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How to Stay Healthy As Winter Changes to Spring

Mar 162020

For most people, the change of seasons from winter to spring is something to look forward to. But it also means a time when people tend to get sick or seasonal allergies start to flare up. This can make things miserable for a lot of people. As the weather fluctuates between freezing cold and warmer, sunnier days, it also wreaks havoc on our immune system and our sleep. Frequently, our bodies can’t keep up with the constant changes and we get physically run down. But there are some things everybody can do to help during the time of transition from one season to the next.

One of the most common things we hear during this transition time is to stay warm. This may seem like common sense, but so many people who are sun worshippers just waiting for the warmer days to return, forget this bit of advice as soon as the days start to warm a little. By wearing less clothing or clothing that is not as heavy and warm, we make ourselves susceptible to illness. Even if it’s warm out, you still need to dress appropriately. Save the shorts for a little later in the season.

Another way to stay healthy during the changing seasons is to make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. This is another common sense statement, but with longer hours of daylight, many people’s sleep cycles become disrupted. This can cause the immune system to become compromised, making it easier to get sick or for seasonal allergies to flare up.

A study from the National Institute of Health showed that dry winter air allows cold and flu viruses to survive longer and transmit more easily once everything starts to warm up. With this being said, hydration is important. If dry air makes it more convenient for germs to remain dormant, then flushing them out by keeping your body hydrated is a great way to avoid an infection.

Eating according to the seasons is very important too. As the weather gets warmer, most people gravitate towards healthier food options in an effort to lose some of the winter weight. For spring, eating lighter, more natural foods will actually give the liver a chance to repair itself and that alone can help us feel more energetic and improve our clarity of thought. The immune system also functions better when excess sugar and dairy are removed.

Acupuncture is another great tool that can help make the transition from winter to spring easier. Acupuncture can balance the body as it reacts to the changes in the weather and activity levels. Regular acupuncture treatments have also been shown to boost immunity. Spring can also cause flare ups associated with seasonal allergies and acupuncture treatments can help with the inflammation, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes that accompany the allergic reactions.

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Stay Healthy This Winter with a Balanced Qi

Acupuncture

Jan 062020

Winter’s element is water and is associated with the kidneys, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered the source of all qi and energy within the body. Winter is also associated with the bladder and adrenal glands.

Focusing on inner reflection, rest, energy conservation and storage during the winter months is when it’s most important as it helps us to properly nourish our Kidney Qi.

Below are a few methods you can learn about and apply during this season in order to maintain a balanced qi.

Balancing your lifestyle

For most people, a reduction in activity is common during the winter months whether it’s due to the frigid temperatures, damp weather, or lack of activities available in the area where you reside.

Given that reduced activity is likely a factor for many, it’s important to also consume less food this time of year to avoid unnecessary weight gain. Food that should be gravitated towards would be warmer foods such as beans, ginger or garlic, and even soups and stews.

Rest & Relaxation

Although the days are shorter during the winter, it’s important to stay in line with our circadian rhythm. This can be done by having an earlier bedtime and waking up after the sun has had time to warm the earth in the morning. Not only does getting more sleep helps with balancing our Yang Qi, it helps give our body the necessary rest we need in order to prevent common winter illnesses such as the flu, colds, and general aches and pains. Not only that, but according to TCM, unresolved anger, stress and frustration can throw your immune system thus off allowing pathogens to affect the body.

Relaxation is also a way to stay balanced during this time of year.

Drink Plenty of Water

We’re all aware that drinking water is extremely important to our survival, but it does more than simply keeping us alive.

Drinking water has many benefits including the fact that it’s essential for proper kidney function and can even prevent kidney stones. It’s also known for lubricating the joints, delivers oxygen through the body, regulates body temperature, and maintaining blood pressure.

If you have a hard time drinking water, try adding lemon to it to amplify the taste, drinking tea, or adding a vitamin flavor enhancer.

Wash your hands

Winter time is the time of year where we are in close proximity with others because we tend to stay indoors more. That being said, we are more likely to spread our germs to others and vice versa.

Washing your hands often can help prevent the spread of germs and keep you healthy. Other ways to avoid coming in contact with germs is to keep a container of sanitizing cloths with you so you can wipe down door knobs, grocery cart handles, and even condiment containers at restaurants before handling them.

Acupuncture Points

The acupuncture point that we suggest catering to is Du 14. It helps regulate blood circulation and can also strengthen the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle to prevent the intrusion and duration of germs and viruses.

Du 14 is a crucial point that is used to release the Exterior and treat Wind-Heat.

