Saturday, July 30, 2011

Cucumber

" Health Benefits of Cucumber ( Kheera ) Cucumber ( Kheera )


We used to think that cucumber is too "cooling"

for rheumatism. On the contrary, cucumber

really helps counter inflammation in joints

by removing the uric acid crystallization.





The cucumber is a type of melon and comes from the same family as watermelon, zucchini and other squash. It is cylindrical in shape with lengths of approximately 6 to 9 inches. Its skin is very similar to watermelon, ranges from green to white. Inside, the flesh is pale green and very juicy. The cucumber is a tropical plant but is also easily available in most part of the world. However, in some cultures, cucumber is more often used to make pickles, of which most of its nutrients would have been lost.





Nutritional Benefits:

Cucumber has an impressive amount of water (about 96%) that is naturally distilled, which makes it superior to ordinary water. Its skin contains a high percentage of vitamin A, so should not be peeled off.

The cucumber contains alkaline-forming minerals and is an excellent source of vitamin C and A (anti-oxidants), folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, silica, sulfur, and lesser amounts of vitamin B complex, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine.



You have seen beauty practitioners use slices of cucumber on their eyes. It is found that the caffeic acid in this vegetable helps to prevent water retention and when applied topically, helps reduce puffy and swollen eyes.



Health Benefits:

Many people are ignorant of the immense health benefits of cucumber and would avoid eating cucumber where possible. Fresh cucumber may taste "bland" to some but its thirst-quenching and cooling properties are refreshing. It acts as an anti-oxidant when taken together with fried and barbequed foods.



I like to mix cucumber juice with carrot or orange juices. Here's a list of health benefits of cool cucumber:



Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity. The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.



Blood pressure: Like celery, this colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.



Connective tissues, building: The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.



Diuretic: Cucumber juice is diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination. This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.

Fever: The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.



Inflammation: The Chinese think that cucumbers are too "cooling" and not suitable for people with rheumatism. But we know now that cucumber can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints. When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid. This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.

Hair growth: The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth. Drink it mixed with carrot, lettuce or spinach juice.

Puffy eyes: Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep). To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.



Skin conditions: The high amount of vitamin C and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.



Sunburn: When there is a sunburn, make cucumber juice and rub it on the affected area for a cooling and healing effect.



Water retention: It supplies the necessary electrolytes and restores hydration of the body cells, thus reducing water retention.



Consumption Tips:

Choose cucumbers that are dark green in color and firm to the touch. Avoid those that are yellowish or are wrinkled at either ends. Thinner cucumbers have fewer seeds than those that are thicker. Store cucumbers in the fridge to retain its freshness. Cut cucumbers should be kept wrapped up or in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge. Consume within a day or two.

Caution:

Where possible, buy organic as cucumbers may be waxed or have pesticides. If non-organic, wash cucumber under cold running water and scrub gently with a vegetable brush. It might help also to soak it for 5-10 minutes with 1-2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.



Coconut

Coconut - benefits Coconut






Coconut is a tropical fruit that is rich in protein. The meat of the coconut is very good in destroying intestinal parasites, that we get from eating infected food. Coconut water is good for kidney and urinary bladder problems.



Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.



•Vitamin A :

•Vitamin B : Thiamine .10 mg.;

•Riboflavin :

•Niacin :

•Vitamin C : 2 mg.

•Calcium : 21 mg.

•Iron : 2.0 mg.

•Phosphorus : 98 mg.

•Fat : 34.7 gm.

•Carbohydrates : 14 gm.

•Protein : 3.4 gm.

•Calories : 359



Other Health Benefits of Coconut :



1.Prevents simple goiter (enlarged non-toxic thyroid) because of its organic iodine content.

2.Good body builder, so it is a food recommended for building up the body muscles of thin and emaciated individuals.

3.Constipation and for any build-up of gas in the stomach and intestinal tract.

4.Coconut milk has been found to help cases of sore throat as well as relieving stomach ulcers.

5.Coconut oil has been found to heal cuts, scratches, burns and sunburns.

6.The oil has also been recommended for facial massage and is reported to be good as a wrinkle remover.

7.Coconut oil is also good for the scalp and hair and makes hair dressing unnecessary.

8.Intake of at least 2 Tbsp. of Virgin coconut oil per day can lessen your Vitamin E requirement.

9.Coconut water is good for kidney and urinary bladder problems.



Amaranth (Chawli)

Amaranth - benefits Amaranth - Natural Benefits and Curative Properties




Botanical Name :: Amaranthus,gangeticus



Other English Name :: China spinach



Indian Name :: Chaulai-ka-saag



Amaranth is a popular green leafy vegetable grown all over India. It is usually a short lived annual herb, with erect and often thick and fleshy stems and green leaves There are about six different species of amaranth in cultivation



Origin and Distribution of Amaranth



Most species of amaranth are believed to have originated in ,the Andran region of South America or Mexico. The various species are now widely distributed throughout most tropical areas are India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, South Pacific, tropical Africa and the Caribbean. Amaranth is a warm season crop and all species can be grown in the summer as well as the rainy season.







Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Amaranth

Regular use of amaranth in our food items prevents the deficiency of vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, calcium, iron and potassium. It protects against several disorders such as defective vision, respiratory infections, recurrent colds retarded growth and functional sterility.



•Respiratory Disorders :- Amaranth is valuable in respiratory system disorders. Drinking fresh juice along with honey is remedy for chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and tuberculosis.

•Pregnancy and Lactation :- Regular use of amaranth during pregnancy and lactation is highly beneficial One cup of fresh leaf juice of amaranth mixed with honey and a pinch of cardamom powder should be taken during the entire period of pregnancy It will help the normal growth of the baby, prevent the loss of calcium and iron from the body, relax the uterine ligaments and facilitate easy delivery without much pain Its use after child birth will shorten the laying in period, check the postnatal complications, and increase the flow of breast milk.

•Retarded Growth :- Amaranth is very useful in preventing retarded growth in children. A teaspoonful of the fresh juice mixed with few drops of honey should be given once every day to infants after a fort night of the birth It will help the baby to grow healthy and strong. It will prevent constipation and ease the teething process as the baby grows.

Growing children can safely be given this juice as a natural protein tonic. It contains all the essential amino acids such as arginine, nistidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, cystine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

•Premature Ageing :- The regular use of amaranth is useful in preventing premature old age It prevents the disturbance of calcium and iron metabolism which usually occurs in old age. According to Dr. Van-Sylke, calcium molecules begin to get deposited in the bone tissues as one becomes old This haphazard calcium distribution is influenced by the improper molecular movements of iron in the tissues. If this molecular disturbance of calcium and iron is prevented by regular supply of food. calcium and iron as found in amaranth and the health is maintained by its regular use from the early age, the process of ageing can be prevented.

•Bleeding Tendencies :- The use of amaranth is valuable in all bleeding tendencies. A cupful of fresh leaf juice mixed with a teaspoonful of lime juice should be taken every night in conditions like bleeding from the gums, nose, lungs, piles and excessive menstruation. It acts as a natural tonic.

•Leucorrhoea :- Amaranth is beneficial in the treatment of leucorrhoea. The rind of the root of amaranth rubbed in 250 ml. of water and strained. It should be given to the patient daily in the morning as well as in the evening. It is a very effective remedy for this disease and quite often the very first dose gives relief. The root of amaranth is very much susceptible to moths. Hence care should be taken to see that it is not mouth eaten. In case good root is not available. its leaves and branches may be used.

•Venereal Diseases :- Amaranth is considered highly beneficial in the treatment of gonorrhea. About 25 gm's of the leaves of this vegetable should be given twice or thrice a day to the patient in Venereal Diseases.







Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Onion

In 1919 when the flu killed 40



million people there was this Doctor that visited the many



farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.



Many of the farmers and their



family had contracted it and many died.



The doctor came upon this one



farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When



the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was



different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled



onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two



rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked



if he could have one of the onions and place it under the



microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did



find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the



bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.







Now, I heard this story from



my hairdresser in NZ. She said that several years ago many



of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were



many of her customers. The next year she placed several



bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none



of her staff got sick. It must work. (And no, she is not in



the onion business.)



The moral of the story is, buy



some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you



work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under



your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what



happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.



If this helps you and your



loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get



the flu, it just might be a mild case.



Whatever, what have you to



lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Now there is a P. S. to this



for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly



contributes material to me on health issues. She replied



with this most interesting experience about onions:







Thanks for the reminder. I



don't know about the farmers story... but, I do know that I



contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill... I



came across an article that said to cut both ends off an



onion put one end on a fork and then place the forked end



into an empty jar... placing the jar next to the sick patient



at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning



from the germs... sure enough it happened just like



that... the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.







Another thing I read in the



article was that onions and garlic placed around the room



saved many from the black plague years ago. They have



powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.







But here is the other



important side to remember.







LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS







I have used an onion which



has been left in the fridge, and sometimes I don't use a



whole one at one time, so save the other half for later.







Now with this info, I have



changed my mind...... will buy smaller onions in the future.







I had the wonderful privilege



of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise.



Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in



the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.







Questions about food poisoning



came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a



chemist.







The guy who gave us our tour



is named Ed. He's one of the brothers Ed is a chemistry



expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce



formula.. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.







Keep in mind that Ed is a food



chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really



needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried



that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you.



Ed said that all commercially- made Mayo is completely safe.







