Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Red Yeast Rice

Among people who are prescribed statins by their doctors, as many as 40% stop taking them in less than a year. Cost may be one factor, however, side effects are usually the reason. Doctors usually dismiss the existence of side effects.

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego investigated how doctors responded to complaints of side effects by their patients. Side effects normally reported included debilitating muscle weakness, pain, and memory loss. The findings might surprise you. Rather than reporting adverse events to the FDA, many doctors denied that the drugs could cause undesirable symptoms. They told their patients they were imagining pain, mistakenly attributing symptoms to aging, and refusing to believe or simply ignoring patients' complaints.

For centuries, red yeast rice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to gently lower cholesterol. It is used to remedy indigestion, diarrhea, circulation and aid in spleen health. Studies in humans since the 1970's have shown that it can lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

UCLA conducted an eight-week study comparing red yeast rice with a placebo in 83 people with high cholesterol. The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that it reduced total and LDL cholesterol significantly.

Also published in the American Journal of Cardiology and other scientific journals, based on research in China, showed that among 5,000 people with high cholesterol, it significantly reduced rates of heart attacks and heart disease related deaths.

It is recommended for lowering unhealthful cholesterol levels. It should not be taken with statin drugs. Some experts recommend avoiding grapefruit juice while taking this supplement. Because it has a statin-like effect, it may deplete the body of certain levels of CoQ10. It is recommended that patients take 100 to 200 mg of CoQ10 when taking red yeast rice, or use a formula that combines it with CoQ10. This supplement can be found at your local health food store or vitamin and supplement stores.

Side effects of prescriptions drugs have always been my concern. Since prescription drugs always seem to mean additional prescription drugs to counter side effects, I have researched alternatives and found that homeopathic remedies were not only safer, but very effective. If you're looking to better your health through natural cures, you can visit my website at Healthy Foods For All

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Rice Cakes - Are They Really Good For You?

Rice cakes became popular with the advent of the low fat diet. In fact, some people are fanatic about their rice cakes, snacking on them constantly because "they contain no fat, so they are healthy!" As a snack, however, they may not be the best choice.

Let's take a look at the label. An average rice cake has:

Calories: 35
Total fat: 0.3 gm
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 29
Carbohydrates: 7.3 gm
Fiber: 0.4 gm
Sugar: 0.1 gm
Protein: 0.7 gm

OK, so they are low in calories and have very little fat. But they also have very little fiber and very little protein. So what is left?

Carbohydrates

Now there is nothing wrong with carbohydrates in the proper setting. But here we have carbohydrates without any fat, very little fiber and very little protein.

Without protein, fat or fiber, carbohydrates are easily digested and converted to blood glucose very quickly. This is called the glycemic effect, and indeed, regular rice cakes are a type of grain that ranks high on the glycemic index. What the rice cake is, essentially, is a food that will give you a sugar jolt!

As a snack, this is a poor choice, not only for people trying to lose weight, but for people whose goal is to eat in a healthy manner. By constantly supplying a rush of blood sugar, insulin gets produced in excess. Blood sugar levels rise, then drop suddenly due to the excess insulin, and this can create more hunger pangs. So you want to eat another rice cake.

Granted, there are not a lot of calories, but really, wouldn't it be better to choose a snack with more nutritious ingredients? Even if it had more calories, something like a piece of fruit would provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. Because of the fiber, it would be digested slower and not spike the blood sugar as quickly, so it would be more satisfying.

Or, do I even dare say, eat a snack that contains protein and fat (the good type of fat) such as a handful of nuts?

Snacking is not bad. Some experts suggest that eating three small meals and two snacks daily is a good way of providing optimum nutrition, but only if we are choosing wisely. Eating is about feeding our bodies what they need to thrive. Choosing snacks that are nutritiously empty is a lost opportunity. An apple versus a rice cake is like a vitamin supplement versus a sugar pill.

Pamela Post is a Registered Nurse with a Masters Degree in Public Health. For the past 10 years her interest has leaned toward nutrition and health maintenance. Additional information on the glycemic index of grains [http://www.glycemicindexpower.com/glycemic-index-grains/] and other food types, can be found at [http://www.glycemicindexpower.com]

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Rice and Steaming Rice to Make a Healthy Food

Steaming Rice provides the easiest and stress-free means to cook raw rice. I think this is also to healthiest way to prepare rice. Healthy and healthier food preparation is paramount to our health. There are a number of places to find information concerning rice. This includes the variety of locations that grow rice in the USA along with information on a variety of topics related to rice. The USA Rice Federation is such a place.

