Author: Dhriti Mehta

The Best Veggie… BROCCOLI

The luscious, green cruciferous veggie called Broccoli is well-known and liked by all. When it comes to health benefits, it has almost every benefit to offer and people love it for its qualities. This vegetable can increase the attractiveness of almost anything be it salad, in raw form or cooked with peas exclusively. The reason for the fan following of broccoli is due to its nutritional profile which is unbeatingly impressive. When one is eating broccoli, he is sure to get dozens, no actually hundreds of nutrients that support optimal body functioning. If you want to know about the origin of word ‘Broccoli’, it comes from Italian word, basically which means ‘flowering crest of the cabbage’ and is generally characterised by large flower head, green in colour. This large green or purple flower head is the reason that it is known to contain Phyto-nutrients that are found to have disease prevention and health maintenance properties. Broccoli is rich in Vitamin A, K, C, iron, zinc, B-complex vitamins phosphorus and dietary fiber. Also, it contains a very important compound, called glucoraphanin. Infact, just a 100gm serving of broccoli will provide you with 150% of daily recommended intake of vitamin C and regarding calories, it just contains 32 calories per 100 gm. Due to the presence of Vitamin C in such high quantities, it has gained so much popularity, as alongwith this, it is also a very good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

To prepare Broccoli, it is recommended to cook only the amount one is going to eat for dinner or lunch and better not to keep extra with the purpose of consuming it later, when given fresh broccoli will be cooked in few minutes. Also, it is best to not overcook your broccoli as it will turn to mush and will take a very unappealing green colour and then you wont feel like eating it. Before Preparing, wash the broccoli in running water and don’t soak it in water. To cook it quickly, cut lengthwise slits in the stems, also, leaves are perfectly edible and contain the concentrated amounts of beneficial nutrients. Also, while cooking take care of the temperature by sticking to a low temperature to support your nourishment. It is good to eat freshly raw or half baked or cooked to get all the nutrients and to enjoy the benefits. As, the broccoli is available the year round in the market , it is preferred to choose bright, compact firm textured florets of broccoli seemingly rich in flavour and avoid the overmature flower heads with yellow buds, hollow stem and excessive branches.

Here are some enlisted benefits of broccoli and trust me there are many;

It prevents or at least reduces Cancer risk: This is the number 1 benefit of broccoli. Researches say that just eat broccoli three times each month and one could potentially reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 40 percent. The reason being that Sulforaphane in broccoli has been known to kill cancer stem cells, thereby striking the root of tumor growth. Even it was found in a study that men who ate broccoli showed a number of beneficial changes in genes that are known to fighting cancer.

Prevents Diabetes and improves heart health: Eating it promotes the production of enzymes that helps in protecting heart blood vessels and reduce the molecules that damages them. It is this Sulforaphane that reduces the number of molecules that reduces cell damage. As, people with diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes and Eating broccoli might help in reversing these effects.

Prevents Arthritis: The sulphur rich broccoli compound blocks a key destructive enzymes that contributes in damaging cartilage. So, increasing broccoli in your diet can slow down and prevent arthritis. So, older people should start eating more broccoli and even the younger ones should develop taste of this wonderful veggie.

Improves the eyes and skin health: Yes, the added benefit of broccoli is that it improves the skin health not by eating it though but by directly applying it. It prevents the skin cancer and improves the skin when damage is caused by UV rays of sun. Also, due to stimulation of variety of antioxidant defense pathways in your body, it slows down the ageing process. Moreover, broccoli also maintains eyesight as it contains Vitamin A in the form of cartenoids.

Broccoli, overloaded with so many benefits for health, really makes it a wonder food. The range of benefits it offers like it alkalizes the body, helps in reducing cholesterol, maintains the right blood pressure and yes, is an excellent diet aid as it curbs overeating. This veggie, broccoli is powerful antioxidant and boosts immune health and prevents cold. The working of broccoli for cancer prevention goes like this; The combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification components in broccoli make it a unique food in terms of cancer prevention. Connections between cancer development and oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and inadequate detoxification are so well-documented in the research that any food improving all three of these metabolic problems is meant to be highly likely to lower the risk of cancer. The broccoli is the one, that is showing strong signs of decreased risk of prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Recent studies have also provided us with a much better idea about the amount of broccoli that we need to lower our cancer risk and it is found like 1/2 cup of broccoli which is 22 calories per day can be enough. Though, some people are reluctant to have broccoli, the reason can be any many be they don’t like the taste or whatever, but even, a 2-cup serving twice a week would meet this minimum average amount, and this shows that it is a very little minimal amount in context of week’s food. You know, broccoli can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits, if cooked by steaming. Well, the benefits are innumerable and that’s the reason it has been counted as one of the world’s healthiest foods. Broccoli is like super pack of health food. The nutritional punch, that broccoli has, is irreplaceable from any vegetable. For diet conscious people, this is something perfect being high in fiber. So, keep eating this rich green food, Broccoli.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

January 1, 2015
Delicious Smoothies…!

The lovely, fruity, refreshingly cool smoothies are almost everyone’s favorite. Available in all varieties, be it fruity or veggie contained green smoothies, served with straw. So popular now, are found in all restaurants, grocery stores and even coffee shops, there’s nothing not to love about smoothies. They may sound like healthy option above all which they are undoubtedly but yes, there are some aspects to it which make not so good. They are considered healthy and come under this umbrella term because most of the time they are made of soy milk, yoghurt, frozen fruit or skim milk. They make a really good options for meal or snack when made with natural fruits. Well, let’s enumerate the health benefits of smoothies;

Smoothies keep you hydrated: Having smoothie in breakfast helps in keeping you hydrated for the whole day. This is what something like soda, tea or coffee won’t do. The body do gets water from many foods and resources, so one doesn’t need to drink water while having smoothie. As milk and yoghurt are largely water, it will quench your thirst eventually. In hot weather, it is preferable to add some extra ice cubes for extra water and the chillness.

