Believe it or not, what we eat is deeply affect how we feel both physically and emotionally. If you are in stress or in bad mood, check your diet and do little changes in your diet. This will help you to improve your mood. Our body works exactly as a machine. We also need a proper fuel which is protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals and water, which are found in a healthy diet. If it doesn’t get that, it would run poorly and ruin the engine. So your body needs a constant flow of food to fuel it. Make sure that you eat small meals regularly, which will prevent dips in your blood sugar. If you want to improve your mood, go for good carbohydrate such as fruits, lentils, brown rice, oat meal and vegetables. These foods will give you more energy and help to burn excess fat. It is also necessary to eat high quality   of protein egg, lean meat, cottage cheese etc. There will be major spikes and drops in your blood sugar, if you consume refined carbohydrate as they have a lot of sugar in them and you also feel cross and tired. So make yourself happy and fresh by taking more and more complex carbohydrate.

This phrase also has practical implications. Brahmins, a caste in India which is known for their strict vegetarianism, are very calm and silent, whereas the people who live at coastal areas have fish as their staple food. Fish dies a violent death. Hence seashores person go through various incidents of violence.

According to Bhagavadgita, whatever you eat it influences your thoughts and if could control your food you could control your thoughts. There are three gunas in Ayurveda- Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. These three gunas are fundamental attributes that are present in every human being with more or less domination. On the basis of these three gunas food can be classified as Sattvic, Rajasik and Tamsik. Sattvic food eaters are usually not aggressive in nature and are calm. The person has ideal combination of physical, mental and emotional harmony. Example of sattvic food are fresh juicy fruits, vegetables (that are easily digestible), milk and milk products, whole soaked or also sprouted beans, grains and nuts, many herbs and spices consumed in their natural and near-natural forms. Person having Rajasik food are usually aggressive and overflowing with energy as the rajasic food increase the speed and excitement of the human organism. Vegetables cooked in excess butter, with spicy and strong flavoring agents, are typical example of rajasic preparation. . A tamasic person is usually unhealthy, lethargic, and inactive. Refined food - be it cereals, oils or hydrogenated butter, stimulants and beverages like tea, coffee and soft drinks, fast and ready-to-cook food,  canned or frozen food, precooked and warmed food items like burgers, pizzas, pastries, and chocolates, incompatible food as well as intoxicants like tobacco and alcohol are tamasic examples of tamasic food.

Your skin is a reflection of your body’s overall health. A consistent maintenance is needed for your skin and body. In this busy life style, no one has enough time for skin care. One should always pamper himself for good care of skin. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems. Taking care of the skin means different things to different people. For many, it means a simple splash of water, using soap for cleansing purpose while most of us look out for cosmetic products for cleansing, toning and moisturizing our skin. But in fact it is not just taking care of your skin externally but internally also. The famous saying “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body.” It means that a well balanced nutritious diet play an integral role to achieve healthy glowing skin which makes the skin beautiful from inside. That’s why the old adage “you are what you eat” not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well.

Tips to have healthy glowing skin

·        Eat three healthy meals every day to make sure you receive essential to minimize your appetite for fried, greasy or sweetened foods which makes you more prone to acne.

·        Whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta should be included in your diet. These foods that are rich in fiber help guarantee a clean gastrointestinal tract, which is particularly crucial in acne management.

·        Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and yellow, orange, white, green, red, purple and blue fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums etc. The consumption of vegetables that are raw or cooked very lightly —that is high in fiber, vitamins and contains important trace minerals. Make it a habit to eat fruits and vegetables every day.

·         Vitamin A-enriched foods such as broccoli, watermelon, apricots, and also foods rich in zinc such as whole grain, beans, nuts and lean beef can also help to reduce acne breakouts.

·         Beta carotene is antioxidants found abundantly in carrots, oranges, yellow fruits and vegetables and acts as a protector for skin care. People who consume diet rich in beta- carotene can tolerate sunrays for a longer period of time.

