Another tip to get you through the full day fast

Another tip to get you through the full day fast

Some prefer to keep a proper fast without even touching an ounce of water.

So in this situation, you should prepare yourself a day before.

Drink enough amount of water the previous day to help you stay hydrated on the day of fast.

Also, it is advisable to replace tea and coffee with lemon water, coconut water, etc. to help you stay calm during the day of fast.

Since the no water fast is kind of tough, and if you never kept that before, we advise you follow this practice.

Happy fasting!

Happy Karvachauth Ladies!

Happy Karvachauth Ladies!

This is a special occasion simply to celebrate the goodness of life and the special people around you!

A day of fasting could be a day of detoxing your system and chilling out and relaxing.

But as we becoming modern, we are tweaking things and occasions and everything else to our comfort levels.

So if you are one of them to fast and break your fast 7 to 8 times a day by consuming colas and chips,

I have an alternative to suggest.

Fast as per your choice, because no one will get a moment extra to live. As we know the destiny and karmas are playing its part and we can't change someone's or our owns birth and death.

So when you binge in between, binge smart.

Eat fruits when you can't resist, this way at least your body still will be detoxing and gaining benefits.

But one full day of fasting has immense health benefits too.

1. Fasting helps in weight loss
2.  Fasting improves insulin sensitivity
3.  Fasting speeds up the metabolism
4.  Fasting promotes longevity
5.  Fasting improves hunger
6.  Fasting improves your eating patterns
7.  Fasting improves your brain function
8.  Fasting improves your immune system
9.  Fasting contributes to self-enlightenment
10.  Fasting helps clear the skin and prevent acne

Happy Fasting!

Green juice No. 2

I think Green juices are going to be a part of my diet now.

The reason being it is easy to consume green leafy vegetables and gain the most of nutrients.

Because the process of cooking destroys the antioxidants and other nutrients from the food.

I am not going to give up on my main meals, and fruits I prefer to eat rather than juice it.

Green leafy vegetables I wanna have more of them.

New addition to my diet: GREEN JUICE

Why Green Juice? 

A new addition to my diet is Green Juices.

I live on fruits but I seek more nutrition in my diet.

Cooking destroys the nutrition value of the vegetables, so to gain most of the green vegetables, it is a good idea to juice them and gain the most of nutritional value.

But few things to keep in mind is :

Drink them on an empty stomach to gain most of it.

Move your body so that your body could assimilate more nutrition from the food.

The lazy body will never assimilate nutrition from the food.

If you are suffering from Diabetes

If you are suffering from Diabetes

A lot of packaged food comes with extra sugar.

Extra sugar not 5 to 10% but its way beyond our body could manage.

Sugar in large amounts can drive insulin resistance and also other serious conditions like Diabetes 2 or Heart diseases.

If you consume foods like

Diet Colas
Aerated Drinks
High Energy Drinks
Ice Creams
Ketchup
Sugar-free (even more harmful)
Juices

These foods are unhealthy and should not be consumed or occasionally.

Make fresh versions at home.

Prefer fresh lemon water rather than diet colas.

Buy fresh fruits rather than packaged juices.

More coming up in my video.

Why is breakfast important?

Interesting read...

Brain: “Hey blood, how much glucose is left?”

Blood: “Um…let me check….uh oh….only enough for 15 minutes may be.”

Brain: “Damn, that’s not good. Hey liver, anything in your reserves?”

Liver: “As always, yes. I’ve learnt to save, you see. I can help, but for not more than 45 minutes.”

Brain: “Phew! I hope my owner can consume his breakfast by then. Until then, emergency alert! Save everything and use your resources economically.”

This is exactly what happens inside your body every day when you wake up.

After the brain sounds an emergency alert, the hormone named cortisone introduces a mechanism that lets the cells in your body open up to let out proteins.

These proteins pass through the liver and generate blood glucose.

This process continues until you eat your breakfast.

So the bottom line is that people who skip their breakfast are eating their own cells/muscles.

This leads to loss of muscle and loss of brain activity.

This further leads to a lower metabolism rate.

So when you finally have your lunch, all the food is accepted as an excess and is considered as fat reserves.

Your body stores all the food as fat in order to use it in emergency situations.

And while all this happens, your brain, that is supposed to be taking intelligent decisions, is just trying manage an emergency situation and damaging your body in the process.

Hence, never ever skip your breakfast!

Nurture your body in the morning with a healthy breakfast and it will nurture you back with good health, energy and a steady mind.

The power of the journal

The power of the journal

What gets scheduled gets done.

When you write your goals down in a diary, it has a great power to remind you and to help you stay on track.

Kids are often told and reminded again and again to write down today's homework in a diary.
Why?

One of course so that parents get to know about it.

But kids remember it too when they write it down, and that's the power of writing.

When you make a journal and write down your meal schedule and your exercise schedule, it reminds you of your goal, and you tend to do something about it.

A lot of business coaches tell you to make a journal.

This tactic works quite well in health and diet.

Maybe you schedule every Sunday evening for the upcoming week.

I make my monthly exercise schedule to keep me on track.

Yes, I have to work hard to keep myself on track.

When you feel low or stressed

When you feel low or stressed

Indian women are a lot more emotional, so they tend to think more, and sometimes that leads to overthinking.

Whenever you feel you are getting into the trap of thinking and overthinking, try to walk around for 5 to 10 minutes.

Movement is great therapy and has a brilliant effect on mind and body.

You can choose to walk in your home or office.

Go for a small walk in nature.

Nature is a great healer and nothing's better than that.

You owe yourself

You owe yourself

One hour a day of self maintenance.

It can include

Reading, writing, meditating, yoga, exercise, painting, or cooking.

But, you owe it to yourself.

One hour is 1/24th of your day.

That's less than 5%.

It matters, it really does.

Make it count. 

Calcium absorption - the real worry?

Calcium absorption - the real worry?

If calcium absorption is your worry, they consider the following options

1. Take your calcium supplement along with your meals

2. Do not more than 500 mg at one time

3. Include calcium-rich foods like milk, soybeans, oranges, okra (bhindi), almonds, spinach, sesame seeds.

4. Along with calcium, you need to have the right amount of vitamin d, magnesium, and vitamin k.

5. Sources of vitamin d are sunlight, mushrooms, soy milk, cheese.

6. Sources of magnesium are dark chocolate, cashews, green leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, kidney beans (rajma).

7. Sources of vitamin k2 basil, cabbage, mustard, ladyfinger, cucumber, carrots, chilli powder, clove

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin

People these days are Vitamin D deficient.

The reason mostly lies in our diet and lifestyle.

We have almost stopped eating good quality fats.

Earlier our meals had a good amount of ghee and oils.

Now we run away from oils and ghee is a big no.

Because you think it is fattening.

It is not.

Eating ghee regularly is the key to weight loss.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it means, the body will absorb this vitamin in the presence of good quality fats.

If you are popping pills or soaking in sun the whole day, it won't increase your vitamin d levels until your body has the required amount of fats.

Circle of friends

Best Vegetarian Sources of Omega 3

Best Vegetarian Sources of Omega 3

Non-vegetarian can easily get their dose of Omega  3 from Fish.

Vegetarians should not ignore this nutrient from the diet, as it an essential fatty acid, good for skin, bones, heart.

It has many amazing benefits for mind and body.

1. It can fight depression and anxiety
2. It can improve eye health
3. It can promote brain health during pregnancy and early life
4. It can reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome
5. It can fight inflammation
6. It can fight autoimmune diseases like diabetes
7. It can improve mental disorders
9. It can fight age-related mental decline and alzheimer's disease
10. It may help prevent cancer
11. It can reduce asthma in children
12. It can reduce fat in your liver
13. It may improve bone and joint health
14. Omega 3 fats are good for your skin

Vegetarian Sources of Omega 3 are

1. Mustard Seeds & Oil
2. Flax Seeds
3. Chia Seeds
4. Walnuts

Get strong bones

Get strong bones

Your health should be the utmost priority.

