Organic Food

Saffron is dubbed as one of the most legendary spices and you may be surprised that it comes with a price. The reason behind the hefty sum that you need to pay for a bit of flavourful and aromatic red strands is because harvesting this spice is quite laborious. In addition to this, each flower of the saffron plant only produces three stigmas or threads of the spice and this flower blooms for only a week in an entire year.

Uses of Saffron

This incredible spice can be used in your dishes and recipes. It can also be infused in your baking adventures. The best part is you can also add it to your beverage. In terms of the latter, you have the option of sourcing out saffron rose tea bags for your ultimate enjoyment. In this case, the deep and robust flavor of saffron is balanced by the gentle but distinct flavour of a fragrant rose. You can also infuse thyme or cardamom with your saffron tea.

How to use saffron rose tea bags

• Hot Tea

To get the most out of your saffron tea bag, make sure that you add fresh boiling water in a cup that contains a bag. Let the bag sit for a couple of minutes or until you notice that the colour of the water is already transformed in a golden hue. Usually, each tea bag can be used twice or in some instances, even three times.

• Cold Tea

If you are not a fan of hot drinks, you can still enjoy your saffron tea bags through a cold beverage. For this, you need to minimise the water used to infuse the tea to about a third of a glass. However, you still need to use fresh boiling water. After you take the tea bag out, you need to add a couple of ice cubes in the glass to create a refreshing beverage that is perfect during a hot day.

• Sweet Tea

There are some people who prefer the taste of a sweet beverage, even in their tea. In this case, you can consume a saffron rock candy with your hot tea to satisfy your sweet tooth. The result is a magical taste that you won’t probably get enough of.

• Other Alternatives

In case you don’t have saffron tea bags, you can still enjoy some saffron tea. All you need is to steep a couple of threads in hot water. However, a strong and bitter taste may come as a surprise to you. Nevertheless, you can add some other herbs to balance out the flavour.

In conclusion, you will find that getting your hands into a bit of saffron spice is worth every penny of your money because of its various uses. In case you want to enjoy this spice in its fullness, go ahead and purchase some saffron tea bags that are already infused with other herbs such as rose, thyme or cardamom to balance out the bold flavour of the spice. Rest assured that once you get to enjoy its luxurious taste, you will definitely want more.

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To start this topic, we must first ask ourselves what organic (or ecological) agriculture is? The truth is that the term is variable according to the regulatory and certifying agencies of each country, international food institutions, as well as various authors. Similarly, the permitted practices change in each of these systems, for example, in the form of fertilization, pest and weed control, hand cultivation, crop rotation, among others.

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system that promotes and improves the health of the agroecosystem and, in particular, the biodiversity, the biological cycles, and the biological activity of the soil. It emphasizes the use of management practices preferring them over the use of inputs outside the farm, taking into account that regional conditions will require locally adapted systems.

This is achieved using, whenever possible, cultural, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to the use of synthetic materials, to fulfill each specific function within the system.

Currently, there is a social tendency to prefer foods obtained by organic farming methods, a preference associated with a kind of “fashion” for that romantic vision of going back to the old, to the “natural”, for instance, “tasty organic fruits from France.”

Despite the fact that these foods are much more expensive than conventional foods (due to the mode of production and the low supply), people buy them because they generally assume that “they are healthier, safer, more nutritious, are free of pesticides and are produced in a sustainable way.” However, when we analyze the scientific and agricultural research that has been carried out, it is observed that the reality is quite different.

Myth 1: “Organic crops do not use pesticides.”

Have you ever heard of “organic pesticides”? This is not an oxymoron, and contrary to what many people believe, in organic agriculture products such as pesticides and fungicides are used, only they are not of synthetic origin, but organic (or “natural” as some say). However, the toxicity of a chemical compound is not given by its origin, but by its chemical structure.

Several of these products used in organic agriculture usually require many applications due to their low effectiveness, as they can accumulate in the soil and eventually be poisonous to plants, nematodes, and other organisms.

Myth 2: “Organic foods are more nutritious than conventional foods.”

