10 smart eating habits

Most of us have a busy work schedules and a dozen other commitments to look into.

But, to do justice to all these various aspects of your life, you MUST pay attention to your diet and health.

How you eat your food is as important as what you eat. So, the next time you sit down to eat, enjoy your meal by keeping these pointers in mind.

i. Eat slowly; chew your food well

It takes 20 minutes before your stomach sends a clear message to your brain that you're full.

If you take the time to chew your food well, you will find you end up eating less. Ideally, you should have smaller, frequent meals as opposed to larger, infrequent ones.

ii. Eat more

If you want to lose weight, starving yourself does not help -- you need to eat well.

Surprised?

Here's the explanation: When your body doesn't receive the required nutrients, your metabolism slows down. Metabolism is the rate at which you burn calories while resting. So, if you don't eat enough, fewer calories will be burnt and there will be less fat loss. You should eat small meals at regular intervals to keep your energy levels high. Eat till you are satiated (at the same time, don't forget what we suggested in Tip No 1).

iii. Eat less red meat

Red meats are high in saturated fat and should be avoided by people with high cholesterol.

Chicken and fish are the best meats to consume.

Fish is better than chicken because it has antioxidants. Antioxidants are organic substances that include vitamins C, E, A and carotenoids; carotenoids add pigment to some fruits and vegetables. For instance, carrots wouldn't be orange without them. Beta-carotenoid is the most popular of carotenoids. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke.

These meats can be baked, grilled or roasted. Frying will add unnecessary fat.

iv. Prevent constipation

Add fibre to your diet; this adds bulk to your food and prevents constipation. Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bran, wheat germ, brown rice, fruits (especially with their skin), prunes (dried plums), etc, are all good sources of fibre. Home remedies for constipation including the following:

~ Have guavas with the seeds.

~ Have honey in a glass of milk twice a day.

~ Have one tablespoon of corn syrup in a glass of water. Corn syrup is actually corn starch, which is primarily glucose. It is used in making candies, jams and jellies because it does not crystallise like sugar. Corn syrup is available in any well-stocked supermarket.

v. Have onion and garlic

Onion decreases blood pressure and garlic decreases cholesterol. Any amount and form of onion and garlic will give you the benefits of their properties, but a raw garlic clove taken on an empty stomach in the morning is the best.

vi. Use less salt in your cooking

Use minimum amount of salt for cooking if you have high blood pressure. Salt also causes water retention. This means your body will retain water if it is not receiving enough.

After all, it still has to carry on the normal functioning of the organs and, if you are not drinking enough H2O, then the body starts keeping it.

Water being taken in other forms, such as, soups, dals, drinks, etc, is retained for later use. Bloating and puffiness are all signs of water retention.

vii. Have calcium-rich foods

Use skimmed or double-toned milk and milk products as these contain less fat. Double-toned milk has lesser fat than toned or full cream milk.

In the non-packaged variety, cow's milk is just as good as skimmed milk; it is definitely better than buffaloes' milk as the latter contains large amounts of fat. You should have between one and two glasses of milk a day.

Other sources of calcium and protein can be taken instead of milk, if one is allergic to it. Calcium rich foods include almonds, figs, red kidney beans (rajma), mustard greens (sarson ka saag), etc. Proteins can be found in meats, sprouts, soya, dals, etc.

viii. Switch from maida to whole grains

Replace maida products with whole grains, whole wheat, soya breads, etc, as these have a good amount of fibre; fibre helps in binding cholesterol, which helps in less production of bad cholesterol. Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bran, wheat germ and brown rice, fruits, especially with skins, prunes, etc, are all good sources of fibre.

Too much fibre may cause loose stools, so you have to monitor your individual intake accordingly. Medically, approximately 25 gm of fibre a day is enough to help maintain your digestive system.

A good indicator: four slices of brown bread contains five grams of fibre; so does one large banana or orange.

ix. Have foods that contain iron

These include red meats, especially liver, fruits like watermelon and pomegranate, vegetables like spinach, beans, beets and broccoli, whole grains, dried fruits, especially prunes, sunflower seeds, etc.

x. Relish the flavours

You may have heard some of these before. But the best good food habit, which we all seem to overlook, is to actually taste and enjoy the flavour of the food with your emotions instead of just your tongue.

Exercise for Healthy Back.

