Silken Beaut

Tips when Eating Out

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 15:41:41 -0500

If you're treating yourself to a meal out, here are some tips to help make it a dining experience that is both tasty and good for you.

Exercise & Well-being

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 15:29:50 -0500

Exercise and well-being
As part of the modern life we lead, most people's bodies do not get enough exercise. There are many methods to keep the body fit and thin. So what works? Simplicity! Give your body what it wants. What does it want? GOOD FOOD, GOOD WATER, GOOD AIR, GOOD EXERCISE, RESPECT AND LOVE.

The body is a machine. As in any unused machine, it 'rusts up' and becomes stiff. The body uses movement to remove the toxins and unwanted products. When there is not enough movement, the method that it uses to remove waste and toxins, is to store them in fatty areas of the body.

The fat was used to store reserves for later use but, with the toxins and chemicals in modern processed food, the fat in today's bodies becomes an unusable storage area. The fat has an enormous quantity of pesticides and toxins. This makes it an unusable storage area so it just builds up and builds up and becomes harder and harder to remove.

When it is removed by strenuous dieting, too many toxins are released into the body too quickly resulting in flu like symptoms and, in severe cases, temporary paralysis of various parts of the body. So a gradual exercise and diet programme is required.

The blood system supplies nutrients to the body and the lymphatic system removes the wastes. Think of the lymphatic system as a toilet. Like a toilet, it works on values. The blood is pumped round our body by the heart. The lymphatic system has no such organ. It relies on our movements and gravity to circulate around our body. Our movements up and down open and close the valves. So, the more we move, the more wastes are flushed out of our system. The less we move, the more toxins are stored in the body.

Drink one glass of pure water when you wake up, at breaks during the day, one before each meal and one before bed at night. Drink one each time you go to the toilet and before each cup of tea, coffee, coke etc. If you ever FEEL thirsty, you already have a water depletion.

Now a tricky subject. (Especially to one who loves chocolate). In the civilised world, it has become accepted that if you reward yourself, YOU EAT. The point here should be, reward the soul and not the body. So, when you want to reward yourself DO something that will give you a great memory or buy yourself something - a book, some flowers. Something aesthetic, can be enjoyed and when ready you can easily throw it away. You can not as easily throw away a chunk of flesh!

Media and every Exercise book says to put aside some time for exercise. This is fine for the time you are exercising, but what about the long hours when one just sits? And what about the fact that sitting puts more strain on your back than standing? Not to mention the potbelly that seems to occur all on its own. That pot belly, fat thighs, double chin, sore neck, wrinkled face, dropped buttocks, etc come about because one is not exercising and stretching ALL muscles in the body DURING the whole day.

This lack of stretching and exercising affects not only the muscles but also the supporter of the muscles, the spine. And atrophied muscles can pull the spine out of shape resulting in horrible backaches when you are older. If you are sitting at a desk, in an office, there are simple stretches and exercises you can do at work. Done in the loo or at odd times in the day when you can. Try and spread the stretches out over the day. For example you could do leg and back exercises at night, sitting exercises at your desk, some of the standing ones at your desk or in a queue or whilst waiting for someone.

Information of the food stuffs

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 14:09:09 -0500

BRAN ATTA: Bran is the outer layer of the grain. Source of soluble fibre, have tremendous benefits for the G. I tract as a probiotic food in combating heart disease & perhaps in controlling weight.

RAGI ATTA: A low calorie cereal which contains amino acid methionine , usually absent in other cereals. Good source of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium & fibre.

BARLEY ATTA: Roti /Parathas made with this atta , initiate you to the taste of fibre filled barley . Have these rotis with low fat curds to round up your meal.

BROWN RICE: Being unpolished , it has its store of fibre & B- complex vitamins as compared to normal polished rice. Can be replaced for normal rice to make traditional khichadi or any rice preparations to make a nutritious meal. This irresitible aroma filled brown rice should be served with low fat chilled curds for a traditional fare.

BARLEY BISCUITS: Barley is low in glycemic index , made into biscuits , which keeps you satisfied for longer to avoid overeating, reduces triglycerides & total & LDL cholesterol.

MASALA STICKS: A delicious accompaniment to the piping hot soups. The spices in it are a double dose of flavour.

GARLIC STICKS: A clove of garlic a day is always recommended for its health benefits ( helps in lowering cholesterol & controlling blood pressure). Here's a creative way to add it to your daily meals in form of sticks to have it as such or with vegetable soups.

PEPPER STICKS: Packed with the delicate seasonings & spices , this makes a wonderful snack, especially when taken with hot beverages ( tea/ coffee).

MILLET KHAKRA: Specially created , enriched with 15 % protein , B- complex vitamins like niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, the essential amino acid & some Vit E . Contains phytate thereby reducing cholesterol levels & cancer risk.

MILLET AJWAIN: Biscuits blended with ajwain which reduces indigestion , forms a healthy tea- time snack.

BASIC BISCUITS: These are very filling & mutually supplemented low fat snack with jaggery added to it which is rich source of iron.

PREDZELS: Vibrant biscuits made from fibre rich bran flavoured with jeera which thereby aids in digestion & lowers blood glucose levels.

GOLDEN WHEAT: Like any other biscuits, these elegant biscuits would leave you satisfied but not stuffed & keep you going till lunch/ dinner.

SOYA CHAKLI: This is a delicate combination of dal simmered with aromatic spices that lend to a bouquet of tantalizing flavours , along with all the nutrients that soya adds to our diet .

SOYA KHAKRA: These are crisp snack that will keep you going . This snack abounds in all the nutrients except fat. Make 2-3 batches of khakras & enjoy when hunger strikes .

SOYA BISCUITS: It has high protein content, rich in vitamins, lightly spiced with herbs like thyme, oregano further adding flavour to the biscuits.

SOYA BREAD: Rich in vegetable protein, which keeps body fit & is good for health. Rich source of iron, but also contains high amount of vitamins & minerals.

SOYA ROLL: Packed with nutrients can be consumed with vegetables & salads, making it fibre rich, as it fills you up & sustains energy levels for longer .

BRAN BREAD: Elegant sandwiches can be made with variety of stuffings with bran bread to enhance your fibre levels.

MILLET ATTA: Bored of regular chapatti everyday? This combination of millet & wheat flour has a store of iron, fibre & complex carbohydrates, excellent source for vegetarians. Contains phytonutrients responsible for lower rate of colon cancer