GOOD HEALTH, NUTRITION TIPS & ARTICLES

Health benefits of Tulsi

2011-11-16T12:38:00.000+05:30

Tulsi is the most sacred herb of India. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), although also known as Holy Basil. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Tulsi contains hundreds of beneficial compounds known as phyto-chemicals. These compounds possess strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, adaptogenic, and immune-enhancing properties that promote general health and support the body's natural defense against stress and diseases.

Benefits of the Holy Basil (Tulsi)

1. Relieves stress / adaptogen

2. Bolsters immunity

3. Enhances stamina

4. Provides support during cold season

5. Promotes healthy metabolism

6. A natural immuno-modulator

12 Indian foods that cut fat

2011-10-15T09:27:00.000+05:30

Ayurveda suggests you include all tastes — sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent — in at least one meal each day, to help balance unnatural cravings. Here are 12 foods that can help you lose weight and gain health:

Turmeric : Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is an object of research owing to its properties that suggest they may help to turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack.

Cardamom : This is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently.

Chillies : Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies.

Curry leaves : Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Garlic : An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Mustard oil : This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart.

Cabbage : Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.

Moong dal : The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programmes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Honey : It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning.

Buttermilk : It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss.

Millets : Fibre-rich foods such as millets - jowar, bajra, ragi, etc - absorb cholesterol and help increase the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats.

Cinnamon and cloves: Used extensively in Indian cooking, the spices have been found to improve the function of insulin and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes

Soda Fizzles

2011-09-29T15:55:00.000+05:30

Whether you drink sugar-sweetened or diet soda, new research suggests you may want to opt for water instead.

Cardiovascular risks - Daily diet-soda drinkers had a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes than non-drinkers over an average 10-year follow-up, a Columbia and university of Miami study reports.

Higher Blood Pressure - For each 350 ml serving of sugar-sweetened soda or fruit drink, sippers had a bump in blood pressure, say researchers in a multi-university study. (One can of soft drink is 330 ml)

Breakfast key to good health

2011-09-24T06:53:00.000+05:30

Good breakfast is the key to a healthy lifestyle determining the quality of your whole day's nutrition, according to research.

And the best way to start the morning is with a simple bowl of a healthy cereal, as it makes people less likely to turn to fatty, sugary food through the rest of the day, reports express .

The study, by nutritionist Sigrid Gibson revealed the healthiest breakfast choice is cereal with milk because it is a good source of calcium and numerous other key nutrients, such as fibre, protein and carbohydrate.

The correct way of eating fruits

2011-08-04T10:51:00.000+05:30

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It is wrong. It is important to know how and when to eat.
What is the correct way of eating fruits?

It mean not eating fruits after your meals !
Fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
Let u say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so by the bread.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins o spoil.
o eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals.
If you master the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

Coke and Pepsi - Sweetened Slow Killer

2011-07-27T09:50:00.000+05:30

Have a look at the wrapper on a Cola-Cola 1.5 litre bottle and in the ingredients lable, you will find phosphoric acid in it. Minute quantities of ethylene glycol is also used (which is acknowledged in the soft drink world for making it really chill). This is popularly known as anti - freeze, which prevents water from freezing at 0 deg C and instead drops it by 4 - 5 degrees with minute quantities.

This chemical is a known slow poison in the calibre of arsenic. So if you manage to drink about 4 litres of coke within an hour or so, you can die. Guess what is the pH for soft drinks, e.g., Coke? pH 34 ! This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones ! Our human body stops building bones at the age of about 30. Soft drinks do not have any nutrition value (in terms of minerals and vitamins). It is high in sugar content, carbonic acid, chemicals i.e., colouring etc.

Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal. Guess what's the impact? Our body needs an optimum temperature of 37 deg C for functioning of digestive enzyme. The temperature of cold soft drinks is very much below 37 degrees or even close to 0 degree Celsius. This will dilute the enzymes and stress the digestive system. The food taken will not be digested. In fact, it will be fermented ! The fermented food produces gases, decays becomes toxic, and gets absorbed by the intestine, circulates in the blood stream and is carried to the whole body. Hence, toxin is accumulated in other parts of the body, developing into various disease's.

Think before you drink Coke / Pepsi ( or any soft drink) again. Have you ever thought what you drink when you drink an aerated drink? You gulp down carbon dioxide, when nobody in the world would advise you to drink carbon dioxide.

Two months back, there was a competition at Delhi University - who could drink the most coke? The winner drank 8 bottles and fainted on the spot because of too much carbon dioxide in the blood. Thereafter, the principal banned all soft drinks from the college canteen ! While this might have been an extreme measure, the results do provide some food for thought. Did you know that soft drink have chemicals in them that cause immense harm to you. Someone put a broken tooth in a bottle of Pepsi and in 10 days it DISSOLVED ! Can you believe it? Teeth and bones are the only human parts that stay intact for years after death. Imagine what the drink must be doing to your soft intestines and stomach lining!

Read along and give up these dangerous things. Be natural, have flavoured milks, tender coconuts, butter milk, lassi and plain water instead of soft drinks.

Request to all: Forward this message to your friends to increase the awareness of the great "Assumed Soft Drinks". In India, people hesitate to pay Rs 7 - 8 for a tender coconut but prefer to pay Rs 10 and drink these dreadful products.

7 Things To Do To Boost Your Metabolic Rate

2011-06-20T09:13:00.000+05:30

1. Build Muscle Mass Strength training builds lean muscle tissue, which burns more calories at work or at rest, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The more lean muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be. Try some push-ups, or a few squats or lunges. Use 5 lb. free weights to perform simple biceps curls or triceps pulls. Do these exercises three to four times per week, and you'll soon see a boost in your metabolism as well as an improvement in your physique.

2. Do Not Skip Meals or Drastically Reduce Your Caloric Intake If your body senses that food is in short supply, it will slow your metabolism to conserve energy. Over time, the result is that when you do eat (even if you consume the same foods as always) your body will be slower to use the calories as fuel, thus creating a backlog of unwanted pounds. A good strategy is to cut your caloric intake by no more than 500 calories per day and never less than 1200 calories total each day. Once you determine your goal for calorie consumption, divide those calories into 6 different small meals/snacks throughout the day.

3. Increase the Amount of Protein in your Diet Most researchers agree that protein helps to stabilize the secretion of insulin into your blood stream, a process that can affect metabolism. The average person would benefit from protein intake at a minimum of 70 grams or higher each day.

4. Aerobic Workout 3 Days a Week Even though exercise doesn't affect your RMR, the extra calories you burn could add up to an additional 1-2 pounds of weight loss per month.

5. Increase Movement in Daily Lifestyle The more you move, the more you burn! You can actually make a significant addition to the number of calories you burn each day by relatively minor changes in lifestyle. This can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator; park a distance from the mall or office; window-shop with your best friend rather than sit over coffee; walk the dog instead of just let him out; do a little gardening or clean house while you talk on the phone. Making these types of changes for just 20 minutes of your day will cause you to burn an additional 100 calories per day or an additional pound per month. Making more of these changes can help you burn as much as an additional 1,000 calories per day!

6. Go For an Evening Walk Although exercising any time is good for you, evening activity may be particularly beneficial. Many people's metabolism slows down toward the end of the day. Thirty minutes of aerobic activity before dinner increases your metabolic rate and may keep it elevated for another two or three hours. What that means for you: those dinner calories have less of a chance to take up permanent residence on your hips!

7. Get Adequate Sleep As funny as it sounds, sleep deprivation may make you fat and not just because you're susceptible to cases of the late-night munchies. According to researchers at the University of Chicago, women who got less than four hours of sleep per night had a slower metabolism than those who slept for a full eight hours.

Increase metabolism naturally

2011-06-18T08:56:00.000+05:30

Increase metabolism naturally to speed fat lossIncreasing your metabolism beyond its normal rate is the quickest way to succeed in losing excess stored BODY FAT, this is fact!If you wish to lose body fat continuously for many months until you reach your target weight, then you'll be better off if you work at increasing your metabolism rather than switching from one diet to another.

Do not be fooled by any crazy claims made by new diet programs. Most diets generally work by creating a way for you to ingest fewer calories than required, and you'll lose weight in the beginning, there will be a time when further weight loss will NOT occur because your body has adapted to that new level of calorie intake.

An increased metabolic rate works better because it automatically reduces your caloric intake even before you start a diet or decrease daily food intake.

This means you should lose some excess fat even before any form of dieting.If you are sceptical about this, then just think about a body builder. The majority are super lean yet they can eat huge amounts of food. Body builders develop incredibly fast and efficient metabolic rates, and as a result, they never have a FAT STORAGE problem!

The problem with dieting alone is that many of the diet plans on the market may cause the metabolism to slow down. A decreased metabolic rate is often the very reason that weight loss suddenly stops. Increasing exercise frequency may not have much effect at this stage.

Plus, reducing food intake further often doesn’t help because there is a net loss of protein in the overall muscle mass, and this net loss continues to lower your metabolism even further. This is when the body has adapted to the lower calorie intake. Permanent fat loss will occur if you increase your metabolism before dieting!

It’s a physiological fact that when we lose weight, we also lose protein from our muscles. The quicker the weight loss, the greater the loss of protein. This is simply because there is less protein eaten when dieting and thus, protein in the muscle must be broken down and used to provide energy or to create new proteins for our immune systems.

Unfortunately, a net loss of protein will always decrease the body’s metabolic rate.As protein is eventually lost from millions of cells, it gradually lowers the total lean body weight. This affects the body composition and lowers the metabolism. Because of this process, we gradually require fewer calories to maintain body weight. If the current energy intake is continued, weight loss will eventually stop.

In fact, it’s even possible to SLOWLY GAIN BACK WEIGHT if a dieter sticks to a very low calorie diet!Increase the metabolism for less chance of water loss!As more protein is lost from the muscles, the more fluid is also lost because protein holds around four times its weight in water.

Therefore, losing lots of weight within a few weeks is mostly a loss of fluid, and not fat. If someone lost five pounds in the first week, for it to be all fat loss there would have to be a deficit of 17,500 calories! To reach that kind of energy deficit in that short period of time would require constant exercise! Over the period of a week, about only one pound of the five pounds lost is fat, the rest is mostly water. Protein and its fluid replacement is the main reason that many dieters regain weight after a diet. In other words, the fluid is replaced once the physiology of the body stabilizes.

An increase in the metabolism would result in a gain of fluid. Therefore, weight loss would be more gradual. This is one reason for the recommended weight loss of only one to two pounds per week. By increasing your metabolism, you are giving your body a reason to hold onto protein, so that less water is lost.Why the Speed of Our Metabolic Rate Matters

Even if more exercise is undertaken, a net loss of protein can occur if caloric intake is too low.Remember that dieters reduce their caloric intake. But, since exercise uses extra crabs, the body must break down MORE protein in order to convert into more carbohydrates. More carbs are needed because an unfit person has an untrained cardiovascular system, and cannot supply enough oxygen for cells to burn fat for energy during exercise.

Exercise will increase the metabolism, but the trick for those trying to lose weight is to perform the right exercises for their specific body type, and not to cut too many calories too soon. To lose fat fast, you should prepare the body by increasing your metabolism before cutting calories. This enables your body to establish a major fat burning energy metabolism while regulating the protein metabolism.

An increase metabolism provides many benefits to help maintain continuous and permanent weight loss:less exercise would be needed - gain more time for yourselfless effort when you did exercise - no need to spend hours of exercise to burn sufficient calories!· less chance of weight regain later·

· still enjoy your favourite foods - no more strict dieting·

· less time spent preparing low-fat recipes·

· experience a higher percentage of fat loss over water loss

Add More Simple Steps to Effective Natural Weight Loss

2011-06-17T13:19:00.001+05:30

Instead of eating two or three substantial meals a day, suppress your appetite with water or any of the substances that you read of in the previous post, and try to eat 5 or 6 small meals every day.

