Call these #HotBeverages ‘ WINTER WONDERS’. While some dread going to work in the chilly winter mornings,others complain about the cold,windy, freezing nights.Few things are as soothing as a warm, spiced beverage on winter day. Whether you are dining out, are at work or simply hanging at home, a warm drink always hits the spot. These beverages are not only healthy but will help raise metabolism in the winter months.Those looking at a #weight loss or #fitness regime this season would benefit with regular consumption of these.
Let these ‘WINTER WONDERS’ help you throught the cold months…
Tea ( ‘Chai’ in Hindi)
Tea has been a favourite winter beverage in India for centuries. Essentially a blend black tea brewed with spices and milk, a cup of #Chai gives a wonderful sense of warmth and has a soothing effect.There are endless recipes and every house hold has their favorite spice mix. Tea has so many healing properties being rich in antioxidants and black tea has been linked to a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Not only does TEA #DESTRESS you, it is #HEALTHY and GOOD for your #SKIN.
Green Tea ( Hari Chai/ Herbal tea)
#GreenTea can do all sorts of amazing things, from lowering #bloodpressure and #cholesterol to preventing #arthritis. #Antioxidants in Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Various Types of Cancer and has been shown to increase fat burning and boost the metabolic rate besides improving brain function. So in order to feel better, lose weight and lower your risk of chronic diseases, you might want to consider making green tea a regular part of your life. Green tea is the considered to be the healthiest beverage on the planet.
Vegetable Soup ( Sabziyon ka Shorba)
Nothing beats the winter chill like a steaming bowl of soup / shorba. It offers plenty of health benefits as any and every vegetable can go into making a Shorba.
Tomato Shorba is one among the aromatic, flavorful and delectable soups which is liked by one and all especially the vegetarians. It has a tangy flavor and has a wonderful smell of ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs and spices. It is healthy, nutritious and tastes great with toasted croutons. Tomato shorba is loaded with healthy compounds especially Lycopene. A homemade tomato shorba is healthier, cheaper and delicious to taste. Besides, you can prepare a shorba out of beetroot,carrot,mix vegetables,etc
KAHWA- The Kashmiri Tea
The tea has many therapeutic properties, health benefits and is the easiest, tastiest, fastest way to push away lethargy in winters. Jammu & Kashmir and other northern parts of India, have their traditional tea called Kahwa. Tea made with Kahwa tea leaves is said to warm the body. It is caffeine free,is a fat burner and digestive drink that
improves concentration and fights stress.This drink energizes and is particularly beneficial in the cold winter night. It helps to relieve headache and maintain fluid level in the body.It is an excellent anti-oxidant too. You can easily get Kahwa tea in good grocery stores, and all supermarkets. Recipe is very simple and can be made with normal tea leaves also to give a different flavour to the otherwise common regular tea.
Cloves, cinnamon and ginger – the 3 ingredients used is this recipe mixed with Kashmiri green tea and flavoured with cardamom is what helps you relieve headache and maintain fluid levels too. Kashmiri green tea is available at most food stores and selected provision stores.
RAABDI – Rajasthani hot drink
Raabdi is the most perfect drink for this cold weather. It is quite popular in Rajasthan in winters. Made with Bajre ka Atta and curd this warms you up the second you drink it. Bajra is very rich in nutrients also. It is a good source of calcium, vitamins, minerals and iron. It also helps in reducing cholesterol levels. It needs hardly any preparation time. You just mix everything and leave that to simmer on low flame while you do other works. You just have to keep on stirring in between to avoid lumps. For complete recipe please use this link http://www.tarladalal.com/Raabdi-with-Bajra-Roti-3908r
KESAR-BADAM DHOODH (Almond Saffron Milk)
Advantages of Milk clubbed with the nutritious almonds and saffron make a highly desirable beverage in winters. Preferably to be had at breakfast time.When I was a small child and was coming down with a cold or the flu, my mother would serve me warm milk with saffron. Saffron contains many plants derived chemical compounds that are known to have antioxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties. Almonds are heart healthy, good for diabetics, keep brain functioning healthily and is good for bones & teeth.They also provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss. Milk is called a Complete food with high quality protein, is rich in calcium n riboflavin.One of the best ways to enrich your milk is to add almonds / kesar or both especially in winters
HALDI WALA DHOODH (Turmeric Milk )
Turmeric milk or Haldi wala doodh , prepared from turmeric and milk is Tridoshnashak as per Ayurveda and helps to pacify aggravated pitta, kapha and vaat. It is a home remedy in various health problems. Drinking turmeric milk helps to give relief in cold, cough, sore throat. Helps in allergies, and to have stronger bones. Also,gives relief in pain, inflammation, abdominal gas,etc. (Turmeric milk has many advantages and very beneficial for health but it should not be taken continuously for very long period. Also avoid eating anything an hour after drinking this milk.)
So, how about beginning or ending your day with such warm and soothing beverages to take your mind off the chill outside ? These are Tried and Tested beverages right from our Nani‛s- Daadi‛s kitchens. Go ahead friends. Take the winters head on.
