FLAX SEEDS

Flax seeds have been consumed as food for around 6,000 years and may have very well been the worlds first cultivated superfood!

Flax seed benefits could help you improve digestion, give you clear skin, lower cholesterol, reduce sugar cravings, balance hormones, fight cancer and promote weight loss… and that’s just the beginning!

Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds that are the richest sources of a plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the world!

Another unique fact about flaxseeds is that they rank #1 source of lignans in human diets. Flaxseeds contain about 7 times as many lignans as the closest runner-up, sesame seeds.

Stunning Flaxseed Nutrition Facts

When you look at the nutritional benefits of flax seeds, there are many things that will catch your attention.

A  1 ounce (3 tbsp) serving of flaxseeds contains:

• Omega-3 (ALA) 6,338mg
• Fiber 8g
• Protein 6g
• Vitamin B1 31% RDA
• Manganese 35% RDA
• Magnesium 30% RDA
• Phosphorus 19% RDA
• Selenium 10% RDA
• Also, flaxseeds contain a good amount of vitamin B6, Iron, potassium, copper and zinc.

This flax seed nutrition profile makes it easy to see why it’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

10 Flax Seed Benefits

1. High in Fiber, but Low in Carbs

One of the most extraordinary benefits of flax seeds is that they contain high levels of mucilage gum content.  Mucilage is a gel-forming fiber that is water soluble and has incredible benefits on the intestinal tract.

The mucilage can keep food in the stomach from emptying too quickly into the small intestine which can increase nutrient absorption.

Also, flax is extremely high in both soluble and insoluble fiber which can support colon detoxification, fat loss and reduce sugar cravings.

You should aim to consume 30-40 g of high fiber foods daily.

2. Healthy Skin and Hair

If you want healthier skin, hair and nails then consider adding 2 tbsp of flax seeds to your smoothie or 1 tbsp of flax seed oil to your daily routine.

The ALA fats in flax seeds benefits the skin and hair by providing essential fats as well as b-vitamins which can help reduce dryness and flakiness. It can also improve symptoms of acne, rosacea, and eczema. This also applies to eye health as flax can reduce dry eye syndrome.

Flax seed oil is another great option since it has an even higher concentration of healthy fats. You can take 1-2 tbsp internally to hydrate skin and hair.  It can also be mixed with essential oils and used as a natural skin moisturizer.

3. Weight Loss

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that flaxseeds and walnuts may improve obesity and support weight loss.

Since flax is full of healthy fats and fiber, it will help you feel satisfied longer so you will eat fewer calories overall which may lead to weight loss. ALA fats may also help reduce inflammation.

This is important for weight loss in that an inflamed body will tend to hold on to excess weight. Add a couple of teaspoons of ground flaxseed to soups, salads, or smoothies as part of your weight loss plan.

4. Lower Cholesterol

The journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found that adding flax seeds into your diet can naturally reduce cholesterol levels.

The soluble fiber content of flax seeds trap fat and cholesterol in the digestive system so that it unable to be absorbed. Soluble fiber also traps bile, which is made from cholesterol in the gallbladder.

The bile is then excreted through the digestive system, forcing the body to make more, using up excess cholesterol in the blood and lowering cholesterol overall.

5. Flaxseeds are Gluten-Free

Using flax is a great way to naturally replace gluten-containing grains which are inflammatory where flax is anti-inflammatory.  So, flax seeds are great for those who have Celiac disease or have a gluten-sensitivity. They may also be a good alternative to omega-3 fats in fish for people with a seafood allergy.

Another great aspect of flax being gluten-free is that it can be used as a grain-free option in cooking.  I will often use it along with coconut flour in baking at home.

6. Flaxseeds are High in Antioxidants (Lignans)

Amongst its other incredible nutrition facts, flax seeds are also packed with antioxidants. Lignans are unique fiber-related polyphenols that provide us with antioxidant benefits for anti-aging, hormone balance and cellular health.

