Corn Starch: DIY Home Remedies & Cleaning Solutions

Cornstarch or maize starch is one of those things that usually end up lying in the back compartment of cupboards and drawers of your kitchen. Yes, there are very few common uses of this derivative of corn but you will be surprised to know the number of ways there are that you can actually use it. In fact, some of these ways and methods can actually help a great deal of money as well. The following is a list of some of the most surprising uses of cornstarch that prove both money and time-saving.

As a window cleaner- if you thought that corn starch could only be used as a thickening agent, then you are mistaken. It can also be used as a wonderful window cleaner. It works as a natural abrasive and since it is superfine in texture, it enables you to make your windows appear absolutely streak free.

As a silver polish- if you have any silver objects lying in your house and need cleaning, then take out that box of cornstarch and put it to use. Yes, corn starch or maize starch can also work wonderfully as far as polishing silver is concerned. You can mix it with a little bit of water to bring out the natural shine in silver objects.

As a grease stain cleaner- you can also use cornstarch to remove persistent and hard grease stains. All that you need to do is to pour some cornstarch over the stains and let it set for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch’s superfine texture will absorb the grease and will keep the carpet absolutely clean.

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To soothe sunburns - you will be surprised to know about corn starch can also be used to soothe sunburns. You can make a paste of water with cornstarch and spread it over the sunburn. Give it time to dry since when it dries, it will soothe sore skin. Due to this reason, it also works with bug bites.

To clean wooden furniture - among other surprising uses, one is that cornstarch can also be used to clean wooden furniture.mix equal parts of cornstarch and water to buff away the marks or stains.

As a smell buster - since cornstarch is so fine, it is a superabsorbent. Due to this reason, it sucks up all kinds of bad smell. Try sprinkling it over smell shoes and let it set overnight. You will observe that all bad smell would have gone in the morning.

To fix leather stains - your favorite leather jacket was smeared with salad dressing? Well, you can sprinkle a little bit of cornstarch on it and let it set overnight. The stain would have cleared by the morning!

Nutrition Facts of Brown Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are the seeds which are used to add a nutty texture and delicate taste to many dishes, especially in Asian cuisines.  These seeds are available in many variants and colours and one of the varieties is brown sesame seeds. Brown sesame seeds are available throughout the year and are highly valued. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium and Vitamin B1.  Besides this, they also contain two main ingredients like sesamin and sesamolin.

Brown sesame seeds have a slightly sweeter flavour than the other varieties of sesame seeds and also have a certain aroma which is further advanced when they are toasted. This variety of sesame seeds is commonly added to cookies, breads, stir fries and others.  These are added grounded into butter for tahini and hummus as well as Middle Eastern treat called halvah.  Whenever one is buying brown sesame seeds, it is important to note the amount of calcium that they contain since these seeds are mainly known for the calcium content.

Sesame seeds including the brown variety are an alkaline food.  They consist of a lot of dietary fiber and this is one of their strengths. This dietary fiber helps us keep our digestive system smooth and problem free.  Sesamin and sesamolin which are lignans present in these seeds can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and this is another advantage offered. Lignans are basically fat soluble antioxidants which prevent free radical formation in the body. It is true that black sesame seeds have a higher number of antioxidants than the brown ones but brown sesame seeds too offer several health benefits and flush out toxins from the body.

Using brown sesame seeds

    Toast over the stovetop-the first thing you need to do is to put the sesame seeds in a frying pan. Now heat the sesame seeds over medium-low heat and keep stirring occasionally. Do this for about two to three minutes until they start popping out occasionally.

    If you want to experience a more nuttier flavour, then try longer and thorough toasting

    You can also try baking the brown sesame seeds. For this, you need to preheat the oven and then spread the seeds onto an ungreased baking sheet. Now bake them till they are slightly dark brown in color. This will take about 8 to 15 minutes.

    Toasting the seeds thoroughly is another way to make them useful for further purposes. For thorough toasting, you can first wash the seeds in a bowl of water for a few minutes. This will help discard the dust.

    Now transfer the rinsed seeds to a dry skillet or a frying pan over high heat. Keep watching the seeds as they tend to burn quickly if the heat goes a little high. Now reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir occasionally for the next 7 to 8 minutes.  When toasted, they will begin to glisten.

Nuts & Seeds Bringing Health & Wellness

There is absolutely no denying of the fact that all of us must consume nuts and seeds on a daily basis.  Not only are most nuts and seeds packed full of flavour but also a plethora of nutrients which are essential for human health. Both seeds and nuts can prove to be tasty and crunchy snacks and are a great source of fiber too.  They are a natural source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats and you must make sure you have them every day. The following is a list of the healthiest nuts and seeds that you must have every day.

Healthiest seeds

    Sesame seeds-these seeds are an excellent source of calcium, zinc, magnesium, fiber, iron, B1, phosphorus and fiber. They not only prevent high cholesterol and high blood pressure but also protects against liver damage. They are available easily and can be used in many recipes.

