Health tips!

[fatima]

Oooooh ! Aaahhhh! Ouch! Are you heading to your medicine cabinet once again? Why don't you try your kitchen instead? Grandma says there is many an adequate cure on your kitchen shelf and there is little need to dose and drug yourself for small ailments and problems. Why don't you give it a try? Most kitchen cures are harmless - you needn't worry about the side effects. After all, the history of medicine did begin in the humble kitchens of yore.

The scorching Indian summers can create havoc with your skin. While brown skin doesn't peel with heat - it still reacts adversely to an overdose of the sun. You need to cool your skin first. Rubbing cold water or ice on the skin helps immensely. If you've spent too many hours in the sun - try cold water first and gradually introduce ice - so as to decrease your skin's sensitivity to the extreme change in temperature.

Lavender oil is just as effective for soothing parched skin. Rub it gently onto your skin - and you'll feel better in a short while.

But if the spell in the sun has dehydrated you (when you feel dizzy or listless) - you need to act a lot faster. Get out of the sun and stop all activity. Drink a few glasses of cold (but not chilled) water. Add a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in it if you can.

Here's a sweet way to get rid of hiccups - try a spoonful sugar. Or if you prefer a sour taste - suck at a slice of lemon - your hiccups will disappear before you can say Jack Robinson. Some people believe that if you block your ears with your fingers - and drink water through a straw - you can get rid of hiccups.

Regular migraines? Try two spoons of honey after every meal. This remedy could even prevent potential migraine attacks.

Plagued by sinus? You need to clear out those blocks. Use an extra pillow and keep your head elevated through the night - it helps drainage and prevents the blocks from forming. A totally sugar free diet is said to do away with sinusitis. And helps you lose weight as well!

Regular dose of garlic, and hot milk with turmeric can ward off many a cold and throat infection.

It's important to remember, though that home remedies are recommended only for minor ailments that plague us regularly. You should consult your doctor for major or chronic symptoms.

[fatima]

Eyes need to look bright and sparkling to attract attention. Puffy or red eyes are lack lustre and make you look tired and ill.

Nature's best ingredients for removing puffy eyes are cucumber and potato.

Take a small raw potato or cucumber
Slice into small pieces
Blend to a fine consistency in a mixie
Strain the excess juice.
Preserve the pulp.
Make a cup of tulsi tea
Mix the tea and the pulp well
Pour into ice trays and freeze to make ice cubes.
Every time your eyes are puffy or red, just scoop a cube and dab them on your closed eyes for a few minutes.
Rinse your eyelids gently and pat dry.
Puffiness is often caused by the accumulation of fluids around the eye. Use your middle finger and gently press along the eyebrow and around the eye socket. This will stimulate the lymphatic system and help drain excess fluid. The swelling will reduce.

Take a rounded metal spoon and place it in your fridge for a few minutes. When it gets cold, take it out and hold the rounded bit against your eyes for a few minutes. This again will help reduce puffiness.

Red eyes or sore eyes are often caused by exposure to the sun, wind or chlorine. They need some soothing treatment to look healthy and sparkling again.

Mix 2 tablespoons of water to a glass of mineral water. Stir well. Bathe your eyes in this solution 3 - 4 times a day. Open your eyes and blink gently while you move your eyeballs around.

Gently pat your eyes dry.
Too much of salt in your diet will cause your body to hold onto fluid. This could show up under your eye or anywhere else in your body.

Use an extra pillow at night. If your head is elevated when you sleep, it discourages fluids from settling around your eyes.

[fatima]

Grind a raw potato and add almond paste to it. Apply this mixture regularly under your eyes to get rid of dark circles and puffiness.

Make a paste of amla powder and lemon juice. Apply this regularly on the greying hair. The hair will darken again gradually..

Drink a cup of carrot juice everyday to reduce your weight and make your skin glow.

[fatima]

The following 10 tips to help keep your voice in shape:

1. Drink water to keep your body well hydrated, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Your vocal cords vibrate very fast, and having a proper water balance helps keep them lubricated. Important note: Foods containing large amounts of water are excellent hydration-conscious snacks, including apples, pears, watermelon, peaches, melons, grapes, plums, bell peppers and applesauce.

