Author: lokesh naidu

Diwali-A festival of lights

Diwali is celebrated by Indians all over the world with great happiness.This is the reason it is most popular and is also most likely festival in the country as well as abroad.Diwali is also known as festival of lights.Diwali is different from other festivals it doesn’t comes with one day celebrations, it brings a series of holidays along with it.On the day of Diwali goddess Lakshmi is worshiped with most devotion and peace of mind.During the Diwali season lights, crackers, sweets are shopped frequently everywhere in India and abroad.This festival generally falls in the month of September-November.The festival is generally celebrated as the victory of good over evil.It can also be said that the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.The festival gets its name from lamps ( known as deepa ) that are arranged in a row ( known as avali ).As Indians on the day of Diwali arrange lamps outside the house in a row, it is known as Deepavali.By doing so they feel that that it is a symbol for the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness.

Diwali a festival of flowers

Five day festival:

First day ( Dhanteras ) :

According to Hindu month diwali starts with Dhanwantari Trayodashi, it is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha.This Trayodashi is popularly known as Dhanteras.According to few beliefs, on this day lord Dhanwantari came out of ocean with ayurvedic to look after the welfare of mankind.On this special occasion people worship god of death Yama by lightening a yama diya.There is a tradition from many years that buying a utensil on this day will bring good luck.

First day of Diwali celebrations

Second day( Choti Diwali ):

The second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdashi.Ancestors say that lord Krishna has killed the demon Narakasura on this day to make people free from fear.On this special people have oil massage to body and they take bath on this day.There is also a belief that people who don’t take bath on this day will go to Narak.

Narak chaturdi celebration

Third day ( Lakshmi Puja ):

The third day of Diwali is the main day of Diwali and is known as Badi Diwali.On this day people worship Goddess Lakshmi with divine and peace of mind to bless them with wealth and prosperity.Many of the business people do this puja every year to seek blessings from goddess lakshmi.All the women at home do this puja asking goddess Lakshmi to look after their family.On this day people clean their homes and decorate it with various colorful lights and fire crackers to express their joy.

Lakshmi puja on third day

Fourth day ( Govardhan Puja ):

The fourth day of Diwali is celebrated as Gowardhan puja.The name itself specifies that on this day we must worship gowardhan parvat.Legends say that on this day lord Krishna offered pooja to gowardhan parvat to protect people from heavy rains.Since then it became a tradition for Hindus to worship Govardhan Parvat.

Govardhan puja on fourth day

Fifth day ( Bhai Duj ):

The fifth day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Doj.The name itself says that it is the time to honor brother and sister relationship.Legends say that on this day when brothers visit their sisters they will get rid of all their sins.Thus on this day brothers visit sisters and and sisters sweeten their mouth with sweets.This day ends the festival Diwali.

Brothers visit sisters on fifth day

Lights and fireworks:

As the name specifies that it is a festival of lights arranges in a row.On this special occasion houses, shops, public places are decorated with oil lamps in a attractive manner.Few people replace oil lamps with candles.The lamps are lightened using mustard oil and mostly placed in a row in windows, doors and outside buildings.These lamps are lightened to welcome goddess Lakshmi into home’s.The main reason for the celebration of the festival is that the return of Lord Rama and Sita to Rama’s kingdom after fourteen years of exile.On this day oil lamps are often seen floating on the rivers especially Ganges.

Diwali lights

Fireworks:

The illumination of fire crackers is mainly for the better maintenance of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.People living on earth enjoy firing crackers.There is a reason that during the month of the festival as winter falls, few types of bacteria will rice up due to the atmospheric changes.To kill those bacteria and insects people fire crackers and the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains.Fireworks are a big part of the Diwali celebrations.But since many years there are some movements against it as it is causing air pollution and as it also leads to some dreadful accidents.Diwali is officially considered as holiday in many countries like India, Nepal, Srilanka, Singapore, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia, Fiji.

Diwali fireworks

This festival is considered as festival of peace.On this occasion Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace.As it is festival of peace on the this day the at thee International border, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets.In response to this the Pakistani forces offer Pakistani sweets.

July 30, 2014
Dussehra – A festival celebrated all over India

As we all know that India is a land of festivals and celebrations.Dussehra is one of the most celebrated festival in all the parts of the country.It is a annual festival and is celebrated for seven consecutive days.There are two important stories behind the celebration of dussehra in India.One story related to Lord Ram and the other relates to goddess Durga.The main reason for the celebration of this festival is due to victory of good against evil.Many of the festivals in India are related to the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata and Dussehra is one among them.

Dussehra celebrations in India

History:

According to north India, history of dussehra began when Lord Rama declared war on Ravana, who took away Rama’s wife Sita.Lord Rama took blessings from goddess Durga and he succeeded in the war that took place between Lord Ram and Ravana.This war lasted for ten days.Thus people started celebrating dussehra to seek blessings from the goddess of power and courage.

Lord Rama assassinating Ravana

Coming to south India, the history behind the celebration of dussehra festival as follows.When Mahishasura was undefeatable even by Lord Brahma ( the creator ), Lord Vishnu ( the protector ) and Lord Shiva ( the destroyer ).At that time goddess Durga was powered to destroy the demon Mahishasura.This victory against the demon is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.During Vijayadashami for nine nights people worship goddess Durga.Generally this festival falls in the month of September or October.

