Salt Shaker...

I can't imagine NOT eating salt..It is a versatile drug to my palate..a white powder that makes everything taste magical!!And the question is what type of salt shaker should we use?

                                      

For centuries, salt has always been an inexpensive,universal ingredient but now chefs and foodies have learned that it is a diverse and trendy key in cooking.. But is this trend overrated or are they really worth it?  3 main kinds of salts are infamous table salt, Kosher salt and sea salt..

Table Salt:most commonly used,most salt in the United States is sold with iodine added..All purpose commodity, ideal for baking. 

Kosher Salt:Kosher salt is coarser, flakier and less dense than table salt so it disperses more easily. It contains no additives or added iodine. It weighs less by volume than table salt, so you must increase the amount of salt used in a recipe when substituting for table salt. A good choice for rims on the margaritas glass.

Sea Salt: Unrefined salt directly from a living ocean or sea therefore contains other minerals. It is believed to be healthier and more flavorful..it not quite as 'salty' as table salt. Widely used to give finishing touch to the dish.

Each salt has its own distinctive flavor, color,texture, and application in the culinary world. All three salt have similar nutritional value because their chemical make up is similar. Therefore, it is important to experiment and do more research on numerous choices we have available before we blow our money on the wrong salt and ruin the pleasant eating experience...

Junk Food Diet

A Junk Food Diet.. 27 lbs weight loss in 2 months! Yes, a nutrition professor from Kansas University did a little study on himself.  All he ate was sugary cakes (Hostess and Little Debbie snacks), Doritos chips, Oreos..pretty much the food we see at the convenience stores.In addition he took a daily multivitamin, a protein shake and few vegetables consuming less than 1800   calories....previously he struggled to lose weight with balanced diet of 2600 calories..He not only lost 27 lbs in 2 months, his BMI went down from 28.8 (overweight) to 24.9 (normal)...health indicators such as LDL or "bad" cholesterol,triglyceride level decreased, and HDL "good" cholesterol increased!!It seems like when it comes to weight loss, at least temporarily, it is the quantity and calories that really makes a difference..Even though typical junk food are not healthy by any means..but for someone struggling to lose weight and unable to give up on fast food can at least decrease the calorie..order a small fries or a diet soda and see what happens.. But is that the bottom line to being healthy..I don't know!

Food Mementos

We all have at least one specific food-the smell, taste, or visual of which will make us nostalgic. Food is not just for survival but it is a gateway to comfort, togetherness, and pleasure..When I am down with cold, my taste bud will desire my ama's (mom's) cauliflower curry and rice...my sanomamu's (aunt's) mo:mo (dumplings) but to someone out there it may sound a bit awkward because what we each prefer is profoundly touched by our individual cultural inheritance. Be it Dashain, Thanksgiving, or Eid ul-Fitr...its just intriguing how each of us symbolize food in a unique manner....

   More than 40 million Americans are traveling all over the United States to celebrate a holiday-Thanksgiving, a tradition that has been ongoing for centuries..a celebration with families, feast and of course a grace!In spite of busy lifestyle,holidays miraculously reunite families to honor their tradition..

I am thankful to everything in my life and I could not ask for anything more..and kudos to everyone out there who made an effort to cook for their loved ones..the whole transition to convenience food has taken away the idea of home-cooked food and sometimes it's worrying and i gape and awe.."Is a box dinner going to be reminiscent of Thanksgiving for the next generation"...I hope not!

I grew up celebrating festivals almost every other month..and it is that time of the year I miss home the most...but oh well..I will rekindle my sweet memories watching my neighbor bring Christmas tree home and enjoy tea with cardamom and ginger...

Buzz on Soda

Ever read the nutritional label on regular 12 oz soda cans?

Yes, it has only 140 calories, no fat and low-sodium! Great but what about the SUGAR? 39 grams.. which is about 10 sugar packets or 10 teaspoon in that little can! 

