Why Thigh Gap is So Important to Women?

They may make skinny jeans look attractive, but how far can you go to widen the gap between your thighs?

It's the body trend which's launched numeroud blogs, Twitter IDs and memes in the west. While back in India, the thigh gap may not have acquired cult status yet, cosmetic surgeons and gym trainers say young Indian women are interested to widen the distance between their inner thighs.

Do you have one?
Stand straight opposite a mirror with your back upright, your left and right knees touching each other. If you notice space between your inner thighs, you have got yourself a thigh gap. Very few women manage to attain this naturally, driving some to unnatural diets which may result in eating disorders. Majority of Indian women won't see one because of their genes.

Fitness experts we spoke to, said Indian women are generally blessed with child-bearing hips. "Compared to western counterparts, Indian women have wider pelvic bones, making their thighs thicker. They are unlikely to have the gap naturally," says cosmetic expert Dr Abraham Zachariah, head of the cosmetology department at Marol's Seven Hills Hospital.

Fitness guru Leena Mogre agrees. "Most of the Indians have an endomorphic body type; usually short and stocky, prone to weight gain, especially around the hip and thigh area," she says.

Genesis of idea 
It is this trend which can be directly linked to the way the world of fashion and entertainment lays down rules of a perfect body. Style bibles tell them they must be fashionistas. Nothing less than a Asos dress (or at least a rip-off) will do. And to fit into the current styles, they must have the body for it. Counselors say it's up to parents to help their children maintain a good body image. The belief they must instill into their girls is to eat nutrition rich diet and be fit, rather than trying to achieve zero figure.

Fill into the gap
Mansi Astha, a physiotherapist and consultant at Santacruz's K11 Fitness Academy, says the gym regularly gets women of age group 25-50, who are concerned about fat reduction in specific areas. After the abs, the thighs are their nightmare. "They want to look attractive in skinny jeans, short skirts and shorts — outfits which focus attention on the legs. So, losing fat from their thighs becomes a priority," she says, adding that spot reduction is far from easy, if possible at all. "Each individual is prone to fat accumulation in a different parts of the body. This also happens to be the most difficult area to burn fat, so we don't encourage members to work out specific areas."

With a fight against genes, for the Indian woman, being slim would not guarantee a thigh gap. "You would have to be very determined in your workout regime to acquire it," adds Astha.

Extreme measure 
What would work then, counter- productively of course, would be extreme diets. Some women choose to go the surgical route.

Cosmetic surgeons across Mumbai admit to receiving a regular stream of customer asking for fat removal from their thighs.

Dr Zachariah, who gets 6 patients a month for fat removal from the thighs, says the demand has functional reasons too. In not-so-slim-bodies, the inner thighs rub against each other, making walking difficult. If the thighs are regularly pressed against each other, not only does the skin in the area turn dark and irritable, in our humid weather, it could result in yeast infections.

Dr Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon at Breach Candy Hospital & Cosmetic Surgery Institute says that in the west, the obsession with thin thighs is as old as the beach culture. "When I was a medical student in the US, we would call it letting the light through — the idea being that when there's a silhouette with the legs joined together, light should be able to pass through the legs."

Dr Thomas receives 4 patients a week, concerned about thick thighs. He says they may not use the term 'thigh gap', but are obsessed with the area nevertheless.

Delhi-based blogger Swati Ailawadi, put up a recent post against the thigh gap, asking people if any of them were trying to achieve one. "While I didn't receive any replies on it, I had heard from a friend that a lot of female students were trying to achieve it just before they are to begin college," she says over the phone.

But who really requires one?
Fashion designer Prasad Bidappa, who has mentored generations of models, including Deepika Padukone, says only supermodels who walk the ramp need bother. "When you are on ramp, you have to be a particular body type. And most of these women have that shape naturally, which is improved by years of exercise and a strict diet," he says, adding, "We get girls as young as 14 aspiring to be models. Some of them are not tall, or are voluptuous. They may never become ramp models but they are good for print modelling and for acting in TV and films. But we never advise them to go for surgery. If you can't get it from physical workout, don't aspire for it."

And to those willing to go to dietary extremes, Dr Thomas shares some bad news, "Starving won't help losing fat from regions like the butt and thigh."

Dr Purwa Duggal, a nutritionist with Fortis Hospital, explains stubborn fat in areas such as thighs, hips, butt etc. are influenced by oestrogen. Prolonged starvation does not necessarily mean burning fat. initially it may cause muscle wasting or utilisation of glycogen stores.

Catecholamines, which are fight or flight hormones developed in the body in response to stress, are required to burn fat. "Blood flow to stubborn fat areas is generally very poor, as a result, the catecholamines are unable to reach the area to mobilise the fat. Even if the fat is mobilised, while it continues to be in the blood stream, it may get re-deposited in the original areas," she adds. However, both she and macrobiotic nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal agree that a controlled diet — excluding unhealthy fats, processed food and sugars — complimented with focussed exercise, under supervision, may help one in developing the desired muscle tone over time.

Anushka's pins
We experienced the trend in scenes where she wore itsy bitsy shorts in her last Shah Rukh Khan-starrer. Actor Anushka Sharma has a thigh gap, which we are sure young girls admire especially when they dream of slipping into hot pants and skinny jeans.

