Turmeric May Help Healthy Lifestyle

Turmeric reduces inflammation and oxidation of the blood. It's regulate blood presure and blood clotting.

Turmeric may help fight drug-resistant tuberculosis

This potential new tuberculosis treatment would be less prone to the development of drug resistance.
The humble turmeric, an essential ingredient in Indian curries, may help fight drug-resistant tuberculosis, Turmeric is used to treat many health conditions and it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and perhaps even anticancer properties,

They found that by stimulating human immune cells called macrophages, a substance in Turmeric, curcumin, was able to successfully remove Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative bacterium of tuberculosis, from experimentally infected cells in culture.

Turmeric medicine and traditional uses
In India, turmeric has been used in an attempt to treat stomach and liver ailments, as well as topically to heal sores, based on its supposed antimicrobial property

Turmeric is considered auspicious and holy in India and has been used in various Hindu ceremonies for millennia. It remains popular in India for wedding and religious ceremonies.

Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye, as it is not very light fast, but is commonly used in Indian and Bangladeshi clothing, such as saris and Buddhist monks's robes.

Actress Anushka Shetty Beauty Tips

Actress Anushka Shetty Profile

Sweety Shetty, known by her stagename Anushka Shetty, is an Indian film actress, who works mainly in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. Born in Mangalore, Anushka started her career as a Yoga instructor.
Born: November 7, 1981 (age 33), Mangalore
Height: 1.83 m
Upcoming movies: Baahubali, Thala 55
Parents: Prafulla Shetty, A.N. Vittal Shetty
Siblings: Gunaranjan Shetty, Sai Ramesh Shetty

Gorgeous Anushka Beauty Tips 

What's the best way to spend a cool evening on a hot summer's day?

Yoga is a part of my life, it made me open to learning!

There’s always a reason to Living With Smile!

So do practice regularly, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Yoga is a perfect way to relax and work out at the same time.

Everyone smiles in the same language. 

Drink lots of water. Good for health! 

Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.

8 Home Remedies to Reduce Belly Fat

Top 8 home remedies to reduce belly fat

Belly fat is a return gift that our haphazard lifestyle and wrong eating habits give us. Belly fat has always been a major concern area.

It not only destroys your image but also increases your risk to many health ailments. Try these Ayurveda tips to lose the fat deposits around your belly.

Start your day with lemon juice This is one of the best therapies to eliminate belly fat. Pinch some yellow juice into a glass of warm water and add some salt to it. Continue drinking this every morning to boost your metabolism and to get rid of that paunch.

Stay off from white rice Replace white rice with various wheat products. Include brown rice, brown bread, wholegrains, oats and quinoa in your diet.

Avoid sugary substances Stay away from sweets, sweetened drinks and foods rich in oil. Consuming these foods can increase body fat around various areas of your body like abdomen and thighs.

Drink plenty of water If you want to get rid of your belly, then drink sufficient amount of water every day. Drinking water, after regular intervals will help to boost your metabolism and remove toxins from your body.

Eat raw garlic Chew two to three cloves of garlic every morning, and drink a glass of lemon water after that. This treatment will double up your weight loss process and make your blood circulation smooth in your body.

Avoid non-veg food To eliminate belly fat, it is recommended that one should avoid non-vegetarian food as far as possible.

Load up on fruits and vegetables Eat a bowl of fruits daily in the morning and evening. This will fill you up with many antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.

Spice up your cooking Use spices like cinnamon, ginger and black pepper in your cooking. These spices are loaded with health benefits. They help to improve your insulin resistance and reduce levels of sugar in your blood.
source:toi

Smartphone Is Harming Your Health

Here's how your smartphone is harming your health 

A new disease is prevalent in people these days. It’s the addiction to the smartphones. Do you know what your smartphones are doing to you? According to the doctors, extensive use of phones is resulting in neck pain, dryness of eyes, computer vision syndrome, anxiety, phobia and insomnia. According to a survey done by Heartcare Foundation, shocking results have come out. The survey said that active and passive radiation of mobile phones, computer, microwave oven and x-ray radiations in hospitals are becoming more dangerous day by day. According to the survey, 10% of office staff, 20% nurses, 60% media workers and 31% doctors are using smartphones. Doctors use the phone daily for 30 to 24 minutes.

