The principle of the alkaline diet? Review your diet by choosing the right foods that will help balance the body's pH and thus make war on the extra pounds. Discover all the details of this method.

 

Recommendations

To carry out this diet, make sure as much as possible to take time for your meals because eating too quickly is harmful. It is important to chew food enough and live away from stress as much as possible. The advantage of the Alkaline diet is that it is easy to follow on a daily basis and it is enough to reduce the quantities to obtain results. However, a lack of protein can be dangerous without the advice of a doctor. In addition, to date, no scientific research has been carried out to date to demonstrate the veracity of the principles advocated by this diet.

The method

The diet is based on the principle of the need to maintain and balance the pH of our body by reducing the intake of so-called 'acidic' foods. For this, it is necessary to consume mainly alkaline foods. Note that, unlike other diets, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are allowed. It would also be recommended to cure the small ailments of everyday life: stress, fatigue, pain...

In practice

More than a diet, the alkaline method is a real way of life. Be careful, the idea is not to completely eliminate acidic foods because some are necessary, but to limit them above all. The principle is to get as close as possible to a vegetarian diet. Fruits and vegetables provide a boost of vitamins, while cereals and legumes provide the necessary dose of protein. In practice, your plate should contain 65 to 70% alkalizing foods and the rest more acidic products. You may not know it, but meat, dairy, bread, and pasta with gluten or prepared meals are considered too acidifying foods, so they should be limited. Not surprisingly, it is also better to stop consuming coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, and industrial cakes stuffed with sugar because they produce a lot of acidities and are very difficult to digest. To find out if your body is too acidic, simply test your pH using strips found in pharmacies. The test can be done via urine, but also via saliva.

My shopping list

• Cereals and legumes: cooked beans, chickpeas, beans, brown rice, buckwheat, soybeans, lentils
• Fruits and vegetables: asparagus, artichoke, avocado, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, cucumber
• Drinks: fresh vegetable juices, fresh fruit juices, green tea, herbal infusions

Recipe ideas

And to make the Alkaline diet more concrete, here are recipe ideas from the book The Alkaline Diet - The Keys and the Best Recipes for Acid-Base Balance by Nathasha Corrett, and Vicki Edgson published by Éditions Larousse. This book contains a multitude of menus (from starters to desserts to snacks) that will accompany you on a daily basis to develop tasty and balanced dishes.

Vegetable lasagna (For 4 people)

Ingredients:

80 g of Le Puy lentils

4 spoonfuls. soup of olive oil + a little to coat the vegetables

1 tomato Coarsely ground beef heart

1 clove, minced garlic

1 diced beet

1/2 spoon. Tamari coffee

1 spoon. dehydrated chopped shallot coffee

1 pinch of cumin powder

400 g of butternut squash, cut into thin slices lengthwise

300 g of zucchini, cut into thin slices lengthwise

This is enough to change from the traditional lasagna already known! The layers of pasta have been replaced by multicolored vegetables that will fully satisfy your appetite leaving you infinitely lighter!

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 170 °C (th. 5-6). Put the lentils in a small saucepan and cover them with water. Bring to a small boil and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until they are 'al dente'. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan, then crush the tomato that will be the base of the sauce. Add garlic and beetroot, tamari, shallot, and cumin. Pour 2 tablespoons of water and cook for 15 minutes over medium heat to obtain a thick puree. Add the lentils to the contents of the pan, an extra drizzle of water, and simmer for another 5 minutes.


Spread half of the butternut and a third of the zucchini in a gratin dish, then cover with half of the lentil sauce. Repeat the operation and finish with a layer of zucchini. Coat them extensively with olive oil and cook for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender.

You can replace olive oil with parsley oil.

Cereal biscuits

To avoid buying industrial cookies, take the time to make them yourself with this very complete recipe. Stuffed with dried fruits and seeds, these cakes are very nourishing and therefore perfect in the case of small hungers.

• 175 g chopped pitted dates
• 150 g fresh cashew nuts
• 150 g fresh hazelnuts
• 300 g oatmeal
• 150 g fresh pumpkin seeds
• 150 g fresh sunflower seeds
• 475 g agave syrup or liquid honey
• 75 g of a mixture of fresh seeds of pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame, for garnish

The advantage of making these homemade cookies is that they do not harm health, like Demerara sugar used for preservation in industrial manufacturing. The variety of dried fruits and seeds used offers a large amount of proteins and good lipids, useful to the brain and skin, and which, more put in a good mood. You'll love it.

Preheat the oven to 160 °C (th. 5-6). Put the dates in a saucepan and add 22.5 cl of water. Bring to a small boil and cook until tender. Then mix them in the blender, then pour this dough into a large bowl.

Gather the cashews and hazelnuts in the bowl of the blender, add 22.5 cl of water and mix into a soft cream. Mix it with the date paste.

Then summarily chop the oatmeal and pumpkin and sunflower seeds in the robot, operating it for about 1 minute, then transfer them to the bowl. Pour the agave syrup or honey and stir vigorously to homogenize the mixture.

