GO NUTS!!! A WAR WITH RAW for ENFF event ~ GROUNDNUT JUICE

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Confused with the title of the post? Yes, I am right when I have written WAR with RAW.  My blog has always had a war with raw food. This is a war of love for your body, your health and your life. Today I am going to share my thoughts, my experience with the raw food and few excerpts from GURUJI SHRI RISHI PRABHAKARJI's talks which are published in the book 'NUTRITION PACKED AMRUT AAHAR', "a cook book of uncooked food" by SHEHNAZ A THANAWALA.

Again confused?

Let me start it again. I came in contact with SSY(SIDDHA SAMADHI YOGA) course around 15 years back. And that changed my life. The way of thinking towards everything on this Earth changed, I started thinking positive. My stage fear disappeared. I became more friendly with everyone. It was a new life for me. I don't want to talk more about myself as we are here to talk about food.

The main thing changed was the food habit. I realised the importance of RAW food.

As the years went,though it was not possible for me to follow it 100%, but I always preferred having raw food everyday and whenever possible. Once a year, I stay on raw food for continuous 13 days which helps me to reduce my weight and cleanse the body.

{Now, whatever I am writing below are the answers from Pujya Guruji:

1.What is RAW food?

• Any natural food item which is not cooked or processed by heat can be called raw(or uncooked) food.

2.Is it difficult to digest RAW food?

• Not at all, actually it is easier to digest raw food (takes only 13 hours to digest) than cooked food which takes 24 hours to digest and Non Veg which takes about 72 hours.

3.Are all the raw foods are good to eat?

• NO, not necessarily so, It is the amount again how much we take and how we take it.

4.How much quantity of raw food one should eat?

• Normally  healthy people should have about 50% to 70% of their total daily food as raw food. But, for someone who wants to start newly, has to increase the quantity slowly from 20%.

One can do a 'raw food fasting; once a month where you can have 100% raw food or juices on that day.

5.Will the RAW food make me weak?

• No, in fact you can be strong and healthy. Initially people may have a diarrhoea or constipation as the body needs time to get adjusted.

6.Can one cure the ailments and diseased by having this Amrut Ahar or RAW food?

• Yes, many have succeeded. Chronic diseases can be effectively controlled by proper diet.

But, take care to consult proper teachers before you start it as a regular intake, considering your food allergies, the diseases you have.}

*****While I am typing this, I got the sad news that  Pujya Guruji Rishi Prabhakar has left for his heavenly abode leaving us to spread his worldly message.******

I don't know what inspired me to write about him in today's post or how it came in my mind that I should write about the raw food and him. May his soul rest in peace. I am sure that he is always there for us in our heart.

This post is dedicated to him.

Coming back to today's post,

Yes, I am following this diet with the Pranayam and the meditation I learnt during the course and It has helped me to overcome many diseases, mentally and physically.

I agree that it was not possible for me to follow it 100% as I take non vegetarian food and normal cooked food on daily basis, but YES, the RAW FOOD has always helped me to keep my health under control.

I have already posted many raw food recipes in my blog. You can click salad parade  to get the recipes and few more in my archived posts.

           Today's recipe is a unique one which I have taken from the same book. I always enjoy this juice which is very healthy and can have at breakfast.

Its groundnut juice. Surprised? Groundnut and juice?

I will come to the nutrition facts about peanuts.

It is full of proteins. Actually contains more protein than meat, about tow and a half times more than eggs and far more than any other vegetable food except Soya bean and yeast. BUT, its best to eat ground nut after it has been SOAKED OVERNIGHT.

Peanuts or groundnuts are rich in proteins and packed with essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, iron, and dietary fibres. Peanuts provide optimum health benefits and are excellent energy boosters. 
click the LINK for more details.

And Jaggery  is loaded with nutrients such as calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and phosphorous. Jaggery is often known as a cleansing agent because it helps to get rid of unwanted particles from the respiratory tract, lungs, food pipe, stomach and intestines. Extremely rich in iron, jaggery is advised to all those who have a low level of haemoglobin in their blood and are anaemic.

click the LINK  for more details.

