Maintaining A healthy Life style

According to the medical health book which mentions that the American Department of Health and Human Services recommends seven basic guidelines, to maintain the best possible health and following these regulations would  help you to be fit and in shape.
I thought it was a good idea to share it amongst the bloggers who might find this information useful.
Eat a variety of foods
Maintain a desirable weight
Avoid to much fat,saturated fat and cholesterol
Eat food with adequate starch and fibre
Avoid too much sugar
Avoid too much sodium
If you drink Alcoholic beverages,do it in moderation.

These guidelines  are also highly recommended  for people  who are  already experiencing some risks factors for chronic diseases including family history of obesity,heart diseases,,diabetes or high blood pressure.

Potato Contains Solanine

Another interesting article caught my attention today.I don't know, but you could have read it too.Reading through the  contents made me sick already.Who would have thought that the potato we have all grown in love with , has a disturbing  secret to reveal.Did you know that the green part of the potato is poisonous? The greenish hue of the potato namely the leaves,stem and green shades on the potato contains a natural toxin called solanine.This bitter  poisonous crystalline  alkaloid  is part of the plants defenses against insects,diseases and predators.These should be avoided at all costs.The article further mentions ' salonine develop in potatoes when  spuds are subjected to light or very cold or warm temperatures.It interferes with the  body's ability to use a particular chemical  that facilitates the transmission of impulses between cells' When eaten in large quantity ,it can cause vomiting,diarrhea,headaches, and even paralysis in the nervous system.The next time when cooking potatoes, discard any potatoes with green eyes,sprouts or greenish skins.

Curried potatoes

 Cooking With Potato

Hiccups

Every now and then, one of my children experience hiccups that come about  without any warning.This has made me wonder why they occur without a reason.Recently I came across some facts about hiccups and what should be done to make it go away.Hiccups usually doesn't cause any problems.They stop on their own in a few minutes.Hiccuping gets flared ,when food is eaten too quickly.Food when taken too hot or too cold ,could bring out the hiccups in you.Also gulping cold air in the winter season could make you  get an attack of hiccups.
I have tried the old fashioned method of stopping  hiccups,by letting my child with hiccups ,drink water out of the wrong side of the glass.But it doesn't work sometime.Another common belief is holding the breathe for a few minutes.
I like to share a tip on how to stop hiccups using food.
Take a slice of lemon and dip it in hot water.Take the lemon out of the water and sprinkle on it sugar,salt and black pepper.The lemon should be sucked until the hiccups stop.

picture source-internet

A Special Day

As the day dawned, we all got excited especially our eldest, who was anticipating her class twelve board examination results that was soon to be released on the web.As usual the rest of the children got ready for school and I was busily preparing breakfast.After packing their bags, I saw them off to their school van .My husband too, left for office wishing her the best of luck. I made myself a hot cup of tea and was about to sip ,when I heard my daughter scream-a joyful scream I should say.She came running to me with her laptop and placed it in front of me.I was as hysterical as her, when I  saw her exam gradings .She had got through her Board Exams with flying colours.After hugs and embraces, she called her Dad who had just gone to office.He too was happy. After the initial  jubilation, she received endless wishes from family and friends.It was a happy moment  when my hubby, after office,  surprised the daughter with two of  her favourite things: chocolate  donuts and praline ice cream. What a special treat to celebrate the happy event.Yummy!!

Germinating Seeds

My youngest had to do a class project.It was about germination.So I asked if how I could help him.I was so proud of him when he very carefully told me step by step what I should do to germinate some seeds.So with his guidance ,I planted some mustards seeds in a cantainer with some soiled cotton. The pictures above are the results after a couple of days. He even said that it looks good to make a salad out of it.

The Candy Bar

It was too hot and stuffy inside the house and we decided to go the mall just to feel relaxed and get a bit of fresh air.The mall was so big that I was afraid the children would get lost if I didn't keep monitoring them closely.While walking leisurely and in our own pace,I spotted this candy bar in the centre of the long broad avenues within the mall.It was beautiful set. There were an assortment of candies,in a variety of colours assembled inside neat and tiny cubicles. Luckily I had my digital camera in my bag .To the amusement of the candy store keeper,I started clicking pictures.

Unfortunately We did n't buy some for the children as we were on our way back home to dinner.

What's For Dinner!

The heat is on.And I am constantly getting tired .I have n't decided what to prepare for dinner.I cannot run through my mind fixing a recipe in a jiffy and that too when it's way past time to prepare everything from scratch. Oh! How my children love days like this!Because now is the time that they get to pick their favourite .I am going to leave this writing unfinished until later, when everyone has done with the dinner.By the way I have left it totally on to my children to decide what they want to eat for dinner.

Well I am back .Wondering what the choice was for dinner ! Well you can see for yourself.Now I am too full to do anything else except to walk around the house till the food gets properly digested.In the meantime have a look at the pizza that was ordered for dinner.( these pictures were taken just before they disappeared inside our mouths) I guess you're drooling already!

