World No Tobacco Day 31st may 2014

World No Tobacco Day 31^st may 2014

"Raise taxes on tobacco"is the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day.

According to WHO, higher taxes are effective in reducing tobacco use, especially among lower-income groups and in preventing young people from starting to smoke. A 10% increase of tobacco tax decreases tobacco consumption by about 4% in high-income countries and by up to 8% in most low- and middle-income countries.


What's the greatest threat to a smoker's health? 

Lung cancer is a good guess, and a wrong answer. Cigarettes cause 124,000 lung-cancer deaths  each year, but do you know they kill even more people (138,000) via heart disease. Smokers suffer heart attacks at twice the rate of nonsmokers—and they're less likely to survive them.

Fortunately, these effects are reversible. Quit smoking, and your risk of a heart attack drops almost immediately, returning to that of a never-smoker within five to 15 years. 

Cigarettes contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals, 50 of which are known to cause cancer and nicotine is one of them. WHO estimates passive smoking causes 600,000 deaths every year. 

Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.One-third of those killed are children who are often exposed to smoke at home, according to the WHO. 

STOP SMOKING DON’T KILL YOURSELF AND US TOO

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

World Environment Day 2014

  World Environment Day 2014

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. 

You all must be thinking how is it relevant to you all, like women’s day, valentine day, cancer day, what’s so great about this day too…and does it really affect you at individual level…please read on to know more and how can you support it.

World Environment Day 2014 theme is "Raise your voice ... not the sea level" recognising that we are all connected and that the challenges that face islands are global challenges that affect us all – so every action counts.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that global sea levels are rising at an increased rate, which may have effects such as increased global temperatures, expansion of seawater  and sea level rise when polar ice melts. Small islands are the most vulnerable to sea level rise and the effects of climate change – they are also places that have been successful at implementing environmental initiatives that increase resilience and show real innovation – for example, by transitioning to renewable sources of energy, by restoring mangrove ecosystems which protect against sever floods and storms and growing corals in nurseries to rehabiilitate degraded marine environments that also provide protection against weather effects and a source of food and livelihoods.

  
Our environment is the future of our world. If it is not healthy, then we can not think of taking a breath of peace.

 

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Top 5 hydrating summer fruit

 Top 5 hydrating summer fruit

God's creation is amazing if one actually pays attention. All this fruits available in summer are hydrating and cooling, did you have one....have such variety so that you aren't bored too.

Top 5 Hydrating Summer fruit from Shilpa Mittal

1.Mango
Mango known as the king of fruits is not called king just like that it is a complete fruit by itself….giving soluble fibre, lots vitamin A , vitamin C. They are fat-free, cholesterol free and salt-free.

2.White jamun (wax jambu) fruit 
White jamun  is grown especially for its cooling nature that can be very refreshing and slaking on a hot day. 

3.Watermelon 
Watermelons are rich in electrolytes, sodium and potassium, which are lost through perspiration. Also its high potassium content helps to control BP.
They are rich in . What's more, they are low in calories and very nutritious.

4.Muskmelon
It is known for its low calorie content and sweet and enticing aroma.It is also good for your digestive system. A great source of beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, vitamins C and A.


5.Tadgola 
They are a great source of potassium and low in sodium which helps to control blood pressure.They cool your body during summers and also help in maintaining electrolyte balance.

Go ahead and keep yourself cool this summers. 

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Muskmelon (kharabuja, cantaloupe)

 Muskmelon (kharabuja, cantaloupe)

Muskmelon, also known as Kharbhuja, Cantaloupe is a member in the large Cucurbitaceae family. Some of the popular fruits and vegetables in the cucurbit family include squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd…etc.


The muskmelon or cantaloupe, is a perfect summer fruit. It's high water content can help take care of the fluid loss that our bodies go through due to perspiration in this summer season. It also helps to combat the heat in the body and thus, prevents heat-related disorders during summer. 



It is known for its low calorie content and sweet and enticing aroma. Having this yellow-orange coloured succulent fruit early in the morning is also good for your digestive system. A great source of beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, vitamins C and A, muskmelon not only helps you stay healthy, but is also great for your skin and hair.


Muskmelon have a yellow-orange coloured soft and succulent flesh and the fruit is high in dietary fibre and helps people who suffer from constipation.The potassium content helps excrete sodium, and thus brings down high blood pressure. This fruit is great for menstruating women as it helps reduce heavy flow and clots.

