Foods

Women are quietly leading a revolution in kitchens and workshops across the world one that revives traditional, handmade food products and artisans, while fostering livelihood sustainability and community empowerment. From a local cheese made from an ancient recipe to homespun jams and hand-rolled chocolates the artisan food movement is driven by women. We are seeing a revival of many women artisans, particularly in the space of homemade food production; this priceless way to maintain culture traditions is not only good for heirloom recipes but has opened up new economic doors as well. The conversation around the future of food is not just about what we will eat, but how it will be made, and more importantly who makes it. Women and Artisan Food Production Women have historically been the keeper of food traditions, handing down recipes from one woman to another in a family through many generations. These handcraft artisan food production skills meld old-world techniques with contemporary innovation, and many women today operate business such as gourmet empire of securing expensive linger from the railroad. Hand-crafted pickles, a manna to traders who have been scarred one- time too many by their small town counterparts and sweet treats not baked but hand-made fresh from the oven, poetry that speaks to the ancestry of women. Artisan and Homemade Food – Why it Matters? – Quality and Craftsmanship Artisan food is the opposite of mass-produced, with a spotlight on q uality ingredients and traditional preparation, as opposed to manufactured foods that rely upon preservatives and chemicals. Women producers also may use available locally grown organic ingredients making their products healthier and tastier than those sold at the big indoor markets. – Preservation of Tradition For many women artisans, their work is inspired by family recipes or cultural practices that our fast-paced world today might forget otherwise. They are preserving food culture through their crafted products and liquefy-rich, culturally evocative flavors. – Economic Empowerment Artisan food production has the potential to provide women in rural or undeserved communities creating a starter business from their culinary skills. Women with less access to formal employment are turning their home-made goods into into a valuable source of income through local markets, online marketplaces and selling directly to consumers. But this empowerment is not just financial it also provides increased self-esteem, independence and leadership in their communities. The Challenges And Opportunities Women Artisans face Women have been gaining ground in the artisan food world, but acing it is not less than a struggle for them. Aharoni concluded that the lack of resources, including access to funding, business training and technology are obstacles to scale. The chief executive mentioned that many girls were socially conditioned, with cultural decrees in some rural areas not excluding women from obtaining entrepreneur opportunities. On the other hand, though there may have been barriers for women artisans in a highly male dominated industry landscape, online marketplaces like Etsy and supported social networks to help them over come these challenges. Consistent with this growth, the rise in organizations and platforms that work on training, mentoring and marketing of women led businesses is becoming increasingly popular. These are resources to help women grow their businesses, find larger audiences and tell better stories. Women-led Artisan and Homemade Food Products of Future Thankfully, as consumers are increasingly opting for higher-quality and locally made goods, the future is brighter than ever before for women artisans. What is fuelling the rise of women in artisan food production? – The word ethic encompasses many things that the sustainability community cares about. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more consumers are looking for ways to support their values through the products they buy; many are taking a strong interest in sustainability or at least ethical sourcing. This is where it can help women artisans especially as they prioritize sustainable farming and zero waste practices & the demand for eco friendly food items is growing! – The Power of Storytelling They are not simply selling products, they are sharing their tales. Today, consumers want to know the story of the product: Who made it and why; where does it come from; what inspired the people behind its creation. This sense of personal touch is a strong asset on the part of these women craftsmen, where they can create and maintain their customer base. – D2C Avenues Digital platforms and social media have to a certain extent levelled the playing field, allowing women artisans to sell directly to consumers and therefore bypassing traditional retail channels. With an Instagram shop, own webpage or platforms such as Etsy, women can now access global markets without the need for wide-scale distribution. – Community Collaboration Women artisans have also been networking, some even forming cooperatives in which they leverage resources together to enhance their knowledge and market access. Community is everything to them and even as they connect locally and online also, it motivates their innovation…. Celebrating Women Artisans Artisan food women are not just producers, they are cultural ambassadors, entrepreneurs and changemakers of tomorrow. They are making food that is not only nourishing to the body, but also filling