How to make yogurt at home

Well, you will need a commercial yogurt maker with an electrically heated base. This, I think, is the easiest way. Yes, you can do it without a yogurt maker, but it is time consuming and I think that not many people will be up for it.

Ingredients

1 litre of semi-skimmed pastorized cow's or goat's milk (but you can use any kind of milk)
125ml of unflavored cultured yogurt, live yogurt starter

Instructions

Sterilize the jars and lids which will be used to make the yogurt by boiling them in water for 10 minutes, do not remove the lid on the pot.

Stir to blend the live yogurt starter into the milk until homogenious in a sterilized bowl (just fill the bowl with boiling water before using it and leave it for 5 minutes to be sterilized).

Once throughly mixed, distribute the inoculated milk into the sterilized jars. Do not fill to the neck, but a little lower. Put the jars open into the yogurt maker and close the plastic lead.

Leave it on over night (8-10 hours) so that the probiotics can work their magic.

When ready close each jar and leave them to cool. Store the yogurt in the fridge for 3-4 days.

When you would like to consume your home-made yogurt, why don't you try it with some ripe peaches. Skin them, dice them and place them on top of your yogurt.


Mix trough and enjoy it!

USANA supplements for good health

You cannot turn your head, the evidence is there! Hundreds of research studies around the world have shown that a diet rich in plant foods leads to increased health benefits and reduces the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, eating a well balanced diet is one of the best investments you can make for long-term health benefits. Unfortunately, more recent studies have also shown, and no doubt about this, that fruits and vegetables grown today do not contain the same level of nutrients as they did in the past, far from it.

Like in any other competitive industry, modern farming techniques to increase production and profits have led to this. Fruits and vegetables are nowadays grown at a faster rate, leaving less time for the crops to develop the right amount of nutrients. Also, farmers are paid by the weight and/or appearance of a crop, not by the amount of nutrients it contains, which moves the focus from quality to quantity. And since the human body cannot manufacture vitamins and minerals (essential nutrients), the role of nutritional supplements in human nutrition is undisputed.

Pleople are unaware, but on the market 95% of the nutritional supplements are not bio-available to the human body. As a qualified nutritionist myself (MSc) I truly believe that the USANA supplements are readily bio-available and a great quality product.

Go to my website and have a look for yourself:

http://nutritionals4health.usana.com

Do feel free to contact me for any further information and remember invest in your health now for an enjoyable future!

What are Courgettes or Zucchini?

Courgettes, the French name for Zucchini, are part of the summer squash family. This vegetable is really good for you since it contains only 31 calories, very little carbohydrates and virtually no fat. A very good source of potassium (513mg), vitamin C (33mg), calcium (29mg) and vitamin A (392mcg), courgettes are very easy to make and are very tasty.

Why don't you try this easy and quick recipe:

Ingredients

500g of courgetts (zucchini), diced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 chopped medium onions or 6 spring onions
1-2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp finely chopped parsley
salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking instructions

Place 1 tbsp of olive oil in a non-sticky pan with 2 tbsp of water.

Add the onion and garlic and mix well.

Add the courgettes or zucchini.

Cover and cook gently stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until ingredients are soft but not brown.



When ready season to taste and serve with a sprinkle of olive oil and the chopped parsley.

ENJOY IT!

Steamed salmon with fresh vegetables

Ingredients

1 medium salmon tranche
2 medium carrots
4-5 brasilian nuts
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
The juice of 1 lemon

Cooking instructions

Wash the carrots, peel them and cut them into fine strips.

Steam the salmon tranche in a steamer or as you like it.

When cooked put the salmon in a bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice.

Create a nest with the carrots and place the salmon on top. Sprinkle with the seeds and the Brasilian nuts.

Finally cover with the olive oil :-)

Healthy Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, diced
2 red peppers, seeded and cubed
1 courgette, diced
3 tbsp soy sauce
Lemon juice
Black pepper
2 cloves of garlic, crushed


Cooking Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic, mix well

Add the chicken to the marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours

If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them, while the chicken is marinating, in water for one hour so they will not burn on the grill

Pre-heat your oven grill or the barbecue

Prepare the skewers by threading the chicken onto them and in between each piece add a cube of bell pepper alternating with a cube of courgette

Grill skewers turning once for 4 to 6 minutes or until just browned and cooked through

Enjoy them with a side salad in your garden!!!