Healthy Diets

Hi Friends,

Being healthy is very important in our life.

So, for that we need to be diet conscious.

Daily drink 2 - 3 cups of water in empty stomach.

Avoid drinking coffee or Tea morning.

Avoid oily food in morning.

Drink plenty of water daily.

Take many veggies more than a rice in your meals.

Please have your food in time.

Drink some veg soups daily with your meals.

Evening, instead of drinking coffee or Tea, drink fresh juice. Which helps to cool your stomach.

You can also have milk mixed carrot juice twice or thrice a week.

Avoid deep fried snacks like baji, Bonda, Vada, etc if you have the ulcer compliant.

Avoid eating cabbage, Coli-flower, Spinach, Brinjal & Tomatoes mainly, if you have Kidney stone compliant.

Consume more wheat & Raagi foods if you have Diabetic Compliant.

For the people who are thin can drink the Kanji ( Sathumaavu Kanji or Manna Health Mix) daily twice to add on weight & strength.

Avoid having rice food for dinner, if you are fat.

Don't repeat the same food weekly once.

Prepare, variety of dishes which is healthy & simple.

Don't consume too much oil for Dosa, Chappathi, etc, which will leads to indigestion during night time.

Avoid Potatoes, lemon & Citric Acid content foods if you have gastric compliant.

Note : Don't take the medicines which is prescribed by the medical stores instead of Doctors, which may leads to side effects in future.

Hope all the above tips will be helpful for you.

100 ways to conserve water

• 1- When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• 2- Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
• 3- Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• 4- Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full.
• 5- Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
• 6- Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• 7- Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
• 8- Plant in the rainy season when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
• 9- Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• 10-Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• 11- Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• 12- Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
• 13- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
• 14- Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
• 15- If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• 16- We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
• 17- If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
• 18- Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
• 19- When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
• 20- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
• 21- Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
• 22- Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
• 23- When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
• 24- Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste
• 25- When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• 26- Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
• 27- Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• 28- Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
• 29- Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
• 30- Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
• 31- Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive.
• 32- Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
• 33- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• 34- Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
• 35- Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
• 36- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• 37- Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
• 38- Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• 39- Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
• 40- To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
• 41- Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
• 42- Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
• 43- Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• 44- Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• 45- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
• 46- Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
• 47- Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
• 48- If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
• 49- Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
• 50- Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
• 51- Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
• 52- If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• 53- Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
• 54- If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
• 55- When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
• 56- When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
• 57- Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• 58- Bathe your young children together.
• 59- Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
• 60- Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
• 61- Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
• 62- Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
• 62- Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
• 64- Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car.
• 65- Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
• 66- If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
• 67- Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
• 68- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
• 69- Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• 70- Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
• 71- Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
• 72- Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• 73- Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
• 74- One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
• 75- Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
• 76- Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• 77- When shopping for a new washing machine compare resource savings among Energy Star models.
• 78- Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• 79- Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• 80- When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
• 81- Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
• 82- Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
• 83- When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• 84- If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• 85- To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
• 86- While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
• 87- When backflushing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping.
• 88- For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
• 89- Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent using the garbage disposal.
• 90- When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
• 91- Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line.
• 92- Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
• 93- When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.

Four Ways to Achieve Greater Happiness in Your Life

Giving yourself permission to be human means allowing yourself to fully experience all of your emotions -- the positive and the negative. "We think that if we experience anxiety, sadness, fear, or envy, that there must be something wrong with us," says Dr. Ben-Shahar. "Actually, the opposite is true. There is something wrong with us if we don't, at times, experience envy, anger, disappointment, sadness, or anxiety."

• Accept that painful emotions are a natural part of life. Don't try to block them, avoid feeling them, or pretend they're not there. Recognize that feeling down, disappointed, or unhappy at times is normal and natural. Similarly, emotions such as joy and pleasure and delight are also natural, so accept and embrace them as well.

• Admit to yourself and to those you are close with when you are feeling unhappy. Be sincere and open with yourself and those who are close to you when you are feeling down, feeling afraid, or experiencing other difficult emotions.

• Allow yourself to experience negative feelings but not to give up, lose hope, or feel resigned. "Practice active acceptance rather than passive resignation," says Dr. Ben-Shahar. For example, if you find yourself feeling anxious before a conversation with your manager or a customer, that's OK. Many people feel this way. But you can still choose to go ahead with the conversation, accept your nervousness, and proceed with your work responsibility.

• Focus on your emotions by practicing the "unconditional acceptance" exercise. Here is what to do: Sit comfortably in a chair or lie down if you prefer. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Now shift your focus to your emotions and how you are feeling -- whether it is sad, happy, anxious, nervous, joyous, or bored. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up. For the next few minutes, take deep breaths and allow whatever you are feeling to flow through you. Gradually and calmly open your eyes.

Simplify your life.
We often feel too busy, as if we're trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. As a result, we sometimes fail to enjoy the potential sources of happiness all around us -- feeling happiness at work, with a friend, with a loved one, or with a child; listening to music; noticing a beautiful landscape. Time pressure leads to feelings of frustration and can have a negative effect on productivity and creativity.