The legs which sparked the trend
21 year old British model Cara Delevingne's legs are the torchbearers of the thigh gap obsession which is haunting social networking sites. There is even a Twitter ID dedicated to them. Bloggers showcase pictures of themselves following their weight-loss journey to attain the desired gap. This has made parental experts and counsellors see red, resulting in anti-thigh gap movements including Tumblr sites Touching Thighs and No Thigh Gap.

4 Bodily Signs A Heart Attack is Near

Despite what many people think, heart attacks rarely happen “out of the blue.”

As a matter of fact, your body may be trying to warn you of an nearby heart attack for days, weeks, perhaps even months before it occurs. Unfortunately, by the time you actually realize you are suffering a heart attack, it could be too late to prevent death or debilitating heart damage.

So-called silent heart attacks, with signs and symptoms which are mild or seem unrelated to the heart, have long concerned cardiovascular expert Dr. Chauncey Crandall. So Dr. Crandall recently created a special free video presentation about the 4 most sinister warning signs to watch for.

Statistics indicate a clear link between a delay in heart attack treatment and death or disability. That is the reason it is essential to know exactly what your heart is trying to tell you with warning signs like those discussed in Dr. Crandall's video.

Although developed as an educational tool, this video quickly went viral, attracting more than 5 million viewers in just a few months.

Newsmax Health Publisher Travis Davis attributes the viral sensation to the fact that the content hits close to home for many people in United States, especially because heart disease is America’s #1 killer. In fact, in the United States alone, about 1 million people suffer their first heart attack each year.

Dr. Crandall, chief of the cardiac transplant program at the reputed Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach, Florida, practices on the front lines of interventional, vascular, and transplant cardiology.

Years of clinical experience has provided him the opportunity to detect little-known warning signs and symptoms like the 4 he addresses in the video.

In addition, in the video Dr. Crandall also explains the real-life story of one man who suffered a “widow-maker” heart attack after ignoring the warning signs — and almost paid the ultimate price. The story is scary but eye-opening, because Dr. Crandall outlines what we could do to actually prevent this from progressing to the life-threatening stage.

Dr. Crandall, medical editor of the Newsmax publication Heart Health Report, has a positive message: you do not have to be a sitting duck for a deadly heart attack. In fact, according to Dr. Crandall, heart disease can be prevented — and even reversed — with the proper information and simple lifestyle adjustments.

Health & Fitness

Health and Fitness is now one of the major concern areas across the world. Easy lifestyle is what we are moving towards. Very less of effort spent on most activities like, travel by motor vehicles, air-conditioned environment, ready-made food stuff, etc.

Earlier humans used to hunt for their living, due to which their body had to undergo a lot of physical exercise. Every part of the body was exercised and the intake was more of natural substances.

Today, we hardly do any of those. Even a simple 30 mins per day of workouts and one good nutritious meal a day can help improve our health. This easy life has restricted humans to do that bit of physical exercise which is required to keep the body fit and healthy.

How do we ensure that we have all that is required for a healthy living? This is a big question among everyone. We need a fit and healthy body. Good Health is all that one craves for. Becoming healthier and fitter though not very difficult needs dedicated efforts.

Nutrition and Health Diet
The basic foundation for a healthy individual starts from his foetal stage with proper and healthy nutrition derived from his or her mother. Hence, a pregnant woman's diet stands atop all diets.

Your food shall be your medicine. Ayurveda has postulated the role of food and especially nutritive foods for maintaining health as well as cure of diseases. Nutrients are necessary for the proper functioning of mental, physical, metabolic, chemical and hormonal activities. The body is like a machine that will repair and rebuild itself if proper nutrition is provided by way of food.

Sumptuous nutrition is available in fruits and vegetables. Fruits have the capacity to give all that a body needs. How to consume? What to consume? Which fruit helps in which way? The answers to these questions can be found in our Nutrition and Healthy Diet Section.

Exercise and Fitness
Simple fitness exercises can help to have a fitter and healthy life. Stretching exercises can help in many ways in maintaining a fitter body. Weight loss can be achieved by following simple effortless regular exercises. Medical breakthroughs can happen by regular meditation and exercising. Yoga and other workouts which can be performed easily are available in this website to keep you fit and healthy.

Health and Fitness can make all that difference in one's life. Healthy living is all that one needs, and to achieve that we picked up the best of the articles from reliable sources and have presented here in an organized manner. You might not be able to spend your valuable time on complicated medications and diet controls, but, you can find articles to help you have a better living using simple and easy Technics.

Ayurveda, a science in vogue practiced since centuries, uses a wide variety of plants, animal origin substances, mineral and metallic substances to re-balance the diseased condition in the sick. A few tips on simple treatment of life style diseases have been carefully picked for the visitors of this website. These tips can help reduce or control diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

Custard Apple

Custard Apple is a tropical fruit tree which grows easily. It was first cultivated in West Indies. Its botanical name is 'ANNONA SQUAMOSA'. It is very popular in India. The pulp of the fruit is mixed with milk to make custard. As it has the taste of custard it is called 'Custard Apple'. The fruit has a peculiar aroma. Custard Apple is used to make Jams, Jellies and sherbets.

The plant is propogated by grafting as well as through the seeds. Grafted plants deliver fruits from the first year itself. The plant usually flowers between March and July. The fruits should be plucked before they are ripe and stored for ripening.

