Wearing Red on 6th Feb signifies Health

It shows your support to spread awareness & fight against women's heart diseases.

It is no longer just men who are affected by heart ailments. The number of Indian women with heart diseases has increased dramatically in the last five years. “National wear Red Day” aims to remind women that they need to protect their heart's health. Wearing red on this day shows that you are aware of the risks that women in our country face with heart disease.

So pull out that red saree, a red t-shirt or wear that red tie. Don't forget to spread the message and get all your friends involved. Because the fight against heart disease, begins with awareness.

Instant Noodles - Get the cooking right

The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health. Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat.

This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles.

By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG (Aginomoto), it will change the molecular structures of the MSG causing it to be toxic.

The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have taken the noodles.

CORRECT METHOD :

1. boil the noodles in a pot with water.
2. once the noodles is cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax.
3. boil another pot of water till boiling and put the noodles into the hot boiling water and then shut the fire.
4. only at this stage when the fire is off, and while the water is very hot, put the ingredient with the powder into the water, to make noodle soup.
5. however, if you need dry noodles, take out the noodles and add the ingredient with the powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Dietician's Note: If you buy plain hakka noodles you may initially need to boil it in water and discard the water. This will soften the noodles, but to prevent it from sticking we need to add a tbsp of oil, also the noodles are deep fried partially to make it crunchy and then dust it with flour to prevent it from sticking while boiling. Hence when you buy the noodles they are already made unhealthy and this is the type we use to make stir fry noodles, and the regular maggi too is made the same way plus they add MSG/ ajinomoto and other chemical preservatives.

A large number of patient with the ages ranging from 18-24 years are ending up with pancreatitis either as a swelling or infection of the pancreas due to regular consumption of instant noodles. If the frequency is more than 3 times a week, then it is very hazardous.

Healthy Eating and Living - Part IV

Continuing from my earlier post; here are some more points.

p) Dont have water immediately after or during a meal. Have water about 1-2 hours after a meal.

q) Look at your relation with food. If you are using food to fill up a void inside you, or if food is the only pleasurable activity that first comes to your mind, work on it. Let your happiness come from different sources - your hobbies, close friends, children, yoga etc

r) Bring in awareness before you start eating a meal. A small prayer before a meal which exists in many cultures, can help to bring in awareness. Are you really hungry? Or you are eating from depression? Answer this question each time you put something in your mouth.

s) Extreme dieting does not work, it only slows your metabolism and the weight you lose will come right back on. Dont abuse your body because you suddenly wanted to get slim in 2 weeks. It wont happen.

t) The ONLY way to get into shape, lose weight, become free from diseases, increase muscle strength and feel light is making the body more sensitive, tuning into your body's own intelligence and listening to it. What prevents you from doing this are your habits, your compulsions and your cravings, which are giving you different message from your body.

Most importantly remember that food is a joy that GOD has gifted us with. Dont become a slave of it and abuse your body. Enjoy it to the fullest, and let every bite be heavenly!

Healthy Eating and Living - Part III

Continuing from my earlier post; here are some more points.

k) Try and eat before 8 pm in the evening. And dont sleep immediately. Wait at least 10 PM before you head to your bed.

l) One day in a week, do a detox for your system. Eat only fruits and vegetables (cooked is ok) the whole day and nothing else. Your taste will get sharper and your body will throw impurities.

m) Balance out your foods in a day. If you have had a heavy lunch, eat nothing but salad and yoghurt for your dinner. Or just some fruits. If you have had a heavy dinner, take a short walk after your meal.

n) Start walking for at least half an hour every day. Brisk walk. And slowly as you get fit increase to a slow jog effortlessly. Exercise in moderation is better than over doing it. A walk every day is much better than jogging twice a week.

o) As an experiment try eating smaller quantities for 2 days. Have exactly half of everything you would normally have.

Healthy Eating and Living - Part II

Continuing from my earlier post; here are some more points.

f) Try and eat only a few types of food in one meal. For example, dont eat chicken with naan and paneer, followed by a desert. Your body finds it easy to digest one or two things. Not three and four. Notice that when you eat rice and vegetables you feel light and healthy. Or when you can eat just tandoori chicken with salad. It will seem obvious to you that a pizza with a paneer topping makes things difficult for your stomach, and will make you feel heavy.

g) Fruits are must and should be eaten on an empty stomach, NOT after a meal. Eat fruits all morning and give a gap of at least 3 hours after a meal if you want to have to have fruits in the afternoon.

h) Find out what your relationship with milk is. Dont have it because you sould. You should enjoy the taste of anything you are consuming. Some people prefer Dahi to milk; thats something for you to discover.

i) If you want to lose weight, go off sweets for a while. When you get to your ideal weight, have smaller quantities, and have only type. If you have gulab jamun followed by chocolate mousse , your stomach goes through hell! (If you want you can do it once in 2 months for the fun of it)

j) Again, if weight loss is your goal, stay off fried foods and go easy on oils for sometime. But dont make anything a law. Remember it is all fun and games and all being in done in the spirit of experimentation. Dont get serious about it!

