CHARMI GOGRI, Author at GOQii

September 2, 2018 By CHARMI GOGRI 2 Comments

Healing power of herbs and spices-Part 2

I hope you found the first part of the blog interesting enough for you to come back and read Part 2. Herbs and spices have always been used by our ancestors and grandmothers as home remedies. They have found cure for any ailment purely through herbs and spices. Today, slowly and steadily we are getting back to our roots. This is one of the reasons why I got down to researching on herbs and spices. In this Part two we will talk of herbs and spices such as Mint, Himalayan salts, Parsley, Paprika to name a few…

Dill: Dill has much more to offer than just serving the ornamental purpose in the gardens. Due to its anti-bacterial nature, helps in killing harmful intestinal bacteria, E.coli. The seeds also contain substantial amounts of calcium, and regular intake of dill seeds may help to boost bone strength and prevent One outstanding use of dill is in treating hiccups. Hiccups occur for various reasons, but most likely, they occur due to trapped gas and repeated upward movement of gases through the food pipe. It can also be caused due to certain allergies, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity and nervous malfunctioning. Dill helps the expulsion of gases and also reduces gas formation at the same time it helps to calm down hiccups due to allergies, hyperactivity, or nervous disorders.
Fennel Seeds : It’s most popularly used as a breath freshener but has many health benefits attached to it. They are highly beneficial in relieving digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, flatulence, constipation, colic, intestinal gas, heartburn, and even irritable bowel. Also, Fennel is excellent for combating obesity as it suppresses the appetite and creates a feeling of fullness. Phytoestrogens present in fennel seeds helps to deal premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain and menopausal disorders. Apart from these, fennel is traditionally used as a galactagogue to promote lactation in nursing mothers.
Himalayan Salt : Gorgeous pink colored salt is much more beneficial over regular table salt. These light pink crystals are full of minerals. In fact, they come packed with over 80 minerals and elements that have shown to create an electrolyte balance within your body, strengthen bones, lower blood pressure, prevent muscle cramping, and improve circulation. On the other hand common table salts are stripped of any extra minerals. Adding to other crucial benefit, Himalayan salt is also lower in sodium than regular table salt which is one of the deadly nutrients when it comes to heart disease.
Mint: Mint, the well known mouth and breath freshener, is an herb that has been used for hundreds of years for its remarkable medicinal properties. The menthol present in it activates digestive system, helps to calm stomach cramps, beat acidity and flatulence. Mint has a very strong smell that has ability to open up nasal passages and airways to allow relaxed breathing. It is also an expectorant and helps the expulsion of phlegm. Its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help relieve inflammation along the respiratory tract. Since mint leaves purify the blood and have an anti-spasmodic effect on the soothe muscles of our body, it is a great remedy to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps.
Mustard Seeds: Mustard seeds have been valued for their therapeutic effects in curing cold and sinus It is a wonderful decongestant and expectorant which helps in clearing the mucus in the air passages. A decoction made with mustard seeds helps in cleansing the body especially in the poisoning caused by narcotics and excess intake of alcohol.
Nutmeg: It has been considered to be a useful medicine in a number of Asian societies. It induces the secretion of various gastric and intestinal juices that ease the digestive process. The fiber content of nutmeg can bulk up the bowel movement; it reduces the frequency and discomfort of constipation and other intestinal issues. Since olden days, nutmeg has been recommended as a home remedy for sleeplessness and insomnia. A pinch of nutmeg in warm milk before sleeping always seemed to help in better sleep quality. Nutmeg has a high content of magnesium which stimulates the release of serotonin and hormone responsible for relaxation. This serotonin is changed to melatonin in the brain, which is a sleep inducer.
