Healthy Recipe- Steel cut Oats break fast

Ingredients:- 1 cup steel cut Oats, 4 cups of water,Sliced almonds,Honey and cut fruits like strawberries,blueberries,bananas..


  Bring water to a boil.Slowly stir in the steel cut oats.When oatmeal begins to thicken (about 5 minutes) reduce heat.Simmer uncovered,stirring occasionally to desired consistency (about 15-20 minutes).
Serve with Honey,sliced almonds and the fruit of your choice.


You could add dried fruits,raisins, other nuts.
If you want it sweet and more tasty add some brown sugar and milk along with water while you cook the oats.


Steel cut oats are best prepared on stove top,not recommended for Microwave.Steel cut oat are whole oat kernel simply cut into small pieces ,creating an oatmeal with a distinctive chewy texture.It's a hearty healthy way to start your day.

Beauty Tips-Choosing the right Moisturizer

Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin


It seems easy enough when you jot it down on your to-do list: Buy Moisturizer. But wander the skin care aisles and you quickly learn that the choices can be confounding. There are face creams, body and facial moisturizers, and lotions or ointments for dry, sensitive, light, or dark skin. Add in antiaging ingredients and sunscreens, and it’s even more confusing.


How can you choose the right moisturizer for your skin?
Choosing a moisturizer is easier than you may think,here are some fast,no-nonsense tips.


Skin Moisturizers: Cream, Lotion, or Ointment?


No matter what your skin type, you should use a moisturizer. The thickness of the moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type.


If you've got itchy or dry skin, you'll probably want to lock in moisture with a thick ointment. Creams are thinner, help hydrate, and are good for normal skin. Lotions are the lightest (water is their main ingredient) and are a good match for oily skin.


You should also base the thickness of the moisturizer on when and where you use it on your body. "Choose a light moisturizer for day and a heavier one for nighttime," says Florida dermatologist Andrea Cambio, MD. Or choose a thicker cream for your body and a lightweight moisturizing lotion for your face. You'll also want to stick with lighter, hydrating moisturizers in the summer months.


Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Look For


Use these guidelines to pick the right type of moisturizer for your skin.


1.Sun protection: No matter what skin type you have, just about every dermatologist recommends getting a moisturizer with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. If you’re getting it for your face, Cambio suggests looking for one that is oil- and fragrance-free and has an SPF of 30.


2.Antioxidants. Moisturizers with antioxidants such as green tea, chamomile, pomegranate, or licorice root extract may help keep any skin type looking fresh and healthy. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals -- molecules that break down skin cells.


3.For oily or acne-prone skin. "I like alpha-hydroxy acids, which are also antiaging," says Chicago dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD. If you're prone to acne, you'll also want to look for a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer, which won't clog pours.


4.For dry skin. Aim for a heavier moisturizer and look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which help keep skin hydrated. Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea also help attract water to your skin, while lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum lock in moisture.


5.For sensitive skin. Use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer. “In general, choose one that contains less than 10 ingredients," suggests California dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD. Fewer ingredients mean fewer potential interactions with fragile skin.


6.For itchy skin. If a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream doesn’t relieve itching, try a 1% hydrocortisone steroid skin cream for one week, but no longer. If this doesn’t resolve the itch, talk to your doctor. You may have a more serious skin problem. 

7.If you have eczema. Use a thick moisturizing ointment containing petrolatum, or simply use petroleum jelly. Either of these will help sooth cracks and keep skin supple.


Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Avoid


More ingredients does not make a better moisturizer. Here are some to avoid.


Colorings and perfumes. Whether you want to moisturize dry skin, sensitive skin, or something in between, most experts suggest avoiding unnecessary and potentially irritating ingredients, like added colors and perfumes. Antibacterial agents can also be unnecessarily harsh, stripping skin of essential oils.


To prevent facial acne. Cambio suggests avoiding facial moisturizers with lanolin, mineral oil, waxes, or shea butter. These “can clog pores and cause acne on the face, and are more appropriate for the body,” she tells WebMD.


