Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The Wisdom Of Ancient Indian Parenting Tips

Source Taken From here

ancient-india
The Wisdom Of Ancient Indian Parenting Tips
I have no knowledge about Tamil literature. A few days ago a brilliant doctor mom of two, an ardent reader and an enthusiastic follower of my blog forwarded this piece of ancient writing to me. These are some beautiful tips on parenting and I loved the way a man born so many years ago has written with such an open mind. It would be utterly unfair to not share such profoundness.
Disclaimer: This work may not be part of the original manuscript but could be someone’s comprehensive interpretation of it. It is however, a beautiful piece to share.
Tirukkural  by Tiruvalluvar ( a Tamil  poet/writer) was written more than 5000 years ago.  His contribution to Tamil literature is paramount. Today, it stands as one of those ancient works that has its tenants based on the ancient science of Human behaviour. Years later today these seem true and remain  unchanged inspite of modern education and technology!
Hoping  we all would benefit from these which are not ‘re-defined’!
SOME GOLDEN THOUGHTS OF THIRUKKURAL
Parenting Tip 1.
If your child lies to you often, it is because you over-react or react too harshly to his inappropriate behaviour.
Parenting Tip 2.
If your child is not taught to confide in you about his mistakes, you’ve lost him.
Parenting Tip 3.
If your child had poor self-esteem, it is because you advice him more than you encourage him.
Parenting Tip 4.
If your child does not stand up for himself it is because from a young age you have disciplined him regularly in public.
Parenting Tip 5.
If your child takes things that do not belong to him, it is because when you buy him things, you don’t let him chose what he wants.
Parenting Tip 6.
If your child is cowardly, it is because you help him too quickly.
Parenting Tip 7.
If your child does not respect other people’s feelings, it is because instead of speaking to your child, you order and command him.
Parenting Tip 8.
If your child is too quick to anger, it is because you give too much attention to misbehaviour and you give little attention to good behaviour.
Parenting Tip 9.
If your child is excessively jealous, it is because you only congratulate him when he successfully completes something and not when he improves at something even if he doesn’t successfully complete it.
Parenting Tip 10.
If your child intentionally disturbs you, it is because you are not physically affectionate enough.
Parenting Tip 11.
If your child is openly defiant, it is because you openly threaten to do something but don’t follow through.
Parenting Tip 12.
If your child is secretive, it is because he doesn’t trust that you won’t blow things out of proportion.
Parenting Tip 13.
If your child talks back to you, it is because they watch you do it to others and think its normal behaviour.
Parenting Tip 14.
If your child doesn’t listen to you but listens to others, it is because you are too quick to jump to conclusions.
Parenting Tip 15.
If your child rebels it is because he knows  you care more about what others think than what is right.
 Food For Mommy’s Thought:  Parenting isn’t a practice. It is a daily learning experience.

Raw Recipes

Source Taken From here

Here we present to you our simple and favorite raw vegan recipes. These recipes are fully raw and vegan – they are packed with goodness of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat, bio-available water and much more in their most natural and viable state.These recipes are potentially free of top allergens discovered till now such as eggs, milk and milk products, mustard, peanuts, seafood, soy, cacao, wheat and more. They are also completely free of refined sugar and gluten. Substitutes are also provided along with the recipes which may contain some nuts, seeds or corn.
Although we must emphasize that eating mono meals of whole ripe fresh organic fruits, vegetables, greens can be the best source of nourishment for ourselves and our children. A mono meal means “one thing at a time, eaten in a quantity which satisfies the hunger completely”. This ensures best digestion and absorption of all essential macro and micro nutrients. Kids and adults love fruits naturally. Fruits can be had in abundance, preferably as a mono meal or by mixing minimum ingredients on regular days for optimal digestion.
Please note that the following are some generic guidelines for making raw vegan food. We encourage you to get inspired to create new recipes and share them with us. We recommend that you search online for raw vegan recipes and then make them with Indian ingredients. Enjoy the deliciousness…
Delicious fresh raw vegan recipes (updated frequently)
DRINKS
Lemon shots and lemon juice in pure normal temperature water are very helpful during detox. Here are simple ideas of delicious, easy to prepare drinks. They do not contain any sweetners or artificial flavors, colours, sugars, preservatives etc found in their bottled counterparts.
GREEN SMOOTHIES
Green Smoothies are one of the tastiest and easiest ways to have your greens.
In her Internationally award winning book, ‘Green for Life’, Mrs. Victoria Butenko says, “With the high oxygen content in chlorophyll and the high mineral content in green plants, greens are the most alkalizing food that exists on our planet. By including green smoothies in our diet, we can keep our bodies alkaline and healthy.”
DIPS, DRESSINGS AND SOUPS
SALAD
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This page is regularly updated with new recipes. Contact us to send your suggestions and recipes.

