Okra with tomatoes in aromatic spices

Check out recipe of the week - Okra with tomatoes in aromatic indian spices.

Winter exercise

The best exercise during winter especially when you cannot get to the gym is shoveling the mounds of snow on our driveways, i.e. as long as I am not doing it.

A strong First Lady, Michele Obama

Important issues get better exposure with strong, famous personalities backing them. Obesity in the U.S. is a top priority issue since it is directly tied to our health insurance costs.

Michele Obama is taking her campaign on promoting nutrition to reduce childbood obesity to a whole different level, i.e. globally. It is quite exciting to see what changes this will bring about. Vending machines carrying better foods and schools with better cafetaria have started to take on some shape. Michele Obama is a big promoter of growing vegetables and fruits in our backyard gardens. Very basic but certainly makes sense. Also simple and less expensive.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I needed to wish my followers today in preparation for Monday so it will give them some time to think about how to spend the day. To me one of the best Valentine's day gifts is just listening or talking to people, friends, your lover, mother, father, daughter, sister, brother, whoever you feel close to.

It will not only release your stress but make you feel needed and truly loved. Share your stories whatever they may be and bring sense to your life.

Gifts, dinners, trips are all fine but the true meaning of Valentine's day is true love. What better ways are there than giving and sharing love through your own stories!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Short and simple

Check out the perfect soup recipe for any time of day or night.

Which is better? Maturity of fruits or vegetables on or off trees/plants?

I had always thought that ripening of fruits on trees and plants is way better and carry more nutrition than done unnaturally. Most fruits and vegetables are harvested before actual maturity time. So, when they reach the shelf which is a few days after harvesting, they appear just right.

I read that there really is no difference. Antioxidants in vegetables or fruits do not decrease at all. If they are chilled at the right temperature, if the humidity is right, and they are packed/brought to the shelf at the right time,there really is no loss of nutrition.

Good to know this but I still have my doubts!

Elimination of some foods eliminate certain ailments

I am certain of this since I have tested it several times. Eliminating some foods that cause problems or affect parts of the body, does help get rid of the issue. Lactaid milk for instance takes care of the digestive system if you are lactose intolerant.

MSG, the taste enhancer in foods is a big one. It is added to most foods in restaurants and I have heard/read that it triggers migraines in some people. Requesting the chef to avoid MSG in your food preparation can help. I did this when I was pregnant with my second child. Most chefs do oblige. In fact, nowadays chefs are cooks, artists, part nutritionists, and knowledgable about health as well.Another simple example is eliminating fried foods to help get rid of acne. This isn't an ailment but just a simple answer to a bothersome issue.

However, I think the best way to deal with some of our health issues is to listen to our own bodies and treat it by following some sensible steps.

'Tis the season for flus

Several of my friends are down with the flu this week. I had a question on my blog for a herbal remedy.

I generally do the following:

For just a cold, I drink a lot of orange juice with extra vitamin C and D. In addition, I drink a lot of hot water. Might sound strange. But it helps. This is an eastern thing. I have seen my chinese friends do that as well as even a couple of my Russian friends! Between the hot water doses, I have a cup or two of herbal tea with lemon and honey. A humidifier by the bed side will certainly help as well.

For the flu, I do all of the above and take day time Tyelenol.

Don't just do these things one day. Repeat them for at least about 3 days. You will notice a difference after the first day.

For food - I eat a normal diet with lots of soups, of course.

Super bowl snacks

Yep. It's time to think about snacks. To me Super Bowl is all about bowls, meaning bowls of snacks.

Here are my top favorites:

Fried Beans with mustard
Baked and broiled Potato Skins
Nachos with guacamole and home made salsa
Pizza for sure
Black Bean Chili
Last but not least are those hot, jalapeno potato chips

What are your top favorites and where are you going to watch the game?

Hearty, Healthy Vegetable Soup from Barcelona

This week's recipe is inspired by the kitchens of Barcelona. During my recent visit there and eating at different restaurants I realized that soup is a great offering in their menu especially for fussy eaters like me. I probably tried at least 8 different types of soups, each distinct in taste, flavor, and sumptuous as well.

So, here's a simple vegetarian soup recipe for you to try as well.