Health benefits of ginger

• 
  
  Cures Stomach Problems: Ginger root and ginger oil is often used for stomach upsets. It is one of the best remedies for indigestion, stomach ache, dyspepsia, colic, spasms, diarrhea, flatulence and other stomach and bowel related problems. Ginger or ginger oil is often added in numerous food preparations, especially in India, as it helps in improving digestion. Ginger tea is also used for relieving stomach problems. Further, it increases the appetite of a person.
• 
  
  Reduces risk of Cardiovascular diseases: It is strongly believed in China that ginger boosts and strengthens your heart. Many people use ginger oil as a measure to prevent as well as cure heart diseases. Preliminary research has indicated that ginger may be helpful in reduction of cholesterol levels and prevention of blood clotting. With reduced cholesterol levels and blood clotting the chances of blockage of blood vessels decrease thereby reducing incidences of heart strokes.
• 
  
  Reduces respiratory problems: Since ginger root and ginger oil is a good expectorant, it is effective in various respiratory problems such as cold, cough, flu, asthma, bronchitis and breathlessness. Ginger is very effective in removing mucus from the throats and lungs and hence it is often added with tea in India. The health benefit of honey and ginger in treating respiratory problems is well known.
• 
  
  Reduces Inflammation and Pain: Extract of ginger is often used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation. Research has now proved that its anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to the presence of the substance named Zingibain. It is analgesic in nature and reduces pain caused by muscle aches, arthritis, rheumatisms, headache, migraine, etc. Ginger oil or paste of ginger is often massaged on aching muscles to remove muscle strain. It is further believed that regular use of ginger leads to reduction of prostaglandins which are the compounds associated with pain. Hence ginger helps in pain relief.
• 
  
  Cures Food poisoning: Ginger is antiseptic and carminative. As a result, it can be used for treating food poisoning. It is also used for treating intestinal infections and bacterial dysentery.
• 
  
  Reduces Nausea and Vomiting: Research has proved that ginger root and its oil is also effective against nausea, motion sickness and vomiting. Usage of ginger may result in reduction in pregnancy related vomiting as well in women.
• 
  
  Alleviates High Blood Pressure: Ginger improves and stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood throughout the body.
• 
  
  Lowers LDL (bad) Cholesterol: Ginger root extract can help reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
• 
  
  Migraine Relief: Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
• 
  
  Ovarian Cancer Treatment: Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
• 
  
  Reduces Stress: Ginger oil, being an essential oil is stimulating and therefore relives depression, mental stress, exhaustion, dizziness, restlessness and anxiety.
• 
  
  Hair: Ginger is useful for hair care as well. Usage of the juice of ginger is useful in controlling dandruff.

Finally, there are a few notes of caution associated with ginger. Pregnant women should not use ginger in treating nausea during the first trimester and for people with gallstones, large amounts of ginger should be avoided. Again, people going into surgery or those who bleed easily should avoid ginger as well since it can cause bleeding.

Health benefits of spinach

1. 
   
   Anti Cancer: Vitamin A and vitamin C in spinach plus the fiber, folic acid, magnesium and 13 different flavonoids help control cancer, especially colon, lung and breast cancers. A significant 34% reduction in cancer risk can be expected, a study confirms.
2. 
   
   Reduces the risk of heart disease: Vitamin A and C, present in spinach, work as antioxidants to keep cholesterol from oxidizing (oxidized cholesterol easily sticks to the walls of blood vessels). Spinach also contains choline and inositol, the substances that help to prevent atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries. Spinach is an excellent source of folate that is believed to decrease homocysteine (an amino acid found in blood) in the bloodstream. Elevated level of homocysteine is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Factor C0-Q10, an antioxidant present in spinach, plays important role in strengthening muscles especially heart muscle which continuously pumps blood to all parts of the body.
3. 
   
   Reduces blood pressure: Spinach is rich in potassium and low in sodium. The balanced quantities of these minerals are highly beneficial for high blood pressure patients as potassium lowers and sodium raises the blood pressure. Spinach also contains folate which helps to reduce hypertension and relaxes blood vessels, thus maintaining proper blood flow.
4. 
   
