Food

Eat Thai to Stay Healthy and Keep Slim

People often ask me why so many Thais remain thin despite our very obvious passion for food. In fact, this used to puzzle me, too, until I started researching and writing my books on Thai cooking. The answer is now clear: it's the ingredients, it's the preparation, it's the way we cook, and it's the way we eat. Let me explain!

First, I must warn you that my remarks are all about traditional Thai cooking, with just a few minor variations to accommodate Western taste. I am not referring to any of the current fads that you'll currently find in Bangkok, where thin teenagers are turning into plump adults on a diet of hamburgers, Cola and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Yes, obesity is becoming more prevalent in Thailand, but it's mainly because the lifestyle has become more westernised. Fortunately, the majority retain their figures by eating traditional foods.

It's the ingredients: In Thailand we're fortunate to have a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. This means we can buy them fresh, rather than eating, say, peaches or pears preserved in syrup. We also like to choose ingredients carefully - and this often means walking around the street markets to find the best mangoes, durian, or coconuts. If you walk a mile to buy fruit, that will help to keep you slim!

The main energy source, the staple of the Thai diet is rice, which "bulks up" during cooking and so tends to be less dense, and less fattening than potatoes. Thai diners are more likely to fill up with leafy vegetables and other side dishes, rather than eating vast quantities of rice.

We make everything palatable by adding fresh herbs, including coriander, basil, lemongrass and chillies.

Most important of all, we love seafood. Fish should be part of everyone's diet, at least once a week, but do make sure you choose a sustainable species. Oily fish is the best source of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which all experts say are vital for normal metabolism.

In my various books I've listed the health benefits of just about all typical Thai ingredients. Here are three examples:

* Ginger, one of the most popular Thai ingredients, is well-known as a digestive aid.
* Water chestnuts contain no fat whatsoever and very few calories.
* The white meat of chicken is lower in calories, lower in fat and higher in protein than dark meat.

So how about using all the above ingredients to make Chicken with Water Chestnuts and Ginger? You can find this recipe, which also includes dried black fungus, in my e-book Ginger & Galangal Secrets (from ThaiFoodSecrets.com).

It's the preparation: Because we like to chop and slice most of the ingredients, Thai food takes quite a lot of preparation. But this, too, has health benefits. Instead of serving half-chickens or large steaks of beef we serve finely-sliced meat in bite-sized pieces which can be savoured individually. Only fish are frequently served whole, often as a communal dish from which each diner takes small helpings.

It's the way we cook: Long on preparation, but quick to cook: that's the traditional way of food in Thailand. In all my books I emphasize the importance of pan-frying rather than deep-frying, whenever possible. In stir-frying, using a wok, the key to success is knowing how long to cook each ingredient. Be careful not to overcook vegetables. Add light vegetables at the end: for example, beansprouts take only about 3 minutes when cooked with other ingredients.

It's the way we eat: Buddhist tradition teaches us to savour our food rather than to wolf it down quickly. Does this have a health benefit? I think it does. If you take your time to enjoy the food that you (or someone else) has prepared and cooked, you won't be in danger of overeating because the body starts to signal "satisfaction" before the end of the meal. We call it "im" (full). If you hear Thai diners protesting "im!" it means they really can't eat much more.

Final word: British, European or American people will never eat exclusively Thai, except perhaps on a trip to Thailand, but maybe they can apply some of the principles of traditional Thai cooking to their own cuisine. The keys are: greater variety of ingredients, smaller cuts of meat, more fish, avoidance of overcooking, and taking time to enjoy the result.

Happy eating!

Lahore’S Bakeries Are Thriving Amid High Prices

During these tough economical times when the rupee is crumbling daily as compared to the dollar, money is losing its value rapidly and people are forced to cut back on expenses. A majority of Lahoris have given up spending on many luxuries and top the list they have cut back on dining out. But amid these cut backs and inflations the bakery business in Lahore is thriving. We all wonder what is the recipe to their success and how do they manage to come up with new bakers deals every other day? While other businesses in the city are reporting losses and many have been seen to shut down their doors, we see many new branches of Doce, Gourmet, and Rahat springing up in the city.

