Review of Bud of Joy's Christmas Offerings (Fruit Cake, Chocolate Log Cake, and Gingerbread Cookies)

I am a big fan of sweet things, especially cakes. Unfortunately I have cut down a lot of refined sugar in my diet knowing how bad sugar is for our body. So I limit the amount of sugary food in my family, except for special occasions. And this Christmas, I am excited to share with you Bud of Joy's Christmas offerings that I got a chance to try. I am always happy to eat their breads and cakes because I know that they only use the best ingredients in their products such as non-GMO, free range eggs and butter from grass-fed cows. Not to mention, they are all organic and without the use of any chemicals and preservatives. Fret not, their cakes are as delicious, if not more delicious, than the regular cakes you find in a conventional bakery and you won't mind having your children gobble another slice down their precious little bodies because there isn't any chemical or artificial ingredients that you have to worry about.

Take their Organic Christmas Chocolate Log Cake for example:

This chocolate cake is light and fluffy, rich in chocolate flavor (but not dense!), and colored with natural ingredients, such as organic beetroot juice for the pink flowers and barley grass juice for the green color. There is not even a pinch of baking powder or emulsifiers. I'm enjoying every bite of this cake for this special occasion.

Organic Fruit Cake

If there is a season for a fruit cake that is spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, it would be thanksgiving week all the way through Christmas. I'm glad Bud of Joy makes this again this Christmas. The last time I had this (the gluten-free version) was last Christmas.

This fruit cake uses organic wholemeal flour. It has NO added sugar. Its sweetness comes from the organic dried fruits that are packed generously in the cake. If you are allergic to gluten, you can order the gluten-free version, and it is as good as the regular one, in my opinion. This cake is just perfect to eat with a cup of tea.

Last but not least, is their Gingerbread Cookies:

Which kid doesn't like cookies? This particular one is made with organic wholemeal flour, natural sugars, and organic spices. I can really taste the ginger, which is an added bonus compared to regular gingerbread cookies where you can only taste the cinnamon. Each cookie is hand-decorated using natural colors derived from organic vegetables. My daughter loves them and savors them like a treasure.

Sure, the cost of these goodies are expensive at first sight, but once you know the amount and quality of ingredients in these baked goods, and the amount of extra work the chef has to do (think about the convenience of using food coloring versus having to puree the vegetables, strain them, and then use the juice to decorate the cakes and cookies as an example), then you will understand why. More than anything, I love to support Bud of Joy because the owners, Her-Yi and Sarah are passionate about what they do and they do their jobs really well, i.e. delicious yet healthy baked goods - something that is not easily available here in Singapore.

These three Christmas offerings will make awesome gifts for yourself or other people! Just for Pasture Living readers, Bud of Joy is giving away $5 voucher for orders $50 or above on these Christmas treats. 

Orders can be through: 
- Phone, at 6748 7687. Quote 'Pasture Living' when ordering.
- Online. Please type 'Pasture Living' under 'Add Note'. 
- Email at sales@budofjoy.com (Please indicate Name, Contact Number, Quote 'Pasture Living', and the type(s) and quantity of Christmas goodies.)

I hope you get to try them before the season runs out and makes use of the voucher before it's too late. :)

Disclaimer: I received the above products for review. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Olive Leaf Extract: A Plant That Fights Viruses

Olive Tree

We know how important gut health is. When our gut is good, so is our health. Eating grass fed yogurt, sourdough bread, and fermented food are some ways to increase our probiotic intake. For a person like me who did not grow up eating fermented food or even yogurt, it is harder to keep up with probiotic consumption. The latest one I tried was water kefir and milk kefir. They are naturally rich in probiotics, easy to make, and very cost friendly. But another problem with water kefir is that it contains a small amount of alcohol, which I'm also not used to consuming (and now that I'm pregnant, I have stopped making and drinking it) and milk kefir is more sour than plain yogurt, which makes it even harder for me to swallow than a regular grass fed yogurt that I'm already not used to. So what am I trying to say?

