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.
Health benefits of banyan tree

Health benefits of Banyan tree

Banyan tree is a common tree found in many parts of India. Banyan trees are assets of our environment. It is good have knowledge why these plants are important for us.

Generally, they create a larger canopy with their branches and aerial roots and provides shade to all. For many home remedies and in Ayurveda, parts of this tree is one of the main ingredient.

Almost all parts of the plant –  bark, leaves, aerial roots, buds, milky exudes, flowers and fruits are medicinal and has several health benefits.

  1. Piles: If someone has bleeding pile, consuming few drops of the milky sap daily for few weeks helps.
  2. Fever: Heat and burning sensation of fever can be controlled by the kahashayam prepared with hanging roots. Decoction should be mixed with ghee and consume twice a day.
  3. Diarrhea: Grind pieces of aerial roots with butter milk prepared using cow’s milk and drink.
  4. Join pain: Collect milky sap and massage on joint in circular fashion. It helps to reduce the pain.
  5. Tooth care: Young and tender aerial roots should be chewed to strengthen gum and teeth
  6. For bad breath: Collect the milky exudate from young leaves or young branches. Mix this with honey. Apply the mix on gums. Keep this for ten minutes then wash mouth twice.
  7. Boils: Apply sesame oil on the leaves and warm it on a heat source. Keep these leaves as poultice on the boils – it promotes early breaking of boils and healing process fast.
  8. Heel crack: Apply milky sap to crack daily night
  9. Hair care: Dry aerial roots and prepare powder. Mix the powder with lemon peel and coconut oil. Apply this to hair. This reduces baldness.
  10. Acne and pimples: Apply aerial root paste on acne and pimples to reduce the pain, spreading.
  11. Reducing freckles: Grind tender coconut pulp with tender leaves of banyan tree. Apply the paste on the freckle areas.
  12. Fruits: Fruit paste externally can be applied on cuts, bruises, sores and ulcers.
  13. Hemorrhage: For certain type of hemorrhage (intrinsic) banyan and durva leaves are helpful. Grind the tender leaves of both in equal proportion, mix with honey and consume.
  14. Immune boosting: Drinking khashayam made of of banyan bark helps in boosting immune system
  15. Infertility cure: Extract of bark and leaves helps to increase sperm count and reduces infertility in women.
  16. Vaginal infections: One table spoon of dried leaf powder, boiled in one liter of water until it reduces to half and cooled should be taken to reduce the infection.
  17. Fat reduction: Bark decoction also helps in reducing fat accumulation in the system.
  18. Warts: Applying milky sap on warts helps
  19. Reducing sugar level: The decoction and infusion from leaves and bark helps in reducing sugar level (not for high sugar level)

(The above medicinal information of banyan tree is to give a glimpse of the benefits of this wonderful tree. The remedies should be tried only under the supervision and guidance of a experienced doctor)

Collection from Grandma @ healthylife, www.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 21, 2017
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Canada Food Guide

Canada is revising Food Guide

Canada’s Food guide is in news for all right reasons! Recently Canada’s Food Guide is getting a much needed make over and is focusing mainly on plant based foods!! It is shifting away from meat and dairy industry. Dairy products are no longer will be a separate group.

Considering many from present generation is shifting (positively) to vegan and vegetarian diet this news is encouraging!

“The recommendation is regular intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein-rich foods, especially plant-based sources of protein” (Huffigtonpost)

Canadian Government is listening to the public opinion on the review and is less Industry driven!! The new food guide so far is focusing mainly on diet and health of family and schools.  Recently Health Canada released a detailed Food guide draft, based on an input from more than 20,000 Canadians, and is now in a second round of public consultation.

These revised guidelines are based on both quality and source of the information of health of Canadians and actual information about Canadians’ eating habits. In revised guidelines, they have not considered Industry-commissioned reports.

