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Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
A.I.
a. Juarez, Mexico has recently developed into a high-crime city full of drug
cartels. However, it was once a city full of life and so much energy. My mother grew
up in Juarez along with twelve other siblings. It was very hard for my grandparents
to support a big family but they managed. My grandmother had to cook huge pots of
food that contained accessible and affordable ingredients such as cactus, onions,
beans, rice, and jalapenos to name a few. These are staple ingredients one can find
in almost all Mexican dishes and a few of them will be utilized in my recipe. Meals
were cooked and accompanied with any random ingredient that was available, and
as it turns out, there can be health benefits that come from these impromptu meals.
It was very common for families to utilize any vegetable or herb with meat, eggs,
beans, or even just cheese to make a meal because money was sparse and they had
to resort to homegrown or affordable foods. A lot of creativity went into many of
these dishes and some of them are still around, reminding us that even though the
basis of their creation was just throwing anything into a pot to have a warm meal,
they are still delicious and nutritious.
b. Mexican culture varies from region to region. The accents are very
different in each state. Some accents are more obvious than others and Mexicans
can generally tell where somebody is from just by hearing their voice. For example,
the people from northern states such as Chihuahua (where Juarez is) and Baja
California tend to have strong voices and a unique vocabulary that consists of
“Spanglish” words, a combination of Spanish and English words. For example, the
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
proper way of saying “car” in Spanish is “automobil” but the Northerners say “carro”
which is clearly derived from the word “car.” Ways of living and speaking are
different in each state and village in Mexico but something common you can find
throughout the entire nation is the delicious and spicy cuisine. Almost all Mexican
dishes incorporate some spice to it, giving the dishes an extra kick.
c. Mexico has many famous dishes including Mole Poblano, Tamales, and
Menudo. Mole Poblano consists of chocolate-chili sauce with sesame seeds served
over chicken. Tamales come in different variations such as pork mixed with a red
chili sauce, chicken or cheese tamales mixed with a green chili sauce, and there is
also pineapple tamales that contain raisins as well. Menudo is a soup that contains
hominy and pieces of meat mixed in with the stew. The actual soup is made from
boiled chili peppers that are later blended with water and salt. Most people add
onions, crushed red pepper, lemon and oregano in their soup.
d. The Mexican community has one of the highest obesity and type II
diabetes rates in the nation. This is a huge concern because a lot of this stems from
the Mexican diet that is high in corn tortillas, rice, and beans and a lack of education.
These can be healthy foods, certainly beans and rice, however the problem arises
when all of these foods are consumed in one meal. Mexican dishes that follow this
staple are high in carbohydrates and many families still cook with lard. If the way
these foods are prepared is changed, they will be healthier foods. Olive oil should
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
replace lard and only one of the three carbohydrates should be used in one meal.
Lastly, the quantity of tortillas consumed daily should be 1-2.
AII.
The dish I have selected to present is a modified version of my
grandmother’s recipe. This was a meal that my mother and her family consumed
frequently and it is a dish that we still eat today in my home. The original recipe
requires for ground beef, but for the sake of this recipe and to make it healthier, I
will replace the ground beef with ground turkey. Another substitute that may be
used is diced chicken.
Ingredients required (prepares for 4 people):
1 Lb of ground turkey
1-2 cup(s) of diced nopales (prickly pear); this can be bought at stores
shaved and diced.
½ cup of diced onions
1-2 cup(s) of diced tomatoes
Diced jalapenos; amount used depends on how well you can tolerate the
spicy factor.
1 ½ cup of uncooked white rice
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
How to prepare:
1. Cook the rice by combining it in a pan with 3 cups of water and 2 tsp of
butter and ½ tsp of salt. Butter and salt are optional and can be added to the
amount desired. Bring to a boil and stir frequently.
2. After boiling, reduce the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Allow to cook for
15-20 minutes
3. To prepare the ground turkey, use a separate pan and add 1-2 tbsp of olive
oil and heat up the pan. When warm enough cook the ground turkey and add
desired amount of salt and pepper. Cook until turkey turns light brown and
then add the nopales, tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. Cook for and extra 3-4
minutes.
