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6 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Curry Leaves!

Teeny tiny green leaves filled with several health benefits, I am very sure most of you are still unaware of the amazing properties curry leaves hold. Curry trees are mostly grown in India and Sri Lanka and belong to the family rutaceae. It is tropical in origin and produces aromatic leaves. Mostly used to garnish or to enrich the flavor of food, curry leaves are a must in Indian households. It is commonly known as ‘Kadi patta’ across the nation. Let’s explore the amazing properties of curry leaves  which will make you use them for many other reasons other than just flavor. Let’s begin!

curry leaves in idli ans sambar

BENEFITS

1.Rich In Anti-oxidants:

According to researchers in India, curry leaves have high content of anti-oxidants. It also contains several vitamins which makes it super healthy for consumption. These properties of kadi patta makes it good for heart health and  helps in preventing certain diseases.

2.Good For Hairs:

Are you suffering from hair fall or any other hair issues ? then, your ultimate savior is here. Kadi patta is believed to be extremely good for hair growth. Curry leaves oil or paste, both can help you prevent hair loss or remove dandruff.

Tip : You can also use kadi patta for grey hairs.

Take some curry leaves and dry them up. Grind them in a mixture to make a fine powder. Add this powder into your regular oil. You can use coconut or olive oil for better results. . Mix it well and apply to your hairs. For best results, use on a regular basis.

curry leaves plant

3.Improves Eyesight:

You already came across the high vitamin content of curry leaves. The presence of vitamin A makes it good for eyes and vision. Deficiency of vitamin A leads to a syndrome called ‘night blindness’. You can protect your vision by eating kadi patta on a regular basis.

4.Improves Skin:

These green leaves help in skin nourishment as well. The paste of curry leaves works best in case of cuts, burns or bites. It improves skin health and gives you clean and clear skin.

5.Your Stomach’s Best Friend:

Whatever your digestive issues are, the answer is curry leaves. They are very popular in Ayurvedic medicine. They improve digestion and are known to cure several digestive disorders. So, next time if you have any stomach issues, sip in some curry leave juice!

curry leaves

6. Lowers Cholesterol:

These green leaves are packed with anti-oxidants which helps to lower the cholesterol level. Anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, preventing the formation of bad cholesterol.

Curry leaves are packed with so much health benefits, that you must be willing to eat them right away. So, I have a prepared list of yummy recipes where curry leaves are the core ingredient.

RECIPES

1.Curry Leaves Chutney:

Take a blender and add the following ingredients – a cup of curry leaves, a teaspoon of tuar dal, few drops of cooking oil, 3-4 green or dried red chillies, 4-5 cloves of garlic, few mustard seeds, 1/2 inch ginger, a pinch of asafoetida and some salt. Blend them all into a smooth paste and add lemon juice. Serve along with rice or parathas. You can also eat it with pakoras, idli and vada.

curry leaves chutney

2. Curry Leaves Pickle:

Curry leaves and pickle? yeah I know most of you must be wondering how will this taste. So, why wait? Buy our delicious curry leaves pickle now and explore the amazing world of Indian food.

curry leaves pickles

Buy Curry Leaves Pickle Online- Buy Now!

3.Curry Leaves Pakoda:

This one is going to become your favorite evening snack. Chop some curry leaves and onion in a bowl. Put some ginger and garlic paste. Add besan or chickpea flour along with some salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Slowly add little water and mix nicely. Give random shapes and fry in hot oil. Your yummy pakodas are ready to eat!

I am sure curry leaves are no more just some leaves to you. They have now become the ultimate health pack. Add this amazing leaf into your cooking world and enjoy the benefit it provides.

Stay Happy And Healthy This Season!

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5 Reasons Why Bitter Gourd Should Be In Your Must Eat List! (Health Facts and Recipes)

Nutritious for all, loved by few and disliked by many, bitter gourd is an important part of Indian cuisine. Grown in several parts of the country, it belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. This green vegetable is popularly known as “Karela” or “Pavakkai” across India. It is bitter in taste but is very healthy. You will usually find doctors and health experts suggesting to include bitter gourd in our regular diet. Let’s find out what is it that makes this vegetable so healthy and a must-eat!

bitter gourd

BENEFITS

1.Boosts Immunity :

Bitter gourd has high content of vitamin C, which helps to boost immunity. Its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties makes the immune system stronger. Stronger immune system increases the capacity of body to fight diseases and keeps the body healthy. Eat bitter ground at least thrice a weak for a strong and healthy body.

