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Lamb and eggplant curry

Lamb and eggplant curry

A spicy, low-fat and very satisfying curry that combines lots of vegetables with lean, tender lamb chunks and lentils. Serve with wholemeal chappatis or naan.

Ingredients for lamb and eggplant curry

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon black mustard seeds

4 green cardamom pods, crushed and pods discarded

1 teaspoon chilli flakes

400 g lean leg of lamb, cut into 2.5 cm cubes

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, sliced

2 red capsicums, deseeded and cut into 2 cm chunks

1 eggplant, cut into 2 cm chunks

1⁄2 cup (100 g) split red lentils

400 ml diluted salt-reduced or homemade beef stock 

1 cinnamon stick

1⁄4 cup (25 g) flaked almonds, toasted

Preparation for lamb and eggplant curry

1. Place the cumin, coriander, fennel, mustard and cardamom in a mortar and crush with a pestle. Add the chilli flakes. Place the lamb in a bowl, add the spices and toss to coat evenly. Cover and chill for about 2 hours, or overnight.

2. Heat the oil in a large, deep saucepan or flameproof casserole dish and fry the onion, capsicums and eggplant for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to soften.

3. Add the spiced lamb and lentils, then stir in the stock and cinnamon. Bring to the boil, then stir, reduce the heat and cover. Simmer gently for about 30 minutes until the meat is tender. Serve scattered with toasted flaked almonds.

Cook’s Tip

• Curries improve in flavour if made ahead, allowing time for the flavours to mingle. Chill for a few hours or overnight, then reheat gently until thoroughly heated through. This would also freeze well.

Each serving contains

• 28.5 g protein 

• 15 g fat of which 3.5 g saturates 

• 9.5 g carbohydrate

• 4.5 g fibre 

• 277 mg sodium 

• 1218 kilojoules (291 Calories)

Caffeine may reduce risk of skin cancer: report Drinking more than two cups of coffee per day, or any other combination of caffeinated beverages, may lower your chances of developing skin cancer, a new reports says. The results included other caffeinated products such as soda, tea and chocolate. The report in the journal Cancer Research found that caffeine potentially reduced the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer though generally considered less serious than melanoma. “Our data indicate that the more caffeinated coffee you consume, the lower your risk of developing basal cell carcinoma,” said Jiali Han, Ph.D., associate professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston and Harvard School of Public Health. In their report, researchers analyzed statistical data from more than 112,000 people who had participated in the most recent Nurses’ Health Study. More than 238,000 individuals have participated in the organization’s studies, which began in 1976. Cancer prevention is a primary focus. The research for this study indicated that the more a person consumed caffeine, the less likely he or she was to develop basal cell carcinoma. However, that doesn’t mean Han and the other researchers are suggesting people start drinking unlimited amounts of their favorite lattes. “I would not recommend increasing your coffee intake based on these data alone,” Han said. “However, our results add basal cell carcinoma to a list of conditions for which risk is decreased with increasing coffee consumption. This list includes conditions with serious negative health consequences such as type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.” Although caffeine can be addictive, its properties have been directly linked to a number of other health benefits, including improved mental and physical performance. Some studies have also linked caffeine consumption to lowering the risk of liver cirrhosis. In related news, medical doctors in New Zealand recently linked a woman’s death to her excessive consumption of Coca-Cola. And  in February, it was reported that the inventor of the 5-Hour Energy drink is a Buddhist monk.
Zoom

Caffeine may reduce risk of skin cancer: report


Drinking more than two cups of coffee per day, or any other combination of caffeinated beverages, may lower your chances of developing skin cancer, a new reports says. The results included other caffeinated products such as soda, tea and chocolate.

The report in the journal Cancer Research found that caffeine potentially reduced the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer though generally considered less serious than melanoma.

“Our data indicate that the more caffeinated coffee you consume, the lower your risk of developing basal cell carcinoma,” said Jiali Han, Ph.D., associate professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston and Harvard School of Public Health.

In their report, researchers analyzed statistical data from more than 112,000 people who had participated in the most recent Nurses’ Health Study. More than 238,000 individuals have participated in the organization’s studies, which began in 1976. Cancer prevention is a primary focus. The research for this study indicated that the more a person consumed caffeine, the less likely he or she was to develop basal cell carcinoma.

However, that doesn’t mean Han and the other researchers are suggesting people start drinking unlimited amounts of their favorite lattes.

“I would not recommend increasing your coffee intake based on these data alone,” Han said.

“However, our results add basal cell carcinoma to a list of conditions for which risk is decreased with increasing coffee consumption. This list includes conditions with serious negative health consequences such as type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.”

Although caffeine can be addictive, its properties have been directly linked to a number of other health benefits, including improved mental and physical performance. Some studies have also linked caffeine consumption to lowering the risk of liver cirrhosis.