For dry or sensitive skin. Avoid alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and salicylic acid. These ingredients may penetrate the skin too deeply and trouble delicate skin. Stay away from products with alcohols as well.


For itchy skin. Limit your use of steroid creams or ointment to one or two weeks only, unless recommended by your doctor. Overusing steroid creams can make skin very thin and lead to other skin problems.


If you have eczema or cracked skin. Stay away from moisturizers that contain urea or lactic acids. Though these ingredients are good for very dry skin, they can aggravate skin irritation.


3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Skin Moisturizer


To get the best results from whichever body or facial moisturizer you choose, try these tips:


Use more than one moisturizer if you need to. Nobody needs a cabinet full of moisturizing products, but a thin lotion for your face and a thick cream for your body may be just right for your all-over skin care.


Apply your moisturizer while your skin is damp. Smooth on your favorite moisturizer a few minutes after a bath or shower.  Pat your skin dry.


Make your moisturizer do double-duty. Be sure your moisturizer contains a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Want an antiaging boost? The pros recommend vitamin A or alpha-hydroxy acid. Want to even out your skin tone, too? Look for a tinted moisturizer suitable for your complexion.

Health Quote

"I am convinced digestion is the greatest secret to life"
by Sydney Smith

Tips to boost your Digestive Health.

1.Fiber Helps With Constipation.
Fill up your plate with foods like cherries, grapes, crunchy bell peppers, beans, whole grains, and nuts. Fiber-rich foods like these help digestion and keep you regular. Your body needs a recommended 20-35 grams of fiber daily. Fiber can also help keep weight gain, heart disease, blood sugar fluctuations, and hemorrhoids at bay.


2.Chew Gum to Fight Heartburn.
Chewing gum may help relieve reflux and heartburn by stimulating the production of acid-neutralizing saliva. (Since peppermint can irritate heartburn, opt for other flavors.) Skip gum if it causes you to swallow air, which may lead to belching and bloating.


3.Lose Weight to Cut Gas and Heartburn.
Lose just 2 pounds and you could improve gastrointestinal symptoms. Extra pounds, especially around the midsection, can worsen digestive issues like heartburn, gas, and belching. Check with your doctor before starting a weight loss program.


4.Stop Bloat, Heartburn With Small Meals.
A great way to help prevent indigestion, bloating, heartburn, and other digestive health issues is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. And eat them more slowly. This avoids overloading your digestive system and helps shrink your stomach capacity, making you less likely to overeat.


5.Drink to Stop Constipation.
Drinking fluids helps your body get rid of waste and prevent constipation. Fluids can be found in drinks like water and juices, but can also be found in foods. The advice of eight glasses of water a day is no longer considered a goal. Talk to your doctor about how much water is right for you.


6.Get Moving to Beat Bloating.
Exercise may help with most minor digestive problems, from bloating to constipation, say experts. Physical activity helps your body's digestive system move things along and eliminate waste. It also helps reduces stress, a prime irritant of many digestive problems.


7.Try Probiotics for Diarrhea.
Probiotics are living microorganisms often added to yogurts, juices, snacks, and supplements. Research shows they may work -- possibly helping diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). But scientists are still sorting out which probiotics help which conditions and how much you need. Talk to your doctor to learn more.


8.Stress, Ulcers, and Constipation.
Ever have an upset stomach due to nerves? That's because your brain and digestive system are connected. Stress can aggravate digestive problems like IBS and ulcers. Help control digestive health by controlling stress. Try physical activity, getting enough sleep, meditation, or relaxation.


9.Watch Your Diet for a Healthy Gut.
Stay away from foods or limit ones that irritate your digestive problems. Some people have problems with gassy foods like beans and soda or fatty items like fried foods and cheese. For others, acidic foods like citrus, coffee, tea, and tomatoes can spell trouble.



10.Don’t Gulp to Stop Burping and Gas.
Keep air out of your stomach by not swallowing it in the first place. Take your time and eat slowly, being careful not to gulp your food or drinks. Chew each bite thoroughly. Avoid gum and hard candy if they cause you to swallow air.