Applying Traditional Chinese Medicine to your active lifestyle is beneficial for your health and should be made a priority.

https://www.centredaily.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/article189158219.html
https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Chinese+Medicine+and+Winter+Season
http://www.acupuncture.com/education/points/du/du14.htm

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Health Benefits of Abhyanga Snan in Diwali | A Holy Bath for a Healthy Start

Ayurvedic

Oct 142019

It might be irritating to wake up early in the Diwali vacations just to take a bath. But this bath has a special significance in Diwali as it is considered as a holy bath during Diwali. According to early ancient mythology, Narak Chaturdashi implies the victory of good over evil. And thus, this early morning bath signifies the elimination of evil within us. It is also believed that since Abhyanga Snan is taken before the sunrise, it is as pure as bathing in the River Ganga.

Importance of Abhyanga Snan in Diwali

Here’s how to perform the ritual:

Wake up early in the morning (before sunrise).
Massage your entire body with sesame or any ayurvedic oil.
Also, apply a few drops of oil on the scalp and massage your head.
Keep massaging and wait for around 30 minutes before you go for a bath so that the oil is absorbed by the body.
Before bathing, apply Ubtan (a powdered mix of Ayurvedic herbs and natural ingredients) and massage it thoroughly over the entire body.
Scrub it and rinse with water properly so that the mixture is washed off.
Now, bathe as you usually do.

As it includes a full body massage with ayurvedic oil and in some regions, a special ayurvedic herbal soap is used for bathing. However, many people use sesame oil, sandalwood oil, coconut oil and then scrubbing the body with Ubtan. Ubtan consists of besan, turmeric oil, and sandalwood powder. As Abhyanga Snan is an ancient ayurvedic therapy that is said to be the most beneficial for health, it leads to an increase in Sattva Guna and decreases Rajas and Tamas. During the days of Diwali, an Abhyanga Snan reaps 6% more benefits than the other days.

Winter is the season where the body runs out of moisture. Abhyanga Snan moisturizes the body and helps in the flow of blood circulation with tightening the muscles, lubricating the joints, eliminating the toxins from the body & boosting up the stamina. The Ubtan helps in healing the damaged or dull skin, shedding the dead skin; ultimately resulting in soft, smooth & glowing skin. The head massage with warm oil relieves you from stress & calms your mind. It also stimulates the hair follicles which results in hair growth. It also stimulates the nerves, prevents neurological problems and relaxes the mind and soul.

With this holy & simple ritual, heal your complete body so that you can stay healthy for the entire year. Prepare yourself to welcome this festive season with Ayushakti’s proven ayurvedic therapies. Visit http://bit.ly/2Mp18Nn to know more and to book an appointment online. Find the nearest Ayushakti Clinic simply by searching ‘Ayushakti’ on Google! You may contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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Celebrate Diwali with Healthy Snacks | Health Benefits of Diwali Sweets

Ayurvedic

Oct 142019

Diwali is the most auspicious festival celebrated by the Hindus across the Indian land. We clean & decorate our house, light it up with Diyas and many more. But every Diwali is incomplete without the special Diwali sweets and snacks. From scrumptious yet yummy Karanjis to Anarsas dipped in Ghee and spiral Chaklis, making sweets and savories that will probably be going to fulfill your sweet tooth.

Diwali is the most precious in the vision of Ayurveda as it is one of the festivals to nurture health & peace along with joy. In Ayurveda, one believes in maintaining the balance between health elements (Doshas)- Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Ayurveda recommends a properly balanced diet as the festival falls in between the seasonal change and therefore, a change in diet is necessary.

Celebrate Diwali With Healthy Snacks | Health Benefits Of Diwali Sweets

When it comes to Diwali diet, we need to make the snacks meant for celebrating the holy festival. It is also necessary because we need to perform the ‘Bhog‘ ritual when we worship Lord Ganesha during Laxmi Poojan. In Diwali, we mainly prepare sweet and fried food. During the winter season, the Vata gets aggravated which leads to cramps in joints, muscles. Hence, to relieve such pain, one should consume a lot of Ghee & oil in their diet to balance aggravated Vata. Ghee or oil in sweets acts as a lubricant to provide nourishment to the bones and helps in maintaining Vata in the body.

Every snack in Diwali is made with Ghee as it not only helps in nourishing the bones but also aids in proper digestion of food, strengthens the sensory organs, detoxifies & rejuvenates the body, improves the immune system, memory & vitality. Along with the Ghee, cane sugar has its benefits that increase seminal fluids and helps in regulating Pitta & Vata. Wheat & Rava used in sweets strengthens the tissues & energizes the body.

This Diwali, nourish your body with the richness of Diwali sweets and get blessed with good health. Happy Diwali!

