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All about Wheat Grass and its benefits

wheatgrass

In the ancient days in India plants were used as a medicine to cure health issues. Later allopathy was invented and it made life simpler. During my days of college, I came across this magical grass called ‘Wheatgrass’ and it’s amazing benefits to our health.

Wheat grass itself cannot be eaten as it is hard to digest. Interestingly, it can be grown indoors and outdoors by putting wheat seeds in water and then harvesting the leaves; which also occupies less space. It is available in various forms such as juice outside parks, powders and in capsule form. But, the ideal way to have it is in the fresh juice form to get enough nutrients. Wheatgrass is used as a concentrated source of nutrients in powder and capsules.

Wheatgrass is a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese and Selenium, and has negligible amount of proteins.

Wheatgrass is generally considered safe. A word of caution as it may cause nausea, headaches, swelling to your throat due to the bacteria present in it (due to contamination) as it is grown in soil or water.

 Benefits :

  1. It is rich in chlorophyll (similar to haemoglobin) and iron which increases blood cell count.
  2. Lowers blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways.
  3. Wheat grass juice has alkaline minerals which reduces acidity also gastrointestinal tract problems.
  4. It detoxifies liver and the bloodstream.
  5. It has powerful ability to fight against tumors.
  6. If applied externally on the skin which eliminate itching immediately.
  7. It prevents hair from greying.
  8. It helps in stabilising blood sugar levels.
  9. Drinking wheat grass juice will help in clearing sinuses by breaking up the mucus.
  10. It helps in increasing immunity.

We trust this exploration into the wonders of wheatgrass has sparked your curiosity about incorporating this nutritional gem into your daily routine. Are you already a wheatgrass enthusiast, or are you inspired to give it a try? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. For further insights into holistic health and nutrition, check out Healthy Reads. If you’re seeking personalised guidance, connect with our certified experts through GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here. Embrace the goodness of wheatgrass and embark on a journey to enhanced well-being!

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Healthy Eating: Vegetable Stuffed Ragi Paratha

vegetable stuffed ragi parathaAre you getting the most out of your breakfast? Do you find it difficult to make it more nutritious? Today, let’s take a healthy twist on the normal wheat paratha! Let’s try a Vegetable Stuffed Ragi Paratha which will give your body a punch of calcium along with required minerals!

It is slightly different in color, but definitely worth the try!

What You Will Need:

  • Ragi Flour – 1 cup
  • Water – 1 cup
  • Cooked Peas – ½ cup
  • Shredded Carrot – ½ cup
  • Jeera – ¼ tsp
  • Mustard Seeds – ¼ tsp
  • Ginger Finely Chopped – 1 tsp
  • Curry Leaves Chopped – 1 tsp
  • Lemon Juice – 1 tsp
  • Coriander Leaves Chopped – 2 tbsp
  • Green Chillies – 1-2
  • Plastic paper
  • Oil
  • Salt to taste

How To Prepare

Vegetable stuffing preparation:

  1. In a mixture blender, add boiled peas, jeera, green chilies and make a coarse paste.
  2. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow it to crackle, then add ginger & curry leaves and fry it for few seconds.
  3. Once done, add the green peas mixture, carrot and salt. If the mixture seems dry, add a little water and sauté for a while.
  4. Now switch off the flame and add lemon juice along with coriander.

Paratha preparation:

  1. Put a pan on flame and add 1 cup of water in it along with salt. Once hot, add the Ragi flour and switch off the flame.
  2. Mix thoroughly with a spatula and allow the flour to rest for 5-7 mins.
  3. Knead the mixture well to make a soft dough after resting it.
  4. Make equal quantity of balls from the dough and flatten them.
  5. Dust a flattened ball in flour and roll it into a thin paratha on a plastic paper. Repeat the process for all balls.
  6. Now take one Ragi paratha, place the vegetable stuffing over it and spread evenly.
  7. Slightly wet the edges of the paratha and place another paratha over it and seal the edges by wetting your fingers.
  8. Dust with flour and slightly roll the paratha.
  9. Now heat a pan, brush some oil and allow the paratha to cook.
  10. Once golden brown, flip and allow it to cook on the other side.
  11. Your healthy, hot Vegetable Stuffed Ragi Paratha is ready! Serve it along with some raita.

Highlights of the Vegetable Stuffed Ragi Paratha

  • It’s a good switch from regular breakfast and it is quite nourishing for children too.
  • The wonderful combination of vegetables provides beta carotene and antioxidants.
  • Ragi is great for reducing blood cholesterol, managing blood sugar and aids weight loss too.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Do try it out and leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more delicious recipes with Ragi, click here! To get access to more healthier recipes and advice on nutrition, consult a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Beyond Counting: Unraveling the Real Story Behind Calories

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CALORIE- a term that haunts many of us …And Counting Calories was one such thing that drove me crazy in the last 2 years. Somehow I always felt and many of you will agree, that, all the tasty and delicious food of the world has tons of calories, whereas the ones which we don’t find tasty, has fewer..

Two years back when I started my weight loss journey, my greatest difficulty was keeping a count of calories all the time. But then, it seemed to be the only option to lose weight. I was told that my calorie intake should be between 1200 cal- 1500 cal. Left with no choice, I did that for quite some time. Opting for low calorie food, staying hungry, doing cardio but sadly, the result was minor weight loss with pain in my knees, low energy levels and pale skin.

