"What to Eat to Look Great!"

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There are all kinds of lists in life. Laundry lists. Grocery lists. Lists of Things to Do (by 6pm this evening). Invitation Lists. Gift lists. Even wish lists. Some lists make you want to pound your head on the wall (think list of bills you need to pay) and some lists are somehow, well, just a little sweeter.


And those are my favorite’s girls and boys. So of course when I came across a very special list of foods which make you look gorgeous on the outside AND feel fantastic on the inside, I knew I just had to share the sweetness :)

Here’s a list of the special stuff:


Grapefruit: Loaded with antioxidants which help fight all kinds of disease and infections including cancer, this is also known as one of those “fat-burning” foods. Add it to your breakfast in the morning and get a little extra zing in your day.

Red Peppers: Called a “superfood for the skin” by some, this veggie contain generous doses of Vitamins A, C and E. Just chop it up and brighten up that boring old green salad.
Lemon Water: Boost the effects of your workout and diet by starting your mornings with a glass of lemon water. Pectin, an ingredient found in the peel of lemon, has been shown to aid in weight loss, so just squeeze a little into your water every day and lose those extra kilos faster.

Watermelon: Meant to be a natural way help protect against the harmful rays of the sun, this juicy fruit contains lots of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) which works to boost your immunity while also keeping you hydrated!

Cherries: Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that the anthocyanins in dark cherries reduce belly fat and lower cholesterol and blood sugar so yayayayaya go grab a bowl of cherries for your breakfast tomorrow!
Prunes: These wrinkly little dried fruits are rich in vitamin K and a top source of the mineral boron, and you know what? Turns out, we need both for strong bones.

Dark Chocolate: Because it is a filled with something called flavonoids, dark chocolate is believed to improve the health of the heart “reducing platelet activation, affecting the relaxation capabilities of blood vessels”…. In other words, go get yourself a guilt free bar and munch away today :)

"Vital Vitamins: Know Your Foods"

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No matter what background, ethnicity, religion, caste or creed, as kids we all grew up hearing the same phrases “finish up all your vegetables!” “Why? Because its good for you, that’s why!” and “I want to see that plate empty!” Back then all we knew was that ice-cream, cookies, and chocolate cake were always welcome and vegetables, fruit, and milk products ummmmm, not so much!


But today, in the midst of the vegan diet craze, liquid detox, and superfood mania, we are all in need of some simple explanation as to where exactly we can find these nutrients.

Vitamins are called “essential compounds” and cannot be made by our own bodies, so must come from diet. They can be either fat-soluble (vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K) or water-soluble (vitamin B and vitamin C). Ideally, you should be getting enough vitamins from eating a balanced diet, which should include at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies a day, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, fish and poultry. By steaming, pressure cooking, or microwaving your food you are also preserving more vitamins than if you were to boil it.

So here is an easy way to help you keep that plate loaded with all the right stuff!

Vitamin A – Find it in yellow orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, papaya, mango, sweet potato, cantaloupe and spinach.

Vitamin B1 – Find it in sunflower seeds, whole grains, seafood, beans,
Vitamin B2 - Find it in yoghurt, milk, leafy vegetables, fruits, almonds, chicken
Vitamin B3 - Find it in peanut butter, chicken breast, beans
Vitamin B5 - Find it in egg, fish, grains, meat, peas, peanuts
Vitamin B6 - Find it in bananas, baked potatoes, chicken, oats, chick peas, peanuts
Vitamin B12 - Find it in dairy products, eggs, fish

Vitamin C – Find it in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, sweet limes, guava, gooseberry, strawberries, melons, broccoli, red capsicum and green capsicum

Vitamin D – Find it in fatty fish, egg yolk, fortified milk, and exposure to direct sunlight (five to ten minutes, 3-4 times a week)

Vitamin E –Find it in vegetable oils, broccoli, peanuts, whole grains, sunflower seeds, mayonnaise, sweet potato

Vitamin K – Find it in dark green leafy vegetables, potato, beetroot, fruits, dairy products, eggs, seeds, meats

"The Buzz on Superfoods"

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Beans, Broccoli, Oats, Soy, Spinach, Blueberries, Oranges, Pumpkin, Salmon, Tea (Green or Black), Tomatoes, Walnuts, Yoghurt, Dark Chocolate, Pomegranate, Asparagus, Brown Rice, Dark Green Vegetables,


Sound like the regular grocery list mom makes when she’s getting ready to go the market?

Not quite. These everyday products, which most of us have eaten all our lives, or at least been forced to eat by mom (read: broccoli and beans!), are now included in an elite group of foods called the “Superfoods”. Something superman eats? Not exactly, but pretty close!! Basically, doctors, scientists, researchers and all those other experts out there have come up with the concept. based on the fact that not all foods are created equal, and indeed, there are some foods that are “more equal” than others, this concept focuses on certain foods which are literally packed with all the good stuff we need! Am talking nutrient values like potassium, vitamin C, antioxidents, Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, fiber, and more…stuff that essentially builds stronger immunity and resistance to disease, prevents illness like cancer and diabetes, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, and keeps the body happy!

You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the above superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common is that each and every superfood is going to be a 'real' (unprocessed) food product. In simple speak that means there no preservatives, additives, artificial coloring, or any ingredients which sound like they belong in a chemistry lab instead of on your plate! And guess what the best part of getting your regular superfood fix is? No side effect. Except for all the great ones like healthy skin and nails, increased energy levels, fat and weight reduction, and living a longer and heathier life!

So whats not to love?

"Its All About the Honey"

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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.

"Go Bananas"

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If there was ever a food which could be called an “all-rounder” this would be it. It’s a whole mini-meal in one neat package. Athletes swear by it. Sportspeople cant do without it. You can put it in a shake. You can add it to a fruit salad. You can mash it. You can slice it. The birds love it. The bees love it. Even the chimps in the trees love it.


Introducing the one and only, superfood in yellow (or maybe green!) --- the Banana.

And guys, here in the motherland, you can get them just about anywhere. Bananas are often amongst the cheapest fruits you can buy in the market. You can also carry it easily since its peel keeps it fresh and protected until eaten. Even eating it is easy and fuss-free, you can finish it without getting even a fingertip messy! And best of all, they taste great! So now what’s your excuse?

Here are just some of the health benefits of eating the fruit on a regular basis:

- It gives you a healthy digestive system (improves the function of the bowels)

- It boosts energy (used by many runners as a pre-run energy snack)

- It helps reduce water retention (so that you can look fitter and slimmer)

- It makes you Happy (bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel good and improve your mood)

- It’s a rich source of Iron (which helps prevent and reduce anemia)

- Its loaded with potassium (prevents kidney stones, helps carry oxygen to the brain)

- It helps alleviate the symtoms of PMS (a little extra something for the ladies!)

- Its brain food! (has been shown to help students be more alert and learn better)