All posts by HealthyLife

HealthyLife is a part of www.WeRIndia.com, an all India – centric website (https://healthylife.werindia.com) and is solely owned and operated by WeRIndia.com. It is a Indian nutritional portal providing educational articles.This nutritional port was launched on February 5th, 2015.
Helping Others While Helping Yourself

Helping Others While Helping Yourself

Image: Youth volunteers cleaning traditional pond (Kalyani) in Bengaluru, Karnataka

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” -Mohammad Ali

Volunteering is giving your time to help others free, without expecting anything in return.  We all have our priorities in life but making time to volunteer in various organizations -hospital, animal shelter, temples, library, gardens, schools, colleges, elderly homes or taking care of people who are in need is a great thing and gives satisfaction. The benefits of volunteering are enormous. Volunteering helps to protect our physical and mental health.

Benefits of volunteering for good life

Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. It boosts your social skills and makes you a better person. It expands your network and helps to make new friends. Even helping with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. When you share your activity with others the existing relationships strengthens.

People who have hesitation in mingling and talking to people or outgoing will find it very useful to overcome their hesitation of meeting new people.

Volunteering increases self-confidence by boosting self -esteem and gives satisfaction while we develop more confidence while doing good work. It gives a sense of pride and an identity.

Volunteering helps to develop positive thoughts about life. When we understand how people are coping with their problems, our involvement as helpers in their life brings positivity in people life as well as in ours.

When we volunteer with our family, our children will become better humans and their social life will shape up well. While giving back to community children will learn to love people, animals, nature and to live the life with gratitude and happiness.

When the retired people volunteer, they feel that life still has purpose and full of activities. Their time will be well spent. It also helps to take their mind off their worries, keeps them mentally stimulated and adds more zest to their life.

Social isolation is a key factor for depression. Volunteering helps to combat depression. It helps to keep us in regular contact with social activities, which is supported by good system. It protects us from stress and depression.

Volunteering in pet shelters helps to improve mood, and reduces anxiety and stress. Health of people takes a turning point towards good.

Volunteering in parks, garden, farms or in temples will help people to improve physical strength. Studies shows that those who volunteer have a lower mortality than others do. Volunteering lessens symptoms of chronic pain or cardiac diseases or diabetes.
Many studies suggest that helping others kindles happiness. People who volunteer will develop a habit of smiling and laughing when they service others. They use kind words when they are servicing. This keeps their life well balanced and happy both at home as well as in society.

Volunteering helps to advance in our career. For example many colleges and research institutes will help you to learn various techniques while volunteering in lab,, museum or departments of your interest. Many a times you can publish papers and articles along with faculty. This gives more visibility to your academic career. For students who volunteer in various organizations will add more value to their bio data and helps to settle down in good schools and colleges. Volunteering teaches us valuable job skills too.

Volunteering is fun and easy to explore once interests and passions. To escape and energize ourselves from day-to-day routine of work, school and family commitments/ worries volunteering services are the great option. Enjoy yourself.  When you volunteer make sure you are having fun! The best volunteer experiences benefit not only the volunteer but also the organization and the community.

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 11, 2015
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Told the World To ‘Stop Eating Meat To Save The Planet’

Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Told the World To ‘Stop Eating Meat To Save The Planet’

By:  Amanda Froelich www.trueactivist.com

Image courtesy : PETA

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who once delivered the line ‘you hit like a vegetarian,’ is promoting a plant-based diet for health and environmental reasons.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who once delivered the line ‘you hit like a vegetarian,’ is urging people to lessen their consumption of meat. The governor of California, former body-builder, and actor recently made headlines when he spoke at the climate change conference in Paris and said:

“Right now people, seven million people are dying every year. That is alarming and everyone in government has the responsibility to protect the people. They have to do something about it.”

According to Schwarzenegger, reducing meat consumption would be the best way to start.

“28% of the greenhouse gasses come from eating meat and from raising cattle, so we can do a much better job.”

What he’s saying is nothing new. In fact, several reports have concluded that a plant-based diet is the best way to reduce carbon emissions and save the planet. Ellie Highwood, professor of climate physics at the University of Reading, told News beat:

“If everyone around the world ate as much as we do in Britain, it would be even worse.”

Arnie speaking out against meat has been a shock to many.

