Keep Calm and Eat

Life seems to have shaken hands with stress. Getting up in the morning, going to the gym or walk, preparing meal, packing the lunch box, having breakfast, traffic, work pressure, coming back, again cooking, OMG! We always wish for a meal that is quick, tasty,healthy and something that removes stress. All we need to do is smart shopping that helps in quick cooking.

Muesli with Milk - It is often said, milk is complete food. I completely agree with this. It keeps you energetic throughout the day. 

Method 1: This quick and easy recipe needs hardly anytime to prepare. Mix muesli, Greek yogurt, milk and honey (desired sweetness). Place it in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill overnight. Sprinkle chia seeds in the morning. Enjoy :)

Method 2: Boil 1/2 cup of muesli and milk. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Top with seasonal fruits!

Healthy Smoothie: Avocado, coconut milk, apple juice and berries make a great smoothie. Though there are variety of healthy smoothies, and you can opt for anyone, this is my favorite one. <3 <3

Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Soup: Spices like ground nutmeg, garlic and curry powder add a kick to the hearty stew/soup. Such spices make digestion strong and also heal the guts. The nutrients get easily absorbed and surprisingly satisfy the sugar craving as well. Adding veggies like carrots, leek, cabbage are always welcomed. With addition of skinless and boneless chicken, the taste is doubled, trust me. Sometimes I even prefer having this light recipe with boiled rice, starch removed, during the lunch. We can relish the yummzz at dinner as well with multigrain bread or gluten-free as per choice.

Greens with Cashew and Ginger Stir-fry: Green leafy vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals. They are known as disease-fighting phytochemicals. They are rich in fibre and reduce weight. And trust me if cooked well, they are very tasty. The technique of preparing yummy green leafy vegetable is the amount of water you use in it. Unless we are preparing curry, broth or soup, use minimum water. Addition of ingredients such as ginger and cashews, give it a gingerly plus nutty taste. Ginger cure various stomach problems. It relieves us from arthritis, menstrual pain, respiratory infections and bronchitis. Ginger tea is widely recommended if one is suffering from cold, cough and flu. Cashew prevents cancer and keeps the heart healthy. It is very good for hair and skin. It keeps the bones strong. A delish stir-fry of broccoli, carrots, pak choi, kale with the garlic ginger blend and soya sauce sooths the taste buds. Cashew is just like icing on the sugar. Delectable blend :P

Enjoy Stress-free recipes!

Commonwealth Games 2014 Speciality - Recipes for Athletes

If anyone asks me where would I like to go this season, my answer would certainly be either Brazil for FIFA 2014 or Scotland for the largest multi-sport event, 2014 Commonwealth Games. With 4,950 athletes, belonging to 71 countries, participating in 17 different events, would be worth watching. Isn't it? I'm sure we all will be very busy enjoying the wonderful games from 23 July to 3 August, 2014. An athlete is judged by his wellness and fitness, the exercises involved and the food that he/she eats. So why don’t we have a look on some healthy athletes recipe, it will be fun and you can also add-on to your list of food. Here are 3 healthy breakfast or brunch recipes.

Nut Berry Oatmeal - It is a common saying, “Eat breakfast like a king”. I completely agree with this statement. We must begin our day with something healthy. What could be a better option other than nut berry oatmeal? This is a quick and easy recipe, it is loaded with nutrients as well. The simple breakfast requires skim milk, oatmeal, flaxseed meal, berries of your choice, nuts of your choice and brown sugar or honey. Go for it if you are a real fitness freak. You just require to boil the milk first, add oatmeal and flaxseed meal and keep stirring on low heat till the desired consistency is reached. Pour into the breakfast bowl and top up with berries and nuts. For more nutritious burst, you can also add seasonal fruits to it. Enjoy the healthy treat!

