All posts by Sumana Rao

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Sweet & spicy beaten rice ponagal

Beaten rice sweet & spicy pongal

This Pongal /Sankranthi prepare beaten rice (poha/avalakki) sweet and khara (spicy) pongal. Both recipes are very easy to prepare and will not take more than half an hour to prepare. And, yes both varieties of pongal are very delicious!

Spicy beaten rice pongal:

Ingredients :

  1. Moong dal – 1/2 cup
  2. Beaten rice – 1 cup
  3. Water – 3 cups
  4. Salt to taste
  5. Ghee – 1 tbsp
  6. Cumin seeds – 1/2 tbsp
  7. Crushed black pepper – 1/4 tsp
  8. Grated dry coconut – 1/4 cup
  9. Curry leaves – Few
  10. Cashew nuts – 1/4 cup
  11. Asafetida – pinch

Preparation:

  1. Wash and cook moong dal in a pressure cooker
  2. Rinse beaten rice and drain the water completely
  3. In a pan on medium heat, add ghee. To heated ghee fry cashew pieces and then add cumin, crushed black pepper, curry leaves, grated coconut and asafetida.
  4. Add cooked moong dal, beaten rice and salt. Mix well on low heat. If needed add little more ghee for flavor.
  5. Continue mixing till the Pongal is semi-solid in consistency.
  6. Serve hot beaten rice Pongal with coconut chutney!

Beaten rice sweet Pongal

Ingredients:

  1. Beaten rice 1 cup
  2. Sugar or jaggery – ¼ cup
  3. Ghee- 1 Tbsp
  4. Cardamom powder – little
  5. Raisins- 1 Tbsp
  6. Broken cashew- few
  7. Saffron (optional) – little
  8. Clove – 2
  9. Water – half cup

Preparation:

  1. Wash beaten rice and drain water
  2. Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat and add sugar, Mix well and add half cup water. If you are using jaggery make sure it dissolves completely in the boiling water.
  3. Add cardamom powder and bring it content to boil.
  4. Now add beaten rice and mix well. If you prefer add saffron. Continue mixing till the consistency turns to semi-solid.
  5. In a frying pan add little ghee and fry clove, cashew and raisin. When cashew turns golden yellow add contents to beaten rice sweet Pongal and mix well.
  6. Serve hot sweet beaten rice Pongal
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 15, 2020
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Plant based menu at Golden Globe

Plant based food at Golden Globe & Critics Choice Awards

Golden Globe awards is one of the prestigious awards in Hollywood. And of course, there will lavish party with lavish menu the so far included animal-based food. However, this year there was a change and change were welcomed by most entertainers of Hollywood!

To support sustainability efforts, the HFPA (The Hollywood Foreign Press Association) served plant based meal at the Golden Globe awards that was held earlier this year -on January 5th 2020. It was one of the major awards that served all vegan food. A change in the menu was supposed to include fish. Then the change came with a menu that includes appetizer of chilled golden beet soup with locally grown amaranth and chervil. The main dish was king oyster mushrooms cooked, wild-mushroom risotto, roasted baby green and purple brussels sprout, pea tendrils and globe carrots!

According to Beverly Hilton Executive chef Matthew Morgon “the menu was with fish. When they present it to HFPA, they wanted to make the above changes and the whole menu turned to be vegan” And it was 100 percent vegan menu!!

Joaquin Phoenix who won the best actor award for his role in Joker in his speech admired and saluted HFPA for serving the first plant-based meal in the history of a star-studded award ceremony.

After Golden Globe awards, Hollywood’s A list actors and actresses had another surprise this past week end. Yet another plant-based meal was on their menu in Critics Choice Association awards in its 25th ceremony.  As per the announcement this move was designed to “shine a light on sustainability and the ever-growing climate crisis our world is facing”.

For this Critics Choice Award Organization had recruited Baja Fresh and The Counter to provide the attendees/guests with a selection of either the vegetarian tacos and burritos or the plant-based burgers from one these caterers. In addition, there were vegan desserts from Pinkberry and Cold Stone Creamery. CEO of the Critics Choice Award committee Joey Berlin said “When planning this year’s awards show, we wanted to be mindful of the impact that our event has on the environment” Both Baja Fresh and The counter supported CCA’s decision in a big way with diverse menus and tasty food options.