Spread the preparation in an even layer of 1-2 cm on a sheet covered with parchment paper, then cover with the mixture of seeds and cook for 20 minutes, until the surface is golden.

Let cool on the plate before cutting.

Almond, lemon, and poppy cake (For 10 people)

Very easy to make, this cake is ideal to have fun without feeling guilty. In addition to containing lighter ingredients than the usual cakes, it can be available in several versions (with orange or raw cocoa for example).

• 4 eggs
• 60 g honey
• 200 g of vegetable butter + a little for the mold
• 250 g almond powder
• 1 spoon. baking powder coffee
• finely grated zest and juice from 3 small lemons or 2 large ones
• 2 spoonfuls. soup of poppy seeds
• melted raw chocolate, for icing (optional)

Preheat the oven to 160 °C (th. 5-6). Beat the eggs and honey in a bowl.

In another bowl, work the butter and almonds, then gradually incorporate the eggs to obtain a supple and homogeneous consistency. Add the yeast, zest, and juice of the lemons, mix well, then incorporate the poppy seeds.

Pour the preparation into a round buttered mold of 20-25 cm and cook for 30 minutes, until the surface is well browned (cover with aluminum foil if the coloring is too fast). The cake is baked when it is flexible and elastic under a small pressure or a fine tip pricked to the heart comes out dry.

Put to cool on a rack, then optionally cover with a thin layer of melted chocolate.

Advice:

You can remove the poppy seeds and replace the juice and lemon peel with the finely grated zest of 2 small oranges.

You can also make an all-chocolate cake by removing poppy seeds, adding 50 g of raw cocoa powder, and putting in only 200 g of almonds.

 The new year begins, the holidays end and it is high time to go on a diet after these very hearty Christmas and New Year's Day meals.

Ingredients / for 6 people

1/2 cabbage

2 potatoes

2 carrots

1 onion

salt

1/4 baguette

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Realization

Difficulty Easy

Preparation 10 min

Cooking 30 min

Total Time 40 min

PREPARATION

1 Wash your cabbage and strip it. Cut them and place them in your casserole.

2 Sip your onion, potatoes, and carrots. Cut into pieces and add to the cabbage. Cover with water. Salt, pepper, and cook for 30 minutes.

3 Prepare sesame toasted croutons: cut small pieces of bread and sauté them in a little olive oil with some sesame seeds.

4 Once the vegetables are cooked, remove a little cooking water depending on the desired texture for the soup.

Finally,

Pour into bowls and add on top the small sesame croutons.

The cabbage soup diet is a very low-calorie weight loss program that allows you to lose weight quickly. Very difficult to follow on a daily basis given its unique menu based on cabbage soup, it should not last more than 7 days.

Restrictive but short, the cabbage soup diet is one of the best known. It promises a weight loss of 2 to 5 kilos in a week but the results depend on a large number of factors: age, sex, morphology ... And the health effects are taken into consideration.

How to make the cabbage soup diet?

Cabbage soup is satiating and fat burning. You will have to consume it at the beginning of each meal (breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner). The soup should consist of several vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, garlic, onion, pepper, carrots, celery, and parsley, but without a potato. You can also add spices like curry.

What recipes for cabbage soups to slim down?

Here are some easy and inexpensive ideas for making tasty cabbage soups and fat burners:

What foods are allowed during a cabbage soup diet?

Day 1: Fruit
Day 2: Vegetables
Day 3: fruits + vegetables
Day 4: banana (3 maximum) + skim milk
Day 5: fat-free cooked beef or skinless poultry
Day 6: beef, veal, poultry without skin and cooked without fat + vegetables
Day 7: brown rice, fruit juices with no added sugars + vegetables

What foods are prohibited during a cabbage soup diet?

The cabbage soup diet is very restrictive. With the exception of the recommended foods, all others are prohibited

• Cold cuts
• Fat: butter, oil, fresh cream
• Sweet products: jam, chocolates, biscuits...
• Whole cheeses and milk
• Alcoholic beverages

How to stabilize your weight after the cabbage soup diet?

At the end of the first week, you can gradually enrich your diet with fruits and vegetables, or beef or brown rice. On the beverage side, you can ingest water, coffee, or tea without sugar. Fruit juices without added sugars can be introduced on the 7th day. To avoid cravings and quickly reach satiety, it is recommended to drink a bowl of soup in the morning and before dinner. Finally, be sure to preserve a period of time of at least two weeks before starting again if necessary.

Can we play sports during a cabbage soup diet?

Since it is a low-calorie diet (600kcal) for a short time, the energy intake is very low. It is, therefore, better to avoid any physical activity. This would increase energy expenditure that can cause hypoglycemia, vagal discomfort and increase the risk of cardiovascular accidents.

Is the cabbage soup diet dangerous for your health?

This very low-calorie diet is forbidden to children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with health problems (diabetes, hypertension). The risks for the body (cardiovascular problems, gallstones, hypoglycemia ..) can increase even more if the diet extends beyond 7 days. As with all slimming diets, it is best to consult your doctor before starting.

