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A veggie curry that could fight diabetes
10th March 2006
Imagine a footballer who skilfully dribbles the ball past five players, beats the goalie, and only has to tap the ball into the net...
... only to trip up over his feet and miss the goal.
What would he be remembered for?
A brilliant player who ran rings round his opponents, or that idiot who missed an open goal?
I make the analogy because last week I missed an open goal right here in the Good Life Letter.
I'll let John, a fellow Good Life reader, explain:
'Hi Ray,
“I enjoy reading your letters but when you mention certain things to counteract some of the diseases you talk about i.e 'Bitter Melon' in conjunction with diabetes, where the hell do I buy 'Bitter Melon' from it would help if you pointed us in the right direction'.
You know what John? It would be more than a help...
It's an absolutely vital detail that I should have given you in the first place.
After all, a fat lot of good it does you if I tell you about a brilliant remedy but forget to tell you where you can get it!
So here goes...
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The pleasant way and the painful way to take bitter melon
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Just to recap, Bitter melon is a tropical vegetable that's been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes.
The fresh juice, or extract of the unripe fruit, lowers your blood sugar because it contains so many antidiabetic properties.
Anyway, I think that's covered everything...
Only joking! Here's a bit more information for you. And this time you might actually be able to get your hands on the goods...
Bitter melon is sold by many Asian grocery stores but might be hiding under the names 'karela', 'bitter gourd', 'balsam pear' or 'alligator pear'.
There are several different ways to take it.
A basic method is to chop and blend it with water or boil it for 60 to 90 minutes. Let it cool, strain it and get it down you.
The suggested amount of drink is a total of 1216 fluid ounces per day. Any more, and you could suffer stomach cramps (or worse!)... so don't go crazy.
Apparently, you can even use it as an enema treatment.
Now, that's one remedy I'm NOT prepared to try on your behalf.
I've also managed to find this recipe for you...
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Try this Karela Curry to give yourself a health kick
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To make this Karela Masala, you need these ingredients:
Medium sized Karela - Half Kg.
Dahi (curd) - Half cup
3 Onions (medium sized, cut length wise)
3 Tomatoes (medium sized, cut to small pieces)
Salt to taste
Garam Masala - One Tea Spoon
Turmeric Powder - One fourth Tea Spoon
Red Chilli Powder - Half Tea Spoon
Dhania Powder - One and a half Tea Spoon
Oil - One and a half Table Spoon
Oil (to deep fry Karela)
Salt (to marinate Karela)
Once you've got these ingredients, here's how you put it all together. (You don't need to be Gordon Ramsey to do this!)
- Peel the Karelas and keep the rind aside.
- Wash the Karelas thoroughly (4-5 times) under running water and drain, also wash the rind thoroughly.
- Make a cut (length wise) on the Karelas.
- Smear the Karelas with salt all over and also inside the cut and leave overnight.
- Deep fry the Karelas on medium flame, until golden brown. Set aside.
- Fry the onions, until golden brown, add tomatoes and cook until tomatoes are tender.
- Add all the spices and a little water, fry the masala for 2 minutes.
- Add the dahi and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the fried Karelas (and the rind) and cover, let it cook till Karelas become soft.
- Serve hot with chapatti.
If you're interested in more, I found this recipe here: click here
If you can't find fresh bitter melon, there seem to be numerous places you can buy it on the Internet in capsule form.
But really, have a look round your area and see if you can find the real thing.
For more information on Bitter Melon, try this site: click here
Once again, apologies for not giving you more details in the first place.
From now on, I'll endeavour to make sure I always let you know where you can get hold of anything I recommend.
And to help me remember, I may have found just the thing...
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A mental assault course that could help you strengthen your brainpower
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As I've said before, your brain needs exercise to keep it ticking over.
But your brain can also benefit from this physical exercise, too...
When you wake up - and before you get out of bed - slowly begin to move your toes. Stretch them, wiggle them, just get them moving!
This stimulates your brain and gets it ready to face the day.
This is an especially good tip for the over 65s...
Apparently falls are the second leading cause of spinal chord and brain injury among this age group. Moving your toes before you get up after any long period of sitting or sleeping will make those first steps more solid.
Last but not least, try this brilliantly addictive mental exercise to boost your brain...
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This game isn't just for Christmas...
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Not in my case anyway. I STILL get hours of fun from this brilliant little machine. And if you haven't tried it yet, you really should...
The Hand Held Pro Su Doku computer is about the size of a Walkman, and has over 1 million games stored in its memory.
Highly addictive, you can use it to exercise your brain on the train... in the Post Office queue... waiting for afriend to arrive at the pub... or while your other halfwatches that telly programme you hate.
To get hold one of these devices and claim a FREE book with loads of Su Doku tips, click here: Su Doku
That's it for today.
Have a great weekend, and I'll be back very soon.
Yours as ever,
Ray Colli |
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