Healthy Tomato And Basil Bruschetta With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Meera’s daughter is turning 5 this summer and she wishes to host a perfect birthday party. Meera is a wonderful cook and loves to cook tasty yet healthy dishes for her guests. While finalizing the menu, Meera decides to make tomato and basil bruschetta as an appetizer for the guests. She has been cooking this antipasto for many years now, and she is confident that her guests will love this yummy Italian appetizer. To make it healthy as well, Meera has decided to use cold pressed olive oil. While bruschetta has many variations, Meera plans to stick to the most traditional combo of tomato and basil as most of her guests are vegetarian. Here is the simple and fast bruschetta recipe form Meera’s kitchen. However, if you’re creative enough you can make your own toppings using a combination of vegetables, meat, cheese, and beans. The options are endless.

When to Make Tomato and Basil Bruschetta?

Tomato and basil bruschetta serves well as appetiser or finger food at any party. If you’re going with an Italian cuisine then bruschetta has to be there in your menu. It is really easy to make and doesn’t take much of your time or ingredients. The best part is, you can prepare the topping well before your party and put it on the bread right before serving. Bruschetta is a big hit among kids too! If you have a fussy eater at home, just try out bruschetta. Your kid is definitely going to love it! And to tell you a secret, it’s a fantastic way to feed vegetables to your kids, in case he/she is not interested in eating vegetables.

All you need to make tasty tomato and basil bruschetta is fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and Mesmara Extra Virgin Olive Oil. So let’s get started!

Healthy Ingredients List:

1. 1 baguette French bread cut into 1/2 inch slices diagonally
2. 6 Ripe tomatoes will be needed for one baguette
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4.  1 tablespoon Mesmara Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5. 6 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
6. 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
7. Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

Take a big vessel filled with water and bring it to boil. Give a shallow cut to the tomatoes which will help you later to peel the tomato skin. Once the water starts boiling, remove the vessel from heat and put the tomatoes for a minute to blanch. Drain out the tomatoes and let it cool. Then gently remove the skin and cut the tomatoes into half. In the next step, preheat an oven to 230 degrees Celsius. Take a bowl and toss the tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Mix in basil, salt, and pepper. Brush Mesmara Extra Virgin olive oil on either side of the baguette slices and toast in the oven. Take them out and brush one more time with olive oil. Add the tomato mixture topping right before serving or serve the bread and the topping separately.

Pro Tip: The second coating of olive oil will work as a protective layer, preventing the bread from becoming soggy with the tomato mixture. Remember, the topping needs to be added right before serving to retain the crispness of the bread.

At Mesmara we’re obsessed with healthy cooking and healthy eating. Knowing the goodness of cold pressed oils, we are now offering Extra virgin olive oil, Cold Pressed Sesame Oil, Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil. Being extracted naturally (through a cold press) the extra virgin olive oil not only brings added flavour to your dish but retains all the vital nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that are otherwise destroyed in the refined oils which are extracted through heat.  To learn more about the reasons to switch to cold pressed oils read this. Click here to buy.

Natural Hair Dyes – Herbal, Chemical Free Hair Colours

The process of aging is different for each one of us, however, its effects can not be ignored. Some accept it with grace while some shudder when the first strand of their hair turns grey. Then there are some  who mix their greys with some smart colours and start a new style. One such iconic person was India’s ex-PM Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Her styling was very unique and distinct. Today let us explore some natural hair dyes which are herbal and chemical free alternatives to the branded chemical ones.

The easiest way to get back your youthful colour can be achieved by dyeing your hair. These days the process of how to dye hair has been made so easy that you don’t always need to visit a salon. There are ready mix packets that you can quickly mix and apply it on your hair. There are others which are sprays which provide a quick result but with relatively temporary effects. However, these conventional dyes are chemically produced. The chemical footprint that they leave is quite high. Prolonged use might lead to irritation of the scalp, hair fall and in some extreme cases, it may even cause psoriasis or cancer. Since the number of such cases are very limited, many do not realize that the impact of chemical dyes. Hence, using chemical dyes still remains the easiest method to cover the greys.

One truth that cannot be debated is that prevention is better than cure. So why not try some natural hair dyes which does not have chemicals and give peace to your mind.

Make Natural Hair Dyes At Home

Why look outside when you can make herbal hair dyes safely at home. Some of these simple tips will introduce you to how to make natural hair dye at home and how to color hair naturally black at home.

Natural Oils

A lot of natural oils can darken the shade of your hair. Prolonged use of such oils helps retain the original shade and hence delays greying.

Bhringraj Oil:

This oil is well known in the Indian circuit for delaying the greying process. It is generally prepared from crushed leaves that are mixed in a carrier oil, e.g., Coconut, Amla oil etc. The oil is generally dark green in colour and has an intense aroma.  

Brahmi-Amla Oil Combo:

The combination of Brahmi oil and Amla is another good one to manage greying of hair. You can also make a homemade combination by heating up dried Amla and curry leaves in Mesmara virgin coconut oil. You should apply these preparations at least once a week, followed by a gentle massage and ensure that it stays on for a minimum of 30 mins. It would be nicer if you could keep it on for a few hours instead.