Fun With Food

From time to time my email inbox gets filled with forwards sent to me by friends ,family and others.Some I don't even open if the sender is unknown.A few others I read. If I find those amusing, I chuckle out loud bringing the whole clan running into the computer room,probably wondering what ever had got into me. Still there are a few which I have neatly kept intact in a folder because of their uniqueness.These few had somehow found the way into my heart or should I say stomach?. I was amazed when I saw some pictures which were sent my way via email.They looked so delicious and good . I am so tempted to endow this artist, who I may never know, with words of praise for putting in a lot of effort ,to carve beautiful characters out of food.

Allieviate The Irritation With Curd

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Curd good for itchy skin

During Summer most people suffer from prickly heat and other bothersome heat-related skin problems.I was amazed , when I found out from an old magazine, that certain foods play a significant part in allieviating symptoms of the summer's itch.

In the case of someone with prickly heat,the advise given in the magazine was to rub the whole body with curd.After relaxing for a few minutes ,take a nice cool shower.However for best results, one should continue with this 'Curd Spa ' for a couple of days.

In summer there are many outdoor activities that children love to do.The first to do activity would definitely be swimming. And since they love everything about summer,they should be taught how to avoid getting sunburnt.To get relief from sun burn,mix about 4 spoons of buttermilk with 2spoons of tomato puree and gently rub over the sunburnt area.After about 1/2 an hour wash thoroughly.

For a severe bruise on the skin,apply honey on the wound.This treatment helps a great deal in easing the smarting and prevents any swelling around the bruised skin.

Orange Punch For Summer

Fruits come in different shapes , sizes and colours. They give us a healthy body when taken adequately.Eating fruits and drinking the juice extracted from them keep our skin glowing and in good condition.The Fruit my children like to eat and drink are oranges.They are greatly appreciated on a hot summer afternoon. Oranges are best,when taken in the form of juice.It tastes so delicious.It is a wonderful drink to quench our thirst. An orange punch with a lot of crushed ice will keep one cool and refreshing. Oranges are loaded with Vitamin C. It is a good source of calcium ,beta carotene,magnesium and folic. It lowers cholesterol, prevents diabetics and high blood pressure. It is also good for those having respiratory problems like asthma,bronchitis and pneumonia. Is n't it beneficial to make oranges a part of our daily diet!

Colourful Combo

I was feeling a little dull this evening and was not in a mood to cook dinner.Then my Hubby suggested he would bring some take aways. I am forever thinking of reducing too much of fried food and all the rich sauces off my diet.But when my hubby brought this for dinner ,I couldn't take my hungry eyes off it.Who would resist a colourful sandwich combo as delicious as this!

While heartily indulging in the scrumptiousness of this sandwich,I realized what a great picture it would make for my scrapbook or my blog.Hence I took this picture even though a portion had already been eaten.But still it looked good..

Traditional Dish During The Festive Season

Kiribath or Milk Rice

Kiribath or milk rice is a Sri Lankan delicacy.It is a typical traditional dish.It is made out of rice and milk.It has now become customary and is common in almost every Sri Lankan household.The method for preparing this dish is quite simple.The rice is cooked in boiling water for about fifteen minutes.Then the coconut milk is added and cooked further,until the liquid is all soaked up.Salt is added according to taste during cooking.

Kiribath is served with Lunu Miris, a fiery chutney or sambol ,consisting of red onions, red chilly and spices.It can also be eaten with jaggery and bananas.On special occasions it is served alongside other traditional sweetmeats.In our country this is a must in the menu for any auspicious moments,happy and joyous events and during the festive seasons.

Banana Muffins

This recipe was originally tried with plums.But My Children didn't quite like the taste However when I made the recipe again using bananas ,it became an instant hit.








Ingredients For Banana muffins

200 gram condensed milk
60 gram butter
130 gram flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla/banana essence
1/2 cup coarsely mashed bananas
1/2 cup water

(1/2- denotes half)

Method
Sieve the flour,baking powder and baking soda together.Add condensed milk,butter,vanilla/banana essence and half a cup water into the flour mixture and blend it well.Fold in the mashed bananas.Pour this into a greased muffin tray and bake in a hot hour till done.

Facts About Honey And Cinnamon

It is believed that honey and cinnamon cures most diseases.Honey is produced in most countries in the world.Scientists also accept honey as a very useful medicine for various illnesses.Honey can be used in patients and it doesn't cause any side effects.It has also been proven that although honey is sweet it ,doesn't harm a diabetic ,patient if the correct amount is taken.




Those suffering from common colds and coughs ,should be given one tablespoon lukewarm honey,with 1/4 spoon of cinnamon.For a period of three days.This procedure cures the cold, cough and will clear the sinuses.

Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ailments and also clearsany stomach ulcers.

Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder boasts the immune system and protects the body from all kings of viral attacks.

Honey and cinnamon is also recommended for various other health related issues like skin diseases,pimples,bad breathe and weight loss.