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.
Apple rose pastry for Valentine's day

Apple Rose For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and people love to express their feeling with everyone. In fact, Valentine’s day is for everybody who wants to bring change in the world by sharing and showing love.  Flowers and fruits are part of Valentine’s day. Roses and apples make a perfect combination to celebrate Valentine’s Day. While you give rose flowers to your loved ones, think of giving edible apple rose pastry with it. Prepare apple rose pastry and share with people you love to fulfill the joy of sharing love and affection.

Apple rose recipe

Ingredients for baking:

  1. All-purpose flour – 1 cup
  2. Butter – 75 grams
  3. Saffron – a pinch
  4. Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon
  5. Sugar – 2 tablespoons
  6. Water – 3 tablespoons
  7. Apricot spread

Ingredients for apple roses:

  1. Apple – 1 medium sized, cut into very thin slices
  2. Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
  3. Water – 1 glass
  4. Butter – 40 grams
  5. Sugar – 3 tablespoons
  6. Cinnamon powder – 2 teaspoons

 Preparation:

1. In a bowl, add butter, saffron, sugar and cinnamon powder and mix well.

2. Add all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl and little by little add water and mix well to make a smooth dough. Mix well and keep aside.

How to make apple rose

3. Cut apple into thin slices, sprinkle lemon juice and water. Microwave apple slices for 3-4 minutes. Cool the apple slices to room temperature.

4. Take dough and make a rectangular sheet by rolling it. Cut strips of 8-inch long and about less than an inch wide.

5. Apply butter, little apricot spread and sugar-cinnamon powder on it.

6. Arrange the apple slice on the dough, overlapping one another. When you arrange let the skin portion stick out of the strip.

7. Now, fold the bottom part of the dough. Roll the sheet with arranged apple slices gently to make a beautiful rose.

8. Similarly, prepare more apple roses and sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on top of the apple roses.

9. Preheat the oven at 200-degree centigrade for 10 minutes.  Place parchment paper on the baking sheet or in baking cups. Place the apple roses on trays.

10. Bake for 35 minutes – edges of pastry should become brownish and crispy.

11. Serve apple roses with tea or as a dessert item.

Image courtesy: Pinterest

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: February 11, 2020
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How Therapy Can Help You Achieve Your Goals in 2020

How Therapy Can Help You Achieve Your Goals in 2020

While January is nearing a close, 2020 is still a fresh new year, and many of us are wondering how we can have the most successful 2020. We all have goals in mind, but we may not know how to reach them.

One way you can reach your goals is by talking to a therapist or counselor. For many years, therapy has been associated with people who are at their lowest point, but this is an outdated way of looking at things. Here are some common goals that therapy can help you with.

…

Getting Fit

Many of us want to gain muscles or have weight loss as our goal, but oftentimes, that’s a challenge if you’re don’t have someone to hold you accountable. Many people quit the gym after the first month, or try a diet and quickly slip back into it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you actually want to know what diet will work best for you and how you should work out, talk to a nutritionist or personal training. However, if you need help staying motivated, a therapist can help you. From writing down your goals and having a plan to reach them, to identifying triggers that can break your diet, a therapist is here to help.

Improving Your Relationship

If you’re in a relationship, you may have goals for it. Maybe it’s to have  more sex or to argue less. There are many challenges that come in a relationship, and quite often, you may find yourself overwhelmed on how to fix it. One way you can do so is to go to couples counseling.

Couples counseling is not just for couples who are having trouble keeping their relationship up. It’s also for people who just want to improve an already healthy relationship. Why not talk to a couples counselor and see how they can help you.

Saving Money

If your goal this year is to save more money, then a counselor can help you. Obviously, counseling can cost money, but if you’re going to one anyway, they can help hold you accountable for saving money. Once again, they can do this by setting goals and telling you how to fulfill them. If you splurge and end up spending more money than you wanted, a therapist can be the one who teaches you where you went wrong and what you can do next time.

Fixing a Broken Family

If your goal this year is to reconnect with a friend or family member who you lost contact with, usually because of a fight, a counselor or therapist can help you. Just like a relationship counseling, counseling or therapy can teach you how to manage conflict and can teach you how to resolve one’s differences.