Smoothies are perfect or Breakfast: Breakfast needs to be king size, I know you know that. Smoothies make up an excellent choice for breakfasts because they make you feel fuller and are heavy as fruits and veggies are blended together with milk or yoghurt. The classic breakfast of bread, peanut butter, jam and any fruit smoothie is easy-to-make and perfect for any day. Sipping smoothie in the morning prevents you from indulging in unhealthy urges like donuts or drive through. Also, if you have problem taking in those cod liver oil directly, you can add some drops in your smoothie and this will make it all the more nutritious.

Smoothies are Easy, Portable and Custom-made: Smoothies are really easy to make and are really good on-the-go choice. Just pick some fruits, throw them in the blender, put some milk and drink the mixture. If you own a blender, it will be ready in no time. Also, they can be stored and will stay fresh for 24 hours if kept cool and sealed in a right container and you can carry it anywhere in the car or train or gym to have it anytime you like. A vacuum flask is a right choice if you want to keep your smoothie cool and fresh on the move. Moreover, the fun part is you can add all types of ingredients you like in your smoothie and make it as per your taste and mood.

Smoothies are blend of Vitamins and Minerals: They are way better than Multi-vitamins. Drinking fruit smoothie every day is more healthful than taking those multivitamins, even recommended by nutritionists. As just a glass full provide us with enough fiber and loads of all the required vitamins and minerals. Smoothies are a true blend of nutrition. This in turn helps in digestion and may help in control blood sugar and lower cholesterol.

Smoothies are Nutrient-dense and source of calcium: Smoothies are best when they are all natural made with real fruits and veggies. The nutrient –dense ingredients provides vitamins and oils necessary for complete nutrition. A truly healthy smoothie is the one that has dietary fats in the form of cream for the body to use in assimilating the vitamins and minerals. Just simply blend bananas with skim milk or yoghurt or soy milk and get a great deal of benefits and nutrients. And yes, the milk or any base you use is a rich source of calcium, giving it all the more richness.

With all the pros of smoothies, let’s have a look on the ingredients that probably you shouldn’t be using but are preferable to put into your smoothie to make it really rich, which are like,

Aloe Vera, Pomengranate juice, Kefir, Coconut Milk, Chia seeds, Moringa powder, Milled flax seed, Spirulina etc. Well, the great news if you want to know is that if you want to lose weight, smoothies can be used as a meal replacement not an addition to it, so just take it this way and enjoy the results. Like, sip a dairy based smoothie for breakfast or water-based smoothie as a snack. All the fruit or veggie smoothie can be a healthy additional meal plan as long as you maintain proper meal portion. Its better to incorporate smoothies in your diet plan by consulting your dietician or doctor.

Some Awesome smoothie recipes:

Coconut Water-Mango smoothie:

2 cups unsweetened coconut water

Pinch of cayenne powder

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 cups ripe mango chunks

Blend all the ingredients in blender till smooth. Gulp them and enjoy the delicious smoothie.

Now, Here’s is what a really healthy green smoothie will contain, just perfect for your body;

¼ cup water

1 banana

¼ cup orange juice

1 cup spinach

¾ cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

Blend till smooth and enjoy the green richness of the drink.

All these less calories, full of refreshment and deliciousness smoothies make up really good combination in breakfast or as a evening snack. Basically, smoothie is perfect for a busy life like present time, counts as an ideal on the go drink and is really easy to make, ready in no time. Smoothies are now-a days everywhere, people are talking about it a lot on the internet or in general. Why? Because it is Healthy. Yes, It definitely is healthy. There’s more to green smoothies but smoothies or protein shakes in any form is healthy. Though, taking fruits and veggies straightforward form is also healthy, but sipping on smoothie gives a new refreshing touch to them.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

January 1, 2015
Why Brown Rice…?

Well, Brown rice is something probably everyone has heard of and is now too common to see in grocery stores. And, they are better than White rice; most of us know that! Though it is true that White rice looks more attractive and delicious than brown rice because of its texture and majority of people choose white one but that doesn’t mean it makes them a healthy alternative. According to many studies, it has been proved that Brown rice is the top choice in terms of nutrition and inherent health benefits.

Now, the question comes, Why Brown Rice?? The answer and the reason lies in the Process, which occurs like, before white rice went through refining process, it looked exactly like brown rice. Brown rice , actually are still left with the hull and bran which renders it quick cooking time thus making it easier to digest as it’s much lighter in the stomach and are also regarded as unpolished rice. These side hulls and brans provide them with natural “wholeness” to the grain and are rich in proteins, magnesium, calcium, fiber. The health benefits associated with replacing White rice in your diet with Brown rice are like it reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes and also help in losing weight. The well known fact is that eating whole grains is critical part of any diet. Also, there was study by Harvard Medical School, which solely confirmed that gaining weight was inversely associated with the intake of high-fiber, whole grain foods. This literally meant that taking more whole grain foods will lead to less weight gain. That’s the reason why these all bran corn flakes or whole grain breads are recommended for people trying to lose weight. It proved that women who consumed more whole grains consistently weigh less and were very less likely to gain more weight compared to those eating foods made from refined grains. The enlisted benefits of brown rice being counted are;

High source of Anti-oxidants: The best thing, if any about brown rice is that they are rich in antioxidants. Usually, the general perception is that the antioxidant intake is associated with blueberries, green tea or other fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant capacity of brown rice is right up there with these superstars, giving you all the lovely benefits like these wonder foods. So, learn to enjoy its taste.

High Fiber Content: Brown rice contains high fiber content , supplying 14 percent of the recommended daily value for fiber, which is an important nutrient to prevent cancer and is considered as number one food to prevent colon cancer. All this is attributed to the high levels of fiber as it attaches to substances that cause cancer and toxins, thus eliminating them and preventing in developing in those areas. Also, fiber is known to promote cardiovascular health.

