Cornot Snack- Health Book- Day 43

"Let's go for coffee!"

"Lets have tea and biscuits"!!!

"How about cold drink and bread pakoda"?

I grew tired of listening to my energetic colleagues during every break that we take. While I had shunned unhealthy eating a long time back, it becomes difficult to keep the temptations under control. I chalked out an easy way for these tea/coffee breaks. Instead of throwing trash in my body, I'd rather eat something healthy and nutritious. And this is what I made- Cornot Salad! Wondering what it is? It is a mixture of corns and carrots, the term Cornot was of course devised by me!

Method- Pressure cook a cup of corns. (Corns are easily available in Safal/Mother dairy stores and even with the local vegetable vendors)

Chop 1 medium or 2 small sized carrots.

Squeeze lemon juice and add chaat masala.

Cornot

You can make the mixture and store in refrigerator overnight. Carry it to your office next day and enjoy a healthy snack. I certainly don't need to cite the benefits of cornot, but for the sake of humanity I will.

1. You get Vitamin A & C from this dish.
2. Corns is fibrous and super nutritious.
3. No fat or cholesterol in this chaat mixture.
4. Fills your stomach without letting fat accumulate.
5. Better than tea/coffee or high calorie snack/beverage.

Stay healthy stay blessed !

Poetry- Guest post

Meet Andrew Alpin,born and brought up in Kolkata, loves music and to read books on philosophy and occult. His love for mountains brought him to Darjeeling where he stayed for 6 years. Now works as a restaurant manager and a part time web content specialist in Kolkata. He has been writing poetry since the age of 19. Inviting him for a guest post was a great experience. You can reach him at andrewalpin1@gmail.com or get in touch with him through his FB profile https://www.facebook.com/andrew.alpin.5?fref=ts

Can you imagine somebody writing such beautiful verses of poetry in childhood? I was very young when this poem was written.  Read two verses penned by Andrew in 1989 and 1990. 

Wind on the ridge

Wind on the ridge

Blowing strong and free

I hear your mighty voice

Roaring through the trees

Wind on the ridge

You shall not seem to mind

Each time I cross these rocky paths

My spirit I come to find

1989

Pain

Life is weary

And living is full of pain

Like a tired flower all withered

I long for the comfort of rain

1990

10 reasons to have Green Tea- Year Health Book: Day 42

Cuppa Green Tea

Originated in China, Green Tea was used to heal wounds and control bleeding. The practice continued in Chinese medicine and later in traditional Indian medical science too. Just like the difference between white bread and brown bread, green tea happens to be better than black tea pertaining to the processing. Green lea is not fermented unlike black tea hence retaining the antioxidants  and other beneficial properties.

A cup of green tea can give you several benefits like no other thing. For some, green tea tastes bad. However, green tea is a powerhouse for you. 

Sharing 10 reasons why should you have green tea-

1. Prevents Cancer- The natural chemicals of green tea, called polyphenols provide anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. Research shows that green tea drinkers compared with non-drinkers are less likely to develop pancreatic cancer, particularly in women. 
2. Reduces Cholesterol- Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. It also protects against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.
3. Anti-aging: Green tea's antioxidant (polyphenol) fights against free radicals. Hence it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
4. Skincare. Green tea also helps fight wrinkles on skin.  This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Green tea reduces sun damage and helps your skin glow.
5. Controls Diabetes. Green tea regulates glucose levels in blood, thereby slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes that result in fat storage.
6. Aids in weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism of your body. The polyphenol works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which our body turns food into calories. Green tea may promote a small, non-significant weight loss in overweight and obese adults.
7. Regulates Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. It works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them to stay relaxed and withstand changes in blood pressure. 
8. Prevents cold and flu: Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.
9. Controls Asthma: The Theophyline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.
10. For Bones: The high fluoride content found in green tea helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density. This is advisable for women in late 30's who lose their bone density.

Green tea of several brands are easily available in market. All you need is a cup of hot water and green tea bag. When we know that prevention is better than cure, then why wait till anything happens wrong? Stay aware, start early and keep the nasty illness away!

Happy healthy brewing!

