Laughter The Best Medicine

Laughing makes everyone feel good. Gift laughter to those around you and they'll love you for it!

Th e re 's nothing good laughter to rid the body and mind of ailments. In fact, most doctors advise: Laugh and live longer! And the reason is simple. Laughter makes life better by taking off load from one's shoulder. A sense of humour helps one to go through life's most difficult times—breakups, long illnesses, loss of loved ones, tension at the workplace... Laughter may not miraculously turn a negative situation into a positive one, but it does help provide a balm. It also helps one to relax, forget tragic incidents and face life with renewed energy. Studies have shown that laughter has tremendous health benefits: it reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood, boosts the immune system, improves brain function and may even decrease the risk of heart attack!
WHY IS LAUGHTER GOOD?
When we laugh most of our muscles get active, the respiratory and the central nervous system benefit, stress hormones decrease, endorphins increase (body's natural pain killers), immunoglobins are released which boost the body's immunity system and BP falls. On the whole there is a general feeling of wellness and happiness.
    Apart from the physical wellness, laughter also contributes towards a healthier and happier social life. A person with a good sense of humour is always in demand. At the workplace, a person who performs with a smile has better relations with his seniors and colleagues. People are naturally attracted towards him because of his ability to project a positive, optimistic and happier face. Good laughter = greater productivity. Laughter is one of the keys to building happy bonds with family and colleagues. Most girls look for a sense of humour in their partners among other qualities. Many couples have fallen in love and stayed together, despite yawning gaps, because they can "laugh together!"
HOW TO SMILE
An easy way to keep the smile on the face is to seek out funny people in your social encounters, read books on humour, watch films, theatre and television programmes which can make you laugh or simply get close to children. They are great stress relievers and laughter inducers! Spending some time with them can do wonders to you. Go down memory lane by reminiscing happier moments. This also brings a smile on your lips.
expert speak
'Laughter has tremendous psychological benefits but it has to be natural laughter. It's a great stress reliever, makes you more happy, relaxed. It has been proved that those who have a sense of humour recover faster than those who are depressed or suicidal. People usually want to share their laughter with others and this induces a sense of social belonging. It has also been proved that those who have a sense of humour are the ones who are intelligent and creative' —Amit Chakraborty, consultant psychologist
DID YOU KNOW?
Jan Thygesen Poulsen, a dynamic young man from Copenhagen, set up a Laughter Club in Denmark and celebrated World Laughter Day in January 2000. Jan created history by gathering nearly 10,000 people in the Town Hall Square on January 9, 2000. In spite of the cold weather, thousands of people turned up and had a laughter session, thereby creating a Guinness Book record! EXPERT: Amit Chakraborty, consultant psychologist

THEY SAID...
'Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live'
    —Anonymous
'The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter'
    —Mark Twain 'Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at' —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
'If every word I said could make you laugh, I'd talk forever...'
    —Anonymous 'Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter'
    —Friedrich Nietzsche
'God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh'
    —Voltaire

LAUGH BENEFITS
Hormones: Stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline and dopamine are reduced. Health-enhancing hormones like endorphins and neurotransmitters are increased. Laughter means a stronger immune system Good workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed. It even provides a good workout for the heart! Right Perspective: Laughter helps you see the funnier things of life Social Benefits: Laughter is contagious. By elevating the mood of others, it improves the quality of social interaction, reducing stress more! Fights Illness: Optimists have stronger immune systems and are actually able to fight off illness better. Overall, scientists have found that optimistic people are healthier and live longer!
It Feels Like Eating 2000 Chocolate Bars: A smile gives the same level of stimulation as eating 2000 chocos!

Fran Lebowitz  - "Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep."

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Spice up your health

Toss these spices into your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of disease-preventing antioxidants

Spices. Wars have been fought over them, great explorers have sailed in pursuit of them and gifting history was made by three wise men bearing them. Turns out that the ancients were on to something. Research is now showing that five spices we've long savoured just for their flavour are also nutritional power houses. Toss these over achievers into your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of diseasepreventing antioxidants along with a flavourful punch.

• Cinnamon: This natural germ-fighter also helps lower blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels -- onequarter teaspoon a day is a healthy goal. Sprinkle a little of the powder on freshly ground coffee beans when making your morning java, or try these irresistible cinnamon baked apples for a low-cal dessert.

• Thyme: It makes it into recipes for marinades, grilled poultry, and fish by virtue of its minty, lemony flavour; it makes it onto the RealAge list of healthy herbs by virtue of its anti-cancer potency. It's also long been used as an antiseptic -- yep, that could be thyme oil in your mouthwash. If you've got a fresh bunch, mince some into your vinaigrette. Yum.

