Top Thirty Quick and Easy Health Tips

Food and Nutrition

 Along with fresh veggies and fruits, eat slim meats (if you’re not vegetarian), nuts, seeds (sprouts) and salads. 

 Opt for fresh, seasonal and local produce over exotic foodstuff imported over ridiculous distances. 

 Make sure you get a balanced diet, as often as possible.


 Drink water – you need to stay hydrated. Not only is it good for your internal organs, it also keeps your skin healthy and lessens acne.


 To determine your water requirement, divide your weight (in pounds) by two. This gives the daily ounce-recommendation.

 Cut down on caffeine and caffeinated and aerated beverages.

 Limit alcohol intake. Tobacco and drugs should be an absolute No.


 Steer clear of sugar, stimulants and processed food.

 Maintain a healthy weight.


Exercise

 Exercise at least four days a week for 20 to 30 minutes each day. If it’s all not possible at a go, break your workouts into smaller sessions.


 Try to get as much physical activity as you can. Skip the elevator and take the stairs, walk to the supermarket instead of hunting for parking space etc.


 Wake up early to practice simple meditation. It harmonizes body, mind and soul.


 Doing household chores also counts as activity.

 Pets can be a great source for your exercise. Especially a dog. Walking dogs, caring for them involves good amounts of physical activity.


 If exercising alone bores you out, hook up with a partner or friend who is committed to exercise. The fun factor will also let you stay committed.

 Exercise also works as an outlet for pent up stress. So keep exercising, especially when you’ve got work bearing down on you.

General Health

Get adequate rest daily. Don’t deprive yourself of sleep for extended periods of time.


 If you’re on medication for an illness, ensure that you follow the course all the way through.

 Skin, teeth, hair, nails are all indicators of general health. Loss of hair or lack of lustre may mean poor nutrition. 

 Make friends with your family physician. Get regular check-ups done.


 Watch out for the signs of major illnesses, especially cancer, heart disease etc. Early detection is the key.

 When it comes to healthy living, even little things count. Like eye health. Make sure you rest them well. They’ll serve you a long time.

 Take care of your teeth. Dental health has been linked, among other things, to premature heart disease.


 Try to get all your nutrition from the food you eat. If you aren’t getting it though, multivitamins and nutritional supplements are a good option.

 Get your vitamin D from the sun. But also stay UV-protected.

Health and Happiness

 Slow and deep breathing is a good counter to stressful situations. Practice it.


 Surround yourself with positive energy and a strong social circle. Good vibes translates into good moods.

 Engage in social work. Do things for the less-privileged.

 Work on your looks, but don’t get obsessed. Pamper yourself occasionally.

 Believe in your abilities. Work on your shortcomings. Life is a continuous self-help program.

Read more: Top Thirty Quick and Easy Health Tips | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/top-thirty-quick-and-easy-health-tips.htm#ixzz2j00HPwOd

Fat ain't fit: Obesity a health hazard

One of the most common advertisements in both the print and electronic media is that of weight loss programmes that promise magical transformation from a fat to a fit figure. Doctors, however, express doubt over the efficacy of such programmes.

Doctors say that obesity, a problem increasingly consuming present-day society and leading to a host of other health complications, needs to be approached more holistically, right from prevention mechanisms targeting children.

"Barring a few programmes that are scientific in nature, most weight loss programmes are absolutely ineffective," Deep Goel, director of the department of GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery at B.L. Kapoor hospital, said.

In a country where obesity is becoming a mammoth issue, and in turn invites the burden of other problems like cardiovascular disease, kidney problem, high blood pressure, diabetes, even cancer, such weight loss programmes are luring people with new gadgets and diet schedules.

"But truth be told, most of these programmes harbour misconceptions. Liposuction, for instance, is not a weight loss procedure but a conturing procedure. This means that you lose fat in minimal inches - say from 36 inches to 34 inches - but gain it back in three-four months. Starving and crash diets are also ineffective, so are your sauna belts, and many so-called herbal medicines have diuretics which makes you urinate often and lose water, and thus weight, which comes right back after some time," said Goel.

Agreed Sumeet Shah, senior consultant of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic, and Bariatric Surgery. "In 99 percent cases these weight loss programmes are ineffective, unless under the guidance of a nutritionist and done in a scientific way," he said.

A more effective means to tackle the problem, doctors say, is a healthy lifestyle, with proper eating habits and exercise that can lead one to lose two-three kg of weight a month in a non-drastic manner.

