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All You Need to Know About Flaxseeds

everything about flaxseedsWhen it comes to nutrition and fitness, Flaxseeds (Lineseeds/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 smoothie bowls, or yoghurt.
  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, muffins, breads, pancake, 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! For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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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 tsp
  • 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 GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Healthy Recipes For Kids: Healthy Twist on Snacks & Sweets

Healthy Recipes For KidsAs mentioned in the previous article of Healthy Recipes For Kids, We spoke about the aspects of healthy eating for children not being different from adults. We need the right nutrients in the right quantities. Here, we’ve got some healthy recipes for a snack and a sweet that we’re sure your child will enjoy. 

Healthy Recipes For Kids

1. Healthy Mathari 

mathariWhat you will need: 

  • Wheat flour – 200 gm
  • Roasted Gram flour – 50 gm
  • Amaranth seed flour – 50 gm
  • Semolina – 20 gm
  • Desi ghee – 4 tbsp
  • Salt – a per taste
  • Dry fenugreek leaves – ½ tsp
  • Asafetida (Hing)  – 1/4th tsp
  • Roasted Muskmelon seeds powder – 2 tsp
  • Roasted Sunflower seeds powder – 2 tsp
  • Carom seeds – 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl and add hot melted ghee. Gently mix all the ingredients until ghee spreads all over the flour.
  2. Knead the dough with lukewarm milk to provide a soft texture
  3. Keep it aside for half an hour.
  4. Roll out a big chapati and cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter as it appeals to kids.
  5. These Mathari or salted cookies can be baked or fried on a low flame.
  6. These serve as a good snack at the evening hours with milk, juices or smoothies.

2. Jaggery Protein Chikki/Laddoo

healthy recipes for kidsWhat you will need:

  • Almonds – 50 gm
  • Walnuts – 50 gm
  • Sunflower seeds – 20 gm
  • Pumpkin seeds – 20 gm
  • Muskmelon seeds – 20 gm
  • Fox nuts – 50 gm
  • Rolled oats – 30 gm
  • Dates – 6-7 in number
  • Jaggery – 200 gm
  • White pepper powder – ½ tsp
  • Poppy seeds – 30 gm

Method of preparation

  1. Roast all the ingredients separately without jaggery, dates & pepper powder
  2. Make a coarse powder by adding dates 
  3. Melt jaggery on low flame. Once melted, start adding the white pepper powder
  4. Mix all ingredients gently
  5. Ladoos can be rolled from this mixture on slight cooling or chikki can be made by spreading the mixture on greased plate.
  6. These high protein chikkis or ladoos can be combined with breakfast or the evening snack

Benefits of These Recipes 

  • These matharis are rich in protein and contain seeds. Seeds are a compact source of many nutrients and generally kids don’t want to eat these seeds, so this is an easier way to get your kids to eat them.
  • Jaggery laddoo or chikki is a power pack compact source of many nutrients, rich in protein, iron and white pepper powder is very good for the eyes.
  • These snacks are much much better than the usual chips, mixtures and other unhealthy snacks. 

We hope you enjoy these Healthy Recipes For Kids. Do try them out, upload your pics on social media or the GOQii Arena and tag us! For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to cooking sessions on GOQii Play. 

To get more advice on recipes, nutrition and diet tips for kids, subscribe to GOQii and ask your GOQii Coach here.

#BeTheForce

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Level Up Holi With This Delicious Homemade Rose Thandai Recipe

homemade rose thandai

We all know that no Holi celebration is complete without a sip of a refreshing glass of Thandai. Honestly, nothing beats the summer heat better than this awesome Homemade Rose Thandai! 

Holi has been celebrated in India since time immemorial and it gives people a chance to let loose and enjoy themselves. What enhances the spirit of Holi is the tradition of drinking Thandai along with other delicacies such as gujiya, mathri, malpua, puranpoli, dahi vadas, etc.

As the name suggests, Thandai is a refreshing milk beverage which helps you cool your system almost instantly and serves as a quick source of energy in this scorching summer heat. So let’s #LevelUp this Holi by preparing some homemade Rose Thandai with natural ingredients!

What You Will Need

  • Skimmed Milk – 1 ½ liter 
  • Blanched Almonds – ¾th cup 
  • Poppy Seeds – 3-4 tbsp 
  • Blanched Pistachios – 3-4 tbsp 
  • Soaked Melon Seeds – 3 tbsp 
  • Cardamoms – 4-5 green 
  • Black Peppercorns – 8-10 
  • Dried Rose Petals – 1-2 tbsp 
  • Cinnamon – 1 inch 
  • Saffron – ½ tsp 
  • Sugar – 1 cup 
  • Chia Seeds (optional) – 1-2 tsp  

For Serving & Garnishing:

  • Kulhads (clay mugs) 
  • Finely Chopped Pistachios 
  • Rose Petals 

How to Prepare 

  1. Pour milk in a pan and bring it to boil. Keep stirring it. 
  2. On the side, add the almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, melon seeds and 2-3 tbsp of warm milk to the grinder jar and grind it till it turns into a smooth paste. Take that paste out into a bowl.
  3. In the grinder jar, add the green cardamoms, black peppercorns, rose petals and cinnamon. Grind them till it turns into a fine powder.
  4. Add saffron to the milk followed by sugar and stir till the sugar melts. 
  5. Add the smooth paste of nuts and seeds and mix it well. 
  6. Add the dry powder of spices with rose petals and let it boil for 5 minutes. 
  7. Pour it all into a jar or a vessel and add the chia seeds once the milk is at room temperature and not hot.  
  8. Let it cool in the refrigerator.  
  9. Serve it chilled in kulhads and garnish with finely chopped pistachios and rose petals.

Nutritional Benefits of the Homemade Rose Thandai 

Each ingredient added to this recipe has its own importance and all together, this is one of the healthiest drinks out there. 

  • Milk is the best source of calcium and good quality protein. Along with these, it also has Zinc and Phosphorus. Cold milk also acts as an antacid.
  • Almonds, Melon Seeds, Cashews and Pistachios are loaded with healthy fats, Magnesium & acts as a good quality source of protein.
  • The spices used are packed with nutrients such as Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium and Iron. They have antioxidants which helps one stay away from diseases.
  • Poppy seeds are a good source of Iron, Phosphorus and Fiber along with Vitamin B and Linoleic Acid.
  • Saffron provides antioxidants. It is a potent antidepressant, antiseptic and is good for digestion. 
  • Rose Petals are rich in Vitamin C, D, E & K along with malic acid and pectic which helps in building immunity. Most importantly, it strengthens the digestive function and gives a cooling effect to the body.

If you want to make this recipe healthier, you can add fennel seeds instead of rose petals. It would be wise to choose Thandai without Bhang. Do try this nutrient-loaded recipe and let us know what you think about it in the comments below! For hair and skincare tips, how to prepare your own colors and post celebration detox tips, speak to our coaches by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here. 

Wish you all a Happy Holi! 

#BeTheForce 

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