One thing I liked about this site from the link above was they do not provide sensationalized data. The site is part of a 'Political Action Committee' making them bias. Even with the bias, intended or obvious, the information is both sound and accurate. Rice is very healthy to eat. Due to the immense competition from the grocery and food services industry, the rice federation provides advocacy through lobbying as a special interest group.

There is a lot of misinformation regarding Rice too. One place to find inaccurate information is your local grocery store. While the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires labels with nutritional data, they often boast and make claims that are not accurate. This happens all too often. One example is fiber, another is vitamin content, protein content and I am sure there are others Whole Grain foods receive publicity claiming to reduce weight, reduce cancer risks and other health problems with absolutely no proof. People purchase these items based on claims that sound more like "Magic" rather than common sense nutrition.

The most accurate and reliable nutritional information is free to view, print, and easy to access from the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). I recognize this is part of the United States Government. However, our tax dollars pay for so much that most people are simply unaware of. Another link I obtained from the USA Rice Federation is an interesting and informative link to the USDA Nutrient Database. At this database, you can obtain nutritional information on anything available in the United States. The nutritional information includes amino acids, lipids, minerals and vitamins. I must admit that of my own skepticism. However, the more time I spent here, led to a greater reduction of this skepticism.

Fiber is vital to anyone's diet. It is necessary on a daily basis. What you may find from your diet will get-your-attention as to what composes fiber. Plant husks or shells or covers or whatever label in the structure of a plant is important to understand if you truly wish to learn the specifics of what Rice is nutritionally and what makes Brown Rice rich in fiber. Remember, Rice is the Seed of a Plant. If you not familiar with plants and their seeds, than rice is, a seed and grain that deserves more attention to accompany your knowledge for healthy eating for a healthy diet.

Steaming rice provides the means of preparing rice in a healthy manner. A quality steamer enables preparation that enables rice preparation in an easy and low stress way. Who would want a way to prepare and cook food that can be both healthy, easier and reduce stress? I want everyone who reads this article to know that was my first rhetorical question submitted in an article to this publication company. A quality steamer cooks rice, an important and healthy grain along with vegetables. There is a long 'way to go' for rice to be as important a grain as it is in much of Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the West Indies.

Healthy Food Preparation Products is a passion of this author. Writing about healthier foods and healthy food preparation is a major part of this passion.

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Spanish Rice Soup Recipe

If you like rice and want to try something different with it, then this recipe it is recommended to you. It is the traditional rice flavor but with the touch that only soup gives to things. Also it is very effective when those cold days demand something nice and hot, and the best part is that you can have it at your taste when you want it because you will be making it at home.

You will need:

Turkey (1 pound)

Onion (1 chopped)

Garlic (1 clove, crushed)

Spanish-style rice mix (1 package or 6.8 ounce)

Tomatoes (Mexican style, 1 can or 14.5 ounce)

Tomato sauce (2 can or 8 ounce)

Water (4 ½ cup)

How to cook this dish:

Take a large saucepan, one that is deep and will hold soup in here you will place the brown turkey in it; add also the tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice and the water. Make sure it does not burn but have it hot so it starts boiling. Reduce the heat once it is boiling and then leave the mix to simmer for a few minutes, but do not let the water consume totally, you have to be careful to stir and keep a close watch at the quantity of water the soup is going to have. Remove from the fire once the rice has reached the consistence you like and then be ready to enjoy this hot dish that will help you when the cold whether comes to your house.

If you would like to get more information on Spanish Rice or similar recipes, please visit our site at Spanish Rice Recipes

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Selecting a Stainless Steel Rice Cooker

Anyone who has shopped around for a stainless steel rice cooker will tell you that there is a plethora of choices in size and shape. Rice cookers come with varying functions and features, capabilities and capacities. They vary in price too. Before deciding on which cooker to get, you should first assess how much counter space you have for it. You should also think about what you would like it to do and what kinds of rice you plan to cook most.