De stress with SPA- Year Book, Day 39

Amidst my daily exercises, yoga and healthy diet, I suddenly came across something that I had never tried before. It was an amazing Spa therapy! I had always been apprehensive about getting a spa done pertaining to the odd stories heard from many. Secondly, I never had a chance to experience wellness through spa. This one just fitted the picture so well.

Located in the main market of Delhi’s South Ex-2, Four Fountain Spa, specializes in massage and spa therapies. You can rejuvenate yourself while de-stressing and healing by the physiotherapy way. “Touch therapy” has been known and practiced in India since ages. Four Fountain Spa helps you feel de-stressed by working on the points of your body. I opted for half an hour foot-reflexology to awaken my tired legs.

The ambiance takes away half of your stress. The moment you enter the place, the soft lights, the sweet aroma, the comfortable seating arrangement and unique aesthesis, instantly have a soothing effect on you.  The friendly staff immediately attends to you, and caters to your requirements. They are not pushy, and I give them one extra point for that!

Jyoti, the therapy expert, showed me the way to the massage room. The room had a row of neatly arranged sofa and comfortable stools covered with towels. The Buddha statues and bonsai plants immediately got my attention. 

                            

Jyoti cleaned my feet with a warm wet towel and tapped my feet with her fingers. She touched and stimulated the important points of my feet one by one. I came to know that every finger of our foot has a nerve that has a direct effect on our lungs, heart, kidneys and eyes. She pulled each finger of the toe gently and moved her fingers pressing the nerves. She massaged aromatic oil on my legs and made sure to arouse the sleeping muscles and veins.


 Jyoti moved my toe 360 degree and ran her fingers on my toe. Her magical hands were just perfect. The pressure on the points released all my stress gradually. I started feeling light and fell asleep for some time. The effect of the soft music in the room added to the enchantment. I woke up from my short slumber after she ended the foot reflexology.

I could not stop myself from asking where she had learnt the therapy art and I was surprised to know Four Fountain Spa has an institute in Pune. That’s where Jyoti was trained and is successfully leading her career from the past two years. Massage and spa therapy is a part of many physiotherapy treatments.  I was too tempted to go for a body massage at that time, but could not, because of less time in hand.

I was offered complimentary green tea after the session. The staff also gifted an aromatic balm to rub on forehead and sole to ensure good sleep. Loved that!

Four Fountain Spa is located in many places across India. They have a huge variety of therapies and massage sessions which is done with the aid of natural oil and healing ingredients. The packages are really economical. Click on the website for details- http://www.thefourfountainsspa.in/

Do try spa and massage at least once, which releases stress and invigorates you instantly. I added this to my YHB from now!

Destress thyself- Health Book Day 38

Exercise, coupled with good nutritious diet is the key to a healthy body and mind. We don’t have open space to walk around. We stay in high rise apartments with every item that makes life comfortable. But does that make life healthy? Even if we have space, we don’t have the time to utilize it. We seem to be on our toes always. After returning home from a tiring day at work, 90% people don’t feel like exercising. Either they would be too tired, lazy or stressed out. Alright then, if you fall in the above category, these exercises are you-

Practice deep breathing or Bhastrika- Sit in padmasan (lotus pose), bring the tip of your index finger and thumb together and place your hands on your knees, palms facing up. Arms should be straight. Close your eyes and inhale slowly. Hold your breath for 4-5 seconds and exhale slowly but deeply. Repeat the entire process 3 times. Then inhale exhale deeply with full force. Repeat 5 times.

While exhaling, imagine your fatigue and negativity flushing out of your body. Eventually you feel relaxed and calm.

Pronounce Aum- After deep breathing, practice “Aum”. The process more or less remains the same.

Inhale, hold your breath for 4-5 seconds. Pronounce “Aum” in the process of exhaling. Remember while pronouncing “Aum”, in the initial few seconds your lips would be oval like fish mouth. Purse your lips together and your nasal cavity vibrates with the M sound. The latter (M sound with lips together) should be longer than the “O” sound with oval lips.

Ideally these are practiced during the morning. However, one can do that in the evening too. These are great stress busters and make you feel rejuvenated.

