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Prepper recipes: How to make artisan pretzel bread
11/15/2024 // HRS Editors // 1.3K Views
Tags: bread, emergency food, food freedom, food supply, freeze-dried foods, goodfood, homesteading, how-to, off grid, preparedness, prepper, prepper recipes, prepping, pretzel bread, recipes, survival, tips
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Baking is a great skill for a prepper, especially if you want to become more self-sufficient as you prepare for different emergencies. If your family loves pretzels and freshly baked bread, try this recipe for artisan pretzel bread. (h/t to OffgridSurvival.com)
This recipe also has a unique twist: It uses milk instead of water.
Dough ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (add more as needed)
- 1 cup milk
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons butter or margarine
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 envelope Fleischmann's® Active Yeast
Boiling solution:
Steps:
- Heat the milk and butter until warm, ideally between 100 to 110 F. It's fine if the butter doesn't completely melt. In a large mixer bowl, combine the milk and butter mixture with the undissolved brown sugar and yeast. Make sure the liquid is not too hot because this will kill the yeast. Check below for instructions on how to proof yeast.
- Stir in the salt and two cups of flour, then beat the mixture for at least three minutes. Slowly add some of the remaining flour until you have a soft dough.
- Move the dough to a floured surface, then knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. This may take about eight to ten minutes. Alternatively, you can save time by using a dough hook in a mixer.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl then cover it. Set it aside and let it rise for about 1 ½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the boiling solution. Combine three quarts of water with 3/4 cup of baking soda and bring the mixture to a boil.
- After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into eight equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight, smooth ball.
- Boil each dough ball in the boiling solution for two minutes. Turn each ball after one minute.
- After the dough balls are boiled, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pot. Place the loaves on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake the loaves for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 F or continue baking until the loaves are evenly browned.
- Once done, remove the loaves from the pan and set them aside to cool on a wire rack. (Related: 3 Easy meals-in-jars canning recipes.)
Adding milk instead of water produces bread with a richer taste and texture.
How to proof yeast for the recipe
Proofing yeast refers to the process of activating the dormant yeast cells, which need to be alive for the dough. This step is essential for achieving bread with the perfect rise and texture.
Follow the steps below to proof yeast:
Ingredients for proofing yeast:
- One envelope of active yeast
- Warm water or milk (Must be at least 110 F.)
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
Keep the water between 100 and 110 F. Using water that's too hot can kill the yeast, and water that's too cold won't activate it properly.
Use a kitchen thermometer to check the water temperature.
Steps:
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm liquid mix.
- Gently stir to allow the warm water to moisten all the yeast granules. Stirring also helps dissolve any clumps.
- Wait for bubbles to form. Set aside the yeast and let it rest for at least five to ten minutes. You will notice the yeast start to activate as tiny bubbles form on the surface. At this point, the mixture will also become frothy and have a yeasty aroma.
- After five to ten minutes, check the yeast mixture. The yeast is proofed if the mixture has turned frothy and is filled with bubbles. If you don't see any activity, it's possible that the yeast has expired or the water temperature was not within the optimal range.
After the yeast is proofed, continue with the rest of the pretzel bread recipe. Using the active yeast will help the dough rise and produce pretzel bread with perfect texture and flavor.
Where to get more supplies for your baking needs
The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you prepare while you learn various recipes for emergencies.
That's why we're proud to introduce an assortment of many clean, lab-verified and healthy food options such as Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Blueberries, Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Raspberries and Freeze-Dried Organic Strawberry Pieces. Add these berries to various baked goods, or snack on them as is.
Chock-full of beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, Health Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Blueberries are the ideal snack to enjoy all year round. The freeze-drying process preserves the taste, texture and nutrients of fresh blueberries better than other food preservation methods.
Health Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Blueberries contain no gluten or GMOs and are certified Kosher and organic. They are also vegan, non-China and have undergone extensive lab testing for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Also called "Nature's candy," raspberries are small, sweet, juicy and slightly tart superfruits that are produced by the Rubus idaeus plant. These delectable berries offer several health benefits, such as supporting your overall well-being, especially when accompanied by a well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle.
Health Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Raspberries make for a tasty and healthy snack you can enjoy all year round.
