"What to Eat to Look Great!"

static.flickr.com

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 :)

"Soups Up"

blog.sigsiv.com

It’s the perfect meal when you want to go light. It’s the ideal feel-good food when you are feeling far from good. It’s the winter food which keeps you feeling warm. It’s all the nutrients and health you need fitting perfectly in a bowl.


Undoubtedly, one of the nicest benefits to adding soup to your regular diet is the fact that even though it fills you up with its yumminess, it can easily be a low-calorie; nearly fat-free meal in itself. A good example is any clear vegetable soup. Basic rules say if the soup is clear it means it doesn’t contain any cream, butter, or milk --- which means its practically water people! Instead just adding some boiled veggies to some clear vegetable stock soup can make for a super-delicious meal. So not only do you get a taste of something warm and nourishing, adding comfort to your day, you get a healthy way to lose those extra kilos :)

And here’s another reason why you should think about soup. Since soup is more or less liquid in form, you can put all kinds of wholesome goodness into the blender and add it to soup making sure its packed with all the vitamins, antioxidants, and immunity boosting foods you need to keep you fighting fit. Which is why soup is also a smart thing to eat if you are ever feeling a little under the weather. Take your pick from a wide range of ingredients to make tomato, spinach, pea, mixed veggie, broccoli, beetroot, pumpkin, cabbage, even lentil soup! If you are a carnivore who cant do without meat on your plate you could consider adding a little shredded chicken, or some shrimp into your bowl as well. So the next time you are wondering what to have for lunch, just think about all the wellness power in that little bowl of soup and drink up!

"The Traveller's Diet"

  demelzahill.com

So part of your job requires that you travel. And so you find yourself on a flight once a week. Mumbai-Delhi. Delhi-Bangalore. Bangalore-Chennai. Or maybe it’s a train to Surat, Patna, or Calcutta. Maybe you aren’t one of those (un)lucky people who get to rack up their frequent flier miles. Instead, maybe you deal with a two hour commute to your office desk everyday. And a two hour commute back home. Not to mention the client meetings thrice a week which means another hours taxi/train ride to the other side of town. 

Whatever your choice of vehicle may be, it’s safe to say that you find yourself travelling from point A to point B fairly frequently. What’s the first thing you end up missing out on with all that movement? Yes, that’s right; it’s your regular meals. Inevitably what ends up in your hands is a bag of friend potato chips, or worse a so-called “happy” meal which promises to deliver you from your hunger pangs. Words from the wise girls and boys: the last thing that greasy gunk is going to do is make your body happy. 

So here’s a short list of healthy, sensible snacks you should try and eat while rushing from one airport to the next, or commuting to those endless client meetings without a break!

Nuts – the best energy food there is people. And the best part is, they can be bought in a box, so its mess-free and easy to carry! Try and get a bag of mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, and cashew nuts are all great) and just eat a handful when you have a few minutes to spare. They fill you up, and work to boost your strength and immunity, not to mention they are a great source of healthy fats!

Biscuits (Marie gold, digestives) – Looking for something a little sweet, but also a little salty? Digestive biscuits are the perfect solution to cravings for some sugar with a hint of salt. Marie now makes low-fat versions which come in a handy small pack, while….Digestives are delicious bites of sweetness with fiber for your nutritional needs.

Fruit - Need I really say more? Apples, Bananas, Oranges, even Grapes, can all be put into your bag and carried just about anywhere (even on a plane!). Eat at least one helping a day while you are on the move and get your fill of vitamins and antioxidants while filling up on something really good for you :)

Granola Bars - Another great source of healthy energy and fuel for your body; these are a great option when you are rushing from one city to the next. They come in individually wrapped bars and in yummy flavors like Honey & Oats and Peanut Butter. A good bite when you need to answer that rumbling tummy.