Benefits of Carrots

February 17, 2014



With this crunchy power food, you get vitamin A and a host of other powerful health benefits including beautiful skin, cancer prevention, and anti-aging. Read how to get maximum benefits from this amazing vegetable and forget about vitamin A pills.


Benefits of Carrots:

1. Improved Vision

Western culture’s understanding of carrots being “good for the eyes” is one of the few we got right. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat the most beta-carotene had 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.

2. Cancer Prevention

Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Researchers have just discovered falcarinol and falcarindiol which they feel cause the anticancer properties. Falcarinol is a natural pesticide produced by the carrot that protects its roots from fungal diseases. Carrots are one of the only common sources of this compound. A study showed 1/3 lower cancer risk by carrot-eating mice.

3. Anti-Aging

The high level of beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. It help slows.

4. Healthy Glowing Skin (from the inside)

Vitamin A and antioxidants protects the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

5. A Powerful Antiseptic

Carrots are known by herbalists to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts – shredded raw or boiled and mashed.

6. Beautiful Skin (from the outside)

Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask. Just mix grated carrot with a bit of honey. 


7. Prevent Heart Disease


Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein. The regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids.

8. Cleanse the Body 

Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fibers present in carrots help clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.

9. Healthy Teeth and Gums

It’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage.

10. Prevent Stroke

From all the above benefits it is no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.

This information is taken from the net.






Labels: Carrot, Health benefits, Vegetables, Soup, Juices








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Potato Sabzi

February 17, 2014


This   sabzi is very easy  and quick to make. For a working woman I must say,this is quick easy and very  tasty with few ingredients.  

INGREDIENTS
Potatoes                            4  ( Boiled & Peeled)
Pure Ghee                            2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds                    1 Teaspoon
Salt or according to taste 1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric powder               1/2 Teaspoon
Sugar                                     1/2 Teaspoon
Chilly powder                      1 Teaspoon full
Coriander                             1 + 1 Tablespoons(finely chopped)
Water                                    2 Tablespoons

Method 


Boil, peel and cut the potatoes in small cubes.


Heat ghee in a pan, add the mustard seeds. When the seeds splutter add the hinge, turmeric powder and immediately add 1 tablespoon coriander and the chilly powder. Stir this for a second and add the water. When the water boils add the salt, sugar and the potatoes and stir well till all the water evaporates. Add remaining coriander and serve hot. Serve with rotis or dal rice


Note:   This sabzi taste nice when made in pure ghee.  If you wish you can also make this with oil. The spices and salt can be adjusted according your taste.



Do try this sabzi and give comments.





Labels: Potato, Vegetables 

  


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Ginger Wine


Update the pics December 2020 this wine is 6 years old and taste so good. 
After the success of making Rice Wine I decided to try this wine recipe that I read in this blog. The original recipe is here. The only change I made is that I halved the quantity and added more ginger to make it stronger and a little more brandy to make it strong.

This wine is ready but I have not yet bottled it. Will update you the pictures soon. Do look up for the update. This wine smells good and I have tasted it and loved it, although I am not a wine drinker, had a little to taste it. 

Ingredients  
1¼. Litres (1250 millilitres) Water
60 Grams Ginger
350 Grams Sugar
1 Lemon - Juice & Zest
1 Orange - Juice & zest
50 Grams Raisins - (preferably golden)
1/4 Teaspoon Dried Yeast
40 Ml Brandy
Method
Since this recipe is according to link that I have mentioned. For further details and instructions please go to the link.
Do give this a try because it is very easy. 
Labels: Wine, Ginger, Homemade

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Cauliflower / Gobhi Sabzi

Its indeed simple, easy and tasty too. 
Ingredients

Cauliflower                            500 grams
Onion                                      1 large (finely chopped)
Tomato                                   1 large   
Green Chilly                          1 no.
Ginger & Garlic paste          1 teaspoon.
Kacha Masala                        1.1/2  teaspoon
Goda Masala                          1/2  teaspoon
Turmeric powder                  1/2 teaspoon
Fresh Coriander                    1 + 1  Tablespoon  (chopped)
Salt                                            1/2 +1/2 teaspoon 




Tempering

Oil                                2 tablespoons
Mustard seeds          1/2  teaspoon
Asafoetida/Hinge    1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves              1 sprig



Method


Cut the cauliflower into small florets. Put the florets in warm water, add a teaspoon of salt. Keep these florets immersed in this solution for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes drain the water and  wash the cauliflower in fresh water. Drain it.


Place the florets in a microwave proof oven bag. Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Shake the bag well so that all the florets are coated with the turmeric powder. Fold this bag loosely, place it in the microwave and steam it on high for 2 mins. Keep this aside.


Chop the tomato  and green chilly. Grind to a fine paste.


In a pressure pan heat the oil, add mustard seeds, when it splutters add the asafoetida/hinge.  Immediately add the curry leaves, onion and ginger-garlic paste saute till light brown. Now add the tomato chilly paste, kacha masala, goda masala and saute till oil leaves the sides of the pan. Add the cauliflower and 1 tablespoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and saute on high flame for 4 - 5 mins.   Add  2 tablespoons  water. Cover with the lid and take one whistle on high flame. After a whistle switch off the flame and let cooker cool. Garnish it coriander and serve hot.


This sabzi does not have gravy.  It taste delicious.  Do give it a try and post your comments.



The Kacha Masala recipe here.

My Note:  
The spices and salt can be adjusted according to your taste.

Labels: 
Cauliflower, Healthy, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Main course,Kacha Masala , Gobhi

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Kacha Masala / Fish Curry Masala - East Indian


This is an East Indian recipe.  This masala is again prepared for the full year and stored in an airtight container. This masala is versatile  and is mostly used to make fish curry. I make this in small quantity and powder it in the mixer.

Ingredients

200 Grams Kashmiri  Chillies        

50   Grams Madras Chillies             
100 Grams Coriander seeds           
50   Grams Turmeric powder         
40   Grams Cumin seeds                  

Dry the kashmiri & madras chillies, coriander seed and cumin seeds separately in the sun for a  day and powder it. Add the turmeric powder and sieve it 3 - 4 times. Store in an airtight container.  




Labels: Masalas, East Indian,             


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