Benefits of Fenugreek

If you don't have time to read, just read the words in bold. Can't remember the website which I copied this from.

Today, fenugreek seeds are mostly used internally to ease digestive-tract disorders and externally to soothe and promote healing of minor skin wounds and infections. It is also used internally to relieve bronchial congestion, calm coughs, and to ease menstrual and menopausal complaints.

Some experts claim that a warm fenugreek gargle soothes a sore throat.

Thanks to modern day science the benefits of fenugreek grow even more impressive as studies reveal some other possible benefits of fenugreek.

The Benefits of Fenugreek and High Cholesterol - In one study, researchers at the S.N. Medical College in India measured the cholesterol levels of 60 people who were not taking any cholesterol-lowering medications. Then, the participants where instructed to eat a bowl of soup containing approximately 1 ounce of powered fenugreek seed before lunch and dinner daily. After 4 weeks of daily consumption of about 2 ounces of powdered fenugreek seed –the participants saw their cholesterol levels begin to decline. After a 24 week period - their average total cholesterol dropped 14%.

The Benefits of Fenugreek and Diabetes- Clinical studies in India found 25 grams, or nearly an ounce per day of fenugreek seed lower blood-glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

In this next section, we would like to briefly cover the benefits of fenugreek on related women topics which are: Fenugreek and Breast Feeding, Fenugreek and Nursing, and Fenugreek and Breast Milk.

Fenugreek seed has been used to support healthy milk production since biblical times. The benefits of fenugreek in breastfeeding are believed to stem from diosgenin, a compound that is similar to the female hormone estrogen. More specifically, diosgenin has been shown experimentally to increase milk flow. As such, the use of fenugreek to encourage lactation could offer help to women with insufficient supply. However, there needs to be more scientific evidence of the herb's effectiveness in increasing milk production.

In addition, there is anecdotal evidence that it may help enlarge woman's breasts in women who are not nursing.

Okay, so yesterday I got some fenugreek, put a teaspoon in some warm water and drank it down. I waited for a while to see the effects. Nothing happened lol. I thought it would be magic you see. Anyway, when I got up this morning my stomach shrunk, as in no bloating like i usually do! Could it be...

Change of plans

I know I told myself I wouldn’t write so much of crap in this blog and stick to recipes but there are something that I’d like to say aloud. Before I bore unsuspecting listeners to death, I’d have a better chance of maybe being heard willingly here.

Last weekend, I went home to Klang for the long weekend to attend a wedding. A dear family friend had suffered a heart-attack and needed surgery. This really got me thinking about the state of my body and health. I mean, I know it’s an age old saying, but truly, I’m not getting any younger. And the truth is, with the reckless means I’ve been eating without thinking, I personally am scared to investigate my medical state ‘cause the last test I did showed high levels of bad cholesterol and I haven’t bothered to cut down on any crap I eat.

So, anyway….recently I have read about the benefits of Fenugreek/ Biji Halba/ Venthayam and have been practicing it in my diet for almost a month now. Not diligently, but I will now. I have decided to include raw and healthy components that help fight various diseases. Now, I intend to add bitter gourd, lime, oats (yuck!), ginger, garlic and other stuff I might discover along the way.

I will attach articles on the raw foods I’m about to add in my diet, reasons and how to consume them. I will also write a report here in my blog after 6 months to see if there are any improvements in my health status. ARhhhhgggghhh… dread this but must do a blood test soon so I can compare results. Hopefully through home cooking and adding on these raw foods in my body (as well as a little exercise) , I can be a better human being towards my body. 

From Azlina Shah's Kitchen : Ayam Goreng 1 Malaysia

Left: Mine on a bed of rice, Right Bottom: Azlina Shah's

Steps	Kak Ina’s Ingredients	Kak Ina’s Method	Dodo’s Notes/ Translation / Modification
1	400 - 500 gm(2 potong isi ayam) ayam - dipotong kecil-kecil Translation: 400-500 grams of chicken pieces. Cut it into small chunks, bigger than bite sizes.	Ayam dibersihkan, ditoskan dan dilumur dengan garam dan serbuk kunyit. Perap 10 minit Goreng ayam hingga masak. Angkat dan ketepikan.	Marinade chicken pieces, pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder for 10 minutes.
2	Panaskan 1/4 cawan minyak dalam kuali dan tumiskan bawang besar, bawang putih, cili padi, cili kering dan halia hingga naik bau. Masukkan black pepper powder, sos dan kicap, kacau sebentar. Masukkan ayam dan carrot n kacau rata sebentar. Masuk air ckit (3 sudu besar) Masukkan gula dan garam secukup rasa. Masukkan pula french beans dan capsicum kacau sebentar jangan terlalu layu. Seimbangkan rasa dan tutup api. Boleh makan (ikut sukatan ni tau) In English Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a kwali and fry the onions, garlic, chilies, and ginger until aromatic.   Add the black pepper powder and sauces. Put in the chicken and carrots and stir fry. Add 3 tablespoons of water. Add French beans and capsicum Salt and Sugar to taste Close the lid and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to lock in the taste.	1 labu bawang besar - dimayang kasar 4 ulas bawang putih - dicincang halus 1 inci halia - dihiris halus 6 tangkai cili padi - diketuk pecah sikit(kak ina letak cili besar kurang pedas) 8 tangkai cili kering - dikerat serong(xde pun xpe) 1/2 sudu teh lada hitam yang telah ditumbuk halus(black pepper powder pun boleh) 1/2 biji capsicum - dipotong memanjang/dadu 1/2 batang carrot - dipotong memanjang 7 batang french beans - potong serong 2 sudu besar kicap pekat (Kak ina guna jenama ABC) 2 sudu besar sos cili 1 sudu besar kicap cair 2 sudu teh gula/secukup rasa garam secukup rasa minyak masak secukupnya	Ingredients : 1 big red onion 4 garlic pips 1 inch garlic 2 tbsp cili giling (chop all the above till fine) 6 green chilies 8 dried chillies (cut as you like) 7 french beans ½ carrot (shred) ½ tsp black pepper Pinch of salt Pinch of sugar 3 tbsp water 1 ½ tbsp thick sweet soy sauce Note: The amount of soy sauce you put in depends on the brand you buy. If you thick sauce is a little watery, put 1 tbsp first and mix well. Add according to taste.

