Enjoy Soy With Much Joy
by Stephanie Luk, Special Contributor

Fried tofu, kori tofu, soymilk, bean curb, and miso soup - these are examples of great tasting soy products. Yummy, yummy, yummy. Soy-based food is not only good for your taste buds but for your body as well. I bet you didn't know that soybeans are the only plant food that has all of the essential amino acids our body requires. Amino acids are necessary for proper growth, development, health and maintenance.

While most beans only have about 20 to 30 percent of total calories coming from protein, soybeans have 35 to 38 percent. Of course, this percentage varies among different soy products. Extra firm and firm tofu actually have more protein than soft and silken tofu because they contain less water.

Soy's protein and isoflavones also lower LDL cholesterol and decrease thrombosis, a type of blood clot, which basically reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In 1999, the Food & Drug Administration, as well as the American Heart Association in 2000, officially recognized soy protein to have cholesterol-lowering effects.

According to the United Soy Board (USB), there are many benefits of soy consumption. Soy protein enhances the body's ability to retain and better absorb calcium in the bones, slow bone loss and inhibit bone breakdown. This helps prevent osteoporosis. Experiments have shown that patients who are given soy protein have an increase in spinal bone mineral density compared to patients who are given other treatments. However, it also shows that there is no sign of benefit for the patients' hips.

Studies also show that soy protein may lower the risk of diabetic nephropathy and delay the onset of end-stage renal disease. Soy also decreases breast density and breast inflammation, two main risk factors of breast cancer in patients who have the disease. However, there are still debates about whether soy might actually stimulate estrogen-dependent breast tumor. Soy is also associated with the treatment and prevention of many digestive related and hormone related cancers such as prostate, colon, kidney, and thyroid cancer.

Soy will soon hit the skin market. Johnson & Johnson is planning to launch skin care products containing soy. At the Johnson & Johnson Company Product Worldwide Skin Research Center, a lot of research was made leading to the discovery that soy may help in the reduction of pigmentation, such as age spots and acne-induced discoloration, the reduction of ultraviolet-induced peeling, the protection from skin dehydration and the delayed appearance of hair re-growth.

As with everything else in medicine nothing can be 100% guaranteed but it does seem that soy is good for the body and skin. We might as well enjoy some soy for the possibility of it helping us. Besides, soy products just taste so good.

Only Soy Does it All
Find Unique Soy Products at the Soy Luck Club
Have you ever tried the caramel soy latte? Or the mocha soyaccino? How about the pina-colada soyafrost? All these delicious drinks with a funky name can be found at the Soy Luck Club. This restaurant, which just recently opened in September, is completely devoted to soy products.

Every item on the menu contains some sort of soy product, whether it be the soymilk in the drinks and frosty, the soy-bread for the sandwiches, or the salad dressing with soy protein. Their most popular dishes include the curried chicken and tuna crunch sandwiches. Practically all the food is fat-free and healthy to eat. Plus, everything is freshly made each day.

In addition to the many items on the menu, there are many other soy-related products you can purchase at the restaurant. There are soy protein shampoos and conditioners, soy nut butter, which is an alternative to peanut butter, soy chips including flavors like onion & garlic and caramel, chocolate-covered soy nut, soy tortilla chips, soy pretzels, soy-wax candles, health books and even soy baby food.

This whole soy fetish is Vivian Cheng 's idea. She wanted to "make soy tasty and fun" and "not just a substitute for daily products." Along with her partner, Jamal Sahler, Vivian spent about a year researching, planning, and creating their unique selection of food and drinks. They are trying to promote soy to people and make them realize that soy isn't just an Asian thing. The store's many drinks include the Malawi, an African black tea, Ceylon, a Sri Lanka tea, and the Russian caravan.

The sandwiches are a bit pricey ranging from $6.50 to $7.25. The prices of the salads range from $4.95 to $7.50. The drinks are of fairly reasonable prices ranging from $2.75 to $4.95. Basically, the Soy Luck Club's prices are similar to many other small restaurants in the city.

The restaurant has a very peaceful environment with friendly workers wearing Got Soy? T-shirts. There's always nice relaxing background music, comfortable cushioned chairs, and a magazine rack with a variety of magazines for customers to read. Wireless DSL Internet is also available. You can plug in your laptop and surf the net while sipping one of their many unique drinks. The place is usually never crowded. You should be able to enjoy some peace and quiet without any disturbances.

So if you're looking for a nice place to enjoy your food, or just a place to have a drink and relax, then check out the Soy Luck Club. It is located at 115 Greenwich Avenue, at the corner of Jane Street.