All posts by HealthyLife

HealthyLife is a part of www.WeRIndia.com, an all India – centric website (https://healthylife.werindia.com) and is solely owned and operated by WeRIndia.com. It is a Indian nutritional portal providing educational articles.This nutritional port was launched on February 5th, 2015.
Delicious stuffed baby eggplant curry

Delicious stuffed baby eggplant curry

Eggplants are one of the healthiest vegetable on earth. It belongs to same family as tomato, potato and chillis/peppers. 

Health facts: Eggplants contain several nutrients and more importantly phytonutrients like phenolic compounds, such as caffeic and chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids such as nasunin. Nasunin is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage. Nasunin is not only a potent free-radical scavenger, but is also an iron chelator. By chelating iron, nasunin lessens free radical formation with numerous beneficial results, including protecting blood cholesterol (which is also a type of lipid or fat) from peroxidation; preventing cellular damage that can promote cancer; and lessening free radical damage in joints, which is a primary factor in rheumatoid arthritis. Eggplant is also a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, and copper. It also contains sufficient amount of manganese, vitamin B6, niacin, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Here is a traditional grandma’s stuffed eggplant curry recipe (stuffed baby brinjal) for those who wants to get benefit of eggplant. The recipe serves 6 people.

Ingredients

• Indian (baby) egg plants – 12
• Red Chillies -8
• 2 to 3 inch tamarind
• Coriander seeds -1 and half tsp
• Fenugreek seeds -1/4 tsp
• Cooking oil – 2 Tbs
• Mustard
• 10-12 curry leaves
• Grated fresh coconut – one cup
• Salt, to taste

Preparation:

• Wash the eggplants in warm water.

• Without removing the stalks, slit each egg plant at the base to four parts – keep the stalk intact.

• In a pan, add little oil and roast red chillies

• In a little oil, roast separately the red chillies, coriander seeds and methi seeds.

• Grind coconut along with roasted red chillies, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, tamarind and salt to a coarse paste, adding just the required amount of water.

• Now stuff the ground spice inside slit eggplants.

• In a little deep frying pan heat one to 2 Tbs oil and add mustard and curry leaves for seasoning. When mustard splutters place stuffed eggplant and remaining any masala that is left.

• Sprinkle little water and cover the lid.

• Cook the eggplants over medium flame. Open the lid and turn the eggplant to cook evenly on all around. Do not break eggplant while turning.

• After the water evaporates dish will look dry and eggplants will appear cooked. Now turn off the flame.

• Serve hot stuffed eggplant curry with rice, roti, puri or chapati.

Recipe: werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 16, 2016
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Demand for Organic produce increased -See How Costco is managing

Demand for Organic produce increased -See How Costco is managing

By Amanda Froelich (www.trueactivist.com)

Because the retail company can’t keep up with the demand for organics, it has launched a pilot program to help farmers buy land and grow chemical-free crops.

As TrueActivist has mentioned before, the future is green – that much is clear. Not only have a handful of countries expressed intention to transition completely to renewable energy within the next few decades, the trend of eating wholesome, organic food is on the rise.

In fact, so many people are choosing to invest in their health, the popular retail company Costco can’t keep enough organic food stocked to meet customer demand. Believe it or not, the chain has actually surpassed Whole Foods as the top seller of organic produce.

As a result, Costco has launched a pilot program to loan organic farmers money to buy land and equipment to increase the supply of the wholesome fruits and veggies.

The first loan was received by the California-based company Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce (A&W), reports Natural Society. The growers will use the money to buy 1,200 acres and equipment to farm the property. In return, Costco is allowed to buy anything they grow on the new farm.

A&W is most invested in growing organic tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Reportedly, the land they’ve found has been fallow for years, which means it is free from chemicals and can be farmed for organic food immediately.

Because investing in organic farming can be a costly, time-consuming venture, this program will undoubtedly aid many growers interested in transitioning with the times. Of course, Costco isn’t the only chain to offer aid to organic produce suppliers.

Whole Foods also provides its partners with loans for equipment. Wegmans, as well, works with conventional farmers to transition to organic crops. Even the American farmlandt chain Chipotle recently invested $10 million to help small, local farms supply safer vegetables and meats.

While all initiatives are worthy of praise, this is the first time a retailer has loaned money to suppliers for an actual land purchase. If it proves to be successful, Costco intends on expanding the program.

Many might argue that other retailers should invest in similar programs. After all, organic food sales have more than tripled in the last ten years and are now about 5% of all food purchases. Despite the boom in organics, only one percent of American farmland is devoted to growing chemical-free produce.

Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/costco-is-selling-so-much-organic-produce-its-helping-farmers-grow-more/

Image courtesy: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Gown made of recycled plastic for Emma Watson !

Gown made of recycled plastic for Emma Watson !