Goddess Durga assassinating Mahishasura

Dussehra celebrations in different parts:

Northern India:

On the first day of navaratri, many of the northern states like Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and west Bihar have a tradition to plant barley seeds in earthen pots.On the ninth day i.e., Dussehra the sprouts are kept in men’s cap or ears.They believe that it is a symbol of luck.In some parts of Maharashtra during the ten days of this festival, many plays and dramas based on Ramayana are performed.While in the evenings,there are outdoor plays and large parades with sculptures of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanad.These sculptures are burnt in the open place.Generally dussehra starts with the end of hot summer.At this time it is believed to spread infections.To avoid those infections they burn these large sculptures which are made out of phosphorous in air.By doing so it certainly purifies the atmosphere.Where as in temples they perform chandi homa with same cause.

Dussehra-The-Triumph-of-Good-over-Evil

Southern India:

Vijayadashami is celebrated in south India in various ways.Most of the south Indians believe that it is a best day to start anything to achieve in life.This festival is celebrated as Golu in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tami Nadu,Kerala from navarathri onwards.The exhibition of toys in various places undertake various names.It is known as “Bombe habba” in Karnataka, “Bommala Koluvu” in Andhra Pradesh,”Bomma Gollu”in Kerala and Golu or Kolu in Tamil Nadu.As the goddess Durga needed lots of power at the time of assassination of Mahisahasura.Many of the gods and goddesses transferred their power to her and they all stood still as statues.So to respect their sacrifice, people prepare small statues in the shape of gods and goddesses.People think that it is a favorable day for starting their child’s formal education.Also people keep their books, tools, materials for puja and take back those things on the ninth day of navaratri.

Dussehra celebrations in South India

Andhra Pradesh:

According to Telugu people, Vijayadashami is a auspicious day for starting a new business, education, selling or buying of things.In the city of Hyderabad, Durga Puja is being celebrated for more than 60 years till now.During navaratri goddess Durga is decorated in different avatars like Bala Tripura Sundari, Mahishasura Mardhini, Annapoorna, Kali, Raja Rajeswari, Kanaka Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Gayatri Devi.In Andhra especially the festival is celebrated grandly in Vijayawada.Every year it is celebrated grandly in this place. are celebrated every year with great pomp & show and tens of thousands of people visit this temple during the navaratri’s.

Vijayadashami celebrations in Andhra Pradesh

Karnataka:

In karnataka people celebrate ayudha puja on the ninth day of navaratri.They celebrate it by worshiping the commonly used tools like pens, books, kitchen tools, vehicle tools and many more.They believe whatever may be the work that is started on this day will lead to success with the help of goddess Durga blessings.

Dussehra celebrations in Karnataka

Kerala:

In Kerala the last three days of navaratri is celebrated as Saraswati puja.People of Kerala keep their books for puja on the first day of navaratri and take them back on third day i.e., Vijayadashami.Ayudha puja is also conducted during this period.

Dussehra celebrations in Kerala

Tamil Nadu:

In Tamil Nadu they celebrate the worship of goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Shakti.People fast on all 9 days of navaratri and tie a holy thread on fist.People of Tamil Nadu dress up in various avatar’s of goddess and collect money.All the money that is collected is offered to temple on the ninth day of navaratri.

Dussehra celebrations in Tamil Nadu

Western India:

In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated on the tenth day in the month of Ashwin.On the first day people visit each other and exchange sweets.On this occasion people worship Apta tree and decorate their home or work place using those leaves.They believe it brings them luck.They also start new things on this occasion believing it brings success and will have blessings of goddess Durga.

Dussehra celebrations in Western India

Eastern India:

In Bengal, Orissa and Assam, Dussehra is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja.It is celebrated for five days in Bengal, whereas in Orrisa and Assam it is celebrated for four days.As a part of their celebration on the fifth day, they place a statue of goddess Durga and is beautifully established in the form of Pandals.They perform Durga puja on sashti, sapthami, ashtami, navami followed by a great puja on tenth day.Women take sindhoor on their foreheads each other.In this way they play sindhoor holi against each other.

Dussehra-and-Durga-Puja-Celebrations

July 30, 2014
Aloo Paratha Recipe

Generally Parathas are treated as Indian breads.These Indian breads are roasted on a skillet with oil.This delicious dish is conceived previously in Punjab,later it spread to all the parts of the country and also South Asia.There are different types of Parathas.Parathas may be plain, stuffed with vegetables like potatoes, cauliflowers, peas, paneer and few are stuffed with non vegetarian like ground meat, eggs and many more.Parathas are available at any of the Indian restaurant and Dhaba’s are famous places to enjoy these Paratha recipes.In India we can find few frozen and precooked parathas in supermarkets.Most of the veggies choose to eat parathas as a meal in any part of the day.Paratha can be eaten simply with a spoon of ghee, butter.But it tastes best with pickle, thick curd, chutneys, any curry or gravies.

Spicy Aloo Paratha served with curd and pickles with butter topping

In North India most of the people like to have flat breads stuffed with spiced potatoes generally known as Aloo paratha.For the preparation of this dish patience is required.Aloo paratha is a famous dish that is so delicious and tasty.The name itself specifies that Aloo means potato.It is very easy to make it and can be served as breakfast or a snack item.The preparation of Aloo paratha is as follows.

