MY NOT SO #BROWN #BREAD

Gym, schools, colleges, restaurants, office, locker rooms all you hear is brown bread….#Brown #bread is a #healthier option compared to the regular #white #breads as they are less processed and the #bran and #germ are not removed.
But is brown bread actually brown or just your regular white bread turned to look brown using coloring agents or #molasses? BROWN as it is normally addressed is a term used for whole wheat bread which typically is a little dense and has a light hue of brown to it. You may chose from multi grain breads to brown whole wheat breads.
Be wise to check the label to see if the brown bread includes enriched flour, hydrogenated oil, added colors or caramel. Brown breads with any of these ingredients are not considered “real” brown breads. A quick look at the ingredients in brown bread will reveal that about half contain wheat flour.
Don’t get fooled with the color, read the #nutrition #label before making a choice.

 

THE 5 “WS” AND AN “H” OF EATING INTELLIGENTLY

WHAT: LOTS OF FIBRE, SEASONAL FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES, ORGANIC PRODUCE, FISTFUL OF NUTS, SEEDS, MILLETS, LEAN MEATS, ARRAY F COLORS ON YOUR PLATTER AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST WATER.

WHEN: WITHIN 45 MINS OF WAKING UP, AFTER EVERY 4 HOURS, BEFORE 7 OR LATEST 8 IN THE NIGHT.

WHERE: PREFEREABLY THE FAMILY DINING PLACE, NEVER IN FRONT OF THE TV.

WHO: WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ABOVE ALL YOUR KIDS. MEAL TIMES SHOULD BE FAMILY TIMES AND YOU BECOME THE ROLE MODEL FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

WHY: TO KEEP YOUR METABOLISM IN PERFECT SHAPE, TO NOT LET YOUR HUNGER TURN INTO A VICE, TO KEEP YOU NOURSIHED, SATISFIED, HAPPY AND ALIVE.

HOW: USE BEST COOKING TECHNIQUES LIKE STEAMING, GRILLING, SAUTÉING, RAW IF POSSIBLE, FRUITS AND VEGGIES WASHED WELL, USING A VARIETY OF OILS AND NOT STICKING TO ONE WELL MARKETED OIL.

MY MANTRA  “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art”  –La Rochefoucauld

 

BRUSSELS I LOVE THEE

I could dedicate this bowl to #cancer awareness..loaded with #brussel #sprouts, #beetroot, #lettuce, #garlic, #flax seeds, #pumpkin# seeds, #onionand #camembert #cheese was a myth buster for me that “I Hate Brussels”.
The process is simple:
Throw in halved brussel sprouts, sliced beetroot, garlic, onion with a drizzle of olive oil and some sea salt crystals..roast in oven at 200°C for approx 30 min or till brussels get a nice tan on the periphery and beetroot is caramalized like soft candy..mix the roasted ingredients with cheese, toasted pumpkin,lettuce and flax seeds and dress with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar…I am not exaggerating when I tell you my 19 month old lad came asking for the sprouts till the time I finished the bowl..Try it to believe in the #Brussel #Power..

 — eating brussel sprout salad.

 

#Hummus

Keep fresh home made #hummus in your refrigerator handy, and you’ll never have to opt for an unhealthy snack again.

Smear it on sandwiches or use it on your wraps, use it as a dip or save it for a lick…Hummus helps you multitask and is a protein powerhouse.

You can save tons of calories by replacing it with the regular spreads like mayonnaise etc. 

#Hummus is so versatile, #healthy and dynamic that I would not mind marrying it if it was a person 🙂

Sharing some quick recipes to add a twist in the tale.

BeHummus

#Beets + #hummus = #Beetmus 

For this variation, boil a couple red beets in water until tender, then roughly chopped them and throw them into the food processor along with hummus, extra tahini, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil. Serve it with parsley and a drizzle of extra tahini.

 

#Red #Pepper #Hummus

Bell pepper Hummus

Ingredients:

• 250 gm overnight soaked Chickpeas, cooked till soft
• 1/2 Cup water
• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• 3 tbsp Tahini (sesame butter)
• Splash of Lemon Juice
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers

Puree all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the Chickpea water slowly and as needed to make the hummus the proper consistency. Add roasted red peppers and blend until desired texture. Garnish with parsley.

Don’t hesitate to experiment as Hummus is a very well behaved recipe and usually doesn’t misbehave.

Add yogurt, cinnamon, basil or whatever catches your fancy.

Happy snacking 🙂
 

 

 

Baked Apple chips

These yummy cinnamon apple chips will disappear almost as quickly as you make them! A perfect substitute for unhealthy snacking. 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
2. Arrange apples slices on a baking sheet.
3. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl; sprinkle over apple slices.
4. Bake till the apples are dried and edges curl up, for 45 min or until golden. You may flip the apples after 30 min and sprinkle the other side with sugar and cinnamon.
5. Transfer apple chips to a wire rack until cooled and crispy.