For Getting a Better Night’s Rest

Some of us have not gotten enough sleep, and we’re wondering how we can sleep better. Many of us could use an extra hour or two to feel better and to stay focused.

Poor sleep can have many triggers, from stress, depression, anxiety, or too much phone use. Whatever the reason, a therapist works with you to identify several triggers, improve your sleep rituals, and get you back on the right track to a better night’s rest.

For Your Mental Health Woes

Perhaps the biggest reason to see a counselor or a therapist is because they can help you with your mental health woes. If you have depression or anxiety, it can be a challenge to get out of bed. This is the sad truth of it. However, with therapy, particularly online therapy that lets you get help from home, you can learn to heal and learn how you can prevent extreme bouts of depression or anxiety in the future.

Just Someone to Talk to

Finally, a counselor can help you talk to someone, and sometimes, that may be a noble enough goal for the year. Many of us don’t talk to someone who understands us or supports our dreams, but a therapist can. They’re more than people who get paid to talk to you; they care about your well-being and want to see you succeed.

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: January 27, 2020
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Cucumber idli recipe

Healthy cucumber idli recipe

Idli is a healthy breakfast as it contains balanced amount of Protein, carbohydrate and fat. For a change, sometimes we can add other healthy stuffs into idli and make it little more interesting. Adding vegetables, healthy leaves like spinach or palak or adding cucumber to idli makes it taste different in a good way. Try cucumber idli recipe for a change for breakfast or dinner.

Ingredients:

  1. Cucumber – 3 grated
  2. Coarse rice – 1 cup (rice sooji)
  3. Coconut – ½ cup grated
  4. Ginger – 1 inch grated
  5. Cilantro – 2 Tbsp, finely chopped
  6. Green chilli – 2 finely chopped
  7. Salt – as per taste
  8. Curd – 2 Tbsp (optional)

For seasoning: Oil, mustard, cumin, pinch of asafetida

Preparation:

  1. Wash, peel and grate cucumbers
  2. In a bowl mix coconut, rice sooji, salt, cilantro, curd (optional), green chilli, ginger and cucumber with two to three cups water. Keep the batter aside for half an hour
  3. Prepare seasoning using oil, mustard, cumin and asafetida
  4. Add seasoning to idli batter and mix well
  5. Grease idli plates/ cup and pour one ladle of idli mix in each plate/ cup
  6. Steam cook idli batter on medium heat for about 15-20 minutes
  7. Using a cold spoon remove hot idlis.
  8. Serve hot cucumber idlis with butter, sambar and coconut chutney!
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: October 30, 2019
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Reverse namaskar pose

Reverse Namaskar Pose

Tadasana Paschima Namaskar or reverse namaskar pose is a beginner/intermediate pose that helps to strengthen abdomen, shoulder and arms. It is a chest opener pose and one should be careful while bending and taking hands back. This pose is good for those who suffer from back pain. It eases hand movements and gives flexibility -Healthylife

LEVEL :Intermediate

Anatomy

  • Abdomen|Arms|Chest|Shoulders

Pose Type

  • Arm Variation|Backbend

Sanskrit :

Tadasana Paschima Namaskar

paschima = backside of the body  namaskar = to join the hands in prayer

tada = mountain tah-dahs-anna  pah-she-mah nah-mah-skar-ahs-anna

Benefits

  • Opens the chest and abdomen
  • Lessens stress and quiets the mind
  • Enhances flexibility in shoulders, arms, chest, and upper back
  • Improves posture

Contradictions:

How To

  • From standing or seated, rest your arms loosely by your side
  • Find minor core engagement
  • Tuck your chin in slightly towards your chest
  • Lengthen your spine
  • Reach your arms behind you with palms facing each other
  • Bend your elbows and reach your fingertips towards one another
  • If accessible, keep your shoulders relaxed and broaden your chest as your palms meet behind your back
  • Rest your palms together and your pinky fingers against your spinal column
  • Modify or Replace
  • Look toward the floor if any strain is felt in the neck.
  • Practice the pose with the feet hip-distance apart.
  • Widen the arms into a cactus position to lessen the stretch in the shoulders.

