Turmeric

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and is a native of tropical South Asia.

My first encounter with turmeric was as a spice to flavor our food. In Ilonggo, it is known as 'kalawag'. This is mostly use in cooking valenciana which is usually served during special occasions like birthdays and fiestas.

Recently, this comes in powder form which is capsulized and sold as herbal medicine. Studies have now shown the medicinal attributes of turmeric.

Let me just state the highlights http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78

A Potent, Yet Safe Anti-Inflammatory

An Effective Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Help for Cystic Fibrosis Sufferers

Cancer Prevention

Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Metastases

Turmeric and Onions May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Turmeric Teams Up with Cauliflower to Halt Prostate Cancer

Reduce Risk of Childhood Leukemia

Improved Liver Function

Cardiovascular Protection

How Turmeric Lowers Cholesterol

Protection against Alzheimer's Disease

Curcumin Crosses Blood-Brain Barrier, May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Turmeric Boosts Amyloid Plaque Clearance in Human Alzheimer's Patients

Having read all those statement above, it is enough for me to prepare my turmeric tea by dropping a few slices of turmeric in 2-3 cups boiling water. Put out fire and let steep. In a few minutes you will have your freshly brewed turmeric tea.

My expectations proved me wrong. I was expecting a bitter taste. But no! it has a mild sweet flavor. Make your own brew and make your own statement.

a turmeric plant

someone is looking for the turmeric near the roots where they grow

see the turmeric?

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

To learn more about turmeric, click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric

Bacolod Local Tours

BACOLOD CITY TOUR

Experience Bacolod city thru its sights, church & museum.

Duration: 4 hours

Schedule: 8am to 12nn/1pm to 5pm

Rate: P1,400 per pax

Inclusions:

1. Aircon vehicle throughout the tour.

2. DOT Accredited Tour Guide

3. Entrance fees to all places indicated

4. Tour coordination to all destinations.

Tour will run with a minimum of 6pax.  Rate would vary depending on the number of persons.

HERITAGE & CULTURAL TOUR

Step into the homes of the hacienderos and now tourist landmarks.

Learn about the lifestyle of the sugarcane farm owners during those times.

Duration: 4 hours

Schedule: 8am to 12nn/1pm to 5pm

Rate: P1,500.00

Inclusions:

1. Aircon vehicle throughout the tour.

2. DOT Accredited Tour Guide

3. Entrance fees to all places indicated

4. Tour coordination to all destinations.

Tour will run with a minimum of 6pax Rate would vary depending on the number of persons.

ORGANIC FARM TOURS

Learn more about organic way of living.

Visit an integrated demo farm.

Observe the process of silk making and experience mulberry picking.

Duration: 4 hours

Schedule: 8am to 12nn/1pm-5pm

Rate: P1,500.00

Inclusions:

1. Aircon vehicle throughout the tour.

2. DOT Accredited Tour Guide

3. Entrance fees to all places indicated

4. Tour coordination to all destinations.

Tour will run with a minimum of 6 pax. Rate would vary depending on the number of persons.

Tours can be customized for your preference.

Contact: 0917 3000060

viajenegrense@gmail.com

updated Feb. 3, 2013

Passion Fruit

This was first introduced to me while we were in a farm in Escalante, Negros Occ. We were walking down and came across this tree. A young man went up and got some for us. And, ooohhhhh, I so fell in love with it. If you see the cross-section cut of it below, you might not like its sight. But it's really so good.

You could feel its grimy seeds as you chew its succulent flesh.

For the health benefits of passion fruit, pls click this link

http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Passion-Fruit

and the juice is just so refreshingly good!

Cheers, Artie!

For more details, pls visit >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_edulis

Na'nam, a Feast of Negrense Flavors

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO), the lead food and hospitality organization in Negros Occidental, plays an active role in supporting the growth of the industry in the province.

Now on its 6^th year, HRANO will hold the Food Industry Exhibition & Symposium for Trade Advancement or FIESTA BACOLOD 2011 with the theme “HRANO GOING GREEN” on March 3 to 5, 2011 at Robinsons Place Bacolod. We have lined up exciting events for everyone such as culinary competitions for students and open categories, symposiums with experts related to the theme. A series of cooking and product demos will be held as well as a trade exhibit to be participated in by major industry and allied partners to showcase their latest products, equipment and kitchen tools.

In order to promote our Negrense cuisine by using local common ingredients in our dishes, HRANO came up with a unique competition using basic ingredients such as ubad, takway, kadyos and tugabang.

GUIDELINES:

1. Choose one of the following as your main ingredient:

• Ubad
• Takway
• Kadyos
• Tugabang

2. Create a dish that will highlight the main ingredient using only Philippine grown and processed ingredients. Chicken, pork or beef may be added to enhance the flavor of the dish.

3. All entries should be submitted together with the recipes during the Elimination Date on February 18, 2011 at 2pm at Aboy’s Restaurant.

PRE-ELIMINATION BRIEFING

1. Briefing of contestants shall be on February 15, 2011 at 2pm at Aboy’s Restaurant.
2. Deadline of submission of Registration Forms, Registration Fees and the Recipe.

ELIMINATION PERIOD

1. Submission of the following:
Registration Forms (available at Aboy’s, Bob’s Café, Business Inn)
Registration Fee – P100
Recipe – printed in 8”x11” bond paper

2. Presentation of entry

3. Judging would be based on the following criteria:
Taste and use of main ingredient 50%
Presentation 30%

Cooking Techniques 20%

4. Only the top 5 entries would qualify as finalists.

FINALS

1. All finalists will cook their entry on the competition day slated on March 5, 2011 at the competition area at Robinsons Place Bacolod.

2. Each finalist will be composed of two members.

3. Each finalist shall be given one (1) hour to cook their dish.

4. All ingredients may be cut-up, marinated or prepared ahead of the competition proper.

5. No pre-cooking is allowed.

6. All garnishings should be edible.

7. Use of undeclared ingredient in the final competition shall be grounds for disqualification.

8. Judging would be based on the following criteria:

• Taste and use of main ingredient 50%
• Presentation 20%
• Cooking Technique 10%
• Professionalism 10%
• Handling & Hygiene 10%

9. First Prize – P 5000

Second Prize – P 3000
Third Priz – P 1000

10. Judges’ decision is final.

FIESTA BACOLOD 2011

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occ (HRANO), the lead food and hospitality organization in Negros Occ., hosts the FOOD INDUSTRY EXHIBITION & SYMPOSIUM FOR TRADE ADVANCEMENT or FIESTA BACOLOD 2011 on March 3 to 5, 2011 at Robinsons Place Bacolod.



Lined up are exciting events for everyone such as:

• culinary competitions for students and open categories,
• symposiums with experts from the hospitality industry
• a series of cooking and product demos
• trade exhibit (latest products & equipment)

Day 1 March 3, 2011

1000 Opening of Exhibit (Robinsons Place)
1130 Members' Luncheon

1430 Talk by Ms. Len Sedilla on Sales & Mktg.
Talk by Ms. Len Sedilla on Customer Relations

Day 2 March 4, 2011

1000 Competition
Table Setting
Cake Decoration
Fruit & Vegetable Carving
1330 Chef’s War Elim

Day 3 March 5, 2011

1000 Bar Tending
Chef’s War Students
Chef’s War Open
1500 Awarding of Winners

Everyone is invited, but ....
Who should attend?

• Hotel, restaurant & resort owners and Practitioners
• Students in the Tourism & Hospitality Fields
• Caterers
• Food enthusiasts

watch out for more details......