Category: Drinks

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
Treat From The South!

Think of South India and the first thing that comes to the head of a North Indian like me is the yummy ‘Idli and Dosas’. But what else do we know about South Indian cuisine except the fact that it is amazingly delicious. But there is a lot more to know about our favourite cuisine.

South India being hot and humid climatically, gets rain in abundance each year and so fresh fruit, vegetables and rice are readily available throughout the year. Malabari cooking comes from Kerala with its catalogue of yummy seafood dishes. Nizams have ruled Hyderabad so the food that comes from Andhra is rich and full flavour. The food is full of dry fruits and nuts (and especially exotic spices like Saffron.)

On the whole, South Indian cuisine is the hottest of all Indian cuisines. Most of the meals are centred on rice and are rice based. Sāmbhar is a soup-like lentil with which is rice is combined. Rasam is a hot-sour lentil soup, again eaten with rice dishes.

Yes they love Rice! No meal in South India is complete without rice being an active participant in the entire cooking process! Idles, Dosas, Uttapams are all a part of their daily meal. Coconut oil is usually used for cooking and frying purposes and vegetable oils and ghee is spread over rice when meals are cooked on special occasions. Curry leaves, mustard and peppercorns are the main ingredients in every south Indian dish.

Let’s talk about the various culinary schools of South India:

Andhra: Food from Andhra is mostly vegetarian but in the coastal areas of the state, you would get to taste a variety of seafood. Prawns and fish are fried in coconut oil and ground pepper is used to flavour the dish. Again, Andhra food is usually served with rice. Rice and Sāmbhar along with other lentil preparations, steamed vegetables that are flavoured with coconut oil are all a part of the Andhra culinary school. Pakodas and vadas are served for snack. They taste even more delicious when they are dipped in Sāmbhar. One can also try the payasam or the exotic Hyderabadi Sheer Khurma for dessert. Andhra cuisine will definitely take you heart away!

Karnataka: On a visit to the state of Karnataka? Then you would surely find a typical Kannad meal served to you that would include very specific dishes and in a definite order. And the surprising part! You start your meal with a dessert! Then come some soup-like dishes as majjige huli, Kootu, saaru etc. and these are eaten with rice. The raita comes next and then the Bonda is served. Finally, the meal is ended by serving a bowl of curd rice. For sweets, try the famous Mysore Pak, Pedha or Chiroti!

Hyderabad: The fancy Nizams and the even fancier and amazingly delicious cuisine from Hyderabad. The cuisine from Hyderabad is a combination of techniques of the Muslim rulers and the vibrant spices and ingredients from the local Hindu people. It tastes sour and sweet and everyone who tries it returns to Hyderabad for some more. It is one of India’s most exotic and finest cuisines and people from all across the globe love to savour their tatste buds with the Hyderabadi Biryani.

Tamil Nadu: Cuisine from Tamil Nadu is popularly called ‘Chettichand Cuisine’. If you think that its tastes similar to the simple, bland cuisine of the traditional Tamil Brahmins, then you are definitely mistaken, because Chettichand cuisine is one the oiliest and the most aromatic food in the country. Though, Chetiars are popular for their yummy vegetarian meals, their preparations also include a variety of other items like meat, fish etc. Since I already mentioned that its one of the “oiliest “cuisine, the use of oil is extremely liberal while cooking these dishes and have a large amount of bay leaves, cinnamon and red chillies in them. Some popular dishes are veruval which is a dish fried in spices and onions, poriyal is a curry and kuzambu is a dish which has ingredients that are stewed in gravy of spices and coconut. And where there is oil and spice, can pickles be far behind? So you will find that a variety of pickles and pappads and dry snacks are a part of Tamil Cuisine too. Murukkus are small spiral shaped snack fried out of rice dough. Other small snacks include thattai, masala vada, etc.

Kerala: Kerala is popular for its pancakes rice cakes that are steamed. Kerala is a state which home to various religious communities and this is a reason behind the repertoire of dishes one finds when Kerala cuisine is mentioned. For the Muslims, Biryani is a must. This flavoured Biryani is made of mutton and fish.

In districts like Kottayam and Pala, which are largely inhabited by Christians, a dish called ‘ishtew’ with appam is permanent dish that one finds in every marriage reception. There are fermented beverages which form a part of the Kerala cuisine. Kallu and patta charayam are one of these.

July 7, 2014
Not a nut, but a fruit!

The human body is like a machine in its way of functions. It is a common known fact that a machine heats up when it does work. So, to cool it, a suitable coolant is used and the most common that is naturally available, is water. Similarly, the human body also needs water to cool itself down and to maintain its normal temperature. Earth is the only known planet in our solar system lucky enough to contain the elixir of life in its liquid form. Apart from the common sources from where water is obtained, it is also got from certain fruits like tender coconuts.

