Category: Drinks

Buttermilk: A beverage that’s also a coolant

Buttermilk which is commonly known as ‘chaach’ is an outstanding coolant that proves to be very beneficial for our body. Especially in the days of summer, the glass of buttermilk is very refreshing and energizing. It is one of the best ways to quench our thirst. It has gained a lot of popularity not just because of its taste and cooling effect but also because of the various health benefits. Buttermilk contains some bacteria that enhance the digestion rate and provides support to the immune system. Apart from that it possesses less amount of fat as compared to milk but contains lactic acid. Therefore including buttermilk in our diet is a desirable thing to do. Some of the major benefits of drinking buttermilk are listed below.

Buttermilk is a delightful drink which helps in reducing the temperature of the body. The people who witnesses high-level body heat can certainly use this drink to lower it down. All those who are suffering from warm flashes must consume buttermilk to get liberated from it.

Buttermilk contains some bacteria in it along with lactic acid. This acid helps in improving the digestion rate of the body and reduction of acidity. Immunity of the body is also uplifted as the result of this lactic acid. Buttermilk makes the body strong to fight against various damaging pathogens that our body comes across daily. Apart from this, the drink is filled with various nutrients like calcium and hence proves to be very nutritive. Hence consuming this coolant daily greatly helps in preventing us from getting ill.

Many people misunderstand buttermilk as a drink which is full of fat. But in reality buttermilk contains less amount of fat as compared to the milk. So if you are looking to lose your weight then drinking buttermilk is far better than a whole glass of milk. It is a wonderful drink which quenches our starvation between the mealtimes. So maintaining the weight of the body is quite easy with buttermilk.

Another advantage of drinking buttermilk can be seen in the form of perfect and flawless skin. Daily consumption of this drink improves the digestion and consequently the skin looks healthier. The skin is recovered to a great extent and becomes glowing with the intake of buttermilk.

Buttermilk is very effective in fighting against acidity. In the course of acidity, we undergo an intense sensation which is hard to resist. This drink helps in overcoming this sensation. All the more buttermilk cools down the stomach and greatly lessens the effect of the acidity. So it proves to be a great aid at the time of uneasiness.

A fall in the cholesterol level can be seen if the buttermilk is consumed every day. Many people face the problem of cholesterol and try various methods to lower it down. Drinking buttermilk is one of the natural ways of dropping down the cholesterol level. According to many analyses, it has been reported that the various components contained in this drink maintains the cholesterol level of the body.

The study has established that buttermilk can help in reducing the blood pressure. The buttermilk is discovered to be high in the amount of bioactive protein. This protein is associated with various beneficial features like it lowers down the cholesterol level. Experts have observed that the intake of buttermilk every day considerably drops down the blood pressure.

Buttermilk is a combination of great taste and nutritional benefits. It is filled with vitamins, proteins and many more nutrients. Vitamin b which is found in this drink plays a vital role in the transition of food in the form of energy. It also helps in the discharge of various hormones and in ingestion. So the sicknesses which are mainly caused because of the shortage in the amount of vitamins can be diminished with the help of this cold drink.

There are some people who are not able to consume milk and hence they are incapable of sustaining enough calcium. Buttermilk is the perfect alternative for that. It provides sufficient amount of calcium to those people deprived of any unpleasant effect on the body. Along with that it is less fatty as compared to the milk and hence maintains the body weight. This coolant is perfect drink to battle against dehydration as it contains salt, curd and great amount of water. During summer, intake of buttermilk each and every day let us combat the dehydration and provides us with the much required respite.

So if one desires for a drink which is a blend of perfect flavor and nutrients then buttermilk is the best solution. Not only it leaves you with refreshing effect but also loads up you with so many essential nutrients. Hence on a hot summer day, if you feel exhausted then have a glass full of buttermilk is the best option to cool down your body.

July 20, 2014
Milkshakes! 5 interesting recipes to follow!

Give a child a glass of plain milk, and he’ll shirk from it forever, blend some ice-cream into it, fuse a fruit or two into it or maybe shake it up with some chocolate syrup and the kid will love having milk for almost every meal! Yes, what I’m talking about here are milkshakes! Be it the scorching summers or the dull monsoons, a chilled milkshake is always appreciated by everyone, be it a kid of 5 or the parents at 35.

A milkshake is a cold, sweetened beverage with a milk-base and is usually flavored with ice-cream and flavouring agents like caramel or chocolate sauce, butterscotch or fruit syrups. It is also known as a thickshake or a frappe in New England.

The term ‘milkshake’ was coined in 1885 for an alcoholic whiskey drink, which was a tonic as well as a treat. However, by 1900, the term was used for wholesome drinks made with chocolate, vanilla syrups or strawberry. Soon, people were asking for the new treat with ice-creams. This treat started gaining popularity soon enough, they were a must-have on all food outlet menus.

