Friday 26 December 2014

BENEFITS OF AMLA







WINTER TREAT -  AMLA
Amla is the natural health supplement that the nature offers during winters to stay away from infections.

It  is very rich in vitamin C & essential bioflavonoids that enhance the benefits of Vitamin C & helps to protect and strengthen cell membranes.
It  contains unique nutrients that have a powerful effect on the immune system.
Indian gooseberry is known for its health benefits in Indian Ayurveda.
 It was traditionally used for diarrhea, jaundice, inflammatory and digestive disorders.
Uses of Amla ---
Enhances food absorption
 Balances stomach acid
Strengthens the liver and flushes toxins
Improve metabolism
Increase urination and eliminate toxins
 Protect the brain from free radical stress
Promote healthy blood flow to the skin and hair follicles gives relief from menstrual cramps.
Effective at stabilizing blood sugar
Lowers triglycerides
 Improves  both pancreatic and liver function.
Reduce constipation
Heals mouth ulcers
Heals arthritis
Strengthen heart muscle
Promotes hair growth





Saturday 20 December 2014

Facts about Dates


  • Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and are grown primarily in dry, arid regions, such as the middle east and parts of California.
  • Though dates are often used as an ingredient in sweets and other recipes, they offer several nutritional benefits when eaten fresh and pitted.
  • Won't raise blood sugar.
  • One of the main reasons people avoid eating dates is the belief that they will raise their blood sugar levels.
  • But study shows that while dates contain high amounts of natural sugars.
  • They are actually a low-glycemic index food and did not significantly raise blood sugar levels after they were eaten.
  • If you are diabetic, speak to your doctor before adding dates to your diet so that you can monitor your blood sugar levels and determine how dates affect you personally.

Saturday 6 December 2014

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar


  • Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
  • Balance high cholesterol
  • Cure skin conditions such as acne
  • Protect against food poisoning
  • Fight allergies in both humans and animals
  • Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Increase stamina
  • Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
  • Improve digestion and cure constipation
  • Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
  • Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections


10 Foods That Burn Fat

Here are 10 Foods That Burn Fat


1. Oats :
Its not only tastes great but also reduces your hunger.
Oats contains fiber which helps and stabilizes the levels of cholesterol.

2. Eggs :
Eggs are the rich sources of proteins and low in calories.
Eggs helps us to build the muscles and develops the good cholesterol.

3. Apples :
Apples are enriched with powerful antioxidants and other supplements.
Most importantly it contains Pectin which helps to reduce the fat cells in the body.

4. Green Chilies :
Green chilies contain Capsaicin which helps to develop the body growth cells and burns the calories in quick time.

5. Garlic :
Garlic contains Allicin which has anti-bacterial properties helps us to reduce the fat and removes the bad cholesterol.

6. Honey :
Honey is the best one to burn fat.
Add honey in warm water and take it daily in the early morning.

7. Green Tea :
Green Tea is the most effective one which helps you to lose weight.
It contains Antioxidants which helps and stabilizes our body weight.
Take daily 2 cups of tea for better results.

8. Wheat Grass :
It boosts our metabolism and helps to reduce the fat.

9. Tomatoes :
Tomatoes helps us to burn the fat in quick time.
It also helps us to stay away from cancer. So take tomatoes in your diet regularly.

10. Dark Chocolate :
Dark chocolate contains Flavonoids, anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood.

It boosts the growth of serotonin in the blood and also burns the fat.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Amla or Indian Gooseberry

Amla or indian gooseberry (latin name: emblica officinalis) is found extensively in india in the form of two varieties.
One is hard, small in size and found in forests; while the other type is softer, bigger in size, more fleshy and is cultivated.
Ancient ayurveda text mentions that special properties of rejuvenation and revitalizing of the entire body systems lie in the fruit of amla.

Natural properties of amla:
  • Amla is sour in taste, cold and heavy in nature and has a sweet after taste. Chemically, the fruit of amla is full of citric acid.
  • Therefore, it is said to contain the best and the largest amount of vitamin c extracted from nature.
  • Other than this, it contains a good amount of calcium and minerals like iron and phosphorous in nominal amounts.
  • Some other important ingredients are albumin, cellulose, fiber, carbohydrate, sugar and water.



