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Vegan raw food influencer dies of suspected "starvation and exhaustion"

<p>Zhanna Samsonova, a well-known vegan raw food influencer with a significant following on social media, has tragically passed away in Malaysia reportedly due to starvation and exhaustion resulting from her 'extreme' tropical fruit diet.</p> <p>For a decade, Zhanna, also known as Zhanna D'Art, had maintained a raw plant-based diet, which mainly consisted of exotic fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, fruit smoothies, and juices. Additionally, she occasionally practiced 'dry fasting,' abstaining from food and water for extended periods.</p> <p>The 39-year-old influencer, who had not consumed water for over six years, replaced it solely with fruit and vegetable juices. On July 21, she succumbed to what her mother described as a cholera-like infection exacerbated by her highly restrictive eating habits.</p> <p>At the time of her passing, Zhanna was in Malaysia, continuing her travels across Asia, which had spanned 17 years. Her family faced bureaucratic challenges in repatriating her body back to Russia, making the mourning process even more difficult. At the time of writing, her official cause of death has not yet been determined.</p> <p>Zhanna's mother, Vera Samsonova, expressed her disapproval of her daughter's extreme diet and had attempted to persuade her to adopt a more balanced approach, but her efforts were in vain.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLLqS1PecT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLLqS1PecT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Raw food Creation by Zhanna D’art (@rawveganfoodchef)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Over time, the influencer transitioned from a vegan diet to a purely raw food diet, sharing what she believed were 'healthy' recipes on her Instagram profile. However, her social media presence started to reveal an increasingly emaciated appearance, raising concerns among her followers, friends, and family.</p> <p>Many of her loved ones warned her about the potential dangers of her extreme diet, but Zhanna remained steadfast in her convictions. Ultimately, her refusal to heed their advice led to a tragic outcome, with reports indicating that her raw food diet contributed significantly to her demise.</p> <p>In 2021, during a trip to Russia, Zhanna contracted COVID-19 and chose to handle it through an unorthodox method of dry fasting, lasting more than ten days. Despite initially claiming to have overcome the virus, her health may have been compromised, leading to further complications down the line.</p> <p>The passing of Zhanna Samsonova has sparked discussions about the importance of balanced and informed dietary choices. Her story serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to approach extreme diets with care and consideration for their overall well-being.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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No, you shouldn’t wash raw chicken before cooking it. So why do people still do it?

<p>Food safety authorities and regulators <a href="https://foodsafety.asn.au/topic/tips-poultry/">around</a> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/chicken.html#:%7E:text=after%20handling%20chicken.-,Do%20not%20wash%20raw%20chicken.,that%20previously%20held%20raw%20chicken.">the</a> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cleaning">world</a> <a href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/preparing-and-storing-food-safely-at-home/clean-cook-chill/#:%7E:text=Don't%20wash%20raw%20chicken,food%20poisoning%20from%20campylobacter%20bacteria.">recommend</a> you don’t wash raw poultry before cooking. </p> <p>That’s because washing chicken can splash dangerous bacteria around the kitchen. It’s best just to thoroughly cook the chicken without washing it, so it is safe to eat.</p> <p>Despite this, chicken-washing remains common. A <a href="https://www.safefood.qld.gov.au/newsroom/does-raw-chicken-need-rinsing/">survey</a> by Australia’s Food Safety Information Council showed almost half of Australian home cooks washed whole chickens before cooking. Dutch research found <a href="https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/05/dutch-survey-finds-a-quarter-of-people-wash-chicken-despite-expert-advice/">25%</a> of consumers washed their chicken often or almost always.</p> <p>So why do people do it – and what does the research say about the risks of chicken-washing?</p> <h2>Chicken meat and germs</h2> <p>Incorrect cooking temperatures and cross-contamination between different foods are two of the most important factors linked to foodborne illness. </p> <p>This is particularly relevant to poultry meat. Two leading causes of foodborne illness are the bacteria <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html">Campylobacter</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/salmonella-food.html">Salmonella</a>, which are commonly found on raw poultry. </p> <p>In Australia, reported cases of Campylobacter and Salmonella have almost <a href="https://foodsafety.asn.au/topic/tips-poultry/">doubled</a>over the last two decades. </p> <p>Of the estimated 220,000 cases of Campylobacter infection each year, <a href="https://foodsafety.asn.au/topic/tips-poultry/">50,000</a> can be attributed either directly or indirectly to chicken meat.</p> <h2>Chicken-washing myths, busted</h2> <p>One <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107682">analysis</a> of consumer responses to an education campaign about the dangers of washing raw poultry shed light on why many people still wash raw chicken before cooking.</p> <p>Some believe there is a need to wash faeces and other matter off the chicken meat. In fact, modern processing techniques mean chicken carcasses do not need additional cleaning. </p> <p>Others believe washing with a slightly acidic solution (such as vinegar or lemon juice) will kill bacteria. </p> <p>On the contrary, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.06.034">research</a> has shown washing raw poultry in lemon juice or vinegar does not remove bacteria and can increase the cross-contamination risk.</p> <h2>Washing chicken splashes bacteria around</h2> <p>One of the more compelling arguments why washing raw poultry under a running tap is a risky activity comes from <a href="https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0083979">recent research</a> on water droplets ejected from the surface of washed chicken. </p> <p>The study clearly showed bacteria can be transferred from the surface of the chicken to surrounding surfaces via water droplets.</p> <p>Using high-speed imaging, the researchers found a higher tap height can increase splashing. </p> <p>Chicken meat is often soft and the water flow can create a divot in the surface. This leads to splashing that would not occur on a curved, hard surface. </p> <p>The researchers placed large agar plates next to the chicken surfaces to capture any water droplets. This allowed them to grow the bacteria that were transferred with the splashed water. </p> <p>They found the level of bacterial transmission increased with greater tap height and water flow rate. </p> <p>Aerated water (which is what you get when the tap is running very hard) also increased splashing and bacterial transmission. </p> <h2>What if I still really want to wash my chicken meat?</h2> <p>While washing raw poultry is not recommended, it appears some home cooks are reluctant to let go of this old habit. </p> <p>If you insist on washing chicken meat, consider doing so in a sink of water rather than under a running tap.</p> <p>Use a paper towel to mop up any liquids, dispose of the towel and clean up afterwards. </p> <p>This will help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and keep the kitchen safe. And please wash your hands after handling raw meat!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-you-shouldnt-wash-raw-chicken-before-cooking-it-so-why-do-people-still-do-it-192723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Food & Wine

