Machchi ki Dhaniya Curry

The recipe is made from Pomfret & Coriander or Cilantro.

What you need?

1. Pomfret: I used three pieces cut into halves. Make slight cuts on the fish for better marination.

2. Coriander or Cilantro leaves: 1 cup, cleaned and washed

3. Tomato: 1 large, chopped

4. Onion: 1 medium

5. Garlic: 2 big cloves

6. Chili: 1-2 green chilis

7. Spices: 1 teaspoon red kashmiri powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 pinch of turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon amchoor

8. Salt to taste & white oil 1 tablespoon

9. Lemon for marianation

How to make it

1. Wash your fish & mariante it with salt & lemon for more than two hours.

2. Chop the onion & garlic, keep it aside.

3. Make a fine paste of coriander & tomato & keep it aside.

4. Heat the non-stick fry pan & pour the oil. And slightly toss the fish in the oil, don't deep fry. Once it is slightly cooked remove it from the pan.

5. Add the onion & garlic & fry till golden. Add the green paste with all the spices and mix well. Let it cook well. When the oil starts separating, add the fish & let it cook for around 10 min.

6. When almost done add the green chilis & a few drops of lemon juice.

7. Cover it & let it stand for 5 min. Serve it with rice.

Vegetarian Recipe: Sukto

Sukto is a Bengali recipe made with a mix of vegetables with least number of spices and has an amazing flavour. Mostly the prime vegetable in the recipe is bitter gourd or karela,stop making the faces and try this at home.

Sukto

Ingredients:
2 medium sized Bittergourd or karela, cut into chips
1 cup cubes of pumpkin
1 brinjal or eggplant cut into cubes
2-3 drumsticks cut into 2inch pieces
Other veggies which can be used are raw papaya, potato, bottlegourd etc.
1 teaspoon Panch phoron (a mix of whole cummin seeds, mustard seeds, kallonji or kalo jeera (nigella sativa), saunf, fenugreek or methi seeds)
1/2 teaspoon asfoetida or hing
milk 1/2 cup
1 teaspoon flour
Mustard oil
Ghee
Salt to taste

Procedure:
1. Pour 1 tablespoon mustard oil in a heated frying pan, once the oil is heated add the cut bittergourd in to the pan, cook till it iss light golden in color, take it out and keep it aside.
2. Pour a little more oil & add a teaspoon of ghee. Add the panchphoron and hing to it and later add the rest of the vegetables to the pan. Cook for sometime covering the pan.
3. Add the salt after the vegetables are little softer & add some water to it, let it cook for some more time. Add the bittergourd also after some time.
4. After the vegetables are fully cooked around 20 min later, add the mix of milk and flour (can be whole wheat or refined).
5. Once the mixture boils properly, you can turn off the gas.

The dish is best served as the starting item in the menu with rice.

Recipe: Dahi Prawns

Have a good Saturday night with my new recipe!

Dahi Prawns:

Ingredients

200 g DVC prawns (de-veined and cleaned)

200 g Dahi or yogurt

1 medium onion

2 cloves of garlic

Green chilli

Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon

Kashmiri Chilli powder 1 teaspoon

1 green cardamom

An inch of cinnamon

Salt and sugar to taste

Mustard oil to cook

Procedure:

1. Chop the onion, garlic & chillis and keep it aside.

2. Wash the prawns and put some turmeric powder & salt. Mix it well & fry in mustard oil till golden in color.

3. Keep the fried prawns aside, in a frying pan pour a tablespoon mustard oil. Heat it & add the crushed cardamomand cinnamon with chopped onion, garlic & green chilli.

4. Once the onion is light brown in color add the yogurt. Mix it well & add a little turmeric powder and the chilli powder. Let it cook for a few minutes before adding the prawns.

5. After adding the prawns add salt and sugar (just a few crystals if you like). Let it cook till the gravy is semi-dry.

6. The dish is ready to be served with rice or roti.

Note: If allergic to sea-food please don't try this.

