Try to sit correctly during working hours

The Downfalls of Sitting Too Much
In general, sitting (whether at a desk, in the car or elsewhere) for too long is not a health-promoting thing to do. For one thing, it can cause you to gain weight. A study in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders found that those who had high daily levels of sitting (7.4 hours or more) were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than those who reported low daily sitting levels (less than 4.7 hours a day).
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine even found that the longer a man sits at a desk at work, the greater his chances are of being overweight.
Sitting at a desk all day also puts you at risk of back pain, particularly if you sit with poor posture, leg cramps, tense muscles and, of course, boredom.


If you work in an office and use a computer, you can avoid injury by sitting in the right position and arranging your desk correctly. Follow these tips:

Support your back


Avoid back pain by adjusting your chair so that your lower back is properly supported. A correctly adjusted chair will reduce the strain on your back. Get one that is easily adjustable so that you can change the height, back position and tilt. Have your knees level with your hips. You may need a footrest for this.

Health and income are in close relation, be careful !

Richer, better-educated people live longer than poorer, less-educated people. According to calculations from the National Longitudinal Mortality Survey which tracks the mortality of people originally interviewed in the CPS & other surveys, people whose relatives income in 1980 was greater than $50,000, putting them in the top five percent of incomes, had a life-expectancy at all ages that was about 25 percent longer than those in the bottom five percent, whose relatives income was less than $5,000. Lower mortality & morbidity is associated with  any positive indicator of socioeconomic status, a relationship that has come to be known as "the gradient."

Banana Milk Shake

We had some posts about banana 

Do you eat banana? 

Banana dessert : Roasted Bananas With Sugar-Walnut Glaze 

Banana : Lower blood pressure

Now I suggest you one drink made of milk and banana:

Walnuts prevent cancer and heart disease

Walnuts not only taste great but are a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of those hard to find omega-3 fatty acids. Like most nuts, they can easily be added to your Healthiest Way of Eating. Just chop and add to your favorite salad, vegetable dish, fruit, or dessert.

Banana : Lower blood pressure

Your blood pressure could be lower just by indulging more in this sweet tropical treat: bananas.

Cheap and plentiful year-round, bananas are bursting with potassium.

Health Benefits of Dates

  Dates are the fruit of the date palm. They are dark reddish brown, oval, and about 1.5 inches long. Date skin is wrinkled and coated with a sticky, waxy film.

Benefits : 

1 Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.

2 Fresh date is made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and dextrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly; thus, for these qualities, dates are being used to breakfast during Ramadan months.

3 The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. It is also a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

Red Cake with Beetroot Juice

 We had a post about beets( Beets : from A to Z ). Now we use beet juice in making our cake .
 Beet juice, or beetroot juice, is juice made from beets. It is a good source of vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium and beta-carotene. Beetroot juice may help lower blood pressure, cure anemia, help menstrual problems and improve circulation. You can drink beetroot juice alone or add it to other juices. Beetroot juice can be added to savory and sweet dishes such as red velvet cake to add extra vitamins and nutrients, plus a rich red color.

Durum wheat

Durum wheat is a type of wheat that has a high protein content and the flour has a yellow color. Kernels of durum wheat are usually large and amber colored. It is typically used for semolina and pastas.The endosperm is separated from the bran through sifting during the milling process. It is then ground into flour. Semolina contains protein, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc and fat, but not saturated fat or cholesterol.
Durum flour should not be considered a whole grain flour because the germ and bran have been removed . However, whole durum flour should be considered a whole grain flour because the flour contains all the parts of the grain.

What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin D?

1  It is crucial for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, which have various functions, especially the maintenance of healthy bones.
2  It is an immune system regulator. 
3  It may be an important way to arm the immune system against disorders like the common cold.

