Chillies

Chillies pack a fiery punch; they also offer some great health benefits

 

Chillies are the world's most commonly used spice fresh, dried or in powder form. There are around 400 varieties of chillies around the globe. Chillies are known for their sting. Once you bite into a chilli you remember the flavour, thanks to the burning sensation, for a long, long time. Even touching a cut chilli will leave your hands burning. But there's more to the chilli than its fire.

 

Health benefits

Pain relief: The sting of chillies can kill other pain, a concept that even research supports. A bite of the chilli stimulates the pain receptors in our throat and tongue by binding capsaicin, the active compound that lends chillies their bite. These receptors send message to the brain, which responds by releasing endorphins, the natural pain killers of our body. Because of this, chillies are extensively used in pain-relieving drugs, especially those prescribed for arthritis.

 

Better sugar levels: A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition found that regular consumption of chillies reduces the body's requirement of insulin to control post-meal sugar levels by 60 per cent. This is a big benefit for diabetics and overweight individuals.

 

Cancer relief and prevention: Capsaicin in chillies helps prevents prostate cancer from spreading, according to a study published in Cancer Research. Chillies, especially red ones, contain a good amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are powerful antioxidants that help terminate the free radicals from our body, helping prevent cancer.

 

Freedom from congestion: Eating pungent food when you have a blocked nose helps clear congestion. The capsaicin causes secretions that help clean the nasal passage.

 

Protection from heart disease: The blood-thinning properties of chillies boost blood circulation and help prevent stroke. The vitamin B present decreases the levels of homocysteine, which harms the blood vessels and increases your risk of heart disease. The Cayenne chilli helps decrease cholesterol, triglyceride levels and platelet aggregation.

 

Weight loss: Capsaicin being a heat-generating compound, produces heat, which boosts the metabolic rate by 23 per cent for about three hours. An increased metabolic rate helps burn more fat.

 

Improved immunity: Chillies are listed as one of the super foods that strengthen immunity. They are rich in beta carotene, which turns to vitamin A, a natural immunity booster that acts as the first line of defence against infections. Chillies contain a good amount of vitamin C, which too benefits the immune system.

 

Variety in the spice

 

 

What's in a chilli?

 

Nutritional value of chilli [Per 100g]
PARAMETERS	CHILLIES DRY	CHILLIES GREEN
Source: The National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
Moisture	10.00g	85.700g
Protein	15.000g	2.900g
Fat	6.200g	0.600g
Minerals	6.100g	1.000g
Fibre	30.200g	6.800g
Carbohydrates	31.600g	3.000g
Energy	246.000kcal	29.000kcal
Calcium	160.000mg	30.000mg
Phosphorus	370.000mg	80.000mg
Iron	2.300mg	4.400mg
Vitamins	-	-
Carotene	345.000 g	175.000 g
Thiamine	0.930mg	0.190mg
Riboflavin	0.430mg	0.390mg
Niacin	9.500mg	0.900mg
Vitamin C	50.000mg	111.000mg
Minerals Trace Elements	-	-
Sodium	14.000mg
Potassium	530.000mg
Phytin Phosphorus	71.000mg	7.000mg
Magnesium		272.000mg
Copper		1.400mg
Manganese		1.380mg
Molybdenum		0.070mg
Zinc		1.780mg
Chromium		0.040mg
Oxalic Acid		67.000mg

Green chillies enhance the pungency of a recipe. They are incorporated into the cooking by chopping, grinding and splitting them. The darker the chilli and shorter its length, the more pungent it is.

 

Red chillies are the ripened fruits and have a different flavour from green chillies. They are also more potent. Dried red chillies are most commonly used in the tempering of dals and vegetable dishes. They are used the world over for sauces or as flakes.

 

Chilli powder is mostly used in day-to-day cooking to get a fiery punch to the dish or to lend it a rich colour. It's an unavoidable ingredient in pickles, sauces, and marinating batters.

 

Mostly red or cayenne chillies are used for making chilli powder. Kashmiri chilli powder has a deep red colour and is milder than any other chilli powder. Most of the producers of chilli powder claim their product to be hygienically prepared from handpicked chillies. Still chilli powders are prone to adulteration. It's better to choose the home-made variety.