Recipe: Mutton Kofta Curry

Hi! Today I am sharing the recipe of Mutton Kofta Curry an Indian delicacy. I would just like to share a few health benefits of Mutton or Goat meat.

• Improves blood cholesterol levels
• Reduces the risk for atherosclerosis
• Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
• Contains Vitamin B which helps you burn fat
• Reduces the risk of obesity
• Helps you have a healthy skin
• Helps beats stress and depression
• Rich in calcium and helps in bone building and teeth strengthening
• Enhances producing new body cells thus delay the aging
• Helps in maintaining the functioning of thyroid gland

Let's start with the preparation of this simple recipe, which is going to be super delicious.

Ingredients:

Mutton or Goat Meat minced: 400 g

Ginger garlic paste: 4 teaspoons

Onion: 1 large

Tomato: 1 large

Chili: 1-2 as per taste

Clove- 2-4

Green cardamom: 1

Cinnamon: 1 inch

Turmeric powder: 1/4 teaspoon

Red Kashmiri Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder: 1 teaspoon

Kasoori methi: 1 teaspoon

Mustard oil: 1 tablespoon

Salt: to taste

Preparation:

1. Take the minced meat in a bowl, add 2 teaspoons of ginger garlic paste, and mix it well. Keep the marinated meat in the refrigerator for half an hour.

2. Dice the onion into small pieces, and make a paste of  tomato, the ginger garlic paste,, turmeric powder, coriander powder and the chili powder.

3. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the crushed, cloves, cardamom & cinnamon and the diced onion. Fry till it turns golden in color.

4. Add the tomato paste and mix it well add water as per requirement & let it boil. Add salt to taste.

5. Once it reaches boiling point add small balls of the marinated meat giving shape with the help of your hand.

6. Cover the pan & cook on low flame for 10-15 min. Check whether your meat is cooked in this time.

7. Now add chili cut in small pieces and sprinkle the kasoori methi. In a minute turn off the flame, let it stand for 5 minutes. 

Your dish is ready to serve, Serving is suggested with steamed rice or hand made Indian breads or roti.

Health Benefits of Herbs

Post Pregnancy-Weight Loss

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing to happen to a woman's life. It also adds weight to the beautiful figure you had before. Getting back to shape & looking like a sexy Mom surely is on the top of the list. Just to help out all those women I'm writing this post.

1. Breastfeeding: It is good for you & your baby both. Breastfeeding helps burn around 500 calories.

2. Drink Water: Drinking water helps you keep hydrated & during breastfeeding the body has a tendency to dehydrate.

3. Eat smaller meals, many times a day: Eating small meals are related to weight loss & helps weight maintenance. Skipping meals is not a good idea, as then the body tends to store carbs for future use. Eating lots of vegetables, fruits & fiber filled foods help you feel full for longer.

4. Avoid craving: Eat only when hungry & keep tempting foods out of sight. This will not only help you reduce the excess weight but also help the baby get the right nutrient share. You are the source of nutrients to the baby when you breastfeed.

5. Exercise: Do not hit the gym! Light exercise including walking, aerobics & yoga can be of great help in this phase.

If the above steps are taken care of especially taking care of the diet will surely help.

Saturday Brunch- Pasta!!!

Happy Saturday to all! Lazing around & eating good food is all I want to do. So thought of sharing a brunch recipe, Chicken Pasta in Red Sauce.

Chicken Pasta in Red Sauce

Ingredients
Penne Pasta: 200 g
Chicken: 1 cup small cubes
Broccoli: 1 small
Peas: 1 cup
Baby Corn: 5-6
Onion: 1 medium
Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
Red sauce (tomato based): 1 tablespoon
Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon
Fresh Grounded Black Pepper: 1/ 2 teaspoon
Salt: as per taste
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon

Preparation
1. Boil the pasta, till it becomes tender. Strain the water & keep aside.
2. Dice the vegetables in 1 inch pieces. Marinate the chicken in vinegar, salt & pepper for 10 min
3. Toss the vegetables till golden in a little oil. Keep it aside in a bowl.
4. Toss the marinated chicken on low flame, cover it till it is cooked & the chicken secretes the fats. Add the vegetables to it & let it cook for some time.
5. Add the pasta to the mix & toss it well, add salt & freshly grounded pepper.
6. Add the sauce & mix it well. Sprinkle the oregano over the recipe & it is ready to be served hot.