Prepare yourself to welcome this festive season with Ayushakti’s proven ayurvedic therapies. Visit http://bit.ly/2Mp18Nn to know more and to book an appointment online. Find the nearest Ayushakti Clinic simply by searching ‘Ayushakti’ on Google! You may contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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Healthy Foods for Fall

Acupuncture

Oct 072019

traditional chinese medicine foods for fall

The season of fall brings cooler weather and shorter days. As with any season, the world adjusts accordingly. Plants begin to go dormant, animals begin scrounging for food to store to get them through the upcoming winter months and humans start winterizing everything.

As fall descends on the land, it reminds us we need to start cutting back on the numerous cooling foods that are consumed during the summer months. Things like raw foods, salads, juices and fruits should be decreased because they can create too much cold in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine.

There are many facets to traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition is one of the most important. The ancient Chinese observed what took place in nature and followed those cues accordingly. So when the season changed to fall and the amount of daylight decreased and the temperatures cooled, the Chinese began to eat what was available. This is what it means to “eat for the season.” By eating according to the season, we can avoid many illnesses and diseases. If we continue to eat raw, cold foods during the cooler fall and winter months, then we set ourselves up for digestive problems, colds, sinus infections and even painful joints. When a person eats seasonally, they will inevitably notice that certain foods are no longer abundant or available. During fall, one should fill his or her cupboards with dried foods, heavy grains, seeds, roots and squashes. In TCM, these foods help move the body’s energy or qi (pronounced “chee”) inward.

Fall is also a time to slow down. This means that we should cook food for longer periods of time on lower heat. How we cook food will affect how the body tolerates it and how the energy is used. For fall, TCM suggests making soups and stews, using a crockpot or slow cooker, roasting and baking foods. These methods create a deeper warmth and supply greater energy from the food.

Foods that are nourishing to the lungs are very important during fall. Since many people get sick during these months, lung tonifying foods can be very beneficial. This includes foods like ginger, onion, garlic, pears, walnuts, miso, navy beans, almonds, asparagus, broccoli, apricots, bananas, apples, plums and grapes.

The drier weather can also cause chapped lips, a dry nose, an itchy throat, rough skin and even dry stools. To counter these issues, it is recommended to eat foods that promote the production of bodily fluids, such as nuts, seeds, pears, pumpkins, honey and a traditional Chinese porridge known as congee.

When we follow the cues given to us by nature, we can maintain a very healthy existence. Ask me to learn more about eating according to the seasons in TCM.

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Have A Healthy Navratri With Dr. Smita Naram’s Fasting Tips

Ayurvedic

Sep 282019

We always keep ourselves on toes to meet our daily needs. We stay busy to meet the deadlines. But to fulfill our scheduled work, we forgot to take care of our body. Our body needs to relax at least once in every six months. However, thanks to our festivals which brings in up such enthusiasm to do so.

Navratri is one such festival in which we can enjoy as well as can take good care of our health by naturally detoxifying your body with Navratri fasting. Detoxifying means removing the toxins from your body and cleansing it just by consuming a particular diet.

Navratri is a festival of joy, happiness. It is the festival where puja of Maa Durga is performed. This festival lies in between the change of seasons and hence, to get used to such climate change, we are fasting for 9 days in which we only consume fruit & liquid diet.

Fasting Tips For Navratri By Dr. Smita Naram | Ayushakti Ayurved

Here’s the diet by Dr. Smita Naram, founder of Ayushakti Ayurved, which will help you in your fasting. These nine days are meant for detoxifying your body which includes cleansing, nourishing and building up.

Day 1 – Day 3

The first three days (day 1-3) are meant for cleansing in which one should consume soup made from Green Potato, White Pumpkin, Red Pumpkin, Bottle Gourd, Green Mung Beans, Rajgira, and Buckwheat. Consume Coconut water and fruit salad to keep your metabolism up.

Day 4 – Day 6

The next three days (Day 4-6) are for nourishing your body. For nourishment, one should consume Buckwheat, Rajgira or Moraiyo khichadi with Ghee, fruit salad made from Apple, Banana, Fig, Apricot, etc. For the meal, one should consume Roti or Pancakes made from Rajgira or Buckwheat, Sama or Moong khichadi, Dry fruits, Coconut water, vegetable soup, etc.

Day 7 – Day 9

The last three days (day 7-9) are for building the immune system & energy. In these days, one should consume smoothie made from White Pumpkin, Amalaki, Pomegranate, and Banana. Include Dates & Figs along with Rajgira or Buckwheat roti with Coconut curry, or veggie & Kheer made from Sabudana or Sama.

However, avoid heavy and fried food in the entire nine days. On the tenth day, break your fast with light food, leafy vegetable, and Curd. Drink enough water that will keep one hydrated the entire nine days.

Along with the fast, think positive, be positive, and perform yoga & meditation along with chanting the Maa Durga’s mantra to conquer your negativity.