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The secret to taking the most amazing photos you’ve ever shot

<p>If you are an aspiring photographer you may have heard of RAW. It is a common term bandied in digital photography, but what is often not explained is why it is important and what it means for your images. We sort out fact from fiction so you can see what RAW can do for your photographs.</p> <p><strong>What is RAW?</strong></p> <p>RAW is a file format comparable to a negative in the digital world. As we know from the time before we all went digital, negatives possess all the necessary information to create a photo. When you use RAW, you capture your images like a negative – meaning the image you capture in not yet processed. This is different to shooting in the common JPEG format where the camera processes and compresses the image for you. Information is lost in the JPEG process, which results in a lower-quality image that is harder to edit. For professionals, using RAW is preferable as you can decide how you want to edit a photo and thus produce what you had in mind, rather than letting the camera decide for you.</p> <p><strong>Why is it good?</strong></p> <p>As the RAW format provides you with the most information possible when capturing an image, the quality of the photograph is going to be higher and better than any other format. The greatest benefit, however, lies in the editing process. As no information has been processed or compressed, you will be able to correct problems you see in your photos – this would not be possible if shot in JPEG format. With RAW capture you also have control over the white balance, contrast, highlights, shadows, colours and saturation. You can easily correct both over- or under-exposed images without a reduction in quality, which is particularly useful if you shoot under difficult lighting circumstances like at night-time. You can also adjust the white balance of photos which helps you achieve the proper colour balance, crucial in creating great photos.</p> <p><strong>What are the downsides?</strong></p> <div> <p>RAW is the best option for photographers who want to take control over their images but as so much information is captured in the image; the file size is much larger than its JPEG relative which could mean complications with storing your images. If you are shooting a lot of images with little need to edit then RAW format is not necessarily for you. However, if you are looking to take your photography to the next level then you should learn to start shooting like the professional do: with RAW capture. As any professional will tell you, RAW is one of the best tools for a photographer. The editing capabilities in RAW far outweigh any other form and creating great photos is just as much about editing as it is about shooting the perfect picture. And if you are aspiring to take your photography further, looking into a photography course to develop your skills and techniques could be beneficial.</p> </div> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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5 food safety tips for proper food handling