Ingredients:

For Dough preparation:

1) Take a cup of golden temple flour

2) Take half the cup of water

3) Take half teaspoon of salt

4) Take two to three teaspoon of oil

Dough Preparation Ingredients

For Aloo stuffing:

1) Take two medium potatoes

2) Take half the teaspoon of salt

3) Take half teaspoon of garam masala

4) Take half teaspoon of cumin seeds

5) Take one fourth teaspoon of turmeric

6)Take one fourth teaspoon of red chili flakes

7)Take five sprigs of cilantro, chopped

Aloo stuffing ingredients

Preparation:

To enhance better taste, the first thing we need to consider is take right kind of flour.That kind of flour is also known as duram atta.This flour is a combination of stone ground wheat and regular flour.It is perfect for making roti’s, chapathi’s and paratha’s.Here in the below preparation process we are going to take golden temple flour.As we are having the flour we are half set.The first and the important part in the preparation of aloo paratha is dough.

Dough preparation:

Take a bowl and rinse it completely.Then clean it by using a dry cloth.Now take all the ingredients: add a cup of golden temple flour, add half the cup of water, add half teaspoon of salt, add two to three teaspoon of oil.Mix them thoroughly until it forms a soft, elastic dough.The mixture should not be sticky, but it must be smooth.To form smooth paste it must be stirred cotinuously.After the dough is prepared break it up into equal pieces and roll them to form balls.Now set them in a small bowl containing oil and cover it by using some oiled plastic wrap.Let the dough balls last for few some time.As we are making Aloo paratha we need to make potato mixture now.

Dough preparation for aloo paratha

Aloo stuffing preparation:

For the preparation of this recipe and to have delicious taste, we need to take fresh and unspoiled potatoes.Take small round potatoes and boil them for few minutes.Now peel off the covering of potatoes and chop them into small pieces.Boiling process must be done until the fork tender into potatoes.Now use a mill to mash potatoes.After mashing them, add all the ingredients and mix well.Make sure to have same amount of potatoes as that of dough balls.

Aloo stuffing in paratha preparation

Now our original preparation of parathas starts.Before making paratha rolls first heat the pan at low flame and keep the work space ready.Take a non stick pan with a wide, flat bottom and low sides as it is easy to cook and also heats up very quickly.Along with pan ready we also need to take a bowl full of flour, a cutting board or other flat surface for rolling out the dough and a small rolling pin called a Belan.

Aloo Paratha preparation:

1) Take one teaspoon of oil on a non stick pan and heat it on a medium flame.

2) Now take the dough and dip in a flour bowl until flour is attached to it on all sides.

3) After applying flour on all sides flatten it in the form of a disc.

4) Now roll it on a flat surface using a Belan to form long flat discs.

5) Take the potato stuffing that is prepared earlier and place it on the middle of flat dough.Now roll the dough a little, so that it is large enough to cover the potato ball.After that wrap a potato ball with the dough, gathering the edges together.

6) Press the edges inn to get sealed and again make it flat in the form of a disc.

7) Again dip the new flat thing in the flour bowl, so that it is attached with flour on all of its sides.

8) Take this on a flat surface and roll out the disc evenly into a circle upto a size of six inches in diameter.Make sure the dough must be as thin as possible so that we can see the spices through it.

9) Now place the stuffed dough disks on a non stick pan and heat it on medium flame.You will notice a color change to yellow.Once the paratha is cooked on one side toast it on other side.That’s it spicy tasty vegetarian paratha is ready.

Aloo paratha is ready to serve

July 30, 2014
India wedding food

A wedding is a ceremony or gathering of people where all the relatives, neighbors are united.As there are many cultures and traditions in India, there are different styles in wedding.Depending on the countries and religions it varies.Most of the couples and their respective families exchange gifts, rings, symbolic item, flowers, money,cars , bikes, flats and many more in a wedding.Special and new garments are worn by everyone who attended the marriage.Just after the day of marriage there will be a special function.Depending on the region, religion and status the cultural events in the wedding varies.But music, poetry, prayers, dance programs and few more are also commonly seen in many of the marriages.

wedding in India

Food is considered as a very special and integrated part of any occasion in India.In any persons life marriage is a special occasion and one will remember it in his/her lifetime.Along with the grand decorations and arrangements made, the food menu in a wedding will be very grand with lots of specials and the food is simply delicious.Many of the people from the family side, neighbors everyone will talk about the grand feast even after the marriage is completed.The type of food and dishes provided depends on the couples, religion, tradition, state and many other factors.However, the basics items remain same in any part of the country, but the additional items may vary.Now we can see more varieties of food items in weddings around India.

Indian wedding food:

North:

In the north Indian weddings we can find lot of lavish food varieties.The guests are given most priority and are welcomed with most interest.As soon as the guests enter the wedding they are served with finger foods and snacks.After that they are also served with drinks like soft drinks, coffee, soups, juices, mocktails, etc.In some weddings, mostly Punjabi weddings liquor is also served.This goes on till the pheras, after which the wedding is complete.After the completion of this, main dishes are served.Later delicious deserts and fruit salads are offered.The most usual things that we can find almost every marriage we appear is the Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Pulao, Mixed Veg and Chicken.Apart from these the main feast includes some of the other north Indian varieties as well.

Wedding food in North India

West:

While coming to the wedding in west.In a traditional Maharashtrian wedding, the food is served on freshly washed banana leaves.The guests at the dining place will be seated on chatais or wooden planks while eating.In their wedding meal no onion or garlic is used in cooking.The dishes in Maharashtrain wedding are completely vegetarian.Apart from the meals different varieties of desserts like basundi, jalebi and few more are served.The main dish is finally ended by taking butter milk and paan.Whereas in Gujarati wedding snacks and drinks are followed by the main meal.The main meal consists of Rotli, daal, rice and sabzi, apart from other dishes.The dessert is served in the end.