for the soul and strengthening of tradition and community. With increasing knowledge of where food comes from, customers want to buy products that have been handcrafted with care and skill. In this way, purchasing from artisan food business owners who are women is two-fold: not only is it a vote for quality, but for the empowerment of women and the continuation and reviving of culinary traditions. Final Thoughts Then there is no doubt that the future of artisan and homemade food products, are female. Here, we highlight the women artisans front and center of bringing delicious, premium food to your kitchen that adhere to tradition but also evolve. The future of gastronomy is female, and as the demand for slow cooked, artisanal, ethical food continues to flourish across all parts of the globe women artisans will be at the center shaping it. By aiding

When it comes to getting healthier in plant-based eating, food is the most important priority… obviously! The ingredients we choose are the building block of our meals, and therefore directly impact your health, nutrition and above all well-being. No matter if you are a casual cook or an experienced chef, some knowledge about the most common ingredients is more than useful and greatly enhances your abilities to make healthy food. In this guide, we dive deep and explore the food ingredients that are key to our diets — breaking them down into eight types of ingredients; highlight the importance for each in a balanced diet; plus tips on how best you can select your next unique combination of these nutritious goodies! Table of Contents What Are Food Ingredients? The food ingredients are the key elements that make a dish possible. Ingredients range from simple grains veggies and spices to such complex things as sauces, flavouring etc. Food has a purpose; it’s good for something: Food is an ingredient. Everything served on the plate was prepared with some particular intention or effect in mind—from taste and texture to appearance and variety, all of which are instrumental benefits that contribute to overall nutrition greater than their sum parts. Ingredients are mainly classified as;- Whole Foods (Natural, unprocessed ingredients such as Fruits, Vegetables Cereals and Whole-Grains Nuts Seeds) Why is it important for regular people to know the Role of Food Ingredients in Nutrition??? The correct ingredients for the right food means balanced, nutritiously tailored meals to facts about diet. However, these are some important ways that we benefit from including them in our diet: A. Nutritional Supplementation Proteins- Items like Beans/Lentils/Soya/Chicken/Fish/Eggs are good source of protein and it is important for muscle repair as well to overall growth. Carbohydrates: Rice, bread, pasta and oats are forms of energy in the form of carbohydrates. Use grains whole so you also get the fibre.Fats: Healthy fats which can be found in avocados, nuts and seeds; olive oil help maintain a clear mind, healthy skin and beautiful hair.Vitamins and Minerals: Fruits, veggies, nuts & seeds are chock full of immune-supportive vitamins and minerals (vitamin C), for bone health (calcium) & energy production (magnesium). B. Enhancing Digestion: Dietary fiber—found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables—is probably the best-known kind of carbohydrate, that easiest forms of carbohydrates to ‘break down’, by chewing. Some spices even Ginger and Fennel seeds are good for digestion support as well reduction in bloating. C. Supporting Immune Health: Immune-boosters include garlic, turmeric, ginger and green leafy vegetables. Being high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals these foods can prevent a person from infections & diseases. D. Providing Hydration: High-hydration foods like fruits (watermelon, oranges, cucumbers) and vegetables (lettuce and celery), naturally add to your overall hydration as well since they contain water making it easier for you maintain good fluid balance. How to Select the Perfect Food Ingredients for Your Meals It is very important that healthy ingredients are used to make delicious food items. The guidelines for choosing what to reuse or recycle Here is a list of suggestions that can help you make the best choice! A. Opt for Whole and Fresh Ingredients: Whole foods are healthier such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein year whole grains along with a heart healthy fat. These ingredients are full of their natural nutrients as well, with less added sugar or preservatives so they pack a bit more nutritional punch! B. Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredient list when purchasing any packaged food. These recipes use simple, real ingredients without all the added sugars, unhealthy fats or artificial colors of typical children’s snacks. C. Another thing that you can do is to Buy Seasonal and Local Produce: Most of the time, seasonal and regional ingredients are fresher as they have been just picked up moist from garden which also means more nutritive food on your plate. Their shorter journey from farm to table makes them fresher and lighter on the environment. D. Learn Food Labels and Certifications: When grocery shopping, search for labels marked with “organic,” “non-GMO” and/or “fair trade.” They mean the food was produced according to established health, sustainability and ethical practices. E. Make a Right Choice of Cooking Oils: Choose healthier fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil instead of saturated and trans