In related news, medical doctors in New Zealand recently linked a woman’s death to her excessive consumption of Coca-Cola. And  in February, it was reported that the inventor of the 5-Hour Energy drink is a Buddhist monk.

(Source: Yahoo!)

Fresh Cranberry Sauce, No Added Sugar Ingredients: 1 16 oz package of fresh cranberries 1/2 cup of DOLE Pineapple, orange,banna juice( can use plain orange juice)or no sugar added cranberry juice 1/3 cup water 1 package (4 serving size) dry sugar free cranberry JELL-O can use other flavors 1/2 , 3/4 or 1 cup granular splenda according to taste I like it tart and use 1/2 cup 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon according to taste 2 slices of orange for garnish Instructions: wash cranberries and remove any stems or soft berries. Add berries, water and juice, bring to a boil then simmer on low for 10 minutes or until cranberries crack open. Mix once or twice while on simmer as berries can blacken if left on pan bottom the entire cooking time. Add the dry jello ,cinnamon and granular splenda, stir and simmer 1 more minute. Place in serving dish and garnish with cut orange slices You can process in blender or food processor for smoth. I like it very firm thus small amount of juice. If you want it softer or looser add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more water or juice. Number of Servings: 8
Zoom

Fresh Cranberry Sauce, No Added Sugar

Ingredients:

1 16 oz package of fresh cranberries 1/2 cup of DOLE Pineapple, orange,banna juice( can use plain orange juice)or no sugar added cranberry juice 1/3 cup water 1 package (4 serving size) dry sugar free cranberry JELL-O can use other flavors 1/2 , 3/4 or 1 cup granular splenda according to taste I like it tart and use 1/2 cup 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon according to taste 2 slices of orange for garnish

Instructions:

wash cranberries and remove any stems or soft berries. Add berries, water and juice, bring to a boil then simmer on low for 10 minutes or until cranberries crack open. Mix once or twice while on simmer as berries can blacken if left on pan bottom the entire cooking time. Add the dry jello ,cinnamon and granular splenda, stir and simmer 1 more minute. Place in serving dish and garnish with cut orange slices You can process in blender or food processor for smoth. I like it very firm thus small amount of juice. If you want it softer or looser add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more water or juice. Number of Servings: 8

No-Money Home Makeover Ideas

No-Money Home Makeover Ideas

By Kendell Cronstrom & Nicole Sforza, Real Simple

There’s no reason to buy new stuff to spiff up your home; you already have everything you need.

 

Turn a Quilt Into a Headboard

Got a plain-Jane bed? Give it character―and warm it up, too―by draping a quilt over the frame.

Prop Up Art to Conceal Cords

Lean framed art against a wall to hide wires and outlets. Layer them for extra impact.

Stick a Plant Inside a (Non-Working) Fireplace

Brighten up that black hole with one of your indoor or outdoor plants. Choose a type that doesn’t require a lot of sunlight, like a fern or the Song of India dracaena pictured here.

Repurpose Your Bracelets as Napkin Rings

Colorful plastic bangles are great for a casual table, while metal ones complement a formal setting. You can also pin brooches down the length of a table runner and lean a place card in front of each one.

Dress Up a Dresser With Ribbons

Don’t let all those scraps you’ve been saving from holidays and birthday parties go to waste. Transform a child’s bedroom by tying colorful ribbons around the knobs on a chest of drawers―or the stem of a lamp or the legs of a table.

Paint the Legs of an Old Chair

Finally, a reason to drag out that banged-up can of leftover paint. Give the seen-better-days legs of a wooden chair a fresh coat of paint, then use the chair as a side table to hold books, throw pillows, an extra blanket, or even your knitting.

Cover Boxes With Wrapping Paper

You can do better than those ho-hum bins from the office-supply store. Turn plain boxes (such as shoe or checkbook boxes) into pretty storage containers with excess wrapping paper, then label them with old gift tags. You can use them as gift boxes, too.

Hang Photos and Artwork on One Wall

Your family pictures have more impact when they’re grouped together. A word to the wise: Before you do any hanging, arrange the pieces on the floor to get a sense of how they’ll look on the wall. And never mind if the frames don’t match.

Plant Herbs in Florist’s Vases

You’ve got them―stacked up under the sink, probably―so make use of them. Plant small potted herbs in vessels of various heights (add a layer of pebbles at the bottom of each for drainage). Wrap them in a heavy-stock paper, secure with twine, and label.

Stash Toiletries in MismatchedTableware

Just because your vanity is a catchall for makeup doesn’t mean it can’t look put-together. Place a platter on top and fill it with seldom-seen china pieces, like a sugar bowl and a creamer, that can hold cotton balls, nail files, and brushes.

Turn Salt and Pepper Shakers Into Bud Vases

Screw off the caps of spare salt and pepper shakers (or empty jam jars or perfume bottles) and use the receptacles to display flowers on a bedroom night table or a guest-bathroom sink. You can also put potpourri inside.

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