West Indian food in marriages and occasions

East:

The main feast of the Bengali wedding consists of snack, finger foods and drinks.The veg dishes consists of Poto Posto, Begun, Bhaja and the non vegetarian dishes consists of Muri Ghonto and few more.As most of the eastern states consume large amounts of fishes in fish is a part of their main meal.The Bengali dishes consists of Macher Kaalia and it contains sweets like Roshogulla and Mishti Doi.If we consider Bihari wedding feast, it contains lots of sweets, in snacks as well as main course.After that both vegetarian as well as non vegetarian dishes are served along with rice.In Bihari wedding rice is the main highlight.There wont be any alcoholic drinks in the Bihari wedding.

East India wedding food

South:

In most of the south Indian marriages the wedding ceremony is conducted early in the morning.In this region also the guests are served finger foods, along with the drinks, like nimboo pani, fresh juice, coffee, etc.After the marriage is completed i.e., when the bride and groom are declared husband and wife, the main food is served.Like in Maharashtrian wedding,the food in south India is served on banana leaves, with the guests sitting on the floor.After the completion of the main meal dessert and fruit salad are served.After their meal is completed they wish the newly married couple once again, bless them and take their leave.

South Indian wedding food

North East:

The wedding feast in the Northeastern side includes large amount of non vegetarian dishes along with the finger foods, snacks.In the non vegetarian varieties we can find at least one fish variety especially in case of weddings in Tripura and Assam.Apart from that, you will be offered to a few vegetarian dishes also.In vegetarian food one of the variety will be containing bamboo shoots.The dishes that are made up of rice are highlight of the feast.In most of the marriages that are held in India rice is a common dish.After the main meal is completed the people at the wedding are served with different varieties of desserts.After that drinks are served which might include noodle soup and also usual juices and soft drinks.

North East wedding food

July 22, 2014
Culture of Mizoram

Mizoram is one of the north-eastern sate of India.Aizawl is the capital city of Mizoram.The name Mizoram is derived from the words “Mi which means people” , “Zo which means hill” and “Ram which means land”.Thus the name itself conveys that it is a land of hill people.It has three bordering states namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur.The state acts as a border for two countries Bangladesh and Myanmar.According to census 2011 the state had a population of about 10,91,014.It is one of the least populous state in the country.It covers an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometer.Before 1987 it is an integral part of Assam.After 1987 it it formed as a 23rd state in India.In Mizoram most of the people are tribal and many of them belong to Christianity.Most of the people took Christianity during 20th century.It is one of the three states in India that is having majority of the people are Christians.People of Mizoram practice shifting cultivation and the crop yields are poor.In recent years, the jhum farming practices are being replaced with horticulture and bamboo products industry.About 20% of the Mizoram’s population lives below poverty line.

Villagers of Mizoram

Geography:

MIzoram consists number of hills and valleys.Being on the hills and valleys all the villages are located on the hills itself.About 21 hills are present with an average height of 1000 meters above the sea level.The highest peak in Mizoram is Phawngpui Tlang with a height of 7,250 feet.Most of the area is covered by forests and only eight percent is land.The sate is having the highest risk of getting earthquakes compared to other parts of India.

Geography of Mizoram villages

Climate:

Mizoram experiences very low temperatures in any season.During summer the temperature ranges from 20 to 29 °C and in winter temperatures ranges from 7 to 22 °C.In monsoons this region experiences heavy rainfall.The average rainfall in Mizoram is about 254 cm in moist tropical to moist sub-tropical regions.Whereas in the capital city Aizawl it is about 215 cm.It is better for the tourists to visit during November to March.

Most of the time the climate is cool

Ethic groups:

Different types of groups and languages can be seen in Mizoram.As most of the people are tribal, they are known as hill men.Bengali’s who had settled in Mizoram during 16th century are called as Kukis.In Mizoram there are many tribes who are further divided into clans.These clans are again are sub divided into sub-clans.

Ethic groups of Mizoram

Languages:

Mizo is the important language widely used by the local people of Mizoram.Along with that English is used in education and other interactions officially.Duhlian dialect was the first language of Mizoram and later it is known as Mizo.It is a mixture of few other languages.The Christian missionaries resided in Mizoram developed the Mizo script.The Writing of this language is a combination of the Roman script and Hunterian transliteration methodology with prominent traces of a phonetics based spelling system.In Mizo there are 25 alphabets they are A, AW, B, CH, D, E, F, G, NG, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, Ṭ, U, V, Z.In this state Hindi is a compulsory subject for all the students up to eighth standard.Besides Mizo Nepali is also spoken by many of the Nepali immigrants in the state.

Religion:

About 87 % of the population in Mizoram are Christians.Among the population of Mizoram, the largest minority is Buddhists.They are followed by Hindus.Apart from them several thousands of people who have converted to Judaism.Muslims in the state are about 1.1% .The remaining 3,000 people in Mizoram state belongs to Sikhs, Jains and other religions.

Mizoram religion wise population

Industries:

In bringing the advancement to the industries Mizoram faces few difficulties.The main drawback for the industries is lack of proper transport.The other problems that are faced by the state are shortage of electricity, capital, telecommunication and export market access. Mizoram is having two industrial estates and one software technology, that is being established in Mizoram university.The state government has acquired 127 acres of land in Khawnuam for development of the Indo-Myanmar border trade township.

There are two industrial sectors in Mizoram

Educational Infrastructure:

The christian missionaries have established the primary school in Aizawl during the year 1898.The state has higher literacy rates than average literacy rates for India.In India Mizoram is having the second highest literacy rate.There were about 3,894 schools in Mizoram.There were many educational institutions establishment under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education.It also includes universities, colleges and other institutions.In the Mizoram university there are 29 undergraduate departments including 2 professional institutions affiliated with the university.