What are the benefits of fluoride on teeth?

Fluoride is a chemical element that is used in toothpaste to act as an anti-caries agent. In 1947, two pharmacists, Danier Carlier and Jean-Jacques Goupil put the first fluoridated toothpaste on the market. Gradually, other manufacturers have incorporated this trace element into the formula of their toothpaste. Fluoride remains the most effective anti-caries active ingredient. To deprive oneself of it is to reduce one's chances of remaining in good oral health, insists the UFSBD.

What is the mechanism of action of fluoride?

Whether mineral (sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, etc.) or organic (Olaflur), fluorine - and in particular fluoride ions, which are very active - contribute to considerably reducing the prevalence of tooth decay in both children and adults. These ions act on different levels:

What dose of fluoride per day?

"From the point of view of regulation, fluorine ions are limited in cosmetics to the dose of 0.15% (or 1500 ppm, unit endorsed by use in the oral field)", reassures the French Union for Oral Health in its press release.

What are the dangers of ingesting too much fluoride?

According to the UFSBD, the risks of chronic poisoning are low. They are mainly due to misuse (ingestion of large quantities of toothpaste especially by children who are not old enough to spit it out or in particular psychiatric situations). However, an excess of fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, especially in children, which is characterized by the appearance of spots on the teeth that then become whitish or brown. Used in a reasoned way and following the recommendations of your dentist, there is no danger. For children, a toothpaste with a slightly lower dose of fluoride (1,000 ppm fluoride for children under 6 years of age) is recommended. "The dentist can also carry out an individualized assessment of fluoride intake (via food, water, etc.) in order to determine the child's carious risk and prescribe, if necessary, fluoride supplementation," Virginie Saint-Marc, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health, told us in a previous interview.

How to choose the right toothpaste?

Toothpaste is an indispensable ally of good oral health. They must be chosen rigorously:

• Without any particular risk of decay, opt for a 'classic' toothpaste dosed between 1,000 and 1,450 ppm of fluoride, the optimal concentration for most of us (from the age of 6).
• If your teeth are decayed, infected, or yellowed, opt for a specialized toothpaste, prescribed by your dentist. It can be enriched with fluoride for example and meet your oral needs.
• Avoid toothpaste that is too 'polishing', such as those with vegetable charcoal that can damage the enamel. You can opt for toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Avoid toothpaste that contains E171 (titanium dioxide), a white dye that could have carcinogenic effects.

Would you like to get rid of the extra pounds that weigh down your figure in the buttocks, thighs, saddlebags? Here are some solutions to lose weight targeted.

To lose weight buttocks or thighs, it is necessary to destock in a targeted way. So get into sports by combining cardio and muscle building and bet on draining foods such as artichoke, pineapple, or cucumber. Here are all the tips to know to lose weight from the bottom.

1. Eat less salty

If you tend to have heavy legs, if you are prone to water retention, salt is your worst enemy. To deflate the lower body, your first slimming gesture (and good health) is to stop copiously salting your meals but also to skip the ready meals that are generally very salty. Spice up your dishes with herbs if you're worried about eating bland.

2. Cardio to sculpt

To refine your lower body, you will not cut it: the practice of one or more sports is essential. Jogging, cycling, fitness, dancing... All these disciplines work the muscles of your legs and buttocks. Choose the cardio sport that suits you and do not hesitate to alternate if you are afraid of getting bored.

3. Eat protein and fiber

To permanently slim down the lower body and regain a beautiful figure in general, limit your consumption of fast sugars and manufactured products rich in sugars and fats.

4. Drink water and drain drinks

If you have swollen legs, cellulite areas on the lower body, you need to drink a lot daily, even more than other women. No need to abuse though: one and a half to two liters of water per day will be enough. Are you rarely thirsty? Drink small glasses of water throughout the day without waiting to feel thirsty. Finally, for optimal drainage, you can also drink several cups of tea a day. Not to mention the draining drinks, especially grape marc, which will do good to your figure.

5. Make a cure of draining capsules

If your legs seem swollen, you have cellulite, you can also embark on a course of draining capsules. To be followed for several weeks, at the rate of several tablets per day. Repeat this type of cure two or three times a year if you feel the positive effects of these supplements on your figure.

6. Massage storage areas

Knead, massage, palpate! Fat and cellulite clumps are sensitive to massages and self-massages. Whether you make an appointment in an institute or prefer to tackle rebel areas on your own, know that palpating -rolling is an effective technique. Similarly, massaging daily with a small massage device can give good results. Women who tend to have water retention will be able to test lymphatic drainage by a professional.

7. Apply slimming or anti-dimpling creams

Creams and oils can help you reduce your thigh circumference or reduce the padded appearance of your skin. Many brands have entered this market of slimming products but these are far from being miraculous elixirs. Some cosmetics, based on caffeine or ivy, in particular, can however contribute to your slimming if they come as an accompaniment to a diet and regular sports practice. Above all, they help to firm the skin, smooth it out and moisturize it.

