Food that is good for us and for the environment, understanding what ‘food systems’ are, how they cause climate change, and what the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit is all about.
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Babbi jumped out of the car and looked around the unusual farm. There were bushes interspersed with different kinds of trees and small patches of vegetables. Nearby, was a yellow patch of mustard crops. She could hear a cow moo at a distance too...
The fruit’s flour is nutritious and easy to use.
Babbi stared hard at the bunch of green bananas that her dad was carrying. The thick stalk had some 50 bananas. “What will we do with these?” she pondered.
But her parents were very excited. “We are going to turn this into flour,” mother informed and told Babbi to go wash her hands and come help.
By the time she returned, everyone in the kitchen was busy…
Eating safe food keeps you healthy
It was 1 pm and the whole family had gathered around the dining table to check what was for lunch. Steaming bowls of daal (lentils), rice and baigan ka bharta (mashed eggplants) along with fresh rotis (homemade bread) were arranged on the table.
What is the truth behind India's honey? How pure is the honey made by your favourite brand? Are you eating nature's wonder food or are the companies selling you cheap and unhealthy sugar? To find these answers let us look at the latest report by the Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment or CSE.
CSE has earlier exposed pesticides in colas and packaged drinking water, antibiotics in honey, GMO's in packaged food, and excess salts and trans fat in junk foods...
The cultivation of rice has occupied the pride of place in Kerala’s agriculture. Unending lush green paddy fields are a sight for sore eyes. But Paddy cultivation is declining in Kerala at an alarming rate. In the past 30 years, the state lost more than 70 per cent of its paddy fields. Rice producing districts like Wayanad once had 160 varieties of paddy. 55 of these varieties are now extinct. But there are people in the state who are trying to preserve this paddy biodiversity.
Genetic engineering is used to modify the food we eat. But do we know enough about its effect on us?
For as long as we know, the food we eat is grown in farms and fields by farmers who sow seeds and harvest them every season. Adulterations in food products sold loose, such as pulses or sugar in the local kirana stores, is quite common.
But we never worry about adulterations while buying packaged food from the shelves of our favourite shop. After all, they pass through several quality checks. But a study by Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found that packaged food items have genetically modified (GM) ingredients in them.
Sattu is a powder made by grinding a mixture of roasted pulses, mainly chickpeas and cereals. It is rich in protein and leaves one satiated for a long time. Apart from the laddu, a refreshing summer drink is made out of sattu, which helps us in bearing high temperatures and keeps our stomach healthy. It is also ideal for people suffering from peptic ulcer and can also fight diabetes.
Kali gajar ki kanji recipe.
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Kanji is a fermented drink prepared during winters, especially during the time of holi festival. Kanji is very good for digestion, and also acts as an appetiser.
Herbs such as coriander, basil and mint can make any dish more flavourful. They are fun to grow and it is great to have our own garden we can pluck fresh herbs from. We can make a kitchen herb garden or plant herbs in pots on the terrace. Herbs are easy to grow and require little patience as some herbs start to sprout in as little as two days!...
Monsoons are here and as the rain pours tip tap, wouldn't it be nice to read a book or watch a favourite show while munching something fresh and tasty? Here is a corn salad recipe that is quick to make and is full of nutrients.
Corn is a rich source of calories and is a staple among many populations. The calorie content of corn is 342 per 100 grams, which is among the highest in cereals. Calories are important for healthy metabolism. Corn is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, and several minerals. Its high fibre content helps in the prevention of digestive ailments such as constipation.
Ramdana are the seeds of chaulai or amaranth. These seeds are a good source of calcium, protein, and amino acids and are rich in iron, magnesium, and vitamin A, B, and C. Ramdana is an integral part of Hindu fasting diet. Here, is a summer recipe which is both nutritious and healthy.
Did food shape our history or history shape our diet? What role does climate play in the way we eat today? How did our food habits shape up? Read on to find out.
Kuku jumps from her bed the moment the doorbell rings. Today is her birthday and she is excitedly waiting to meet her friends in the evening. She opens the door and sees a delivery man carrying a big backpack. He smiles at Kuku and hands her a package. Kuku looks at it and screams, “Ma! Nanaji’s gift has arrived!”
These are some easy steps to detect adulteration in milk that can be done at home.
This video describes how to detect adulteration with water, starch, and detergent. The steps are prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Down To Earth travels to the desert state of Rajasthan to find out about the traditional food habits of the people in one of the driest regions of the country. We discovered that so many things grow in the wild and traditional knowledge of these will ensure that you have plenty to eat in the harsh desert environment. But is this traditional knowledge losing its ground slowly?.
Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi...
We often hear that health is wealth. But how well is it understood and applied is difficult to ascertain.
This time, we bring to you a story on a nutritional study undertaken by our five GSP (Green Schools Programme) Gold schools, for assessing their students’ health. A few students in the age group of 12–15 volunteered from each school to participate in the study...
