GinGer

AmaZing GinGer

"And they shall be made to drink therein a cup the admixture of which shall be ginger, Quran 76:17"


(1)Ginger has been used for its health benefits for over 5000 years and is a favorite medicinal as well as culinary herb.
(2)Unlike most spices, the part that has the most medicinal value grows under ground. Often mistakenly called “ginger root” this is actually the rhizome of the plant which is more of a subterranean stem than a root.
(3)Although you can use dried ginger and powdered ginger for health benefits, fresh ginger is preferred.
(4)The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness in your throat.
(5)Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
(6)In pregnancy is to be extra careful!! Never use any herb, including ginger, without first discussing it with your doctor!! As for those suffering from ulcer, or other very serious gastric problems, they should also consult their doctor.
(7)Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
(8)Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
(9)Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders.
(10)The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation.
(11)Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
(12)So eating ginger may help to prevent cancer and aging disorders.
(13)Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps.
(14)Good for those with constipation!
(15)The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal,
in order to ease the digestion process.
(16)Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.
(17)As a mood enhancer, ginger's cineole content may help contribute to stress relief.
(18)Also used for migraine headache.
(19)Ginger can also be used for reducing toothache and the discomfort which arises due to the infection in the upper respiratory tract due to its antibacterial and antifungal nature.
(20)Chewing on fresh ginger,can help freshen the breath.
(21)Being a warming herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it effective in stimulating circulation of the blood.
(22)It can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect remedy for colds.
(23)Some studies show that it can even help inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus.
(24)Recent studies show that ginger might also have a role in lowering LDL cholesterol because the spice can help reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed.
(25)It has also been shown in animal trials to help slow or even prevent cancerous tumor growth.
(26)To discover the health benefits of ginger for yourself, simply make a tea by steeping about 5 slices of ginger in hot water.
(27)If you prefer it in your food, Ginger is excellent in many dishes and
is perfect when combined with garlic.
(28)Ginger doesn't only spice up your food it can also help to put some extra spice in your intimate life too. It improves blood flow to your sexual organs, and contains Vitamin C, zinc and magnesium.


Say Buy to little Ginger :)

CuCumber

The Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.


2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.


3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.


4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)


5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! (DOUBLE WOW)


6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!


7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.


8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don ' t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!


10. Stressed out and don ' t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.


11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don ' t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.


12. Looking for a ' green ' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won ' t leave streaks and won ' t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.


13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Tomato Curry Recipe

Ingredients:

Small Onions - 10 (or 1 large Onion)
Tomatoes - 5 Nos
Garlic - 4 cloves
Green Chilly - 2 Nos
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilly Powder - 2 tsp
Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp
Coconut shredded- 1/2 cup
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 spring
Salt - as needed
Oil - 2 tblsp
cilantro - little(chopped)

Preparation:

(1) Grind together the coconut, green chilly and cumin seeds with little water to a very smooth paste. You can also use coconut milk instead.
(2) Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
(3) Add the onions and garlic and fry till the onions turn golden brown.
(4) Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are soft.
(5)Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, garam masala powder and fry for a minute.
(6) Add the ground coconut paste, salt and required water.
(7) Let the gravy simmer for few minutes.
(8) Finally add chopped cilantro.

Notes:

(1)This is the easiest gravy without any vegetables.....It goes well with rice , idlis or dosais...

Pattaani Kuruma Recipe

Ingredients:

Dried green peas -1 cup (soaked for 4 hours)
Cinnamon- 1 stick
Cloves-3 Nos
Onion- 1 No
Tomato- 1 No
Ginger and garlic paste- 2 tbsp
Chili powder - 1 tbsp
Coriander powder -2 tbsp
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Fennel seeds (sombu)-1/2 tbsp (powdered)
Coconut milk -1/2 cup
Potato -1 peeled and cubed.
Oil -3 tbsp
Salt -As per taste
Cilantro –1/2 cup Chopped

Preparation:

(1) Pressure cook the soaked green peas and cook it for 10 min on high.
(2) Heat the kadai add oil to it.
(3) Add the cinnamon stick and the cloves, sauté it with finely chopped onion until the onion becomes translucent.
(4) Add tomato together with Ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder.
(5) Add the cubed potato and sauté it and cover it with a lid along with little water.
(6) When the potato is cooked add the cooked peas,salt  and let it boil for few minutes.
(7) Add the powdered sombu.
(8) Add coconut milk and let it cook on low flame for couple minutes,
(9) Put the chopped coriander leaves and switch off the flame.

Notes:

(1) Tastes good when served with Chappathi or Roti..
(2) For this kuruma,avoid using frozen peas,use only dried green peas.