With their crispy texture and natural abundance of vitamins A and C, along with other beneficial antioxidants and nutrients, our freeze-dried organic whole raspberries can add a burst of flavor and nutrition to all your favorite baked goods. They can also be eaten directly for a quick and healthy snack or rehydrated by soaking them in water.
One of the most popular fruits in the world, strawberries are the bright red, heart-shaped fruits that grow on the Fragaria x ananassa plant. These superfruits are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, such as dietary fiber, protein, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, phosphorus and vitamins A, B6, B9, C, E and K.
Choose Health Ranger Select Freeze-Dried Organic Strawberry Pieces if you're looking for an ingredient that is great for baking or a tasty and healthy snack that your family can enjoy all year round.
With their crispy texture and natural abundance of vitamin C and other beneficial antioxidants and nutrients, our freeze-dried organic strawberry pieces can add a burst of flavor and nutrition to salads and a variety of baked goods.
Visit Food.news to browse more prepping recipes that you can try making at home. You can also visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more clean food supplies for your prepping needs.
Click on this link to learn how to make delicious Chocolate Raspberry Cake Pops.
Watch this clip about how Organic Whole Blueberries can help support good health.
This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Quick pickles: The perfect snack to add to your survival stockpile.
Essential survival skill: Learn how to make survival bread.
6 Civil War-era foods you can still make today (recipes included).
Sources include:
OffgridSurvival.com
HealthRangerStore.com 1
HealthRangerStore.com 2
HealthRangerStore.com 3
HealthRangerStore.com 4
HealthRangerStore.com 5
Brighteon.com
Prepper recipes: How to make artisan pretzel bread – NaturalNews.com
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Ancient herb SUMMER SAVORY contains compounds that promote health and wellness
11/15/2024 // Olivia Cook // 1.6K Views
Tags: #nutrition, alternative medicine, ancient herbs, antioxidants, blood sugar, digestion, food cures, food is medicine, food science, functional food, goodfood, goodhealth, goodmedicine, goodscience, health science, heart health, herbal medicine, immune system, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, natural remedies, nutrients, phytonutrients, Spices, summer savory, superfoods
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If summer savory (Satureja hortensis) has not yet made it into your spice rack collection, you might be missing out on a centuries-old herb that is both nutritious and versatile.
Part of the mint family Lamiaceae, summer savory is related to popular herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme, and has been valued across Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean for thousands of years.
With a flavor that's earthy, peppery and slightly minty, summer savory has been used in cooking to add depth to beans, hearty stews and meat. But more than a flavorful herb, summer savory may also support health – making it a promising addition to the world of functional foods.
Researchers have found that summer savory is rich in natural compounds linked to health and wellness. This herb provides several groups of bioactive compounds that work together to support optimal health, including the following:
Antioxidants and phenolic compounds
It contains powerful antioxidants, including flavonoids and rosmarinic acid – natural phytochemicals that help protect cells from oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid, in particular, is known not only for its antioxidant properties but also for its anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting effects. Additionally, the herb's tannins add to its antioxidant strength.
Antimicrobial compounds
The plant's terpenes, including carvacrol and thymol, are part of the essential oils that give summer savory its characteristic aroma and flavor. These terpenes are known for their antibacterial properties, which may help limit the growth of certain harmful bacteria in the body. They are also believed to have antifungal and digestive-supporting effects – helping to keep the digestive system balanced.
Minerals for heart and muscle health
Magnesium supports normal muscle function and heart rhythm, while potassium helps regulate blood pressure – making summer savory a natural choice for those aiming to support heart health and healthy cardiovascular function.
Plant sterols
The phytosterols in summer savory may help by reducing the amount of cholesterol in the body absorbed from food. These natural compounds can support balanced cholesterol levels, which contributes to heart health.
Health benefits of summer savory
One of the standout benefits of summer savory is its high content of antioxidants like flavonoids and rosmarinic acid. Summer savory's antioxidants can help improve iron use, protect cells from damage and reduce fat breakdown in cells. Here are some of the health benefits of summer savory:
Supports blood sugar control
Summer savory contains dietary fiber and polyphenols, which have been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels. Polyphenols found in savory have been linked to improved insulin sensitivity by helping improve how the body uses insulin. Fiber content can help moderate sugar absorption. Including summer savory in balanced meals may be particularly helpful to those looking to support healthy blood sugar levels that are already within the normal range.
