A Stronger Immune System This Christmas

With the end of Thanksgiving, everyone is now bracing for the coming of further holidays, like Christmas and New Year. This only means we have only a few days left to prepare everything - from our itineraries in going home to the presents we need to buy for loved ones. With the cold winter air, snow arriving earlier this year and increased stress levels with all the activities, everyone will surely be susceptible to feeling weak, or worse, getting sick. You better stock up on vitamin and herbal supplements like American ginseng to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong enough to keep with the hectic season.

So, one of the keys to keeping sane and stress-free health-wise is to keep your immune system in check. Since Christmas is also related to lots of eating, you might want to see if these foods are included in your menu. Consuming this stuff are said to boost your immune system. 

 

Oats

These are whole grains that are good for the body.  It contains beta-glucan which is a type of fiber that has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  It helps speed up wound healing, boosts immunity and it aids antibiotics to be more effective when taken.

Chicken soup

This is said to be the cure-all and the best cure for bodies that are feeling under the weather. Studies have shown that it blocked the migration of inflammatory white blood cells.  The amino acid cysteine, which is released from cooked chickens closely resemble a bronchitis drug.  The salty broth thins out the mucus which cough syrups also do.  For a more immunity-powered soup, you can add more spices and herbs.

Garlic

This relative of the onion has potent antibacterial properties. Its active ingredient, allicin, is the reason why it this plant is very effective in fighting the common cold. There are a lot of studies that have come out proving the effectiveness of this plant. 

Sweet potatoes

This root crop is essential in keeping our body’s largest organ, the skin, to be in tiptop shape.  Vitamin A has a pivotal role in the production of connective tissues which is the key component of our skin. This beta-carotene rich root crop is one way to increase Vitamin A consumption.

Mushrooms

This has been used by people for centuries to help boost the immune system. They help increase the production and activity of white blood cells which is a key component in beefing the body’s immune system.

American ginseng

This is already a proven herb that has a lot of medicinal properties including helping to boost the body’s immune system. The ginsenosides that it has in its roots are the reason why this is miracle herb that a lot of people are now appreciating.

Be ready in coping with the stressful holiday season and emerge healthier than ever, thanks to these foods. Make sure to have some American ginseng tea as well, as it doesn’t only help your immune system, but it also makes you less stressed and more calm and energetic.

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A Gout-less Christmas

During the holidays, we tend to do three things: shop for presents, party ‘til we drop, and eat anything like there’s no tomorrow. But then, while eating with abandon is supposed to be in tune with the spirit of the season, extra caution should be exercised. After all, some kinds of food may be dangerous to your health. So, as much as you would like to binge on some yummy goodies at every dinner you eat from now until New Year’s it would be more advisable to have a cup of American ginseng tea to keep your metabolism in check.

Moreover, eating too much of some things can, at worse, cause diseases. One of the conditions that can be aggravated with consumption of some kinds of food is gout. Simply put, gout is a kind of arthritis that causes painful inflammation in some joints.

For gout sufferers, here are some kinds of food that you should avoid during these festive holidays:

Herring

You in all instances refrain from ingesting a lot of this food because of its severe high-purine levels.  This is the reason why you should definitely avoid this kind of food. Its high purine levels will dramatically increase your risk for gout. 

Scallops

Seafood is on top of the list for those foods that should be avoided by those suffering from gout.  Scallops are another kind of food that has high levels of purine.  It is the accumulation of uric acid that makes your body suffers from gout.  It’s not necessary to cut this off from one’s diet but consumption should be kept to a minimum level.

Red meat

Although taken in small quantities, red meat is alright to consume by people suffering from gout. But if given the choice, white meat is the better option for your body’s daily protein requirements. 

Asparagus

This is one vegetable that has high purine levels so this should be taken in minimum quantities. Taking in American ginseng can help control uric acid levels.

Liver

Organs like liver, kidneys and other offal’s are a no-no for people suffering from gout because it can increase uric acid levels in the body.

Beer

Beer should be crossed out from the list of drinks because it increases the body’s uric acid levels and the alcohol in the beer makes it difficult for the body to flush it out from the body. 

Soda

Drinks that are high in sugar is a no-no, especially those that have HFCS or high fructose corn syrup listed as one of its ingredients. The sugar will help stimulate the body to produce more uric acid so downing in a can of soda will definitely increase its levels right away.

Ultimately, gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Thus, stay away from foods that contain uric acid, as well as sugar. If you can’t avoid them, try supplements like American ginseng.

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Keeping Healthy With Good Cholesterol

When we hear the word cholesterol, we are immediately put off and get disgusted because it is often associated with sickness and diseases.  A lot of people are suffering from health problems because of the high cholesterol levels in their blood.   We conjure images of fats, blocked arteries, people getting stroke and heart attacks with cholesterol. But then, the truth of the matter is that not all cholesterol is bad cholesterol. In fact, there is a good kind of cholesterol that brings benefits to your body when taken. Besides, as for bad cholesterol, even if you take it, you can actually control its levels. For example, American ginseng can help you regulate the levels of LDL, or the so-called “bad cholesterol” in your body, thus creating a balance needed for you to properly function and avoid those diseases.

