Pongal, Makara Sankranthi and Lohri are celebrated to mark the harvesting season in India. The festival also marks the Sun’s journey towards north, which means the winter season will be tapering off. On Makara Sankranthi day Surya Namaskar will be performed to mark the journey of Sun God followed by celebrations with tasty recipes! People celebrate the festival by preparing recipes that contain rice, wheat, jaggery (sweet Pongal), vegetables (sambar), sesame (sesame-jaggery laddu).
Sweet and spicy rice Pongal are specially prepared on Pongal day. There is also another version of Pongal prepared using broken wheat. It is generally served with a mixed vegetable curry called gotsu. We are presenting here recipes of broken wheat Pongal and gotsu for this Makara Sankranthi and Pongal celebrations.
1. Broken wheat Pongal recipe
Ingredients
1. Broken wheat – 1 cup
2. Moong daal – ¼ cup
3. Clarified butter (ghee)- 2 Tbsp
4. Water – 3 cups
5. Pepper – 1 tsp
6. Cashews – About 12
7. Cumin – 1 tsp
8. Green chili (optional) – 2
9. Finely chopped ginger- 1 tsp
10. Asafoetida – few pinches (as per taste)
11. Salt – as per taste
Preparation:
1. Dry fry cracked wheat till it releases aroma (just like you fry for upma or uppittu).
2. Soak fried cracked wheat and moong dal in a vessel for about 15 mins.
3. Place a pressure cooker on medium heat -add 1 Tbsp ghee and fry cashew to golden brown. Add cumin, pepper, curry leaves, chopped green chilli and satue.
4. When pepper splitter, add chopped ginger satue for few seconds, add asafoetida and turn off the heat. Transfer the tampering to small vessel
5. Place pressure cooker on medium heat, add 1 Tbsp ghee and add soaked cracked wheat and moong dal mix. Add a cup of water and continue mixing.
6. When it starts boiling, add salt and continue mixing, so that mix will not get lumps and not stick to the cooker. Close cooker lid. Wait for 3 to 4 whistles. Turn heat to low for couple of minutes and turn off the heat.
7. Once cooker pressure released, transfer the contents to Pongal vessel, add tampering and another pinch of asafoetida and mix well. Add little water if it is too thick, mix and heat on low flame.
8. Serve Pongal with hot gotsu.
2. Gotsu recipe:
Ingredients
1. Small Indian eggplant – 4
2. Potato – One medium size
3. Carrot – 1
4. Tomato – 1
5. Onion (optional) – 1
6. Moong daal- ½ cup
7. Green chili -2 or 3
8. Turmeric – little
9. Coconut oil – 2 tsp
10. Salt- as per taste
11. Mustard – ¼ tsp
12. Curry leaves- 1 sting
13. Red chili – 1 cut into half
14. Urad daal -1/2 tsp
15. Asafetida – pinch
16. Chopped ginger – ¼ tsp
17. Chopped coriander – 2 Tbsp
Preparation:
1. Pressure cook moong dal for minimum 3 whistles.
2. Cut eggplant to slightly bigger size and rest of the veggies should be chopped to small pieces. (Onion is optional for festival day as many prefer not adding onion or garlic during festivals in the recipes).
3. Heat a vessel on medium heat, add sesame oil and tamper using mustard, green chili, red chili, curry leaves, asafetida, chopped ginger.
4. Add chopped vegetables to tampering, fry for about five minutes, add salt and water to cook. Cook the contents till the potato and carrot becomes soft.
5. Add cooked moong dal, turmeric, and little more water. Bring contents to boil.
6. The consistency of gotsu will be like sambar.
7. Add chopped coriander, coconut oil to hot gotsu and serve with Pongal.
Image credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538320961684062940/ & https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348395721179657803/
Tart cherries, also known as sour cherries, are a variety of cherry that differs from the more common sweet cherries. They are known for their unique flavor and have been associated with various health benefits. Tart cherries are different from sweet cherries in color and taste. Tart cherries generally have red color like fire truck color and have crisp and tart taste. Like sweet cherries, tart cherries are also rich in antioxidants and provide many health benefits.