Kiwi-Avocado Smoothie with Lime and Honey:- Breakfast is incomplete without smoothie. The first thing that comes to our mind while thinking about health is smoothie. Isn’t it? Smoothy is a great way of including seasonal fruits/vegetables in your diet as it's very nutritious. Kiwi-avocado smoothie is a healthy way out. The combination not only boosts up the nutritional value but it's tasty as well, when accompanied by honey and lime. Yummzz!! All you need to do is, blending ripe avocado, kiwi, lime juice, honey and milk of your choice (Almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk). Add two-three ice cubes, though I consume it in purest form. This combination is very popular among fitness freaks, I personally love it. :)

Chard and Bacon Quiche - Whether, it’s breakfast or brunch, quiche is something I love to relish. All you require is purple onion, Swiss chard, bacon slices, lowest calorie cheese or vegan cheese and eggs. Infact, you can use spinach plus chard. There are variety of vegan cheese available in the market. You can combine all the ingredients and bake them. And here you are with the yummy delight. This can be served with low-fat dip of your choice, salads and toasts. You can add variant of this also by adding boiled peas, I do this. It drives me crazy :P

Enjoy Commonwealth Games 2014!

FIFA World Cup 2014 Special - Secret behind Neymar Junior's Built

Hey fitness freaks, how are you? I know you all are over-excited about FIFA World Cup 2014. Isn't it? I am desperately waiting for the same. I'm sure you are in love with Neymar Jr. the 22 year old Brazilian forward/winger, who came out with flying colors in FC Barcelona. He is now inspiration for many regarding agility, jaw-dropping dribbling skills, unbelievable crosses plus clear overhead shots. Today I'll be writing about the secret diet behind his fit and fine body plus a healthy recipe. 

I am very particular about health. Hope you liked my blog, “Tips to quit smoking on anti tobacco day”. Let’s check out what keeps Neymar fit and fine. Neymar loves to eat lentils and whole grains. Among the vegetables, spinach and beet is what he likes to consume. He is fond of clams among the seafood. He is fond of pasta as well to consume right amount of carbohydrates. So lets try a brand new 'Pasta with Basil and Clam Recipe'. Well I made it yesterday for dinner and everyone simply loved it. 

Pasta with Basil and Clam Recipe

Ingredients:-

Sea salt,

1 pound pasta,

1⁄3 cup olive oil,

1⁄2 cup dry white wine,

8 minced garlic cloves,

4 dozen littleneck clams,

4 tablespoons basil pesto,

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper,

1 teaspoon minced red hot pepper,

3 tablespoons minced basil leaves,

3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley.

Preparation Method:-

1. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan on medium heat. Add garlic and cook until light brown, for 1 minute.

2. Add wine and clams to it. Cover tightly. Cook until clams open-up, for 8 minutes. Shake the saute pan occasionally.

3. Remove clams as they open, setting them aside in a bowl. Throw away any clams that are chipped or fail to open.

4. In the mean time, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain pasta and add to clam sauce in a pan.

5. Add parsley and basil. Season to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, red pepper and toss with pesto.

6. Now transfer to a large serving bowl. Arrange the clams on top, sprinkle with fried garlic slices if desired.

Enjoy the treat!!

Tips to Quit Smoking - Anti-tobacco Day (May 31)

Thank you for loving my blog “tips for healthy teeth and gums”. I wanted to write something on Anti-tobacco Day as well. Tell me, how much we love our father? And why not? He is our Idol. Is he really our idol. Yes, we learn from our idols. But what if he is a chain smoker? Isn't it disgusting?

My friend, Jane was very disturbed by the smoking habit of her dad and nearly every day there used to be a fight in their house lest I suggested her some food that would lessen the craving for smoking. Within a month after taking this food plan, my friend’s family was a real happy family. I wanna share with you the list of diseases and consequences that generates while smoking:-

• Bronchitis and Emphysema
• Impotence
• Lung Cancer
• Mouth Diseases
• Heart Disease
• Strokes
• Miscarriage

On the Anti-tobacco Day, I would like to share some food items that will help to quit smoking. And the best part is that it really works if the diet is taken seriously and regularly. Tobacco contains nicotine. You are right, the nicotine in tobacco is what people are addicted to. Many people like Jane’s father can quit smoking, then why not you or your loved ones. Impossible is nothing, it’s just about the will power and the magic of the selected food.

