CONTEST WINNING RECIPE WITH OLIVES AND OLIVE OIL !!

Yummy Garden Fresh Olive tossed Salad – Winning Entry from Saloni  Bhandari

Prep Time:30 minutes

Servings:10

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Black Ripe Pitted Olives, drained, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup Naturals Green Pitted Olives, drained, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1/4 sweet onion (or white onions), diced
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 small green zucchini, unpeeled, and diced
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives(or green stalks of spring onions) thinly sliced or 2 tablespoons dried chives
• 1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon peel
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl combine olives, carrot, sweet onion, cucumber, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, parsley and chives(or spring onions).
2. Add lemon peel, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil to bowl; mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Makes approximately 5 cups,Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Olives and olive oil are friends of your heart and skin 

These Mediterrenean tree-plucked fruits have been used from the days of the Egyptians.They  are high in heart-healthy monosaturated fats that shrink the risk of atherosclerosis. Add olives & olive oil to your diet to help maintain a healthy heart & lovely skin as they contain vitamins, antioxidants & omega 3 fatty acids. Olives Help reduce harmful cholesterol levels as well. Studies have shown that consumption of olives ensures healthy heart benefits such as reduced harmful cholesterol level. It also has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antithrombotic as well as vasodilatory effects in humans and animals.

Add them to your diet : Add olives to salads,dressings,dips,pizzas or simply pop them into your mouth as a  delicious  snack. Do keep in mind  that  extra virgin olive oil  should never be heated and should be used only for salads,pasta etc
Use regular olive oil for stir frying or pan frying.Know more about the 4 type of olive oils https://prakritiherbals.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/different-types-of-olive-oil-when-to-use-which-one/

Olives and Olive oil  for  skin and hair care:
Olive Oil reduces acne breakouts and opens clogged pores.Olive oil contains natural anti-oxidants and vitamins and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Secondly, olive oil also acts as a moisturizer, so it prevents the dry flaking that leads to acne breakouts.Thirdly, and perhaps the most important fact of all is that olive oil doesn’t clog pores and in fact dissolves the impurities inside closed pores. Hence when you cleanse your face with olive oil , it won’t leave behind residue that will clog pores and lead to acne breakouts.
Olives  are very high in iron content which reduce anaemia and help boost up the immune system as well as anaemia can cause severe hair loss as well.Olive oil combats dandruff which is usually caused by a flaky dry scalp by infusing moisture&preventing flaking.

So do your heart ,skin &hair a big favour…….Use olive oil instead of butter,margarine or regular oils while cooking &even as  a daily snack.

Contest winners of our Healthy Walnut Recipe Contest!!!

JOINT WINNERS OF  PRAKRITI HERBALS ‘S  HEALTHY WALNUT ORIGINAL RECIPE CONTEST:
HEENA AWASTHI &MANASA SOGAL NADIG

WINNING ENTRY:HEENA AWASTHI:Gur Wali Akhrot (Jaggery coated Walnuts) –
Simple and addictive recipe- Take equal quantity of jaggery and walnut. Crush the jaggery to almost a fine powder. Add jaggery in the wok, stir on the medium heat till jaggery is almost melted (Switch off the heat)- throw in the cut walnut pieces and coat them well. Take a huge plate and slightly coat it with ghee. Spread the mixture onto the plate and let it cool  completely. Once cooled, break the mixture into walnut size pieces.Enjoy!! 🙂 Both Jaggery & Walnut are  good for your health and Skin-Heena Aswathi

WINNING ENTRY FROM MANASA SOGAL NADIG:Penne Pasta with Walnut Basil Pesto
Ingredients: 1 lb Pasta boiled as per directions  and drained; big Bunch of basil leaves; 1/2 cup walnuts slightly roasted; 1/2 cup shredded mozarella cheese;Olive oil approx 1/4 cup; Salt&Pepper to taste.
Method:In a food processor, put the walnuts, basil leaves-run when walnuts are chopped roughly-add cheese and process drizzling olive oil little by little till the pesto forms–Pesto has to be granular and  not very smooth. Make sure you use Extra virgin Olive oil. Mix with hot pasta and adjust seasoning to taste!!My kids’ summer favourite and I substitute pine nuts with walnuts in the pesto for the omega punch!!! :)))-Manasa Sogal Nadig