Try to have it once or twice a week. As for every thing, even this has little side effect which is negligible.It is allergic to many.

If you are having first time, then may be you will get acidity, but don't worry if its not severe. 

To make one glass of juice:

Ingredients:

Groundnuts -20 soaked overnight

Banana or Chikoo or apple or dates or any two or one(choice is your)-1/2 cup

Jaggery to taste or 1 tbsp

Powdered cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Blend all in a mixer till smooth paste.

Add the water to bring it to the consistency of a milk.

Serve immediately.

Linking it to Eat Nutritious, Feel fabulous 

Keep Smiling,

Mango Lassi

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

MANGO!!!! Again !! :-), Can't help it, got so many mangoes at home. Not understanding what to do! Aamras is common now a days in my menu :-(.

The other day I made Mango mousse, but it did not come out well.  One day I made mango milk shake, I made Mango Mug cake.. what else has remained now? Hey, yes I made Mango Chutney, Mango ice kulfi,. Did not take photos :-( But will make soon and post the recipes too.

Today's recipe is very easy and quick.

NO need of giving any ingredients or method, right??

Still I am giving it.

Ingredients:

Mangoes - 3 big, ripe and with more pulp(I used the fruits from our tree, it has more fibre, but it was sweet and pulpy)

Sugar - according to the taste of mango. My mangoes are very sweet, I used just 2 tbsp of sugar.

Fresh yogurt - 1 cup

Salt a pinch

Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Cold water - 1/2 cup(if you find the lassi very thick)

Method:

Wash, clean, peel the mangoes.

Make the puree of the pulp. Discard the seed.

Take all the ingredients and add it to pulp.

Churn in a grinder or juicer to thick consistency.

                             

Serve it Chilled

Isn't it easy???

Keep Smiling,

Jamoon Fruit Juice -Two ways, Re posting for the event

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,

Summer is here, and the events are coming up to help us to beat the thrust :-),

When I went through Swathi's zestysouthindiankitchen space, I thought of re posting this juice as the season for this fruit is already started and its easily available.

Read my original post HERE.

Swathi has asked to write about any interesting story behind this recipe or if you have any memories with this. Down is my story :-

Jamoon fruit brings many sweet memories in my mind.. These fruits are seasonal and we used to wait for it. During school days, we used to run to the houses where these trees were grown. House people enjoying their afternoon nap were never disturbed till one stone fell on their roof or window glass :-). And then there were few old ladies carrying these jamoon fruits in their round baskets and selling it for 10 Paises. I always love the color of these fruits.

You can read the benefits and other details in my original post.

Coming to the recipe,

Ingredients (for making 2 glasses) for basic juice

Jamoon fruits - 20(big)

Drinking Water - 1 cup

Keep the fruits in water for some time. Clean and put it into a vessel. Add the water and allow one boil. Let it cool. Mash with the hands, remove seeds. Sieve in a serving cup. The basic juice is ready which tastes very raw and bitter. 

To make salty juice :

Add a pinch of salt, Crushed mint and white pepper powder. Mix well. Serve chilled or add few ice cubes if you want to serve immediately.

To make Sweet juice :

Add 1 to 2 tsp Sugar, half a pinch of salt. Mix well. Serve chilled. 

Sending this to Swathi's event:

Favorite Recipes Event: Drinks

Keep Smiling,

Lime Juice Concentration

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Summer is here..  We always search for some refreshing juices. The supermarkets, shopping malls are full with lot of juices, Juice Concentration, Squash, Tang, Rasna are available in many flavors. I always like the lemon flavor as it is more natural and refreshing, but always prefer to make the juices at home and enjoy the real freshness.

Lemon.. is there any house which never has used it? It has lot of benefits. Having lime juice and honey with warm water everyday in the morning in the empty stomach makes you loose your weight. I have tried it. Lime is used in making many dishes. It is used in medicines. It is best for the scalp to remove dandruff. The list goes on... I like it the most as juice and just add little salt on it and squeeze it directly on your tongue. Feel the taste. I lovvvvvvvve it.

