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Health Benefits of Indian Spices:

• Bay Leaf:
  Bay leaves contain compounds called parthenolides which have been helpful for the treatment of migraines, which could explain its traditional use as a natural headache remedy. 

• Caraway Seed:
  Another spice considered to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, caraway has been used for cold relief, toothaches, and to boost immune function. It also aids digestion, settling the stomach, and relieves bloating.

• Cardamom:
  This versatile spice believed to counteract stomach acidity, stimulate appetite, ease nausea, cure bad breath, and relieve gas and bloating. Referred to as the “Queen of All Spices” it contains potent antioxidants and is often included in liver detox. Cardamom has also been used as both an aphrodisiac and to fight obesity. 

• Cinnamon:
  This spice is a rich source of antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, eases digestion,and may even reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It also helps stimulate blood flow and is a herbal remedy for poor circulation. Cinnamon is also considered helpful for weight loss, but more research is still needed.

• Cloves:
  The active compounds in clove lend it anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

• Coriander:
  It helps soothe the stomach and relieve bloating. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and coriander oil is a natural remedy for arthritis relief.

• Cumin:
   Relieve diarrhea and bowel spasms and movements , relieve morning sickness.

• Fennel Seed:
  Not only loaded with powerful antioxidants fennel also contains fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin C. It is believed to boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, and aid in detoxification of the body. It contains compounds that help relieve smooth muscle spasms, which in effect, helps ease abdominal cramping and spasms. Fennel is also a mild appetite suppressant.

• Fenugreek: 
  Like many of the other herbs and spices used in Indian cooking, the ground seeds of fenugreek have anti-inflammatory properties and aid digestion. It reduce blood sugar levels and have been used as natural supplement for use with insulin. Fenugreek is also a potent expectorant, and is used for natural remedies to ease congestion, allergies, and bronchitis.

• Ginger:
  Ginger is packed with many active compounds. It’s many proven uses: naturally treat nausea from morning sickness, treat nausea related to motion sickness. Anti-inflammatory properties help ease muscle and joint pain. 

• Turmeric:
  Often called the “King of Spices” turmeric is an essential ingredient to the mix of spices known by most of us as curry. Its primary antioxidant, curcumin, is an essential ingredient for liver detox , and is also a natural arthritis treatment for its anti-inflammatory effects. The latest scientific studies are showing that turmeric may also be a promising diet aid that fights belly fat by inhibiting the growth of fat cells.

Fatoosh (SALAD)



Dressing:
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
Juice of 2 lemons, about 6 tablespoons
1/2 cup olive oil (*)

 Salad:
2 pieces stale pita bread
1 tablespoon water
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
3 scallions, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
1/2 head romaine lettuce, finely chopped

Method: 

• To make dressing, crush garlic clove with a garlic press or the back of a spoon. In a small bowl, combine garlic and salt and stir to form a paste. Add lemon juice and olive oil, mix well, and set aside.
• Place pitas on a cookie sheet and place under the broiler. Toast each side for 3 to 5 minutes, or until crisp and lightly browned. If you don’t have a broiler, cut pitas in half and toast in a regular toaster. Break pitas into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon water.
• In a large bowl, toss remaining ingredients with pita. Sprinkle with dressing, toss again, and serve immediately.

(*) To make a lighter dressing, use only 1/3 or 1/4 cup olive oil and use an extra tablespoon or two of lemon juice.

Bruschetta is one of the simplest things in the world to make, and can be very satisfying if you have good extravirgin olive oil.

Ingredients:
Bread,ideally freshly sliced
Garlic
Extravirgin Olive oil
Salt
Beans or Tomatoes (optional)
Hot coals,if possible

Preparation:
You will need 4 six-inch wide slice of Tuscan bread.Toast them,over the coals if possible tho a toaster will work fine if need be,gently rub them with a cut clove of garlic (you don’t want to overwhelm the oil),then drizzle them with good olive oil.Season with salt and pepper to taste,cut the slices in half, and serve.

How to make a miniature gingerbread house

As holidays just around the corner and kids love building and decorating  gingerbread houses,but baking the gingerbread and constructing the houses can be daunting.

Save yourself some grief with the easy “gingerbread” houses made from graham crackers and frosting.


