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December 18, 2021 By GOQii Leave a Comment

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

December 15, 2021 By Saba Mirza 1 Comment

Tea is for Therapy

tea

When you hear someone say tea, you are bound to picture that wonderful, aromatic concoction made from milk, sugar and tea leaves. Have you ever felt a slight amount of guilt for loving this enchanting drink when the rest of the world is telling you it is unhealthy? Tea has evolved so much over the centuries from the first time when it came to India, that its original shape and taste is only restricted to additives and the harmful effects of the additives are attributed to tea.

Does it feel like we’ve forgotten the true meaning to tea, which as per Merriam Webster dictionary is – “an aromatic drink, prepared by soaking the part of various plants (such as leaves or roots) and is used medicinally or as a beverage!’’

Here I am enlisting a few authentic teas which have some magical benefits on your health!

1. Wake Up Call Tulsi Tea
Tulsi or holy basil is one of the most sacred herbs in India, also known as “queen of herbs”. Chewing on a few Tulsi leaves is beneficial for you! Imagine sipping on hot Tulsi tea in the morning! The antioxidants in Tulsi Tea clean your body off all the accumulated toxins after the wear and tear which happens during deep sleep.

Its metabolism booster effect helps in optimizing your fasting blood sugar levels while anti-cortisol action is great to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body, making you ready to welcome the day with a super refreshed and rejuvenated mind!

How to Brew: Take a cup of water in a saucepan. Add 2-3 Tulsi leaves and bring it to a boil till the water absorbs its colour and flavor. After about 2-3 minutes, strain the tea and sip it hot! You can add honey and lemon for more added flavor and nutrients.

2. Mid-Morning Green Tea
Known as one of the world’s healthiest drinks, we are aware of the numerous health benefits of green tea and how it boosts the metabolic process. But do you know that there are some specific times in a day when green tea can do more harm than benefits?  For example, drinking green tea early morning on an empty stomach can increase the acidic environment in the gut or very close to the meals, when the tannins present in it can hamper the absorption of essential nutrients like iron, calcium, proteins from the food. An ideal time to drink this elixir is mid-morning, around 2 hours after your breakfast or 2 hours after lunch.

The natural antioxidants, catechins, which make about 30% of green teas’ nutrient content protect the body from cell damage, and prevent the occurrence of a variety of cancers and degenerative nerve cell disorders like Alzheimer’s.

How to Brew: Pour hot water over loose tea leaves or teabag. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Three minutes for mild flavor, five minutes for a robust full flavour as per your taste.

3. Afternoon Black Tea
Afternoon, around 1-2 hours after lunch is the time when we crave for tea the most. The feelings of dizziness, lethargy, sleepiness, heavy headedness all attack the body together and the need for an instant stimulant is unavoidable. At that time, ditch the harmful additives altogether (milk, sugar) and go for pure, super brain stimulant black tea. L-theanine, the amino acid present in tea increases alpha activity in the brain, resulting in relaxation, better focus and alertness. Black tea is also found to have positive effects on heart health by reducing the levels of LDL – the bad cholesterol when taken consistently.

How to Brew: Pour hot water over a tea bag or boil 2-3g of tea leaves with one cup of water. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on the flavour you prefer. Strain it and sip to enjoy the rush of energy!

4. Before bed Chamomile Tea
This is one of the best non-caffeinated drink which you can have at bedtime. Chamomile is a herb which comes from the daisy-like flowers of the Asteraceae family which have been used for centuries to reduce inflammation, anxiety and treat insomnia. The best time to relish this naturally sweet tea is 30 minutes before bedtime, as the antioxidant ‘epigenin’ present in it binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain that may decrease anxiety and cause mild sleepiness. Some studies have found it effective in positively reducing the anxiety during the postpartum period.

How to Brew: Pour hot water over tea bag or infuser. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Add in the flavour of your choice like lemon or mint leaves if needed and enjoy the calmness.

Tea For Home Remedies

Let’s see some age old remedial teas from our grandma’s kitchen!

1. Lemon Honey Tea for Cold and Sore Throat
It is one of the most popular drinks, especially in winters, which instantly soothes a sore throat and reduces congestion. Lemon helps in reducing congestion because of its anti-inflammatory action, while honey helps in soothing the throat.

