My Bday

                               I woke up when Radhika came to wish me.It was a rainy morning.That too it was raining heavily.Then received calls from Grandma,uncle,Vaisha,Prabha aunty,Varsha,Nidhi,Manikandan,Vichi,Natesh,Anjali,Giri,Sujatha,Sreejay,Vignesh,Arthy,Hema,Viji,Shankar and Sudarsan.

I went to the temple and enjoyed rain the entire day.I replied to mails and scraps.

Totally, It was a nice day as every year.

Indira

Indira was a Hero – All Heroes have committed mistakes and so did Indira.Indira should be identified by the legacy and not for the mistakes she had committed.

At Young Age

She was into politics from the age of four.More than that she ardently loved the country and did not bother burning her favourite english doll at that small age.That was the time when people were burning foreign clothes and adapting to rough hand spunned Khadi.

At the age of 9 she need totake care of her ailing mother Kamala as her father Nehru was into freedom struggle.Nehru use to write letters to Indira about britishers,Indian history, culture and everything.Though Indira was not as intelligent as Nehru.

She later married Feroz, a Parsi much against her father’s wish in Ananda Bhavan.She was slowly into Congress Working Comittee and later was made as Prime Minister after Moraji’s death.She was made as P.M assuming she would be a goongi gudiya (dumb doll).But she turned out to be the opposite.She stood by her decision and was decisive.

Emergency

The country’s only woman prime minister, who died on October 31, 1984, regretted her controversial decision  imposition of Emergency that had shaken the country, say her close aides.

Karunakaran recollects, “Many people criticise the Emergency. But, I stood with Indira in those days. And I still do so. The country was sliding into chaos.

Jayaprakash Narayan had exhorted government officials, the police and even the armed forces to disobey the government. Talks with him failed. Indira had no other option; the Emergency had to be imposed.”

M L Fotedar, another close aide of Gandhi, termed Emergency as a measure taken in compulsion saying, “her opponents created such a situation in the country that she had to impose Emergency”.

Jai Prakash Narayan exhorted government officials ,police,armed forces to disobey the government.Indira had no option but emergency.

Operation Bluestar

She had given the nod for Operation Bluestar but late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi later regretted the decision which eventually led to her assassination 25 years ago.Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale had proved to be a nuisance, and his men, armed with guns and bombs, were running around all over Punjab.Yet, she went for the drastic step of Operation Blue Star against Bhindranwale and his supporters on June 5, 1984.

Commanders like General K. Sundarji and General A.S. Vaidya told her the operation would take only a few hours, because those inside the Golden Temple had little military training or knowledge and could not fight a long battle.

The truth was that the militants had fortified themselves inside the Golden Temple and had former soldiers to school them in guerrilla warfare. But somehow Indira was convinced to launch the bloody battle. It was timed wrongly as the Golden Temple was in the middle of festivities. Bhindranwale was also challenging Indira. Earlier, he had moved into the Akal Takht, turning the highest seat of Sikh authority into his domain. Operation Blue Star took three days and traumatised the country and the Sikhs.Sikh terrorism was the first of its kind of internal terrorism from heartland of India, Punjab.

“She (Gandhi) was told that it (Operation Bluestar) will be a simple operation. No damage will be done to the structure and there would be no loss of human lives. She was also told that terrorists would be flushed out of the temple in no time,” Dhawan said.

Gandhi fell victim to her own Sikh bodyguards — Satwant Singh, Beant Singh and Kehar Singh — who pumped 31 bullets into the 66-year-old charismatic leader. She was coming for an interview to Peter Ustinov at 1, safdarjung road house.While Beant was killed by security men, Kehar and Satwant were later hanged.

Before her death many had raised concerns about having Sikhs as her bodyguards. Intelligence agencies had warned against it. But Indira trusted them. She use to tell “We should not be prejudiced. And as Congress president, how can I differentiate between Indians?”

Simplicity

Gandhi’s close aides also remember her for her simplicity and her commitment to the cause of the poor, which led to the Congress slogan of “Garibi Hatao” during the 1971 Lok Sabha elections.

“Simplicity was the name of Indiraji…the way she dressed, her food habits everything was so simple,” recalls Fotedar.She took great care in House keeping.She was very loving and caring.Once when Karunkaran at a Congres Working Committee meeting was freezing out of cold she draped a Kashmiri Shawl on him.

