Thursday 30 April 2015

Hacks For Common Summer Ailments

Summer is here, people and with it has come a big list of common ailments looking for its next prey. Worry not because we have some life hacks that you could try to fix minor conditions that are keeping you awake at night. 

Knock! Knock!
Who’s there?
A Mos.
A Mos, who?
A Mosquito.

Come summer and mosquitoes take over. Next time when you have a mosquito bite try placing a warm spoon over it. The heat stops the protein from causing an itching reaction. Or rub either a lemon slice or some peppermint toothpaste directly on the affected area.

Got the summer sniffles? Blame the ice cream overload. Chomp on some raw onions as they are full of Vitamin C that will get working on that cold quickly.

What else can ice cream cause? BRAINFREEZE!! Simply push your tongue up against the roof of your mouth to immediately stop the unfortable feeling.

If you are ever behind the wheel on a hot summer day and all you want to do is yell at the traffic around you, don’t. Just chew some cinnamon or peppermint- flavoured chewing gum. These are known to soothe your mood.

Having a hangover or a splitting headache because of the heat? Drink Gatorade and see the difference!

Fight discomfort due to gas by sleeping on your left side. This reduces the acid reflux as the esophagus and stomach connect at an angle making your food get digested better in the stomach.

www.buzzfeed.com
Worried about that nasty sunburn on your beach holiday? Liberally spread some cold yoghurt all over the affected area to heal the burn.

Bugs bugging you during camping? Rub a banana peel on the area to soothe the skin and stop the itch.

If you are avoiding creams and lotions in summer, you will inevitable have dry cuticles and feet. Just rub some vaseline jelly when you are going to bed. The dry bits on your hands and feet will have healed by the time you wake up.

Summer is synonymous with sweat. Cure fungal infections such as in athlete’s foot by rubbing some virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil’s anti-fungal properties will stop the growth of bacteria.

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Wednesday 29 April 2015

CrossFit Vs Boot Camp

It is time to settle the score between these two leading fitness programmes - Cross Fit and Boot Camp.


What is Cross Fit? 

According to its founder, Greg Gassman, “Cross Fit is a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each of 10 recognized fitness domains.” Those domains are: cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy”.

It is a form of group training which is based on the principle of strengthening the domains listed above thorough the WOD i.e., workout of the day. The WOD is done indoors, most of the time, with equipment such as rings, bars, kettlebells, bumper plates, rowers etc ready for the class. Everyday is a different workout for the participants which they find posted in the gym. The workout, however same for everyone, is different in scalability. The WOD can be different in intensity depending on your skill and endurance.

Cross Fit is not just limited to losing weight. Here one’s level of fitness is always put to test. In CrossFit, one’s improvements can be measured with each workout which acts as a great motivation. Although CrossFit can be done by anyone but it is not for everyone.

Boot Camp fitness is an inspired form of military style fitness. It is not as rigorous and intimidating but it is serious fitness which results in some serious fat burn.

A typical boot camp fitness comprises of a group training indoors or outdoors and the workout is a mix of a high and low intensity workout. A typical boot camp regimen is a mix of intense and light bursts of strength and aerobic workouts beginning with cardio training, lifting weights, pushups, situps, squats, burpees, using body weight etc. It ends with some stretching exercises and yoga or pilates moves.

Whatever level you may be at - beginner, intermediate or advanced, you can get through a session of Boot Camp with a great workout. Although you do what the instructor does but you can perform at your own level feeling the same intensity. Boot Camp is a great way to lose weight and have fun with teammates while doing so. Some Boot Camps have activities that involve the whole team making the ‘workout’ motivating and interesting. Generally conducted outdoors, Boot Camp focusses more on bodyweight activities than other equipment.

Sometimes all you need is someone yelling at you to make you workout - that’s Boot Camp, my friend.
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Tuesday 28 April 2015

The Power of Zero

For all the weight-watchers out there - did you know that ‘zero calorie foods’ actually exist? Too good to be true? Let us tell you what ‘zero calorie’ actually means. Basically a food item that burns more calories in our body than they contain. It is recommended that ideally men should consume 2500 calories per day and women should consume 2000 calories.