By doing so, you will spread the energy that you draw from those meals more evenly throughout the course of the day, meaning that your energy levels become far more constant than they might otherwise be.

This also puts significantly less strain on your digestive system, which can be helpful in flushing out the toxic waste that otherwise tends to hang around in your stomach and colon.

Another thing that you can do that is effective is to make a conscious effort to chew your food many more times than you have in the past.

By chewing your food a great deal more in this way, you are making the remains of it far easier for your stomach to digest while making it far less likely that you are going to overeat. This is because your stomach does not register the amount of food that you have eaten immediately, so if you eat quickly, it is very easy to put too much food into your stomach without realizing it. It is only later that you begin to feel overfull and bloated.

Chewing your food more slowly and comprehensively automatically means that it is far easier to stop eating before your stomach becomes over-full. Furthermore, because your teeth have done a good ‘predigestion’ job of breaking your food down before it hits your stomach; you make the digestive work considerably easier.

One mistake that you should not make is to stop eating altogether.

Many people who are determined to shift stubborn fat from their body try to do so by starving themselves, but this never works, because all that happens in this situation is that your body starts to ‘shut down’.

When this happens, not only will your body start burning the fat, but it will also start to eat away at muscle tissue. Hence, you will be losing weight, but the kind of weight you are losing is exactly the kind of weight that you want to retain.

To take this even further, your heart is nothing more than one large muscle, and if you are seriously overweight or obese, your heart is already under significant extra pressure and strain. If you start to starve yourself, you are therefore putting even more strain on your heart, which is really not a smart thing to do.

In short, forget the idea of starving yourself. Not only is it an ineffective way of shedding fat, it could be dangerous as well, so don’t do it.

Top 10 healthy midnight snacks

2011-06-15T09:43:00.000+05:30

Here's some information about the top 10 healthy midnight snacks to keep you going through the night.1. Fruits. The best snack for any occasion. They are easy to eat and provide nutrients to keep you going. Forget fat when you're gorging on them. To add some spice, sprinkle chat masala on fruits and then enjoy them.

1. Fruits. The best snack for any occasion. They are easy to eat and provide nutrients to keep you going. Forget fat when you're gorging on them. To add some spice, sprinkle chat masala on fruits and then enjoy them

2. Veggies. You may frown that we are recommending this to you, but veggies make for a great late-night noshing for many diet-friendly reasons. They are a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can be used by your body for overnight healing and nourishment.

3. Popcorn. If your midnight cravings demand something salty, then popcorn would be the ideal snack. Not only it is a good source of complex carbs, it also contains less calories. (of course, you have to refrain from dousing the kernels in butter). It takes just a few minutes to prepare them. What's more, you can easily eat them with one hand if you're gaming.

4. Nuts. Rich in antioxidants, nuts are great night time snacks. You need protein to stay awake anyway, which nuts have in droves. While gaming, they can be easily tossed into the mount. Most are not so greasy that your equipment will suffer, and nuts are healthy, unless you eat an entire can. Since nuts contain a lot of fibers, you will feel quite fuller when you get up in the morning. Nuts also help in regulating blood sugar.5. Salsa. Salsa is easy to make fresh - or buy - and offers tasty nutrition with the right ingredients. Be adventurous; try some that combine sweet fruits and hot chilies. Salsa contains no fat. But if you decide to have it with chips, then we can't really help. If you enjoy it with nachos, make sure you do not eat too many of them.

6. Milk. Low in calories and fat (not talking about the full-cream milk, of course), milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid which is capable of lulling you into a deep sleep. Actually, tryptophan helps produce serotonin which helps us feel sleepy. Along with this, you get calcium and vitamin D as bonuses.7. Whole Grains. Like milk, foods loaded with carbs boost the levels of tryptophan in the body. Grains like oat, barley and millet are the best choices. Studies suggest that consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes.8. Water. Please don't hate us for this but yes, water can serve as a healthy midnight snack. What you think of as a pang of hunger is often thirst. So before you devour savouries and treats to kill your “false hunger”, try hydrating yourself with water. You can flavour it with lime juice if you want.9. Juices. If you want to save yourself the trouble of cutting fruits then go for juices. 100% fruit juice is a nutrient-dense beverage that has almost all the benefits one can get from consuming whole fruits. Don't consume juices in excess as many of them contain good quantities of fructose sugar which is not good for your health.

10. Cottage Cheese. Learn to relish raw cottage as much as you relish Shahi Paneer. A half cup of 2% cottage cheese contains 16 gm of proteins but has only 102 calories and two gm of fat. This is in stark contrast with other types of cheese which can be oozing with fat. You can either mix it with fruits or just enjoy it after sprinkling some chat masala on it.

Ease Headaches Before They Happen

2011-05-28T09:40:00.000+05:30

Often we express stress in our necks and jaws. Without even noticing, we tense in these areas, blocking our breath, decreasing our circulation, and sometimes provoking a headache.

Luckily, we can avoid these symptoms by taking a break to relax the neck. Here's how:

While seated, interlace your fingers and place your hands on the back of your head. Allow your head and arms to relax forward and your chin to travel toward your chest. The weight of your head and arms, combined with gravity, will begin to release your neck and reduce or eliminate your headache.

Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

4 Simple Exercises for a Perfect Bottom

2011-05-27T13:25:00.000+05:30

Check out these simple exercises which can help you have a well-toned bottom.

Quarter and half squats: Stand in a horse stand squatting with both feet at 65 degrees and knees in line with the toes.

Forward and backward lunges: Step forward, go low on the front leg, knee line with the toes and hamstring parallel to the ground and the other leg will be completely straight behind with knees straight on your toes.

Exercises using a chair: Sit on a chair and stand up and down with knees apart.

Climbing the staircase: Climb every third step and breathe out as you step up. Do these exercises breathing in and breathing out and if there are aches and pains, stop and consult a doctor.

Master the art of living

2011-05-19T09:06:00.000+05:30

Stress results from a wrong definition of life. For most people life stands for 'Living in Fear Everyday'. Insecurities and fears lead you to ignore the positives leading to a loss of self-belief. The way out of this negative spiral is to change the definition of life to 'Living in Freedom Everyday'.

By making the right choices, you attract positive people and opportunities. Given our busy schedules, it might not always be possible to pursue any single form of wellness. But you can make small changes from various forms. Motivational speaker and life coach Santosh Joshi gives some easily do-able tips.

In touch with your inner self

Master this simple meditation technique. You can do this while travelling in a bus, train or flight, or even at work. And you only need 15 minutes.

- Sit in a comfortable chair.

- Take a few deep breaths. Focus on the breath going in and out.

- Imagine that your whole body, every pore and cell is breathing. (This helps draw cosmic energy.)

Imbibe the power of music

Sound vibrations stir our inner being. Play spiritual music, hymns and chants as and when you can. Listen to such music while working out or jogging; your mind wouldn't wander then.

Be around nature

Invest in making your living zone a green area by planting trees. Try and sign up for nature walks once in a while. Else, try and walk barefoot every day for 15 minutes at your nearest park. It's a simple way to connect with nature. The earth element has the capacity to take away negativity.

Have vibrant colours around

Colour therapy is getting popular by the day. Colours emit vibrations that affect our psyche. Eg: Yellow gives confidence, red signifies security, orange signifies emotional balance and blue improves communication and intuition. Explore its benefits in daily life. Change your drapes, bed sheets, pillow covers, etc. with primary colours or any colour that makes you happy. Light coloured candles. Wear more vibrant hues. Choose outfits depending on the way you want to project yourself.

Indulge in some laughter therapy

No need to join a laughter club, just try and have a good laugh at least 10 minutes a day. It opens up blocked energy patterns, releases feel-good hormones and is even good for certain aches and pains. So rent your favourite DVDs or comedy shows and laugh out loud.

Energise your house

Light a candle or diya every morning and evening. Fire has capacity to burn negative energies. Fill your house with fragrance and aromas that relax the mind. Try and have a water body. Also have open windows; the flow of air takes away negative energy.

Inner child therapy

Each person has an inner child within him/her. Do things you used to as a child -- be it clay modeling, doodling, drawing with colour pencils/crayons or even jumping into a puddle. They help you get rid of inhibitions and help you explore new areas of life.

Press the right points

Based on acupressure, stimulating pressure points reduces stress. During stress, immediately press points around your eyes, your ear lobes and the point between your nose and lips. These points have a direct connection to nerve endings that control feelings of unease. Also keep pressing your palms to get immediate relief.

Healthy lifestyle

The point about good sleep, healthy diet and exercise cannot be emphasised enough. If you can't stick to a routine, at least adopt a few good practices. Like having a 'fruit day' occasionally to cleanse the body. Or drinking enough water to flush out toxins. Another tip is to count your steps while walking, it improves concentration. Finally, have gratitude; gratitude fills us with positive energy.

Clear clutter

Clear your home, work station and even your car. Most importantly, clear your mind. Clutter creates blocks in the flow of energy within you. When these blocks remain for long, it spreads all over your body and mind leaving you in a forever irritable and snappy mood.

Five Healthy Foods to Eat at your Workstation

2011-05-16T09:55:00.000+05:30

Try eating these five power foods to battle the ill effects of sitting at your desk for many hours at a stretch.

We've all heard it times and again that sitting all day long at the desk isn't really good for the health. Sadly, there aren't any feasible alternatives to this mode of working. While you can't just leave your job, you can surely do something which is beneficial for your health. Eating the right kind of fruits can help you overcome the negative effects of sitting like a robot all day.

Here are five power foods you can enjoy while sitting at your desk. They can work wonders for your heart, blood pressure, and can even improve your memory and concentration.

Cup of Green Tea

Polyphenols, one of the major ingredients of green tea, is known to help repair the damaged DNA and stimulate the immune system. Besides, research shows that green tea also helps in reducing the risk of cancers, including skin cancer and prostate cancer.

Popcorn

If there ever was a list of healthy snacks, this is definitely going to be on the list. In fact, many say that popcorn is the healthiest snack available. It is 100 percent whole grain and is big on fiber and antioxidants. If you can air-pop your popcorn and add a minimal quantity of salt, you'd have the best popcorn, say experts. If your office has a microwave, just make sure you bring a pack of low sodium popcorn to work.

Dark Chocolate

This, too, contains those powerful antioxidants called Polyphenols which combat the risk factors (like oxidation of LDL cholesterol) for heart diseases and also inhibit clotting. Studies have also indicated that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate daily can reduce blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Caffeine, another active ingredient of dark chocolate, can give you that much-required kick and a boost in concentration levels.

Walnuts

Some new researches have pointed out that walnuts have more (and better quality) antioxidants than almonds, peanuts, pistachios and many other nuts. All nuts have been found to improve lipids and can reduce the risk of heart diseases. Walnuts have also been found to enhance cognitive and motor function in animals with Alzheimer's. Experts recommend seven walnuts a day.

Fruits

Not only they help you conquer that “false hunger”, they are also brimming with nutrients which are needed to keep you going all day. You can choose between apples, bananas, mangoes, oranges, papayas etc. but make sure you carry some fruits to the office on a daily basis.

This summer: How to stay healthy and happy

2011-05-05T09:47:00.000+05:30

Make these five superfoods central to your diet for a sustained boost in your energy levels.

Iron

Include iron-rich foods such as spinach, tofu, lentils and soyabeans in your diet. Lack of iron deprives cells of adequate oxygen, and slows down the burning of carbs, making you feel tired with minimal activity.

Women need about 33mg daily till their menopause.

For non-vegetarians, a weekly steak - yes, red meat - should definitely find a place on your meal plan. Vegetarians must add a daily Vitamin C pill to their schedule; iron found in vegetables is much harder to absorb by the body, and Vitamin C aids in its absorption.

Carbohydrates

A drastic cut of carbs from your diet will play havoc both on your energy levels and mood, as well as weight - the body's preferred source of fuel.

Carbs also raise the serotonin levels, which means they help cope with stress. Keep off all sweets, and pick wholegrains instead.

