Storing Sliced Onions
Old wives' tales claim that storing sliced or chopped onions in water will help keep their pungency from intensifying, but we found the exact opposite to be the case. We stored sliced onions for two days submerged in water as well as placed directly in zip-lock bags, and then compared their odor and flavor to freshly sliced onions. The onions submerged in water were unanimously deemed to be most odorous with the sharpest flavor. It turns out that over time, water facilitates the distribution of enzymes known as allinases across the cut surface of the onion, which in turn leads to an increase in the creation of thiosulfinates that produce an onion's pungent odor and flavor. Your best bet is to simply slice or chop onions as you need them, but if you find yourself with an excess, store them in the frig in a zip-lock bag and give them a quick rinse to remove any thiosulfinates on their surface right before using.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Fennel
Fennel has through history been considered an appetite depressant, and as such, a weight loss aid. All parts of the Fennel plant are safe for use, and Hippocrates recommended a Tea to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers. Menopausal women may want to try it to ease the associated symptoms. The leaves or stems can be pounded into a paste and given to nursing mothers to relieve breast swelling.
Fennel Teas, or Fennel Water have been used throughout history to break up kidney stones, quiet hiccups, prevent nausea, aid digestion, prevent gout, purify the liver, reverse alcohol damage to the liver, and treat jaundice. For babies, it is said to to relieve colic and flatulence, and to expel worms. It may be effective when used along with conventional treatments in prostate cancer (and it is definitely worth trying, but consult with your doctor first). The tea can also be gargled as a breath freshener and applied as an eye wash. Alternatively, the leaves can be dried, pulverized into a powder, and made into Capsules for when it's not convenient to utilize a tea.
To make Fennel water, use 8 drops of Oil to 1 pint of water - take up to 8 teaspoons per day.
Fennel is disliked by fleas, and can therefore be used around the house in doorways and near pet bedding to reduce flea populations.
Fennel is a cleansing and medicating herb, and can be used for a steam facial for opening pores and rejuvenating facial skin.
Fennel has through history been considered an appetite depressant, and as such, a weight loss aid. All parts of the Fennel plant are safe for use, and Hippocrates recommended a Tea to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers. Menopausal women may want to try it to ease the associated symptoms. The leaves or stems can be pounded into a paste and given to nursing mothers to relieve breast swelling.
Fennel Teas, or Fennel Water have been used throughout history to break up kidney stones, quiet hiccups, prevent nausea, aid digestion, prevent gout, purify the liver, reverse alcohol damage to the liver, and treat jaundice. For babies, it is said to to relieve colic and flatulence, and to expel worms. It may be effective when used along with conventional treatments in prostate cancer (and it is definitely worth trying, but consult with your doctor first). The tea can also be gargled as a breath freshener and applied as an eye wash. Alternatively, the leaves can be dried, pulverized into a powder, and made into Capsules for when it's not convenient to utilize a tea.
To make Fennel water, use 8 drops of Oil to 1 pint of water - take up to 8 teaspoons per day.
Fennel is disliked by fleas, and can therefore be used around the house in doorways and near pet bedding to reduce flea populations.
Fennel is a cleansing and medicating herb, and can be used for a steam facial for opening pores and rejuvenating facial skin.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Evening Primrose
Without becoming too technical, the common Evening Primrose plant contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA, and this fatty acid is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer.
If you are troubled by the symptoms associated with PMS, you may finally find some relief with Evening Primrose. Tests have shown that it reduces or eliminates many problems associated with PMS, including irritability, depression, bloating, and breast pain, and that taken regularly it may actually help regulate menstrual periods. It is recommended that women who have PMS take up to 3000 mg of Evening Primrose Oil all month for relief of symptoms. In Europe, Evening Primrose Oil is already established as an excellent remedy for PMS.
Other problems for which Evening Primrose Oil can be taken internally include asthma, allergies, cholesterol regulation, arteriosclerosis, chronic headaches, prostate health, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and scleroderma, complications arising from diabetes and poor circulation, cirrhosis of the liver, and drunk as a tea as a metabolic way to fight obesity.
Externally, the leaves, stems, and roots can be boiled in water for a tea that is very nourishing for the skin and is effective for use in treatment of acne, dry skin, rashes, itchiness, and for overall skin health in general.
Extracting oils from Evening Primrose is really not practical for home gardeners, but oil preparations are readily available from your local health food store.
Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of Evening Primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil preparations, and as such, if you have Evening Primrose in the garden, you should definitely come up with creative ways to serve it at mealtime!
In general, Evening Primrose is quite safe to take with few reports of any side-effects, though people with a history of epilepsy should use caution.
Without becoming too technical, the common Evening Primrose plant contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA, and this fatty acid is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer.
If you are troubled by the symptoms associated with PMS, you may finally find some relief with Evening Primrose. Tests have shown that it reduces or eliminates many problems associated with PMS, including irritability, depression, bloating, and breast pain, and that taken regularly it may actually help regulate menstrual periods. It is recommended that women who have PMS take up to 3000 mg of Evening Primrose Oil all month for relief of symptoms. In Europe, Evening Primrose Oil is already established as an excellent remedy for PMS.
Other problems for which Evening Primrose Oil can be taken internally include asthma, allergies, cholesterol regulation, arteriosclerosis, chronic headaches, prostate health, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and scleroderma, complications arising from diabetes and poor circulation, cirrhosis of the liver, and drunk as a tea as a metabolic way to fight obesity.
Externally, the leaves, stems, and roots can be boiled in water for a tea that is very nourishing for the skin and is effective for use in treatment of acne, dry skin, rashes, itchiness, and for overall skin health in general.
Extracting oils from Evening Primrose is really not practical for home gardeners, but oil preparations are readily available from your local health food store.
Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of Evening Primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil preparations, and as such, if you have Evening Primrose in the garden, you should definitely come up with creative ways to serve it at mealtime!
In general, Evening Primrose is quite safe to take with few reports of any side-effects, though people with a history of epilepsy should use caution.
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