Lose weight and Gain Health Using Indian Food

Image Courtesy: Creative Common

Indian food is known for its taste, spices, herbs, flavor, aroma and much more. The spices and the herbs we use, have wonderful benefits and are known for their medicinal values.  Our food is known to be the best for the overall well being.  The medicinal properties of our spices are slowly revealing themselves over centuries.

Indian Cuisine can be the healthiest, if it is cooked with right amount of oil and spices.  Here are some of the daily cooking ingredients with which you can lose weight and gain health.

Turmeric:

• Turmeric is one of the nature's most powerful healers.
• The active ingredient  in Turmeric called Curcumin, aids in fat metabolism and helps in weight management.
• It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Regular intake may reduce LDL or Bad cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• It increases blood circulation and prevents blood clotting when consumed regularly.

Cardamom:

• Cardamom is a herb that increases metabolism and help burn body fat.
• Cardamom is considered to be one of the best digestive aids.
• It helps the body process other foods more efficiently.

Chillies:

• Chillies contain capsaicin which increases metabolism .
• It helps the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after the consumption of chillies.
• Food containing chillies are nothing but food that burns fat.

Curry Leaves:

• Curry leaves flush out fats and toxins,thereby reducing fat deposits in the body.
• It reduces bad cholesterol levels.
• Incorporating curry leaves in your diet helps to lose weight.

Garlic:

• Garlic is an effective fat burning food.
• It is known for its anti bacterial effects.
• Garlic helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Cabbage:

• Cabbage helps in strengthening immune system.
• Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits converting carbohydrates and sugar into fat,thus helping in weight reduction.

Moong Dal:

• Moong dal is rich in protein and fiber.
• It has  very low fat content and helps in weight reduction.
• High fiber in Moong dal helps stabilises blood sugar thereby preventing rapid rise after meal consumption.

Honey:

• Start a day with a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water.
• It is considered as the best home remedy for obesity.
• Honey mobilises the extra fat by allowing it to be used as energy for normal functions.

Millet:

• Millets like Bajra,Jower,Ragi are fiber rich foods.
• They absorb cholesterol and helps in increase the secretion of bile that emulsifies fat.

Lets try incorporating the above ingredients in our daily cooking and lead a healthy life.

Nature's Cure:Garlic

Nature's Wonder Cures using Garlic :

Image Courtesy: Donovan Govan  commons.wikimedia.org

Winter is here and I know lot of us dread these winters specially those that live in very cold places.  I am currently in Chicago, and those who are aware of the weather in Chicago, will know how bad Chicago weather is, during winters.  It may sometimes reach to -40 degrees Celsius at times.  Well, we cannot fight nature but we can adapt to it.  Winter season brings with it lots of ailments which gets aggravated because you tend to keep your doors and windows closed without any ventilation or sunlight.  The same nature that creates these issues for us, has also given us wonderful ways to tackle these medical issues.  One such gift that nature has given us is Garlic.  Garlic has tremendous benefits when used in everyday life.  Consumption of Garlic helps in strengthening our immune system.  It is very beneficial during flu and cold season, which fights off cold.  While garlic smell may not be something we can tolerate, it does have these great benefits

• Garlic juice helps in treating the accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities,bronchial tubes and lungs.
• Garlic is a gastric stimulant and helps in digestion.
• Garlic has an antibacterial benefit because of its high sulphur content.
• Garlic helps lower blood pressure and fights off bad cholesterol.
• Garlic may help regulate blood sugar levels,which in turn increase the release of insulin in diabetics.
• Garlic improves cardiovascular health.
• Garlic is a natural analgesic which helps in toothaches and acts as a pain reliever to ease an aching tooth.  

Few Tips about Vegetables

Some vegetable handling tips which you may find useful is given below

• Always wash the vegetables before cutting and peeling to retain all the water soluble Vitamins.
• Always utilise the water which is used in boiling vegetables and dals.
• It is better to eat half cooked vegetables ,that way our body gets full benefits of the Vitamins.
• The best way to avoid tears while cutting onions is to peel them ,cut into half and soak in water for 10 mins.

Weekly Deals and Sale

Target Weekly Ad:

 Click here to Start Shopping.

JCP Today's Ad:

Click here to Start Shopping.

Kohls Weekly Ad:

Click here to Start Shopping.

