Means Motivation Recipes

Wintertime is soup time

Whether you prefer tried and tested classics or your creations, soups leave both body and soul feeling good. For a long time, soups were considered a poor man's meal. For example, many people know that oat soup is a gentle meal for gastrointestinal upset or that ‘week-in-review’ soup is a way to use leftovers. However, soups have experienced a renaissance. Creative inspiration also comes from faraway places, and soups are known to contain many good nutrients. Vitamins and minerals from vegetables remain in the soup when cooked gently.

Soup with parsnips, beetroot and courgettes

Beetroot contains a lot of folic acid. Betaine also makes the beetroot valuable. Healthy ingredients make beetroot somewhat sensitive to heat. It is generally surprising why major distributors usually sell pre-cooked beetroot. In addition to beetroot salad and soup, the sweet-tart root vegetable can be used raw as an appetiser. Like parsnips, beetroot is very filling and suitable for low-carb dishes.

Art from used stamps

Inspired by the special significance of stamps, she continues to create extraordinary works of art. The artist's paintings and objects have enriched numerous exhibitions in Switzerland and Germany, including Freiburg, Gottenheim, Mulhouse, Staufen im Breisgau, Weil am Rhein, Vienna, Bellinzona, Davos, and Locarno.

Ratatouille only in summer?

Domestic cherry tomatoes are still available. Large distributors stock peppers, courgettes, and aubergines almost until December or all year round. In January and February, seasonal vegetables are a good choice. A winter ratatouille, for example, can be cooked with onions, beetroot, black salsify, potatoes, carrots, and tinned tomatoes if necessary. The vegetables should be cooked appropriately. The frowny original ratatouille is well suited to pre-cooking and can be stored in the fridge for several days. The vegetable preparation is suitable for a small pizza, with spelt pasta or as a ‘thick soup’ boiled up with plenty of grated Parmesan (or vegan Parmesan if necessary).

Stay healthy through the winter with cardamom-ginger tea

This spice from the Orient is also a remedy in Ayurvedic and ancient Chinese medicine. Cardamom has an antiviral and antibacterial effect. It also promotes blood circulation and digestion and has a cramp-relieving and diuretic effect. Cardamom is commercially cultivated in India, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Whole seed pods, seeds, and ground cardamom are traded. There is a green and black cardamom. You usually get the green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in this country. Like galangal, ginger, and turmeric, cardamom is a member of the ginger family. The bushy plant can grow metres high in tropical areas. When grown in pots, it can reach a height of about one metre. The seeds are harvested and dried before they fall out of the capsule.

The temperature of bedrooms in Swiss households

Experts recommend a temperature of between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius as the optimum sleeping temperature to support the body's sleep cycle. The body can slightly reduce its core temperature within this temperature range, promoting deep and restful sleep. A temperature that is too high can precipitate restlessness and disrupt the REM sleep cycle, while a temperature that is too low can also be uncomfortable. Furthermore, a more relaxed environment facilitates the release of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Maintaining an optimal room temperature can facilitate improved sleep quality and enhance the ease of falling asleep.

With an eye to depth

The association with the cult figure Dagon could be employed in marketing campaigns for vegan products to emphasise topics such as abundance (overproduction) and sustainable fertility. Labels are a potential avenue for illustrating the interconnection between historical agricultural practices and contemporary plant-based nutrition. Incorporating Dagon mythology can enhance the appeal of vegan products by elucidating the historical importance of plant-based nutrition in ancient cultures.

Inspiring teachings for reflection

The universal scholar Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was an anatomist, architect, builder, sculptor, engineer, painter, mechanic, naturalist, natural philosopher, and illustrator. As his quote about nature suggests, when reading his writings and quotations, you may well frown and bow your head in reverence.

Health starts in the gut

The gut fulfils important tasks as an essential part of the digestive tract. The small intestine, for example, ensures that nutrients are absorbed into the blood. In the large intestine, salts and fluids are removed from the food. In addition to good digestion, good gut function affects overall health. The gut microbiome plays an essential role in this. This complex ecosystem of microorganisms is found in the digestive tract, but mainly in the gut. Numerous bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes live in symbiotic communities.

Autophagy: lifestyle or protection against disease?

The combination of different practices and methods can significantly contribute to the promotion of continuous autophagy and thus to the improvement of general health. However, it is essential to pay attention to your body's signals and, if necessary, to consult an experienced specialist before making any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine. This is for your personal safety and to ensure that any changes to your lifestyle and the corresponding measures are effective.