2. Allow yourself several "vocal naps" every day, especially during periods of extended use. For instance, teachers should avoid speaking during the breaks between classes and find quiet ways to spend the lunch hour rather than talking in a noisy staff room with colleagues.

3. Don't smoke, or if you already do, quit. Smoking raises the risk of throat cancer tremendously, and inhaling smoke (even secondhand smoke) can irritate the vocal cords.

4. Don't abuse or misuse your voice. Avoid yelling or screaming, and try not to talk loudly in noisy areas. If your throat feels dry or tired, or your voice is getting hoarse, reduce your voice use. The hoarseness is a warning sign that your vocal cords are irritated.

5. Keep your throat and neck muscles relaxed even when singing high notes and low notes. Some singers tilt their heads up when singing high notes and down when singing low notes. "The high notes are on the ceiling and the low notes are on the floor," Rosenberg says. "Over time, you'll pay for that"—not just with strained vocal muscles but also by causing future limits on the vocal range.

6. Pay attention to how you speak every day. Even performers who have good singing habits can cause damage when they speak. Many skilled singers don't continue their healthy habits when they speak; indeed, says Herseth, "many people—including singers—should have much more breath flow when they speak."

7. Don't clear your throat too often. When you clear your throat, it's like slamming your vocal cords together. Doing it too much can injure them and make you hoarse. Try a sip of water or swallow to quench the urge to clear. If you feel like you have to clear your throat a lot, get checked by a doctor for such things as acid reflux disease, or allergy and sinus conditions.

8. When you're sick, spare your voice. Don't talk when you're hoarse due to a cold or infection. Listen to what your voice is telling you.

9. When you have to speak publicly, to large groups or outdoors, think about using amplification to avoid straining your voice.

10. Humidify your home and work areas. Remember, moist is good for the voice.

[fatima]

cool wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day? Refreshing, for sure.

But watermelon is more than just a seasonal treat. Here are three great health reasons to dig into this juicy fruit:

It's loaded with lycopene. Watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. That’s good news for your body, because early research suggests that lycopene may be a cancer crusher. (Here's a trick for unleashing more lycopene from your tomatoes.)

It can make your skin pretty. Watermelon is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes. Say no more -- bring on the melon! (Find out what other foods support youthful skin.)

It's practically calorie-free. With fewer than 50 calories in every cup, watermelon is one smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth. And with a whopping 141 grams of water per cubed cup, watermelon will keep you hydrated, too. (Here are 10 more low-calorie treats to try.)

[fatima]

Here's a list you'll want to check twice: Five ways to slash your risk of cancer.

Doing just one of the anticancer steps is better than nothing. But do all of them and you're cancer risk could drop by as much as 30 percent.

1. Don't smoke (a no-brainer).

2. Limit red meat, alcohol, fat, and . . .

List of 5, Cont'd. . . .
. . . salt.

3. Eat fruit, veggies, and whole grains -- lots of them!

4. Exercise regularly.

5. Watch your weight.

Pick and Choose, Just Pick
Although there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, making healthy choices in your daily life may reduce your risk. If you don't feel capable of following all the anticancer guidelines, at least choose to do the ones you know you have a good shot of sticking to. You can add a few more later, once you've made some progress. Baby steps are fine. And they're waaaay better than doing nothing

[fatima]

Yogurt happens to be edible bacteria. It is a by-product of milk and is a popular item in one's daily diet in the south where people swear by it. Surprisingly, it is not as popular in the northern parts of India - maybe people there are not really aware of the great benefits of this yummy milk derivative!

Yogurt is low on fat. Plain yogurt contains just 1/3 of the fat in, say, a piece of apple pie.

People who are on a daily intake of antibiotics and sulfa drugs which affect the intestines, should take yogurt as it can help stem the destruction.

Teens! Do you know that yogurt can help you in your battle against acne? Simply consume a lot of natural unsweetened yogurt. It will cool your system and reduce the onslaught of acne. In addition, you can also wash your face daily with water to which the juice of one lemon has been added (1 litre water to juice of 1 lemon). You could also apply a face mask of honey once a week for about an hour. See the difference it makes!

