Preventing Asthma attacks among Children through food

Asthma is one of the most common causes of hospital admission and visits to the doctor among young children. It is extremely important for parents with asthmatic kids to have knowledge that some foods can be a medicine for asthma while others can lead to increases in asthma.

A recent study by the Department of Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, shows that giving children who are suffering from asthma a supplement of fish oil, fruits, vegetables and probiotics will result  in improving their breathing function and reducing the amount of medication taken. 

Another study by scientists from New Zealand, Australia, Spain, UK and Germany shows that some food increases the possibility of having asthma. The test of this study was based solely on burgers but they reported that other fast food can also contribute to asthma. They concluded that teens who eat fast food more than three times a week will be 40% more likely to have asthma. Click here to see the full article.

Everyone thinks that milk is the healthiest drink especially for children as it is a good source of Calcium. A fact about milk that most people ignore is that 40-50% of people are allergic to cow's milk. This allergy ranges from sneezing, rash, diarrhea, asthma and ultimately to anaphylactic shock which is deadly. Milk allergic infants who drink cow's milk will be more likely to develop asthma when they grow up.

Natural News had published an article "10 amazing Super foods that can help fight asthma naturally". It explains how some foods can help to reduce asthma in a scientific way. These foods include avocado, kale, spinach, banana, water, ginger, turmeric, elderberry, apple and chia seeds. To read the whole article click here. 

Another fact that should not be ignored is that some children may have allergy to food  for example banana, which can cause asthma to increase rather than reducing it hence parents should be very careful about what they feed their asthmatic children.

Reading many articles about the causes and treatment of asthma is very confusing and tedious hence parents should first know what allergy their children have and  read relevant articles which provide guidance on reducing it. 

Fatima Albaghdadi  

What’s on Our Plates for the Future?

The modern food industry is one that is broken in many respects. As a whole, the industry is plagued with issues ranging from its overbearing impact on the environment, to our warped vision on snack foods. While for many it remains big business, the food industry has been limping ahead for a while now, just barely functioning thanks to our incessant desire to consume. However, according to this article, a new wave of innovation could soon be approaching as investors look towards Silicon Valley start-ups to revolutionise the food on our plates.

Not quite the future of food. (yet)

The article explores the potential future of the food we eat. We aren't talking about those futuristic nutrient pastes, or entire meals in pill form just yet, there are more pressing issues at hand. By researching how food is delivered, where it’s used, why, and the implications it has for small businesses and consumers, innovators are looking to give the food industry a long overdue reboot. 

One investment specialist remarks...

“Consumers are interested in sophisticated experiences that are beautifully delivered, which we've seen happen on the Web and with products like the iPhone… Now, we’re seeing that happen with food and beverage.” 

Highlighting this point, Google recently launched its own smart and stylish Grocery Delivery service in San Francisco, likely in order to test the grounds for future investments. With Google on board, and a large number of start-ups addressing the issue, the potential impact of a new wave of innovation could be significant, however I doubt that the big players in the industry will be quick to lie down and roll over. Monsanto’s tight grasp on the biotech behind GM crops is already a worrying start.

We're hardly looking at Killer Tomatoes
when we talk about GM food

At the risk of being controversial, I have to say that I believe that GM foods are in fact necessary to satisfy our increasing food demands in the future, and allow countries with harsh climates to grow crops where they would otherwise be unable to without a GM breed. The danger is in the control that companies like Monsanto exert over the communities, which by choice or not, are using Monsanto branded GM plants.

The range of problems in this industry is so vast that I could go on for pages discussing them. Where do I stand on the promotion of junk food, the eating habits of children, the waste of American wheat farmers, subsidies, patents, deliveries , additives, preservatives… and the list could go on until I run out of breath, but there are many better informed authorities that you should be listening to regarding many of these things.

My point is that the path to a better food future isn't exactly clear, neither is it without its speed bumps, but it is time for a revolution. At least I can take comfort in knowing that serious thought is going on, and for once this thought isn't dominated by a few key players in a locked down industry.