Dosha healing benefits of amla
  • Ayurveda believes that the fruit of amla helps to reduce all the three doshas or the body humors viz. vata, pitta and kapha; which when aggravated above their normal limits cause a disease.
  • This is because of the varied properties it holds.
  • Amla is sour in taste and therefore helps in decreasing vata dosha
  • Due to it being cold in nature, calming and soothing in action and having a sweet after taste, it decreases the fire or the pitta dosha.
  • And the rough nature of amla is helpful in reducing kapha



Health benefits of amla:
  • The fruit of amla is found to be mainly useful in decreasing the heat as per its natural properties.
  • Therefore, its most extensive use has been seen in the treatment of the diseases associated with increased body heat.


For example; it proves quite useful in ailments like burning sensation in eyes and in soles of the feet, increased thirst; or when there is immature graying of the hair due to excessive heat inside the body.

Medicinal usages of amla:
  • During the summers, the most often symptoms due to the elevated external heat can be relieved.
  • Burning sensation of the skin and any headaches associated with a heat stroke can be relieved by the applying a paste made of amla in milk.
  • For the digestion disorders like acidity, loss of hunger and hemorrhoids; the use of amla in the form of medicines as well as diet is quite beneficial.
  • Fresh juice of amla is given on an empty stomach in disorders like diabetes and urinary incontinence.
  • The powder of dried amla taken with honey twice in a day is a good cure for cough.
  • Amla is good for increasing the immunity power of a person
  • Amla help to increase glow on face and also good for health of hair

Wednesday 26 November 2014

DIETARY TIPS FOR DIABETIC


  1. Eat a lot of non-starchy vegetables, beans, and fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and berries.
  2. Eat grains in the least - processed state possible: “unbroken,” such as whole - kernel bread, brown rice, and whole barley, millet, and wheat berries
  3. Limit white potatoes and refined grain products such as white breads and white pasta to small side dishes.
  4. Limit concentrated sweets - including high-calorie foods with a low glycemic index, such as ice cream - to occasional treats. Reduce fruit juice to no more than one cup a day. Completely eliminate sugar-sweetened drinks.
  5. Eat a healthful type of protein at most meals, such as beans, fish, or skinless chicken.
  6. Have three meals and one or two snacks each day, and don’t skip breakfast.
  7. Eat slowly and stop when full.

Thursday 20 November 2014

CONSTIPATION REMEDIES


1.  Oil…it gets more than cars running

Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty fat; it can also help relieve constipation. It’s not surprising really when you consider what olive oil’s texture and consistency is like - it’s practically the poster child for constipation home remedies.
 It stimulates your digestive system, which helps get things moving through your colon, and taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.

You will need…
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)

Directions
In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else. If you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while.
 You can mix it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation.)

2.  Freshen up from the inside out

The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon.
Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.

You will need…
-1 fresh lemon
-1 cup of warm water

Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.

3. Coffee is our friend (sometimes)

A lot of people love their morning coffee, but it does more than just give off heavenly aromas and help you perk up. Caffeine is a natural stimulant for the digestive system, so indulging in a cup will help get you up and running in more ways than one. 1-2 cups is fine, but make sure you don’t overdo it-too much can actually have the opposite effect. Coffee is a diuretic and makes you urinate more frequently, and if you drink it an excess, it can cause constipation by dehydrating your body and drawing out water that would normally soften your stool.

4. Get moving

If you want stuff to move through your body, you need to move too! Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well.
Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour after big meals before exercising.
 There are also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting good old number 2 out the door.

5. Go natural (aka fiber, fiber, and more fiber)

You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as easily.

To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage.
 In short, fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass.

Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include-
-Beans
-Apricots
-Whole grain bread
-Berries
-Broccoli
-Plums, pears, and apples
-nuts
-Potatoes (skip the fries though)

6.  Get some FLAXitive

Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for constipation. It sort of coats the walls of the intestine, as well as stool, and increases the number of bowel movements you are having.
 Enjoying your oil with orange juice is a double whammy when it comes to constipation, since oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)

You will need…
-1 glass of orange juice with pulp
-1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil

Directions
Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of orange juice. Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hours) to start working so you don’t overdo it.

7. Establish a routine

Regulating the timing of when you go to the bathroom will regulate your bowel movements as well.
Set aside about 15 minutes anywhere from 1-3 times a day, and take your time, even if nothing happens. Make sure you stay relaxed, and eventually your body will catch on.

