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.
Lion pose

The Lion pose benefits

Lion pose is simple, beginner’s pose in Yoga. This simple pose provides many health benefits – it relieves tension from system, improves blood circulation to face, keeps vocal cord and chest healthy. It stimulates platysma, prevents sore throat, asthma and other respiratory ailments. Overall it strengthens lungs, throat, chest by stimulating tonsils and boosting immune system. When we breath out and roar like lion it takes out all the stress and brings back calmness to system. One can try this pose anywhere, anytime – www.healthylife.werindia.com

LEVEL :Beginner

Anatomy :Face, Jaw, Neck, Tongue

Pose Type :Seated

Sanskrit: Simhasana (sim-HAHS-anna) simha = lion

BENEFITS:

  • Relieves tension in the front of the neck (tongue, jaw)
  • Promotes good posture and confidence
  • Tones the platysma
  • Stretches the tongue
  • May treat bad breath
  • Activates three of the bandhas (Mula, Jalandhara, Uddiyana)

CONTRAINDICATIONS

HOW TO

  1. Kneel on the floor. Lift your sitting bones and cross your legs at the ankles, so your feet face the sides of your mat. Then sit back onto the top heel.
  2. Place the left hand on the left knee and right hand on the right knee. Extend your arms, spread your fingers out wide, and press your palms firmly against the knees.
  3. Inhale through your nose and open your mouth wide. Stretch your tongue out and down, toward your chin, as far as you can.
  4. With your tongue sticking out, exhale and let out a powerful, audible breath. The exhalation should mimic a roar, making the “ha” sound.
  5. Set your gaze upward between your eyebrows or to the tip of your nose.
  6. Stay in Lion pose for 30 seconds, roaring up to three times. Then switch the crossing of your legs and repeat on the other side.

MODIFY OR REPLACE

Alternatives:

Kapalabhati Pranayama (Breath of Fire)

Modifications:

  • Sit back on both of the heels instead of crossing at the ankles.
  • Place a blanket between your sitting bones and your heels for comfort.
  • If sitting onto the heels is difficult, sit on a block in Virasana (Hero pose).

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

After:

  • Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
  • Salabhasana (Locust pose)

TEACHING CUES

  • Make sure your back is long; sit up tall.
  • Spread your shoulder blades across your back.
  • Keep your arms extended and engaged.
  • Exhale in one powerful breath with the tongue sticking out and mouth open as much as possible.
  • Make the “ha” sound as you exhale; roar.

VARIATIONS

  • Sit in Padmasana (Lotus pose). Extend the arms to the floor in front of you. Come forward to stand on your knees, and then move your pelvis toward the floor. Follow steps 5-6 above.

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Student is in a comfortable seated position

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

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: January 19, 2019
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Butter masala dosa

Butter masala dosa

Butter masala dosa is another popular dosa in South Indian restaurants. Locally it is also known as “benne dose”. With touch of butter soft dosa will be served with potato curry and coconut chutney. It is one of winter favorite breakfast and evening snack item too.

Ingredients for dosa:

  1. Dosa rice (or sona masoori) – 2 cups
  2. Urad dal (black gram)- 1 cup
  3. Beaten rice – 3 Tbsp
  4. Fenugreek (methi seeds) – 2 tsp
  5. Salt – As per taste
  6. Oil
  7. Butter

Ingredients for potato curry

  1. Potato – 4/5
  2. Onion – 1 medium size
  3. Green chilli -2
  4. Ginger -1/2 inch
  5. Salt – as per taste
  6. Curry leaves – few
  7. Coriander – chopped 2 Tbsp
  8. Oil

Method:

  1. Wash rice, black gram and methi seeds. Add beaten rice and soak all 4 ingredients in about 3 cups water for 4 to 5 hours.
  2. Grind soaked ingredients to dosa batter consistency.
  3. Transfer batter to a container. Add water if necessary, add salt and mix well. Leave it to ferment overnight at right temperature
  4. Morning mix dosa batter well.
  5. Grease a tava and place on medium heat.
  6. Using a ladle pour one ladle dosa batter on tava and spread on tava. Cover dosa with a lid. After couple of minutes remove lid and turn dosa to cook other side. Apply desired amount of butter on dosa surface.
  7. Flip dosa again, now again apply desired amount butter on dosa. Let butter melt on both sides.
  8. Remove hot butter dosa and serve with potato curry and chutney.

