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Beetroot, Will You Be My Valentine?

beetrootThey say love comes in all shapes and sizes and isn’t necessarily limited to your life partner. But just like with humans, you need to love things which are good for you. You could love exercising, eating a certain kind of healthy meal or even fruit. For me, love came in the form of beetroot and for good reason as well.

Health Benefits of Beetroots

  • Beetroots are known for their nutritional content consisting of Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Fiber, Manganese, Vitamin A and C – all the essentials that your body needs.
  • Being rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, beetroots help in weight loss and fight inflammation.
  • It has been found that nitrates present in a beetroot convert into nitric oxide, which in turn dilates blood vessels, hence lowering blood pressure.
  • Beetroots aren’t boring! They can be consumed in a variety of ways by making it into juices, soups, salads, pickle, and smoothies.
  • Prevents Heart diseases.
  • Beetroots are the topmost choice for people with Diabetes as phytochemicals present in them are associated with regulating effects on glucose and insulin.
  • Boosts Energy levels.
  • When juiced, it is an all-natural detox drink.

Despite all these awesome benefits, there are many people who do not like the beetroot because of its bitter and earthy taste. I used to be one of them. I didn’t like the taste and completely avoided it in school. Later, when I graduated as a Nutritionist, I came across the super healthy beetroot again. Now, if as a nutritionist who knows its health benefits, I had my qualms about consuming beetroots, imagine others. How can one incorporate it in their daily diet? This made me come up with some awesome recipes which can make consuming a beetroot far more interesting.

Healthy Recipes With a Beetroot

The most common way to have them is raw by sprinkling pink Himalayan salt and a dash of lemon but there are other ways as well.

1. The Beetroot Pickle  

What you will need:  

  • Beetroot – 1kg
  • Coriander Seeds – 2 tbsp
  • Kalonji – ½ tbsp
  • Amchoor Powder – 1 tbsp
  • Cumin Seeds – 1
  • Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Mustard Oil – 100 ml
  • Salt to taste

How to Prepare:

  1. Peel beetroots, wash and cut them into small pieces of about 2 inches.
  2. Take a pan, put 1tbsp olive oil in it along with cut pieces of beetroot and roast them till they are tender.
  3. In another pan, roast all the other ingredients till you get that awesome aroma. Keep aside and let it cool down.
  4. Grind all the roasted ingredients but do not turn them into fine powder.
  5. Take a bowl, put beetroots and grinded spices all together and mix well. Store it in a glass jar by adding mustard oil and keep it in sunlight for the next 2-4 days. Your pickle is ready.

 2. Beetroot Kebabs

What You Will Need:

  • Beetroot – ½
  • Oats Powder – 1 cup
  • Red Chilly Powder – 1 cup
  • Coriander Powder – ½ tbsp
  • Black Pepper Powder – ½ tbsp
  • Garam Masala – ½ tbsp
  • Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
  • Onion – 1 chopped into small pieces.
  • Green chillies (optional)
  • Coriander leaves

How to Prepare:               

  1. Peel and grate the beetroot and squeeze the water out from it.
  2. Take a bowl, put oats powder, beetroot, and all other ingredients mentioned above and mash them well.
  3. Take a frying pan and fill half the pan with oil
  4. Make tikkis of the batter and shallow fry them on a low to medium flame.
  5. Serve them hot with paratha/ roti.

3. Beetroot Veggie Uttapam

What you will need:

  • Beetroot – 1 small
  • Fine Semolina – 1 cup
  • Onion – 1 small finely chopped
  • Tomato – 1 small finely chopped
  • Capsicum – 1 small finely chopped (yellow and green)
  • Curd – 1 cup
  • Green chillies (optional)
  • Salt to taste

How to Prepare:

  1. Peel the beetroot and grind it into a thin paste.
  2. In a bowl, mix the semolina, curd, salt, chillies and beetroot paste.
  3. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Take a non-stick pan, put a few drops of oil and gently spread the batter with a help of a katori or round spoon.
  5. Sprinkle the chopped onion, tomato, capsicum and green chilies.
  6. Cover it with a lid and let it cook on low flame for about 1 minute.
  7. Flip it to the other side and cook well.
  8. Serve hot with green chutney.

As a proposal to good health, we request you to level up your kitchen by adding beetroots to it for Valentine’s Day. Hope you enjoyed reading the article. Share the love in the comments below! For more healthy recipes and nutrition facts, check out Healthy Reads or GOQii Play, both within the GOQii App. 

#BeTheForce .  

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Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis!

Foods for SinusitisHave you woken up one morning with terrible pain in your forehead or between your eyes? To add to this agony, you experience a swelling face, stuffy nose and congestion. Your upper teeth hurt and it feels like your head is about to explode! If you have these symptoms, it is an indication of Sinusitis!

What is Sinusitis?

Sinus points are basically air spaces in your skull lined with mucous membranes. Most people have four sets of nasal sinuses.

