Digestive Biscuits

Digestive Biscuits

Ingredients

Oats Flour – 1 cup

Whole wheat flour – ½ cup

Jaggery (powdered) - ½ or ¾ cup

Butter (frozen) – 3 tbsp

Salt – ¼ tsp

Cinnamon – ¼ tsp

Baking soda – ¾ tsp

Cold milk – 4 to 5 tbsp

Method

Mix oats and whole wheat flour

Add baking soda

Mix well

Add salt, cinnamon and jaggery powder

Add butter and mix with hand to form a bread crumb like mixture

Add milk slowly to form dough

It should not be too soft or hard

Refrigerate for 30 mins

Roll out using little flour and shape with cookie cutter

Preheat oven to 180 degress C

Bake for about 12 to 15 mins

Let it cool in the oven

Serve with crispy biscuits with steaming cups of coffee or tea

Change your mind to change your body

Change your mind to change your body

This is my advice to all my personal clients and the patients I encounter at the clinic. Believe me, there are many who refuse to change their lifestyle despite health or weight issues. They want to eat the way they did in their 20s and even 30s in case of slightly older people. While I do not for a moment believe that one has grown old when one reaches 30 or 40, one must accept the fact that the body does age.. We cannot ignore this.

Genetically Blessed

Having said that I would like to add that the body ages, if, only if you allow it to age. There are a lucky few who look years younger than their age. One has to definitely give credit to good genes. But that’s approximately 10%. The rest is hard work and dedication for many. Do not overlook the fact that the person is doing something right; this can be a childhood habit or something acquired with age. But the bottom line is – they are doing something right.

I’m not talking about visiting the salon for expensive skin and hair treatments. These are just skin deep, superficial techniques. These are to be used like the cherry or chocolate sprinkles on the icing.

Somewhere Within

I’m talking about anti-ageing from within. Have you seen a man or woman in his or her 40s or 50s or even 60s with a tight, wrinkle-free skin, a fit body, a natural glow to the face and with a happy disposition? Such people exude natural warmth and positivity. It’s a pleasure to be around them. I’m not referring to those loud, boisterous old people who desperately flaunt their ‘feeling younger than my age’ status. You know what I mean.

So let us see what goes into the making of these genuine ageless wonders who display the maturity that comes with age but belie their age physically. I have observed and spoken to some of them and have penned down my observations and conversations with them (names changed of course).

Pallavi, 46 and married with two sons, 21 and 19. She is very particular about sleeping by 10.30 or 11 pm every night. She’s a morning person and follows a healthy eating and exercise regime. She likes being around positive people all the time. A worming woman, she makes time for her favourite TV shows and is passionate about cooking. Trying out new healthy recipes adds to the fun element for her.

Shruti, 54 and single. One look at her and she would pass off as a woman in her mid or late 30s. Her secret – healthy lifestyle. This involves clean eating (90% of the times), regular exercise and a disciplined lifestyle. Do the things you enjoy and surround yourself with positive people – is her advice. This reflects in your attitude towards life which reflects in your work and behavior towards others.

Ankur, 49 and married with a doting, health-conscious wife and two teenaged boys. He admits that he changed his eating and lazy ways after marriage. Fortunately for him, his kids keep him on his toes. They are sports fanatics and weekends are spent in playing with them. This is a more regular feature than chilling at the movies or eating out. So the weekend games and healthy eating sees him through. But he admits that had it not been for his wife and kids, he would have been spending a lot of his time in doctors’ clinics.

Tips on maintaining a healthy state of mind

• Get enough shut eye
• Drink enough water
• Take a detox drink once in a while
• Exercise regularly
• Have a happy disposition

Now watch these videos. I do not need to say anything more on this subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrxyb5ZkDfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu8-02P410M

Chicken Quinoa Pasta

Chicken Quinoa Pasta

Quinoa is the go to cereal these days although it has been around for almost five years now. But slowly it is becoming a household name. The health conscious and fitness freaks have suddenly woken up to its health benefits. I have used quinoa to make pudding, cake, stir-fry and lasagne too. And now I have discovered quinoa pasta. Losing weight was never so easy.

Ingredients

Quinoa pasta (raw) – ½ cup

Chicken (boneless) – 150 gms

Spring onions – 2 bunches (small)
Parmesan Cheese (grated) - 1/4 cup

Capsicum (small) – 1

Thai Red curry paste – 1 tbsp

Oyster sauce – 1 tbsp

Pepper sauce – 1 tbsp

Red Chili sauce – 1 tsp

Salt – to taste

Method

Add salt and lemon juice to the chicken pieces and microwave it for 8 to 10 mins till cooked

Cool and shred it

Cook the pasta in hot water for 5 to 10 mins till done but still firm

Drain and keep aside

Chop the vegetables

Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan

Add the vegetables

Stir fry for 5 mins

Add the sauces

Check and add more according to taste

Add shredded chicken and cheese
Mix well

Add pasta and mix carefully 

Health Benefits of Quinoa

Good vegetarian protein source

Gluten free

Good fibre content

Has heart healthy fats

Rich in antioxidants

Good source of vitamins, magnesium and iron

Helps in weight loss

Rum Balls

Rum Balls

Ingredients

Cake crumbs (leftovers) – 1 cup

Dark rum – 20 to 30 ml (depending on your reference)

Melted cooking dark chocolate – ½ cup

Mixed nuts – 2 tbsp

Candied orange peels – 1 tbsp

Method

Blend all the ingredients (except the peels) in a mixie

Mix the peels and shape into balls of desired size

Let it dry for an hour before you enjoy this slightly sinful version of rum ball

Note: I used leftovers of healthy oats walnut cake

Orange Cake

Orange Cake

Last evening, it suddenly struck me that I hadn't baked my customary healthy orange cake this season..and oranges are almost on their way out. I promptly bought a couple of Malta oranges and baked this super healthy, moist and yummy cake. It's awesome as a tea or coffee cake. I was hesitant to use Malta oranges. I wasn't sure if it would yield the same results. But I didn't have a choice. These are more easily available now. But now I will bake this cake using Malta oranges only. And do try this cake before oranges go out of the market.  
   

Ingredients

Wholewheat flour – ¾ cup

Custard powder (vanilla) – ¼ cup

Eggs – 2 or Hung curd – ½ to ¾ cup

Jaggery powder – ¾ cup

Baking powder - 1tsp

Baking soda – ½ tsp

Orange zest – ½ to 3/4th eel

Orange juice – ½ cup

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Method

Mix dry ingredients well

Add oil, orange zest and orange juice

Mix well

Beat the eggs

Add to the mixture and mix using cut and fold method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes

While we're all aware of the health benefits of oranges, let's look at orange zest:

Lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol
Has anti-cancer effects
Contains considerable amounts of calcium, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, folate and other B vitamins

Contains dietary fiber