Bhraamri- Your sitting position remains the same. Press your earlobes with your thumb. Index fingers to touch your forehead. Rest of the three fingers would cover your eyes. Do not exert pressure on your eyes. After deep inhaling, exhale from nose vibrating the M sound loudly. Repeat the whole exercise 3 times.  This exercise leaves your mind with a vibrating sensation.

If all 3 exercises are practiced in a sequence daily, gives you immense benefits-

1. Regulates the right amount of oxygen throughout your body
2. Increases your concentration
3. Acts as stress buster
4. Relieves you of fatigue& laziness
5. Refreshes mood, counters mood swings
6. Helps you relax

De stress yourself the yogic way and lead a happy healthy life!

Back ache? Health Book- Day 37

Recap- Yesterday was Dhanuraasan (The bow pose). Read the full post here- http://bit.ly/1gOoAiG

Today is a simpler one, named Bhujangaasan or the Cobra Pose. This is a back bend that stretches muscles on the front of the torso and strengthens your arms and shoulders. This is also a part of the sun salutation (Surya Namaskaar) sequence.

Step 1- Lie face down on the floor on yoga mat with your palms flat, placed beneath your shoulders. The tops of your feet should be flat on the floor.

Step 2- Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders and brush your elbows against your rib cage. Close your eyes and inhale slowly. Feel the stability in your pelvis, thighs and tops of your feet.  Exhale gradually before opening your eyes.

Step 3- As you inhale, steadily straighten your arms and lift your chest from the floor. Do not fully straighten them as if may feel uncomfortable. Extend through and deepen your stretch to create an even arc in your back.

Step 4- Push your upper body off the floor and straighten your arms as much as is comfortable while keeping your hips, legs and feet planted on the mat. Tilt your chin upward and lift your chest toward the ceiling. Press your tailbone towards your pubis and lift your pubis toward your navel, narrowing your hips. Keep your shoulders broad, but relaxed, with the blades low on your back.

The amazing benefits of this aasana- 

• Stretches muscles in the shoulders, chest and abdominal cavity.
• Reduces stiffness of the lower back, Strengthens the spine
• Strengthens the arms and shoulders, increases flexibility
• Improves menstrual irregularities
• Firms and tones the buttocks
• Invigorates the heart
• Improves circulation of blood and oxygen, especially throughout the spinal and pelvic regions
• Improves digestion

No more back ache! Health Book :Day 36

I am no doctor! I am no fitness expert! However, there are few tricks that I know and practice for my spine health. With the kind of fast paced and hectic lifestyle we have, little issues like backache often go unnoticed till they become a major issue. Do not ignore the slightest pain in your spine. It is the spine that gives you the ability to look like a human! Sharing few easy exercises to prevent and cure backaches-

1. Dhanuraasan- Bow pose-

Named after the bow's shape, dhanuraasan stretches the front of the body, thighs, abdomen and chest, throat, and deep hip flexors.

• It is a great solution for back ache.
• This asana gives a good massage to the abdomen so it cures prolonged constipation, dyspepsia,and other stomach disorders.
• This also increases energy and counteracts depression.
• It cures spinal hump and joint pain of the legs, the knees and the hands.
• It reduces belly fat, activates the intestines and increases the digestive power.

Step 1-

Lie down on your belly with your palms facing down next to your body. Exhale and bend your knees, bringing your heels as close as you can to your buttocks. Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles (Not the tops of the feet). Make sure your knees aren't wider than the width of your hips, and keep your knees hip width for the duration of the pose.

Step 2-

Inhale and strongly lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. This will pull your upper torso and head off the floor. As you continue lifting the heels and thighs higher, press your shoulder blades firmly against your back to open your heart. Draw the tops of the shoulders away from your ears. Gaze forward.

Step 3-

Pressure on your belly might make it difficult to breathe. However continue breathing. Stay in this pose between 20 to 30 seconds. Release as you exhale, and lie quietly for a few breaths. You can repeat the pose once or twice more.

Stay active and pain free with this aasan. More exercise for back would follow in the next blog posts. Keep watching this space!

