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Kanji: The Miracle Drink to Level Up Your Winter!

kanjiKanji is a popular north Indian drink. We can call it an ‘Indian Kombucha’ as well. This drink is traditionally consumed to aid digestion. It keeps the gut healthy during winter. This probiotic drink is the result of naturally occurring bacteria and yeast with salty, zingy taste. It may take a week for Kanji to be fermented as per one’s taste but you can store it in a glass jar for a month easily.

Why Do You Need This Drink During Winter?

  • This drink has fiber content which smoothens bowel movements. The growth of healthy bacteria helps to promote healthy bowel movement. 
  • Kanji tones the blood detoxifies the liver and aids digestion.
  • It is packed with a variety of nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, few vitamins B as well.
  • Due to the powerhouse of Antioxidants, it helps provide protection from cancer and prevents eczema in children.
  • Low-calorie count makes this a perfectly healthy drink which aids weight loss.
  • Good for maintaining hydration levels and replenish lost nutrients in case of dehydration or diarrhoea.
  • Old remedy to prevent water loss in case of vomiting, also speeds up the recovery. It gives energy if one feels weak or dizzy.
  • It prevents certain infections after surgery and reduces systemic allergy too.

Recipe to Prepare Kanji  

What You Will Need:

  • Black Carrots (Kali Gajar) – 250 gm
  • Filtered Water – 8 cups
  • Black salt – 2 tsp (or as per taste)
  • Asafoetida (Hing) – ½ tsp
  • Mustard Seeds (Powdered) – 3 tsp
  • Red chili powder – ½ tsp (optional)

How to Prepare:

  1. Peel the carrots, wash them and cut them in small pieces about your finger size.
  2. Boil the water and add the carrots into it, boil it for 2-3 minutes and turn off the flame and let it cool.
  3. Add black salt, mustard seeds powder, hing, and chili powder to the mixture and transfer it in a clean glass jar and close it with lid.
  4. Keep this jar out in the sun for 4-5 days so that the Kanji gets fermented. Don’t keep the jar under the sun after fermentation.
  5. After 5 days, if it tastes sour then your Magic drink is ready for consumption.
  6. Stir and enjoy it with your breakfast or your mid-meal.

It’s easy to prepare. In fact, I just finished making a batch for myself! We hope you like this amazing and nutritious drink. Do share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

For more healthy winter recipes and to learn about nutritious foods and drinks, check out Healthy Reads or connect with a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalised health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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5 Healthy Hot Winter Drinks to Warm You Up!

hot winter drinks

If you’ve begun feeling the slight chills in the morning, you know that winter is coming – intended GoT reference. While an epic fantasy drama can turn the heat up in an instant, your body needs a little more warmth or spice, depending on what your taste is like, to help you push through those cold mornings. In this article, I’m going to share some of my favorite hot winter drinks that I include in my diet on a regular basis.

These drinks have numerous health benefits. They will help you boost your immunity, increase your brainpower and remove toxins from your body – these are still just a few benefits from the reservoir of goodness they can offer!

You can’t deny that winter beckons warm, hot, spicy and often something sweet as well. Now, if you want to make your drink healthy, then you must try one or all of these hot winter drinks!  

1. Hot Ginger Tea

This brew is quite effective during winter. It promotes good digestion, boosts your immunity, aids weight loss and helps provide relief in Arthritis. This drink is your ally while battling cold and cough as well.

Ingredients: 1 cup of water, 2 tsp of freshly grated ginger and 1 tsp of raw honey (optional)

How to Prepare: Boil ginger in water for 5-10 minutes, strain it, add raw honey if you want to and sip it hot. Simple, isn’t it!

2. Spiced Green Tea

Do you love Green Tea? Let’s spice it up! This aromatic tea is a wonderful blend of taste and good health! It is rich in antioxidants, aids weight loss, boosts metabolism and the best part is that you can consume this any time during winter!

Ingredients: 1 cup of water, a pinch of cinnamon, ½ tsp crushed ginger, 2 tsp of green tea leaf, ½ lemon and 1 tsp of raw honey (optional).

How to Prepare: Add green tea leaf, crushed ginger and cinnamon in hot water. Cover and steep for 5-6 minutes. Pour it in your favorite mug, then add lemon and honey and start sipping immediately!

