Ways to keep Dashain meat healthy and safe for a long time

Ways to keep Dashain meat healthy and safe for a long time

During the festival season, many homes have an abundance of meat. If it is not properly preserved, it can spoil.

Clean equipment should be used while slaughtering and cleaning meat, and storage should be done at a temperature below 4 degrees Celsius.

The minimum internal temperature should be maintained at 62.8 degrees Celsius when cooking meat.

Now is the festive moment of Dashain. Those who are away from home for work and study have started returning home and gathering. How many people are traveling? How many are preparing for the trip? Meat is the most consumed food during Dashain family gatherings. Except for vegetarians, most people eat meat like every meal during Dashain.

Most families slaughter animals at home and store plenty of meat. At this time, every house has an abundance of meat. In this situation, if the meat is not stored properly, there is a risk of spoiling. And the meat can become poisonous. Consuming such meat can cause various health problems.

Improper slaughterhouse practices and methods, poor hygiene, and improper and inadequate meat preservation methods for large quantities of meat can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which can cause unpleasant and sometimes serious illnesses.

To avoid such problems, special care must be taken from the time of slaughtering the animal to its other processes, storage, and even cooking.

Food poisoning from contaminated meat is mainly caused by microorganisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. It can have mild to severe symptoms.

Symptoms

- Nausea, vomiting

- Diarrhea

- Abdominal pain

- Fever

In vulnerable people, such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, food poisoning can have serious consequences.

How to slaughter safely?

For many, the Dashain tradition of slaughtering goats or other animals at home is a tradition. If this practice is not done hygienically, it can be a major source of infection in the meat.

-The designated place for slaughter should be clean and away from household waste and drains. There should be a place where the animal can be cleaned again after slaughtering.

-Make sure that the animal prepared for slaughter is healthy.

-Plenty of clean water should be provided for washing hands, tools and meat. Tools should be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water before and after using them.

-The person performing the slaughter should also pay attention to hygiene. Meat can be contaminated by a dirty person.

-People with contagious diseases (cold, fever, dysentery, etc.) should not participate in this activity.

-The intestines and internal organs should be removed carefully. When removing the internal organs, be very careful not to pierce the intestines, as this can spread feces and bacteria to the meat.

-After cooking, meat should be cooled to below 4°C as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth. This can be done by using a refrigerator or clean ice.

Kitchen Safety

Once meat is brought into the kitchen, special care should be taken to prevent contamination. Maintaining good hygiene is important to prevent such problems.

Keeping raw meat and other vegetables separate

Use separate chopping boards, knives and utensils for raw meat and other foods, such as vegetables and salads. This will prevent harmful bacteria from being transferred from raw meat to ready-to-eat items.

-Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw meat.

Cooking to the right temperature

Most harmful bacteria are killed when cooked thoroughly. When preparing dishes, meat should be cooked thoroughly, especially until the pink color is gone.

For large cuts of meat, the recommended minimum internal temperature is 62.8°C. The best way to measure the temperature is to use a food thermometer.

Storing for later: Modern and traditional preservation

When a large amount of meat is available, how to store it properly?

Meat storage methods

1. Freezing

Fresh meat can be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or lower and consumed within a few days. For long-term storage, the meat should be frozen. For this, it should be cut into the required pieces, filled with packaging plastic, sealed and placed in the freezer.

The refrigerator used for storing meat must be in good condition. Meat can be contaminated and spoiled in a dirty refrigerator. If the meat is kept in this way, it can be stored for a long time.

2. Preserving cooked meat in fat

This method is called confiting in English. In this method, the meat, especially goat, pig or duck meat, is well marinated and then immersed in its own fat. The fat acts as a protective seal. The meat can be taken out when needed and prepared in various dishes as desired. No refrigeration is required for this.

3. Salting

This method is used especially in Western countries. In this, raw meat is salted heavily and hung in a dry, cool place or stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. Before using such meat, it should be washed thoroughly in water to remove the salt.

