How to improve in your cooking

Everyone wants to become better in any skill they have. Cooking is no exception. Even if you think you are hopeless in the kitchen; like everything else, practice and increasing your knowledge makes perfect. Just relax and pretend that you are playing with the ingredients and you will realize that cooking is not such a task.

Increasing your knowledge
Constantly increasing your knowledge of cooking is important because you already know the basics of cooking and you are interested in improving your skills. Search for recipes on the web and in cookery books, read them through even if it is a recipe for a meal you think you have perfected. With Nigerian food recipes, and any other world recipe, there are often many ways to cook a meal and achieve the same results. So there's always something new to learn. When you eat a familiar meal and you notice an improvement in the taste, it is good to ask the cook what he/she did to achieve that

Timing
This is one of the top tips of how to become a better cook because you may know all the ingredients you need, spend a lot of money on premium ingredients but get the timing wrong and all the money and time spent goes to nothing. Knowing the right time to add certain ingredients goes a long way to making your food taste better.

Organisation
Some things need to be done before you even light up the stove for example; you can take your time and cut up every vegetable that needs to be chopped, place them in separate bowls and set aside. This is so that once it is time to add these, it will be a matter of putting them into the pot rather than hurriedly washing and cutting them up just before you add them

Attention to detail
Watch out for how your cooking can benefit from low, medium or high heat. Sometimes, you need high heat to get that white rice to dry quicker as medium heat will cause it to become soggy.

Have the basic tools you need
Something as basic as a chopping board is essential in the kitchen. It will help you cut the carrots or green bell pepper better as opposed to doing these without. It may be worth investing in that expensive blender because it gives you the best tomato puree

Plan Ahead
It is a good idea to plan what you want to cook well ahead of time. This is so that you can be sure to buy all the necessary ingredients for preparing the recipe.

Choose your time carefully
It is best to cook when you are sure you will have minimal distraction. Do not plan to cook when your favorite TV programme is on air or on a day you brought some work home. The less you are distracted from your cooking, the better attention you will pay to the preparation of the meal. This way, there will be no burnt/overcooked meals later!

Give yourself plenty of time
Always give yourself plenty of time to cook your chosen recipe. With practice, you can estimate the time it will take to cook, for instance Ofada rice before it is meal time. This way, you will not need to rush through your cooking. Also, if you invited friends over for a meal, you do not want to be dashing to and from the kitchen when you should be talking with your visitors

Be adventurous in the kitchen
Feel free to throw a few vegetables in the frying pan to make your very own gravy. You can start by using your favorite vegetables, then eliminate and substitute later if you feel that some of them do not fit in the mix due to their taste or texture. Soon, you will be wowing your friends and family with a recipe that started as a concoction! Remember, it is your kitchen so play with the ingredients as much as you want.

Often does it
Practice, they say, makes perfect. The more often you cook, the more you learn new and better ways of the art of cooking. The frequency of cooking also boosts your confidence in the kitchen. Let's say you cook Isi Ewu every weekend, you will be perfecting on the different stages of the cooking, if you cook it only once every 2 months.
We hope that at least one of the above tips will help you in your quest to become a better cook. Happy Cooking!

How to eat during workout

Food consumed before exercise is only useful once it has been digested and absorbed.  This means you need to time your food intake so that the fuel becomes available during the exercise period.  The time required for digestion depends on the type and quantity of food consumed.  Generally, foods higher in fat, protein and fibre tend to take longer to digest than other foods, and may increase the risk of stomach discomfort during exercise.  Large quantities of foods take longer to digest than smaller quantities. Generally, food is better tolerated during lower intensity activities, or sports where the body is supported (e.g. cycling) than sports such as running where the gut is jostled about during exercise.  A general guide is to have a meal about 3-4 hours before exercise or a lighter snack about 1-2 hours before exercise. You need to experiment to find the timing, amount and make up that best suits your individual needs.

What if I exercise early in the morning?

It is not always practical to eat a meal 3-4 hours before exercise.  If you train early in the morning you should opt for a light snack about an hour before exercise.  For example, some fruit or on the way to training along with some fluid such as a glass of milk or juice.  Make up for your smaller carbohydrate intake prior to exercise by consuming carbohydrate during the event or training session.

Should I avoid eating before exercise if I am trying to lose weight?

Exercising in a fasted state (8 hours since the last meal) results in a greater proportion of fat being used as the exercise fuel compared to doing the same workload after a carbohydrate-containing meal or snack.  However, it is possible that you may be able to exercise harder and for a longer period if you consume carbohydrate before exercise.  Overall, this will result in greater energy use and a better contribution to the negative energy balance that is needed to cause fat loss.  To make a decision about eating before your workout, it is useful to consider the goals of the session. If your primary goal is to improve performance, have something to eat before exercise.  If your primary goal is weight loss, and you will do the same amount of exercise regardless of whether you eat or not, save your meal until after the session.

