H2O Just Got Interesting: 5 New Waters You HAVE To Try

Coconut water has revolutionised the healthy drinks market since its introduction in the mid-2000s, but its time in the sun could be over with the introduction of a range of super-healthy competitors. We’ve rounded up five of the best new healthy waters that are so good for you, you’ll never look at H2O in the same way again.

Watermelon Water

If you can’t stomach the distinctive taste of Coconut Water, look no further than Watermelon Water for a sweeter alternative. As they’re 90% water, watermelons are a great source of hydration, and their juice is also abundant in antioxidants to help battle harmful free radicals in your body.
Made with the pressed juice from a watermelon, Watermelon Water is absolutely packed full of healthy nutrients, including more potassium in a single 250ml bottle than you’ll find in a whole banana.
This high potassium level is great news if you love working out – in a recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Watermelon Water was found to relieve post-workout muscle soreness and decrease recovery time.
Watermelon Water is also perfect for anyone looking for a quick jump-start in the bedroom. Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that boosts your libido and improves general cardiovascular and immune functions.

Maple Water

With the introduction of Maple Water, have we seen the end of Coconut Water’s monopoly over the healthy water market? The numbers don’t lie – Maple Water contains half the sugar (5g per 250ml) of Coconut Water and half the calories (20 per 250ml).
Perhaps best of all, it tastes a whole lot better as well. Forget the thick texture and overly sweet flavour of maple syrup. Maple Water is practically the same consistency as regular tap water, and has a barely noticeable subtle sweetness to it.
Tapped straight from maple trees, Maple Water is 100% natural, and contains no less than 46 essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and prebiotics. It boasts high levels of natural electrolytes, which help to replenish the minerals that your body loses when you sweat. Its combination of calcium, iron and manganese is also great for bone health.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera has long been used as a topical treatment for skin irritations – the ancient Egyptians were big fans over 5,000 years ago, referring to it as the ‘plant of immortality’. Recently however, it’s been discovered that the watery gel from inside Aloe Vera has plenty of internal benefits as well.
Aloe Vera Juice is created by separating the watery gel found inside the plant from the pulp that surrounds it. Just like when it’s applied to skin, the juice has an anti-inflammatory effect, which means it helps to sooth internal inflammation issues like IBS. This is down to a phytosterol found in Aloe Vera called ‘beta-sitoserol’, which is also used as a supplement by runners who want to reduce muscle swelling.
Despite its natural healing properties, the strong taste of Aloe Vera Juice isn’t up everyone’s street when drank on its own. To offset this, trying adding a dash of lemon juice.

Birch Tree Juice

Traditionally drunk as a healing tonic in eastern European countries, in recent years the watery sap from inside birch trees has emerged as a new healthy living super-drink called Birch Tree Juice.
Since then, birch tree harvesting has been refined to an exact science to make sure the product is as nutritious as possible. The sap is collected in spring, when mineral and micronutrient levels in the trees are at their highest, meaning you’re left with a drink that ticks pretty much every nutrient box there is.
In 2003, scientists at the University of California investigated the effects of a group of compounds called saponins, which are found in birch trees. They discovered that this group of chemicals lower cholesterol levels by preventing the absorption of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body.

Willow Water

Willow Water was first discovered in the 1100s by monks in the north west of England. They noticed the healing effects of an underground spring that they found, and promptly declared it to be holy water.
Nearly a millennium later, and science has finally given us an answer as to why this particular type of water is so good for you. As the water runs into the spring, it picks up mineral deposits from ancient willow trees, including a compound called salicin. Salicin is a natural anti-inflammatory found in willow bark, which provides relief for minor aches and pains and boosts the immune system.
Salicin also combines with the high levels of calcium in Willow Water to give your skin a boost, as well as strengthen your bones and teeth.
According to the folks over at Willow, all it takes is six weeks of drinking Willow Water for your skin to be noticeably healthier. If you don’t feel positively glowing and radiant after that month and a half, they’ll give you an extra six weeks’ worth of water completely free.https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/h2o-just-got-interesting-5-new-waters-try-080510917.html

Cooking with herbs and spices: Spanish rice with smoked paprika and venison sausage

 Spanish rice with smoked paprika and venison sausage

Related content photos

• Smoked paprika

Paprika is clay-red spice made from dried peppers. The peppers used may be sweet or hot and are usually air-dried, but smoked paprika uses peppers that have been dried over wood, with oak being the preferred choice. Smoked paprika is popular in Hungarian and Spanish cuisine and adds a deep red colour to dishes. However, the main attraction of smoked paprika is the unique earthy aroma and smoky flavour it adds to dishes. It's powerful stuff, so be sure to add just a little.

