Olives?

[Digital Malang]

I thought Laila and Gul. have more to offer than this silly chat back and forth
clogging up a thread.
Sounds like SHEENKAY's blabbing saying nothing, and flirting with any guys.
Let's keep to the real topic, pahzhalsta.
Look in contrast what Al-Arab has added to this Forum by unique cultural and other info on Iraq.
Whereas you two were trying to seek attention, rather than add constructive comments.
Come on, Gulalai, where are those videos about how it's important to pray
like you used to post ?!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

[Gulalai]

^ what so funny? LOL >.<

I thought Laila and Gul. have more to offer than this silly chat back and forth
clogging up a thread.
Sounds like SHEENKAY's blabbing saying nothing, and flirting with any guys.
Let's keep to the real topic, pahzhalsta.
Look in contrast what Al-Arab has added to this Forum by unique cultural and other info on Iraq.
Whereas you two were trying to seek attention, rather than add constructive comments.
Come on, Gulalai, where are those videos about how it's important to pray
like you used to post ?!

if this sounds rude or if i offend you then i'm sorry, but how does someone with so much faith as you think it's ok to talk about others like that?
how dare you accuse us of flirting keep your opinions to yourself and stop being so hypocritical and judgmental
i was not seeking attention, i was clearly just posting my opinion. this is a public forum & i'm not going to stop posting just because you dont like what i have to say lol

actually i still post videos in the islamtube thread, and when i come across something about prayer i post it in my prayer thread too so i dont know what you're talking about.

[Gulalai]

^ ta kho bas har cha sara sharikega

[Laila]

I thought Laila and Gul. have more to offer than this silly chat back and forth
clogging up a thread.
Sounds like SHEENKAY's blabbing saying nothing, and flirting with any guys.
Let's keep to the real topic, pahzhalsta.
Look in contrast what Al-Arab has added to this Forum by unique cultural and other info on Iraq.
Whereas you two were trying to seek attention, rather than add constructive comments.
Come on, Gulalai, where are those videos about how it's important to pray
like you used to post ?!

Ugh and you are still ranting off..........but it clearly seems that you dont have eyes to see....the original poster, who in fact, started the thread (and not you) asked if you like olives. Read before you speak.

Yeah have a nice day now.

[Gulalai]

lailo preida, shes just being obnoxious. Khudai ye eeni

[~Gangster~]

Loooooooooooool i <3 catya

[Amir al Ghaznavi]

olive oil is good for the soul

[al-arab]

Back to [from the rather useless diversion]

al-Arab's very USEFUL remarks --

No actually it was BEFORE the embargo, and in a strong Sunni
area, like around Ramadi. On the highway in from Amman,
I was having my usual meal of hummus with masses of olive oil
and a guy came over and laughed as though it was not robust enough.
He said with a smile that he and - I guess lots of people - I assumed it
was very frequent -
ate that combination which of course stuck in my mind all these years
because it sounded so repulsive...especially if one is not a meat - eater
or milk - consumer.

I am glad to get this better, bigger picture of Iraqi cuisine, because I really
believed him !!

I like ancient Babil too - so that makes a strong impression if the Babylonians
ate similar spices to zatar. The whole study of those earlier eras
are endlessly fascinating for me.

Thanks for replying.

Dear Catya Sher:

This must have been before the sad events of the First Gulf War.

Ramadi is an very beautiful city and the surrounding area close to the Euphrates river.

Sadly the city has been heavily damaged after the bombings of the evil invadors, much as Fallujah. But the martyrs will never be forgotten and their proud recistance especially and rightiousness.

Unfortunately this area has been ignored by the current puppet and corrupt government.

Insha'Allah the puppet government will be even more isolated when the dictator Bassar Al-Asad's will be removed.

About the food. As you yourself say one mans breakfast cannot represent whole country.

If you like there is plenty material of great Iraqi cuisine. I have posted some in the Iraqi thread of mind but this is only a few of dishes.

Ancient Iraq is really interesting but unfortunately a lot of it is still unknown and due to the current situation in Iraq (which has been at war/conflict/dictatorship for decades now it is difficult to uncover more.

Moreover a lot of it ancient treassures has been stolen and sold to private persons and art collections, countries etc.

But luckily there is still many treassures left but as far as I know the same thing has happened to Afghanistan with its treassure although not in the same scale.

