Pistachios of the Sea (Lotus Nut)

“Let food be your medicine.” Hippocrates

Lotus is a very much appreciated plant in South East Asia and Asia. I ate fresh seeds of this flower for the first time in Thailand and I liked it as a healthy snack that tasted like something between green pea and lima bean.  They grow in water in Asia, North of Colombia and North of Iran and actually the name pistachio of the sea is a translation of its persian name, Pesteh daryayee (پسته دریایی ). In the US you can find these seeds in form of dried, candied, or paste in international grocery stores or Asian markets. You can soak the dry nuts and make a nice soup as people do in China and Thailand or use the paste in pastries like Chinese and Japanese do. In China also use this seed for not only its nutritional values, but also for its believed healing benefits. In Myanmar talented people use the delicate treads that they find in the stem of this plant to make shawls. Lotus seeds have protein, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and anti aging enzymes. It is believed that these seeds are beneficial for your health in general and for spleen specifically. Chinese use this seed to heal insomnia, restlessness, upset stomach & diarrhea, urinary infection, and sexual disorders.

“Let’s always eat and drink healthful food and beverages and do it in moderation.” Dr. Sii

 

Organic Guava

“Let food be your medicine.” Hippocrates

Guava is an exotic and magical fruit. It is tropical and very common in Asia and Caribbean, but you can also find it in grocery stores in the US, specially in international neighborhoods. It is a healthful and satisfying snack and fruit. I ate this fruit for the first time in Thailand. My friend, who had organic guava orchard, like other Thai used to served guava dipped in mixture of sugar and chili and gave me delicious guava juice. Guava is known for it’s oxymoron benefits. It is good for both diarrhea and constipation, because it has vitamin C, carotenoid, potassium, astringents (makes your tissues tight), and fiber that can strengthen, ton, and disinfect digestive system.  Healthy digestive system is one of the main factors in health maintenance, which can be accessible by eating this fruit. Guava is good for both losing and gaining weight depend on which one you need and that is because Guava balances your metabolism through good supply of copper, which regulates thyroid hormones. So by eating this fruit if you are thin, you gain and if you are chubby, you lose. Guava is also used for reducing cough and cold when it is unripe and it is not good for cough and cold when is ripe. It can reduce cholesterol and lower high blood pressure and is good for eye health because of its vitamin A and for brain and skin because of its vitamin B and astringents . It has a lot of protein, vitamins such as vitamin A, B, and C, minerals such as copper and iron, and antioxidants that can help preventing the growth of cancer sells, specially prostate, breast, and oral cancers. Guava has so many other health benefits and like apple they can keep doctors away 🙂

“Let’s always eat and drink healthful food and beverages and do it in moderation.” Dr. Sii

Steamed Organic Peanut

“Let food be your medicine.” Hippocrates

Peanut, which is considered a low calorie nut originated from South America has been around the world for centuries, but it became popular in the US since 19th century and now it is a main ingredient in the food industry. You can use it raw and half mature, which is greenish or raw and mature, which is yellow and dry. The green is steamed and the dry is soaked over night and then can be steamed. The dry peanuts can be turned into peanut butter by processing it in food processor all by itself till it turns into peanut butter. They also can be roasted.  Peanuts have a lot of health benefits because they contain monounsaturated fat, a form of fat that is good for your heart, fiber, and antioxidants (including the kind of antioxidant that is in red grapes and red wine). Peanuts also are good source of vitamins such as vitamin E, B3, and folate and source of protein and magnesium. Therefore they are good for reducing the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, gall stone, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, controlling appetite, and preventing constipation and digestive problems. However steamed peanuts have less oil and calories and have four times more antioxidant than roasted peanuts. But the roasted peanut is safer in regards to fungus, which is poisonous. See, there are two things that you have to watch when it comes to peanuts. First is allergies even allergies to other things, because peanuts are considered as allergen and some allergies have cross reactions. Second, you have to make sure that peanuts are kept in cool and dry places and they don’t have cracks and dark spots and they are dry and heavy. When you are safe with these two, then enjoy them in peanut butter sandwich with jelly, honey, raisin, apple slices, or pear slices. Also enjoy them chopped on your salads and Asian cuisine, in ice cream and cookies and much more. Since I tried steamed peanut in Thailand for the first time, I enjoy it the most.

“Let’s always eat and drink healthful food and beverages and do it in moderation.” Dr. Sii