While many are calling him a hypocrite for eating more than his share of beef back in the day as a competitive bodybuilder, he’s now suggesting everyone do their part by having a couple of meat-free days per week. This has prompted many to ask if bodybuilding is possible on a vegetarian diet. Guess what his response was?

“Luckily we know that you can get your protein source from many different ways, you can get it through vegetables if you are a vegetarian. I have seen many body builders that are vegetarian and they get strong and healthy.”

Indeed, the strongest man on Planet Earth is presently Patrik Baboumian, and he is 100% vegan.

Read more at: http://www.trueactivist.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-just-told-the-world-to-stop-eating-meat-to-save-the-planet/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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RECIPE OF TRADITIONAL KASHAYA DRINK

Recipe of Traditional Kashaya Drink

In India, Traditional way of getting ready to fight the cold and cough is with a homemade drink called Kashaya. Kashaya is nothing but a mixture of good herbs that we find in our kitchen. Recipe of kashaya is simple and the effect of the khashaym on our health is great.  Little spicy and sweet with blended herbal flavor – kashayam removes stuffiness, relieves throat congestion. Body immune system also boosts with use of these medicinal herbs. Here is Kashaya recipe for you all.

Ingredients for Kashaya Powder

  • 1 cup Coriander Seeds
  • 1/3 cup Cumin Seeds
  • ¼ cup Fennel Seeds
  • 1 tbsp Black Pepper
  • 1-2 cm Dry Ginger

Preparation of Kashaya powder

  • Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and peppercorns separately for a 1-1½ minutes on a low flame.
  • Spread the roasted spices on a wide plate and let them cool down completely.
  • Grind roasted spices along with dry ginger root to medium coarse powder.
  • Store this aromatic Kashaya Powder in an airtight jar.

Ingredients for Kashaya drink

  • 1 tsp Kashaya Powder
  • ¼ cup Milk
  • 1 cup Water
  • ½-1 tbsp Jaggery or Sugar
  • A pinch of Cardamom or Turmeric Powder (Optional)

Preparation of  Kashaya Drink (for one person)

  • Take 1 cup of water in a container and bring it to boil.
  • Once the water comes to boil, mix in 1 tsp of Kashaya powder and jaggery or sugar to taste.
  • Let it boil for half a minute and mix in ¼ cup of milk along with cardamom*
  • Switch off the flame and let it rest for 1 minute for the flavors to infuse.
  • Strain the Kashaya through fine sieve and drink it while hot.

* While boiling kashaya one can add couple of leaves of holy Tulsi or mint leaves.

Image courtesy: http://myindiarecipes.com/
Recipe by: www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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SWEET POTATO-CARROT-GINGER WINTER SOUP

Sweet potato-carrot-ginger winter soup

For a cold winter everyone needs something hot for the dinner. Here is a soup recipe that is popular amongst gluten-free food lovers. Kids will love this too. Try Sweet potato-ginger-carrot soup this winter. It is delicious and can be stored for 2-4 days. The taste gets better after a day or two!

Sweet potato diet is also good for weight watchers. It contains vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6. And they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and phosphorus.Carrots are highly nutritious and contain beta-carotene needed for tired eyes. They are also good source of fibers that helps in easy digestion.

Sweet potato-ginger-carrot soup recipe for serving 6 people. Calories/ cup approximately 89

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potato
  • 1/2 cup carrots
  • 1/4 cup cut peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced fine
  • 10-12 black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoons sugar
  • Salt as required

Preparation:

  • In a large pan add little oil of your choice, heat and add sweet potato, carrots, ginger, onion, cumin seeds and pepper and fry for few minutes (till pepper cracks)
  • In a container bring water to boil.
  • Transfer the fried contents from ingredients to water and cover the lid.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Take half of the sweet potato & carrot from the water, cool it and blend it until it turns smooth.
  • Add blended sweet potato back to the container.
  • Cook for few more minutes.
  • If you feel soup is thick, add little more water.
  • If you want little richness in the soup, then you can 1/4 cup coconut milk to soup while boiling.
  • Fry few cut onions and on top of the soup.
  • Serve soup hot with bread rolls or crackers.

