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Spirulina: Nature’s Gift For Good Health

spirulina

Spirulina may be the “most nutritious food” in the world! It is a blue green algae (cyanobacteria) and partly responsible for oxygen in the air. It is also amongst the world’s most powerful supplements. Spirulina was consumed by Aztecs in the 16th century, and came to light again after NASA proposed that it could be grown by astronauts in space. Spirulina can grow in extreme conditions and it is generally cultivated in natural or manmade lakes, harvested and freeze dried for use. Nutritionally, it has more protein than any other vegetable, it is an amazing source of beta-carotene, various minerals and essential fatty acids.

Dosage: 1-10 gram per day, it can be taken as 2-4 grams 2 times a day or a capsule which is usually 7 grams.

Major Health Benefits of Spirulina 

  1. Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent: Spirulina can protect against oxidative stress which is one of the main causes behind various diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Oxidative damage can harm DNA and cells inside the body. Phycocyanin is the main active component of spirulina which is a potent anti-oxidant and gives that blue green color to the algae. This component can kill the free radicals and cease the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, and provides magnificent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  2. Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases HDL (good) cholesterol: Many studies have suggested that daily supplementation of spirulina (2-8 grams) helps in reduction of triglycerides by 16 % and LDL cholesterol by 10 %. This is because fat in the body is more susceptible to oxidation which is known as lipid peroxidation. Spirulina with its amazing properties helps the body in protection against this.
  3. Effective against Anemia: A single tablespoon of spirulina (7 gm) has 2 mg of Iron which is nearly 11% of RDA. This can help in improving mean corpuscular hemoglobin, improves energy levels and oxygen carrying capacity.
  4. Improves Immunity: A number of researches suggest that spirulina increases the production of infection fighting proteins, antibodies, T-cells that help in improving immunity and save us from infections and chronic illness like cancer.
  5. Excellent source of protein and healthy fats: A tablespoon of spirulina gives just 1 gm of fat, both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. While the quality of protein is considered to be like eggs, it gives you all essential amino acids you need.

We hope you liked these facts on Spirulina. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. Find more articles on nutrition and healthy living here or speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here. 

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Healthy Eating: Hariyali Soya Tikka

hariyali soya tikkaIdeally, tikkas are made with paneer or potatoes but in this alternate recipe, we’ll be using soya chunks. This Hariyali Soya Tikka recipe is low-fat and packs quite the protein punch! You can enjoy it as an evening snack or a main meal! 

What You Will Need 

  • Soya chunks- 1 cup
  • Hung curd – 1 cup
  • Onion (diced into cubes) – 1 cup
  • Tomato (diced into cubes) – 1 cup
  • Capsicum (diced into cubes) – 1 cup
  • Besan (gram flour) – 1 tbsp
  • Ginger garlic paste- 1 tbsp
  • Oil- 1 tsp
  • Coriander – ½ cup
  • Mint – ½ cup
  • Lemon juice – 1 tsp
  • Green chilli – 2
  • Salt as per taste
  • Turmeric – 1 tsp
  • Red chilli powder – 1 tbsp
  • Chat masala – ½ tsp
  • Jeera powder – 1tsp
  • Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
  • Kasuri methi – ½ tsp

How To Prepare:

  1. Heat a pan and dry roast 2 tsp of gram flour for 1-2 min. Once the color changes a bit, slide the flour into a small bowl and allow it to cool.
  2. In a pan add oil and salt, once the water starts boiling add the soya chunks and cook for 10 min. Once done strain the chunks. After it cools press them between 2 palms and remove all the excess water. Keep the pressed chunks aside.
  3. Now for the green paste, take a mixer jar, add in coriander, mint and green chillies. Make a fine paste of it.
  4. Take a mixing bowl, and let us prepare the marinade. Add hung curd, gram flour, salt, green paste and all other spices. Give it a nice stir and enjoy the lovely green color.
  5. Time to add in our soya chunks, capsicum, tomato and onions. Give this a gentle mix.
  6. Once done, keep the bowl in the fridge to rest for 30-40 min, so the masalas can stick well to soya chunks and veggies.
  7. Keep a tawa on medium flame. Take a skewer and add soya chunks, capsicum, onion and tomatoes one by one, and repeat the process for all skewers.
  8. Grease the tawa with some oil, and put the skewers on tawa. After it is golden brown on one side, flip it over to cook on all sides.
  9. Our delicious hariyali soya tikkas are ready on a tawa without the grill or BBQ. Serve it hot with salad and green chutney.

Note: If you do not have skewers you can use toothpicks or just roast this on tawa directly. You can also use paneer or tofu instead of soya.