13 delicious new ways to eat your favourite snacks

Source Taken From here

There are people out there who seem to be always coming up with more interesting and original ways to prepare and present our favourite kinds of food. And it seems, they never disappoint. We’ve put together a truly great selection of these ideas which you can use to impress your friends and family — and enjoy your food!
  1. A tasty sandwich made with rye bread.
  1. Remove the core from some strawberries, and fill them with whipped cream. Your new dessert is ready!
  1. Place some fresh herbs in an ice cube tray, pour in some olive oil and put the tray in the freezer. The herbs will stay perfectly fresh, and you can later add the cubes straight into the saucepan when cooking.
  1. How to present a plate of cheese and salami in a more fun and attractive way.
  1. A banana and chocolate roll.
  1. A creative way to present a bacon sandwich.
  1. A healthy treat for kids: Kiwi fruit covered in chocolate and placed on an ice cream stick.
  1. The only way to make a sausage roll.
  1. The ultimate way to eat a cupcake.
  1. Grilled bananas with chocolate and nuts.
  1. For a romantic breakfast...
  1. Spread some caramel paste on slices of apple and sprinkle with muesli to create an unusual snack.
  1. Ice pops made from Sprite and gummy bears...delicious!

There Are Six Kinds Of Obesity, And These Vary According To Their Cause

Source Taken From here

Ranging from the type of obesity which is simply caused by excessive intake of calories to obesity caused by poor metabolism or reaction to gluten – the reason always reveals the solution.there-are-six-kinds-of-obesity-and-these-vary-according-to-their-cause
Neither all obesity types are same, nor are the same the reasons for them. Most people have variable weight throughout life – from slimmer to fatter stages. But, the body part where most fat is stored, indicates the real cause of obesity. Scientists identify six different causes of obesity.
  1. Inactivity
This type is specific because the fat building happens mostly in the upper part of the body – starting from the hips to the face. The reason, besides the obvious things is consumption of too many calories, sedentary lifestyle and too little movement.
  1. Obesity associated with food
In this type of obesity, weight is primarily gained around the waist. It is an indicator of excessive indulgence in unhealthy food – products filled with sugar, salt and fats.
  1. Stomach Problems Obesity
In the third type of obesity, fat initially and mostly deposit on the area of ​​the upper abdomen to the knee, as well as the legs and buttocks. According to experts, the most common cause is the occasional overeating and depression symptoms. It is more common in women.
  1. Venous problems
Venous circulation is one of the causes of obesity, which in its essence is more dependent on genetics than lifestyle. Genes play a major role in storing fat exclusively in the area of ​​the stomach. The decreased blood flow through the area leads to slowing metabolism. Indulgence in alcohol worsens the situation, and exercise is the only solution.
  1. Atherogenic obesity
This type of weight gain is mostly located on the lowest body parts- the legs and buttocks. The reason is also genetics and it all comes down to weak blood circulation, and lifestyle habits contribute to it: sleep deprivation and little exercise. This condition may even lead to leg swelling. In such cases, avoiding alcohol and caffeine is recommended.
  1. Gluten obesity
This type of fat is located from the chest to the hip area as well as the back. The most common reason for this is a bad reaction to gluten. It is more often in women and can appear in periods of hormonal imbalance.

