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HEALTHY EVENING SNACKS

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It is 4 o’ clock in the evening and you are thinking about what to have for your evening snacks? Something which will serve the taste buds and is healthy too. Right?

Also, you’re “hunger hormone” levels rise and your “satiety hormone” levels drop in the evening. Hence it is important to bridge the gap between your lunch & dinner with a filling evening snack. Also, this habit will help you keep your dinner lighter which is ideal.

So if you’re bored of having fruits, buttermilk, nuts, peanuts, chana, etc. for your snacks, here are some easy healthy options to quench your hunger.

open sandwich

  1. Open bread sandwich: Take 1 slice of multi-grain bread, apply green chutney to it and arrange slices of tomato, potato, cucumber, beetroot, etc. on it. And do not close it with one more slice of bread, just shred some Paneer to it and enjoy the fibrous meal.

rice oats cutlet         2. Rice oats cutlets: if you have leftover rice from lunch, try this out. Take 1 cup boiled rice and add ½ cup of            roasted oats, add some crushed salad or finely chopped vegetables like onions, cabbage, carrot, beetroot, etc.               Add some ginger chilli paste, salt, garam masala, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Make small flat cutlets out of this batter and roast with some oil on a pan. Enjoy them hot with green chutney or curd.

masala khakra

3. Masala khakhra: take 1 khakhra and add finely chopped tomato, onion, cucumber and coriander on the khakhra. Squeeze some lemon on it and sprinkle rock salt on it. Quick and best.

date oats ball

4. Dates oats Ladoo: take 1 cup of seedless dates and crush them with a fork, add ½ cup of roasted ground oats, 2 tbsp of honey or jaggery and 2 tbsp of mix nuts powder. Best energy supplier. You can carry 2 of them along with your lunch tiffin to have in the evening.

mix fruits with curd

5. Mix fruits with curd: give some variety to your regular fruits with this. Take 1 cup of mix fruits of your choice, add 1 cup of yoghurt or hung curd to the fruits, add 1 tsp flax seeds, 5-6 crushed walnuts and 1 tsp of honey.

peanut chaat

6. Peanut/chana/ mung chat: boil pulse of your own choice, add finely chopped onion, tomatoes, carrot, capsicum, etc, squeeze some lemon juice on it and sprinkle some rock salt and garnish with coriander seeds. Best to satisfy your hunger hormones.

spinach omlette

7. Spinach omelette: If you are an egg lover and want some variety, try this one. Blanch 1 cup of spinach in hot water and transfer it to cold water. Take 2 eggs, add the spinach, 1 tsp of ginger chilli paste, and add salt and some black pepper. Make an omelette in a pan and enjoy it hot.

rotipizza

8. Roti Pizza: Oh yes! Take your wheat roti and apply pasta sauce if you have or ketchup and chilli sauce mixture. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, olives, lettuce, olives, and all the veggies you find in your fridge. Top it with cheese, panner, chilli flakes, oregano, mix herbs and bake it in the oven or on a pan. Enjoy.

Abbreviations: 1 cup = 200ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml.

 

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7 Healthy Indian Drinks

There are only so many times you can say, “Just water for me, thanks,” Water is a healthy and safe bet, sure. In fact, it can’t be beaten. No drink can match water, isn’t it? Water is a panacea for many health problems

70 % body is comprised of water. There are innumerable benefits of having water. It promotes weight loss, boosts immunity, increases brain power, prevents hair fall, renders glowing skin, helps in clearing the gut, removes toxins from the body and many more.

So what do you do when you want more options but don’t want to stray from the healthy side of things? Luckily, there are actually several beverages that can do you one favour or another while spicing up your waterlogged palette. 

In this blog, I am going to talk about the healthiest drinks in India. Some of them are my absolute favourites and I include them in my diet throughout the year. Not only these drinks are tasty and easy to make but also offer numerous health benefits

From digestion related problems to skin issues, hair fall issues to serious problems of kidney, liver and heart, these drinks serve as pure nectar for the body.

There are sometimes when we feel like drinking something hot and cool, sweet and salty, morning and evening, summer and winters. I have chosen some most versatile health drinks

The SEVEN health drinks you must try are:

Starting with # 7 RAGI MALT

Ragi Malt Drink

If you are looking for a quick and healthy breakfast, try this one. Considering the nutritional and therapeutic value of Finger millet or Ragi for the human body, it is quite surprising and unfortunate that it is totally absent in most people’s diets today. 2 years ago, I read about it and even heard about the benefits and started having it regularly, since then this drink has been a part of my routine.