A Happy Saturday with a happy brunch....

Healthy Breakfast: Rawa Uttapam

The instant South Indian meals are easy to cook as well as healthy & tasty. I will share the recipe of Instant Rawa Uttapam for a healthy breakfast.

Rawa Uttapam

Ingredients
Rawa or Semolina: 2 cups
Yogurt (un-fattened): 3 cups
Green Capsicum: 1/2 cup chopped
Cauliflower:1/2 cup chopped
Tomato: 1 medium chopped
Onion: 1 medium chopped
Chillies: 2 chopped
Salt: as per taste
Oil

Preparation:
1. Mix the Rawa & Yogurt well till a smooth paste is made. Mix it well with salt.
2. Add the onion & chillies to the mix. Let it stand for 15 min
3. Mix the rest of the veggies in a bowl & add some salt. This will help it get cooked easily and also the taste would be better.
4. On a non-stick pan, let it heat up and then brush oil.
5. Pour the batter enough to get a 6" uttapam.
6. After it is half cooked, add the veggies on the top & turn the side.
7. Let the other side cook on low flame for 2-3 min.
8. Serve it hot with veggie side up.
9. You can make the chutney also with khus khus paste, coconut paste & curd mixed or enjoy it with tomato sauce.

A healthy breakfast with good proteins & good taste served on the platter. Thanks!

Low Carb Breakfast Ideas with Eggs!

Here I am with a few ideas of low carb breakfasts, a day started with protein packed diet will keep you satiated & energized for hours. What better to start your day with eggs... they are protein packed & filled with nutrients you would love to start your day with. Here are a few egg recipes to try for breakfasts.

Omelette: Make your omelette your way! Add low fat goat cheese or crumbled cottage cheese to your omelette or spice it up with bell peppers & tomatoes. Spice up your mornings!

Scrambled Eggs: Add herbs oregano or parsley to your scrambled eggs with a flavour of cayenne pepper with a pinch of lemon. Your scrambled would taste heavenly.

Baked Eggs with cream & mushroom: Bake your eggs with cream & mushroom, they make a good way to start your day, if you are not fond of mushrooms choose your veggies.

Devilled Eggs: Boil the eggs & change the taste of the yolk as you want. Add herbs, spices & molten low fat cheese & fill your egg whites again. Cilantro added as garnishing makes it taste the best.

Poached eggs: Use fresh eggs to poach & if you want some flavours added to your egg, make small pouches of eggs in food grade plastic & add the spices. Put the pouches in boiling water & in 5 min your poached eggs are ready.

Sunny-side Up: Just have it like that!

Let me know your pick of recipe for your eggs for a healthy low carb breakfast. Thanks!

Healthy Vegetarian Recipe: Dahi Soya Chunks

A protein-rich vegetarian recipe with a different tasty tinge is on the plates today. Dahi is none other than yogurt which is known for its great nutritional values, rich in calcium easy to digest & light on the stomach. Soya chunks or soya nuggets possess the qualities of soy protein, an excellent source of plant protein.

Dahi Soya Chunks

Ingredients:
Soya nuggets: 100 g (2-3 cups)
Yogurt: 200 ml
Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Paprika or Kashmiri Lal powder: 1 teaspoon (This is for the red color)
Coriander powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Onion:1 medium
Ginger: 1/2 inch
Garlic: 1-2 cloves
Chili: 2-3
Mustard Seeds: 1 teaspoon
Dried Chili: 2-3
Kadi patta or Curry Leaves: 4-5 twigs
Rice bran oil or any white oil of your choice: 1 tablespoon
Salt & Sugar to taste

Preparation:
1. Soak the nuggets in hot water & boil till soft (3-5 min in boiling water).
2. Blend the yogurt with the spices turmeric powder, Red Kashmiri mirch powder, coriander powder & cumin powder with salt to taste.
3. Heat the oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds, dried chilis, chopped onion, ginger, garlic, chili, curry leaves. Add the nuggets till they turn slightly golden.
4. Add the blended yogurt, Stir it well & let it boil. Stirring helps the curry to remain smooth. Check the salt & add a pinch of sugar before taking off.
5. Serve hot with Indian breads or rice.

