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| Health and Nutrition
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Sugar and Spice:
Regularly eating foods containing spices may serve as more than just a flavorsome dish.
An Australian study has discovered that the capsaicin-loaded spice has a direct effect to lowering blood glucose and insulin levels. This is good news for anyone faced with the prospect of Type II diabetes. Volunteers in this study started off with a bland diet for four weeks before switching to a diet that was supplemented with condiments containing 55% cayenne chili.
The results of the blood tests revealed that insulin levels were the highest after the bland meals the lowest levels of insulin was recorded after the spice-enriched feasts. Furthermore, a higher level of insulin clearance was observed in those eating the spicy meals.
The specific instrument responsible for this significant health benefit remains unknown but that should not stop anyone from spicing up their diet.
Red chili peppers are especially rich in vitamin A, C, and B6. They also contain potassium, magnesium, and iron. It also speeds up your body’s metabolism (which can aid with weight loss) and also boosts your metabolism (which helps with curing colds and flues).
Our spiciest dips are the Sweet Jalapeno and Cilantro Pesto.
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Spinach:
Spinach is rich in antioxidants including vitamin A, K, manganese and folate. It also contains magnesium, iron, vitamin C, B2, B6, calcium, potassium, tryptophan, copper, B1, protein, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, niacin and selenium. Spinach has chlorophyll and glutathione which helps the liver in the detoxification processes. Also present is octacosane, which promotes stamina and energy. The fiber in spinach helps control cholesterol levels.
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Pumpkin:
Pumpkin is a good source of potassium and is very high in antioxidant levels (especially beta-carotene). Diets rich in foods containing beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers and offers a degree of protection against heart disease. Beta-carotene also slows down the degenerative aspects of aging. Carotenoids will also help in preventing the formation of cataract in the eye. Pumpkin also offers zinc, iron, and fiber. Pumpkin is very low in fat and is comprised of simple sugars (has a low glycemic index and is easily broken down by the digestive system). Relative to the amazing health benefits of pumpkin, it is extremely low in carbohydrates and calories.
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Red Potato:
Redskin potatoes are lower in starch and calories than other potatoes. The potatoes in the Bolani are also a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and even some protein. Red potatoes are also free of cholesterol, fat, and sodium. Potatoes retain their antioxidant levels even after boiling. A lot of the nutrition is retained in the skin of the potatoes which is why the potato Bolani is cooked with the peels.
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Order Potato Bolani
Green Lentil:
Green lentils are an excellent source of protein and fiber but it also has other nutrients a healthy body needs, such as folic acid, vitamin B1, calcium, and high levels of iron. The high levels of fiber in legumes help control cholesterol levels. Lentil is usually mixed with grains such as rice which results in a complete protein. This is another reason why we recommend warming up our Lentil Curry with rice – not just because it makes a delicious dish! Furthermore, lentils are naturally low in fat but high in energy. It is no wonder Health magazine chose lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.
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Yogurt:
A common food with unique and essential health benefits. It is rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Yogurt is also believed to be beneficial for healthy gums in your mouth. Yogurt is high in probiotics which drastically helps speed up digestion of foods in your intestines. This is why so many traditional Afghani dishes are served with yogurt or chakka (Garlic Mint Cheese).
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Cilantro:
Cilantro is believed to have curing and healing attributes especially viral and bacterial infections. This ability is enhanced when eaten with omega-e enriched foods such as nuts (this is why our Cilantro Pesto is made with crushed walnuts). Furthermore, cilantro helps rid the body of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and aluminum. This is a reason we recommend cooking fish with cilantro as a marinade (in case of mercury levels, not just because it is so tasty this way!). Garlic helps prevent heavy metals from entering your body’s cells. When we mix Garlic Mint Cheese with the Cilantro Pesto it is not merely one of our most popular combinations it is also very useful in combating heavy metal poisoning.
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Garlic:
Garlic is one of the oldest and well-known natural medicine for over 5,000 years. It has amazing health benefits and healing powers. It is a natural penicillin and is beneficial for the heart and blood vessels – including lowering your blood pressure. It also lowers your cholesterol, defends the body against respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and digestive tract infections. Garlic also gives natural energy (acts as a stimulant) and is helpful in joint movement (eases arthritis). Garlic also prevents heavy metal poisoning in the cells. Garlic also boosts the body’s anti-cancer and anti-tumor abilities and is rich in antioxidants (which is a key factor to slowing down the aging process). Garlic also helps regulate sugar levels – whether it is high or low blood sugar – it will stabilize it to normal. Generally speaking, garlic improves your body’s overall metabolism and helps the liver do its job better. All our dips and sauces are made with garlic – especially the Garlic Mint Cheese and Hummus.