Reference: http://www.care2.com/
Recipe: WerIndia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 9, 2015
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Russia Will Be The World’s FIRST Exporter Of Non-GMO Foods, Says President Putin

Russia Will Be The World’s FIRST Exporter Of Non-GMO Foods, Says President Putin

Putin is not a fan of Monsanto or bio engineered anything, which is why, in a new address to the Russian Parliament last Thursday, he proudly outlined his plan to make Russia the world’s ‘leading exporter’ of non-GMO foods that are based on ‘ecologically clean’ production.

The Russian president harshly criticized food production in the United States, stating that Western food producers are no longer offering high quality, healthy, and ecologically clean food.

“We are not only able to feed ourselves taking into account our lands, water resources – Russia is able to become the largest world supplier of healthy, ecologically clean and high-quality food which the Western producers have long lost, especially given the fact that demand for such products in the world market is steadily growing,” Putin said in his address.

Reuters reports that it is likely Putin will use the country’s affinity for organic and sustainable farming as a centerpiece in his economic strategy.

“Ten years ago, we imported almost half of the food from abroad, and were dependent on imports. Now Russia is among the exporters. Last year, Russian exports of agricultural products amounted to almost $20 billion – a quarter more than the revenue from the sale of arms, or one-third the revenue coming from gas exports,” he added.

In Putin’s eyes, Russia is fully capable of supplying the domestic market with home-grown food by 2020.

This declaration comes just months after the Kremlin decided to stop the production of GMO-containing foods, a triumph seen as a huge step forward in the international fight to expose and ruin Monsanto.

With this latest news, Russia has clearly established itself as a dominant force in the realm of organic farming.

Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/russia-will-be-the-worlds-first-exporter-of-non-gmo-foods-says-president-putin/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 8, 2015
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Quinoa -moong daal khichadi

Quinoa -moong daal khichadi

The most popular detox dish in Ayurvedic system is khichadi (or khichari). We all know that rice and dal khichari made in ghee is very easy to prepare and has lot of benefit for the body. Some people have hard time to digest rice and dal combination. An alternated khichadi recipe has arrived in recent years and gaining lot of popularity. Khichadi made out of combination of quinoa and moong dal has gotten huge popularity in recent years in many countries. A healthy and nutritious, balancing dish is this khichadi – recipe is here for you.

Ingredients: (2-3 servings)

  • 1 cup Quinoa (preferably soaked for 3-4 hrs)
  • 1 cup split Moong dal or moong beans (preferably soaked for 2-3 hrs)
  • 1 cup of assorted veggies (colorful peppers, zucchini, onion, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes)
  • 1 tsp EV Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp Cumin and Mustard Seeds
  • 1 ½ tsp Coriander powder
  • ½ tsp Turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp Asafoetida (hing) powder
  • 1-2 tsp Red Chilli powder (optional)
  • 2-3 tbsp chopped Cilantro
  • 1 tsp freshly squeezed Lime/Lemon Juice
  • Salt to taste
  • approx. 2-4 cups of Water

Wash dal and quinoa together two or three times. Heat ghee and mustard seeds in a large saucepan on medium heat until seeds begin to pop. Then add the water, add the quinoa, dal, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile cook veggies on low-medium heat. Stir veggies continuously. When the veggies look almost done, add the rest of spices. (cumin, ginger, turmeric, chili powder and hing).

Cover and simmer until both dal and quinoa are soft, about a half hour, adding additional water as necessary. The cilantro leaves can be added before serving. You can vary the spices according to your liking. Before serving add little lemon juice, mix khichadi and serve.

Benefits of Kitchadi:

  • Balance metabolism: Quinoa and mung dal
  • Blood and liver cleanser : Quinoa
  • Aids in weight loss : Quinoa and vegetables
  • Balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha: Vegetables that bring balances in the body based on your conditions can be added to this khichadi.
  • Vata: peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, coconut milk
  • Pitta: zucchini, yellow squash, cauliflower, broccoli, celery
  • Kapha: zucchini, yellow squash, cauliflower, broccoli, celery

References:
http://www.wildvedicliving.com/
http://www.curejoy.com/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 4, 2015
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SNAKE GOURD (PADAVALA) INDIAN CURRY