Smoked paprika can be used as a garnish and is often sprinkled over hummus just before serving, but the flavour is best when it is gently heated. It's rich in vitamin A, B6 and iron, and is often used as an ingredient in sausages and to add depth to stews. Try it in goulash, add a little to fresh pasta dough, combine with caramelised onions and stir through mashed potatoes, perk up your favourite chilli con carne, or try a smoky tomato paell
I like to combine it with ground cumin, black pepper and coriander for an easy rub for chicken or add a little to the oil I use to coat my roast potatoes, but my favourite way to use smoked paprika it is in Spanish rice. This is a simple dish that has a base of tomatoes, onions and garlic, and other ingredients are added to suit your own tastes.
Despite its name, it's not a dish that's known in Spain and seems to be most popular in the United States. My mum made this dish often throughout my childhood and I think what I like about it, aside from the delicious fresh flavours, is that it never tastes the same twice. The base is always the same, but then you're free to experiment by adding in different herbs, spicing it up with some chilli peppers, stir a variety of cooked vegetables through it, or serve it with prawns or chicken instead of sausage.
This recipe uses venison sausages as I like the strong flavour they bring and think they work well with the earthy paprika. I usually make extra and take some of this to work the next day - the smell of the smoked paprika as you heat your lunch in the staff kitchen will really make your colleagues jealous!
Spanish rice with smoked paprika and venison sausage (serves 4)
Ingredients:
200g of long grain rice
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 onions, peeled and sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
300g of venison sausages
200g of white mushrooms, sliced
Directions:
1. Cook the rice according to packet instructions. While the rice is cooking, heat the oil in a large pan and add the onions and mushrooms. Sauté over a medium heat for a few minutes.
2. Cut each sausage into 3 or 4 pieces and add to the pan with the onions. Cook for 7-8 minutes or until the sausages are cooked through. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and stir for a minute.
3. Add the tomatoes, bring the pot to the boil and simmer for a couple of minutes. Stir in the cooked rice and serve immediately.https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/cooking-herbs-spices-spanish-rice-smoked-paprika-venison-185800263.html

Comfort Eating Doesn't Work Says Science: Is Completely Wrong

Scientists run investigations into whether 'comfort food' such as unhealthy pizza, chocolate and cake really improves mood, and manage to completely miss the point

'Comfort eating does not work' says science, so step away from that tub you're emptying of ice cream and filling with tears.

Instead, it has discovered that most bad moods will get better on their own and food doesn't make a difference.

Er, Science, have you ever even BEEN in a bad mood?Pizza - Not a mood improver, apparently (Food Network)

Experiments deny food's importance

The research worked by putting 100 college students in the US in a bad mood (by the very scientific method of showing them sad clips from films) and then splitting them into groups to see how what they ate, or didn't eat, affected their mood.

And they found that it didn't really matter what they ate or if they ate at all. But as anyone who has emotionally eaten (even if you wouldn't consider yourself an 'emotional eater'), this experiment is, in our scientific opinion, complete rubbish.

Food is hugely important to us emotionally complex humans, and most women particularly will have had bouts where their relationship with it isn't the healthiest.

Whether it's restricting food as something to control in an otherwise rollercoaster life, to bonding with friends over a shared dessert or treating yourself to a take away when you've had a bad day at work, food is an important tool in our psychological make up.

Dr Pam Spurr says that around 70 per cent of women are 'emotional eaters' and that their mood can be a huge part of why healthy eating and dieting fails.

Because emotional eating isn't just having a cake when we're in a grump, it's a way to forget about problems, give yourself an instant mood boost and a fall back to deal with self esteem issues. It's certainly not about having a bar of chocolate after a sad film.Feeling grumpy? You could just wait it out... (REX)

Will any food do?

The research found that eating something seen as 'comfort food' such as pizza or ice cream, did make people feel better. But equally eating something a bit healthier improved mood too. That would suggest that it's more the process of eating that cheers us up.

But then, the students' moods improved with no food as well, suggesting it's really just a case of sitting it out until you feel better.

But if you're feeling down, which are you going to reach for - a carrot or a lovely slice of Victoria sponge?

The researchers have suggested that their findings could help people manage their weight. Perhaps if someone is told a cake won't make them feel better they'll opt for nothing or a healthier option?

But surely most of us who indulge probably already know that cake won't make us feel better in the long run, though that's not going to stop us enjoying it in the moment.