Healthy Eating and Living - Part I

So how do we get down to it? The key to increasing your sensitivity towards your body's intelligence is to EXPERIMENT. Do not take anyone's word. Your body knows what it needs to eat and when. The ONLY way to experiment is to break your HABITS. So here is a list of of things to help you get down to it.

a) Become aware of your habits. If you have to have a coffee as soon as you wake up, try having tea, or just warm water. Do it for a few days and become free of your habit. Then decide if you want to get back to it or not.

b) Remember NOT to give up anything. Experiment and see which habits leave you. Replacing a bad habit with a good habit will NOT work. You dont have to be a health freak to become fit. An obsession with healthy food is equally painful to your system and will cause long term problems like lack of immunity, rigidity in the mind, stress and unfulfilled feeling in the heart. Eat unhealthy food once in a while. Your body is capable of adapting to anything as long as it doesn't become a constant abuse.

c) Two activities cannot be performed at the same time with full awareness. Do not eat and watch TV at the same time. When you eat, just eat. Don't read the newspaper, dont chat much. Pay full attention to your food.

d) Try starting your mornings with only fruit. Eat nothing but fruit (any fruit, any quantity) till 11AM

e) If you love meat, fish and chicken, dont try to become vegetarian. Make sure you eat your meat with plenty of vegetables and not with rice or any whole grain like chapati.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has become popular as a “fat-burner” and as a natural appetite suppressant. In fact, there’s even an ACV diet, which involves taking one to three teaspoons of ACV or ACV pills before each meal.

Some doctors believes that it is a great immunity enhancer. If you take ACV and honey with warm water every day; your immunity increases exponentially. It also helps to lower glucose levels so it is a very good medicine for diabetic people.

General prescription is to have a glass of warm water with a spoon of ACV morning and evening helps you to remain fit. There are many brands available in the market. I am using Heinz and I dont like it with warm water. I take ACV in my soup every evening. Thats my way of having it; not prescribed by any doctor.

So, if you can drink it with warm water, nothing like it, just go for it!!

Live healthy and happy!! :)

Diet for Weight Loss

Carbohydrates and Proteins should not be mixed.

Carbohydrates: Rice, idli, potato, wheat
Proteins: Chicken, Fish, Egg, Dal, Paneer,Soyabean

Try combination like:
Roti + Veggies (No rice or chicken)
Chicken + Veggies (No Roti or Rice)
Dal + Veggies (No Roti or Rice)

* Whatever you eat for lunch should be followed for dinner; if it is rice for lunch, it should be rice for dinner etc
* The day you feel like having rice, have it in the form of Vegetable Pulao, with curd or chutney. This must be the same for lunch and dinner
* Avoid white bread by all means
* Wheat flour with a mix of soya, barley and chana is very good for getting rid of cholesterol
* Soya bean products are to be had with vegetables only. No wheat or rice must be mixed. Example, tofu + veggies or soya nuggets + veggies
* Fruits like Mangoes and Lychee are to be avoided
* Eat fresh fruits for breakfast
* Eat early lunch and early dinner
* Smile more :)
* Enjoy working out with your diet

Sirf Paani bujhaye Pyaas; Baaki Sab Bakwaas

Drink a lot of water has a lot benefit for your health. It’s good for your skin health, metabolism of your body, and definitely for weight loss by burning more calories, stopping water retention and curbing appetite. How come?

Mechanism:

Drinking water can raise the speed of metabolism, especially a cold water, and curbing your appetite. You'll also notice less bloating once your body realizes it doesn't have to retain water, once you start drinking enough. You should try 6-8 glasses a day.

The Health Benefits of Water

* There is no Calories in Water
* Can curb your appetite
* Kind to teeth
* Keeps your skin hydrated and looking younger, fresh and more vibrant.
* Can alleviate constipation
* A simple and effective treatment for heartburn.
* Can reduce the risk of kidney stones
* Promotes a general feeling of wellbeing
* Drinking cold water - Your body can burn a few calories to heat the water up to body temperature

How much water should I drink?

The aim is to drink 2 liters of water a day it’s about 6-8 glasses (@200mL).
Keep a record of your daily water intake in your food diary. Seeing the tally should motivate you to ensure you are meeting the required daily intake. 1 Glass/200ml
* Water = 0 kcals
* Cola = 82 kcals
* Pure Orange Juice = 87 kcals

How about if I’m not drinking enough water?
* Dry and itchy skin
* Constipation
* Dry coughs and sneezing
* Headaches
* Urinary tract infections.

So for your own good health, please drink loads and loads of water.

Sitting for too long is not for you my friend

You might want to stand up while you read this, especially when you find out what some scientists have discovered about sitting.

We all know that sitting can contribute to weight problems and common sense tells us that's because sitting doesn't burn as many calories as, say, standing or walking. But, that isn't the only issue with sitting.

