Tag: healthy

While Dieting,You Eat!!

With the spurt in the number of Mcdonalds and Dominoz all around the country, seldom it is that we find kids and adults alike whom we can term as perfect specimens of the human anatomy. Cheaper and cheaper burgers and fries combos and the easy accessibility of everything unhealthy is taking this Aryan civilization faster to its unhealthy end than we can possibly imagine.And some who are aware of this gradually surmounting epidemic of obesity turn themselves to starving, or dieting as they more fashionably call it.

And this is where most of them go wrong. If you out the word dieting on google and search for its meaning, the first result it shows is: Restrict oneself to small amounts in order to lose weight” But this is wrong in its most fundamental sense. Living beings need energy to work, breathe and live. And unlike Jaadu(from Koi Mil Gaya) our energy does not directly come from sunlight.We humans, have to have food in order to survive. So, starving, fasting and skipping meals is out of bounds. What we will do today is, get a new regime started for those who are willing to exchange flab with muscle and diseases with health.

First of all, forget everything that you ever ate anything and that you had a diet schedule planned. Here, we all start afresh. Just like infants do.

Secondly, many might have said or suggested to you; plan your meals ahead of time. Forget it. Because, food can’t be quantified beforehand. Suppose you worked out a little extra today, won’t you need an extra glass of milk to balance the energy that you’ve lost? So, never plan your eating. Eat, whatever your heart wants, but from the list that we decide here for ourselves only. Now we begin by clearing off all the things that are clichéd and everyone tells you about them. You should eat loads of fruit they provide vitamins, drink lots of water: gives you roughage, gorge on soups: healthy for your body and all that. But doesn’t everybody know this list by heart by now? So, we come down to those Indian dishes that you can prepare in your kitchen while hunger strikes. Let’s start with dinner.

Idli Sambhar:

A blast for the tongue from the South of India and easy on your belly too. This dish makes it to the top of our list of the Indian foods for dieters. Each idli contains just 39 calories, which is a minimal amount in comparison to a healthy 2,000-calorie daily diet. . Idlis contain no fat, no saturated fat and no cholesterol. Consuming less than 16 grams of saturated fat and 300 milligrams of cholesterol lessens your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

DHOKLA:

Going in the reverse order from dinner to breakfast, its time for your evening snack. And what better than dhokla to freshen you up and lighten you at the same time. Yes, it is chiefly made up of Dal and Rice, but don’t cringe as otherwise you would have been gormandizing on chips or samosas for sure. But remember, Dhokla is low in saturated fat, very low in cholesterol, low in sodium, high in dietary fiber and high in vitamin A and C. And for us dieters, low fat is all that matters, right people?

SPROUTS AND RAITA:

To your lunch, let’s start by having some Raita, what say? Now, raita as you all know is made by adding fruits, vegetables or any other thing to beaten yoghurt. And the best part is that one serving includes just 60 calories. To the beaten curd one can add grated bottle gourd or some fruits. But if you are in the mood for some crunch, you can very well add Boondi to it. Boondi, is fried, yes. But a handful of pea sized boondis will do your diet no harm.

With Raita, you can have sprouts as the main course and feel a bit Pseudo-European. Keep the pulses in water overnight and in the morning add a bit of lemon, some spices, some cucumber and your lunch is ready in a jiffy.

OATS AND DALIYA:

Now, one thing with which we should agree with the hackneyers is that, breakfast should be heavy. And the dieticians have logic and Science backing them too. According to some studies if we consume more calories at breakfast and very less at dinner, this will help you lose weight quicker because if you eat a larger breakfast it will give a kick start to your metabolism and plus you won’t feel all drained and sleepy in that history class of yours. Plus more calories in the breakfast gives you more time in the day to burn them off. For breakfast why don’t we have something milk based, like oats? Well oats take two minutes to cook and trust me, you won’t be able to eat more than one and half cups of it. And hey, no adding sugar at your mom’s back, OK?

