Priyanka Chopra congratulates Mary Kom for winning gold at Asian Games

Priyanka Chopra, the reel life Mary Kom, is ecstatic about the real life boxing champion’s gold winning exploits in the women’s flyweight category (48-51 kg) at the 17th Asian Games on Wednesday. The actress says it symbolises woman power. Mary Kom, a five-time World Champion, defeated Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova 2-0, with one judge scoring the bout 38-38 in Incheon Wednesday.

Priyanka, who essayed the ace boxer in a Bollywood film titled ‘Mary Kom’ about the life of the sportswoman, took to Twitter to congratulate her. ‘Yaaaaaay!!! Now that’s called Woman Power! #MaryKom gets gold..makes India Proud & shows us that we can achieve anything! #Momof3 #champion. So proud of u @mangtec u r a true champ!! My Shero! Be #Unbeatable Be #Unbreakable Be #MaryKom,’ the National Award winning actress posted soon after Mary Kom’s win.

The actress and the boxer struck up a friendship during the making of the Omung Kumar-directed film, which turned out to be a hit. Priyanka has been supportive of the boxer, and just a day before the bout, she had tweeted her support for Mary Kom. ‘Irrespective of the outcome of her final bout at the #AsianGames2014… India is proud of your achievement @MangteC #MaryKom. True champion,’ she had posted Tuesday. A mother of three, 31-year-old Mary Kom belongs to Manipur and fought all odds to pursue her passion for boxing.

How Mary Kom trains every day

Her day starts with a 14 km run which is followed by some stretching and then practising shadow boxing in the ring. After resting in the afternoon, Kom spends her evenings in the gym doing push-ups, sit-ups and strength training before moving back to the boxing ring again.

She pays prime attention to her brain-eye coordination and stamina as these most vital for a boxer. After such a strenuous session, she cools off with a short run.

With inputs from IANS

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Aamir Khan agrees to drop the transistor for Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang Dare

The ongoing Bang Bang Dare by Hrithik Roshan took a rather interesting turn when Hrithik dared Bollywood’s Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan. The actor who made headlines with his semi-nude poster of PK, with only a transistor covering his modesty, has been asked to drop that too and go full Monty. 

‘By POPULAR DEMAND! today’s #bangbangdare goes 2 d man himself THE PK! @aamir_khan! Your dare is -” PUT THE TRANSISTOR DOWN!!” Nahin karoge to punishment milega! Who bhi bangbang style mein! Kya bolte ho logon? ACCEPT?? @aamir_khan,’ read Hrithik’s tweet. 

While we awaited with bated breath how Aamir would respond, we were pleasantly surprised by his reply which read, ‘Woahahahahahajabahaha!RT @aamir_khan: @iHrithik Hey Hritik I accept the dare! Have asked Raju for the transistor, its on the way!!! @iHrithik Will shoot it asap n send it 2 u!!! But i take no responsibility 4what happens after that.’ 

The two actors who’ve worked out to build a ripped physique, are flaunting it with ease be it in their trailers, posters, songs, etc. It will be interesting to see Aamir’s next move and we clearly wouldn’t mind seeing him sans the transistor. 

Aamir once said in an interview about his fitness, ‘What should I say…a lot of it has to do with my genes, and I always eat healthy. I stay conscious about what I eat.’ Be it Dhoom 3, Ghajni or PK, the actor really goes under the skin of the character to look the part. 

His former trainer Satyajit Chaurasia, had said, ‘Before Three Idiots, he had said to me that his body feels like the Taj Mahal, and now I would have to break it down.  But, by now, Aamir’s body is flexible enough to mould into any shape or size. Of course, his dedication to get it absolutely bang on is commendable.’

It will be a treat for his fans to see some more of his ripped body. 

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For more articles on celebrity bodybuilding secrets, check out our celeb bodybuilding section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Question and Answer section.

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World Vegetarian Day 2014 — health benefits of a vegetarian diet

October 1 is World Vegetarian Day.

Vegetarian diet is one that does not include meat, poultry and fish. It mainly includes cereals, pulses, legumes, milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Data suggests that vegetarians are at a lower risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity and heart disease as compared to non-vegetarians. This is because of low saturated fat intake and high-fibre content.

However, a vegetarian diet consisting of fried foods, refined products and whole milk dairy products will increase the overall fat content and reduce the amount of fibre. Therefore, careful diet planning which includes all the food groups in the right proportion is the key to a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

Let’s take a look at how a vegetarian diet helps tackle most of our health problems:

Reduces obesity risk: Vegetarian diet is plant-based which is high in complex carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals that stimulate metabolism. It is low in fat, delays hunger pangs and makes for a healthy diet.

Reduces risk of diabetes: Whole grains and legumes have been are a staple of vegetarian diet. These foods are less processed and therefore, they have good amount of fibre and low glycemic index. Foods with low glycemic index raise the blood glucose levels slowly and thus, prevent sudden spike. Low glycemic index foods include wheat, jowar, bajra, dalia, barley, oats, brown rice, pulses and legumes.

Reduces high blood pressure: A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and decreased intake of meat helps in controlling blood pressure. Such a diet is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and fibre and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol which helps in keeping blood pressure within normal range.

