Health Tips-Food safety

Pots,Pans and Plastic-Shoppers guide to food safety:-


Our food, it seems, is always touching plastic. Plastics play a part in every phase of food production and preparation. Food gets processed on plastic equipment, and packaged and shipped in plastic-lined boxes and cans. At home, we store and reheat the leftovers in plastic containers.


Recent health controversies have spawned new discussions about the safety of plastics in the food industry. In particular, research that's found potential health risks from bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical in food packaging, has many concerned.Two suspects are under active investigation: bisphenol A and a class of chemicals called phthalates.

Plastic in Food: Inevitable Transfer

It's long been known that infinitesimal bits of plastic get into our food from containers. The process is called "leaching" or "migration." The chemical industry acknowledges that you can't avoid this transfer, noting on its web site that "[v]irtually all food packaging materials contain substances that can migrate into the food they contact.


"Heating food in plastic seems to increase the amount that's transferred to food. Migration also increases when plastic touches fatty, salty, or acidic foods.Plastics make getting, eating, and storing food more efficient. But are they also making us sick?

Pots, Pans, and Plastic: Sticky Questions

Teflon and related nonstick coatings on pots and pans aren't widely suspected of being toxic if swallowed. However, Teflon and all nonstick cookware can release toxic chemicals during manufacture and disposal, as well as during use at very high temperatures -- temperatures over 500 degrees.

The same chemical used in nonstick cookware is also used in the linings of nonstick packaging like that used for microwave popcorn and some fast-food containers.

You can avoid any exposure to these chemicals by following these tips:

1.Never preheat your nonstick cookware on high. Empty pans can reach high temperatures very quickly. Stick to as low a temperature as possible to safely cook the food.

2.Don't put nonstick cookware in an oven over 500 degrees.

3.Run an exhaust fan over the stove while using nonstick cookware.

4.Never cook on Teflon or other nonstick cookware with a pet bird in the kitchen. The fumes from an overheated pan can kill a bird in seconds.

5.Opt for cookware that is made from safer materials like cast iron.

6.Reduce your consumption of microwave popcorn and fast foods.

7.To reduce your exposure to the chemicals in plastic, use these strategies:

8.Use a paper towel instead of plastic wrap in the microwave.

9.Don't microwave food in plastic containers (put food on a plate instead).
10.Use safer dish ware made from materials like glass or stainless steel.

11.Avoid use of plastic containers with the number 3 or 7 on them. Plastics with the number 1 (typically used for water and soda bottles) are single use only. Recycle after use.

13.Use tempered glass baby bottles instead of plastic. If you use plastic bottles, don't heat them.

14.Store food in glass or Pyrex containers, rather than plastic.

15.Discard scratched or worn plastic containers.

16.Hand wash plastics to reduce wear and tear.

If you want to reduce your exposure to BPA, there are some steps you can take:

Eat less canned food, and more frozen or fresh food. In addition to avoiding BPA, you'll also get more nutrients and less sodium -- both steps toward a healthier diet.

Breastfeed your baby, or use powdered formula instead of cans.

Avoid bottles and plastic containers that are made from polycarbonate (usually marked with a  number 7 or the letters PC) and if you want to reduce exposure to phthalates, avoid polyvinyl chloride (marked with a number 3 or PVC).


Personal Note:-Pyrex and  Snap ware have the set of 8-9 glass containers with lids of different sizes in the market which is so convenient to store,heat and serve food.Good choice for packing lunch too.
Stainless steel pans are good option instead of non-stick,make sure to cook in medium heat.


Source:Web Md

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Health Quote

"So many people spend their health gaining wealth,and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health"
by A.J Reb Maleri

Kids and Fever

How can I tell whether my child has a fever?

Kiss or touch your child's forehead. If you think he feels hotter than normal, you're probably right.

A fever is usually a sign that the body is waging a war against infection. Taking your child's temperature can confirm your suspicions and help you and your child's doctor figure out the best way to get your child back on the road to health.

Most doctors — and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — agree that a normal body temperature for a healthy child is between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (36 to 38 degrees Celsius). If your child's temperature is above this range, he has a fever.

When should I call the doctor?

You're the best judge of whether your child is really ill, so call if you're worried, no matter what his temperature is.