Though restaurants and food outlets serve exotic milkshakes served with sides that can serve as a complete meal and keep your stomach full for half a day, blending a milkshake at home is not big deal either. Call it a frappe, velvet or a frosted shake, this treat will never disappoint you. These liquid treats are not just packed with nutrients but many of them also aid weight loss.

Following are some innovative simple milk-shake recipes that have been tried and tested by me.

OREO MILK SHAKE

Ingredients:

10+2 Oreo cookies

4 scoops of Vanilla Ice-cream

50-100ml milk

A pinch of salt

Procedure:

Crush the Oreo cookies coarsely with hand and place them in a blender. Add the scoops of ice-cream and the milk.

Pulse till cookies are completely crushed.

Add a pinch of salt and blend till completely smooth. Add more milk according to the required thickness.

Pour into a tall glass and serve with 2 Oreo cookies sitting pretty on the top!

TIP: You could add a drizzle of dark rum to turn it into an adult treat for your cocktail parties!

VANILLA MILK SHAKE

Ingredients:

4 scoops Vanilla Ice-cream

2 teaspoons vanilla essence/ extract

50-100 milk

Sugar if needed

2-3 mint leaves to garnish

Procedure:

In a blender add the ice-cream with a splash of mil and blend until completely smooth.

Add the vanilla extract and blend again.

Check for the taste and thickness and add sugar or milk if required.

Pour into tall tumblers and serve chilled with mint leaves placed on top.

TIP: You could garnish with chocolate syrup and chopped walnuts for the extra flavor.

CARAMEL MILK SHAKE

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar+1/3 cup water

¾ cup heavy cream

A pinch of salt

1 table spoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 scoops Vanilla Ice-cream

1/2 cup whole milk

Procedure:

Add the water to a medium saucepan and set it over high heat. Pour the sugar directly into the centre so that none of it scattres onto the sides.

Bring to a boil and cook till the sugar starts to brown. Do NOT stir the pot. Let all the sugar melt uniformly.

TIP: You could give the pot a gentle swirl to help melt all the sugar.

Once the sugar turns into a deep brown sauce, carefully and gradually add the cream. Add the butter, salt and the vanilla extract.

Swirl the pot to dissolve all the ingredients evenly into the sauce.

Drizzle a bit of the caramel sauce so prepared into tall glasses along the sides and put the tumblers into the freezer to chill. The sauce will set and produce a gorgeous effect on the glasses.

Take the rest of the sauce and pour into a blender with the whole milk. Blend until smooth

Pour the shake into the glasses that had been prepared in the freezer.

Serve chilled.

DATES ALMOND AND BANANA MILKSHAKE

Ingredients:

2 large ripe bananas

1 cup of almonds soaked overnight in water.

1.5 cups of almond milk

8-9 ripe dates (stones removed)

1 teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon Vanilla essence

Whipped cream and chopped almonds to serve.

Procedure:

De-skin the soaked almonds and blend them to form a fine paste. Add the bananas and dates, with a small amount of the milk and blend to form a smooth paste.

Pour the remaining milk, cinnamon powder, vanilla essence and butter and blend until smooth and uniform.

Pour into talk glasses and serve chilled with whipped cream and crushed almonds on top.

TIP: You could also add a drizzle of honey on the top.

MEXICAN COFFEE MILKSHAKE

Ingredients:

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 cinnamon stick

2 tablespoons orange zest

1.5 tablespoons instant coffee powder.

2 scoops Coffee ice-cream

1/2 cup milk (optional)

Whipped cream for serving

Procedure:

Combine 1 cup water and the sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously till all the sugar dissolves.

Split the cinnamon stick with your hands and add it to the pot. Add the orange zest and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes till all the flavours infuse. Remove from flame.

Remove the cinnamon stick and add the instant coffee powder to the syrup.

Add the ice-cream and the syrup in a blender and mix until smooth.

Serve chilled in tall glasses. Garnish with the whipped cream.

TIP: you could use ground cinnamon powder/ coffee powder/ roasted coffee beans/ orange zest as additional garnishes.

Enjoy these treats for breakfast or have them as a healthy snack; you’ll love these either ways. You could also experiment and come up with interesting recipes. Happy Blending!

July 20, 2014
Foods to soothe your headache

Headache has become a very common dilemma now days. Over millions of people deal with headaches and only they can tell how horrifying and unbearable headache can be. When the head starts throbbing the life becomes so miserable. It is very hard to contend with the pain of headache. So consequently we end up taking pain killers, but this not the solution. We need to find out the sources that triggers the headache. There are many roots for the origin of headache. Once we find out the root causes, we can lessen the frequency of headache. These natural medications take long time to cure the problem, but they are surely more reliable than just taking up a pill. Some food items have been found to be the reason of headache. Luckily there are some other foodstuffs that help in healing the pain. Some of the food stuffs that can prove to be very beneficial during the headache are listed below. You can get rid of the pain with the consumption of such food items.

