As the saying goes, 'don't judge a book by its cover', the same goes for seeds - don't judge them by their tiny size! These minuscule yet mighty seeds are packed to the brim with nutrients such as protein, iron, fiber and antioxidants that all work together for better health and better skin.
Seeds are also incredibly easy to incorporate into our diets - just sprinkle them over your smoothie, or add them to your rice. Read on for 8 healthy seeds to incorporate into your diet!
These nutritional powerhouses pack a ton of phytosterols, which have proven to help lower blood cholesterol. After scraping clean the inside of your pumpkin to create your favourite jack-o-lanterns, don't throw all that gunk away! Save those pumpkin seeds, top them with a little olive oil and salt, give them a good roast in the oven, and you'll have tasty seeds to snack on. These pumpkin seeds are tasty enough to be eaten alone, or you can sprinkle them over your oatmeal or add them into your favourite muffins!
Image Credits: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
These tiny black seeds are an excellent source of protein and fiber - a 28g serving of chia seeds contains 10.6 grams of fiber and 4.4 grams of protein. These seeds are a vital part of a healthy diet, and have also shown to lead to better skin with their high antioxidant content. In addition to keeping our complexion clear and healthy, chia seeds also can aid in reducing the risk of diabetes. Research has shown that a high-fiber diet can help to curb Type 2 diabetes - so go ahead and gobble these tiny titans up to keep diabetes at bay!
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The beautiful ruby seeds found in pomegranates boast a multitude of benefits. Not only are they juicy and refreshing, pomegranate seeds contain a type of antioxidants called flavonols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Pomegranate seeds also pack a ton of Vitamin C, which can offer protection against deficiencies in our immune system and skin wrinkling - all contributing to better skin and health!
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Flaxseeds are a great source of fiber and omega-3 fats, which work together to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels in the body. However, the hard, fibrous outer-shell of flaxseeds are not digested by our bodies - which can inhibit the absorption of those precious omega-3 fats. When consuming flaxseeds, grind them up in a blender first to ensure that you reap the most out of these tiny seeds!
Image Credits: Peter Griffin on Public Domain Pictures
Remember those brightly coloured, chocolate-coated snacks we used to gobble up when we were young? Yup, those sunflower seeds are actually good for us - but without all that colouring and chocolate-coating! Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E, which can help to maintain healthy hair and skin by fighting off free radicals. Forget all your expensive face masks - beauty starts from a right diet!
Image Credits: Sweetlouise on Pixabay
While hemp seeds come from the same plant, Canabis sativa, as marijuana, they do not contain enough tetrahydrocannabinoids (THC) to make a person high. In fact, when THC is consumed and not smoked, they provide a plethora of health benefits to the consumer. Hemp seeds are rich in Gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA), which encourage hormone health in our bodies, therefore reducing the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.
Image Credits: Dabok2014 on Pixabay
Commonly sprinkled on top of our sushi and rice bowls, these tiny seeds pack 2g of protein per tablespoon, which aids greatly in digestion. A high-fiber diet results in healthy digestion by promoting bowel movement, which eventually aids in better absorption of all the valuable nutrients that we consume through sesame seeds. The organic compound, sesamol, protects DNA against harmful radiation which can be emitted from computers or our phones, and therefore reduces the risk of cancer.
Quinoa has been touted as one of the superfoods years ago - but what exactly is so amazing about this unimpressionable seed? The answer lies in its plant antioxidants called flavanoids, namely quercetin and kaempferol, which have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects in animals. This supergrain is also rich in magnesium, which works towards healthy bones and teeth. Best of all? Quinoa is gluten-free, so if you're looking to eliminate gluten out of your diet, quinoa is a perfect addition to your diet!
These 8 seeds are incredibly easy to incorporate into your diet - just top your yogurt, oatmeal or rice with them - the possibilities are endless. So, let your imagination run wild, and go forth to reap the benefits of these tiny nutritional powerhouses!
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Matcha lattes, matcha ice cream, matcha cakes - we've been seeing a lot of these emerald desserts and beverages around lately, but hey, who's complaining?
