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Healthy Diwali Recipe: Dates Roll with Seeds

dates roll with seeds

Diwali celebrations are incomplete without indulging in Indian sweets, right? Sweets add a lot of happiness and enthusiasm to festivals. Just like colorful Rangolis at the entrance of a house, a sweet table is always open at home during Diwali. So, this Diwali, I am sharing 2 amazing sweet recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth which are extremely nourishing at the same time. Let’s begin with this super nourishing Dates Roll recipe with the goodness of seeds!

What you will need:

  • Seedless Dates – 500gm
  • Walnuts (Coarsely Chopped) – 15
  • Almonds (Coarsely Chopped) – 15
  • Cashews (Coarsely Chopped) – 10
  • Pistachios (Coarsely Chopped) – 15
  • Flax Seeds (Roasted) – 1 tbsp.
  • Sunflower Seeds (Roasted) – 1 tbsp.
  • Poppy Seeds/Khas Khas (Roasted) – 2 tbsp.
  • Cardamom Powder – ½ tbsp.
  • Ghee – 2 tbsp.

How to Prepare:

  1. Make a coarse paste of seedless dates in a mixer.
  2. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp. of ghee and add all the coarsely chopped nuts and roast them on medium flame for 3-5 minutes and keep it aside.
  3. In the same pan, heat 1 tbsp. of ghee and add the dates paste in it and cook for 3-5 minutes until it is soft
  4. Then, add the mix roasted nuts, 1 tbsp. of roasted poppy seeds and roasted flax seeds along with sunflower seeds and mix well in the pan itself.
  5. Now, rest the dates and nuts mixture on a flat surface out of the flame.
  6. To make a roll out of it, spread roasted poppy seeds and some chopped pistachio on a flat surface.
  7. Using your hands, make a medium thick cylinder of the dates and nuts mixture and roll it over the poppy seeds and pistachios so that it sticks to the roll very well.
  8. Now take a piece of silver foil or butter paper and cover the roll with it very tightly. Tuck and fold the ends of both sides very nicely and allow this to set for 2 hours in the fridge.
  9. After 2 hours, using a sharp knife, cut medium thick slices and then remove the silver foil from each slice.
  10. Your healthy homemade Dates Roll with Seeds is ready.

Highlights of the Dates Roll with Seeds Recipe

  • Just right to satisfy your sweet tooth.
  • This is a recipe rich in healthy fats, proteins, iron and B vitamins.
  • Safe for diabetes and weight watchers but never forget moderation is the key!

Stay tuned for the 2nd sweet recipe! Any guesses to what it might be? Leave your guesses in the comments below!

For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Healthy Eating: Black Sesame Seeds Chutney

black sesame seeds chutney

There are mainly 3 types of sesame seeds – black, white and red or brown. Of these three, black sesame seeds rank the highest, white medium and red falls the lowest in nutritional qualities. Let’s look at a black sesame seeds chutney or a spice mix recipe which will be moist due to sesame oil from the seeds. We can store it in an airtight container and relish it with roti, bhakri, khakara, idli, dosa or even rice. This is a very easy way to include sesame seeds to your daily diet. 

What You Will Need 

  • Black sesame seeds – one small cup
  • Salt – to taste
  • Dry red chili – 7 to 8
  • Garlic pods – 7 to 8

How To Prepare

  1. Dry roast black sesame seeds on medium flame. Remove them after they start popping and get roasted. Let them cool. 
  2. Next, roast red dry chilies till the moisture in them dries up. Remove this and let it cool.
  3. Now, add sesame seeds and roasted chilly and grind it to a coarse powder in a mixer grinder. 
  4. Once it seems blended well, add the garlic pods and salt and grind them so that they blend together nicely. 
  5. Your black sesame seeds chutney is ready! 

Benefits of the Black Sesame Seeds Chutney 

  • Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B6, Niacin, zinc, molybdenum and selenium. They’re also rich in dietary fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. 
  • Sesame seeds can prevent and control diabetes. They also aid in reducing the risks of cancer.  
  • Improves and supports bone health. 
  • As a strong anti inflammatory agent, they are known to reduce cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. 
  • Reduces signs of premature aging and strengthens muscle tissue and hair.  
  • Sesame seeds also protects DNA from harmful effects of radiation either from accidental or natural sources or by chemotherapy or radiotherapy

We hope you enjoy this Black Sesame Seeds Chutney. Do try it out and leave your feedback in the comments below. For more Healthy Recipes, checkout Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE cooking sessions on GOQii Play. 

#BeTheForce 

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All You Need to Know About Flaxseeds

everything about flaxseedsWhen it comes to nutrition and fitness, Flaxseeds or Alsi is the most commonly heard terms these days. The way fashion trends keep pouring in, you will see food ingredients also hitting the market as and when research finds out something important.

Flaxseed is one of the important ingredients in the market right now. You will see Flaxseed Oil on the shelves of most grocery stores, Ground Flaxseeds used in various recipes and Whole Flaxseeds tempered beautifully on cookies and bread.

People are talking about Flaxseeds a lot as doctors and dietitians are recommending it to people who want to lose weight. It is being recommended to those who are suffering from cancer, heart problems, diabetes and various other diseases.

Everyone is wondering what magical powers do these tiny oval-shaped, flat, glossy and pointed at one end ingredient have?

It has magical powers in the form of three magical nutrients.

  1. Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects
  2. Lignans, which has both, plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities
  3. Fiber: Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types

Yes, these three magical nutrients are capable of fighting so many deadly diseases. Let’s have a look into it.

Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Cancer: Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans present in Flaxseeds have a protective effect against breast, prostate and colon cancer. They block the enzymes which are involved in hormone metabolism by interfering with the growth and spread of tumor cells, thus, preventing cancer.