Banana dessert : Roasted Bananas With Sugar-Walnut Glaze

we had a post about banana ( Do you eat banana?) . But now we have a banana dessert:

Roasted Bananas With Sugar-Walnut Glaze

 Ingredients

pumpkin : Advantages & a delicious dessert

Pumpkin is a gourd-like squash of the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae which is incredibly rich in vital anti-oxidants and vitamins. This humble backyard vegetable is very low in calories yet good source of vitamin A .

Although pumpkins, in general, feature orange or yellow color, some fruits are dark to pale green, orange-yellow, white, red and gray. Rind is smooth and usually lightly ribbed. Color of pumpkins is due to yellow-orange pigments in their skin and pulp.

Medlar,Try it !

 We had a post about medlar ( Did you hear anything about medlar (Mespilus germanica) )?
but now this is another post about medlars.
Medlars are a hardy fruit that look like a cross between a small apple and a rosehip. When ripe, they’re hard and green. They’re picked at this stage, but aren’t edible until they’ve become half rotten or ‘bletted’, when they turn brown and soft. Harvested medlars are stored in sawdust or bran in a cool, dark place until they’re suitably bletted and have developed an aromatic flavour.
Buyer's guide
Look out for medlars in farmers’ markets or gardens at the end of November. Choose undamaged fruit. 
Storage
Medlars can be stored in the fridge for a few days. 
Preparation
Once the medlar has been bletted it can be eaten raw, but it is an acquired taste. Mix its pulp with sugar and cream or eat plain, accompanied by port. Medlar fruit makes good fruit or jelly. Chop whole, bletted fruit and stew before straining and making in the usual way. Traditionally, medlars are also turned into a ‘curd’ style of fruit cheese, where the strained pulp is cooked like lemon curd with eggs, butter and sugar.

Broccoli fights cancer!

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family. Broccoli contains certain chemicals that may reduce the risk of colorectal or other cancers, although it is not clear which individual compounds may be responsible for the protective effects. While research in this area continues, the best advice at this time to reduce cancer risk is to eat a wide variety of vegetables. It is reasonable to include broccoli as part of a balanced diet.

Do you eat banana?

Eat a banana, get happy. depression could be blamed on lack of serotonin, the "happy hormone," and that you can boost your body's serotonin levels by eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan like cottage cheese, turkey and bananas! I recommends eating at least four bananas a week.
About Bananas
The individual wrapping of a banana makes it an ideal mid-afternoon snack with just 105 calories per banana. Choose the banana as your go-to snack rather than relying on sugary snacks to keep you energized.
With just 3 calories coming from fat, banana nutrition facts should let you snack without guilt. Other reasons you should enjoy the health benefits of bananas without worrying about the bad stuff includes no cholesterol and almost no sodium! With about 14 grams of sugar, you should be sure not to eat too many bananas each day.

Health, Marriage, and Longer Life for Men

Numerous studies covering 140 years have shown that married persons tend to live longer than their unmarried counterparts. Attempts to explain this advantage have typically focused on the following questions: Does marriage have a direct protective effect, reducing the risk of mortality by providing benefits such as improved health? Or does increased longevity reflect the possibility that healthy people are more likely to get married--and therefore that married people are simply healthier from the start of their married lives?
The focus of these questions suggests that the connection between longevity and the married state can be explained only by "protection" provided through marriage or by "positive selection" into marriage because of good health. However, a third consideration may also offer insights into the relationship between marriage and health. If being married is a way of gaining increased protection against illness and death, then persons in poor health may have a greater incentive to seek these benefits by marrying and staying married. This mechanism may be termed "adverse selection" into marriage and, theoretically, could be as significant a factor as positive selection. Yet, while it is often suggested that selection may account for at least part of the marriage advantage, previous empirical work has concerned itself with positive selection and has not considered the possibility that adverse selection may also play a role.

What did you know about Ginger?

Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market.
Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant with a firm, striated texture. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young. Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. Now, science is catching up and researchers around the world are finding that ginger works wonders in the treatment of everything from cancer to migraines. Here are ten health benefits of this powerful herb.

Triglycerides,What should we do?

