Thursday 20 March 2014

3 Natural Health Options To Keep You From Getting Sick



Maybe you just don’t feel right. Living in denial is certainly an option but it is likely that once you start to notice the symptoms it is probable that you’re already very sick. Before you run to the store for some over the counter quick fix, you might think about the natural remedies for your cold that are already in your home.

Natural health solutions are a more than reasonable alternative to the chemicals you’ll find at your pharmacy. We won’t tell you to ignore your doctor but before you schedule the appointment, why not try a natural remedy for a couple of days and see if it works?
Pure water is the way to go.

Water can do more than simply keep you hydrated and keep your thirst quenched. When you have a headache, try drinking some water instead of heading for the aspirin or Advil bottle. Many headaches start because of dehydration.

Instead of waiting a long time for the drugs to take effect, drinking a glass of water will help you feel better in just a few minutes. While water is great for hydration it is great for other things too.

When you have a fever, for example, take a hot bath – keep a cold compress on your head but let yourself sit in the hot bath for a while. The heat helps you start sweating (to break your fever) and helps your muscles relax. Sweating is good because it is how your body will get rid of the toxins causing the fever and bring your temperature down.
You can get vitamin C from more things than oranges and orange juice!

Those leafy greens you usually pass up are also great sources of Vitamin C! If you feel yourself starting to get sick, aim for the green and leafy as well as the orange and round. Oranges are not the only citrus fruit that contains vitamin C!

Vitamin C is also found in bell peppers so why not add them to your favorite meals? Not only is the addition of vitamin C infused ingredients to your food great for your taste buds, your immune system will enjoy the added boost to its strength as well.
Drink tea!

Teas that contain peppermint, yarrow and elder are fantastic remedies for people who suffer from a cold or from the flu. To make a very strong tea, put all three ingredients into your tea to get a triple punch against your cold or flu. When you drink these teas you usually start to sweat, which is helpful in fighting colds and flus.
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3 Ways To Create An Awesome Healthy Lifestyle




Majority of people in the world today are struggling with health issues and as a result of this they’re searching for ways to turn this around. There are various reasons why a lot of people are trying to become healthy. To live a better life free from any medical conditions or maybe because they just want to look better at the beach.

Whatever the primary reason, you will see that living a healthy life is something which can actually end up extending the life you have. In this article we’ll be going over a few things which can help you to achieve your dream of a healthier lifestyle.
Ensure you are getting the nutrition your body needs

Eating a nutritious diet is something that many people claim that they do, but if you actually look at the food you consume you’ll find that this is not necessarily accurate. One of the reasons many people get sick and also have issues with health is mainly because their bodies aren’t obtaining the nutrition required, and this is directly associated with the types of food they eat.

Many different health problems can be directly related to a deficiency of vitamins and minerals throughout the body, which is the reason why eating correctly is so essential. There are 2 ways to ensure you are getting the nutrition you need, you can either get the nutrition from the food you eat or by taking nutritional supplements.

With regards to acquiring the nutrition you require from food you will need to eat a lot of different types of foods. Veggies and fruits may be the most important part of your diet, but only eating one piece of fruit and one serving of vegetables is not enough.
Take advantage of nutritional supplements

On the other hand, a lot of men and women will end up taking supplements. Although this is a lot better than not getting any vitamins and minerals at all, eating fresh vegetables and fruits is always the smartest choice. Proteins and healthy fats are also very essential in your quest to attain a healthy lifestyle, and these can be found in lean meats and in various different types of fish.

For individuals who are not able to get all the nutritional requirements they need from the food they eat, they can choose to use nutritional supplements. If there are particular foods you’re not eating every day you will find different vitamin supplements which will be able to make up the difference for what you are missing in your daily routine. A good idea is to speak to your doctor about what type of supplements you ought to be taking for what ever sorts of foods you’re not eating every single day.
Include light exercise in your daily routine

One activity that a lot of individuals find difficult in relation to living a healthy lifestyle is including exercise inside their daily routine. In reality, you don’t need to go out and join a gym and exercise for hours each day. Your daily exercise routine can be as simple as taking a walk, and you may actually be surprised to find all of the different benefits which are connected with this rather simple exercise.

One of the principal benefits that are related to exercise is the fact that it can have great health advantages for your cardiovascular system. Exercising can also help reduce high blood pressure levels, which is one of the more serious health conditions that many people are suffering from these days.
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How to Beat Late Night Snacking




Late night snacking has been described as one of the biggest problems faced by people struggling with their weight. Most of these people take pride in eating healthy and scheduled meals all through the day but then succumb to those unavoidable late night hunger cravings. When hunger strikes, it becomes extremely difficult to go back to sleep; and once you give in to any kind of night time snacking, it soon becomes a pattern that can ultimately ruin all weight control plans. If you’ve faced these uncalled hunger pangs at night, here are some ways to beat it.
Distract yourself
Thinking about food alone can induce hunger pangs. To beat this unhealthy late night snacking habit, you will have to begin by replacing your food thoughts with other thoughts. Distract yourself by reading a book or playing some video games until you fall asleep. You could also try calling a friend or taking a warm bath, which will help you sleep better.

