Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Foods Good for Organs they Look Like

Hi Friends! An interesting topic today, you may say God showed us a way for us to know food that are good for us. And research has proven the fact that the foods are great for the human organs they resemble.

Beans & Kidney

kidney beans: kidney does well


Both the name & the shape resemble the kidney of human beings. Kidney beans provide vitamins & minerals essential for health. They are rich in magnesium & potassium which help prevent kidney stones. Also are superstore for fibers help digestion & prevents constipation.


Walnut & the Brain

Walnuts & brain

Look at the walnut, you will see a small brain, left & right hemisphere cerebrum & cerebellum, also the nut is protected by the hard shell just like the boney skull. They are also nicknamed the brain food. Walnuts are a very good vegan source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It helps the lubrication of the brain & keeps everything flowing properly.

Oranges & other citrus fruits & the breast

citrus fruit & breasts

Grapefruits, oranges, lemons have a structure similar to the female breast. They have powerful limonoids which inhibit cancer development in lab animals & also in female breasts. This is just not a coincidence.

Tomato & Heart

tomato & heart

A cross section of the tomato has four sections just like our heart, & red like our heart. Lycopene in tomato has been associated with healthy heart. It has shown a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases by 33% in both men & women. Olive oil & avocado added to tomatoes can help absorption of lycopene in our body.

Ginger & stomach

Ginger & stomach

Ginger looks like our stomach, and no doubt it has an excellent digestive agent. Gingerol is responsible for the pungent scent & taste, is an excellent phytochemical has ability to prevent nausea & vomiting.

Celery & Bones

Celery or ajwain & bones


Celery stalk look like the human bone & specially target bone health. The presence of silicon in these foods help a strong foundation to the bones. Bones are 23% Sodium & the same composition is in celery.

Carrot & Cornea of the eye

carrot & eyes

We all have known for the benefits of the carrot for the human eyes. A slice of carrot resembles the cornea of the eye. Beta-carotene which produces the bright orange color in carrots are responsible for reducing cataract. They are also known to improve the blood flow to the eyes.

Now isn't this great... look at the shape of a fruit or vegetable and can know what the benefits of the same are. I believe it is an excellent way of nature to teach us what is good for us. Enjoy your day & have a great day ahead. Thanks!


Thursday, March 12, 2015

Sprouted Mung Snack

Hi Friends! I will write about a snack for the evening which can be easy & healthy for you.
It is a snack from sprouted Mung (a green lentil pic below). It is an Indian lentil which is packed with nutrients potassium, magnesium, folate, Vitamin B6 & fiber. Magnesium helps in muscle repair& control stress. Potassium is known to maintain the Sodium Potassium pump & lower the blood pressure. For pregnant women Vitamin B6 & folate are important nutrients for child growth. Unlike the black beans they are very small in size and do not need to be cooked before eating. Also being a vegan option can be enjoyed by everyone.
mung dal is filled with nutrient

Ingredients:
Mung Beans: 1 cup
Tomato: 1 large
Onion: 1 large
Raw Mango: 1 small
Chilies: 2
Cilantro or Corriander: Few Springs
Pomegranate Seeds: Few
Lemon: 1
Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
Corriander seeds: 1 teaspoon
Black Pepper powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Olive Oil: 1 teaspoon
Salt as per taste

Preparation:
1. Soak the Moong Beans overnight in little water, they will swell up. Drain the water & refrigerate in the morning, by evening you will see them sprouting.
2. Add the cumin seeds & corriander seeds to a heated empty pan. When it starts to change color take it off the burner, grind it to get the powder. It will have an excellent aroma.
3. Chop the Onion, tomato, mango & Chili. Mix them well with the sprouted beans.
4. Add the cumin-corriander powder, black pepper & salt and mix well.
5. Now add the olive oil & lemon juice to the mix.
6. Your tempting snack is ready to eat. Garnish it with chopped cilantro leaves & pomegranate seeds

Isn't this easy! An amazing low calorie snack for the evening great for health with a tangy flavor of raw mango. It is good for patients with diabetes, heart diseases & pregnant women. You can also make your own additions to it by adding sprouted black bengal grams or yogurt if you consume dairy products.
Thanks to all!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Heart Healthy Food

Hi Friends! Heart diseases are the no.1 killer across the world. The foods which help us keep our heart in good should be in our diet & today my topic will be the same. The risk of heart attacks & strokes (cardiovascular diseases) can be reduced by healthy eating & healthy living. Find the below list to make a difference in your diet.