What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the scientific name for the chemical formulation of animal and vegetable fats. A triglyceride consists of three molecules of fatty acid combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol. Some triglycerides circulate through our blood after eating a meal, providing fuel to our muscles. Excess triglycerides are stored in our adipose (fat) tissue. Triglycerides are commonly found in food high in calories and in alcohol. They enter the body not only through the fats we consume, but are also present in carbohydrates. The body naturally converts many carbohydrates into triglycerides. High triglyceride levels are associated with heart disease but are not considered to be a leading causal factor. However, excess levels of triglycerides are directly linked to obesity, diabetes and to pancreatitis.

Triglycerides are a normal component of the bloodstream. Every time we consume food, our body digests the fats from the food and releases triglycerides into the bloodstream. They are then transported throughout the body to be used as energy or stored as fat. The liver is also responsible for manufacturing triglycerides and has the ability to transform any source of excess calories into triglycerides.

white bread vs whole wheat

Bread is made out of flour that comes from grain kernels — usually wheat. A grain kernel has three parts: the bran, the endosperm, and the germ (so called because it's the part of the kernel that germinates into a new plant).
Whole grains contain all parts of the grain kernel. But refined grains, like the flour used to make white bread, have had the fiber-dense bran and the nutrient-rich germ processed out, leaving only the starchy endosperm. This means that refined grain is not as rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.

Top Ten Professions with high Depression and anxiety

According to the newest medical information carried out by scientists, the chosen professions are also the source of depressions. There are some of the careers, which are supposed to have the high rates of depression victims.We cover the top ten depressing professions which are:

 

 

 

Green tea , I love it

Health benefits

Green tea is particularly rich in health-promoting flavonoids (which account for 30% of the dry weight of a leaf), including catechins and their derivatives. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is thought to play a pivotal role in the green tea's anticancer and antioxidant effects. Catechins should be considered right alongside of the better-known antioxidants like vitamins E and C as potent free radical scavengers and health-supportive for this reason.
Most of the research showing the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries—about 3 cups per day (which would provide 240-320 mg of polyphenols). Just one cup of green tea supplies 20-35 mg of EGCG, which has the highest antioxidant activity of all the green tea catechins.
The health benefits of green tea have been extensively researched and, as the scientific community's awareness of its potential benefits has increased, so have the number of new studies. As of November 2004, the PubMed database contained more than 1,000 studies on green tea, with more than 400 published in 2004!
Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.
How to prepare:

Calcium rich foods for bone healthy diet

Calcium helps you lose weight, studies show. "Really exciting research shows that if you get three servings of dairy daily, you're not only preventing osteoporosis, but you're enhancing weight loss," says WebMD Weight Loss Clinic dietitian Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD.

 Some of the top calcium-rich foods are:

Milk

Milk, semi-skimmed
Milk skimmed
Milk whole
Milkshake

Soy drink, calcium enriched

Yoghurt and Cream

Yoghurt, low-fat, fruit
Yoghurt, low-fat, plain
Cream, double, whipped
Cream single

12 ways to keep your brain young

Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline is common, and it’s one of the most feared consequences of aging. But cognitive impairment is not inevitable. Here are 12 ways you can help reduce your risk of age-related memory loss.

1. Get mental stimulation

Through research with mice and humans, doctors suspect that brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological “plasticity” and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.

Any mentally stimulating activity should help to build up your brain. Read, take courses, try “mental gymnastics,” such as word puzzles or math problems Experiment with things that require manual dexterity as well as mental effort, such as drawing, painting, and other crafts.

2. Get physical exercise

Research shows that using your muscles may also help your mind. Animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought. Exercise also spurs the development of new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells (synapses). This results in brains that are more efficient, plastic, and adaptive, which translates into better performance in aging animals. Exercise also lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, fights diabetes, and reduces mental stress, all of which can help your brain as well as your heart.

