MAKHANA (LOTUS SEEDS / FOX NUTS)

Phool makhana is the name given to popped lotus seeds used in Indian cooking. The puffed lotus seed has the bitter centre core and the outer membrane are removed, and is puffed, just as popcorn is puffed. It is a very popular food during the fasting. ‘Makhane ki kheer’ is the most popular kheer during fasting.

Makhana is superior to dry fruits such as almonds, walnut, coconut and cashew nut in term of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content.

It is a highly nutritious, fully organic non-cereal food, which is extensively grown in the stagnant water of wetlands, tanks, ponds lakes and ditches.

Nutritive value of Makhana

100 gm makhana contains :

350kcal energy

9.7gm easily digestible protein

77gm carbohydrate

12.8gm moisture

0.1gm fat

90mg phosphorus

1.4mg iron.

Health Benefits

• Makhana helps in Cardiac Protection.
• It helps in building action in dysentery, frequent urination.
• Makhana is anti-oxidant.
• It is digestive for all age groups.  Due to its astringent property, it is relieves one from diarrhea and helps improve appetite.
• 25 gram makhana a day means a healthy food/diet for the whole family.
• Lotus seeds benefit the spleen, kidney, and heart.
• The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia.
• It is also rich in calcium.
• Makhana regulates blood pressure, relieves numbness and aching near waist and knees.
• It is suitable for arthritis, impotence and premature ageing .
• They are sweet to neutral in nature. They help to detoxify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood.
• It can also treat insomnia, palpitations and irritability.
• It is also recommended for the women during pregnancy and post natal weakness. It is a good galactogogue- very good for strengthening lower back muscles.

SOME FOOD PREPARATION

The seeds (Makhana // Fox nut) can be eaten raw, cooked roasted or fried.

Makhana can be consumed as dry fruit snacks by roasting . The popped seeds of Makhana can be roasted & sprinkled with spices on it which proves a tastier, hygienic and digestive health snacks.

Homemade roasted makhana can help kids get rid of the junk chips

Makhana Kheer - made of makhana is a tasty n healthy. It can be used in Pudding and other milk based sweets etc.

Dal Makhani & vegetable curries prove delicious when makhana is spread for taste and thickening object.

Makhana raita is very tastier and it is digestive in nature.

Makhana pulav can also be tried.

Top Foods to Help You Reduce Belly Fat

If you find that you have excess belly fat, then you should immediately cut down on consumption of carbohydrate rich food and start to take foods that are rich in fibers. The following are the super foods that will help you to reduce your waistline.

• Apples: They are super foods that you can take three to four times a day as a substitute to carb-rich foods.

• Almonds: Rich in Vitamin E and has high fiber content that will make you feel full and reduce your hunger.

• Green Leafy Vegetables: They are rich in fiber and very low in calories. They will help in preventing water retention.

• Avocado: They are rich in high fiber and have high monounsaturated fatty acids that help in reducing belly fat.

• Cucumber: Cucumber is a vegetable that has high water content and is very low in calories.

• Watermelon: It is a fruit that has 80% water content in it and very few calories. They help in easily attaining desired waistline.

• Beans: This vegetable helps in improving digestion, as well as strengthening muscles. It will help in toning the belly by reducing hunger and prevent you from overeating.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potato Leaves

Sweet potatoes are excellent sources of plant proteins with very low calories.

Anti-oxidant:  Sweet potatoes have been found to contain a high amount of anti-oxidant, making it suitable in combating inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, etc.

Diabetes:  This fibrous root is suitable for diabetics’ consumption as it is a very good blood sugar regulator, helps to stabilize and lower insulin resistance.

Digestive tract, healthy:  The significant amount of dietary fiber, especially when eaten with the skin, helps to promote a healthy digestive tract, relieving constipation and also helps prevent colon cancer.

Immune system:  Regular consumption of sweet potatoes strengthens the body’s immune system and develops resistance to infection.

Heart diseases:  Consumption of this high potassium root helps to prevent heart attack and stroke. It helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure.

Muscle cramps: Make sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet if you exercise a lot, both for an energy boost and to prevent cramps and injuries.

Stress:  By snacking on the potassium-packed sweet potato, it helps to re-balance the vital mineral, and helps normalize the heartbeat. This in turn sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body’s water balance.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PAPAYA

Age-related macular degeneration: The anti oxidants , found in papaya, filters out harmful blue light rays and is thought to play a protective role in eye health and possibly ward off damage from MUSCULAR DENEGENERATION 

Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta – carotene , contained in foods like papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe,  pumpkin and carrots.