Tips: Bake at a low temperature for longer duration to get the best texture. The crispiness will come once the apples are cooled.

 

I CAN & I WILL

Set realistic daily goals/challenges for yourself..and don’t forget to put a BIG TICK once you manage to manage to pull a day challenging yourself..for e.g..
> I’ll workout atleast 3 days in a week.
> I’ll try a new workout once a week.
> I’ll not eat anything out of a packet.
> I’ll have my Tea without Sugar/Sugarfree
> I’ll wake up smiling.. 🙂

Trust me its a big Morale booster…
And Don’t Forget the TICK MARK

 

DIET IS DIE WITH T :)

#BULLETPROOF Coffee is doing rounds lately..Its a part of the much touted Bulletproof Diet which says one puts on weight due to consumption of toxic foods like cheese, soy, canned food etc and categorises fruits and veggies as BULLETPROOF.
Bulletproof coffe is supposed to be had with butter or coconut oil delivering around 400 kcal in one go and is a hot favorite amongst the western athletes. Adding 400 or more calories to our diet is not ideal for weight loss.

And as far as weight loss is concerned that will happen with any diet that creates a calorie deficit, but in the long run may hamper your metabolism and bodily functions.

Slimness or fatness is just a matter of how we are built.

There are no shortcuts to Health and BEING #HEALTHY does not at all mean “BEING #SLIM”.

If you eat wisely and workout regimentally there is a high probability that you can retain this state of GOOD HEALTH for a long time compared to those crash diet courses and weight loss they guarantee which crashes the minute you are off the #CRASH #DIET.

I would rather “#DIE #EATING” rather than #Diet and die 😉

 

LIFT THAT BUTT AND REST WILL FOLLOW

I WANT TO “BUT” WHERE IS THE TIME?

Exercising gives me a high like nothing else.
I can drive back without the fear of being caught 

We all know that exercise does our body good, but we are too busy and stressed to fit it into our routine.

The good news is exercise in any form be it your morning walk, yoga, aerobics etc does wonders when it comes to stress busting. Even a 30 min walk is pretty good start.

After a good workout you are never tired but rejuvenated and refreshed which is not the case after a stressful day at office, the reason being exercise pumps up your endorphins the feel-good neurotransmitters which as the name suggests makes you FEEL GOOD 

I call the workout stress “GOOD STRESS”, as it not only helps you attain good health but also mental wellbeing.

Even a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.

It even helps you boost your metabolism which in turn helps you burn calories more efficiently.

it’s never too late….

 

MILLETS

#MILLETS: THE WONDER FOOD

I’m sure all you health enthusiaists have heard about #QUINOA the new #Superfood in the block. People are willing to pay an exorbitant price for Quinoa and are even requesting friends and families travelling to US to buy a stock load for them.
Why sweat over QUINOA when we have our very own powerhouse MILLETS.
#MILLETS is a very strong contender of Quinoa when it comes to nutritional and health benefits.

MILLETS like Fox Tail, Barnyard Millet, Ragi / Finger Millet, Little Millet and Pearl Millet have numerous health benefits apart from being cost effective.

HOW TO USE:
• Millet porridge or Upma for breakfast
• Add the cooked whole grain to soup.
• If your kids like MAC & CHEESE, Just add butter and grated Parmesan.
• Use millet flour mixed with wheat for chapatis or in bread and muffin recipes.
• Replace couscous with this wheat-free alternative.
• Mix millet flour with your idli dosa batter.

So wake up early and feed not jus the birds but eat the wholesome goodness for a healthy life…
P:S: #MILLETS, I LOVE YOU!!!

 — feeling healthy.

 

FIG DATE ALMOND ROLLS

Festival season is round the corner… Being Indians its mandatory to gorge on lovely “Mithais” of the season…prepare some NOT SO GUILT ridden mithais by using ANJEER (Dried figs) as sweetner…

Figs
Figs are mineral powerhouses. Figs supply excellent sources of calcium, potassium and iron, not to mention ample amounts of fiber. Eat figs for bone health, blood health and digestive health.

Make a fig puree for using as a sugar substitute. Combine 8 ounces of fresh figs and 1/4 -1/3 cup of water in a blender; puree until smooth. If using dried figs, soak figs in water until softened before pureeing. Replace sugar with fig puree.

Here is a quick recipe that I tried and boy it was sweet 

FIG DATE ALMOND ROLLS
(VEGAN DESSERT)
Ingredients
2 cup raw almonds
250 gm dried figs, soaked for a few hours
½ cup dates
⅓ cup desiccated coconut
¼ cup toasted white sesame seeds

In a food processor, grind almonds into a coarse meal. Some bits and pieces should remain. You don’t want to end up with almond butter.

Add figs and dates and blend until mixture forms a ball.

Fold in desiccated coconut and toasted sesame seeds.

Form the dough into 1″ balls and roll in a bowl of shredded coconut and sesame seeds.

U can experiment with this recipe using any nuts of your choice.