Five Drinks You Should Have This Summer

Nothing can replace water, true. But just drinking water all day can get boring! It is bad enough that you have to put up with the scorching heat of May-June months, why let heat get in the way of treating yourself a little everyday. And by treat, we mean cool, lip-smackin’ summer goodness! So beat the toasty summer heat with these yummy and chilled non-alcoholic drinks.

Pick a day and get all the ingredients you need for your glass of heaven so you don’t have to run around when you get the craving. Just make sure that you have ice. A LOT OF ICE.

(ice ice baby….)

Pineapple-Mint water

In a jar or thick glass, muddle some mint leaves and pineapple pieces. Don’t slush the pineapple, muddle it just until it has released its juice. Add a whole lot of ice cubes and some water. Mix and refrigerate for a couple of hours or even overnight.

Rooh Afza lemonade

This is as easy as it gets. You can make a whole pitcher of this and still run out in a few minutes. In a pitcher, put a few tablespoons of Rooh Afza and squeeze a few tablespoons of lemon juice. Add some water to dilute the concentrate and then add more depending on how many people you are serving. Add lots of ice cubes and ‘dive in’. The ratio of the concentrate and lemon juice depends on your taste - you can keep adding either ingredient even after you have mixed them in water.

Pomegranate and orange juice

http://www.theboldabode.com 

Just mix pomegranate and orange juice (fresh or ready made), add ice cubes and water. Have a go. This is a sure shot thirst quencher!

You can substitute water for soda or sparkling water.

Mango Smoothie

Take full advantage of the seasonal fruit! Pulp some mango in the blender with no other ingredient. Then add milk, ice cubes and little bit of sugar as per taste. You can replace milk with vanilla ice cream. Blend to perfection and sip away your summer blues.

You can do the same with bananas or strawberry.

Healthy Green Smoothie

Blend together half a cucumber, a cup of green grapes, half a cup of spinach, two small chopped up kiwis , water and ice cubes. A sweet and refreshing drink for any time of the day!

www.globalhealingcenter.com

Content source:
http://www.theyummylife.com/Flavored_Water
http://www.theboldabode.com/2014/05/sparkling-orange-pomegranate-juice.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/juicing-for-weight-loss/

What’s On Your List?

He’s making a list…he’s checking it twice…

Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice… 

Did it ever occur to you that this might be referring to Santa checking his grocery list twice? After all the big man could use some health-conscious food items in his diet!

So what is on YOUR grocery list this week? This is assuming that you do make a list each time. If you don’t, then we have got some major ground work to cover, my friend.

It all begins with a list - a list of things that you should ideally pick up when you are grocery shopping or else you wind up with a refrigerator filled with unhealthy food items and a sorely pinched pocket. The best way to prevent that is to make a ‘clean shopping list’ and stick to it. This list will discourage you from faltering and “losing” your way in the aisles at the supermarket.

Before you leave home make sure you have your grocery list, your wallet and your breakfast/lunch/dinner. Well, first two are self-explanatory however you should never leave the house on an empty stomach. Especially if you are going to buy food to stock up. On an empty stomach you will inevitably pick up foods that you are craving at the time. Or you might be too tired to look for healthy food items and pick up the first thing you see just to get home quickly. So stay away from ‘naughty’ food items and make way for the ‘nice’ ones.

Here are some recommendations for a ‘nice’ or healthy grocery lists:

www.blogilates.com

www.care.com

Fight The Pain!

All the women (and girls) out there, this one is for you. 

We all have it…we all go through with it…we all try to deal with it…but we still complain about it. The ‘it’ in question is none other than PERIOD CRAMPS.

We agree that PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) or period cramps is not as grand as the introduction it just got above but we can certainly help you deal with it. Safe to say that exercising during ‘that time of the month’ is a good for your physical and mental well-being. 

Don’t let the pain cripple you any more! Say goodbye to cramps, bloating, moodiness and back pains with these simple yoga poses.

1. The Bow Pose or Dhanurasana 

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/bow-pose/

 

Helps relieve back ache by stretching your back,lower abdomen and thighs. Not only does it help to improve posture, it stimulates the organs around the stomach and consequently relieves the cramps. 

2. The Camel pose or Ustrasana

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/camel-pose/ 

Very similar to the bow pose only done vertically. This stretches the same part of the body as dhanurasana in addition to chest, throat, ankles and neck.

3. The noose or Pasasana

https://yogainmylife.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/pasasana.jpg 

A good twist for your upper body that stretches the back and groin area. Very beneficial for relieving abdomen cramps and lower back pain.

4. The Forward bend or Janu sirsasana

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/head-to-knee-forward-bend/ 

This one leg stretch makes you more flexible if done everyday. This is a good stretch for back pain, stiffness in shoulders and hamstring spasms. 