8. Wear slimming clothes

Several brands market these slimming clothes. Simply sheathing or rich in slimming active ingredients (caffeine, guarana ...), they can help you sculpt a pretty figure. Flat stomach effect, redesigned buttocks, and refined thighs! If these smart clothes will not make you go from size 44 to 38, they can come in support of a real slimming program.

9. Test slimming devices

Cellusonic, Cellu M6®, Lipocav... Many slimming machines are offered to fight against localized fat (buttocks, thighs but also belly or hips). If the regularity of the sessions is respected, these slimming devices can be a boost for your figure. Be careful, slimming sessions with these specific devices require a significant budget. First, make an appointment at the institute or at the professional of your choice to find out more.

10. Liposuction for resistant fat

If some fat deposits are resistant to diets and sports practice, you can as a last resort inquire for liposuction if the area concerned really complex you. This technique remains a surgical operation, therefore invasive, and should not be decided on a whim. Ask a cosmetic surgeon and take the time to mature your decision.

 Very physical, Bikram Yoga is a discipline that allows you to lose weight while removing tension. The activity of choice for fans of personal surpassing.

Bikram Yoga, despite its air of millennial discipline, is a relatively recent practice that developed in the West and more particularly in the United States, in the 1970s. It was developed by a certain Bikram Choudhury, former youngest winner (at 13 years old) of the Indian Yoga Championships. Also called 'Hot Yoga', Bikram Yoga is inspired by Hatha Yoga, with the difference that the postures are performed in a room heated to 40 °. It is a so-called exercise, yoga that mobilizes both the body and the mind and, unlike other less physical pathways, can help during weight loss.

What are the benefits of Bikram Yoga?

Bikram is one of the most physical yogas, based on stretching and muscle building more than meditation. It is a real sports activity that has many benefits on form, line, and morale, provided you practice it regularly and give your all during classes.

Bikram Yoga stimulates the body as a whole. During the session, all muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints are stressed and strengthened. So you work your cardio which can be particularly effective to lose weight. The heat and humidity of the room allow the muscles to stretch deeply while limiting the risk of injury. Sweating, which can be intense, promotes the elimination of toxins, the cleansing of organs, and the rebalancing of all systems (immune, nervous, hormonal, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory). Like all physical activities that allow you to exert yourself, it is also very effective in relieving stress and tension and improving your ability to concentrate.

How to practice Bikram Yoga?

It is advisable not to eat at least 2 hours before the start of the course, and to remember to hydrate well throughout the day. As it is very hot in the room, it is recommended to dress lightly in shorts/leggings and a bra.

The essential postures of Bikram Yoga

• The half-moon: standing, we stretch our arms towards the sky and stretch on one side, then on the other side.
• Head to toe: standing, you release the upper body to touch your feet or put your palms on the ground.
• The standing bow: standing, one of the legs is bent to grab the ankle and lift it up and backward. The ideal is to succeed in stretching the leg.
• The cobra: we lie on our stomachs, we put our hands flat and we raise the bust, our head towards the sky.
• The bow on the ground: on the stomach, we raise the feet that we grab with our hands while raising the bust and head.

Bikram Yoga, for whom?

Whether you are in shape or not, whether you already know the basics of yoga or you are just starting out, Bikram is open to everyone. Even so, its practice in an overheated room may not be suitable for everyone. Pregnant women who have never tried this very dynamic yoga before have to wait until the end of their pregnancy to get started. As the heat raises the heart rate, this Hot Yoga is also not recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular failure and heart disorders. Do not hesitate to seek advice from a doctor if you have doubts about your ability to practice Bikram Yoga.

A residue is a food portion that has not been digested by the intestine, not absorbable by the body: it is generally vegetable dietary fiber, sometimes animal. A residue-free diet, also known as the fiber-free diet and the hypo-residual diet, is a diet prescribed as part of the preparation before an endoscopy or colonoscopy, as well as in the treatment of flare-ups of certain intestinal diseases. It is designed to reduce the frequency and volume of stool, to regulate intestinal transit to reduce the risk of irritation of the lining of the colon or intestines. It is an unbalanced diet inducing dietary deficiencies, to be followed only for a short time and on medical prescription.

Definition: What is a residue-free diet?

A residue-free diet is a diet that limits foods that increase stool volume and speed up bowel transit. Twenty years ago, it was strict, monotonous, and so-called 'forbidden' food was not always justified. Today, it gives way to a little more flexibility with the introduction of foods rich in mixed and cooked fiber.

Residue-free diet before a colonoscopy

The residue-free diet is prescribed a few days before a colonoscopy (exploration of the inside of the colon) either as part of outpatient consultations or for inpatients in the gastroenterology department. The purpose of such a diet is to 'wash' the intestine (we speak of colic preparation), to reduce the frequency and amount of stool. It must be set up 3 days before the exam.

