Healthy Kitchen Plus

Sunshine In Your Body: Orange Juice

Wed 18 Jan 2012 9:33:39 PM GMT

Orange juice has always been a hit with Americans. Today, OJ is the number 3 beverage in America. 100% orange juice provides numerous vitamins and minerals and is fat free, saturated fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free.

St. Augustine, Florida is one of my favorite places on earth. I have often said that I would like to live there and perhaps one day I will. But that will have to be down the road a bit. For now I am content to live in the foothills of the north Georgia Mountains. I was more than pleased when I read that early Spanish explorers planted the first orange trees around St. Augustine in the 1500's. The sub-tropical climate of Florida and heavy rain helped the juiciest oranges to grow in that area. Today, most of the orange groves are in the lower 2/3rds of the state.

Some parents have expressed concern that OJ can have a negative impact on the weight of their children. However studies do not support the idea that increased orange juice intake and weight-gain go hand in hand. What could be better for your children that a rich, natural product with all the vitamin C they need daily and with no added sugars. Just think, 8 ounces is just 110 calories! Let's look at the nutrient value in fresh orange juice.

Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants and helps to support a healthy immune system.
Folic acid is an essential acid for healthy red blood cells. It may also lower homocysteine levels in the blood.
Potassium is important in helping to reduce high blood pressure and strokes.
Vitamin B6 is needed for the production of new cells, including healthy red blood cells.
Thiamine is associated with the action of many enzyme systems and the conversion of food into energy.

When you measure the effect of orange juice on the whole body, it is hard to beat. Not only is OJ delicious, it is good for you too. How many foods can you compare with the good old-fashioned glass of orange juice? Not many. Orange juice is simply a taste of sunshine.

If you are in the market for a great juicer, be sure to check the variety of fruit, vegetable, citrus and wheatrass juicers at Healthy Kitchen Plus. There you will find the right choice to suit your lifestyle.

Grain Mill Purchase: Five Important Facts

Wed 28 Dec 2011 7:05:00 PM GMT

In two previous articles I have discussed important issues to consider when making the decision to purchase a grain mill. There are some other important things I did not cover which need to be covered. The first two articles were Grain Mill Reviews: How to Find a Grain Mill and Grain Mill Purchase: Three Things to Know.

This article deals with things that are also important and are facts that I believe you should know before making a decision to buy a home grain mill.

1. Electric or Manual Grain Mill? That is a hard one to answer. Here are some considerations. Will you be using it very often? If not, you might want to buy a manual grain mill and save some money. I know people who use it infrequently and are satisfied with a manual grain mill. If you are physically unable to use a manual, then you will want to buy an electric. Some people have an electric and a manual grain grinder as a back up. Normally, the manual system is cheaper, but not always. Some of the home manual grinders can be a bit pricey. But, to sum it up, the cheaper prices tend to be manual and the more expensive models are electric.

2. Ease of Cleaning. You will find that almost all of the grain grinders are easy to clean and rarely need much cleaning at all. Usually, the clean up is the dust from the flour. The only time that it becomes a real issue to clean up is if you try to grind oily or wet items. Then, it can become a real nightmare.

3. Noise Level: Companies usually tell you how many decibels of noise they make. I don't know one decibel from 2 so I'll give you my take on it. They all make some noise unless you muffle the sound with something that will take the noise like memory foam under the grinder or something of that nature. The loudest are not shrill, but they do make noise and over time can become annoying.

4. Motor Size: The amount of use is an important factor when checking the motor size. A smaller motor may work fine, even if a bit slower, if you are an infrequent user. But, if you plan to use it often, you should consider a larger motor for both speed and longevity.

5. Warranty: This is always important to me. I expect things I buy to last forever. I know they will not, but I still expect it to happen. What I really do not like is when something only lasts for a short period of time and the warranty has expired. I look for long warranties because I believe the item must be good or the warranty would not be so long.

Ultimately all of these factors should be considered along with others we have discussed in other articles. It is impossible for me to rate one above the other for you because you are the ultimate judge of what is important to you. These are the factors I find extremely important to me. I hope that you can use this to help you make a decision.

Whatever you do, I hope you will make a decision to buy one for your good health. At Healthy Kitchen Plus we have a wide selection of top quality mills at great prices. Before you make your final decision on a grain mill or grain grinder, I recommend that you check out our Grain Mill Review site so that you can be sure yu are making the very best decision for your home.

Wheatgrass Juice: Fresh or Supplement

Wed 21 Dec 2011 6:00:00 PM GMT

Should I drink fresh wheatgrass juice or should I use the powdered wheatgrass juice? Without a doubt, fresh wheatgrass juice is the best that you can take. Always drink fresh juice instead of taking a supplement if you have a choice. However, in our rush to keep up with what is happening in the world today, we often don't have the time to have fresh juice.

Fortunately there are a number of juice facilities that are opening around the country and that gives you the opportunity to stop in and get your shot of fresh juice. These stores are a bit pricey, but they sell you the shot of energy in a small cup that you need daily. If you have your own masticating juicer at home and the fresh wheatgrass, then you can prepare it for yourself and family.

These are great options if you have a juice store or own the equipment. But what do you do if you don't? Do you give up and just do without? No is the answer because there is a way to overcome the problems.

In some ways, supplements or powdered wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice are better because you can depend on taking the products even when you don't have time. I have literally taken them while driving to an appointment. Every one of us is acquainted with not enough time to do the things we need to do. Getting your daily dose of juice should be on every one's list of must things to do. The powdered tablets are an answer.

Here are some tips when selecting wheatgrass products:

Try to get the powdered juice, not the powdered grass. It is more potent.
I like the powder that is mixed with water. For some that is too tough to take.
Try to get an organic product. Organic is always better but costs more.
Buy the tablets for a backup. They are great for travel.