On an average, a nurse charges the battery of the phone twice a day while media workers and doctors charge the battery thrice a day. 70% of the doctors keep their phones near them mostly. 28% feel uncomfortable if the phone is not around them. 33% of the people feel anxiety while using their phones in a meeting, airplane, class or church. 61% doctors put their phone beside the pillow while sleeping but 20-50% nurses, office staff and media workers put their phones beside them. 80% of the office staff, 80% nurses, 80% media workers and 41% doctors are on Facebook through their phone. On the other hand, 20% office staff, 30% nurses, 70% media workers and 25% doctors are on Twitter.

Phones disturb your sound sleep

On an average, office staff spends 20 minutes for browsing on phone while they are on bed before sleeping. While it is 30 minutes for nurses and 60 minutes for media workers. 26% of doctors are disturbed during sleep by phone alerts every night. It happens thrice a night with at least 7% of them. Only 40% doctors, 30% nurses and media workers stop the usage of their phones before 30 minutes before they sleep. Doctors and nurses use their phone during surgeries as well. 90% of nurses and 50% OT technicians use phones during surgeries. 10% doctors, 20% nurses and 50% technicians also check their SMSes during operations. However, no one admitted that they check Facebook or mails during operation.

Weight Lose 6 Best Drinks

Top 6 Drinks That Help You Lose Weight

Some types of drinks that will speed up the fat burning and help you lose weight quicker than you normally would, and here you will find 6 of the most efficient ones:

1. Vegetable Juices

Vegetable juices, on the other hand, can also benefit your weight loss efforts in the long run and it is a known fact that the most suitable type of veggies for weight loss are the cruciferous ones. No matter if you juice them alone or you use them in conjunction with other fruits, these veggies (cabbage, kale, broccoli or cauliflower) will be your most efficient fat fighting weapon, and there is no better way to keep all the toxins away.  Another notable benefit of the vegetable juices is that in addition to helping your body fight free radicals and keeping you healthy, they will also balance the hormone levels in your body and prevent the hormone disruptors from interfering with the normal hormone levels. Cruciferous veggies are very rich in natural phytonutrients that are perfect for reducing the overall amount of body fat, for reducing inflammation and controlling the blood sugar levels, for balancing the hormone levels, boosting your metabolism as well as providing a thorough general detoxification.

2. Green Tea

Studies show you can burn 35-to-43% more fat during the day when you drink 3-to-5 cups of green tea.

3. Ice cold water

You'll burn an extra 250-to-500 calories a day by drinking 8-to-10 glasses of ice cold water because…

Your body has to burn calories (or fat) in order to heat the ice cold water back up to your body temperature so basically…You can lose up to 1 lb. a week JUST by drinking ice cold water.

4. Fruit Juice – Cranberry And Pear

Fruit juices are delicious, easy to prepare and very rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals – besides this, there are literally hundreds of different fruits you can choose from and pear and cranberries are only two of the most delicious, most efficient and most sought-after ones given the fact that they contain high amounts of vitamin C. Not only will the cranberry and pear juice help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism (your body’s natural fat burning machine), but it will also increase your overall energy levels and deliver your body all the essential vitamins and proteins that it so much needs. At the same time, it is a known fact that the cranberry juice is essential for preventing various infection of the bladder, such as the infection with the E-coli bacteria. Pears, on the other hand, add magnesium, potassium as well as phosphorus to your fruit juice and they are essential for a healthy lifestyle, not to mention that they are very rich in Vitamin C and Calcium, the latter being particularly important for keeping your bones healthy and strong.

5. Black Coffee

Last, but not least, it is a known fact that if consumed with moderation, black coffee can have a plethora of health benefits – not only does it contain antioxidants that fight off free radicals and lower the risk for certain types of cancer, but it can also reduce the risk for diabetes as well as heart disease. At the same time, caffeine is perfect for boosting your metabolism and for increasing the number of calories you have burned. Be careful, though, because if you want to lose weight by relying on black coffee you will have to consume it without any milk or sugar, as any sweetener can increase its calorie count!

To conclude, these are the top 5 most efficient drinks that you should embed in your diet if you want to lose weight quickly and naturally, without resorting to any pills or supplements that may have side

6. Coconut water

Coconut Water contains more electrolytes than most fruit juices and energy drinks without the extra sugar & artificial flavorings plus…

Coconut water naturally speeds up your metabolism & it gives you more energy so you can workout longer with more intensity to lose weight faster.

Good Digestion For Eating Right

Tips for good digestion

Digestion Problems such as gas, bloating, stomach pain, constipation, heartburn, and fatigue after eating.
While the intelligent ones stick to a good diet rather than binging on junk like many of us.

