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.
18 Everyday essential cooking tips

18 Everyday essential cooking tips

There are many cooking tips available for those who would like to cook.

These tips are very helpful while cooking for various reasons.

Some tips to improve taste, some to give texture to dishes, some to store vegetables for long time, proper way of cooking tips and few are for health reasons – all are for good reasons.

Grandma is giving 18 such everyday essential cooking tips here – try it:

  1. Softer rotis: Add lukewarm water while mixing and kneading the dough.
  2. Garlic peeling: When you have time peel garlic (like watching TV) and store them in airtight container with a tissue paper lining inside.
  3. Green herbs: To keep herbs like cilantro and curry leaves fresh, store them in airtight containers. Remove cilantro roots before storing.
  4. Soak daal: To prepare any types of daal, soak daal in hot water for about three hours before cooking. This enhances the flavor.
  5. Rice water: Don’t throw washed rice water. Mix little jaggery and cardamom powder and drink. This reduces thirst and gives energy.
  6. Potato crispy curry: To make crispy potato, soak cut potato in cold water for an hour and prepare curry adding your regular spices.
  7. Green spinach dish: To keep the green look, don’t close the lid while cooking spinach or palak. If you close the lid, it will lose color.
  8. Fluffy rice: To get fluffy rice add a tbs of lemon juice while cooking the rice.
  9. Basin flour help: If your curry or sambar is watery and thin, to make it thick – add a Tbs of basin flour (gram flour) to the dish.
  10. Crispy poori: To make crispy poori, while kneding dough add little small rava or rice flour and this gives crispiness.
  11. Okra cooking: To remove stickiness in okra, while cooking add a Tbs of yogurt or a tsp of lemon juice.
  12. Softer paneer: To make soft paneer dish, soak paneer cubes in little salt water for few minutes and remove.
  13. Remove excess salt: To remove excess salt from dish add few boiled potatoes in the dish – potato absorbs excess salt.
  14. Aloo bonda: To give flavor to aloo bonda along with cilantro, add few chopped mint leaves. This gives a good taste.
  15. Storing tomato: Avoid storing tomato in refrigerator. Instead, keep them in a vessel and close with a lid.
  16. Cashew, sesame mix: Roast few cashew and sesame. Grind to a powder and add this to gravy to make it tasty and thick.
  17. Crisp pakoda: Add little corn flour to make crispier pakoda/pakora/fritters.
  18. Hing and ginger for the rescue: To avoid gas formation when preparing dishes using legumes – daal, rajma and other lentil, add hing or asafetida and grated ginger. Both will keep stomach health!

Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: October 4, 2017
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Live life to the fullest

Live life to the fullest

Grandma has advice for you to accomplish Happy, Healthy life. Live your life fullest by keeping yourself in good shape and happy with these advice. Realize your potential, recheck your goal, set right attitude and live life with a purpose… live life to the fullest

For Happiness

  1. Smile and surround yourself with better company
  2. Make time for adventures
  3. Read old, good books
  4. Reach to people whom you feel comfortable with – don’t let them slip from your life
  5. Save and spend wisely
  6. Let your inner child come out once a while, do something silly and enjoy
  7. Give back to community, help others
  8. Adjustment needed in life, life is not perfect
  9. Spend time with pets and loved ones
  10. Explore nature, visit places, meet old friends
  11. Unclutter, simplify and make space to live
  12. Recognize and enjoy small pleasures of life
  13. To not put yourself in a box, learn and understand new things
  14. Say no to gossiping, avoid haters and make friends
  15. Spend less time on smart phones, emails, chats – instead be live
  16. Explore opportunities, learn new things

 For Health:

  1. Eat your vegetables and fruits
  2. Understand portion size
  3. Say no to processed nonsense
  4. Less sugar or no sugar
  5. Brush and floss
  6. Enjoy your work out, work out 3 days minimum.
  7. Make sure your personal goal will be fulfilled with your choice of exercise
  8. Eat more organic foods
  9. Sit less and walk more
  10. Strengthen what is weak, stretch what is tight
  11. Eat healthy, chose healthy seasonal foods
  12. Say no to junk food, fast food and soda
  13. Drink water everyday
  14. Cook at home, know your ingredients
  15. Let food be your medicine

Enjoy New year 2018 !

