Dr Andrew Saul, in the movie Food Matters, had asked a question — “What would happen if everybody ate lots and lots of fresh organic food that was minimally processed?” In the course of the same movie, he answered his own question by saying, “There would be an epidemic, of health.”
Seeds of all varieties — from chia and flax, to sesame and sunflower — seem to be sprouting in menus everywhere. The organic food industry is also realising this, and seeds are occupying rising popularity as direct ingredients, and not just because of their oils.
Of the six major plant parts, seeds are the dominant source of human calories and protein. The most important global seed food source by weight is obviously cereals (such as wheat, rice, maize, and so on) that are ground to make flour; but legumes and nuts are also popular. Seeds had a major role to play in ancient man becoming a cultivator from a hunter. Cultivation of flax, for instance, has been associated with the establishment of the Babylonian civilization where it was used as food and medicine, as well as to make linen. An Egyptian tomb depicts a baker sprinkling sesame seeds on bread, proving that the practice is as old as the hills.
Sprout some health
Seeds are nutritional powerhouses — loaded with dietary fibre, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There are many types of seeds to choose from, and they’re easy to incorporate into a variety of dishes, adding a boost of flavour, nutrition, and crunch. Chia seeds were used long ago by Mayan and Aztec cultures to boost energy. Similarly, flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, and lignans (beneficial plant compounds). Recent studies show flaxseeds may help reduce belly fat and lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Sesame seeds, used to make tahini, are immensely popular in Asian cuisine and are a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, B vitamins, and dietary fibre. Due to their antioxidants, a recent study showed sesame oil may help lower inflammation and improve brain health.
Planting an array of tasty seeds in daily cooking is an economical way of sneaking in an extra dose of nutrition without any fuss.
For years, nutritionists have been urging us to eat nuts in place of high-carb and sugary snacks. Dr Anupam Sharma, a Californiabased cardiologist says, “Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts and pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Karishma Rawat, a Mumbaibased nutritionist, says, "When mixed with water, chia seeds create a gel that’s touted to be a weightloss pudding that helps control hunger," while adding that aeeds do the double task of satiating hunger as well as giving more nutrition than even a serving of fruit.
Seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, chia and sesame would be worthy candidates for a similar push, since they too are loaded with many of the same nutrients — protein and fibre, calcium and vitamin E, healthy fats and omega- 3 fatty acids. And oh, yes, they taste wonderful!
A seedful of taste
Seeds give dishes great texture and wonderful satiety. They are used to thicken sauces in Mexico (like mole) and the Mediterranean (like tahini and pesto); they add flavour and a touch of luxury to pilafs, stirfries and desserts throughout West Asia and Asia. “Nutritious seeds add flavour as well as interesting texture to almost any dish and are fun to experiment with,” says Chef Ashay Dhopatkar, Executive Chef at Delhi’s A Ta Maison.
Soaking seeds for seven hours or longer breaks down phytic acid and protease inhibitors and makes the seeds’ nutrients more readily available (this is also true, say many, when you soak and sprout grains). Chef Nishant Choubey, of Dusit Devarana adds seeds to a lot of his salads. “A fruit or vegetable salad is the easiest way in which you can incorporate seeds in your diet. I soak a tablespoon of sesame seeds in rice vinegar with salt and sugar and use that as a dressing on cucumber ribbons to make a delicious salad.” For those with a sweet tooth, Chef Choubey suggests making a seed granola bar, which kids and adults will love, and says, “Simply melt jaggery on very low heat and add your choice of roasted seeds and some nuts or oats. Set in the fridge.”
Seeds can be consumed on their own, or added to breads and even rotis. “Sesame, flax and pumpkin seeds can be added, still moist, to the bread, but to make cookies or garnish dishes, I dry them out in a low oven,” says Chef Ashay.
Writing success stories is never easy. While most see the success on the outside, what is usually skipped over are the grit and the passion that goes into making the story what it is – a success.
When we talk of blood and sweat, MBD group is easily the story of unending grit and passion. For, after all, beginning from a small book depot and becoming a name to reckon with in the field of education can’t have been a cakewalk.
Today the MBD Group is one of the leading education companies in India with over six decades of experience. What fuelled its success was a dream that had no boundaries. Under the futuristic vision of the founder of the Group, Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra, MBD has diversified into various industries, including e-Learning, m-Learning, hospitality, real estate, mall development and management, CT infrastructure, skill development, stationery, and magazine and paper manufacturing.
Currently, the group caters to learners across the country with its five publishing divisions and 37 branch offices in India. We have also ventured into the Saarc, South African and Sri Lankan markets with its basket of education services.
With the fire of faith, the Group also got into other businesses. In fact, at a time when most people laughed off at the idea of a five-star hotel in Ludhiana, Shri Malhotra went ahead with conviction. Today the MBD Group has successfully established itself in the hospitality industry through its maiden venture, The Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida, and the Radisson Blu Hotel MBD Ludhiana (the first 5- star deluxe hotel in the city). The Group has also ventured into premium and luxury mixed-use developments, primarily entailing hotel, retail and entertainment, under the brand name The MBD Neopolis, which are operating successfully at Ludhiana and Jalandhar. The next category of luxury mixed-use developments of the Group, The MBD Zephyr, will be at Whitefield, Bangalore. The MBD Group has similar plans in Greater Noida, Hyderabad, Jalandhar and Goa.