The third meta-analysis was published in 2014 by researchers from various institutions in the British Journal of Nutrition, a work where 343 publications were reviewed, and it was concluded that organic crops “… on average have higher concentrations of antioxidants, lower concentrations of cadmium and a lower incidence of pesticide residues ”. As the conclusion was quite different from the one obtained in the two previous meta-analyses, in which no significant differences in nutritional value were found, various scientists independently reviewed the work and found some problems.

Myth 3: “Organic food is safer than conventional food.”

Organic foods are not necessarily safer than conventional foods. Evidence was previously shown that organic pesticides could have a negative impact on health and the environment.

In this sense, the various causes of death and poisoning caused by organic cultivation due to various outbreaks of dangerous microorganisms in various countries continue to be of concern. There have been serious cases in the US and Europe, where the serious epidemic caused by a strain of Escherichia coli O104: H4 in organic outbreaks in Germany in 2011 stands out. It ended with 3,950 intoxicated, 845 people with the hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 54 deaths. It is a risk that is run when manure and compost are used as fertilizer.

Myth 4: “Organic crops have the same or higher productivity than conventional ones.”

Organic agriculture, in general, has a much lower yield than conventional agriculture, for various reasons such as the widespread use of polyculture, biological control of pests and ineffective organic pesticides, high manual labor in the field, among others.

Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) have carried out extensive research on organic agriculture in Sweden, and the results show that it “would produce only half of the food obtained on the cultivated land area that has today,” and that financial support for organic farming (SEK 500 million) would be better used in conventional systems already adapted to the environment.

They also conclude that if 100 percent of Swedish agriculture were organic, the necessary arable land would have to be increased by another 1.7 million hectares, apart from the current one million hectares of agricultural land. Aside from lower yields, there would be greater pressure on the environment, more release of greenhouse gases, and food security would be jeopardized.

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Vertical farming is the in thing in today’s world and it is the kind of farming you can do even if you are in an apartment. After all, you don’t need to have 100 acres of land to farm. All you need is you and a couple of vertical farming ideas that I will be sharing within with you in a jiffy. The world is changing at a very fast rate and we can only do as much as we change with it. Here is what’s new in the farming industry.

1. Aeroponics

Did you know that you can grow plants without soil and with very little water? Yes, that’s right, plants without soil. This has been made possible and is a quickly spreading trend where all you need to start it off is the compartment and water which you will induce with vitamins and minerals after all that is all that a plant needs to grow. This is a concept that was introduced by NASA to try and grow plants in space. At this point, I can only say that the future seems brighter.

2. Hydroponics

Vertical farming has gotten quite interesting, as scientists have proven that apart from providing support, all other functions of soil can be substituted by growing plants in water. This system will require water in a hydroponics system that is a fully sustainable system with all the requirements for a plant to grow. I never thought people would stay clean while farming but this is actually possible. Vertical farming gurus such as Pure Greens LLC have the best-mechanized systems to work within the industry. They actually cover all there is in the industry including even freighter farming.

3. Aquaponics

Imagine a system where plants and fish cohabit and they support each other not only to save space but also in the feeding cycle. Fish produce waste that is very high in nutrients and the plants will feed on that using their roots and in return, the plants purify the water. This is a very genius idea as it is much cheaper and this allows for nature to take care of its own.

4. Aerofarms

From the word Aerofarms you can at least predict that it involves this system being on a suspension. This is one of the few systems that you can actually control your harvest. It is environmentally friendly and at the same time cheap and save space. This kind of system incorporates the use of LED lighting, cloth medium and mineral solution. This system is one of the few that actually allows one to grow plants without both soil and sun.

5. Verticrop

Being in an urban area does not mean that your dream of being a farmer is dead. You can actually use this system to grow crops in the same space as your garage. This system is basically growing plants on shelves. Think of it as a greenhouse where you combine natural light and artificial light and also give added nutrients to the plants. This system has been in operation for now close to ten years.

Farming has never been this cool and have in mind that there are many more of these that you can explore. This answers the question that people ask of how people manage to grow plants in the desert.

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Nuts will offer various health benefits. It contains a mix of valuable vitamins and minerals. Nut helps to lower cholesterol levels, and protect against heart disease, dried fruit is sweet and energy-dense. Scientific studies now show that nuts helps to prevent heart diseases. Here are the health benefits of nuts.