Permitted foods

The residue-free diet is essentially based on lean meat and fish (cooked without fat), ham, starchy foods (pasta, rice, semolina, cornstarch, tapioca...), stale bread and rusks, milk when allowed, cooked pressed cheeses, butter, raw oil, sugar, honey, fruit jelly,  defatted cocoa powder. Drinks: still water, coffee, tea, herbal teas, filtered vegetable, and fruit broths.

The goal is to remove whole vegetables and fruits. 

Foods to be removed

The principle is to remove whole vegetables and fruits. The only ones allowed will be those that will be in the form of purees or compotes mixed very finely so based on non-aggressive fibers cooked and mixed. Sauces and spices are also to be avoided. 

Dietician's Advice

Above all, it is necessary to adapt this type of diet to the patient for easier follow-up and better adherence. If it is flexible, it is less unbalanced because it offers greater variety.

 Economical and easy to prepare, onion soup is the comforting recipe par excellence. We give you the secrets to success for sure and delight young and old gourmands.

Tasty and satiating, onion soup is perfect for warming up when temperatures start to drop. If its recipe has continued to evolve over time, this dish requires very little preparation and especially few ingredients: onions, a little white wine or broth, butter, slices of bread, and a touch of grated cheese. Imagined during the reign of Louis XV during a hunting party, onion soup is now an integral part of French gastronomy.

The preparation of onions

To make a delicious soup, choose medium-sized onions that are not damaged or stained. Prefer yellow onions that are perfect for dishes that require a long cooking time such as gratins, simmered dishes... And soups. On the quantity side, count on average one beautiful onion per person. If they are smaller, plan two per person.

For homogeneous cooking and the obtaining of well-melting onions, thinly slice the onions: peel them and cut them into slices one or two centimeters wide. Then simply color the onions in the pan over low heat with a little butter while watching the cooking to prevent them from burning, add a nice spoon of flour to bind everything before covering with hot broth.

A gratin soup

What would onion soup be without a nice layer of gratin cheese? You can opt for Emmental, county, or Cantal for an original version. We can also replace the traditional Emmental with cheddar or goat cheese (yes, yes!).

Grate the cheese and spread it over slices of toast or directly in a thick layer above the soup. Then all that remains is to bake everything to gratin the cheese. Do not hesitate to cover the soup bowls with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent the cheese from burning. It is ready when the latter is well browned and when the bread has swollen well.

The recipe for onion soup

Ingredients for 6 people:

6 large onions

40 g butter

1.5 l of broth or 20 cl dry white wine + 1 l of water

6 slices of country bread

80 g grated cheese

1 spoon of flour

On the same subject: How to prepare your homemade onion confit?

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (thermostat 6-7).

Peel and chop the onions and colour them in butter for 15 minutes.

Then sprinkle with flour. When the flour has taken on a nice color, pour in the hot broth (or wine and water), and cook for 15 minutes.

Spread the cheese over the slices of bread and bake them in the oven.

Place on the soup and serve hot.

 Made from caramelized onions, onion confit sublimates our dishes and appetizers during the holidays or throughout the year. If you are used to buying it directly in a jar in the supermarket, it is even better when it is prepared at home.

It sits on the table as a starter or embellishes the toast with foie gras during the end-of-the-year celebrations. Onion confit goes perfectly with our festive recipes, but also our daily dishes. With its melting texture and sweet, sweet taste, this condiment awakens the taste buds. In addition to being delicious, the latter is easily prepared at home. Enough to impress your guests while delighting young and old gourmets.

Which onions to choose?

To make a homemade onion confit, it is better to favor sweet onions such as the Cevennes onion or the red onion which will also give a nice pink color to your preparation. If you do not have one available, you can very well use the ones you store in your closets. Yellow or white: it doesn't matter. Any onion will eventually do.

Make your onion confit

The principle to prepare a good confit? Caramelize the onions with sugar or honey before adding a liquid (most often balsamic vinegar) and various spices. Feel free to replace balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar. Finally, consider first sweating the onions in a pan or saucepan with a little fat to prevent your ingredients from clinging to the bottom.

For ingredients:

500 g sweet onions

3 tablespoons of sugar

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 drizzle of oil or 1 piece of butter

Salt and pepper

For preparation:

Start by peeling and chopping the onions.

Heat a pan over medium/high heat with a little fat and then sauté the onions for 3 minutes until they become translucent. Onions, on the other hand, should not color.

Then add the sugar and let the onions caramelize. Be careful not to burn them. You can replace sugar with honey here.

Then deglaze with the balsamic vinegar.

Cook over medium heat until you get the desired texture. Season to your liking and then pour the confit into a jam jar. Once the onion confit has cooled, place it in the fridge.

How to use onion confit in cooking?

At Christmas, it is used to accompany foie gras as a starter as an aperitif. It can also serve as an accompaniment to a beautiful piece of cheese or become the star of a puff pastry. Let's not forget the meats and games that go perfectly with this condiment.