Another feather in our cap is a joint venture between the MBD Group and the Steigenberger Hotel Group, the largest German chain of hotels and resorts.
Go on, feed your passion and see the change. We did!
FOOTBALL// For the second consecutive year, Chile edged the top-ranked Argentines on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw, this time 4-2 in the Copa America Centenario final before 82,026 at MetLife Stadium. With the tiebreaker tied at 2, Jean Beausejour converted for Chile, and teammate Claudio Bravo stopped Lucas Biglia’s bid. Francisco Silva then clinched it by scoring into the lower left corner. In the first round of the penalty shootout, the two stars, Chile’s Arturo Vidal and Messi, failed. Vidal’s shot was stopped by Sergio Romero, and Messi skied his effort over the crossbar. Argentina has not won a major title since the 1993 Copa America and, with Sunday’s defeat, fell in the final of a big tournament for the third consecutive summer. La Albiceleste lost in extra time at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and on penalties at the 2015 Copa in Chile. Chile had waited 99 years to win its first Copa title last year; the second came less than a year later. Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
TERRORISM// Gunshots, screams and explosions were heard at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Turkey on Tuesday June 28 as three terrorists armed with bombs and guns killed at least 42 people including 13 foreign nationals (at the time of going to press). Witnesses described deadly carnage and crowds in a panic as the attackers struck one of the world’s busiest airports. An additional 147 people were wounded, Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Video from inside the terminal showed people fleeing and the bright orange flash of fire from one of the explosions. Another video showed a man walking with a gun, which he drops when he’s apparently shot by a security officer. The man slumps to the ground and the officer briefly stands over him before running. About 10 seconds later, there was an explosion. Of the three bombers in the airport attack, two were at the international terminal, and the third terrorist was in the nearby parking lot, as per reports. All three detonated suicide vests. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a unified international fight against terrorism. The airport was closed overnight for several hours, and flights into the airport had been diverted to the capital of Ankara and other cities. The governor’s office also said at least 239 people were wounded in the attack, and that 109 of those had been discharged from hospital by early on Wednesday afternoon. In a press conference in Istanbul on Tuesday night, Yıldırım said: “No matter where the terror comes from, our country is strong enough to fight against this terror. I call on every citizen to act in unity and stand by each other.” He said that by 2.22 am local time air traffic was “back to normal and flights are resumed”. After the three attackers arrived at the Turkish transit hub via taxi, one of the assailants entered the terminal, began shooting people and then blew himself up near X-ray machines, officials said. During the chaos, a second attacker rushed to the departures level and detonated his explosives. The third attacker waited outside during the entire episode, blowing himself up as scared travelers frantically flooded out of the airport.
EXIT// Come September Raghuram Rajan will not be either getting another term or will not be accepting another term as RBI Governor. India will have to get a new RBI Governor from 4 September, when Rajan will return to Chicago University to resume as a tenured professor in the University of Chicago’s vaunted economics department. It will be difficult to replace him with another person of acumen, personality, experience, accomplishment and world stature. By opting out of seeking an extension as RBI Governor when his term expires, Raghuram Rajan has protected the institution from further politicisation. The sudden decision to step down by the man deemed by many to be the world’s best central banker has raised doubts over the Indian government’s commitment to structural reforms, as well as India’s position as a harbor of safety amid troubles in other emerging markets. Despite tangible success and external plaudits, Rajan has faced mounting criticism from conservative members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
CRICKET// Former India captain Anil Kumble has been appointed coach of the national side for one year, the BCCI last month. His first assignment will be India’s four-Test tour of the West Indies. The question of who would take over as India coach has been a talking point since Ravi Shastri's tenure as team director ended after the World T20. The BCCI put out an advertisement for a new coach in the first week of June and received 57 applications, including Kumble’s. However, it appears he was not among the 21 names shortlisted by the BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke’s office. The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, assigned to pick India’s next coach asked for Kumble’s name to be included, at which point he became an instant favourite. The committee interviewed Kumble and a handful of other candidates in Kolkata on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, they made their recommendations to the BCCI. Thakur, along with Shirke, made the final call.
FOOTBALL// Lionel Messi sensationally announced his retirement from international football after Argentina crashed to an upset defeat against Chile in the final of the Copa America. The heartbroken Barcelona superstar was distraught after missing a spot-kick as Chile snatched victory in a penalty shootout – Messi’s fourth straight defeat in a major final while representing Argentina. “For me the national team is over,” the crestfallen 29-year-old told reporters. Messi’s dramatic announcement followed Argentina’s third loss in a major final since 2014. Despite a glittering career that has seen him be named FIFA World Player of the Year on no fewer than five occasions, Messi has often faced baffling criticism from Argentina fans. Although universally regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, he has regularly been criticised for his failure to land a major title in the colours of Argentina.
