Turmeric probably tops the list of the most popular spice to boost overall health and immunity. You will see turmeric latte jostling space with a good old cappuccino on café menus, and turmeric pills on pharmacy aisles that promise to help raise immunity levels. The golden-colored powder is an ancient spice used in curries and Ayurvedic remedies as an anti-inflammatory. But is turmeric good for weight loss? Research studies say it could be so. In this article, we find out how effective turmeric is for weight loss and what is the recommended daily dosage. Is Turmeric Good For Weight Loss? Turme ..read more

If you are gluten-free and you are not really enjoying the wheat-free versions of pasta and noodles available in the supermarket aisle, we suggest you try Asian rice noodles. While there are several gluten-free varieties in the market including shirataki noodles and even seaweed (kelp) noodles, one of the most common and flavorful kinds is rice noodles. So are all rice noodles gluten-free? Let’s find out. Are Rice Noodles Gluten-Free? All rice noodles and rice paper wraps are gluten-free as they are made wholly from rice. Some Asian rice products may be made from glutinous rice, which is a kin ..read more

Lemongrass is what gives Thai curries their unique lemony, fresh flavor. This woody, fragrant herb can also take a cocktail recipe up a few notches or make a plain iced lemonade exotic. The stalks cannot be eaten as they are woody and tough but they need to be prepared in the right way to get the maximum amount of flavor and fragrance of their essential oils. How to Use Lemongrass? So let’s get straight on how to use lemongrass the right way in curries, soups, and stews. We answer the most common how to use lemongrass FAQs. Lemongrass is used fresh or dry and adds a zing to Thai dishes. Photo ..read more

No matter how hard you try, you will generally find that if you are busy deep-frying in the kitchen or enjoying a good spaghetti Bolognese, you can end up with nasty oil stains on your clothes. Oil stains on clothes are the peskiest as they are tough to remove and almost always distinctly visible. If you do not take steps to remove it immediately, you will find that oil stains get darker over time, and sometimes, they get set permanently. We share easy tips on how to get oil out of clothes. How To Get Oil Out Of Clothes? So you have an oil stain. The first thing to remember is that almost all ..read more

You can’t quite describe the fragrance of rosemary but if you add the herb to buttery roasted potatoes or roast chicken, it adds a sublime flavor. You can also use it to make rosemary oil, an essential oil with a citrus-like, woodsy aroma that is often used in aromatherapy for an energizing effect. This Mediterranean herb can be easily grown as part of a herb garden and is sometimes even used as hedges. Here are helpful tips on how to cut, dry, and store rosemary. How To Cut, Dry, & Store Rosemary? So you have got your rosemary pot in your kitchen window or your garden, and you want to kno ..read more

Neem powder is extensively used in Ayurveda to treat skin conditions, improve the health of the skin and hair, and to help cleanse the liver. While this herbal powder is now available in most beauty stores as well as online, you can easily make it at home. What is Neem Powder? Neem powder is an herbal green powder made by crushing the sun-dried leaves of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). Neem leaves contain polyphenol flavonoids such as quercetin and ß-sitosterol. These powerful compounds are known to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. You can use the herbal powder to make homemad ..read more

Rhubarb is one of the most amazing treats during spring and early summers. The long stalks represent the vegetable family. However,  in 1947 the U.S courts listed it as a fruit because of its appearance as a dessert. But that is not the point here. Rhubarb has a tart and tangy taste that makes it ideal for combining it with sweeter fruits, such as strawberries, and transforming it into cakes and pies. While everyone loves a good old gooey rhubarb pie, there is always room for experiment. Enter rhubarb sauce! It is one of the easiest and quickest ways to modify a versatile dessert from the ..read more

The fragrance of jasmine rice is unmistakable, with its notes of freshly-made popcorn as well as the exotic pandan leaves. This wonderful rice from Southeast Asia is best enjoyed when freshly made with stir-fried dishes. So let’s find out more about jasmine rice and how to make it well. What Is Jasmine Rice? Jasmine rice, also known as Thai fragrant rice, is a popular type of long-grain rice that is primarily grown in Thailand. It is known for its floral aroma reminiscent of jasmine flowers; however, its fragrance is inherent and not from the white aromatic flowers. It has a nutty flavor and s ..read more

There is a myth that bay leaves are poisonous and people believe that this is the reason these dried leaves are often fished out of soups and stews prior to being served. In this article, we find out if you can eat bay leaves and if they are indeed poisonous. Can You Eat Bay Leaves? Bay leaves are not harmful to eat. This is an age-old belief in certain parts of the world that these dried leaves are hazardous to health. Perhaps, the genesis of this urban myth is its similarity to the leaves of the mountain laurel tree, which is known to be toxic to both, humans and animals. However, you can re ..read more

Algae oil may not have reached the culinary status of oils like coconut oil and avocado oil as yet but its health benefits are much-touted. It is known to be good for cardiovascular health because of its publicized high content of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Algae oil is also advertised as a vegan alternative to fish oil as it is plant-based. So, let’s find out more about its health benefits and possible side effects. What is Algae Oil? Algae oil is an edible oil that is extracted from algae. It is light yellow in color like most other vegetable oils and has a neutral flavor, making it ..read more