Tasty Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

In hot summer season, everyone want cool and refreshing drinks which are delicious as well as healthy for us. Now, Strawberries are in season, strawberries are rich source of vitamin C, naturally sweet and delicious. Yogurt is also good for health in summer. So, try this refreshing smoothie which takes only few minutes to prepare, this is the perfect way to enjoy Strawberries. 

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Ingredients-

4 cups  ripe strawberries

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1-2 tbsp sugar or to taste

For Garnishing-

4 small strawberries with leaves

4 thin round slices of unpeeled orange

Preparation time- 15 minutes 

Serves- 4

How to make tasty  Strawberry- yogurt smoothie ?

Steps-

• First, wash the all strawberries and remove the green leafy part ( hull).
• Now, add the hulled strawberries, yogurt, orange juice, and sugar to a food processor or use hand blender.
• Process on the highest speed until a well-blended smooth puree forms.
• About 15-20 seconds, stoping to scrape down the sides of the container  once or twice.
• Taste the mixture and you can add more sugar in it to make more sweeten.
• After that, strain the mixture and by using a wooden spoon to push the drink through. Discard the strawberry seeds.
• Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.
• If you want to decorate glasses, Slit the 4 whole strawberries and the orange slices halfway through to the centres. Attach 1 strawberry and 1 orange slice to the rim of each glass before serving.


Enjoy !!!

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Tomato Soup recipe - Homemade yummy soup

Tomato soup is all favorite soups amongst  all. You may be served it as a hot or cold in a bowl with many variations. There is many topping can be used like sour cream , croutons etc. This is very healthy and tasty recipe. I also like homemade soup so I would share my recipe with you. Now, start with  ingredients…

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Ingredients

• 6  medium tomatoes, 

• 1 carrot, 

• 1 celery stick, 

• 1/2” ginger (peeled and sliced),

• 2 tbsp oil,

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds,

• 1/2teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, 

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 

• 1 pinch of  asafoetida, 

• Green coriander or parsley leaves for garnishing.

Steps –

• First, cut the tomatoes and celery stick in a small pieces,  peel the carrot and also cut in the small pieces.

• Take a saucepan, heat the 1 tbsp oil over medium heat, now add the ginger , carrot and celery and stir fry for 2 minutes.

• After that, Add the tomatoes, salt, sugar, and pepper, cover the lid and cook until tomatoes looks mushy.

• After few minutes, tomatoes cool downs, then blends the tomatoes with blender.

• Take another pan, heat the 1 tsp oil, add cumin seeds and asafoetida.

• Add the tomato puree and mix 1 ½ cup of water or adjust accordingly to your taste.

• Boil the soup about 2-3 minutes.

• Pour the hot tomato soup in a soup bowls.

• As your choice, add the bread croutons to the soup.

• Garnish the soup with fine chopped parsley or coriander leaves.

• Serve the Tomato soup hot.

happy eating !!!

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Best Vegetables for Weight Loss

When you see a celebrities on TV or in movies, they have perfect body structure and looks gorgeous, you also wish the same perfect body and wish to wear these type of glamorous clothes but due to your extra pounds you will only wishing that.

Loosing weight is not a big task. You will loose weight through you healthy diet and some physical exercise in few days. You should includes vegetables in your diet and control on your cravings. The best way to loose weight is by eating veggies, this is a smart idea because the veggies are low in calories and contains ample amount of fiber and water. 

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Veggies are rich in minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemical. Eating vegetable diet is very effective and efficient for weight loss, the high amount of fiber and water in vegetables providing you a sensation of stomach fullness which prevents overeating.They are very helpful for maintaining and improving your health. Also prevents dehydration that can occur during a weight loss regime. Eating vegetables diet may also prevent cancer, heart diseases, and reducing the occurrence of various other diseases.
 

Best vegetables for weight loss-

CUCUMBER

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Cucumber is rich in fiber and water. It is extremely low in calories, it will help to fill up your stomach without adding a substantial amount of calories to your diet. You can use Cucumber as a salad which is helps you to stop overeating. You can use low-fat dressing to your salad with herbs and spices.
 

BROCCOLI

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Broccoli is rich in essential dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Broccoli has no fat in it and it contains plenty of carbohydrates. Eating broccoli helps you in weight loss because it is a low calorie veggie. Including this in your diet, it provides high level fiber and water to your food without adding calories. Carbohydrates present in this are slow releasing and required time to digest which is good for helping to keep energy levels up.

BEANS 

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You can count beans as part of the vegetable or protein foods groups because beans contains high fiber and protein in it. Beans are good for a weight-loss meal plans. Beans are rich in essential nutrients and it helps to keep you feeling full for long periods of time. They are low in fat with a high content will help you shed pounds. You should needs to determine the amount of beans you should eat for effective weight loss.
 

