Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Recipe: Carrot Cake



As-Salam,

Carrot cake does sound yummy and to those who just loves it may want to devour it event more. On the 4th day of Syawal, we had an open house for the family members. So, the night before I decided to make carrot cake for the guest. First time making the cake and its kinda nerve wrecking. Then after 30 minutes in the oven, the cake turns out nicely and I think the cake may needs a thing or two of alterations. The end taste of the cinnamon was quite. I did not use walnut in this recipe thus the cake was really chewy by the presence of dessicated coconut. It would taste even more better if there's some crunchiness from the walnut. Here are the ingredients of the recipe that have been altered. The original recipe was taken from the Kitchen Guardian. Click here for the recipe.


Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup Canola Oil
4 large Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 ½ cups sugar
2 cups All-purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
½ tsp Salt
3 cups Grated Carrots (about 2 large carrots)
1 cup Coarsely Chopped Roasted Walnuts or Pecans
1 cup Dessicated Coconut (unsweetened)
½ cup Raisins

Method
1. Preheat oven at 170°C.
2. Prepare 2, 8 inches cake tins.
3. Grate carrots and chopped the walnuts/pecan.
4. Sift together flours and cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
5. Beat oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs together with a mixer until twice the volume.
6. Add flour mix, following with carrots and walnuts. Divide the cake batter equally in the cake tins. Bake
    about 30 minutes and test with tooth pick until they comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool and cover the cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.


Less Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting
250g Cream Cheese
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
½ cup Powdered Sugar

Beat the cream cheese with vanilla and lemon juice until soft. And beat in sugar until well corporated. You can add more sugar if it wasn't sweet enough for your tooth :) 

The half way eaten cake! 
          Then, after baking the carrot cake, there were some white eggs left overs from the chocolate chips cookies. Decided at that night to make some not so mini pavlova. One day I would really love to try to make cute pavlova with the size of a cupcake that will suites for any events.  I would really like some green kiwi but unfortunately, I've taken the wrong box of kiwi and it turns out to be yellow kiwi. Yellow kiwi was sweeter compared to the green one.

Pavlovas with yellow kiwis, black grapes and strawberries

Monday, August 12, 2013

Selamat Hari Raya 2013


As-Salam,

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Maaf Zahir & Batin

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my family, friends and to all Muslims too. Today is the fifth day of Syawal and at this very moment updating from the office. This year's celebration of raya was a bit discouraging. I had fun on the first day of raya but had a terrible diarrhoea, flu and swollen eyes at 3.00 am the day after. The swollen eyes, still can't be explained but I reckon it may due to the Rendang Hitam (I may be allergic to the cow's liver and have eaten a lot of it). So, with the slanting eyes, I went to KLCC to meet the girls and watching Percy Jackson : Sea Monster. The movie was kinda good but not as good as I was expected it to be. I'm giving 4/5 stars for the movie. 

          And now I am back at the office struggle finishing the packaging design for the ice cream. TOLONG! As at now, I had only finished with the design and may it turn out great. While surfing the net for some ideas, I did stumble upon some awesome packaging and it was great with modern twist! I had few here for you.

Alphabet Scoop Packaging by Rebecca Lim
Gorge’us Ice Cream by Matt Barber
Cavistons Coffee Cup by Steve Simpson
Milagros Tea Packaging

Mr Nice Cream from Tesco


Monday, August 5, 2013

Recipe: Biskut Cornflakes Madu



As Salam,

Selang beberapa hari lagi tiba bulan Syawal. Bagaimana dengan persiapan raya korang tahun ini? Mestilah meriahkan. Memang sudah lama tidak update blog. Memang sibuk sikit sejak kebelakangan ini. Maklumlah, dengan persiapan wedding dan tidak lupa juga projek product development di office. Buat produk masa bulan puasa memang mencabar sebab tak boleh rasa sedap atau tidak makanan yang disediakan.

          Tahun ini, ade juga cuba-cuba buat kuih baru untuk lebaran. Ialah, setiap tahun pun biskut chocolate chips, maka tahun ini bertambah biskut yang ada, contohnya biskut sarang semut, biskut cranberry oat dan biskut cornflakes madu. Semua biskut ini memang firstime buat dan biskut cornflakes madu was a special request from fiancée.

