Asparagus Contains High Dietary Fiber – Food 23

We love to consume green vegetable frequently, one of them is Asparagus with scientific name Asparagus officinalis.

Image 1- A bunch of Asparagus

We always get this plant from nearby grocery with reasonable price.

As you might know that there are at least 3 forms (types or kinds) of fibers in the nature:

- prebiotic fiber
- insoluble fiber
- and soluble fiber

Many people call dietary fiber instead of prebiotic fiber which important for people health and well-being, especially in respect to intestine health.

Image 2- Cutting of Asparagus, ready to cook

Our gut has “bad” and “good” bacteria, then, the good bacteria “need” dietary fiber as their source of “food.”

Image 3- Adding Asparagus to meal

The good bacteria will make our digestive system healthier by producing nutrient to feed colon cells.

Nutrient contains some crucial fatty acids, especially short chain ones. They are (just for example):

- acetate
- propionate
- and butyrate.

Sure, there are many other health benefit to consume Asparagus. We will talk later on (in other posts).

# Previous postings:

- Size of Bluebirds Birdhouse at the Backyard – Nature 31
- Is It Safe to Consume Foods after Expiration Date? - Part 2 – Food 16
- Hydrangea Flowers Blooming in the Summer – Nature 32
- The Proper Times to Take Pills – Part 1 – Healthy Life 22

A Simple Steamed Layer Cake – Food 22

This cake is popular in many Southeast Asian countries, they call its as a “kue lapis,” usually consumed as a snack.

Image 1- Steamed Layer Cake

The countries that you may find this snack as a traditional dish are following:

- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- and Malaysia

We may be lucky to see its at here in America sold in ethnic groceries such as Vietnam shops or Asian market.

Image 2- Ten layers of cake

Since the “Steamed Layer Cake” is not always available in groceries, we try to make its by ourselves.

Sure, we may adjust sweetness, colors and thicness of layers based on what we desire.

Image 3- Ready to consume

We collect the following important ingredients:

- rice flour
- tapioca flour
- coconut milk
- granulated sugar
- and other ingredients

Then, we just follow instruction from internet. After a while done. The result could be seen at Images 1, 2 and 3.

Have you tasted “Steamed Layer Cake”? What do you think?

# Previous postings?

- Why are We Getting Obese Nowadays? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 20
- Why Passion Flowers could Attract Butterfly? – Science 13
- The Mutant Genes in the Early Onset Familial Alzheimer's – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 6
- Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 21

Does Red Bell Pepper Contain more Vitamin C than Orange? - Part 2– Food 21

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- Does Red Bell Pepper Contain more Vitamin C than Orange? - Part 1 – Food 21

Fig 01- Sliced papaya, rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C in the medium size orange is 69.7 mg

Vitamin C in the cup of chopped red bell pepper is 190 mg, about three times of vitamin C in the orange.

You might surprise with the fact. In addition to vitamin C, red pepper contain highly vitamin A as well.

Vitamin A is well known for its benefit to promote our eye health.

Then?

Fig 02- Plants sold in community market, illustration only

Fig 03- several colors of bell peppers

Other fruit and vegetable contain more vitamin C than an orange as reported by Christine Matthels (Health, January 27, 2020) are:

- Chili, Kale, Broccoli
- Papaya, Strawberry
- Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
- Pineapple
- Kiwi and Mango

Now, we understand that a lot of alternatives as sources of vitamin C in addition to oranges.

# Previous postings:

- In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 5
- Weekly Farmer Market at Our Neighborhood
- GUTSY WOMEN of Hillary and Chelsea – Part 1 – Reading 10
- CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

Does Red Bell Pepper Contain more Vitamin C than Orange? - Part 1 – Food 21

Few people consume red bell pepper sometimes, but many people love to eat often with their own reasons.

Image 1- Red bell pepper

I am including in the group who eat bell peppers almost with every meals. A kind of appetizer for me.

Actually, we familiar with this vegetable. I always see red bell pepper or any peppers whenever I went to Walmart, groceries or our neighborhood farmer markets.

The price is quite reasonable, depend on the places you go whether groceries or farmer markets.

The cost is generally about US$ 1 each or even much less.