Highlights of the Hariyali Soya Tikka:

  • Extremely rich in protein and fiber. Has curd and all the magical spices which are great for the body
  • Gives you a very refreshing taste for your main meals.
  • Provides satiety in less quantity which stays with you for long.

Do try this delicious, lip-smacking Hariyali Soya Recipe recipe and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Find more healthy recipes here. You can also get recipes and nutritional advice customized for your health goals by speaking to our experts. Subscribe for Personalised Health Coaching now! 

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Healthy Eating: Chilli Bean Soup

Healthy Eating: Chilli Bean Soup The onset of the cool, rainy weather calls for a bowl of piping hot soup! If you\’re keen on experimenting with some new recipes, why not try this delicious bowl of Chilli Bean Soup? It\’s easy to prepare and is totally nutritious! Let\’s get started.

What You Will Need

  • Boiled Kidney Beans – 1 Cup
  • Finely Chopped Onion and Tomato – 1 Medium Sized
  • Chopped Carrot – ½ cup
  • Finely Chopped Red, Green and Yellow Bell Pepper – ½ cup
  • Chopped French Beans – 2 tbsp
  • Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
  • Chopped Coriander – 2 tbsp
  • Chopped Green Chilli – 1
  • Pepper Powder – ½ tsp
  • Chilly Sauce – 1 tsp
  • Tomato ketchup or puree – 1 tsp
  • Vegetable stock or water – 2 cups
  • Oil for seasoning
  • Salt to taste

How To Prepare  

  1. Take a pan and heat a tsp of oil.
  2. Add ginger garlic paste and saute till slightly brown.
  3. Also add onion and chopped green chilly. Saute onion till translucent.
  4. Add tomato, bell peppers, carrot and french beans to the pan.
  5. Saute the vegetables for 5-7 min with closed lid.
  6. Now add kidney beans and stir along with vegetables.
  7. Add the pepper powder, salt, chilly sauce and tomato ketchup.
  8. Stir well and add 2 cups of vegetable stock.
  9. Close the pan with a lid and allow the soup to simmer for another 5-7 min.
  10. Serve the Chilly Bean Soup hot.

Highlights Of The Chilli Bean Soup

  • It is a great mid meal snack or even a meal option when you wish to end your day light.
  • The soup will help you clear your throat and work as an anti-inflammatory agent because of vegetables and pepper.
  • Choose your vegetables very wisely this monsoon and use them only after washing them properly.

If you try and enjoy this delicious Chilli Bean Soup recipe, share it on your social media pages and tag us! We\’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. You can find more healthy recipes here. You can also get more recipes and tips, tailored to your health needs directly from a certified expert. Subscribe to GOQii\’s Personalised Health Coaching here. #BeTheForce 

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Healthy Eating: Fruit and Chia Salad With Nuts

healthy eatingIs preparing evening snacks a challenge for you? If you haven’t figured out what you’ll be eating today, this Fruit and Chia Salad with Nuts is perfect! This healthy recipe is filling and it will satisfy your sweet tooth as well. It can also be served as a cold dessert to beat the heat!

Ingredients:

  • Apple/Banana/Ripe Mango – 1 medium size chopped
  • Strawberries – 5-6
  • Kiwi – 1 medium size chopped
  • Chia seeds – 1 tbsp
  • Almond milk/ Coconut milk/ Low-fat milk – ½ cup (100 ml)
  • Honey – 1 tsp
  • Walnuts (4 halves), almonds (5), Pista (5), Cashews (4)
  • Cinnamon powder

Method:

  1. Chop all the nuts roughly
  2. Heat a pan and roast the chopped nuts for 3-4 minutes on low to medium flame to make them brittle and crunchy
  3. Take 100ml low-fat milk/ coconut milk/ almond milk, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, pinch of cinnamon powder and 1 tsp of honey in it
  4. Allow this mixture to stay in refrigerator overnight or for 8-10 hours to allow the chia seeds to swell up
  5. Take a mason jar or a glass and start layering
  6. Add chopped mangoes to base and add milk + chia seeds mixture on it to cover the mangoes
  7. To this, add the chopped kiwi and again add milk + chia seeds mixture on it
  8. Top this with chopped strawberries and again some milk + chia seeds mixture
  9. Add the roasted nuts on top

Please Note: If you’re allergic to nuts, replace them with seeds.

Highlights of the Fruit and Chia Salad Recipe 

  • Chia seeds are very rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber which makes this snack very filling
  • You can add seasonal fruits of your own choice and get all the seasonal nutrients
  • This will give a variation to your normal fruit intake

Did you like this fruit and chia salad with nuts recipe? Have you already tried it out? Share a pic on social media or the GOQii Arena and tag us! You can find more healthy recipes here.

To get more advice on recipes, nutrition and diet tips from an expert, subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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