fat. They are full of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Common Food Ingredients and their Benefits In this article, we listed some of the common food ingredients and their benefits to human health. A. Quinoa: Powerhouse protein, fiber, vitamin and mineral whole grain Quinoa is a great option when looking to incorporate plant-based protein into your diet, particular if you are vegetarian or vegan. B. Turmeric: This spice has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects partly due to its active compound curcumin. Turmeric – Immunity booster and aids in digestion C. Avocado: An extremely high-fat fruit, good fats like monounsaturated fats which can lower bad-cholesterol levels. In addition to this, avocados are high in potassium which is good for the heart. D. Kale: Some leafy green vegetables that are packed with vitamins A, C and K as well as calcium, fiber. A rich in antioxidant, Kale is good for bone health and boosting immunity. E. Chia Seeds: Tiny high-fiber, omega-3 fatty acid and antioxidant-rich seeds Chia seeds are great for digestion, has heart benefits and good sustainable energy. F. Greek Yogurt: A protein,pro-biotics and calcium rich dairy product. It aids to digestion, promotes muscle development as well ssh support health bone formation; Greek yogurt. G. Salmon: An oily fish that is high in omega-3s (good for your heart and brain) Salmon is also a great source of high-quality protein and vitamin D. H. Lentils: This protein- and fiber-rich legume is also an excellent source of iron, making it a great choice for both vegetarians and omnivores. Because of the slow digesting fiber content, lentils are good for your heart and blood sugar levels making

A modak, a sweet Indian dumpling made during Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated for Lord Ganesha the eater god. Since modaks are considered the favorite food of Lord Ganesha when we offer these sweet dumplings to him, He blesses us accordingly. Modak is made using rice flour dough with a sweet filling of Jaggery (unrefined sugar) and grated coconut steamed to get perfect soft covering that has a melt in the mouth texture having aromatic stuffing inside it. Step-by-step preparation of Modak dumplings from making the dough and filling to how to shape them into Figure-8 or cones, followed by a traditional steamed vegan treat at home. Table of Contents Ingredients for Modak Dumplings Collect all ingredients needed to make Modak before you start the process. Here’s a list: For the Dough: For Steaming: How to make Ghee: For greasing the steamer or plate Filling For Modak Dumplings What is popularly known as “Saran” or the filling, forms the soul of a Modak. It is a combination of coconut and jaggery which will taste sweet as well spicy if we make it in the right way. Instructions of Filling Step by step How to Make Fry Pan Pizza Heat a Pan: Set an heavy bottomed pan or kadhai on medium heat. Note: The contents should not be very watery but certainly moist. To check, take a small part in your palm it should hold together. 3. How to Make Modak Dumplings Dough The dough consists of rice flour, which is what gives Modak that recognizable soft and chewy sticky consistency. How to Make the Dough Step-by-Step Step 1: Boil Water- Bring 1 cup of water to a rolling boil in medium saucepan. In the water, Add Salt and 1tsp ghee Step 2: Add Rice Flour: Add rice flour slowly to the boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula so that no lumps are formed. Step 3: Cook the Dough: Reduce heat and mix, etc., until everything comes together in a soft dough. It will pull away from the sides of the pan and a form into a ball. Step 4: Cover and Rest : Cover the pan with a lid & let dough rest for 5 to10 minutes. This lets the dough steam and soften up more. Step 5: Knead Dough: Pour the dough on to a clean surface or bowl, once cool enough to handle. Punch and knead with little ghee on greased hands for another 4-5 minutes until smooth. Dough will be soft with no cracks. Note: If kneading dough and it feels dry or cracks, add a little warmer water (a few drops at a time) to mix to smooth. Shaping the Modak Dumplings However, the process of shaping your Modak is an art that one can soon master with a bit of practice and patience. Though Modak is hand shaped traditionally but you can use a modak mold for even looking kozhukattai. How to Shape (Step-by-Step): Tips: Make sure the corners are sealed so as to avoid filling ooze out during steaming. Steaming the Modak Dumplings Traditionally Modak are made by steaming to get a soft melt in the mouth texture. Instructions to Steam: Note: You can place a few fresh banana leaves or turmeric leaves in the steamer, below arranging the Modaks. INSTRUCTIONS: This imparts a light fragrance to the dumplings. Serve and Enjoy Modak Dumplings Modak is best enjoyed fresh and warm, and you can drizzle some ghee on top before serving. While traditionally made during Ganesh Chaturthi and offered to Lord Ganesha, you can make and eat them any time of the year. Suggestions of serving are: Tips Conclusion Making Modak Dumplings at home is quite fulfilling and brings about the essence of tradition and celebrations. Eat it during a fast or a celebration, or make it to offer the Lord; the unique taste and texture of Modak are sure to be loved by everyone and just a little bit of practice and patience, you will be able to make those delicious sweet dumplings as well. And thus, put your lab coats on and let us gather what we need to.

