Mama Maria!!! Meeting Notes: Wednesday 16th

(This Session was videotaped, and will be uploaded shortly)

This past Wednesday night meeting was amazing, and the turn out was awesome!  A handful of the ladies from 90Days2Life were immersed in Mama Maria's yummy cooking techniques and sampled some heavenly delights from her instructive class.  The emphasis was on using key ingredients that you can use from your very own kitchen, and incorporate into your everyday cooking.

Ingredients:

SeaSalt: Sea water contains 84 different mineral elements, and these same minerals are found in our body. According to modern medical research, 24 of these elements are essential for life (you will die without them), and many researchers believe that we need all 84, in proper balance, of course.

Garlic: Garlic contains a compound called allicin which is a powerful antioxidant. Allicin is also responsible for producing that unique garlic taste and aroma. Antioxidants, like allicin, help protect the body from damage by removing free radicals that are produced as part of our body's natural metabolism.

Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne is the greatest blood circulation stimulant known. Cayenne increases your blood circulation immediately within seconds, more than any other herb.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of ant oxidative substances. Olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally.

Apple Cider:  Apple cider vinegar helps extract calcium from the fruits, vegetables and meat it is mixed with, helping in the process of maintaining strong bones. The potassium in this vinegar also helps in eliminating toxic waste from the body. The beta-carotene helps in countering damage caused by free radicals, helping one maintain firmer skin and a youthful appearance. Apple cider vinegar is good for those wanting to lose weight. It helps in breaking down fat which helps in natural weight reduction.

Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is very high in citric acid, which helps the body fight off colds. Lemons and the juice also acts as an antioxidants. Lemon juice is also a liver stimulant and can control irritable bowel syndrome. It can control conditions like constipation and diarrhea. It can also help in helping heart burn, some bloating and even helping in subsiding gas pains.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is a good sweetener to use if you are trying to protect the health of your heart. The zinc supplied by maple syrup, in addition to acting as an antioxidant.  The trace mineral manganese is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. One ounce of maple syrup supplies 22.0% of the daily value for this very important trace mineral.


These key ingredients are amazing in stimulating the full ability of your body to break down key minerals in your foods, boost your metabolism, and give you an extra-boost of anti-oxidants.  

The main dishes that were prepared and sampled were (recipes to follow):


1. Lentil Soup

2. Red & White Cabbage

3. Baked Mashed Potatoes

4. Squash, Yam & Sweet Potato Mix


These recipes, in part, each used one or more of the above ingredients to flavor and enhance the dishes.  The recipes are easy to follow, and are low in fat, salt, and sugar.  They do not have a high-glycemic index, which means you won't experience your insulin skyrocket through the roof, and will avoid your fat pockets from storing extra sugar.