Credits: Body Building

There are things that you can do to help increase your “good cholesterol” and lower your “bad cholesterol.”  It is just a matter of keeping a balance with your activities and lifestyle and most importantly, maintaining a healthy diet.  Diet plays a very important role in maintaining higher levels of good cholesterol because it is in food where we get most of the cholesterol that goes into our bodies. A diet rich in bad cholesterol without the balance of good cholesterol, as previously mentioned, can do a lot of damage to your body. These proteins can get stuck in your blood vessels, producing a plaque that narrows down the passageways for your blood. Thus, when these cholesterol deposits build up dramatically and cover entire areas of your veins or arteries, your heart would need to work double time to pump blood and keep it circulating. Moreover, when there’s no more space for the blood to pass through, like a water pipe that’s pressured with too much water, the veins and arteries connected to your heart will just burst, and yes, this is deadly.

Thus, there is a need to watch what you eat, including taking in supplements like American ginseng.  This is especially necessary for some people who need to cope up with their cholesterol levels because they have a hard time controlling their food intake.  The goal here is to increase the HDL (the “good cholesterol”) levels or high density lipoproteins in your body. HDL helps in absorbing the excess bad cholesterol and in bringing them to the liver so that they can be broken down properly and expelled out of the body.

Reducing the risk of heart diseases does not only entail lowering the LDL or low density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol but more so increase the HDL levels by eating foods rich in this. Aside from taking in American ginseng, drinking  pure orange juice, eating whole grains, nuts like almonds, walnuts and pistachios, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and halibut and using olive oil can definitely help. 

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Lower Calories but Delicious Food

When people diet, there is one idea that they always entertain: shun food.  They figure that since the cause of having weight is the calories in food is food, it would be wise then to not eat.  But is this really the wise way to shed unwanted pounds?  It does sound very dangerous! Besides, the juiciness of a steak, the smell of coffee, the tangy flavor of Torani syrups – are those the things you really want to give up?

Starving to attain a certain weight is not only dangerous, but very illogical as well.  A person cannot function properly without food.  Thus starving is just one very stupid manner to lose weight, unless a person plans to be a vegetable while dieting.

So, how can one lose the unwanted pounds without going to the extreme?  There are a number of ways, but a dieter should remember that going to the extreme never is the way to go.  Lose the calories keep the food is one nifty and very logical advice when it comes to losing weight. 

By keeping the food while losing only the unnecessary calories, the dieter is assured of staying healthy while keeping unwanted pounds away.  Here are three tips on how to achieve the decision to lose the calories keep the food:

1)      A dieter should be able to monitor their activities daily and be able to know how many calories they use.  By knowing how many calories they burn, they would be able to know how many calories they would need from its only source: food! 

2)       They should be able to formulate a menu with foods that if they total their calorie content, would be lower than the total number of calories that they use.  That way, no extra calories will be left in the body to be stored as fat.

Moreover, whatever fats are stored in the body will be utilized for the body’s activities.  Now that the dieter knows how many calories they need in daily activities, for example, 5,000 calories, subtract 500.  They will thus only need 4500 calories from food.  

The dieter’s body would then be in a calorie deficit, which would of course, trigger weight loss.  It’s simple mathematics really, but make sure that the deficit created will not be too huge that it will lead to starvation again!

3)      So that the body will not feel deprived that it will only receive fewer calories, the dieter can cheat his or her body by spreading out the 2,500 calories in 6 small meals.  Metabolism will speed up and the body will not like eating excessively anymore.

See? There really is no need to starve just so that one will lose weight.  Lose the calories keep the food works on the simple logic of how the body works.  You can have a lot of flavor without having to gorge just by substituting actual calories with the exact flavor, like in the case of suing Torani syrups. Starving could only work for the most limited of time and will only cause the body of the dieter to eventually malfunction.

After all, there is simply no logic in starving.  The human body needs fuel to function well.  This fuel can only be provided by a combination of oxygen, water and calories from none other than food.  The dieter just has to make sure that his or her calories come from nutritious food sources.  

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The Money’s on the Bean

There are really no special tricks when choosing an espresso bean. After all, espresso beans are not really different from ‘ordinary coffee beans.’ There’s no way of identifying beans that are exclusively for espresso, just like there’s no way of identifying flavour from Torani syrups and flavour of “real” ingredients.” There are no specific beans that are only available exclusively for espresso making, although there are those that result to better espresso shots than others. These beans for espresso are simply those that have undergone a specific pressing method so that they would produce espresso. In most cases, the beans are roasted to reach a darker color, which usually equates to a more bitter taste once they will be pressed for espresso.

As there is no instant or specific beans for espresso, choosing an espresso bean can be a bit of a challenge. But, knowing some simple points to selecting them will guarantee finding the best bean to result in a fine shot of espresso. 

The first factor is flavor. As indicated earlier, although people have grown fond of using the term ‘espresso bean,’ there is no such specific thing. That is because any coffee bean can be made into espresso. However, the espresso maker should think about the flavour of the espresso that will result in using a particular coffee bean. For coffee connoisseurs, the best shot of espresso is bitter – the more bitter it is, the better. Thus, the ideal bean to choose for espresso would be one that can be roasted darkly.