2.Improves Vision :

Most of you may have heard about this from your grand parents. Bitter gourd is excellent for eyes and helps in taking good care of them. So, what it is that makes karela so good for eyes?

It contains essential nutrients like vitamin A and beta-carotene which improves the vision. It is also rich in vitamin c and protects your eyes from oxidative damage. Bitter gourd also prevents eye disorders like cataract and other age-related vision disabilities.

bitter gourd

3.Improves Digestion :

One small mistake in your diet, and you end up upsetting your digestive system. This is something which happens to most of us during summer. Any way to cure it?

Yes, there is! Bitter gourd can be a very effective in improving digestion. It contains dietary fibers, which help in boosting up the digestion process and also prevents digestive disorders. The anthelmintic contents of bitter gourd help in killing harmful worms and thereby protect our stomach.

4.Good For Diabetic Patients :

Bitter gourd contains certain types of phytonutrients, which has been found to mimic the activity of insulin. This helps in lowering of blood sugar level in diabetic patients. It also contains some phenolic compounds and certain phytochemicals like lipids and steroids. All this together contribute to the anti-diabetic properties of Karela.

TIP : Diabetic patients can eat it raw by cutting it into small pieces or can consume it in the form of juice.

You can make bitter gourd juice by chopping them off and grinding them with some salt, a cup of water and a pinch of pepper. Add lemon juice if required.

bitter gourd juice

5.Ultimate Blood Purifier :

Bitter gourd is very essential in removing toxins from the blood. Its anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties help in preventing many blood related disorders. Bitter gourd purifies the blood and thereby reduces many skin disorders like acne and pimples.

It improves blood circulation and is also beneficial in reducing high blood pressure level. People suffering from hypertension must dig into this vegetable for relief.

Eating bitter gourd just like that can be very difficult for most of you, right ? That’s why I have prepared a list of bitter gourd recipes for you people. Let’s learn how to turn this bitter veggie into something tasty.

1.Bitter Gourd Chips :

Cut the bitter gourd into thin, round shapes and add some salt. Now, mix it well and keep it aside to rest for 1-2 hours. Next squeeze out as much as moisture as possible and dry them on tissue papers. Prepare the seasoning by mixing red chilli powder, few tablespoons of chickpea flour and few tablespoons of rice flour in a bowl. Add some black pepper and a pinch of garam masala to it.

bitter gourd chips

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Add this mixture to the bitter gourd pieces and mix well. Make sure all the pieces are covered well with the seasoning. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the pieces till they turn crisp. Take them out on a paper towel to remove excess oil. This is a delicious and healthy option for snack time.

2.Pavakkai Masala Fry :

While most of us hate bitter gourd, i have something which will definitely make it one of your favorites. Pavakkai masala fry or Karela masala fry is a popular dish among Indians. Slice bitter gourd into thin round shapes. Heat oil in a pan and add the sliced karela to it. Fry for a while and keep aside for later use. Next add chopped onions to the pan along with some finely chopped garlic and ginger. Fry nicely and add chopped tomatoes.

pavakkai masala fry

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Also, add oil if required. Add all basic spices including coriander powder, turmeric powder and cumin powder. Keep stirring and add red chilli powder. Cook the spices well for 4-5 minutes. Ads the fried pavakkai along with 1/2 cup of water. Cover with lid and cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove the lid and serve hot with steamed rice.

3. Stuffed Achaari Karela :

Wash the karelas properly, cut them from one side so that you can stuff masalas and close it up. Remove the seeds and apply some mustard oil on outside. Grill them for a while or toss them on a tawa so that they become a bit tender. Next prepare the masala by chopping onions, garlic and ginger into small pieces. Add these veggies along with some coriander seeds, mustard seeds, dry mango powder (aamchur) and dry red chillies in a mixture. Blend nicely into a smooth paste.

stuffed achaari karela

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Fry the paste in a pan with oil and salt. Now, stuff these masala into the karelas and keep some masala aside. Add oil in a pan along with slit green chillies and few curry leaves.Then, place the stuffed karelas and cook for 5-10 minutes. Add the remaining masala and cook along with karela. Your yummy stuffed achaari karelas are ready to eat! Savour it with paratha, chapati or steamed rice.

4.Bitter Gourd Pickle :

Filled with the goodness of bitter gourd and a blend of tasty spices, this version of pavakkai will surely become your favorite. Buy our variety of bitter gourd pickle and add a twist of flavor to your meals.

bitter gourd pickles

Buy Bitter Gourd Pickle Online – Buy Now!

