Prawns with salsa recipe

A salsa is a Mexican-style vegetable or fruit sauce with a fresh zingy flavour. A tomato, capsicum and chilli salsa makes a wonderful accompaniment for grilled prawn kebabs, here served with sweet melon and crusty bread.

Ingredients for prawns with salsa

32 large raw prawns, peeled but tails left on

1 rockmelon, seeded and cut into cubes

Marinade

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon bottled chopped garlic in oil, drained

1 teaspoon bottled chopped ginger in oil, drained

Salsa

6 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 red capsicum, seeded and chopped

1 teaspoon bottled chopped garlic in oil, drained

1 fresh green chilli, seeded and finely chopped

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

salt and pepper

shredded spring onions to garnish

Preparation for prawns with salsa

1.  Preheat the grill. Soak 8 bamboo skewers in cold water (this will prevent them from burning under the grill). Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a shallow dish. Add the prawns and stir to coat them. Cover and chill while preparing the salsa.

2. Mix together the salsa ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pile into a serving bowl. Thread the cubes of melon onto 8 unsoaked wooden skewers and place on a serving dish. Set aside.

3. Thread 4 prawns onto each of the soaked skewers, piercing them through both ends (this will help to keep them flat). Place under the grill and cook for 3–4 minutes or until they are pink, turning them once. Do not overcooks or they will become tough.

4. Garnish the salsa with the shredded spring onions. Place the prawn kebabs on the serving dish with the melon and serve immediately, with the salsa alongside.

Each serving provides 628 kJ, 150 kcal, 24 g protein, 1.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 11 g carbohydrate (10 g sugars), 3 g fibre.

Serves : 4

What Your Blood Type Reveals About Your Health

If you’re wondering whether you’re at a higher-than-average risk for heart disease, your answer may very well be a pinprick away. A new Harvard study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology shows that your blood type can actually predict your risk for heart disease. Additional current research shows that certain blood types are associated with other dangerous disorders as well.

Which blood type puts people at highest risk for heart disease?

The study investigated whether certain blood types were associated with the risk of coronary heart disease, by looking at information from two large observational studies, the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. These two studies followed a combined 89,501 American men and women over a 24 to 26 year period.

Participants with the blood type AB had the highest risk of coronary heart disease, the Harvard researchers found. In fact, people with AB blood type were 23 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease. People who were blood type B had a 15 percent increased risk, and those with blood type A had a 6 percent increased risk compared to the O blood group.

Why would blood type affect the risk of coronary heart disease?

The studies did not explain the exact link between blood type and heart disease. “Blood type is very complicated, so there could be multiple mechanisms at play,” study author Lu Qi said in a news release.

However, blood type A has been linked to elevated levels of cholesterol, as well as high levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. People with blood type O have been found to bleed more, which makes them less likely to have blood clots. Since clots which block blood flow through coronary arteries lead to heart attacks, this theory may very well explain the low risk for cardiovascular issues among people with blood type O.

What’s the link between blood type and other diseases?

There have been earlier studies showing links between blood type and risks of infections or diseases. Here are some examples.

Both men and women with blood type AB, and women with blood type B, are more likely to suffer from strokes than people with O blood type.

The gut pathogen Rotavirus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, has certain strains which are more likely to infect people with blood type A. (Infants can get vaccinated against rotavirus, and frequent hand washing is a good preventative measure for older children and adults.)

People with type B blood have a 72 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and the risk is also elevated for AB blood types (51 percent) and those with blood type A (32 percent) compared to people with blood type O. According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

It’s not all bad news for A and AB blood types, at least not for women seeking fertility treatments—research shows they have more eggs in their ovaries than women with type O blood, who are more likely to have difficulty with fertility treatments.

Certain types of cancers seem to be more prevalent in specific blood types, according to information compiled from 2640 male and female cancer patients in India.

People with type A blood appeared to have higher incidences of breast cancer and lung cancer, blood types B and O were more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal cancer, and people with type B and A blood had higher incidents of oral cancer. In general, those with blood type A seemed to have an increases probability of getting cancer, and those with blood type O had a significantly lower risk.

Reducing Heart Attack Risk

Taking steps to improve your cardiovascular health can save your life, no matter what your blood type is.

Avoiding tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising for a half hour or more five days a week will reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, including fish twice a week, and limiting sodium, alcohol and sugary drinks is also recommended.

And as reported previously, flossing your teeth, watching comedy, eating dark chocolate, and even spending time in the sunshine are some effective, albeit nontraditional, ways to protect your ticker.

