Monday, November 16, 2015

Health Benefits of Pink Himalayan Salt

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What is Pink Himalayan Salt?
Pink Himalayan salt, also known as 'white gold', is a rock salt that is naturally found in a non-polluted area deep within the Himalayas. It is known for its striking properties, as it contains 84 natural elements and minerals that are indispensable to our health. These include magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus and iron. It also contains zinc, selenium, iodine and copper, and has traces of iron oxide (rust), which gives it its pink tinge. 
Unlike regular table salt, Himalayan salt is completely natural, and contains no added chemicals or additives. For this reason, it is considered to be a healthy salt. It is commonly sold as coarse grains, or even as large blocks, although finely grained versions are available. 
 
 
Why Pink Himalayan Salt is Better Than Regular Table Salt
What are the health benefits?
Consuming Pink Himalayan salt brings a multitude of surprising health benefits to our body. Here are some:
  • It controls the levels of water within the body;
  • It regulates blood pressure;
  • It balances the body's pH;
  • It helps with blood sugar regulation;
  • It aids absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract while supplying the body with sufficient energy;
  • It promotes vascular health, bone strength and respiratory function;
  • It prevents muscle cramps;
  • It nurtures the kidneys and gall bladder;
  • It regulates healthy sleeping patterns;
  • It wards off signs of aging;
  • It supports your libido.
Having said this, it is still very important to watch your amount of intake of this salt. Just like other salts, Pink Himalayan salt may contain some traces of aluminum, lead and toxic metals, so make sure you always maintain a balance.

Why should I prefer it to table salt?
Table salt is a highly processed type of salt, which can act as an 'invader' to the human body when it is turned into sodium chloride. It is widely known that this is the main cause of high blood pressure and water retention, and it can also bring about tissue irritation. Because it affects the balance of fluids in our body considerably, it causes the body to waste a great deal of energy in order to bring it back to normal.
In fact, for every gram of sodium chloride that is ingested, our body uses about 20 times the amount of cellular water in order to neutralize it. As a result, this can lead to health conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, cellulite, and kidney and gall bladder stones. 
For these reasons, Himalayan salt is very often the healthier option. This type of salt is natural and hence easier on the body when it comes to metabolism and energy usage. Apart from this, it is found to have positive effects on the nervous system and is an excellent source of energy for our bodies.

How much Pink Himalayan salt should I consume?
Sodium is found in every type of salt, and this is why we should be careful not to consume more than we should, even when it comes to Himalayan salt. Excess intake of any salt can lead to water retention, high blood pressure and heart disease, and while the risk is less for Himalayan salt, it still doesn't exclude the fact that you should be cautious.
Consider the facts: According to the American Heart Association, we shouldn't consume more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily. In reality, the body can function on just 500 milligrams a day, but an average American consumes a shocking 5,000 milligrams - far exceeding the limit.
The ideal amount of Himalayan salt would be a quarter-teaspoon, which contains 500 milligrams of sodium. This allows one to use it a little more freely than regular table salt.
 
Why Pink Himalayan Salt is Better Than Regular Table Salt
Another way of using it: Himalayan Salt Lamp
There's another great way Himalayan salt can be used, besides consuming it. People have found that lighting up a block of this salt, to form a so-called Himalayan Salt Lamp, can transform a room both chemically and physically. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing and calming, it is also said to have some unique healing effects. 
 

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Healthier Alternatives to Common Ingredients

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
 for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

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If you could be offered foods that are just as tasty as what you eat, but much healthier for you, wouldn't you prefer to eat them? I would, and that is why I have this wonderful list for you, which exchanges one food for another. Similar taste - but much healthier!
Healthy Food Replacements


Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements


Healthy Food Replacements


Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements


 
Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements


 
Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements



Healthy Food Replacements

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Nendripalam( a type of banana) pudding

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
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http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com


 Ingredients

bananas 3 ripe chopped
ragi flour 2 tbsp
oats plus ( this has other millets etc) 2 tbsp or even plain oats is fine
 I used coconut palm sugar, you can use sugar free to taste or plain sugar/jaggery about 2 tbsp
ghee/ clarified butter  1 tsp

Method
in microwave, I roasted ragi flour for 2 minutes
then I added oats, roasted for another 2 minutes
then added the chopped bananas, coconut sugar and kept for some time, as sugar melted, so I could mash the banana well with a spoon
then I microwaved for 2 minutes, stirred well, another 2 minutes on high power, when it all came together in a mass, I added the ghee and kept for another minute.

