News

Lagos State Government To Established Biggest Rice Mill In Nigeria

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had started constructing Nigeria’s biggest rice mill, which it said, has the capacity to produce at least 16 metric tonnes per hour and 10,000 metric tonnes per annum.
When completed by December 2017, the state government said the rice mill would significantly help the state to actualise its strategic food security plan and was designed to end hunger.

The Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni-Okanlawon said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had awarded the contract for the construction of the rice mill with the capacity to  produce 16 metric tonnes per hour, though acknowledged that the state currently has the capacity to produce 2.5 metric tonnes.
He explained that the new rice mill was part of the government’s plan to increase food supply, end the vicious trend of food shortage and equally ensure food security across the state.

Features, Guides

Reasons Why You Should Add Coconut Oil To Your Hot Coffee And Every Meal

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Do you know that coconut oil can be extensively used in a cup of hot coffee or tea?  Surprised! Oh yes it is not just for dressing salads and baking only.
Coconut oil has become a darling of the whole food movement with good reason. It’s now considered a healthy fat and has antibacterial properties. It also tastes delicious in baked goods or  on vegetables before roasting.

Here are 3 reasons why we love it –
Why Coconut Oil?
1. Cooking with coconut oil, which is mainly a saturated fat, is ideal because it’s able to withstand higher temperatures than other oils (perfect for slathering on roasted veggies and using in stir fries).
2. Although it’s a saturated fat, studies have shown that the saturated fat in coconut oil is mostly lauric acid, which means it has a more neutral effect on long-term heart health.
3. Coconut oil can be substituted one for one with butter in baked goods, making the results taste a bit lighter and with a touch of coconut.

What Should I Buy?
There are two kind of coconut oil widely available commercially: “virgin” or “extra virgin” — or cold-pressed coconut oil — that contains antioxidants and has a stronger coconut flavor and aroma; and refined coconut oil — “expeller-pressed” — which is more processed and has a more neutral taste and scent and a higher smoke point than virgin. Both cold-pressed and expeller-pressed coconut oil can last about two years without refrigeration stored in a cool, dark place, but there are so many ways to use coconut oil I doubt you’ll have any hanging around that long.

How Can I Use It?
Use refined coconut oil for pan frying: preheat the oil in the pan to 350℉-375℉ and try it in your favorite fried chicken recipe. Or toss vegetables in a tablespoon of coconut oil and roast until lightly browned. Vegans will love using coconut oil as a sub for butter in dessert recipes.
Remember that coconut oil has a melting point of 78 degrees, so if you’re in a warm climate your oil may be liquid at room temperature. You may have to gently warm your coconut oil in the microwave or stove when a recipe calls for a liquid fat.

Guides

5 Healthy Snacks You Should Keep At Your Desk For Busy Schedule

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Healthy eating is often a challenges particularly when we’re surrounded by many task in the office. Having healthy snacks for work on-hand at the office is key for staying  focused when you need it most.

Whether you’re in the middle of a big project or you’re chained to your desk with a looming deadline, they’ll help keep your energy up and your blood sugar stable during an afternoon.
Plus, “if you’re prepared with your own healthy snacks you won’t be tempted by any unhealthy choices available at the office.

Popcorn

Low-Sodium Jerky/Popcorn
Gone are the days when jerky or popcorn was reserved for camping. popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks you can eat if made with low sodium and sugar. It can improves mood, boost energy and satisfy cravings.

Oatmeal 2

Oatmeal
Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast—stash it in your drawer for a hearty snack, too. “Packets of instant, plain oatmeal microwaved with water in a mug and sprinkled with cinnamon is a great cold-weather snack when you want something warm and filling,”

Cashew nuts

Nuts
“I love raw nuts like almonds or cashews nuts or groundnuts. They deliver a great protein and fat combo,” say Doctors. Moreso, the benefits of all these nuts especially the fact that Cashews are cholesterol free and their high antioxidant content helps lower risk of  cardiovascular, heart diseases and helps lower blood pressure would make you always have it every day as snack.

crackers

Healthy Crackers
Although crackers may sound like a healthy snack option, you must choose the right varieties to keep your snack low in fat and calories. Storing healthy crackers in your table drawer could come in handy when the food cravings come up.

Cornflakes

Corn flakes Cereal
Today, majority of the working class prefer to consume breakfast cereal as it is easy to prepare and requires considerably lesser time to consume.
Corn flakes consumed with a bowl of milk, nuts and fruits are considered to be one of the most healthiest and nutritious breakfast cereals.

Chocolate

Chocolate
Can anything cheer you up as instantly as chocolate? Try a mouthful of Chocolate for dessert and you would love it!

News

Cocacola Sued For Misleading Consumers

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Coca-Cola Co and the American Beverage Association trade group were sued on Wednesday for allegedly misleading consumers about the health risk of consuming sugary beverages.

The case was filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, U.S.

The non-profit Praxis Project accused the defendants of downplaying the risks to boost sales, despite scientific evidence linking sugary beverages to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Praxis accused both defendants of using euphemisms such as “balance” and “calories in, calories out” to mislead consumers. It also accused Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, of trying to mislead the public into thinking the lack of exercise was the real cause of obesity.

“The notion that Coke’s products can be part of a healthy-diet is imprinted in the minds of millions of people and requires corrective-action,” Maia Kats, the Litigation Director Of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) which helped file the lawsuit, said.

However, Coca-Cola Spokesman, Kent Landers, described the lawsuit as “legally and factually meritless.

“We take our consumers and their health very seriously and have been on a journey to become a more credible and helpful partner in helping consumers to manage their sugar consumption.”

The American Beverage Association also described the accusations as “baseless”, noting that “together with members, we are working with health groups to reduce consumers’ caloric and sugar intake from beverages.”