Oregano: This warm aromatic herb boasts several medicinal qualities. This marvelous herb is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium. Magnesium and calcium are important minerals for bone metabolism. Oregano also being a rich source of dietary fiber helps to control blood cholesterol levels. The major components of oregano, carvacrol and thymol, are wonderfully anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal. Presence of powerful antioxidants in this herb makes it great for immune system. Also, Consuming 2 tsp of oregano daily during menses reduces cramps this is because carvacrol and thymol present in the herb relaxes uterine muscles and prevents painful contractions.
Parsley: Most people are familiar with parsley as a food garnish and often discard the herb used for decoration without realizing the health benefits. Myricetin, a flavonol found in parsley and other plants, has been shown to have chemopreventive effects on skin cancer. A natural chemical found in parsley (apigenin ) has been found to decrease tumor size in an aggressive form of breast cancer and will play a promising role in treating cancer in future. Parsley also acts as a natural diuretic and helps in body cleansing.
Paprika: Warm and spicy flavor of this herb has much more to offer apart fro imparting color to the meals. Capsanthin present in Paprika promoted increased activity of an enzyme involved in production of HDL (good) cholesterol. The presence of capsaicin has also attributed to lower blood pressure levels in the body. Vitamin B6 present in it stimulates the production of melanin, a pigment that lends hair its colour hence it’s a boon for spice lovers as it helps prevent premature greying of hair.
Rosemary: This herb packs a powerful punch in the form of rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol. It’s incredibly anti-carcinogenic, and has been found to significantly decrease levels of dangerous heterocyclic amines when cooked with meats at high temperatures. It’s also been shown to be effective in improving dermatitis, cognitive stimulant, enhancing memory and focus, protecting the liver (detoxification) and alleviating arthritis pain. The Eucalyptol present in this herb helps to loosen the chest congestion making phlegm easier to expel plus Rosemary is rich in anti-inflammatory tannin which helps to soothe a sore throat.
Saffron : This is the world’s most expensive spice. Active components of Saffron i.e. crocin and safranal, helps preserve levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain thereby helping in treating depression. Saffron may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, insomnia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Saffron can function as an effective energy booster and can increase body’s metabolism by increasing blood circulation. Consuming a pinch of saffron with a spoonful of honey can be an effective remedy for heavy periods. It’s also known for it’s ability to beautify your skin. Wearing a saffron face mask can help clear up acne and blemishes, brighten dull skin, and give you a glow.
Sage: Sage is an herb native to the Mediterranean. Sage has a long history of medicinal use for ailments ranging from mental disorders to gastrointestinal discomfort. It boosts brain function, improves memory and concentration, helps in easing alzheimer’s symptoms. Also, Sage helps prevents arteries from hardening and thereby reducing risk of heart attack. Another promising role which is heart healthy, Sage helps in maintaining the healthy lipid profile.
Turmeric: Turmeric was once called a poor man’s saffron, but now we know how incredibly healing and powerful this spice truly is. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that is powerfully anti-inflammatory as well as rich in antioxidants. I have written a blog focusing on health benefits of turmeric, it would be worthwhile to read that, it’s accessible on http://goqii.com/blog/why-should-we-all-eat-more-turmeric
Thyme: Thyme is an herb more native to Mediterranean and French cuisine. It has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. The volatile oil present in thyme are believed to increase the content of omega 3 fatty acids in brain. Thyme has decent number of flavonoids and is proven to posses’ cancer preventing properties. Thyme is also believed to relieve pain of difficult menstruation better than ibruprofen. An ounce (28g) of the herb is steeped in two cups water is consumed after straining and sweetening (optional) for optimal benefits.