·        Vitamin C helps to form connective tissues, makes skin supple and prevents it from drying. Guava, oranges, capsicum, cabbage, grapefruit, fresh lime, papaya etc. are natural source of vitamin - C and should be included in diet.

• Increasing consumption of junk food leads to a zinc deficiency and therefore teenagers generally suffer from acne due to zinc deficiency. Zinc helps in production of new healthy cells. Therefore, nuts and seeds should be included everyday in diet.

• Good quality oils such as fish, canola oil, canola-based spread, olive oil, olive oil-based spread, sunflower oil, and sunflower oil-based spread, avocado and nuts contain essential fatty acids (omega-3 & omega-6) should be included in your diet which keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking healthier overall.

• When eating out, remember that many restaurants continue to use trans fats for deep-fried foods. A better choice would be grilled or baked foods which are more likely to be trans-fat free.

• The polyphenols in Green Tea have anti-inflammatory properties that may also be beneficial to skin health overall.

• Drinking water will keep your skin hydrated and helps to flush out the toxins and discourage formation of wrinkles. Our skin needs about eight glass of clean water – everyday.  Hydration comes from pure, clean water — not liquids such as soda or even soup.

By Lifecentury

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, this is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease.

Risk factors:

·                 Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. This disease is not common before menopause.

·                 Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in her other breast.

·                 Family history: A woman’s risk of breast cancer is higher if her family member got breast cancer before the age 40.

·                 Certain breast changes:  Women having cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope increases the risk of breast cancer.

·                 Gene changes: Changes in certain genes increase the risk of breast cancer. These genes include BRCA1, BRCA2, and others.

·                 Reproductive and menstrual history:

Ø       The older a woman when she has her first child, the greater her chance of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who had their first menstrual period before age 12 are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who went through menopause after age 55 are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who never had children are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who take menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen plus progestin after menopause also appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Race: Breast cancer is diagnosed more often in white women than Latina, Asian, or African American women.

·                 Radiation therapy to the chest: Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received radiation treatment to the chest (including breasts), the higher her risk of breast cancer later in life.

·                 Breast density: Breast tissue may be dense or fatty. Older women whose mammograms show denser tissue are at increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Taking DES (diethylstilbestrol): Women who took DES during pregnancy may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Being overweight or obese after menopause: The chance of getting breast cancer after menopause is higher in women who are overweight or obese.

·                 Lack of physical activity: Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Being active may help reduce risk by preventing weight gain and obesity.

·                 Drinking alcohol: Studies suggest that women with higher intake of alcohol are at a greater risk of breast cancer.

Many risk factors, barring family history, can be avoided and women can protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors.

Natural Protection:

We’ve known for years that antioxidants can help prevent cancer. These naturally occurring compounds protect the body from harmful, excess free radicals. And the best way to have an antioxidant-rich foundation that is inhospitable to toxins and free radicals is through a combination of whole foods.

- by Dr. Anshu Kumra

The heat of summer is affecting everyone. Staying well hydrated is essential to maintain adequate blood volume, energy levels and body functions.

Most of us should consume at least 8-12 glasses of water every day. However, the exact amount depends on the activity level, the outdoor temperature and body composition. With hot humid days the need goes up. In addition, if someone has more muscle than fat, liquid- need increases. Stay well-hydrated by drinking water, beverages, juices, milk and eating lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

SUMMER SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

• Low fat yogurt – 1 cup
• Pineapple juice – 1cup
• Strawberries- 5
• Banana – 1
• Ice cubes (crushed) – 3

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients and blend them in a blender. Pour into tall glasses and serve with a straw each.

Yield: 3 servings

MANGO AND GREEN TEA SORBET

Combine the health benefits of green tea with the exotic sweetness of mangoes and you have a tasty Weight Watchers recipe.

Ingredients:

·                  Water - 2/3 cup

·                  Loose green tea leaves - 1/3 cup

·                  Sugar -1/2 cup

·                  Ripe mangoes - 3

·                  Fresh lemon juice -3 tablespoons

Preparation:

Put water and tea leaves in a saucepan. Bring just to a boil, remove from heat and let steep 5 minutes. Strain and discard the leaves. Return tea to clean saucepan, add sugar and bring to a boil. Boil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool.