A temperature reading isn't the only indication of whether a fever is serious. Your child's behavior is a factor, too — a high fever that doesn't stop him from playing and eating normally may not be cause for alarm. Keep in mind that your child will be hotter if he's been running around than if he's waking up from a nap.

Something else to remember: Everyone's temperature rises in the late afternoon and early evening and falls between midnight and early morning. The natural cycle of our internal thermostat explains why doctors get most of their phone calls about fever in the late afternoon and early evening.

That said, a fever of 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or higher is generally considered cause to check with a doctor. (If your child looks or acts ill, you'll want to call sooner.)

The doctor will probably ask you about other symptoms when you call. The most important thing is how your child looks and acts — if he has lost his appetite, has little energy, is noticeably pale or flushed, or is extremely irritable, or if you notice other changes in his behavior and appearance.

Be sure to mention other symptoms, too, such as a cough, ear pain, vomiting, or diarrhea — these can help the doctor make a diagnosis. She will then tell you how to care for your child and whether you need to come into the office.

Be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms, which could indicate a more serious problem when coupled with a fever:

Your child has small, purple-red spots on his skin that don't turn white or paler when you press on them, or he has large purple blotches. Both of these can signal a very serious bacterial infection.

Your child is having difficulty breathing. He may be working harder to breathe or breathing faster than usual. This could indicate pneumonia.

What will the doctor do?

If your child is reasonably alert and taking fluids and has no other symptoms that suggest a serious illness, the doctor may advise giving him children's acetaminophenor ibuprofen to bring down the fever.

If you're able to keep your child's temperature below 102 degrees F (38.9 degrees C) with the recommended dosage of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, you might want to wait 24 hours before bringing him to the doctor. Because fever is often the first symptom of an illness, a doctor may not find anything significant if your child is examined too early.

The doctor may tell you to switch to a different medication (for example, ibuprofen if you've been giving acetaminophen) if the fever isn't lower within an hour, or you may need to bring your child in to be examined.

If your child has symptoms that suggest a serious illness or infection, you'll be told to bring him in to be evaluated at the doctor's office (if you call during working hours) or an emergency room.

If fever is a defense against infection, is it really a good idea to try to bring it down?

Since fever is part of the body's defense against bacteria and viruses, some researchers suggest that the body may fight infections more effectively when its temperature is elevated. (Bacteria and viruses prefer an environment that's around 98.6 degrees F, or 37 degrees C.) A fever also tells the body to make more white blood cells and antibodies to fight the infection.

On the other hand, if your child's temperature is too high, he'll be too uncomfortable to eat, drink, or sleep, and that will make it harder for him to get better.

If your child's fever isn't affecting his behavior, you don't need to give him anything to lower it. Offer him plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration, and don't overdress him or bundle him up when he's sleeping.

If his body temperature is higher than normal because of extra clothes, a scorching day, or a lot of active play, help him cool down by taking off a few of his layers and encouraging him to rest or play quietly in a cool spot.

Which fever-reducing medicines are safe for my child?

You can use children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring down your child's temperature.

Be very careful when administering medicine to your child. His weight will determine the right dose. Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine or anoral syringe to give your child exactly the right amount.

Don't give any fever-reducing medicine more often than is recommended. The directions will probably say that you can give acetaminophen every four hours and ibuprofen every six hours.

Never give your child aspirin. Aspirin can make a child more susceptible to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disorder.

A final word of caution: If the doctor has recommended a cold and cough medicine, keep in mind that many of these also contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Check the label carefully and don't give your child a separate fever reducer if he's taking one of these combination products.

Are there other ways to bring my child's fever down?

You can try to lower your child's fever by sponging him down with lukewarm (not cold) water or giving him a lukewarm bath.

Never try to reduce a fever by sponging down your child with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed into your child's bloodstream through the skin. It can also cool him too quickly, which can actually raise his temperature.

What should I do if my child has a seizure from his high fever?

Fevers can sometimes cause febrile seizures in young children, usually up to the age of 5. A child having this type of seizure may roll his eyes, drool, or vomit. His limbs may become stiff and his body may twitch or jerk. In most cases, the seizures are harmless, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying if your child's having one.

Why does my child's fever keep coming back?

Fever-reducing medicines bring down body temperature temporarily. They don't affect the bug that's producing the infection, so your child may run a fever until his body is clear of the infection. This can take at least two or three days.