Perfect Baby Food: Brown rice in itself is a cereal and this is what makes it a perfect food for babies due to natural nutrition and fiber it is known to contain. Moreover, it is excellent food for preventing the risk of asthma in childhood as studies show that whole grains like brown rice or fish lowers this risk by 50 percent. This is better choice than polished and refined white rice as growing babies require nutrient rich diet to maintain their rapid growth cycles.

Rich in Selenium and Manganese: Brown rice has very rich content of selenium , which is known to destroy cancer cells and even repair DNA. What is worth knowing is that just one cup of brown rice contains 88 percent of the recommended daily value of Manganese, which reduces the risk of common illnesses, such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease and fights the risk of developing free radicals. Manganese is very beneficial for our nervous and reproductive benefits and plays a key role in synthesis of fatty acids.

A Slow release in Sugar: Do you know that Brown rice helps in stabilizing sugar levels, and this is what makes them an excellent choice for diabetic patients. Studies show that people who consume atleast half cup of brown rice daily have more stabilized sugar levels than the ones who eat white rice. Just eating whole grains like barley, whole wheat or brown rice will lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Good Source of Phytonutrients: These compounds which have anti inflammatory properties are naturally found in plants and they tend to act as antioxidants. Many researches have shown that brown rice are known to provide as much phytonutrients as other foods like fruits and veggies.

If you havn’t consumed brown rice yet, it is required to develop taste for them. Though they tasteless, but still. So, first you should mix 1 cup of brown and white rice each, when making for the first time. Then, gradually reduce the portion of white rice while cooking and eventually you’ll end up making and eating brown rice solely in your diet. And, you will soon start liking rich nut like flavour and brown texture of your rice. Then, continue with this brown rice diet and enjoy the wholesome benefits. As, rice is such a popular menu option in all the cuisines and in almost all the cultures around the world. So, when there is such a healthy option for us, why should we ignore it. Generally, people don’t know much about brown rice and unconsciously go for white rice in grocery stores as they loved the aroma and are so used to it. But, with so much talking about brown rice, now people have started taking brown rice as they are loaded with nutrients and their awesome wholesomeness. Non-Basmati makes a good dinner and fends off hunger cravings; And with so many health benefits, its not easy to avoid them now. Also, taste for them develops with time and altogether your health also will improve. Also, try these healthy delicacies as above and enjoy the deliciousness.

Healthy Eating. Happy life.

December 30, 2014
Quirky Fooooood Facts!

Food, Food, Foood, we crave for it, we love it, we want more, we want tasty and what not. Yes, we do! The more delicious food is, the more crazy we go for it. Craving for eatable is directly associated with the tastefulness. Sitting, binging on favorite foods is like heaven on earth. If you are also among the one who is curious not about what to eat but about the complex still awesome facts as to what makes up food, this will be right read for you. And, if you love food, you will love weird, quirky, lovely, yuk, yum, wow facts about food too; Enjoy as you read on!

Bananas; you love them, No! Rich source of iron, calcium. Well, do you know The Banana tree is actually a herb, and if you have seen and checked out the banana tree, you will see there’s no wooden trunk, the plant dies and then like a phoenix it is reborn. The banana we love, is a fruit of the herb and we eat this herb a lot!

Peanuts, that we love to have in the form of peanut butter or peanut shake or in raw form. Just add some salt and masala, and we are ready to munch on it anytime But did you know, these peanuts were once used to help in making bombs. This happens like when peanut oil is processed, we get glycerol, which is then made into nitroglycerine, and that makes up a main constituents in dynamite. But then times have changed and now peanut is rarely used in dynamite. Just restricted its use to the kitchen. In case, you want to make your own explosives!

Butter Tea, Not much popular, probably you have heard and tasted it. For tea lovers, hope you will still love your tea. You know this Tibetan tea is a must try. Boiled for half a day, and then, churned with bamboo, with salt butter and rancid soda and they even love to add tsu and flour to it and a mixture of hardened cheese, sugar and butter and then they enjoy this tea.

Potatoes, Apples, Onions; the important ones, No?! wondering, what these have in common, Maybe, nothing when you see or taste them. But just try this once. Close your eyes and block your nose and taste them and you will be surprised as they will taste the same. Yes, the potatoes, apples and onions. Crazy, Right? Even the textures are the same but you will not know what exactly you have eaten till you breathe again. Exciting this is!

Coconut Water; the perfect refreshment on a beach and a sunny day and yes, the nutrient rich also. But what is going to be mentioned here will surprise you more than anything. Caution as it must be followed only in case of emergency. Apparently, it is believed that coconut water can be used as a substitute for the blood plasma and yeah, you heard it right, as it contains appropriate levels of pH, as it surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition.

Carrots, you see them red or orange, I know, But do you know the traditional colour of carrots is considered as purple. What actually happened is Dutch people, took strains of purple, yellow and white carrots and developed them into plump and sweet orange carrots and then we see them as reddish orange carrots and love to eat them.

Now here comes this not so nice fact which goes like this. The food that you eat is known to legally contain some moulds, parasites, rodent hair. Not that you want to know this, but we just needed to share as a part of quirkness!

Here’s this interesting fact, if you ever wondered which city have most expensive meals in the world. This would be Tokyo for dinner, Sydney for lunch and Madrid for Breakfast. This is the reason you need help while budgeting your international meal plans.

Now, this is a research showing where the water goes! The research by Waterfootprint.org says, that the production of about two pounds of cheese requires 5000 litres of water, 1500 litres for sugar and the whopping 701 litres for apples. Yes, the huge massive amount of water.