How to Brew: Add the juice of half a lemon and one teaspoon of organic honey to one cup of hot or warm water and drink instantly!

2. Ginger Tea for Nausea
The active components present in ginger i.e. Gingerol and volatile oils have been found to be effective in reducing nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy or post-surgery. It can also help in calming down the symptoms of motion sickness like dizziness, vomiting and cold sweats.

How to Brew: Add 3-4 slices of peeled, raw ginger in one and half cup of water and let it boil on medium heat for 10-20 minutes, depending on how strong you want it. Remove from heat and add in lemon and honey as per your taste.

3. Peppermint Tea for Bloating
Peppermint is one of the most widely used herbal tea all over the world as a home remedy for various health conditions. It is sometimes known as ‘stomach healer’, as it is known to soothe various gastrointestinal ailments, including stomachache, heartburns, bloating, indigestion and diarrhoea and to promote healthy digestion. It is particularly effective after a meal if you experience heartburn or at the onset of stomach problems.

How to Brew: Add fresh (preferably) or dried peppermint leaves to boiling water. Steep it for 5-10 minutes. Strain the leaves, drink it warm and not scalding hot.

Did you find this article helpful? Try some of these and share your experience with us in the comments below. For more on tea, check out Healthy Reads. You can also buy our select teas, curated by experts from the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii App. Download the app now!  

#BeTheForce 

August 8, 2021 By Akanksha Khullar 4 Comments

5 Super Slimming Smoothie Recipes

super slimming smoothie

Have you gone to unfathomable lengths to shed those extra kilos from your body? At one point, even I did the same. I, in fact, tried everything but still hit a plateau even after following a strict exercise regime and eating healthy. To combat the plateau, I switched to smoothies for breakfast instead of what I ate normally. I made the best use of veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds stored in my fridge. That’s how my super slimming smoothie recipes came into existence!

Needless to say, they delivered results. Apart from that, these super slimming smoothie recipes are palatable, take less time to prepare, look tempting and are really nutritious!

Let’s take a look at them!

1. Sapodila (Chiku), Chia seeds and Almond Milk Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • Sapodillas: 3 – 4
  • Chia Seeds: 1-2 tbsp  
  • Almond milk: ½ cup
  • Almond flakes: 1 tbsp

How to Prepare:

  1. Wash the Sapodillas. Peel, remove the seeds and chop them roughly
  2. Put the chopped sapodillas into the blender and add almond milk.
  3. Blend into a smooth paste and pour it in a glass
  4. Add Chia seeds and stir well
  5. Top it up with Almond flakes before drinking.

2. Celery, Pear and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • Chopped Celery: 1 cup
  • Chopped Pear: 1 cup
  • ACV: 1 teaspoon
  • Himalayan Salt: 1 Pinch

How to Prepare:

  1. Put the chopped celery and pear in the blender, blend it well and pour in a glass.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and a pinch of Himalayan salt and blend again for a few seconds.
  3. Stir well before drinking.

3. Blueberry, Oats and Pumpkin Seeds Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • Blueberries: ½ cup
  • Oats: ¼ cup
  • Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tbsp
  • Low Fat Milk: 1-2 cups

How to Prepare:

  1. Blend the blueberries, oats, pumpkin seeds and milk together in one go.
  2. Pour the contents in a glass and enjoy.

 4. Banana, Almond and Dark Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • Sliced Banana: 1 Cup
  • Almonds: 8
  • Grated Dark Chocolate (80% cocoa): 4 tbsp
  • Chilled Low Fat Milk: ½ cup

How to Prepare:

  1. Toss the sliced bananas, almonds, grated chocolate and chilled milk into the blender and give it a spin.
  2. Pour the smoothie in a glass and enjoy!

 5. Purple Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • Jamun (Black Plum) Pulp: 1 cup
  • Curd: ½ cup
  • Soaked Chia Seeds: 1 tsp
  • Organic Honey: 1 tbsp

How to Prepare:

  1. Pour the Jamun pulp and curd in the mixer and blend well.
  2. Add the organic honey to the above mixture along with the entire contents of the soaked chia seeds with water and blend well.
  3. Pour the smoothie in a glass and drink it.

These are a few of the super slimming smoothie recipes for weight loss. If you’re looking for something uniquely nutritious, this is it! So hit the kitchen and go super healthy! Do share your experience in the comments below.