* An easy thing to do is to eat a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger with a few drops of lemon juice with a pinch of salt just before a full meal. This simple tip will help start to activate your salivary glands which their by will produce the necessary enzymes. And all this will eventually help you so that the nutrients in the food are easily absorbed by your body.

* Another tip for you would be to avoid cold drinks after or during meals. Basically doing so is like putting cold water on the burning logs of your digestion. So even if you are out try and never have the iced cold water, juice or any other cold beverage normally served at restaurants. It cuts down the digestion process.

* Only if you still want to have something cold then probably you could have a glass of ‘lassi’. This magic drink not only aids in digestion but it will also satiate your thirst. It tastes great and it will also help reduce bloating and gas in the stomach.

Eat six small meals instead of three big ones, this will help you eat a control amount and in a way end up helping in the digestion of food too. And a golden mantra to follow after about 30 minutes of a meal is to increase your physical activity. This will help start the process and control the digestive discomfort.

Mandira Bedi Debuts Her Collection At LFW

Mandira Bedi made her Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 debut Thursday and showcased a sari collection titled "Real Women". She also surprised the audience when she presented her mother Geeta Bedi as her showstopper. Dressed in a blue sari with golden border, Geeta looked elegant when she hit the ramp.
When asked to say a few words, Mandira's mother said: "I am not much of a speaker, all I want to say is that I am proud to be her showstopper."

The runway was flush with Mandira's summer saris in shades like blue, pink and green among others with golden border. There were a few printed saris too. As she had said earlier, her collection was high on effects and low on embellishments. "I am feeling extremely emotional. The concept of my show is real women. This is my first show, my mother is my showstopper and it's a very emotional moment for me," Mandira, last seen in hit TV show "24", told reporters post the show.

"Not just my mother, even the other ladies, who walked for me, I am grateful to them because they came here just for me," added the actress who invited successful women from various walks of life to walk the ramp, including a lawyer, nutritionist and fitness trainer among others.

Mandira ventured into fashion designing last year and even opened a signature store here.Talking about her collection, she said: "I have used all summer colours for my saris and as far as the fabric is concerned it includes silk, satin and georgette." The on going fashion event, which started Wednesday, will continue till Sunday.

Eating Too Much Meat And Eggs is ‘just as Bad as Smoking’

Eating too much meat and eggs is ‘just as bad as smoking’, claim scientists

Middle-aged people who eat protein-rich food are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone who only eats a little, according to a new study. The researchers said eating a lot of protein increased the risk of cancer almost as much as smoking 20 cigarettes a day. They reached their findings, published in the journal Cell: Metabolism, after tracking thousands of people over 20 years. "We provide convincing evidence that a high-protein diet — particularly if the proteins are derived from animals — is nearly as bad as smoking for your health," one of the academics behind the work, Dr Valter Longo, of the University of Southern California, told Daily Telegraph. A high-protein diet was defined as one in which 20 per cent of the calories came from protein. They recommended eating 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight a day during middle age.

However, the researchers said protein had benefits during later life. Dr Eileen Crimmins, a co-author of the study, said: "We also propose that at older ages, it may be important to avoid a low-protein diet to allow the maintenance of healthy weight and protection from frailty." However Dr Gunter Kuhnle, a food nutrition scientist at the University of Reading, criticized the study for making a link to smoking. "While this study raises some interesting perspectives on links between protein intake and mortality ... It is wrong, and potentially even dangerous, to compare the effects of smoking with the effect of meat and cheese," he said.

"The smoker thinks: 'Why bother quitting smoking if my cheese and ham sandwich is just as bad for me?'"
And Professor Tim Key, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Further research is needed to establish whether there is any link between eating a high protein diet and an increased risk of middle aged people dying from cancer."

Drinks That Help Relieve Stress

Milk
The goodness of milk lies in the very word. To begin with, the calcium and magnesium in milk help lower blood pressure. Milk also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that gets converted into serotonin, which in turns improve your mood and keeps you calm. A glassful before bed is bliss.

Black tea
Choose this over your regular ‘doodhwali chai’, anyday. Studies show that drinking black tea for six weeks can help lower your post-stress cortisol levels. For better results, choose decaf.

Water
This is a no-brainer! Water releases endorphins that improve your mood and sense of well-being. Chug as much as possible throughout the day for a goodnight’s sleep.

