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Healthy Eating: Instant Oats Spinach Dhokla

oats spinach dhoklaIf you enjoy eating Dhoklas, here is an extra healthy option for you. I’m about to share my twist on this Gujarati treat called the Instant Oats Spinach Dhokla! It is super quick and easy to make with almost zero oil and is very filling!

What You Will Need

  • Semolina (Rava) – 1 Cup
  • Roasted Ground Oats – 1 Cup
  • Besan – ½ cup
  • Chopped Coriander – 2 tbsp
  • Curd – ½ cup
  • Chopped Spinach – ½ cup
  • Chilly Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 tbsp
  • Turmeric – 1 tsp
  • Sesame Seeds – 1 tsp
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil (minimum)

How To Prepare Oats Spinach Dhokla

  1. Combine oats, besan, semolina and curd. Mix them well and add chopped spinach, coriander along with some water.
  2. Add chilly ginger garlic paste, turmeric and salt to the batter.
  3. Allow the batter to stay for 15-20 min and the semolina will soak all the water.
  4. After 15 min, add some water to make the batter medium thick.
  5. Put a steamer on medium flame.
  6. Lightly brush some oil over a plate and pour the batter in the plate, don’t forget to sprinkle sesame seeds over it.
  7. Keep the plate in the steamer and allow it to cook for 15 min nearly on medium flame.
  8. Once cooked, make small pieces using a knife and serve the Dhoklas hot with green chutney.

Highlights

  • These steamed Dhoklas will give you best combination of health and taste
  • Oats in the Dhokla will give you lots of fiber
  • This is a perfect go to snack for kids and you can turn it to a meal too

Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you’ve tried this recipe, take a pic and share it on your social media channels tagging GOQii!

For more healthy recipes, click here or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching.

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5 Life Hacks to Stay Motivated

motivatedSetting goals is easy but achieving them can be quite difficult. In between working towards your goals or giving up, the thing that keeps you going is motivation! That’s why knowing how to stay motivated is very important! Whether it is your health or career, you must focus on the long term. Here are some tips that will help you stay motivated and achieve your goals!

 1. Set SMART Goals

Try and set goals which are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, Tangible and Time bound). Be very clear as to what you actually want to achieve in how much time and keep your goal realistic. Try not setting larger goals in an impractical time period to be completed in as it can cause unwanted stress and demotivation. Here are more details on setting SMART Goals.

 2. Divide Goals into Smaller Parts

Try and take small steps which will facilitate fulfilling the long term goal set by you. If your smaller goals are achieved, it motivates you to move forward and accomplish the other goals which bring you closer to your main goal!

 3. Tap into People with Common Goals and Positive Attitude

When you feel demotivated or have just begun following your long term goal, try looking for people with similar goals as energy is something which is definitely transferred from one person to another. If the other person is performing well and is motivated, it motivates us as well! You can also read articles of people who have set goals and achieved them! It will motivate you.

 4. Take Responsibility

Once you have set a goal, talk to yourself every day about achieving it so your path isn’t hindered. It’s a little difficult to restart habits once they are left in between. Always tell yourself that it is a part of your everyday schedule and you can achieve the same. Taking responsibility gives you a sense of ownership over your health and can help you remain motivated.

5. Adopt a Positive Vocabulary

Your body listens to what you think and say. All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage. So instead of saying or thinking of phrases such as, “I may not be able to do it”, “not sure if I can”, or “I hate and dislike doing this”, try changing your vocabulary to “Yes I can do it”, “I am trying my best” and “I love doing this!” It will help you boost your motivation levels. Keep a positive attitude, use weak words for negative feelings and strong words for positive ones. 

If you have lost motivation at some point, try to follow the above points to help you get back into the groove! It’s not about how hard you fall but how fast you stand up. Remember that nothing is impossible!

Still low on motivation? Get the right guidance and motivation directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalized Health Coaching here.

