Benefit of drinking green tea:

Drinking tea has been associated with health benefits for centuries, only in recent years have its medicinal properties been investigated scientifically. Tea's health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids — plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting  oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties.   Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder. Additional benefits for regular consumers of green and black teas include a reduced risk for heart disease. The antioxidants in green, black, and oolong teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and improve artery function.   Tips to get the most out of tea-drinking: Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures, the usual amount is three cups per day. Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins. The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds. Tea can impede the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.

Sources:

www.WebMed.com

www.About.com

www.health.harvard.edu

Carrot Pancakes

Being Brenese

Brenese Care Products came about when I was writing a cookbook about how to make my babies favorite foods nutritious. In the course of researching for the cookbook, I realized that I have never found one single product or cream that I could use on my babies skin. My life took a detour and Brenese care Products was born. It became my 4th baby not counting my husband and the dog (Knuckles). I still cook great healthy foods and make healthy drinks for the boys, which I will share on this blog. Yes, the baby creams were experimented and tested on the boys and me. With everything I read about ingredients in baby products, what I chose to be in the baby cream was 110% safe. Even if they took a scoop and ate it (like all babies do) there would be no reason for me to worry. It is a cream I could use as my cooking oil.

Carrot Pancakes

1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour 1 Cup Carrot puree (have to be cooked and pureed)                    3/4 Cup Milk                    3 tbs Unsalted butter                    1 eggs                    3 I/2 tsp Baking powder                    1 tsp salt                    1/4tsp Cinnamon spice                    1 tsp salt

In a mixing bowl, flour, baking powder, and Cinnamon spice Lightly beat the eggs, add the carrot puree, milk, melted butter and mix. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until you have a smooth batter. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve warm.

Agnes