Biryani is a symphony of aromas, color and texture played by the various spices & condiments that goes into making it. Although the origin of this spicy and decadent dish is from the land of Persia, the endless list of Indian versions will make you believe the authority of India over Biryani. Kashmiri, Chettinadu, Coorgi, Calicut, Lucknow, Tihari, Dindigul Biryani..you name any region of India and they have their own special Biryani to boast upon.

With the countless scrumptious versions of aromatic Biryani coming from different regions, there is no reason left why we should not call this exotic dish an indigenous recipe of India. Every state in India has its own flavor and ways to cook a prefect biryani, if long grain basmati rice is used in the northern region, the short grain rice makes a delicious biryani in south India.

It seems just yesterday when I celebrated the birthdays of my children in January this year. How time flies…three more months and its new year again! The series AFBHLS which I started a few months back is one of my most favorite projects this year on my blog. Getting to know how the foodie friends manage to stay healthy amidst a busy schedule of cooking, work and blogging is really inspiring.

And what better than having a registered dietitian who also makes real food taste great on AFBHLS! EA Stewart from the blog Spicy RD mixes together a handful of nutrition advice, a dollop of delicious recipes, a pinch of gluten free tips and a dash of spice to your life.

A wonder grain and a super food - Quinoa is finding its place in the most modern kitchens of many health enthusiast again. Quinoa is actually a seed and is related to Spinach family. When cooked this becomes light & fluffy and gives a nutty taste of grain. Close to one of the most complete foods in nature, Quinoa is a great substitute for many grains which are hard to digest and to some lentils which lack certain chemicals which are present in Quinoa.

Roasted Peanuts or groundnuts are a very popular & economical street snack which are healthy too. These serve as a wonderful travel food which could easily help spark a conversation with your co passengers Available throughout the year these nuts are an important addition to various regional recipes of India. I can’t imagine my Poha without fried peanuts and the cold winters without the chikkis and ladoos mom makes at home.

Barley reminds me of my pregnancy when I had to gulp that glassful of white, odorless and tasteless fluid religiously. Times have changed after the constant browsing and learning more about food and health through internet. Though there are schools which are for and against the wholegrain in diet, I go with the former. As I don’t make the wholegrain as my staple food but add them as a supplement with my veggies, fruits and lentils.

Life without Sugar is really hard to imagine. The irresistible black forest cake you love to indulge in, a decadent Ras malai and the scrumptious ice creams without sugar! Many relate sweet food as mood booster and an anti depressant. Ever tried gifting a spicy bun to your loved one on your date instead of the sweet chocolate bar…

The goldmine of nutrients – Wheat Germ is a boon to all those looking out for good health and nutrition in their diet. These are some of the most nutritious foods discovered and being popularized in the modern times. Foods, which were unheard of a few decades, back.

Come winter and markets are abuzz with nuts and dried fruits. Walnut is always associated with a small hammer my mom used to sit with and break the hard shells off this wonder food. The reason I avoided eating walnuts during my childhood days. I was more for pine nuts with thin and delicate shells.

Now that there is good quality of shelled walnuts available in the market, this health nut is a must in my pantry especially in the baking goodies.

Goldmine of nutrients in small bundles- Nuts are a great foods that heal. Though moderation is the key word when one reverts to a diet on Nuts. Though they come with a high price tag, but just a handful of these nuts are enough for a day and can make a great difference to a healthy living.