We Grow Brands with Data-Driven Digital Marketing

Smoke & Dough: An exciting new barbeque experience coming your way

by digitalplus | Oct 22, 2019 | Food

Let’s try healthy food ride

by digitalplus | Jul 15, 2018 | Food

A dynamic world, dynamic people, dynamic lifestyle! However, is everything at the stake of one’s health? Have we ever thought the cheesy pizza and awesomeness overloaded burger which we enjoy all the time is laden with heaps of calories which is adding on to our flab?

Solution to this is simple and comes with certain diet foods which are healthy and at the same time gratifies our foodie palate.
Here is some healthy food ride which will cajole you for more and more:

Sprouts in Lettuce Cups

Take lentils, soak them overnight, drain out water and let them sprout. Once they are sprouted, add salt and black pepper as per taste, drizzle some honey and add a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix and serve on the lettuce bed and you are ready with your diet full of protein. You can eat the lettuce too which is a great source of Vitamin A, sodium and potassium.

Advice: Please go for Iceberg lettuce

Mulligatawny: The Indian Soup

India is the ‘Land of Spices’ which is often considered unhealthy however this soup is an exception. This is the national Soup of India prepared with Lentils, coconut milk, Indian spices, ginger, onion, garlic and tomatoes that are slightly cooked and then pureed. This is the best source of proteins with fiber.

Advice: You may enjoy this with boiled rice as it is simply a derivative of an Indian Dal.

Bircher Muesli

Here comes our favorite Muesli however not with milk but it’s Bircher Muesli. Soak Muesli overnight in apple
juice, add yogurt with a lot of nuts & berries and then garnished with strawberries and apricot.

Advice: Serve it chilled for the optimum taste.

Milk Whey

We all know how overrated milk is and how it comes in various alternatives for fitness-lovers, like low fat, skimmed milk, double toned, etc.; however, none of these are as useful as Milk whey. This is a complete protein and is really supportive when eyeing for true proteins as it contains all the essential amino acids.

Advice: You can freshly make it by curdling milk with lemon juice.

Epigamia Greek Smoothie

This is the easiest of all to prepare. Take Epigamia Yoghurt, which is made from Soya milk and is widely available in the market, add some honey if you have sweet tooth and blend it as a thick smoothie. This is very rich in soya protein.

Advice: May add some Soya milk if you prefer to make the consistency thinner.

Egg white Omelet

Albumin is the best quality natural protein available contrary to yolk that is the poorest of the fats in an egg. First of all, segregate egg yolk and white and then as per your choice add finely chopped onions, bell peppers spring onion, tomatoes, black pepper, and salt. Use your fork to thoroughly beat them and then place a pan over flame lightly greased with olive oil to prepare your fluffy egg white omelet.

Advice: Cook this in low flame and as less as possible because proteins should not be cooked much to retain the essential amino acids.

These were certain healthy at the same time lip-smacking options for all you Bon vivant peeps. Here, quoting Ann Wigmore, “The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful kind of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” So the choice is yours! You can choose whatever you like and mention that in the comments below and do remember this, “To stay healthy you don’t have to eat less, you just have to eat right.”

World Food on your Plate

by digitalplus | Feb 9, 2018 | Food

Centuries back bread, cheese and wine was the staple diet in Britain, no wonder best wines , breads and cheese come from Europe; Brexit is a totally different concern but food that flows through the continent is divine, today food is something that satiate our Gourmet habits, we love enjoying good food but now the choice is not confined, we have outgrown ourselves, we enjoy food from around the world– as the world keeps getting smaller and globalization is the buzz, the International dishes are becoming common and readily available at times– being part of the global village we have seen different cuisines and we get crazy when allowed to relish several  culinary outcomes but information is must to fix it all in the tummy.

