Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Lemon and Coriander Soup

The ultimate way to live a fit and happy life despite this daily inconvenience is to boost your natural immunity, and including vitamin C rich foods in your diet is one way of obtaining this. That’s all the more reason to relish this delightful Lemon and Coriander Soup made with vitamin C rich ingredients like a squeeze of lemon juice, coriander, carrots and cabbage. The vegetable stock used in this recipe can help boost vitamin C levels of each bowlful. Vitamin C is also helpful in relieving cold and coughing, so enjoy this soothing soup piping hot on days you really feel, or any cool winter’s day for that matter.



Preparation Time: 10 mins | Cooking Time: 7 mins | Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped coriander (dhania)
2 tsp oil
2 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun)
2 tsp finely chopped green chillies
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
3 cups basic vegetable stock
2 tsp corn flour dissolved in 2 tbsp water
Salt to taste

Method:
  • Heat the oil in a profound non-stick dish; include the garlic and green chillies and saute on a medium flame for a few moments.
  • Add the onions and saute on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the cabbage and carrots and saute on a medium flame for 1 minute.
  • Add the essential vegetable stock, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and corn flour-water blend, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the coriander and mix well.
  • Serve quickly.

Monday, June 27, 2016

7 Incredible Cashew Nut Health Benefits

A popular ingredient finding its way into many Indian flavors, cashew – a herb originating from Brazil, is a nut high in minerals. Delivered to India by traders, the cashew tree grows up to exceptional heights having a somewhat irregular trunk. Swinging from the branches are extensive delicious apples at the base which are attached the cashew nut. Made available round the year, the nut has an incredible time span of usability if put away legitimately.

The nut and the fruit, both have multiple uses. The nut, often known as the lay man’s plantation although now it is sold for steep costs, it can be used to make delicious and abundant curries furthermore broiled and eaten dry. A while ago when wanderers had no idea how to ingest the fruit, the nut was discarded as the fruit was given more significance.


In opposition to the prevalent view that it can make you increase fat, a significant amount of cashews in your diet provides you with numerous health benefits -

1. Heart Health
The National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in their case study brings up that nuts are liable to be good for health, keeping a beware of various illnesses, such as heart disease. Research show that nut consumption has a cholesterol-lowering effect, in the situation of healthy diets, and there is emerging proof of helpful consequences for oxidative anxiety, aggravation, and vascular reactivity. Cashews help lower LDL and improve the carrying capacity of HDL. HDL is responsible to absorb the cholesterol from the heart and take it to the liver where it can be separated.

In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration had explained that a fistful of nuts every day as a feature of a low-fat eating regimen may diminish the risk of  cardiovascular diseases. The heart association suggests 4 servings of unsalted, unoiled nuts a week and cautions against eating too much, since they are dense in unhealthy calories. Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), also ensures a substantial association between the intake of nuts and a lower frequency of death because to heart diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases. The study expresses that supplements in nuts, for example unsaturated fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants may consult heart-defensive, against cancer-causing and mitigating properties.

2. Prevents Blood Disease
The intake of cashews on a regular basis and limited manner may help in keeping away from blood diseases. Cashew nuts are abundant in copper, which assumes a vital role in the disposal of free radicals from the body. Copper inadequacy can result in iron insufficiencies, such as low blood count (Anemia). Thus our eating regimen ought to contain suggested amount of copper. And cashew nuts are a great source.

3. Protects the Eye
In the urban environment coordinated with its exorbitant contamination, our eyes frequently suffer from various infections. Cashews consist of a powerful antioxidant pigment called Zea Xanthin. This kind of pigment is promptly and specifically consumed by our retina. This then sorts a protective layer over our retina which inhibits the harmful Ultra (UV) rays and small quantities of Zea Xanthin helps prevent age-related macular deterioration in elderly and thus keeps up eye health.

4. Good for the Skin
Based on the cashew seeds, "Cashew oil does wonders for your skin,” Cashew nut oil is rich in selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron and phosphorous. Also, they are great sources of phytochemicals, proteins and anti-oxidants. The high percentage rate of selenium in cashews is useful for your skin but "helps prevent cancer as well “.