Walnuts are an excellent source of vitamin E &omega 3 fatty acids ,thus helping  to keep the skin &hair protected from dryness&reducing   hair fall.Walnuts are  also very high in iron content which reduce anaemia and help boost up the immune system as well.They reduce anaemia which is also very often  responsible for hairfall.
Olives and olive oil are friends of your heart and skin  as well.So do your heart &skin a big favour…….Use olive oil instead of butter,margarine or regular oils while cooking &even as  a daily snack.Know more about the 4 types of olive oil https://prakritiherbals.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/different-types-of-olive-oil-when-to-use-which-one/
Walnuts slowdown the ageing process as they are rich in compounds including vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids,ellagic acid, flavonoids, and melatonin, all of which have antioxidant properties-hence walnuts reduce wrinkles and fine lines.Walnuts have also been proven to reduce the onset &progression of age related diseases like Alzheimer’s!!It has  been found that Walnuts when eaten along with meals high in saturated fat limit the ability of the harmful fat to damage arteries.
So Munch just 7 walnuts a day,or try these recipes  and you will have met the recommended levels of minerals, vitamins, omega fatty acids and protein in your diet…………

Reduce Hair fall and dryness of hair with natural remedies!!

It is widely known that lovely healthy hair  is our crowning glory and can totally transform your looks.But sadly today loss of  hair is the bane and fear of almost everyone’s lives and a big source of stress itself!!
Did you know that a  hair loss of  25-5o strands/day and even upto 100 strands /day is considered absolutely normal???Isn’t it such a  relief to know  that-Was a huge relief to me at least,how about you’ll???!!!:)
I’m sure you would be glad to know that  the hair that you lose each day was just bound to be shed and only signifies the growth of a new hair….. just like you lose your milk teeth and get new ones when you were kids……:) So stop stressing over the hair in your hairbrush,unless of course it crosses 100 strands/day or falls out in clumps or leaves bald patches behind,you don’t have to worry too much!!Of course it doesn’t hurt to take care of whatever precious hair we do have, before it starts to disappear,right???
So for starters, let’s first understand the structure of hair and get to the root of the problem of  hair loss!!

Hair is  composed mainly of the protein keratin   filaments and  grows from follicles in our skin.  The base of the root is called the bulb or the papilla, this is from where the hair that we see actually grows.Our hair actually grows amazingly fast- approximately at the rate of 1/2 inch  per month.Hair grows approximately at the rate of 1/2 inch per month.The active growing phase of our hair is called the anagen phase,and then it passes into a transitional state or the catagen phase and telogen  phase where it rests for a 100 days and then falls out. Thus a Hair loss of  50-100  strands/day and even upto 100 strands /day is considered absolutely normal.It’s only when it crosses 100 strands/day ,suddenly starts  falling out in clumps or leaves bald patches behind ,that it is  considered to be the condition called Alopecia or Hairloss.

Causes of Hair Loss and Dry Frizzy Hair:

1.Imbalanced Diet
2.Deficiency of Protein and minerals like zinc and selenium  in the diet
3.Hormonal imbalances in women during  adolescence ,pregnancy or menopause.
4.Hormonal imbalances in men-Male pattern baldness(Alopecia areata)  is sometimes caused by a hormone called   DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which shrinks and eventually kills the hair follicles causing bald patches.An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT which causes hairloss.
5.Stress
6. Lack of sleep
7.Low intake  of Water
8.Overuse of Chemical products for the hair or washing with hard water
9.Chemical treatments like Colouring,Perming and Straightening
10.Exposure to Pollutants and  Chemicals in the environment
11.Overexposure to UV Rays
12.Anaemia
13.Genetics
14.Thyroid imbalance or chemotherapy

Do check out which of the above may be the cause of your hair problems,and take professional help for the medically rooted problems like thyroid or hormone imbalance.The other causes can be reversed by taking necessary preacautionary steps
Sadly we only wake up when these conditions get really bad,and then shortcut chemical solutions only end up causing more harm than good.I’m sure all our grandmoms have much much better hair than us& that’s only because they would have followed the age old herbal traditions of haircare,healthy diets and preventive care..So isn’t it time we got back to nature &its natural solutions  for restoring  health&shine and reducing the very much prevalent problem of  hair loss which now plague men and women alike!!

1..Eat right&Nourish your hair from inside out.…….
Hairfall,and dry frizzy hair are more often caused due to deficiencies of Proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet. The first step in tackling these problems would be to  increase protein and omega 3 fatty acids uptake in your diet-especially from eggs,nuts like walnuts,almonds,flaxseeds ,pumpkin seeds,cashewnuts,groundnuts ,soyabeans,olives,legumes, and lots of fruits&veggies….you have to nourish it from inside out as well!!
Good hair nutrition begins with getting enough protein, which is the building block of your hair which is composed of 70 percent keratin protein.Egg whites contain a large amount of protein–ranging from 3.6 to 6.5 g per egg–and help rebuild damaged hair by filling in weakened spots along the hair strand, which  strengthens the hair.They are also rich in several minerals, including zinc,selenium, iron,potassium and sodium, esential amino acids vitamins like choline which regulates hormones,as well as Vit E,Vitamins from the B family and Vit D which are all essential for healthy hair.
Walnuts are an excellent source of vitamin E,and omega 3 fatty acids  strengthen the hair and keep it well protected from dryness .Munch just 7 walnuts a day and you will have met the recommended levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein.Drink lots of water as well as deficiency of water can cause dryness and frizziness due to lack of moisture in the hair.