<p>Get up to speed about the proper way to handle food to minimise the risk of food poisoning.</p> <p>In light of recent food poisoning cases around the world – a salmonella outbreak in the US in June that sickened over 100 people was linked to contaminated pre-cut melons and several people in Australia died because of contaminated rockmelons in February – it is more important than ever to get up to speed about the right way to handle food.</p> <p>Closer to home, Malaysian and Singaporean netizens were shocked by a video that circulated on social media in June this year of staff at a Bangsar, KL, eatery <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3maABRgv8G4">washing plates in a dirty puddle</a>.</p> <p>Contamination can occur at several junctures, such as during the production of the food, the processing of raw materials, and even during the transport and display of the food.</p> <p>When a food product finally makes it to the kitchen, it is also in danger of cross contamination, which is the transfer of bacteria or viruses through the use of contaminated items such as knives or chopping boards.</p> <p>Be vigilant and adopt these 5 food safety tips to minimise the risk of food poisoning.</p> <p><strong>1. Picking up refrigerated and frozen items last</strong></p> <p>At the supermarket, pick up your refrigerated and frozen items last, just before you make your way to the checkout counter.</p> <p>Choose chilled items that have been properly packed without any tear in the packaging.</p> <p>If you are looking to shed some dollars from your grocery bill, try these <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/money/Spend-Less-On-Groceries-With-These-19-Tricks-Savvy-Shoppers-Use">supermarket shopping hacks</a>.</p> <p><strong>2. Buy raw meats that have been properly displayed</strong></p> <p>Never buy chilled or frozen items that have been displayed at room temperature.</p> <p>If you do most of your grocery shopping at the wet market*, this is particularly important. Take note of how the raw seafood and meats are being displayed.</p> <p>Are they in a chiller? Is there sufficient ice packed around the items to ensure they’re stored at a safe temperature?</p> <p>Once you get your meat home, you still have to cook it, however. Try this version of a classic stroganoff that <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/beef-and-mushroom-stroganoff">stretches a modest portion of meat</a>.</p> <p>* For those in Australia and New Zealand, the wet market is an Asian grocery store that sells fresh meat and produce.</p> <p><strong>3. Bringing the food home safely</strong></p> <p>Our hot and humid weather can provide extra challenges when it comes to keeping our food safe.</p> <p>If your journey home will take longer than 30 minutes, keep your chilled and frozen items in an insulated bag and make use of the free ice that is provided by some supermarkets to keep the items well chilled.</p> <p>Store the items in the fridge as quickly as possible.</p> <p>In light of recent food poisoning cases around the world – a salmonella outbreak in the US in June that sickened over 100 people was linked to contaminated pre-cut melons and several people in Australia died because of contaminated rockmelons in February – it is more important than ever to get up to speed about the right way to handle food.</p> <p>Closer to home, Malaysian and Singaporean netizens were shocked by a video that circulated on social media in June this year of staff at a Bangsar, KL, eatery <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3maABRgv8G4">washing plates in a dirty puddle</a>.</p> <p>Contamination can occur at several junctures, such as during the production of the food, the processing of raw materials, and even during the transport and display of the food.</p> <p>When a food product finally makes it to the kitchen, it is also in danger of cross contamination, which is the transfer of bacteria or viruses through the use of contaminated items such as knives or chopping boards.</p> <p>Be vigilant and adopt these 5 food safety tips to minimise the risk of food poisoning.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2903225806452px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843907/food-handling-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/070f60984208487ea761a3e32e6bc07c" /></strong></p> <p><strong>4. Storing raw foods properly</strong></p> <p>Raw foods should be kept separate from cooked foods while in the fridge.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Different types of raw foods (e.g., meat, eggs, vegetables) should also be kept separately from each other to avoid cross contamination.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">If you’re not planning to cook the meat in the next three to five days, it’s best to freeze it.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Get the most out of your beef buy with these delicious and easy <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/beef-skewers-ginger-dipping-sauce">beef skewers with ginger dipping sauce</a>.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><strong>5. Avoid buying pre-cut fruits</strong></p> <p>If you’re concerned about the cases of contaminated pre-cut fruit, you may want to buy a whole fruit and cut it up yourself at home.</p> <p>Wash the fruit properly by rubbing it with your hands under running water.</p> <p>If you’re cutting it up, use a separate chopping board than the one you use for raw meat.</p> <p>In a race to eat all of your fruit purchases before they all spoil? <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/how-to-preserve-fruit">Try bottling it as a preserve!</a></p> <p><em>By Siti Rohani</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images and Max Pixel</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on </em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/5-food-safety-tips-proper-food-handling"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a></p>

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Lisa Wilkinson uncovers "raw and real" family truth

<p>Lisa Wilkinson admits her upcoming appearance on the SBS genealogy series <em>Who Do You Think You Are?</em> Will feature “a lot of ugly cries” as the television star delves deep into her family’s past.</p> <p>But while some discoveries were deeply heartbreaking, she said she formed a connection to the strong women at her roots that she’ll carry though her own life for years to come.</p> <p>The opportunity allowed Lisa to learn more about her mother Beryl, who she sadly lost in 2018, making it a painful journey.</p> <p>And the journey – much to her surprise – took her all the way to India.</p> <p>“It was an incredibly emotional journey for me, I learnt a lot about the women in my family trees on both sides. And in ways that I wasn’t expecting,” she told <em>news.com.au</em>.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CARSPdHFnyc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CARSPdHFnyc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Last year I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks on the journey of my lifetime with the brilliant team from the ancestry investigation series Who Do You Think You Are. I simply never could have predicted how deep they would go, or what they would find...and on Tuesday night at 7.30pm on @sbs_australia this whole incredibly raw experience goes to air. What I discovered explained so much for me and took me to places that broke my heart. To be honest I’m feeling very nervous about it all because TV doesn’t get more raw or real than this...but it’s my story with all its missteps and flaws, but one that’s also full of acts of bravery and the unending resilience of my ancestors. And for all the tears I’m so glad I did it....and forever grateful to @channel10au for encouraging me to do it. 7.30pm Tues 19th on @sbs_australia #whodoyouthinkyouare #wdytya #sbs</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisa_wilkinson/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Lisa Wilkinson</a> (@lisa_wilkinson) on May 16, 2020 at 6:11pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I also learnt a lot about where the beautiful soul of my father came from,” she said, later adding: “There’s a lot of ugly cries that Australia is going to have to deal with.”</p> <p>Speaking before the episode is set to air on Tuesday night, Lisa revealed it was Beryl’s 2018 passing that inspired her to learn more about her mother’s roots, and in the process, uncover the secrets Beryl wasn’t able to.</p> <p>Having grown up living between orphanages, not knowing who her father was, with a mother whose substance abuse made her unable to care for her daughter, Beryl’s childhood was filled with pain.</p> <p>But a chance encounter at a family wedding late in life gave her a puzzle piece of her past that Lisa was able to explore further: Her father’s identity.</p> <p>“My mother only found out very late in life who her real father was,” Lisa explained.</p> <p>“It had been kept from her, her mother never told her and she found out by complete chance at a family wedding.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CATRln5FAXU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CATRln5FAXU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">The last place I imagined my Who Do You Think You Are journey would take me was to the hazy heat and dust of Chennai on the south east coast of India. From the kaleidoscope of candy colours in the street markets, to the faded facades of the magnificent old colonial buildings, here’s just a little of what I experienced... For more on how this city wove it’s way into the fabric of my family’s story, tune in to @sbs_australia Tuesday at 7.30pm. #whodoyouthinkyouare #chennai #india #wdytya @canonaustralia</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisa_wilkinson/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Lisa Wilkinson</a> (@lisa_wilkinson) on May 17, 2020 at 12:44pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As Lisa explored her mother’s past further, she uncovered a surprising truth.</p> <p>“Mum always presumed that she must have come from poverty,” Lisa said.</p> <p>“There was a huge surprise for her and me that her story was very different.</p> <p>“It was only through the early death of her father when she was still a baby that her mother was flung into poverty,” she said, explaining that her grandfather’s backstory – a newspaper journalist and son of a politician – painted a very different picture from the one they’d both imagined.</p> <p>As she uncovered more of her family’s history, heartbreaking stories of hardship came to the surface of women on both her mother’s and father’s sides.</p> <p>“Every single one of them has done their very best to try and make the most of the very difficult circumstances that they’d been flung into,” she said.</p> <p>“That was probably what moved me more than anything, I look at the lives that they led and wonder if I could have possibly been as resilient as those women,” she said.</p> <p>Lisa said she had “no idea” India would have been a part of her story and said the entire two week process was a surreal experience.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAWLDG3Fr8q/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAWLDG3Fr8q/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Tonight at 7.30 on @sbs_australia you’ll see the reason why, after shedding a whole bunch of tears following the stories of my ancestors, I’m smiling here. It lies in the journey I took from Sydney to India in search of what happened to my (at the time) 6 year old great great grandmother, Ann Beech. That’s her, at the age of 16, with her great great granddaughter when you swipe through these pics. This beautiful church in Chennai, its gorgeous old gardens, and what it all meant to her, and now me, will stay with me forever. Who Do You Think You Are, episode one of the new series kicks off tonight. #whodoyouthinkyouare</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisa_wilkinson/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Lisa Wilkinson</a> (@lisa_wilkinson) on May 18, 2020 at 3:45pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The way they delve into your history is so full of detail and they keep so much from you.</p> <p>“Every day you have no idea where you’re going. They said we’re going to Sydney airport and pack for a warm climate. They took my passport and dealt with the visa, I was only allowed to be handed my passport until I got to border control and discovered I was going on a flight to Chennai,” she said.</p> <p>Lisa spoke more about her appearance on the show on Instagram over the weekend.</p> <p>“What I discovered explained so much for me and took me to places that broke my heart,” she wrote on Sunday.</p> <p>“To be honest I'm feeling very nervous about it all because TV doesn't get more raw or real than this … but it's my story with all its missteps and flaws, but one that's also full of acts of bravery and the unending resilience of my ancestors.”</p>

