"Sink or Swim"

wallpaperbase.com

These days people are constantly talking about one of two things. Working out and eating right. Everywhere you go, all you hear are the names of the latest machines which can miraculously literally melt all of your body fat right off or the names of the latest diets which magically make you lose 10 kilos in 10 days (god, please don’t go anywhere near that one if you are smart girls and boys!). Its all about the newest gadgets and the latest scientifically proven research to show what foods combine to get you the maximum weight loss!


But how about going back to the classics? Something which has been tried and tested and always proven to show effective results giving you a fantastic body with curves in all the right places without even going near a machine of any kind? In fact, this form of exercise burns hundreds of calories without you feeling a moment of sweaty heat and ickiness! You’ve all seen it, and most of you have probably even done it a couple of hundred times in your lives. Swimming. One of the most effective ways to get a total body workout. How so? Simply because it forces ones to exert every single part of the body while practicing it. Besides the fact that swimming is great for increasing lung capacity as well as for the cardiovascular system as a whole, it also increases the flexibility and strength of the body as a whole (which is why it’s a great TOTAL body workout!).

Consequently, it protects the body from heart disease, stroke and diabetes while working to control blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, regular swimming also means the body will benefit from a higher muscular stamina, which basically means you are able to work that much longer without muscle aches and pains. Swimming also helps when recovering from certain kinds of back injuries (even a slipped disc) because it works to strengthen the muscles around the spine in a safe and gentle manner.

So this spring don’t wait for the latest weight control fad to burn a hole in your wallet. Join your neighborhood swimming club instead and enjoy your water therapy coz trust me, it’s the coolest one :)

"Hope for Bad Hair Days"

inxecovier.com

Its summer time again and just like every year, your hair seems to be going through some sort of angst. Maybe its the dry air, or maybe its swimming in the sun-kissed beaches of Goa, or maybe its just that you haven’t had a chance to condition it in ages, but there definitely something that needs to be done!

Here are my 3 Golden Rules for happy hair.



Feed your hair: just like you worry about the way your body looks and think about what it is that you put into your body, your hair needs to be looked after in the same way. Some foods which encourage healthy hair growth while giving you lustrous and lovely locks include egg (or egg whites if you are watching the cholesterol), salmon (vitamin B-12, iron and omega-3 fatty acids), dark green veggies (spinach, broccoli both of which have vitamin A and B) brown rice, cottage cheese, and even lentils (loaded with iron and zinc).So the next time you are loading up your plate for lunch – don’t just think about thin thighs, think about happy hair!


Nourish your hair: Picking the right products for your hair is almost as essential as making sure you are giving it the nutrition it needs through your diet. The first step to correct product use is to identify the kind of hair you have, so the next time you are at the parlor just ask your hairdresser whether you have dry, oily, damaged, or normal hair. Next, find the brand which works for your hair. if all brands did the same work we would all be walking around flipping our hair like the girls in the Sunsilk ads, but this is not the case so we can only rely on trial and error to get it right. Again, ask your hairdresser what they may recommend and try that, if you don’t think its doing much for your hair, try something else. If you have over-treated or sun damaged hair, make sure you invest in a good deep conditioner that you use once a week to help soften the hair.


Save your hair: Yet again, our mothers were right. Too much blow drying really does damage the hair. Not only does it dry out the hair, it also robs it of precious moisture and sheen, leaving it looking dull, dry and very brittle. Another thing we really shouldn’t get too much of? Permanent colors and strong treatments like rebonding, perming, and repeated highlighting. I'm not saying ban the beauty parlor for good, but exercise some restraint with the product pile-up in your hair girls and boys. If you do like to go visit the salon every so often, then make it a weekly protein treatment, or better yet, a nice oil massage!

"The Power of Fruit"

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Fruit for All Reasons

Red, yellow, green, orange, pink, and even purple. Filled with the goodness of natural nutrients, they come in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes. Slice them, dice them, cube them, or even juice them, you can always be sure you are getting all the good stuff you need when you include them in your daily diet. Fruit. This stuff is everywhere. From the phalwalla down the street to the aisles in that fancy new supermarket. From the good old apple, to the exotic kiwi, you can pretty much find anything you are in the mood for. These are also the perfect mid-morning snack, filled with the sweetness of fructose, and miles better than scarfing down those chocolate chip cookies. Instead of waiting for the smell of the office evening pakoras, grab a bowl of grapes. Feeling like something with a salty kick? Chopped guava sprinkled with a little salt and red chilly powder has got to be tried! And guess what? Those digestive problems, that constant acne, the falling hair, those brittle nails and even that extra weight? All gone. IF you take the time and load up on your portions of fresh fruit on a regular basis (and yes, that means upto 3 helpings a day). The best part of this oh-so-important addition to your menus? They taste grrreeat :) Here some reasons to bite into something juicy today…


Apples – great source of fiber, lowers cholesterol, helps with weight loss, and detoxifies the body.

Bananas - potassium rich and very good for the digestion, perfect energy food for pre-workout!

Grapes – besides tasting delicious these little guys are good for fighting fatigue, replenish iron into the body, and have high anti-bacterial properties which fight infection!

Papaya – said to be the best remedy for any kind of abdominal disorders, prevents heart disease, and also effective in lowering cholesterol levels in the body.

Oranges – loaded with vitamins, and especially vitamin C, this juicy fruit helps boost immunity levels, prevents cells from damage through antioxidants, and protects bones and teeth.

