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Tips for Keeping Kids’ Eyes Healthy

Eye care, particularly for children, is extremely important because they are at a formative age where their eyes are both vulnerable and in need of sufficient nutrition and attention. Be they allergies or infections, your children’s eyes could wind up with anything from soreness, redness, conjunctivitis and even changes in power. We have some simple tips for you to follow to make sure that your children’s eyes are protected and taken care of:
– Ensure that your children get a good dose of vitamins and minerals, especially in the form of raw vegetables and fruits, so that their eyesight is not in any way disadvantaged by the lack of nutrition.
– If your child is a swimmer, make sure that they use goggles to avoid contracting eye infections and allergies from the water.
– Make sure that their eyes are never rubbed or cleaned with unclean hands. If your kids are outdoors, in public places, or have just returned from public places where they held onto different things, make them use hand sanitisers to wash their hands to get rid of infections before they touch their eyes.
– Never splash water inside their eyes, because this affects the tear film by washing it away. It is a protective layer for the eyes, so one should be washing their eyes only when dust gets in, or foreign particles enter them.
– Make it a point to make your children wash their face and hands every time they are back home from outside. The pollution makes them vulnerable to contracting infections of every kind, so you need to make sure that nothing from outside – dust, grime, germs, allergents or infection, enter their eyes and leaves them with allergies.
– When your kids have a tendency towards allergic reactions, avoid using perfumes and cosmetics around them or on them, and avoid going around spaces that have dust, pollen, mould and even smoke. If they do wind up with an allergy, you can spot it by looking for signs of redness, itching, burning and puffiness. They may or may not be related to nasal allergies, so the best thing to do is to get in touch with your doctor.
– Another common occurrence is the accumulation of dead cells and germs, which results in bacterial infection, causing sties in children’s eyes. The key to avoiding sties is to ensure that you have good quality eyelid hygiene. How can you do this? Gently exfoliate their eyelids once in fifteen days in order to get rid of dead cells. Avoid using heavy cosmetics or cosmetics past their expiry dates, dirty towels and contaminated hands on their eyes.
– Take your children for regular eye checkups to keep an eye on their power, so that they can use corrective glasses at the earliest.

References:
http://healthmeup.com/news-healthy-living/7-ways-to-protect-your-eyes-this-summer/35999

http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/babies-children-teenagers-eye-health/
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/features/tips-for-healthy-eyes/

Picture Courtesy : http://www.milton.momstown.ca/

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Polio Treatment

It is a matter of great success that India has officially brought down its rate of polio to zero – but the efforts do not end with the milestone. Keeping the disease at bay requires a simple process of vaccination, and that ensures a longstanding sense of commitment in making sure that every generation is protected. A part of making sure this happens is to ensure that there is awareness.
Polio is a contagious illness that is caused by a virus. In its most severe manifestations, polio can cause paralysis, difficulty in breathing and even death. Polio is usually prevented by inoculation through the administration of an inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Immunity after a booster dose lasts a lifetime. There are different kinds of polio – non-paralytic polio that includes the same mild and flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, fatigue and muscle weakness; paralytic polio, which leads to paralysis, as the name suggests – and can affect the spinal cord, brainstem or both. There is also something known as the post-polio syndrome, which comprises a series of symptoms that set in with time.
The major cause for polio is a virus called the poliovirus, and it resides only in humans. It enters the environment through the faeces of the infected person, and spreads through the faecal-oral route especially where there is inadequate and insufficient sanitation. It can also spread through contaminated water and food, and even through direct contact with a person who is infected with the virus. Polio is quite contagious, and a person living with someone who has been recently infected, is likely to be infected. It is also possible for people to be carriers of the poliovirus, without knowing it, in their faeces.
There is no known cure for polio, therefore the focus is on attending on the symptoms and increasing comfort for the patient, while also keeping other complications at bay. Some of the most common supporting treatments include such things as bed rest, pain relievers, portable ventilators where there are issues breathing, moderate exercise to prevent deformity or loss of muscle function and a nutritious diet.
Preventing polio is perhaps the best bet to ensure that you remain safe and do not contract the disease. To ensure that you keep polio at bay, simple acts of washing hands and keeping clean is useful, and vaccinating your children at the earliest is exceptionally important.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/basics/treatment/con-20030957