Healthier choices at fast food restaurants

When is it healthy to eat fast food?
Rarely. Typically, fast food is low in nutrition and high in trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, and calories.
Making healthier choices at fast food restaurants is easier if you prepare ahead by checking guides that show you the nutritional content of meal choices at your favorite restaurants. Free downloadable guides help you evaluate your options. If you have a special dietary concern, such as diabetes, heart health or weight loss, the websites of national non-profits provide useful advice. You can also choose to patronize restaurants that focus on natural, high quality food.
If you don’t prepare ahead of time, common sense guidelines help to make your meal healthier. For example, a seemingly healthy salad can be a diet minefield when smothered in high-fat dressing and fried toppings, so choose a salad with fresh veggies, grilled toppings and a lighter dressing. Portion control is also important, as many fast food restaurants serve enough food for several meals in the guise of a single serving.
Tips for making healthy choices at fast food restaurants
Make careful menu selections – pay attention to the descriptions on the menu. Dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au gratin or in cream sauce are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats or sodium. Order items with more vegetables and choose leaner meats.
Drink water with your meal. Soda is a huge source of hidden calories. One 32-oz Big Gulp with regular cola packs about 425 calories, so one Big Gulp can quickly gulp up a big portion of your daily calorie intake. Try adding a little lemon to your water or ordering unsweetened iced tea.
“Undress” your food. When choosing items, be aware of calorie- and fat-packed salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream, etc. For example, ask for a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise. You can ask for a packet of ketchup or mustard and add it yourself, controlling how much you put on your sandwich.
Special order. Many menu items would be healthy if it weren't for the way they were prepared. Ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. Ask for olive oil and vinegar for your salads or order the dressing "on the side" and spoon only a small amount on at a time. If your food is fried or cooked in oil or butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.
Eat mindfully. Pay attention to what you eat and savor each bite. Chew your food more thoroughly and avoid eating on the run. Being mindful also means stopping before you are full. It takes time for our bodies to register that we have eaten. Mindful eating relaxes you, so you digest better, and makes you feel more satisfied.
Avoid Supersized portions - An average fast food meal can run to 1000 calories or more, so choose a smaller portion size, order a side salad instead of fries, and don't supersize anything. At a typical restaurant, a single serving provides enough for two meals. Take half home or divide the portion with a dining partner.
Avoid Salt. Fast food restaurant food tends to be very high in sodium, a major contributor to high blood pressure. Don’t add insult to injury by adding more salt.
Avoid Bacon. It’s always tempting to add bacon to sandwiches and salads for extra flavor, but bacon has very few nutrients and is high in fat and calories. Instead, try ordering extra pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes or mustard to add flavor without the fat.
Avoid Buffets – even seemingly healthy ones like salad bars. You'll likely overeat to get your money's worth. If you do choose buffet dining, opt for fresh fruits, salads with olive oil & vinegar or low-fat dressings, broiled entrees and steamed vegetables. Resist the temptation to go for seconds, or wait at least 20 minutes after eating to make sure you're really still hungry before going back for more.

Beets : from A to Z

Beets or beetroots, as they are called, belong to the Chenopodiaceous family. Health benefits of beet roots can be attributed to their richness in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They are a source of carotenoids and lutein/zeaxanthin. Beets are also rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. Beet is a source of beneficial flavonoids called anthycyanins. They are very low in calories but have the highest sugar content of all vegetables. It is also used to make refined sugar.
Health Benefits of Beet
1. Good for heart: Beet fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by increasing the level of HDL. High level of triglycerides increases the risk for heart related problems. The presence of the nutrient betaine lowers the levels of homocysteine in the body which can be harmful to the blood vessels. Thus, consumption of beetroot helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Did you hear anything about medlar (Mespilus germanica)?