Cardiovascular Health: Omega-3s present in Flaxseeds reduce the hardening of arteries, which keeps plaque from being deposited in them. This automatically helps in keeping the heartbeat normal. As a result, blood pressure is kept under control and it takes care of the overall cardiovascular system.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of Flaxseeds are the result of the combined benefits of the omega-3 ALA, fiber, and lignans.

Inflammation: Omega 3 and lignans present in Flaxseeds are known to block the release of certain pro-inflammatory agents which help in reducing the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses such as Parkinson’s and Asthma.

Diabetes: Daily intake of Flaxseeds improve the blood sugar of people suffering from diabetes.

Relieves Constipation: Flaxseeds and Flaxseed Oil act as natural laxatives and give you relief from constipation.

Some Facts on Flaxseeds

  1. Whether you have it in the whole form or ground form, what we need to know is that just swallowing Flaxseeds like a medicine with water won’t give you the desired results. The seeds need to be broken to get the omega 3 nutrients which are present in it. If you are eating whole Flaxseeds, chew them properly. If you are grinding it, grind it fresh every time you want to consume it.
  2. The best place to store Ground Flaxseeds is in the freezer. The freezer will help maintain the nutritional content of Grounded Flaxseeds by preventing oxidation.
  3. If you are not grinding Flaxseeds, then the outside shell in the whole Flaxseeds acts as the protective shield of itself which keeps the fatty acids inside well protected. As long as whole Flaxseeds are dry and of good quality, it can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.

Creative Ways to Eat Flaxseeds

  1. You can start your day by adding Ground Flaxseeds in lukewarm lemon water. Drink this early in the morning to detox your body.
  2. Addition of Flaxseed to your regular breakfast cereal will give your boring bowl a fresh, nutty flavor.  You can also add them to puffed rice, idli or parathas.
  3. Prepare a nice evening snack with fruits, Yoghurt and add this tint of nutty flavor to it.
  4. Adding it to milkshakes will also change the flavor of the shakes giving it an exotic nutty flavor.
  5. Add it to your regular veg curries as they won’t get noticed when added to soups,  enchilada casserole, chicken parmesan, chicken meatballs, etc.
  6. Lastly substitute a part of flour with Ground Flaxseed in recipes like cakes, Dhokla, Dosa, Parathas, etc.

In conclusion, these small and nutty seeds which are highly rich in omega 3 are extremely beneficial for our general health.

Did we miss out on any benefits of Flaxseeds? Would you like to know more? Drop us a comment below!

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Benefits of Fennel Seeds (Part 2)

Benefits of Fennel Seeds 2In my previous blog, we talked about the amazing Benefits of Fennel Seed Water. In this blog, I am going to tell you about different ways of using Fennel Seeds for good digestion, eyes, hair and skin.

Fennel Seeds contain many useful, active ingredients such as:

  • Anethole: This is the main active ingredient of Fennel. It is antimicrobial (kills germs), mimics estrogen, and increases prolactin
  • Flavonoids like Quercetin and Apigenin: These are antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
  • Phenolic compounds such as Rosmarinic Acid and Chlorogenic Acids: These are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
  • Terpenes such as Fenchone and Limonene, which improve wound healing
  • Water-soluble vitamins like Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), Thiamine(vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin b2), Niacin (vitamin B3), and Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
  • Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E, and K
  • Trace minerals and other elements like Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Strontium, and Zinc
  • Essential Amino Acids like Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan
  • Dietary Fiber

Uses of Fennel Seeds:

a) Fennel Seeds after Meals: If you have acidity, indigestion problem, take ½ tsp of fennel seeds after meals. It helps in digesting food and reducing acidity.

b) Fennel Seeds Paste for Puffy Eyes: Make a paste by mixing Fennel Seeds Powder with cold water. Apply the paste under your eyes and wait for 5-7 minutes. Rinse with cold water and you’ll notice the difference immediately.

c) Fennel Seeds Paste for Acne: Make a paste of Fennel Seeds powder, Honey and Yoghurt. Apply the paste on the affected areas and let it sit for a good 10-15 minutes. Next, rinse with cold water.

d) Fennel Seeds Water for Hair Fall: Boil some water with a few spoons of Fennel Seeds in it. Once boiled, strain the water and let it cool down. Next, rinse your hair thoroughly with the water. Repeat this twice a week for quick results.

e) Fennel Seeds Paste to Hydrate Itchy Scalp: Make a paste of Fennel Seeds Powder with Yoghurt and apply the paste evenly on your scalp. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off.

f) Fennel Seeds & Oatmeal Anti-Aging Mask: Take 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds, 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, and 1/4 cup of boiled water and mix well. Apply this mask on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.

g) Fennel Seeds as Mouth-Freshener: Roast Fennel Seeds with equal quantities of Fenugreek and store it in a jar. Use this mix as a mouth-freshener. This mix can be used as a replacement for your sugar cravings – extremely helpful for Diabetics.

h) Fennel Seeds Toner for Puffy Eyes: Take 2 tsp of Fennel Seeds and  ¼ cup of hot water, combine them and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, strain and pour in an airtight container , keep refrigerated for up to one week .

i) Fennel Seeds to Improve Eyesight: Take 100gm each of Fennel Seeds, Almonds, Rock Sugar and grind them well in a mixer.  Have 10gm of this mixture every night before bedtime you will notice your eyesight getting better.

How to Store:
Store dry Fennel Seeds as you do in case of other seeds. Place whole seeds in a clean, air-seal container and store in a cool, humid-free and dark place. Ground and powdered Fennel Seeds should be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers and should be used sooner since it loses flavor quickly due to evaporation of its essential oils.
I hope these suggestions are useful to you and will help you utilize this versatile seeds better.

How do you use Fennel Seeds? Let us know in the comments below!

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