Monday, July 31, 2023

Cheesy-vege appam/ paniyaram

 My normal habit is to add lots of veges whether I make pasta, upma. If I find it slightly more, then I kept some extra vege separately. There was some adai mavu left. My daughter said to make appam with cheese. I mixed the veges with adai mavu well, heated the appa karai with wee bit oil, as I've a heavy cast iron one. In each hole added little mavu mixture, put a small piece of cheese, topped with mavu, added little oil. There, daughter loved her cheesy, vege appams !

 

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Leftover vegetable rice.

 To be honest with the rising cost of vegetables, oil, spices, flours and so on, being an environmentalist, I hate wasting veges or anything leftover. Previously, when little bit of things will surely get over as it is impossible to cook to the exact quantity, what will you do, with left over? Earlier, most mothers heated it and ate the leftovers. But, I thought when small quantities of kootu, sambar, vege, rasam are left over, fry some onion, tomato, if need be add potatoes, peas, corn mabe cook it, add all the leftovers, add little garam masala or kitchen king masala, mix rice and serve as vegetable rice !

You'ld be really surprised none will know how yummy it tastes, at times, I've run short of it, as I never expected hubby, kids will love it and even son-in-law ! Always when you change the shape of things and add some masala powders and chopped coriander leaves, it ill make you wonder how easily, in a jiffy by just keeping rice, you can make a tasty vegetable rice, serve hot with papadam, you'll see it vanishes in no time !

 

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Why waste excess Vadu Manga juice ?

 Normally when we make vadu manga ( small round mangoes whole) made as pickles.  We don't add water, as this pickle lasts long if we take caution by not using wet hands or wet spoons to remove the pickle. When we add salt, turmeric powder and mix well, keep ot for 2-3 days, it gives out enough water. Some use this water to grind mustard  seeds and mix, while just mix mustard powder, dry chili powder, using either sesame oil or castor oil. Most people use only the mango to eat with curd rice, while some like to use the the juice also to mix with curd rice. Whatever it is, mostly a lot of juice gets left over. This year, I got a brain wave, why not use this juice itself which has salt, chili powder and turmeric to use to season my veges, while using stuffed paneer parantha and masala potato puris !

I'm sure that you can be very innovative to use these spicy pickled juices into multiple uses, maybe even while grinding adai, instead of adding chilies, add this juice at times to get a different taste, why not ?

I did use this juice to add taste to my cauliflower, potato vege, added it with paneer mashed to stuff my parantha, then to make masala puri, mashed a potatoes, added this juice, added whole wheat flour and mixed to make spicy puris. 


NOTE- as this juice is salty, after mixing it with whatever you choose, add salt if need be later.

 

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Sunday, July 30, 2023

Simple, healthy spinach-carrot soup

 Today is one of those days the items on our menu, I can't swallow due to my health issues.

 Luckily I bought a bunch of spinach yesterday. I had cleaned and kept it to dry. This morning, after washing well, I decided to try to make a healthy soup for my lunch.


INGREDIENTS

a bunch of spinach, washed well and chopped

carrot 1 big washed and finely chopped

oil 1 tsp

ajwain/ carom seeds 1/4 tsp

salt and pepper to taste

 whole wheat flour 1 tbsp

milk 1/2 cup

water 1/2-3/4 cup


METHOD

In my pan, I heated oil, added carom seeds, once it spluttered, added the finely chopped spinach, carrot, mixed well adding little salt to taste. I removed half the quantity, as I wasn''t sure if I'll like my soup.

Once it was partially cooked, I add the flour, mixed well, adding water, see that no lumps are there.

Then I let it boil well for 2-3 minutes, added milk, added salt and pepper pdr to taste.

There my healthy soup was ready. Honestly making it for te first time, I was a little suspicious.

But, I can assure you that it was really good, I had just ground mint+ coriander leaves chutney, I added the water to wash the remaining taste of it, may be that made it more exciting to try !

 

 

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Thursday, July 27, 2023

Extend the Shelf Life of Your Groceries with These Hacks!

