Care for your heart

All will agree with me that heart is our lifebuoy. If it is healthy then we are fit and fine. So, a few general tips to maintain good heart health.

* Avoid emotional and psychological pressure as it directly affects our heart. Long duress will weaken its functions and stamina.

* Exercise regularly. Esp. Jogging and walking in a happy spirit.

* Eat fresh vegetables and fruit in your daily diet.

* Avoid fat where protein and fibre are not involved.

* refrain from alcohol and smoking. It does you no good.

* Sleep well and follow a hobby. It's exercise for your mind and heart.

* keep your hypertension and diabetes in control.

Happy living! :)

Fresh water for fishes

One of the two benefits of the incessant rainfall of last fortnight was that it gave us a relief from water shortage, and we could collect fresh water for our pet fishes.

I did my research. It's safe, healthy and good for the fishes. But before you follow suit, Here is what you must keep in mind:

* collect the water in an opaque container and cover the mouth with double clothes to keep the dust particles out.

* aerate the water for two days in open to let carbon dioxide and dangerous gases mixed during downpour to escape.

* pour in slowly to avoid temperature shock for the tank's glass panels.

Fat is good.

Yes, that's right. Fat is good when it's not trans fat and when it is not unnecessary or in excess.

We need fat to digest our food, maintain good metabolism, skin health and even to lubricate our nervous system. So, keep it in your daily diet. But in moderation and in sensible cooking.

Fat is must:

In soups and salads to digest their fibre and absorb their nutrients.

In preparation of greens or high fibre, high protein foods to break down their hardness and help digest.

In marination of poultry meat, and cooking grains like rice, ragi, jowar, bajra, etc.

Care for your eyes

Eyes are precious, eyes are delicate, and eyes need to be cared for.

* Wear sunshades when outdoor.

* do not expose to dust, fire and smoke for long minutes. Always wear protection.

* do not watch TV or computer in a dark room. It needlessly stresses your retina.

* always try to maintain generous lighting, unless you are trying to sleep.

* stay in well lighted rooms and avoid prolonged darkness.

* when reading in artificial light. Try to keep the source of light behind your back or away from your direct vision. It will otherwise damage your eyes beyond repair.

Tricking common cold

I'm a big lover of bananas. But having it during common cold can be counter productive. So, I experimented a bit and came up with this amazing recipe to eat my banana and trick cold too.

Here's what you must do.

* make chapatti as usual. But roll out a bit thick.

* slice banana in thin rounds and layer it about the middle of the chapatti.

* sprinkle a little crushed Kasoori Methi or chopped mint leaves, and grated jaggery.

* fold in the edges to wrap the filling completely. Press lightly and roll out again to spread the stuffing.

* cook as usual. Serve hot.

Benefits of Almonds

A wonder fruit indeed.

* It is a great anti oxidant, rich source of Vitamin E, moderates body heat, is good for eyes, and provides instant energy.

* Eating only 15-20 almonds for breakfast with a glass of milk will help reduce weight without tiring you.

* salted and roasted almonds eaten before bed helps fight congestion in chest.

* almond oil helps reduce dandruff, helps sleep and sharpens memory.

* do not throw away almond peels. Grind it along with browned onions or tomato and use it in sauce. It will increase fibre content and help break carbohydrates and trans fats.

Cook it right- Chapatti

I'm not a good cook but helping my wife prepare meals has thought me a few rules of cooking.

Here are the things you need to remember while making chapatti.

* always make the dough soft and easily pliable but not runny.

* knead in a bit of ghee before you leave the dough to rest. It will soften the wheat, remove excess heat and help digestion.

* never roll the dough using the palm. Light pressure is the trick. Keep the pin under your fingers only. Else the chapatti will become dry.

* when cooking on tawa, do not turn over a lot. It will dry the chapatti.

* apply oil lightly and either spread with a spatula or pour at sides while rotating the chapatti briskly.

* do not overcook. It will burn the chapatti.

Cook it right- Chicken

Like fibre even protein rich foods need preparing to cook it right.

* always marinade the chicken for at least half hour to soften it and relieve extra heat.

* avoid deep fry whenever you can. Cooking on dumm is best.

* do not overcook. It will harden the meat.

* make it an integral part of pasta. It will break its carbohydrates and trans fats.