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Lower Blood Pressure Naturally With Dietary Changes

lower blood pressure naturally

Hypertension, known as a silent killer, is simply the elevation of your blood pressure levels. It is majorly developed due to factors like a sedentary lifestyle, high salt intake due to processed and packaged food. But, the good news is that you can control it. You can manage to lower blood pressure naturally by making dietary and other lifestyle changes after consulting with your doctor. 

Foods That Help Lower Blood Pressure Naturally 

Let’s take a look at foods which are healthy and can help with the condition! 

  1. Green Tea: is associated with numerous health benefits. It is rich in polyphenols and catechins, which act as antioxidants to prevent cell damage, reduce inflammation, and protect heart health. Intake of green tea is associated with significantly lower levels of LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and blood pressure. You can have 1-2 cups of green tea daily one hour after a meal to maintain your blood pressure and to improve insulin sensitivity.
  2. Olive Oil: is packed with antioxidants like tocopherols, β-carotene, lutein which helps in relieving inflammation and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is rich in MUFA which promotes heart health and is linked with lowering blood pressure. In Indian cooking, you can safely use 1-2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil daily to sauté veggies, make salad dressings, etc.
  3. Fatty Fish: like salmon and tuna are rich with omega-3 fatty acids which aid in improving heart health. These fatty fishes and fish oil supplements are beneficial for lowering blood pressure, sugar levels and triglycerides. Consumption of fatty fish 2-3 times a week is good for heart health.
  4. Nuts: like walnuts, almonds are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids which lower total cholesterol, LDL (bad)cholesterol and blood pressure. It has minerals like magnesium and copper, Vitamin E, MUFA which protects against various heart diseases by reducing plaque formation and keeps your arteries clear. You can include 5-6 soaked almonds and 2-3 walnuts in your diet.
  5. Seeds: are the powerhouse of various nutrients, rich in omega-3 and omega -6 fatty acids which improve many heart disease risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Include flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and hemp seeds in your diet. Just make a mixture of these seeds and have 1-2 tsp daily by mixing them with nuts or adding them to your smoothies or salads. 
  6. Berries: are packed with antioxidants like anthocyanins which protect the heart from oxidative stress and help in maintaining normal blood pressure.  It also has polyphenols which improve blood pressure, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. You can add a handful of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries in your diet.
  7. Banana: The American Heart Association encourages people to increase the consumption of foods that contain potassium. Eating foods that are rich in potassium helps in lowering blood pressure levels better than taking supplements. You can slice a banana in your favourite cereal or oatmeal, make a smoothie or a shake for a potassium-rich addition.
  8. Pomegranate: is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Drinking a cup of pomegranate juice daily for four weeks can help lower blood pressure naturally. Early research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice helps to keep the arteries in the neck clear of the build-up of fatty deposits and improve blood flow to the heart.
  9. Tomato: is one of the important ingredients in our Indian cuisine which enhances the flavour and colour of dishes. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. New research claims that drinking a glass of unsalted tomato juice daily is a simple way to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also removes excess cholesterol,  plaque from arteries and increases the level of HDL Cholesterol.
  10. Garlic: is a pearl for Hypertension patients. Daily consumption of garlic for an extended period can reduce LDL Cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure significantly. It has allicin, allyl mercaptan, and diallyl disulphide which are very effective in controlling cholesterol and blood pressure. Eating 1-2 fresh, raw garlic is one among the herbal remedies for controlling high blood pressure.
  11. Oats: are a rich source of soluble and insoluble fiber. They are low in fat, low in sodium and contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber which lowers blood pressure. A review of 28 trials concluded that higher consumption of beta-glucan fiber may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Eating oats for breakfast/snacks in the form of oats porridge, oats upma, oats chila, is a great way to fuel up for the day.
  12. Beetroot: Drinking one glass of beetroot juice daily can significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Due to the high concentration of nitrates, it relaxes blood vessels and dilates them, which helps the blood flow more easily and lowers blood pressure. Both raw beet juice and cooked beets are effective to lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation. 