The Covid-19 lockdowns and the continuing pandemic overall made us change a lot of our everyday habits, and shopping especially. We all have to be careful with where we go and reduce how much time we spend in public places to stay safe. In previous articles, we’ve shared helpful advice on how to reduce the number of shopping trips you take and how to tell if a store is not sanitized properly. This time, we’d like to tackle a topic that everyone will find useful every day, pandemic or not, showing 12 easy kitchen hacks that will help you extend the shelf life of your groceries.
1. To keep asparagus fresh and crisp for a week or more, cut the stems, submerge them in water like flowers, and throw a plastic bag over them before refrigerating, like this:

grocery tips asparagus
2. Storing onions in pantyhose can help them stay fresh up to 8 months

grocery tips onions in pantyhose

3. Turning a tub of sour cream or cottage cheese upside down can create a vacuum seal in the container, which will prevent the growth of bacteria longer

grocery tips Turning the tub of sour cream upside down

4. Submerging berries in a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 10 parts water, then draining and keeping in the fridge can extend their shelf life. The solution is too weak for you to taste the vinegar, but it can keep strawberries fresh for up to 2 weeks and raspberries for a week

grocery tips berries

5. Store ginger in the freezer. It doesn't just last longer that way, it also grates more easily. You won't need to peel it, too, since the skin dries down very thin
grocery tips ginger


6. Potatoes can be stored with apples to prevent them from sprouting

grocery tips Potatoes and apples


7. Store leftover fresh herbs for months: simply squish pieces of herbs into an ice cube tray, top up with olive oil, and freezegrocery tips fresh herbs in olive oil

8. Storing salad this way will absorb and excess moisture and make it last all week. You can use a regular towel or washcloths in place of the paper towel, too

grocery tips salad storage

9. It's much better to store mushrooms in a paper bag than a plastic bag, as plastic traps moisture, which can lead to mildew

grocery tips mushrooms in a paper bag

10. Store carrots in the fridge for months by simply removing the greens and keeping them in a container filled with water
grocery tips carrots

11. Store delicate herbs such as parsley, basil, and cilantro like a bouquet of flowers covered with plastic and refrigerate to make them last longer

grocery tips parsley storage


12. The easiest way to regrow scallions

grocery tips how to regrow scallions




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https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and health tips  

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https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com     is the latest addition to my blogs.









These 10 Beans Have the MOST Remarkable Health Benefits!

As every health and nutrition nut will know, beans and other legumes are a must-have in everyone’s diet because they are extremely rich in fiber and packed with plant proteins, essential micronutrients and vitamins. And while that is certainly true of all legumes, it disregards the fact that each variety, be it lentils, chickpeas, soya beans or kidney beans, has its unique properties, benefits, and uses. Let’s take a closer look at 10 of the healthiest and most widely accessible legumes (in no particular order) and find out which ones are best suited for you.

Why you should use legumes?

The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils different legumes macro shot with wooden spoon

Apart from having an excellent nutrient profile, legumes are also known for their ability to boost cardiovascular health, help stabilize blood sugar levels and other noteworthy health benefits we have previously covered in the article 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Beans. Legumes are especially beneficial if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, or if you’re simply trying to cut down on your consumption of meat, as they will be able to supply you with the B vitamins and proteins that are otherwise difficult to get from plant-based foods.

1. ChickpeasThe 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils Chickpeas
 
Nutrients in 1 cup (164 grams) of Cooked Chickpeas
Calories: 269 
Fiber: 12.5 g 
Protein: 14.5 g 
Fats: 7.8 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g 
Vitamin B9 (folate): 71% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) 
Copper: 29% of the RDI
Iron: 26% of the RDI 
 
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are very versatile, as they can be included in curries and stews, baked with spices to yield a healthy savory snack, or used to prepare hummus. However, their versatility is far from being their only virtue, as chickpeas have a whole host of health benefits as well. 
 
For one, chickpeas have been proven to be beneficial for reducing blood sugar levels and reducing insulin resistance, and can also improve your digestion by reducing the number of harmful gut bacteria. Finally, garbanzo beans may have cholesterol normalizing properties, therefore reducing one's risk of cardiovascular issues. 
 