Rice is pressure cooked in a cooker. As it is pressure cooked, the unit is sealed so that no air or water can seep out. This way, the cooking temperature can be higher and will alter the starch of the rice. This makes fluffier and softer rice, which is easier to digest. It will usually stay softer longer than traditionally cooked rice.

Health reasons are the most common motivators for folks to buy rice cookers. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) brown rice is becoming very popular among those trying to improve their diets. GABA is an amino acid that is believed to offer numerous health benefits including improved function of the kidneys and a lowering of blood pressure. GABA is not a type of rice but rather a method of preparing it so that GABA is released. Soaking rice for 2 hours before cooking at 104 degrees will activate the GABA.

There are many things that rice cookers can do besides just cook plain rice. You can cook up other tasty dishes too. For example, healthy steel cut oats can be put in your cooker and turned into a yummy dish of oatmeal. Sushi rice and saffron dishes are also easy to make with the right cooker. Angel food and sesame cake batters can become a healthy dessert in certain cookers.

As already mentioned, there are many optional features to consider. One nice feature is a timer that can be set to begin cooking at a certain time. This is particularly handy for people who would like their rice ready when they get home from the office. Sizes can range from 3 to 10 cups. A smaller one is ideal for someone with limited counter space or who does not need to cook much right at a time.

Good cookers are not only easy and beneficial to health, they are also fun to use and can make meal preparation a more enjoyable task. Other neat features to look into are warming functions, reheating cycles, non stick interiors, stay cool handles, and retractable cords.

It may at first seem overwhelming to go through all the choices and make a selection. But simply going over your needs and comparing them to the specifics of particular models will help you make a wise purchase.

Hal Johnson has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website over at http://www.justue.com/ which helps people find the best Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and information they are looking for on cookers and steamers.

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Chicago Style Jerk Chicken and Rice

This is one of my all time favorite recipe combinations. It's good hot when you first set it out on the table. And, it's good at room temperature when you go back for seconds. It's good cold when you stick your head in the frig in the middle of the night. And, it can make a fine breakfast too. Just chop up some of the chicken and heat it up and add to your omelet and serve some of the rice on the side...or heat up the whole mess and roll it into you omelet. I think we should make a double batch.

ISLAND RICE INGREDIENTS

2 cups of chicken stock
1 cup brown rice
1 can coconut milk
1 small package frozen peas
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 small green pepper, diced
1 small red pepper, diced
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of salt
4 green onions sliced

Cover rice with stock and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes It takes about 45 minutes for brown rice to cook which is 3 times as long as white rice but its worth the wait for the nutty taste

Add coconut milk, peas, red and black beans and stir Recover pot and let set for about 10 minutes. Add salt, cayenne and green onions just before serving

JERK CHICKEN MARINADE INGREDIENTS

2 green onions, minced
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 minced jalapeno pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne juice of one lime
1 teaspoon fish sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3 pounds chicken legs if you like juicy, tasty chicken If you like dry chicken use boneless breasts

Mix up all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. The best way to marinate chicken is in a big ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and marinade. Store the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least 2 or up to 24 hours. Set oven to 325 degrees and cook slowly until it is brown and the juice runs clear when pierced. Usually about 45 minutes.

Good sides for this meal are fried cabbage, or kickin collards and cornbread.

Find more great recipes at my website http://www.chicagobluescookbook.com

Pam Holden has been a Chicago chef for more than thirty years. During this time, she has operated a restaurant, a blues club, a corporate catering business and a pizza delivery business. For more fun and cooking advice go to http://www.chicagobluescookbook.blogspot.com

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National Rice Cookers Review

When you search out and compare brand names, you have to be sure to not place National and Panasonic side by side, as I have, as you'll be sure to get confused on getting the same results. These brands are one and the same, only that National was the former name used by Panasonic. I was browsing over, on the look out for rice cooker purchase later on. With the brands hovering in my mind as those that are rather known for Japanese electronics, I was more particular with a great core system but in a simple home appliance.

It's good to know that National Rice Cookers are very much these, specifically being simple and being non fuzzy in requirement at all. You can pretty much see this through their available market selection. They have three categorized types for them: cooking, steaming and warming.

As you can find models for these selections, you'll find out that you can pretty much multi-task as it can allow multiple cooking menu, as rice and steamed vegetable in one cooking preparation. They are able to do rather well because of their rice cooker design.