Sequencing Tips

Before:

  • Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
  • Easy Pose (Sukhasana)

After:

Teaching Cues

  • Draw your shoulder blades, scapula, together
  • Find core engagement and knit your low ribs inward
  • Keep the hands pressed together from fingertips to the base of the palm
  • Variations
  • Bring your hands to grasp your wrists or forearms
  • Find a standing posture, such as pyramid pose, and move into the full expression with your hands in namaskar

Watch Out For

  • Shoulder strain
  • Chest puffing out
  • Loss of core engagement
  • Neck strain

This article and image is published here with prior permission from beyogi.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: October 24, 2019
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Food fraud prevention network

Network to prevent food fraud in Asian Nations

There is a need to create an IT-enabled platform to exchange information related to frauds in the food industries in the Asia region –  Rita Teaotia, Chairman of FSSAI, India

Why Food Fraud is a concern?

Growing need of food in developing countries in past two decades has resulted in food fraud and adulteration. Food fraud is a term used for altering food for economic gain by intentional substitution, addition, tampering or misinterpretation of food, food ingredients, food packaging, making false claim and statements. Food fraud misleads and deceives consumers for financial gain of vendors.

Food safety net services or FSNS is an organization that helps and assures consumers safe food delivery. According to FSNS food fraud can happen in many ways:

  • By substituting one product with another
  • Using government unapproved additives and enhancements
  • Misrepresenting the food origin or information of food
  • Misbranding and purposefully mislabeling
  • Delivering stolen food
  • Contaminating food with chemicals and biological agents that cause bad health to consumers.

The effect of food fraud on human body is not very clear and hence the food fraud investigations and reports does not get much attention the way it should. Food fraud is not detected in most cases because health consequences are often subtle.

Which are the foods that get adulterated?

Global examples are: Coffee, cooking oil, apple juice, vanilla extract, milk, honey, saffron, tea powder, maple syrup, milk, vegetables (with chemical dye), sweets, lentils, spices, butter, cream, clarified butter.  

Some of the economically motivated adulteration (EMA) can result in severe public health consequences. For example Adding melamine in dairy products has lead to infant deaths, adding industrial grade rapeseed oil into olive oil has caused illness in many and resulted in 300 death. Delivery of fishes grown in polluted water has caused mercury poisoning in pregnant woman.

For those who love to eat meat, many times meat products have come from undeclared species – In Europe horsemeat scandal happened in 2013, dog meat supplied to many food restaurants and in 1970’s horsemeat and kangaroo meat was used in frozen beef trimmings!

Some of the cases that were strongly condemned food frauds locally and globally are:

  1. Italy: 2011 Supplying illegal organic produces,
  2. Mexico: 2005 – supplying meat from undeclared species
  3. Russia:2015 Adding palm oil in milk
  4. Australia: 2013 Free range eggs from caged hens
  5.  China: 2008 melamine in baby food
  6. China: 2015 Zombie frozen meat
  7. USA: 2009 Often salmonella contamination in foods, honey laundering, meat from undeclared species
  8. India: Using artificial colors in foods : green color on vegetables, adding artificial colors in prepared foods like biryani

There are millions of foods trade happens between the countries and to prevent the food fraud FAO and WHO has named six codex regions as regional coordinating committees. Each committee is responsible for defining the problems and needs of the region concerning food control and food standard.

Even though FSSAI, has made strong rules and laws against food fraud, businesses are finding ways to cheat consumers. In 2015 alone out of 49,290 samples of food items tested, 8469 (nearly one fifth) were found misbranded or adulterated.

Recently in its 21st session coordinating committee of the UN bodies (WHO and FAO)  Mrs. Rita Teaotia Rita Teaotia, Chairman of FSSAI, India in her inaugural address had mentioned “ There is a need for creating a network of scientific and research institutions for collection and assimilation of scientific facts and data for the region and worthwhile, to create an IT-enabled information platform to ex hange information regarding food frauds and other areas of core interest”

While calling for increased dialogue between countries in Asia codex regions Mrs. Taeotia also mentioned that “countries trade extensively with each other and at least in food, almost 60 per cent of food trade is within the region (Asian). To my view, this alone is enough reason for us to develop a common ground for cooperation”

Networking between not just Asian region, all six regions could have great impact in controlling and stopping food fraud and could save millions of lives.