 Potato curry:

  1. On medium heat place a container and add oil. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves.
  2. Add finely chopped onion, green chilli and sprinkle little salt. Let onion cook.
  3. Meanwhile boil potato and mash them. Transfer mashed potatoes to cooked onion, add little more salt, chopped coriander and mix well. Potato curry ready.
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: January 7, 2019
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Home remedy: Medicinal uses of Betel leaf

Home remedy: Medicinal uses of Betel leaf

Betel leaf plant belongs to same family as pepper. It is famous in India and other Asian countries as pan. Betel leaf has taken important role in Indian traditions and ceremonies. It also has several health benefits and has a major role in Ayurveda medicine. Piper betle is a climber with thousands of years of historical use for blood sugar support, respiratory health, digestive health and more. It is indigenous throughout India and the Malay region. Betel leaf has been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels, and works effectively for weight loss by increasing adiponectin, that regulates glucose level.

The many health benefits of Betel leaf is listed below.

1. For cough, phlegm and cold add salt and black pepper to one Betel leaf and consume.

2. If you are suffering from gastritis related headache keep Betel leaf on top of both ears. This reduces the headache. It has analgesic and cooling properties. You can apply the betel leaf on your forehead to ease headaches.

3. For prolonged cold and phlegm, chew couple of Betel leaves every day.

4. Add Tulsi (holy basil) leaf juice, Betel leaf juice and a tsp of honey, mix and consume when you have cold and cold related allergies.

5. If your throat is bothering you, chew few roots of Betel leaf plant.

6. If your child has indigestion and stomach ache, slightly warm the Betel leaf on both sides and apply castor oil on both surface of leaf.Place it on the tummy for few minutes and repeat it few times.

7. For dry cough, put few drops of honey on Betel leaf and chew or add few drops of honey, black pepper to Betel leaf juice and consume.

8. For small wounds apply Betel leaf juice and lime juice (equal proportion) -wounds heal fast. It is rich in poly-phenols, especially chavicol. Local application of the betel leaf acts a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent.

9. For constipation – chew couple of Betel leaves with Betel nut. This is a traditional way to digest the heavy meal and eases constipation.

10. Reduces gastric pain – Betel leaf balances the pH in the digestive system and reduces gastric pain. Betel leaf is highly capable of restoring the normal PH levels of stomach by flushing out all the toxins.

11. Appetite booster – Betel leaf helps in bringing back appetite.

12. Relief from the back pain: A hot poultice of betel leaves or its juice mixed with coconut oil or castor oil applied on the loins gives good relief. Massaging the lower back with betel leaf oil and a carrier oil helps to ease the pain.

13. It is diuretic -For water retention in the body crush a betel leaf and extract its juice, mix it with little-diluted milk and drink it.

14. Women hygiene – It reduces the itching and suffering of private parts of women. The betel leaves are boiled and are used as a genital wash. It prevents the unpleasant smell of perspiration and menstruation.

15. Body odor prevention – Add juice of betel leaf or oil in your bath water to remain fresh for longer day. You can also drink a concoction made of few betel leaves soaked in boiled water. Add little sugar for better taste.

Remember – Do not consume Betel leaf if you have bleeding, nausea or deep wounds. Do not make a habit of consuming Betel leaf and Betel nut – it can damage the liver. Do not consume Betel leaf if you are pregnant as it may harm the baby. 

References:

  1. http://www.ayurhelp.com/
  2. http://www.wildturmeric.net/ 
  3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3892533/
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 28, 2018
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Vegetable Cutlet Recipe

Vegetable Cutlet

Carrot contains good amount of valuable nutrients and soluble fiber, so also is the bean. Beet root has many health benefits – good for liver and good for skin! Potato known to have carbohydrates and is a stomach filling vegetable. Combine all these four vegetables and add some peas to make a healthy, yummy vegetable cutlet.

