Oysters, They're Simply The Best!

One cannot write anything about oysters without saying,”Some people love ‘em. Some people hate ‘em.” The key to a good oyster is freshness. It should smell of the seashore as the tide recedes over seaweed-covered rocks. It should be full in the shell, firm in texture, and brimming with the natural juice that is its life blood (not just sea water); every spare drop of this should be soaked up with bread. The heel of the oyster, in the deep part of the shell, should be a creamy or ivory colour. The frill should be moist and pulsating, and the oyster should always look bright. Finally, if the shell isn't firmly closed it should do so immediately when tapped.

It is extremely rare to have a "bad" oyster, as fisheries have to purify them in clean water for 48 hours. I have friends who can down several dozen in one session, but they have been eating them for years. Oysters deliver a potent hit of pure protein and minerals, so over-indulgence can be too much for the system, just as too much alcohol can – avoid drinking spirits with them. Oyster flesh has a wondrous texture and, like any piece of meat, should be chewed. This also releases the full flavor, and the juice from the shell completes the experience. (Some insist on swallowing oysters in one; each to their own.)

They can be zipped up with lemon juice, vinegar, seasoning or Tabasco sauce. And, if you're not keen on raw shellfish, they can be lightly grilled, fried or baked in a little sauce. The most amazing Oyster that I had was at Oscar's Conrad Hotel in Singapore last November. I really enjoyed an impressive buffet with a wide range of international and local cuisine, and most importantly my all time favorite, super delicious Oysters! Although you could find Oysters at $1 in Singapore, i'd suggest that when it comes to Oysters you should not go for what is cheap, fact is that Oyster quality plays a fundamental role! I'd rather avoid eating Oysters instead of eating them in a fucked up bar with mediocre hygiene standards.

Here are some benefits of eating oysters:

1. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food. Zinc is necessary for proper growth and development, strengthens the immune system and promotes healing.

2. Oysters are heart healthy. They are high in omega – 3 fatty acids, potassium and magnesium which can help reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and lower blood pressure.

3. Oysters can help you lose weight! They are low in calories, low in fat and a good source of protein which makes you feel fuller after eating.

4. Oysters are a good source of other essential nutrients. These include vitamins A, E, and C, zinc, iron, calcium, selenium, and vitamin B12.

5. Oysters can help improve your energy. They are a good source of iron which helps the body transport oxygen to individual cells giving you more energy.

6. Oysters can help lower your cholesterol. A study done by the University of Washington found that eating oysters can help raise the HDLs (good cholesterol levels) and lower the LDL’s (bad cholesterol levels).
Other interesting tidbits about oysters:

Other interesting aspects of Oysters

1. Oysters taste better in cooler weather. Spawning, which occurs in the warmer months of May, June, July and August, affects the taste. They are not bad, just not as tasty as in the cooler months.

2. Oysters are considered to be an aphrodisiac. American and Italian researchers found that they were rich in amino acids which trigger increased levels of sex hormones. Their high zinc content aids the production of testosterone.

3. Oysters can be safely eaten in non “R” months. The rule of thumb before refrigeration was not to eat oysters in months whose names have no “R”. This would be May through August when the hot weather would not allow for safe storage of the oysters. Thankfully, for all us oyster lovers, refrigeration makes it possible to eat them all year round!

4. Oysters are good for your garden. Oyster shells are high in calcium which helps balance your soil’s pH. Calcium also helps build strong cell walls which leads to healthier plants. BUT – don’t just throw your oyster shells in the garden though, they should be ground – or you could just purchase the ground oyster shell lime at the local garden center.

5. Oysters can contain harmful bacteria. Be sure of your source! Oysters are filter feeders meaning that they concentrate anything present in the surrounding water. In the gulf coast area, there would occasionally be warnings (after heavy rains causing the potential for water contamination), not to eat the bay seafood.

6. Shucking (opening) oysters is a competitive sport. Shucking oyster competitions are held worldwide. There is even a Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship in Galway, Ireland.

7. Eating oysters is environmentally friendly. They are on the Seafood Watch list as a “best choice”. This means that seafood in this category is abundant, well-managed and caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways.

A Year Full of Food Scandals

UK supermarket burgers have been found to contain horse meat, remember ? Well, that is nothing compared to many food scandals that happened around the world this year. Some cases shocking but less hazardous and some others simply too much into crime. It goes from dishonesty in labelling giant tiger prawns to make a "Japanese tiger prawn" terrine, sold under the luxury French brand Fauchon. They're making their products seem more luxurious than in reality and another astonishing case of exploding water melons full of chemicals or rat meat sold as lamb in China early this year. According to a statement made by Ministry of Public Security, If you have ordered lamb or mutton for hotpot in Shanghai over the last four years, you might have been served rat, fox or mink.