References:

https://www.fssai.gov.in/in-the-media-recent.php

http://www.newindianexpress.com

https://www.cbsnews.com/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 30, 2019
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Fenugreek hair care remedies

How to use fenugreek seeds for hair care?

Fenugreek is a good remedy for hair problems. It protects hair from breaking and strengthens hair root. Fenugreek contains protein that strengthen the hair shaft. The mucilage content that we get by soaking fenugreek seed in water supports hair growth and gives shiny look by protecting moisture content. There are different ways to prepare and use fenugreek for hair care.  Fenugreek seed paste alone can be used to get benefits and sometimes adding supporting ingredients enhances its benefits.

Fenugreek seed water:

  1. Soak half cup fenugreek seeds overnight in 1.5 cups of water
  2. Next day morning strain and collect water in a bowl. Keep seeds aside
  3. Fill the fenugreek water in a spray bottle and spray on scalp after hair wash and leave it

Fenugreek oil:

  1. Take about 2 tsp of fenugreek seeds in a frying pan.
  2. Add half cup of fresh curry leaves.
  3. On medium flame dry fry both ingredients. Cool the contents and prepare powder.
  4. Now add half cup of sesame or coconut oil and heat on low flame. When the oil comes to boil add powdered ingredient and boil for few seconds. Turn off the heat source and allow oil to cool.
  5. Strain and collect oil in a spray bottle. Spray oil on scalp and massage daily or alternate days.
  6. Apply the fenugreek seed and curry leaf paste on hair and scalp. Leave it for few minutes before washing hair for few minutes.

Fenugreek powder in curd:

  1. Prepare 2-3 tsp of fenugreek powder
  2. Add little yogurt/curd and prepare a paste
  3. Apply the paste on scalp and leave it for half an hour or so.
  4. Wash hair and spray fenugreek oil or water.

Fenugreek seeds with Aloe vera gel:

  1. Soak half cup fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight
  2. Take one Tbsp of Aloe vera gel and one Tbsp of coconut oil and mix well
  3. Prepare paste of soaked fenugreek seeds and mix with Aloe and coconut oil
  4. Apply the paste on hair and scalp. Leave it for an hour and wash hair.

Fenugreek seed paste in lemon juice.

  1. Soak 2-3 tsp fenugreek seeds overnight in water
  2. Prepare paste in the morning and mix the paste in lemon juice
  3. Apply this fenugreek paste on hair and leave it for half an hour and rinse off.

Fenugreek seeds in coconut oil:

  1. Dry fry fenugreek seeds.
  2. Add fried seeds into coconut oil in a glass bottle.
  3. Leave the bottle in sunlight for few days.
  4. Filter and massage the oil on hair to get its benefit on hair growth, to control dandruff and to get shiny hair.

Fenugreek seed paste in amla juice

  1. Soak fenugreek seeds (2 tsp) overnight in water
  2. Prepare paste and add it to amla juice
  3. Apply this mixture on scalp and hair. Wash hair using mild shampoo.

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/503639/fenugreek-seeds-health-pepper-meal-free-pictures-free-photos-free-images-royalty-free (CC By 2.0)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 23, 2019
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E-cigarette causes pulmonary disease

Severe pulmonary disease associated with E-Cigarette usage

According to the recent warning issued by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) using E-cigarette products leads to severe pulmonary disease.

On August 30th 2019 CDC has released caution regarding use of any type of Electronic cigarettes. In its emergency preparedness and response CDC has provided:

  1. Background information on the forms of e-cigarettes products
  2. Information on the multistate outbreak of severe pulmonary lung disease associated with devices, liquids, refill pods, cartridges – all types of e-cigarettes
  3. Clinical features of patients with severe pulmonary disease.

CDC health advisory also gives recommendation to public health officials, clinicians and to public the information that is related to use of e-cigarettes that leads to severe lung disease.

Reason for warning:

All E-cigarettes contain nicotine the substance that gives a kick for cigarette smokers. It also contain flavoring and other types of chemicals. According to CDC it might also contain marijuana or other substances. These are known by many other different names and come in different shapes, device types and sizes. E-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, tanks or ENDS or Electronic Nicotine Delivery systems. Some of the e-cigarettes devices resemble tobacco products such as common cigarettes or USB flash drives, pens and flashlights. Some have unique shapes. The vaping and juuling is common problem among youths. The dabbing E-cigarettes are referred as dab pens.