4. Making Sukuti

This is a traditional Nepali method of preserving meat for a long time. Many Nepalis used to make long pieces of Dashain meat and hang it over the fire. Even today, meat can be seen being stored in this way in rural areas.Once the meat is well dried, it will not spoil even if kept for a long time.

To make suketi, the meat should be cut into thin and long pieces. This will allow it to dry evenly. It is best to dry it in a well-ventilated place, covered with a net to protect it from flies. The meat should be completely dry and hard before storing. Meat dried in a slightly smoky place will last longer.

5. Making Pakku

Pakku is a traditional Nepali meat dish. It is mainly made from goat or cow meat. The method of making it is special. The pieces of meat are marinated in spices such as ginger, garlic, cumin, and coriander and placed in a pot. Then, without using water, the meat is cooked in its own fat and juices at a low temperature for a long time.

When cooked in this way, the meat melts completely, becomes very soft and tasty, and its color is dark brown or black. Since it is cooked in its own fat without adding water, it does not spoil for many days.

It can be made into a broth and gravy as per the requirement. It can also be eaten with rice and curries. The pakku prepared in this way can also be stored at normal room temperature. If kept in the refrigerator, it will not spoil for many more days.

Do not eat too much

Consuming too many fatty and spicy meat dishes can cause digestive problems. To facilitate the digestion process, plenty of fresh vegetables, salads, and fruits should be included in the diet.

Drink plenty of water

Drink plenty of clean water throughout the day.

Why is it harmful to drink tea that has been boiled for a long time?

 Why is it harmful to drink tea that has been boiled for a long time?

Starting the day with a sip of sweet tea is a common practice in South Asian countries including Nepal and India. Drinking tea is very common in these countries. There are also different ways of making tea according to geography and climate. Every person makes tea according to his taste and enjoys it.

According to an article published in Navbharat Times, every house in India makes a lot of milk tea. The same applies to Nepal. Most people follow this one method of making tea, steeping the tea leaves in water and boiling them for a long time.

Many people think that if tea is boiled for a long time, its taste will be sweet. Some people also boil milk and tea leaves together. But many people do not know that boiling tea for a long time is harmful to health.

According to Indian nutritionist Shikha Aggarwal Sharma, there are many benefits of properly brewing tea. Drinking properly brewed tea helps to increase immunity, reduce weight, and control blood sugar levels. But since tea leaves contain caffeine, boiling them for a long time is harmful, says nutritionist Agarwal.

Risk of cancer

According to experts, tannins are abundant in tea. It is a group of polyphenolic biomolecules, which are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine and tea. Tannin is a molecule that is abundant in tea and coffee. It binds together protein, cellulose, starch and minerals. As a result, the body becomes deficient in iron. Boiling tea for more than four minutes increases the amount of tannin, which inhibits iron absorption. In addition, if the tea is boiled too much, the nutrients in the tea will also decrease. Tea cooked in this way increases acidity in the body. If you drink too much of this tea, it also causes the risk of cancer.

Nutrients are low

Nutrients and minerals are found in tea leaves. It contains flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium and fluoride. According to experts, boiling tea for a long time reduces the nutrients found in tea leaves and milk. Vitamin B12 and C found in it are also low.

Inhibits iron absorption

According to experts, if the tea is boiled for a long time, the tannin content in it is reduced. This element is found in some fruits, vegetables and nuts. Boiling tea for a long time will hinder the absorption of iron. Which can reduce the amount of blood in the body.

Stomach problems

Boiling tea leaves and milk for a long time destroys the protein found in milk. Because of this, due to problems in digesting milk, stomach ache, acidity problem, flatulence, gas filling may occur. After boiling the tea with milk for a long time, it will smell bitter even after drinking it.

Too much boiling of tea leaves and milk together is harmful

At high temperature, a chemical reaction takes place with milk's lactose protein. If you drink it in excess, it will produce harmful substances in the body. If these two are mixed and boiled for a long time, a substance called acrylamide can be formed in milk. It is high in carbohydrates. Acrylamide can also cause cancer.

So what is the right way to make tea?