But for those who are not that fond of a bitter flavor for their espresso shot, a more subtle flavor produced by a lighter roast is the option. Just remember: The color of the coffee roast determines the resulting flavor, of the espresso, and the darker the roast is, the more bitter the resulting espresso is. Again, espresso can be produced from any coffee bean.  

The strength of the espresso is different from its flavour, although the two factors can be related. For those choosing an espresso bean, the next question after deciding how bitter they want their espresso to be is how strong they want it to be. Various coffee beans contain different levels of caffeine. The more caffeine is contained in a coffee bean, the more caffeine there will be in the espresso. Caffeine levels determine how strong any coffee drink is, so those who want a stronger espresso should choose beans with high levels of caffeine.

People drinking espresso should also remember that espresso comes in shots, so those who want more powerful espresso-infused drinks should either add extra shots or just stick to one shot but made from ‘stronger’ beans.  For those who want just a slight kick, you can always add flavour to your espresso with a shot of Torani syrups to soften the bitterness. 

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The Salty Sweetness of Torani's Salted Caramel Syrup

Torani syrup is one brand known all over the food service industry.   Everywhere you go, people are able to recognize its logo and bottles as the syrups being used by coffee shops to add flavor to their coffee and non-coffee based drinks.  This brand is equally famous in the dessert and pastry industry because of its versatility.  It can be added to desserts for that additional layer of flavor that will make every morsel delectable and decadent.

credits: Faithful Provisions

One of the more famous flavors of this brand is the Salted Caramel syrup.  It comes in regular and sugar-free variants.  Both have the same caramel taste reminiscent of the soft caramel chews that you always had when you were a kid. It is accented by salty bits of salt.  Of course, this is syrup is often used to flavor coffees and lattes.  Be it hot or cold, you are sure to enjoy the rich buttery goodness in every sip of the coffee beverage. It can also be used to make Italian soda.  Aside from drinks, it can also be added to desserts.  The syrup can be used to flavor a butter cream frosting which is a perfect topping for dark chocolate cupcakes.  What you do is to add a few tablespoons of the syrup to the butter cream mixture before its final beating to incorporate the salted caramel flavor.

Here is one delectable salted caramel dessert that you may want to consider especially this coming Halloween:

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Sweet Fudge Squares:

A medium can of sweetened condensed milk

½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup Torani salted caramel syrup

125 g butter

180 g finely chopped white chocolate

1 tsp sea salt flakes

• First grease a 20 cm square baking pan. Use baking paper to line the sides and base of the pan, and leave around 2 centimeters to hang by the sides.
• Combine sugar, butter, and Torani syrup in a saucepan and heat. Stir for 10 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture has a glossy appearance. Do not allow to boil or caramelize yet.
• Bring the heat to medium-low and stir mixture for another 6 minutes until the mixture becomes thick. Turn the heat off and add in the white chocolate. Stir until the chocolate dissolves.
• Spoon mixture into pan, making sure the top is smooth. Use the back of a wooden ladle or spatula to smoothen the surface. Cover the top with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Then, refrigerate until firm, which will take around six hours.
• Cut the hardened fudge into squares an inch in size. You can use was paper to wrap it to give to trick-or-treating children.

The great news is that Torani syrups are available in most countries so you can easily make your own masterpiece in the kitchen.

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A Tasty Halloween Recipe With Torani

Halloween is just around the corner and preparations should be in full swing.  Torani syrup can make it more special by making them a part of your delicious party foods like sugar cookies shaped like tombstones flavored with gingerbread syrup, or cupcakes with raspberry syrup topped with red colored butter cream.  You can also try out this easy Vanilla Ice Pop which you can dye with red food coloring for that Halloween feel.

credits: Simple Suppers

Fruity Vanilla Yogurt Ice Pops with Torani Syrup

1 cup plain yogurt

2 -3 tsp Vanilla Torani syrup (can use the sugar-free variety)

½ cup fruit of choice, sliced (can use strawberry or raspberry to give it a reddish tint)

Place all the ingredients in a blender. Pulse until the fruit is chopped up to your liking or just whiz everything to make it like a smoothie. The size of the fruit on your ice pop will depend on how much you pulse it.  You may like your smoothie chunky or smooth.  Another option is to add sliced fruit pieces at after blending it smooth so you will get pieces of fruit in you ice pop.

To make it look more like Halloween food, you can add a few drops of red food coloring to deepen the red color from the strawberry or the raspberry.  You can tell your kids that these are bloody yogurt pops for additional scary points.

Pour the blended mixture into ice pop molds and freeze.  You can look for Halloween-themed ice pops for a more thematic food presentation which the kids will enjoy for sure. Just remember that when your want your Halloween menu to be a hit, here are some suggestions:

• Go for colors that are closely related to Halloween.

Igf you want insteant visual appeal for your treats, go for orange, yellow, red, and black – those colors are related to Halloween more than any other colors!

• Make sure your menu includes a lot of sweets.

Halloween is the time for a lot of people (even adults to indulge in their sweet tooth. It doesn’t mean that you can only go with candy to give away for trick or treaters, though. There are cakes, donuts, ice cream, and other sweet concoctions you might want to explore.

• Know who’s eating your food.

