Drink coconut water for glowing skin

Got dull, lifeless skin? While skin texture is mostly hereditary, there is a lot you can do to improve it.

The effect of diet is seriously underestimated in beauty care. While consumption of fruits and fruit juices is said to be good for the skin, it is best to avoid oily and masala rich foods. While orange juice has been voted the best for skin, not many are aware of the benefits of coconut water when it comes to skin care.

The liquid, considered the purest one after water, hydrates the skin, making it look more youthful and supple. Studies say that the antioxidants and cytokinins present in coconut water have an age defying effect on skin. The nutritious value of the drink has always been acknowledged. If you are feeling weak or have stomach problems, drink coconut water for an energy boost.

An advantage it has over fruit juices is that you can easily have a glass a day since it is almost entirely fat free and sugar free. There are also studies which say that coconut water dabbed on skin has a positive effect. However, there are no studies to prove this.

Well, drink coconut water every day and watch your skin glow!

For questions specific to your health conditions, please write down in the comments section and we will answer it as soon as possible. Thanks

Recipe: Sausage and peas pie

This one-dish meal can satisfy your craving for comfort food

Ingredients
500g potatoes, peeled, chopped
2 tbs olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
450g pork sausages, skins removed, roughly chopped
Pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
1 tbs rosemary leaves, finely chopped
½ cup (250ml) dry white wine
2 zucchinis (about 300g), coarsely grated
3 cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup (120g) frozen peas
40g unsalted butter, melted
½ cup (120g) fresh ricotta
2 tbs chopped mint

Method
Mixed salad leaves, to serve Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water and a pinch of salt. Place over medium-high heat, bring to the boil, then cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until very soft. Add sausage, chilli and rosemary, and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until sausage is browned. Add wine and cook for 1-2 minutes until almost evaporated. Add vegetables, and cook for a further 2 minutes until any liquid from vegetables has evaporated. Season well and set aside.

Mash potatoes until smooth, then stir in butter, ricotta and mint. Season. Divide the pie filling among four 2 cup (500ml) pie dishes or ramekins and top with the mash. Roughen surface with a fork, then lightly brown pies under a hot grill for 4-5 minutes. Serve with salad leaves.

Healthiest techniques to cook food

Grilling
Grilling exposes food to direct heat and meats that are grilled have a lesser fat content as the fat drips off as the food cooks. Also, the vegetables that are grilled retain more vitamins and minerals. But avoid using too much butter, cream or sauce over the food while it is being grilled as this piles on the calories.

Steaming
This simple process retains the nutritional value (B vitamins, minerals, niacin, potassium, zinc etc) and taste. To steam the food, place it in a perforated colander or basket placed above hot water. Using a flavoured liquid in the water imparts same flavour to the food being steamed. You can flavour the water with lemon juice, herbs, peppercorns and garlic. Steamed dimsums are the most popular example of this technique.

Roasting
The process of roasting is a dry technique unlike steaming and baking and involves cooking food in an uncovered pan in the oven. Roasting also takes place at higher temperatures. Chicken, meat and potatoes work well with this process and the meat gets a lovely brown crust.

Baking
Who said baking is just for desserts? You can also bake fish, meats, vegetables as well as fruit. The food is cooked via the dry, hot air present in the oven. A definite advantage is that there is no addition of sauce needed, so food tastes as natural as possible as it is cooked in its own juices.

Stir-frying
This traditional Asian method is one of the tir-fry is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook vegetables. It involves stir-frying them quickly (roughly 5-6 minutes) in a large wok or pan. You need just a small amount of oil for this method. Avoid adding the usual soy, oyster and hoisin sauces as seasonings.