Friday, August 15, 2008

Happiness Is... Better Blood Sugar

DID YOU KNOW?
Astudy shows that depressed people may be 42 per cent more likely to develop diabetes. And the stronger the sad symptoms, the greater the odds.
    The culprit is unhealthy habits. Sad feelings, researchers suspect, can make you want to do some pretty unhealthy things like pig out before bed, sack out on the couch all day, or maybe even smoke or drink. And these things could put you on the road to diabetes. But bad habits are only part of
the picture, experts note.
Even in the absence of bad habits, depressed people are still more likely to develop diabetes.
    Battling depression may require counselling or other treatments if it's severe. But if you've got just the occasional blue mood, don't let it linger. Bust out of it.
    You can reduce your risk of diabetes if you lose weight. But you need to have strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure.


HEALTHY EATING

Full of Bean... Sprouts!

This neglected vegetable is far from being insipid and uninteresting

— INDIRA RODERICKS

 Used almost carelessly for oriental dishes, bean sprouts not only have a lovely fresh flavour, but are also good for you. All sorts of seeds can be sprouted, but the bean family are the favourites among sprouted vegetables. The bean sprouts most commonly available in the shops are sprouted moong beans. But aduki beans, alfalfa, lentils and soyabeans can be sprouted as well.
WHY EAT BEAN SPROUTS?

• They contain a significant amount of protein, vitamin C and many of the B vitamins.

• They have an excellent flavour, best appreciated when eaten raw in salads and sandwiches.

• For slimmers they are an ideal food, low in calories and can be enjoyed without any dressing.

BEFORE BUYING...

• They should be bought absolutely fresh.

• They don't keep for long and will taste sour if past their best.

• The sprouts should be firm, not limp and the tips should be green or yellow.

• Avoid any that are turning brown.

WHILE COOKING...
If stir-frying, add the sprouts at the end so that they cook for a minimum period to keep plenty of crunch and retain their nutritional value.

EXPERT SPEAK
Bean sprouts are a store house of vitamins and minerals. The process of sprouting not only increases the nutritive value but also lowers the calorific value. Sprouting also increases the concentration of the digestive enzymes which facilates digestion. Though sprouting is in all ways beneficial to us it must be remembered that the warmth and humidity needed for sprouting is also helpful to the growth of harmful bacteria as well. Thus extreme hygiene and caution must be exerted during sprouting to avoid foodborne illness.
    Expert: Pooja Makhija, dietician





STIR-FRY BEAN SPROUTS
Ingredients
1 cup bean sprouts 1 tbs soy sauce 1/2 tsp sugar Salt to taste 1 tbs oil for stir-frying A few drops of Sesame oil

Method
Wash and drain the bean sprouts, trimming the ends if desired. Add oil to a heated wok or heavy skillet. When oil is ready, add the bean sprouts and stir-fry briefly. Add the soy sauce, sugar and salt. Stir-fry another few seconds and add the sesame oil. Serve hot.

Simply Not Pimply

When freedom is the talk of the day, why not free yourself of the ugly spots on your face that are taking your sleep away? You need not rub fancy cosmetic or medicated creams into your face 20 times a day! Just a few breaths can do the trick...


YOGA Q&A
I'm really upset with the pimples on my face.All my friends have such clear skin... When I look at them, I feel so inferior that I want to avoid their company. Please help me with simple exercises and tips to get rid of pimples.
    — Geeta Joshi
From my teachers to my parents, all have their own reasons for my acne outbreak. I'm tired of explaining that there's nothing amiss. Thanks for clarifying in your last issue that it's normal for teenagers to have pimples. Please suggest some exercises to get rid of them too!
    — Jeetu Khanna