-Alex Smith

THE PERFECT LATE SUMMER'S PICNIC

Winters are just around the corner and those long hot summer days are now getting shorter, cooler, breezier and perfect for a day outdoors.  Why not utilise this opportunity to spend a nice, calm and laid back Saturday with the ones you love at a beach, lake or even at your local Park? The kids will love it and it’s a nice way to escape from the hustling and bustling city life. Here are some ideas and recipes to help you plan a perfect Saturday with your family and friends.

What to take?

The most difficult part of planning a picnic is to remember the items you need to take with you. It is always handy to maintain a standard picnic check list to help you pack all the things you require and adding new things in the list as you start remembering. Some common things everyone should have on their list include the following:

·         The most important item for any picnic is a first aid box. If you have kids there are great chances of you requiring this.

·         A nice and soft water blanket for everyone to sit on. It is always better to have a water proof blanket as the ground may often be wet and water proof blankets will provide you with a dry place to sit.

·         A reasonable sized tent is always a good thing to keep and is quite useful for picnics if you have kids. After all that playing and running kids require a bit of nap and the tent offers a nice and comfortable mosquito free environment for your kids to sleep in.

·         Don’t forget to plan out some activities for yourself and the kids. Take two or three kinds of sports e.g. badminton, cricket, baseball etc. A ball for the kids is a must as it keeps the kids engaged. Board games and cards are also great activities when everyone is tired and wants to sit and have fun. If you are going to the beach don’t forget buckets and spades for the kids to build sand castles. Books are also a good way of enjoying a peaceful day outdoors.

·         For parents with kids it is always good to be proactive and keep an extra set of clothes just in case they get really dirty.

·         Napkins and paper towels are always a must for all the spills and messes.

·         A picnic basket is a great way to keep all the utensils, disposable cutlery & crockery as well as the foods and sauces in one place. A cooler is also a must have to keep all the drinks cool and store all the perishables.

·         Take plenty of drinks. Since it can still get really hot on some days it is good to keep plenty of drinks to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day. 

Food Ideas:

Here are a few food recipes I have selected for you so that you can enjoy the perfect late-summer picnic. Hope you like them.

Chicken schnitzel and tomato salsa sandwich: 

Sandwiches are a great option for a picnic. They are easy to make and can be eaten on the go. The chicken schnitzel and tomatoes salsa sandwich is a perfect selection for summer picnics. The sandwiches take only fifteen minutes to make and they are light, fresh and scrumptious making them perfect to consume in warm weather. The sandwiches are nutritionally rich as they contain a balance of carbohydrates, proteins as well as vitamins and minerals. To view the recipe click here.

Mango and chilli chopped salad:

Salads are a fulfilling and healthy option for picnics. They are an intelligent way to fill up your stomach without consuming too many calories and a plus point is their delicious taste. The mango and chilli chopped salad is a sweet, sour and fresh salad with a hint of spice. The mangoes are rich in vitamin C and their sweetness combined with the sour dressing works wonders. The salad incorporates summer produces and is a great way to say farewell to summers. There are no hard and fast rules, you can always play around with the recipe and add your favourite summer produce to the salad as well.  Click here to view the recipe.

Summer fruit sticks with Milo swirl yoghurt:

The fruit sticks are a must have for every picnic if you are taking kids along with you. These fruit sticks are delicious, healthy and fun at the same time. The kids will love it and you will be satisfied that your kids are eating healthy. What better way to incorporate fruits, chocolate and cream in a healthy and fun way? Click here to view this exciting and easy to make recipe.

Berry ricotta muffins:

Indulge yourself in the river of sweetness and tang of the berry muffins. This recipe is the perfect dessert for a picnic as it requires no icing or decoration of any sort and can be eaten with great ease.  Click here for the recipe.

 By Mahnum Tariq

                                                                                                               

The Wonders of Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is an Italian Blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk which is then decomposed by the added bacteria. It has been around in Italy since 879 AD and its name came from a city in Italy named Gorgonzola. As such, Gorgonzola can only be produced in Italy since it enjoys protected geographical status.

img source: tasting gourmet market, 2013

The strength of each cheese depends upon its age. Gorgonzola ranges from mild to strong, but stronger is usually better since it is famously praised by locals for its strong taste.