While you may apply these to delay greying, they come with other benefits too. They improve your scalp condition and you will start seeing less of irritating dandruff.  Also, you will see a remarkable reduction in hair fall, ultimately reducing the chances of baldness. You will start getting a noticeable hair shine too.

Rosemary Essential Oil:

Mesmara Rosemary oil allows you to darken grey hair. During the process, it also fights dandruff and hair loss. It is a great treatment to eliminate dryness too. Folks who have blonde hair will see their natural colour darken too. In case you do not want the same and mess up your look, all you need is to mix it with a carrier oil of your choice and then apply it only to the grey areas. The effect will be gradual, and you can carefully increase or decrease the proportion of Rosemary oil.

Read about the benefits of Kalonji oil for hair here.

Natural Dyes

Henna Powder:

Henna powder has been an all-time favourite for naturalists and herbal aficionados. It is one of the most commonly used natural hair dyes. It has a lasting colour and leaves the hair much fluffier and feeling voluminous. Henna in its traditional form has a distinctive shade and suits the Indian diaspora. It can be mixed with a few natural additives like eggs, honey, to make it last longer.

Amla Powder:

Many henna hair dyes come mixed with amla powder. However, the use of Mesmara Amla powder as a paste in itself is an excellent way of preventing greying of hair. The medicinal properties of amla make it one of the best rejuvenating herbs. In the traditional ayurvedic treatment, it is used to fight excess body head, which is another cause of greying hair. Its antioxidants properties neutralize the effect of free radicals thus shielding hair from greying.

Bhringraj Powder:

Regular use of Mesmara Bhringraj powder makes hair grow darker and adds shine to those locks. Bhringraj restores dead hair cells and reduces greying hair. You can use bhringraj powder in a hair mask – mix it with brahmi powder, ama powder, shikakai powder and water to form a paste. Then apply it and wash as usual after 30 mins.

Indigo Powder:

Mesmara IndigHo Powder is one of the best natural hair dyes to make your hair dark brown or black. Though named indigo due to the deep blue pigment in it, application of the indigo powder with henna powder only gives dark brown or black colour to your hair. A fact to note here is that indigo powder in itself may not give you the desired result. You need to apply it either by mixing it with henna powder or after applying henna powder on your hair. Whichever way you choose to apply it, indigo powder gives a deep black/brown colour with a wonderful shine. A mixture of pure henna and indigo powder will give you different shades of brown depending on the ratio of each powder used. More the henna, darker brown it gets.

Black Tea / Coffee Brew:

Everyone is aware that black tea and coffee are rich in antioxidants. Not everyone know that they are also used to dye hair. You need to brew them a bit more than what you’d need to drink it. Also, the amount of tea/coffe required to brew is about 3-4 tablespoons. This just ensures the colours are into the brew. Filter the brew and apply it to your hair. Be careful not to apply to your scalp; you do not want to dye your scalp.

Read our Natural Treatments for Hair Loss and Premature Greying.

While natural hair dyes are one way of reducing greying of hair, internal well being is also very important for healthy hair. One of the main reasons these days for the early onset of greying is stress. The pigment melanin, that is naturally produced in our body is responsible to maintain the shade of our hair. When people suffer from extreme stress, our body secretes some hormones to manage stress. These hormones, in turn, impact the production of the melanin. And more sooner than later you see grey strands. Meditation is a mind detox. Once you can really blank out yourself for about 30 mins, you will start thinking clearly and you will find your stress levels go down.

Mesmara aspires for the holistic wellbeing of everyone. Leading a healthy lifestyle and using natural products not only helps in building a healthy body, but also a healthy environment around to live in. Click here to check Mesmara products.

Kalonji Oil – Uses and Benefits

For those who have not heard about Kalonji, it is internationally known as Nigella seeds. Nigella sativa plant, on which the seeds grow, is an annual flowering plant native to south and southwest Asia. The plant grows with finely divided leaves; the leaf segments are narrowly linear to threadlike. The flowers are white, yellow, pink, pale blue or pale purple, with five to 10 petals (see picture above). Kalonji is also referred to as Black Seed or Black Cumin. The Kalonji Seeds and the Kalonji Oil extracted from the seeds are both highly beneficial.

Kalonji is no stranger to the Indian and Middle-eastern cuisines. It is an interesting spice used to add a distinctive peppery flavour to food, mainly curries, stir-fried vegetables and dal.  Traditional bread preparations and a lot of savouries such as samosas, kachori, mathri etc have Kalonji seeds as taste enhancers.

Kalonji is also widely known to have many health benefits. It is used from times unknown and even has a reference in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. Apparently, it was said that it could heal anything. Even our Indian Ayurvedic practices have abundant mention of Kalonji and Kalonji oil usage.

