Goji Cranberry Bread Recipe for Bread Machine

Posted on December 14, 2008 by susan

Tired of eating supermarket bread and aiming to eat heathier food, I finally decided to buy a bread machine. The one I got is: Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker (By the way, Amazon is selling it for $99.99, which is $20 off what I paid one month ago). It is very easy to use and comes with a handy little brochure for simple recipes and troubleshooting tips. After 3 trials, I was already making perfect bread: soft & spongy and in picture perfect shape!

As usual, I love to try out all different material in my bread. I add all different kinds of things, as my mood changes: from soy milk, green tea powder, barley powder, craisin, goji, 36 grains mix, green milk tea, oolong tea etc etc. All the goodies that we offered in the store could end up in my bread .

Here is my today’s recipe for Goji bread. It is very simple. 5 minute preparation, 4 hour machine time. Result? Excellent soft & spongy. A kids’ favorite too.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup of warm water
1 1/2 tea spoon of salt
1 1/2 table spoon of brown sugar
2 packets of Organic Young Barley powder ( for extra fiber)
1/4 cup of NingXia Goji Wolfberry
1/4 cup of Ocean Spray Craisin (you can add both up to 3/4 cups, if you wish)
1 table spoon soy milk (or milk powder)

– Add all above ingredients in bread container and shake a little

3 Cups of bread flour
1 tea spoon yeast

Put all into machine, (add yeast in yeast applicator on the cover)

Select: Bread size: M, Crust: Light, Bread Style: Sandwich.

Start the bread machine

In 4 Hours, Your fresh, delicious Goji bread is ready!

Very soft, lightly sweet, with light fresh fragrance from barley powder. Quite delicious!

Wu Wei Zi – an excellent tonic and restorative herb supplement

Posted on December 5, 2008 by ron

Wu Wei Zi, Schisandra Chinensis, in Chinese means “Five Flavor Berry” because you can literally taste all five basic flavors, salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter, at once when consumed. Wu Wei Zi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered as one of the 50 fundamental herbs.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Wu Wei Zi is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, involuntary ejaculation, semen emission, chronic diarrhea, palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, hyperacidity, hepatitis, diabetes, neurasthenia, prostitis, menopause syndrome. When used externally, it can treat irritating and allergic skin conditions. It is considered to be a substitute for ginseng and is said to be a tonic for both the male and the female sex organs.

Wu Wei Zi berry contains lignans, which have noticeable protective action on the liver. In the early 1980s, doctors began to use Wu Wei Zi as a treatment for hepatitis. It has been reported that in a clinical trial the success rate was 76% in treating patients with hepatitis and no side effects were noticed. More medical researches have found that Wu Wei Zi rolongs pentobarbital sleep time, and increases cardiac contractility without affecting blood pressure. Studies also revealed that Wu Wei Zi also has protective effects against adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Wu Wei Zi is recognized as one of the best tonics and restoratives, helping in sharpening concentration, improving memory and increasing alertness, improving physical performance, increasing strength, and reducing fatigue.

Find Wu Wei Zi – Schisandra supplement at piermall.com

Ginger Drink – Fight the Cold

Posted on November 20, 2008 by ron

Besides its use as a cooking spice, ginger has been widely used in Chinese Tradition Medicine for over thousands of years. As recorded in Bencao Gangmu by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty and other ancient Chinese medical books, ginger was used to treat such conditions as, Diarrhea, Hemorrhage, Nausea, Rheumatism, Stomach Ache, Toothaches etc.

Modern researches conducted around the world have concluded that ginger is effective for the treatment of angina, athlete’s foot, amenorrhea, bursitis, cataracts, coughs, colds, chronic fatigue, depression, flu, fever, heart disease, migraines, stroke, tendinitis, dizziness, erectile difficulties, infertility, kidney stones, Raynaud’s disease, sciatica, viral infections, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammations of the joints, motion sickness, colic, cholera, asthma, and headaches. It is found that ginger can block the effects of prostaglandins, the substances that cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, that leads to migraines. It is also discovered that ginger has an effect on blood clots that is similar to that of aspirin.