Tart cherries contain high amounts of Vitamin C, polyphenol compounds, potassium, magnesium and carotenoids.
Here are some potential benefits of tart cherries:
How to consume tart cherries?
While we can eat sweet cherries as snack, tart cherries because of sourness, mostly used in dried form, as juice or juice concentrates and in the form of supplements. Frozen tart cherries are used in baking and cooking to enhance taste (like that of cherry pies). It is also used in smoothies and in breakfast with cereals and waffles.
Image credit: Larry & Teddy Page: Red tart cherries growing on the Schlueter Cherry Farms, Leelanau County, Michigan https://www.flickr.com/photos/igboo/ (CC by 2.0)
The Bird of Paradise yoga pose offers a variety of physical and mental benefits, making it a valuable addition to yoga practice for those who have developed the strength and flexibility required to perform the pose. The “Bird of Paradise” is a challenging and advanced yoga pose that requires strength, flexibility, concentration and balance.
Sanskrit name: Svarga Dvijasana (Svarga = paradise, dvija, meaning =twice born)
Benefits of practicing Bird of paradise yoga pose are:
How to perform Bird of paradise pose? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform the pose:
Remember, the Bird of Paradise pose requires patience, practice, and careful attention to your body. If you are a beginner or have any existing health issues, it’s advisable to work with a qualified yoga instructor for proper alignment and technique.
Image credit:
Photo by Lê Đức: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-smiling-man-exercising-yoga-16131180/ (Free for commercial use)
Photo by Alena Darmel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-garden-doing-bird-of-paradise-yoga-pose-7222374/ (Free for commercial use)
Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia, can be a concern for individuals of any age, including older adults. There are reports saying that cases of low sodium patients especially elderly patients are increasing. Patients show abnormal behavior, and it causes worries in caretakers. Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in and around cells. Why the sodium level goes down and what are the reasons, how to address it to make feel a person better? Here are some common reasons for low sodium levels in older adults and potential solutions:
Reasons for low sodium levels:
Symptoms of low sodium levels:
It can include nausea, headache, confusion, abnormal behavior, seizures, and, in severe cases, coma or death. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve fluid restriction, medications, or addressing the primary condition. If you suspect low sodium levels or experience symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How to manage low sodium level?
It’s crucial for older adults experiencing symptoms like confusion, nausea, weakness, or seizures to seek medical attention promptly. Treatment should be individualized based on the underlying cause of low sodium levels, and healthcare professionals will determine the appropriate interventions for each case.
Image credit: Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)
New year is around the corner! What is your New Year resolution? Did you face this question? We all make New Year resolutions and once we step into the New Year, most of us will forget about it or tiny fraction of us will work on the resolutions. Research studies from Scranton University shows that only 8% of people achieve their goal. What is this resolution – it is to make changes in our life- changes- that bring happiness and sense of achievement in our life. So, do not abandon your resolutions. Make a list of things what you want to achieve and act on it. Once a while look into your list and see whether you worked on it. You will notice positive changes in your life that helps your future.
Here are few resolution suggestions to achieve a healthy life while honoring your mind and body.
1 ) Stop eating fast food: All of us know what is there in fast food and what impact fast food has on our health. If you don’t know what is in food – browse and get educated. Do not neglect your health !
2) Cooking at home as much as possible: There is nothing like “I don’t have time to cook”. It is all about our priority. Make health your top priority. If you cook at home – you will know what you put in the food. Learn simple, tasty, easy recipes and cook at home as much as possible!
3) Exercising 3 to 5 times a week: Don’t be lazy. Go to gym go for walk. Everyone needs minimum 3 days of workout. If you workout 5 days – half an hour is enough. If you workout 3 days – one hour is needed. Make time for exercise to keep yourself healthy and happy.