We give you a list of easily available food items that contain NO calories so you can reduce your calorie intake by at least a hundred. This will help with any joint pains, reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. There is no catch to it. It is just good old bunch of food items we just don’t appreciate enough. Of course, the most important thing to remember is to follow the rule of moderation and eat a balanced diet. Your body needs a balanced amount of nutrients to create energy.
www.herbalbeast.com 
So stop eating CRAP - Carbonated drinks, Refined sugars, Artificial food and Processed food. Eat these foods instead and give your body a break! It surely deserves it.

You need not eat these food items as mentioned - mix and match and prepare a delicious meal out of it.

www.fastcarsslowkisses.tumblr.com
For instance, blend together apples, cantaloupe and blueberries for a filling smoothie. You can make a watermelon, mango and pineapple salad for a mid morning snack. Chop some celery sticks and chomp on them with some hummus or yoghurt and mint dip. Add kale and spinach to your green juice as a great post-workout supplement.

So next time you are feeling hungry, don’t grab the ice cream tub or an energy bar, pick one of the food items on your list and stay healthy.

Content source:
www.theberry.com
www.fastcarsslowkisses.tumblr.com
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Monday 27 April 2015

Stretching Before Workout

Stretching before exercising is just as essential as stretching post workout. If you begin exercising cold muscles, you are more prone to causing an injury. It may not help to shed any weight but it will make your workout a tad easier if your muscles loosened up a little. Stretching is complimentary to any type or workout you do whether it is cardio, aerobics or pilates. And come on, stretching does make you feel good!

Why should one stretch before a workout:

  1. It prepares your lazy muscles for what’s to come as it makes the muscles more pliable. 
  2. It helps to promote blood circulation to muscles and therefore prevents major soreness in the muscles. 
  3. It prevents muscle strains. 
  4. It makes your body feel relaxed. 
  5. It prevents strain in joints.. 
  6. Stretching makes you more flexible so you are able to do strenuous workout more easily. 
  7. It can calm your mind and help you focus. 
  8. It loosens up tight, rigid muscles that can prevent you from having the perfect posture while exercising. 
Following are some stretches you can do prior to a workout.

 www.twitter.com 
www.goodbyebabylon.tumblr.com
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Thursday 23 April 2015

Grow A Health Garden PART 2

In the previous article we discussed the benefits of certain herbs that are easy to grow in your own kitchen garden. In part two of this section let’s explore some more herbs that can add an interesting twist to your everyday meals.

Rosemary
A herb with a name as beautiful as its aroma.

How to grow
Rosemary can be easily grown from its cuttings. The herb grows well in dry soil with occasional watering and plenty of sun. It can also be grown with help of seeds and this process takes about 20 days and consistent watering. One thing to remember while growing rosemary is that it should not be grown in the same plant as basil. However it can be grown with thyme, cabbage and carrots.

Benefits of Rosemary:
Hair loss (when infused in oil)
Reduces pain caused due to arthiritis
Relives indigestion
Helps to control high blood pressure

Use in pasta sauce, grilled fish, chicken and potatoes. Goes well with olive oil, canola oil and safflower oil. Can be used along with garlic and thyme.

Thyme
Pronounced same as ‘time’. Thyme is an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family.

How to grow
Just like mint it grows easily from cuttings or seeds. The best time to grow thyme is spring and can be harvested in summer just before it begins flowering. The seeds take anywhere between 8 to 20 days to germinate. Grow thyme outdoors in full sun and water it occasionally (the soil needs to go almost dry before you water the plant again).

Benefits of thyme:
Helps in reducing acne.
Reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol
Relieves cough
Thyme oil can elevate your mood

Use along with rosemary, oregano, cilantro (coriander) in grilled fish, lamb, turkey and most vegetarian dishes.

Chives
Chives resemble spring onions in their mild onion flavour and are fairly easy to grow.