Ginger tea as a home remedy has been used in China for over 2000 years. According to Chinese Ying-Yang theory, its powerful yang energy is what warms the lungs and stomach. The known ginger tea benefits are summarized below:

- treats flu, colds, boosts the immune system
- relives sore throat, nasal congestion, sinus pain
- improves digestion, reduces stomach cramps
- combats motion sickness and reduces dizziness
- eases early pregnancy vomiting and menstrual cramps
- improves circulation and blood flow
- helps regulate blood sugar
- mood enhancer, stress reliever

Pier Mall carries a variety of Ginger Candy and Drinks. Give them a try:

Chrysanthemun Tea

Posted on November 9, 2008 by ron

Chrysanthemum flowers, called Ju Hua in Chinese, have been used in Chinese Medicine for centuries. Chrysanthemums have proven to be effective in treating allergies, congestion, suppressing hyperactive liver and improving eyesight. The modern medicine science have also proved upon research that chrysanthemum can help to lower blood pressure, remove cancer cells, expand the coronary artery and prevent bacterial contamination.

Chrysanthemum tea is one of China’s most popular Herbal teas. Since it is a common flower as well as a medicinal food, the Chinese has kept the practice of watching and tasting chrysanthemum ever since thousands of years ago. The effect of chrysanthemum tea is also elaborated in the book Bencao Gangmu written by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.). Long-time drinking of the tea can help increase calcium in human body, regulate myocardial function and reduce cholesterol, which is especially good for people at middle or senior ages or for preventing the epidemic conjunctivitis. It’s also good for blurred vision and eye dryness caused by irascibility or excessive use of eye, particularly for those working with computers. Meanwhile, the chrysanthemum tea is rich in aroma and refreshing, which also helps to relax and relieve headache. It is believed that regular drink of Chrysanthemum tea can “lead to energetic body, better vision and hearing, alert brain and longevity”.

Chrysanthemum tea can be served hot or cold. Cold is an ideal drink for hot summer days to quench summer heat and to prevent sunstroke. It is also an excellent thirst quencher. Chrysanthemum tea can help to aid digestion when drunk with or after meals, especially when you had too much greasy fried, baked, or barbequed foods.

How to Enjoy Chrysanthemum Tea

Click here to find Chrysanthemum Tea from PierMall.com

(1) Empty one sacket into a cup. Add boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes or until the water turns into yellowish. Add some rock sugar or honey for sweetness.

(2) Chrysanthemun and Goji Berry Tea

Click here to find High Quality Ning Xia Goji Berry from PierMall.com
To enjoy the health benefits of both Chrysanthemun and Goji Berry, in addition to the step described in step (1), add some Goji berry to the cup and then add boiling water.

Oolong Tea – Drink for your health

Posted on November 2, 2008 by ron

Compared to Green Tea and Black Tea, Oonlong Tea is semi oxidized. Oolongs are easily recognized by the appearance of the leaves which are black thread-like or ball-like when dry, and often tend greenish with reddish edges when infused. The flavor profiles can vary tremendously according to the tea maker’s skills and the growing conditions of the tea bushes. In order to generate a good flavor and aroma, many different production stages are required to produce oolong tea. The most crucial step in the production of oolong tea is fermentation. As oolong tea is only fermented to some extent, it is also called semi-fermented tea. The tea consists of several dozens of kinds of leaves that have different flavors and aromas. In order to enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to oolong tea, Chinese have developed an art of drinking it delicately, called “Gong Fu Cha”, which involves drinking oolong tea by using a tiny teapot and a tiny teacup.

Recent scientific research, published in August of 2003, reveals that oolong tea may carry remarkable slimming and health benefits. Oolong is rich in antioxidants called polyphenol, which is found to be associated with the weight loss. When your body digests food, sugar and fat in the food undergo some chemical processes to form triglycerides in the liver and the small intestine. Triglycerides are then carried in the bloodstream into various other tissues in the body to be used as energy or stored as fat. Excess amounts of triglyceride will be deposited within fat cells. The excess accumulation of triglyceride in the body causes obesity. Polyphenol in oolong tea activates the enzyme that is responsible for dissolving triglyceride. Researches have revealed that the continuous intake of oolong tea contributes to enhancing the function of fat metabolism and to controlling obesity. In a recent study, 102 Chinese women who drank four cups of oolong tea per day (the brew from four 2 g tea bags) lost over a kilogram of body weight during a 6-week period.

Another important constituent in Oolong tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been extensively studied as a potential treatment for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Epidemiological data have suggested that EGCG may provide protective effects against hormone related cancers, namely breast or prostate cancer. EGCG may cause cancer cells to die. It may also work by stopping new blood vessels from forming, therefore cutting off the supply of blood to cancer cells.