Mizoram university

Traditional festivals:

The traditional festivals in Mizoram are celebrated around various stages of jhum cultivation.In the local language they are call it as Kut.There were many major and minor Kuts such as Chapchar Kut, Thalfavang Kut, Mimi Kut and Pawl Kut.The Chapchar Kut was the festival of spring.Thalfavang Kut was the festival celebrated after the completion of weeding of the jhum crop fields.Mimi Kut was the festival dedicated to ancestors after first maize crop was collected.Pawl Kut is celebrated at the end of harvest i.e., at the start of new year.Later after the Christianity has spread these festivals have slowly vanished.

Traditional festivals of Mizoram

July 20, 2014
About fruits and their effects on health

Fruits are very rich in minerals with lot of juice and contain about 75 percent of water.Fruits are naturally enriched with lot of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.In fruits we can find two types of fiber they are soluble and insoluble.These fibers help in weight loss.The soluble fiber helps in controlling blood sugar, hunger and it is also used to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.Because of these soluble fibers type 2 diabetes can be avoided.While coming to the insoluble fibers, they add bulk to your food so you can eat more of it without adding extra calories.

Fruits are almost juicy as they contain lots of water in them.By the intake of fresh and frozen fruits which are having high water will have low calories because the high water level leads to the dilution of those calories.This helps in weight loss.The water contained in fruits helps in maintaining optimal energy levels.People can get over cardiovascular diseases.Fruits containing vitamin A are used for skin health.It helps in the growth of skin tissues which protects skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays that are coming from sun.It also keeps our hair strong and healthy.

By taking fruits containing vitamin B is used to cure heart diseases, healthy hair, and improved memory.Where as vitamin C contains a protein that helps to maintain healthy skin and cartilage.Vitamin E works with vitamin C to provide anti-aging skin protection.Generally vitamin E help to protect the skin against damages caused by sun.Eating fruits that are rich in potassium can help to lower blood pressure.

Apples:

Most of the people like to eat apples as it is delicious juicy and also healthy.Apples contain large amounts of water and are having soluble fiber.Is is a best diet for most of the people who choose to loose weight.Type two diabetes can be avoided by taking this fruit regularly.Apples that are having red cover are mostly preferable as it helps in lowering memory loss.But in some cases people get mild headaches when they eat more red apples, but green and yellow apples are safe a bit.

green-apple-yellow-apple-red-apple

Apricots:

Apricots are also rich in water and contain soluble fiber and hence are used for weight loss or to reduce high cholesterol. They are also a very good source and help in maintain healthy skin and hair.Potassium that is present in apricots helps to lower blood pressure.

Apricots

Bananas:

Most of the people eat bananas daily as it is a easy grab and go fruit with a good amount of fiber present in it.It is used to reduce weight , heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.Potassium is present in bananas which lowers blood pressure.If we eat bananas before going to bed, it helps in good sleep as it contain a sleep-promoting chemical.

Bananas

Dates:

Generally dates are taken as dry fruit as it contain lot of soluble fiber.Type 2 diabetes can be reduced and the people who are trying to loose weight can take this daily.They are mostly grown in very hot areas.

Dates a nutricious fruit

Grapes:

In grapes we can find many varieties like rd grapes, purple grapes and black grapes.They contain minerals like quercetin and anthocyanins, antioxidants.People who are suffering from maigrane are advised to avoid dark skinned grapes which contain tyramine, a possible migraine trigger.

Different varieties of grapes

Guava:

Guava is one of the tropical fruit that is rich in vitamin C.Guava helps in maintaining healthy hair and skin.Guava contains large amounts of water and has large amount of carbohydrates.So this fruit is good in regulating the weight loss.

Guava and their benefits

Lemons:

Lemons are the fruits that are rich in vitamin C.They have high amounts of citric acid.They have antioxidants that are found in many of the fruits that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin.These lemons are used in all type of food items to add lemon flavor and it is also a low calorie food to add for salads and also to jazz up chicken and fish.We can also take it in a glass of water by adding salt or water to it which acts as glucose to our body.

Yellow_lemons

Mangoes:

Mangoes are a type of tropical fruit which are rich in vitamin C.Mangoes are useful in fighting against cancer.It contain large amounts of fibers that help in reducing cholesterol.They help in keeping our skin fair by opening up the pores.Mango can be advised to sugar patients but it is also restricted not to take it more.It also helps in good digestion , eye care, heart strokes, strengthen your immunity, reduces stones in kidneys,provides high iron for women.

Mangoes and their benefits

Oranges:

Orange also belongs to citrus fruit and is used in fighting against cancer of skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.Drinking orange juices regularly reduces kidney diseases.They contain soluble fiber and reduces cholesterol.It also fights against viral infections.It helps in preventing skin diseases and also helps to keep skin wrinkles free.

Oranges a variety of citrus fruit

Watermelon:

Watermelon name itself specifies that it contain large amount of water.They are advised in summer and people take it more during summer to avoid dehydration.It is used as a natural medicine for health problems.Taking this water melon daily acts as natural Viagra.It is very rich in vitamins and minerals and is low in calories.

watermelon a delicious fruit

July 15, 2014
A look at Irish Culture

Every culture in this global world is unique and gain its own specialty.The Irish Culture too comes into that category.Coming to the Ireland,it is situated in Western Europe,occupying five-sixth of the islands in the North Atlantic Ocean which is to the west of Great Britain.The capital of Ireland is Dublin with a population of about 4,487,000.Irish language known as Gaeilge is a Indo-European Language of the Celtic family.

