HEALTHY SLEEP

Sleep is most important for maintenance of health and longevity for the human beings. It is appropriately called 'Jagaddhatri ' because of its mechanism of overcoming wear and tear of the body due to physical work and mental stress and tissue loss. Numerous researches have shown the adverse effects of lack of sleep on mind and body.

• One should sleep with head to the east or north.


• The bedroom should be absolutely clean, well ventilated and free from noise and disturbance.


• The bed must be neat clean and free from bugs.


• The bedroom should be draught free.


• One should avoid sleep when the brain is excited e.g. after reading, thinking, drinking etc.


• The mind must be as free from worldly affairs and worries as possible while going to bed.


• This may be achieved by praying to God at the time of going to bed.


• Sleeping late at night leads to ill health.


• A minimum of 7 hours sleep is required in 24 hours to repair the wear and tear of the body.


• Sleep during the day should be avoided as far as possible. However, if one keeps awake at night, he can take some sleep in the daytime. Day sleep is not contraindicated in summer but in winter the day sleep increases kapha thereby causing respiratory and digestive troubles.


• It is advisable to massage the head, soles and palms with oil before going to bed. By massage dreams can be controlled.

Lets follow the tips and have a very good peaceful sleepy nights............:-))

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARLIC

Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plant in the world and it has been grown for over 5000 years. Its Native to Central Asia. Ancient Egyptians seems to have been the first to cultivate this plant that played an important role in their culture. Currently China, South Korea, India, Spain and United States are among the top commercial producers of Garlic.

Garlic (Allium Stivum) is a plant with a very strong and bitter flavor which has been used for both cultinary and medical purposes for hundreds of years. The key medicinal ingredients in garlic is Allicin, which is a wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.

Garlic has long been considered a herbal "Wonder Drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everyting from the Common Cold and Flu.

Now lets talk about the health benefits of Garlic:

• Garlic is known to have antiviral properties, which helps the body to fight against allergies.
• Garlic's antibacterial, analgies and anesthezing properties can help to cure toothaches.
• Garlic's antibacterial properties make it a wonderful treatment for coughs and other throat irritations. It may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.
• Garlic is considered to regulate blood sugar levels, by increasing the release of insulin in diabetics.
• Garlic acts as a heart relaxant, garlic regulates the Cardiac rhythm, helping to avoid arrhythmia. This is beneficial for people that have accelerated heart rates and Cardiac arrhythmia.
• Garlic is powerful against tumor formation (including Cancer) due to its Sulfur and Selenium Content.
• Garlic can help cure tuberculosis.
• Garlic aids weak digestion because its stimulates the secretion of Gastric Juices.
• Garlic acts as a great lung decongestant helping to loosen the harmful (infection) secretion of bronchial tubes.
• Garlic may help improve your Iron metabolism. That's because the diallyl Sulfides in garlic can help increase production of a protein called Ferroportin. (Ferroportin is a protein that runs across the cell membrane, and it forms a passageway that allows stored Iron to leave the cells and become available where it is needed)
• One can also benefit from Garlic during Pregnancy. According to studies done by doctors in London hospital supplementation may help Weight-Gain for babies that may be at risk for low birth weight.

Eating Tips:

High doses of raw garlic have caused gas, bloating, diarrhea and fever in some. To fight bacteria, raw garlic is better. However cooking does not diminish blood thinning and other cardioprotective capabilites. As a cancer fighter, raw garlic may be better than cooked ones.

The list of studies involving garlic and our health could go on and on. Continuous research is being done showing the association between garlic and improved memory and learning function, as well as findings show it can help to prevent the onset of "Stress-induced hyperglycemia".

NETHILI [DRY FISH] FRY

Nethili (Commersons Anchove in English) is one of the tasty variety of Fish. It will be more crispy when you deep fry it in oil. You can have this as starter. Kids will like it a lot. My whole family is a great fan of this Nethili Dry fish Fry. Imm..here comes the tasty varuval/fry to serve for you all.

Ingredients:

Dry Fish (Anchovies/Nethili) - 150gms

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 spoon

Chilli Powder - 2 tbsp

Oil for deep fry

Method:

• Soak the dry fish in hot water for 10 mints and remove the head and clean and wash it.
• Add turmeric powder to it and again wash the dry fish.
• Now marinate the dry fish with turmeric powder and chilli powder for 15-20 mints.
• Heat a pan with oil and fry this dry fish nicely (until it becomes deep brown)
• Drain the excess oil and serve hot.

Now you can have it with hot rasam sadam.

