"Go for the Green!"

You know how your mom always told you to eat your vegetables? Yet again, it turns out that she was bang, smack right on target about what was good for you. Not only in your childhood, but throughout your life, it’s a smart idea to keep vegetables a part of your daily diet.

And just like all other things, not all vegetables are created equal. Indeed, some of these guys are the equivalent of an S-class Mercedes when compared to other Santros around. This brings us to the best, most high-grade green guy you can put on your plate this winter season: the broccoli.

Looking like its cousin the cauliflower, except with beautiful dark green florets, the broccoli is packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, and fiber. In short, it’s designed to protect the body fight all kinds of disease (including cancer) and also helps to promote strong bones and teeth. Having a high concentration of vitamin C means this green friend of ours also helps the body to absorb iron, prevents the development of cataracts, and also eases the effects of the common winter cold (no more sniffly, sneezy Monday mornings yay!). Being a rich source of fiber, broccoli is also great for digestion, helping to lower levels of cholesterol, and makes a delicious addition to your salad bowl too! 

You can pick from simple methods of preparation to enjoy this green gift from Mother Nature:  steam it, sauté it, stir-fry it, bake it, or just toss it in a salad and enjoy! Bonus tip: broccoli tastes fantastic when seasoned with just a little garlic, salt, and olive oil so try it with any cooking method.

Happy eating :)

"The Traveller's Diet"

  demelzahill.com

So part of your job requires that you travel. And so you find yourself on a flight once a week. Mumbai-Delhi. Delhi-Bangalore. Bangalore-Chennai. Or maybe it’s a train to Surat, Patna, or Calcutta. Maybe you aren’t one of those (un)lucky people who get to rack up their frequent flier miles. Instead, maybe you deal with a two hour commute to your office desk everyday. And a two hour commute back home. Not to mention the client meetings thrice a week which means another hours taxi/train ride to the other side of town. 

Whatever your choice of vehicle may be, it’s safe to say that you find yourself travelling from point A to point B fairly frequently. What’s the first thing you end up missing out on with all that movement? Yes, that’s right; it’s your regular meals. Inevitably what ends up in your hands is a bag of friend potato chips, or worse a so-called “happy” meal which promises to deliver you from your hunger pangs. Words from the wise girls and boys: the last thing that greasy gunk is going to do is make your body happy. 

So here’s a short list of healthy, sensible snacks you should try and eat while rushing from one airport to the next, or commuting to those endless client meetings without a break!

Nuts – the best energy food there is people. And the best part is, they can be bought in a box, so its mess-free and easy to carry! Try and get a bag of mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, and cashew nuts are all great) and just eat a handful when you have a few minutes to spare. They fill you up, and work to boost your strength and immunity, not to mention they are a great source of healthy fats!

Biscuits (Marie gold, digestives) – Looking for something a little sweet, but also a little salty? Digestive biscuits are the perfect solution to cravings for some sugar with a hint of salt. Marie now makes low-fat versions which come in a handy small pack, while….Digestives are delicious bites of sweetness with fiber for your nutritional needs.

Fruit - Need I really say more? Apples, Bananas, Oranges, even Grapes, can all be put into your bag and carried just about anywhere (even on a plane!). Eat at least one helping a day while you are on the move and get your fill of vitamins and antioxidants while filling up on something really good for you :)

Granola Bars - Another great source of healthy energy and fuel for your body; these are a great option when you are rushing from one city to the next. They come in individually wrapped bars and in yummy flavors like Honey & Oats and Peanut Butter. A good bite when you need to answer that rumbling tummy.