But, sad to see for some people health is not even on the list, it is simply in the dreams.

I am saying this because when it comes to taking action towards the health, towards eating right, time to exercise, they very easily postpone it for tomorrow.

Your life, your choices, you might have other urgent priorities in life, but I am just reminding you that every time you put things off for tomorrow you losing an opportunity to build your health.

In this blog, I am suggesting few ways to build strength in your bones, and it will be extremely beneficial in your 40's and beyond, and will save you from unnecessary aches in bones and joints.

1. Exercise: Try Strength Training, Yoga (It should be challenging). Brisk Walking.

The right exercise is must for all age groups.

2. Lead an active lifestyle

The more you stay active on a day to day basis, the more you will retain the strength in your bones.

When you stay active, you build strength.

When you are sitting for a longer period, you are losing strength.

3. Eat a balanced diet

Your diet should have enough carbs, protein, and fats.

4. Get your vitamins and minerals in place

All these essential nutrients should be adequately present in your diet - Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Omega 3, Zinc, Vitamin D.

5. Go in sunlight

Most of the Indians are not getting enough sunlight. Living indoors has kind of become an addiction because there are enough activities we are engaged indoors.

Go party outdoors, soak yourself in the sun. 

10000 steps a day

10000 steps a day

Walking is a great physical activity.

It does not count as exercise, but it has amazing benefits for mind and body.

I literally can walk for an hour non-stop, I would do so because you feel amazing and fresh in mind and body both.

It immediately takes away your stress.

As we are leading a more sedentary lifestyle and depending more on technology, fitness applications and devices, have a minimum goal for about 10000 steps a day.

It makes for about 5 miles a day which is the utmost essential on a daily basis. And, it is a bare minimum.

If your goal is weight loss then please make thrice the efforts:)

Who are you becoming?

Wrong people feel jealous, pull other people down, have no goals and ambitions, always making excuses, have no discipline in life, feeding themselves with food all the time, intoxicating their mind with gossiping and screen.

Right people lifting themselves, lifting others, working hard towards a goal, exercising, taking control of their thoughts, taking control of their energies, learning new things, they feel inspired when other people succeed. Whereas, wrong people feel jealous when others succeed.

As Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10000 ways that won't work." Best people keep trying because they believe in themselves and have a deep desire to succeed. Whereas wrong people give up quickly and believe they cannot win, they cannot achieve, they cannot become, and the list goes on. And when they do not utilize their energies into constructive work, into uplifting themselves up, they use that energy to pull others down. Wrong people always creating problems for the right people.

It is all about energies. Every day, every morning, each one of us is blessed with immense energy. Your mind and body are recharged after 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Now what you do with that energy is up to you. You can channelize into good, you can channelize into bad. People who have no ambition will find the easy way out and will channelize their energies into pulling others down because it is an easy way out.

It requires will power to stay positive, to think positive, to take positive actions. It requires no will power to think negative. You will have to work hard in a positive direction. That is why parents ask their kids to mingle with the right people else you will be influenced. We as adults also need to mingle with people that are good for our mind, body, heart, and soul.

Your life, your choices. You should know very well that your present thoughts and actions creating your future life and destiny.

In the end, there are no wrong people or the right people. There are just people who make the right choices in life and wrong choices in life. Hope you stand for utmost positivity and continue to strive for a higher purpose in life.

Flex as you age

Flex as you age

The flexibility of the body helps you bend easily, move easily, rotate easily if you see dancers moving in all possible directions from their body is flexibility.

The flexibility of mind helps you see things from different perspectives, and it helps you understand life in a better way.

But, alas, as you age, you lose the flexibility of mind and body both.

You have seen a child doing all movements he will do it quite easily, but after 40 you try to bend, it is becoming difficult.

The very basic test of flexibility is - stand straight, legs together, and now try to touch your hands to the feet.

If you can do this good, try further, try to touch your torse to the legs.

That will be too much if you have never done yoga before. 

Reduced flexibility can also lead to poor balance.

Although joint flexibility decreases with age, the fortunate news is that flexibility can be improved across ALL age groups with proper flexibility training.

Range of motion can be improved with as little as 4 weeks of regular stretching 2 – 3 times per week.

In addition to increasing range of motion and functional capacity, flexibility exercises have been shown to improve posture, stability, and balance.

Regular flexibility exercise can reduce the likelihood of injuries, prevent low back pain, knee pain and reduce muscle soreness.

The only way to keep this body in good condition

The only way to keep this body in good condition is to use it.

Now we also have lifts at residences.

It is so easy to deny the opportunity to walk and use the easiest possible way.

Thankfully earlier we never had a lift, and thankfully now are modern so we have a lift at our home too.

What a proud feeling?

Yes and no.

Because it is what leads to poor health.

Anyways walk more, sit less.

Get up and do your own work at home.

Use less help from others if you want to stay super healthy.

It is the only way possible to keep this machinery function at an optimum level.

Special drink of the day: Aam Panna

Aam Panna is rich in several nutrients like the protein Pectin only found in unripe mango.

It is also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, niacin, iron, and folates.

In fact, one glass of aam panna by itself is enough to provide for your daily need of iron.

How to balance health with work

How to balance health with work

As much as we want to take utmost care of our mind, body, soul, but our current lifestyle does not spare us with any time to do that.

Yet managing our time and schedule is completely in our hand.

It is about managing your focus and keeping your goals in front.

If you keep your health goals in front, you will notice that you end up doing something about it.

Even a minimum of 20 minutes walk can do wonders on a daily basis.

Try other following tips to find a great healthy balance

-Try to eat one or two raw meals rather than all as your cooked meals

-Drink at least 2.5 to 3 liters of water every day. 2.5 is the minimum you should aim for

-Include meditation in your daily routine

-Make it a habit to write in your journal so that you stay more organized and feel less stressed

-Count the number of cups of coffee and tea you consume during the day. The extra dose of caffeine will affect the quality of sleep, and you will never feel refreshed

-Inculcate yoga in your routine, maybe just on weekends because it really works from inside out. It prepares you mentally, emotionally, and physically for the rest of the week

Don't eat fruits just after meals

Don't eat fruits just after meals

Ayurveda strongly stands against eating any fruit after having your meals at any time of the day.

The basic reason behind this is that eating fruits can directly disrupt the ongoing digestion of the food eaten.

Eating fruits after your meals can lead to fermentation in your stomach affecting your overall digestive health.

It can cause acidity, gas, and indigestion.

Also, it leads to overeating.

Happy people are healthy people

Happy people are healthy people

There are two kinds of happiness in this social world we are living in.

One, you fake your happiness for social profile;)

Another, you really are happy from within.

Many studies have proved that happy generally are healthy and have fewer chances of falling ill.

When you are really happy from your mind, heart, body, and soul, your entire body is influenced.

All your organs, heart, cells, tissues, function at their best.

1. Happiness protects your heart

2. Happiness strengthens your immune system

3. Happiness combats stress

4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains

5. Happiness combats disease and disability

6. Happiness lengthens our lives

When without spending any money, we can create so much awesomeness, so why worry?

Diet accidents

Diet accidents

The people who exercise consistently, or do heavy physical activity their bodies cannot accept diet accidents.

I am referring to the right kind of food and eat at the right timing.

One meal missed, and they feel out of balance immediately.

Many people do not realize the cause of uneasiness when the actual cause is they did not eat properly, or even missed their meals completely.