Bone health: Low intakes of  vitamin K have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture. Adequate vitamin K consumption is important for good health, as it acts as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, improves  calcium absorption and may reduce urinary excretion of calcium

Diabetes: One medium papaya provides about 4.7 grams of fiber.The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25 g/day for women and 30-38 g/day for men.

Digestion: Papayas contain an enzyme called papain that aids in digestion and can also be used as a meat tenderizer.

Papaya is also high in fiber and water content, both of which help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.

Heart disease: The fiber, potassium and vitamin content in papaya all help to ward off heart disease. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Inflammation: The choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in papayas that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline  

Home remedies for Dengue

Giloy: Giloy is a very important herb in Ayurveda. It helps in maintaining the metabolic rate, strengthening the immune system and protects your body against infections. You can also add few Tulsi leaves in the drink.

Papaya Leaves: "It helps in increasing the platelet count and reduces the symptoms of fever like body ache, chills, feeling low, getting tired easily and nausea,"  You can crush the leaves and consume or drink the juice which helps in flushing out the toxins.

Fenugreek Leaves: These leaves are known to reduce fever and act as a sedative to ease pain and promote more restful sleep for patients. You can soak the leaves in water and then drink it or you can get methipowder and mix it with water and have it.

Goldenseal: Goldenseal is a herb whose dried root is used to make medicine. It has the ability to clear up the symptoms of dengue fever very quickly and eliminate the virus from the body. It works like papaya leaves. You use it in the same way like papaya leaves either by crushing and chewing or by juicing it.

Turmeric: It is also known to boost metabolism and helps in making the healing process faster. You can consume turmeric along with milk.

Tulsi Leaves and Black Pepper: you can consume a drink made by boiling Tulsi leaves and adding about 2 grams of black pepper to it. This drink helps in building your immunity and acts as an antibacterial element.

BENEFITS OF CARDAMOM (ELAICHI)

1. Improves digestion- Elaichi is carminative in nature and digestion. It also reduces inflammation of the stomach lining, fights heartburn and nausea.

2. Beats bad breath- The spice is packed with antibacterial properties, in addition to having a strong flavor and a pleasant smell. Moreover, since it helps improve your digestive system – which is known to be one of the leading causes of bad breath – it is very effective in weeding out the root cause of the problem.

3. Relieves acidity- The essential oils in elaichi strengthen the mucosal lining of the stomach and also increase the amount of saliva you secrete.

4. Alleviates symptoms of respiratory illnesses- Cardamom increases circulation of blood within your lungs thereby aiding in relieving the symptoms of breathing problems like asthma, cold and cough.

5. Regularizes your heart rate- With its abundant supply of this essential mineral ealichi helps regularize your heart rate and keeps your blood pressure under control.

6. Fights anaemia- Known for its immense importance in the production of red blood cells and cellular metabolism, copper, riboflavin, vitamin C and niacin in addition to iron are great to fight anaemia and relieve the symptoms that one experiences due to the condition.

7. Detoxifies the body and fight free radicals- Elaichi has very strong detoxifying properties that help to cleanse the body and protect it from cancer and other allied diseases.

Benefits of ghiya juice

Promotes Weight Loss

Helps Digestion And Treats Constipation: Bottle gourd contains not only soluble fiber, but also insoluble fiber along with high water content. Lauki juice is beneficial for improving the digestive system. Drinking lauki juice is known to treat constipation effectively.

Provides Cooling Effect: Since lauki juice is rich in water content, it provides a cooling to the body, which helps to replenish the water lost in the form of sweat.

Treats Urine Problem: If you are suffering from insomnia, try mixing sesame oil with lauki juice. It is known to help you sleep better.

Replenishes loss water content: If you are suffering from health issues like profuse sweating, fatigue or diarrhea, then drinking a glass of lauki juice would prove to be extremely good for you.

Keep Heart Healthy: Drinking bottle gourd juice helps you to keep the heart healthy by regulating the blood pressure.

Reduces Inflammation of liver: Ayurveda recommends drinking lauki juice for reducing inflammation of the liver.

Helps to cure Jaundice: The juice from the leaves help cure jaundice

The gourd juice helps to treat burning sensation in the urinary passage if consumed with lime juice.

It reduces fatigue and keeps you fresh, especially during summer.