Mushrooms, most loved have no cholesterol and do you know they are virtually free of sodium and fat. What they contain is Vitamin B1, B2, selenium, Iron, niacin, potassium, thus giving us all the more reasons to love them and eat them.

Worcestershire Sauce; the well known part of Chinese cuisine. There’s something fishy about this sauce, And do you the main ingredient of this sauce? The anchovies, which is a fish available in England. And, this sauce is prepared by taking these fish and soaking them in vinegar, till all the bones dissolve. Vegetarians might not like to read his fact even!

Clear chicken soup with garlic bread is number one choice for non-vegetarians. This is the most popular soup known to mankind. But the point to ponder is, Was it the first soup known, Well, no, the leathery mammal, called hippopotamus was the first ingredient used in the first soup. Interesting enough!

Well, Food everyone dwells on. Food is all time favorite, whether you’re in happy mode or exciting, party mode or sad, puckered up. But food finds its place everywhere, so do the facts associated. These quirky pieces of information related to the most important part of life, The food presents a very interesting insights. There are foods you know are beneficial for your health and then there are there are these facts about them, which we bet you didn’t know. Quirky enough that you feel the urge to tell them to your friends. From Hippo soup to Bananas being herb, enjoy the quirkness.

Bon Appetite!

December 30, 2014
Food and Mood… like Body and Soul!

Food is heaven! I know that twinkling eyes when you see your food coming and the joy of relishing all the more tasty food. Have you seen many people are depressed and anxious and why are they?! Yes, maybe the stress of their life probably, but the magic wand which presents food will always likely to make them happy. You know, A lot of it comes down to food. But if you get people eating the right food, they start to feel good instantly. Of course, this is mentioned in conjunction with moderate exercise and overall healthy diet. The foods that boosts level of serotonin levels in our blood forms an important part of achieving balanced mind and body. And the best part is most of the food that makes us happy aren’t that boring as you might think. Surprised, eh?! Read on to get an idea what blissful meals you can when you’re feeling blue;

Chocolate: Yes, you heard it right. Let’s start with most loved, Chocolate. This might be great news for you as Chocolate actually alleviates your mood. Many studies have shown that people tend to feel better after having small piece of dark chocolate. It reduces stress and experts believe that this is due to the antioxidants it contains. When you indulge, don’t take too much of it, as there are calories too but yes, little for some while is a good idea.

Fruits and veggies: Do you know experts recommend 4 to 11 bananas per week for optimal happiness. This is because potassium rich bananas are rich in tryptophan and it stimulates the ‘feel good’ hormone, called serotonine. Its not just this fruit but other fruits include blueberries, avocados, pineapple, citrus, beans or dark green vegetables. These are considered good because they contain B vitamins and folate. They give our hormones a boost. These blueberries, avocados are really important because of their antioxidants content, which helps in reducing inflammation and risk of many diseases including cancer. Also, it is well known to eat whole foods to be healthy. So, don’t think twice while having these fruits and veggies.

Seafood: Fish are a Superfood. Wondering why! Well, because they are full of Omega-3s, which as we know are wonderful for our health. Seafood is generally full in Omega 3s, which is known to reduce inflammation and actually makes a large part of brain and if you consume them more, you are less likely to suffer from depression. Eating oily fatty fish like sardines, tuna will really boost up your mood. So, munch on seafood whenever you like.

Coconut: The scent of coconut can really de-stress you and blunt your fight or flight response. It is proved by researchers that inhaling a pleasant scent of coconut really enhances alertness alongwith soothing our response to stress. Go, have coconut and smell it and feel the freshness.

Low fat-dairy products: Dairy foods are excellent source of Vitamin B, D, proteins and minerals including magnesium and zinc and the good part is they contribute to the creation of serotonin in the brain. The cheese you try to avoid because of calorie issues, do you know, is particularly high in amino acids, which generates tryptophan to make serotonin and eventually boost up your mood.

Saffron: Well, saffron is something loveliest of all and yes, the expensive one too. But I’m sure you won’t know this part that saffron is historically used for depression in Persian traditional medicines and is really effective. It is reported by researchers that women when take pinch of saffron in their menstrual cycles helps in reduction of PMS symptoms by half like depression, mood swings, anxiety etc. Saffron really has antidepressant effect, proven by many studies. Researchers believe that the spice works by same mechanism, helping to make feel good neuro transmitters , serotonin, more available to the brain.

Legumes and Beans: Eating legumes is like all time recommendation to anyone as they are really healthy. They are like superfood, full of proteins, have no fat and clean your intestines. Legumes such as chickpeas, kidney and bertolli beans helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and which in turn maintains an even temper. Generally, what happens is people eat foods which are readily available and has lot of refined sugars, wheat, cakes, pies and sweets. Legumes, however, slow down the body’s absorption of carbohydrates, also lay off hunger pangs and thus the resultant mood swings that come from not eating right.

Carbohydrates: You heard it right, I’m talking about carbs. They can make you happy. It holds true that highly refined carbs like cakes, pastas, bread can bring up mood highs and lows, it is still essential to have good carbohydrates in your diet, rather than completely avoiding it. Despite persistent myths, I’m mentioning here that carbs don’t make you fat and can boost up your mood. Researchers have found that carbs promote the production of serotonin levels, so assign yourself this high carb, low-fat dairy, whole grain, beans and fruits. While, following low-carb diet strictly can really affect your mood negatively.

Basically, food is the perfect solution for a bad day, bad mood. No matter what you have faced the whole day, relishing a good food can uplift your mood in no time. Whatever the challenges are, its easier to cope up when your spirits are high, And it’s hard to be in good mood if you are lacking in some key nutrients or feeling hungry constantly. So, never skip a meal and have food whenever you feel like. Who says healthy is boring. The above listed ones are delicious and most of us love the seafood or chocolate or carbs and the most loved, saffron. Munch as much as you want and enjoy the happiness. Because eating is happy and healthy.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

December 13, 2014
10 Scenic Driver’s drives…

Do you love long road trips? Yes, The long drives with awesome scenic views and spectacular roads. In this busy, impatient world, in this technology driven era, Reaching from Point A to Point B is often can be covered in few hours by airtravels, fly from jets and the metros. But that relaxing, meditating kind of long trip is something worthtaking.