Put it another way: eating clean is not a fad by any means — it’s key for nurturing your health and life. But when there are so many different foods you can choose, knowing which healthy ones to eat is almost impossible. With misleading labels, and different nutrition directions from your trainers it tricks people to their downfall due no one knows which food is the best for well being. Trying to pick the healthiest food options from a sea of different labels and ingredients can be exhausting, this blog will talk you through everything allowing you to make sure your body is receiving only the best. Table of Contents Touching on health is important Before we delve deeper into knowing what to eat, it is but fair enough that you bare your mind on clarifications as to why or when a food can be called “healthy”. Nutritious foods offer your essential nutrients — vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats etc. without excessive unhealthy additives like salt, sugar or fat also contains large amounts of other substances that may increase risk for some common diseases such as cancer(sysbiome.). By ensuring healthy functions, more energy and less risk to catch diseases. Attributes of healthy foodsNutrient-Dense: This means that the rates of nutrients(foods) are similar to their calories.Unprocessed or minimally processed: The food is as close to its natural form with little added sugars, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients.High in Fibre: Good for digestion, helps control blood sugar and fills you up. Selecting What Healthy Foods Choose Whole Foods Instead of Processed Ones Whole foods are unprocessed, and do not contain added ingredients. They tend to be more nutrient-dense and have fewer harmful ingredients.Fruits and There Are Good Fats: Work in healthy fats from avocadoes, nuts & seeds + olive oil. They are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that may help reduce bad cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. Read Food Labels Carefully Food labels show you what is in the food that will help make better health choices. Select Nutrient-Dense Foods Nutrient-Dense Foods — foods high in vitamins and minerals, nutrients for the calories they contain. Plan Balanced Meals It means having foods from all the main food groups to provide a range of macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) as well as micronutrients (such vitamins and minerals). Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits, one-quarter of it with lean protein (lean poultry or meat)of complete grains. This method can help regulate the serving size but not nutrition. Round Out with a Kaleidoscope of Colors: Incorporating all different hues in fruits and veggies means you will get the full scoop on nutrients. Different colors are indicative of various phytonutrients which provide diverse health benefits. Quality of the ingredients (freshness) Furthermore, buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season whenever you can. For the most part, fresh foods are both more nutritious and tastier than their processed counterparts. Small dietary modifications can result in a substantial health boost. Healthy food swaps are easy to implement, and have a big impact. Switch White Bread for Whole Grain Breads — whole grain bread naturally has more fibre and nutrients in it, making you feel full throughout the day as well not spiking your blood sugar levels. Swap out the Sweet Treats for Fresh Fruit: As opposed to cookies or candy, eat satisfying fresh fruit such as apples, berries and a banana that are naturally sweet.Opt for Greek Yogurt instead of regular yogurt as it will make you feel full with fewer calories, thanks to its higher protein and lower sugar compared to most other yogurts. Substitute Olive Oil for Butter: Olive oil provides monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, both of which are supportive to heart health. Trade a Pop for Some Herbal Tea Or Infused Water: For artificial flavoured drinks switch to some healthy herbal teas or cucumber, lemon & mint infused water which is flavourful in Nature. Avoiding mistakes When Select healthy Foods Common Pitfalls to Avoid Even When Eating Healthy How to Make Healthy Eating a Habit Developing a routine of eating right is all about planning, consciousness and perseverance. Tips To Make The Habits Stick The single most important takeaway: We can start making healthier choices today So, making the right healthy foods is a more powerful step to live healthier and vibrant life. You need to choose whole foods, read labels wisely and go after the nutrient-richest choices without going all nuts…apply just a little nudges here & there…and best of both worlds can be yours. The key here is slow and steady incremental changes that will work for you long term. Begin with whole foods, watching portion size and being smart about swaps. In the long run, those changes will lead to a much healthier and happier you. Will you start making healthier food choices today? Comment down you favourite healthy foods, and meal ideas.