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Lutein and zeaxanthin
These may help protect you from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which are two types of eye problems. In nature, lutein and zeaxanthin appear to absorb excess light energy to prevent damage to plants from too much sunlight, especially from high-energy light rays called blue light. In addition to being found in many green leafy plants and colorful fruits and vegetables, lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations in the macula of the human eye, giving the macula its yellowish color. In addition to important eye and vision benefits, lutein may help protect against atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits in arteries), the disease that leads to most heart attacks. Good sources of these phytonutrients are greens such as: Spinach, Kale, Collards
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in red grape skin, Japanese knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum), peanuts, blueberries and some other berries. It is a powerful antioxidant produced by some plants to protect them against environmental stresses. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are believed to be the cause of aging. Japanese knotweed is the plant source with the highest resveratrol content. Resveratrol protects a cell’s DNA. It is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms caused by pollution, sunlight and our bodies natural burning of fat that can lead to cancer, aging and brain degeneration.
Source of resveratol: A large amount of resveratrol is produced in the skin of grapes to protect the plant against fungal diseases and sun damage; therefore wine has higher levels of resveratrol compared to other natural food. Overall, red wine contains small amounts of resveratrol, less than 1 to 2 mg per 8 ounces of red wine. However, red wine has more resveratrol than white wine because red wines are fermented with the grape skins longer than white wines. Hence, many of the antioxidants including resveratrol that are naturally present in the grape skins are extracted into the wine.
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A large number of phytonutrients fall into the flavonoid category. They are found in a variety of plant foods.
The types of flavonoids include: Catechins- Green tea is an especially good source of catechins. The drink may help prevent certain types of cancer. Hesperidin- Found in citrus fruits, this flavonoid works as an antioxidant reducing inflammation in the body to help prevent chronic disease. Flavonols.- Quercetin is a well-studied type of flavonol. It is found in: Apples, Berries, Kale, Onions. Flavonols might help reduce people’s risk of asthma, certain types of cancer, and coronary heart disease.
Cruciferous vegetables are the dietary source of glucosinolates, a large group of sulfur-containing glucosides. Epidemiological studies suggest that brassica vegetables are protective against cancers of the lungs and alimentary tract. Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they are rich sources of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that impart a pungent aroma and spicy (some say bitter) taste.
Glucosinolates has positive benefits in reducing various types of cancer conditions – breast cancer, prostate cancer, Colorectal cancer, lung cancer and studies shows that there is increasing evidence that genetic differences in humans may influence the effects of cruciferous vegetable intake on cancer risk.
Isothiocyanates are glucosinolate hydrolysis products, which are thought to play a role in the cancer-preventive effects associated with cruciferous vegetable consumption.
Glucosinolates is present in : Brussels sprout, cabbage, kale, broccoli.
Because of their structure, phytoestrogens can exert estrogen-like effects. They can also block the effects of your natural supply of estrogen. Soy foods contain isoflavones — a type of phytoestrogen. Some evidence suggests that soy foods may be linked to- lower risk of endometrial cancer and lower risk of bone loss in women. Our body converts lignans, another type of phytonutrient, into chemicals with some estrogen-like effects. Two especially good sources of lignans are: Flaxseeds, Sesame seeds. However, research supporting a role for lignans in preventing endometrial cancer or osteoporosis is limited.
Foods rich in phytoestrogens are : soy, kidney beans, lentils, split pea etc.
Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring substance. Ellagic acid is present in many red fruits and berries, including raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, pomegranate and some nuts including pecans and walnuts. The highest levels of ellagic acid are found in raspberries. In plants ellagic acid is present in the form of ellagitannin, which is ellagic acid bound to a sugar molecule. Medicinally, ellagic acid is used to prevent cancer and treat viral and bacterial infections.
Ellagic acid may bind to chemicals that cause cancer, and it may also prevent the growth of cancer cells. However, ellagic acid is poorly absorbed and is also eliminated quickly from the body. These characteristics may limit its usefulness as a medicine.
This month yogis around the world are celebrating Navrathri while seeking knowledge from their Gurus. ASK stands for Always Seek Knowledge. Yogis always seek knowledge as they advance in their life. At one point of their lives all yogis will start seeking the knowledge associated with wisdom and try to understand the purpose of living.