Critic Choice Award is a big, popular show and was hosted by Taye Diggs this year at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar.

As of HFPA, in all it’s events – they are planning to reuse this year’s new red carpet, to reduce plastic waste and has a partnership with Icelandic Glacial to serve water in glass bottles! The climate change and the impact of climate change on our surroundings has made them think about the future of the environment and to be responsible in their actions by incorporating these positive changes.

Every small step that HFPA, CCA and other well-known associations take, will bring more awareness in people. Consuming plant-based food, reusing plastics or use of natural products will help the suffering climate. The honest concern about global warming and climate change is much needed. The food that we eat, grow, process and disposing – all contribute to climate change and any such positive changes where the ‘A’ list actors are involved and whom people look up to will bring more awareness. And who knows.. influenced by plant-based menu at both popular award shows, we probably might see many celebrities changing to vegan and vegetarian diet!!

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/

https://www.goldenglobes.com/

https://www.cnn.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Herbal oil preparation at home

How to prepare herbal oil at home

By using different herbs and proper oils one can make herbal oil at home. The combination of herbs and oil is important when you prepare herbal oils at home. One can use vegetable oil – good quality vegetable oil to prepare the herbal oil. However this herbal oil prepared using vegetable oils does not long last. If you want to store oil for long term use olive oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil or sesame oil. These oils are good for hair and skin. Oils infused with herbs are easy to prepare at home.

The two methods one can use to prepare medicinal herbal oil are:

  1. Double boiler method – a traditional method of preparing herbal oil
  2. Solar infused oil

Double boiler method is a quick way to prepare herbal oil. One should make sure that temperature of oil is kept between 30 to 40 C.  To use this method, collect the herb that you want to prepare oil and chop it. Best is to use dried herbs for oil preparation.

  1. In a double boiler put chopped herb. Cover the herb with selected oil that you want to infuse the herb with.
  2. Bring the oil to simmer. Do not boil the oil or overheat. Let the content simmer for half an hour to 45 minutes.
  3. When the oil starts turning green, pale green or you feel herb content is released in the oil  and smells strongly – lower the heat for another five minutes or so. Turn off the heat.
  4. Strain the cooked herbs using strainer. Use a muslin cloth as a liner for fine filtration of the oil. Allow oil to cool and transfer it to a bottle. Label the bottle and store in cool and dark place.

Instead of using double boiler one can directly heat oil in a vessel. Monitoring oil temperature is very important. At boiling temperature properties of herbs can destroy.

Solar infused oil: Using Sun light (sun energy) to extract herbal content is another method for herbal oil infusion. Summer is the best time to use this method as plenty of sun rays available in summer.

  1. Chop and place herbs in a  glass jar.
  2.  Cover the herbs using the preferred oil, close the lid tightly.
  3. Place the jar where there is plenty of sun light is available.
  4. Let the content steep for two to three weeks. After 2 or 3 weeks notice that the color of the oil changes to green, light green or golden yellow. In addition, oil will have herbal odor.
  5. Using a strainer lined with muslin cloth, strain the oil. Label and store the infused oil in cool and dark place.

Tips:

  1. Instead of fresh herbs, dry the herbs and use for herbal oil making. Reason for this is, water content could interfere in oil preparation. Where as dry herbs will make infusion strong and the contents from herbs easily steep in the oil.  Another way is to wilt the fresh herbs to remove maximum water content by placing the herbs in Sun light for few hours. Wilting removes some of the water content from herbs.
  2. Best oils for herbal infusions are – olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil and are more stable.
  3. If you notice odd odor or oil appears cloudy then discard it. If you notice any particles like mold, immediately discard the spoiled oil. Adding vitamin E, or Tocopherol, can help oils from going rancid too quickly. It is a powerful antioxidant and protects oil from spoiling.
  4. Use a clear, dry container to store infused oil. There should not be any moisture in it. Presence of water or moisture can lead to development of microorganisms over time.

These two methods can be used for preparing bath oil, medicinal herbal oil, hair oil etc at home.