Cherry juice
Cherry juice helps you stay calm and manage stress. An ounce of cherry juice twice a day can actually help improve the quality as well as duration of your sleep.

Green Tea
Other than helping your weight-loss process, this magic potion also contains a compound called theanine that helps reduce anxiety

Fresh vegetable juice
No they don’t taste as bad as you think they might! Greens such as spinach, celery, and kale pack in the calcium and magnesium that helps reduce blood pressure. Also, they are a powerhouse of vitamin C that helps control your body’s response to stress.

Valerian
This one is a medicinal herb, which is often found in tea blends. Known to reduce nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia, valerian is your perfect bedtime drink.

Chamomile Tea
When it comes to relaxing your nerves, nothing is better than tea. Chamomile has glycine, another amino acid that has relaxing qualities.

5 Must-Have Proteins For Vegetarians

A huge dilemma most vegetarians face while gaining muscle mass is: am I getting enough proteins? After all, most of us have been prescribed the renowned high-protein-low-carb diet to get ripped. But cast aside your aspersions; there are tons of proteins to be found in vegetarian sources too.

Whole Grains and Quinoa

Whole grains are a great source of protein but you’ve hit jackpot in quinoa. Unlike many other sources of vegetarian protein, quinoa comprises of all essentials that make it a ‘complete protein’. Just one cup of cooked quinoa provides you with about 18 grams of protein. Whole grains, including whole grain bread, brown rice, and barley are some of the ideal protein-rich options for vegetarians.

Beans, Lentils and Legumes

Black beans, kidney beans, dal or hummus—pick whichever you fancy and watch the protein grams add up.

Tofu and Soy Products

Soy is one protein every health freak swears by! It’s a flavour chameleon and you can get soy in the form of soy milk, tofu, edamame, soy ice cream, yoghurt, nuts, soy cheese and more. Many brands of tofu and soy milk are also additionally fortified with essential nutrients, making them absolute must-haves for your protein intake.

Nuts

All nuts, including peanuts, cashews, almonds and walnuts are protein-rich. However, because they’re also high in fat, do not make them your primary source of protein. But they make for a great post-workout meal or an occasional snack.

Protein Supplements

Trying to build some serious muscle? Then your protein requirement will be marginally higher than that of an average person. That’s where whey protein comes into picture. Consult your dietician before making a purchase and opt for a powder which also contains casein, another dairy-based builder.

8 Super Foods For Prostate Health

A diet that is good for your heart is also good for your prostate, which means an Asian or a Mediterranean approach to eating like lots of fruits and veggies, easy on the red meats and eating foods with good fats. To maintain your prostate health check some of the most useful foods below.

Brazil nuts
Of all the different types of nuts, these South America’s natives are a rich source of selenium that is important for prostate health. In fact, just an ounce of Brazil nuts can contain as much as 10 times the RDA for selenium. Studies have shown that selenium intake is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. The Brazil nuts are also a very good source of zinc, one more mineral that plays an important role in maintaining a healthy prostate. The high saturated fat content of these nuts suggests limiting your consumption to just a few ounces per week, but as they are such a super food when it comes to selenium, that is all you need to help promote prostate health.

Broccoli
It contains high amounts of the phytonutrients sulforaphane and the indoles, both having anticancer properties. One study published discovered that indole carbinol, which occurs naturally in broccoli suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells and inhibited the production of prostate specific antigen. Investigators found that eating broccoli more than once a week can reduce the likelihood of developing stage III and IV prostate cancer by 40 percent. If the vegetable is cooked longer than five minutes, its anticancer abilities fade. Before cooking cut the florets into pieces and let them sit for about 5 minutes. This allows cancer preventing elements to form before cooking, because heat denatures the enzyme which causes the process to occur. To boost the healthful value of broccoli, add virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and cayenne.

source: fitnea.com

Sex and Marriage In India

Society: the changing narrative of love, sex and marriage in India 

The first issue of Brunch in Delhi came out on February 1, 2004. Nine months later, with the launch of the Hindustan Times in Mumbai, Brunch was introduced to readers there as well. The Delhi Brunch completes 10 years this month. And so we bring you a special two-part anniversary issue, on the theme 'Look How We've Changed!' We asked writers and specialists in their field, to do a series of essays for us, chronicling these changes. In this essay, bestselling author Ira Trivedi talks about India's new social revolution in marriage and sexuality and status of women.