I am not good in consuming probiotic rich food and I have just been reminded that gut health is crucial for a healthy body. So I need to consume more probiotics in my diet. If I do not enjoy eating yogurt or don't eat as much fermented food as I should, I have to find something else that works. I figure it's better to pay for something that I will actually eat and want to eat, because our health is important and prevention is always better than cure. Allergies, morning sickness, colds and flu, constipation, and even bad breath are symptoms that you are lacking good bacteria in your body. 

Then I found olive leaf extract.

Olive Leaves

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract has been used since the ancient Egyptian times for rituals, nutritional, and medicinal purposes. In Mediterranean cultures, olive leaf was used to treat various health conditions, uncluding infections and fever. (Oh, the moment I learned this natural remedy was used to treat fever, I got myself a bottle because any parents would know how hard it is to treat fever naturally. Early researchers have found and confirmed that a substance found in olive leaf called elenolic acid was so powerful in stopping and slowing the growth of viruses. Olive leaf extract:

- Has antibacterial and antiviral properties that fights viruses and infections
- Reduces high blood pressure (fights hypertension/high blood pressure)
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels (possible ramifications for diabetes sufferers)
- A powerful antioxidant that protects us from free radicals 

The brand that I have tried is by Rochway. Their olive leaf extract is naturally fermented, 100% organic and contains 1% sugar from natural fruits. Fermentation allows beneficial enzymes to be produced and it helps our body to absorb nutrients more efficiently from our food. And the fermentation process creates lactic acids which act as a natural preservative. So this is a good probiotic alternative for me personally. It tastes mildly sweet, my two year old doesn't have trouble drinking it. Serving size for daily maintenance is small and it is very easy to take. If you feel that you lack probiotics in your diet, maybe it is worth a try. iHerb sells different brands of olive leaf extracts but I haven't researched the brands they carry. I bought mine from Bud of Joy (This particular formulation includes papaya enzymes and pomegranates - read about the benefits of fermented papaya and pomegranates here). 

A note on olive leaf extract: 
Although the benefits of this plant seems promising, its medical evidence on humans are still inconclusive and researchers are now taking another serious look at olive leaf extract. Until then, we need to remember that just like with any other health supplements, olive leaf extract should be a part of a holistic health plan that includes a healthy diet and exercise.

Disclaimer: I'm not an affiliate of Rochway and did not receive anything to promote their products. I'm also not a health professional and may not be held responsible for any medical issues. Please consult your doctors if you are unsure about taking this supplement.

Delicious, Easy, and Healthy Meals with Mekhala Living Sauces!

I love cooking and I mostly cook from scratch, but I find there are times when I am in a rush but would still like to cook healthy food for my family and I can't use ready-made sauces that I find in the supermarket because most of them are full of refined sugar, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives. I was so happy when I came across Mekhala Living's sauces recently and cooking has never been easier. 

Meklaha Living is a Singaporean-Thai company that manufacture their own range of organic and natural Asian food products in their own factory in Thailand. They purchase their raw materials from small farms in Northern Thailand at fair prices and work closely with these farmers in a mutually beneficial relationship that helps them and the farmers grow together.

Their products are:

- 100% natural ingredients, with no artificial flavors, colorings or preservatives

- vegan (and most of them are gluten-free)

- made from wholesome, organic/natural ingredients. They use himalayan pink salt, rice bran oil and coconut sugar in their products, which are much healthier alternatives to regular table salt, vegetable oil and refined sugar.

- incredibly easy to use: perfect for those who would love to cook but don't have the time to prepare from scratch.

I have tried five of their sauces and here is what I think of them:

Blackpepper Beef Stir Fry

Blackpepper Sauce

If you are a big fan of blackpepper sauce, you will have to try this sauce. It may not have the umami kick that you get in blackpepper meat dish from a Chinese restaurant (because I'm sure they put a lot of MSG in it), but it is as savory and blackpepper-y as you can get home made. You just need to put a little bit of sauce for a good portion of meat. I cooked it with beef, in the picture above, and will try it with cod fish next time.