 The brown pear and appleshaped fruits are subglobose or pyriform and crowned by foliaceous sepals (drupes 5). The fruit ranges in diameter from 1.5 to 3 cm and weight from very small (about 10 g) to big (more than 80 g). The plant is native in Europe and Asia. Its fruit is well known for its nutritive value especially by the people of Southeastern Europe, Turkey and Iran . The pomelike fruit originates from the inferior ovary, generally with five stony seeds. The skin color is brown, sometimes tinged reddish. The harvest of fruit bletted on the plant in late autumn or the harvest of fruits at physiological ripening and their storage in straw until over-ripening are well known traditions. The medlar is a typical climacteric fruit which has gained value in human consumption and commercial importance in recent years, attracting researches to study its chemical or nutritional compositions . Medlar fruit is widely consumed in some countries such as Turkey a unique place where the people grow the wild and alternative cultivars for the consumption of the fruits in different ways. A long list of recipes utilizing medlar fruits such as in jams and jellies are well known . The astringency of the fruit is well known and it has been reported that bletted pulp or syrup of the fruit is a popular remedy against enteritis and has many human healing properties . 

The bletted fruits have a sweet and slightly acidic flesh; jams and jellies can be obtained. In cookery, a surprisingly long list of recipes can be found. The astringency of the fruits has been well known since ancient times. The fruit of medlars are used as a nutritional material by the local customer and are consumed by the local people as marmalade. The medlar fruit is also used as treatment of constipation, diuretic, and to rid the kidney and bladder of stones . The fruit is consumed as a medicinal remedy in Turkey. In 1964, two new antibiotic cyclopentoid monoterpenes were isolated and identified. These are genipic acid and genipinic acid, which are its carbomethoxyl derivative . Recently, the physical, physicochemical and chemical changes during maturation of Spanish medlar have been reported and flavanols in medlar fruit have been analyzed. More recently, changes in mineral composition at different stages of maturity of medlar , fatty acid composition during ripening of medlar , fatty acid composition during development and maturation of medlar fruit , volatile components of its seeds and polyphenoloxidase from medlar fruits  have been reported. Besides these studies, data on the nutritional value of medlars are still scarce.

Everything about honey

This wonderfully rich golden liquid is the miraculous product of honey bees and a naturally delicious alternative to white sugar. Although it is available throughout the year, it is an exceptional treat in the summer and fall when it has just been harvested and is at its freshest.

The fascinating process of making honey begins when the bees feast on flowers, collecting the flower nectar in their mouths. This nectar then mixes with special enzymes in the bees' saliva, an alchemical process that turns it into honey. The bees carry the honey back to the hive where they deposit it into the cells of the hive's walls. The fluttering of their wings provides the necessary ventilation to reduce the moisture's content making it ready for consumption.

Health benefits of honey

1. Contain Rich Nutrition :

Its chemical composition consists of:

Complex sugars

Complex carbohydrates

Vitamins and minerals

Amino Acids

Antioxidants

Increase your beauty with these 10 foods

A diet rich in certain foods can positively impact skin health and appearance. The best beauty foods are antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are the skin’s best defense against free radicals, which causes premature cell aging. Other beauty foods can help to promote an even skin tone and condition, as well as increases skin radiance and support firmness and elasticity.  

1. Blueberries contain more than three times as many antioxidants as oranges, cherries, and grapes. They also contain anthocyanins, a pigment that is high in antioxidant activity and ellagic acid, a disease fighting phytochemical.
It Helps repair DNA damage caused by toxins or pollutants (e.g. smoking). May be beneficial in slowing and/or reversing some neuronal and behavioral effects of aging. 

2. Small red beans contain flavonoids, iron, magnesium and zinc, which are all important in maintaining over all health and wellness. Magnesium and zinc help aid the absorption of calcium, which helps promote proper bone health. Enhances the body’s energy level. Helps the body and skin cope with environmental stress. 

3. Grapes seeds and skin contain flavonoids, such as proanthocyanidins or PCOs that are powerful antioxidants. Potent antioxidants activity helps fight free radicals associated with signs of aging. Helps improve blood circulation and strengthen blood vessels, which is important for varicose veins or leg cramps. Helps keep certain constituents with skin (i.e. collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid) healthy, by blocking enzymes that may disrupt or destroy their chemical structure.