Listen to Grandma… www.healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: October 3, 2017
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General tips for skin health

General tips for skin health

With change in seasons a proper skin care should be in our (health) list.

Often, we wonder how to keep skin young, glowing, fresh and healthy while struggling to cope up with changing weather.

Here are few general tips to take care skin health.

  1. Sunscreen: During hot Sunny days use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 to coat face, ears, arms and neck. SPF 30 has ingredients that protects skin for longer time.
  2. Lotions and body butter: Depending on the season, whether you are at home or going out, apply proper skin lotion that protects skin from cracks, cuts and rashes. Some top recommended products are Aveeno, Lacto calamine, Nivea, Aesop body balm, Skinfix for eczema, Lubriderm, Cetaphil. Before applying test a small portion of product on hidden skin. If you develop rashes or any other type of skin reactions then don’t use the product.
  3. Apply powder sunscreen: Most sunscreens do not work for more than 3-4 hours. Use powder sunscreen for longer effect.
  4. Eat almonds: Include almonds in your breakfast. Soak few almonds for few hours and remove skin and consume. Almond contains fatty acids which brakes inflammation in skin and protects skin from sagging and blotchiness.
  5. Zen the skin: When under tension and stress, our body produces hormones that only aggravates skin conditions. Find out ways to come out from the stress. Some stresses are avoidable – work on finding solution before your skin starts sagging.
  6. Take help of oils: Coconut oil application is one of the best and recommended for skin therapy. Applying coconut oil not only reduces inflammation and irritation, it also helps to retain the skin texture. Similarly, olive oil, almond oil, sesame oil – are also good for skin. Take oil bath once a week.
  7. Avoid high impact: Too much of weight lifting and certain cardio like treadmill can put body under stress by weakening collagen. Especially in women this will result in skin sagging. Instead, alternate your exercises with elliptical and walking.
  8. Yoga glow: Downward dog, forward bending, active child pose and Sun salutations helps in blood circulation and skin glows. To reduce skin aging and inflammation practicing yoga helps – research says this.
  9. Avoid sodium: Reduce sodium intake in food and avoid drinks that supply extra sodium to body. Sodium can cause puffiness of the body and water retention giving a lethargic look for the skin.
  10. Sweet control: Research says controlling sugar intake reduces collagen damage. Collagen keeps skin smooth and firm. Sugar damages collagen. Reducing sugar intake improves skin texture.
  11. Drinking water: Drinking right amount of water keeps skin hydrated, young and attractive. Some people does not like drinking much water. Instead, go for buttermilk, lemon juice (less sugar and salt) and herbal tea. Drinking green tea helps in prevention of collagen breakdown and prevents skin cancer.
  12. To have healthy skin, strictly avoid exposing body to UV radiation in the tanning beds, stop tobacco, getting Sun for longer hours. Getting enough rest and nutrients is critical to get good skin.

Not all skin types are same, always research, understand what is your skin type is and talk to your doctor before following any suggestions.

Reference: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Photo by Pharma Hemp Complex on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 28, 2017
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Grow these plants to control mosquitoes

Grow these plants to control mosquitoes

Dengue fever is back in news. The growing population of mosquitoes species namely Aedes aegypti is responsible for dengue fever.

These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person whose blood carries dengue virus.

Later these infected mosquitoes transmit viruses to other human body and cause the fever.

It is important to control the mosquitoes population around us.

If you don’t want to use synthetic chemicals then grow these  mosquito repellent plants that control mosquitoes.

