UNIQUE FOOD: BIRD’S NEST

Bird's Nest Soup

As you know, bird’s nest is where the birds live in. Mostly, it is made by twigs, dry grass or mud collected and put on a branch of a tree by the birds. But this particular bird’s nest is not made of those materials . It's the nest of swallow or swiftlet birds (Collocalia Fuciphaga).

The swallows, which can only be found in the tropical coastal areas, usually live in dark caves. They make their nests from strands of their gummy saliva, which hardens when exposed to air. The nests are built by the male swallows during the breeding season over a period of 35 days. The shape is similar to a shallow cup and stuck to the cave wall.

The bird’s nests have been consumed in China as a delicacy for centuries. They are usually cooked into the all-known bird’s nest soup (yan wo). In Chinese tradition the nests are believed to be beneficial for human health. Many classical Chinese books, that highlighted on health food, mentioned that swallow’s nest was imported by the Chinese from the Southeast Asian Region since the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907). This fact was also written by Joseph Needham in his book ‘Science and Civilization in China’, Book 3 Volume 4.

In Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the swallow’s nests are quite a big industry. For example in Indonesia, where the swallow or swiftlet birds are known as “walet”. The swallow’s nests produced in Indonesia are known to be ones with the finest qualities in the world. In the country, most of the bird’s nest merchants have started to raise and breed the birds in house-like structures. Shelters are built to attract wild swallows or swiftlets to build nests inside them. These “house nests” are said to have much lower price compared to the “cave nests”.

There are several kinds of swallow’s nests traded in the international market. They are white nest, yellow nest, and the blood-red nest. However there are rumors of a rare type of swallow’s nest exists in Indonesia which only harvested on the island of Flores. It is said that it has the color of blue. Because of its rarity, this  type of nest is sold in price about five times higher than the white nest which already considered to be the best quality.

Consuming the swallow’s nests is claimed to be very beneficial for humans' health. The nests are claimed rich with protein, calcium, iron, amino acid, and other nutrients. There are about 65% of proteins contained in it. Other substances included are moisture (10%), traces of fat (23.3%), and carbohydrates (0.8%). There are about 6% of amino acids contained in the swallow’s nest also.

Due to the amount of nutrients, consuming the nests has the benefits of stimulating the regeneration of cells, enhancing cell-mediated immunity, increasing the resistance of an individual to X-irradiated damage, strengthening the functionality of heart, and replenishing strength and vital energy. For women, consuming the swallow’s nests is believed to be good for rejuvenating, restoring youthfulness and ensuring the glowing and wrinkle-free complexion.

Unfortunately, the high demand on the nests is risking the existence of the particular species of the birds. Many scientists, have been quite concerned with the rapid disappearing of the swallow or swiftlet birds. They have found the reality in some of the caves where the birds usually nesting. The walls in those caves are completely abandoned. They could only find the rotted bamboo scaffolding left by the harvesters. Unfortunately, this does not stop the harvesters from following the birds to their new homes, so they can take more precious nests to sell in the market.

* Gathered from many sources.

* All pictures belong to their rightful owners. I'm just borrowing them.

MAGGOT CHEESE (CASU MARZU)

Maggot Cheese? Yes, you’ve read it right. Have you heard about it? Or perhaps you might have tried this one unique delicacy. 

Maggot cheese, or in Italy known as “Casu Marzu”, is a kind of cheese popular in a particular region in the country, Sardinia. What makes this particular cheese different from the other kinds of cheese is that it is actually filled with live maggots or insect larvae. The term “Casu Marzu” itself in Sardinian means “rotten cheese”.

Casu Marzu originally made from the Pecorino Sardo cheese. Just like its uncommon appearance, casu marzu also has an unusual, even extreme fermentation process, that reaches the stage of decomposition, done by the larvae. The larvae living in the cheese are the a larvae from a particular kind of cheese fly called Piophila Casei. The flies are intentionally let to lay their eggs in the cheese. The eggs then hatch into transparent white maggots. However, sometimes, instead of waiting for the flies to lay eggs, the maggots or larvae are introduced to the cheese.

During the fermentation process, a piece of Pecorino cheese can be populated by thousands of maggots. As the larvae feed on the cheese, they break down the fats in the cheese by doing an advanced level of digestive fermentation. This process produces a unique texture and flavor to the cheese. The texture becomes very soft, and sometimes even very moist so that liquid weeping out of the cheese. It is said to have a very strong, pungent burning taste. Sardinian people usually consume the cheese with Sardinian bread called Pane Carasau and red wine.