Some infections, such as influenza (the flu), can last from five to seven days. If your child has been treated with antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection, it may take 48 hours for his temperature to fall.

My child has a fever and no other symptoms. What's wrong?

When a child has a fever that isn't accompanied by a runny nose, a cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, figuring out what's wrong can be difficult.

There are many viral infections that can cause a fever without any other symptoms. Some, such as roseola, cause three days of very high fever followed by a light pink rash on the trunk. More serious infections, such as meningitis, urinary tract infections, or bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream), may also trigger a high fever without any other specific symptoms.

If your child has a high fever and no other symptoms, call the doctor.

Source:-Baby center

Personal Note:- Wet baby wipes have always worked,reducing the high temperature of my daughter.Yes,I still buy one or two small packages for blowing nose when she has cold and it's an instant fever reducer.You could use wet cloth or soft sponge.Keep one on the forehead and give a nice wipe on your kids tummy and the whole back using another.You could wet the wipes with luke warm water and repeat the process three to four times.

Health Alert-Skippy Peanut Butter Recall

Skippy Peanut Butter Recall: Salmonella Risk

2 Skippy Reduced-Fat Brands Recalled; No Illnesses Reported

WebMD Health News

March 7, 2011 -- Unilever on Saturday recalled two brands of its reduced-fat Skippy peanut butter.

Routine tests by the company suggest that the products may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is a frequent cause of food poisoning and can cause severe infections.

The recalled products, packaged in 16.3-ounce plastic jars, are Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread.

UPC codes for the recalled products, located on the side of the label below the bar code, are 048001006812 and 048001006782.

Stamped on the jar lid, the recalled products carry these best-if-used-by dates:

MAY1612LR1

MAY1712LR1

MAY1812LR1

MAY1912LR1

MAY2012LR1

MAY2112LR1

The products were distributed in 16 states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Symptoms of salmonella infection are fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, salmonella infection can result in life-threatening blood infections. Small children, frail and elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of severe disease.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should immediately discard the product and contact the company for a replacement coupon at 800-453-3432.

Natural remedy for Hair Loss

Here is a home remedy for Hair Loss:-

Take half cup Coconut Oil and half cup Dried Amla (Indian gooseberry) pieces.Heat the coconut oil , add the amla and boil for sometime till the oil turns dark.Let it cool and strain the amla pieces out of the oil.

Massage the oil on your scalp.    

Natural healthy tonic to fight cough and cold

Here is a very easy to make,natural tonic made with  3 ingredients,HONEY,LEMON & GINGER.
I always make it in the cold season and give it to my daughter whenever she starts sneezing.

Honey-3 table spoon
Lemon Juice-4 table spoon
Ginger - 1 inch (crush and squeeze out the juice)


Mix these 3 together and have it two-three times a day.

Cold and Flu Tips to Help You Stay Well

Avoid catching a cold or the flu from your sick child or spouse.
It's the dreaded cold and flu season. Most adults get sick once or twice a season, but if you have small kids in the house, it's even worse. Studies show your child could be coping with symptoms such as sniffles or fever six to 10 times before the season is over.


How can you keep everyone else in the home healthy when one person is sick?  Here's a simple prescription for health this cold and flu season.


Wash Your Hands the Right Way


Wash your hands every chance you get for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. It's the single most effective way to keep from getting sick from any type of germ. Use warm water. Plain soap is fine. It's the act of rubbing your hands together that's most effective.


Don't Touch Your Nose or Face


Most viruses are passed by contact with mucus fluids, so keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and face. This tip is important throughout cold and flu season, but it's especially important directly after contact with a sick person.


Change Toothbrushes


Change toothbrushes often -- every three months in general --and immediately after any sickness, or the sick person could become reinfected. Each family member should have their own color-coded toothbrush, stored at least an inch apart to avoid cross contamination.  


Quarantine


If possible, isolate the sick person in your family. For instance, sleep in a different bedroom, or have other siblings avoid your sick child's room. If you can't do that, then sleep with your back to the sick person. Don't let sick kids crawl into bed with mommy and daddy.


Sanitize Common Areas


Did you know the most common type of cold virus, the rhinovirus, can live on inanimate objects like telephones and stair railings for several hours, maybe even a few days? Using a disinfectant, sanitize areas that many people in your family touch: telephones, remote controls, computer keyboards, door knobs, refrigerator doors, sinks, etc.