          Resepi di ambil daripada internet. Saya rasa butter daripada resepi asal perlu dikurangkan daripada 250g kepada 200g mesti lagi sedap rasanya. Saya gunakan Nestle Cornflakes sebab tebal sikit berbanding Kellogs atau yang dijual di kedai bakeri. Moh kite tengok resepinya.



Resepi Biskut Cornflakes Madu
Bahan-bahan:
200g Buttercup
I kotak besar Nestle Cornflakes
1 ½ cup Madu
1 cup Gula Castor

Cara-cara:
1)      Cairkan butter dan madu di dalam kuali dengan api yang perlahan
2)     Setelah cair, masukkan gula dan kacau hingga cair
3)     Semasa masih panas, tuang campuran madu di dalam cornflakes (dalam mangkuk besi / tahan suhu panas) dan kacau sehingga madu menyaluti semua cornflakes.
4)     Masukkan cornflakes bersalut di dalam paper cup
5)     Untuk lebih rangup, bakar cornflakes madu pada suhu 130°C selama 7-10 minit.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Farewell Party at Pakistani Cuisine - Asif Beriani Restaurant



Hello,

Yesterday is the last working day for Mansor at our department. Sedih? Sedih tak? Sikit je. Mansor, lepas pindah tempat kerja baru ini, saya rasa semakin berasap la Innova kan. Maklumlah yang lain semua memang heavy smoker. OWH MY GOODNESS! Sentap! Perasaannya lebih teruk daripada musim jerebu di luar tatkala ini. Harap tidak la saya terpingsan-pingsan nanti. Huhu.

          Kami satu department semalam feeling-feeling sambut farewell Mansor dan Ayu di Restoran Beriani Asif. Yup, this is my first time being there. I think it is not that far from the office. About 15 minute by walking. If there were no guidance from En. Sobri or En. Mohd Noor, I am sure we could not find the place. 

At the entrance.
Taking pictures while waiting the meal. Highlights: I do think Kak Emy (in red blouse) looks slimmer from the last meeting. 
          The meal was absolutely remarkable. It is delicious and during the lunch period it is packs with people. I manage to take some picture of the food. Firstly, I tried their mango lassi and it was decious as if I am eating a fresh mango. Not kidding there. Then came the beriani rice made from 100% basmathi rice which is claimed to be good for your health has a really fluffy texture! Suka suka suka! The side dishes was even tastier - Chicken Masala, Lamb Shank, Grilled Lamb and Cucumber Salad. I didn't taste the chicken Masala. But the lamb shank was superb. The lamb was cooked perfectly and so tender! The grilled lamb was good too!

The food from the restaurant! Looks yummy!
Star of the day. I'm wishing all the best for both of them. May new place will gives them more joy and happiness!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My First Sewing Machine!



Salam all,

Yeay! Finally I got my first ever sewing machine! Yohho. Bulan ini memang budget sempit sangat sebab renew insurance kereta. Owh my! Memang budget habisss bulan ini. Tapi sebab dah tunggu lama berkehendakkan mesin jahit, ku pejamkan sahaja mataku ini.

          Dua bulan lepas, lelah cari mesin jahit murah (untuk budget bawah RM200) tetapi hasil adalah begitu menghampakan. Yang jumpa pun jenama Brothers yang harganya lebih RM700 dan display unit sahaja yang tinggal. Memang T.I.D.A.K lah saya nak membelinya. Semalam Maisara (kawan se-office) membawa khabaran gembira. Lazada ada promosi murah untuk Global Sewing Machine. Jadi, saya pun belilah satu.


a) Global Sewing Machine GSM-505 (Klik sini untuk ke promosi Lazada)

b) Global Sewing Machine GSM-338 (Klik sini untuk ke promosi Lazada)

c) Global Sewing Machine GL-SM2010  (Klik sini untuk ke promosi Lazada)
          Saya beli  Global Sewing Machine GSM-505 sebab harganya RM 179.00 masih dalam julat budget dan ade 8 jenis pattern jahitan. Mamang cepat servis daripada Lazada. Puas hati. Sebab dalam 24 jam saya dah dapat barang yang dibeli. Kagum sekejab. Semalam order, ini hari sudah sampai. Bila buka pakage, memang kenit saja mesin jahit tu. Ringan. Harap-harap tahan lama dengan keganasan saya. Siap boleh pakai bateri. Memang best! Jahitan pun boleh tahan kemas. Yang paling penting warranty selama SETAHUN dan kalau tidak puas hati dengan product boleh pulangkan ke Lazada dalam masa 14 hari.