2.Supplement your diet with Zinc ,Selenium and Iron:
Deficiency of Zinc ,Selenium and Iron have been found to cause hairloss in both men and women .
Zinc inhibits the production of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase which converts testosterone into DHT,which is responsible for baldness especially in men.Zinc  and selenium is  found in high concentrations in most  protein-rich foods,seafood and eggs. If you are a vegetarian, you will most probably intake less zinc that those who have meat-based diets. Vegeterian sources of Zinc are dairy products such as milk and cheese, yeast, peanuts, beans, and wholegrain cereals, brown rice, whole wheat bread, potato and yogurt. Of all these, pumpkin seeds offer one of the most concentrated non-meat food sources of zinc.
Anaemia can cause severe hair loss  and cause it to fall out in clumps.Add Olives& walnuts to your diet to fight anaemia :
they  are both very high in iron content which reduce anaemia thus reducing hair fall as well.

2.To overcome hair fall,Keep your cool literally!!:)
According to Ayurveda ,excessive heat generated in the scalp(pittha)causes hair loss.Ayurveda recommends keeping the scalp moist and cool with oil massages of herbal hair oil made by infusing coconut oil or sesame oil  with extracts of amla,brahmi,hibiscus and fenugreek which cool the system and scalp and encourage growth of hair.
Pamper your hair with a herbal hair oil massage the right way:With 2-4 tsps of warmed  hair oil,use 4 fingertips to start massaging at the base of the neck.Massage the scalp with  circular  and zigzag movements of the fingers gently.Cover the hair with a  hot towel or showercap for 30 minutes,so that the body heat helps the herbal oil get absorbed better.Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.Repeat twice  a week for best results.

3.Go coco-nutty!!……A coconut-fenugreek hair mask to reduce hairfall,dandruff ,promote hair growth and nourish dry hair-Apply this hairmask  twice a week for 2 months and check out the hair growth  for yourself!!
Fenugreek seeds replenish hair growth and are a good source of nicotinic acid,lecithin  and protein and also moisturizes hair and reduces dandruff.Coconut milk nourishes the scalp and has been proven to promote hair growth.

4.  Apple Cider Vinegar  rinse reduces  dryness and  frizziness of  hair,as well as hairloss:It acts by  removing deposits of minerals from hard water and residue styling products on the hair strands.Use as a final rinse after shampooing with a herbal shampoo and conditioning with a jojoba based conditioner.You could either spray it as a final rinse,or pour it over your hair bending over a sink.Towel dry,and your hair will be softer and shinier.

5.Aloevera  gel helps in healing the scalp, balances the PH level of the scalp and cleans the pores. An excellent home made nourishing conditioner for promoting hair growth and reducing frizziness of  hair:Take 1-2 aloevera leaves,soak overnight.Peel off the skin.Mix 1 tbsp of thick aloevera gel inside,with 1 tsp of olive oil,1 tsp of  herbal hair oil or coconut oil and 2 tbsp papaya pulp. You can use ready  aloevera gel for this mix as well.Mix in a blender,and apply this pulpy mixture to your scalp and hair.Leave for an hour. Wash off thoroughly&see how soft your hair feels:)

6.  Aromatherapy  is recommended for reducing hair loss and conditioning the hair.Essential oils promote hair growth by improving circulation to the scalp, cleanse and nourish the hair follicles. Mix 1 tbsp of jojoba oil,3 drops of rosemary oil,3 drops of lavender oil,3 drops of lemon oil with  a wooden or plastic spoon and massage well  into the hair roots.Wash hair using a herbal shampoo and condition with a jojoba conditioner. Rinse well.

7. Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea reduces hair loss as well,especially by inhibiting the action of DHT which causes baldness,especially in males.Male pattern baldness is caused by the action of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which kills hair follicles and causes baldness.Green Tea  inhibits the production of 5-alpha reductase,which converts testosterone into DHT.

