Kokonte and hot pepper

Kokonte is a staple food eaten in many parts of Ghana, Togo and other West African countries. It is primarily made of dried cassava flour.

The method of preparation is similar to that of banku and tuo zaafi. It has a unique brown colour which differentiates it from banku, fufu, akple or tuo zaafi.

Kokonte or konkonte is mostly taken as lunch or dinner and served with groundnut soup, okro stew, light soup, palm nut soup or ground pepper.

Kokonte also known as ‘face the wall’ is sold in local eateries (chop bars) in Ghana and can also be prepared at home.

Ingredients

• Dried cassava flour

• Water

Ingredients for hot pepper

• Three large tomatoes

• Three peppers

• Two large onion

Two tablespoonfuls of salt

Preparation

-Pour two cups of water into a metallic cooking pot

-Place it on the source of heat and boil

-Whiles boiling, fetch some of the hot water and set aside.

-Add two-and-a-half cups of cassava flour to the boiling water in bits

-Stir with the wooden spatula while adding to ensure there are no lumps formation.

-Knead the mixture with the wooden ladle to form a thick and consistent paste.

-Continue kneading till you get the texture you need with no lumps.

-When cooked, use a small bowl to scoop and mould into desired sizes.

-Serve whiles hot with groundnut soup or palm nut soup.

-Store the remaining into a refrigerator or food container.

-Wash tomatoes, pepper and onion under running water.

– Grind pepper and onion and add salt to taste.

-Add tomatoes, when ready and serve with kokonte.

Source: Recipejoint

Dietary management of prostate cancer

Eat balanced diet

In this new chapter, we will be discussing how we can manage prostate cancer with our diet.

Prostate cancer, although rare in men under 40 years, is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in men of all ages. The prostate is a gland below a man’s bladder that wraps around the urethra (the passage that guides urine out of the body).

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

● Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream of urine, or dribbling.

● Frequent urination

● Lower back pain

● Pain with ejaculation

The level of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA), is often high in men with prostate cancer, so doctors check the level of PSA as a way to screen for prostate cancer. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. Notwithstanding, a lot of people present late and little or nothing can be done for them. But be aware that PSA can also be high in other conditions.

In as much as the ultimate management is surgical and/or medical, lifestyle modification and nutrition can go a long way in preventing prostate cancer.

Foods to include

● Fiber rich foods such as; whole foods, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts.

● Lycopene rich foods such as; tomatoes, water melon, sweet pepper, and red grapes.

● Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods such as; salmon, flaxseed, anchovies, and sardines.

● Selenium rich foods such as; mushrooms, shrimps, Brazil nuts, salmon, and oatmeal.

● Vitamin E rich foods such as; spinach, almonds, and asparagus.

● Vitamin C rich foods such as; oranges, tangerines, pineapples, and lemons.

Foods to avoid

● Red meat such as; beef, mutton, and chevon.

● Dairy products such as; milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and custard.

● Highly processed foods such as; sugary drinks, syrups and jams, and candies.

● Saturated fatty foods such as; pastries, deep fried foods, and lard.

● Highly salted foods such as; salted nuts, salted beef, salted fish, and potato chips.

Lifestyle modification

Modifying our lifestyle from a predominantly sedentary lifestyle to incorporating exercises like going for walks, jogging, and riding bicycles, as well as avoiding late-night high-calorie meals, excessive alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking will serve to prolong our healthy life and prevent prostate cancer from being our burden.

In conclusion, our strength and zeal is highest in our youth and we should take full advantage of this by changing our lifestyle now for the better and incorporating a healthy diet that will keep us free from such a diagnosis in our mid and elderly life.

The writer, Bernice Asare Korkor, is the CEO of Holistic Health Consult

“Your diet your health, your health your wealth”

E-mail: holistichealthconsultgh@gmail.com

Nutrition

Abora

Delicious Abora

Abora is one of the delicious snacks of the Ewes. It is made from corn and can be eaten at afternoons and late afternoons. Not every corn can be used to prepare Abora because some take longer periods to get cooked. This is why it is necessary to tell the vendor what you will use the corn for.

Ingredients

● Two cups of corn

● Two tablespoonful of salt

● Three tablespoonful of sugar

Preparation

● Soak the corn overnight

● Wash and cook the corn

● Cook until it is soft and you can

see the inner part of the corn

● Scoop a portion into a bowl

● Add salt and sugar to taste

● Can be eaten with roasted