TERRORISM// At least 50 people were shot and killed when a gunmen, identified as Omar Saddiqui Mateen, entered Pulse, a gay nightclub, on June 11 and opened fire on the crowd. “It appears he was organized and well-prepared,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina said of the suspect, Omar Mateen, who is now dead. At one point, it was a hostage situation and a shootout occurred between officers and the gunmen for several hours. At least 53 people were transferred to the hospital with injuries. Police called it a “domestic terror incident.” It is officially the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The mass shooting has prompted an outpouring of sympathy across the globe, with people unfurling rainbow flags and holding vigils in tribute to the victims. Local leaders joined hundreds of mourners across South Florida as they honored the victims of Sunday morning’s mass shooting at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando. The City of Miami Beach held a vigil at SoundScape Park, located at 500 17th St. in Miami Beach, Sunday night. Mourners held up their cellphones as they sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” in unison.
EU// The United Kingdom will exit the European Union. Average voters won both the battle and war against most of their nation’s political, business, cultural, and media elites. Britain’s stunning vote to bolt the EU sets into motion a lengthy diplomatic divorce for which there is no blueprint, and the economic and political upheaval is likely just beginning, say experts. The immediate effect of the vote, in which Britons voted to leave the 28-nation bloc by a 52-48 margin was Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement that he will step down sometime before October. “The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected,” Cameron said. “I will do everything I can to steady the ship over the coming weeks, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.”
Cameron's successor will play a major role over the next two years or so during negotiations between the UK and the EU on how to separate economies that have become intertwined since 1973.
Former London Mayor Boris Johnson, like Cameron a Conservative, was the most prominent supporter of the “leave” campaign and now becomes a leading contender to replace Cameron. Johnson said Friday he was “sad” to see Cameron resign but didn't say whether he plans to replace him. The split will not isolate Britain, Johnson vowed. “We cannot turn our backs on Europe. We are part of Europe,” he said. “Britain will continue to be a great European power.”
India and the world. But moving abroad was a step that I dared recently. It was with a clear mind that no country is perfect, that I ventured into making a new country my residence. It is for me to learn, unlearn and create new experiences that I decided to add a new flavour to my professional experience. Multicultural diverse colleagues have been part of my work life since early 2000. Working with international social development organisations in India gave me a deep-exposure to wide transnational work cultures while being deep-rooted in the Indian context. Thinking, style of working, work ethics and handling emotion and commotion during crisis (Gujarat Earthquake 2001) embedded a lifelong impression on me and moulded me to handle new environments, new people and new ways of living with an open mind.
Moving abroad alone is no act of heroism, but is certainly a bit bewildering if you are venturing out for the first time. I have had to juggle a lot of roles after the comfort zone I have been accustomed to. Honestly, I didn’t realise I had hidden talents; moving away from your comfort zone does help you identify newer aspects of your life and how to tackle them.
I moved to Dubai in August 2014, taking on a global role with a lot of excitement, courage to move out of India (for the first time) and live in an excitingly different set-up. The rollercoaster ride has, so far, been with its share of scare and jolts. Dubai is a land of opportunities at a cost — cost of a super busy life that’s literally leaves no room for “life”. The clock ticks faster — it’s seems like you’re in the Ferrari of Life. They say economies are hit, world is slowing, but Dubai seems to always demands more of you. Most expats are in Dubai to earn, lured by its fancy cars, high-rises, glamourous malls and, most of all, tax-free salary. It sucks you into a whirlpool of desire to achieve new heights.
Super-fast cars, super-high rises, super-chic stores and how can I forget to mention, super-busy life. Amidst the sophisticated lifestyle exists the reality of survival. The pace and pressures of urban lifestyles is a challenge one faces, whether in your own country or any other fast-paced city worldwide.
In Delhi, time was consumed by traffic, sheer chaos and weariness caused by the unending development (so-called) that the NCR region is witnessing. The dichotomy of experience of sprawling malls and reality outside makes me cringe. Dubai, too, is everexpanding but in a more organized and systematic way, something which is wishful thinking for India now.
Dubai is also very transient. So no sooner have you made a connection and a rapport, suddenly they will be in another company, another role or packing up and leaving the country. The work culture is quite tough, I would say. People who come here are inclined to make a career by all means. Working long hours, always trying very hard is considered to be normal. At the same time, the work culture and business ethics depends on whom you are dealing with.
It is a mini-world, truly the most international city — diverse nationalities, culture, food, work styles — a great learning experience and a challenge, too. It’s an entire world to explore and my expedition has just started. Each group tends to mingle within their circles, getting to break these silos can be an uphill task, especially when your role is to engage and bind them. Understanding different people is like learning new languages. You either can, or you cannot. Thank God for my earlier exposure to several multicultural work cultures, working in a varied milieu has not been daunting.
Inhale. Exhale — learn to close my eyes and think, is becoming mission critical. Juggling between various country office queries, demands, decisions and deadlines, I feel I will boil over and explode. While my love for my job keeps me grounded, you need to be prepared to manage expectations. Sometimes I wonder what keeps me sane. Guess it is the excitement to explore and experiment — an undying curiosity to learn. After a busy week at work, I love the fact that I can just head to the desert or wadis, camping or nip to the beach and forget the stresses and strains of everyday life.