Then, how do they eat it? Well, some of the people usually remove the larvae from the cheese before consuming it. However, there are others who choose to eat it along with the larvae. For those who prefer to eat it with the larvae, a unique eating “etiquette” is used. They usually wear eye gear to protect their eyes. This must be done because the larvae have been known to jump up to 6 inches in the air when disturbed.

There is one thing that people who consume the cheese must pay attention to. They must be sure that the maggots or larvae are still alive. Because if there are dead larvae found in the cheese, it indicates that the cheese has decomposed to a toxic state.

However, the production of Casu Marzu is actually violating the Italian hygiene regulations. The Italian health department apparently has prohibited it. The Casu Marzu is considered to be rather dangerous, because it can cause allergic reactions and risk of intestinal larval infection. There is a possibility that the live larvae can pass through stomach and actually live in the intestines. If this happens, the negative effects will appear, as the larvae attempt to bore through the intestinal walls.

Although Casu Marzu is prohibited, it does not stop the Sardinian people to buy the cheese from a black market. Sardinian people already consider the cheese as high-value food. That is why it is usually only served for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and bachelor parties.

Care to try?

* Gathered from many sources.

* All pictures belong to their rightful owners. I'm just borrowing them.

CEKER (CHICKEN FEET) DELICACIES

Chicken feet are not an uncommon kind of food here in Indonesia. They can be cooked into many kinds of delicacy. However, for most people all over the world, chicken feet are still considered a strange, and rather “icky” food. But do you know that they actually own nutritional values? 

 The chicken feet or we Indonesians know them more as “ceker” is one of popular foods in the country. The chicken feet are usually cooked into many kinds of delicacy. Among many are soup, steamed and deep-fried. Most Indonesians even believe that giving chicken feet to toddlers can strengthen the toddlers’ feet. But mostly they love it because of its delicious taste.

Not only in Indonesia, chicken feet also considered as delicacy in many parts of Asian countries. We take China for example. Chicken feet are usually cooked as dish in dim sum cuisines. They are prepared in various kind, such as plain steamed, fried with a little spicy black bean sauce, and braised.

However, there are some people who do not consume chicken feet. Their reason is based on the hygienist part. They see chicken feet as dirty part, because, well, we must admit it is the feet of animal. So they feel rather disgusted by the idea of eating them. Well, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions.

So, is it really true that chicken feet are quite beneficial for human health? Chicken feet consist of the skin, muscle, bone, and collagen. Collagen is one kind of pliable and yellowish transparent protein of ligament. When affected by heat, collagen will melt into a rather thick glue like liquid. The main composition of chicken feet is the amino acide, which is the basic component of protein. Inside the amino acid, among many, there are glycine-proline, hydroxyproline-arginine-glycine. Chicken feet also contain calcium and several amounts of mineral.

So, with all the nutrients contained inside, we can be quite sure that chicken feet have their own nutritional values, especially for the growth of children. It is because the kind of amino acid; proline and hydroxiproline, and calcium are obviously needed.

Chicken feet are also good for treating osteoporosis.  All this time we only know that to prevent this illness is simply by consuming enough calcium. But calcium can only strengthen the outer side of the bones, not the inner part, which is actually the most crucial thing that will influence the strength of the outer part of the bones, formed by a substance called hydroxyapatite. This substance can be said as the food for the bones. And it comes from the animals’ bones, such as chicken, cow, or goat. So, consuming chicken feet, which naturally contain hydroxyapatite can help maintaining the strength of the bones.

Although now we know how nutritious chicken feet are, it does not mean we depend only on them to gain the nutrients we need for our health. Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy foods and exercising, will improve our condition.

So, perhaps some unique and uncommon foods can be beneficial for us. What do you think?


* Gathered from many sources.
* All pictures belong to their rightful owners. I'm just borrowing them.

SALT & HEALTH

Salt is a chemical compound that has been around human’s life since a long time ago. Without it foods would be tasteless. Moreover, it is believed that the balance amount of salt inside the body influences the metabolism. This shows that salt is quite essential for human body.

A definition of salt from wikipedia stated that it is a dietary mineral essential for animal life, composed primarily of sodium chloride. The two major components of salt, sodium and chloride, are necessary for the survival of all living creatures. Sodium, in particular, helps maintaining the concentration of body fluids at the right levels. Another central role it plays is in transmission of electrical impulses in the nerves, and helps cells to take up nutrients.

