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.

Only one juice is high in iron. Which is it?

  • orange
  • prune
  • carrot
  • apricot

The answer is: Prune (A cup of prune juice has 3 milligrams of iron)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 28, 2017
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Cosmetics Safety Tips for Expecting Moms

Expecting moms – cosmetic safety tips

Expecting moms – stay away from cosmetic chemicals – As  the fetus  grow and change over nine months, mother reconsider some options for growing baby’s health. This includes foods, daily habits, exercises and also personal care products. Doctors also give suggestions and advice what to use not to use during precious pregnancy. Apart from these regular helpful advice like to stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, and eat a healthy and balanced diet, it is highly recommend that women green their personal care product routine.

A significant and growing body of research shows that pregnant women’s exposure to chemicals — particularly endocrine-disrupting compounds— can negatively affect normal development and may even increase their child’s risk for later life disease.

Starting in the ninth week of pregnancy and continuing on to birth (otherwise known as the fetal stage), hormones direct the development of the reproductive and endocrine systems (which regulate metabolism and other aspects of development) of a baby.  This is a very sensitive window of susceptibility, and it is important to make sure that both moms (and baby!) are extra careful to reduce and avoid exposure to possible endocrine disrupting compounds, reproductive and developmental toxicants, and carcinogens. Prenatal development is intimately tied with what the mother consumes. Similarly, personal care products and cosmetics may also reach a developing fetus, and it is important to look at what is in your makeup bag during pregnancy.

Products of Concern: Color cosmetics, shampoo, lipstick, conditioner, fragrance, nail polish, lotion, anti-aging products

Chemicals of Concern: Benzophenone, butylated compounds, carcinogens, fragrance, octinoxate, parabens, phthalates, polyacrylamide, p-phenylenediamine,

Where will you find these chemicals?

  1. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate: Found in antiperspirant; check for aluminum chloride hexahydrate and aluminium chlorohydrate.
  2. Beta hydroxy acids: Salicylic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, trethocanic acid and tropic acid.
  3. Chemical sunscreens: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, oxtinoxate, menthyl anthranilate and oxtocrylene.
  4. Diethanolamine (DEA): Found in hair and body products; stay clear of diethanolamine, oleamide DEA, lauramide DEA and cocamide DEA.
  5. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): Found in spray self-tanners; could be harmful if inhaled.
  6. Formaldehyde: Found in hair straightening treatments, nail polishes and eyelash glue; look for formaldehyde, quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM), hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol).
  7. Hydroquinone: A lightening agent; abstain from hydroquinone, idrochinone and quinol/1-4 dihydroxy benzene/1-4 hydroxy benzene.
  8. Parabens: Keep away from propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl and methyl parabens.
  9. Phthalates: Found in products with synthetic fragrances and nail polishes; avoid diethyl and dibutyl especially.
  10. Retinol: Vitamin A, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene and isotretinoin.
  11. Thioglycolic acid: Found in chemical hair removers; can also be labeled acetyl mercaptan, mercaptoacetate, mercaptoacetic acid and thiovanic acid.
  12. Toluene: Found in nail polishes; skip methylbenzene, toluol and antisal

If you are expecting follow these safety tips:

  • Simplify your beauty routine by reducing the number of products you use!
  • Reduce or avoid nail treatments or hair dye during pregnancy.
  • Be careful with lipstick or mineral makeup since they may contain traces of heavy metals like lead.
  • Read labels closely and find safer alternatives using tools like the Think Dirty app and GoodGuide.
  • Use natural homemade cosmetics, the ingredients of which you are aware.

See more at: http://www.safecosmetics.org

Image credit: Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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It’s 4 p.m. and hunger strikes. Which is the best snack option?

  • A bowl of vegetable and bean soup
  • A serving of whole-grain crackers and low-fat cheese
  • Half a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread
  • One-quarter cup of hummus and medley of raw veggies
  • All of the above

The answer is: All of the above

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 26, 2017
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Miracle of Fennel Tea

Miracle of Fennel Tea

Aromatic, little spicy and a great medicinal herb that all of us should keep in our kitchen cabinet is Fennel.