David Levitsky, a professor of nutrition at Cornell University suggested that experts just really don't get it, telling NPR: “We tend to look for a magic solution to our problems.

“The idea we can feel better by simply consuming certain foods is very appealing but in actuality, feeling better has nothing to do with the food itself, and it's a very weak psychological effect."

Weak psychological effect? Has David tried Green & Blacks Chocolate Orange Ice Cream?

Case closed. https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/comfort-eating-doesn-t-work-says-science--is-completely-wrong-113649636.html

Are stevia plant extracts safe?

Stevia-based sweeteners are purified extracts from the leaves of the stevia plant, called steviol glycosides, which is native to Paraguay.

Marketed as a "natural sweetener", manufacturers hope steviol glycosides will appeal to consumers looking for a healthier alternative to sugar.

The plant extract – which is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and is also calorie-free – has been used as a sweetener for many years in Asia and South America.

When used as a table top sweetener, steviol glycosides are often mixed with other artificial sweeteners for texture, and to mask their sometimes bitter aftertaste.

Steviol glycosides are approved for use in sugar-free soft drinks, jams, flavoured milk and other dairy products, cakes, desserts and alcohol, among other things.

When consumed, steviol glycosides are broken down into steviol, which is absorbed by the body. The body does not store steviol glycosides and they are rapidly eliminated in faeces and urine.

Steviol glycosides were approved by the EU in 2010 after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a comprehensive analysis of all the available evidence and concluded they were safe for human consumption.

Extensive research has been done on steviol glycosides, involving both humans and animals. After analysing all the available evidence, the EFSA's reviewing panel concluded that steviol glycosides are not carcinogenic, toxic or pose a risk to pregnancy or children.

Acceptable daily intake: 4mg/kg body weight. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/are-stevia-plant-extracts-safe.aspx

10 health benefits of stopping smoking

Smoking’s bad for your health, but exactly how does quitting make life better? Here are 10 ways your health will improve when you stop smoking.

The quitting timeline

• After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal.
• After 24 hours your lungs start to clear.
• After two days your body is nicotine-free and your sense of taste and smell improve.
• After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases.
• After two to 12 weeks, your circulation improves.
• After three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing improves.
• After one year your heart attack risk is half that of a smoker.
• After 10 years your lung cancer risk is half that of a smoker.

Quitting leads to better sex

Stopping smoking improves the body’s bloodflow, so improves sensitivity. Men who stop smoking may get better erections. Women may find that their orgasms improve and they become aroused more easily. It’s also been found that non-smokers are three times more appealling to prospective partners than smokers (one of the advantages, perhaps, of smelling fresh).

Stopping smoking improves fertility

Non-smokers find it easier to get pregnant. Quitting smoking improves the lining of the womb and can make men’s sperm more potent. Becoming a non-smoker increases the possibility of conceiving through IVF and reduces the likelihood of having a miscarriage. Most importantly, it improves the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby.

Stop smoking for younger looking skin

Stopping smoking has been found to slow facial ageing and delay the appearance of wrinkles. The skin of a non-smoker gets more nutrients, including oxygen, and can reverse the sallow, lined complexion that smokers often have.

Ex-smokers have whiter teeth

Giving up tobacco stops teeth becoming stained, and you'll have fresher breath. Ex-smokers are less likely than smokers to get gum disease and lose their teeth prematurely.

Stopping smoking lets you breathe easier

People breathe more easily and cough less when they give up smoking because their lung capacity improves by up to 10% within nine months. In your 20s and 30s, the effect of smoking on your lung capacity may not be noticeable until you go for a run, but lung capacity naturally diminishes with age. In later years, having maximum lung capacity can mean the difference between having an active, healthy old age and wheezing when going for a walk or climbing the stairs.

Quit smoking to live longer

Half of all long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Men who quit smoking by 30 add 10 years to their life. People who kick the habit at 60 add three years to their life. In other words, it’s never too late to benefit from stopping. Quitting not only adds years to your life, but it also greatly improves the chance of a disease-free, mobile, happier old age.

Ditch the cigarettes and feel less stressed

Scientific studies show that people's stress levels are lower after they stop smoking. Nicotine addiction makes smokers stressed from the ‘withdrawal’ between cigarettes. The pleasant feeling of satisfying that craving is only temporary and is not a real cure for stress. Also, the improved levels of oxygen in the body means that ex-smokers can concentrate better and have increased mental wellbeing.