Salt that contains a compound called iodine (in Indonesia known as “yodium”) is also important in daily diet. The lack of iodine in the body can trigger the enlargement of thyroid gland (in Indonesian called “gondok”) and an abnormal body growth. The lack of iodine consumption during childhood can influence the body growth and the cause late responses. While in middle-age group, the lack of iodine can cause dry skin, fallen hair, and an abnormal characteristic. For women in pregnant condition, if they do not consume the right amount of iodine, the baby in the womb might experience cretinism condition.

However, consuming salt in an amount that is more than what we supposed to can harm our health. For adults, when the levels of sodium in the body are too high, the body retains too much water and the volume of body fluids increases. Many scientists believed that the condition might cause high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

An adult has the ability to remove salt from the body through the kidneys into the urine. But, it is a different case with babies and small children. Nowadays, we can easily find children consuming huge amount of salt from their daily diets. Quite high amount of salt can be found in snacks, bread, canned foods, instant foods, and other packaged foods, which children love. If they carry on the habit of consuming high amount of salt, all the way up to their adult life, it definitely can affect their health, probably with several conditions we have mentioned before.

So, how much amount salt should one person consume? In United States of America, the amount of salt recommended consumed by an adult is less than 2400 mg a day while in United Kingdom is less than 1600 mg per day.

And what should be done to reduce the consumption of salt to maintain a good health? It is actually quite easy to do this. One example is, we can look at the information about the contents of nutrient on the food by reading the table of nutritional contents, which usually written on the backside of the packaging. With that, we can learn whether the food contains high amount of salt, and choose the right foods that should be consume daily by us and our children.

Moreover, we should consume foods with less content of salt in our diet, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. We all know how good they are for our health. Or in simpler way, we can lessen the amount salt that we put into our cooking. For example, if usually we put in one tea spoon of salt, we can reduce it into half or even a quarter of it.

Some people also choose salt substitutes to lower their consumption of salt or the sodium intake. However in general, they may not be a healthy choice for everyone. Many contain potassium in place of sodium. People with renal disease or kidney problems may have difficulty eliminating excess potassium from their bodies, and high levels can be dangerous.


* Gathered from many sources.

ET Behind The Scene: Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn

A Mother's Day Gift - A Short Story

Where The Road Will Lead Me

I've never been a planner. No, I have not. So, I guess that's why I'm in this position right now. Chasing the goal I've never ever thought before, never dreamed before: becoming a teacher. An English teacher to be exact.

Still fresh in my mind my dreams as a kid. What I wanted to be when I grew up... A doctor, a career woman, a business women. But never have I thought of becoming a teacher. But now, here I am, in my 3rd day of training to be an English teacher in one of the prestigious English course institutions in Indonesia.

Then again, I've never thought of becoming a writer and journalist also. Like what I did in my previous job. But writing happened to be one of my hobbies since I was little. So, there was still the relation there. But a teacher?? Wow, I still can't wrap my mind around it.

It's not like I despised or thought little about profession as teacher. On the contrary, I have always thought that teachers are one of the unsung heroes, one of the noble human beings ever existed. They sacrifice their time and knowledge to be able to give education for other people, especially children. I mean, I wouldn't even be "here" if it wasn't for my English teacher in Junior High, Mrs. Nursinah. That's how I think of teacher.

I've never dreamed of becoming one, maybe because I used to be very very shy. Hell, I still even have stage fright till today. And then, my dad always said to me when I was little that, I wouldn't be able to make a living by becoming a teacher. Because like we all know, the pay was very very minimum.

But here I am. Like I've said before. Learning to be a good teacher. And trust me, when I say, it is not as easy as it looks.

In the last 3 days I've learned that knowing how to teach or what teaching techniques and methods is not enough. We also need to know and understand completely, why we choose the techniques and methods we're going to use in teaching. it is not enough just to know your student by names, but it is also necessary to recognize what they need so they can effectively absorb the lesson we teach them.

And to be able to know how to do those things above, there are theories, A LOT of theories to learn from.

However, I am very grateful that I'm standing here right now. Like I said, I'm not a planner. Never have been, and perhaps never will. But one thing I believe that God knows what's best for me. We can plan whatever, and whenever we like, but in the end God is the One who will decide the best place for us. And I think, God is the One that has lead me to this path. And I intend to make the best of it.

The Right Path Toward Success

* Picture belong to its rightful owner... I'm just borrowing it.