Nuts: They are a source of plant Omega-3 fatty acids, mono & poly unsaturated fatty acids favorable for the heart, magnesium, Vitamin E, phytosterols, which prove an excellent combination for the heart, especially walnuts & almonds.

Salmon or Other Fatty Fish: The most important source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They also have good amount of folate & Niacin & have shown excellent food to keep your heart healthy.

Black or Kidney Beans:
 They are a source of healthy protein without unhealthy fats. They are also rich in Vitamin B complex, niacin, calcium & soluble fiber. They help fight diabetes as well which has shown a big role in connection to cardiovascular diseases.

Tofu: Soy products like Tofu & soy milk are excellent source of protein & have no unhealthy fats. They are rich sources of polyunsaturated fats, potassium, niacin, folate, & magnesium. It also reduces blood pressure & LDL levels.

Broccoli & Spinach:
They are high in dietary fibers which help cleanse your system. Other nutrients like Vitamin A, B complex, Vitamin C magnesium, potassium & calcium make it a power packed food for salads & veggies.

Red Bell Peppers:
They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, betacarotene & lutein along with folate, potassium & fiber, also tasty to add in your veggies & salads.

Oranges & other citrus fruits: These fruits are rich source of Vitamin C which is a super antioxidant in fighting free radicals in the body responsible for damage. Also they have Beta-cryptoxanthins, beta & alpha carotenes & lutein and folate, potassium & fiber.

Tomatoes: Mentioned in my previous posts as well, they are rich in potassium healthy for blood pressure levels. Vitamin C, Alpha & Beta Carotene lycopene, lutein, folate & fiber are the other nutrients present in tomatoes like citrus fruits. Due to their low calories & sugar level they are a very good source of dietary nutrients.

Papaya:
They are rich in a variety of Vitamins & minerals. They contain Vitamin C & E, beta carotene, lutein & beta cryptoxanthin, calcium, magnesium & potassium. High in soluble fiber as well makes it an excellent choice for heart patients.

Tea:
It is rich in catechin & flavonols (antioxidants), a much preferred beverage in Asian countries. It helps reduce the risk of heart attack & stroke by around 20% as suggested in research.

Oatmeal:
High in soluble fiber which help in fighting cholesterol. They also are a source of calcium, folate, niacin, magnesium & potassium. Other whole grain meals are also considered to be great foods for heart health.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olives both green & black are great for health & a source of good fat for the body. The presence of Monounsaturated fats which help reduce blood cholesterol & blood sugar levels.

Pomegranates: Numerous antioxidants like polyphenols & anthocyanins have shown to help improved flow of blood to the heart. It helps prevent the stiffening of arteries.

Dark Chocolates: My favorite addition to the list as usual high in antioxidants have been known to fight bad cholesterol in the body with the help of flavonoids present. This can only be seen in chocolates with content of 60-70% minimum  cocoa & not milk chocolates.

Water: Last but not the least water, it helps your system by acting as a cleaning agent. Drinking lots of water helps you excrete toxins from the body.

what food is best for your heart

Eat Healthy & Stay Happy! Thank You Friends...

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Chickpeas or Bengal Gram

Hi Friends! As promised my today's topic is related to the benefits associated with chickpeas or bengal gram commonly eaten across India. It is a great source of vegan protein & also gluten-free.
Let's list it down:

1. Weight Loss: It is an important ingredient of the weight loss diet. It has a low glycemic index makes it digested slowly thus while consuming a chickpea preparation will keep you full for longer & control your appetite. Apart from it has high fiber content thus makes the bile to be forced out & prevent constipation.

2. Diabetes: This is a high fiber diet & as well a low GI food of around 28-31 which makes the digestion slow & release of sugar is delayed people with insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, diabetes are benefited by this. Also as it is gluten-free it is better for digestion.

3. Heart & Blood Health: It has high potassium content which is necessary for keeping blood pressure under control. Alongwith this it has fibers, Vitamin C, & Vitamin B-6 content which makes ita n excellent food for the heart. It also doesn't have any cholesterol. Also the fibers present help clean your system of cholesterol in the blood reducing risk of heart stroke. And in addition to this it contains iron which is important for you to prevent anemia, especially menstruating women & pregnant women are greatly benefited.

4. Bone health: The presence of micro-nutrients makes it important for bone health also. Calcium & phosphorus balance is required for the building of bone minerals, whereas manganese, zinc & iron play crucial role in formation of collagen. Vitamin K has been proved to improve the absorption of calcium & improving proteins of bone matrix. Lesser intake of Vit K has shown higher risk of bone fractures.