          
          Kepada kawan-kawan yang mahukan mesin jahit yang simple (meaning bukan untuk kerja menjahit heavy duty) bolehlah singgah membeli-belah kat Lazada. Poromosi masih lagi berjalan sekrang ini. Selamat membeli-belah kawan-kawan. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Pameran Pengantin, PICC 7-9 Jun 2013

Salam,

Lama sudah rasanya tidak mengarang sebarang dua patah perkataan. Kepada B2B yang masih belum berpeluang ke Pameran Pengantin, bolehlah kita berkunjung ke PICC pada 7-9 Jun 2013. Majlis saya sudah dekat tetapi masih tercari-cari kelengkapan untuk membuat persiapan untuk majlisku itu. Tambahan pula tema Pameran Pengantin (biru, putih, hijau) lebih kurang dengan tema majlisku akan lebih memudahkan kerja dan more ideas will come! Yeay!

Perkara yang perlu di cari semasa di Pameran Pengantin:
1. Baju Bersanding
2. Photographer
3. MUA
4. Hantaran
5. Pelamin


Pada 9 Jun 2013, di tempat yang sama, terdapat Talk Show bertajuk - Kemanisan Bercinta Selepas Nikah.
Masuk percuma dan hadiah juga disediakan untuk pengunjung yang datang pada hari tersebut. Kepada B2B, jangan lepaskan peluang keemasan ini. See you there!


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Recipe: Apricot Cheesecake



Salam,

It has been a long time I didn't post anything referring to any new recipe. Honestly I am being too lazy to cook something rice. Since gaining few kilos of fats, I am totally need to balanced up my diet and that is why the therm of cooking laziness took place. Because of the stamped of expiry date on the food label horrors me bit and some fast action needed to prevent any food wastage. At the time I have cream cheese, biscuits and dry apricots to work with. Yes, I think of cheesecake is the best way! Yums~

A slice of apricot cheesecake
          Pardon me people. This is my first attempt of making apricot cheesecake. It looks nice but it does not taste as sweet as it looks. For someone with sweet tooth, I recommend to glaze the cake with more or just sweetened the glaze a little more. Enjoy the recipe and I am grateful if you have any comments to improve this recipe. Thank you in advance.

Ingredients

Sauce
100g Dried Apricots
3 Spoonful Apricot Jam
2 Spoonful Castor Sugar
1/2 Cup Water


Cake Base
10 pieces Finely crushed 
Digestive Biscuits
100g Melted butter

  
Cheese Fillings
300g Cream cheese
130 ml Yogurt
2 Eggs
100g Castor Sugar
1 tbsp Vanilla Essence
1 tbsp Corn Flour

Methods


Simmer all the ingredients until the dried apricots absorb the liquid and the sauce is thickened.





Preheat oven 180°C.
Mix in together the crushed biscuits with melted butter.
Press mixture evenly onto bottom of a 7-inch spring form pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.


In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, yogurt, corn flour and vanilla until combined. Add eggs all at once, beating until just combined. Stir in chopped apricots from the sauce. Pour filling into the crust-lined pan. Place on a water-bath and bake about 45 minutes or until the centre appears nearly set when pan is gently shaken (it will continue cooking after you remove it from the oven). Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen crust from sides of the pan and cool another 30 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and cook the cheesecake completely.  Glaze the cake with the apricot sauce. Ready for serving.