Prepare yourself to welcome this festive season with Ayushakti’s proven ayurvedic therapies. Visit http://bit.ly/2Mp18Nn to know more about more and to book an appointment online.

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Healthy Eating from Early to Late Summer

Acupuncture

Jun 032019

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is all about balance. In this ancient system, the key to health is to move through the world in such a way that our bodies can remain in homeostasis, in balance. This idea connects to sleep patterns, what we eat and ultimately the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the body. For that reason, healthy eating in summertime, according to TCM, is all about using cooling foods to balance out how hot it is outside. In other words, we can find homeostasis from the inside out.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for healthy foods to keep you cool and active all summer long.

Fresh fruits like watermelons, strawberries, tomatoes and pear are cooling and have strong yin energy. Summer meals should be predominately fresh fruits or vegetables, according to TCM. These food groups have the strongest yin energy, balancing out the fierce yang and fire energies of summer.

Fresh vegetables that are in season in your region are also a great choice, especially cooling vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, peppers, celery, radish, carrots and cauliflower. Vegetables have the second highest yin energy, according to TCM.

Summer herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and mint are a great, healthy addition to most recipes. These herbs are also natural diuretics and heavy-metal detoxifiers, which flush excess waste from the body.

The best foods to eat vary with geography. If you live in a place where summer days are long, but not very hot and the nights get really cool, incorporate more neutral or even warming fruits and vegetables into your summer smorgasbord. These fruits and vegetables can include most varieties of squash, especially pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash, lentils and legumes, whole grains like brown rice and root vegetables like beets, potatoes and parsnips.

In places with cooler summers, or during late summer, the fifth season according to TCM, diet is about prioritizing self-nourishment so it can be utilized as energy. Late summer is the time to choose smart sugars that won’t clog up the spleen pathway, including apples, carrots, dates, figs, grapes, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes and squash. These smart sugars also regulate the body’s blood sugar, which decreases the strain on the pancreas.

For those whose summer climate is hot, here is a recipe for a cooling, detoxifying water you can drink all summer long to keep yourself in balance.

Cooling detox water:

1 lemon
1 lime
½ cucumber
16oz. Water
Bunch of fresh mint

Slice the lemon, lime and cucumber and add to the water. Stir in the mint. Let it sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy chilled.

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10 Natural foods rich in Calcium to Build Healthy Bones

Ayurvedic

Aug 172018

As you age, your bone density starts decreasing. If not enough bone mass is created or bone loss occurs later in life, you have an increased risk of developing fragile bones that break easily. Consumption of healthy foods for bones can avoid such issues.

A good lifestyle habit can help you build strong bones and maintain them as you age. Adults over 50 should get 1000-, 200 milligrams of calcium and 400 to 600 IU of vitamin D. Hence, the addition of ayurvedic calcium supplements or calcium-rich foods is a must in one’s diet.

Here are 10 natural ways to build healthy bones with natural calcium supplements.

Eat Lots of Vegetables

One cup of cooked spinach contains almost 25% of your daily calcium, plus fibre, iron, and vitamin A.

One cup of cooked cabbage contains more than 25% of your daily calcium.

200 gm Cooked broccoli provides more than 25% of your daily calcium and protein and is rich in bone protective antioxidants.

100 gm amaranth in any form. It is a good source of calcium, protein and amino acids and is rich in iron, magnesium and Vitamin A, B and C.

Getting enough protein is important for healthy bones. About 50% of bone is made of protein. Eat minimum 100 gms of any protein food daily.

Lentils

Mung

Tofu

Beans

Include Foods High in Magnesium and Zinc

Along with Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc also important for bone health. a Magnesium and zinc help in converting vitamin D into the active form that promotes calcium absorption to the bones.

Nuts

Nuts like almonds, cashews 20 gm per day or Brazil nuts 2 per day are the powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Walnuts are the great source of omega – 3 which helps to strengthen bones.

The proven powerful home remedy to take daily:

1 Green ripe Banana
½ glass Pomegranate juice
1 pinch Cardamom Powder
Mix very well and take every day after the age of 40 compulsorily.
This remedy contains 600 mg calcium and pomegranate is helping to boost metabolism too. So calcium is converted into bones naturally and faster.

The amazing remedy for pain in knee, hips and back an improve bone density:

Tinospora cordifolia (Rasna) powder 1 teaspoon

Boswella serrata (Shallaki) powder 1 teaspoon

Cissus quadrangularis (Asthishrunkhala) powder 1 teaspoon

You can write to Ayushakti vaidyas and get a free advice on how to manage your health naturally. Email: info@ayushakti.com. Website: Visit.