There are million of miles of roads paved by milions of people across the earth, but driving through some of them is actually breathtaking with all the scenic beauty and beautiful views it has. There is a famous saying that,” the journey is more important than the destination.” But the picturesque road travels I have mentioned here are sure to be paved by any wanderlust. Instead of simply being a part of the journey, these roads are so awe-inspiring, stupendous that they have become a destination in itself. If you wanna have such experience, just fasten your seat belts, take your beloved ones and hit the road.

Great Alpine Road, France: The Great Alpine road a.k.a Route des Grandes Alps, is a 425 mile road through French Alps, connecting Lake Geneva and the French Riviera. The scenery outside is Stunning. Consider driving through the South, you will be enchanted by snow capped mountains, valleys and glimmering lakes. You will find number of cols or mountain passes, which have dangerous curves and steep offs. Just drive slowly from the curves , Yes, the most exciting and highest paved pass in the alps such as Col de I’Iseran. You will just love your journey and all the views as you fasten through the alps.

Pacific Coast Highway, California: This route runs along the Pacific coastline of U.S. state of California. It is one of the crown jewels of America’s national scenic beauty. This is 656 miles long route which runs along the State coast from Orange County to Mendocino County and you will encounter some very fine scenery from start to finish. The best spots along the drive include Monterey, the Bixby bridge In Big Sur, being one of the most photographed places of all California. The whole route is super awesme in itself.

The Amalfi Coast, Italy: Possessing some of the most beautiful views of Italy, this drive is along the southern coastline of Sorrentine Peninsula. In UNESCO’s words , The Amalfi Coast drive is “ An outstanding example of Mediterranean landscape.’ This legendary drive is having exotic views of teal Mediterranean Sea. The road passes through terraced coastal villages , cliffs an towns. But drivers should go little slow as much of it is narrow, so driving through it can be tricky.

Manali-Leh Highway: Situated in North India, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, he spectacular route is completely beautiful, covered with snow-clad Himalayas, glaciers, streams and high-altitiude plains. This 40 km highway is a epitome of adventure at every step with magnificent views. The route is opened only during summer months, between June to October and it connects Manali valley to Lahaul and Spiti valleys and Zankar valleys in ladakh. The two-day drive of Manali-Leh highway will take you through five mountain passes, including Rohtang la, Taglang La, being the highest point in the whole journey. Just keep your Camera ready for the awesome moments.

Yamuna Expressway: Newly built Yamuna Expressway is perfect for those who love speed as the whole route is straight stretch with very less twists and turns. The 6-lane, 165 km long, controlled-access Yamuna expressway, connects Greater Noida with Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in just over 2 hours. You will be encountered with green fields, sundry villages, open spaces. You will just go on and on on the runway, the only interruption you may face is the five-toll plazas. So, gear up your car or bike and enjoy the ride.

Mumbai-Goa Highway: This exciting road connects the one city being Bollywood-oriented and other being Beach-oriented and the hghway is busiest of all. It is scenic because it is both smooth and picturesque. The NH-17 , 600 km stretch runs from Mumbai to Thiruvanathpuram, winding its way through Western Ghats and covering up Konkan Coastline. There are many attractions on the way like Trekking at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, birdwatching and many panaromic views, ready to be captured. The surrounding clouds kissing the greenest hills having steep turns just makes it a thrill and must go.

Guoliang Tunnel Road, China: This is carved along the side of and through a mountain in China. Simply, photos of road are scary to imagine drive off this whole way out. But its is very exciting and adventurous, Just be little cautious and you will have the most heroic experience of your life. Its been called the road which doesn’t tolerate any mistakes, high up in the Taihang mountains of eastern China and is just 12 feet wide by 15 feet high. The road was actually built by local villagers to connect the Guoliang with the outside world, since then it has become a major tourist spot. Throughout the road, there are stunning views from the cliffs into the valleys. Just dare to go and enjoy it.

Atlantic Road, Norway: The ride of Atlantic Road, part of Norway country gives you breathtaking views of Westfjords and surprising glimpses of whales, seals and exotic birds along the way as an added attraction. The road is famed for its 8km long Zigzagging along the Norwegian coastline. The road is built in such a way that there are many thrilling rises and falls with the contours of the land in many places giving an optical illusion of the road ending in mid-air. But don’t worry as bridges continues smoothly. It perfectly a roller coaster ride with spectacular views from your four wheelers.

The Overseas Highway, Florida Keys: It is a 127.5 mile highway through the Florida Keys, carrying U.S. route no.1. This was built in 1938 on top of what was once Overseas Railroad and that was destroyed by the Labor Day hurricane that swept through Florida Keys in 1935. The overseas Highway stretches mostly over water across 42 bridges between Key Largo and Key West. You can encounter some of the most awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets here on The overseas highway. It’s a wonderful sensory experience. The road is something, not worth to be missed.

Interoceanic Highway, Peru-Brazil: The interoceanic a.k.a transcontinental highway in Peru and Brazil, connecting the two South-american countries. The newly constructed highway, completed in 2011 and is stretched across 2600 kms. The route passes through very dramatic contrasting landscapes. Running along Peruvian coast, through remote stretches of the Andes and dense Amazonian rainforests. Inbetween, you can take a diversion to the famous ruins of Machu-Picchu.