The yoke of tradition
A decade ago, my grandfather, Dadaji, took me aside after a family puja, and nervously told me that I should get married quickly because 'women are like balls of dough. If they sit around for too long they harden and make deformed chapattis'. My grandfather believed that a good marriage was like a perfectly round chapatti and to make a skilled, perfectly round one, the dough had to be supple, fresh, and young. I agreed with Dadaji, and promised him a hasty wedding to a Brahmin boy (an IAS topper if possible). I was his favourite grandchild for a few years, but as years passed and I remained unmarried, I lost my crowning position.

Fortunately in 2014, things have changed significantly. Ten years ago, I would have been considered way beyond my sell-by date, but today it is no longer unthinkable for an Indian woman to be single at 28. Getting married at 18 is considered by most, even by Dadaji, as precocious. In fact, most recently, I heard reports of Dadaji telling his old classmate in our native village of Etawah, that he was happy that girls were finding their own husbands and that he "doesn't have to run from door to door with birth-charts". Phenomenon called love marriage. In the past 10 years, the mating game so inherent to Indian society - the game that began with marriage arranged by the family based purely on caste and economics, followed by sex, usually for the first time for both people, and then 'love', if the couple was lucky - has been radically altered.

Love marriage makes up almost 30 per cent of the marriages in urban India today, and is increasing at a sky-rocketing rate. Even arranged marriage has changed. We have gone from the age of newspaper matrimony to the cyber age of shaadi.in, from the age of the pandit to that of the marriage bureau. Even arranged marriage entails a period of courtship, and usually even physical intimacy. As I travelled the country researching love, marriage and sexuality for my book, India in Love, I spent a significant amount of time on college campuses across India. From the serious bunch of engineers at IIT, to the more carefree campuses of the private colleges, I discovered that today's young Indians have started to believe that love and sex are the main themes that matter in relationships, particularly marriage. And who would really blame them? They have come of age in the time of Facebook, iPhones, and MTV. Even the most popular Bollywood movies of their times showcase dating and romance as opposed to betrothal and shaadi of those of the past.

Rise of the single woman
The past decade in India (at least in urban India) has been that of women, maybe even the single woman, and the freedom that women have seen economically, and emotionally is a tremendously positive sign.
But a consequence of this has been a breakdown of marriage, and divorce rates across the country have gone up over 100 per cent in India's metros. No longer is marriage the be all and end all of relationships, and divorce is no longer the anathema it used to be. But this has also led to the break-up of families, and perhaps the first generation of Indian children are being raised in single-parent households.

Sex and attitudinal shift
Sexual mores too have been redefined. Never before have Indian women (or men for that matter) been as free about their sexuality. Even in the malls of Indore or Jaipur, we see women wearing shorts and skirts, and feeling safe about it. For the first time, a mainstream movie like Dostana (2008) can bring homosexuality to the golden screen without censorship and more young Indians are receptive to their gay peers than ever before. Young Indian couples can be seen holding hands and strolling in public parks without prosecution, and even Shah Rukh Khan has given in and kissed on screen. More than anything else, sex is no longer the taboo that it once was, and dialogue has brought sex from out of the bedroom onto the drawing room table.

The unprecedented attitude shift in love, sex and marriage, has led to more fulfilling relationships than those of the past, but has led to multiple crises in society. After all this sort of change, at cyber-speed, is bound to be turbulent. Repressive forces like khap-panchayats, and sometimes even families and communities try to stop the change by resorting to violence. There is also an over-sexualisation in our consumer culture and this has to some extent led to violence and crime on our streets. We have miles to go before we reach an equilibrium and there is more strife around love, sex and marriage than ever before, but I can proudly and confidently say that we as a society have evolved in a positive direction and that we are in the midst of major social change, and no one can stop it.

source: hindustantimes.com

Zee Cine Awards 2014: Best Dressed Pics

The red carpet fashion at Zee Cine Awards 2014 was decent and impressive. We saw a lot of celebrities donning different look at the red carpet of the much awaited awards night. While many celebrities like Vidya Balan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor etc were missing in the awards night, there were some who added the much required glam touch to the red carpet fashion. For example, Deepika Padukone was shining bright like a diamond in a crystal beaded halter-neck Naeem Khan gown. Priyanka Chopra on the other side kept it simple and sober in a traditional look.