1. Milk - Milk is very effective in quitting the smoking habit. Drinking a glass of milk every day an hour before the normal smoke time will do you good and also keep you healthy.

2. Omega-3 fatty food - Certain food textures like fish etc. can also help chain smokers to fight the craving to smoke. Crunchy food tends to be more satisfying for a quitter. Food like beans, fish and flax seeds are rich in Omega-3.

3. Popcorn - It is strange but true, popcorns play a vital role to quit smoking. You can have popcorns, without butter, to help stop those nasty urges of smoking. Popcorns give you that salty taste which does not tastes good while smoking. 

4. Salt - Try eating a lot of salted food inorder to quit smoking. The salt content in the food will help curbing the desire to smoke.

5. Turmeric - This is an Indian spice and is one of the best ingredients to add to any dish, especially if it is a South-Asian cuisine. This spice lowers the smoking urge for chain smokers.

6. Water - Drinking lot of water will to keep the body hydrated. It will keep your tummy full. This in turn will prevent you from urge to smoke.

7. Blueberries - Not only blueberries, but any type of berry will help you to stop smoking. Strawberries, cranberries, mulberries are some of the berries to help you quit smoking.

8. Cheese - Grab a piece of cheese to curb the urge to smoke. Salty cheese does wonders for people who want to stop smoking.

9. Celery - You can chew on fresh celery leaves to help you to quit smoking. Try variant vegetable salads containing celery for an otherwise healthy lifestyle also.

10. Cinnamon - Just inhaling deeply a cinnamon stick, mimics the deep drag on a flavorful cigarette. What a natural way! Chewing a small piece of cinnamon stick is very beneficial to curb your craving.

11. Dark Chocolate - If compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate is the best for you to quit smoking. Munch a heavenly dark chocolate if you get the urge to smoke, you’ll love it.

12. Dried Fruits - Aroma of dried fruits help to lower the cravings to smoke. Consuming them on regular basis will also make a difference to stop smoking.

13. Ginger - Ginger is a natural agent to curb all urge for smokers. If you cannot consume a piece of ginger, grind it and mix it with a spoon of sugar and have it. It will help you to forget about the thought for smoking.

14. Herbal tea - There are various herbal tea available nowadays. Sipping on a hot glass of herbal tea of your flavor will help you in reducing the urge to smoke a cigarette.

15. Lean Meat - Do you know that all types of lean meats will help you quit smoking? Enjoy lean meat topped over bread or with mashed boiled potatoes and steamed rice. 

Stay fit and quit smoking!!

Smoothies for Weight Loss

1. Kale smoothie - Hope you liked my blog Crispy Kale Chips. So lemme start with the kale smoothie treat as well, coz I simply love it. Kale is known as the queen of greens. It helps in lowering cholesterol level and of course reducing weight. It makes a great smoothie too, lets see how. 

Ingredients:-

½ pear,

½ lemon,

1 cup kale,

¼ avocado,

½ cucumber,

½ inch ginger,

handful of cilantro,

½ cup coconut water,

1 scoop protein powder,

1 cup pure drinking water.

Method - Blend all ingredients for the refreshing smoothie.

2. Spirulina Smoothie - Cut down your fat with this unique smoothie. Spirulina is an algae, but can be consumed by animals and human beings, infact it’s very beneficial. It is rich in protein and boosts up immune system, regulates cholesterol and controls blood pressure.

Ingredients:-

½ banana,

¼ avocado,

½ cup blueberries,

½ cup almond milk,

1 teaspoon spirulina,

1 cup pure drinking water,

1 scoop vanilla protein powder.

Method - Blend all ingredients and enjoy this unique smoothie.

3. Belly Soother - As the name indicates, if you really wanna have a flat and sexy belly, go for this heavenly drink. Tummy can be treated by healthy dose of probiotics that is found in tangy kefir.

