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Showing posts from July, 2012

11Years Cancer - Free: the truth about life after TNBC

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11Years Cancer - Free: the truth about life after TNBC As I was replying to a message in an emotional health support group recently, a wave of memories from my treatment days came rushing back. It’s been 11 years since I was diagnosed with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) — a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer with limited treatment options. Though my physical treatment ended long ago, my healing journey continues. Every year post-treatment has brought a new layer of understanding, discomfort, learning, and rebuilding. And today, I want to write about the part of survivorship most people don’t talk about: the silent, emotional battles we face long after the doctors say we’re “okay.” 🎗️ Life After TNBC: The Emotional Reality Being a TNBC survivor is a blessing — and sometimes a heavy emotional burden. The fear of recurrence never fully leaves. A new pain or symptom can trigger deep anxiety. There’s the pressure to “move on” when inside, you know you’ve changed...

Sesame and Jaggery-A Sweet Stuffed Paratha(Indian Flat Bread))

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English: Gurh, Jaggery (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) This sweet paratha is crispy and has the goodness of sesame seeds and jaggery.It is also called Gul Poli in many parts of India.This is also a traditional recipe and is usually prepared during the festival of Makar Sankranti. Ingredients : For the Dough Whole wheat flour -1 cup All purpose flour-1/2 cup Oil-2 teaspoons Salt-1/2 teaspoon Warm water-for kneading the dough Ghee-1 teaspoon For the Stuffing Grated jaggery-1/2 cup Sesame seeds-1/4 cup Green cardamom-2 Poppy seeds-2 teaspoons Gram flour-5 tablespoons Milk-1or 2 teaspoons Method -Take a big vessel and add all the ingredients for making the dough together except water and mix well -Slowly add warm water and knead to make a nice soft dough.keep this dough covered in a cling foil for 15-20 minutes. -Take another pan dry roast the sesame seeds,poppy seeds and gram flour separately and let it cool. -Add the gardamoms and grind the sesame seeds and poppy se...

Sugarfree Almond Phirni(Rice Pudding)

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This is a popular Indian dessert.It's made from ground rice paste.I have used sugar free powder to make this phirni.You can also substitute kewra essence with a generous pinch of saffron. Ingredients Long grain rice-3 table spoons Milk-4 cups Sugar free-1.5 teaspoon Blanched pista and almonds-5-6 Kewra essence-1/2 teaspoon Crushed Cardamons-2 Method -Soak the rice in water for 2-3 hours. -Make a fine paste with the soaked rice. -Heat a big pot and boil 4 cups of milk on slow flame. -As the milk begins to boil,add the sugar. -Add little cold milk or water to the rice paste and mix it well. -Slowly add the rice paste to the boiling milk and keep stirring constantly. -Now add the crushed cardamon and keep stirring till the rice is properly cooked. -Add the sugar free powder and turn off the flame and add the kewra essence. -Allow the phirni to cool and garnish it with blanched almonds and pista. -Serve chilled.

Potatoes in Mustard Paste

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Potatoes in mustard paste is a simple and delicious recipe which tastes best with steamed rice and Dalma .I have used fresh mustard paste to make this recipe. Ingredients Potatoes-3 Salt to taste Turmeric powder-1/2 tespoon Vegetable oil/Mustard oil - 5-6 table spoons For the Mustard Paste Mustard seeds-2 teaspoons Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon Garlic cloves-5-6 Green chilli-1(Optional) Method -Wash the potatoes and cut them into thin slices.You need not peel the potato skin. -Make a smooth paste with the ingredients for mustard paste. -Take a big container and add sliced potatoes,salt,turmeric powder and the mustard paste and mix well and keep aside for atleast 15-20 minutes. -Heat 5-6 table spoons of oil in a pan and fry the potatoes in batch of 5-6.Do not over crowd the pan. -Serve hot with plain steamed rice and the very healthy Dalma.