Even people who often fall sick, have headaches quite often, living on tea and coffee, their meals are just not in place.

Eat right and at your timings, fewer diet accidents should be there, if you like to avoid all of the issues mentioned above.

Sometime it is said that forget the food, work late night, improve your productivity to grow in life, business but most often when you eat right and get a proper dose of sleep, you function much better, and hence improve your productivity.

Else you will feel low, drained, less energetic throughout the day.

Yoga is better than any surgery

Yoga is better than any surgery

Annu Arora is an expert in Therapeutic Yoga. If you are suffering from Back issues, yoga will be immensely helpful in relieving pain issues and with regular practice, you can eventually say goodbye to pain killers and improve the strength in your back muscles along with overall strength in the body.

Try Yoga with Annu Arora

Consult Annu Arora @ 8285198851

Ladies only.

Some words from a student

Listen to me in this video

Myth: You gain weight after you stop exercising

Myth: You gain weight after you stop exercising

Well, as you age, the fat percentage in the body already increasing.

After 40+ the increase in fat percentage is at a high speed and you are naturally losing strength from bones.

So, your BMI (bone mass index) is decreasing at a high speed after 40.

The only way available to reduce your fat percentage is through exercise and physical activity.

When you start exercising or when you do yoga your body has restricted the further increase in the fat stores, and when you stick to your practice for a longer period of time, it began to reduce your fat stores and increases your BMI.

So, when you suddenly leave the exercise regime, your body comes back to the natural changes that are happening inside the body.

It is not at all an effect of leaving any exercise schedule.

How often do you drink tea?

How often do you drink tea?

Or, how often you get the urge to drink tea, and sometimes you give in and sometimes you kind of control yourself.

But, have you noticed a child asking for tea?

If you have not exposed him to the concept of tea, he will not ask, and he does not even need.

That is how your body should be, it should not demand tea, and should not be dependent on a stimulant like tea or coffee.

If you drink once a day, you are not at all dependent, and it is kind of healthy for you.

Most often, tea or coffee you need simply to get going may be because you are overworking, you are depriving your body for good quality nutrition, lack of sleep, or all the three.

If you can balance these three, you will notice that your need for tea and coffee has immensely reduced.

Life is all about balance

Life is all about balance.

Wherever you find yourself in life right now, just take a moment to breathe and relax.

Work hard and achieve more on a day to day basis, have goals and work towards them, but try to strike a balance in personal and professional life.

Your health is non-negotiable while you chase your goals, because a healthy body and a calm mind will help you achieve more.

It will help you improve your productivity.

You will stay centered and focused throughout the day.

Yoga is one technique to find balance, achieve more, and improve your effectiveness. 

Breathe. Relax.

Stop eating biscuits now

Stop eating biscuits now

You have read it many times yet you continue to eat it.

Wonder why is the taste so important if even that thing is super unhealthy and can make you sick.

It will make you fat.

It is for your heart health.

It has high preservatives.

It is high in sodium.

It is high in sugar.

It contains palm oil.

It uses all-purpose flour.

You should also not eat the ones that are labeled as fat-free, high fiber, atta biscuits, because they are just the same.

It is a sales technique to make a whole lot of profit from weight conscious people.

Read the food label, it is there on any pack you buy, and cross-check the ingredient.

Your brain on food

Your brain on food

If you want to be a smart thinker, start eating clean foods that have a lot of nutrition.

The food that is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, etc. because such food will nourish not only your body but your mind as well.

When you deprive yourself of good quality nutrition, it damages brains cells and effects your ability to think clearly.

Anything that is processed or refined should be extremely limited in your lifestyle.

Eat more clean food.

Eat your green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, grains, etc. to be effective and efficient on a day to day basis.

International Yoga Day 2019

Annu Arora was invited as a Guest Yoga Teacher to lead a yoga session on the eve of International Yoga Day 2019. About 1500+ students and teachers of Central Government School, Paschim Vihar attended the session.

ILIVELIGHT YOGA organizes sessions in Schools/ Colleges / Corporates. To organize a session, kindly visit www.ilivelight.com 

Your competition

Your competition is your procrastination.

Your ego.

The unhealthy food you're consuming, the knowledge you neglect.

The negative behavior you're nurturing & your lack of creativity.

Compete against that.

What is the quality of your drinking water?

What is the quality of your drinking water?

These days we are drinking water from a plastic bottle.

We all are, in fact, most of the things we eat and drink comes in plastic.

This need to change.

Traditionally, we used to drink water from a copper utensil, or from mitti ka matka in summers, but never plastic.

I have this small pot in which I store my water overnight and drink water from this every morning.

This was not bought by me, it was by my parents who have this for a very long time.

But, I am utilizing this almost every day, it is a small one, I need a big one to store a liter or two overnight, to drink water the next whole day.

What best you can do as of now is to stop storing water in plastics, use copper, stainless steel or glass.

Drinking from copper utensils has many benefits

1. Helps the digestive system perform better
2. Aids weight loss
3. Helps heals wounds faster
4. Slows down aging
5. Helps maintain heart health and beats hypertension
6. Mitigates the risk of cancer
7. Protects you from infections
8. Regulates the working of the thyroid gland
9. Beats arthritis and inflamed joints
10. Boosts skin health and melanin production
11. Beats anemia

If this is how you exercise

If this is how you exercise... Not really good right?

Who says we don't exercise?

We 'Jump' to conclusions

We 'Throw' our weight around

We 'Twist' the truth

We 'Stretch' the lies

We 'Bend' the rules

We 'Push' our luck

We 'Lift' our egos

We 'Run' from tough situations

We are absolutely fit

But still, we're fat because.....we eat our words

-Author Unknown

Heal without medicine

Heal without medicine

It is going to be my next big program, and I will guarantee you that with the right techniques, right diet, right lifestyle, and exercise, you will be able to say goodbye to any disease.

People who complain that they can not follow the right diet, or right lifestyle, it is possible for everyone.

We will show you, how you can instill new habits and change the old ones.

We will work with you and will show you the possibilities.

We will make it happen for you.

No need to depend on medicines for life long.

In this program, you will follow our discipline, our schedule, our eating plan without a fail.

You can join this program online also.

This program is excellent for weight loss, high bp, low bp, sugar, pcos, pcod etc. 

Enrol for 1/3 months program and see the difference in yourself.

Write me an email at info@ilivelight.com or Whatsapp me at +91 8285198851.

What are your goals in life?

What are your goals in life?

Yesterday I discussed the importance of goals in life.

Goals put you in a discipline, and you automatically tend to focus on the things that take you closer to your goals.

So, you won't engage in useless activities and tend to manage your time well.

You become productive, you stay focused, you achieve more on a day to day basis.

How does it connect with your health?

Very much.

When you have nothing to do, all you think about is food, and dream of having different platters, so you overeat.

When you are focused and engaged in work, you tend to forget about food all the time, but only when you are really hungry, or the time of the meal.

It is kind of important for everyone to have a goal and discipline on a day to day basis to stay healthy.

When your mind is active and learning and performing, your body responds better and acts better.

What I eat is what I am

What I eat is what I am

That is why in yoga it is always recommended to eat foods that are simple, alive, and close to nature.

About 50% of your meals should be raw, and the rest could be well cooked.

It is advisable that you eat 1-2 serving of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains.

And avoid junk and meat products, as they are dead already, have no fresh value to them.

It will continue to spread more bacteria and germs in your system, and it might take years to get rid of that bacteria.

Even animals do not eat dead food, but humans eat dead animals. God!!

If you seriously seek to avoid diseases, then first you need to is to check the food you put in your system.

Food that is fresh and alive will nourish your system from within.