How to grow
These can be grown indoors from seeds which take about 15 to 21 days to germinate. Post germination the seeds can be planted in a outdoor planter (after about six weeks). Chives grow best in fertile soil and in full sun with occasional watering. Just like thyme the soil needs to go almost dry before you water again.

Benefits of Chives:
High in anti oxidants and vitamin A
Rich source of folic acid (iron)
Good source of fiber

Use in making eggs (fried or omelet), soups, pasta, spreads and dips, baked potatoes and chicken. 

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Monday 20 April 2015

Get Through Your Day With Yoga

Whether it is done in the morning or after a stressful day at work, yoga always makes you feel better. It instantly lifts your mood and relaxes your body. So why not start and end your day with a quick yoga workout? 

As you may already know yoga is best done in the morning when you can breath in fresh cold air and soak in some warm and comforting sunshine. Now there are a couple of different poses that you can do depending on your preference. If you want to jumpstart your day and release the tension in your muscles and joints, follow the poses in the picture below:
www.theberry.com 

Calling all runners! Follow these yoga moves to stretch your sore muscles and kickstart your joints . Give yourself a great launchpad for a morning run. Warm up before a run is very essential and what better way to include some variety in your workout than do yoga?
www.movenourishbelieve.com 
Cool down with these relaxing poses and calm your body after a strenuous run.

www.apaperproposal.com 
You have just returned from a hard day’s work and when someone asks you how your day was, you respond with a death stare. Let’s get real - we have all been there and done that (and more). It’s alright! Before you work yourself up to actually answer that question, consider doing yoga to feel better by stimulating some endorphin.

www.dailyburn.com 
Nothing beats stress like a good night’s sleep. Help your body get to dreamland with some easy yoga moves which will also help to release tension in your body. The best part is that you can do this in your own comfortable bed - it’s like being a child all over again. So come on, go ahead and try. You know you want to!
www.fitnessmagazine.com
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Sunday 19 April 2015

Grow a Health Garden

It’s that time of the year again when all you gardening and health enthusiasts grow herbs while the sun shine. Add a fresh zing to your food everyday, all through summer simply by growing your own fresh herbs.

Don’t whine - it is not rocket science. Growing herbs is quite easy with the rise in gardening tricks, tools and techniques. We will also tell you why a certain herb is nutritious and how you can use it. 
Mint / Pudina:
A common herb used in the kitchen - mint adds freshness to a dish like no other herb.

How to grow:
Besides being the freshest, mint is by far the easiest herb to grow. Simply wet the fertile soil in your planter and push the mint stems (even if they are leafless) slightly into the soil. You can also use stems that are almost dried. The mint plant loves moist soil so keep watering the pot a little everyday until the leaves sprout. This might take two or three weeks. Once the plant blooms, be sure to harvest it every few days for new leaves to grow.

Benefits of Mint:
  • Helps in digestion
  • Good for pains and aches
  • Helps to ease morning sickness during pregnancy 
  • Helps to fight cancer in the long run
  • Rejuvenates the mind and reduces stress
Use mint in fruit salad, yoghurt dip, cocktails, rolls and non-alcoholic drinks like ice tea. An ideal way to start your day is by brewing mint leaves in your tea.

Basil /Tulsi:
A native plant of Indian culture as well as a sacred one.


How to grow:
Basil can be grown by directly planting seeds in the soil or by germinating them first. Basil loves to grow in a warm environment and moderate amount of water. Basil can also grow from cuttings (of stems) and rejuvenates itself with a little water and some sunshine if it is almost dried out. Like mint, you need to harvest basil so new leaves can grow. This plant also produces seeds at the top of the stem which can be used to grow more basil if the plant dies.

Benefits of basil:
  • Reduces swelling in the body
  • Rich in antioxidants 
  • Used in ayurvedic medicine
  • Used in treatment of arthritis and IBS (inflammatory bowel syndrome)
Use basil in pasta sauce, olive oil dressing, salad seasoning, stir fry and pesto.