Benefits of Kalonji Oil in Hair Care

After a good shower as your hair dries up, apply kalonji oil on your scalp and massage it well. Regular use of this oil prevents hair fall. It also helps in the blood circulation around the roots which make them stronger. Also, it prevents premature greying of hair. The oil also comes as a blessing when you want your hair dye last longer. You should mix it with henna, this helps in darkening of the colour and you get to cover grey hair naturally.

Another lesser known benefit of Kalonji oil is to reduce frizziness of hair. This effects in the softening of hair like a conditioner.

Uses of Kalonji Oil in Skincare

Kalonji oil has antibacterial properties and is anti-inflammatory. Hence, it is helpful in managing acne on the face. As you stay regular with its application, it reduces the recurrence of your acne too. In order to get results, clean up your face with some lime juice. Gently massage your skin with small amounts of the oil. You can also indulge in exotic Mesmara face packs to exfoliate your skin. Mesmara offering includes face packs such as kaolin clay, coconut shell charcoal powder, and dead sea mud face pack.

A great moisturiser which while lubricating the skin, it goes on to alleviate it from any irritations. A regular use will guarantee you soft and supple skin to be proud off.

You can use this to treat the usual areas where skin dries up and cracks. Like the elbows, knees and heels as well.

Kalonji Oil for Managing Breathing Problems

A common usage of Kalonji Oil is to manage breathing problems. Kalonji oil is very pungent and when inhaled it works as a bronchodilator. It causes the bronchial to widen and allows patients with breathing trouble to breathe better. People suffering from asthma can use Kalonji oil to relieve their problems. You can also cure blocked nose during the bouts of common cold. One can pour a few drops on to a hanky or any clean cloth. The fumes of the evaporating oil can then be inhaled and it frees up a clogged nose.

Kalonji Oil for Managing Diabetes

Little do folks know Kalonji Oil also contains insulinotropic properties. In simple words, it helps manage insulin production and helps fight the effects of diabetes. A few drops in green or black tea can help get the desired management required. However, such administrations should be done only under the guidance of a certified practitioner.

Kalonji Oil for Stomach Ailments

Another interesting benefit of Kalonji oil is that it helps soothe stomach from irritations and lesions in the inner walls. This gastro-protective nature reduces the gastric acid secretion and in turn, reduces acidity. It also protects from ulcerations in the stomach and intestine walls.

Kalonji Oil for Controling High BP and Cholesterol Levels

Kalonji Oil with hot water can help alleviate high blood pressure. However, you need to supplement with a prescribed diet and an active fitness regime. The oil is also medically proven to reduce the cholesterol level in patients.

Not just the ancient scriptures, there is a lot of research and many studies that reinforce the benefits of Kalonji oil. A unique spice offering holistic healing if taken in the right amount and using the right methods. You must try genuine products that are pure and organic. Do share your experiences as you start using it.

Mesmara’s Kalonji Oil is therapeutic grade. Nigella seeds using cold-pressing method. It is also available on Amazon and Flipkart. Buy today to enjoy the benefits of this ‘miracle cure’.

How to Organize Your Beauty Products – Easy Storage Solutions

It was time to go for work and Reena was frantically searching for her Mesmara Argan hair serum. But, alas! Her closet was too disorganized to find any of her stuff. “I have to organize my beauty products”, she told to herself. If you too are looking for some cool ideas to organize your beauty products as part of your spring cleaning spree then here are some cool tips for you to begin with.

Segregate First to Organize Your Beauty Products

Inorder to organize your beauty products, the first step would be to segregate them properly. Always use compartments to store your beauty products. For example, invest in a lipstick storage box if you have a good collection of lipsticks. Instead of throwing everything loose into your wardrobe drawer, make compartments in it so that it becomes easy for you to segregate. This can be done in many ways. You can either buy makeup organizers or you can reuse old small plastic jars/containers of different shapes and sizes for the purpose.
If you are considering investing in a makeup organizer, designate each compartment for lips, cheeks, eyes, nails, hair, etc. so if you are looking for lipsticks, you know where to find it straightway and you won’t be wasting time searching in the ‘nail’ compartment.

Use Mason Jars as Brush Stands

A makeup brush holder lets your beauty tools stand upright. This way you can avoid spoiling of the delicate hairs of the brushes. You can consider reusing small glass mason jars for this. Not only your makeup brush and beauty tools will stay organized but the cute glass mason jars add a bit of class to your wardrobe as well.

Scale up – Use the Wall

Hair tools are the pride possessions of any fashion girl but they are the most difficult ones to arrange. Hanging them up in a makeup organizer is a great idea to organize your beauty products! If you have a space crunch, you don’t need to dump it in your wardrobe. Instead, put them in an organizer bag and hang them at the back of your bathroom door. Most organizers come with different size pockets which is ideal to fit different types of makeup tools and products.