4. Fish, such as salmon and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can boost skin appearance.
It Helps support blood flow to maintain healthy and beautiful skin, soothe dry skin and reduce skin inflammation. Can increase skin radiance by offering a protective effect against premature aging. 

5. Artichoke Hearts are packed with ingredients that help promote a healthy skin appearance, such as folate, potassium, biotin, and vitamin C.
It Helps maintain healthy skin and nails, supports collagen and skin firmness and protects against free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging. 

6. Blackberries are a great source of vitamin E and C and are high in antioxidants activity. They also contain ellagic acid, which is a disease fighting phytochemical.
It Helps support collagen for firmness and elasticity, smooth skin, and helps protect against free radicals that contribute to aging. 

7. Strawberries are high in antioxidants, B vitamins, potassium, and fiber for overall health and wellness.
It Helps support healthy collagen, the skin’s natural support structure, essential for the structure of collagen and elastin, which assist in the firmness and elasticity of the skin and also provides and environmental defense system for the skin. 

8. Apples have quercetine, and anti-inflammatory property and pectin, which is a soluble fiber that helps, control blood cholesterol levels.
It Helps maintain water balance and distribution, pH balance, muscle and nerve cell function, heart function and kidney and adrenal function in the body. Helps stop cellular damage.  

9. Pecans provide adequate levels of vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium, which help promote healthy skin.
It Helps protect skin cells from oxidative damage, provides nourishment to the skin, helps smooth skin texture. And helps fight free radicals in the body that increase as you age.  

10. Squash is a great source of vitamin A, which helps fight free radicals
It Plays an important role in cell activity that can help maintain the health and youthful beauty of the skin. Protects skin cells from oxidative damage that can lead to signs of premature aging, helps relieve dry skin and uneven skin tone. And can enhance and regulate sluggish skin cell regeneration.

Try this drink ; It's healthy,cheap and easy to prepare !

  Yogurt drinks are known and consumed all over the world. Being rich in potassium, calcium, protein and B vitamins, including B-12, they help stabilize the immune system, digest lactose and dairy products, and are a good source of iodine. Yogurt drinks have uses for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.They also promotes good gum health because of the pro-biotic effect of lactic acids present in them. Calcium, which is found in dairy products, needs to enter the body in an acid matrix or your body will not absorb it. So the lactic acid of yogurt, as a part of yogurt drink, is a perfect medium to maximize calcium absorption. Eight ounces of yogurt will equal 400 mg of calcium, 25% more calcium than you would get out of a glass of milk.  Another benefit is helping banish the belly. The same calcium stops the production of the hormone cortisol, which increases your stomach fat. So, if you want to look and be fitter then several tubs of fat-free yogurt drink a day can help you a lot.

How to prepare:

Yogurt drink is a refreshing drink made with yogurt, water and salt. However, another variation is to add club soda instead of water for a tastier one.This is very easy and takes little time and effort to make.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain yogurt, well beaten

1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint or a dash of dried mint flakes, crushed

 salt to taste

1 cup water or club soda

Lots of ice cubes

Blend together all the ingredients except the ice cubes.Then add the ice cubes. Now you can serve this refreshing, stimulating, and healthy yogurt drink.

There are 9 things that may help you about turnip

Do you know why we heard that chocolate has antioxidant and prevent cancer and heart attack but we didn't heard anything about turnip?

Yes.You are right!

Big companies sell chocolate.What about turnip?

There are 9 things that may help you about turnip:

1. Turnips are root vegetable which is about the size of a small apple, with a firm white skin that has a blush of purple on the shoulders

2. Turnip is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent asthma symptoms, all form of cancer, skin problem and eye disorders.