A short description

Even though it is named, coconut, it is actually a type of fruit and not a nut. It belongs to the palm family and is mostly found in the tropical and the sub-tropical regions. It can be especially found in abundance, in the Indian sub-continent. The southern parts of India are literally the home for these fruits to grow. They are usually tall trees, which have thick trunks, but almost no branches. Instead, these trees have very long leaves, with some of them even growing up to 25 feet. These leaves make up for the default branches that an average tree usually has. The tree itself may grow up to a 100 feet tall or approximately around 30 meters in height. This type of tree has a fibrous root system and requires sufficient water to grow. The fruit formed is a multi-layered seed that is extremely hard. The hardness is to protect the soft, fleshy part of the coconut pulp inside.

This fruit is unique in the sense that it has the ability to store water taken in from the roots inside its shell to help it to germinate and grow. However, it can be harvested much before and the water inside it can be consumed. The stored water, even though has its source from the water taken in from the ground, it is very different from the actual groundwater. This is because of the various changes taking place inside the shell that affects the water stored inside it. By a certain set of chemical and biological changes happening inside, the coconut pulp is formed which takes up some water and by the process of diffusion, gives some amount of sugar and taste to the otherwise bland water.

This water formed is very rich in potassium and electrolytes, compounds which helps in replenishing the human body from lost nutrients. This is the reason why coconuts are the best source of natural electrolytes and natural coolants especially during the summer months. The human body tends to lose a lot of vital nutrients during the hot months and the water of a tender coconut consumed at a time like this replenishes and energizes the entire system. However, coconuts kept for a long time tend to lose its water content, as the pulp inside begins to dry up, thus consuming the available water to maintain the required moisture. A coconut at this stage is no longer called tender. Instead, it is just the matured form of the fruit and it has a soft flesh which is very sweet in taste.

It also has a lot of oil content and so, these pulps are usually squeezed and cultivated to produce coconut oil. The dry coconut easily comes off its outer shell as there is nothing holding it to the walls of the shell. This is also because of the fact that the coconut as a whole shrinks in size, thus loosening itself from the shell. For the diet conscious, this fruit suits best as it does not known stored natural fats and its cholesterol content is very low. Thus, tender coconut water is a very healthy way to start one’s day.

The vegan way

Vegan is a type of diet which contains non-dairy and non-animal products. People who follow this diet are called vegans. It is very popular all over the world. For the diet conscious vegans, tender coconut water taken every morning keeps their heart and their body sound. Coconut water has the property of cooling one’s body by maintaining the blood flow and its pressure. It regulates the body’s natural temperature and also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels. Vegans usually consume tender coconut water or the fleshy pulp inside as a substitute for artificial electrolytes and vitamin enhancer.

The diet of vegans consists only of plant products. As many of these dishes and recipes tend to have a lot of fiber content, sometimes, it becomes tough for the stomach to digest all the fiber consumed. Fibers from plants sometimes contain quite a high amount of cellulose content. Cellulose is one of the main constituents of green, leafy plants. Through the process of evolution, humans have lost their ability to digest cellulose like herbivores. So, it takes quite a lot of time for the stomach acids to break down cellulose consumed in the form of salads rich in leafy vegetables. However, when taken in large amounts, it may cause indigestion. Now this is where coconuts and tender coconut water play an important role. They are known to be natural appetizers and antacids, improving digestion and preventing from indigestion. Consumption of tender coconut water after a meal of salads rich in greens, improves the stomach’s ability to secrete the digestive juices, while protecting the walls of the stomach from the rancid effects of the juices at the same time. It is for this reason why vegans prefer coconuts water more than any other fruit juices.

July 7, 2014
All about Red wine

It is often said that bread and wine completes one’s supper. Though bread, a solid food, satisfies our hunger, our stomach is more like a churning machine, digesting food and supplying the body with the required nutrients and so, in addition to the digestive juices it secretes; it does need a little extra lubricant at times, to completely break the food down. Wine, when taken in measured quantities along with food, does the trick. There are various types of wines that man has discovered and created. However, the wines containing a larger proportion of alcohol content along with the other ingredients which makes a wine, perfect, affects our health. Red wine, however, boasts of various positive benefits and thus, stands out.

red wine

Manufacture- A brief description:

It all starts in a vine yard growing black grapes. The freshest and the best ones are carefully hand-picked and are then sent to a receiver. True to the fact that a perfect wine is certified by its taste, the raw grapes are carefully de-stemmed, washed and the leaves, removed. This is then processed, which includes crushing to completely squeeze the juice out. It is this juice which gives the wine its blood-red colour and its royal taste. The skins of these fruits are however retained and the pulp is stored in a large vessel and is allowed to ferment.

wine-fermentation

This is the most important process in wine-making. Suitable quantities of yeast and water are added for proper fermentation and the proportion is maintained throughout the process without any change. This is vital to maintain the richness of the wine. Then, tannin is also added to stabilize the red colour and also to prevent the wine from rotting by the process of oxidation. The addition of yeast naturally produces alcohol during fermentation. This is increased a little more by heating to a moderate temperature. However, the alcohol content in red wine is much lesser when compared to other types of wines, which makes it more like a health drink. Once the wine is finally made, it is packed and sent to shops which finally reach our shelves.