"It doesn't even have to be



refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not



really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is



set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that



environment.. He then talked about the quaint essential



picnic, with the bowl of potato salad



sitting on the table and how



everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.







Ed says that when food



poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look



for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those



onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not



the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that



spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not



the onions, it's the POTATOES.







He explained, onions are a



huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You



should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He



says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and



put it in your refrigerator.







It's already contaminated



enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can



be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions



you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)







Ed says if you take the



leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be



okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your



sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the



moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow



bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even



begin to break down.







So, how's that for news? Take



it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very



careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see



a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company



that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.'







Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot



metabolize onions .







Please remember it is



dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next



day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and



creates Toxic bacteria which may cause Adverse Stomach



infections because of excess Bile secretions and even Food



poisoning.

Spices used for diseases

Indian spices for all diseases/ailments




Keep it handy!













COLDS

Mix a gram of dalchini/cinnamon powder with a teaspoon of honey to cure cold. Prepare a cup of tea to which you should add ginger, clove, bay leaf and black pepper... This should be consumed twice a day. Reduce the

intake as the cold disappears.







GINGER FOR COLDS



Ginger tea is very good to cure cold. Preparation of tea: cut ginger into small pieces and boil it with water, boil it a few times and then add sugar to sweeten and milk to taste, and drink it hot.



DRY COUGHS



Add a gram of turmeric (haldi) powder to a teaspoon of honey for curing dry cough. Also chew a cardamom for a long time.







BLOCKED NOSE



For blocked nose or to relieve congestion, take a table spoon of crushed carom seeds (ajwain) and tie it in a cloth and inhale it.



SORE THROAT



Add a tea spoon of cumin seeds (jeera) and a few small pieces of dry ginger to a glass of boiling water. Simmer it for a few minutes, and then let it cool. Drink it twice daily. This will cure cold as well as sour throat.





AJWAIN/AJMO FOR ASTHMA



Boil ajwain in water and inhale the steam..





CURE FOR BACKACHE



Rub ginger paste on the backache to get relief.



GARLIC FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE



Have 1-2 pod garlic (lasan) first thing in the morning



with water







HONEY AND GINGER FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE



Mix 1 table spoon and 1 table spoon ginger (adrak) juice,



1 table spoon of crushed cumin seeds (jeera), and have it twice daily.







MIGRAINE



For the cure of migraine or acute cold in the head; boil a tablespoon of pepper powder, and a pinch of turmeric in a cup of milk, and have it daily for a few couple of days.







BITTER GOURD/KARELA IS GOOD



A tablespoon of amla juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd (karela) juice and taken daily for 2 months reduces blood sugar.







TURMERIC: CURE FOR INJURIES



For any cut or wound, apply turmeric powder to the injured portion to stop the bleeding. It also works as an antiseptic. You can tie a bandage after applying haldi/turmeric.









CRAMPS



You must do a self-massage using mustard oil every morning. Just take a little oil between your palms and rub it all over your body. Then take a shower. This is especially beneficial during winter. You could also mix a little mustard powder with water to make a paste and apply this on your palms and soles of your feet.







HEADACHES



If you have a regular migraine problem, include five almonds along with hot milk in your daily diet. You could also have a gram of black pepper along with honey or milk, twice or thrice a day. Make an almond paste by rubbing wet almonds against a stone.. This can be applied to forehead.



Eat an apple with a little salt on an empty stomach everyday and see its wonderful effects. OR when headache is caused by cold winds, cinnamon works best in curing headache. Make a paste of cinnamon by mixing in water and apply it all over your forehead







TURMERIC



FOR ARTHRITIS



Turmeric can be used in treating arthritis due to its

anti-inflammatory property. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.





GOOD FOR THE HEART



Turmeric lower cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the internal blood clots improves circulation and prevents heart disease and stroke. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.



GOOD FOR INDIGESTION





Turmeric can be used to relieve digestive problems like ulcers, dysentery. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action.





HONEY IS A GOOD CURE FOR ALL DISEASES



Mix 1 teaspoon honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and have it at night.





HICCUPS



Take a warm slice of lemon and sprinkle salt, sugar and black pepper on it. The lemon should be eaten until the hiccups stop.







HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL



In 1 glass of water, add 2 tbsps of coriander/dhania seeds and bring to a boil. Let the decoction cool for some time and then strain. Drink this mixture two times in a day.



OR Sunflower seeds are extremely beneficial, as they contain linoleic acid that helps in reducing the cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries.







