Food and Health Room

[Papillon2017]

Milk and coffee at morning, wine and cheese at dinner, that's my French diet

[Anthea]

Diabetes on Rise in Sulaymaniyah

The number of people getting diabetes is increasing in the city of Sulaymaniyah, according to local health officials

During the past two months, nearly 4,000 people have visited the diabetes center in Sulaymaniyah city, including 21 patients from southern and central Iraqi provinces.

According to figures provided by Sulaymaniyah Health Department, of the people who visited city hospitals for diabetes in September, at least 614 were males and 918 were females.

Of this number, 331 patients were above 65 years of age, 915 patients were 45 to 64 years of age, 271 were 20 to 44, and 15 patients were below 20 years of age, the figures show.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/826090

[Anthea]

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Air fryers use fans to efficiently blow hot air around a small cooking chamber. This results in extra crispy, golden-brown food that tastes like it’s fried (kinda?), without excess oil or cooking time. But just because you can use less oil with an air fryer doesn’t mean your unit won’t get greasy

The fan of an air fryer operates at such high speed, that it can whip fat (like oil) and crumbs around, coating the cooking chamber with a thin layer of grease or causing errant bits of food to get stuck in the grates of the basket and the heating unit. Cleaning an air fryer is actually pretty easy, provided you do it regularly.

But whether you’re looking for a how-to on maintaining your air fryer or giving it a thorough deep clean, the process is simple, and you don’t need any special equipment or harsh cleaning products. We spoke with Jamie Yonash, an air frying expert and the author of two air fryer cookbooks, to learn the best practices, don’ts, and SOS methods for cleaning even the greasiest air fryer.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

There are three portions to clean on an air fryer: the basket, exterior (including knobs and buttons), and interior (including the heating unit).

The grimiest part of your air fryer is undoubtedly the fry basket. Because that’s where the food sits during the cooking process, it will accumulate the biggest mess. The good news is that the basket is removable and safe to submerge in soapy water. It should be scrubbed clean after every use, and you can do this whenever you wash the rest of your dishes after a meal.

Yonash uses two essential products for this: Dawn Original Dish Soap (“It really breaks down grease,” she says) and Scotch-Brite non-scratch scrubbers. Serious Eats staffers like both those products, too. Some air fry baskets are marketed as being dishwasher-safe, although it’s best to wash them by hand to minimize scratching or warping. It’s worth noting, too, that many air fryer baskets are nonstick. As with nonstick pans, the coating will wear off much faster if cleaned in the dishwasher.

To clean the exterior and interior of your air fryer, unplug the unit and let it cool. Wipe the exterior clean with a warm, damp sponge or cloth, then run it around the cooking chamber. If grease or bits of food have gotten stuck in the heating unit, use a non-abrasive bristled cleaning brush to gently scrape them out. This step takes just an extra minute or so but is important. If food or oil accumulates on the heating unit, the air fryer will emit bad odors and may smoke when in use.

How to Deep Clean an Air Fryer

If your air fryer basket is super gunked up, whether due to a particularly messy cooking session or too many uses without cleaning, you can let it soak overnight. Fill your sink or a dish tub with hot, soapy water deep enough to cover the basket, and let the suds do their work. Never submerge the actual unit in water. And on all surfaces, avoid abrasive scrubbers, like steel wool, as they can damage the metal. Most bristled brushes are safe to use and will do a better job at dislodging baked-on bits than basic sponges.

Avoid using chemical cleaning products, even “non-toxic” or natural ones, and even on the exterior of the unit. In general, a few vigorous wipe-downs with a warm sponge or cloth will be enough to scrub the cooking chamber and heating unit clean. For stubborn grease, you can do this when the unit is still slightly warm, although it should be unplugged, and you’ll want to take care that the heating unit is not so hot that it’s dangerous to touch.

If you suspect the fan needs to be thoroughly cleaned (it’s rare that it will, as the high temperatures and rapid blade speed don’t allow for much accumulation), it’s best to outsource that to an appliance repair expert, who can safely take apart the unit and reassemble it. For most situations, though, it’s sufficient to unplug the machine and use a rag to wipe the blades down. If the fan is situated behind the heating coils, you can maneuver around them by holding the rag with a pair of slim tongs.

