Benefits of Tomato

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

The health benefits of tomatoes have been known to mankind since ancient times. Tomatoes are rich sources of antioxidants that have been proven to be effective against many forms of cancer. Some of the other health benefits of tomatoes are as follows:

Abundant Source of Antioxidants: Tomato contains large amount of lycopene, an antioxidant that is highly effective in scavenging cancer causing free radicals. This benefit can even be obtained from heat-processed tomato products like ketchup. The lycopene in tomatoes defends against cancer and has been shown to be particularly effective in fighting prostate cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the stomach and rectum as well as pharynx and esophageal cancers. It also protects against breast cancer and cancer of the mouth, according to studies published by the Harvard School of Public Health.

Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals: A single tomato can provide about 40% of the daily vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which prevents against cancer-causing free radicals from damaging the body’s systems. It also contains abundant vitamin A and potassium, as well as iron. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining nerve health and iron is essential for maintaining normal blood health. Vitamin K, which is essential in blood clotting and controls bleeding, is also abundant in tomatoes.

Reduces Cholesterol and Protects the Heart: The lycopene in tomatoes prevents serum lipid oxidation, thus exerting a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. The regular consumption of tomatoes has been proven to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These lipids are the key culprits in cardiovascular diseases and lead to the deposition of fats in the blood vessels.

Counters the Effect of Cigarette Smoke: The two main components of tomatoes, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, fight against nitrosamines which are produced in the body and are the main carcinogens found in cigarettes. The presence of vitamin A in such high quantities has also been shown to reduce the effects of carcinogens and can protect you against lung cancer.

Improves Vision: Vitamin A, present in tomatoes, aids in improving vision, as well as in preventing night-blindness and macular degeneration. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can be formed from an excess of beta-carotene in the body. A lot of vision problems occur due to the negative effects of free radicals, and vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant.



Digestive Health: Tomatoes keep the digestive system healthy by preventing both constipation and diarrhea. It also prevents jaundice and effectively removes toxins from the body. Furthermore, tomatoes have a large amount of fiber, which can bulk up stool and reduce symptoms of constipation. A healthy amount of fiber helps to stimulate peristaltic motion in the smooth digestive muscles, and also release gastric and digestive juices. This can regulate your bowel movements, thereby improving your overall digestive health and helping you avoid conditions like colorectal cancer.

Lowers Hypertension: Daily consumption of tomatoes reduces the risk of developing hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. This is partially due to the impressive levels of potassium found in tomatoes. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it reduces the tension in blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing circulation and lowering the stress on the heart by eliminating hypertension.

Manages Diabetes: A study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that daily consumption of tomatoes reduces the oxidative stress of type 2 diabetes.

Healthy Skin: Tomatoes aid in maintaining healthy teeth, bones, hair and skin. Topical application of tomato juice is even known to cure severe sunburns. Daily consumption of tomatoes protects the skin against UV-induced erythema. Tomatoes rank high in the preparation of anti-aging products.

Prevents Urinary Tract Infections: Tomato intake also reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections, as well as bladder cancer. This is because tomatoes are high in water content, which can stimulate urination, so tomatoes are a diuretic in certain ways. This increases the elimination of toxins from the body, as well as excess water, salts, uric acid, and some fat as well!

Kachri Kabab

                                                                                           
                                                                                             
                                                                                                 Cooking time: 20-25 mins
                                                                                                            Serves:4
Delicious finger licking kachrey kabab, enhances your iftar or dinner. Served with colourful vegies and over dosed  with spice and  flavors.

Ingredients:


Beef mince                  1/2kg
Onion (finely cut)          1
Poppy seeds                 1 tbsp
Desiccated coconut      1 tbsp
Chickpeas( roasted and powdered)
   2 tbsp
Ginger/garlic paste           1 tbsp
Red chilli powder             1tsp
Hot spices powder           1 tsp
Kachri powder                 1 tsp
Salt                                   1 tsp
Oil                                  for frying

            Method:

• Grind mince and onion in a chopper 
• Add remaining ingrediets, shap in ti kababs.
• Heat oil in a frying pan, fry kababs golden from both sodes.
• Remove.
• If desired, smoke kababs with hot coal.

Chicken Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons fruit-flavored vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 cups mixed salad greens
2 cups sliced cooked chicken breast, (see Tip)
2 cups chopped melon, such as cantaloupe and/or honeydew
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip)
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Method:

Whisk sour cream, vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, salt and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup of the dressing in a small bowl. Add the mixed greens to the large bowl and toss to coat. Divide among 4 plates and top with chicken, melon, walnuts and feta. Drizzle each portion with 1 tablespoon of the reserved dressing.