Why Sitting For A Long Time Is Bad For You

We lead sedentary lifestyles – most of us, sitting hunched before our computer screen for long hours. It invariably affects our mental and physical health adversely. One of the major problems that the modern lifestyle brings with it is this sedentary style of living and working. We seldom spend much time in open spaces outside, and setting aside time for exercise has become a difficult thing to factor into the average day. Sitting for too long can be dangerous for the body because it creates a low metabolism, and also does not let you burn enough calories to last you good health.
Here are some sure shot ways to capture a few moments of exercise during your day, regardless of whether you are at home or at work. Here is a glimpse at a few ways to do just that.
– Take a brisk walk every now and then, no matter the distance. There are plenty of instances where you take a break while at work, to perhaps grab some coffee or to just munch a snack in the cafeteria. Instead of looking for a snack, a better alternative for you would be to take a nice, brisk walk and return to your desk. The burst of adrenaline and the exposure to the spaces outside the confines of your workstation can make you a whole lot more productive and your body on active mode.
– Jog on the spot, getting up every now and then Sure, it probably sounds like a random activity to throw into your workday, but if you get off your desk and run on the spot for a good minute’s worth every few hours, you give your body a burst of energy, and helps circulation, which keeps you mentally and physically active. The exercise is a perfect way to give your body a cardio boost, and engage your body in entirety.
– If you are inclined to doing this, enjoy a bunch of jumping jacks to work out in the course of your day. The fun part is that you can even do it sitting down! Sit down with your back straight and your knees bent and legs together with your toes touching the floor lightly. Quickly, open your legs and flex your feet and land on your heels with your arms touching overhead, and then return to the start position. Try to do this as fast as you can so your body begins to gain from the exercise.
– Make sure to include the regular activities of bending, stretching, squatting and reaching in your everyday activities. This will help keep your body flexible, supple and the blood in circulation.
– Knee lifts and leg lifts help to tone your quadriceps, inner thighs and abs. Sit on the edge of the chair, extend your leg out straight with the other foot on the floor, and then switch. Another variation is to bend your leg and lift the knees up in alternation.
References:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/Heres-how-sitting-harms-your-body/articleshow/46904613.cms
http://www.grandparents.com/health-and-wellbeing/exercise-and-de-stress/chair-exercises
http://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-While-Sitting-at-Your-Computer

Picture Courtesy : workandbull.com

Benefits of Breastfeeding

With the world becoming progressively more inclined towards breastfeeding babies, regardless of the time of day and the spatial setting – for the demands of maternity cannot be neglected – it is imperative that mothers make informed and conscious choices to give their babies the healthiest option there is. Children grow up exposed to food that is not necessarily sustainable for their long-term health and wellbeing, and therefore, it is imperative that they start off on the right foot with breastfeeding. Here are a couple of advantages of breastfeeding for you and your baby:
• Your baby starts off on the right food and is much healthier. Science shows that breastfed babies grow up with a strong degree of immunity and have a reduced incidence of pneumonia, colds, viral infections and even gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea and indigestion.
• Breastfed babies are strengthened enough to keep their health in order, so as to stay away from suffering chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and even Crohn’s disease. Breastfeeding helps babies process the healthiest food, and therefore they tend to grow up stronger.
• Women who breastfeed their children tend to have stronger bone health, and synthesise calcium better. During pregnancy, when a woman is lactating, her body absorbs calcium more efficiently, which helps strengthen the spine and hips. There is a lower risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
• Breastfed babies are also less vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome by about half the rate.
• Women who breastfeed are less likely to become obese, and the babies that are breastfed are also less likely to gain weight in their growing years, as well. The BMI, or body mass index remains in order. Breastfeeding is, itself, a calorie burner, and helps sweep out excess calories of the body.
• Breastfeeding is also exceptionally helpful in healing and addressing post delivery needs and recovery. Oxytocin that is released when the baby feeds and nurses will help the uterus contract, therefore reducing the amount of blood loss, and also helps the uterus return to its normal size quickly – at six weeks post partum, which would otherwise take 10 weeks if you don’t breastfeed.
• By breastfeeding, women are less vulnerable to cancer. It lowers the risk of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer, which is a rather deadly disease that is on the rise. Since breastfeeding helps the circulation of bodily hormones after pregnancy and during lactation, it is also exceptionally useful in creating a body memory that will help keep the hormones in circulation comfortably and keep cancer at bay.