A picture showing about Irish culture in brief

The people of the Ireland are very culture oriented irrespective of their interests.Irish Culture has a nice variety of traditions,cultures and historic legends.There are some symbols which uniquely relate to the Irish culture.Ireland is often known as ‘Land of Saints and Scholars’ which refers the golden age of monastic learning.It is also referred as ”The Emerald Isle’ which means its green landscape.

Ireland a land of saints and scholars

This old country has many traditions of customs which are practiced from hundreds of years and some of them are found even now.The legends are passed on from generations to generations.The culture here is in a similar way to the Western Culture in TV,movies,music and literature.But the one aspects that makes unique is the pub culture.Pub refers the meaning of public house or bar.The pub culture here has more issues than over-consumption of drinking.Pubs are considered as meeting places where people can gather whether they are friends or neighbors in a peaceful atmosphere.The pubs differ largely with the area it is situated and the customers they serve.In earlier days,pubs were separated as the men would most likely in the main part of the pub while the lounge is filled with women.Due to modernization,it is diminishing and now it is a free space. Since 2004,the Government has made an act which declared that smoking in a place of work,even pubs are considered as illegal.

Irish pub culture

The Irish people are too concerned about their food.The home made meal are loved by them especially the Irish breakfast or a bowl of stew.They even gained the comfort of drinks to ease their homesickness while living in different countries.The Irish diet is similar to that of North European nations.They very much consume meat,cereal,bread,potatoes mostly at meals.The meals are most commonly accompanied with cabbage,turnips, carrots,broccoli.The eating habits of Irish consists four meals which are breakfast,dinner,tea and supper.Dinner is the midday main meal while tea is taken in early evening at about 4.00 p.m. and supper is a light meal before going to sleep.

irish_food_pyramid_mousepad

The traditional meals mostly consists of roasts,stews, beef,ham,pork,beef and turkey.Even fish(mostly salmon) and sea food(preferably prawns) are popular here.Some foods like wheaten breads,sausages,bacon rashers and drinks like Irish whiskey,national beer have a specific symbolic role in Ireland.Many varieties of stews,potato casseroles and breads are considered as the regional foods.

Irish-people-drinks

Ireland has even many people who has great musical talent like U2,folk singer-Christy Moore and many more people.The Irish traditional dancing is even popular there where it is originated and now spread to the whole world and has taken many different forms.

Trinity-Irish-Dancers

The people in Ireland are mostly Roman Catholics.88% of the population there are mostly identified as Roman Catholics according to the records. The church used to have a dominating power in society and politics in early days.Later on ,a generational divide with people over 50 who have observant and conservative views came up.The religion has many sayings of the view of family ,marriage and abortion in the society.They prefer the dominating social structures in their extended family.Even though they move to various cities,they stick to their home bonds.

The Irish people have a great reputation for their wit and humor.Due to this popularity,they are called as ‘craic’.The people are very fast in jokes which brings out humor.They even bring out the humor on themselves even if it is self deprecating.The practice of trading insults and teasing one another among a group of close people are known as slagging.The people there are mostly witty people and won’t take anything too personal.

Coming to the 20th century the people of Ireland have adopted their new western food habits.During the modern age both of the US fast foods and continental European dishes have influenced on the people of Ireland.Here most of the common meals include pizzas, curry, Chinese food.As there are adverse effects of these fast foods and deep fried items the government has broadcast television advertisements to discourage meat consumption.

Sports are popular in Ireland and are widely encouraged.Varieties of sports are played in Ireland and the most played are Football, hockey, hurling, Gaelic, rugby.Along with these sports many of the other sport are practiced like Swimming, golf, aerobics, soccer, cycling, Gaelic football and billiards are the sporting activities with the highest levels of playing participation.At the Olympics, a person from Northern Ireland can choose to represent either the Great Britain team or the Ireland team. Also as Northern Ireland is a home nation of the United Kingdom.They also send their team to Common wealth games every four years.

Irish sports

July 15, 2014
Benefits of Milk

Milk can be generally defined as the white liquid substance that can be produced by mammary glands in mammals.This is mainly used as a primary source for the months babies and mammals as they cannot able to digest other types of food items.Milk is the a liquid like substance that contain colostrum which is helpful in carrying parent antibodies to the child and reduces the risk from many diseases in the baby.It is enriched with many nutrients.

Mother feeding milk to child

If we come to milk as a agricultural product, it is extracted from mammals during or soon after the pregnancy and is used as a source of food which is rich in nutrients for human beings.From all the parts around the world daily forms daily produce millions of tonnes of milk every day.As we all know that in India the consumption of milk is more it is also the worlds largest milk producer and it does not export or import milk.China and Russia are the largest importers of milk every day.There is a lot of demand not only for milk but also for the milk based products.Being a largest production and consumption it also provides large number of employment opportunities.Malnutrition and few cases can be reduced by increasing the production of milk all over the world.

Milk enriched with nutrients

Milk is considered as an important part of our diet.During young age the consumption will be more and it reduces gradually as we grow up.There is a thinking in few people in mind that it will add more fat to their diet so few people regret intake of it and some think that it is no longer needed and will avoid taking it.But actually there is no age limit or anything to ignore milk and it can be taken every time at whatever age we are as it is rich in vitamins, nutrients and it also has many benefits like

1. Glowing Skin

Milk is one of the best medicine for skin and makes it glow.In olden days Cleopatra used to take milk bath so taht it helped her for soft skin.We can take the same process or can also have a glass of milk daily by which we get its benefits.Many nutrients are present in milk that help it the skin to look the best.The lactic acid and enzymes that are present in milk help for smooth skin.The amino acids that keep the skin free from moisture are also present in milk.Milk can help prevent damage from environmental toxins because it has antioxidants.Not only direct taking of milk is advantageous but also milk based products are also good for skin.

