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.
Ways to reduce spice from your meal

How to reduce spice in your dish and more cooking tips

How to reduce spice in your dish and more cooking tips from grandma…

Cooking is a skill. Anyone can cook if they know some simple tips.

To be a good cook, learn some simple cooking tips from grandma.

1) If your soup or rasam is over salted then, toss in  couple of peeled potato pieces and boil for 3-4 minutes. Potato will draw-out some of the salt!

2) If you have many herbs during summer, store them for winter. All you need to do is cut herbs in small pieces and transfer to ice cube holders. Add oil and water and store in freezer.

3) To avoid over spilling of water in boiling pot or vessel, keep a wooden spoon across on top of the vessel.

4) While cooking beetroot, do not add salt. Instead add salt after cooking.

5) Do not reheat pizza in microwave. Instead, reheat on a tawa or pan. This will retain the original flavor of the pizza.

6) To cut an apple or any types of pies, hold the knife under hot water for a minute and then use knife for easy cutting.

7) To keep cheese fresh, do not store in plastic. Instead, store in a parchment paper.

8) Do not boil pasta in a small vessel. Use a wide mouth vessel for easy and proper boiling. Fill a large pot (5 to 6 quarts) with water and let it come to a rapid boil. Then add 2 tablespoons of salt.

9) Do not store tomato in the fridge. Keep tomatoes on the kitchen counter in a single layer for maximum air circulation, and avoid putting them in direct sunlight.

10) Use dry measuring cups when portioning out flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch, as their flat rims are designed to help you get the most accurate measure. Do not use wet measuring cups for dry materials!

11) If your dish is too spicy, add dairy – milk or cream to it. Dairy is the best neutralizer for spice. This is because chilis contain capsaicin, a substance which makes your taste buds feel that fiery burn. Milk contains casein, a compound which bonds with capsaicin and helps dissipate it.

12) If you are cooking with bitter vegetables like bitter gourd or orange peel, cut them into pieces. To these pieces,add salt and turmeric and let it sit for half an hour and then, squeeze the vegetable to remove some bitter liquid. Throw the liquid and proceed with cooking.

13) When to add more sourness to dish ? If the dish tastes too sweet or spicy add some sourness.

14) If you don’t have fresh herbs and the herbs that you have dried, then use dried herb for cooking by reducing the amount to half. Because dried herbs are little more concentrated in flavor and still useful.

15)  Cook pasta 1 minute less than the package instructions and cook it the rest of the way in the pan with sauce

16) Taste as you go- Unless you are preparing something for offerings for God, there is nothing wrong in tasting the food as you prepare.

17) Read full recipe before you start cooking. Remember recipe is only for guiding and you can always replace the ingredient with similar one.

18) When you’re going to sauté garlic, slice it rather than mincing it — it’s less likely to burn that way.

19) Use coarse sea salt mixed with little oil for  seasoning a salad. It will stay crunchy when combined with the vinaigrette.

20) Use proper and appropriate knifes for cutting vegetables. Otherwise vegetables will lose their texture!

21) Cut onion under water to avoid tearing up!

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Reference: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Image by Kai Reschke from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 17, 2017
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And the Pulitzer Prize goes to…!

And the Pulitzer Prize goes to…!

This year Iowa’s small town paper Storm Lake Time’s Editor won Pulitzer Prize! The Pulitzer Prize  is a prestigious award given for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States.

Art Cullen, 59, of the Storm Lake Times, has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize in the category of Editorial Writing. Cullen co-owns the twice-weekly newspaper with his older brother John, where it reaches a circulation of 3,300 in the little rural town of Storm Lake, Iowa.

Cullen’s writing is celebrated by the Pulitzer committee “For editorials fueled by tenacious reporting, impressive expertise and engaging writing that successfully challenged powerful corporate agricultural interests in Iowa.”

The Storm Lake Times employs about 10 people, and it’s largely a family business. As a small town publication, they cover the usual range of topics: “We strive to have a baby, a dog, a fire and a crash on every front page, so, yes, we do pander,” Cullen told the Washington Post.

In any case, it was Cullen’s unwavering dedication to report on the clandestine ties between big agriculture and government that earned him the recognition, along with a $15,000 prize. Of course, his work hasn’t always been well received. Some have accused him of taking an “anti-farmer” stance. “We took a lot of heat,” Cullen explains, “My wife grew up on a farm. I got sh−− on my boots. I ain’t anti-farmer, but I’m anti-pollution.”

In his articles, as sharp as they are eloquent, Cullen explores the major players, funding schemes and misdirected policies that perpetuate Storm Lake’s murky surface water problems. “The Kochs and Monsanto have too much at stake to leave it to the people of Iowa to decide how to manage agriculture and a clean environment in a sustainable way that allows farmers to prosper,” Cullen wrote in his July 2016 piece “They Don’t Know”.

Last year, Des Moines Water Works threatened to sue Storm Lake’s home county of Buena Vista and two other counties for releasing agricultural runoff nitrogen into Raccoon River — where they get their drinking water. The counties battled the federal lawsuit using money from undisclosed sources, and big agriculture is suspected of involvement in these funding schemes. Cullen demands transparency.

