Blogs

Food is any substance consumed by living organisms to provide energy, nutrients, and nourishment for growth, maintenance, and overall well-being. It is essential for the survival and proper functioning of the human body.

Millets

Top 10 Health Benefits of Millets: Why incorporate them in your Diet?

“Do you know one addition to your diet can change your health?” As people become more health-conscious, everyone needs something like the ideal food for their diet. There are the millets—ancient grains that have been used for hundreds of years in India and are witnessing a resurgent return into Indian cuisine for obvious reasons. They are nutritious, suitable for any meal, and have numerous health benefits. They're pretty much a powerhouse addition to any diet. And now let's talk about why these humble grains deserve a spot on your plate! High Content of Dietary Fibers: Helps Digestion and Keeps Full for Longer Period Millets are abounding in high natural dietary fiber, making it a boon for digestion. Dietary fiber is renowned for keeping the gut healthy; it regulates bowel movements besides preventing blooding. You stay full for a longer time and this is good for weight control. Low Glycemic Index (GI): Suitable for Blood Sugar Control Unlike other polished grains, millets have a low glycemic index since they do not raise blood sugar all of a sudden. Thus, for diabetics, millets have proven a good option when looking for natural management of blood sugar levels. Millets provide steady, slow energy release and sustain you around the clock. Contains Antioxidants: Increase Immunity and Hydration for Glowing Skin Millets are loaded with antioxidants (cancer prevention agents), like phenolic-acids and flavonoids, which can protect your body from oxidative stress. Antioxidants enhance your immunity strength, even reduce the risks of chronic diseases and improve your skin condition. Incorporate millets into your diet to give your body natural strength and resilience. Gluten-Free: A Perfectly appropriate Choice for Gluten Sensitivity Millets are an excellent substitute for Rice, Wheat and all those other gluten-containing grains for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. So, they are like other grains in benefits but lack gluten, which means the possibility of healthy food without gassiness. Contains Essential Nutrients: Supports Overall Health These tiny super-grains are also packed with minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc which help from heart health and nerve action to bone strength and healthy metabolism. A bowl of millets every day can simply be your way of meeting your daily nutritional requirements. Good Source of Plant-Based Protein: To repair Muscles and Tissues Millets are a great source of plant-based proteins; therefore, these tiny grains are great for vegetarians and vegans and support the strengthening of muscles as well as the repair of tissues. So a diet rich in Super grains can meet your protein requirement organically. Naturally Alkaline: Helps Detoxify the Body Millets are alkaline, and this helps to neutralize the pH factor in the human body and detoxify the system naturally. An alkaline diet is sure to reduce inflammation, thereby seeing good health in all aspects, right from the well-being of the kidneys to reducing acid reflux symptoms. Heart Health Support: Cholesterol Reduction Millets (Siridhanyalu) contain phyto-chemicals that slow down the increase of bad cholesterol in the blood. These supergrains also contains good fats that help decrease bad cholesterol-LDL and increase good cholesterol-HDL. This heart-friendly cereal may add up to prevent cardiovascular diseases if included as part of a balanced diet. Good for Weight Management: Low in Calorie and Filling Unpolished Raw Millets are low in calories and rich in complex carbohydrates, therefore an ideal food for weight watchers. As they keep you satisfied for a longer time, millets can avoid overeating, thus helping you in calorie intake without jeopardizing nutrition. Energy Boosters: Perfect for Athletic Lifestyle Millets are a good source of iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, so you'll get all-natural energy throughout the day. Millets are apt for athletes and children and for others who are actively involved in life. It will enhance endurance and prevent drops in energy levels, mainly if work or study sessions last long. Conclusion: Take the First Step with Millets! Ready to introduce millets into your diet? Millets can be added to everything from breakfast porridges to snacks and main meals like Pulao and Khichdi. Start small, with a step as simple as changing the rice used in your next Pulao to foxtail millet or trying the Ragi Dosa for your breakfast. This is a tiny step toward a healthier life and better living. Bring millets back to your table today! Make the smart choice.

