Foods and Salads

How to Manage Waterborne Diseases

June 3, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic
micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. These diseases can be spread
while bathing, washing or drinking water. They are also spread through eating
food exposed to infected water.

Drinking contaminated water can cause waterborne diseases
like cholera, typhoid & dysentery.

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery
diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration and kill within hours if left untreated.

Cholera is transmitted by a bacterium called Vibrio cholera. It is usually found in
water or food sources that have been contaminated by feces from a person
infected with cholera.

People with low immunity – such as malnourished children or
people living with HIV – are at a greater risk of death if infected.

Typhoid

Typhoid (Typhoid fever)
is a disease caused by a bacterium called Salmonella
Typhi.

Its symptoms may vary from mild to severe and usually become
noticeable 6-30 days after exposure. They include a feeling of weakness,
abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches.

Dysentery

Dysentery refers to an inflammation of the intestines spread
by contaminated food or water. It is caused by the bacterium Shigella bacillus.

The symptoms of dysentery can be mild or severe. They
include bloody diarrhea, stomach aches, cramping, mucus in the faeces, watery
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Prompt medical care is required for
bloody diarrhea.

Who’s at Risk of Contamination?

Waterborne diseases are very prevalent in areas with poor
sanitation, like slums. People living in such deplorable conditions don’t
always get clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning or using the bathroom!

Dark drainage water runs through the narrow dirty paths
where children are often found running around playing. Many are the times these
children will bend down to poke around the contaminated water oblivious of the
danger lurking around!

But where are the parents, you would ask?

Well, they are busy struggling to eke a living. Every coin
that can be earned is like gold. Every penny counts! They don’t have all the
time in the world to keep checking on the little ones. But even if they did
have all the time, what could they possibly do to prevent contamination? Unless
they decide not to let their children go out to play with the others!

In many areas of the slums, raw sewage passes through right
at the doors of the dilapidated houses.

Prevention & Treatment

The long-term solution to water contamination is to ensure proper
sanitation and consumption of pure drinking water.

Modern & highly effective sewage and water treatment
techniques have been employed in most industrialized nations, and this has greatly
eliminated waterborne diseases among its people.

Each household needs to ensure that they’re getting clean
water from the taps. And in case there are doubts about the purity of this
water, then other methods could be employed like installing an efficient filtration
system throughout the house. This system would filter all incoming water before
it comes out through the taps.

However, this filtration system method is not ideal for
everyone, and it may be too costly for some households. A cheaper option would
be to purchase
a water distiller.

Bottled water also works pretty well, although in recent
times there have been reports of unscrupulous people packaging unfiltered water
in branded bottles and selling to unsuspecting consumers! So it’s best to buy bottled
water only from trustworthy companies.

Another effective way to ensure consumption of safe water is
by boiling. This kills most if not all bacteria in the water. Make sure you
bring the water to a complete boil.

You should also make sure that you use safe water for brushing
your teeth. You may assume that you’re only going to be brushing your teeth for
a few minutes, but that little time is enough to infect you with a waterborne-causing
microorganism.

Proper Sanitation

There are a few steps to take to ensure proper sanitation is
maintained:

Every household has a right to proper sanitation
& proper disposal of sewage.
All broken drainage systems need to fixed as
soon as they are noticed to prevent raw sewage running through open ground.
Always wash your hands with soap and clean water
after visiting the toilet, after changing a baby’s diaper, after attending to a
sick person, before preparing food and before eating.
Clean all kitchen utensils & surfaces with
clean water & soap. Disinfect your house every few weeks.
Discourage children from swimming or playing in dirty
pools, ponds or streams.

Treatment

Most waterborne diseases can be treated easily if the
infected person seeks medical intervention quickly. Rapid access to treatment
is especially important in the case of a cholera outbreak.

An oral rehydration solution is usually administered by a
health care provider. This solution is used throughout the world to treat
diarrhea. It is made up of sugar and salts mixed with water & drunk in
large amounts.

The infected person also needs to take a lot of fluids in
addition to the medication prescribed. This helps replace most of the fluid lost
due to diarrhea, a major symptom of waterborne diseases.

Sources:

World Health Organization

Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention

How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Utensils

April 4, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Having rusty utensils is very unpleasant. You can’t use them to serve food and the last thing you would want to do is expose them to your guests! They’re not only unsightly but you also run the risk of contaminating your food.

What is Rust?

Rust is an iron oxide formed when iron or an alloy of iron (like steel) is exposed to oxygen and moisture for a long period of time. The rust forms when iron undergoes oxidation.

