5 ingredients you did not include in your food

By Amaleena

There are many things which are healthy but we forget including in our daily diet. Here are 5 things you did not know, that must be included in your diet.

1. Chillies 

They lower blood pressure, improve heart health. Green chillies contain antoxidants that protect the body against damage and give natural immunity. They also slow down the ageing process.

While cooking add a few chillies to your dishes making them spice up. You can also add fresh chopped chillies to your sandwiches and salads.

2. Asparagus

Contains folic acid which triggers serotonin, thereby boosting your mood. Eating asparagus often leads to prevention of mood swings. It is high in Vitamin K and antitoxidant nutrients, including vitamin C. It helps protect the skin from sun damage and pollution

Add a few stems to your soup. It makes the soup healthy and tummy filling.

3. Flaxseed

It contains Omega 3 essential fatty acids i.e. the good cholesterol. The fiber content in flaxseed is also good for health.

You can add toasted seeds to salads, soups and sandwiches for a pleasant crunch. As it has a low smoking point,flaxseed oil is not recommended for cooking.

4. Olives

They are highly effective in reducing low density cholesterol. They also can improve brain health and reduce heart ailments.
Olive tapenade is an easy to make spread which can be used in sandwiches or as dips.
Chopped olives can be used in making pasta, sandwiches or salads.
Olive oil is super healthy for cooking



5. Lemons
Contains vitamin C and flavonoids, which boost the immune system. Also good for the skin.
Add a teaspoon on lemon juice to your green tea.
A glass of lukewarm water with juice of a lemon is said to reduce fat.

Nail Trend Nail Enamel (by Reliance) - Review

By Chandrima

Good day People,
Hope you are enjoying the pre-winter season and enjoying our posts. Let me share with you my recent discovery when I went for grocery shopping at my nearest Reliance fresh outlet. I always get busy shopping and hardly noticed that Reliance also has their cosmetic products. They other day I saw their range of nail paints Nail Trend Nail Enamel, and bought one for myself. My one is Coral Pink (Number - P02)

Product description
is matte based
gives a thick coating so two coats are enough
dries up quickly
gives a matte finish look to the nails
stays for over a week

Packaging
Bottles are well packed. Each bottle contains 5 ml.

Price
I bought two for rs 50 only :D Look at my smile, even I couldn't believe it.

My Experience
I am a nail polish freak! I keep on collecting nail polish of every colour. This one is coral pink . The colour is subtle and looks great on my hands.

I will give Nail Trend Nail Enamel Coral Pink
a rating of 4 out of 5

I will get more colours from this brand.

Lost 1 kg in a week without exercise

By Amaleena

One major concern which we all share at some point or the other is HOW TO LOST WEIGHT!

For the past 4 months my weight has been increasing at a steady rate. I gained about 8 kgs! I was depressed and whenever I went for dining out, I ate halfheartedly :(

I don't get time for going to the gym and morning walks are also difficult for me as I am a late riser.So after a lot of research I found a diet plan. 

But of course, diet plans, as we all know are quite difficult to follow for foodies like me. So I tweaked it a little and now after a week of the diet, I lost a kg without a single exercise. Yippee!

So I am going to share my diet plan with you and later on, one by one will share with you the low calorie recipes I invented while following this diet plan.

Early Morning - 1 glass lukewarm water with lemon juice of 1 lemon 

                             (you can skip this if you have a tendency of acidity, like me)

                              +

                           1 cup of black tea or black coffee  

                           2 biscuits (Marie biscuits or cream cracker)

                        

Breakfast -  2 hard boiled eggs + 2 slices of brown bread 

                         or

                   2 scrambled eggs + 1 slice brown bread + 1 cup skimmed milk

                         or

                  1 plate brown bread upma / oatmeal upma

                         or

                  1 bowl muesli / oatmeal with skimmed milk + 1 scrambled egg

                      (I have lactose allergy so I take  yogurt instead of milk)

Mid Morning - 1 small bowl of fruit salad

                            or

                        1 banana/ 1/2 cup melon/ 20 grapes

                            or 

                        1 medium sized apple 

                            or

                        Buttermilk or Lassi

Half and hour before Lunch - 1 cup of green tea without sugar

Lunch - 1 small bowl of rice steamed / 2 medium sized rotis / veg khichdi / oats khichdi

                         +

             1/2 cup vegetable (preferably boiled and sauteed in slight oil)

                         +

             100 gms chicken / 1 bowl raita / 1 bowl dal

                        

Early evening -  1 Cucumber chopped / any salad

                                 or 

                            Juice of fruit made  at home 

                          (Packed fruit juices contain a lot of sugar, so STAY AWAY)

Evening - 1 bowl boiled chana / 1 bowl muri / 4 Cream cracker biscuits 

Dinner - 1 roti

                +

              50 gms fish / 100 gms chicken

                +

              1/2 bowl dal

                +

              small bowl of raita

             

And remember, STAY AWAY from

chocolates

chips

sugary items and sweets

packaged or tinned food

cheese

red meat

fried stuff

and buffets :P

And if you still feel hungry in between, go for

cucumber,

boiled sprouts

Tips:

Try to have your lunch within 2pm. The earlier the better.

Use the staircase rather than the lift.

Try walking rather than taking a rickshaw to the main road :)

Silky Malai Prawns

By Husna

Hi Friends!

Hope you have enjoyed my previous recipes. Today I am here with another one. If you are looking for a dish of prawns which will be silky and will melt in your mouth..this recipe is for you!

Ingredients

Prawns 10 (medium sized)
Malai or full cream 1 cup (medium to small sized)
Milk 1 cup (small cup) this is optional
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Onion chopped finely 2 tbsp
Tomato 1 (medium sized; de-skinned and finely chopped)
Ginger paste 1/2 tsp
Garlic paste 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/3 tsp
Oil 2 tbsp
Salt


Method
Clean the prawns and keep it aside.
Heat oil in a wok and add the mustard seeds.
When the mustard seeds crackle, add onion and cook till they soften.
Add ginger garlic paste followed by chilli and turmeric powder. Let the spices cook well.
Once the masala starts separating from oil it means they are cooked.
Add the malai and prawns. Add milk and mix.
Cook till the prawns are done. This will take around 5 to 7 minutes.

Serve hot and enjoy with roti or pulao.. :)