5. Cancers: Selenium is present in chickpeas has shown role in liver enzyme function & reduces inflammation & growth rate of tumors. Also it has folates which are known for good DNA health and protects from mutations. Also a compound called saponin is present in chickpeas which prevents cancer cells to grow & multiply throughout the body. Additionally Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which fight against free radical damage.

chickpeas power packed vegan protein

You can see how power packed a bowl of chickpeas or chhole is. Including it in the daily diet is a very good option, or you can have atleast 2-3 times a week. Enjoy it in salads, curries etc.
Hope you had a good insight on the health benefits. Thanks!

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Healthy Vegan Snack: Chickpea or Chhole Chaat

Hi Friends! We find it very difficult to think of a healthy evening snack. Most of us find it very difficult to find healthy options for evening snacks & finally eat some unwanted calories like a cake, chips, mixtures etc. Today I will write a simple vegan snack, tasty & healthy.

Indie-Chickpea Trailmix (Chhole chat)

Ingredients
Chickpea (Chhole): 1 cup
Onion: 1 large
Tomato: 1
Cucumber: 1
Corriander or Cilantro leaves: few springs
Green chili: 1
Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons
Red chili powder: 1/4 teaspoon
Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Sweet tamarind sauce: 1 tablespoon
Dried mango powder (Amchur): 1/2 teaspoon
Dried Pomegranate powder (Anardana): 1/4 teaspoon
Salt as per taste
Ginger: 5-6 thin pieces for garnishing

Preparation:
1. Wash & Soak the chickpeas overnight in water 12 hrs, you will see the chickpeas swell up. Pressure cook them in the morning till soft in the same water so that all nutrients remain intact, add a little bit of salt while doing so. Leave it to cool.
2. Chop the onion, tomato, cucumber, chili finely & make a mix. Mix it well with the cooled chickpeas and add the lemon juice as well.
3. Add the spices black pepper, red pepper, amchur, anardana and salt with the already made chickpea mix.
4. Now your Indie trail mix is ready. Now you just need to garnish it with the tamarind sauce, Cilantro leaves, Ginger pieces. It will be a lip smacking snack for the evening.

Chickpeas are great source of vegan protein, gluten free with a low Glycemic index so excellent for diabetic patients as well. Await a complete article on health benefits of chickpea or bengal gram. Please let me know your suggestions to this. Thanks!


Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hypotension or Low Blood Pressure

Hi Friends!! My today's topic is to address a problem which you might not have heard much about. Rather all of us are always talking about high blood pressure or high BP. Jokingly also people say do not take too much of stress else your BP would go up. Then why at all talk about Low blood pressure or Hypotension. There are many equally suffering from low BP like high BP and is equally dangerous. Many of us do not take proper care or understand the symptoms of low BP. First of all lets try to know what would be considered as low BP. Normal resting human adult blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Usually this is not stable & can vary from 100-120/ 60-80 for normal human beings, if a persistent 90/60 mm Hg or below is recorded for a person this is considered as low BP.

The symptoms experienced by the person are dizziness, lightheaded, fatigue, nausea, hard breathing, palpitations caused due to decrease in arterial flow & blood pressure beyond a point, the perfusion of the brain decreasing critically. Sometimes the arterial pressure drops suddenly on standing after sitting, this is caused due to gravity which doesn't allow blood back to the heart & the cardiac output is reduced. The cause of this kind of condition is dehydration, prolonged illness, nutritional deficiencies, decrease in blood volumes, pregnancy, sepsis, toxins, some medication etc.

Some things a person should immediately take care in such a condition is
1. Drink more Water to keep yourself hydrated & Avoid Alcohol as its property is to make you dehydrated.
2. Change your body positions slowly, this would help in reducing dizziness & lightheadedness.
3. Eat food which have low carbohydrate content to help preventing the blood pressure to drop drastically after meals. Also have meals in small gaps.
4. Eat healthy food, to fulfill any nutritional deficiencies. Eat good amount of lean proteins.

Some foods which have shown positive effects on hypotension are:
1. Salt: the presence of sodium helps to increase the blood pressure but this remedy should not be taken for a long time, as prolonged high consumption of salt can lead to other functional problems.
2. Lemon juice: It helps body fight dehydration and taking it with a small amount of salt & sugar serves the purpose, also in the long run it does help in maintaining blood pressure also, avoiding problems of fluctuating blood pressure.
3. Raisins: They are considered excellent remedy in Ayurveda, soak them overnight in water & have them in the morning for a few days & you will see change. The same can be done with almonds also which has shown very good results.
4. Coffee: Caffeine as mentioned in my previous post has sight effects on blood pressure can help. Especially having it with meals help you fight orthostatic blood pressure which is caused due to gravitational forces.
5. Holy basil leaves with honey: Have holy basil leaves or tulsi in the morning with honey, this has been recommended in Ayurveda for years. Also it helps fight common flu & cold.