The key to avoiding a deep cleaning headache lies in prevention. Again, we can’t stress enough how important it is to do basic maintenance after every use. But you can also employ a few tricks to keep cooking messes to a minimum. Spray the fry basket lightly with oil before adding food to minimize sticking. You can also line the basket with parchment paper before adding food. Just be sure to use parchment made specifically for air fryer use. It’s sized to fit most air fryer baskets and is perforated, so air can adequately flow around the food.

How to Clean an Air Fryer Toaster Oven

As with a standalone air fryer, air fryer toaster ovens should be cleaned after every use. You’ll want to wash the basket in warm, soapy water, as well as any racks or trays that sit underneath the basket. (Some air fryers have standalone baskets that can slide into the side grooves. Other models have handle-less baskets that must be placed on a rack.) Unlike standalone air fryers, air fryer toaster ovens have crumb trays—like regular toaster ovens—that should be removed and emptied after each use.

To avoid greasy buildup on the display and interface, you’ll want to wipe the windowed door, handle, and control panel clean after each use. Again, be sure to unplug the unit. For the interior walls, use a dish rag or sponge that’s been run through hot, soapy water and then wrung out. Wipe or gently scrub the walls, then rinse the rag or sponge thoroughly, wring it out, and give the interior another wipe-down to get rid of any lingering grease or suds. For the exterior, you can use your favorite brand of glass or window spray and a clean, lint-free towel.

How often should you clean your air fryer?

To keep your air fryer free of gunk and greasy buildup, you should clean it after every use. That includes times when it doesn’t look very dirty or greasy. Yonash says she cleans her fryer basket after each use; while it’s a good idea to wipe down the exterior of the unit (don’t forget the handle) too, you don’t have to clean the interior every time.

Once a week is sufficient if you’re air frying regularly. Wait until the unit is cool, then clean the interior (where the heating unit is located) with a warm cloth or nonabrasive sponge. The caveat here is if a lot of oil has accumulated, or an ingredient spilled: Then you’ll of course need to do an immediate deeper clean.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Yes, it’s safe to put aluminum foil in an air fryer. Lining the fry basket with foil can make cleanup easier; the foil will act as a barrier to the oil or grease, protecting the fry basket. It’s worth mentioning, though, that the perforated baskets are in part what makes air fryers so effective: They allow for 360-degree airflow around the food. Yonash suggests poking holes in the foil. Or, a better option (and her preference) is to use specialty parchment paper, designed for use in air fryers.

How do air fryers work?

As we explained in depth here, air fryers are not true fryers, but more closely related to small convection ovens. Like convection ovens, air fryers work by using a fan to blow hot air all over the cooking chamber, which evenly distributes and circulates the heat; this makes for more efficient, faster cooking.

An air fryer differs from a convection oven in that its chamber is much smaller and more compact, which means it can heat up quickly and stay efficiently hot throughout the cooking process. Add in the perforated cooking basket included in all air fryers (including air fryer toaster ovens), and you’ve got a high-speed, high-heat cooking machine that produces food with a similar texture to authentically fried food.

What’s the best air fryer?

We tested almost two dozen air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens to find the best. Our favorite air fryer is the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer, although we also liked the large-capacity Cosori Air Fryer Oven Combo and the petite Ninja Air Fryer. For air fryer toaster ovens, we recommend the Calphalon Performance Air Fry Convection Oven and Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-clea ... wtab-en-gb

[Anthea]

Kunapeest Kurdish method to preserve cheese

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – As winter quickly approaches, the season is ripe for the harvest of Kurdish cheese from “Kunapeest” caves

Kunapeest caves are used among Kurds across various mountain ranges in the region for preserving dairy products.

A kunapeest's temperature in the summer ranges from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is characterized by a moderate climate ideal for preserving dairy products in the summer.

Kunapeest cheeses tend to vary in their characteristics, including the source of milk, whether it be cow or goat milk, but they generally tend to contain a low moisture content, with a moderate to high amount of salt.

Until mid-autumn and before winter, the cheese must be cared for, pressed, and turned.

One kunapeest owner said that in the past, the cheese was preserved “inside the skins of animals” because plastic containers were not available.

“In the past, the villagers raised livestock and produced a lot of cheese,” the cheesemaker said and noted, “All cheese that comes here is kept in a safe environment and never spoiled.”

As the temperature drops and winter approaches, the environment inside the cave becomes warmer relative to frigid temperatures in the mountains, so “it is a good time to bring out the stored cheese,” he added.