 

How to choose chillies

·        Select chillies that are deep and glossy in colour and with a firm skin.

 

·        Fresh chillies have a hard and fresh stem.

 

·        Don't buy chillies that have a wrinkled skin or black spots.

 

·        When buying dried chillies, choose the bright red ones. Chillies with a faded colour may not have a good flavour.

 

How to store/preserve

·        Store fresh chillies in paper bags.

 

·        Remove stalk and store in the vegetable tray of the refrigerator; don't store them in plastic wraps as it accumulates moisture that accelerates spoilage.

 

·        Dry fresh chillies or smoke them to preserve them for long.

 

·        Keep dried chillies and chilli powder in air tight containers. Preserve the bright red colour of chilli powder by adding a small amount of oil to it.

 

Did you know?

India is the world's largest producer and exporter of chillies.

 

·        Eating chilli is a popular exercise among the karate athletes who use it to strengthen their minds and willpower.

 

·        Extracted capsaicin is used to make pepper spray, a non-lethal weapon.

 

·        Bhut Jalokia is the hottest chilli in the world; it has 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units [SHU], which means that it needs to be diluted more than 10 lakh times before it is declared heat-free. The chilli's sting is so potent that scientists at the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization will be using it to develop hand grenades.

 

·        Birds and fish cannot taste chillies since pain receptors are absent in them.

 

·        Chillies belong to the same family of potatoes and tomatoes.

 

·        Chillies are a superior source of vitamin C compared to oranges.

 

How Big Is Your Fry Pan

Are you setting your sights too low?

 

I heard of a woman who fished all morning and never caught anything. But a man in the next boat was reeling in a fish every time she glanced over. Then, to make matters worse, he kept the small ones and threw the large ones back into the water!

 

She couldn't stand it any longer. She called over to him, "How come you're throwing the big ones back?"

 

He answered by holding up a little frying pan.

 

We may think that is silly but, in our minds, don't we all hold up frying pans? Every time we throw away a big idea, a magnificent dream or an exciting possibility, are we measuring it against a small frying pan?

 

We talk about making more money or be­coming more successful, but I believe that this con­cept works in other, and sometimes more important areas, as well. We can love more than we ever dreamed possible! We can be happier and live more fully than we ever thought we could! What we can do or become is limited more by the size of the frying pan in our minds than by actual circum­stances.

 

Author Brian Tracy reminds us that "you are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are." Think big. Dream big. Pray big... and look for big results. It all begins with changing the size of your thinking.

 

What would happen if you threw away the frying pan you have been using to measure the size of your dreams, and replaced it with a larger one? What would happen if you decided that it may really be possible to have a better relationship with the one you love, or that you actually can be hap­pier and more fulfilled than you are now? What would hap­pen if you decided never to settle for anything less than what you truly want? What if, from now on, you threw the little fish back and kept the big ones?

 

And what if you decided to begin today?

Great power

Ralph Marston - The Daily Motivator

 

You have great power, yet much of that power can easily be wasted on trivial, meaningless things. Imagine what would happen if you devoted more of your power to the truly important, meaningful things.

 

In the moments that fill each day, in your thoughts, words and actions, there is great power. When that power is purposeful and well focused, you can do amazing things with it.

 

Every little action you take changes the world in some way. Over the course of a day, a month or a lifetime, you end up taking a whole lot of actions.

 

Momentous achievements come from countless small acts all taken in the service of a specific purpose. That's the power of purpose, and you most certainly have it whenever you choose to use it.

 

Don't let the great power of your life be drained by what doesn't matter. Make the choice to make intentional and meaningful use of that power.

 

In the life you live there is great, effective, world-changing power. Find your very own unique and beautiful way to put it to use.

Health Benefits of Orgasms

Having an orgasm could give you a good sleep, sharper memory and can even cure your cold. Don't believe us? Well, here are eight health benefits of the Big 'O'...

 

By Neha Borkar, IndiaTimes

 

Increases Your Pain Tolerance

Endorphins produced during sex increases your pain tolerance by 70%.

 

Makes You Look Younger

In a 10-year study of human sex routine, it was found that people who had regular sex appeared seven to twelve years younger than their age.

