Health in your hands

It's traditional to sit down with a slip pad and a pencil to make a list of New Year resolutions at the beginning of the New Year which promises to open doors to a flood of international food chains...

This year let us follow the simple thumb rule of less is enough

It’s traditional to sit down with a slip pad and a pencil to make a list of New Year resolutions at the beginning of the New Year which promises to open doors to a flood of international food chains,ready-to-cook foods and an array of processed foods from Bangkok,Australia,Turkey and South Africa. On the domestic front,an increasing number of established fast food chains will also be seen in an expansion mode. The New Year will witness high-end luxury car manufacturers jumping into food business by launching cafes and exotic chocolates. The Indian healthcare industry will also be seen undergoing phenomenal expansion. Hospitals now have become facilities for handling the outcomes of our sinful over indulgences. The World Health Organisation reckons the number of obese adults worldwide is set to rise to 700 million by 2015,from 400 million in 2005. As per the CII-Mckinsey Industry Analysis Report,almost 80,000 additional hospital beds will be required every year for the next three to four years to adequately meet growing healthcare demands. Indian economy is growing at a rate of seven per cent,which has resulted in more cash flow in our hands. Increasing purchasing power make the available options also appear inadequate. We create huge demands and companies have a huge business opportunity to fill the gap. The irony is that we are still not satiated and want to over feed ourselves to saturation. This year let us follow the simple thumb rule of less is ‘enough’. Resolutions connote stating solutions every year. Let me help you make a list for a healthy and ‘lean’ 2010 ahead.

Good health would mean fewer visits to the hospitals and higher work output. It will be more task specific and less result oriented as tasks will help achieve goals and results anyhow. Here is your list. The first task is ‘Release’. Release the toxins from your body,the most common ones will be excess fat,cholesterol,sodium,pollutants,alcohol. Detoxify and super cleanse your system with super foods. The second task is to ‘recognise’ the negative barriers in your growth,be it anger,stress eating,greed,indulgence. Root them out from their source of origin. Channelise your negativity in a more constructive direction such as tending to herb pots and kitchen gardening. Third is to do a thorough ‘Reality check’ of your current physical and mental health status. What needs to be fixed in body like bleeding gums,pains in joints must be top priority needing immediate attention. Fourth is to ‘rev up’ the fitness regime. Postponing or delaying renewing gym membership or signing up for golf lessons or an aerobics class must take top spot in the to-do list. If winter stops you from your daily walk routine,schedule half an hour walk through the sunny path during the day. The next task will be to bring ‘regularity’ in all your tasks at hand. Combine regularity with ‘recording’ the tasks by making a time table enlisting your activities of the day with a column for the unaccomplished tasks in hand. Take them up comfortably the next day without fretting. Keep a cool mind and feel energised round the clock with small frequent energy meals. Have a year of good health and more wealth this New Year!

YELLOW SQUASH PANCAKES
Ingredients
* 2 cups squash,cooked (directions below)

* 11 cup minced red onion (or yellow)

* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or rice flour)

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 4 large eggs

* Cooking spray

* Butter or margarine

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Method:For preparing squash – preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut a three-pound squash in half length-wise and scoop out all the seeds. Bake the halves cut sides down on a lightly oiled baking pan for about 30 minutes,or until the skin can just barely be pierced with a fork. It should be tender but not too soft. Remove squash from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Scoop out the flesh,place it in a strainer over a bowl,and squeeze out enough of the juices to reduce its final volume to two packed cups. For the pancakes – place the squash in a medium bowl and separate the strands a little with a fork. Continue to use the fork to mix in the onion,flour,and salt,and then beat in the eggs. Place a griddle or skillet over medium heat. After a minute or so,spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray. When the griddle is hot enough to sizzle a bread crumb,use a 1/4 cup measure with a handle to scoop up batter and pour it onto the hot griddle. Cook the pancakes 8-10 minutes on each side,until really golden. Unlike cakier pancakes,which toughen when turned repeatedly from side to side,these can be turned more than once,if necessary,without compromising their texture. Get them really well done on the outside,and you will have an exquisite chewy crisp result. Serve hot or warm,plain or with salsa or sour cream.

(The writer is a city-based food and diet consultant who can be contacted at adda.mehrotra@gmail.com)

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