If you are preparing for a party with lots of adults, then you may want to add more “solid” elements to your menu, not only candies and sweets. Of course, when there are more children involved, you need to up the ante when it comes to preparing anything sugary, or you might have a disappointed crowd.

• Make your menu fun!

But in the end, it really doesn’t matter if you have an adult crowd or kiddie guests waiting to try your Halloween treats. What’s more important is that you need to inject a lot of fun in your preparations. Halloween is one of those quirky holidays when everyone is allowed to let their hair down and act all in the spirit of fun. So, you don’t need to be all serious. Just go with the flow and all out, and anyone will surely enjoy the food you prepared with Torani syrups!

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Vanilla's Not That Vanilla

Vanilla is one of the more popular flavors when it comes to syrups that are being added to coffee.  We usually hear about it being added to desserts like cakes and pastries.  It’s sweet flavor and scent is the perfect ingredient in this type of cuisine because it enhances that sweetness and the smell of the food. It is common to see Vanilla Torani syrups in coffee shops as it makes their sweet coffee-based concoctions even sweeter.

Most people do not know what a vanilla exactly is.  For them it is a kind of a flavor that is usually white in color and comes in bottles.  For most of us, we associate vanilla with being bland and boring, so much so that we describe someone who is not that exciting as “vanilla.” The immaculately white flavor of things like vanilla ice cream leads us to believe that since it doesn’t have an attention grabbing color, and its flavor is more on the tame side, anything that’s playing on the safe side is vanilla – from the goody-two-shoes friend to the yawn-inducing décor of a minimalist place, for example. But then, vanilla can also be unique in its delicateness, something that is not amiss among the millions of vanilla lovers all over the world. 

credits: Mobile Cuisine

Nowadays, bakers, even the home-based ones, are becoming more aware of the difference in flavor that comes from the real vanilla bean. Vanilla actually comes from an orchid with the genus Vanilla.  It usually comes from the tropical parts of the world where the weather is conducive for the orchid to bear flowers. Popular places where this can be found are Mexico, Tahiti, Madagascar and in Central and South America.   The fruits are dried and this is where the flavors can be extracted.  One recipe that is famous is Vanilla latté wherein milk is added to espresso and a few pumps of vanilla syrup are added to flavor it.

Other famous recipes are not complete without vanilla are Crème Patisserie or Pastry cream as well as pound cakes.  Here is a step-by-step recipe in making Crème Patisserie:

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups milk

3 egg yolks

¼ cup sugar

1/8 cup flour

2 tbsp and 2 tsp cornstarch

2 shots Torani syrup

First, warm the milk over low heat, but only up to the point that it is hot to steam. While waiting for the milk, mix egg yolks, cornstarch, flour, and sugar until you get a smooth mixture.

Add half of the "steaming" milk to the mixture while still whisking it. Then, combine the mixture to the remaining milk in the saucepan, keep on stirring for a couple of minutes until the temperature reads 170F and the consistency is thick.  After removing from heat, add the Torani syrup and chill before using it to fill empty pastry. 

These recipes derive its sweetness and scent from the vanilla syrup.  Adding Vanilla Torani syrup would certainly make these more special. Now, do you still think vanilla’s that boring? Vanilla can be fun and exciting after all!

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Squash It for Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and for sure, parents are already getting stressed on what costume to get for their kid’s annual trick or treat fair.  For those who do not have kids yet, they are stressing out over the Halloween party that they are organizing.  The great news is that drinks would not be a problem as Torani syrup is there to help out in making it more special.

Halloween preparations can be quite stressful especially when you are not so sure on what to do and where to get the much needed supplies. First things first:  aside from the spooky stuff, Halloween is often associated with pumpkin and squash, not just for making jack o’ lanterns but also for the food and drinks.  It is during this time that we get our fill of pumpkin pies, mashed pumpkins, pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin and all kinds of drinks with pumpkin or pumpkin pie spice syrup.  Instead of laboring over the stove for hours, you can get help from flavorings like syrups to make your pumpkin or squash-based food and drinks more flavorful.

Credits: Chicago Now

Torani has several flavors of syrups that you can get to help out in your Halloween preparations.  First up is the pumpkin spice syrup which can be added to coffee or your pumpkin pie.  It can also be added to crème brulee to go with the Halloween theme. 

Here is a recipe to make your pumpkin pie that much special with the special participation of Torani syrups:

• Make sure that you have prepared a pie crust already. This recipe is good to fill a medium sized crust, which usually measures 9 inches in diameter and an inch and a half deep. Give your pie more texture with a layer of crushed pecans to line the bottom of the crust.  

For the filling:

a pound of pumpkin flesh, cut into inch-wide chunks

2 eggs and 1 egg yolk

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp allspice

½ tsp cloves

½ tsp ginger

½ cup brown sugar

10 fl oz double cream

• Steam the pumpkin flesh and put in a sieve to drain out any excess water. Press lightly.
• Whisk eggs with extra yolk in a large bowl. Make sure the egg is whisked thoroughly so that it will not have any chance of getting actually cooked.
• Add spices, sugar, and cream into the bowl. Mix before simmering into a pan.
• Add 2 shots of Torani pumpkin spice syrup and continue mixing until everything is combined thoroughly.
• Add pumpkin flesh and simmer for an additional minute.
• Pour filling into pastry crust and bake at 350F (make sure the oven has been preheated) for 40 minutes.
• Remove pie from the oven if the edges are already puffed and the center is still slightly soft.
• Chill and serve!

