul extract, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Shilajit, aloe vera, gotu kola, trikatu (black pepper, ginger and pippali or Indian long pepper in correct proportions), barberry, etc. help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and also help improve your digestive health. You may also like to read through some of the best ayurvedic medicines for weight loss that you could adhere to.

While taking weight loss supplements, maintaining a positive and healthy mental approach to food can make a lot of difference. You should also find out the reason behind excessive weight and try to remove the cause. Understanding and analyzing the underlying causes of unhealthy eating habits can help solve the problem of obesity. Good eating habits and regular exercise can help maintain your weight and they can also improve your overall physical and mental health.

A healthy low calorie diet complemented with exercise has to be followed religiously, if you want to see the effects of weight loss supplements. Natural weight loss supplements that work also expect you to follow a balanced diet and perform regular exercises. Kids, pregnant and nursing women should not take these supplements. Those who want to take these supplements need to discontinue them after a month or so, to avoid possible side effects. Consulting a physician regarding the dosage and, possible uses and side effects of a supplement is always safe. You should consult your health care provider before opting for any weight loss supplements.

It is recommended that 2 capsules are taken per day, preferably first thing in the morning with breakfast.

African Mango comes in bottles of 60 capsules, sufficient for one month's use.

How Healthy Are The Health Foods?

    Are you envious of those flawless bodies that you spot on the television of your favourite celebs? Do you   wish to get one of those for yourself?
In today's modern world, a toned body is given so much importance that everyone follows the varied health products in the market blindly. Slimming down is the 'in' thing now-a-days. But did you ever wonder that the products that are being passed on to the market as low-fat and completely natural are actually so in reality?
Let us do a reality check and see how healthy these healthy foods actually are.
Sugar Alternatives
There are numerous products going around in the market that are being passed off as an alternative to sugar. The most prominent one being honey. But does it really contain lesser amount of glucose than sugar? The fact is that they contain as much amount of glucose as sugar does, and if you are intending to get slimmer depending upon honey than you are so mistaken.
Fresh and Raw Vegetables
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding healthy foods is the intake of fresh and raw vegetables. Eating cooked vegetables is much healthier than having them uncooked. And guess what, it does have its scientific proof as well. Vegetables, when cooked, break down their cell walls and thereby make it easier for the body to absorb its comprising nutrients.
Varied Cereals
Gorging on different cereals at breakfast does help you get slimmer but only if one chooses the 'right' cereals. The brand matters a lot when choosing the correct cereals for breakfast. If you choose the flavored cereals or the ones that contain other sugar coated materials, then your health will go for a toss. Beware of the various wrong stuff floating around in the market that is being passed off as low fat or low sugar. In reality, it is just the other way around.
Diet Drinks
Another mammoth misconception people have is regarding the diet drinks. While the varied diet drinks may actually contain lesser calories than the regular ones, they actually get you to put on weight, indirectly. The logic is pretty simple - when your body does not receive the minimum calories it requires, it will start to search for alternatives in some other form. Eventually, it will make you hungry and you will end up eating more to suffice your body's calorie requirement, and as a result put on extra weight.

So beware of what you eat as not all healthy foods are as healthy as you think or as you are made to believe. Eat healthy, stay fit.

                                                                                                                 By  Manisha Singh Sharma