  1. www.etsy.com 
Coriander (cilantro) / Dhania:
Another staple in the kitchen, in almost all cuisines, coriander or cilantro matches mint in its freshness quotient. Although cilantro is quite similar to parsley, the former is more citrus-y.

How to grow:
Lightly beat the seeds and directly sow in the planter. The seeds will take anywhere between a week to ten days to germinate. The plant requires fertile soil, just enough water to keep the soil moist and enough sun.

Benefits of Coriander:
  • A natural antiseptic and disinfectant. Has antioxidant and anti fungal properties that help to clear fungal skin infections
  • Lowers the level of bad cholesterol (LDL)
  • High in iron content so prevents anemia
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Reduces Blood pressure

Use coriander in almost anything - tacos, curries, salads, dips, chutneys, grilled and baked meat and seafood.
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Thursday 16 April 2015

Lazy Person’s Guide to Workout at Home

There are days when you feel like skipping on your gym routine and just staying in. Then there are other days when you promise to go to the gym in the morning and then a meeting gets advanced.

Whatever the reason may be, on a day when you don’t feel like making it to your gym, just set it up in the comfort of your own house. You do not need any fancy or expensive equipment to do a gym-like workout at home (or office). 

Exercises to do with a chair:
Incline push ups with help of a bed:

www.sportsmedicine.about.com

Incline barbell push up alternative:
www.2.bp.blogspot.com 
The incline barbell push up can be done with a help of a low (curtain) railing or using the railing in your balcony. (Be careful not to tip yourself over!)


A workout using a staircase:
http://news.health.com/2014/05/13/get-fit-quick-with-this-10-minute-step-workout/
For more exercises click HERE

Exercising at the gym is still vital, given the guidance of the trainers, weights and cardio equipment but now you don’t have an excuse to miss your workout. If you have a spare room or a corner at home, turn it into a mini gym for days when it seems impossible to fit in your gym routine.

And if you still feel a lack of motivation to exercise, pick one of these reasons and just make a move:
  • Muscles are built by effort not excuses.
  • If you skip a workout, you skip an opportunity to improve yourself.
  • Think of your workouts as important meetings you’ve scheduled with yourself. Bosses don’t cancel. 
  • It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it!
  • How do I want to feel this summer - fit or jealous?
So what are you going to do? Workout anyway or go back to bed?


Content Source:
www.indulgy.com
www.buzzfeed.com
www.skinnyms.com
www.beachreadynow.com
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Tuesday 14 April 2015

Eat the trend - zoodles, soodles, coodles and more…

In today’s day and age, there is a mobile app and a kitchen tool for almost everything. So in our journey to staying healthy and as fit as a fiddle, why not capitalize on this one kitchen tool that can amplify the health quotient in your life?

Now we all love pasta in any form - noodles, spaghetti, lasagna etc and we are very careful about picking the whole wheat kind when we go grocery shopping. But did you know you could make noodles and lasagne out of vegetables? Transform your peeler into a pasta maker and see what a world of difference it makes to your calorie intake. Plus it is a great way to consume more vegetables and stay gluten-free!
www.crookedbrains.net 
So you need one of these tools in your kitchen - julienne peeler, spiral vegetable cutter, mandolin, regular vegetable peeler. These tools are quite easily available in supermarkets as well as online. The most convenient and easily available is the regular or the julienne peeler. So here are a few recipes that can be easily prepared - it’s healthy , carb-free and delicious.
www.cookinglikeanewlywed.com  

Zucchini and garlic noodles:
Simply toss the zucchini noodles and cherry tomatoes in a hot pan with olive oil and cook for three to four minutes. Add chopped garlic and basil leaves and cook until basil has just wilted. Grate your favourite cheese and serve immediately.

You can do this with sweet potato, carrots, butternut squash and other vegetables. Make this for supper or as a side for grilled chicken or fish.
Zucchini and Squash Lasagna:
If you love lasagna but always have trouble finding or making (from scratch) lasagna pasta, just grab your vegetable and a regular peeler or a mandolin and have a go!