Read more
Nature's Trunk,

The Truth about White Rice: Hidden Dangers of Processed Carbohydrates

White Rice might perhaps be the staple preparation item seen in any number of Indian recipes. It has been a staple for thousands of years and is integrated into a host of traditional dishes ranging from biryani to idli. Boiled with a fluffy texture, it may seem paler than other things but brings unmatched flavour to so many recipes. However, in the case of White Rice, the refined nature promises secret dangers that should be negotiated because of the rich food heritage of India. This blog explores the deception of White Rice and highlights the reasons for embracing better alternatives to uplift diet and health quality. The Refining Process and Its Impact White Rice is preferred in Indian cooking because of the soft texture of the cooked Rice which helps to balance rich curries and stews. Of course, this also means that during the refining process, the bran and germ of the Rice grain are stripped away, leaving the nutrients and fiber behind. The only thing left is the starchy endosperm of the Rice grain, which has far fewer health benefits to offer. Nutrient Removal Rice loses a good amount of nutritional value through refining. Here's what's lost: - Fiber: Fiber helps to prevent constipation and maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is used for digestive health. - Vitamins: Some deficiencies found in White Rice include B vitamins, B1 or thiamine, B3 or niacin, and B6, which are used in energy metabolisms and total well-being. - Minerals: Some of the important minerals in diets are lost during the refining process, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.     Notably, many of these nutrients are replenished by enrichment but are far from comparable to the integral nutritional value found with brown Rice or other whole grains. Health Risks of White Rice High Glycemic Index The high GI in White Rice forces the glycaemic activity and rapid spiking of blood sugar levels, eventually leading to insulin resistance, thereby increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, an area of tremendous concern in India with each passing year, with cases increasingly ascribed to lifestyle and dietary habits. Comparison: Traditional Indian grains like Brown Rice and Millets have a low GI; which hence keeps the blood sugar level more balanced. Weight Management Issues Weight gain and obesity, which are increasingly of concern among India's population today, could be linked with high-GI foods like White Rice that cause hunger and overeating. The high fiber content in more grain types would reduce hunger and help retain their weight control. White Rice in Indian Heritage Indian heritage does not have any other place but a revered one for White Rice. It is used to prepare: Any kind of Biryani: Steamed fragrant Rice with spices, meat, and sometimes vegetables. Idli and Dosa: Steamed fermented Rice cakes and crepes from Rice and urad dal or black gram, respectively. Pulao: Rice preparation cooked with aromatic spices and vegetables or meat based on the choice. As far as these cuisines constitute an impeccable portion of Indian culture, giving way to healthier options is not a process that degrades the original staple foods one bit. Healthier Variants Dominant in the Indian Tradition Brown Rice Brown Rice is a whole grain that includes bran and germ, thereby increasing the fiber content and also vitamins and minerals. It is much healthier than White Rice and can easily be a substitute for most traditional recipes. Usage: Brown Rice Biryani or Pulao may be a wholesome alternative to traditional recipes. Millets Indians have been consuming these super grains such as Foxtail millet, Finger millet, and Barnyard millet for generations. Essential minerals, fiber, and protein are rich in Millets. Usage: Millets offer a wholesome and nutritious substitute for your regular Dosa, Khichidi and Upma. Quinoa Tiny Quinoa is a nutritious grain that is becoming more popular because of its high protein content and low GI, although it is not of Indian origin. It can be included in Indian dishes to improve health. Usage: Quinoa can be used as a substitute for Rice in biryani or pulao or added to salads for that protein boost. Healthier Grains in Traditional Dishes There's no limit to the flavours of the traditional when making healthier grains. Here's how you can incorporate alternatives: Begin Step-Wise: Mix Brown Rice with white Rice in your recipes. Gradually increase the percentage of brown Rice over time. Experiment with Flavours: Spice up Brown Rice with flavouring herbs to make it all the more presentable in your recipe dishes. Breathe New Life into Traditional Recipes: Replace White Rice with Brown Rice, Millets, or Quinoa while preparing your favourite traditional recipes and breathe a healthier twist to these old recipes. Conclusion: Rephrasing White Rice White Rice itself has a deceitful story. Its highly refined nature has decreased its nutritional value and is proven to contribute to many health problems. In consequence, by learning about the negative impact White Rice has on you and healthier Indian-tradition-based alternatives, you can modify your diet and improve your well-being. The incorporation of whole grains, whether Brown Rice, Millets, or Barley, besides a healthier lifestyle, does justice to India's rich culinary heritage. Adapt to these changes, and you'll enjoy traditional flavours with healthy food on your table.