Coffee

The throbbing pain can go away with the intake of some amount of coffee. When taken in excess amount it can lead to headache. But adequate quantity of coffee can repress the effect of headache. When the root cause of headache is seasonal aversions then the consumption of coffee can be very effective. The discharge of histamine in the blood is reduced with the consumption of coffee which in turn pacifies the aversions and hence protects us from the headaches.

Bananas

Bananas are found to be rich in magnesium which helps in relaxing the blood vessel, subsequently slow down the aching. Vitamin B6 is very effective to fight with headache and bananas are filled with this vitamin. It depresses the pain that our body is enduring. So if you are undergoing a lot of pain, you may try bananas to get rid of it.

Intake of water

The deficiency in the amount of water can trigger the headaches. Normally we do not ingest adequate amount of water every day and consequently it leads to headache. Hence, water plays a very important role in reducing the sternness of headache. When taken in adequate amount, water acts as a very effective natural therapy for headaches and saves us from taking medicines.

Watermelon

One of the major causes of headaches or migraines is dehydration. So to relieve the pain it is better to consume food items those are rich in water content rather than consuming a pill. Watermelon is one of such water rich food item which hydrates the body. Eventually it eases up the pain. Hence when you get stuck up with headache, try some of these water rich fruits.

Almonds

As per the various studies, it has been observed that almonds are the great source of magnesium which protects us from the burden of the headache as it relaxes the blood vessels. The one who suffers from the regular headache must consume the magnesium rich diet. There are many food items those are rich in magnesium such as banana, almonds, avocados and several more. Headaches are also caused as the result of regular day tensions. In such situations, almond proves to be very valuable. So try to soothe your head by eating almonds every day.

Spinach

Spinach is another great headache savior. It basically diminishes the blood pressure and hence rescues us from the persistent headaches. It is also packed up with magnesium which is a very desirable nutrient in case of headaches. Apart from that spinach is rich in water level which prevents dehydration. Therefore this green vegetable must be enjoyed in order to hold back from the headaches.

Yoghurt

Another cause of headache can be the shortage of calcium in our body. Less amount of calcium in the body can lead to excruciating headaches. So make sure you include calcium rich food stuffs in your diet. Yoghurt is one of the solutions, as it is high in calcium content. It can calm down your body and dispose of the pain.

Spicy foodstuffs

When seasonal aversions are the reasons behind the painful headache, then consuming spicy food items is one of the ways to get relief. The hotness of the spicy foodstuffs diminishes the sinus pressure that opens the air routes which pacifies the pain. Chili powder also contains vitamin E which is found to provide relaxation to the blood vessels, thus aiding us to get rid of throbbing head. But excessive dosage of this vitamin must be avoided.

According to the specialists, the best way to avoid the painful headaches is to start knowing about the conditions that triggers it. Some food items also act as triggers, and it is best to avoid them. But some food items like the ones mentioned above have significant defensive powers which shield us from the unbearable headaches. These food items does not vanish the headaches totally but they are effective to a great extent.

July 20, 2014
C for coffee, C for Chennai

They have always been our wake up alarm. A companion during late night assignments and last minute projects. For the others, it has served simply as a break. Coffee has been an integral part of the lives of humans ever since its find and domestication. In India however, it has gone a step above. This can especially be seen in the city of chennai, famous for its coffee after its dosas and sambar.

A different tale is observed here in Chennai, when it comes to coffee. The ‘coffee custom’ struck the city and soon became an epidemic. Its not just a myth that coffee is addictive pretty much like other drugs. The only difference is that, its legal. The people of Chennai seemed to have become addicted to the beverage more than tea and the taste is passed on through generations, thus making sure that the coffee market here never banks down. The citizens of Chennai have their own customs when it comes to drinking and serving it. Its not a surprise that coffee has become one of the most sought after beverages here, owing to its many benefits.

Its history-in short

The birthplace of coffee is believed to have been somewhere in Ethiopia. However, it was not until the 17th century that the seeds reached the South Indian soil. The drink had already made its way to the other parts of the world by then. It was believed that a certain person, on his pilgrimage, came across the wonderful taste and experience of coffee. He then wanted the people of his city to taste and experience the heavenly feeling, the aroma and the richness of the beverage. So, it is said that he had brought a handful of these seeds, safely hidden inside his waist pouch. Thus, coffee entered the southern soil.

However, the people here were already contented with their traditional beverages, which included buttermilk, porridge and milk. So, naturally, the seeds took it own time to get accustomed to the people. Along with coffee came another refreshing beverage, which was in the form of leaves and went by the name of tea. Tea however, was more easily accepted by the people than coffee and was soon boiling in almost every house. By this time, India came under the control of the British and colonisation happened. During this time, the market was not in favour of the lower and middle classes as prices of even the basic amenities were high. This was another reason for the popularity of tea when compared to coffee. The price of tea was much cheaper than coffee, which was usually drunk by the upper classes and the officials. This was another reason why tea was usually called-“The poor man’s drink” by some.