Gorgonzola is made from unskimmed milk then added with starter bacteria of Penicillium glaucum then to give it a stronger smell, Penicillium roqueforti is added to the cheese.

Foods that can be made from Gorgonzola Cheese:
1. Pear and Gorgonzola salad.
2. Can be served with wine.
3. Apple walnut Gorgonzola turnover.
4. Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce.
5. Gorgonzola Steaks.
6. Gorgonzola and Walnut Salad.
7. Tortellini with Gorgonzola cream sauce.

Where to buy Gorgonzola?

• Kirkfoodsshop supermarket
• the smellycheese shops supermarkets.



img source: plant food fabulous, 2012

- Alexander Jason Sumendap 

How to make a delicious Tiramisu!

So what does one do after attending the Dawn Service for the ANZACs and returning home at 7:30am with the whole day to spare? Make Tiramisu for the family!

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that is widely popular throughout the world. It is a simple and easy dessert to make so it’s a perfect handmade dessert to bring to the family BBQ. The traditional Tiramisu is made of a mixture of mascarpone cheese, egg and sugar in between savoiardi (Italian sponge fingers) layers which are soaked in coffee and liquor.

How to make a Tiramisu

Ingredients 

• 2 Cups of espresso coffee
• 100mL of Kahlua or Tia Maria
• 6 Eggs
• 6 Tablespoons of sugar
• 500g of Mascarpone cheese
• 1 large packet of savoiardi (sponge fingers)
• Cocoa or grated chocolate flakes

Method

Step 1: Separate the egg yolks from the egg white and place into two separate bowls. Tip: I personally like to crack the egg on the side of the bowl (enough so that you can open it up with your hands) then use the egg shells to separate the egg yolk from the egg white by moving the contents from one half shell to the other.

Step 2: Beat egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl with a mix master or by using electronic beaters until pale and thick.

Step 3: Fold in the mascarpone cheese until just combined.

Step 4: Put some espresso coffee to cook. (I like to cook the coffee at this time as it will become warm when ready to soak the savoiardi).

Step 5: Pour coffee and liquor into a shallow, flat dish and set aside to cool.

Step 6: Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl with a mix master or electronic beaters until soft peaks form. Once done, fold the egg whites into the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture.

Step 7: Put a thin layer of mascarpone mixture at the bottom of your dish. Then dip enough savoiardi into the coffee mixture so that you can cover the base of your dish. (I like to place the savoiardi in the dish as I go so I know exactly how many to soak. I also like to break them in half to fill any gaps). Cover the savoiardi with a layer of the mascarpone mixture and repeat the process a few times ending with cream at the top.

The cream layers can be made to your preference. I prefer less cream and more savoiardi biscuits so my cream layers are about 0.75cm thick.

Step 8: Dust gently with cocoa or grated chocolate flakes, cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.

Extra Tips:

• If the coffee is warm/hot the savoiardi soak up the coffee much faster.
• Make sure you don't soak the savoiardi for too long as this will make it too soggy and vice versa, soaking too quickly will make it too dry. It takes a bit of practices so don't stress if your first Tiramisu doesn't turn out!
• Make sure you advise that the Tiramisu contains alcohol to those who you are serving the Tiramisu.

ENJOY!

- Liana Fasanella

Three Amazing Places To Buy Groceries.

Having a balanced and healthy meal is an important part of every person’s life. However, where are the best places to shop for groceries? Today’s post will give you some tips on where are the best places to get those ingredients and make yourself an enjoyable meal.

Coles and Woolworths.

Coles and Woolworths are the biggest supermarket chains in Australia. They both provide good quality food and are popular for their convenience and variety of choice. Here you can find anything you need, starting from apples ending with tableware and washing soap. Also because they have lots of stores around Sydney, you will most likely have one near your house or at least not too far away.

Advice 1: Both chains often have specials now and then. It’s is best to visit their website and add some of the items that are on special to the shopping list.

Advice 2: Even though they both sell the same goods, I usually find that fruits and veggies are more appealing and fresh in Woolies. 

Advice 3: Don't hesitate to buy the supermarket owned brands. The price is usually lower, with the taste and content being exactly the same or really close.