Supports digestive health
Summer savory has long been used as a digestive aid to ease complaints, including bloating and upset stomach – thanks in part to its high levels of essential oils, especially carvacrol and thymol, which have antibacterial properties. These oils help balance bacteria in the gut, while also promoting digestive comfort and gut motility.
Supports heart and cardiovascular wellness
The heart-protective potential of summer savory lies in its combination of antioxidants, minerals and plant sterols. Combined, these factors make summer savory a good addition to heart health.
Antioxidants in summer savory support blood vessel health – helping reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the cardiovascular system.
Magnesium helps keep blood vessels relaxed – supporting normal blood flow. Potassium helps balance sodium levels in the body, promoting healthy blood pressure. Combined, these minerals help to balance electrolytes, maintain a steady heartbeat and regulate blood pressure.
The plant sterols in summer savory may also help reduce the amount of cholesterol the body absorbs from food, supporting balanced cholesterol levels.
Supports immune health
The essential oils in summer savory have shown antimicrobial properties in lab studies. These oils may offer extra immune support, particularly during times of seasonal changes or stress.
Research shows that summer savory's essential oils help by limiting bacterial growth and help the body defend against certain pathogens. The herb's antioxidant properties also help keep inflammation in check, supporting overall immune health.
Read more stories like this at Herbs.news.
Watch this video to learn more about the health benefits of summer savory.
This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Functional foods are healthy, but why?
Functional foods help fight disease on a cellular level, thanks to bioactive ingredients.
Functional foods gain in popularity, but health claims on most groceries mislead consumers.
Sources include:
PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
AksharHerbsAndSpices.com
Brighteon.com
Ancient herb SUMMER SAVORY contains compounds that promote health and wellness – NaturalNews.com
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The top 4 healing properties of avocados
11/15/2024 // News Editors // 1.9K Views
Tags: #nutrition, alternative medicine, arthritis cure, avocado, food cures, food is medicine, food science, fruits, functional food, goodfood, goodhealth, goodmedicine, healing foods, health science, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, nutrients, organics, phytonutrients, prevent cancer, prevent diabetes, prevention, remedies, superfoods, Xpost
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Not only is avocado an exceptionally dense source of good fats, vitamins, and antioxidants, but it offers protection against some of the worst degenerative diseases known to humanity(Article republished from GreenMedInfo.com)
Avocados are one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to add a nutritional superfood to your diet. Avocados provide essential dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals such as copper, folate, potassium, vitamins K, E, and C, to name only a few. Considered a seed fruit, avocados are unique in that nearly 80% of their total calories come from fat, a significantly higher percentage than is found in other fruits. Nutritionally dense, one-third of a medium-size avocado has 80 calories as well as the recommended daily allowance of fat for most Americans.[1]
Thought to have originated in Mexico, the modern avocado tree spread throughout Central and South America as far back as 10,000 years ago. Varieties of the tree are now grown in Mediterranean and tropical climates around the globe. Besides the delicious boost avocados provide to your daily nutrient intake, this fatty fruit touts an impressive catalog of scientifically-backed health benefits. Here are five of the top reasons to add avocados to your life!
Protection from cardiovascular disease
One of the first things many medical professionals prescribe when a patient is at risk for heart disease are dietary interventions aimed at reducing fat intake. Despite this conventional "wisdom", the high-fat avocado is among the most heart-friendly of all foods. A 2012 study conducted at UCLA Center for Human Nutrition observed the bodily effects of eating a plain hamburger--considered an offender on the heart-healthy food list--as compared to the effects of eating a hamburger with a large slice of avocado added to the meal. Eleven healthy subjects were fed each of these two meals on two different occasions, after which researchers measured the constriction of blood vessels, or vasoconstriction, a factor indicating states of high blood pressure. The plain hamburger meal resulted in significant vasoconstriction, demonstrating an unhealthy effect on blood pressure, whereas the avocado-topped hamburger meal had no effect on blood pressure at all. Avocado had the effect of neutralizing this negative effect.