2. Black Beans
The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils Black Beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (172 grams) of Cooked Black Beans
Calories: 227 
Fiber: 15 g Protein: 15.2 g 
Fats: 0.9 g 
Carbohydrates: 40 g 
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 28% of the RDI 
Vitamin B9: 64% of the RDI 
Manganese: 38% of the RDI 
Magnesium: 30% of the RDI 
Iron: 20% of the RDI 
 
Black beans and rice are a staple food in many countries, and it turns out that eating rice with the beans actually makes you healthier. This is because beans are high in protein and fiber, which means that they are somewhat slower to digest. When eaten with rice, which is higher on the glycemic index, and so is more likely to cause sugar spikes, the beans slow down the absorption of the sugar from the rice into the blood, yielding in an overall steadier blood sugar level. That's why black beans are great at protecting you from metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and even obesity.


3.Peas
 The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils peas in a pod
 
Nutrients in 1 cup (160 grams) of Cooked Peas: 
Calories: 125 
Fiber: 8.8 g 
Protein: 8.2 g 
Fats: 3.2 g 
Carbohydrates: 11 g 
Vitamin B1: 30% of the RDI 
Vitamin B9: 24% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 48% of the RDI 
Manganese: 22% of the RDI ​​
 
Peas come in different varieties, but they're all an excellent low-calorie source of fiber and protein, which makes them pretty good for weight loss. Apart from that, eating peas promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, particularly Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, so they're pretty effective at boosting gut health. 
 
Pea flour may also be an excellent substitution for wheat flour for those at risk of the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, as suggested in recent research.

 
4. Lentils 
 The 10 Healthiest Beans and Legumes
Nutrients in 1 cup (198 grams) of Cooked Lentils: 
Calories: 230 Fiber: 15.6 g 
Protein: 17.9 g Fats: 0.8 g 
Carbohydrates: 39.9 g 
Vitamin B1: 22% of the RDI 
Vitamin B6: 18% of the RDI 
Vitamin B9: 90% of the RDI 
Copper: 25% of the RDI Iron: 37% of the RDI 
Phosphorous: 36% of the RDI 
Potassium: 21% of the RDI 
Manganese: 49% of the RDI ​​
 
As you can see by yourself, lentils have a really impressive nutritional profile, containing not only tons of fiber and protein, but also impressive quantities of B vitamins, iron, and other minerals. This is why lentils are an excellent addition to a diet low or free of animal products. 
 
It needs to be mentioned that there are several varieties of lentils, with each type having a slightly different, but similar nutrition profile. Red and black lentils are typically used in soups, whereas green or brown ones can be eaten as a side dish, combined with sauces and pasta for a quick evening pasta dish, or mixed with veggies and turned into a hearty stew. 
 
Lentils are known for their various health benefits, particularly for their ability to improve digestion and bowel function. Studies also suggest that lentils help reduce blood sugar spikes by promoting a slower and more steady absorption of sugar in the blood, so they may be beneficial for diabetes prevention as well. Lentils also have numerous other health benefits, which we have discussed in detail in a previous article: 10 Health Benefits of Lentils. 
 
5. Kidney Beans 
 The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils Kidney Beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (256 grams) of Cooked Kidney Beans
Calories: 215 
Fiber: 13.6 g 
Protein: 13.4 g 
Fats: 0.8 g 
Carbohydrates: 38.6 g 
Vitamin B1: 20% of the RDI 
Vitamin B9: 23% of the RDI 
Copper: 17% of the RDI 
Iron: 17% of the RDI 
Manganese: 22% of the RDI ​​
 
Though kidney beans don't have the most impressive vitamin and mineral profile, they have been proven to be good for promoting weight loss and preventing sugar spikes when you're eating high glycemic foods like rice or white bread. On a similar note, kidney beans may benefit weight loss in general. In one weight loss study, patients who took white kidney bean extract for 1 month lost 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) more on average than the controls who took a placebo.
 