Image credit: Image by Marina Pershina from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 14, 2020
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Half Lord of the Fishes Pose

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose Ardha Matsyendrasana

Ardha Matsyendrasana is a beginner’s yoga pose. This pose teaches how to sit in proper position and works on abs and spine. It is a twist pose that needs proper focus on the way we hold pose, on drishti (focusing eyes) and on twist. Improper position can hurt back and hips. Pose is helpful for kidney functioning, digestive organs and back muscles -Healthylife

LEVEL :Beginner, Intermediate

Anatomy :Abs, Spine

Pose Type :Hip Opener, Seated, Twist

Sanskrit :Ardha Matsyendrasana (ard-ha mats-yun-DRAS-unna) ardha = half matsya = fish indra = king, lord

BENEFITS :

  • Tones the spinal nerves
  • Stretches the back muscles
  • Massages the abdominal organs and improves digestion
  • Improves kidney function
  • Regulates secretions of the pancreas, adrenal glands, and liver

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Pregnancy
  • Sciatica
  • Slipped disc
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Hernia
  • Hyperthyroidism

HOW TO

  1. Begin sitting on your heels in Thunderbolt pose (Vajrasana).
  2. Shift your hips to the left so that you’re sitting on the floor to the left of your feet.
  3. Cross your right foot just outside of your left knee. Keep the foot flat on the floor.
  4. Bring your right hand to the floor a few inches behind you. Lightly push your hand into the ground to straighten your spine.
  5. Inhale and reach your left hand toward the sky.
  6. Exhale and bend your left arm, using your elbow like a lever against your right knee. Gaze over your right shoulder.
  7. Stay in the pose for several breaths. Inhale and untwist, then change sides.

MODIFY OR REPLACE

  • Keep the bottom leg straight.
  • Hug the knee into the chest rather than using the arm as a lever against the leg.
  • Alternatives: Spinal Twist, Supine Spinal Twist

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

  • Cobra pose (Bhujangasana)
  • Locust pose (Salabasana)
  • Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
  • Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

After:

TEACHING CUES

  1. Begin with a vertical spine and then twist.
  2. Twist from the core, not the upper body.
  3. Grow taller with each inhale. Twist deeper from the core with each exhale.

VARIATIONS

  • Hold onto the ankle rather than using the arm as a lever against the leg. Bend the supporting arm and bring the back of the hand in between the shoulder blades, fingers pointing up.

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Shoulders hunching
  • Incorrect foot placement
  • Either buttock lifting off the ground
  • Forcing the twist from the up

This article and image is published with prior permission from Beyogi.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 8, 2020
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Baked spicy bread rolls

Baked Spicy Bread Rolls

For winter snack try spicy baked bread rolls. Overall preparation time is 10-15 mins. Snack will be ready within 45 mins. Have tomato ketchup ready and serve hot baked bread rolls.

Ingredients:

  1. Soft bread slices
  2. Butter
  3. Finely cut garlic
  4. Crushed red chilli or pepper
  5. Cheese – grated ¼ cup (or paneer)
  6. Italian seasoning (optional)
  7. Salt

  Method:

  1. Using a roller pin flatten the bread slices
  2. Melt butter (to soften) and add salt, red chili flakes, Italian seasoning and garlic. Mix well in butter.
  3. Apply spice mixed butter on flattened bread
  4. Sprinkle grated cheese or paneer.
  5. Roll the bread slices, cover with a moist paper towel and place in refrigerator for few minutes.
  6. Remove rolled bread slices from refrigerator and bake in oven on a baking sheet at 150 F for 10 minutes or till rolls turn golden brown.
  7. Remove the baked spicy bread rolls and serve hot with ketchup.
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Home remedies for gas trouble

Home remedies for gas trouble

Gas formation in the system can be exhausting and embarrassing sometimes. Different home remedies can help to reduce gas trouble.

Reasons for gas formation is type of food that we consume, medical reasons, surgery or over eating. In such cases try these simple remedies at home.

Curry leaf- cumin powder

Wash bunch of curry leaves and air dry. Transfer to a frying pan with half cup cumin, few pepper corn and salt. Add little asafetida powder. Do not add oil. Fry the contents and cool it to room temperature. Transfer to a dry grinder and prepare fine powder.