Here are tips from Dr. Ben-Shahar on ways to simplify your life, do "less rather than more," and achieve more happiness as a result:

• Look within yourself and examine how your life feels. Are you constantly rushed? Stressed? Always behind? Do you have sufficient time to pursue activities that are personally meaningful to you?

• Reduce the time pressure in your life. Reduce the overall number of activities in your day and reduce the number of things you do all at once. For example, if you can, when spending time with loved ones, don't answer the phone or check your e-mail. You'll be happier and more effective in all realms of your life.

• Be careful about over-committing yourself and about taking on new projects. Learn to say "no" to extra demands on your time.

• Turn off distractions during times of leisure. Cell phones, e-mail, computers, and the rising complexity of modern life -- these all contribute to the constant time pressures we feel. And they can contribute to our feeling distracted from fully enjoying the time we spend with family and friends.

• As much as possible, give yourself uninterrupted time at work as well. When we can focus on a single activity without distractions, we are not only happier -- we are also more effective, productive, and creative.

• Simplify your life to achieve a healthier love relationship. Researchers have found that stress and overwork are significant barriers to a healthy love relationship.

Recognize the importance of the mind-body connection.
Physical exercise, meditation, and deep breathing are essential for our physical and emotional health. They help alleviate symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety, and help improve relationships, work, sleep, and levels of happiness. Many of us know about the importance of getting physical exercise, but we often ignore the importance of the mind-body connection.



Here are two tips from Dr. Ben-Shahar:

• Practice deep breathing. Focus on breathing more deeply for five breaths on your way to work, while sitting in front of the computer, before an important meeting, or whenever you want a moment of calm. Breathe in, fill your lungs with air until you see your belly rising, and then exhale. Practice this exercise regularly. And practice deep breathing for longer periods to achieve a greater sense of inner calm and relaxation.

• Meditate. Meditation is the exercise of bringing your full attention to one thing. It might be your breathing, candlelight, music, or word chanting. Here is how to get started, focusing on your breathing as you meditate. Find a quiet spot at home or elsewhere where you will not have distractions. Sit comfortably in a chair or lie down if you prefer. Close your eyes or leave them open. Shift your focus to your breath. Now breathe deeply into your belly. Feel your belly expanding as you breathe in and then lowering as you slowly and gently breathe out.

For the next couple of minutes, focus on your belly being filled and then being emptied. If your mind wanders to other places, simply and gently bring it back and focus it on your belly filling up and emptying. Breathe in deeply and then slowly and gently breathe out. Return to your breath.

As you continue with your deep breathing, scan your body. If any part is tense, release it by breathing into it and then breathing out from it. Continue to scan your body and if any other part feels tense, once again breathe into it and breathe out from it. Take a few more deep breaths. Your focus, again, is on your rising and falling belly.



Our happiness depends not only on what we have but also on whether we appreciate what we have. This is why a person who seems to have everything may be unhappy, whereas a person with relatively little may be living a full and happy life. Research shows that by focusing on the positive and learning to be grateful for the things you have, you'll achieve greater levels of happiness.

• Be grateful for what you have. "One of the main barriers to happiness is that we tend to take for granted the good things in our lives," says Dr. Ben-Shahar. "We rarely consciously think about how blessed we are to have our health, or our friends, or the food on our table." What can you be grateful for today? Is it your family? Your health? Your work?

• Make gratefulness a habit and a way of life. Take a few minutes each day to remind yourself of the people and things you have to be grateful for in your life. You might write down your thoughts. Doing this each day will help you appreciate all that you have and will help you make gratefulness a lifelong habit.

This article is based on a February 2007 presentation by Tal Ben-Shahar, a psychologist and author who teaches at Harvard University and consults around the world. His new book, Happier, is published by McGraw-Hill. Ben-Shahar obtained his Ph.D. in organizational behavior and B.A. in philosophy and psychology from Harvard.

Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Although blood pressure varies from person to person and also by age, in general terms normal blood pressure should be less than 130 mm Hg systolic and less than 85 mm Hg diastolic, being the optimal blood pressure less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Above these measures the individual is diagnosed with hypertension.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries, and Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90, it is recommended to bring back blood pressure closer to 120/80, considered optimal, because elevated blood pressure levels increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Although hypertension can be treated with medication, most people everyday are wanting to control this condition with the use of herbs, as recommended by ancient disciplines that have spread widely in Occident in the last years, such as Ayurveda.

A change in diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise, stress management and self-monitoring getting a home blood pressure device, can be used to control and bring down the blood pressure with no side effects, but adding herbs to the treatment will improve one thousand times the quality of life.

Many of those herbs and spices have been used traditionally not only in Ayurveda, but also in western herbalism or by ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Egyptians, although some of them are questioned as traditional herbal folklore, with no clinical proof being established yet, but some others which efficacy have been already confirmed scientifically.

Herbs for high blood pressure can be used individually or in combination, and it is most likely to find them at your local health food store, or grocery store, supermarkets and delicatessen or specialty stores because some of them are used in cooking as well.

