Top INDIAN Foods for Weight Loss

Success of any diet plan depends on having planned the intake of food which provides only the necessary calories for the perfect working of the body and no excess calories which may be stored in the body as fat in various parts of the body. It is necessary to have a nutritious and well balanced diet which includes the necessary quantity of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential fats. Drastic diet plans will make you only look lethargic and undernourished. The weight loss Indian diet should contain foods that will boost the metabolic rate of the body and at the same time add less calories. Some of the weight loss Indian foods that can be included in a diet plan are given below

Brown Rice: Most of the Indians use white rice as their staple diet and it is rich in carbohydrate. Brown rice has more nutritional value and has a lower glycemic index than the white rice.  Brown rice has more fiber and makes you feel fuller even when you eat less quantity.

Cucumbers: There are different varieties of cucumbers available in India which is excellent for weight reduction diet. They are rich in water content and have very low calorie in them. They help to fill your stomach without adding extra calories in the diet.

Garlic: Garlic should be included in any weight loss diet as they reduce the appetite. It also reduces the cholesterol in the body and helps to maintain blood sugar level. They are very effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Whole Grains: Whole grains are rich in fiber and have low fat. Whole grains contain protein, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and petrochemicals which are needed for maintaining good health.

Nuts And Seeds: Nuts like peanuts and almonds and seeds like pumpkin seeds and flax seeds help to reduce bad cholesterol and improve the level of good cholesterol. They are rich in omega three fatty acids.

Fish: If you are a non-vegetarian, you can include fish in your diet 2-3 days a week. They are excellent sources of protein and omega 3 fatty acids. To achieve weight reduction, avoid the use of fried fish. Sardines, anchovies, tuna, mackerel etc are the best choices.

Steps to prepare Sugar cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 400g flour
• 1/2-teaspoon salt
• 1-teaspoon baking soda
• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 200 g granulated white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1-teaspoon vanilla extract
• Royal Icing:
• 2 large egg whites
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups icing sugar, sifted

Recipe Method:

1. Sieve together the flour, salt, and baking soda thrice. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes) with an electric beater. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat well until you have a smooth dough. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about one hour or until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1 cm. Keep turning the dough as you roll, making sure the dough does not stick to the counter.
3. Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and transfer cookies to baking sheet. Place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to chill the dough which prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking. Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes (depending on size) or until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Frost with royal icing, if desired. Be sure to let the royal icing dry completely before storing.

For Royal Icing with Egg Whites: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg whites with the lemon juice. Add the sifted sugar and beat on low speed until smooth. If necessary, to get the right consistency, add more sugar or water. Add food coloring, if desired. The icing needs to be used immediately or put in an airtight container as it hardens when exposed to air. Sprinkle colored sprinklers onto wet icing if desired.

This Ingredient will Lighten Dark Knuckles, Elbows And Finger Joints

Many of us have one common problem that is the dark knuckles, elbows or dark finger joints. They are formed due to many factors. They are the area that is exposed to vigorous friction, because of the extreme use that we put it through. Be it during writing or sitting on a chair the knuckles, elbows and finger joints are always utilized the most. The main reason behind this is the melanin that forms in the body which causes hyper pigmentation. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause melanin formation. The dead cells that accumulate on the skin cause darkening of knuckles.

Here are some home remedies to get rid of dark knuckles, elbows and dark finger joints:

A good scrub: A good exfoliation process is very important to get rid of these as the main reason behind them are an accumulation of dead skin as previously mentioned, therefore a good scrub will help you to remove all the unnecessary pile up of dead skin.

Ingredients:

• Sugar and lemon juice

Method:

Mix sugar and lemon juice and apply this on your fingers and scrub it in circular movement for about five to ten minutes. You should do this regularly for a few days in order to achieve the desired result. You can likewise try cutting a lemon into half and rubbing it over the skin for some time before having a bath. This also ensures whitening the skin.

Bleach the skin naturally: A blend do 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice can be applied, and rubbed on the dark knuckles, elbows and finger joints. The lemon and honey combination works well as a bleach and helps in lightening the skin.

