Tea, Coffee, Milk are best Healthy Beverages

The old-school beverages-tea, coffee and low fat or chocolate milk-as the best elixirs for nutrition, health and workout recovery.

              

 
Tea strengthens the body's immune system, reduces buildup of plaque on arterial walls, and aids in the control and prevention of diabetes. 

Tea is an antioxidant-rich beverage containing more polyphenols than many fruits and vegetables.

Besides being rich in compounds that combat cell-damaging oxidative stress, tea has a chemical makeup that includes enzymes, carbohydrates, protein, and lipids.

Oxidative stress is a molecular imbalance that interferes with the body's ability to detoxify harmful compounds leading to cellular damage and is associated with chronic health problems such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, dementia, and even cancer.

Packed with compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress, tea has emerged as a natural dietary aid to lower the risk of these ailments.

Like tea, coffee is packed with polyphenols, and it actually has a higher content of antioxidants than green or black tea and other beverages such as fruit and vegetables juices.

Coffee consumption can lower cardiovascular risks as well as lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 50 per cent.

Coffee also appears to have a positive effect on neurological diseases with coffee consumption possibly reducing the risk of both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The benefits of whole, low-fat, and chocolate milk when it comes to overall nutrition, bone density, weight loss, muscle-building and more.

Benefits of Lemon

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C. Having a lemon squeezed in warm water first thing every morning will cleanse your digestive system. 

It also increases the levels of immunity thus cutting the chances of infections. Because it has antibacterial and anti-viral properties, you can battle flu and colds by downing a glass of lemon juice. It is also known to purify blood, hence getting rid of toxins from the body.

Lemon is also used in aromatherapy. Since it smells so 'clean' it induces the feeling of freshness and purges the feelings of inadequacy thus building confidence. The essential oil is known to increase the level of concentration. To get rid of a tan apply lemon on hands and feet. Section hair and rub a lemon on hair and voila, you get natural-looking highlights like you just returned from a day at the beach.

40 Cool and Surprising Uses for Olive Oil

Olive oil is more than just a delicious cooking oil. This magical Mediterranean oil has many useful and practical functions outside of the kitchen. Loaded with powerful antioxidants and essential vitamins, olive oil is the perfect product for daily beauty routines and topical treatments. In addition, its low acidity and oily consistency make it the ideal lubricant and softener for household needs.

Beauty
Olive oil is a Mediterranean beauty secret that your hair, skin and nails with love.

   1. Skin Moisturizer: Olive oil makes an excellent moisturizer with long-lasting benefits for the face and body.

   2. Lip Balm: Olive oil can help cure severely chapped lips by rubbing it on multiples times a day and at bedtime for optimal results.

   3. Exfoliator: For super soft skin, mix olive oil and sea salt and gently rub on skin to slough off dead cells and moisturize.

   4. Nail and Cuticle Care: Keep your nails and cuticles soft and shiny by rubbing some olive oil into the cuticle area and around the nail.

   5. Eye Makeup Remover: Gently remove makeup with a cotton ball moistened with olive oil and rub along closed eyelids.

   6. Wrinkle Corrector: Soften and smooth out wrinkles by dabbing a little olive oil over problem areas at bedtime.

   7. Bath Oil: For a luxurious bath experience, add some olive oil and a couple drops of lavender essential oil to your running water.

   8. Dandruff Controller: Control flakes by treating your scalp with equal parts olive oil and water.

   9. Deep Conditioner: After shampooing, rub a mixture of equal parts olive oil and water onto hair, let sit for 5 minutes and rinse for soft, supple strands.

  10. Detangler: Make your mane more manageable with an olive oil treatment to detangle and relieve damaged hair.

  11. Shaving Cream: Get a close shave with olive oil by applying it liberally to damp skin.

  12. Cellulite Reducer: Reduce the appearance of cellulite with this olive oil and coffee ground home treatment.

  13. Defrizzer: Tame frizzy locks by rubbing a couple drops of olive oil onto dry hair.

  14. Hide Stretch Marks: Lessen the appearance of stretch marks by rubbing an olive oil mixture onto problem areas.



Around the House

Olive oil is a convenient money-saving trick for these household chores and messes.

  15. Hairball Prevention: Keep your kitty's coat shiny and prevent hairballs by adding a couple drops of olive oil to his or her food.

