Drinks for summer coolants

Summers are on with full swing and the scorching sun is stealing one’s comfort. doctors are advised to drink plenty of water and other healthy drinks so that the body system doesn’t suffer loss of water.

There are many natural ingredients that are also excellent body coolants. Watch out for any signs of dehydration such as tiredness, nausea, hot and dry skin, headache, quickening of heart beat, dizziness and acute thirst, and keep your-self hydrated this summer, with these natural coolants.

A dose of H2O:
Our body is composed of 80% of water; it plays a crucial role in smooth functioning of our body. Drink a glass of water in morning as it eliminates toxins and food remnants stuck in the intestines. Indeed, it cleanses the digestive system.

Fresh coconut water:
Coconut water naturally detoxifies your body by cleansing your digestive tract. "It has the ability to fights germs, viruses and bacteria. Drinking coconut water will boost your immunity. Its also hydrates your body.

Bottle gourd juice:
Bottle gourd juice is an excellent natural remedy for those who suffer from indigestion and acidity problems. "This is because of its alkaline nature. The fibre in bottle gourd also cures indigestion problems,

Kokum Factoid: is an evergreen herb, found in the western coast of South India. The fruit of the herb, that is purple in color, is usually deseeded and dried before cooking. Kokum is rich in anti-oxidants and has good cooling properties, and is also a remedy for diarrhea and is a good liver tonic.

Green tea:
Green tea is a natural antioxidant. "It contains polyphenols which help in the regulation of glucose in the blood. Polyphenols inhibit the movement of glucose into the fat cells, thus preventing them from entering the blood stream.

Rose extract: is also a popular cooling ingredient, which could be stocked at home, and added as and when required to cold desserts, chilled milk, shakes or lassis.

Orange juice punch:
Oranges are a rich source of Vitamin C; they also contain flavnoids an essential antioxidant that protects the immune system of our body against bacteria and germs.

So, beat the heat with these refreshing drinks and stay healthy!

Best Fruits for a glowing skin

When it comes to healthy-looking skin, what you put in your body may matter more than what you put on it. You probably think about how nutrition affects your internal health and your weight, but eating the right fruit can also improve the quality of your skin.

Know the best fruits to eat, to give you that glowing skin you've always wanted! We cannot deny the fact that as we age, our skin does too. Prevention of glowing skin is not that easy. Some would even go for surgical measures, just to keep them look young and glowing.

We also know that a cup of fruit juice a day is sure to guarantee a clear complexion. How about a massage with a fruit pulp or a fruit facial? Fruit facials have been there for at least a decade now. But with people getting more wary of effect of chemicals on the skin, a majority of them are now resorting to using something from their own kitchen. What better way to pamper your skin than with pure stuff which is free of toxins and not harmful to your skin?

Besides the fact that they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very smell of a fruit on your face is quite de-stressing. Unlike the chemical beauty treatments, fruits are cost-effective, natural and also bring a visible difference. Here are a few fruits and their properties, choose what suits you best!

Banana: This is one fruit that's abundantly available in India all through the year. We know it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual cramps. The effect of banana on skin too is not something that can be ignored. Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders for your skin.

Lemon: Lemon is packed with enzymes, sugar, and fruit acids that aid to eliminate dead cells from the skin. It also helps in maintaining proper blood circulation which is essential in obtaining healthy glowing skin. It also contains powerful antioxidants to fight free radicals.

Fresh lemons can be used for whitening dark elbows and underarms. Simply cut the fruit and scrub it onto dark areas of your skin. Regular application of this fruit lightens the skin color. Lemon works as a superb natural bleaching agent and a great exfoliate for the skin. Using lemon on your face is the quickest and great way to natural glow. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.

Apple: are a good source of the soluble fiber pectin, a starch essential to drive away acne. By eating apple daily, skin wrinkles can be controlled. This fruit works as an excellent natural facial cleanser too. Natural acid of this fruit helps remove excess oil from the skin and prevents acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Applying the mix of apple juice, milk, and honey on your face will give you a soft and supple skin with natural glow.

Orange: Rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges too help clear skin blemishes.

Papaya: The benefits of this fruit on skin have perhaps been talked about since the time of our ancestors. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.

Pomegranate is rich in ingredients that enhance the beauty and life of skin. This red fruit is loaded with antioxidants that considerably slow down the process of aging. In addition, pomegranate is also rich in compounds called phytoestrogens that resemble the estrogen hormone's ability to activate estrogen receptors in the body. Estrogen plays an important role in stimulating fibroblasts that help to make collagen and hylauronic acid to make the skin firm.

Studies have shown that applying pomegranate seed extract to the skin may reduce the formation of some forms of skin cancer. It can also be used for treatment of acne.

Mango: Rightly called the king of fruits for not just its taste but also for health benefits. The soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin too. Rich in vitamin-A and rich antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of skin.

Health Benefits of Bananas

Bananas are loved by children and adults alike. What’s not to like about a fruit that comes gift-wrapped and is packed with nutrients that lead to good health and fat loss?