Where is a good place to find green food products? I personally have found that Swanson Health Products has the best overall value. They have great pricing, quality, selection and service. I have been using their products for years and can attest to buying from them. However, there are other good companies that also have great quality and selection. If you decide to do as I have and begin using powdered wheatgrass juice or in the tablet form when necessary, you can find it all on Google or other search engines.

Fresh is best, but powdered or tablet is a great substitute. If you haven't already made wheatgrass juice a part of your daily regimen, I encourage you to start now. Over time you will begin to see and feel the many benefits of wheatgrass juice.

If you are considering purchasing a wheatgrass juicer, I strongly urge that you do your homework first. Be sure to visit a great Wheatgrass Juicer Review site so that you can make a well-informed decision about the right wheatgrass juicer for you. At Healthy Kitchen Plus, we have one of the best selections on the web at prices you can afford.

Wheatgrass Juice: Three System Cleansing Facts

Wed 14 Dec 2011 6:45:00 PM GMT

Wheatgrass is about 70% chlorophyll. All green plants are laden with chlorophyll and it is the basis of all plant life. The structure of it is close to hemoglobin and its molecular structure is almost identical. Magnesium is at the core of chlorophyll and iron at the core of hemoglobin. I have long been a proponent of wheatgrass juice because of the many things that I believe it does for our bodies. The obvious is the free-flowing fountain of chlorophyll and the cleansing goodness it brings to us.

Wheatgrass juice is not magic and will not heal your body just because you have an ailment. In fact I don't know of any substance, pill or person who has the ability to heal. God designed the body to heal itself. How well that happens depends, in very large part, on how well you take care of your body every day. That begins with diet, exercise, vitamins if needed, and rest.

Cleansing the body is one of the most important things that Wheatgrass juice accomplishes. With over 90 minerals including magnesium, sodium potassium and calcium, it packs a real punch with just one ounce of pure juice. What does it cleanse from the body?

Wheatgrass juice has vitamins B, C, E along with beta carotene and all of these are great in eliminating free radicals.
It is an outstanding support to the lymphatic system because of its makeup and it carries away toxins from cells. It is reported that crystallized acids and old- hardened mucous are also eliminated.
Finally, it helps to clean the colon thoroughly which is the heart of our body's engine. Without a clean and well-operating colon, all things in the body are compromised.

Gasoline companies advertise the importance of having clean running engines and that at the heart of the engine is the right gas and oil. The same is true for the human body. Like a car, the body can run for a while even using the wrong gas. Slowly and imperceptibly the body will begin to go down hill until one day problems begin to arise.

It does not have to be that way. Our bodies were never meant to be eternal, but they can operate more efficiently and longer if properly maintained. A part of the maintenance can be wheatgrass on a regular basis. By using this natural cleansing product of nature, you can have a healthier and happier lifestyle.

At Health Kitchen Plus you will find an excellent selection of wheatgrass juicers priced to fit your lifestyle. A new manual or electric juicer can put you on the path to cleansing your system.

If you are considering buying a wheatgrass juicer, I highly recommend that you do your homework first. As a starting point, I would go to a great Wheatgrass Juicer Review site on the web so that you can make a decision about the wheatgrass juicer that is best for you.

Wheatgrass Juice & Chlorphyll: The Nectar of Life

Wed 7 Dec 2011 6:35:00 PM GMT

Wheatgrass is filled with the life-giving nectar of chlorophyll which has been shown to play a role in blood production, protection from radiation, and protection from cancer. Chlorophyll has never been shown to have any toxicity and absolutely no side effects. Additionally it can help in regularity, reducing cholesterol, healing wounds, and deodorization.

Chlorophyll is one of the most potent natural gifts to man on the earth. It is something that we see all around us, especially in the spring and summer. Any leafy plant that is green is packed with chlorophyll. Like anything else where there are multiple choices, some plants are more important than others.

When wheatgrass is grown in your home and juiced, you are able to get a power packed shot of chlorophyll that your body craves. By juicing the wheat grass with a home wheatgrass juicer, you are able to get to the heart of the plant's chlorophyll and take it to your system without the need of literally eating piles and piles of food. Drinking 2 to 3 ounces a day of fresh wheat grass juice two to three times a day can make a huge difference in your vitality. We were able to find and sell several affordable wheatgrass juicers at Healthy Kitchen Plus and recommend that you check them out.

Wheatgrass has other benefits in addition to the chlorophyll. It contains protein, beta-carotene, vitamins E, C, and B12, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium.

It is important to note that other green foods also offer substantial chlorophyll and vitamin filled shots of vitality like kale, spinach, and broccoli. But none of these items have the ability to be grown at home in the quantities needed at an affordable price. Wheatgrass is the economy king.

Juicing offers advantages over trying to eat all of the vegetables that would be required to give you the nutrients found in fresh juice from raw vegetables. Many of us contemplate cooking the vegetables and seasoning them, but to get all of the nutrients from the vegetables, you must eat them raw. Juicing delivers a bio available product to your system that allows the nutrients to be taken up by the body and used quickly. It might be possible to eat all of the vegetables, but it would be very difficult.

Juicing does not reduce your need to eat vegetables. People still need the fiber delivered from the vegetable itself. Remember; balance your juicing with your actual vegetable consumption.

If you are considering a wheatgrass juicer, I encourage you to do your home work before making a purchase. Simply go to our Wheatgrass Juicer Review page and you will be able to see how each juicer stacks up against the other and make a determination of the wheatgrass juicer that is right for your home.