 

THE RED FRUIT OF PAPUA (BUAH MERAH PAPUA)

A few years back, people in Indonesia even in some other parts of the world was confounded with one quite big phenomenon in the world of natural medicine. The phenomenon was the discovery of the Papua Red Fruit’s potential to treat and heal several illnesses, including HIV/ AIDS. Today, we are going to talk about this particular fruit again.

The Red Fruit

The red fruit generally grows in Papua, especially on the mountain area, such as on the areas along mountain side of Jayawijaya. The plant is actually still in the family of pandanus, with the scientific name of Pandanus Conoideus. The tree can grow up to 5 branches, with 15 meters high. The leafs are similar to ribbons, but have small thorns on the edge parts. The roots are hanging in the air with the height of 1 meter from the base trunk. The fruit has a long ellipse form or sometimes a bit square, with 30-120 cm length and 10-25 cm wide. Usually the color is red, brownish red, or sometimes yellow. The skin, however, is similar with the skin of jackfruit.

People in Papua have been, for generations, consuming the red fruit along with the vegetables and several of the tuber group, such as yam and cassava. They consume it to uplift their stamina and energy. Most of them also use the red fruit for medicine, because it has the peculiarity to heal diseases, such as eyes, and skin diseases. Beside that, the red fruit is also served during rituals and traditional ceremonies.

The Benefits

The first research about the benefits of red fruit was conducted by a scientist from Cendrawasih University in Jayapura, Drs. I Made Budi, M.S. As a nutritionist and a lecturer, he carefully observed the custom habits of the traditional society in Wamena, Timika, and the villages around the Jayawijaya mountain area, who consume the red fruit. He found that the local people have bigger muscular figure, and high stamina. The physical wonder of the people is that they rarely get degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Through his research, Drs. I Made Budi, M.S., discovered that in the form of essence the red fruit contains high potential antioxidant as an active substances to prevent many illnesses, anti virus compounds and also complex vitamins and minerals. It contains carotene, beta carotene, tocopherol, and other substances that can increase endurance of a body, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, omega 3, and omega 9.

Beta carotene inside the red fruits functions to treat cancer, overcoming anti stroke, and coroner heart disease. It slows down artery spots blockage, so that blood can flow to the heart and brain smoothly. Tocopherol functions as an anti aging, secondary antioxidant, to increase body immune system, preventing damage caused by free radicals, and has a high content of vitamin E. It is also good to cure cancer, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and reduce bad cholesterol.

Here are several benefits believed could be obtained by consuming the red fruit.

1.     Cure eyes illnesses caused by the lack of vitamin A.

2.     Stimulate the brain function and improve intelligence.

3.     Increase sexual desire for male and fertility.

4.   Cure cancers and tumors, because of the high content of tocopherol and beta carotene. The two substances function as antioxidant, increase the body immune system, and prevent the growth of cancer cells.

5.      Prevent high blood pressure and stroke.

6.      Cure diabetes mellitus, by repairing the work of the pancreas.

7.      Cure and prevent osteoporosis, because of its high content of calcium.

8.    Help healing AIDS. The high level of beta carotene and tocopherol in the red fruit can actually stop the HIV virus from continuing to live.

Other than the benefits mentioned, the red fruit said can also cure the digesting system diseases, hemorrhoids, lungs problem, and more.

The Pros and Contras

To this day, the study and research on the red fruit is yet to be finished. The authentication of the red fruit’s power and benefits has not been done clinically. Even so, there are a lot of people who suffered from several illnesses have felt the benefits of the fruit. Some of them consumed it along with medicine from their doctors, or combined it with other herbal medicine. However, there are others who consumed it solely.

The phenomenon had triggered pros and contra among the people. There are some people who believe it straight away and use it for medication, some conduct research immediately, and some are still hesitated about it. No matter how the controversy has grown, in reality, there are many people who claimed to be cured from their illnesses after consuming the red fruit.

* Gathered from many sources.

* All pictures belong to their rightful owners... I'm just borrowing them.

 

HAKARL OF ICELAND

Hakarl

Here in Indonesia, we might be used to eat processed fish or dried fish, which mostly known as “ikan asin”. However, this unique food we are going to talk about is the perhaps the “extreme” version of the processed fish. It is Hákarl; an Icelandic delicacy, which is basically a rotten shark meat.

The shark meat processed into hákarl is taken from a kind of shark that live in the region, the Greenland sharks or the Basking sharks, whose meat are poisonous. This is possible because the animals do not own urinary tracts, so they have to secrete their urine from their skin. This urinating method has caused high amounts of uric acid become so concentrated in the shark flesh, and eating it, even in only a small amount can cause people poisoned, and vomit blood. So, in order to be able to consume the meat safely, the fermentation process is done.