Other than oats, you can also have Daliya in the morning. Daliya or Bulgur wheat in Angrezi, is a very light and healthy option for breakfast. Daliya is an excellent source of fiber that keeps you feeling full and also helps to maintain a healthy digestive system. And just like oats, daliya can be either milk based or oil and vegetable based. Now, a little oil isn’t harmful for your body and don’t cringe if once in a blue moon you are fed up of having only milk based diet for your mornings. So, here we are with a very basic diet plan for you to follow and with just one mantra at the end. Never starve yourself, Never. You need food to live. So, just give it a healthy twist and keep eating ( or dieting, whatever you like to call it! ).

January 8, 2015
The Curious Case of Mrs. Hen’s kids!

With an amazing lot of activity happening in a day, bachelors or bachelorettes staying alone seldom have time to treat their taste buds right. One day it is a meeting with the boss, another day it is work at home and till the third day you get so tired that it takes an effort to even get up from your bed. And preparing a meal in all this haste seems extravagant and too elaborate an activity to be carried out. And in this rigorous lifestyle of yours, the only thing that suffers is your stomach and more importantly, your taste buds. But we say no more of this! Today let us learn about some new tricks and revisit some old ones about Mrs. Hen’s kids – the eggs.

Eggs are often restricted to the breakfast and that too you seldom have. Eggs are undermined most of the times, but its importance becomes clear when you need some quick fixes to get you jumpstarted. So, let’s start our romantic affair with eggs which should last longer than your relationship with any other human being.

1. The Quintessential Omelet:

This dish comes in handy when your refrigerator is running dry and your patience is running lose with all that hunger. Two eggs is what it takes to quiet down your stomach till the time you can arrange for something heavy or till Dominoz delivers that pizza you ordered. Breaking the eggs, mixing in some spices that you desire, a pan slicked with oil and the battered egg mixture on the pan. Blink your eyes and your omelet is ready. This recipe is heart-rote to everyone so much so that a more elaborate description would be shaming this article. But people might not be aware of the nutrient punch this wonder sphere packs with itself. An egg contains 6 gms of Protein and 70 calories. Now while you rejoice that omelet with toasted bread, let’s move onto our next big egg thing.

2. Eggs with soldiers:

There are times at night when you just crave for something to eat and are bored of the traditional egg recipes. Well in that case we have this amazing recipe for you. If you only have 5 minutes to spare, this recipe will be even more perfect for you. Place 4 eggs in boiling water and cook over low flame for 4-5 minutes. Caution: Do not let the eggs come to a boil. Now remove the eggs from the saucer and peel off the tops of the eggs. Add in some salt and desired spices on the top and eat the newer rgg recipe with bread sticks. Taste bhi, health bhi!!

3. French Toast:

Again. A relatively new and old recipe. Take out that borderline expired loaf of bread from your refrigerator and batter 4 eggs with spices added. Meanwhile, light up the stove and put a pan over with a slick of oil. Dip both the faces of a bread piece deep into the battered eggs such that both the faces are smeared with egg residue over their entire surface. Put it on the pan and cook for a minute maximum both sides. And voila! Your French toast are ready in a jiffy. Soak in 4-5 breads and you will be content for the next few hours to go.

4. Tea Egg:

Now Tea egg might take up some time, but this is nevertheless a newer recipe that people might have heard less about. Tea egg is basically a Chinese snack. Take a few eggs and boil them for 7-8 minutes. Boil them till the point where cracks develop on its surface. Drain the water but don’t peel the eggs yet. This crack-laden egg is then again put to boil in tea or sauce or spices. This dish is also called marble egg because the cracks in the shell create darkened lines with marble-like patterns. Chinese people commonly use a five-spice powder which contains cinnamon, fennel-seeds, cloves and Szechuan peppercorns. The eggs are boiled in the spiced-tea liquid and simmered at medium heat. The simmering allows the liquid to seep through the cracks and attribute flavors to the boiled eggs.

