It’s surreal that we’ve already reached halfway in the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. A little hand-holding by fellow bloggers and loads of motivation from my family have made this demanding activity a fruitful exercise in maintaining self-discipline and learning time management. Nutrition has played an important role in my transformation journey. Interestingly, it also got me interested in finding out the goodness of various foods which I’m sharing with you through this series.
M is a foodie’s delight and spoilt me for choice. Honestly, picking four proved more challenging than preparing a three-course Marwari meal. Please feel free to add your favourites since I’m sure to miss something out. #BlogchatterA2Z is in every way a learning experience!
Musk melon
Musk melon is a summer fruit that’s refreshing, hydrating and naturally cooling due to its high water content. Everything from its flesh, seeds to even peel is filled with nutritional benefits. It is high in fiber and a great source of Vitamin A and C. Apart from boosting immunity it helps in digestion, regulates blood pressure and improves eye health. Musk melon paste when applied on face and hair can help remove blemishes, acne and promote hair growth.
Musk melon tastes good in every form. Have its cubes as an evening snack, add it to your mocktails, smoothies and salads or top your desserts with its seeds.
Mushroom
Mushrooms are a boon for vegetarians owing to the nutrition they bring to the plate. They’re loaded with antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals like zinc and potassium. Mushrooms are low in calories and aid in weight loss. Their anti-inflammatory properties help in boosting immunity and make you stronger from within. They also help in maintaining blood pressure.
Mushrooms enhance the nutritional value and taste of any dish they’re added to. Pizza toppings, salads, stir fried vegetables, soups, rice and what say you, mushrooms make anything better.
Mint
How can I not mention mint when it mercifully makes the scorching summer heat bearable? Mint has a strong refreshing aroma and contains a good amount of nutrients. It is a great source of Vitamin A and is packed with antioxidants. It improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome and relieves indigestion discomfort. Menthol made from peppermint oil is known to be beneficial for colds and also helps mask bad breath. Mint also reduces breastfeeding pain.
Mint can easily be incorporated in your diet in the form of chutneys, flavouring for vegetables or muddled in your drinks and juices. Chaat lovers would know this!
Millet
Although millets are a staple in our diet the world is waking up to their health benefits only now. Millets have a wide variety with each one having a different and unique nutritional profile. e.g Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl millet (Bajra), Amaranth (Rajgira), Buckwheat (Kuttu) etc. They’re an ideal choice for a gluten-free diet and contain good amount of soluble fiber and protein. They may lower sugar and blood cholesterol levels.
Millets are the perfect breakfast option and can replace rice in many recipes. Millet flour can be used in many snack and dessert preparations. Processed millet is used to make pasta and beverages too.
Let me share a secret with you. My kids actively participate in helping me choose foods to write about everyday. M lead to quite a tussle since my 6yo wanted me to share about Mango while the 12yo thought milk deserved a mention. #BlogchatterA2Z surely has changed the quality of conversations in our home!
This post is part of the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge by Blogchatter
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Mushrooms are my favorite, in saute veggies or pizza, in soup or even Salads they enhance the taste for sure. Musk melon aka kharbooja also is refreshing fruit, I even make its koshimbir in summers for lunch with curd. Mint is again a summer delight refreshing aromatic herb. And millet is ofcourse the healthy addition to our diet. I make millet cookies and roti often with all flours mixed in one. Nice choice of M foods.
Not a big fan of millets personally but love the other three. The joy is we can make literally everything from drinks to sweet and savory dishes with these 4, can’t we?
Mints are a taste enhancer.
M has all my favourites. I love musk melon and I try to have one everyday while the season is on.Mushrooms are always there in the fridge, Mint I grow in my garden. Only Millets I have rarely used but eaten a lot.
I liked that your kids gave you suggestions too. Mango must be sulking and milk must be boiling too. Loved the way you explained the benefits of each. Muskmelon and mint are a boon for summers
Deepika Sharma
All of these are indeed powerhouses of nutrients buddy, I love musk-melons and mushrooms particularly.
None of us like muskmelon in the house. Do you have any recipes to include it in diet?
I wasn’t aware the Mushrooms help in weight loss. Also, wasn’t aware of its nutritional benefits. Thanks for sharing, Varsha.
After reading your post I have realised I love everything which starts with M especially the once your shared. I know they have nutrition value but you cover everything that makes it interesting.
I was also expecting Mango on the list, like your 6 yo. Musk melons are delight to eat too but didn’t know about their application in skin-care. Mint, millets, and mushrooms are all time favorites.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful nutritional benefits of mushroom, mint, millet and muskmelon. Your posts are so informative.
Mint and muskmelon I love a lot and now in summers both are daily included in meals. I am happy that both are included in your list!!
Mushrooms and muskmelon are yummy. I like to sprinkle sugar on muskmelon and eat it cold.
Musk melon and mint are refreshing in summer season. I like mushrooms too as they are a healtg option to cook delicious meals.
Aha! I am drooling over Musk melon. Mushroom is the second most favorite in my family. I really love your detail analysis on all the food items Varsha.
Yaay as I use all the ms you have mentioned. I just love mushroom and my daughter takes after me
I eat everything listed above though millets we have started recently .I love musk melon and I try to have one everyday in this season
How cute that your kids help you in picking out the food. I agree with them ,mango should have been included 🙂
I too love musk melon. Millets is something I eat only during fast