The Soyfoods Council

Research Study Suggests Soy Isoflavones May Help You Sleep Better

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Ankeny, Iowa, January 12, 2016— If you have trouble sleeping, or suffer from insomnia, you may want to add soyfoods to your daily diet. New results from the first population study to examine the relationship between soy and sleep habits indicates that soyfoods offer striking benefits. Soyfoods are uniquely rich sources of isoflavones, which are naturally occurring compounds classified as plant estrogens. The hormone estrogen tends to promote better sleep, both in terms of quality and duration.

A recent population study involving over 1,000 Japanese adults interviewed each participant to determine the amount of soy and isoflavones consumed and answered questions about how long and how well they slept. Among the group of participants, 13 percent reported regular sleep duration (7 to 8 hours a day) and 56 percent reported sufficient sleep quality. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, individuals in the group with the highest soy intake were almost twice as likely to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours, and about twice as likely to have better sleep quality. Those in the highest intake group consumed about two servings of soyfoods per day.

This study is good news for the millions of Americans who suffer from insomnia. According to survey data from the National Sleep Foundation, 48 percent of Americans say they have occasional insomnia, while 22 percent experience insomnia. Getting a good night’s sleep is a vital component of overall good health and can aid in maintaining a healthy weight. Sleep-deprived people tend to snack more at night, and also may crave higher-carbohydrate foods and larger portions.

In the U.S., popular soyfoods include tofu, soymik and edamame. The Soyfoods Council offers tips and ideas for enjoyable ways to consume soy. On its website, you’ll also find easy recipes for incorporating more soyfoods into your diet. Beverage ideas include the berry-rich Silken Shake made with firm silken tofu, fresh or frozen strawberries, cranberry juice, vanilla and the sweetener of your choice. Another soy-based drink, the Pomegranate Cherry Vanilla Shake, features vanilla soymilk, pomegranate juice and frozen dark sweet cherries. For the latest health, research and nutrition information about soyfoods, visit the Soyfoods Council website at www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com.

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About the Role of Soyfoods in a Healthful Diet: Soyfoods have played an important role in Asian cuisines for centuries.  In recent years they have become popular in Western countries because of their nutrition and health properties.  Soyfoods are excellent sources of high-quality protein and provide a healthy mix of polyunsaturated fat.  In addition, independent of their nutrient content, there is very intriguing evidence indicating soyfoods reduce risk of several chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and certain forms of cancer.  All individuals are well advised to eat a couple of servings of soyfoods every day.

Looking for a healthy soy recipe? Try this Pomegranate-Cherry Vanilla Soy Smoothie.

We have #SoyInspired Thanksgiving recipes for you!

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We are delighted to once again partner with the Healthy Aperture Network to share soy-filled fall recipes with you! 

#SoyInspired Thanksgiving 2015 | The Soyfoods Council

Here’s all you need for a #SoyInspired holiday meal!

Baklava Cinnamon Rolls

Grain- free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Vegan Tempeh Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Thai-spiced Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Roasted Miso and Pumpkin Spiced Kabocha

Autumn Kale Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

Roasted Edamame Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Molasses

Wheat Berries with Butternut Squash Edamame and Cranberries

Hearty Vegan Stuffing 

Parmesan Meatballs

Vegan Stuffed Shells with Butternut Sage Sauce 

Chocolate Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Savory Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Farmers Market Salad with Smoked Tomato & Mori -NuTofu Vinaigrette

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Farmers Market Salad with Smoked Tomato & Mori -NuTofu Vinaigrette
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Ingredients
  1. Wood chips for smoking
  2. 3 heirloom tomatoes (cored & quartered)
  3. Smoking Directions
Dressing Ingredients
  1. 1 garlic clove, minced
  2. ¼ cup Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, soft
  3. 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  4. ¼ cup soybean oil
  5. Salt & pepper to taste
Salad Ingredients
  1. 1-2 Tablespoons soybean oil
  2. 1 cup wáter packed firm tofu, drained, cut into bite-sized pieces
  3. 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded into long pieces
  4. 1 cup prosciutto, sliced paper thin
  5. 2 ears sweet corn, corn kernels removed from cob
  6. 1 cucumber, peeled, cut into bite-sized pieces
  7. 8 cups arugula, or favorite greens
Garnish Ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  2. 2 tablespoons white sugar
  3. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Start with 2 disposable aluminum medium size pans. Make small slashes in the bottom of one of the pans (about 10-15 slashes). The pan with no slashes, add wood chips. Place pan with wood chips over burner on range or on barbeque grill. Turn up heat. Once smoking, place all tomatoes in the pan with slashes over smoking chips. Smoke tomatoes for 20 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
Dressing Instructions
  1. In a blender, add the first four ingredients. Puree until smooth. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Salad Instructions
  1. In a small fry pan, over medium high heat, add soybean oil; heat. Add tofu cubes. Let lightly brown on each side, until each cube is nicely browned. Set aside to top salad. In a large bowl, toss arugula in reserved tofu dressing. Divide between 4 salad plates. Top each plate with smoked tomatoes, cheese, prosciutto, corn and cucumber. Top with browned tofu cubes. Garnish plate with balsamic glaze and smoked paprika.
Garnish Instructions
  1. In a small sauce pan over ow heat, add balsamic vinegar and sugar. Stir, reduce until thick to create homemade balsamic glaze.
Notes
  1. Yield: 4 servings
The Soyfoods Council http://thesoyfoodscouncil.com/

Mori-nu Silken Tofu Declared a Winner at State Fair Soy Salad Dressing Competition

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Mori-nu Silken Tofu Declared a Winner at State Fair Soy Salad Dressing Competition

-Good Health and Great Flavor Celebrated by All-

August 18, 2015 – West Des Moines, IA – Fried food was not the only fan favorite at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Hundreds of people stopped to sample original Mori-nu Silken Tofu-based salad dressings presented by four professional chefs as part of The Soyfoods Council and Iowa Restaurant Association’s 3nd Annual Soy Salad Dressing Competition. The Professional Chef’s Competition took place Monday, August 17 at the Agriculture Building. Some of the area’s top chefs were invited to showcase their artistry in this delicious and healthy competition.