How to eat a healthy vegetarian meal

• Include whole gains and pulses with low glycemic index and high-fibre content.


• Reduce the intake of refined products such as white bread, pasta, noodles, refined sugar and sugary products.


• Include at least 2 servings of seasonal fresh fruits and 5 servings of fresh vegetables daily. These different fruits and vegetables do not just enhance the appearance of food but they are also rich in vitamins and minerals.


• Improve the quality of protein by including cereal-pulse combination in the diet such as idli, dosa, cereal-pulse mix pancakes, khichdi, dal pulao, dal paratha, etc. Also include soy and tofu which are excellent sources of vegetarian protein.


• Eat nuts such as almonds and walnuts daily. They too are a good source of protein and healthy fat which is required by our body.


• Include low-fat dairy products such as milk, curd, buttermilk and paneer as they are a good source of calcium and protein too. Include at least 2 servings of milk and 2 servings of curd daily.

Photo source: Getty images

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For more articles on diet & fitness, visit our diet & fitness section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Question and Answer section.

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Feel tired while driving? Drink tea

According to findings presented at the annual meeting of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) 2014 in Chicago, drinking caffeinated beverages can fight fatigue while driving.  

Usually, listening to music and drinking tea, coffee are two popular fatigue-fighting measures that drivers take. According to ShiXu Liu, a graduate student in Ontario-based McMaster University’s department of mechanical engineering, music can distract drivers which may explain why driving performance is not significantly improved when it is used as a fatigue countermeasure.

For the study, researchers designed a simulated driving study that measured driver fatigue levels against the use of caffeine, music or no stimulant. Twenty participants completed three 120-minute driving sessions over a three-day span at the same time each day and scored their fatigue levels on a questionnaire. Results indicated that drivers who used either caffeine or music as a stimulant felt significantly less tired than those who did not.

Those who drank a caffeinated beverage to stay awake performed their driving tasks much better than those who listened to music or those in the control group. ‘Even though both caffeine and music keep drivers feeling more awake, caffeine also helps them maintain good driving performance,’ Liu added. 

Here are some of the key health benefits that scientists reckon tea drinking can have on the body:

• Tea reduces the risk of heart disease — Tea can potentially improve the blood flow around the body, by widening key arteries and reducing the risk of clots. Tea also contains antioxidants called ‘flavonoids’, which may slow down the onset and risk of heart disease.

• Tea hydrates the body — Although water is the prime fluid for rehydrating the body after exercise or a long day in the office, some scientists believe that drinking tea could be equally useful. Although high in caffeine, tea is still great for hydration as it provides a rich and flavoursome source of water.

• Tea prevents tooth decay — Believe it or not, a regular supply of tea can really strengthen your teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. Tea is a great source offluoride, which can bolster tooth enamel. The antioxidants contained within a cuppa have also been known to fight against bacteria and gum disease. So get slurping! Read more about Health benefits of drinking tea

With inputs from IANS

Photo source: Getty images

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For more articles on diet & fitness, visit our diet & fitness section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Shah Rukh Khan shows off 8-pack abs at Google event, Salman Khan confesses he has none!

Recently, when the team of ‘Happy New Year’ visited the Google Headquarters, the audience was lucky to catch a quick glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan’s much talked about 8-pack abs. He was there to promote his latest film and was inevitably asked about his now-popular abs. In response to this, the actor simply lifted up his shirt to let the audience have a peek of them. The actor did confess that it required much dedication and hard work to get a physique like this but he did it for his good friend Farah Khan.

On the other hand, SRK’s Bollywood rival Salman Khan was also in the news a few days ago for abs, or the lack of them! A few images went viral where it was shown that his abs in Ek Tha Tiger were VFX-generated. He got a lot of flak for it and on recent episode of Bigg Boss — a reality TV show Salman hosts — he was asked about the same. The actor confessed that he did not have six or eight pack abs at the moment but he would soon be ready to flaunt his body without a shirt. But he did add that he follows his fitness regimen regularly. 

Abs or no abs, both actors are fit and do not compromise on their workout schedule despite inching closer to 50. Here’s a sneak peek at their fitness regimen. 

SRK’s fitness regime 

His workout consists of weight training along with working on his abs, at least four times a week, and he ensures he takes some rest between each weight training day. He does 30-60 minutes of running, jogging, cycling or aerobics every day, as part of his cardio workout. 

Shah Rukh Khan is also credited to have high energy levels as he is known to go on training continuously for an hour and a half without stopping. His personal fitness trainer, Prashant Sawant says, ‘He can run continuously at 15 kilometres an hour on the treadmill. No matter how tough the exercise is, he just goes at it and never falters. SRK can also maintain his balance very well and can easily jump over four-and-a-half-feet high hurdles which perhaps explain how he can do such perfect cartwheels.’

Salman’s fitness routine 

Salman’ workouts stretch to two hours which includes one hour of cardio. When he does strength training, he concentrates on two body parts on any particular day – biceps, triceps, legs, back or shoulders. 