Dhawan appreciated Gandhi for her habit of taking firm decisions saying, “she took her decisions herself and used to stick to it. Though she faced innumerable problems in her personal life, she always thought of the masses.”She visited Dalit homes spoke with dalit women.

“No political leader worked the way Indiraji did for the masses,” Dhawan said.

Indira and India

When Rakesh sharma reached space, Indiraji asked how India looks from there and when Rakesh sharma replied “Sare Jahan se acha hindusthan hamara”,

she was so jubiliant.she loved the country as a mother would love her son.

Rickshaw wallas were dancing on the roads when the banks were nationalised.

Indira and Sanjay

Sanjay was playing a greater role during her regime and forcifully implemented  family planning and indulged in demolition of slums.This brought a bad name to her.

Sanjay was flying jets with bathroom slippers and Air Marshall Jaffer Zaheer was ignored when he brought this to her notice.Eventually Sanjay died in aircrash in 1980 at the age of 33.

Dhawan, contended that there is no leader worth her stature in the country today.

She was the second best prime minister and first being her father Jawaharlal nehru.

Ask Shahnaz

I have a big head and a wide forehead. My hair is curly. Also, I am short. What hairstyle and clothes will suit me? — Seema

A centre parting, with the curls hanging down, would suit you. The hair could be cut shorter at the sides, up to shoulder level and longer at the back. A few curls could fall at the forehead, so that it does not seem too wide. Short people look better in one-colour outfits. Avoid contrasts. Wear salwar-kurta or top and skirt/pants of the same colour or same print as this lends height. Colourful chunnis or scarves may be worn to set off the one-colour outfits. Or, you can have decorative trimmings at the neck or sleeves. Avoid long sleeves, bulky clothes and large prints. The designs should be simple. Wear jewellery that is neat and small, rather than large and too decorative. Short people like to wear high heels, but the shoes should be light, with thin straps, rather than heavy and bulky.

My 11-month-old baby girl has hair on the body and face. Suggest ways to remove it. — Shobha

Many infants have downy hair on the face and body. It disappears as they grow older. The skin of babies and children is delicate. Mix wheat flour and milk into a stiff dough like chappati dough. Hold the dough in your hand and rub it gently on the skin daily, the way you would use a sponge. Rubbing the dough daily on the skin is said to gradually lessen hair growth.

When I wash my face and apply powder I look fair, but, after some time, I sweat and look dark. What should I do to prevent this? — Fiona

Sweat removes powder. It can also make the skin look dark and oily. Carry wet tissues and compact powder. Wipe your face and refresh your skin with the wet tissues and apply compact powder.

My mother has dry hair; she is also losing a lot of it. Suggest a shampoo and hair oil to stop the hair loss. — Mohana

She should apply a herbal hair tonic daily on the scalp and leave it on. She should part the hair into sections and apply the tonic on the scalp with cotton wool. She can apply pure coconut oil twice a week, the night before a shampoo wash. She should avoid massaging the scalp because if the roots are weak it can cause more hair to fall out. After applying oil, she can try the hot towel wrap, as it helps the hair and the scalp absorb the oil better. Diet is important for healthy hair. She should have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, soybean and curd in her diet. She should take vitamin and mineral supplements after consulting her doctor.

I am 22. I have oily skin, pimples and blackheads. My skin looks coarse, dull and tanned. Suggest remedies for a smooth complexion. — Pradeepti

After washing your face, wipe it with an astringent lotion using cotton wool. Or, mix rose water with lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it on your face. Wash it off after 10 minutes. Mix multani mitti with rose water and lemon juice into a paste and apply it on your face. Wash it off after it dries. Sandalwood paste can be applied on the pimples. Use a facial scrub only on the areas with blackheads two or three times a week. Go to a beauty salon and have a clean up treatment, once a week, during which the blackheads would be extracted. It would help control pimples too.

Do scrubs make the face rough? How can I make a scrub at home and how do I use it? — Kavya

Scrubs help remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin. They make the skin look smoother and also prevent blackheads and open pores. Mix rice powder or ground almonds with curd and apply it on your face. Rub it gently using small, circular movements. Then wash it off with water. Ground lemon and orange peel can also be added to the mixture. Ready-to-use scrubs are easily available. Scrubs should not be applied on pimples or on very dry skin.