Cullen insists this is an issue extending far beyond the Midwest, and especially causing contamination of the Gulf of Mexico. “They’ve changed the entire agricultural system since 1980, without any consideration how it affects groundwater or surface water. It’s a national story. It’s just that it happened in our front yard and we’re still reporting on it,” says Cullen. Along with the changes, he’s seen soybean and corn consume the industry, while cattle grazing fields have transformed into packed feed lots.

Cullen’s writing is extremely absorbing, and so incredibly well articulated. “We’ve always believed that the Storm Lakes Times should be as good at covering Storm Lake as the New York Times is at covering New York,” he said. “There’s no reason why an editorial written in Iowa shouldn’t be as good as an editorial written in Washington.”

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Read More Here: Author: Amelia Kinney – http://www.trueactivist.com/


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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A sign that nutrition information may be inaccurate is

  • if a quick fix is promised.
  • the information is supported by recognized health organizations.
  • the results reported are specific to the population group studied.
  • the results are provided within the context of other studies.

The answer is: if a quick fix is promised.


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 16, 2017
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Nutrition news on the internet

  • must be accurate to be posted on Web sites
  • is monitored by the National Web Accuracy Agency (NWAA)
  • can be posted by anyone so must be viewed carefully
  • can not be used to sell products

The answer is: can be posted by anyone so must be viewed carefully.


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 14, 2017
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School meals contribute to the health and school achievement of students by

  • providing a balance of protein, carbohydrate, and fat for sustained energy with great taste
  • providing only low fat foods
  • providing nutrition education activities to all students
  • providing only those foods that are familiar to students

The answer is: providing a balance of protein, carbohydrate, and fat for sustained energy with great taste


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 12, 2017
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Breadfruit Subji

Breadfruit Subji

Breadfruit is an attractive fruit that is tropical in origin. It is similar to jackfruit and belongs to same plant family. It gives same benefits as jackfruit -fiber, nutrients etc. It is high in protein and  fruits can be as big as watermelon. Its seeds are also edible. Only difference is breadfruit is edible and tasty when it is un-ripened. In Asian countries including India, this fruit is used for preparing delicious dishes- Breadfruit sambhar, subji, chips to name a few.

  • The fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps.
  • It is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as being a high source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein.
  • The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of amino acids than soy.

Breadfruit Subji

Ingredients:

  1. Breadfruit/Jeegujje 1
  2. Onion finely chopped 1 cup
  3. Garlic cloves 2-3
  4. Green chilies 3-4
  5. Dry red chilies 2
  6. Grated coconut 2 tsp
  7. Curry leaves 1 strand
  8. Tamarind lemon size
  9. Sambar Powder/Huli Pudi 2-3 tsp (homemade)
  10. Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
  11. Mustard seeds ¼ tsp
  12. Cumin seeds ¼ tsp
  13. Ajwain/Oma ¼ tsp
  14. Asafoetida pinch
  15. Water
  16. Salt
  17. Oil

Method:

  1. Peel the outer skin of Breadfruit and cut into 4 parts. Remove the inner thick part and chop into medium size pieces. Immediately place them in a large bowl of water.
  2. Soak tamarind in water.
  3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they crack add ajwain and cumin seeds. Add asafetida.
  4. Add green chilies and dry red chilies. Fry them. Add curry leaves, garlic cloves and onion. Fry them till transparent.
  5. Add chopped breadfruit, salt and turmeric powder mix well. Fry them for 2 minutes in medium heat. Add some water, cover the lid and cook for few minutes.
  6. Once the breadfruit cooked completely add sambar/huli powder, coconut and tamarind water. Cook for few minutes until all the water gets absorbed.

Breadfruit subji goes well with chapati and rice.

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Recipe by: Ms. Mamatha Anil @ http://bhakshyabhojana.blogspot.com/


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Tips to control allergen in your bedroom

Tips to control allergen in your bedroom

An allergen is a general term used to describe something that causes an allergic reaction. They are actually tiny proteins found on certain substances like pollen, mold, foods, peanuts, milk etc.

Allergens also exist indoors like dust mites.

Only those who are prone to acquired sensitivity are regularly affected by these allergens.

Your bedroom is one important place where you will find dust and pet allergens. Do you know?

A report released from Allergy UK has found that among those with an indoor allergy, 77 percent experience symptoms in the bedroom, while 41 percent report that their symptoms are actually made worse by that room.

Here are important tips to keep your bedroom allergen free:

1. Wipe smooth furniture weekly

2. Keep clothing in a closet with door closed

3. Wash sheets and pillow cases in hot water evry 1-2 weeks

4. Encase pillows in allergen-proof covers

5. Wash blankets in hot water every 1-2 weeks or use an allegen barrier comforter

6. Remove curtains: and replace them with window shades or blinds. If you use curtains make sure to wash them regularly.

7. Dehumidify to under 50%. When it’s warm, use your air conditioner, even if you’re tempted by the outdoor breeze. If you live in a sweaty-weather climate, use a dehumidifier to keep humidity at 30% to 50%.