"The Goods on Green Tea"

topnews.in

So how many of us don’t quite feel completely human (or at least not ready to have a sane conversation with anyone) until we have had that daily morning fix? That oh-so- familiar whiff of chai floating around the house, or maybe if you lived down south, it was the strong smell of a good cup of coffee, just the right stuff to get your day off to a kick start! Or is it?? Guess what guys, there’s a new kid on the block of morning/afternoon/break time beverages…and its called Green tea.

The last decade has seen researchers discover benefit after benefit of green tea, with particular emphasis on its potential to fight cancer and heart disease. It has also been linked with the ability to lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss and possibly preventing diabetes and stroke. Its biggest claim to fame is the fact that it is filled with powerful antioxidants, that help the body build resistance and fight off all kinds of harmful infections and disease. Sounds like its worth a try right?


Having been a regular drinker of green tea for the last five years, I could definitely claim to be a convert to the stuff. It does, however, have a different flavor, a little bitter depending on the kind of green tea you are drinking, which could take some getting used to. Most importantly though, ever since I began to drink it, I have seen an improvement in my digestion (particularly if you drink a cup after your lunch and dinner) as well as general feeling of calm and balance in my body in general. Maybe its psychological, but hey, maybe not! Generally I would not suggest mixing it with either sugar or milk, rather I would say, just add hot water to the leaves or dip the tea bag in a cup and leave it to brew for about 5 minutes. Then just sip and enjoy your cuppa :)

You can buy Twinings Green Teabags in two flavors (Lemon or Mint) from your neighbourhood store for Rs 110/pack.

"Its All About the Honey"

image3.examiner.com

I am one of those people who is all about healthy living. Words like “natural remedies” , “preservative free” and “Organic” are amongst my favorites and not just because they’re the latest craze in Hollywood AND Bollywood (everyone who’s anyone is talking about “superfoods” and their connections to glowing skin and toned thighs!), but because I have personally experienced the benefits of switching to natural!


So hey, lets make it simple and talk about some “magic healers” much closer to home…I’m talking sitting on your kitchen shelf!

So whats the magic word?? Well, two words actually. According to many doctors, when taken as a combination, the mixture of honey (yup that sweet, sticky stuff we all know and love!) and cinnamon, is a super-strong multi-ailment cure for all kinds of awful aches and pains including heart disease, high cholesterol, bad breath, toothaches, weight reduction and even hair loss!

Many naturalists claim that consuming a mix of honey and cinnamon paste on a regular basis is an efficient way to boost the power of the immune system, reduce feelings of low energy and fatigue and even works to help us live longer!

Here are some easy recipes using these 2 super”natural” ingredients as remedies for common problems we all face:


Colds: To get rid of that constant sniffling-sneezy feeling just take one tablespoon of lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process is said to cure most chronic coughs, cold, as well as clear the sinuses.

Acne: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the areas with acne before sleeping and gently rinse with warm water the next morning. If done daily for two weeks, it claims to clean out skin pores all the way to their deepest roots, where the acne-creating bacteria is lodged!

Weight Reduction: Drinking a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water (to make a small cup) on an empty stomach first thing in the morning about half an hour before breakfast is said to work to metabolize fatty acids in foods faster, allowing you to burn more calories!

A bit of friendly advice: always remember, to lose those extra kilos and sustain that weight loss in a healthy way you need to focus on a balanced combination of a nutritious diet and regular exercise!

Finally, I would recommend you try and buy an organic brand of honey if possible, and use freshly ground cinnamon whenever available.

"Eating to Lose Weight - Get your grocery list Right!"

healthandliving.com

You wouldn’t believe it, but rather than going nuts trying out diet after diet (Zone, Atkins, Blood Group, you name it, they’ve invented it!) you could actually find effective, and PROVEN ways to fight hunger, boost your metabolism, kick your candy habit, and lose those extra kilos right around the corner in your neighborhood grocery store.


Green Tea - switch to greening means your body burns more fat faster, while also increasing your metabolism. All from the antioxidants it contains. Oh, and it also lowers (bad) LDL cholesterol.

Salad – Kick start your meals with a nice, big bowl of leafy green stuff. Not only does it fill you up so you don’t go overboard with the other foods, you also get your daily intake of vitamins (c and e) and other disease fighting nutrients.

Eggs – protein power at its best..substitute it for your toast and feel fuller longer

Olive Oil - one of the best cooking options you can find. And best of all, because it’s a monosaturated oil, it helps you burn fat (esp Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Cinnamon - one of the most effective ways to give you that extra lift during your afternoon snooze attack, this actually helps give you the energy you need without the extra calories! Just sprinkle a little pinch on multi-grain toast for your mid-afternoon snack.

Tofu - Although it may look deceptively light,this food actually contains an appitite reducing protein, ensuring that people who add it to their main meal, tend to be content eating smaller amounts.

Beans – good for fighting cholesterol, and keep blood sugar levels up warding off hunger pangs!

Soup – Again, this healthy (especially if you avoid adding cream to it) appetizer works to send the brain a signal saying that your tummy is full, ensuring that you eat moderate amounts of your main course.

Apples & Pears - these work GREAT for me as a mid-day snack when I’m kinda-sorta feeling a little puckish but don’t want to deal with the guilt of eating Khurkhure. Containing between 3 to 6 grams of fiber on average, both these fruits also fill you up and keep you going till your next meal.

So eat up, and enjoy!