If chloride ions are present in the moisture, as is the case with salt water, oxidation is likely to occur much faster. This is the reason why a lot of rust is found on iron items near saltwater bodies.

How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Utensils

All your utensils should be free from rust. This includes cutlery (spoons, forks, and knives), plates, cooking pots, and any metallic mugs.

So what should you do if you notice some rust cropping up on your beautiful set of kitchen items?

For starters, avoid using chemicals to remove the rust! This is not only harmful to your health due to the possibility of contamination, but it can also lead to more corrosion of the utensil.

1. Use salt & lemons

This is a cheap method of removing rust from kitchen utensils. The 2 cleaning materials to use are readily available in your kitchen and are natural products. So you don’t have to worry about using toxic chemicals on your utensils.

The amount of salt to use will depend on the area you want to clean; the bigger the area to remove rust, then the higher amount of salt to use & vice versa.

You’ll need a half lemon for this procedure.

Put some of the salt on the half lemon and use it as a scrubbing pad. Scrub the area of your pans or cutlery with rust until it becomes clean. If the salt disappears before all the rust comes off, add more salt to the lemon and continue scrubbing.

An alternative procedure would be to sprinkle some of the salt onto the area covered with rust & squeeze the half lemon over the salt. Then let this mixture sit for 1-2 hours. Scrub the area with the lemon rind until the rust is gone.

Once you’re done, let it sit for a few minutes then wash it clean. Let it dry completely until all moisture is gone. Then using a kitchen brush, apply a little oil onto the utensil and store it away.

2. Use baking soda

With this method, you’re going to need a few tablespoons of baking soda and coarse scrubbing pads. Baking soda is non-abrasive and will gently lift the rust stain from the utensil.

Similar to the previous method discussed above, the amount of baking soda to use will depend on the area covered with rust that needs to be cleaned.

First, mix the baking soda with a little warm water. You only need a little water to make a paste!

Rub the baking soda paste on the utensil covered with rust using the scrubbing pad. Scrub gently until all the rust is gone. Rinse and dry the utensil until there is no more moisture.

3. Use white vinegar

With this method, you’ll need enough white vinegar to soak the kitchen utensil.

The first step is to gently scrub off as much rust from the utensil as possible.

Next, pour the white vinegar into a small bucket and submerge the item to be cleaned. Soak it overnight.

The next day, remove the item from the solution and scrub it using a scouring pad. If there is still too much rust, add a little baking soda or coarse salt to the scouring pad and continue scrubbing until all the rust is gone.

Conclusion:

An important final step is to apply some cooking oil on your cleaned utensils and brush it all over to prevent rust from forming again.

However, the best way to prevent rust from forming is to take very good care of your kitchen utensils. Dry them thoroughly after cleaning to ensure there is no water left on them before putting them away in storage. Remember that rust is formed due to extended exposure to moisture & oxygen.

With rust-free and presentable tableware, you will ensure that your family eats safe food, and you won’t feel embarrassed anytime your guests suddenly show up to your dinner table.

6 Health Benefits of Papayas

April 2, 2019 admin Leave a comment

The papaya, also known as pawpaw, is a very healthy tropical fruit that is very refreshing and nutritious. It has strong antioxidant properties that make it an ideal fruit for preventing various illnesses.

Papayas contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and it is more concentrated in the fruit when unripe.

NB: Papain is used to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.

Papayas are deliciously sweet and very refreshing on hot and sunny days. One medium sized papaya has about 120 calories.

Health Benefits of Papayas

Papayas are very excellent sources of the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A. 1 medium sized papaya contains 168mg of vitamin C and 131mcg of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids). They are also rich in folate, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, carbohydrates, copper, sodium, vitamins E & K, protein and pantothenic acid.

These nutrients are very beneficial to the body and help in:

1. Reducing the risk of heart diseases. Vitamins A, C, fiber and potassium help in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol, lowering high cholesterol levels in the body and therefore reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

2. Providing protection against cancer. Consumption of papayas can reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancers.

3. Reducing inflammation. Papayas contain antioxidants and protein-digesting enzymes like papain as well as vitamin A which help in reducing inflammation and healing burns.

4. Skin improvement. Papayas contain vitamin A which helps in the growth of all body cells/tissues including the skin and hair. It is also required for sebum production. Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, which is a very important protein in holding the structure of our bodies.