   Strengthens the bones: You can get almost 200% of the Daily intake value of vitamin K in one cup of fresh spinach leaves. Vitamin K1 helps prevent excessive activation of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone. Also, being a rich source of calcium, it is recommended to the people who are worried about osteoporosis. Apart from this, other minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus present in spinach also help in building up of strong bones.
5. 
   
   Good for diabetes: The magnesium contained in spinach helps to prevent complications that occur following diabetes. Regular consumption of spinach stabilizes your blood sugar and prevents it from fluctuating too much.
6. 
   
   Reduces the risk of anemia: Cooked spinach is an excellent source of iron, a mineral whose reduced levels are associated with Anemia. The iron that is contained in spinach (in its natural state) is also good for young children, menstruating women and adolescent who have increased need for Iron.
7. 
   
   Stronger Eyesight: Lutein, a carotenoid found in spinach is protective against cataracts and other age related macular degeneration. Spinach is also a very rich in Vitamin A, which makes it beneficial for weak eyes. Zeaxanthin, another carotenoid found in spinach, keeps the healthy by increasing the level of the macular pigment in the eye which degenerates with age. Drinking spinach juice twice a day may also help in correcting the power of the eyes.
8. 
   
   Promotes gastrointestinal health: The beta-carotene and vitamin C work to protect the cells of the body's colon from the harmful effects of free radicals. Folate present in spinach also prevents the mutations and DNA damage in colon cells.
9. 
   
   Protects against aging: Spinach is known to be an anti-aging vegetable and reverses age related breakdowns, making you youthful and fresh. As we age our memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Spinach helps us to keep our memory when the cause is due to aging.
10. 
    
    Skin protection: Vitamin B present in spinach helps in maintaining the firmness of the skin. Spinach also protects your skin from the harmful rays of sun including the UV rays. It reduces the risk of skin cancer and makes sure that you have a healthy glowing skin.
11. 
    
    Good for pregnant mothers: Folate found in spinach is needed by the growing foetus for proper development of new nervous system. Spinach also provides vitamin A which is required in lung development of foetus as well as during breast feeding. It also prevents threatened abortion and accidental hemorrhage.

To get optimal spinach nutrition, you should thoroughly wash it and eat it raw in form of salads. One of the best things about spinach is that it is readily available anywhere in the world, in all seasons. Thus you can achieve inner health and longer lasting vitality by including spinach in your daily diet.

Health benefits of garlic

• 
  
  High Blood Pressure: Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the world's oldest medicinal plants. There is some evidence that using adequate amounts of this so-called "stinking rose" is effective in lowering blood pressure and possibly cholesterol levels.
• 
  
  Headache Prevention: Similar to aspirin, garlic has a blood thinning quality. This quality prevents platelets from banding together.
• 
  
  Cold and Flu: Modern studies have shown that garlic is similar to a powerful antibiotic. Many people take garlic during cold and flu symptoms to help their bodies stay healthy. The key here is to take the garlic before a cold because it will help fight the cold but won't cure it.
• 
  
  Cardiovascular benefits: Multiple scientific studies have demonstrated powerful garlic health benefits that can prevent heart disease. Garlic reduces free radicals that cause the oxidation of cholesterol and cell membrane damage, the real cause of arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Studies suggest that garlic prevents buildup of plaque in arteries, and may even reduce it. In Germany, garlic supplements are licensed as drugs for the treatment of arteriosclerosis. Garlic also assists in metabolizing fat. It increases breakdowns of lipids and enhances elimination of fat from the body.
• 
  
  Anti-Cancer: Studies have shown that benefits of garlic extend to the prevention of cancer. Although scientists don't know why exactly garlic has an ability to prevent cancer, an examination of the amazing phytonutrient content of garlic would leave us with good reason to believe that garlic would be a potent anti-cancer food.
• 
  