Most of us sit in a single position for the whole day in the office, and in the morning / evening drive all the way to our places. As a result at night, while going to bed, many of us experience a slight pain in the back. This may lead to many further diseases and disabilities as well.
Don't panic, just do the following exercise for min 10 mins every morning and shoot off the back pain.

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley (DHANIYA) and wash it clean

Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

Medicinal Importance of Pine Apple

Pine apple which is commonly known as Bromelain is a known edible fruit with unknown useful features.This article is to reveal the medicinal importance of pine apple and how it is beneficial to our health especially for loosing our body fat.

Medicinal values

Bromelain has proved for its fat burning property. Pine apples contain a proteolytic enzyme, which breaks down proteins. It is often used as a supplement for people with inflammation. It is also very effective for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers because it aids digestion to avoid upset stomachs and excess stomach acids.

It relieves sore throat and acute sinusitis. It accelerates the healing of wounds. Pine apples contain micronutrients that experts believe protect protects against cancer and also break up blood clots and are beneficial to heart Ripen pine apple has diurectic properties. Pine apple juice also kills intestinal worms. It relieves intestinal disorders and soothes the bile. Pine apple juice stimulates the kidneys and aids in removing toxic elements in the body. It has been also proposed for the treatment of hemorrohoids, menstrual pain, auto immune disorders and ulcerative colitis.

What does your sleep position reveal about your personality?

These imply says, "I am happy to be single and spending five to seven hours sprawled out in the center of my bed alone."

At other points, my tightly squeezed eyes and curled-up body would have screamed, "I know the baby will wake up/someone will start snoring/the alarm will begin blaring as soon as I finally, finally, finally get to sleep."

Years and years ago, the corpse-looking college student still in her clothes would have mumbled something like, "Finals. Boys. Beer."

Our lives, the amount of sleep we get, and how well we actually rest during those nighttime hours may change drastically over time. However, one sleep researcher says that our body position in bed could say something about who we are, not just what else is happening in our lives.

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, says that a study of 1,000 Brits revealed that the six most common sleeping positions are indicative of personality types.

If this sounds ridiculous (and honestly, I'd love to see information on this study and the analysis fleshed out further than any of the reports I could find), consider that Idzikowski says it comes down to body language.

"We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us," Idzikowski said. "What's interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect."

The research also links certain sleeping positions with health risks. Some aid digestion while others spur on snoring and restlessness.

Here are the six common sleeping positions and correlated personality traits and health implications, according to this study.

[graphic via BBC.com]

• Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

• Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log.

• Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

• Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep.

• Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

• Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.

If you think you are one of those people who move through all of these positions, that's not likely to really be the case. Idzikowski said the research reveals most people stay in the same position all night and only 5% lay differently night by night. Also interesting is that the study showed only one in ten people cover their bodies entirely with a blanket, with most people exposing an arm, leg, or both feet.

Make A Successful Weight Loss Just By Drinking Water - Maybe The Easiest Weight Loss Method

Make A Successful Weight Loss Just By Drinking Water - Maybe The Easiest Weight Loss Method






Well, you may have heard it before - you can lose weight just by drinking pure plain water. Do you think it is like that? Yes, it is, you can lose weight just by drinking water. I will explain why it is so.
There are studies that show that just by drinking water your metabolism will increase with up to 30 percentages. That is quite impressive, isn't it? To make your weight loss possible you need to drink eight glasses of water every day, and if you have lots of overweight you need to drink a few glasses more. If you live in a warm climate or if you exercise very intensive you need to drink more than the eight glasses. You maybe think that eight glasses is much water to drink, but you shouldn't drink it at the same time; instead you need to spread it out throughout the day.

Drinking water is not only great for your weight loss. Just by drinking lots of water you will look better because and your skin will become more glowing. Your muscles will work more effective when you exercise which will lead to a better shaped body.
A few tips about how you should act when you decide to lose weight just by drinking water:

• Start every morning with a glass of water.
• Drink a glass of water before every meal.
• Drink lukewarm water, it may be easier to drink lots of water when it isn't cold.
• Add a slice of lemon if you don't like the taste of the water.
• Avoid drinking just before you go to bed.

Drinking water is a cheap and very effective way to lose weight, but often you need to add some diet and exercise to make your weight loss effective.

Dark Circles : Why Do I Get Them?

There are a number of causes of dark circles under the eyes. Some are well known and documented but many are rarely discussed.