What should I do to get rid of the wrinkles that are developing near my jaw? — Dolly

If your skin is normal to dry, then massage your face daily with a nourishing cream. For the jaw, start from the chin and move outwards, on both sides, with outward and slightly upward strokes. Then go from chin downwards towards the neck. A face mask, used twice a week, will help. Mix 2 teaspoons of wheat bran with one teaspoon each of oatmeal, ground almonds, honey and yoghurt. Add egg white, or more curd to make the mixture. It should be a thick paste that does not drip. Apply it on your face, avoiding the lips and area around your eyes. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes.

How should almond oil and olive oil be used? — Padmini

Almond oil or olive oil may be applied on the hair. If you have dandruff, olive oil would be more suitable. If your skin is dry, almond oil may be applied on the face. Pure almond oil can also be applied around the eyes and wiped off with moist cotton wool after 15 minutes. Apply it on the lips daily at night, leaving it on overnight. Olive oil may be used to massage the body. If your skin is oily and you have blackheads, open pores, pimples or acne, oil should not be applied on the face.

Can I have a head bath daily? I travel to college by motorbike and, when I return, my head itches. What should I do to prevent the problem? — Sanjay

Wash your hair daily, but use very little shampoo. Take only one-fourth teaspoon of shampoo, dilute it with a little water and then wash your hair. Only one application of shampoo is enough. It does not harm the hair, provided you use very little shampoo. In fact, if you go out daily and the weather is warm and humid, washing the hair daily helps keep the hair and scalp clean. Dirt, sweat, oil and pollutants cling to the hair and should be removed. For the itching, consult a dermatologist just to ensure you do not have a scalp problem. Or, you can add one tablespoon of vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse after washing your hair. It helps reduce itching. You can also mix one part of vinegar with four parts of water and dab this solution on the scalp to relieve itching.

Suggest exercises for trim hips and waistline. — Malini

After consulting your doctor, try the following spot reduction exercises. Sit on the floor with your legs spread slightly wide. Raise your arms, keeping them straight. Bend from the waist, first towards the right, then, towards the front and then to the left. Come back to position. Repeat this exercise five times, starting with the right side and then five times, starting with the left side. Now, stand straight, feet slightly apart and bend sideways to the right. Your right arm should relax by your side and your left arm should rest on your head. Bend as far as possible to the right. Come back to position and repeat the exercise towards the left, reversing the arm positions. Do this exercise five times on each side. For the hips, lie on your back and roll your hip to the right side. Try to touch the floor on the right side with your left foot. Do the same on the left side, touching the floor with your right foot.

What are the cosmetic uses of beetroot? — Sophia

Beetroot is usually used to colour the hair. It gives a dark red or magenta tint to the hair. Beetroot juice can be added to henna. It gives a rich burgundy colour to the hair. Beetroot can also be boiled or pressure cooked. Strain and add the water to henna, or use it to rinse the hair. Avoid using shampoo immediately after rinsing the hair with beetroot. It can also be added to other hair packs.

I have dry and dark skin with black spots. — Priya

Cleanse dry skin with a cleansing cream or gel twice a day, or use a mild glycerine soap. For toning, use rose water with cotton wool. Apply a sunscreen with a high SPF before going out in the sun. Keep the skin well-moisturised, if you stay at home. Mix rice powder with curd and use it as a facial scrub once a week. Apply it gently on your face, especially on the dark spots, using tiny circular movements. Leave it on for a few minutes, before washing it off. Take two teaspoons of curd, add a pinch of turmeric and apply it daily on your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes. This will relieve dryness and lighten skin colour. At night, after cleansing your skin, massage pure almond oil, or nourishing cream on your face. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool before bedtime. Mix 3 teaspoons of ground almonds with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and lemon juice, or egg white. Apply this on your face, twice a week, avoiding the lips and area around the eyes. Wash it off after half an hour.

I travel by bus daily to college. I have oily skin. At the end of the day my face looks lifeless and dull. I get blackheads and a few pimples. These days my skin feels dry. What should I do? — Raji

Blackheads and pimples occur on oily skin or oily areas of the skin. After washing your face in the morning, wipe the blackhead-prone areas with an astringent lotion, with cotton wool. In the morning, after washing your face, make a paste of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and water. Apply this on the areas with blackheads daily, washing it off after five minutes. Use a facial scrub twice a week on the blackhead- prone areas. Do not use it on the pimples. Or, mix oatmeal with egg white and apply it on your face twice a week. Wash it off after it dries. To relieve dryness, mix one teaspoon of pure glycerine with 100 ml of rosewater. Store it in a bottle in the fridge and apply it daily. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples.