I was unable to understand the reason for so many health problems.  I was eating a healthy low cal diet (which seemed to be healthy then), was doing 45 min of cardio followed by strength training. Hence, I started reading about calories and weight loss. But, all my reading led to more confusion and I finally decided to do a course in nutrition. And that is when my understanding about being fit and healthy started to evolve. My studies made me identify  the areas where I was lacking. I was so conscious of calories but was not paying any attention to food and its quality.

Calorie is just a unit of measurement for energy content. It tells us how much energy we get by burning the food. And I realized that I should keep the definition of it as it is in my mind, and not make it  the focal point of my fitness journey. Carbohydrates contain between 3 and 4 kcal per gram; proteins are about the same; fats contain approximately 9 kcal per gram. I was of the mindset that for weight loss to happen, I have to decrease the intake of calories and increase the output by staying physically active. But, things are not as simple as they appear.  There is much more needed for correct weight loss to happen and to have a lean and fit body. And that much more is NUTRITION. From where these calories are coming is something that matters the most. For example – if a person consumes 1200 calories from processed food and the other consumes 1200 calories from  balanced diet which has carbs, proteins , fats and fiber … which one do you think will experience weight gain ? The answer is known to all of us- obviously the one consuming  calories from  processed food. So yes, 1200 calories matters but, what matters the most is- what these calories do in and to our bodies and from where these calories are coming i.e. the quality of the food. Eating fewer and fewer calories does not result in better weight loss. When our body senses an energy deficit, it slows its metabolism by reducing the output of important hormones.

 I have stopped counting calories now.  My eating pattern has totally changed. My focus is in making my every meal more nutritious and balanced with the right combination of carbohydrates , fats , proteins and fiber..  I have been focusing on what my body tells me. I eat if I feel hungry because my body needs food then. I still want to look a certain way. I want to be healthy, lean and fit. But, at the same time, I do not want to harm myself in any way by not taking care of the nutrition part of food. I am confident about myself now, I know the weight loss is going to be slow but that does not matter to me anymore.  Weight is just a number and no weighing scale can judge or tell me my fitness in terms of numbers.  It’s me who can feel it. I know that what I am eating now is certainly having more number of calories  than earlier but now, these calories are coming from the food that my body needs.

Thanks to my diet, I feel energetic throughout the day, my stamina for running has improved. I don’t feel any joint pain and I am sure I will soon be running a marathon, (something that I have always wanted to do)

The journey from calorie counting to nutrition-focused eating is a transformative one. Discovering the true significance of food quality over mere numbers has reshaped the approach to fitness for many. As we celebrate the realization that health is not just about counting calories but nourishing our bodies, let’s embrace a holistic understanding of nutrition for a sustainable and vibrant life. Share your own journey in the comments below and inspire others on their path to well-being. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Empowering a Brighter Future: The Indispensable Role of Women’s Inclusion

 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, it’s crucial to take a moment to consider the progress we’ve achieved in advancing gender equality and acknowledge the hurdles that remain. Ensuring women’s participation across all sectors isn’t merely about justice or equality; it’s fundamental to creating strong, thriving, and fair communities. This occasion reminds us of the importance of inclusivity and the profound impact it has on our society.

The importance of women’s inclusion cannot be overstated. It’s a catalyst for economic growth, social development, and sustainable progress. When women are included in the workforce, politics, education, and other fields, they bring unique perspectives, skills, and solutions. This diversity of thought leads to more innovative and effective problem-solving, driving progress in every area of society.

Inclusion benefits everyone. Companies with higher levels of gender diversity on their executive teams are more likely to outperform on profitability and value creation. Women’s participation in politics leads to more inclusive policies and often a greater focus on social welfare and health. In academia, women educators and researchers contribute to a richer, more diverse educational experience, preparing students to thrive in a globalized world.

However, achieving true inclusion requires more than just opening doors. It requires dismantling the barriers that have historically kept women on the sidelines. This means addressing gender biases in hiring and promotion practices, providing support for women juggling career and family responsibilities, and creating safe, respectful environments where women’s voices are heard and valued.

Education plays a pivotal role in this process. By encouraging girls from a young age to pursue their interests in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)  leadership, and other traditionally male-dominated fields, we can start to shift the narrative. Mentorship and role models are also crucial; seeing women in positions of power and influence inspires the next generation to reach for the stars.

On a societal level, promoting women’s inclusion means challenging stereotypes and norms that limit women’s roles and opportunities. It’s about creating a culture that values diversity, respects differences, and recognizes the strength that comes from a multitude of perspectives. This cultural shift is essential for fostering an environment where women, and all members of society, can fully contribute to their communities.

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and renew our commitment to gender equality. It’s a call to action for individuals, businesses, governments, and NGOs to work together to promote women’s inclusion in every aspect of life. By doing so, we not only honour the spirit of this important day but also pave the way for a future where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.

The journey towards gender equality is long and complex, but the benefits of women’s inclusion are clear. It leads to stronger economies, more vibrant communities, and a more equitable world. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s commit to making women’s inclusion not just a goal but a reality. In doing so, we empower not just women, but society as a whole, to reach its full potential.

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