  1.  Lemon balm: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has lemony scent and it controls mosquito bites. One can grow them in soil or in pots. It belongs to mint family. It contains terpene as well as eugenol. Eugenol is good in controlling insects.
  2. Marigold: Marigold have attractive, bright colored flowers. Sametime the odor of both flowers and plants can be stinky. A variety called stinking roger repels not only the flies also mosquitoes. Growing marigold around the house repels many insects around the house. Plant them in ground or in pots in patio.
  3. Citronella: Lemon grass is the common name for this plant and Botanical name is Cymbopogon citratus. This is real citronella plant. This aromatic herb is not only used for culinary purpose but is a very good ingredient used in insect repellent sprays. It contains citral which is an active ingredient present in lemons. The oil extracted from these plants used in insect sprays, soaps, candles. One can grow this plant easily in soil or pots. Crush the leaves and rub onto skin or extract juice and use it to repel mosquitoes.
  4. Basil : Basil is very effective in controlling insects. It is easy to grow this plant in outdoor as well indoor. A study showed that the essential oil of basil is toxic to mosquito larvae and controls their development. One can mix basil oil with other mosquito repellent oil to control growth of eggs or rub basil leaves on legs and hands when there are mosquitoes around.
  5. Citrosum: Pelargonium ctirosum is called mosquito plant. Sometimes it is referred to as citronella plant and it is not correct. The odor that this plant releases resembles that of citronella – Lemongrass plant. Hence the confusion. However, Citrosum also repels mosquitoes. One can rub crushed leaves or use Pelargonium oil mixed with water to spray to control insects.
  6. Peppermint: Grow peppermint in your garden to repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes larval growth stops in presence of peppermint. Peppermint oil spray also repels mosquitoes.
  7. Lavender: Lavender plant itself can repel mosquitoes. Grow them in your garden. If you want to repel mosquitoes more efficiently, then use lavender leaves. Rub leaves on your legs and hands. Alternatively, one can use lavender oil. Add few drops of lavender oil to water and transfer to spray bottle. Spray the oil around you to repel mosquitoes. You can also apply lavender oil little on your body.
  8.  Sage and Rosemary:  Both sage and rosemary incense repels mosquitoes. If you have both plants collect few leaves and burn them in fire. The smell that is good for us, repels mosquitoes.
  9. Tea tree : Tea tree oil is a good insect repellent. It also has antiseptic property. It kills bacteria and fungi. How to use the oil to repel mosquitoes? Add few drops of tea tree oil into water and shake it. Transfer the content to spray bottle and use it against mosquitoes
  10. Catnip: Belongs to mint family and many commercial insect repellents use this plant as an ingredient. It has nepetalactone a chemical that acts as a repellent for insects (but attracts feline!). To prepare spray: Boil water and add catnip leaves and flowers to boiling water. Allow content to steep and then cool. Add the tea to spray bottle. Use it against mosquitoes and other insects!
  11. Clove – It is easy to grow clove. However, if you don’t have access to plant then buy cloves which are nothing but flower buds of clove plant. Planting clove in the home garden helps to repel the mosquitoes. If not use clove oil and mix with tea tree oil or alcohol and spray around the house to repel mosquitoes easily.

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Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 26, 2017
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Simple, cost effective and time saving cleaning tips

Simple, cost effective and time saving cleaning tips

Few simple, cost effective and time saving cleaning tips from grandma presented here. 

  1. Clean house often:

Instead of cleaning house all at once, clean everyday or alternate days. This will reduce your burden and saves your time.

  1. Use old towels and old cloths for cleaning:

Old towels and old cotton cloths are good for cleaning the floor, vessels, dusting, use as table mop, to wipe car or any spills. This saves money and helps recycling.

  1. Deodorizing idea:

If you have vanilla extract use it for deodorizing the house. Boil water in a vessel and add few drops of vanilla extract. You can also use fresh coffee powder, orange peels and remove unwanted odor.

Sprinkle baking soda on carpet areas and vacuum. This takes out any odd smell.

  1. Dusting with damp cloth:

If you dust using dry cloth chances of dust settling back in other place is more. So, damp dusting cloth and use it to wipe off dust. Damp with little water or few drops of essential oil like lavender or geranimum oil to spread good fragrance.

  1. Use lemons for cleaning purpose:

To sanitize wooden spoons and cutting boards use lime or lemon juice. If you have left over lemon half, use it to clean the stainless sink and to remove soap scum.

  1. Car wax for air vent:

Dust built up in vent can be irritating as it is difficult to remove. Use a bit of car wax and apply on air vents and clean. This keeps the vent clean for long time.