Repurpose Your Old Containers

To store your Mesmara Epsom salt, Citronella essential oil, Mesmara neem oil, or any other beauty products, you can consider repurposing your old stacking fridge containers. These are great because they have transparent sheet making it easy for you to see. No need of digging in to find that particular lipstick shade or the tiny eyeliner bottle. Plus, they can be kept any way (top down, front back, etc.) and can fit in anywhere – inside your sink cabinet, wardrobe drawer, or closet.
Recycling and upcycling is fun and gives you lot of room for innovation. For example, can you imagine you can flip a dishwasher basket upside down to keep your lipsticks upright? Isn’t it a great idea that checks the lipsticks from rolling away?

Colour Coordinate

If you’re a fashionista you must be having loads of nail paints. Grouping them together according to their shades definitely makes life easier for you. You can group them as daywear, nightwear, office wear, funky colors, or whatever is convenient for you! You can colour coordinate other colourful makeup like eye shadow palettes, and lipsticks too. Keeping them together will save you time when you are in a rush.

Pro Tip:

Organizing beauty products is a fun activity, you just need to be innovative and think out of the box. Mesmara face packs and scrubs like Mesmara Tan Removal Face Scrub, Mesmara Insta Glow Face Scrub, Mesmara Rejuvenating Face Scrub, and Mesmara DePigmentation Face Mask come in cute glass jars. Once the jars are empty, you can upcycle them to be used in your travel kits to store shampoos and conditioners.

Sesame Oil Chicken Wings – Mesmara Recipes

Soft, juicy and succulent chicken wings cooked with lots of ginger, sesame oil and a dash of love! Doesn’t it sound intriguing? Well, you don’t have to drool over it anymore. You can cook this aromatic and flavourful dish just under 20 minutes. Here are not one but two quick and healthy recipe of sesame oil chicken wings.

Ingredients for the Healthy Recipe:

300-gram chicken wings

3 inches of ginger, peeled and chopped into fine strips

2 tablespoon Mesmara cold pressed sesame oil

2 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine

½ cup of water

Salt and white pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

To begin with, take a Chinese clay pot or a skillet. Add the sesame oil and let it heat up. To it, add the chopped ginger strip and saute it until it turns golden and you get the aroma of the ginger. Next, add the chicken wings and shallow fry it for 10 – 15 minutes. Once done, add the Chinese rice wine, soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Give a quick mix for 1-2 minutes and then add the water. Cover the skillet and cook it in low flame until the chicken cooks properly and the sauce thickens. Serve it with hot steamed rice. Nothing can comfort you better than this soulful sesame oil chicken wing!

If you are on an innovative cooking spree and wish to bring in some variations in the above recipe, then here is one more version of the sesame oil chicken wings recipe! Try it out once. It’s our personal favorite too.

Ingredients for the Tasty Recipe:

300-gram chicken wings

½ cup of soy sauce

¼ cup of sugar

¼ cup of water

2 garlic cloves finely chopped

2 tablespoon Mesmara cold pressed sesame oil

4 onions sliced into thin strips

Salt, pepper and, cayenne pepper as per your taste

Cooking Instructions:

Wash the chicken wings and pat it dry with a kitchen towel

Marinate the chicken wings with water, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, pepper, garlic, salt, and onion. Coat the chicken wings well with the mixture. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This will help to infuse the flavors of all the ingredients into the chicken wings. Take out the chicken from the refrigerator. You can bake the wings in the oven for 30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, you can slow cook it on a flat bottomed pan until the wings become tender.

Interesting Fact about Sesame Oil Chicken Wings:

Did you know chicken wings with sesame oil are served to new mothers in Malaysia because they believe the combination of ginger and sesame oil will heat up the body and help it heal faster after childbirth?

Health tips:

At Mesmara we believe in healthy eating and healthy living. Hence we have introduced cold pressed sesame oil where the oil is extracted in the traditional way in the Vagai wood press. Being cold pressed, the oil retinas all its natural goodness, flavor and aroma to the core. Since it is cold pressed and no heat is used to extract the oil unlike the refined oil, the Mesmara cold-pressed sesame oil is filled with healthy nutrients and antioxidants. The health benefits of cold pressed oils are immense. So what are you waiting for? If you have always thought to introduce cold pressed oil in your diet, why not try it out with this tasty chicken wings recipe cooked with Mesmara cold pressed sesame oil.  

You don’t need to look further for authentic cold pressed sesame oil and can shop from our store.

Benefits of Cold Pressed Oils – 10 Reasons Why You Should Start Using Them Immediately

Whenever there is the talk of healthy food choices and which oil is good for health, you must have definitely come across the term cold-pressed or virgin or extra-virgin oils. Cold-pressed oils, also known as virgin, pure, or cold-drawn oils are considered to be the purest forms of edible oils and good for health. Chemical methods are used for the extraction of branded refined oils. They could have harmful effects on heart health. Today, we will talk about the benefits of cold-pressed oils and consider the top reasons why you should make a switch to these oils in your daily cooking.

The process of oil extraction:

It is easier to understand the benefits of cold-pressed oils by understanding the oil extraction process. This process is the key to preserving the nutrients in edible oils.

Extraction process of refined oils:

The typical industrial or commercial oil extraction process begins by using a mechanical extractor for pressing the constituents followed by chemical extraction.