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Top 5 Healthy Drink For Your Digestion Are Revealed

Ayurvedic

Nov 242017

by Hang Pham

November 24, 2017

Topics: Ayurveda

Healthy drinks not only have the effect of regular refreshments but also detoxify the body and make the digestive system work more smoothly. Besides having a good diet, you should pay more attention to your daily drinks because they will work well to give you a better health.

This article is only for informational purpose and not aimed at medical advice. In the following content, there are top 5 healthy drinks for your digestion that we recommend you to use every day. Hope that after reading this, you can find the best choice for yourself.

Mint Tea

The very first kind of drinks in top 5 healthy drink for your digestion. Mint tea not only helps to raise our mood up and refresh the muscles but also have many other benefits such as weight loss, bright skin, gastrointestinal treatment. Mint leaves are thought to work well in improving the flow of bile through the stomach, helping to speed up the digestive tract and making it easier to digest. For this reason, you should drink mint tea as a natural remedy for flatulence and may also relieve pain and discomfort from flatulence.

Yogurt

Through the lactic fermentation process, a portion of the protein in the milk breaks down into amino acids, the carbohydrates that are converted into lactose that is easily digested, and when producing the yogurt people will ferment it to create some bacteria good for the intestinal tract, helping balance the intestinal flora. There is a good bacterium in our body that hydrolyzes organic matter, in addition to this, it also produces B vitamins and K vitamins, and in particular, works as a barrier to biology that helps the body fight infections. Lactobacillus Casei Shirota is a highly viable bacterium, regardless of facing gastric or bile drainage. It not only helps stabilize the intestinal tract but also increases the immunity, helps people who are tired of eating feel the appetite. Because of those vital benefits, yogurt is undeniable to be one of the top 5 healthy drinks for your digestion.

Ginger Tea

The next healthy drinks for your digestion is ginger tea. Ginger has been well-known as a favorite spice for its ability to treat various problems of the digestive tract. Some kinds of common illnesses include: Bloating and abdominal distension, indigestion, stomach cramps and nausea or morning sickness can be treated effectively by using ginger. Ginger is used as a condiment ingredient or made into products such as cakes, candies, jams, tea. A cup of hot ginger tea will help you feel much more comfortable, prevent digestive diseases besides supporting, balancing the acid in the intestines and reduce intestinal spasm. You can make fresh ginger tea or use ginger tea prepared as a powder to mix, especially on cold days a cup of ginger tea will help you warm your belly and have a deeper sleep.

Carrot Juice

The next kind of 5 healthy drinks for your digestion is carrot juice. Carrots are the foods commonly used in family meals, not only to help our food more colorful but also good for our health. Substances found in carrots such as vitamin C, D, E and B vitamins. In addition to this, it contains carotenes (higher than in tomatoes) that after entering the body, this substance will gradually metabolize into vitamin A, the vitamin of the growth and youth. Beta-carotene is the active ingredient that helps the liver to eliminate toxic effects, the pectin is especially good for people with gastrointestinal disorders removing all the toxins in the intestine so that the toxins are not absorbed into the body. A delicious and healthy carrot juice that is good for your health should be added to the menu right away.

Sweet Potato Milk

It contains a lot of fiber, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, E that are good for the digestive system and provides many good nutrients for the digestive system. Sweet potatoes also have the advantage of being easy to find and buy and it is also quite cheap, and this is also the least pest-affected food due to its underground roots, which is very safe for the digestive system especially for young children. Folk experience often tells that if you get into trouble with constipation, you should eat raw potatoes or you can turn it into cooked dishes which also have the same effect. Especially purple sweet potato vitamins replace canned fruit juices with the much better effects such as a fresher mouth, good young skin. To make sweet potato milk, you can prepare milk, filtered water, blender, and get the sweet potato steamed and sliced into the blender with milk. By giving you those important benefits, the sweet potato milk deserves to be one of the top 5 healthy drinks for your digestion.

A healthy body must excrete the toxins in the body smoothly. Do not wait to get into trouble with some diseases of the digestive tract and then try to find drugs. Get started right away with the familiar foods that are recommended to add to your diet every day. Hope that the top 5 healthy drinks for your digestion above will help you in some ways to improve your digestive system. If you have any question, please leave a comment below.

Posted by Huyen My, a health and beauty expert at VKool.com and AllRemedies.com

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Top 3 Best Healthy Vegan Recipes For Both Men And Women

Ayurvedic

Nov 012017

If you are among vegetarians who want to learn new healthy vegan recipes, then this article is for you!