Jaisa khaye ann waisa hoye mann

Jaisa khaye ann waisa hoye mann

I have been on the path of bhakti yoga since my childhood.

So the learnings and guidance on this path are immense and pure and true, and I feel blessed to be on this path.

But, what is one thing that I have not heard anywhere or may be very few know about it?

I would like to write it down maybe someone would gain something out of it.

It is about your source of income.

Because the source will influence every other thing in your life, including your future generations.

How?

Money earned by right means has a blessing, and it will bless everyone and everything that is brought by this kind of money.

But, money earned by wrong deeds will have a curse that will influence everyone using that money.

So the food that you buy and feed your family, your small little kids, your loved ones, gaining the wrong impressions, and might influence their thought process too.

They will pick up negative energies.

You have already sown the seed of their life too.

Still using Refined Oil?

Still using Refined Oil?

I stopped using refined oil for more than three to four years now.

Even for the purpose of frying, we use mustard oil, and not refined oil.

We use mustard oil and ghee for cooking our vegetables and dal.

The refining process of oil uses a lot of acids, that is further deodorized with a chemical called Hexanol to remove the pungent smell.

When the processed refined oil is heated for the frying purpose, it oxidizes and releases trans fat, which is dangerous for the human body and may lead to heart problem and cancer.

Avoid:

Canola oil
Vegetable oil
Soybean
Safflower
Corn oils
Margarine (or any other ‘buttery’ spread)

You can safely use:

Mustard Oil
Desi Ghee
Coconut Oil 

The automobile

The automobile kills more people by depriving them of the opportunity to walk than it does by hitting them.

-Author Unknown

Scary. Isn't it?

Stay active as much as you can.

Exercise and take interest in small tasks in the office and at home.

If you realized how powerful your thoughts are

If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.

Negative thinking that leads to stress can wreak havoc on your body. When your worries and anxieties turn into stress, the following symptoms may set in:

Physical Symptoms:

Muscle tension
Muscle pain
Headaches
Chest pains
Sleep problems and insomnia
Digestive problems
Fatigue

Emotional Symptoms:

Mood changes
Anxiety
Restlessness
Irritability and anger
Depression or sadness
Lack of focus and motivation

Behavioral Symptoms:

Change in appetite (either over or undereating)
Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
Social withdrawal
Outbursts of anger

My dinner is like

My dinner is like

Some eat a big dinner, but I prefer a big breakfast.

Some eat heavy food at night, but I prefer to eat heavy food in the morning and try to keep dinner light.

When you eat right throughout the day, you can get away with the lightest meal ever in the evening.

I prefer to eat my last meal before 7 pm, sometimes even earlier by 6 pm.

Call me old fashioned, but sometimes I just eat khicdi with papad and achar.

I have been doing this for almost 10 years now.

Common myths:

Rice is fattening: It is not, in fact, rice and dal are very easy and light on your belly.

Ghee is fattening: It is not, pure healthy fats needed for beautiful health inside out.

It is an ideal INDIAN dinner for people who seek super health.

People who complain about knee pain

People who complain about knee pain

One thing right now I would like to tell you that please check the kind of footwear you are wearing.

I always choose comfort when it comes to sleepers and clothes.

Recently for a week, I wore a sleeper that looked perfectly fine and a new one of course.

I would have not bought it in the first place, this kind is not my choice.

Anyways, so I wore the same as a compulsion, as mine got broken.

After a week, my knee and below, it pained like hell.

Anyone would say, oh you are getting old, or getting weak.

No ways.

I changed my sleepers immediately, and magically, after proper rest, the pain vanished.

Any heel and uncomfortable sleepers are a big no-no in knee pain.

Ayurvedic Principles for Eating

Ayurvedic Principles for Eating

1. Always wash face, hands, and if possible the feet, before meals.

2. Never eat before sunrise or after sunset. If you must eat after sunset then avoid sour and acidic foods.

3. Meditate briefly just before eating (or offer grace) to raise energy and increase the appreciation for food.

4. Always eat only when the right nostril is operating, drink only when the left is operating.

5. Eat or drink only when sitting down.

6. Never talk or laugh during meals – instead give full attention to tastes, textures, and aromas of the food.

7. Always take water with a meal, beforehand if weight loss is desired, during a meal if weight is to be maintained, and after meals, if weight gain is desired.

8. Never drink items too hot or too cold. Water and other liquids should be served lukewarm.

9. Never mix temperatures in the same meal. Don’t eat hot and cold items at the same sitting.

10. Eat only when hungry and after previous meals have been digested. Generally, don’t eat within six hours of another meal.

11. Avoid all in-between snacks, including, if possible, all liquids but lukewarm water.

12. Never eat facing south – this drains energy and fosters anger. (East is the best).

13. Never eat unpalatable food. This creates resistance in the system.

14. Eat only in a pleasing setting and from clean utensils.

15. Only take food while hot and fresh. Reheated and canned food creates gas.

16. Eat neither too fast nor too slow. Don’t rush and don’t linger.

17. Avoid over-greasy and over-dry food.

18. Whenever possible, laugh after meals. This helps digestion.

19. Never sleep within two hours after meals as this disturbs the mind and the digestive system.

20. Wash hands, face, mouth and eyes after meals.

21. Avoid all actions requiring physical or mental concentration for two to three hours after a full meal.

22. Urinate after eating – but do not defecate for three hours if possible. (Thus, one should not eat before his normal bowel movement).

23. Never take hot milk before retiring.

24. Never take tea within a half-hour of meals, before or after.

25. Eat once or twice daily – a light morning meal, and, if possible, the main meal before sunset.

Health is real wealth

Health is real wealth

It is a video post.

The health of an individual can be known by the following aspects

The health of an individual can be known by the following aspects

- Proper nourishment

- Proper strength

- Desire and appetite for the intake of food

- Proper digestion of food ingested at the proper time

- Sleep at the proper time

- Absence of pathological or dreadful dreams

- Feeling of freshness after waking up in the morning

- Proper evacuation of faeces, urine, and flatus at the proper time 

- Proper functioning of mental faculties, intelligence, and senses in all respect

- Absence of any kind of pain

When I become WE

When I become We, even illness becomes wellness.

Lassi can aid in weight loss

Lassi can aid in weight loss

Curd is a great probiotic drink.

Probiotic is an ingredient that contains live bacteria.

This good bacteria known to improve gut health, boosts digestion, and treat an upset stomach. 

Daily consumption of curd is more effective in boosting immunity than popping any pill.

Curd is made from milk, so it has calcium that helps maintain bone density.

Try to consume fresh milk which is set at home, or you may buy from a local dairy.

According to my preference, no packed curd or milk, I prefer to buy from a local dairy.

Sunlight awesomeness

Sunlight awesomeness

I think we are living such indoors that we have almost lost touch with this beautiful nature.

How much sunlight enters into your room?

Either the design is such that no sunlight can enter or we have covered everything with thick curtains that no sunlight or fresh air can come indoors.

Seek good health?

Soak yourself in nature, greenery, sunlight.

Nature helps your body to be in the right balance.

Sunlight also helps in the formation of Vitamin D.

You may want to avoid direct sunlight post 10 am, but before 10 am the rays are not that strong, and you can gain the health benefits, without exposing yourself to the harmful rays of sunlight.

Sun rays are very strong from 10 am to 3 pm, so try to avoid direct exposure during this period.