Quitting smoking improves smell and taste

Kicking the smoking habit gives your senses of smell and taste a boost. The body is recovering from being dulled by the hundreds of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes.

Stop smoking for more energy

Within two to 12 weeks of stopping smoking, your circulation improves. This makes all physical activity, including walking and running, much easier.
Quitting also boosts your immune system, making it easier to fight off colds and flu. The increase in oxygen in the body makes ex-smokers less tired and less likely to have headaches.

Smoke-free homes protect your loved ones

By stopping smoking you'll be protecting the health of your non-smoking friends and family.
Passive smoking increases a non-smoker's risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. Second-hand smoke doubles the risk of children getting chest illnesses, including pneumonia, croup (swollen airways in the lungs) and bronchitis, plus more ear infections, wheezing and asthma. They also have three times the risk of getting lung cancer in later life compared with children who live with non-smokers.http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/smoking/Pages/Betterlives.aspx

The vegetarian diet

For vegetarians who eat dairy products and eggs, a healthy diet is the same as for anyone else but without meat or fish.

A healthy vegetarian diet contains plenty of fruit and vegetables and starchy foods, some non-dairy sources of protein such as eggs and beans, some dairy products and just a small amount of fatty and sugary foods.

Healthy eating

The eatwell plate shows you the different types of food you need to eat, and in what proportions you need to eat them, to have a balanced and healthy diet.
You do not need to get the balance exactly right at every meal, but try to get it right over longer periods, such as a whole day or week. Choose options low in fat, salt and sugar whenever you can.
As outlined in the eatwell plate, you should eat:

Plenty of fruit and vegetables

Try to eat at least five portions of fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced fruit and vegetables a day. As well as vitamins and minerals, fruit and vegetables provide fibre, which aids digestion and prevents constipation.

Plenty of potatoes, bread, pasta and other starchy foods

Starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, cereals, rice and pasta should make up about a third of the food you eat. Where you can, choose wholegrain varieties.
You should eat some starchy foods every day as part of a healthy balanced diet. Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet. As well as starch, they contain fibre, calcium, iron and B vitamins.

Some milk and dairy foods

Milk and dairy products, such as cheese and yoghurt, are good sources of protein, calcium and vitamins A and B12. This food group includes milk and dairy alternatives, such as fortified soya, rice and oat drinks, which also contain calcium.
To make healthier choices, go for lower-fat milk and dairy foods.

Some eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein

Pulses include beans, lentils and peas. They are a low-fat source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and they count as a portion of vegetables. Nuts and seeds are also a source of protein and other nutrients. Pulses are particularly important for people who do not get protein by eating meat, fish or dairy products.
Other non-dairy sources of protein include eggs and meat alternatives, such as tofu, mycoprotein (such as Quorn), textured vegetable protein and tempeh.
You need to eat a variety of different sources of protein to get the right mixture of amino acids, which are used to build and repair the body’s cells.

Just a small amount of foods and drink
high in fat and/or sugar

These include spreading fats, oils, salad dressings, cream, chocolate, crisps, biscuits, pastries, ice cream, cakes, puddings and fizzy drinks. Only eat a small amount of these foods. Foods in this group mainly provide energy in the form of fats and sugars, but may may only provide a very small amount of other nutrients.

Getting the nutrients you need

It's important to vary what you eat. Some nutrients are found in smaller amounts in vegetarian sources or are less easily absorbed by the body than those in meat or fish.
Contrary to popular belief, most vegetarians usually have enough protein and calcium (found in dairy products) in their diet.
However, if you don't plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients. For example, vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12 in their diets.

Being vegetarian during pregnancy and beyond

During pregnancy and when breastfeeding, women who follow a vegetarian diet need to make sure they get enough vitamins and minerals for their child to develop healthily.
If you are bringing up your baby or child on a vegetarian diet, you need to make sure they eat a wide variety of foods to provide the energy and vitamins they need for growth.

Getting enough iron

Vegetarians are more likely to have lower iron stores than meat eaters. Good sources of iron for vegetarians include:

• eggs
• pulses
• dried fruit
• dark-green vegetables such as watercress, broccoli and spring greens
• wholemeal bread
• fortified cereals (with added iron)  

Getting enough vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is needed for growth, repair and general health. Vitamin B12 is only found naturally in animal products. If you regularly eat dairy products or eggs, you probably get enough. However, if you only eat a small amount or avoid all animal products, it’s important to have a reliable source of vitamin B12 in your diet.
Good sources of vitamin B12 include:

• milk
• cheese
• eggs
• fortified yeast extracts such as Marmite
• fortified breakfast cereals and fortified soya products

Vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily those found in oily fish, can help maintain a healthy heart and reduce the risk of heart disease when eaten as part of a healthy diet.