Two-in-one is also what they generally term this kitchen appliance. This also refers to the warming of the plate under the pan that will work on the warming process of the rice, or whatever food stored in that device for about twelve hours.

As I have found out, these are generally the things that get people to keep this trusty brand. They are undeniably simple, while for those that are a little bit more complicated, they are easy to learn.

As they say less is more, you can find yourself paying for a little bit lesser in price but rather more in value - filling in your needs at a quality and performance of a trusted brand. In this case, however, we can safely say brands.

Find the best rice cooker for you at RiceCookersReview.net where you will find reviews and ratings on all the leading rice cooker brands and models including Electric rice cookers, Black and Decker, Breville, Zojirushi, Aroma, Krups, Panasonic, Sanyo and more.

Get your FREE 'Rice Cooker Buying Guide' full of tips and tricks on how to buy the best rice machine for your needs.

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Chinese Fried Rice - How to Make Fried Rice

Chinese fried rice is one of the most popular dishes ordered from Chinese takeout restaurants and a lot of people wonder how to get the great flavor and texture of this amazing dish. If you enjoy making fried recipes like a southern fried chicken recipe or chicken fried steak, you will enjoy making this tasty Chinese dish. Fried rice is so simple to make and it is the perfect accompaniment to any Chinese meat, fish, or chicken dish.

This recipe is a great way to combine leftovers. Using leftovers means there are infinite possibilities if you want to make something really flavorful and different countries have their own versions of this dish. Indonesian fried rice is different from the Thai style dish, for example.

Cooking Tips for This Delicious Dish

Use steamed or boiled white rice to make this dish. The key to a good dish is to use chilled rice. If you use it freshly cooked, it will not taste authentic or have a good texture. Chilling it overnight gets rid of excess moisture and makes the grains firm and therefore easier to separate. Cooking with fresh grains means you will get mushy results. If you do not have a whole day, make sure it can cool for a few hours somewhere cool before you use it.

The wok has to be very hot so the soy sauce gives flavor to the dish, rather than making it soggy. Also, a layer of oil in a hot wok will dance around and create a nonstick coating. If the wok is not sufficiently hot, the contents will stick to it.

You can use any leftovers you want in this recipe. What about some leftover bacon or ham from breakfast, some chopped chicken from yesterday's dinner or some leftover carrots? Do not use anything too wet or in a sauce, else the dish will go mushy. Garlic, ginger, and salt are good seasonings and you can also add some chili powder to spice the dish up.

The Recipe - Step by Step

This basic fried rice recipe can be modified, as you like. If you are going to add more ingredients to it, you should use three eggs instead of two. This recipe serves four to six people as a side dish. Feel free to add chili powder, ginger, garlic or anything else you fancy.

What you will need:

4 cups cold cooked rice
1 finely chopped green onion
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 tablespoons oyster sauce or soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 eggs

How to make it:

Beat the eggs with some salt and pepper. Heat half the oil in a wok, and then add the eggs. Cook them, stirring all the time, until they are scrambled but still wet. Take out the eggs and wipe out the pan with paper towels.

Add the rest of the oil and stir fry the rice for a few minutes. Use a wooden spoon or a pair of chopsticks to stir the grains and separate them. Stir in the oyster sauce or soy sauce, and then add the eggs back in the pan. Mix well and stir in the green onion. Adjust the seasonings and serve hot.

Fried chicken is another example of something you can make in your wok. A pan fried chicken recipe makes a change from deep fried chicken and the whole family will enjoy this mouthwatering treat.

SouthernFriedChickenRecipe.com When it has to be Real Fried Chicken

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Making Sushi Rice - This is What You Need to Get Started

Making that divine, chewy sushi rice and getting just the right sheen to it takes more than just a pot of boiling water. In order to make the perfect sushi rice you will need the right equipment. The following is a list of the equipment you will need.

Electric Rice Cooker

For an almost foolproof way to get your rice to cook perfectly you will need an electric rice cooker. A good one to buy that will provide plenty of rice for most sushi recipes is a standard 10 metric cup (or 6 US cups) cooker with a non stick inner pot. Expect to pay about $50 - $70 for a good one.