11.Avoid Salt to Stop Bloating.
Even a little bit of extra sodium in your diet can cause bloating. It can come from your salt shaker or from processed foods like packaged snacks and cereal. Cut back on your salt intake and avoid prepackaged foods when possible.


12.Maybe Dairy Is a Problem.
Some people find that their bodies can't digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk. The result is serious bouts of gas after eating dairy products. Try eliminating milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy foods if you have dairy-related gas problems. There are dairy substitutes, such as soy, on the market for people who are lactose intolerant.


13.When Should You See Your Doctor?
Talk to your doctor if digestive problems interfere with your daily life. Seek immediate medical help if you have problems swallowing, have episodes of choking, bloody or black vomit or stool, abdominal pain, or have lost a lot of weight. Digestive distress can point to conditions like food poisoning, gallstones, Crohn's disease, ulcers, Irritable Bowl Syndrome.

Kids Corner-Medicines and Dosing Guidelines

New Dosing Guidelines for Kids’ Liquid Medicines

FDA Takes Steps to Prevent Accidental Overdoses of Liquid Medicine

WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

May 5, 2011 -- In an effort to make sure children take medications in proper doses, the FDA has issued final guidance to companies that make, distribute, and sell liquid over-the-counter drugs that are packaged with droppers, syringes, spoons, and cups.

The FDA says it issued the guidance because of continuing concerns about the potential for accidental overdoses resulting from the use of cups, spoons, or other devices with markings that are confusing, unclear, or inconsistent with directions on labels.

“Accidental medication overdose in young children is an increasingly common but preventable public health problem,” Karen Weiss, MD, program director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s Safe Use Initiative, says in a news release.

Tips for Parents

The guidelines offer these tips to parents and caregivers of infants or young children

1.Always read and follow the Drug Facts label on over-the-counter medication.

2.Know the active ingredient in the child’s medication.

3.Give the right medicine in the right amount to the child.

4.Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to find out which drugs can be given with other drugs -- and which drugs can’t.

5.Know the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon.

6.Use the dosing tool that comes with the medication, such as a dropper or dosing cup.

7.Know the weight of the child using the medications.

8.Always use medications with child-resistant caps.

9.Store all medicines in a safe place, out of reach of kids.

10.Check the medicine three times before giving it to a child.

The guidelines describe how clearly marked and easy-to-use dosage delivery devices can minimize the risk of unintentional overdose when children are treated with over-the-counter liquid medication for conditions such as cough, cold, pain, and digestion problems.

Improvements in Dosage Delivery Devices

The FDA says in a news release that the recommendations to companies include:

1.Dosage delivery devices for orally ingested liquid over-the-counter products should be included in all products.

2.Devices should be marked with calibrated units of liquid measurement, such as teaspoon, tablespoon, or milliliter, that are the same as specified in the product directions. The devices should have no unnecessary markings.

3.Manufacturers should make sure that dosage delivery devices are used only with products they are intended to be packaged with.

4.The liquid measure markings on the devices should be clearly visible and not obscured when the liquid product is added to the device.

People who have questions about dosage delivery devices or how to measure medicines should contact a doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional. The FDA says health professionals and patients should report adverse events, side effects, or product quality problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Food Facts-Healthiest Foods

4.DATES:- 
         Dates are such an amazing source of nutrients,you can't get anywhere else.Well,most of us love sweets,and if we are going to eat sweets,they might as well come in a package that does minimal harm and actually might do some good.Dates are full of sugar,but also full of NUTRIENTS.


 Dates are not a low calorie food ,nor are they a low sugar good.A single large pitted date has a whopping 66 calories,not bad if you eat just one,which unfortunately,almost nobody does.But the same single date has CALCIUM and MAGNESIUM in an almost perfect ratio 1:1 ratio (15mg to 14 mg, 1 1/2 g of FIBER,and more than  160 mg of heart healthy POTASSIUM.There is even a smidgen of VITAMIN A ,plus a trace amounts of a half dozen other vitamins and minerals.You can't say that about a lot of commercial candy bars!!