5. Quick Egg muffin:

People with a frenetic paced lifestyle must already be making merry at the name of the dish. The name in itself has quick in it. And you can be sure of one thing; this dish lives upto its name. Egg muffins are like Frittatas just smaller in size. This dish is prepared using scrambled eggs added with fresh chopped spinach and shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese. Whisk the eggs just like you do for an omelet, with spices, onions and spinach if you like. Cook in the microwave oven for 45 seconds and your hunger is done. It’s gone with the sound of the microwave’s beep.

6. Eggs Benedict:

Eggs Benedict is an American breakfast and usually served along with ham or bacon. To make this dish you will have to devote some of your precious time, but the result will have you amazingly thrilled. First you have to make something the world calls the Hollandaise sauce. This is made by whisking egg yolks and squeezed lemon juice together in a bowl till the mixture is thickened and doubled in volume. Put the bowl in a steam bath and do not let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble. Add some froze butter cubes and continue to whisk till the btter melts. Remove from heat and whisk in salt and pepper and cover it. Heat the bacon and toast the English muffins. Cook some more eggs till the egg white is set and the yolk is soft. Lay down the muffin, bacon on its top, the half fried egg on its top and pour the Hollandaise sauce over. Garnish with some salt and pepper.

And there you have it, 6 quick fixes with eggs that are not to be missed.

January 8, 2015
Delicious Smoothies…!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Awesome smoothie recipes:

Coconut Water-Mango smoothie:

2 cups unsweetened coconut water

Pinch of cayenne powder

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 cups ripe mango chunks

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

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

¼ cup water

1 banana

¼ cup orange juice

1 cup spinach

¾ cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

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

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

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

January 1, 2015
Food and Mood… like Body and Soul!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

December 13, 2014
Too much of healthy eating… A disorder?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

November 9, 2014
Chutneys are Yummy! Part 2
Chutney (also translated as Chatney or Chatni) is a family of condiments mainly associated with South Asian cuisine that usually contain some mixture of spice(s), vegetable(s), and/or fruit(s). Chutneys may be either wet or dry, and can have a coarse or fine texture. There are various types of chutneys.

Traditionally, chutneys are ground with a mortar and pestle made of stone or an ammikkal . Spices are added and ground, usually in a particular order; the wet paste thus made is sauteed in vegetable oil, usually gingelly (sesame) or groundnut (peanut) oil. Electric blenders or food processors can be used as labor-saving alternatives to stone grinding.

Let’s explore two new mouth-watering recipes of Chutneys which one can make easily at home!
- Garlic Chutney:
This is a fiery-spicy chutney made from garlic cloves and red chilies. It is a taste-enhancing must-have accompaniment for South Indian dishes like Dosa, Idli, etc. In this customized Indian Garlic Chutney recipe, garlic, soaked red chillies and coconut are first sautéed in oil, and then crushed with tamarind pulp to make delicious Chutney having a complex hot, sour and spicy taste altogether.
- Ingredients:
1) 8 chopped garlic cloves (skin removed).
2) 2 whole dry red chillies, seeded and broken into pieces.
3) ½ cup grated fresh coconut.
4) 1 teaspoon tamarind pulp.
5) ¼ cup water.
6) 2 teaspoons oil.
7) Salt according to taste.
- Directions:
1) Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pan. When the oil is hot enough, sauté the chopped garlic over a low flame for a minute and then transfer to a plate.
2) Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the same pan and sauté the dry red chillies over a low flame for 20-30 seconds. Again, transfer them to the same plate.
3) Let the sautéed garlic and dry red chillies cool for about 3-4 minutes. Transfer the garlic and the dry red chillies to the chutney jar of a grinder or food processor. Grind them until a medium coarse paste is formed.
4) Add the grated coconut, the tamarind pulp, ¼ cup water and salt (according to taste) to the jar.
5) Grind them till a medium coarse paste is formed. Tasty South Indian Garlic Chutney to be enjoyed along with Dosa and Idli is ready to be served!
- Tips:
1) You can also use 2 teaspoons of the red chilli powder in place of the usual dried red chillies.
2) Dry Kashmiri red chillies are specially added to get that nice red color and also to make a less spicy Chutney when compared to other varieties of chillies as such.
3) Replace the tamarind pulp with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for a slight variation in the overall taste of the Garlic Chutney.
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes.
- Servings: 6 (½ cup).
- Pudina Chutney:
Pudina (Mint) is an herb known for its medicinal benefits for indigestion, acidity, headache, dental and skin diseases. It is an integral part of Indian cuisine as well. This Pudina Chutney recipe makes for an extremely flavorsome and tempting Chutney prepared right from fresh mint and coriander leaves. However, its main taste comes from the tamarind paste which is added to give a nice tang to its spiciness. The whole texture of the Chutney is derived from the fresh coconut.
- Ingredients:
1) ¼ cup fresh Pudina (mint) leaves.
2) 1 cup chopped coriander leaves.
3) ½ cup grated fresh coconut.
4) 2 chopped green chillies.
5) ½ inch piece ginger, chopped.
6) 2 teaspoons tamarind pulp or lemon juice.
7) 1 teaspoon sugar (optional).
8) Salt according to taste.
9) ½ cup water.
- Note:
This recipe requires tamarind pulp as an ingredient. You can easily find ready-made tamarind pulp to be bought in the market. If the tamarind pulp is not available, then you can also prepare it at home by simply following the directions which are given below-