  • Mix this power with hot rice and ghee and eat during lunch time
  • Mix with yogurt and consume with roti or chapati
  • Mix with oil and have with idli and other breakfast items.

Coriander seeds with dry ginger:

To one spoon of crushed coriander seeds add half inch dry ginger. Add this mix to one cup boiling water. Strain and add 2 tsp honey and drink.

 Pepper and asafetida: Mix 1 tsp coarse pepper with little asafetida. Add it to rice with salt and ghee. Mix well and consume.

Vegetable juices: Carrot, apple, beetroot juices with little black pepper and a tsp lime juice reduces gas and bloating.

Neem flower and salt: Fry 2 tsp dry neem flower with salt and asafetida by adding little oil. Mix this with hot rice and consume to reduce bloating and gas.

Try above remedies if you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 6, 2020
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Natural ways to control blood sugar level

Natural ways to control Blood sugar level

Balancing blood sugar level is important to live. Impairment in blood sugar level or the chronic high blood sugar level can be toxic to our body and may destroy the major organs. There are ways to control blood sugar level naturally.

1. Fiber intake

Include about 50 grams of fiber – soluble or insoluble fiber in your diet every 1000 calories you consume. Best fiber food is like berries, green leaves, drumstick, okra, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower and other vegetables intake will help. Track your food items each day and count the calories.

2. Reduce net carbohydrate intake

Many studies support low-carb diets for the treatment of diabetes. Many studies found dramatic improvements in blood sugar levels, weight and other markers when carbs were restricted to 20 grams per day. Research shows that more moderate carb restriction, such as 70–90 grams of total carbs, or 20% of calories from carbs, is also effective. Eat good grains, fruits and good carbohydrates. Avoid refined carbs.

3. High-Quality Fats

Eat healthy fats that is necessary for the health and strength. Healthy fats include: Avocados, coconut oil, organic milk, raw nuts, extra virgin olive oil and olives, omega-3 fatty acids containing foods.

4. Workout

Do not forget to  burn the calories every day. Don’t lead a sedentary life. Regular exercises brings down the fat level and brings down blood sugar level. Working in garden, farm and volunteering where you need to walk will help out in controlling blood sugar levels.

5. Drink water

Dehydrated results in high blood sugar level. Always stay well hydrated. Monitor your urine and if you feel it is dark then drink enough water. It is also important to understand the difference between hunger and thirstiness . Drink water and see whether you are still hungry. If you are then have proper food.

6. Bring down stress level

Stress in the body results in the secretion of cortisol and glucagon, both of which affect your blood sugar levels. Control stress levels using exercise, meditation, yoga, prayer or relaxation techniques. These techniques may reduce your stress and correct insulin secretion problems.

7. Keep Eating Habits Consistent

Skipping meals, especially breakfast, could push your blood sugar higher, and depending which blood glucose-lowering medications you take, could cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Have your meal proper time every day, carry some food with you in case you know you will be getting late for your meals or dinner.

8. Cinnamon, green tea and other foods

Add cinnamon as a flavoring agent to your foods. Cinnamon helps reduce the blood glucose level , cholesterol and trigycerides- study says. Drink green tea every day. Replacing sugary drinks with green tea is a great way to cut calories, save carbs, and get a good dose of disease-fighting polyphenols. Also, try bitter gourd dishes and juice to keep sugar level under control. Other foods to try: Jaamun fruits, papaya, guava and fenugreek seeds.

9. Get good sleep

Too little sleep or poor sleep can disrupt your hormones, leading to increased appetite, higher blood sugar, and a thicker waistline. Depending on your age and body need get enough quality sleep. It feels good and health will be get better with good amount of sleep. Good sleep maintains the insulin sensitivity and reduces weight gain. Enough quality sleep is necessary to feel good and experience good health.

Disclaimer: Before following any of above these mentioned tips contact your doctor for a suggestion. If you are pregnant contact your OBGYN before considering any of the above tips.

References:
• http://www.healthline.com/
• http://www.everydayhealth.com
• http://www.webmd.com/
• http://www.wisebread.com/
• Image: Photo by Matt Chesin on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 3, 2020
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