However, by the start of the 19th century, the tables were turning and tea took a back seat. From then on till now, there was no turning back as coffee smartly captured the first position in the hearts of the people. Before long, every street corner, every road and side-road had a coffee stall. Today, in addition to the many coffee stalls propped up on the roads, there are various other coffee hang-outs, complete with plush interiors, foreign coffee recipes and fully air conditioned centres, sprawled across the map of Chennai.

The coffee culture

As coffee slowly gained popularity, it turned out to be more of a fashion statement for someone,to say that they are coffee-addicts. The modern coffee shops attracted quite a lot of people like flies attracted to a ripe banana.This may be termed as the modern coffee culture in Chennai. Almost contrary to the beliefs of the people, even the roadside stalls are equally frequented.

However, the people of Chennai have the best of both worlds. The traditional culture imbibes the warmth of one serving his/her guests by serving coffee as a complimentary, followed by snacks. The city dwellers prefer a milky blend of 70% coffee and 30% chicory. This is varied though, according to one’s requirement. The chicory content is either increased or decreased depending on whether one wants a strong or light blend. Back in the olden days, the meager average income was just enough to buy jaggery or honey, as sugar seemed almost improbable because of the taxes implied on them.

Coffee had become such an integral part of everyone’s lives that various coffee -powder producing shops opened up. These, specialized in grinding the raw coffee beans, brought in fresh, from the coffee estates. They had specialised grinding machines, where, fresh beans along with the chicory powder were put in the exact required proportion and were crushed to a fine powder. They are then packed and hermetically sealed to prevent the rich aroma and the taste from being lost.

Coffee was usually the beverage of the working class. Though there was a small hesitation in accepting the filtered coffee by certain groups of the society, it soon lost its steam and coffee found its way into the shelves of every home.

The filter ‘kaapi’

The perfect filter coffee is made by the right ingredients and the right vessels (or containers) are used. The filter, is a metallic, perforated, flat plate used to neatly filter only the essence of the coffee powder. This is in turn, used to make the essence or the decoction, from which the coffee is actually made, by mixing it with hot milk. The vessel used to make the decoction is a stainless steel vessel containing two halves. The top half contains the place where the perforated plate-like vessel is placed firmly. Boiled hot water, along with the coffee powder is poured in slowly at a steady rate to prevent solidification of the powder. It is then left for sometime for the essence to slowly sediment and drip down to the lower vessel which acts as a storage container.

Though there are various flavours and types of coffee now available, the basis for the preparation of the essence is pretty much the same.

Coffee has indeed become a part and parcel of the people of Chennai and there’s always the whiff of coffee in the air, here in Chennai.

July 20, 2014
Tea Time: The Varieties
The monsoon has arrived and its time for tea!.Who doesn’t like a cup of tea in this weather be it what time.Okay,now that we speak of tea here do we even know how the tea was introduced?It is said that a jaded Chinese emperor was sitting under a tree with a bowl of hot water,when a leaf of wanton tree fell in it.It is assumed that it happened 2,737 years even before Christ.It is not yet known how they started to consume it though,did they add milk?did they boil it?did they use any of the techniques we use today?.To make it convenient tea bags were introduced so that people can drink it easily.Did you know that the tea bags were introduced in 1908 in United States by Thomas Sullivan.Its is misconception that tea is only consumed hot,have you ever heard of iced tea?It was first invented in 1904 by an Englishman named Richard Blechynden.The story is that this man served a tea which wasn’t selling because it turned out to be very hot so he instead used ice and the concept took on like a wild fire.

Now that the monsoon has started,everyone prefers having tea in this cold weather.You go out on a drive in rain with your friends and family and love to drink tea at a stall,the kettles and tha chai cups making a sound,all this has its different fun,nothing can beat it.Indians prefer having masala chai with pakodas.yummy!.Tea is just not for enjoyment but it is sometimes also used as medicine to cure few flues.Is the masala chai and cutting the only type of chai you can try?Get out of your comfort zone and try something else this time.Here are few famous teas mostly sipped in monsoon and you too can try this monsoon,hot as well as iced!