Almond oil: Almond oil is really good for the skin. The oil can be massaged on the skin and left for ten minutes. If done regularly this will help in reducing the pigmentation and make the skin lighter.

Vitamin E and milk cream: This is another great mixture. Get Vitamin E capsules. Take one teaspoon of milk, cream and break one capsule into the cream. Apply this mixture on the rough areas of the skin. Rub well for about ten minutes. You should do this every day to get better results.

Pumice stone: Pumice stone is very utilized in a manicure-pedicure kit and it is mainly to scrub away the dead skin from the knuckles. You can use a pumice stone daily while taking a bath to rub the areas. Take some shampoo into a container and combine it with generous amount of water. Apply the shampoo water on the areas, take the pumice stone and rub it over the skin. After that, rinse the skin with water.

5 ways to Reduce Arm Fat Naturally in Home

Follow these easy tips and you can have the toned arms you wished for

Go for skipping: If you think it's irrelevant, then you are wrong. Skipping is the best cardio workout and it's inexpensive as well. It doesn't just help you sweat out the fat from your body, but gives you sleek and tone arms too. "Skipping rope affects arms muscles as you lift your body's weight as well as move your arms in circular motion. This increases the activity in the arms. Count seconds instead of skipping repetitions to make the process more effective," says a fitness expert.

Keep stretching: Don't wait for the evening or morning fitness regime and stretch your arms as and when you get time. This will not only keep you active, but also release the tension. A fitness expert says, "Stretching tones the arm muscles and brings them back in shape. Do it in the office, post meeting or after finishing a report." He suggests these exercises that you can do in your office.

- Interlock your fingers behind your head and stretch your arms up. Make sure the elbows are behind your head. Now, bend your waist right for a few seconds and repeat the same on the left. Keep arms stretched and straight.

- Hold both your palms together behind the lower spine and interlock the fingers. Stretch both your arms backward so that chest comes forward. This is also beneficial to relieve the back stress.

Rotate wrist: Wrist rotation affects your shoulders and lower arms which are the plumpest areas. "Hold one to two pounds of dumbbells in each hand and stand up. The gap between your feet should be equal to your shoulder length. Extend both the hands forward and keep them firm. Now, swiftly rotate your wrist upward and inward as far as possible. This will help tone the arm muscles,"

Lift your body up: Do you remember how you used to do pull-ups in the park as a kid? You have to just follow the same. Hold a sturdy strong rod that can bear your body weight. Grasp it firmly and pull yourself up the floor. When you go up hold the position for a few seconds and let your arm muscles take all the strain. Do a set of 20 and after a two-minute break, repeat the set. In case, you are doing it for the first time, then, do as many pull-ups as you can, but don't strain yourself.

Triceps with one arm: Sit on the floor and place your hands almost a foot behind your hips; your fingers should point towards the butt. Your legs and feet should be pressed together, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keep your arm straight to raise your hips above the floor. Bend your left elbow only with one arm and lower your butt as close to the floor as possible without actually touching it. Repeat it with right elbow.

Massage This Point Every Day And See What Happens |Miracle Chinese Medicine

Generally, women are more prone to stress, sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue etc. San Yin Jiao point is located on the inner part of the tibia on both legs and it represents an important field in Chinese alternative medicine, or more specifically, in acupuncture. This method has the ability to make women look more beautiful.

How to locate it

Place 4 fingers above your ankle, on the inner part of the legs. The point should be on your index finger. The precise location of the point is essential in order to know from where you should start with the massage.

Press hard the area behind the tibia and start massaging. Do this for 10 minutes, at any time of the day, although it is recommended that you do it at night.

You can massage the both legs or the area between them. For best results, repeat the procedure regularly.

Benefits of the massage:

1. Regulation of the menstrual cycle
2. Massaging of the San Yin spot can improve and regular menstrual period in women.
3. Elasticity of the skin
4. Massaging of this spot can stimulate the spleen which can improve the elasticity and health of your skin.
5. Improved sexual desire
6. This procedure can also solve hormonal problems, improve sexual desire and help you regain sensuality.
7. Activation of the ovaries and uterus
8. It can be especially beneficial for women who are trying to get pregnant because it stimulates the function of ovaries and uterus.
9. Stabilizing of the gastrointestinal tract
10. Bloating and digestive problems can be solved with this method. Also, it can relieve menstrual pain.