Manish Advilkar, a professional bodybuilder and fitness trainer who has trained Salman for over six years says that the actor takes his regime very seriously. Manish also mentioned that the actor has a very tough cardio-vascular regime as well.

Salman cycles as and when he can and covers a distance of 50 km from Bandra to Panvel. He also can do 1000 push-ups or 2000 sit-ups and  500 crunches, pull-ups and chin-ups every day. 

Image source: YouTube

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For more articles on celebrity bodybuilding secrets, check out our celeb bodybuilding section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.

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Durga Puja 2014 — 10 diet tips to make it healthy

Durga Puja is one of the most awaited and biggest festivals of eastern India. It is that time of the year when people do not cook food at home and relish traditional Bengali fare at the various pandals and stalls they visit. Though these dishes are scrumptious, they certainly increase your calorie count, not to forget the deep-fried and rich dishes you get at these stalls. While it is unavoidable to eat healthy food during this festive time, certain modifications and tips can still keep you on the healthy track. Here are a few ways to ensure this. 

Eat smart: Friends and family may try to force you to eat, but whenever you face such a situation, eat small portions. If you are tempted to stuff yourself with delicacies, make sure that you cut down on other sources of calories. Try and drink your tea with less sugar or eat one chapatti  less or perhaps reduce the intake of rice.

Go easy on sweets: Bengali desserts are difficult to say no to but if you are on a weight loss diet, make sure you keep a tab on the number of roshogullas or sandesh you eat. Make sure you do not eat more than one or two. If there is an option, opt for sugar-free sweets. 

Take a small plate: You tend to eat less when you serve yourself in smaller plates. Seeing a plate full of food tricks your mind into thinking that there is a lot of food in front of you. Even smaller glasses, bowls, and spoons can help you cut down on the quantity of unhealthy food items.

Avoid fizzy drinks: Soft drinks may please your taste-buds but it does a lot of harm to your body. Carbonated drinks are high on unhealthy fats like trans fats. They also contain a lot of added sugar and are definitely a bad option for people who are diabetic or obese. Instead, replace them with healthy drinks like nimbu paani and coconut water to quench your thirst. 

Don’t skip your exercise: You should always have time for exercise even in the festive season. Try and squeeze in at least 30 minutes’ time for yourself and do some running, or hit the gym, practise yoga or continue with your workout at home. Exercising will help you stay fit and aid in burning those extra calories you are consuming.

Drink loads of water: Drinking plenty of water will help you flush out the toxins from your body. It is necessary that the body receives its much-needed dose of minerals from water. Drink sufficient amount of water first thing in the morning. 

Eat green leafy vegetables: Make sure to add green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach in at least one of your meals. They are rich sources of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. The fibre in vegetables makes you feel fuller for a longer time and keeps hunger pangs at bay. It is a good idea to have a bowl of salad in the morning before you step out for the day. 

Eat before you leave home:  When you leave home without eating anything, you are likely to eat more as you will be hungry. But if you have a small snack or a small meal before you step out, you will eat relativity lesser than usual. So eat a fruit or a healthy sandwich before you go out to see the pandals.

Choose the lesser evil: If you are unable to find any healthy options at these stalls, you should eat the one which is the least fattening of all. The khichdi offered is quite healthy and you can eat more of this without guilt. 

Eat more during the day: You are likely to be out the entire day during Durga Puja. In order to ration out your meals in a healthy way, make sure you eat the heavy dishes in the morning and keep the lighter ones for the evening. This because your body will use the fat and energy from them during the day but it will be difficult to digest heavy food as the day progresses. 

Photo source: wikicommons.com

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For more articles on diet & fitness, visit our diet & fitness section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Narendra Modi sips only warm water at dinner with Obama due to Navratri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who visited US recently, is also fasting for the Hindu festival of Navratri. He was invited to a dinner hosted in his honour by President Barack Obama. But due to his fast, Modi just sipped warm water at the dinner.

Twice a year, he goes on a 9-day spiritual fast which involves drinking only warm water with lemon. This helps him shed all the extra kilos in a mere nine days.

According to leading nutritionist Priya Kathpal, ‘Surviving only on water and lemonade for nine days straight can lead to a host of serious problems such as insulin sensitivity, diabetes, weak bones, calcium deficiency, etc. This is because the body’s metabolism is suppressed. The body will be forced to leach out nutrients from its reserves which will lead to more deficiencies. There are more negative effects than the positives. Considering his age, the restoration process will also be slower once he starts eating normally again.’ 

It is better to go on a detox diet or eat light even during fast instead of just drinking water. Here’s a sample Navratri diet chart by nutritionist Neha Chandna:

• Start your day with a cup of green tea and two dates


• For breakfast, eat fruits, nuts and raisins


• Have milkshake/ kheer/ coconut water around noon


• For lunch, opt for saudana khichdi/ rajgira roti with lauki/ arbi sabzi and a glass of chhaas with rock salt


• Mid afternoon, have fruit yoghurt


• In the evening, eat aloo chat or aloo palak salad


• For dinner, start with vegetable soup, a bowl of salad with kuttu ka atta/rajgira roti and sabzi followed by low-fat lauki halwa or carrot halwa


• Before sleeping, have a glass of skimmed milk

With inputs from IANS

Photo source: Getty images

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Kalaripayattu — the mother of martial arts that combines massage techinques and Ayurveda

Whether it’s Kung Fu, Karate or Tai Chi, martial art is something that is admired by one and all. In India, Chinese and Japanese martial art forms are practised and taught at many places. But did you know all these martial art forms actually originated from Indian martial art form – Kalaripayattu?  