Benefits:

It is not just a myth that the best wines are the one’s which have lived for many years. The time of storage of wines is directly linked to its quality. In other words, the older the wine is, the richer and better it is. This is because of the chemical reactions which take place as the wine ages. Its taste improves and the colour becomes richer and the density of the wine, thicker.

Red wine is a natural source of anti-oxidants. These compounds make it possible to rinse out the toxins from the body. The anti-oxidants are present in the form of phenols commonly found in the grapes of dark colors. Accumulation of oxidants in our body leads to clogging of the arteries and may also lead to the growth of cancerous tumours. The practice of drinking wine with food dates back and can be found in almost every ancient culture .

It is still practiced today in many parts of the world. In the days of yore, it was a common belief that wine was the drink of the gods and drinking it would not only boost one’s health, but that it would also bring one, closer to god. Today, research has shown that red wine actually acts as an appetizer. It stimulates the glands in the stomach responsible for secretion of digestive juices and thus aids in the process of digestion. It was found that food was more easily broken down into the component proteins and energy and that these were more easily assimilated by the body. It was also found that red wine boosted the body’s immune system and thus kept illness at bay. Accumulation of oxidants in the body may also lead to a condition called macular degeneration, where the muscles in the eyes (the ciliary muscles) loosen, causing temporary or permanent vision impairment or formation of cataract. Red wine has the properties to decelerate macular degeneration. Also, it has proved to be an excellent supplement along with food for those wishing to diet and lose flab. Weight loss is found to occur when one consumes red wine along with one’s daily meal. This is explained by the fact that red wine retards the time for the stomach to get empty, thus making the person to eat less. The feeling of hunger that one normally experiences is by a particular gland in the brain that is stimulated. Consumption of red wine during meals slows down the time taken for the signals to reach the brain, thus resulting in the person to think that he/she is full. As the food intake decreases, weight is automatically managed. Red wine is also found to protect an individual from major heart diseases, by increasing the body’s “good” cholesterol level, which is vital to keep the heart healthy. It eases the flow of blood through the veins and thus prevents unnecessary clotting of blood or blockages in the arteries. Slight changes in the blood pressure are also observed. The “bad” cholesterol levels are found to decrease in quantity, thus preventing blockages of the main arteries by fats hardened. The risk of heart attacks is thus reduced when red wine is consumed in measured quantities.

The other side of it:-

However, it has been found that wine, red wine or alcoholic wine is highly addictive and may lead to adverse effects if taken too much. Even though red wine contains very little amount of alcohol in it, over consumption can lead to lack of judgment or difficulty in speech. Also, the natural phenols present in the black grapes, is found to increase the risk of cancer if taken continuously or in large amounts. The cancerous agents may also leads to formation of ulcers in the stomach as it disrupts the natural breakdown of food by the digestive enzymes. Over dose of red wine may also lead to mental breakdown in the form of loss in memory either temporarily or permanently ( a condition called dementia). The risk of Alzheimer’s is found to increase a notch higher when the concentration of alcohol in the body increases. Alcohol, which is a known natural pain suppressor, may also dull the senses when one consumes it often. So it ultimately makes a person lethargic and slows one’s response to stimuli. The ability to grasp things and to think creatively is greatly reduced by an increase in the alcohol level in the body.

July 1, 2014
Mango drinks for summer

Everyone need more than air-conditioning or a dip in the pool to battle the hot summer weather of May, June and July. So cool off and chill out with cool summer drinks. Summer is the best suited time to have cocktails. Summer is the perfect time for friends to gather and share a few drinks. So brake out the tropicals, the frappes, the coolers and chill out. Cool drink refreshes your mind, soul, heart and body so never forget to take cold drinks during summer.

AAM PANNA–

It is the traditional North western Indian summer cooler drink. Aam Panna reduces the occurrence of heat strokes. It is not only a good refreshment but also a great rejuvenating drink as it restores the Sodium which was lost due to dehydration. It is rich in antioxidant which helps to remove the toxins from the body and purify blood. Here is a simple recipe for how to make aam panna.