Matcha literally means 'powdered tea' in Japanese - tea leaves are finely ground to form that emerald green powder everyone is obsessed with. Not only is matcha delicious, it also has a multitude of health benefits. With its high levels of antioxidants, matcha helps to boost metabolism, which aids in weight loss.
If you want to incorporate a little of this magic green powder into your diet, we've got you covered. Here are 8 simple matcha dessert recipes that you can indulge in every week - or every day, for that matter!
Image credits: Vanilla and Bean
This recipe is perfect for when you're trying to slim down, but still itching to indulge your sweet tooth. This emerald bowl of health goodness packs 32 grams of fiber from chia seeds, and requires just minutes to complete.
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Image Credits: Wholesome Patisserie
The characteristic bitterness of matcha combines with the sweetness of white chocolate chips in this recipe to form a mouthwatering dessert. These cookies are fuss-free and perfect to serve at parties or when you have guests over.
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Image Credits: Jason Leung on Unsplash
Lucky for us, we don't have to be professional baristas to whip up this tasty drink that's packed full of goodness and health. If you're looking for something more indulgent, feel free to top your latte with some whipped cream.
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Image Credits: Manu's Menu
If you're a huge fan of Royce's melt-in-the-mouth nama chocolate, this recipe is for you. These truffle chocolates are decadent and perfect for indulgent movie nights.
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Image Credits: Kirbie Cravings
These yogurt popsicles will be a godsend in Singapore's insane heat. To make this dessert less sinful, we've replaced whipping cream with yogurt. Feel free to eat this for breakfast - I mean, there's yogurt in it, so that means it's healthy... right?
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Image Credits: Bakerita
Perfect for breakfast (or any time of the day, really), this recipe for matcha granola takes your favourite granola recipe to the next level. Coupled with the nuttiness of almonds and walnuts and the sweetness of dried blueberries, the bitterness of the matcha is toned down.
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Image Credits: Richelle Ludwig
Bite-sized and easy to make, this dessert is perfect for hot summer days. After all, nothing can go wrong when there's chocolate in it!
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Image Credits: Kirbie Cravings
Are you craving for some matcha cake, but it's 11pm and all the stores are closed? Fret not, for this all-in-one matcha mug cake recipe is the perfect solution to your late night cravings and/or laziness.
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And here you have it - 8 fuss-free, easy matcha dessert recipes for anytime of the day that you are craving for some of this healthy goodness. Go forth and eat green!
For even more green tea goodness, look to our Sakura Tea! It is made from mild sencha that complements the flavour of Sakura flower in a harmonious union. Get yours today!
Hailing from North India more than 5,000 years ago, yoga has been practised in the pursuit of increasing longevity and rejuvenating the body. Today, yoga is practised all over the world - a recent study by the Yoga Journal revealed that more than 36 million people practice yoga in the United States today. We even had an interview with a dedicated yogini, Shanti Milla who has ascertained the joys that yoga bring, alongside her practice of Tibetan medicine.
Read more here: https://www.nilufertea.com/blog/interview-yogini-shanti-milla/
Yoga's benefits have been touted far and wide by people all over the world - but what exactly is it about holding poses and stretches that is so amazing? Well, lucky for us, we don't have to be hardcore yogis to be able to reap its benefits. Read on to find out 10 things that make yoga so amazing for both our fitness and mind. Before you know it, you'll be stepping onto a mat!
A huge part of yoga consists of holding poses for a period of time, and thus stretches and loosens the muscles in our body. While you might not be able to do some stretches when you first start out, as long as you continue pushing, your muscles will loosen with time. The increased flexibility from constant stretches can help to relieve frequent pain and muscle aches. One of the most common causes of back pain is tight hamstrings, which results in flattening of the spine. So, hang in there with your poses - don't give up, for a little goes a long way!