Apart from nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer causing compounds are also present in E-cigarettes. In addition, e-cigarettes are according to CDC are, used for delivering illicit substances acquired from unauthorized an unknown vendors or sources.

These products could have been modified that can only cause severe harm to users. For example e-cigarette pods or cartridges marketed for single use can be refilled with illicit substances. Some e-cigarette products are used for dripping that involves dropping e- cigarette liquid directly on hot coils of an e-cigarette that results  in high concentration of cannabinoid or/and, tetrahydrocannabinol compounds. Dabbing involves superheating substances like butane hash oil or budder and 710 that contain high concentration of THC and other plant compounds like cannabidiol or CBD.

E-cigarettes are not approved from FDA as an aid to quit smoking. Adults, young adults and pregnant women who do not use tobacco products must not use e-cigarettes as an alternative to start smoking. E-cigarettes also contain nicotine and have might be useful to reduce smoking habits but still are not approved as an aid to quit smoking.

According to CDC, as of August 27th 2019, 2015 cases are reported in US alone from 25 states for pulmonary illness. One causality has been reported due to severe pulmonary condition. Epidemiologic investigations is still undergoing to understand the characterize of the exposure, demographic, clinical and laboratory features including patients behavior. All those patients have reported to smoke e-cigarette products and many were using the e-cigarettes containing cannabinoid products such as CBD and THC.

Patients will pulmonary conditions have experiences symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe respiratory problems, gastrointestinal symptoms – nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, fatgue, fever, weight loss over the period of few weeks. In addition, elevated white blood cell count, fever, tachycardia has been reported. Several patients were reported to have lipid pneumonia and many patients required supplemental oxygen. All these patients reported to use e-cigarettes and inhalation of cannabinoid products, THC or cannabidiol in many patients.

CDC is working with state departments to facilitate collecting specimens for further testing at US FDA Forensic Chemistry Center.

CDC has issued following instructions for public:

Recommendations for the Public

  • While this investigation is ongoing, if you are concerned about these specific health risks, consider refraining from using e-cigarette products.
  • Regardless of the ongoing investigation, anyone who uses e-cigarette products should not buy these products off the street (e.g., e-cigarette products with THC, other cannabinoids) and should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
  • Regardless of the ongoing investigation, e-cigarette products should not be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women, as well as adults who do not currently use tobacco products. If you use e-cigarette products, monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. CDC and FDA will continue to advise and alert the public as more information becomes available.
  • Adult smokers who are attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you who need help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contact your doctor.
  • If you are concerned about harmful effects from e-cigarette products, call your local poison control center at: 1-800-222-1222.
  • We encourage the public to submit detailed reports of any unexpected tobacco or e-cigarette-related health or product issues to the FDA via the online Safety Reporting Portal: https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.govexternal icon.

If you are a E-Cigarette user please visit https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00421.asp for further information.

Image credit: Photo by Thorn Yang from Pexels (CC0)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Red Savina Habanero & Jalapeno

Red Savina Habanero & Jalapeno

Red Savina Habanero: It is a mutated version of hot chili Habanero. It topped in the hot list of chilis and considered to be the hottest chili in the world. These chilis have lantern shape and are hotter than regular habanero.  Consuming red Savina Habanero causes instant burning, tantalizes with heat and tingle tounge and whole system. One should know how to handle such level spice before handling Red Savina Habanero.

Scoville unit: 350,0000-500,000

Hotness scale: >10

Jalapeño: A popular and most widely used hot pepper in Western Countries is Jalapeno. It is pronounced: hah-lah-PEH-nyoh. Jalapeños are finger shaped,  tapered, about 2″ in length and will exhibit slight cracks at the point of stem ending. It is originated from Jalapa town in Veracruz state. Deseeded Jalapeno tastes like bell pepper and  with seeds it is hot. It is a popular item for pickled chilis and used in tacos, salads, jelly and sauces.  Green jalapeno are popular and in market red chilis also available. Dried, smoked jalapeno is called chipotle ( as in restaurant chain Chipotle ).

Scoville units: 2,500-7,000.

Hotness Scale: 3-6

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 8, 2019
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