Custard apple helps improve digestion and is used as a cure for vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentry and vertigo. The unripe fruit is dried and powdered and is used as a cure for treating lice. The fruit is low in calorie content and contains minerals like iron, phosphorous, calcium and riboflavin.

The plant is a evergreen shrub and reaches a maximum of 6 mts. The plant bears flowers in the mature branches and the fruits develop in the mature branches and are usually round. The flesh is white and creamy with a sugary taste. The seeds are black in colour with a shine. The seeds are not consumed for they are slightly poisonous.

An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away

The proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is 100% true in my opinion. Apples come in all shades of reds, greens, yellows. Apples are fat, sodium, and cholesterol free. Apples are delicious and a natural mouth freshener. Apples are a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber such as pectin actually helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, thus reducing the incident of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Eat Apples for Good Health

It is a good to eat apples with their skin. Almost half of the vitamin C content is just underneath the skin. Most of apple's fragrance cells are also concentrated in the skin. Apple juice is good as a nutritious drink but excellent in overcoming a liverish feeling, in helping sort out digestive disturbances and for flushing the kidneys. Many of these health providing properties are retained in cider vinegar, so if you cannot obtain apples to prepare your juice you can use instead two teaspoonfuls of cider vinegar in a glass of water.

Apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer apples contain relatively low amounts of Vitamin C as well as several other antioxidant compounds. The fiber content, while less than in most other fruits, helps regulate bowel movements and may thus reduce the risk of colon cancer. They also reduce the risk of heart disease, promote weight loss and controls cholesterol.

Apples are a good source of dietary fibre and vitamin C. Most of the apples fibre is contained in its skin. It contains numerous nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more unfortunately, in conventionally grown apples, the apple skin is also the part most likely to contain pesticide residues. Since pelling results in the loss of its valuable fibre, choose organically grown apples whenever possible.

Rinse apples under clear running water like you would any fruit. To prevent browning when slicing apples for a recipe, simply put the slices in a bowl of cold water to which a spoonful of lemon juice has been added.

10 Health Benefits of Apple

Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer's Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

Health Benefits of Apple Juice
Apple Juice is rich in nutrients such as Vit. A, Vit. B, Vit. C and minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, silicon, chlorine etc. Some of its important benefits are:

Benefit 1: Apple juice reduces bad cholesterol levels and enhances the cardiovascular health of a person. The risk of getting heart disease is reduced significantly by drinking apple juice.

Benefit 2: Apple juice is helpful for weight loss. Hence you can remain fit and slim by drinking apple juice.

Benefit 3: Apple juice is very rich in potassium, hence it is very beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism.

Benefit 4: Apple juice improves the functioning and health of intestines. Hence it combats constipation effectively.

Benefit 5: Raw apple juice cleans liver and kidneys and reduces the risk of kidney and liver disease.

Benefit 6: Drinking apple juice improves digestion and eliminates harmful toxins from the body.

Benefit 7: Apple juice together with honey and milk is very useful in nervous debility.

Benefit 8: Apple juice with honey is very effective in treating pregnancy anemia.

Benefit 9: Apple juice contains antioxidants which prevent different kinds of cancer.

Benefit 10: Apple juice is very good for lungs and it lowers the risk of asthma.

History:
The word Apple is derived from the old English word aeppel. Apple is a fruit that is cultivated and consumed across the world, not only for its sweet taste but also for its nutritional value.

Consuming apples helps lower heart disease as well as helps a great deal in weight control. There are hundreds of different types of available across the globe and are either consumed fresh or baked into apple pies, converted into juices, jellies, jams and many more mouth-watering products.

Archaeologists have stumbled upon the carbonized remains of the apple pertaining to the Iron age in a few prehistoric lakes of Switzerland. They also came across evidence which confirmed that apples were eaten by people of the Stone age as well. The apple tree is believed to be the oldest cultivated trees in the world, however, its exact origin is not known. Some historians believe that apple trees were first planted and cultivated by the Romans, and that the fruit's origin can be traced to South Western Asia. While on the other hand, some believe that apples originated in Kazakhstan in South Central Asia.

In the 13th century BCE, Ramesses II (Egyptian Pharaoh) ordered for apples to be cultivated in the Nile Delta region. Further, apples were also cultivated across the Rhine Valley region, and around 35 different types of apples were cultivated by the end of the 1st century CE. When the English colonists came to the US in the 1600s, they found only the crab apple variety. They also noticed that the orchards produced lower number of fruits because the number of honeybees were less. So they shipped apple tree cuttings, seeds and beehives all the way from England to the US in early 1622. Once the shipment arrived, the English colonists immediately started planting apple orchards.

Historians also mention about a man named William Blackstone, who brought a bag of apple seeds along with him from Europe into Massachusetts, USA. He is known to have planted apple orchards on Beacon Hill in Boston as well as Rhode Island. In 1632, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop was gifted the Conants Island in Boston Harbor. In response to this generous gift, John promised to plant an apple orchard on the island and also pledged to give a fifth of the fruits produce every year to the governor, whoever he may be. By the 1640s, apple orchards were well established across the US.

