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Pista or pistachio is a Persian loanword, coming into English through Italian, and is a cognate to the Modern Persian word ???? Peste’. Pistachios are nature’s super heart-healthy snack. Nutrient dense, full of fiber and antioxidants, pistachios give you more bang per calories than any other nut. In Iran pistachio’s are known as “smiling nuts” and in China the “happy nuts”. Pistachios are also known as “green almonds”. Want to know more about pistachio then click on the link Pistachio Health.

• 400 gms Pistachios, kernels removed
• 250 gms Sugar
• 1 tbsp Cardamom powder
• Water, for sugar syrup
• Silver leaf (varakh)

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Onam - Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates ‘Tourist Week’ for Keral…

Aloo Tikki or it can also be called as Aloo Cutlet is one of the popular potato snack item. Spicy and hot recipe of Aloo tikki is as follows:

INGREDIENTS:
FOR FILLING:

• 4 big Potatoes
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 5-6 Green chilies chopped
• 1/2 cup Cilantro leaves chopped
• 4 tbsp Masala powder
• 1 tbsp Red chili powder
• 1 tbsp Zeera powder (Cumin powder)
• 1 tbsp freshly grated Ginger (optional)
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (optional)
• Salt to taste

FOR BATTER:

• 1 cup plain Flour
• 1 tbsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1 pinch baking sodawater, for making the b…

DIET DURING FASTING:

• Drink sufficient water between Iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration.
• Consume sufficient vegetables at meals. Eat fruits at the end of the meal.
• Avoid intake of high sugar (table sugar, sucrose) foods through sweets or other forms.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic. Three days to five days before Ramadan gradually reduce the intake of these drinks. A sudden decrease in caffeine prompts headaches, mood swings and irritability.
• Smoking is a health risk factor. Avoid smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking negatively affects utilization of various vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body.
• Do not forget to brush or Miswak (tender neem tree branch, Azhardicta indica or other appropriate plant in a country, about 1/4-1/2 inch diameter and 6-8 inches length, tip partially chewed and made brush like).
• Brush your teeth before sleep and after sahur. Brush more than two times or as many times as practical.
• Normal or overweight people should not gain weight. For overweight people Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to lose weight.
• It is recommended that everyone engage in some kind of light exercise, such as stretching or walking.
• It’s important to follow good time management practices for Ibada (prayer and other religious activities), sleep, studies, job, and physical activities or exercise.
• In summary, intake of a balanced diet is critical to maintain good health, sustain an active lifestyle and attain the full benefits of Ramadan. Source

Recipe of the day is Hariyali Tikki and Aloo Bonda. Click on the links Hariyali Tikki and Aloo Bonda for the recipes. For me this are perfect Iftar snacks.

Blogs participating in the global online Ramdan event (Joy From Fasting To Feasting !!!) are:

Dubai - http://syeda-indianspices.blogspot.com/ (new blog joining the event)

Egypt - http://ummelbanat.blogspot.com/

Germany - http://kedaihamburg.blogspot.com/ (new blog joining the event)

India - http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/

London - http://www.happymuslimmama.com/ (new blog joining the event)

Malaysia - http://mamafami.blogspot.com/ , http://mamafami.fotopages.com/

New Zealand - http://homemades.blogspot.com/

Riyadh - http://anjumsrasoi.blogspot.com/

US - http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/

US - http://saltntumeric.blogspot.com/

US - http://organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/

US - http://triedandtrueeats.blogspot.com/

US - http://themiddleeasterncook.blogspot.com/

US - http://mammuskitchen.blogspot.com/

HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR RAMADAN:

During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalise one’s weight.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems. Source.

More on Ramadan in comming posts.

Recipe for the day is Tandoori Chicken Kabab and Kichidi. For me this combination is best for after Iftar meals. Click on the links Tandoori Chicken Kabab and Kichidi for the recipes.

Blogs participating in the global online Ramdan event (Joy From Fasting To Feasting !!!) are:

Dubai - http://syeda-indianspices.blogspot.com/ (New blog joining in the event)
Egypt - http://ummelbanat.blogspot.com/
India - http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/
Malaysia - http://mamafami.blogspot.com/ , http://mamafami.fotopages.com/
New Zealand - http://homemades.blogspot.com/
Riyadh - http://anjumsrasoi.blogspot.com/
US - http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/
US - http://saltntumeric.blogspot.com/
US - http://organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/
US - http://triedandtrueeats.blogspot.com/
US - http://themiddleeasterncook.blogspot.com/
US - http://mammuskitchen.blogspot.com/

Khichdi (also khichri, khichdee, khichadi, khichuri, khichari and many other variants) is a South Asian rice dish made from rice and lentils (dal). Khichdi is commonly considered to be India’s comfort food, and was the inspiration for the Anglo-Indian dish of kedgeree.

Khichdi is identifiable from the writings of Afanasiy Nikitin, a Russian adventurer who travelled to the Indian subcontinent in the 15th century. Khichdi was very popular with the Mughals especially Jahangir .

INGREDIENTS:

Kichidi by Kitchen Flavours

Tags: Kichidi