Indian Dal-Dalma(Lentils with Vegetables)

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Lentils are pack with protein and are very good for growing kids.This simple dal is inspired by the recipe Dalma from Odisha.It contains vegetables and is cooked in very little oil.Dalma tastes best when served hot with plain steamed rice. Ingredients Yellow Pigeon peas(Toor dal)-1/2 cup Radish-1/2 Eggplant-1 Yellow Pumpkin-5- 6small cubes Yam-3-4 small cubes Drumsticks-2 French beans-3-4 Raw banana-1 Salt to taste Turmeric powder-1/2 teaspoon For Tempering Oil/Ghee-2 teaspoons Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoon Dried Red Chilli-2 Carom seeds-a pinch Aniseed-a pinch For the Powder Cumin seeds - 4 table spoons Dry Red chillies-4-5 How to make the powder -Dry roast the dried red chillies and cumin seeds and let it cool -Coarsely grind in a pestle to make powder. How to Cook the Dalma -Soak the toor dal in 2-3 cups of water for atleast 1 hour. -Cut all the vegetables into small or medium size. -Take a pressure cooker and add the washed toor ...

Besan Ki Roti with Spinach and Fenugreek(Indian Flat Bread)

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This roti is basically made from gram flour.You can also make it with whole wheat flour and even multigrain flour.I have used fresh spinach and fenugreek leaves.This roti goes well with plain yogurt and pickle with some healthy salads.You can also serve it with fresh coriander chutney.Pack in in your kids lunch box or serve it for breakfast or dinner. Ingredients Gram flour(besan)-1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -1 cup  Onion -1/2 Ginger-1 small piece Green chiiles-1,finely chopped Sesame seeds-2 teaspoons Carom seeds(ajwain) -1/4 teaspoon Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon Spinach leaves-a handful, finely chopped Fenugreek leaves-a handful, finely chopped Salt-1.5 teaspoon Yogurt-2 tablespoons Oil/Ghee-2 tablespoons Water-1/4 cups,to knead the dough Method -Make a paste with onions and ginger. -Take a big container and put all the above ingredients except oil and water and mix well. -Add the ginger-onion paste and slowly add water and make a nice soft dough. - Let ...

Fresh Homemade Chapati with Millets and whole Grains

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   🌾 Homemade Multigrain Chapati – Gluten-Free & Millet-Rich Recipe Multigrain food usually contains a combination of more than one grain. When made with whole grain flours , it becomes a powerhouse of nutrition. In this recipe, I’ve combined ingredients like oats, cracked wheat, finger millet (ragi) , and soya flour , along with other seasonal millets such as: Pearl millet (Bajra) – Great for winter Sorghum (Jowar) – Ideal for summer Finger millet (Ragi) – Best during monsoon All these grains are gluten-free , fiber-rich , and packed with essential nutrients. 🌟 Why Make Your Own Multigrain Flour? Instead of using store-bought flour blends, I buy whole grains , grind them at home, and create a fresh multigrain flour mix . This ensures that the chapatis are: Free from preservatives Richer in nutrients More flavorful and digestible I also add grated carrots , onions , and sesame seeds for extra nutrition. 🛒 Try These Millet-Based Reci...

Nutritious Vegetable-Pulses Curry

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This recipe contains some of the important rich in vitamin A and other minerals and some protein rich pulses.You can serve it with rice or chapati.It also makes an excellent lunch box recipe. Ingredients Chickpeas-3 teaspoons(soaked and boiled) Horse gram-3 tablespoons(soaked and boiled) Bengal gram-2 tablespoons(soaked and boiled) Drumsticks-1 Eggplant-1 medium Potato-1 medium Radish-1/2 Pumpkin(yellow) -6-7 pieces,diced Tomatoes-1 big,diced   For the Paste Onions-1/2 Garlic-5-6 cloves Ginger-small piece For Tempering Cumin seeds-2 teaspoon Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon Dried red chillies-2 Fenugreek seeds-a pinch Turmeric-1/2 teaspoon Bay Leaves-2 Salt to taste Vegetable oil -3 teaspoons Method  -Soak the pulses over night or atleast for 8-10 hours in water. -Dry roast 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 dry red chilli and grind it coarsely using a pestle. -Make a paste with ginger,garlic and onions. -Chop the vegetables into medium or small pieces. ...