It is healthy, as ragi is rich in iron and calcium, oats as fibre, millets are rich in minerals, since coconut palm sugar is used instead of sugar for diabetics, it is healthy, bananas are rich in potassium, fibre and minerals and very little fat. You can also cook it over gas, but I did in microwave, as I was busy cooking something else over gas, then wanted to make tomato-onion chutney to refrigerate, to use for roti, bread or upma etc. Then of course, I was in a hurry to finish a bear I started yesterday, which you can see in my crochet blog.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Coconut-khoya-almond balls

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
 for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

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Ingredients
small coconut 1 grated roughly 1 big cup
condensed milk 1 tin
khoya/ thickened milk   200 gm
badam/ almond milk powder 200 gm
I mixed all these and kept stirring till it became a mass, then spread on a plate, but sad, it didn't come like barfis, may be I had to stir more, as my hand was hurting and also was tired, took it off a little earlier. But it tastes good, so, I rolled into small balls.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Salt has more uses than flavouring food !

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
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* Boiling eggs in salty water will make sure that even if the eggs break, their insides will not escape, and you will be able to take off the shell with ease.
 
* To check if the egg is fresh, put it in a bowl filled with salty water. A fresh egg will sink, while a stale egg will float.
 
* Peeled apples, pears and potatoes won't blacken if you put them in cold, slightly salty, water.
 
* Have coffee or tea marks in your cups? You can remove them with a moist sponge and some salt water.
 
* Your glassware can go back to being shiny and transparent if you wash them with hot salt water and then with regular cold water.
 
* Using salt, you can easily clean the bottom of a burnt pot or pan - just add a thick layer of salt at the bottom, add some water and leave the pot to stand for the night. In the morning - boil the water.
* A combination of salt and baking soda will clean the fridge and remove odors.
 
* If you add just a tiny pinch of salt to your coffee it will improve the taste and counter the bitterness.
 
* If you add a tiny pinch of salt to milk it will stay fresh for longer.
 
 

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

15 Cleaning tricks

Most of us prefer to live in a nice, clean home, but at the same time, cleaning can be a hassle. Luckily for us, we live in an age where technology can teach us a bunch of tips and tricks to help us keep our home clean with ease.
Click on the image for a larger version
Cleaning Tips

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Tips and Tricks for Egg-lovers

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
 for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

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1. Check whether your egg is still fresh
 

The trick is easy: sink your egg in a glass of water. Although eggs can generally last for quite a long time in your fridge (around 5 weeks), it is still important to see whether one is still good for use in the kitchen. If the egg sinks to the bottom of the glass, that's a positive sign. But if it floats, consider discarding it.
 
2. Keep your eggs lasting longer
 

If you think buying fresh eggs has become quite a frequent and demanding task, you may need to find an alternative way of storing them. A suggestion would be to freeze them - like that, you would be keeping a storage of eggs for whenever you may need them. Fill a muffin tin with some beaten eggs, and place them in the freezer until they solidify. When they do, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag, and store for up to 6 months.
 
3. Scramble the right way
 

Achieve chef-quality scrambled eggs by cooking them the right way. Here are some tips:
  • Firstly, make sure you keep the heat at medium-low to low, not higher.
  • Secondly, opt for butter rather than oil - it is better at keeping the mixture moist in the pan.
  • Thirdly, you could use both your hands to improve the way it cooks, by using one to slightly shake the pan in a circular motion, and the other to stir the eggs continuously with a spatula, in the opposite direction.
  • Finally, use a spatula to "scramble" the eggs in the pan, although the right way to do this is to push the eggs from side to side.
  • If you're on the right heat, your scrambled egg should be ready in no more than 2 minutes.
 
4. Learn how to make a 1-minute omelet in a mug
 

Looking for a quick but filling breakfast snack that doesn't involve pans and burners? Make your omelet in the microwave!

All you will need is:
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped scallion (optional)



Instructions: Melt the butter with the herbs and scallion first, placing them in a mug in the microwave for 15 seconds. Then, add all the other ingredients, mixing well, leaving the cheese, salt and pepper to the end. Microwave for another 1 minute - and voila - breakfast is served!