Wooden Sushi Rice Tub

A Hangiri or Japanese sushi tub is simply a shallow wooden utensil that resembles a short barrel. Ity is used to cool down the rice after cooking and it also absorb the excess water that the rice is laden with immediately after cooking. The best sized one to use with the above mentioned rice cooker has a 16 inch diameter with 4 inch high sides. Perfect for about 10 - 12 cups of rice.

Rice Paddle

Used to help dish out the rice help you place it in the tub. Called a Shamoji, it is a flat thin wooden paddle. It separates the rice from the side of the cooker and helps chop it up for cooling without bruising the rice kernels.

Flat Fan (Uchiwa)

This is a stiff, flat (but not folding) lightweight fan. Used to help cool down the rice after it is placed in the tub. You can use other ways to cool down the rice but this is the more traditional way to do it.

Lint Free Towel

You need a dampened, lint free towel to cover the cooled down rice while you are making the different sushi pieces. This keeps the rice perfectly moist and fresh for use as you progress through your sushi recipes.

While you need more than just the right tools to make sushi rice, if you have these rice making tools in your arsenal you are well on your way to making the perfect sushi rice.

Steve has been in the construction business for over 25 years and is starting to share his expertise by writing articles and creating websites. You can see his website on Orlando Signs by clicking on the link Orlando Signs.

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Black and Decker Rice Cookers Review

Black and Decker's products and services are marketed in more than 100 countries, and has manufacturing operations in eleven countries. Throughout their businesses, they have established a reputation for product innovation, quality, end-user focus, design, and value. Their strong brand names and new product development capabilities enjoy worldwide recognition, and their global distribution is unsurpassed in their industries.

Black and Decker's objective is to establish itself as the preeminent global manufacturer and marketer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology based fastening systems.

The Black & Decker Rice Cooker came with a heavy-duty tempered glass cover with a steam vent built right in. The removable cooking bowl has a non-stick coating which allows for easy clean-up. It is also marked along the sides indicating the water level for the various measurements of rice. The main part of the rice cooker is made of metal.

It has a 75-minute timer with automatic shut-off. It has a plastic lid and parts are generally easy to clean. It cooks rice and steams meat, seafood, and vegetables.

Operating the Black & Decker Rice machine is really easy. A measuring scoop comes with the rice maker. With the directions is a Cooking Guide which tells how many scoops to use and what line to fill the water up to for how many servings of rice desired.

This rice maker includes Drip Tray with Flavor Scenter screen for flavoring steamed food with herbs and spices. It also has a 2 1/2 quart Steaming Bowl. Its rice bowl holds 4 cups cooked rice.

The Black & Decker Rice Cooker is covered by a one year limited warranty. Black and Decker rice cooker is a handy appliance for anyone who cooks rice and/or steams food often. It is particularly useful for college students, apartment dwellers or anyone who is short of space in the kitchen or doesn't have a proper stove.

This cooker can simplify meal-making. It is very much worthwhile that everyone can give their thumbs-up on this appliance.

For heaps more rice cooker reviews check out RiceCookersReview.net where you will find reviews and ratings on all the leading rice maker brands and models including Zojirushi rice cookers, Black and Decker, Breville, Tiger, Aroma, Krups, Panasonic, Sanyo and more.

Get your FREE 'Rice Cooker Buying Guide' full of tips and tricks on how to buy the best rice machine for your needs.

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5 Minute Tuna Curry With Leftover Rice

Do you sometimes get unexpected guests for dinner and need to cook something in a hurry? Or maybe you have been working late and are avoiding the dreaded unhealthy take-away but want something in 5 minutes. This is a very quick meal I prepared in less than 5 minutes with some leftover rice and a small tin of tuna. I had been at the gym after a long working week, there was only leftover rice in the fridge, and my spouse was on a service call-out so could not taking me shopping as yet. And I tell you, after 3 hours working out at the gym, I wanted to eat and wanted it fast! It certainly filled that hole.

I use ready-made curry powder rather than make my own. Being a bit of a health nut, I am a label-reader, and you would never believe the things they try to put in curry powder! Read the label, ladies and gentlemen. I have seen MSG and all sorts of nasties in the most innocent-looking curry powder. The brand I use only uses a bit of flour as a naughty ingredient, and that is luckily OK with me and those I cook for.