The first commercial apple tree nursery, called William Prince Nursery was opened by Robert Prince in 1737 in the US. This nursery consisted of exotic varieties of plants and trees brought from across the globe, and was a prized nursery. In 1775, the Britishers (time of the revolutionary war) who occupied the Long Island, New York prized the nursery so much that they even went forward and appointed an armed guard to protect it. Further, in 1789, George Washington (first US president) along with the vice president, and some others visited the William Prince Nursery. However, George Washington was not impressed by the garden and stated that the shrubs in the nursery were trifled and the flowers were few.

Then there is the legend about 'Johnny Appleseed' that Americans hold on to so dearly. The popular folk hero's actual name was John Chapmen (1774-1845), a farmer whose desire was to cultivate so many apples that nobody would sleep hungry. He traveled from one land to another planting apple orchards and is believed to have traveled approximately 10,000 square miles of the Frontier country to fulfill his dream. He would dry the apple seeds, put them in bags and give them to passersby (heading West) he met. He devoted his entire life towards the 'apple cause' until his death in 1845.

In the early 20th century, another man named Sydney Babson had also devoted his life to planting apple orchards. In 1960, he was awarded the title of "Orchardist of the Year." By 2004, 130 billion pounds of apples were cultivated across 91 countries covering over 13 million acres of land, with 35 states from the US producing apples worth $1.76 billion. Today, the apple is the most widely cultivated fruit tree in the world, with China as the leading producer, followed by the US at second place. Some of the other leading producers are Iran, Italy, France and Turkey.

Apples have not fallen from the sky. Many people from the past have taken painstaking efforts to plant and cultivate apple orchards, just so that today we can enjoy this wonderful fruit. Hopefully, we will remember their efforts and give due credit to them the next time we eat an apple.

Eat Radish to Keep Healthy

The Radish (Raphanus sativus) is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family which was domesticated in Europe, in pre-Roman times. They are grown and consumed throughout the world. Radishes have several varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time. There are some radishes which are grown for their seeds; oilseed radishes are grown, as the name implies, for oil production. Radish can sprout from seed to small plant in as little as 3 days.

Radish can be eaten raw or cooked . The most important use of radishes is garnishing or it is used as an ingredient in green salads. Radishes are root vegetables which resemble beets or turnips in appearance and texture, but have a distinct flavor. It is the root of a plant classified in the mustard family.

The flavor of radish may vary from mild to peppery and pungent, depending on the variety.  Radishes are available all year long, and are at their peak from June through September. There are 5 main varieties of radishes Red Glode, daikons, Black, white Icicles, California Mammoth White.

Radishes and their greens are an excellent source of vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory properties too.  Radish leaves are a good source of calcium.  Radishes contain cancer-protective properties.  The sulphur based chemicals present in radish increase the flow of bile.  This improves the health of gall bladder.  Radish can protect as against ailments such as Jaundice, piles, urinary disorders, weightloss  cancer Leucoderma, skin disorders, kidney disorders and insect bites.

Radishes are usually eaten raw or in salads.  They are primarily used in Japanese and Indian cooking. To retain the freshness and crunchiness it is advised to soak Radish in cold water. Radishes come in a number of varieties of shapes, sizes and colors.

Nutritional Value
Radishes are rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid, and potassium. They are a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, and calcium. One cup of sliced red radish bulbs provides approximately 20 kcal, largely from carbohydrates.

Health Benefits of Radish

The benefits of radish against certain ailments and on certain body parts are listed below:

Jaundice: Radish is very good for the liver and the stomach and it is a very good detoxifier too, that is, it purifies blood. It is very useful in jaundice as it helps removing bilirubin and also checks its production. It also controls destruction of red blood cells during jaundice by increasing supply of fresh oxygen in the blood. The black radish is more preferred in jaundice. The leaves of radish are also very useful in treatment of jaundice.

Piles: Radish is rich in roughage, i.e. indigestible carbohydrates. This improves digestion, retains water, cures constipation (one of the main causes for piles) and hence gives relief in piles. Being a very good detoxifier, it helps heal up piles fast. Its juice also soothes the digestive and excretory system and this also relieves piles.

Urinary Disorders: Radishes are diurectic in nature, i.e. increase production of urine. Juice of radish also cures inflammation and burning feeling during urinating. It also cleans the kidneys and inhibits infections in kidneys and urinary system. Thus it helps a great deal in treating urinary disorders.

Weight Loss: Radishes are very filling, i.e. fills your stomach and satisfies your hunger easily without giving you many calories, as they are low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water. It is a very good dietary option for those trying to lose weight.

Cancer: Being a very good detoxifier and rich in vitamin-C, folic and anthocyanins, radish helps cure many types of cancer, specially those of colon, kidney, intestines, stomach and oral cancer.

Leucoderma: The detoxifying and anti carcinogenic characteristics of radish make it useful in treatment of Leucoderma. The radish seeds are used in this case. They should be powdered and soaked in vinegar or ginger juice or cows urine and then applied on the white patches. Eating radish also aids treatment of Leucoderma.

Skin Disorders: Vitamin-C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of vitamin-B complex that are present in radish, are good for skin. The water in it helps maintain moisture of the skin. Smashed raw radish is a very good cleanser and serves as a very efficient face pack. Due to its disinfectant properties, radish also helps cure skin disorders, such as drying up, rashes, cracks etc. and also refreshes it.

