Some Amazing uses of Sugar

Sugar is not only for sweetening your drinks, cookies and cakes, but can also be used to nourish your flower, plants and remove stains ! Amazing isn't it.

) Nourish the roots of your flowers- for ever litre of water you give your flowers, add 3 teaspoons of sugar for nourishment and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to prevent bacterial growth !

2) Clean grass stains- Make a mixture of hot water and sugar ans smear on clothes with grass stains. Allow it to soak into the clothes for about an hour or slightly longer and then put in the laundry as usual.

3) Keep food fresh- if you put a cake or cookies in a sealed container and add a few sugar cubes, they will keep fresh for longer. The same goes for cheese !

Sugar used for wounds and burns, see my cancer supportindia.blog

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TOMATO-RAW MANGO-ONION CHUTNEY

INGREDIENTS
onion 1 big chopped fine
tomatoes 3 big or 5 small
raw mango chopped fine 4-6 tbsp depending on your taste
garlic pearls 2 chopped ( optional) I used
green chilies 4-6 as per taste
salt to taste
oil 1 tsp
hing 1/4 tsp

for seasoning
oil 1 tsp
mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
jeera/ cumin 1/2 tsp

METHOD
in a pan, heat oil, add onion and garlic, add wee bit of salt, fry till light brown, add green chilies, tomatoes, raw mango, cook till all are well mashed, adding little hing, remove and cool, grind to a fine paste.
for seasoning- heat oil, add mustard seeds, once it crackles, add jeera, once it turns light brown, add the ground paste, keep stirring for 3-4 minutes on low flame. cool and store.
This goes well with upma, dosai, idli, roti, bread. To whomever I gave to taste liked it, I enjoyed my upma with it last night.

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SOME USES OF BAKING SODA AT HOME

Keep Ants Away 
Ants are terrible pests, and they can invade your home in the blink of an eye! Baking soda stops the tiny pests in their tracks. You can make your own home-made pest solution with a little baking soda and a trail of regular sugar. The sugar is what attracts them, while the baking soda kills them. Pest problem solved! 


Easy Microwave Cleanup
Baking soda can help clean out all the spilled sauces inside the microwave. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl with a cup of water, and let the concoction settle for three minutes. Your microwave will be as good as new!

 Deodorize Garbage Disposals 
There is no smell quite as unpleasant as a clogged garbage disposal, especially during the summertime. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, while allowing warm water to run. The soda neutralizes the foul odor, giving your garbage disposal a fresh clean smell.  


Homemade Air Freshener 
The vast majority of air fresheners contain harmful chemicals and toxins that are unsafe to breathe in. Baking soda acts as a natural ingredient to help sanitize any disinfected areas. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water into an empty spray bottle, and voila!

Carpet Deodorizer 

Sprinkle a dash of baking soda over your carpeting to remove harsh stains. Baking soda absorbs the odors naturally. Allow the soda to settle into the carpeting for a few hours before vacuuming it up. 

Remove Odors from Your Hands Baking soda can clean your hands from heavy-smelling odors. Sprinkle a little baking soda onto your hands, and rub them together. You can even add some toothpaste or mouthwash to one hand and rub. Don't forget to rinse your hands with water after.

  Polish Silver Flatware

Are you having a hard time removing the grease from  your beautiful silverware? Not to worry - baking soda will have it sparkling in no time! You'll need some aluminum foil, a glass dish, a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of sea salt, half a cup of white vinegar and a cup of boiling hot water. Dip the silverware into the mix, and use a pair of tongs to remove them from the boiling water.  


Simple Floor Cleaner
Baking soda can act as a natural floor cleaner to remove unwanted stains. Add a half cup of baking soda into a bucket of warm water, and use the mixture to mop up the mess. Some people even add a little dash of lemon extract for a fresh and pleasant smell. The baking soda also acts as a disinfectant.

 Remove Oil and Grease
Another excellent use for baking soda is that it can be used to remove oil and grease stains from upholstery. Place a little dab of the baking soda onto a clean white cloth, and allow between 10-15 minutes for the substance to go to work. The oil and grease stains should magically dissolve by that point. 


Deodorize the Refrigerator 
Baking soda can eliminate horrible smells from the fridge and keep it deodorized. Sprinkle a little baking soda with water onto a damp sponge, and clean the refrigerator thoroughly. Make sure you remove all the food before cleaning the shelves out.  


Washing Produce in the Sink

Produce might appear clean on the surface, but you'll be stunned at the amount of chemicals and dirt that come off when they are washed properly. Add a 1/4 cup of baking soda into a sink full of water, and dunk the produce inside for a few minutes. Let the solution absorb all the chemicals before rinsing and eating. 

Unclog Drains

Baking soda can help unclog blocked drainpipes when combined together with vinegar. Pour a pot of boiling hot water down the drain with half a cup of baking soda. Let the natural drain cleaner go to work for a few minutes. Add a cup of vinegar mixed with hot water on top of the baking soda, then cover the drain with a plug. Your drains should be super clean in less than 10 minutes.