Dahi (curd)

This magnesium-rich superfood activates enzymes that are important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Probiotic dahi keeps your digestive system clean, which helps your body absorb nutrients from food better. End result: more energy!

Oatmeal

It's your best friend for breakfast, especially when it is eaten with skimmed milk instead of water, and topped with any kind of berries you can find.

It is packed with fibre, calcium, iron and Vitamin A and will keep you satiated for long, thereby aiding weight loss.

Fresh produce

Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially those with high water content (watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes and leafy vegetables), prevent dehydration, a major cause of fatigue and chronic exhaustion.

Conquering cholesterol with food

2011-05-03T07:03:00.000+05:30

There is little doubt that choice of food is the best medicine not just for a sound and healthy heart but also for lowering blood cholesterol levels. This is best done by cutting back on saturated fats and limiting other cholesterol rich foods. About 80 percent of the body’s cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and 20 percent is derived from dietary sources. By itself the cholesterol found in food is safe but becomes a health concern when it gets oxidized as is seen in processed foods, cakes and cake mixes, cured and processed meats, dehydrated milk etc.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a wax like substance required by the body for many vital functions. Our nervous system, brain and the cell membranes require cholesterol for their normal functioning. It is also necessary for the manufacture of sex hormones and in the digestion of fats.

For its transportation in the blood it gets attached to lipoproteins, mainly high density lipoproteins or HDL and low density lipoproteins or LDL (lipids bound to proteins are called lipoproteins). The density is determined by the amount of protein that is bound to cholesterol. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of the blood lipoproteins are high density lipoproteins. They protect our body against cardiovascular diseases. They help remove cholesterol from the cells and arteries and carry it back to the liver where it is processed and the excess is excreted through the bile. About 60 percent of the blood lipoproteins are low density lipoproteins known as bad cholesterol. They carry cholesterol to the blood vessels and cells.

Food sources:

The most common sources of dietary cholesterol are animal products like eggs, red meat, dairy products and shell fish like prawns. Many people often ask if eggs are hazardous to health. The truth is that if you are leading a healthy and active lifestyle and if you have normal cholesterol levels, having moderate amounts of eggs (3 to 4 a week) will not cause much harm. Saturated animal fats and transfats found in processed foods are the real enemies.

Healthy digestion and consumption of healthy fibrous foods help to maintain a constant level of cholesterol in the blood stream. But this level can change or rise with age, a diet high in saturated fats and a poor lifestyle. A diet high in polyunsaturated fats and fiber helps to lower levels of blood cholesterol while a diet high in meats, cream, full cream dairy products and white flour tend to increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases. Cholesterol becomes an issue when an excess of low density lipoproteins are present in the blood. This accelerates plaque formation on the arterial walls. These fat deposits on the lining of the arteries cause the vessels to become less elastic leading to a condition known as Atherosclerosis. These plaques restrict the flow of blood through the arteries and cause clots to be formed. When this occurs in any of the major blood vessels of the heart or brain it causes a stroke or serious coronary problems.

Experts are of the opinion that diet alone does not create a high risk of heart diseases. Smoking habits, heredity, activity level, obesity and life style parameters play an equally important role. A reading above 200mg/dl is considered borderline and above 250mg/dl is considered high risk for developing heart diseases.

A common question that is often asked is how to increase the HDL (good cholesterol) and how to decrease the LDL (bad cholesterol).

This can be done by increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables like greens, broccoli, capsicums and other high fibrous vegetables. It’s also advised to increase ones consumption of oils that have beneficial effects on your health. Oils high in omega-3 fats found in soy beans, walnuts, fish oils, flax seed oil and olive oil are very useful in raising the HDL levels. Restricting your intake of foods like saturated fats from red meats, cheese, cream, high fat milk, junk foods and processed foods will go a long way in reducing your LDL or the bad cholesterol.

Listed below are a few guidelines to help you in lowering cholesterol levels :

1.There is substantial research that suggests the importance of including soluble fiber in your daily diet as it helps in reducing the serum cholesterol levels. This is found in beans, pulses, barley, oats, brown rice, fruits and bran. Beans and whole grains have more fiber and less sugar.

2.Fresh vegetable juices with carrots, bottle gourd (lauki), celery, aloe vera juice have been found to be beneficial in controlling cholesterol.

3.Red meats and dairy products contain high amounts of cholesterol and are considered prime offenders. Processed and refined foods, white bread, tea coffee, alcohol and tobacco are just as bad.

4.A diet rich in fiber, fruits, whole grains and a regular exercise program are recommended to lower your cholesterol levels or to maintain normal levels. Regular walking for 30 minutes for four days a week, yoga with deep breathing exercises and other aerobic activities like cycling or swimming are highly recommended.

5.Use healthy oils like vegetable oils, cold pressed virgin olive oil, oils from nuts, seeds, soy bean, flax seed and ground nut oil.

6.Reduce stress. This affects not just your cholesterol levels but also leads to high blood pressure. Regular exercise and yoga will help to reduce stress.

7.Care should be taken while eating out as the foods are rich and oily and cause elevation of cholesterol levels if these foods are consumed very often. Avoid all fried,cheesy and creamy foods and opt for smaller portions of grilled, steamed or broiled foods. Sauces and salad dressings should be used sparingly as they are high in fat and sodium content.

Breakfast: 1 bowl oats with skim milk. Add 1 tsp flax seed powder, 1 cup of herbal tea

Mid morn: 1 bowl of fruits (include fruits like apple, orange, papaya).

Lunch: 2 millet rotis with bran (jowar, bajra or ragi flour),1 cup mixed vegetables,1 cup sprouts and low fat yogurt

Evening: 1 glass fresh vegetable juice with 5 almonds.

6pm: 1 cup herbal tea or green tea

Dinner: 1 bowl vegetable soup, 1 bowl of sautéed vegetables, 1 cup brown rice or 2 multi grain bread slices, salads

Weight Loss and Massage

2011-04-26T06:49:00.000+05:30

There is no question that having a massage makes you feel great. Research shows that massage can have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness levels, which in turn increases your capacity to control or loose weight. Healthy strong muscles burn calories and give you the freedom to participate in all sorts of sports and activities that can help you burn excess calories and improve your overall fitness and wellbeing.

Massage has the following benefits that can directly influence your ability to control or lose weight:

Massage has been shown to improve circulation and the supply of nutrition to the muscles. It increases the interchange of vital substances between the blood and tissue cells, which increases tissue metabolism. After muscles are exercised, vital nutrients must be supplied to them so that they can recover and rebuild themselves. Massage maximizes the supply of these nutrients and oxygen though increased blood flow, which helps the muscles to grow and burn more calories as a result.
Massage improves your muscle’s range of motion and their flexibility. This allows them to maintain maximum power and performance while active, and burn the maximum number of calories in the process.
Massage helps to shorten the recovery time needed between your workouts. Waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid build up in muscles during and after exercise. Increased circulation to these muscles helps to eliminate toxic debris buildup caused by these waste products and in doing so shorten recovery time.
Massage can also help reduce the chance of you over-training. Massage has a relaxing effect on the muscles and a sedative effect on the nervous system. By helping you to rest, which is a very important element of any exercise program, massage can reduce the likelihood of you experiencing over-training syndrome, which is known to limit your ability to build strong healthy muscles and therefore loose weight with maximum efficiency.
In addition to all of the above, massage may directly aid in fat loss. According to some research studies, massage is thought to be able to burst the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In this way, combined with proper nutrition and exercise, massage may actually help in weight loss.
As we have already touched upon, massage helps prevent and heal injuries. By stretching connective tissue, massage improves circulation to help prevent or break down adhesions and scar tissue that result from muscle tears and other common muscle injuries. Massage also influences the excretion of certain fluids (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur) that aid in tissue repair. Fast and effective recovery from injuries means that you can begin exercising sooner after suffering an injury and getting your weight loss progress back on track.

In your daily diet

2011-03-30T10:05:00.000+05:30

Apples, pomegranate juice, and nuts are highly rich in minerals & vitamins, and hence I ensure to include them in my daily diet. What all do you normally include in your daily diet?

FOOD THY HEALER : Garlic

2011-02-24T08:59:00.000+05:30

Garlic (Allium Sativum) is a plant with a very strong and bitter flavour which has been used for both culinary and medical purposes for hundreds of years. The key medicinal ingredient in garlic is allicin, which is known to have wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.

Garlic can be used to treat high cholesterol, parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Studies suggest that regularly eating garlic helps lower blood pressure, controls blood sugar and blood cholesterol, and boosts the immune system. It has also been found to reduce the risk of oesophageal, stomach, and colon cancer.

If taken in raw form the enzyme necessary to produce allicin may be destroyed in the stomach before having any positive effect. For this reason, dried or powdered garlic tablets are more suitable to take advantage of garlic’s immune-boosting qualities. Studies have shown that other forms of garlic such as cooked garlic, pickled garlic, and aged garlic are also beneficial.

In India garlic is one of the favourite seasonings; though as I always say excess of anything is not advisable!

Uses of Garlic

Garlic has been known to be used as a carminative, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and stimulant. It is also know to have a beneficial effect in certain cancers.

Allergies

Garlic is known to have antiviral properties, which helps the body fight against allergies. Simply take one tablet of garlic supplement each day 2 or 3 weeks before the usual allergy season begins.

Coughing

Garlic’s antibacterial properties make it a wonderful treatment for coughs and other throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.

Diabetes

Garlic is considered to regulate blood sugar levels by increasing the release of insulin in diabetics. Therefore an effective remedy is to take one capsule or tablet of garlic everyday.

High Blood Pressure

Clinical studies have shown that people with high blood pressure who took garlic capsules daily for up to five months lowered their blood pressure levels as effectively as patients taking prescription blood pressure drugs. A suggested dosage is 600-900mg garlic capsules once daily.

High Cholesterol

Studies have shown that taking 600-900mg of garlic everyday lowers cholesterol levels and reduces arterial plaque formation by 5–18%. Therefore, an effective natural remedy is to take one garlic tablet or capsule (600-900mg) once per day.

Toothaches

Garlic’s antibacterial, analgesic, and anesthetizing properties can help cure toothaches. Simply put some garlic oil or a piece of crushed garlic clove directly onto the affected tooth and the gum for instant relief.

5-MINUTE EXERCISES --- 1

2011-02-15T08:26:00.000+05:30

Forward-Backward Bending:

Keep adequate distance between your feet, place palms on the lower back, inhale and stretch behind. Exhale and bend forward gently from the pelvis to touch your toes.
Keep your knees straight.
Repeat for 10 reps.
This exercise helps to trim the waist, restores elasticity of spine, stretches the hamstrings and the ligaments and improves blood circulation to the brains.

Practice this for a month (for 5 minutes everyday) - steadily increasing the reps as your body gets used to it - and then I'll post another one for us to add to our routine

Carpal syndrome

2011-02-14T09:57:00.000+05:30

Carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist on the same side as the palm. When the wrist is bent for a prolonged duration repeatedly (eg typing), it compresses the median nerve. this produces numbness and pain and is termed as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms

Numbness in the fingers, especially thumb, index and middle finger.
Burning, tingling sensation in the palm.
Pain radiating in upward direction of the hand.
Tightening of joints and fingers.
Poor grip while holding objects.

Who's at risk?

People working on laptop and computer for long hours without break.
Driving for long hours.
Obese people.
Patients suffering from hypothyroidism and diabetiese.
Long durations of text / talking on the mobile.

Prevention

Use minimum force while performing your tasks.
Take regular breaks, stretch your wrists.
Keep the keyboard at elbow height or slightly lower.
Improve your posture and do wrist exercises at least twice a week.

Plums & Prunes

2011-02-09T15:18:00.000+05:30

Plums are a very good source of vitamin C. They are also a good source of vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and dietary fibre. Prunes are a very good source of pro-vitamin A. They are a good source of potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, boron and dietary fibre.Prunes for Osteoporosis Prevention

Several studies have demonstrated that dried plums, or prunes, which contain high amounts of polyphenols, can restore bone mass and structure.