  1. Pillow case:

To clean fan blades use pillowe cases. Simply cover the fan blades with pillowcase and swipe all dust accumulated on the blades.

  1. Use ammonia to shine vessels:

In dish water add few drops of ammonia and use it to clean the glasses. Rinse and dry – Glasses will shine as new.

  1. Toothpaste as cleaner:

To clean silver vessels use white toothpaste that does not have extra flavor and smell

10. Olive oil as polishing agent:

Once you clean the silver vessel, use few drops of olive oil and wipe the vessels. They look brand new

11. Stain remover:

Salt is one of the best stain remover. If stain is fresh, put salt on the stain. For blood stain soak cloth in cold salt water. To remove ink stain use lemon juice.

12. Toilet cleaning:

Apply baking soda and vinegar to toilet and leave it overnight. Next day morning flush this mixture

13. Tomato juice and salt help:

If your hand smells buy cutting onions, use tomato juice and clean the hands. Or use salt and rub into both hands.

14. To remove grease stain:

Use hair shampoo to do this job. Shampoo also can be useful to remove grease stain in clothes and other fabric.

15. Sunlight help:

If you are cleaning and deodorizing mattresses, use Sun light. It will not only give fresh look to mattress but also removes mold and mildew from the mattress.

Grandma’s tips: Healthylife.werindia.com

Image credit: Image by RitaE from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 21, 2017
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Microplastic contamination in Sea salt

Microplastic contamination in Sea salt

What goes around, comes around. We all know how our earth and oceans both are piled up with plastic. The land, the sea, river, tap water and now salt all are contaminated with microplastic. While sprinkling salt on our dishes one should now start wondering how much plastic particles we could be consuming?

Recent studies showed presence of microplastics in samples of tap water all over the world. Previous report in Environment and technology says that sea salts might contain microplastic because plastics are

Sherri Mason, Professor of Chemistry at state University of New York Fredonia, reported microplastic levels in various food and beverage products.

This included various brands of beer, drinking water, 12 brands of salts including 10 sea salts. Mason had concluded that on an average Americans could be consuming up to 660 particles of plastic annually. This number may be more than 660 considering that 90 percent of Americans are consuming too much sodium (in the form of salt as reported by CDC).

Earlier in 2015 a research group (in 2015) from Donghua University and State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, China Tested 15 brands of sea salts, lake salts and rock/well salts from supermarkets throughout China. The results showed microplastic content in sea salt =550-681 particles/kg, 43-394 particles/kg in lake salts and 7-204 particles/kg in rock/well salts.

Results indicates that microplastic pollution is heavy in abiotic sea products. In sea salts, fibers and plastic fragments were prevalent types when compared to pellets and sheets. The presence of microplastics polyethylene terephthalate followed by polyethylene and cellophane in sea salt is more abundant compared to lake and rock/well salts. Of the 16 several brands that came from Australia, France, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal and South Africa were tested for microplastics. And only one brand of salt from France reported to lack any plastic contamination.

What adverse effect microplastic from salt could have on humans? The United Nations has declared plastic pollution a threat to human health. No exhaustive studies have been completed that can give us a clear idea about long-term risk of plastic consumption to human body.

What goes around, comes around. Each year humans dump nearly 13 million metric tons of plastic into the ocean. At present the amount of microplastic might be low and may not have impact on our health. However, if we keep increasing the plastic usage and dump it in earth and water then we should expect that we are contaminating sea food and salt heavily. These microplastic fibers eventually enters our body and pose health problems – what type – we don’t have answer yet.

References:

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels (Free for commercial use)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 19, 2017
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Baby corn asparagus pepper stir fry

Baby corn asparagus pepper stir fry

Baby corn – the immature ear of corn is very tasty and several dishes can be prepared using baby corn. It is mildly sweet and tender. As soon as the corn silk peeks out, baby corn will be harvested and used in cooking.

Manchurian, pepper fry, stir fry, soup are popular dishes made out of baby corn to name few.

In Asian cooking, if a dish lacks texture baby corn fulfills it by giving pleasant taste and crunchiness.