There are other great benefits of sunlight

1. Boosts immunity
2. Supports healthy bones
3. Rejuvenates aging eyes
4. Improves metabolism
5. Improves sleep quality
6. Eases mild depression
7. Boosts height
8. Reduces cancer risks
9. Aids heart health

List of seasonal fruits and vegetables in India

List of seasonal fruits and vegetables in India

Month
Fruits
Vegetables

January
strawberries, orange, pomegranate, kiwi, pineapple
beetroot, cauliflower, turnip, spinach, brinjal

February
chickoo, muskmelon, grapes, guava, strawberries, oranges
broccoli, pumpkin, cabbage, carrot, radish, spring onion

March
watermelon, mango- Totapuri, Badami, grapes, orange, pineapple, banana
spinach, capsicum, pumpkin, gourd

April
watermelon, mango - Totapuri, Badami, grapes, orange, jackfruit, pineapple, banana
lady finger, beans, cucumber, pumpkin

May
mango-Alphonso, Kesar, raw-papaya, black jamun, litchi, jackfruit, watermelon, muskmelon
spinach, cucumber, bitter gourd, beans

June
mango- Alphonso, Kesar, litchi, cherry, muskmelon
corn, capsicum, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach, lady's finger

July
mango- Kesar, Totapuri, cherries, peach, plum
bitter gourd, corn, spinach, lady finger, sweet potato, cucumber, capsicum

August
mango- Alphonso, Kesar, litchi, cherry, muskmelon, custard apple
corn, capsicum, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach, lady's finger

September
guava, papaya, pomegranate, custard apple, passion fruit
corn, capsicum, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach, lady's finger

October
guava, papaya, pomegranate, custard apple, passion fruit
brinjal, tomatoes, spring onions

November
oranges, dates, guava, pomegranate, custard apple
brinjal, tomatoes, spring onions, French beans

December
strawberries, orange, sweet lime, fig, guava, custard apple, pineapple
brinjal, tomatoes, spring onions, radish, beetroot, yam 

Indian summer drinks to crush on

Indian summer drinks to crush on

India has a lot of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and we must try to consume them in that particular month to gain most from it.

Nature has given us everything to stay healthy.

Just like fruits and vegetables, our bodies also respond accordingly to the season.

It is important to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to adjust to the climate to stay in glowing health.

Indian summer drinks to not miss

Aam paana
Jal jeera
Bel sharbat
Nibmu paani
Chaach
Thandai
Khus sharbat
Sattu sharbat (sweet and namkeen)
Coconut water

Work-life balance

Work-life balance

Who would not like to excel? 

Whatever you choose to do, you aim to grow and achieve new heights. 

You work hard, plan, try to live a disciplined life yet sometimes you lack growth and success.

Well, the ancient practice of yoga laid great emphasis on rest and recharge. 

If we can learn to apply a bit of that in your present modern lifestyle, you will naturally see a lot of difference in your life.

Corporate life – driving, meetings, targets, networking, emails, literally it tires you, been there done that.

So I choose to pursue yoga and dance on weekends, and I fell in love with yoga that I became a yoga teacher as well.

You can’t escape from something you love. 

You naturally like to pursue things that make you happy.

Gadgets, money, power, positions are there, good. 

But does that make you happy? 

Take time out for yourself. 

Explore your hobbies. 

Look after your health, your family, your loved ones, become a good human being, help others.

This post was originally written on my website www.ilivelight.com

Surya Namaskar is one of the best exercises

Surya Namaskar is one of the best exercises

Surya Namaskar is a harmonious blend of various asanas.

When practiced in a cyclic and systematic way, the overall benefits are greater than the sum of its parts.

An increasing amount of research has found that a regular practice of Surya Namaskar can be extremely beneficial.

Benefits:

1. Strengths heart, lungs, and hands
2. Promotes weight loss
3. Reduces stress and anxiety
4. Boosts fitness and flexibility
5. Stretches each and every muscle in the body. It stretches the muscles in legs, hands, back, chest, neck, arms, etc.

Somedays, I schedule 10 sun salutations in a day to feel light in my mind and body.

You may learn all the steps of Surya Namaskar in my video below:

Some tips to stay active in old age

Some tips to stay active in old age

1. Go for a walk. It does not have to be a brisk walk, you can go for a light walk for half an hour in the morning. Walking is one of the best exercises, and it can be done anywhere.

2. Walk instead of driving. Whenever you are going to the nearby market to buy groceries and other stuff, you may choose to walk, and it will be a great activity than just sitting down at your sofa set.

3. You may do some of household chores, or continue to do small activities throughout the day like opening the door, getting your water from the kitchen, cut some vegetables, cook your roti, you may not realize that these small things add up your daily activity, and you get to stay healthy and fit.

Even teach these basic activities to your kids as well. You have help available it is good, staying active is not for luxury but good health. Kids need to learn the importance of movement and activity, taking responsibility for their small tasks.

4. Enroll for easy exercise classes. You may choose to do any kind of activity like yoga, gym, pilates, but at this age, light yoga classes will be extremely helpful to improve circulation, flexibility, hormonal balance, for calm and peace of mind.

5. Continue working. You definitely look forward to retiring at this age, but lack of any work commitment may make you lazy and unhealthy. A committed work schedule keeps your mind and body active. You may choose to work part time or volunteer your services etc.

Learn how to do a perfect headstand (sirsasana)

Learn how to do a perfect headstand (sirsasana)

1. Begin the position in child’s pose.

Lower down on to your knees on the mat. Sit back onto your feet. Lean forward until your forehead is resting comfortably on the ground. Your chest should be resting on your thighs. Allow arms to lie limp at your sides with palms facing up.

2. Relax in child’s pose. Monitor your breathing and focus on silence for 30 seconds.

3. Lift only your head while moving your elbows onto the ground in front of your knees.

4. Wrap a hand around each elbow without lifting your elbows off the floor.

5. Plant your elbows in this position. Never change this distance between your elbows throughout the duration of the headstand.

6. Release the hold on your elbows and pivot your forearms forward so they are parallel to one another.

7. Bring your hands together and interlock the fingers. Your elbows and hands should form a triangle.

8. Lift your hips up and forward so your head lands into the palm of your hands. Knees stay on the ground.

9. Adjust your head so the top of your cranium is directly on the ground and your hands are resting in the back of your head. Do not move your elbows.

10. Plant the balls of your feet into the ground and push so your knees extend up away from the ground and your body is lifted into the air. (Your body should form an upside down V.)

11. Slowly walk your feet towards your face. As you walk, your spine will straighten out above your head and you will notice your weight slowly shift from your feet to your elbows. When you. can’t walk further, push your elbows into the ground.

12. Lift your feet into the air naturally as all of your weight shifts onto your elbows.

13. Continue lifting up your thighs until they are directly above your abdomen. Your elbows should hold a majority of the weight of your body, not your head or neck.

14. Keep knees bent for now. Tighten abdomen. Remain in this position for 30 seconds. Focus on your balance. When fully balanced, slowly extend lower legs up above the waist.

15. Point your toes. Stay in this position for no more than 3 minutes.

12 low fat foods that are actually making you gain weight

12 low fat foods that are actually making you gain weight

You tend to buy such products assuming they are fat-free, but in fact, they have high sugar content, preservatives, no fiber, no nutritional value.

1. Frozen packaged yogurt

2. Packaged juices

3. Packaged dairy products

4. Canned fruits

5. Pickles/ ketchups/ sauces

6. Fruit preserves

7. Chocolate spread

8. Energy bars

9. Low fat salad dressing

10. High fiber biscuit

11. Low fat peanut butter

12. Atta / low fat cookies

Physical activity is not a choice it is a must

Physical activity is not a choice it is a must

There are some very harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

The science has also said to the extent that sitting is the new smoking.

Smoking is killing people, and so does sitting for long hours.

If you are not into exercising yet, moving, staying active, on a day to day basis is a must, else you falling into the trap of diseases.

Anyone can do little things at home, at the office, take stairs, basically be less dependent on help from others, use your own body for little things.

