10 Best Healing Spices and Herbs from your Kitchen

Turmeric
This golden spice, used in almost every meal in India is very valuable.It is a very powerful healer. It prevents growth of cancer cells and thus can prevent cancer. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduces swelling caused due to pain.It is also said to prevent alzhiemers and said to reduce severity of pain caused due to arthritis. This spice also acts as an antioxidant that helps lower cholesterol.

Cinnamon
Often used in coffees and other desserts, cinnamon is said to have the ability to reduce blood sugar levels .This spice contains antioxidants that help lowering levels of bad cholesterol. More good news for women- including this spice in your diet will also ensure less painful cycles.

Ginger
Good ol'ginger candy has always been an instant cure to motion sickness or has curbed a feeling of nausea. The spice does more than that."It improves your digestive process and prevents stomach disorders like flatulence. It is also said to regularize blood flow, thus maintaining your blood pressure.

Basil
Holy basil or tulsi is said to be a great de-stressor as it reduces levels of serotonin. Try a tea made of basil leaves and ginger for relief from indigestion, headaches and fever. Chewing on leaves of basil could also reduce symptoms of bronchitis and asthma.

Garlic
This condiment lowers your chances of getting cancer. Other than that,it helps in lowering bad cholesterol and keeping your blood pressure in control. It also has anti viral properties and helps in clearing your sinuses. Garlic is also a powerful antioxidant that protects your body against damage from free radicals.

Cumin
Cumin powder in water with salt and lemon is probably the best way to curb a diarrhea attack .It also acts as a blood purifier and is an excellent remedy for stomach cramps. Due to its cooling properties, it is added to most drinks and juices during summer.

Mustard
Mustard seeds is said to curb the growth of cancer cells .it also has anti inflammatory properties and is said to restore normal sleeping patterns in women with symptoms of menopause. It also reduces severity of asthma and lowers high blood pressure.

Saffron
Saffron is a powerful antioxidant too .It is said to be an anti-depressant and can cure bladder, liver and kidney disorders . A li'l saffron in your tea can relieve you of a cold too. Saffron also has antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties. Rubbing saffron on sore gums can provides relief.

Cardamom
Known as elaichi, this spice is also effective in curing stomach cramps. It is also said to cure other stomach disorders like flatulence and acidity .It also improves your circulation to your lungs. Boil water and add mint leaves and cardamom to it and have it to cure hiccups.

Mint
Mint or pudina is known to ease symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome. It is also known to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Mint oil when rubbed on your forehead soothes headaches too. Mint paste while applied on pimples and acne can cure it.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 1

Apply sunscreen and rich moisturiser at least 10 minutes before going out to play with colours.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 2

Apply copious amounts of olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or mustard oil on your face and body. Also apply some oil behind your ears, ear lobes and nails as these are points were the colour really tends to settle.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 3

Massage your hair well from scalp to hair tips with coconut, olive or castor oil. This oil gives your hair a protective covering and shields it from harmful chemicals, dust and dirt. This will help the colours come off easily later.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 4

Cover your lips with a thick coat of lip balm to protect them from colour damage.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 5

Avoid all facial treatments during this period. If you are prone to allergies and rashes, visit your dermatologist to check whether you need precautionary medication.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 6

Wear clothes with long sleeves and full length bottoms to protect your skin.

 

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 7

Don’t sit in sunlight after playing Holi. It makes it difficult to remove and harm the skin as well. Sit in shade even when playing outdoors.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 8

To get rid of the colour from hair completely, wash it 2-3 times. Apply lot of moisturizer on body and face after taking shower.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 9

You can apply light daytime make-up. Touch up your eyes with an eye-pencil or kajal stick and use a lip gloss or balm. However, if you intend to play rigorously with colours, try not to wear any make-up.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 10

Protect your nails from the harsh effects of colours by using a transparent nail polish Opt for red or pink colours because they can be easily removed as compared to colours like yellow, green, orange or dark purple as they have comparatively more harmful chemicals in them.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 11

Try to ensure a safe and skin-friendly Holi by using herbal or natural colours: henna or spinach (green), turmeric or marigold flowers (yellow), tomatoes or beetroot or kumkum (red) & tea leaves (brown).

