A shocking fact about white rice

As south Indians, we love our food, especially white rice. However, recently , several studies have confirmed the ill-effects of gorging white rice. Harvard Research says that consuming just one cup of white rice (polished rice) everyday can put you at risk to diabetes, regardless of your nationality or whether you have a family history of the disease.  










The alternative is brown rice.  
The basic culprit is the polishing process. Once rice is polished, all the minerals and useful ingredients are lost. What is left behind is white rice, which is basically STARCH. This therefore increases the risk of diabetes tremendously.
South Indians(including myself), watch out....

Roses - Symbolizing the stark reality of life

A stroll into the garden this morning and my mind became cheerful - roses of five different colors greeted me.

I love roses - they are so good to look and beneath the surface, they symbolize the stark truth of life . These beautiful flowers with soft colorful petals growing cheerfully in the midst of sharp thorns - just like how to attain success in life, we need to strive hard and literally walk on a path filled with thorns. Our whole life resembles a collection of hard work and some failures, interspersed with some beautiful successes and joys.

Tamilnadu is a state with a very short winter - its cold only towards the end of November and upto early February. Somehow, these rose plants seem to love the cold conditions and there are several flowers in all the rose plants. The plants are also booming with buds. Each day, I await the morning stroll in the garden to catch a glimpse of the roses and count the numbers of these beautiful flowers. Among the different varieties, I love the 'Paneer Rose' - it gives such a beautiful aroma. Its called Gulab in Hindi and Pale Rose in English.
Beyond its beautiful looks and fragrance,  the soft and shiny petals of the paneer rose have medicinal properties. It cures stomach aches and clears the intestines from parasites as well. The petals are crushed to make a beautiful scent called Rose Water, which is offered in Abhisheka to the deities in Hindu Temples. 

Pomegrante - A wonder fruit

I love pomegranate. Unfortunately, a small part of the fruit had become rotten and I dumped the pods in my garden. And lo,after a month, small shoots appeared.

That was a year ago. Even as I tend to the little pomegranate trees which have become about 2-3 feet tall, I read about this article in today's newspaper which claims that the pomegranate is a wonder fruit which fights off a host of diseases, right from the dreaded cancer to dental plaque. One more thing that we all dread is a flabby stomach. It was really heartening to read that a glass of pom. juice every day fights off the accumulation of fat.
I eagerly look forward to the Pomegranate trees in my garden blooming fast.