The lifestyle of the Lahoris is changing rapidly. These days you will hardly find a person going to work after taking a heavy breakfast on a daily basis. People are now busier than ever and nobody has enough time to sit down and gulp a huge glass of “Lassi” in the mornings. The old ways have changed now; today people are in search of food that does not take too much time to prepare. Time is money and most of the people are short of time in the morning. This is the first step when people to look out for readymade breakfast. They search for the bakers deals in Lahore where they can get something to eat readily without spending too much money and without wasting time for preparation. This may be a valid reason for the bakery business to thrive in the morning, but what about the lunch hours and after that?

The story is no different throughout the day as people are thronging towards the bakeries during lunch hours and even after that. The variety of food is too much and one can get almost anything already cooked and ready to be served. If you are in the mood to eat a pizza for lunch but you are not in the mood to spend heftily then the bakers deals in your ultimate destination. You can get a readymade pizza to satisfy your taste buds by spending just Rs.100. The nominal price of a hundred rupees is something that can be spent without hurting your wallet.

The evenings of Lahore are lively and we can see people on the streets and visiting each other at their homes. When you go to meet a person at their home you expect to be greeted and served with something delightful. The best place for the host is the bakery where he can get something tasty yet affordable to treat the guests at his home. The bakers deals in Lahore are once again remembered and they get another customer at the bakery. The change in our daily routine and the availability of food items ready to be served are more appropriate for the both the host and the guest. This slight change in the eating habits of the people of the city of Lahore has created a huge market for the bakeries in the city.

What Do You Know About Vodka?

When you think about vodka you think about just hanging out with friends and having a great time. It is the time when people get together to share well times and create new memories. This is flavored drinks and cocktail hour.

Different Types of Vodka

Drinking vodka means that you have choices and options to the type that you are going to have. There are Russian vodkas, neutral vodka, flavored vodka and regional touch. With all of the brands of vodka that you have to choose from you may want to try them all to find a favorite. This can be especially tricky when you start looking at the vodka flavors that you have to choose from. The best vodka type is going to depend upon your taste. One that you may like to try is vodka red. The red vodka brands are special all on their own.

Popular Brands to Try

Perhaps you have seen brands other than Absolut when it comes to vodka but you may be undecided on trying something new. You can look at a vodka review to get an idea of which ones you may want to try so you can get an idea of what else is out there. A few are SKYY, Smirnoff and White Diamond. All great choices but, you are going to find that Absolut will rank number one and a little lower on the list is Stolichnaya. Again, good vodka does not need to be expensive as they are all a distilled drink.

Prices of Vodka

When you start to look at vodka prices you are going to notice that they can go from very cheap to very expensive. A vodka bottle can go from $20 or less (depending on the size and brand) to $60 and over. If you are looking to try something new you may want to check out a review to an idea on one that is expensive. That way you can make a decision on whether or not you want to even give it a chance.

Popular Vodka Drinks

Even if you do not like the taste of vodka on its own, you may like many of the mixed drinks that it is made with. It is even possible that you have a favorite and did not even know that vodka was in it. There are many vodka cocktails such as the salty dog, sex on the beach, screwdriver and even black Russian. Perhaps you have found your own vodka recipes that you like to create. These are a few of the more popular drinks that have people coming back for more. If you are worried about the calories in vodka than know that there are 64 to a shot and 69 in the flavored. Vodka mixes and vodka mixed drinks are going to be the ones that have the most calories in them.

A Few Facts

In the early 1800�s, vodka made its appearance and it did not take long before it became a household name. The brand of Absolut has its very own Hollywood Star and they support different functions and national sponsorship. Although they advertise drinking they are also about supporting the community and promoting safe drinking.