Thursday 31 July 2014

URAD DHALL PORRIDGE / KANJI

Hi Reader!

Today I am sharing a healthy recipe. Urad dal kanji is a traditional and very light food. It’s too good for the growing children. One glass of urad dal kanji is very filling for breakfast. Kids will love this. It is Kanji is easy to digest and is good for patients to heal soon.


Ingredients:
  1. Urad dal                   - ½ cup
  2. Green gram or Raw rice - 1 tablespoon  (optional)
  3. Grated Coconut     - 2 tablespoon
  4. Dry ginger – ½ inch or hing
  5. Jaggery – 6 tablespoons to 8 tablespoon
  6. Cardamom powder – a pinch
  7. Water
  8. Salt – a pinch
Preparation: 
  • Soak and grind urad dal finely.
  • heat water pan in  a, add Jaggery, dry ginger and let to boil.
  • When water boils up mix ground Urad dal and mix well for 5 mins.
  • Add grated coconut, stir it continuously
  • Cook till raw smell goes off.
  • Add hot water when the mixture thickens.
  • Sprinkle Cardamom, mix well and serve hot.
  • Advantages
  • It helps to relieve cold, high in protein.
  • Kanji is easy to digest and is good for patients suffering from illness.
  • It’s easy to make, tasty and healthy.


                       HAPPY READING.. HEALTHY LIVING.. :)


Wednesday 30 July 2014

HOMEMADE ANTI AGING FACE MASK

Hello Readers,

Let's see an effective natural face pack. Homemade face masks are cheaper and have no side effects and still homemade face mask yield wonderful results. Even though readymade solutions or face packs are easy to use and can leave you feeling instantly beautified.

                             

Ingredients:
  •   Green Gram Powder.
  •   Honey.
  •   Lemon Juice.
  •   Egg.

Steps to prepare Green Gram Anti-Aging Face Mask:
  • Take the egg white in a clean bowl. Add lemon juice and lightly whisk the mixture.Lemon juice help reduce the smell of egg.
  • To this egg-white and lemon juice mixture, add some honey.
  • Finally add half a spoon of green gram powder and mix it to get the required consistency.
  • Wash face, Rise with warm water to open up the pores.
  • Gently apply the green gram to your skin. Apply it all over your face in circular upward motion, avoiding the eyes and mouth area.
  • Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, but don’t let it dry and hard, else it will be very tight.
  • Wash it off with warm water and apply an oil free moisturizer for healthy, supple and youthful skin.

Effect post using Green Gram Anti-Aging Face Mask:
  • Your pores are closed (though temporarily) hence impurities are removed as well.
  • Deep cleansing, especially from remains of makeup
  • Good for skin  tightening, reduce wrinkles and fine lines
  • Oil balancing effect; for people with oily skin, egg white balances the oil secretion
  • Reduces redness and evens skin tone

Warnings:
  • Lemon juice may produce stinging due to the citric acid in the juice. Start by mixing the lemon juice in small quantity and then adjust the mixture based on how your skin feels. When using lemon juice on the skin, be sure to stay out of the sun and use a high SPF sunscreen when you must be outside. Lemon juice on the skin will make your skin more prone to sunburn and the resulting damage that can occur.
  • If you tend to have sensitive skin or allergies, perform a skin test with your face mask first. Rub a small amount behind your ear and leave on for 5-10 minutes before washing off. If any irritation occurs, don’t use the mask.
  • Skin tightening and a little discomfort is the immediate effect anyone gets by applying egg white based face masks, but this effect quickly disappears once you remove the face mask. 

The benefits of individual ingredients used in this face pack:


Egg White:
An egg contains about 69 different proteins and these proteins significantly contribute in maintaining the elasticity of skin. Egg whites are high in collagen and vitamin A which helps in checking fine lines and wrinkles. Egg white helps reduce excess sebum in your skin by shrinking the size of your pores. It also gives your skin a firmer and more even look by greatly reducing larger pores.
Green gram:
Green Gram is the green moong daal the whole one not the broken one. Green gram flour is an excellent cleaner and is a very good substitute for soap. It acts as a strong anti-bacterial agent, and removes the dirt from the skin without causing any irritation. Those who are seeking for good complexions can try and apply green gram powder over the face: it will bleach the color and give desirable complexion. Green gram is also known for its anti-aging qualities and is a very good body scrub also.
Honey:
Honey encourages the regeneration of new tissue. Honey acts as an anti-aging agent, and moisturizer. Additionally, it contains anti-microbial properties and natural antioxidants which help to protect the skin from sun rays and facilitates the skin’s ability to rejuvenate and refresh exhausted looking skin, thus leaving it soft and silky. Honey also has the ability to absorb and retain moisture and this helps in keeping the skin well hydrated, fresh and
Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice has natural antibacterial properties that make it a good choice to help cure acne and prevent further breakouts. Using lemon juice on blackheads has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of blackheads. Lemon juice lightens age spots, blemishes and brightens the skin. Lemon is a very good Exfoliator and fights wrinkles and acne.