Delay dinner
Late night snacking happens when there is quite a long gap between dinner and sleep. Early dinner often causes you to feel hungry by the time it is bedtime. If you sleep too late you can delay dinner so that the gap between dinner and bed are not too far off. But make sure there is at least a gap of an hour or so or else your digestion will suffer.

Brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth after dinner will not only help protect your teeth but will also ward off any unwanted hunger cravings later in the night. It is the “clean mouth” feeling that will convince you to skip any snacking after brushing.

Low calorie food alternative
If you realise that the hunger pangs are not just a craving and that you are genuinely hungry, opt for some low calorie food alternatives instead of snacking on easily available comfort foods. Raw foods like carrots, pears or apples are a healthy option if you need to eat something. Also, try foods like warm milk, cherries or almonds as these are foods that will help you sleep better.

Add fibre and protein to your dinner
If you often face these late night hunger cravings, make sure you include fibre and protein rich foods in your diet as they will keep you satiated for a longer time. Wholegrains, beans, lean meat etc can help you stay full and prevent late night snacking.
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Tuesday 18 March 2014

Mind and Body – Intermediate



As you continue to gain strength, flexibility and endurance through daily physical activity, you’ll want to think more about the important role your mind plays in getting and staying fit.

Consider some alternatives to your regular weight and cardio training such as yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi, all of which engage the mind, body and spirit at once. Include these alternative mind and body disciplines on a regular basis.

As your training progresses, “burnout” can occur. These alternatives take the focus away from weights and cardio machines. The focus is now shifted towards peaceful, relaxing thoughts, while also improving your flexibility and balance.

It is important to work your mind as well as your body, as a stronger mind will push you to new and greater heights!

Another challenge you may face at the intermediate fitness level is staying motivated about being active on a daily basis. Incorporating “fit thinking” into your life can help you get and stay excited about your healthy lifestyle.

Some suggestions:
Set Goals

Setting a goal, for example...'to bench press 5 more pounds by the end of next month", takes you from wishing and dreaming to taking real action toward a specific, reasonable target. The deadline will challenge you to get the most out of your physical activity program. When you reach your goal - and you will - set a new, specific goal to take you to the next level.
Record your reasons

Write down a list of all the reasons you are sticking to a “healthy living” plan along with your specific goals and the time-frame you want to achieve them in. Post it in a place you’re likely to see it every day – for example, the refrigerator door - and read it whenever you can. You’ll be reminded of all the reasons why you love being physically active and why you want to continue with your activity plan.
Keep a journal

Track your daily activity including all the exercises, tools (i.e., free weights), sets and repetitions you perform. When you see on one page how much progress you’ve been making – and how fast your body is improving – you’ll be inspired to keep going. You’ll see and feel results in your journal before you see them in the mirror.
Read!

Check out health and fitness magazines, books and websites that contain information about your favourite activities. Grab a few fitness magazines from the newsstand, then get a subscription to your favourites. Reading about fitness will keep you up on the latest techniques and remind you of the benefits of daily activity.
Don’t be a loner

Working out alongside a friend - especially another intermediate exerciser - will improve your attitude and help you stick to your program. Having another person to share all the trials and triumphs of exercise can be motivating and fun.

You and your fitness buddy will begin to rely on each other for moral support and accountability. If you do have to work out alone, don’t be afraid to ask someone (trainer, another person working out) to help you out if you need it.
Another great motivator

If you have to work out alone or even with someone else listen to music. Just think of how you feel when a great song comes on the radio. It pumps you up and picks up your energy level. Try picking music that is appropriate for the workout you are doing. For example: play more melodic, slower music for stretching, yoga or any other activity that is of a slower pace. 

Mind and Body - Super Active



At your level of fitness, you likely already know how powerful the At your level of fitness, you likely already know how powerful the mind is when it comes to keeping physically active. Try the following quick “mental workouts” to really get the most out of your strongest muscle!
Defeat self-defeat!