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 12

After playing with the colours, remember not to use harsh soaps to get rid of colours from your skin. Do not wash your face with soap immediately because soap is alkaline and causes further dryness. Instead, use a cleansing cream or lotion, like cleansing milk which soothes the skin while cleansing. Massage on the skin and then wipe off with moist cotton wool.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 13

Til oil can also be used to remove colours by massaging it on face and body. This not only helps to remove the colours, but gives added protection to the skin.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 14

While washing your hair, first rinse it with plenty of plain water to wash off  the dry colours and tiny particles of mica. Apply a mild natural shampoo which deeply cleanses the hair without causing any further damage. Work it into the hair with your fingers, massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly with water again.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 15

Add the juice of a lemon to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This helps to restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Beer can also be used as a last rinse to soften and condition the hair.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 16

You can also apply a hair pack made of amla powder, boiled shikakai powder and water. Another homemade recipe for hair pack that works is a mixture of henna powder, four teaspoons of lemon juice and curd. Apply on hair and wash off after an hour.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 17

Use a toner to close the pores on your face before you head out. This way, you reduce the chances of colour going in too deep.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 18

Don’t forget to wear waterproof sunscreen before you step out for a day in the sun!

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 19

It’s a good idea to wear a thick scarf or bandana to cover your hair.

Skin Care and Hair Care Tips for Holi # 20

Don’t wear lenses when you go out to play! While Holi colours by themselves cause irritability, lenses have a tendency to absorb the colour, thereby making things worse. Wear glasses and keep wiping them clean from time to time.

3 TECHNIQUES TO LIGHTEN UP COOKING WITHOUT LOSING FLAVOR

Getting creative in the kitchen is an essential component of healthy cooking. These three simple techniques will help keep you on a healthy track and also create satisfying meals without sacrificing flavor.

Sub in citrus: Fresh citrus juice has so many applications in the kitchen. Instead of topping your favorite vegetables with heavy sauces or cheese, try lemon or lime juice to add bright flavors. Lemon and orange juice also make delicious bases to light and tasty salad dressings. This way you can forget the store-bought stuff that is heavier in calories and fat. Try this citrus-lime dressing in your next salad.

For the Citrus Lime Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 orange, juiced
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp oregano

Bake your favorites: Frying is not an ideal technique for everyday eating. Baking in the oven is more time consuming, but the benefits make it worth the effort. You can bake puris,samosa,non veg etc.
Wet sauté: To save calories and add a new depth of flavor to your vegetables, forget the oil and use vegetable broth instead. A general rule is to use twice as much vegetable broth as oil. Add fresh chopped herbs or a sprig of thyme to freshen up the flavor even more.
Are you getting serious about your health this year?

CORRECT SLEEPING POSITIONS

CORRECT SLEEPING POSITIONS 

Sleeping on your back
The pros: This position is great for balancing out your body weight and keeping your internal organs aligned. Just be sure to keep a pillow under your knees to help maintain proper alignment of your back.

Sleeping on your side
The pros: Lying on your side in the fetal position with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs is said to take stress off your back. What's important is that you use a pillow that will keep your head in a neutral position so that your head won't drop and affect your posture. And did you know that sleeping on your left side reduces heartburn pain and is best when you're pregnant since it increases blood and nutrient flow to your baby?This position follows the natural curvature of the spine.

INCORRECT SLEEPING POSITION

Sleeping on your stomach
Sleeping on your stomach is a BIG NO-NO . Sleeping on your stomach flattens the natural curve in the lower back and keeps your head turned to one side all night, which distorts the alignment of the spine in your neck. This position can also exert unnecessary pressure on your nerves which will cause pins and needles when you wake up.