7 Myths That Can Ruin Your Diet

If you’re trying to lose weight, conventional wisdom dictates that cutting snacks and increasing exercise are the two most important steps to take. Actually, they’re not. While not entirely ineffective, exercise alone only leads to very modest weight loss. And eating snacks actually lowers the risk of obesity and can even curb hunger craving.

Here’s the skinny on seven common diet myths that can sabotage weight loss—or even harm your health.

Myth: Dieters can’t have dessert

Fact: 

Desserts after breakfast can actually help you lose weight, so now you can literally have your cake and eat it too. As I’ve reported previously, people who eat small amounts of cake, cookies or chocolate as part of a protein and carbohydrate-rich breakfast shed an average of 40 pounds more than those who forgo their morning desserts, a surprising study showed.

These sweet breakfasts actually reduced levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger. Study participants who ate desserts after breakfast reported fewer cravings and felt more satisfied after meals.

Just remember, though, that it’s possible to do too much of a good thing, so overindulging your sweet tooth is not the best idea. An ounce or two of chocolate with your breakfast, though, may be surprisingly satisfying—and beneficial.

Myth: The best way to slim down is to exercise more

Fact: 

Stepping into the gym may help you lose weight, but without dietary changes, changes are minimal. Working out is healthy and has numerous benefits, especially for disease prevention, but it doesn’t really burn that many calories.

Ten weeks of training (including two strength training and three cardio workouts a week) led to only a .6 pound loss of body weight in 38 people, a 2008 study showed. Exercisers lost less than three pounds of fat and gained less than two pounds of muscle than a control group.

“In general, for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless,” obesity researcher Eric Ravussin.  So don’t give up on improving your diet just yet.

Myth: Detox diets are a great way to lose weight

Fact: 

Although it’s possible to lose some weight on detox diets that are very low in calories, you’ll have to pay the price: not only do you lose muscle in the process, you’ll also likely regain much of the weight—both because much of what is lost is water weight, and because your metabolism slows down in response to drastic changes.

Detox diets, which often include juice cleanses, fasting and supplements, are not rooted in science. “These fad diet detox plans are nothing more than a quick fix and not recommended for weight loss by registered dietitians,” registered dietitian Connie Diekman.

 

And although detox diets claim to rid the body of harmful substances, the human body is capable of doing that on its own. “Your body is designed to remove toxins efficiently with organs such as the kidneys, liver, and colon,” Dr. Fred Sacks told WebMD. “You don’t need detox diets, pills, or potions to help your body do its job,” he added.

Myth: Counting calories isn’t as important as portion control

Fact: 

Reducing portion size is a good way to cut calories, but can leave you feeling hungry at the end of your meal. Choosing low-calorie options--and feeling satiated at the end of your meal—is the best long-term strategy.

“Eating fewer calories doesn’t necessarily mean eating less food,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise. “To be able to cut calories without eating less and feeling hungry, you need to replace some higher calorie foods with those that are lower in calories and fill you up. In general, these foods contain a lot of water and are high in fiber.”

Replacing sugary, high-calorie drinks with water or tea is another option.

Myth: A calorie is a calorie

Fact: 

Eating fewer carbohydrates, and sticking to those which are digested slowly, has been shown to torch more calories than a conventional low-fat diet, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The amounts of calories in all three meal plans studied were the same, but the results were different. Diets with low-glycemic load carbs (which keep blood sugar levels stable) burned more calories than a low-fat diet, and had none of the negative effects associated with a very low-carb diet. Carbs that digest slowly include non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits and nuts.

Myth: Snacking sabotages weight loss

Fact: 

Eating four or more times per day actually lowers the risk of obesity, and eating snacks between meals can help you manage your hunger. Just make sure you’re making smart snack choices. A piece of fruit or a handful of raw veggies is better than candy or donuts.

Myth: Eating at night packs on pounds

Fact: 

Foods have the same calories at night than they do any other time of day, so when you eat isn’t as important as what you eat.

“The problem with late-night snacking is that you might not be eating due to hunger and you could find yourself eating more calories than you had planned,” the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises.

Tracking your meals in a food journal is a good way to keep tabs on what you eat at any time of day, and is an effective way to drop the pounds. 

Top 10 Super foods for Women

The Cancer Fighter 

Don't let brussels sprouts' signature scent turn you off. "The smell is a compound called allyl isothiocyanate that causes precancerous cells to self-destruct," Jonny Bowden, PhD, author of 'The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth' says. "It's entirely possible that eating them every few weeks could help greatly reduce the incidence of colon cancer." 

Bonus benefits: These mini-cabbages are packed with fiber and immune-boosting vitamins C and A. 