Ingredients

Leftover rice
Butter for frying (it tastes divine fried in butter - make sure it is normal butter and not full of hidden nasties - they spoil the taste, spoil the cooking, and are too much processing for a natural product anyway)
Garlic (2 cloves per person)
Fresh ginger if you have it (about 8 medium slivers per person - can substitute with dried ginger)
Tuna (1 small tin per person)
Curry powder (enough to sprinkle generously on top of the cooking food)
Tiny bit of sea salt (optional)

Take the leftover rice out of the fridge. If you wish to heat it, add a bit of water, stir and put on low heat while you prepare the tuna mixture.

Melt the butter in a pan while you quickly chop up the garlic into slivers. Make sure throughout that the butter does not get too hot or brown. Add the garlic and stir. Quickly cut the ginger, add the the mixture while you continue stirring. Stop stirring only long enough to open the tin of tuna. This is where I stop only just about long enough to drain the tin, wash the salt out with water, drain again, and give the cat a little tuna - about 15 seconds - but if you do not have a cat, you can skip this step. Keep stirring, as you add the tuna then quickly sprinkle curry powder on top (and a bit of sea salt if you had washed the tuna salt out). Add just about enough water to give it a thinner consistency. When the water starts to simmer, you are done - all in under 5 minutes! It is hot in temperature, so you can easily serve on the leftover rice and still have a warm meal to enjoy. If there is not enough rice, just serve with a side serving of a quick salad, cold meats, nuts or fruits.

© Suzanne Zacharia 2010. My name is Suzanne Zacharia and I am committed to spreading the word about health options. A virus caught at university at the end of 1986, plus medical negligence, meant that I got smokers lung at a relatively young age. In desperation for help with my symptoms and quality of life, I turned to complementary therapy and am now a complementary therapist, author and trainer, helping others achieve health and happiness. Want to use this article? You can, as long as you credit me with it and invite your readers to get my FREE book "7 Real Truths of Energy Psychology" at http://www.newagetherapies.com or my free course "5 Days To Change Your Life" at http://www.NewAgeInternationalTraining.com.

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Chinese Fried Rice Recipe For a Healthier Diet

A good way to serve vegetables to your family is this Chinese fried rice recipe. Fruits and vegetables contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber needed to prevent many chronic diseases. The Chinese fried rice recipe shown below uses a variety of vegetables. Try this for anyone who would not eat their veggies any other way.

Chinese Fried Rice Recipe:

What will you need:

1 16-oz. package of mixed frozen vegetables or a package of frozen peas and carrots
1 cup of frozen onions and peppers stir-fry vegetables
1 8.8oz package of brown rice cooked
4 tsp of olive oil or canola oil divided
2 - 3 eggs
4 tbsp stir-fry sauce. Store bought is fine, preferably one with low sodium
Lime wedges
Crushed red peppers (if desired)

Method:

Heat 2 tbsp of olive or canola oil in a wok or a large non-stick skillet on medium heat. Whisk the eggs and add to the oil. Make the scramble eggs by stirring occasionally until set. Remove from the pan and set aside. Increase the heat to medium high and add the remaining 2 tbsp of the oil to the pan. Stir fry all the frozen vegetables and cook for about five minutes or until tender. Remember to never over cook the vegetables in order to prevent nutrient loss.

Add the stir fry sauce and if you wish the crushed peppers also. Add the cooked brown rice and the scrambles eggs. Heat through. Lastly squeeze the lime juice to give this Chinese fried rice recipe an extra flavor. This recipe is good if you have left over rice and chicken. Or you can add tofu and omit the eggs and make this a vegetarian Chinese fried rice recipe. You can add pre-cooked shrimps to this and make it a seafood Chinese fried rice recipe. Note: Brown rice was used but white rice will work just fine.

Experiment using brown rice instead of white rice in other recipes and see if your family will like it.

Always have packages of frozen vegetables and stir-fry in your freezer. These can be used to make many other stir-fry healthy dinners besides this Chinese fried rice recipe.

Tips for healthy eating - Variety Balance and Moderation

- Serve whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Look for recipes that incorporate these healthy ingredients.

- Balance your diet overtime. If you miss out on a food group one day, make up for it the next day.

- Keep your portion sizes reasonable. The Food Guide Pyramid is good source for information on recommended serving sizes.

- Make gradual changes to your diet.