Using D'arbo jam for the sauce and whole cup (130ml) of Marigold low fat yogurt



This is the 7 inch cake looks like

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Nasi Goreng Kerang di Pantai Remis

Salam,

Jalan- jalan di pantai Remis memang seronok. Tambahan pula di sana terdapat jualan pelbagai jenis ikan, kerang, kepah segar yang boleh dijadikan juadah lauk-pauk yang sedap. Selain daripada itu, keropok ikan pun ada dijual (bukan keluaran tempatan tapi diimport dari Kedah). Pertama kali ke Pantai Remis memang mengujakan. Lepas penat pusing-pusing melawat gerai seafood segar, perut pula minta untuk diisi tambahan pula panas terik waktu tengahari menambahkan dahaga di tekak. Maka, Medan Selera Pantai Remis menjadi pilihan kali ini. Hihihi.

Ikan segar yang dijual. Pardon me, saya kenal ikan bawal aje. Kalau suruh teka kan siakap atau keparu belum tentu betul.

          Disebabkan saya feeling-feeling mahu diet, maka Nasi Goreng Kerang menjadi pilihan. Sebenarnya saya tersalah order. Sepatutnya Nasi Goreng Lala sebab lagi menarik. Tidak mengapalah, perkara sudah lepas. Kawan-kawan yang lain memang dasyat. Mereka order - Ikan Kerapu Tiga Rasa, Ayam Masak Sweet Sour, Telur Dadar dan Mee Goreng. Wah, macam hidangan makan malam rasanya. Bila sampai sahaja hidangan yang telah ditempah...Nah! nasi gorengku memang terbaik dengan kerang yang banyak lagi gemuk. Oleh yang demikian, feeling-feeling diet hancur sama sekali.

Nasi Goreng Kerang dengan kerang yang gemuk-gemuk.

Mereka yang order. Saya kalau banyak begini untuk lunch memang tak mampu nak habiskan.

          Melalui blog-blog yang saya baca, hidangan udang lipanadalah popular di kawasan Pantai Remis. Tapi sungguh, saya memang tidak tahu lokasinya di mana. Khasiat Udang Lipan atau Udang Ketak menurut Abah, boleh mengubati penyakit lelah / asthma. Yes, I need to check it out ofter this :)


Monday, April 29, 2013

Stamp Collection: Second Series of Malaysian Currency (Issue of 2012)



Assalam,

The stamps was released on 16th July 2012 featuring new Malaysian coins for 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cents and 50 cent. It has an unique hexagon shape and the stamps was issued with both front and rear surfaces for each coins. I may say say that worth to have these inside the stamp book. Happy :)


Alhamdulillah, today I have received the miniature sheet for the new Malaysian Currency for RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 with the drawings of the back side of the real money. How interesting. I think it is official that I have the whole stamp for this collection so far. Totally awesomeness. Worth to collect these babies and I deeply think that this will be more worthy in the future. Perhaps, Perhaps  with my finger cross!




Thursday, April 25, 2013

Burger Bakar - Abang Burn vs. Kaw-Kaw



Salam and Hello,

After five hours exhausting journey back to KL, there are warning sounds made by the tummy that can be heard by my neighbor. It screams, “Fill me up, Fill me up, Please!” With the cold whether due to the rain and plus the traffic jam, the head start to feel drowsy. Luckily, one of my friends (there are three of us) asked if we wanted to have dinner before reaching home. Gladly, I said yes!

Supremo -  meat burger with slice of cheese, onion rings and deep fried mushroom from Burger Bakar Abang Burn (RM10.50)
We choose to ate somewhere near to my house. But have no idea exactly where to eat. Suddenly my friend suggested trying burger bakar (grilled burger) since he never tasted it before. As for me, I have eaten them before this and I think it is quite good and it is a big meal. First time having burger bakar with my fiancée at Burger Bakar Abang Burn located in Kota Damansara. At that time I choose meat grilled burger with onion rings and mushrooms. A big credit for the juicy meat patty and love the mushrooms. But honestly I am not a fan of burgers with lots of chili sauce and extra mayo. Overalls, I kinda like it.

Baconizer - Beef burger with slice of cheese and beef bacon at Burger Bakar Kaw-Kaw (RM10.50).
After a few rounds of hunting the burger stalls at Wangsa Maju, finally we found Burger Bakar Kaw-Kaw. Since this was our first time here, we don’t know which one is the best. So, we ordered the same Baconizer Burger which consists of burger with beef patty, slice of cheese and two strips of beef bacon. Again, it was big! I can’t imagine those who are having more than 2 patties. They must be really hungry! My first bite experience, it was a splendor! Sedap sangat! Beyond my imagination. Less sauce and mayo just like I them. The patty taste different from the other burgers that I have eaten before. Less fats maybe because through my observation, if the patty have high fats, I will have the oily taste and gooey. Lucky me, this doesn’t have that. Taste like homemade ground meat (not the one you bought from supermarket) with few spices! Superb and seriously want to have it again after this!