PILES



Radish juice should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and then later in the night. Initially drink about ? cup of radish juice and then gradually increase it to ? cup.. OR Soak 3-4 figs in a glass of water. Keep it overnight. Consume the figs on an empty stomach, the next day in the morning







VOMITING



Take 2 cardamoms/elachi and roast them on a dry pan (tava). Powder the cardamoms and thereafter add a tsp of honey in it. Consume it frequently. It serves as a fabulous home remedy for vomiting. OR In the mixture of 1 tsp of mint juice and 1 tsp limejuice, add 1 tsp of ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Drink this mixture to prevent vomiting.



OR Limejuice is an effective remedy for vomiting. Take a glass of chilled limejuice and sip slowly. To prevent vomiting, drink ginger tea. OR In 1 glass water, add some honey and drink sip by sip.







WARTS



Apply castor oil daily over the problematic area. Continue for

several months. OR Apply milky juice of fresh and barely-ripe figs a number of times a day. Continue for two weeks. OR Rub cut raw potatoes on the affected area several times daily. Continue for at least two weeks.



OR Rub cut onions on the warts to stimulate the circulation of blood. OR Apply milk from the cut end of dandelion over the warts 2-3 times a day. OR Apply oil extracted from the shell of the cashew nut over the warts. OR Apply Papaya juice OR Apply Pineapple juice.







URINARY TRACT INFECTION



In 8 oz of water, put 1 tsp of baking soda and drink it. OR Drink

plenty of water, as it aids in flushing out the waste products from the body. OR Drink Cranberry juice. You can also add some apple juice for taste.







SINUSITIS



Mango serves as an effective home remedy for preventing the frequent attacks of sinus, as it is packed with loads of vitamin A. OR Another beneficial remedy consists of consuming pungent foods like onion and garlic, as a part of your daily meals. OR Fenugreek/methi leaves are considered valuable in curing sinusitis. In 250 ml water, boil 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds and reduce it to half. This will help you to perspire,

dispel toxicity and reduce the fever period. OR Tie a tsp of black cumin seeds in a thin cotton cloth and inhale.







TONSILLITIS



Take a fresh lemon and squeeze it in a glass of water. Add 4 tsp of honey and ? tsp of salt in it. Drink it slowly sip by sip. OR Milk has proved beneficial in treating tonsillitis. In 1 glass of pure boiled milk, add a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder. Drink it every night for about 3 days.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Get Out,Its good

Get out! It's good for you

Instead of sweating in the gym every day, select an outdoor fat-buster and tone up.


Getting fit will be more fun. Exercising with a friend is much better than pounding a treadmill with only perhaps your iPod for company. Studies show natural surroundings lift our mood, increasing the overall benefit of our workout.


TENNIS

Tennis works all the major muscle groups, including the arms, legs, back and stomach, and burns about 390 calories an hour, more if you keep missing the ball. So if you’re new to the sport, you’ll burn even more fat.



CYCLING

Cycling also works all the major muscles in your legs – and it keeps your stomach flat too because you work your abdominal muscles while trying to sit up straight and balancing on the seat. It’s good for all age-groups and is great for the heart.


JOGGING

 
1) Jogging is a brilliant fat-burner. You don’t need any fancy equipment to start you off, just a decent pair of trainers. And you can make it more interesting by changing your route.
2) An average woman will manage to burn off a whopping 260 calories in just 20 minutes of jogging – and it targets your bottom, hips and thighs.
3) It reduces overall body fat and is more effective than sit-ups. To burn even more fat, try interval training.
4) If you’re new to jogging, beware that it can be tough on the joints, especially your knees and ankles.
5) Stop if you experience pain and ensure that you are getting enough calcium in your diet to keep bones and joints strong.


NETBALL


1) It burns about 255 calories an hour and is especially good for toning up wobbly thighs and bingo wings.
2) It also quickly increases your fitness levels because there is plenty of stopping and starting, which boosts fitness and fat-burning a lot more effectively than just exercising at a steady pace. Better still, it’s also very sociable and fun, so you’ll be more inclined to go regularly.

Diet Fitness

A Look on Diet Fitness

Many people nowadays are very much conscious about their own health and fitness. In addition to that, these people, and many others as well, are now having that desire to sculpt their bodies to ahieve that magazine-cover look. As a result, gyms, health spas and other fitness centers have proliferated all over to cater to the needs of the fitness buffs and afficionados.Even on television exercise machines, weight loss products, and other paraphernalia to improve fitness have more or less gained control over the airwaves and made their way into the households. But exerise is not the only way to build that body beautiful. It also entails certain amount of responsibility on the foods one chooses to eat. Being healthy and fit requires one to observe diet fitness.

Diet fitness is as essential as exercise itself. Diet for fitness provides the essential nutrition one needs to restore worn-out muscles and for healthy growth. Diet fitness should never be taken for granted. With the popularity of keeping fit, many different views, methods, programs and dieting strategies have been formulated by many professionals.