Kalaripayattu has its roots in Kerela. In Malayalam, Kalari means ‘the fighting art of Kalari or battlefield in English’ and ‘payat’ means ‘training in art to combat.’ While most of its exercise techniques are based on the science of yoga, its medical treatments extract knowledge from Ayurveda. In this article, theatre practitioner and Kalaripayattu artist Arpit Singh, who himself is trained in the art form from Kerela, provides a deeper insight into the art form and reveals its relevance to Indians.     

What exactly is Kalariyapayattu?

Kalaripayattu is the mother of all martial arts. It originated in southern India, and is believed to have been practised by Lord Prashuram, according to ancient literature. Over centuries, alongside combat techniques like Kalari, massage and Ayurveda developed, which resulted in its amalgamation. There are three main styles of Kalari –Central, Northern and Southern, practised in those parts of the country.

The Southern style has a learning process that begins with 30 basic forms. It involves a series of movements that cover four cardinal directions of nature and involves whole body movement. It emphasises the correct breathing techniques for each specific movement and posture. The aim is to develop the body in a way that its movements are controlled by a fully mature and alert mind. Kalaripayattu is no lesser than rhythmic dance if performed with attention.

Once the basic forms and breathing techniques are learned, the student begins to learn fighting with sticks, knives, swords, shields, fire, blocks of jumps and kicks for defence and attack.

How is it beneficial to health?

The basic learning process itself can transform you completely. You will experience improved strength, stamina, power, flexibility, mind-body coordination and core strength. Besides, by connecting with the movement, you’ll achieve grace, calmness and peace of mind.

Considering the art requires a lot of strength, is there any age limitation to learn it?

No. There is no age bar to learn any form of martial arts. But the benefits derived from them will be different for different age groups. Kids can start learning at the age of 6 years but they will benefit in a much different way compared to adults. For kids, the main focus is increasing energy, stamina and flexibility. The art could serve as a medium to channelise their energy in the right direction because kids are more playful.

For performers and those who wish to learn every aspect of the art form, the benefits are much greater. It’s between the age group 15-25 years that a person is capable of extracting maximum benefits from the art form.

Now-a-days, people work a lot and tend to lead a sedentary life. Such people need some form of physical activity the most. Kalari can serve as a mediator to lose weight, stay fit, even escape a stressful lifestyle and induce relaxation. It also helps energy sustenance and prevents risk of suffering from injuries later in life. Those above the age of 50 years can benefit a lot through the pain relieving ability of the art form.

What challenges might people face while performing Kalari for the first time?

The biggest challenge people face is commitment to learn the art. Many people start enthusiastically but then give up after realising that it entails a lot more physical and mental energy. What you should realise is that Kalari, being a martial art form, is going to be difficult in the beginning.

Initially, lack of energy and stamina issues will pull you down but the key is to stick to it if you want to derive the benefits you desire. Once your body becomes used to the rhythmic flow of movements in Kalari and your focus improves, you would be able to showcase rhythmic movements and flow without breaking them apart at a stretch.

Today’s life is full of chaos, and people have forgotten what peace of mind and calmness actually feels like. They often find these movements meaningless and fail to connect with them naturally. Kalari is art form that is not confined to space. It’s true essence cannot be felt unless the person connects to nature. Those who fail to understand this, often don’t find the art interesting.

Why should anyone learn Kalari? What makes it relevant to Indians?

Be it lifestyle, eating habits or fitness forms, we Indians are more inclined towards the Western culture. Kids in India are made aware about Karate during their school days, while adults show keen interest in learning Capoiera and Tai Chi. But people hardly know about Kalaripayattu, the Indian martial art from which every other martial art form is derived. We should be proud to have preserved the knowledge so far and should continue to do so. Moreover, having originated in India, the essence of Kalari can be easily acquired by Indians. The art fits the Indian mind, body and soul perfectly. 

About Arpit Singh:  A theatre practitioner and Kalaripayattu artist, Arpit has been teaching his art form throughout India. His training with John Britton, Anil Alessandro, Guru P. Thankappan Assan, Abani Biswas  and many more stalwarts has resulted in the creation of a unique movement, space and energy awareness programme. His interest in Kalaraipayattu has evolved after he trained in Kerala himself. 

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For more articles on martial arts and fitness, check out our martial arts and fitness  section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Heart-healthy recipe — tomato and cinnamon soup

Soups make for good appetizers and also pack in various nutrients in one bowl. Make this quick tomato and cinnamon soup before your main meals. Here’s the recipe. 

