Cooking Tips

People who cooked at home 5 times a week were nearly 50%more likely to be alive after 10 years than those who steered clear from the kitchen. The benefits aren't just from eating healthier but also from grocery shopping, following the recipe, and preparing food, which help your brain develop new connections. Swap out one night of take-out for an easy-to-go recipe, then gradually add more recipes/meals to your repertoire over time.

Many instances of food-borne illness are due to improper food handling at home. About 60% of people aren't diligent about cleaning their hands before preparing food, even though this could eliminate nearly half of all cases of food poisoning as well as other bad things that can happen if you don't wash your hands.

Your body needs a night-time break from eating to repair metabolic functions. Skipping this fast can cause a rise in inflammation, blood sugar, blood fats, and cell aging. Putting a mental "closed" sign on your kitchen after dinner, ideally around 7pm, is one of the best ways to improve your eating habits in just one day!

Uncooked rice can contain a bacteria called "Bacillus cereus", which can sometimes survive the cooking process. If rice is not kept at 140 degrees when it is left out for two hours or longer, any remaining bacteria can multiply and make you sick if you eat that rice.

Some pregnant women may have the urge to eat raw, uncooked rice, a craving to be avoided. The side effects of eating uncooked rice during pregnancy include severe stomach pain and irreversible harm to the baby.

Some cases, linked to eating imported raspberries from Chile and Guatemala, have been caused by a germ called "Cyclospora", which causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and cramps.