1. The mechanical extractor presses the oilseeds (sesame, groundnut, sunflower, mustard, or rapeseed) or coconut pieces to make a ‘meal’ or ‘cake.’
2. The ‘meal’ is subjected to very high temperatures (up to 270°C) to start the oil extraction process.
3. Solvents such as hexane and petroleum ether are used to extract oil from this ‘meal’.
4. The edible oil dissolves in the solvent passed through the ‘meal.’
5. The oil plus solvent mixture is then subjected to degumming/neutralization/washing procedures.
6. The resultant oil is bleached to attain uniformity in color.
7. It is finally deodorized to remove any odours.

Cold-pressing process:

The process of cold-pressing to obtain oils is very simple.

1. Oil is extracted by using a ‘Ghani.’ It has a mortar and pestle kind of arrangement. The oilseeds or coconut pieces are ground or pressed without application of heat. Hence the method is known as ‘cold pressing.’
2. The resultant oil is filtered and ready to use.

Top 10 reasons why you should switch to cold-pressed oils:

Taking into consideration the harmful effects of the commercial extraction process and the benefits of cold-pressed oils, here are the top 10 reasons for switching to cold-pressed oil:

1. Commercial processes make use of very high temperatures, which results in the loss of antioxidants like tocopherols and sterols. This process also produces free radicals and trans fatty acids (TFA), and polymeric components. All of these are potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents. The free radicals can cause other illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Cold-pressed oils are devoid of free radicals. The cold pressing process doesn’t produce any free radicals as heat is neither applied externally nor generated.
2. High temperatures used to produce refined oils destroy Vitamin E and beta-carotene in the oil. Cold pressed oils retain all the healthy qualities of the oilseeds. Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
3. Solvents like hexane and petroleum ether can have deleterious effects on the human body if the solvent plus oil mixture is not properly processed. Hexane can cause depression of the central nervous system and dermatitis. Cold-pressed oils do not need such harmful chemicals for production.
4. Sometimes for the commercial production of palm oil and coconut oil, a process of degumming involving the addition of phosphoric acid is required. Degumming removes the calcium and magnesium salts of phosphatidic acid. Virgin Coconut oil is made from the first-pressed milk extracted by cold pressing coconuts. This milk is then fermented for 2 days to turn into oil which is then filtered. No degumming or any other process which results in the removal of healthy vitamins and minerals is used to obtain cold pressed oils.
5. Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is used for the neutralisation process of refined oils for removing free fatty acids.
6. Acid-activated bleaching earth or bentonite is used for the bleaching process in manufacturing refined oils.
7. The cold-pressing method retains the natural healthy antioxidants in the oil, which are otherwise destroyed by heat.
8. Cold-pressed oils are a rich source of oleic acid and lauric acid, which are great immune system boosters.
9. Cold-pressed oils improve the good cholesterol or the HDL in our body and act as carriers to aid in the removal of the bad cholesterol or the LDL from our body. Refined oils leave our body with no cholesterol.
10. Cold-pressed oils help in energizing the body. After regular consumption of cold-pressed oils, users have seen an uprise in their overall energy levels.

A discussion about the benefits of cold-pressed oils cannot end without talking about the benefits of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for weight loss. Much has been said about this oil in recent times through the Veeramachaneni diet (VRK diet). You can refer to our article on the VRK diet here.

Benefits of cold-pressed coconut oil for weight loss:

1. The cold pressing process retains the essential antioxidants and vitamins.
2. Lauric acid present in coconut oil helps to kill harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. This essential component is lost in the commercial oil extraction process and retained during cold pressing.
3. Coconut oil contains a type of fat known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These fats are converted to ketones in the liver.
4. Ketones have a powerful effect on the brain, therefore their long-term use can help treat conditions like epilepsy.
5. When the body goes into ketone metabolism, weight loss becomes easier because appetite is reduced on a ketone diet.
6. Studies have shown that MCTs can help boost brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.
7. Several studies have shown that coconut oil consumption is good for heart health since it helps raise the HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the body.
8. Indian cooking processes subject oils to very high temperatures. Coconut oil is very stable when heated to high temperatures due to the presence of short and medium chain fatty acids. Hence it is recommended for deep frying.
9. Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil retains all the essential nutrients and is healthy for the skin, hair, and teeth.
10. The cold pressing process retains the antioxidants and essential vitamins in the oil.

Mesmara offers an impressive collection of cold-pressed oils, including cold-pressed sesame oil, extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, and cold-pressed groundnut oil. Reap the immense benefits of cold pressed oils without losing the taste. SWITCH TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE by using cold-pressed oils in your daily cooking!!

Mini Pizza Muffins – Healthy and Tasty Valentine’s Day Snack

Muffins – this mouth-watering dish never fails to bring back childhood memories. Add pizza flavour twist to it, and it becomes everyone’s favourite savory. Kids just love Mini Pizza Muffins, and adults can polish the dish within minutes. Since its Valentine’s Day, why not make the celebration memorable by baking these bite-sized treats in their healthier version for your loved ones?