Image 2- Bell peppers in the farmer market

Image 3- Navel orange, sold in Walmart

They are fresh and attractive.

However, if there is a comparative question: Which one has vitamin C more - Red Bell Peppers or Oranges?

You might answer suddenly: an orange!

Is it right?

No

Off course not!

Why?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Sweet Chocolate Candies and a Yummy Book – Part 2 – Reading 8
- Reducing Number of Amazon River Pink Dolphin? - Part 1 – Nature 17
- The Early Person who Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases - Part 2 – Alzheimer's 2
- Corned Beef Harsh - The Popular Breakfast in Louisiana – Part 1 – Food 11

Do You Like Boba Bubble in Your Drink? - Part 2 – Food 20

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

-  Do You Like Boba Bubble in Your Drink? - Part 1 – Food 20

Image 1- Natural white tapioca pearls.

Yuca or cassava is well-known as food in the regions which includes:

- the South America,
- Asia
- and Africa.

Cassava roots can be cooked into varieties of delicious dishes. Even though the root produces natural cyanide, the right processing such as by peeling the skin, cutting, and soaking them in water are able to get rid of the toxic.

The starch can be made pudding and balls. The tapioca balls or boba come with natural white color or any variety colors. 

Image 2- Succulent, just for illustration

Image 3- Boba dessert, white pearls with some chopped fruits in coconut milk.

One medium size cup of any beverage is about 5 to 6 bucks and extra cost 50 cents to 1 buck for adding boba.

The price is too expensive for me if I have to buy almost everyday for summer. So I made my own boba dessert.

I had boba in my cold beverages and cold desserts as long as this time of hot summer season.

Since tapioca is an energy-dense food, one cup starch contain over than 500 calories, no wonder, I gain weight in last three months.

Do you know this kind of food?

# Previous postings:

- A Novel of Arian - Then The Fish Swallowed Him - Part 2 – Reading 6
- The signs of late stage of Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 1
- Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to You and Yours
- “The Madness of Crowds” and Omicron – Reading 7

Do You Like Boba Bubble in Your Drink? - Part 1 – Food 20

In this small town, Baton Rouge, LA, at least 16 bubble tea shops that I can choose to get a cup of beverages with chewy texture pearls of tapioca starch.

Image 1- Black pearl tapioca bubbles in the Matcha tea.

In spans of three years, this kind of pearls be a favorite “jewel” in here, especially among teenagers and young adults who are still energetic and/or love something new.

Actually, the pearls are lack of nutrients and the taste is bland; so to make a little flavor there is some sweet or fat are added that contribute to high calories in the bubbles. 

Image 2- Flower, just for illustration

Image 3- The bubbles or boba sit on the bottom.

No wonder, when someone on dieting or weigh watching said boba is just “Yikes”.

The pearls or bobas are made from tapioca starch. Tapioca is also known as cassava or yuca. The starch is from the flesh of root with white or white-yellowish color.

Moreover, Tapioca is staple foods for many in the tropical countries. Higher calories, but lower in term of:

- protein, minerals and vitamins

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Do You Know Ghost Orchids? - Part 1 – Nature 14
- Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 4 – Food 9
- Do You Know Ghost Orchids? - Part 2 – Nature 14
- Can Texting Make You Shopping More and Fat? - Part 1 - Healthy Life 17

Cooked Snail is One of Favorite Foods in France - Food 19

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Cooked Snail is a Favorite Dish in Many Asian Countries – Food 18

Image 1- A land snail is crawling

Surprisingly, snails together with oyster are among 25 typical dishes we should try to eat when visit France.

Thus, France may be the only western countries consume snails. This food is considered as luxury.

They cook snails include shell with butter, called as “escargots à la bourguignonne.”

Image 2- An insect crawling on flowers

Image 3- The cooked snail in France, credit to Mona

Snail is protein rich food and sources of minerals and vitamins. We found vitamin E and several minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and selenium in snail dishes.

As I read in one report (TouchStone Snails, 2020: Nutritional value of nails) that snails are “an ideal weight watchers diet.”

The snail is good for diet because its contain:

- low calories
- low fat
- reasonable amount of protein.