Let’s start with neighbouring nation Italy, the Pizza and Pasta is not all you get there, they have got varieties of food from Burrata (Panna Cotta), Bruschetta, Minestrone Soup (National soup of Italy), Risotto to end number of sauces like Pesto, Arabiata and breads, Ciabata, Focaccia, Garlic bread are some of the famous ones, that are revered by souls here: not to forget Tiramisu, literally means ‘Pick me up’ – when years back Prostitutes use to carry Tiramisu as a sign to ‘pick them up’ from those streets of Italy.

Mexican cuisine is another favourite here, let it be Chilli Con Carne (boiled kidney beans with minced tender lion cooked with Chipotle sauce), Burrito, Quesadillas, Nachos with Salsa or let it be Churros much loved with hot chocolate sauce. Mexican Chillies distinguish this Cuisine from others, Dried ancho, known as Pablano in it’s green avatar– this is King of Mexican Chillies, grown in Central Mexico , ancho has distinctively sweet taste with a tinge of coffee like bitterness to it– Jalapeno (most well-known and called Chipotle in it’s dried form) are some of the major chillies found here.

Chinese cuisine is the specialty, which is loved by many over here, they love Hakka noodles (as Chinese call ‘Hakka’ as ‘their guest’), Sichuan is another famous variety here which goes with both rice as well as noodles, Wontons come with end number of stuffing. Chinese were lactose-intolerant  (not now, but centuries back they were, they couldn’t consume milk products, so you will not find any milk by-product in authentic Chinese cuisine, if you do then  get cognisant that it is customized as per your needs, Chinese fled from motherland to overseas as it’s not easy to stay in the communist environment for long, the brainy ones revolted or bolted, so they took their cuisine with them, that gave popularity to Chinese food, but the tailor-made food it was, due to unavailability of raw-material or according to the taste of the local masses it was done in indigenous way and thus today somewhere we find sweet Chinese food like American Chopsey, at other places we find spicy Chinese food, so don’t wonder guys it is all in the history.

Indian cuisine is another classical cuisine coming from one of the oldest civilization, food here is diverse as the sub- continent itself is, all the famous Indian breads like the Naan, Tandoori Roti and tandoor(open-oven) done food like Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Chicken, Seekh Kebab are well-regarded here. Chicken Tikka Masala is England’s most popular Indian dish, Butter Chicken, Rogan Josh, Palak Paneer, Chaat all comes from Northern region, while Dosa (pancake), Sambhar (vegetable stew) comes from down-south, you get massive Gujarati food in the west like Dhokla, Undhiyu, Gujrati kadi and so on.

Now, Japanese cuisine is quite prevalent in today’s world, sushi/ sashimi, Miso soup are some of the famous foods in this cuisine. Their specialty is Hitachi and Tapenyaki concepts of cooking, these are the live grill cooking techniques used in this cuisine. People enjoy food from this kind of cooking which is unique in its own way.

Arab is another one of the oldest civilization, so is the Cuisine , over here you get Pita bread with Hummus, that is quite famous, Khubz (Arabic flat bread quite like the Pita that you will find throughout the region, wherever you go), Kefta (grilled dish of ground meat like lamb or beef), Arabic tea and coffee (Al Qahawa or the Arabic coffee is a ritual in itself. It is usually made with the addition of some cardamom, served in small cups without handles and always with dates. If you are eating in a restaurant, it is always served complimentary with the meal) even Shwarma is something that is loved by everyone around.

European Grills are wonderful in themselves, Char grilled octopus, Grilled scallops in olive and garlic, Beef steaks, Pork steaks, Lamb steaks, Grilled prawns are some of the famous ones, for vegetarians as well you have pineapple, that is grilled in open fire, grilled potatoes, mushrooms, tofu, cottage cheese are some of the finest grills available in the market.

If we talk about patisserie, French has already touched the Zenith, they are proud owners of world’s best bakery products and when it comes to desserts, then they are truly die for, let it be Crème Brule commonly known as Caramel Custard, Éclairs, Opera Cake, Tarte tatin, Chocolate mousse, Mango Bavarian, Lemon soufflé and many more which are truly marvelous.