Torani syrup is truly versatile as it can be used in preparation of both drinks and food.  This will surely make your party more special and “spooktacular.” 

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Should You Buy Your Own Espresso Machine?

Espresso machines are considered to be a luxury by some, especially those fully automatic ones that cost more than a months’ worth of rent.  But if you are like some other people who value their coffee to the point that they are spending a lot of money in search for that perfect cup of coffee from various coffee shops, then it might be worth buying one and making that perfect cup at home.  After all, there’s something just fulfilling about making the perfect cup of espresso with your own efforts. Moreover, you get to save on a lot of effort as you don’t need to get out of the house just to get a great cup of espresso. Why venture out doors when you can make one yourself in the comforts of home? Besides, with an espresso machine at home, you can even have the freedom to choose which Torani syrup you can add.

If you are the type of person who goes out of his way to buy a tall cup of coffee from the neighborhood coffee shop, then you should consider buying one.  Economically, it will be the cheaper alternative than spending for a cup of coffee every day from the corner coffee shop. You can save on gas as well as you’ll spare yourself from driving to the nearest coffee place.  However, you would have to shell out quite a sum of money at the beginning but your return on investment would be worth it. Aside from saving money, a bag of high quality coffee beans can go a long way.  You can even invite your friends to have coffee in your place and show off your machine and espresso making skills.

Choosing from the models of espresso machines available in the market may be a task, as there are many models with various features and capacities. What you should be mindful is the price of these different models. You wouldn’t want to overspend on a model that has all the bells and whistles when all you actually need is something straightforward. You may end up not using all the features of a high-priced model, which will just make your investment on such a machine pointless.

You can learn how to make those coffee-based espresso concoctions that coffee shops sell.  With all the ingredients on-hand, you can easily make them at home at a fraction of the cost of what you usually spend for it.  The variety of Torani syrup flavors make this all possible. Unless you’re some Hollywood big shot or CEO of a company, you may really want to develop a passion for making espresso so that your machine can really be put to use. Otherwise, you may only be spending a lot of money on something that will just be a showpiece on your kitchen.

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Should You Go for Coffee or Beer?

A lot of people consider coffee as a pick-me-up drink. A really hot coffee, paired with a few pumps of vanilla or chocolate Torani syrup, can really perk anyone up.  This is why a carafe of coffee is a common fixture in meeting rooms where the people can freely have their cup while the discussion is going on.  For people starting their day at the office, getting a cup of joe is necessary, or they might not survive the work day at all.  Even those who are in the graveyard shift need their coffee fix or they run the risk of dozing off while on the job.

They say that the caffeine in coffee is one of the most effective beverages to keep people awake. Not only that, there are also people who claim that coffee helps them let their creative juices flow.  The brain activity jumpstarts once they get a sip of the hot beverage and feeling it flow down their throats after tasting the bitter taste of the beverage. You feel refreshed and focused after drinking but the reality is that caffeine helps in tricking the brain into thinking that you still have energy by blocking the adenosine from the receptors. 

However, there are reports saying that beer is actually more helpful if you want to bring out your creative side. Who would have thought that the beverage that most people consider to be relaxing and would be their favorite drink if they want to unwind can also be something that would perk up one’s creative spirits? According to studies, beer is better if you want to unleash your creative side. Moreover, the studies claim that beer is actually more effective in making its drinkers creative. Beer is supposed to be better than coffee, even with Torani syrups, in helping drinkers conquering creative problem solving tasks as the brain is more open to ideas.

The thing is, drinking too much beer can also cause adverse health problems, so it is important to be drinking beer in moderation, just like being moderate when drinking coffee. Beer still has significant amounts of alcohol. So drinking too much of it can brings various problems from a beer belly to something more serious like liver and kidney problems. Thus, while drinking beer is good for letting those creative juices flow, it is also advised to drink it in moderation.

The bottom line is that if you want to get creative, then beer should be your drink of choice.  However, moderate drinking is advised or you won’t be able to finish the task.  You might get drunk rather than creative, which defeats the entire purpose! Just drink to a point when you feel more carefree and comfortable to share more ideas. On the other hand, to be able to be more focused and be better when planning for the idea to come to life, then a cup of black coffee with Torani syrup would be in order. At least, with coffee, you are sure to not get drunk!

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Looking Deeper Into Diabetes

Millions of Americans today are suffering from diabetes.  With the number of people affected by diabetes seemingly increasing every year, all kinds of treatments have been explored to curb this.  A number of conventional medical treatments have been available, controlling the disease itself, as well as the possible complications that may arise.  Meanwhile other patients afflicted with the disease who have not found success with the conventional methods of treatment seek refuge by trying CAM or complementary and alternative medicine therapies, like using herbs like American ginseng. Most onlookers express a bit of doubt whether these therapies are really as effective as the conventional methods, and if they are safe in the first place.  Let us look into these alternative solutions one by one.