Grain Mill Purchase: Three Things to Know

Wed 23 Nov 2011 6:58:59 PM GMT

Purchasing a grain mill or grain grinder is one of the best purchases that you will ever make for your family. It does not take much of an imagination to remember the smell of your home filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread. Can you also remember a time when your mother baked bread and pastries and you could smell it even outside. You knew instinctively that you were in for a treat. Remember the warmth and security you felt in your home during those times. Well, you can have that same aroma and feeling more often around your home when you finally purchase a grain mill or grinder for your home.

If you have decided to purchase one or you have just begun to think about it, there are some things that you should know before making the purchase. What you learn in the homework process can make a big difference in what you ultimately decide.

One of the main concerns is what kind of grain will your mill grind and what will it not grind. The following is a list of things that most often can be milled by most grain grinders.

Hard and soft wheat
Oats
Rice
Triticale
Kamut
Spelt
Dried Beans
Corn
Popcorn
Split Peas
Buckwheat
Barley
Rye
Millet
Sorghum
Dried Mung Beans
Soybeans

This list covers most of the grains that you will ever want but there are some things that home grain mills cannot handle well and you need to know before making your purchase. For example, most home mills cannot handle an oily type nut or seed.

Here are some of them:

Any grain allowed to get damp or wet...it must be dried first
Almonds
Cashews
Flax Seed
Mustard Seeds
Peanuts
Pecans
Sesame Seeds
Sunflower Seeds

There are others, but these represent the most common.

If you try to put nuts through a grinder even if they have been dried, the nuts will become gummy and make an enormous mess.

The last major consideration is the coarseness of the grind. Grain mill are usually divided into 3 types.

Stone Grinder-They will normally grind from extremely fine to extremely coarse
Impact Grinder-They will normally grind from fine to coarse
Burr Grinder-They will normally grind from fine to coarse

What do you plan to do with you home grain mill? That is the question you will have to answer before ultimately making a decision. Do you bake a lot of cakes? Then a stone grinder may be in order although some impact grinders also make very fine flour. Will a fine grind fit your needs? Are you looking for coarse or extremely coarse grind for meal? The decisions are numerous. Once you have made the decision about what you plan to do with the grain mill, you can begin to focus.

I recommend that you find a good grain mill comparison or grain mill review site on the web before making any decisions. It is just one of the pieces of your homework, but it is a very important one. There are a few sites that you can get detailed information to make your final decision. Be sure to complete this very important part of your home work assignment.

If you buy the right home grain mill, you will always be happy that you made the decision because of the whole grain goodness you will find in every delectable bite of breads, cakes, pies and tarts that you make.

Grain Mills: How to Find a Great Grain Mill

Thu 27 Oct 2011 5:51:00 PM GMT

The starting point for making a decision about which grain mill to buy is to visit a good grain mill review site on the web. There are not many true reviews for grain mills or grain grinders if you prefer, on the web. There are a few that have great information about them but for the most part grain mill reviews are few and far between.

If you are thinking of buying a grain grinder, it is a major expense for you and your family. The typical electric home mill can cost from about $225 to $700. There are some that are more and I don't know of any that are less. There are also hand cranked home grain mills that generally run from about $79 up to about $600. I don't profess to know all of the makes and models that are on the market, but these price ranges are generally accurate.

Price is only one element of the decision process, but I bring it up first because it lets you know that in most cases the up-front investment is not cheap. In the long run, you will save money buying and grinding your own wheat and corn, but in the beginning it can set you back.

What are the major things you should consider when looking for a Grain Mill Review on the web? The following subjects should be covered in the review and are not necessarily listed in their order of importance.

Electric or hand powered
Grains it will mill
Grains it will not mill
Hopper capacity
Flour canister capacity
Ease of cleaning
Dimensions of the grain mill
Weight
Noise level
Motor Size
Range of flour coarseness
Quality of the burr or stones
Quality of the finish
Warranty
Price

Each of these items is very important in making a decision about your purchase of a grain grinder. The emphasis you place on one item over the other will ultimately determine the most important items.

For example, someone on a limited budget will give more consideration to cost than almost anything else. After that hurdle is reached then other items will fall in place. If you are not concerned with price, then your top item may be quality of the finish. Is it a high quality wood finish? If you are concerned about size because of space limitation, then you might look at size first.

There is no firm answer what should be first because it does differ by person. Everything listed should be taken into consideration, because once you make your selection, you will own it for many years and hopefully get the great service you deserve.

When you do a search on the web, I suggest that you search under:

Grain Mill Comparisons
Grain Mill Reviews
Grain Grinder Comparisons
Grain Grinder Reviews

You will find just a few that really give you the complete lowdown. Be sure to check them out because this is where your search should begin. It may not end at this point, but at least you will be off to a great start in your purchase of a home grain mill.

Omega 8003 & 8005 Juicers

Wed 20 Jul 2011 7:10:00 PM GMT

Omega has really done it with the 8003 & 8005 Nutrition Center!!!

The Omega Model 8003 (White) & 8005 (Chrome & Black) Nutrition Center is a single gear, masticating juice extractor that will serve all of your juicing needs and much more. It utilizes a patented Two-Stage System for even greater efficiency than previous single gear juicer models. This unit is a "multiple use" appliance. Most appliances that are built for more than one use tend to compromise one task or another. But the Omega 8003 Juicer excels at all of its functions, especially as a wheatgrass juicer.

This single gear machine turns at a slow 80 RPM's to ensure that nothing is lost through heated elements in your juice. This low speed also helps the Omega 8003 foam far less than a double gear style juicer.

(NOTE: The Omega 8003 Juicer and the Omega 8005 Juicer are identical in performance and features. The only difference is color.)

8003 - white

8005 - chrome / black

Check out the great features in the 8003 and 8005!

