ADULTERATION....Be ALERT!

Do you pick up fruits and vegetables that look too good to be true? Then you might be choosing wrong..these fruits and vegetables may be bad for you.

Have you ever thought why the watermelon that we ate in your childhood days was not as sweet as it is nowadays?Well, some Vendors maybe injecting sugared syrup into the fruit to make it sweeter and heavier.

They might also be injecting some dyes to make them look brighter. These colours can be toxic and a major cause of concern. Not only watermelon but there are other fruits and  vegetables as well that are tampered with.

The mangoes that look perfect might be ripened artificially rather than naturally, Eating may be hazardous to your health,
Apples are coated with wax not always edible kind to make them look brighter and glossier.

Since fruits harvested ripe have a shorter shelf life, some farmers and suppliers are known to artificially ripen them to stay looking fresh for a longer time. Often chemicals like calcium Carbide and ethylene are used for this process.

Calcium Carbide is the same chemical used to manufacture Fire Crackers. It contains phosphorous and releases acetylene gas, which fastens the process of ripening and is extremely toxic.

The problem with off season fruits and vegetables is that they are not locally available and are not fresh as they are kept in cold storage, hence they too are adulterated.

So how can you distinguish  between  non adulterated and adulterated fruits and vegetables? 

It is very difficult nowadays as everything has become commercialized but little bit of knowledge and alertness while choosing the fruits and vegetables might make a difference. 

Pick your fruits and vegetables wisely at a local market.If it looks too perfect, too uniform in shape and size and colour, it is likely been tampered with.  This fruit will also be low on flavour and often not so sweet as it should be, since artificial ripening means the flesh is not fully ripe inside.

There are certain Ripe tests which might help choose right:

a) For Artificial Colour: Rub the surface of the fruit or vegetable with a cotton ball soaked in water and vegetables oil. The cotton ball will pick an additional colour.

b) Place the piece of a fruit or a vegetable in a glass of water and let it stand for 30 minutes. The colour of water will tell you if the produce has been artificially stained.

c)To detect wax Polish: Scratch the surface of the fruit or vegetable with a blade, if a clear wax coating comes out...you need to find a new Vendor!

To remove surface chemicals at home, soaking the vegetables and fruits in  water and white vinegar is useful.

Grapes can be soaked in salt water or vinegar solution and thoroughly rinsed to wash of chemicals.

Apples can be washed in hot water for a few minutes and wiped carefully to remove wax.

Peeling fruits helps too.

Banana and papaya are the safest.

Diet Tips for Monsoon!

We all love monsoon season and are eager to welcome rain showers after the scorching summer heat.But monsoon brings along certain health  issues with it. This is because the vaayu in the air increases and hence reduces the immunity of our body. People get affected by allergies, infections, indigestion, specially during this season, therefore we must keep our body resistant against such diseases. Avoid street food, junk food, oily food and all type of foods that are prepared in bulk.

Do not eat if you are not hungry..this is the mantra for monsoon, consume less food as the body is prone to indigestion and illness.

Health Tips for Monsoon:

1. The damp and filthy air is the root cause of illness and plays host to disease causing germs like Dengue, Malaria,typhoid, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, gastro intestinal disturbances, diarhea and dysentery.Maintaining healthy diet will protect you from such diseases. 

2. Eat seasonal fruits like Apples, pears, pomgranate, guava to restore energy. Avoid watermelon and muskmelons. Avoid mangoes as they may cause pimples. 

3.Eating watery food like muskmelons, watermelons, rice, chaas, lassi etc will cause swelling on the body hence switch to dry food like roti, bhakri,corn, gram flour, chickpeas etc.

4. Have medium salt intake as it is responsible for high Blood pressure. 

5.Add garlic to your soups and vegetables.

6.Drink Boiled and purified water to protect yourself from harmful germs.

7.Consume vegetables like bitter gourd, cluster beans, field beans,etc. Add turmeric powder and fenugreek seeds to your preparations to help fight infections.