Do you suffer from bad breath? Never fear! Help is at hand - and it is help of the inexpensive kind! All you got to do is eat a lot of yogurt and you will no longer be afflicted by this embarrassing phenomenon!

If drinking milk causes intestinal discomfort, just switch to yogurt. People who cannot digest milk due to the lack of lactase can easily tolerate yogurt as it already has adequate lactase in it which aids in quick digestion.

Did you know that yogurt is naturally high in calcium? Should the dreaded disease osteoporosis run in your family causing brittle bones and teeth, take plenty of yogurt - it will help to strengthen bones and teeth.

As you can see, consumption of yogurt has multiple health benefits that cannot be ignored. Added to which it is really tasty, lends itself to many dishes, and is economical too! So, have you started on yogurt?

[fatima]

The refrigerator is the backbone of your kitchen. You can make it a healthy one by stocking low calorie or low fat food, high fibre foods, sauces, nutritious vegetables and fruits. Here are a few tips.

Clean the refrigerator once a fortnight.
Arrange foods that are only good for you, eg. low sugar foods, high fibre vegetables like saag or palak, barley etc.

Masalas and vegetables that are cut can be stored in a container. When you buy vegetables, cut them and store them. This can be used to make a ready to eat meal. Keep on the top shelf.

Meal from left overs. Left overs can be made into a sumptuous meal. This can also be kept on the top shelf.

Low fat foods. Reduce the oil and ghee as much as possible. Place low fat foods on top. For example: instead of whole milk, skimmed milk can be used and margarine can be used instead of butter.

Conceal Desserts. We often place vegetables and fruits in the crisper and sometimes even forget about some of them. Yummy desserts can be kept in the crisper so that we don't gorge on them always.

Healthy eating can be fun. Healthy eating can be fun provided you plan the food well. Put a sticker of a particular colour e.g. yellow for a very nutritious meal and a red sticker for salads etc.

Freeze fruits for children. Some fruits can be frozen like oranges, grapes, bananas etc. Children can snack on these. Instead of ice cream and creamy cakes, fruits can be given.

Organise the foods. Keep the less used foods in the lower shelves.

Make these tips a part of your routine to save you time and make you healthy.

[fatima]

Menstrual cramps are the bane of many a woman – and they seem to occur just when it is most inconvenient! Lays many a strong woman totally low – and no medicine seems to help at the crucial time! To tackle this problem which is almost as old as Eve, maybe, just maybe, we could turn to Grandma for help! Dare we consult her?

Herbal remedies - get relief the naturally!

It is a common enough occurrence and happens in more than 70% women at some point of their lives. In some the cramps may last but a few hours, in others, even 48 hours. Should it last longer, please take a doctor’s advice – there is no point in suffering endlessly. However, you could try out some of these remedies that have been suggested by Grandma after checking out your allergies of course!

The most natural solution, according to Grandma, and one that is easily the best is exercise! Did you know that walking helps in reducing menstrual cramps – and it is because when you walk, you automatically exercise your pelvic organs and increase the blood supply to them. Avoid vigorous or strenuous walking. Just remember to relax and move your arms and hips freely.
Have you tried having a warm bath or kept a heating pad where it hurts most – like the small of your back? You will find that it not only alleviates your pain but helps to relax those painful muscle spasms too.
Learn to keep your body warm when the attack is on – like covering your hips (the pelvic region). It will reduce the cramping pain quite a bit.
Ginger tea is supposed to really help in painful moments. You can also simmer some roots of ginger for about 15 minutes and drink that concoction after it cools (strongly recommended by Grandma).
Are you having your calcium supplements? Calcium intake is supposed to actually prevent menstrual cramps as the muscle tone is maintained. If there is any calcium deficiency, he muscles tend to become hyperactive and therefore cause the painful cramps. You will need at least 800 milligrams of calcium every day (equivalent to 3 cups of milk – Grandma of course feels this is best!)
Another vital necessity is magnesium as it increases the body’s capacity to absorb calcium, thus indirectly reducing painful cramps. Beans, whole grains, whole wheat flour, salmon, shrimp, tofu, all vegetables and nuts are foods rich in magnesium.
Acupuncture and other such holistic treatments are known to have a beneficial effect.
A tablespoon of aloe vera gel with a pinch of pepper can be had up to 3 times a day. Just check for possible allergic reactions.