List Of The Best Vegan Recipes For Both Men And Women:

Vegan Pancakes

This batter makes delicious, fluffy, and light pancakes. Even your kids will also love this dish.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

Sift the salt, baking powder, sugar, and flour into a large-size bowl. Whisk the oil and the water together within a small-size bowl. Make a well in the middle of all dry components, and pour the wet ones in. Stir just till blended; the mix would be lumpy.
Over medium-high heat, heat a lightly oiled griddle. Drop batter onto the griddle by large-size spoonfuls, and cook till the edges are dry and bubbles form. Flip, and cook till browned on the other side. Do again with the rest of the batter.

Vegan Brownies

These brownies are extremely gooey. Nevertheless, if you want to make more solid brownies, than you just need to cook the brownies for longer time than the recommended set. One of the best vegan recipes ever!

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F).
In a large-size bowl, stir together the salt, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar, and flour. Pour in vanilla, vegetable oil, and water; mix till well blended. Spread them in a 13×9 inch baking pan evenly.
In the preheated oven, bake within 25 to 30 minutes or till the top is not shiny any more. Allow it to cool on its own for about ten minutes or more before cutting it to get smaller squares.

Vegan Zucchini Bread

This bread is very tasty and fluffy, and it is actually among the best vegan recipes we introduce today.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons flax seeds (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 165 degrees C (325 degrees F). Grease and flour 2 5×9-inch loaf pans. Whisk together the baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, flax seeds, flour, and arrowroot within a bowl till evenly blended; put aside.
Whisk together the vanilla extract, vegetable oil, brown sugar, white sugar, and applesauce within a bowl till smooth. Add flour mixture, fold it and shredded zucchini till moistened. Between the prepared loaf pans, divide the batter.
In the preheated oven, bake within about 60-70 minutes or till a toothpick can insert into the middle of the bread and come out easily and clean. Cool in the pans within about ten mins before you remove it onto a wire rack and let it cool completely.

After reading this article and learn some new vegan recipes, hope you can try making these dishes at home and enjoy with your friends and family soon!

Author Bio: Lien Nguyen – Writer and Blogger, who has more than 6 years of experience in the industry of Health and Skincare. I work for VKool.com and Healthy Guide – reliable resources that help readers solve all their health, beauty concerning, and many other issues in life. I also focus on nutrition, relationship, fitness, lifestyle, men and women’s issues. Find more of my articles on Pinterest or Facebook.

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Ayurvedic tips to remain healthy this winter

Ayurvedic

Nov 012017

We all love the monsoons or winter after the hot summer. But not to forget are the diseases and infections that come along with winters. Most of the people are more prone to diseases and infections while in winters due to increased fungal and bacterial activities. Let’s not let these infections or diseases spoil the serene beauty of the winter! Right? So here are some Ayurvedic tips that’ll help you remain healthy this winter! Let’s begin!

1) Good foot care

Foot region is more prone to fungal infections in the winters. Make sure you keep your foot dry always. Try not to wash your foot too often and use socks which will help you in keeping your feet clean and dry. You can also dusting foot powders to ensure that your foot dry all day long.

2) Take warm water oil baths

It’s very important to use oils to massage your body in winters as your skin is prone to lose its moisture content. The best oils recommended are the neem oil and coconut oil. Take a good massage from these oils and bathe in warm water.

3) Consumption of multivitamin capsules

By taking the recommendation of your Ayurvedic specialist, consume multivitamin capsules as these are going to help you in retaining all the necessary vitamins your body would need. We may not to be able to consume these vitamins directly. Thus, we have to consume by way of eating capsules.

4) Drink herbal teas

Herbal teas that consist of Tulasi leaves and other spices like cloves, cinnamon are going to keep your digestion in tact. Adding some drops of lemon juice to your regular hot beverage can do wonders for your digestion.

5) A tablespoon of Chyawanprash before meals

One tablespoon of Chyawanprash before or after meals can help in better absorption of essential nutrients and minerals and also boosts your immune system. You can also eat this whenever you feel fatigue as it instantly helps in providing energy.

6) Keep your body hydrated

Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you must drink less water. Water always remains most essential to your body. You have to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water everyday. You can also use cold creams to get rid of dry skin.

7) Warm lemon juice

Drinking a glass of warm lemon juice is a great way to begin your day in winters as it boosts your metabolism and helps you get rid of your tiredness when you wake up! If not for lemon juice, you can also drink a glass of buttermilk with crushed ginger and garlic in it.

8) Say no to uncooked food

It’s always a best idea to only eat cooked food in winters. Unwashed fruits and vegetables or unboiled fruits and vegetables can have numerous bacteria in them especially in winters. To avoid infections, cook these food well before eating.

They were some Ayurvedic tips for this winter! Follow these tips and experience a disease free winter!

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7 Common Sense Ayurvedic Ways To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Ayurvedic

Feb 112017

The statistics are frightening. Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Every 20 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. One in four Americans has some form of heart disease. Every 34 seconds someone in the United States dies of heart disease. Heart disease takes more lives than the next seven leading causes of death combined.