Ingredients

• 3 tomatoes                                          


• 2 cloves garlic                                    


• 1 onion                                               


• ½ tsp cinnamon powder


• ½ tsp coarsely grounded pepper


• 4 full walnuts

 Method

Chop all vegetables and add water, garlic, walnuts  and boil.
Grind and sieve.
In the same water add pepper, cinnamon and boil before serving.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

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For more articles on world heart day, visit our world heart day section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for ournewsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Heart-healthy recipe — barley (jau) roti

Switch from wheat rotis to barely ones which are more nutritious and have a distinct taste too. If you cannot eat them every day, make sure you have them once a week and reap in their benefits. 

Ingredients

• 100g barley (jau) atta


• ½ chilli paste


• ½ cup chopped coriander


• Salt to taste

Method

Take water in a vessel put it on a medium flame.
As it starts boiling, add barley atta, chilli paste and coriander, and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not stir.
Take it off the flame. Stir with a wooden spoon so that lumps are not formed.
After it is mixed well, cool for five minutes and transfer it to a flat plate.
Knead well.
Roll it into rotis just like thin wheat rotis.
Apply ¼ tsp ghee if desired.

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons 

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For more articles on world heart day, visit our world heart day section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for ournewsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Heart-healthy recipe — grilled vegetables with walnut sauce

Vegetables pack in a healthy punch of nutrients and vitamins in your diet. The addition of walnut sauce with it makes for a yummy salad. Here’s the recipe. 

Ingredients

For grilled vegetables: 

• 1/2 kg assorted vegetables – broccoli florets, zucchini, and bell peppers (red and yellow)


• 1 tbsp lemon juice


•  Salt and pepper for seasoning


• A few drops of olive oil

For the walnut sauce

• 100g roasted walnuts


• 1 tbsp garlic paste


• 1 tbsp chopped parsley/oregano


• 1 tbsp olive oil


•  2 tsp lemon juice roasted sesame seeds to garnish

Method

Cut vegetables into wedges, brush with lemon juice and add a few drops of olive oil and seasoning.
Grill until vegetables are tender.
Garnish with sesame seeds.
To prepare walnut sauce, grind walnuts, garlic and herbs together.
Gradually add the oil and lemon juice.
Season well and serve with grilled vegetables.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

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For more articles on world heart day, visit our world heart day section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Heart-healthy recipe — basil pesto

Make bland food interesting by making a yummy basil pesto which can be had as a dip or simply mixed with dishes. Here’s how to make it. 

Ingredients

• 100g basil


• 50g walnuts, lightly toasted


• 2 cloves of garlic


• Salt and pepper 


• 40g parmesan, grated

Method

Put everything except the oil and cheese in a food processor and blend to a coarse puree.  
Add half the oil and the parmesan and blend again for a few seconds.
Transfer the pesto to a jug or a bowl and stir in the rest of the oil, or as much of it as you think is the pesto needs. Different dishes need their accompanying pesto at different consistencies.
Store the pesto thick and dilute with olive oil when and as you wish. Keep a thin film of olive oil on top of the stored pesto to help preserve the colour.
For basil pesto dressing, simply take a few spoons of pesto, dilute it to a pouring consistency with olive oil, and then add some lemon juice to taste.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

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For more articles on world heart day, visit our world heart day section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for ournewsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Heart-healthy recipe — spinach raita

Keeping your heart healthy does not mean you have to eat something bland and boring. Here’s a heart-healthy recipe for you. 

Ingredients

• 500 ml curd (prepared from skimmed milk)


• 1 cup spinach leaves (palak)


• Coriander


• Green chilli


• ¼ tsp roasted cumin seed powder   


• Salt to taste


• 2 tsp roasted sesame seeds (white Til)


• Walnut, 6 full


• 2 tbsp date paste ( khajur)

Method

Finely chop spinach and coriander. Chop walnuts into small pieces.
Stir the curd and add palak and coriander to it.
Add green chillies, salt, jeera powder,  date paste and walnut to it. 
Serve chilled.

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

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For more articles on world heart day, visit our world heart day section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for ournewsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Want to eat healthy? Sit by a window in a restaurant

A new book has revealed that where one sits in a restaurant has a serious effect on their waistline. According to Professor Brian Wansink, director of Cornell’s Food and Brand Lab, people order healthier foods if they sit by a window or in a well-lit area, while people at uncomfortable high-top tables favour salads and buy fewer desserts, since it’s harder to slouch or spread out, the New York Post reported.

In his book ‘Slim By Design’, Wansink wrote that seeing the sunlight, people or trees outside might make people more conscious of how they look, might make them think about walking or might prompt a green salad and it was also found that conspicuous consumption, or eating in an area that other diners can see them, seems to curtail overeating. 

The book also revealed that those farthest from the door eat the fewest salads and are 73 percent more likely to order dessert. People at darkly-lit tables or booths eat fattier foods, while diners within two tables of the bar drink on average three more beers or mixed drinks (per tables of four) than a group just one table farther away and if one is nearer to a TV, then they are likelier to consume more fried food.

Wansink added that also the darker it is, the more ‘invisible’ people might feel, the less easy it is to see how much they are eating and the less conspicuous or guilty they might feel.