The menu and prices for the burgers at Burger Bakar Kaw-Kaw.

Locatios :

Burger Bakar Abang Burn - Tanjung Village Food Court (besides Sunway Giza), 7-21,Jalan PJU 5/13, 47810 Kota Damansara, Selangor

Burger Bakar Kaw-Kaw - (Nearby San Francisco Pizza, Sek Men Seksyen 5, Amway), No. 32, Jalan 1/27f, Pusat Bandar Wangsa Maju (KLSC), 53300, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur


Thursday, April 11, 2013

Pertama Kali Makan Nasi Ambeng



Assalam,

Masih saya ingat ketika masih belajar di universiti, seorang sahabat yang berketurunan Jawa seringkali bercerita tentang keenakan nasi ambeng. Pertama kali mendengarnya saya bertanya, “Nasi ambeng tu ape? Tak penah dengar pon?”. Lalu sahabat saya bercerita tentangnya dengan lebih lanjut. Menurutnya, nasi ambeng merupakan salah satu makanan yang biasanya dihidangkan di dalam dulang sewaktu majlis kenduri khasnya dilakukan oleh masyarakat Jawa. Hidangan merupakan nasi putih yang mepunyai lauk –pauk disekeliling seperti tempe goreng, urap, sambal goreng, ayam goreng dan yang lebih menarik mee goreng adalah salah satu lauk hidangan. Memang pelik pertama kali saya mendengarnya dan tidak dapat saya gambarkan pada ketika itu. 

          Melalui info yang terdapat di internet, nasi ambeng yang di sajikan melambangkan keberuntungan dan membawa harapan agar pihak yang menikmatinya akan di murahkan rezeki. 

Inilah rupa sepinggan nasi ambeng. Penuh sangat! Makan sampai mengah.

          Semasa kerja lapangan di Kuala Selangor tempoh hari, pertama kali saya berkesempatan untuk merasa hidangan nasi ambeng di Warung Ibu, Tanjung Karang. Perasaan ketika menikmatinya....Sedap! Saya tidak sangaka kombinasi mee goreng dan nasi putih boleh menjadi. Saya sarankan bagi sesiapa yang mempunyai kapasiti perut yang kecil, sepinggan hidangan nasi ambeng boleh dikongsi untuk dua orang. Memang sangat kenyang kalau seorang sahaja yang makan. Lepas ini, bolehlah saya makan nasi ambeng lagi!

Warung Ibu terletak di Batu 6, Kg. Sungai Gulang-Gulang, 45500, Tanjung Karang, Selangor.
Ia terletak kira-kira 12 minit dari bandar Kuala Selangor. (Pernah masuk JJCM 2010)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

20 Pain Killers In Your Kitchen




Assalam,

I found this informations that has been shared by a friend through facebook and I think this is worth sharing with the others too. This is a good alternative medications and it can be found in your kitchen. May the info be beneficial to you too.


Make muscle pain a memory with ginger
When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily. (For other goodness click HERE)




Cure a toothache with cloves
Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.


Heal heartburn with cider vinegar
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.
         
Erase earaches with garlic
Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.


Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries
Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.


Fight tummy troubles with fish
Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.



Prevent PMS with yogurt
Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s Columbia University . “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University .


Tame chronic pain with turmeric
Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.


End endometrial pain with oats
The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .



Soothe foot pain with salt
Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s Stanford University. The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.





Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple
Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California ’s Stanford University . That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.



Relax painful muscles with peppermint
Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.


Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.


Wash away pain injuries with water
Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York ’s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.


Heal sinus problems with horseradish
Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.



Beat bladder infections with blueberries
Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University .





Heal mouth sores with honey
Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.



Fight breast pain with flax
In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.




Cure migraines with coffee
Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.



Tame leg cramps with tomato juice
At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.



Source: The Net.