                                   Keep fit with yoga at home and stay healthy stay blessed!

The butterfly - Health Book Day 35

As a part of the daily exercise regime and mission fitness, I am sharing an easy exercise called the TITLI AASAN or the Butterfly pose.

Benefits:

• This is a simple exercise to strengthen your thighs, tone the legs muscles and relax them.
• It also helps to open up the hips&  thighs and improves flexibility.
• This aasan also stimulates the reproductive and digestive organs.
• Regular practice of this posture is beneficial to the kidneys, bladder, prostate gland, and ovaries.

Method, step by step :

1. Sit in the Lotus Pose or Padma Asana. (Crossed legs)
2. Position your legs so that the soles of your feet touch each other. Your knees should be bent.
3. Try to position your feet the closest to your pubic area hence pulling your heels inwards.
4. Grasp your feet with your hands and sit up with your back as straight as possible.
5. Flap your thighs till your knees hit the ground.
6. Keep breathing throughout the activity.
7. You may speed up the lowering and raising of the thighs to further relax the muscles. This flapping motion is what gives the Butterfly Pose its name.

Few precautions-

• If your are recovering from any injury, do not try this at all.
• If new to yoga, please practice under expert guidance.

See the you tube video for the aasan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77yDLrRWCIg

Healthy to fast- Health Book Day 33

To fast is a way of detoxifying your body. However in India, it's more of a religious sentiment. Few Indians can fast for 5 days a week following five different Gods or beliefs. Whatever the reason of fasting is, the benefits are positive. Many do not know the benefits of fasting and the ways as well. You tend to hog or eat wrong things on your fasting days. That kills the purpose of fast.

WHY FAST?-

Fasting correlates to cleansing and detoxifying your system. It balances and tones your body system as well. Detoxification is a corrective process in our cycle of nutrition. During this time we allow our cells and organs to breathe out, become current, and restore themselves. We need not necessarily fast to experience cleansing, however, minor shifts in our diet such as increasing fluids intake, raw foods, and controlling congesting food, facilitates detoxification. Fasting also helps prevent and repair DNA damage that could otherwise develop into cancer, besides keeping you calm. Increase your longevity and immunity by fasts in the right manner!

STAY HYDRATED -

-Unless its a fast that is done without water, do not restrict yourself on water intake. Have more fluids like juice or toned/double toned milk.

-Avoid cold drinks or carbonated drinks else that should only raise the glucose level in your blood. Secondly these are acidic.

DIET PLAN-

-During your partial fasts (where in you can have meal one time in a day), include fruits and raw vegetables in your diet.

-Non veg food items are restricted as they have high protein and cholesterol.

-Advisable to opt for food rich in vitamin C.

FEW DONT'S

-Avoid using heavy gym machines or strenuous exercises during your fasting procedure. If you exercise at all, a brisk walk should be enough.

-Once you end fasting, avoid indulging in oily/junk or high calories food.

-Avoid fine flour (Maida) items.

With the right amount and kind of food intake, fast successfully and stay detoxified.  Take an ocassional break from food and bring a difference in your life :-)

Grab the grapes- Health Book: Day 32

The easiest fruit to eat.. Pluck and pop into your mouth. No peeling, no cutting.. Wow...This sounds like for the lazy bums haha

• Grapes are rich in anti-oxidant, which play a protective role against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease and viral/ fungal infections.
• In red or black grapes, the anti-oxidants  have  anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, as well as anti-cancer properties.
• Additionally, grapes are very low in calories. 100 g fresh grapes just provide 69 calories but zero cholesterol levels.
• Grapes are rich source of micro-nutrient minerals like copper, iron and manganese. Copper and manganese are essential co-factor of antioxidant enzymes. Iron is especially concentrated more in raisins (hence is a recommended diet). 100 g grapes is sufficient for electrolyte, potassium in your body.
• They are an also good source of vitamin-C, vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenes and B-complex vitamins.

The wonder grapes is anti cancer, anti virus, anti aging and anti heart disease agent. Pop in a mouthful everyday! Stay Healthy Stay Blessed  :-)