• Cumin: Concealed in your humble chili powder is one of the world's most popular spices (it's a key ingredient in Indian curries, too) and another anti-cancer soldier. Go exotic and add cumin to rice, grain salads, and marinades or try this hearthealthy ultimate beef chili made with chunks of fattrimmed meat.

• Oregano: Thank our GIs for bringing oregano home from Italy after WWII. A food-world superpower, leaves of the herb boast 42 times more antioxidants than apples. Wow! Use oregano to add a delicate flavour to salad dressings, garlic bread, and omelets, as well as your favourite pastas.
    
• Turmeric: Called the
    "Queen of the Kitchen"
    by Indian cooks, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has earned its crown. Studies show promise in fighting cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimers — is there anything this golden gal can't do? For an earthy flavour and yellow colouring, add a pinch of turmeric to rice, stew, or lentils.

ALL FOR SPICE: Apart from their savoury value, spices are a nutritional powerhouse

Casey Stengel  - "All right everyone, line up alphabetically according to your height."

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The Six Foods: For Your Eyes only

The Six Foods That are Best at Helping You
Get and Keep Healthy Vision

 

Your eyes are your window to the world, so protecting them is likely one of your top priorities. One of the best ways to keep your eyes healthy as you age is to include vision-friendly foods in your daily diet.

Egg yolks have gotten a bad reputation for being high in cholesterol, but if you only eat egg whites, you're missing out on some of the healthiest nutrients for your eyes.

And contrary to popular belief, carrots are far from the only food out there that is good for your eyes.

The following foods will not only help to nourish and support your eyes as you age, but many of them can also help to reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration -- the world's leading cause of blindness.

1. Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are the best source of lutein, a yellow-hued antioxidant. One of lutein's most talked about qualities is its ability to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

Lutein (along with zeaxanthin, another carotenoid) forms the yellow pigment of your retina and absorbs blue light, a harmful component of sunlight, says Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. Researchers also suspect that lutein's antioxidant actions help to protect your eyes from light-induced oxidative damage.

Lutein is also found in vegetables, especially green leafy ones, but when 10 volunteers ate different sources of lutein (spinach, eggs or one of two types of lutein supplements) eggs came out on top. Those who ate eggs as their lutein source had blood levels of lutein that were about three times higher than that of those who ate other lutein sources.

The researchers suspect that other components in the egg yolk, such as lecithin, are responsible for its superior absorbability.

2. Brazil Nuts

One Brazil nut contains 120 mcg of selenium, which is about twice the Recommended Daily Allowance. Why is this a good thing? Because selenium's antioxidant activity fights free radicals that may damage your eye's lens and macula at the center of your retina. This may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. Blueberries (and Other Berries)

Blueberries contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that give fruits their red and purple color. Because of this, blueberries can help to prevent age-related damage and improve blood flow to your eyes. Anthocyanins also strengthen blood vessel walls, which can slow the development of diabetic retinopathy.

The blueberry is quite possibly the healthiest fruit there is -- it ranked number one in antioxidant capacity by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Aside from blueberries, cherries, red grape, pomegranates, red cabbage, and beets also contain high levels of anthocyanins.

4. Salmon

Salmon and other oily fish like sardines, herring, and black cod are rich in omega-3 fats. A study from Harvard Medical School found that people who eat fish twice a week while avoiding unhealthy fats like trans fats have less than half the risk of developing macular degeneration as people who do neither. Meanwhile, omega-3 fats help protect light-sensing cells and are linked to a lower risk of cataracts.

When eating fish, be careful to choose wild, low-mercury varieties. As an alternative, you can take a high-quality, animal-based omega-3 supplement, such as fish oil.

5. Papaya

One serving of papaya will give you close to a three-day supply of vitamin C, which is one reason why papaya has been found to protect against macular degeneration. According to a 2001 study by the National Institutes of Health, people with macular degeneration could slow the disease by getting 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 80 mg of zinc every day.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a cancer-fighting compound that's also a powerful antioxidant. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, human retinal cells treated with sulforaphane were protected from oxidizing free radicals for several days.

Not a fan of broccoli? Don't worry, other cruciferous veggies like cabbage, kale, mustard greens and turnips are also rich in sulforaphane

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Red grapes 'are wonder cure for high blood pressure and cholesterol'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Rich in antioxidants: Red grapes

Red grapes are more than just the source for the world's finest wine - the fruits themselves are a wonder cure against heart attacks, according to new research.

And while a glass of wine is a recognised part of a healthy Mediterranean-style diet, it seems the bits of the grape thrown away to make the tipple could be even healthier.