And, we all know how good is asparagus to us. Rich in fiber and supplies multiple nutrients. It is loaded with nutrients like folate, vitamin A, C, E and K. It supplies good amount of fiber. It helps in fighting cancer as it has rich source of glutathione a detoxifying compound.

It is packed with antioxidants and has ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Asparagus with baby corn – a good combination for many delicious dishes including stir fry.

Baby corn asparagus pepper stir fry

Ingredients

  1. Green asparagus -15
  2. Baby corn – 250 grams
  3. Green chilli – 4
  4. Leek – 1
  5. Olive oil or Canola oil – 2 Tbs
  6. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
  7. Crushed pepper – 1 tsp
  8. Salt – as per your taste

 Preparation

  1. Wash all vegetables using water.
  2. In a pan add water and bring it to boil. Now add baby corn and blanch for about 5 minutes. Remove baby corn and place on tissue paper
  3. Slice leek into thin rings.
  4. In a pan heat little oil on medium heat, add cumin followed by green chilli and sauté for few seconds.
  5. Now add both types of asparagus and blanch for few minutes.
  6. Add blanched baby corn and sprinkle salt and crushed pepper
  7. Stir fry all ingredients for few minutes – you should get good aroma from the vegetables.
  8. Serve stir fry with white rice or chapathi

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 18, 2017
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Compass Pose

Compass pose

Compass pose or Parvrtta Surya Yantrasana is an advanced Yoga pose should be performed under the guidance of an instructor.

It is also called Sundial pose.

It opens the hip, strengthens shoulders and hamstrings. With this it also strengthens the spine and stretches it in a unique way.

While performing the pose breath in and breath out to get into the flexibility. – Healthylife.werindia.com

LEVEL : Advanced

Anatomy : Hamstrings, Ribs, Spine

Pose Type : Hip Opener, Seated

Sanskrit : Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana (par-ee-vrt-TAH sir-yah yahn-TRAHS-anah)

parivrtta = revolved,  surya = sun, yantra = instrument

BENEFITS

  • Stretches spinal side flexors, hamstrings, and groin
  • Opens the sides of the ribcage, shoulders, and tissues of the lung meridian
  • Lengthens the latissimus dorsi muscle along the sides of the ribcage
  • Strengthens the hip flexors and core

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Hip pathologies
  • Low back pathologies
  • Groin, knee, shoulder, or hip injuries

HOW TO

  1. Start in Sukhasana (Easy pose).
  2. Keeping the left leg bent and grounded into the mat, place your right hand down in front of your left shin.
  3. Bring your right knee up toward your chest, and attempt to draw your right shoulder under the crease of the knee. Aim to bring the knee as high as possible on the shoulder.
  4. Take the left hand and reach for the outer edge of the right foot.
  5. Inhale and begin to extend your right knee while simultaneously drawing the left arm behind your head. Ground down into your sitting bones as you exhale.
  6. Hold this pose for up to 10 slow breaths. Use your inhales to lengthen the spine and exhales to deepen the stretch.
  7. To exit Compass pose, inhale and lengthen your spine. Then exhale, release the foot, and bend the right knee to slowly dissolve out of the posture. Repeat on the opposite side.

MODIFY OR REPLACE

Alternatives:

  • Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head to Knee pose)

Modifications:

  • Utilize a strap for support.

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

  • Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head to Knee pose)
  • Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
  • Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes pose)
  • Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle pose)

After:

  • Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold)
  • Upavistha Konasana (Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend)

TEACHING CUES

  • Keep the upper and lower spine lifted through the torso and firm your abdominals.
  • Lift your ribcage away from your hips and press the hips forward to deepen the stretch.
  • Press your foot into the palm of your hand to create a bandha (lock) for support.
  • Be cautious of your low spine and keep the lower abdominals drawn up and in.

VARIATIONS

  • Standing Split: The right leg reaches to the ceiling; the arms bind around the right leg and behind the back.

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Pain/strain in the shoulder, hamstring, spine, hip, or knee
  • Sitting bones lifting off the floor
  • Rounding of the spine

This article and image published here with permission fro beyogi.com. For more poses please visit www.beyogi.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: September 14, 2017
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