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!

MOOLI (RADDISH) MAGIC

MOOLI (RADDISH) MAGIC

In hot summers raddish is one of the most cooling food to have. I know most of you reading would feel oh mooli i don’t like it!!!!!!!!

Radishes are available in various varieties, with white, red, or black roots of different shapes and sizes. Being a fast growing plant, they can be ready for harvest in less than a month.
 
The best quality roots are produced in spring or fall when temperatures are in the range of 50 to 65°F, with ample moisture.


Here are a few interesting ways to incorporate raddish in your diet.

─ cut raddish into strips, rub some lemon and pepper onto it, leave it for 20 minutes and then stir – fry in mustard oil, adding salt, red chillies and amchoor, till all the water dries. Makes for a great starter.

─ khatte lachhee (Punjabi style)

Grate mooli, chop the leaves finely, add a few green chillies, salt and garnish with sweet n sour date and tamarind chutney.

─ mooli raita ( grated mooli mixed with curd n chaat masala), is very cooling and not smelly at all.

─ mooli salad with pomegranate

Chop the leaves n the tuber really fine, add lots of lemon juice, a dash of chaat masala and salt and throw in the pomegrantes

─ mooli parathas n pudina raita

Radishes are also a healthy and low calorie way to cure jaundice, urinary disorders, fever, insect bites and kidney disorders. 

They are powerhouse of various nutrients like potassium, folic acid, ascorbic acid, magnesium, copper,  riboflavin, Vitamin B6. A cup of sliced red radish bulbs provide approx. 20 calories or less.

Now all you have to do is just add one serving of radishes to your diet this week!

7th APRIL WORLD HEALTH DAY

7^th APRIL WORLD HEALTH DAY

World Health Day 2012: ‘Add life to years, not years to life’ says WHO India

Ageing and health - to which each and every one of us can relate - is the theme of this year's World Health Day

Using the slogan "Good health adds life to years", here is a checklist which will help you in analysizing how healthy you are!!!

1.Climb up to the 2^nd floor of your building and then check your rate of heart beat. 

If your beat is high and you are unable to catch your breath even after 2 minutes of deep breathing, your level of cardiovascular fitness is low.

2. Ask yourself when was the last time you ate a fruit.

 3. Are potatoes the only vegetables in your house???

4. How much alcohol do you drink? Keep an eye on the amount and have a regular kidney check up.

5. If  you have a family history of diabetes a annual blood sugar and insulin check is a must after the age of 26yrs.

6. If you lead a sedentary life regular blood pressure and lipid profile check up is needed.

7. If you are a frequent(>2 times a week) non-veg eater annual uric acid and lipid profile is a must.

8. Menopausal women, make sure you have an annual pap test (for cancer), mammography & bone density test for osteoporosis.

9. For young mother haemoglobin and calcium check ups will help control health problems after delivery.

10. Maintain a food dairy. Check things like how much sugar you consume in a day, how often you eat fried foods.

11. If you are unable to get enough sleep for more than a month, your body will be less able to regenerate itself and you will be more likely to suffer from breakdown

The best way to manage your health is to have a full annual check up done and also pay attention to signals your body sends.

5 GREAT WAYS TO BURN MORE FAT

5 Great ways to burn fat from Shilpa Mittal

5 GREAT WAYS TO BURN MORE FAT

This information will enable you to be more prudent in your choice of foods and also in the way you design your eating habits. 

So gear up for burning those extra fat 

1.Eat your breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. As the name suggest breakfast means breaking the overnight fast, after 8–12 hours without food, the brain and muscles need "energy" to function. A good breakfast should be rich in both carbs and proteins and meet  1/3^rd of the day’s calorie requirement. A healthy breakfast refuels your body and  may reduce your hunger pangs later in the day. Break the Fast to Shed the Pounds

2.Increase your muscle mass!

The more lean muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn even at rest. Double up on your cardio training (around 45-60mins).

3.Do not eat poor quality carbohydrates before bed time.

Poor quality carbs are those that contain sugar or are highly processed like cakes, pastries, cookies, biscuits, chocolates.

4.Never let yourself get too hungry or too stuffed. 

It really is all about moderation. Time your meals so that you eat before you are straving. Skipping meals in general can lower your metabolism, decrease your lean body ... Excess energy intake (from foods and beverages) that is not used at that time will be stored as fat!

5.Eat more fiber foods and Hydrate well. 

Fiber not only promotes overall general health, but also can significantly aid in your fat burning efforts. If you are not fully hydrated, your metabolism will slow down and you won’t be burning calories as efficiently as you can!  Water is the ticket to a successful cleanse.