The desi girl wrapped up a paper silk saree which had golden sequinned embellishments all over it. We even saw some sexy gowns on celebs like Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam, Sonal Chauhan to name a few. While most of the celebrities kept the red carpet look classy and sober, Sonal Chauhan went bold and experimented with her red carpet style! Sonal Chauhan wore a black Shivan and Narresh designed gown which had cut-out details on the bodice, waist and featured a dangerously deep cut back. The gown fit her figure like second skin and flaunted her toned body. Even sarees and anarkalis were seen at the red carpet fashion of Zee Cine Awards 2014. Shreya Ghoshal kept it ethnic in an anarkali, whereas Vaani Kapoor looked stylish in a printed Varun Bahl saree. We even saw the cutie pregnant celebrity, Genelia D'Souza. Genelia wore a blue Rohit Bal designed anarkali. Here are the best dressed celebrities from Zee Cine Awards 2014 red carpet.

Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone glittered in a Fall 2013 Naeem Khan gown. The halter-neck gown had a deep back. Deepika accessorised the look with a diamond studded headwrap.

Elli Avram Elli looked cute in a peach coloured frilly anarkali. The desi style of the new bee looked gorgeous!

Genelia D'Souza Pregnant Genelia looked gorgeous in a Rohit Bal floor length anarkali. She carried the look with Pinky Saraf clutch and also wore kundan necklace and earrings.

Priyanka Chopra Priyanka wore a paper silk white and golden coloured Jade saree. The saree had thick pink borders and sequinned golden embellishments on it.

Shreya Ghoshal Shreya kept it simple and classy in a golden and silver coloured sequinned anarkali.

Sonakshi Sinha Sonakshi looked like a curvy mermaid in a white and black frilly Gauri and Nainika gown. She too wore a spiked golden hairband from Manish Arora for Amrapali.

 Sonal Chauhan Sonal looked sexy in a plain black Shivanand Naressh designed gown which had cut-out details on the bodice and back.

 Sonali Bendre Sonali wore a floor length anarkali by Manish Malhotra. The checkered coral coloured collar neck bodice looked chic with the floral embroidered anarkali.

 Swara Bhaskar Swara looked bright in a pink ruffled Guri and Nainika gown. The ruffled shoulders looked like a cape. Swara accessorised the red carpet look at Zee Cine Awards 2014 with pearl drop stone-studded necklace from Estaa and Renu Oberoi earrings.

Vaani Kapoor Vaani Kapoor was another bes dressed celebrity at the Zee Cine Awards 2014 red carpet. She looked beautiful in an elegant white and black coloured Varun Bahl saree. The saree had floral print on the borders and bottom. It also featured sequinned black beaded metallic work on the borders.

Yami Gautam Yami opted for a strapless yellow frilly mermaid gown which was worn with a statement emerald drop earrings.

Beauty Benefits Of Grape Juice

Grapes, they don’t just make the fine wines for you to have but, have some amazing health and beauty benefits too. They are good sources of Resveratrol which helps in curing Alzheimer’s disease. It also reduces cholesterol and uric acid thus proving to be good for your kidney and heart. Grapes are synonymous to wines, juices and jams. They have always been looked for in a seductive way. But, did you know that this seductive fruit is beneficial to your skin, to your body and in a great way to your mind too. The flavonoids present in grapes helps increase oral health.

It is rich in various nutrients like vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, potassium etc. which makes up for good health and skin. Did you know that these nutrients contribute towards a healthy life? If you consume grape juice, you can get rid of cold, cough, flue etc. in a better way. The anti bacterial and anti viral properties help cure all kinds of viral and bacterial infection that protrudes your body. It is good for migraine too. But, apart from the health benefits, there are grape juice beauty benefits too. It enhances your beauty in the best possible way.

As a Cleansing Mask
Apply grape mask to your face and give it a clean and radiant look. It is suitable for all types of skin: dry, normal and sensitive. Grape juice is known for the presence of antioxidants. This will clear your skin of impurities, increase the platelets and make your skin clean and fresh.

Protects against Sunburn
Grape juice is high in the flavonoids content. This helps protect against skin damage and also protects against high UV radiation. It cures sunburns too. Grape juice, when applied, acts as a natural skin guard against sunburn. If you have sun sensitive skin, you can cure it with grape juice. In short it's a natural protector against sun's harmful UV radiation.

Radiates your Skin 
When you consume grape juice, you actually clear your blood and improve blood circulation. In a way, grape juice that's high in its iron content purifies blood which is good for the skin. If you consume pure grape juice regularly in good amounts, your skin will radiate due to the purified blood that's running in your arteries. Also improved blood circulation keeps your skin healthy.