Here are some tips to lose weight

Work out regularly

There are no two ways about it! You want to lose weight, you need to get moving. You haven’t piled on the kilos in one day so it will take regular efforts from your end to lose your flab. The kind of workout method to pick to fulfil this task is up to you. It can be the traditional way of joining a gym where you do a mix of cardio and weight training, it can be something holistic like yoga or other, newer methods such as Zumba, kick-boxing, etc. You can also opt for the slow and steady – walking, jogging, and more. But whatever you pick, make sure you do it regularly so as to see good results.

Monitor your diet

Ask any nutritionist or fitness professional and they will tell you how important it is to monitor what you eat if you want effective weight loss. In fact, diet plays a 70% role in determining how much we lose! It is therefore essential you give it the importance it deserves. An hour of workout does not entitle you to eat a chocolate brownie or cheesy pasta. Have a low-cal version of what you like and avoid junk food.

Do not starve yourself

This is perhaps the worst weight loss tip you could come across. Starving yourself will not do your body any good. On the contrary, it will hamper your weight loss efforts by slowing down your metabolism and making your body store more fat. Eating every few hours is a good way to lose weight but the portion size needs to be smaller than your regular meals. Read more about How to lose weight

With inputs from ANI

Photo source: Getty images

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For more articles on weight loss, visit our weight loss section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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Why eating salads is healthy

Including salads in your regular meals is one of the healthiest eating habits you can adopt. It is also one of the simplest ways to stay fit. Salads are disease-fighting, nutrient-packed powerhouses. They are low in fat and calories, do not contain cholesterol and have a high vitamin and mineral content.

According to nutritionist Priya Kathpal, healthiest of salads are those which have an array of raw vegetables and/or fruits. Healthy salads are dressed with a light dressing like lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, herbs and spices. They are low in fats and high in nutrients.

Nutritionist Priya Kathpal lists the key components in a salad

Fibre: Salads make a very healthy, nutrient-rich meal. They are high in fibre and as they are mostly consumed raw, steamed or sautéed and they take longer to digest keeping you full for a longer time. It is an excellent way to aid weight loss. Eating a high-fibre diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation. Add vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, beans and peas to your salad.

Vitamins: Salads are full of various vitamins especially vitamin A, C and K. Green leafy vegetables are a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K contributes in strengthening bones and plays a major role in blood coagulation. Vegetables rich in vitamin A like spinach, lettuce and kale keep skin and eyes healthy and boost the immune system to prevent and fight infections. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is responsible for healing wounds. Vegetables like broccoli and tomatoes are rich in vitamin C.

Antioxidants: Your body cells produce free radicals which can sometimes cause damage leading to conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants found in fruits such as strawberries and cranberries and vegetables such as onions, cabbage and yellow corn can slow down or repair this damage. Common antioxidants found in vegetables that protect the cells against free-radical damage include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and selenium. 

Other benefits 

Salads are multifunctional when it comes to health. Apart from keeping you full, they can provide a lot of other health benefits like keeping your gut healthy, keeping nutrient deficiencies and their ill-effects at bay, controlling sugar and keeping lipid profile in-check especially cholesterol. They also help in maintaining a healthy weight. In order to get maximum benefits out of salads, one should consume at least 2 servings per day. 

Image source: Getty Images

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For more articles on diet & fitness, visit our diet & fitness section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Question and Answer section.

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Bang Bang Dare: Farhan Akhtar cycles in a skydiving suit on Mumbai roads for Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan who is on a dare-giving spree to his friends from the industry in order to promote his latest flick Bang Bang, had challenged his friend and Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar to a Bang Bang Dare where he had to run or cycle down bandstand in Bandra (Mumbai) in his skydiving outfit. His tweet read, ‘Farhan Akhtar — ‘jumps off a plane/runs like d wind! But cn he do both?My #bangbangdare @FarOutAkhtar – run/cycle down bandstand in ur skydiving suit!ACCEPT?’

Farhan accepted this dare sportingly and replied, ‘ ‘@iHrithik how can I say no to this ‘extreme’ dare.. Hahahaha. You’re On! How long do I have?’ The actor recently completed the challenge and put up a video of him cycling down in a white skydiving suit. 

Farhan who is known for his witty sense of humour even in his real life, added his own comic touch to the video. You have to watch it to know what he does. The actor cycled around Bandra and finished his dare with flying colours. 

Hrithik had also challenged Farah Ali Khan, celebrity jewellery designer to do ab crunches, hanging upside-down. ‘My #bangbangdare 2 a beauty dat defies age!2@FarahKhanAli – hanging ab crunches upside down!!C’mon girl show d world what ur made of!Accept?’ The designer too put up a video doing this with ease and completing her dare successfully. Here’s the video. 

In both these dares, Hrithik tested the fitness levels of both his friends and fortunately, both had the stamina and flexibility to endure his challenge. Earlier too, he had dared others from the industry including Priyanka Chopra and SRK to do a handstand and share abs workout respectively. Both these actors too were seen taking up the dare and finishing it with ease. It’s wonderful to see how these actors who appear super-fit onscreen are fit and toned in real life too. 