  16. Free Stuck Zippers: Loosen stuck zippers by dabbing a little olive oil on the teeth of the zipper and gently tugging at it.

  17. Fix Squeaky Doors: Stop squeaky doors and hinges with a touch of olive oil for an eco-friendly and safe alternative to WD-40.

  18. Furniture and Metal Polish: Polish furniture, silverware and other metal items and prevent streaks by rubbing in olive oil, letting it sit for 30 minutes and wiping away excess.

  19. Shine Pots and Pans: Get your stainless steel and brass pots and pans shiny as new, by rubbing some olive oil on them with a clean rag.

  20. Remove Paint from Skin: Paint on your skin and hair can be extra tricky to get off, but rubbing a little olive oil to the area and rinsing it clean can help.

  21. Garden Tool Cleaner: Remove dirt and prevent corrosion on your garden tools with olive oil.

  22. Leather Conditioner: Condition leather furniture, shoes and other leather goods by rubbing in olive oil.

  23. Grease Remover: Remove grease from hands and other surfaces with a mixture of olive oil and salt or sugar. Rub mixture vigorously onto surface and wash off with soap and water.

  24. Sticker Remover: Get stickers and their gooey residue off of stubborn surfaces by rubbing a little olive oil on them.

  25. Gum Remover: Nothing's worse than having gum stuck in your hair or on your shoe, but it's the perfect job for olive oil. The oil will break down the goo and leave your hair or shoes smooth.

  26. Salad Dressing: Olive oil is a basic ingredient for many delicious salad dressings that can be made with equal parts olive oil and vinegar, or other acids.

  27. Prevent Pasta Water Overflow: To prevent pasta water overflow, add a couple drops of olive oil to water before boiling.

  28. Prevent Sticky Pasta: To prevent larger pasta, like lasagna, from sticking together, add a little olive oil to the boiling water.


Medicinal

Olive oil has powerful antioxidants and vitamins that offer serious medicinal benefits.

  29. Smooth Acne Scars: Olive oil even has the power to smooth out acne scars, by softening and loosening dead, dis-colored skin cells.

  30. Burn Treatment: Olive oil and other healthy cooking oils can be used for healing minor burns.

  31. Snore Solution: Drinking a sip of olive oil before bed helps lubricate the throat and stops snoring.

  32. Massage Oil: Olive oil makes excellent all-natural massage oil alone, or mixed with other essential oils.

  33. Sun Protection: Olive oil is not recommended to be worn in place of sunscreen for extended sun exposure, but it does contain Vitamins A and E, as well as some sun protection benefits.

  34. Cure an Earache: Cure an earache the natural way, by gently applying olive oil with a cotton swab to the outside of the ear cavity and let dry.

  35. Lice Treatment: Kill lice and nits with an olive oil treatment that you comb through and let sit for 40 minutes in hair. Shampoo, repeat and apply a preventative treatment.

  36. Diaper Rash: Cure diaper rash by rubbing olive oil on your baby's bottom and wiping away excess.

  37. Personal Lubricant: This magical oil apparently works as a personal lubricant too.

  38. Treat a Sore Throat: Ease a sore throat and cough by taking a sip of olive oil next time you're under the weather.

  39. Prevent Rusty Razor: Extend the life of your razor and keep it from getting rusty by dipping it into olive oil after showering.

  40. Treat Cradle Cap: Even babies can benefit from olive oil, especially newborns who experience cradle cap, a scaling rash on babies' scalps. To treat, parents can apply a small amount of oil on scalp and wipe away scales with soft brush or dry washcloth.

Yoga to Melt Abdominal Obesity

Yogic side twists are ideal to crack through stubborn love handles(abdominal obesity). Apart from toning large muscle groups, these poses also work by massaging and pressing into the liver, helping with fat removal.

Kati Chakrasana (Standing spinal twist) 
Stand up straight.
Feet a foot apart.
Inhale, hug yourself with both hands.
Exhaling, twist to right, looking over right shoulder. Try to see your left heel.
Inhale, return to center.
Exhale, twist to left, looking over left shoulder, trying to see your right heel.
Inhale, return to center.
This is one round. At first attempt you can do up to ten rounds.
Slowly increase rounds up to 30 or more, as per capacity, doing each round dynamically but with full breath awareness.

Avoid: If you have lower backache.