Don't Share


Obviously you don't want to eat or drink after a sick person. Consider color coding drinking glasses or using disposable ones for the duration of the sickness. Color coding is also a good idea for hand and bath towels, so that family members don't spread germs. And be sure to wash all towels, sheets, and linens more often during cold and flu season.


Jump-start Your Immune System


Regular exercise, good nutritious meals, and plenty of sleep won't kill germs, but your immune system will be in a better position to fight them off if you're living in a healthy way. Consider adding a multivitamin if necessary. And last, but not least, check with your doctor about getting the flu vaccine. Flu is nothing to sneeze at -- it kills over 36,000 Americans every year.

Keep that cold away with foods from our kitchen

There are things we can do to try to up our chances for staying healthy: getting enough rest, keeping our hands washed, and drinking plenty of water are the top three. The good news is there are many foods in our kitchens that are beneficial to keeping our immune system strong and in fighting condition.  At the top of the list are:


 100 percent orange juice, (preferably fresh squeezed)
 avocado
 tomatoes
 bell peppers
 broccoli
 garlic
 grapefruit
 lean meat
 yogurt or kefir (not one too high in sugar)

The great thing is you can use these foods throughout your day.


A glass of fresh orange juice and yogurt is a healthy start to the day.


You can add avocado, tomatoes and turkey to a salad or a sandwich on whole grain bread for lunch.


For dinner make a broth with lots of slivered garlic when you feel a cold coming on.Use already made organic chicken broth and sliver about 3-4 cloves or garlic and add a lot of lime or lemon to the broth. If you have fresh ginger,grate this into the heating broth as well. Finely chopped up broccoli is perfect tossed in at the end. Add a couple of cups of baby spinach (to 4 cups of broth) as well, or thinly cut up kale or chard. This will give an additional boost of vitamin C .


Another use for grapefruit is in a salad. You can toss avocado and grapefruit segments with mixed lettuces. Add extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper for a healthy delicious  salad that will be on your side in a fight against a cold.

Source:-WebMd.

Health Quote

"Health,the greatest of all we count as blessings"
by Ariphron

Healthy Recipe- Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:-Banana,Blueberries,Strawberries,Yogurt,Whey protein powder


Combine half a banana,a fist full of blueberries,5 strawberries and half cup yogurt/vanilla yogurt in a blender.Give a nice blend together .You could add a teaspoon of whey protein powder to make it more nutritious.Enjoy..

Health Alert-Acetaminophen Warning

Jan. 13, 2011 - The FDA is warning about the dangers ofacetaminophen in popular prescription pain drugs, but did it go far enough?

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is found in a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. At normal doses, when not taken with alcohol, acetaminophen is a very safe drug. But it's easy to take too much -- a big mistake that can lead to serious liver damage.

Damage can occur when a person with normal liver function takes 4,000 milligrams or more of acetaminophen in a single day. That's easy to do if a person is taking several medications and is not aware that each contains a powerful dose of acetaminophen.

The result: some 56,000 emergency-room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and 458 deaths a year. Acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S., causing some 1,600 cases a year.

Now the FDA is taking two steps. Both affect only prescription drugs. The FDA action does not affect any medication sold over the counter. The FDA say that in three years:


Prescription pain drugs can contain no more than 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per pill or spoonful. Currently, some of these drugs contain as much as 750 milligrams of acetaminophen.


Prescription pain drugs will carry the FDA's strongest "black box" warning label. That label will warn of the risk of serious liver injury.

FDA Advice to Patients Taking Acetaminophen-Containing Drugs

Here's the FDA's advice to people who are taking prescription pain drugs that contain acetaminophen:


Acetaminophen-containing prescription products are safe and effective when used as directed, though all medications carry some risks.


Do not stop taking your prescription pain medicine unless told to do so by your health care professional.


Carefully read all labels for prescription and OTC medicines and ask the pharmacist if your prescription pain medicine contains acetaminophen


Do not take more than one product that contains acetaminophen at any given time.


Do not take more of an acetaminophen-containing medicine than directed.


Do not drink alcohol when taking medicines that contain acetaminophen.


Stop taking your medication and seek medical help immediately if you think you have taken more acetaminophen than directed.


Stop taking your medication and seek medical help immediately if you experience allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, difficulty breathing, itching, or rash.

