Tag: healthy food

The So Called Heart Healthy Food Which Can Actually Clog Your Arteries!

You must have been often recommended by your doctors or elder to eat those food items which offer essential nutrients and minerals required by the human body as it helps in proper growth and development. And in order to follow those advices you often go for those food items which have healthy tag on them. You choose food items which are processed or chose oils which have the healthy tag on them. This is one of the marketing strategies of the companies manufacturing these food items so that they can attract innocent people towards their products and make some easy money. You as a health couscous personally believe that those food items are actually good for your health. But the reality is somewhat very much different from what is presented in front of you. There are several food items which you believe are healthy for your body, but generally they harm your body. We are hereby mentioning some of those food items which are not at all good for you and their side effects can eventually clog the arteries present inside your body. You should immediately stop eating these food items so that live longer and stay protected.

Healthy Breakfast Cereals: Currently there are endless brands in the market which offers the breakfast cereals. The way they are presented in front of us is quite surprising. If you are not aware of the consequences of these cereals, then you may easily get into its trap. A normal person who does not know about it believes that these cereals are extremely beneficial and provides the essential minerals required by the body. In reality, these breakfast cereals are one of the highly processed food items which have a very large amount of refined grains. Further the amount of the sugar present in them is also high. The manufacturers attract people by mentioning the “whole grain” tag. But what really happens is that these whole grains are first pulverized to form the fine flour, which has the similar effects on your blood sugar level as a refined food does. It also affects the metabolism processes inside the human body. These manufacturers add several other ingredients so that the actual quantity of the sugar added to these breakfast cereals can be kept a secret. What is more surprising is the fact that these breakfast cereals are marketed as a healthy food for the children. Parents believe that these food items will help their child with proper growth and their child will be protected against the diseases.

Low Fat Dairy Products: Now again low fat dairy products are the ones which are in so much demand now a day. Since the dairy products have a rich amount of saturated fats in them, people go for lower fat dairy products, considering them best for their health. The problem is here is that it is not the saturated fats which creates a problem in your heart. The actual problem maker is the low fat food products. If you are among such people who opt for the high fat dairy products then there are more chances that you will not be affected by obesity and the heart diseases are also avoided. You are also protected against the diabetes. The dairy products are beneficial to the human body only because of the presence of the fatty components in them. If you remove these fatty components, then they are of no use. Further, in low fat dairy products there are high amounts of added sugar, which not only affect the metabolism, but also increases the risk of abdominal obesity and heart disease. Moreover the LDL cholesterol level in the body is also disturbed and affected.

Heart Healthy Whole Wheat: Go to a grocery store and you will find several different brands offering the heart healthy whole wheat. This modern version of the wheat is not healthy and they have been actually created by the scientists by altering the genes of the plants so that a new breed can be generated which can offer much more yield. The main motto of this step was to increase the yield so that the starvation can be reduced in different parts of the world. But now this is done for economic gains. So much tampering with the genes of the wheat plant is actually making them less healthy and so there are unforeseen consequences which we didn’t want in the first place. This wheat is called as the semi-dwarf wheat and is significantly low in nutrition level when compared to the older varieties. The recent studies have shown that this semi-dwarf wheat can increase the level of the cholesterol inside the human body and also increases the inflammatory markers. The acute inflammation is the major reason for the heart diseases. The LDL particle count is also high and they also have gluten in them. All these constituents are very much harmful for your heart and you can end up losing your precious life. It’s time you stop using all these mentioned food items and protect yourself so that you can live happily.

July 30, 2014
Aloo Paratha Recipe

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

Spicy Aloo Paratha served with curd and pickles with butter topping

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

Ingredients:

For Dough preparation:

1) Take a cup of golden temple flour

2) Take half the cup of water

3) Take half teaspoon of salt

4) Take two to three teaspoon of oil

Dough Preparation Ingredients

For Aloo stuffing:

1) Take two medium potatoes

2) Take half the teaspoon of salt

3) Take half teaspoon of garam masala

4) Take half teaspoon of cumin seeds

5) Take one fourth teaspoon of turmeric

6)Take one fourth teaspoon of red chili flakes

7)Take five sprigs of cilantro, chopped

Aloo stuffing ingredients

Preparation:

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

Dough preparation:

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

Dough preparation for aloo paratha

Aloo stuffing preparation:

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

Aloo stuffing in paratha preparation

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

Aloo Paratha preparation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aloo paratha is ready to serve

July 30, 2014
Maple Syrup: Is It Healthy or Unhealthy for your Body?