"In a severe case, when the body mass index is more than 40, surgery is needed," Shah said.

But more than the "fire-fighting" approach of treatment, preventive mechanism that takes root right from childhood is the need of the hour, doctors emphasise. Childhood obesity, after all, is increasingly becoming a nightmare in urban India.

"Childhood obesity is the biggest epidemic of the nature of a non-communicable disease," said Sarita Sahi, a Delhi-based paediatrician, adding that India may become the world capital of diabetes and obesity by the year 2030.

"Many surveys have been done, by the National Family Health Survey, as well as by NGOs, on this problem and the Delhi high court order banning junk food in schools is a step to reform this unhealthy trend," she said.

According to Rahul Nagpal, paediatrician at Fortis hospital, there has been a 10-15 percent rise in childhood obesity in the past five years. "Quite a few public schools organise lectures on dietary habits and the importance of exercise, and I have been invited in some to talk on the same," Nagpal said.

One of the culprits for children adopting bad eating habits, according to Shah, is food becoming a source of entertainment.

"Come weekend and most families' idea of entertainment is a trip to the mall and to eat in the food court. Eating high-calorie food with a lot of unsaturated fat on a regular basis, with hardly any outdoor activity, is inviting trouble," he said.

Another misconception when it comes to obesity is that it's a "rich man's disease". "Obesity is not only about overeating but also about eating wrong. Food high in unsaturated fat can cause health problems and so obesity is not restricted to one section of society," Goel said.

Considering that of four preventable causes of cancer, obesity is one, according to WHO, and that 2.8 million people die the world over each year as a result of being overweight or obese, beating the bulge is a serious health concern.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Fat-aint-fit-Obesity-a-health-hazard/articleshow/24694102.cms

Reena's Tasty Chicken Biryani

About this recipe:
An Easy to Cook and Delicious Chicken Biryani recipe by Reena Malhotra of rare recipes. 

Total Cooking Time including Preparation and Marination Time : Approx. 1 Hour 15 Minutes 
Serves : 4-5 Key 

Ingredients : 1 Chicken - Broiler - Approx. 600 grams and 0.4 Kg Basmati Rice. 

Can be made using a Gas Stove/ Electric Hot Plate/ an Induction Cooker.

Ingredients

Serves: 4 

• 4 Onions - Medium size
• 600g - 650g Chicken - Broiler - Small - 8 pcs.
• 400g Rice - Basmati
• 1/2 cup Curd
• 2 teaspoons Ginger Garlic Paste (Adrakh Lehsun Paste)
• 2 teaspoons Red Chilli Powder (Lal Mirch Powder)
• 2 teaspoons Biryani Masala
• As per taste Salt
• 2-3 teaspoons Lemon Juice
• 1/4 cup Mint Leaves (Pudiney ke Patte)
• 1/4 cup Coriander Leaves (Hara Dhania) - chopped
• 6 Green Chillies (Hari Mirch) - cut from centre in two long strips
• 2 Bay Leaves (Tej Patta)
• 2 Green Cardamom (Choti Hari Elaichi)

• 2 Black Cardamom (Badii Kali Elaichi)
• 4 Cloves (Laung)
• 8 Black Peppercorn (Sabut Kali Mirch)
• 1 inch Cinnamon Bark (Dalchini)
• 2 litres Water
• Small Muslin Cloth
• 100 grams Butter - melted
• 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil
• 1/2 cup Milk (luke warm)
• 2-3 drops Food Color - Orange
• 1 inch Ginger - Julienned (cut into long thin strips)
• 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
• 2 teaspoons Kewra Jal
• 12" x 18" Food Wrapping Aluminium Foil

