Month: June 2014

Chokhi Dhani: An Experience Like Never Before

The sultry breeze,the golden sand,the earthly smell,the air resonating with warm cordial greetings of “RAAM RAAM SA!”,smiles on each face,the enthusiasm with which each person reflects the undiluted festivity of Jaipur.Each moment spent in CHOKHI DHANI becomes an experience that you shall never forget.A mere peephole to have a glimpse of the rich culture and ways of celebrations Rajasthan harbour s,it is as legendary as it gets!
Entering Chokhi Dhani would at the very first glance mesmerize you followed with an unputdownable sense of perplexity in the form of a question, “From where shall I start?”

Having eventually found a flow to your exploration,the thrill elevates at each step.
The beginning of my magical experience at Chokhi Dhani,in fact began with a magic show.With not even a penny charged,the flamboyant localite magician called out to people,gathering an audience with phrases and slogans matched up on the beats of the dholak.Having gathered a good number of people to witness his miracle he started the show.With each trick that he performed,with each dove that he chanted his Abracadabras upon,I could feel a similar thrill like that of a five year old looking at things in the most awestruck of all manners.The tricks are not of an “international level”,maybe even they can be explained easily by almost anyone,yet what actually is the causer of such childlike thrill is the energy and drama with which the magician,a “master” of “divine powers”,attempts to entertain you,leaving no chance to put an amused smile on that face.

Proceeding on-wards,you may spot a not so big ,hand driven Ferris wheel.Do not by any means underestimate the strength of these young men,they can actually push the Ferris wheel pretty effectively.At a height that enables you a view of the colourful surroundings that envelope you,having a pleasant ride that is fueled with laughter is insured.
For those of you who have never sat on a camel,here is a tip,do not let a panic heart sit behind you!They shall claw the hell out of your waist!And if you yourself tend to be a panic stricken person,then always sit in the front saddle of the camel,you do not want to hurt anyone.The way the desert’s ship topples fist front and then backwards give you the feeling of either toppling on its neck or falling backwards,but holding on to this bumpy ride is what makes it fun.

Cultural dances that compel you to rejoice in the foot tapping sounds of instruments,performers who invite you to join them in their celebration,their colourful ghaghras swinging in an uninterrupted momentum.Welcome to the Chokhi dhani way of living up to the paradigm “Dance as if nobody is looking”.The rhythm is so festive and lively that you just cannot help but dance along merrily.

A grand ride on the elephant gives you the feel of royal lineage,your Highness,the ruler of the kingdom of happiness and smiles galore,your ride through Chokhi Dhani will be unforgettable.
Puppet shows narrating stories of kings and queens,or of star crossed lovers is way of getting you face to face with folktales and theatre.

Your journey is incomplete without a meal at Chokhi Dhani.The sitting arrangement requires one to sit on mats with chowkis placed in front of them,With your shoes placed outside on a rack,you now sit bare feet and legs folded upon the mat.A cheerful waiter with an impressive mustache enters with a woman dressed up in the traditional attire.With plates set to be served upon,two other mustached waiters come with the serving vessels and huge spoons and spatulas.Be prepared because now you will be served with around twenty or more dishes with around three different kinds of chapatis.
Beginning energetically ,you may begin devouring the food,famished from an entire trip around the Chokhi Dhani village.Each ‘sabzi’ has an amazing amalgamation of flavor and spices.Just in case its too spicey for you,a waiter shall always be there to refill your “Kullhad” with water,another one with butter milk.The chapatis crisp and hot,though just the size of your palms are extremely filling.

The Marwadi Khichdi is my all time favorite.With two servings of khichdi,topped with two spoon fulls of desi ghee and four spoon fulls of sugar,this heavily loaded khichdi is the ultimate hunger buster .No amount of requesting and pleading can save you from the heart felt ‘atithi satkaar’ of these people.They shall see to it that you are well fed,so much that they might have to lift you up to help you stand once you are done!In the very middle of the entire meal,you shall find yourself absolutely full.These waiters,with a turban and mustache would further offer you hot and freshly prepared gulab jamuns.Their menu is subject to periodic rotation,yet each meal leaves you with a happy tummy.Simple,filling,rich and finger licking,the food is undoubtedly delectable.The undiluted essence of Rajasthan.
The colours,the live wire like energy coursing through the atmosphere,the undaunted display of cultural richness ,the warm hospitality,all of these are mere tokens of love ,a peephole into the heart of Rajasthan.With the last glimpse of all the shops selling craftwork and souvenirs,a fragile looking old man in a heavy turban,turning a cycle wheel,pretending to fix the spokes near a dim coal fire,smiling through his handful of teeth,mustering all his strength to shout out a final “raam raam sa” as you leave,etching a permanent memory of warmth ,cultural treasure and hospitality like none other in the entire world.This is Chokhi Dhani,a cultural village that lives in its own world ,inviting you with a “Padharo marey Des”,greeting you with a “raam raam sa”.BON VOYAGE,BON APPETTITE.