We all know fennel seeds are good for digestion and also great to get rid of that bad mouth odor.

There are many other uses of Fennel tea and try this when you have these conditions.

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1. To get relief from: abdominal pain, cramping and other types of gastrointestinal spasm:

Heat 1 tsp. of crushed fennel seeds and 1 cup of whole milk until the mixture boils.

Strain and sip the hot liquid.

2. Relief for Bronchitis & Coughs

  1.  1 ½ ounce fennel seeds
  2. 1 ounce coriander seeds
  3. 1 inch dry ginger
  • Prepare powder of all three ingredients and store in a tight bottle.
  • Use 1-2 tsps of the herbs per cup of boiling water.
  • Steep the mixture for 10 minutes and strain.
  • Sweeten the tea with 1 teaspoon of honey to enhance its expectorant effect and relieve cough quickly.

 3. Asthma and Whooping Cough Relief

  1. 1 ounce fennel seeds
  2. 1 ounce anise seeds
  3. 2/3 ounce marsh-mallow root
  4. 2/3 ounce thyme
  • Prepare powder of all four herbs
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of the herbs per cup of boiling water.
  • Steep for 10 minutes and strain.
  • Sip at least 3 cups of the tea daily to relax the airways and relieve spasms.

 4. Flatulence Relief in Adults & Colic in Infants

  1. 1 ½ ounce fennel seeds
  2. 1 ounce caraway seeds
  3. 1 ounce anise seeds
  • Prepare powder of these 3 ingredients – mix well.
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of the herbs per cup of boiling water.
  • Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey if desired, unless the tea is to be given to an infant.

 5. Relieve Digestive Complaints in Infants & Children

Being antispasmodic fennel is good for infants in little quantity. It reduces spasm and pain in  the little one’s tummy.

  • Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds.
  • Allow it to steep for 10 minutes and strain. You can use milk too for steeping.
  • Give little amount to child (above 5 years)

6. For lactation:

Use Fennel tea to increase milk production in nursing mothers. The infusion also can relieve breast infections and nipple soreness.

  • To make the tea, use 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds per cup of boiling water.
  • Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink at least 3 cups of the tea each day.

Precautions:

Children older than 5 years of age should be given only half of the amount mentioned here. And infants should be given one-eighth of the adult dose. Do not give raw honey to babies and infants.

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Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com

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

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: April 25, 2017
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Flying pigeon pose for body strengthening

Flying pigeon pose for body strengthening

The external rotation of the hip with some of the body’s weight on it creates openness.  It opens the deep lateral rotators of the hips. Concentration, balance, shoulder, core and spinal strength along with balancing – these are few things we achieve by practicing this pose. This pose is named after Sage Galav who was Hindu Lord Rama‘s one of  the Guru – Healthylife.werindia.com

Sanskrit name: Eka Pada Galavasana (eh-kah pah-dah gah-lah-VAHS-anna)

eka = one, pada = foot, Galava = the sage Galava

 BENEFITS

  • Strengthens the arms, wrists, neck, and shoulders
  • Opens the hips
  • Strengthens the core
  • Improves balance

 CONTRAINDICATIONS

  1. Pregnancy
  2. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
  3. Wrist, shoulder, or lower back injuries

 HOW TO

1. Begin standing in Mountain pose. Cross your right ankle just above your left knee. Flex your right foot.

2. Bend forward to place your palms on the ground in front of you, shoulder-distance wide. Press the backs of your upper arms against your right shin. Hook your right toes around your upper left arm.

3. Lift your hips and bend your elbows. Shift your body weight far enough forward that your left foot lifts off the floor. Straighten your left leg so it’s parallel to the ground.

4. Balance in the pose for several breaths. Exhale and lower your back leg to the ground. Carefully unwind and then change sides.

 MODIFY OR REPLACE

Alternatives:

  • One-Legged King Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
  • Reclining Pigeon pose
  • Modifications:
  • Place a pillow or blanket beneath your head to alleviate the fear of falling forward.

