Author: kasturi

Source code: https://food.ndtv.com/news/watch-street-vendors-bizarre-fruit-chai-leaves-internet-disgusted-2838078

A street vendor mixed fruits in chai. This experiment has left many people in a digust.

A vendor mixed fruits in chai – Instagram screengrab by @foodieincarnate

A cup of chai can either make your day or break it. If your chai is just the way you like it, it’s all you need to relax and unwind. But even if one ingredient is missing or is a little too much, then that cup of chai can also ruin your day. Since we all love chai, we have our own ways and recipes to make a delicious cuppa. However, in all these recipes, I think we all can agree that any weird experiment with chai is just not acceptable. However, that does not stop certain people from experimenting. Till now, you might have seen a cup of chai that was full of herbs or topped with ice cream; but a recent chai experiment has caught the attention of many. This time, a street vendor was seen making fruit chai. Yes, you heard us. As bizarre as this might sound, ‘fruit chai’ does exist and is being sold on the streets of Surat.

In a video uploaded by food blogger @foodieincarnate, we can see a vendor first making the base of chai. Then he goes on to add some pieces of banana, chikoo and grated apple in it. Once the chai is boiled, he strains it and serves it. Take a look at the video here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbZnFrbFQ-d/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Ffood.ndtv.com&rp=%2Fnews%2Fwatch-street-vendors-bizarre-fruit-chai-leaves-internet-disgusted-2838078#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A15466%2C%22ls%22%3A15214%2C%22le%22%3A15368%7D

Ever since this video was uploaded, it has garnered 870k views, 60.5K likes and thousands of comments. Many people were left in disgust with this creation. One person wrote, “Kya ho gya logo ko kuch bhi bana rahe hai had hai yaar (What is wrong with people, they keep making any nonsense?)” Another person wrote, “It’s really unhealthy. Avoid such thing in life.”

Some user even added, “Please don’t try this at home. It’s dangerous for health.” Another user wrote, “Like seriously, this food modernisation is leading us to big problems, and disease. These unmatched food natures and food combinations will seriously cause big problems.”

Many even added sarcastic comments; a user wrote, “You can also add vanilla, butterscotch and chocolate flavours.”

What do you think about this ‘fruit chai’? Would you ever try it out? Let us know in the comments below!

Source code: https://food.ndtv.com/news/watch-street-vendors-bizarre-fruit-chai-leaves-internet-disgusted-2838078

Source code: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/summer-foods-that-will-help-you-beat-the-heat/articleshow/82263818.cms

Summer is here, and the most important fact that one should start doing is keeping themselves hydrated. Extreme heat and make you feel dry and dizzy, so it’s very important to consume water and also food items that add water to your body and keeps you refreshed. Fruits like watermelon, cucumber are considered to be to summer favourites. It’s good for your body and it adds a lot of benefits to your skin as well. If you eat such fruits on a regular basis, it will keep you hydrated, healthy and will give you a very clear and glowing skin. Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, famous cosmetology, recently shared about the fruits that you must eat during summers.

In her post, she says, “Summer is here, which means hot, uncomfortable weather is too. Cool down your body and skin by snacking on cooling foods like watermelon, cucumber, celery, yogurt, and cauliflower.”

1. Watermelon: Made up of 92 per cent water, it’s an excellent hydrating fruit! It is also packed with lycopene, antioxidants, Vitamins A, B6, and C, potassium, and amino acids.

2. Cucumber: A summer must-have! It eliminates toxins from the body and keeps you hydrated.

3. Celery: This vegetable is 95 per cent water, which makes it a good option to keep necessary fluid levels up.

4. Yogurt: Yogurt is made for summer eating—whether it’s ice-cream or frozen yogurt. It’s cooling, nutritious, light, and the perfect snack.

5. Cauliflower: Part of the cruciferous veggies family, it is rich in vitamin C and several minerals and micro-nutrients.