I am losing a lot of hair. It is due to the hard water which we get at home. — Zeba

Put alum in your bath water to soften it. After washing your hair, add the juice of a lemon to half a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This restores the acid-alkaline balance. The other reasons for hair loss could be dandruff, oily scalp, stress, thyroid imbalance, nutritional deficiencies and damage to the hair caused by repeated dyeing, colouring, perming or straightening. Apply a herbal hair tonic daily on the scalp and leave it on. Apply olive oil once a week the night before shampooing your hair. Avoid massaging your scalp. If there is hair loss, the roots must already be weak and massaging may aggravate the problem. Diet is important. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, soya bean and curd, in your diet.

Though I use socks at night after applying cream, my feet remain dry. — Shaina

Massage your skin with sesame seed oil daily. Use a mild glycerine soap for bathing. After a bath, apply cream on your feet while the skin is still damp. This helps seal in the moisture. At night, before retiring, soak your feet in hot water for about 15 minutes. Add some coarse salt and oil to the water, before soaking your feet. Hot water helps soften dead skin. With the help of a towel, rub your feet gently, in order to remove the dead cells. After washing your feet, massage a good cream on the skin. Then apply the cream generously on your feet. Bandage your heels with a clean cloth; then wear cotton socks and go to sleep. Repeat this every night for one week.

World Obesity Day

With World Obesity Day just past us (October 24), look at these tips to shrink your stomach safely and quickly.

 Our stomach is actually only the size of our closed fist. When full, it stretches

 At work, your colleague gives you a big laddu as prasad. Next, your secretary comes with samosas and gulab jamuns; her son has done extremely well in board exams.

You eat this too, and then, drink a cup of hot, sweet tea to wash it all down. Soon, at home, you will have your tea and a snack. A short while later, it’s time for dinner. Nothing new, is there?

Overeating increases stomach size:

Our stomach is actually only the size of our closed fist. When full, it stretches; as it empties, it starts returning to its original size. However, when we habitually eat large meals, the stomach muscles lose their natural elasticity and the stomach actually increases in size.

Experts say that it may take as little as two to four weeks of overeating to expand stomach size! A bigger stomach needs a lot more food to feel full and we end up eating more food at every meal.

But we can shrink our stomach. As impossible as it may sound, research shows that it is possible to shrink the stomach back to its original size. Here are a few tips for shrinking your stomach quickly and safely.

Never skip a meal:

Dieters think that they are saving on calories when they forego meals. In reality, self-starvation leads to overeating at the next meal.

Eat small meals frequently:

Reduce the amount of food you eat at every meal gradually. This will slowly but surely minimise the stomach’s daily stretch; over time, it will shrink and you will need less food. So, eat 5-6 small meals instead of tree large ones every day. This reduces the size of your stomach by one-third!

Stretch your meals:

Make the meal last at least 20 minutes. Your stomach, mouth and brain are all connected and it takes 20 minutes of chewing before your stomach signals to the brain that you are full. So extend every meal to at least 20 minutes. Put down your spoon after every bite. Chew the food well and take the next bite leisurely.

Increase intake of fibre-rich foods: Foods high in fibre like chapattis, dal especially whole pulses, fruits and vegetables fill you up faster. This means that your stomach gives the signal of ‘fullness’ to the brain much before you have eaten a large amount of food.

Drink cold water before meals:

Drink a large glass of ice water just before meals. The cold causes your stomach to shrink slightly, which will make you feel full faster.

Be positive:

Negative emotions such as sadness, depression, anxiety, fear, guilt and anger push us towards overeating. Try yoga for a sense of optimism.

The writer is a nutrition and health researcher and the author of The Power of N: Nutrition In Our Times.

An end to obesity?

In recent years, gastric bypass surgery is becoming increasingly popular. The surgery shrinks the stomach’s capacity from the size of a bottle to that of a small glass and also reconfigures the small intestine. Within a year, patients lose more than 60 per cent of their excess weight.

However, experts caution that gastric bypass is major surgery and should not be undertaken lightly. Surgeons recommend surgery only in cases where obesity is a huge problem.

Mumbai Or Bombay

       Today, is the counting day for Mumbai Assembly elections.Congress seems to be a clear winner.The most shocking thing is MNS was able to pile up some seats to its credit.

I had a valid question rising in my mind after Mumbai elections.Like, if less than 50% votes are casted should we really consider that as an proper election.If not it would not be cost effective to conduct another election and what if same thing happens again.Since it is not mandatory to cast votes many people mainly don’t bother to vote.