8.Nourishing and conditioning egg and olive oil or herbal hair oil hairmask .Use a jojoba conditioner or a protein based conditioner to tame dry and frizzy hair.
Method:Take 2 eggs in a medium-sized bowl, beat eggs with a whisk. Add 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil or herbal hairoil and continue to whisk until foamy. Apply entire contents of bowl to your scalp and hair and massage well. Cover the head with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes at least. Wash hair using a herbal shampoo and lukewarm water. Rinse well.
Truly  following all these natural tips,to make your own natural green hair remedies not only protects your health,saves you money and supports the planet – three great reasons for giving these natural hair treatments a try!Feel free to add your feedback on these natural treatments ,and your own time tested tips of course!!!

4 types of Olive oil-Which one should we use&When???

What is the difference between Extravirgin olive oil&Regular Olive oil?Which do you  use ,when &how??? I am sure these are the common questions which plague most of us…..so thought it was time to shed light on these questions.I recently read a story about an   Israeli woman  who claimed to be 120 years old and one of her secrets to living to such an advanced age is that she drinks at least one glass of olive oil a day. Thought that may sound gross to most of us,we could still improve our health by making  olive oil a part of our daily diet in much better &more tastier ways. Generally when you go to the  supermarket, you will most commonly see 3 types of olive oil:extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, pure  olive oil&light olive oil.The difference is basically in the taste&purity.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil :
Extra-virgin olive oil is naturally  produced from the first pressing of olives-making it the most pure and least acidic.It also  has the highest content of omega 3 , and is the best tasting of the four. The method for extracting the oil is what is known as “cold pressed,” which keeps the oil from losing its flavor that can be lost when exposed to high temperatures.As it’s expensive, heavier, and more flavorful than other types of olive oil, it’s best used as an accent to dishes , or in salad dressings and vinaigrettes.. If it’s not cold-pressed, the heat from the extraction process changes the chemistry,flavour  and quality of the olive oil.Extra virgin is usually used raw&should never be heated, since its flavor is lost by heating it and it also has  a low smoke point.Use extra virgin oil for beauty treatments for your skin and hair as it contains high concentrations of Vit E&Omega 3 fatty acids -hence reduces dryness of skin,dandruff and hairfall.

Virgin olive oil:
Virgin olive oil  is obtained by some application of heat and from the second  pressing of olive oil.It does not contain any other refined oils but has a higher acidity — up to 2 percent. It has  a fairly good olive flavour&does not burn easily, so can be used for salads or for light cooking.

Pure Olive oil or Regular Olive Oil :

The name Pure olive oil is misleading as it is a actually blend of refined pomace oil and virgin olive oil. Pomace is produced by processing the leftovers of the virgin olive oil extraction. The blend (which usually contains as little as 5 to 10 percent virgin olive oil) is cheaper to produce. It is used mainly when extracted olive oil is of poor quality and the refining process helps it to have a better flavor.It doesn’t have as strong a flavor as virgin olive oils and is best suited for frying and cooking.

Extra Light Olive Oil: Light olive oil isn’t lower in fat — it simply means the oil is made from refined olive oil. “Light olive oil” actually means refined olive oil, not a lower fat content. Extra light Olive oil in fact has 120 calories per tablespoon.HINTS WHILE BUYING &USING OLIVE OIL:

1.Look for bottles that say “cold press” on the label for best quality extravirgin olive oil.
2.Use Extra virgin olive oil or virgin olive oil only in the raw state-for salads,dressings,viniagrettes.Never heat it.
3.Use light  olive oil for stir frying or pan frying. Because of the refining process in regular or standard olive oil, it holds up better when exposed to high heats.
4.Do not use olive oil for deep  frying . It may hold up well when pan frying but has a low smoke point and will overheat when used as a deep fry. If you are looking for a healthy oil to deep fry with, canola is a good oil to try instead.
5.Bottles labeled “100 percent pure olive oil” are often the lowest quality;) Labels mentioning virgin olive oil are better products. 6.Labels saying”Made from refined olive oils” suggests that the essence was captured, but in fact means that the taste and acidity were chemically produced.
7.”From hand-picked olives” may indicate that the oil is of better quality, since producers harvesting olives by mechanical methods are inclined to leave olives to over-ripen in order to increase yield. So beware of the tricks that the manufacturers play on you to sell their products…….

Studies have shown that olive oil helps the body’s heart remain healthy and also aids in regulating cholesterol levels. Aside from consuming olive oil, some people swear of its benefits from using it topically on the skin. In 1997, the record holder for the longest lifespan, a woman from France, used olive oil daily not only in her diet, but by rubbing it on her skin.Hence it just makes sense to choose the right kind of olive oil&make it a part of your daily diet…….