There are two ways to make this fresh juice. One is directly making it when ever you need it. Add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp lime juice and salt  to one glass of water.  Mix well till everything is dissolved. Add Cardamom powder and powdered pepper(I like to add). Serve chilled. My younger daughter loves it.

But as it takes lot of time when you are in a hurry or you have to make for more number of people. So I prefer to make the concentration and keep it refrigerated. This concentration is really good to preserve for a week or so(if your town has 24X7 power supply)

Ingredients:

Water - 1 cup

Sugar - 1cup

Big size lime - 8 to 12(depends on the juice)

Salt - 1 tbsp

Cardamom -2(optional)

Method:

Mix the water and the sugar and keep on a medium flame. Boil it till its almost single layer syrup. It may take 20 minutes. You will come to know if you see the water color. It becomes slight golden brown. Don't boil it more time to make it thick syrup.

Remove from the heat and allow it to cool.

Once cool, add salt and lime juice. First add 8 lime juice and check the taste. You will have to see and judge whether to add more juice or not. Because some times the limes are very sour and you may need very less lime. Check and adjust according to the taste.

THE TASTE SHOULD BE STRONG IN SWEETNESS AND SOURNESS TOO..

If you want you can crush 2 cardamoms and add in the juice. 

BUT if you are planning to use this concentration for the juice adding FRESH PUDINA OR KALA NAMAK OR JALJEERA, it may NOT taste good.

The lime juice concentration is ready. Store it either in a glass jar or good quality plastic bottle(I prefer TUPPERWARE :-) ).

NEXT TIME WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE A GLASS OF JUICE,

JUST ADD 1 PART OF THIS CONCENTRATION AND THREE PARTS OF CHILLED WATER.

ENJOY IT COLD ON THESE HOT SUMMER DAYS(EVEN NIGHTS TOO :-) )
This quantity makes around 10 - 12 glasses of juice..


CHEERS :-)

Keep Smiling,

Star Fruit Juice

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I am not lazy!! I am lazy!! I am confused... I hate to say I do not get time to post the recipes here. Because it was me, who used to stay awake till 2 in the midnight to post the recipes, it was me, who used to try new recipes after 11 in the night just to post the recipes here... it was me, who never missed a single day  to check other blogs and interact with them..

What has happened to me now!! even I am not sure. But yes, I am finding it difficult to manage my time... Hope you all will understand and wait for me to come up with regular posting.

Thanks to those who visit me here even though I am not regular..

Coming to today's recipe, 

Summer is here... my kids wait for my new trials for their thrust. 

Here is one more juice which is really magical as it can be prepared either with raw fruit or even the ripe one.

I have used the ripe star fruits for the juice.

The STAR FRUIT name comes because of its shape when cut into slices. It looks really beautiful.. I love those little stars. 

Star fruit is green when raw. I love the green color. Its sweet and very sour when raw. I love to eat those with salt and chilli powder. You try it and you will love it..

When it turns into Golden yellow color it is ripened and tastes more sweeter.

Recipe for the juice with ripe one:

Star fruits - 10 to 12

Sugar or powdered sugar or Jaggery  - 2 tbsp or as per the sweetness of the fruit

Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt a pinch

Water to make juice

Wash and clean the fruit. Cut a slice and check for the sweetness or sourness.

Peel off  those long lines and discard those.

Cut into half. You can see the seeds and the thread like part in the middle. Remove those.

Cut the remaining part into small pieces. 

Add the sugar or powdered  jaggery and cardamom powder. Put into the blender or grinder and turn into puree. 

Add the water as per the taste. I added more than 1 glass of water.

Have it just like that or sieve it before serving.

Enjoy the chilled juice in this hot summer :-)

If you are using the raw fruit you may need more sweet and salt in the juice.

This makes 2 big glass of juice.

Both the juice tastes different and look different. 

Any one try the raw fruit and let me know.. (I have tried both,but could not get the picture of the raw fruit juice)

Keep Smiling,

Jamoon Fruit Juice -Two ways

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Jamoon fruit brings many sweet memories in my mind.. These fruits are seasonal and we used to wait for it. During school days, we used to run to the houses where these trees were grown. House people enjoying their afternoon nap were never disturbed till one stone fell on their roof or window glass :-). And then there were few old ladies carrying these jamoon fruits in their round baskets and selling it for 10 Paises. I always love the color of these fruits.