Arrange your zucchini and squash slices one on top of another layering with pesto or pasta sauce and your favourite kind of melted cheese. Be generous with olive oil and bake this lasagna to perfection. Click HERE for recipe.

www.tasteofhome.com 
Zucchini Crust Pizza:
Although this recipe does not require a fancy peeler, it still deserves a mention. Replace your flour dough pizza with this vegetable crust for an extra crunch. It’s quick, easy and a great alternative to the regular pizza dough. Simply grate some zucchini (even cauliflower will work just as well) and mix it with an egg and mozzarella cheese. Spread it on your pizza pan and bake until just done. Spread your favourite pizza toppings and bake until the cheese melts and the toppings are cooked. This is called guilt-free indulgence.

So whether you are eating noodles made of sweet potatoes, carrots or squash or just giving a whole new spin on pizza crust, be rest assured that you are on your way to good health for a very small price. Guaranteed that the kids will never say no to vegetables again.

content source:
www.tasteofhome.com
www.lookchef.com
www.cookinglikeanewlywed.com
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Monday 13 April 2015

Sculpt Your Back

Complete this sentence - I don’t wear sleeveless and tank tops because…

If this sentence ends in anything close to ‘My back resembles the face of a shar pei’ then this article is for you!

With back fat like a shar pei’s, there is a lot at stake. Even though we use our back muscles for almost everything we do day in and day out, we manage to ignore them. Nothing ruins a great dress or a good fitting t-shirt than bulging fat on the back. Stronger back muscles also mean that you are less prone to sprains and lower back problems.

There are a lot of exercises that you can do either with or without equipment.

Back extension : One good exercise that you can do with a stability ball at the gym (or if you have one at home) is the back extension. A very effective tool in any workout. Be sure to pick a ball that suits your body and get that ball rolling (so to speak). 
 


http://www.skinnymom.com/2015/01/15/5-moves-to-banish-back-fat/ 
Pull Ups : One of the most effective and strenuous exercises for your upper back. It is challenging indeed but go slow and push yourself a little each day to achieve the results.
http://news.health.com/2013/08/06/4-ways-to-get-rid-of-back-fat/ 
Dumbbell Pullovers : A common exercise as seen in the gym, but did you know this could also help your upper back not just your arms? 
http://tone-and-tighten.com/2014/11/how-to-get-rid-of-back-fat-workout-best-back-exercises.html 

Superman or Superwoman : Or call it the I-Y-T’s - this move will kill your arms, shoulders and abs. Hold it for a complete minute and feel the burn! If you lie on your stomach with your arms stretched straight over your head this is called the I position. If you lift your arms at a 45 degree angle this is called the Y position. Lastly, move your arms to your sides for a T position. 
http://tone-and-tighten.com/2014/11/how-to-get-rid-of-back-fat-workout-best-back-exercises.html 
Side planks :Great to reduce muffin tops/love handles, arms and upper back. 
http://www.leanitup.com/the-top-5-oblique-exercises-to-get-ripped-up-abs-v2/ 

Planks with arm raise: In addition to side planks, you can also do normal planks with a lateral arm raise.

Jumping rope: Remember as a child you enjoyed to jump the rope? Relive those fun moments and actually work your upper back muscles. This exercise also helps to burn the overall body fat. Compete with yourself and do as many as you can.

Row your boat : If you have seen the arm and back muscles of rowers, we needn’t explain how great this particular exercise is. And come on, you have to admit that it is fun to row whether on water or at the gym.
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Sunday 12 April 2015

Eat Away Your Monday Blues


Come Monday and you hear groans and moans. All that fun you had on the weekend vanishes and you see a big black hole. As you drive to work, you pacify yourself with the idea that Friday is only four days away. What if you could eat away such depressing feelings especially on a Monday morning so as to ease your way through the week?

