Be Vegetarian

It might seem to be a simple process, but cooking perfect rice is an art. You would need some practice before finding the right way to do it.

Method of Preparation
Take some rice and put it in a large pan containing boiling water. The heat should be just enough to have the rice dancing to the surface smoothly. Keep checking the rice for softness at the core. Once satisfied, pour off the water, and put the pan back on very low heat to cook the rice until it dries and becomes fluffy.

Brown rice may take longer to cook than white rice. People prefer cooking old rice than new for the reason that it cooks well and does not get sticky. Old rice absorbs more water, which when boils cooks the rice from within making it nice and fluffy.

It is always better to soak the rice first before cooking. It not only saves cooking time, but also makes your basmati grains expand keeping the grains from breaking when cooking. The water needed for cooking depends on your requirement. However, the general rule for one cup of rice is two cups-full of water. Rice with longer grain need more water than rice with shorter grain. The more water you use, the stickier does the rice get.

Equipment
Use a pan with a heavy base and lots of space for the steam. The lid should fit tight. Add a tad of butter or olive oil to keep the rice grains separate. While cooking do not lift the lid often. A quick peek to see whether the water has dried is sufficient.

This news is a godsend for mothers, who can be foreseen strengthening their resolve to wean their kids away from fast food addiction. Recent researches have pointed in the direction that vegetable eating keeps the brain younger and helps slowing the weakening of the brain associated with advanced age. Aged people eating two helpings of vegetables everyday over a period of six years appeared to be five years younger than people who did not eat vegetables, or even ate few vegetables.

The research does not conclusively prove that eating vegetables slowed the mental decline process, but it certainly leads in that direction. Green leafy vegetables have been seen to be more useful than other vegetables. Spinach, collards, and kale fall in the category of the most useful vegetables. The vitamin E content in these vegetables, which is a known antioxidant, might be responsible for finishing off the cell damaging chemicals that the body produces. Vegetables have more Vitamin E than fruits. Moreover, the oils that go into cooking vegetables help the body absorb Vitamin E and other oxidants better. However, Vitamin E has not been found to be linked to slowing the mental decline process.

The research was conducted on 1,946 people who were 65 years of age and above, 60% of who were black. A vegetable serving constituted half a cup of chopped or one cup of raw leafy green vegetable. The research that extended up to six years had three mental function tests. Among other tests, the volunteers were made to recall certain elements of the story that was just read to them. On the whole, the volunteers gradually showed a declining performance over these tests. But, those who ate the two servings of vegetables showed around 40% lesser mental decline. People who ate more vegetables were physically more active.

Which Products it is Found in
Foods that are rich in Vitamin B1 are whole rice, peanuts, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, dark molasses, brazil nuts, brewer’s yeast, pecan, poultry, and fish.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Vitamin – B1  Men need 1.4 mg of Vitamin – B1 everyday, while women need 1.0 mg.

Benefits
· It is required for muscle tone and growth, hence needed for kids as well
· Improves metabolism of carbohydrates in the body
· To maintain continuous growth in children, their diet should be Vitamin – B1 enriched
· People under stressful conditions need adequate intake of the Vitamin
· Required for fertility and lactating mothers
· Helps improve digestion and assimilation of nutrients
· Keeps the heart, brain, nervous system, and muscles healthy
· Improves learning capacity by strengthening the brain

Which Products it is Found in
Vitamin A is found in green and yellow vegetables and fruits, raw carrots, fish, cod liver oil, dairy products, spinach, and dried apricots.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Vitamin – A  Men need 5000 IU, while women need 4000 IU of Vitamin – A everyday. The requirement of Beta carotene, which converts into Vitamin - A when the body requires it, is 15 mg (10,000 IU) per day.
 
Benefits
· Assists the body fight and get rid of infections
· Required for improving vision and treat night blindness
· Important for children since it promotes growth
· Helps improve vitality in body
· Good for teeth, bones, skin, and hair
· Fights free radicals, while helping to neutralize them. People exposed to smog should take Vitamin A regularly
· Strengthens the liver and reproductive organs
· Good for pregnant women and lactating mothers

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a root that is sweet to taste. It is known for its therapeutic and healing properties. Both China and India have been using licorice for ages.

Benefits
Licorice is useful in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice helps in the formation of  tissues that protect the stomach and intestinal lining. This helps discourage the formation of ulcers. It is said to be more effective than antacids, as present day antacids work by controlling the secretion of gastric acids.

When licorice is deglycyrrhizinated through a chemical process, the pure extract is used to treat a large number of ailments. People, who are heavily into drinking alcohol, coffee, and taking medication that irritate the stomach lining need to take licorice. Studies conducted on people suffering from duodenal ulcers, show that success was registered in 91% of the cases. Depending on case to case basis, the treatment has to continue from 8 to 16 weeks.

Licorice is also said to have a direct bearing on the liver. Cirrhosis of liver and hepatitis patients too benefit from the intake of licorice. Herpes patients too have benefited from licorice owing to its property of stimulating the production of interferon in the body. Interferon is an immune system booster, which also helps the body combat against viral and bacterial infections, such as those that are responsible for cold, cough, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Licorice has anti-allergenic qualities that help fight asthma, and allergies related to the respiratory system.