 
6. Navy beans
 The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils navy beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (182 grams) of Cooked Navy Beans: 
Calories: 255 Fiber: 
9 g Protein: 15 g 
Fats: 1.1 g 
 Carbohydrates: 47 g 
Vitamin B1: 29% of the RDI 
Vitamin B9: 64% of the RDI 
Manganese: 48% of the RDI 
Magnesium: 24% of the RDI
Iron: 24% of the RDI ​​
 
Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are another staple food, especially in the navy kitchens of the United States, and for good reason, as they're among the best plant sources of B vitamins, as well as fiber and protein, like all legumes. Capable of lowering cholesterol levels and promoting healthy digestion makes navy beans, similarly to most beans, a great choice for people at risk of metabolic syndrome or obesity. 
 
7. Adzuki Beans
The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils Adzuki Beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (197 grams) of Cooked Adzuki Beans: 
Calories: 250 
Fiber: 15 g 
Protein: 15 g Fats: 1 g Carbohydrates: 48 g Vitamin B9: 30% of the RDI Manganese: 29% of the DV Phosphorus: 17% of the DV Potassium: 15% of the DV ​​Who said beans have to be savory? These little red beans that originated from the Himalayas prove that beans can be used in desserts as well. It is adzuki beans, also known as red mung beans that are the main ingredient in many popular Asian desserts, such as cake filling and ice cream. If you have a sweet tooth, try using adzuki beans in your desserts, as they have all the incredible insulin-lowering, digestion promoting and weight loss benefits of all legumes, but can be used to prepare delicious desserts.

8. Pinto beans
The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils Pinto Beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (171 grams) of Cooked Pinto Beans: Calories: 245 Fiber: 15.4 g Protein: 15.4 g Fats: 1 g Carbohydrates: 45 g Vitamin B1: 22% of the RDI Vitamin B9: 74% of the RDI Copper: 29% of the RDI Manganese: 39% of the RDI ​Pinto beans are a popular bean variety grown worldwide, but especially loved in Mexico, where they're eaten whole, as well as mashed and subsequently fried up. These beans have all the health benefits of other beans we've mentioned on this list and then some. More specifically, they have proven LDL cholesterol-lowering capabilities, so they benefit heart health. Eating these beans also raises the levels of propionate in your gut, which is a type of fatty acid produced by gut bacteria that is associated with digestive health.


9. Moong beans

The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils mung beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (202 grams) of Cooked Mung Beans: Calories: 212 Fiber: 15.4 g Protein: 14.2 g Fats: 0.8 g Carbohydrates: 38.7 g Vitamin B1: 22% of the RDI Vitamin B9: 80% of the RDI Copper: 16% of the RDI Iron: 16% of the RDI Manganese: 30% of the RDI Magnesium: 24% of the RDI Compared to all other legumes, mung beans have the highest vitamin density, providing a whopping 80% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B9. These beans are native to India, but they are the most popular in China, where they're used as an ingredient in stir-frys, soups, salads, and other dishes. Like most legumes, mung beans have the potential of aiding weight loss, preventing blood sugar spikes and benefiting heart health. These beans also contain a ton of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and help prevent chronic illnesses and possibly even cancer. 
 
10. Soya Beans
The 10 Healthiest Beans and Lentils soya beans
Nutrients in 1 cup (172 grams) of Cooked Soya Beans: Calories: 298 Fiber: 10.3 g Protein: 28.6 g Fats: 7.8 g Carbohydrates: 16 g Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 29% of the RDI Vitamin B9: 23% of the RDI Vitamin K: 41% of the RDI Copper: 29% of the RDI Manganese: 71% of the RDI Iron: 49% of the RDI Phosphorus: 42% of the RDI

You already know that soy products are very versatile, and most dairy replacements, such as nondairy milks, cheese, and tofu is made of processed soya beans, as is soy sauce. However, few people know that soya beans offer all the beneficial effects of other legumes with the added benefit of improving fertility in women, protecting from breast cancer and reducing menopause symptoms, making it an excellent choice for women of all ages.