Pumpkin Blackpepper Dressing

This is now my to-go sauce to pour over steaks I make at home. It has a mild sweetness and peppery kick and it is just so mouth watering over a hot sizzling steak!

Coriander Ginger Dressing

I marinated potatoes and baked them to pair with steak and it is delish! I love the smell of coriander. It is so refreshing!

Basil Garlic Pasta

Basil Garlic Paste

Okay.. this has to be the best sauce out of the ones I have tried. It is like pesto and perfect for making quick and easy pasta dishes. Even my two year old loves it! I only have to put a little bit of the paste over a good portion of pasta because it is very concentrated and flavorful. If there is one sauce I would recommend you trying (out of the five I've tried), it would be this one. It is very good to marinade chicken with as well.

Pad Thai Sauce

By itself, the flavor is delicious and it has a good balance between sweet, sour, and saltiness. But in order to get a full, tasty pad thai flavor, I need to use a lot of sauce for a small portion of noodles. It is still definitely cheaper than buying pad thai in a Thai restaurant, but value-wise, the other four sauces are better.

Aside from sauces, they also sell organic coconut oil, rice, and teas. Their products are available in specialty shops (e.g. Four Seasons organic store at Parkway Parade), various online stores and at their flagship store in Pasarbella. 

If you are interested in trying (and I'm sure you will be well pleased!), they are giving a 10% discount for purchases over $30 and it is free shipping for orders over $25 at both their online shop and their Pasarbella shop (just quote "PastureLiving" to the salesperson). Offer is valid from 1 October 2014 - 30 November 2014. 

Check out the recipes section on Mekhala Living's website and youtube channel for cooking ideas and follow their facebook page for news and promotions.

 Disclosure: I was given products for review and no monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

6 Healthy Easy-to-Make Beverages At Home

In our ever busy days, eating and drinking something nutritious may not be on our top priority. Constraint of time and energy is probably one of the top reasons why we eat so much fast food and processed/frozen food and drinks. Even an extra step of transferring food onto a plate or washing the dishes become a painful chore, let alone cooking from scratch. The food industry has caught on to this and now they offer healthier versions of packaged foods and drinks, boasting that they are healthy with labels like "zero calorie," "low fat," "no MSG," etc. Just remember that as much as you think they are healthy, they can't be as healthy as they are fresh. If cooking food is too much hassle, try making homemade beverages. It's much simpler, requires minimal cleaning, and a step further towards healthy living. Homemade food and drinks are best because we know exactly when we make it (freshness), how they are made (think about cross contamination), and what we put in it (no funny and harmful ingredients). So let's try one of these to start with:

1. Early in the morning, increase our well being and boost our immune system by getting rid of toxins from our body with fresh Wheatgrass Juice. It's rich in chlorophyll, a pigment that helps to detoxify our body, treats bad breath, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight infections.

2. To boost energy and keep you hydrated, try Coconut-Chia Energy Drink that is packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and electrolytes.

3. For those who are on gluten-free diet and allergic to cow's milk but needs an extra dose of calcium, vitamin E, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron, try making homemade Almond Milk. This can keep in the fridge for up to five days, so you can make it ahead of time on your less busy days.

4. A healthy gut is one of the cornerstones for a healthy body. Our body needs more probiotics (good bacteria) more than ever before because of all the processed food and drinks we consume and the overuse of antibiotics. This easy to make Water Kefir and Milk Kefir are natural probiotic beverages that can help you balance your gut flora and improve your digestion. It takes only a few minutes to put together, let them ferment for a day or two, and you can enjoy this probiotic-rich drinks anytime at home. Make one big batch and you are set for the week. 

5. Throughout the day, keep a big bottle of Fruits and Herbs-Infused Flavored Water to keep you motivated to drink and your body hydrated, while reaping the benefits of the vitamins and minerals that are infused into your water from the fresh fruits and herbs.