Buying cinnamon at a store? Watch out for its dangerous lookalike, cassia

Source Taken From here

This might seem like a simple instance of adulteration, but cassia can be quite harmful

For quite a few years now, Leonard John, a cinnamon planter from Kannur in Kerala, has been trying hard to convince consumers that there is a difference between the aromatic cinnamon and its cousin cassia, which is often passed off as cinnamon in stores in Kerala, and that the latterr is harmful to their health.
"It's a rip-off on consumers that is happening across the country as retail outlets are selling cassia disguised as cinnamon. Cassia costs about Rs 35 per kg and cinnamon costs roughly Rs 250. Consumers are largely ignorant and they are put at health risk by consuming cassia", John had told ET in 2011. He had then knocked on the doors of several government institutions, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Vigilance Commission. He later also approached the Kerala High Court.
Finally, hearing his petition, the Kerala High Court asked the state government what it has done to restrict the sale of cassia.
John has also requested the court to collect samples of products from the market and crackdown on the retailers who are selling cassia and book them Food Safety and Standards Act.
This might seem like a simple instance of adulteration, but cassia can be quite harmful.
According to the German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment, Cassia contains coumarin which is a chemical used making rat poison. FSSAI says that low dosage of coumarin consumed over few months can cause liver damage.  It could also lead to secretion of liver enzymes in blood, inflammation of liver and might even cause jaundice in some cases. FSSAI also claims that strong anticoagulant properties in the cassia can harm the body by not coagulating the body in times of injury.
“Oil extracted from cassia leaf also contains 8 per cent of coumarin which can cause intestinal ulcer if consumed in large quantities,” M Ananaraj, director of the Indian Institute for Spices Research in Kozhikode, Kerala told Down to Earth.
Moreover, FSSAI suggests that 0.1 mg per kg of body weight is consumable but one kilogram of cassia powder contains 2.1 to 4.4 g of coumarin.
Many European countries have banned cassia and in some countries it is only used to make rat poison. But India imports cassia from China, Indonesia and Vietnam because the import cost of cassia is comparatively very low. For a kilogram of cassia, it will cost around Rs. 35 and a kilogram of cinnamon will cost about Rs 250 per kilogram, according to John.
What is the difference between cassia and cinnamon?
Cinnamon and cassia differ in many ways- from taste, look to texture, and cassia also has a stronger smell. Cassia has intense aroma and cinnamon has a delicate flavor. But the stronger aroma often fools the untrained eye and tongue.
Cassia is cultivated in China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The average production of cinnamon in India is 80 to 100 tonnes per annum but the annual demand of cinnamon is 12,000 tonnes. To meet this growing demand, India imports about 10,000 tonnes of cassia and 200 tonnes of cinnamon a year, stated in a Down to Earth article.
So how can you differentiate between cinnamon and cassia?
Cassia powder is reddish brown and coarse, cinnamon is tan and smooth. The cinnamon sticks curl from one side only and roll up like a newspaper. Cassia bark is thicker because its outer layer is stripped off. Cassia sticks curl inward from both sides towards the center as they dry. If the aroma is too strong, then there is good chance that it is not cinnamon but cassia.
- See more at: http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/buying-cinnamon-store-watch-out-its-dangerous-lookalike-cassia-34781#sthash.rundo742.dpuf

Banana Drink That Melts Stomach Fat

Source Taken From here

Are you looking for a miracle that will shrink your waist? Well, we have some good news for you. We give you a super fast and all natural way to reduce abdominal fat!
Wondering what is the secret? It is bananas!
banana-drink-that-melts-stomach-fat
Bananas are abundant in potassium, a mineral that assists in building up muscles and flushing toxins out of the body. When combined with flax seeds and spinach, bananas enhance your metabolism and stimulate a healthy weight-loss process.
Try this amazing smoothie recipe and enjoy a more attractive body! Make sure you drink it regularly, otherwise you may not get the results you expect. You will notice some changes within the first week.
Ingredients:
  • 1 banana
  • 1 orange
  • ½ glass low fat or fat-free yoghurt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • ¼ tbsp ginger powder
  • 2 tbsp flax seeds
  • 2 tbsp whey powder
Preparation:
This recipe does not require any special preparation. All you need to do is blend all the ingredients together and enjoy your waist-shrinking drink!

Fruit And Nut Salad Recipe| Salad Recipes| Dessert Recipes

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If you all think this is a regular fruit in custard salad recipe, wait a moment. Because, all fruit salads need not be drenched in cream or custard to be yummy. This fruit and nut salad is a fine example of that. I am not a big fan of custard. And i owe that to a few people who have made runny custards and dunked their fruits in. I like my custard rich, thick and creamy. Correction. I used to like it that way. But ever since i made my filipino fruit salad, i ve never looked at a fruit salad that has custard. I like mine the filipino way or this way. Now, if you are wondering what this way is, then read on.