Benefits: 
- Tummy trimmer, tightens sagging abdomen, wears fat along the torso.
- Ups digestion, metabolism and fat-release from liver.
- Is preventive in spinal disorders.
- Therapeutic in diabetes

Parivritti trikonasana (Twisted triangle) 
Stand up straight.
Feet a meter apart.
Adjust feet so right foot is slightly flared out, left foot points straight in front.
Inhale. Spread arms at shoulder level.
Exhaling, slide right hand down along the right leg till it reaches low, touching right ankle.
Hold the pose, breathing normally.
Left hand is held over head or continues at shoulder level.
Focus attention on the hand overhead or look straight ahead.
Inhale, return to starting position.
Now repeat entire sequence for the other side.

Avoid: If you have lower back ache.

Benefits: 
- Is a super love-handle trimmer.
- Rest of benefits, same as above poses.
- It also tones the inner legs, shaping them.
- Is used for knee pain alleviation.

Fasting

Fasting is a Way of Knowing Your Body

The two important pillars of health are good nutrition and moderate exercise. The most important factor, however, is your mind. Diet control has a lot to do with mind control. Which is why fasting is prescribed in many religions as a way of self-discipline.

                            If you try to learn the inherent programme loaded in your body, it would direct you to health and happiness. You may not need to curb your cravings to eat what is not good for your body. The method is called witnessing. You can start by taking five minutes from your morning schedule and spend it watching your breath.

                            Sit in a comfortable position and start watching your breath. Keep focus on your breath when you inhale and exhale. This practice would give you a glimpse of a state where there are no thoughts in your mind. Slowly you would be able to watch the activities of your mind and the journey of thoughts from one subject to another. Soon you would know the system that operates your senses and in turn your mind.

                            You have five sense servants. You can see, hear, smell, taste and touch. None of these sense servants are designed to govern your hunger. Yet you feel hungry when you see the food you like. Any talk about your favourite food or its aroma immediately triggers your hunger. When you find anything tasty, you want to eat more and more of that food.

                            If you allow all your servants except the cashier to handle and operate your cash chest, you cannot remain solvent for long. Your body is programmed to send a specific signal to your brain when it feels hungry. The trick is in the knowledge that most of the time you’re eating patterns are governed by habit and not by the requirements of the body. Then how to know and feel the real and actual sense of hunger?

                            Fasting is one of the time-tested and proven methods that helps you understand your hunger and has been used by almost all religions of the world. The best way to begin is to go on an ‘only water’ diet for long as you can do it conveniently depending upon your health. It may range between 10 hours and 24 hours unless you have some medical problem. The purpose is to focus on your hunger and understand how it feels to be hungry and how hunger increases its intensity.

                            When the body gives you a signal that it is hungry and needs food, then try to witness the sensation and understand how it feels. Drink water and the signal would fade away. Next time it would give you a stronger signal. You need to understand these signals before you respond to the same.

                            When you feel that you are very hungry then you drink some fresh fruit juice and watch how a signal of satisfaction is generated. Try fresh fruits, milk and cereals later but always keep the focus on your hunger and satiety signals of the body. The objective is to know the dynamics of your body which is unique for everybody.

                            Is it not surprising that among the six billion people living on this planet, no two persons have the same finger prints? We are designed to be unique and incomparable. So respect your body and learn its dynamics. Knowing ourselves would help our body attain perfect health. Always.

Shivarathri

Banishing darkness from our lives

Lord Shiva occupies a central role in Hinduism. Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of ‘Linga’ symbolizing ‘purusha’.

FESTIVE SPIRIT

                While most festivals are celebrated at daytime, Shivarathri is celebrated at night as Lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness.

               The 14th day of every month, Krishna Chaturdasi, is Shivarathri. But during the month of Magha, the day is observed as Mahashivarathri.

               On this day, Lord Shiva drank poison, halahala, which emerged during the churning the ocean of milk. With this, He saved the universe. Lord Shiva also married Goddess Parvathi on this day and performed Shiva Tandava Nrithya, better known as Natyasastra.

              The main themes of the festival are ahimsa, sathya, compassion and forgiveness, and absence of jealousy. Devotees worship by fasting and jagarana (keeping vigil in at night).

               On this day, the ‘Linga’ is bathed with Panchamrutha – a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. This accompanied by chanting of Vedic hymns (chanting of Rudra Mantra), and showering the ‘Linga’ with ‘Bhilva Patre’ and flowers.