Read more
Nature's Trunk,
Millets

Top 5 Common Misconceptions about Millets

Millets have gained much hype recently because of nutritious and sustainable sources of food. Being a staple in traditional diets across Africa and Asia over thousands of years, many myths have continued to surround these ancient -grains, which even enthusiastic adopters of their health and sustainability benefits would be guilty of perpetuating. Here, the top 5 most common myths surrounding Millets get debunked, revealing interesting truths to bring out good reasons why these grains deserve a space in your pantry.  Millets are only for Gluten Sensitive People One of the common myths connected to these Millets are that it's only required for gluten intolerant (celiac) people. Yes, Millets are naturally gluten-free and best suited to gluten sensitive people, but the benefits do not end here. These tiny supergrains are rich in fiber, vitamins, & minerals and have a low glycemic index that can help stabilize blood sugar levels and promote good health owing to their high nutrient content. Tiny Millets add nutritional benefits to the diet whether you're gluten-sensitive or not.  Millets are inferior to rice and wheat in nutritional value Millets are said to be somehow inferior in nutrition compared to the more popular grains like rice and wheat. Well, that is a whole lie because Millets happen to be nutritionally dense, often even surpassing rice and wheat for certain nutrients. For Instance: Millets have a much higher fiber content than white rice or refined wheat. They happen to be high in micronutrients like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and the B group of vitamins. A great food for bone strength, as ragi or finger millet is loaded with calcium. Millets, along with healthy fats, are rich in proteins and antioxidants. Millets are very hard to cook and include in meals However, most people have the notion that cooking Millets is quite complicated or that it requires some special technique. The notion discourages people from getting the grains. Millets are as simple to cook as rice and quinoa. Some of the ways through which you can add Millets to your meals include: Millets can be the base for salads or grain bowls. Substitute Millets for rice or wheat and make porridge, pulao, upma, and so on. Use Millets in soups and stews, even while baking. Millets cook pretty fast too, and with a little experimentation, you will discover that Millets are as versatile and convenient as any other grain.  Millets taste bland and unpalatable Another robust reason for people to opt for their food items is taste. And another typical myth about Millets is that they taste bland and insipid. This is because most people are not aware of the various kinds of Millets and how to prepare them. Millets of several types—each with a unique flavour profile. For instance: Foxtail millet has a mildly nutty flavour. Pearl millet, or bajra, offers a taste slightly earthy. Finger millet (ragi) has a stronger, slightly sweet taste. Millets can soak up and enhance the flavour of the meal when prepared with the right spices, herbs, and ingredients. Whether it's a savoury or sweet dish, Millets can easily adapt to suit the individual's taste, so they can never be described as boring.  Millets are just another trend and not sustainable So many trends about super foods lately push the thought of Millets into obscurity as a fad. Yet Millets are far from that: they happen to be some of the most sustainable grains available and have been staples in traditional diets for ages. Because Millets are very resilient, they also require much less water and chemical inputs compared to water-intensive crops like rice. Millets can, therefore, thrive in any harsh region of the area prone to drought and grow well in many different types of soils, making them very important for food security and climate resilience. Whereas Millets have a shorter time to maturation, this has minimized their negative influence on the environment while delivering guaranteed farm yields to farmers at any time due to poor climatic conditions. Millets are indeed not a fad but a solution to ensuring sustainable agriculture and meeting food security around the globe.   Conclusion: The Truth about Millets is an Acceptable Reality Millets have been under the shadow of rice and wheat, but thanks to being in the mainstream lately, with the truth of their nutritious worth, sustainability, and versatility, they are getting the accolades they so deeply deserve. Be it diversifying your diet, adopting a more sustainable approach to eating, or just a new taste, Millets are a nutrient-dense, eco-friendly, and flavourful meal option that easily fleshes into your daily scheme of things. By eliminating all the above myths, it is well evident that Millets is not only an old grain but also a superfood for today, which has immense potential. Try them out and realize how small grains can do big magic in your diet and lifestyle.