How to brew Oolong Teas

Oolong contains a whole spectrum of aromas that make it distinct from green, white or black tea.

Preparing tea properly is a key step in capturing the best flavor and aroma. Oolong tea tastes best when the water is between 85 – 90ºC (185 – 195ºF). Bottled water is better than tap water.

For tea bag, place one tea bag in a cup of hot water and brew for about 2 minutes, or desired strength. Drink it either warm or cold.

For loose tea, use a small teapot, for example, a 7 oz teapot. Pre-warm the teapot with hot water and discard the water. Put desired amount of Oolong tea into the teapot. If you are new to tea, we suggest you start with small amount, say about 1 teaspoon, as too much tea leaves used could increase the bitter taste. Add hot water to the teapot and then immediately pour the water from teapot to cups. The step will bring the tea leaves to brewing temperature and warm up the cups. Fill up the teapot with hot water to brew for about 2 minutes. This first brew is good for you to experience the aroma. The best tea comes from second and third brews. You may continue to brew if it is not too light to drink.

Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) is a well-known Chinese Oolong tea. Its leaves are as black and as rich as iron and it is named after the Buddhist deity Guan Yin. It can be brewed the same way as we mentioned before. When steeping, Ti Kuan Yin tea firstly produces a strong fragrant orchid-like aroma. A sweet aftertaste can quickly rise from the throat. After several infusions, the Ti Kuan Yin’s fragrance still remains. Ti Kuan Yin tea wins the reputation for “steeping lingering fragrance seven times”

PierMall.com carries variety of Oolong tea products. Click Here to check them out.

Goji, WolfBerry, Lycium Barbarum Benefits & Recipes

Posted on October 21, 2008 by susan

Ning-Xia Goji - King of Goji

Nowadays, almost everyone heard about Goji, thanks to the quite successful marketing of “Tibetan Goji” and “Himalayan Goji” products. However, if you ever tried to look for Tibetan or Himalayan Goji in China, you probably would never find it. Most probably, you would see a surprised face and a “what?” You know what? People in China never heard about such thing as an Authentic Tibetan or Himalayan Goji! The hometown of Goji berry is in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of north-central China. The unique, mineral-rich alkaline soil (pH 8.2 to 8.6) and wide temperature range (-16 F to 102 F) have produced the most beautiful goji berries. China Xinhua News Agency reported that Ningxia goji berry is far superior to ordinary Chinese goji berry – in both tonic effects and economic results”.

Ning Xia Goji Berry - Jumbo Size

Goji is also known as Gou qi zi, Goji, wolfberry, lycium fruit, Lycium barbarum; Lycium chinense; Lycium europeaum. Goji berries have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Goji berry , noted in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》) (475 – 221 B.C.), benefits ranging from replenishing vital essences to strengthening and restoring major organs. Bencao Gangmu (本草纲目) written by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) reported that taking in goji berry regularly may regulate the flow of vital energy and strengthen the physique, which can lead to longevity. No long ago, the Chinese national census reported that the number of Ningxia residents living more that 100 years exceeds the national average by an amazing 400%. The people of Ningxia attributed their healthy and longevous life to the daily consumption of Goji.

Ginseng, Lingzhi, and Goji were three cherished tonic for health know by ancient Chinese people. In traditional Chinese medicine practice, Goji has many many Health Benefits.

NingXia Goji - King of Goji

It is believed that Goji can:

* protect the liver
* help eyesight
* improve sexual function and fertility
* strengthen the legs
* boost immune function
* improve circulation
* promote longevity

Where the Best Goji Grow?

Even Goji has been marketed as Tibert/Himalaya grown in western countries these days. If you ask any native Chinese, or even the native people from Tibet, they will probably tell you that the best Goji is from Ning Xia province.

Read some more honest reading about Origin of Goji Berry and health benefit at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry

What Does Goji Looks Like and How it Tastes?

Goji berries have a mild tangy taste that is slightly sweet and sour. Proper dried Goji has a similar shape and chewy texture as raisins, and slightly harder.

The good berry should be very dried.

How to Enjoy Goji Berry?