8. Consume drying and light oils, avoid peanut, til (sesame) or mustard oil.

9. Avoid spicy food if suffering from skin energies as spices increases the body temperature and stimulates blood circulation which leads to allergies and skin problems.

10.Avoid Fish and Meat and also heavy curries instead stick to stew and soups.

11. Avoid tamarind and tomatoes.

12.Drink ginger tea, or kadha (Maharashtrian herbal tea a remedy for cough)

HAPPY MONSOON!

Your food is your Medicine

Every individual should take a proper balanced diet according to his health. A well balanced and nutritious diet consist of proteins, vitamins, starch, fats and water in adequate quantity. It is always better to intake 10% less food rather than stuffing yourself and overeating just because it is tasty.

Along with a balanced and nutritious diet it is also necessary to include milk, buttermilk, water and fruits in your daily routine.

Every season has a different climate and every climate has a different impact on different individuals as every individual has a different body type. Therefore it is extremely important to understand what the diet should be in different climate. Here in India, we have three season's, Winter, Summer and Rainy therefore the food intake should be according to the climate and the local and seasonal fruits and vegetables available in that particular area.

In Winter, your diet should be sweet, smooth and oily. In winter you need lots of energy therefore it is necessary to drink good amount of milk, ghee and sweets made of jaggery. Amla, Spinach,green vegetables, sugarcane, tomatoes, brinjal are the fruits and vegetables that grow during this season therefore you should include these in your diet during this season to keep you active.

In India summer falls after winter, this is the season when you change your diet, as the sun's heat increases so does the kapha in your body starts melting . Therefore start eating dry food like roasted chana, dried roti, bhakri etc. during the beginning of spring itself. You feel less hungry during this season, avoid oily, heavy food. Lemon juice, butter milk, curds, raw mango juice with jaggery should be taken. You will stay active and feel good during this season too.

In rainy season (Vaayu ) is increased. The climate is humid hence the food is not digested properly,try eating less. I personally eat only once a day. And evening very light food which  normally consist of simple moong khichadi. It is necessary to eat citrus fruits as well and lime and ginger juice during this season. Food should be simple with less oil. Avoid leafy vegetables and include legumes in this season. This is the season when people suffer with different diseases like bronchitis, maleria, jaundice etc. Acidity increases in this season therefore take a proper diet.

To conclude it is rightly said your food should be your Medicine!

EAT LOCAL... SUPPORT YOUR ROOTS!

The Progress of modern Civilization has led to an increasing concentration of population, as a result man has lost the connection with nature and its rich, beautiful bounty.

Never before in history, the average man or woman had  been fed so well and yet are so poorly nourished.  Innumerable time assuring, preserved, refrigerated, chemically processed food items are being promoted and sold with all vigor for making them commercialized. Such foods can never substitute the wholesome and natural food.

The diet plays an important role in correcting many diseases and disorders. It is with an appropriate selection of food that we can restore the damage caused to our health.

It was primarily through selection  of natural vegetables, Fruits, dried fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and special protective food like milk, curd and honey that our ancestors could stay fit and healthy.

One needs to understand that your body is made up of cells, and each cell has its own lifespan, old cells die and get replaced by new cells, these new cells often have imperfections causing ageing in Humans  and animals as well.

These unhealthy  cells can get accelerated with consumption of unhealthy food habits, smoking and drinking.

Therefore each time we  choose to pop in something that is sugar laden or processed, we invite ourselves with serious health issues.

Is this not Alarming?
This itself is Alarming because you obviously care for your family and yourself!

The only remedy is go back to your Roots, eat health from nature.Fresh fruits and vegetables blends must make a large portion of your meals. Make power packed meals with nutrients that help your body keep away from ailments.

It's not from the outside but from the inside that you need to change..next time you are planning to go grocery shopping try going to the local vendor instead, pick up vegetables and fruits with high nutritional value. You will slowly but surely begin to see changes in yourself!

ASK YOURSELF ARE YOU HEALTHY?