                  

Unfortunately in U.S about $64 billion is spent on carbonated soft drinks each year because many people don't realize that it is doing them more harm than any good..It is just a source of empty calorie, meaning it does not have any nutritional value..Not to mention,sugar makes you fat,if you are consuming more than what you need, it will turn into fat.If you ate what your body needs and drink just 1 can of one soda per day (140 calories), 140 calories * 365 days = 51,100 calories each year. There is 3500 calories per pound, and that one soda per day adds 14.6 pounds per year. If you weren't already fat, you will be soon. But lets be positive here, if you decreased your soda by 1 a day, you will lose ~ 15 pounds in a year without changing anything...

      Overweight/obesity is not just a body weight issue but it is a number one risk factor for chronic diseases such as Diabetes Type 2, Heart Diseases, Blood Pressure....and many more health complications..It is never too late to make healthy changes in your life because one simple decision today will help you and your family live longer and happier!

         

Eating on the Run..

We all are constantly trying juggle our life between work, school, relationships, and self (which tends to be at the bottom of the list most of the time)...and yes eating definitely does not top off the chart..Today after about 2 months I was able to eat lunch with my friends at work. It was a "legit" moment (as one of my friend calls it)! And I thought to myself..what could I do differently so I can make eating experience more enjoyable yet healthy..Here are some things I thought would be helpful..

           
 First of all PRIORITIZE!!! Is is important to EAT or TYPE at the moment? (hopefully without spilling anything on the keyboard)... Are you stressing about most of your pay check being spent at the Cafeteria or the Fast Food..Quit spending so much time on face book and maybe invest that time into packing a better lunch at home... Keep some healthy snacks (fruits, yogurt, handful of nuts) at your desk instead of drinking soda and a bag of chips...If your schedule allows, plan a lunch with your co-workers..enjoy your meal with a wonderful conversation! And last but not the least schedule a tentative time for your meals and block that time if possible!! Do you do anything differently that is working better..if so please feel free to share.

Are you eating your emotions?

There has been so many    instances where I sit with a pint of Ben & Jerry or a bag of potato chips and not realize until I get to the bottom of the tub...I will drop the spoon and think, " What am I doing?, I am not even hungry"...And the truth is I am bored, angry, or stressed about something...It took me so long to realize any of that as emotional eating... Looking back, I see how incredibly unhealthy and unbalanced this was. Yet, so many of us turn to food to comfort ourselves...In order to forget feelings from sadness, anxiety, loneliness or boredom, we tend to reach for high-calorie, sweet, salty and fatty foods. And usually ends up eating way too much, which of course contributes to weight gain and guilt...but the good news is we all can regain control over food and get back on the healthy path..

First of all Learn to recognize the hunger   and Know what triggers your cravings...Find comfort elsewhere besides food..maybe talk on the phone, clean your room...Limit access to unhealthy snacks or remove it from your space & Exercise-it will re-energize you with positive energy...Its all about disciplining your body and mind!

Food For Thought

“We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.”  ~Alfred E. Newman~

You ever wonder every time you take a bite of taco or pizza, what's actually in it? Well, I did not for the longest time, all I valued was it's taste, and how cheap it was.  But now my perspective on food is changing slowly because I have come to understand that food does not just provide energy, it is much more than that... I feel sense of  empowerment when I am able to make decisions on what I  eat and thus reflect on my health and well-being.  Do we eat to live or live to eat? 

                          

Welcome, Namaste & Salam

Welcome to anyone who is taking time to read what i have to say when i am bored, home alone on a cold Saturday evening. Finally, I was able to get this blog issue straightened out and here I am..I spent all my morning thinking about a question one of my friend asked me "how can i lose my belly fat without sacrificing what I like"..everyone is always looking a quick fix and i wished i could make him realize, 'Hey! you did not gain those extra pounds over night, and it will definitely take you sometime to shed it off as well'....

Eating Healthy can be challenging but if you give yourself a little bit of time & motivation, it will be a lifestyle change for YOU and YOUR FAMILY!