Plums

It is very rich in vitamins – A, C and B, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium. It will give you a good quantity of fiber and It can help curb your appetite for several hours. Considered the most powerful antioxidant known so far. It contains Iron that is very essential for red blood cell formation.

Dates

It contains all the vitamins (vitamin E and H less) and a high amount of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Including it contains amino acids than apples, oranges. Many doctor’s recommended that Dates help in the fight against constipation, bowel disorders, It helps to maintain healthy body weight.

Bananas

Available in all supermarkets and bananas are a good choice for a healthy diet. Contains natural sugars: sucrose, glucose and fructose combination of fiber. In addition to these benefits dried bananas containing potassium, vitamin A, B, B6, B12, and C.

Blueberries

It is one of the most powerful antioxidant nut and that offers multiple benefits for your health. Especially Dried Blueberries contain high content of vitamins and minerals, helps to regenerate blood vessels, Control your blood sugar levels, and protect the body against radioactivity.

Apricots

They contain vitamin A, C, B and beta-carotene. Apricots improve eyesight and helps regenerate tissues and nerves. By high iron intake, these fruits are recommended in cases of severe anemia. Dried apricots are a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, with a low content of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. The fruit is nutritious, laxative, and is recommended for anemia, asthenia, insomnia, convalescent.

Cranberries

This fruit is very important for your body health, but must be careful to choose the ones with the lowest added sugar or fresh fruit to pick and dehydrate them yourself. Cranberries help lower the risk of urinary infections, and some studies showed that It can directly control the growth rate of tumors.

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Protein is the powerhouse macronutrient essential of our overall health and well-being. It builds, repairs and replenishes tissues, cartilage, bones, organs, muscles, skin, hair and nails. People turn to protein because it helps burn fat and therefore, aids in weight loss. But your body doesn’t store protein, so there is no reserve from which to draw upon when your protein is low and you’re feeling sluggish. In short, you need protein – and a lot of it. Following are some ways to get quality protein in your daily diet to help you achieve optimum health and weight loss goals:

1. Eat Sea Food

Fish is significantly lower in saturated fats than meat. Salmon and halibut are particularly good choices, but people on the go will be glad to hear that canned tuna is equally full of protein. Increase your intake of fish several times a week to help boost your protein levels.

2. Go for Dairy products

While many duets fads discourage dairy products but milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of protein that also contain Vitamin D, which is essential for bone density. But make you reach for the reduced, low or no-fat yogurt, not the brands laden with fake fruit or other ingredients. Skim milk is best.

3. Packed Proteins

Grocery and convenience stores are well-stocked with colorfully packaged protein bars that promise great results and appeal to consumers who live hectic lifestyles but still want to eat a healthy diet. But many of these so-called protein bars won’t deliver the protein punch they claim, considering the amount of sugar they contain. Look carefully at the list of ingredients: If a protein bar only includes a few ingredients, like whey or almonds, it’s probably great. But if it has a long list of ingredients, put it back.

4. Crack An Egg

Eggs are one of the richest – and cheapest – sources of protein. Plus, they take little time to prepare, so there’s no real excuse for not adding them to your daily diet. Boil them, scramble them, add a little all-natural salsa or spices – you can vary your egg intake to make them interesting enough to eat daily.

5. Powders

Protein powders are meant to supplement your protein, and your caloric intake, so they are frequently favored by bodybuilders who are trying to add muscle. They should never be considered as a meal replacement or as a sole source of protein, but they can add value as a snack, after a workout or before bedtime. Do your research before selecting an all-natural protein powder.

6. Lean Meat

Chicken breast have the market cornered as far as hardcore dieters are concerned. But pork, turkey and lean cuts of beef are also good sources of protein. A few pieces of lean jerky also make a great mid-day snack.

7. Eat Your Veggies

No matter what the season is, there are plenty of vegetables you need to incorporate into your diet to get core protein. Broccoli, potatoes (leave the skin on), brussel sprouts, avocado, asparagus and turnips, as well as a host of other nutrient-rich vegetables should all be added to your shopping list. Explore new and exciting ways to prepare your favorite veggies to make your meals more interesting.