But it is fascinating that you have travelled extensively in Iraq before the First Gulf War (before I was born) as an completely foreginer. This is far from common practice since the 1958 revolution.

[Breshna]

THE OLIVE: A HEALTH-GIVING PLANT
One of the foods to which attention is drawn in the Qur'an is the olive. Research in recent years has revealed that the olive is not just a delicious food but also represents an important source of good health. In addition to the olive itself, olive oil is also an important source of nutrition. Attention is drawn to the oil of the olive tree in these terms in the Qur'an:

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things. (Qur'an, 24:35)

The expression "mubarakatin zaytoonatin" in the above verse describes the olive as being "plentiful, sacred, auspicious, providing countless blessings." Olive oil, referred to in the term "zaytuha," is known as one of the most highly recommended types of oil by all experts, especially for coronary and arterial health. Its health benefits may be summarised as follows:
Benefits for Coronary and Arterial Health:
Most of the fatty acids in olives and olive oil are mono-unsaturated. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids do not contain cholesterol. Therefore, olive oil does not raise cholesterol levels but instead keeps them under control. Olive oil also contains omega-6 linoleic acid (EFA: essential fatty acid), which is essential for the human body. Due to this feature, health-related bodies (such as The World Health Organization) recommend that at least 30% of the fatty acid consumed in societies in which hardened artery and diabetes levels are high should consist of omega-6. This increases the importance of the olive still further.127

And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that
for people who reflect.
(Qur’an, 16:11)

Studies in this area have revealed much lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and higher antioxidant levels in people who consume 25 millilitres (about two dessertspoonfuls) of natural olive oil a day for one week.128 Antioxidants are important as they neutralise the harmful substances in the body known as free radicals and prevent cell damage. It has also been established in a great many studies that the consumption of olive oil reduces cholesterol levels and prevents heart disease.129
Olive oil is also recommended for patients with heart and artery disease since it reduces the level of harmful cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream and raises that of useful cholesterol (HDL).130 In countries with high occurrences of heart and artery diseases, saturated fats with high cholesterol content are generally consumed.
In addition, olive oil does not disrupt the proportion of omega-6 to that of omega-3. It is very important that omega-3 and omega-6 be present in the body at specific levels because any imbalance in these proportions can lead to progression in many diseases, especially those of the heart and immune system and cancer.131 For all these reasons, many people enjoy good health thanks to olive oil. The American Heart Association suggests that in order to reduce the risk of heart disease high mono-unsaturated fats can be an alternative to a 30% reduced fat diet.132
Cancer Prevention
One study, published by The Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that women who consume high levels of mono-unsaturated fat have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.133 Another study by scientists at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York demonstrated that b-sitosterol, a fat found in vegetable oils such as olive oil, helps prevent the formation of prostate cancer cells. The researchers concluded that b-sitosterol strengthens the internal communication system of the cell that issues the command for the cells to divide and that cancer can thus be prevented before cell division reaches an uncontrollable level.
A recent study by doctors at the University of Oxford has shown that olive oil has a protective effect against intestinal cancer. The doctors discovered that olive oil enters into a reaction with stomach acid in order to prevent intestinal cancer from beginning. At the same time, the University of Oxford researchers also established that olive oil reduces the level of bile and raises that of DAO (the enzyme diamine oxidase), thus protecting against abnormal cell growth and cancer.134
Prevention of Arthritis
According to researchers' reports, people who consume large quantities of olive oil and cooked vegetables can have a reduced risk of rheumatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints.
Olive Oil Assists Bone Development
The vitamins E, A, D and K contained in olive oil are particularly important from the point of view of assisting bone development in adults and children, and in strengthening the bones by fixing calcium. It is also recommended for the elderly as it is easily digested and through its minerals, it assists with the use of vitamins in the body. It also prevents calcium loss by stimulating bone mineralisation.135 Bones are the organism's mineral structure storehouses and an absence of mineral accumulation in the bones can lead to serious complications such as bone softening. Olive oil has a most beneficial effect on the skeleton in this regard.
Prevention of Aging
Since the vitamins contained in olive oil have a cell renewing effect they are also employed in the treatment of the elderly, as well as nourishing and protecting the skin. As foodstuffs are transformed into energy in our bodies, certain substances known as oxidants are formed. With the high levels of anti-oxidants it contains, olive oil prevents damage by harmful substances, renews our cells and delays aging in the tissues and organs. Olive oil is also rich in vitamin E, which suppresses the free radicals that destroy the cells in our bodies and cause aging.
Contribution to Child Development
Due to the linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) contained in olives and olive oil, these are a most healthy food for newborn babies and growing children. A deficiency in linoleic acid leads to the emergence of a retardation of development in babyhood and various skin disorders.
Olive oil contains anti-oxidant elements that prevent the destructive effects of harmful substances in our bodies, and fatty acids of great importance to human health. These support the hormones and assist in cell membrane formation.
Olive oil possesses a balanced polyunsaturated compound at a similar level to that in human milk. Olive oil is a sufficient source of these fatty acids, which cannot be obtained from the human body but which are of the most essential importance to it. These factors make olive oil very important for new-born babies.
Since it contributes to the natural development of the baby's brain and nervous system before and after birth, olive oil is the only oil recommended for mothers by experts. As well as containing similar levels of linoleic acid to those of mother's milk, when olive oil is added to fatless cow's milk, it becomes as natural a food source as mother's milk itself.
Blood Pressure Reduction
One study published in the 27 March 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine once more stressed the beneficial effect of olive oil on high blood pressure. Medicines to reduce high blood pressure are also made from olive leaves.
Benefits for the Internal Organs
Whether consumed hot or cold, olive oil protects the stomach against diseases such as gastritis and ulcers by reducing gastric acid levels.136 In addition to this, by activating the bile, it makes it perfect. It regulates the discharge of the gall bladder and reduces the risk of bile stone formation.137 Moreover, thanks to the chloride it contains, it also assists the functioning of the liver and thus helps the body eliminate waste products. In addition, it also has a beneficial effect on the brain arteries.138
On account of all these properties, olive oil has attracted considerable expert attention in recent years.139 Some of the comments made by experts are as follows:
Jean Carper, a prominent authority in the field of health and nutrition, the CNN award-winning correspondent, columnist and author of The Food Pharmacy and Food-Your Miracle Medicine:

New Italian research finds olive oil contains antioxidants... that combat disease processes, including LDL cholesterol's ability to clog arteries.

Pat Baird, a dietician and nutrition consultant:

I love the whole idea of olive oil's versatility... the more we know about it, the more we learn about its great contribution to good health.

Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos, chairman of the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard University School of Public Health:

American women might actually experience as much as a fifty percent (50%) reduction in breast cancer risk if they consumed more olive oil in place of saturated fats.
Olive oil has a protective effect against some types of malignant tumors: prostate, breast, colon, squamous cell, and oesophageal.

D. Peck of the School of Medicine, University of Miami:

Olive oil has been shown to strengthen the immune system in mice...

Bruno Berra of the Institute of General Physiology and Biological Chemistry, University of Milan:

… [T]he minor polar components of extra virgin olive oil increase significantly the resistance of LDL to oxidation.

A.A. Rivellese, G. Riccardi and M. Mancini of the Institute of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases at Federico II University, Naples:

Olive oil prevents insulin resistance and ensures better control of the glucose in the blood.

Patrizia Galletti of the Second University of Naples, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery:
Dietary intake of olive oil polyphenols may lower the risk of reactive oxygen metabolite-mediated diseases such as some gastrointestinal diseases and atherosclerosis. Olive oil hydroxytyrosol protects human erythrocytes against oxidative damage.
Frank Sacks of the Harvard School of Public Health:

An olive-oil-rich diet is more effective than a low-fat diet in controlling and treating obesity. Moreover, it leads to longer-lasting weight loss and it is easier to keep to…

As we have seen, a great many scientists today think that an olive oil-based diet constitutes the ideal nutritional model. It is stated that on account of these properties, olives and olive oil should be the fundamental constituents of every meal in one's daily nutrition programme. The benefits of the olive plant, emphasised by Allah in many verses of the Qur'an, have been discovered in parallel to the advances made by medical science.

It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an, 16:10-11)

[Breshna]

I personally use Olive oil...in all...cooking.

[Catya Sher]

al-Arab,
Probably we should take this discussion back to your Iraq thread, which is superb.
But yes, you are the only person who has understood how rare and
EXTREMELY precarious it was to be an American wandering around the
archeological and historical sites. No one but a real Iraqi could know.
I had started a long post awhile back in reply to your questions but somehow
after all that writing, it didn't even post due to probably my ocmputer freezing.
Anyway, I plan to go back there and we can keep talking about it.
I am so sorry about those who were killed so cruelly. VERY VERY VERY sorry !