A simple tasty & healthy recipe for the family to enjoy. 

Natural Beauty Tips for Oily Skin

Suffering from an oily skin, feel sticky all the time, then this article will sure help. Good skin is like a mirror of the well being. However well dressed & chique you look without the perfect skin you cannot look beautiful. If your skin is soft, supple & glows even a tee & jeans would make you look pretty. Oily skin is also acts like a magnet to dirt & pollution making you look dull & tired. These natural tips at home will help you alot fight the odds.

1. Lemon juice applied liberally over the face helps pull out the oil from the skin. Wash after 10 mins & you get a soft oil-free skin. This is an age old remedy works well for oily hair as well.

2. Gentle scrubbing helps the skin to breathe, cleaning the clogged pores of dirt. It also removes dead skin cells & renews your skin surface. The extra sebum, dead cells & dirt are one of the major causes of acne, blackheads, whiteheads etc. The gentle exfoliation helps the blood circulation & gives a glow to the skin.

3. A face mask once a week from natural substances like papaya & lemon juice, apple & honey, almond & honey work miracles for an oily skin. Keeping for 15-20 min and washing it with cold water is very good for skin.

4. Cucumbers also help to manage oily skin due to their cooling, astringent, and soothing properties. The high vitamin and mineral content, magnesium, and potassium, are good for oily skin. Rub a slice of cucumber before going to bed. Wash it in the morning with water.

5. Use a skin toner everyday which will provide the skin with essential nutrients & wipe off extra oil secreted. Rosewater is one of the best known natural toners. Make sure if using any other toner it should be alcohol free.

Try these tips for beautiful oil-free skin.

Best Food for the New Mom

Post pregnancy the food you eat can make you and your baby healthy. The right food not only gives you a good health, lose the extra pounds but also will ensure a healthy baby. Foods that give you constant energy the new mom needs & the nutrients both mom and the baby needs, because if it doesn't come from the food it goes away from the mother's body.

1. Water: The body consists of 75% water and the body needs it for making milk for the baby also, so definitely increasing water intake will help you to make more milk. Also the breast-feeding can cause dehydration in the lactating mother, so drinking water helps.

2. Salmon: Salmons like any other fatty fish have a compound called DHA, which is essential for the nervous system of the baby. The mother's milk has DHA but the nutrient might not be enough if not taken in mother's diet.

3. Low fat dairy product: Dairy products like milk, yogurt & cheese help provide the body with essential calcium, protein, Vitamin D & Vitamin B complex to the body & also the milk you feed to your baby gives him the strength for stronger bones with the calcium & Vitamin D.

4. Legumes: A good source of proteins for vegetarians & vegans. Intake of the dark colored legumes like kidney beans & black beans also provide a good amount of iron in the milk.

5. Oranges: Powerhouse of antioxidant & rich in Vitamin C, they are very much needed by the nursing mother, if sipping on juices check out for natural ones without high sugar levels.

6. Garlic: Garlic has been known as age old remedy for boosting milk in new mothers. Adding it to food not only adds flavor but also the bonus. If not fan of garlic in food, can take pills which are equally good & does not have the afterward pungent smell.

7: Leafy Greens: They are a great source of Vitamin A which is good for the baby. They are also a great source of calcium for vegans. They also provide ample amount of iron & Vitamin C and known for excellent heart healthy anti-oxidants.

8. Eggs: They are versatile way to provide the body with protein & nutrients. If DHA fortified eggs are available in your area, you stand a better chance to increase your DHA intake.