HAPPY READING.. HEALTHY LIVING.. :)


Friday 25 July 2014

TO DECREASE WEIGHT AND GET RID OF OBESITY

                                  Inline image 1


Hello Readers,  today we're going to see some simple tips to manage our weight and also to lead a healthy and happy life.


 Things to follow to lose weight faster:

  • Drink detox tea (Green Tea/Indian Masala Tea (cardamom, cinnamon, clove) throughout the day.
  • Cabbage is considered to be an effective remedy for losing weight. This vegetable inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. 
  • Honey is an excellent remedy for obesity. It mobilizes the extra deposited fat in the body and puts it into circulation, which is utilized as energy for normal functions. 
  • Include spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, etc., in any form in your day as they are good for losing weight.
  • Drink 3 glasses of warm water. If this seems difficult, add a teaspoon honey to the glass of water and drink or drink lukewarm lemon water with honey.
  • Increase the intake of horsegram, kidney beans, millet, dry, broken beans etc. in your diet.
  • Vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela), drumstick are useful for losing weight.
  • Having Fig with warm water will help to reduce cholesterol. 
  • Avoid intake of too much salt.  
  • Eat lots of fiber rich foods.
  • Fasting on honey and lime juice is highly beneficial.
  • Measure the portions of your food every meal and make sure that the portions are small and always eat on right and fixed times.
  • You must include regular exercise of at least 30-45 minutes in your daily routine to help enhance weight reduction.


Herbal Detox: 

  • Add cinnamon powder and fenugreek in water and boil and let it cool. Add this to a jar and drink whole day when you are thirsty.
  • Boil 4 to 5 cups of water and add below Ingredients and continue to let it boil for about 5 minutes with the lid on.
  1. Whole cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
  2. Whole coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
  3. Whole fennel seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Strain out the seeds and pour the liquid into a flask and take small sips of it throughout the day. It is best to drink it warm or hot. If the tea is too strong or if you experience some initial discomfort, reduce the amount of seeds to 1/4 teaspoon for 2 weeks, and then increase it back to 1/2 teaspoon.


                        HAPPY READING.. HEALTHY LIVING.. :)




Wednesday 23 July 2014

HEALTHY DOSA(S)

Hi all,
Today I am going to tell the recipe of Crispy, savory and slightly sour, and healthy dosa. Dosa  is the South Indian counterpart to crepes. Dosa is a famous breakfast or evening snack in southern region. Dosa is very easy to make and they will be tasty to have with sambar, chutney and podi. There are so many varieties in dosa in which you are going to see few healthy varieties.

  1. MOONG DHALL DOSA

  
Ingredients
  1. Whole Moong dal - 1 cup
  2. Idly rice / Boiled rice -1cup
  3. Coriander leaves- 1 small bunch
  4. Ginger - 2" piece
  5. Salt
Method
  • Wash and soak the rice & moong dal together for 1 or 2 hours. 
  • Grind into a coarse batter.
  • Finally add the coriander, green chilly, ginger and grind it.
  • Add enough salt.
  • We can make dosa immediately after grinding this batter.

************

2.  HORSEGRAM DOSA


                                                                                                             
Ingredients            
  1. Brown Rice -2 cups
  2. Horse Gram -1/2cup
  3. Fenugreek seeds -1 teaspoon
  4. Salt
Method
  • Wash and soak the horse gram, rice & fenugreek (methi) seeds for 6 hours. 
  • Grind the rice, fenugreek together and horse gram separately. Add salt, mix it well and keep aside for 8 hours for fermentation. 
  • Make dosas and enjoy it with your choice of chutney/sambar.

**********

3.  TOMATO DOSA

This is a quick and easy version of instant dosa. You can make dosa immediately after grinding the batter, no fermentation required.