Yet, both modern medicine and Ayurveda agree, there are things you can do every day to keep your heart healthy. Here we offer some suggestions to get you started. Pick one or two and start with those if you like, then add a couple more every few weeks until you are naturally living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Bonus: not just your heart, but your entire physiology will thank you.

According to Ayurveda, a holistic approach to heart health requires you to nourish the emotional heart as well as the physical heart. The heart is not just a pump — it’s the fountainhead of all emotions, whether it’s joy and exhilaration or sadness and frustration. Mental and emotional stress can disrupt the emotional heart. Practicing the Transcendental Meditation^® technique twice daily has been shown in research studies to help in lowering blood pressure, reversing arterial blockage and enhancing resistance to all types of stress.

Maharishi Ayurveda herbal supplements Worry Free and Blissful Joy nourish the mind and emotions and contain herbs like Ashwagandha and Arjuna, renowned for their positive influence on the mind and emotional heart.

While warding off excess stress is essential to prevent the emotional heart from wasting away, actively seeking mental and emotional well-being can help the emotional heart flourish. Ayurveda talks about ojas, the substance that maintains life.

The finest by-product of digestion and the master coordinator of all activities of mind and body, ojas leads to bliss, contentment, vitality and longevity. Inner strength and poise and the cultivation of positive attitudes and emotions increase ojas. Spend time every day on those activities that give you this contentment and happiness. Listen to soothing or uplifting music, enjoy serene natural beauty, practice uplifting aromatherapy and sip relaxing herbal teas. Maintain a positive attitude and walk away from situations that distress or anger you.

Arguably the most critical step you can take towards heart health is to eat a heart-friendly diet. For a society used to fast food and eating on-the-go, this is also arguably the most difficult step to take and maintain. But there are small things you can do to make your diet more heart-healthy. Eat more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables; start your day with stewed apples or pears; include soaked blanched almonds in your diet; dress your veggies with fresh lime juice; and eat heart-friendly spices such as fresh-ground black pepper and the antioxidant power-spice turmeric.

Choose fresh foods over processed foods or leftovers; light foods over rich, deep-fried ones; and warm, cooked foods over cold, heavy foods. A balanced antioxidant Rasayana such as Amrit from Maharishi Ayurveda is excellent nutritional support, and published research confirms that Amrit helps reduce LDL cholesterol, which has been implicated in plaque build-up.

How you eat is as important for heart health (and overall health) as what you eat. Eat moderately. The ideal Ayurvedic “portion” is what fits in your two cupped palms. Don’t skip meals, because eating three meals at regular times each day “trains” your digestion to anticipate and digest your food.

Stimulate a sluggish digestion with ginger, salt and lime. Have lassi, made by blending one part fresh yogurt with three parts cool water, with lunch. Spike it with roasted ground cumin and fresh cilantro for flavor. Don’t tax your digestion by eating late at night or eating a heavy meal at dinner.

Arterial plaque is ama — toxic matter that builds up in your blood vessels because your physiology cannot get rid of it efficiently. Ayurveda recommends a program of internal cleansing with every change of season to help your body flush out ama.

The Elim-Tox or Elim-Tox-O herbal supplements are formulated to cleanse the fat tissue (medha) of ama. Other things you can do to clear out ama: drink lots of warm water through the day; go to bed by 10 p.m. to help the body cleanse itself during the natural purification time; eat a lighter diet high in fiber and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts; and avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking.

You don’t have to do a strenuous workout five times a week. The key is regularity. If you follow the Ayurvedic principle of balaardh — exercising to half your capacity — you can exercise every single day without straining your muscles. Walking is excellent exercise for everyone and excellent therapy as well. The early morning is ideal for taking a 30-minute walk. It will not only help your heart; it will prepare you for the day by charging up your circulation and your metabolism.

Research studies have linked sleep deprivation to blood pressure problems, depression and other factors that increase the risk of heart disease. Ayurveda considers sleep just as important as diet in maintaining health. Practice good bedtime habits — favor restful, calming activities as bedtime draws near to help disconnect the mind from the senses. Keep your bedroom clear of distractions — television, computers, other work-related material. Maintain a temperature that’s comfortable. Wear comfortable, organic cotton pajamas. Stay away from stimulants in the evening. Go to bed by 10 p.m. — early to bed and early to rise still work to keep you healthy and energetic through the day.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, the heart is the seat of prana (life energy), which is maintained by a delicate balance of agni (the solar energy element) and soma (the lunar energy element). Excess mental and emotional stress wastes away soma in the heart. The heart, as we said earlier, is also the seat of ojas, the substance within us that maintains life and promotes bliss and longevity. To protect and nourish the physical heart and the emotional heart, it is essential to promote both soma and ojas. Heart health is governed also by three sub-doshas: Sadhaka Pitta (emotional balance), Avalambaka Kapha (stability and strength) and Vyana Vata (blood flow and beat), which, though present everywhere in the body, has its seat in the heart.