Source:-WebMd

Green living tips

1.To keep fresh STAINS from sinking deep into clothes,immediately apply a little carbonated water or CLUB SODA.The carbonation bubbles up stains and the salts keep stains from setting.Follow by washing as usual.

2.Use a damp cloth to work white(non-gel)TOOTHPASTE into any SILVERyou want to polish,then rinse and dry.The mild abrasive in the toothpaste will make silver shine without the need for chemical cleaners.

3.Choose BAMBOOfor window blinds,flooring and other household items.Bamboo is a great green choice because it is fast-growing,sustainable,and grows without the use of pesticides or fertilizers.

4.TEA is all you need to clean HARDWOOD FLOORS and bring up the shine,particularly on older flooring.Brew two teabags in hot water and cool to room temperature.Apply with a mop or cloth.The added bonus is that there’s no need to rinse.

5.PEPPERMINT OIL is an excellent deterrent of RATS and MICE.Sprinkle peppermint oil in crawl spaces,inside cabinet,and around exterior walls.

6.Place dried BAY LEAVES into opened bags and storage canisters,to keep away weevils out of FLOUR,RICE and DRIED BEANS.

Save Your Skin-Beauty tips

1.On icy days,give your face extra protection with a super rich moisturizer.

2.Use a moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 15 or higher-no matter where you live or what your skin color,every day,winter and summer.

3.On a hot day,wear a hat that has at least three inch brim in order to shade your face.

4.Thin skinned?Your chest is,making it super susceptible to sun damage.To renew it,ex-foliate regularly with a face scrub (be gentle)


Morning Beauty Tips:-

If your morning skin care habits are strictly wash-and-go, you need to step up to a daily regimen that will help fight off free radicals, protect your skin from the sun's rays, bring moisture to dehydrated skin, and more. While the sun is shining, your skin will be glowing --thanks to these daytime skin care tips from Marianna Blyumin, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in Hollywood, Fla.

Get Moving. Exercise isn't just for your muscles, so get off the couch and get moving."Exercise lowers stress hormones, the physiological stress indicators that cause damage to all of our body -- including our skin," says Blyumin. Cardiovascular exercise works best for keeping stress hormones at bay, so try 30 to 45 minutes per day of walking, biking, swimming, or even martial arts.

Exfoliate. Give your skin a wake-up call in the shower."Exfoliating your body speeds up skin cell turnover and therefore gets rid of damaged superficial skin and lets fresher skin shine through," says Blyumin.

How often you should exfoliate and how harsh a scrub you should use depends on your skin type: If you're desert-dry, look for a mild moisturizing scrub and exfoliate monthly. Normal skin can handle weekly exfoliation with a body cleanser containing fine beads. Oily skin? Scrub three times a week with any body cleanser containing exfoliating beads or a loofah, and afterward be sure to slather on a barrier repair moisturizer; these creams contain ingredients such as ceramide, a lipid that not only prevents water loss but helps rebuild the skin. 

Lighten Up. Leave the heavy face creams for nighttime, and instead go for a light moisturizer; lightweight products don't leave your skin feeling greasy during the day. Blyumin recommends a moisturizer with antioxidants such as green tea, soy, coenzyme Q10, or vitamins A, C, and E, which counteract free radicals that age your skin and can contribute to skin cancer.

Hydrate. You're already hydrating your skin from the outside, but you need to quench your skin's thirst from the inside, too."When we're dehydrated, our skin begins to look dull and dry," says Blyumin."So it's important to hydrate the skin from the inside by drinking plenty of water."

Solar Power Top your daily skin care strategies with a sun protection plan, say experts.

Cover up. Help prevent skin cancer and premature aging with an SPF of at least 30. Choose a physical sunblock (with ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) rather than a chemical sunblock (with ingredients like avobenzone) because it's less likely to irritate your skin. Even better, most physical sunblocks protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Lip service. When you protect your face from the sun, don't leave out your pout."Skin cancers on the lips are more dangerous than other skin cancers because they're more likely to spread to the inside of our body," says Marianna Blyumin, MD. So select a lip balm with at least a 30 SPF.

Source:-Good housekeeping,WebMd

Health Quote

“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want,drink what you don’t like and do what you’d rather not”
by Mark Twain

Food Facts-Smart Diet

Proper diet ..will tend to ward off diseases”.Recent research has identified specific foods that can help you stay healthy:

1.BERRIES of all hues are rich in antioxidants,meaning they combat chemicals that can cause cell damage and chronic inflammation.