There are also other advised foods which are good during & after pregnancy, you can add the best to your diet for your & your baby's health. A sick mother cannot be a great mom. Thanks!

Fertility Friendly Foods!

If you are trying to start a family & want babies, believe me, diet does help. Our ancestors have always said that the kind of food we eat makes us more fertile & some affect adversely, it's true. So, we will list some foods which, is also suggested by preliminary research, help women in the ovulation stage. A healthy diet which is clean from chemicals & organically grown can give the best results.

Dairy Product: Adding dairy to your daily diet helps you in the preconception stage. It is suggested to to keep it low fat in all forms of milk, yogurt & cheese if you want to keep a watch on your weight as well. But it is known that a full fat version helps in the ovulation stage for women. But keep it under limit to avoid any unwanted consequences.

Lean Meat: Lean version of chicken, turkey or red meat helps improve the protein intake the body. Not only protein they are high source of iron & the iron present in the diet in preconception stages improve the chances. Also remember too much of animal protein will not be good. Vegan diet can add iron by spinach & other leafy vegetables in the diet.

Whole grains or Complex carbohydrates: Any carbohydrate source with a low glycemic index keeping a good watch the insulin is good. Insulin spikes & changing sugar levels are not good for fertility. So, ditch the refined flours & rice etc. Complex carbohydrates are difficult to digest & release the insulin & sugar periodically, this also helps the ovulation process.

Berries: Any berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries etc are great if you are planning for the next step. The antioxidants protect you from cell damage & cell aging, including your ovum. The best part is they taste good as well, add to the fruit salad, custard or smoothie.

Omega 3 fatty acids: The best source are fatty fishes and if you are vegan nuts like almonds, sesame, pumpkin seeds etc are great for you. They increase the blood flow to the reproductive organs, beefing up fertility also improving the production of hormones necessary for the reproduction cycle.

These foods for fertility can improve ovulation, hormones production and the health of the eggs and sperms. These foods for fertility also prepare a woman to have a healthy pregnancy. A balanced diet & stress-free life is the best way to a better family planning.

Home Remedies for Acidity & Heartburn

Hi Friends! Hope all of you are doing great. I decided to write about a topic lot of Indians suffer from & probably blame the spicy food we eat, acidity or acid reflux. And at times it does get bad & causes many more associated digestive problems. I will gist down some home remedies which are found to be pretty effective.

1. Raw potato grated & the juice with some water lets acidity vanish in a few minutes. This works like a miracle for acidity.

2.Green coconut water taken daily helps in digestion & aids in relief from acidity & heartburn, also increases appetite.

3. Ginger is known to be great for digestion so adding it to your recipe helps you fight problems related to the stomach.

4. Lemon, Yogurt, Almond & Jaggery are all known for their good effects to soothe heart burns immediately.

5. Avoid caffeine & aerated drinks for best results.

6. Drinking a glass of lukewarm water in the morning empty stomach helps.

7. Clove & cumin are also known excellent for acidity problems, so adding it to food helps. One Clove can also be had raw once a day.

8. Basil Leaves help you with instant relief from acidity gas & nausea.

9. Chewing a sugar free gum also helps lower acidity as it produces saliva which eases out the digestion process & reduces heartburn.

10. Cold milk also helps alot, and if you are suffering from acidity ensure not to drink hot milk, and also don't add any additives like sugar or flavors etc.

These home remedies mentioned above have been tried & tested over years & have aided in relief from acidity & heartburn. Hope it also helps you.

Thinning Hair: Home Care Tips

Today lot of us suffer from thinning hair, one of the major contributing reason for hair thinning is the change in the environment. Though we really cannot do much to avoid these changes but we can take care of our hair & keep it healthy. The major changes you need to do to see changes are:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: A healthy diet gives you the required nutrition for good hair. Including spinach, kale & chard; beans & tofu; lean meat does well due to presence of protein building blocks, iron, zinc & biotin which are essential nutrients for good hair. Presence of Omega-3 in diet also gives hair the rich & shiny look.