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Sugar substitutes and recipe tips

Maple Syrup: Did you know that this classic pancake condiment has health benefits? Maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese, a mineral that boosts energy production and antioxidant defenses. It also provides the nutrients riboflavin and zinc. What’s more, this delightful sap contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, according to a research. Inflammation has been implicated in several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
How to Enjoy: Whether you’re drizzling maple syrup on your pancakes or using it for a dressing or marinade, a little bit goes a long way. One teaspoon of pure maple syrup has 17 calories and 5 grams of sugar. In baking, use 2/3 cup for every cup of table sugar and reduce the quantity of liquid ingredients in the recipe (water, milk, juice) by about 1/4 cup. Maple syrup can also serve as a one-to-one substitute for liquid sweeteners, such as molasses and corn syrup.

Honey: Got a sore throat or a cough? Honey can help. A study found that a small dose of honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and poor sleep among children participants, compared to receiving dextromethorphan (DM), a common cough suppressant. (Note: honey should not be given to infants under 12 months of age). Also, recent research suggests that honey may play a role in maintaining healthy gut bacteria that help bolster your immunity.
Not all honey is created equal, though: Several reports show that some honey is actually blended with table sugar or corn syrup and others may have pesticide residues. To ensure you get the real stuff, experts recommend buying locally sourced honey where you know the beekeeper or find an organic option, like Heavenly Organics, which is 100% organic raw honey that’s sourced from wild beehives in remote areas far from the reach of pesticides and other pollutants.
How to Enjoy: Honey adds a delicious flavor to recipes. One teaspoon has 21 calories and 6 grams of sugar. As a general rule, for every cup of table sugar, substitute 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey. Also reduce liquids by about 1/4 cup.

Truvia Nectar: If you want a lower-calorie option than honey, Truvia Nectar is a blend of honey and stevia leaf extract that’s twice as sweet as honey and sugar so you only need to use half as much to get the same level of sweetness. I use it in place of honey or sugar in any application–from beverages to baked goods.
How to Enjoy: Try it in coffee, tea, on oatmeal, yogurt and fruit and in your favorite recipes. Use 1/2 teaspoon of Truvía Nectar (1 serving) in place of one teaspoon of sugar, honey or agave. One teaspoon has 20 calories and 4 grams of sugar.

Blackstrap Molasses: A tablespoon of this thick molasses—a byproduct of refining sugar cane into table sugar—has about 15% of your daily iron requirement, making it ideal for vegans who often lack adequate amounts, as well as vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium.
How to Enjoy: A teaspoon of blackstrap molasses has 20 calories and 5 grams of sugar. It is more bitter and less sweet than typical molasses varieties, so it’s not a perfect replacement for sugar.  However it’s excellent for baked beans, muffins and savory dishes.

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ASPARAGUS- RECIPES AND HEALTH BENEFITS

1) Grill a couple of asparagus spears, lightly drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with a perfectly poached egg. helps to lower cholesterol

 2) Sauté a bunch of fresh asparagus and 3 cloves of garlic with 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. for urinary tract infection
 
3) Cook this veggie on low heat, but do not let it boil or sauté for too long. Doing so may negate some of its nutritional benefits, causing its vitamins to be lost into the water.- packed with antioxidants.

 4)To better absorb the benefits of vitamin E, pair this nutritious veg alongside some fat, by cooking it with olive oil.
 In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 crushed garlic and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Brush the mix over the asparagus and grill for about 4 minutes on each side.- Vitamins B6,  E and folate.
 
 5) Drizzle the asparagus with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper, placing them in a pre-heated oven until tender. Top the asparagus with soft and  scrambled eggs.- for hangover
 
6) Infuse some olive oil with orange zest and red pepper flakes and drizzle atop a handful of asparagus spears and green beans. prevents bloating
 
 7) Asparagus is best served alongside some fat. Combine a tablespoon of butter with some chopped fresh mint and drizzle over a handful of steamed asparagus. folic acid
 
8) Combine some mayonnaise, olive oil, white wine vinegar and dijon mustard over a bunch of steamed asparagus.  Vitamin K
 Bacon is a good source of vitamin B12 and pairs exceptionally well with a handful of asparagus.  -folate- mood enhancer

A delicious way to enjoy asparagus!
 Simply roll out a rectangular sheet of puff pastry and make a border. With a fork, poke holes at the bottom, allowing the pastry to cook through. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes then brush a honey dijon mix atop, followed by some balsamic vinegar. Top the pastry with a good amount of grated Swiss and Parmesan cheese (or as much as desired) then layer the asparagus over the cheese, brushing each spear with some olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and some pepper and bake for a further 20 to 25 minutes. Drizzle some Hollandaise sauce over the pastry and serve!

for health benefits of asparagus, see my cancer and health related blog-
 

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HOW TO IDENTIFY MALE / FEMLAE BELL PEPPERS?

When buying bell peppers, turn them over and look at the bottom. If there are 3 bumps, it's a 'male' pepper, and if you see 4 bumps, it's a 'female' pepper. The 'female' peppers are sweeter and it's best to use them fresh. On the other hand, the 'male' peppers are more solid, and their flavor is deeper, so they're great to use in a wide range of cooked dishes.

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