To the delight of all involved, this activity has resulted in great success, and has raised a total of 121 760 kuna for the four mentioned children’s homes. To every mentioned institution Zvijezda has donated an amount of 30 440 kuna, and delighted the children in these homes with new toys, equipment and other very important accessories.

Zvijezda d.d., its employees and mostly those for whom the action was organized thank from the bottom of their hearts to everyone who generously responded and participated in this action.. Without the help and kindness of each participant the result would not have been so good, and Zvijezda inspired by this success plans to organize similar humanitarian activities in future as well. The aim of such actions is to raise awareness of the importance of helping others, which is especially evident in these difficult times when there is an increasing number of those who really need help

The first brand by the Croatian customers’ choice.

You would probably never have thought that the brain is the fattiest organ in the body! But it is true. The brain is on average built of 75% water and about 25% of other substances of which 60% is fat.
It is therefore quite clear that for its optimal performance the brain needs selected fats such as EPA, DHA and ALA omega-3 fatty acids.
Although the first thing that comes to mind when you mention omega-3 fatty acids is the preservation of a healthy heart and blood vessels, there is an increasing number of scientific findings about the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive function, especially when it comes to the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on brain development in infants and children. However, high intake of omega-3 fatty acids also has beneficial effects on cognitive abilities in adults and the elderly.
A proper diet in which fat is represented in the recommended ratio is important for the whole organism and especially for the brain.

Omega 3: brain-friendly fat

Omega-3 fatty acids ALA, DHA and EPA are found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, herring, mackerel, seeds, and modern “enriched” food products. A diet rich in these valuable substances are beneficial to heart health and blood vessels, and also ensures proper brain and eyesight development in infants and children.
An adequate intake of essential fatty acids and DHA at the preschool age has a positive effect on the mental and psychomotor development, improves learning ability and reduces the risk of attention disorder and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyspraxia. Also, school children who take enough DHA achieve better results in comparison with those whose intake of DHA is insufficient.

Studies show that intake of omega-3 fatty acids in Western diets is often significantly lower than recommended in all age groups. Today,chronic inadequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids is called “scurvy of our time.” Functional food is a convenient source of these valuable nutrients for the whole family, and especially can be beneficial to pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and the elderly.

Functional spread Margo IQ is rich in ALA, DHA and EPA – omega 3 fatty acids that are favorable to health of the brain and cardiovascular system. This unique spread is a practical additional source of valuable nutrients. Therefore, it can significantly contribute to the increase of their intake in children and adults. The value of this modern product has been recognized by competent institutions allowing the highlighting of a health statement which reads: “improves memory and concentration.” Indeed, a high intake of ALA, DHA and EPA, that is ensured through the regular consumption of Margo IQ in a number of studies has been connected with improved brain development in children, memory, concentration, and generally with a better cognitive function of all ages.
Margo IQ is suitable for the whole family because it contributes to an adequate proportion of fat in the diet. It is a source of vitamins A, D and E, and due to the content of specific biologically active fatty acid improves memory and concentration.

Zvijezda Extra Virgin Olive Oil – the oil from domestic olive groves obtained from the most aromatic sort of domestic olives, grown on the best microlocations.

An important part of our brain consists of fat, of which approximately one third are fatty acids. Their large amounts are also present in the most active parts of the brain responsible for memory and thinking processes.

Zvijezda Margo IQ is enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA and ALA), so its sponsorship of this year’s Week of the Brain dedicated to the promotion and popularization of topics related to the brain and nervous system is no surprise.

The ninth Week of the Brain is being marked from 15th to 21st of March, organized by the Croatian Institute for Brain Research of the Medical Faculty and the Croatian Society for Neuroscience, as a part of an international initiative called Brain Awareness Week.

In all major Croatian cities, Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka and Split, there will be lectures, presentations and forums. In order for  everybody to learn something new about the brain, a part of the program will be tailored to the pre-school children.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 130 g truffles and mushrooms (squirrel’s bread)
• 20 g dried mushrooms
• 1 kg Zvijezda gnocchi
• 80 g Zvijezda margarine
• 250 ml cream for cooking
• 30 g Parmesan cheese
• Salt, pepper

Directions:

First of all, soak dried mushrooms in a bowl of cold water to soften. Then put the gnocchi in a pot with enough boiling salted water and cook according to the instructions on the packaging. Meanwhile, in a saucepan melt margarine, add soften and drained mushrooms and fry a minute or two. Then, pour the cream into the pan, add the mixture of truffles and mushrooms, mix well and wait to boil. After three to four minutes season the sauce with salt and pepper, as desired and serve. Drain the gnocchi and put them on plates, sprinkle all together with some fresh grated Parmesan cheese and decorate with fresh basil leaves.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 60 g ground black truffles
• 240 g tagliatelle pasta
• 80 g pitted black olives
• 120 g cherry tomatoes
• 100 ml vegetable broth
• 50 g rucola salad
• Zvijezda Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• salt, pepper

Directions:

In a pot with enough boiling salted water put the tagliatelle and cook according to the instructions on the packaging or less to stay al’dente. Meanwhile, warm a spoonful of olive oil in a pan, add pitted black olives sliced into rings, cherry tomatoes cut in halves, and fry over medium heat for about a minute. Then add the vegetable broth and cook on low heat for five minutes or until the sauce reduces by half. Drain cooked pasta, move into the pan with cherry tomatoes and olive sauce, add ground black truffles, and turn off the heat. At the end, add gently the rucola and arrange the prepared food on plates.

Ingredients for 4-6 servings:

• 450 g minced veal
• 800 g peeled tomatoes
• 125 g goat cheese (pecorino)
• ½ purple onions
• 6 leaves fresh basil
• 125 g bread crumbs
• 60 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons crushed parsley
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Zvijezda Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• salt and pepper

Directions:

In a pan, warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil, add chopped onion, crushed garlic, a pinch of salt, and fry over low heat until the vegetables are tender. Then add peeled tomatoes, fresh basil cut into strips, combine the ingredients and cook on low heat for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl with bread crumbs, add milk and mix the ingredients. Put this mixture in a bowl over the minced veal, add scrambled eggs and combine all together with a fork. Then add grated goat cheese, chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper and blend all together in a homogenous mixture. Form meat balls and put them in a pan with the tomato sauce. Cook all together on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and then serve.

Ingredients for 4-6 servings:

• 800 g veal steaks (4-5 mm thick)
• 400 g chopped tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• Zvijezda Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Beat the veal steaks with jagged side of a mallet, season with salt and pepper, brush with olive oil and put to fry in a hot pan with oiled side turned down. After 1 to 2 minutes, turn the meat over on the other side and fry for another 1 to 2 minutes. Put the meat aside in a warm place. Add some olive oil in the fat from frying; add the crushed garlic, capers, chopped parsley and when the garlic starts to smell add chopped tomatoes. Mix well, season with salt and pepper and simmer over the low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes. Put the steaks on a serving plate, top with the tomato sauce and serve.