From Dodo's Kitchen : Bihun Soup

Dodo’s  Recipe  (For 1 – 1½ Cup Bihun)

Ingredients and Methods Just follow the sequence below. Pre-cooking: Soak bihun in water for a few minutes Soak 2 dried black mushrooms (2 hours better) Soak 1 heap tablespoon of dried prawns Condiments : To fry 1 tablespoon of oil (first…then…) 1 small onion (fry till brown….) 2 tablespoon of minced chicken. Soup ½ teaspoon oil. (If you’re not using the same pot you fried your condiments in, add a bit more of oil) 1 heap tablespoon dried prawns 2 cups of water. ½ ikan bilis / anchovies flavoured cube. ½ - 1 teaspoon oyster sauce (according to your tastebuds) 2 black mushrooms (diced) 3 dashes of White pepper. (according to your tastebuds) Then add: Once the ingredients above are cooked. Handful of green leafed vegetables. Example: Sawi. Garnish with condiments Add the Bihun and boil till it’s soft.  Taste and see. Add salt and pepper if necessary.

From Hana Zainal Abidin's Kitchen : Bihun Bonda

Hana’s Mom’s Recipe

Dodo’s  Modification  (For 1 – 1½ Cup Bihun)

Mom's : Bwg merah - 5/6 biji cili merah (blend) - half senduk. Tomato sos - 3 sudu besar Sos tiram - 1 sudu besar Tomato - 2 biji potong kecik. Meat @ prawn. Taugeh. Campak all,tumis. Last,bihun and garam gula. 1 cube ikan bilis. Makan!!!

Ingredients and Methods Just follow the sequence below. Pre-cooking: Soak and soften bihun in hot water for a few minutes To fry 1 tablespoon of oil (first…then…) 1 small onion (fry till brown….) 1 dried chili (torn into bits) 1 teaspoon cili giling / blended chilies (fry till oil surfaces a little) 2 teaspoons tomatoes puree 1 teaspoon oyster sauce ¼ anchovies / ikan bili cube (Knor) ¼- ½ cup water (add in bit by bit, not too watery) ½ tomato (seeds removed, diced) 6-8 pieces chicken (small, diced) Then add: Once the ingredients above are cooked. Add the Bihun and stir fry.  Taste and see. Add salt and pepper if necessary.

From Felicia Samuel's Kitchen: Mee Hoon Soup

Felicia’s Recipe

Dodo’s  Modification  (For 1 – 1½ Cup Bihun)

Boil mee hoon in water for a few mins till cooked and remove. Put a little oil and fry a little bit of onions till dark brown leave to soak in oil. For soup put a bowl of water to boil throw in a maggi chicken cube, pepper, extra salt if necessary, minced chicken and a handful of sawi. once chicken is cooked dish out into a bowl. Pour the oil and the onions into the soup. Done. If you want you can add sliced liver also when boiling chicken.

Ingredients and Methods Just follow the sequence below. Pre-cooking: Soak bihun in water for a few minutes Condiments : To fry 1 tablespoon of oil (first…then…) 1 small onion (fry till brown….) 1 heap tablespoon of minced chicken. Soup ½ teaspoon oil. (If you’re not using the same pot you fried your condiments in, add a bit more of oil) 2 cups of water. ½ chicken flavoured cube. 1 teaspoon oyster sauce White pepper. Then add: Once the ingredients above are cooked. Handful of green leafed vegetables. Example: Sawi. Add the Bihun and boil till it’s soft.  Taste and see. Add salt and pepper if necessary.

From Dodo's Kitchen : Fried Bihun

Dodo’s Bihun Recipe  (For 1 Cup Bihun)

Ingredients and Methods Just follow the sequence below. Pre-cooking: Boil/ Soften with hot water. 1 cup of cooked bihun Soak some dried prawns in water. About 6-8 pieces To fry 1 tablespoon of oil (first…then…) 1 garlic pip (fry till brown….) 6-8 pieces dried prawns ½ a daun limau purut torn into bits and pieces (kaffir lime leaves) 1teaspoon cili giling / blended red chillies (when oil surfaces, add water…) ¼ - ½ water add in bit by bit ¼   Knor chicken cube 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 2 teaspoon Tomato Puree Some chicken pieces (small, diced) 3 squid N crab balls ( It’s a combo by Figo, not 3 crab balls + 3 squid balls) Handful of thinly sliced carrots and sawi 3 dashes of white pepper Then add: Once the ingredients above are cooked. Add the Bihun and give it a good stir. Taste and see. Add salt and pepper if necessary. Cut a lime and some red chilies. Garnish, take a picture, send it to me and eat ;p