Polyphenols support the growth of probiotics in the gut and may also help eliminate yeast and candida in the body.

Lignans are also known for their anti-viral and antibacterial properties, therefore consuming flax regularly may help reduce the number or severity of colds and flus.

7. Digestive Health

Maybe the biggest flax seed benefits come from it’s ability to promote digestive health. The ALA in flax can help protect the lining of the digestive tract and maintain GI health. It has been shown to be beneficial for people suffering from Crohn’s disease or other digestive ailments, as it can help reduce gut inflammation.

You can also take 1-3 tbsp of flax seed oil with 8 oz of carrot juice to help naturally relieve constipation.

Flax is also very high in soluble and insoluble fiber which can also improve digestive health and is one of the highest magnesium foods in the world.

Two tablespoons of flaxseeds contains about 5 g of fiber or 1/4 of the RDA. The fiber found in flaxseeds provides food for friendly bacteria in your colon that can help cleanse waste from your system.

8. Flax Seeds for Cancer

Flax seed benefits have been proven time and time again and even including fighting breast, prostate, ovarian and colon cancer.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Cancer Research discovered that consuming flax seeds may decrease the risk of breast cancer. The three lignans found in flaxseeds can be converted by intestinal bacteria into enterolactone  and enterodiol which naturally balance hormones which may be the reason flax seeds reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the lignans in flaxseeds may also reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

9. High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

We hear a lot about the health benefits of fish oil or omega-3 fats. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fats that are critical for optimal health. Although flaxseeds do not contain EPA or DHA, they do contain ALA, another type of omega-3 fat.

A study published in Nutrition Reviews has shown that approximately 20% of ALA can be converted into EPA, but only .5% of ALA is converted into DHA. Also, surprisingly gender may play a big role in conversion where young women had a 2.5-fold greater rate than men.

Regardless of conversion, ALA is still considered a healthy fat and should be included in a balanced diet.

10. Menopausal Symptoms

The lignans in the flax have been shown to have benefits for menopausal women. It can be used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy because lignans do have estrogenic properties.

These properties may also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It can even help menstruating women by helping maintain cycle regularity.

To experience the flax seed benefits for your hormones include 1-2 tbsp of flax meal in a breakfast smoothie along with 1 tbsp of flax seed oil.

PURE TRADITIONAL VIBOOTHI/ HOLY ASH

Vibhoothi/ Holy Ash is sacred in Hindu Tradition and now due to the change in lifestyle the whole scenario is changed. The word VIBOOTHI means Higher wealth or Priceless precious material. 
The viboothi is to be made using Desi cow dung and herbs, which on applying on forehead and body , will protect our body from diseases and negatives. Now paper waste and rock powder are being sold as viboothi which causes negative effects in body and mind.

WANT TO KNOW THE SECRET BEHIND OUR ANCESTOR'S HEALTH?

       Our ancestors lived healthy for 90+ ages without going to hospital , consuming medicine ,etc. The secret behind their health is the ASH. Each and every house had minimum of 5 cows, and they used the dried cow dung cake as fuel for cooking, and the remaining ash was used for cleaning utensils, ASH+SALT as tooth powder, for purifying water, as Viboothi /holy Ash for applying in body, etc.,. As we know Carbon /Ash has ANTI BACTERIAL property, there for no way for them to get any disease, as they consumed, used and lived in this ash filled area. The viboothi applied in the body protected them from negatives.


PREPARATION @AMMAJEE ORGANICS

Pure  viboothi, is prepared by the performing homa using Country breed cow's Dung,Gomiya,Milk,Curd and Ghee(Panchagavya), along with the herbs such as Holy basil leaves(Thiruneetru pathiri) and Vilva fruit on the eve of SHIVARATHIRI every month.