6. When you don't feel well or down with a flu, warm your body with homemade Lemon, Garlic, Ginger, and Honey Tea. Each ingredient provides unique power to fight off infections, balances the body's pH and, speeds up circulation, and boosts our immune system.

What are your favorite natural, healthy drinks that you like to make at home?

CocoNurture Organic Coconut Oil Reviews and A Giveaway!

I have been consuming coconut oil for about two years now and I've witnessed health improvements by making coconut oil a regular part of my diet. I recently found out about CocoNurture, a company based in Singapore that sells coconut oil. I was excited when they sent me some of their products to try because I know coconut oil is sooooo good for our health as well as for our skin.

They have two kinds of organic coconut oil: Ultra Light and Premium Culinary Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). They are both cold-pressed and organic but they use different methods of extraction, thus yielding a slightly different result in texture, taste, and aroma. The Ultra Light VCO is more coconut-ty in flavor and lighter in texture and is best consumed raw. The Premium Culinary VCO is thicker in texture but lighter in taste, which is perfect for cooking as it doesn't alter the taste and aroma of food. The VCO's that I have bought previously have very strong coconut flavors and some people do not enjoy the coconut taste in the food when I cook with it. The ultra light VCO is easy to swallow raw in my opinion and it is my favorite because I sometimes gag when swallowing If you don't quite like the coconut aroma but wish to add more coconut oil in your diet, CocoNurture Premium Culinary VCO may be your answer. The other advantage of getting CocoNurture coconut oil is that you can get your coconut oil on your door immediately as they deliver fast and they offer free shipping for orders over $80. 

Aside from coconut oil, they also sell other organic coconut products such as coconut sugar, a natural sweetener with low GI index (GI 35), coconut nectar syrup, coconut flour (which is gluten-free), coconut cider vinegar, and coconut oil-infused skincare products, including baby oil and diaper rash oil. On its own, coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, aids in healing of wounds, is moisturizing for our skin, and doesn't leave oily residue on our skin because it gets absorbed very quickly into our skin. When coconut oil meets the right essential oils, the nourishing and healing properties of the infusion is even greater. CocoNurture has in-house herbalists who specialize in essential oils and know the precise concentrations they need to make a particular blend. The essentials they use are gentle yet very effective for the purposes they serve. 

I particularly love their Eczema Flare Relief Oil, which I have been applying on rashes and eczema. It's very moisturizing, cooling, and soothes itchy and dry skin.

Insect bites on my daughter's leg

Coconurture's Natural Mosquito Repellent Oil has been a lifesaver when we go to the parks. My daughter has sensitive skin and one little insect bite will leave a mark on her skin for a long time. I'm pleased to know that it doesn't contain DEET, an active ingredient that is found in most commercial insect repellent. DEET has been linked to neurological problems as well as eye and skin irritants and I don't want it on my daughter's skin.

I have to say that this is one of the most effective insect repellent I have tried. I often bring my daughter down to the park and always come back with mosquito bites. Since I apply this oil, we are mostly mosquito bite-free! When I applied the oil thinly, we still come back with some bites, so I have been more generous in applying the oil and that has really prevented us from getting mosquito bites.

I've also been applying their Intense Scalp Treatment on my husband. I've been applying just VCO on his scalp, but having this coconut-oil infused mixture that is already blended with essential oils specifically to nourish the scalp is very helpful and convenient.

Best of all, the ones I have mentioned and reviewed here do not contain any toxic ingredients such as  parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. And they come in handy spray bottles for ease of use.

Thanks to CocoNurture, some of you will get to try their awesome coconut oil products! Three winners will get a set of twin pack Ultra Light and Premium Culinary Virgin Coconut Oil (worth S$36.60) and another three winners will get a bottle of Eczema Flare Relief Oil and a bottle of Mosquito Repellent Oil each (worth S$33.60). 