Dates come in various states of "dryness".The most common of the "semi dry" dates is the Deglet Noor: Six Deglet Noor dates provide a reasonable 140 calories plus a very respectable 4 g of  fiber,a bit of calcium,magnesium and a really nice 327 mg of potassium.The royalty of dates is the Medjool,which most people regard a the best tasting one.


In a comprehensive study published in the Journal of American college of Nutrition,Dr. Harold Miller and his colleagues analyzed the ANTI OXIDANT content of various foods using a method that scores the foods in units called TEs (Trolox Equivalents),and of the dried fruits ,the winner was... DATES! on the TE score dates beat the nearest competitor RAISINS with a score of 6600 ! (Of the fruits red plums had the highest TE score of 2200.Of the berries, black berries won handily with 5500).


WHO SHOULD AVOID EATING DATES?
                     If you have got blood sugar issues,including metabolic syndrome or diabetes,or if you are trying to loose weight and control sugar,you might want to pass on this one.But if you are an athlete looking for natural healthy food to provide sugar and calories or to help replace glycogen after a work out,dates might have a place in your kitchen.Chopped up and mixed with some higher fat ,low sugar food like organic almonds and other nuts,dates make the perfect trail mix for a long hike.


Source:-Healthiest foods on Earth.


               

Anatomy 101- For Your Knowledge

1.Which set of nails grows faster?
  
Ans:-Fingernails typically grow about 3 mm per month, while toenails grow about 1 mm in that same time frame.


2.A sneeze occurs at about 100 miles an hour?


Ans:-Humans sneeze at a speed of up to 100 miles per hour and cough at up to 60 miles per hour.


3.Sweat is the manin cause of body odor?


Ans:-Sweat is basically odorless, but when it’s combined with bacteria found on the skin, it produces an odor. 


4.Approximately how many taste buds are on your tongue?


Ans:-There are about 9,000 taste buds on the tongue, but we lose taste buds as we age. The number of taste buds starts decreasing between ages 40 and 50 for women and between ages 50 and 60 for men. If any taste sensation is lost, salty and sweet tastes are usually the first to go, with bitter and sour lasting longer.


5.About how much does your hair grow in an year?


Ans:-Hair on the scalp grows about 6 inches a year (about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm per day). Human hair growth – and shedding – is random and not seasonal or cyclical as it is with other mammals.


6.By age 60, your pupils are about one-third the size they were when you were 20?


Ans:-The structures in the eye change as you age, and by age 60, your pupils are about one-third the size they were when you were 20. Your pupils also may respond more slowly to darkness or bright light.


7.The smallest bone in the human body is about the size of what?


Ans:-The smallest bone in the human body is the stirrup (stapes) bone, located behind your eardrum. It’s only 2.5 mm to 3.3 mm long, about the size of a grain of rice.


8.The smallest muscles are found in ears?


Ans:-The stapedius muscle is the smallest skeletal muscle in the body. This muscle helps stabilize the stapes bone as sound is transmitted to the inner ear.


9.What percentage of the human body is water?


Ans:-About 66% of the human body is water. A person can go without water for a week or longer in comfortable environmental conditions. However, in extreme heat or under physical stress, that time can be shortened to a few hours.


10.What is the largest organ of the human body?


Ans:-Skin is the body's largest organ; the skin of a 150-pound adult male weighs about 9 pounds. Eyelids have the thinnest skin, and the soles of the feet have the thickest.


11.How often does your skin regenerate itself?


Ans:-Throughout your life, your skin changes constantly, regenerating itself approximately every 27 days.


12.Cells related to which of the following divide remarkably faster than other cells in the body?


Ans:-The living part of the hair is the deepest part of the follicle beneath the skin surface, called the bulb. The cells of the bulb divide every 23 to 72 hours, faster than any other cell in the body.