The revision / draft of new Food guide so far has all good points in it;

  • More emphasis on plant based foods than processed foods
  • Foods that provide rich protein are in one group – no separate meat and dairy group.
  • A variety of nutritious foods and beverages are base for healthy diet
  • Those foods that are high in sodium, sugar and saturated fat are undermined
  • It encourages people to consume proteins from plant food – soybean, legumes etc.
  • Eating low fat yogurt and drinking low fat milk for adults and, full fat milk for children is one of the recommendation. However, there is no separate dairy group
  • It encourages people to drink more water for hydration rather than sugary juices
  • Encouraging public to consider preparing food from scratch and eaten in company as much as possible – eating together as a family – putting diet in a social context.
  • School lunch: More whole food and less processed food for children. There will be a up to date nutrition information for kids for understanding better food for their age. No more focus on processed food industry products
  • Supporting benefits for the environment by shifting to healthy eating: it means eating food higher in plant-based foods and less meat means, more positive impact on environment
  • It helps our planet and future generation: Reducing food waste to protect the planet by reducing processed food, greenhouse gas emission, food distribution, encouraging people to grow their food, water quality improvement and helping our future generation

Once it is complete, it will be interesting to see how the Canadian Food Guide will focus on age group diet, how will they inspire Canadians to cook home food,

The Food Guide is not complete yet. Canadian Govt is continuing getting inputs he public for revising Canada’s Food Guide to strengthen its recommendations for healthy eating. If you are interested in participating, click here: http://www.foodguideconsultation.ca/

References:

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 19, 2017
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12 aromatic plants that should be part of our home garden

Twelve aromatic plants that should be part of our home garden

If you want to have an aromatic herbal garden consider these 12 plants that are not only attractive but also colorful and sends out the relaxing fragrance inside and outside your house.

Many of these plants – rosemary, geranium, tulsi, lemon balm will release their aromas better when brushed against each other – based on this factor have a proper plan when you plant them.

If you plant them in pots, you can transfer them keep indoor during winter time.

  1. Gardenia: Partial shade and well-drained soil (acidic in nature) is good for gardenia. Scented flowers spreads its fragrance around the house. They don’t like cold weather; however potted plant can be bought inside the house during cold weather.
  2. Jasmine: There are many varieties of jasmine and all like moderate temperature. Morning or evening sun is good for jasmine for flowering. Whether you leave it in plant or pluck the flowers and put it in water – fragrance spreads and musky scent remains for many days.
  3. Dianthus: There are as many as 300 varieties of dianthus. It has bit spicy smell and flowers are attractive too. Dianthus likes full sun and well-drained soil.
  4. Calendula: Beautiful plant and flower blooms throughout the flowering season. Flowers has sweet, resin -like aroma. Full Sun is good for calendula.
  5. Lavender: Preferred fragrance is lavender with many. It has beautiful blue- violet color flowers. Fragrance of flowers has bit of a sedative effect and very soothing. Dry lavender flowers can be stored in bottle. Moderate sun is good for lavender.
  6. Roses: Beautiful roses comes in several varieties. Sweet scented flowers varieties spread the fragrance when the wind blows. Fragrance blows from lower petal region. Rosa damacaena is one category one should consider. Rose does not need very hot Sun. Good sun light exposure is enough for their growth.
  7. Scented geraniums: Fantastic scent from these geranium varieties makes them one of the most desired fragrant flowers. They grow well in borders, along hedge and can be potted. Leaves releases enchanting fragrance when are wounded or brushed. They love full sun and grow in almost all types of soil.
  8. Juniper: Among gymnosperms this fragrant bearing hedge plant is popular. Fragrance is fresh, spicy, slightly pungent and desirable.
  9. Lemon balm: Refreshing garden scent can be obtained by lemon balm. It is a low maintenance herb that grows in little shade and sun. Well drained soil with bit of sand will help them to grow luxuriously. Bit of a drought condition keeps them producing more aroma.
  10. Eucalyptus: Small to larger trees, eucalyptus smells like a blended mixture of sage and menthol. It grows well in warmer climates and survives in moist, well drained soil. They can grow as potted plants but should be bought inside home during winter. Dry leaves, bark, fruits and flowers – all sends out fragrance that helps in healing.
  11. Rosemary: An evergreen herb with blue flowers that sends out fragrance with multiple effects – reduces anxiety, enhances clarity and decreases stress hormone level. Rosemary can be planted near vegetable plants and is a friendly plant, companion plants of many.
  12. Holy basil: The fresh air and the fragrance that comes from these holy plant is very soothing and highly medicinal. There are many varieties of basil – all of them are good to have in home garden. Bit of sun, well-drained soil helps them to grow well. Tulsi is the name and the air from the plant is said to be healing.
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 18, 2017
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Majjige Huli