To enter, simply:

1. "Like" Pasture Living Facebook Page

2. Comment on this post which Coconurture coconut oil productscyou'd like to win (coconut oils or the eczema/repellent oils) and leave your email address. If you are uncomfortable leaving your email publicly, send me a message through Pasture Living Facebook page.

3. Like and share this giveaway on your Facebook page and tag a friend.

This giveaway will end on 18 July 2014 Singapore time and the winners will be announced through email. Open to Singapore residents only.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: Coconurture sponsored the above products for reviews, no compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

When Eating Healthy Is No Longer Healthy or Not An Option

I was so strict during the first few months of making the switch to eat healthily. I avoided all kinds of junk food, processed food, vegetable oil, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, refined grains, juices, sodas, sugar, unfermented soy, switched all my cooking ingredients to healthier ones, and added new "food" into my diet that I found healthy, such as coconut oil, fermented cod liver oil, and grass-fed food. Even the littlest bite of "unhealthy food" looked gross to me and avoided at all cost. It's the kind of feeling you get at the sight of McDonalds after you watch documentaries such as Super Size Me or Fast Food Nation. I couldn't imagine why I would let myself consume such food and have my body process such poison. A few years have passed and I find myself being more flexible with my food choices. I go out and enjoy food in restaurants, I let my daughter eat refined noodles, white rice, or even candy from time to time and I'm not as stressed out as before. I realize that there are more to life than just healthy living. If we can't enjoy the company of others, restrict ourselves to only cooking at home because outside food contains something unhealthy, and thus we miss out all experiences from exploring places or traveling and warm fellowships, then is it all worth it? I remembered reading somewhere that laughing will cause wrinkles, but should we not laugh because we are afraid of getting wrinkles? Does it mean we shouldn't go out and enjoy life because we are afraid we will "inhale" pollution? We will be so miserable and we will miss out so much of this world if we are too perfectionist.

I was a perfectionist about eating only what I thought was healthy and perfection almost killed. I am so glad that I've come to terms with the fact that I cannot control everything. And there will be times when eating healthy is no longer an option and we have to accept these exceptions.

- The Food Industry: School kids get to eat fast food on field trips because the fast food industry give free sponsorship to schools and schools don't usually say no to free sponsorship. The food industry can get away with so many things and we cannot control them. Then would you tell your children not to eat what they have been given and be the only "outcast" while the rest of her friends get to enjoy their fast food? As much as I would like to say no, I will not. My responsibility is to teach and encourage the little ones to be wise in making decisions and prayerfully they will understand what is good and what is not.

- The Sick: Think about a really sick person who has lost all appetite for food and is so thin from enduring a serious, prolonged illness. If he could only eat (and can eat a lot more) when you give him white rice versus brown rice, or fried chicken versus steamed chicken, or sweetened milk versus plain grass fed milk, by all means, let him be. He needs to get all the calories he can get to be strong again. Who am I to say that these foods are forbidden and he is not to eat any of these foods because they are not aligned with my "healthy food" philosophy. 

- Where There is No Other Option: Someone argued with me that if he were to be stranded in the middle of a place hungry and he could only see a fast food joint, would I allow him to eat fast food or let him starve?

I believe no one in their right mind will force their practice of healthy living under special circumstances. So I realize that there are exceptions and it is good to be flexible and adapt to different circumstances.

You could say that I now live by the 80-20 rule now. I try my best to give my family the best when they are at home and nourish their bodies with healthy food as much as possible. But the other 20% of time, we go out and enjoy our life and I believe that through the 80% of right nourishment, our bodies are able to better handle the less-healthy food that we consume the rest of the time. 

What are your thoughts about eating healthy?

Recipe: Calcium-Rich Anchovies and Wakame Seaweed Soup

There are two other things that I always try to find ways to add into our diet: fish and calcium. Fish is so good for us and calcium is important for bone strength, growing children, and prevent osteoporosis. 