How is the fermentation process conducted?

First of all, one large shark is gutted, then, the innards, the cartilage, and the head are discarded. After that, a shallow hole is prepared in gravelly sand, preferably down by the sea. Then the beheaded and gutted shark is placed in the hole, and covered with sand, and gravel. To put a pressure in the shark, stones are placed on top of the sand. This can make the fluid from the shark flesh pressed out of the body. Then the shark is left there for a period of times. In summer it usually will be ready in 6-7 weeks, while in winter in 2-3 months. The whole process is called the curing process or the curing period.

Shark Meat Hung to Dried

After the curing period is done, the shark meat is taken out of the hole. Then the flesh is cut into large pieces and hung to dry for 2-4 months in a drying shack. The shack has plenty of holes to let the wind in, but enough shade to prevent the sun from shining directly on the shark meat. The drying process will produce a brown crust on the meat. After all the process, then the hákarl can be cut or sliced in small pieces and ready to be served.

Nowadays, the process of curing can be done in more modern way, which is by putting it into a large plastic container with a drainage hole. Then the shark’s meat is left there to cure just as the traditional method.

Hakarl to Served

 Hákarl is usually served during the Icelandic midwinter festival called Thorrablot, and often served in form of cubes on toothpicks. People there commonly consume it along with “brennivin”, the local Icelandic liquor made from potatoes. The “fans” of this outrageous delicacy described that hákarl has a powerful “cheesy” flavor. As for those who have eaten it and decided not to be the fan of it describe hákarl is the most disgusting food they ever tasted, very similar to solid urine.


* Gathered from many sources.
* All pictures belong to their rightful owners... I'm just borrowing them.
 

Catatan Harian Si Boy - Renyah, Menggelitik Cing!

Poster Film Catatan Harian Si Boy

Berawal dari aku membuka website 21 cineplex beberapa minggu yang lalu. Niat awalnya adalah ingin melihat apakah film hollywood sudah mulai masuk lagi ke bioskop indonesia. Namun kemudian perhatianku tersedot ke satu judul film di sana. Seperti biasanya, di sana ada judul-judul film yang bakal tayang. Di deretan judul-judul film ada satu yang sangat familiar: "Catatan Si Boy".

Cukup kaget juga aku. Loh, setahuku ini adalah judul film remaja yang booming banget di pertengahan 80an. Kok ada lagi? Apa ini sequelnya ataukah remake nya? Pas aku cek lagi ternyata ada satu kata tambahan dalam judul itu yakni "Catatan Harian Si Boy". Makin yakinlah kalau itu adalah sequel film Catatan Si Boy (Caboy) yang sukses di tahun 80an itu.

Awalnya sudah males duluan nontonnya. Karena biasanya sequel film-film yang gagal total, terutama untuk film lokal kita. Jadi aku pun ngga terlalu menggubris lagi.

Beberapa hari setelah itu, saat aku lagi buka twitter & siap-siap update twit, aku baca twitter dari salah seorang yang aku follow account twitternya. Dia adalah Yoris Sebastian. For you who don't know him or never heard about him, you should google him. I insist.

Anyway, pada twitter dia, dan retweet dia, banyak komentar tentang film Caboy yang baru ini. Rupanya malam sebelumnya adalah malam premiernya. Dan almost all the twits were paying compliments and praises for the movie. Wah, makin penasaran kan aku. Akhirnya ku putuskan kalau aku harus menonton film ini.

Catatan Si Boy Original Version

Singkat cerita, setelah beberapa kali gagal, akhirnya hari ini aku berhasil juga nonton Catatan Harian Si Boy. Bareng sama sepupuku, kita berdua tanpa rencana berangkat ke Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) XXI, siang hari bolong.

Ternyata memang benar, it is worth to watch. Temanya ringan, tentang persahabatan. Alur ceritanya juga mengalir begitu saja. Sangat menghibur. Tapi 2 tokoh yang paling menghibur & menyita perhatian adalah karakter Andi & Heri. Teman dari tokoh utama film, Satrio.

Kedua tokoh ini mampu menyajikan bercandaan dan humor menggelitik, yang mampu membuat seluruh isi teater 1 TIM XXI tertawa terbahak-bahak. Semuanya berjalan smooth, tidak dipaksakan.