Bananas have a lot of health benefits, but we are aware of only very few. Shall we take a look at the health benefits of banana? These benefits include bowel regulation, reduce stress, heart diseases, depression, menstrual pains, anemia, increase in brain power. Know more health benefits of banana here...

Reducing Depression: Tryptophan acids are present in bananas and these help in reducing depression and thereby improve your mood. Studies show that bananas are also helpful in reducing stress levels. In this age of stress, this health benefit of banana is truly great.

Anemia: Bananas are not only rich in potassium but also rich in iron; therefore, eating a banana increases iron and thereby high hemoglobin. When hemoglobin content is increased, naturally anemic conditions decreases. Forgot those pills for anemia and take a banana. Wow…yet another amazing health benefit of banana.

Constipation and Diarrhea: Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Eyesight Protection: Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

Healthy Bones: Banana contains fructooligosaccharide (FOS).It greatly helps in calcium absorption and promotes bone health.

Healthy Kidney: Bananas protects kidney health as it contains high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

Blood Pressure: Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Ulcers: This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus.

Stroke Risk: According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40% .

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function

Mosquito Bites: For allergies and infection caused by mosquito bite,banana's skin is a good natural medicine.

Stress Relief: Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs

Health benefits of watermelon

It is the season of watermelons. They are best during the summer as they will be soft, sweet and juicy.

That triangular wedge of bright red/white/green, sweet juiciness forbids us to take life too seriously and shouts, “SUMMER!!!” As if that weren’t enough, watermelon is packed full of nutrition, hydrates and is low-fat. While many of us think of watermelon as a great snack option, when you tally up its nutritive value, you might consider making this all-star a feature player in your cuisine.

Juicy watermelons are indeed packed with some of the best antioxidants in nature, Watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins: vitamin A, which helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant; vitamin C, which helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which helps brain function and helps convert protein to energy.

It is an ideal health drink because it is 92 per cent water, and does not contain any fat or cholesterol. It also fills you up fast because of its water content. So have it along with your barbeque or grills as watermelons will prevent you from overeating.

Given below are some health benefits of water melon:
- Kidney Disorders
- High Blood Pressure
- Prevent Heat Stroke
- Diabetes
- Heart Care
- Macular Degeneration
- Impotence

Choosing the right Watermelon
Always choose one that is symmetrical and firm without any cuts and bruises. Turn it over and you will see a yellow colour on one side. The yellow area is a good sign as it shows that the watermelon was rested on the ground while ripening under the sun. It is also an indication that your melon is sweeter and juicer. Slap your melon and if it sounds hollow, then it is ripe.

Are you hesitant to buy watermelon frequently because of its size which will occupy a lot of space in the refrigerator? But now plenty of micromelons are available in the market which will easily fit into any small space. So, next time you hit a fruit shop, don't forget to shop for a watermelon.

Homemade Recipe: Tone-Up Tea

Ingredients
1 cup distilled water
1 heaping tablespoon dried green tea leaves
1 heaping tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
3 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon rose hydrosol
3 teaspoon lemon juice (optional addition for oily skin)

Method
- Heat distilled water until boiling. Remove from heat and add green tea and chamomile.
- Steep for 15 minutes and strain out plant material. Add rose hydrosol, aloe vera and vinegar (and lemon juice, if using) and stir well.
- Pour into a clean bottle and label. Shake well to ensure the mix. Store in refrigerator for best results and use within 3 weeks.

Health And Food Safety In Hot Weather

In the warm weather it's important to think about food safety for families with children. The issues of food and health safety are becoming very important in hot summer weather. As temperature outside is rising, a great environment for growth and development of various bacteria and microorganisms is being formed. Summer weather imposes our health to numerous risks, including dehydration, heat stroke, sunburn, or suffering from food poisoning. These risks can bring to very serious consequences, that is why health and food safety concerns are especially topical in summer.

Summer is the time for vacation, traveling, picnics, other numerous thrilling and amazing outdoor activities. A great deal of people love summer season, but it is necessary to always remember about food and health safety in summer. There are three major health risks we all are exposed to in hot weather:

Dehydration: is a frequent problem is summer, when heat and temperature rises above 45 degree centigrade. Dehydration is a phase, when body loose more water than it consumes or holds. Dehydration can occur due to sunstroke when excess of body fluids are lost due to sun's heat or it can occur due to diarrhoea when body looses excessive body fluids and salts due to loose motions or it can also cause when you do extensive workouts in hot sun. Dehydration can also occur when you have high temperature and body tries to sweat more to reduce the body temperature.

Heatstroke and heat exhaustion can affect anyone: but some people are more sensitive to the heat than others. Elderly people are often the ones at risk because their health may already be frail, and they may be less able to deal with a sudden rise in temperature.

The young are also more vulnerable because they're more sensitive to the sun and prone to dehydration.

People drinking alcohol outside in the sun will also be more prone to dehydration and less aware of the amount of sun they're getting.