8. Baking soda does it all

Baking soda lies at the heart of home remedies. It’s is so incredibly versatile, and it pretty much does its job 95% of the time.
It works incredibly well for constipation (and tummy aches in general) because it is a bicarbonate, which will encourage air to come out of you one way or another, and relieve pain from pressure.
 It also re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizing the acid a little bit and helping things pass through your gut.

You will need…
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 cup warm water

Directions

Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water. Drink all of the mixture-the quicker you finish it, the better it seems to work.

Friday 14 November 2014

Eat What is in Season


Eat what is in Season:

One of the best things we can do for our health, is to eat seasonal foods. When foods are freshly grown in their season, they not only taste better, they nourish our body the way nature intended.
Locally grown seasonal foods meet our nutritional needs.

For example, the beta-carotene in the orange pigment of pumpkins, squash and carrots will help strengthen our immune system just in time to help ward off winter colds.
And the oils of nuts ~ fats in their purest form, will provide nutrient rich calories that help keep us warm as the temperature drops.
Practice eating seasonally and pay attention to times throughout the year that you have weakness, allergies, sickness or extra strength.
The foods listed below will give support to the seasonal foods that grow naturally, and strengthen the organ systems affected during that season. It’s really very fascinating!!

Winter Foods:

Winter is the time of year when our kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs are renewed. It was typically a time when we rested and rejuvenated, but in our modern culture, we tend to keep going and overburden these organs with little concern for gathering and refreshing their strength, leaving us tired and weak. The cooking style that works best for our body during the winter is steaming and salt pickling, and foods that nourish these organ systems.

Foods to be eaten during Winter are:

Blackberries
Blueberries
Beans
Radicchio
Burdock
Sour Grapes
Cranberries
Watermelon
Red Cabbage
Miso
Sea Vegetables
Sea Salt, Soy Sauce
Mushrooms
Leafy Greens
Water Chestnuts
Plums and Vinegar
Buckwheat


Spring Foods:

Spring is the time of year when our liver, gallbladder and nervous system open and relax, by removing toxins accumulated from the winter. Like spring, the energy in our body is clean, sprouting and moving. ‘Spring cleaning’ is a desire we have for our homes after a long winter, and it’s equally necessary for our body as well. It’s the perfect time of year to fast or do a cleanse. The cooking technique that supports these organs in the spring is blanching, light pickling and sautéing, and foods that help stimulate this cleansing.

Foods to be eaten during Spring are:

Barley
Parsley
Oats
Rye
Lemons and Limes
Plums
Wheat
Green Lentils
Peas (Split, Black-Eyed, Green)
Pomegranates
Peanuts
Sprouts
Artichoke
Olives
Broccoli
Green Beans
Sour Pickles
Lettuce
           
Summer Foods:

Summer is when our heart, small intestines and circulatory system are strengthened. During this time of year, we blossom, just like the summer season does. The energy of nature and inside our body is expansive, free and easy. The cooking styles are grilling, roasting and deep-frying, and seasonal foods.

Foods to be eaten during Summer are:

Amaranth
Red Bell Pepper
Corn
Quinoa            Peas
Red Lentils
Apricots
Raspberries
Asparagus
Strawberries
Watermelon
Broccoli Rabe
Sesame Seeds
Brussels Sprouts
Sunflower Seeds
Chives
Tomato
Collard Greens
Eggplant
Dandelion Greens
Tropical Foods and Fruits
Potato
Kale
Mustard Greens


Indian Summer Foods:

Indian Summer or late summer is believed to be one of the most balanced energy phases. The organs that are enlivened during this season are the pancreas, spleen and stomach and the cooking technique that supports these organ systems is boiling, simmering and stewing. The foods that give strength.

Foods to be eaten during Indian Summer are:

Millet
Honeydew
Chickpeas
Raisins
Cabbage
Sweet Apples
Sweet Cherries
Pumpkin
Sweet Grapes
Brown Rice Syrup
Cantaloupe
Almonds

           
           
           
           
                       


Autumn Foods:

Autumn is when our lungs and large intestine are renewed. This season is grounding us after summer and getting us prepared for winter. The cooking style that best supports our lungs and large intestines is pressure cooking, baking and roasting, and foods that strengthen these organs.

Foods to be eaten during Autumn are:

Brown Rice
Sweet Brown Rice
Ginger
Soybeans
Leek
Lotus Root
Tofu
Onion
White Beans
Turnip
Carrot
Watercress
Cauliflower
Apricots
Celery
Pears
Chinese Cabbage
Apples
Cucumber
Walnuts