1) Soak the tamarind in hot water for roughly 1 hour.
2) Remove the seeds of the tamarind.
3) Strain the whole mixture to prepare fresh and homemade tamarind pulp.
- Directions:
1) Clean the mint leaves and the coriander leaves well by running them under fresh tap water.
2) Grind the fresh coconut, green chillies, ginger, sugar and salt together in the chutney jar of a mixer or a food processor until a very smooth paste is formed.
3) Add the mint leaves, the coriander leaves, the tamarind pulp (or the lemon juice) and ½ cup water. Grind again until a very smooth consistency of chutney is arrived at.
4) Fresh Pudina Chutney is ready to be served along with your favorite condiments!
- Tips:
1) Replace the tamarind pulp with an alternative of lime juice for an even more delicious tang of the Pudina Chutney.
2) Store it in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can then use as and when it is required.
3) You can always add more water and adjust the spices according to your own tastes so as to make the Pudina Chutney more diluted and thin, or of a concentrated and strong flavor.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Servings: 8 (1 cup chutney).
So there you are – two delicious Chutneys which you can easily make at home by following some simple instructions. These are very good from the health point of view. They also acts as excellent taste enhancers.

Keep watching this space for more delicious recipes!
September 14, 2014
Chutneys are Yummy! Part 1
Often while having food, you find that the dish lacks a certain punch. A flavor so to speak. You wonder how to solve this problem. Well, worry no longer. There is a solution at hand which will leave your taste buds tingling in the process. What can that be you ask? One word we say in reply. Chutneys!

Chutney (also translated as chatney or chatni) is a family of condiments mainly associated with South Asian cuisine that usually contain some mixture of spice(s), vegetable(s), and/or fruit(s). Chutneys may be either wet or dry, and can have a coarse or fine texture. There are various types of chutneys.

The name “chutney” covers a wide variety of foodstuffs. The common element which makes them all “chutneys” is that they are added to meals to add flavor; the best English “translation” of “chutney” is “relish”. As such, they can be, and are, eaten with a wide variety of foods.

The word “chutney” is derived from the Sanskrit word caṭnī, meaning to lick. The first chutneys in India would have been sticky fruit based preserves. Sugar, although available in India, was not widely cultivated and honey would have been used to sweeten dishes, this leading to the chutneys being used as more of a dipping sauce rather than a condiment. It is written differently in several North Indian and South Indian languages.