 

Cures Common Cold

Orgasms are linked to immunoglobulin A, which increases our immunity and protects us from common colds.

 

Improves Your Memory

Sex increases blood circulation, which transports oxygen-enriched blood to the hypothalamus (the centre of the brain for memory and learning). This keeps your brain sharp.

 

Gives You Better Sleep

After a pleasurable orgasm, there is a drop in your blood pressure, which results into sudden relaxation and good sleep.

 

Burns Calories

30 minutes of orgasmic sex burns over 85 calories.

 

Battles Breast Cancer

Breast stimulation produces oxytocin, which is a cancer-cell-fighting hormone.

 

Lowers Depression

Hormones produced during sex, lowers rate of depression, suicide and anxiety.

 

 

 

Source: Health Benefits of Orgasms

 

30 Lessons I Learned in 30 Years

Editor’s Note: A version of this article previously appeared at LewisHowes.com.

 

It was a warm night outside Caffe Dante, my favorite Gelato spot in New York’s Greenwich Village. I usually go there alone. I walk through Washington Square Park, people watch and get my two scoops of gelato: one scoop of stracciatella, one of tiramisu. This particular time I sat outside at a table next to an older Italian woman and her little French Bull dog. I struck up a conversation.

 

We chatted about things like Italian culture, her grandkids and how her husband is an artist who has a gallery in the city. I was 29, about to turn 30, so I asked the woman if she could go back in time and tell her 30-year-old self anything, what would it be? Her response: “Don’t worry so much. We create drama from nothing so often, but the things we think are major issues always pass, and we forget about them usually within a few months at most.”

 

It’s good advice. As I look back at my 30 years of life so far, I’ve come up with 30 simple yet important lessons I’ve learned — about being a better entrepreneur and a better person in general.

 

1.    Don’t worry so much

She was right, there’s been so much stress and drama I’ve allowed in the past that really doesn’t matter.  There are ways to handle situations and instances in your life, but worrying about them never does much.

 

2.    Be extremely grateful for what you have

I was a pain in the ass most of my childhood, always mad at the things I didn’t have. Things shifted drastically in my 20′s where I started putting an emphasis in gratitude. Focus on the good you do have, not the things you lack.

 

3.    Strive to be a better version of yourself every day

Each day we have the opportunity to learn something new, apologize for our mistakes, and become better.

 

4.    Drop your ego

It’s something I continue to work on because having an ego never did anything positive for me and it usually crushes people.

 

5.    Eat clean

I used to eat whatever I wanted and it didn’t matter as much when I worked out 6 hours a day.  I still love my gelato from time to time, but I’m all about eating as much organic foods, experimenting with cleanses, and drinking green juice as possible.  Focus on what works for you, but educate yourself on what you put in your body.

 

6.    Sweat daily

Movement is important especially when so many sit at a desk for 10+ hours a day. This causes serious aging, illness, and physical pain when you don’t move. CrossFit, playing team handball for the USA national team, and street basketball are my weekly activities.  Do something you’ll have fun with and focus on moving every day.

 

7.    Give back

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of countless people.  The support I’ve received from family, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors and so on are overwhelming. Find a way to help others and give back as it’s the best form of gratitude.

 

8.    Frame your goals

I started writing my goals down and framing the goal as if it already was achieved in my early 20′s.  I was amazed when I started reaching these goals by the date I had listed on them.  It was a daily visualization exercise, and it almost always works.  I believe the things you put your energy towards the most, will most likely come true over everything else.  Frame your goals.

 

9.    Don’t let others dictate your life

If you don’t want to live a normal life where you go to a job you hate just so you can enjoy your weekends and get two weeks to vacation every year… then don’t do it.  It’s as simple as that.  Read The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss or other inspirational blogs about creating a lifestyle around a business you want to live.  No excuses, just do it already.

 

10. Follow your passion

We only have one chance in this life.  If you aren’t following what you love, then what are you doing?  Why show up everyday to live a life someone else wants for you?  Let them live theirs and you live yours.

 

11. Be enthusiastic about what you do

Vince Lombardi said, “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you’ll be fired with enthusiasm”

 

12. Focus on relationships

You can accomplish anything with the right relationships both personally and professionally.  People don’t care as much about what you know as they do on how much you care about them.