Mango puree with fresh orange juice and almond slivers

The mango fruit is of great cultural importance in India and is used in various healthcare applications, including haemostasis. The powder of ground mango seeds helps with diarrhoea, rheumatism, worm infestation, and even smallpox. The resin of the mango tree branches is said to be diaphoretic. For angina, the leaves are boiled, and the decoction is used to rinse the mouth and throat. It is also used for asthma, bronchitis, and toothache. In Europe, mango trees are mainly grown in Spain. The red-yellow-skinned fruit can be eaten raw or dried to decorate dishes or made into a delicious puree.

Insights from the life and literary works of the physicist, mathematician and philosopher Heinrich von Kleist have stood the test of time.

Heinrich von Kleist (18 October 1777 - 21 November 1811) wrote tragedies, short stories and comedies. With his nuanced portrayal of the human individual in the conflict between personal moral sentiment and social, moral norms, he is recognised as one of the most important German playwrights of his time. He was regarded as a co-founder of the German novella. ‘Die Familie Schroffenstein’ (1803), “Der Zerbrochene Krug” (1808) and “Das Käthchen von Heilbronn” (1810) were performed during his lifetime. The poet did not receive the attention he deserved until the 20th century. He was ahead of his time.

Supporting the neuronal brain network

Neurotrophic factors are partly responsible for nerve cells' survival, differentiation and degeneration. Researchers have observed changes in the brain about the control of finger motor skills during the learning process, for example, when intensively playing a new instrument such as the violin or piano. The brain's ability to restructure itself accompanies people throughout their lives. As a highly complex organ, the brain is the control centre of memory. Billions of nerve cells communicate with each other. New stimuli are created, for example, during learning, sports, and nutrition. New connections are formed between the nerve cells, which cause the neural network to change. It becomes more extensive and denser. Discover various activities and habits in sports and nutrition to promote neurogenesis.

Dream team ‘coffee and chocolate’

The best-known and most effective ingredient in coffee is caffeine. From a medical point of view, the stimulant caffeine is categorised as a drug. Caffeine can lead to addiction, but not to the same extent as hard drugs, nicotine or alcohol. Both physical performance and concentration can be increased by the stimulating effect of caffeine on the central nervous system.

Summer broad beans and caraway bread with a chickpea and rice flour focaccia.

You can also make these recipes with chickpea and rice flour. Chickpeas are good for you because they contain fibre, carbohydrates and protein. They are also suitable for making sweet pastries. Chickpea and rice flour can also thicken sauces, stews, and soups. You can make bean sauce with a mix of chickpea and rice flour. Adjust the quantity if needed. You will also find the chickpea and rice flour version of the original caraway focaccia recipe here. Prepare summer bush beans according to a tried-and-tested recipe. Soak beans in vinegar, rinse, remove tips and boil in sea salt until soft. Drain and leave to drain. Do not eat raw green beans, as they contain a toxin that is broken down by cooking. Do not use the drained water.

Lion’s Mane, Alpha GPC, and NR powder

It is important to note that while these substances have shown promising results in some studies, individual results may vary. You should also consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure safety and effectiveness. Incorporating evidence-based supplements and nutrient-dense foods into our diets is essential to a healthy lifestyle. However, it's crucial to approach them with a critical and informed mindset.

Edamame in a parsley and coconut sauce with ginger

Edamame beans are an excellent source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which positively affect cholesterol levels. There are almost half as many unsaturated fatty acids as saturated ones, with just under seven grams of fat per hundred grams. A high-quality energy source, with just over 160 kilocalories per hundred grams, it is moderately high in calories. However, it is quickly filling and an exceptional energy source thanks to the ideal combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. They also contain valuable amino acids, fibre, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Resveratrol and its Potential Health Benefits: A Comprehensive Review

Resveratrol, a natural compound found in certain plants, has gained considerable attention for its potential health benefits, including the ability to extend lifespan. This article aims to review the existing scientific literature on resveratrol, highlighting relevant findings, researchers, and studies in the field.

Are phytoestrogens harmful to the hormone balance?

Studies have shown that soya protein consumption has no significant effect on testosterone levels in men. This is because soya protein is rich in phytoestrogens. A 2010 study definitively concluded that consuming 20 grams of soya protein daily for 57 days did not affect testosterone levels in men (Hamilton-Reeves et al., 2010). Other studies investigating the influence of soya products on hormone levels in men also found similar results (Messina, 2010).