# Previous postings:

- The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 1 - Food 8
- When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 16
- The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 2 - Food 8
- When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 16

Is It Safe to Consume Foods after Expiration Date? - Part 2 – Food 16

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Is It Safe to Consume Foods after Expiration Date? - Part 1 – Food 16

Image 1- Traditional preserved tempeh

“Best if use before,” this is not indicating to safety date. It is just the date of the best flavor.

So, if the “phrases” not refer to food safety, then, we may have a question: Is It Safe to Consume Foods after Expiration Date?

The answer is depend on several factors, generally:

- If flavor, odor and color changed, then, we should throw away the foods.
- if foods are preserved in bottles and cans, we may eat after six months of expired date.

Image 2- One of popular cookies

Image 3- Pickle in the bottles

We may consume little bit longer than expired date, if we keep our purchased foods in the refrigerator and or freezer.

In many cases, we always store these following foods in the refrigerator and or freezer:

- eggs
- meat
- chicken
- milk, apple, strawberry and other fresh foods

Did you ever consume expired date foods?

# Previous postings:

- Lobsters have Good Nutritional Values for Health – Healthy Life 13
- One of Ways to Make Barbeque in the Nature – Food 7
- Are Freshwater Pearls Less Expensive? - Part 1
- Growing Lantana in my Garden for Summer Project

Cooked Snail is a Favorite Dish in Many Asian Countries – Food 18

It is common to eat cooked snails in Southeast Asia region, even as one of favorite cuisines.

Image 1- Cooked Sea snails, one of favorite cuisines

We might find snail as a menu from luxury hotels to street vendors with reasonable price.

Cheap, fresh and tasty.

Both freshwater and marine snails are popular as source of foods. We could find snails in many forms of dishes.

There, if we wish, we may try to cook by ourselves. Plenty of fresh snails is sold in the markets or seafood markets as well as recipes to cook snails in bookstores.

Image 2- Books, just for illustration

Image 3- Flowers in the garden, blooming

Image 4- Sea snail’s cuisine sold by street vendors

I mean in this posting that the South East Asian countries where cooked snails are favorite:

- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- and Indonesia.

Snails are popular cuisines in China and in Japan as well. Japanese eats abalone, turbo snails and whelks as sashimi. They eat raw soft meat of snail with special seasoning.

# Previous postings:

- The Best Steakhouse in my City, Louisiana – Food 5
- Measles Outbreak in a Recent year – Part 1 – Healthy Life 11
- Do You Know that Some Musical Instruments Made from Bamboo? - Art 2
- Measles Outbreak in a Recent year – Part 2 – Healthy Life 11

Homemade of Illegal Burrito – Food 17

What? Illegal Burrito?

You might wonder with words of “illegal burrito.” Actually, it is a burrito, a Mexican – American cuisine.

Image 1- Rolls of illegal burrito

The fact that illegal burrito or izzo illegal burrito is a brand name for a restaurant franchise which sell burrito.

The restaurant was open in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2021. Yes, about 21 years ago.

A quite long for survival times of a small restaurant in the campus area of just a state university.

The restaurant was designed to serve for students and faculty members at the beginning. Now, it has been developed into many branches.

Image 2- Filling of burrito

Based on our understanding that Izzo’s Illegal Burrito restaurants have been expanded throughout southern states of USA.

Image 3- Ingredients of burrito

We can find the Illegal Burrito restaurants in 14 locations, and at least in the following three states:

- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Mississippi

Image 4- Tomatoes in the bowl, ready to be used

I believe that illegal burrito is like other “normal” burritos with two main important parts: a wrapped of flour tortilla and ingredients.

We should grill or heat a wrapped of flour tortilla to make its softer before consuming its.

Image 5- Cutting of rolled burrito

Burrito ingredients are based our own tastes, since this is homemade, our ingredients are consists of:

- cooked dices chicken meat
- refried beans
- dice tomatoes
- shredded lettuce
- and sour cream

Have you tasted burrito?

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Wild Animals and Birds in my Backyard – Nature 8a
- Flash Flood at my Neighborhood - Nature 8b
- First Important Step to Know Mental Illness - Healthy Life 5
- Family Saga and Meaning to be a Good Person – Part 1 - Reading 1