The Spice King - Turmeric (Manjal / Haldi)

Turmeric, the essence of Indian cooking is the most powerful spice in our cuisine as well as in Siddha & Ayurveda medicines for several centuries. It not only offers countless benefits to the human body, but is has also proven to cure several ailments and diseases with its main constituent - Curcumin.

Benefits

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent
2. Disinfects burns, cuts & wounds
3. Prevents breast cancer, prostrate cancer, skin cancer, blood cancer & metastases in many different forms of cancer
4. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory
5. It is a natural liver detoxifier, burns fat & controls cholestrol
6. It is an anti-depressant & a pain killer
7. It slows down multiple sclerosis (immune system detroying protective layer of nerves)
8. Prevents Alzheimer's disease
9. It is an excellent skin protector & cure (used by ancient indian women extensively on skin)
10. Used in treatment of arthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
11. Promotes gastro-intestinal functions
12. And the list goes on..

Usage
Although we throw a dash of turmeric in almost all our dishes, curries & veggies, you may try targeting its use through rasam/soup, milk & even add it to your skin. Remember adding turmeric to milk attacks streptococci in your throat & in rasam gets rid of your fever. Dont forget to add a pinch to steam out your sinus. Turmeric is basically used to balance all 3 doshas in ayurveda, but when used in excess could aggravate vata & pitta. Let us continue to use this blessed gift from mother nature and live well!

The Crunchy Groundnuts

Groundnuts or Peanuts are actually legumes (bean family) and packs a punch of anti-oxidants that can only be matched by some of the richest fruits such as pomegranates & berries. Each day millions & billions of cells in our body get repaired & rebuilt for which antioxidants are essential. Antioxidants also protect our body from free radicals thereby protecting against cell damage. Hence peanut is an ideal food for growing children and the elderly alike.

Benefits

1. It is rich in protein (25g per 100g, equivalent to meat sources), fiber, minerals and antioxidants
2. Rich in MonoUnsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), that helps lower bad cholesterol
3. It is a main source of vit-B complex groups for vegetarians
4. Contains Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant (also found in red wine & grapes) that protects against cancers, heart disease, stroke, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease, and viral/fungal infections.

Groundnut Oil (cold-pressed sekku oil)

• Excellent for your heart, lowers cholestrol, blood pressure and relieves gastro problems
• Offers diverse types of fatty acids, such as oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids
• One of the most commonly used oil in south india by our ancestors

Top minerals

Rich in copper, manganese, magnesium, vitamin-B complex groups, vitamin-E, Iron, zinc, selenium and folate.

1. Copper guards against arthritis
2. Manganese helps overcome weak bones, skin rashes and post-menopausal syndrome
3. Magnesium aids in nerve/muscle function and alleviates headaches due to unknown causes
4. Vit-B (neurological functions) & vit-E (against free radicals)

How to use peanuts?
When eaten roasted or boiled, its antioxidant potential is increased two to four times. Add it to your salads/subjis to get that crunch, dont forget the kadalai urundais/burfis (chikkis) and try the spicy kadalai chutney for your idlis & dosais. You could also add it to lemon rice, pudina rice, puliyodharai etc. And try frying your vadais, appalams & pooris in peanut oil - yumm. As for non-veg eaters, once you cook your eggs, meat & fish in peanut oil, there is no returning back to any other oil :)