People who have stored their cheese in the kunapeest pay the cave’s owner a fee for storing and caring for it, although in some villages, the cave may be shared among the villagers as a public space.

The traditional process has been observed as far as hundreds of years ago when the preservation method became ingrained in Kurdish culture and cuisine.

Kurdish cheese, especially a variety called "Mayra," is in high demand in domestic markets.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/33 ... ing-cheese

[Anthea]

Halabja 9th pomegranates festival

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Halabja province on Thursday launched the 9th Pomegranates and Autumn Festival, attracting hundreds of local visitors

At least 600 farmers are attending the festival, where they display numerous varieties of Kurdish pomegranates in Halabja.

Local officials, residents, and citizens from other Kurdistan Region provinces attended the inauguration of the annual event. Members of the diplomatic community also attended.

Besides pomegranates, other local products are set to be displayed, including nuts and honey from other Kurdistan areas.

The Kurdistan (KRG) is financially supporting the festival as part of its efforts to promote local produce. The government exported the first batch of pomegranates to the Gulf market last year under the “Hanar” brand, the Kurdish name for pomegranates.

The festival aims to display the Kurdish produce and build a cultural bridge between the attendees, Azad Tofiq, the governor, told Kurdistan 24 on Thursday.

Despite the financial crisis, the KRG did not “disappoint us”, he said, extending his gratitude for the support the government provided.

In August, the government launched a training course for Kurdish farmers.

Dubbed the National Training Program, the courses provide skills in farm management, irrigation, and packaging.

The Kurdistan Region in the summer similarly exported 300 tons of potatoes to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which similarly received Kurdish pomegranates last year, marking the first official export of Kurdish produce to the Gulf region under the government’s supervision as part of a pilot project.

Kurdish pomegranates are on display at the 9th Halabja Pomegranates and Autmn Festival.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/33 ... s-festival

[Anthea]

Continued Support for Cancer Patients

Kurdistan Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday reaffirmed his cabinet's commitment to protecting patient rights, providing continued and needed support for cancer patients in particular

"I reassure my dear fellow citizens of Kurdistan of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) commitment to continuing its support for cancer patients and improving public health services," the Kurdish leader said during remarks he made during a ceremony where he laid the foundation stone for a LINAC radiotherapy center in Duhok city today.

The prime minister also reiterated his cabinet's commitment to "delivering treatment and expanding services to cancer patients outside cities."

He also reached out to local and international aid organizations along with philanthropists to extend their assistance to cancer hospitals and centers in the Kurdistan Region.

Despite facing ongoing financial and economic challenges, this KRG cabinet, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, remains steadfast in its commitment to improving infrastructure networks and upgrading public services in the Region.

This dedication is evident through various initiatives, such as the expansion of public services, the construction of modern residential complexes, the establishment of advanced healthcare and educational facilities, the development of state-of-the-art university campuses, the improvement of road and bridge networks, and the construction of multiple dams, reservoirs, water treatment plants, factories, and other essential infrastructure components across Kurdistan.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/829341

[Anthea]

Autism Centers Across Kurdistan

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in the Kurdistan Region has unveiled a comprehensive plan to establish training centers dedicated to children with autism across all districts

This initiative aims to provide essential care and support for children with autism, who have previously had to rely on private centers for specialized services, a government official told BasNews on Monday.

"There is a significant number of children with autism in the Kurdistan Region who require specialized care and training. Many families face the financial burden of sending their children to private centers,” Arian Ahmad, spokesperson for the Ministry, said, highlighting the urgent need for such facilities.

As part of the Ministry's plan, these training centers will be set up in various districts, starting with locations like Koya, Bazian, and Hajiawa. Notably, children with autism will have free access to these centers, and they will receive training from dedicated autism professionals. Each center's establishment will also lead to the employment of graduates in the field to meet the growing demand.

This development addresses the challenges faced by thousands of children with autism who have previously encountered difficulties accessing educational services. Additionally, the initiative aims to provide crucial assistance to the more than 3,000 people with autism in the Kurdistan Region who have limited access to financial support.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/829355

[Anthea]

Rare surgery saves patient from dialysis

Kurdistan: A rare surgery performed at an Erbil hospital has saved a patient from the need for constant dialysis, with several cancerous tumors removed from the patient's kidney without removing the kidney itself

“It was possible to successfully remove eight cancerous tumors on the patient’s kidneys and adrenal glands without removing their kidney,” Dr. Hiwa Abdulrahman Chomani, a urinary tract specialist, told Rudaw on Wednesday, adding that the size of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 6 centimeters.