Women Need More Sleep than Men, Here are the Reasons

A recent study done by researchers from Duke University suggests that women need more sleep than men, due to the fact that they face up to more mental and physical consequences from insufficient rest compared to men. Along with encouraging half the population to sleep more, the findings may also promote new health recommendations for women at a greater risk of heart disease, depression, and psychological problems.

Who Needs How Much?

“One of the major functions of sleep is to allow the brain to recover and repair itself. During deep sleep, the cortex the part of the brain responsible for thought, memory, language and so on disengages from the senses and goes into recovery mode. The more of your brain you use during the day, the more of it that needs to recover and, consequently, the more sleep you need. Women tend to multi-task they do lots at once and are flexible and so they use more of their actual brain than men do,” Jim Horne, director of the Sleep Research Center at Lough borough University in England, stated for The Australian.

The Science of Sleep

This study undertaken by Breus and his colleagues has launched a number of scientific inquiries into the health outcomes of sleep deprivation.Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine discovered a connection between inadequate rest and accelerated skin aging in a paper published earlier this year.Other studies have associated poor sleeping habits to an increased risk of psychiatric problems, heart disease, blood clots and stroke.

Reasons To Start Your Day With Water and Lemon

-Water with lemon provides the body with electrolytes which hydrate your body. As lemons contain good amount of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

-Water with lemon is good for the joints, reducing pain in the joints and muscles.

-Warm water with lemon helps digestion as lemon contains citric acid. It interacts with other enzymes and acids which easily stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and digestion.

-The liver produces more enzymes from water with lemon than from any other food.

-Water with lemon cleanses the liver. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to release toxins.

-Water with Lemon helps fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throats and inflammation of the tonsils. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon.

-Warm water with lemon helps regulate natural bowel movement.

-Water with lemon is indispensable for the normal work of metabolism. Since lemon is a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body from free radicals and strengthens the immune system.

-Water with lemon aids in proper functioning of the nervous system (as lemon has a high content of potassium). Depression and anxiety are often the result of low levels of potassium in the blood. The nervous system needs a sufficient amount of potassium to ensure sustainable signals to the heart.

-Water with lemon cleanses blood, blood vessels and arteries.

-Water with lemon can help lower blood pressure. A daily intake of one lemon can reduce high blood pressure by 10%.

-Water with lemon creates an alkalizing effect in the body. Even if you drink it immediately before a meal, it can help your body maintain a higher level of pH. The higher the pH, the more your body is able to fight diseases.

-Water with lemon is good for the skin. Vitamin C in lemon, improves our skin by rejuvenating the body. Drinking water with lemon regularly (every morning) will improve the condition of your skin.

-Water with lemon helps to dilute uric acid, the built up of which leads to pain in the joints and gout.

-Water with lemon is beneficial for pregnant women. Since lemons are loaded with Vitamin C, it acts as an adaptogen helping the body cope with viruses such as colds. Furthermore, vitamin C helps the formation of bone tissue of the unborn baby. At the same time, due to the high content of potassium, a mixture of water with lemon helps forming cells of the brain and nervous system of the baby.

-Water with lemon relieves heartburn. For this, mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water.

-Water with lemon helps dissolve gallstones, kidney stones, pancreatic stones, and calcium deposits.

-Water with lemon helps with weight loss. Lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps suppress hunger cravings. Studies have proven people with a better alkaline diet have lost weight faster.

-Water with lemon helps with tooth pain and gingivitis.

-Water with lemon prevents cancer. This is due to the fact that lemons are a highly alkaline food. Multiple studies have found that cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.

Simple steps to prepare Cheese Roti

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• warm water
• Butter

Method:

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt with warm water to make a smooth dough. Make into small balls. Flatten two balls of dough into even size. On one flattened roti, place a slice of cheese or two, depending on the size of the roti.
2. Then place the other one on top of this and slowly roll down with a rolling pin. Put a little butter on a roti pan and then bake the roti. Make sure it is on slow heat. If the pan is too hot, the cheese would get burnt, and so would the roti. Enjoy!