For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to cooking sessions on GOQii Play.

To get more advice on recipes, nutrition, weight loss and diet tips, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

Eat Healthy, Stay Home, Stay Safe and #BeTheForce

March 27, 2020 By Neha Goyal 4 Comments

Immunity Building Recipes For The Fasting Season

immunity building recipesIt’s Chaitra Navratri and that means it is the fasting season. With the coronavirus spreading rapidly, it is imperative that you take care of your health by consuming good food which is permitted during this fasting season. We have compiled a few nutrient-rich immunity building recipes and herbal concoctions to help you get the most during your fast! Have a look.

Immunity Building Recipes For the Fasting Season

 1. Turmeric Tea

Benefits of turmeric are not unknown to us. This tea is full of anti inflammatory ingredients to help fight infections.

Ingredients:

  • Organic Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp 
  • Water – 200ml  
  • Ghee or coconut oil – 1-2 tsp
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • Ginger juice – ¼ tsp
  • Lemon juice – ½ tsp
  • Raw organic honey – 1 tsp 

Method:
Take water in a pan and add turmeric powder. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Strain the tea into a container & allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a while to get a strong immunity boosting tea.

2. Panakam (Pronounced as Panagam in Tamil) 

It is a traditional South Indian drink specially prepared on Ram Navami. This wonder drink is thought to prevent illness due to seasonal changes.

Ingredients: 

  • Water – 4 cups
  • Powdered jaggery – ½ cup 
  • Edible camphor (optional) – ½ pinch
  • Tamarind pulp – 4tbsp
  • Dry ginger powder – ½ tsp
  • Freshly ground black pepper (optional) – ¼ tsp
  • Tulsi leaves – 3 to 4
  • Freshly ground cardamom powder – ½ tsp 

Method:
Soak jaggery in water until it dissolves completely. Now strain the mixture and add camphor, tamarind pulp, ginger, black pepper and cardamom powder. Let it sit for half an hour so all the flavours can infuse. Strain the liquid to remove any particles. Add roughly hand-crushed tulsi leaves and serve. You can adjust the quantity of jaggery and other flavours as per your choice.

3. Green Smoothie 

This smoothie can be considered as a meal replacement. It is full of nutrients that can boost your immunity.

Ingredients:

  • Cucumber roughly cubed (do not remove peel) – 1 large 
  • Banana – 1
  • Handful of spinach leaves
  • 1 Kiwi or handful grapes
  • Chia seeds, Watermelon seeds, Pumpkin seeds – 2 tbsp each 
  • 7-8 soaked almonds

Method:
Soak all seeds in ½ water for around 2-3 hours. (You can also soak them overnight if you’re planning to have this smoothie for breakfast). Now throw all the ingredients in a blender & blend until smooth. You can add water to adjust the consistency as per your choice. Your green smoothie is ready!

4. Papaya Smoothie  

Most of us consider citrus fruits when it comes to getting our daily dose of Vitamin C. But you will be amazed to know that papaya has almost the same amount found in an Orange. Along with that, it’s a great source of Vitamin A too.

Ingredients:

  • Papaya cubed – 2 cups 
  • Fresh curd – ¾ cup
  • Chia seeds – 2 tbsp
  • Fresh orange juice – ¼ cup
  • 7-8 cashews
  • Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp 

Method:
Soak cashews and chia seeds in curd for 2-3 hours. Now throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the consistency using more orange juice or water. Your smoothie is ready!

5. Orange Delight 

Ingredients:

  • Apple cubed – 1  
  • Boiled & cooled chopped carrot – ½ cup
  • Orange – 1 cup 
  • Ginger – ½ inch piece 
  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
  • Sunflower seeds and Flax seeds – 2 tbsp each 
  • 4 walnuts
  • Handful of roasted foxnuts

Method:
Soak the nuts and seeds for minimum 2 hours. Throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Your orange smoothie is ready.

As you can see, these immunity building recipes are fasting friendly and a great detox as well – which is the main scientific purpose of fasting. Use these immunity building recipes as a part of your meals to stay healthy at all times! For more immunity building and healthy recipes, tune in to cooking classes on GOQii Play. 

Stay Safe, stay indoors and #BeTheForce! 

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