Ingredients:-

1 cup papaya,

1 tablespoon raw honey,

2 tablespoon lime juice,

1 cup coconut kefir or coconut milk.

Method - Blend all ingredients and enjoy the coconuty drink.

4. Strawberry Goji Smoothie - Beat the scorching summer with this smoothie. Natural goji berries is not only advantageous in reducing weight but have overall health benefits also. Goji berries is also used in making herbal tea, wine and medicines. It promotes longevity.

 Ingredients:-

1 frozen banana,

3 tablespoon Goji berries,

1 cup of coconut kefir water,

¼ cup frozen strawberries blueberries.

Method - Blend all ingredients together, relieve yourself from summer and also reduce weith with this tasty and healthy drink.

5. Fat Flush Smoothie - If you desire to have a flat belly, this ultra-cleansing smoothies is must for breakfast. Bit spicy due to garlic but it’s an absolute tangy treat. The results will keep asking you for more and more of it.

Ingredients:-

1 radish,

2 garlic cloves,

3 medium carrots,

1 medium red beet,

large handful of parsley.

Method - Blend all ingredients. Stained if desired. Have a pulpy treat for better results. Enjoy!

Chicken Sausage with Potatoes and Sauerkraut – Tasty and Healthy

For many foodaholics, eating healthy means end of taste. This is not true. With the little creativity in the cooking techniques, even boring food can be super tasty. For example one can use olive oil instead of ordinary cooking oil. Olive oil is better option to fry or saute the food stuff as it's rich in monounsaturated fat and adds to taste as well. The food high in cholesterol can be consumed once in a while, unless restricted by the doctor.

Chicken is a versatile source of protein and is low in fat. Potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, they fight disease and promote heart health. Sauerkraut delivers significant amount of vitamins C and K. In addition to this, it boosts up energy and immune system with iron. One can use different flavored sausages for the dish. Roasted garlic sausage or sweet apple sausage are worth for this dish, giving an absolute tangy spicy taste. The recipe goes well with roasted carrots for crunchy fun. Here we present a sweet and tart entree of chicken sausage, potatoes and crunchy sauerkraut, healthy and tasty recipe..

Ingredients:-

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil,

12 ounces cooked chicken sausage,

1 medium sliced onion,

3 medium sliced potatoes,

1 1/2 cups rinsed sauerkraut,

1 1/2 cups dry white wine,

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper,

1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds,

1 bay leaf

Preparation Method:-

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add sausage and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.

3. Add potatoes, sauerkraut, wine, pepper, caraway seeds and bay leaf; bring to a simmer.

4. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 minutes.

5. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Enjoy the tasty yet healthy treat!

Crispy Kale Chips - The Vegan Recipe

Usually one has misconception that healthy food is not tasty. This is a myth. Kale denotes unsurpassed health benefits. Crispy Kale Chips will clear this doubt. Kale contains vitamins A, C, and K. In addition to this, kale has lutein and iron in abundance. On the other hand tahini is rich in vitamin E and B, calcium, protein and essential fatty acid. Nutritional yeast boosts up Vitamin B especially B12, zinc and folic acid. The recipe is easy to make and perfectly blends with the healthy lifestyle. This is a perfect vegan dream food for our vegan and vegetarian friends, you will definitely love to make its double batch!

Ingredients:-

2 big bunches of kale,

1/2 cup raw tahini,

1/4 cup olive oil,

1/4 cup wheat free tamari,

1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar,

1/4 cup nutritional yeast,

2 cloves garlic,

1 teaspoon onion powder,

1 tablespoon maple syrup,

1 tsp of chilli flakes.

Preparation Method:-

1. Rinse, de-rib, and roughly tear the kale into a giant bowl.

2. Put all of the other ingredients into a food processor or blender and mix until smooth or use a hand blender.

3. Pour the mixture over the kale, and use your hands to toss it all together. Cover it.

4. Spread the kale out evenly on oiled sheets. Bake on 250 D.F for 4 hours.

5. Serve with potato chips and your favorite dip!

Enjoy the cool veggie recipe!!!