Water Sense

Winter brings with the usual problems of sore throats and infections. Here is recipe for a natural cure. A natural and easy way avoid them is to drink water every half an hour. Water hydrates the throat lining and prevents bacterial attack. Germs enter the lining when it gets cracked due to dehydration. Water also helps the body to keep it young and supple. Go ahead and drink up.

Aphrodisiacs

It's sad how our effort to promote the survival of our species through copious copulation has run other species to the brink of extinction. Rhino horn, prized by some as an alleged aphrodisiac, offers no such sexual power; and its (illegal) use in Chinese medicine for other ailments is questionable. The horns look a little like an erect penis, and in traditional medicine that's sometimes enough to mean that grinding them up and eating them will make one's own penis erect. At best, they contain nutrients, such as phosphorus, which gave our nutrient-poor ancestors a little more energy.

Aphrodisiacs were first sought out as a remedy for various sexual anxieties including fears of inadequate performance as well as a need to increase fertility. Procreation was an important moral and religious issue and aphrodisiacs were sought to insure both male and female potency.

Here's a recipe of natural aphrodisiac thats guaranteed to increase your arousal and boost your love making.

Aniseed
A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.

Asparagus
Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience. Eat asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".

Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of fruits for a special after-dinner treat.

Arugula
Arugula or "rocket" seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.

Asafetida
Any Indian dried, powedere herb used as a sexual stimulant in Ayurvedic medicine. The herb has a very strong, garlicy flavor.

Avocado
The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.

Bananas
The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the "Apple" they started covering their "nudity" with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

Basil (sweet basil)
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

Broccoli Rabe (And Other Mustard Greens)
The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli rabe its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.

Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat.

Foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flax (also known as Common Flax or Linseed) is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. The New Zealand flax is unrelated. Flax is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.^[1] It was extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt.

It is an erect annual plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20-40 mm long and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15-25 mm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5-9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4-7 mm long.

In addition to the plant itself, flax may refer to the unspun fibres of the flax plant.

Flax has long been known for its use in linen clothing, and now it is gaining considerable attention as a food for its possible role in lowering the risk of heart disease. Flaxseed is an ancient, blue flowering crop cultivated extensively in Canada. The flax plant produces a fiber from which linen is woven and an edible seed from which oil can be extracted. During the industrial revolution, flaxseed oil, also called linseed oil, was commonly used in paints, varnishes, and linoleum.

Flaxseed has long been valued for its health benefits but only recently have researchers investigated its helpful compounds. One of the unique characteristics of flax is the oil in the seed. Flaxseed is over 40 percent oil. Like other vegetable oils, flax oil is a mixture of fatty acids, but it is the highest single source of a fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.

ALA is a member of the omega-3 fatty acid family. They are essential fatty acids, which the body cannot make, but absolutely needs for normal growth and development. These fats must be supplied by diet. Hundreds of studies have shown that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of heart attacks, strokes, and abnormal heart rhythms. Lately, omega-3 fatty acids have become more visible in the grocery store as various producers are selling eggs that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Well the easiest way to increase the omega-3 fatty acids in eggs is to feed the hen flaxseed. Thus, we the end consumer, have a choice—eat omega-3 enriched eggs or go to the source and add flax to our diet directly!

Whole flax seeds are sold inexpensively at natural-food stores and some Indian grocery stores. It is best to buy them whole and grind them as needed in a coffee grinder. It is imperative to grind these tiny, hard-shelled seeds, or they will pass through the body undigested. Ground flax meal is also available in some health stores but it should be refrigerated in an airtight, opaque container, where it will keep for up to 30 days. You’ll know that flax meal has spoiled if it smells like oil paint.

These little brown seeds also make a great egg substitute. When flax seeds are blended with water, they develop a texture like egg whites. This slightly gummy substance can be used in place of eggs or egg whites in baked goods or as an excellent binder in meatless-loaves made from nuts, grains, and vegetables.

To replace one egg, grind about 1 tablespoons of flax seeds to a fine powder in a blender, spice mill, or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of water and blend until slightly thickened, about a minute. If mixing by hand after grinding the seeds, whisk vigorously for a few minutes to thicken the mixture. This egg substitute is not suitable for recipes like soufflés or sponge cakes.

Here is the recipe for the nutritious chutney. Enjoy it any way you like!

Flaxseed is high in fiber, so it’s important to increase water intake along with increased in flax intake.

AKSHI CHUTNEY

1 cup flax seeds
10-12 curry leaves
6-8 dried red chillies
Salt to taste

In a toaster oven place the seeds, curry leaves, and red chilies at 250 degrees for 10-12 minutes. You will get the nutty roasted aroma. Cool for 15 minutes and grind the seeds to the consistency of cornmeal in a coffee grinder. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator for one month.

Foods that Heal - Hypertension

Cure hypertension the natural way. Here's a yogic way of controlling and reducing your HBP and watch your BP come to normal. Please consult your physician prior to trying the diet.

Cure hypertension the natural way. Here's a yogic way of controlling and reducing your HBP and watch your BP come to normal. Please consult your physician prior to trying the diet.

1. Juice diet for 5 days with warm water.

2. All fruit diet for next 5 days taken at 4 to 5 hourly intervals

3. There after adopt the following diet
Early morning - onion juice + honey
Break fast- bowl of mixed fruit + skimmed milk + porridge made of millets, barley, wheat germ, rice bran, 10 almonds, hand full of ground nuts .
Mid morning meal - green tea or butter milk with mint and curry leaves
Lunch - vegetables +whole wheat bread or Chapati + cup of brown rice+ meat or chicken +daal + salad +yoghurt.
Mid after noon - orange juice or carrot juice
Dinner - raw vegetable salad + sprouts +soups+ fish

Foods that Heal - Hypertension

High blood pressure or hyper tension --a major cause for heart attacks, is very common condition of body that is faced by majority of the people in today's fast paced world .Many are unaware of the semi permanent state of tension they live in. Those who have accepted HBP as part of their life are dependent on treatments with antihypertensive or tranquilizing drugs.