Cantaloupe might also be an ideal fruit to eat during those times when you are feeling anxious and stressed, as it is rich in antioxidants like Vit C, betacarotene and potassium which normalizes the heartbeat and promotes the supply of oxygen to the brain. As a result, you feel more relaxed and focused.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Watermelon (White portion -peel) Dosa

Watermelon (White portion -peel) Dosa 

Isn't it amazing to have a fruit whose each and every part is useful, the fruit itself pink portion, seeds and yes the rind i.e the white portion, a few days back had posted a sabzi out of it. A few days back i tried this dosa believe me its amazing ....do try.

Ingredients:
Rice - 1 1/2 cupMelon pieces(white rind portion alone) - 1 cup
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2tsp
Scrapped coconut - 1/2 cup
red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seed
finely chopped onion-1 med, green chilli-2-3, coriander and curry leaves
Salt - for taste

Method:

Soak rice and fenugreek seeds in water for two hours.

Puree the white portion of the watermelon.

Grind the soaked rice, coconut and melon puree together into a smooth batter. You can also add red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds while grinding.

Add salt to the batter and mix well. The batter doesn't have to ferment.

The batter should be little thinner than Idli batter consistency.
Now add finely chopped onion, green chilli, coriander and curry leaves to the batter and mix well. Keep this aside for about 15 minutes so that all the flavours blend well.

Heat tawa/griddle and pour a ladle full of batter spread and cook on both the sides in medium-low heat till they turn golden brown.

Serve hot with Chutney or Sambar

Healthy Summer drink

Healthy Summer drink If you think the only way to stay cool and hydrated is to rely on soft drinks, sodas or healthier side lemon water, chass...etc we bring to you Around 20 healthy cooling beverage options...stay tuned. Healthy Summer drinks from Shilpa Mittal As the mercury soars across the country, we have for you some naturally cooling beverages that’ll help your body cope with the heat and stay healthy. A good way of staying comfortable is by consuming foods that are naturally cooling. Try these delicious options to beat the heat. Naturally cooling beverages 1.Fresh lime & water (nimboo paani) It’s best to have a nice chilled nimboo pani with salt, pepper and a little bit of sugar to stay cool. 2.Aam ka panna This tangy drink full of ice and a mix of other juices is perfect for a hot summer afternoon. 3. Butter milk (chass) Curd in general is an excellent coolant. Make a nice, light buttermilk with it, full of spices and lots of ice and stay fresh and hydrated through the day. 4.Sugarcane juice Though it is comprised purely of sugar, it is comprised of the right sugar; that is unrefined sugar. 5. Coconut Water Tender coconut water is not only delicious and full of health benefits; it also has excellent cooling properties. Easily available, especially in southern India, this should be a staple of anyone’s summer diet. 6.Barley water Barley water is cooling and also brings down the heat content in the body. 7. Watermelon You should be having lots of this crunchy, juicy fruit through the summer to stay cool and healthy. Along with being delicious, it’s also packed with antioxidants that are very good for you. 8.Mango Milkshake Full of antioxidants like Vitamin A & C it helps protect from sunstroke. 9. Jaljeera It is digestive keeps stomach cool in hot weather. 10. Kokum/ Solkadhi Kokum, which is used extensively in Gujarat and Konkan cooking for its tangy flavours is considered very healthy and also has great cooling benefits. 11. Mint beverage Mint is a cooling herb that can be had in many forms,simply add it to your drinking water for a subtle flavour. 12. Sattu (channa flour) drink Regular consumption of Sattu protects from heat wave during hot season. 13.Thandai  It has antioxidants, anti-flatulence, cooling properties. 14.Herbal iced tea with sabja They are cooling and prevent heartburn and also relieves a bloated stomach. 15. Bel sherbat The juice is very soothing and a great medicine for heatstroke. 16.Tamarind drink Tamarind & mint have cooling properties, cumin & black salt aid in digestion. 17.RajasthaniRabdi Its refreshing, cooling and good thing to have during summers. 18.Cooling Ragi Kanji Ragi helps cool our body especially keeps the stomach quite cool during summer. 19.Banana lassi This combination helps to regulate the blood pressure also helps in low pressure that occurs in summer. 20.Saunf (fennel seed) sherbet An awesome healthy drink recipe which is sure to improve your digestive functions and enhance your appetite at the same time keep you cool too. Stay hydrated in the summer.