Source code: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/summer-foods-that-will-help-you-beat-the-heat/articleshow/82263818.cms

Source code: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/tips-to-manage-stress-eating

Have you ever felt like eating a piece of chocolate cake or a bag of chips after a stressful day at work? If so, you’re not alone. Studies show that stressful events activate systems associated with metabolism, cognition and reward.

What does this mean for your waistline? It means that the candy bar you are reaching for after a stressful event (or a series of stressful events) may be driven by a combination of physiological and psychological factors. 

How does stress affect your appetite?

Studies show that women with high chronic stress levels tend to engage in emotional eating. In addition to psychological responses to stress, there may also be physiological responses. During a stressful event, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that helps the body protect itself. However, if cortisol levels are elevated for a prolonged period of time, such as during repeated and constant stressors, this can lead to increased food consumption, fat storage and weight gain.

Does timing matter?

According to a study from the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, timing may play a role in appetite and gut hormone responses to meal and stress challenges. (A challenge is used in research studies to see how people react to different foods or stress factors.) This study showed that the “afternoon/evening may be a high-risk period for overeating, particularly when paired with stress exposure, and for those with binge eating.” This means that your commute home or evening meal may be a time period when you have a greater likelihood to eat more than you should.

To help curb this increased chance, pay attention to snacking habits after a long day of work to help prevent weight gain. Try preparing snacks in advance to control portion size or even using a food journal to track what you eat, how much of it and when.

How can you manage stress eating?

1. Practice mindful eating. Know that your craving may be a result of a stressful event, and then ask yourself, are you truly hungry? Wait a few minutes before eating.

2. Find healthier options. If you still feel the need for a snack, consider a lower-calorie, lower-fat option than what you may have previously chosen. Here are some healthy snacks I enjoy:

• Something sweet: Cut up an apple and spread some nut butter on it. The combination of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fat should help curb your appetite and satisfy your need for a sweet.
• Something savory: Consider adding hummus to deviled eggs for a lower-calorie, high-protein snack option.

3. Watch portion size. Instead of taking the whole box with you, put a snack-size amount on a plate. Check the package to see what one serving size is, and try to stick to that.

It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor or a dietitian when you make changes to your diet.

Source code: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/tips-to-manage-stress-eating

Source code: https://homemadefood.app/9-simple-steps-to-keep-your-home-kitchen-clean-sanitary/

Have you ever heard of the phrase, ‘A clean home is a happy home?’ Well this phrase especially applies to the heart of the home, better known as the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for your loved ones maintaining a clean kitchen is the single most important part of your preparation process. Good kitchen hygiene ensures that people can enjoy your delicious food while remaining happy, healthy, and worry-free — which is the key to keeping your customers coming back for more. 

Ready to learn how to keep your kitchen clean while cooking delicious meals for your home-based restaurant? You’ve come to the right place!  Here are 9 simple hacks to keep your kitchen squeaky clean as you prepare meals for your microenterprise home kitchen operation.

Step #1: Wash Hands Frequently

This step goes without saying, but it’s so important that it can’t be skipped over! The most fundamental way to keep your kitchen AND your food clean is by washing your hands frequently while you cook. Before you begin prepping your ingredients, wash your hands for 30 seconds according to the guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Keep your hands clean throughout your cooking process by washing your hands after touching raw ingredients. Also wash your hands after any activity that requires you to touch other items including smoking, eating, drinking, touching trash, or touching body parts including your face. Germs linger everywhere even in unexpected places, so washing before and after you touch items throughout your home ensures that you keep your kitchen clean as you prepare tasty meals for your customers.

Pro Tip: We know it’s hard to stop scrolling, but you can keep your hands extra clean by minimizing phone use while cooking. Phones hold more gems than almost any other item we use in our day to day lives.

Step #2: Create a clean cooking space

There’s nothing like the feeling of creating a tasty meal in a clean kitchen! It gives you the physical AND the mental space to get creative with your meals, plus it ensures that everything your food touches is squeaky clean and germ-free. Before you begin cooking wash any dirty dishes, clear away any clutter, and wipe down your countertops and sink thoroughly. You can use sanitary wipes or bleach diluted in water to disinfect any surfaces — both options work just fine! 