Well, these were some of the most loveliest, adventurous, with spectacular views and dangerous twists and turns and these roads are really worth to be paved. The bucket-list of scenic drives is all yours. Just be ready with all the food, snacks, Kodak and go on to have the most memorable experience of your lives, either alone or with your loved ones. Pack your bags and plan the trip to the nearest of your places and eventually you wont resist experiencing the other roads too, which are farther but not irresistible for any driving lover. Just keep driving on and on don’t forget to take a break at some of the most prominent pointsin between the journey through these roads. If you are daring, you will simple love your ways out and destinations are also exciting where you will reach ultimately, but there is no replacement for journeys through these road. So, What are you waiting for? Break this monotony and enjoy the roads, and the mountains and the scenery and the water and much more.

Happy Driving. Happy Life.

December 8, 2014
Food Myths Exposed!

There is like crux of truths behind so many food and nutrition myths and now, this articles will help you separate science from silliness and uncover some most common Food myths. Yes, some conventional food wisdom you think makes you so wise, is well, not so wise. And that’s why you need to clear up your cluttered mind and here’s are some real food myths busted, only for you. Go through them and get yourself amazed…

Chocolate lifts up mood and is Antidepressant: The most common aspect we believe in, these delicacies help in upliftment of mood and makes us feel better when you are feeling low. Like Really? The story behind it is that chocolate has been touted as possessing this ability to boost serotonin levels. But there’s a problem with this theory as per researchers. First being, that your mood changes without change in serotonin levels. Finally, when you eat chocolate as comfort food, it is more likely to prolong your depression rather than bringing it to an end and this is why the joy you receive from eating chocolate is short and sweet as a pleasure of anticipation.

Calories eaten at night have more fattening than the calories eaten in morning: Well, this is funny to think that calories have effect on your body system as per time of the day. As told by Dr. John Foreyt,” Calories are calories and it doesn’t really matter what time you eat them. What actually matters are the total calories that you take in.” So, better to keep check on the amount of calories rather than on time.

Fresh is always better than Frozen: Not a truth as Frozen can be as good as fresh food with all the nutrients intact. The frozen produce can be as nutritious as fresh and this is because it is frozen shortly after picking, which says that it retains more nutrients than if it has to travel, unfrozen for days before being sold and consumed. Also, there is cost benefit as frozen is often cheap as compared to fresh.

Apples are as good for you now as they always were, like in 19^th century: Apples are awesome and are an excellent wholefood and source of nutrients and Vitamin A, of course. But unlike in 1940s, when apples were known to contain three times as much of iron as one of today’s apple, which was due to growing of the same crops in the same soils. It removes the nutrients and that’s why crop rotation is so important.

Dark or Brown Bread is always better than White bread: A very common perception that people have, that white bread holds no good and dark one is better. While the truth is slightly different as dark bread may just have caramel colouring and be no better than white bread. Rather look at such words on the packaging like, ”whole wheat bread” “whole grain” ; that means bread is made from unrefined wheat, which has more than double the fiber and also has high potassium, manganese, selenium content. So, break this myth.

Eggs are bad for your heart health: Well, Labeling eggs as bad for the heart is wrong notion as many studies show that healthy people can eat an egg a day without any problem. Though it is true that it contains substantial amount of cholesterol in their yolks which is about 211 milligrams per large egg. But the good thing for most of us is, that the cholesterol we eat in eggs or any other food, doesn’t have a huge impact on raising our blood cholesterol as the body compensates by simply manufacturing less cholesterol itself. Only trans fats and saturated fats are the chief culprits for heart disease. Make sure that eggs can fit in as long as you make a room for them in the rest of what you’re eating.

Carbohydrates make you fat in some way: The famous low carb/no carb manifesto is generally followed by many people thinking carbohydrates are fattening while there’s nothing inherently in them that make them a fat food. Undoubtedly, refined carbohydrate rich food such as white bread, pasta can raise the risk of gaining weight and other health problems but is you cut so called, good carb from your diet such as whole grains, beans , then you are missing out the main source of fuel for your body.

Radiation from microwave zaps nutrients in your food: This is a misguided thinking as according to many researchers, it is the heat and the amount of time you are cooking that affects the loss of nutrient and not the way you cook it. The right perception is; because microwave take less time to cook and hence minimize the nutrient losses. Microwave cooking is no different than any other method of cooking that supplies heat to food. You just need to make sure that you use microwave-safe containers only and not just pick any of the plastic container.

Craving certain food because there is deficiency in one of the nutrients they provide: Nope! It’s not true that you crave certain because you have gotten deficient in nutrients they provide to your body. The basic reason behind human food craving tends to be more about satisfying emotional needs than the actual hunger. Generally, cravings occur when you have a boring diet or you are restricted to eat something. If there is any nutrient deficiency then it is of “iron” and that lack of iron might somehow affect the body’s mechanisms.

All these food facts or food myths busted here might surprise you and change your ways and perceptions about it. But it is for your good, if taken into consideration. Now, relish food more.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

December 6, 2014
Barbeque Nation: A must visit!

A world of food in itself is Barbeque Nation. Whether you want to have a dinner out, celebrate an occasion with your friends, colleagues or loved ones, this is the place. A place with perfect ambience and zippy service. You just can’t miss to come in here at BBQ Nation. The food, which is vegetarian and non-vegetarian is fresh, tasty and the most special part is that they there is live grill that is placed directly on your table so that you can grill your starters and savour them while there are still sizzling. Wonderful, No? Also, there is lively arrangement of slow, peppy, hip music and other easy listening number you can choose from. Everything just perfect to lift up the mood.They say that they believe in simple pleasure of eating food and food here is like celebration of life in itself. The soups and salads and main course in this mouth-watering restaurant is taken from cuisines around the world- American, Mediterranean, Oriental, Asian and even Indian!

Barbeque Nation being one of the most successful casual dining food chain in India and has several outlets in all the major cities of India. Let’s have a look on how it all started, the world on grill; food franchise, what’s the story behind it, let’s uncover it.

