Chill out! Pro tips for safe, healthy way freezing food the
Pandemic or not, frozen food comes in handy for many of us. For those who like to prep meals in advance, freezing tomato pulp or a hot sauce is a great way to cut down on cooking time. Keep these tips in mind while freezing food.
Store your food right:
Airtight containers and sealable bags are the best options. Don’t use glass containers, as they are likely to break on freezing. Plastic containers are good, too, as they can be transferred easily between the freezer and microwave.
Cool before you freeze:
It is important to let any dish cool slightly and then put it in the fridge to cool properly. Only then you should put it in the freezer.
Reheating done right:
Many microwaves today have a defrosting feature. You can put the frozen food in a microwavable bowl to defrost. Keep stirring at intervals so that it heats evenly. Don’t forget to cover it to avoid splatters.
Don’t thaw frozen food in water; instead, thaw it in the fridge itself.
Be careful with fruits and veggies: Freeze fresh vegetables the same day you buy them. Wash, clean, cut, blanch and freeze. For freezing fruits, pick firm and ripe fruits. Wash carefully, cut into small pieces, and pack in small portions. Freeze in hard airtight container. Do not store fruits for a long time.
Label your food: Label your food with date, and remember to use FIFO — first in, first out.
What not to freeze: Veggies with a high water content, such as cucumber, lettuce, celery, zucchini shouldn’t be frozen. Also, potatoes, mushrooms, milk, eggs, buttermilk, yoghurt, cream cheese, spices, canned food, and coconut cream or coconut milk are not recommended for freezing.
Having lustrous locks is every girl’s dream, but maintaining it is every bit of a nightmare, especially in the monsoon. Breakage, hair fall and frizziness are just a few of the many problems that crop up in this season. With more time at home now, you can adopt some simple tips to detangle those tangles.
Recently, actor Malaika Arora had shared, in an
Instagram video, that she swears by a champi with oil made using coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, fenugreek or methi seeds, and curry leaves.
“Coconut oil has moisturising and lubricating properties, leaving the hair soft and shiny. Castor oil has an added advantage in resolution of dandruff. Most of these oils contain omega 3 fatty acids, which help in the overall nourishment of scalp,” says Dr Pooja Chopra, a consultant dermatologist.
“Fenugreek seeds and curry leaves also have antioxidant properties, which strengthen the hair follicles,” she adds.
Dermatologist Dr Nandini Barua is of the view that hair oil serves as a good conditioner and hydrates the scalp. “The massage during application can help in improving circulation. The only thing which should be kept in mind is that hair oil should not be kept for more than an hour, as it
Prerna Gauba Sibbal
Srinidhi Gopalakrishnan
attracts more dust, makes the scalp oily and blocks the pores, thus leading to seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) and hair fall,” she notes.
However, oiling isn’t the only thing that’s essential for healthy hair. Dr Barua says one must also follow a good protein diet and take care of aggravating factors such as stress, nutrition deficiency etc.