Kidney Disorders: Being diurectic, cleanser and disinfectant, it helps cure many kidney disorders. Its diurectic properties help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys. Cleansing properties clean kidneys up and lessens accumulation of toxins in the blood, thereby decreasing their concentration in the kidneys. Its disinfectant properties protect the kidneys from any infections too. Thus it is good for overall health of the kidneys.

Insect Bites: It has anti pruritic properties and can be used as an effective treatment for insect bites, stings of bees, hornets, wasps etc. Its juice also reduces pain and swelling and soothes the affected area.

Fever: It brings down the body temperature and relieves inflammation due to fever. Drink radish juice mixed with black salt. Being a good disinfectant, it also fights infections which cause fever, thereby helping cure it.

Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radish is an anti congestive, i.e. it relieves congestion of respiratory system including nose, throat, wind-pipe and lungs, due to cold, infection, allergies and other causes. It is a good disinfectant and also rich in vitamins that protect respiratory system from infections.

Liver & Gallbladder: Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It regulates production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, enzymes and removes excess bilirubin from the blood, being a good detoxifier. It also contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. It protects liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers and soothes them.

Other Benefits: Apart from above benefits, radish is a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, regulates metabolism, improves blood circulation, is a good treatment for headache, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, gallbladder stones, dyspepsia etc.

Finding it hard to digest the above stuff? Well! We suggest you have some slices of radish. That may help you and enhance your appetite for the health benefits of vegetables and herbs.

History
The descriptive Greek name of the genus Raphanus means "quickly appearing" and refers to the rapid germination of these plants. Raphanistrum, from the same Greek root, is an old name once used for this genus. The common name "radish" is derived from Latin radix (root).

Although the radish was a well-established crop in Hellenistic and Roman times that leads to the assumption that it was brought into cultivation at an earlier time, Zohary and Hopf note that "there are almost no archeological records available "to help determine its earlier history and domestication. Wild forms of the radish and its relatives the mustards and turnip can be found over west Asia and Europe, suggesting that their domestication took place somewhere in that area. However Zohary and Hopf conclude, "Suggestions as to the origins of these plants are necessarily based on linguistic considerations.

How to Get Rid of Bloating / Puffiness in the Face

How to Get Rid of Bloating in the Face

Experiencing a puffy / bloated face in the morning or during the day is a common problem amongst many adults.

Through such symptoms our bodies indicate internal health disorders; however, there is precisely no reason to take stress – because this problem can be cured easily!

While a bloated or puffy looking face could be a result of something as simple as an infection like the common cold to an allergic reaction to foods or other substances, a leading skin specialist spells out the causes and easy solutions to a bloated face.

Improper diet: Lack of a balanced diet can result in a puffy face. You need to increase fat intake in your body, so that your skin stays supple. Also, if there is a shortage of beta-carotene or vitamin C in your body, it will show in your face.

For immediate nourishment opt for watermelon juice. Put a large piece of the fruit, along with the seeds, in a blender, extract the juice and drink up.

Allergies: Allergies can cause hives, with swelling in the mouth as well as on the face. Allergy to certain foods can cause reaction to make your face and lips look swollen. If the allergic reaction is severe, one must contact a medical practioner asap.

Low intake of fluids: While working / living in air-conditioned building, people don’t tend to feel thirty. They don't know that dehydration is one of the major reasons for a puffy face. Our bodies tend to retain as much water as they can if they are dehydrated. Unfortunately, this excess water is stored in the face. Hence, one must drink water regularly to get rid of bloated face.

Infections: Some infections such as conjunctivitis, salivary gland infections, a bad tooth, a sty as well as sinusitis can cause an inflammation of the face. Cure for these conditions generally depends on the root cause of the infection.

Alcohol intake: Alcoholic drinks, be it beer, whisky, wine, brandy etc make your body dehydrated. Specially beer is believed to be a major cuplrit for puffiness in the body.  After taking alcoholic drinks you tend to feel thirsty. In such conditions, the body responds by storing as much water as possible in different parts of the body – and face is not an exception. Hence it is strictly advised to cut on alcohol if you want to get rid of a puffy face.

Injury: Any kind of injury to the face can also cause swelling. Trauma to the head, face and neck can result in different areas of the face to swell up. However, this is a serious condition and doctor’s intervention is advised for speedy recovery.

Simple tips to get rid of a bloated / puffy face:

 

Make sure you drink plenty of water everyday. Keep a bottle of water by your bedside table so you can drink whenever you feel thirsty. If you wake up and experience puffyness in your face, reach for some water immediately and drink up.

 

A warm compress also benefits in reducing swelling in case of sinusitis.

 

Place soaked tea bags over the swollen areas. The tannin which is present in tea helps to ease the puffiness. Herbal tea bags such as chamomile are known to be the best for this method.

 

Applying white area of egg to your face also helps in getting rid of puffiness.

 

Aloe Vera’s antioxidant and vitamin E content make it excellent for improving blood circulation and flushing out excessive fluids from on the face. Simply start applying aloe vera juice or gel on your face.

 

"Avoid tea or coffee", says our skin expert. Since these are diuretics and will flush even more water out of your system.

