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.
A vegetarian city in Italy

Turin – First Vegetarian City!

In Italy – Turin’s recently elected  new Five Star Movement mayor, Chiara Appendino, presented her new council’s five-year political program last Tuesday, which included plans to reduce the amount of animal products eaten in the Piedmont capital.

The new mayor of Turin has provoked much debate with her decision to make vegan diets a priority in the northern Italian city over the next five years. The new mayor of Turin has provoked much debate with her decision to make vegan diets a priority in the northern Italian city over the next five years.

Chiara Appendino, who defeated the incumbent Democrat Piero Fassino in June, belongs to anti-establishment party, Five Star Movement which was founded by Italian comic Beppe Grillo in 2009 and has come out of nowhere to become what appears to be a dominant force in Italian politics. Appendino became the city’s third female mayor following in the footsteps of Maria Magnani Noya, who was elected in 1987, and Giovanna Cattaneo Incisa, who became mayor in 1992.She a multilingual businesswoman, helps run her family’s laser equipment company and is married with a young daughter.

The mayor counts her interests as reading, travelling, visiting the mountains and sea and playing football. In an online profile she reveals how she can speak, English, Spanish and German and studied international economics and management at university.

  • Chiara Appendino wants to make vegan diets a priority over next five years and Turin is set to become  first vegetarian city
  • Children will also be educated on the dietary choice and culture of respect
  • But many Turin locals have accused the mayor of creating a nanny state

It is the first time the promotion of a plant-based diet has been included among the political aims of a local government in Italy.

“The promotion of vegan and vegetarian diets is a fundamental act in safeguarding our environment, the health of our citizens and the welfare of our animals,” the program stated. “Leading medical, nutritional and political experts will help promote a culture of respect in our schools, teaching children how to eat well while protecting the earth and animal rights”.

The council says it will spend the next five years educating the city’s children about the issues surrounding food in order to reduce the amount of animal products eaten by future generations.

But the plan has raised a few eyebrows in the city, where most restaurants still serve up traditional dishes made from the renowned local meats and cheeses that have been a staple for generations. There are numerous famous meat dishes in the Piedmont region such as brasato al Barolo, beef braised in the area’s most famous red wine and Carne Cruda – raw beef mixed with lemon juice and olive oil, and the public are unwilling to be dictated to.

How people of Turin is responding when their city is all set to become a first vegetarian city?

On Twitter Appendino has been accused of attempting to create a nanny state.

‘If you disobey [the mayor’s agenda] in Turin you’ll go to bed without dinner,’ one social media user wrote.

Turin resident Elena Coda told to an English-language news site The Local, ‘Great foods like wild boar ragu and Chianina steak are already disappearing from the menu once famed for its meats, wines and cheeses.’

But vegetarianism is undoubtedly on the rise in Turin with the city now boasting 30 vegetarian or vegan restaurants, most which have opened in the last few years.

31-year-old Giacomo Gambone, who hails from Turin, sees Appendino’s plan as a positive thing. ‘I like it,’ he said,’ it’s raising awareness among a crowd that is used to uniform thinking.’ He also points out that many of the traditional meat dishes in the region are kept for special occasions and Sundays, so doesn’t believe the move will make a major impact. I think people will still be encouraged in eating the odd meat specialty,’ he admits.

Stefania Giannuzzi, a new councillor for the environment appointed by Appendino, has been a vegetarian for 20 years and maintains that promotion of a plant-based diet is not meant offend Piedmontese meat producers.

‘I would not want to create a contrast with the meat industry. We do not want to close the small shops or ruin the people who have worked for years to develop the Piedmontese food and wine heritage,’ Giannuzzi told.

References:

  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk
  • http://veganenthusiasts.com/
  • http://www.express.co.uk/
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 25, 2016
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Potato manchurian

Potato (Aloo) Manchurian

An important staple food potato or varieties of potatoes are highly nutritious and are rich in fibers. Potatoes have the ability to reduce blood pressure. This ability of potato is due to a compound namely kukoamines. Potatoes are one of the cheapest universal crops to produce and are available year-round. With all the low carb diet and high protein diet etc, potatoes have gained low priority in the vegetable list. What many people do not realize is that this nutrient-dense tuber contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemical that wards off disease and benefit human health.  Moreover, it is easy to prepare dishes using potatoes and these tubers can be a substitute for many costly vegetables. For example manchurian is a popular dish made of either  cauliflower or baby corns. Instead of these two vegetables one can use easily available potatoes and make delicious potato manchurian.

Try yourself this simple recipe.