Health benefit of sex in your body

Yes sex, i have heard lots of people say sex is good for blablabla , but i use to ignore it until i start to research about the health benefit of it, even though this blog is a food blog, but i just feel like sharing this topic, since it has to do with health, i discovered that sex is not just two people making love, but it carries health benefits without people noticing it, Want to get healthy and have fun at the same time? Anything that exercises your heart is good for you, including sex. Sexual arousal sends the heart rate higher, and the number of beats per minute reaches its peak during orgasm.
But as with most exercise, it depends how you do it. Some studies show that the average peak heart rate at orgasm is the same as during light exercise, such as walking upstairs. That's not enough to keep most people fit and healthy. according to my findings, adults should do at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have 150 minutes of orgasms a week :-),  try cycling, brisk walking or dancing.
People who have sex feel healthier
It could be that people who feel healthier have more sex, but there seems to be a link between sexual activity and your sense of well-being. A study of 3,000 Americans aged 57-85 showed that those who were having sex rated their general health higher than those who weren't. And it’s not just sex, it's love too. People who were in a close relationship or married were more likely to say they felt in ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ health than just ‘good’ or ‘poor’. It seems that emotional and social support can boost our sense of well being Having heart disease doesn't have to hold you back in the bedroom. Experts advise that you can usually have sex as long as you can do the everyday activities that have the same impact on your heart without causing chest pain, such as walking up two flights of stairs.
Of course, a healthy sex life can lead to a feeling self-confidence and happiness for both men and women. Feeling good emotionally can lead to greater health benefits. A poor sex life or no sex life can trigger depression or contribute to a person’s negative sense of self. A fulfilling sex life can play a key role in the good health of a steady relationship and the mutual good feeling can help sustain the other health benefits of sex.
Another weird health benefit of an overtly sexual act can improve your smile. That is, teeth have been shown to benefit from semen. Minerals, zinc, and calcium within semen can reduce tooth decay. A healthy set of teeth is just one more benefit that intimacy can safeguard.
Regular intimacy cuddling, hugging, touching along with intercourse can promote mutual healing and provide many health benefits. The fact that intimacy feels good is good for your health. Science has demonstrated that the sense of touch is important to maintain good health. Of course, it is important to take precautions—dangerous sexually-related infections and disease can cancel out the great health benefits of sex. But, as humans are sexual creatures, it should be no surprise that sex (after all risk factors are protected against) is really good for you.




(Source: Rerkpattanapipat P, Stanek MS, MN Kotler. Sex and the heart: what is the role of the cardiologist? European Heart Journal )

Foods for stunning skin

I found out that  people have lots of skin problem and the first thing that comes to their mind is what cream to use? i realized that eating well and healthy makes skin glow even without using expensive cream or prescribed, i saw this and i thought i should share!
Broccoli-This cruciferous veggie is high in antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The vitamin C in broccoli aids in collagen production and keeps your skin healthy and supple, while vitamin E protects your skin cell membranes and guards against UV radiation damage.





Almonds-These nuts are one of the best food sources of vitamin E. Eat whole almonds as a snack or add sliced almonds to salads, cereal, yogurt, stir–fry or baked goods. You can also toast almond slivers and serve them on top of fish, chicken, or even rice or pasta dishes. The vitamin E in almonds can help nourish your skin and protect it from the sun's damaging UV rays. Just be sure to eat them in moderation, since almonds and other nuts are calorie–dense.


Whole Wheat Pastas and Breads-Another skin–friendly antioxidant is the mineral selenium, which is found in whole wheat pastas and breads. Selenium helps protect your skin against environmental damage and promotes elasticity and general skin health. High–dose selenium supplements have been linked to health problems, so it's always best to get your selenium from delicious food sources.



Carrots-Crunch on carrots to keep your skin healthy and vibrant. Carrots are high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that is converted to vitamin A inside the body. It helps repair skin tissue and protects against the sun's harsh rays. Enjoy carrots raw in salads or with a low–calorie dip, or try roasting them to develop a rich, sweet flavor. (Bonus! Cooked carrots deliver even more skin–friendly beta carotene than raw ones.)