Face massage is a quick, easy and effective method to treat face bloating.  How to do it? Gently. In half-moon motions (always going up, to prevent dragging your skin down) lightly massage your face with your ring and middle fingers. If it is eye puffiness which’s bothering you the most, use only your ring finger in the under-eye area, as it’s the weakest finger and won’t be so likely to affect the delicate skin.

Undergo cardio, weight training, and face exercises: Workouts are a great way to slim down your body and face. Weight training and cardio exercises, when combined with proper diet, can help you burn more calories and lose face fat.  Face exercises target the muscles in your face particularly.  For instance there are many double chin exercises which specifically target your double chin, as well as exercises for your cheeks, jaw, neck, forehead, etc.

Avoid eating salty foods: Salt causes your body to retain much water, and this results in facial bloating and also a double chin. When you snack with food loaded with lots of salt, you are likely to feel thirsty and your face will look swollen the next day. So this means you will have to say goodbye to chips, burgers, pizza, and other foods with high sodium content. Ideal thing is to prepare your own food at home so that you can control the amount of salt you consume.

Eat more fruits and vegetables: Say goodbye to those processed foods in the fridge. Start giving preference to something natural like fruits and veggies to reduce the bloating / puffiness on your face. These natural and healthy foods contain water which keep you hydrated and prevent your face from retaining water. Try to eat atleast three servings of veggies and three servings of fruits a day. Instead of consuming a chocolate bar, snack on a fruit salad or a bunch of grapes. Fruits and veggies contain fewer calories, are rich in fiber, and more anti-oxidants; that’s why they are recommended to those who want to stay fit.

Fitness Tips for Working Moms

Exercise has become an integral part of todays' working women, not only because of their job, but because of what it does for them personally. Exercise or any kind of intense workout helps relieve stress, and makes people feel good about themselves. But for working women who are also mom of small kids it becomes a challenge. Most of these women put 110% of my effort towards their kids and jobs, leaving little for them own use. According to fitness experts that’s not good (and something everyone need to work on), and this is something one has to make time for almost daily.

Whether it means getting up early, squeezing in a few 10-minute workouts throughout the day or doing a quick video while they nap, exercise really calms busy moms and helps them get through a busy day without a (mommy) meltdown.

Everyone has an equal number of hours in a day, so whether or not you exercise comes down to how you decide to spend your time. It’s not always easy, and just because some people exercise regularly doesn’t mean they pop out of bed at 5 a.m., excited and energized to work out. They have to drag themselves out of bed most days, and some days, their scheduled workout doesn’t happen. They do the best they can.

So if you’re a busy mom, how do you begin to find time for exercise? Here are a few suggestions that might work for you.

5 Fitness Strategies for Moms:

1. Get others around you on board with your commitment.  You can’t do everything for everyone all the time. Sometimes, you need assistance. My friends' husband knows exercise is important to her, so he helps her find time for workouts whenever he can. He will watch the kids while my friend goes for a run after he gets home from work, or sometimes he’ll even suggest she do a quick workout when he can tell it’s been a rough day. Her dad also offers to watch her kids while she run. Having the support of ones family makes the commitment so much easier.    
2. Schedule it as part of your day just like anything else.  If you’re a present working mom, your appointment calendar is full of tasks related to work and family. Why shouldn’t you budget time for your workout too? Plan your workouts for the week ahead and note them down in your to do list. You wouldn’t skip a meeting at the office or your child’s school, so treat your exercise appointments with the same importance. 
3. Accept that some days will be easier than others, but success is just hanging in there.  There are days when your run is going really well and you would love to keep going, but sometimes you will literally run out of time. There are days when the calendar gets turned upside down and your workout doesn’t happen at all, or days when 10 minutes is all you’ve got. As long as most days, things work out as planned, that’s all you can ask for as a busy mom trying to juggle it all.  
4. Don’t be too harsh on yourself.  Just because you don’t have an hour to exercise doesn’t mean 10 or 15 minutes aren’t worth the effort. Even small amounts of exercise can add up to amazing results. 
5. Get creative.  Don’t use “lack of time” as an excuse not to exercise. Involve your kids, break your workout into shorter segments throughout the day, or use time at your child’s soccer practice to get in a workout. If you are willing to make exercise an integral part of your life, sometimes you’ll have to do it in less-than-ideal situations. One would much rather have an hour to herself to exercise, but if it’s 20 minutes with one's kids in the room, at least it’s something!

Top ten ways to get better sleep

Nothing damages your ability to get things done faster than a bad night's sleep. Studies have proved that lack of sleep costs Americans significant work productivity; yawning employees can't stay alert, make good decisions, focus on work or even manage a friendly behavior at the office. There are several ways to beat insomnia, improve the quality of your sleep, and master the power nap. 

Given below are top ten sleep techniques, tips and facts to get a better sleep at night. 

1) Reduce television/computer time before bed. Stop checking your email or watching TV just before you are going to bed and you'll sleep better. According to a recent study people who consume electronic media (read: stare at a backlit screen) just before bedtime report to have lower-quality sleep even when they get as much sleep as non-pre-bedtime screenheads. 

2) Eat good. Some foods have found to be more conducive to a better night's sleep than others. We already know about warm milk, chamomile tea and turkey, but there are others like Nuts - cashews and almonds, wheat and oat bran, spinach and black beans and artichokes that are high in magnesium. They foods reduce stress and fear bringing sleep.