The rest of the year, onion confit is used to garnish the bottom of a quiche or to bring a sweet and sweet note to a cake or aperitif bites (bricks, slippers, etc.). Finally, we are also thinking of drawing our secret prepration during our next burger evening. Just spread it on the bread in order to enjoy it fully. Success guaranteed!

How to store onion confit?

Onion confit can be kept for several days in the fridge, especially if you use honey which is a natural preservative. On the other hand, if you want to prepare it in advance and keep your confit for several weeks, consider sterilizing your jars in boiling water or freezing the confit in small trays or freezer bags once the preparation has cooled down.

 Strengthening your immune defenses means acting on your lifestyle (changing your diet, preserving your sleep, practicing physical activity...). Some natural products can also be used. Vitamins, trace elements, essential oils: Santé Magazine takes stock of immunizing and preparing for the arrival of cold, winter, and the diseases that go with it.

The singularity of winter

In this context, cold seasons that coincide with a higher circulation of viruses are generally poorly received by the body. "In terms of food, the unconscious need to build up reserves through a fatter diet can lead to intestinal inflammation," explains Dr. Teulières, a general practitioner and immunologist. If immunity is at half-mast as winter approaches, then it is not without reason. In some people, serotonin production decreases between autumn and winter, causing depressive syndrome, fatigue, and stress. However, this hormone is secreted not only by neurons, but also by cells of the immune system, and more than 95% of serotonin is not produced by the brain but by the intestine. It is not uncommon to have cravings for sugar, especially at the end of the day and in the evening, when the days are shorter and the brightness reduces. This is completely normal: the body seeks to compensate for the drop in serotonin in the brain. So boosting your serotonin production means fighting against stress, and therefore boosting your immune defenses!

Start by improving your lifestyle

Dr. Teulières' advice: do not abruptly change your diet, favor seasonal products, and do not enrich your diet with sugar or fat under the pretext that winter depression is felt. And ideally: you really have to put your foot down on alcoholic beverages and sugary sodas, which can deregulate the immune system.

To boost the production of serotonin, and therefore the functioning of neuronal and intestinal immune cells, be sure to favor slow-digesting carbohydrates from bread, pasta, cereals, rice rather than consuming fast-digesting carbohydrates from sweets, cookies, pastries.

Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night, and during the day, let as much sunlight as possible into your home, or workplace if you can. A trick pricked in our Scandinavian neighbors: place a few mirrors in strategic places to reflect the daylight to the interior of the place where you are.

Regular physical activity, such as simply walking for 30 minutes a day, improving blood circulation, contributes to the increase of immune cells and reduces the risk of respiratory infection by 40%. Conversely, overtraining would have a rather negative impact: after a too intense sports session, there is a drop in lymphocyte levels, which implies fewer potential antibodies in case of aggression. It's up to you to find the right balance, without forcing.

Vitamins, allies of immunity

Vitamin A: It stimulates the proliferation of white blood cells and the production of antibodies by lymphocytes. It is also essential for the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. The right dose: 600 to 800 micrograms per day. For a contribution, think of carrots, pumpkin, or spinach. Be careful, for pregnant women, supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) and especially fish liver oil, can be harmful and cause birth defects in case of significant exceedance of the recommended dose.

Vitamin C: It is a powerful antioxidant that protects white blood cells and increases their mobility. It stimulates the production of cytokines, the messengers that activate the immune response. It is found in fruits and vegetables. The recommended daily dose is 110 mg per day.

Vitamin E: refers to a group of molecules called alpha-tocopherols. These are naturally present in the diet, such as in sunflower seeds or vegetable oils. Studies have shown that vitamin E compensates for the loss of immune response due to aging by stimulating the production of white blood cells and its interest in fighting respiratory infections.

Vitamin D: is known to activate the white blood cells (T lymphocytes) needed to make antibodies and destroy microbes. It is mainly found in fatty fish (cod liver and its oil, smoked herring, mackerel ...). Two forms are the most common, D2, of plant origin, and D3, of animal origin. No difference in effectiveness between the two, but a minimum recommended intake of 5 micrograms per day potentiated by daily exposure to daylight, the production of vitamin D being mainly induced by UV rays.

Selenium and zinc, two essential trace elements

Selenium, found in emmental, cooked ham or mushrooms of Paris. At a rate of 50 micrograms per day, it intervenes at the immune level by keeping a pool of white blood cells on alert.

Zinc, (seafood, poultry cheese ...) at a rate of 10 to 15 mg per day, protects cell membranes from infections by microbial agents. All these assets, in quarterly cure, will upgrade your annual stocks for a winter in all serenity.

Favor antiviral and immunostimulating essential oils

The essential oils of ravintsara, "leaf good for everything" in Malagasy, tea tree, thyme with leaves of sariette or thujanol and radiated eucalyptus are excellent antivirals and immunostimulants.

How to use them? As a mixture for a powerful stimulating effect, mix 20 drops of ravintsara EO, 20 drops of radiated eucalyptus EO, 20 drops of yellow lemon EO. Place 3 drops of this mixture on a neutral tablet 1 time a day, 5 days a week, as long as the epidemic lasts. Do not use in case of breast cancer, in pregnant or lactating women, and in children under 7 years of age.