DUAL STAGE SINGLE AUGER

Juices FRUITS, VEGGIES, and GREENS including WHEATGRASS

Continuous juicing with Automatic Pulp Ejection

High Juice Yield – very dry pulp

Easy to assemble, operate and clean

Very Quiet 1/3 HP motor

Built-in “reverse” prevents clogging

Single Gear produces less foam than Double Gears

No separate attachments needed

Heavy duty construction using the highest quality materials

Engineered for quiet operation and long life

Single-Phase Induction Auger RPM: 75-85 RPM Rotation speed

Two juicing screens for firm and soft produce

No heat build-up

Gear runs at 2 HP with Gear reduction

UL and cUL approved

15”W x 11 ¼” H x 7 3/8” L

Voltage: 120V / 60 Hz

10 Year Warranty

FUNCTIONS

FRUIT JUICE EXTRACTOR

The Omega 8003 Juicer and the Omega 8005 Juicer efficiently juice both soft and hard fruits, even citrus fruits, typically one of the hardest fruits to juice.

VEGETABLE JUICE

The Omega 8003 Juicer and Omega 8005 Juicer juice all kinds of vegetables including carrots, bell peppers, celery, beets, and radishes without destroying the natural flavor and nutritional benefits. Fresh taste and complete nutrition are guaranteed with this unique extraction process.

WHEAT GRASS AND LEAFY GREENS

Wheat grasses, kale, spinach, cabbage, spinach, and pine tree needles are just some of the greens that can be juiced with the Omega Juicer 8003/8005 Nutrition Center. Work alongside nature to enjoy the best that nature offers in raw foods of all kinds and juice them for full nutritional benefits.

FOOD PROCESSOR

The Omega 8003 Juicer (and Omega 8005) also chops and minces, providing natural flavor and nutrition from garlic, scallions, red pepper, ginger, and most other foods, including herbs and seasonings. Soft foods for special diets for babies and geriatric patients are quick and easy to prepare with the mincing set-up.

PASTA EXTRUDER

Homemade spaghetti, linguini or breadsticks can be extruded in just minutes with the included pasta nozzles.

HOMOGENIZES

Make fresh frozen desserts, natural baby food and nut butters using your fresh fruit and vegetables.

GRINDER Grind coffee beans and flour.

It is hard to beat and Omega and with the 8003 and 8005 you get the best of many worlds!

Omega!

Meal Planning for Weight Loss

Fri 3 Jun 2011 5:45:41 PM GMT

Meal Planning for Weight Loss

Dieting is usually difficult and it can be an even more daunting task if you don’t take the time to plan your meals. You can’t just eat on the fly and hope to really lose weight.

The kinds of foods that you eat are very important. What you may want to eat and what you should eat may be two very different things. You can substitute fresh vegetables and salads with low-calorie dressings for high-calorie foods like French fries, macaroni and cheese or gobs of high calorie dressings on your salads. Fried meat and other fat laden food can be substituted with baked, grilled or broiled food. The list is long, but more than likely you will have to learn how to change what you eat. It does not mean you can never have anything you like, but just remember moderation.

Tip: For the short and long-term, cut out or substantially reduce your salt intake. For most people this is difficult because our tastes have been trained to shower our foods in salt. Don’t be deceived if you don’t add salt at the table. Frequently there is no need to add salt because it is so heavily laden with salt during the cooking process. In the first week or two, you will lose additional pounds of water when you take the salt out of your diet. Not only will you lose more weight, but you will keep it off if you stay away from the salt. Your heart and blood pressure will definitely thank you for taking the extra burden off of them. Learn how to enjoy the taste of the food instead of the salt taste. It may be hard in the beginning, but in time you will be glad you did.

Planning your meals to lose weight may be difficult if you live an active lifestyle. This is where supplements and meal replacements can really benefit you. Many people have received significant help by supplementing their revised diets with pre-mixed diet drinks or powdered foods that can be mixed. There are also many different vitamins and supplements that can help begin your weight loss program. There are a number of companies that will sell you a complete food plan and ship it right to your front door. If you are determined to lose weight, there are many ways to help you to lose it and keep it off.

Here are some things you will need to do to get your meal plan in place.

Discipline: Do you have it? Only you know the answer. There are no magic pills to take and there is no magic food. It requires good old-fashioned Discipline. If you will summon it from within, you can lose weight. Most people have the discipline once they make up their minds to lose weight. When you begin to plan your meals, keep in mind that your discipline is a key ingredient because it is so easy to justify “cheating just a little,” but then it grows to a lot.
Desire: This is what keeps you going if you feel like giving up. If you have the desire to look in the mirror and see the new you, the desire to wake up in the morning fully refreshed, and the desire to have the life you remember when you were young and energetic you will make it. This is also a key ingredient in your meal planning. When planning a meal visualize yourself as you want to look.
Lifestyle: The way we live our lives everyday play a very important role. We develop a lifestyle over years and it takes discipline and desire to change your lifestyle. If you really want to do it, you can. When you plan your meals, remember that what you eat dictates the way your body feels and looks. Again, that is why meal planning is so important.

Losing weight is not easy, but doing the right things consistently, you can lose weight and keep it off. It does not mean you can never have another French fry or a slice of pizza. It does mean that you must learn to eat in moderation and follow your meal plans with consistency.

One way to help you achieve your goal of successfully losing weight and keeping it off is to look around our sight at the appliances that can help you build a healthy lifestyle. From fruit and vegetable juicers, to grain mills, food dehydrators, bread machines, and much more Healthy Kitchen Plus can help you build a very healthy and tasty lifestyle built around excellent nutrition.

Healthy Snack List

Fri 27 May 2011 8:40:57 PM GMT

I was cruising on the web recently and ran across a web site that had a listing called Healthy Snack List. I am one of those people who love snacks and it caught my eye. I confess up front that I don’t always want a snack that is good for me, but most of the time I try to stay in bounds. The site is Health &Vitamins Info and I have linked to it if you want to get some information about healthy snacks.

