The wonders of tea

Tea

TEA

Most people around the world love to begin their day by drinking a hot cup of tea (or coffee) in the morning. Tea not only contains caffeine (a stimulant that temporarily wards off sleepiness and drowsiness), but also has many other benefits. It is believed to have originated in Asia as a medicine drink, and is said to be consumed more in Asia today than any place on earth. Some would argue that Asia is the healthiest place on earth as well (coincidence?). Tea contains many health benefits that can help you live longer and feel healthier. Different types of tea include: white, yellow, green, oolung, red, and black.

Health Benefits Of Drinking Tea

Some health benefits

Benefits of green tea

 The Great Debate: Coffee vs Tea 

Many people drink tea simply because it's hot, warm, and delicious. But there are many health benefits in consuming tea. Studies have been conducted that state certain teas (such as green tea) have virus-inactivating chemicals that will help lower the effects viruses have on people, known as antioxidants. Antioxidants in green tea help to prevent certain diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. They can also help with altitude sickness.

Tea vs coffee

The Great Debate: Which one is better for you: tea or coffee?

Most people drink one of two main beverages in the morning: tea or coffee. The majority of tea consumption takes place in China, Japan, and Asia. This differs from places like the US, where the majority beverage consumption is coffee, and only about 1 in 5 people drink tea. But which one is actually better for you?

Both tea and coffee contain antioxidants (disease fighting agents). Coffee, however, contains over double the caffeine that tea contains. Many experts recommend that you drink your coffee in the morning (because of the caffeine), and tea in the afternoon. People consume large amounts of caffeine on a daily basis to try and stay alert and awake. But drinking too much caffeine can have negative effects as well. One study showed that drinking too much coffee while pregnant can actually cause miscarriages. Too much caffeine in one's system releases stress chemicals, and we all know what stress does to ones emotions. In the sense of caffeine consumption, tea seems to be the better drink to consume.

However, coffee (if drank in moderation) can also have positive effects, such as increased alertness and better production. 

Tea

Verdict:

There's really only opinions and critics to declare which is the better drink. So grab a cup of coffee, and grab a cup of tea, and make your own decision! :)

A lifelong favourite treat

It's time to get a glass of milk, grab your favourite book, sit comfortably on your coach, and eat these amazing chocolate chip cookies. They are really easy and fast to make, perfect to share with your friends while watching a movie, talking or when you want to surprise the little ones of the house. I love them specially on rainy or sad days... They always cheer me up! They would also make a wonderful gift for mothers day. I made a batch this week for my mom to take to work with her and share with more mums. They all loved them! You can find some ideas on how to pack them on my post called Sweet Gifts.

Chocolate chip cookies

These cookies are rich, chewy, and addictive. . For this demonstration, I used half of the original recipe posted below and it made about 12 cookies. The original recipe will make double, but it also depends on how big you make them. Here you have the recipe step by step:

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

Ingredients

3/4 cup (160 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups (295 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups (270 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup (100 grams) walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with rack in the center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or, as I did here, butter and flour them.

2.  Beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes).

3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition.

4.Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated.

6. Add the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) about half way through mixing.

7. If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (from 30 minutes to two hours).  

8. Using an ice cream scoop or with two spoons, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure you leave enough space between them as they will spread while baking.

9. Bake about 10 - 14 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges. Let cool. 

10. Enjoy!

Recipe taken from www.joyofbaking.com

Here's another recipe & demonstration that you can also try:

We hope you've enjoyed this recipe. What's your favourite type of cookie? We would love to know! Leave a comment :)

Popayan's typical food!

Popayán is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. Why are we talking about it in this blog? Well... we are both colombians and we love our country's culinary variety, AND, it is the only place in Latin America to have been declared a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO,because of its significant tradition of regional cooking. Spanish and indigenous peoples have contributed to its rich tradition.

Location

The "National Gastronomical Congress" (Congreso gastronómico Nacional) is celebrated there each year, attracting people from different countries in search for good food.  But Popayan is not only about food. This town is well-known for its beautiful colonial architecture and culture. You will find amazing buildings and churches that make this little town special and different from the rest. 

If you know Spanish and want to know more about Popayan's cuisine and tradition, then we invite you to watch this very interesting video posted on the website of the Popayan's Gastronomical Corporation. 


Here there are some pictures of Popayán. Follow this link if you want to learn more about this beautiful town. 

Some pictures of Popayán.

Here's a really simple and refreshing recipe, typical from Popayán!

CHAMPÚS

Champús

Ingredients for preparing "Champús":

5 litters of water
1 ½ pounds of ground corn
1.5 pounds of panela

1 cup of orange juice/orange peel/orange leaves

7 small sticks of cinnamon

5 cloves

1 pineapple cut in small pieces

12 lulo fruit

2 green lemons

Preparation

Soak the ground corn in water for three days, changing the water every day. Wash it and cook it until it's tender. Mix the panela or the brown sugar with some water, cook the mixture until it's thick.Add the cinnamon, cloves, and leaves. Let cool.
Peel the pineapple and cut them into little pieces.  Cut the lulos in half and smash them by hand. Add corn and mix. Then, add orange juice and pineapple. Mix well in a blender and let it rest.