In a study published in Diabetes, scientists found that when we sit for long periods of time, the enzymes responsible for burning fat actually shut down. Not only that, but sitting too much can also lower HDL ('good' cholesterol) and lead to a slower metabolism. Even if you exercise later in the day, that won't necessarily undo the damage done by sitting.

The question these scientists are asking, and maybe the question some of us are wondering is: "Can the average adult who already does not follow the public health policy prescribing regular moderate-vigorous exercise become even more unhealthy in the coming years if they sit too much and do not maintain sufficient daily nonexercise physical activity?"

The answer to that is probably a yes, unless we do something about it. The good news is that just standing up can kick your fat-burning enzymes into gear.

Take a walk for 5 minutes after every hour in your workplace. Fall in love with the stairs in your building. Walk up to the colleague instead of calling/messaging. Pursue your favorite sport. Go dancing; do anything but sitting all day long.

Make Cinnamon your friend

Whether you are looking for losing weight or generally want to improve your overall health; Cinnamon is your best friend sitting quietly in your kitchen shelf. Make it a part of your every day routine.

You can put it in your tea, your tea will not only taste great but it will also smell great.

Try having cinnamon and honey drink as your first and last drink of the day and see how fresh you feel throughout the day. Just add hot water to a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and add a tablespoon of honey to it. It tastes ok but is very good for your health.

Wishing you a great health!!

White is not Right

For a better health and not compromising too much on taste; I would strongly recommend replacing all the white things in your kitchen with the browns.

a) Brown rice in place of White rice
b) Brown sugar in place of White sugar
c) Mix grain flour in place of White flour
d) Maida with Wheat flour
e) Masala Maggi with Atta Maggi
f) Maida Noodles with Wheat Noodles
g) Maida Pizza with Wheat Pizza
h) Maida Buns with Wheat Buns
i) Full cream milk with Soya milk

Basically, white is not right pick whatever looks brown as it has more fibre. White sugar means refined sugar, Maida means more processed flour. The more the food is processed the worse it is for your health.

Only white thing to love is skimmed milk or curd made by skimmed milk. Say Salaam Namaste to the rest of the stuff.

First thing is first; skipping breakfast is the worst

You should have your breakfast within first two of your waking hours. If have you woken up at 6:00 am you should eat your breakfast by 8:00 am. If you are not feeling hungry by that time, it means either you have had your dinner too late or too heavy. Having a proper diet at proper timings day before make sure that you are looking forward to your breakfast and dont want to skip it. Skipping breakfast regularly in the long run leads to every kind of possible stomach disorder like constipation, acidity, gas etc.

As they rightly say, eat your breakfast like a king, lunch like a common man and dinner like a beggar - breakfast is the most important meal of your day. After all you are getting a chance to eat like a king only once a day. Even if it means waking up a little early, DO NOT, leave your house without eating your breakfast. If you take your breakfast in the office, have a glass of skimmed milk at home and then go to office.

Food should be distributed as:
(breakfast + snack) = 40%
(lunch + snack) = 40%
(dinner) = 20%

Amongst plenty of healthy options, I am writing a few of them here:

a) 1 glass of skimmed milk + 1 bowl of museli/ cornflakes/wheat flakes + 1 apple
b) 1 glass of skimmed milk + bread jam + 1 apple
c) 1-2 egg whites daily in sandwich, or in boiled form is very healthy for breakfast
d) 1 glass of skimmed milk + sprouts salad + 1 toast
e) 1 glass of skimmed milk + veg upma
f) 1 glass of apple shake + veg sandwich
g) Fruit bowl + Green Tea


Tips:
- It is safer to have whole grain cereals, white bread, Oats etc rather than rice items like idli, dosa, poha etc because they have a high glycemic index.
- For taste and extra nutrition, you can throw some raisins and nuts in your cereals / shakes
- Have all the hight calorie snack like chips, pastries, cakes in your 10:00 am meal if you want to eat them. Avoid eating them by all means after sun set.

Introduction Message

Hi, Welcome to my blog.

I have been trying very hard to get that perfect health for so many years. I have lost my parents years back due to their ill health caused due to wrong lifestyle and eating habits. I know how much good health is important not only for you but for your loved ones also. If you are healthy, you will not only be there for your loved ones for longer time but you will also be able to enjoy that time to the fullest.

There is saying in Hindi, "Pehla Sukh Nirogi Kaya" - healthy body is the most important thing in your life and it is so true. Only if you are healthy, you will be able to enjoy your career, your status, your family life, your love life etc

I have created this blog to talk about health, fitness, weight loss and low calorie recipes. I am going to write here whatever I have learned from my mistakes or mistakes committed by people around me; whatever I have learned from the loads and loads of stuff that I have read.

And yes, besides fitness mantras and quick recipes we will also talk about positive attitude which is very very important for a perfect health.

So - Stay Tuned!