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Refreshing and Healthy Iced Tea Recipes

iced tea

Water is probably the best drink you can have during a hot summer day! Drinking at least 2 litres of water or more during the day helps your body dissipate excess heat – especially if you’re exposed to a high-temperature environment. A lot of people struggle with drinking water and rather opt for beverages full of sugar. Instead of hydrating on drinks detrimental to your health, why not opt for some tasty and healthy Iced Tea? Let’s look at some thirst-quenching recipes. 

1. Rose Iced Tea 

Ingredients: 

  • Handful or rose petals fresh or dried
  • Cardamom – 2 crushed 
  • Green Tea – 1 bag 
  • Raw honey – 1-2 tsp 
  • Hot water – 1 cup 
  • Ice cubes or chilled water 

Method: 

  1. Put rose petals, crushed cardamom and a green tea bag in a glass jar. Pour 1 cup hot water over this. Let this sit for 15-20 minutes. 
  2. Remove the tea bag after 3-5 minutes if you don’t want to make it very strong. 
  3. Add raw honey or any sweetener of your choice (avoid processed sugar) and mix well.
  4. Strain the rose petals. Fill a glass ¾ with ice cubes & pour this tea over ice cubes or add chilled water. Your refreshing rose tea is ready! 

2. Fennel Coconut Tea 

Ingredients: 

  • Fennel seeds – 1 tbsp 
  • Coconut water – 1.5 cup chilled 
  • Green tea – 1 bag 
  • Raw honey – 1 tsp 

Method: 

  1. Heat 1 cup water in a saucepan. Add fennel seeds & boil until it reduces to half. 
  2. Add the green tea bag for a few minutes. 
  3. After a few minutes, remove the teabag and strain the tea in a tall glass. 
  4. Add raw honey and mix well. 
  5. Pour over chilled coconut water and enjoy.

3. Apple and Cinnamon Tea 

Ingredients:

  • Apple – ¼ cup chopped or thinly sliced 
  • Cinnamon – 2-inch stick 
  • Cardamom – 1 crushed 
  • Green tea – 1 bag 
  • Raw honey – 1 tsp 
  • Water – 2 cups 

Method: 

  1. Boil 2 cups of water with cinnamon and cardamom for 5 minutes. 
  2. Turn off the gas, add a teabag to this and cover for 5 minutes. 
  3. Put apple slices in a glass jar and pour the boiled mixture over this after removing the teabag. 
  4. Add honey and mix well. Keep this in the fridge for minimum of 30 minutes to let the flavours infuse. After 30 minutes, strain and serve.

4. Pineapple and Ginger Iced Tea

Ingredients:

  • Pineapple – ¼ cup finely chopped 
  • Ginger – ½ inch thinly sliced 
  • Mint leaves – 4-5 
  • Lemon juice – 1 tsp 
  • Green tea – 1 bag 
  • Raw honey – 1 tsp 
  • Hot water – 1 cup 
  • Ice cubes

Method: 

  1. Put all the ingredients, except honey and ice cubes in a glass jar. 
  2. After 5 minutes, remove the green tea bag, add honey and mix well. 
  3. Let this sit for another 30-60 minutes at room temperature. 
  4. Now fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes, strain and pour the tea mix.

5. Orange Peel Tea

Ingredients:

  • Peel of half an orange or kinnow
  • Water – 2 cups
  • Green Cardamom – 2 crushed 
  • Cloves – 2 
  • Cinnamon – 2 inch stick 
  • Green tea – 1 bag 
  • Raw honey – 1 tsp 

Method: 

  1. Boil cardamom, cloves and cinnamon with water for five minutes. 
  2. Kill the flame and add the green tea bag and orange peel in this. Cover for 5 minutes.
  3. Strain the mixture, add honey and let it cool in the fridge for 30 minutes at least before serving.