What they seek is, not just academic knowledge but divine knowledge. A knowledge with ego does not lead to path of wisdom. How to acquire knowledge that does not have ego? How to balance mind and body?
Saraswathi “Essence of self” “Symbol of Knowledge”
In Hindu Vedic astrology Saraswathi Yoga is related to education, development of the intellectual human being. To get the wisdom yoga one must follow Saraswathi. What is this mean? Saraswathi means “the essence of self”.
In Sanskrit Sara means “essence” Swa means “self”. Saraswathi is the Goddess who is worshipped by all who seek knowledge, wisdom and divinity. Saraswathi means consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, enlightenment, art, music, eloquence, power and education.
Generally, in all the images Devi Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a rosary in two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena). A swan is her vehicle and a peacock stands next to her.
What are all these gestures symbolizing?
The lotus is a symbol of the Supreme Reality, and a white lotus also denotes supreme knowledge. By sitting on a lotus, Saraswati signifies that she is herself rooted in the supreme reality, and knowledge. The white color symbolizes purity and knowledge. The white sari that the Goddess is wearing denotes that She is the embodiment of pure knowledge.
The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality. The mind (manas) is represented by the front right hand, the intellect (buddhi) by the front left hand, the conditioned consciousness by the rear left hand, and the ego by the rear right hand.
The left side of the body symbolizes the qualities of the heart and the right side symbolizes activities of the mind and intellect. A book in the rear left hand signifies that knowledge acquired must be used with love and kindness to promote prosperity of mankind.
The rosary signifies concentration, meditation, and contemplation, leading to samadhi, or union with God. A rosary in the rear right hand representing ego conveys that true knowledge acquired with love and devotion melts the ego and results in liberation (moksha) of the seeker from the bondage to the physical world.
The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
Two swans are depicted on the left side of the Goddess. A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswathi uses the swan as her vehicle. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
A peacock is sitting next to Saraswathi and is anxiously waiting to serve. It depicts unpredictable behavior as its moods can be influenced by the changes in the weather. Saraswathi is using a swan as a vehicle and not the peacock.This signifies that one should overcome fear, indecision, and fickleness to acquire true knowledge.
When the inner meaning of all these symbols makes sense to us, then we may be able to acquire balance of the mind and entire system. When we understand the essence of gaining wisdom by following Saraswathi we will get Saraswathi yoga that enhances our intelligence.
Plantains are type of bananas that are less sweet than regular bananas, contain more starch and has different flavor. Plantains are used for making salty and spicy chips. Plantain halwa is a tasty dessert prepared during festival occasions to offer it to Goddess. Like banana, plantain is very important fruit that is not only nutritionally valuable also has religious significances and is integral part of Indian festivals. It is rich in potassium,contains more fiber and fills stomach easily. Raw plantains have more culinary importance. Overripened plantains can be used for preparing desserts. Plantain halwa is simple, calorie rich recipe. Eating one or two pieces gives much needed energy for the day!
When you select plantains, select those ones the color of skin slightly turned black with black dots. These are more ripened fruits and are good for preparing halwa.
Peel and slice plantains. Put in a blender with cardamom powder, sugar and grind without adding water.
Place a nonstick frying pan on medium heat and transfer plantain paste.
Keep mixing the plantain paste till the paste stops sticking to bottom and side of the vessel.
Plantain paste changes is color to darker brown. Turn the heat to low.
Now add clarified butter, cut cashew pieces and continue mixing. After about ten minutes, the mix will starts separating from the vessel.
Using two fingers test stickiness of halwa. If it sticks to fingers, remove from the heat source. If not continue stirring couple of more minutes.
Take a baking pan, apply ghee and transfer hot halwa on to baking pan. Spread it using a spoon to desired thickness.
Allow halwa to cool and cut into small pieces.
Serve halwa as dessert after lunch or with other snack items with evening snack.
Store left over halwa in an airtight container.
* If you are using jaggery, then prepare jaggery syrup and add plantain paste. Replacing sugar with jaggery gives added flavor and more taste.