               Next day morning, the fast is broken after making offerings to the God. Next, devotees perform the Rudra Homa at temples and homes. Delicious food is prepared and offered as ‘naivedhyam’ to the deity. Later, it’s distributed to devotees as ‘annadhanam’. By worshipping Lord Shiva, one attains peace and prosperity and absolved of sins.

Magha Krishna Trayodashi

         

             There is a subtle difference between the Supreme Soul Shiva and Shankar the deity. The Supreme has been worshipped in the oval or egg-shaped form of the Shivalinga. The Linga Purana says that the one who destroys the world and re-establishes the same with Divine Power is called ‘Linga’. In Shiva temples throughout India – including at Amarnath, Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar – and Nepal Pashupatinath, He is depicted as the linga, an elliptical representation in stone.

             According to legend, Rama invoked Shiva at Rameshwaram and Krishna offered prayers to Him at Gopeshwar in Vrindavan. Shiva Temples have been erected here honouring that memory. Shiva is worshipped at the Supreme Father of all deities and of Rama and Krishna.

             Shiva’s representation as linga is to show His incorporeal nature. He does not have any male or female human-like form like the deities; His is the incorporeal point of light. The 12 renowned Shiva temples in India are also known as Jyotirlinga Maths, signifying His form of Light. Incorporeal Shiva is also known as Trimurti, the creator of the three subtle deities – Bramha, Vishnu and Shankar.

The three lines marked on the Shivalinga symbolise His triple characteristics of Trimurti:

Trinetri – the one with the third eye of wisdom,

Trikaladarshi - the one who sees the three aspects of time, &

Trilokinath - the lord of three words.

               Shiva is also known as Shambhu or Swayambhu and Sadashiva meaning that Shiva is the eternal Soul who has no creator above Him.

               Swami Daanand Saraswathi says Shiva is the “One who is bliss and the giver of happiness to all”. Supreme Soul Shiva brings liberation or mukti and salvation or jeevan mukti to all.

               In South India, Lingayats believe that Shiva is the Supreme God. The Istalinga worn by the Veerashivas on their body is technically a miniature of Linga and is considered to be an amorphous representation of Shiva which also proves that Shiva was worshipped in the oval-shaped figure. It was much later that Shiva and deity Shankar came to be presumed as one. In Vaishik Darshan and Vedanta, Linga is mentioned as the image of the body-less Supreme God. It is free of personal characteristics.

               The ignorance about Shiva is on account of confusing Shankar with Shiva. Deity Shankar has an angelic body whereas Shiva is oval shaped and worshipped as Shiva Linga. Shankar has a human form residing in the subtle world region called Sankarpuri; he is responsible for destruction of the old world order. In some paintings and sculptures, Shankar is shown meditating in front of the Shiva linga, which also indicates that the two are different from each other.

               The festival of Shivaratri symbolises the divine incarnation of Shiva on the earth. The night indicates the moral degradation in souls that sets in due to the ignorance in this world. The true fasting (upvaas plus close company) on Shivaratri is that we link our intellect with Shiva and stay in His company. The true Jagran or awakening means to awaken from the slumber of ignorance and to protect the self from the negative influence of vices such as lust, anger, greed and ego. Absolute formless God, Sadashiva appeared in the form of Lingodbhav Moorti exactly at midnight on Shivaratri.

Mahalakshmi or Sridevi

Mahalakshmi or Sridevi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Our ancients who depicted energy in appealing forms, created images of gods and goddesses to portray its various aspects and attributes. One has to go deep within the forms, decipher the secret messages of the various symbols in each form, and transcend them to go into the divine energy space into the formless.

                                          

Devi as Mahalakshmi is popularly depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion. She is shown with four hands, seated on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. The lotus is also a flower which blooms in dirty mud symbolising the unlimited potential in each one of us to bloom in any environment. 

Mahalakshmi is surrounded by water, and water symbolises life. Water must constantly flow. If it doesn’t, it leads to stagnation. Money must also flow and circulate, hence it is called currency coming from the root word current. All those who hoard money, who do not allow it to flow, do not understand the nature of money and life. Circulation is the secret of a healthy economy. It is also vital to a healthy life. 

Lakshmi’s bright image reflects grandeur and richness in every way, for God wants us to be rich and prosperous. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life. They are dharma or righteousness, kama or desires, artha or wealth, and moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. These are the pillars of our life and are the basis of the Vedas and Upanishads. 