Works as Anti Ageing Element 
When you consume grape juice, it helps in exfoliation. In fact, if you apply grape juice recipes on your skin, the exfoliation process begins. This kills the dead cells present along your skin thus reducing the wrinkles and naturally lifting your skin. With improved blood circulation, the elasticity of your skin goes better. While hydrating your skin, grape juice moisturizes your skin naturally.

Moisturizes the Skin 
Knowing the beauty benefits of grape juice is not enough, you should know how to use them in order to Benefit your skin and overall self with grapes. Apply a tablespoon of grape juice along your face and leave it on for 15 mins. Wash your face with warm water. Your skin will be moisturized.

Good for Eyes
 Are you suffering from dark circles which make you look ugly? Cut a seedless grape and apply it on your eyelids. You can even apply it around your eyes. This way you will improve the skin around the eyes and remove the dark circles too.

Softens Dry Skin
Mix one teaspoon of egg white with one teaspoon of grape juice and apply it on your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing your face. Your skin will no longer be dry.

10 Hottest and Fittest Women of the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games

10 Hottest and Fittest Women of the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games

Stacie Tovar Despite nursing a lingering shoulder injury this season, 28-year-old Stacie Tovar managed to secure a second place finish at the 2013 North Central Regional. Her killer routine may have something to do with earning her fifth straight entry into the CrossFit Games (she placed 12th overall last year). “Every day, I get a solid nine hours of sleep, get up and train, hustle the corporate life from 9 to 5, train some more, and repeat,” says the 5-foot-5 competitor from Omaha, NE. “In between, I make sure to eat clean, eat plenty, stay hydrated, mobilize, and, most of all, have fun while trying to balance it all.” CrossFit - Women of the North Central


Deborah Cordner Carson, Stacie Tovar and Elisabeth Akinwale are seemingly untouchable in the North Central Regional and are looking to go back to the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games.

Simple Walking Exercise Could Rid You Of Back Pain

A simple aerobic walking program is as effective as clinical therapy in treating lower back pain, a new study suggests.

Dr. Michal Katz-Leurer of Tel Aviv University's Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and her colleague Ilana Shnayderman, a graduate student at the Department of Physical Therapy and a practicing physiotherapist at Maccabi Health Care, say that their treatment option - that includes walking two to three times a week for a period of 20 to 40 minutes - fits easily into a daily routine and allows those with back pain to be more responsible for their own health. According to Dr. Katz-Leurer, research has shown that when people walk actively, abdominal and back muscles work in much the same way as when they complete exercises that target these areas.

And unlike muscle strengthening programs, which often call for specific equipment and can involve exercises that require expert supervision, walking is a simple activity that can be done alone. For the study, the researchers recruited 52 patients with lower back pain to participate in a randomized control trial. Through questionnaires, they were initially assessed for pain levels, feelings of disability, and avoidance of daily activities, as well as muscle and walking endurance. Then, half of the participants completed a typical clinic-based muscle strengthening program, with two to three exercise sessions a week for six weeks. The other half completed a six-week aerobic walking program, walking two to three times weekly. Participants started with 20 minutes of walking, then progressed to 40 minutes as their endurance improved.

Results showed that both groups improved significantly in all areas of assessment, demonstrating that the walking program was "as effective as treatment that could have been received in the clinic," says Dr. Katz-Leurer. Dr. Katz-Leurer says that the walking program has the additional advantage of encouraging patients to follow a healthier lifestyle overall. In terms of physical fitness, those in the walking group were able to walk an average of 0.05 miles farther during a six-minute walking test at the end of the program compared to the pre-program assessments. She also notes that that regularly active people are less likely to suffer typical aches and pains over their lifetime. Walking, a low-impact activity, also lowers blood pressure, boosts brain and immune system functioning, and reduces stress, she says.

The study has been published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation.

Scented underpants for men, a 'Made in France' special

(PARIS-AFP) - A company that specialises in "Made in France" underwear has raised nearly 19,000 euros ($25,000) from enthusiastic investors banking on its next titillating creation -- sweet-smelling underpants for men.

The so-called "Indomitable" briefs will be manufactured by "Le Slip Francais", a company set up in 2011 by 27-year-old Guillaume Gibault, who decided to bank on a trend for all things made in France to sell underwear. "You want to change the world, you want to change things, start by changing your underpants!" the firm writes on crowdfunding website, where it has already raised close to 19,000 euros.