Walmart Weekly Ad:

Click here to Start Shopping.

Macys Sale:

Click here to Start Shopping.

Health Benefits of Bananas

Bananas are available through out the year and it is a great source of instant energy.Bananas are good source of Fiber,Vitamin C,Magnesium and Potassium.There are numerous health benefits which is  obtained by eating Bananas. 

• Bananas are rich in Vitamin B6 that improves nerve function.
• Bananas are high in potassium which regulates body's water balance,thus preventing high blood pressure.
• Bananas has a natural antacid effect in the body, which are great in treating heartburn.
• The Pro biotic Bacteria(friendly bacteria) in Bananas helps in increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium,resulting in healthy bones.
• Bananas are rich in fiber,which helps restore normal bowel function.
• Bananas are great in treating Anemia,Constipation,Diarrhea.
• Bananas helps  in eyesight protection.
• Bananas are a good post exercise snack,indeed a very good snack between meals.
• Bananas may be one of the best food in attempting to lose weight.
• Bananas can be used in Cereals,Milk shakes,Smoothies,Fruit Salad.

Tip to ripen  Bananas faster:

Place the bananas along with a tomato or an apple in a paper bag and leave over night.

Nutritional Benefits of Bananas:

Serving size : 1 medium size banana.

Calories :110

Vitamin B6 :  0.7mg (20% of daily recommended value)

Dietary fiber : 4g(16% of daily recommended value)

Vitamin C :  11mg (16% of daily recommended value)

Potassium :400 mg(10% of daily recommended value)

Authentic Madras Pulihora

Pulihora is a delicious SouthIndian recipe.It's a  simple recipe which we prepare for any on the Go Lunch .Its a Favorite Lunch Box recipe,so simple and easy to prepare.But this authentic Madras pulihora is extra delicious in its own way.You will definitely like it ,when you try this recipe.Let us start with the preparation of this wonderful dish.

Ingredients for the Tamarind paste:

Basmati rice-2 cups

Tamarind-2 lemon size

Groundnut-3 tbsp

Cashews- 2 tbsp

Chana dal-2 tbsp

Urad dal-1 tbsp

Mustard-1 tsp

Curry leaves-2 sprigs

Red chillies-2 nos

Sesame oil -3 tbsp

Water-1 cup

Turmeric powder-1 pinch
Asafoetida-1 pinch

Salt to taste.

Ingredients for the Masala powder:

Redchillies-6 nos

Coriander(whole)-1 tbsp

Fenugreek seeds-1/2 tsp

Sesame seeds(ellu)-1/2 tsp

Channa dal-1 tsp

Urad dal-1 tsp

Preparation for Masala Powder:

Dry roast each ingredient separately  in a pan ,until you get a nice aroma.Keep it aside till it cools down.Then grind all the dry roasted ingredients in a blender and keep it aside.Your Masala powder is ready for pulihora.

Preparation for the Tamarind Paste and Rice:

Lets start preparing our Rice. Add 1 cup of Basmati Rice to 2 cups of water in your rice cooker.I have mentioned Basmati Rice,because it gives a nice flavor and aroma which makes our dish  more delicious.Remove the Rice from the rice cooker once it is cooked.Spread the Rice in a wide pan  and add 1 tbspn of sesame oil.Keep it aside .let it cool down.

       Lets get started with our tangy tamarind paste.Oh I just love the tangy taste of tamarind,I believe most people love them especially ladies.Add sesame oil in a pan,sesame oil lifts up the taste of pulihora.Start adding red chillies,mustard,wait till it splutters,then add groundnut ,roast  them for 3 to 4 minutes,then go ahead and add your channa dal,ural dal,cashews,asafoetida and curry leaves.Wait until they are well sauted,then add tamarind pulp(which is squeezed from 2 lemon size tamarind).You can add more or less pulp according to your taste.Add salt and turmeric powder.Now add 1 cup of water,so that the tamarind is well cooked and blends with all the ingredients .Let it cook till the oil separates.switch off your stove.Tamarind paste is ready to mix with your rice.

    After the rice is cooled down,you can notice that the grains are so well separated.Now sprinkle the Masala powder and Mix them gently.Add in your tamarind paste and mix the rice until they are very well blended.Make sure you don't break the grains when you mix them.Wow!!!Authentic Madras Pulihora is ready to serve.