Thanks to all our bad habits in our daily lives - like craning our necks to look at our phones, or sitting for hours at a desk - we develop bad postures that take a toll on our spine. By incorporating various yoga stretches into our daily routine, we build an awareness of our body that we previously did not have, allowing us to be more mindful of our posture, and whether we are slouching. Of course, with more stretching, our muscles open up and knots untangle, leading to better postures and a more relaxed spine. Try out the Tadasana (mountain pose), or the Vriksasana (tree pose) for 15 minutes a day, and you'll see an improvement in your posture in no time.
Apart from boosting our physical health, yoga also has an endless number of benefits for our mental and emotional health. A huge part of yoga encompasses a concept called mindfulness - the act of bringing our awareness to the present and accepting what is occurring without any judgment or reaction. By practising mindfulness through meditation, problems and conflicts we face in our life will seem easier to solve, or get through. Through mindfulness, we learn how to redefine the way we deal with our problems - instead of actively trying to reduce or fight against it, we accept it - and as our perspectives shift, we realise that these problems that are causing us to be unhappy aren't that important after all.
A recent study conducted by the Harvard Medical School revealed that yoga tremendously improves sleep quality and quantity for people who suffer from insomnia. Having a meditation and asana routine before bed can help to slow down our mind and body processes, easing the transition into sleep and allowing us to relax just in time for bed.
The different stretches and poses in yoga aid in relaxation, which promotes blood circulation around the body. Twisting poses such as the Revolved Triangle Pose help to push out venous blood from organs, and allow freshly oxygenated blood to be pumped back into the organs once the pose is released. Also, inverted poses, such as the handstand, pumps blood from the legs and pelvis to the heart to be oxygenated. This can aid if you are facing swelling in your feet or knees.
A huge part of yoga revolves around meditation and concentrating on what is going on right now - which is also known as mindfulness. By regularly training our minds to focus on one thing, we learn how to organise our thoughts and reduce our mental stress from other irrelevant matters. This eventually leads to a more peaceful and stable mind - which allows us to recall things more easily and effectively.
Although yoga is rarely aerobic in nature, high intensity yoga classes such as Ashtanga classes can boost your heart rate into the aerobic range and get your blood pumping. With a better blood circulation, the risk of heart disease is lowered. Even for patients who have just recovered from a heart attack or heart surgery, yoga is perfect as a form of cardiac rehabilitation as it is less strenuous.
By practicing yoga regularly, it encourages us to lead a more active lifestyle which burns more calories and increases our fitness levels. In addition, practicing mindfulness can aid in cultivating healthy eating habits by being aware of our cravings, and thereby reducing the desire to binge or snack due to stress or unhappiness. With an increased sensitivity to hunger cues and a more active lifestyle, a boost to weight loss can be expected.
Now that you're more than acquainted with the immense benefits of yoga, it's time to close your laptop and step onto the mat. Namaste!
The rich history of Chinese tea culture dates back to more than 4,000 years ago. Green tea, the oldest of Chinese tea, was a luxury beverage drunk by emperors before it became part of common culture along with formalised tea ceremonies. Today, this tea-centered way of life is not only still prevalent in the country, but it has also spread to other countries and influenced other cultures. Tea is the most popular refreshment in China, with the average person in China drinking 400 cups of tea a year according to US-China Institute.
Navigating its vast history, here are what we think are the 8 must-knows of Chinese tea and its culture!
A famous legend tells the story of Sheng Nong who was poisoned after a day of eating various wild plants. As he lay on the ground barely alive, he noticed a bunch of fragrant leaves and out of habit, ate them as well. These leaves turned out to be tea leaves that detoxified his body of the poison and made him well again, portraying the benefits of tea on our bodies.
More recently, tea has been found to have inflammatory properties due to its antioxidants. The multi-purpose beverage also helps with weight loss and reduces the risk of cancer. The Chinese also believe that different teas have ‘heating’ and ‘cooling’ effects on the body to balance out the body’s 氣 (qi), or life force.