June 3, 2014
Food Cravings: Reclaim your control

These cravings… oh! They really ruin the diet schedule. Sometimes, we are bored or other times we are emotional, and these food cravings manifest into consciousness. Seriously, we cant ignoreit , so hard to resist and if that yum, delicious food is readily available, it just goes out of control. Unfair, no? But, if controlled , its better for health in some way. If we understand why these occur and what can be the alternatives and how can it be under control through very little efforts, we will obviously put our sleeves up and go through the silly cravings.
Picture this. It’s five o’clock and you are at your desk , sitting on your couch or out running tasks and suddenly you get this pang– an overwhelming need to eat. You have the dreaded feeling of craving and you just cant feel right until you grab that bag of chips, or a chocolate bar or lot of icecream, soda. Unfortunately, one thing is for sure, whatever we reach for is almost never a healthy choice. The question is why are these late night cravings or afternoon cravings are so intense and how they can be prevented by best of our healthy intentions.
It is justified that our body requires a certain suitable amount of daily nourishment, but it is important to be able to distinguish between eating for physical nourishment or eating for emotional nourishment. Really evaluate whether you are hungry or not. If you are truly and completely hungry, fabulous, then eat, I will tell you how to do it right.
Get out of the cravings mindset : Think and figure out if you want something crunchy or smooth, hot or cold or sweet. There are healthy options that will actually calm your cravings. If you want something salty and crunchy , your mind will automatically go to potato chips, but think about it, when has bag of potato chips satisfied your hunger? Processed potato, oil and salt have no nutritional value. Its better to go for organic peanut butter, celery or peas with soy sauce which will prove to be best options instead. If you want something creamy , opt for yoghurt or an avocado rather than icecream. For something sweet, try fruits or smoothie or weet vegetables like sweet potato or squash instead of cookies and candy. When we are hungry and crave for certain food, it means our bodies are actually deficient of that nutrients. If you are craving something sweet, it indicates that your body needs glucose to perform its daily functions and tasks. Salt cravings occur when you lack in minerals found in natural unrefined salt. Potassium, magnesium and calcium are actually removed from table salt in the refining process. When you are craving something salty, you are not likely to satisfy that craving by finishing off a bag of Lays. Instead season your food with some sea salt and munch on some raw vegetables or go for sprouted beans or eat flax seeds (alsi) in little amount. You can also sprinkle it on your plate of raw veggies, making it an awesome and healthy choice. If you are craving for meat, you probably need some iron in your diet. If you are craving icecream, you probably need some more fat. Essentially, if you crave it (and you are hungry), eat it but opt for the natural healthy version of what you are dying for.
Does your mood fluctuate with what you eat? Learn how to strike a balance: If you have a craving, but aren’t hungry, you are probably looking to fulfill an emotional need. We frequently reach for food because it is easy and cheap instant fix. Remember, it is only temporary, and all your feelings are going to rush right back. If you’re sitting at your desk, suddenly feel a craving, you might just need a break and maybe some excitement. Try going for a walk around the office or striking up some conversation with co-worker . After 10 minutes, your craving will be a distant memory as you distract off your mind. If you have spent all evening alone and you have started to dream about that gallon of chocolate, vanilla icecream, leave the icecream in freezer and pick up the phone and call a friend and keep talking. Usually, when we want something sweet, it is because we need some pleasure in our lives. Go, get a ten minute massage or a manicure, pick up a romantic novel, take a long bath or start chatting. Anything makes you like goddess.
Get a dose of sunshine with Vitamin D: So next time you get a craving, don’t feel like your body is wrecking you, or that you have to use your will power to overcome it. Try to understand the messages your body is sending you. When you can learn to deconstruct your cravings and listen to your body, cravings can actually prove to be very healthy, helpful tool.
Wow! Isn’t this great to know what exactly your body is craving for and not interpreting the actual needs. This will really help to sort out and maintain our healthy regime simultaneously. When it sounds so good, it feels too.
So, next time you feel craving for this junk food, try to figure out and use an alternative. After all, we have so many!
Happy Craving, happy eating. Happy Life!