"Clear skin is all I want!"Well, that really seems to be the all-consuming desire of most of our readers who have written in. For them, looking good is about feeling good.
Acne shouldn't be a factor that prevents people from socialising or hampers their self-belief. Pimples can be easily cured. All one needs to keep in mind is that it may take time.With some people, it may take up to six or eight weeks to get rid of acne marks. Also treatment may not be applicable to all. Skin type also matters, so just because one facial massage worked wonders for your friend, don't blindly land up at a salon to get it done too! One of the best ways to fight acne is to rid your body of toxins and impurities. Having practised exercises to fight constipation (as we suggested in the last issue), add these simple exercises to your regimen and practise the whole set at least once a day to cleanse your system. Nothing works better than detox to make your skin pimple-free. While cosmetic treatments may remove the external marks, there's no guarantee that there wont be another acne outbreak, for the system hasn't been totally cleansed. So, breathe easy and smile!
LAUGH AWAY MARKS!
Acne outbreak often affects a person's social life and there have been cases where a person completely withdraws from social activity. Never resort to that! One of the best ways to get your mind off facial marks is to laugh out loud everday. This can be done after a brisk morning walk for 15 minutes. It will not only make you feel good but also provide your body with fresh air and rid your system of impurities. FIGHT PIMPLES AT HOME
• Avoid using cosmetic soaps or face washes. Clean your skin with besanor attaat least once a day.

• Try and use a medicated herbal cleansing soap, preferably one with neem, to wash your face.

• Always pat dry your face, rather than wiping it roughly
with a towel or tissue.

• Never try and squeeze your pimples! It may just leave a permanent mark. Also avoid nail contact with acne, as the impurities in your nails may increase inflammation.

• Wash your face with water at least three times a day.

1 Kapalbhati Kriya
Sit in sukhasanaor padmasana, your neck straight. Place both hands on the knees in gyan mudra, eyes gently closed. Exhale forcefully through both nostrils,
as you pull your stomach in. Repeat this 40–50 times till you are tired. Keep your body still during the kriya. Then breathe out completely and relax. Increase the process gradually to 80–100 times.
Benefits: Eliminates all toxins from air passages, cleansing body and mind; combats asthma and also massages the abdominal muscles and organs
Caution: If you have heart disease, high blood pressure or hernia, exhale slowly.


2 Sheetkari Pranayama
Sit in a comfortable position, like sukhasanaor padmasana. Place both your hands on the knees in gyan mudra, eyes gently closed. Roll your tongue inside your mouth and keep your jaws
closed. Now inhale with your mouth to your lungs' capacity. As you inhale, make a sound. Exhale through your nose. Repeat the process 20–30 times.
Benefits: One of the best and easiest ways to purify blood; very helpful in fighting gum problems and bad breath; doesn't let one feel too thirsty


3 Kaki Mudra
Sit in sukhasanaor padmasana. Raise your hands to the nose level. Inhale to your lungs' capacity through your mouth. Close your mouth. Now join your fingertips and close your nostrils with your thumbs. Hold your breath for as long as you can with your cheeks bulging out. Exhale through the mouth. Repeat 3–5 times.
Benefits: Usually associated with longevity; excellent for fighting stress-related disorders; stimulates digestive organs and rids the body of impurities; helps fight low blood pressure


4 Bhastrika Pranayama
Sit in a comfortable position like padmasana or sukhasana, with your back straight and eyes closed. Form the gyan mudra and
place your hands on your knees. Exhale to max capacity through both nostrils, then inhale through both with force. Repeat this continuously till you feel tired. Start slowly, and speed up gradually. Maintain a rhythmic pattern; inhalation time should equal exhalation time. When you breathe in, your lungs should expand—not your belly. Repeat according to your capacity, 30–40 times.
Benefits: Supplies maximum pran vayuto the body; removes impurities and purifies blood


YOGACHARYA DR SURAKSHIT GOSWAMI



Sunday, August 10, 2008

Power of BANANA


 


akagarwal2@essar.com
9909
 

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Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!  
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.    
 
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.    
 
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

 

 

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Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.   
 
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.    
 
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.    
 
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

 

 

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Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.   
 
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.    
 
Hangovers: One of the quickest   ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.   
 

Heartburn:

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.    
 
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.    
 
         Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.  


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Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at wor k leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.   
 
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.   
 
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.    
 
Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.   
 
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.   
 
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!    
 
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out.. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase        that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"