Phew !! Now that was pretty exhaustive list. Isn’t it amazing that these sparingly required ingredients can have such a huge impact on our health?? Now that you know about some of these amazing key benefits, go ahead, spread the word and try out a new recipe using one of the spices above.

Be sure to comment below and letting me know what you’re going to cook up !

September 1, 2018 By CHARMI GOGRI 5 Comments

Healing power of herbs and spices – Part 1

Cooking without spices is like having a dance party without music; the two just go together. These power packed tiny ingredients have a lot to offer apart from flavoring. Yes! I’ve heard plenty of stories of people who have healed various health problems through food. As Hippocrates, the famous Greek Physician once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This makes it clear that people are aware that food can be used to treat or prevent health conditions. Most of us in the field of holistic medicine could spend hours discussing different approaches to food and diet. However, I think that we often overlook the power of a diet in terms of the abundance of benefits spices and herbs present in the food have to offer.

The history of spices is simply fascinating. It’s testimony to the fact that wars were fought over spices and kingdoms were lost over them. Spices were recognized as powerful medicine way back in 2600 BC. These herbs and spines not only add interest to our plates and palates, but they promote health in incredibly powerful ways. Ideally, the leaf of a plant used in cooking may be referred to as herb, and any other part of the plant, often dried, as a spice.

Spices can be the buds (eg. cloves), bark (eg.cinnamon), roots (eg. ginger), berries (eg. peppercorns), aromatic seeds (eg. cumin), and even the stigma of a flower (eg. saffron). Many of the aromatic seeds known as spices are actually gathered from plants when they have finished flowering. A familiar example would be coriander, with the leaves being referred to as herb, and the dried seeds as a spice.

Below is an extensive list of spices and herbs (Described in alphabetic order; Doesn’t mean it is in the order of their importance/benefits) that are worth adding to your culinary list owing to their key health benefits. We have split the blog into two parts for easy reading.

Amchur: Amchoor or Amchur, also referred to as mango powder, is a fruity spice powder made from dried unripe green mangoes and is used as a citrusy seasoning. Mostly it’s used in Chutneys and Indian curries. Due to its high iron content it is popularly recommended for Anemia and Pregnant women. Also, it’s believed to reduce acidity and improve digestion.

Asafoetida: The lingering odour of Asafoetida has given it many names like Devil’s dung and stinking gum. It’s commonly known as Hing in India. It’s warm in nature and that probably explains the reason it helps to increase the digestive enzymes. It helps reduce flatulence, digestive disorders, prevents constipation and is an excellent laxative. A pinch of asafoetida can be taken with buttermilk/water to reduce flatulence and cleanse the digestive system. Also, It’s believed to relieve menstrual pain. The active component of Asafoetida, coumarins can thin the blood and is believed to be anti-coagulant. Also, helps lower blood pressure.

Black peppercorns : Also known as Kali Mirch. Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper, and it has been shown to jumpstart digestion, prevent certain cancers and heart disease, lower blood pressure, and prevent arthritis. Cases show that it has cholesterol lowering properties and help in cardiac function recovery especially after a heart attack. Overnight soaked peppercorns if consumed next day while having breakfast relieves migraine problem for most of them. The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells. Therefore, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections and insect bites.

Basil: Also known as Tulsi in India and considered auspicious has medicinal usage extending from reducing ill effects of radiotherapy of cancer to optimizing kidney function to keeping cough and fever at bay. This herb has lot to offer. The strong anti-bacterial properties of Basil are known from years and hence owing to this property, basil is valued for its anti inflammatory The active components i.e. eugenol and rosmarinic acid present in basil boosts production of serotonin and dopamine in brain. This could lead to sunnier mood in as little as 3 days. Basil also has a strengthening effect on kidney functioning. Consuming 5-6 leaves with water or crushing leaves to make juice and having with equal proportion of honey on a regular basis will improve overall kidney functioning and also aids in facilitating kidney stones through the urinary tract. Basil is a key ingredient in cough syrups and expectorants. Basil leaves can be used in the treatment of fever and common cold. Chewing some fresh basil leaves for relief from colds and flus is the best possible thing to treat naturally. Usually Smokers are prone for respiratory disorders and cancer. For both these, Tulsi is ideal. Having said that, care needs to be taken while handling this herb as the oils in basil are highly volatile, it is best to add the herb at the end of the cooking process, so it will retain its maximum essence and flavour !

Bay Leaf : Bay leaves popularly known as Tej Patta are one of the main ingredients added to the popular Indian spice mix i.e. Garam Masala. Bay leaves help strengthen immune system and ward off urinary tract infection. Bay leaves have a very strong effect on the gut health. It helps in stimulating urination as a diuretic, which decreases the toxicity of the body, but can also stimulate vomiting (as an emetic) when something toxic has been consumed.

Cardamom : Cardamom also known as Elaichi have aromatic and warming properties. They are believed to stimulate appetite and enhance digestion. It helps in stimulation and regular excretion of gastric juices. It helps in balancing these acids in cases of acidity, thus providing relief during heart burns. Those suffering from flatulence and gas gets a good relief when they chew cardamom after a meal. This helps those suffering from. Cardamom is also beneficial in relieving stomach cramps, hiccups, nausea, vomiting as well as constipation. Apart from health benefits, It is also valued for improving oral hygiene and eradicate fowl breathe.