8. Turn down the heat or turn up the AC. Dust mites can’t breed as well at temperatures below 77 F.

9. Keep your pets out of your bedroom. Furry friend can be innocent but not the allergen! If pet remains in the bedroom use a HEPA air filter.

10. Carpet is a popular place for dust mites. Consider replacing it in your bedroom with hardwood floors or linoleum and washable area rugs.

11. Wipe window frames and glass regularly to prevent mold and mildew. Both can trigger upper respiratory symptoms if you have.

12. Opt for anti-allergy mattress and bedding.

13. Keep cockroaches and other insects away. They can make their way from kitchen, bathroom to your bedroom!: Seal cracks and crevices. Fix leaks in pipes and faucets. Try not to leave wet towels on the floor. Store food in tightly sealed containers. Keep your dishes clean. Hire an exterminator if you need to.

14. Keep all children’s toys in a toy chest or cupboard and wash soft toys in hot water, or put in the freezer overnight to destroy the allergen and then washed at a the recommended temperature.

Allergen avoidance:

1. If it is a hard surface – wipe it

2. If it is a washable fabric, hot water Wash it

3. If it cannot be wiped or washed, then encase it

4. If it cannot be wiped washed or encased remove it

5. If the indoor air is not dry then dehumidify it.

Considering we spend a third our time sleeping, bedroom is  most important room to de-allergen. If your room is not battle tested for allergens, you could be making all those annoying symptoms worse. Try these simple and regular tips to keep yourself allergen free this spring and always.

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References:

  • https://sleep.org/
  • https://www.allergyuk.org
  • http://www.natlallergy.com

Image credit: Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 11, 2017
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Home remedies to cure blackheads

Home remedies to cure blackheads

Blackheads form when a clog or plug develops in the opening of hair follicles in the skin. They appear on nose, ears, under lips, below shoulder, thighs and back of the body.

Do you know what are the scientific reasons for blackhead?

1. producing too much body oil

2. buildup of the acnes causing bacteria on the skin

3. irritation of the hair follicles when dead skins cells don’t shed on a regular basis

4. undergoing hormonal changes that cause an increase in oil production during the teen years, during menstruation, or while taking birth control pills

5. taking certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, lithium, or androgens

Grandma has several simple and common remedies that one can try to get rid of the black heads. See yourself:

1. Baking soda: Mix about a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl with a small quantity of water to make a paste. Apply this paste over the blackheads and let it dry for about ten minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and this remedy helps to remove debris from pores.

2. Cinnamon: Mix a part of cinnamon with two parts of honey to get a paste form, apply a thin layer of this paste over the blackheads and leave it on for at least fifteen minutes. Wash off with a natural cleanser and follow up with a quality moisturizer. This remedy could be used daily for best results.

3. Oatmeal: Cook just enough oatmeal per package instructions in order to cover all of your blackheads, being sure to use distilled water that is free of contaminants. Allow the oatmeal to cool to room temperature before applying to affected areas. Apply to blackheads, allowing it to sit for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

4. Honey: Heat about a tablespoon of pure raw honey in a small jar until it is warm to the touch. Dab some of the warm honey onto any blackheads and allow it to soak in for about 10 minutes. Remove with a warm, damp cloth.

5. Lemon: Extract one spoon of lemon juice and transfer into a bowl, dab over the blackheads using cotton balls and let it dry off. Wash off the next day or after 20 minutes.

6. Green tea: Boil water and steep two bags of organic green tea for an hour. Cool it and dab this liquid on to black heads using cotton balls. After ten minutes rinse off with cool water.

7. Brown Sugar: Take 1 cup white or brown sugar, add 4 tbsp jojoba oil or olive, sweet almond and grapeseed oil can be used instead,.Mix the oil into the sugar until thoroughly incorporated. Wet your face and massage some of the mixture onto your skin using your fingertips, rubbing in circular motions. Rinse with cool water and then moisturize.

8. Turmeric: Mix a small amount of turmeric power with coconut oil to form a paste and dab it on the blemishes. Let it soak for about 10-15 minutes and later wash off with lukewarm water.

9. Bentonite clay: Mix about a tablespoon of the clay with just enough water or apple cider vinegar to form a thick paste. Using your fingertips, apply a thin layer of paste to your face and allow it to sit for 10 to 25 minutes, or until dry. Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize your face.

10. Apple cider vinegar: Add three tablespoons of crushed mint leaves to three tablespoons apple cider vinegar to make a toner that offers a cooling sensation that also helps to tighten the skin and tame inflammation.

11. Hot water steam: In a vessel take hot water and expose your face to the steam- while doing so cover your head using a towel and leave face exposed to steam. After 10 mins or so wipe the face using soft cloth.

12. One more suggestion:- Choose oil-free makeup, lotions, and sunscreens to avoid making your problem worse.

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Reference: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Commercial image from: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 


Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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