2. Hair Care: It is important to treat your hair well also. Massaging the scalp has shown positive results for most & can work well with coconut oil also, if your hair is oily avoid the oil. Use products which are gentle to your scalp, because the health of the scalp determines the quality of hair. Shampoo & condition your hair regularly, avoid changing the product as it may damage your hair, stick to the product which suits you. Blow drying can damage the hair so use with caution, do not blow hot air to the scalp.

3. Avoid Pollution: Pollution is one of the causes of hair thinning both in women & men, so try to avoid direct contact with air pollutants. If working outdoors, cover your head to avoid contact with air. Also water can be a great problem, which you might have noticed when at times there is a place change your hair fall increases. Use packaged water to wash your hair in that case.

4. De-stress: Stress can be another important factor for hair loss. You must have noticed that even at an age your grandmother has more hair than you do. A simple reason being the lifestyle we lead. Not only food & pollution our hair is affected by the stress in our daily lives. To know about how to de-stress click here.

A few styling tips to make your hair look more in volume include changing your partition helps in covering up & also allows some regrowth in the empty space. Also getting a haircut which gives a high volume & bouncier. Brush your hair with care, hard plastic or metal combs can do damage to your hair. Following these can help you slow down your thinning.

Fluid Retention: Home Remedies

Fluid retention or Water retention occurs due to abnormal accumulation of fluid in and around, cells, tissues etc. This can be usually seen in changing weather, high salt intake & hormonal change during menstrual cycle. Swelling is seen across feet, ankles & hands which also show stiffness in movement due to the same. The body uses a system of hormones and hormone-like substances called prostaglandins to keep its volume of fluid at a constant level. If one were to intake excessive amount of fluids in a day, the amount of fluid would not be affected in the long-term, because the kidneys quickly excrete the excess in the form of urine. Likewise, if one did not get enough to drink, the body would hold on to its fluids and urinate less than usual.

Follow these to avoid water retention:
1. Do not drink alcohol: Alcohol leads to water retention and so taking alcohol is a bad option for people with fluid intake
2. Change your salt intake: Avoid packaged food as they usually have a much higher content of salt in them. This part plays an important role in fluid retention.
3. Avoid wearing tight clothes: They tend to form pockets in the body which give space for the fluid to stay.
4. Keep your feet at an elevated position: This movement against the gravity helps the movement of the fluids in the body & does not allow the fluid to retain at the feet.

Some Home Remedies to help you against fluid retention:
1. Drink Water: Drinking more & more fluids increases the activities of the kidney & helps the body flush out excess fluids from the body.
2. Lemon juice: Lemon juice helps the body to hydrate & thus helps you flush out excess fluid and toxins from the body. It acts as an excellent remedy for fluid retention.
3. Fennel Seeds (Saunf): It is a diuretic (which promotes the production of urine & flushes out excess fluid). It increases the sodium & water output from the kidneys, and is also known to aid in digestion & relieves gas. Drinking the warm water soaked with fennel 3-4 times a day helps alot.
4. Garlic: It is known for its effectiveness for digestion related issues, also for breaking downs fats. It also helps in fluid retention problems in a big manner. Take 2-3 cloves in the morning empty stomach.
5. Onion: It is a great diuretic, and helps in fluid retention. Also eating raw onion with each meal helps increase the insulin production in the body & diabetes patients are greatly benefited.

I hope these remedies & changes in lifestyle can do wonders for you. Also to remember that it is best to try natural diuretics in the above mentioned scenario rather than taking medicines because they might have lots of side-effects on the functioning of the kidney.

Curry Leaves-Health Benefits

Curry Leaves are leaves used widely in preparations from southern part of India. They are strong flavoring agents with a great no. of health benefits. I have personally seen lot of people throwing away the curry leaves or kadi patta while eating. Once you know the health benefits you will really not feel like throwing away. I actually feel very proud that our Indian food habits are very scientifically devised thousands of years ago; the spices, the food & the cooking methods. And addition of curry leaves to the cuisine is just one example.