Among these are high carb diets and high fat diets. Which one is more effective and which one should one choose to follow?First thing to know would be the fundamental differences between these two diet approaches.
As the name implies, high carb diets concentrates on taking in carbohydrate-rich foods while high fat diets endorses fat-rich foods. High carb diets are utilized to glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is a glucose complex that provides large amounts of energy ready for use in anaerobic exercises.

Fats, on the other hand, is well-nown for being the richest source of calories. It actually contains 2.5 times more calories than carbohydrates and proteins alike. Studies also show that it takes the body 24 calories to metabolize carbohydrates while it only takes 3 to burn down fat. So which one to follow?

A person can follow a high carb and low fat fitness diet or the other way around. It is absolutely not recommended to follow both at the same time; unless of course if you want to gain body fat.But then diet fitness is not all about losing fat, one must also consider his diet in order to keep fat away.

Research shows that sustainable loss of weight can only be achieved on a diet which suits the individual food preferences, lifestyle, medical profile and satiety signals.Diet programs all over can help you shed off excess pounds, but only one diet can help you stay sexy, and it is the one that satisfies you most.

Other important aspects of having a fit diet are moderation, balance and variation. One must be careful not to leave out important nutrients and other substances necessary for healthy body functioning. health organizations are clear about the amounts of nutrients an individual should have in the body.

Low fat high carbs, high carbs low fat; the question is not which diet program will work out but which is it that will work for you. Striving for a sexy and healthy body does not have to burden an individual, diet fitness does not have to mean sticking to the same kind of food for life. One may even try to be adventurous and try out new foods out there. Who knows? one may even discover spinach interesting.

Cheers to the Best Drink

Cheers to the best drink |







It’s time to kick the cola and energy drinks and indulge in some pure fresh water.



Especially in a hot and humid city like ours, body water is lost rapidly and requires regular replenishment. Our body consists of about 65 per cent water and just cannot do without it. A mere two per cent drop in body water can trigger signs of dehydration, short term memory loss and difficulty in focussing.

Natural healer: Blood circulation is affected when dehydration sets in. The problem only gets worse as dehydration causes the brain to become less active and body to feel tired and fatigued. Water keeps the digestive system in order and flushes out waste products. Water is the natural way towards achieving glowing skin. Drinking acts as a body purifier, removing toxins and waste from your body. “Water forms the basis of wellbeing and cannot be substituted,”


Weight loss: Water is an important catalyst for weight loss. “Although, most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true ‘magic potion’ for permanent weight loss,”  “Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolise stored fat.” Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase.


Fluid retention: Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. Explains Dilnaz, “When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to retain every drop.” Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cell). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water.


Salt balance: Drinking a healthy amount of water helps the body get rid of unnecessary salts. As the water is forced through the kidneys it takes away excess sodium.

Cold is best: Water preferably should be consumed cold. It’s absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. Avoid iced water. Drinking chilled water will quench your thirst fast but the body might actually require a lot more water.


Increase water intake


Drink a glass of water with each meal and between meals.


Take water breaks instead of coffee or tea breaks.


Substitute alcoholic drinks with water at social gatherings.

How to break weight loss plateau

How To Break a Weight Loss

No matter how efficient your diet & workout plan, you are bound to face a weight-loss plateau at one point or another. But this does not mean your weight-loss trend has ended, it just means that you need to revise your tactics and fitness routine to overcome the plateau and march ahead! Plateaus are common to anybody who's been on the same diet and exercise plan for a while, which is the reason why you don't see the same results you saw at the beginning. But its not as scary or difficult to break a weight-loss plateau. I've done it myself, and I hope my ideas help you achieve similar results too!


If you've been eating right and exercising often, you've probably been losing weight at a rate of one or two pounds a week. However, as you get closer to your optimum weight, it usually gets harder to lose those last few pounds. You know you've hit a weight-loss plateau when more than two weeks have gone by without any further change in your weight, while you still follow the same regimen! So the first thing you do is review your exercise and diet program, find out what's wrong and make amendments. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started!

Calorie Intake & Diet Plan
As you probably know by now, weight loss is all about burning more calories than you consume. A healthy diet plan is the key, so take a quick look at your food diary, or calorie intake.


Are you still keeping track of your portion sizes, even when you are dining out?
Are you spacing your meals 5 times a day, dividing daily calories between them?
have you recently sneaked in a few desserts or carbs thinking a piece won't hurt much?
Did you switch to sodas instead of smoothies and juices?
Are you drinking enough water?


It's easy to increase your calorie intake accidentally, without realizing how its hurting your diet plan. Remember, a baked potato is not the same as a baked potato with gravy and butter! So evaluate your calorie consumption; maintain a diet hhournal if you like; if you are well above the 1200(for women) or 1500 (for men) daily intake level, you can try cutting down a couple hundred calories to break the plateau. However, if you are consuming less than 1,200 calories a day (1,500 for a man), your body may react by slowing down as a self-preservation measure. This means your metabolism rate falls, and you actually store fat even if you're working out consistently.


