Black Rice Bran Supplies the Most Antioxidants For Your Money
August 26, 2010 by Nancy
Filed under Featured Story, News Talk
OK, I confess. I had never heard of black rice until I read of a new study that shows black rice bran supplies the most anitoxidants for your money. The money part kept me reading.
Zhimin Xu, co-author of the study said, “Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants”
Antioxidants are linked to decreased risk of heart disease and cancer. They also aid in memory improvement and other health benefits.
The authors of the study found that black rice bran could be used to improve health benefits of breakfast cereals, cakes, cookies and other foods. It may even be used in beverages. Interestingly, it may also be used as food coloring because the pigments in black rice bran extracts range from pink to black. Perhaps no more artificial coloring in the future!
Also noted Xu, that although brown rice is the most common rice variety produced worldwide, the study results suggest that black rice bran may be healthier than brown rice bran in terms of antioxidants.
“If berries are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice bran?” asked Xu, associate professor at the food science department at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. “Black rice bran would be a unique and economical material to increase consumption of health-promoting antioxidants.”
Apparently black rice has an even nuttier taste than brown rice. I switched from white rice to brown rice when I realized it was healthier. It did take a bit to get use to the different texture of the brown rice.
Now that I know black rice bran supplies the most antioxidants for your money, I’ll be switching to black rice and I’m sure I’ll learn to love it!
Stock Up On Coffee – Prices Rising
Coffee lovers, stock up on coffee 
Poor harvests and bad weather are forcing the costs of coffee up.
Real coffee lovers will never quit (including me). If the price goes too high though, I may have to cut back on my daily quota.
Try this delicious iced cappuccino recipe I found on the Folgers site!
Aztec Cinnamon Chocolate Iced Cappuccino
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup Magnolia® Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 tablespoons Smucker’s® Chocolate Fudge Spoonable Ice Cream Topping
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Folgers® Classic Roast Coffee
- 1 cup ice
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
- PLACE sweetened condensed milk, chocolate topping, vanilla, cinnamon, brewed coffee and ice in blender container. Process until smooth.
- GARNISH with whipped cream and cinnamon. Serve
Serve immediately.
Stock up on coffee, enjoy an iced cappuccino and ponder how high prices would have to go before you would give up coffee?
Bed Bug Invasion in the Empire State Building!
August 21, 2010 by Nancy
Filed under Random Thoughts
The New York Daily News has reported a bed bug
invasion in the Empire State Building!
The blood sucking bed bugs have become a problem for the whole country but now they are striking our landmarks.
Previously in New York City, the bed bugs were found in a movie theater, a Victoria’s Secret lingerie store and the clothing store of Abercrombie & Fitch.
The nasty bugs are hitchhikers and travel in suitcases, handbags and even your laptop bags. They can live a whole year without eating which makes them especially hard to get rid of.
All they need to be happy is a warm body to suck blood from. They don’t care if you are young or old, rich or poor, dirty or sparking clean. They’ll suck your blood at night and you won’t even feel it. They’ll leave you with red, itchy bites.
During the days they will hide out in mattresses, bed springs, bed frames, under carpeting and even electrical outlets.
It’s suggested you encase your mattress and box springs
You can also smooth Vaseline on the bed legs to prevent the bugs from crawling up the legs. Vaseline also works well around the electrical wall switch plates.
Dark ink like markings (their droppings) on your sheets and pillowcases is an indicator you may have bed bugs. Check your mattress folds and bed skirts for the markings too.
Not sure what a bed bug looks like? Check out this National Geographic video!
Unfortunately, even though an exterminator was called promptly, the bed bug invasion in the Empire State Building will probably not be the last for New York City.
