Sesame Seed: Why are Sesame Seeds Healthy?

If you thought sesame seeds were just something you found on prawn toast or something you give to birds, think again! There are many health benefits and we'd like to share with you the reasons why they're so good for you:

1. They are high in protein, fibre, vitamin B-complex, magnesium, calcium, iron and copper. Like all seeds, sesame is another important and easy thing to add to your diet.


2. The protein in sesame seed is a good source of dietary protein, with good quality amino acids making up about 20% of the seed.


3. There are many B-complex vitamins found in sesame such as thiamin (B1), niacin, folic acid, pyridoxine (B6) and riboflavin. B-complex vitamins are important for, and help to improve the nervous system, organs, metabolism, eyes, muscles, skin and hair.


4. They are rich in essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper. These minerals are vital for red blood cell production, bone mineralization, enzyme synthesis and hormone production.


5. Copper is particularly good for rheumatoid arthritis. Magnesium is really good for respiratory health and calcium helps prevent colon cancer, migraines, osteoporosis and PMS. With all these minerals, sesame seeds are important to get into your diet.


6. Sesame are also especially high in mono-unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid. Oleic acid helps to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the blood. Research suggests that a diet that is high in mono-unsaturated fats is a good aid in the prevention of coronary artery disease and strokes.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Bad For You?

High Fructose Corn Syrup 

High-fructose corn syrup also know as glucose-fructose syrup in UK, glucose/fructose in Canada and high-fructose maize syrup in other countries, is a sweetener that is added to most processed foods including cereal, breads, processed meat, soups, yogurts and condiments.  High-fructose corn syrup is produced using an enzymatic process which converts some of the glucose into fructose to produce a sweetened taste.

The most popular high-fructose corn syrups used in the food industry are high-fructose corn syrup 55 (55% fructose and 42% glucose) which is used in most soft drinks and high-fructose corn syrup 42 ( 42% fructose and 55% glucose) used in beverages, processed foods, cereals and baked goods. The food industry in the U.S has replaced sucrose (table sugar) with high-fructose corn syrup as the main source of sweetener.

In the U.S., high-fructose corn syrup is among the sweeteners that have primarily replaced sucrose (table sugar) in the food industry. The reason for this is cost, high-fructose corn syrup is 30% cheaper than sugar as a sweetning application, so naturally over the years all the food companies have replaced the sugar in their products with high-fructose corn syrup. The problem with high-fructose corn syrup is that it is more harmful to humans than sugar.  The reason for this is it affects normal appetite functions resulting in many people gaining weight. High-fructose corn syrup also goes straight to the liver and triggers lipogenesis, the production of fats (including triglycerides and cholesterol).  High-fructose corn syrup is also resopisble for obesity, metabolic disturbances, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease and dementia. High-fructose corn syrup triggers the immune system and inflammation throughout the body. Eating sugar in the same quantities as high-fructose corn syrup would have pretty much the same affects on the body.

High-fructose corn syrup is in most of the food that you can find in a supermarket, so trying to eliminate from your diet is very difficult. It is especially difficult to eliminate from the american diet unless you switch to eating just raw food. You can find it in most of the cereals, nearly all the breads, crackers, yogurts, salad dressings, all soft drinks, most things in a tin, basically its in everything. If you want to cut high-fructose corn syrup from your diet you will have to  read the label on everything before you eat it.

Granola Bar Recipe: Healthy Sweet Snack: Gluten Free

Healthy Sweet Snack Recipe: Sweet Treats: Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Vegan Recipe

This granola bar recipe is quick and easy to make. As well as being packed full of highly nutritious super foods it will satisfy a sweet tooth, but isn't sickly, and is the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. It is an amazingly delicious AND healthy treat, and can even be crumbled up and eaten with yogurt for a more substantial snack, although it is quite filling by itself. It can be kept raw or lightly baked for a bit of extra crunch.

This recipe makes a huge tray full, which can be cut up into bars for a quick snack.

Ingredients 2 cups dry-rolled oats (gluten free) 2 cups dry-rolled buckwheat flakes ¼ cup hemp seeds ¼ cup pumpkin seeds ¼ cup flax seeds ¼ cup sunflower seeds 2 tbsp chia seeds ¼ cup cashew nuts, roughly chopped ¼ cup brazil nuts, roughly chopped ¼ cup almonds, roughly chopped ½ cup sultanas  3 dried dates, chopped small 8 dried apricots, chopped ¾ cup peanut butter ½ cup maple syrup or honey

• If you are going to bake the granola bar, preheat oven to medium-high heat. Line a large, deep oven proof dish or baking tray with baking paper. Alternatively you can grease it with butter.
• In a large bowl place 2 cups dry-rolled oats, 2 cups buckwheat flakes, ¼ cup hemp seeds, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup flax seeds (also known as linseed), ¼ cup sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons chia seed ¼ cup roughly chopped cashew nuts, ¼ cup roughly chopped brazil nuts, ¼ cup roughly chopped almonds, ½ cup sultanas, 3 chopped dates, 8 chopped apricots. Mix ingredients thoroughly using hands.
• If you want to add extra ingredients do so now, for example raw cacao nibs, coconut chips, dark chocolate chunks, other dried fruits, seeds, nuts, etc.
• Place ¾ cup peanut butter (or another nut butter, or combination of nut butters of your choosing) in a separate bowl, over a pan of just boiled water, allowing it to melt. 
• Meanwhile, add ½ cup maple syrup or honey to the granola mixture, mixing in thoroughly. 
• When sufficiently melted pour peanut butter into the mixture, mixing thoroughly.
• You may need to add more peanut butter and maple syrup/honey a little at a time until everything is thoroughly coated and mixed together, and is sticky and moist. 
• Put the mixture in the oven proof dish or baking tray. Press it down with the palms of your hands, compacting it together into a solid, flat layer.
• For a raw granola bar, place in fridge to set for approximately an hour. Alternatively place on low-middle shelf of oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the top starts to turn a light golden colour. Remove from oven and leave to cool and set.

Finally, sit back and enjoy the results of your efforts - a tasty but healthy treat!