Since the patient suffered from Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, a rare disease, a decision was made to keep his kidney and protect it in case any issue were to arise, the doctor said.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare, genetic multi-system disorder in which tumors grow in certain parts of the body, according to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

“We removed the nodules and cysts on the kidney without removing the kidney, thus preventing constant dialysis and the dangerous effects of cancer,” Chomani said.

The patient has been discharged from hospital and his condition is now stable, he added.

According to the urologist, anyone who has a family history of kidney and urinary problems should have an “early check-up” every six months to identify any disorders and make them easier to treat.

The surgery was performed by a team of surgeons in Erbil’s Rizgari Hospital under the supervision of Chomani, by using a different method to remove cancerous tumors of the kidneys and adrenal glands which saved the patient from constant dialysis. The operation lasted about two to three hours.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/08112023

[Anthea]

Hawraman Nut Exhibition

Showcases Flavors and Crafts

The Hawraman nut exhibition kicked off today in Khurmal village, Halabja province. Over 80 booths showcase a variety of products, including walnuts, pomegranates, national foods, and handicrafts.

The exhibition, opened on the road between Khurmal and Ahmadawa villages, is set to run from Thursday to Saturday.

Link to Lots of Photos:

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/829682

[Anthea]

2 million UK households in poverty

unplugging fridges to save money

Four out of five households on universal credit in the UK are going without food, turning off heat, not replacing worn-out clothing, and resorting to “desperate measures”.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity in the UK, around 2 million households have reached a point where they are turning their fridges off to save money amid a “frightening” level of hardship for the first time since May.

The JRF stated that four out of five households on universal credit were going without food, turning off heat, not replacing worn-out clothing, and resorting to “desperate measures”.

Its latest cost of living crisis tracker survey revealed that back in October, around 2.8 million UK low-income households accumulated debt to pay for food, while a third sold belongings for cash, and one in six used community “warm rooms”.

The JRF noted that although the government allocated over £12 billion for the cost of living support, 7.3 million households have still gone without food and other essentials in the last six months.

It is reported that ministers could freeze working-age benefits from next April, which would help procure billions for the Treasury, but leave about 9 million households with a loss of an estimated average of £460.

Balancing the equation

Peter Matejic, chief analyst at the JRF, said, “Millions of families unplugging their fridges and freezers is the latest chapter in a long-running story of hardship. People risk becoming sick from eating spoiled food and going without healthy, fresh food.

This risks lasting harm to the health of millions,” adding: “The picture isn’t getting better for low income families even as inflation starts to come down. Too many are taking out loans to pay for food, selling their belongings and using warm banks to try and get by.”

He noted how “unconscionable” it is “that the government is reportedly considering cutting struggling families’ benefits to fund tax cuts. In the upcoming autumn, statement benefits must be increased in line with inflation, and local housing allowance must be unfrozen to support private renters with their housing costs.”

Charities believe that the fall in inflation still does close to nothing to improve living standards for the poor unless benefits are increased to balance food and energy prices and private sector rents.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said, “The cost of living payments have provided a significant financial boost to millions of households – just one part of the record £94bn support package we have provided to help with the rising cost of bills.”

“This includes a 10.1% rise to benefits earlier this year, and we’re investing £3.5bn to help thousands into jobs – the best way to secure their financial security in the long term... Ultimately, the best way we can help families is to reduce inflation, and we’re sticking to our plan to halve it this year, taking the long-term decisions that will secure the country’s financial future.”

Back in August, it was found that lower-income households and those aged between 45 and 64 years old were found to be more likely to go without heating in winter, which prompted requests for the government to propose a discounted “social energy tariff” for those households.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/Eco ... dges-to-sa

[Papillon2017]

Poverty and inflation are hitting all European countries. Only Russia is OK, lol. Very bright politcs from our politicians.

Now EU wants to include Ukraine, and Moldavia, and perhaps Georgia… and why not Armenia ? Then we will be in charge of all the conflicts in Eastern Europe, great.

EU because of Germany and its pro USA followers is such a mess that I am going to pray for a FREXIT.

Pet's food is so expansive that I am now quite vegetarian. All the meat I buy is for Papillon, that fat boy, which has to lost 1 kg on one year.