Thanks Friends, I hope this article would be of help.


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Whiten your Teeth at Home

Friends, all of us want a beautiful smile, and teeth should look great to smile freely. We try to take care of teeth by lots of means brushing, flossing, but still sometimes we do not get stain free teeth. I am sharing three home tips which can brighten your teeth.


  • Baking Soda & Lemon Paste: Make a paste & put it on the toothbrush, apply it on your teeth & leave for a minute. Wash it off as any excess use can affect the enamel & gums. Ensure wiping your teeth before applying the paste.
  • Orange/ Lemon peel: Use it regularly at night before sleeping it will lighten your teeth, the presence of Vitamin C & Calcium helps fight microorganisms.
  • Eat crunchy fruits: Eat fruits like apples, strawberries, helps clean the teeth due to the presence of malic acid it removes stains on teeth. Also it helps clean your teeth by removing the bacteria & left over food.
Yellow teeth no more

Keeping the post short.. Try these to get a beautiful smile. Thanks!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Rice or No Rice in Diet

Friends there are lots of articles which have stated all along that eating rice is bad for health & accounts to weight gain & other problems. But just think about the vast population of South East Asians Chinese, Japanase & others eat rice with every meal, all their breads & other foods like noodles are made of rice but they are not fat or overweight. So, can we actually account rice as the cause. I am also a rice eater if not three meals atleast 1-2 meals everyday, and frankly I love it :).

rice a must in diet for reasons you should know

Removing rice from the diet is not a good idea, and especially going to a wheat diet instead. It simply means reducing your amino acid intake which is the building block for proteins and Vitamin B. It has essential 9 amino acids present which cannot be synthesized in the human body. The profile is excellent in comparison to other protein sources as well & has shown recovery in muscle strength. The presence of methionine in rice has shown to mobilize the fat from the liver and tyrosine present is also a very essential amino acid. The other option people have started choosing is to replace it with brown rice. Brown rice has the husk & bran remains on the rice which makes it high in fiber, this fiber is actually much more than the body can digest. This would only aid to indigestion, also the proteins present cannot be completely absorbed by the body. Instead of this a better way is to introduce rice which is not completely white but the husk is removed & is slightly brown.

Also to add on to the note that people think that rice is bad for type-2 diabetes has proven to be wrong. The carbohydrates present in rice are complained to be bad due to high glycemic index which makes the carbohydrates to be digested faster and increasing blood sugar levels. But recent studies have shown that Indian rice like swarna & mashuri have GI of around 50 & Basmati GI around 55-69, which is considered to be much better than other varieties of rice present. Another few ways to reduce the carbohydrate content is to wash & soak the rice for about 30 min before cooking. It also reduces the time to cook the rice. Next is to cook the rice in an open container with more water, this way the grains become much bigger as well as the excess water afterwards can be drained so reducing the excess starch.

The next important point to be noted is that rice is a gluten free grain. Gluten is a protein present wheat, barley, rye & oats. Gluten sensitivity is seen in many individuals and shows digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea & also constipation in certain cases. This can cause disease called celiac disease which causes inflammation & destruction of inner cells of the small intestine. This chronic disease leads to malabsorption of vitamins  minerals. Also it has shown adverse effect on type-2 diabetes.

I hope the above article has helped you make your decision clearer. The average Indian's staple food is rice & can be enjoyed in a healthy diet, without worries. Please share your thoughts on the same.
Thanks!!


Milk or Yogurt?

Dear Friends we all know that dairy products are great for health, but to know what are the specific benefits of milk & yogurt. Though both come from the same source the calories, calcium, and other nutrients. So, we need to know which one is better for which purpose. The list is as follows:

know the benefits of milk & yogurt and what is better for you

Yogurt is fermented milk, but as seen above the properties differ. And as being dairy products are excellent source of different kind of nutrients. You can see that both have certain good qualities and should be included in diet. Actually it is also seen that milk has better quantities of these Vitamin D & K. Milk provides 30-45% of your daily Vitamin intake, which I am sure would be not possible by any other source. And the variety of vitamins & minerals present in milk & dairy products is the highest compared to any other food. But as milk has some adverse effects on digestion people with these problem should have caution in taking milk in their diet. Yogurt is a better substitute to these people. Though people with no such problems should include portions of both in their diet. Also milk & yogurt both can be enjoyed in various forms. You can have shakes, smoothies, and raita etc. can be had easily & made enjoyable. 
A healthy note to add is no addition of sugar either in milk or yogurt, sweeten it with natural fruits rather than sugar. Sugar addition have negative effects on the dentures & also can make you lack in concentration. So, stray from sugar and use other alternative natural food to sweeten.
Thanks!!