Paan Leaf Tea:

Ingredients:
- One third of paan leaf
- Pinch of fennel
- One crushed clove
- 200ml water
- Green tea
Procedure:
- Boil leaf,fennel and crushed clove in 200 ml of water.
- Brew 3 gm of green tea separately for around 3 min.
- You have to keep an eye on it and make sure no bubbles are formed.
- Add the concoction of the betel leaf into the the green tea.
- serve hot!
Rose Tea:

Ingredients:
- Dry rose petal
- One finely chopped almond
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- Flush Darjeeling tea
- Rose water
- Sugar
Procedure:
- Take dry rose petals.You can dry these rose petals even at home by spreading them on a sheet and letting them dry under the sunlight but cover it with muslin cloth to retain its color and flavor.
- Boil it for 2 min
- Add around 4-7 rose petals with almonds and cinnamon.
- After they are boiled bring it to the room temperature.
- Now brew the 3 gm of flush Darjeeling tea for 3 min.
- Once it is brewed add it to the rose concoction.
- Later add rose water to it and add sugar for taste.
Tulsi Iced Tea:

Ingredients:
- Green tulsi leaves
- 2-3 Cloves
- 200 ml water
- 4 gm tea
- Honey
- Ice cubes
- Clove powder
Procedure:
- Chop around 10-12 tulsi leaves and crush cloves.
- boil this in 200 ml of water.
- After this add 4 gm of tea in the boiled tulsi water.
- Cover it and let it sit for 4 min.
- Later add honey and let it come to room temperature.
- After this transfer it in to a shaker and add ice cubes to it and shake well.
- You can garnish it with clove powder and tulsi leaves.
- You can even have this tea hot,just stop the procedure at being it hot,when hot and consumed it is good for health especially when caught cold.
Beetroot Iced Tea:

Ingredients:
- Beetroot
- Green chilli
- Green coriander
- Rock salt
- Sugar
- Lemon grass
- Assam tea
- Darjeeling tea
- Ice cubes
Procedure:
- Take a small beetroot and grate it.
- Take half green chilli and deseed it and chop one tbsp green coriander.
- Add 2 pinches rock salt,one tbsp sugar,one tbsp chopped lemon grass and boil all these ingredients together.
- Meanwhile brew 3 gm of Assam tea and one gm of Darjeeling tea second flush tea for almost 2 min.
- When the concoction is done mix them together.
- After that bring the mixture to room temperature.
- Take a shaker and add ice cubes to the mixture and you can even add chunks of beetroot if want.
- Shake well and serve cold.
Passion Fruit Tea:

Ingredients:
- Green cardamoms
- sugar
- Passion fruit
- Darjeeling tea
- Assam tea
Procedure:
- Use the pulp of the passion fruit,for about one tbsp scoop of pulp.
- Now crush around 3-4 whole green cardamoms.
- You can add this with 1.5 tbsp of sugar,keep this mixture aside.
- Boil water separately,now take it off from the gas and then add two gm of broken flush Darjeeling tea and two gm of long leaf Assam tea.
- Let it brew for another two min.
- When it is done you can add the mixture of the boiled water to the mixture of the passion fruit.
- Mix it well,remember not to strain it as the seeds are good for digestion.
July 15, 2014
Food Addiction: Sign, Symptoms and Treatment
Food Addiction is one of the major problems with many people and no matter how hard they try, they simply cannot overcome it. With the help of the various research conducted in different parts of the world it has now been proved that people get addicted to one or the other food items and they love to eat it frequently. Although they are most likely aware that that eating these food items will harm their body but they cannot help it. This is absolutely wrong and is called as the food addiction. Are you among those people who are addicted to food? Or do you have loved ones who are very much addicted to the food items. Then you must read this article carefully and find out the measures using which you can detect the food addiction and take steps to cure it.

Defining the food addiction is quite easy. It is the scenario where the person gets addicted to the food items just as a drug addict gets addicted to the consumption of drugs. They cannot simply work properly if they are not provided with that food. Some people also term it as the eating disorders. This unhealthy and unwanted relationship with the food is very much harmful for the human body. If you have food addiction, then you must take steps to get rid of it. Mostly people have addiction with the fast food items. They simply cannot resist themselves and love to eat it regularly without considering that it may be affecting their health in a negative manner. Life is precious. You must move forward in life with utmost care and protection else you will be the one who will suffer. Mostly those food items which have wheat and sugar in them are problematic. Their excessive consumption can lead to the emotional and physical instability. Ultimately the quality of life is affected. The following are the symptoms of the food addiction.
1. Although you are feeling full but then also you cannot stop yourself from eating any particular food item.
2. When you are served that particular food item, you eat it excessively which is much more than you have intended to.
3. When you know that this food item is not good for your health and yet you eat it.
4. You have tried to stop yourself from eating a particular food item many times but every time you have failed to capitalize on it.
5. You try to hide you eating habits from other people as you know they will scold you and ask you to stop eating it.
6. When you find excuses so that you can eat the food item that you are carving for.
If you are among such people who experience all of the above mentioned addiction signs, then you must take serious steps immediately to get rid of your food addiction else it will be too late and your health will surely suffer. The alcohol and the drugs addictions are very much similar to the food addictions. The thought process and the consequences of all these addictions are ultimately similar. It is just that the other mentioned addictions here such as the drugs and the alcohol addictions have to face the social consequences too. But what is most important is the health condition and it should not be compromised on any cost. You may suffer from obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes among other diseases. So you must understand it quickly that the food addiction is simply ruining your life. You will not be happy when other food items are served to you, even if they are far more beneficial for the health.