Peel mangos and cut it into pieces. Puree mangos with lemon juice in a blender. Add tea and blend until smooth. Pour into a 9-inch glass baking dish and freeze for about 3 hours.

Transfer mango mixture to a food processor. Churn for 30 to 40 seconds and serve at once.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

By Dr. Deepika Malik

KITCHEN SPICES-YOUR KITCHEN DOCTOR

IN INDIA we have a treasure chest of spices literally so because the spices we use in our daily cooking has lots of medicinal value. Our kitchen herbs work wonderfully well on few of the ailments.

Turmeric-

         Turmeric is yellow colour spice in our kitchen commonly used to give vibrant colour to our world famous curries.

Medicinal use
Turmeric is used as remedy for the following common problems:

WOUND, BRUISES and SPRAIN:

1. Take 1 tsp turmeric powder with hot milk.
2. Take 500ml of water and boil it with 1 tsp sendha namak and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Give fomentation to the bruised part with a cloth soaked in this water. This will help get rid of pain and swelling in that region.

SKIN PROBLEMS:
1. Apply the paste of turmeric and sesame oil on body to prevent eruptions.
2. To avoid any kind of skin problems apply turmeric paste before a bath.
3. To cure itching take roasted turmeric with jaggery.
4. To eliminate freckles and spots rub ground turmeric on stone with the help of water and then apply this paste on skin.
5. You can also make a paste of ground turmeric with milk of banyan or pipal and soak it overnight and then apply it for 1 hour before bath. This will help in removing freckles and also give glow to the face.
6. Make a pudding of 2 tsp flour with 1 tsp ghee and 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tsp sugar and 1 cup water and take this in the morning it will halp in curing Utricaria.

DIGESTIVE AID:
1. To get instant relief from acidity take turmeric powder and salt in equal quantity with warm water.
2. Taking curd or butter milk with turmeric after lunch cures digestive problems.
3. Grind 4 gms turmeric, 4 gms dried ginger, 2 gms black pepper and 2 gms cardomom and take this mixture after meals this will aid digestion and will eliminate flatulence.

LIVER PROTECTION: Turmeric help in minimizing liver damages caused by taking excess alcohol regularly or using pain-killer.

ARTHRITIS: Turmeric help relieve wound inflammation and in treating arthritis.

                                 GINGER

Ginger has been used for years to treat a variety of ailments.

But the many health benefits of ginger are more than mere ancient remedies and folktale. Today, ginger is used to treat a wide range of health problems, which is backed by scientific research.

Ginger has the health benefit of relieving motion sickness and upset stomach. So if you prone to motion sickness, you should drink ginger tea.

 Experts believe that a compound called gingerol found in ginger is responsible for blocking the body’s vomiting reflex. Whether it’s for motion sickness, simple upset stomach or for morning sickness, ginger has the health benefit of working wonders on the stomach.

Is arthritis pain getting you down? The researchers believe that ginger was able to give relief to those with arthritis because ginger contains compounds that block prostaglandis that causes pain and swelling through inflammation. So take ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger and brew a tea or take six teaspoons of fresh ginger and drink your pain away.

Another health benefit of ginger is that may help relieve the pain and resulting nausea of migraines. Ginger is a food that has many health benefits. Ginger has the health benefit of easing headaches and migraines, easing upset stomach and motion sickness. So give ginger a try, it might just give your health that added boost.

                                  FENUGREEK SEEDS

Fenugreek is an amazing magic herb that can cure number of ailments. Indian Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine recommend fenugreek to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholestrol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Fenugreek is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.

Uses of Fenugreek

Home Remedy for Balancing Cholesterol

Treating Diabetes and Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

Herbal Cure for Skin Inflammation:

                    A simple skin inflammation remedy is to take a spoonful of fenugreek and grind it into powder. Mix it with warm water to make a poultice and apply it directly onto the inflamed skin. (A poultice is simply a piece of cloth that has been soaked into the warm water mixture and then applied to the skin).