To make the holy ash, cow dung is made into balls, flattened and sun dried well. Then on an auspicious day they are layered with karukkai and hay till they are about 6 to 7 feet in height. After the prayers and chanting, fire is lit, it burns for several days. The hay retains the heat and the karukkai prevents it from burning instantly which results in white ash which is collected after several days. But to make the vibhooti, cow dung that is got from organic grass fed native cows should be used.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• REMOVES HEAD ACHE when applied with water on forehead
• REMOVES WASTE WATER in joints and forehead through sweat glands
• ANTI BACTERIAL , hence prevents from diseases
• REMOVES WORMS in digestion track on consuming the water purified with viboothi
• PURIFIES & OXYGENATES THE DRINKING WATER (just mix a spoon with 20L water and allow it to settle while using the above water)
• REMOVES BAD ORDER FROM BODY
• MAKES MIND RELAXED 
• INCREASES THE CONCENTRATION POWER
• IMPROVES THE POSITIVE VIBRATION
• REMOVES ALLERGIES
• CLEANSES THE MIND , SOUL AND THE BODY
• and so on..........................

Viboothi can be mixed with water and applied on forehead , joints ,etc.,after taking bath , in the morning and evening.

JUST A STREAK OF VIBOOTHI ON YOUR FORE HEAD WOULD MAKE YOUR DAY HEALTHY , STRESS FREE AND POSITIVE.

THOOYAMALLI RICE - THE JASMINE RICE

How attractive and appealing this Rice looks, Isn't it?....but the sad part is this Traditional rice variety is not known to many of us. 

This rice is called Thooyamalli/Thuyamalli Rice, is one of the indigenous rice variety of Tamil Nadu.

Ever heard of a famous Tamil quote?? "Unave marunthu", Our great great grand fathers and grandmothers used to consume nutritious food, which acted as a medicine too. 

You will be amazed to know that each and every rice variety has its own unique flavour along with high medicinal values. 

Why did it get the name "Thooyamalli"?

Thooyamalli means Pure (Thooya) and Malli (Jasmine). This Rice looks more like a Jasmine bud and is the reason for the origin of its name.

More about Thooyamalli:

• This Rice crop's duration is 135-140 days with high resistance to pest. So it will not demand much of pesticide like other common rice varieties.

•  Thooyamalli increases nerves strength.

•  A healthy as well as a tasty rice which is best suited for preparing briyani for its distinctive flavour.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Rich in medicinal benefits
• Healthy shiny skin
• Good mental health
• Delays ageing of internal organs

Just think for a moment

"Do we still need to eat polished white rice which gives no nutrition at all?" or "Want to switch over to these traditional rice varieties which gives loads of nutrition and healthy life?"

KARUNKURUVAI RICE - THE  KAYAKALPA (REMAIN YOUNG) RICE

Kuruvai is the major species pertaining to a particular cropping season exclusively practiced by Tamilnadu farmers. The other cropping season is Samba. The paddy cultivated in these seasons are named after accordingly. Hence Karun Kuruvai represents Kuruvai cropping season- the crop is sown in June-July or rarely in early August or later part of May. Karun Kuruvai is an important sub species of Kuruvai family.

Karung kuruvai rice has got a “kayakalpam” property which will protect our body. Siddha doctors use this rice variety to prepare medicines.  

CROP DURATION - 110 DAYS

Health Benefits

1. Medicinal qualities of Karun Kuruvai- consumed to treat  ARTHRITIS ; Given to patients suffering from CHICKENPOX

2. Karung kuruvai rice has got a “kayakalpam” property which will protect our body (kaya kalpa practices turn old cells into new ones, and remove all impurities and toxins, which cause physical degeneration)

3. Karung kuruvai is used to treat peoples suffering from ELEPHANTIASIS

4. This rice is helps to dilute all the BAD CHOLESTROL in our body

5. It controls and prevents DIABETES

6. It improves the vitality of the body and strengthens the NERVOUS SYSTEMS

7.  It controls HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

8. It burns the fat in the body and also the blocks in the  heart , hence preventing CARDIAC ARREST

9. It improves the immunity of the body

10. It removes the IMPURITIES AND TOXINS  from the blood

11. It improves the SELF CONFIDENCE from children to the aged

It can be used as powder, Dosa, Idly, etc.,.