Mini Pizza Muffins Preparation:

Preparation Time – 50 mins.

Dry Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (Maida)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried basil

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Mesmara Extra Virgin Olive oil
• ¼ cup low-fat milk
• ⅓ cup crumbled ricotta cheese
• 2 finely chopped medium sized onions
• 2 finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp chopped olives

Method for Preparation:

Step 1: Clean all the vegetables  properly and chop them as suggested in the list of ingredients.

Step 2: Begin with the heating the oil in a large pan  over medium heat. Stir fry onions and bell-peppers in the pan, till onions turn golden brown and bell-peppers are softened.

Step 3: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400^oF and take a mini-muffin pan and coat it evenly with cooking oil spray. You can use extra virgin olive oil as a healthy option..

Step 4: Take a medium size glass bowl and quickly whisk into it all the dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl beat the egg and stir in milk, crumbled ricotta cheese, tomato paste, and olives.

Step 5: Now it is time to mix the wet and dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the wet ingredients and mix them until they are all combined together.

Step 6: Pour the mixture into mini muffins tray. Fill the muffin cups to two-thirds of their capacity and place the tray in the preheated oven.

Step 7: Check the status after 13 to 15 minutes. If you find them in light brownish color, it is the sign of a perfectly baked batch. Bring them out of the oven and place them on a wire rack for cooling.

Your Mini Pizza Muffins are ready. Serve them with the evening tea and watch them being devoured and see the love returned to you.

Health Tips:

Mesmara believes in holistic approach to living. Its newly launched Cold-Pressed oils are prepared using age old techniques of pressing the oil seeds in the Vagai wood press. The oils retain the natural health benefits of the seeds, unlike refined oils which lose their potent benefits with the high amounts of heat they are subjected to. Refined oils also contain preservatives to improve shelf life.

Mesmara’s Extra virgin olive oil helps in improving the good cholesterol or the HDL in the body and also helps in cleaning up the bad cholesterol or the LDL from the body. The benefits of regular usage of Cold-pressed oils are many. Incorporating Cold-pressed oils into your regular diet can bring about lot of healthy changes in you and your family.

This Valentine’s Day, protect the heart that loves you.

Check our store for Cold Pressed Sesame Oil, Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil. They are also available on Amazon. Check our other products on Flipkart too.

DIY Perfumes – 5 Easy Recipes For Valentine’s Day Gifting

Amit was blushing to himself while returning home from college. Ria has finally proposed him in the canteen today! They had liked each other a lot secretly for quite some time and now it has come as a sweet surprise to Amit on the eve of Valentine’s Day! The duo is all excited for their first Valentine’s day date and Amit wants to make it a memorable day for both of them. Amit knows Ria has a fondness for perfumes and fragrances. As a token of love, Amit wants to gift her some perfumes, which he wants to make using DIY perfumes recipes.

Geet has been always gifting her husband store-bought gifts every year for Valentine’s Day. She wants to try something new this year and her friend suggested DIY perfumes. Knowing her husband’s taste, Geet is all set to create DIY perfumes fragrance samples.

If you too wish to bring in some sweet and sexy fragrance in your relationship this V’day then here are some easy DIY perfume recipes for you to try out.

How to make DIY Perfumes at home?

If you have ever considered making fragrance at home then you might be aware of that any fragrance or perfume has two basic components – essential oil(s) and an alcohol base. Also, fragrance can be classified as top notes and mid tones. When you sniff any perfume, the first smell that you get is of the top notes. The smell that lingers in your senses after a while is of the mid tones and base tones.

If you are making a fragrance for the first time, here is an important tip for you: Essential oils smell different when they are combined with other essential oils, plus they smell quite different when blended with alcohol. Creating a great perfume is a work of art and you need to find the right ratio and combination to invent your own perfume. If you are doing it for the first time, try creating small fragrance samples until you get the right mix. Here are top 5 DIY perfume recipes – give it a shot or go ahead and create your own!

Recipe #1 – Everyone’s Choice Fragrance

For the base oil, mix the following essential oil in the given proportion: 1 tsp of Vanilla extract, 3 drops of Mesmara Cedarwood oil, 4 drops of Vetiver oil, 3 drops of Mesmara Ylang Ylang oil, 4 drops of Sandalwood oil, 8 drops of Mesmara Frankincense oil. Use 10 drops of Mesmara Lavender oil for middle tone.  You may also choose to add other essential oils like rose oil, geranium, and blue chamomile oil as per your choice. For top notes, choose between neroli, bergamot or wild orange. Add the fragrance you choose from bottom to top. This recipe goes well with many.

Recipe #2 – Vanilla Fragrance

For the base oil, make a mix of base essential oils like Cedarwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, and Sandalwood, in total 20 drops. If you are a vanilla lover, you may choose to add a teaspoon of homemade vanilla extract. To it, add 25-30 drops of middle tone oils like Rose, Mesmara Lavender oil, Chamomile or Geranium. And then top it with top note oils like Neroli or wild orange.