Majjige Huli – A tasty traditional dish

Majjige huli or Mor kuzhambu / majjige pulusu is a popular, tasty and traditional dish of Karnataka, India. Vegetables of Cucumber family (cucurbitaceae) are used for this dish. Particularly, cucumber, ash gourd, chayote, ivy gourd can be used to prepare this dish that needs thick buttermilk or curd/yogurt.

Majjige huli can also be prepared using other vegetables like okra, drum stick, palak leaves, spinach, broccoli

Here is an example of majjige huli recipe using dose kai or colored skin cucumber.

Ingredients:

  1. Cucumber: One medium size
  2. Shredded coconut – ½ cup
  3. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
  4. Ginger – 1 inch
  5. Channa daal (soaked) – 1 Tbs
  6. White rice (soaked) – 1 tsp
  7. Green chillies -3 to 4
  8. Curd/yogurt /thick buttermilk– 1.5 cup
  9. Oil – 2 tsp
  10. Asafetida – a pinch
  11. Salt – as per your taste
  12. Mustard seeds – for seasoning
  13. Curry leaves – 1 string for seasoning
  14. Red chilli – 2 pieces for seasoning
  15. Water -1.5 to 2 cups water

Method:

  • Soak chenna daal and white rice for an hour
  • Remove cucumber skin, cut cucumber into 1.5 inch pieces. Taste a small piece to ensure it is not bitter.
  • In a deep vessel put little oil, heat and add cucumber pieces followed by a cup of water. Cook cucumber.
  • Meanwhile, grind – shredded coconut, soaked rice and chenna daal, ginger, cumin, green chillies to a paste.
  • Add grinded ingredient mix to cucumber followed by little more water. Add salt. Allow it to boil on medium heat. After one or 2 boils turn of the heat.
  • In a bowl take yogurt and beat it, so that there is not clump. Add this to cooked cucumber mix.
  • In a ladle prepare seasoning with mustard, curry leaves, asafetida and red chilli, add seasoning to majjige huli
  • If you prefer heat majjige huli one more time on low heat. Make sure yogurt/buttermilk is not breaking.
  • Majjige huli is ready and serve with rice, chapatti, lemon rice, tamarind rice, akki rotti etc.
  •  Some prefer adding little turmeric with seasoning, which gives majjige huli light yellow color.
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 17, 2017
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Hobbies are essential for a happy life

Hobbies for happy life

In their life stage, all ladies (& gentlemen) must face those lonely days when all kids grow, leave home while chasing their dream, goal, work and studies.

And parents will be left behind to stay alone with ample of time in their hand. At these hours, house feels empty and even watching TV gets boring. If you are alone it can be depressing and life looks dull and boring.

No matter what taking care of mental health is very important.  Happiness and leading healthy life is very important for mind and for the body – both.

Getting into some hobbies, no matter what age you are at can help during these lonely days.

If you are not into any hobbies try out different things and see what you like, what makes you happy and what is comfortable.

