Star fruit Upside Down Cake

When you’re new to being gluten-free (or new to cooking, for that matter), pre-packaged mixes are a godsend. Bob’s Red Mill, Pamela’s, and now more mainstream folks like Betty Crocker (I used Betty’s gluten-free yellow cake here) make brownie, bread, and pancake mixes that are darn good versions of their gluten-y counterparts. They’re a great starting point for newbies and good if you’re in a pinch, but in my humble opinion, if you’re a gluten-free baker worth your salt you’ll have at least 5 types of flours in your cupboards at all times.

I’m often gifted box mixes (in lieu of gluten-y baked treats) by folks in my life, a gesture I really appreciate. It makes a lot of sense to give a gluten-free person the gift of something good that they can feel good eating, but I have to admit that the overachieving baker in me has a hard time not wanting to “do better” than a box mix.

What I’m saying is, this cake was inspired by my baking neurosis and Betty Crocker, which turns out to be a GREAT combo. One of the first things that I noticed after moving into my new apartment was that the corner produce stand had star fruit 2 for $1. Priorities. I got a pair and let them ripen up. (Fun fact: they’re ripe when any green on the flesh is replaced by yellow.)

I have no memory of ever eating a pineapple upside down cake, but it seemed like the only appropriate way to showcase the rather adorable star fruit. I made a few adjustments to Betty’s recipe, but not too many. This still has the ease of a box mix, while the final result satisfies my inner wanna-be pastry chef.

Starfruit Upside Down Cake

Adapted from here and here. If you’re not gluten-free, or you recoil at the mention of “Betty Crocker,” use your favorite recipe for a single, 8-9 inch round yellow cake here. If star fruit are cost-prohibitive where you are (or you just can’t find them) I imagine another soft-fleshed fruit would work. Finally, I’ve been on a panela kick lately, but you could try brown sugar, not as tightly packed.

2 star fruit, seeds removed and sliced between ¼ and 1/8 inch thick

½ cup panela (packed), chopped
¼ cup butter

1 box Betty Crocker gluten-free yellow cake mix
2/3 cup whole milk
1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
2 T applesauce (unsweetened is best)
1 t ground cardamom
2 t vanilla extract (make sure it’s gluten-free)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Arrange the sliced star fruit along the bottom of a non-stick 8 or 9 inch cake pan. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine ¼ cup butter with the panela, Heat, stirring occasionally only until completely combined. Remove from heat.
3. Pour the panela and butter mixture into the cake pan, directly over the star fruit. Set aside.
4. Mix the remaining ingredients for 30 seconds on low until combined, then on med-high for about 2 minutes
5. Pour into the cake pan, over the star fruit/panela mixture.
6. Bake until the top is brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and immediately run a knife around the edge, between the edge of the cake and the pan.
8. Place a plate over the cake and flip to turn it out on to a plate. Be careful, some of the caramel-y liquid may splash out when you invert. Serve warm.

How To Cut Down On Empty Calories

1. Stop consuming food with obviously high sugar content on a regular basis.

This ones simple right? You obviously know carbonated drink and chocolates contain a lot of sugar. So do a whole lot of desserts which are basically just ice with syrup.

2. Reduce sugar intake gradually.

One of the ways to wean our sweet tooths craving is to slowly reduce the sugar consumption daily. This ensures that we dont get a deprived mentality and suddenly binge when we get the chance to. For the record, indulging yourself after going cold turkey is just going to send a signal to your body to store up fats in case of deprivation again. Not good.

3. Examine food labels for sugar content.

Sugar is known by brown sugar, palm sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, glucose (dextrose), high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, (table) sugar (sucrose), syrup. The food should contain no more than 10% sugar by weight.

4. Have a low-calorie, high nutrition snack handy with you all the time.

So that when you feel a need to munch on something, you wouldnt hurry to the nearest donut store. Having a list of low-calorie, highly nutritious food wouldnt hurt. Plan your meals, it is better to eat smaller and more frequent meals rather than stuff yourself three times a day.

5. Use sweet substitutes for sugar in your food preparations.

Use spices and herbs such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger to enhance the flavor of foods naturally. Or simply eat fruits that are sweet naturally. Spices are a great way to impart rich flavors to your food without adding empty calories to your diet.

6. Be careful of energy bars and drinks which might be a source of high sugars content.

If you are a sports person, beware of over-replenishing what you lost during the workout. Do some research initially and you can use the same post-workout meal for a long time to come. Variations to your post workout meals is a must, spend some time researching nutritious meals you can pack to the gym. This will benefit you in the long run.

