Waffle
A waffle is a leavened batter or dough cooked between two plates, patterned to give a characteristic size, shape and surface impression.

Etymology
The word “waffle” first appears in the English language in 1725: "Waffles. Take flower, cream..."[2] It is directly derived from the Dutch wafel, which itself derives from the Middle Dutch wafele.[3]
While the Middle Dutch wafele is first attested to at the end of the 13th century, it is preceded by the French walfre in 1185; both are considered to share the same Frankish etymological rootwafla.[4] Depending on the context of the use of wafla, it either means honeycomb or cake.
History
Medieval origins
Waffles are preceded, in the early Middle Ages, around the period of the 9th–10th centuries, with the simultaneous emergence of fer à hosties /hostieijzers (communion wafer irons) and moule à oublies (wafer irons).[7][8] While the communion wafer irons typically depicted imagery of Jesus and his crucifixion, the moule à oublies featured more trivial Biblical scenes or simple, emblematic designs.[7] The format of the iron itself was almost always round and considerably larger than those used for communion.[9][10]
The oublie was, in its basic form, composed only of grain flour and water – just as was the communion wafer.[11] It took until the 11th century, as a product of The Crusades bringing new culinary ingredients to Western Europe, for flavorings such as orange blossom water to be added to the oublies; however, locally-sourced honey and other flavorings may have already been in use before that time.[11][12]
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Oublies, not formally named as such until ca. 1200, spread throughout northwestern continental Europe, eventually leading to the formation of theoublieurs guild in 1270.[13][14] These oublieurs/obloyers were responsible for not only producing the oublies but also for a number of other contemporaneous and subsequent pâtisseries légères (light pastries), including the waffles that were soon to arise.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle
What Are Waffles?
Waffles are made from a batter consisting of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, milk and baking powder. The baking powder helps the waffle acquire the fluffy texture. Waffles are cooked on a waffle iron and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The waffle iron creates pockets or indentions throughout the dough. Both sides of a waffle are cooked at the same time on a waffle iron.
What Are Waffles’ Health Benefits?
The batter of a waffle and a pancake are very similar and therefore promote similar health benefits. To increase the nutritional value of your waffle, consider making the batter from whole grain flour. Another option would be utilizing egg whites instead of whole eggs. This would reduce the fat, cholesterol and caloric value of this dish.
Add fruit, such as banana and nuts or seeds to your waffle batter to increase the overall nutritional value of a waffle. These additions will increase the waffles’ healthy fats, vitamins, fiber and minerals. Your average 6 inch waffle has approximately 220 calories. http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/healthy-breakfast-pancakes-vs-waffles.html  Squash
Plant
 Squashes generally refer to four species of the genus Cucurbita, some varieties of which are also called pumpkins, zucchini, courgettes and marrows. These species include C. maxima, C. mixta, C. moschata, and C. pepo.
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Etymology
The English word "squash" derives from askutasquash (a green thing eaten raw),[5] a word from the Narragansett language, which was documented byRoger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, in his 1643 publication A Key Into the Language of America. Similar words for squash exist in related languages of the Algonquian family such as Massachusett.
In Australian English, any winter squash may be referred to as "pumpkin", while in North America, "pumpkin" generally refers to only certain round, orange varieties of winter squash. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_(plant)

History
Squash is considered a vegetable. Different varieties of squash are classified according to their growing seasons. The two main categories of squash are winter squash andsummer squash. The many varieties of squash were a staple among early Native American tribes, and the plant originated in the Americas. As more and more Europeans began to settle in the Western Hemisphere and trade increased between North and South America, new types of squash were cross-cultivated. Early settlers also grew their own plots of squash, including founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Squash continues to be grown in many family and commercial gardens to this day, and offers many health benefits for those who consume it.
Nutrients of Squash
Squash is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables there are. Summer squash often contains much more water than denser varieties of winter squash. For this reason, winter squash is considered to have many more health benefits and is packed with more nutrients. However, summer squash is still very beneficial, if it is cooked appropriately. Squash that is baked or steamed is better able to retain its nutrient rich properties and health benefits. Boiling squash or adding more water than necessary when cooking squash depletes many of these nutrients.

All varieties of squash are rich in carotene. Carotene has been proven to be beneficial at preventing cancer and lung disease. The carotene from squash can also help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. In the summer months, the health benefits of squash include protecting against the damaging effects of sun exposure and preventing dehydration. The juice from summer squash has also been proven to be just as effective as some varieties of winter squash in preventing cell mutations in the protection against cancer.

Since both winter and summer squash varieties are rich in B vitamins, they can also help to reverse many of the damaging effects of stress on the body and further prevent other types of illness. Squash is also a good source of vitamin C, which helps to boost the immune system, prevent colds, and help fight allergies. The rinds of many squash are also a good source of fiber, which aids in proper digestion and is a vital element in preventing many types of disease. It is important if you eat squash to also eat the peel or rind.