But before looking into them, let’s first look closer into what diabetes is.  Diabetes is a group of diseases and is usually classified into:

• Type 1 diabetes, which usually victimizes young people from children to people below 30 and makes up 5-10% of all diagnosed diabetes cases;

• Type 2 diabetes, which occurs mostly in older people and makes up a huge chunk of diabetes cases;

• Gestational diabetes, a kind of diabetes which can occur to pregnant women.

In a diabetic person, his or her body’s ability to turn food into energy is weakened.  In a normal body, food is broken down into glucose, which serves as fuel for cellular function.  However, diabetic bodies either do not produce enough insulin (a hormone that aids in glucose absorption in cells) or have cells that do not properly respond to insulin.  Glucose gets built up in the blood instead of getting into cells.  Blood with high glucose levels eventually wreak havoc on a number of the body’s organs, including the kidneys, eyes, skin, nerves and blood vessels.  In a good number of cases, patients with diabetes complain of always being tired even just after a short activity. Moreover, patients in the advanced stages of diabetes may result in blindness. This may also cause diabetic shock, which can kill a patient. 

It is thus essential for a diabetic to control his or her blood glucose, levels of cholesterol and blood pressure.  Diabetics usually experience the symptoms of fatigue, excessive thirst and hunger, sudden weight loss, and wounds or sores that take time to heal.   Treatments not classifiable in standard Western medical practice are called complementary and alternative medicine.   Some of the symptoms and the main cause of diabetes may actually be helped with the use of alternative medicine, the most popular of which are herbal cures. Among these medicines that have proven to be not only popular but also quite effective is American ginseng, which has been known to control the levels of blood sugar important in curing diabetes. 

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Treating Diabetes the Alternative Way

For diabetes, here are some of the most common alternative ways of healing, including herbal solutions such as American ginseng:

·         Supplements

Several supplements containing specific elements have been publicized to improve conditions for diabetes.  One such element is chromium.  Several studies have testified to the significant role that chromium plays in benefiting diabetics, although there are no solid recommendations for its precise use.

Another element that has been the center of study in diabetes management is magnesium.  The element is said to play a role in glucose control.  Diabetics who lack magnesium are said to display abnormalities in insulin secretion. 

There’s also vanadium, an element derived from plants.  A number of studies have shown that vanadium enables a diabetic’s body to be more sensitive to insulin. However, as with chromium, recommendations for supplementation have not yet been done.

·         Stacking up on herbs and  vegetables

Diabetics, especially Type 2 ones, have been recommended to include a healthy amount of vegetables such as okra, buckwheat, broccoli, sage, peas and fiber-rich food in their diet.  These vegetables are said to aid in controlling glucose levels in the blood.  Other herbs and veggies such as ginger, garlic ginseng, nettle, American ginseng, and hawthorn have also been looked on, but without concrete results.

·         Weight loss

The link between obesity and excess weight and diabetes has been proven, thus it has been a priority for diabetics to lose excess weight.  Several ways of losing weight include herbs and supplements such as chitosan, pyruvate, Sauropus androgynus, aristolochic acid, skin patch systems and oral sprays.  These methods are supposed to suppress appetite, but no documented evidence has been established.  A number of herbs have been advertised as safe because they are “natural” although some, including Ephedrine have been banned by the USFDA due to a number of side effects. 

·         Hydrotherapy

Otherwise known as “hot tub therapy,” hydrotherapy has been said to reduce levels of blood sugar among type 2 diabetics by as much as 13%.  Although several studies have confirmed this, it is still important for diabetic patients to consult with their physicians before undergoing this method. 

·         Chromotherapy

Another popular alternative method of curing diabetes as well as other diseases is chromotherapy, wherein color bottles are used to let the body find its natural balance.  Each color represents a specific curative property.  For diabetes, the body is said to have a scarcity of oranges and yellows; thus therapy with yellow, green and orange is recommended to be done thrice a day.

In using alternative medicine, it is imperative for both patients and caretakers to bear in mind that conventional medical therapy is not to be replaced with it, especially the methods that have not been proven.  Consultation with a physician should be done before any alternative process be used.  Also, before one uses a herbal supplement in conjunction with conventional medicine, a doctor’s consent must be obtained, as dosages and effects have to be ascertained.  Otherwise, one therapy method may counteract the effects of another and may actually cause a worsening of a patient’s condition.

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Why Herbal Cures are Great for Joint Pains

Joint pains are a common occurrence to people who are considered to be aging.  But we have to take note that this condition can also be experienced by young people. For example, people engaged in too much physical activity through sport, athletic training, or their work may also feel pain in their joints. Would you believe that for some, even diet can aggravate this condition? More than a million people are suffering from this mostly in silence.  They rely on over the counter drug medicines like ibuprofen, naproxen and other anti-inflammatory medicines that help relieve the pain but only for a short while.  However, what we do not know is how it really affects the body.  These drugs may help ease the pain, but their long-term effects are something that we should be aware of.  This is why natural remedies like American ginseng, among other herbs are more recommended.