  1. Two in the forehead above the eyes
  2. One inside each cheekbone
  3. A group of them, called the Ethmoid Sinuses, behind the bridge of the nose
  4. Another group behind the nose and underneath the brain called the Sphenoid Sinuses

These sinus points are like fingerprints. If there is an infection in these points, it leads to a condition called Sinusitis. Basically, it is an inflammation of the sinus cavity due to a virus, bacteria or fungus. Tiny hair-like structures called Cilia move mucus across Sinus Membranes, towards an exit.

All of your sinus cavities connect to your nose to allow a free exchange of air and mucus. Infections or allergies affect the sinus tissues, making them inflamed, red and swollen. But don’t worry, nature is loaded with remedies for most conditions!

Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis

  1. Spicy Foods: Hot spices like pepper, chillis (capsicum), jalapenos, relieve sinus congestion as they help release the mucus that causes a stuffed nose. Spicy foods help in opening the sinus cavity and promote the restoration of normal breathing.
  2. Garlic: contains an enzyme called Allicin that destroys bacteria and viruses that cause Sinusitis.
  3. Vitamin E: found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils helps you get rid of a sinus congestion.
  4. Zinc: in Lean Meat, Poultry, Licorice and Seafood helps in relieving a congestion.
  5. Warm Herbal Teas: like Peppermint, Ginger, Licorice and Holy Basil (Tulsi) teas are some of the best for your sinuses and throat during a bout of Sinusitis. Tea moistens mucus membrane, helping to clear the sinus network.
  6. Chicken Soup: contains an amino acid called cysteine that causes a runny nose and clears out the nasal congestion.
  7. Leafy Green Veggies, tomatoes, oranges, yellow fruits and veggies contain Vitamin A that helps build a healthy mucus membrane.
  8. Grapefruits, Oranges and Lemon are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Thus, they help clear a sinus congestion. Oxidation damage can contribute to Chronic Sinusitis. Antioxidants protect the mucus membranes from free radical damage.
  9. Pineapple is rich in antioxidants which protect the delicate mucus membranes from damage. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, breaks down the junk that builds up in sinuses and reduces inflammation.
  10. Coconut Oil is very good at reducing inflammation and also in killing many bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Try oil pulling with a spoonful of coconut oil and you’ll notice your sinuses clear up. Simply swish around a spoonful of it for five to ten minutes and spit it out.
  11. Turmeric/Ginger Root: Turmeric root is wonderful, fragrant and contains natural anti-inflammatory Curcumin. This spice is also an antioxidant. When combined with spicy ginger root and brewed for hot tea, this combination can help loosen mucus from clogged nasal passages, alleviate sinus pressure, and make you feel better all around. Ginger root also has the added bonus of calming an upset stomach – a frequent side-effect of excessive night time sinus drainage.
  12. Apple Cider Vinegar: acts as a boon for sinus infections. Firstly, it is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory that can kill the destructive microorganisms which cause the infection. Secondly, it helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level, which helps breaking up mucus and discourage the proliferation of the condition.

Worst Foods For a Sinus Infection

  1. Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands and causes sinus congestion
  2. Fried foods/Processed foods containing additives are best avoided during a sinus infection
  3. Foods with high sugar content, especially ice cream, worsen a sinus infection
  4. Refined carbs like bread, pasta, and rice do not help during sinus congestions
  5. Fermented foods like cheese worsen sinus
  6. Starchy heavy foods like noodles are not for people with a sinus problem
  7. Milk is known to worsen a sinus congestion as it thickens mucus and promotes microbial growth
  8. Foods high in saturated fats like egg yolk and meat are to be avoided during a sinus infection

Keep your sinus clean and relax, breathe refresh and stay healthy! We hope this article helped you. Please do leave your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

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Liquorice Root: The Magical, Medicinal Herb You Need Today

liquoriceSome spices and herbs from our grandmother’s stockpot are so precious that even today they are used in several households as home remedies. One such ayurvedic, age-old herb is Mulethi or Liquorice (also spelt as Licorice).

Liquorice is widely known for its exceptional flavor and is also used in several medicines as it claims to be anti-diabetic and antioxidant in nature, providing many health benefits.

Nutritional Value

Liquorice has an enticing scent, this comes from a variable and complex combination of compounds out of which anethole makes up 3% of the entire plant. Most of the sweetness comes from a substance called glycyrrhizin, it is generally 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar.