  Antibiotic: Garlic is a powerful antioxidant with an amazing list of healing properties: it destroys bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. The allicin in raw garlic has been shown to kill 23 types of bacteria, including salmonella and staphylococcus. Garlic also destroys viral infections such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, scarlet fever and others.
• 
  
  Boosts Immune System: Garlic is a powerful immune system booster. It increases the production of interferon (an antiviral compound), which improves the action of your white blood cells. Interferon and white blood cells are critical components of your body's immune system.
• 
  
  Diabetes: Garlic health benefits also extend to diabetes. As mentioned above, garlic contains a chemical compound called allicin. Allicin combines with vitamin B1 (thiamine) to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin. Garlic can be of great benefit in treating people suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes.
• 
  
  Aids Digestion: The most common active ingredient in garlic, allicin, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. It also interacts with certain proteins to help provide relief from both constipation and diarrhea.
• 
  
  Mosquito Repellent: There are some studies that suggest that garlic keeps mosquitoes from biting. While there are skeptics out there, it may not hurt to take a garlic supplement or eat a garlic-filled meal before heading out to mosquito country.

How much Garlic should I have?

• Recommended Dosage: One clove of garlic weighs more or less 1.5 gm.
  
  • Adults: one clove of fresh garlic, two to three times a day.
  • Children: 1/4 to 1/2 clove, one to three times a day.
• Therapeutic Dose: The therapeutic dose of garlic is four to ten grams per day, to be divided into three equal doses, taken once you are half-way in your meal to prevent stomach distress. Hypertensive may require higher dosage. Reduce the dose if it is exerting too much of its carminative effect.

To get the full health benefits of raw garlic, whether in salads, as tea, or in food, it's important you eat less refined, processed and canned foods, and more foods in as close to their natural state as possible.

Health benefits of lemon

1. Good for stomach
   
   
   Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care
   
   
   Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care
   
   
   Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Cures Throat Infections
   
   
   Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.
5. Good for Weight Loss
   
   
   One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
6. Controls High Blood Pressure
   
   
   
   Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
   
   
   
   Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.
8. Good for treating Rheumatism
   
   
   
   Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.
9. Reduces Fever
   
   
   Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.
10. Acts as a blood purifier
    
    
    The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

How much should I drink?

In case you are in good health and weigh 70 kg or less, it is advisable for you to have juice of one-half of the lemon squeezed into one glass of water, twice daily. However, if you weigh more than 70 kg, juice of one whole lemon in a glass of water should be preferred. For maximum benefit, this mixture should also be taken two times a day, though you may dilute more lemon juice according to your taste if you wish.

Do not just remain oblivious to the gifts of nature such as this, for you should always try to make the most of them. So, make it a part of your daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning and then open your gateway to enjoy its health benefits.

Margarita ice cream

Have you ever thought-"why in all marriage customs flowers are used?". Wedding flowers imbibes a heart throb vibe for not just the couple getting married, but even their relatives and guests. It is an event were all are in a happy mood and flowers adds to the beauty and love of these breathtaking moments. When ever you attend an event indulge in its vibe and happiness and try to live in the present moment which vivifies the world around you and hence you yourself- a small message from me.

Unlike other ice creams you don't have to prepare a custard or it doesn't involve any cooking or churning. Just whip all the ingredients to refrigerate.. And if you have a cocktail glass serve in it.


Requisites:-


Margarita of you favorite flavor-1/4 cup
Juice of 1/2 lemon/ lime
Sugar-1/2 cup or to taste.


Heavy cream-1/2 pint


Margarita itself is sweet and so add sugar to your taste.


Directions:-

• Mix in 1st set of ingredients to dissolve sugar then add the cream to this.
• Take the liquid mixture into a large bowl to whisk them till they form soft peaks.
• Refrigerate this for 6 hrs before use to firm up.
• As usual dip the brim of your glass in some lemon juice(with no water) in a plate and then some salt in another plate. And serve your margarita ice cream in this glass.

BON APPETITE:)

Home made pizza

I only thought about you once today.. I never stopped... That's love.. And for me, love is pizza..:) I love pizza..