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Directions

Prep:15min  ›  Cook:30min  ›  Extra time:30min marinating  ›  Ready in:1hr15min 

1. Cut Onions into Slices and Fry till Golden Brown. Don't Burn. Keep aside for use.
2. Wash and Clean the Chicken pieces. Poke the Chicken pieces with a Fork.
3. Take a Glass Bowl, add Chicken pieces, Curd, Ginger Garlic Paste, Red Chillies, Biryani Masala, Salt as per taste, Lemon Juice, few Mint Leaves, one fourth part of onions fried earlier and mix well. Apply the mix well on and around all the pieces of Chicken. Cover the Bowl and place it in a Refrigerator for Thirty minutes.
4. Wash and soak the Rice in Water for Thirty minutes.
5. Add and tie in a Muslin Cloth; the Bay Leaves, Green Cardamom, Black Cardamom, Cloves, Black Peppercorn and Cinnamon.
6. Boil Water in a Pan. Add and mix half a teaspoon of Salt into it. Put the tied Muslin Cloth Bag into the Boiling Water.
7. Drain the soaked Rice and add it to the Boiling Water. Parboil (Partially Boil) the Rice. Don't Overcook. When parboiled, Drain the excess Water from the Rice and let it dry.
8. Take out the Marinated Chicken from the Refrigerator.
9. Take a Pan with a thick bottom. Add Two Tablespoons of Cooking Oil in it and heat it on a slow flame for two minutes.
10. Add Marinated Chicken Pieces into it. Cook the Chicken on medium flame. Stir well but gently. Add One to Two tablespoons of water, if it appears dry. The Chicken will be cooked in Fifteen to Twenty minutes. Remove from flame and keep aside.
11. Take another large Pan with a thick bottom. Add and arrange a layer of cooked pieces of Chicken on the bottom of the Pan with a little Gravy. Then, spread and cover the Chicken pieces with half the parboiled rice.
12. Sprinkle : half of the remaining fried Onions, half of the Green Chillies, a few Mint Leaves, a few chopped Coriander Leaves over the layer of the parboiled Rice.
13. Pour : half the melted Butter, half the Milk, half the Kewra Jal and a few drops of Orange Food Color all-over the layer of the Rice.
14. Sprinkle : half a teaspoon of Garam Masala and half the Julienned Ginger all-over the layer of the Rice.
15. The first layer of the Chicken Biryani is now ready.
16. Add and arrange a layer of the remaining pieces of Chicken over the first layer of Rice.
17. Then, spread and cover the layer of the pieces of Chicken with the remaining parboiled Rice.
18. Sprinkle the remaining : fried Onions, Green Chillies, Mint Leaves and chopped Coriander Leaves over the layer of the parboiled rice.
19. Pour the remaining : melted Butter, Milk, Kewra Jal and a few drops of Orange Food Color all-over the layer of the Rice.
20. Sprinkle the remaining : Garam Masala and Julienned Ginger all-over the layer of the Rice.
21. Tightly Cover the Pan/ Cookware with Food Wrapping Aluminium Foil or Cover the Pan with a Lid and seal it with Cooking Dough.
22. Cook the sealed Pan on a very slow flame for Twenty Five to Thirty Minutes.
23. The Chicken Biryani is now ready. Stir and Mix all the Contents Gently.
24. Serve Hot with Mint Raita/ Chutney, Sliced Onions and Enjoy!

http://allrecipes.co.in/recipe/11992/reena-s-tasty-chicken-biryani.aspx?o_is=Hub_TopRecipe_1

Spicy Banana Chips

About this recipe: Banana chips are often eaten as a "vrat" food, or food that you eat when you are fasting by abstaining from eating meat or heavily prepared food. People keep vrat for various Hindu religious occasions, such as during the nine auspicious days of Navratri. These banana chips are spicy, light and crunchy , and are eaten as snacks during the fast.

Ingredients

Serves: 4 

3 semi-ripe and semi raw bananas
Soybean oil for deep frying
1 teaspoon of powdered sugar
Salt as needed
2 teaspoon of red chili powder


Directions

Prep:5min  ›  Cook:15min  ›  Ready in:20min 

Heat a pan with soybean oil. Meanwhile, peel the skin of the bananas.
Now cut each banana in very thin and long slices over the pan such that the slices fall directly on to the hot oil.
Fry the slices until they turn brown. Transfer the chips on to a paper towel, to allow the excess oil to be soaked out.
Now mix powdered sugar, salt and red chili powder in a dry bowl.
Sprinkle this mixture on the hot banana chips.

visit:  http://allrecipes.co.in/recipe/12663/spicy-banana-chips.aspx

Instant Coconut Laddoo

About this recipe:Here's a delicious dessert for the whole family. I've used sugar substitutes for diabetics. You can adjust the sugar according to taste.

