Are you a health conscious, but can’t refuse the craving for a bite of a delicious dessert? Are you avoiding high-calorie foods? Well, not all desserts are bad for your health. Some can be delicious. Some can be nutritious. And some can be both delicious and nutritious (a great example is sesame seeds). Just take everything in moderation. Lifestyle habits can be the key to managing one’s health. In Asia, the secret for their long life expectancies may lie in their diets.

Ever heard of ‘Ginkgo biloba’? This plant is native to China and has various uses in traditional medicine and as a source of food. Ginkgo nuts are known to improve blood circulation, enhance memory and prevent damage from free-radicals. Free radicals are toxic molecules in our body. It can be found in the food that we eat, the drugs or medicines we take, the air we breathe and the water we drink as well. These substances include fried foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke, pesticides, air pollutants, and many more.

On the other hand, barley is one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is a wonderfully functional cereal grain with a rich nutlike flavor and an appealing chewy, pasta-like consistency. It is an excellent source of fiber which keeps the body toxin-free. Some of its health benefits are the following; (1)It keeps colon and intestines healthy, (2) defends against gallstones, (3) prevents osteoporosis, (4) supports immune system, (5) preserves skin elasticity, (6) controls blood cholesterol levels, (7) manages diabetes, (8) prevents heart disease and cancer, (8) protects against atherosclerosis, and (8) prevents asthma.

Ginkgo Barley dessert can be served hot or chilled. This dessert tastes light and nourishing. It is also really easy to make. If you are curious about some of its ingredients, then here they are pearl barley, water, pandan leaves, dried bean curd sheets, bicarbonate soda, fresh ginkgo nuts, eggs, quail eggs, rock sugar, and some other secret ingredients. Aren’t these ingredients, healthy? These are some basic procedures on how to cook it. First, crack open the gingko nut shells with a mortar & pestle and soak in water. Remove the skin with a toothpick and split the nuts into half. Remove the tiny stem inside the nuts. This is bitter and some say it’s poisonous though it’s not verified yet. To keep the nuts whole, insert a toothpick to tap out the dirt in the center of the “fat” part of the nut. You can prepare this step a day earlier. Second, soak half the portion bean curd sheets in a large bowl of water with 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda till soft, for about 30 minutes. Throw away water and rinse well in a colander under running water. If not using bicarbonate soda, just immerse it in water till soft, about 5-10 minutes and rinse well and drain. Third, put the prepared soy bean curd sheets, the fresh gingko nuts and the water in a pot, then boil for 30 minutes over medium heat. Fourth, add barley and pandan leaves, bring to a boil, then warm for about 30 minutes or until the barley becomes soft. The soup should be similar to soybean milk. If you did not use bicarbonate soda, the soybean sheets would just look broken and the soup would look clear. Stir a few times while cooking. Fifth, once the barley is bloated and gingko nuts have softened, add rock sugar to taste. Discard pandan leaves. Sixth, when the sugar is fully dissolved, stir in the beaten eggs to make egg ribbons over medium heat. Finally, add in the shelled hard boiled quail eggs. Serve hot or chilled.

Happy Eating, Healthy Living!

The Sesame seeds can be described as “small but terrible”. Being literally tiny, which is about 2 mm wide by 3-4 mm long with the thickness of 1 mm, with the weight about 20-40 mg. This undeniably small seeds should never be despised for they have massive and terrific health welfares. Here is a list of health gains of sesame seeds.

Filled with Great Protein – Twenty percent of sesame seeds is made up of protein; per ounce of these seeds have almost 5 grams of protein.

Stop the Risks of Diabetes – Sesame oil is proven to help stop diabetes; while for those suffering hypertensive diabetics, it will increase plasma glucose. This wondrous sesame seeds comprised many nutrients like magnesium.

Moderates Blood Pressure – As mentioned above; these sesame seeds are rich in magnesium, which can decrease one’s blood pressure (the same study on how sesame oil aids diabetes).

