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Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category
Paneer Cheese and Its Health Benefits!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Paneer, also called Indian cheese, can be produced from the milk of sheep, goats, cows, and other mammals. It is prepared by heating raw whole milk and then adding food acid (usually lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid) to it to separate the curds from the whey. When the milk coagulates, the curds are drained and the excess liquid is pressed out. It is similar to Ricotta cheese except that it is in block form. The resulting paneer is dipped in chilled water for 2–3 hours to give it a good texture and appearance.
From this point, the preparation of paneer in India diverges based on its use and regional variation. In most cuisines, the curds are wrapped in cloth and placed under a heavy weight, such as a stone slab, for 2 to 3 hours and then cut into cubes for use in curries. Pressing for a shorter time (approximately 20 minutes) results in a softer, fluffier cheese.
In Eastern Indian and Bangladeshi cuisines, the curds are beaten or kneaded by hand into a dough-like consistency. In these regions, it is distinguished from ponir, a salty semi-hard cheese with a sharper flavor and high salt content. Hard ponir is typically eaten in slices at teatime with biscuits or various types of bread, or deep-fried in a light batter. In the area surrounding the Gujarati city of Surat, surti paneer is made by draining the curds and ripening them in whey for 12 to 36 hours.
Health Benefits
Paneer, prepared by the most simple method, has many health benefits and it is good to know about them. Indian cheese is a treasure of good nutritional elements. It is easy to digest and can be used in a number of preparations. It is used in most Indian homes. Paneer can be used in sweets, savories, and in gravies of dishes too.
Indian cheese is a rich source of calcium. This helps in building strong teeth and bones. Paneer has the health benefit of helping to prevent osteoporosis, which is a curse of old age. Women who have attained menopause and men above the age of 65 should make it a rule to include such foods in their diet to get 25% of calcium through food.
Paneer eaten in moderation could help reduce weight. It is good to note that many people who wish to lose weight include Indian cheese in their daily diet.
Paneer also gives the health benefits of reducing the development of Insulin Resistance Syndrome. Hence, it is all about tackling the problem of insulin-dependent diabetes.
Including paneer in one’s daily diet helps to give the health benefit of providing the protein required by the body for growth and renewal.
It is, however, also interesting to note that Indian culture believes that paneer cheese provides protection against cancer. Equally interesting is Indian culture states that this cheese helps prevent stomach disorders in people as they grow older. One thing that health practitioners can agree on is that paneer is a storehouse of calcium, which has the benefit of making bones stronger and helping prevent brittle bones as we age. Since it promotes strong bones, paneer also helps to prevent and reduce back and joint problems.
To conclude, anyone who has realized the health benefits of paneer should make it a rule to include this delightful cheese in their diet. The ways in which Indian cheese can be used are many and varied and most people would enjoy the taste and flavor also. We definitely enjoy cooking with paneer here at Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. and the Getaway Studio.
Please note that Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. is working very hard to become a licensed WSDA Grade A Dairy! We are currently following all their guidelines to produce safe goat milk and goat milk products. We are following the law here at Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. and we will not sell any goat milk until our WSDA license is finalized and approved. In the meantime, we are making and testing various cheese recipes for our family. When our license is finalized we will know exactly which is the best recipe to sell to our customers.
Please pre-order Paneer Cheese from Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
We will not sell any cheese until we officially receive our WSDA Grade A Dairy license. Until then, we are keeping a waiting list of all future customers so we can also evaluate the volume of cheese we will need to plan for once we have our license.
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Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com
Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:
Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.
Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900
Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
From I-90 East or West
Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue straight for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road
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The History and Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate form Mountain Valley Farm
Friday, July 15, 2011
Historical and Archaeological records show that the cacao bean used in making modern chocolate has been used for thousands of years. Mesoamericans, pre-Columbian Paleo-Indians dated to circa 3500 BCE, drank the cacao been ground with other ingredients to make a bitter beverage. These ancient people whose remains are found in southern north America were originally hunter-gatherers who established agricultural settlements due in part to the cacao tree. The Classic Maya Period (circa 250-900 CE) the ancestors to the Mesoamericans took the trees from the ancient rainforest settlements and replanted it into their fields to harvest, ferment, roast and grind the cacao seeds into a paste.
