Green Tea Health Benefits / LS32

Tea, the refreshing beverage of humanity for many centuries is considered as a health drink because of many therapeutic qualities attributed to it. Tea enthusiasts unequivocally vouch for the beneficial factors, but there are dissenting voices to warn the harmful effects. It is a fact that in the contemporary society people have become more health conscious and are becoming over cautious about the pros and cons of anything and everything they consume. Whether it is oil, chocolate, milk or grains there are diverse views expressed by researchers on the merits and demerits of such items. Tea is yet another beverage that is subjected to intensive research but no specific health hazard is attributed to it. But some experts warn against addiction to it.

Tea is a natural and agro based product which contains catechins or flavanoids which is an antioxidant. This is the basis of experts’ opinion that consumption of tea in moderation is good for health. Studies have revealed that risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases are found less in those who consume tea regularly. According to some nutrition specialists tea will strengthen the immune system of the body. It can reduce the risks of kidney stone. Equally important is the contention that tea offer protection against decay of teeth and bones. Tea does not contain salts or fat contents in it and therefore safe for those who suffer from hypertension or heart ailments. Plain black or green tea is considered as a good antidote against many potential health hazards. Without additives like sugar and spices tea is safe even for seriously sick persons and diabetics. Green tea is an effective remedy against cholesterol related problems, liver ailments and inflammatory conditions. It is also claimed that green tea can enhance metabolic rate in the body. Caffeine content in tea is again another effective antioxidant.

However there are experts who are not very optimistic about the consumption of tea. According to them tea can lead to sleeplessness and in some cases will retard the effects of some medicines like anticoagulants. It may adversely affect the iron absorption by the body. Intensive research is being undertaken by many individuals and institutions. Opinions are divided as far as the impacts of tea on human body. But no conclusive proof is yet put forward to indicate that tea can cause health hazards. On the other hand tea is a rich source of magnesium, potassium and manganese which are essential for a healthy body. The bottom line is clear. Moderate consumption of tea is not injurious to health.

People with complicated health problems should consult physicians in this context. Whether tea has therapeutic values or not is a matter for experts to establish beyond doubts. But as mentioned earlier, no specific health hazard is attributed to consumption of tea even though humanity was consuming it for many centuries. The United Kingdom Tea Council has no hesitation to conclude that tea is having many health benefits and that “for centuries to come there will be a place at the centre of British lives for a nice cup of tea”.

Healthy Oatmeal Recipes & Easy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe / LS31

Raspberry and Oatmeal Sundaes

This makes a light, refreshing dessert after a rich main course. As an alternative to oatmeal, you can grind porridge oats in a food processor until they're broken up but not completely ground.

Serves: 4 - 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus cooling
Cooking time: 5 minutes

75g medium oatmeal
250g quark
4tbsp clear honey
200g low fat natural yogurt
2 tsp vanilla extract
250g fresh or frozen raspberries

Method

Toast the oatmeal by heating it in a heavy-based frying pan, stirring until lightly browned. Tip onto a plate and leave to cool.

Beat the quark in a bowl until softened. Add the honey, yogurt and vanilla and beat until smooth. Stir in the oatmeal.

Scatter a third of the raspberries into four small serving glasses and spoon over half the oat. Scatter half the remaining raspberries on top and add the remaining oat mix. Scatter with the remaining raspberries.

Oatmeal and Dill Crusted Salmon

Use any other soft fruits instead of the raspberries. Sliced strawberries or blueberries work very well.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 -15 minutes

Serves: 4

4 salmon fillets

1 tbsp olive oil

3-4 tbsp pinhead oatmeal

1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

Dill sprigs to garnish

Lightly brush the top of each salmon fillet with olive oil. Line the grill pan with foil and place the fish, flesh side up, on the grill rack.

Mix the oatmeal with the dill, lemon zest and seasoning. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the salmon fillets. Pat down lightly to give a good coating, drizzle juice over, and grill for 8-10 minutes, without turning. Serve garnished with fresh with dill.

Oatmeal and Honey Cake

A slice of this moist and moreish cake costs just 35p.

Serves 6-8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes

300g butter
100g honey
150g regular or jumbo rolled oats
50g medium oatmeal
100g light brown muscovado sugar
150g self raising flour
4 medium eggs, beaten

Total cost: £2.07
Per serving: 26p (based on eight)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Grease and base line a 20cm round loose bottomed cake tin.

Melt 100g butter with the honey and add the oats.

Mix together the oatmeal, sugar and flour in a large bowl. Melt the remaining butter and stir into the dry ingredients with the eggs. Pour into the cake tin.

Sprinkle the oat and honey mixture on top and bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with a drizzle of honey.

Cook's Tip: Try adding some chopped walnuts to the oat topping for an extra crunchy texture.

Fruity Cinnamon Oatcakes

Makes 9
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

50g medium oatmeal
50g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
25g currants, chopped
15g butter
1 tbsp honey

Total cost: 27p
Per oatcake: 3p

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6.

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Melt the butter with the honey and stir into the dry ingredients with 2-3 tbsp boiling water. Mix to form a dough.

Dust the work surface with a little oatmeal and roll out the dough to ½cm thickness. Using a 7cm round cutter, cut 9 rounds and place on a non-stick baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden.

Serving Suggestion:Top with jam and clotted cream, or a hard cheese e.g. Caerphilly and celery.

Cook's Tip: Try using mixed spice and dried cranberries as an alternative.

Toasted Oat and Yogurt Layer

Preparation time: 5 minutes plus chilling time
Serves:2

50g oats
6 tbsp 0% fat Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp honey
100g blueberries

Toast the oats by dry frying them in a frying pan for 1-2 minutes until golden.

Mix together the yoghurt and honey and place half in the base 2 wine or sundae glasses. Then sprinkle half the toasted oats into the glasses. Top with half the blueberries then repeat the layers.

Serve chilled.