June 3, 2014
Save The Food : Preservation At Home

Do you have those days in your life when you want to eat mangoes in winters? Or do you want to figure out a way of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables all year round? Well, preservation is the answer, a term that is often considered as infamous, because of its chemical ways that probably deprive the food of its nutritional value. But there are a number of natural and DIY preservation techniques which don’t make use of a single chemical agent !! Preservation is necessary for storing food items for a long time. You might think the ways i am talking about are just refrigerating the food, but, actually, there is much more to do than just refrigerating, when it comes down to preservation of food. That is why, for example, beans develop fungi even after keeping inside a fridge.

All foods don’t have a common preservation method, and they range from salting, dehydrating, to storing in air-tight containers etc. But the main key to preservation is – cleanliness. This means we should have clean hands, use clean utensils, surfaces and bottles. Also the food item should be fresh when you start preserving it, instead of being on the verge of deterioration.

Every food has a unique and rather frustrating(for us!) Characteristic of getting spoilt. If it shows signs like molding(growth of fungus), lumping(curdling), smelling(rotting), it means that the food is spoilt. There are, basically, two ways by which food can be spoilt – one, by action and growth of bacteria and fungi and two, by chemical reactions of various enzymes within the food item, which makes it rotten and lose its flavor and texture. Preservation not only retards the spoiling process but also maintains the aroma and flavor. The only thing you have to keep in mind is to choose the correct method of preservation for a particular food article. For this, here is a list of some common methods of preservation for commonly preserved food items :

Freezing:

The easiest and simplest way of preserving food is to refrigerate it, as the temperature of the fridge is much below than that of surroundings and this helps to prevent activity and growth of micro-organisms. The colder a food is, the slower is its deterioration. While refrigerating reduces microbial activity, freezing stops it altogether.

Vegetables should be balanced in boiling water first to destroy germs. To blanch, bring a pot of water to boil, dunk food for a brief time, then pat it dry and freeze it in the freezer inside freeze-proof containers. Herbs can be frozen too, in ice cube trays.

Canning:

This method is perfect for fruits and vegetables that have a high acidic content. The food is heated to a high temperature, which kills the bacteria. Foods like apples, tomatoes, raspberries, cherries and citrus fruits can be preserved by this method. While canning is safe and simple if proper instructions are followed, improper canning can result in a serious health hazard for us.

Addition of natural preservatives :

Vinegar is the most common pickling liquid. It hardens food to such an extent that it becomes resistant to bacterial action. Foods like apples, beans, cucumbers etc. Can be preserved by adding vinegar.

Adding salt or sugar is another way of preservation, as such high concentration dries up the moisture and prevents growth of microbes, thus making the food safe. Foods that can be preserved by this method are tamarind, raw mango, amla, fish etc.

Adding oils and spices can also be used to preserve food. While oil forms a layer on food, cutting its exposure to air, spices add flavor to the pickled food.

Dehydrating or drying:

Dehydrating food makes it less attractive to moisture-loving bacteria and dehydrating can be done either naturally using the sun or can be dried with the help of an oven. Some foods like plums, tomatoes are halfway dried and then stored in oil.

Dried food takes up the least space in the refrigerator. Foods that can be preserved by drying or dehydrating are apples, peaches, grapes, apricots, potatoes, fried fish etc.

Fermentation:

You can control spoilage with this comparatively new, and fascinating science called fermentation. Foods which are fermented will technically still spoil, but they will do so by the growth of beneficial and friendly microbes rather than the bad ones. Fermented foods are created by allowing one type of microbes to grow and act on a food substance and convert its contents to alcohol or acids. Cheeses, wines, yogurt, all are fermented foods, apart from chocolate, coffee, pickles etc.

Sterilization by heating:

Food is preserved by application of high temperature to prevent growth of micro- organisms. If the boiling temperature is maintained for a long period of time, all bacteria in the food get killed and this will result in good preservation.