Carom seeds : These tiny seeds are popularly known as Ajwain or bishop’s weed in Indian Market. Ajwain contains high levels of thymol, a compound, which aids the release of gastric juices from the stomach which makes Ajwain`excellent indigestion reliever. To add more, it helps to deal with flatulence, nausea and colicky pain in babies. Ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it acts a great remedy to stop hiccups

Cinnamon : Commonly known as Dalchini. Apart from its aroma and taste, the benefits of this spice can be attributed to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-clotting factor. Cinnamon is known for its role in the reduction of total and bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase in good cholesterol (HDL). It also helps improve insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, thereby making it useful in diabetes management. Consuming Cinnamon plus honey has many benefits one of which is that it increases body’s metabolism and also helps in relieving gas and acidity.

Clove: Clove or Laung is a pungent aromatic floral bud. The most prominent and common use of clove is alleviating symptoms of toothache and dental decay. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic components present in clove helps to reduce the swelling around an infected tooth and relieve pain. Plus, their antiseptic property will help fight the infection in the affected area and prevent it from spreading. Apart from this, Eugenol present in clove prevents clotting of blood and in purifying blood.

Cumin: This spice which is native to Middle-East Asian region is one of the best spices to use to prevent and relieve gas. It is of beneficial to women after childbirth to shrink the uterus and increase breast milk. Cumin seeds (Jeera) also contains high amount of melatonin, which when consumed with bananas increases the production of chemicals within the brain. This combination helps beat

To be continued

July 5, 2018 By CHARMI GOGRI 1 Comment

Why should we eat more turmeric ?

Turmeric is traditionally named as “Indian saffron” because of its deep yellow-orange colour and has been used throughout the ancient Vedic culture of India as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye. It is one of the most researched condiment and is used in almost all Indian curries, this spice has almost no calories and zeroes cholesterol. It is rich in dietary fibre, iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6. The wide range of turmeric health benefits come mainly from its main ingredient, curcumin. Turmeric is used for arthritis, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhoea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver problems and gallbladder disorders. It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, fever, menstrual problems, and cancer. Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain relief, ringworm, bruises, leech bites, inflammatory skin conditions and infected wounds. In short, Turmeric provides a wide variety of benefits, but there are seven standouts. Once you know about these seven benefits you’ll be eager to add the spice to your diet.

Potent Antioxidant:Curcumin has a huge therapeutic value as boosting immunity is one of its most important properties. Curcumin exerts powerful antioxidant effects by neutralizing free radicals, chemicals that can travel through the body and cause great amounts of damage to healthy cells and cell membranes. This is important in many diseases, such as arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints.The high antioxidant power of turmeric also helps to put the brakes on aging process.

Maintains Healthy Heart: Oxidized cholesterol damages blood vessels and promotes plaques formation that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Curcumin not only prevents the oxidation of cholesterol in the body but is also beneficial in reducing bad cholesterol and improving good cholesterol. In addition, turmeric is a good source of vitamin B6, which keeps homocysteine levels under control and thereby protects direct damage to blood vessels caused by elevated levels of homocysteine.

Cancer Prevention: The most promising quality of turmeric is its ability to prevent cancer. Turmeric can be beneficial for preventing breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer. This super spice helps the body to destroy mutated cancer cells and prevents its spreading into other organs. Moreover, It causes cancer cells to commit suicide. Turmeric prevents cancer progression by 2 ways: first, by enhancing liver function and second by preventing blood supply to cancer cells which may be necessary for their growth.

A Potent, Yet Safe Anti-Inflammatory: Curcumin is thought to be the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. This makes it effective for fighting heart disease, osteoarthritis pain and other health problems related to inflammation. Curcumin is believed to reduce certain enzymes in the body known to trigger inflammation. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects are comparable to the potent drugs like hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin. Unlike the drugs, which are associated with significant toxic effects (ulcer formation, decreased white blood cell count, intestinal bleeding), curcumin produces no toxicity.

promotes weight Loss: Curcumin promotes weight loss and reduce the incidence of obesity-related diseases. Turmeric stimulates the production of bile which helps to break down fatty foods, which in turn, may help you lose weight. Taking one teaspoon of Turmeric powder with every meal may help in losing weight. This of course doesn’t cancel the fact that you need to eat healthy and exercise.

Slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease : Curcumin in turmeric has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and behavioral changes. Various effects of curcumin, including anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant property, improves overall memory in Alzheimer’s patients.

Natural painkiller: Turmeric can be considered as an instant painkiller option. Turmeric is capable of fighting a variety of pain that would otherwise be rated with over-the-counter pain medication which just suppresses the pain unlike turmeric which attempts to heal the pain as well.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas to include turmeric in meals:

Add turmeric to egg salad to give it an even bolder yellow colour.
Give salad dressings an orange-yellow hue by adding some turmeric powder to them.
Season rice, vegetables and curries with turmeric.
Turmeric is a great spice to complement recipes that feature lentils.
Include the spice as an ingredient in your regular meals.
You can make a tea out of turmeric. Boil about four cups of water with a spoonful of turmeric for about ten to fifteen minutes. Strain and drink. The best remedy for a sore throat.
Add turmeric into your daily smoothies
Add turmeric to a glass of organic warm milk which helps fight cold and flu and a remedy for better sleep

Thus, turmeric is safe and offers a variety of general health benefits, you have nothing to lose by adding it to your daily diet in moderate amounts.

February 20, 2018 By CHARMI GOGRI 2 Comments

10 Cooking habits that you need to RECONSIDER!

Ever wondered why people are still at risk for chronic illness despite following a healthy lifestyle? Why does immunity fail to protect the body when the weather changes? Why with growing awareness about fitness, people still fall sick?

There is a number of articles and literature online that broadcast the importance of active life, a nutritious, mostly plant-based diet, daily exercises, weight management, disease prevention, smoking cessation, moderation in alcohol intake etc. Despite the abundance of knowledge about how to live a “healthy” lifestyle, choose “best food” and follow an “active” exercise regime, there haven’t been such significant improvements in the health of the general public. There is something missing which needs to be corrected so as to multiply the goodness of active life and healthy food.

Let me support this with a phrase, “Muscles are built in a gym, but nourished in Kitchens”

Yes! The kitchen is the place where our food first enters before it enters our body. There are some kitchen habits which might be silently killing us. When I chose to highlight this topic, I did not have to look much farther than my own circle to compile a list of common, but avoidable kitchen habits:

Dipping tea bags in hot water: Some of the tea bags are made with a variety of plastics. These plastics are generally considered among the safest in terms of leaching potential, but the molecules in these plastic tea bags may still break down and leach out when steeped in boiling water. Tea bags made up of paper may be just as bad, or worse, than the plastic ones because many of them are treated with epichlorohydrin. When this epichlorohydrin comes in contact with water, it hydrolyzes to a compound which has been shown to cause cancer and suppress immune function in animals. Knowing these hazards, your best option would be to opt for loose organic tea.

Reusing Cooking oil: Indian cooking is said to be indispensable without cooking oil. Consumption of oil in the right proportion and in the correct manner often doesn’t cause any health issues. Though many people follow this practice regularly, Very few people are aware of the dangerous effects of recycled cooking oil i.e. reheating the used oil. Reusing the oil alters the chemical composition of oil leads to the formation of highly charged free radicals or uncharged molecules with unpaired electrons which can often be These free radicals attach themselves to healthy cells resulting in an increase of bad cholesterol levels and block arteries as well.

Storing the used oil for a longer period of time encourages bacterial growth due to the presence of leftover food particles present in the oil, can lead to fatal food poisoning. Best possible solution to avoid hazards of reusing oil would be using less amount of oil for frying or choosing shallow/stir frying over deep frying to avoid wastage of oil.

Overheating cooking oil: Oils can withstand varying levels of heat, for some type of oils the threshold for heat tolerance is lower and for some, it’s higher. Normally, a heated cooking oil is considered unsafe when it reaches its smoking point i,e, the temperature at which it begins to chemically break down and smoke continuously. At this point, the fat molecules break down into glycerol and free fatty acids, and the glycerol breaks down further to produce toxic fumes and free radicals.This also leads to loss of the antioxidants present in the oil. So it’s wise to pick up oil with better smoke value if you intend to use for cooking and not dressing.