Wednesday’s lawsuit seeks to stop misleading marketing and requires more consumer warnings, among other remedies.

Filed in the federal court in Oakland, California. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Inc pledged to bolster efforts to reduce added sugar in beverages.

Guides

Best Ways To Store Irish Potatoes In The Kitchen

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Reader: I love Irish potatoes but it is a challenge storing them as they get spoil easily. Please advise.

If you are buying potatoes and do not have a place to store them under ideal conditions, please purchase only the quantity you will consume in a few weeks or days.
I also had a challenge storing them because I love using them for fries but since I discover the best ways, its been safe. So prepare the location in advance before buying.

Steps to Store healthy Potatoes

  1. Lay your potatoes in a tray or table in a cool, dark place.
  2. Let the potatoes sit this way undisturbed. After about two weeks, the potato skins will be thickened and dry.
  3. Raise the temperature to 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit ,slightly higher than normal for storage.
  4. Don’t store cut potatoes in the open. Once you cut potatoes,cook them as soon as possible. The exposed flesh of the potato doesn’t keep well compared to the tougher skin.
  5. Don’t store potatoes near fruit. Many fruits, like apples, pears, and bananas, excrete a chemical called ethylene. This gas encourages ripening — you may have noticed that your fruits tend to ripen faster when you keep them next to each other. so store your fruit elsewhere.
News

Beware of Contaminated Bags Of Rice In The Market – Nafdac Warms

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Thursday said laboratory result of the suspected fake rice showed that the product was not plastic but rice contaminated with micro organisms.
The Acting Director General, NAFDAC, Yetunde Oni, said this at a news conference in conjunction with the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Oni said the seized rice was unsatisfactory and therefore unwholesome for human consumption, stressing that the consignment would be destroyed upon handover by the NCS.

She explained that the product branded ”Best Tomato”, was in 25kg bag, without NAFDAC number, batch number, date markings and details of the manufacturer.

She said that `floating’ was negative, sedimentation was positive, cooking was normal, odour was normal, colour was off-white and E-coli was within specification.

Oni called on the public to report suspicious cases about all NAFDAC regulated products to any of the offices across the nation for prompt regulatory action.
She also said that the following numbers could be contacted for enquiries: 08013630600, 09094262773 and 08033112282.

Culled from punchng

News

Nigeria Launches Its Own Rice ” Lake Rice” At Lowest Prices

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After months of farming and harvesting, finally Nigeria can now boost of becoming a rice producing nation.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday unveiled the much anticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened ‘LAKE RICE’.

The name Lake Rice is borne out of the acronyms of the state with LA standing for Lagos and KE for Kebbi.

The Special Adviser on Food Security to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Mr. Sanni Okanlawan, said that the government was fulfilling its promise of giving residents a blissful Yuletide.

A 50kg bag is currently selling at N12,000 that is a huge discount considering the price of rice at retail markets.
Okanlawan said that  ” the price of the rice was reduced N12,000 from N13,000 to ensure that Lagosians had access to it for an enjoyable Christmas celebration”.

Recipes

Cucumber Extract Mint Drink (Recipe)

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I tasted this drink and thought I should share.  Especially for those who have been struggling with losing some weight. Its as simple as it gets: Lime, cucumber, tonic water, Gin and mint work together to create a refreshing sip.

This drink not only helps in reducing the swelling of your stomach but also burn fat in the areas of the stomach.

  • Ingredients
  •  1.5 oz gin (or 3 Tbsp)
  •  1/4 lime, sliced
  •  4-6 cucumber slices
  •  6 mint leaves
  • 4 oz tonic water
  •  1 Tbsp sugar (optional)

Instructions
1. Add mint, lime, gin, sugar (if using) to shaker and muddle.
2. Add cucumber slices to shaker and shake vigorously.
3. Pour mixture over glass filled with ice and top with tonic water.
4. Stir, let set for a few minutes for the flavors to enhance and enjoy.

For those who prefer a sweeter drink, add sugar to taste. However, it’s also quite enjoyable without sugar.

Keep in the fridge and serve chill.

Guides

Benefits Of Garlic And Honey Tonic

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This simple honey and garlic treatment is a powerful way to improve the health of your liver. It’s a natural antibiotic that’s high in antioxidants and vitamins.  Numerous studies conducted over time have worked to determine exactly how garlic and honey can be used for general health and maximum healing and medicinal effect for human and animal illnesses and injuries.

How to make garlic honey tonic
Peel a whole head of garlic. Mince finely by chopping or squeezing through a garlic press. Put in a mortar and pound until the garlic begins to go transparent. Spoon into a jar with 225g of honey. Stir well and remember to let the mixture sit for at least five days before using it.

What to use garlic honey for:

  •  Colds
  •  Fevers
  • Coughs
  •  Infections
  •  Cuts and grazes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Gas and indigestion
  • Headaches
  • Circulatory or other heart problems
  • Hemorrhoids
    Dose: Half a teaspoonful daily as a tonic or preventative. For acute infections, take half a spoonful up to six times daily. This can be taken directly, or with ginger and lemon tea.
Guides, Recipes

Jamaican Pork Sauce (Recipe)

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As the holidays  approaches fast, I think of something different, spicy yet unique to prepare at home. So I came across this Pork meat meal and I begin salivating. Oh how I’ve missed the sweetness of this meat dearly.
One thing I have closely observed online is that majority of those that talk about pork are from Jamaica and I think Jamaicans love for pork meat is expressed in the way they add pork to most of their meals, and the most popular way they have it is in stewed form.

Jamaican style pork stew is different from the European or American version. While the American pork stew has lots of vegetables, the Jamaicans love sugar browning for baking in their pork meat.

See how to prepare a simple, hearty pork stew