In a 3-month study involving 58 post-menopausal women, dried plums significantly increased serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) activity. Higher levels of both serum IGF-I and BSAP are associated with greater rates of bone formation. Although further studies are desirable, these results suggest that dried plums may have beneficial effects on bone mineral density.

Another study concluded that dried plum polyphenols enhance osteoblast (bone formation) activity.

Prunes are a good source of boron, which is believed to play a role in prevention of osteoporosis.

Prunes for Cholesterol Reduction

Phenolic compounds in prunes had been found to inhibit human LDL oxidation in vitro

Prunes for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

High potassium content of prunes (745 mg/100 g) is beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Plums for Cancer Prevention

According to the American Cancer Society, foods high in fiber and vitamin A may offer some protection against cancers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts as well as cancers induced by chemicals.

Researchers have found that the phytonutrients in plums inhibited in vitro breast cancer growth without adversely affecting normal cell growth.

Plums and Prunes as a Natural Laxative

Plums and prunes are both effective laxatives, with prunes being the more effective of the two. The laxative action of both prune and prune juice could be explained by their high sorbitol content.

Some food chemists suggest that what makes the prune such an effective laxative is not its fiber but another constituent, an unidentified derivative of the organic chemical isatin, which is related to another natural substance, biscodyl, the active ingredient in some over-the-counter laxative tablets and suppositories. Biscodyl is a contact laxative that induces the secretion of fluid in the bowel and stimulates contractions of the intestines that push waste through the colon more quickly and efficiently.

Going Bananas..........

2011-02-05T10:28:00.000+05:30

Bananas are a great food for all round health benefits, for the average person, dieter or even athletes; they provide greater benefits than most fruits. The combination of carbohydrates and B vitamins present in a banana helps provide an energy boost which makes them great to eat 30 minutes before a workout, or even at breakfast to help boost energy at the start of every day.

Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy

Elevating the Mood

Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood

Elevating Hemoglobin Values

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body’s hemoglobin function

Alleviating Constipation and Diarrhea

Due to their fiber content, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Improving Eyesight

Research has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

Improving Bone Strength

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body’s ability to absorb calcium.

In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently.

Dealing with an upset stomach

2010-12-31T15:45:00.000+05:30

In this ongoing Holiday season, most of us tend to overdo the rich food & sweets & end up paying for it with an upset tummy. Here's what to do when that happens:-

■Take a long slow walk in an open garden or park

■Stay away from stimulants

■Chew on fresh mint leaves

■Have only fruit or salad at meal times which follow

■Drink plenty of water

■In case of severe distress take half a glass of water with fruit salt

Health Tips ....1

2010-12-04T09:27:00.002+05:30

When most people decide to "get into shape", they usually lose steam 1 or 2 weeks into their new lifestyle. This is because they rush into it without thinking things out. So, what if you could have a plan already mapped out for you, all you'd need to do is follow it to get fit? Well, then I have just the thing for you.......

Well begun is half done. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Cut out all starchy foods like white bread, pasta, potatoes to reduce calorie intake.
Avoid fruits like bananas, chickoos, grapes & mangoes. Have the whole fruit instead of the juice.
Snack on salad vegetables with dips, home-roasted kurmuras, bhel, non-buttered popcorn, dry fruits, sprouts. Get fit while you work.
Incorporate exercise within your work-schedule. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car a short distance from the office & walk.
Don't revamp eating habits over-night. Begin to remedy excesses with moderate changes that can result in lifelong healthy eating habits.
Have beverages like soya milk, vegetables or fruit juices, natural water, aloe vera juice. Cut down on tea, coffee & aerated waters. Swim & stay trim.
Swimming is a complete work-out that burns calories without pounding your joints.
Have vedic diets which are completely vegetarian with lots of fruits and vegetable juices, sprouts and hot water with ginger and honey.
Red and orange foods stimulate the nervous system. Green foods balance the body's acid and alkaline levels. Purple foods are soothing.
Continue eating natural, fresh, unprocessed foods & abstain from alcohol & nicotine. Take a brisk walk daily for 30 minutes. You will feel lighter on your feet & brighter in your head.

Preventing and Treating Anaemia

2010-11-30T09:33:00.000+05:30

Dietary Forms of Iron.

Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia. Iron found in foods is either in the form of heme or non-heme iron. Heme iron is better absorbed than non-heme iron.

Foods containing heme iron are the best for increasing or maintaining healthy iron levels. Such foods include (in order of iron-richness) clams, oysters, organ meats, beef, pork, poultry, and fish.

Non-heme iron is less well absorbed. About 60% of iron in meat in non-heme (although meat itself helps absorb non-heme iron). Eggs, dairy products, and iron-containing vegetables have only the non-heme form. Such vegetable products include dried beans and peas, iron-fortified cereals, bread, and pasta products, dark green leafy vegetables (chard, spinach, mustard greens, kale), dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Increasing intake of vitamin C rich foods can enhance absorption of non-heme iron.

Iron Supplements. There are two forms of supplemental iron: ferrous and ferric. Please consult your family physician for this

Correct timing to drink water

2010-11-03T09:00:00.000+05:30

Correct timing to drink water, will maximize its effectiveness on the Human body.

Two (02) glass es of water - After waking up - Helps activate internal organs

One (01) glass of water - 30 minutes before meal - Help digestion

One (01) glass of water - Before taking a bath - Helps lower blood pressure

One (01) glass of water - Before sleep - To avoid stroke or heart attack

Tea-time & time for our Superfood Combo of the day

2010-10-15T09:17:00.001+05:30

Iron-fortified cornflakes & 1 glass of Orange Juice (not together, of course). The Flakes give you the required boost of energy you need in the middle of a long day & the Orange juice increases the amount of iron absorbed by your body by 6 times. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to go hunting for those cornflakes!

Common skin problems

2010-09-27T08:28:00.000+05:30

There are numerous skin disorders and these may be categorized into nine common types.

• Rashes: A rash appears red with inflammation. Rashes can occur due to allergy, infections, irritation, disease and other conditions like blocked pores or improper functioning of the oil glands in your skin. The examples are dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.

• Bacterial infections: These infections are caused when bacteria infect the upper layer of your skin, follicles and the inner most layer of your skin. The examples of bacterial skin infection include folliculitis, cellulites, etc.

• Fungal infections: There are various fungi that are present on the surface of your skin that are generally harmless. But skin infections can occur when these fungi gain entry into your body. These infections can affect your skin, hair and nails and sometimes may lead to serious health conditions.

The examples include ringworm, athlete’s foot, etc.

• Viral infections: This is caused when a virus infects the inner layer of your skin. Examples include measles, chicken pox, herpes, warts, etc.

• Trauma: A trauma may be due to a cut, burn or a blow and the body becomes more prone to infections during these conditions.

• Parasitic infections: These infections are caused by parasites like scabies and lice

• Other conditions: There are various other skin conditions like wrinkles, Spider Veins and Rosacea caused due to enlargement of veins and/or breakdown of Collagen and Elastin.

Preventing skin problems

The natural process of aging and skin problems can be avoided by washing your skin gently, moisturizing skin regularly and avoiding overexposure to the sun. A few simple skin care habits (see box) can help keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Treatment for skin problems

There aremany different drugs, creams, and therapies for skin problems.Medications used to treat skin conditions usually include topical andoral medications. It is recommended that you seek your doctor’s adviceregarding treatment options. Your doctor knows what is best for you.

Simple tips for a slimmer future are:

2010-09-21T09:39:00.000+05:30

Keep a food mood diary - Write down everything you eat and drink for a week and how you felt before and after you ate. Soon you'll see a pattern and identify what makes you eat when you're not hungry.

De-stress - Emotional eating doesn't actually reduce stress levels. Although you may experience the initial enjoyment of the food, your negative feelings don't go away. The best way to deal with stress is to exercise. Go for a walk, swim or enjoy a yoga session.

Don't buy it - One of the best things you can do is not buy the foods you binge on. Don't bring them into your house. If snacks aren't available you will automatically discover something else to do to change the way you're feeling.

Plan ahead - If you know you've got a stressful time coming up then plan your food strategy to help you cope better. Plan what healthy meals and snacks you're going to eat and keep all others out of sight.

WATER MELON & PANEER BITES

2010-09-17T13:01:00.000+05:30

Here's a light, refreshing little salad for when you're feeling hungry in between meals:-

Ingredients:

■Watermelon: 1/2 seedless

■Cottage Cheese (Paneer)

■Mint & Chat masala

Directions:

■Peel the watermelon and cut into slabs.

■Cut slabs into cubes.

■Use a spoon to scoop out a hole in each cube deep enough to stuff the cheese in it.

■Fill each watermelon spoon with cottage cheese and garnish with mint and chat masala.

■Serve chilled as an evening snack or instead of dessert

Important Tip.......

2010-09-17T12:58:00.000+05:30

For all of those who suffer as a result of working the night shift, here are a few helpful tips:

Eat your meals at the same time each day; this helps to maintain the function of your internal clock.

Make sure you get adequate sleep by - Using room darkening shades to block out the sunlight; using some soft ear plugs while sleeping.

Hunger pangs ?

2010-06-30T07:03:00.000+05:30

It's 4 in the evening and even though you may have just had lunch at 2, you're probably already feeling hungry. Don't feel guilty about it, it's just your body's way of telling you what it needs. And what most people head straight for is tea or coffee, so that they're not tempted to eat anything.

But those are bad for ...you as well. Try a glass of buttermilk instead, or a bowl of fruits.

Protein & Fibre

2010-05-20T14:51:00.002+05:30

Foods that are high in protein and fibre content are the most effective when you want to burn the fat around your mid-section. It takes more energy to digest protein and you're actually helping you body burn calories when you consume proteins. However, don't overdo it by only having a protein or fibre-filled diet. Balance in everything is the key...

These are the must-haves (protein+fibre) for anyone trying to lose tummy fat: Soy (both milk and beans), yoghurt and other low-fat dairy products, beans like Rajmah, Oats with nuts & berries (all three ingredients are fibrous & berries are full of essential anti-oxidants), Egg whites (eggs are the most protein-rich food we have but we're skipping the yokes)

Deep breathing

2010-05-10T15:50:00.000+05:30

Breathing is the most elementary of all human functions. It is a very fine line between life and death.
When your pulse is on your breath, the power of transformation lies within. Breath is a transforming element /factor which can help you create the world you wish. One, who has mastered breath, has mastered life itself. A healthy mind invariably has an easy breath.
Deep breathing brings a serene feeling to the soul, and helps you to focus all your thoughts on the best moments in your life. Improve your clarity of mind by simply breathing, and open doors to the positive side of life.

Breathing exercises, besides treating some physical ailments, can reverse the myriad problems caused by chronic stress.

ABDOMINAL BREATHING
Lie in Shavasana (Dead man’s pose) and relax the whole body.Observe your normal breathing pattern, without controlling it in anyway. Let it be absolutely natural. Observe 5 out-breaths and 5 in-breaths. Place your right hand on the abdomen, just above the navel, and the left hand over the center of the chest. The right hand will move up with inhalation and down with exhalation. The left hand should not move with the breath. There should be no tension in the abdomen. Do not try to force the movement in anyway. Try not to expand the chest or move the shoulders. Feel the abdomen expanding & contracting. Continue breathing slowly and deeply 5 times. 1—2—3—4—5. This method of deep breathing is one of the simplest yet most effective stress management techniques.