In the 1400’s, the Aztecs began trading for cacao or were given “tribute” in cacao seeds from those whose territories were conquered. The Aztecs mixed the cacao with peppers and other native spices to create a beverage, much like their ancestors. Most of these bitter drinks were consumed by rulers and royalty, and by priests while performing sacred ceremonies. These seeds were also given to their gods as offerings. It was during the conquests of the conquistadors in 1521 that the Spanish saw the benefits of cacao and imported it back home. This would be the beginning of modern consumption of Cacao. Within 100 years, cacao spread across Europe, and with the addition of sugar, a product unknown to the Americas, chocolate was born and quickly became loved by nearly all who consumed it.
Today, there are many forms of chocolate, mainly dark, milk and white. Dark chocolate, has the purest cacao bean; milk chocolate, the most popular form of chocolate, includes milk and sugar which dilutes the cacao. White chocolate is a chocolate that contains no cacao at all. And with so many marketed products, there are nearly as many urban legends about chocolate. We hear that chocolate causes acne, causes cavities and headaches, gives consumers the jitters, and is an aphrodisiac. Because of these claims, many studies have been done to find out what the properties of chocolate really achieve. Below are the findings of various universities’ studies:
- The Pennsylvania School of Medicine and US Naval Acadamy sought to find out the truth behind the claim that chocolate causes acne. The result? Cacao DOES NOT affect our skin; the many other added ingredients, however, can.
- Chocolate has often been the blame of cavities; but, according to the Osaka University in Japan, “cacao contains antibacterial agents that actually fight tooth decay.”[1] It is the sugar from the mass production of the candy that can cause cavities.
- At the University of Pittsburgh, studies were done to find out if chocolate should really be blamed for headaches. An average headache IS NOT related to the consumption of chocolate. As a matter of fact, the small amounts of stimulants found in processes cacao are also found in some headache medicines and, in fact, can stop headaches. Their studies do suggest that chocolate can trigger migraines.
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that the polyphenols (the antioxidants inhibiting oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol) in red wine and green tea are comparable to the polyphenols in cacao.
- Cocoa butter found naturally in dark chocolate, according to NUMEROUS studies, does not raise blood cholesterol levels; rather, it acts more like the monounsaturated fat found in olive oil.
In short, the benefits of dark chocolate are exemplary. Much like medicines given to us for high blood pressure, headaches, coronary artery disease and so on, the consumption of dark chocolate is a natural way to keep out bodies in good health, without the concerns of side-affects from the synthetic alternative.
To learn about available Dark Chocolate Goodies:
Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Organic Dark Chocolate Cookies & Fudge for Sale
Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com
Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:
Monday – Saturday (Pacific Time) 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m. Daily
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.
Please visit all our farm sites:
Blog Sites:
www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com
Drupal Sites:
Flash Sites:
www.getawaystudiobedandbreakfast.com
www.getawaystudiodiningroom.com
OS Commerce Sites:
www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
We ask that you bookmark these sites and share them with your friends.
Check back often, as we will be adding more products and information.
We look forward to hearing from you!
[1] A Sweet Life. “The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate.” Accessed at: <http://asweetlife.org/a-sweet-life-staff/featured/the-health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate/14405> ©2011
Farm Fresh, Organic Eggs For Sale!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Mountain Valley View Farm is proud to announce that we are now selling farm fresh, organic eggs. We have 3 different types of chicken: Plymouth Barred Rock, Red Star, and the unusual Aracauna that lays beautiful blue and turquoise colored eggs. We also have 7 breeds of duck that lay eggs for us, and we are planning to add geese and turkeys to our flock soon. All of our birds are free range, hormone and antibiotic free, and fed a fresh grain feed that contains no soy or animal bi-products so that you can always be sure you are getting the best quality organic eggs.