We bring you a list of foods that can help you transition from Sunday to Monday until Friday comes calling:

  • If your Monday morning feels like it is going to drag you through hell, grab a whole grain or wheat toast with some black tea. This will slowly release energy into your system which you can process more easily and black tea will keep you calm yet alert thanks to its L-theanine properties. 
  • Anxious about that meeting with the boss? What could he possibly want to talk about ‘first thing Monday’? You have already lost your precious Sunday night’s sleep over it. Grab foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, salmon, flaxseeds, eggs etc. These foods are known to calm your jittery nerves and ensure that you sail through that dreaded meeting which was only about a ‘new intern’.
  • For women, nothing can make Monday worse than waking up with PMS. All the women out there, hats off to you for walking into work loaded with PMS on a Monday morning after battling traffic and road rage. All the men (at work) should know better than to get in their way. If you are a woman reading this, make yourself some eggs. Those little cute eggs will make you happy and help you beat the craving for junk like chips or ice cream. 
    www.laurenconrad.com 
  • Pacing up and down early morning about the impending appraisal? Don’t stress, eat your favourite chocolate (dark chocolate is better). Whether you are six or sixty, chocolate always helps to lower your stress levels. It brightens your mood and reduces anxiety. 
  • If you have just wasted the whole weekend cleaning up a mess that someone else made on Friday, you need to sip on green tea now more than ever. The last thing you want to do is to storm the office and vent out frustration worth of two days onto someone who has nothing to do with it. Grab your favourite flavour of green tea and sip on it as you get ready. This will help you think clearly and calmly. If it still does not help, add some ice cubes and chill! 
  • Just got back from visiting your parents or a close friend? Don’t be sad, eat your cereal. A plain bowl of your favourite cereal and milk can give you the boost you need. The Vitamin D in milk is said to produce happy thoughts in your brain. 

How about that? Food can regulate your mood better than anything else. So stay healthy, stay happy!

content source:
http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2013/09/foods-to-boost-your-mood-healthy-snack-lauren-conrad-september-2013/
www.losing30lbsincecollege.tumblr.com
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Thursday 9 April 2015

Creepy Cellulite


Sounds like a disease, doesn’t it? But don’t worry, cellulite is just the fat under your skin that is always waiting to surface. Like a creepy person. Cellulite is bumpy and lumpy but not harmful by any means. It ain’t pretty, we’ll tell you that! 


Anyone can have cellulite - whether you are overweight or skinny. The fact is that you can reduce the cellulite on your body by losing weight. It is most noticeable on the butt and thighs.

There are a ton of factors that can cause cellulite in a person’s body:


  • Hereditary : You may not like this but it is true. If your Grandma had cellulite, something that grossed you out as a kid, chances are you will have it too. Certain genes in the blood can predetermine the chances of developing cellulite such as slow metabolism, distribution of fat etc.
  • Diet: What’s new? Too much fats and carbohydrates a.k.a. junk food can lead to cellulite. In addition, high content of salt and lack of fibre is only going to make it worse.
    1. www.fitness.makeupandbeauty.com 
  • Hormones : Blame it on the hormones! Certain hormones like estrogen, thyroid hormones play a role in the production of cellulite.

  • Lifestyle : If you are leading a sedentary lifestyle, don’t be surprised if your behind resembles a Droopy’s face and your thighs look like a healthy turkey’s legs. Desk jobs and lack of exercise are most common causes in cellulite production. 
  • Extreme Dieting: All those diets that come and go only leave behind one thing - cellulite and a low self esteem. Stay away and do better.

Now that we have covered Cellulite 101, let’s get moving and exercising. Cellulite is not going to melt itself!

Forget those creams and oils on the counter of your beauty shop and follow the exercises in the images given below to get rid of the stubborn cellulite naturally. Remember to follow it diligently and give it time.

Content source:
http://www.webmd.com/beauty/cellulite/cellulite-causes-and-treatments
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465.php
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Wednesday 8 April 2015

Hello Hydration

Summer is back and so is our thirst. This simply translates to increasing our water intake and in this season, more is less. But don’t worry, we are not going to tell you to drink ten litres of water everyday. Instead we have a few suggestions as to how you can keep hydrating your body through the day with more than just plain old water.