(1) Home Made Trial Mix

Mix Goji Berry with various dried nuts, chocolate chips, pretzel piece

(2)Bake Goji Cookies/Bread

Use Goji Berry as Raisin or Craisin, add to your daily baking

(3) Make Tea

Add 10~20 goji berry to a cup, add boiling water. The tea will taste tangy with mild sweetness

(4) Make Goji Wine

Soak Goji in Liquor as long as you want, a traditional Chinese way to enjoy Goji benefit

(5)Cook with Goji:

Add Goji to any your vegetable, meat dish, right before the cooking is done. Goji is widely used in soup or stew by Chinese.

(6)Make Goji Fruit Smoothies.

Add some goji into your favorite smoothies.

(7)Let Your imagination go wild!

PierMall.com carries the high quality NingXia Goji Berry fruits. They are very large in size: Over 0.5 Inch. Unlike new electrical dried goji, which are too dry to chew in most of the case. Goji we carry are traditional sun dried: very dry yet still chewy and clean. We offer different value pack size and we also offer wholesale by case (30 lb/case).

Walky Walky Pocky Bits – Newest Member to Glico Pocky Family

Posted on October 14, 2008 by susan

Glico Walky Walky Strawberry Pocky

Pocky has been so popular these days. It is fun to eat and delicious in taste. To keep its fun nature, Glico has been keep pushing out new flavors, and …. new format. Now, I am introducing you to the newest members of the pocky family – walky walky pocky bits

There are three flavors available at the moment:Milk Chocolate, Strawberry and Dark Chocolate.

This new pockies are no longer the sticks, they are about 5 mm long stick pieces. The bit pieces are completely covered with cream, not those soft cream, but smooth, slightly hard cream cover. The flavors are mimicking Glico Pockys three most popular flavors: Milk Chocolate, Strawberry and Men’s pocky (i.e. dark chocolate).

Since the bits are small and covered with cream completely. It is great for those who love the cream part of the pocky. The bits have really more flavors this way. Very similar to those three classic flavors.

Glico - Walky Walky Milk Chocolate Pocky

What else special? It is the box. It is no longer the traditional retangle box, it is in a study cup now, with a easy flip open cover. The idea is that you are walking and have a snack attack, and just flip open the cover and shake some bits into your mouth and then snap close it.

Glico - Walky Walky Dark Chocolate Pocky

So you will have no messy on the hand and better yet, you will control how much you would eat each time (unless you accidentally shake whole cup into your mouth… that would be different story!)
All in all, the idea is pretty cool and the tasty are delicious. Have a try. it is quite unique. Just like other seasonal pocky, these walky walky pocky are also limited editions. So get them when they are around.

PierMall.com carries limited quantities of three different walky walky pocky. Once they are gone, they will be gone.

Noni Dietary Tea – Improve General Health, Loss Weight, Tasty Way!

Posted on October 7, 2008 by susan

Noni Dietary Tea for Weight Loss & Good Health

Pretty Lotus Noni Dietary Slimming Tea has been very popular with our customers. I did some research and summarize the health benefit below.

Noni dietary tea is a natural healthy drink. It is extracted and refined with modern scientific methods and advanced technological process from a fine selection of herbs of Noni Juice, Mulberry, Persimmon, Maiva Verticeliata, Gynostemma Pentaphylla (Jiao Gu Lan)

What is Noni Dietary Tea benefit?

Noni Juice:

a super food used in South Asia for hundreds of years. It is naturally rich in proxeroxine, scopoletin, polysacchardies as well as a host of minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamin

Mulberry Leaf:

Mulberry leaves have long been used in Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of diabetes; they contain compounds thatsuppress high blood sugar levels.

Persimmon Leaf:

a good source of important dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin A & C, and flavonoids, have been widely used as a tea in oriental countries. Several tannins and flavonoids isolated from persimmon leaf were recently found to have anti hypertensive, anti carcinogenic, and anti mutagenic actions

Maiva Verticeliata:

In the books “Jade Remedies: A Chinese Herbal Reference for the West” by Peter Holmes and “New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses” by Deni Brown, Authors state that Malva Verticellata is used, among other things, for excess mucous and gastritis. When use in larger does, Malva Verticellata acts as laxative. Malva is “a soothing diuretic, used for urinary tract infections. It also promotes lactation”. It is a urinary restorative, demulcent laxative, anti-inflammatory, draining diuretic. In traditional Chinese medicine terms, it works on urinary, digestive and hormonal systems, and on the bladder, small intestine, and large intestine channels.