Some of the most renowned herbs in the treatment of high blood pressure are Cinnamon, Garlic, Valerian, Ginger, Cardamom, Kelp, Manjishta, Jatamamsi, Shankapushpi, Burdock, Gotu Kola, Skullcap, Hawthorn, Nutmeg, Arjuna and Ashwagandha.

Many people know that stroke and heart disease are consequences of untreated high blood pressure, add herbs commonly used in cooking to their daily meals as a preventive measure which does not involve a health risk or side effects. Some others are advised to be used after consulting your doctor, particularly if you already are diagnosed with high blood pressure.

People with elevated blood pressure have to take medication to bring it down and implement lifestyle changes to make sure that the blood pressure stays low, introducing herbs to their diets as useful aid managing this condition. Garlic is on of the most beneficial herbs for the heart breaking up the toxins that lead to abnormal blood pressure and heart problems, stimulating blood circulation.

The intake of Garlic alone can increase dullness of the mind, so Ayurvedic Alternative Medicine recommends its combination with herbs that promote mind's activity such as Gotu Kola, Ashwagandha, Shankapushpi, Jatamamsi, and Skullcap, or the consumption of Rashona rasayana, a "food jam" consisting of herbs and spices in a base of honey, rice syrup and ghee.

Rashona rasayana are made with herbs that also can be used individually in high blood pressure, such as Valerian (Valeriana), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Kelp (Fucus visiculosis), Garlic Allium (sativum) Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthus) Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Aruna (Terminalia arjuna) Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle asiatica) Skullcap (Scutellaria) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Manjishta (Rubia tinctoria) Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamamsi) Shankapushpi (Clitoria ternatea), and Burdock (Arctum lappa).

Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and no regard to race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. Changing your lifestyle now and adding herbs to your diet, may help you prevent this condition.

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Common childhood diseases

Symptoms

Red, quite itchy, spots or blisters are scattered over the entire body and the child has a moderate fever.

Treatment

Symptomatic treatment with calamine lotion to reduce itching. Antiviral medicine in severe cases.

Incubation period

Between 10 to 20 days from being exposed to the infection and showing symptoms.

Infectious period

Chickenpox is contagious from a few days before the disease breaks out and no more than six days after the first spots appear. The child should be excluded from school during this time.

Whooping cough

Symptoms

Whooping cough is characterised by long fits of coughing followed by wheezy breathing and possibly vomiting. Symptoms are typically worse at night.

Treatment

Fresh air is important. Because of the risk of vomiting, the child should be given small meals more often, instead of a few large ones.

Incubation period

This begins from seven days after exposure to the condition.

Infectious period

The disease is especially contagious during the first week, while the child still has a trace of a cold. The infectiousness does, however, wear off in the following five to seven weeks. It is important to keep the child away from other children under the age of one year. Children should be excluded from school five days after commencing anibiotic treatment.

'Fifth' disease (erythema infectiosum)

Symptoms

The child has red specks on the cheeks, nose, arms, thighs and buttocks. These are often blurred which makes it look like the child has been slapped. For this reason, fifth disease is often known as 'slapped cheek' syndrome. It can last up to 14 days and rarely causes a fever. It is mostly seen in children between the ages of 4 and 12.

Treatment

It cannot be treated, but disappears by itself. It is usually quite a mild illness.

Incubation period

Two weeks between being exposed to the infection and showing symptoms.

Infectious period

Once the rash appears, the disease is no longer infectious.

Complications

Pregnant women should avoid being in contact with children with fifth disease as it may cause a miscarriage. Pregnant women with a child who contracts fifth disease should contact their doctor. The incubation period is a couple of weeks.

Three-day-fever (roseola infantum)

Symptoms

A child with three-day-fever has a high fever for three days and a pink rash covers their body. It is mostly seen in children under the age of three years.

Treatment

Undress the child to ensure they aren't too warm. Give the child fever reducing medication (such as paracetamol (eg Calpol)) to control their temperature and plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Incubation period

Between 10 to 15 days from being exposed to the infection and showing symptoms.

Infectiousness

It is contagious during the whole period of the disease and up to two to three days after. Avoid contact with other children under three years of age during the whole period.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Symptoms

The child has a large number of small spots and blisters, particularly in the mouth and on the feet and hands. The disease can cause a slight fever for a few days.

Treatment

As with most diseases causing a fever, it is important to make sure the child gets plenty to drink. If the ulcers in their mouth are severe it may help to mash up the child's food.

Incubation period

Two to three days between being exposed to the infection and showing symptoms.

Infectious period

The disease is contagious as long as blisters or spots are still present. The child is able to return once they are considered to be well enough to do so.

Scarlet fever

The child has a slight to moderate fever, a sore throat and a rash which is often located in their armpits or groin. The child's skin peels and they get a coarse, pink tongue – a condition known as strawberry tongue.

Treatment

Antibiotics are usually given for this disease. It is important to keep the child at home and avoid contact with other children.

Incubation period

Three to eight days between being exposed to the infection and showing symptoms.

Infectiousness

Scarlet fever is contagious for the first few days, but after three days of antibiotics the risk is almost gone. The disease remains contagious for between 10 days and 3 weeks if left untreated. Children should be excluded from school for five days after commencing anitbiotic treatment.

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