MONSOON SPECIAL

TIPS FOR EATING HEALTHY IN MONSOON

Monsoon, the rainy season, in India is like a festival. After severe heat people are waiting for rain.People are  seen dancing and rejoicing in rains. But this is also a season for many diseases, infections and health problems. Due to sudden change in temperature, the immunity of our body becomes low and makes us susceptible to many diseases.

So if you really want to enjoy the monsoon season follow the following tips and be healthy.

 

1.Consume only boiled and filtered water, consume it within 24 hrs of boiling. Consumption of herbal teas, such as ginger and lemon tea, is advised during monsoon to keep flu away. Soups are counted among the safest food options during monsoon.

2.Wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly, esp green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, brinjal, roots and tubers which harbour larvae, worms and dust. Clean them under running water. Steaming them is the best way to get rid of germs. Soaking the greens in salt water for about 10minutes can help remove insects.

3.Avoid eating uncooked food as far as possible.

4.Freshly cooked food and freshly cut fruits and vegetables are the best bet during monsoons.

5.Eat in moderation as the body finds it harder to digest food during monsoons. Garlic, pepper, ginger, hing, jeera pd, turmeric and coriander help enhance digestion and improve immunity.

6.Non-vegetarians should prefer lighter preparations like soups and stews rather than heavy curries.

7.Avoid eating roadside uncooked foods like sandwiches, bhel, chaat, cut fruits, salad opt for steamed or fried food (if you are not overweight).

8. Avoid eating stale or left over food.

9. Clean chopping boards and dust cloths well before use. Wash your hands before handling food, after eating food, after visiting the toilet. Maintain good personal hygiene.

10. Use insect repellents, disinfectants and take precautions to stay away from mosquitoes, files, cockroaches termites etc. Use neem camphor or cloves.

 

Eat healthy to be hale and hearty this monsoon!

ACCOMPANIMENTS AND GARNISHES

ACCOMPANIMENTS AND GARNISHES



Accompaniments are dishes which are used to make the main dish complete and garnishes are the food items placed around or on top of a principal dish for relish. 

Avoid unhealthy accompaniments and garnishing. 

Example:-A healthy grilled sandwich becomes a fatty meal if eaten with French fries or with chips.

Similarly healthy antioxidant rich popcorn also becomes unhealthy if had with soft drinks (coke/pepsi).

Sprinkling of bhujia /sev as a garnish on poha/upma/ sandwiches…….also adds on to unhealthy fats.

Do not reduce the healthy properties of this foods by just choosing unhealthy accompaniments and garnishing.

Adding of butter or cream to soups, sauces to salads.

Healthy accompaniments and garnishes

Healthy accompaniments can be salads, fruits, nuts, dryfruit, lemon water, chass , fruit juice.

Healthy garnishes can be using herbs like coriander, mint, fennel, dill, and parsley.
It adds vitamin C, fiber, and folate to your dishes esp to salad, plus a cool, subtle licorice flavor. It also blends well with citrus fruits and tomatoes. Also traditional garnishes like coconuts, chopped dry fruits are healthy.

Some other suggestions are:-

You can cut fruits like strawberry, kiwi or vegetables like carrots, tomato, onions and cucumbers , in different shapes and decorate the dish either by placing it on the top or around the plate rim or even in a corner of the plate.

Choosing a heart-healthy salad dressing it's best to stick to a basic vinegar-and-olive oil or lemon juice based dressing, curd based dip can also be great.

 

Garnish soups with boiled sweet corn, spring onion, chopped colourful capsicum, which will enhance its flavor n taste.

Sprinkle shredded or finely cut basil, sage, parsley, or other herbs in the center of a bowl of soup, or puree the herbs with olive oil or yogurt for a flavorful green swirl.

Let ur imagination go wild…… Start making this unhealthy shift……..do share if u too have a habit of using such unhealthy accompaniments and garnishing with healthy dishes.

Makhana ( Phool Makhana/ Lotus seeds)

Makhana ( Phool Makhana/ Lotus seeds)

Makhana, Phool Makhana, Foxnut, lotus seeds, Gorgon nut,Euryale Ferox  different names, multiple health benefits.

This is a native Asian water plant and is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds. They look really beautiful! Almost like popcorn.

It  is an highly nutritious, fully organic non-cereal food, which is extensively grown in the stagnant water of wetlands, tanks, ponds lakes and ditches.

For geographical and climatic reason Bihar is the heaven for Makhana Production. Around 63% of the total Makhana production comes from Bihar . Makhana is superior to dry fruits such as almonds, walnut, coconut and cashewnut in term of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content.

Nutritive value of Makhana or Gorgon Nut

100 gm makhana contains 350kcal, 9.7gm easily digestible protein, 77gm carbohydrate, 12.8gm moisture, 0.1gm fat,  90mg phosphorus  & 1.4mg iron.

Health benefits

1. Makhana helps in Cardiac Protection.

2. It helps in building action in dysentery, frequent urination.

3. Makhana is anti-oxidant.

4. It is digestive for all age groups.  Due to its astringent property, it is relieves one from diarrhea and helps improve appetite.

5. 25 gram makhana a day means a healthy food/diet for the whole family.

6. Makhana regulates blood pressure, relieves numbness and aching near waist and knees.

7. It is suitable for arthritis, impotence and permature aging .

8.They are sweet to neutral in nature. They help to detoxify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood. 

9. It can also treat insomnia, palpitations and irritability.

10. It is also recommanded for the women during pregnancy and post natal weaknesses.It is a good galactogogue- very good for strengthining lower back muscles.

FOOD PREPARATION

The seeds (Makhana // Fox nut) can be eaten raw, cooked roasted or fried. In India, we roast it & add spices. It is much much better than popcorn!

Makhana can be consumed as dry fruit snacks by roasting . The popped seeds of Makhana can be roasted  & sprinkled with spices on it which proves a tastier, hygienic and digestive health snacks. Home made roasted makhana can help kids get rid of the junk chips .

Makhana Kheer - made of makhana is a tasty n healthy. It can be used in Pudding and other milk based sweets etc.

Dal Makhani & vegetable curries prove delicious when makhana is spread for taste and thickening object.

Makhana raita is very tastier and it is digestive in nature.

Makhana pulav can also be tried.

Palak makhana again is healthy and tasty.

PUJA & HAVAN

Being the GOD’s FOOD, makhana is used in all the worshipping ceremonies , puja, during fast, hawan due to its heavenly nature.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get Makhana  today!