As they point out, the biggest problem for people is that snacks are usually high in sugar, fat or sodium and many times all three. But, the good news is that snacks can often be very good for you and help to maintain or help lose weight. I had never thought much about weight loss while eating a snack, but they showed me some great ways to do it. There are three pages of information jammed full of information.

I have long been hooked on juice and whole grain products which are good for you. But when I’m at the office I often slide toward the fat or sugar that I don’t need. Thankfully my wife helps me to stay close to the straight and narrow but when she isn’t around, well you know the answer.

There are so many things that I can have that are good for me and also help me from craving so much that I will eat anything in sight. Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, frozen juice bars, frozen fruit, hardboiled eggs, popcorn and many other things on an almost endless list got my attention. Since reading the article I have started bringing my own snacks to the office. I have two snacks everyday. Now I am assured of having two “good for me” snacks. The truth is I like that much better.

I haven’t seen any changes and don’t expect to for a while because it takes time when you are doing things the natural way. I don’t mind, but I do wish I had read the report a lot sooner.

Oh yes, one more thing. They included in the piece a list of sites that have recipes for healthy snacks. I hope you will check it out. Many of the items can be made at home with the appliances that we carry. I know that they will be good snacks and good for me.

Once again, check Health & Vitamins Info. I think you will be glad that you did.

Types of Grain Mills or Grain Grinders

Thu 19 May 2011 8:33:00 PM GMT

Types of Grain Mills and Grain Grinders

There are 3 basic types of grain mills or grain grinders. Before we begin with the explanation of the three types, it is probably a good idea to discuss the phrases “grain mills” and “grain grinder.” By now you have probably already figured out that they are interchangeable. Many people use the term grain grinder. The more popular term is grain mill. One of the definitions of the word mill is “grind”. They mean the same thing, but for our purposes we are going to use the term grain mill since most manufacturers use that term. However, we will use the term “grinder” on occasion.

Now, let’s get on with the important stuff. It is important that you know and understand the types of grinders. (See, there I go using “grinders” when I said mill was the word.) Each has a place and depending on what you are trying to accomplish, you will want to buy the grain mill that most closely fits what your needs.

Stone Mills: These have been around since the beginning of milling. Basically it is a grinding method that rubs one stone against another and the grain is cracked and made into flour. Until modern technology got involved, the size of the grinding stones was two to three feet in diameter.

The home stone grain mills of today do not have the traditional stone, but it is a modern version of an old technology. Depending on the manufacturer, several different types of stones are used. It doesn’t necessarily matter because these new materials are incredibly hard and resilient.

Stone milling can be adjusted to different settings from fine flour to cracked wheat.

A stone grain mill is not good for oily or wet grains.

Impact Mills: Blades are placed in circular rows on metal wheels and the wheels are aligned so that the blades mesh. They are very close but do not touch. The grain is crushed as the blades run at very high speeds.

There can be a problem with noise with an impact mill, but they are do the job well and are very fast. One drawback is that the blades can be damaged by small stones that get into the wheat at times. This doesn’t occur often, but when it does, it could ruin your blades. They can be replaced, but you will be out of business for a while.

Impact mills are not good for oily or wet grains.

Burr Mills: Burr grinder mills use steel teeth. It does not grind as finely as a stone mill, but it can come close. Burr mills are also available in manual drive.

Burr mills are good for oily or wet grains.

We suggest that you link to the "Whole Grains Council" website to find out more about whole grains and milling. They are an excellent source of information. There are other good sites in addition to this one if you are looking for something in particular.

As companion information, please click on our lind to our FAQ section on Whole Grains and Grain Mills & Grinders, plus a section devoted to recipes.

We understand that a grain mill is an investment in your good health. We want you to have as many facts as possible so that you will know what to do when you decide on your grain mill.

Should You Buy a Grain Mill?

Thu 12 May 2011 2:07:00 PM GMT

That choice is yours. There are many health reasons for owning a grain mill and they revolve around health, taste, and freshness. Health may be the most obvious and we will discuss it. But one thing that is often overlooked when talking about owning a grain mill is taste and freshness.

Can you remember when your mother pulled a loaf of bread from the oven? I can. As children we knew well in advance that we were having fresh, home baked bread. You could smell it in the yard around the house and inside the house it was an unbelievable aroma. When she baked bread it was one of the few things that would keep me inside playing rather than going outside. When she would finally take the bread out of the oven, all of the family was ready and waiting to get a slice and cover it in butter. It was a little bit of heaven.

We didn’t have to be concerned about freshness either, because we ate it quickly. Mother would make enough for 2 or 3 days and then bake again. It was always a treat and never got stale or dry.

I didn’t have a clue about whole grains and the healthy goodness locked inside the bran. I just knew it tasted good. Later, I learned that it was good for me. I didn’t know why, but I was happy that something I liked was really good for me. I don’t know if you are like me, but a lot of the things I like aren’t really good for me. Thank goodness for whole grain bread! Now I understand why it is good for me and it actually tastes better because I do know about the healthy properties in whole grain foods.

So, should you buy a grain mill?

The grain mill produces high quality flour that you can use for many different types of flour-based products. From loaf bread to corn bread, muffins to cakes, or rolls to scones, whatever you have seen in a bakery or grocery store, it can be done at home. And it can be done better and baked to suit your tastes.

We believe you should own a grain mill, not because we sell them, but because there is definitely a health advantage as well as a distinct taste advantage. We hope you will consider Healthy Kitchen Plus when making your decision, but if not, we hope you will strongly consider buying a grain mill and using it for your own health.

Whole-Grain Flour vs. Refined Flours

Whole-grains contain endosperm, bran and cereal germ. Refined flour contains only the endosperm. Whole-grain flour is made by grinding the entire grain to make the flour.