Requisites:-


1. For crust:


All purpose flour-2 cups
Warm Water-3/4 a cup or as required.
Yeast- 1 tspn
Salt to taste
Sugar-1 tspn


2. For toppings:


Onion chopped finely-1/2
Tomato chopped finely-3 big
Baby Spinach-15 leaves (no need to cut them) or regular spinach cut roughly.
Garlic chopped finely-2 pods
Green chillies chopped finely-3
Oregano-1/4 tspn
Basil-1/4tspn
Parsley-1/4tspn
Chicken broth-1/4tspn optional
Salt to taste


3. Mushroom -6 sliced
Chicken breast -12,1x1 inch chunks per pizza or more as required.
Garlic-1 chopped finely
Salt and pepper
Oil


4. Your favorite cheese as final topping. I used shredded mozzarella cheese.


Directions:-

• Soak the yeast in warm water for 5 min till it dissolves. Stir before use.
• Mix in all the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and add required water  to knead a soft dough. Live this covered for 2hrs. The dough doubles in size, so place this in a large bowl. Knead this double sized dough again to retain its original size. Then place for another half an hr. 
• Set the oven at broil(not bake option) and raise the temperature to the "broil mark"(usually above 550F).
• Meanwhile prepare for the topping. Saute onions and garlic in oil. When they turn soft add the chopped tomato, spinach and other 2nd set of  ingredients. Let this form a puree. (7-10min)
• Slice the mushrooms and keep aside.
• If you have chicken, chop them into 1x1 inch chunks and cook with salt, pepper and garlic in oil with lid on for 10min. They cook fast since they are very small chunks.
• Now go to step2: Knead the dough again to make two smaller balls. Dust the balls with flour to spread into flat circles using rolling pin. Prick them with fork through out except the edges to prevent popping up while broiling. If you like thin crust flatten them as much as possible. Leave them for 5min with a little oil spread on it and roll them again to get a thinner crust.
• Move this crust gently into the flat baking tray with greased aluminium foil on it. If they have shrinked try stretching them  with your rolling pin again over the baking tray.
• Now spread the tomato puree over it and arrange the mushrooms  as shown. Place the chicken you have in between them. (I did not use chicken here.) And note that, you leave 1 inch space through the circumference of crust while spreading the puree.
• Place this tray into the preheated oven. A big conventional oven would normally take 22 min to preheat and set up for broiling.
• Broil for 5 min until the edges of the crust turn slightly brown. Then place the second pizza. After both are done switch off the oven and place them in the oven, till you are ready to eat them. This helps it to retain the  crispiness and heat.
• Finally clatter the shredded cheese as  generously as you like. Let them melt on the hot pizza and chew them .. I guarantee this would be excellent with your favorite cheese.
• If you like olives spread them below cheese. 

BON APPETITE:)

Beef pepper fry

Requisites:-


Beef-1lb/500gm
Ginger sliced-2x2 inch cube
Garlic cloves sliced-3 big
Turmeric-1/2tspn
Chilly pwdr-1 tspn


Oil
Mustard seeds-1/4tspn
Curry leaves a sprig
Onion thinly sliced-1
Green chillies chopped-3
Ginger garlic paste-1tspn
Pepper pwdr-2 tspn
Coriander pwdr-2tspn
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves to garnish


Directions:-

Cut the beef into small cubes and wash them well before use. If you have some vinegar use 1 tblspn  in water to rinse them.

• Now cook the beef with enough water to soak them and ginger, garlic, curry leaves, turmeric and chilly pwdr. Cook them for 1/2 an hr with lid on at medium flame. If you have a pressure cooker wait for 4 whistles and see if it is properly cooked. Then cook them open at high flame till the water gets evaporated fully.
• Meanwhile splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves in hot oil.
• Saute sliced onions and green chillies in oil till translucent.
• Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for 5 min at high flame. Keep stirring.
• Then add in the cooked beef , pepper pwdr, coriander pwdr and salt to taste. Fry them well until they get rid of the traces of water and the masalas get cooked and turn dark brown.
• DONE. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or any Indian bread.

BON APPETITE:)