SPINACH

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Spinach is also a good veggie for your weight loss regime. Spinach is rich in vitamins, iron, folic acid and high fiber. It has anti oxidants and phytochemical which helps in fighting disease and protect eyes from macular degeneration. It also prevents constipation. You can use spinach raw as a salad or lightly saute with shredded carrot, sliced mushrooms.

CARROTS

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Carrot contains vitamin, minerals and high fibre. Carrot are tasteful and good for weight loss. Carrots has fat fighting feature in it due to its high fibre content.You can eat raw carrot, cooked with other vegetables or in soups.

CABBAGE

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Cabbage rich in antioxidants and vitamin C & E . It is a great immune-booster. It can instigate gas formation in body so you should use it with garlic and ginger.You can eats cabbage salad before your meal, it helps to satisfy your appetite and reduce calorie intake in your meals. You can also take cabbage soup. It also prevents constipation and stomach problems.
 

RADISH

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Radishes are rich in potassium, folic acid, antioxidants, and sulphur compounds that aid in digestion. They are a low calorie vegetable and have no fat or cholesterol. They also contains high dietary fiber which is helpful in loosing weight. Use raw radish as a salad , or you can use this in sandwich with other veggies.
 

Warnings : Always check with a physician or medical professional prior to initiating a new dietary regimen or devising a weight-loss plan.

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How to make Peppermint Tea ?

Peppermint is a herb which is commonly used in our kitchen. Now a days, peppermint is used in a tea also and its tea called as Herbal tea. Peppermint tea is caffeine free and has many health benefits. In summers, this tea works as a super re-freshened and provides calm, cooling effects to the body as well as to the mind. It also a super effective tummy flattener.

 
It is also used as a digestive aid which is helping in combat indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and bolting. The menthol which is present in peppermint can also work as a muscles relaxant and natural sleep aid. The aroma of peppermint has effect to enhance the memory and alertness.

So, when we know that this tea is very beneficial for us than take a cup of peppermint tea once a day will help make you healthy.

Peppermint Tea Recipe 

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Ingredients

You will need this – For serves 4 cup of tea

• 4 peppermint teabags
• Or 4 teaspoons of dried peppermint loose-leaf tea
• Or 4-5 stalk of fresh peppermint leaves
• 4 cups of water
• honey, sugar, or orange, lemon, or lime(Optional additions to taste)

How to make peppermint tea ?

If you are making your tea with :-

Fresh peppermint leaves – First rinse the leaves and crush them well with your hands or a mortar to discharge the wonderful  juice and aroma.

The loose tea leaves- You can use an infusers or infuser mug.

Teabags – You can use it directly as you know it.

• Take a pan and boil 4 cups of water.
• Place the crushed peppermint leaves in teapot.
• Pour boiling water over the crushed peppermint leaves or you can use teabags, dip in the boiled water.
• Peppermint tea is at its best when it brewed in hot water rather than boiling water like the other herbal teas.
• Than cover the teapot, and let it steep for 5-8 minutes.
• After that, remove the tea leaves or teabags from the teapot.
• Pour the tea into your favorite teacup.
• You may want to add a bit of honey or sugar to taste.

Enjoy your delicious, beneficial  peppermint tea and inhale deeply !

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Beauty Benefits of Lemon– For enhancing your beauty at home

 If you are in finding of miracle that would fulfills your all beauty needs , than what can be better you find in your kitchen? The answer is simple Lemon . Lemon is truly a miracle fruit, it might be the answer to most of your health problems. 

image source: organic facts.net

Lemon is easily available in the market and is the rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Phosphorus and Carbohydrates. And there is no fats and absolutely no cholesterol in lemon. 

It's juice contains an essential nutrients and acids which helps to improve the health of the skin and body. It is good for internal or inside health benefits and used externally for skin care and hair care . Lemon is very beneficial in enhancing your beauty.

You only need to do is to squeeze out some fresh lemon juice and use it in your daily routine  and you get  smooth, glowy and flawless skin.

How to use lemon for enhancing your beauty at home ?

These are a few easy tips that you can use for skin and hair issues at home.

As a Blackhead remover 

Lemon have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that make them a natural alternative to remove blackheads from our skin. You can just slice a lemon and  squeeze the juice than rub it across your face.You can also add a few drops of honey  in a half lemon juice. After 5 to 10 minutes, rinsing off with cold water. Your blackheads will start to fading .

As a skin Exfoliator

Lemon is also very good for exfoliate dead skin . You can cut a lemon into a slice and than dip it for a few minutes in a sugar solution and than rub a cut lemon dipped into a half-teaspoon of sugar solution over your face for a few minutes. After that  rinse off with lukewarm water. You can do this once in a week which  help you to remove dead skin from you face and refresh your skin.

