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.
Common causes and remedies for Urinary Tract Infection

Common causes and remedies for Urinary Tract Infection

When the unwanted microbes like bacteria takes over the defense mechanism of the urinary tract it results in infection of the urinary tract. It is commonly known as UTI.

These are one of the most common types of infection and account for around 8.1 million visits to doctors each year.

The urinary tract is responsible for removing waste and excess water from the body. It consists of the bladder, the kidneys, the ureters, and the urethra.

According to National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 5 women experiences a UTI at some point in her life. And while men can get them, too (2nd most common infection in men), women are much more likely to contract one!

Symptoms:

  • The person urinates more frequently than usual
  • Pain or burning sensation while passing the urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Feeling of fullness in the bladder after passing the urine
  • Soreness in the belly, back
  • Chills, fever and nausea sensations – this may be Cystitis.
  • Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
  • Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
  • Feeling tired or shaky

Reasons for UTI

  1. Sexual intercourse (especially if more frequent, intense, and with multiple or new partners)
  2. Conditions like diabetes
  3. Poor personal hygiene and use of improper undergarments
  4. Problems emptying the bladder completely
  5. Having a urinary catheter
  6. Bowel incontinence
  7. Blocked flow of urine
  8. Kidney stones
  9. Some forms of contraception
  10. Pregnancy and Menopause
  11. Procedures involving the urinary tract
  12. Suppressed immune system
  13. Immobility for a long period
  14. Use of spermicides and tampons
  15. Heavy use of antibiotics

Prevention and Remedies:

  • Washing genital area with proper soap
  • Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This flushes bacteria from the bladder.
  • Drink barley and coconut water to dilute the urine.
  • Avoid -spicy foods, alcohol drinks, caffeinated drinks.
  • Restrict eating – beans, tomatoes, okra, tomatoes
  • If there is an urge to go to bathroom – go immediately. Don’t hold back and don’t give a chance to bacterial to grow.
  • Wipe your private parts using water after urination and passing motion.
  • Drinking water as much as possible ( before and after intercourse)
  • Wear cotton undergarments. This helps in keeping bacterial growth restricted.
  • Take a shower and avoid soaking in bath tubs.
  • Urinate shortly after the intercourse
  • Avoid public toilets as much as possible. If you need to – use sanitizer and wipe the toilet seats or flush the toilet properly before using it.
  • Eat yogurt that helps in creating acidic environment in the system and keeps away unwanted bacterial growth
  • Consume Vitamin C and fruits that contains vitamin C – citrus fruits, Indian gooseberry (amla ) helps.
  • Drink boiled coriander seed water
  • Women – Sanitary pads or menstrual cups are preferred to tampons
  • Avoid using strong scented bath soaps and any perfumed products in the genital area
  • Drink cranberry juice that contains hippuric acid – it prevents cystitis

Disclaimer: If you have severe fever, chill and unbearable pain in your urinary system then contact your physician immediately. Seek their suggestion before proceeding with any of above mentioned remedies.

References:

  • http://www.prevention.com
  • https://www.livescience.com/44121-u
  • Ayruveda for all by Dr. Ch. Murali Manohar (by Pustak Mahal, 2003)

Image credit: Enterococci Photo by Janice Haney Carr, USCDCP on Pixnio ( public domain (CC0)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2605_The_Bladder.jpg

Attribution: OpenStax College / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 18, 2018
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Fertilizers

How fertilizers are killing Indian crops?

This article was first appeared in the year 2009 in  infochangeindia.org, written by  Ashish Kothari. Only abstract of the article is presented here. This article is still relevant because not much improvement or change has happened in fertilizers use in agriculture.

To read full article please visit http://infochangeindia.org/environment/politics-of-biodiversity/how-fertilisers-are-killing-indian-agriculture.html

Studies conducted by two Indian and a Spanish scientist puts together evidence of how counterproductive fertilizers have become; the havoc they are playing with India’s soils; and the alternatives that already exist. Dr B C Roy and Professor G N Chattopadhyay of Viswa Bharti’s Institute of Agriculture, and Dr Reyes Tirado of the University of Exeter, have authored ‘Subsidising Food Crisis: Synthetic Fertilizers Lead to Poor Soil and Less Food’, produced by the environmental NGO Greenpeace India. The authors of ‘Subsidising Food Crisis’ also highlight the inequities involved in the subsidy.

Over one-third of the subsidy goes to the fertilizer industry; the major farmer beneficiaries are those in richer irrigated areas compared to poorer, dry land areas.

One of India’s biggest economic burdens is the huge government subsidy on synthetic fertilisers. From about Rs 60 crore in 1976-77, it catapulted to around Rs 120,000 crore in 2008-09. Everyone acknowledges this burden, but it is justified in the name of increased agricultural productivity.

The subsidy encourages widespread fertiliser use, so much so that from only 0.07 million tonnes (Mt) in 1950-51, consumption in India is now well over 23 Mt!