The important thing to remember is that you can do something about these dark circles. You may be able to change something in your life that will see them go completely. You may be able to treat them on a regular basis and keep them at bay. At worst, you will certainly be able to conceal the marks.

So, let's take a good look at the common -- and not so common -- causes of dark circles under the eyes and how to prevent them.

Causes of Dark Circles Under The Eyes

* Thinning skin
The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate to begin with. As we age, skin and the fat pad under the eyes becomes thinner, causing blood vessels to become noticeable. This gives the appearance of dark circles. Sun damage can make it worse because it weakens skin.

* Allergies and Hayfever
Dark circles under the eyes can be the result of allergies to airborne substances, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, because people rub their itchy eyes. People with hayfever may notice them at the height of the season. Food allergies or sensitivities can also contribute to dark circles.

* Genetics
Dark circles under the eyes runs in families. They tend to be more noticeable in people with fair skin or deep-set eyes.

* Fluid Retention
Blood vessels under the eyes can become dilated and engorged, which can contribute to dark circles. Excess dietary salt and smoking are common causes. Conditions that cause fluid retention (e.g. heart, thyroid, kidney, liver diseases) or medications that cause blood vessel dilation may be a factor. Your doctor should be aware of any symptoms you're experiencing.

* Lack of sleep
A lack of sleep can make skin appear more pale, which allows blood vessels to be more visible through the skin, giving the appearance of bluish or dark circles.

* Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia may cause a bluish tinge below the eyes.

* Dehydration
Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of dehydration.

Remedies for Dark Circles Under the Eyes

1. Drink at least ten glasses of water everyday.

2. Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 under the eyes to prevent skin weakening caused by sun damage.

3. Massage dark circles with any cold cream before going to bed at least for 15 minutes. Yoga can also help you to get rid of dark circles. Do pranayam for at least 5 minutes everyday.

4. Apply plain cool teabags over closed eyes. Don’t use herbal teabags, because most aren't as effective.

5. Apply cool cucumber slices over closed eyes for 15 minutes.

6. Be careful not to consume too much dietary salt. Start by learning about sources of sodium in the diet.

7. Apply vitamin K cream. Although studies haven't looked at the use of topical vitamin K for dark circles under the eyes, preliminary studies have found that vitamin K may help with bruising.

8. Vitamin C helps to strengthen blood vessel walls.

9. The dietary supplements grape seed extract and pycnogenol contain antioxidant pigments that may help to strengthen blood vessels. They should be used under medical supervision by people on "blood-thinning" drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) and aspirin.

Certain foods, such as cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, tea (green and black), black currant, onions, legumes, and parsley also contain these antioxidant pigments.

10. Eat kidney-balancing foods. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a bluish cast under the eyes are due to an imbalance in kidney energy. Learn more about kidney yang deficiency and foods to eat.

11.Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice. Dip cotton balls in rose water or chilled water and keep it over the darker areas for 5-10 minutes.

12.Cut the fresh figs into half and place them under the eye. Keep them for 15-30 minutes and rinse it with warm water.

13.Apply a paste of powdered almonds and milk under the eyes. Slurp this juice to get rid of those tainted circles.

14.Almond oil is the excellent skin food. Massage under and around the eyes with almond oil daily for 2 weeks.

few home remedies for curing & prevention of dark circles permanently (for those who doesn't use cosmetics)

*Dip a cotton swab into freshly extracted mint juice, rosewater or cold milk. Lie down with your feet raised higher than your head, and then place the wet pads on your closed eyes. Stay that way for 10 minutes. Do this everyday and you will start seeing results before long.

*Gently massage saffron or almond oil on the dark area before going to bed.

*Lie down and place a slice of cucumber or potato on each eyelid for about fifteen minutes.

*Applying equal parts of lime juice and tomato mixture for half an hour after washing your face in the morning reduces dark circles.

*Applying peeled and grated potato overnight for a minimal period of three times a week will help in treating dark circles.

*Pressing the index finger of your palm is recommended for eyesight to remove dark circles.

*Dark circles can be totally eliminated by doing pranayam for minimum five minutes daily.

*Follow a diet rich in iron, vitamins and proteins. Deficiencies immediately show up as circles under the eyes.

*You can also use a mixture of almond oil or cucumber juice with lemon juice to lighten dark circles.

*Drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.

*Also do some regular exercises.