Buy Silver Bullion

2010-04-30T10:51:00.002+05:30

With United States Gold Bureau one can now buy silver bullion, gold or some other precious metals and coins for instant use or organize for suitable and secure storage with a bank or depository.
Silver is available in coin or ingot form and can be used as an investment product. Ingots are usually silver ingots of unadulterated bullion cast in a suitable size and shape. Coins have a currency value.
World demand for silver now goes beyond annual production, and has been every year since 1990.
Similarly as an asset product, gold is obtainable in coin or ingot form too. Gold ingots too are ingots of pure bullion cast in a suitable size and shape though coins have a currency value.
Investing in and buying gold has been known for centuries as one of the greatest ways to conserve one’s wealth. Gold bars are an exclusive savings. Man has had an affinity for gold bullion, from the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to today’s modern times.
Since the end of WWII, for instance, the U.S. government which was once the largest store collector of silver, has deserted billions and billions of ounces of silver bars onto the world market, successfully discouraging silver prices.
Today, that government silver hoard is gone and now the U.S. government is a silver buyer. For these reasons, silver bars symbolize an exceptional investment opportunity.

Spice up your life with herbs - P/S/T/R

2010-04-20T06:55:00.000+05:30

PARSELY
This herb is rich in Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, Vitamin B12 and phosphorus. It has high antioxidant value which helps to boost immunity. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties and helps to cleanse the liver and kidneys.
SAFFRON
One of the most expensive spices, it is used for the treatment of a variety of ailments - to ease menstrual pain, menopausal problems, depression, chronic diarrhea and neuralgic pain. It is excellent for chest congestion.
STAR ANISEIt relieves flatulence and also cures colic problems..
TURMERICThe king of all spices it is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, powerful antioxidant, and helps to lower cholesterol. In alternative medicine, this spice is said to be a tonic for the liver which helps calm inflammation and relieve digestive problems. It also improves circulation and has an antibacterial action. Helps prevent cancer, lowers cholesterol and stop HIV cells from multiplying.
THYME
Thyme is rich in thymol, a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and a strong antioxidant. The oil of thyme is used in mouthwashes to treat inflammations of the mouth, and throat infections. It is a common component of cough drops and is used in treatment of coughs, colds and respiratory infections. Thyme spasmodic properties and is therefore useful for treating digestive problems
POPPY SEEDS:
These seeds are 44-50% oil and are a good source of linoleic and oleic acids and are used to treat nausea and vomiting. Poppy seeds contain a moderate amount of calcium and are very cooling. They can induce sleep.
ROCK SALT
Consists of many trace minerals not found in common salt. Rock Salt relieves muscle cramps, purifies blood in skin, prevents acidity and gas.
WATERMELON SEEDS
Watermelon seeds are excellent sources of protein (both essential and non-essential amino acids) and oil. They are also rich in micro- and macro-nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, zinc etc.Drink watermelon seeds - crush or blend two teaspoons of dried watermelon seeds and then put in a cup of boiled water. Leave for one hour and then strain. Drink the watermelon seed tea half an hour before each meal. This helps improve kidney functioning.

Spice up your life with herbs -M/N/O

2010-04-18T07:38:00.000+05:30

MINT
Prevents flatulence and aids digestion. It has cooling properties and because of its minty flavor, it is used as a mouth freshener. Mint is a good source of calcium, antioxidants, vitamin C, Beta Carotene and iron. It stimulates the absorption of food and its oil is effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome.
MUSTARD SEEDS
Mustard Seed has a fresh aroma and slightly biting flavor but when the seeds are dried they do give any fragrance. Mustard is used as remedy for the following few problems: Bronchitis, Diabetes, Blood pressure disorder, Bedsore Insomnia, Snoring, Anxiety and stress, Hormonal disorder. Mustard seeds help neutralize radiation of television sets, computers and underground water rivers. People allergic to mustard should use this product with caution.
NUTMEG AND MACE
Two spices from the same plant - containing myristicin, a substance which can cause hallucinations and drowsiness. Although toxic in large quantities, nutmeg and mace may alleviate nausea, vomiting, flatulence and diarrhea.
OREGANOHelps in strengthening the digestive system and helps in immunity. Increases joint and muscle flexibility. Gives rise to clear-looking skin. Also helps to establish a toxic environment for unhealthy organisms constantly attacking our skin, digestive tracts, and mucus membrane.

Spice up your life with herbs - F / G

2010-04-17T07:00:00.000+05:30

FENUGREEK
Fenugreek leaves are useful in diarrhea. Take one teaspoon of these seeds boiled and have with a cup of buttermilk twice daily. They are valuable in allaying biliousness and are also beneficial in the treatment of this disease. Excellent to relieve joint pain and is very good for diabetics.
GARLICGarlic has special health benefits, helps reduce cholesterol, diabetic complications like hypertension and has detoxification properties.
GINGER
Aids digestion, a popular remedy for nausea and improves circulation. In natural medicine it is used as a protection against respiratory and digestive infections to ease flatulence and griping pains. Ginger can be chewed to relieve toothache. It also helps to release dizziness and is especially a great remedy for travel sickness. It is excellent for pregnant women for treating morning sickness.

Spice up your life with herbs - C

2010-04-16T06:37:00.000+05:30

CARAWAY SEEDSHelp to relieve flatulence, colic and bronchitis. They also stimulate the appetite and are used to relieve menstrual pain and increase milk flow in nursing mothers.
CARDAMOM
Relives indigestion and sweetens the breath when chewed. It also helps to stop vomiting, belching and acid regurgitation. It can be used in the treatment of colds and coughs as well as bronchitis. It is an anti –depressant and a coolant. The aromatic flavor is a breath freshener, soothes the mucous membrane of the stomach - therefore valuable in headaches caused by indigestion.
CHAMOMILEIt is cooling and has anti-depressant properties that reduces stress and is excellent for water retention.
CHILIES
They are used in clearing the mucus from airways therefore relieving congestion. Excellent for colds and is very good for the eyes.
CINNAMON
Used for indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea. It also acts as a nasal decongestant. Studies have shown that as little as 1 tsp of cinnamon powder a day can help to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The oil of this herb has anti fungal and anti bacterial properties.
CLOVE
This oil has long been used to ease toothaches. Also relieves coughs and chest congestion. It is an excellent mouth freshener.
CORIANDER SEEDS
They help to stimulate the digestive system. These seeds have also been prescribed for the treatment of diarrhea and cystitis, as well as infections of the urinary tract. A powerful anti-oxidant they reduce cholesterol and are high in calcium therefore good for osteoporosis and arthritis. It’s seeds and leaves are also be used in cooking. Eating the seeds may also help lower cholesterol.
CUMIN SEEDS
The strong aroma and slightly bitter taste of this spice makes it a popular component of curries. Cumin is used to cure flatulence and colic. It enhances the detoxification enzymes of the liver.

Spice up your life with herbs - B

2010-04-15T07:22:00.000+05:30

BARLEY SEEDS
Soothing to the digestive tract and liver it heals stomach ulcers. Barley water is very good for kidney stones and is a diuretic.
BASIL
Regarded as a holy plant in India, basil leaves are known for its curative properties. The herb helps in relieving inflammation, digestive disorders, diabetes, headaches, heart diseases and infections. Daily usage helps reduce blood sugar levels, strengthens the immune system and protects the system from stress. Oil from this herb is particularly has antimicrobial, anti inflammatory and anti ulcer properties. This herb relieves stomach cramps and promotes normal bowel function.
BLACK PEPPER
Stimulates digestion, eases flatulence, relives constipation and improves circulation.

Spice up your life with herbs - A

2010-04-14T06:45:00.000+05:30

ANISEED

This cures a very bad cough and sore throat. Just pour the aniseed in boiling water, strain and drink it. Hot water extracts of these seeds have also been used in folk medicine for their diuretic and laxative effect; expectorant and anti-spasmodic action; and their ability to ease intestinal colic and flatulence. This seed is an ingredient of cathartic pills and used to relieve flatulence and lessens the griping caused by purgative herbs. It can quite safely be given in convulsions.

ASAFOETIDA

Asafoetida is very good for stomach and spasmodic disorders. Mixed with white onion and honey it will keep you away from respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma, etc.

Go Vegetarian

2010-04-11T07:53:00.000+05:30

Drinking beetroot juice boosts your stamina

2010-04-06T10:58:00.000+05:30

Drinking beetroot juice boosts your stamina, concludes a new study, which adds that the magical drink can help you exercise for up to 16 percent longer.

The University of Exeter led-study has for the first time shown how the nitrate contained in beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, making exercise less tiring.

The study reveals that drinking beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake to an extent that cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training.

To reach the conclusion, research team conducted their study with eight men aged between 19 and 38. They were given 500ml per day of organic beetroot juice for six consecutive days before completing a series of tests, involving cycling on an exercise bike. On another occasion, they were given a placebo of blackcurrant cordial for six consecutive days before completing the same cycling tests.

After drinking beetroot juice the group was able to cycle for an average of 11.25 minutes, which is 92 seconds longer than when they were given the placebo. This would translate into an approximate 2 percent reduction in the time taken to cover a set distance. The group that had consumed the beetroot juice also had lower resting blood pressure.

The researchers are not yet sure of the exact mechanism that causes the nitrate in the beetroot juice to boost stamina. However, they suspect it could be a result of the nitrate turning into nitric oxide in the body, reducing the oxygen cost of exercise.

The research has been published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Meditation

2010-04-02T07:15:00.000+05:30

For those who aren't quite sure about how to meditate, & for those of you who think you need to be somewhere peaceful in order to begin, here is a very simple method:

Stop whatever you're doing (don't even think about it) & shut your eyes. Sensory depravation helps you focus all your attention on one objective which, i...n this case, is rejuvenation.

Now, imagine the place where you'd want to be, instead of where you actually are. It could be a garden or the seaside. Focus on the sensations you'd feel if you were really there - feel the strong sea breeze in your hair, the sun as it warms your face, the aromatic sea air etc. Breathe deeply. Do this for at least 5 minutes. When you open your eyes, you will feel instantly re-charged.

To-take care-list

2010-03-29T07:43:00.000+05:30

To combat stress and gain weight healthily, given below is a specially designed ‘to-take care-list’ that will make you healthier than ever before.

Add pistachios or roasted channa to your diet. Make it your evening munchies, as it is the only nut that helps lower your heart risk.

Whole wheat or multi grain bread sticks or soy sticks can be had as an in between snack with hummus or peanut butter etc.

Instead of stocking up on chocolate as glucose boosters try out high-fibre, low sugar oat bars. They take care of your cravings.

You like having dips and chutneys with your foods, opt for salsa dips as they are high on fibre and very healthy.

Boost your metabolism with frequent meals and regular exercises.

Have low fat milk and yogurt or soy milk..

Add all seasonal fruits like mango, oranges, lichee, grapes etc and a cucumber to your daily meals.

In one’s constant chase for a near perfect body, it is important to understand that it is the right combination and balance of corrective food, exercises, breathing, rest and sleep that go a long way in keeping you in good health.

Dark Cirlces

2010-03-26T14:52:00.000+05:30

There have been a few people who ask about dark circles & why they appear.

Now, most standard answers would say it's because you don't sleep enough & don't drink enough water, which is true but not the only reasons.

Other reasons are thinness of the skin under the eyes, bad nutrition, itchiness or inflammation, age, exposure to sunlight, medication etc.

This is how you can make them less visible:- Avoid using bleaches & face masks/peels around the eyes since this damages that fragile skin; drink adequate amounts of water & sleep for at least 6-8 hours; lightly tap under the eye to help circulation; practice yoga & meditation; apply cotton balls soaked in cold cucumber./ rose water; lay cold used teabags over the area; use sunglasses & almond oil.

NVIRO. Cleaning the Dirty Water

2010-03-26T08:21:00.001+05:30

Today all government administration carry on taking schemes to support energy effectiveness for their economy, wastewater treatment and renewable energy are also some of the areas that are going through expansion and growth. Thermal drying alternatives for treating biosolids are advancing more and getting more recognition. Many companies are determined to put themselves as leaders that can give alternative global solutions to their end users.

One of these companies is N-Viro International Corp. The N-Viro technologies involve the mixing of municipal bio solids with specific alkaline waste products from the coal combustion electric generation, cement and lime industries. This process stabilizes organic waste through pasteurization and complete disinfection.