In conclusion, even if youre not someone struggling with weight issues, remember that a high sugar intake may lead to other health problems such as suppressing your immune system, contributing to hyperactivity, anxiety and depression. It also increases the risk of coronary heart disease and causes diabetes and osteoporosis.

So there you have it, six simple ways you can cut down on empty calories! If you liked what youve just read in this article, theres plenty more related articles where this came from. All to help you slim down and tone up a great looking body!

Article Source: EzineArticles

Train Your Brain So That The Weight Does not Go Up and Down

Losing weight is a very difficult and tiring due to fluctuations,occasional down then up again. and so on. According to the expert,before trying to lose weight,you need to learn is how to keep it in order not to go up and down.

According to research,weight loss will last long if dieters understand healthy habits to maintain your diet and get used to walking around before applying any weight loss program.

The study,involved 267 obese women were divided into 2 groups randomly. The first group was asked to immediately perform the method of weight loss,while the second group was asked to undergo a lifestyle adjustment program and learn to stabilize body weight for 8 week before  starting a weight loss methods.

All participant in both groups were equally successful eventually cut his weight about 7 kg or 9 percent of initial body weight. but the following year,the weight back again 7 kg in those who directly perform weight loss methods. Women who participate in the program 8 weeks behind average only 3 kg.

weight loss programs in the research carried out for 20 week containing a variety of conventional methods are proven effective. Participants meet weekly with a trained instructor, a journal of food,plenty of exercise and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

In the 8-week program ,the participants were instructed to not only lose weight,but was also told that weight will come back again after successfully unloaded. The program is designed to teach you how to recognize and control the fluctuating weight,1.5~3 kg that occurs in people with normal weight.

Successful dieters who lose weight often feel excited and enjoyed it then fall asleep so that weight back again. This 8-week program is a program of cognitive behavioral approach, in which participants are taught about dieters experience she ever h
   

Have Knee Pain When Walking Up or Down Stairs Learn About Chrondromalacia and Knee Pain Treatment

If you have knee pain when you walk up or down stairs, you might be suffering from chrondromalacia. Also known as patellafemoral pain syndrome, chrondromalacia often occurs without a specific traumatic event. The pain of chrondromalacia is sometimes compared to a toothache and it is often present when you stand up after sitting in a chair for a while.

Chrondromalacia of the patella is a common cause of knee pain, especially among women. While it sometimes happens following some type of traumatic event involving a hard hit to the knee, more typically, it happens over time when the kneecap becomes agitated or starts to wear out.

Knee pain treatments for those suffering from chrondromalacia does not typically involve surgery. The preferred approach for addressing patellofemoral pain is physical therapy combined with the use of shoe orthotics that provide stable support for the arches and feet.

Because the knee pain caused by chrondromalacia is often caused by body geometry that places increased pressure on the kneecap which over time leads to knee pain, the treatment focuses on altering the position of the leg to lessen the pressure on the knees.

While foot positioning is corrected by orthotics, strengthening exercises are also recommended for the muscles around the knees, especially those near the kneecap on the inner thigh.

Closed chain exercises, or exercises where a persons foot moves in a predetermined space so that it does not shift around, is helpful. Examples of closed chain exercises include activities like bike riding, mini squats and leg presses. A trained physical therapist can provide an exercise regimen that includes a variety of closed chain exercises to help strengthen the hips, legs, and knees in order to treat the condition.

Surgery is sometimes recommended by an orthopaedic surgeon to treat chrondromalacia in order to clean the undersurface of the patella or kneecap. This type of orthopaedic surgery can be conveniently done as an outpatient procedure using an arthroscope. Knee replacement surgery may be recommended in more extreme situations when damage to the undersurface of the patella has progressed to the point where the cartilage is worn out and exposed bone is evident.

Typically if you are suffering from knee pain including chrondromalacia or an ACL injury, you can find a successful knee pain treatment by consulting your orthopaedic physician. In many cases, before considering knee surgery, there are a number of non-surgical treatment options for you to consider. Often a combination of exercises, physical therapy, and orthotics will provide effective knee pain treatment.

Article by : Stacie L. Grossfeld, MD

Article Source : Have Knee Pain When Walking Up or Down Stairs? Learn About Chrondromalacia and Knee Pain Treatment