Flemington markets. 

However if you have a whole family to feed or live with a few friends in a house, there is no better place to shop for food than Flemington market. Here farmers from around Sydney and nearby areas gather, to sell their home grown products. When shopping at Flemington you can be sure that you get the freshest fruits and vegetables, as well as the best possible prices. 

Advice 1: It is the best if you have a car. This way you will be able to buy in bulk and get good discounts.

Advice 2: It’s a good idea to shop in Flemington if you have a family or housemates that you can share the food with. Otherwise discounts are useless if most of the food goes bad before you eat it all.

Advice 3: Get there early! Opening times are 6:00am-2:00pm on Saturdays. 

Sydney Fish Market.
Sydney Fish market is located in the heart of the City making it easy to get to either by bus, monorail or light rail. Every morning the market gets stocked with fresh seafood; fish, oysters, scallops, crabs and lobsters. If you love seafood, there is no better place to go shopping. Here you can find a sushi bar, shops that sell different types of seafood and a wine shop that can help you to choose wine which will go well with your favourite grilled salmon.

Advice 1: Early morning is the best time to visit the Fish Market. This is the time when all the fish has just been brought here and is the most fresh.

Advice 2: Shop around, there are a few big sellers there that have different prices on the same goods, so it might be a good idea to go for the cheaper one and save a buck. Quality is usually the same since they restock every morning.


That's it. These are the three main places that will help you to stock up the groceries. We will visit all of them in the future and have a closer look at the prices, and good deals that we can find.

- Tran Tung

Best tips for a healthy diet in seconds

• Why do our bodies need fruit and vegetables?
You can consider fruit as a medicine for your body and as preventive way to avoid going to the doctors. Some people say that if you eat one green apple every day, you will never need to visit a doctor. This is because fruits and especially apples are anti- oxidants which help to protect the body from stress, diseases and cancer. They also strengthen the immune system which is what all people want - to have a healthy life. Fruits and vegetables contain fibre which assists the body to lower the level of cholesterol and fat. 
Be careful when peeling fruits! 
Some fruit peels contain most of the anti-oxidant concentration for example grapes and higher level of vitamin C in citrus fruit. In general peels have the most benefit out of fruits. 


   

• Feel tired? Need more energy?
Don’t ever think that nuts are bad for your health. They are a must for your body. Along with being rich in energy, they help to reduce LDL which is known as “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL which is known as “good cholesterol”, a major concern for most people in these days. They provide protection against cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and blood pressure. 

• How much fat should we eat? 

Although the body needs fat and oil, it should not exceed 30% of our total calories. More fat will increase the cholesterol level and lead to many other diseases.

• How many meals should we eat per day?
The answer seems to be easy but it is not, as different researchers have different recommendations. One of the recent researchers suggests that people should eat 5-6 small meals a day with the larger meals in the morning and the smallest at night. This way, the body will burn more calories. 

And for the last piece of advice, eat all kinds of food but make sure it is a well balanced diet.  

                                                                                                  - Fatima Albaghdadi

How should our blog look?

The first thing on the agenda for any blog is putting everything in working order, and amongst other things, this begs the question ‘how should we look’. Much thought went into this, despite what you may see on this pretty standard page. Food is nurturing, and providing that sense of warmth is something that we very much wanted to convey. Food also has an energy and vastness that is all too exciting, but how do we translate this into our layout?

We by no means sought out to re-invent the wheel, a simple layout with a clear archive menu should suffice, but the colour scheme should match our foody inspirations. With this in mind we went for a simple two column design, supported by a warm colour palette.

We hope that this layout suits both your needs and ours moving forward.

-Alex Smith

Do you have a suggestion? Leave a comment below.

Welcome to the Flavour Diaries!

It is our privilege and pleasure to be given this opportunity to share with you our foodful thoughts as we document the tasty titillating tid-bits that we come across in our daily lives. We look forward to filling this space with many posts to inspire and send your mind out upon a sea of culinary exploration.

From the wonderful to the woeful and everything in between, we are here to keep you informed and wish you good eating. 

-From the Flavour Diaries Team