Milk bath for glowing skin

2. Healthy Bones and Teeth

IN milk we can find large amount of calcium which is generally helpful for bones and teeth.This is not particular for children are growing and helps in bone development, but adults need to take milk as calcium is required for them to develop strong bones and to prevent osteoporosis.The calcium present in milk are useful to prevent tooth decaying and cavities.As the calcium to be absorbed by the body we need vitamin D which can be achieved by taking milk daily.

Milk for healthy teeth and strong bones

3. Muscles

For the muscle development milk is a necessary product.It is advisable to take a glass of milk after workout to observe better results.During workout our body looses some of the fluids those fluids can be regained by taking milk after workout.

Drinking milk after workout builds muscles

4. Weight Loss

According to few surveys and studies it is observed that the women who took low fat milk had loosen their weight than those who don’t take it.It is a great appetizer and it reduces body metabolism.It is better to take a glass of milk while our dinner or by having a fruit.

Taking low fat milk reduces weight

5. Low Stress

At the end of the day by having a glass of milk we can keep away the stress.Actually the reason is the warm milk we take in will help our tense muscles to relax and soothe frayed nerves.After you woke up early in the morning also it is advisable to take a cup of hot milk to relieve stress.

Stress can be relieved by taking hot milk

6. Healthy Body

To maintain healthy body it is necessary to take milk daily at whatever may be the age it is.Milk is having the properties that reduce the high blood pressure and relieves the risk of getting heart strokes.By taking milk we can reduce the cholesterol that is produced by liver and it acts an antacid.Eye related problems can be avoided as it contains the vitamins A and vitamin B.It is also seen that the risk of getting cancer can be lowered by taking a glass of milk.In market we can many varieties of milk like whole, low fat, 2%,and fat free.

Milk intake daily helps in developing healthy body

July 10, 2014
Hyderabadi Haleem recipe

Haleem is a dish that is made out of wheat, barley, meat ( Generally made up of mutton ) but sometimes it is made out of chicken along with the lentils and spices.Generally this dish takes too much time for preparation around seven to eight hours, so that it leads to the formation of a very soft paste like substance by blending the flavors of spices, meat, barley and wheat.This dish is very famous around south east and central Asia.The preparation of it varies from region to region and is mostly prepared during the Ramadan season.

Hyderabadi Haleem

History:

This delicious South Asian dish is originated from the Arabs during the rule of the Nizams.This is a Arabic dish which is consisting of meat and it is containing pounded wheat as the chief ingredients.From the original dish slight variations are introduced in taking flavors that resulted in the distinct taste from other types of haleem.

Hyderabad special haleem history

Ingredients:

1) Take one kg of boneless mutton or with bone

2) Take 200 grams of broken wheat

3) Take four teaspoons of ginger garlic paste

4) Take one cup of urad daal

5) Take one cup of chana daal

6) Take one teaspoon of red chilli powder

7) Take half tea spoon of turmeric powder

8) Take one to half cup of curd

9) Take two cups of onions that are length wise sliced and make a deep fry so that they change their color to deep brown.

10) Take two to three cardamom pieces

11) Take two small cinnamon sticks

12) Take four cloves

13) Take one tea spoon of coriander powder

14) Take one fourth the teaspoon of Garam masala powder

15) Take one fourth the teaspoon of jeera powder

16) Take half teaspoon of black pepper corns

17) Take one teaspoon of ghee

18) Take half the cup of fresh coriander leaves

19) Take half the cup of fresh mint leaves

20) Take four green chillies

21) Take one finely chopped tomato

22) Take half the cup of cashew nuts

23) Take salt that is sufficient for taste

24) Take oil that is required

Ingredients and preparation of Haleem

Preparation:

This is a dish that looks as if it is a signature of the festive month of Ramadan.This is a very long process of preparation and it takes about seven to eight hours for preparing it.This is a dish mostly available during the month of Ramadan where most of the Muslims do fasting.It is very popular dish especially Hyderabadi Haleem is very famous around the world and it has international demand for this product.This is a dish that is the best for those Muslims to break their fast with absolute delicious taste.Apart from Hyderabad dum biryani this is the most taken food item.There is a lot of hard work involved in the making of this dish.

Step 1:

Take a bowl and mix the broken wheat along with urad and chana daal and let this mixture soak in water for at least 4 hours.The water that is taken for soaking this mixture must be double the quantity of dal and wheat mixture.

Step 2:

Take a cup of long and thin sliced onions pieces in a cooker and make a deep fry in fortune rice bran oil.Fry them until their color changes to dark brown.While making a fry of onions along with it put cardamom cinnamon and clove pieces also and fry for about two minutes.

Step 3:

Now take the mutton pieces and wash them thoroughly.Put them in a cooker and add one fourth tea spoon of turmeric powder, one tea spoon of red chilli powder and add one cup of water.All of them are stirred continuously until they mix well and close the lid of the cooker.Let the flame be continued until five whistles.

Step 4:

After taking it from cooker separate the bones and meat.Now meat separated from bones is placed in a cooker and add one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon coriander powder, one fourth teaspoon of Garam masala and jeera powder.Also add four green chillies, half cup coriander leaves, mint leaves and the fine chopped tomato pieces.To this add curd and a cup of water and mix all the contents well.The cooker is allowed to cook for 20 minutes on a high flame.