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Friday, July 7, 2023

Vintage tips

1. Remove a Splinter
1900s Life Tips
Instructions: Fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water nearly to the brim, and press the affected part of the hand tightly against the mouth of the bottle. The suction will pull down the flesh, and steam will soon draw out the splinter. 
 

2. Pick Up Broken Glass
1900s Life Tips

Instructions: To pick up broken glass quickly and cleanly, a soft damp cloth will be found to be most effective, for it takes up the small splinters. The best plan is to use an old rag that can be thrown away with the glass. 
 
 
 
3. Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
1900s Life Tips

Instructions: A pair of loose shoes can be made to fit comfortably by fixing (with seccotine) a piece of velvet or velveteen inside the heel as shown in the picture. Care must be taken to see that no wrinkles are left in the velvet. 
 
 
4. Carry a Heavy Jug Safely

1900s Life Tips
Instructions: The correct way to hold the jug is shown in the right-hand sketch. This prevents the weight from pulling the jug down, spilling what it contains, as is likely to happen if carried the other way. 
 
 
 
5. Keep Flies Away from Your Trash Can
1900s Life Tips

Instructions: As the result of experiments it has been found that a small amount of ordinary Borax sprinkled daily in the dustbin, which is one of their favorite haunts, will put a stop to the breeding of flies. 
 
 

6. Stop a Vase from Being Easily Toppled by a Pet or Child
1900s Life Tips
Instructions: Partly fill the vase with sand, which, acting as a weight, keeps it upright and firm on its base. This idea is particularly useful in the case of vases which are inclined to be top-heavy. 
 
 
 
 
7. Strike a Match When in Breezy Conditions

1900s Life Tips
Instructions: The familiar difficulty of lighting a match in a wind can be, to a great extent, overcome if thin shavings are first cut on the match towards its striking end, as shown in the picture. On lighting the match the curled strips catch fire at once; the flame is stronger and has a better chance. 
 
 
 
8. Make Your Fire Extinguisher (useful if you failed to strike the match correctly!)
1900s Life Tips

Instructions: Dissolve one pound of salt and half a pound of sal-ammoniac in two quarts of water and bottle the liquor in thin glass bottles holding about a quart each. Should a fire break out, dash one or more of the bottles into the flames, and any serious outbreak will probably be averted. 
 
 
9. Separate Two Drinking Glasses 
 
 1900s Life Tips
 
Instructions: When two glass tumblers stick together, there is a danger of breakage in trying to separate them. The simplest and most effective method of releasing the glasses is to put cold water in the upper one and place the lower one in warm water. They will be found to separate at once.


https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and health tips  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com     is the latest addition to my blogs.
 
 

Creative Ways to Use Ice Cube Trays

The ice cube tray is one of those things that seems to have only one purpose, but when you think out of the box, there are actually a number of great ways to use this item every day. Here are some creative DIY ideas for using your ice cube tray that transform it into an extremely useful device!

Make delicious chocolate-covered cheesecake bites ice-cube tray
icecube tray

Freeze your favorite herbs in olive oil for quick seasoning
 icecube tray

Make chocolate-covered strawberries

icecube tray

Freeze baby food or sauces for future use 
 icecube tray
 
Make really cute sushi

icecube tray
 
Freeze your homemade tomato sauce

icecube tray

Freeze bananas for thicker smoothies icecube tray
icecube tray
 Freeze buttermilk or cream for future use
 icecube tray

Make your own chocolate mints or peanut butter cups
icecube tray

Make mini popsicles for a small treat
icecube tray

Make wine ice cubesicecube tray

Freeze your favorite pesto
icecube tray

Make fantastic ice cubes for fancy cocktails
 icecube tray

Make yummy hot chocolate on a stick
icecube tray

Freeze fruit juice and drink it with soda water
icecube tray

Make tiny cookies for the perfect bite of chocolate
 
icecube tray

Freeze greens to add to a smoothie
icecube tray

Make slushy cubes
icecube tray

Coffee Ice cubes for your iced coffee

icecube tray

Make cool jello shots
icecube tray

Another great option for delicious slushy cubes
 
 icecube tray
 
 
 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and health tips  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com     is the latest addition to my blogs.