Whole-grains are a natural source of:

Protein
Fiber
Iron
Vitamin B
Omega 3 & 6
Note: Refined flours have trace amounts of these elements unless they are fortified.

Common whole-grain products are:

Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat pasta
Whole wheat flour
Popcorn

If you are buying bread products in the store, here are the things to look for to be sure you are getting a whole grain product. This is the approved list by the U.S. government.

Bromated whole wheat flour
Bulgar cracked wheat
Cracked Wheat
Crushed wheat
Entire wheat flour
Graham flour
Whole durum flour
Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat buns
Whole wheat flour
Whole millet
Whole wheat macaroni
Whole wheat spaghetti
Whole wheat vermicelli
*Also multi-grains can be listed as whole wheat/grain

It is usual for whole grain products to be more expensive because they do not have the shelf life in a grocery store. At home, you can mill and bake just what you need and you will have fresh product all of the time and will be assured that you are always getting the whole grain nutrition your body needs.

We will be posting more about whole grain products in the future. In the meantime, please read the information on Grain Mills & Grain Grinders. It will give you the complete lowdown on grain mills. Also, you can go to our FAQ page to get more information about grain mills and grain grinders.

We hope you will consider Healthy Kitchen Plus when making any of your purchasing decisions.

The Best Produce Items for Juicing

Thu 5 May 2011 2:32:00 PM GMT

While there are benefits to be gained from both vegetable and fruit juices, vegetable juicing has almost no limits. Many fruits contain valuable nutrients that lend themselves to conquering certain diseases. However, fruits contain natural sugars which should be consumed in limited amounts due to high caloric content and pancreatic stimulation.

If you are planning to buy a juicer, a variety of vegetables and fruits can be used in your juicer to maximize your health goals. Healthy Kitchen Plus is here to help you get find a juicer that is right for your needs. Below is a list of the top 20 produce items that are ‘juicer friendly’. They are listed in descending order, beginning with the one that is the most nutrient packed, but yet lowest in calories.

1. Bell peppers 11. Beets

2. Parsley 12. Pineapple

3. Kale 13. Cantaloupe

4. Broccoli 14. Watermelon

5. Spinach 15. Tomatoes

6. Celery 16. Apple

7. Brussels sprouts 17. Strawberries

8. Cauliflower 18. Pears

9. Carrots 19. Oranges

10. Cabbage (might cause some gas!) 20. Grapes

We want to point out that Wheatgrass is missing from this list, even though it has a reputation as ‘the most nutrient dense’ of all juices. Wheatgrass is so unique and potent, it requires several articles all to itself and also requires a different type of juicer.

While ‘green juice’ can be an ‘acquired taste’, almost anyone will enjoy beginning a juicing program with a combination of apple, carrot, parsnip, red pepper, and/or citrus fruit. It is best to combine fruit and ‘sweet’ vegetables (such as apple or carrot) with other ‘less sweet’ juices to avoid excessive sugar consumption.

Strong tasting veggies such as spinach and beet are high in compounds that should be consumed in small quantities. Try diluting these with milder tasting juices such as carrot, celery, or apple.

For the most part, you can use your juicer for the ENTIRE vegetable or fruit. However, there are a few that you need to avoid:

These contain toxicity of some sort:

Apple seeds (small amounts of cyanide)
Greens from carrots or rhubarb
OUTSIDE skins of oranges and grapefruits (DO juice the white pith: it is GOOD for you!)

These are often bitter:

Leaves of celery (but cannot be tasted when mixed with other vegetables)
OUTSIDE skins of kiwi and papaya
All pits such as plum and peach

All seeds such as from lemons, limes, grapes, melons, bell peppers, etc. are FINE!

Put your juicer to its best use by using organic produce. Why not grow your own for pennies on the dollar using the EarthBox, found on the Organic Gardening page at HealthyKitchenPlus.com? If you cannot grow your own, and cannot afford to buy organic, be sure to use some sort of ‘vegetable wash’ on your produce before juicing it, to remove as much of the wax and pesticides as possible.

When you see our name, Healthy Kitchen Plus, simply click on it for fruit and vegetable juicers…Healthy Kitchen Plus the name that says it all!

Orange Juice-The Natural Vitamin C King

Thu 21 Apr 2011 4:05:00 PM GMT

Did you know the drink that is number three in America is good old fashioned orange juice? It is a great source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), potassium, thiamin, Phosphorus G, folic acid (Vitamin B9), B6 and calcium. Vitamin C also helps the body to absorb iron.

Aside from all the health and nutritional value, freshly squeezed orange juice is just plain good. Since the body doesn’t retain vitamin C naturally, it has to be ingested and I can’t think of a more tasteful way to have something that is good for me. It is easy to find frozen or reconstituted from frozen orange juice on the grocers shelf, but it just isn’t the same to me.

There are other fruits that have as much or more vitamin C than orange juice, but compared to the taste and price of orange juice, OJ is the vitamin C King!

It takes a few minutes extra to cut the oranges in half and squeeze the juice from them. But the fresh sweet citrus smell as the orange is cut open is hard to beat. It gives the whole house a fresh aroma as you begin to squeeze the oranges. Finally it is the taste that will stay with you for hours as your taste buds absorb the flavor.

Be sure to cut the oranges when they are at room temperature. There are more yields and frankly it tastes like you just picked the orange off the tree.

While orange juice is my favorite way to get my vitamin C, it isn’t always practical for me to do it this way, so I resort to vitamin C supplements. They work well and I take them daily to insure that I get enough vitamin C. But for my money, I would rather have orange juice most anytime. Orange juice isn’t just for breakfast! It tastes good anytime you drink it.

Just look for our name, Healthy Kitchen Plus, and you will find the citrus juicer that is right for you.