Going natural when it comes to medication will surely cut down on your costs as well as your intake on chemical-based medicines. Natural remedies like herbs and spices are more likely to be better for you as they have less of the negative long term side effects that are usually related to chemical-based drugs.   These natural remedies help in eliminating the body of the toxins and other metabolic waste products that are present in our body.  These unwanted elements in our bodies are what causes us to be sick, which includes the joint pains that we suffer from. By eliminating these waste products from our bodies, we cleanse ourselves making ourselves feel better.

credits: Wikinut

Herbal cures like American ginseng are usually criticized as nothing more than just fancy folk science remedies that are not really as effective as their synthetic based counterparts. However, it could also be said that you cannot argue with centuries of usage. If these herbal remedies have adverse side effects, then they would have been known for years already, as our ancestors have been using them for such a long time. For this kind of ginseng, Native American tribes have been recorded to use it for curing a good number of ailments, from the common headache to yes, joint pains. Moreover, scientific findings have also backed the claims of these herbal cures. Various studies all around the world have proven that while it is still vastly unknown how these herbs work, it is undeniable that they do have positive effects on patients taking them.

Going natural is what is recommended especially when we want to detoxify our bodies from the harmful toxins. The thing is, a good number of joint pains can also be traced to bacterial and even toxic roots, which luckily can be eliminated through herbal medicine. American ginseng is one herb that you might want to consider when you want to naturally cure yourself of those aches and pains. It is a natural wonder herb that does a lot of good things for the body.  Reach for the natural medication the next time you feel pain and feel the difference. 

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Why Raising Good Cholesterol Levels is Good

Nowadays, people are getting more aware of the importance of maintaining good health, information and supplements are flooding the market. No wonder the health and wellness industry has been on the upswing these days. Spas, gyms, and vitamin supplements have all become multi-million dollar industries with people from all backgrounds – male, female, young, and old all wanting to feel good and healthy.

With these developments, there is also an increase in the awareness of natural herbs like American ginseng and garlic, among others on how they make the body healthy.  Natural cures have gained popularity because they are deemed to be safer than their synthetic counterparts while still achieving the desired effects. As they are naturally occurring in nature, they are said to have less side effects. Of course, since they are supposed to be abundant in nature, they are also deemed to be less costly compared to the same concoctions but have synthetic or lab-prepared ingredients. All in all, studies show that these plants help in lowering the bad elements in our bodies that make us sick.

credits: Eating Well

People who are suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases, taking in supplements is the best way to maintain the good elements in our bodies.  Instead of focusing on lowering the LDLs or bad cholesterol in our bodies, it is best to get to know how to increase the good cholesterol or HDLs.   These HDL particles help in scouring our arteries free of the plaque that are caused by the excess cholesterol in our bodies. When plaque builds up inside our arteries, they prevent the easy flow of blood. With the other parts of the body wanting more oxygen brought by blood, the heart, as the main distributor of blood, would have to work double time. Then, due to fatigue of various organs in the circulatory system, diseases such as cardiac arrest and stroke occur.

credits: Purelifts

Good cholesterol, which is encouraged by the taking of supplements like American ginseng ,act like sweepers that clean out the arteries to help the blood flow more freely.   When we have a high level of HDL in our bodies, we increase the chances of having something to help “clean” our arteries.  With clearer arteries, itself and other parts of the body involved, such as the heart, won’t be as

The risk of suffering from cardiac arrest is lowered when the levels of the HDL in our body is high.  There are studies being made on supplements to help in increasing HDL levels.  If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to go the natural way when taking care of the body.  American ginseng is also found to help in increasing good cholesterol levels in the body.

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What are Paleo Desserts?

Paleo diet is starting to be the rage when it comes to eating healthy.  When you undergo this kind of diet, most processed foods are a no-no.  It is also called a caveman’s diet because it is patterned after how our ancestors ate, who were basically hunter-gatherers.  This was before the conveniences of microwave cooking and canned and frozen TV dinners came to existence.  It is said that it is just not the kind of food that one eats but also the lifestyle that changes when he decides to go on Paleo diet. 

credit: 4Hour Body Zone

Followers of a paleo diet food list should not really have a difficult time sourcing the food that they can eat because they are readily available anywhere.  The paleo diet isn't really that strict in the sense that other kinds of diet are very particular in the way a food is prepared and what ingredients can be included.  The paleo diet food list is pretty much straightforward when it comes to foods that shouldn't be consumed – potatoes, beans, legumes, grains and dairy products are not allowed.  With all the advancements in food technology and preparation, a person following the paleo diet wouldn't really have a hard time following recipes that are not paleo-friendly, since they can just substitute ingredients.

One of the things that you would have to forgo would be sugar and its byproducts.  So you might just have to say goodbye to your favorite coffee drink with a shot of Torani syrup.

However, if you have a sweet tooth, there is no need to fret.  The Paleo diet does have a lot of options and recipes for desserts.   It does not mean that you would have to deprive yourself of satisfying your craving for dessert as there are a lot of available recipes for dessert available.   You can do a bit of research online so that you can get ideas if you would want to try this diet out.

Most people who decided to “go Paleo” usually started out as a necessity for their health concerns.  In this diet, one would have to cut out grains, dairy, legumes and sugars in the food that is taken in. This is perfect for those who are looking for a completely gluten free diet. So if you are one of those that have yet to give up on desserts, here are a few ideas on what Paleo desserts are.

