Day Five of #30dayscleansingchallenge

Before I start, ‘If you want to save the dying farmers, eat millets’; ‘If u wish to save the planet, eat millets’. It all starts from your plate. You will see why. Finger millets also known as Ragi (Eleusine coracana) is a widely growing annual plant found most abundantly in Africa and Asia from ancient times. It is a hardy crop that can grow in high altitudes and withstand harsh weather conditions. It is one of the millets-drought resistant crops. Our country’s water level, soil and climatic conditions are well suited for growing these millets and not tonnes of water consuming paddy. If you think deeper, it is not just about planting more trees.

Apart from the environmental significance of our wonder crop, they are so nutritious that we don't have to worry about supplements.

Nutritional value of finger millet (per 100g)

Protein- 7.6g

Fat- 1.5g

Carbohydrate- 88g

Calcium- 370mg

Vitamins A- 0.48mg

Thiamine (B1)- 0.33mg

Riboflavin (B2)- 0.11mg

Niacin (B3)- 1.2mg

Fiber- 3g

Amino Acids Content (per g of protein)

Leucine- 594mg

Valine- 413mg

Phenylalanin- 325mg

Isoleucine- 275mg

Threonine- 263mg

Methionine- 194mg

Tryptophan- 191mg

Lysine- 181mg

Cystine- 163mg

One of the best natural protein sources.
Rich in minerals like Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin and Riboflavin.
The important amino acids present in ragi are Valine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Methionine and Tryptophan that help in muscle functioning, maintaining metabolism, blood formation, fighting anxiety and depression and also promotes the release of growth hormones.
The key amino acids Lecithin and Methionine present in the cereal helps in lowering cholesterol by extracting and cutting out excess fat from the liver, and the amino acid Threonine prevents formation of fat in the liver.
The higher amount of fibre (compared to rice, wheat or any other grains) slows down the pace of digestion thereby helping in lowering blood sugar levels.
Aides weight loss due to Tryptophan present in ragi (curbs appetite).
Treats anaemia as the Vitamin C in ragi helps in iron absorption.

You can never see any crop like the Ragi - Finger millets. It is nature’s best creation in the food department :P And one could make it into any dish desired.

Surprisingly I did not prepare today’s detoxing dish. Herbi[my fiancé]'s mother did. She is an amazing person with exemplary cooking skills and I would introduce her later in a separate blog post with entirely her creations! For now, this is all you get ;)

Things needed:

Ragi Flour- 250g
Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
Jaggery- 75g
Salt- 1/4 teaspoon
Clean cotton cloth
Steamer (idly cooker)
Water

How to make it?

Wrap up ragi flour inside the cotton cloth and steam it for 20 minutes.
Cool it and sprinkle water to moisten it well (to aide form shapes).
Combine thoroughly with jaggery, coconut and salt.
Form into desired shapes (use moulds or just hands) and steam again for 10 minutes.