Emma Watson Stuns In A Gown Made Out Of Recycled Plastic Bottles

By: Amanda Froelich (www.trueactivist.com)

Emma Watson is one of the few celebrities who has maintained her dignity while affecting millions around the globe. The former Harry Potter star, now known for countless successful films, has been an icon for women’s rights and equality in the past and recently ‘wowed’ onlookers at the recent 2016 Met Gala. Reportedly, the British actor chose the celebrated opportunity to showcase sustainable and ethical fashion, as well as to show how to extend the lifespan of garments with her #30wears campaign.

The custom-made gown is made completely from recycled plastic bottles. A product of Calvin Klein and Eco-Age, the fabric is made of Newline – a yarn that is made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles. The inner bustier is made with organic cotton, the lining is comprised of organic silk, and the zippers contain recycled materials, reports TreeHugger.

By turning heads with the fashionable dress, Watson was able to make a statement about the state of the environment as well as prove that it is possible to look fashionable as a conscious consumer.

She explained her decision to wear the dress on Facebook:

“Plastic is one of the biggest pollutants on the planet. Being able to repurpose this waste and incorporate it into my gown for the Met Gala proves the power that creativity, technology and fashion can have by working together.

Conventional cotton is one of the highest impact crops, using more chemicals than any other crop in the world. Organic cotton on the other hand, is grown without the use of the most harmful chemicals and is, therefore, better for the environment and people working with cotton. The organic silk used in the lining of my gown is certified to a standard that guarantees the highest environmental and social standards throughout production.”

This isn’t the first time Watson has advocated for sustainable fashion. In the past, the starlet created her own Fair Trade-certified line of clothing with British company People Tree. She also launched the #30Wears campaign which urges consumers to hang on to their clothes and reuse them as long as possible.

On Facebook, she shared that it is her intention to re-use the Met Gala gown’s components – which can be taken apart and transformed into various, easily re-wearable creations – at least thirty times.

“It is my intention to repurpose elements of the gown for future use. The trousers can be worn on their own, as can the bustier, the train can be used for a future red carpet look.”

According to the star, it is essential to value the items one owns and re-use them as much as possible. When she was interviewed for the 2011 book Naked Fashion: The New Sustainable Fashion Revolution, she told the interviewer:

“People can be so trend-oriented – after two or three months there’ll be something new and they’ll dispose of what they had before. But I think people should value what they own.”

One thing is for sure: Watson stands out as a positive role model for people of all ages by using her celebrity status for positive purposes.

Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/emma-watson-stuns-in-a-gown-made-out-of-recycled-plastic-bottles/

Image credit: Emma Watson Facebook

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 10, 2016
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Crane-HealthyLife-WeRIndia

Crane or Crow Pose (Bakasana /Kakasana)

(Crow pose or crane pose is one the first arm balance pose most students learn in yoga. It takes several practices to learn the pose and get into balance. When your mind feels confident and believes in itself, you will one day achieve that success of body and mind balancing art. Once you achieve the balance, you will feel confident and balanced inside out. Crane pose helps to strengthen the core and the arms. -WerIndia)

Bakasana/ Kakasana : (bah-KAHS-anna) baka = crane or wading bird, kaka = crow

Pose Type:Arm Balance, Core

BENEFITS:
• Develops balance
• Develops confidence
• Tones the internal organs
• Strengthens the core, arms, and wrists
• Stretches the upper back and groins
• Balances the nervous system

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
X Wrist injuries
X Carpal tunnel syndrome
X Pregnancy

HOW TO
1. Stand with your feet shoulder-distance wide and lower into a squat position.

2. Place your hands flat on the ground in front of you, shoulder-distance apart, and spread your fingers wide. Come onto your toes, then squeeze your inner knees high into your armpits, with shins resting onto the backs of the arms.

3. Press into the ground and lift your hips. Gaze at one point slightly ahead of you and shift your bodyweight so far forward that you’re balancing on your hands.

4. Push your upper arms against your legs, and your legs against your upper arms. Draw your feet in toward your buttocks.

5. Press your hands down firmly and extend your elbows for full Crane pose.

6. Stay in the pose for a few breaths. Then exhale and release your feet to the ground.
MODIFY OR REPLACE
Alternatives for bakasana
Garland pose (Malasana)

Modifications:
• Lift one foot off the floor at a time until you feel comfortable lifting both.
• Place a pillow under the head to relieve the fear of falling.

TEACHING CUES
Keep your gaze focused on one point to help you balance.
Try curling your fingers slightly to release any pressure on the wrists.

WATCH OUT FOR
Bodyweight not far enough forward
Fingers not spread

Source:
This article and image is re-published here with permission taken from https://beyogi.com/poses/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 6, 2016
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HOT SUMMER ? - Try this cooling juice

HOT SUMMER ? – Try this cooling juice

This year temperature around the globe is high and often we feel body heat that makes us dehydrated. If are exposed to too much Sun and do not drink enough liquid it is problem for the body. Body muscle will struggle to cope up with heat and develops inflammation and pain. People who are already suffering from chronic pain will feel much more pain and becomes miserable. Instead of drinking soda and other caffeinated drinks here is a simple juice that has simple and most wonderful herbs. Turmeric – an anti- inflammatory herb, cucumber – a natural coolant, lemon – helps to overcome tiredness, lettuce that contain moisture, fiber, bit of natural sugar, carrot that contains beta carotenoid helps in keeping system clean -when we put all these together in a juicer we get a summer juice which helps to overcome body heat by keeping system cool. Try this wonderful juice & feel better.