Ingredients:
7 graham crackers
Frosting for glue (recipe below)
Assorted small candies for decorating
Ribbon
Pastry bag and tip or Ziploc bag and scissors

Frosting
1/2 pound confectioner’s sugar
3 tbs. butter/margarine
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 tbs. Milk

How to make it:
Mix all the ingredients together until smooth and easy to spread, but not runny. Add more sugar if too runny.
If you have a pastry bag, place frosting in bag and use a small tip. You can use a Ziploc bag cutting a small hole in the corner.
Place one graham cracker flat on the table, squeeze a little frosting around all edges. You may need an extra pair of hands.
Place one cracker on each side standing up. It now looks like a box without a top.
Carefully squeeze more frosting on all outside corners from top to bottom and around the bottom of the box.
Let stand for a short while to let frosting harden a little. This will make working with the roof a little easier.
Now squeeze frosting on two of the top edges of the box and place the last two graham crackers in a V shape on as the roof. Looks like a triangle on a box now from the side. It may overhang if you can get the frosting to hold for you.
Squeeze frosting along the top of the roof where crackers join. Let stand again until frosting hardens a little.
Now comes the fun part - with leftover frosting, cover the roof to look like snow. (two sides are left open) Then squeezing small amounts on candy, place candy on the house to decorate. You can use the frosting to add things like doors and windows. Just use your imagination.

Almond Oil and its Benefits:



Almond oil is very good for keeping our skin and hair healthy. Especially, our facial skin which is most prominent, has many benefits from almond oil. We are well aware of the various health benefits of almonds and the oil of almond is used on a large scale in the cosmetic industry. Today there are a number of beauty products that contain almond oil as a primary ingredient. Read on to know about the benefits of almond oil for face.

Cleanser:
The first use of Almond oil for face is that it can be used as a great cleanser for all skin types, especially for dry skin. But, you might wonder how can an oil be used for cleansing oily type skin? Believe me, it is great for oily skin as well. Just that you need to use it in the right way. Take oil on your palm and gently rub it on your face. Do not wet the face before using it. Rub it properly on entire face in circular directions. Once you are done, leave it for 2-3 minutes. Now, take steam on your face. You can either take a direct steam or use a wet cloth. Wet a cloth with water, wring it slightly so that no water is dripping from it. Close your eyes and place this cloth over your face. Keep it until it’s about room temperature. This will help to open the pores and remove the dirt and dead skin. Now, take a washcloth, wet it and wring it. Wipe your face with this to have a soft and clean face.

Scrub:
Another benefit of almond oil for skin is that it makes a perfect base for a facial scrub. You can add sugar or salt to almond oil to form a great exfoliating scrub. You should not use salt for sensitive or acne affected skin. Sugar and salt granules work in removing dead cells and dirt and almond oil acts as a good moisturizer for scrubbed skin. You can use this scrub once a week. Apply and scrub in circular direction, very gently and wash off with lukewarm water to have a soft glowing skin. You can exfoliate lips with sugar and almond oil scrub to have soft lips in minutes.

Under Eye Circles:
One of the best use of almond oil for face is in getting rid of dark circles under eyes. You might be tired of using various recipes to treat dark circles and wrinkles under eyes but almond oil is the best thing to opt for treating this problem. Dab a cotton piece in almond oil and place it on your eyes while going to bed. Do this everyday, you would soon notice the results. Using almond oil will also help to get rid of crow’s feet.

Face Massage:
You can use almond oil for face massage and have an awesome looking skin. It is one of the best oils for facial massage. Cleanse your face and have a massage with almond oil before going to bed. A bedtime massage will ensure that the oil stays on your skin for a long time. Moreover, almond oil massage is extremely relaxing. It will take you away from all the tensions and help you have a calm sleep. You can have a steam before the massage. Almond oil massage will help to get rid of dry skin, wrinkles, impurities, dead cells. It also improves complexion, reduces dark under eye circles, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, prevents aging, treats itching and suntan, and removes black heads. Then, how about a face massage tonight? Go for it and feel the difference. Read more on almond oil for hair.

You can also use sweet almond oil for face, especially if you have sensitive skin. It soaks easily in the skin and gives a glowing touch to it. Sweet almond oil is popularly used in aromatherapy. With so many almond oil uses and benefits, isn’t it worth using almond oil for face regularly? Forget the costly facials and beauty product, using almond oil for face is an all in one cosmetic. Start using it regularly for best facial skin care and experience the change in your face. Ready to have a glowing and stunning face? Go shine!