Mumbai is the greatest city and never sleeps accepting anyone who comes into it.Was Mumbai sleeping on voting day?

Voting is not something meant for the poor class, and education class should cast their vote first.It would be unfair to make voting compulsory.People should wake up rather than to wait for someone to come and wake up.How long we are going to wait for revolutions and revolutionaries for the change?

This is the city which had a ringside view to the freedom movement, it was here that Gandhi gave his clarion ‘Quit India’ call, where Jinnah cut his political teeth, where Ambedkar shaped his ideological fervour.

When Mumbai bomb blast or Mumbai terrorist attack took place next day Mumbai wakes up forgetting the wounds.Sometimes it does become necessary to feel the pain rather than forgetting for a better tomorrow.

Mumbai had always suffered from selective amnecia.I felt really bad when Karan Johar had to apologize for using Bombay instead of Mumbai.Amitabh did apologize to MNS.NorthIndians were beaten by MNS activists.Now they were able to win some seats.Whose fault is this? Ofcourse people who forget all that refuse to vote allowing bogus voters and also allowing political followers only to vote.

Mumbai was allowed to become a giant Slum.Whose mistake is this?

Here Page 3 has become Page 1 here.Everybody is bothered about Salman’s hair, Priyanka’s costume and Shahrukh’s next film but no time to vote.

If one has a attitude what If MNS is beating North Indians it is not my problem provided my son or I am able to give any exam I want.

People should not think I have food to eat what matters if farmers suicide happens in Vidarbha.

Every year people are stuck in floods and keep praying rain god.Every day people are stuck in Traffic jams.Nobody has any complaint.

Please Complain Mumbai.Please Vote Mumbai!!!!!!!!!!

Priceless Foods

Guava – India Rs. 2.50 a guava
This food is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin A, Folate, Potassium, Copper and Manganese and a very good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.
Go for 1 a day when in season to help build your immunity.

Papaya – India Rs. 5 a small papaya U.S $1.99 small papaya
(1 small) This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source
of Dietary Fiber and Potassium, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Folate.
Even 1/3 a day is excellent in providing three powerful antioxidants (Vitamin A, E, C)

Peanuts – India Rs. 2 per 100g
This food is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Niacin, Folate and
Manganese. Not good for weight loss.
15 – 20 whole peanuts a day (nutrient powerhouse) Is a great mid-day or afternoon snack.

Brinjal – India Rs.12 per 500g U.S $ 0.80 per 250g
This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin
C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Phosphorus and
Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Folate, Potassium and Manganese.
Excellent low calorie vegetable, can be cooked and had 2-3 tImes a week.

Beetroot – India Rs.12 per 500g U.S $0.80 per beet
This food is very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Iron and Magnesium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber,Folate, Potassium and Manganese. Have 1/2 a cooked beet In your salad 3-5 tImes a week. Helps detoxify your system.

Spinach – India Rs.10 per 250g U.S $ 1.00 for 250g
This food is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Niacin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein,Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium,Copper and Manganese. Have It raw as a salad or cooked 2-3 tImes a week for optimal health.
Oats – India Rs.26 per 1 OOg U.S $ 1.40 per 250g
This food is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Manganese. Excellent breakfast 3-5 times a week, as it is good for your heart and helps fight cholesterol.
Kidney Bean – Rajma – India Rs.5 per 125g U.S $0.25 per bOg
This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese, and a very good source of Folate. Excellent In salad or as a curry 2-4 times a week. Helps maintain good health.

Coriander – Dhaniya – India Rs.2.50 a bunch U.S $0.50 per 25g
This food is very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Thiamin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. Excellent as chutney, garnish or in salads and curries 7 days a week.

Whole Wheat flour – India Rs.8 per 250g U.S $0.35 per 250g
This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, and a very good source of Manganese and Selenium. Whole grain bread, chapatti or pita, 1-2 times a day/ 7 days a week to meet your fiber requirements for the day.

Diwali – Silence Please

                             Diwali is not only a festival of lights,crackers and lots of happiness but also a festival of noise,smoke and pollution of water,air and noise.I may sound pessimist looking at the wrong side of the coin.But thats the reality.Every Diwali the sound levels had been crossing 80 db.Same way the pollution is alo alarmingly increasing.