3. Turnip has insoluble fiber that can protect against atherosclerosis.

4. It prevent diabetes,cataract,cardio vascular disease,abdominal,pancreatic and cancer.

5. It helps in maintaining a good physique as there is no excess fat and minimum calories

6. Turnips were also used in disorders of the urinary tract, being used as a diuretic and to cure kidney stones. Gout and arthritis were treated with them. They were used as a remedy for bronchitis, and the juice was used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Turnip juice was also used as a decongestant in colds, catarrh and coughs.

7. Individuals with thyroid problems should limit or avoid eating food turnips because it contains substances called goitrogens which can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland.

8. When buying turnips always choose the smaller one because it has a sweeter flavor. Larger turnips can have a more woody texture. Choose turnips that has a smooth skin and without blemishes. Store in the refrigerator crisper, and use within a week or so.

9. How to prepare it :Remove the leaf end and root end. Larger turnips should be peeled, but smaller turnips whose size is less than 2 inches (5cm) in diameter can be cooked without peeling. Thinly sliced turnips have a crisp texture, and can be eaten raw. When use as an ingredient to some dishes, it should be cut into cubes and cook for about 6 to 10 minutes.

10 things about saffron that you didn't know

1 . Saffron, the bright orange-red stigmas of a small purple crocus, is the world's most expensive spice.

2 . Each flower provides only three stigmas, which must be handpicked, and it takes 14,000 to equal 1 ounce of saffron.

3 . There is no substitute for its exquisite flavor and earthy aroma.

4 . Powdered saffron loses its flavor more readily and can easily be adulterated with less expensive powders like turmeric, so purchase whole saffron threads.

5 . Store saffron in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

6 . To extract the flavor, place a pinch of saffron threads in a small bowl of hot water or stock. Set aside for 10 minutes to infuse.

7 . Saffron helps in the digestive process, and also helps regulate menstruation. Saffron is used as a coloring and flavoring agent because of its pungent color and aromatic flavor.

8 . The bitter properties of Saffron bestow it with tonical properties for the stomach and digestive properties, while the crocetia that it contains has a effect on reducing cholesterol. 

9 . In Gynecology, it is sometimes recommended to help alleviate uncomfortable menstruation or the lack of menstruation; however, it must always be used with caution. Saffron also stimulates sweating and is sometimes used to help reduce fevers. 

10 . Saffron can also be used topically. It is one of the ingredients used in oral rinses to help clear up canquer sores and is often used to reduce the discomfort of teething infants.

16 foods that help you lose weight.

 Nowadays it's important to control your weight.These 16 foods will help you to lose weight.

1 . Eggs : They are full of protein so they help you feel fuller longer.

2 . Green Tea : It has antioxidants that help speed metabolism and fat burning.   

3 . Salad :  Control calorie intake by starting with a large salad (but not with creamy dressing).

4 . Soup : It satisfies hunger because your brain perceives it as filling.

5 . Pears : The pectin fiber in it will help you feel fuller.

6 . Olive oil : It'll help you burn calories.

7 . Cinnamon : It has power to help your body metabolize sugar.

8 . Vinegar : Acetic acid in the vinegar may slow the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, so your tummy stays full longer. 

9 . Nuts : They burned more calories even when relaxing.

10 . Hot red pepper : The magic ingredient may be capsaicin, which helps suppress appetite.

11 . Skimmed dairy products : combination of calcium, vitamin D, and low-fat protein in skim milk and nonfat yogurt help weight loss and build and maintain lean muscle.

12 . Water : It has no calories, so it's great for filling up.

13 . Chocolate bar : To avoid binges, it's important to indulge yourself once in a while.

14 . Watermelon : It's full of antioxidants like vitamins A and C. It will fill your stomach.

15 . Onions : A cup of chopped onions only contains 60 calories and It will protect you against a wide variety of diseases, including cancer.

16 . Apples : The fiber in the apple makes you feel full, so you eat less.

A diet containing these foods can help you lose weight, but don't neglect exercise. Scientific studies have shown that calories intake is not necessarily higher in the obese than in normal people. It's energy expenditure that's often lower in those who are overweight. So make sure your weight-reduction plan gives equal importance to exercise.