Thus, foods can be preserved in healthy and hygienic ways which not only help to control spoilage, but also maintain the nutritional value of the foods. If not preserved properly, these foods can be houses of potential pathogens and can cause severe diseases if you consume them. So it is better to be safe than sorry and to preserve foods in a correct manner and enjoy them whenever you want all the year round.

June 3, 2014
Unveiling The World Of Food Fraud

Everybody knows that homemade food is best for our health. But if we step out of this illusion, then, we will find that even homemade food can be potentially harmful to us. This is not because of the cooking, it is because of the ingredients used in cooking. Those ingredients, even if are present as less as 1 tablespoon in our food, can turn the food into a poison. Adulteration has taken away the joy of eating. Today, we are exposed to harmful chemicals in almost everything that is not grown at home.

Food fraud is a term that encompasses deliberate substitution, addition, tampering or misrepresentation of food, food ingredients or packaging. Adulterants are used to save money and to contaminate the food and the responsibility of safeguarding ourselves falls solely on us.

From loose packed ground spices to wet produce like milk, everything has a potential of being adulterated these days, even if purchased from a reputable grocery retailer. Even the official systems set for food safety and prevention are constantly outdone by hidden and booming food adulteration business.

But obviously, turning a blind eye to food adulterants is no solution, we have to plan and avoid the adulteration. Here is a list of commonly adulterated food stuff, so that next time when you buy them, you can be extra cautious.

Turmeric:

The common adulterants in turmeric these days are a chemical known as metanil yellow and kesari dal, to enhance the yellow color of turmeric. The chemical is highly carcinogenic if consumed for a longer period of time and can also cause stomach disorders.

Green chilies :

Malachite green, a green colored dye that is often present in green chilies, has proven to be carcinogenic for humans, if consumed for a long period.

Milk:

Milk is a at the top of the food fraud list. Earlier it is used to be combined with water to increase the volume and decrease the nutritional value. Nowadays, even the water it is combined with, is contaminated. We also have higher levels of adulteration like starch, caustic soda, sugar, urea and lime, to give milk a thick texture. This can cause grave stomach disorders.

Ice cream:

Ice creams are adulterated with fatty substances when it is in the cold chamber, like pepperoni, ethyl acetate and washing powder. These substances are never mentioned on the packet of the ice cream; and are added to give beautiful white sheen and lightness of flavor to the ice cream, but instead cause stomach and liver disorders.

Coffee:

Do you know that your morning cup of coffee is not just coffee, it is a huge bag of sawdust, tamarind seeds and chicory powder and these ingredients cause more harm to us than the caffeine provided by coffee. They are added to provide bulk and color, and can cause diarrhea, stomach disorders, giddiness and severe joint pains.

Seafood:

The mercury content in sea food is something that is not hidden from the world. And we humans accumulate this carcinogenic mercury, not only by eating the seafood, but also by eating the birds which eat these fishes. Eating many such birds and fishes can cause cancer in our bodies.

Flour:

Rice and wheat are India’s staple food, and these are adulterated with starch to thicken them and leaves the consumer in the illusion that our diet is perfect. This, in reality costs us our life. Therefore, the process should be very carefully executed from cleaning of grains to grinding it.

Saffron:

Given that it is the most expensive spice in the world, there’s no doubt it is a victim to adulteration. Sandalwood, dust, starch, yellow dye and gelatin are common adulterants in starch. The easiest way to detect adulteration in starch is to avoid deep red color ones and cheap ones while buying.

Honey:

The purest form of honey are nowadays only found when winnie the pooh sticks his hand in the honeycomb to lick out the honey. In markets, honey is adulterated with minerals, antibiotics that are not meant for human consumption, corn syrup etc. Moreover, the ultra filtration process done on honey bottles makes the adulterants undetectable.

Olive oil:

It is said that olive oil is one of the best fat-free oil for human consumption. Well, the truth is that when it is adulterated with cheaper cracked oil, deodorants, corn oil, hazelnut oil and palm oil, it deteriorates the health instead of improving. Sometimes, it is laced with mineral oil, which makes the matters even worse.

So, next time when you buy this stuff, make sure it doesn’t have something that will land you in hospital. Take care that your food is authentic and there are minimal chances of you falling prey to the locus of adulterants; as your health is much more important in your life than anything else, and it is solely your responsibility to take care of it. So gear up, and say no to adulteration of food!

