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From the desk of Richard
Penfounde, your Naturally Healthy Lifestyle specialist.
After decades of meat eating, vegetarianism is taking off in the
Western world and more people are seeking a substitute for dairy
products, which often result in allergic reactions, especially in
children. Are alternative vegetarian foods healthier? You can be the
judge.
Miso is a complex fermented rice food. Fermented foods are healthy
digestive aids and help keep friendly bacteria awake in the
intestinal tract. Sauerkraut is one but miso is more versatile and
its traditional slow fermentation process is thought to be far more
beneficial than newer faster technologies.
Traditionalists say fermentation should take up to two years and
include wild organisms to add character and deep rich taste. The
best miso is made with large, low fat soy beans and brown rice koji
- a natural enzymatic starter usually inoculated with aspergillus
mould.
Health benefits include lowering cholesterol and alkalinising the
blood.
Other fermented foods that you may not have heard of include: rice
vinegar, sake, mirin, amasake, tamari, shoyu, which are available
from health shops and speciality Japanese retailers.
Shitake mushrooms are grown in the East by infusing spore into oak
tree trunks. Once the spores bud they are developed in a shaded,
damp environment. Once fully mature they are sun-dried. They are
high in carbohydrates, low in fat and of medium fibre delivery. They
contain 20 percent protein, They are reputed to be very beneficial
in combating virally induced diseases and high blood cholesterol
levels.
Wakame is a sea vegetable which is high in minerals, vitamins and a
range of trace minerals.
To prepare wakame for eating, rinse and soak for 15 minutes which
inflates to six times its sizes. It can then be chopped and added to
miso soup. It can be added to salads or eaten raw with rice vinegar.
Soy milk is a little sweet, with a full-bodied flavour and mellow
aroma. It contains about half the calcium of cow's milk, and half
the calorie count. It contains much more Iron, less in fat (just)
and is higher in protein. It is free of cholesterol. Japanese
doctors often recommend soy milk for those with high blood pressure,
heart disease and hardening of the arteries. For those who
experience allergic reactions to cow's milk, soy milk is totally
free of milk sugar. It's an excellent substitute for mother's milk
when the latter is not available to newborn babies.
Lentils, unfairly called "poor man's meat", are a fantastic
vegetable protein, are very low in fat and supply an abundance of
enzymes that aid digestion. Besides, they contain iron, sodium,
magnesium, folic acid, (a biggie for heart attack prevention),
chlorine (balances weight control), vitamins A, Bl, B2, B3 and a
high fibre content. Lentils can also be sprouted for salads. Here is a nutritional recipe:
Lentil Patties:
1 cup of lentils,
2 carrots,
2 cups water
2 onions
Cumin,
3 eggs
2 cups breadcrumbs.
teaspoon salt,
Potatoes,
Garlic,
Ginger
Cold pressed sunflower oil.
Method: Bring lentils to boil. Skim off froth, simmer for 40
minutes, mix in salt and cool. Steam the vegetables (diced). Drain,
mash and cool. Lightly heat 2 tablespoons of oil and saute onions,
garlic, ginger and cumin Add shoyu and soya sauce.
Mix lentils, onions and vegetables. Add I beaten egg, cup of
breadcrumbs and mix well Beat other 2 eggs. Shape vegetable mix into
flat patties. Dip in egg and roll in remaining breadcrumbs. Fry
patties until brown. |
