our lifestyle

Environmental Factors: 
Bigger food packages and larger portions
Bigger size= cheaper....Supersize”
All-you-can-eat buffets

Less Physical Activity:
Escalators/elevators, moving sidewalks,intercoms, tele-commuting Cable movies,computer games, cellular phones.

World Water Day-22nd march

World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Facts and figures

An increasing demand

85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet.

783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. 

6 to 8 million people die annually from the consequences of disasters and water-related diseases.

Over half of the world population lives in urban areas, and the number of urban dwellers grows each day. Urban areas, although better served than rural areas, are struggling to keep up with population growth (WHO/UNICEF, 2010).

With expected increases in population, by 2030, food demand is predicted to increase by 50% (70% by 2050) (Bruinsma, 2009), while energy demand from hydropower and other renewable energy resources will rise by 60% (WWAP, 2009). These issues are interconnected – increasing agricultural output, for example, will substantially increase both water and energy consumption, leading to increased competition for water between water-using sectors.

Water for irrigation and food production constitutes one of the greatest pressures on freshwater resources. Agriculture accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals (up to 90% in some fast-growing economies).
Economic growth and individual wealth are shifting diets from predominantly starch-based to meat and dairy, which require more water. Producing 1 kg of rice, for example, requires ~3,500 L of water, 1 kg of beef ~15,000 L, and a cup of coffee ~140 L (Hoekstra and Chapagain, 2008). This dietary shift is the greatest to impact on water consumption over the past 30 years, and is likely to continue well into the middle of the twenty-first century (FAO, 2006).

“SAVE WATER – YOU ARE THE SOLUTION TO WORLD WATER CRISIS”

Source:-http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/water-cooperation/facts-and-figures/en

My article in this months HOMEMAKER MAGAZINE on nutrition during exams.

My article in this months HOMEMAKER MAGAZINE on nutrition during exams.

Working Women special

 Working women special

Always stock, any one green chutney ( mint or coriander), onion chutney, tamarind chutney & tomato chutney in the fridge. This will be handy as a side dish for tiffins and doubles up as a sandwich spread also. Do not add coconut if you stock like this. For fresh sandwiches, use green chutney with cucumber or tomato slices. For toasted sandwich, use this as a filling with a cheese slice.

Any soft dosai, spread with any one of these these chutneys & folded with a sprinkling of water, makes a lunch box tiffin.

Women's day special - Nutri essentials for women

 Women's day special - Nutri essentials for women

On occasion of women’s day here comes the top nutrients for women and where to get them from.These will help reduce a women's risk of osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

• Calcium: Low-fat milk, broccoli, turnip greens, yogurt/cheese, cereal.  Calcium can build strong bones to help offset thinning bones during menopause. Calcium also aids in new bone formation during pregnancy.

• Folic Acid: Fortified cereal, green leafy veggies,whole grain cereal.

• Fiber: Bran, whole grain cereal, apples, pears, raw veggies. It can also help to prevent cancer and promote good cardiovascular function.

• Iron: ragi,dates, roasted channa,green leafy vegetables, chicken, ground beef, seafood. A healthy iron intake can prevent iron deficiency anemia and help manage the increased blood volume during pregnancy.

 
• Fluids: Water, buttermilk, juices,coconut water

• Omega 3:- . Wild salmon, halibut, non-white tuna, sardines, walnuts, Flax seeds, Pumpkin seeds

• Isoflavones:-soy, red wine, purple grapes, pomegranate, cranberries

Develop and maintain healthy diet and lifestyle patterns and have a physical exam each year to prevent and diagnose early your treatable health issues. Early detection is important for treating breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer and even osteoporosis.

All u women out there, take a stand n take care of ur health first......if "U STAY HEALTHY" so will be your family.

“Straightens Up” and care for the posture and spinal health

“Straightens Up” and care for the posture and spinal health 

Spinal disorders, such as back pain, neck pain, scoliosis and disc disease, to name a few are common, and they can have a profound effect on a person’s overall health, impacting a person’s ability to work, to enjoy everyday activities and even disrupting healthy sleep patterns.

Research has demonstrated that poor postures and inactivity can contribute to the development of back pain and other spinal disorders. Recent studies indicate that training school children in beneficial postural habits and exercises can be helpful in facilitating postural improvement. This is very encouraging because in today’s sedentary digital culture, many children spend long hours of school and recreational time in stooped awkward postures that have been correlated with poor spinal health in several studies. Other recent research indicates that the spinal health of adolescent students has been worsening over a ten year period.

The good news is that many of these common problems can be easily avoided! if one “Straightens Up” and cares for the posture and spinal health daily, just as we brush our teeth.

So Straighten Up for Better Health and a More Vibrant Quality of Life.

Coconut water – the fluid of life

Coconut water – the fluid of life

Tender coconut water is the natural isotonic beverage with almost the same level of electrolyte balance as we have in our blood. Here is how it is excellent for the summer:

• Oral rehydration medium – high in magnesium, potassium, saline and natural sugar. Popular with athletes.
• Keeps the body cool.
• Application on the body prevents prickly heat and summer boils and subsides the rashes.

Rightly called the ‘fluid of life’ coconut water is a wonder food.It can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma.

The reason for this is that coconut water (the water found in coconuts – not to be confused with coconut milk, which comes from the flesh of the coconut) is sterile and has an ideal pH level. Coconut water is liquid endosperm – it surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition.

Keeps the body cool.