Muncul juga sedikit istilah-istilah slank dari tahun 80an seperti "cing!" atau "rumpi". Chemistry dari 4 sahabat Satrio, Andi, Heri, & Nina, blending effortlessly.

Aku di sini ngga mau bicara soal akting mereka. Karena aku juga ngga tau apa-apa soal akting. Aku nggak mau sok tau.

But one thing for sure, I really enjoyed the movie, so much that I want to see it again. Kalau diminta menjelaskan bagaiman rasanya nonton film ini, jawabanku adalah renyah dan menggelitik.

Tentang hubungan film ini dengan Caboy yang dulu, hmmmm..... I don't think I'm going to share it here. You should, no you MUST see it AND enjoy it yourselves.


* All pictures belong to their rightful owners... I'm just borrowing them.

GOT (GOAT) MILK?

Milk. We all know how nutritious it is. We already know how nutrients in it, such as calcium, mineral, protein, and vitamins, are very beneficial for our health. These are the facts that we can find in our usually consumed milk, which source is from the cow. But how about the milk comes from another animal, like goat for example?

Nutritious Delicious Milk

Still remember about the controversial issue of the enterobacter sakazakii said to be found in formulated milk for babies? The issue had made many people, especially mothers, filled with concerns. Because of that most of them preferred a solution of exclusive breast-milk. However, for some mothers it can be impossible to do that due to medical reason. If this is the case, then goat milk could be an option.

Cute Baby Drinking Milk

 

Goat milk often recommended as substitute-milk for babies, children, or even adults who are allergic towards cow milk and other kinds of food. These days, goat milk is quite popular although has price much higher than the cow milk’s. It is probably because goat milk does have different characteristics from cow milk and breast milk (ASI). It has higher digesting capability, specific level of acidity, high buffer capacity, and can be used to cure certain illnesses. The result from the survey conducted by United Department of Agriculture said showed that goat milk is highly recommended to treat illnesses such as, TBC, asthma, anemia, hepatitis, muscle cramps and sore ulcer.

THE NUTRITIONS

Goat milk owns complete nutritional compounds and very good for health. The rather-sweet milk can be an alternative for those who cannot consume cow milk or lactose intolerance. It is very low in lactose so it does not cause diarrhea. It also does not contain beta lacto globulin, an allergen compound that often mention as the trigger of allergic reactions such as asthma, respiratory blockage, ear infection, eczema, skin rash, and nuisance in food digestion. However, although goat milk has low risk causing allergies, you should not assume it as a cure to remove allergic reactions.

Milking The Goat

High level of protein compound also contained inside goat milk. This is why goat milk is very beneficial for the growth of body and the establishment of body tissue. It is a non-expensive protein source but high qualified. The protein inside goat milk consists of 22 amino acids including several essential amino acids. The essential amino acids inside the body are crucial compounds in establishing numerous hormonal compounds and body tissue.

Goat milk is also a source of calcium mineral, phosphor, calium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and surely protein. As a calcium source, the goat milk is very good for maintaining the strength and solidness of bones. Calcium inside goat milk also protects the large intestine from the risk of cancer caused by chemical substances that went through it. It also prevents osteoporosis post the menopause stage, migraine, and lower the risk of pre-menstruation syndrome symptom.

A research conducted by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that goat milk has been proven to accelerate fat burning. The research showed that high consumption of natural calcium coming from the goat milk produced fat burning 20 times faster compared to none.

Other than being consumed, goat milk can also be used for skin treatment. Soap that made of the mix of goat milk has the same acidity level with the skin. It has soft effect on the skin and does not trigger irritation. Several studies reported the use of extracted goat milk soap could heal skin diseases, such as psoriasis and as mentioned before eczema.

THE CONTRA OPINION

The lack of interest to consume goat milk, one of many, caused by the assumption that people with high blood pressure should not consume it. However the assumption is completely wrong. The main compound of goat milk, which consists of calium, actually functions to stabilize the blood pressure, organize the working function of heart, and suppress the risk of getting arteriosclerosis.

The statement was confirmed by research done towards more than 40.000 American males who consume goat milk for more than four years. The research concluded that the group who consumed more calium turned out to have much lower risk of having stroke.

Seen from the nutritional compounds shows that goat milk do own quality as good as cow milk, if not better. Obviously, it can be another alternative for us as another source of nutrition, other than cow milk that has been commonly consumed.

hmmm... Nutritious food for nutritious milk

* From different sources.
* All pictures belong to their rightful owners... I'm just borrowing them.