5. Improving brain health. Vitamin C helps in the production of neurotransmitters which are necessary for transmitting information in the brain. It also helps in the production of serotonin, a hormone required in various body systems including the immune, digestive, nervous and endocrine systems.

6. Improving digestion. Papayas contain the digestive papain, which helps in breaking down food in the stomach. This enzyme is commercially used in making meat tenderizers. The fiber and high water content in papaya help food move in the digestive track thereby preventing constipation.

To increase your consumption of papayas, use them to make papaya juice, incorporate them into your fruit salads or just enjoy a fresh half papaya as a mid-day snack.

Ripe papayas are slightly soft to the touch while the green unripe ones are hard and can be used for cooking after peeling off the bitter outer skin.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

April 2, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Green tea

Green tea is very nutritious. In recent years, green tea has received a lot of positive feedback from nutritionists and healthy living advocates. Some of them have been taking it for many years and claim it provides many health benefits.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

A number of scientific studies have been conducted in recent years to investigate the health benefits of green tea. The results showed that frequent intake provides the following benefits:

improves brain function
lowers the risk of various types of cancer
improves immunity
improves the rate of metabolism
helps in burning fat

Some of the studies investigated the relationship between green tea and weight loss. It was found that a compound called Catechin found in green tea is believed to have fat burning properties. It helps in eliminating fat which consequently boosts the rate of metabolism.

An increased rate of metabolism ensures that consumed food is digested faster and the various organs of the body function optimally. It also helps the liver in the faster conversion of fat deposits into energy.

In one study, healthy men with similar body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were separated into two groups. For a duration of twelve weeks, one group consumed oolong tea containing 690mg of the green tea extract daily while a control group consumed 22mg of the same extract.

The researchers found that the BMI, waist circumferences and body fat mass of the group that consumed more of the green tea extract were significantly lower than the control group. This suggested that daily consumption of green tea may be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle related diseases like obesity.

10 Quick Facts About Tomatoes

January 12, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Tomatoes are fruits and have been grown in various parts of the world for many years.

The following are 10 quick facts about tomatoes you should know:

1. The most common varieties are red in colour when ripe. This colouration is due to the presence of a compound called Lycopene which has been shown to help in fighting cancerous cells.

2. Tomatoes can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be used in making soups, sauces, fresh tomato juice, tomato paste, or mixed with other vegetables to make salads and sandwiches.

3. Raw tomatoes can be used to make face masks. They help in smoothing the skin and making it glow reducing dullness.

4. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamins A & C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous.

5. The leaves of tomato plants are toxic and not edible.

6. Tomatoes have acidic properties which help in treating blackheads and clearing pimples.

7. Tomatoes are heart friendly because they do not contain harmful cholesterol and have low amounts of sodium. This helps reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.

8. The more a tomato ripens, the more the amount of Vitamin C increases. Those picked from the tomato tree when ripe have higher amounts of the vitamin than those picked while yellow and allowed to ripen slowly.

9. Tomatoes are rich in chromium which aids in regulating blood sugar levels among diabetic patients. It also helps in regulating high blood pressure.

10. Tomatoes help in improving eyesight and strengthening bones.

How to Make Spicy French Fries

January 10, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Spicy French fries are super easy to prepare. The cooking process is pretty straight forward and simple. It consists of only three key ingredients: potatoes, spices, and oil.

Irish potatoes are the most commonly used and are readily available in grocery stores. Other types of potatoes could be used if Irish potatoes are not available. The type of oil to be used for deep frying the French fries should have a high smoking point.

To make this variation with spices, use garam masala and ground chilli pepper. The end product will be delicious and hot!

How to Make Spicy French Fries

Ingredients:

Potatoes
Cooking oil
Garam masala
Ground chilli pepper

Method:

Cut the potatoes into strips of your preferred size. If you don’t have a french fries cutter, chop them across into oval shapes, then to the shape of fries. Let them dry or pat them with a towel to remove excess water.
Pour cooking oil into a deep frying pan and heat it up.
In a separate bowl, mix garam masala and ground chilli pepper in the ratio 2:1.
Pick and transfer the cut french fries into the bowl and mix thoroughly until all the fries are coated.
Once the oil is hot enough, drop the french fries into the pan and cook until they are done. Cook for about 5 minutes and then turn them over to cook the other side.
Once the spicy French fries are completely cooked, remove from heat & set aside.
Repeat steps 4 & 5 until all the french fries are cooked.
Serve hot.

This delicious recipe is a favourite for many people, and the good thing about it is that you can quickly prepare it in a short amount of time.