TV

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"Raw with grief": White Island volcano victim finally wakes from coma to find husband and stepdaughter died

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Adelaide mother and engineer Lisa Dallow woke from a coma and received the heartbreaking news that her daughter and husband passed away in the White Island volcano tragedy.</p> <p>Lisa, 48, told relatives how she and other tourists fled for their lives as rocks rained down on them during the eruption on December 9.</p> <p>She woke in Melbourne’s The Alfred Hospital burns unit and was given the news that her daughter Zoe, 15, and Gavin, 53 had passed.</p> <p>Relatives told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-woman-lisa-dallow-wakes-from-coma-to-hear-her-husband-gavin-and-daughter-zoe-died-in-the-white-island-volcano-tragedy/news-story/81e97399ddf87c0b4006d2a51933bcb9" target="_blank">The Advertiser</a></em><span> </span>that she was devastated.</p> <p>“Lisa is awake and has been told about Zoe and Gavin, so she now knows what has happened,” a family spokeswoman said.</p> <p>“It took a while for it to sink in and then she just kept saying she can’t believe they had died.”</p> <p>The family spokesman also said that Lisa had some memories of the volcano erupting.</p> <p>“She remembers it exploding and then telling everyone to run,” she said. “She then recalled how rocks were falling everywhere and hitting her on the back.</p> <p>“She remembers thinking: ‘When are they going to come and rescue us?’ The next thing she knows is she is in hospital wondering where she was.”</p> <p>After Lisa missed Gavin’s funeral at Adelaide Oval last month, her family has delayed Zoe’s memorial in the hopes that Lisa can attend as she undergoes intensive rehab.</p> <p>“She wasn’t able to go to Gavin’s funeral, but we are hoping she could make Zoe’s, so they have delayed it until she is a bit better,” the spokesperson explained.</p> <p>“It will be Lisa’s decision, so we all just have to wait and see. It is so devastating for everyone. We are still raw with grief.”</p> <p>Lisa was critically injured after suffering life-threatening burns to almost 60 percent of her body and is currently receiving high-level care from Australia’s top trauma doctors.</p> <p>“It really is a slow road to recovery, Lisa has been up and down,” the spokesman said.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-woman-lisa-dallow-wakes-from-coma-to-hear-her-husband-gavin-and-daughter-zoe-died-in-the-white-island-volcano-tragedy/news-story/81e97399ddf87c0b4006d2a51933bcb9" target="_blank">Adelaide Now</a><span> </span> <span> </span></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

Cruising

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Schapelle Corby set to reveal “raw and uncensored” story in her updated memoir