This wakame seaweed and anchovies soup is a Korean soup that is traditionally eaten for a few weeks after a woman gives birth because it is believed that this soup contains nutrients that help with post-partum recovery and boost breastmilk production. The ancient Korean folklore learned that female whales would eat strands of seaweed after giving birth and that was how this tradition started.

Wakame seaweed is naturally rich in:

- Iodine: which supports our thyroid
- Calcium: for bone strength
- Omega-3 fatty acid: which is important for our brain and nervous system
- Vitamin A: for immune system
- Vitamin D: for immune system and helps to absorb the calcium in our body
- Vitamin E: an antioxidant
- Selenium: a rather less-talked about, heart-friendly mineral that protects the brain from oxidative damage and the body from mercury toxicity, ensures that the thyroid functions normally, and maintains cardiovascular health.
- Iron and Folate: both important for pregnant women.

Anchovies, known as the "King of Calcium" in Korea, is composed of mostly calcium, and is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, D, and E, and selenium.

Recipe

Dried anchovies
Wakame seaweed
Sesame oil
Soy sauce
Garlic
Water

Directions

1. Make anchovies broth. Take a handful of dried anchovies and boil in water for half an hour. I always make a big batch of anchovies broth and refrigerate or freeze it so I can take as little or as much as I need whenever I need.

2. Soak the seaweed in water until it softens, about 15-20 minutes. It will triple or even quadruple in size. So start with little and you can easily add more if it's not enough. Then rinse off.

3. Heat garlic in sesame oil in a soup pot and add the seaweed. Sautee for a few minutes then add anchovies broth and soy sauce to taste. Cover the pot and let it simmer for half an hour.

This nourishing soup is good for any day of the year, for children and adults alike. Seaweed is a natural MSG, thus it naturally taste good!

Bon appétit!

Disclosure: This link contains affiliate links.

Six Easy On-the-Go Healthy Snacks for Little Kids

I've not seen any toddlers or little kids who don't like to snack. Snacks are fun and keep kids entertained and happy. A lot of snacks that we buy in the supermarkets are unfortunately "empty calories" and they do no good to our children's fast growing minds and bodies. For me, there are three main criteria when it comes to snacks. First, nutritious; second, minimal preparation and cleaning, and third, they don't create a big mess.

Here are six snacks that fit all three criteria. My daughter loves all of them except avocado (sad, but if your kids love it, it makes an awesome healthy snack!):

Dates

My daughter's favorite! She's never said no when I offer her dates. It's sweet, rich in iron (perfect for pregnant mothers too!), calcium, potassium, manganese, fiber, and vitamin A. They are easy to bring and easy to eat. Just be careful with the seed inside. I usually take the seed out before I give it to my daughter.

Blueberries

Packed with antioxidants, blueberries are easy to bring and is mess-free. Its small size is easy for little hands to grab and it is especially sweet when it's in season (summer).

Anchovies

I first saw a Japanese mother giving her toddlers dried anchovies and upon learning about it, I realize this little fish has such an amazing nutritional profile. It's rich in calcium (actually known as the "King of Calcium" in Korea), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, D, and E, and selenium. It contains one of least amount of mercury and it tastes naturally salty, a nice variation for kid's snacks.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

Dried cranberries, banana chips, apples, mangoes, and raisins mixed with nuts such as cashews and pistachios are power snacks that provide healthy fats, protein, and other vitamins and minerals. Try to buy organic without added sugar. Be careful of the nuts if your kids are prone to choking. My daughter eats slowly and rather carefully, so it hasn't been a problem for her. You can also dehydrate your own fruits if you have a dehydrator. My friend, Ruth, gave me some of her own dehydrated organic pineapples and apples and they are so delicious.

These last two require minimal prep, but they are healthy and good! 