Benefits of Organic Eggs
Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.
Benefits of Duck & Goose Eggs
Duck eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs, and goose eggs are larger still. One goose egg, when cooked, will be roughly equivalent to four chicken eggs, and both duck and goose eggs also have more yolk than the average chicken egg. Thicker shells lend themselves toward a longer shelf life (at least 6 weeks in the refrigerator), and goose eggshells are so thick that they are perfect for the delicate art of carving and embossing beautiful designs directly onto the shell. Both duck eggs and goose eggs are slightly higher in protein content, as well as containing greater concentrations of other nutrients like iron, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.
Duck and goose eggs have their own unique flavors as well. Duck eggs have a noticeably stronger flavor than chicken eggs, and although not everyone may care for this taste when eaten plain, nearly everyone agrees that duck eggs are unparalleled when used for baking. Their richness produces moister, fluffier baked goods–absolutely incredible cakes and cookies. Goose eggs taste similar to chicken eggs, but seem a bit drier. They are also thicker than chicken eggs and have a custard-like yolk. They are also wonderful in cooking and are best in sweet confections and omelets.
Pricing
Organic Chicken Eggs
- $6/dozen
Organic Duck Eggs
- $1.25/egg
- $16/dozen
Organic goose and turkey eggs will be available soon.
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Our farm fresh, organic eggs are available for pickup at Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc:
4301 S Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016
You can also find us at the following area farmer’s markets:
Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed – Fri
Spokane Farmers’ Market
5th Ave between Division & Brown
Spokane, WA 99210
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed & Sat
Spokane Northside Farmers’ Market
315 E. Francis
Spokane, WA 99205
Wed 3 – 7 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market
1421 N. Meadowood Lane
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat
Call 509-928-1800 for more information, or to schedule a time to pick up your delicious organic eggs!
New Eating Disorders: Are They For Real?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
By Lisa Collier Cool
Source: Yahoo! Health
I have a friend who will only eat short pasta, like penne. Another friend sticks to long pasta – linguini, spaghetti. I thought that was a bit bizarre until I read about Heather Hill, 39, whose diet consists entirely of French fries, pasta with butter or marinara sauce, vegetarian pizza, cooked broccoli, corn on the cob, and cakes and cookies without nuts.
Ms. Hill isn’t alone. New findings indicate that there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of adult picky eaters. To get a handle on the numbers, Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh have launched a national public registry of adult picky eaters. Respected publications like JAMA and Psychology Today are recognizing another new eating disorder, orthorexia, an obsession with healthy eating. That may not sound bad, as obsessions go, but those who carry good intentions too far can face serious risks.
Kristie Rutzel, 27, dropped to 68 pounds when she was in the grip of her fixation on healthy eating – at one point she ate little more than raw broccoli and cauliflower. Neither adult picky eating disorder nor orthorexia is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), the American Psychiatric Association’s “bible” of mental disorders. Once a disorder is listed, treatment is often covered by insurance and it’s easier for researchers to get grants to study it. Here’s what we know so far:
- What is Adult Selective Eating? Like kids, adult picky eaters limit themselves to an extremely narrow range of foods. Unlike those who suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia, adult picky eaters are seemingly not worried about calorie counts or body image. But so far, researchers don’t know if adult picky eaters just haven’t outgrown childhood patterns or if their eating habits are a new twist on obsessive compulsive disorder. Some may be “supertasters,” with an abnormally acute sense of taste that turns them off certain foods. Many appear to have had unpleasant childhood associations with food.
- What is orthorexia? Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe – and potentially life-threatening – eating disorder.
What do they eat?
- Adult picky eaters: Food preferences tend to be bland, white or pale colored – plain pasta or cheese pizza are said to be common foods along with French fries and chicken fingers. Some picky eaters stick to foods with a common texture or taste.