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

  1. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
  2. Eagle pose (Garudasana)
  3. One-Legged King Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

After:

  1. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
  2. Gorilla pose (Padahastasana)

TEACHING CUES

  1. Shift your body weight far forward to balance.
  2. Spread your fingers wide.
  3. Pull your chest forward to lengthen your front body.
  4. Push the floor away from you to activate your core.

VARIATIONS

  • Reach your back leg up and toward the sky.

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Toes not hooked around the upper arm

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Image and article is published with permission from https://beyogi.com/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Gojjavalakki

Delicious Gojjavalakki

 Beaten rice is one of the easily available item for breakfast, lunch box or snack preparation. Previously in this column we have given an easy recipe of poha cutlet.

This time we have another traditional recipe from Karnataka which is very easy to prepare with many readily available ingredients at home – gojjavalakki.

Gojju is type of masala which contains tamarind, jaggery and spices and avalakki is beaten rice or poha.

Flattened rice or beaten rice contains no cholesterol and saturated fat at all. Also, the sodium content is very less and thus the calories in the beaten rice are not harmful.

Moreover, it contains nutrients like iron, vitamin C, vitamin A and calcium too. It is termed as the low-fat diet and can be consumed with the fear of weight gain.

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Recipe of Gojjavalakki

Ingredients:

1. Beaten rice/Poha 2 cups

2. Grated coconut 4-5 tsp

3. Dry Red Chilli 5-6

4. Mustard ½ tsp

5. Tamarind lemon size (more) soaked in water

6. Powdered Jaggery 3-4 tsp

7. Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

8. Groundnut ½ cup

9. Chana dal 1 tsp

10. Urad dal 1tsp

11. Cumin ½ tsp

12. Curry leaves 1 strand

13. Asafoetida pinch

14. Salt

15. Oil

 Method:

1. Wash beaten rice 2 times. Add tamarind juice, jaggery powder, turmeric powder and salt. Keep aside.

2. Grind coconut, dry red chillies and mustard without adding water or with very less water.

3. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard and cumin. Add chana dal, urada dal and groundnut one by one and fry them. Add curry leaves and asafoetida. Add ground masala (step 2) and fry them for few minutes.

4. Add beaten rice (step 1) and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes.

5. Gojjavalakki is ready to serve.

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Recipe & Image by: Mamatha Anil @ http://bhakshyabhojana.blogspot.com

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Plant Based Foods

Bill Nye On Reddit: “Plant Based Diets Are The Future”

The Science Guy says he’s looking forward to “the emergence of new plant-based dishes,” as vegetarian and vegan diets have been proven to better for one’s health and the environment.

In a recent “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit, Bill Nye (aka “The Science Guy”), recommended a plant-based diet to combat climate change. Over 10,000 questions were asked in the threat, but Nye chose to address the following:  “What are your thoughts on animal agriculture and the promotion of a vegan diet as to reduce our impact on climate change?”

As Mercy for Animals relays, Nye responded:

“Plant based diets are the future. I look forward to food preparations that are not ‘derivative bits,’ as we say in comedy writing. Instead of ‘coconut bacon,’ for example, I hope there is just delicious stand-alone coconut preparations. Cooking is a competitive business. I look forward to the emergence of new plant-based dishes.”

This isn’t the first time Nye has suggested that vegetarian and vegan diets are bound to become more popular. During a 2015 lecture at the University of Central Arkansas, Nye mentioned that “plant-based diets may be the future.” Nye’s opinion has likely been constructed from the mounting evidence which suggests that plant-based diets are better for one’s health and, most importantly, the environment.

Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions – more than the combined exhaust from all transportation. Additionally, livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, converting to wind and solar power will take 20+ years and roughly 43 trillion dollars; it is for this reason that improvements in dietary and lifestyle choices are so important.

When an individual decides to consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, legumes, nuts and leafy greens, they are deciding to fill their body with nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods which support optimal health and have a low carbon footprint. One might also feel better knowing they are not supporting a cruel industry which treats animals as if they are nothing more than collateral.

Thanks to Bill Nye speaking out about plant-based diets and climate change, perhaps more activists will consider adopting vegetarian or vegan diets to benefit the Earth and future generations.

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By  Amanda Froelich in http://www.trueactivist.com/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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