Also, make sure to use vegetable oil with a high boiling point. You can add a little salt in the mixing bowl or forgo it & instead have your guests add salt on the table to their own liking.

This Spicy French Fries recipe can be served with any meat protein (like beef, lamb, or chicken), a fried egg, vegetable salad, or simply on its own. Go for what works for you.

Give this recipe a try & let me know how it comes out. What did you serve it with?

Uncategorized

How to Make Spicy Fried Meat Balls

July 25, 2014 admin Leave a comment

I find meat balls very easy to prepare. I make mine from scratch at home and I must admit I really love the whole process.

I include few ingredients and I always make sure to add chilli pepper because I love them spicy.

Here is a recipe I often use that will teach you how to make spicy meatballs. I do hope you follow through and enjoy them as much as I do.

Ingredients

1/4 kg meat
1 finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground chilli pepper
6 crushed garlic cloves
Freshly chopped corriander/dania
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup cooking oil

I make breadcrumbs from a few slices of brown bread. I dry the slices by placing them on a hot frying pan then crumble them.

I have a small meat mincer in my kitchen that I use to make this recipe.

We will start by cleaning the meat and then chopping it into small pieces as shown below.

The next step is to grind the meat in the mincer as we let it fall into a bowl.

I bought the above meat mincer about two and a half years ago and so far it has served me well. I use it often and the fun part of this is actually transforming the chopped pieces of beef into minced meat.

Since my kitchen sink is too big for me to clamp the mincer, I prefer using my study desk (you can use any flat surface as long as it clamps firmly).

Procedure

Beat the egg in a bowl and set aside.
Mix the other ingredients except the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly.
Once the ingredients have fully mixed pour in the egg and continue mixing.

4. In the meantime, pour the oil in a deep frying pan and bring to medium heat.
5. Using your hands, form small balls of the mixture and coat with the breadcrumbs.
6. Fry all the prepared meat balls in batches until they brown on both sides but be careful not to overcook them.
7. After a few minutes of frying remove from heat and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
8. Serve.

The spicy fried meatballs are great in the morning for breakfast. They can also be served with other dishes like rice, spaghetti or ugali for lunch and/or dinner. You can make very tasty soup with these spicy meatballs and enjoy a hearty dinner.

A vegetable salad could come in handy to provide the needed vitamins for a complete balanced diet.

Get creative and add any other spices of your choice. I guarantee if you use my simple recipe you will love them and make them as often as I do.

How to Make Kenyan Mandazi

July 24, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Since mandazis are very popular in Kenya and one reader requested that I share a recipe for making them, here is a simple version which makes very tasty snacks.

The mandazis are great in the morning for breakfast or at any time of the day. They are normally served with a cup of hot tea or any beverage of choice. Mixing and kneading does not take long and it requires few ingredients.

Ingredients:

4 cups of wheat flour
1 tablespoon of salt
4 tablespoons margarine/butter
5 tablespoons of baking powder
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1 cup of water/milk

Procedure:

Put the black pepper in a small mortar and pound till roughly grounded.
Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, sugar and black pepper in a bowl.
Use a spoon to add the margarine/butter to the flour mixture and mix well using your fingers. Take some amount of the margarine and run it through the flour mixing the two with your fingers. Do this until all the flour has been mixed with the margarine.
Pour in the milk/water into the flour bowl and mix. Knead the dough to a smooth consistency.
Let it stand for about thirty minutes then divide the dough into four smaller portions.
Add oil to a deep frying pan and bring the oil to high heat.
In the meantime apply some flour on a rolling board or flat surface, then using a rolling pin roll out the first dough to a circular shape.
Cut the dough into four equal pieces as shown below.

9. Once the oil is quite hot, carefully drop each piece into the pan. Notice as it immediately starts browning on the first side and after two minutes turn it over to cook the other side. Depending on the size of your deep frying pan, you can cook four or more mandazis at the same time.
10. Once both sides are browned, remove from heat and drain on paper towels.
11. Serve.

The above images show one circular dough being divided into four equal pieces. However, you may cut the dough into smaller pieces and cook them together depending on the size of the pan.
The black pepper gives the mandazis a nice flavour.
Since this recipe takes less than an hour to prepare and cook, these mandazis can be made early in the morning before breakfast and served with a cup of tea, milk or a glass of fresh fruit juice.
They can also be carried by the kids to school as a morning snack, or to the office.

Make yourself these delicious mandazis and please let me know how it went in the comments below.