Sure, some of the successful businesses today are born out of the small personal everyday needs and these end up becoming huge companies with a bit of innovation and desire to deliver satisfaction. Such a tiny, trivial issue pushed the thinking of Mr. Prosenjit Roy Chaudhary to an extent that the mere experiment to get rid of issue turned into one of the most successful food chain in India – Barbeque Nation; a.k.a BBQ Nation. Here goes the story. As in November, Indore can get quite chilly evenings and at the poolside of Sayaji Hotels, the temperature was 7 degree Celsius and Mr. Prosenjit was informed by his MD- Sajid Dhanani, about the complaints of customers that the kebabs served to the guests at hotel were getting cold. That evening, he was watching television in evening at his home, when he saw how nomads are facing a similar problem while camping at riverside. They erected a grill using stacked armour and roasted meat on it. Mr. Choudhary as amazed by this and began serving kebabs on mini grills at the tables, which were 90% cooked, in the banquet division of Sayaji Hotels. It was a big hit.

Then, Chaudhary got the green flag from his MD, to enter into food retail and As CEO of BBQ Nation, he brought the idea to Mumbai and set up city’s first Barbeque Nation at Pali hill, Bandra. People liked it a lot and between 2006 to 2008, there were 13 outlets. Today there are 35 outlets across India. The chain generates revenue of nearly 9 crore per store and the profit margins are 19 percent. What is remarkable about it is the buffet service serving unlimited meat and seafood. As Mr. Chaudhary says,” Barbeque Nation doesn’t begrudge you on portions. He further adds,” If they say they are serving prawns, they will really give you unlimited amounts of prawns.” The firm says, it is interested to explore internationally also and will be going global in coming next years and also adds that Indian market is still the most exciting place to experiment. The firm tells,” We have some serious trade enquiries from Australia, UAE and especially from Dubai. We would be exploring the opportunities of expanding outside India now.”

The chain operates on economies of scale and it offers its customers the independent dining experience. The customers pay a flat price ranging between Rs. 650 and 800 per head, depending on location and time, gets a choice of five vegetarian and non-vegetarian that they can season and cook on the grill, at the table, then move to the main course buffet and can eat as much as they want. This is a unique experience in itself and you enjoy your food like having a barbeque at home and if I talk about taste, undoubtedly perfect. The firm feels that giving fixed price and unlimited choices and food, may have attracted and retained such a pool of customers. Also, it makes it easy for the group of professionals to visit as there is no uncertainty about the bill. He also adds that concept of unlimited buffet isn’t new but execution of Barbeque Nation is superior and lovely experience in itself, making the imitators difficult to copy and compete and operate at same level. The food chain is efficient in its service and is able to deliever consistency at every outlet; which is unlimited food, prompt service and clean toilets. The food is also a perfect blend of multiple cuisines and just the perfect taste to tickle your taste buds and makes it irresisitible for you to avoid coming here. You just can’t help but seduced to dine-in in BBQ Nation.

In this picture is Mr. Kayum Dhanani, the now MD of BBQ.

Indulge yourself in for an unforgettable Barbeque experience, something you just can’t forget and can’t resist walking in again. Go, discover the joy of partying well with Class and Style and yeah, the delicious food. The restaurant is all yours ready to serve your appetite.

November 21, 2014
Too much of healthy eating… A disorder?

When it comes to eating healthy foods, the answer is always yes. But do you know excess of pure and healthy foods and their consumption can be disorder. Though, it is well known that excess of everything is bad for health. Yes, It is right that we all are encouraged to eat healthy foods and munch on healthy diet but some people take it too far and having too much of it; Not a good idea. Excess of healthy eating falls in eating disorder category, when taken beyond to a certain point and this disorder is called as Orthorexia Nervosa, which refers to compulsion to eat nothing, but healthy. It is an obsessive compulsive disorder that creates severe phobias about eating impure unhealthy food, though it may seem counter-intuitive but limiting oneself to certain category of foods, termed as “healthy” can be dangerous. Eating disorder charities are reporting rise in number of people suffering from this serious psychological condition. This condition, Orthorexia Nervosa was named by Californian doctor, Steven Bratman, in 1997, and is described as a “fixation in righteous eating”. This tends to effect equal number of men and women but sufferers tend to of over 30, middle class and well-educated. Orthorexics are solely concerned about their diets and quality of foods they put in their body, refining and restricting their bodies according to their personal understanding of which foods are “pure”. They have rigid rules around eating like refusing to touch salt, sugar, soya, gluten, yeast, wheat, caffeine or any foods containing artificial additives are also out. This obsession of ‘good’ leads to malnourishment in them most of the time.

Consultant lifestyle nutririonist Trupti Gupta says,”It’s a condition that stems from low self-esteem, or a need to be in complete control, even at the cost of punishing yourself.” If your life revolves around food and you cant plan your outing without specific meal availability, it can become a major concern for your family and friends. Moreover, due to this specificity, they also suffer from deficits as they take the reins of their meals in their own hands without seeking any professional advice. The most common issues faced by orthorexics are loneliness, depression, anxiety and failure. For those who can’t beat their obsession of clean green, healthy food, this is what it can lead to. To improve the condition, take emotional help from near and dear ones and watch carefully through these points;

Excessive Water intake: Water is excellent for health and drinking eight glasses every day is recommended. I know everyone has heard of it millions of times and no doubt follow it too. This is because water flush out the toxins from the body, but excess is not good, so you need to draw a line here too. As, one should not exceed their intake from eight glasses of water a day, because it leads to hyperhydration and which is not a sign of good health. It can lead to chemical imbalance in the body. So, keep check on your drinking amount.