References
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/20-breastfeeding-benefits-mom-baby
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/nutrition/reasons-raisons-eng.php

Picture Courtesy: .forestlanepediatrics.com

Healthiest Oils for Deep Frying

No Indian meal is ever complete without something fried: especially if you’re going the whole hog in your eating habits. The occasional samosa from the canteen, the burgers you indulge in on the way home, a packet of fried chips or fritters: they’re all made out of oil that isn’t necessarily the best for your health and longevity. Although the best is to avoid fried food in a way that you only eat them minimally, it is useful to ensure that your consumption of fried food is food that is crafted out of a healthy oil. Here are a couple of oils that are useful for you health wise:
– Olive Oil: A derivative of the olive fruit, olive oil is perfect for cooking – especially because of the quality monounsaturated and polyunsaturated content. It is also rich in vitamins E and K, and is perhaps one of the most heart-friendly oils in the world.
– Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil comprises medium-chain triglycerides, which are more often effectively used by the body as a source of energy than the low-chain triglycerides are. This automatically means that they have a smaller chance of being stored in the body as fatty tissue. Coconut oil is rich in these medium chain triglycerides and therefore, helps promote fat loss effectively.
– Groundnut Oil: Rich in the good kind of fat, i.e., the line of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, Groundnut oil also has a longer shelf life in comparison with other cooking oils. Since it has a rather high smoke point, it is less likely to impinge on your heart’s health. Groundnut oil is rich in nutrients as well, and does not affect the bad cholesterol levels adversely.
– Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil comes in with a very rich and oleic value, which helps tremendously because it means that the oil is rich in monounsaturated fats resources. It has absolutely no harmful trans fat. Since it is rather mild and has a lot of vitamin E content and antioxidants, sunflower oil is actually a dose of goodness ingested with every bite.
– Soybean Oil: Soya bean or Soybean Oil is the very essence of the nutrition in the soya bean – therefore, it is rich in the antioxidants and all the mineral wealth that soya beans are associated with. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats, and has a high oleic content, which ensures that the oil is good for heart health.
– Canola Oil: Canola Oil is an extract of mustard seed or rape seed, and is one of the best oils for the heart and its health. It works perfectly for deep-frying needs, and is rich in oleic content as well.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/The-healthiest-oils-for-deep-frying/articleshow/25210822.cms
http://authoritynutrition.com/healthiest-oil-for-deep-frying/

Smart Ways to Wake up and Feel Positive for the Day

Do you wake up each morning feeling like you’ve been snowed in, or that a steam roller has just whooshed over every ounce of happiness you’ve ever believed yourself capable of enjoying? Don’t lose heart: there’s a way to find all that happiness and sustain it. Here are a bunch of simple things that you can keep at, in your everyday life, each night before you sleep, to make sure that you wake up happier!
• Switch off all the electronic appliances around you. If you must keep your phone on through the night, keep it a good distance away from you – but the ideal is to switch it off altogether. Avoid filling your room with too many artificial rays and radiations that only harm your mind more than anything else.
• Stock up on vitamins. Your mood takes a beating when your body is deprived of the essential vitamins and minerals that it needs. Vitamin supplements are a good way to keep that level up.
• Indulge in some yoga, pranayama and meditation before you sleep each night. It will help you calm your mind and forget your difficulties and issues for a good amount of time so your mind can find the peaceful spot that will help you sleep easily. Consciously eliminate bad thoughts that creep into your mind before you sleep. This makes sure that only positive things come up when you wake up.
• Stroll a little before you sleep, preferably outdoors. It helps you unwind before you close down for the day, and lets you spend some time with nature, allowing your food to digest better, as well, so you sleep tight and wake up with a sorted mind the next morning.
• Listen to relaxing music before you sleep. Soft, lilting tunes are the perfect way to lull a troubled mind to sleep, so that you sleep with calmness in your mind. Avoid ear phones, play the music to fill your space up. Wake up to a pleasant morning with pleasant thoughts!
• Avoid drinking before bedtime, for it often affects your mind and body and tends to put certain kinds of thoughts in mind. Your safest route out is to indulge in something healthy to drink, and then to sleep tight without an issue whatsoever, and wake up with positivity.
• Smoking before you sleep is also a troublesome thing for your mind, especially because you wind up with insomnia. Smoking may be purportedly relaxing to some people who claim that their minds need it – but the fact of the matter is that there is absolutely no point in smoking if you are looking for peace of mind. Instead, you ruin your lungs.
• Write out a journal entry before you sleep each night, so that you unload all that is on your mind before you sleep. This helps you clear your thoughts and de-clutter your mind so that you sleep free of worry, and wake up with a clear mind.
References:
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/tips-tricks/10-things-to-include-in-your-bedtime-schedule-to-wake-up-happier-234544.html