Old and New Grain Mills

Fri 15 Apr 2011 4:38:00 PM GMT

Early grain mills were driven by paddle wheels which were attached to a shaft that turned the millstone. The millstone was on top of a similar sized stone that was stationary and this simple arrangement worked well in areas where water ran swiftly. There was no gear which was good because of maintenance, but it was also a disadvantage because there was no consistency in the speed of the mill. During the Roman Empire, they advanced to vertical wheels with some estimated at 2.4 to 3.2 tons per hour. By 1086 in England, a census was taken and there were 5,624 water-powered flour mills.

The classical grain mill is designed to be driven by water. Some were driven by livestock while others were driven with slave labor. At the end of the eighteenth century, Oliver Evans revolutionized grain mills when he invented, patented and promoted a fully automated mill.

Modern mills usually use electricity to turn heavy steel or cast iron flat and serrated rollers to separate bran and germ from the endosperm. White flour is made of the endosperm. Many bakers still prefer the stone-ground flour because of its texture. The bakers fear that much of the nutritional value is lost in the heat created by the metal rollers of the modern flour mills.

The modern flour mills can produce enormous amounts of product, but in the production process, there is often lost the goodness of the whole-grain. Whole-grain products can be found in the grocery store, but it is difficult to find what you are truly looking for in terms of texture, flavor and cost.

Today, we have advanced to the modern home grain grinders which can produce virtually the same and better quality flour as the modern gristmills. Modern grain mills are easy to use, lightweight, adjustable to a special grind, can produce as much or as little as needed, and have a consistent quality.

At Healthy Kitchen Plus, we carry the very best in home grain mills. Hawo, Miracle, Nutrimill, Wolfgang and WonderMill are all top line grain grinders that are able to meet the needs of the average home. All of these grain grinders meet the specifications you need to bake the very best breads, muffins, rolls, scones, or cakes. These grain grinders really do the job and at a price you can afford.

Three Things to Know About Wheatgrass Juice

Thu 7 Apr 2011 4:47:00 PM GMT

Wheatgrass juice is one of the nectar's of life. For those who frequently juice wheatgrass, you know most of the tricks of the trade. For those who don't, please read on because how you juice wheatgrass is very important.

It isn't necessary to spend a lot of money on a juicer. You can and there are some great electric juicers that do an outstanding job, but you can also use a manual juicer which also does a great job. Either way, there are some very important things to know. You need a masticating juicer to do the job correctly. Other types of juicers may work, but they do not work nearly as well and the outcome of juicing with the wrong kind of juicer can be detrimental to the juice. Heat is a big factor in juicing anything because it can kill the nutrients or at least reduce the effectiveness. For example, when you cook a vegetable using any method of cooking, you will lose about 60% of the nutrient value. The same thing exists in juicing. The hotter you make the wheatgrass, the less beneficial it is.

Electric, masticating wheatgrass juicers are pre-engineered to work slowly so that the juice never gets warm. If you have a manual masticating juicer, it is important to not see how fast you can make the juice. Take your time so that the juice will be cool and fresh and have the life-giving nutrients you are looking for. Be sure to drink the wheatgrass juice soon after juicing. If you don't it will begin to oxidize and you will lose some of the nutrient value.

Unfortunately, you cannot juice ahead. If you do, the longer it sits, the more the nutrient value that is lost. So, drink it quickly to get a power punched shot of goodness.

Let's review:

Be sure that you get a good wheatgrass juicer. Good does not have to mean expensive, but do try to buy a good one. It can be either manual or electric.
Be sure that the juicer is a masticating juicer. The masticating juicer will slowly and coolly juice your wheatgrass. If you own a manual juicer, then do not see how fast you can get the job done. Take your time.
Finally, don't juice ahead. The longer the juice sits, the less nutrient value there will be.

Wheatgrass juicing really is easy. The outcome is great and it will change your life over time as you continue to pack your body with the nutrient rich goodness of wheatgrass juice.

There are many places to find a great wheatgrass juicer. Please consider Healthy Kitchen Plus where we have a great selection. We believe in drinking wheatgrass juice so much that even if we don't have what you need, we hope you will find one and buy it today.

Review-Citrstar Juicer

Mon 28 Mar 2011 11:10:00 PM GMT

Citristar Citrus Juicer CS 1000 by Tribest

Tribest has really done it with the Citristar Citrus Juicer CS 1000. Ii is quieter than other centrifugal juicers, powerful and easy to clean. Unlike other juicers, you don’t have to peel the fruit before juicing it. Simply cut the orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit in half and let the Citristar Juicer do the work!

Want to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and even some types of cancer? Then it is time to buy your Citristar Juicer today. You probably already know that citrus fruit and juice contain an abundance of vitamin C, potassium and other important nutrients that are beneficial to your health. Did you know that as an added bonus, grapefruit is great for weight loss and the liver?

Have you been thinking about developing a new life style for yourself and your family? A Citristar Citrus Juicer is a great way to begin your program and it is very affordable. There are lots of health reasons, but citrus juice just plain tastes good! So, while you are helping your body to develop itself, you can enjoy doing it.

Citristar Citrus Juicer CS 1000

Juices oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and all citrus fruits
Easy to clean
Unique high-clearance stainless steel spouts
Stainless steel screen catches seeds
Lightweight and Compact
85 Watt
Auto Start/Stop
One Touch Operation

When you want the best juicer, decide on the Citristar Juicer. And when you look for the best, remember to click on Healthy Kitchen Plus for all your healthy needs…Healthy Kitchen Plus, the name that says it all.

Put Those Guilty Feelings Behind You!