A sedentary lifestyle has negative effects on health:

- You feel low, lazy, stress and depressed
- Cancer risk skyrockets
- Start to forget things
- Blood sugar spikes
- Backache gets worse
- Lower metabolism
- Can lead to osteoporosis
- Lead to obesity
- Weak muscles, bones, joints
- Lead to cardiovascular diseases
- You make wrong food choices and choose fat and sugary stuff

If this post does not convince you to move, then what will?

Stay active for your people, if not for yourself:)

Add mindfulness to your day

Add mindfulness to your day

Is your life is just passing by, or you are consciously living your life.

It is better to have a meaningful purpose to your life rather than let it be another day, another month or another year.

Consciously aware of your thoughts, your actions help you sail through beautifully this beautiful life.

A few things on a daily basis connects you with inner being and helps you stay in tune with the inner consciousness, the divine, your purpose, your goals, very clearly.

- Beginning your day with 30 minutes to 1 hour of yoga practice

- Writing in the journal brings more awareness of your thoughts

- Taking a break to just check in your breathing

- Ending your day with meditation or spending time with just your self without any gadgets

Ask these questions from yourself if needed

- What do I stand for?

- What do I like to achieve from this life?

- What is the purpose of my life?

- What is my standard of a good human being?

- What is beyond these materialistic things?

The answer lies within maybe it is time to do some soul searching.

Eat cheese for a sound sleep

Eat cheese for a sound sleep

The amino acids found in cheese called - tryptophan - has been shown to induce sleep.

Take about 15 to 20 grams of cheese in the evening meal for better results.

I sometimes make pasta with cheese in my evening meal, as pasta and cheese combination is a rich protein diet.

Good for me as I am a pure vegetarian.

But I am going to reconsider this meal on the days when I have to write more, read more and think more.

Else this meal induces so much sleep.

So, eat cheese or do good mediation for a sound, dreamy sleep.

You can add cheese to your kid's diet as well.

 

Your eating habits make all the difference

Your eating habits make all the difference

First and foremost is to change the way you eat.

Tune in and pay attention to how you are consuming your food.

Eat slowly, take your time, chew really well, and stop when you feel you've had enough.

Also understanding, our metabolism is highest in the morning and lowest in the night.

We should eat more in the morning than in the night, but we eat more food at night than comparable to the morning.

Try to change that and try to tune in with nature.

Our social life also forces us to keep binging in the night time, so eat simple food if you must eat at night.

Packaged fruit juices may lead to obesity

Packaged fruit juices may lead to obesity

I would like you to reconsider this so-called 100% Natural Drink.

There is very good marketing behind it that uses slogans like No Added Sugar and 100% Natural Drink.

But, I would suggest you read the label of the product, it clearly says made with synthetic flavors.

There is no real fruit being used in it.

It has low-quality sugar that is even harder to digest, and that is the cause of obesity if you consume it on a consistent basis.

Any packaged food has preservatives to last longer on the shelf, and preservatives are pure chemicals.
Instead of juice, eat your fruit whole.

That way, you get all the fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals found naturally in the fruit.

Reduce high-stress levels to take control of high blood pressure

Reduce high-stress levels to take control of high blood pressure

When it comes to preventing and treating high blood pressure, one often overlooked strategy is managing stress.

Learn to manage the day-to-day stresses well to reduce your chances of falling ill, and lowers blood pressure

Stresses build up in mind and body both, that is why the easiest way to do yoga, meditation, walk in nature, tuning in rather than tuning out all the time.

These tips are quite effective

Sound sleep

Inadequate or poor quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.

Learn relaxation techniques

Mediation, yoga, deep breathing exercises are powerful relation techniques and stress busters.

Hone your time management skills

The more effectively you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress levels.

Take control of your life

Try not to foster negativities in your life. Maintain relationships with healthy and positive people.

Yoga for hormonal imbalance

Yoga for hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is a common issue for the urban female generation of different age group.

PCOS or thyroid issues are due to poor lifestyle, and that reflects as a hormonal imbalance.

Yoga is recommended in both the cases even by doctors these days.

If you are new to yoga, you would definitely take a little time to adjust with the poses and this new practice.

But if you are already into this practice, I would highly recommend you to go for deep yoga practice.

In this practice
- you would hold poses for a longer period of time
- deepen your breathing
- deepen the muscle work

Helps you
- to improve metabolism
- lose weight
- improve blood circulation
- strengthens your muscles
- more peace and calmness not on your mat but will help you to extend that calmness in day to day life

In yoga poses, you should try all kinds of poses
- inversions (shoulder stand, headstand)
- twists
- forwards bends
- sun salutations

Holding time should be a minimum of 30 seconds for all poses, and gradually reach up to 1 minute if you can.

Silence is simply great for mind and body

Silence is simply great for mind and body

How often do you spend time with just yourself?

Most of the time we are distracted by cell phones, tv, engaged in social circles, etc.

That is so much of noise.

I know it isn't for some and it is a lot of constant distraction for some.

The people who enjoy their own company it is extremely pleasurable.

The people who truly enjoy meditation, they have found peace alone and in the midst of the crowd.

That is why Saints ask people to meditate and to enjoy the real peace and bliss within.

What are the great benefits of silence

- Helps you relax and slow yourself down

- Find yourself through silence

- Recharge and refresh your mind

- Quiet the noise within yourself

- Helps relieves stress and tension

- Therapeutic for conditions like depression

Yogis traditionally used to keep maun vrat. It literally means a vow to keep silent.

In day to day life, we can cut down on useless speech and save energy for spiritual growth.

Sara Ali Khan- fat to fit

Sara Ali Khan- fat to fit

How did she do it and lost all the flab?

Strict exercise routine

Strict eating plan

Firm discipline in mind

She was 96 kgs, had PCOD, had hormonal problems, and lived on Pizza during her two years of college.

Every person is different, every body is different, but all I know is

Impossible is nothing.

Work hard.

Start now.

And you will be there soon.

Meditate, pray, and calm down before going to sleep

Meditate, pray, and calm down before going to sleep

It is so important that you prepare yourself for a nice, deep sleep.

There are so many brilliant benefits of a nice deep sleep

- Maintain a healthy heart
- Lowers blood pressure
- Boost immune system
- Maintain a healthy brain
- Improve memory and creativity
- Promote healthy weight
- Prevent obesity
- Improve digestion
- Repair body cell
- Alleviate stress and depression
- Promote good mood
- Promoting body growth in kids and teenagers
- Fight inflammation

One should try to let go distractions like tv, mobiles, and should try to calm yourself down.

Just 30 minutes of mediation can be extremely helpful in calming you down.

Or, you may try reading a nice, soulful book that helps you prepare for a nice sleep, rather than distract your mind into something else.

Some people like to write down in their journal before they go to sleep.

It helps them write down tomorrow's goals and prepare in advance for the next day.

Yoga health benefits beyond the mat

Yoga health benefits beyond the mat

Weight control 

Mindfulness developed through yoga can make you more sensitive to cues of hunger and fullness, which helps you develop a more positive relationship with food.

Mindful eating

Being more aware of how your body feels carries over to mealtimes as you savor each bite or sip and notice how food smells, tastes, and feels in your mouth.

Better body image

Focusing inward during yoga helps you to be more satisfied with your body and less critical of it.

Overall fitness

Practicing yoga a couple of weeks increases muscle strength and flexibility, boosts endurance, and tunes up your heart, lungs, and blood vessel.

Heart benefits

Yoga can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, all of which are good for your heart and blood vessel.

Watermelon is good for weight loss

Watermelon is good for weight loss

Yes, it is. It has 92% of water and absolutely no fat and no cholesterol.

