TOMATO RICE RECIPE – Indian Style


Ingredients:

2 large tomatoes made into a thick puree.

1 cup basmati rice, washed and soaked for ten minutes
1 whole black cardamom (bari ilaichi)
1 tsp red chili powder (lal mirch )
Diced vegetables: 1-1.5 cups (carrots, peas, cauliflower etc)
Salt to taste
1 tsp garam masala powder.
1 tblsp ghee
2 cup water
Preparation:
Heat ghee in a heavy bottom vessel
Put in the whole black cardamom and then the tomato puree.
Now add the dry spices, salt and saute.
Once the rice is cooked remove the rice on a plate and let it cook and
Take a kadai and heat oil in it.
Add finely diced onions and ginger-garlic paste to it and saute till the onions turn little brown in colour.
Once the raw smell of the ginger – garlic paste is gone add, pureed tomatoes and let it cook till the oil seperates on the sides of the kadai..
Add the other diced vegetables and let it cook.
Once the vegetables are 80% cooked, add the masala powders and cook till the vegetables are well done.
Add the other diced vegetables and let it cook.
Put in the rice and mix well.
Finally garnish
Seve hot.

Energy Drinks Good or Bad


Trendy world, trendy people & trendy drink that is what energy drinks become in today’s life style. In the current scenario energy drinks are just like a trendy beverage & we can get the evidence of its popularity by entering in any of the store where lots of energy drink cans may be found easily. Young people are fond of it but lots of kids also use them like sodas. I knew that now there must be a question in your mind that is it just a harmless craze, or there is some real health concerns with energy drinks? Energy drinks can have a drawback if they won’t be drunk properly. You all might be aware that energy drink can do so much for you. As they not just help in increasing your level of enthusiasm in your work but your confidence. Energy drinks are simple beverages that contain some form of vitamins & other chemicals which boosts your energy for very short span. These energy drinks have lots of sugar & caffeine which provides us energy. They are being sold in the market as other drinks but can be dangerous due to the ingredients from which they are made of in comparison of those typical drinks that we all take. The amount of caffeine, ephedrine, guarana and ginseng depends on the content of each bottle & if you will ask for a big punch you can get the bigger bottles. People who are used to of this drink say that it’s very effective. But you should be aware about the effect & consequences of the product. This is true because once you make use of it or take it in a wrong manner you can face some health problems. There are short and long-term effects of energy drinks though.
· The long-term effects of energy drink ingredients are that you may be addicted of this drink & addiction of any thing is harmful.
· In these types of drinks it has not been mention any where that whether any medical conditions or related prescription medication will react with them.
· Energy drinks must be taken properly because the ingredients used in it are powerful enough to affect your system & body.
· Ingredients used in these drinks can affect your heartbeat and blood pressure. This arouses awareness from medical specialists who have conducted studies about the effects of energy drinks.
· However it doesn’t means that harmful effects of these types of drinks can’t be prevented. The problem is only how to drink & in what amount that can be easily digested.
· Don’t ever try to make energy drink an alternative for the lost water in the system while doing exercise because the caffeine in the energy drink can leave a dehydrating effect on your body. You should prefer to have something natural during exercises.
· The most important point is that you should never combine energy drinks with alcohol because energy drink is a stimulant while alcohol is a depressant. You can imagine yourself the contrasting effect that this combination can bring in your system.
All those side & long term effects are just due to improper use of energy drinks & if you want to enjoy them life time drink it keeping those points in mind & in very limited amount. If you want to undergo the above effects then you must violate the rules. All these effects are shared with you all by me to make you aware about the product & its effect but it doesn’t mean that you should leave drinking it. Enjoy your energy drink but with little care………….

Health Benefits of Garlic

Nature has gifted us lots of things to keep our self healthy. One of those gifts is Garlic. There are lots of saying & proverbs about Garlic which reflects its importance & quality such as Garlic is as good as 10 mothers & Garlic a day keep sickness at bay. Moreover, it is regarded as a miracle by naturopaths & herbalists. Various researches have proved it that Garlic is good for health and is beneficial in curing various health problems. The garlic clove contains various nutrients as water soluble nutrients include vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and natural sugars & oil soluble nutrients includes sulphur compounds originating from an amino acid named alliin which is converted to a pungent compound called allicin which has natural antibiotic properties. Presence of sulphur in garlic is the cause of its pungent smell. However, the quality of Garlic cannot be over hidden due to this smell. In several scientific studies it has been found that: Garlic Medicinal Uses

· Garlic acts as an antiseptic & helps in curing the wounds very quickly.
· One of the health benefits of garlic is that it helps in fighting against various infection & acts against inflammation and infection, including colds, coughs by adding a freshly cut raw clove to food three times a day or take kyolic garlic capsules but raw is always best.
· In certain studies in China it has been shown that it contains chemicals that prevent cancer. They suggest that eating garlic on regular basis provides some protection against cancer.
· Fresh or cooked garlic or 500 mg garlic capsules twice daily helps in lowers down the blood pressure & cardiovascular problems. It increases the levels of high density lipoproteins & reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood & keeps arteries and heart healthy.
· It thins the blood, reduces clotting and helps in controlling blood pressure and poor circulation.
· Garlic stimulates the immune system of body & helps in fighting against various diseases.
· Prevents & relieves chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, and catarrh.
· It acts as a nasal decongestant & expectorant.
· It is also helpful for hum oral asthma, hysteria, dropsy & scurvy.
· Garlic works as a cleanser of the digestive system, helps in curing flatulence, kills internal parasites and is an excellent internal antiseptic.
· Researcher recommends daily dose of fresh garlic of about 4 gm, equivalent to one or two small cloves for each & every person who wants to keep himself healthy.

There are various historical facts which prove that Garlic has been used from centuries for its medicinal uses. From around 3000 B.C. Chinese scholars are praising garlic. Moreover, workers who were engaged in constructing the Great Pyramids of Giza lived mainly on garlic & onion. During World War I, Garlic was used to control infections in wounds. It was also used for controlling a raging epidemic of flu in 1963 in Russia. So now start taking garlic as a diet in your food & enjoy your life without lots of disease. Most important thing is that it doesn’t have any side effect. So you can take it without any doubt. I know now you can’t avoid such a nice gift of nature which can help you out in various ways. Oh! I am very sorry I forgot to tell you one of the most important things that, it is also helpful in getting rid of VAMPIRES…Just kidding

Moroccan-Style Tilapia with Cumin, Mango and Cilantro

Ingredients
4 (5-ounce) tilapia fillets
Salt and ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ripe mango, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
Season both sides of tilapia fillets with salt and black pepper. Rub cumin and coriander all over both sides of fillets. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tilapia fillets and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, until fish is fork-tender. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mango and cilantro. Top tilapia with mango mixture just before serving.

Moroccan-Style Tilapia with Cumin, Mango and Cilantro

Ingredients
4 (5-ounce) tilapia fillets
Salt and ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ripe mango, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
Season both sides of tilapia fillets with salt and black pepper. Rub cumin and coriander all over both sides of fillets. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tilapia fillets and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, until fish is fork-tender. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mango and cilantro. Top tilapia with mango mixture just before serving.