Monday, February 23, 2015

A Healthy Veggie Recipe: Gobhi Methi

This is a simple new recipe my mother tried yesterday. There are ingredients present which will help your body. Let's go to this recipe directly:

Methi Gobhi (Fenugreek Caulifower)

Ingredients:
Cauliflower:500 g (florets)
Fenugreek Leaves: 250 g (chopped)
Tomato: 1 Large
Curd: 2 tablespoons
Ginger: 1 inch
Cumin seeds whole: 1 teaspoon
Fenugreek Seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
Green chilies: 2
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste

Preparations:
1. Puree the tomato, ginger, chilies & curd. Keep the paste aside.
2. Take a bit of olive oil & saute the cauliflower florets till half cooked in a frying pan (kadhai). Keep the same in a separate bowl.
3. Add oil to the frying pan, add the cumin seeds & fenugreek seeds. Add the Fenugreek leaves, let it cook for sometime.
4. Add the cauliflower & the puree & mix it well. Add a pinch of turmeric & salt as per your taste. Let it cook you will experience an excellent smell of fenugreek.

Methi Gobhi or Fenugreek Cauliflower


This is an Indian recipe with very less spices & an excellent combination of fenugreek and cauliflower. Fenugreek is known for its extremely good properties which includes controlling cholesterol & stomach related problems like constipation, gastritis etc. Also it has shown excellent benefits on bronchhitis & tubercolosis and other lung related infections. So friends this can be enjoyed with bread (roti, chapati) and has good nutritious values. I hope you would like this recipe. Awaiting your comments & suggestions. Thanks!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Colorful food & Health

We love colors in our lives, so why not our food. Doctors say that having a colorful meal helps you get maximum number of nutrients. The colors are associated with good health.

Colors have importance in our food
Each color has its own significance which I will try to mention:

Red Food: The foods red in color are packed with phytochemicals like lycopene and anthocyanins, the antioxidants associated with healthy heart and circulatory system, improves memory and brain function, health of urinary tract, and decrease the risk of certain type of cancers.

The list includes tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, red bell peppers, beet, apple, watermelon etc.

strong antioxidant properties of red vegetables

Yellow Food: They are rich in alpha & beta carotenes are responsible for good immune system, digestion relief, and optimal brain function, also good skin & good eyes are also linked to these foods. 

Pineapple, yellow bell pepper, yellow tomatoes, grapefruit, lemon, yellow winter squash.

yellow vegetable properties


Green Food: Phytochemicals lutein and indoles are present in green foods which help in strong muscles, good bone health & dental health, improved eye sight and helps fight certain cancers.

All cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, etc, spinach, kiwi, peas, green peppers, green onions, cucumber and more.

Green vegetables & their benefits

Blue or purple Food: The color is linked to anthocyanins which have been linked to antioxidants and anti-aging properties.They are good for brain, and some kinds of cancers. circulation and micro circulation is also improved by blue food.

Foods under this category are brinjal (eggplant), blackberries, blueberries, purple cabbage, purple grapes etc.

Purple vegetables & their benefits

Orange Food: The presence of alpha & beta carotenes make these foods brilliantly orange, also present are VItamin C and bioflavonoids. The carotene compounds are actively converted to Vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. Also antioxidants help reduce free radicals.

Foods include apricots, carrots, mango, papaya, pumpkin, tangerines, sweet potatoes etc.

Orange veggies & their benefits

Make your food colorful like your life & enjoy happiness as well as health. Colors make our life beautiful so enjoy them in your food as well. Enjoy a colorful meal everyday to get the best out of your food. Have a good day & take care. Thanks!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Now you Will Know Why Tomatoes are Great...

Hi Friends! Today I will talk about Tomatoes, a super food. This is one ingredient which is used in food in various form, we have it in salads, soups & as a spice in most foods.Well talking about the goodness of tomatoes you cannot overlook the treasure of nutrients present in the food. It is rich in various anti-oxidants and most importantly the presence of Vitamin C & Beta carotene. It is also rich in Vitamin E & the mineral Manganese. If you come down to phyto-nutrients you will not find better substitutes, the super food is rich in Flavonones, Flavonols, Hydroxycinnamic acids, Carotenoids (lycopene, lutein etc), glycosides, fatty acid derivatives.