Pro Tip: To keep your kitchen clean while cooking, have your go-to cleaning products and sanitary supplies close by so that you can tidy up as you go. Make sure to reset your space by cleaning up any sticky spills after prepping each ingredient to prevent any cross-contaminations or spreading of germs.  

Step #3: Sanitize Your Cooking Utensils

Your cooking utensils are some of the most important tools you’ll use in the kitchen, which makes it all the more important for them to be sanitized before they touch any food you’ll be preparing. Before you get to cooking, sanitize your cooking utensils by washing any dishes, pots, and pans and detachable pieces such as blades or handles in hot soapy water. Rinse them in clean water to remove any excess soap or residue, then place your items in a container and submerge them in a sanitizing solution. You can create your own solution by mixing 1 tablespoon unscented chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm (not hot) water. Remove your utensils from the solution and let them dry fully before using them to cook. Also, no double-dipping! Do not reuse the same utensils while cooking unless you thoroughly clean them first — especially if you are the designated taste tester.

Pro Tip: Use a different cutting board for the different categories of food you work with so that you never cross-contaminate. This is not only important for sanitation, but it is important to prevent cross-contamination that can cause your customers to become sick or have allergic reactions. We recommend purchasing a pack of color-coded cutting boards to ensure that you never cut up your meat and vegetables on the same board.

Step #4: Use Best Practices for Washing & Storing Ingredients

Now that your cooking area and utensils are clean, it’s time to make sure the ingredients you’ll be cooking with are clean too. Fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables should be washed under cold running tap water. DO NOT use soap or detergent to wash your produce — cold water works just fine to safely remove dirt. Once your produce is clean, cut any damaged or bruised areas and refrain from using them since bacteria can thrive in these areas of fresh produce. Wash and chop your produce, then immediately place it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and safe to eat.

After all the hard work you’ve done to clean your kitchen, you wouldn’t want it all to go to waste by spreading even more germs in the process, right? According to the USDA, it is not recommended to wash raw poultry and meat because bacteria can easily spread to other foods utensils and surfaces.  The best way to keep your meat bacteria-free is to simply cook it at a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F. This is also the best way to maintain the highest kitchen sanitation standards by preventing the spread of food-borne bacteria from splashing over different surfaces where you typically prepare meals.

Step #5: Keep Your Prep & Cooking Space Dry at All Times

Damp areas in your kitchen are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to spread, so do not let wet items sit around for too long. Wipe up any spills or messes made while you’re cooking as soon as they happen. Instead of using sponges and towels so frequently, consider using disposable paper towels or wipes. 

Also remember to disinfect your hand towels and sponges weekly. You can throw your kitchen towels into the washing machine with your laundry. To clean your sponges, saturate them in water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, then dry thoroughly. Or you can soak your sponges in bleach or vinegar to disinfect them before rinsing them out.

Step #6: Handle the disposal of waste and garbage properly

Cooking can easily become a messy task that leads to the accumulation of tons of trash — especially when you’re cooking for a large number of people. Don’t let your garbage pile up on you while you cook! Keep separate disposal methods handy for the different types of garbage you’ll create: one for cans or bottles such as a recycling bin, and one for scraps of food such as a compost bowl.  This will help you skip multiple steps during your post-cleanup routine and it will lower the risk of any potential cross-contamination of bacteria.

Step #7: Be aware of recommended cooking times for all ingredients

When cooking for customers of your home kitchen, adhering to all recommended cooking times for ingredients, especially raw foods, is essential to kitchen sanitation. Cooking times aren’t only important because they ensure that your meals are fully cooked and ready to eat, they’re also important because they ensure that the ingredients have been cooked long enough to kill any bacteria or germs. 