Quick Recipe:

  1. Ragi flour 3-4 tsp in a bowl with a little bit water poured in it which should be enough to make a paste of it.
  2. Then boil 1 cup of water and rock salt according to the taste and add ragi paste
  3. Keep stirring it for 2-3 mins, once it cools down to add some lemon juice 1/2 and some curd (50 gms) in it.
  4. Mix it well and your drink is ready, you can even have this in your breakfast when you are running late for work or it is a rescuer for people who have excuses to skip breakfast especially for the weight watchers.

Benefits:

Gluten free

Rich in Fibre

High in Calcium

Amino acids

Minerals

Vitamin D

# 6 Turmeric Milk

Turmeric Milk

We all must have tried it in our childhood or otherwise due to its anti-inflammatory properties but this turmeric milk recipe is quite different especially in winters.

Recipe:

  1. 1 glass of milk to boil (200gms)
  2. On boiling it add ½ tsp of turmeric
  3. Add a pinch of black pepper and ¼ tsp of Cow Ghee
  4. Let it boil with all these ingredients

Turmeric has antibacterial and viral properties and is considered a super herb since ancient times. The purpose of adding Black pepper helps in absorbing the turmeric in the body. The combination of ghee+ milk= pre nectar (acts as a panacea for many health problems) keep infections at bay this winter. Have it before 1 hour of going to bed.

Benefits

*Excellent Body detoxifier

*Blood purifier

*Cleanses Blood vessels

*Flushes out the toxins

*Kills Cancer cells

*Anti-ageing

*Improves Skin Tone

# 5 Buttermilk or Chaas

ButterMilk

Do you feel bloated after having heavy or spicy meals or feel thirsty through the day? Then it’s a must-have for people with weak digestion made in a traditional way. It helps you getting relief from all digestive and stomach related issues

Authentic recipe:

  1. In a blender add coriander leaves, mint leaves some ginger, curd, a pinch of asafoetida, rock salt, black salt and water.
  2. Blend them all
  3. Next step is flame 1tsp of ghee and add few cumin seeds in it and 1-2 curry leaves
  4. Let them splutter and later pour it on buttermilk and enjoy!

Benefits

* Rich in Vit B and Calcium

* Probiotics

* Try having this buttermilk post lunch for maximum benefit

#4 Lemon Honey Water

lemonhoneywater

One of the most popular drinks amongst the weight watchers and an excellent detoxifier. Some people complain that it causes a sore throat and acidity and is not that effective too. Which can be due to some common mistakes that people make while preparing it

Mistake 1> putting too much water and just 1 lemon to avoid acidity and increase water intake

Mistake 2 >Putting honey in hot water which may act against your body

To reap the maximum results out of it drink it early morning on empty stomach to see the miraculous results

Recipe:

  1. 200 ml lukewarm water, mix the juice of 1 lemon and 1tbsp honey
  2. Do not gulp it, gradually sip it down and finish it

Benefits

  • The citric acid in Lemon flushes out the toxins
  • Clears skin
  • Shrinks fat cells
  • Aids digestion
  • Detoxifies the body
  • Cleanses the blood
  • Boosts immunity

#3 Coconut water

Fresh_coconut_water

This is a natural energy drink detoxifies the body. Ideally, the right time to drink it before 12 noon for max benefit. And, even after an intensive workout session to hydrate our body. As it is a great mother nature’s Sports drink

Benefits:

  • Biologically pure
  • Has potassium equal to 4 bananas
  • Perfect electrolyte balance
  • Prevents hypertension

# 2 Sugarcane juice

Sugarcane Juice

It is an answer to people who have sweet tooth and crave for something sweet to drink especially in summers. It is the tastiest and healthiest of many juices, not only low in Glycaemic index is recommended to diabetics as well. It is a super juice among all other fruit juices. It is rich in nutrients as well. Adding ginger and mint to it will even more improve your digestion!

Benefits

  • Rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, antioxidants
  • It cures a Common cold and boosts immunity
  • Fights fever and other infections too
  • Boosts energy
  • Strengthens liver
  • Relieves constipation
  • Removes Bad breath and Tooth Decay

#1 Carrot Milk

carrot milk It’s a number one drink to try especially in winters and it’s already around. It works as a natural health supplement which can be taken from children to adults to old age

Recipe:

  1. 1 Medium sized grated carrot
  2. Half boil the carrot in a half cup of water
  3. Post that adds 200ml of milk in it
  4. Let the water evaporate and we would have a powerful health supplement ready

Benefits

  • Improves eyesight especially for people who work in front of gadgets for long hours
  • Relief from dark circles
  • For glowing skin
  • Increases strength
  • Clears vitamin deficiencies

Have it at least 2-3 times a week, if you want you can have it every day, anytime

If you wish to sweeten it, you can some jaggery powder or some honey

Honourable Mention:

Whenever you feel like drinking something Drink water! The best way is to keep it in a copper vessel on a wooden surface and keep it overnight and drink first thing in the morning and don’t pour it in other utensil and drink it straight from the copper vessel to multiply the nutrients in it.