4) Take a break from mobile phone and other technology: Were you on phone too much past year? Did you miss important things in your life while being on phone? Then, make it a point to be less on mobile phones. Do not drive while texting and being on phone.
5) Validating people in our life: If people are trying to reach you and you did not reciprocate in the past year, reconnect with those people who matters to you and validate the relationship. Take time to reach out to your old friends, and make new friends!
6) Stop judging people: Nobody is perfect. So, stop judging people. Let your comments be positive and encourage people. You do not know what other person is going through in life, so stop judging them!
7) Stop trying to be too perfect: There is nothing like one can be perfect or too perfect. All are humans and so are you. Do not try to show that you are perfect and do not find faults all the time in others. It will cause stress in you and for others. Relax and enjoy your life. After all, we all learn by our mistakes (once a while)!
8) Stop comparing and hating yourself: You may not be the most beautiful person outside. It does not matter as long as you are beautiful and kind inside. Remember outside beauty has short life. So stop comparing yourself and hating yourself. Stop comparing your life style with others. As they say, grass looks green from far away!
9) Cut down on unnecessary spending: Do you have habit of spending unnecessarily? Think twice before spending your parent’s money or for that matter, even your hard earn money. If you already own those stuffs- then why buy more? Save money for the future.
10) Traveling to beautiful places: Make time to travel, visit beautiful places or reconnect with nature. Learn about other culture, every place will have something to offer in terms of knowledge.
11) Helping others to help us: Make time to volunteer in places where they need volunteer. Help people who are in need so that if brings smiles on their face and brings the real meaning of contentment and happiness in your mind.
12) Playing less video games: Go out and play in ground or play with friends in recreational clubs, gyms etc. This will take you out of home and from four walls. Sitting in one-place and playing video games acts on your mind and can have more impact that can be negative.
13) Learn something new: Come out of your comfort zone. Learn something new – painting, singing, dancing, writing, web designing, crochet, photography etc. will help you build your confidence.
14) Spending time with family: Family is very important – call your siblings, talk to your parents and grandparents. If you have a problem with family, talk it over and try to resolve the issues. This gives you more support and brings calmness.
15) Reduce your anger: Are you short tempered? Then, you would have felt unhappy and hurtful most times. Try yoga, meditation and practice calmness. This will help you to control the anger and helps you make good decision.
16) Be Positive and cheerful: Move away from negative thoughts and negative people. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage your good deeds and help to achieve happiness. Keep smiling so that the world around you will feel better because of you!
17) Be kind to animals and plants: Do not be harsh to plants and animals. Remember they are living beings like you!
18) Quit bad habit/ habits: If you have any bad habits – from nose picking to not washing hands after using toilet -stop it! Buy tissue boxes and learn what is hygiene really means -Otherwise you will continue to be a laughing stock for all!
19) Do not try to please everyone: Gosh! Stop trying to please everyone around you. Not everyone can like you. Right people will love the real you.
20) Get more organized: Well, It sounds difficult for most of us – Try to organize your closet, books and room. Keep notes of things to remember. This will help you to have mental clarity and not lose tract of things that you need to do.
21) Be in the present moment: As they say, “do not let your past steal your present” Or “we don’t know what future holds for us”. So learn to live in the present and you will find peace!
Article and Image source: www.WerIndia.com
While there is no specific “arthritis diet,” certain foods may contribute to inflammation and exacerbate arthritis symptoms. It is important to note that individual responses to foods can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Some of the common food culprits that may worsen arthritis symptoms include:
Consuming certain foods is beneficial to manage arthritis. It is crucial to maintain a balanced and varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy and anti-inflammatory fats. In addition, staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage arthritis symptoms.
If you have arthritis, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to create a personalized nutrition plan based on your specific needs and health status.
Image credit: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)
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