Pumpkin Seeds-Pumpkin seeds are a skin superfood because they're so high in zinc. Zinc protects your cell membranes, helps maintain collagen, and promotes skin renewal. Enjoy pumpkin seeds on their own as a snack, add them into a homemade trail mix, or sprinkle them on yogurt or oatmeal





Fish-Salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and rainbow trout all contain omega–3 fats, which help fortify skin cell membranes, protect against sun damage, and may also reduce the risk of certain forms of skin cancer. These healthy fats allow water and nutrients into the skin while keeping toxins out, and may also fight inflammation in the skin. Just don't cancel out the benefits of eating fish by preparing it in unhealthy ways. Avoid deep–fried fish, and go for baked, grilled, roasted or poached instead!

Water-It's not a "food," per se, but water is crucial when it comes to skin health because it flushes toxins out of your body, delivers nutrients to your cells, and keeps your organs functioning. It also helps keep your cells plump and full, which makes your skin look firmer and clearer. To get more water in your daily diet, fill up a large reusable container with ice–cold water each morning, and keep drinking from it throughout the day. And drinking water isn't the only way to keep your skin cells hydrated. Many fruits and veggies are more than 75 percent water (by weight), so they're a terrific source of H2O, too.


culled from Here

Health benefits of bitter leaf

bitter leaf is common among every home in Nigeria, either Igbo,Hausa or Yoruba The igbo calls it onugbo, the Yoruba calls it ewuro and the hausa calls it shiwaka. Bitterleaf mostly is eaten as a vegetable. in igbo land while the Yoruba use it more as a medicine. The fact is that bitter herbs are good for the body. Bitter herbs helps to tone the vital organs of the body, especially the largest organ of the body. Bitter leaves should always be taken fresh. Nigerians eat a lot of bitterleaf, but they often squeeze out the bitterness from the leaves before eating it. What is left then, is mere chaff, with little or no medicinal value. The following are some of the uses of bitter leaf.(below is not a prescription but its been used traditionally)

STOMACH ACHE- Chew the tender stem of the plant like chewing stick and swallow the bitterness. This is a well known remedy for stomachaches. In some cases, the ache stops within a few minutes. An alternative is to pound the fresh leaves in a mortar and press out the juice. Add a pinch of salt to three tablespoons of the undiluted juice and drink. This brings immediate relief.
SKIN INFECTION- For skin infections such as ringworm, itching, rashes and eczema, the pure, undiluted extract of bitter leaf is excellent. Simply apply it to the affected part daily.
DIABETES,LOSS OF MEMORY,PROSTATE CANCER,GENERAL WEAKNESS,STROKE,PNEUMONIA,INSOMIA,ARTHRITIS and the list goes on,,,,,,,
you can also check how to cook it Here

Importance of yogurt on our skin

Why Yogurt is Good For Your Skin
I remembered my best friend always use yogurt on her face every night but i don't really care then, later i start to find out why and what it really does to the skin, and i discovered that its full of protein, enzymes, and zinc, yogurt does a great job at cleaning up and softening your skin. It lightens dark spots and blemishes and helps protect your face with its antioxidant properties.
It’s just a tad bit acidic, which makes it great as an exfoliator, and it restores balance to your skin’s natural
 it gives an awesome consistency to food-based masks and scrubs. It’s soft, yet it’s not afraid of working hard to bring back the skin’s youthful glow. Best of all, it’s not harsh and pretty much anyone can benefit from a slathering of yogurt, regardless of whether your skin is dry, oily.
Quick and Easy Yogurt Tips
Dab a little bit of plain yogurt on a blemish. Leave it on as long as you want (but no less than 10 minutes). This should help clear up that unsightly spot, and it will help reduce the redness associated with it.
Smear yogurt on a sunburn. Apply the yogurt to the ouchie areas half an hour before showering. It’ll cool you down, and it will help lessen your glowing redness.
Make a quick yogurt facial mask using … only yogurt! Just take that yogurt and put it on your face (lemme hear you say “Crunchy!”). Make sure your face is clean beforehand, and leave this simple pimple (or no-pimple, as the case may be) remedy on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Benefit of using Shea butter

I got to know shea butter while i was young, i will watch my dad while eating it, (weird hun?) he mix it with his pap, (ogi), and i use to ask why? it smells 'bad' and coupled with the fact that its tasteless, he will just tell 'its healthy my daughter' . now that i had my child, i remembered him telling me that i should use it on my son's skin till his a year old which i did.