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Onion:
Onions contain complex sulfur compounds. Onions are rich in chromium and some potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and calcium. They also have vitamin C, vitamin B, iron and zinc. Onions contain the powerful antioxidant quercetin, flavonoids and several other micronutrients. Being high in chromium, onions can help decrease blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels and decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL or good cholesterol. These factors are known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Onions are very good at boosting your body’s immune system. It is no wonder that almost all our products have onions – especially all the Bolanis.
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Eggplant:
Eggplant is an excellent source of dietary fiber and many nutrients including vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, niacin, and folic acid. It is also low on glycemic index, low in carbohydrates, sodium, and saturated fats and is even believed to lower cholesterol. Eggplant is also high in antioxidants and has cancer-protecting properties. The National Diabetes Education Program of NIH, Mayo Clinic and American Diabetes Association recommend an eggplant based diet as a choice for management of Type II diabetes. A lot of the nutrition in eggplant is found in the skin of the vegetable which is why our Eggplant Pesto is cooked with the peels.
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Curry:
Tumeric, the main ingredient in curry, has been known for centuries for its healing properties. It reduces inflammation of the joints (very useful for those suffering from arthritis). Studies have also shown that it protects the body from cancer, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Since curry is a combination of 5 different spices, the health benefits from curry encompass a very extensive range. Curry is also proven to prevent multiple sclerosis.
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Tahini:
Tahini is made from crushed sesame seeds. It is a good source of calcium, protein, manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B1 and zinc. Tahini is also an excellent source of essential fatty acids that are used to maintain healthy skin. It also contains vitamin E which helps lower the rate of body cells from aging. Although tahini is high in calories, most of the fats are unsaturated. It should still be used in moderation like we do for our Hummus. Tahini is also a good source of Methionine which aids in liver detoxification as well as helping with the absorption of amino acids. Tahini prevents high blood pressure and also lowers cholesterol (because of a special fiber it contains that is called lignans).
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Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A and is a good source of potassium, and iron. It is very beneficial for your body’s cardiovascular system in many ways. Research also indicates that tomatoes can reduce the risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and uterus cancer. Cooking tomatoes does not take away any of the nutritional benefits (which means tomato sauce is just as nutritionally useful as regular tomatoes). In fact, cooking tomatoes releases more of the benefits.
Order Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
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Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
Sun-Dried Tomatoes has virtually zero fat and cholesterol and is very low in calories. It is also rich in Vitamin C and is a good source of iron. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant which helps lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart, and lung disease.
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Order Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Garbanzo Beans:
Garbanzo beans are very high in fiber which helps digestion, lowers cholesterol, and prevents blood sugar levels from rising too fast after a meal. Garbanzos are also very high in protein – with very little fat. Garbanzos are a good source of manganese and are also rich in molybdenum which detoxifies sulfites. Garbanzos also have iron which aids in oxygen transportation in the blood stream and is key for energy production and metabolism.
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Order Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Carrot:
Carrots are rich in antioxidants including vitamins K and C, and especially vitamin A (carrots are the richest vegetable source of that essential vitamin). They are also rich in other nutrition such as dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese. Carrots also promote better vision (especially night vision), reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and blood pressure and even possess anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, studies on human beings have come up with findings that a diet supplemented with as little as one carrot a day can reduce the risk of lung cancer by as much as half. Carrots are also good for blood sugar regulation (beneficial for diabetics), increasing menstrual flow, and promoting colon help, aiding the adrenal glands and even improving the quality of breast milk.
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Basil:
Basil is a useful herb that is also very fragrant and flavorful. It is high in antioxidants including vitamin K and A and is a good source of iron, calcium, and potassium. It has anti-bacterial properties that helps protect the body from many diseases. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties which provide relief for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel conditions. Basil contributes to general cardiovascular health including the protection of blood vessels by inhibiting cholesterol build-up in the blood-stream. Basil is also a good source of magnesium which assists muscles and blood vessels to relax (this improves blood flow and decreases the risk of irregular heart rhythms, spasming of the heart and blood vessels.
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Parsley:
Parsley is very high in antioxidants including vitamins C, K, and A. It has one of the highest levels of vitamin C among all vegetables which helps in iron absorption. This is good news because parsley is very high in iron levels and will help anemics. Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K and good sources of vitamin A, calcium, manganese, and potassium. Parsley also serves as a diuretic which is good for curing water retention (edema) and is useful in treating kidney stones. Parsley helps regulate inflammation in the joints, inhibits tumor formation in the lungs, hormonal support for women, better digestion, and even bad breath! It is just one more reason we add parsley to our Basil Pesto – not just a unique and refreshing pesto flavor.
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