Ingredients-

3 medium size green raw mangoes
1 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon roasted cumin powder
Black salt to taste
Salt to taste
2 cup water
1 tablespoon Mint leaves
Ice crushed

Recipe– Place the mangoes along with water in a sauce-pan and boil them. Simmer for 10 minutes. Then remove from gas. Alternately you can pressure cook the mangoes with water till they become soft. When they get cool, peel the mangoes and get the pulp with the help of a spoon. Grind mango pulp with water to a smooth paste. Take the pulpy mixture in a pan, add sugar and let it cook on gas till the sugar get dissolved completely. Stir continuously. Remove from gas and add roasted black salt, cumin powder and salt. Let this mixture cool down in proper time. To make the drink, take a glass and pour 1 -2 tablespoons of the mango mixture and pour it in chilled water. Now add finely crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

MANGO MILKSHAKE-

Mango has a plenty of benefits that are good for our health and can fight against diseases such as cancer. It helps in digestion as it is rich in fiber. It is a rich source of vitamin A, hence it also boosts the immune system and lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. Mango shake contains good amount of proteins and irons, therefore it is very beneficial for anemic patients. Vitamin D and calcium present in mango milkshake helps in strengthening the bones. The recipe for making mango shake is as follows-

Ingredients–

1 cup milk,Ice cubes, 3 small ripe mangoes, 1/4-1/2 tablespoon cardamom powder (start less and increase as per taste), 2 tablespoon sugar.

Recipe- Peel the mangoes and then add their pulp to a blender. Add the milk and cardamom powder to it. Start with the minimum, since some may find the flavor of cardamom too overpowering. Blend it well along with ice cubes until they get mixed. Taste and add sugar if needed and give it another whirl if added. Pour into glasses with ice-cream on the top and enjoy.

MANGO MARGARITA –

Ingredients-

Mangoes peeled and cut into small pieces, Ice cubes as required, salt as required, lemon juice 3 tablespoons, and 1 cup mango squash.

Recipe- Put the pieces of mangoes in a blender and blend for a minute. Add mango squash, two table spoons lemon juice, ice cubes and blend it again for three minutes.Apply the remaining lemon juice at the rims of the glasses and dip the rims in the plates containing salt and then remove. Pour the margarita in the glasses and serve.

MANGO LIME COOLER–

Ingredients-

1 tablespoon honey, ½ cup low fat milk, 1 ripe mango, peeled and cut into chunks, 1 tablespoon lime juice, Ice cubes, ½ cup plain fat free yogurt.

Recipe- Put all the ingredients except the ice cubes in the blender, then cover and blend the mixture on high speed around 15 seconds. Add crushed ice and then continue blending for 15 seconds. Now kick back and enjoy the perfect summer drink.

MANGO MOJITO-

A mango mojito features muddled mint leaves mixed with mango rum.

Ingredients-

1 lime wedge, 4 mint leaves, fresh mango (pureed), 90ml soda, ice cubes, 22ml light rum.

Recipe- Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice until they are fragrant by pressing a muddler into the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Then pour the rum and the mango puree into the shaker. Fill the shaker 2/3 full of ice cubes. Shake the drink until the ingredients are well mixed and chilled. Place ice cubes in a fashioned glass. Strain the drink from the cocktail shaker over the ice cubes. Top the drink with club soda and garnish it with a slice of mango.

MANGO COLADA-

Ingredients-

1 cup ripe mango cubes, 1/3 cup light rum, 1/3 cup cream of coconut, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, ice cubes.

Recipe- Place all the ingredient shown above in a blender and then blend until it becomes smooth and thick. Add ice cubes. Pour into tall glass and enjoy your drink.

July 1, 2014
Wonderful Soy milk!

Something that can prove to be the best alternative for milk is SOY MILK. It is rich, nutritious and very healthy drink. Soy milk has become so famous because of its high quality proteins and anti oxidative qualities. Most of the people drink this milk because of the added health benefits attached to it. As being lactose free, it is primarily used by lactose intolerant persons. It may lack in context of taste, but people consume out of its advantages and nutritive value, but now even the taste is improved since it has been started to produce commercially. This is well known how much beneficial soya and its products are as they are protein dense and can provide all the protein in a vegan diet, that you can get from meat. Similarly, Soy milk is the best substitute for Diary milk (cow milk) and for meat and chicken protein (animal protein). Soy milk or Soya milk is a plant milk, which is produced by soaking dry soyabeans, boiling and grinding them with water. It is a traditional staple in the Asian diet and has the same amount of food value and proteins and even higher as that of cow milk. One can take soy milk as per their taste as there is plain soy milk, which is unsweetened and salted soya milk is also consumed in some countries. Also, many soy products are sweetened. It was first produced in China.
Soy milk is a super awesome drink rich in many nutrients, vitamins and minerals and is a good replacement for animal protein and some sources of dietary fiber. Moreover, it also contains digestible calcium, little saturated fat and no cholesterol and contains no lactose. Soy milk has found many uses in vegan and vegetarian diet and vegan recipes and cooking. Soy milk has versatile uses and is used in making soy cream, soy yoghurt, soy based cheese analogues and tofu is also a product of soya. To know more about the benefits of this wonderful beverage, let’s have a look on these :