MUTTAI [EGG] THOKKU

Ingredients:
Egg - 4 nos
Onion - 2
Tomato - 2
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
Red Chilli powder - 1 tbsp
Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Salt to taste

For Tempering:
Jeera - 1 spoon
Cloves - 2
Bay Leaf - 1
Cinnamon - 1 stick
Oil

Method:

• Boil the eggs and remove the shells, slit it into two and keep aside.
• Heat a pan with oil add the ingredients in "For Tempering".
• Now add onion and fry until it becomes brown.
• Then add tomato and saute till nicely cooked.
• After this add ginger-garlic paste and fry for few mints.
• To this add salt, turmeric, chilli and coriander powder and saute for few mints.
• Now add the eggs and mix it well and heat it for few mints.
• Sprinkle coriander leaves and serve hot.

Serve hot with rice, chappatis or pori's

MOR KUZHAMBU

Mor Kuzhambu is one of a popular south Indian dish made out of buttermilk. It is very easy to make. It will take hardly 15-20 mints to prepare this tasty dish. It goes well with plain hot rice. Not only it is very tasty, it is also a healthy and nutritious diet. So, if you wanna have something light and less spicy try this Mor Kuzhambu. Here lets the method to prepare this recipe.

Ingredients:
Thick Buttermilk / Curd - 3 cups
Okra - 4 nos
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Rice - 1 tbsp
Channa Dal - 1 tbsp
Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
Toor Dal - 1 tbsp
Coconut grated - 4 tbsp
Green Chilli - 1 or 2
Salt to taste

For Tempering:
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Curry Leaves - few
Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp
Asafoetida - a pinch

Method:

• Soak rice and the dals together for 15 - 20 mints.
• Blend green chilli with coconut and the soaked rice and dal to a smooth paste.
• Whisk the buttermilk / curd with turmeric powder and keep aside.
• Mix the grinded paste with the buttermilk and keep aside.
• Heat a pan add little oil and fry the cut okras with required salt.
• When the veggie is cooked nicely add the mixed buttermilk with little water and heat it for 4-5 mints.
• Season it with mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida.

Now mor kuzhambu is ready to serve with rice.

NOTE:

• Don't allow this kuzhambu to boil.
• This dish cannot be re-heated on direct fire.
• You can prepare this without any veggies too.
• While grinding the soaked rice and dals you can add curd/buttermilk instead of ordinary water.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

Turmeric , known by the name of haldi in India, is a member of the ginger family.It is scienfically known by the name of 'Curcuma Longa' and has been accorded to impart a number of health benefits to its users. Turmeric is dried root that grows about 2 feet in length. The turmeric plant is about 3 feet long with funnel-shaped yellow flowers. Turmeric is bright yellow in color. Turmeric is an important spice in India having great religious significance. Turmeric extract has been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties, mainly present in Curcumin - one of its active ingredients.

Here are few health benefits of turmeric.....

• It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
• Drinking boiled milk, with a little turmeric powder in it, helps in the Strengthening of bones.
• Termeric powder, when consumed regularly, helps improve blood circulation and also purifies blood.
• When combined with Cauliflower, it has shown to prevent Prostate Cancer and stop of existing Prostate Cancer.
• Turmeric powder, when mixed with cucumber lemon or juice, helps in the reduction of pigmentation.
• Prevented Breast Cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
• Turmeric extract is believed to cure liver problems as well as prevent bad cholesterol.
• It helps to reduce the risk of Childhood leukemia.
• Turmeric has been known to be helpful in treating Psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
• Turmeric powder aids the healing process and remodeling of damaged skin.
• Turmeric is said to be very good for digestion.
• Paste of turmeric and milk cream or turmeric and curd, when applied on stomach, helps in lightening of stretch marks.
• By applying a paste of turmeric, gram flour and milk cream is believed to help in giving a glow to the skin.

VAZHAIPOO VADAI [BANANA FLOWER VADAI]

Vazhaipooo vadai is a delicious snacks for evening Tea. This is made out of banana flower, which isone of the authetic Tamilnadu dishes. Lets have a look into vazhaipoo vada preparation.....

Ingredients:
Vazhaipoo - 1/2 of a big poo
Channa dhal - 1/2 cup (Soak for 2 - 3 hours)
Hing - a pinch
Jeera - 1/2 spoon
Onion - 2
Green Chillies - 1
Curry Leaves - 1 stalk (chopped)
Coriander Leaves - few (chopped)
Salt - To taste
Oil - for deep fry

Method:

• Peel the outerskin from the banana flower and remove the stamen and chop it into small pieces and put them in a bowl of buttermilk (this will maintain the colour of the flower without blackening)
• Grind the soaked channa dhal and red chillies to a coarse texture.
• To this grinded dhal add chopped onion, green chilles, curry leaves, coriander leaves, jeera, hing and salt and mix them nice.
• Now drain the water from vazhaipoo and mix it with the channa dhall mixture.
• Make tiny balls of the mixture and flatten them like vadas with hand.
• Heat oil in a pan on medium flame and deep fry these vadas to golden brown.
• Drain it in the kitchen towel and serve hot with ketchep up.