Ingredients:

1. 1 Large Potato

2. 1/2 Capsicum

3. 1 Cup Maida

4. 1/2 Cup Rice Flour

5. 1/2 tsp chili powder

6. Salt to taste

7. 2-3 Chopped green chilies

8. 2-3 Cloves of Garlic

9. 1 Large onion chopped

10. Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves

11. 3 tsp Soya Sauce

12. 4 tsp Tomato Ketchup/tomato sauce

13. Oil

Method:

1. Mix maida, rice flour, chilli powder and salt using water.

2. Peel the potato and cut into small pieces. Dip the Potato pieces in the mixture and deep fry till golden brown.

3. Keep aside on a tissue paper.

4. Heat oil in another pan and add onion and garlic let it saute for two minutes till light reddish brown. Add green chillis and saute for few minutes.

5. Add capsicum, 2 tsp soya sauce, 3 tsp tomato sauce or tomato ketchup and little salt.

6. Add fried Potato and mix well.

7. Let it cook for 5 minutes and garnish it with coriander leaves.

8.  Aloo Manchurian is ready to eat.

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

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on:
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Which of these provides enough vitamin C to meet the daily RDA?

  • an ounce of Cheddar cheese
  • a cup of orange juice
  • a cup of broccoli
  • a medium-size baked potato with its skin

The answer is: b & c= a cup of orange juice and cup of broccoli

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 21, 2016
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Silence is golden

Why silence is golden sometimes?

Silence is absence of sound. Physical silence refers to the absence of sound around us. Mental silence is the absence of wasteful thinking. When we say it is wasteful thinking it means absence of negative thoughts. Positive thinking refers to thoughts that benefit the self as well as others.

“Speech is silver; silence is golden”

In the present era, everybody communicates one or the other way. And, communication happens through not only by normal talking (face to face) but also by means of phone, texting, facebook, instagram, twitter and other types of social media. In fact, all communications that happens can create a positive or negative thinking in our mind. The way we receive the comments also determines whether we are silent (mentally) or not.  Silence does not mean absence of life or social life. It means achieving serenity and developing a comfort zone inside oneself to all types of negative talk and thinking.

Why silence is golden sometimes? Sometimes because- wise men are not always silent. They know when to be.

  • Getting involved in serious discussion and arguments and speaking loud raises blood pressure and listening lowers it. It is not just, because you are making sounds that is reason for it -reading aloud alone does not raise blood pressure, but reading aloud to someone does.
  • If we are committed to stay calm and serene and have the definite and firm mind to be calmer then, listening to others will help us to be more serene. When we express ourselves once a while, we will notice that our opinion may matter or may not. It may not help to create tranquility in oneself but eventually it will help to achieve the serenity.
  • To achieve calmness sometimes it is better to be on silent mode. People may drag you to meaningless discussion, chitchat, gossip or talk that does not make sense. It is better to listen to people than being part of the unnecessary sound. One has to keep in mind to be tranquil rather than mindful to get disturbed with small talks.  If you don’t feel like getting involved in discussion that disturbs you either keep quite or politely move away.
  • The power of silence is like a fragrant flower that fills the room. Constant positive thinking creates the virtue of serenity and helps to stabilize oneself and others around.
  • By being silent, you will do yourself a favor – not getting into unnecessary and no productive talks. What that means is, instead of getting hurt one can gain deep comfort and joy without being part of disturbing talks and discussions.
  • If you don’t like a subject which is part of a group discussion -like religion or food, then just listen to the talk and make sure your inner peace and positive thinking is not disturbed.
  • To live in tranquility one has to stop arguing and trying to make oneself right for silly reasons and arguments. One should give a thought to what is happening around and then should decide whether to react or not. If it feels that you will be disturbed mentally, then take advantage of silence.
  • If someone is expressing their unhappiness and complaining continuously, listening to the person sometime helps. The moment you start expressing it results in disturbance in the mind. Remember by giving suggestions to a person who does not want to reform and you were part of this conversation many times then again you will burn your energy and ruin peace of mind. If you share your enthusiasm for truth, spiritual insights, or beliefs to a person who won’t get it, they will unconsciously put you down.
  • Do not feel that if you do not talk in a group and express yourself only occasionally people think you are a dunce. People may think opposite – they may likely to think you are wiser too. Stay calm and listen – it helps in helping others because when you listen, think and then respond you may be a solution for someone’s problem.
  • Silence frees us from what people think of us, how they judge us, and what they say to us. By being silent with our personal practices to people who do not align with us vibrationally, it will make us much more free of needless words that do not help.

As they say, “sometimes not saying anything is the best answer. Because silence never can be misquoted” Silence is also golden when you cannot think of a good answer! So, express your opinion only when it is more valuable than silence. Once we are at ease with silence, we find that silence welcomes reflection in ourselves. And healing comes when we can reflect within our deeper selves.