Gul. and Laila, you should be ashamed. This man is young too, but
look how much he knows.
You two act like
insolent 13 year olds at being reprimanded.
You contribute a lot of fluff - at best.
Why not READ, STUDY and LEARN about the bigger world otu there,
about history of the Middle East and beyond ?
This al-Arab is a good example for you, along with some of the
other men here, who talk about the things that truly matter in life.

Not buying clothes, or Sephora cosmetics...

I am not cutting you down. I want to see you succeed, and not sound frivolous, gossipy
and empty-headed. The way you do !

[Gulalai]

please dont try to tell me about shame. yes mashallah al-arab might be an intelligent guy but you have no business comparing me or laila to anyone. we actually dont, but even if we did so what if we act like we're 13? ^.^ we do read study and learn, just because we dont discuss things with you doesnt mean we dont know anything. sorry to break it to you but the world does not revolve around you. theres nothing wrong in talking about clothes, and i've never spoken about sephora cosmetics LOL
please stop talking like you think you know me. i am not "frivolous" or "gossipy" stop being so judgmental. My mind is not empty, alhumdulillah i have opinions and i have a voice... but theres a time and place to discuss serious thing, and theres a time and place where you can just talk about what ever.
all i said was that i dont like olives -_- i'm sorry if that offended you loool
thats all i'll say because i dont need to explain myself to you. just mind your own business and learn to be respectful to others. manana

[IamDZJ]

Gul. and Laila, you should be ashamed. This man is young too, but
look how much he knows.
You two act like
insolent 13 year olds at being reprimanded.
You contribute a lot of fluff - at best.
Why not READ, STUDY and LEARN about the bigger world otu there,
about history of the Middle East and beyond ?
This al-Arab is a good example for you, along with some of the
other men here, who talk about the things that truly matter in life.

Not buying clothes, or Sephora cosmetics...

I am not cutting you down. I want to see you succeed, and not sound frivolous, gossipy
and empty-headed. The way you do !

they can't afford your level of wisdom or understanding because they don't have warlords to seduce with their skirts, interviews, articles or their knowledge of olives. when provided with a healthy environment, girls their age tend to talk about clothes and cosmetics. had they been in afghanistan where they belong and there wasn't all these years of war, (thanks to your lovers with most of whom you seem to be highly fascinated to this very day,) they would be having the similar conversations the way normal girls their age are bound to do. so stop being envious of their joy and their youth and stop bullying them. okay? because you are in their home, not them in yours.

[Laila]

Gul. and Laila, you should be ashamed. This man is young too, but
look how much he knows.
You two act like
insolent 13 year olds at being reprimanded.
You contribute a lot of fluff - at best.
Why not READ, STUDY and LEARN about the bigger world otu there,
about history of the Middle East and beyond ?
This al-Arab is a good example for you, along with some of the
other men here, who talk about the things that truly matter in life.

Not buying clothes, or Sephora cosmetics...

I am not cutting you down. I want to see you succeed, and not sound frivolous, gossipy
and empty-headed. The way you do !

I am not sure if you are just plain stupid or cannot comprehend a single word. But i will take the latter. You sit there, accusing Gulalai and I of putting the posts of track; however, its very ironic that you still continue to talk BS. ON the same thread that you are getting pissy pissy about. You are comparing me with a man, who is clearly of a different background and age group as me. If i wanted to learn about the Middle East, i will then join a forum that is used just for them. You however, are trying so hard to fit in with Pashtuns, that i find quite funny. So what if i talk about Sephora cosmetics, what the hell is it to you? Grow up and mind your own damn business. I dont cross you and you shouldnt cross me. You want me to study and learn something? Maybe you should study and learn how to talk to people properly. I also feel bad for Karachi, for you clearly ruining his thread. For one (i think you are too stupid to see this), he asked in this thread, IF YOU LIKE OLIVES? My lord, surely you saw that! And Gulalai answered that she did not, which i included as well. Then you went off on a tangent.
But to give the original poster respect (which clearly you do not know how to do), i will ask Admin to delete all the posts that do not have anything to do with the thread. Like your pathetic posts and my replies to you as well....and including others. Btw, you are frivolous, you enjoy gossiping, and you are empty headed.

[Karachi]

yummy, i am having olives with feta cheese as I write this