The Right Balance

The good, the bad and the ugly

 

Home-cooking has come a long way since the days when your grandma kept a cup of lard next to the stove for baking.

These days there are many varieties of oil available, and each is suited to particular cuisines, flavours and cooking temperatures. Read on for a quick guide to the best and worst cooking oils.



published in Fernwood magazine.

Nine-to-Five Reader Question for the Week

I’m trying to lose weight and I hear about so many different types of diets that I’m unsure what is best. The Grapefruit diet, lemon detox, those slimmer shakes, there’s such a vast array out there. I’m wondering of all the diets out there, which is the best for my body, and what will keep off the weight? I know this is a quick fix, but wouldn’t you say it’s better to use the best out of a bad bunch, right?

Coconut water is making a splash in the beverage market, promoted as the new ‘wonder health drink’ due of its ‘phenomenal hydrating properties’. But is it really all it's cracked up to be?

The Verdict

Coconut water, not to be confused with coconut milk, is often marketed for the nutrients it contains, like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, however these nutrients are in very low amounts.

Also dubbed as ‘nature’s Gatorade” due to its electrolyte and carbohydrate content, as well as a sneaky 630 kilojoules. So unless you're an athlete who exercises longer than 90 minutes, a sports drink and/or coconut water is not the best choice for hydration and certainly not the waistline....The real miracle drink is plain water.

Sorry, I'm still not convinced.

 

Kathleen answers Nine-to-Five's reader question of the week.

Q: How to reduce dark circles under the eyes?

click here