What about children? Before 3 years, refer to your pediatrician before considering supplementation. After 3 years, only food supplements that have received a favourable opinion from the authorities can be administered. Labelling must clearly indicate the age range of the children targeted by the supplement, and claims relating to their health and development are strictly regulated. Some overdoses can have serious consequences on their health. In case of doubt and before any purchase, ask a professional for advice.

 Discover the ultra-gourmet pecan nut and maple syrup tart to die for! Maple syrup is a natural sugar that has a strong sweetening power, so it will replace sugar in this recipe. In addition, it contains minerals and vitamins, but be careful to choose good maple syrup, not tampered with to benefit. In this pie, find multiple textures as amazing as each other. Crunchy, fondant, in short, your taste buds will be delighted! And those of your guests too...

Ingredients:

Sweet dough

75 g of butter (or margarine)

150 g of T55 flour

50 g icing sugar

20 g of ground almonds

A pinch of salt

27 ml of milk (vegetable possible)

Pecan and maple syrup device

100g chopped or powdered pecans

50 g of butter (or margarine)

10 g of cornstarch

170 ml of liquid cream (vegetable possible)

80 ml of maple syrup

1 C. teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

150g whole pecans (for top)

Steps :

Sweet dough

1. In your salad bowl, place the butter, flour, sifted icing sugar, almond powder and mix with your fingertips (or with the leaf of your food processor) until you obtain a sandy dough.

2. Then add the milk and knead until smooth ball forms.

3. Spread the dough lightly, then place it in the fridge for about 1 hour. This step is essential for the dough to hold during baking, to prevent it from sagging.

4. Then preheat your oven to 180 ° C.

5. Roll out your dough and then line it in a tart mold about 20 cm in diameter. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent the dough from swelling.

6. Bake the dough for 15 minutes to cook it blank.

Nut & maple syrup appliance

7. Meanwhile, prepare the device with pecans and maple syrup. To do this, cut the pecans into pieces with a knife or reduce them to powder with a blender (it all depends on whether you want pieces in your device, or not).

8. Mix them with butter and corn.

9. In another container, whisk the cream and maple syrup and then transfer everything to the previous mixture, several times. Mix well between each addition.

10. Then spread the preparation on the bottom of the pre-cooked pie and arrange over the whole pecans nicely (you can take the example in the presentation photo).

11. Bake again at 180°C for about 35 minutes, then let cool at the exit of the oven.

If you want to make your pie shine, make a syrup by mixing 2 tablespoons of maple syrup with a drizzle of water, heat everything in the pan or microwave and come and top it all. Your pie shines brightly!

Enjoy your pecan pie and maple syrup accompanied by a scoop of ice cream for example!

 Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cacao tree, it’s one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find. Studies show that dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease. Here are 7 health benefits of dark chocolate or cocoa that are supported by science.

1. Very nutritious

If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, then it’s quite nutritious.

It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals.

A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains :

• 11 grams of fiber
• 67% of the DV for iron
• 58% of the DV for magnesium
• 89% of the DV for copper
• 98% of the DV for manganese

In addition, it has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.

Of course, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) is a fairly large amount and not something you should be consuming daily. These nutrients also come with 600 calories and moderate amounts of sugar.

For this reason, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation.

The fatty acid profile of cocoa and dark chocolate is also good. The fats consist mostly of oleic acid (a heart-healthy fat also found in olive oil), stearic acid, and palmitic acid.

The stearic acid has a neutral effect on body cholesterol. Palmitic acid can raise cholesterol levels, but it only makes up one-third of the total fat calories.

Dark chocolate also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine, but it’s unlikely to keep you awake at night, as the amount of caffeine is very small compared with coffee.

SUMMARY

Quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and a few other minerals.

2. Powerful source of antioxidants

ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. It’s a measure of the antioxidant activity of foods.

Basically, researchers set a bunch of free radicals (bad) against a sample of the food and see how well the antioxidants in the food can disarm the free radicals.

The biological relevance of ORAC values is questioned, as it’s measured in a test tube and may not have the same effect on the body.

However, it’s worth mentioning that raw, unprocessed cocoa beans are among the highest-scoring foods that have been tested.

Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols and catechins, among others.

One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and flavanols than any other fruits tested, which included blueberries and acai berries.

SUMMARY

Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants. In fact, they have way more than most other foods.

3. May improve blood flow and lower blood pressure

The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide (NO).

One of the functions of NO is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers the resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure.

Many controlled studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, though the effects are usually mild.

However, one study on people with high blood pressure showed no effect, so take this with a grain of salt.

Given the great variation between studies on this subject, it’s clear that more research is needed.

SUMMARY

The bioactive compounds in cocoa may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.

4. Raises HDL and protects LDL from oxidation

Consuming dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease.

