Stress-Me-Not

There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathize with the color, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life’s sores the better.

Oscar Wilde

I am sure while writing the last line ‘the less said about life’s sores, the better’, Oscar Wilde actually meant ‘the less thought about life’s sores, the better’. Because you talk about it or not, if you keep thinking about the obstacles, the complications, the unjustness of life, it may never end. It can go on, in a spontaneous flow, taking away your peace of mind unless you deliberately put an end to it. The more you think, the fierce things become.

While talking to my father yesterday, I came to know about one of his friends who was in the hospital since past 2 months. Doctors couldn’t diagnose the real cause of illness for around 3 weeks until they concluded that he’s been suffering from tension and is severely depressed due to which his body metabolism is all disturbed. In other words, he’s suffering from ‘taking things too seriously’.

Also, following Sonal Kalra’s weekly column ‘The Calmer You’ for 5 months now, has brought into light so many differently sized issues that cause day-to-day stress. Some stress out at intimidating, boasting people around while others feel awful about their looks; some fret over how people become pushy for petty things (sometimes important ones too) while others get disgruntled by their bossy bosses; some envy how people take shortcuts and succeed, while others don’t find any relief from their Gmail, Facebook, Twitter; some wish they throw away their mobile phones until they stop ringing at random times while others are too concerned and always ready with their precious advice on Cricket or Politics or Ethics; some worry how their kids will get through while others threatened by the competitive surrounds. Relatives, traffic, exams, relationships, jobs, EMIs,rains, inflation and what not!!! The list is simply endless…

Sometimes there might be bigger reasons too, to worry. But ultimately, all this is taking its toll on your health, resulting into outcomes as small as insomnia or headache to as large as life-taking fatal diseases. Ups and downs keep coming and are inseparable part of life. God has his own methods of regulating them.

No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life.

But, our lifetime is precious; getting baffled by ‘the things not working out’ or regretting about the choices made, will only stress us more. We are a small part of this universe and so are our problems too. After pondering hard about this whole thing, I came across the following three ways out:

1. ‘Keep it simple silly’: Getting into deep down details and finding complex solutions is itself a stressful activity, so better keep things simple. Accept the things you can do nothing about and move on further. Don’t take it too seriously.

2. Adopt more healthful ways of living: Health doesn’t come merely by following a healthy diet and an exercise/work-out regime. There is a third cause too that affects and that is Stress. So adopt ways to de-stress yourself, de-clutter your thoughts on regular basis.

3. Just do your bit: In any case, you will NEVER BE ABLE TO PLEASE EVERYBODY, to meet up to their expectations. What best you can do in any situation is: performing your best. Leave the rest!!!

What do you think about the stressful patterns of life? What are your ways of handling it? Share with us your calmness tips, you never know who gets a benefit out of it…

I also didn’t believe it-how could this soup taste good!!!

After publishing the post Take care in Winters, I actually thought of taking care by introducing new and healthier items to our meals. Recently I read about the benefits soups bring up with them and spinach, we all know, is one of the most nutritious foods.  My room mate used to have spinach soup two years back when she suddenly got extra health conscious. But even the idea of a soup made of spinach made me simply hate it. But it was only after I saw so many websites giving recipes of spinach soup and rating it good that I dared to cook this particular item.

Why it seemed to be nutritious?

Due to the major ingredients like spinach, bean sprouts, garlic and lemon, it seemed to be good choice. Following is the detailed list of ingredients:

• 3 cups washed and chopped spinach
• 4-5 tbsp coriander chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 spring onion finely chopped with greens
• 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 green chilly
• ½ cup bean sprouts
• 2 tbsp fresh cream
• 3 cups water
• ½ tsp red chilly powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp pepper powder
• Salt to taste
• Butter to garnish

Method:

1. Wash the spinach properly and chop it roughly. Then sprinkle some salt over it and keep aside.
2. Chop coriander and pressure cook spinach, coriander and green chilly with very little water for one whistle.
3. Cool the boiled mixture and blend it to a smooth paste.
4. Heat oil in a pan and put cumin seeds into it.
5. When they crackle, add garlic and fry till it turns golden brown.
6. Then add bean sprouts and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add spring onions and after 1 min, add water into it.
8. Bring the water to boil and then add spinach paste to the pan.
9. Sprinkle the pepper powder and add fresh cream to the mixture and keep stirring for around 10 min.
10. Serve hot with butter on top.

Now believe it or not, the soup tasted delicious. And I am going to prepare this every winter. How about you???

Take care in Winters

Besides being a delight for our taste buds, food is one of the major factors having direct impact on our health. Especially when a particular season (summers/winter) is at peak, it’s advisable to be careful about the ingredients we intake so that it can help our body be strong and fight the extremities of climate. Fortunately, we belong to a country where a variety of seasonal foods are readily available. Also our ancestors have set a pattern of meals appropriate for a particular weather like makai ki roti and Sarson ka saag for winters. Not only this combination is extremely delectable, but gives warmth to our body and boosts its immunity because of all the antioxidants and nutrients present there.

The present generation loves variety and innovation. In no case, food lovers like me can thrive on just a few tried and tested combinations throughout a season. That is why I am looking for various combinations one can opt for meals in winters so that a trade off can be maintained between taste and health. Following are a few components one should include for distinct reasons so as to have a balanced diet.

1. Garlic: The herbal “wonder drug” is known for its benefits against cancer, heart diseases etc. and due to its warm tassir, one can consume it in winters adequately.

2. Spinach and other greens: Due to the antioxidants, vitamin A, C & K present in the greens, they act as anti ageing and anticancer agents. There are number of ways one can have them in daily meals.

3. Proteins: Proteins help our body to repair, regain and refuel itself. This can be consumed from various lentils, sprouts, soyabeans, cheese and yogurt.

4. Soups: Soups can become main meal by adding some extra carbohydrates and proteins in them. Adding seasonal vegetables boosts your soup’s vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content which helps ward off winter colds. With wise choices, soup can also help lower the risks of cancer and heart disease.

5. Millets: The extra fibre within these carbohydrates helps keep you warm. So one can have makai, bajra and jowar roti for variety.

6. Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain compounds that have been proven to help prevent cancer, heart disease cataracts and many others.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

7. Mushrooms: Besides imparting flavor to the food, mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. It is also a rich source of other mineral that have cardio protective properties and cut the risk of prostate cancer.

8. Fennel (Saunf): Really good for the stomach and can be used as a digestive after meals.

9. Cinnamon (Dalchini): It has antibacterial and antifungal properties which help fight colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It’s also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation.

10. Honey: Honey is the most valuable food which is energy booster and immunity builder.

Health benefits of honey

So now I am in a process of identifying and trying out various fusions and combinations to keep my kitchen innovative these winters. Why not let the love for food be healthful too? I will be on posting all those combinations that I come across, your suggestions and opinions are cordially invited. Please share.