 
5. Put your remaining egg wash to use
 

Egg wash is a common mixture found useful in multiple recipes, including ravioli, dumplings, and scones, to give food a glossy appearance. The thing about egg wash is that you would normally only require about a tablespoon of it, leaving plenty of extra egg mixture remaining. Don't toss this away - use it for your scrambled eggs in your next breakfast.
 

 
 
6. Use egg yolk to the fullest
 

Egg yolk contains a great deal of protein and nutrition, so if you have been using egg whites for your recipes and have some yolks left over - make sure they don't go to waste. Use them to add some more flavor to your scrambled eggs or omelets the next time you make them. 
Another tip concerning egg yolk would be to separate them from the egg white when you are frying an egg.  This might sound odd, but it's a method that allows for better cooking of the egg white, while keeping the yolk runny, if that's that's your preference. To achieve this, add the yolk to the pan once the white turns opaque, and you'll have one perfect fried egg.

 
7. Hard boil your eggs the easy way
 
egg hacks
If the kitchen is too busy, you're out of gas, or you just don't have the right equipment to prepare your egg, it might seem impossible to think of a way to cook your eggs. However, we've got it sorted for you - simply make a hard or soft boiled egg using a coffee pot or an electric kettle. This tip can work wonders, especially if you live in a busy shared apartment, dorm, or are staying at a hotel while on vacation.


8. Know the secrets behind poached eggs
 

As a rule of thumb, perfect poached eggs need to be made with the freshest eggs possible. This is due to the fact that if they're not so fresh, the result will be a looser, messier poached egg. If you've happened to use an old egg, you may want to drain off the loose egg white by using a fine mesh strainer.
If you're taking your poached egg with you for lunch, you don't need to eat it cold. You can warm it up using a thermos - first filled with cool water, then replaced with hot water for around 2-3 minutes before serving on top of your salad or bread. 

 
 
9. Try ham and egg cups for breakfast
 
egg hacks

It's neither a fried, poached, or scrambled egg, and nor is it an omelet - it's an egg in a cup of ham. Using a muffin tin, you can create a multitude of egg-serving variations like this mouth-watering delight to kick-start your day. Here's a great and easy recipe you can use to make it:
What you'll need:
  • Handful of plum tomatoes, halved
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 slices of ham
  • 1 tablespoon jack cheese
  • Splash of milk
  • 1 egg
  • Salt & pepper
  • Olive oil
Instructions: First, preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grab a muffin tin and grease one slot (or as many as you need). Place 2 slices of ham inside, overlapping each other. Then, in a small separate pan, cook the tomatoes over the oil and garlic, on medium heat, for a few minutes. When ready, place this into the ham shell and add a splash of milk and cheese. Finally, empty a cracked egg over everything, and drizzle with salt and pepper.
Your ham and egg cup will be ready for serving in 20 minutes.

 
10. Make more with just a muffin tin and some eggs
 
egg hacks

There's an endless list of what you can do with baked eggs. Ingredients such as cheese, chicken, ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, spinach, and plenty of other interesting vegetables can give splendid results if baked with eggs in a muffin tin. Create your own little "egg muffins" to surprise your family or guests with some heavenly bites, for any meal of the day.

Various Uses of Egg-shells !

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http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/
 for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

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 A household abrasive
Use crushed eggshells and soapy water to clean the insides of containers, as well as pots and pans. Simply put the solution into the container and shake it well. Oh, and it’s eco-friendly.
 Clean your drain
 Consider keeping some crushed eggshells in your sink’s strainer – they’ll add another level of straining, and as they break down, they keep the drain and pipes clean.
Help seedlings grow
Fill shell halves with soil and add your choice of seeds, place in an egg carton and let it grow. Once the seedlings are ready, transplant them with the shell in your garden to give them fertile ground to start from.
Take the edge out of coffee
 If your coffee tastes too bitter, just add a clean, dry eggshell to your filter. The shells contain calcium carbonate, which neutralizes the acidity in the coffee, thus reducing both the bitterness and acidity levels in the coffee.
 Compost enhancer
Eggshells break down rapidly in compost piles, adding some much-needed calcium to the mix. Add the coffee grounds from #5 for even better results.