Benefits of Tomatoes

This amazing super food has the benefits which will make you love it.

1. Cardiovascular Support: The presence of excellent anti-oxidants like Vitamin C & E makes it an excellent food for heart & the second credit is to Lycopene which is more famous for its actions to prevent lipid peroxidation, in which lipids are oxidized in the blood & makes the immune system trigger leading to blockage of the heart vessels.

2. Anti-Cancer Benefits: The presence of lycopene & dietary fibers have proved its anti-cancer benefits in specific cancers of prostrate & colorectal. It has been tested by researchers to work well on test groups.

3. Maintains Blood Pressure: The presence of good amount of Potassium in tomatoes work great for maintaining blood pressure as only a low sodium diet is not enough for a good blood health.

4. Good for Skin: The presence of Vitamin C works great for collagen, the skin's support system. It helps your skin fight against the UV rays from the sun, pollution & smoke, smooths wrinkles.

5. Relieves from Constipation: The high water content & dietary fiber in tomatoes helps keep the body hydrated & ease the bowel movements.

6. Supports Bone health: Recent research has confirmed that the Lyopene present is excellent for for the protective bone tissues. The removal of lycopene from diet for weeks in women have shown indication of oxidative stress in bones.

7. Good during Pregnancy: Folic acid presence makes it great during pregnancy for the protection against infections in the neural tube in infants.

8. Improves Vision: Presence of Vitamin A (Beta carotene) has shown it to be important for the eyes.

So, now enjoy tomatoes ;) for all it offers you. Take care & stay healthy!! Thanks friends...

Monday, February 16, 2015

Oily Hair:How to tackle?

Hi Friends!! I know how difficult it is to manage oily hair. I am a victim myself, even in coldest days I have to shampoo my hair. Oily hair is a due to secretion of sebum which creates a coating of oil on the scalp. It gives a greasy look to the hair and it feels dirty even though washed regularly. It also makes the roots weak. The causes can be many like heredity, hormonal fluctuation, excess consumption of oily food. The symptoms have to be taken seriously as oily hair means weak roots and progressive thinning of hair.The excessive sebum blocks the follicles of the hair and disturbs the blood circulation. Also the sticky surface provides bacteria & fungi feed to grow. Some easily available remedies for oily hair:

Eggs: Take an egg mix it well. Add a few drops of lemon juice, this will remove the bad smell. Apply the mix on your wet scalp. Let it stay for half an hour. Rinse it well and then wash it with mild shampoo. Use this therapy 2 times a week to get rid of oily hair.

Organic Vinegar: Take 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar and mix it in a mug of water. Rinse your hair with this mixture and let it stay for 5 min. Wash off the mixture well, this would take away the excess oil from the hair. Try this 2-3 times a week, it will give you help in managing your oily hair.

Aloe Vera Gel: Cut a fresh aloe vera & take out the gel, take a tablespoon of the gel and a some lemon juice. You can mix it with a mild shampoo & you can use it daily for a few days. When you shampoo leave it on the scalp for some time for it to let it work.

Tea: It is an extremely helpful remedy for oily hair, the presence of tannic acid helps the removal of excess oil in hair. In light warm water dip a tea bag & after a few minutes apply the tea to your scalp. Leave on for some time & rinse out with a mild shampoo.

Make your oily hair look beautiful

A simple tip just in case you have to go for a party suddenly & no time for a head wash. Use some talcum powder on your scalp & let it stay for a few minutes. Brush it through your hair & you will see that the excess oil is gone. Also do not brush your hair very often if you have oily hair it increases the secretion of sebum. Enjoy a smooth silky hair sans the oil. Thanks!!

Ginger: What it can do for You?

Friends enjoy ginger in your food to help you fight against lots of ailments. I have mentioned ginger in my previous posts as well. This post is an extension of my previous post to emphasize on the good effects of ginger.

The benefits of ginger are listed

Indian food is already known for good spicy content in food. Probably our ancestors knew all this much before science could prove it. Ayurveda has spoken of many such ingredients to be helpful in keeping ailments at a bay much before the western world spoke about it. The western world has now accepted the healing effects of many Indian spices & ingredients as factors to fight lots of diseases.
Enjoy ginger in your food, drink ginger tea, and you can keep yourself fighting against so many problems. Wish you all a very good health & take care. Thank You!!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Healthy Pasta Recipe

Hi Friends!! A very Happy Valentine's Day. All of you must be busy spending time with your special someone. I will make a short post with a pasta recipe- tasty & healthy. All in your family will like it for sure.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat pasta: 1 1/2 cup
Carrot: 1 large
Capsicum: 1 large
Onion: 2 medium
Peas: 1/2 cup
Beans: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 2
Olive oil: 1 teaspoon
Oregano: 1/4 teaspoon
Parsley: 1/4 teaspoon
Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Preparation:
1. Cut the Onion, Capsicum, Carrot & Beans into small pieces. Boil the pasta for 10-12 min.

cut veggies

2. Scramble the egg & keep it aside.
3. Heat the non-stick kadhai. Heat the oil Add the veggies and peas, mix it well and let it cook.
4. Add the pasta, them add salt & the rest of the spices. Mix it well with the pasta.

