Dear Sun Spots: You’ve been so helpful!

Here’s another challenge for you: someone told me canola stands for Canada Oil Company and canola oil is made from a poisonous seed called rapeseed. I would like information on canola oil, please. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: According to the Canola Council of Canada, canola oil is the healthiest of all commonly used cooking oils. It is low in saturated fat, high in cholesterol-lowering mono-unsaturated fat and the best source of Omega-3 fats of all popular oils. It is the world’s only “Made in Canada” crop and often the nation’s most valuable one, with annual exports of canola seed, oil and meal that are valued at more than $3 billion.

Canola oil comes from pressed canola seed. The seed is harvested from pods that are formed after those beautiful yellow flowers you’ve probably seen in the summer fade away. North American farmers have been growing canola seed for more than 30 years.

Canola is not rapeseed. It looks the same on the outside, but it’s very different on the inside, where it matters. Plant scientists used traditional plant breeding methods to get rid of rapeseed’s undesirable qualities.

So that means canola oil and meal is different from rapeseed oil and meal.

Canola is grown primarily in regions of western Canada, with some acreage being planted in Ontario and the Pacific Northwest, north central and southeastern United States. In Canada, the 10-year average is 11.3 million acres harvested.

Canada is the biggest single producer of canola. However, the European Union member countries combined grow more canola, and China’s rapeseed acreage exceeds Canada’s canola production.

Each canola plant produces yellow flowers that, in turn, produce pods similar in shape to pea pods, but about 1/5th the size. Within the pods are tiny round seeds that are crushed to obtain canola oil. Each seed contains approximately 40 percent oil. The remainder of the seed is processed into canola meal, which is used as a high protein livestock feed.

Perhaps you and your family might enjoy the following recipe from online at www.canola-council.org:

Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette Ingredients: 1/2 bunch cilantro, 2 garlic cloves, 3/4 cup canola oil, 3/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. ginger, grated, 3-4 dashes fish sauce. Method: In a food processor, mix cilantro and garlic. Add canola oil, lime juice and sugar. Squeeze juice from grated ginger and add to dressing. Discard grated ginger. Add fish sauce. Process everything for 5 to 10 seconds. Delicious on salads, fish or seafood. Great as a marinade for barbecue.

Dear Sun Spots: You have been a great help to me in the past, but this time I think I have a hard one for you.

On Tuesday, May 3, I was watching Oprah, and there was a doctor on her show was talking about health and beauty tips. The doctor stated women spend a fortune on face creams. I’m one of them! This doctor mentioned we should use Alpha Hydrox, and I believe he said it was put out by Olay. Could you please find out if I have the right name for the cream or lotion? Also, where it may be purchased? Thanks again and keep up the good work. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Unfortunately, several efforts to receive a transcript of the show have been unsuccessful. Perhaps other readers out there who recall this episode would be willing to share the information with you.

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