According to experts, boiling tea leaves in high-temperature water for two minutes increases the amount of polyphenols found in them. Boiling more than this will make the quality of the tea worse.

There is no benefit to over-boiling, it makes the tea taste bitter. To increase the taste and benefits of tea, it is important to follow the right method of making tea.

The right way to make tea

– Boil a pan of water and again turn off the gas (any means of fire).

- Put a teaspoon of tea leaves in it and cover it for three to four minutes.

- Now add a little milk and sugar according to your taste and enjoy the tea.

Cervical cancer kills 500,000 people every year, fear is not checked in time

 Cervical cancer kills 500,000 people every year, fear is not checked in time

Everyone has a mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law in their house. They may have looked healthy. However, in reality, they are always at risk of a fatal disease. That is - cervical cancer. Every woman between 30 and 60 years of age is at risk of this disease.

Women who are married at a young age, have many children, have sexual relations with many people, and take family planning pills for a long time are at high risk of cervical cancer. Women who have sex only once in their life are equally at risk of this disease.

Because of this danger, it is in the first place among the cancers that occur in women. After this disease, the treatment is expensive and complicated. "That's why it's better not to get sick", said Dr. Sarita Ghimire says, 'And, that can be done easily.'

Expert experience

Gynecologist and oncologist Sarita Ghimire, who has permanent residence in Ramechhap, is an MBBS and MD from the Institute of Medical Studies (IOM).

When he got his MD in 2004 in Gynecology and Obstetrics, cancer hospitals were just starting to open in Nepal. Along with this, the number of cancer patients was increasing rapidly.

Dr. is looking at that situation. Ghimire went to Bharatpur Cancer Hospital and took special training related to cancer. After that, she also went to Pakistan and UK for specialist training. Since then, it has been 15 years since he worked in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Dr. is currently working as a chief consultant at Talchikhel Cancer Care Foundation in Lalitpur. Ghimire's emphasis is on early disease detection. For this purpose, she reaches district after district to raise public awareness. In his experience, 6 to 8 out of 100 people who come to the hospital for cervical check-up have already reached the transition stage of cancer. Dr. Ghimire says, 'This data shows the benefits of raising public awareness.'

When she joined Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, she became more active in running camps in the districts. In those camps, information was given about various cancers including cervical cancer, breast cancer. Women have more cervical cancer, but since it can be prevented, the number of people who come to the hospital for examination has increased. There is an experience of wandering. And, it has given him professional satisfaction.

In the camps, she used to keep scary photos, afraid to go to the hospital for an examination. It is human nature not to take anything seriously and not to change habits until fear arises in the mind, Dr. Ghimire says, 'which will become fatal itself tomorrow.'

According to him, around 528,000 women in the world suffer from cervical cancer every year. What is the situation in Nepal? "In Nepal, 20-22 percent of women who come to the hospital for cancer treatment suffer from cervical cancer", Dr. Ghimire says, 'Detailed study is yet to be done on this.'

There are no symptoms at first

After the cancer of the cervix has increased a lot, foul-smelling and blood-tinged water starts to flow. The appearance of blood even when there is no menstruation or the appearance of blood again in women who have dried up their periods is also a sign of cervical cancer. When this cancer spreads a lot, it causes bloating, leg swelling, waist and back pain, and problems with defecation and urination.

To avoid this, women who have reached the age of 30 and who have had sex, even if it is only once in their life, should be examined by a trained health worker at least once every three to five years. Ghimire suggests. She says, 'Women who have dry periods and who have undergone surgery due to the possibility of cancer should also undergo regular examination of the uterus.'

During the examination, the health workers put medicine in the mouth of the uterus and check the visual inspection with acetic acid (VREA). Earlier, Pap Smear Test (PST) was used to detect the presence of cancer infection in the mouth of the cervix or not. VREA is more of a scientific method than that.

Infection can be prevented if known

Cervical cancer is caused by infection with a virus called human papilloma. This virus takes the form of cancer after 15 to 20 years of infection. Dr. According to Ghimire, the human papilloma virus can survive for 15-20 years. If the immunity is high, the body can even eliminate it. In those with low immunity, it causes subtle changes and causes cancer.