5. Weight Loss
When compared to diets excluding the consumption of nuts, people eating nuts on the moderate and regular basis lose weight faster. In view of the confirmation from epidemiological and controlled clinical studies, nut intake is not associated with higher body weight. The research done by the Journal of Nutrition expresses that the epidemiological proof shows reliably that nut consumers have a lower BMI than non-consumers. As for clinical studies, the facts are practically uniform that their consideration in the diet leads to little or no weight gain. Moreover, nuts like cashews are "packed with Omega3 fatty stomach acids that leads play a role in giving a boost to the metabolic process to burn extra fat”. Nuts are a good snack for many who are looking to lose weight and more fit as they are nutritious and usually tend to keep you full for a longer period. "Nuts should always be eaten raw and unsalted, so they are really beneficial for weight loss very well.

6. Source of Dietary Fibres
According to studies, cashew nuts has a great percentage of dietary fibres. The two crucial dietary fibres required by our body are, oleic acid and palmitic acid. "These fibers are not made by our body consequently they need to be consumed externally,” says nutritionist. Cashew nuts are great sources of these fibres. Dietary fibers help digest food better, however excessive intake may lead to bloating and huge intestinal gas creation. Consumption of nuts like cashews has been related to decreased incidences of several digestive diseases.

7. Healthy and Shiny hair
Specialists say that the intake of cashews as well as the application of cashew oil on your scalp ensures healthy hair. "Copper present in cashew nut oil which assists the production of skin and hair pigment called melanin,” say nutritionists. It also improves hair colour and provides a silky-smooth surface due to the occurrence of linoleic and oleic acids.


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Moong Sprout Salad Recipe

Moong sprouts salad or Chat is a very easy as well as a very healthy salad recipe. And also it is very colourful spicy, tangy and nutritious dish. A chat is usually associated with fried foods but the sprouted Moong chaat is a healthy version of chat with refreshing flavour. Sprouted Moong is usually mix in taste yet by including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and spices or herbs can makes it an awesome dish which is very tempting to eat.  They can be served for breakfast or as an evening snack.

In this salad recipe, we need to steam or boil the sprouts till they are completely cooked. The water which we use for boil sprouts is generally discarded. But that water is very healthy and can be used for cooking or can be given to your plants or herbs which you are growing in your kitchen garden.

This salad made from moong sprouts is especially good for folks who do not have much time for cooking. Although you can get ready made sprouted moong beans from market but it is always better and healthy to sprout moong beans at home.


Ingredients (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)
2 cups of sprouted moong beans
1 small or medium sized onion, finely chopped
1 medium size tomato, finely chopped
1 green chilli (optional), finely chopped
¼ tsp red chilli powder
½ or 1 tsp chaat masala (optional)
1 tsp lemon juice or as required
1 boiled potato or boiled sweet potato (optional)
Few coriander leaves and lemon slices for garnishing
Rock salt or black salt as required

Method:
Step1: Wash and rinse sprouted beans.
Step2: In a pan add sprouted moong beans and half cup of water and boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until beans become tender, but not mushy. If you like crunchy then boil only for few minutes. 
Step3: While beans are boiling chopped the vegetables and keeps them aside or places them in the refrigerator.
Step4: Once the beans become tender transfer them into a colander to drain the hot water out and rinse them with cold water so that they do not cook any more. Leave the cooked sprouted beans in the colander for few minutes and let all the water drains out. If you are not making chaat immediately then transfer the beans in the bowl and place them in the refrigerator.
Step5: Just before serving chat add chopped tomatoes, chopped sweet potatoes, and chopped cucumbers, chopped onions and chopped green chillies and mix well with the beans. 
Step6: Lastly, season with salt and add few drops of lemon juice. Garnish with lemon slices or coriander leaves.
Step7: Serve moong sprouts salad immediately.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Sweet Corn Fried Rice Recipe

Sweet corn fried rice recipe using very few ingredients. This fried rice is made without the sauce or vinegar. It gets a good flavor from the extra virgin olive oil, fresh pepper powder, capsicum and sweet corn. Also you can add soya sauce, vinegar or any one of them, if you like.


Preparation Time: 20 mins | Cooking Time: 15 mins  
Recipe type: Main 
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 2

Ingredients
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Sweet Corn Kernels - 1/2 cup
Carrot - 2 small finely chopped
Cabbage - 1/4 cup chopped finely chopped
Garlic - 1 tbsp finely chopped
Green Chilli - 1/2 tsp finely minced
Capsicum - 1/4 cup chopped finely
Soya sauce - 1/8 tsp
Pepper powder - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp 
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves to garnish.

Method:
Step1: Soak basmati rice for 30mins then pressure cook for 3 whistles in medium flame in the proportion ratio of 1(rice):1.5(water) cups. Spread it in a plate and lighten it up with a fork include a tsp of oil and enable it cool down. In pan heat oil - add garlic, green chillies, garlic - saute for a minute till it turns slightly browned. Then add carrot and cabbage in medium high flame, fry till the veggies shrink and raw smell takes off.