Skin burning: With the summer season comes skin tan, skin burning for the sensitive ones, pigmentation of the skin and other sun & heat associated skin issues like fungal infections, excessive sweating, and body odour.

Staying safe in summer, regardless of where you are: enjoying your vacation at the beach, having some healthy vacation time in the mountains, working in your garden or just kicking back in front of your TV, is vital for all of us. Remember that learning as much as possible about health and food safety in hot weather is the best way to reduce the risks for you, your family and your friends.

When thinking about food and health safety in summer season, it is necessary to use common sense and follow very easy guidelines regarding to food choosing, transporting and preserving. The effects of hot summer weather and leaving our foods out for some time causes our foods get broken, and it is usually not easy to feel dangerous bacteria, especially on early stages of the invasion. Below, there are some hot weather food tips for everyone of is concerned for own health and food safety, especially in hot weather.

Food And Health SafetyWhen it is too hot and you do not want to use a stove or oven, go for fresh vegetable salads with tuna fish, olives, eggs, seafood, or pasta, with come olive oil and lemon juice. Also, using fruit salad can be a good idea, you can enrich it with some cottage cheese, nuts, herbs, or seeds.

Try to decrease the time for strong meat even in the fridge, or better buy meat or poultry right before cooking it. Keep cooked and row meat (and other foods) separate, when storing and during the cooking process.

Also, avoid buying cooked meat from unknown sellers because improperly cooked meat gets broken very fast, especially in hot weather (sometimes, just 30-40 minutes can be enough for improperly cooked meat turning into a terrible source of bacteria and toxins).

Be very careful when buying and storing eggs in summer season as this natural food starts to rotten very fast in hot temperatures. Summer is the season when it is very easy to buy stale eggs in most of our markets and stores. Always store your eggs in the fridge, preferably in a closed container.

If you rather go for buying prepared meals but still think about health and food safety of yours and your family, avoid buying salads, pizzas and other ready meals with sauces like mayonnaise, tomato sauce, and others.

Be especially careful when buying dairy products as a great share of food poisoning cases is caused by consuming bad yogurts, milk shakes, etc. Experts say that dairy products are one of the best types of environment for pathogenic bacteria growth.

In summer season, wash your hands, dishes, cutting boards, other kitchenware, counter, kitchen towels and cloths, more often and more thoroughly.

How to cook healthy

One of the barriers for healthy eating is the time it takes to actually prepare a healthy meal. If you already don't like the idea of cooking, making a well-rounded meal is even more of a daunting task. However, it is possible to make meals without actually working too hard for them and we'll show you how to do it.

If you Want to get the most nutritional value out of cooked food? As a rule, rapid cooking techniques are better for retaining nutrients than slower methods. For healthiest results, most experts recommend cooking food thoroughly but rapidly.

Baking. It’s not just for breads, cookies, or cakes. Bake seafood, lean meat, chicken, or vegetables for a meal that tastes great—using little or no fat. When preparing veggie, timing is essential since they can become overcooked in seconds. It is also important to use precisely the amount of liquid called for in the recipe. When cooking grains or beans, allow enough room for them to expand; do not fill the pan more than half full. To prevent beans and grains from foaming over, add a few teaspoons of oil.

Braising. Brown your main ingredient (for example, meat or chicken) in a pan on the stove. Then, add a small amount of liquid such as water or broth and let it simmer. In some recipes, the remaining liquid is rich in nutrients and can be used as a sauce.

Broiling or grilling. Cook food in the broiler in your oven or on a grill. Both ways allow fat to drip away from the food.

Poaching. Gently simmer ingredients in water or liquid such as broth, vinegar, or juice until they are cooked through.

Roasting. Cook food in the oven, at higher temperatures than baking. Use a rack in the roasting pan so fat drips away from meat, poultry, or seafood as it cooks.

Sautéing or stir-frying. Cook small or thinly sliced pieces of food quickly using very little oil. If you use a nonstick pan, you can cook without adding fat or oil. You also can use a small amount of cooking spray. Stir-fried meals are healthful because the food cooks rapidly at relatively high temperatures. Very little oil is needed, just enough to form a thin film on the pan. If desired, broth, wine or nonstick cooking spray can be used instead of oil. (Just be sure to add more liquid to the pan as it evaporates.) Gradually add the oil or broth to the pan, heating until hot but not smoking. Then toss in the food and stir constantly until meats are thoroughly cooked and vegetables are just tender and crisp.

Steaming. This is 1 of the simplest ways to cook food. Steam vegetables, chicken, or fish using a steamer basket suspended above simmering water. Adding seasonings to the water helps flavor the food as it cooks. No oil or fat needed. A large steamer pot is ideal since it provides ample space for the steam to circulate, cooking the food most efficiently. Water will boil away as the food is cooking, so be sure to start off with enough liquid in the pot.


Eating healthy food does not mean you have to give up your favourite foods, your favourite recipes can be adapted to provide a healthier alternative.