If we eat potatoes, crackers, white bread, brown rice, pretzels and dates within five hours before going to bed, we can get a better sleep. Other Insomnia treating foods are bell peppers, bananas, tuna, chicken and halibut.

3) Beat Insomnia with Visualization. Nothing can be worse than lying awake throughout the night, watching the clock ticking away seconds knowing that you'll be a zombie the next day. When insomnia's kicking your sleepy butt, you can use a self-directed meditative visualization method to quiet the whir of a racing mind.

4) Awareness Development. We take many of the risk factors related with Insomnia lightly. It is partly because of our ignorance about the seriousness of these risk factors. Developing awareness about the severity of conditions related with insomnia can change our casual perception on sleep.

5) Spirituality. Inclination towards spirituality has become essential in today’s fast paced world. Spirituality teaches us to forgive and forget. Being spiritual helps us in not bottling up the hostile emotions within ourselves. A big reason of the insomnia is the negative thoughts generated by these emotions, primarily. By practicing spirituality, we can improve our sleep significantly.

6) Going Early to Bed: Going early to bed simply solves most of the problem. However, one requires strong resolve and patience initially to make it a habit.

7) Switching Off the Lights: We get sleep when a hormone known as Melatonin is released in the brain. Hormones are naturally present chemicals in our body. They help different organs of the body to work properly. These hormones are released by the brain when it detects darkness around us. If we do not switch off the lights, the mind will think that it is still not a sleep night and will not release the sleep hormone.

8) Exercise. Replace popping sleep pills with regular physical workout or exercise. It is a natural cure for Insomnia. According to studies regular exercise in the morning and a brisk walk after dinner before going to bed are found to be sufficient to get good sleep at night.

9) Personal and Social Relationships: The corporate sector has erratic work hours as its norm. The employees as a result do not get quality time to spend with their family members, leave alone spending time with friends and relatives. It not only affects the relationships equation, but also generates resentments and frustrations. By improving our social and personal relationships we will feel better and a good night sleep will come automatically.

10) Regular Health Check-ups: Positive results of improvement and sound health confirmed by the diagnosis of the doctor, boosts our confidence. It increases conviction on health regime taken up by us. We follow it more religiously thereby ensuring proper sleep to our body.

Top ten ways to lose weight

Losing weight is not an easy task. You will never hear people say that it is. It takes dedication, motivation and real hard efforts. But by making a few easy changes in your daily routine you can get the ball rolling on losing weight.

If you are really serious about changing your lifestyle, these top ten ways help get you there. The key is to dedicate yourself to these modifications in your routine and do them consistently.

No, losing weight is not a cake-walk. But by following these ways ... you may find it's a little easier than you think!

1) Reduce calorie intake. Nutritionists think that no matter what you reduce (such as protein, carbohydrate or fat), you finally reduce calorie intake. If a person reduces 800 cal intakes each day, he will lose 10 pounds within 6 weeks; if he reduces 500 cal intakes each day, he may lose 10 lbs within 2.5 months. But you must avoid reducing too fast; otherwise it may prove very dangerous.

2) Eat less fatty foods. According to experts 1 gram of fat is equal to 9 therm-calories. Compared with fat, the caloric contents of carbohydrate and protein calories per gram is much smaller. Therefore we can say, you don’t have to eat less. You can eat fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals in place of fatty foods, such as cream. Experts think that if people can eat 20-40 grams of fat every day, they will lose 10 pounds within 2 months of time. But not every person can lose weight by less fat intake; it also depends on the body and may vary for person to person.

3) Reduce food intake. To lose weight, without giving up favourite foods, it is essential to control not to refuse your favourite foods. Experts suggest placing a balance in the kitchen and putting up a slogan to remind you of reducing food intake.

4) Eat more liquid food. It is easy to cook liquid food. If you only eat liquid food or drink one meal a day, you will reduce 10 pounds during 8 months time. Liquid food should be taken in variety in order to avoid the lack of nutrition. Under the guidance of your doctor, you can even eat liquid food two meals a day. This can reduce 10 lbs in 5 in 5 weeks. But make sure that liquid food can provide essential nutrients and proteins for your body. Moreover, be sure to eat 3 meals a day.

5) Regular exercise. It is a good technique to do regular exercise 3-5 times per week to reduce fat, lose weight, increase muscle and be more energetic - for example, running, swimming and cycling. If you have not carried out regular exercise, you should prevent physical injury. Excessive exercise will increase appetite, and thus you may increase your chances of not losing weight.

6) Walking. According to experts, if you walk 5 kms in 45 minutes and 1 time each day, 5 days per week, you will lose 10 pounds in 6 months. If you walk 6.5 kms within 45 minutes, then your weight loss will be much faster. Cardiovascular Doctor Points out: using this technique to lose weight may increase the appetite. Hence it is advised that, before or after walk, you can eat low-fat food or fresh fruit and drink plenty of water to supply body moisture.

7) Strength training. Strength training has found to be muscle enhancing. More muscle will help accelerate metabolism. 45 minutes weight lifting exercise 3 times a week could help reduce 10 pounds in 10 months. To avoid hurting the body, it is advised to consult a coach to help select the appropriate weight and develop appropriate training regimens. Do stretching exercises before and after exercise in order to maintain the body flexibility. You can gradually increase the weight and frequency of training.