It reduces Cholesterol and improves Lipid profile: People who include soy milk in their diet have reduced cholesterol levels as it is unsaturated with no cholesterol, unlike cow milk which is high in saturated fat and is unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. Studies have found significant results in maintaining good cholesterol levels in the blood with the use of soy milk and decreasing LDL which is bad cholesterol. Also, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid in soy can inhibit the transport of cholesterol in your blood stream and this is why it is recommended to take soy milk as a regular drink and enjoy it.
It helps in loosing weight: Soy milk is really helpful if you want to lose weight as it has natural sugar content and has very few calories almost equal to skim milk. Also, intake of soy milk is high in fiber content which makes you feel full for longer time, and makes you eat less and paves a way for less craving. Moreover, monounsaturated fatty acid present in soy milk can restrain the intestinal absorption of fat.
It is rich in Isoflavones: Presence of isoflavones is a very unique benefit of soy milk and is beneficial like anything. The health benefits can range from prevention of osteoporosis, ease of postmenopausal symptoms, reduction of cholesterol, prevention from risk of certain cancers; breast cancer and prostate cancer. Also, they are antioxidants that protect our cells and DNA against oxidation and this is not found in cow’s milk and that’s why it is sometimes considered as more beneficial than the dairy milk.
It has no lactose: The most beneficial use of soy milk is for lactose intolerant population. This lactose free is preferable by many because of its several benefits. In addition, it has prebiotic sugars, which decrease the toxic substances in the body and boosts immunity.
It Strengthens and nourishes the Blood vessel integrity: Soy milk is extremely helpful in nourishing the blood vessels due to the nutrients present in it as the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and also the Phyto-antioxidants in soy milk protect your blood vessels from hemorrhage. These compounds are helpful because they bind to the blood vessels lining and defend the lining cells from cholesterol deposits and free radicals attacks. The binding action of these nutrients also improves the flexibility and fluidity of your blood vessels. In such a way, it plays an important role and the reason the regular intake of soya milk is recommended.

Woah! So many benefits. No? After all these good facts about soy milk, the one who doesn’t really like having it, will start drinking it. There are many variants of soy milk available in your grocery store with so many flavors, like pistachio, chocolate, almond and plain too. You can pick any flavor of your choice and have it with all your heart for your healthy heart. Now, even if you are lactose intolerant, which has become quite common, you have milk that fulfills your craving for milk with so many other attached benefits, which may not be there in cow milk. Enjoy your Soy milk.

Happy drinking. Happy Life!

July 1, 2014
Culinary- An exquisite art

Culinary is the art of cooking. It doesn’t involve just cooking but also preparation and presentation of a particular dish. A culinary expert is commonly known as a chef. He/she must be well versed with most of the cuisines. The world famous cuisines are listed below.

Cuisines famous all over:
1. Italian:

The first thing that comes to our mind when we hear about Italian food is Pizza and Pasta. The dishes are characterized by simplicity and use maximum 4-8 ingredients. The main ingredients are tomatoes, fish, potatoes, cheese and all kinds of meat. Olive oil is the major vegetable oil used for cooking. Herbs, vegetables and spices are used for toppings. Sauce also forms a major ingredient, mainly in pasta.

Pasta: Pasta is one of the main cuisines made out of wheat. There are different types of pasta; there is the spaghetti, fusilli, lasagna etc. There are two styles of pasta, the dry, which can be stored for a long time and the fresh one which can be stored only for a short period of time. You can make bland pasta with a lot of cheese and herbs as topping or you can make tangy pasta using tomatoes and spices.

Pizza: Pizza is flat bread that is baked and often has tomato and cheese with vegetables or meat as toppings. You can create a lot of different varieties of pizza as per your tastes.

Wine: Italy produces the largest amount of wine in the world. In Italy wine is commonly consumed (alongside water) in meals, which are rarely served without it.

Desserts:
• Cassata: Cassata is one of the most famous desserts; it is a cake which contains different kinds of nuts. The round sponge cake is moistened with fruit juices or liquor and layered with ricotta cheese, candied peel, and a chocolate or vanilla filling similar to cannoli cream. It is covered with a shell of marzipan, pink and green pastel colored icing, and decorative designs. The cassata is topped with candied fruit depicting cherries and slices of citrus fruit.
• Cannoli: Cannoli is Italian pastry dessert. It consists of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta.
• Gelato: Gelato is Italian for ice cream.
• Tiramisu: Tiramisu is a popular coffee-flavored dessert. It is made of Ladyfingers (soft sponge cake) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks, egg whites, sugar and mascarpone cheese.

2. Chinese:

There are different culinary in China, the Eight Culinary Traditions of China are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan and Zhejiang, out of which Szechuan is most famous in the world. It includes noodles, Manchurians, fried rice etc.
The main ingredients in Chinese Cuisines are vegetables, rice, noodles, sauces, herbs, spices and beans.
A lot of sea food also forms a major part of their cuisine like sushi and tofu. They make prawn crackers as snacks. Dim sums and dumplings are also very famous.
Their major drinks are tea and liquor like Baijiu (white liquor) and Huangjiu (yellow liquor). Tea is given a lot of importance in China. They have ceremonies where tea forms a major part.
Baijiu is made out of distilled wheat, corn or rice while Huangjiu is a strong rice wine.