This way helps disinfect and stabilize municipal biosolids as well as other organic waste products

Principally, N-Viro converts unlike kinds of waste to energy which is valuable and useful product. Today, its patented N-Viro Process technology is being used for wastewater sludge recycling from municipal sludge treatment facilities.Its benefits comprise the neutralization of different toxic components, stabilization of wastewater sludge, reduction of odor and generation of a product that has lots of commercial uses.

The company’s alternative energy technology was developed from municipal biosolids and organic wastes. Its opportunity fuels can be used as a clean coal alternative in coal-fired power plants

Patents were filed on various improvements in the N-Viro BioDry technology, which is typically used for wastewater biosolid stabilization and disinfection.

For more information about N-Viro International Corp. and its technologies, visit http://www.nviro.com/.

Foods That Keep You Healthy

2010-03-25T06:53:00.000+05:30

Kidney beans: They are the quickest way to get protein and fiber.
Fresh Mint and basil: It is your daily source of vitamin A
Tofu: It is a great hormone balancer.
Mushrooms: A great source of iron.
Avocado: It contains healthy heart fats.
Pumpkin: Helps lower risk of cancer and again provides vitamin A in abundance.
Lemon: Helps relive acidity.
Coconut: High in vitamin E, it aids the thyroid gland as well.
Sweet Potato: It has anti-depressant qualities.
Papaya: It contains the compound papain which breaks proteins down and gets them easily dissolved to strengthen muscle power.
Ginger: It has alleviates muscle pain in turn strengthening muscles.
Water: It keeps your body hydrated a key aspect for muscle strengthening.
Spinach and other greens: needed for their high nutrient value.
Milk is a great source of calcium. Choose low fat milk for better health.

Breathe

2010-03-24T06:35:00.000+05:30

When you have to work all day, & you're tired almost all the time - your head's pounding & you can barely see because your eyes are watering from all that strain - STOP...breathe...& look outside the nearest window for at least 5 minutes (whenever you feel strain), especially if it opens out onto a garden or trees or greenery of any kind. Green is a soothing colour and, if you're a nature lover like I am, this is the best break ever!!!

Staying Fit

2010-03-23T07:23:00.000+05:30

If you want to stay fit & healthy as you age, I suggest starting right now.

Some of the things you can do are: eat 3-4 helpings of fruit daily, have a calcium-rich diet, cut back on anything with caffeine, saturated fat & too much sugar or flour, & EXERCISE!!

For those of you who are worried about wrinkling more than anything else, remember to drink lots of water & use sunscreen judiciously.

CASHEW

2010-03-19T11:05:00.001+05:30

Today's post will be the last in the Super Food series. Today's recommendation is the CASHEW. It has a lower fat content than most other nuts; the monosaturated fat it does contain is the same one that's found in
Olive oil.

This is especially good for people with diabetes. The copper it contains is good for hair, skin & bones. Cashews help prevent gallstones, lower the risk of weight gain & heart disease.

MINT LEAF

2010-03-17T06:27:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is the Mint Leaf. Since summer is just around the corner, this herb is ideal because it gives a burst of cool flavour to a salad or beverage, and is loaded with manganese, Vitamin C Vitamin A. It has the ability to soothe an irritable bowel, stop the growth of many different bacteria, is beneficial to asthmatics, could be a potential anti-cancer agent

OMEGA 3

2010-03-13T06:56:00.000+05:30

OMEGA 3 – You can get this from FISH oils or FLAXSEED oil. Buy them at your local pharmacy or supermarket. If you cant find it get in touch with me I will tell you where you get it in your city. Omega 3 does wonders to your SKIN first.

You see results in 15 days flat. Next your hair in 8 weeks begins to get a Sheen. After 3 months your Cholesterol is lowered or at least you wont feel guilty when eating Bacon or PORK.

GINGER

2010-03-12T07:11:00.002+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is something we almost always use in conjuction with Garlic in our cooking: GINGER.

This is another special herb, one which eliminates gastrointestinal distress, provides effective relief from nausea during pregnancy, contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds (good for people with arthritis), kills cells that have mutated due to ovarian cancer, & boosts your immunity.

GARLIC

2010-03-11T05:36:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is GARLIC.

Of late, researchers have been unearthing more & more advantages connected to this miracle food. Some of these include the inhibition of atherosclerosis, antioxidant properties, prevention of heart diseases, protection against cancer; toxicity, anti-Inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral properties that make it potent against even drug-resistant bacteria.

VITAMIN E

2010-03-10T07:05:00.000+05:30

The beauty vitamin, the exercise vitamin, the anti cancer vitamin. If I was an insurance HEALTH agent I would give every one of my customers a free montly supply of VIt E. Buy 400mg with selenium as a good bet. TOCOPHEROLS if written on the bottle is the best one. In india buy EVION...its good.

Amway's Vit E is the best one.

Please note you may be wondering how on earth can one take so many capsules. Well they are not TOXIC.

PLEASE NOTE VOLUME CONSUMPTION DOES NOT comprise toxic..... many different molecules in capsules forms actually are your insurance policy to lesser disease and younger looks.

So invest in getting some good quality

Dietary supplements onto your Breakfast table.

CORIANDER SEED

2010-03-09T07:59:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is the CORIANDER SEED - yet another spice that's been used in Indian cuisine since time immemorial.

This fragrant spice is very effective in controlling blood sugar, cholesterol & free radical production. It is a good source of dietary fibre, iron, magnesium & manganese.

It also contains certain anti-bacterial & anti-microbial compounds which protect you against food-bourne diseases.

BROWN RICE

2010-03-08T06:38:00.000+05:30

Rice goes through a variety of processes before it reaches the consumer. After harvesting, the husk of the rice is removed by milling process which gives you the brown rice. The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the Vitamin B1, 90% of the Vitamin B6, half of the Manganese, half of the Phosphorus, 60% of the Iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BROWN RICE:

* Brown Rice is Rich in Fiber and Selenium

* Women Who Eat Whole Grains Weigh Less

* Manganese-Energy Production Plus Antioxidant Protection

* Lower Cholesterol with Whole Brown Rice

* Phytonutrients with Health-Promoting Activity Equal to or Even Higher than that of Vegetables and Fruits

* Reduce Your Risk of Metabolic Syndrome.

VITAMIN C

2010-03-07T07:14:00.000+05:30

This Vitamin was discovered in the high seas when oranges where carried to prevent sailors from dying of bleeding gums. In today's world none of us are sailors but we need to get at least 500 mgs a day. In India please buy limcee or Celin tablets and take one at breakfast and one at lunch. What I do is I keep two three strips of Vit C in my office Drawer. When I have a midday fruit break of an orange or maybe a banana, I pop one with the fruit.

PLEASE PLEASE take one a day. In three weeks you will notice how clear your skin is internally

Vit C is like a DRAIN CLEANER. most of us take it for 2 or 3 days during a cold.

ALMOND

2010-03-06T07:21:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is something I keep going on and one about. I'm talking about the ALMOND. Not only does it lower your (bad) cholesterol levels, it also protects you from developing a cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

You can consume this in any form including almond oil or butter. It is generally known that it is a high-fat snack but what it does is actually lower your blood fat levels.

Spicy CHILLI POWDER

2010-03-05T06:24:00.003+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is CAYENNE PEPPER better known as the spicy CHILLI POWDER. Just like Turmeric, this spice is also used in everyday cooking but people tend to be very cautious with it because they think it causes stomach ulcers. This statement is far from the truth. Not only does it not cause ulcers but it causes the release of powerful protective juices that prevent ulcer formation.
The hotter the variety of powder, the more effective it will be in alleviating pain from arthritis & other inflammatory disorders.

Studies have also shown that it provides relief from cluster headaches, clears lung congestion, boosts your immunity helps you lose weight. It also prevents blood from clotting, lowers your cholesterol & protects you from other cardiovascular diseases.

So, don't be afraid of spicy food.

TURMERIC

2010-03-04T06:53:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food recommendation has long been used as a powerful medicine in India & China.

It is the spice, TURMERIC - an anti-inflammatory agent that effectively treats Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS);

an anti-oxidant that protects your colon from cancer cells as well as inhibits the same from spreading, reduces the risk of childhood Leukemia, protects against cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's

YOGHURT

2010-03-03T06:37:00.000+05:30

Your Super Food selection for today is YOGHURT. Stick to the low-fat, skimmed milk variety though. One small cup of this deliciously milky treat a day may just enable you to live longer, & fortify your immune system; it increases your body's ability to protect you from infection. This calcium-rich food is directly related to lower body fat & (bad) cholesterol levels.

YOGHURT is such a heavy-weight Super Food that this post comes in two parts. It helps you burn fat faster, if consumed right after a meal. It boosts the body's ability to build bone, an ability which helps to prevent or reverse osteoporosis. It also helps to prevent & heal arthritis, protects against ulcers & reduces the risk of developing cancer.

PRANAYAM

2010-03-02T09:52:00.000+05:30

Why practising PRANAYAM is a must for anyone and everyone:

1) It enables you to reach a meditative state, which in turn allows you to re-connect with the very core of your being.

2) Regular, conscious breathing strengthens your nervous system, heart & lung function, as well as your digestive system.

3) Your sleep & rejuvenation patterns also improve exponentially.

4) Your breath is your life force.

TOFU

2010-03-01T09:01:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food is TOFU. This may seem a little bland to most of you but it has the amazing ability to take on flavours & be nutritious at the same time. The soy protein in Tofu greatly reduces the risk of heart disease. It is also helpful in preventing or reducing symptoms of menopause like hot flashes.

It also helps prevent accelerated bone loss & reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

RAJMAH / Red Kidney Beans

2010-02-27T07:52:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food is the Rajmah. This simple looking bean is packed full of health: it's a good source of cholesterol-lowering fibre;

Prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal (good for people with diabetes & hypoglycemia);

Prevents constipation & digestive disorders; promotes cardiovascular health;

Good source of iron; good for brain cell/cognitive function.

MUSTARD SEED

2010-02-25T08:14:00.000+05:30

Today's daily diet recommendation is the MUSTARD SEED. This handy little spice, which I'm sure everyone has a lot of in their kitchen, inhibits the growth of existing cancer cells & protects against the formation of such cells. It reduces the severity of asthma, lowers high blood pressure, restores normal sleep patterns in menopausal women & reduces the frequency of migraines.

OREGANO

2010-02-24T09:22:00.003+05:30

Today's daily diet recommendation is OREGANO. This miraculous herb is an excellent source of fibre, which ejects cancer-causing toxins from the body. It is also rich in iron & manganese, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids. It is an effective anti-bacterial agent that also functions as a potent anti-oxidant. It is very effective in breaking down cholesterol.

You can simply sprinkle dried & chopped Oregano it over your salads, or egg white omelets. You can also use it to season a dish of sauteed mushrooms & onions, which is a very healthy dish to snack on.

Herbs are very useful but yes, they are just like any other kind of ingredient in that if consumed in excess, they could be more harmful than helpful. That is why I always advise moderation. 2 tsp of ground Oregano a week is adequate. You can even have a little more than that but don't overdo things.

PAPAYA

2010-02-22T07:45:00.000+05:30

Today's daily diet selection was the PAPAYA. It is a rich source of vitamin C, Vitamin B, the minerals potassium and magnesium, & fibre. It protects against heart disease, colon & prostate cancer, & rheumatoid arthritis, & is good for people with asthma, osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis

Clove

2010-02-21T08:00:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is the CLOVE. It is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, & a good source of calcium & magnesium. Regular consumption of cloves reduces the risk of developing digestive tract cancers, and alleviates joint inflammation.

Oats

2010-02-19T06:49:00.002+05:30

Your Super Food for the day is OATS, something most of us already have for breakfast, along with a bunch of chopped, delicious fruits. It lowers high cholesterol, significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease & stroke. It also reduces the risk of developing Atherosclerosis, boosts your immunity, stabilizes ...blood sugar, & lowers the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Especially good for menopausal women.

