Badam Kheer

I started the ritual of taking almonds everyday when I was in my second trimester.After losing weight due to the so-called 'morning sickness' [which seemed to extend to - noon, evening and even late night sickness for me!] I felt I need some 'extra' nourishment

Mom would soak a few almonds the night before and blend the blanched almonds with a little milk and mix it with warm milk.This would be my first drink of the day.Sometimes I used to make a change in this routine and blend in a banana, a few seedless dates and have it as milkshake. It was a relief from the sweltering mid-day heat.

At the end of the third trimester I noticed my tresses were thicker and I had less hair fall. My skin was considerably better than before. Should I attribute this to my pregnancy hormones or to these nuts,or to both!!? I don’t know…..

But what I do know is that almonds have always been considered as symbol of luck, good health and good fortune.

Once upon a time they were considered to be too fatty and shunned by many. But the recent research has proved quite the opposite.

Almonds are packed with proteins and contain Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acid [MUFA] – a health promoting fatty acid found to help reduce the incidence of heart diseases.

It also has Vitamin E which is an antioxidant and also the store house of zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and iron.It also has Folic acid which is very important when you are pregnant.

So in a nutshell -These nuts prevent cancer, protect against heart diseases, lower cholesterol,have anti oxidant properties, and are loaded with protein, minerals and Vitamins.

Last but not the least – a fact every lady would love to hear.Almonds too have their share of beauty aiding properties.It can be used as a mild bleaching agent when mixed with milk cream and ground with the paste of fresh rose petals. When applied daily, this paste keeps the skin fresh and young, delays onset of wrinkles, blackheads, dryness and even pimples. Almond oil can be used to soothe steam burns/inflammations.

The facts are just as fabulous as the nuts! It’s hard to understand that something that tastes so good can also be good for our health!!!