Video and image source: YouTube

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For more articles on celebrity bodybuilding secrets, check out our celeb bodybuilding section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

Read More

Bang Bang Dare: Farhan Akhtar cycles in a skydiving suit on Mumbai roads

Hrithik Roshan who is on a dare-giving spree to his friends from the industry in order to promote his latest flick Bang Bang, had challenged his friend and Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar to a Bang Bang Dare where he had to run or cycle down bandstand in Bandra (Mumbai) in his skydiving outfit. His tweet read, ‘Farhan Akhtar — ‘jumps off a plane/runs like d wind! But cn he do both?My #bangbangdare @FarOutAkhtar – run/cycle down bandstand in ur skydiving suit!ACCEPT?’

Farhan accepted this dare sportingly and replied, ‘ ‘@iHrithik how can I say no to this ‘extreme’ dare.. Hahahaha. You’re On! How long do I have?’ The actor recently completed the challenge and put up a video of him cycling down in a white skydiving suit. 

Farhan who is known for his witty sense of humour even in his real life, added his own comic touch to the video. You have to watch it to know what he does. The actor cycled around Bandra and finished his dare with flying colours. 

Hrithik had also challenged Farah Ali Khan, celebrity jewellery designer to do ab crunches, hanging upside-down. ‘My #bangbangdare 2 a beauty dat defies age!2@FarahKhanAli – hanging ab crunches upside down!!C’mon girl show d world what ur made of!Accept?’ The designer too put up a video doing this with ease and completing her dare successfully. Here’s the video. 

In both these dares, Hrithik tested the fitness levels of both his friends and fortunately, both had the stamina and flexibility to endure his challenge. Earlier too, he had dared others from the industry including Priyanka Chopra and SRK to do a handstand and share abs workout respectively. Both these actors too were seen taking up the dare and finishing it with ease. It’s wonderful to see how these actors who appear super-fit onscreen are fit and toned in real life too. 

Video and image source: YouTube

You may also like to read:

• How to lose weight by cycling


• Bang Bang Dare: Priyanka Chopra accepts Hrithik Roshan’s challenge, does a handstand


• Shah Rukh Khan’s workout video shows his ’10-pack-abs’ aren’t fake at all!

For more articles on celebrity bodybuilding secrets, check out our celeb bodybuilding section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.

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BIGG BOSS 8: Puneet Issar teaches Karishma Tanna kick boxing in the house

Bigg Boss season 8 is back with a bang and the reality show is getting interesting and entertaining with each passing day. Amidst some beauties and hunks, the plot has some surprising twists and turns in store for its viewers. Going by what we saw yesterday, Puneet Issar, who shifted from The Secret Society to the main Bigg Boss house was seen giving Karishma Tanna, an inmate of the main house, few quick tips on kick boxing. And the gorgeous TV actress followed the Veteran ‘Mahabharat‘ actor like a good student displaying keen interest in learning the key nuances of the art.

Punnet Issar, better known for his role as Duryodhana in Mahabharat, is trained in mixed martial arts, kung fu, etc. and that is the reason this 54-year-old man is physically fit. Well, it will be interesting to see whether his teachings help him find a place for himself in the extremely competitive Big Boss house . Only time will tell, whether his bonding with Karishma Tanna will last long or this relation will go through some ups-and down in the future.

Kick-boxing — throw punches and kicks to get toned

We all would have wanted to kick or punch someone at some point. Though going ahead with that could get you arrested, you can safely pack a punch whilst getting fitter with kick-boxing. It not only involves physical stamina but also mental alertness and hand-eye coordination – in short, a total mind and body workout. Neeraj Mehta, a fitness professional, nutritionist and director of GFFI fitness academy, writes on why kick-boxing is a fun and complete physical exercise.

Kick-boxing is an intense and fun workout for fitness and as a sport, it’s a relatively modern martial arts system derived by combining several fighting techniques from a variety of the more traditional disciplines including kung fu, kyokushinkai, karate, Krav Maga, Thai boxing and Taekwondo. It is a great physical power workout with emphasis placed on specialised techniques of kicks, punches and blocks delivered with full force.

If you get bored with jogging or regular visits to the gym, the solution is kick-boxing. This high intensity workout is offered by many gyms and health clubs these days. You can burn good amount of calories, enhance your health, improve posture and increase endurance.

There are numerous benefits of kick-boxing. These include:

• Develops strength and flexibility


• Improves mental agility and stamina


• Increases confidence


• Promotes fitness and well-being


• Reduces stress


• Assists with self-defence skills – see 15 self-defence exercises for women


• Increases blood circulation and oxygen flow in the body


• Kick-boxing burns up to 800 to 1,200 calories in an hour

Read more about kick-bocking and the tricks and techniques for first-timers

Image Source: Bollywood Life 

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For more celebrity fitness secrets, check out our celebrity fitness section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section. 

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Drinking beer might improve memory in the young

We all are aware of the significant health benefits rendered by flavanoids. Certain foods like red wine, blueberries and dark chocolate are known to contain a specific type of flavonoid that play a key role in improving memory. There is another surprising addition to this list of memory enhancers — beer.

A recent lab study conducted on young mice has showed that beer helps in improving cognitive function in them. This is mainly due to the presence of a flavonoid known as  xanthohumol, that is present in beer. On the other hand, this active compound in beer failed to evoke same response in the older mice.