Let’s have a look at some popular Indian chutney recipes!
- Peanut Chutney:
Peanut Chutney, a versatile and easy-to-make spicy chutney, is a must-have accompaniment in South Indian cuisine. It can be of two types, wet and dry. This recipe is for making wet peanut chutney for Dosa and Idli, and it can be used either as spread or as an accompaniment.
- Ingredients:
1) 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, skin removed.
2) 3 garlic cloves.
3) 1/4 teaspoon tamarind paste.
4) 4 dry red chillis.
5) 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds.
6) 4-5 curry leaves.
7) 2 teaspoons oil.
8) 1/2 cup water.
9) Salt to taste.
- Directions:
1) Put the roasted peanuts, garlic, 3 dry red chillis, tamarind paste and salt in the chutney jar of the grinder.
2) Grind them together till a medium coarse powder.
3) Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture, and grind again until a smooth paste is formed. Transfer the paste to a serving bowl, and proceed to prepare tempering.
4) Heat oil in a small pan. Break 1 dry red chilli into two pieces. Add the mustard seeds. When they start to crackle, add curry leaves and the remaining 1 dry red chilli. Sauté for 10 seconds and turn off the flame.
5) Pour the tempering over the prepared chutney paste. Peanut chutney is now ready to be served along with steamed Idli and Dosa!
- Tips:
1) If roasted peanuts are not available, then you can dry roast them over low flame in a heavy based pan for 7-8 minutes. Let them cool for 3-4 minutes and remove the skin.
2) Increase or decrease the amount of red chillis to make more or less spicy respectively.
3) You can avoid topping it up with mustard seeds tempering if you are going use it only for making Dosa.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes.
- Servings: 2.
- Coconut Chutney:
Making South Indian Coconut Chutney for Dosa and Idli is very simple. Just blend fresh coconut with chillis, curd and ginger, and mix tempered mustard seeds. However, the real taste differentiators in this recipe are roasted chana dal, tamarind paste, cumin seeds and curry leaves. Follow this recipe and discover how good the chutney tastes. But yes, don’t blame us if you get addicted to it!
- Ingredients:
1) 1 cup roughly chopped fresh coconut.
2) 1 teaspoon grated ginger.
3) 2 green chillis, chopped.
4) 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal.
5) 1 tablespoon curd.
6) 1 teaspoon lemon juice or tamarind paste.
7) 1/2 cup water.
8) Salt to taste.
- For Tempering:
1) 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds.
2) 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds.
3) 4-5 curry leaves.
4) 1 dry red chilli.
5) 1 teaspoon oil.
- Directions:
1) Take chopped coconut in a small chutney jar of the food processor or grinder.
2) Grind it to make a medium coarse paste and transfer on to a plate.
3) Add green chillis, roasted chana dal and ginger to the same chutney jar.
4) Grind mixture to a smooth powder.
5) Add crushed coconut, curd, lemon juice, salt and 1/2 cup water.
6) Grind them to make a medium coarse paste. If required, add more water to get the desired consistency of chutney and grind again. Transfer to a bowl.
7) Heat oil in a small tempering pan. Add mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to crackle, add cumin seeds, dry red chilli and curry leaves and sauté for 10 seconds.
8) Take the pan away from flame and immediately pour tempering over the prepared coconut paste. Mix well. Delicious Coconut Chutney for Idli and Dosa is now ready to serve!
- Tips:
1) Adjust quantity of water accordingly to make it thick or diluted.
2) Avoid the addition of green chillis while making coconut paste, and avoid dry red chillis in tempering while making white Coconut Chutney.
3) Consume fresh chutney immediately or refrigerate it, and use it for up to 3 days.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes.
- •Servings: 6.
Watch this space for recipes of more mouth-watering chutney recipes. Coming soon!
September 14, 2014
The Coolest Cucumbers!

The dark green, firm, cool cuke… cucumber which you just picked and put in your shopping basket is just miraculous for your health. This fruit is loaded with health benefits. Yes, I said fruit, because cucumber is not a vegetable but a fruit. I do know, that everyone knows well that cucumber is excellent for your body and is a must in salad. Heard this phrase, “Cool as Cucumber”. Probably Yes. So you can easily interpret the amount of freshness, cucumbers can deliever. Some may like it hot by baking or heating up in oil, but if not, then cool cucumber is for you, which can do wonders for you.