    Flax seeds-flax seeds too are the healthiest seeds due to the presence of omega 3 fatty acids, lignans, antioxidants and a lot of fiber. Their regular consumption can prevent diabetes, heart conditions and even cancer.

    Chia seeds-these seeds are a healthy natural source of protein, omega 3s, calcium, fiber and antioxidants and are thus essential for the human health.

    Hemp seeds-hemp seeds are another healthy seed variety which have cancer and heart disease preventive properties. They are loaded with fiber, protein and loads of omega 3s and omega 6s.

Healthiest nuts

    Almonds-these nuts are loaded with calcium and many other minerals like magnesium, selenium, Vitamin E and fiber. They can help prevent cholesterol and also have cancer preventive properties.

    Brazil nuts-brazil nuts too have several nutrients packed inside them and some of them include selenium, protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber and vitamin E.

    Pecans-pecans have tons of minerals and vitamins including folic acid, Vitamin E and A, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, manganese, zinc, B Vitamins and others. They can prove brilliant in lowering cholesterol and thus are heart healthy.

    Pine nuts/cedar nuts-these nuts are another healthiest ones in the world and must be added to your diet on a regular basis. They consist of several vitamins including Vitamin A, B, P, E and D. Infact another thing which makes these nuts special is the fact that they consist of your body’s 70% requirement of amino acids.

Amazing health benefits of Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. These seeds are often dubbed as the healthy sesame seeds and the main reason behind this is that they have more healthy nutrients than most other seeds and can have a preventive effect against many diseases and conditions. One thing which these seeds are particularly known for is their effect on the bones and the teeth. It is known and proven that sesame seeds are very good for the health of your bones and teeth, thanks to loads of calcium present in them. To know more about the healthy Indian sesame seeds, you can go through the information that has been given as follows.

As we all know, calcium is an essential mineral for the human health. Not only does it play an important role in maintaining the health of the bones but also of the teeth. Sesame seeds are considered so healthy for the bones is because they are a storehouse of this important mineral.

By having about 100 mg of these seeds, you can get in about 975 mg of calcium which surpasses your daily need and requirement of the same in the body. Thus make it a point to have these healthy sesame seeds in some form or the other on a daily basis.

Sesame seeds are also known to prevent and cure osteoporosis which is the deterioration of the bones. This disease mostly affects the elderly people and is related to the low mineral density of the bones. But since sesame seeds are loaded with zinc they can help prevent osteoporosis as well. Zinc is a mineral which prevents the leaching of calcium from the bones and hence is essential for all of us.

Calcium along with the other vitamins and minerals present in sesame seeds can help in the correct assimilation as well as absorption of calcium inside the body.

For kids and young adults, sesame seeds or sesame oil can play an important role in maintaining healthy bones. Since they are rich in amino acids and proteins, they can make sure that kids develop healthy and strong bones right from the beginning. Children and adults can get about 18 grams of proteins by eating about 100 grams of sesame seeds. Also, massaging sesame oil in the joints and body parts of children can improve the bone strength and slow down the process of bone thinning.

There are numerous ways to incorporate the healthy sesame seeds into your diet. The oil extracted from these seeds can be used for cooking and also for external application.

Sesame Seeds Can Help Control Blood Sugar In Diabetics and Prediabetics

A large population of people these days suffer from high blood sugar level or a condition known as diabetes.  But before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have a condition that is termed as prediabetes.  Prediabetes is basically a situation in which a person has blood sugar higher than the normal amounts but definitely not as high as that found in diabetics.  This condition is thus also known as impaired glucose intolerance and even impaired fasting glucose.  Both diabetes and prediabetes can be risky and may pose a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. But one natural food which can help tackle both is sesame seeds. 

For prediabetics, early treatment can help prevent a full blown diabetes and lower risk of cardiovascular diseases too.  Besides sesame seeds, nuts, whole grains and other seeds too can help reduce the risk significantly mainly because of the presence of fiber.  Both white sesame seeds and black sesame seeds also contain antioxidants, minerals and phytosterols which too prove beneficial in reducing blood sugar levels.  In a research conducted on about 20 persons suffering from prediabetes, a certain percentage of people were given a trademarked blend of sesame seed lignan extract and these individuals were later found to have improved glycemic levels.  These individuals also have a reduction in total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and oral glucose tolerance test.

For diabetics and prediabetics, the four minerals which are of extreme importance are zinc, copper, manganese and magnesium.  In just about a quarter of a cup of sesame seeds, there is about 44.5% of daily requirement of manganese, 73.5% of daily requirement of copper, 18.6% of daily requirement of zinc and 31.5% of daily requirement of magnesium. Consuming all these four minerals on a daily basis can alter the metabolism of a person as these are associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. 