Reference:

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 20, 2016
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Basmati ghee rice

Basmati Ghee Rice

Basmati rice is a variety of rice with slender, long look and has a good aroma.  India is leading the export of Basmati (means fragrant in sanskrit) rice and it is preferred rice in restaurants and houses.  It is used in making various varieties of rice dishes -pulav, tomato bath, vegetable rice, lemon rice, coconut rice etc. Varieties of rice pudding are also popular that can be prepared using Basmati rice. Basmati rice is believed to have been cultivated in the Indian Subcontinent for centuries and now many countries grow Basmati for its fragrance.

Nutritional facts: Basmati is gluten-free and low in fat. It contains all eight essential amino acids, folic acid, and is very low in sodium and has no cholesterol. Basmati has a low to medium glycaemic index, meaning that energy is released at a slower, steadier rate leading to a more balanced level of energy.

Ghee rice is popular South Indian traditional rice which contains Basmati rice as the main ingredient. Try this delicious and easy recipe for lunch, dinner or for a party.

Ingredients

1. 1 cup basmati rice

2. 3 tablespoons ghee/clarified butter

3. 15 to 18 cashews

4. 1 tablespoon raisins

5. 50 grams onion sliced thin

6. Two cups water

7. Salt as per your taste

8. Whole spices or Indian garam masala

9. 5 inches cinnamon

10. 3 cardamoms

11. 3 cloves

12. 4 to 5 black peppers

13. One bay leaf (tej patta )

14. 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

15. Grated carrot , finely chopped tomato- 1/4 cup

Preparation:

1. Rinse basmati rice and soak for 15 minutes

2. Heat ghee (clarified butter) under low flame.

3. Add cashews and saute it till it turns light brown. Add raisins and saute till the puff up

4. Now, add whole spice (gharam masala) and add the sliced onion. Stir it till it turns golden brown. Add cardamom, cloves, black peppers.

5. Add soaked rice to the above seasoning and stir it so that ghee coats the rice.

6. Add water and salt. If bay leaf is available, add that too. Cover the lid.

7. Simmer the rice until it cooks and gives aroma. In between check to make sure rice is cooking and enough water is there in the pan.

8. Once rice is cooked, remove it from the stove.

9. Garnish with chopped cilantro, grated carrot and tomato, and serve hot with Indian dal (lentil soup) or any other vegetable curry of your choice.

Reference:

  • Recipe: www.werindia.com
  • Basmati information: www.tilda.com
Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 19, 2016
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Aloe vera for diabetes

Aloe vera Treatment For Diabetes

Aloe vera treatment for diabetes !: Researchers are now saying that Aloe vera, a common plant that many people keep in their backyard, should be investigated further for its effectiveness in treating diabetes.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the body cannot produce any or enough insulin, causing blood sugar levels to be so high that they can damage other organs and tissue. Nearly 10% of people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes and 382 million people worldwide live with the disease, making it a force to be reckoned with.

Analysis of Aloe vera as an alternative treatment was done by researchers at the David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base and was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Aloe vera already has many uses for consumers looking to treat conditions in a nontraditional way. The plant is used as a skin application to treat seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, and genital herpes, and orally as a laxative. Aloe vera components used for treatments either contain the green rind of the leaves, the inner gel, or both.

According to the researchers,

The Aloe vera plant contains at least 75 active compounds, “which notably include vitamins, enzymes, minerals, anthraquinones, monosaccharide, polysaccharides, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, phytosterols, and amino acids.”

The authors also cited studies suggesting that some of these compounds play a role in improving blood glucose control, which is the main problem when you have diabetes. The plant also contains trace elements such as chromium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, known to be important for glucose metabolism by improving the effectiveness of insulin.

The analysis conducted by these particular researchers took a look at how many studies had been conducted about the effect of oral Aloe vera on blood sugar levels and found that only nine studies had appropriate data for meta-analyses.

Each study covered FBG (fasting blood glucose), which measures the blood glucose level during a period where a patient has not had anything to eat or drink, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

Results showed that Aloe vera decreased FBG by 46.6 mg/dl and HbA1c by 1.05 in the populations studied. Researchers noted that “the data suggest that patients with an FBG ≥200 mg/dl may see a greater benefit.”

Though this data is promising, it isn’t comprehensive or conclusive by any means. The researchers pointed out that there are inconsistencies that need to be tightened up in future studies, such as the formulation of Aloe vera used. The trial periods also had very different ranges, differences in controls, and lack of randomization.

It is for this reason that the medical center is calling for more research to be conducted on Aloe vera and its effectiveness as an alternative treatment for diabetes. Though there is likely hesitation from big pharmaceutical companies because Aloe vera would be less expensive and they aren’t able to form a monopoly over it.

However, patients with diabetes deserve to know if this somewhat simple salve could be used to more easily control their illness.

By Brianna Acuesta at : http://www.trueactivist.com/this-common-plant-could-be-used-as-a-treatment-for-diabetes/

Author: HealthyLife | Posted on: July 18, 2016
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