<p><span>Schapelle Corby is set to release a “revised and updated” version of her memoir.</span></p> <p><span>Titled <em>Schapelle Corby, My Story</em>, the book is a revised edition of the biography first published in 2006. The new version promises to give a glimpse into Corby’s journey since her release from prison in 2014 and return to Australia two years ago.</span></p> <p><span>In an Instagram post on Thursday, Corby said the book is “very raw and uncensored”.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s been a very difficult time emotionally working on this,” the 42-year-old wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“If it weren’t for all of your support - and having the confidence and actually being brave enough to go back and go ahead and do this.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3baGv5BNPr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3baGv5BNPr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby)</a> on Oct 9, 2019 at 11:50pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>“This is the first time since 2006 that Schapelle has spoken, driven by a determination to show she has emerged, scarred, but with her dignity, humour and courage intact,” the book description stated on the publisher Macmillan’s website.</span></p> <p><span>Written with author Kathryn Bonella, the book will be out later this month.</span></p> <p><span>Corby spent nine years behind bars in Bali after airport customs officers found 4.1 kilograms of marijuana in her boogie board bag in 2004. After being released, she stayed in Bali until her parole expired in May 2017.</span></p>

News

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Horror moment as raw chicken 'comes alive' in viral video: "I'm traumatised"

<p>A video showing what appears to be a raw piece of chicken moving on its own has gone viral.</p> <p>A woman filmed a raw piece of chicken twitching and jumping off the plate and onto the ground.</p> <p>The video, which has accumulated 6.3 million views at the time of writing, shows the meat twitching off a plate to the dining table before falling to the floor.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmuggsy1974%2Fvideos%2F2437027786347595%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=476" width="476" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>The clip garnered reactions of surprise and disgust from social media users. </p> <p>“I would’ve run out that kitchen so fast!” one wrote.</p> <p>“I’m traumatised,” another chimed in.</p> <p>Some people claimed that the nerves could have been to blame for the movement. </p> <p>“When fresh meat … is mixed with salt their body has a reaction and its nerves thinks it’s still alive so it tries to get away,” one commented.</p>

Food & Wine

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White, brown, raw, honey: which type of sugar is best?

<p><em><strong>Sze-Yen Tan, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition Science, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, asks which type of sugar is the least healthy.</strong></em></p> <p>In nutrition, sugar refers to simple carbohydrates consisting of one or two basic carbohydrate units such as glucose, fructose and galactose. Consumers often use “sugar” to describe simple carbohydrates that taste sweet, but not all sugars are sweet.</p> <p>There are many different types of sugars we add to our baking or hot drinks such as white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar and honey. But when we’re looking at a packaged product the ingredients list will have many more options still. Corn syrup, palm sugar, molasses, maple syrup and agave nectar are but a few.</p> <p>Despite the large variety of sugars, they are very similar nutritionally. They are comprised predominantly of glucose, fructose and sucrose, which are the basic forms of sugar. Glucose and fructose are slightly different in chemical structure, while sucrose is a sugar composed of one glucose and one fructose.</p> <p>The factors that distinguish sugars are their sources (from sugarcane, beet, fruit, nectar, palm or coconut saps), flavour profiles, and the levels of processing.</p> <p><strong>Types of sugar</strong></p> <p><strong>White sugar:</strong> also called table sugar, is the final product of the processing and refining of sugarcane or beet. During the refining process, moisture, minerals and compounds that give sugars their colour are removed, and white refined sugar is formed. The byproduct containing the removed compounds during sugar refining is known as molasses.</p> <p><strong>Raw sugar:</strong> is formed if the final refining process is bypassed.</p> <p><strong>Brown sugar:</strong> is refined white sugar with varying amounts of molasses added. Raw sugar, brown sugar and molasses are higher in compounds that provide colour, from natural sources or byproducts of the breakdown of sugar (caramel) during sugar processing.</p> <p><strong>Honey:</strong> is sugar-rich nectar collected by bees from a wide variety of flowers. Fructose is the main sugar found in honey, followed by glucose and sucrose. The sweet taste of honey is attributed to its higher fructose content, and fructose is known to be sweeter than glucose or sucrose. Honey is about 17% water.</p> <p><strong>Syrups:</strong> can be produced from a wide range of plant sources in the forms of sap and fruits. Some examples include agave (a desert succulent), corn, date, grape, maple and pomegranate syrup.</p> <p>Because agave and corn are more complex carbohydrates, they’re first broken down into sugar during food processing before being concentrated into syrup. Corn syrup is often further processed into the sweeter version, high fructose corn syrup.</p> <p><strong>Fruit sugar:</strong> can be made from the drying and grinding of fruits such as dates. Sugar produced through this process shares similar nutrient composition with the fruit (such as fibre and minerals) but it is lower in water content.</p> <p><strong>Which type is best?</strong></p> <p>Several <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/33/11/2477.short" target="_blank">studies</a></strong></span> have reported adverse effects of white sugar and high fructose corn syrup on our health. So should we substitute these types of sugars with another?</p> <p><strong>Sweetness and sugar content</strong></p> <p>Some sugars such as honey and agave syrup are higher in fructose. Fructose is sweeter than glucose and sucrose, hence a smaller amount may be needed to achieve similar level of sweetness from white sugar. Honey and syrups also have a higher water content. So the sugar content is less than the equivalent weight of white sugar.</p> <p><strong>Antioxidant capacity</strong></p> <p>Due to the different levels of processing and refining, sugars that are less processed and refined tend to have higher contents of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0308814694901546" target="_blank">minerals</a></strong></span> and compounds that give plants their colour. These compounds have been found to increase antioxidant capacity, which reduces the cell damage in the body that causes several chronic diseases.</p> <p>Although the antioxidant capacity of date sugar and molasses is many-fold higher than white sugar and corn syrup, it’s still relatively low compared to antioxidant-rich foods. For example, more than 500g of date sugar or molasses need to be consumed to get the same amount of antioxidant contained in a cup (145g) of blueberries.</p> <p><strong>Glycemic index</strong></p> <p>Different types of sugar raise the amount of sugar in our blood at different rates after being consumed. The glycemic index (GI) concept is used to compare the ability of different carbohydrate-containing foods in raising blood sugar levels over two hours.</p> <p>Pure glucose is used as the reference carbohydrate and it’s given a value of 100. Higher GI indicates greater ability of a food in raising blood sugar levels, and having high levels of sugar in the blood can lead to disease. High GI foods tend to be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2000.tb01855.x/full" target="_blank">less filling</a></strong></span> too.</p> <p>The GI values in the table below are compiled from the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.glycemicindex.com/foodSearch.php" target="_blank">GI database</a></strong></span>. Corn syrup has the highest GI as it is composed mainly of glucose. White sugar, composed of 50% glucose and 50% fructose, has slightly lower GI. Based on available values in the GI database, agave syrup has the lowest GI value. Therefore, it’s a better option than other sugars in term of blood sugar management.</p> <p><strong>Antimicrobial activity</strong></p> <p>Honey has been reported to possess several <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Honey%3A+a+sweet+solution+to+the+growing+problem+of+antimicrobial+resistance%3F" target="_blank">germ-killing capabilities</a></strong></span> due to the presence of several naturally-occurring compounds. But it’s still unclear how the antimicrobial property of honey may be obtained.</p> <p>In the end, sugar in our body is still sugar. So while honey, raw sugar, date sugar and molasses are “better” than white and other types of sugar, everyone should try to cut down their sugar intake.</p> <p><em>Written by Sze-Yen Tan. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Conversation</span></strong></a>.</em><img width="1" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/91074/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation"/></p>