Hobbies can be of different types based on your choice:

  • Enrichment hobbies – Educational
  • Sports – Physical activity to be fit and healthy
  • Social activities – Meeting people and spending time with friends
  • Creative hobbies – Being creative with art and craft or machineries.
  • Outdoors – Outside activities like photography, hiking, picnic etc to get fresh air
  • Indoor hobbies – Inside home as well as indoor activities

Here are several suggestions:

  • Join book club: This is interesting because you can exchange your views and review interesting and best selling book. Sometimes you will get chance to meet the author too!
  • Sports: Join gym or sports club. Go out with friends to bowling or other indoor activities that might be interesting for you. Tennis, badminton, chess – all these are good and fun sports.
  • Women club: Join women club – go to spa, visit museums, go for picnic, discuss about health issues, give a hand to those who are need help, organize a kitty party. All this will be fun.
  • Music & chanting: Arrange sing along karaoke, sing your favorite songs or listen to music. If you are religious join those groups who like to recite your favorite shloka or prayers.
  • Community program: Participate in walks for reasons, volunteer in community events and meet people.
  • Touring: Go for tours with your life partner. Visit nearby places or join tour group and spend quality time that you would have lost.
  • Volunteering in library: Books are man’s best friend. Many libraries need volunteers and a helping hand. Go to local library and spend your time.
  • Gardening: Another good hobby, collect good indoor and outdoor plants. If you don’t know how to plant or take care of plants, learn by watching videos or go to nearby nursery or horticulture department to learn.
  • Cooking class: If you are into cooking – join cooking class or teach cooking. Make your own video and upload on online channels.
  • Knitting & quilting: If you like knitting – learn and make sweaters, hats or stitch quilts. Donate or give it to your dear ones. Hospitals and shelters need help with warm clothes.
  • Health talks: Organize health awareness talks or attend health talks. Exchanging views always adds benefit to your health. You will learn about health topics – what is critical for your age.
  • Non-credit courses /online classes: If you were unable to finish your studies, this is time. Look for online or non-credit course. Complete your studies. Or, if you wish to learn something new then go for it.
  • Painting: Learning painting from art school is interesting. You will get to know various types of painting. You may never know – you might be a very good artist that needed a push!
  • Writing & blogging: Go for free online blogging – there are many free blog designs available. Start writing about interesting facts of life or a subject. This will inspire you a lot!
  • Podcast: Podcast is something anyone can try. You can talk, teach about a subject that you are expert in.
  • Photography: At another interesting hobby – nature, pets and public life – all these can be your subject of photography. Take pictures – upload and share with your family and friends.
  • Calligraphy – Try different types of handwriting fonts. In the era of typing and emailing, your calligraphy can make difference.
  • Computer skills – Learn Microsoft word, excel, power point, how to send emails, keeping journals, online browsing, skype,photoshop etc.
  • Creating postcards – If you are an artist make personalized postcards. Paint or attest photos and make it attractive. Sell it to make few bucks.
  • Yoga and meditation – Learn yoga poses and meditate 2 times a day to keep your mind balanced. Yoga practice helps you to be active and happy
  • Arts: Arts offer much for anyone. Try pottery, sculpting, clay models, designs for boutiques etc. If you are good at it you will be more creative and may even make some money on side.
  • Interior designing, housekeeping: If you are good at interior decoration help your friends and families in interior designing. Buy house decoration magazines and read – give advice to your friends and families about housekeeping.
  • Dancing: want your joy to be doubled then join dance class. Learn simple dance steps. Singing and dancing uplifts the energy. Ballroom, jazz, salsa, line, tap dancing are some dancing moves one should try.
  • Bonsai: Learn this Japanese technique of growing trees in small pots.
  • Collection: Coin, stamps, antiques, post cards, small toys – all these hobbies are also interesting and will be attractive to display.

Hobbies should be interesting and keep you occupied. Developing a hobby is important and necessity as hobby helps us to keep moving around and make life more interesting to live.

Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 12, 2017
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India planted 60 million plants this week!

India planted 60 million plants this week!