There are 6 main families of teas originating from China, namely white, green, black, yellow, wulong (better known as oolong) and pu’er tea. While some of these teas are wildly popular and can be drunk in various places around Asia, they are not grown in the same area. In fact, different regions in China grow and harvest specific different types of tea, and they also have distinctive tea cultures and preferences! People in Beijing prefer flower-scented teas while Tibetans enjoy buttered tea. Mongolians enjoy their tea with milk and the Northern Chinese enjoy black teas and pu’er which is tea that has been fermented.
Next time you make a visit to China, be sure to observe what the locals like to drink. You might be surprised at what you find!
With its long and deep-rooted history, tea is held in high regards. It was a tradition for someone of a lower rank to serve tea to someone more senior as a sign of respect. Nowadays, serving tea to seniors, colleagues or even guests, regardless of their status, has become a widespread symbol of respect in China. Don’t be surprised if you’re served tea after a pleasant chat with the shopkeeper of a hole-in-the-wall store!
In traditional Chinese weddings, the bride and groom serve tea to their own and each others’ parents by kneeling in front of their families and presenting the cup of tea while bowing. This is done as a deep symbol of thanks for raising them into adulthood. As the Chinese also strongly believe in fate, the meeting between husband and wife may also be seen as only possible due to their parents’ years of care and guidance, another reason for serving tea as a sign of gratitude.
Tea culture in China isn’t just limited to it’s tea alone. There are over 25,000 tea houses in China. With the purpose of drinking tea and socialising, these tea houses are seen as a gauge of the country’s and cities’ economy. The more glorious the tea house, the more prosperous the country. Tea houses in China are also the birthplace of xiangsheng, or crosstalk — comedic monologues or dialogues rich in puns and allusions.
Surprise! The first pot filled with hot water is not drunk but actually thrown out. Hot water is first poured into the pot and left to settle for one minute to warm the vessel. Doing this ensures that the temperature of the water is optimal for brewing tea leaves. Warming the walls of the pot will prevent the second round of hot water from cooling down quickly, thereby bringing out the strongest flavour of the tea!
The most famous type of teapot in China is the Yixing clay teapot that’s been around since the 15th century. While the Chinese brewed tea for personal enjoyment, they also brewed tea to ‘wash’ their clay pot and cups. Pouring hot brewed tea on both the inside and outside of the teaware, they believed this would strengthen the mould and shape of the clay and deter erosion, allowing the clay to last longer.
If Chinese tea isn't your cup of tea, perhaps organic herbal tea may be more up your alley. After all, everyone has their own preferences and unique taste in tea. We recommend the Rose Paradise tea. It is full rosy goodness and strawberry sweetness. To add the cherry to the top, it creates a beautifully soft pink tea, perfect for your instagram feed!
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and not the balm you buy from. The plant can withstand unfavorable climatic conditions and are very easy to grow. It has a wonderful fragrance that is energizing and invigorating, resembling a scent between mint and lemon. Lemon balms are not only beautiful additions to the garden, but it is used in traditional forms of medicine, aromatherapy and cooking. The flowering herb is used to produce a rich and concentrated essential oil that has been highly-praised for ages. Plus, dropping a lemon balm tea into a cup of hot water can create a refreshing tea that is both fragrant and delicious.
Ideally, lemon balm leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Dried leaves of the plant can also be preserved in airtight containers.
In the market, you can find lemon balm leaves in various forms. Dried leaves can be purchased in jars. You can also purchase lemon balm tea, capsule, tinctures and essential oil.
The good thing about lemon balm is that nearly all its parts can be used for healing various conditions and ailments in humans. The leaves, stems and flowers are all beneficial. Even in the ancient Roman civilization, it was used for medical treatments.
Owing to growing stress and incessant multi-tasking that people are subjected to nowadays, sleeping problems and anxiety have become common. Fortunately, lemon balm has been found useful for treating insomnia and anxiety. When the herb is used in conjunction with other herbs like chamomile and valerian, the effect is more pronounced and the mixture makes an impressive nаturаl rеmеdу fоr іnѕоmnіа. Despite also having thе аbіlіtу tо ѕtіmulаtе fосuѕ аnd optimize mеmоrу, thе ѕооthіng ԛuаlіtіеѕ of thіѕ hеrb аrе juѕt аѕ notable. This flexibility mаkеѕ lemon bаlm еxtrеmеlу important fоr those with interrupted sleep раttеrnѕ.