Eat 5-6 Times a Day
Eating frequently stabilizes your blood sugar, controls appetite, and keeps your energy up. Ideally, you shouldn't go more than three or four hours without eating something. Doing so slows down your metabolism and makes your body burn fat at a slower rate. Its also very important to eat as soon as you feel hungry - a feeling of hunger indicates your blood sugar is going down, which makes you prone to craving simple sugars. If you're eating three times a day, eat five. If you're already eating five times, upgrade to six or seven. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll be eating more food; just divide your calories into 6 meals per day.


Change Your Workout Routine
"Variety is the spice of life" - and this phrase has never been so fitting to a scenario! It takes your body only four weeks to get used to a workout. Once something becomes a routine for your metabolism, plateaus are likely. The most efficient way to break a plateau is to shake up your fitness routine. Join an online weight loss program to find tips and ideas. If you are used to 30 mins on the treadmill, switch to cycling or kick-boxing instead. Instead of the stationary bike, switch to a Stepper or a StairMaster. Instead of running in the morning, try playing tennis or do some swimming. Use Interval Training to your advantage; short bursts (30-60 sec)of higher-intensity movement, such as sprint, followed by 2-3 mins of less intense exercise like walking. Adding variety to your routine brings revs up your metabolism as the body has to start adapting again.


Add More Strength Training
If you are not doing so already, start lifting weights now to boost your metabolism and burn fat! When you lift weights, your muscle fibers suffer tiny tears which causes you to experience soreness for a couple days; but that's normal. Changing the intensity of the workout helps a lot. Try to increase the amount of weights you lift, or try changing the number of repetitions. Whenever you change a workout routine your body responds by burning fat. Do not under-estimate the power of strength-training; in fact, lifting weights is the best way to conquer that plateau! Challenge your muscles with harder exercises or heavier weights (every 6 to 8 weeks), adding a set of risers during your step class, increasing the incline on the treadmill, the duration of your run/walk, etc… It might seem tough at first as your newly challenged muscles will have to work harder but you will burn more calories and build more lean muscle mass in the process. its always a good idea to do a combination of resistance machines and free-weights, as the latter can increase metabolic rate as high as 10% in one session!


Avoid Alc0hol & Drink Water
Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Every time you feel the urge to snack, drink a glass of water first and see if the urge goes away. Coffee, tea or any other juices count as liquids, but add an extra glass of pure water for each cup of coffee you drink, as caffeine tends to dehydrate the body. Research has shown that BMR increase by 30%, not to mention flushing out all toxins from your body, thereby contributing to a healthy weight-loss. As for Alcohol, it is a known fact that it contains a large amount of calories, but hardly any other nutrients, and some of these are also high in sugars and fat. Alc0hol consumption slows down the fat burning capabilities of the body, as the body focuses on using the alcohol (a toxin) as fuel, rather than burning fat for energy. Alc0hol also dehydrates, which in turn, makes you hungry. So avoid Alc0hol, and start drinking more Water instead!


Losing weight requires exercise or controlled caloric intake . While its important to maintain a healthy weight, do not get obsessed by it! And plateaus in weight loss are very common; it only means you've successfully lost a lot of weight, and now you need to re-evaluate your regimen to overcome the weight-loss plateaus. Just follow the simple steps above, and you'll be ready to drop a couple more sizes the next time you buy yourself a new dress!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Remedies for Sinus

Home Remedies for sinus





Causes of Sinus Infection:
* Follow-up to a cold or flu.


* Injury to the nose.


* Growths inside the nose (polyps).


* Smoking.


* Irritating fumes.


* Environmental and food allergies.

The causes for this occurring are referred to under Coughs and Catarrhal Infections and the effects are very similar a blocked-up feeling in the nose, slight temperature, tickly cough, headache and excruciating pain in and around those cavities particularly above the eyes. Many of the remedies, particularly the inhalants, oils and tickly cough cures given under Colds and Chest Infections will work well.




Home Remedies for Sinus Pressure Relief:

* You should inhale steam vapors periodically. This is a very simple yet effective home remedy for sinus allergies. All you have to do is bow your head over a hot water bowl so that the steam can reach your face directly. Start inhaling the steam vapors. Repeat this for 2-3 mins as many times as it is convenient to do so. The main purpose is to thin the usually thick mucus so that drainage is enhanced.


* Consumption of garlic juice or garlic capsules. It has been said that garlic has anti-bacterial and anti fungal properties. Since a sinus infection could be either bacterial or fungal in nature, the properties of garlic should be an effective natural cure. Another option is to put some chopped fresh garlic in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam 2-3 times a day. This is another effective home remedy for sinus allergies.