8) Reduce caloric intake combined with walking. You will reduce 150 kcal calories intake if you drink soda water instead of soft drinks. Simultaneously, if you walk 5 kms in 45 minutes and 5 times each week, then you will lose 10 pounds in 3 months. If you reduce more calories intake and combine with above walking exercise, then you will lose 10 lbs within 7 weeks.

9) Reduce fat intake combined with weight lifting. This method has found to consume excess body fat, maintain good stature, grow muscle, speed up metabolism and promote overall health. If you reduce 20 grams of fat intake per day and go on 20 minutes weightlifting 3 times a week, you can reduce 10 lbs in 3.5 months.

10) The best selection. Based on the above 9 techniques, you can develop a step-by-step plan to carry out. The best combination is to control fat intake and increase exercise and strength training. As long as you have confidence and perseverance to do it, you will achieve success in losing weight, strengthening muscles and promoting overall health and wellbeing.

Nutrition & Healthy Diet

Healthy and nutritious food is very important for maintaining a good health. Healthy food involves, regular and timely food, juices, nuts, snacks and much more. A balanced diet, good food habits are essential for a healthy life.

In the normal course of life, we forget to take necessary nutrition that is required for our body and hence we tend to get into many life style diseases. It is very essential for a person to know and understand the benefits of nature's creation like fruits, vegetables, nuts,etc.

You can find useful articles on nutrition and health benefits of various fruits and vegetables. Read on and add these to your daily life. The value of food is more when it is taken in a systematic manner and also by understanding the benefits of every bite we take.

Custard Apple - Health Benefits: Custard Apple promotes digestion and cures diarrhea.

Apples are rich in vitamins and helps to reduce risks of colon cancer, prostrate cancer and lung cancer.

Radishes and their greens provide an excellent source of vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory properties too.  Radish leaves are a good source of calcium.  Radishes contain cancer-protective properties.Â

Chives are known for their beneficial effect on the digestive system and blood pressure. Chives are said to reduce the risk of several types of cancers.

Coconut is known for its antifungal, anti bacterial properties: Coconut oil forms the base of many Ayurvedic medicinal preparations.

Cherries reduce pain and inflammation: Cherries are good source of many vitamins, minerals and are tasty to eat.

Plums lowers age-related macular degeneration: Plums are sweet, juicy and are a good source of Vitamin c, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 and Potassium.

Spinach when cooked is an excellent source of Iron and Calcium: It is recommended for pregnant women in the first 3 months for its folic acid contents

Beetroots rich in potassium and fiber: Beetroots contains good amount of folate, potassium and manganese. They are less in calories and are effective in curing skin problems.

Cauliflower is good for the heart and reduces the risk of cancer: Cauliflower is highly nutritious and is effective in curing many ailments. It is rich in folate and is good for pregnant woman.

Mangoes are rich in Iron and Vitamins: Mangoes supply ample potassium, making them ideal for hypertensive patients or anyone looking to replenish energy after physical activity.

Tomatoes reduce the risk of heart attack: Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant.

Musk Melon - Tropical Delight: Musk melon is a tropical fruit which is been cultivated for a very long time. It is a rich source of vitamin 'C' and is effective in reducing body heat.

Cabbage helps cure ulcers and prevents colon cancer: Cabbage is a well known common vegetable. Its is low in calories and is long known for its healing properties.

Bitter Gourd - Health Benefits: Bitter Gourd is a tropical vegetable. It is a well known cure for diabetes.

Avocado - for fitness and health: Avocado is rich in pottasium content. The fruit is also a good source of vitamins.

Papaya - A rich source of Minerals and Fibre : Papaya has high nutritional benefits. It is rich in Anti-oxidants, Minerals and Fibre. It also helps in Skin Treatments.

Oats - Fibre food that cures constipation: Oats have some unique fatty acids and antioxidants which together with Vitamin E slow cell damage.

Nutritional benefits of Watermelon: Watermelon is highly refreshing during summer. It does not contain cholesterol and helps in eye sight also.

Nutritional benefits of Banana: Banana helps in the treatment of Depression, Anemia, Blood Pressure, Brain power, Constipation, etc.

Almond - A highly Nutritious fruit: Consumption of Almond lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases and gives overall wellness

Egg - A nutritious food: Egg is a healthy and nutritious food. Lecithin in eggs prevents the absorption of cholesterol of egg and other sources too

Calcium- The bone builder: Calcium Builds Strong Bones. Get calcium from greens, beans, or fortified foods. Vitamin D controls your body's use of calcium.

Healthy food for Stress Free Life: Nutritious and balanced diet is a must to free ourself from the physical and mental diseases and relieve stress

Mushrooms - A highly nutritious food: Mushrooms are rich in minerals, vitamin D (ergosterol), thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), dietary fibre as well as all the essential amino acids and are low in fat and calories.

Gooseberry (Amla) - Rich in Vitamin C: Amla or Gooseberry has many nutritious benefits. The amla has been found to be the most abundant source of Vitamin C in the plant kingdom.

Health Benefits of Zucchini: Zucchini when consumed regularly helps maintain blood pressure at normal levels.