Perfect Rice

Rice cookers are typically used for the preparation of plain or lightly seasoned rice, but more elaborate recipes are possible using a rice cooker, and there are cookbooks devoted entirely to dishes prepared using a rice cooker. One of the more unexpected dishes that can be made in a rice cooker is a beef stew. By simply adding ingredients and setting it to “warm”, a rice cooker would cook that at about 150°F. In a few hours, the stew is fully cooked and ready to eat.

Some rice cookers are designed to accommodate a basket above the rice. This basket is generally used to steam vegetables, holding them in the steam coming off the rice. Most types of dumpling and buns can also be cooked this way.

Here’s a great recipe for making soup in a crock pot.  It tastes great and is worth a try:

Ingredients
-   3 slices bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces
-   4 tablespoons onion, minced
-   10 1/2 ounces can cream of potato soup
-   2 cups milk
-   8 ounces American cheese
-   1 cup wild rice, cooked according to pkg.
 
Directions
In a heavy skillet over medium heat, sauté bacon for 3-4 minutes or until slightly browned.

Add onions and sauté until onions are light brown in color and bacon is crisp. Remove onion and bacon and drain off excess bacon drippings. Set aside.

Prepare rice, instant or uncooked.

Add soup, milk, rice, cheese & bacon mixture. Simmer until cheese melts, approximately 10-12 minutes. If needed, thin with additional milk to appropriate consistency.

I heard on the news this morning, that they are considering testing kids 10 and under for cholesterol
levels, and if need be, put them on statin drugs.  They say this should be done in order to prevent future circulatory and heart issues.

To me, there is something wrong with this line of thought.

First of all, the idea to test kids this young for a condition that is common to middle-age Americans should raise a  big red flag.

Second, to give drugs known to effect and damage the liver, the only organ in the body that can produce and control  cholesterol  and produce the good cholesterol levels necessary for life seems counter productive.

Thirdly, taking any prescription has side effects, which usually leading to taking more prescriptions, to control  those, and so on and so on. High bad cholesterol is not good for you but is taking drugs the only option.  I feel the pharmaceutical industry must be rubbing it’s hands together at the potential financial rewards.

Taking Statins or Change Diet

Cholesterol imbalances was something middle aged Americans seemed to develop. The primary cause of high cholesterol is poor diet and inactivity.  So what is the first thing doctors tell their patients after writing out that prescription is to change their diet.  No more foods made with bad fats, etc. Eat oatmeal, take high fiber supplements. More fruits and vegetables. More whole grains etc.

Dah…So to follow the thought of taking preventive measures,  why not change the kids diets.  We know as a nation we eat way too much highly processed foods, because it’s easy and convenient. It does take more time and effort to prepare meals from more basic ingredients.  And I’m not saying that changing a kids eating habits will always be easy, but the benefits are outstanding.

I know from personal experience when we as a family decided to go to a more natural and organic route  that the first few weeks was difficult.
I think they must put something in those highly processed that foods that is addictive, especially the soft drinks and fast food items.

However, even if going the health food way, is not for you or your family, there are lots of foods that can reduce the bad cholesterol and aid in preventing future imbalances.

Foods for better cholesterol control.

The best one every one has heard about is oatmeal.  Now the instant oatmeal is OK, but I find there is too much sugar in those.  Making the large flake or Scottish, steel cut oats takes time, but is well worth the effort.  I use my steaming bowl in my rice cooker/steamer.  I add dried cranberries or blueberries and in the last few minutes stir in a cut up apple.  I serve it with a little milk, and brown sugar.
It tastes great with a dash of yogurt on top as well.

Rice is another good cholesterol reducing food, especially brown rice.  Low in fat, high in fiber and very good carbohydrates for energy.

Beans.

Increasing the consumption of deeply colored fruits and veggies to at least 5 raw or lightly cooked servings a day also reduce the risk .

Olive oil increases the levels of the good cholesterol.

Garlic and onions lower bad LDL while raising the good HDL cholesterol

Adding cayenne,basil, rosemary and oregano to your meals help protect the good cholesterol molecules

Nuts, such as walnuts reduce cholesterol.  Eat a handful a day.

Foods to avoid

Fats… saturated, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated tend to increase cholesterol.
Fried foods, sweet baked goods, and most crackers are all full of these dangerous fats.
Margarine and vegetable shortening often the substitutes people use who are on cholesterol diets, are even worse for them than what they replace, butter and lard.(which are saturated)

Sugar stimulates the the liver to produce cholesterol.  So avoiding all sources of refined sugar, including sodas, candy and low-fat baked goods.

Excess consumption of caffeine has been linked with high cholesterol.  So what do these new energy drinks contain that lots of kids drink these days, caffeine in excess.