The anti-inflammatory property of licorice helps people suffering from arthritis. It has proved to be an effective reduction agent of arthritic inflammation.

Women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may take licorice for its property of balancing estrogen and progesterone. It does help to take licorice 8 – 10 days before menstruation.

However, licorice should be avoided by people suffering from kidney problems and arterial hypertension. Excessive intake of the root can cause edema (water retention) and hypertension.

The per day recommended dose of licorice root is 1 to 2 grams or 0.25 to 0.5 grams of the extract. 

Onions have been a part of the human food chain since time immemorial. Ayurveda science holds the onion in high esteem for its healing qualities. Regular intake of onions adds vigor and luster to the body. It also accentuates the mental faculties.

Constituents
Water                                86.8%
Fat                                      0.1%
Carbohydrates                    11.6%
Protein                                 1.2%
Phosphorus                          0.05% 
Calcium                                0.18%
Carotene                            50.0 IU / 100 gm
Iron                                     0.7 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin B1                        120.0 microgram / 100 gm
Vitamin B2                          10.0 microgram / 100 gm
Niacin                                   0.4 microgram / 100 gm
Vitamin C                            11.0 mg / 100 gm  

Benefits

• Onions are germicidal in nature, and hence beneficial in respiratory disorders
• If virility is an issue, taking onion juice with honey for three weeks does help
• Eating onion in the morning and evening helps in case of jaundice
• It also protects against sunstrokes
• It is an effective vermifuge helping expel intestinal worms
• Onions effectively combat TB (tuberculosis) germs
• It gets rid of stubborn mucous and checks its formation. The elderly, thus can benefit from taking onions
• Helps in the case of flatulence by discouraging putrefaction in the intestines
• Onion juice with sugar is a remedy for bleeding piles

Onions are germicidal in nature, and hence beneficial in respiratory disorders. They are normally used in salads and cooked vegetables too. Ideally, two to three teaspoons of white onions with honey are helpful in medical conditions.

Pineapples are rich in chlorine that helps removal of waste from the body by stimulating the kidneys. The fruit, a native of Brazil, is available all over the world, but high quality pineapples are produced in Myanmar, Philippines, and Malaysia. The fruit is sweet containing 12% sugar. It also contains acid, 87% of which is citric acid and the remaining 13% constituting malic acid.

Constituents
Water                                 86.5%
Fat                                       0.1%
Protein                                  0.6%
Sugar                                 12.0%
Phosphorus                          0.01% 
Calcium                                0.12%
Iron                                     0.9 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin A                            60.0 IU / 100 gm
Vitamin B2                        120.0 IU / 100 gm
Vitamin C                            63.0 IU / 100 gm  

Benefits

• It helps in proper digestion and removes flatulence
• It is a diuretic. Thus, it helps the kidneys clear waste products
• It stimulates and helps the heart remain healthy
• A destroyer of intestinal worms, it keeps the digestive and eliminative systems in order
• It helps in cases of jaundice and anemia
• Fresh pineapple juice has a soothing effect on the throat
• Helps remove dead membrane from the throat in case of diphtheria
• It contains antiviral properties

It helps in proper digestion and removes flatulence. Avoid taking pineapple on an empty stomach. Pregnant ladies should avoid overly ripe and raw pineapples. The outer rind and the innermost core of the pineapple are not edible, and should be discarded. The juicy middle portion is sweet and tasty. It can be eaten in chunks and savored as juice.

Oranges are acidic in taste but alkaline in nature. After metabolism, it leaves an alkaline residue that accentuates the body’s strength to fight disease. It is a sweet and sour juicy fruit that can both be eaten and taken in the form of juice. Its appetizing nature makes it a fruit most suitable before a meal.

Constituents
Water                                 87.8%
Carbohydrates                     10.6%
Fat                                       0.3%
Protein                                 0.9%
Potassium                           19.7 mg / 100gm
Sodium                                 2.1 mg / 100gm
Chlorine                                3.2 mg / 100gm     
Magnesium                          12.9 mg / 100gm
Phosphorus                           0.02% 
Calcium                                 0.05%
Sulfur                                   9.3 mg / 100gm
Iron                                      0.1 mg / 100 gm
Copper                                 0.07 mg / 100gm 
Vitamin A                          350.0 IU / 100gm
Vitamin B1                          120.0 IU / 100gm
Vitamin C                             68.0 IU / 100gm  

Benefits
· It is an efficient blood cleanser
· Helps in flatulence removing excessive wind from the abdomen
· Removes constipation and destroys intestinal worms
· Helps skeletal system by strengthening bones
· Being nutritious, orange juice can be taken in case of fever
· Helps in asthmatic and bronchial conditions

Orange juice does not allow intestinal microbes and bacteria to stay put. It is one of the best natural cures for intestinal health. It helps alleviate the feeling of nausea in pregnant women. In case of putrefaction of food in the digestive tract that leads to flatulence, orange juice certainly helps cleanse the tract. Orange is a rich source of Vitamin C. 125 to 150 ml orange juice is enough to satisfy the body’s daily Vitamin C need. The white membrane that is usually discarded is a rich source of calcium.