MAAPILLAI SAMBA RICE - THE BRIDEGROOM'S SAMBA 

Mappilai Samba Rice is one of the indigenous rice variety which is slowly regaining its popularity among us. 

If you are confused with the word indigenous and wondering what that means, then the exact meaning of indigenous is native. 

These indigenous rice variety crops are wonderful crops which suits organic farming, why because they need very less or in some case no fertilisers or pesticides. 

Other benefits of cultivating these indigenous rice crop includes

• Expensive cultivation like other common rice variety is not at all needed. Hence gives less burden to farmers.
•  Agriculture eco system is promoted, this happens by yielding straw that are used to feed cattle.
• They can grow in any local conditions unlike common rice which needs traditional rice growing place.

Bundle of benefits is attained from growing these indigenous rice variety but "why farmers hesitate to grow these crops???. 

Us, the consumers are the reason.

We started preferring only white polished rice for our cooking and started neglected those nutrition buddies. So, the commercial market demands only common rice varieties and hence they are forced to cultivate these polished counterparts.

But, awareness of other rice varieties and millet varieties are spreading, giving way for organic farming and organic outlets.

Coming to our Maapillai Samba rice, the name itself clearly represents the usage. 

This rice has high nutritional value and are given particularly to Mapilai/ Bridegroom to get increased energy. In folklore, the bridegroom is asked to lift a heavy rock to show his power. Hence, this mappilai samba rice is cooked and served to him to gain loads of energy to lift the rock.

This Mapillai Samba Rice crop duration is 160 days and its health benefits are

• Improves digestion process
• Increases brain strength
• Cures stomach and mouth ulcers 
• Increases fertility in male and female
• Eradicates Uterus problems in female
• Good for diabetic patients since it is low in carb and low in sugar 
• Makes the blood flow faster so that our body gets instant energy
• Muscles, nerves and blood gets strenghthen
• Increases immunity and stamina
• Little ones will achieve better growth
• Eradicates nervous weakness
• Controls paralysis

It is not only restricted to bridegrooms, this Maapillai Samba rice is suited for all ages to gain increased energy. 

Wondering how to cook?????......Can be cooked as rice, or made as Idli, Dosa, upma, pongal etc. 

TRADITIONAL RICES OF TAMILNADU

Rice, (Arisi in Tamil) also known as Paddy, a raw crop (Nel in Tamil) is a pre-dominant food for half of the population in the world. It constitutes the staple diet of many of the Asian and African countries. The origin of this wonderful crop and its cultivation history has been a constant theme of search and re-search for not only historians, Plant Scientists but also for sociologists, anthropologists, and other students of cultural studies. The origin of the word ‘rice’, has though been known to philologists and etymologists, it had received little scholarly attention from the botanists , plant paleontologists and Archeologists.

The vast quantities of gold and silver coins struck by Roman emperors up to Nero (54–68CE) found all over Tamil Nadu testify the extent of the trade, the presence of Roman settlers in the Tamil country.¹

It is not a surprising the Tamil etymologists on the spread of the word Arisi to Rice. Arisi (root word ari-arisu-arici-ori-orizu-rice. According to Tamil etymologists, the Tamil linguistic law  - loss of vowel in Tamil makes arisi toorizu.  The trade route taken by ships from Rome to Tamilakam had been described in detail by writers such as Strabo and Pliny, the Elder. The Greek and Arabic names for rice (Oryza and urz), ginger (Gingibar and zanjabil) and Cinnamon (Karpion and quarfa)  are almost identical with their Tamil names,arisi, inchiver and karuva. The imports were mostly luxury items such as glass, gold and wine.

There are around 250+ traditional varieties of rice in South India alone, in which most are extinct due to modern day farming. Now dafter a vast effort by ecologist Dr.NAMMAZHVAR Ayya, about 153 lost varieties of rice are being revived.We work on letting people know about our traditional rice varieties, their magical benefits and make them available for the public.

