Breakfast morning Day 1

Today let's decide to take a  step further towards  healthy eating by starting with  a nutritious breakfast, that will keep us fit and  filled for at least good 2 hours, and prevent cravings to have unhealthy foods!!   
With some research I arrived at this conclusion, that we shouldn't  be fooled any more by these gimmicks of advertising trying to sell us foods that add to our waistlines!!!!! Be smart and try to make the same dish at home , using sensible ingredients and doing some good for your self, your wallet and most of all for the good feel that all this is good food.
Breakfast, is an important meal. I enjoy making and having a nutritious  breakfast,  keeps us fuelled for the day's activities.
  I will be sharing some of these breakfast recipes . The idea here is to try to keep it simple and healthy.  Since everyone is so busy , there should be proper planning in buying ingredients before hand, so that we cook smart and quickly!!
Also, try using fresh ingredients as far as possible. 

Day 1
Exercise, stretch  or meditate for 20 minutes, daily or at least 3 to 4 times a week.
Meditation, helps us relax and de stress, and keeps one more focused. 
 sit upright, on a chair, in a quiet place  close your eyes and take a deep breadth, chant OM, 5 times for 2 or more rounds. 

Tip for the morning.
Warm a glass of water ,squeeze in 1/2 a lime juice,add a dash of black pepper,  drink this water, after brushing in the  morning time ,its  good for your system, acts as a cleanser.

Drink of today 
Smoothies, are quick and easy to prepare. You can choose the ingredients you want,  fresh or frozen fruits,also good idea to add protein powder or Whey protein and that way make it not only delicious but very healthy drink.
I have listed below some  recipes I have tried out, they came out good.

1. Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
Ingredients
1 banana cut into slices
1 tspn honey
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 cup low fat yoghurt
1/2 cup milk ( or you can use almond milk too)
1/4 cup  cooked oatmeal

Method:
1.In a blender,add chopped banana ,honey,yoghurt and 1/2 cup skim milk. Add oatmeal and blend for about 2 to 3 minutes,till its smooth and creamy.Add a spoonful crushed ice into a glass, pour the prepared smoothie, enjoy immediately or take it along on the go.

Ingredients

Banana Oatmeal smoothie

2. Mango and strawberry smoothie
Try another smoothie by combining fresh mango cubes, (Peel the outer skin of two ripe mangoes, and cut into cubes) ,  take 3 to 4 strawberries, sliced  and add  cup low fat yoghurt , 2 tspn sugar or 1 tbsp honey  and crushed ice. Blend for 3 to 4 minutes in the blender and pour cool smoothie into the glass. It is refreshing, with the tropical taste of mangoes and filling too. Great way to start the day, combine with with some nuts and you are good for a couple of hours:)

Ingredients 

Mango with strawberries smoothie

Do share your views in your valuable comments, and lets make a healthy start and let us know your breakfast ideas too!!

Paneer Makhani

Hi Friends, I was getting some requests to make a party  dish without onions!! I thought nothing more creamier and perfect for entertaining than Paneer makhani, the twist is this isn't your usual Makhani gravy that has onions, this one is without onions , so half the effort and results are well right in front of you :))

 Ingredients:
500 gm Cottage cheese (Paneer) cubed into 1 inch sized
2 medium size tomatoes pureed
1/2 cup ready canned tomato puree
1/4 cup cashews (about 10 to 12 cashews)
1 tbsp Honey
1/4 cup Kasoori methi ( dried fenugreek, available in Indian stores)
2 tsp salt 
2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp garam masala powder ( available in Indian stores)
2 tbsp butter
oil
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1 inch cinnamon stick
2 to 3 dried bay leaves
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream/ or use low fat version  
1 tsp ginger garlic paste . You can use freshly grated ginger too
1 tsp finely chopped green chilies

For marinating paneer
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp chaat masala powder ( available in Indian stores)
1/4 tsp garam masala powder
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/4 cup thick yogurt

Marinate the Paneer in yogurt

Add marinated Paneer  to tomato gravy 

Paneer Makhani

Method:
1. Wash and puree tomatoes in a mixer. Keep aside. Soak  cashews in 1/4 cup warm water and grind to a paste. Keep aside.
2. Heat 2 tbsp oil and 2 tbsp butter in a medium sauce pan. Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, bay leaves. Add ginger garlic paste,green chilies, cashews paste and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, as it start's turning golden color , add in  spices, salt, red chilies powder,garam masala.  Stir in canned tomato puree, continue cooking. Add in  pureed tomatoes from  mixer. Check for salt, add little more if required.
3. Now add in 1 tbsp honey to cut off the sourness, add full cream, continue stirring on low to medium heat for another 4 to 5 minutes , the gravy is almost ready.
4. In a separate bowl take cubed cottage cheese ( Paneer cubes) add 2 to 3 tsp water, this will keep the paneer cubes moist, add 1/2 tspn salt, 1/2 tsp red chilies powder, 1 tsp garam masala, chaat  powder and 1 tsp ginger paste. Add 2 tsp plain yogurt and keep marinated  for about 10 minutes, before adding it to gravy.
5. If  gravy is too thick you can add 1/2 cup of water and bring the gravy to a boil, add in  marinated paneer and continue cooking for about 10 minutes. Serve Paneer makhani  warm with rice or Indian bread.