 

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids suitable for vegetarians include:

• flaxseed (linseed) oil
• rapeseed oil
• soya oil and soya-based foods, such as tofu
• walnuts
• egg enriched with omega-3

Evidence suggests that vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids may not have the same benefits for reducing the risk of heart disease as those in oily fish.
However, if you eat a vegetarian diet, you can still look after your heart by eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day, by cutting down on food that is high in saturated fat and by watching how much salt you eat.http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Vegetarianhealth/Pages/Vegetarianmealguide.aspx

Five lifestyle tips for a healthy tummy

Digestive problems and stomach upsets can be prevented, relieved and even banished by simple lifestyle changes.

Beat stress to ease tummy troubles

You may have noticed a feeling of unease in your stomach during times of stress. That’s because anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion. In some people it slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds it up causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely.
Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like peptic ulcers (on the inside lining of the stomach or small intestine) and irritable bowel syndrome.
One solution is to avoid eating when you're feeling very anxious, stressed or unhappy. It also helps your digestion if you avoid arguing at the dinner table, as getting angry can put you off your food or make eating harder. Try to keep mealtimes happy and relaxed.

Stop smoking to prevent reflux

Smoking can weaken the muscle that controls the lower end of the oesophagus (gullet) and allow acid from the stomach to travel in the wrong direction back up the oesophagus, a process known as reflux.
Reflux causes the symptoms of heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest) and can bring on or aggravate peptic ulcers and inflammatory conditions of the bowel. Smoking is also an important risk factor for stomach cancer.

Eat properly to help your digestion

It is very easy to spend our working lives eating on the move or at our desks, gulping down food between meetings and then crashing out in front of the TV with a takeaway in the evenings. But eating this way can play havoc with our digestive system.
Following some basic rules can prevent problems:

• Don’t rush your food. Take the time to eat slowly. Try putting your fork down between bites and chew each mouthful well.
• Don’t overeat. Reduce the size of your portions at mealtimes, or try eating four to five small meals instead of three large ones.
• Eat regularly and try not to skip meals.
• Avoid eating a big meal just before you go to bed. Eat your last meal at least two to three hours before lying down.
• Make sure you have plenty to drink. Try to have at least one and a half litres (two and a half pints) of liquid a day.

Lose excess weight to beat heartburn

If you’re overweight, your tummy fat puts pressure on your stomach and can cause heartburn. Shedding some pounds may relieve digestive symptoms such as heartburn and other acid-related stomach complaints.
Check your weight using this BMI self-assessment tool

Binge drinking causes acid-related digestive disorders

Moderate drinking won’t hurt your digestive system, but binge drinking increases acid production in your stomach and can cause heartburn and aggravate other digestive disorders, warns Dr Anton Emmanuel.
Binge drinking is defined as drinking eight or more units of alcohol in one session for men, and drinking more than six units in one session for women.http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/digestive-health/Pages/lifestyle-tips.aspx

10 Best Indian Chicken Recipes

One of the most loved meats in India; chicken cooked in fiery desi flavors is a treat for the senses. Breathe in the aroma of traditional rustic spices - a sprinkle of cinnamon, the spark of garam masala and the heat of the Kashmiri chillies.

Easy to cook and fuss-free, on the platter are 10 novel recipes with unique textures that are sure to light up your dinner table. From tandoori Mughlai tikkas and the fragrant biryanis of the Nawabs to chicken doused in fresh coconut paste from down south, these recipes bring out the best of the ever so versatile meat!

Did you know that the human body can derive about 30 different nutritional substances from just 100 grams of chicken? Chicken is a great source of lean, low fat protein. It is also packed with selenium, a chemical known for its anti-cancer properties. The skin of the chicken is known to contain the maximum fat; therefore skinned chicken is preferred by many.


Amritsari Murgh Makhani

Chicken is a Punjabi cuisine favorite. Here's the recipe of one of it's most prized dishes. Boneless chunks of chicken lathered with a rich, buttery gravy of cream, tomatoes and spices.





Teekha Murg

For all the spice fans! Tender chicken spiked with fiery masalas, cooked in mustard oil with the tang of tomatoes to balance the flavours.







Murg Malaiwala

Chicken drumsticks laced with delicate flavors of cream, milk, saffron, rose petals and mild spices.








