Cool Away Every Summer With Cucumber!

Cucumber, as the name, itself goes gives away a cooling effect! When I was small, I used to love cucumbers! I used to wait for the summer only to much some cucumbers. They used to sell them in cane baskets carrying on their heads in bus stops and on the roads of India. The cucumber vendors used to sell a bunch of cucumbers for Rs 10 or more with chilli and salt. However, I like to gorge into the cucumbers as it is. 

The ones that I used to enjoy as a child were the Armenian varieties - these are light green, long and thin-skinned cucumbers. However, as I grew up these cucumbers are hard to be seen anywhere and I was shocked to see people selling dark green and thick-skinned smaller vegetables as cucumbers. These are the American Slicing varieties. Later when I was in Australia and got to explore supermarkets in India, I found a various other varieties of cucumbers like English/European/Hothouse, Kirby, Lemon, Gherkins and Zucchini. 

    

Cucumbers are high fibre and high water-containing fruit of the plant and NOT the vegetable. 

Cucumbers have loads of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids which are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer agents and free radical scavengers. 

Cucumber has small amount of proteins - that's good news. 

Cucumber has zero fat and cholesterol - that's even more good news. 

Cucumbers are loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It also has Vitamin K. 

Minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese are in plenty. 

Having said this what does cucumber can do to your body besides cooling?

- good for cancer and inflammatory diseases

- it rehydrates

- makes skin shine and smooth

- good for bone as both vitamin K and vitamin D can absorb good volume of calcium into the blood

- the potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and maintain healthy active cardio

- helps in weight loss

- good for digestion

- a chemical, fisetin, is good for nerve cells implying its effect on good brain health and improved memory

- puts the biological balance back into place

- regulates bowel movements

- best detoxifier

How to pack a power-filled snack for a break?

Here's how I make my power snack for the break?

Snack boxes to your child or for yourself is admonishable if filled with fruits or junk food. Junk food for health and fruits are considered not trendy and time-consuming.  Maybe fruits also rot by evening. So the best is to pack neutral snacks like these power snacks that also keeps you as much awake like fruits.

Biscuits are not good for your health as the sugar and flour can make you supped? Best is to replace your snack boxes with digestive, oatmeal or whole grain cookies with or without sugar and low or salted crackers. They form the base for your power snack.

What to fill in? Pack your snack box with a pair of salad leaves, peanut butter, cheese slices and egg omelette. Egg omelette can be replaced with chicken and ham sausages, carrots and cucumber and a wide range of options to choose from. They make great and sumptuous fillings between a pair of biscuits.  They also help your clock ticking and are best for the extra hour that you will need to keep you working. They are also satiating and prevents you fall from slumber. They are best energy boosters for an afternoon snack.

Thus you are going to find yourself checking on your weight as well with these power snack. Worthy Indian versions are vadai made of lentils and whole grain sundals which also meet your daily dietary needs.

Never resort junk food and make yourself worser and soggy.