But Food talk is incomplete until and unless Connoisseur meets the Sommelier, i.e., food-wine harmony, which wine goes with what food; like, with Fish fingers or other anti-pasti course basically white wine like Chardonnay & Chablis  or light bodied red wine will go, but when talk about Beef steak that’s quite heavy, so we require strong red wine like Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon, again with Desserts we require sweet wine so that we can savor taste of both wine as well as food, so one can try Riesling (real sweet wine) that will really settle your palate.

So much food! Isn’t it? I can’t resist any more so creating an appropriate meal for myself, not French classical menu but of course I am starting with an antipasti course, i.e., Chicken tikka and Sushi with garlic, Soya sauce and Wasabi followed by a Soup course, Consommé soup with vegetable juliennes as it is building my appetite to go forward, I love fish so going for Ginger soy steamed fish accompanied with Chardonnay white wine, now I am placing shwarma in my plate wrapped with Pita bread. For main course Penne Pasta with Arabiata sauce, followed with some beef steaks, with Shiraz red wine, for desserts Caramel custard and Tiramisu, as I have sweet tooth, so eating a slice of Opera cake followed by a shot of Americano and as I can see here my platter looks fantastic, now it’s your turn guys, see how the World Food looks in your Plate and you can try whatever you feel like because Food is Gourmand’s Utopia. Wish you all “Bon Appetit”.

Yogic Food

by digitalplus | Feb 1, 2018 | Food

Food is a basic necessity and plays a vital role in building the entire Personality of an individual. All our physical strength, mental faculties and spiritual leaning is a sum and substance of the food that we eat. Our mind and feelings are shaped by what we consume. In recent times lots of diseases and health problems have increased due to our indiscriminate eating habits. The fast pace of the modern times has changed the entire food patterns of all and sundry. The old dictum of “Eat fresh and healthy and Stay wealthy” is slowly waning and is replaced by the modern spectre of fast food. Modern fast food and various unhealthy food habits have completely changed the dynamics of general Health and lifestyle of an individual. Several deadly diseases like various types of Cancer and Health issues like Obesity are on the rise. All these Health issues and other problems related to wrong eating practices can be solved by taking recourse to the Yogic food or Diet. The concept of Yogic food is becoming the order of the day in the present times owing to its salutary effects on our Body, Mind and Soul.

What is Yogic Food?

Any food that has a salutary and wholesome effect on our Body, Mind and Soul and transforms our whole being is called Yogic food. It is very helpful for both our Worldly and Spiritual progress. Yogic food is based on the ancient Ayurvedic and Yoga principles that were enunciated by the Indian Yogis of yore. Both Yoga and Ayurveda consider food as an indispensable component of our life. The Ancient yogis consider the Yogic food as Brahman (The Ultimate Reality underlying all phenomenon in Hindu scriptures) and the bedrock of our existence. They also believe that from food all beings are born, by food they live and into food they return.

Yogic food helps us to evolve both internally as well as externally. It is a Balanced diet which impacts not only our Physical health and thoughts but also our emotional and spiritual well being. It is also hailed as Lacto-vegetarian food. It consists of grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds along with milk products and honey. It totally excludes all the animal foods and eggs too. Yogic food is simple, natural and wholesome and it also considers the subtle effect of food on our mind and prana(life force or breath).

Yogic food dwells on the type and the quality of food to be consumed in details. It also points out clearly the type of foods to be avoided. It lays emphasis on the nourishment that we acquire from various sources of food and not on its flavour. Yogic food lays a great stress on the principle of moderation on anything that we eat or drink. Yogic food plays an important role in all round development of our body, mind and soul

Importance of Yogic food

There are four types of Yogic food:-

• To be chewed
• To be sucked
• To be licked
• To be drunk

When these four types of food are eaten by an individual, they get converted into Rasa and it is further divided into three parts:-

• The most vital part of this Rasa acts as a nourishment for our subtle body which includes the mind, intellect, ego etc
• The second or the middle part nurtures the Seven Dhatus(seven tissues) of our body
• The third and the last part is actually a Waste material. It is excreted out of our body through various means like carbon dioxide is thrown away by the lungs, sweat from skin, urine and stool from their respective organs.