 

13. Be open to trying new things

I’ve been an extremely picky eater my entire life, but the more I try if life, the more I learn and become a better version of myself.

 

14. Feel your fears and do them anyways

My friend and sports psychologist Dr. Jeff Spencer told me this once and it stuck with me.  Elite athletes feel fear just like everyone else, but they channel that fear to fuel their spirit and passion for competition.

 

15. Your childhood matters, but don’t let it control your adulthood

Don’t let the things that happened to you as a kid control the rest of your life.  Shit happens to all of us.  Use it to your advantage, learn from it, and focus on gratitude and giving.

 

16. Be nice to your siblings and love your family

I used to fight a lot with one of my sisters.  It was stupid. My family has given me so much for a majority of my life and I wouldn’t be here without them.

 

17. Invest in yourself

Grant Cardone once told me to spend all of my money on investing in myself. Learn why this is important and why it’s a major focus for me now in this interview.

 

18. Attract great coaches

I’d be an angry, messed up kid still if I didn’t have amazing coaches and mentors. They knew how to get the most out of me and teach me about letting go of ego, working with a team, sacrifice, and so much more.  The world is a better place because of great coaches.  Find one for every aspect of your life and ask them to push you to get better every day.

 

19. Build a supportive team around you

I have a personal advisory board that I reach out to frequently.  These are people I admire, trust, and believe in.  I ask them to call me out on my shit and give me feedback when I need it.  No one achieves greatness alone, find the support you need.

 

20. Follow your dreams no matter what

It doesn’t matter what age you are or how little experience you have with something. It’s never too late to follow your dreams.  It will be the most fulfilling feeling once you do and you’ll never regret going after them.

 

21. Forgive yourself and others

Man, have I made A LOT of mistakes and done some stupid things throughout my life. It’s OK.  Don’t worry so much.  Forgive yourself, and forgive others for making mistakes.  Focus on learning from it and not doing them again.

 

22. Don’t let failure hold you back

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed”.  -Michael Jordan

 

23. Stay true to your word

Don’t say you’ll do something unless you follow through.  Learn to say “no” more often if you have too much on your plate and aren’t able to follow through on everything.

 

24. Pay off your debts

Some debt is good for building credit, minimizing risk, and so on, but there are some debts that weigh most people down from truly following their passion and living an amazing life.  Pay off the debts that weigh you down as it’s an amazing feeling once you do.

 

25. Learn outside the classroom

There isn’t much I remember from textbooks in school. The best part about school for me was learning people skills and building relationships. Everything I know about business, marketing, and making a living has come from mentors and learning outside of the classroom. Find the right teacher and take action.

 

26. Surround yourself with people smarter than you

The only way to grow is to play against harder competition in sports, or hang out with smarter people than you.  I’m always the dumbest person in the room, and I intend to keep it that way.

 

27. Be happy with nothing

It’s not a fun feeling when you have no place to live, and can’t afford your own food. I don’t recommend doing it on purpose as an experiment. But having lived that way before makes me very happy living my life when everything can fit in a few suitcases. I like luxurious things and experiences as much as the next person, but some of the happiest people in the world are minimalists.

 

28. Learn from your relationships

People come and go, and so do intimate relationships. Learn from the good and bad ones and stay true to yourself through each relationship. Don’t allow them to make you into someone you don’t want to be.

 

29. Do something great

You’ve got an opportunity to leave a legacy with your life. What do you want to leave? Each day is an opportunity to do something great.

 

There you have it.

 

You’re probably wondering what my 30th lesson is, right?

 

Well, since I always try to be the dumbest person in the room, I’ve learned to ask the right questions. The right questions ignite innovation, solve problems, create marriages and powerful partnerships, and help us live a better life.

 

Since I learn from everyone, especially my readers, I’d love to hear your answer to my question.  It doesn’t matter how old are you, what’s one thing you’d tell your younger version of yourself?  You better believe I’ll be getting some gelato on my 30th, but your answer in the comments section below would be the cherry on top.

 

 

Source: 30Lessons I Learned in 30 Years