Maple syrup is one of the widely used sweeteners today. The manufacturers claim that it is 100 % natural and is in fact far healthier than the regular sugar that we use. They also claim that maple syrup is also better in terms of the nutrition provided to the human body. Believing these claims, people have started to use it in their day to day life without even making any efforts in authenticating if the claims made are genuine or not. Maple syrup is actually manufactured using the sap of the maple trees. These saps are actually sugary fluid which comes out of the maple trees. Its use has been mentioned in various history books making it one of the food items consumed for many centuries now. Currently Canada is the country which produces almost 80 % of the total maple syrup used in the whole world.

There is a two-step process involved in the manufacturing of the maple syrup. Firstly a hole is made in the trunk of the maple tree and the sugary fluid circulating is collected in these holes. Then the next step involves the process in which this syrup is boiled till the water present in it evaporates and sugary syrup which is thick in nature is left behind. Then with the help of the filtration, the impurities present in them are removed. Now depending upon the color of the final syrup obtained, the maple syrup is then classified into Grade A and Grade B. In the Grand A variety, we further have the Light, Medium and Dark Amber category. The Grade B category maple syrup is the darkest syrup obtained and so they have the strongest flavor. This is the reason they are generally used for baking while the Grade A category ones are directly used as the syrup. The darker maple syrup or the Grade B maple syrup is generally manufactured using the sap obtained in the harvesting seasons. It is very important to have prior knowledge before buying the maple syrups from the market. You should select the actual maple syrup and not the flavored maple syrups as they offer more health benefits. Moreover the flavored maple syrup is loaded with the fructose corn syrup or the refined sugar which not only affects your health but also invites various diseases towards your body.

The reason why maple syrup is preferred over the refined sugar is the presence of many essential nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. A fresh and pure 100 grams of maple syrup contains the following minerals. Potassium: 6% of RDA, Zinc: 28% of RDA, Calcium: 7% of RDA, Iron: 7% of RDA and Manganese: 165% of RDA. Further the 100 grams of pure maple syrup also has 67 grams of table sugar. This high percentage of the sugar is not at all appropriate as they can lead you to type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart related diseases. If you go for the maple syrup considering that it has good amount of minerals in it and ignore the sugar content, then it is not a wise step and you need to think again on your decisions. The only other healthy way by which you can get the right quantity of minerals is by eating the real foods as they are not adulterated and are perfectly natural. Choose a balanced diet of both the plants and animals and you will surely be protected against the diseases.

But if you are anyway going to eat the artificial sweeteners then maple syrup is the best option in front of you as they have about 1/3^rd sugar content compared to the refined sugars available these days. Another good thing about the maple syrup is that its glycemic index is 54 which is less than the table sugar and is a good sign. The table sugar has the glycemic index of 65. This low level of glycemic index helps in maintaining the blood sugar level inside the human body. The less the glycemic index, the better it is for your health. Another advantage of using the maple syrup is the presence of the 24 different varieties of the antioxidants. Yes, this is absolutely right. They have 24 varieties of antioxidants. The oxidative damage inside the human body makes it prone to the diseases and also fastens the process of aging. Actually there are some of the unwanted chemical reactions which happen inside the body involving the free radicals that harms you severely and these chemical reactions are called by the name of the oxidative damage. The antioxidants present in the maple syrup helps in neutralizing these free radicals which eventually helps in getting rid of these oxidative damages. The darker maple syrups have more percentage of antioxidants in them than the lighter ones and so you should opt for the darker ones.

The final verdict is that although the maple syrup contains the nutrients and essential antioxidants, it also has the high amount of sugar content in it which is not good for your health. You can call maple syrup as slightly better than the actual sugar. So its use should be limited so that you stay protected. Do not use it regularly as it may harm your health.

July 20, 2014
Buttermilk: A beverage that’s also a coolant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 20, 2014
Foods to soothe your headache

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

Coffee

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

Bananas

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

Intake of water

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

Watermelon

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

Almonds

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

Spinach

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

Yoghurt

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

Spicy foodstuffs

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

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

July 20, 2014
About fruits and their effects on health

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

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

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

Apples:

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

green-apple-yellow-apple-red-apple

Apricots:

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

Apricots

Bananas:

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

Bananas

Dates:

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

Dates a nutricious fruit

Grapes:

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

Different varieties of grapes

Guava:

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

Guava and their benefits

Lemons:

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

Yellow_lemons

Mangoes:

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

Mangoes and their benefits

Oranges:

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

Oranges a variety of citrus fruit

Watermelon:

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

watermelon a delicious fruit

July 15, 2014
Why Processed Foods is bad for Your Health?