Yogic food lays emphasis on three main principles:-

• Hitbhuk – One should always eat the proper type of food that is wholesome for our body, mind and soul. It stresses on the fact that we should always eat what is healthy and good for us. We should not become a slave of our taste buds and eat all types of food. We should choose such food items which increase our longevity and help in our overall development.
• Ritbhuk – One should always eat according to the prevailing season and it should be earned through righteous and honest means. Then only it will be beneficial for our body, mind and soul. It lays importance on the fact that whatever we eat should be obtained from ethical and pure means. The food should be prepared and eaten with purity of mind. The one who prepares the food should be kind and affectionate and the one who eats it should eat it by first praying to God. It also stresses that the food that we consume should be in accordance with the existing season.
• Mitbhuk – One should always eat in moderation that has a salutary effect on our body, mind and soul. It recommends a moderate quantity of everything one eats and drinks. Self-discipline in choice of food is important not only for our health but also for our spiritual evolution. It strictly prohibits overeating and overindulgence of any kind. It stresses the fact we should eat only eat those foods which are conducive for our health and avoid tasty and unwholesome food.

Yogic food comprises of a moderate diet which satisfies three- fourths of one’s hunger with food offered to God, one-fourth part should be kept empty. It is known as Mithara, the limited food or balanced diet.

Food is classified on the basis of Tri-gunas and is of the following three types namely Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. Yogic food strictly advocates Sattvika food and strictly prohibits Rajasika and Tamasika food completely.

Sattvika food is one which increases vitality, energy, vigour, health, joy and mirthfulness. It is savoury oleaginous and wholesome. It helps in overall growth and development of body, mind and soul.

Rajasika food is bitter, sour, saline, hot, pungent, dry and burning. They stimulate the body and mind and lead to pain grief and disease as an outcome.

Tamasika food is stale, tasteless, stinking, cooked overnight, refused and impure. It leads to lethargy, restlessness and inertia as its end result.

Yogic food follows the Sanskrit Sutra completely:-

“Yuktahara-viharasya yukta –cestasya karmasu

Yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha”

One who is moderate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working and recreation can overcome all worldly pains and sorrows by practicing Yoga.

Everything that we consume acts as a food for our soul. The food that we eat has a close relation with our mind. Whenever we eat anything it becomes trebled, the gross particles become excrement, the middle particles become flesh and the finest particles become the mind. Therefore whenever we consume food the fine particles that rise upwards form the mind. Hence truly the mind is the food.

The Yogis believe that food gives rise to the prana(life force)that helps in maintaining our bodies and also gives us vitality and health. Thereby, the types of food that we choose to eat show the true measure of our conscious development. Yoga strongly recommends a pure and moral vegetarian diet, which helps in the evolution of Sattva guna. Sattva is the quality of love, understanding, relation and peace with all living beings.

The Yogis are of the view that food acts as the first interaction with the world surrounding us. If we do not eat with a feeling of love, relation and peace, then all other aspects of our life are bound to get affected. Sattva is based on the concept of ahimsa (non injury). A Sattvik food avoid all those foods that are involved with the killing or harming of animals. Sattvik foods also includes the foods grown in harmony with nature. It also includes ripened and natural foods.

In addition to it the foods that we consume should be prepared with love and positive feelings. Yogic food helps in increasing the prana and higher state of consciousness.

Yogic food surely provides a means for improving and enhancing our overall health and well being. It acts as a Prophylactic means to save us from the onslaught of deadly diseases and acts a “panacea for all ills” for sure. Evolution is better than Revolution. Let us gradually embrace this sublime concept laid down by the Ancient Indian Yogis and completely transform our Whole being.