Diwali is basically celebrated after Lord Rama had killed the evil Ravana.Now also we have many evils in the society for which we do not need Lord Rama but every individual can sterilise the soceity.In 2008, Triplicane registered over 10% reduction, at 81.9 dB, compared to 86.9 dB in 2007.

Let us celebrate this Diwali by killing all the present-day Ravanas (environmentally unfriendly habits).

Obama at a Diwali function

It is nice to have a clean house, but it is not good to throw your household garbage on the roads. Let us kill this habit first and dump our garbage into dustbins.

It is pleasant to see your house lit with lights all the time, but this contributes to global warming we will kill this habit and turn off our lights when not in use.

It is really comfortable to drive your own car where ever possible, but let us kill this habit and take the public transport or walk or carpool whenever possible.

It is really luxurious to sleep with the air conditioner set at the lowest temperature possible, believe me if you kill this habit and increase your air conditioner thermostat by one degree your electricity bill will go down. The same thing applies to your heater, but here you’ve got to decrease your heater thermostat by 1 degree.

It is easy to throw away your garbage just like that but you really need to kill this habit and start segregating your garbage into degradable and non-degradable and dispose them. 

It is very comfortable to carry home plastic bags while shopping but kill this habit and carry your own bag for shopping.

It is so easy to scribble on a paper and throw it away but it is not that easy to get back the tree from which the paper was made so kill this habit too and use paper carefully and judiciously, and try to recycle every bit of used paper.

It is really yummy to eat imported food items, but do you know how much this contributes to global warming? So kill this habit and start consuming locally grown and produced food.

We always leave our electrical appliances on standby mode, which also uses up a lot of electricity, let us kill this habit and switch off the appliances completely.

Leading an environmentally friendly life is not social service. It is the need of the hour to save Earth, so let us kill all the Ravanas and then celebrate Diwali.Let us also celebrate this festival of giving by

Weighty Woes

Here are some ways to prevent abdominal fat which can have negative health implications

Have your concerned about the fat around her midriff. You have a tough fight to button your jeans.

Heredity, hormonal changes or aging cause many women to have an increase in abdominal fat, as they grow older. Menopause tips the scale even more. Unfortunately, gaining fat over the abdomen has bad health implications. Abdominal fat is worse than fat over other body areas like the hips, arms and legs.

Why abdominal fat is dangerous

As you age, your metabolism tends to slow down. As less fat is burned off, more of it slowly gets deposited in the wrong places. Women tend to have an increase in fat deposits as compared to men. Menopause adds its own twist to this — the fat gets deposited over the abdomen.

Though being overweight has negative health implications, abdominal weight gain is particularly unhealthy. Too much abdominal fat increases the risk of:

Heart disease,Breast cancer.Diabetes,Metabolic syndrome,Gallbladder problems,High blood pressure,Colorectal cancer

Is it just ‘love handles’?

The fat that is deposited abdominally is not restricted to ‘love handles’. It is not just the rolls of fat that you can grab on the front and sides of your abdomen. The treacherous fat is the fat that lies inside the abdomen. This type of fat is called visceral fat and lies inside the abdomen, surrounding the abdominal organs. Fat located between the skin and the abdominal wall, is more visible but also less likely to be a health risk.

Some women experience a widening waist even without gaining any weight. Even in women of normal weight, too much fat concentrated in the midsection is unhealthy.

Get that measuring tape out

Don’t put it off. Check your waist size now. To measure your waist, run a tape measure around your midsection at about the level of your umbilicus. Breathe normally and don’t hold your tummy in. Hold the tape lightly against the skin, taking care not to press your skin in.

In a woman of healthy weight, a waist measurement of 85 centimetres or more indicates an unhealthy concentration of abdominal fat. Maintaining your waist size at half your height in centimetres is an excellent health measure.

Battling the bulge

Brisk walking is the secret weapon in the battle of the bulge. Walk 30-45 minutes, at least 5 days a week. Healthy eating is your second weapon. Increase portions of complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables, and reduce simple carbohydrates like rice and sugar. Drastically reduce your portion size.

Exercises for toning abdominal muscles

Abdominal hollowing

Get down on all fours. Let your tummy hang down as you take a deep breath. Let your breath out, and at the end of your exhalation, pull your navel inward and upward toward your spine. Hold for 10 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Work up to 10-15 repetitions. During each effort, your spine position should not change and you should breathe freely. You can also do this standing up.

Pelvic tilts and pelvic lifts

Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent. Flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdominal muscles and bending your pelvis up slightly. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Repeat five times and work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.