Researchers made a cocktail extracted from the most fibre-rich parts of the grape such as the skin and seeds which are the waste byproduct in vineyards.

Tests on human volunteers found the extract was extremely rich in both fibre and antioxidants which reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease - the world's biggest killer.

Most other superfoods for the heart, like the plant extract psyllium or healthy oats for instance, are usually good for either fibre or antioxidants rather than both together.

But the tests at Madrid University using a concoction called Grape Antioxidant Dietary Fibre (GADF) was high in both potentially lifesaving ingredients.

Over a 16 week period, adding the extract to the volunteers' regular diet 'significantly' reduced their 'Lipid Profile' - the range of tests to determine a patient's risk of heart disease.

This included reducing blood pressure by up to five per cent and cholesterol by up to 14 per cent among the volunteers, said the research.

A Mediterranean-style diet including components like red wine, olive oil and tomatoes has long been considered healthier than other Western diets rich in deep fried and fast food.

  More...

• The online diet disasters: How personalised plans offer advice that is often wrong and sometimes dangerous
• Drinking fruit juice 'may stop medication working'

The research suggests the grape extract would make such a diet up to 50 per cent even more effective in reducing the risks of heart attacks.

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in the Western World accounting for up to 50 per cent of all natural mortalities.

The extract, if turned into a health supplement, could be particularly useful for those who suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol, said the researchers.

The results are published in the journal Nutrition today/Wed after 34 non-smoking adults were tested with the GADF extract over 16 weeks.

While that was going on, a further nine students from the university who were not given the extract were also monitored so they could be compared to the first group.

Those given GADF saw 'significantly reduced total cholesterol', particularly LDL, the type known as 'bad cholesterol' which can lead to heart problems in later life.

The reduction in both cholesterol and blood pressure was much bigger than the effects caused by other high fibre products on the market, they said.

Researcher Jara Perez Jimenez said: 'GADF showed significant reducing effects in lipid profile and blood pressure.

'The effects appear to be higher than the ones caused by other dietary fibres, such as oat fibre or psyllium, probably due to the combined effect of dietary fibre and antioxidants.'

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laser Light for Clear sight

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Health Mistakes

 All of us make  little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run -  simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of  the most common mistakes made by  many of us.

Crossing our legs

Do you cross  your legs at your  knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the  lady-like elegant  way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t  want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs  and compromise your  health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the  other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the  floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both  legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider  crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is  a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and  your health than  sitting with your legs  crossed at your knees.
 

 

 

Not changing our toothbrush

 

How often do  you change your toothbrush? Most of  us wait until most of the bristles have  either fallen off, or are in such bad  shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However,  since not many of us need to pull out our  brush in public, we carry on with our  frayed one until we lose it. Replace your  toothbrush often. Damaged  bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your  gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you  might as well be  doing it right. Imagine going through the  annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a  day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your  teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised  otherwise.

 

 

Eating out often

There are oils  that are high in  cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better  for your heart.  However, no matter how light
The oil is, it is never a good idea to  eat too much of it.  Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favorite Indian  food
Restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita,  who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook  chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish.  No wonder the  customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt  so stuffed and heavy  afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting  served light and healthy food.

 

 

Skipping  breakfast

Never, ever  skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"S been  around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at  any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day,  and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a  light dinner. Here are some more  common health mistakes we make.  Being informed and making a few  changes can help make us feel a whole lot  better.

 

 

High  heels

High heels sure  look great, but they're  murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of  stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear  them when going out for lunch or dinner -  when the only walking you will be  doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are  going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest  in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you  love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will  then enjoy your flats as  much as you do your heels.

 

 

Sleeping on a soft  bed

You don't have  to sleep on the floor be kind to your back,  but do make sure you have a firm  mattress. Although a mattress on springs  is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank.  Similarly, if your mattress is  old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your  neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If  you will be spending  hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you  completely sink into are not the best idea.

 

 

Pillows

No matter how  comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist.  Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick.  If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow  if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on  your back, to give your neck adequate support.

 

Not  exercising

So all of us  know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a  health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse  to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people  only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal.  Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle  change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in  top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a  world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty  minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't  exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

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General Motors:Weight Loss Program

The following diet and health program was developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and is intended for their exclusive use. This program was developed in conjunction with a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. It was field tested at the Johns Hopkins Research Centre and was approved for distribution by the Board of Directors, General Motors Corp. at a general meeting on August 15, 1985. General Motors Corp. wholly endorses this program and is making it available to all employees and families.

This program is designed for a target weight loss of 10-17 lbs per week. It will also improve your attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing systematic effects.

The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burn more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.