Banana

2010-02-18T08:26:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food selection is healthy but it is also one addition you will be only too happy to include in your diet: the BANANA. 1 big yellow banana a day is all you need to give you enough energy to get through those trying morning hours, maintain normal BP & heart function, protect you from atherosclerosis, stomach ulcers, ulcer damage & cancer, promote bone health, protect your eyesight & ease constipation.

1 big yellow banana a day is perfect to give you a natural boost of energy. Yes, they do make you put on weight but not if consumed in moderation. And stay away from those tempting little yellow elaichis. They're the dangerous ones.
As for Diabetics, I'd suggest staying away from bananas. Instead have a sliced pear or apple with your oats in the morning.

SESAME SEED

2010-02-17T07:45:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food is the SESAME SEED. It's a good source of Copper (that reduces some of the pain & swelling of Rheumatoid Arthritis), Magnesium (that prevents the airway spasm in Asthma, lowers high BP, prevents migraines, restores normal sleep patterns in menopausal women) & Calcium (that protects your cells from cancer-causing chemicals, prevents bone density loss). It also lowers cholesterol.

Corn

2010-02-13T13:54:00.002+05:30

Your Super Food selection for today is CORN. It protects you against age-related mental impairment. Its addition is possible more important than fruits & vegeatbles since it is an energy-producing food that protects you from he...art diseases & cancer.

Especially good for pregnant woman.

Cabbage

2010-02-12T10:42:00.000+05:30

Today's Super Food is the CABBAGE. Iit really is a brilliant vegetable. Eating it regularly lowers the risk of prostate, lung, breast and ovarian cancer; it is a great anti-oxidant & helps in detoxifying the body; raw cabbage juice is remarkably effective in tre...ating peptic ulcers; red cabbage is protective against Alzheimer's Disease.

Cucumbers

2010-02-09T16:12:00.000+05:30

Today I recommend CUCUMBERS, which are not only useful during the summers, but are also rich in Vitamin C.

It's hard skin is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium which can help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling.

Also, the vegetable's high water ...content gives it a very unique moist and cooling taste.

Honey

2010-02-08T19:08:00.000+05:30

Today's daily diet add is HONEY, which is a source of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, iron and manganese. You can't completely stop the sugar intake of a teen but you can provide a better source by supplementing white sugar with honey. One spoonful a day raises blood levels of protective anti-oxidants. It is an efficient anti-...bacterial, anti-fungal & anti-viral agent, and highly effective against coughs & colds.

Green Tea – The Healthy Beverage

2010-02-08T10:31:00.000+05:30

Studies have shown that drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the vital organ, can prevent fatigue and improve brain function.
It helps towards halting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
It’s high antioxidant presence benefits in preventing cancer.
Prevention of arthritis and multiple sclerosis
Prevents the degeneration of cell membranes by neutralizing the spread of free radicals.
It is a potential fat burner. Helps the body to use fat as an energy source by raising metabolism.
Helps to lower LDL cholesterol. Prevents bad cholesterol formation caused by oxidation
Is effective for high blood pressure
Helps to regulate intestinal function

To date, the only negative factor of green tea is the presence of caffeine. Caffeine in green tea has 1/3rd the caffeine as in black tea and less that coffee. Some negative effects can be reduced by drinking light tea.

Cinnamon

2010-02-07T09:48:00.000+05:30

Today's recommendation is Cinnamon. Seasoning a high carb food with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on your blood sugar levels. It slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. I generally grind some cinnamon and generously sprinkle it over my fruits in the ...morning. It balances the natural sugar in the fruit, a healthy balanced start to my day. Try it..

Just 2 tsp of ground Cinnamon contains 2.48 g of dietary fibre, 1.72 mg of iron ; 55.68 mg of calcium.

Cinnamon lowers your blood cholesterol levels, thereby preventing atherosclerosis ; heart disease.

Drink a cup of green tea mixed with a little Cinnamon ; Ginger. or you may simply add it to your oats in the morning or your first cup of tea/coffee.

Holy Basil

2010-02-06T15:01:00.002+05:30

Today's daily diet recommendation is Holy Basil. The essential oils in the leaves have the ability to inhibit even those bacteria that are now resistant to common antibiotic medication. What you should do is wash your vegetables (esp. those for salads) in a solution containing the lowest percent (i.e. 1%) of essential ...Basil oil, killing bacteria that cause most digestive problems including intestinal damage.

It is also safer & more effective than most anti-inflamatory medication. Adding it to your pasta (whole wheat) makes it even tastier & healthier, & alleviates ailmets like Rheumatoid Arthritis. Problems like Asthma are caused by free radicals. The beta carotene, in pro-vitamin A rich Basil, will help lessen the progression of this condition & protect your cells from further damage.

An Orange a day...............

2010-02-06T14:39:00.000+05:30

The Orange is you daily diet addition for today. A freshly squeezed glass of orange juice everyday is the most effective defence against mouth & stomach cancers. It can minimize the risk of a stroke by 4%, reduce the severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma... & rheumatiod arthritis. So, have an orange a day along with that apple.

10 superfoods for shedding weight

2009-12-22T09:02:00.014+05:30

1. Steak : Contrary to popular perception, eating a beef steak may help you drop weight. In a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women on a diet that included red meat lost more weight than those eating equal calories but little beef. The protein in steak helps you retain muscle mass during weight loss.

2. Eggs : Dig in to eggs, yolks and all: Eggs do not harm your heart, they can help you trim inches. Women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with toast and jelly each morning lost twice as much weight as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs, a study from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge reports. Egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day.

3. Oats : "Oatmeal has the highest satiety ranking of any food," Grotto says. Unlike many other carbohydrates, oats—even the instant kind—digest slowly, so they have little impact on your blood sugar."

4. Lentils : Lentils are a great tummy flattener. "They're high in protein and soluble fibre, two nutrients that stabilise blood sugar levels," says Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D., author of The F-Factor Diet (Putnam Adult). Eating them helps prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area."

5. Apples : An apple a day can keep weight gain at bay, finds a study from Penn State University at University Park. People who chomped an apple before a pasta meal ate fewer calories overall than those who had a different snack. Apples are high in fibre—4 to 5 grams each—which makes them filling. Plus, the antioxidants in apples may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by excess belly fat or an "apple shape."

6. Chillies : A great reason to spice up your meals: You'll increase your metabolism. A compound in chillies called capsaicin has a thermogenic effect, meaning it causes the body to burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies. Plus, you can't gulp down spicy food. Eating slowly gives your brain time to register that your stomach is full, so you won't overeat.

7. Yogurt : Dietitians often refer to plain yogurt as the perfect food. With its trifecta of carbs, protein and fat, it can stave off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady. In a study from the University of Tennessee, people on a low-calorie diet that included yogurt lost 61 per cent more fat overall and 81 per cent more belly fat than those on a similar plan but without yogurt.

8. Parmesan : Women who had one serving of whole milk or cheese daily were less likely to gain weight over time, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Lowfat-dairy fans didn't experience the same benefit. Whole dairy may have more conjugated linoleic acid, which might help your body burn fat.

9. Avocado : Don't let the fat content of an avocado (29 grams) scare you—that's what makes it a top weight loss food. The heart-healthy monounsaturated fat it contains increases satiety.

10. Olive oil : Like avocados, olive oil has healthy fat that increases satiety, taming your appetite. But that's hardly its only slimming feature. Research shows it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Follow 3 Rules for an Energizing Lunch

2009-11-30T08:42:00.000+05:30

The three keys are quality carbs, healthy fat, and lean protein -- nutritional bases you need to cover to keep energy levels from bottoming out.

1. Quality carbs: Build your meal out of complex carbs -- the kind that are digested slowly to give you a longer, steadier stream of energy. Just about any high-fiber carb will do, including beans, brown rice, whole-grain bread, quinoa, and veggies like brussels sprouts and eggplant. Make this roasted-veggie tart from EatingWell on Sunday for all-week slice-and-go lunches.

2. Healthy fat: You'll need a bit of healthy fat to help your body absorb all the goodness of certain fat-soluble nutrients in your meal (like vitamins A, D, and E). Fats also help you feel full longer. Try topping soups and salads with chopped walnuts and drizzling some olive oil on your whole-wheat pasta. Sandwich lovers, replace your mayo with a few slices of creamy avocado. And try this slimming type of salad dressing.

3. Lean protein:Make your meal "mostly veggie" and then adding some lean protein to give it a little more lasting power. Skinless chicken, lean meats, fish, tofu, eggs, and beans are all primo sources of healthful protein.

Try These 3 Kitchen Cures for Aging Hair

2009-11-03T07:45:00.000+05:30

Culinary Conditioners
Who needs costly salon products when you can give your hair a little TLC with these food-based treatments?
Eggs: To help strengthen and repair damage to hair follicles and give your hair a shine and body boost, mix a couple of eggs in a bowl like you're going to scramble them. Use the egg mixture as a conditioner after shampooing, allowing the mixture to soak in for a minute or two before rinsing.
Bananas: The potassium in this fruit can help soothe blow-dryer and chemical-induced damage. Mash a ripe banana into a smooth puree, and massage it into your locks. Let it sit about 15 minutes before rinsing. Feeling a little blah?
Mayo: This sandwich staple can help soften coarse and bristly strands. Just apply a cup of the stuff to your hair when it's dry, and massage it into your scalp. Shampoo it out after about 15 minutes.

Does Milk Really Do a Body Good?

2009-11-02T12:14:00.000+05:30

In general, milk consists of water, fat, protein, lactose, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. But the exact composition of milk depends on what cows eat, their cycle of lactation, the number of lactations, and how the milk is processed. Today's commercial milk-production techniques can significantly modify the end product, changing it from its natural form to something quite different.
For example, most commercially produced milk undergoes pasteurization to destroy bacteria and pathogens that may be harmful to health. However, some people claim that raw, unpasteurized milk tastes better and is more nutritious than the pasteurized variety.
Does pasteurization affect the nutritional value of milk?
Yes. Although pasteurization kills potentially dangerous bacteria, such as listeria, E. coli, and salmonella, it also kills off harmless and useful bacteria, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, and active enzymes that help with digestion and absorption of nutrients. Some studies also suggest that pasteurization reduces the amount of vitamins B1, B6, B12, and C contained in milk.
Is the milk from grain-fed cows less healthful than the milk of grass-fed cows?
Yes. Almost all of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in milk are the result of what the cows eat; when cows graze on grass and mixed greens, it improves the fat composition of their milk, equalizing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. This ratio is believed to be ideal for human health because it helps raise good cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and reduce inflammation. Research suggests that a cow raised grazing on its natural diet of fresh pasture also has five times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a cancer-fighting fat. By replacing a cow's grass diet with grain, the ratio of the essential fatty acid in the milk is greatly altered. Milk from commercially raised cows whose feed contains blood meal or bone meal has a more detrimental fatty acid composition and contains little, if any, CLA.

Recent research touts the benefits of milk when it comes to losing weight. Does including three servings of milk in the daily diet help the average person lose weight?

No. Although some studies suggest a possible role, it is not a simple case of drink milk, lose weight. In the most widely publicized studies, which were funded by the National Dairy Council, obese people who were on a calorie-restricted diet that included three to four dairy servings per day increased their rate of weight loss compared to obese people who consumed fewer dairy products.
However, the population size of these studies was too small and too specific to extend the claims about weight loss to the general population. Larger randomized trials on the dairy–weight loss connection reveal that adding dairy to the diet without restricting calories has no effect on, or actually may increase, body weight.
Is drinking milk daily the only key to protecting adults against osteoporosis?