This season, my daughter enjoyed these fruits. When I saw the event "Food palette series purple", the idea struck me to make juice with it. But I was not sure whether I will get the time to do it before July 5th. And I could do it today afternoon. But again my problem was the internet connection which was playing hide and seek with me. Luckily its working now and I hope it will be there till I finish the post and publish it  :-) (I never pray to God for anything else than this broadband service :-)), seriously, God is more kind than this service :-)))  )

Coming to the recipe,

Very easy to make and very soothing juice.

Jamoon fruit has many health benefits. Its rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Iron. Its very good for the people who has diabetes. Read Here for more information.

Ingredients (for making 2 glasses)

Jamoon fruits - 20(big)

Drinking Water - 1 cup

Keep the fruits in water for some time. Clean and put it into a vessel. Add the water and allow one boil. Let it cool. Mash with the hands, remove seeds. Sieve in a serving cup. The basic juice is ready which tastes very raw and bitter. 

To make salty juice :

Add a pinch of salt, Crushed mint and white pepper powder. Mix well. Serve chilled or add few ice cubes if you want to serve immediately.

To make Sweet juice :

Add 1 to 2 tsp Sugar, half a pinch of salt. Mix well. Serve chilled. 

Sending these two juices to the event  by Akheela

Food Palette series - Purple

Keep Smiling,

Lime and Mint to beat the heat

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Summer is here, time to keep us cool and hydrated. 

Here is a very common and simple drink which can be made at home easily. 

Ingredients: (To make 1 glass)

Water - 1 glass

OR

LIMCA or SEVEN UP or SODA - 1 GLASS

Lime - half +half

Salt  - 1 tsp

Fresh Mint - 4 to 6 leaves

Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp(optional)

Ice cubes - 3 to 4

Method:

• Cut the half lime into thick ring to garnish
• Crush 4 mint leaves
• Pour the water or Limca in a serving glass.
• Add salt, lime, pepper and fresh mint.
• Mix thoroughly. 
• Add the ice cubes, garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime ring.
• Serve chilled.

Sending this glass to Radhika's event

Celebrating Blog Birthday by Having Fun N Sun

Keep Smiling,

Water melon Juice(edited and reposted)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

My way of having watermelon!!!!

scrape it inside and add little salt! have it directly. no need of glass or cup!! or straw. You will definitely enjoy the crunchy melon and juicy water.

In summer, when you come home after long sunny day, if you see a glass of red color juice topped with ice cubes!!! How will you feel???

That is the wonder of Watermelon. A crunchy and tasty fruit, you will enjoy in any season, either as a bite or a sip.

From the source, it is said that, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which is today the world's single largest watermelon producer.

Water Melon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A (here).

It is also in debate that whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable?? For me it is both, that too after checking the recipe(Taste of NorthIndia) by Sangi of simplydelicious. Click WaterMelon Watermelon!!!!!!! for older post.

I love to have it in any form, crunchy bites removed from the fridge, a whole big glass of juice topped with ice cubes and seasoned with salt and pepper, in salad or dosa prepared with its skin. Yes!! dosas prepared using the skin of the watermelon tastes very good. Give it a try. Just add the peeled skin with soaked rice which you make for normal dosas.
Do this need any recipe???
Watermelon - 1 cup, remove the seeds
Salt to taste
Ice cubes
Blend all together to get a glass of watermelon juice.

Sending this to Madhuri's event  Serve me Some...  

Keep smiling,

Musk Melon, Choice is yours!!! Juice or Milk shake!

All of you might be wondering that why am I  posting the juice recipes. My interest on trying juices is increasing everyday as the Summer is in here!!! I do not like any fizzy drinks or soft drinks, ready drinks or cold drinks. I avoid giving these to my kids too. All these years, I was happy with cold water during the Summer season.