Body

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The unsettling cause of white stripes in raw chicken

<p>Few things in the culinary world look as unsightly as white stripes running through a raw chicken breast fillet, but while these pieces of pale gristle are easy to remove with a knife most people don’t realise what they indicate about the bird.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9wraGNyl28" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Compassion USA</strong></em></span></a>, while fat running along the sides of a fillet is perfectly normal, any white stripes in the centre of the cut could be an indication that the bird you’re about to eat was suffering from intense muscular disorder.</p> <p>Sky-high demand for cooked chooks has farmers breeding birds bigger and fatter, in increasingly cramped conditions. These hefty birds face greater risk of muscular disorders, like the white striping you might have noticed in the meat.</p> <p>While striped meats are still fine to eat, the chicken is far tougher, and many believe the flavour is inferior to cuts that come from chickens processed under ‘free-range’ conditions.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think white stripes in chicken breast are a turn off?</p>

Food & Wine

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Raw pecan pie

<p class="Pa33">Years ago I made a delicious baked pecan pie, but I decided to make a raw one instead that provided that satisfying ‘caramelly-pecan pie’ taste. The only time-consuming aspect of this pie is that the nuts need to be activated — if they are only raw, you don’t get the same crunch and flavour.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Makes:</span> </strong>12 pieces</p> <p class="Pa37"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <p class="Pa37"><em>For the base</em></p> <ul> <li>1 cup activated almonds</li> <li>1 cup activated pecans</li> <li>4 large Medjool dates, pitted</li> <li>¼ teaspoon dried ginger</li> <li>pinch of salt</li> </ul> <p class="Pa37"><em>For the caramel sauce</em></p> <ul> <li>2 cups dates, pitted and soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes</li> <li>½ teaspoon pure vanilla essence (vanilla extract)</li> <li>pinch of salt</li> <li>2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger</li> <li>2 tablespoons lemon juice</li> </ul> <p class="Pa37"><em>For the topping</em></p> <ul> <li>½ cup pecan halves</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p class="Pa27">1. To make the base, combine the almonds, pecans, dates, ginger and salt in a food processor and blend until they are well combined but still slightly chunky. If you process them for too long, the nuts will become butter.</p> <p class="Pa27">2. Press the mixture into a flat glass or metal pan (20 x 25 centimetres/8 x 10 inches), to make a layer about 1.5 centimetres (½ inch) high.</p> <p class="Pa27">3. Place the dish in the freezer to harden while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.</p> <p class="Pa27">4. To make the caramel sauce, drain and squeeze any excess water out of the dates.</p> <p class="Pa27">5. Transfer the dates to the food processor and add the vanilla, salt, grated ginger and lemon juice. (There is no need to wash the food processer, because it has just had very similar ingredients in it.) Process well, until you have a spreadable caramel sauce with no big date chunks present.</p> <p class="Pa27">6. Remove the base mixture from the freezer and evenly spread the caramel sauce over the base.</p> <p class="Pa27">7. Press the pecans into the caramel sauce.</p> <p class="Pa27">8. Refrigerate the pie for 2 hours, until it has set.</p> <p class="Pa27">9. Slice small pieces and serve as is, or with a small dollop of cashew nut cream. It is rather sweet, so a small piece is perfect.</p> <p class="Pa26"><strong>Variation</strong></p> <p>For a citrus twist, add the finely chopped rind of 1 orange to the caramel sauce.</p> <p><img width="176" height="215" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7266070/book-cover_176x215.jpg" alt="Book Cover (5)" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>Extracted from </em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://exislepublishing.com/product/feed-brain-cookbook/">Feed Your Brain: the Cookbook</a></strong></span><em>by Delia McCabe available from <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.exislepublishing.com/">www.exislepublishing.com</a></strong></span> and wherever good books are sold. RRP $34.99. Image credit: Vanessa Russell.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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What is the healthiest way to eat nuts?