Step 2: After that add capsicum and saute for a minute then add sweet corn along with pepper powder and add required salt. Stir well in medium high flame.


Step 3: Add cooked rice and give a quick blend. Then add sugar and give a quick stir. Switch off.


Step 4: Serve hot with your choice of side dish.

Health Benefits of Corn:
Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of cardiovascular ailments, lowering hypertension and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth. Corn or maize is one of the most popular cereals in the world and forms the staple food around the globe, including the United States and  many African countries.


The kernels of corn are what hold the majority of corn’s nutrients, and are the most commonly consumed parts of the vegetable. The kernels can come in multiple colors, depending on where the corn is grown and what species or variety they happen to be. Another genetic variant, called sweet corn has more sugar and less starch in the nutritive material. It has rich source of calories & vitamins, it also reduces the risk of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Benefits of Drinking Water on an Empty Stomach

We regularly rush to drink water if we are dehydrated, or after meals, or after eating something hot and spicy. But did you know when precisely you ought to drink water? The answer is - on an unfilled stomach.

Almost 70% of our bodies are comprised of water, and its advantages are unquestionable for good well-being. Water is the king of our body and is crucial for the typical and smooth working of the considerable number of organs.

Water is the best drink that can extinguish your thirst, and drinking it on a vacant stomach can get rid of all issues in your body. Said beneath are 10 advantages of drinking water with an empty stomach:


1. It Speeds Up Metabolism.
In case you are on a diet, taking-in water with an empty tummy can give your diet plan a support as it can help enhance the metabolic rate by nearly 25%. Speeding up the metabolism assists with faster digestion of food, and this helps in reducing your weight in the long term. It’s always preferred to drink at least 4 liters of water every day for best results.

2. It Boosts Your Immunity.
We know about the way that water is vital for our general health and well-being. What we additionally need to know is that water is important to keep up the liquid equalization in the body. Making it a habit of consuming water frequently on a vacant stomach can turn out to be advantageous for our immune system. This kind of can help you protect against infections.

3. It Clears Your Bowels.
Drinking water on an unfilled stomach can help in regulating the digestive tract. Also, when you drink a considerable measure of water, you feel the inclination to flush out your bowels. Rehearsing this every day can help in regular bowel movement and furthermore adds to disposing of waste from your body routinely.

4. It Also Helps In Expelling Toxins From The Body.
At whenever you pee, you remove poisons in the fluid form. The more you drink water, the more you go to the restroom. In this manner, you purge and detoxify your body. It likewise counteracts bloating.

5. It Prevents Migraine Attacks.
One of the essential reasons people experiences the ill effects of regular migraine pains and headaches is because of absence of water in the body. Lack of hydration is underlying the root cause of headache, and drinking water at regular intervals, particularly on a vacant stomach, can get rid of severe headaches normally. Not just has this, drinking adequate water also helped in keeping oral or dental issues under control.

6. It Helps In Weight Loss.
Drinking more water while on an eating routine can help you get fit and quick weight loss as water has no calories at all, and drinking it at regular intervals will help in keeping your stomach full. Also, it has no negative outcomes. Since consuming a lot of water aides in accelerating the digestion system, it helps in burning calories quicker.

7. It Makes You Feel Hungry.
As drinking water helps in clearing your bowels routinely, it also makes you feel hungry in the morning with the goal that you can have your breakfast on time.

8. It Clears The Complexion.
Drinking a lot of water is the simplest approach to get a clear and sparkling skin. Flaws or dark patches are generally caused due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Water can expel these unwanted toxins from the body. Regular bowel movements also help in accomplishing perfect and clear skin. Drinking water on a vacant stomach can help in accelerating the procedure.

9. It Helps In Boosting Energy.
If you feel sleepy or sluggish, drinking water on an empty stomach can make you feel active immediately. It fortifies the red platelets to develop speedier, which results in more oxygen and vitality.

10. It Cleanses The Colon.
Drinking a glass of water on an unfilled stomach can dispose of the gathered ooze and empowers speedier ingestion of supplements. This outcomes in a more beneficial colon and an overall healthy body.


In this way, drinking water on an empty stomach has numerous benefits.

This helps you keep many diseases at bay, and you can notice a new energy and freshness within a few days. The water therapy has the power to heal blood pressure, gastritis, constipation, and diabetes with no side effects at all.