Serve the beverage cold and enjoy this refreshing drink!

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding

This is a very typical and famous dessert in Popayán and in a lot of cities of Colombia. No one makes rice pudding as our mothers and grand-mothers. It is one of those desserts that make you feel better and that bring to your mind good memories.  Here's a recipe demonstration to inspire you:

Here are some pictures of other typical dishes from Popayán:

Carantanta!

Aplanchados!

Empanadas de pipian!

So... when are you planning your visit?!

Japanesse cuisine

Japanese cuisine is so rich and varied. Maybe the most well-known Japanese dish for us is sushi, but it's time to explore more of what this country has to offer to our palates. Japanese food is mainly based on rice,  noodles, seasonal ingredients, fish and vegetables. It is also characterized by the absence of meat in most typical dishes. 

Here are some pictures of Japanese food:

Some examples of Japanese cuisine

It's been raining a lot in Medellín, Colombia and a lot of our friends are sick. Buy medicine? No! We found this great Japanese recipe known for it's healing properties. It is called Okayu (rice porridge), and it's basically made with rice and water. Not all Japanese food has to be complicated or have weird ingredients, eh? 

Rice porridge

Okayu is an easily digestible dish. You can make it plain or make it more nutritious by cooking it with chicken, vegetables, or adding lots of toppings. Sometimes I  make Okayu for breakfast when I don't have much appetite, because it's really easy on the stomach.

If you want to try it, you'll find the recipe and more information about it on this blog created by Nami, a Japanese girl.                                  

We will let you know if our friends get better after eating this. If they don't, at least we will have contributed to their stomachs' happiness! ;)

Fast food

Fast food

What do we understand by fast food? This term refers to food that is prepared in a short period of time and that it's mainly prepared with precooked, artificial ingredients that are high in fat or sugar. The consumption of fast food has increased tremendously, and with it, the amounts of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity. The components of fast food have been proven to be addictive, which has increased the numbers of obese people, specially children. 

But, what is it about fast food that makes it so bad? Corrina tells us in this very interesting video how our bodies work regarding the absorption of nutrients, and explains just how damaging fast foods really are. Go ahead and watch it, and if you don't think there's anything wrong with eating fast food, maybe you'll want to reconsider it!

There are also some foods that we eat and that we think are not unhealthy, but that are actually not good for our bodies. In the following video, Corrina gives us some healthy alternatives.

If you have found this information useful, we invite you to check out more of these videos here. 

Remember that it's never too late to start taking care of your body and eating healthy. No matter how old you are, your body will thank you. 

Cocktails

A cocktail is an alcoholic drink that contains three or more ingredients. 

Although you should really be careful with your consumption of alcohol, cocktails are great when you want to share a fun night with your friends, and they are even better if you learn how to prepare them yourself!


Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail

Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail

We found this nice looking and refreshing cocktail, perfect for warm day out with your friends. You can find lots of cocktail recipes by just clicking here.

Ingredients

12 ounces Lillet Rose

12 ounces Ruby Red grapefruit juice

6 ounces gin

6 edible flower blossoms (optional; chefs-garden.com)

Instructions

Combine 6 ounces Lillet, 6 ounces grapefruit juice, 3 ounces gin, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain and divide cocktail among 3 stemmed cocktail glasses, such as Champagne coupes. Repeat.

Garnish with flowers. Serve immediately.

Here is another way to prepare it that you might enjoy:

Prepare it with your friends and enjoy your weekend!

Pasta alla carbonara

This delicious and easy recipe finds its origins in Italy, and it's made mainly with pasta, eggs, cheese, bacon, and black pepper.

It is so fast to make and it's perfect for a Sunday's family lunch. As good as it is, be careful not to eat it too often! ;)

Pasta alla carbonara

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 pound pancetta or thick cut bacon, diced
1-2 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 teaspoon (optional)
3-4 whole eggs
1 cup grated parmesan 
1 pound spaghetti pasta (or bucatini or fettuccine)
Salt and black pepper to taste

How to make it

1.  Put a large pot of salted water on to boil (1 Tbsp salt for every 2 quarts of water.)

2.  While the water is coming to a boil, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook slowly until crispy. Add the garlic (if using) and cook another minute, then turn off the heat and put the bacon and garlic into a large bowl.

3. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and mix in about half of the cheese.

4. When the water's boiling, add the pasta and cook uncovered. When the pasta is al dente (still a little firm), move it to the bowl with the bacon and garlic. Move the pasta from the pot to the bowl quickly, as you want the pasta to be hot. It's the heat of the pasta that will heat the eggs just enough to create a creamy sauce. Toss everything to combine, then add the beaten eggs with cheese and toss quickly to combine once more. Add salt to taste.

Serve at once with the rest of the parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

If you want, sprinkle with a little fresh chopped parsley.
(Recipe taken from http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spaghetti_alla_carbonara/)