• Mostly fruit based – Paleo diet permits most fruits in the diet.  Fruits that are picked like berries, bananas and apples.  Most fruits are permitted, provided they are organic.

• Spices as flavorings – You would have to be creative in flavoring your desserts as sugar is not permitted in this diet. You can opt to use the sugar-free cinnamon-flavored Torani syrup for your dessert

Sugar-free Torani syrups may be a great option for people following a Paleo diet, especially if they want to consider a cheat day. Not only are they made from natural ingredients, they are also free of sugars!

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What Food Goes Best With Coffee?

Coffee pairing is almost the same as wine pairing wherein you pair the foods that you eat that go best with the wine that you drink.  Most people usually drink coffee with pastries and sweets and anything that is rich in carbohydrates and fat. That is why it is often served after a full course meal together with the dessert. Coffee even that with Torani syrup does a great job of cutting out the sweetness and the richness that is common with desserts.

However, there are also certain foods that can go with coffee which are not necessarily sweet and indulgent.   There are coffee-based drinks and those mixed with Torani syrup that can be taken and paired with savory foods like pasta and main dishes.  This may sound a bit off but the pairing of savory foods and coffee does go well contrary to the belief of most people that it only goes well with desserts.

Here are some of the more famous pairings of food and coffee that a lot of people appreciate and would consider to be the perfect match.

photo credit: Shape

·       Doughnuts – We all know that coffee and doughnuts go well together.  Whatever the kind of doughnut is, plain, jelly stuffed or cream filled, it is indeed a decadent pair.  The pairing of caffeine from the coffee and sugar from the doughnut can provide a person with the energy that he needs. No wonder this combination is a breakfast hit. Policemen are portrayed, at least in the movies and on television, as practically living on a coffee and donut diet. If it works for guys who fight crime, why wouldn’t it work for us, common folk?

·       Muffins – This is another pair that maximizes sugar and caffeine.  It is also a staple breakfast fare for most households. It can be eaten on the go or leisurely during weekends. Some go with partnering breakfast or English muffins with coffee, while others prefer to indulge themselves with sweet desert muffins. Either way, both do taste good with a cup of joe.

·       Pie - This goes great with coffee as the bitterness of the coffee cuts into the richness and sweetness of the pie. This is a staple pairing for a leisurely afternoon snack, and is usually what we get to order in the usual diner. Perhaps, the best pies that would be an excellent companion for coffee are key lime pie, and of course, the classic apple pie.

·       Bacon and eggs – A breakfast with eggs, bacon and coffee is truly fit for a king.  This will surely give you the energy to last the whole day. Some may opt to go for ham and eggs, but the crisp crunch of bacon is still somehow more popular than the combination made popular by Dr. Seuss, only in a green version.

Whatever the time of the day is (except bacon and eggs, if we have to be proper), these foods can be enjoyed with good cup of freshly brewed coffee.

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A Look at Tropical Torani Syrup Flavors

Torani syrup is a famous brand of flavored syrups that is used by most coffee shops all over the world. The variety of available flavors gives the barista freedom to be as creative as he can be when preparing coffee drinks.  Aside from coffee shops, bars and even kitchens also utilize these flavored syrups for added flavor to the dishes and drinks that they prepare. The dessert and beverage flavors you can get by just adding a squirt of syrup is amazing, not to mention endless with a dash of imagination and daring.  

The tropical line of syrups is among the hits that people appreciate with Torani syrup, especially during the summer, if people want to feel like they’re in some vacation, as well as in the cooler months, so they can feel warm even during fall and winter. You need not bring yourself to a tropical island to feel the vibe as the flavors of the syrups should be enough to transport you there. At least, you won’t need to get in a plane, thus saving you a lot of money! These flavored syrups embody the flavors of the tropical islands.  Coconut, guava, lime, orange, and mango are some of the syrups under the Torani line which can give you the tropical flavor that you are in the mood for. If you are looking for serving suggestions for these tropical syrups, read on!

The Torani coconut syrup can be added to piña coladas to give that authentic tropical flavor. Assemble your usual piña coladas. What you need are 2 ounces of pineapple juice, 2 ounces of rhum, and instead of using an ounce and a half of cream of coconut, use only three quarters of an ounce. Add a twist by using the Torani syrup. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice before adding these ingredients, then shake well. Pour into a martini glass with a cherry and a Maraschino cherry for garnishing.

Other flavors can be used for desserts and drinks.  Torani’s mango flavored syrup can be added to drinks or desserts for a truly authentic tropical vibe. Cakes can have a lighter, tropical feel by adding mango syrup instead of piling up one chocolate flavor after another, which can be quite heavy on the taste buds.

Passion fruit syrup is also another favored tropical flavor. Use this syrup on cocktail drinks to add a tropical dimension to rather strong alcoholic flavors. Singapore sling, a popular cocktail can be further tropical-ized with the addition of this passion fruit flavor. Lower the amount of cherry brandy and add a quirt of passion fruit syrup instead. Your cocktail will surely have a more tangy flavor!

You can be as creative as you want to be with the variety of tropical flavors.  It is easy to hold a luau party because you can easily recreate the flavors of the islands with your drinks and food that you plan to serve.  The tropical flavors are sure hit, especially this fall and into the colder months. 

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