<p>Although it is popular opinion that it is better to eat nuts raw, this is not true.</p> <p>Accredited Practicing Dietitian and founder of Travelling Dietitian, Kara Landau has said that unless nuts are roasted to a blackened crisp, their nutritional value won’t be depleted.</p> <p>“As long as roasted nuts are cooked at between 120-160 degrees Celsius, all the delicate essential fatty acids should remain intact,” Kara told <em>Nine News</em>.</p> <p>“Some B group vitamins may be lost, however considering nuts are not typically a main contributor of B group vitamins in the diet, this shouldn’t deter anyone who prefers their nuts roasted.”</p> <p>Another concern of roasted nuts is that they have a higher fat content if they are cooked in oil but it is so minimal that the amount is “negligible”.</p> <p>“Due to the high fat content and density of nuts, they are unable to absorb much extra fat when roasted in oil,” Kara said.</p> <p>“They only increase their total fat profile minimally; there can be up to approximately a 5 percent increase in fat content when a raw nut is oil roasted.”</p> <p>It is better to eat nuts however you prefer to eat them rather than eating a snack that has high-sugar and low-nutritional value.</p> <p>“If you are otherwise not going to consume nuts regularly, and you find that by lightly roasting them their appeal enhances significantly, then I believe this is a great option that is still wonderfully healthy, and ensures you get all of the nutritional benefits that nuts can provide in your daily diet,” Kara said.</p> <p>To roast nuts, spread them on a baking tray and put them in the oven at a temperature between 120°C to 160°C for 12 to 20 minutes. Once you can smell them, it is an indication that they are done.</p> <p>Roasting nuts can have health benefits such as breaking down phytic acid, a component of nuts and grains that can reduce the amount of nutrients our body can absorb from nuts because our body lacks the enzyme to digest phytic acid. Phytic acid also binds to essential minerals such as calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium, so we don’t digest as much of these.</p> <p>“Soaking raw nuts in water overnight and then placing them in a dehydrator to break down some of the phytic acid and ensure the micronutrients are still intact, is one of the healthiest ways to eat them,” Kara said.</p> <p>“It can also ‘awaken’ beneficial enzymes within the nut to improve digestibility.”</p> <p>The benefits of roasting nuts depend on how much of the essential mineral intake you are getting from nuts. It is likely that they don’t make up enough of your diet for “activating” them to make an impact to your diet and overall health.</p> <p>“Raw, dry roasted, and oil roasted nuts all provide rich sources of protein, fibre, healthy fats, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium,” Kara explained.</p> <p>“I believe preparing nuts in a way that makes you want to go back and incorporate them each day into your diet is the best way to prepare them.”</p>

Body

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Raw blueberry and macadamia cheesecake

<p>No oven? No worries! This decadent dessert is a deceptively easy win for those who aren’t usually gifted in the baking department. Vibrantly hued blueberries create two distinctive colour layers, for a knockout presentation and flavour.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 10</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>2 cups raw macadamias</li> <li>1/2 cup maple syrup</li> <li>Juice of 1 lemon</li> <li>3/4 cup coconut oil, melted</li> <li>1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li> <li>1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries</li> <li>Fresh blueberries or raspberries, to garnish (optional)</li> </ul> <p><em>For the nutty coconut base</em></p> <ul> <li>1 1/2 cups raw walnuts or almonds</li> <li>5 dates, pitted</li> <li>1/4 cup desiccated coconut</li> <li>1 tablespoon maple syrup</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Soak the macadamias in water for at least two hours, or preferably overnight.</li> <li>Grease a 20 cm spring-form cake tin with coconut oil.</li> <li>Put all the coconut base ingredients in a food processor and grind together until the mixture resembles a sticky crumble. Press the mixture firmly into the cake tin and set aside.</li> <li>Drain the macadamia nuts and place in a high-speed blender with the maple syrup, lemon juice, coconut oil and vanilla. Blend to a thick, creamy consistency, then pour half the macadamia mixture into the cake tin.</li> <li>Add the blueberries to the remaining mixture in the blender.</li> <li>Blend on high speed until the mixture is a vibrant purple colour and the blueberries have dissolved. Pour the mixture into the cake tin, smoothing and levelling the top with a spatula.</li> <li>Cover with plastic wrap and leave to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Decorate with extra blueberries or raspberries, if desired. Cut into slices to serve.</li> <li>This cheesecake will keep for a few days in the fridge.</li> </ol> <p><img width="191" height="238" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36264/taste-for-life-animals-australia-book-cover_191x238.jpg" alt="Taste For Life (Animals Australia ) - Book Cover (2)" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>Recipe and image courtesy of </em>Taste for Life<em> by Animals Australia. Published by ABC Books, available in store or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/taste-for-life-pbk" target="_blank">online</a></strong></span>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Everything you need to know about a raw food diet for dogs