June 3, 2014
Barbecue the Indian hangout

The west has now twin meaning of Barbecue, it’s to barbecue and to be at one. The sheer tradition that this tiny (not literally!) thing packs in itself is awesome. From sports to backyard parties, Barbecue is a way of life there. The Wild West is set in its way and doesn’t seem to want to change, and rightly so. The untamed east has its versions of the game with the famous tandoor taking the spotlight. However why just confine ourselves to this and stay away from delicious wildness of the barbecue?

The idea seems good enough but is it really so easy? Where would one by a barbecue and top of that how would we convince anyone in our family for this, it seems a strange thing to be asked on our birthdays! But no worries my friend for there is a simpler option where you can just rush into a custom made barbecue just for the armatures like us. This may go to mild for the pros and the nitpicking foodies out there but for the enthusiasts and admirer of the craft this is the place to be. Its Barbecue nation.

The story of this restaurant began in Mumbai and later on spread out to 36 joints in all. It is one of the must try places of Asia, ranks in top 100 in the list. This place is among the 20 must try restaurants of the country. What is it about the lace that in mere 8 years it has loyal fan following who swear by the food and service and are all rearing to barbecue? The idea of over 600 per plate (with taxes) is sure to put off majority of people yet everyone from students to families to corporates swears by it.

To start with the place has unlimited option on the available food. The cooking is a fair mix of American, Mediterranean, Oriental and Indian style of cooking. This typically includes chicken, fish, prawns, crabs preparation for the meat lovers, cottage cheese, pineapple preparations, potatoes etc. prepared uniquely for the veggie lovers. One gets to keep ordering the starters till they wish to eat. The next step is buffet main course with equally diverse and delicious options. The last step is dessert with 5-6 desserts of unlimited count for you. First drink is one the house, this may be iced teas/ slushes or beer, choice is yours!

One of the most obvious attractions here is the live barbecue available for the customers on each table that gives you the opportunity to do the task yourself. The dishes are cooked and given to you with add on flavor to barbecue it with. This adds to the fun and experience of the place and makes it all the more unique.

Festivals:

If food and drinks weren’t enough to keep the crowd busy, Barbecue nation has all the more options to keep the customers loyal.

Grand Trunk road: the dishes complement the iconic path, offering food from the milestone places and it is no doubt a unique palette to experience.

Hakuna Matata: Here the African safari is celebrated with peri-peri chicken and coconut flan and lot more. With complementary hats being given to all. The African safari is a sure shot success.

Merry Madness: this is live troupe singing and dancing to classiest and funkiest music that will make you tap along for no good reason. Life at barbecue is never boring.

Personal input:

After a long day of shopping in heat of Mumbai in May (girls, you know!) we reached the worli Branch (Mumbai) for lunch with happy plans to leave in an hour and get back to the umm work! It was Hakuna Matata festival which meant some waiting. There was African jungle cardboard with pop-in-head for pictures which nicely occupied our time. After the entry and free drinks we were ready to dig in. And we did. I won’t go into all the mouthwatering details but 3 hours later we happily dropped the shopping plans and headed home to catch on some zzz.’s. The place convinced us against shopping and that is something else!

The service is impeccable. The server enquired about the dishes and taste. When a friend commented on the need for more spicy food, the cook was literally called out. The second round of the starters was made spicy for us and it was hot! The servers gave personal attention to the needs, the kind of food preferred and advice on what to try and even how! There were no raised eye brows on the fourth helping of the gateau or the ceaseless picture taking sessions.

Overall this place gives you space, is worth your penny and promises to give you a wonderful memory. The ambience and service separates it from other restaurants thus making it a place for friends or family to chill together with a live barbecue.

Have at it atleast once! The best part is as the bills are fixed on per plate cost, there will be no nasty surprises in the end to spoil your taste.

Cheers!

June 3, 2014
Lavish and Luxurious Hotels – Must visit!