Thaw foods by using the refrigerator, microwave, oven, or by placing sealed packages in cold running water. Do not thaw food on your kitchen counter under any circumstances. The outer layers of the food will warm before the inside thaws, and bacteria will grow and spread in these conditions. 

If you can’t serve your food immediately once it is hot and fresh out of the oven, put it in the fridge or freezer as soon as it’s cooled or within 2 hours of preparation.

Step #8: Keep Your Meal Packaging Sanitary

Since your customers will be picking up their tasty meals to go, you want to make sure their food stays clean and germ-free from beginning to end! Before you pack their meals in your preferred packaging, thoroughly sanitize and dry them. Similar to your cooking utensils, you can sanitize your meal packaging by washing them in hot soapy water. Rinse them in clean water to remove any excess soap or residue, then let them dry fully before packing your meal orders. For the safest meal packaging options for your to-go orders use new, disposable packaging such as biodegradable and compostable food packaging items to minimize single use plastic or styrofoam waste and stay eco-friendly.  

Step #9: Have a Cleaning calendar for overall kitchen maintenance

Prepping your kitchen to cook will always require some additional time, but you can make this process a bit easier for yourself by creating a regular routine for cleaning different parts of your kitchen. 

 A cleaning schedule is essential for your home-based restaurant because it ensures all food preparation areas are kept clean and sanitized at all times. It also creates a simple and easy reference for everything that needs to be done to keep each area of the kitchen clean. 

To create a cleaning schedule, walk through your kitchen and make a list of all the items that need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Include everything from pots, pans, and equipment to walls, floors, and doorknobs. Once you have everything listed, take notes on how it is cleaned, how often it needs to be cleaned, and what materials are needed to clean it. Break this list down into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks and add this schedule to your phone so you can always make sure that your kitchen is nice and clean before preparing meals for your customers.

Proper sanitary practices have always been important but amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become even more essential for the food industry to gain the trust of their customers by taking the utmost care to create the safest and healthiest experience possible. Follow these simple kitchen cleaning steps to keep your cooking space squeaky clean so your customers can enjoy your tasty food without the fear of catching germs!

Source code: https://homemadefood.app/9-simple-steps-to-keep-your-home-kitchen-clean-sanitary/

Source code: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/store-food-refrigerator

Every year, the United States throws away nearly 40 percent of its food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, that adds up to more than $160 billion wasted per year.

There’s nothing worse than being forced to toss (previously) perfectly good produce, dairy, or meat just because it was stored in an improper way. Here’s exactly how to organize foods inside your fridge so they’ll live their longest and best-tasting life—your wallet and the world as we know it will thank you, too. Once you read these storage tips, be sure to read our comprehensive guide to how long you can store every type of food next.

Leftovers

• Store all leftovers in leak-proof, clear containers or wraps. Airtight containers help your food stay as fresh as possible.
• Follow the ‘first in, first out’ rule: Always eat the oldest foods first.
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. And there’s no need to wait for piping-hot foods to cool down before storing them―modern refrigerators can handle the heat.
• “Throw away all perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than two hours (one hour if the temperature is over 90°F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer),” says the USDA on its website.
• Divide leftovers into small, flat containers so that they cool faster. Some bacteria spores survive the cooking process and may germinate if the food is at room temperature long enough.
• Check that your fridge is set at 40°F or below. And don’t just rely on the pre-programmed settings—rather, enlist help from a refrigerator thermometer.
• Don’t refrigerate leftover soup broth, tuna fish, cranberry sauce, or other foods in cans. Once a can is opened, residual metal on the rim can leach into food and leave a metallic taste.
• The USDA recommends using refrigerated leftovers within three to five days or freezing them for up to four months. 

Meat, Fish, and Poultry

• You want these in the coldest spot in your fridge, often but not always at the bottom, ideally stored in their own drawer. If your fridge allows you to adjust the temperature of the meat drawer, set it to 29° F.
• Keep all fresh meat, fish, and poultry in its store wrapping, as re-wrapping increases the risk of exposing the food to harmful bacteria. If the item didn’t come in a Styrofoam tray, slide a plate underneath it to catch any drippings.