3. Mexican:

Mexican cuisine is closely tied to the culture, social structure and popular traditions of the country. Corn, beans, chilli peppers and rice form a major part of the Mexican cuisine. It includes dishes like tacos, nachos, burritos etc. The dishes are tangy and spicy. Tomatoes are used in abundance in Mexican dishes.
Mexicans have a lot of festivals where food is given major attention and one of the major dishes is called Mole, it is prepared only during special occasions since it requires a lot of time.
Another important food during festivals is the Tamal or Tamale, it is a filled cornmeal dumpling, steamed in a wrapping (usually corn husk or banana leaf) and one of the basic staples in most regions of Mexico.
Beverages:
Corn in Mexico is not only eaten but also drunk. Corn is the base of a lot of drinks which is mixed with other ingredients. They make tea using a lot of ingredients; hibiscus, herbs, tamarind, rice etc. Chocolate also is a major part of the Mexican cuisine.
Alcoholic beverages from Mexico include Tequila, Pulque, aguardiente and mezcal, with brandy, wine, beer and rum. The most common alcoholic beverage consumed with food in Mexico is beer, followed by tequila.

4. Indian:

It is very hard to generalize Indian cuisines because India is a vast country and has many states and each state has many regions and each region has a variety of dishes that are considered famous in that particular region.
Indian cuisine is majorly divided into North Indian and South Indian Cuisines.
• North Indian:

North Indian food again has a variety in them, the Paranthas, Chana bhatura and lassi of Punjab, the Churma and Gujia of Rajasthan, the dhokla, thepla and kachori of Gujrath, the Rasgullas of Calcutta etc.

• South Indian:
The south Indian dishes include Idli, Dosa, Pulav, Upma, Chapathi, Puri, Hyderabadi biryani, chutneys, pickles etc.

The coastal regions make scrumptious sea food. There are many other dishes that form a major part of the Indian cuisine but these are some of the major dishes.

Sweets:

In India sweets are also an important part of our food. Gulab Jamoons, Kheer, Rasgulla, Paisam, Firni, Falooda, Ladoos, Mysore pak, Gajar ka halwa, Jalebi, Peda, Sohan Papdi, Coconut barfi, Obbattu, Kaju katli etc. are the major sweets savored both in South and North India.
Tea, coffee, badam milk, ragi and wheat malt are the major drinks in India.

5. Arabian:

The Arabian cuisine includes a lot of meat. Wheat, barley and rice are major ingredients. Dairy products such as yogurt and white cheese are most commonly used in their dishes.biryanis and shawarmas are major dishes. They use hot drinks rather than cold ones and coffee is the major drink there.
Lamb, chicken, beef and camel are major meat products used in the dishes, fish is also used sometimes but is not very important. A lot of herbs and mints are used in their dishes to give an authentic flavor. Sauces are also used to make a dish spicy and tangy. Fruits, nuts, greens, parsley and olive oil are major ingredients in most of their preparations.

July 1, 2014
Water: The Most Essential Requirement for the Human Body

It has been proved that the human body is 60 % made up of water. Water is the most essential requirement for any individual. Different people have different opinions on how much water you should drink each day. Generally it is recommended that you should drink about 2 liters of water per day. There is an 8×8 rule which says that a normal human being should drink 8 ounce of water, eight times a day which adds up to form about half a gallon water. Although this rule is arbitrary and there is no scientific explanation behind it, it is very much useful. The human body requires this much of water daily as it constantly loses water in the form of sweat and urine. But some people have the opinion that in order to avoid the dehydration, you should drink water throughout the day even if you are not thirsty. There are certain internal and external factors which play a vital role in an individual’s need for water. The important point is that without water the survival of the human beings is not possible. You cannot survive long if we do not drink water daily in the adequate amount. For most of the body organs to work properly and the various metabolism functions in the body, water is extremely essential.

If the human body is not provide with adequate amount of water, the energy level of the body comes downs and so as a result the functioning of the brain is affected. There are unexpected mood swings and headaches. Even the mild dehydration of the human body gives rise to the several problems. People start to lose weight and the brain consequently experiences its negative impact. If you are among such people who perform vigorous exercises then you must stay hydrated all the time as the less water content in your body will affect your physical performance and will eventually decrease your endurance.

Many people believe that drinking lots of water help them in losing weight because the water reduces the appetite and it increases the metabolism activities in the human body. This is actually true. When you drink water the metabolism of the body increases by about 25 % which is a very significant figure. Now again if you drink the prescribed amount of water daily, the energy expenditure of the body which is measured in the term of calories increases by about 96 calories per day. The key point here is that you should drink water prior to your meals as it will help in reducing the amount of the calories that you will consume during your meals. In this way you can keep a check on the amount of calories you consume and lose weight as per your requirement.