Shea butter is a natural conditioner for hair. It is produced from the Shea-Karite tree nut, which is a native tree found in the tropics of East and West Africa. It provides extraordinary moisturizing properties and is therefore known as “mother natures conditioner”.
It’s been utilized for decades in areas of Africa not only for the hair but also because of its skincare and therapeutic qualities. It has been utilized in restorative healing burns and injuries, to get rid of surgical marks, dermatitis, and stretch marks.
Sooth Irritated Scalp
Shea butter has been used for centuries to sooth dry itchy scalp or dandruff on African Hair. It’s also a great source to provide moisture for dry or damaged hair. It is usually utilized like a foundation for health-related creams, and it has been believed to possess anti-inflammatory qualities. It absorbs easily into the scalp and it does not clog the pores. It provides moisture from the roots on down to the ends. It is therefore extremely beneficial to hair that is relaxed, colored, or heat-treated.
Sealant for the Hair
Black hair has the tendency to be dryer than any type of hair due to the texture. The natural sebum from the scalp has a hard time sliding down the shaft to the ends because of the bends or coils of black hair. Shea butter is frequently found in curly hair treatments because of its emolliating qualities. This makes it excellent for locking in moisture without leaving your hair greasy and heavy. Since it aids in fastening moisture into hair it’s fantastic for keeping your hair protected against the weather.
You can use it alone or you can add it to your favorite conditioner to give you extra moisture. It’s also a great additive for shampoos and hair creams.
Protection Against Heat
Shea butter does not sit on the hair, instead it absorbs into the hair strand/shaft without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. However it does coat the hair shaft so that it is protected against damage from the heat tool being passed along the hair.
Shield Against UVS
Shea butter is believed to have a low amount but sufficient SPF to protect your hair against the damage from ultra violet rays of the sun. This is definitely beneficial for processed or color treated hair.
Softener for Hair
Shea butter is great for softening hard brittle hair. It’s an excellent moisturizer, and therefore offers that advantage for dried as well as fragile curly hair.
Is all Shea Butter the Same?
There are two types of Shea Butter refined and unrefined. Unrefined Shea butter means it has more of its natural goodness. One of the reasons shea butter is refined is to eliminate it’s natural aroma which may not be liked by some. However the odor does absorb fairly quickly. If you want to use an unrefined Shea butter with less of an aroma, its been recommended to use Shea Butter from Uganda or East Africa. It cost slightly more, but it is also known for being able to make your hair a little softer and it’s slightly better at moisturizing

Culled from Shea Butter.

How to make 'Agege bread'

A dictionary defines bread as, “A staple food made from flour or meal mixed with other dry and liquid ingredients, usually combined with a leavening agent, and kneaded, shaped into loaves, and baked”. By way of identification, Agege bread is a ‘regular white bread’, baked from flour, margarine (often baking fat), sugar, yeast, and little water. It is known for its softness; it is ‘yeasty’; has hard outer brownish layer and white soft inner part that ‘draws’.




Ingredient
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 table spoon dried yeast
- 2 table spoon salt
- 4 table spoon sugar
- warm water
How to prepare 
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Start to add the warm water a little at a time, mixing with your hand as you go along. You want to form a soft and stretchy dough that isn't too sticky. you can use roughly a third to half a glass of water.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until smooth then place back in the bowl and cover with a damp napkin. Leave to rise for about an hour.
Knead the dough lightly and place in a loaf tin (lined with greaseproof paper, if possible).
Bake in a pre-heated oven, 225c, for 40-45 minutes.
When done, leave to cool . Or tear at it immediately if you really can't wait (to which I must add: I take no responsibility for burnt fingers).

Some say Agege bread goes very well with stews, beans pottage, talk less of margarine, and a good dip into a mug of beverage like tea or cocoa. *yummy* but i love it with my 'Agoyin beans'

Source -http://www.vegannigerian.com/2013/08/agege-bread.html

Kitchen tools for every woman

Cooking pots- in a country like Nigeria you hardly cook anything without your big cooking pots :-)

Rubber cutting board- rubber cutting boards is easier for me to use, though i also have the hard board with wood but the rubber is more comfortable while cutting your vegetables

Pair of knives- good sharp knives is very important while cooking, it make it easier and faster 
Well this i don't have a name for it :-) (maybe chopping broom)- but as it is, its a very essential tools for the yorubas in Nigeria, it is use for grating 'Molokhia leaf'

Mixing bowls-why don't you need it? from baking to cooking this bowls are essential for every cooking

Kitchen spoons - there are various types of spoons, from frying to mixing, , this set of spoon are good to go in the kitchen, i don't know the name one by one, but i i just buy them since i really have use for it, when i fry, or when i serve.although most of the time i prefer wood spoon to the stainless steel, in my opinion i think it makes you food to get burnt before time, so i usually use the wooden spoon

Can openers -as simple as it looks, its powerful i must say, i remembered sometimes when i have to cook and i don't have it, i go crazy, especially now that am far from home, most of the things i buy are in can, it very important to have it

Grater - there are different types, but this two am use to, it is easier and faster for me,


Hand Towel- avoid white towels in the cooking area, though it doesn't matter but i prefer it in colors



And the list goes on and on. but it is good to start your tools with the most essential ones, cooking is fun, so it more fun when you have the right tools with you!