For food and drinks companies, rising obesity rates present a conundrum. Companies have a duty to their shareholders to make money. All big food companies are working hard to sell more products to more of the world. Many unhealthy products are very profitable. But companies do not want to be vilified for helping to make people fatter. The spectre of government regulation looms large. Many firms are now conflicted, continuing to hawk unhealthy products yet also touting elaborate plans to improve nutrition. They insist they will help lower obesity rates, not raise them, but there is room for doubt. So make sure once you out there, to select your food brand wisely and spend one minute of your time to read the ingredients labelled on the food product. This year was definitely another year of mistrust in food industry, that seems to be fairly obvious. 

What is Healthy and What is Not

Nutrition is nowadays a pretty controversial topic, what is healthy and what is not? When it comes to food, we have plenty of mediatic choices such as TV, newspapers, online, and other media that pass on a daily dose of brainwashing to its readers to believe that everything is good for us. As long you purchase and consume what they think is good for you, life becomes eternal and we will never die of any heart disease or cancer. Well, if you believe what your daily newspaper claims, then we must be living in Alice in Wonderland!

We are often victims of our own success, I happen to come across people who think they are too fat, too slim and some who think they look ugly and can't get rid of their high heels. If you can't hold on to the horse's mane then don't try to hang on to its tail! 

The key to longevity is certainly not about appearance but nutritional diversity and a balanced state of mind. It's like holding securities in a portfolio, if you invest in one single vehicle.. the chances that markets turn against you are considerably high. But if you diversify, you'll soon notice that diversification is what is needed to progress in life. The same thing goes for food and the way we look at things. The more we worry, the more things tend to happen in the opposite direction.

So, it's necessary to cultivate a philosophical aspect of what we want to have, when, and lastly how we going to get healthy stuff from super supermarket or farmer next door. My great-grandma passed away when she hit 104 years of age by accident and surprisingly not by age. She quit smoking at 98 years of age, and lived a pretty hard life. Left alone with three kids, one of whom passed away early with tuberculosis. Nevertheless, she had very strong willpower and a diet based on pasta, vegetables, beans, tomatoes, and chicken. Occasionally in the early morning hours, she loved to enjoy a good glass of Italian grappa (hard liquor). This is just one out of many examples of people who were going through hell in their lives but yet had long live spans. Then there are other unfortunate ones that always watch out for what they consume, do not smoke, do not drink but yet die at 45 of heart failure or prostate cancer. 

Cancer has touched many of us in some way. Whether we know of or have overcome cancer ourselves, or know someone who has passed away from it, we can all draw some form of intimate connection to the disease. There are plenty of foods that can be healthy or unhealthy, it's all about dosage in life. One example could be the southeast Asian fruit Soursop, a flowering evergreen that is said to kill cancer cells effectively and does not produce the same undesirable side effects. On the other hand, another study suggests that high consumption in Soursop could lead to a form of movement disorder such as Parkinson,'s etc. By the side of sickness, health becomes sweet and most of us remember this fact when it's too late. 

Remember, health is wealth in life and anything else will follow smoothly.. 

Your question is quite broad, and health can refer to various aspects of life, including physical health, mental health, and even the health of systems or objects. Here's a general breakdown of what is considered healthy and what is not in different contexts:

Physical Health:Healthy: A person with good physical health typically has a balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintains a healthy weight. They may also have no chronic illnesses, good cardiovascular health, and strong immune function.

Not Healthy: Poor physical health may involve a lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, being overweight or underweight, suffering from chronic diseases, and having a weakened immune system.

Mental Health: Healthy: Good mental health is characterized by emotional well-being, the ability to cope with stress and life's challenges, positive self-esteem, and healthy relationships.

Not Healthy: Poor mental health may involve conditions like anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses, as well as chronic stress, low self-esteem, and unhealthy or toxic relationships.

Environmental Health: Healthy: A healthy environment is one with clean air and water, sustainable ecosystems, and minimal pollution. It supports the well-being of both humans and other species.

Not Healthy: An unhealthy environment may be polluted, contaminated, or otherwise compromised, leading to negative consequences for ecosystems and human health.

Economic Health: Healthy: A healthy economy is characterized by low unemployment, stable prices, and sustained economic growth. It provides opportunities for people to earn a living and improve their quality of life.

Not Healthy: Economic downturns, high unemployment rates, inflation, and income inequality can indicate an unhealthy economy.

Relationships:Healthy: Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, mutual respect, and support. They foster emotional well-being and personal growth.

Not Healthy: Unhealthy relationships can involve abuse, manipulation, lack of trust, poor communication, and emotional neglect.

Systems and Objects:Healthy: In the context of systems and objects, "healthy" often means functioning as intended without defects or malfunctions.

Not Healthy: "Not healthy" in this context typically refers to systems or objects that are broken, damaged, or not working properly.

It's important to note that what is considered healthy or not can vary depending on the specific context and individual circumstances. Additionally, promoting and maintaining health in various aspects of life often requires ongoing effort and attention to make positive changes and address issues when they arise.