Recipe #3 – Floral Fragrance

For a floral fragrance, select a floral essential oil of your choice. Jasmine or rose both works great. To it, add 5 drops of Mesmara Sweet Orange oil, 2 drops of lime peel, 2 drops of vanilla, and 2 drops of jasmine absolute. Your flirty floral fragrance will be ready in a minute!

Recipe #4 – Floral Twist Fragrance

If you like a twist in the above recipe, then try this blend! To a floral scent of jasmine and rose, add 5 drops of bergamot, 4 drops of sandalwood and 2 drops of rose absolute.

Recipe #5 – Fruity Fragrance

For a fruity punch fragrance, roll this one. Definitely a mood booster! 5 drops of Mesmara lemon oil mixed with 2 drops of neroli and 3 drops of Mesmara Rosemary Oil.

Always remember to store your fragrance in a dark colored bottle. Sunlight can alter how it smells. Keep it in an airtight glass bottle so that the oil and the alcohol do not evaporate away. With a few essential oils and right proportions, you have millions of opportunities to create your own fragrance.

Use any of these fragrance recipes or create your own from Mesmara’s range of Essential Oils and Carrier Oils! After all, February is the month of love and we can already smell — love is in the air!

Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts For Your Special One

How many of you know the history of Valentine’s Day? A little-known fact is that it originated sometime around 270 AD, though the real figures are still vague due to the lack of proper information. The day is celebrated to honour St. Valentine who took upon himself to allow romance when Christianity looked at it as a taboo. What is important is that we continue to celebrate it to express our love to our special someone. What better way to say it than by getting some unique Valentine’s Day gifts.

Most find it simple to buy chocolates and flowers as Valentine’s Day gifts. However, there are so many valentines day ideas that can truly make this day special. We suggest that you think out of the (chocolate) box and give some unique Valentine’s Day gifts this time. Do something which sets you apart from the pack. It is a great opportunity to show that you deeply understand that person. This thoughtful gesture will work the magic and strengthen the love even further.

Here are a bunch of cool ideas for creating the most unique Valentine’s Day gifts. We are sure after reading these you may do even better.

Personalization:

Try to get a gift that is specific to the person, to an extent that it is custom made. For men, you could look at personalized cufflinks, embroidered shirts or a nice silk neck scarf. Some sort of personalized embellishment that makes him proud to wear it. For women the choices are abundant, custom made jewellery or a dress she has been eyeing to buy but hasn’t really got to it. There are so many great natural high-end organic beauty products that could also be a great way to shower love. You can select from the wide range of Mesmara products to give a personalized touch to the gift. Personalisation makes the gifts very unique Valentine’s Day gifts that are loved by everyone.

Activities:

You must choose experiences or activities that you both can enjoy at the same time. Winemaking, preparing gourmet salads, hiking for the more active folks are some examples that give you time with each other while enjoying it.  If you both have dreamt of that special river cruise, this is the perfect time to do it. Book the boat, pick the right menu and make it an evening to remember.

You could get yourselves a nice tattoo too, something that bonds you both.

For folks who want to just cuddle up and make it a very personal day, you could choose a bunch of romantic valentines day movies and binge through them.

Pampering:

You can plan to enrol your beloved for a makeup training course. Some may think you do not like her makeup, but it could also mean that you love her enough to want her to look even more beautiful. You could take it a notch higher by recommending that special focus, e.g., eye makeup and hair highlights. If she is not really feeling for it, then you can go shop for the best cosmetics and skin care products that you can afford to make her feel special.

To spend a perfect day with the man of your dreams, a couple’s spa would be a perfect gift. You both can relax and get pampered together and energize yourself for a beautiful evening ahead.

Bookish Romance:

Another idea in unique Valentine’s Day gifts is to spend the day together with the best romantic books available. Couples can channel their love for each other by visiting the local library or a book shop and check out the love letters and poems of the best writers/poets. Couples can then issue or buy a timeless romantic book full, open a bottle of wine and take turns reading each other his/her favourites. You can also venture out and experience live music with that someone special.

Camping Under The Stars:

If both of you love to be one with nature, this activity is the best way to spend time with your loved one. Though it might need a little bit of homework. Do some google search or ask for a reference from your circle about the best places to visit to enjoy a sunset. Plan to leave early in the evening with your special one to catch a mesmerizing sunset and watch it sitting together hand in hand. As the evening turns into night, you could camp under the stars and gaze at the astronomical wonders together while thanking your lucky stars. Don’t forget to carry a mosquito repellent spray made from Citronella Essential Oil. Better still, make bug repellent candle with the flavours of Citronella Essential Oil and Rosemary Essential Oil.

We are not going to spell out everything, but you got the gist of. Do share with us about your ideas for unique Valentine’s Day gifts. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at Mesmara.

Veeramachaneni Diet Plan – ‘A Perspective’

What is Veeramachaneni Diet (VRK Diet)?