THE TRADITIONAL RICE VARIETIES DO NOT NEED ANY PESTICIDE OR ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZER FOR THEIR GROWTH AND YIELD.

The following is the list of  Some of the Traditional rice varieties of Tamilnadu

1) MAAPILAI SAMBA

2) KICHILLI SAMBA

3) POONGAAR

4) KUDAVALAI

5) KARUTHAKKAR

6) KARUNGURUVAI

7) KURUPPU KAVUNI

8) SIGAPPU KAVUNI

9) ILLUPAI POO SAMBA

10) KUZHIVEDICHAN

11) ARUBADANKURUVAI

12) THOOYAMALLI

13) KALA NAMAK

14) VELLAI PONNI

15) KAPPA KAR

16) MADUMUZHUNGI

17) KARUTHAKAAR

18) SIRUMANI

19) SEERAGA SAMBA

20) MOSADAI SAMBA

21) POOVAN SAMBA

22) NEI KICHADI

23)VAAZHAIPOO SAMBA

24) PULUTHIKAAR

25) SALEM SENNA

26) KAAR

27) CHINNA PONNI

28) PAARAM KARUPPU

29) KAIVARA SAMBA

30) VAASANAI SEERAGA SAMBA

31) PANAG KAATTU KUDAVAZHAI

32) KATTAI SAMBA

33) KALAR PALAI

and so on.

In the fore coming blogs let us see the valuable health benefits of each of this rice in detail.

A2 MILK - THE DIVINE NECTAR

While scientists across the globe have been struggling to find ways to curb climate change, a researcher of the Jamnagar-based Gujarat Ayurveda University has claimed that the belching of the Western cows adversely affects the ozone layer, causing the hole in it, but holy Indian cows are not responsible for global warming.

Dr Hitesh Jani, who has been given responsibility to conduct research by Gujarat Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board, in his research paper says that Western cows are responsible for global warming while glorifying cows of Indian origin.

"In India, we prefer our original zero-maintenance desi cow, rather than fat Jersey cows that keep eating and drinking through the day, fall sick more often and have to be pumped full of antibiotics. These cows fart methane gas, so often that the ozone layer has got a hole," reads his research paper, 'Panchgavya Chikitsa: The Medicine of Millennium', which glorifies Indian 'gau' over Western Jersey cows. The research paper says that the A-1 milk of Western cows is the root cause of many diseases, but the A-2 milk of Indian cows are a celestial remedy for all diseases.

A-1 milk contain 7 amino acids, named BCM-7, which react with the human digestive system, internal organs and brain. It has been linked to Type-1 diabetes, heart disease, autism, and other non- communicable diseases, according to a veterinary scientist, Professor Keith Woodward of New Zealand. It also causes digestive problems in children, ear infections, bronchitis, and tonsillitis in adults, the paper says.

The paper also claims that A2 milk of the humped Indian cow is good for health and is more beneficial as it has micronutrients like cytokines and minerals which enhance the immune system.

He claims that A2 milk contains more magnesium and helps in the assimilation of calcium in the bones and is crucial for regular heart function.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…/articlesh…/56092189.cms

What is Organic? Why it is important?

The word 'organic',is given to compounds that contains Carbon - C .

In modern Agriculture, the fertilizer, pesticides,etc ., Used are inorganic ( NPK- direct minerals and not Organic), but in traditional/Organic farming the fertilizer, pesticides used are obtained from Organic living organisms around us, such as Cows, trees,plants,etc., Which are made of Organic compounds C, and hence enrich the soil with liveliness and nutrition, which in turn helps the micro to macro organisms to live ,develop and help in nourishing the soil further.
If one consumes the food grown in Organic farming, there comes liveliness in his action, health and lifestyle.
Our body is built to feed on Organic food only, and these inorganic chemicals ,added as fertilizer is not for our body to digest, and it causes adverse effects on health añd mind , hence the problems from private to social level arises.

HENCE FOR A HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY ......EAT ORGANIC ....BE ORGANIC.....