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Showing posts from August, 2022

Ways of eating idlis

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 During my trip down South, I had the opportunity to watch common people enjoy traditional southern foods. Idlis are one such popular food items that can be consumed anytime of the day. They can be had during breakfast, lunch, or dinner or anytime in between.  Idlis are traditionally South Indian delicacies. They are rice and lentil cakes that are steamed. They are usually salty but in Mauritius, you will find sweet varities as well in small shops and restaurants there.  Idlis are healthy food items and are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. They have minerals and vitamins and have the goodness of fermented foods too. They are served with sambhar (curry made of dal) and chutney (coconut, tomato or the like). Some also savour them with yoghurt, ghee (clarified butter) or spice mix (podi).  Idli pizza A modern twist to idli dish has been as idli masala (idlis usually small-sized covered with spices), idli fry (idlis usually small-sized that are...

10 different types of colorful tea in the world!

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 We do know black tea, green tea, and milk tea. But are you aware that there is more to tea than just these three colors? There is a whole lot of colorful teas available in different parts of the world. Some are varieties of the same tree plants but other colored teas are from different plants. Thus, those are not true teas but are infusions or concoctions or tisane. Below is a summary of these colorful tea types. 1. Black tea- This is the tea from the regular tea plant or Camellia sinensis. The tea leaves are processed by drying and oxidation and curled and twisted to form this tea powder. This is without milk or sugar. When milk is added it is milk tea.  2. Green tea- We are a aware of this tea thanks to the celebrity endorsement of it for weight loss. If is made from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. But the tea leaves are semi-oxidized. The processing is different and if yields green solution on brewing.  3. White tea- This also comes from tea plant, Camellia sin...

Vitamin B12 deficiency: 9 symptoms and signs for diagnosis

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 The body requires a lot of different kinds of food components to keep functioning normally. Often, one or more vital nutrients fall short of the requirements and this leads to certain symptoms and signs. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that the body needs. Its deficiency is common especially in the older age group and in people on plant based foods. But the condition remains undiagnosed. What are the symptoms and signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency that should make one suspect the condition? Vitamin B12 deficiency in the USA Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that the body requires for energy production, DNA synthesis, and also for proper brain and nervous system function. Humans procure it from the daily foods. Yet the deficiency is common at all ages. But the absorption of this vitamin decreases with age. Therefore, deficiency of this vital nutrient is more often seen in the older age group. In the USA and in the UK, deficiency of vitamin B12 is found in 20% of those over the a...