Picture Courtesy:indiatimes.com

Simple Ways To Lose Weight

It is a big deal to have to juggle work and fitness, and to remain committed to a dedicated fitness routine. It gets tough if you have erratic schedules and crazy workloads that make it difficult for you to gauge, comfortably, what your schedules are like ahead of time. Committing to a fitness regimen, therefore, becomes tough. In such situations, while you can control your diet and be sure to eat appropriately, it is still not enough of a guarantee for good health, because the physical health quotient remains inadequate and unfulfilled. Here are some ways to ensure that your body gets enough of exercise without you having to set time for it!
– Start by consciously including more activity in your lifestyle. You can opt to walk to work, or walk back home from work, or if you are adventurous enough, perhaps even bike it to work. Use the stairs instead of the lift, and walk about to get your stuff done. You can also make an effort to walk about to do your own tasks rather to have a subordinate bring you things to your desk.
– Forget the chair and bring a gym ball instead: Sitting on a gym ball makes more sense than on a chair – the continued process of balancing yourself on the gym ball will help you keep your core working, and strengthen your back and leg muscles ably. It is a clever way to keep your body running, and to sustain the metabolic rate.
– Include the five core activities in your day consciously: Always make sure that you bend, stretch, squat, reach and twist. Keep your things in a way that you will have to get off your chair to reach out to get them – use shelves, use place holders under your desk, and even arrange your things in a wider setting that helps you get up and walk to it.
– Walk your pet! If you are a pet owner, nothing works better than to walk your pet and get some exercise into your regimen. Even if you don’t want to do it for yourself or for your own workout or wellbeing, your pet needs to get out of its confined spaces into the outdoors – and that is more than enough of a way to help you get your day’s workout quota in order.
– Keep track of your food: You can use a food journal or download a food app, which will help you ensure that you keep track of what you eat and how many calories you accumulate. This will help you understand consciously of how you may be toeing the line, and accordingly cut back.
– Play a sport: Blow off steam and get into circulation with your friends by playing a sport of your choice. Whether it is badminton or a good round of tennis, competitive swimming or even volleyball, keeping some activity alive on your front can help your heart health improve, and keep your weight in check. Competition brings your adrenaline to fore, and even if it is just an informal sport, being at it helps!
– Green Tea, please! Rich in antioxidants that help your body’s metabolism rise, green tea is a known tool to keep one’s weight in check.
References:

http://www.indiatimes.com/health/tips-tricks/7-simple-ways-to-lose-weight-without-hitting-the-gym-234624.html
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/tips-tricks/11-simple-ways-to-cut-500-calories-a-day-from-your-diet-234492.html

Picture Courtesy:konzervszinhaz

Ways To Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

High blood pressure brings a lot of symptoms with it, and can, if left unchecked, be damaging to your heart as well. The excessive force in the blood against the arterial walls can result in heart diseases. Reversing high blood pressure is, therefore, important. Blood pressure is essentially the amount of blood that the heart pumps, and the amount of resistance to the flow of blood in the arteries themselves. When the heart pumps more blood, and the arteries are narrow, the blood pressure rises. Here are a couple of things that can help you keep your blood pressure in check:
– White meats: Certain kinds of fish and poultry such as chicken can help you keep your blood pressure within the normal limits. The best way to eat them is with vegetables, so that your health remains in perfect shape. Stay away from red meats, though, because they are bad news!
– Garlic works like a charm to help you keep your harmful cholesterol in check, and thereby, having a ripple effect on your blood pressure. All you need to do is to either incorporate garlic in your everyday cooking, or, to have a sliver of garlic everyday to keep your blood pressure within accepted parameters.
– Onions, which are pretty much from the same family as garlic is, works very well as an additive against high blood pressure. You can include onions in your diet regularly, and for rapid and assured results, also have it as a concoction as onion juice with some honey.
– Curry Leaves are a great remedy to help keep and regulate your blood pressure. Since they have a lot of nutritive value, drinking curry leaf water can make your body stronger and your heart pump the right amount of blood.
– Spinach and Carrot work in combination to help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol and to keep the blood pressure within the appropriate range. Always make sure that you stock up on carrots, for the pigmented vegetable is full of resources that can keep you in good health.
– Reduce the amount of salt in your intake, and try not to exceed 1,500 milligrams (mg) a day so that your blood pressure remains on the normal side of the scale.
– White beans, or lobhia, help strengthen your arterial linings to withstand volumes of blood as they are pumped into them. A single cup of white beans gives your body 13% of the calcium, 30% of the magnesium, and 24% of the potassium you need every day, to keep high blood pressure at bay.
– Bananas and Kiwi Fruits are incredibly rich in nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, which helps your arteries fortify themselves suitably to increase the amount of arterial strength. This helps your body withstand sudden rushes of high pressured blood flow, and in turn, keeps the blood pressure lower.
References:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/home-remedies/Home-remedies-to-treat-high-BP/articleshow/19426208.cms