Other nutrients found in squash include potassium and niacin. One of the most important beneficial nutrients of squash is one that has only recently been discovered. Squash is known to contain coumarins. Although coumarins are not anticoagulants per se, they interact with other nutrients to work as anticoagulants in the body. This means that squash can potentially have blood thinning effects, which can be beneficial for those with high blood pressure or poor circulation. In addition, this property can provide added protection against heart disease.
Types of Squash
There are many different varieties of squash, all of which provided the numerous health benefits listed here. Winter squash typically includes your darker varieties of squash such as pumpkin, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, and butternut squash. Delicatta squash is also a winter squash, and is also referred to as a sweet potato squash. Summer squash include lighter varieties of squash that come in straight neck or crook neck varieties. Summer squash includes cucumbers, zucchini, and the many varieties of yellow squash. Zucchini is the most popular of all summer squash and is readily available throughout the summer months. http://health.wikinut.com/The-Health-Benefits-of-Squash/vqw8.8pk/ Here are eight health benefits of this versatile vegetable.
Low in Calories
A cup of yellow squash contains only about 36 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates, less than one gram of fat, and a gram of protein. It is also cholesterol-free. The few calories it contains come mostly from its carbohydrate content, which is also particularly low. If you are trying to lose weight, yellow squash is a great choice to replace higher calorie vegetables like potatoes and corn.
Vitamin Rich
Yellow squash is a brilliant source of vitamin C and a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A (particularly in its concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene), fiber, folate, copper, riboflavin and phosphorus.
It is also abundant in potassium, providing 345.60 milligrams per serving. Potassium is a key electrolyte in the balance of fluids and also provides muscle energy.
In addition, it is high in manganese, a mineral which helps the body process fats, carbohydrates, and glucose.
Cancer Prevention
Yellow squash is abundant in antioxidants that keep free radicals at bay. With its high beta-carotene content, yellow squash is a great source of protection from pollutants and chemicals that lead to cancer. It is also high in vitamin C, which helps prevent premature aging and cancer as well as inhibiting cell division.
Heart Health
Yellow squash contains negligable fat and no measurable cholesterol. One cup of squash contains about 0.2 g of fat. Cutting down on your fat and cholesterol intake is a giant step towards helping reduce your risk of heart disease.
The magnesium found in yellow squash has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Along with its potassium content, magnesium is good for reducing high blood pressure. The vitamin C and beta-carotene levels in yellow squash may also aid in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol. As cholesterol in its oxidized form builds up in the walls of blood vessels, such nutrients may reduce the development of atherosclerosis. The presence of the vitamin folate in yellow squash is required by our bodies to remove an unhealthy metabolic byproduct called homocysteine, which may contribute to heart attack and stroke risk.
While the nutrients in squash combine to make a heart healthy, disease-preventing food, yellow squash is also particularly rich in fiber, the perfect ingredient for lowering high cholesterol levels and reducing the potential for atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Colon Health
At 2.52 grams per serving, the abundant fiber content of yellow squash is indispensable for the excretion of toxins from the body and is an extremely important nutrient for the colon's health since it promotes regularity and adds bulk to the stool.
Prostate Health
Yellow squash has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of a condition named benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. A man with BPH suffers from a problematically enlarged prostate gland, leading to difficulties with both urinary and sexual function.
Eye Health
Yellow squash is particularly high in concentrations of beta carotene and lutein. Dietary lutein helps to prevent the onset of cataracts and macular degeneration, which often leads to blindness. A cup of yellow squash provides about 135 micrograms of beta carotene and 2,400 micrograms of lutein.
Healthy Bones
Yellow Squash contains high levels of manganese and vitamin C. Manganese aids in maintaining healthy bone structure, calcium absorption, enzyme creation, and bone building. It also contributes to the mineral density of the spinal column.
Vitamin C aids in the production of collagen, which is essential for the building of bone mass, and magnesium is indispensible to the health of joints and bones. Iron, folate, zinc and phosphorous found in yellow squash all contribute to the mineral health of bones, and help fortify against osteoporosis. http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/8-health-benefits-of-yellow-squash.html -------------------------------------------------

Squash is an indoor racquet sport, played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. Squash is a fast-moving and high-impact sport that provides an excellent cardiovascular workout but can place strain on the joints, especially the knees.

Although you need a partner to play squash, many squash centres and clubs offer friendly tournaments and games where you can meet and compete with other squash players.
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Suitable for all ages

Squash is a game that can be played at any age. It is easy to learn and there are modified games and equipment to suit every size and skill level. Squash can be played for leisure or as a competitive sport.

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Health benefits

Squash is a strenuous sport, in which a player can use a lot more energy than most other sports. Squash helps to: * Improve cardiovascular health; a game of squash will see you running, leaping and diving for the ball * Increase strength and fitness * Maintain a healthy weight * Increase flexibility and strength in the back * Promote good coordination, agility and flexibility * Build hand–eye coordination.
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Other benefits

Squash also has many other benefits including: * Improved general and psychological wellbeing * Greater self-confidence and self-esteem * Better social skills and an opportunity to make new friends * Improved concentration * Stress release * All weather activity – as it’s an indoor sport, weather conditions don’t prevent you from playing.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Squash