What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that this subsidy is not only a financial millstone around our neck, it is also slowly killing off agriculture. This may sound paradoxical, considering that fertilisers have always been revered as an important pillar of the Green Revolution, and that any talk of doing away with the subsidy amounts to political hara-kiri, given the fear (very real) of a massive farmer backlash.

And yet, more and more farmers themselves are questioning the policy, having experienced a host of problems with unrestricted and sustained fertiliser use. Many agricultural scientists too are voicing doubts over whether fertilizers play a useful role any more… even if they did at some point. Is it time, they say, to consider alternatives that may be more feasible and sustainable from ecological, financial, and other perspectives?

Continue reading at : http://infochangeindia.org/environment/politics-of-biodiversity/how-fertilisers-are-killing-indian-agriculture.html

Image credit: https://www.ujiladevi.in/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 15, 2018
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Delicious Spinach Pakoda

Delicious Spinach Pakoda and Spinach – Onion Pakoda recipes

Remember the cartoon character Popeye who eats lots of spinach from the can to gain strength. Well, whatever the story and the myth may be, spinach is definitely a healthy green vegetable. It is loaded with beneficial nutrients and has many healthy benefits.  It is low in fat and even lower in cholesterol, It is  high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese. Abundant flavonoids in spinach act as antioxidants to keep cholesterol from oxidizing and protect your body from free radicals, particularly in the colon. The folate in spinach is good for healthy cardiovascular system, and magnesium helps lower high blood pressure. Studies also have shown that spinach helps maintain vigorous brain function, memory and mental clarity.

We all love pakoda (pakora) as it is delicious and tasty.  However it is fried item and people afraid to eat the pakoda due to fat content.  But one can try spinach pakoda and spinach – onion pakoda – both uses less gram flour and less oil to fry.  Eat this healthy vegetable in the form of two varieties of pakoda.

Spinach pakoda:

Ingredients:

1. Malabar Spinach or regular spinach leaves -12 to 14

2. Gram flour- 3/4 cup

3. Rice flour – 1 tsp

4. Cumin powder ¼ tsp or cumin seeds (your choice) 1/4 tsp

5. Asafoetida – a pinch

6. Red chilli powder – 1 tsp

7. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

8. Water

9. Salt

10. Oil for frying

Method:

1. Wash spinach leaves and spread them on a paper towel to remove excess water.

2. In a bowl mix – gram flour, cumin powder or seeds, chilli powder, rice flour, asafetida, salt, turmeric powder and couple of drops of oil.

3. To the above mix add one to one to one and half cup of water and make a batter. It should not be too thick or thin. Thinner than dosa batter. Do not add excess water. Allow this mix to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. In a frying pan heat the oil in medium flame. Now, dip the spinach leaves in the batter and slowly release in the heated oil. Fry both the sides.

5. Serve hot spinach pakoda during snack time with green chutney or sweet chutney.

Spinach- onion pakoda (serving for  5 people)

Ingredients

1. Spinach leaves -20 – chop the leaves to one inch size

2. Gram flour- 3/4 cup

3. Rice flour – 1 tsp

4. Cumin powder ¼ tsp or cumin seeds (your choice) 1/4 tsp

5. Asafoetida – a pinch

6. Red chilli powder – 1 tsp

7. Cut green chillies -2

8. Onion – one finely chopped

9. Coriander leaves- finely chopped

10. Ginger – One inch – finely chopped

11. Salt

12. Oil for frying

Method:

1. Wash spinach leaves and chop them to one-inch size.

2. In a bowl mix – cut spinach leaves, gram flour, cut onion, cumin powder or seeds, chilli powder, rice flour, asafetida, cut green chilli, ginger, coriander leaves, ginger, salt and couple of drops of oil.

3. Mix well without adding water. Since spinach contains water, it will help to hold the flour and other ingredients together. If you feel mix is too dry then add about 1/2 oz water. Do not add more water.

4. In a frying pan heat the oil in medium flame. Now, drop the small clumps of spinach and flour mix slowly in heated oil  using your finger tips.  Fry for few minutes till onion cooks.

5. Serve hot spinach-onion pakoda during snack time with green chutney or sweet chutney.

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 9, 2018
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Raw papaya for good digestion & weight loss

Raw papaya for good digestion & weight loss

We all know benefit of ripened papaya fruit. It is good for diabetes and reduces cholesterol. It also helps in weight loss and eases menstrual pain. Do you know raw papaya fruit also has several benefits?

It reduces piles, reduces intestinal worms, helps in easy digestion of food and reduces constipation. It is good for weight loss! With these uses, raw papaya also reduces nerve related problems. It is also good for diabetes. It contains vitamin A, C, E and B along with minerals magnesium, potassium.  Carotenoids present in raw papaya helps in easy absorption of vitamins from the body. Another use of raw papaya is it helps to improve lactation in new mothers. However, pregnant women or expecting mothers should not consume papaya as it increases body heat.