Tips and Highlights of the Iced Tea Recipes 

  • These recipes can help you fight inflammation, boost digestion, improve immunity and also aid you in removing toxins. 
  • These iced tea recipes can be a great addition to your routine to curb hunger pangs and promote weight loss. 
  • If any of these flavours become your favourite, you can lock in those flavours in the form of ice cubes and preserve it for a few days to enjoy it without waiting. 

We hope you try these recipes and enjoy them. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads. You can also get customized recipes and diet plans tailored to your health goal, directly from a GOQii Coach, by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Hydrate well and #BeTheForce 

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Healthy Eating: The Ultimate Satiety Milkshake Recipe

Ultimate Satiety Milkshake RecipeIf you’re looking for a snack or something to fill in your mid meals or the perfect way to start your day, look no further! Here’s a healthy and delicious ultimate satiety milkshake recipe, loaded with all the essential nutrients in one power-packed glass! The best part of this recipe is that there is “no added sugar” – so you can enjoy this treat completely guilt-free during summer. 

What You Will Need:

  • Milk – 200 ml
  • Dates – 3
  • Anjeer – 2
  • Almonds – 5
  • Walnuts – 5
  • Chia seeds – 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon powder – ¼ tsp

Note: You can use basil seeds (soaked for 30 min) instead of chia seeds or 1 tsp of roasted flax seeds (add this while you blend the shake and not after).

How To Prepare:

  1. Add chia seeds In a glass of water and allow this to soak overnight or for 5-7 hours. While making the milkshake, strain the excess water and keep the soaked chia seeds aside. Also soak the anjeer, walnuts and almonds overnight or for 2-3 hours.
  2. In a mixer jar, add dates, walnuts, almonds and anjeer – blend them finely. Slowly add the milk and give it a blend.
  3. In a glass, pour the dry fruit milkshake, add the soaked chia seeds on top and sprinkle the cinnamon powder.

Highlights of the Ultimate Satiety Milkshake:

  • The seeds provide the required healthy fats and a lot of fiber. These components keep you fuller for longer. 
  • Rich in protein and good carbs.
  • A glass can keep you full for 2 hours minimum.
  • You can also add fruits to up the nutritional value of this milkshake. Albeit, diabetics should avoid adding fruits. 

We hope you enjoy this ultimate satiety milkshake recipe. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more awesome recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year Celebrations!

4 Healthy Recipes for Christmas and New Year'sFestivities always cause a dilemma in terms of what to eat, what to avoid and how much to eat. It’s seldom hard to resist good food. But if you have health goals to adhere to, and are looking for something nutritive, we’ve got you covered! Here are 4 healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year that you can try. They are easy to cook, delicious and absolutely healthy!

Let’s get started!

4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year 

1. Gourmet Almond Eyes (Almond Cookies)
Whether it is for someone you love, for your granny or your family and friends, these nutritious almond, jam-filled cookie bites will prove to your loved ones how much you care about them and their health.

Ingredients (For about 40 cookies)

  • 1/4 organic lemon
  • 200g (8 oz)  flour
  • 150g (6 oz)  butter
  • 100g (4 oz)  sugar
  • 1/2 pack  vanilla sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 100g (4 oz)  ground almonds
  • 175g (7 oz)  jam

Method:

  1. Grate the lemon rind. Knead it with flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, the egg and the almonds to form a smooth dough.
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas 4). Roll out the dough thinly in portions between two sheets of grease-proof paper. Cut out the biscuits. Cut out holes in the center of half of them. Bake on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper for about 12 minutes.
  3. After they cool off, spread jam (e.g. strawberry jam) on those without holes. Place the biscuits with the holes on top. Optionally, sprinkle with icing sugar.

Facts:
Preparation: 45 minutes
Baking: 12 minutes
Calories per cookie: 60 kcal

2. Christmas Apple Cake
Eating an apple a day in winter provides many benefits for our health. The yellowish flesh in nectarines is rich in bioflavonoids, especially carotenoids. These pigments are antioxidants that can help protect you against cancer and other diseases by reducing the cellular damage that is caused when the body burns oxygen. The antioxidant in nectarine which includes vitamin A, vitamin C and beta-carotene can prevent cancer and oral cancer.