5. The Backward bend or Matsyasana

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/fish-pose/ 

This pose stretches out all the muscles in the neck, upper and lower back as well as the abdomen. It is helpful in relieving bloating and that ‘gassy’ feeling we all have but never admit. 

6. Bound Angle or Baddha Konasana

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/bound-angle-pose/ 

This pose helps to relieve horrible painful cramps especially if you do synchronized breathing exercise. This pose is known to even help in childbirth as it stimulates ovaries, bladder and abdomen. 

Content source:

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-yoga-asanas-for-periods/

http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/yoga-by-benefit/menstruation/ 

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/4-yoga-poses-to-beat-menstrual-pain-they-work/

And… that’s a wrap!

Wraps have been around for a very long time. They may vary in names and appearance but they taste absolutely amazing. Besides, they are easy to make and can be eaten on the go.

But if you are still running out of ideas to make your own ‘deli wrap’ or a roll, don’t fret. We have some easy-peasy ideas for you - both vegetarian and non vegetarian using basic ingredients from your kitchen and even left over food!

Although you can find ready-made deli wraps in the market, you can make a more economical and healthier version at home using wheat flour. On to the recipes. 

Vegetarian Deli wraps

Feta cheese wrap

Take a tortilla wrap or a deli wrap and lay it flat. Spread a generous layer or butter and then a layer of salad leaves - rocket/lettuce/iceberg lettuce etc along with sliced tomatoes. In the centre place crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle some salt and pepper. Roll the wrap and eat!

Non-vegetarian version - add leftover chicken by shredding it and throw it in with the salad leaves.

Avocado and tomato wrap

De-seed a ripe avocado and separate the peel. Chop it up or slice it -however you like. Slice the tomatoes and keep aside. On a flat wrap, spread a layer of cream cheese or just some plain cheese slices. In the centre place the avocado and tomato slices and roll into a wrap. You can heat this either on a pan or in the oven just until the cheese has melted.

Leftover caramelized onion and mushroom wrap

This is as easy as it gets. If you have some leftover caramelized onion and mushroom, use it as a lunch wrap the next day. On a flat wrap, spread a layer of cream cheese or just some plain cheese slices. Place the caramelized onion and mushroom in the centre and roll up the wrap. Heat this either on a pan or in the oven just until the cheese has melted.

www.biodelmundo.com

Baked beans and onion

Spread a layer of mustard on the wrap and place a layer of chopped onion and coriander. Carefully place spoonfuls of baked beans (the tinned version) in the centre. Add more onion or coriander on top if you like and roll the flat bread. 

Non vegetarian deli wraps

Cold cut wrap

On a flat bread, spread a layer of chilli sauce/sriracha/sweet and sour sauce. Place a layer of cheese spread or slices. Spread some salad leaves and lay sliced onion in the middle. Place salami slices (plain or spiced) in the middle and roll it up. Heat until cheese has melted.

Kathi wrap

This requires a little more preparation - just make a flat omelette using one egg and season with salt and pepper. Keep this aside. On a flat bread, place the omelette, some cheese slices, thinly sliced capsicum and onion. Add any sauce or ketchup and roll it up. Heat until cheese has melted and bite into the gooey egg-cheesy goodness.

Work. Stretch. Flex. REPEAT

It is a well known fact that without computers, no job is complete today. It is also a well known fact that your computer makes you stiff and inflexible. But what you may not know all that well is that you can do a mini workout right there at your desk! This applies to just about everyone who has to sit at a desk for more than two hours.

Follow the infographics for some simple stretches and keep muscle spasms and sore necks at bay. In addition to the exercises, there are a few other things to keep in mind:

• Sleep well using a pillow at an appropriate height. 
• Wear comfortable shoes to work - carry a change if you need to. 
• Take the stairs instead of the lifts if you can. 
• Sit straight in your chair - never slouch no matter how tired you are. Carry a small pillow for your back if you need to. 
• Make sure you carry a small water bottle around and make it a point to finish the water ever couple of hours. Once you are finished drinking, walk to the water dispenser and fill up the bottle. This way you will be motivated to leave your seat.

www.bluezoneproject.com 

• Park at a considerable distance from your building which means you will get another excuse to work those muscles before you sit behind the wheel again. 
• Get up every 30 to 40 minutes from your desk to give your muscles a break. If you absolutely cannot leave your desk, then follow these at-desk workout even when you are on a very important con-call! 

Remember this - nobody will worry about your fitness other than you. A few giggles from your colleagues, while doing these workouts, is way better than painful soreness in the neck that lasts for days together.