As a Moisturizer

With the small amount of honey, lemon and olive oil you can make a moisturizing mask for dry skin. You can mix 1 tablespoon of honey, lemon juice and olive oil .Apply the mixture to dry areas on the skin and elbows . Leave it to dry thoroughly for about 10 minutes. Than Rinse with warm water.

As a skin brightener and age spots remover 

Lemon can help in brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Lemon is rich source of Vitamin C and citric acid. It also have antioxidants which neutralizing free radicals and boosting collagen production. You can apply lemon juice on your face and neck before going to bed wash off in the morning with cool water. After a few weeks  lemon will have cleansed the skin and lighten age spots, dark spots, tan . But Remember that to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin because the citrus fruit can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

As a Lips exfoliator 

Lemon juice also used as a exfoliant and help to removes dead skin cells from the lips , resulting in softer, smoother lips.Apply  little lemon juice on your lips before bedtime, and wash it off in the 

morning .

As a Elbow and knee brightener

Most of us do not  care properly of our elbows and knees and  they became darker . So simply you can rub the half of a lemon on it daily and see the effect.

As a Anti- wrinkle remover

Lemon is amazing for wrinkles also. You can make a lemon anti-wrinkle face mask. Take a 1 teaspoon of honey, a few drops of lemon juice and a few drops almond oil. Mix it well and Apply this mixture on your face. Allow to dry it properly and wash off with cold water.

Do not try lemon juice on your skin before any sun exposure since it will make your skin sensitive to the sun.

As a Teeth whitener

Normally, we all feel that our teeth is not clear white and try many tooth pastes. You can try this home remedy for better result. Take baking soda and lemon juice and mix it well, and apply it to your teeth with a cotton or ear bud. Leave the mixture on for only 1-2 minutes. Do not for a long time as it can break down tooth enamel. After that, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse off.

As a foot scrubber

We all wish that we have a beautiful feet and we don’t always have time to go to a salon to get a pedicure. You can do it at home by follow the basic pedicure steps. You will need 1/2 fresh lemon juice,1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tbls of olive oil, 1 tbls of organic honey. Mix it well and make a scrubber . Now , massage the scrubber on your feet thoroughly and  rinse off . After that , put your feet in warm water for 15 minutes. This home pedicure relaxed your feet and also remove dirt and tanning . This moisturizes your feet and helps in eliminating the dryness.

As a Anti dandruff

Lemon is one of the well-known and effective product related to hair dandruff . You can take a 4 teaspoon of coconut oil and add half lemon juice in it and mix it well. Now, apply this mixture on your scalp and massage slowly. Leave it for half an hour than shampoo you hair. It helps to remove dandruff and make your hair shiner.

As a Hair conditioner 

If you have dry and frizzy Hair than use this conditioner which make your hair shiner and soft. You can make this conditioner with 1 lemon, half cup of curd or yoghurt, 1 egg. Mix all of them and make a thick paste . Now apply this paste  all over scalp and hair.Leave it for half an hour and than wash off by  using a shampoo. Use one in a week.

As a Nail strengthener

Lemon is also good for our nails . By using, it  make your nails  harder and shiner. Simply you Soak your nails in a mixture of diluted lemon juice for a few minutes and  wash it off. Lemon also lighten the yellowness of your nails.

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Diet for Summer Season

Summers are very hot and dry season. So , it is important to take proper diet and water daily, due to taking good diet its keep the body cool and hydrated. In India,the summers is very hot and comes with many discomforts like dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting and many more.

 

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There is a natural trend for all of us to eat light during this season. But is said that in this season, we all of us burn a lot of energy, thus we have to change or replace this energy by eating healthy and right food.

Some food items in our daily diet to keep us cool and healthy and helps to beat the summers, these are as follows:-

Summer fruits- Watermelon, melons, pineapple,mango, kiwi,papaya etc are the fruits which are easily available and having high quantity of water content in it . These fruits helps in dehydration and keep body temperature. 

Vegetables- This is the best season for variety of fresh veggies. Cucumbers, kakkadi, bottle guard,bitter guard, ladyfinger are very light veggies for consuming. These veggies helps your body system to feel cool and light. Different types of salads and sauces of mint and green coriander you can make and take with your meal which helps you to reduce weight. 

Milk and Yoghurt - Cold milk , lassi , curd , buttermilk, shrikhand etc are the cool reliefers in summers. Include a glass go buttermilk or chaos in your meal or eat plain curd. These are great coolers and prevent dehydration. Curd contains proteins which keep allergies and ulcers away from you. 

Juices and Soups- Fresh juice of sugarcane, bottle guard and cucumber and soups of tomatoes makes your Body feel light and cool . These items provides relief from heat and also very beneficial for your health. 

Drink plenty of water - Water regulates our body temperature and keep body cool . And also prevents from dehydration.
Fresh lime juice and coconut water is also very good reliever in summers.

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