Apple also helps one reduce weight – nectarines are low in calorie fruit, which makes it a perfect food for people who want to lose weight. It contains fewer calories with no saturated fat, fibers in apples suppress hunger and aids in weight loss.

If you are thinking what to make this Christmas and for your New Year’s Eve party, here is a recipe for Apple Cake that is moist and yummy with a rich sweet butter sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 medium tart apples, peeled and grated.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg

Method:

  1. In a mixing bowl put cream, butter and sugar and then beat in an egg and vanilla.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
  3. Stir in apples and walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking dish.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugars and cream.
  6. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  7. Reduce heat and keep it on simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over warm cake.

 

3. Chicken and Bell Pepper Tomato Chilli Stir Fry

Ingredients: 

  • Chicken breast – 2
  • Salt and pepper – 1
  • Cake flour – 1
  • Red chilli pepper – 1
  • Vegetable oil – 2 Tsp
  • Vinegar- 1 tbsp
  • Sweet chilli sauce – 2 tbsp
  • Ketchup – 2 tbsp
  • Bell pepper

Methods: 

  1. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with salt, pepper and flour.
  2. Coat a frying pan with vegetable oil, add the red chilli pepper and fry the chicken until golden.
  3. Add the vinegar and steam the chicken.
  4. Chop the bell peppers into 2 cm pieces, add to the frying pan and fry.
  5. Season with the sweet chilli sauce and ketchup.

Benefits of Chicken: Chicken is a great low-fat source of protein and the B vitamin niacin. Protein  is often used in cutting diets and it’s good source of lean protein

4. Christmas Baked Brown Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is for those who love homemade food as it has the appeal of homemade comfort food!

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • 1/3 cups raisins
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

  1. Place uncooked rice in a 3-quart saucepan, and add water. Bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  4. In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well.
  5. Stir in rice and raisins.
  6. Pour into a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes; stir pudding and sprinkle with nutmeg.
  7. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean.
  8. Enjoy your warm pudding.

Servings per Recipe: 11

Benefits of brown rice:

  • It lowers the risk of developing diabetes
  • It’s high in fiber
  • It’s a good source of magnesium and selenium
  • It can prevent weight gain
  • It can lower cholesterol
  • It offers many cardiovascular benefits
  • It reduces the risk of childhood asthma
  • It promotes bone health.

And that’s all! Do try these healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year’s and share your pictures with us on social media by tagging GOQii. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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Healthy Christmas & New Year Eve Recipes

Healthy Christmas & New Year Eve RecipesIt’s that time of the year when you reconnect with your loved ones for celebrations such as singing carols, dancing and most importantly – food! As we are nearing the closure of this year, I am drowned in sweet memories of Christmas Celebrations at school and with my friends and family. It’s a time to gorge on some festive food. But, the dilemma with most is how do you gorge on food and yet keep it healthy. After pondering over it for the past few days, here are some recipes which I have planned for my Christmas and New Year Eve parties.

Healthy Low Fat Christmas & New Year Eve Recipes

Cauliflower and Leek soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 leeks, sliced
  • 1 carrot, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cauliflower, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks, carrot and onion. Stir a little and cover. Let the leeks cook till they’re soft for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the cauliflower and stir to coat. Turn heat to high.
  3. Add a little water, basil and bring to the boil, then cover and let it simmer on low heat.
  4. Puree the soup with a hand blender.
  5. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  6. A dash of nutmeg helps in stimulating taste buds.

Nutritional Value: This is a low-calorie soup that is rich in folic acid and soluble fiber. Basil and nutmeg act as super foods for immunity building.

2. Stir-fried green beans: An Accompaniment For The Soup

Ingredients:

  • 100 gm Green French beans
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Sesame seeds
  • Grounded pepper
  • Rock salt
  • Oregano

Method:

  1. Heat oil in a pan
  2. Add sesame seeds and allow them to splutter
  3. Add the beans and sauté
  4. Put some salt, pepper and cover the lid
  5. Cook for 5-7 mins until it’s a little soft with some of the bite remaining
  6. Sprinkle some oregano and serve

Nutritional Value: The best side dish that is full of fiber and protein. Also works as a low-calorie snack.