Gynostemma Pentaphylla (Jiao Gu Lan)

Read more about JiaoGuLan Health Benefit under our Jiao Gu Lan Tea blog

Reduce Bad Cholesterol and Increase good Cholesterol, improve Cardiac Function, lower blood pressure.

Enhance body’s immune system, fight with Cancer Cell
Natural Antioxidant Rich Rejuvenating Herbs – Adaptogen
Expel Insomnia, relieve headache, migraine symptom
Over 90% improving rate of Hepatitis B patients.
over 90% improving rate of Chronic Bronchitis patients
Improve Diabetic condition
Reduce the side effect of Steroid based medicine

Our Noni Dietary Tea comes in individually wrapped, plastic packages. Pretty Lotus Noni Dieter’s tea has been become very popular in US among our customers for its delicious taste and easy slimming benefit. Noni Dieter’s tea helps to assist the body in maintaining healthy bowel function and manage body weight
Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Keep out of reach of children.

This great tea is combining the health benefit of:

Noni Juice, Mulberry Leaf, Persimmon JiaoGuLan, for the maximum effect to loss weight, improve general health at the same time!

Give Them a Try!

PierMall.com offer Single Box or 12 Boxes Value Pack. We have a special deal the the manufacturer/Importer. We have the freshest tea available. The current batch we received just arrived and has the best date of 2012.

Award Winning Oolong, Ginseng & Ling Zhi Slimmin Tea

Posted on October 1, 2008 by susan

Pretty Lotus Oolong Dieter's Tea

Although this is not exactly qualified for the highly sought after Wuyi Oolong, I found that it is necessary to mention this high quality dieter’s tea. PierMall has been selling this Oolong Slimming tea for the past 3 years. We like the quality of the tea, and know the importer/manufacturer well and appreciate their effort that they put into Pretty Lotus brand tea.

Pretty Lotus Oolong Slimming Tea is a natural healthy drink. It is extracted and refined with modern scientific methods and advanced technological process from a fine selection of herbs such as Fujin Oolong Tea, Chinese Ginseng (root), Fo-ti (stem), Ling Zhi Reishi (fruiting body), Chuanxiong (rhizome), Bighead Atractyodes (rhizome), Mulberry (bark), Roses hips (fruit).

The Tea comes in individually wrapped, foil packages. Pretty Lotus Oolong Dieter’s tea has been repeated awarded gold medal prizes in the world. It sells world wide, winning warm praises from customers. Oolong Dieter’s tea helps to assist the body in maintaining healthy bowel function and manage body weight

Lotus Ooloing Slimming Tea is the winners of:

* Gold Prize for Outstanding Quality Health Products (1991, 1992, Beijing),
* Award of the Well-received Commodity in Market (Shanghai, 1994),
* Gold Cup Award for the Outstanding Achievement of the First World Traditional Herbs Exhibition (Las Vegas, 1994),
* Gold Medal for the Best Health Product in China (1995),
* Gold Cup in the Exhibition of Traditional Medical & Health Products (New York 1996)

Give them a try to see why our customers keep coming back for this tea.

PierMall.com is carrying Pretty Lotus Extra Strength Oolong Slimming Tea in Single or multiple boxes value pack.

Seaweed Soaps For Body Shaping and Slimming

Posted on September 25, 2008 by susan

Soft Seaweed Slimming Soap

What is Soft Seaweed Soap?

The SOFT seaweed defating soap is honorably produced in accordance with the pioneering prescription of the International Medical & Cosmetic Association,

It is made from seaweed of deep sea and consists of pure natural plants. It is nourish and has string defating effects. When used on highly sensitive skin, it causes no irritation. The soap smells of special fragrance and its rough surface will become smooth and fine right after usage.

What is the Seaweed Soap Benefit?

It is suitable for washing and bathing, and regular use of the product is good for your skin. The soap contains the rare elements of seaweed and has string permeability, it will easily permeate the skin when contacted with the skin. It can clean the dirtiness out of capillary holes. Moreover, it can discharge the under skin fat out of human bodies successively, improve blood circulation, astring the skin and thus make it more delicate.

Given some time, and you will be surprised to find that your body become slender and fit by the use of this product.

Who is the producer?

Honorable produced by The Joint Venture Far East Cosmetic & Health products Co Ltd. Supervised by The State Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Cosmetic Institute of China. An appointed products by Chinese Gymnastics Team