Currently there are lots of processed foods in the market and its consumption is increasing at an alarming rate. People are eating the processed foods without considering the fact they are actually very much harmful for their health. Processed foods are bad of the human body and it is also one of the major reasons why you are getting fat and often fall sick. Recently various surveys were conducted on the people who adopted the western countries influenced diets. These diets have large amount of processed food items in it. The results are quite shocking. The processed food affects the human health and it decreases the body’s ability to fight with the disease causing germs and bacteria. Isn’t it quite surprising? These food items were rolled out in the market so that in this fast paced life style you may easily get the foods that you love to eat. But people have now started to use it regularly and it is not at all good for the human body.

When the food items are treated chemically so that the essential nutrients and minerals level in it is maintained intact, it is called as the processed food. In order to achieve this goal artificial and refined ingredients are added to these food items which in turn have several side effects. There is a very major difference between the chemical processing and the mechanical processing of the food items. While it is beneficial to process foods mechanically, the chemically processed foods on the other hand are actually harmful for the health.

Usually the processed foods have high amount of the sugar content in it which is quite harmful for the human beings. The level of the sugar content in these food items is increased by adding the fructose corn syrups. The excessive intake of the sugar is very much harmful. There are chances that you may get diagnosed with the diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and obesity. Sugars have empty calories in it which are a rich source of energy but it is also true that it has major devastating effect on the human body. The level of the cholesterol inside the body increases. Moreover the fat accumulation in the abdominal cavity as well as the liver also increases with an alarming rate.

The researchers have termed the processed foods as the “Hyper Rewarding.” Once you start eating such food items you get addicted towards them and very often it lead to the overconsumption. Everybody loves to eat such food items which have excellent taste as it pleases our taste buds. So the processed food manufacturers have started to add several ingredients in it so that the foods can be made desirable and people can be attracted towards it. These processed foods are very much rewarding towards the brain and they eventually affect the normal behavior and thought process.

The major problem with the processed foods is that they are added with lots of artificial preservatives and ingredients. You as a normal human being do not pay much attention towards its ingredients and only pay attention towards the taste. These ingredients are not actual foods and are infact chemicals which have lots of negative impact on the human body. Generally the processed food items have colorants: so that specific color can be provided to them, flavorings agents: so that specific flavor can be provided to them, preservatives: to protect them from rotting and texturants: to provide them with specific texture. Apart from the above mentioned labels there are lot more additional chemicals in the food items and so it is not at all safe to have its consumption.

Carbohydrate is very much useful for maintaining good health. You are often recommended to eat those food items which offer high carbohydrates. The carbohydrates obtained from the whole foods are very much beneficial. But the processed food items have refined carbohydrates in them and this infact makes your health deteriorate. The refined carbohydrate gets broken up quickly which results into the sudden rise of the insulin level in blood. The blood sugar also increases. Later on when the level of the blood sugar goes down, people experience the carb craving. This roller coaster ride of the insulin and blood sugar level has several negative impacts and it leads to various chronic diseases.

When you make a comparison between the unprocessed food and the processed foods, the former one is more equipped with essential nutrients which are beneficial for the human body. During the processing the essential nutrients present in the food gets lost and to compensate for the loss synthetic minerals and vitamins are added. This replacement is not at all wise and it affects your health. The only way you can guarantee the adequate supply of essential vitamins and minerals is by eating the unprocessed foods as they do not have any added chemicals and are completely natural. These processed foods are not good for the human body and you should eliminate it completely from your life.

July 15, 2014
Stay healthy during monsoon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 14, 2014
The Soup Kitchen

The word ‘soup’ is derived from the French word ‘Soupe’. Soup is generally a liquid food, served warm or cold, usually as the first course or entrée, i.e., before the main meal.

A ‘soup kitchen’ refers to a place which serves any prepared food to the homeless. Here, I have used the term merely to signify a kitchen where soup is cooked and served.

My very first soup was a Tomato and Basil Soup, which my father is still greatly fond of. During my late teenage years I took to a grave liking of the Sweet Corn and Chicken Soup – anywhere I would go to, I would order the same; I could have only that and nothing else, but that I must have. Now, due to my recent obsession with crab meat, I’m irrevocably in love with Crab Soup of any kin and kind.