Veggie pasta recipe


Your pasta is ready, no dressings light & healthy. Enjoy a simple recipe for two.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Why I never believed in Gymming?

Firstly I am lazy, so one reason was very obvious for not joining the gym. Then again I was overweight making more & more lazy. The vicious circle as I say laziness to obesity to laziness. So, nobody could ever take me to gym. The beautiful flat tummy photos made me envy that, but nothing was motivating enough. Then when I lost weight also still I never went to the gym. Today I can say it is something for the good.

I have seen lot of people who went to the gym left it for personal & professional reasons, the result was putting on weight. The reason is not only loss of exercising from schedule, but also change in the eating habits. When you gym you burn lots of calories and tend to eat more. Your trainer also makes you eat protein-rich food, the habit is not easy to change. Also when you stop going to the gym you become more relaxed and the food habits are also changed & you tend to put on more.

It is always better to get involved in light exercises like walking, running, cycling etc. These are the things you can easily continue & be a part of your daily routine. Enjoy this short post and enjoy your life. Thanks!!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

The Choosy Kid's Nutrition

Hi Friends!! Kids nowadays have become very picky on what they eat. This problem is not only related to nutrition but also to their mental growth. I was going through a one of my friend bloggers post which mentioned that this is a problem in Indian kids whereas she saw many American kids enjoying their meals. Is it the Indian parents fault, do we force our kids alot, do we understand his needs. Certainly not, we want our kids to be healthy and eat vegetables & fruits, but many adults in our family make faces. Kids learn from the people around them, they copy what others do in front of them. What can be done to make the child eat?

Give the child food you eat: Children are very curious about adults, they love to check out what we as adults do. So what we eat should be what they eat. If they see that they are given the same chapati & veggies or lentils like their parents they will feel a part of the family & enjoy eating. Also sitting together as a family during meal times helps them grow a bond with the family. They grow emotionally & mentally strong. Also when you watch your kid's nutrition yours will be taken care of.

Let them eat on their own: Trust me kids learn much faster than we do, give them a new mobile & see. They will mess at the start but soon learn table manners. They will have nobody to resist and you will see a great change. He/She might not eat at first but mind you when they are hungry they will eat. they need more energy than you do. Meal times will become happy times :).

Learn what they like to eat: Kids like McD's & KFC food, why not we also get excited looking at the ads and enjoy the burger. So ask them what they like, a burger can be made nutritious at home, choose how you want to make it. The food should look appealing to them, they will eat themselves, any bland looking food takes away our interest from eating, true for them also.

Let them also help you in cooking: Let them do some parts of the process. Like maybe decorating the food, serving on the plate, if they can cut fruits or mix the noodles with some sauce let them do that. When they start doing something they feel happy & start eating the fruits of their hard work. This involvement will more responsible also.

The child's nutrition should have good amounts of lean proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals. Choose the food wisely for your kid, make them more interested in home-cooked food, remember the faster you start the better it is. We want them to be healthy, so we try lots of things to make them eat. But forced eating does not help, remember happiness & health are correlated. Your happy kid will be more healthier. Thanks friends, hope you like it. Do give your suggestions.


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Fishy Story- Rohu

Dear Friends, my topic today is a tribute to my Bong friends who love to have a piece of fish everyday. The good news is you can enjoy it without any guilt. You can happily tell others a fish a day keeps the doctor away :). Mostly all fish have a good nutrient value but Rohu being a very common fish in our daily diet. Lot of people prefer only eggs & meat over fish but technically fish thrice a week is a better option. The presence of the following nutrients make fish an awesome choice.

Rohu is a good source of high quality protein which has been valued around 80. Fish protein should be banked upon as much as possible due to low fat and low carbohydrate content. The fat present in Rohu is low & is good for health. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acid. The fish is usually full of different kind of minerals Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Potassium, Calcium & Selenium and such kind of various minerals are very difficult to find in one source of food. Rohu is a river fish & is known to be rich in  Vitamin C, it keeps diseases like cold & cough away.