Ingredients

Serves: 3 

• 1 cup dry coconut powder
• 1 cup milk powder
• 3/4 cup sugar free powder
• 5-6 teaspoons boiled milk
• 12 pieces raisins (for garnish, optional)

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Directions

Prep:5min  ›  Cook:10min  ›  Ready in:15min 

1. Mix coconut powder, milk powder and sugar powder in a bowl.
2. Slowly add milk and shape the mixture into laddoos. (If required you can add more milk, but it should not became very sticky.)
3. Garnish each laddoo with raisins. Serve.

from- http://allrecipes.co.in/recipe/429/instant-coconut-laddoo.aspx

Butter Chicken

(for More Details visit: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/butter-chicken-fun-food-for-fussy-kids.aspx)

Boneless chicken simmered in butter and rich creamy tomato sauce
Cooking Time: 40-50 minutes

Servings: 4 Preparation 

Time: 4-6 hours

Category: Non Veg 

Ingredients

•	Boneless chicken ,cut into 1½ inch pieces	400 grams
•	Lemon juice	1 tablespoon
•	Kashmiri red chilli powder	1 teaspoon
•	Salt	to taste
•	Butter	2 tablespoons
For marinade
•	Yogurt	1/2 cup
•	Ginger paste	2 teaspoons
•	Garlic paste	2 teaspoons
•	Kashmiri red chilli powder	1/2 teaspoon
•	Garam masala powder	1/2 teaspoon
•	Salt	to taste
•	Mustard oil	2 teaspoons
FOR MAKHNI GRAVY
•	Butter	2 tablespoons
•	Green cardamom	2
•	Clove	2
•	Black peppercorns	2-3
•	Cinnamon	1 inch piece
•	Ginger paste	1 teaspoon
•	Garlic paste	1 teaspoon
•	Tomato puree	1/2 cup
•	Red chilli powder	1/2 teaspoon
•	Salt	to taste
•	Sugar	2 tablespoons
•	Kasoori methi	1/2 teaspoon
•	Fresh cream	1/2 cup

Method
Apply a mixture of red chilli powder, lemon juice and salt to the chicken pieces and set aside for half an hour in the refrigerator.

Hang the yogurt in a muslin cloth for fifteen to twenty minutes to remove extra water. Add the ginger and garlic pastes, red chilli and garam masala powders, salt and mustard oil. Apply this marinade to the chicken pieces and place them in the refrigerator for three to four hours.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. String the chicken pieces onto skewers and cook in the preheated oven or a moderately hot tandoor for ten to twelve minutes or until almost done. Baste with the butter and cook for another two minutes. Remove and set aside.

To make the makhni gravy, heat the butter in a non-stick pan. Add the green cardamoms, cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon. Sauté for two minutes, add the ginger and garlic pastes and sauté for two minutes. Add the tomato puree, red chilli powder, salt and half cup of water.

Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes. Add the sugar or honey and powdered kasoori methi. Add the cooked tandoori chicken pieces. Simmer for five minutes and add the fresh cream. Serve hot with naan or parantha.

Jain Punjabi Chole

Chick peas cooked in a gravy.

Ingredients

•	Chickpeas (kabuli chana),soaked overnight	1 1/2 cup
•	Salt	to taste
•	Dried Indian gooseberry (amla)	3-4
•	Tea leaves	2 teaspoons
•	Oil	4 tablespoons
•	Cumin seeds	2 teaspoons
•	Green chillies,slit	2
•	Tomatoes	4 medium
•	Coriander powder	2 teaspoons
•	Red chilli powder	1 teaspoon
•	Pomegranate seeds (anardana),powdered	1 tablespoon
•	Fresh coriander leaves	2 tablespoons

Method
Take chickpeas in a pressure cooker. Add three cups of water. Tie tea leaves and dried amla in a piece of muslin cloth and add along with salt. Cook under pressure for four to five whistles or until the chickpeas are completely done and tender. Remove the muslin cloth bag. Puree three tomatoes and cut the remaining into one-inch cubes. Roast one teaspoon cumin seeds. Cool and powder. Heat two tablespoons oil in a pan. Add the remaining cumin seeds. When they begin to change colour add slit green chillies and sauté for a minute. Add tomato puree and sauté till oil begins to separate. Add coriander powder, cumin powder, red chilli powder and anardana powder and sauté till oil separates. Add drained chana and mix well. Adjust salt and simmer for five to ten minutes. Take it off the heat. Heat the remaining oil in another pan. Add the tomato cubes and sauté for a minute. Pour this into the chana mixture and keep it covered for five minutes. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

Contributed By: Khana Khazana

- See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapor.com/jain-punjabi-chole.aspx#sthash.LYan99Rh.dpuf