3. Warm Turmeric Milk

This popular household drink is an excellent remedy for treating inflammation and joint pains. It helps in resolving sleep-related issues as well.

Ingredients: 1 cup of organic milk, ½ tsp of ground turmeric, a pinch of cinnamon powder, 1 tsp of raw honey (optional).

How to Prepare: Mix all the ingredients in a blender for 1 minute. Then, boil it on low flame for a few minutes till it is hot enough. Add raw honey if you want to and serve! The perfect hot winter drink! For sleep disorders, drink this milk 30 minutes before bedtime daily.

4. Spiced Almond Milk

This is a treat for vegans! Purely because it is naturally dairy-free! It can also be consumed by people with dairy allergy or those who are lactose intolerant. Be sure to try this one though, it has an exotic flavor and is quite easy to prepare.

Ingredients: 1 cup of Almond milk, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp of ginger powder, a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.

How to prepare: Take a saucepan and combine all the ingredients. Slowly bring it to a simmer for a few minutes and serve hot. If you want to make your own almond milk, Click Here.

5. Masala Chai

Everybody’s favourite! If you’re a tea person, this has to be the beverage you wake up to, or the thing that keeps you going late afternoon! If you want to know about the benefits masala chai offers, read my article on The Magic of Indian Masala Chai. To keep it short, it regulates the digestive system, prevents people from gaining weight, stimulates the appetite and boosts the immune system among other benefits!

Ingredients: ½ cup of Water, ½ cup of milk, 1 tsp of loose tea leaf, 2-3 cloves, 1 cardamom, ½ inch cinnamon stick, 1 small slice of ginger, 1 star anise, 2-3 peppercorn, 1 tsp of jaggery powder or brown sugar (optional).

How to Prepare: Crush cinnamon, clove, ginger, star anise, and peppercorn. Add them in boiling water. Then, add the tea leaf and boil for 2-3 minutes. Add the jiggery and milk. Simmer it 2-3 times and then turn the gas off. Pour it in your favorite mug and enjoy the weather!

Whenever you feel like drinking something hot or spicy, these hot winter drinks are your best picks! We hope you enjoy these recipes in the days to come. Try them and let us know your experience in the comments below! 

Click here for more Healthy Recipes or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching.

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Homemade Hair Oil For Long and Healthy Hair

homemade hair oil

Dandruff and subsequent hair fall problems are like a plague. Despite the use of a myriad of shampoos, conditioners and serums, sometimes these problems just don’t go away. While you might be burning through your pocket to find a solution that works, have you tried making your own oil? Oiling your hair regularly is a fantastic way to keep your hair healthy and  strong. In fact, homemade hair oil works better! It’s ideal for men and women and is a one-stop solution to all your hair problems! Most importantly, it is easy to make and light on the pocket. 

How To Make Your Own Homemade Hair Oil 

We can make homemade hair oil by mixing 2 oils, one base oil which is easily available like coconut oil and the second oil is a supplement oil  that can be castor oil. You will need to add some herbs like amla, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, etc. This oil acts as a tonic for your hair and rids you from many hair problems like hair fall, dandruff, dry scalp, premature greying, dull and rough hair, etc.

Ingredients

  •       200g extra virgin Coconut Oil
  •       50g Castor Oil
  •       2 tbsp  Amla Pieces (Dried)
  •       1 tbsp Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana)
  •       1 tsp Nigella Seeds ( Kalonji)
  •       10-12  Curry leaves (Dried)
  •       8-10 Holy basil (Tulsi) leaves (Dried)
  •       8-10 Hibiscus flowers

How to Make and Use the Oil 

  1. Take an Iron pan and add coconut oil, dried amla, fenugreek seeds and nigella seeds, all types of leaves etc.
  2. Heat it for 10-12 minutes on medium flame.
  3. After some time, dried amla pieces will swell, Fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds and curry leaves too will turn black in colour.
  4. Turn the flame off and let it cool down. If possible leave it like this for a day or two.
  5. Once done, strain it. Though, I do not strain it and prefer it as it is.
  6. Mix castor oil in it and store in an airtight, wide-mouthed bottle because during winters the oil gets hard and might be difficult to remove. 
  7. Shake well before using and massage gently 2-3 times in a week with this oil.
  8. It’s better to heat it a little before applying.
  9. After massaging, give hot towel treatment to your hair for more effective results. 

