Asafoetida root and spice

Papadum is a wafer thin spicy vegan Indian cracker or flatbread, delicious as a substitute in breadbaskets, and often served as an appetizer topped with chutney. Because Papadum is made with healthy lentil or chickpea flour it contains some fiber, vitamins and valuable phytonutrients.

Papadum also has a distinctive spicy flavor, and the spice that gives it it’s zing is Asafoetida (also known as asafetida). Native to Persia, Afghanistan, and India, Asafoetida is a spice created from the juice and gum of the stems and roots of the “Ferula assafoetida” plant. This Indian food staple, oddly enough, is sometimes called “Devil’s Dung” for it’s astringent taste and odor.

Your humble editor agrees that eating something called “Devil’s Dung” doesn’t sound too enticing. But Asafoetida is rich in many of the same healthful sulphur compounds that give garlic it’s famous health benefits. So you might say the “Devil’s Dung” spice really has some “heavenly” benefits. And while very pungent raw, cooked in dishes the herb imparts a wonderful, leek-like flavor and aroma.

Asafoetida is one of the key digestive herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine. Like Garlic, it’s what’s known as an “adaptogen”, meaning it stimulates healthy digestion while also helping our bodies adapt to stress by calming the nervous system. It’s traditionally relied on to improve our “digestive fire,” and help combat gas and bloating, and help prevent excess phlegm in the body.

In addition, studies in Kaoshing University of Taiwan indicate that, like garlic, Asafoetida’s roots may contain antiviral properties. The herb has been part of Ayurvedic antiviral regimens for centuries, and was one of the plants found to be helpful in combatting the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic.

One tip home chefs have long known: cooking legumes with a small amount of  asafetida can eliminate the gas and bloating associated with these foods. Try cooking your next pot of beans with a small amount of this spice for Indian flair and to help prevent “bean gas” in the belly.

And of course, enjoy Indianlife Papdums! They’re rich in Asafoetida and complement virtually any meal.

Since April over 50 Cambodian children have died from a “mysterious” disease now believed to be caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV-71), also known as hand, foot and mouth disease.

Lack of adequate sewage systems and clean water creates fertile breeding grounds for these viruses. At Indianlife we proudly support the Indo-Africa Charitable Society. One of the most important things the IACS does is help bring safe drinking water to the approximately one-sixth of the world’s population lacking access to safe drinking water.

In its mild form HFMD primarily affects children, causing fever, sores in the mouth, and rashes with blisters on the feet, hands and buttocks. Children typically recover within seven to 10 days without medical treatment. But in it’s severe form, such as in the recent Cambodian outbreak; victims experience high fever, respiratory and neurological problems.

Experts believe this may be the first known EV-71 outbreak in Cambodia. However the disease has killed hundreds of children in China and Vietnam in the past two years. In developing countries over 2 million people die annually from diseases associated with a lack of adequate sanitation.

Indianlife Pakoras for perfect picnics!

“Eat your vegetables!” If you’ve said this to your kids so often it feels like you’re repeating a “mom-tra”, join the club.  Getting kids to eat healthy in today’s world of “fast fried everything” can be a challenge. But there’s good news: there are deceptively delicious ways to get your kids to eat more veggies without begging or bribes!

With summer in swing, and outdoor activities in abundance, it’s important to have hearty, healthy snacks that are as easy to travel with as they are to prepare. Better yet: how about healthy vegetable snacks that require no preparation at all? Meet The Pakora.

The pakora is one of the most popular Indian food staples, as beloved in the East as the hamburger is in the West. Pakoras are used as appetizers, served with flavorful chutneys and dipping sauces. They’re versatile too, and can be enjoyed instead of Falafel in pitas, flattened and made into burgers, and more!

A Pakora is a rolled ball of deliciousness that retains flavor hot or cold and packs easily Delicately-spiced, these morsels are “picnic perfect.” Indianlife Pakoras are made with our protein rich organic batter, fresh herbs and a rainbow of delicious vegetables including potatoes, spinach, cauliflower, onions, paneer (Indian cheese)… and green chilies. So they’re an ideal way to get healthy veggies and vegetarian protein into active young people. Because Indianlife Pakoras also contain no preservatives, additives or added coloring, they also meet “the mom standard” for all-natural, wholesome family foods.

Dining “Al Fresco” with the family? Pick up some Indianlife “Grab ‘n Go” Pakoras from the refrigerator or deli case, and watch them disappear into smiling faces. And keep our “Heat ‘N Eat” frozen Pakoras on hand; they cook in just minutes and make any summer adventure just a little bit tastier.