  • Switch up the taste of water by adding certain herbal flavours to boost your taste as well as your health. The summer heat can be overwhelming especially for those who travel by public transport or have a travelling job. This can often result in the person feeling parched and nauseous. Sipping on ginger tea is a great way to fight nausea in the scorching heat. If a hot cup of tea is not your thing, add some ice cubes and let the tea settle your tummy. Add a dash of peppermint or lemon juice for a zing.
 Coconut water is a great alternative to water. Have it as it is or to spunk it up by adding it to a mixed fruit popsicle. Simply chop your favourite fruits and dump them in a popsicle or ice cream mould and pour coconut water on top. Freeze overnight and enjoy your tropical ice cream. A smart way to get the kids to eat a variety of fruits.
  • Keep up your energy by drinking lemon water through the day. It will not only hydrate but also cleanse your body from the inside and give you an energy boost. Add honey or mint to make it more delicious.
  • There’s no better time to load up on Vitamin C. Grab those citrus fruits and blend them all together for a citrus fruit punch. Load up your glasses with ice cubes and sip away the summer heat. Fruits with high amount of water content are watermelon, musk melon, peach, pineapple and berries. ’Tis the season to juice, people!

  • You can also replace fruit juices with vegetable juice or green smoothies to add iron and potassium to your diet. 
  • Does anyone remember Hamdard’s Rooh Afza? Rooh Afza is as old as free India and has been a part of almost everyone’s childhood, especially during summers. Rooh Afza, although a fruit concentrate, is made of extracts from fruits and vegetables as well as herbs. Add a dash of Rooh Afza to a glass of milk or lemon water and wait for the magic to happen. A sip of this drink is a much needed respite from the heat as it instantly cools your body from within. 
  • It is advisable to stay away from concentrates and squashes as they are not natural and have very high sugar content in them. Too much sugar can make you more sluggish in the heat. Stick to natural ingredients and be sure to have a bottle of water at hand at all times. More often than not, we tend to lay back lazily as even getting up for a glass of water seems like an arduous task.

 Content source:
www.lifehack.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooh_Afza
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Tuesday 7 April 2015

The Future Of Fitness : Boot Camp

Boot Camp style of fitness and exercise has been around for a long time, but given the upsurge of importance given to one’s health especially in today’s time, it is finally getting the attention it really deserves. Boot Camp fitness is an inspired form of military style fitness. It is not as rigorous and intimidating but it is serious fitness which results in some serious fat burn.

A typical boot camp fitness comprises of a group training indoors or outdoors and the workout is a mix of a high and low intensity workout. A typical boot camp regimen is a mix of intense and light bursts of strength and aerobic workouts beginning with cardio training, lifting weights, pushups, situps, squats, burpees, using body weight etc. It ends with some stretching exercises and yoga or pilates moves.

Boot Camp pushes you do give your 110 percent and brings a great amount of variety to the workout regimen. You might find it tough in the beginning but by the end of the workout, it makes you feel like you have accomplished the impossible. Also, it is human nature to compete with others, so the group training keeps you motivated and working out with driven people makes you test your boundaries too.

Enrolling in boot camp is a great change from the usual gym routine. It gives you something to look forward to when you are counting your sets, therefore it keeps you going. It is hard but effective.
Boot camp also makes you mentally strong and can act as a vent for your pent up stress or burn out. It is known to help people lose upto 5 kilos of weight in four weeks and maintain it. For someone who is looking to control their body weight in order to take control of their life, boot camp is the perfect solution.
www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com
Boot camp is no cakewalk, once you have signed up you have got to stick to it before you see any results. And there is a good reason why boot camp is the talk of town - because it works, people. It works in ways more than one - it certainly helps in better body function and weight loss and more importantly in staying motivated through peer interaction. 

Boot Camp is for everyone however you are the best judge of the intensity upto which you can do a particular workout. In addition, it also depends on how good your trainer is. All you have to do is show up each day and meet your goal.

content source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/boot-camp-workout/art-20046363
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/boot-camp-fitness
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/fitness-boot-camps-should-you-enlist?page=3
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