Health Benefits: Raisins vs. Grapes

It's good to know what we are eating and why we choose certain ingredients in our food. But first of all, let's understand the health benefits of Raisins vs. Grapes.

Raisins are simply dried grapes. They make great alternatives to processed sugar and can help weight loss objectives. The vitamin C content is low, but they are rich in powerful antioxidants that can reduce signs of aging and prevent cancer, amount other benefits. (1)

Summary of benefits:

1. Rich in Antioxidants that are crucial to prevention of diseases
2. Has an exceptional ability to reduce signs of aging
3. It is nature's natural healthy sugar that digests easily in our body
4. Cholesterol and Fat Free
5. Prevent cavities and protect against tooth decays
6. Contains Vitamin K, C, E, B and mineral Boron which helps promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Boron helps the body better process estrogen and vitamin D. (2)
7. Prevents constipation due to its fibrous nature.

Now, the major difference between grapes and raisins. Since raisins are dried grapes, the concentration of all benefits above triple with raisins. Why? Simply because they are dried and takes less space. If you were to consume 100g of grapes vs. 100g of raisins, you have have tripled the amount of antioxidants in your body. However, the natural sugar content triples as well.

Therefore, in our Hershey's Chocolate Cake, we chose Golden Raisins over normal brown raisins because they are not as sweet and have a better bite and flavour to it. And with the presence of raisins, sugar was significantly reduce for a healthier cake.

References:
(1) http://www.benefitsoflife.org/benefits_of_raisins.html
(2) http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-raisins.html

Hershey's Chocolate Cake with Golden Raisins

This cake is absolutely delicious! When you bite into these, they just melt in your mouth. The toasted hazelnut topping adds the necessary crunch this cake needs to the whole experience of eating this cake. It is a really light cake that can be eaten any time of the day.

And to give it more bite, we added golden raisins from USA. Yummmmmm!


Ingredients: Semisweet Hershey's Chocolate, Plain Flour, Bicarbonate of Soda, Salt, Anchor Unsalted Butter, Caster Sugar, NutriPlus Low Cholesterol Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Farmhouse Low Fat High Calcium Omega Milk, Nescafe, Lemon Juice, Golden Raisins & Hazelnuts (Both from USA).

Optional: Add Rum with Raisins

Homemade "Fully Loaded" Fruit Cake

This is a light (as in colour) fruit cake filled with lots of fruits and what's different are the dried apricots in this cake. We put them in because they taste so good and have great health benefits. We have significantly reduced sugar in our batter to allow you to taste each fruit and its sweetness.

This cake can be served refrigerated or at room temperature. We personally like it refrigerated. It is good for 2 weeks refrigerated or 1 month frozen. With brandy and sherry in it, the duration 3 folds.


Ingredients: Anchor Unsalted Butter, Dark Brown Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, NutriPlus Low Cholesterol Eggs, Orange, Lemon, Almonds, Apricots, Mixed Peel, Cherries, Sultanas, Raisins, Currants, Apricots, All Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Powder.

Optional: Enjoy Sherry & Hennessy in cupcakes.

Recipe: Steamed Chicken with Preserved Sausages

I don't normally enjoy steamed food but thought I would give this recipe from my mom's a try since it was a mad rush home today. This recipe is easy, tasty and healthy. I omitted salted fish that's called in this recipe and used homemade preserved sausages that mom ordered from her friend. My husband and I were surprised with the turnout. The chicken was tasty and juicy. The juice from the preserved sausages and chicken, coupled with shaoxing wine made this dish simple satisfying. You've got to try this!

New Research Confirms Hazelnuts Have More Antioxidants per Serving Than Many Other “Superfoods"

Reading from the National Cancer Institute website, it says "Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts,...". (1)

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals might otherwise cause. (1)

What's good about Hazelnuts?

Hazelnuts have long been valued for their indulgent flavor and upscale appeal, but many people don’t realize that they are also one of the most nutritious nuts and a powerful source of antioxidants. Hazelnuts are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium and B vitamins. Hazelnuts can give meals an antioxidant boost while adding the indulgence, exotic appeal and satisfaction that consumers crave. (2)

References

(1) http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants; Point 1 and 7.

(2) http://www.westnut.com/pdfs/ANTIOXIDANT_RESEARCH_FINAL.pdf

Light 'n' Soft Hazelnut Buttercake

This cake is a super fun cake. It is very light, fluffy and crunchy. It tastes like a pound cake with a smell that's familiar but you probably haven't had a cake like this before. The beauty is, we crush whole hazelnuts, toast them till their natural aroma fills the air, cool them and THEN, we use them in this cake. And for crunch lovers out there, we ensure you get the lovely chunky hazelnut crunchy bits in the cake for you!


Ingredients: Hazelnuts (From USA), Corn Flour, Plain Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Anchor Unsalted Butter, Caster Sugar, NutriPlus Low Cholesterol Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Lemon, Icing Sugar (For dusting).