8 STEPS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Boost Your Body's Defenses

Your immune system is important. Very much like your own personal army, it guards your body against attacks from invaders (like bacteria, fungi, and viruses), defending against infections and several kinds of cancer. But just like any other body system , your immune system can deteriorate if you don’t treat it well. Keep it functioning at its peak performance, so you can stay healthy, too, by following these six steps. 1. Eat Right In theory, this one is pretty simple: Eat just enough of the right foods when you feel hungry.

Just as important as how much you’re eating, is what foods you’re eating. Some nutrients and foods that have been found to enhance the immune system include Vitamins  A,C,E,Zinc,Omega 3

2. Exercise Regularly
Numerous studies show that regular exercise reduces the number of sick days. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to provide these benefits—in fact moderate exercise may even achieve a better result,for eg walk for 30- 45 min 5 days a week.

3. Get Enough Sleep
Deep sleep stimulates and energizes the immune system, while sleep deprivation has the opposite effect. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average adult needs between 6 and 8 hours a night

4. Manage Stress
 According to the National Institutes of Health, hormones (like cortisol) that hang around during chronic stress can put us at risk for obesity, heart disease, cancer, and a variety of other illnesses. So find a way to de stress a few times per week, whether you exercise, practice yoga, meditate, or take a relaxing bath.

5. Quit Smoking
Smoking and using tobacco products contributes to a host of health problems, and this is one more you can add to your list for reasons to quit.

6. Consume Alcohol in Moderation

Clinical and Experimental Research states that alcohol abuse can also lead to immunodeficiency, making you more susceptible to bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases. But the moderate use of alcohol (one drink daily for women, and two for men) has not been associated with negative effects on the immune system.

7.Drink Your Water

Water helps to cleanse the body and remove toxins, including germs. By keeping body systems, especially the respiratory system, well hydrated, you can enhance your virus-fighting potential. Aim for 8 10 glasses a day to help fend off germs! 

8.Lose Weight

Research  has shown that obesity prevents the immune system from functioning properly, increasing its vulnerability to infection. In a study, obese mice were 50 percent less capable of killing the flu virus, compared to lean mice. The researchers believe that the same holds true in humans.

FIVE COLOURS IN YOUR DAILY DIET

1)Red

Beetroot, cherries,rasberries, pomegranates, red apples, red capsicum , red onions, red radishes, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelon. This group contains lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect against cancer and heart disease. Foods in this group may also help reduce the risk of complications from diabetes, help control high blood pressure and slow the effects of aging.

 2)Blue/Purple
Beets, blackberries, prunes, cranberries, plums, purple cabbage, brinjal. This group contains anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. They may also help reduce your risk of certain cancers, complications from diabetes and age-related memory loss.

3) Green
All leafy vegetables, beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, green apples, kiwi, green pears, lime, olives, and green peas,cucumber. This group contains sulfurorphane, isothiocyanates and indoles which may help reduce your risk of cancer. Green/Yellow fruits and vegetables also contain lutein and carotenoids that help fight age-related vision problems. Leafy greens are also a good source of iron, folate, calcium, vitamin K, A and C.

4) Yellow/Orange
Apricots, carrots, oranges,papaya, golden apple, lemon, pear, pineapple, pumpkin, yellow capsicum and yellow tomatoes are excellence source of yellow food. These are rich in Alpha carotene, Beta carotene, Beta cryptoxanthin, Vitamin C, and Bioflavonoids.These nutrients protect against cancer and heart disease as well as contributes to good vision, healthy skin, healthy bones and teeth and a healthy immune system.

5) White

The good source of white food are, cauliflower, onions, ginger, mushroom, turnip, garlic, white corn,radish . This group contains allicin, which helps fight infection as well as flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that help protect against cancer and heart disease.

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