Don’t Overdo your Proteins: Deficiency of proteins is not good. True. Even, sometimes fitness experts say going high on proteins and reduce your intake of carbohydrates, but it is advised to use your discretion here too. Carbohydrates, being source of energy can give adverse effects if kept out of your diet. When you can’t get your energy from non-carb diet, then it will be taken from protein and fat, which will put pressure on liver. In place, protein supplements taken in excess can put a strain on kidney, which can prove to be detrimental to health, and even lead to weight gain if not accompanied by proper exercise.

Check your Calcium intake: You must ensure that your calcium intake is upto the mark to maintain good good bone health. However, one should remember that excess of it in the body can affect your bones in a negative way. As, it can lead to the build-up of calcium deposits in the joints, causing pain in them and can also lead to stones in the kidney.

Popping of Vitamin Pills: Being conscious about your vitamins is good but indiscriminate popping those pills to maintain your vitamin content of body is not recommended. Remember, an overdose of Vitamin B1 can lead to deficiency in Vitamin B2. It can be even fatal. As, excessive Vitamin A can damage your liver and is also harmful for the bones and in pregnant women, it may even end up having birth defects in the child. On the other hand, Excessive Vitamin C can lead to diarrhoea. It is but natural that high dose of such supplements can cause adverse effects, especially if they are fat soluble like Vitamin A, D, E and K. So, its better to moderate your vitamin intake.

A body needs everything in moderation so that all the nutrients can be balanced according to their needs. The reverse of unhealthy eating habits, when fussing over health gets dangerous which is clear from many instances as above. Too much calorie calculation leads to psychological anorexia, further leading to many deficiencies. One should cut their quality of food of the basis of healthy eating with the perception of being healthy or losing weight as it may lead to malnutrition. Rather, one should measure our worth in laughter, peace and happiness not in weight or height. Moderation and Balanced diet is the key. So, eat healthy but don’t push yourself to healthy eating disorder.

November 9, 2014
Canned fruits and veggies… Healthy or not?

I know fresh fruits and veggies are always considered the best. When its organic, it is like cherry on the cake. But with changing lifestyle canned fruits have replaced the tree ripen fruits, ready to pluck and eat. Now there are ready to open cans having slices of fruits cut already and just needed to be eaten. Now, the concern here is if these are good to be consumed as they are, yes, they are good in saving time and just seem to be automatic to be eaten anywhere, any time. But, the concern arises when you think about the preservatives or chemicals used to keep the can food fresh. There is an idea among consumers that if it isn’t fresh it doesn’t count. But there is also findings saying that People need to be encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables whether they may be fresh, frozen or canned, all do well. The only variable whatever form fits best and fits the pocket of consumer. When it comes to canned, all forms of fruits and vegetables matter; fresh, frozen, canned, sliced, dried and 100% juice. With so many options available and loads of variety, convenient packaging to make fruits and veggies easy to store and ready to serve, there is something in frozen, canned food that pleases everyone. Here are some quickie facts about canned stuff. Go through them and amaze yourself.

Most of the frozen and canned foods are processed within hours of harvest, so that their flavor and nutritional value are preserved and saved.

Studies show that foods prepared with canned foods have same nutritional value as that present in dish prepared with fresh and frozen ingredients.

The only difference between fresh just cooked stuff and frozen food is that canned foods are ‘cooked’ prior to packaging, so they are recipe-ready.

Frozen foods also require little initial preparation – washing and slicing for instance is already done.

Based on these facts, they say that all types of frozen foods count towards your daily dietary recommendation. Canned variety can be considered as healthy alternative. The good or bad in the canned fruit is determined here;

According to USDA, adults should atleast eat 2 servings of fruit each day and canned fruits are just as healthy, if not more, than its fresh counterpart. You know this, when fresh fruit is stored for many days, the vitamin C content is diminished, as it is easily destroyed by exposure to fresh air. However, canned fruits still retain much of vitamin C, even when stored for months, which is a clear advantage. Also, many fresh fruits are stored in cold stores and shipped miles before being enjoyed which also leads to loss in their nutritional content. Also, when out of season, they cost you pretty penny, while canned is available year round, at the same price and you can even find discount coupon on them when order online.

But, if have to count on the bad aspects of canned stuff, here’s some issues of concern. For people who are diet conscious or disease-ridden, it may pose a problem, as canned fruits loaded and canned in heavy syrup coat, the pieces of fruit have loads of added sugar. One half-cup of pears packed in their own juice contains 60 calories and 12 grams of sugar. Though, fruit cocktail may seem to be healthy choice, but buyers should buy them mindfully as many varieties of canned fruits and veggies are packed in heavy and light syrup, plus those cherries often contain artificial colours. So, while choosing brands, look for those packed in juice and without any artificial color and then only trust the content. To avoid the risk of any illness or health problem, check properly while buying and avoid buying bloated, leaking or dented or cans with flawed seals. If you open a can and its funky or foamy odour, discard it immediately without tasting it as it may lead to serious repercussions.

Basically, canned fruits can be a good source of nutrition, vitamins and minerals but check before buying the nutrition label to know what exactly you’re getting. Typically, canning reduces the levels of most vitamin B and C, compared to fresh fruits, minerals, fiber, potassium and vitamin A and E are roughly found in same levels as present in fresh fruit. Also, if you can’t afford fresh fruit or it isn’t readily available in your area, it is preferable to boost fruit consumption by adding canned fruit instead of completely carbing food out of diet. All the more, canned fruits and veggies are convenient when it comes to making desserts or last-minute breakfasts. Few last things you can consider; Frozen and dried fruit add to great wintertime option and unsweetened frozen fruit which is not packed in sugar, retains much of its nutritional value since it’s picked and processed rapidly. You can use it in everything ranging from baked foods to sauces and smoothies. The quality and variety of frozen food has really improved in recent years and is now used as a healthy alternative and easy option. The key thing is Canned food can certainly become part of your healthy diet plan but its really important to read labels and choose cans wisely.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

November 9, 2014