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3.2. Making gels: Carrageenan Carrageenan has been used in food as far back as the 15th century for thickening dairy products. Commercial mass production of carrageenan gums became feasible after World War II, and now it shows up in everything from cream cheese to dog food, where it acts as a thickener. Modernist cuisine dishes … Read more

When to See your Doctor No matter what your baby’s age or your level of experience, you should learn which symptoms demand a call to your baby’s doctor—or, in some cases, emergency services. Always call your doctor if your baby: Has a stiff neck Persistently vomits Is vomiting or has diarrhea longer than six hours … Read more

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops It’s cool to see bacon-wrapped scallops where the bacon just sticks to the scallop. It’s also a good example of how to work with transglutaminase. In a small bowl, mix roughly 2 parts water to 1 part transglutaminase to create a slurry. On a small plate that will fit in your fridge, lay … Read more

Mushrooms with wilted spinach Makes 2 servings Xinalani’s chef serves juicy roasted mushrooms and wilted and wilted spinach over coarsely mash potatoes for a satisfying entrée with a variety of flavors and textures. You can also it with quinoa. 2 Tablespoons olive oil 21/2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 Portobello mushroom caps (31/2 to 4 inches … Read more

Beetroot fritters Makes: 12 small fritters Per fritter; 51 calories; 0.9g protein; 2.8g fat (of which o.4g saturated fat); 5.5g carbs (of which 2g sugar); 0.8g fibre trace of salt. 1 dsp cumin seeds 4 large raw beetroots, peeled and grated 4 tbsp flour, plus extra for shaping fritters 2 garlic cloves 3 tablespoons olive … Read more

7. Meat Glue: Transglutaminase One of the more unexpected food additives is transglutaminase, a protein that has the ability to bond glutamine with compounds such as lysine, both of which are present in animal tissue. In plain English, transglutaminase is “glue” for proteins. Transglutaminase isn’t used to change the texture of foods or to modify … Read more

Seek contrast Retreat-center chefs know that one of the keys to making healthful food appealing is to include a variety of colors and textures in each dish. “That old saying ‘We eat first with our eyes’ applies to everything I prepare,” says Roa. “The bold use of color is very appetizing and so easy [to … Read more

Postpartum Depression (PPD) PPD affects about 10 percent of all new moms. The symptoms differ from woman to woman, and it’s normal to experience at least some of these after birth. It’s important, however, to look out for the following symptoms—be honest with yourself about how you are feeling, and talk to your doctor if … Read more

On retreat, food is fresh, simple, and surprisingly sumptuous. Why not try it at home? People go on a retreat to open to something new in both body and mind,” says Hugo Roberto Gutierrez Marron, the chef at Haramara, a yoga retreat center near Sayulita, Mexico, known for its fresh, inventive natural cuisine. “The food … Read more

Choosing a Pediatrician If this is your first baby, you will need to find a pediatrician to care for her throughout her childhood. There are many fantastic, experienced doctors around, but you’ll need to do some homework to ensure that you find someone who shares your approach to health and well-being. Ideally, you should begin … Read more

More and more parents are incorporating organic foods into their family’s diet. Here are the top reasons why: Safer for little bodies Organic food is especially good for babies, whose developing digestive tracts and kidneys are more vulnerable than adults when exposed to pesticides. Research shows an organic diet can drastically reduce pesticide content in … Read more

6. Anti-Sugar: Lactisole This one is unusual. Unlike the modern additives covered so far, which have essentially focused on either trapping liquids in a gel structure or changing the physical state of food, “anti-sugar” is an additive used to modify a flavor sensation: it reduces the sensation of sweetness. (And no, mixing sugar and anti-sugar … Read more

How a little do, re, mi may boost baby’s learning skills. Of course, lullabies soothe babies – but research shows that listening to music boosts his memory, attention and even language skills later. A recent study at Brigham Young University showed music even helped the physical development of premature infants. To help your baby get … Read more

6.2.5. Making Foams: Lecithin Foams are another area of play in modernist cuisine. If you ever happen to be served a dish that has a “foam” component—say, cod served on a bed of rice with a “carrot” foam or uni (sea urchin) in a shell with green apple foam, it was probably created by adding … Read more

We all hear about “going green,” but it’s hard to know what we can do to truly make a difference – not to mention the cost and time commitment. To help, we’re put together an easy plan: make one (really!) simple change each day for a week, and you’ll be on your way to a … Read more

There is nothing like late pregnancy to inspire all sorts of new feelings, including the mysterious “nesting” instinct, which can be alien to women who have previously shown no interest in housework. But go with it! Not only will your home be ship-shape by the time you have your baby in your arms, but you’re … Read more

2. Colloids One of the more common uses of industrial chemicals in food is to form colloids. A colloid is any mixture of two substances—gas, liquid, or solid—where one is uniformly dispersed in the other, but they are not actually dissolved together. That is, the two compounds in the mixture don’t form chemical bonds, but … Read more

Your Baby’s Nursery This is where the fun starts! Although the expense of furnishing a nursery can be daunting, most parents enjoy the process of decorating. There are plenty of ways to get the baby equipment you need on a budget, and also lots of things to bear in mind to ensure that the décor … Read more

Over the past century, the food industry has developed or repurposed a number of chemicals to address the issues of scaling created when producing food in large quantities. Preventing illness, maintaining freshness, controlling costs, and meeting changing consumer demands have all presented challenges. Producing larger quantities of food increases the time between harvest and consumption, … Read more

Transporting your Baby There are literally hundreds of products on the market for getting your baby from A to B, and some of them are extortionately expensive. Try to remember that almost everything your baby needs for getting around will need to be replaced in a few short months, as he outgrows them. So go … Read more