Apart from this fish & brains are correlated. It is said a fish eater has a better memorizing & analyzing skills along with fewer occasions of mood swings. Also antioxidants in fish are believed to fight cancer to a great extent.

I hope this would be an interesting short read. And hope all the fish eaters will have more reasons to enjoy it.

Rohu fish has loads of benefits

Good Skin Good Food

Good Morning Friends!! A great day in the history of Indian Politics, Congratulations to all my friends from Delhi, in fact India. Well today I will talk about a beautiful skin... it is a mirror of your good health. People with good health have a good skin. Some foods which help you with this target.

1. Olive Oil: It has been seen that consumption of olive oil has reduced signs of aging. The oil has around 75% of Monounsaturated fats which help in keeping your heart healthy. The antioxidant polyphenols present in olive oil could also be quenching the damaging free radicals & help in cell renewal. It has also seen to reduce acne problem.
Olive is great for skin

2. Dark chocolates: Here comes my second good news about chocolates, women who consume dark chocolate (70% or more cocoa) have seen to have a more fresh looking skin. The scaliness & patchiness seen to reduce with the high flavonol content in chocolate. Stick to a small bar a day to get good results.

dark chocolate has antioxidants great for skin
3. Walnuts: Walnuts are very famous in skin care products. The scrubs sold by many companies have walnuts in them, it has been seen that not only external usage but also eating walnuts have good skin. This is an alternate source for Omega-3 especially for vegetarians. The Omega-3 content helps keeping control over eczema, dry & patchy skin. Also good for acne or pimple problem.

Walnut are high in omega 3
4. Eggs: This source of protein is excellent for the skin & hair with very low fat content. The dietary fat present is good for the skin & any higher fat diets will fasten the aging of your skin. It is seen that increase of 17 g of fat in daily diet can lead to faster aging of skin & wrinkles.

Eggs have proteins great for skin & hair

5. Water: Yes, drinking good amount of water keeps you hydrated & makes your skin plump & wrinkles are delayed. And again this liquid can come from different sources but water is best. All other drinks have sugars which will not only increase your blood sugar levels but also damage the collagen and cause your skin to sag and wrinkle. Similar to above food it fights acne effectively.

Drink water to have clear skin


There are these foods & many other which are good for you & your skin have been able to mention some. These foods are for anti-aging & to fight dry, wrinkled, saggy skin. Also three of these olive oil, walnuts & water are great to fight acne. 
Friends I have started getting suggestions from you which is very encouraging. I thank all of you for your support. I have received lots of comments personally and have tried writing about other topics also.Thanks!!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Bust the Myths to Lose Weight

Hey Friends!!! There are lot of myths around weight loss. I just figured out it could be an interesting topic to talk about. People who speak about weight loss will never want you to know these. Whenever you join a gym or a slimming center, they will feed you with information which is misleading. I will try to point out the most common myths around.

1. Magical food for weight loss: There are no such magic ingredients for weight loss, no fruit or vegetable solely is so powerful that it can burn the fat in your body. The best way to clean your system of fat is high dietary fiber. It makes you fuller easily with less calories.

2. Only one kind of food makes you slimmer: "Eating carbohydrates & proteins together makes you gain weight", this is what I was told at a slimming center. Eat only proteins then your body will easily shed off. This is totally wrong. Our body is accustomed to digest different kinds of food easily, & in fact different variety of food has different nutrients which can make your diet complete. For eg Vitamin D present in eggs helps absorb Calcium in milk.

3. Avoid all carbohydrates & fats: Carbohydrates are source of energy to the body, depriving your body from it would just make it worse. In fact the presence of complex carbohydrates in meals make your body's metabolism more active. Similarly all fat is not bad, Monounsaturated fats or MUSF are essential fats required by the body. It helps keep your heart healthy & also helps prevent cancer.

4. Heavy exercising is the only way to shed extra kilos: This is absolutely not true, a regular work out might be a good idea but not the only way to lose weight. A 30 min walk can also help you lose weight. In fact just doing your daily chores throughout the day can help you burn around 650 calories according to research. So Walk while you Talk :), and be happy.

5. Only fruit Breakfast is good for weight loss: Again a bad idea, in fact in my previous posts also I have mentioned that it deprives the body of necessary carbohydrates, fats & proteins. Like all my previous posts I would make a reminder to eat a good breakfast.

Friends to go from Size XL to Size M is a journey I have seen and I know how difficult it is. I want you guys to know the mistakes I did so you can avoid those. Thanks!!