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato is more nutritious than regular potato. It tastes sweet and is rich in vitamin A, C, potassium, and fiber. It also helps to regular blood sugar level. You can serve it in two ways:

1. Bake whole sweet potatoes at 200 Celcius for 30 minutes, cool, and bring it out with you. 

2. Make sweet potato fries. Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise, put on the baking rack, drizzle with coconut oil or olive oil, sprinkle some sea salt, and bake at 200 Celcius for 20 minutes, or until crispy.

Avocado

Touted as the best first food for babies, avocado is rich in healthy fats, fiber, potassium, vitamin B, C, E, and K, and is anti-inflammatory. You can bring a whole avocado on the go, cut it open and scoop the meat out for your little ones. 

What other healthy snacks that travel well?

Second Helpings Homemade Peanut Butters Review and a Giveaway!

Who doesn't love peanut butter? I used to smear them on my toast to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or peanut butter and chocolate sandwiches. The combination of those ingredients are so divinely sinful. That's right, all the refined sugar, artificial ingredients, and trans fats in store-bought jams and nut butters are so sinful, they will clog your heart, increase your cholesterol level, give you diabetes, and promote ADD/ADHD (hyperactivity disorder) in children, to name a few.

Knowing that many of us eat jam and bread for breakfast, the most important meal of the day, and as snacks anytime of the day, it is so important to find a healthier alternative to the conventional store-bought jams, and prevent excess sugars especially in children. The food industry knows that more and more people are going towards healthier alternatives and so long as there are demand, supply will follow.

Let me introduce you to Ezra Nicholas and Tannie Tang, the founders of Second Helpings, a Singapore-based business that place great emphasis on producing edible goodness with no artificial flavoring or preservatives.

These are their homemade nut butters and they come in 3 flavors:

Ori (Original) - Peanuts, Olive Oil, Honey, and Sea Salt. Pure goodness in jar without the partially hydrogenated oil (transfat).

Cocovan (Coconut & Vanilla) - Peanuts, Olive Oil, Honey, Sea Salt, Non-Sweetened Dessicated Coconuts, and Vanilla beans. This is my favorite of all three. I can taste the mild coconut and vanilla flavors in the nut butters.

B3: Black (Cocoa) - Peanuts, Olive Oil, Honey, Sea Salt, Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder. This creamy and smooth nut butter may just just do the trick for children who love Nutella. It tastes just like a chocolate spread without the trans fat, refined sugar, emulsifier, skimmed milk powder, and artificial flavoring that comes with store-bought chocolate spread.

They come in 100 ml or 190 ml jars and can be customized for party/wedding favors and door gifts. Their products are sold at The Redundant Shop at Everton Park and Envy Coffee at Nexus@One North. You can also contact them directly through their Facebook page for orders.

Thanks to Second Helpings, three winners will receive all three flavors in 100 ml jar each. To enter, simply:

1. "Like" Pasture Living Facebook Page

2. "Like" Second Helpings Facebook Page and/or "Follow" their Instagram account.

3. Comment on this post on why you'd like to win Second Helpings nut butters and leave your email address. If you are uncomfortable leaving your email publicly, send me a message through Pasture Living Facebook page.

4. Like and share this giveaway on your Facebook page and tag a friend.

Please make sure you follow all 4 steps and let me know that you have done so.

This giveaway will end on 23 June 2014 at 6PM Singapore time and the winners will be announced through email. Open to Singapore residents only.

Good luck!

Fruits and Herbs-Infused Flavored Water

Being hydrated is of the utmost importance for a healthy body. A normal human can probably live without food for a few weeks, but only a few days without water. A room temperature water is best and I drink it that way. Many people though think of drinking water as burdensome (I even have a friend who doesn't like water!), and some others think their water needs more "flavor" in order for them to be able to drink more. I have good news for you: you can easily create your own homemade flavored water the natural way! Not only it is a healthy alternative to sugary juices and sodas, this flavored water is infused using only fresh fruits and herbs. My family members who have been drinking flavored water reportedly have been able to significantly drink more water. Flavored water makes drinking water that much more enjoyable. This trick may also work on children who don't drink enough water. 