[Anthea]

GOSH Papillon must have been really fat to be able to lose 1 kg in a year

I want to join BRICS which appears to be the ONLY group of countries expanding economically

[Anthea]

Support for Kurdistan Farmers

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday called for greater concerted endeavors among traders and investors to invest more in farming and agriculture to reach self-sufficiency in food products

"Agriculture and food security remain a top priority for the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)," the Kurdish leader said during remarks he made while inaugurating a flour plant in Duhok city on Sunday.

We should do our best to achieve self-sufficiency in food products and support products produced by farmers in the Kurdistan Region. Farmers should be reassured that the government will continue to support them in facilitating access to local and foreign markets for their products."

He also reached out to local traders and investors, urging them to invest in the industry, farming, and agriculture sectors in the Kurdistan Region.

The current cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government has a strong focus on boosting key industrial sectors, particularly farming and agriculture, to diversify revenue sources and strengthen the Region's economic foundations.

Additionally, the government has shown commitment to improving infrastructure systems, including the construction of modern storage facilities for farmers, as part of a comprehensive strategy for a resilient and sustainable farming and agriculture industry.

Through various initiatives, such as addressing water scarcity, implementing incentive programs, and facilitating the export of agricultural products like potatoes, pomegranates, rice, and sumac, the government actively contributes to the growth of this essential sector.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/830758

[Anthea]

Olive farming in Iraq at risk

Olive farmers in the town of Bashiqa, Nineveh province, complain that a lack of financial support from the Iraqi government has forced many of them to give up their businesses, sell their lands, or turn them into residential units

Ali Jarjis, a Shabak, living in Bashiqa says he has been involved in the olive business for the past 34 years. He complains that his olive fields can no longer serve as his sole source of income, due to the government's lack of support to the domestic produce.

The olives from Bashiqa are known across Iraq for their superior quality.

"Those farmers who had difficult financial situations gave up working the land," Ali Jarjis told Rudaw’s Mustafa Goran on Tuesday.

"Some of the farmers cut down their trees, turning the fields into residential units or selling them for other purposes."

Jarjis said the government should limit the number of imported olives on the market and provide necessary pesticides against diseases.

"Imported olives have largely affected our market and the government does not support us at all,” he added.

"After our areas were liberated from ISIS, some organizations assisted us in resuming our business. They also have stopped the assistance," he said without naming who had supported them.

Before the Islamic State (ISIS) overran Bashiqa and controlled the region from 2014 to 2017, there were up to a hundred shops selling olives and pickles. There were also three olive oil factories, but they have all disappeared and the farmers now sell their olives in the streets.

There currently are 3,000 farmers in Bashiqa growing olives. They expect they will produce 7,000 tons of olives this year, according to Shakir Yahya, head of the agriculture department in Bashiqa.

More than 5,000 dunams of land have been dedicated to around a million olive trees, according to Yahya.

"The number of olive trees reaches about one million trees, but the lack of assistance from the government and the ministry has caused farmers not to register the number of trees with us," Yahya detailed.

Iraq is ranked ninth among Arab countries and 23rd in the world in olive production.

The harvest season for yellow olives begins in March each year, but the harvest for black olives begins in September. The lack of buyers and factories in this region has led to most farmers selling their products on the streets.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/people-places/19112023

[Anthea]

Russia on Verge of Anti-Cancer Vaccines

On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is close to creating anti-cancer vaccines that could be made available to the public in the near future

"The new discoveries in medicine, methods of prevention, and treatment should be accessible to the people," he said during a meeting of the Future Technologies Forum in Moscow.

Putin stated that research teams should receive fair royalties for the commercialization of scientific solutions and the transfer of intellectual property rights. The volumes of these royalties should be calculated using a uniform methodology.

The Russian president, however, did not provide details on the types of cancer targeted by the vaccines in develoment or how they would work.

Currently, several countries are working on developing cancer vaccines. In 2023, for example, the UK signed an agreement with the German company BioNTech to initiate clinical trials of personalized cancer treatments, which could be available for around 10,000 patients by 2030.

Pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck are also working on developing an experimental cancer vaccine. According to a mid-stage study, their vaccine has shown to halve the likelihood of recurrence or death from melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has authorized six vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for various types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Additionally, there are vaccines against hepatitis B (HBV), which can be a risk factor for liver cancer.

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Rus ... -0007.html