Using non-stick pans on high temperature: Almost everyone owns a non-stick Teflon-coated pan. It may be more convenient and easier to clean but, cooking in it on high temperatures can cause the “Teflon flu.” This illness is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as headaches, chills, backaches, and a temperature ranging between 100°F and 104°F. High temperatures cause the non-stick lining to release PFCs (Perfluorocarbons) in the form of fumes. PFCs can cause liver damage and also developmental problems. Also, the chemicals used to make this non-stick substance include ammonium perfluorooctanoate which has been linked to cancer, organ damage and other negative health effects (animal studies).

Using metal ladles on non-stick vessels: Using metal utensils to stir on a nonstick pan is not a good idea. You can unknowingly/unintentionally scratch the surface of the pan, which could lead you to ingest the PFCs in the nonstick lining. Use wooden or heat-safe rubber utensils when using a non-stick pan to avoid any scraping.

Using regular utensils in the microwave: Radiation from microwaves has not been proven to be particularly dangerous in itself, providing that the appliance is in good working order. Rather, the danger lies in the types of containers we microwave our food in. Certain compounds used to make rigid plastic more pliable may act as endocrine disrupters. They may mimic or compete with human hormones, which could affect fertility or cancer risk. It is best to avoid microwaving plastic containers that aren’t specifically designed for microwave use.

Poor ventilation: Without appropriate ventilation, indoor air quality can suffer and cause serious health problems. The pollutants which degrade air quality comes from cooking burners especially gas burners and have an effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular system as they can enter the bloodstream and reduce oxygen delivery to the body’s organs and tissues. Fine particles are produced essentially by volatilizing dust by both gas and electric burners during cooking. They are potentially very harmful because they can enter the lungs, bloodstream or other tissues. Decreasing this indoor pollution is to make sure pollutants vents to the outdoors else they will simply recirculate in the kitchen. If having a hood/ exhaust fan is not possible, opening a window while cooking does help.

Keeping water pans open: It’s not new that epidemic of waterborne disease is so widespread and easy to acquire. People who don’t own water purifier often have the sense to boil water before consumption. One cannot fill the drinking pots with hot water so people usually keep hot water pans (often uncovered) at room temperature. While water is getting cooled and getting ready to be transferred in pots, it gets attracted by dust and particles present in the air. The chances of water contamination increase if air microflora is high. The safe way to deal with this is to invest in water purifier or perhaps cover the pans with lid and strain water with muslin cloth before transferring to pots.

Cleaning vegetables and fruits: Every homemaker knows the importance of washing fruits and vegetables once before consuming. Having said that most of homemakers/chef clean them superficially i.e cleaning under running water for 1-2 mins and keep it open to air dry. Does this really wash off the chemicals and pesticides? Well, No! It doesn’t. There are numerous options to clean them correctly. Soaking them in 10 % White vinegar + 90 % water solution for 15-20 mins; Soaking them in 2% salt solution or washing them in cold water helps to wash off most of the pesticides, chemicals as well as dirt present on the surface. It is worthwhile to invest some time in washing and cleaning your food, as you don’t want to end up consuming a portion of toxins with your meals!

Using Aluminium foil to pack hot food: High levels of Aluminium has been found in the food cooked, reheated and cooled in aluminium foil. This is alarming knowing the fact that high levels of Aluminum which accumulates in the body causes hypercalcemia (More calcium in the blood), weakens bone mineral density and hence causes Osteoporosis later in life. However, use of Aluminum foil has been found safe to wrap cold food as aluminium doesn’t leach out. As an alternative to cook/store hot food, Parchment paper/wax paper can be used respectively.

While concluding this eye-opener topic, I would like to make it a point that despite the risks associated with many cooking methods, you don’t have to start eating all your food raw. Simply take small steps to avoid these cooking dangers.

Many little changes can go a long way in terms of improving your health and preventing illness.Many of the above-mentioned habits don’t pose an immediate danger to your health, but long-term use and a combination (with other lifestyle factors) might lead to problems later on in life.

So the take-home message is “Don’t overreact, just be mindful of the habits, Now is the time to understand and adapt ourselves to healthy cooking habits along with making healthy meal choices”