Kerala Chicken Roast

A crisp fried chicken recipe from 'God's own country'. A family favorite, serve with a generous squeeze of lime.








Chicken Chettinad

For the ones who love a fiery palette! Chettinad cuisine from Tamil Nadu is known to be the spiciest cuisine in India. Chicken tossed with southern spices and coconut-y paste.








Spicy Tangy Kadhai Chicken

A recipe with a melange of flavours - sweet, spicy and sour in one bite! Chicken seared along with bell peppers, tamarind, jaggery, lemon and a home made spice paste.








Chana Aur Khatte Pyaaz Ka Murgh

Chicken morsels cooked with pickled onions in a luscious gravy made with chickpeas. A combination of unique flavours!







Masaledar Chicken Lollipop

The oriental chicken lollipops get a desi makeover. Chicken wrapped in rustic spices and fried crisp. A great party starter!









Butter Chicken

Straight from a Punjabi kitchen, butter chicken has been an instant hit through the years. Marinated overnight, the chicken is roasted and cooked in tomato puree, cream and masalas. Enjoy the classic creaminess of the dish with this recipe.






Chicken Dum Biryani

A sumptuous chicken biryani cooked with such precision that none of the flavors are allowed to change color. 'Dum' is a slow cooking method brought in by the Mughals. Food is cooked in a 'handi', the lid sealed with flour and on low heat. The steam thus choked helps to cook the food.



http://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/10-best-indian-chicken-recipes-363628

10 Best Indian Breakfast Recipes

One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast."― Robert A. Heinlein, Friday

That's how important the first meal of your day should be for you. But we all know it isn't. Most of us just grab anything that comes our way and hurriedly gobble it while rushing for work. Then we make up by gorging on buttery parathas or oily noodles from the nearest Chinese van to compensate for a poorly consumed morning meal.

Breakfast can make or break your day - one doesn't realize this until you make it a daily habit and only then will you feel the difference. It's the fuel that charges you up and keeps you going for the rest of the day. After the night long hibernation mode that the body stays in, your morning meal is like a launch button that supplies energy to your system and keeps you pepped up for the day ahead.

A traditional western breakfast was loaded with bacon, eggs, pancakes, sausages - rich on palate but stacked with calories. In the recent past there has been a sudden surge in the healthy breakfast options. People have become doubly aware of the significance of good and wholesome breakfast in their daily diet plan.Tailor made breakfast options have therefore gained popularity. Now you have healthier options creeping on to your breakfast table, straight into your plate- from whole-wheat breads, oats pancakes to quinoa salads and soy milk.

Indian food tops the charts when it comes to nutrition. In fact, before turning to the popular food trends of the West, we should turn inwards to find tones of wholesome and healthy preparations of our own. The likes of it true of our desi breakfasts as well. From wholesome upmas, filling dosas, feather-light idlis to peppy parathas, traditional theplas and pohas, there is a mind-boggling variety to choose from.

How about waking up to a streaming bowl sambar curry with mushy idlis? Or chewing away to health with garden fresh poha or upma. We have chalked out a sensational breakfast menu that will guarantee you a balance of nutrition with Indian flavours. Easy to make and quick to serve, these recipes showcase the best of what India wakes up to every day- enjoy with us the big, fat Indian breakfast!
Oats Idli
Experience the goodness of feather-light idlis made of oats. Light up your boring mornings.
Dal ka Paratha

Put leftover dal to some use, stuff it in dough to roll out these perfect dal parathas.

Methi Ka Thepla

An all time Gujarati hit, team it with accompaniments of your choice and get the day going!

Moong Dal Cheela

Here are some nutrition packed Indian pancakes. Whip up a batter made of stocked with moong dal, paneer and veggies inside.

Moong Dal Cheela Recipe Video:

Misal Pav

A traditional Maharashtrian breakfast meal to start your day with. Get the most of flavourful vegetables combined with fluffy pavs.

Sali Par Edu

Start your day the Parsi way! An authentic breakfast preparation including crispy potatoes and eggs, what a meal to relish!

Rawa Upma

Suji upma cooked with fresh vegetables, spices, lentils, aromatic nuts and curry leaves. An addition of grated coconut at the top makes it an impeccable morning meal.

Namkeen Seviyaan
Give your mundane mornings a wake up call with versatile vermicelli! Enjoy this salty version of seviyaan cooked in minimal oil and truckloads of desi flavours.

Uttapam

Whisk together rice, urad daal, and spices to make a creamy batter. On to the pan, topped with onions, tomatoes and curry leaves.