Cervical cancer can be prevented by knowing before regular check-up. Ghimire says. "However, our women are so involved in household responsibilities that they don't even have time to think of a hospital until the illness takes a serious form."

How much meat is better to eat on Dashain or any other time? This is what the experts say | Do you eat potatoes? Let's know these are the advantages and disadvantages of eating potatoes: see

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Dasain has arrived in Nepalese homes. On the first day of Dasain, Dasain started after doing housework. Most meat dishes are cooked during Dasain. This is why the consumption of meat is excessive during Dasain. It is estimated that almost 10 times more meat is consumed during this time than normal time. It is customary to eat the meat brought especially on the day of Phulpati by wearing it on Dasain Bhari. However, meat consumed in this way is not beneficial for health.

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Ayurveda: How much water to drink in a day, at what time to drink?

How much water and how to drink it? This is a complex subject, even if it is always used. But there is no consensus among experts on this issue. In fact, how much water our body needs varies depending on the area we live in, the weather, and our physical constitution.

But Ayurveda has presented a different opinion on this issue. According to Ayurveda, our body has some natural needs. Which we get signals from hunger, thirst, sleep, urination, and defecation. So when you feel hungry, eat. When you feel thirsty, drink water, you don't have to worry too much about these things all the time.

Why drink water?

If you are still confused as to why we should drink water, here are some examples.

Water is essential for physical activity

Water is an important element for every cell in the body. Which is important for the communication and absorption of nutrients in different parts of the body. It helps to regulate various bodily functions such as breathing or defecation. It is also important for digestion and brain function.

Water increases energy levels in the body

Water helps to increase energy levels in the body. Drinking 2 liters of water daily increases the energy level to 400 joules. It is important to drink plenty of water when you go out for a regular workout. Also, water helps to relieve fatigue.

To keep the mind functioning and mood right

Various studies have shown that dehydration is related to knowledge and experience. At the same time, drinking water helps people to focus on meditation. Which makes it easy for a person to achieve success even in academics and other work. Also, many studies have confirmed that if a person drinks enough water, his mood will improve throughout the day.

Water to improve the digestive system

Water also helps in the synthesis of enzymes associated with the digestive system. Water helps to normalize the digestive system. Water can also be taken as a home remedy for problems like constipation.

Water for purification inside the body

Water is also needed to flush out waste products from the body. It helps in cleansing the body by sending out feces.

Water is suitable for skin

Drinking enough water helps to increase hydration in the skin. At the same time, it helps to enhance the physiology of the skin. Due to which the skin becomes soft and supple.

How much water to drink per day?

According to some principles, we should drink at least eight glasses of water every day. This helps to detoxify, nourish and hydrate your body. But Ayurveda does not accept it.

According to Ayurveda, water is an essential element. But excessive water intake may not make you feel hungry but it is more likely to cause indigestion. Scriptures like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita have mentioned this. They say that water can be drunk whenever the body is thirsty and that is enough.

Drinking too much water can also increase the risk of phlegm and speech problems, which can affect the body's digestive system. Therefore, you should not drink water forcibly after being satisfied with water.

The right time to drink water

Generally, many people suggest not drinking water during meals. It is generally recommended to drink water either before meals or 45 minutes after meals. But according to Ayurveda, thirst is a natural need, so drinking water whenever you feel thirsty is not a problem.

The right way to drink water

- Just like we sit and eat, we can sit and drink water. As much as possible, you can take a sip of water throughout the day. Drinking too much water at one time may not allow the body to absorb enough water.

- Talking about water temperature, it is suitable to drink warm water. Either water can be drunk at room temperature. But don't drink too much cold and icy water. Drinking cold water may prevent blood from reaching all parts of the body.

- Do not drink enough water during meals and immediately after meals. But water can be drunk between meals.

- Don't forget that your body is filled with 50 percent food, 25 percent water, and 25 percent digestive juices.