10 Reasons Why Coconut Oil Is Good for Your Health

June 6, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Coconut oil has many health benefits and has been in use for many years. Very popular in tropical countries where coconut trees flourish near the ocean or sea, these fruits and their oil have gained acceptance over the years from the locals and nutritionists.

Image courtesy of Phú Thịnh Co

A number of studies have been conducted to research on their nutritional properties with positive results.

Coconut oil is extracted from the white fleshy part of the mature coconut fruit. It can be used in cooking and other purposes. The white fleshy part is pressed either manually or mechanically to extract coconut oil.

Health Benefits of Coconuts

The following are ten reasons why coconut oil is good for your health:

1. It aids in the digestion process and the proper functioning of the bowel system. This is because coconut oil contains saturated fatty acids which help in killing bacteria and fungi present in the stomach which inhibit digestion. This also helps in preventing constipation.

2. It helps in preventing obesity and overweight related complications because the saturated fatty acids are easily converted by the liver into energy and not into fat deposits like other oils. It is the accumulated fat deposits which normally lead to obesity.

3. The conversion of fats into energy increases the rate of metabolism and cell regeneration. Cell regeneration refers to the formation of new body cells to replace old and worn out cells.

4. Coconut oil helps in the normal functioning of the heart. It contains safe saturated fatty acids which unlike other oils do not clog the heart and have low cholesterol levels. This ensures that the heart functions properly and can pump blood to the rest of the body without being overworked.

5. It helps in the assimilation of nutrients like vitamins, minerals and amino acids into the body which help in protecting the body against harmful bacteria and strengthening bones.

6. It helps in improving the functioning of the immune system. This is because coconut oil is composed of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antibacterial and antiviral properties. This helps in fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses which cause diseases like herpes, influenza, measles and hepatitis.

7. Since the saturated fatty acids found in coconut oil are easily converted into energy, this speeds up the functioning of the liver thereby reducing its workload and preventing diseases associated with the liver.

8. Coconut oil improves the secretion of insulin which is important in the regulation of the amount of glucose in the blood. It is very useful to patients suffering from diabetes. Coconut oil therefore aids in reducing the likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease.

9. Coconut oil is used in treating both internal and external infections. It has antibacterial properties that help in faster healing of skin infections, cuts and bruises as well as throat and urinary tract infections. It also helps in the repair of damages cells.

10. Coconut oil is used in preventing wrinkles and sagging of the skin. It can be applied to the entire body in place of a body lotion. It supports the natural chemical balance of the skin and makes it soft and reduces flaking.

In conclusion, coconut oil is very nutritious and provides many health benefits. Many nutritionists and health experts recommend the use of this oil for cooking, as a salad dressing and as medicine for treating various ailments.

How to Cook the Best Muthokoi

June 3, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Muthokoi is very popular among the Akamba tribe. It refers to:
a) Dry maize whose husks have been removed
b) A cooked mixture of this maize with peas/beans

Making muthokoi takes a few hours and the process starts by boiling the maize with the peas/beans. It is then cooked with vegetables like onions, potatoes, cabbages, cowpeas leaves or pumpkin leaves; the choice is yours.

In this recipe, we will be cooking muthokoi with the following items:

Ingredients (Serves 3)

1 cup muthokoi (dry maize with husks removed)
1 1/2 cups dry pigeon peas
1 large onion
3 large cloves of garlic, crushed
3 chopped tomatoes
3 chopped carrots
Cooking oil
Salt

The maize and peas can be soaked for two hours to soften them and make cooking easier. After soaking the water is discarded and clean water poured into a saucepan where they are boiled for about one and half hours.

Equally, they can be boiled for about three hours. Add water continously if it dries up. Once fully cooked, the muthokoi is drained with the water being poured away. If the water is not thrown away it could make the food go bad and have a foul smell.

Method:

Boil the muthokoi and peas, adding water continously until cooked.
Once the excess water has been drained, saute the onion in another large saucepan.
Add the crushed garlic and once a delicious aroma fills the air, add the carrots, tomatoes and potatoes.
Cook until the potatoes are almost done.
Add salt, royco and a little water and bring to a boil.
Pour the boiled muthokoi into the vegetables and cook for about ten minutes.
Serve

Muthokoi can also be cooked with cowpeas, green/fresh pigeon peas or any variety of beans.

If you decide to use green peas/beans, make sure that you cook the muthokoi (dry maize) for about thirty minutes before adding the beans/peas. This will ensure that the beans/peas do not become too cooked or mushy since they cook faster than dry maize.

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