Organic Adzuki Anko and Dessert Soup Recipe

Adzuki beans (also known as azuki, aduki or red bean) are known for their common use in Japan to make sweet desserts. The Adzuki bean does not have a strong bean flavour, but gives a nutty taste, making it perfect as an inexpensive base for sweet treats! Adzuki beans are also easier to digest than other beans, so you won't find them hard on your system. The Adzuki is actually an aid to cleansing the kidneys!
 
The following recipe is an excellent introduction to making sweets with Adzuki beans. The first step to making a delectable adzuki dessert is to prepare the "anko". Anko is essentially a sweetened paste of properly cooked adzuki beans. This is the base for so many Japanese desserts.

Organic Anko
This type of anko is called tsubu-an. Tsubu-an includes the skins of the adzuki beans, while the koshian type is made by straining out the skins.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. or 1 1/3 cup organic adzuki beans
• 1 1/4 cup organic cane sugar or organic muscovado sugar. (Adjust the sweetness to your preference.)
• 1 tsp unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt

Preparation:

• Soak the adzuki beans in lots of water overnight.
• On the stove-top, bring the beans to a boil.
• Turn down the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drain the beans.
• Add four cups of water to the beans in the pot.
• Bring back to a boil.
• Turn down the heat to low and simmer the adzuki beans for about one hour, or until soft.
• Drain the beans.
• Add the sugar and salt.
• Stir and simmer beans until thickened.
  

Now that you have the anko, you can make the dessert.

Red Dessert Soup

• Add water and blend by hand until you have the consistency of a thick soup (thickness may vary depending on desired presentation).
• Cook with citrus peels over medium heat, using finely grated tangerine peels or orange peel powder.
• Cool & garnish with crushed nuts.
• Many times this soup is served over a piece of mochi (Japanese rice cake).
  

You'll find more azuki dessert recipes here in the future!

Organic Yerba Mate Tea for Energy, Health and Friendship

Yerba Mate is a unique tea from South America that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. It is enjoyed more than coffee or tea in it's native regions. It is drank primarily for strength, vigor, energy, and health. It is also a drink of companionship and friendship. It enlivens conversation, being gently stimulating, helping people to open up and speak what is in their hearts. It is the healthy alternative to coffee.


Yerba Mate is the leaf of a large shrub bearing the same name, which literally means "herb of the gourd". It is traditionally infused in a hollowed out gourd, in either hot or cold water. The Yerba Mate tea is sipped through a filtering straw called a "bombilla". The gourd is traditionally shared among family and friends, being passed from one to another, with more water added each time to the gourd. The Yerba Mate circle is the heart of a culture known for it's warmth, hospitality, and friendliness.


The reported health benefits of Yerba Mate are many. It has been used to reduce the effects of debilitating and painful diseases such as gout, hiatus hernia, diabetes, and cancer, to name a few.  It has been used to boost the immune system and tone the nervous system. It has been known to aid in cases of insomnia, and to combat chronic fatigue.


Yerba Mate has been used by many to reduce the appetite and burn more calories, aiding in the challenge of weight loss. Because of it's ability to supply more oxygen to the heart during duress, body builders and athletes use Yerba Mate to increase their stamina and endurance.


Yerba Mate's proprietary xanthine blend is different from other natural stimulants, especially in its effects on muscle tissue. Yerba mate has been shown to have a relaxing effect on smooth muscle tissue, and a stimulating effect on myocardial (heart) tissue. Yerba Mate does not exhibit the same negative effects on the central nervous system as other stimulating beverages such as coffee or black teas.


There has not been a lot of scientific research done on Yerba Mate so far. The most notable ones include:

• Researchers at the University of Illinois in 2005 found yerba mate to have cancer-fighting properties.
• Research at the Florida International University indicated that Yerba Mate does contain some caffeine, but is tolerated much better than in coffee or other teas because of the unique accompaniment of other xanthines, vitamins and minerals. 
• A Swiss research group performed a study on human subjects in 1999 that indicated yerba mate could be beneficial as a weight-loss aid. They noticed a thermogenic effect in healthy individuals indicating a rise in the proportion of fat burned as energy.
• One of the first, and best known studies on Yerba Mate was done in 1964 by the Pasteur institute. Their conclusion was:

“it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to Mate
in nutritional value. It has most all of the vitamins necessary to
sustain life.”

Yerba Mate is notably high in Potassium, Magnesium and Manganese, all excellent aids in creating the energy you need to stay healthy.

Yerba Mate is also a potent anti-oxidant. More potent than straight vitamin C! In fact, with all the raves about green tea and it's anti-oxidant greatness, you should know that a brewed cup of fresh, green, organic Yerba Mate has twice the anti-oxidant capacity of a cup of green tea!

With all this goodness, it's no wonder that Yerba Mate is becoming the choice beverage for those wishing to kick an unhealthy addiction to coffee.

The best source for fresh, green, organic Yerba Mate in Canada is the Mate Factor line of teas from Common Sense Natural Products. You can find the Mate Factor teas in health food stores, tea shops and independent grocers across Canada.

New Canadian Blog on Organic Food

Yes, here is a brand new blog... what is it going to accomplish?
Here are some of my hopes...

I would like to provide a forum for Canadians like myself who are excited about organic food. This could be a place to discuss all the neat and interesting things we are learning about organics, and stimulate discussion between growers, purveyors and consumers. It could become a great place for those who are interested in finding out more about organic foods. A place to introduce new ideas to those who are just starting to get involved.
 
Yes, involvement! That is what we need. We need you to get involved and talk about what you are doing, or what you would like to do. Ask questions about how to grow, or cook your favourite foods! Share recipes, share ideas, have a good time! What more could we ask for?

What do I plan on doing? I will write about organic foods & teas, herbs, recipes, what to look for and why... to stimulate discussion. Please add to it! If you don't agree with something I write... great! Tell me what you think! I'm learning too!

health, food, organic

Organic Hemp Seeds: EFA & EAA One-Stop-Shop

Organic Hemp seed has all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids you need! Hemp seeds are higher than any other plant in EFA's. Not only is it higher in EFA's, but these essential oils are also delivered in a ratio that is exactly tailored to meet the human body's need. If you are looking for the right intake of EFA's, Hemp seeds are your one-stop-shop!


Hemp protein also contains all 20 known amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.


Hemp seeds are second only to soybeans in protein content. Hemp protein, however, is free of the tryspin inhibitors which block protein absorption and free of oligosaccharides found in soy, which can cause stomach upset and gas.

Proteins serve a variety of functions in the human body such as acting as enzymes, antibodies, and the structural components of tissues, hormones and blood protein. The main function of dietary protein is to supply amino acids for the growth and maintenance of body tissue. Digestion disassembles proteins into their basic building blocks - the amino acids.
 
Proteins are considered complete when they contain all 9 essential amino acids in a sufficient quantity and ratio to meet the body’s needs. Hemp seeds contain an adequate supply of these high quality proteins (EAAs) for a well balanced diet.

Three to five tablespoons a day (for adults - teaspoons for children) will give you the EFA's and EAA's your body needs to be healthy!

You can purchase Bulk Organic Hemp Seeds and Hemp Oil at Canada Organic Foods supplier Common Sense Wholesome Food Market. Use the following coupon code at checkout to get 10% off your purchase of any organic hemp product: co-hemp-10 (expires Feb 28, 2011 - not to be combined with other special offers or discounts.)