[fatima]

Have you been searching for that miracle diet? You know you need to exercise, but you just aren’t the exercise type? “Eating right” has only been a phrase to you, but you’ve never known where to start?

If your answer to all of the above is “yes” then you are in the right place….
Did you know, certain foods provide satiety (or fill you up) better than others? The simple logic is, if what you eat fills you up, you are bound to eat less. And, if you eat less, you are sure to knock off a couple of kilos! Foods that fill you up better are rich in fibre, full of proteins or those with a high water content. What’s better, these foods come packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals!

Oats
Mum was right, after all! Breakfast is very important and oats are good for you! Did you know, that people who eat breakfast, have a lower BMI than those who don’t eat breakfast? Oatmeal is one of the best “fillers” you can get! It is packed with fibre, a great source for protein and it definitely keeps you full for longer. Oats can be cooked in water, and a little milk can be added later to cut down on calories. Oats mixed with yogurt tastes great too. This is a great combination for hot summer months. You can also add some almonds, raisins, or even fresh fruit to make it into a virtual powerhouse of nutrition!

Eggs
Eggs eaten at breakfast, keep you full for a longer period than a bowl of cereal, toast or plain fruit. They are packed with proteins and that is the secret of feeling “full”. Of course, if you have cholesterol issues, you may consider switching this option, or going only for egg whites whipped up with some fresh vegetables.

Low fat yogurt
Now, low fat yogurts are available off the shelf, in India too. What’s better, you can make your very own, at home. Boil the milk well, cool it, skim all the fat on the surface, and set the yogurt. Yogurt is a storehouse of calcium, which, when combined with other compounds found in dairy products, slows down the body’s process of manufacturing fat and it increases the body’s capacity to burn more fat. The good news is, moreso around the belly! Two or three servings of low fat yogurt a day will definitely help. Sneak in more yogurt into your meals by adding it to dips, soups or sauces.

Apples
An apple a day, they say, keeps the doctor away! We’ll tell you why….apples have a very high water content ( almost 85%), as well as lots of soluble and insoluble fibre, which makes you feel less hungry, after eating one. A great anytime snack, loaded with goodness and nutrition. Apples also contain quercetin, a flavnoid known for its anti oxidant properties in fighting cancer, loweringcholesterol levels and it aids in keeping your lungs healthy. Make sure you eat the peel for that’s where you find the fibre, the Vitamin C, iron and magnesium!

It’s important to eat right, rather than just eat less, if you want to lose weight.If you end up eating the wrong stuff, you will feel hungry faster and consequently will end up eating more! Fight the battle of the bulge the right way…

[fatima]

Constipation is caused by a wide variety of problems that range from simply not drinking enough liquids to having a very low fibre diet.

Medications such as iron and calcium supplements, drugs used to treat allergies, cold, hypertension, depression, antacids, diuretics (drugs which increase the flow of urine), non-steroid and anti-inflammatory drugs also cause constipation. Parkinson's disease, spinal cord disease and paralysis are the other known causes.

Weakness of the abdomen muscles and pelvic floor also lead to constipation, especially in the case of the elderly.

Nature cure for constipation

There are many home remedies which are effective in the treatment of constipation.

* A large slice of papaya every day will help in easy bowel movement.

* The juice made from the pulp of the ripe bel fruit is also recommended. Break the shell of the fruit and remove the seeds. Add water to the pulp and sugar if desired. Strain and serve.

* 6-8 apricots a day are also helpful. The cellulose in apricots acts as roughage and the pectin retains water. Two raw apples per day can also be taken.

* Figs have a high cellulose content. The fig seeds increase the peristaltic movements, thus easing constipation.

* Curd is also beneficial in treating constipation. Dates, bananas, raw cabbage and beetroot also help a great deal. Lemon juice with honey taken first thing in the morning is a good bowel stimulant