Poha

An easy to make dose of your much needed morning nutrition, heaped with subtle flavours. Pressed rice is cooked with some of your favourite veggies, spiced up and seasoned to perfection.
http://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/10-best-indian-breakfast-recipes-592680

Stick to a healthy diet for weight loss

Cutting down butter and cheese, biscuits, cakes and crisps and going in for low-fat diet could help shed pounds, according to a new research.

In this way, people can get slimmer in six months without dieting. The more fat you stop eating, the more weight is lost, says a new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The results prove for the first time that weight loss is possible simply by choosing foods lower in fat despite a plethora of recent publicity extolling the benefits of low-carbohydrate and no-carb diets, the British Medical Journal reported.

Lee Hooper from UEA's Norwich Medical School, who led the study, said the regime led to consistent lower weight for at least seven years.

"The weight reduction that we found when people ate less fat was remarkably consistent - we saw it in almost every trial. Those who cut down more on fat, lost more weight," she said, according to the Daily Mail.

"The effect isn't dramatic, like going on a diet. The research specifically looked at people who were cutting down on fat, but didn't aim to lose weight - so they were continuing to consume a normal amount of food," added Hooper.

The systematic review included results from 33 randomized controlled trials, lasting six months to eight years, involving 73,589 men, women and children with varying states of health.

The effect on Body Mass Index (BMI) - a score showing whether people are overweight or obese - and waistline was measured after at least six months. The results show that eating less fat reduces body weight by 1.6 kghttp://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/stick-to-a-healthy-diet-for-weight-loss-304423

Skipping breakfast increases heart attack risk

Another reason to eat breakfast: Skipping it may increase your chances of a heart attack.

A study of older men found those who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack than those who ate a morning meal. There's no reason why the results wouldn't apply to other people, too, the Harvard researchers said.

Why would skipping breakfast be a heart attack risk? Experts aren't certain, but here's what they think: People who don't eat breakfast are more likely to be hungrier later in the day and eat larger meals. Those meals mean the body must process a larger amount of calories in a shorter amount of time. That can spike sugar levels in the blood and perhaps lead to clogged arteries.

The researchers did not ask what the study participants ate for breakfast and were not prepared to pass judgment on whether a fatty, sugary breakfast is better than no breakfast at all.

"We don't know whether it's the timing or content of breakfast that's important. It's probably both," said Andrew Odegaard, a University of Minnesota researcher who has studied a link between skipping breakfast and health problems like obesity and high blood pressure.

"Generally, people who eat breakfast tend to eat a healthier diet," he added.

The new research was released Monday by the journal Circulation. It was an observational study, so it's not designed to prove a cause and effect. But when done well, such studies can reveal important health risks.

The researchers surveyed nearly 27,000 men about their eating habits in 1992. About 13 percent of them said they regularly skipped breakfast. They all were educated health professionals -- like dentists and veterinarians -- and were at least 45.

Over the next 16 years, 1,527 suffered fatal or non-fatal heart attacks, including 171 who had said they regularly skipped breakfast.

In other words, over 7 percent of the men who skipped breakfast had heart attacks, compared to nearly 6 percent of those who ate breakfast.

The researchers calculated the increased risk at 27 percent, taking into account other factors like smoking, drinking, diet and health problems like high blood pressure and obesity.

As many as 18 percent of U.S. adults regularly skip breakfast, according to federal estimates. So the study could be important news for many, said Eric Rimm, one of the study authors at the Harvard School of Public Health.

"It's a really simple message," he said. "Breakfast is an important meal."http://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/skipping-breakfast-increases-heart-attack-risk-395913

Omega-3 fatty acids key to super heart health

Significantly higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids among middle-aged Japanese men appears to impart a protective factor that wards off heart disease, a study has revealed.

"Previous studies investigated substantially lower intake of omega-3 fatty acids than what people in Japan actually get through their diet. Our study indicates that the level of omega-3 fatty acids consumed must be higher than previously thought to impart substantial protection," said Akira Sekikawa, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health.

Marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids in fish, especially oily fish as well as in squid and krill, may help to reduce inflammation and slow the formation of fatty plaques in arteries. Researchers partnered with scientists in Japan, Hawaii and Philadelphia to follow nearly 300 men for five years.

They tracked multiple factors that affect cardiovascular health, including cigarette smoking, cholesterol levels, alcohol consumption, diabetes and high blood pressure. After accounting the risk factors for heart disease, US men had three times the incidence of coronary artery calcification as compared to Japanese men.