Read more
Nature's Trunk,
Ghee

From Farm to Table: The Journey of Sustainable A2 Gir Cow Ghee

As the world evolves and becomes more natural and sustainable in terms of its food, A2 Gir Cow Ghee speaks loudly for purity, health, and tradition. It is not just the nutrient-rich composition that makes this ghee very special, but also in terms of deep connection with the land, cows, and community that nurture it. At Nature's Trunk, A2 Gir Cow Ghee is not just a commodity; it is an effort—a journey from our Goshala to your table with sustainability, tradition, and quality commitment all along. The ‘Bharwad’ Community: Custodian of Tradition At the core of our A2 Gir Cow Ghee is one of India's ancient tribes with a history of cow rearing—the ‘Bharwad’. Having developed this skill over centuries and passed it down through generations, the community has deep knowledge about how to care for cows and nurture them well, making them true custodians of the sustainable farming practice. The bond of the Bharwad community with nature and the courtesy extended to animals being raised ensures utmost love and care is in our Gir Cows. No force is ever employed nor stress experienced by the cows, and they stay free grazing. They indulge in the benefits of nature from the lands. This ethical approach towards the cow-rearing process is what makes our A2 Gir Cow Ghee a product that always stands for respect for tradition and nature. Free-Grazing Gir Cows: The Heart of Sustainability At Nature's Trunk, we believe that happy, healthy cows are the producers of the very best milk, and the Bharwad community makes sure that our Gir Cows live a natural, free-grazing life. Our cows graze all day on nutritious grass and herbal plants in the adjacent forest woods; it's therefore of the highest quality. This A2 beta-casein protein-rich milk forms the basis for our ghee. Besides providing more protection to the cows, the free-grazing method also ensures sustainability in practice. As the cows are made to graze freely in their natural habitat, artificial feeds or processed supplements are not fed, thus a balance with the ecosystem and healthier soils contribute to this point. The Bilona Method: Tradition in Every Spoonful This process is not complete without the ancient hand-churning Bilona method, through which ghee has been churned in India for the past century. Nature's Trunk follows this ancient process so that every spoonful of A2 Gir Cow Ghee retains its inherent purity and health benefits. The Bilona process starts with fresh Gir Cow milk manually milked. That curd churned out is churned with a wooden churner to extract butter, which is then simmered to come up with golden, fragrant ghee. This slow, laborious process helps conserve the nutrition, flavour, and texture of the ghee so that it retains as much of its natural essence as possible. Unlike commercially available ghee, most of the time mass-produced, our ghee is made in small batches to guarantee the highest quality. Our artisanal approach ensures that the rich flavour and nutrients contained in the ghee are what find their way into every jar that reaches your table for the nourishment of you and your family. The Journey to Your Table: Ethical and Sustainable This journey from the farm to our table says much about our commitment to sourcing ethically, sustainably, and in tradition. All steps of it stand on the philosophy of care for cows, the environment, and people owing to association with the Bharwad community and Goshala. Our ghee is not just a product; it is the culmination of centuries-old knowledge, deep respect for nature, and commitment to delivering the finest quality ghee to your table. By consuming A2 Gir Cow Ghee, you are enjoying a nutrient-rich superfood along with being supportive of sustainable and ethical living that honours both animals and land simultaneously. Why do you need A2 Gir Cow Ghee from Nature's Trunk? Ethically Sourced: Our Gir cows are hand-milked and let out to graze freely in the wilderness with care for their well-being and happiness. Sustainably Produced: Our ghee preparation involves processes like Bilona to ensure that our ghee has the least ecological footprint. Ancient Wisdom: The rich tradition of experience by the people of Bharwad in cow rearing ensures that every step from rearing the cows to the production of ghee strictly follows refined traditions passed down through generations. Rich in A2 beta-casein protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, our ghee gives you richness for your overall health and wellness. Flavour and Purity: The slow, age-old procedure of the traditional process of ghee production ensures a creamy, aromatic flavour that enhances the flavour of any dish. Conclusion: A Tradition worth Adopting The journey of A2 Gir Cow Ghee from the farm to the table is much more than just a process; it's an affirmation of sustainability, tradition, and quality. At Nature's Trunk, we're proud to offer you a ghee that is steeped in the wisdom of yesteryear and the promise of a healthier tomorrow. The A2 Gir Cow Ghee you are choosing is more than a healthy product taken home; it places you in a lineage that upholds tradition and takes care of ethics and environs. Let it be a thread of tradition within your kitchen, and let it promise you a future.

Read more
Nature's Trunk,