Olives:Friends of your Heart&Skin

Do your heart &skin a big favour…….Use olive oil instead of butter,margarine or regular oils while cooking &even as  a daily snack.
These  Mediterrenean  tree-plucked fruits have  been used from the days of the Egyptians.They  are high in heart-healthy monosaturated fats that shrink the risk of atherosclerosis.Add olives&olive oil to your diet to help maintain a healthy heart&lovely skin as they contain vitamins,antioxidants&omega 3 fatty acids.

Add them to your diet : Add olives to salads,dresings,dips,  pizzas or simply pop them in your mouth as a  delicious  snack. Additionally, use extra virgin olive oil as a cooking medium as  it has been proven that  food cooked in olive oil absorbs less oil&has fewer calories.

Health benefits of Olives:

1.Cardiovascular benefits:

Free harmful radicals oxidize cholesterol in our blood vessels, this eventually results into the formation of fats in the arteries leading to a heart attack or stroke. Presence of antioxidant nutrients in olives prevent this oxidation of cholesterol, and reduce the chances  of severe heart disease. As per experts, consumption of olives in your diet helps to maintain healthy heart as olives are zero cholesterol&contain high amount of healthy monounsaturated fat that act as a helping hand to shrink the risk of atherosclerosis.

2.Prevent cancer and reduces the growth of carcinogenic cells:

Olives are rich in vitamin E that acts against free radicals,thus  helping  to prevent cancer and reduces the growth of carcinogenic cells. As per research, olive is referred as one of the most popular vegetables to prevent cancer.

3.For Healthy skin:

Olives are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that hydrate, protect and nourish your skin. Olive also contains  high concentrations  of vitamin E&Omega 3 that helps in providing natural skin glow. As per various research, consumption of vitamin E helps to protect skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, thus forming a shield against premature aging and skin cancer. Massaging  daily with a few drops of olive oil will give you a   glowing and healthy skin complexion.Any wonder that olive oil is traditionally used for babies as  a massage oil &trusted by mothers worldwide!!

4.Reduces dandruff,hairfall&gives soft silky hair:

The anti oxidant properties of olive oil along with vitamin E aids  good hair growth and ensures soft&smooth hair,if applied regularly.Weekly massage with warm olive oil reduces dandruff.

5.Reduces acne -Anti-inflammatory &Antibacterial properties:

The monounsaturated fats, polyphenols and vitamin C in olives helps to neutralize the free radicals thus reducing inflammation.

Use a mixture of castor oil & olive oil to massage &deep cleanse your face.Then use warm water or a washcloth dipped in warm water to wipe it off. Olive oil( extra virgin) has been proven to be good for acne-prone skin. Firstly, olive oil contains natural anti-oxidants and vitamins and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Secondly, olive oil also acts as a moisturizer, so it prevents the dry flaking that leads to acne breakouts.

Third, and perhaps the most important fact is that olive oil doesn’t clog pores and in fact dissolves the impurities inside closed pores. Hence when you cleanse your face with olive oil , it won’t leave behind residue that will clog pores and lead to acne breakouts.
Suggested blends depending on your type of skin:
Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Olive Oil.
Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Olive Oil.
Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Olive Oil.

6.Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease&senility:
Food rich in omega 3 fatty acids like olives,reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease -research reported by Dr Gary Small,Longevity centre,Los Angeles.Scientists have also found that  extra virgin olive oil contains a biologically active substance oleocanthal ,which changes the structure of the neurotoxic proteins which contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

7.Helps digestion:

Olives are easily digested by our stomach and  prevents constipation. It also helps to protect the stomach from gastritis and ulcers.Olive oil increases the secretion of pancreatic hormones and bile thus ensuring healthy digestive track and reduces the chance of gallstone formation.

8.Reduces cholesterol levels:

Olives are zero cholesterol&hence good for the heart. Studies have shown that consumption of olives  reduces harmful LDL cholesterol level,and have an  anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antithrombotic as well as vasodilatory effects in humans and animals.Foods cooked in olive oil absorb less oil,taste better&have lesser calories.So you can enjoy your food,without guilt!!

9.Helps to cure anaemia :

Olives are very high in iron content. This iron content helps in the formation of red blood cell which acts as an oxygen carrier &helps to boost up the  immune system as well.

Regular consumption of  a tablespoonful of extravirgin olive oil  or olives daily has been found to increase longevity,improve memory,retard effects of ageing&reduce the risk of  heart attacks,skin cancer&Alzheimer’s disease.Do ensure that you use extra virgin oil &olives in your diet for optimum benefits .Let’s  make the most of these natural , ready to eat culinary delights-a gift from nature….!!