You can flavor your water by infusing fresh fruits and herbs in a water jar. In the picture above, I infused the water with slices of lemons, oranges, cucumbers, strawberries, and fresh mint leaves.

Citrus (lemons, oranges, lime) gives extra vitamin C, which helps to build collagen and keep our skin firm. It also boosts our digestion and metabolism, and helps to get rid of toxins from our body.

Cucumber is cools down the body and has anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting benefits. It contains vitamin A, C, K, iron, potassium, calcium, and silica that support the connective tissue and bones in the body.

Mint is an antioxidant, a natural breath freshener, and can help with indigestion issues.

You can mix and match the flavors for variations. Try berries and mint, cucumber and basil, cherries-lemon and vanilla beans, pear and ginger, melon and lime, watermelon and rosemary or mint. The combinations are endless.

When water is this good, who can resist?

What is your favorite ingredients to infuse water with?

Benefits of Chia Seeds, Coconut Water, and Coconut-Chia Drink Recipe

Chia Seeds

Chia seed is the new kid in town. Everyone is talking about chia seeds. They were used for medicinal purposes in the olden days and modern athletes consume them for extra energy. 

What is so good about chia seeds?

- High in fiber: Fiber is important for our digestion, controls blood sugar level, lowers cholesterol level, and helps to keep us full longer. 

- High in protein: Chia seeds are 23% complete protein with all 8 essential amino acids. Most people get their dose of complete protein from animal sources, thus chia seeds can be a valuable addition to a vegetarian diet, as it is hard to get complete protein from animal sources, especially with soy out of the picture.

- High in antioxidants: Eating antioxidant-rich foods help to fight off free radicals formed from consuming the wrong kinds of food and protect us from radiation from the sun.

- Gluten-free.

A Note About Omega-3 Content in Chia Seeds

The high omega-3 content in chia seeds is one of the highlights of why people buy them. The modern diet supplies us too much omega-6's (from vegetable oils and processed food) and very little omega-3's, causing or sorts of inflammation and other diseases. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is so much needed for our body. Unfortunately plant-based sources of omega-3's converts poorly to the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA that are important for our brain and nervous system. So although chia seeds are high in omega-3, we cannot depend solely on chia seeds for it. Animal sources, especially seafood, such as fermented cod liver oil, are the best sources for omega-3 DHA and EPA. 

Despite its low omega-3 to DHA/EPA conversion rate, I still love these tiny seeds and I consume it regularly for its superb nutritional profile. You can mix it with plain water, smoothies, oatmeal, etc. Do you know that chia seeds contain more five times more calcium than milk, seven times more vitamin C than oranges, three times more iron than spinach, and twice the potassium content of banana? (source). You can buy chia seeds on iHerb.

Coconut Water

The health benefits of coconuts are endless! Consumed internally, it improves our thyroid function, speeds up metabolism, and slows down the digestion of food, which means you feel more full and thus you snack less. Applied externally, the fatty acids in coconuts moisturize our skin, promotes hair growth, and relieves itches from skin issues such as eczema or growing/stretching bellies in pregnant mothers. Coconut oil is also an ingredient used in many homemade natural skin care products. 

Another part of this amazing fruit is the water. Water from young coconuts is refreshing, naturally sweet, and very rich in minerals, especially potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It is an excellent way to replace electrolytes and hydrate the body on a hot day. In fact, when IV solution was scarce during World World II, coconut water was used as a substitute! One of the components of coconut water is cytokinins, molecules that protect the cells and helps cellular DNA replicate perfectly as they undergo cell division. It also plays a key role in fighting cancer and ensuring longevity.

When coconut water meets chia seeds, it becomes the ultimate natural energy booster! It is rejuvenating, hydrating, and packed with nutrition! Simply add a teaspoon of chia seeds to a glass of coconut water and wait for 15 minutes to let the seeds soften and form a gel.

What is your favorite way to eat chia seeds?

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