Step 5:

While the meat is being cooked take a pan on other side and put the well soaked broken wheat, urad and chana dal mixture in it.To this mixture add two glasses of water and mix well.

Step 6:

The bones that are separated at step 4 are taken in a container along with dal, wheat mixture and one fourth teaspoon of turmeric powder.Add salt to it and allow it to cook for about 20 minutes and stir it continuously.

Step 7:

After the bones are cooked for twenty minutes it is taken out and the bones are mashed using a wooden churner for at least five minutes.

Step 8:

In a container take the meat that is cooked and is added to the dal mixture and turn on the flame and let it be cooked for one hour on a low flame.Continuous stirring should be done for every three minutes for the complete one hour.

Ste 9:

After the completion of one hour check whether it is like a thick paste or not.Don’t overcook as the taste and feel will be spoiled and the color becomes brown.So we must turn off the flame when it is golden yellow in color.That’s it tasty spicy Ramadan season special Haleem is ready it can be garnished with fried onions, cashew nuts, coriander and can be served in a serving bowl.

Hyderabadi Haleem is ready

July 10, 2014
Do’s and don’ts for diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a sort of chronic metabolic disorder which leads to a failure in converting body sugars, starches and other foods into energy.Generally during the process of digestion the food we take is converted into glucose which is carried through the body by the bloodstream.This glucose is converted into energy by the hormone insulin.But in diabetic people the body does not make enough insulin or it wont make better use of it.Generally there are two types of diabetes.

Type 1:

This type of diabetes is generally known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes.In this stage the body produces very little insulin or no insulin.This can be occurred mostly in children or in the teens.People who is having this type of diabetes need to take daily insulin injections.People who are having this type of diabetes must take balanced diet and and regular insulin injections daily to stay alive.

Type 2:

This type of diabetes mostly occurs for the people between the age of 35 to 40 years.Out of these two type of diabetes type 2 occurs the most for about 80 percent of the diabetics.In this type as though the pancreas produce sufficient insulin but the body cells show less sensitivity towards it.This is occurred mainly due to obesity and the best way to control is to have controlled diet and regular exercise.Some times insulin injections are also needed for this type of diabetes.

Food that must be avoided:

1) Salt:

Salt is the most regular culprit for the occurring of diabetes.As we intake vegetables they contain sufficient salt,so we can reduce the intake of inorganic salt.

Salt

2) Sugar:

Sugar is containing large amounts of calories and carbohydrates.In order to digest this sucrose we need more calcium.So it is better to replace sugar with its substitute like honey, jaggery etc.,

Sugar

3) Fat:

It is better not to take large amount of fats as it is not good for health.In our food we must try to avoid fried items completely.But we must see that the intake of fats must be sufficient for the soluble of vitamins especially like vitamin E.

fat-content

4) From non vegetarians:

It is not advisable to take dark red colored meat completely as the intake of it also leads to diabetes.Going to vegetarian diet is helpful for the people who cant leave the consumption of eggs poultry.But eating fish is good for health and also some of the fats and oils present in it are good for body metabolism.

Avoid non vegetarian

5) Whole milk and products:

Taking in pure milk is not so good for health but we can take low fat milk and milk derived products like yogurt or curd.Milk based products like cheese contains lot of fat and it can be replaced with low fat cottage cheese.

Milk products

6) Tea and coffee:

It is better to avoid decaffeinated tea every day and we can switch to herbal teas instead of it.Drinking two cups is not restricted but more than that is not so good for diabetic patients.

Coffee-Tea

7) White flour and its products:

Replace the flour products with whole grains,wholewheat or soya breads and unpolished rice.As it is very healthy and reduce the fat level in the body.

Soya breads

8) Foods with a high glycemic index:

The food items that contain high glycemic index are white rice, potatoes, carrots, breads and banana as they increase the blood sugar levels.

Special foods for diabetes:

1) Bitter gourd ( Kaakarakaya ):

This is a vegetable that contains high level of insulin dosage and it helps in lowering the blood sugar levels.It has very bitter taste and if we have the juice of three to four bitter gourd every day early in the morning on an empty stomach it can naturally work as a medicine and reduces the blood sugar.It can also be taken in the form of powder by mixing it with water.

Bitter gourd

2) Fenugreek ( Menthulu ):

Many of the people who is having diabetes choose this to control their sugar level.This can be taken in the form of powder by grinding the seeds and mixing it in water.It can also be taken in the form of seeds by soaking it in water and leaving it aside for one night.Few people also take it in the form of chapatis by mixing the fenugreek seeds powder to it.

Fenugreek

3) Indian blackberry ( Nerudupandu ):

This is a type of fruit and is used for controlling the diabetes.After eating the fruit the seed present in it is made into powder and is taken in.It contains glucoside which prevents the conversion of starch into sugars.

Indian blackberry

4) Garlic( Vellulli ):

This is also a very useful in controlling diabetes.This garlic is having potassium and it replaces the potassium that is getting lost during urine.Along with this it also contains zinc and sulphur which are the major components of insulin.Taking daily is better for good health.

Garlic

5) Onion:

Onion is one of the best medicine against diabetes because of its digestive properties.Taking raw onion is more advisable.

Onions

6) Flax seed ( Avise ginjalu ):

Flax seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids.These help in controlling the diabetes as they are maintaining the sensitive cell of the membrane that helps in providing insulin and also provide glucose from the cells.

July 7, 2014