A diet that includes more proteins than carbohydrates will result in better health, stronger muscles and more bone density. There are numerous ways to add more protein to your daily meals, so no excuses.

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Healthy foods that put your metabolism on high speed and help to reduce fat fast, Metabolism provides fuel for our body, consumption of junk food, our body mass is increasing, It’s good to know that certain foods are more useful when it comes to the diet. Metabolic rate depends on your age, slow metabolism leads to the state of frustration and accumulation of fat in your body. Here are the foods that burn fat into your diet.

Apple Cider Vinegar

It is one of the best healthy diet, Apple Cider Vinegar can boost your digestive system, It contains full of nutrients, And it can suppress your appetite, It is one of the organic food that helps to get rid of extra pounds.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are rich in fiber and it is the perfect choice when you want to lose weight. Studies have shown that you can burn many calories, if you opt for whole grain choices like food products. Consumption of whole grains (brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, bulgur, barley, brown bread, oats, rye, etc.) prevents chronic diseases and help to increase life expectancy.

Salmon

It is a very rich source of protein, This one of the healthiest diet for weight lose, that contains Omega-3 fatty acid and low in saturated fats, Consumption of Salmon can reduce your body weight.

Low-fat Milk

It is rich in calcium and vitamin D,Low-fat dairy is a healthy alternative when you’re on a diet.

Green Tea

This tea contains a compound called EGCG and catechins, which speed up metabolism. Powerful natural antioxidant, green tea is famous for boosting the immune system, That can improve your memory, Daily 3 to 4 cups Consumption of green tea can help to reduce Bad LDL cholesterol levels in your body.

Chilli

It is a healthy potential diet for you, it contains capsaicin, a substance that helps you burn calories more easily. And a bonus, capsaicin can help prevent metabolic decline with age, According to the British Journal of Nutrition, who eat chilli-spiked foods they eat less at subsequent meals.

Coffee

Coffee can shift your metabolism into high gear, maybe you did not expect this product to be included in the charts, but according to the researchers, coffee drinkers have higher metabolic rates by 16% than those who drink decaffeinated coffee. Black liquor has some undeniable advantages for health. So you need to know that a cup of coffee can increase the ability to do exercise due to its energizing effect that it has on the body. Also prevents muscle fatigue. It is the largest source of antioxidants.

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If you want to lose weight, you will need to find a balance between consumption of calories and food intake. Foods here literally melt fat while you chew, slowing metabolism, Fortunately there are plenty of good alternatives, you can do to increase your metabolic rate to burn fat at an optimal level, here is the list of fat burning foods for your healthy diet.

Green Tea

Many Studies have shown that regular consumption of green tea can boost moderate weight loss. It contains catechins (antioxidants) , which can fight against free radicals and promotes cellular health. A cup of green tea contains between 50 and 100 milligrams of catechins. Experts recommend drinking about 5 cups of green tea every day that helps to reduce fat around the belly. and provides a significant amount of antioxidants.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Foods containing omega 3 fatty acids, (walnuts, flax seeds, Sardines and Salmon), Daily intake of Omega 3 fatty acids found in (fatty fish, meat) that can help you lose weight, The researchers argue that the Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats that can encourage fat oxidation, but that regular exercise are required to strengthen this benefit. Studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce body fat.

Pomegranate

Both pomegranate and pomegranate juices, helpful in reducing body fat. Meanwhile, pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties, that can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Some recent studies have found that intake of pomegranate prevents obesity and diabetes.

Chilli

Hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin. Capsaicin can reduce your appetite and that can boost your metabolism, but only for a short period of time. In fact that people need to consume a smaller amount of a spicy preparation foods.

Orange

This fruit contains a huge amount of Vitamin C, oranges has a high potential to burn fat. It is rich in fiber, which helps to improve your digestive health, As a result, you can burn more calories. They have the same beneficial effect and other citrus fruits such as lemons or limes.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is not only a miracle food for your health. However, it can help people who want to lose weight because it is a low calorie fruit and gives the feeling of fullness for longer, after consumed. It contains a huge amount of fiber. Drink half a glass of grapefruit juice before meals that helps to get rid of fat storage around the belly.

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