The "Skinny" Steak 

Red meat has a bad rap. The thing is, it really is good for you. Ideally, go for a cut that is both lean and grass-fed. A recent report from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that meat from grass-fed cows usually has more conjugated linoleic acid (which has been shown in animal studies to combat cancer) and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than the grain-fed variety. Plus, meat from grass-fed cows is lower in total fat and calories. As long as your serving is a lean cut, such as tenderloin, feel free to make this smart choice two or three time a week.

Bonus benefits: Beef is a great source of protein, iron (a mineral that one in five women are deficient in), and heart-healthy B vitamins. 

The "It" Spice 

Curry may very well be the spice of life: Curcumin, the antioxidant that gives the condiment its color, has been shown to halt tumor growth and destroy cancer cells in lab tests. "Our research revealed that this ingredient may help prevent a variety of diseases, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers," says Bharat Aggarwal, PhD, a professor of cancer medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. At this point, it's still unclear exactly how much curry you should eat to help avoid disease, Aggarwal says. Experts simply recommend using the spice liberally to reap the rewards. For recipes, check out the book 5 Spices, 50 Dishes, by Ruta Kahate. 

Bonus benefits: The antioxidants found in curry may also help break up plaques in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease, say UCLA scientists. 

The Next Nut 

Pistachios are the new health nut. Why is that? New research from the University of Toronto shows that they may reduce the risk of diabetes by decreasing the effect of carbs on blood sugar levels. "Pistachios are high in protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fat," explains study author Cyril Kendall, PhD, "all of which contribute to the slowing of carbohydrate absorption in the body." 

Bonus benefits: Other recent research has shown that eating two to three ounces of pistachios a day can help significantly raise your level of good cholesterol (HDL). Pistachios are full of vitamin B6 and copper, too, which help increase energy. 

The Java Junkie's Dream 

Rejoice! Your morning cup of joe is healthy. Experts on an American Society for Nutrition panel recently concluded that drinking three to five eight-ounce cups a day lowers your risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and colon and liver cancers. "Among other things, the antioxidants in coffee protect your cells and DNA from damage," Bowden says. "Coffee seems to increase antioxidants in the blood, too." 

Bonus benefits: Women who drink at least six cups a day are less likely to develop high blood pressure, revealed a 2005 study by Harvard scientists. 

The Heart-Smart Whole Grain 

One of the easiest ways to significantly lower your cholesterol is to eat whole-grain oatmeal daily, reports a British review of 10 studies. The fiber in oatmeal forms a gel that slows down your body's absorption of cholesterol. 

Bonus benefits: "People who eat oatmeal for breakfast tend to stay full all morning and consume less at lunch, due in part to the protein and fiber," says Dave Grotto, RD, a nutritionist in Chicago and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

The Fit Fish 

"Shrimp is about 90 calories per three-ounce serving, it has virtually no fat, and it's packed with protein, making it the ultimate diet food," says Ellie Krieger, RD, host of the Food Network's Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger. It may even help prevent heart disease, thanks to astaxanthin, the antioxidant that gives the shellfish its red tint. "People shy away from shrimp because it's high in cholesterol, but cholesterol in food is much less likely to raise your blood cholesterol than, say, trans fat," says Kathy McManus, RD, a FITNESS advisory board member and director of the department of nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Moreover, eating about a cup of shrimp daily can raise your good cholesterol level, found a Rockefeller University study. 

Bonus benefits: Shrimp is also rich in cancer-fighting selenium and bone-building vitamin D. 

The Sweet Surprise 

Enjoying a small amount of flavonoid-filled dark chocolate may prevent clogged arteries and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Also, eating up to 3.6 ounces daily can be as effective as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors at lowering blood pressure, notes a recent Archives of Internal Medicine study. 

Bonus benefits: Studies have shown that eating chocolate releases serotonin, the feel-better brain chemical. 

The Red Wonder 

Take two tart cherries and call me in the morning. While your doc may not say that yet, she might soon: A new animal study from University of Michigan shows that consuming a powdered version of tart cherries can lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as decrease the body's ability to store fat in the liver. It's not yet known if cherry-rich diets will have a similar effect on people, but University of Michigan researchers are hopeful. 

Bonus benefits: People who exercised and drank two 12-ounce glasses of tart cherry juice daily for eight days reported less muscle pain than those who sipped a placebo, finds a 2006 study. 

The Trendy Tomato 

Red tomatoes are full of lycopene, a substance that helps lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. But orange tomatoes offer two and a half times more. Apparently, they contain a form that the body can more easily absorb. 

Bonus benefits: One cup of orange tomatoes provides 338 percent of the RDA for vitamin A.