Now there are many health benefits of drinking water and it also helps you in avoiding many life taking diseases. According to the studies conducted in the various parts of the world, if you consume water in the prescribed amount daily, then you can avoid constipation, formation of stones in your kidneys, skin hydration, formation and spread of acne and most importantly you can also protect yourself from and bladder cancer. If you are among such people who do not drink water in desired quantity then, you must start doing it as it is extremely beneficial for your health.

Now it is also not necessary that you should drink the plain water to complete the daily dose of your water requirement. You can also drink tea, coffee and eat water rich foods to compensate for the water required by the human body. There are many vegetables and fruits which are very much rich in water content. Meat, eggs and fish are some of the examples of such foods. All these food items also contribute in maintaining the fluid balance in your body. But you must protect yourself from sweating a lot.

Maintaining the water balance in the body is one such aspect where you must pay special attention. We feel thirsty when the water balance in your body goes below the accepted level. If you feel thirsty, then you must immediately find a water source and drink it in appropriate amount. You should never ignore such feelings as it is highly essential for your survival. In a normal human being the thirst instinct is so strong and reliable that it is sufficient to pay attention towards the water requirement of the body. The water need of the body varies from individual to individual. For some people 2 liters is more than enough while for some people they feel like drinking water on very small intervals. In certain case such as ladies who get involved in breastfeeding their child should drink a lot of water. Similarly if you had vomiting or if you are suffering from diarrhea, then you must increase the amount of water that you drink daily.

July 1, 2014
Bloody Mary: One of the Most Popular Cocktails

Bloody Mary is of the very popular cocktail among the alcohol lovers. Both men and women love to have a sip of this popular cocktail occasionally. Bloody Mary is prepared by mixing vodka along with tomato juice, cayenne pepper, olives, celery salt, black pepper, lemon juice, horseradish, piri piri sauce, celery, Tabasco sauce, beef consommé and Worcestershire sauce. There are so many ingredients and they must be mixed at right time to get the best variety of Bloody Mary. It is so considered as one of the most complex cocktail drink. The final drink which is presented is marvelous in taste and the pleasure that one gets by drink Bloody Mary is simply amazing. Bloody Mary’s lovers term this drink as the most refreshing alcoholic beverage. The reason is that it not gives you the much desired buzz but also offers healthy serving of the various juices added to it.

The ingredient in the Bloody Mary together makes it an excellent restorative beverage and so it is an excellent drink using which you can get rid of your hangovers. People generally prefer this alcoholic drink in the morning or during the afternoon hours. It is mostly preferred with the brunches. Bloody Mary can be prepared in various manners by the varying the ingredients that are added to it. There are dozens of Bloody Mary variants today and different people have their different choices. Some of those methods have been described below.

Simple Bloody Mary: To prepare a simple Bloody Mary take the ingredients in the following quantify. 4 oz. vodka, Worcestershire sauce, 1/16 cup oz. tomato sauce, 2 oz. dill pickle juice, 3 tablespoon lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, ½ tablespoon each of celery salt and horseradish sauce and lastly 2 tablespoon of coarse salt. Mix the sauces along with the salts in the highball glass and then add all the other ingredients. Gently stir the mixture for about 25 seconds so that all the ingredients get mixed properly. Cover the rim of the glass in which the drink will be served with the lime juice and then apply coarse salt over it. Pour the drink in it and serve it with ice cubes.

Spicy Bloody Mary: Spicy Bloody Mary is different from the Simple Bloody Mary as the quantity of the ingredients in this variety is completely different. To prepare this drink take the following ingredients in the following quantity. 1 ½ oz. of vodka, 1 large lime wedge, 4 oz. tomato sauce, coarse salt as per taste, a very little fresh pepper, celery salt, 8 shakes of Worcestershire sauce, 2 dashes of hot sauce, 1/8 teaspoon of horseradish, green olive and spicy pickled asparagus. Mix them well with the crushed ice and then add the toppings. Squeeze a lime wedge and apply salt on the top of the glass along with coarse salt. The final drink will have a spicy taste. If you want to make it extra spicy then you can also add green beans to it.

White Bloody Mary: It is yet another popular version of Bloody Mary. The quantity of the ingredients in White Bloody Mary is 3 oz. vodka, 4 chopped tomatoes, 1 chopped cucumber, 2 cups green grapes, seeded jalapeno, 2 peeled celery, 2 lime wedges and 1 tablespoon each of salt, fine sugar, horseradish and pepper. You can also add cucumber spears to it. First of all take the chopped tomato, celery, cucumber, grapes and jalapeno in a blender and crush them completely. Then finely take out the juice prepared in a bowl and keep it in a refrigerator till it stains. Now in a pitcher add this prepared juice along with the vodka, ice and various other mentioned salts. Gently stir the mixture obtained and then finally pour it into a glass whose top is again rubbed with the lime wedge. You can now garnish the drink as per your choice and then serve it.