Gets the Cholesterol Level Low – Phytosterols is a nutrient that can hinder the production of cholesterol in one’s body. This is present in sesame seeds (especially the black sesame seeds), so it helps decrease the level of cholesterol.

Digestion-Friendly – A sesame seed has a very great content of fiber that will naturally assist the intestines to function well.

Smoothens the Skin – According to research, a constant use of sesame oil can help prevent in developing skin cancer. Sesame seeds have a high degree content of zinc that helps in collagen production. Also, good for baby’s delicate skin and can treat skin rashes.

Makes Heart Healthier – Sesame oil has sesamol; an anti – inflammatory element with antioxidant that can block the atherosclerotic lesions, that may lead to a worse heart problem.

Inhibits Cancer – Magnesium, phytic acid as well as phytosterols (found much higher in sesame than other nuts and seeds), are all anti-cancer compounds that are highly contained in sesame seeds.

Reliefs Anxiety – Calcium and magnesium are stress-relieving components found in sesame seeds. Besides these minerals, sesame seeds also have thiamin and tryptophan that create serotonin (for good sleep, nice mood and being calm).

Lessens Anemia – Weakness is the main side effects of anemia; sesame seeds, particularly the black one are very rich in Iron, a mineral that fights against anemia.

Shields from DNA’s Radiation Damage – Sesame seeds have sesamol, that will protect the destruction of DNA due to radiation.

Let go Arthritis – The body needs the supply of copper for a stronger bones and joints; it is all the way found in the amazing seeds of Sesame.

Guards Your Liver – The Kernels of sesame are a great support for a healthier liver as it shields the liver from the effect of alcohol.

Prohibits Wrinkle Development – The skin is damaged due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, it will be prevented by the use of sesame oil, and you will certainly get a wrinkle free and healthy skin-color.

Boosts Healthy Bones – Having a handful of sesame kernels has a higher calcium content than a glass of water. The zinc present in these seeds can also increase bone mineral mass.

Great Dental Health – The practice of oil pulling (of course with the use of sesame oil), has been practiced for a very long time. This method is believed to whiten your teeth and decrease dental plaque.

With so many benefits, this is why we use sesame seeds as our signature dessert!

Are you a Dessert Lover?

In any special ceremony, you will surely see these, displayed at the banquet. Desserts are simply irresistible. Food industry (like those who are selling great desserts) become a subject of business for small and big entrepreneurs all over the globe. Eating dessert may not require any specific reason, for you can have all the motives to digest one. You can avail these sweets during parties, weddings, holidays, birthdays and or even without any special assembly. Hundreds and more about desserts have been created, reinvented and developed over time; it is not just considered timeless but also universal. More and more people do desire about their ever beloved desserts. But why do people fall in love with these sweets all over again? Is it simply to satisfy their cravings? Or, there are deeper and probably other better reasons behind.

Here is a simple list of positive things one can gain in indulging in dessert.

Builds Relationship

People are relational being, therefore linking to others is very vital, without connection there will no healthy interaction. Desserts are commonly served as a snack at meetings and conferences. This is of course not only limited in a company setting but in a small group gathering.

Brings Great Aura/Mood

There are times when you are bombarded with stress and pressures in life like in work or school. Desserts can be your buddy while eating it will send some signals to your brain that will reduce your high emotion and minimize stress. In this way, you will have a positive energy all throughout the day.

Can Be Served with Breakfast menu

It may sound non-realistic, but according to a study, having dessert together with your breakfast menu can lose one’s weight. It is believed; that this will make you less hungry for the whole day. So, this fact will surely change your assumption about when is the right time to eat your favorite sweets.

Makes Life More Enjoyable

As the common life quote says, “Live to the fullest”. In eating dessert, one will get an instant delight that is simply indescribable. This joyful feeling will unconsciously or consciously add a meaning to your life, and you will surely enjoy a lot more.

Teach You to Share and Care More

When you are happy, you can’t simply keep it yourself, but share with others. If dessert can give you pleasure, it would be better if you consume them with others (your love ones, friends, family and even colleagues). And, they too will be glad and certainly follow a good example.