Studies also show that as papaya ripens its enzyme level goes down. To get overall benefit of papaya one can think of consuming raw papaya.  Another point to remember is, it has less sweet and supplies less calories, it means it is a good addition for weight loss diet program!

How to eat raw papaya?

One can use cooked raw papaya to make curry, sambaar, raita (yogurt based) or majjige huli (buttermilk based). Cooked raw papaya curry is easy to prepare and one will get overall benefits of the fruit.

What you need is:

  1. Raw papaya – Small size (not too young fruit)
  2. Onion – 1 cup
  3. Garlic cloves – 5
  4. Green chilli – 3
  5. Grated coconut- ¼ cup
  6. Turmeric powder – 1 tsp.
  7. Salt – As per your taste
  8. Curry leaves – few

 Preparation:

  1. Remove papaya skin and cut inner raw pulp into small pieces and put in water. Throw seeds.
  2. Coarse grind coconut, green chilli, garlic, turmeric powder. Do not add water while grinding.
  3. On medium heat, keep a deep vessel and add 1 Tbsp cooking oil. To this add mustard, curry leaves, chenna daal (1 tsp), urad daal (1tsp) and onion. Fry onion for couple of minutes.
  4. Strain water and add only papaya fruit pieces to above seasoning and mix well.
  5. Add salt and half a cup water and close the lid. Keep stirring in between.
  6. Once the water is evaporated, check whether papaya pieces cooked or not. If not cooked sprinkle little water and continue cooking for few more minutes.
  7. Remove cooked raw papaya curry and serve hot with rice or roti or eat just the curry as it tastes good.

Grandma’s remedies: www.healthylife.werindia.com 

Image credit: “Papaya” by Marufish is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 7, 2018
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Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole Recipe

Avocado is a wonderful fruit as it gives many health benefits.

It contains several nutrients that are highly beneficial for human health. To understand benefits of Avocado please click here.

Guacamole is an avocado based dip.

This recipe was first developed in Mexico and later became famous North America.

It is used as a dip with tortilla chips and raw cut vegetables.

It can be applied on salad for sandwich.

Ingredients:

1. Fresh, ripe Avocados – 4

2. Lime juice – 5 Tbsp

3. Tomatoes, finely chopped -2

4. Chopped onion – 1 medium size

5. Black pepper – ¼ tsp

6. Green chilli – 2

7. Salt – As required

8. Garlic cloves – 2 minced

9. Cumin 1/8 tsp

10. Cayenne pepper – 1/8 tsp

11. Sugar – a pinch

12. Cilantro – One bunch chopped

Preparation:

• Remove seed and scoope avocado flesh

• Mash avocado flesh

• Place avocado in a bowl and add all rest of the ingredient

• Chill for 5 minutes and serve with tortilla chips or apply for sandwich.

Recipe: www.healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: June 18, 2018
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Banana stem stir fry

Banana stem stir fry

Have you ever tried banana stem curry or banana stem stir fry? Banana stem is a delicious and healthy vegetable.

While banana fruits are known for unique health benefits, banana stem also known for its amazing health benefits. It is a very rich source of fiber. And, it is good source for reducing fat.  Banana stem juice is good for removing kidney stones.

The fiber in banana stem flushes any unwanted materials from our digestive system. It is good for detoxification and digestion.

Banana stem curry or banana stem stir fry is a simple, easy to prepare dish that you should give it a try!

Ingredients:

  1. Banana stem: Finely chopped 3 cups
  2. Jaggery: 1 Tbsp
  3. Curry leaves – Few
  4. Coriander – chopped 1 cup
  5. Grated coconut – ½ cup
  6. Salt – As per your taste
  7. Mustard powder – ½ tsp
  8. Lemon juice – 2 tsp
  9. Green chilli – 4
  10. Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  11. Turmeric powder – 2 tsp
  12. Urad dal – 1 tsp
  13. Oil – 2 Tbsp
  14. Water – 1 cup

 Method:

  1. Cut tender banana stem to small pieces. To avoid blackening of stem pieces sprinkle lime juice on the cut pieces, mix and keep aside.
  2. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add mustard, urad dal (1 tsp) and chopped green chilli. Add curry leaves.
  3. To the seasoning add chopped banana stem, mix on medium heat. Add turmeric powder and continue mixing.
  4. After a minute add a cup of water, salt and mix. Close the lid and cook in medium heat.
  5. Once the stem pieces are cooked and water is evaporated, add powdered jaggery, mustard seeds and mix.
  6. Turn off the heat and add grated coconut, lemon juice and mix well.
  7. Before serving, add chopped coriander leaves and mix.
  8. Serve banana stir fry (curry) with your choice of rice, roti, chapathi or bread!

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: May 21, 2018
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