- Orthorexics: Those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods.
What are the risks?
- Health consequences: Limiting your diet to only a few foods – because you’re a picky eater or have a long list of foods you deem unhealthy – can lead to potentially dangerous nutritional deficiencies. At its most extreme, a diet limited to only a few foods perceived to be healthy is described as orthorexia nervosa and can lead to the same emaciation and health risks seen with anorexia nervosa.
- Social Isolation: Being an adult picky eater can take an enormous social toll. Out of embarrassment, these folks avoid dining with friends or co-workers. Heather Hill tries to hide her eating habits from her children for fear that they will pick them up. Going to extremes in an effort to eat only healthy foods can also be socially isolating and can undermine personal relationships.
How are these disorders treated?
- Adult Selective Eating: Techniques that have proven successful in treating kids who are picky eaters – learning assertiveness skills and systematically trying new foods – are being used on adults, but it’s still too soon to know whether they work.
- Orthorexia: Cognitive behavior therapy designed to change obsessive thought patterns regarding food is usually recommended.
Benefits of Organic Eggs
Thursday, January 6, 2011
by Holly Roberts
Source: Livestrong
Eggs can be a good source of protein, an easy last-minute or early morning meal and a key ingredient in plenty of baked goods. Eggs are also one place where buying organic can make a big difference. If you’re trying to improve your diet and eat more responsibly, make the switch from commercially produced eggs and reap the benefits of organic eggs. It’s an easy way to make your kitchen a healthier place in the new year.
More Nutrients
Pasture-raised organic hens produce eggs that have 2/3 more vitamin A, three times more vitamin E, seven times more beta carotene and twice the omega-3 fatty acids compared to commercially produced eggs, according to a study conducted by “Mother Earth News” and reported in the October/November 2007 issue. Make the switch to organic eggs, and you could more than double the nutritional value you get when you eat an egg.
Less Cholesterol
Eggs are little protein powerhouses that tend to get a bad rap because they’re high in cholesterol, but organic eggs tend to have 1/3 less cholesterol than commercially raised eggs, according to “Mother Earth News,” making them a healthier choice. Even better: Organic eggs have 1/4 less saturated fat than commercially raised eggs, according to the “Mother Earth News” study. Reducing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your everyday diet can decrease your risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease.
Fewer Toxins
Eggs that come from chickens who’ve been fed organic food are less likely to have pesticide residue than commercially produced eggs. Trace amounts of pesticides can be particularly hazardous for children and pregnant women, so if you’re feeding people in those two categories, organic eggs may be a good choice. Eggs from organic chickens also come without added hormones or antibiotics, which some commercial farmers may use to treat poultry to increase their production.
Better Taste
Organic eggs may taste better–or at least “egg-ier”–than commercially produced eggs, according to a taste test done by the Cleaner Plate Club and cited in the Huffington Post. When tasters compared the flavors of organic eggs and commercially produced eggs, they noticed that organic eggs had a stronger flavor and color.
Mountain Valley View Farm is now
taking orders for organic eggs!
We have Barred Plymouth Rock and Red Star laying hens that are producing around 15 dozen eggs per week. These chickens are free range, hormone and antibiotic free, and fed a fresh grain feed that contains no soy or animal bi-products. Eggs are ready for purchase now, and we are also taking pre-orders for future batches. We can only sell 15 dozen each week, so get on our waiting list quick to ensure that you get some of these nutritious and tasty eggs! Eggs are $4.00/dozen.
Mountain Valley View Farm is a small family farm serving the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area with healthy, farm fresh produce and more. We are located in beautiful Spokane Valley.
Eggs are available for pickup at Mountain Valley View Farm:
4227 S Chapman Rd
Greenacres, WA 99016
Call 509-928-1800 for more information, or to schedule a time to pick up your delicious farm fresh eggs!
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