Veeramachaneni Ramakrishna Rao introduced a diet plan in 2017, simply referred to as  Veeramachaneni Diet Plan. It is being followed by thousands of people in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He claims that he lost 30 kg within a span of 2 months on this diet and his friend had recovered from type 2 diabetes. In this article, we will review the diet plan and the pros and cons associated with it.

The VRK diet plan is an Indianized version of the Keto diet plan. By restricting the carbs and increasing fats in the diet, the body burns fats for energy and fats are converted to ketones (fat metabolism). This process is known as ketosis. These ketones are now used as a source of energy by the whole body including the brain. You can refer our blog on the Keto diet here.

Veeramachaneni diet has two plans – the liquid-diet plan and the solid-diet plan.

The liquid-diet plan:

The plan follows 4 important pillars:

Pillar #1: Consume 70 to 100 g of fat every day. The fats should be consumed directly (apart from the oils used in cooking). Only the below-mentioned fats should be used

1. Coconut oil.
2. Olive oil.
3. Ghee.
4. The creamy layer of curd/yogurt.
5. Butter.

Only pure forms of oils and butter should be used. Take only 10 g of fat at a time, preferably added to soups.

Pillar #2: Consume the juice of 3 lemons daily. This can be taken with water, soda or very dilute buttermilk.

Pillar #3: Drink 4 litres of water daily.

Pillar #4: Take 2 multivitamin tablets daily.

Green tea, black tea, black coffee, lemon tea without sugar and honey, veg soup, and non-veg soup can be consumed.

Follow this plan for approximately 5 days and alternate with a low-glycemic index, low-carb diet for 3 or 4 days until you reach your target weight. It is recommended for morbidly obese people.

The solid-diet plan:

This plan also follows the 4 pillars as the liquid-diet plan. The foods which are allowed in this diet are as follows:

1. 1. Eggs – up to 6 eggs daily.
   2. All non-vegetarian food – 250g for women and 300g for men per day.
   3. All vegetables except the ones listed below.

Veggies which are NOT allowed:

1. 1. Potatoes.
   2. Colocasia.
   3. Yam.
   4. Tapioca.
   5. Sweet potato.
   6. Beetroot.
   7. Plantain.
   8. Cluster beans, broad beans, and other legumes.
   9. Peas.

 

 Other Foods to avoid:

1. 1. Rice
   2. Wheat
   3. Cereals
   4. Milk.
   5. Curd.
   6. Honey.
   7. Sugar.
   8. Coconut water.
   9. Tender coconut.

Follow this diet until the target weight is reached. Come out of these diets by consuming low-glycemic index carbs with portion control. Do not consume solids after 7 pm. Eat 2 solid meals per day interspersed with water and other liquids.

Pros of Veeramachaneni Diet Plan:

1. 1. The Veeramachaneni diet plan is one of the few free weight loss programs available.
   2. You can follow this plan without visiting a weight loss centre and without spending any money.
   3. It is touted to be the best weight loss plan for women.
   4. Weight loss occurs quickly due to complete carb restriction.
   5. Diabetics experience better blood sugar control since insulin-resistance improves.
   6. Mental focus increases.
   7. Fewer hunger pangs and craving compared to other diets.
   8. People report increased energy levels.

Cons of Veeramachaneni Diet Plan:

1. 1. Ketosis has a diuretic effect on the body. So consuming adequate water is very essential.
   2. Since some important vitamins and minerals are depleted, one should take vitamin and mineral supplements.
   3. Can cause constipation if vegetables are not consumed.
   4. People on this diet experience headache, mental fogginess, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, and decreased energy levels in the beginning.
   5. Some people develop a rash on the body.
   6. A kind of fruity smell is emitted from the body due to ketosis.
   7. Women can experience irregular menstrual periods.
   8. Increased acne and pimples.

Analysis of the Veeramachaneni diet plan:

This plan looks to be ideal for those who wish to achieve fast weight loss and have morbid obesity. Since cravings and hunger pangs will be less on this diet, people can follow it for a longer time. In order to successfully complete the diet, one should be able to overcome the associated side effects of a high-fat diet. The diet is not recommended for children. Prolonged dieting might have bad effects on heart health and kidneys, gallbladder, and bones. For those who wish to try a new diet and can follow the instructions to the ‘T’ can try this diet for a couple of months and check for themselves.

Those who wish to follow this diet plan should avoid taking refined oils and use only virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil.

Virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil is chemical free and un-hydrogenated. It is unfermented and unbleached. The extraction process does not involve heat application. Consuming virgin coconut oil is good for health as the extraction process retains the antioxidants and vitamins. Mesmara offers pure virgin coconut oil which can be consumed without any side effects. You can find it here.

Extra virgin olive oil

The extraction process of extra virgin olive oil does not employ heat or chemicals. The cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil offered by Mesmara has a very good taste and rich flavor. It can aid in weight loss while following the VRK diet plan. Extra virgin olive oil helps to maintain heart health since it retains antioxidants and essential fats. It can also be used for cooking since it maintains a high smoke point (around 200-210˚C).

Use Mesmara’s range of cold-pressed oils in everyday cooking for a healthier you.