Ghanian Shitto! (Ata dudu)

Ghanaian shitto is a sauce mostly eaten by the Ghanaian you can use it to eat rice, yam even barbecue, few Nigerians also eat this, but my husband is obsessed about it, we always buy the ready made sauce at the shop all the time until i took a challenge of knowing what it is made up and i realize its not that hard after all, i sent my mum the recipe since its my first time, so she bought it and send it to me which still make it look like a *ready made* but at least now i know what it is made of and trust me guys you never wanna miss it!
You can make it spicy and hot or mild taste but i prefer it hot, that is the whole idea :-)

Ingredient
1 cup ground red chili pepper (cayenne)
3 cups vegetable oil*
2 cups ground dried shrimp**
2 cups ground smoked herring***
1 1/2 cups onion puree
2 medium-size tomatoes, pureed
1 cup tomato paste
salt to taste
1-2 cubes of Jumbo or Maggi seasoning, preferably shrimp flavor (this is optional!)

How to prepare
Be sure to use a pan with a heavy bottom, so the sauce won't burn.
Add oil to the pan and heat it. Add onion and tomato ingredients and fry the mixture for about 10 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Add the dry ingredients into the pan, stir well, and continue cooking it for an additional 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.
The finished sauce should be a rich dark reddish-brown color and have a thick texture, not at all runny. Some of the oil may separate out and that is fine. When cooled, put the sauce into a clean glass jar and cover. Make sure about half an inch of oil stays on the top, covering the paste. This sauce keeps indefinitely and does not need refrigeration.
Note
You can use any size dried shrimp, tiny to big, and if you buy them already ground it saves time. If you start with whole dried shrimp, grind them finely in a mortar or use a blender/food processor to do it for you.

How often do you use lemon?

I remember when i was growing up, my dad use to drink his water with lemon every morning and i don't understand why, but later i also thought maybe because we grow it in our garden and he feels he need to use it  :-), but later i realize there are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser.




i found out how important it is and the benefit  Here
Lemons contain many substances–notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene–that promote immunity and fight infection.

How to go about it? You should be using purified water and it should be lukewarm not scalding hot. You want to avoid ice cold water, since that can be a lot for your body to process and it takes more energy to process ice cold water than the warm. Always use fresh lemons, organic if possible, never bottled lemon juice. I squeeze 1/2 a lemon with each glass and I drink it down first thing before I eat a single thing.
There are different benefit you get while using lemon and i will mention few:

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.

3) Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds.  They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

4) Balances pH Levels. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Sure, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Disease states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin. The vitamin C component as well as other antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance. Since lemon water purges toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.

6) Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have  been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of this. No not brush your teeth just after drinking your lemon water. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.

10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster. I personally find myself making better choices throughout the day, if I start my day off right, by making a health conscious choice to drink warm lemon water first thing every morning.

Ofada Rice Stew! (how to prepare)

Ofada rice is a popular rice among the Yoruba's in Nigeria especially the egbas! the rice is well known for its specially aroma, the smell alone is enough for you to know what is cooking, but today am not talking about the rice but the special stew that goes with it!  i got my ofada stew recipes yesterday from Nigeria (the special recipe lol!) and i decided to prepare it for the independence day celebration !

Recipe
40 pcs  habanero peppers (rodo)
2  tatashe
1 locust bean seasoning the special recipe (Iru, ogiri okpei or dawadawa)
20cl red palm oil (at least)
1 big onion
1 handful crayfish (i used grounded one)
850g fish or meat or both (i used cat fish)
Shaki (cow tripe)
Note
Before coking blend the pepper/tatashe/onion a little and make sure you can still see the pepper make sure its is not grounded completely!
How to prepare
Cook all the meat and fish with the stock cube till well done.
Pour the pepper blend into a separate pot and cook on high heat till all the water dries up.
Pour the red palm oil into a clean dry pot and bleach till it turns clear. It should look like vegetable oil when done. It took me 10 minute , Your own time may vary depending on the type of heater you have and the quantity of oil.
Leave the oil to cool down a bit then add the boiled pepper puree. Fry till all the water has dried from the pepper.
Add the crayfish and locust bean seasoning, the orisirisi  :-) meat and fish and stir well.
Add salt to taste, leave to simmer and it is ready to be served.
Serve with Ofada Rice. !
Enjoy! Happy Independent day Nigeria