And if you are on a weight loss journey and feel tempted to eat quite often, then maybe this could also be a great option.

It has natural sugars and will also help you satisfy your cravings for sugar in the right way.

But, one should not look at food through the lens of fat and weight.

All fruits have different nutrient value and provide us with vitamins and minerals.

If we stop eating a variety of foods, we will deprive ourselves with the right kinds of vitamins and minerals.

But, watermelon is great in summers, and try to eat it and not drink it, because when you juice a fruit, you lose its nutritional value.

No Quinoa for me

No Quinoa for me

I relish Indian meals the Indian way.

And there are so many options to choose from that I can't look at the crop which is not even grown in India.

Quinoa comes from European Countries, and it is gluten-free.

But, neither I follow a gluten-free diet and neither I am keen on looking beyond my Indian meals.

Simply because Indian meals are whole, nutritious, and most of the food is also grown in my own region.

Indian meals are diverse, and every season you have new vegetables and fruits.

This way I will be able to get a variety of nutrients from my diet.

And, unlike western culture, we eat our grains with dal and sabji, so it is rather easy to digest.

I think we stop blindly following the western culture.

Their lifestyle, eating patterns, genes, traditions are different from us, so copying them does not make any sense.

Just know how to balance.

Overeating of anything is anyways bad.

Exercise for bone health

Exercise for bone health

Exercise is critical for bones for all age groups.

Exercise is important for treating and preventing osteoporosis.

Exercise improves bone health, muscle strength, stamina, balance, and coordination.

The strength you have in your bones - either you use it or lose it.

It's important to exercise and also lead an active lifestyle.

Sedentary lifestyle (all day sitting) weaken your structure and use less energy (burn fewer calories).

Old people can do some basic exercise at home to strengthen the muscles and bones.

I have been doing Gentle yoga for the 50+ age group for ladies, and the results are definitely nice to see.

You like to learn about my classes, visit www.ilivelight.com

Eat according to your activity

Eat according to your activity

Well, different days and different schedules demand that we adjust our food quantity accordingly.

When we are more active physically and mentally, we definitely need a little more food to function well, with quality nutrients.

But, the days when we are not active, and lazying around, then you may choose to avoid carbohydrates, or eat according to the needs of the day.

But eating more than you need will make you gain fat, and then you need to burn it off in the gym, or by a brisk walk, or by yoga.

There is absolutely no ideal amount of food you should eat.

The right answer to how much you should eat comes from within.

Switch off your gadgets and let go other disturbances while eating your meal.

Tune in, pay attention to self, and you will know the answer.

5 years from now

5 years from now

You will become the

Books you read

People you interact with

Food you eat

Thoughts you think

Habits you build

Your life is practically in your hands. 

Lead an active lifestyle

Lead an active lifestyle

It is not just about doing a rigorous activity in the gym, but it is also about building small physical activity throughout the day.

These days adults and kids both leading an inactive lifestyle.

That is the reason we are facing the issue of obesity and other health ailments.

A person who stays active, take interest in doing small things at home, at the office, it could be like

-taking stairs

-not always dependent on domestic help

-getting your own stuff from the kitchen

-not being dependent on your office boy

-parking car at a distance so that you get to walk

-take a walk to the local vendor than traveling in a car

These small things add up to your physical activity, and you will realize its benefits.
If you like to fight off fat and stay disease free, staying active throughout the day is a must, even if you exercise for 1 hour every day.

Off day an indulge day

Off day an indulge day

Let's catch up with friends, movies, desserts, and all that you could not do, eat during the weekdays.

Yup, you should.

After all, life is a party, and it's a one-time opportunity.

But, it's a one-time opportunity to learn about who you really are.

To know your purpose in life.

To make time to look within rather than look outside.

It's an opportunity to find out time to exercise, to play, to do yoga.

All these things as well you could not do during the week even if you tried to do.

Why not?

If you miss on these essentials when do you think you will get time again to work and to contemplate on self?

I think off days are a brilliant opportunity.

To learn, to grow, to get fit, to make healthier choices.

Find the right balance in your meals

Find the right balance in your meals

Balance is important in all aspects of life.

So does diet and food.

Some may tell you to go raw for great health.

But, I can tell you what has worked for me perfectly well, and if you are Indian and has lived on Indian food, then it will work for you perfectly as well.

You may try a salad diet or a raw diet or fruit diet.

But, your body will always ask for Indian food the Indian way.

The way we cook vegetables and dal with tadka and masala.

I eat such food every day, but I add a lot of fruits as well to keep my body in a perfect balance.

The idea is to feel light after every meal, every hour, every day.

So, I do not like to live in this pattern, overload one week, and then detox one week.

Balance every day, so that

-the disease does not build up in the system
-you feel light all the time
-body stay in an alkaline state

Desi ghee is a blessing

Desi ghee is a blessing

Now in west people consuming this every day and given a new name to it called Clarified Butter.

Impressive benefits of ghee include its ability to

-protect your gastrointestinal system

-balance the cholesterol levels

-provide additional energy

-reduce inflammation in the joints

-eliminate certain allergy concerns

-protect you from various chronic disease

-improve your eye health

-strengthen your immune system

-contains Linoleic Acid

-packed with fat-soluble vitamin

Ghee can help boost your intake of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K, all important nutrients that play a role in everything from maintaining healthy vision to keeping your skin glowing

Energy from medium chain fatty in ghee burns other fats in our system, leading to weight loss.

The case of packed coconut water

The case of packed coconut water

Recently, I happened to buy a packed coconut water instead of my regular water.

I was a little thirsty but not hungry.

As it was almost 3-4 hours, I did not eat anything, so it was time to eat something.

In malls, in cinema halls, you don't have many choices.

You will end up buying whatever is available.

I was about to buy coffee but end up buying coconut water (thinking it to be a healthier option.)

The comparison was between Rs. 250/- bottle vs 40/- real coconut water.

I just thought what a waste of money and empty calories and my body is consuming chemicals too.

-The food that has a shelf life of more than 2-3 days has chemicals added to it

-Extra sugar

-No nutrients

The best way to get the most of coconut water is to buy fresh, open and consume immediately.

Once a coconut is cracked open it begins to oxidize and is open to bacteria.

Coffee would have been a simple option then (at least no chemicals)

Processing removes nutrients

Processing removes nutrients

Processing reduces the nutritional value of the food, especially that you buy in the packets.

These 'convenient foods' are good for the companies but not at all good for our health.

Any food that you buy in the packs is just a pack of chemicals.

It has no nutritional value.

It has to go through various steps of processing, and there are a lot of additives and chemicals added to make such food last for a longer period of time.

And the body will have to work harder to digest.

In some cases, it may take a day or two to get rid of this kind of food from the system.

Processed food mostly add a high quantity of salt and sugar, that imposes another problem for our health.

Popular processed food we eat (and thinking they are safe)
-bread/ brown bread
-biscuits/ atta biscuits
-2 minute maggi, oats
-juices
-breakfast cereal

Try consuming the fresh versions at home, and you will feel even lighter.

You can safely eat mangoes in diabetes

You can safely eat mangoes in diabetes

The popular tool to manage a diet for diabetics is the GI (Glycemic Index).

It measures how quickly a given food causes your blood sugars to rise, comparing it to the effect of pure glucose.

A food with a low number, or low GI, has less impact on your blood sugars than a food with a high number.

Mangos have a low GI of 51, well below that of comparable tropical fruits such as pineapple or papaya.

In other words, a reasonable portion of mango – roughly a quarter of fruit – is about 1/2 cup of cubed fruit, and will have only minimal impact on your blood sugar.

Keeping your blood sugar under control is important, but it's not the only measure of food.