Muthi Kabab

                                                                                                             Cooking Time : 10 mins
                                                                                                                   Serves: As Desired

Temptingly tasty kababs recipeis here for you .Mince pomegranate , tomato ,gram flourand chaat masala are main ingredients.Everyone will love this snack. Serve hot with green chuttni and ketchup.

Ingredients:

700 g beef mince (20% fat 80% meat)
2 medium sized onion
4 – 8 green chillies
3 cloves garlic
1 tbspn ginger
Salt
Red chilli powder
1 tspn garam masala
1 tbspn chaat masala
½ tspn cumin seeds
1 egg
1 tomato deseeded and chopped fine
½ bunch of fresh coriander (chopped)
2 tspn gram flour (pan roasted)
Oil for shallow frying

Method:

-In an electric chopper, chop onion, garlic, ginger and green chillies together. Take this mixture in your hand (little by little) and squeeze access water and keep it aside.

-In a deep mixing bowl, put mincemeat and add all the spices, onion mixture, chopped tomatoes and coriander. Add egg and mix with your hands. Mix, mix and mix until well combined.

-Keep aside for 10 minutes.

-Now take a handful of this mixture and give them oval like shape, like seekh kabab but without whole.

-Fill a skillet with oil to 5cm.

-Fry the kababs and serve hot with tamarind sauce or podina raita.

Kharay Masalay Ka Keema

                                                                             
                                                                                                         Cooking Time: 35 mins
                                                                                                                      Serves: 4-6
Here is a most versatile mince meat recipe prepared with whole spices .Kharay Masalay ka Keema is great with paratha and roti.

Ingredients:

- 1kg. minced meat (keema)
- 1\2 cup ghee or oil
- 3 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. garlic paste
- 1 tsp. ginger paste
- 1\2 cup water
- 1 tsp. salt or according to taste
- 1\2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 inch fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 8 whole red chillies

Whole spices

- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 inch piece cinnamon stick
- 4 black cardamoms
- 4 green cardamoms
- 1\2 tsp. cloves
- 2 bay leaves (tez patta)
- 1 tbsp. coriander leaves
- 3 green chillies finely chopped (optional)

Method:

1. Heat oil in a heavy based saucepan, add 1 onion and stirring frequently fry until it is light brown about 5-8 minutes. Remove onion from oil and set aside.

2. In the same oil add minced meat, garlic and ginger paste. While stirring, fry the minced meat for about 5 minutes or until it turns brown.

3. Now add water, salt, whole spices, reserved onions, ginger and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 20- 25 minutes. Add little more water if it dries up quickly.

4. Beat yogurt until smooth. Add yogurt, brown onions, and whole red chillies to the mince mixture and stirring frequently fry until all the moisture has evaporated.

5. Garnish with green chilies and chopped coriander leaves.

6. Serve with Nan, Roti and Paratha.

Honey - Tips

Storage:

Store honey at room temperature – your kitchen counter or pantry shelf is ideal. Storing honey in the refrigerator accelerates the honey’s crystallization. Crystallization is the natural process of glucose sugar molecules aligning into orderly arrangements known as crystals. It is not an indicator of spoilage, impurity, age or quality.

If your honey crystallizes, simply place the honey jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve, or place the honey container into near boiling water that has been removed from the heat:

1. Bring a pan of water to a boil
2. Turn off the heat
3. Place the honey container in the water with cap open
4. Leave until both have cooled
5. Repeat as needed

Cooking Tips:

For best results, use recipes developed for using honey. When you substitute honey for granulated sugar in recipes, begin by substituting honey for up to half of the sugar called for in the
recipe.

With experimentation, honey can be substituted for all the sugar in some recipes.

When substituting honey for sugar in baked goods:

Reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup for each cup of honey used.
Add about 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used.
Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.

For easy measuring and clean-up, coat measuring cup or spoon with cooking spray before adding honey

Benefits of Honey Skin & Hair

Eight new ways to use raw honey

1. Stock up for emergency food stores:

Raw honey has a long shelf life because of its high sugar content and naturally occurring enzymes. In fact, some say raw honey can last indefinitely. This makes honey an ideal (and delicious) food to add to your emergency stockpile.

2. Sooth a sore throat and ease your cough:

Raw honey is well known for being the perfect cold remedy. A blend of raw honey and fresh lemon juice can be taken as needed to treat a sore throat or cough.

3. Boost your athletic performance: 

 Don't waste your money on commercial energy gels that contain food additives and artificial coloring. Research has shown honey is effective for improving athletic performance. A spoonful of raw honey before aerobic activity can provide an energy boost plus a variety of important nutrients.