Next, researchers analyzed blood cells and found two distinct markers for inflammation after the meal of hamburger only, while these markers were noticeably absent in the blood after the meal including avocado. Finally, researchers found that post-meal fatty triglycerides, high concentrations of which indicate an elevated risk of stroke, did not raise in the avocado group despite the additional fat, whereas these markers did increase in the plain hamburger group. Researchers concluded that eating avocado can have beneficial anti-inflammatory and vascular health effects.
Well-controlled studies are lacking on just how helpful eating avocados can be for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. In 2015, a group of researchers sought to close this knowledge gap by recording the effects of three different diets on 45 overweight or obese participants with high cholesterol (LDL-C). All three diets were designed to lower LDL-C, consisting of no more than 7% saturated fatty acids (SFA) among the total daily fat intake. Participants consumed one of three diets: a lower-fat diet (24% fat); a moderate-fat diet (34% fat) including one fresh Hass avocado (136 g) per day; or a moderate-fat diet (34% fat) using high oleic acid oils to match the fatty acid content of one avocado. All three diets provided similar foods--save for the difference in fats--and were matched for macronutrients and fatty acid content. Compared with baseline measurements taken at the start of the study, the reduction in LDL-C and HDL cholesterol was greater on the avocado diet than either of the other two diets. Furthermore, only the avocado diet significantly decreased LDL particle number, small dense LDL cholesterol, and the ratio of LDL/HDL from baseline. Researchers concluded that the inclusion of one avocado per day is a great way to lower cholesterol as part of a moderate-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet. Their praise for avocados did not stop there: "Our results demonstrate that avocados have beneficial effects on cardio-metabolic risk factors that extend beyond their heart-healthy fatty acid profile."
Helps prevent diabetes
When it comes to diabetes, medical science views the two most common types, Type-1 and Type-2, very differently. Type-2, or adult-onset diabetes, is widely acknowledged as a disease of lifestyle, with diet-based interventions accepted as the most effective remedy. Characterized by the latent inability of the body to produce enough insulin, a Type-1 diabetic inherits or develops the condition due to damaged or destroyed pancreatic beta cells--the cells responsible for insulin production. Unlike Type-2 diabetes where the body becomes resistant to its own insulin, Type-1 diabetes can onset due to one or more of various potential causes: autoimmune issues, bacterial or viral infections, incompatible foods in the diet, and chemical exposures, to name but a few major triggers. Considered an incurable disease, Type-1 diabetes must currently be managed with IV-insulin, which itself has been identified to have significant health risks due to the manner in which it is produced.
Despite the pessimistic prognosis from traditional medicine, accumulating scientific research is validating the power of the body to heal itself from so-called incurable diseases when properly supported. The discovery of the beta cell regenerative potential of certain foods and natural compounds has the potential to upstage traditional diabetes treatments and maybe even to someday eradicate this intractable disease. Would you be surprised to learn that avocados possess this cellular rejuvenation potential? Perhaps unsurprisingly, the highest concentration of this power is found in the seed.
Sometimes called "alligator pears" due to their dark, bumpy skin and teardrop shape, avocados produce large seeds that contain numerous medicinal properties. While the seed itself is not typically consumed, it's the ideal place to look for medicine as it contains concentrated amounts of potent antioxidants and phytochemicals found in the flesh of the fruit. In 2007, a group of researchers looked to the avocado to analyze effect on blood glucose levels. The study found that when fed to both diabetic and non-diabetic rats, avocado seed extract significantly reduced blood sugar, with the greatest impact observed in diabetic rats. Avocado seed extract produced an overall normalizing effect on blood sugar. Potentially more exciting is the effect that was observed on pancreatic islet cells. Daily supplementation with avocado seed extract had a restorative and overall protective effect on pancreatic islet cells, where the all-important beta cells that produce insulin reside. Researchers concluded that consuming avocado seed extract "may contribute significantly to the reduction of blood glucose levels and can be useful in the treatment of diabetes." If you are diabetic, adding avocado to your diet may yield further benefits. A 2015 study concluded that avocado oil can be used to reduce oxidative stress on the liver which frequently accompanies diabetes and traditional diabetic treatments.