Smoked Eggplant(Baingan ka Bharta)

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(Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The smoky flavor of the roasted eggplant seasoned with green chillies and onions gives a distinct flavor and taste to this dish.There are several ways to make this healthy and tasty bharta but I usually make it in two diffenent ways.In one recipe I simply add the onions,chillies and add mustard oil and mash it.This is a quick way to make the bharta.In the other recipe i cook the roasted eggplant along with the onions and chilles.Both the dishes can be had with plain chapati. Quick Eggplant Bharta Ingredients Eggplants(Big size)-2 Finely chopped onions-1/2 Finely chopped green chillies-2(you can add more or less chillies as per your taste) Ginger-1/4 teaspoon,finely chopped Mustard oil/Ghee/Olive oil-2 teaspoons Salt to taste How to Roast the Eggplant -Wash the eggplant properly and prick it at several places using a fork. -Slit the eggplant but don't cut it into two halves. -Put the eggplant on the gas flame and cook till it's skin i...

Poha Mixture(Flattened Rice Flakes)

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Poha mixture is yet another easy to make recipe.It is made by roasting the flattened rice flakes.You can store the mixture in an air tight container for at least a week.It's tasty and healthy too.This is a great tea-time snacks and kids will love it. Ingredients Flattened rice flakes(Thin variety)-2 cups Roasted Peanuts-A handful Roasted chana dal-3-4 teaspoons Cashew nuts-7-8 fried Boondi-4-5 teaspoons Sev bhujia-1 small packet Green chillies-2,finely chopped Curry leaves-4-5 Salt to taste Oil-2 teaspoons Method -Add a teaspoon of oil in a pan and roast the poha on medium flame by stirring ocassionally. -Take the roasted poha out on a plate. -In the same pan now add 1 teaspoon of oil and curry leaves and green chillies. -Fry the chillies and the curry leaves till they turn crispy. -Now add the fried cashew nuts and the roasted chana dal. -Add the roasted poha back to the pan and turn the flame off. -Add the boondi,sev bhujia and mix well with a spoon. -Store...

Quick Poha(Flattened Rice Flakes) for Breakfast

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Poha, a snack made of flattened rice. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Poha or flattened rice flakes is an easily digestible form of raw rice.There are several recipes made from poha.It is a quick-to-make and very nutritious food. Poha with Onions and Potatoes Ingredients Poha-thin/thick variety 2 cups Onion-1 medium size Potato-1 medium size Ginger-1 small piece Green chillies-2 Turmeric powder -1/4 teaspoon Roasted peanuts-a hand Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon Lime juice-3 teaspoon Curry leaves-5-6 Salt to taste Coriander leaves-for garnishing Vegetable Oil- 3 tablespoons Method -Wash the poha and drain the water using a strainer.Let it soak some water for 5-6 minutes. -Cut the onions and potatoes into small pieces. -Make a paste with ginger and chillies. -Take the skin out of the peanuts by rubbing them with both hands and blowing off the skin. -Heat and pan and add 3 table spoons of oil to it. -Add the curry leaves and mustard seeds and let it splutter. -N...

Mashed Potato Indian Style(Aloo ka Bharta)

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Mashed potatoes or aloo ka bharta is a delicious comfort food recipe.This recipe can be made with mustard oil/olive oil/vegetable oil or ghee(clarified butter). All you need is some boiled potatoes and some chopped onions and a few spices to enhance the flavor.This quick to make recipe can be made in various ways and the basic ingredients more or less remain the same. Cheesy Mashed Potato(Bharta)  Ingredients Potatoes boiled-3 medium size Processed cheese-2 cubes,grated Garlic cloves-4-5,finely chopped White pepper podwer-a pinch Butter-1.5 teaspoon ,melted  Salt to taste Method -Peel the boiled potatoes and mash them adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt. - Heat the pan and add 1.5 teaspoons of melted butter. - Now add the garlic and quicly saute fora few seconds and immediately add the mashed potato. -Mix it well and add grated cheese on top and a pinch of white pepper. Quick Mashed Potato(Bharta) Ingredients Potatoes boiled-3 medium size Finely chopped oni...