No. Although your body does need calcium to build and maintain bone strength—especially when you're young—it is only one of several habits that help keep bones strong. Other important habits that may play an even more important role include getting plenty of vitamin D, not smoking, and regular physical activity, especially weight-bearing exercises.Recent studies suggest that, as an adult, getting the recommended amount of vitamin D is as important as getting enough calcium because the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium from food or supplements.
Although milk contains calcium and is fortified with vitamin D, there are other sources of these nutrients. You could get the calcium you need by eating lots of dark-green leafy vegetables, beans, and calcium-fortified products, or by taking enough supplemental calcium to reach your targeted intake. You can generally get enough vitamin D from fatty fish and occasional exposure to sunlight—for example, 10 to 15 minutes in the sun a few days a week during nonpeak hours without sunscreen.

The top five cancer-causing foods

2009-10-19T17:15:00.000+05:30

1.. Hot Dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.
2. Processed meats and Bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.
3. Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble.
First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.
4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .
5. Chips, crack ers , and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar.. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

The main causes of liver damage

2009-09-25T17:55:00.000+05:30

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3 . Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.

As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is20very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.

Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2009-09-16T08:48:00.000+05:30

1. No Breakfast

People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
2 . Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.
5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our 20 body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
6 . Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest.. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells..
7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

Surya Namaskar every morning

2009-09-11T10:45:00.000+05:30

Surya Namaskar is a combination of 12 different poses, back bends, forward bends. While doing the namaskar you contract and expand your nerves to the pelvic girdle, which is your sexual core. This stimulates your sexual hormones and helps you achieve a new sexual equilibrium. For instance, vrkasana or the scorpio pose helps your reproductive organs.'

The awareness of sexuality through yoga is deeper and more intimate. Yoga is about discovering the joys of elegant sexuality.

Yoga helps you in creating a balance. Kundalini yoga helps you create bio-energy, It activates your sex hormones. There's a spiritual connection between yoga, sex and celibacy on the other. Yoga helps you achieve your needs, you can be celibate or satisfied sexually through yoga, it helps you supress or express sexual desire. Kundalini yoga is a bio-science of sexuality and psychology. It can rejuvenate through breathing exercises, which enhance consciousness, with bio-magnetic awareness, you can use your charms sexually.

MUDRAS FOR SEXUAL HEALING

Sexologist Dr Prakash Kothari believes, yoga is the perfect for emotional, sexual and spiritual well-being. "There are certain asanas that enhance physical intimacy -- bhramari prayanam , chanting of Om with eyes and ears closed reduces anxiety, helps in contracting and expanding sexual nerves. While vajrasana helps in erectile dysfunctions, vajroli and ashwini mudra can help pregnant women pursue a healthy sex life after delivery. These mudras help the pelvic muscles. I also advise surya namaskar to those who have endrocrine imbalance. If you follow these excercises, yoga can really improve your sex life.''

Eat This Seafood for Better Skin

2009-09-07T10:36:00.000+05:30

Clams, shrimp, salmon . . . which one can do nice things for your skin? Salmon has the edge.

New research suggests that dining on fish high in omega-3 fatty acids -- such as salmon -- could decrease your odds of developing potentially precancerous skin growths called actinic keratoses.

The Fish Factor

In a 5-year Australian study, people who ate a serving of tuna, salmon, or sardines at least once every 5 days were almost 30 percent less likely to develop the troubling skin spots, compared with people who ate little or no fish. Why? Maybe because these fish are particularly high in omega-3s, fats that seem to help calm inflammation in skin cells. They are also a good source of vitamins D and A, two other nutrients known for either cancer-fighting or age-fighting qualities. Here’s what the latest research says about the wonders of vitamin D in particular.

Eat This Cereal to Protect Your Blood Vessels

2009-08-22T07:18:00.002+05:30

The lining of your blood vessels?

Super important. Keeping those cells healthy can help ward off heart disease and more. So treat them right.

Eat your oatmeal.

Or your Fiber One.

A recent study suggests that a high-fiber breakfast may be kinder to the lining of your blood vessels than a high-glycemic-index breakfast like cornflakes. Breakfast BreakthroughWhen researchers evaluated how eating different types of food affected the health and function of the endothelium -- that all-important layer of cells that lines the inside of your blood vessels -- the results suggested that glycemic index matters. After having cornflakes, a high-fiber cereal, a glucose supplement, or just water first thing in the morning, the study participants’ endothelial cells were most impaired after having either the cornflakes or the supplement.

Not good, because impaired function may eventually translate to damage -- and damage opens the door to atherosclerosis and heart disease. I

Researchers don’t really know why the foods on the higher end of the glycemic index, like cornflakes and glucose, had a harsher effect on participants’ blood vessels. All that is known for sure is that these types of food move blood sugar higher, faster. And somehow this may translate into wear and tear on blood vessels.
Learning to read labels and avoiding foods with saturated and trans fats, simple sugars, or processed grains as one of the first five ingredients can make your age 3.6 years younger.

Travel advisory: Is it safe to travel?

2009-08-15T06:59:00.001+05:30

Yes.

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, global travel is commonplace and large numbers of people move around the world for business and leisure. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community. Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The global response now focuses on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases, and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally.

Although identifying signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can help track the path of the outbreak, it will not reduce the spread of influenza, as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling shows that restricting travel would be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, validate this.

Does WHO recommend screenings at country entry and exit points to detect if ill people are travelling?
No. We do not believe entry and exit screenings would work to reduce the spread of this disease. However country-level measures to respond to a public health risk are the decision of national authorities, under the International Health Regulations 2005. Countries that adopt measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (e.g. delaying an airplane passenger for more than 24 hours, or refusing country entry or departure to a traveller) must provide WHO with the public health reasoning and evidence for their actions. WHO will follow up with all of its Member countries on such matters. Travellers should always be treated with dignity and respect for their human rights.
How can I protect myself from influenza A(H1N1) when I am travelling?
People who are ill should delay travel plans. Returning travellers who become ill should contact their health care provider. Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life.
(Information courtesy: World Health Organisation)
Does WHO recommend screenings at country entry and exit points to detect if ill people are travelling?
No. We do not believe entry and exit screenings would work to reduce the spread of this disease. However country-level measures to respond to a public health risk are the decision of national authorities, under the International Health Regulations 2005. Countries that adopt measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (e.g. delaying an airplane passenger for more than 24 hours, or refusing country entry or departure to a traveller) must provide WHO with the public health reasoning and evidence for their actions. WHO will follow up with all of its Member countries on such matters. Travellers should always be treated with dignity and respect for their human rights.
How can I protect myself from influenza A(H1N1) when I am travelling?
People who are ill should delay travel plans. Returning travellers who become ill should contact their health care provider. Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life.
(Information courtesy: World Health Organisation)

H1N1 - Swine Flu - Prevention

2009-08-13T05:03:00.002+05:30

H1N1 - Swine Flu, is spreading and apart from normal precautions like keeping safe distance, washinghands etc..here is some good guidance.

As the SWINE FLU FACT FILE provides very very useful informations, we can share these informations with others also. Whether it is Swine Flu or any other kind of flu, desease etc., we must understand that 'PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE'.

As mentioned in S.F.F.FILE that some precautions we need to take at home like 'EAT HEALTHY'. In fact this is the right and most important step to keep ourselves Healthy and to fight with s.f.virus. As far as Protein is concerned, the ICMR recommends the following

Protein Intake for Indian Population :

1. Adults - 1.0 gm/kg body weight/day

2. Children - 1.50 gm/kg body weight/day

3. Pregnant/Lactating Women - 1.75 gm/kg body weight/day

It also depends on our age, size and activity level. For example, an athelete may need to intake 1.5 - 2.0 gm/kg body weight/day of Protein.

The different sources of Food Protein can boost the IMMUNE POWER in our body and which is very essential and effective at this time to fight with S.F. Virus. In fact the Soy Protein is the best and classified as COMPLETE PROTEIN.

Other Immune Boosters & Anti Viral/Anti bacterials which are helpful in minimising the risk of S.F.FLU/SEASONAL INFLUENZA etc.etc. :

1. VITAMIN C - A must for our body. Proudly we can say that 'Amla' is a kind of herbal fruit discovered and available in India only. It is the richest source of Vitamin C. Other good sources are Cherry, Orange etc.

2. Honey - Honey is nature's energy booster. Honey is great Immunity System Builder. Honey is antibacterial. Honey is a source of ANTIOXIDANTS

3. ONION & GARLIC : Raw Onion & Garlic are very very useful as herbal remedies. These are ANTIVIRAL. We should eat small qty of Raw Onion and one fresh Garlic Clove daily.

In brief we can say that the Immune Power of our body should be strong. We should intake sufficient water which removes the TOXINS from the body through Urine.In general also most of the deceases are only due to TOXINS in our body. So let us start to boost the Immune Power of our body, keeping in our mind other necessary precautions, needed to prevent the effect of S.F.Flu on our body. GO HEALTHY.

What has more than 5 grams of Fiber?

2009-08-10T07:51:00.003+05:30

Half cup of baked beans
Three fourth cooked lentils
Half cup 100 percent bran cereal
Half cup almonds
10 dates
Half cup blackberries
1 pear
5 prunes
Half cup raspberries
Half cup green peas

Sip This for Breakfast to Curb Hunger

2009-08-07T07:37:00.002+05:30

If you often feel ravenous by noon despite a good breakfast, try drinking some of this with your morning meal: skim milk.

In a small study of overweight people, those who drank about 20 ounces of skim milk with breakfast ate less at lunch than the folks who drank fruit juice in the a.m.

The milk drinkers also felt fuller and more satisfied after their morning meal. Most likely thanks to the whey and casein proteins that are in milk; they’re better at quelling hunger than the carbs in fruit drinks.

If you don’t like the taste of milk, have lactose intolerance, or don’t drink milk for other reasons, don’t worry. There are lots of other ways to introduce lean protein into your morning meal. For example, try making this quick, protein-rich, milk-free smoothie or

Try these other appetite-taming strategies as well:
Eat big in the morning.

Fill up on fiber and healthy fats.

Diversify your workout.

Here’s one thing you definitely don’t want in your breakfast: high-fructose corn syrup.

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can you believe this??

2009-08-04T11:56:00.000+05:30

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

EATING FRUIT - Guide(Correct Way of Eating Fruits)

2009-08-01T13:36:00.002+05:30

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think It's important to know how and when to eat..
What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! - FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
If you eat fruit on an empty stomach, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD - Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit.. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid.. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat water-melon I burp, when I eat durian (fruit from Asia with a foul smell yet delicious flavor) my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc. - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes - all these will not happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans.. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.
You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

Infrared Sauna Times

2009-07-26T08:03:00.005+05:30

Carbon based infrared saunas are healthy to make use of and extra resourceful. The skin has a significant role to play in removing unnecessary contamination.Saunas with far infrared sauna heat therapy and Carbon Wave 360 technology have very detoxifying and healing remuneration to the body. It is a wonderfully handcrafted creation at unbelievable prices. One can actually generate a special health place with your own personal infrared sauna.

The main feature is that the Far infrared warmth directly enters the body's tissues to a depth of over 1½ inches right into the muscle. But a conventional sauna (steam sauna) has to depend on roundabout process of heat. With Far Infrared heat and the feature of unique Carbon Wave, only 20% of the far infrared energy heats the air, which leaves an over 80% accessible to be transformed to heat within our body.A Far Infrared Sauna can warm all the health mindful people to a much superior benefit than a predictable sauna.

Inflamed Joints, Toothless Grins?

2009-07-21T12:14:00.001+05:30

A study presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting suggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be at increased risk for periodontal disease (an inflammatory gum disease that can lead to tooth loss).
Periodontal symptoms, such as bleeding gums and gum recession, were reported by 82 per cent of the 153 study participants, who were age 45 to 84.
The presence of periodontal disease was significantly associated with patient’s RA disease activity score (DAS), which calculates how severe RA is, and with rheumatoid nodules (small knots in the skin that can occur with RA). Previous studies in patients with diabetes and heart disease have suggested that treating periodontal disease can improve these conditions.
Periodontal disease treatment may also help relieve some RA symptoms, so schedule that dental appointment, and if RA is affecting your ability to brush, buy a battery-operated toothbrush.