Crispy Spinach Mushroom Summer Salad

Check out this week's recipe of the week - Spinach mushroom salad. Look for other delicious vegetarian recipes if you'd like to experience incredibly tasty, healthy, home cooked food.

Thai Green Curry

Check out the recipe of the week from my kitchen.

Obesity among children in India

One of the most disturbing things I noticed during my latest visit to India was obesity among children. There is a segment of the population -- I would say middle, upper middle, upper, and the absolutely filthy rich who are obscenely obese.  Although this group is only a percentage, just a minority of well-to-do rich, you can't help noticing them when you are at a restaurant or shopping at a mall. 

The new found wealth has led them to flaunt it at expensive restaurants, icecream parlors, fast food joints, quick-service restaurants or cafes that is filled with rich, fatty, fried foods.  Unfortunately parents are not good guides or teachers since they do the same thing. There is no such thing as regular sports or play time every evening for children to burn off the fat and stay active. This group both parents and children hardly pay attention to what is cooked at home or what is purchased by their cooks and maids.  Carbohydrates play a big role as well in this pool of bad diets and foods. 

These health habits will definitely have repercussions in the form of persistent obesity, diabetes, heart problems and all other health related issues at a very young age. Unfortunately, this is the segment that is most educated. That hardly seems to make a difference.  Quite sad.

Let's blame obesity on this - ABUNDANCE

Let's say not the people but the country is to be blamed for people's weight issues.  Why?  Because, there is so much of food available everywhere -- genetically modified meat, chicken and super sized meals all round us.  It's human nature to eat the abundance that is around.  If there isn't much available, then we will not be this fat. I love this psychology.

Here's my solution - The environment we live in has to be changed.  Every individual of a household should have a quota on their grocery purchase.  They should have an ID card that scans through the check out aisle, that identifies the household they are from and rations their purchase. How can one get fat on this type of change?  Same with fast food restaurants.  A person should be allowed to buy burgers only once a week with their ID card.  Would this help to reduce the obesity of this country?  There would be no restriction on vegetable purchases but definitely on sugar, soda and snacks. Maybe there is a solution here!!

Is it the lifestyle or social status?

One thing I have noticed is as a general rule women and men, but mostly women who come from a socio-economic status higher than an average person is usually not obese.  Is this because they can afford to buy healthier food or is it because they care about themselves?  Are they happier and thus avoid junk food, or is it because they are more fitness aware than people who belong to a lower economic status?

Lately, I have read that the availability of good food, vegetables and fruits is the same in most neighborhoods rich or not.  However, fast food restaurants are higher in lower income neighborhoods. This doesn't mean that people in lower income neighborhoods should gravitate toward burgers and fries.  Why won't they pick other healthy options like the higher income groups do?

Most people do know about eating right especially with so much information around.  So it appears education is not the problem, neither is the availablility of healthy food.  May be it is related to expense?  I can't really believe that because you tend to spend less for eg. if you go on a lentil, nuts, vegetables and fruits diet.  I do that so I know it. Maybe it is the quantity that is also related to their state of mind.  Is it possible that poor people are more unhappy and have more of the stresses of life, also tend to eat a lot more and are less disciplined than the other group?

Can't seem to find a good reason for obesity among the lower income group?  If you are reading this, would love to get your input.

Recipe for the week - Spinach Paratha

Appetizing Spinach Paratha - Made with fresh spinach, spices and wheat flour.  Check out other recipes from vidyaswamyskitchen.com.

Easiest way to cook vegetables if you want them tasty as well

This is exactly what I do.  Cut vegetables in the desired shape.  Place them in a baking bowl.  Drizzle enough virgin olive oil to coat them.  Add simple herbs and maybe a dash of crushed red pepper and bake them in the oven at 375 degrees until they are just at the roasting point.  Remove, sprinkle salt and add a touch of lemon (optional).  This method is packed with nutrition, taste, appeal and of course, it's speedy.

Potato herb salad

Red potatoes in herbs, a fantastic recipe

Ingredients
5 Potatoes halved
1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (tarragon,chives,rosemary)
1 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
kosher salt and black pepper

Directions
1.Fill a large saucepan with 1 inch of water and fit with a steamer basket; bring the water to a boil. Place the potatoes in the basket, cover, and steam until tender, 12 to 14 minutes; drain.
2.Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the herbs, scallions, oil, mustard, vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the cooked potatoes and toss to combine.

Delicious bisi bela bhaath

Try this recipe of the week. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon meal. Also other recipes of Vidya's kitchen.

Can't forget those snack times! Can we?

One of the fun things is indulging in something that is sinful once in a while. I mean food wise. So, here is something I love, and the rest of my picky, discriminating foodies in my family love as well. This one is not necessarily sinful but definitely delightful.

Baking crunchy apples spread with peanut butter. It takes hmm... about 15 minutes in all.

You may use Granny Smith Apples the green ones or even Gala which are sweet, crunchy and delicious. Remove the core, cut into halves, spread crunchy, organic, unsalted peanut butter. Bake on high heat about 400 degrees for about 8 minutes. Savor the result. You'll keep going back to it, again and again.

More sinfully delightful snacks in the next coming days.
For appetizers, soups, entrées, side dishes check these out.