1. Great to fight anemia: Both iron & folic acid are in abundance in kadi patta which makes it a desired choice to fight against anemia. Folic acid is the carrier of iron in the body so both are essential to keep anemia at bay.

2. Controls Diabetes: The leaves are known to affect the insulin production & performance which helps control diabetes. Also the fiber presents helps the diabetic tendency.

3. Lowers Cholesterol: Curry leaves are known to reduce the LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol by lowering the fat absorption in the body. This also helps in losing weight naturally also.

4. Reduces hair fall & promotes growth of hair: The quality of hair improves considerably on using dry curry leaves mixed with oil as it strengthens the  hair roots & promotes hair growth. It is  also considered useful for graying hair.

5. Reduces congestion in chest & nose:It s packed with Vitamin C and A along with compounds like kaempferol that acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. It helps loosen & decongest mucous. It is good for people suffering from wet cough, sinus & chest congestion.

6. Prevents Skin infection: Because of it's anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties it helps cure any skin infections with its anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties. This makes it a great home remedy to deal with common skin infections like acne and fungal infections of the nail that are often difficult to treat.

7. Improves digestion & good for diarrhea: It helps a number of digestive issues along with aiding in excretion. Regular intake cleanses the system of toxins as well. Also an upset stomach is taken care with its antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties.

All these benefits are just a few leaves away. Also it is small plant & can be planted in your garden or also in a pot. And you can use the leaves of the plant without any problem.

Asthma- Natural Prevention Methods

Asthma as we all know is a chronic lung disease that inflates the airways in the lungs & disrupts the natural breathing process. It can be associated with a wheezing or whistling sound while breathing, chest tightness, short of breathing & coughing. It is also seen that the coughing increases during night & early morning. The airways which carry air into our lungs are inflamed in people suffering from asthma. The inflammation makes it difficult for the person to breathe normally, due to swelling & the sensitive tissues & cells react with certain inhaled substances making it worse. The muscles around the airways tighten & causing less air to flow to the lungs. To fight inflammation the cells start producing more mucus than usual leaving even less space for the air to pass. These symptoms are very common in childhood & seem to improve with time but not necessarily. Though asthma is not known for complete cure but we can take some measures to lesser the chances.

Apart from the medicines & sterols which are used for treatment of asthma, the below written natural home remedies can help the sufferer.

1. Always keep your house clean, allergens like dust mites, animal dander create more trouble for the person. Do not let these allergens attack you, try to avoid contact with them as much as possible. Also furry pets should be kept at bay as animal hair is known as an allergen.

2. Turmeric is known as an anti-inflammatory agent & has shown good results. Drinking lukewarm milk with a pinch of turmeric helps fight inflammation. Similarly ginger also shows positive effects on curing inflammation & can be effective.

3. Magnesium rich food is good for relaxing the airways, also used in medication in emergency situation. If taking in capsulated form please know the correct dosage as it might have side-effects like upset stomach.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids act as drugs leukotriene inhibitors, which inhibits the action of infammation causing agents in the body.

5. Make a chart of food you eat everyday & the level of asthma for 15-30 days. Asthmatic action can be triggered by food which contains allergens, some people might be allergic to milk products, or other animal proteins, or wheat, sugar or other carbohydrates. So, continuous monitoring can help you identify it for you.

These remedies will not cure your asthma but reduce the severity. Other things to note for asthma patients is a strict non-smoking life, avoid fireplaces or other smoky things. Avoid drugs containing aspirin & ibuprofen as they are known to induce asthma. Try not to sleep on your stomach as this worsens respiratory problems. Do not stop medication if you have been advised by a medical practitioner till they ask you to discontinue the usage. I hope this small article will help you with some insights on better lifestyle with asthma.

De-stress Yourself in a Few Minutes

We all live a stressed life, no matter what we do in our daily lives. Not only our jobs & daily chores make us stressed but the changing environment poses a great risk. So, know how to de-stress yourself and live a better life. Get your mind off the stress & relax. Listing down a few tips to help you out:

1. When feeling too stressed take a pause, just let it go for a few minutes. In a few seconds you will feel a big burden comes off your head. Take a stroll around the office or your house only & the magic occurs.