* Another natural cure and home remedy for sinus infection is to use Apple Cider Vinegar, which contains potassium. This helps decrease mucus production and have shown to be beneficial as a natural home remedy of sinus allergies, runny nose and the common cold. Mix 2 teaspoonfuls of organic Apple Cider Vinegar in a full glass of warm water and drink it up. Do this 3 times a day.


* Food allergy is one of the major causes of sinus allergies. It may sound preposterous, but many people have found that avoiding certain food groups totally cured them of this condition! For chronic sinus allergies sufferers, you need to avoid taking dairy products, wheat, eggs, chickens, ducks, chocolates, peanuts, bananas and corn. To be absolutely sure which food group you may be allergic to, a diagnostic blood test is highly recommended. Therefore, avoiding certain food groups which are known to cause allergic reactions can be a simple and yet effective home remedy for sinus allergies.


* 2 fresh young nettle tops, 1 tablespoon blackberry leaves, 1 sprig fresh peppermint, 1 head meadowsweet 600 ml(1 pint) boiling water. Infuse all the herbs in the boiling water for 10 mmutes, covered. Take in the springtime to clear this painful problem before summer arrives. This will prevent sinus infection.


* Taken separately or in combination with juices of beet and cucumber, or with spinach juice, has been found beneficial in the treatment of sinus trouble. In the case of combined juices, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices, or 200 ml of spinach juice, should be mixed with 300ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml or half a litre of the mixed juice. This will help in reducing sinus allergies.
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* Natural home remedy for sinus infection using Essential oil of eucalyptus or pine. A few drops of either in hot water are good to inhale. This is beneficial for the treatment of sinus allergies.


* The liberal use of mangoes during the season is considered an effective remedy for prevention and treatment of sinusitis. Mangoes contribute towards formation of healthy epithelium, thereby preventing frequent attacks of common infections like sinusitis. This is attributable to a high concentration of vitamin A in the fruit.







Making Up your Eyes

Making Up Your Eyes
That Actually Work

Eye make up tips are provided on these pages to educate and entice you. There are countless tips that can be considered, but only the best are worth your time. Many of us realize that the eyes are the most essential part of the make up of the face. Take note of these eye make-up tricks for a quick glamour fix that you’ll just adore!

· Arch your brows to begin. The key to a clean look for your eyes begins with a beautiful shapely brow! Avoid the “werewolf syndrome” by trimming and shaping your brows.  I always take in a picture to show how I want my brows to look.

Eyeliners. Eyeliners add further definition to the eye and put a more finished look to the effect desired with the application of the eye shadow. To apply the eyeliner, draw the line first on the lower lid, and then draw a line on the upper lid, starting from the inner corner and going towards the outer corner. The eyeliner should be applied closely to the lash line.

Mascara. In putting mascara on the eyelashes, a woman adds more life to her eyes and makes them seem brighter. The color of the mascara that you should choose, however, should complement the color of your skin.

· Choose your shadows wisely. Eye color makes a difference when choosing shadow colors. Brown eyes look good with most colors, however, try adding some variety to your face by spicing it up with some color. Blue and green eyes should avoid the blue and green shadows. This will give you a pale and dull appearance. If you have blue or green eyes, smoky colors tend to bring out your eyes the best. A make-up trio is good to buy because part of the work is already done for you, color coordination. When you use a color trio, go from lighter to darker starting at the lid part of your eye.

· Applying the Shadow. Most women just start applying shadow without the most important initial step, the base. Using foundation to base your eyes brings out the true color of the shadow and allows the shadow to stay on longer. After the base, apply the shadow with a long tipped brush. These are just better for application and blending. To top it off, add a little liner to the very top of your lids to make your eyes appear sexier, but be sure to smudge it. Helpful hint-after applying more than one color, blend them with a separate brush to create a more natural look.

· Mascara is a Must- Choosing your mascara is tricky. Most women don’t put much thought or money into the type of mascara that they use. Well, if I were to invest in one expensive type of make-up, it would be the mascara. Why? Well, for one, cheap mascara can actually lead to breakage of the lashes! It’s true… cheap mascara, which leads to clumping, weighs down the lashes, which eventually leads to tearing lids out to remove the mascara. You can choose thickening mascara, lengthening, or conditioning (if you don’t need longer or thicker lashes) depending on what you need. The make-up market has a plethora of mascara products to choose from. I suggest avoiding colorful mascaras, as they tend to add too much to your look.

· Pull your look together by color-coding. Basically, be sure to tie it all together by choosing the rest of your cosmetics to match your beautiful new eyes. If you are wearing smoky eyes, red lips look great! Shimmery shadows go great with nude or earth tone lips. Never mix shiny lips with shimmery, eyes unless you want to look like a character from High School Musical. Just be sure that you aren’t over killing on one color.