Top Chefs Wow the Crowd
The competitors included:

  • Sous Chef Jared Harlan of Table 128 Bistor + Bar, Clive
  • Chef Pam Oldes of On The Green, Oskaloosa
  • Chef Alex Strauss of Hy-Vee Market Café, West Des Moines
  • Chef Scott Stroud of Jethro’s BBQ, West Des Moines

2015 Chef Competitors

Pam Oldes, Scott Stroud, Alex Strauss, and Jared Harlan

The Chefs were challenged to make salad dressing recipes which were consumer friendly, used Mori-nu Soft Silken Tofu as the base of the dressing, and were delicious enough to put on their own menu. Each chef demonstrated the process of making the dressing, and then served four judges as well as a crowd of fair-goers.

Contest judges included Tom and Susanne Oswald of the Iowa Soybean Association, Angela Ten Clay of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Blue Zones, and certified culinary instructor Robert Anderson of the Iowa Culinary Institute.

Stroud Wins
Chef Scott Stroud won first place with a bold Smoked Tomato and Tofu Vinaigrette dressing over a Farmer’s Market salad. He received a $250 prize. Chef Strauss received second place for his Silken Green Goddess dressing and Chef Oldes received third place with her refreshing Creamy Apple Vinaigrette dressing. Chef Harlan was Honorable Mention with an Asian-inspired Almond and Sesame Vinaigrette. All participants received cash prizes.

All of the chefs’ recipes are available for download on both the Iowa Restaurant Association and The Soyfoods Council websites: www.restaurantiowa.com and www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com.

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Iowa Restaurant Association
The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s industry with educational and promotional programs across the state. 

The Soyfoods Council
The Soyfoods Council is an affiliate of the Iowa Soybean Association.  The mission of The Soyfoods Council is to serve as a catalyst, leader and facilitator to mainstream soy-based foods into the global marketplace—America and beyond. 

 

Iowa State Fair 2015: ISA sponsors new events, long-time favorites

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tofu-siftThe Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and the Iowa Soybean Association will insure that fairgoers have fun while learning about agriculture and the role soybean farmers play in helping feed and fuel Iowa, the nation and world.

The association, based in Ankeny and committed to improving the competitiveness of Iowa’s 37,000 soybean farmers, is partnering with the fair and other organizations to bring some old favorites and a few new events to the list of must-see stops:

Biodiesel powering the trams — It’s easy and safe for fairgoers to get from one end of the grounds to the other thanks to the ISA sponsorship of not only the tram tractors and carts, but also the biodiesel that fuels this popular transportation.

Ag magic at your fingertips —Spectators will delight at Rhonda Renee’s Thank A Farmer show featuring storytelling, juggling and music. Renee’s performance illustrates that nearly everything we touch, consume and wear has a direct connection to agriculture and a farmer. Thirty-minute shows will be held each day in the Christensen Farms Animal Learning Center at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Also in the Animal Learning Center,visitors can see livestock that eat Iowa grown soybeans and check out the ‘Soy- House’ to learn more about all the household products made from soy.

Focus on water — Visitors to the Ag Building can see firsthand how Iowa farmers are committed to clean water. Meander through Farmville, learn about the many conservation practices being used to protect soil and water quality and sign up to win a patio set and grill package. ISA representatives will be on hand Aug. 13 and 20.

Beat the heat, watch a free movie —”FARMLAND” follows the lives of farmers exploring the risks and rewards associated with farming and the passion that is passed down from generation to generation. It will be shown in the Maytag Family Theaters 1 p.m. daily with a farmer panel immediately following the featured presentation. Admission is free.

Be conversational about conservation — Iowa soybean farmers excelling in environmental stewardship will be recognized Aug. 19 at the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award ceremony to be held at the Penningroth Center beginning at 9 a.m.

Planting seeds of farming knowledge — Fun for children of all ages, Little Hands on Farm located just north of the Animal Learning Center is a place for children to learn how food is grown by participating in a variety of hands-on activities. They can also package soybeans to help feed Iowa’s pork and poultry industries.

Eat and enjoy —The Soyfoods Council will present two chances to experience soyfoods at the fair on Aug. 17. The Annual Soy Salad Dressing Professional Chef Contest (sponsored by Morinaga) will be held 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Ag Building — stop by to test the chef’s creations! The second opportunity is a cooking demonstration and soyfoods contest judging at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Elwell Building.

Iowa Food & Family Project exhibit – Again this year, the ISA is partnering with the Iowa Food & Family Project to feed people’s curiosity about how food is grown and the dedicated farmers who grow it. The must-see exhibit is open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily in the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building and will feature a must-see sculpture created from more than 50 tons of sand. Win Casey’s pizza for a year, grab your copy of the Iowa Food & Family Cookbook and test your knowledge of agriculture to win great prizes!

To learn more about ISA, go to www.iasoybeans.com.

ABOUT

The Soyfoods Council is an affiliate of the Iowa Soybean Association. The mission of The Soyfoods Council is to serve as a catalyst, leader and facilitator to mainstream soy-based foods into the global marketplace—America and beyond. To mainstream soyfoods: to build the category of soyfoods products by making action-prompting connections between edible soybean growers and food producers, foods distributors, chefs, retailers and eventually consumers.

CONNECT WITH US

The Soyfoods Council is your resource for information about soyfoods including how easy and delicious they are to prepare and consume.