For pelvic lifts, lie on your back with your knees bent and your arms relaxed by your sides. Tighten your lower abdomen and lift your buttocks up off the floor, with your feet pressing down on the floor. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Repeat five times and work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.

10 kitchen spices with healing powers

                                   Spices with medicinal values have been used as a part of regular diet.If we skip our regular diet and choose to have junk foods we may miss out these spices and later have the same in the form of tablets mixed with chemicals. Here are the top 10 kitchen spices that have healing effects:

1. Fenugreek (methi): It is mainly used as a green leafy vegetable and seeds are used for seasoning and preparing masalas. It also has many medicinal uses. Fenugreek seed and leaves are good for increasing breast milk in lactating women. It is also helpful for treating diabetes and lowering cholesterol as it helps in reducing blood sugar levels. You can consume it either by incorporating it in your diet or chewing its seeds (after soaking them overnight). Fenugreek also helps in maintaining a good metabolism and prevents constipation. It purifies blood and helps in flushing out the harmful toxins.

2. Coriander (dhania) leaves/seeds: All parts of the coriander plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are commonly used in cooking. Seeds can be roasted or heated on a dry pan briefly before grinding to enhance and alter the aroma. The leaves of coriander are stimulant and tonic. They strengthen the stomach, relieve flatulence and increase secretion and discharge of urine. Coriander seeds reduce fever and promote a feeling of coolness. Coriander juice is highly beneficial in deficiencies of vitamin A, B1, B2, C and iron. One or two teaspoons of coriander juice, added to fresh buttermilk, is highly beneficial in treating digestive disorders such as indigestion, nausea, dysentery, hepatitis and ulcerative colitis. It is also helpful in typhoid fever. Regular drinking of coriander water helps lower blood cholesterol as it is a good diuretic and stimulates the kidney. It can be prepared by boiling dry seeds of coriander and straining the decoction after cooling.

3. Chillies (mirch): Your eyes may start watering just with the name of it, but you would be surprised to know that these spicy ones have healing power too. Since ancient times, chillies have been used by healers to cure a variety of ailments. They have been used externally to relieve pain and internally to cure anything from yellow fever to the common cold. The active ingredient in hot red peppers is a compound called capsaicin, which gives it that unique sting. Capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, which has a pain relieving effect similar to that of morphine. Their high vitamin C content can also substantially increase the absorption of non-heme iron from other ingredients in a meal, such as beans and grains.

4. Turmeric (haldi): Although usually used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric is also used fresh, much like ginger. Turmeric is sometimes also used as an agent to impart a rich, custard-like yellow colour to the dishes. In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties. Many use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises. It also makes coping with diabetes easier. Raw turmeric juice is used to treat hyper acidity and indigestion. The juice of raw turmeric also acts as a blood purifier. Curcumin — an active component of turmeric, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating arthritis, inflammatory conditions and possibly cancer. Turmeric is also an inexpensive and indigenous beauty aid. It is used in the formulation of some sun screens. Smearing with turmeric paste cleans skin and beautifies it. Its antiseptic and healing properties prevent and cure pimples.

5. Clove (laung): Cloves can be used in cooking either whole or in a ground form, but as they are extremely strong, they are used sparingly. Cloves promote enzymatic flow and boost digestive functioning. They are used in various forms of gastric-irritability and dyspepsia. Licking the powder of fried cloves mixed with honey is effective in controlling vomiting. Chewing a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration (the process of coughing up and spitting out) relieves the irritation in the throat and stops cough in the pharyngitis — that is, inflammation of the pharynx. Clove is an effective remedy for asthma. A teaspoon of decoction prepared by boiling six cloves in 30 ml of water can be taken with honey thrice daily as an expectorant. The use of a clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease infection due to its antiseptic properties.

6. Cinnamon (dalchini): An aromatic smelling bark, cinnamon is widely used in most kitchens. It is principally employed in cookery as a seasoning and flavouring material. Ancient Chinese references mention about use of Cinnamon as early as 2700 BC as a medicine for relieving nausea, fever, diarrhoea and menstrual problems. Cinnamon is used for stimulating gastric and digestive juices and carminative. It is an antiseptic that helps kill bacteria which cause tooth decay and gum disease, and that is why most of the tooth pastes are cinnamon flavoured. It also kills many fungi and viruses that cause diseases. It helps calm the stomach, clears up urinary tract infections. In diabetic patients, it helps metabolise sugar in a better way using less insulin.