4. Combine turkey with rice in the large pan and it is ready to be served.
AIII.
For this recipe, I will focus on the ingredients and functional molecular structures
of: Tomatoes, onions, and rice.
1.Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)
The tomato has many antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. The antioxidant found in
tomatoes, lycopene, has shown effectiveness in preventing prostate cancer, heart
disease, and osteoporosis (Devon). It is high in vitamin C, making it a good food to
boost up a person’s immunity. The dietary fiber is another excellent compound
found in tomato that aids with digestion and weight control. Alpha-tomatine has an
anti-fungal effect that protects tomatoes from insects (Jacob).
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Compounds: steroid alkaloid glycosides: chief alkaloid alpha-tomatine. (PDR)
Lycopene
(About)
Alpha-tomatine
(Chemical
Book)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
2. Onion (Allium cepa): Retrieved from PDR
The use and functionalities of onions have been proven effective by the Commission
E to treat:
Loss of appetite
Arteriosclerosis
Dyspepric complaints
Fevers and colds
Cough/bronchitis
Hypertension
Tendency to infection
Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx
Common cold
Compounds:
Alliins
Fructosans
Flavonoids: quercetin-4’-O-beta-D-glucoside (spiraeoside)
Steroid saponins
Saccharose and other sugars
Quercetin (Spiraeoside) is known to have anti-cancer effects by slowing or stopping
tumor growth and protect cells. This is especially notable in colon cancer (Welter).
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Alliin:
(RD Chemicals)
Spiraeoside:
(Pub Chem)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
3. Rice (Oryza sativa):
Rice is a good source of energy because of its high carbohydrate content. It has been
proven to be effective for pain relief and sedation of the digestive tract. (PDR 706)
Some of its unproven uses include using it “during recovery from disorders of the GI
tract, illnesses of the GI tract and diarrhea” (PDR 706).
It is used in Chinese medicine to treat diabetes, spontaneous perspiration, diarrhea,
and debility (PDR 706).
In Indian medicine, it is used for pneumonia, diarrhea, and diseases of the colon
(PDR 706).
Compounds:
Starch
Proteins
Fatty oil
Polysaccharides, soluble: galactoarabinoxylan
Monosaccharides, oligosaccharides: glucose, fructose, saccharose
Flavonoids: tricine, tricine-7-O-glucoside, tricinine
Steroids: sterols, beta-sistosterol, gamma-sitosterol, campesterol
Diterpenes: momilactone A and B
Trigonelline
Trypsin inhibitors
Lectins
Vitamins of the B group
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Beta-sitosterol:
“Beta sitosterol works in your intestines to reduce your absorption of cholesterol
from food. In addition, although it is chemically similar to cholesterol, only a small
amount of beta sitosterol actually reaches your blood after you consume it. A
number of clinical trials have examined the potential benefits of sitosterol in
lowering cholesterol. In a review of 14 trials with plant sterols, including beta
sitosterol, published in the "Western Journal of Medicine" in 2000, the authors
concluded that adding these compounds to the diet results in a significant reduction
in LDL levels in human subjects. They also concluded that the benefit of the sterols
was highest for adults over 50 and slightly less in younger people.” (Marie)
(Natures Method)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Trigonelline:
(Wild Flower)
“Trigonelline has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, antimigraine,
sedative, memory-improving, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-tumor activities, and
it has been shown to reduce diabetic auditory neuropathy and platelet aggregation.”
(Zhou et al)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
BI.
“Herbal Essence Chicken”
An herbal chicken recipe useful to aid with the flu and UTI’s.
Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in quarters
1 head garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tsp fresh rosemary leaf
1 tsp fresh thyme
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
How to prepare:
1. Cook chicken and garlic in a pan, use olive oil
2. Add herbs, salt, and pepper
3. May squeeze lemon juice for extra tenderness
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
1. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):
Retrieved from PDR:
“Thyme is a bronchial antispasmodic and an expectorant. It has shown antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoan, and antioxidant properties” (846)
Compounds:
Volatile oil: thymol, p-cymene, carvacrol, gamma-terpinine, borneol, linalool
Caffeic acid derivatives: rosmarinic acid
Flavonoids: luteolin, apigenin, naringenin, eriodictyol, cirsilineol, salvigenin,
cirsimaritin, thymonine, thymusine
Triterpenes: ursolic acid, oleanolic acid
Thymol:
(Answers)
Thymol is a powerful antioxidant that helps combat free radicals. It possesses anti-
fungal and antibacterial properties.
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Triterpenes:
(Amsar)
Terpenes stimulate the cilia in lower respiratory tract to help move mucous out of
lungs (Singleton).
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
2. Sage (salvia officinalis)
From PDR p.717:
Sage has antibacterial, fungistatic, virostatic, astringent, secretolytic, and
perspiration-inhibiting effects. Indications and uses approved by Commission E
include: loss of appetite, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, and excessice
perspiration.
It is used externally for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and
throat internaly for dyspeptic symptoms, and as a diaphoteric.
Compounds:
Volatile oil
Caffeic acid derivatives
Diterpenes
Flavonoids
Triterpenes
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
1,8-cineole (Volatile oil)
A potent volatile oil with antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and
expectorant properties. It has been proven to be effective against Staph aureus
(Contursi).
(Pub Chem)
Beta-thujone (Volatile oil)
(Chemical Book)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
3. Parsley (Petroselinium crispum)
Retrieved from PDR pg.630
The Commission E has approved the use of parsley for infections of the urinary
tract and kidney and bladder stones.
Compounds:
Volatile oil
Apiole
Myristicin
1-allyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxybenzole
Furocoumarins
Flavonoids
Vitamins: ascorbic acid
Apiin (flavonoid):
(Chemical Book)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Myristicin:
(Wikipedia)
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
Works Cited
Contursi, Janet. "Home Remedies for Staph Infections." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 29 Mar. 2011. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/253880-home-remedies-for-staph-infections/>.
Devon, Ryan. "Tomato Health Benefits." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 22 May 2011. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/408302-tomato-health-benefits/>.
Jacob, Aglaee. "List of Nightshade Vegetables & Fruits." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 28 Jan. 2011. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/367949-list-of-nightshade-vegetables-fruits/>.
Marie, Joanne. "Beta Sitosterol for Lower Cholesterol." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 22 June 2011. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/499010-beta-sitosterol-for-lower-cholesterol/>.
Singleton, Bonnie. "Chest Congestion & Thyme." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 18 Aug. 2011. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/520281-chest-congestion-thyme/>.
Welter, Sonya. "5 Things You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Onions." LIVESTRONG.COM. Live Strong Foundation, 18 Nov. 2009. Web. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/4697-need-health-benefits-onions/>.
Zhou, J., L. Chan, and S. Zhou. "Trigonelline: A Plant Alkaloid with Therapeutic Potential for Diabetes and Central Nervous System Disease." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22680628>.
Brendler, T., Gruenwald, J., Jaenicke, C. (2007). PDR for herbal medicines. Montvale, NJ: Thomson Healthcare Inc.
Images:http://chemistry.about.com/od/factsstructures/ig/Chemical-Structures---L/Lycopene.htm
http://www.rdchemicals.com/chemicals.php?mode=details&mol_id=7498
http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=5320844
http://www.naturesmethod.com/Products/Provize.php
wildflowerfinder.org.uk/
http://www.answers.com/topic/thymol
Gonzalez, GabrielaCIN:302126856
http://www.amsar.com/PhytoChemicals/oleanolic.htm
http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/image/structurefly.cgi?sid=12031&width=400&height=400
http://www.chemicalbook.com/ProductChemicalPropertiesCB1142613_EN.htm
http://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB4257323.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Myristicin.svg
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