Fri 4 Mar 2011 2:05:00 AM GMT

Confessions of a Guilt-Free Juicer

How many moms are there who wear more hats on their heads than the law should allow, including the hat of feeding their family nutritiously? Oh, how I used to worry that my daughter would succumb to some grave illness because I didn’t have the time to prepare good food for her before she flew out the door many evenings. I could never be sure what she would be eating at some location where I had no say in the nutritional quality of the food she would eat.

Then one day I finally got smart! With only a few minutes of prep time, I could hand her a glass of veggie juice just before she slipped out the door and into someone else’s care! This simple solution allowed me to shed a load of guilt, knowing that regardless of the fried chicken nuggets and who-knows-what-else she was fed, at least she was fortified with nutrients and phyto-nutrients. Now, as a confirmed juicer, I lead an almost guilt-free life.

But why should the kids have all the fun and good health? Why not build that wall of protection around the adults in the household too? If I am a juicer for one, why not everyone?

Since our home consists of three people, and it requires about the same amount of effort to juice for 3 as for 1, I began preparing a ‘vegetable toddy’ for all three of us just before suppertime each day. Since I dislike cooking anyway, this juice toddy has often become a mainstay of our evening meal. And, by being a juicer, all of us have had an energy boost.

The veggie amounts and types listed here create roughly three 12 oz. glasses of juice:

2 bell peppers (your choice of color!)
1 large tomato
1 large handful of baby carrots (SAMs Club has organic in a bag)
1 stalk of celery
1 ½ cups cauliflower
1 ½ cups broccoli

You can adjust these amounts or types of veggies to fit your family’s needs and likes, but I do recommend always including at least one tomato in the above mixture for taste compliance! You can also use a dash of ‘No Salt’ to give it a flavor boost. ‘No Salt’ is a potassium product, but has a saline flavor, and is better for you than salt, in reasonable quantities. You will also want to put a few ice cubes in the juice, and some family members might prefer to drink it through a straw, especially if you use a juicer that causes foam. If you need a "sweetner", try adding 1/2 of an apple.

Start small with the kids until they have built up a taste for the juice, and then gradually increase the amount. Don’t get discouraged: if they have been surviving on soft drinks and fruit juice up to now, it may take some time and some ‘talkin to’ before they embrace this new nutritional blast!

Become a “juicer” today if you aren’t already into the juicer mode. Be sure to click on our name, Healthy Kitchen Plus to see our juicers. Remember Healthy Kitchen Plus…the name that says it all.

Break Out the Juicer!

Sat 5 Feb 2011 5:34:00 PM GMT

There are those who are telling us that our body needs one pound of uncooked vegetables per 50 pounds of body weight each day. If an average adult female weighs 150 pounds that comes to 3 pounds of uncooked veggies every day!! I’ve heard of ‘eating your weight in gold’, but this is ridiculous! Break out the Juicer!

When you own a quality juicer from Healthy Kitchen Plus, you will be in control of your own destiny. When you own a juicer, you open a whole new world of health. It will not happen the first day, but if you make the commitment and stick with it, you will ultimately find that you are living a lifestyle that you never thought you could achieve. Could all this happen just by owning and using a juicer? Absolutely! Read on and find out what a juicer can do for you.

Consider what you gain from every glass of fresh juice.

Minerals
Vitamins
Enzymes (mostly destroyed in cooked food)

a) Proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body

b) Break down food so it can be digested and used by the body

c) Converts food into body tissue

d) Detoxify chemicals which cause cancer

e) Act as catalysts in hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions throughout the body

f) Creates energy at the cellular level

Essential fatty acids
Carbohydrates
Proteins
A-nutrients and Phyto-nutrients

Will owning a juicer help my heath problems? The answer is a yes if you use it and no if you don’t. If you want to be in control of your destiny, don’t you think it is time to make the commitment and buy a juicer? Aren’t you ready to begin feeling better about everything in your life?

When you purchase a juicer from Healthy Kitchen Plus, you can be sure it is right. Click on our name because our name says it all…Healthy Kitchen Plus.

Lemon Juice Wins the Versatility Award

Mon 3 Jan 2011 5:29:00 PM GMT

Lemon Juice-The Versatility Award

Lemon Juice not only tastes and smells good, but it is also one of the most versatile foods known to man. We will get into the versatility of the lemon shortly, but let's learn a little about the lemon first.

Lemons have been cultivated for over a thousand years. They are oval and light yellow. When the lemon has ripened, the pulp is a pale yellow. Lemons should be stored in a refrigerated location for shelf life, but before juicing they should be taken out of the refrigerator and allowed to get to room temperature. When juicing a lemon, the yield will be much greater if the lemon is warm.

Citric acid is particularly high in lemons. The juice consists of about 5% acid. The lemon juice is not only used for food flavoring, it is a favorite household cleaner and can help in the prevention of various diseases and viruses. Let's look at some of the common household uses of lemon juice.

Air Freshener: Mix an equal amount of water and lemon juice. Put it in a spray bottle and you have created a chemical-free air freshener.

Laundry: Put a teaspoon of lemon juice into your wash and your clothes will smell fresher.

Dishes: Put a teaspoon of lemon juice into your dishwashing detergent and it will help cut the grease in the hand wash.

Mirrors: 2 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with 1 quart of water makes a great window cleaner.

Furniture Polish: 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice make a great polish.

Hand: The smell of fish and onions on your hands will often stay with you. Rubbing your hands with lemon juice will take away the odor almost immediately.

Degreaser: Use straight lemon juice and you will really cut the grease!

There are many more handy things that can be done with the magic of lemon juice around the house. I know people who use it for an all purpose cleaner, for cuts and stings, toilet bowl cleaner and removing lime scale. It truly wins the versatility award.

To help you get the most out of lemons, let Healthy Kitchen Plus point you in the right direction with a citrus juicer that will do the job every time. Simply click our name, Healthy Kitchen Plus...the name that says it all.