Mahalakshmi showers gold coins from her right hand blessing her devotees to attract wealth. She is dressed in a green saree depicting fertility, growth and the manifested energy. At times she is wearing a red saree as red symbolises activity and potential energy. 

Two white elephants are shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes ceaseless effort, in accordance with one’s dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leading to both material and spiritual prosperity. 

Mahalakshmi is also associated with the white owl, which has two symbolisms. One of wisdom and luck, the other stands for stupidity which means that wealth not handled properly can vanish because of arrogance and pride. Hence Lakshmi is said to be chanchal or fickleminded. Some scriptures mention Lakshmi’s sister Alakshmi who causes misfortune, depicting the state of not adhering to the Laws of Money. 

The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshya, which means, aim or goal. Lakshmi or money will come to all those who have a clear aim or goal. As clear as Arjuna’s focus when he says, “I only see the eye of the bird”, to his guru Dronacharya. 

Friday is most associated with Lakshmi. Friday is Shukrawar in Sanskrit or planet Venus. Venus is a beneficent planet which rules material comfort and luxury. Also Friday comes from Freia, the Viking goddess of fertility. Dusk is the time of Lakshmi Pooja. It is important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure. Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshipped on Diwali with offerings of haldi and kumkum or turmeric and vermilion. 

We also worship money, ornaments and other material possessions to express our gratitude to Goddess Lakshmi for showering her grace on us.

Health Benefits of Coffee

There's nothing like waking up in the morning to a steaming cup of coffee, is there? For some, a cup of coffee along with the news paper is a mandatory morning ritual. Needless to say, millions of people around the world are hooked to coffee - whether it is the first thing that they have in the morning or the last thing that they do before going to bed. 

Contrary to popular belief is that coffee is indeed good for health. It is known to be a powerful stimulant and also helps to improve performance in physical and mental activities. It also serves as an energy booster.

Skin deep 

Coffee can keep your skin healthy in many different ways. Other than preventing skin cancer and melanoma-related diseases, coffee has antioxidant ingredients that can help reduce the occurrence of skin problems and diseases in general. Coffee gets rid of free radicals in the skin - which reduces the onset of skin-related problems such as acne and eczema. It further acts as an effective sun block and prevents sunburn and wrinkles. It also helps in treating redness and inflammation of the skin, reduces the appearance of under-eye circles and also helps get rid of cellulite.

Organic speak 

Coffee can be cultivated using organic methods too. The coffee plant is grown in the shade with the help of natural soil organisms to sustain its growth. Thus, the valuable nutrients needed to preserve coffee beans are retained, adding to their health quotient. Additionally, organic coffee is produced without the use of pesticides and other chemicals.

Benefits galore 

Coffee made with organic beans contains numerous health benefits. In addition to working as a stimulant, it can be used to control diseases such as asthma. It has also been proved that coffee reduces the risk of colon cancer. Organic coffee is said to contain large amounts of antioxidants as well. Using organic coffee beans is better than using the normal ones because they are healthier and do not contain any harmful chemicals. They also taste great, since they are high on flavour.

All said and done, too much of a good thing can sometimes prove to be bad. Coffee can also react adversely, if consumed in excess. One must drink only two to three cups of coffee a day. Too much of anything is not good for health.

Melt fat of your with yoga

Yoga offers a safe alternative to busting. Yoga suggests asanas to melt fat pockets.

Ushtra Asana 

Kneel down with your heels facing the ceiling, toes turned outward and arms hanging loosely by the sides. Breathe in. Raise arms gently to shoulder level, then higher, and finally backwards such that your palms touch the heel of the corresponding foot. Stretch your neck letting your head fall backwards. You will feel the stretch in your spine. Gently push the pelvic region forward, improving upon the curve of the spine. Breathe normally. Breathe in and return to the starting position. Repeat two to three times. Each time try to hold the stretch as long as you comfortably can.

Why it works 
This asana stretches your entire upper body - the neck, chest and stomach. These places house the lymph glands such as the thymus, tonsils and the spleen. They are primarily responsible for filtering out bacteria and other waste from the blood. Inefficient lymph glands lead to inefficient drainage and collection of fat. Ushtra Asana mobilises the lymph glands, hence preventing cellulite. The increased blood circulation and faster cell rejuvenation within these regions helps bust existing cellulite, slowly but surely.