People believe that Bloody Mary drink was first prepared by a bartender named as Fernand Pete Petiot while working in the very famous New York Bar which is located in Paris. Just with the motive of creating a unique drink and to keep the clients interested, he prepared Bloody Mary for the first time. The drink was highly appreciated and everybody who got chance to drink it were highly impressed. His colleagues named it as Bloody Mary. Some people also believe that this alcoholic drink was invented by the veteran comedian George Jessel during his stay in the 21 Club. In one of the life magazine published in the year 1942, this drink was also named as the “Red Hammer”. The IBA claims that name Bloody Mary is nowhere related to the Queen Mary I of England and has also not been named after the waitress who used to work at the Chicago Bar. It was named as per the suggestion of the Petiot colleagues. Whatever may be the story behind this drink, just try this drink and I bet you will surely like it.

July 1, 2014
The most Refreshing Yogurt : Lassi

Lassi, a yogurt based drink which always leaves you wanting more. In this summer nothing can be more refreshing than this coolant drink. Yogurt drinks are widely popular all over the world. In India people referred this yogurt based drink as “Lassi”.

Lassi is also known as buttermilk is a traditional drink in India and Pakistan. It was originated in Punjab and is an age-old custom in Punjab to serve this coolant drink after the meal in huge glasses. It consist of Yogurt or curd, water, sugar, pepper, raisins and sometimes salt too. Lassi can be salty or sweet and it depends on our taste which one we would like to have. Different flavors of it can be generated by adding seasonal fruits. To give a creamy taste it is topped with clotted cream. Lassi is chilled with ice-cubes and served during or after the meal as a refreshment drink.

Lassi along with refreshment also helps in maintaining our digestive system and enzymes. Lassi being an item prepared from curd helps in alleviating problems related to stomach such as constipation etc. It helps in generating healthy bacteria and decreases the number of bad bacteria. Being rich in proteins it is a main intake of bodybuilders to keep their muscles stiff. Whenever we feel low a glass of Lassi can work and increases our energy level. It is also used to provide strength to our bones as it is a good source of calcium. It also decreases building up of bacteria and gastrointestinal problems.

Lassi is of only two types: Sweet or Salted…Really is it so?? The answer is NO..Lassi comes with its variants…it mainly depends on our taste and ingredients we would love to have. Like Sweet Lassi is a flavoured form of lassi with sugar and different form of flavours added to it e.g. Rose, Lemon, Strawberry or any other juices. Saffron Lassi is a type of this which has saffron as a special ingredient in it. This is popular in Pakistan and Rajasthan. Makkhaniya lassi is lassi topped with a layer of butter over it.

Preparation of lassi is quite easy. You just want some ingredients and blender with you. Ingredients required are: 1.5 cups curd, 7-8 tbsp sugar, 1/2 cups water, saffron (optional), 6-7 almonds/nuts, I tbsp rose water, ice cubes. Initially take the curd, sugar in a blender and blend it. It is blended until an even mixture is obtained. Make sure that it is not blended for a long time otherwise butter will start to float on the top. Now lassi is ready and pour it into the tall glasses. Sprinkle the nuts and pieces of almonds over it. Saffron is added if required.

Mango Lassi is prepared from mango pulp and yogurt. Sugar is optional ingredient in it. It has gained its popularity all over the world including UK, Singapore, Malaysia. In Canada this lassi is treated as a cold drink with kesar mango pulp added to it along with the cream and there it is served with an ice cream. To make it more delicious nuts are also sprinkled at its top.

Bhang Lassi, the name itself creates an image of Punjab’s culture. This lassi contains bhang as an ingredient in it. Bhang is a type of liquid derivative of eaten forms of Cannabis. This is mainly taken during Holi and it is served with pakodas. In Uttar Pradesh there are some bhang shops and they all are licensed so you people can visit, can buy some bhang products in case you want to and can enjoy bhang lassi.

Chaach is another form of lassi which is salted in form. It is diluted in form and contains salt and jeera for giving salty taste. Some people used to add green chillies as a seasonal element. In Gujarat and Rajasthan it is served along with the meal and especially during summers. It acts as coolant drink during this hot season.

In the hot summer, chilled Lassi is served in tall a glass which is topped with clotted cream. In Punjab, the demand is getting so high day by day that shopkeeper started using washing machines for blending curd instead of mixers. With these maximum demands can be easily fulfilled. Lassi so prepared is very thick and spoon is served with it to make it easy to drink. Firstly, you can have the taste of buttery cream and then drink that lassie. People in Northern India preferred to have lassi with samosa, paranthas and sometimes with chat too.

Lassi must be prepared in a proper way like never add lassi with the fruit because curd and fruit always contradicts each other so it can indirectly harm our immune system. Reduce the consumption of lassi in winters and especially at late nights because it increases the concentration of phlegm in our body.

June 28, 2014