More often people get addicted to the junk food as they are spicy and delicious in taste. In today’s culture you will find junk food everywhere and there is no way you can simply eliminate them completely from your lifestyle. So it is important that you understand the pros and cons so that you eat them occasionally and eating junk food does not becomes an addiction for you. To overcome a food addiction, you need proper determination and strong will power. You must be strong enough to convince yourself that eating this particular food item will affect you and your health will deteriorate. Once you have made up your mind, then it becomes easier to avoid such food. Now if you find it difficult to convince yourself then you must prepare a chart of the pros and cons if you continue eating those addicted food items. Your chart should include what all you will gain and what all you will eventually lose if you don’t stop those food items. I bet the cons column will be long enough to convince yourself and you will eventually get rid of your addiction. I know it is pretty much difficult to stop eating the food which you love but for the sake of your health and brighter future, you will have to stop eating them. Once you are confident that your addiction is over then you can start eating those food items occasionally.
July 15, 2014
Berrilicious Treats
Richness of yogurt combined with flavor of blueberries make for a delectable treat. From parfait to cake filling. Lick lollies to salad dressing, there are interesting food ideas around the bowl of blueberry yogurt.

From creamy layers in a cake to a delicious, healthy dip, here’s how to add a spin to the usual bowl of blueberry yogurt. 1 Take a big bowl, fill the bottom layer with cake. Top it up with the blueberry yogurt and splash in some chopped berries. Repeat this layer. Add another layer of cake and top it up with icing sugar.this cake will leave you craving for more. 2 Fruit lovers can top their fruit plate with blueberry yogurt and little bit of honey and crunches on the top. This is a tasty, healthy option. 3 Churn blueberry yogurt to get a creamy texture and then freeze it. Your blueberry lick lolly is ready. 4 Blueberry yogurt is a dip in itself. One can also add to it crushed walnuts, sea salt and olive oil to it. Churn it and serve this dip with savory bread or finger vegetables. 5 Blend one cup of yogurt with some fresh herbs. Add 1tbsp of vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use it as a salad dressing and serve it over your favorite greens. 6 In a tall glass, layer blueberry yogurt, corn flakes and fresh fruits. Repeat this layer twice. Top it up with some strawberries and treat yourself with this irresistible parfait. 1. Blueberry smoothie- A. 4 tbsp sugar B. 1 inch cinnamon stick C. 4 dried rosebuds D. 1 star anise E. 1 tbsp coarsely chopped lemongrass F. 3 cups blueberry yogurt G. Mint leaves for garnishing In a medium saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to boil. Add sugar, cinnamon stick, dried rosebuds, star anise and coarsely chopped lemongrass. Cook while stirring constantly for about a minute, till sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, cover and let it rest, until flavors are well absorbed. Strain and reserve. In a blender, combine blueberry yogurt and 2 tbsp spiced sugar syrup and blend well. Served chilled, garnished with mint leaves.
1. Blueberry yogurt muffins-
A. 1 cup all- purpose flour B. 6 tbsp sugar C. 1/4 tbsp salt D. 1/4 tbsp baking soda E. 1 egg F. 3 tbsp canola oil G. 1 egg H. 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt I. 2 tbsp 2% milk J. 1/2 cup fresh blueberries K. 1/4 tbsp baking powder In a small bowl,combine all purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another medium sized bowl,combine egg, yogurt, oil and milk. Stir into dry ingredients, until moistened. Fold in the blueberries.

Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups three fourths full. Bake at 350` for 20 to 22 minutes or until the toothpick inserted inside it comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
1. Blueberry yogurt pop sickle-
A. 2 cup fresh blueberries B. 2 cups vanilla or plain yogurt C. 1/4 cup white sugar D. 8 small paper cups E. 8 pop sickle sticks Place the mixed blueberries, vanilla yogurt and sugar into a blender. Cover, and blend until berries are chunky and smooth, as desired. Fill paper cups three – fourth with the fruit mixture. Cover the top of each cup with aluminum foil. Poke a pop sickle stick through the center of foil in each cup. Place the cups in the freezer for a minimum of 5 hours. To serve, remove the foil and the paper cups. 4. Lemon- blueberry yogurt loaf- A. 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour B. 2 tsp baking powder C. 1/2 tsp salt D. 1 cup sugar E. 3 large eggs F. 1 cup plain or blueberry yogurt G. 1/2 cup oil H. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract I. 1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries J. 1 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice K. 1 cup confectioner’s sugar L. 2 tsp grated lemon zest Preheat the oven to 350`, grease bottom and sides of loaf pan. In a medium bowl, combine together flour,baking powder, salt and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract and oil. Slowly combine the contents of both the bowls. In another bowl,add blueberries and remaining flour, and fold them gently into batter. Pour the batter into the oven for 50 to 55 minutes, until it is cooked properly. Let it cool for 10 minutes. While the loaf is cooling, make lemon syrup by mixing in sugar and lemon juice and cooking them for 3 minutes. With toothpick make holes in the loaf, and brush in the lemon syrup on the top and sides of the loaf. For lemon glaze, in a bowl add confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice. Pour the lemon glaze over the top of the loaf and let it harden for 15 minutes before serving. Quick facts about yogurt- 1. Yogurt, got its name from the Turkish word yogurur, which means long life. 2.Yogurt with added fruit jam was patented in 1933 by the Radlicka Mlekarna dairy in Prague. It was introduced to the United States in 1947. 3.It is believed that eating yogurt is associated with longevity. Eating yogurt regularly can help you absorb the nutrients in other foods. 4.According to many historical accounts, the creamy treat originated from primitive methods of milk storage in containers made from animal stomachs. The natural enzymes from these animal parts would curdle the milk, resulting in what we today know as yogurt.
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
AMLA has it all…

The well known fruit Amla is something that can be considered as a food for fitness. It is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and many other nutrients. The benefits of amla can never be undermined and are always well recognized by its sour, succulent taste and vibrant green colour. Indian Gooseberry, being English name of amla and Phyllanthus emblica being scientific name, this fruit has many versatile uses in Indian kitchen. It is famous because of its anti viral and anti microbial properties and has achieved great recognition in Ayurveda. Grown on deciduous trees, this astringent, sour tasting fruits is consumed as an ingredient in sweets, juices or pickles or chutneys or it is taken in raw form. It is flavourful and really healthy food with very low calories of only 60 calories for 100 grams. It is a very rich source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, carbohydrates and have minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus and is also contains antioxidants.

Well, if you wonder why it is recommended to eat atleast one amla or its dish every day, here are some key benefits it can provide you with. Amla is such a superawesome fruit, fulfilled with all the wonderful benefits. Just go through it and you will be amazed;

Amla promotes healthy eyes and skin: Many eye diseases can be prevented by its use. Because it is rich in vitamins A and C and has antioxidants, which helps in protecting the retina from oxidative damages and also prevents cataract and nearsightedness. The regular use of amla can even avoids the age related eyesight problems. In addition, amla is excellent for maintaining skin health and makes it glowy and soft. The vitamin C present in amla helps in flushing out toxins, which results in reducing blemishes, acne and also rejuvenates the skin. So, amla is something that is really good for eyes and skin health.

Amla is good for hair too: Indian markets are flooded with products containing amla calling it, amla hair oil, amla hair shampoo and many other because of its superb benefits for healthy, lustrous hair. Eating raw amla or in any other form or making a home-made amla shampoo or amla conditioner for your hair will do the wonder and makes your hair awesome looking.

Amla protects your heart: Regular consumption of amla or a glass of amla juice daily will prove to be super awesome for your heart health. It is a great remedy for many heart problems as it makes heart muscles strong and enable the heart to pump blood easily and also reduces the cholesterol and helps in monitoring any heart disease. It actually reduces the risk of strokes or heart attacks as, being rich in iron and fiber, it is very effective in controlling the oxidation of LDL(bad cholesterol) and thus maintain the cholesterol levels , thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

Amla controls Diabetes: It has beneficial effects on secretion of insulin, it controls the blood sugar levels. Amla, a polyphenol-rich fruit has properties that can assist in absorbing the insulin which leads to drop in the blood sugar in diabetics patients. It protects the body from oxidative properties of high blood sugar. Amla variants, if taken regularly or amla juice taken with turmeric powder and honey helps in controlling diabetes and keeps check on blood sugar levels.

Amla protects from Cancer: Due to the anti-oxidant properties of amla, it prevents the formation of free radicals and thus protects the body from cancer. It even inhibits the further growth of cancerous cells and has the potential to protect the body from harmful effects of chemical which are carcinogenic and thus reduces the risk of cancer.

Amla is great blood purifier: Amla juice is something that acts as a blood purifier by flushing out the toxins and thus detoxifying the body. This detoxification is very necessary, in order for the organs to function well. Also, regular intake of juice purifies the blood and increases the haemoglobin.

Amla protects your liver and prevents gastric problems: In order to keep your liver safe and healthy, amla has properties that t can heal the damaged liver from the oxidative damage from alcohol or smoking. Also, amla having fiber, polyphenol and water content combined with inflammatory properties is a great antidote for upset stomach and acidity.