Dairy

• When you buy something new, like a fresh gallon of milk, rotate the older items to the front so that they can be used before the expiration date.
• Leave cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, sour cream, milk, and cream in the containers they came in. However, if you transfer milk to a pitcher or sour cream to a serving bowl, don’t return them to the original containers. Instead, tightly cover the pitcher or bowl with plastic wrap.
• Store hard cheeses in the store wrapping until you use them, then wrap them in wax paper, foil, or loose plastic.
• Plastic milk bottles make more sense than cardboard cartons, since bacteria can grow near the cardboard spout and enter a glass of milk every time you pour. Nevertheless, as long as you use the milk within its shelf life, it should be safe to drink.
• Whatever you do, don’t store your milk in the door—it’s the warmest spot in the fridge. The door should be used for nonperishable drinks and condiments only.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Keep fruits and vegetables separate and store like with like: Apples with apples, carrots with carrots, bananas with bananas. Fruits and vegetables give off different gases that can cause others to deteriorate.
• Leave refrigerated produce unwashed in its original packaging or wrapped loosely in a plastic bag. (There are exceptions, such as mushrooms and herbs.)
• If your greens seem sandy or dirty—think lettuce from the farmers’ market—rinse and dry them well, then wrap them in a paper towel before placing in a plastic bag. Otherwise, avoid washing your produce before refrigerating it. The dampness can make it mold and rot more quickly.
• Fruits and vegetables stored at room temperature should be removed from any packaging and left loose. 
• Store cut fruits and vegetables in the fridge in perforated or unsealed plastic bags to maintain a moist environment yet still allow air to circulate.
• Keep citrus at room temperature. However, once your lemons, limes, or oranges are past peak ripeness, storing them in the fridge will help them last longer (same goes for tomatoes and avocados). If your citrus starts to turn, you can slice the fruit up and freeze it: frozen citrus is great as ice cubes for drinks.
• Onions, potatoes, and shallots should be stored in a cool dark place to keep them fresh, like a basket in a cupboard or a cellar. Avoid storing these products in plastic bags as this encourages spoilage. Once cut, onions should be stored in a resealable bag in the fridge where they will last for around a week, or stored in a container and kept in the freezer.
• If you won’t be eating them immediately, buy bananas when they’re still slightly green and store them away from other fruits in the fruit bowl (they release high amounts of ethylene gas, which as mentioned can cause other fruits to go off more quickly). Consider using a banana tree to keep them separated and minimize bruising.
• Keep apples in an uncovered fruit bowl on the countertop and make sure to store them out of direct sunlight.

Source: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/store-food-refrigerator

Source Code: https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/7-natural-face-packs-our-grandmothers-used-for-beautiful-skin-1684221

You may have always wondered the magic behind your grandmother’s healthy and glowing skin. Well, as they say, old is gold, especially when it comes to taking care of your skin and hair, purane nuskhe  from our grandmothers were the best and the most effective. Whether it is to cure suntan, acne, dry skin or oily skin, she had the perfect solutions to all your beauty problems using natural homemade face packs. Let’s go back to them as healthier alternatives to our beauty regime. 

1. Coriander leaves and turmeric powder face pack for blackheads

A face pack of coriander leaves and turmeric powder makes a great solution for excessive blackheads on your face especially on the nose. The pack helps in shrinking large pores. Coriander acts as a caustic to clean dirt, blocking the pores of your skin. Turmeric helps in pulling out excess oil in your skin pores.

How to make?

Blend coriander leaves with two teaspoons of turmeric powder to make a fine paste. Apply this paste on your face and keep it overnight. Wash it off the next morning with cold water. Follow this routine at least twice a week to get rid of blackheads easily.
 