Picture Courtesy : http://doctormurray.com/

Overcome negative thoughts

The world can be a lovely thing to experience if you have a positive bent of mind. No matter what happens in life, things will always be okay – and if it isn’t, it isn’t the end of the show! Staying positive is half the battle won when it comes to taking on life and its myriad challenges. Here are a few simple tricks and tips so you can remain positive all through:
– Meditate to de-clutter your mind and find solace in concentrated silence, so that you are in tune with your thoughts. When your mind is full, you tend to gravitate towards stress and negativity.
– Yoga helps you ground yourself and ease your body into a state of calmness and peace.
– Read positive content and motivational stories to keep yourself motivated.
– Spend some time each day in your own company, unwind and do something you like.
– Invest in a hobby and give it your full and passionate involvement so that you encourage your creativity to thrive.
– Spend time with nature, especially around greenery. It helps you focus yourself on the more peaceful and positive things around you.
– Avoid negative people and those who bring your morale down. Surround yourself with positive inspiration and influences.
– Smile as much as you can – remember, it takes more muscles to frown!
– Don’t be a victim. You define your life, and you are responsible for it. You can decide what you want to be, and how!
– No one is perfect – so don’t ever hesitate to be accommodating to your flaws. Attempt to improve them, by all means, but don’t push yourself beyond what is acceptable and normal.
– Avoid dwelling on the past. The more you look at the past, the more you polarize yourself with the future.
References:
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-tips-to-overcome-negative-thoughts-positive-thinking-made-easy/
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/sex+relationships/wellbeing/how+to+make+a+fresh+start,17911

Healthy Indian Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, for you start your day after a good many hours of an empty stomach. It is important, therefore, that your breakfast be both, healthy and filling. You need the right nutrients to kick start your day, and encourage your body to begin to work on the right note. The Indian breakfast is one of the world’s healthiest options available. Here are a few good dishes to start your day with!
– Aloo parathas are simple and easy to make parathas stuffed with a potato filling that may or may not be spicy. All it takes is for you to mash a couple of boiled potatoes, add a few sprigs of fenugreek leaves, a dash of masala powder or pepper based on your preferences, and then roll it out along with wheat based dough for bread. Served with curd, pickle, ketchup, raitha or even eaten plain, this is one action packed way to start your day!
– Dosas are delicious dishes to start your day with. Made out of a batter made of rice and lentils, dosas are packed with nutrients to start your day. Eat it with a side dish of potato based gravy or coconut chutney.
– Idlies: Also made out of a rice and lentil based batter, idlies are useful ways to start your day if you suffer from indigestion issues, particularly acidity and heartburn. They are filling, wholesome and steamed, and are especially easy on the stomach.
– Upma, made out of rava, is a great breakfast option. Add to the mix vegetables and lentils, and you have a very enriched meal for the morning – filled with vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals aplenty. Variations of upma can include those crafted with vermicelli and even semiya.
– Poha or flattened rice flakes work well to add a great morning meal to your morning ablutions. Made with peas and vegetables, or even with jiggery and coconut, poha is a light but filling breakfast option.
– Sandwiches are the ubiquitous solution to beginning your morning. Multi grain or whole wheat bread as a base, along with tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber, carrot and peppers cut into slices can be a delicious way to start the morning. There are plenty of options when it comes to sandwiches, and all you need is a creative streak!

References:
http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-indian-breakfast-recipes-696080
http://idiva.com/photogallery-ifood/10-healthy-easy-indian-breakfast-options/24487
http://www.tarladalal.com/recipes-for-healthy-breakfast-489

Photo Courtesy : idiva.com

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