Virya-stambhan Asana 
Stand with feet spread wide apart, toes pointing straight ahead. Turn the right leg at a 90 degree angle. Then bend the right knee. Hold your right wrist with your left hand behind your back, bend to your right and gently attempt to touch your big toe with the tip of your nose. However ensure that as you bend, your right knee or right thigh doesn't come in way of your right shoulder. Hold this position for up to 30 seconds. Inhale and slowly return to the start. Repeat the exercise with your left leg. Repeat the asana two to three times.

Why it works 
This asana really stretches the inside of your thighs. Rising back from the bend strengthens the thighs, exercising them is similar to working with weights in a gym. This helps burn fats in the thighs. It also exercises the lymph nodes present in the groin area and improves the blood circulation in lower region, thereby busting cellulite pockets.

Purna Shalbh Asana 
Lie on your stomach. Make a fist. Position it under your thigh, elbows straight. Breathe in. With the support of your folded fists, lift up both legs without bending them at the knees. Tighten the back of thighs and buttocks, holding on to the final pose for as long as possible. Relax the tightened thighs and buttocks. Breathe in. Now, holding your breath, gradually lower the legs to the ground. As your legs touch the ground, release your breath and breathe normal. Repeat two to three times, each time trying to hold on to the final pose for as long as possible.

Why it works 
Lifting the legs and trying to hold them for a long time requires strength. As you try harder, the fuel required to get that energy is generated by burning up the fat in thighs and buttocks.

Paschimottan Asana 
Sit down with your legs outstretched in the front, touching each other, your arms to your sides. Keep your spine erect and raise both your hands above your head, while the inside of your arms touch your ears. Exhale and pull the stomach in and bend forward, stretching your hands towards your toes. Now try to hold your toes with your fingers and subsequently with practice, try to touch your forehead to your knees. Hold this final pose for as long as possible, after which you inhale and gradually come back to the starting position.

Why it works 
As your body bends forward, your entire back area (considered your west side in yoga) is stretched. The bending movement affects every part from the heel's tip to the neck (inclusive of the hamstring muscles, buttocks, waist, back and the medulla oblongata).

This extreme stretch works the major muscles of the back, along with the skin. The stretch causes better blood circulation within the region and prevents build up of fat. The skin too is stretched leading to better elasticity and over time can aid in reducing the dimpled look that cellulite is characterised by

Eat Healthy, Lose Weight

Losing weight without going on a diet? 

It's how you can do just that. There are ways that will help you eat healthy, and lose weight at the same time.


- A close look at food labels is extremely essential as it provides you with the exact calorie count. Comparing labels among different foods and beverages will also result in healthier weight loss options.

- Make sure you consume small meals every three hours to avoid overeating and inconsistency in blood sugar levels. When you starve your body for long periods, it stores fats. Too much hunger could lead to unhealthy eating as well as consuming large portions. Instead aim for a healthy snack such as a fruit to eat in between meals.

- Intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables is a must for staying healthy since they're low in calories and high in fibre, which will help you feel full for a longer time. This in turn makes you eat less and lose weight as well.

- Skipping meals is not an advisable option as you're more likely to over eat or binge when you finally eat after that long hunger break. Starving your body will lead to weight gain rather than weight loss.

- Water also helps you lose weight. Consume enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Don't wait to feel thirsty to drink water, your thirst at times could be mistaken for hunger, leading to overeating. Keep sipping water throughout the day.

- Exercise daily to keep the flab off and stay in shape. Exercise also helps you boost your metabolism, which makes it easier to lose weight.

- Maintaining a food diary will help you keep track of your current food habits, which will make it easier for you to identify changes in your daily diet in accordance to your weight loss regime.

APPLE - As an Aphrodiasiac

One of the most popular quotations "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".                                  

The Apple derives its name from the Latin pomum, meaning fruit in English, and is classified as a pome, a fruit that has many tiny seeds within a core at the center. Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. At present there are at least 7,500 different varieties that vary in shape, color, texture, firmness, crispness, acidity, juiciness, sweetness, nutritional value, and harvesting period.

Many foods have been thought to possess magical qualities and even aphrodisiac powers. The apple's projected powers could fill a bushel of folklore. An ancient Greek who wanted to propose to a woman would only have to toss her an apple. If she caught the fruit, the act was as good as an engagement.

Apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

Apples are superfoods wrapped in a delicate skin, high in antioxidants, their free radical -fighting power boosts natural anti-aging abilities while helping to fight cancer.