                      
Ingredients
  1. Boiled rice / Idli rice -11/2cups
  2. Raw rice / Basmati rice -1/2cup
  3. Tomato -2
  4. Red chillies-5 (adjust to your taste)
  5. Small piece of Ginger
  6. Few curry leaves 
  7. Coriander leaves
  8. Hing/Asafoetida -1/4teaspoon
  9. Salt
Method
  • Wash and soak the rices for 2-3 hours.
  • Grind it with tomatoes and red chilli. No need to add water, as we are adding tomatoes. If required sprinkle little water.
  • Add the curry leaves, coriander, ginger and hing. Grind it again. Batter should be a coarse consistency, don't grind it too smooth.
  • Add enough salt to the batter and adjust the consistency as dosa batter.


 HAPPY READING.. HEALTHY LIVING.. :)




Monday 21 July 2014

GREEN GRAM RICE KANJI/PORRIDGE

This kanji is a traditional food in Tamil Nadu. It’s is very nutritious and suitable food for fasting period, as a simple dinner or breakfast or even during cold and fever as a comfort food.
This will be good with papad and coconut or coriander thuvaiyal.

Ingredients
Rice - 1 cup
Green Gram - 3/4 cup
Fenugreek Seeds - 1 tsp
Garlic - 1 clove (Chopped)
Pearl Onions - 3-4 (chopped)
Fresh Grated Coconut - 1-2 tblsp
Salt - as needed
Water - a lot (app. 6-8 cups)
Oil - 1 tsp

Method
1. Take a deep pan, add the oil to it and fry the fenugreek seeds.
2. Next add the chopped garlic clove and pearl onions and fry for another 30 seconds.
3. Add the water and bring it to a boil. The fenugreek flavour is infused in the water.
4. When the water boils add the rice and green gram.
5. Cover and let it cook till both rice and gram are cooked. If you feel you need more water, you can add some hot water to bring to the desired consistency.
6. Finally add the required salt and grated coconut. Serve as a simple breakfast or dinner.

Variations
       Another variation is to substitute rice with oats and you have a healthy oats kanji.


                                    Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)



PATHIMUGAM or EAST INDIAN RED WOOD HERBAL WATER

The wood occurs in red, hard, heavy pieces, or in orange-red chips.
If “Pathimugam” is boiled in water, the water gets purified and thereby drinking this water can prevent epidemic diseases spreading through water.

This tree brightens the future of pharmaceuticals industries. This herbal drinking water has the ability to cure anti-thirst, improvement of complexion and tendency to cure many types of diseases such as cancer, kidney disorder, piles, cholesterol, blood purification, stomach ailments, skin diseases, diabetics, heart diseases etc.

For preparing this valued and amazing Kerala Ayurvedic water, firstly take a bowl and add water, boil it for about 2 – 3 minutes, add pathimugam and later strain the water and serve water hot.
Strain out the spices and pour the water into a thermo flask and sip throughout the day. This recipe is thirst quenching and refreshing.

When used regularly this spiced water can help reduce headaches, sluggishness and aid digestion. It’s fine to drink regular water throughout the day when using spiced water, the two compliments each other very well. If the weather is cold you can drink the water hot straight from your flask, in warmer weather, or if your body is feeling hot, you can let it cool to room temperature first, but it will work best if it isn’t completely cold.

Other ingredients you can add with this are,
Cumin, coriander, dried ginger or some herbs.


                                          Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)



HOMEMADE FACE PACKS FOR WRINKLES




Once wrinkles start appearing, it is difficult to get rid of them. However, you can prevent your skin from deteriorating by taking care of your skin from now on. For those of you, who do not have wrinkles till date, take extra precautions. The above mentioned face packs have been tried and tested to fight against wrinkles.

Face-pack: 1

Ingredients
  • Turmeric
  • Curd

Method:
Take a tablespoonful of curd and mix with it a bit of turmeric.
Now apply the mixture on your face, and let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water.

Advantage:
This homemade beauty tip for wrinkles will definitely help to avoid any type of blemishes on the skin and also will protect your skin from wrinkles. You can also use it by adding basin/ gram flour to it in this manner.

****************

Face-pack: 2
  • Masoor Dal

Method: 
Make a paste of lentil or masoor daal. Apply it all over your face, and also on your neck. Allow it to dry a bit and the wash it off with cold water.

Advantage: This will help in tightening the pores on the face.

                                                                ****************

Face-pack: 3
  • Lime juice
  • Milk cream

Method:
Make a mixture of lime juice and milk cream and apply it on your face.
After 10 to 15 minutes, wash it off with water.


Advantages:
Use this pack for at least a month, to see the results. This face pack is ideal for controlling wrinkles on dry skin.

                                                              ****************

Face-pack: 4
  • Olive Oil
  • Lemon Juice
Method:
Take olive oil in a bowl and mix a teaspoonful of lemon juice in it.
Now take this mixture and apply it on your face and massage your face.