Do you know, the inside of cucumber, growing in the hot sun on a vine is about 20 degree Celsius cooler than air. Scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, it belongs to the same botanical family as melons, zucchini or squash. Being the fourth most widely cultivated fruit, with its mild, refreshing flavor, cucumbers are 90% water but still manage to give so many health benefits. Cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, even bone building- managanese, potassium, magnesium, also possess infection fighting, vitamin C, anti-inflammatory Vitamin K. The fresh extracts of cucumber have been shown to have both antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. Also, the presence of unique polyphenols in plants with lignans, this health benefiting substance is research upon extensively in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and allium vegetables like onion and garlic. Cucumbers have three lignans which are known to have positive cardiovascular effects and reduces cancer risks, including prostate, breast, uterus cancers. They also contain an enzyme that breaks protein and helps clean the intestines and also are good for detoxification of body.

To choose from the whole lot of cucumbers, they are eaten green or under ripe. Choose the shorter, dark green cucumbers, which are firm and feel heavy, so always go for shorter, medium sized cucumbers. As, long cucumbers can be bitter and show that they are ripe. For getting the optimal nutrition and nourishment from your cucumbers while minimizing your health risk, you can choose organic grown cucumbers over conventionally grown varieties. Cucumber are mostly used in salads and eaten raw and very few people cook it like other vegetables. The cucumber is refreshing and gives crunch to the salad and is perfect diet snack and cucumber salads are prepared just before serving to retain the crispness. Eating raw cucumbers is what is known best by most of the people. However, they can be cooked, stuffed and mixed with herbs. Stuff cucumbers with feta cheese or cream by slicing it lengthwise. Though, most people prefer eating diced cucumber with some sprinkled salt and pepper. You can even grate the cucumber and add it in yoghurt with other veggies like onions, tomatoes, and sprinkle some salt and pepper and it will become a delicious raita with all the crunchiness. Have it with parantha or eat it as it is, as you like. For cooked cucumbers, you can google it and you’ll be surprised by so many recipes and suggestions. Now, let’s have a look on how cucumbers add value to our daily diet;

Keeps you hydrated: Drink enough water and munch on cucumbers, you daily dose of hydration is fulfilled. Moreover, detoxification is done automatically. They are the best substitute for water and are fully compensate if you are too busy to cater your drinking requirements. Just have some and you are healthy.

Awesome for skin and eyes: Cucumbers are just awesome for maintaining skin health. Obviously, when they are known to flush out toxins from body and have such a high water content, they will do all the good for skin. Also, having vitamins and minerals, they are good for eyes too. Moreover, not to mention, they are just too popular to remove under eye dark circles when used regularly and treats many skin and eye problems.

Helps in weight loss: For diet conscious and weight loosing people, cucumber and eating its sticks is favorite as a snack. Crunchy cucumber sticks dipped in creamy non-fat yoghurt is just too tasty and interesting. Enjoy cucumber in your salads and soups daily and enjoy the results.

Stabilizes blood pressure: Patients of high or low blood pressure, often feel that eating cucumber brings relief and helps in stabilizing the blood pressure to much extent. Also, it refreshes the mind and body and smoothen the blood flow, thus making the BP patients feel good.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits: Cucumber, loaded with so many nutrients and water content is very powerful antioxidant product and also possess anti-inflammatory properties. It includes Vitamin C, beta carotene, manganese and numerous flavonoid antioxidants.

Anti-Cancer Benefits: A group of cucumber phyto-nutrients known to provide anti-cancer benefits are its lignans, which is because the role of these plant lignans in cancer protection involves the role of bacteria in our digestive tract and therefore, there is reduced risk of estrogen-related cancers, including prostate, breast, ovary cancers, that has been associated with intake of dietary lignans from plant foods like cucumbers.