2.SPINACH and other DARK LEAFY GREENS deliver vitamin K,which helps prevent bone loss.

3.YOGURT and other DAIRY products are a terrific source of bone-building protein and calcium.In a Japanese study,eating 1/4 cup of yogurt a day led to a 50% reduction in tooth loss,possibly because of the pro-biotic’s in yogurt.

4.WHOLE GRAINS can protect against diabetes,heart disease,stroke,colon cancer,and gum disease.

5.RED WINE contains Resveratrol,an antioxidant,inflammation damper,and artery protector.

6.DARK CHOCOLATE helps keep arteries functioning well.But have no more than an ounce and a half a day.Too much will pack on (heart-damaging)pounds.

Source:-Good housekeeping

Food Facts-Healthiest Foods

1.APPLES.

           “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a good example of one of those old cliche’s that actually turns out to be right.Eating one apple a day could lower the risk of HEART ATTACK by 32%.Epidemiological studies have liked the consumption of apples with reduced risk of some CANCERS,CARDIOVASCULAR disease,ASTHMA,and DIABETES. National Cancer Institute reported that foods containing FLAVONOIDS like the ones in apple may reduce the risk of LUNG CANCERby as much as 50%.

         Apples have the second highest level of ANTIOXIDANT activity of any other commonly consumed fruit in the United States (beaten out only by cranberries).Apples contain PECTIN,a valuable source of soluble fiber that can lower BAD CHOLESTEROL (LDL) and help regulate BLOOD SUGAR level.Speaking of sugar,apples do have some sugar (fructose).The sugar in apples come wrapped with 5 g of fiber and rich blend of nutrients,very different from the high-fructose corn syrup used to sweeten every junk food in the market. Apples are the best dietary sources of BORON a mineral that has real bone-building properties and is an important part of an OSTEOPOROSIS prevention program.An article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition demonstrated a high probability that there’s a connection between not having enough boron in your system and having symptoms of ARTHRITIS.

THE BEST APPLE OF ALL-Though almost all apples contain valuable phenols and antioxidants,the good old RED DELICIOUS seems to frequently come out the winner when it comes to antioxidant power.By the way,when you eat apples,don’t forget the peel.Apples peels have potent antioxidant activity and can greatly inhibit the growth of LIVER CANCER and COLON CANCER cells.

APPLE ALERT- Unfortunately,the Environmental Working Group,a consumer advocate and protection nonprofit research organization,put apples on it’s 2003 list of 12 foods most contaminated with pesticides.The organization suggests YOU BUY ORGANIC APPLES.

Source:-Healthiest foods on Earth .

Healthy Recipe-Quinoa

Quinoa:-(pronounced as "kinwa")

Most commonly considered as a grain,Quinoa is actually a relative of green vegetables like spinach and swiss chard.Not only quinoa is high in protein,but the protein it supplies is complete protein,meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids.Quinoa is a very good source of manganese as well as magnesium,iron,copper and phosphorus.These amino acid rich seed are not only nutritious but also very delicious.Here is one simple recipe of Quinoa and vegetables.


1.Quinoa-1 cup 2.Water-1 1/2 cups 3.Salt as per taste

4.Onion-1 small 5.Carrots grated-1/2 cup 6.Frozen Peas and Carrots-1/2 cup

7.Ginger minced-1/4 inch 8.Green chillies-2 9. Mustard-1tsp 10.Urad dal(bean)-1tsp

11.Coconut grated (optional)-1/4 cup 12.Oil-1tbs

              Wash Quinoa in cold water.Add 1 cup quinoa and salt to 1 1/2 cups of boiling water .Cover and cook it for 12 minutes with reduced heat.Let it stand for 5 mints and fluff.

             Heat a pan and add 1 tbs oil.Add mustard seeds,when it starts to splutter,add urad dal(bean).When the urad dal turns slight brown add onion,ginger and green chillies.When the onion becomes translucent add the vegetables and sautee for 5 minutes till the vegetables are tender.You can add grated coconut at this stage to the cooked vegetable.It’s optional.Now add the cooked Quinoa, mix well.Cover and cook it for 5 more minutes.Enjoy hot and healthy quinoa with vegetables.