Recipe For Fruit And Nut Salad
( Fruits and nuts in a hot and sweet dressing)

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: Nil
Serves 2 generously 
Allergy Info: Gluten Free

Ingredients
Apple 1 small cored and cubed
Banana 1 sliced thinly
Sapodilla 1 peeled and cubed
Pomegranate pearls 1/2 cup
Plum 2 pitted and chopped
Orange 1 small segmented and seeds removed*
Dates 7 pitted and chopped into pieces
Raisins 2 tbsp
Roasted nuts a handful ( I used a combo of almonds, pistachio and walnuts)
For The Dressing
Honey 3 tbsp
Lemon juice 1 tsp
White pepper powder 1/2 tsp
Directions
In a mixing bowl, combine honey, lemon juice and pepper and mix well till emulsified.
Add the fruits and nuts and toss well.
Refrigerate for an hour.
Serve cold as it is or with some ice cream.
* I dint have an orange on hand when i made this salad last time. But i ve tried using orange in this and it gives a real kick.
You can omit the plums if you want.
Addition of a few berries would also be a good idea.
Use molasses for a vegan version.

Monday, October 26, 2015

30 AMAZING SMOOTHIE RECIPES

Source Taken From here

We’ve gathered some amazing smoothie recipes, so that you can try them all! We’ve found that these drinks are a great way to sneak some extra nutrition into a child’s diet and can even be a healthy alternative to other snacks. Here are some of our favorites.
the best smoothie recipes 


There are so many different ways to make them but this triple berry smoothie is one that you do not want to skip!
This is the easiest smoothie recipe we’ve ever seen.  Only two ingredients!
Sneak some veggies into your morning making this yummy smoothie with kale!
30 smoothie recipes

 SMOOTHIES FOR KIDS

You’ll get no arguments from us serving this sweet smoothie. Flavored with cookie butter and almond milk this is one you’ll be whipping up again and again!
If you have a picky eater on your hands you definitely need to try smoothies for toddlers! If they won’t eat their nutrition, they might be willing to drink it.
Go bananas!  Your kids will love this blended pineapple banana smoothie.  It is super sweet with no added sugar!
For a healthier twist, try smoothies with spinach. If you sneak it in with these yummy mangoes and vanilla, the kids will never know!
For a pick-me-up in the morning try this amazing protein smoothie!
Give your drink some creaminess by making your smoothies with yogurt. She’s added nuts and coconut too and it looks wonderful.
If you are looking for healthy smoothies without yogurt, try this superfood smoothie! Packed with healthy food and so good you could drink it every day!
kiwi smoothie square
A gorgeous, green healthy smoothie! It’s so sweet the kids won’t realize it’s good for them.
Grab a smoothie for breakfast with this super easy recipe! You can even make them ahead and freeze them!
a month worth of smoothie recipes

FRUIT SMOOTHIES

Are you drinking a smoothie a day? This berry mango delight is one you’ll definitely want on your weekly plan.
If you are looking for some unique smoothie add ins try this awesome recipe using coconut and blackberries!
One a smoothie diet? This carrot cake smoothie is filling, healthy and delicious!
This is a healthy smoothie recipe that every one will love! It tastes so good!
30 healthy smoothies

HEALTHY SMOOTHIE RECIPES

Try this amazing smoothie for weight loss. All the nutrition information is listed on the post!
Start your day out right with this smoothie recipe for energy! Every mom’s best friend!
Sweet and smooth, this is the perfect smoothie recipe!
tasty smoothies that are good for you

SIMPLE SMOOTHIE RECIPES

Get some extra protein in your day by making this smoothie with peanut butter.
If you are tired of your average recipe, you have to try this smoothie with no bananas!
There are so many amazing smoothie recipes but the nuts in this one add the perfect amount of texture.

Prepare yourself for this fabulous dessert smoothie. Still good for you, but it tastes like cake!
This skinny smoothie has the flavor of a milkshake but the waistline of a smoothie. Perfection!
Grab a chocolate smoothie to end your day! There’s nothing sweeter!

Whenever you serve them up these smoothies are a wonderful way to get more energy and nutrition in your day!