3. Chicken, Kale & Sprouts Stir Fry

Ingredients:

  • 100 gm kale
  • 2 lean chicken breasts shredded
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1-inch ginger shredded
  • Red pepper thinly sliced
  • Handful Brussel sprouts
  • 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 lemon juice and lemon zest

Method:

  1. Cook kale with a good splash of water for 1-2 mins until soft, yet a little crunchy. Once done, cool under running water to keep the color.
  2. Add half the oil and cook the chicken strips until brown, then remove and set aside.
  3. Heat the remaining oil and fry the ginger, pepper and sprouts until they’re a little soft.
  4. Add all the above together and tip in the soy, lime zest and juice. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Value: This dish is a good combination of lean protein and fiber. Adding ginger and lemon makes it digestive. A good recipe for a snack or salad or as a main course with some brown rice.

4. Whole Wheat Flour & Ragi Cake

How can you host a party without dessert? Ditch the calorie-laden and not so healthy maida and give a healthy twist to your cake!

Ingredients:

  • Ragi Flour – 3/4 cup
  • Wheat Flour – 1/4 cup + 1 tsp
  • Baking Soda – 1 Tsp
  • Jaggery – 1/2 cup
  • Palm Sugar – 1/2 cup
  • Oil – 1/4 cup
  • Curd – 1/tsp
  • Water – 1/4 cup
  • Banana – 2(Ripe)
  • Raisins – 15
  • Badam – 8
  • Butter – 1 tbsp

Method:

  1. Remove gasket and whistle of the cooker and keep it on low flame. This is to bring the preheat effect of the oven (20-25 minutes would do)
  2. Heat water in a saucepan and add jaggery (powdered/grated) and palm sugar and let it dissolve and filter.
  3. Mash the bananas and leave aside
  4. In a bowl, sieve both the flours together and add 1 tsp of baking soda and mix well.
  5. In another bowl, add the jaggery + palm sugar mixture, mashed banana, curd, oil and beat them well.
  6. To this, add the flour mixture and beat/mix well.
  7. Add the raisins and almonds and mix well.
  8. Grease the tin and pour the mixture
  9. Place a stand/plate inside the cooker and then place the cake tin.
  10. Close it and let it cook for 5 minutes in medium flame.
  11. After 5 minutes, keep the flame slow and let it cook for 30-40 minutes.
  12. Use a toothpick to check if the cake is completely cooked. When you prick the cake deep inside, the toothpick will come out clean when the cake is completely cooked.

Nutritional Value: Low calorie with the goodness of calcium from Ragi. Eat it guilt free!  

5. Crusty Pita Bread & Chickpeas: A quick snack

Ingredients:

  • Pita bread or a multigrain bread
  • Boiled chickpeas
  • Chopped onions, coriander, green chillies
  • Lemon zest and lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Other herb seasonings

Method:

  1. In a bowl mix all the above ingredients and set aside.
  2. Toast the pita or the multigrain bread.
  3. Put this mixture and have it like that or you can toast them in a sandwich.

Nutritional Value: Low-calorie, protein-rich and good carbs snack. 

6. Christmas Balls

Ingredients:

  1. Dark chocolate
  2. Dry fruits mix (coarsely ground)
  3. Honey
  4. Sesame seeds (for coating)

Method:

  1. Take a bar of dark chocolate and melt it in hot water (boil some water and keep the second bowl in hot water and put the chocolate bar)
  2. Put all the ingredients together, except the sesame seeds and make small balls.
  3. Now coat these balls with the sesame seeds when still wet.

Nutritional Value: Have these with no hesitation as they are full of antioxidants and the richness of dry fruits.

We hope you enjoy these healthy Christmas and New Year Eve Recipes that will surely liven up your party. Try them out and let us know your experience in the comments below! For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

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