Helps prevent cancer
You may not know it, but avocados have therapeutic properties that can even help prevent the big "C"--cancer. Avocados are packed with phytochemicals, biologically active compounds that play a vital role in nutrition and help our bodies resist the onset of disease. Phytochemicals also play an important role in cancer prevention, something that was well-illustrated by the 2007 study aptly name, Avocado fruit has chemopreventive properties. This research showed that when extracted and added to cultures of precancerous and cancer cell lines, avocado fruit phytochemicals were able to arrest the cancer cell growth cycle, inhibit growth, and induce apoptosis--the death of pre-cancer and cancer cells.
A 2005 study focused on another super-nutrient found in avocados: the beneficial carotenoids, responsible for most yellow, orange, and red plant pigments. Carotenoids are attributed with cancer-preventive properties in association with other brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, prompting researchers to isolate these nutrients in avocados in search of similar anticancer properties. They were not disappointed!
The California Hass avocado was selected for this study due to its yellow-green color with associated high-levels of lutein (Latin for "yellow") and related carotenoids, such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. Researchers also noted avocado's high-levels of Vitamin E as potentially therapeutic. An acetone extract of avocado was produced containing these various carotenoids and tocopherols and introduced to prostate cancer cells in-vitro. Control groups from the same cell lines were incubated with an extract of lutein-only. Results showed that incubating cancer and precancer cells with avocado extract led to arrest of cancer growth in the cells. An additional observed benefit from avocado extract was an increase in healthy cell protein expression. Lutein alone did not reproduce these effects on cancer cell proliferation. Researchers speculated that the high amounts of monounsaturated fat in the avocado might help the body absorb the bioactive carotenoids into the bloodstream better than when supplementing with carotenoids in isolation. In other words, your body gets a bigger cancer-prevention boost from consuming whole foods like avocados than can be obtained from non-whole food sources. This lends credence to the sage advice that if you want to lower your cancer risk, consume a diet high in colorful fruits and vegetables.
Helps relieve and prevent arthritis
According to researchers at the Musculoskeletal Research Center at University of California-Davis, "Osteoarthritis is a painful and life-altering disease that severely limits the daily activities of millions of Americans and ranks as one of the most common causes of disability in the world."[2] Researchers have set to the task of creating breakthroughs in treatment options, since life-extension practices and rising obesity rates equal more osteoarthritis pain in our nation's future. Much of this research has been focused on the therapeutic potential of a dietary supplement called ASU, short for avocado/soybean unsaponifiables. ASU has proven effective at slowing the progression of osteoarthritis by inhibiting molecules and pathways implicated in the condition.
You may not have heard of this potent dietary intervention, which is hardly surprising considering Western medicine's insistence on drug-based treatments. But researchers have been demonstrating the effectiveness of this avocado-based supplementation for more than two decades. In 1997, a review was published on the efficacy and safety of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables in the treatment of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was aimed at reducing the need for exposure to unsafe pharmaceutical drugs often included in the treatment protocol for this progressive disease. Participants were given one capsule per day of ASU or a placebo for 90 days. During the first 45 days, patients in both groups were also given one of seven predefined NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The primary efficacy criteria for this study was the percentage of patients who went back to taking NSAIDs after 45 days, and the delay before re-intake. Results clearly indicated that after six weeks, the patients taking ASU had less need for NSAID pain relief when compared with the placebo group. ASU consumption also had a beneficial effect on functional movement, with the experimental group showing significantly greater overall improvement than the placebo group.
These benefits aren't just reserved for humans! A 2009 study obtained similarly positive results when using ASU to treat arthritis in dogs. Mixed-breed dogs with osteoarthritis were given 10 mg/kg per day of ASU for eight weeks. Results showed that treatment with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables can reduce the development of early osteoarthritic cartilage and bone lesions in patients with osteoarthritis. A 2015 review summarizing current pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical, and prospective new treatments for OA, focused on the promising results being obtained with ASU. The beneficial actions of this natural compound include prevention of cartilage degradation, and the promotion of cartilage repair by stimulating collagen. ASU has the potential to correct growth factor abnormalities while decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial fluid, a key indicator of arthritis. Beneficial avocado fatty acids inhibit cholesterol absorption, while anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain and stiffness and improve joint function. Overall, ASU treatment can result in decreased dependence on NSAIDs and pain medication for arthritis sufferers.
Read more at: GreenMedInfo.com
The top 4 healing properties of avocados – NaturalNews.com
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