Sunflower Seeds- Wholesome Snacking

Everyone loves snacks. We adore them for their pure saltiness, worship them for their handiness and love them for their crunch. Unfortunately most snacks are too unhealthy for us. That's where sunflower seeds comes in. They are a healthy alternative to chips and provide more energy too. Another plus is that they're just plain fun to munch on.

The hippies weren't the first to discover the joys of the sunflower seeds. Native Americans used them far more often than they did , squash corn and beans. Women from various tribes throughout North America either made them into cakes, mixed them with animal fat or ground them into a thickener for drinks and soups. Warriors took these seed based foods into battle or on hunting expeditions with them for sustenance. Sunflower seeds fell out of favor with the incoming Western European immigrants who preferred raising corn , wheat and barley. However the Russians feel in love with them, thanks to Peter The Great. He saw the pretty flowers in Holland brought them back to Russia and introduced his court to the tasty seeds.

It wa only in the 1970s that sunflower seeds became part of the American diet. Scientists had better methods of analyzing their properties and found them to be extremely high in Vitamin E. This not only helps the skin maintain its' elasticity but also helps in preventing cardiovascular disease. Sunflower seeds also contain a large dose of magnesium,helpful in preventing strokes and high blood pressure. Seeds eaten on a regular basis will also lessen migraines and asthma.
Sunflowers seeds are also versatile. You can used them as a topping for breads and rolls too or scattered in salads. You can even use them in a brittle too or just plain
If you want healthy and fun snacking look no further than sunflower seeds. They're not only tasty but good for you. Nosh on them when you want something salty and crunchy. They're the better choice.

Russian Cuisine Practical And Exotic

Russian food isn't everyone's go to cuisine. In fact if you re not of that ancestry you probabyl knwo very litle about it, except maybe for blinis and borscht soup. However it's much more than that. This ancient and varied land has a table that is both unique and earthy ,practical yet amazingly exotic. Try Russian food and you're hooked.

The food evolved through the land but also through foreign influences. Like the French court, the Russian court was swayedby the ruling families likes . Austrian and French cooking first made their way to the royal tables and then filtered down to the masses. The most famous hybrids of the Franco Russian regimes are Beef Stroganoff, beef chunks in a creamy gravy and Chicken Kiev which is herb butter stuffed chicken breasts that are breaded and fried. Most dishes rely on harvests, Sturdy plants such as rye and barley provided flours for pancakes and bread. Cabbages and rutebegas were the vegetables for meals. Various fish and meats , such as jellied veal figure prominently in the cuisine as well.

Russian desserts ar e not as varied as other countries' sweets. Peter the Great, the 18th century czar, was fascinated by all things ,Dutch . German, French and Swedish. However there are a few dishes that are strictly true to the area. Tthere are blini, barley pancakes, filled with caviar and mushrooms/ However they can also be filled with cream and dried fruit. Baked desserts are also very popular and are stuffed with a sweet cheese and raisin filling. These are called vareniki and can also be eaten for a light supper.

Russian cuisine is an exotic blend of the foreign and the domestic. It combines native ingredients with foreign spins. All in all it is a different but interesting variety of dishes , both sweet and savory.