Snake Gourd (Padaval) Indian Curry

(Recipe by Lalitha Venkata Subramanian: Ms. Lalitha resides in Bengaluru, Karnataka. She is an excellent cook and known for her vegetarian dishes- both Tamil and Karnataka traditional dishes, she likes to cook authentic North Indian foods too. Lalitha’s specialties are traditional sweets, curries, soups, rotis, breakfasts and Indian snacks. She likes gardening, drawing various rangoli designs, listening to carnatic music. Expect more traditional recipes from Lalitha in this column)

Snake gourd commonly known as padavala or serpentine gourd is not that well known worldwide. But it is very popular in countries like India, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries like Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, China and some parts of Africa and Australia. Fruits can grow up to 5 ft. Plants are also known for their beautiful flower. Snake Gourd contains a rich variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for human health, including significant levels of dietary fiber, a small number of calories, and high levels of protein. In terms of vitamins, snake gourd possess vitamin A, B, C, as well as manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, and iodine. Here is a simple and delicious Indian dish one can make using this rich gourd.

Preparation time: Half an hour, serving for 3 people

Ingredients:

  • Snake gourd: 3 medium sizes
  • Grated coconut: 1/2 cup
  • Toor dal (yellow lentil) -1/2 cup
  • Red chillies: 6
  • Urd dal: 1 tbs
  • Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
  • Pepper -1 tsp
  • Asafetida – Little, Curry leaves -10, mustard seeds. oil – for seasoning
  • Turmeric powder -1 tsp
  • Salt – to taste

Method:

1) Wash, cut and remove the inner pulp from the snake gourds. Further cut snake gourds into half -one inch pieces

2) Pressure cook the gourd pieces and toor dal in separate containers.

3) On a pan- add urd dal, cumin seeds, pepper and dry fry on low flame

4) Grind the fried ingredients with coconut.

5) In a fresh container add grinded ingredients to cooked vegetable, add cooked daal, salt and turmeric powder – mix and keep for boiling under medium flame

6) In a pan heat oil- add mustard, curry leaves, asafetida. Pour this on to curry mix.

One can have this curry with chapatti, rotis, white or brown rice or breakfast items like dosa and idli.

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 1, 2015
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San Francisco is the First City To Ban The Sale Of Plastic Bottles

San Francisco is the First City To Ban The Sale Of Plastic Bottles

By  Amanda Froelich at www.trueactivist.com

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest burdens to the environment. Believe it or not, enough plastic is discarded every year to circle the globe four times. Even worse, it is estimated that 50% of the plastic on this planet is used only once before being thrown away.

To curb the issue of plastic pollution, the city of San Francisco has just done something monumental: it has  become the first in America to ban the sale of plastic water bottles.

The move is building a global movement to reduce the huge amount of waste from the billion-dollar plastic bottle industry which is taking a toll on the environment.

Over the next four years, the ban will phase out the sales of plastic water bottles that hold 21 ounces or less in public spaces. A waiver is permissible if an adequate alternative water source is not available, reports GlobalFlare.

Think Outside the Bottle campaign, a national effort that encourages restrictions of the “eco-unfriendly product,” was one of the largest supporters of the proposal.

While the San Francisco ban is less strict than the full prohibitions passed in 14 national parks and a number of universities in Concord, Massachusetts, it is a step in the right direction.

Those who violate the ban could face fines of up to $1,000. That’s certainly an incentive to invest in a  reusable glass bottle.

The ban is “another step forward on our zero-waste goal,” said Joshua Arce, the chairman of the Commission on the Environment. “We had big public events for decades without plastic bottles and we’ll do fine without them again.”

This isn’t the first effort by the city to curb plastic pollution. In the past, San Francisco banned plastic bags and plastic foam containers.

By 2020, the city aims to have no waste going to its landfill. Its diversion rate now stands at 80%.

What did the American Beverage Association, which includes Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo, have to say about the plastic bottle ban? The ban is “nothing more than a solution in search of a problem. This is a misguided attempt by city supervisors to decrease waste in a city of avid recyclers.”

San Francisco may be more recycle-happy than other cities, but plastic pollution needs to be curbed. Perhaps in the future, other cities will follow the city’s bold lead and phase out plastics completely.

Read More: http://www.trueactivist.com/san-francisco-becomes-first-city-to-ban-the-sale-of-plastic-bottles/

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/users/hans (Free for commercial use)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: November 28, 2015
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