Unknowingly, you get exposed to harmful free radicals every day. These can be damaging for your health. To battle the effects of free radicals, you need antioxidants, and lemon balm contains oodles of them. Thе hіgh lеvеl оf antioxidants hаѕ also been shown to reduce bеtа-аmуlоіd рlаԛuе dероѕіtіоn іn nеurаl раthwауѕ, which can ѕlоw dоwn the progression оf nеurоdеgеnеrаtіvе diseases, ѕuсh аѕ Alzhеіmеr’ѕ аnd Pаrkіnѕоn’ѕ dіѕеаѕе.
For treating cancer and some other disorders, exposure to radiation becomes necessary. However, people subjected to radiation exposure have to cope with several side effects afterwards. Studies have indicated that using lemon balm can reduce the negative impact of exposure to radiation by reducing damage to the plasma DNA.
Drinking lemon balm tea and its infusion can help improve the condition of your digestive health. And this comes as no surprises as lemon balm has been used to reduce distress to the gut and also heal it from various stomach conditions, such as indigestion.
Having a flu and a muscle ache that comes with it? Fret not, because lemon balm leaves can help relieve that body ache, possibly due to eugenol which is a pain-reducing compound. It also contains wonderful properties that help to reduce antispasmodic actions, and thus effectively reduces muscle spasms. Using Lemon balm leads to sweating when you have a fever, helping to release toxins from the body and bring some relief. which brings some relief.
Using lemon balm can boost your immunity levels. It has components like caffeine and rosmarinic acids, which are antibacterial and antiviral properties to fortify the body, thus effectively alleviate any onset of infection in healthy cells.
Lemon balm is useful for keeping the skin in top condition, both for women and men. It has natural and strong astringents, making it a great herb for treating skin inflammation, as well as managing oily and acne prone skin. Want to up your cleanser game? Use lemon balm! It is great for getting the gunk from the pores, giving you a beautifully smooth complexion and also reducing acne and rashes.
Image cred: pixabay
To treat instances of oral infections and results like bleeding gums and bad breath, you can try using lemon balm. A few drops of lemon balm essential oil are all you need. Mix it with a mouthwash or just a cup of water and start gurgling the bacteria away. You will definitely feel and smell a better mouth.
People get tensed due to many reasons, personal and professional. Using lemon balm tincture or infusion in such times works wonders in calming tensed nerves. You can use it to release stress after returning from work.
You can use lemon balm to as a natural room freshener. Fresh lemon balm leaves can be soaked in lightly boiled water to create a concoction that can be sprayed in your living space for a light minty aroma.
Avoid using lemon balm together medications and sedatives unless you have checked with your physician about the safety concerns. As lemon balm already contains some sedative properties, using it with other OTC sedative drugs can strengthen that sedative effects that may be undesirable. While it is not yet proven that lemon balm has any effect when taken with anti-retroviral agents, it is advisable that HIV patients undergoing such therapy should not use any forms of lemon balm.
Studies have found that lemon balm essential oil can increase pressure in the eyes, and this can worsen glaucoma. Furthermore, the herb may affect patients by interacting with existing medications that can cause adverse results. Thus, it is recommended that glaucoma patients stave off the herb.
People prepping to undergo surgery, or recuperating should not use lemon balm in any form due to the herb’s sedative properties. It can induce a deeper and long sleep, which is undesirable for those who just underwent a surgery.
Like many things out there, lemon balm leaves can induce allergic reactions that can include nausea and vomiting. However, most times, these allergic reactions only arise when large quantities are taken, so be aware and careful of how much you consume.
Interview Series 01
While many science of medicine focus on curing the physical symptoms, Tibetan medicine goes in deeper to examine the mind as well. Striking a balance between the well-being of the body and mind is the way of Tibetan medicine, as this ensures good energy in the body to maintain optimal health.