Advantages:
This makes the skin soft and supple, and keeps wrinkles at bay.

                                                              ****************

Face-pack: 5

  • Apple

Method:

Take an apple and boil it in water. Let it cool, then remove the seeds from it, and mash the apple. 
Now add one teaspoonful of milk powder and one teaspoonful of honey in it.
Keep it on your face for 15 minutes and then rinse it off.


Advantage:
Use this pack daily. As apples are rich in vitamins, they help in fighting against the wrinkles and will give you a wrinkle free face!

                                                             ****************


Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)


Tuesday 8 July 2014

Immunity Booster - Ginger Garlic Soup

Hi Readers!  

Today I like to share you a simple, but very  healthy recipe, ' Ginger Garlic Soup'.
As Monsoon has started, a lot of us, especially kids may get cold and fever. Ginger garlic soup will boost the Immunity, cleanses the system and also a very good appetizer.



Ingredients:
  • Ginger - 25 gm
  • Garlic - 50 gm
  • Onion - 50 gm
  •  Tomatoes - 3(Option)
  • Ghee - ¼ teaspoon
  • Corn flour - ½ teaspoon
  • Pepper powder - 1 pinch
  • Cumin powder - 1 pinch
  • Coriander powder - 1 pinch
  • Coriander leaves- for garnishing

Method
  1. Grate the ginger, peel onion and garlic and chop them.
  2. In a pan, put little ghee and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger.
  3. Add water and boil in a simmer for ½ an hour.
  4. Put it in a food processor and collect the soup.
  5. Add corn flour and boil until it thickens.
  6. Add pepper, cumin, and coriander powder and finally garnish the soup with Coriander leaves. 
Having a cup of this soup everyday will not only protect you from cold and cough but also prevent,
  • Asthma
  • Heart
  • Cholesterol
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Morning sickness in pregnant women
  • Pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis
                                       
Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)



Saturday 5 July 2014

Health benefits of using Copper vessel

Storing water in copper and silver pots for purification of water finds mention in ancient texts of Ayurveda. This will kill all the micro-organisms that include virus and bacteria. 

“If you keep water in a copper vessel at room temperature, preferably overnight or at least for four hours, the water acquires a certain quality from the copper which is very good for your Health. 

Here are the health benefits of Copper:
  • Stimulates your brain
  • Slows down ageing
  • Pigmentation to hair and eyes
  • Can fight off cancer
  • Reduce bad cholesterol level (Weight loss) and increase beneficial cholesterol
  • Kill Microorganisms
  • Regulates the working of the thyroid gland
  • Skin, health and melanin production
  • Helps the digestive system perform better
  • Reduce bad cholesterol level (helps Weight loss) and increase beneficial cholesterol
  • Heal wound faster
  • Helps in the production of RBC (red blood cell hemoglobin)
  • Maintain cardiovascular health and beats hypertension
  • Required for proper absorption of iron
  • Essential for normal growth
Copper Vessels
Deficiency of copper can have the following symptoms in human beings: 
  •   Anemia
  •   Low body temperature
  •   Brittle bones
  •   Osteoporosis
  •   Dilated veins
  •   Low white blood cell count
  •   Uneven heartbeat
  •   Elevated cholesterol levels
  •   Low resistance to infections
  •   Birth defects
  •   Low skin pigmentation
  •   Thyroid disorders
If you don't have a copper vessel that's ok, even keeping a small copper plate in water container will also be very effective.

                                            
                                               Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)


Tuesday 1 July 2014

Simple and Effective Home Remedy To get rid of Diabetic in a month

 Ingredients needed,
  1.  Dry Coriander – ½ KG  
  2.  Fenugreek        -  ¼ kg

                

          
  • Dry roast the above ingredients separately till golden yellow colour, grind separately and mix it well.
  • Boil 2 teaspoon powder with 200ml or 2 glass water, boil till it reduces to 1 glass. Filter and drink before 45minutes of 3 time meals.
  • After drinking this you shouldn’t consume anything but water.
  • Check your blood sugar before taking this and after 1 month.

                                      Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. :)

Happy Reading.. Healthy Living..

Hi and welcome to my blog!
This is Sumi, I am from Tamilnadu, southern part of India. I always passionate about Ayurveda and siddha remedies, healthy food and life, herbal beauty tips and home remedies. I’d been thinking about sharing the info whatever I know and gathered about Ayurveda and healthy life for a while now. That’s why I decided to start my own blogs.


Happy Reading.. Healthy Living.. J