This week, activists in India accomplished the unthinkable in a mere 12 hours. In an attempt to break the previous tree-planting world record, volunteers in Madhya Pradesh, a large state in central India, worked together to plant 66 million trees in half a day.

The last world record was set in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 2016 when volunteers planted 6,630,000 tree saplings between 7 am & 7 pm, as True Activist previously reported.

Though the country’s newest feat has yet to be declared by the Guinness World Records, it seems clear the will snatch the title.

The initiative was for more than setting a new world record. IFL Science reports that the Indian government has put forward $6.2 billion to increase the country’s forest cover to 95 million hectares (235 million acres) by 2030, as was outlined at the Paris Climate Change Conference. All 29 states have been encouraged to get involved, which is why the state of Madhya Pradesh went to great lengths to plant over 60 million tree saplings.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, tweeted on Sunday: “#MPPlants6CroreTrees is effort in accordance with Paris Accord. I am proud that Madhya Pradesh has been one of the first to initiate.”

The news is being hailed as positive, considering India is presently one of the biggest producers of carbon emissions on the planet. The country is also associated with poor air quality in urban areas, is linked to coal burning, and is known for its lack of sewage treatment operations. With initiatives, such as this one, however, perhaps its reputation will change for the better in future years.

 Article by : Amanda Froelich, http://www.trueactivist.com/ (free source)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 6, 2017
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Plank Pose - Phalakasana

Plank pose – Phalakasana

(Plank pose may look very easy pose to do and may not appealing. But, it is not that easy to hold plank pose as we think. It is one of the best exercises for core conditioning in addition it also works glutes and hamstrings, supports proper posture, and improves balance.

While getting into the proper form is straightforward, holding the position takes strength and endurance in your abs, back, and core. In yoga, plank pose is known as Phalakasana that means to bear fruit.

Yes, if you practice plank pose your body will shape up the way you want it to be. Toned belly, relief from back pain, shoulder strength and toning, flexibility and stretching, strong legs, improving your confidence to take you to great height in life – all these are achievable by doing this pose regularly, everyday! – Healthy life)

Sanskrit: Phalakasana  (fal-ack-AHS-anna)

phala = to bear fruit, ripen

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BENEFITS:

  • Strengthens the arms, wrists, and shoulders
  • Prepares the body for more advanced poses, such as arm balances
  • Strengthens and tones the abdomen and legs
  • Improves endurance
  • Builds spinal strength and improves posture

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Shoulder or arm injuries
  • Low back pain (keep knees on the ground)

HOW TO

1. Start in Downward Facing Dog.

2. On an inhale, glide your body forward until your shoulders are directly above your hands and your arms are perpendicular to the floor. If your shoulders are not aligned over your wrists, you may need to separate your hands and feet a bit more.

3. Press your hands firmly into the floor, fingers spread apart. Engage the outer arms by pressing them inward. Firm your shoulder blades into the back and spread your collarbones away from the sternum.

4. Draw the navel in and up. Press the top of your thighs toward the sky, and lengthen your tailbone toward the heels.

5. Set your gaze down on the floor or slightly in front of you, softening the neck and jaw.

6. If practicing a vinyasa flow, only hold this pose for the duration of your inhale; then exhale and lower down to either Chaturanga or Knees-Chest-Chin pose. To build strength, hold Plank pose for five breaths.

MODIFY OR REPLACE

Alternatives:

Bharmanasana (Tabletop pose)

  • Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)
  • Modifications:
  • Lower your knees to the ground.

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

  1. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)
  2. Vasisthasana (Side Plank pose)

After:

  1. Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff pose)
  2. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog)

TEACHING CUES

  • Ground down through all four corners of your hands.
  • Reach through the heels to lengthen the spine, activating the leg muscles.
  • Keep your neck long and soften the throat.
  • Gaze straight down or slightly in front of you on the floor.

 VARIATIONS

  • Raise one leg as you lower down into Chaturanga for a lifted-leg vinyasa.