2. Avoid food with high calories like ice-creams, candy, etc. as they might have a negative effect on the mood. Though some snacking can help keep it only around 70-80 cal, that should be good, it helps you boost your mood. Also it is known that stress adds to the waistline so, this is a sure one.

3. Add some music to lighten the mood. Music is known as a great reliever of stress, so do have some music ready to relieve your stress instantaneously. Personally I feel much better & relaxed once I'm listening to music & working.

4. Green Tea helps relieve stress, due to the presence of theanine (amino acid). It gives the flavor to green tea & helps soothe your nervous system. Please do not substitute it with coffee as it is known to have a negative effect on the mood due to caffeine.

5. Go outdoors. This can be just a matter of few minutes & the change in the surroundings can really calm your nerves & relax. Just looking at something else helps out, just staring the sky or looking at passing by people.

6. Take a hot bath, the heat relaxes the muscles & releases the stress. Some bath salts & soaps do wonders. Scented candles & other aroms can be used for better results.

If none of this work, go pack your bags & take a small trip. And do not reach for your mobile & laptop when on your vacation, a place where you will have time to yourself, meditate, eat & be merry. Works very well for most, why not try it once. Thanks!

Coconut Water- Health Benefits

It is summers & what best other than cool drinks to quench your thirst. Making some healthy choices in the drinks is extremely important. Coconut water is a drink which is widely recognized for its health values. I will just try to point down a few so, there is more reason to include in your diet. Coconut water is the water which is present in the tender or green coconut & not to be confused with coconut milk or oil which are very high is fats & carbohydrates. Rich in natural vitamins (especially the B vitamins), minerals, and trace elements (including zinc, selenium, iodine, and manganese). Full of amino acids, organic acids, enzymes, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Rich source of electrolytes and natural salts, especially potassium and magnesium. 

Let's count the benefits:

1. Weight Loss: As the fruit's water is light, low-calorie and nearly fat-free, as well as low in sugars as well as containing a little fiber to moderate absorption, it can play an important part in weight loss. As water is important part of diet & the calorific value & other benefits makes you feel full, suppresses the appetite.

2. Improves Digestion: Coconut water claims to be a cure for all digestive problems. If you face problem of acid reflux, definitely you will be benefited drinking coconut water. Other problems like stomach flu, indigestion, constipation are also treated by drinking coconut water regularly. Also urinary problems & kidney problems are also taken care with this.

3. Isotonic drink or Refresher: The composition of coconut matches our blood plasma, so it is also known to use instead of blood for transfusion in third world countries during emergencies. So, drinking this drink helps your body also gain good vitamins & minerals apart from water.

4. Reduces Blood Pressure: Coconut water is known to have more potassium than 4 bananas. It helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduce risks of heart attacks & strokes. Also it is known to regulate blood sugar levels due to low calorific value and also moderate sugar absorption in the blood stream.

5. Flawless Skin: Not only drinking but applying it on the skin helps repair the wear & tear of the skin. It is known to reduce the blemishes & helps treat acne due to its purifying powers of antioxidants. It moisturizes the skin when you drink eliminating excess oils from the skin.

6. Anti-ageing properties: It's a natural source of cytokinins, a group of plant hormones known to affect the cell growth & ageing. Rich in antioxidants, potassium & cytokinins balance the pH levels, & strengthens tissues & cells to become firmer, also help fight ageing related diseases.

Luckily this drink has no known side effects, if you are allergic to nuts please check with your doctor.  It is also known for stronger bones, reduces muscle cramps, manage stress & many more. It is great for children & pregnant women. Pregnant women are advised to drink coconut water especially to avoid heart burns & digestion related problems. Drink fresh coconut water only, the more its is exposed to air it gets oxidized & rapidly loses its nutritional value. This drink is also called the fruit of God for this reason. Thanks Friends!