Health Benefits 

Easy on the digestion, apples contain malic and tartaric acids that inhibit fermentation in the intestines. Their high fiber content adds bulk that aids the digestive process, making elimination natural and comfortable.

Apples contain flavonoids, antioxidants that improve immune function and prevent heart disease and some cancers.

Green apples act as a liver and gall bladder cleanser and may aid in softening gallstones.

Because of their high water content, apples are cooling and moistening and aid in reducing fever. Simply grate them and serve them to feverish patients. Steamed apples sweetened with honey are beneficial for a dry cough and may help to remove mucous from the lungs.

The Apple has abundant quantity of pectin is an aid in reducing high cholesterol as well as blood sugar, a wonder food for people with coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Eating raw apples gives the gums a healthy massage and cleans the teeth. This popular fruit have the properties that are a muscle tonic, diuretic, laxative, antidiarrheal, antirheumatic, and stomachic.

Nutritional Benefits

Unpeeled apples provide their most plentiful nutrients just under the skin. Apples are a good source of potassium, folic acid, and vitamin C.

A medium apple, approximately 5 ounces, has only 81 calories and a whopping 3.7 grams of fiber from pectin, a soluble fiber. A medium apple supplies 159 mg of potassium, 3.9 mcg of folic acid, 7.9 mg of vitamin C, and 9.6 mg of calcium.

Additionally, there are trace amounts of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Body Pains

Muscular aches and pain are common among people across all age groups. 

But when this pain is persistent and hinder your day to day activities, it should become a cause of worry.
  
Fibromyalgia may not be a household name, but it affects 30 per cent of population. 'Fibro' stands for fibrous body tissues and 'algia' stands for aches. So fibromyalgia stands for pain in the body tissues that is continual.

What is it? 
Fibromyalgia is a muscular ailment that is characterised by muscle pains, fatigue and tenderness in areas such as the spine, neck, shoulder and hips (also known as 'tender points'). These points hurt throughout the day and especially when strained excessively, for example while lifting a heavy bucket, studying with head bent down or working on the computer.

Who can it affect? 
Of the 30 per cent of population that fibromyalgia affects most are women. In men, it is common in those who indulge in excessive physical activity that revolves around one joint.
  
Even though it can occur at any age, people between the ages of 20-35 are more prone to fibromyalgia. This especially includes working professionals who have sedentary lifestyles.

Symptoms 

- Difficulty in sleeping

- Feeling tired even after sleeping all night

- Frequent headaches

- Numbness in hands and feet

- Bodily stiffness

- Difficulty in waking up/ laziness

- Sometimes it can result in irritation and severe depression in the patient

- Aches in different areas of the body. Particularly near the upper back, shoulder blade and neck. 

Causes 
There is no absolute cause that can pinpoint why fibromyalgia occurs. But there are things that trigger it - accident, childbirth, stress, faulty sleeping habits (sleeping face down repeatedly). When the muscle or ligaments in the body are severely strained over a period of time, fibromyalgia occurs. Also sometimes after a severe muscle injury, the healing makes the muscles stiff, making it lose its original flexibility, thereby resulting in the ailment. Research has also found that deficiency of serotonin in the central nervous system and resulting the imbalance is blamed for its occurrence.

Treatment 
There are a number of ways to deal with fibromyalgia.

There are oral muscle relaxant pills and painkiller ointments that are prescribed to the patient.

If the fibromyalgia is at a more serious level, then regular physiotherapy is also administered.

In some cases when fibromyalgia leads to depression, anti-depressants are prescribed.

Clinical healing through heat or vibration treatment can also be given to the patient.

Coping with it 
Since fibromyalgia has no fixed cure, only its symptoms can be treated by effectively managing it. 

How to cope with it? 

Stretching exercises: 
Stiffness is often caused by fibromyalgia. This can be treated with simple stretching exercises. Try out active stretching (stretching through yoga) instead of using gym equipments. You could even workout on the gym ball. However make sure you inform your trainer about your weak spots. 

Swimming: 
Swimming relaxes the mind and energizes the body. It will equally stretch the entire body at one go. 

Hot water bath: 
If you feel lazy after waking up, massage your body with scented oils and have a hot water bath to refresh yourself. 

Relaxation: 
Take short breaks while working for a long period of time. This will calm down the strained muscle.