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Collapsing the hips down
  • Collapsing through the upper back
  • Dropping the chin toward the chest
  • Locking the elbows

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NOTE: This article and image of plank pose is published here with permission from https://beyogi.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: June 27, 2017
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12 different ways to use mint

12 different ways to use healthy mint in your daily food

Fresh or dry mint have tremendous health benefits. There are several herbs that add flavor to dishes but mint elevates even the most humble vegetables to gourmet status.

Adding mint to dishes gives us all those benefits that one can ask for.

Using mint leaves in our daily food in various dishes can help us to improve our digestion, reduce body pain, inflammation and releasing body stress.

Did you know other benefits of mint leaves?

  • It activates salivary glands, getting the digestive juices flowing and soothes stomach inflammation. Freshens breath (we all know this one!) and inhibits the growth of bacteria inside the mouth.
  • Soothes the digestive tract and reducing the severity and length of stomach aches.
  • Eases the discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Slows the growth of many of the most harmful bacteria and fungi.

Grandma has suggestions to use mint  leaves in 12 different ways to get mint health benefits in your daily food.

  • Add to buttermilk: Take few mint leaves, add little coriander leaves, an inch of ginger, asafoetida, salt and grind it with little buttermilk. After grinding add 2 cups of buttermilk and drink. This reduces bloating and increases digestion.
  • Add to rasam (Indian soup): While boiling the rasam add few chopped mint leaves and boil it for few seconds. It gives flavor to the rasam and helps for easy digestion.
  • Potato (aloo bonda): While preparing potato masala for chickpea flour based bonda, add few chopped mint leaves alongwith coriander leaves for better taste and easy digestion of potato.
  • Mint tea: Fresh mint -Take 2 cups of water and allow water to boil. Add few chopped leaves of mint and boil for few more seconds. Add little lemon juice before drinking. If you are using dried mint leaves – boil water for 3 to 4 minutes. Steep it. Later add lemon juice and drink.
  • Mint juice: Take few mint leaves and add few coriander leaves. Grind both with little ginger in water. After grinding add little more water and strain (if you prefer). Drink the juice – to reduce fat.
  • Mint in salad: Like cilantro, chop mint leaves and sprinkle on the salad. This reduces bloating and helps in easy digestion. Toss 1 can of brown lentils, rinsed and drained (alternatively, you can cook brown lentil in slow cooker), with 2 thinly sliced scallions, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint, and salt and pepper to season. Have this to get benefit of protein and mint to reduce bloating and inflammation.
  • Fruit Juices: Add mint leaves to strawberry, lemon and cucumber juice varieties. It gives good taste and helps in reducing fat from the body.
  • Green chutney: Grind mint with little cumin, ginger, salt, asafoetida, little garlic clove  to a paste. Use this chutney as a spread on sandwich, as a side for bonda, or while preparing snacks.
  • Mint chutney with coconut: Grate coconut, add few mint leaves, salt, asafoetida, cumin, salt into a paste with little water. You can use this chutney as a side dish for dosa, idli, chapatti. Adding mint leaves chutney helps in easy digestion and makes food taste better too.
  • Ginger, mint and orange iced tea: On a busy and tiring day try this: Grate ginger add little chopped mint leaves and boil in water. Remove the liquid from stove and cool it a bit. Add ¼ cup orange juice. Throw few more chopped mint leaves. Cool it in the refrigerator and drink. Mint has power to calm a stormy stomach with sweetness and you will see the miracle!
  • Add in Pineapple lassi: Prepare Indian Pineapple and Mint Lassi by blending 2 cups of chopped pineapple with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh mint, 1½ cups cold water, ¾ cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon sugar and 6 ice cubes until smooth. Drink this after meal to soothe your stomach.
  • Chocolate dip mint: Take fresh mint leaves,  and dip them in your favorite homemade or melted chocolate chips and let chill in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened. Take it out and have. Chocolate helps to calm the system and so is mint -adds more calmness to your system!

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Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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