Maintaining a healthy overall diet also means paying attention to how much nutrition a food packs, relative to the calories it provides – its "nutrient density" – as well as other factors such as its fiber content.

Mangos score very well when considered in that light.

They are high Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Potassium.

Eat this fruit when empty stomach.

And, try to eat it as a mini-meal rather than along with your meal.

Lifestyle habits that affect health

Lifestyle habits that affect health

Continuing with my previous post, what are the things you follow in the wrong manner in day to day lifestyle?

And can you do something about it?

The choice is always ours.

You can make healthier choices that lead to glowing health from inside out.

Or, you can make the wrong choices in life, but then you will also have to face the consequences of wrong choices.

Bad choices people make on a day to day basis

-Eat food late night
-Go to sleep immediately after eating a big meal
-Stay hungry till 12
-Long gaps between meals
-Do not drink enough water
-Lead a sedentary lifestyle
-Do not do any physical activity
-Create a lot of stressful thoughts
-Make wrong food choices

A list may be even longer.

But, if this post is a wake-up call and you seriously try to do something about it, then a lot can change.

A health problem or lifestyle problem?

A health problem or lifestyle problem?

Actually these days people are suffering from poor health just because of their poor lifestyle.

Everything will just fall in place if people can change their lifestyle.

But, that is a tough task.

Earlier people were simple, and lives were easy.

Now everything seems important, and it becomes difficult to find a balance in personal and social life.

It is your and only your responsibility to find balance.

It may be difficult yet possible.

Have you seen stars like Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Malaika Arora?

They are constantly traveling, working, partying, yet they look perfect.

They have been constantly striving to find balance in self and in their work.

People think being a star is a glamorous job. Maybe yes.

But, it is a lot of effort. It is not easy.

Stop eating food while watching TV

Stop eating food while watching TV

Food is a blessing.

Food has the ability to nourish your mind and body.

Food should be consumed with the attitude of gratitude. 

But, we have no clue what we are eating and how we are eating.

Even we are passing down the habit to kids as well.

You are what you eat. So when your food is made and consumed with love, gratitude, peace, your food will behave like that within your system.

Eating while watching tv or checking mobile leads to
-overeating
-poor digestion
-obesity
-stomach pains
-high cholesterol
-low metabolic rate
-blocks the satisfaction after eating a meal
-youngsters choose the wrong foods like junk food

Warm lemon water in the morning

Warm lemon water in the morning

I have been following this for more than 15 years now, as long as I can remember.

And I do not drink tea or coffee before my breakfast.

I feel thirsty in the morning simply because I eat my dinner quite early.

Many people do not even feel like drinking or eating anything just because last night food is still sitting in the liver.

I feel fresh after drinking 1-2 glass of lemon water.

Benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning
-boost your immunity system
-slows down the aging process
-promotes good digestion
-aids in weight loss
-balances pH in your body
-boost energy and enhances mood
-freshens breath
-boost brain power
-cleanses your body system and flushes toxins

Ladies who do not eat anything till 12 noon

Ladies who do not eat anything till 12 noon

-Are bound to stay fat
-Will have water retention
-Will feel bloated
-And more likely to overeat later in the day

People who stay hungry in the morning because they think they do not have time, they have to multitask to send their kids to school, and same time get ready for office or rushing for a meeting right in the morning.

All of the reasons are valid and can not be escaped.

So how can you eat anything in the morning?

But eating something in the morning will improve your digestion, your metabolic rate, start burning fat, reduce bloating, and help you with a flat tummy.

What can you eat without any hassle within 1-2 hours of getting up? 

-Any fruit (banana is quick and easy)
-Nuts
-A paratha
-Bread and cheese slice
-Bread and butter

You might have more options available at your home.

Just look around and choose healthier options.

Supplements work only if

Supplements work only if

Supplements work when you eat your meals properly throughout the day.

Supplements work when you exercise consistently.

Supplements work when you get a good quality sleep.

What is a supplement? It is nutrition in the form of pills. If you eat properly you can meet your nutrition requirements from a variety of foods.

Fruits, grains, pulses, vegetables, nuts, and seeds have enough amount and variety of nutrients.

When you eat right and then add some supplements to your diet, it works like magic. 

But not otherwise.

Never think that I will eat my supplement and it will be fine. 

No, it will never be fine like this.

Eat right, exercise consistently, lead a healthy lifestyle, then you will never have to depend on supplements. 

You do not have 3 hours a week for yourself

You do not have 3 hours a week for yourself

How much exercise do you need to do to be fit and healthy?

You can exercise every single day if your time and schedule allow it and if your body accepts it.

But, as a minimum, you should do three hours a week.

That makes 150 minutes a week.

A week has a total of about 24X7=168 hours

And you are saying that you can not invest 3 hours out of that.

Just 3 hours can make you
-sleep better
-live better
-eat better
-digest better
-think better
-work better
-perform better

Happy you, happy life. 

Listen to your body when it whispers

Listen to your body when it whispers, so you don't have to hear it scream.

Any disease doesn't build up in the body in a day.

It is always over the months and years, and suddenly you visit a doc and doc say oh you are suffering from this or this.

Body is always talking to us and whispering to us if anything feels uncomfortable.

Many people eat late night food and go the sleep, but the body is saying hey I don't feel comfortable with so much heavy food at night.

I feel dizzy, unwell and can't sleep well. But, we ignore all of this and say back, it is ok I have to manage like this.

And one day doc say you have sugar or BP or (let us stop this).

Start listening to your body and it will tell you what food suits you, what time suits you, how much food you should eat.

Just tune in.

And you will save yourself from a lot of unnecessary issues.

Good sleep for weight loss

Good sleep for weight loss

You never thought that is important.

That is why you sleep while checking Facebook and WhatsApp.

And maybe a TV serial is still running in the background, just so you do not miss an important scene.

If there is already so much happening, how do you think, your body will get a signal that you are ready to sleep.

Sleep means going in a deep relaxation to recharge mind and body and to get up feeling fresh in the morning.

If you do not wake up fresh in the morning, means less amount of sleep or disturbed sleep.

Both lead to water retention, bloating, uneasiness throughout the day.

Need flat tummy, just schedule proper sleep in your daily routine with no disturbances at all.

No gadgets, no TV. Just you and your calm state of mind.

You can't think without carbohydrates

You can't think without carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are one of the key essential macronutrients others are fats and proteins.

People are following Keto diet or avoiding carbs in the hope of losing excess fat.

But carbohydrates are essential for not only your brain but also for your body to efficiently burn fat.

Go without carbs for a day and notice your ability to think clearly has also gone with that.

Without carbs, the body has no energy to think or act and will soon shut down.

I remember Twinkle Khanna said in one of her interviews if you want to do some meaningful work from your mind it is important that you eat carbs.

She writes books and quite popular ones. So she must have realized from her own experience that without adding some bread, roti, paratha to her diet she can't concentrate and definitely can't think properly.

I balanced the intake of complex and simple carbs. Complex carbs are bread, grains, and pulses, and simple carbs are fruits.

Both are essential for the efficient functioning of mind and body. 

Is your attitude making you unhealthy?

Is your attitude making you unhealthy?

I read this beautiful phrase

How to be happy?

Let others do what they want to do you mind your business.

And you do what you want to do.

End of story.

Health begins with your own thoughts and your own state of mind

If you constantly approaching things with a negative mindset, everything will appear to be negative. And, you will never know the meaning of true happiness.

Life is short, and it is important that as long as we live, we live with good health. Good health is the outcome of positive thoughts and positive thinking. Let anger, jealousy, hatred, judgment go. Let understanding, compassion, love, and other high qualities come to us.

Open your mind and heart for such qualities and God will send them to you.

Be healthy always.