Curl lashes An eyelash curler will make even long lashes look more gorgeous. For added effect, you can heat the curler under a blowdryer for a couple seconds. Test curler before applying to lashes because you could burn yourself.
Apply mascara Place the wand of your mascara brush at the bottom of lashes and wiggle back and forth. Follow with another few sweeps of the wand. Apply to bottom lashes as well.

How Sugar ruins our Health

124 Ways Sugar Ruins Your Health

As much as we try to deny it, we all feel in our bones that sugar is harmful to us. Why else would we try to restrict our and our children's intake of it to only a few sweets at a time? We know it instinctively, but perhaps we need to know more

-Sugar can suppress the immune system.
-Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.
-Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
-Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
-Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).
-Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.
-Sugar reduces high density lipoproteins.
-Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.
-Sugar leads to cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, and rectum.
-Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.
-Sugar causes copper deficiency.
-Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
-Sugar can weaken eyesight.
-Sugar raises the level of a neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
-Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
-Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.
-Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.
-Sugar malabsorption is frequent in patients with functional bowel disease.
-Sugar can cause premature aging.
-Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
-Sugar can cause tooth decay.
-Sugar contributes to obesity.
-High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
-Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
-Sugar can cause arthritis.
-Sugar can cause asthma.
-Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).
-Sugar can cause gallstones.
-Sugar an cause heart disease.
-Sugar can cause appendicitis.
-Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.
-Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.
-Sugar can cause varicose veins.
-Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.
-Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
-Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
-Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.
-Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
-Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E in the blood.
-Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
-Sugar can increase cholesterol.
-Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
-Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
-High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs)(Sugar bound non- enzymatically to protein)
-Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.
-Sugar causes food allergies.
-Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
-Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
-Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
-Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
-Sugar can impair the structure of DNA.
-Sugar can change the structure of protein.
-Sugar can make our skin age by changing the structure of collagen.
-Sugar can cause cataracts.
-Sugar can cause emphysema.
-Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
-Sugar can promote an elevation of low density lipoproteins (LDL).
-High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in the body.
-Sugar lowers the enzymes ability to function.
-Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease.
-Sugar can cause a permanent altering the way the proteins act in the body.
-Sugar can increase the size of the liver by making the liver cells divide.
-Sugar can increase the amount of liver fat.
-Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
-Sugar can damage the pancreas.
-Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
-Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement.
-Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).
-Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
-Sugar can make the tendons more brittle.
-Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.
-Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women.
-Sugar can adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders.
-Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves.
-Sugar can cause depression.
-Sugar increases the risk of gastric cancer.
-Sugar and cause dyspepsia (indigestion).
-Sugar can increase your risk of getting gout.
-Sugar can increase the levels of glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test over the ingestion of complex carbohydrates.
-Sugar can increase the insulin responses in humans consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
-High refined sugar diet reduces learning capacity.
-Sugar can cause less effective functioning of two blood proteins, albumin, and lipoproteins, which may reduce the body's ability to handle fat and cholesterol.
-Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer's disease.Sugar can cause platelet adhesiveness.
-Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance; some hormones become underactive and others become overactive.
-Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
-Sugar can lead to the hypothalamus to become highly sensitive to a large variety of stimuli.
-Sugar can lead to dizziness.
-Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
-High sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.
-High sugar diet can lead to biliary tract cancer.
-Sugar feeds cancer.
-High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents is associated with a twofold increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.
-High sugar consumption can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration among adolescents.
-Sugar slows food's travel time through the gastrointestinal tract.
-Sugar increases the concentration of bile acids in stools and bacterial enzymes in the colon. This can modify bile to produce cancer-causing compounds and colon cancer.
-Sugar increases estradiol (the most potent form of naturally occurring estrogen) in men.
-Sugar combines and destroys phosphatase, an enzyme, which makes the process of digestion more dificult.
-Sugar can be a risk factor of gallbladder cancer.
-Sugar is an addictive substance.
-Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.Sugar can exacerbate PMS.
-Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
-The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
-The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
-Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
-Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.
-Sugar can slow down the ability of the adrenal glands to function.
-Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in a normal healthy individual and to promote chronic degenerative diseases.I.Vs (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to the brain.
-High sucrose intake could be an important risk factor in lung cancer.
-Sugar increases the risk of polio.
-High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.
-Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.
-In Intensive Care Units: Limiting sugar saves lives.
-Sugar may induce cell death.
-Sugar may impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in living organisms.In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44% drop in antisocial behavior.
-Sugar can cause gastric cancer.
-Sugar dehydrates newborns.
-Sugar can cause gum disease.
-Sugar increases the estradiol in young men.
-Sugar can cause low birth-weight babies.