This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.

During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol

You must drink 10 glasses of water each day

Non Vegetarian
Day One

All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.

Day Two

All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three

A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.

Day Four

Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.

Day Five

Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.

Day Six

Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.

Day Seven

Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

G.M.'S Wonder Soup

The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.

28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavouring as desired.

Additional Comments

Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil. You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.

Beverages you may consume while on the program :

1. Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).

2. Club Soda is OK.

3. Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.

4. Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.

5. Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.

How and Why It Works

Day One

You are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature's perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.

Day Two

Starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fibre.

Day Three

Eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.

Day Four

Bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You're in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go

Day Five

Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fibre. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colourless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five "quarter ponders". Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.

Day Six

This day is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fibre from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.

Day Seven

Finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it

Vegetarian

The changes in the vegetarian version of the General Motors diet is from Day Five, the first Four days are same as the non-vegetarian diet.

DAY FIVE

Today is a feat day. You will eat 1 cup of rice. You also have to eat six whole tomatoes and drink 12 glasses of water today to cleanse your system of the excess uric acid you will be producing.

DAY SIX

Today is another all vegetables day. You must eat 1 cup of rice today and eat all the vegetables you want cooked and uncooked to your hears content

DAY SEVEN

Today your food intake will consist of 1 cup rice, fruit juice and the vegetables you care to consume. Tomorrow morning you will be five to eight kgs. Lighter than I week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. Repeat the program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you rest for three days before every repetition.

You have your system under control now and it will thank you for all the purging and cleansing you just gave it. Even more than a diet program it is good to follow this diet once in a while to clean your digestive system and remove toxic substances that have a accumulated in the system.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Day 5:

Rice and tomatoes. The rice is for the carbohydrates and the tomatoes are for the digestion and the fibre. Lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colourless urine today. Do not feel you have to eat one cup rice, you may eat less. But you may eat six tomatoes

Day 6:

It is similar to five. Vitamins and fibre from the vegetables and carbohydrates from the rice. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today compared to day one.

Day 7:

You may celebrate with champagne. You may also have white wine instead of champagne, but in al practical programs, and in all surveys done to measure the success of the program, General Motors employees have always preferred champagne to white wine

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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.

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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.

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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

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Power of BANANA

 

akagarwal2@essar.com
9909

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.  

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!"   

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Scour.com invite from Akbar Jiwani

Hey,

Did you hear about Scour? It is the next gen search engine with
Google/Yahoo/MSN results and user comments all on one page. Best of all we
get paid for using it by earning points with every search, comment and vote.
The points are redeemable for Visa gift cards! It's like earning credit card
or airline points just for searching! Hit the link below to join for free
and we will both get points!

http://scour.com/invite/ways2earn/

I know you'll like it!

- Akbar Jiwani

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Lower cholesterol early for a long life

WASHINGTON- The best approach to reducing incidence of coronary heart disease, which kills millions every year, is by lowering cholesterol early on, according to University of California researchers.

Pioneering lipid researcher Daniel Steinberg, professor emeritus of medicine, University of California and colleagues Christopher Glass and Joseph Witztum, dismissed current approaches to lowering cholesterol as "too little, too late".

With a large body of evidence proving that low cholesterol levels equate with low rates of heart disease, "our long-term goal should be to alter our lifestyle accordingly, beginning in infancy or early childhood" and "instituting a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol diet in infancy is perfectly safe, without adverse effects..."

According to Steinberg, progress has been made in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adults with cholesterol lowering drugs like statins.

However, while studies show a 30 percent decrease in death and disability from CHD in patients treated with statins, 70 percent of patients have cardiac events while on statin therapy.

Promising new therapies are under development, but with an alarming rate of CHD in the US today, action to curtail the epidemic is needed urgently.

In fact, the researchers propose that lowering low-density lipoproteins ("bad cholesterol") even in children and young adults is a safe and potentially life-saving standard, through diet and exercise changes if possible. Drug treatment may also be necessary in those at very high risk.

"Our review of the literature convinces us that more aggressive and earlier intervention will probably prevent considerably more than 30 percent of CHD," said Steinberg.

"Studies show that fatty streak lesions in the arteries that are a precursor to atherosclerosis and heart disease begin in childhood, and advanced lesions are not uncommon by age 30.

"Why not nip things in the bud? Such early signs of heart disease should be taken as seriously as early signs of cancer or diabetes," he said.

The UC San Diego team noted that studies of Japanese men in the 1950s showed that consuming a low-fat diet from infancy resulted in lifelong low cholesterol levels, and their death rate from heart disease was only 10 percent of the rate of cardiac-related death in the US

These findings were published in Tuesday's issue of the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

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