I believe all the above drinks are very convenient and can be added in our fast-paced busy lives, as looking good is not enough- feeling good is what matters.

 

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Low Fat Christmas and New Year Eve Recipes

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It’s that time of the year when you reconnect with your loved ones for celebrations such as singing carols, dancing etc, it’s the Jingle bells season. 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 the last few days here are some recipes which I have planned for my Christmas and New Year Eve’s party.

To start with here is a yummy soup recipe to stimulate the taste buds

1.    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 and let the leeks cook till they’re soft, 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 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: Low-calorie soup rich in folic acid and soluble fibre. Basil and nutmeg act as super foods for immunity building.

  1. Stir-fried green beans: An accompaniment to the soup

Ingredients:

  • 100 gms Green French beans
  • 1tsp 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 5-7min until a little soft yet the bite remaining
  6. Sprinkle some oregano and serve

Nutritional Value: The best side dish. Full of fibre, protein and low-calorie snack.

  1. Chicken, kale and 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 along with a good splash of water and cook for 1-2 mins until soft yet a little bite remaining, then cool under running water to keep the colour.
  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 soft a little.
  4. Add all the above together and tip in the soy, lime zest and juice. Serve immediately.

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

  1. Whole wheat flour and Ragi cake:

How can a party be without a dessert? Ditch the calorie-laden and not so healthy maida and give a twist to the 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. 1. Remove gasket and whistle of the cooker and keep it in 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 banana 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. Have it guilt free. 

  1. Crusty pita bread and chickpeas: A quick and less cooking involved 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 can toast them in a sandwich.

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

  1. Christmas Balls: These amazing small balls will give a twist to the party

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

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

Hope these party ideas are a hit at your Christmas party. The recipes are low calorie, nutritive, easy to make and  So enjoy the party guilt-free with these yummy healthy preparations.

 

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4 Healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year

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Festivities always puts one in a dilemma what to eat and what not to eat and secondly how much to eat. It’s seldom hard to resist good food.

Are you looking for something nutritive as well as healthy for this Christmas and New Year?

Well, then we have 4 healthy recipes for you to try this Christmas and New Year. They are easy to cook and delicious and not to forget very healthy too.

  • Gourmet Almond Eyes (Almond Cookies)

It does not matter for whom you are making it. Whether it is for your beloved, for your Granny or your family and friends! these NUTRITIVE Almonds, jam-filled cookie bites will prove to your loved ones how much you care about them and their health.

Let’s check what goes into this very tasty Christmas cookies.

Ingredients:- For about 40 cookies

1/4 organic lemon

200 g (8 oz)  flour

150 g (6 oz)  butter

100 g (4 oz)  sugar

1/2 pack  vanilla sugar

1 egg

100 g (4 oz)  ground almonds

175 g (7 oz)  jam

Method:-

Step 1. Grate the lemon rind. Knead it with flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, the egg, and the almonds to smooth dough.

Step 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 centre of half of them. Bake on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper for about 12 minutes.

Step 3. After they are cooled 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–
I really like apples, so I always get several bushels. I eat an apple a day in winter because Apple has so many benefits for our health — the yellowish flesh in nectarines is rich in bioflavonoids, especially carotenoids. These pigments are antioxidants that help to protect 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 prevent cancer and oral cancer.

Apple also helps to 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, fibres in apples suppress hunger and aids in weight loss.

Thus Apple is quite nutritive. When there is a get together I love to make apple pie, apple salad or Apple Cake. If you are thinking what to make this CHRISTMAS or New Year, here is a recipe for APPLE CAKE! Apple cake is a moist yummy cake 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:- 
In a mixing bowl put cream butter and sugar and then beat in an egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in apples and walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centre comes out clean.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugars and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. 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:- 

  1. Chicken breast – 2
  2. Salt and pepper – 1
  3. Cake flour – 1
  4. Red chilli pepper – 1
  5. Vegetable oil – 2 Tsp
  6. Vinegar- 1 tbsp
  7. Sweet chilli sauce – 2 tbsp
  8. Ketchup – 2 tbsp
  9. Bell pepper

Methods 

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

Benefits of chicken:-

The white 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, 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:-

Place uncooked rice in a 3-quart saucepan, and add water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well. Stir in rice and raisins. Pour into a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes; stir pudding and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted halfway between the edge and the centre comes out clean.  Enjoy warm pudding.
Servings per Recipe: 11
Benefits of brown rice 

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

So do not waste time and try these healthy recipes. It’s a good way to get people to eat these tasty foods that are healthy.

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