Amazing Benefits of the Ingredients 

  • Coconut oil: moisturizes dry hair, adds lustre and shine to the hair and prevents hair loss and split ends.
  • Castor oil: works as a natural hair conditioner to keep hair and scalp healthy.
  • Fenugreek seeds: helps in treating scalp issues like dryness, baldness and thinning of hair.
  • Nigella Seeds: promote hair growth, give shine and lustre to hair texture and reduce premature greying of hair.
  • Tulsi and Curry leaves: help in treating dandruff and itchy scalp problems, conditions hair and stimulates hair growth. It also strengthens hair follicles.
  • Hibiscus flowers: boost hair growth, stimulate regrowth from bald patches and treat hair fall.

Anyone irrespective of gender and age can use this hair oil to improve hair health and cure hair problems.

Caution: Some hair shed is normal when you oil your hair. All these will be dead or weak hair. No need to worry. With regular massage using this magic homemade hair oil, a lot of new hair will grow, your hair fall will be controlled and texture your hair will also improve. 

Switch to regularly oiling your hair. It is essential and along with regular massage, eat a balanced diet. We hope this article on homemade hair oil helps you beat hair issues and say goodbye to stress, harsh chemicals and hair dyes! Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! 

For more topics on hair health, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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The Different Uses and Benefits of Banana Peels

banana peels

Banana is one of my favourite fruits because it is delicious and rich with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, etc. We have all eaten bananas since childhood but have you ever realized that banana peels are also a healthy part of the fruit? Banana peels have enormous health benefits and we can use the peel in several ways to lower cholesterol, eliminate wrinkles and improve sleep. Banana Peels can even be eaten raw! That’s right! They are not only edible but good for your health and skin as well. 

How To Use Banana Peels 

  • Boil them in water for 10 minutes to make a tea
  • Put them in a  juicer with water 
  • Use them as an ingredient in chutney
  • Cook them with water and sugar to make candy
  • Blend banana peels into a fruit smoothie

Health Benefits 

  1. Whitens Teeth: Ripe banana peels are very rich in potassium, which can remove yellow stains from your teeth. To whiten your teeth, rub the inner part of the peel for 2-3 minutes on a regular basis for at least 2-3 weeks after brushing and you will see positive results! 
  2. Good for Skin: They work great for skin as they have antioxidants which remove wrinkles and nourish the skin. It also fades acne scars and hydrates the skin. Simply rub the banana peel gently on the desired areas of your face, and leave for a half-hour before washing off. 
  3. Treats Warts: No need to use harsh chemicals for treating warts. Just tap a piece of ripe banana peel over it and leave it overnight for a few days.  Isn’t it an amazing natural way to treat warts?
  4. Remove Splinters: Banana peels are rich in enzymes and these enzymes have a pulling action that draws foreign objects to the surface of the skin which makes it much easier to grab the splinter. Just apply the peel to the affected area of the skin and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then remove it gently, then remove the splinter.
  5. Good for Eyes: Banana peels are good for the eyes and lower the risk of cataract. Placing it close to your eyes helps reduce puffiness. The peel also helps to lighten up under-eye dark circles and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
  6. Lower Cholesterol: They have soluble and insoluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol, stroke and prevent cardiovascular disease and prevent cholesterol from sticking to the wall of arteries. A person who needs to lower cholesterol can include banana peel as a part of a healthy diet.
  7. Boost mood: They are packed with Serotonin that helps in making you feel good. Using banana peels continuously in the diet is a natural way to increase serotonin levels.
  8. Good Sleep: If you have sleep disorder, try banana peels as they are full of tryptophan that helps to induce  more relaxed sleep.
  9. Relieves Constipation: They are loaded with high fiber which helps keep your bowel movements regular. It has 12 percent of your daily fiber requirement which helps in good digestion.
  10. First Aid: It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties which gives relief from ivy rash, itching and bug bite. It is a natural way to treat migraine, helps to reduce headache by placing a frozen banana peel on the forehead and across the back of the neck.

Hopefully this article will make you think twice before throwing banana peels away! Do use this unusual knowledge and peel the benefits to good health! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

For more useful information, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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