The best way to gauge your current and future health is to ask yourself,"How are you feeling at the moment?" The answer is with you and only you.Do you feel weak or do you feel pain, filled with lot of energy , take it to the world or do you feel fat, tired and miserable.


It's time to look at yourself and ask, Is my  food  making me strong and more resistant to weakening diseases? Or is it making it difficult for my body to do what it needs to stay healthy?"


YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!


For any corrective action to begin , You must feel uncomfortable with the existing state of being.  When you are pushed into asking yourself questions that make you feel uncomfortable, you will start finding appropriate solutions to those questions and to situations that make you feel comfortable.


Such questions emerge from your heart and the quest to stay fit begins.


* why am I the way I am?
*What should I do to make a real difference?
* Where should I look for help?
*Which of these options is the best one for me?
*Who can be my guide?
* How to reach my Health goal?


And the answers to these lead you to success!

Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations!

Benefits of Surya Namaskar!

As a  growing kid whenever I complained of a stomach cramp my  Mom along with my grandmom would often tell me to do a traditional form of exercise called the "Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations ", little did I know then that this simple form of exercise has a whole lot of scientific benefits to it.


Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations is a complete yoga routine and can be practiced by the young and the old as well, as it calms the mind and helps improve concentration. It is a warm up exercise practiced in yoga. Even though it is a warm up exercise a fifteen minutes of Surya namaskar sequence is a great practice to relax and recharge the body for the day.


Daily practice would definitely help burn up the calories.


The three benefits of Surya Namaskar are:

1. Make the body flexible.
2.Tone the muscles.
3.Excellent cardiovascular workout .


It is an excellent exercise for students and children as it calms the mind and helps improve the concentration, reduces stress and anxiety especially during the stressful period of exams.


Regular practice of Surya Namaskar  strengthen the body and add flexibility.  It is  Best work out for muscles as it improves flexibility in spine and in limbs.


Children as young as 5 year olds can start with Surya namaskar. It can do what months of dieting cannot. Hence it's a blessing for women.  Every women no matter working or stay at home should benefit from this Traditional routine exercise!


Surya Namaskar improves your blood circulation that aids in bringing back the glow on your face ; preventing the onset of wrinkles making the skin look ageless and radiant. The sun salutation will help in the smooth running of your digestive system.


There are three paces of Surya Namaskar:
1. slow: Makes the body flexible.
2.medium: Helps tone the muscles.
3.Fast:  Excellent  Cardiovascular workout.

It is Advisable to consult a doctor before you start the routine.

Family that dines together stays together!

When was the last time you ate with your family? Here I mean not only sitting together but completely cutting off from all the gadgets and connecting together as a family.


Our life has become so complicated these days that we are moving away from our customs and our roots.In India it was mandatory when families sat down together to have their meals.


 It is saddening to see how families today eat between a cricket or a soccer match , work , appointments. Parents and children don't have time to sit down together and share a meal.


Moreover with nuclear families everyone have their own set of responsibilities and liabilities. Studies have shown time and again that eating together not only enhances the multiple benefits of nutritional purpose but many other aspects as well.


The quality of food we eat, love and attention are all essential for meeting the needs of one's mind and body.Studies have shown Kids who regularly have meals with their parents eat more fruits and vegetables and calcium rich foods, ingest more vitamins and nutrients and consume less junk food.


Some research have shown kids who regularly sit down to a family meal have lower risk of behavioral change and are less inclined towards addictions to smoking, drugs and alcohol consumption.


If your schedule does not permit you to have meals together ask the grandparents or the elders in the family to get involved. They are more than happy to share their love.


 Maintain a family food diary Maybe you need to add more vegetables and fruits.Create a happy, relaxed atmosphere by setting up a nice table with a beautiful tablecloth, Flowers and candles, get your kids involved to help you decorate the table or a place where it is noticeable,the  kids will have less cravings for junk food.


 If you live alone, schedule for lunches and dinners with family or friends on a rotating basis.Join a class or some volunteering jobs which can be done to lead a healthier life style and lead to new friendships and dinning friends.