Kids will sure love this one. It contains less fat and good amount of nutrients. Easy to make at home for evening snacks or send it in lunch box on school days with some tomato ketchup or tamarind chutney!

Preparation and cooking time: 40 minutes.

Ingredients for 14 cutlets

Ingredients:

Vegetables:

  1. 2 medium size carrot
  2. 2 medium size potato
  3. 1 medium size beet root
  4. 6 Beans
  5. 1/4 cup Peas

To make paste:

  1. Garlic 1 clove cut into small pieces
  2. Fennel seeds 1 tsp
  3. Green chili – 2-3
  4. Coriander leaves – 1/4 cup
  5. One medium size cut onion

Grind all five ingredients (6-10) and keep aside.

To dip: 2 tbsp all purpose flour mixed with 1/2 cup water

Powder: Take 3-4 slices of bread & powder them. (you can also use breads crumbs)

Method:

  1. Finely cut all the vegetables.
  2. Wash and pressure-cook with little bit of water, turmeric powder & salt.
  3. Drain the excess water and smash cooked vegetable & keep it aside
  4. On a frying pan heat one tablespoon of oil.
  5. Fry onions until it turns into brown and the grinded paste.
  6. Add smashed vegetables & fry till it gets thickened. Wait to cool.
  7. Make small balls with cooked vegetable and dip in the all purpose flour mix. Smear bread crumbs or bread powder and spread them in the plate or paper to dry.
  8. Deep -fry in oil or keep in oven (350F) until both the sides turn into brown.
  9. Serve with tomato ketchup or green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Image: WerIndia

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 27, 2018
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8 relationship rules for married couple

8 relationship rules for married couple

Some people does not bother about falling in and out of relationships.  However, if someone wants to settle down, get married and want to have a blissful life then they must understand that relationships can be complicated and goes through rough paths on and off. There are certain (unwritten) rules that are passed from generations to today’s couples to take right path in life. These rules help to develop true compatibility by means of learning quality – good and bad in a relationship.

Grandma’s 8 relationship rules for married couple –

  1. Understanding & respect: One mistake we all make when we enter a married life is forgetting to focus on partner’s feelings. We all try to become victim and win the emotional battle. It is important to recognize feeling and the needs of the partner. This helps to understand partner in better way and you will start respecting him/her as human being. To gain respect we should give respect. If there is not respect given, then the relationship becomes sour and married life takes U turn.
  2. Loyalty: If you are into a marriage and if your love is true, then be loyal to your life partner. Always remember, whatever your religion might be, you entered this union because you wanted to. Loyalty is should not be shaken. It means you remain loyal to your relationship.
  3. Fair fighting: Every human has flaws and no one is perfect either in appearance or internally. This should not make us call life partner in bad names. When a person addresses and calls life partner by mean name it is an insult and it hurts the feeling of other. This results in fight. Instead of calling by names, focus on the problem that is in front of you and talk to your spouse calmly.
  4. Sense of humor: Laughing and smiling helps to ease the tense situation. It helps to breath and to look at any issues in a positive way. A good sense of humor will make other person melt and helps to create a stronger bond in relationship.
  5. Intimacy: Sex is not everything in life. Intimacy is important to feel the love. After few years of marriage, one understands that body attraction is limited. Once you understand the value of your life partner, your focus will be only on wellbeing of the partner. Whatever may be the situation that life throws at you, spend quality time together and your bond becomes stronger.
  6. Keeping promises: If you know you cannot keep up the promise then don’t make one. If you know your weakness then don’t says “I promise”. Before promising for any reasons -big or small, think hard. If you cannot keep promise then to be honest. If you cannot keep up with what you promised for, your partner might be disappointed in you. Instead of committing by saying I promise, say I will try.
  7. Appreciate: Always appreciate other persons enthusiasm, caring nature and the contribution to you and your relationship. Feeling wanted and getting appreciation is encouraging for life partner and it guarantees a life that is healthy and happy.
  8. Apologies: In relationship there should not be superior factor. If there is a mistake from your side then apologies. If both of you not sure whose mistake it is then both should apologize to each other. Apologizing, saying sorry does not make you a weak person. It means you care and value about your relationship than fighting to win. Do not drag arguments to hours and days. Do not keep pointing out at the mistake that your partner committed. Forgive and move on with healthy relationship.