Hotels are for foodies. Really? No! Luxury is also expected from Hotels now and there is no paucity in the lavishness of the grand hotels. Though, they are not afforded by common people, yes, but they do attract everyone and requires a must visit. Hotels are for travelers and tourists. But some people visit places just to experience the hospitality of these hotels. Luxury today has less to do with formality and more to do with customized and personalized service, according to brand executives. Hotel Industry has become huge now-a-days and has been divided into various dimensions. More students are opting for becoming chefs, many going for hotel management courses, culinary arts, patisserie and many more. This is because an inn is something that provides a feel of home even when away from home. Some businessman are so busy that they travel 3 or more countries in a day and which do require homelike comfort and with no doubt these luxury hotels doesn’t lack in it.
After all, Food is something everyone loves and luxury and comfort are a bonus to that. Hotels are located at exotic places, while some in the idle of city, while some are being converted from the palaces of ancient times. Some provide perfect scenic beauty, some are in lap of Himalayas, some are in deserts, some provide outstanding grandeur and there are others who are beside the seaside with all the beauty of nature. The idea of Luxury in hospitality is slowly but steadily evolving from a picture of glamour to an inspiration of comfortable class, and luxury hotel brands have taken notice, modifying their offerings to accommodate a wider group of travelers.
In the presence of so many fascinating and irresistible uber-luxurious hotels and restaurants, who don’t want to be a part of them and experience them atleast once in life. As of current status, gas prices are rising, home sales have sabotaged and stock prices are more uncertain than great adventure’s Kingda Ka roller coaster. The perfect escape? A visit to one of the globe’s most lavish hotels. Whether you are travelling within India or outside India and in search of an innovative inn or a posh place, one of these luxurious lodgings is sure to please.
Marriott International : JW Marriott Hotels & resorts, in the namesake of John Marriott, founder, chairman and CEO of Marriott International is a luxury hotel chain. It has more than 50,000 rooms worldwide in the luxury segment, which for Marriott consists of Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton reserve, JW Marriott, Bulgari and its newest brand, Edition Hotels. All the hotels under this brand have a perfect combination of personal, intimate, individualized and unique lodging experience. it really demands a must visit.!
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. : It is an American hotel and leisure company. Being one of the world’s largest Hotel chains, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences and vacation ownership properties under its nine owned brands ranging from Westin, St. Regis, Sheraton, W, The Luxury Collection etc. It owned, managed or franchised 1,162 properties employing over 171,000 people.
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts: The Oberoi Group is a hotel company with its headquarters in Delhi. Oberoi, founded in 1934, owns and operates 30 hotels and three cruisers in five countries under the brand Oberoi Hotels and Resorts and Trident Hilton brands. The hotel is very lively, and its restaurants are deservedly popular. It also boasts spectacular view from its upper floors. It is surely a must visit.
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai: It has stunning architecture, making it one of the most photographed in the world. It is built in between the sea. All rooms are luxurious suites spanning two floors with incredible views. Beyond the unique over-the-top amenities like attached heliport and hovering tennis courts, there is a vast array of futuristic dining and nightlife options. Just so irresistible to visit !
The Plaza, New York City: Though the Big Apple has many legendary hotels, The Plaza is often a top choice for visiting VIPs, especially for its Royal Plaza Suite that boasts the best views of Manhattan. The three- bedroom/bathroom suite is styled in the most affluent of old world charm with a formal dining room, a library, a gymnasium, a grand piano, full kitchen (for personal chefs), butler’s pantry, and its serviced by its own private elevator. It is really a Fancy visit.
Taj Hotel, Mumbai: A landmark for every tourist visiting Mumbai, The Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel is also one of the city’s oldest hotels. And, surprisingly, it’s the least expensive. A superior room costs Rs.21,500 and Grande luxury suite costs an affordable 1.7 lakhs. A must-see!
Well- heeled travelers are increasingly faced with more choices than ever, as the hospitality industry continues to expand rapidly with top notch hotels in the world’s most popular destinations for leisure and fun. If you are someone who enjoys creature comforts and standout service when you travel, there are number of hotels to choose from. Some are the highlights are mentioned above.
Be sure to pack your designer luggage for this fun countdown of the world’s most expensive and luxurious hotels. Be Ready to pamper yourself with these fancy hotels.

Happy Travel, Happy Luxury

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June 3, 2014
Food is Yumminess!