The research team said that further intact clinical studies should be conducted on the flavonoid present in beer and those found in blueberries or red wine. They further said that since the dose used in mice was quite high, it is not recommended that people should switch to beer in order to sharpen their brains. The study appeared in the journal Behavioral Brain Research.

With inputs from IANS

Image Source: Getty Images

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World Heart Day 2014: Experts suggest swimming, dancing, walking or cycling to keep heart disease at bay

29th September is World Heart day

With increased occurrences of heart diseases at a young age, coupled with a genetic tendency to develop heart ailments, many Indians are still unaware of the risk and repercussions of the condition. Wondering how you can keep your heart healthy? Here is some expert advice, cardiologists and healthcare professionals suggest that dancing, walking, cycling and swimming as some simple yet effective ways to keep heart diseases at bay. (Read: Heart disease in India — 6 shocking facts you should know)

‘An active lifestyle is the best form of preventive correction to avoid cardiac ailments. It is highly recommended to do 150 minutes of physical activity each week to help prevent heart disease,’ Neeraj Bhalla, senior consultant and director cardiology at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital, told IANS. Walking, cycling, dancing or swimming – activities that use larger muscles at low resistance – are good aerobic exercises. But it all depends on individual needs and reciprocation of body, he added.  He said that the most important thing is to lead a least stressful, but active and healthy life. 

‘It is true that Indians have a genetic predisposition to developing heart diseases and it occurs in them at a much younger age,’ Gunjan Kapoor, director of interventional cardiology at Noida’s Jaypee Hospital, told IANS. ’It has also been seen that Indians who have migrated to different countries like the US, Britain and other countries, as also Africa, continue have higher incidence of heart disease compared to natives of that country,’ Kapoor added. Bhalla said many studies have indicated that people of Indian subcontinent origin are not only more prone to cardiovascular diseases (CAD) but also prone to diabetes – one of CAD’s causes. (Read: Is over-exercising bad for the heart?)

According to statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India – accounting for estimated 2.25 million deaths. And it has been estimated that by 2015 the number will rise to 2.94 million. Experts agree that despite such alarming figures, Indians still remain unaware about the condition and its effects. Anil Bansal, chief cardiologist at Ghaziabad’s Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is also a ‘sense of ignorance in the minds of the people’. He added that education is the ‘only key to bridge the gap between awareness and knowledge’ about cardiovascular diseases. ’We need to make people aware that with some modifications in their lifestyle they can prevent heart diseases. People need to be encouraged to opt for preventive healthcare and avoid visiting a doctor only in the emergency situations,’ Bansal told IANS.

Srikanth K.V., senior consultant for interventional cardiology at Bangalore’s Narayana Health City, suggested that awareness drives should be designed according to the target group being focused on. ’If we are talking about young children, then they should be given adequate education at the school level itself. For young adults, social media can be a good option; while for the working population, offices can take certain steps like avoiding snack vending machines and organising camps. Anganwadi workers too can play an essential role,’ Srikanth told IANS. (Read: Yoga for your heart – 20 poses to keep it healthy)

Tapan Ghose, director and head of department cardiology at Gurgaon’s Paras Hospital, attributed the rising incidence to ‘urbanisation, improper lifestyle and eating habits’.  ’Other aspects include obesity, alcoholism, smoking, hypertension and diabetes…A family history of cardiovascular disease is an important factor in the evaluation of a given individual’s cardiovascular risk,’ Ghose told IANS. 

6 ways exercise helps your heart stay healthy

We all know regular exercise is good for maintaining overall health, but it holds much more significance when it comes to heart health. The effect of exercise on heart is clearly seen in individuals who have a sedentary lifestyle. They have double the risk of dying from heart disease. This is also true for people who have other risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

 ‘Regular exercise is an important approach to lowering the risk of heart disease because it simultaneously affects various risk factors of heart disease. Exercising for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week can help you lose weight, improve your cholesterol, and even lower your blood pressure by as many as five to seven points. The intensity of exercise can vary from light to moderate. However, for it to have a positive impact on heart health, the intensity should be vigorous enough to raise the heart rate by about 25% of basal rate,’ says Dr Nikhil Kumar, director, Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute. He explains how exactly exercise improves heart health.

It enhances heart muscle function: Exercise improves blood and oxygen supply to the heart, helping it function more efficiently. This, in turn, helps the heart have an improved ability to pump blood throughout the body.

It improves heart function under stress: When you exercise, your heart rate increases. So you breathe rapidly to meet the oxygen requirement of your body. With an improved heart muscle function, the oxygen supply to various organs in the body including the heart muscle also improves. This allows the heart to work better under stressful situations.

It improves circulation: Along with improving blood circulation throughout the body, physical activity also allows better blood flow through small blood vessels in the heart. These blood vessels have a higher risk of getting clogged and cause a heart attack. Exercise helps your body make more branches and connections between these blood vessels, so there are other routes for your blood to travel if the usual path is blocked by narrow arteries or fatty deposits. Read more 3 ways exercise helps your heart stay healthy

With inputs from IANS/ Shweta Sharma

Image Source: Getty Images

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For more articles on heart disease, visit our heart disease section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section. 

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