The practice focuses using herbs, plants and other naturally-occurring substance from animals to heal the body. For example, residual barley, hot water and melted butter are some of the things that you can find in Tibetan remedies. With a natural way of curing the body and nursing it back to health, it is no wonder why Tibetan medicine is starting to gain popularity. Recently, we met up with Milla, also known as Yogini Shanti to find out what drives her passion in the attaining natural wellness.
Hello My name is Milla, and my Yogi name is Yogini Shanti. I was born in Asia, educated in Europe and spend most of my life in USA. My Yogi name now describes my life and work.
I have studied Traditional Tibetan Medicine, Vajrayana Buddhism, Yoga and Meditation from Tibetan teacher, and also teachers from India, Vedic traditions. I have changed or developed new direction for myself, or may be just started to do what I really wanted to do. Formally I have been trained as an Architect, but have been practicing yoga and meditation since childhood.
The round dark pills above is "Chulen" . Chulen is Traditional Tibetan Herbal formula, that been created thousands of years ago by Tibetan doctors and yogis while observing natural life.
Composition of herbs helps to maintain body and spirit in perfect condition, if taken on regular basis. Chulen increases energy, normalizes body functions and brings longevity, also deepens meditation, while providing essential nutrients for the body.
What is Rinchens
Rinchens are The Famous Precious Pills. Precious because along with herbal ingredients they also contains many of precious substances, such as gold, pearls, corals, turquoise and many more.
Rinchens could have as many as 150 ingredients and prepared with special care, special blessings and mantras. And precious because of the capacity to heal the most complex physical and subtle, psychological problems.
For example, Rinchen Drangjor Rilang Chenmo is Black Gold Pill, the Great Multiple Compound, Precious Pill, and contains 50 different ingredients. Precious substances are always prepared through a series of standard detoxifying processes before being added as part of the compound.
Benefit of Rinchens
This Precious pill is used against dysfunctions of digestive system, infectious fevers, allergies, arthritis, stomach ulcers, against all kinds of poisoning, food poisoning, drugs and alcohol, pollution from environment. This Rinchen helps to maintain proper weight, strengthening and healing bones and bone marrow, regulates temperature of the body.
Get Rinchens from Tibetan Doctor (Amchi)
Rinchens should be prescribed by the Tibetan Doctor -Amchi. Most of the Rinchens are difficult to obtain, as the supply of ingredients are limited. But most of Tibetan doctors do have them in their pharmacies.
| Book Consultation for Tibetan Medicine If you are interested in Tibetan Medicine, she can have a consultation. Feel free to contact at info@nilufertea.com and let us know your concern. |
My inspiration are my parents, my teachers and then all wonderful people that I’ve met in my life. In my childhood, reading books and dreaming, talking to my parents, I always wanted to travel and go to Tibet and learn yoga and Tibetan Medicine.
Challenges are always there. Always present in many forms, and all of them represent changes. Changes are everywhere. I had to relocate to different country, travel a lot to many places and my family also went through transformation. Vajrayana Buddhist practices allowed me to learn how to deal with physical, mental, and emotional problems, and that helps a lot. And medical knowledge helps to remain healthy.
Traditional Tibetan Medicine is incredibly effective in so many ways. It is such a beautiful system, deeply connected with spirituality and us humans as a whole. It is definitely worth the efforts study and life work.
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Milla - Yogini Shanti Consulting Retreat Feel free to contact at info@nilufertea.com |
Useful Links
Meditation / Yoga Music
Sound library in Yogadownload.com is full of awesome collections. You can listen free sample musics.
Waterfall Collection - sound of water makes me really relaxed
Alpha Meditation Isochronic Tone
This is something very interesting concept for me. " With targeted Alpha brainwave meditation you can ‘train’ your subconscious towards positive, empowering self- perception, and in the process transforming your life dramatically " After listening the sounds, it is true that I feel very calm and free
Meditation /Yoga Video
I believe it is very important to find a time to meditate regularly. Meditation helps me to find some inner space and peace. I am very app person to meditate at home with video with my favorite teacher.
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