4. Treat minor cuts, scrapes and burns:

 Raw honey is an ancient remedy for cuts, scrapes and burns due to its natural antibacterial properties. Simply clean the area, dab on a small amount of raw honey, and wrap as normal. Change wrapping at least once daily until the area is healed. The honey may also help to reduce scar formation.

5. Make a simple sugar scrub:

Soften your skin by exfoliating with a mixture of raw honey, sugar and sweet almond oil. Store the mixture in a glass jar and use as needed. You'll save a fortune if you exfoliate with this instead of using those expensive department store scrubs.

6. Use as a glossing treatment for hair:

Coat your hair with raw honey and let it sit for ten minutes before washing as usual. Honey works as a clarifying and conditioning treatment, making your locks shiny and smooth.

7. Improve your sleep:

 A spoonful of honey before bed (by itself or in a cup of warm herbal tea) is a natural sleep remedy that can help you relax and fall asleep faster.

8. Enjoy a honey facial:

 Massage a teaspoon of raw honey into your face and let it sit for 10-30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This simple honey mask can smooth your skin, fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce redness, and help with blemishes.


9. Beautiful Skin:

Honey can do wonders for your skin. That’s the reason why you will find it in many skin-care products today. Honey acts as a great anti-aging agent and moisturizer. It is rich in natural antioxidants that have anti-microbial properties. They help protect your skin from harmful UV rays and facilitate the skin’s ability to rejuvenate. Honey also has the ability to absorb and retain moisture and this helps in keeping the skin well hydrated, fresh and supple. It is known that ancient women used honey and milk to keep the skin youthful, radiant and smooth. Here are some easy recipes of facial mask and exfoliators that you can try at home.

10. Fights Acne:

It’s embarrassing and debilitating to have acne. Honey benefits to rescue those suffering from chronic acne. It plays a crucial role in the treatment of acne. Acne is caused by the build-up of oil and dirt on skin. Since honey absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, it acts as an ideal cleansing agent. Honey is also a natural antiseptic, and soothes and heals your skin. It is often used to get rid of pimples.

When you buy honey, make sure you buy raw honey. Raw honey gives better results than regular honey as it has all its beneficial values intact because it is unfiltered. Organic honey can also be a great alternative.

Facial Mask 


1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon fuller’s earth (multanimitti)
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Method:

Mix them well to form a thick paste.
Apply it to skin and leave it for 15 minutes.
Wash it off with warm water.
Use this mask to give your face that oomph!

Facial Exfoliator Recipe:

Use this exfoliator to remove dead skin cells from their roots. This also helps in terminating blackheads. Exfoliation is good for oily as well as dry skin. It should be done at least once a week.


Honey
Lemon juice
Sugar

Method:

Mix them and gently rub it on your skin.
Leave it for about 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Honey cleanses your skin, lemon juice brightens it up and sugar works as an excellent exfoliator. If you are battling a breakout of blackheads, read my earlier post Nine Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads for Good

Facial Mask 

Glowing skin 

1 teaspoon honey (preferably raw honey)
1 teaspoon olive oil
Yolk of an egg

Method:

Blend all of them together and apply it to face.
Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
This mask will help you remove sun tan and give a glowing skin.

Healthy Hair:

Honey with all it goodness does wonders for your hair! Know how honey benefits hair! It cures dry, damaged and dull-looking hair. It helps retain moisture and get rid of dry, itchy flakes on your scalp. It also helps keep your hair clean, lustrous, healthy and shiny. Try the following hair mask to get smooth and shiny manes: Other than this, you can even learn more hair masks in this excellent post.

Honey Hair Mask:

Honey
Olive oil (preferably extra virgin)
Lemon (you can substitute lemon with whipped yoghurt if you wish to)

Method:

Heat together three tablespoons of olive oil with two tablespoons of honey.
Further, add a tablespoon of lemon juice and mix well.
Apply the mixture to the scalp and hair when still warm.
Leave it for 30 minutes or longer and then rinse and wash off.

For Quick Rinse:

After shampooing your hair, add two teaspoons of honey and some lemon juice to three cups of water and stir. Rinse your hair with this concoction and dry it normally.

For Quick Boost:

To give your hair a regular boost of honey benefits, mix a teaspoon of honey with your shampoo and apply to your scalp and hair. Work it to lather and let it sit for two minutes or so and then, rinse it off.


Hair packs:

For silky hair: If you want manageable and silky hair especially during the monsoons, apply this pack on your hair. Mix two tablespoons of curd, two eggs, juice of lemon and five drops of honey in a bowl and apply it on your scalp and hair. Keep it for half-an-hour before washing it off with water.
Shiny locks: Another hair pack using honey is mixing it with olive oil and applying it on your locks. Keep it on for some time and then wash it off. This will add a shine to them.