It is both partners responsibility to keep relationship going strong and healthy for many years! Many years of togetherness means, a understanding, compatible, loyal relationship with a strong bond!

Listen to grandma: www.healthylife.werindia.com

 

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 26, 2018
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Reasons to grow Tulsi plant at home

Reasons to grow Tulsi plant at home

Tulsi also known as Tulasi or Holy Basil plant is very auspicious and holiest of all the plants for various reasons. It has gained a prominent place in Hindu culture for good reasons.

Having a Tulsi plant at home gives positive energy for the house and for people who live in it. The positive energy comes from the evergreen leaves, plants fragrance and its beauty.

Tulsi’s benefits are backed by science. Scientists are exploring those phytochemicals that are present in Tulsi for Cancer treatment!

Do you know – Tulsi plant appears in environment in three different kinds based on the color and texture of leaf. Krishna Tuli, Sri Tulsi or Rama Tulsi and Vana Tulsi.

  • Rama Tulsi: Green Tulsi also known as Sri Tulsi has light purple flowers and produces scent somewhat like clove. The aroma is soothing and one can eat these leaves raw easily.
  • Krishna Tulsi: As the name indicates leaves of Krishna Tulsi is somewhat bluish or purplish and blackish It also gives clove like bit stronger aroma and has a bit of spicy flavor.
  • Vana Tulsi : Brighter green leaves and grows wild. It has a lemony aroma with bit of clove flavor.

The reasons to have Tulsi in every home is for following reasons : In Atharva veda there is mention about Tulsi’s medicinal values. We all know Tulsi provides many medicinal benefit – It is very useful home remedy for conditions like cough, cold, asthma, mouth odor, diarrhea, stomach ache, skin problem, diabetes, blood purification, fever etc. (see here). In Ayurveda both Rama and Krishna Tulsi are used for various medicine preparations. All Tulsi varieties are known for boosting immune system.

Apart from these home remedies, Tulsi has been part of our offerings, traditions and festivals.

  • Whether in pot or around the house having this holy plant is beneficial for our overall health.
  • Tulsi is known for removing mosquito problems around house.
  • It reduces air pollution and gives fresh, healthy air.
  • Eating Tulsi leaves not only calms mind, also restores confidence – this is the reason Tulsi is offered to God
  • Every morning watering Tulsi plants gives a sense of happiness and throughout the day the positive smile radiates.
  • Tulsi stem beads are useful for meditation purpose and helps to keep mind focused.
  • Drinking Tulsi water helps us to focus on effective communication.
  • Sprinkling Tulsi water inside home is also for a reason – it removes negative energy
  • Drinking Tulsi seed water (seeds soaked in water) helps to relax and gives a sense of happiness.
  • According to Hindu Vaastu Shastra, a house that has Tulsi removes all the obstacles presented to the house.

Why wait? Grow Tulsi plants in your home not just for above reasons, also for environment because Tulsi takes out pollution very effectively.

How to grow Tulsi plant? Tulsi need moderate Sun light. If you are growing Tulsi from seed stage, then sow Tulsi seeds 1-2 inches deep in soil and cover a thin layer of soil so that seed will come in contact with soil and water. Water seeds using a spray bottle and let the pot receive morning sun light. Seeds will germinate in -1-2 weeks. After 2 weeks take out small plants and transfer them to small pots or soil bed. If you are living in severe winter weather area, during winter bring pots inside and provide enough light for Tulsi and treat it as an indoor plant.

Listen to grandma: www.healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: December 16, 2018
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