Remember to exercise and eat a low sodium healthy and balance diet everyday to prevent diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, stoke and diabetes. Also beware of the increased sodium in children's diet these days. It is very important for parent to make sure that their children lower their daily sodium intake.
To learn about sources of sodium in your child's diet visit http://www.squidoo.com/sodiumintake

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Condoleeza Rice and the Chamber Music Effect

Last month I read a news item in the New York Times, describing the devotion that Condoleeza Rice, our current Secretary of State who has been on a mission to promote the Iraqui war, has to playing the piano with a weekly chamber music group. Being a violist myself, and a regular in my own amateur chamber music circuit, I was, quite frankly, surprised. I know that is a strong word, but the story almost came across as an oxymoron--Condoleeza Rice and chamber music in the same sentence?

For me, playing chamber music is pretty close to sacred--or at least special in an intimate and spiritual and listening and cooperating sort of way. Actually, in my smugger and more idealistic moments, I have even believed that playing chamber music holds the key to future peace in the world. Yes. Seriously...

Which brings me back to Condoleeza Rice. I hear that she plays well; beautifully in fact, with sensitivity and a good ear. It takes a lot of practice--and I mean a lot--to be a good chamber music player. First there is the sheer mastery of your own individual instrument. And then there is learning your unique part. Only after that comes listening, looking, feeling, sensing the subtle, but powerful nuances of rhythm, intonation, dynamics, phrasing, the breath... It is such an organism, a chamber music group and the piece of music being played. By its very nature, chamber music playing requires give and take, listening, compassion, courage, intuition and hard work.

There is no doubt in my mind that Ms. Rice is intelligent, talented and a very hard worker. But how is it possible to hear the pathos of a Beethoven piano trio, the depths of despair and longing, the agony of dissonance, and warm comfort in the resolution of that final chord--without also hearing the screams of civilians bombed, and feeling the terror of families made homeless by GI'S following the orders from her generals "to bomb".

I know, she didn't actually say "bomb" those people, but that is my point. Anyone who appreciates chamber music and especially those who play it, gets how the theme has variations, and that it can sneak in at the most unexpected moments, and that it gets traded off by different members of the group, in each of their solos and duets. In other words, every member of the group is responsible for the outcome, and each voice is integral to the entire system.

If Condoleeza Rice only got that her voice, like her piano, is integral to the system, and any change in one part, automatically affects the other parts and can lead to a completely different outcome...

Which brings me back to the chamber music effect. I say, put down your arms, and pick up your cellos. Even a scratchy, untrained string player sounds way sweeter to me than a gunshot.

And then it's only a beginning, not an end.

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Rainforest Birds - Java Rice Bird

Bird Name:

Java Rice Bird

Latin Name:

Padda oryzivora

Status:

Vulnerable

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Estrildidae

Genus: Padda

Species: P. oryzivora

General Information:

The Java Rice Bird is also known as the Javan Finch, the Paddy Bird, the Paradise Sparrow, the Java Sparrow, and the Rice Munia. Due to habitat loss and hunting and trapping for food and the caged bird trade, this finch has become uncommon within its native range.

Physical Description:

It is about 5.5 inches in length and weighs around 20 g. Its head, rump, and tail are black, and its back, wings, and chest are gray. The cheeks are white, and its beak, legs, and eye rings are pinkish to red in color. The sexes are similar in appearance, although the male's beak is slightly larger and its eye rings may be a bit deeper and redder. Juveniles are dull gray in color with blackish beaks. Several color mutations of this bird exist, including white, cream, and fawn.

Diet:

It mainly feeds on rice when available, but being omnivorous, it also eats other seeds, grains, fruits, insects, and even bamboo shoots.

Habitat:

The Java Rice Bird occurs on grasslands and open woodlands, and has also become accustomed to habiting in cultivated areas and along human settlement. Due to its affinity towards occupying, and subsequently feeding off of, rice paddies, this bird has become a pest creature in the eyes of many. It is a resident breeder in Java, Bali, and Bawean in Indonesia. It is known to nest in trees or buildings.

Reproduction:

Breeding season coincides with the rice crop harvest. The female usually lays 4 - 6 eggs per clutch. Both parents incubate the eggs, but only the female incubates them at night. Incubation lasts about 14 days, and fledging occurs approximately 21 - 30 day after hatching.

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