But, when I entered Madhuri's event, I went on thinking about the juices we can make easily at home! Many juices in the mind!! Let me see how much  my internet, the time, my kids will allow me to make juices and shakes before the event reaches the last date, and how much I can post the recipes. But, for sure, I will keep on trying juices from everything and make you people drink it too!!! 

Today is the Musk Melon day!

In my house, during our childhood, Musk Melon was the regular fruit. It was a must fruit on Shivrathri. Even though I know the juice will be tastier, I never tried it before.

Musk Melon is widely known as 'Cantaloupe'.  It is a summer fruit. Being rich in Vitamin C, an antioxidant, muskmelons have been believed to be good for preventing heart diseases and cancer. ... Read more here to know about more health benefits from this fruit.

There are two types of Musk Melon. One is bigger size and the other one is small. This time, I got the small ones in local market. I did not time or patience to wait for the bigger one and try the juices. So I took two small musk melons and came home.

Taking mom's version,  Instead of eating it, I tried these juices and within no time, my both daughters finished it. And they both enjoyed it having it in the same bowl made with the skin of the fruit.

That side is Musk melon milk shake, and this side is musk melon juice. The middle bowl is the seeds which you can sun dry and have it! Tastes great! 

First, giving you the recipe for MUSK MELON MILK SHAKE,

Musk Melon - 1 small,  washed, peeled and cubed

Sugar - 3 to 4 tbsp or check the sweetness of the fruit and add the sugar

Milk - 1/2 cup

Cardamom  powder - a pinch

Almond and Pista powder - 1 tbsp 

(I always keep this powder ready at home. I add it to bread jam, chapati and dosa when giving to my kids)

Salt - 1/8 tsp

Add cubed melon, sugar, milk in a juicer and turn to juice. Strain in a glass. Mix the powders and keep in the fridge for some time before you serve. 

Makes one glass only (as the melon is small).

Second, giving you the recipe for MUSK MELON JUICE,

Musk Melon - 1 small,  washed, peeled and cubed

Jaggery - 1/4 cup, (again, check the sweetness of the fruit before adding the jaggery)

Salt - 1/8 tsp

Almond and Pista powder - 1 tbsp (optional)

Mix everything in a juicer and churn it to juice. 

It is better to have it immediately. It will turn black and will not taste good, if you keep it for a longer time.

Makes one glass only (as the melon is small).

Sending this to Madhuri's event  Serve me Some...  

Sending it to  Dr.Sameena's  event

Juice recipes...

Keep Smiling, 

Spicy Pineapple Juice

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,
I am always lazy to make juices, and prefer to eat fruits!! 

But, if some one is making and giving me the glass in my hand I am always happy to have it,(thats why I love a can of  Beer in my hand!! just open the can and enjoy your sip !!!    )

But Madhuri made me think about the juices to make at home, if I want to participate in her event. And all of you know, how much I am crazy about event participation. It is like attending all the award functions, even after knowing that you will not get any award !! 

Here is my second juice for her event. But I really want to thank Madhuri, because and only because of her, I am trying to make juices at home, and enjoying my glass of juice!! ( at last away from my beer can  !)

This is a spicy juice, because of its ingredients. But you will love the spicy taste, when it passes your throat!! (Is my language out of control???)

Coming to the recipe,

Fresh Pineapple - 1/2, washed, cleaned and cubed 

Water - 1/2 cup or more depending on the juice of the fruit

Check the sweetness of the fruit. If it is not sweet add, 1 tbsp sugar or skip it

Put Pineapple cubes, water and sugar(if adding) in a juicer or blender and make a juice. If you like juice without fruit chunks, strain it. I like it as it is, so kept it like that only.

White pepper - 1 tsp powdered

Ginger juice - 1 Tbsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Mix the white pepper powder, Fresh ginger juice and salt into the juice and mix it properly. 

Do not add everything together in a juicer, I t won't taste good!! Or you can try to save the time, prepare, and let me know the taste. 

I loved adding it later.

Add Ice cubes before serving. 

Sending this to Madhuri's event  Serve me Some...  

Sending it to  Dr.Sameena's  event

Juice recipes...

Keep Smiling,