With so many perks of amla, let’s have a look on this simple recipe having all the nutrition of amla so that you can avail all these benefits and keep diseases at bay.

AMLA JUICE RECIPE:

Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, pinch of salt, pinch of cardamom powder and turmeric powder, 1 cup amla cut into pieces.

Method: Wash the amlas and dry them and keep them in a bowl. Place this bowl in a pressure cooker having 1 ½ cup of water and remove the pressure cooker from gas after one whistle.

Now, remove the bowl from cooker when there is no pressure and touch the amlas to see if it has become soft and has cooled down.

Then, Press the amlas with hands to remove the seeds and break them into pieces and then grind them with little sugar and salt into a fine powder.

Now, to prepare the amla juice concentrate, mix this amla paste with sugar powder and salt and can place this concentrate in the freezer.

You can add 2-3 teaspoons of this paste in water and make a juice of it and drink regularly. You can add cardamom or turmeric powder as per your taste for some flavor.

Drinking this amla juice regularly can keep you away from many health problems. Because AMLA, the Indian Gooseberry has it all; yes, all the nutrition.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

July 14, 2014
Stay healthy during monsoon

Rains are awaited by all and it certainly creates a wonderful environment. Rainy season is a kind of relief from hot and sunny days. Every single person cherishes the rains. But there are some areas that need our attention. With rains come health irritations like aversions, illness and stomach problems. The level of humidity is increased during the rainy season that affects the digestion. But nothing to get worried about as certain changes in our diet and nourishment can surely solves the problem. So it is very essential to keep an eye on what we eat during the monsoon to stay perfectly healthy.

Drink lot of water: It is necessary to take in extra amount of water in rainy days as the humidity level increases and it becomes difficult for the sweat to get evaporated. Consequently, the body heat is not released properly. It has been also found out that drinking water prevents the various skin problems. As a result it is recommended to keep ourselves hydrated during the rainy seasons. Carbonated and gaseous liquids should be avoided because they can result in indigestion. Drinks like tea can work as a great substitute of it. So during this monsoon do not forget to possess a water bottle with yourself all the time.

Go for fresh and hygienic foodstuff: Keep in mind to wash every single fruit before eating them. While cooking, the vegetable should be washed thoroughly and steam them to destroy the microbes which are present on them. Filthy and unclean food stuff is harmful for the body and can result in sickness. It is advisable to take in cooked foodstuff rather than eating them as raw. Soups are too very beneficial during the rainy days as it provides the body with needed nutrition. Therefore always try to go for recently cooked food stuff.

Say no to outside food: This particular point is of great importance. You should keep yourself away from eating the street food. Street foods are quite enticing to all of us but they could possibly hold many germs which results in stomach diseases. Hence take a firm decision of not eating out.

Stay away from oily food: It is greatly recommended to stay away from the oily and fatty food items. The digestion in the body gets weaker during the rainy days as the humidity level goes up. Hence the ability of body to digest the oily food items becomes feeble and thus upsetting the stomach. Therefore, try to eat light and less oily food items.

Reduce the consumption of dairy items: The dairy foods have the supreme tendency of getting contaminated by germs. As a result the consumption of the dairy products must be low. It is better to consume curd rather than milk even if the milk is filled with all the desired nutrients. Apart from that, one should try to boil and disinfect the water before drinking it.

Intake of balanced diet: As we know that digestion is weak throughout the rainy days therefore it is advised to eat reasonably. Stop taking in food stuff even when you are not starving. Perfect balanced diet is much needed to stay from stomach problems at the time of monsoon. Fruits such as apples, litchis as well as bananas must be consumed. Along with them include carrots in your diet too. Spice up the food with pepper, turmeric as they advance the resistance of the body and supports ingestion.

Avoid drinking juices: Make sure you don’t drink juices especially from outside as they may apply water which is not filtered. It is greatly recommended to drink at once the juices prepared at home.

Sea food can be harmful: During the rainy season, make sure that you stay away from the sea foodstuff. Give more attention to fishes as well as prawns and greatly avoid eating them as rainy season is the propagating season for them. Even if you are taking in the sea food make it certain about its freshness as well as cleanness.

No spicy foodstuff: There are many people who deal with skin infections throughout this season. It is advisable for them to stay away from the spicy foodstuff, as the spicy items arouse the temperature of the body that certainly results in skin illness and infections. It is better to visit to a doctor if the infection stays for long.

Some more tips: Food items such as barley as well as oats are found out to be very beneficial for the stomach during the rainy season. Garlic is also very valuable as it enhances the immunity of the body. Fruits are considered as the supreme source of energy. But make sure that you don’t eat watermelons during the monsoon. Instead of watermelons try to eat apples, pears more. It is said that taking anything in extra amount is bad for health so avoid doing that.

With the assistance of these advices try to stay healthy and strong during the monsoon and at the same time relish the rains of the monsoon.

July 14, 2014