So, to the soup lovers, I present you with four mouthwatering soup recipes, which I hope you will make, love and enjoy to bits.

French Onion Soup

Serves: 8

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil, 4 cups thinly sliced sweet onion, 4 cups thinly vertically sliced red onion, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup dry white wine, 8 cups less-sodium beef broth, 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 8 slices French bread (cut into 1-inch cubes), 8 slices reduced-fat reduced-sodium Swiss cheese

Directions: Heat olive oil in an oven over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 5 minutes. Stir in sugar, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Increase heat to high, and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in wine, and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and thyme; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Preheat broiler. Place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet; broil 2 minutes, turning after 1 minute. Place ovenproof bowls in the oven. Ladle 1 cup soup into each bowl. Put bread over the soup and top each serving with 1 cheese slice. Broil 3 minutes.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients: Cooking spray, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 3 cups fat-free less-sodium chicken broth, 1 package broccoli florets , 2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk , 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 8 ounces light processed cheese (cubed)

Directions: Heat a large non stick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 minutes. Add broth and broccoli. Bring broccoli mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes. Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to the broccoli mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in pepper. Remove from heat. Add cheese and stir. Place one-third of the soup in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return soup mixture to pan.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Serves: 8

Ingredients:1cup uncooked quick-cooking wild rice, cooking spray, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 3 cups fat-free less-sodium chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato, 3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 10 ounce light processed cheese (cubed), 2 cups chopped roasted skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt , 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions: Cook rice according to package directions. Heat a large oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Add broth and potato, and then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Combine milk and flour, stirring well with a whisk. Add the milk mixture to potato mixture. Stir. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir in rice, chicken, pepper, and salt.

Tortilla Meatball Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients: 2 jalapeño peppers, 1 red bell pepper, 2 ears corn on the cob, 4 corn tortillas (cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips), Cooking spray, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (divided), 6 garlic cloves (minced and divided), 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), 1 pound ground sirloin, 1 large egg (lightly beaten), 1 chipotle chile (canned in adobo sauce, minced), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cups chopped onion, 2 cups cubed red potatoes, 1 cup slices carrot, 3 cups fat-free lower-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: Preheat broiler. Cut jalapeños and bell pepper in half lengthwise (discard seeds and membranes). Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Arrange corn on baking sheet with peppers. Broil 6 minutes. Place peppers in a paper bag. Seal the bag. Let stand 15 minutes and peel. Mince jalapeños, and coarsely chop bell pepper. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Set aside. Place tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Broil for 3 minutes, turning after 2 minutes. Set aside. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 garlic clove, panko, and the next 3 ingredients (through chipotle chile) in a large bowl, and gently mix until just combined. With moist hands, shape the meat mixture into 24 meatballs. Place an oven over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan. Add meatballs to pan and sauté for 8 minutes, turning them to brown on all sides. Remove from pan. Add onion, potatoes, and carrot to pan. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add remaining 5 garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add peppers, broth, and 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, simmer 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Return meatballs to the pan. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and corn; return to a simmer. Cook 10 minutes or until meatballs are done. Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 6 bowls; top each serving with 4 teaspoons Monterey Jack cheese, 2 teaspoons cheddar cheese, and 4 teaspoons cilantro. Top evenly with tortilla strips.

July 7, 2014
Simple Side Dishes!

A side dish is as important as the main dish.

Simple Sides add on to the value and taste of the star of the meal, that is, the mains. Without them, the mains might have lost a considerable amount of their zing.

Be it mashed potatoes, baked beans, dinner rolls, couscous, rice, bread, macaroni and cheese, salads, baked potatoes, French fries or soups – all are delicious sides and compliment wholeheartedly their respective main courses.

In a restaurant, the side is usually included with the combination meal, as for example when you order the Chicken Zinger Meal in KFC, you are served French Fries (the side) along with your Chicken Zinger Burger (the main).

While ordering a sumptuous Sizzler at, say, Peter Cat, the simple sautéed vegetables serve as your side dish.

Here are Eight Simple Sides for you:

(Enjoy!)