Keep motivated by knowing how to overcome self-defeating thoughts like “I’m too tired to work out,” or “I have no time.” Imagine yourself confronting your most difficult activity challenges--from waking up early to leaving class or work on time to working through fatigue. If you hear yourself think, "I don't feel like it" or, "this isn't my day," ignore those thoughts, lace up those shoes and get to your workout. The confidence and pride that comes with overcoming a challenge is huge! Think about how much you love these positive feelings, not to mention the satisfaction and feeling of well-being that comes from having a good workout. You’ll be better prepared to overcome negative thinking next time when you know you’ve done it before.
Envision success

Completing an activity challenge in your mind can help you complete it confidently in reality. Before you work out, imagine yourself getting to the track or the gym even before you’ve laced up your shoes.

Try to imagine the feelings you experience as you start, peak and then finish your planned workout. Fast-forward to the locker room, when you feel tired but satisfied.

When you work out in real life, it will seem easier because you’ve already mentally completed the challenge.
Visualize improvement

Once a week, try visualizing a tougher workout –10 more minutes on the treadmill, another mile on your run, more reps with your free weights – as you move toward your anticipated goal, whether it's a 20-mile jog or stronger calf muscles. Imagine both the good and the bad feelings: the fatigue and discomfort as well as the confidence boost and pride that come from completing a challenging workout. Then imagine yourself accepting the challenges that come with working towards a goal. Your mental confidence will help you get through your next workout – even if it’s more difficult than you expected – to reach your goal with pride.

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Microwave Popcorn


With so many light varieties of microwave popcorn on the market, it's easy to think that this snack is healthy, but with high levels of sodium and the chemical diacetyl, some health professionals caution about making this a regular snack. A better choice? Putting a few plain kernels in a brown paper bag and popping your own. You control the flavoring!

8 important weaning foods for your baby



Often mothers are eager and enthusiastic to start giving their babies foods other than breast milk. But when its time the big question that comes to their mind is – ‘What food should I pick up?’. Here is a list of foods that are easy on your baby’s little tummy and makes a great weaning option.

Juices: Start with clear and fresh fruit juices. Choose a fruit that’s available throughout the year. Apples are usually considered the best pick. Peel an apple, cut it into small pieces, boil it in a pan. Mash the apple with a spoon or your hand and put it in a strainer. Strain out all the juice and collect it in a container. Offer spoonfuls of this clear liquid to your baby in the beginning.

Alternatively you can also offer your baby dal ka pani. Soak yellow moong dal overnight; make sure you keep it covered. Next morning drain the excess water and boil the dal in water preferably double the amount of dal taken. When boiled well use a strainer to collect the clear dal water in a container and offer few spoonfuls at a time.

You can start with these clear liquids once your baby is over six months.

Fruits: If your baby is accustomed to apple juice move to apple puree after two weeks. Peel the apple cut into small pieces; put it into a pan and steam. Once done allow it to cool and then mash it to make a puree. Offer to your little one with your fingers or a feeding spoon. Try the same with a pear.

An overripe banana is every child’s favorite weaning food. Mash it up with a spoon or fork and offer to your little one.

Also try other fruits like papaya, mango and chickoo. But remember to introduce only one at a time.

Vegetables: A mashed potato makes a good start to introduce veggies. But make sure that the potato is boiled well and mashed thoroughly. Add a little water if the need be. Once your baby is seven months old try other vegetables like carrot, bottle gourd, pumpkin, tomatoes. All boiled and hand mashed thoroughly.

Soups: Make clear vegetable soups. Boil the veggies or pressure-cook them. Mash them and put them in a strainer to strain out the clear liquid. Add a pinch of salt if needed. A mix of carrots, beetroots, tomatoes make a good veg-soup. You can introduce soups when you baby is around 8 months old.

Greens: Add spinach to your baby’s diet during the eighth or ninth month. Wash clean and boil the greens. Make a thick paste and offer your baby.

Cooked foods: From the eighth month, you can start to give your baby a wholesome meal of rice and dal preparation. Take equal amount of dal and rice, wash thoroughly and keep aside. In the cooker add little amount of ghee and heat it. Add jeera or rai for seasoning, just a pinch of it. Put the rice-dal mix in the cooker and add enough water, salt and turmeric. Pressure-cook it, cool and then mash the preparation if the need be, before you offer your baby. You can also add vegetables like potatoes, carrot, gourd, beans etc to make it more nutritious.

Nutritious mixes: Take rice, wheat, ragi, moong dal in equal amounts. Wash and sundry. Roast the mixture in a skillet and then grind it. Keep it in an airtight container. This is a highly nutritious mix for the baby. Once your baby has started to tolerate liquids, take one spoonful of this mixture and boil it in water. Cool it down and offer to your baby. You can also add a spoonful of this mixture to your khichdi preparations or to other veggies. Slowly and steadily you can help your baby wean off breast milk comfortably.

Water: Surprise how water made it into the list? Remember your baby was only on breastfeed for six months, now that you have introduced other food items, water is a necessity. It will help keep your baby hydrated, clean the systems and aid digestion too.

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