In order to make the most of natural sesame seeds or organic sesame seeds as far as treating diabetes is concerned; experts suggest that one must add them to a batter of homemade bread, cookies or muffins. Another way to incorporate sesame seeds in your diet is to consume it in the form of tahini over breads or with other savoury snacks.  There are numerous ways in which these seeds can benefit you and can be added to your diet. Diabetes and prediabetics must go an extra mile in trying to have them on a daily basis to find relief from heart threatening conditions.

India is a land where sesame seeds are grown in bulk quantities every year, thanks to the favourable weather conditions for the sesame crop to grow. So make the most of it and stay strong in your fight against diabetes.

5 Best Seeds For Healthy Weight Loss

Rather than opting for crash diets or frantic gym sessions, it is always better to opt for smart and healthy weight loss methods. Nature has bestowed us with many natural mechanisms and foods to lose weight and that too without any side effects. Going on crazy crash diets and excessive workouts come with several adverse effects which can be avoided if you make changes in your everyday eating habits. One of the best ways to lose weight in a healthy way is to consume seeds as a snacking option. The following is a list of the 5 best seeds for healthy weight loss.

1. Pumpkin seeds- Loaded with zinc, pumpkin seeds help the body in the production of testosterone hormone. This hormone leads to building muscles and also in burning of fat. Moreover, pumpkin seeds are also loaded with magnesium and iron, both of which are crucial for boosting energy levels which can in turn help to keep you active and hence fit.  

2. Sesame seeds- Organic sesame seeds are loaded with proteins and minerals such as vitamin E, calcium and magnesium etc.  All of these minerals are good for the metabolism of the body and regulate blood sugar levels as well.  Moreover, natural sesame seeds are also a rich source of fiber which makes you feel full fast and hence controls appetite.

3. Chia seeds- These seeds are packed with potassium, magnesium, omega 3s, iron and are also quite low in fat. They have a lot of fiber in them and this enables you to feel full for an extended period of time, thus controlling the amount of food you eat. They energize you and hence let you remain active and fit.

4. Flaxseeds- Another variety of seeds which are excellent for a healthy weight loss are flaxseeds.  Not only are flaxseeds a great source of omega 3 fatty acids but also help the body to burn fat and monitor insulin levels.  These seeds are also loaded with phytoestrogens which can result in weight loss by keeping the hormones in the body steady.

5. Hemp seeds- Hemp seeds too contain a lot of omega 3 fatty acids which can help the body to burn fat.  They are also high in iron and magnesium which can boost energy levels needed for a good workout session. Potassium present in these seeds prevents bloating.

So now that you know the best seeds for healthy weight loss, make sure you include them all in your diet on a regular basis. Both white sesame seeds and black sesame seeds can be easily found along with all the other seeds in local grocery stores. HL Agro is a leading sesame seed producer in India and produces bulk quantities of sesame every year.

The Fantastic Benefits of Sesame Seeds For The Hair

Sesame seeds are often considered one of the most nutrition rich seeds in the world. These oilseeds are of many types such as white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, hulled sesame seeds, unhulled sesame seeds etc and each variety are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which are useful for the health of every individual. Organic sesame seeds or natural sesame seeds have a brilliant effect on our hair and skin as well. Eating them on a regular basis can improve hair health and solve several kinds of hair related problems. To know more about the same, you can go through the following given information.

1. They prevent hair graying

One of the main benefits of sesame seeds for the hair is that these seeds can prevent the graying of hair.  Infact, if a person already has gray hair, then the consumption of natural sesame seeds can reverse this too.  What you can do is that you can start eating 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds everyday for about 3 months and notice the difference. The presence of phosphorus, protein, calcium, magnesium and iron collectively can stimulate the natural colour of the hair. 

2. Helps growth and regrowth

Sesame seeds or sesame seed oil can help boost hair growth and even hair regrowth in those suffering from the problem of hair loss or baldness.  By massaging sesame seed oil into the scalp on a regular basis, the healthy cells can be stimulated to and the blood circulation can be improved.  Sesame seeds consist of omega 3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids and omega 9 fatty acids which help in hair growth.

3. They prevent hair thinning

Due to many reasons like pollution, age, lack of nutrition and excessive chemical exposure, our hair can begin to thin but eating organic sesame seeds on a regular basis can help prevent this.  The presence of calcium and magnesium can help keep the scalp healthy and prevent hair loss. 

4. Sesame oil acts as a natural sunscreen 

Applying sesame oil on your skin can protect your skin from the harmful UV radiations since this oil acts as a natural sunscreen.  It also protects the hair from getting damaged due to the radiations and this is another benefit of sesame for the hair.

5. Avoids fungal and bacterial scalp problems

Another fantastic benefit of sesame for the hair is that sesame seeds can help prevent many kinds of fungal and bacterial scalp problems like eczema, psoriasis and dry skin etc.  By applying and massaging the oil on the scalp on a regular basis, one can help a deep and anti inflammatory stimulation.