MSG is not my friend.

And, it may not be yours either! Until I regain full use of my right hand, I thought I would just share different articles that I have come across that have some useful information.

MSG Hidden SourcesKombu, a seaweed, was first used in Japan as a flavor enhancer. A Japanese doctor isolated the main ingredient -- MSG, or monosodium glutamate -- and started what has become a million-dollar industry.

MSG is now the most widely used flavor enhancer in the world. MSG and MSG-containing substances are used in processed food, in fast foods, and in Chinese food. They're also found in nearly all canned and frozen foods.

While some people can use MSG with no adverse effects, many others have severe reactions to it, some of them life-threatening. MSG has been linked to asthma, headaches, and heart irregularities. Behavioral and physical problems of children, such as incontinence and seizures, as well as attention deficit disorder (ADD), have been diagnosed and successfully treated as MSG disorders.

Those wishing to eliminate MSG from their diets are faced with an almost impossible task. Food preparers are often unaware that they're even using MSG. Labels can be misleading. A label that says "No MSG added" doesn't necessarily mean that the food is free of MSG, it simply means that the manufacturer didn't put in additional MSG. MSG goes under many aliases, one of the most common being "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," an additive used to increase the protein content of a wide variety of foods.

Manufacturers also hide MSG as part of "natural flavorings," because it is a natural product. But being natural is not the same as being harmless.

Below is a partial list of the most common names for disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins aspartate and L-cysteine are frequently added to foods and, according to FDA rules, require no labeling at all.

Additives that always contain MSG
Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

Terms that frequently indicate hidden MSG additives
Malt extract
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavoring
Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices

Additives that may contain MSG or excitotoxinsCarrageenan
Enzymes
Soy Protein Concentrate
Soy Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Concentrate
Protease enzymes of various sources can release excitotoxin amino acids from food proteins.


Reference
For more information, see:
Blaylock, Russell L., M.D. Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills, Health Press, Santa Fe, NM 87504, 1994.
Schwartz, George R., M.D. and Schwartz, Kathleen A. In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex, Health Press, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

Pomegranates

Deuteronomy 8:8 "A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey"

Pomegranates are mentioned many, many times in the Bible. I won't go into all the scriptures here, but I will say that the pomegranate is one of the best jewels that God has given us. About 3-4 years ago I started drinking pure Pomegranate juice. I loved it! I loved it more than my pocket book did, it is fairly expensive. This summer on Food Network Alton Brown had a special on Pomegranates. He showed how to seed them, make your own juice, how to cook with them, etc. I was so excited to go and see my first pomegranate and then realized they were not in season and wouldn't be until the Fall. I could not wait until they were in season again!

We were at the store and my son pointed them out and I was very excited. Never having bought a pomegranate before to seed (only because I didn't know how) I realized that I didn't even know which ones to look for. I picked a couple that seemed "ok" and home we went. Most people shy away from seeding pomegranates, because they are either afraid, don't want to make a mess or think it is way to much effort to get those seeds out. I followed Alton's method for getting the seeds out and it was super easy!

De-Seeding a Pomegranate

I took a few paper towels and placed the pomegranate on it and then cut it in half. You will have juice come out, but that's alright, just make sure you wipe it up so it won't stain. I then took a fairly large bowl and filled it with halfway with water. Then I took a wooden spoon and hit the back of the pomegranate while holding it over the water. Soon, seeds started falling into the water, the harder you hit the more seeds fall. Basically that is it. You do this until all of the seeds are out from both sides. My hands were never stained in the removal of the seeds. In the water the seeds and the membrane will automatically separate. Strain the seeds and place them in an airtight container. If you have never eaten the seeds when you first bite into one you will get a burst of sweet juice and then the center where the actual seed is will be a little crunchy. Eat this, don't spit it out! This is where all of the fiber is!

Storing pomegranates and seeds.

Since pomegranates are only available from Sept-Dec, or even Oct-Nov depending on where you live you will want to make sure you stock up and enjoy them as long as you can. You can store whole pomegranates in a cool, dark place for about a month. You can store a whole pomegranate in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Once you have taken the seeds out the seeds will only keep in the refrigerator for 3 days, but they can be frozen for up to a year! Just make sure they are dried off before you freeze them. I have bought pomegranates at two different stores, Kroger and Earth Fare and each place had them for $2.50 each.

So, what is the craze about pomegranates?

Well, they taste great for one! Researchers have reported that they are extremely high in anti-oxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. Pomegranate juice can also keep blood platelets from clumping together to form unwanted blood clots. The juice can improve the amount of oxygen that gets to the heart. There have been some studies that have shown that they can help reduce the risk of some cancers and shrink certain tumors. They are also considered to have anti-inflammatory benefits helping people with things like arthritis. I literally could go on and on about the health benefits associated with one of God's treasures that He gave us. Pomegranates are also high in potassium, high in fiber and they contain vitamin C and niacin.

There are also many recipes out there using the juice and/or seeds of the pomegranate. Happy searching!!