Bioceuticals Isowhey (banana flavour)

There are a myriad of protein powders available in health food stores, chemists and supermarkets. Due to numerous enquiry's in regard to these powders I will aim to feature one such item per week.

Today's protein powder is Bioceuticals Isowhey (banana flavour). There are only 5 ingredients in this powder: whey protein concentrate (high quality according to their advertising), Xylitol, Maltodextrin, Banana flavour, whey protein. Unfortunately, the natural sweetener Xylitol is a suspected carcinogen and may cause diarrhoea, stomach upsets and has caused tumours in animal tests. Maltodextrin is a form of processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and if you have been following my blog for some time you will know that when you see the word 'flavour' on a label  it is a mixture of chemicals formulated by a food scientist/ technician to artificially create that 'flavour', e.g. banana, strawberry etc.

Apricot Chicken

Finally here is the Apricot Chicken recipe! Serves 4.
Ingredients
1Tb coconut or rice bran oil                                     2/3Cup water
2 onions                                                                  2 Tb apricot jam
2 cloves garlic- crushed                                           650g chicken breast fillets (slice into 3cmx3cm pieces)
1tspn cumin                                                             420g tin of pie apricots (Ardmona)
1/2 tspn cinnamon                                                   100g dried apricots (optional)
1/2 tspn salt
1/2 tspn ginger
pinch of pepper

Method
1. In a large frying pan or saucepan place oil, onion & garlic. Stir with a wooden spoon, over a med-high heat until the onion is translucent.
2. Add cumin, cinnamon, salt, ginger and pepper. Mix well for 2 mins.
3. Add one third cup of water and apricot jam. Mix well. Simmer 2 mins.
4. Add chicken pieces, stir well and simmer for 5-8 mins.
5. Add apricots and the remaining one third cup of water. Stir well.
6. Place the lid on the frying pan, turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 15 mins. Stir 3-4 times, or until chicken is cooked. Dried apricots may be added 5-7 mins  before chicken is cooked.
7. Serve with brown rice and steamed vegetables.

Healthy Choice Apricot Chicken

I am amazed at what seems to be the constant increase in the number of frozen meals available in our supermarkets of today. So I have decided to feature one brand per week. This week I have choosen  Healthy Choice Apricot Chicken as this is a recipe I have cooked from scratch on numerous occasions.
 I realize consumers are willing to pay for convenience, but  I personally find the cost of  $6.17 for 350grams to be an excessive price for what I suspect to be in the packet- very little real chicken , MSG & water!
The chicken component is a mere 15% followed by water, salt , sugar pea starch, stabilisers 451,339,452, natural flavour (i.e. MSG!), and spice extracts (likely to contain MSG).

The sauce component contains 18 ingredients- 40% water, apricot puree (15%), water, sugar, 330,300, natural flavour (i.e. MSG!), 412,415, apricots 5%, flavours (wheat flour, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein (MSG again), sugar, salt, malt extract (MSG!), spice, herb, spice extracts & thickener.
This product may have the heart tick but is far from a 'healthy choice'.

Vaalia yogurt squeezie pouches

When I visited Woolworth's supermarket yesterday there were 2 flavours available in the Vaalia yogurt squeezie pouches. They were banana and strawberry. It was pleasing to see that both didn't contain any artificial flavours or sweeteners. The banana contained  the natural colour 160a Carotene, which is far more desirable than 160b, Annatto. This colour can cause headaches in both adults and children as well as restlessness, irritability, inattention & sleep disturbances in children.

The strawberry contained another natural colour Grape skin or blackcurrant extract 163. This is safe for the majority of people but should not be consumed by asthmatics. The only ingredients that I was disappointed to see was Fructose (7th) and Flavours (8th).

Vita-Wheat Original

Vita-Wheat Original- I have been enjoying Vita-Wheat original with a variety of fresh salad produce for numerous years. There are only 4 ingredients- Wheat (91%), vegetable oil, salt & sugar. 'No Artificials, no numbers', is one of the statements on the back of the packet. This marketing phrase is there as the food manufacturer is aware of the paradigm shift amongst consumers. More consumers are finally becoming aware of the fact that not all food items on our supermarket shelves are safe.

Recently there is a smaller version available in the supermarket. They are called Vita-Wheat grain snacks, Original with sea salt. Sounds as if they would be safe to eat?  However, there are 10 ingredients & the 2nd last one is a form of MSG- Malt Extract. Although this is not at the beginning of the list it is a shame to see this ingredient in an otherwise reasonable snack food. 

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: I have been intending to feature Aussie Drops Eucalyptus for quite some time. The burst of another cold spell throughout the Southern states of Australia & indeed, even here in Queensland has prompted me to talk about these little gems. They are definitely something our grandmothers would recognise &  it is pleasing to see an ingredient list of only 5. There are no artificial sweeteners & a healthy dose of Eucalyptus & Menthol is added by hand at the end of the cooking process. This ensures a strong, distinctive unique flavour.

The packet contains 6 convenient purse or pocket size small bags- use them when suffering from a sore throat & experience the pleasant flavours. You can find them in Woolworth's on the bottom shelf where the cough lollies are found -confectionery aisle. Enjoy!

Supermarket Secrets

In this video clip Michael Pollen, author of the "Ominvore's Dilemma' & numerous other best sellers, exposes some of the 'Supermarket Secrets'. He also makes some helpful suggestions as to how to avoid purchasing overly processed food- or should I say- 'food -like products'! Enjoy!