The idea behind crowdfunding is that anyone on the Internet can contribute money to a project, in some cases in exchange for shares in a company or other rewards. Gibault told AFP the briefs will be scented thanks to micro-capsules full of homemade perfume that will be incorporated into the cotton used to make the underpants in the Lille region of northern France. As soon as the lucky owner of the briefs moves around, the capsules will release the perfume and the scent will last up to 30 washes, he says. "It's quite a masculine perfume, not very strong, based on musk and pears," he said.

"Le Slip Francais" has become something of a success story in France, which is suffering badly from lack of competitiveness and a general perception of hostility towards business owners and entrepreneurs. It employs five people in its Paris headquarters, and outsources the manufacture of the underwear to factories in different parts of France, including Lille and the southwestern Dordogne region.

The firm has so far sold some 20,000 of its red, white, blue and black briefs, and plans to develop its presence abroad, with Japanese people proving to be particularly enthusiastic clients. Gibault says the company is already profitable, adding that the whole project shows "that we are capable of innovating in France".

"Le Slip Francais" had originally intended to raise 10,000 euros for the scented briefs, but has surpassed that amount by far and could still get a lot more before a June 3 deadline it set on its crowdfunding page. Supporters will get a range of rewards for their donations, ranging from a key ring to becoming the face -- or body of -- the new underpants when the firm's advertising drive begins.

Whole Foods Recalls Vegan and Chicken Salads for Undeclared Allergens

Whole Foods Market is recalling two kinds of bulk curried salad- chicken and vegan, because they may contain undeclared allergens of egg and soy.  Labels for the products were accidentally reversed. The vegan “chick’n” salad contains soy, and the curried chicken salad contains egg.
Consumers with egg or soy allergies should not consume these products. No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall.

The recalled products were sold at salad bars on May 7 and May 8 at the following 15 stores: Darien, CT; Fairfield, CT;  West Hartford, CT; Portland, ME;  Framingham, MA; Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA; Milburn-Union, NJ; Montclair, NJ;  Rose City-Madison, NJ; West Orange, NJ; Jericho, NY; Lake Grove, NY; Manhasset, NY; Columbus Circle in New York City and Upper West Side in New York City. Each of the locations has signage is posted in affected stores notifying customers of this recall.  All affected product has been removed from the salad bar.

Sexism is endemic in cycling. Keep calm ladies and ride on

Female cyclists at a Cycletta event with Victoria Pendleton

This Sunday, hundreds of women will descend upon picturesque Cheshire for Cycletta, a series of women-only mass participation cycling events fronted by Olympian Victoria Pendleton. Cathy Bussey, a keen cyclist, shares some of women's worst tales from the saddle.

Cycling is by far the most energetic activity you can undertake. Other activities may produce more force, as does weight lifting, or more muscle power over a short period, as does track sprinting or most swimming events, but there is nothing that approaches the long-term, high-power demands of cycling. In these events, the cyclist is working as hard as possible in the most efficient way for many hours at a stretch --

Of all the sports and activities out there, cycling is a great way to get active again, whether you are overweight or not. It is low impact, you can start small and you can get exercise while just going places. Gagnon’s first ride was only 1 mile. Now he rides five to six times a week, for much longer distances and is training for cyclocross races.

Mindful eating contribute to weight loss

 Mindful eating is not a diet, or about giving up anything at all. It’s about experiencing food more intensely — especially the pleasure of it. You can eat a cheeseburger mindfully, if you wish. You might enjoy it a lot more. Or you might decide, halfway through, that your body has had enough. Or that it really needs some salad.

Two things that contribute to weight loss and maintanence-mindfull eating and regular physical activity. You are a vegetarian, also please monitor your energy levels by keeping an eye on how you feel throughout the day, loss of energy could mean a calorie and nutrient deficit.
If possible do get a body composition analysis done, to find your fat percentage, that way we know you are losing fat, and not muscle. Since you are doing a lot of cardio- tennis, walk , swim, please have a small snack eg, small apple, few dates or raisins, half an hour before your work out. Swimming is a type of weight training, or resistance training, but you might want to add some weight training under expert guidance to your exercise plan.  Today’s experiment in eating, however, involves becoming aware of that reflexive urge to plow through your meal like Cookie Monster on a shortbread bender. Resist it.