Ingredients (for 2 people)
• 2 inch piece of fresh turmeric (or 2 tsp of turmeric powder)
• 1/2 lettuce (romaine or regular)
• 3 Carrots
• 1 Cucumber
• 1medium size Lemon – peeled

Instructions
• Wash all vegetables in running tap water to remove any dust or other foreign particles. Cut into small pieces (as needed to blend)
• Juice vegetables in the order of – turmeric, lettuce, carrots, lemon, and cucumber
• One can retain the fiber or stain the juice.
• Stir the mixture before serving

Recipe: WerIndia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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The last of the Ringling Bros. elephants are now officially retired

The last of the Ringling Bros. elephants are now officially retired

The Ringling Bros. Elephants Just Performed Their Last Show And Are Now Retired !!

By Brianna Acuesta ( http://www.trueactivist.com/)

The last 11 elephants working as part of the Ringling Bros. Circus performed their last show on Sunday and are set to retire to the elephant conservation center owned by the circus in Florida.

Ringling Bros. announced that they would be moving up the date of the elephants’ retirement to May this year rather than the promised 2018 retirement. Even though they agreed to completely stop using elephants in their shows, the long wait still outraged animal rights advocates who said that the large creatures should be able to stop working immediately.

On Sunday at the Providence, Rhode Island show, the elephants performed for the last time and many felt sad but elated during their final bow. The show was streamed live on Facebook so that anyone could watch their very last act.

Six Asian elephants danced, balanced on each others’ backs, pretended to nap and sat on their hind legs as Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson told the crowd, “This is a very emotional time for us.”

Elephants have been used in the circus in America for over 200 years and for more than 100 years in “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

Though their final exit might seem sad for many who will never see them perform again, it’s a huge victory for the elephants and advocates for animal rights. The elephants live sad lives on the road with the circus, spending most of their time in chains and boxcars for days at a time. Starting at less than 2 years old, the elephants are torn from their mothers and “broken” so that they learn to fear the bullhooks, ropes, and electric pods and become obedient. For the remainder of their lives as performers, they are constantly beat and hit for the slightest mistakes they make.

There is no regulation for animals performing in circuses and the only evidence of this abuse has been caught by undercover investigations by animal welfare groups like PETA.

A total of 40 Asian elephants will now be residing at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation, but the fate of other animals in their circus is still unknown. When the group had announced that they would retire their elephants, they added that they “will continue to feature other extraordinary animal performers, including tigers, lions, horses, dogs and camels.”

At the last show on Sunday, protestors still met around the venue to protest the use of ALL animals in the circus because of the abuse and stress they endure.

Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/the-ringling-bros-elephants-just-performed-their-last-show-and-are-now-retired/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 3, 2016
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Tofu Curry

Tofu Curry

Recipe by: Mamatha Anil (http://bhakshyabhojana.blogspot.com/)

Tofu is soy-based product very rich in protein. Tofu is made by coagulating soymilk and is a favorite dish of many vegans. Tofu originated in Han dynasty China about 2000 years ago and is a regular ingredient of Asian dishes. Tofu is an alternate to paneer (Indian cheese) and replaces chicken in non-vegetarian food.  Tofu has a low calorie count and relatively large amounts of protein. It is high in iron, and depending on the coagulants used in manufacturing it can have higher calcium or magnesium content.

Tofu masala is an Indian curry which is spicy and delicious. Try this recipe and let us know what you think?

Ingredients:

  1. Tofu (Soy Paneer) 350g
  2. Tomato 2
  3. Green chillies 2
  4. Onion medium size 1
  5. Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp (fresh)
  6. Red Chilli powder 1 tsp
  7. Coriander powder 2 tsp
  8. Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
  9. Garam masala powder ¼ tsp
  10. Chopped coriander leaves 1/2 cup
  11. Clove 2
  12. Salt
  13. Oil
  14. Butter/Ghee

Method:

  1. Pressure cook the tomatoes. Remove the skin and seeds. Make puree out of cooked tomatoes along with green chillies. Keep aside.
  2. Cut the tofu into cubes. Heat butter/ghee in a pan and shallow fry the tofu till it becomes golden on both the side. Keep aside.
  3. Heat oil – add 2 cloves, chopped onions and ginger garlic paste. Fry them till they turn slightly golden in color.
  4. Add green chilli –tomato puree. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder and salt. Mix well. Add ¼ cup water and let it cook in medium heat for 5 minutes.
  5. Finally add fried tofu, mix well and cover the lid. Cook for another 3-5 minutes in low heat. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
  6. Tofu masala is ready to serve. It goes well with roti, chapati and rice.
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 2, 2016
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