I am pretty sure this article would have changed the way you looked at bitter gourds. Though its bitter but the nutritional benefits that it offers is unbeatable. Try out these amazing recipes and add bitter gourd to your meals. Let us know if it was of any help to you!

Stay Happy And Healthy This Season.

 

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7 Amazing Benefits Of Olive You Must Know! (A Complete Guide)

An integral part of the Mediterranean cuisine, olives belong to the family of Oleaceae. Botanically known as ‘Olea Europea’, they are cultivated in most countries of the Mediterranean coast. Whether its green or black, olives have become a part of most cuisines these days. Green olives are the ones picked just before they begin to ripe. Black ones are obtained when when they are at the peak of maturity, i.e, are fully ripened. Olive oil is the need of the hour for all the health experts. So, are you aware of the health benefits these yummy olives add to our food ? Let’s explore then !

olive

BENEFITS

1.Good For Digestion :

Olives are a rich source of fibers. High fiber content ensures perfect functioning of digestive system by allowing smooth bowel movement. Fibers restrict the release of hunger hormones, thereby preventing overeating. They also  eliminate cholesterol from blood. So, next time if you upset your digestion process, a cup of olives will be there to save you!

2.Improves Skin :

Consumption of olives have shown to reduce signs of aging and other skin related issues. They also work as effective cleanser. Black olives contains fatty acids, anti-oxidants and vitamin E. This keeps the skin hydrated and nourished. Applying olive oil simply or with warm water, can reduce spots and leaves you with a healthy glowing skin. Instead of buying costly cosmetics, give this natural remedy a try!

black olives

3.Improves Heart Health :

Olives contain a fatty acid known as oleic acid which  prevents atherosclerosis, strokes and other cardiovascular disorders. They remove bad cholesterol from blood stream and increase good cholesterol.  Olives are rich in anti-oxidants, which act as anti-coagulant and prevent blood clot formation. All this together ensures the healthy working of cardiac system.

4.Prevents Cancer :

Olives contain an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory substance, ‘anthocyanin’ which has role is cancer prevention. They are rich in anti-oxidants, which defends the body against free radical formation. Free radicals convert healthy cells into cancerous one. So, consuming olives can prevent the formation of cancerous cells.

5. Improves Eye Health :

Olives are great source of vitamin A, which has direct role in eye health. Vitamin A allows the eye to distinguish nicely between dark and light and hence improves night vision. It also prevents cataract and other eye disorders.

6. Ensure Healthy Bones :

Olives contain calcium which increases bone growth. This leads to a decline in the rate of bone related disorders like osteoporosis. People residing in the Mediterranean region have found to have low bone loss. Hence, few olives every day can help you keep your bones healthy!

green olives

7. Anti-bacterial & Anti-inflammation Properties

Olives contain anti-oxidants which have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that the contents of olives reduce levels of important inflammatory markers and inhibit production of genes and proteins which cause inflammation.

Ways To Consume Olive

1.Olive Oil :

Naturally obtained from olives, it is a healthy substitute to regular oils. Olive oil is highly recommended by nutritionists across the globe. In India, it is known as ‘Jaitun ka tel”. Extra virgin olive oil is the best one, containing high content of anti-oxidants and bio-active compounds. Use it to stir fry veggies, meat, etc or as a dressing for salads.

olive oil

2.Olive Pickle :

Olive pickles are super yummy and a bliss for foodies. Covered in mustard oil and delicious spices, this version of olives is a must try . Try our tasty variety of stuffed olive pickles. Enriched with the unique flavors of Rajgharana, this pickle will leave you spell bound.

Buy Tasty Stuffed Olive Pickle Online – Buy Now!

olive pickles

3.Pizza :

We all have a pizza lover inside us. Delicious toppings, pizza sauce and lots of cheese, pizza is enjoyed by every person. Make your pizza healthy by chopping off some green or black olives and using it as toppings. You are surely going to love it!

black olives on pizza

4.Pasta :

Are you a pasta fan? If yes, then the best way to consume olives for you is this. Chop off some olives and add to your pasta recipe. Macaroni, penne or whatever you like, olives taste yummy with every pasta variety.

pasta with olives

5.Salads :

So, you want to keep it super healthy, free from frying or baking? Salads are your saviors. Chop off your favorite veggies and add some paneer/tofu cubes. Add chopped olives, few drops of olive oil and some lemon juice and salt. Tada! your salad is ready to eat.

salads with black olives

If this guide was useful for you, then drop of your thoughts in the comment section. Start eating olives today and feel the change. Let us know if there’s anything you want us to write on, we will be more than happy to help!

Eat Green(olives) , Eat Healthy!