<p>The raw food diet has exploded in popularity in recent years as an increasing number of dog owners look for alternatives to pre-packed commercially produced foods. But along with the popularity has come controversy as well. The raw food diet emphasises feeding your dog raw meat and bones (as well as fruits, vegies and grains). The belief behind it is that it’s better for your pooch as it was the diet of their wild ancestors and is less reliant on preservatives and additives. Critics however argue that raw food diets do not suit domesticated canines whose lifestyle and constitutions barely resemble their wild cousins and they also point to health risks associated with the diet.</p><p>It is a passionate debate in the pet world and with good reason: your dog’s diet is very important as it can contribute to a long, healthy and happy life. So what is best? Well, the jury is still out. There is little scientific research into the raw food diet so much of the evidence is anecdotal. We run through the pros and cons so you can make up your own mind. However, keep in mind this is not a one size fit all diet – just because a friend’s dog might love it or she find it very beneficial for their pooch, it might not be best for your furry friend. It is always a good idea to consult your vet before making any major diet changes as well.</p><p><strong>Related link:</strong> <a href="http://oversixty.com.au/pets/pets/2014/07/qa-with-bondi-vets-lisa-chimes-raw-diets/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Q&amp;A with Bondi Vet's Lisa Chimes: Raw diets&nbsp;</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>PRO: You are in control</strong></p><p>If you are concerned about the quality and consistency of pre-packed foods then preparing your pooch’s food at home will mean you know exactly what is going into the food, where it came from and the quality. You can also respond to their specific needs like if your dog has an allergy or particular nutrient requirement.</p><p><strong>PRO: Keeps teeth strong</strong></p><p>Chewing on bones will help clean and toughen up your dog’s pearly whites and gums which all help prevent decay.</p><p><strong>PRO: More energy</strong></p><p>Dogs take more time to metabolise processed food so feeding them a raw diet, which can be digested more easily as well as the added protein in their diets, has been shown to boost some dog’s energy levels.</p><p><strong>CON: Bacteria concerns</strong></p><p>Raw meats contain bacteria such as salmonella, E-coli and Staphylococcus aurius which can be harmful to both your dog and you. There is a risk of illness then from such bacterial or parasitic contamination. To combat this always buy quality fresh meat and take all necessary precautions in the kitchen like when you are handling your own meat for dinner.</p><p><strong>CON: Choking hazard</strong></p><p>When dogs chew on bones they can potentially fracture it causing them to swallow slivers. This can lead to choking, intestinal blockages or punctures, and chipped teeth. Always remember this when feeding bones to dogs.</p><p><strong>CON: Unbalanced diet</strong></p><p>If you feed your dog raw food only for a prolonged period of time, he or she could experience nutritional deficiencies. It is important to supplement the diet with other necessary nutrient and vitamins so your dog gets a balanced and nutritionally complete diet. This can be difficult to do if you do not understand canine health and to complicate matters, sometimes nutritional deficiencies do not show until a few months when the issue is quite pronounced.</p><p><strong>CON: Expensive</strong></p><p>It can be a very expensive and time-consuming endeavour to source, store and prepare each meal. Feeding your dog a high quality raw food diet is significantly more expensive than a pre-packaged one, even the quality high range ones.</p>

Family & Pets

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Q&A with Bondi Vet's Lisa Chimes: Raw diets

<p>Shot in and around Sydney’s famed Bondi, channel 10’s <em>Bondi Vet</em> is one of the most loved shows on TV. Featuring the charismatic veterinarians, Dr Chris Brown and Dr Lisa Chimes, the show offers an inside look at the work of the devoted vets. We were lucky enough to sit down with the lovely, Dr Lisa Chimes, and get your pet questions answered for our series Q&amp;A with Bondi Vet's, Lisa Chimes. Here’s what Lisa had to say.</p><p><strong>Question from Susan:</strong> There is a lot of controversy around feeding dogs and cats canned and dry kibble because of the ingredients and added preservatives. With the recent swing toward a complete raw and natural diet (including raw bones and chicken carcasses), what is your opinion on this and the ideas on the best balanced diet for pets?</p><p><strong>Lisa:</strong> As an emergency veterinarian, I too often see the problems associated with feeding raw diets, including severe gastroenteritis from raw meat. Raw bones are good for their teeth and are a “boredom-buster”, but they come with the risk of causing obstructions in the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and intestines, as well as constipation. Homemade diets can also lack vital nutrients that our dogs need. I personally steer away from raw diets and feed my dogs <a href="http://www.petcircle.com.au/dog/food/pro-plan?gclid=CMLduNK0xr8CFVdxvAodDTgAaA" target="_blank">Purina Pro Plan</a> kibble.</p><p>Head over to <a href="http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/bondi-vet" target="_blank">Network Ten</a> to find out more about Lisa and the show.</p>

Family & Pets

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Raw eggs and no men is 115-year-old Italian woman’s secret to longevity

<p>Emma Morano, a 115-year-old Italian woman, is the oldest living European and the fifth oldest person in the world.</p><p>Her secret to such a long life? A love of raw eggs and 77 years without a husband.</p><p>“I didn't want to be dominated by anyone,” Emma told The New York Times.</p><p>She believes the freedom is what kept her going. She had been married once before, but it fell apart in 1938 after the death of her infant son.</p><p>Emma also credits her doctor’s long-ago recommendation to eat three raw eggs. It’s estimated she’s consumed around 100,000 eggs in her long life.</p><p>But it may also be good genes. One of Morano’s sisters lived to 102 and another passed away just before she was about to become a centenarian.</p><p>Whatever the secret to her long life is, congratulations to Emma Morano for living such a long life. She’s still an independent lady, living alone in her apartment, with a doctor checking in monthly and a niece helping her with meals.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Image credit: New York Times Twitter&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/01/109-year-olds-secret-to-life/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>109-year-old woman reveals avoiding men is the secret to a long life</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/01/shrink-with-age/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Turns out people do shrink with age</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/90-year-old-woman-goes-to-school/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>90-year-old woman goes to school to learn to read and write with her great-great-grandchildren</strong></em></span></a></p>

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