7 Health Benefits of Liquorice

  • Combats Digestive Issues: Mulethi is a magical root when it comes to curing digestive issues like acid reflux, stomach inflammation, ulcers, heartburn, acidity and constipation. It also acts as a mild laxative to regulate bowel movements.Dosage: Directly taken by mouth (chewing of the root) post meals, especially after dinner.
  • Keeps The Respiratory Tract Healthy: It aids in easing a sore throat, asthma, cold, cough and other respiratory issues. Chewing on Liquorice sticks is an age-old remedy for a sore throat. It thins and loosens the mucus inside the airways and eases coughing and congestion.Dosage:  If you want to avoid chewing on the sticks, you can also mix ginger juice to Liquorice tea. (Boiling Liquorice sticks in water)
  • Helps in Weight Reduction: Liquorice oil helps to reduce visceral fat and body fat to a great extent in overweight people. Infact, Liquorice supplements have proven to help people achieve lower BMI and Low Density Lipoprotein.
  • Improves Immunity: Regular use is helpful in boosting immunity due to the enzymes present in the root plant. It helps the body produce lymphocytes and macrophages that protect the body from microbes, pollutants, allergens. It is helpful to prevent microbial infections and also improve the defense mechanism of the body.Dosage: Directly taken by mouth (chewing of the root).
  • Protects the Liver: Liquorice roots help to treat certain disorders like Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Hepatitis, Liver damage and Jaundice. It also has an anti-inflammatory property that soothes the liver.Dosage: Mixing Mulethi in a cup of warm tea twice a day for a couple of weeks can purify the liver and make it immune to diseases.
  • Improves Oral Health: Its anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties also reduce the growth of bacteria which causes cavities. It also combats bad breath, reduces plaque and keeps the gums and teeth healthy and strong.Dosage: Dried Mulethi powder to be used for brushing teeth and mouthwash, or try gargling with the cooled mulethi tea.
  • Hormonal Regulation: The multipurpose herb also helps in correcting hormonal imbalances in the body and eases menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, depression, mood swings, and sweating, etc. It is also useful in relieving menstrual cramps, and regulating flow during menstruation.Dosage: Mulethi tea twice a day.

If you have been familiar with any of the issues listed above, you should definitely give Liquorice Root a try!

Was this article helpful? Want to know more about Liquorice Root? Type your queries down in the comments below!

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A Push Towards a Healthier Lifestyle | B. Nageswaran

nageswaran user journey

Health and fitness is quite an interesting space. Lately, there have been many people who have realized its importance. In some cases, individuals chase it with relentless determination, but sometimes, you need a little push before you take the first step. Such was the case with our player B. Nageswaran.

Retirement and Sedentary Lifestyle

Life after retirement is often dull. B. Nageswaran experienced this in 2016 as he began getting lethargic due to inactivity. Eating, sleeping and watching TV was his daily routine. By this time, he weighed around 89 kg. His meals were mostly home cooked but they lacked balance. He faced issues with high blood pressure as well.

He was certain by now, he had to make a change

Getting a Lifestyle Change

Nageswaran began searching for a fitness tracker. While web searching, he came across the story of our Founder and CEO Vishal Gondal. He immediately decided that GOQii was the way to go.

As soon as he joined GOQii, his lifestyle began to change. On the nutrition front, he began his day with water and soaked methi. After this, he consumes a concoction made of jeera, cinnamon and ginger in warm water.

Before a workout, he eats a banana, an apple, dates or some nuts. His post workout meal consists of homemade multigrain porridge or pearl millet (bajra) with curd. He follows this up with Idli, Dosa or Muesli for breakfast.

His Lunch consists of 1 cup of rice or 2 rotis ( flatbreads) with vegetables and dal or sambhar. For his evening snack, he either eats a fruit or consumes coconut water. He keeps his dinner very light and usually eats Idli, Dosa or Pancakes. Before bedtime, he drinks a glass of milk with turmeric.

He is completely off sugar and has zero cravings for it. Coupled with his medication, this has helped him keep high blood pressure at bay.

Being The Force

Nageswaran believes that the wisest decision of his life was getting involved with GOQii! Currently, he weighs 67 kg, having lost almost 22 kg and still looking to lose 2-3 kg more. Apart from losing weight, B. Nageswaran has also successfully completed a 10k run 6 months back, and has won an award for the same. He has begun training for a marathon.

Even though he was always interested in fitness, he needed someone who would push him and his GOQii Coach did exactly that! His coach followed up with him, guided him and suggested alternatives whenever required.

Nageswaran feels that GOQii Play is a unique endeavour that covers all major aspects of lifestyle and fitness. He is a regular on Marathon Expert Parwage Alam and Fitness Expert Tufail Qureshi’s classes. He also follows Dr. Paramjeet and Dr. Ashwin. He buys a lot of products during flash sales from the GOQii Health Store.

Seeing how adopting a healthier lifestyle has benefited him, B. Nageswaran got his family members to adopt the GOQii life, making them aware of fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Here’s What B. Nageswaran’s Coach Had to Say About His Journey

“Nageswaran Sir has high BP, high cholesterol, LDL, thyroid and Vitamin D deficiency. Habits set for him to take soaked Methi seeds, boiled eggs or coconut oil were followed religiously by him. This included his healthy detox, soups, fruits, coconut water, etc. 

His Exercise regime has been HIIT and running, alternatively. He has been well disciplined with his diet and exercise, promptly logging in his food, water and sleep.”

Are you inspired by Nageswaran’s journey? Make your healthy lifestyle change now by downloading and subscribing to GOQii!

#BeTheForce

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]