Meanwhile, the levels of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid in the blood were more than 100 percent higher in the Japanese men. The average dietary intake of fish by people living in Japan is nearly 100 grams each day. The average American eats about 7 to 13 grams of fish a day, or about one serving a week.

"I am not encouraging Americans to start consuming massive amounts of fish, which may have harmful contaminants such as mercury in their flesh," added Sekikawa. It is worthwhile to take another look at the effect of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease particularly when consumed at higher rates than previously investigated, suggested the study published in the journal Heart.http://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/omega-3-fatty-acids-key-to-super-heart-health-492136

This is One of the World's Healthiest Foods

If you speak to anyone trying to lose weight or looking to bulk up on essential vitamins and minerals, they'll tell you that flaxseeds are the ultimate powerhouse of nutrition. They're tiny nutty-flavoured seeds that not only taste good but have innumerable health benefits.

They're extremely versatile and can be sneaked into almost everything you eat. Linseeds or flaxseeds usually come in two different colours, brown and yellow, but the nutritional profile of both is absolutely identical.



Nutrient Chart

Flaxseeds are a source of three key nutrients:

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids, considered as essential nutrients that our body can't produce but needs to maintain good brain health and cognitive function.

2. Rich in Lignans - Lignans are naturally occurring forms of the female hormone estrogen and are found in certain foods.

3. Good source of Mucilage - Mucilage helps assures a healthy intestine and proper absorption of nutrients.

Benefits of Eating Flaxseeds:

1. Flaxseeds are good for the heart - Flaxseeds are rich in alpha linolenic acid which prevents inflammation and protects blood vessels from damage. Researchers showed that regular intake of these seeds lowers LDL (low density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) and increase levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein or good cholesterol).

2. Flaxseeds are rich in antioxidants - Flaxseeds are significantly higher in antioxidants compared to fruits or vegetables. Adding flaxseeds to your diet boosts your overall and also helps in delaying ageing.

3. Flaxseeds prevent cancer - Studies show that eating flaxseeds reduces the risk of breast cancer, prostate and colon cancer.

4. Help with digestion and weight loss - Flaxseeds are high on fiber which is why they help in relieving constipation. They also leave you feeling full which stops you from overeating.

5. Flaxseeds are extremely good for glowing skin and healthy hair because of the high amount of omega 3 fatty acid present in them.

Flaxseeds and Women's Health

Listen up ladies! Flaxseeds with their wonder properties are a brilliant solution for all kinds of hormonal problems. Due to their high content of lignans, flaxseeds help reduce high levels of estrogen and also boost low estrogen levels. They can help reduce menopausal symptoms, such as flushing and night sweats. Flaxseeds can also help women with irregular periods and those with extreme symptoms of PMS - for example, headache, anxiety, mood swings etc. They also help in controlling heavy bleeding during menstruation, reduce the risk of breast cancer and improve uterine function.

How to Use Flaxseeds
Grind the flaxseeds, store them in air tight container and use them in any of the following ways:
a. Add grounded flaxseeds (1tsp) while kneading dough for chapattis, bread or biscuits.
b. Add half a teaspoon of flaxseeds in porridge, oats or muesli.
c. Sprinkle flaxseeds on salads, cooked vegetables or cooked dals.
d. Mix flaxseed in smoothies or curd.

Top Recipes:

Flaxseed Smoothie
Ingredients
2 Tbsp flaxseeds
1 cup flavored soya milk
1 cup chilled and roughly chopped strawberries
1/2 cup chilled and roughly chopped bananas
2 tsp honey
Garnish: 2 strawberries and 2 bananas slices

Method
1. Add strawberries, bananas, flax seeds and honey in soya milk, blend in a juicer till the mixture is smooth and frothy.
2. Pour equal quantities of the smoothie into 2 individual glasses.
3. Serve and garnished with a strawberry and banana slice.

Flaxseed Raita
Ingredients
1 cup bottle gourd, thickly grated
1 cup low-fat curd, fresh beaten
1/2 cup mint leaves, finely chopped (pudina)
1/4 tsp roasted cumin seeds (jeera)
1/4 tsp black salt
1 1/2 tbsp roasted and coarsely ground flax seeds
Salt to taste

Method
1. Combine the bottle guard with one cup of water. Cover and cook on a medium flame for 4 to 2. Combine all the ingredients, including the cooked bottle gourd in a deep bowl and mix well.
3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and serve chilled.http://cooks.ndtv.com/article/show/this-is-one-of-the-world-s-healthiest-foods-588963?utm_source=taboola