Garlic Bread Toasts

Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 12

Great side with: Broad bean bruschetta

Ingredients: 2 ciabatta loaves, 140g butter (softened), 4-6 garlic cloves (crushed), handful parsley (chopped), 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan

Directions: Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Toast the crust side for 2 minutes until really crispy. Mix together butter, garlic and parsley in a bowl. Spread over the cut bread halves. Sprinkle over the Parmesan. Just before serving place on a baking sheet, then cook under a hot grill for 5 minutes until toasty and lightly golden. Let it cool for 1 min before cutting into thick slices.

Cracked Potato Salad

Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Great side with: Bbq

Ingredients: 750g small new potatoes, 4 tbsp white wine, 2 tbsp olive oil, a small sliced red onion, 3 tbsp roughly chopped parsley

Directions: Boil the new potatoes for 15-20 minutes then drain and return to the pan. Lightly bash each potato with a masher or fork so they are cracked but still whole. Return to the heat and pour in the white wine. Boil fiercely for 2-3 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated. Stir in the olive oil, small thinly sliced red onion and roughly chopped parsley. Season and toss together.

Sweet Potato Chips

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Great side with: Homemade burgers

Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes (scrubbed and cut into large chips), 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, freshly grated nutmeg

Directions: Heat oven to 200C.In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato chips with oil and soy sauce. Transfer to a shallow roasting tin and season with black pepper and nutmeg, if you like. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until crisp.

Pea Mash and Mint Vinaigrette

Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

Great side with: Fish

Ingredients:

4 spring onions, knob of butter, 1 head Little Gem lettuce (leaves shredded), 250g frozen peas, large bunch of mint, ½ glass white wine, 5-6 tbsp double cream

For the dressing- 3 tbsp white wine or cider vinegar, 100ml light olive oil

Directions: Shred the spring onions and soften in a pan with the butter. Add the lettuce leaves, peas, half the mint, white wine and a little salt and pepper. Cover and cook gently for 10 minutes.Stir in the cream, then purée until smooth. Return to a pan to keep warm.Finely chop remaining mint leaves. Add vinegar, then whisk in the oil in a steady trickle. Season.Cook the fish to your liking and serve on the pea mash with a trickle of mint vinaigrette.

Wild Rice Salad

Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 5

Great side with: Spicy Stews

Ingredients: 250g pouch microwavable wild rice, 1 red onion (thinly sliced), small handful of sultanas, 3 carrots (grated), zest and juice 1 lemon, 1 tbsp honey

Directions: Heat rice according to the pack instructions. Put onion and sultanas in a bowl and pour on boiling water to cover. Leave to stand 1 min, then drain and stir in rice and carrot.Mix in the lemon zest and juice, honey and seasoning, and then serve.

Sweet and Sour Kale with Garlic and Anchovy

Time: 10minutes

Serves: 4

Great side with: Roasted Lamb

Ingredients:400g kale (shredded), 4 tbsp olive oil, 4 garlic cloves (sliced), 2 anchovies (chopped), 1 tsp golden caster sugar, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Directions: Cook the kale in a large pan of boiling water for about 4 minutes until just tender. Drain, then place the empty pan back on the heat with the oil. Sizzle the garlic and anchovy, and then add the sugar and vinegar and bubble for a moment. Toss the kale back into the pan to reheat, and then tip everything into a side dish.

Roast Tomatoes with Pesto

Time: 20

Serves: 4

Great side with: Lemon Rubbed Salmon

Ingredients: 6 large ripe tomatoes, 50g fresh basil, 25g toasted pine nuts, 2 garlic cloves, 100ml olive oil, 25g freshly grated parmesan

Directions: Heat oven to 190 C. Halve the tomatoes and arrange them in a single layer, cut side up in a roasting tin.To make the pesto: put the basil, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor and whizz to a paste. With the motor running, drizzle in the oil. Transfer to a bowl, stir in the parmesan, then season to taste. Spoon about 2 tsp pesto over each tomato, and then roast for 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are tender. Serve with grilled lamb and a crisp green salad.

Wilted Chicory with Melted Taleggio Cheese

Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

Great side with: Pork Sausages

Ingredients: 2 heads white chicory, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 small shallot (chopped), 100g taleggio cheese, pinch of dried oregano

Directions: Preheat the grill to high. Trim the chicory and cut lengthways into quarters. Heat the olive oil in a shallow pan over a moderate heat and soften the shallot for 2 minutes. Add the chicory quarters, cut side down, and cook for 3 minutes. Turn them over, cover the pan and cook for another 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.Slice the cheese, arrange the pieces over the chicory and sprinkle the oregano on top. Slide under the hot grill for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbling. Serve immediately.

July 7, 2014