There are two different ways of air drying mint leaves. You can spread the leaves as an even layer on a flat bamboo mat and place it in a shaded dust free area with proper air circulation. Here, I would like to tell you one thing that direct sun exposure should be strictly avoided as the heat of the sun dries up its natural oils and the leaves lose their flavor and aroma. The most suitable temperature range for drying mint leaves is 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have plucked the leaves along with the branches, then you can make bundles out of them and hang them to dry. Tie up each bundle tightly with a small piece of string. Now, hang these bunches of mint leaves suspended upside down inside a room. You have to select one such room for drying mint leaves that does not receive too much of sunlight but has good ventilation. Humidity can promote growth of mold on mint leaves. If you live in a humid climate, then use of a humidifier in the room to keep the indoor air dry. This in turn will ensure faster drying of the leaves and prevent mold growth. The leaves will take around one or two week to dry up properly which largely depends on the atmospheric condition. After one week, crush a few mint leaves randomly to check if they are dry and crispy. If yes, then you can start using them now.

How to Dry Mint Leaves for Tea in a Microwave Oven

As you can see, air drying mint leaves takes a long time and you have to wait for at least one week before you can get dried mint leaves for tea. A faster method of drying mint leaves involves heating them in a microwave. It could be a bit surprising for you but it can give you instant results. You have to wash the leaves thoroughly and then spread them on a flat surface to evaporate out the water from them. Preheat the oven for 20 minutes at 180 degrees. Next, spread the mint leaves in the form of a thin layer on a baking sheet and put it in the microwave oven. Turn on the oven and set the temperature of the oven at 180 degrees and heat the mint leaves for another half an hour. After that, turn off the oven but keep the leaves inside the oven for one or two hours till they dry up completely. Once the leaves turn crispy, you are ready to use them for tea.

Now that you know how to dry mint leaves for tea, you can dry them up in bulk and store it for regular use. However, while storing them care has to be taken that the dried leaves are not exposed to any form of moisture. If you have dried the leaves along with the branches, then strip off the leaves from the stalk before storing them. Put the dried leaves in a clean and dry airtight glass jar and keep the container in a cool and dry place. Always use a dry spoon to take out the leaves from the jar.

In the stretching techniques to grow taller, swimming is an important technique. It helps in stretching the spine as well as the entire body. One of the useful swimming stroke useful for increasing the height is the breaststroke. When one does the breaststroke, the legs are extending out straight behind the body, while the arms are extended out straight in front. In other words, the body is pulled in two opposite directions, which helps in stretching the spine as well as the body. Other than the breaststroke, there are other swimming styles, which also prove to be of help. Some of the examples, include backstroke, dog paddle, butterfly, crawl, etc.

There is another reason, why swimming proves to be of help in increasing height. When one is swimming the water in the pool neutralizes the effects of gravity on the spine. With the effects of gravity, it is seen that spinal cords move closer to one another, giving the impression of a short person. However, when the effects of gravity are taken off and the person stretches, you will see that it has a positive effect on the spine and it has an elongated appearance.

If you have observed people around you, there is a chance you have come across that there are people, who appear taller down from their waist, while their torso has a shorter appearance. There can be various reasons for the same. However, with regular practice of swimming, one will be able to battle this problem. When one swims, the spine is put into traction. In other words, the spine is decompressed, which helps in increasing the fluid capacity in the disks. The increased fluid capacity helps in thickening and strengthening the cartilages located in the spine and makes it longer and stronger, which in turn prove to be of help in resisting the forces of gravity. Therefore, if you have to observe the swimmers, you will see that they have a long trunk and are also taller, as compared to the non-swimmers.

Swimming helps to boost energy as well as helps in losing weight. The chances of backbone deformation are reduced up to a large extent. People with bad posture also gain a great deal by swimming regularly. Not to forget the fitness level of the person is enhanced with swimming a few laps everyday.

Growth hormones have an important role to play in height increase. When one swims regularly the growth hormones are released into the body, which in turn has a positive effect on the height of the person. Along with swimming, it is recommended that one does stretching exercises. The high intensity exercises will also prove to be of help in increasing the height.

From the above write up, it is clear the answer to does swimming help to increase height is positive. Along with exercise, it is equally important that one has a well balanced nutritious diet as well. If one does not have a healthy diet, then the chances are high that the height may not increase. Last but not the least remember genetics also has a role to play in height. Therefore, kids of parents who are short, also turn out to be short. However, with swimming the height may increase a little.

Baked Salmon in Cheese Sauce

Ingredients
12 ounce salmon fillets
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 teaspoons of dill
1 teaspoon of onion powder
¼ cup of lemon juice
½ cup of milk
1 cup of reduced fat cream cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Slice the fillets into four pieces and preheat the oven at 425°F.
Season the fillets with salt, pepper lemon juice, dill leaves and olive oil.
For better marination, make slits on the flesh. This will allow all the juices and flavors to seep in. Let this sit for about 30 minutes.
Next, cover the fish in foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake it for another 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add milk and cream to the cheese. In a double boiler, stir this mixture till all the ingredients melt completely. The mixture must reach a thick consistency. Put in the onion powder for the flavor.
Remove the fillets onto a serving plate and pour the cheese sauce on it. Serve this hot with some white wine.
Parmesan Cheese Baked Salmon Continue Reading »

It often happens that when we decide to stay on healthy diet, we are at loss of right recipes, more so the breakfast recipe. This is my personal favorite recipe and you will see me having this very often.

Ingredients

•2/3 cup rolled oats
•1 cup skimmed milk
•1 diced apple
•¼ cup apple juice
•1 tsp cinnamon
•a dash of nutmeg
•water as required
Method

•In a saucepan combine 1 cup water with apple juice and diced apples.
•Bring the water and juice mixture to a boil and then add rolled oats to the mixture.
•Let the oats cook over low heat, till the mixture thickens, but do not cover the oats.
•If you feel that the oats are sticking to the saucepan, you may add a couple of tablespoons of water to it.
•Add milk, cinnamon and nutmeg to the oats and let it cook till the oatmeal reaches the desired consistency.
•Serve warm with fruits.
Healthy Salad Recipe

Whenever I can have my way, I prefer eating only salads for my meals. However, I ensure my salads are rich in complex carbohydrates, so that I do not end up bingeing again after some time. Making salad using the complex carbohydrates list is a rather easy task, only the list of ingredients is long. This ensures I have different types of salad and I am not bored of eating them.

Ingredients

•¼ cup Brussels sprouts
•½ chopped beetroot
•½ cup chopped carrot
•½ cup salad greens
•1 potato baked or boiled with skin
•¼ cup boiled beans (you can opt for any beans of your choice)
•1 tbsp peanuts
•1 chopped cucumber
•1 chopped small onion
•1 chopped tomato
•3 tbsp olive oil
•2 – 3 tbsp rice vinegar
•1 tbsp minced fresh thyme
•½ tsp kosher salt Continue Reading »