Tag Archives: Education

Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics, & Enzymes

This entry is part [part not set] of 2 in the series Real Food Education

A healthy diet requires a mixture of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and probiotic bacteria for your body to break down and absorb the nutrients in your food. For these essential elements to be most effective, they should be eaten in their whole natural forms: Whole grains, meat with the fat, whole milk dairy products, etc.

Vitamins:

Any of a group of substances that are essential in small quantities for the normal functioning of metabolism in the body. They cannot usually be created in the body but they occur naturally in certain foods: insufficient supply of any particular vitamin results in a deficiency disease.

 Minerals:

Minerals are chemical elements required by living organisms for normal functioning of metabolism, other than the four elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen which are naturally present in the body. Minerals enter the food chain when they are absorbed by plants, which are then eaten. Plant and animal foods both contain minerals. Bacteria play an essential role in breaking down these minerals to release the nutrients and make minerals available for use at a cellular level in the body.

 Enzymes:

Enzymes are molecules in food that speed up the chemical reactions that break down large molecules of food in the digestive system so that they can be absorbed and used by the body. Enzymes are found in both plant and animal food sources. All enzymes are deactivated at a wet-heat temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit, and a dry-heat temperature of about 150 degrees, so it is important to eat a good amount of raw foods, and to not cook foods at extremely high temperatures.

 Probiotic Bacteria:

Probiotic bacteria are a group of live microorganisms living in the body which improve the intestinal microbial balance, and inhibiting pathogens and toxin producing bacteria. The most common of these microbes are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria; but certain yeasts and bacilli, such as those found in yogurt and kefir are also a part of this group. Heating milk over 110° kills any probiotic bacteria that was in the milk and removes any of the benefits that you may have otherwise received.

Politically Correct Nutrition V.S. Traditional Wisdom

This entry is part [part not set] of 2 in the series Real Food Education

Weird Science: Experimenting with Borax

This entry is part [part not set] of 4 in the series Weird Science

Borax Crystals:

  1. Make a shape with a pipe-cleaner, making sure it can fit in the jar.
  2. Fill jar 3/4 full with boiling water.
  3. Slowly add 4 Tbsp of borax, stirring after each tablespoon. (Add borax until you see it a small amount collecting on the bottom of the jar)
  4. Tie a piece of string to the pipe-cleaner and hang it from a pencil in the jar. Make sure it is completely submerged.
  5. set the jar in a place where it will not be disturbed, such as a window sill, and let it stand for 24 hours. Check progress periodically to see how the crystals are forming.
  6. When it is done, you can hang the crystal in the window and watch it sparkle!

Weird Science: Experimenting with Spinach

This entry is part [part not set] of 4 in the series Weird Science

Extract Spinach DNA

Blend 1 cup water, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 spinach at high speed

Strain and add 2 Tbsp dishsoap. Let stand 10 minutes

add a pinch of meat tenderizer, and add equal volume of rubbing alcohol

pour into a jar and let stand for 3 minutes

After 3 minutes, you will see the DNA separating from the liquid

 

Weird Science: Experimenting With Cornstarch

This entry is part [part not set] of 4 in the series Weird Science

Liquid & Solid at the Same Time:

Mix cornstarch and water

Have fun!

Weird Science: Erupting Volcano

This entry is part [part not set] of 4 in the series Weird Science

Zee has been busy with his science kit. . . here are some of his recent experiments:

Exploding Volcano:

Add 2 Tbsp water and 1 Tbsp of baking soda

Stir until dissolved and add 2 Tbsp of vinegar