Foods that are natural and easily available in kitchen can help in preventing and controlling HBP in a natural way. Following are free foods that heal. Foods which are rich in potassium, calcium, Vit-E, A, B3 , Choline, Inositol, and Chromium help control HBP and prevent HBP.

Foods rich in potassium

Raw banana

Beetroot

Peas

Baked potato

Tomato

Orange

Peanuts

Raisins

Skimmed milk

Yoghurt

Split green gram

Cow peas

Split red green gram

Moth beans

Lotus stem

Sword beans

Bael fruit

Colocasia(arbi)

Foods rich in calcium

Peas

Baked potato

Tomato

Orange

Peanuts

Raisins

Skimmed milk

Yoghurt

Split green gram

Cow peas

Split red green gram

Moth beans

Lotus stem

Sword beans

Bael fruit

Colocasia(arbi)

Foods with vit-E

Wheat germ

Sun flower seeds

Safflower oil

Sun flower oil

Soy bean oil

Eggs

Sprout seeds

Butter

Foods rich in calcium

Milk

Yoghurt

Spinach

Cucumber

Red gram

Parsley

Drumstick leaves

Turnip greens

Cabbage

Indian gooseberry

Country guavas

Foods rich in vit-A

Colocasia leaves

Turnip leaves

Drumstick leaves

Beet greens

Radish leaves

Carrot

Lettuce

Mango

Apricots

Passion fruit

All leafy vegetables

Liver of sheep butter

Foods rich in vit- B3

Rice bran

Ground nut roasted

Liver of sheep

Barley

Par boiled rice

Turnip greens

Almonds

Sun flower seeds

Foods rich in Choline

French millet

Field beans

Lentil

Peas dry

Beetroot

Ground nuts

Apples

Indian goose berry

All sea foods

Foods rich in Inositol

Grape fruit

Wheat germ

Peanuts

cabbage

Foods rich in chromium

Areca nut

Betel leaves

Almonds

walnuts

Foods that Heal - Chillies

Chillies or chili pepper, or more simply just "chili", is the fruit of the plants from the Genus Capsicum and family Solanaceae. The name, which is spelled differently in many regions (chili, chile or chilli), comes from the Spanish word chile. These are also called bell peppers, peppers, and paprika in many countries. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Indian food uses a lot of chillies. There are the red and the green varieties. Nothing like a red hot spicy chicken tandoori on a cold winter or a rainy day. Chillies belong to the foods that heal and have formed a part of nature cure in the Indian households for centuries. Contrary to the popular belief, there is no evidence that chillies cause ulcers or digestive disorders. Chillies are good for you. Here’s why.

An excellent source of beta carotene and vitamin C. The spicier the chili, the greater the content of vitamin C. Chillies are supposed to contain the largest amount of this important vitamin, only after Amla or the Indian Gooseberry. One raw pepper contains about 65 mg (100% of RDA)

Helps prevent nasal congestion.

Chillies are good sources of antioxidants.

Chillies contain bioflavonoids that prevent cancer

Capsaicin – the stuff that gives chillies their spice - is known to act as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots.

Spice up your life – Bon Appetit.

Kiwi Fruit - Foods that Heal

The Kiwi fruit originated in China and was known as the Chinese gooseberry until New Zealand fruit growers named it for the their national bird and began exporting it. Kiwi fruit was once considered an exotic fruit, but is now available in all metros atleast. The fruits are eaten raw. It is advisable to defuzz the skin and eat the fruit along with the skin.

Benefits
Excellent source of Vitamin C.
Has a good source of Potassium.
Is a good source of fiber.
The fruits have huge amounts of phytochemicals.
Pectin, a soluble fiber is known to reduce cholesterol.
Kiwis also contain lutein and zeaxanthin which are good for the eyes.
The fruit has very low levels of calories.
Kiwis are also used as meat tenderizers.

Go ahead and enjoy nature's gifts. More on foods that heal in next posts. Till then Bon Appetit.

Foods for Love

Want to improve your love life? Try the following foods. As an added gain these foods are good for general well being and other health benefits. These foods are known to have an aphrodisiac effect. Named after the Greek Goddess of Love, aphrodisiacs have been used by every civilization.

Chocolate

That brown gooey stuff that is loved by young and old alike. Chocolate = cocoa + latte (milk).Chocolate releases the same feel good-hormone Phenylethylamine (PEA) that is released during love making. The other foods that contain PEA are almonds, soya, avocadoes, peanuts to name a few.

Garlic

Garlic is known to boost libido in both men and women. It helps in increasing desire and performance during love making. In Indian homes infants with colds and stomach ailments are given a spoonful of milk with a clove of garlic lightly crushed in it.

Ginger

The Chinese always believed it to be an aphrodisiac and used it to treat impotence. The Greeks ate it folded in a piece of bread and hence the name - gingerbread. In India ginger is used for various ailments. A thin slice of ginger kept under the tongue is a surefire cure for motion sickness. Headache? Apply a paste of ginger and lemon juice for instant relief. (It will burn though)

Honey

Honey is a well known aphrodisiac. Young newly-weds took honey mixed with wine to boost their performance and build stamina. Hence the name - honeymoon. One month full of honey and of course lovemaking. Honey has other uses as well. Apply a mixture of honey and glycerin to cure mouth sores.