Cardio Support nutritional supplement from Maharishi Ayurveda is formulated to balance all these ayurvedic factors. The combination of Corallium rubrum (Coral), Indian Tinospora and Sacred Lotus promotes soma. Shilajit (Mineral pitch), Zinc, Mica and Licorice promote ojas. Arjuna, Cabbage Rose, Licorice, Mica, Indian Tinospora, and Corallium rubrum (Coral) pacify Sadhaka Pitta. Avalambaka Kapha is supported by Shilajit (Mineral pitch), Guggul, Zinc, Ostrea edulis (Oyster), Turbinella rapa (Conch), Cypraea moneta (Cowrie) and Hemidesmus indicus. Vyana Vata is balanced by Guggul, Boerhavia, Mica and Licorice. In particular, there are two star health herbs in this formulation — Arjuna, renowned in ayurveda for its ability to pacify Sadhaka Pitta and to nourish both the physical and the emotional heart; and Guggul, which has been shown in research to help lower cholesterol.

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6 Tips for Natural Healthy Skin

Homeopathic

Oct 282015

Our skin is our largest organ in the body and serves many different functions such as protection and elimination. Often we just take our skin health for granted and when we have small dry patches or outbreaks we tend to reach for a quick fix rather then look deeper into what the underlying causes might be. In this post I’ll be sharing 6 dos and don’ts for skin.

Do eat plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids:
These important fats help keep the skin soft and hydrated and can reduce the risk of wrinkles. Add chia seeds to your muesli or smoothies, or eat more Salmon as a regular part of your diet. “Omega 3 fatty acids help lock moisture into skin cells along with maintaining and boosting elastin and collagen production” says Lisa Guy ND.

Do Drink Plenty of Water:
Hydrated skin is good looking skin. Dehydration tends to make your skin look dull and show more fine lines. Your skin is 30% water so drink as much pure, clean water as you can, – up to 2 litres per day is ideal.

Do Eat Chocolate!:
This one may surprise you but chocolate in the form of raw cacao is actually beneficial for your skin. It has both Omega 3 fats an antioxidants, as well a Vitamin C, so you can eat raw, unprocessed chocolate guilt free! Just avoid the processed kind full of sugar!

Do Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant found in your skin. When you eat foods containing vitamin E you will be feeding your skin and helping it to maintain its protective layer. Good vitamin E sources include avocado, cold pressed virgin olive oil, dark green leafy vegetables and nuts such as almonds and pecans.

Don’t Use Chemical Skin Products:
Many skin products have harsh chemicals that damage or upset the balance of your skin. It is known that skin absorbs around 60% of chemicals found in skin products. You really don’t have to spend a fortune on skin products as simple unadulterated natural products can do a better job and cost very little. Organic Rose Hip oil for example takes care of the integrity and protective outer mantle of your skin and helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines as well as scarring at the same time. As it is very important to maintain the natural PH of your skin to allow it to do its protective job. The main chemicals to avoid are parabens, DEA, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Para-Dioxane and PEG; also avoid petroleum based products and bismuth. Choose 100% organic, natural skin care products.

Don’t Forget Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is more important in the body than many realise; and is key for healthy skin renewal. Vitamin D3 is made in the skin when it is exposed to UV-B rays so it is important to expose your skin sensibly in the sunshine without sunblock to ensure your body can make the required levels. Some studies have shown that an SPF 0f 15 reduces your vitamin D protection in your skin by 98%. Lisa Guy ND recommends 10-15 minutes exposure in the summer to allow your body to create valuable Vitamin D that can help fight free radicals in the epidermal layers of the skin. Vitamin D food sources include: oily fish, egg yolks and mushrooms.

My name is Sam Adkins, known also as The Homeopathic Coach. I have been working as a Homeopath since 2003 in both Australia, the UK and internationally via skype. I am also a qualified and experienced holistic counsellor using a Process Oriented Psychology approach. I like to combine both these skill sets to facilitate greater balance, wellness and happiness for my clients.

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Balancing your lifestyle

Rest & Relaxation

Drink Plenty of Water

Wash your hands

Acupuncture Points

Here’s how to perform the ritual:

Day 1 – Day 3

Day 4 – Day 6

Day 7 – Day 9

Here are 10 natural ways to build healthy bones with natural calcium supplements.

Eat Lots of Vegetables

Include Foods High in Magnesium and Zinc