7. Black Pepper (kali mirch): Pepper is one of the oldest and most important of all spices. It is usually dried (known as peppercorn when dried) and used as a spice and seasoning. Black pepper is useful in relieving flatulence. Pepper has a stimulating effect on the digestive organs and produces an increased flow of saliva and gastric juices. Powdered black pepper, thoroughly mixed with malted jaggery (gur), may be taken in the treatment of such conditions. Alternatively, a quarter teaspoon of pepper powder mixed in thin buttermilk can be taken during indigestion or heaviness in the stomach. For better results, an equal part of cumin (jeera) powder may also be added to the buttermilk. Three peppers sucked with a pinch of cumin (jeera) seeds and a crystal of common salt provides relief from cough.

8. Cardamom (elaichi): Cardamom is the “queen of spices”; it is one of the most valued spices in the world. Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic fragrance. Cardamom is used chiefly in medicines to relieve flatulence and for strengthening digestion activities. Ground cardamom seed mixed with ginger (adrak), cloves (laung) and coriander (dhania), is an effective remedy for indigestion. A tea made from cardamom is valuable in headache caused by indigestion. This can also be used as a remedy in the treatment of depression. Green cardamom is broadly used to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, and congestion of the lungs. Daily gargling with an infusion of cardamom and cinnamon (dalchini) cures pharyngitis, sore-throat and also protects one from flu.

9. Cumin (jeera)/Carom (ajwain): Cumin and Carom seeds are both used for cooking and also possess many medicinal properties. They are a good source of iron and keeps immune system healthy. Water boiled with cumin seeds is good for coping with dysentery. Cumin (also known as Caraway) oil is specially used to remove flatulence. Also a cup of tea made from caraway seeds taken thrice a day after a meal will give relief. The tea is prepared by adding a tsp of caraway seed in 1.5-2 litres of boiling water and allows simmering on slow fire for 15 min. Strain and sip hot to get best of results.

Ajwain is mucous-clearing and beneficial in treating respiratory diseases. A mix of the seed and buttermilk is effective for relieving difficult expectoration caused by dry phlegm. A hot fomentation with the seeds is a popular household remedy for asthma. Ajwain is good for muscular pains the seeds should be fried in coconut oil and should be massaged as a liniment in treating this condition. Ajwain shouldn’t be used in excess as it can cause dryness of fluid and damage your eyes.

10. Asafoetida (hing): Asafoetida is used as a digestive aid, in food as a seasoning. Its odour, when uncooked, is so strong that it must be stored in airtight containers otherwise the aroma will contaminate other spices stored nearby. However, its odour and flavor become much milder and more pleasant upon heating in oil or ghee. It has many medicinal uses. For gas and flatulence, you may add a pinch of hing to buttermilk with a pinch of salt and drink it after meals. In case of stomachache, a little hing should be dissolved in water and the paste should be applied on the navel. A piece of hing placed on an aching tooth, reduces pain. Raw asafoetida may be given to the patients in lung infections like bronchitis in dosage of 5gm per day. It can be fried in ghee and given to the patients suffering from neuro-muscular disorders such as sciatica, facial palsy, paralysis etc. for relief from pain. In breathing disorders such as coughs and cold, it can be consumed in dosages of 12-15 gm for relief. You can even apply hing on an itching skin for relief.

Though these spices provide innumerable benefits they should be used sparingly. The excessive use of spices in food can cause harm to the health. Try to make specific use of these spices. This will help you to make optimal use of the resources provided by nature. Strike the right balance and add some spice to your life.

Annai fathima Illam – Diwali

                          I planned 3 days before saturday regarding the visit to Annai Fathima Illam.The count of children were more now when compared to last year.I bought Crackers comprising of all items.On Friday itself we had ordered vegetable puffs.So I collected puffs,bought cold drinks,plates and cups.

@ Annai Fathima Illam

Almost everyone had reached there.Myself and my brother reached the Annai Fathima Illam after loading all the snacks and stuff.We entered the big hall where children were seated.When I asked them do they remember me they all shouted “Yes” in a chorus.I felt happy that these children remembered us among many people visiting them.

We started by distributing puffs and then cold drinks.We had enough extra snacks.We also gave them to staffs.Initially children were shy to dance.Later everyone voluntarily came for singing and dancing.A group enacted skid also.It was very nice.

Annai Fathima Illam

http://www.annaifathimatrust.org/