Love cucumber? It will love you back in all the ways. Just be regular with consumption or application of cucumber and see the difference in your life.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

September 14, 2014
Sankalp: The Home of Delicious South Indian Cuisines

Today we have so many South Indian food serving restaurants in different parts of the country, but none is more popular than Sankalp. The success story of this Indian restaurant is really incredible. The style and broad range of dishes present in the menu of this restaurant is nonpareil. One of the main reasons of their popularity is the presence of the innovative food items in their menu. The experts call this restaurant chain as the perfect combination of the western and the south culture. This first restaurant of this amazing Indian restaurant chain was opened in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in the year 1981 under the reigns of the veteran businessman Mr. Kailash Goenka. He had a dream to spread the delicious South Indian cuisine to every corner of the country and after about 33 years since its first flagship restaurant was opened one can proudly say that Sankalp is one of the India’s best restaurants. They have the vision not to compromise on the quality, service and the hygiene while continuing to satisfy the customers with delicious foods.

Currently there are more than 110 restaurants under this group spread over each and every corner of the country. Its popularity can be determined by the fact that this group has also opened its franchise in other countries such as Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and United Arab Emirates. They further have plans for their expansion. Under the flags of the Sankalp Group other than the Sankalp restaurant which offers the south Indian cuisines, they also have Saffron restaurant which offers North Indian food items prepared in the Gujarati style. The foods served in the Saffron restaurant are simply amazing as they have a completely different taste and are very much innovative. Moreover, the Sam’s Pizza outlet which specializes in offering delicious salads, pizzas, breads and soups is also the part of this Sankalp group. With the Sam’s Pizza this group has tried to enter into the world of western food culture and here too they have managed to build a satisfied customer base. The latest initiative of this group is Sankalp Xpress, a fast food restaurant which specializes in Indian-Western fusion foods.

The immense success of Sankalp south Indian food serving restaurant chain is only because of their commitment, dedications and the high quality of food which is served here. They believe that the satisfaction of the customer is the top notch priority. One can be sure of experiencing a wonderful dining experience once they enter into the premises of Sankalp restaurant and this has helped them to build very strong consumer bases who visit this restaurant regularly. Sankalp is among the few Indian restaurants who have managed to inculcate the much desired loyalty among the food lovers. A person always returns satisfied with the food and the service provided in this restaurant. One of the best times for visiting the Sankalp restaurant is during various South Indian food festivals which are celebrated here.

The USP of this restaurant is the ambience and the service provided to the customer. You will feel as if you have entered into the South Indian states and will be treated royally according to their cultures and traditions. The foods will be served to you in a royal manner and you will surely be delighted with the experience. The culinary preparation of this restaurant is truly authentic. Some of the most famous dishes of this restaurant are Kura Mura Dosa, Rava Dosa, Idli, Telangana Dosa, Kaikari Biryani, Three Barrel Dosa, Iddiaappam, Cheese Uttampam, Spring Dosa and many more. All these food items are delicious and exquisite. You will surely have craving for them in future.The interior of the Sankalp restaurants is well designed which gives you the perfect ambience. Further, the waiters are well dressed and are always ready to help you in selecting the best dish as per your choice. The service in each of the Sankalp restaurant is top notch and impeccable. It makes you visit this place again. This makes Sankalp a top rated place for the south Indian food and so each time people are craving for such food items, Sankalp is the first name which pops up in their mind.

The chutneys and Sāmbhar prepared in the Sankalp restaurant have amazing taste. They are prepared with so much perfection that people love them. If you are not much of a fan of the South Indians cuisines, then you must pay a visit to this restaurant and I assure you that the tempting foods served here will surely change your opinion. For a family outing, Sankalp is the best place to visit. The Sankalp restaurant got its name registered in the Guinness Book of World Records twice for preparing the world longest Dosa. I guess this is enough for you to get impressed by the dedication of this restaurant towards the South Indian food. Once you finish your meal, you will be served with Meetha pan which surely makes your visit even more pleasing and rewarding.

July 30, 2014