SUMMARY

Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease. It lowers the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL and improving insulin sensitivity.

5. May reduce heart disease risk

The compounds in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL.
In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease.

SUMMARY

Observational studies show a drastic reduction in heart disease risk among those who consume the most chocolate.

6. May protect your skin from the sun

The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin.

SUMMARY

Studies show that the flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage.

7. Could improve brain function

The good news isn’t over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain.

SUMMARY

Cocoa or dark chocolate may improve brain function by increasing blood flow. It also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine.

The bottom line

There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against heart disease.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It’s still loaded with calories and easy to overeat.

Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to savor them. If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.

Also, note that a lot of the chocolate on the market is not nutritious.

Choose quality stuff: dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content. You might want to check out this guide on how to find the best dark chocolate.

Dark chocolates, typically contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small, and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain.

Chocolate is one of the few foods that taste awesome while providing significant health benefits.

The recipe for Provençal daube is similar to that of Burgundy. Indeed, this dish is composed mainly of long-simmered beef and red wine. On the other hand, when making the daube, the meat is marinated several hours before cooking. In the seventeenth century, the daube was referred to as a "stew of meat cooked in sauce". Everyone will come to bring their personal touch by adding or removing an ingredient. Check out our version below.

Ingredients:

Flat

1 kg of beef cheek or paleron

200 g of pork belly (small bacon, smoked or not according to your taste)

60 g green and black olives

100 g of mushrooms from Paris

6 beautiful carrots

2 tomatoes

1 onion

2 cloves

1 bouquet garni (thyme + bay leaf)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 bottle of red wine (full-bodied)

Salt and pepper

Accompaniment

Tagliatelle or polenta

1 great Bordeaux wine

The steps:

1. The day before, prepare the marinade. For this, start by peeling the carrots and cutting them into large pieces.

2. Then peel and cut the onion into large slices.

3. Pour the liter of red wine into a saucepan. Then add the beef with the carrots, onion slices, cloves planted in the onions, crushed tomatoes, cut mushrooms, bouquet garni, and olive oil. Cover and reserve in the cool for an entire night, or even 24 hours.

4. The next day, take out and drain the meat, keeping the marinade in a bowl.

5. Remove the cloves from the onions and then sauté the onions in a saucepan with a drizzle of olive oil. Then add the pork belly previously cut into bacon.

6. Place the meat as well as the peeled and minced garlic and continue cooking for about 10 minutes over high heat. Stir regularly. Before cooking is finished, sprinkle with sifted flour and mix. The flour will then stick to the meat, which will allow the thickening of the sauce.

7. Then pour the marinade, water, and tomato concentrate. Mix and then cover and cook over low heat for about 1 hour.

8. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 120°C.

9. Add the carrots to the preparation, salt, pepper, and bake the casserole with its lid for at least 2 hours.

10. Add the olives and then cook again for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

11. Cook the tagliatelle or your polenta at the last minute, then serve your beautiful Provençal daube recipe while it's still hot!

How to choose your red wine in the kitchen?

Red wine can be cooked just as well with salty foods, as the main course, as a dessert, with pears with wine for example.

Depending on your recipe, prefer a red wine depending on the origin of the recipe. Indeed, if you decide to cook a beef bourguignon, prefer a Burgundy wine. If you are cooking a Bordeaux sauce, then choose a Bordeaux wine.

If your recipe has no origin, lean towards a bottle of wine, where the grapes have been exposed to the sun so that the aromas are sufficiently developed.

Reminder: Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health, it is to be consumed in moderation. The consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can have serious consequences on the health of the child. The sale of alcohol is prohibited to minors under 18 years of age.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned about the progression of the Omicron variant that is spreading "at a rate we have never seen".

77 countries have reported cases of Omicron

The World Health Organization yesterday expressed its concern about the progression of the Omicron variant. According to her, this new strain of Covid-19 is spreading "at a rate that we have never seen with any other variant". In detail, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that 77 countries have now reported cases of omicron variant contamination in their territories, even if "the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries even if it has not yet been detected".

Faced with this observation, the UN institution calls for the use of all tools to prevent health systems from being overwhelmed as the end of the year holidays approach. "We are concerned that people consider Omicron to be benign," warned Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. To which he added, "Even if Omicron causes less serious illnesses, the number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems."

WHO warns of vaccine inequity

With 41 countries still failing to vaccinate 10% of their population and 98 countries still failing to reach the 40% vaccination rate mark, the WHO chief is calling on the international community to respond to vaccine inequity. "If we end inequity, we end the pandemic. If we allow inequity to continue, we are allowing the pandemic to move forward," he warned.

Indeed, while some countries are now offering booster doses, Dr. Tedros is concerned that this could contribute to the accumulation of Covid-19 vaccines by rich countries, as has been the case so far. He said that the WHO is not against booster doses but against vaccine inequity. For him, "it's a question of prioritization. [...] Giving booster doses to groups at low risk of serious illness or death simply endangers the lives of high-risk groups who are still waiting for their first doses."