Apart from the above food options, you need to  control what you eat. Avoid sauces, pickles, coffee, packaged food, etc. and cut your salt intake to half a teaspoon daily. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol in excess as well. Before making any massive dietary changes, consult your doctor first!

If you want to check your vitals easily and efficiently, try the new GOQii Smart Vital which measures your SpO2, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. You can get more details here: store.goqii.com/smartvital 

We hope this article helps you! For more on hypertension and tips to lower blood pressure, tune in to live sessions by experts on GOQii Play or ask your GOQii Coach directly by subscribing to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

To know how simple lifestyle changes can help your reverse high blood pressure, listen to our player Digvijay Singh’s journey as he discusses the lifestyle changes he made with our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal.

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4 Essential Vitamins That You Should Consume This Winter

essential vitaminsWhile there are numerous reasons to love winter, it comes along with a few downsides. As there is less exposure to sunlight, it may arise out of weather beaten dry skin. Consumption of vitamin rich food or supplements will balance the effects of winter on the body. There are mainly 4 essential vitamins which should be given priority during winter.

4 Essential Vitamins For Winter 

1. Vitamin C
During winter, due to the changes in climate, we are more prone to cold and fever. So, eating more Vitamin C rich foods helps you to boost immunity. As it is necessary to maintain good body temperature in winter, the consumption of Vitamin C enriched food will aid in maintaining optimum body temperature. The main Vitamin C rich foods are citrus fruits like oranges, lemon and mosambi. Drinking a glass of lemonade daily will help to boost your immunity level. Apart from citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, pepper, strawberries and amla are also rich in Vitamin C. So, try to add these kinds of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet this season. 

2. Vitamin D
It is also known as the ‘Sunshine Vitamin’ as the main source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Therefore, diseases generated due to Vitamin D deficiency are most common during winter due to less exposure to sunlight. The main function of Vitamin D is the calcium regulation in our body, which means Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium in the body. The main sources of Vitamin D are eggs, milk, butter, and cod liver oil. During noontime, try to expose yourself to sunlight for at least 10-15 minutes. The best time for exposure to sunlight is 10am to 3pm. Vitamin D plays an important role in heart health and immunity as well.

3. Vitamin B
Also known as the super vitamins, they maintain cell health and keep you energized. Vitamin B is also called as B complex vitamins as there are various subcategories. The B complex Vitamins are B1- Thiamin, B2 – Riboflavin, B3- Niacin, B5- Pantothenic acid, B6- Pyridoxine, B7- Biotin, B9- folic acid, B12- cobalamin. These eight B complex vitamins differ in benefits. B1-Thiamine enables the body to use carbohydrate metabolism. B2- Riboflavin helps to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. B3- Niacin helps increase the HDL cholesterol and lowers the LDL cholesterol. B5- pantothenic acid helps in the formation of blood cells. Pyridoxine helps lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. B7- Biotin helps in keeping our skin, hair and nervous system healthier. B9- folic acid is a very important vitamin during the pregnancy period because it is essential for the formation of foetus’ brain, skull and development of the spinal cord. In one word, we can say folic acid is important to avoid foetus neural tube defects. B12 Cobalamin helps to treat Anaemia and bone issues like osteoporosis. Food sources include dark green leafy vegetables, meat, fish, egg, milk and cheese.

4. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that also acts as an antioxidant. During winter, Vitamin E plays an important role in caring for our skin because it helps prevent dryness. So, try to have a Vitamin E moisturizer with you. It acts as a skin care hero during winter and it hydrates your skin. Food sources include pumpkin, sunflower seeds and oil, avocado, almonds and spinach. 

Eating a balanced, healthy diet along with a few supplements will improve the negative effects of cold weather.  But it is always advised to take consultation from your doctor, nutritionist or dietician to figure out what dosage is right for you.

We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more winter tips, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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