Yum!… Delicious.. wow! #iwantmore! … Are words completely connected with Food. Food, really tickles our taste buds. People love food, even food love people. Eyes and tongue work hand in hand for food. Though, people are crazy out there for lovely, tasty food. But, the food habits needs to be governed. Healthy food is in all way a boon but these trending junk eatables are in no way good food. These not-so healthy exquisite appetizers are not ought to be consumed every day. Their intake must be checked. But in this technology –driven era, everything is ready in 5 minutes, just needed to be put in microwave. Is this lifestyle so nice to continue or require some attention? Yes, it does. In my sense of understanding, it is good to experience everything which we like, but it needs genuine attention also. It’s true, they are tempting, but self-control is important, dear. Otherwise, results are nasty. Everyone is familiar and well-aware of the facts of over-consumption of junk food which can be obesity, anxiety,diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart attack, cancer etc. as they contain bad fats and usually have high contents of cholesterol, sodium, sugars, and other preservatives, emulsifiers. They generally never contain antioxidants or fibre content or good vitamins and minerals.
We are so persuaded to buy this food as they are readily available and also affordable and people buy it out of the promises, these advertisements make about the nutrition these foods provide us with, which is just an attempt to encourage customers to buy their products. They do not give any health benefits to our body and skin, but still there is never ending temptation and we fall prey to them simply because of their taste, price and ready to cook quality, ignoring their ill-effects. Because of this high consumption of processed foods in the recent years, our fat intake is increased by 20 percent along with an increase in sugar intake by 40 percent. This is the reason that there are more cases of obese children, diabetes, heart attacks, arthritis etc.
It is justified that even if you try your level best, unhealthy foods, fast foods cannot be avoided. Junk food and their advertisements are seen everywhere, from tv to our way to work and workplaces, grocery stores, from inside to outside of homes. Though, to avoid fast food completely from our routines and lifestyle is not practically possible , but atleast cravings for such junk food can be minimized by replacing them with healthier substitutes. These can be:
Sprouts: They can be the ultimate source of nutrition. The sprouted beans, nuts, legumes, grains are a great replacement of these namkeens, chips which have no nutritional value. They are rich in Proteins which make amino acids and provide energy to our body. While chips cannot provide any benefit but these sprouts are the best way to keep control on weight, having good skin, good amount of proteins with numerous other benefits .So, Go.. grab some recipes of sprouts on youtube and start living healthy!
Dark Chocolate: It is much better to consume Dark chocolate than regular bar of chocolates or milk chocolates because generally these contain high calories, sugars and saturated fats. While Dark chocolate with 80 percent cocoa content contain antioxidants, which are good for maintaining skin and healthy body. It is recommended to eat some amount of dark chocolate everyday . So, don’t forget to pick a box of dark chocolate, next time you visit your grocery store.
Lime water with honey : It is an awesome drink having all the qualities of an tasty, healthy drink . It is rich in Vitamin C with a good amount of sweetness and is perfect to prevent obesity and help flush out fats from the body and also gives good skin. Its better to drink it every morning or just consume it in place of your colas and aerated drinks which has just fizz.
Consume whole wheat , Brown bread: That white bread you pick out of habit is of no good. It just contains flour(maidaa) , while a loaf of brown bread has some good qualities of wheat , has less calories and is a healthy alternative for your stomach in comparison to the white bread

Eat Cornflakes : Breakfast is necessary, we all know that. Its better if you eat cornflakes in milk with some nuts and flax seeds and honey rather than jumping onto that milk mixers which gives artificial flavor and taste to your milk.
Drink Green tea: Green Tea, something with innumerable benefits for us. It just can’t be ignored. So before getting Tea, coffee in your hand. Go for some green tea. It is far better than having that caffeine content drink with no value and is a main cause for irritability, tooth decay, nervousness and anxiety. Green tea, rich in antioxidants is an excellent drink for heart patients and for teenagers as it maintains good skin and provide freshness. Next time, you feel the need to relax , grab a cup of green tea . It can be any, chamomile, lemon and honey, tulsi green tea. Any is better than none.
Above are enlisted some of the best foods . There’s another that is gaining popularity now-a-days which is, Organic foods. Because of their so good properties , that they are grown naturally with no use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and do not have adulteration issues. Organic farmers abide by strict standards of growing fruits and vegetables and have more food value. If eating healthy and keeping environment green and clean is your priority, then you can opt for organic foods. Also, avoiding junk food and adopting healthy lifestyle with exercise, yoga and meditation is the need of the hour if we want our future to be healthy and full of yumminess!

Good Food , Good Life. Keep eating. Keep healthy.

June 3, 2014