2. Curd and gram flour face pack for dry skin

The curd and besan face pack makes for an amazing way to nourish dry skin and remove dead cells. Besan acts as a cleansing agent for the skin and curd has a moisturizing effect.

How to make?

All you need to do is to mix two tablespoons of besan, one tablespoon of curd, one teaspoon of honey and a dash of turmeric to make a smooth paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave it for about five minutes and wash it off with cold water. Try repeating this regime regularly. Curd is a natural moisturizer, honey cleanses your skin and turmeric works as an antiseptic that maintains the pH levels of your skin. All these ingredients put together will heal your dry skin naturally.
 

3. Multani mitti with lemon juice face pack for pimple scars

Multani mitti is known for its healing properties against acne and blemishes. Rich in magnesium chloride, it helps in reducing acne scars and keeps the skin clean. Turmeric is an antiseptic to maintain the pH levels of your skin and the acidic content in lemon extracts the dirt and keeps the skin germ free.

How to make?

Mix together two teaspoons of multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with a dash of turmeric powder and half a teaspoon of sandalwood powder. Make a smooth paste with lemon juice (add milk depending upon the skin type). Apply this face pack on your face and keep it until it dries off. Wash with cold water.

4. Saffron face pack for improving skin tone

Saffron is known for many healing properties. It is a rich source of iron, potassium, calcium, selenium, zinc and copper and vitamins including vitamin A, folic acid, niacin and Vitamin C. Saffron helps improving your skin tone and clears dull skin. It helps remove dark circles and fine lines. The face pack below with saffron will help increase circulation of blood bringing a perfect glow.

How to make?

To make a brilliant saffron face pack take about three to four strands of saffron and soak them in two teaspoons of water overnight (the color of the water turns golden yellowish). Now add one teaspoon of milk, dash of sugar and a few drops of coconut oil to the saffron infused water. Immerse a piece of bread in this mixture and apply this mixture on your face with this piece of bread. Keep this pack for about fifteen minutes before washing it off with cold water. Pat dry your face and repeat this at least two to three times a week to get the best result.
 

5. Fenugreek (methi) face pack to cool the skin

Fenugreek or methi is known for its cooling properties and to cure inflammation and discomfort caused by pimples. The antiseptic and antibiotic properties of methi seeds heal skin infections too keeping your skin hydrated and clean.

How to make?

There are two way to make a simple methi seed face pack- one is to boil a few methi seeds in one cup of water and when the seeds start to get softer, allow the water to cool down. Use this water all over the face by patting it with a cotton ball and leave it on for one to two hours. It will immediately give you a cooling effect and help redness on your face.

The other way is to soak two to three teaspoons of methi seeds overnight and grind them into a paste. Rub the paste on your face and allow it to dry before washing it off. You can store this face pack in the refrigerator for about a week.
 

6. Aloe vera face pack to remove sun tan and black spots

Aloe vera has always been known to be used in cosmetics and beauty concoctions since the times of Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. It was used as a treatment for various skin conditions and many internal disorders. The leaves have amazing compounds like mannans, lectins and polysaccharides among others. It is best used for removing sun tan and dark spots caused by the sun. 

How to make?

Squeeze the aloe vera gel out of the leaves into a bowl. Add a few drops of lemon in the gel. Use your fingers to mix both the ingredients and apply it on your face. Keep it for around 20 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do not apply any moisturizer post the application of this face mask as aloe vera itself is a great moisturizer.
 

7. Lemon and honey face pack or oily skin

Lemon is an excellent source for cleaning the skin, eliminating dead skin cells and reducing oil secretion. Honey has various antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help reduce oil secretion further avoiding pimples and acne from coming back.

How to make?

Mix lemon juice extracts and honey together in a bowl. Apply this mixture on your face and let it dry for about 15-20 minutes before washing it off. This will relieve you from excessive oily skin and make the skin supple and moisturized.
 

We absolutely love these face packs. Do let us know which one tops your list and if you would like to share any secrets from your grandmother’s treasure.