Thursday 19 March 2015

The Liebster Award Nomination

Hello dear friends and readers

Today’s post is not my normal post on health. I was nominated by Kristelle (writer of the blog forever dreaming) for the Liebster Award! It is all about highlight small blogs (200 followers or less) that you think need more support. Kristelle, thanks for nominating me, means a lot. I read your posts, interesting is the word. Keep up the good job, wish you all the luck. I am touched and grateful for your appreciation. It is a great boost for me to keep on continuing writing.

The rules for this Liebster Award are simple:
1. Thank the person who nominated you
2. Answer the questions given by the nominator
3. Nominate another 11 bloggers (with 200 or less followers) and link them
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees to answer
5. Notify all nominees by social media/blogs
Below are the answers to the questions proposed by my nominator (forever dreaming). I enjoyed answering them; I hope you all enjoy them reading too.

1)      What is your dream career/job?
I studied science, specializing in nutrition but my dream is to be a writer, mostly fiction stories and poems is what I want to write. I love to write, it gives me peace. I feel words are the powerful and most potent way of expressing your thought, and feelings. I am an avid reader and it has always inspired me to try my hand at writing. I hope someday I can.

2)      What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
I am a total fan of tea; therefore the first thing I do when I wake up is make myself a cup of tea. The aroma of the tea concoction brewing is enough to stimulate my senses and arouse my thoughts.

3)      What is you ultimate holiday destination?
Unlike others I don’t have one but two destination I would love to visit. Firstly, I want to visit all the Disney park in the world (I love amusement parks and have been dreaming to visit them since I was a child.) secondly, I am a big fan of European classics especially romantic novels by Jane Austen, Emily Bronte and many more so therefore if ever I get a chance Europe is the place I would love to go to.

4)      What is your all-time favorite book/genre?
I love mysteries and thrillers. I have many favorite authors but my all time favorite are books by Agatha Christie. The reason I love her books is because the crimes and mysteries are solved are not based on proofs or evidences but pure human behavior and psychology.

5)      Describe yourself in 10 words or less?
10 words are less to describe me nevertheless I like the challenge. i look at myself as full of life, happy go lucky kind of girl.

6)      What bands/artists do you love and what are your favorite songs by them?
I like many bands like linking park, maroon 5 artists like Adele and Taylor Swift, Atif Aslam, Avryl Lavigne. It is difficult to state a favorite though. 

7)      If you could have one wish, what would it be?
Well my one wish is that I become a writer I want to be.

8)      What made you want t start blogging?
Firstly, it was my love of writing and secondly, I wanted to use my knowledge and everything I have learned to help people in the way I can. I compile my post and use my poetic side to compose small rhymes which will make understanding easy and fun.

9)      If you were trapped on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take and why?
This is an interesting question and I have never thought about it before. I did now thanks to you. Three things I would take is books to read so I don’t feel alone and lost, a diary and pen (which will be my friend to share my thoughts) and a picture of my son, because he is one person I can never imagine my life without.

10)   Describe your favorite food without actually using the name of it?
A conical base containing dark brown mounds of frozen delight sprawled with chips and nuts. That’s my favorite.

11)   If you could spend the day with one person (dead or alive, famous or not) who would it be, why and what would you do together?
One person I would love to spend my day is again my son, because I love him the most in this entire world. I would go shopping with him buying toys and clothes for him, enjoy ourselves in the park (he loves to slide and I love to watch him happy) eating his favorite pizza and ice creams. We would go on a drive on my Scooty, he loves it when I drive fast. That is how I would like to spend my day, starting with his smiles and ending with the same.

Now in my turn to nominate the blogs I nominate and I am sure I have done well. I hope I have given the same motivation that I received with the whole process. Blogs I like to nominate for the award are as follows-


                                                         My question for the nominees
1)      What is your biggest dream in life?
2)      Why did you start blogging? What inspired you?
3)      If you have to change one thing about you, what would that be?
4)      Which is your favorite place in the world and why?
5)      If you are granted three wishes, what would you wish for?
6)      Name three authors you like and why?
7)      Given a chance to change something in your life, what would you change? It can be anything an experience, a decision etc.
8)      Tell us about yourself that makes you different from others?
9)      Given a chance to change this world, what three things would you do to make this world a better place?
10)   Describe an experience which changed your life, for good or bad?
11)   Where do you see yourself ten years down the line?

Thank you, once again, for appreciating my work, today I feel my efforts have not gone in vain. I specially thank my readers to encourage my efforts and wish luck to my fellow bloggers.

To healthy living! And

Happy blogging!

Thursday 12 March 2015

THE WEIGHT: DOWN AND UNDER


Weight is a relentless and a taxing concern, both for those laboring to lose as well as those struggling to gain it. The ‘No pain no gain’ adage works reversibly when it comes to weight, it’s the losing that becomes painful than gaining.

Nevertheless, a small percentage of populace toils to gain weight, probably to bulk up their tiny frames or simply to be healthful. I am sure most of us would presume them to be opportune for not adding up those extra pounds and eat to delight.  Unfortunately, as too much of weight has its perils, being too thin is not free of repercussions.

Most of the times being underweight is a symptom of an underlying disease, therefore it is important to medically assess it. A low body weight is a sign of being undernourished and at the risk or several deficiencies which hamper body functions.

Who Are At Risk?

·         Children and teenagers.
·         Women with multiple pregnancies.
·         People who are recuperating from an illness or suffering from diseases like diabetes, cancers, hyperthyroidism etc.
·         People who excessively diet or are suffering from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
·         People suffering from psychological and emotional stress which can affect eating patterns.
·         People with Suppressed endocrine function.
·         People who are highly active but have lower food intakes.

Most people are natural small and have faster metabolic rates which make it difficult to put on weight. To clear, weight is not just a, measure fat but also the muscles mass, bone density and fluids in the body. The aim should be to increase the muscle, strengthen the bones and not cram our bodies with fat.

Most of the times people trying to add up extra pounds to make up on a sports team or to fulfill criteria for specific jobs etc, resort to eating high fat food and junk foods. This may or may not help in the pursuit but will definitely prompt complications of diabetes, blood pressure, bad cholesterol and many more.

So, What Should Be Done?

First and foremost, if you are serious about gaining weight the most important thing is to not skip any meal under any condition. Secondly, meals should be properly spaced and taken on schedule, not randomly at any time.

 People who are underweight general lack an interest in eating and should be motivated to eat. Favorite foods, and foods that can e easily eaten on the go, ready to pop up while working are good options like nuts, pop corns, biscuits made from grains instead of refined flour. Eating is important to gain proper weight, even when not hungry.

An additional 500-1500 kilo calories  is required to propel an increase in weight. These calories can be added to the diet as in between meal snacks. For example if the requirement of an individual is 2000 kilo calories, an additional 1000 kilo calories should be added in the form of snacks between meals.

The quantity of food or portion size should be increased gradually and not all at once. Large quantities of food, all of sudden, can be difficult to eat as well as cause gastric discomfort. This can impact negatively and discourage from carrying on.  

What Foods Should You Eat?

1)      Go for whole grains varieties of breads, pastas and noodles, biscuits and cereals as they are full of fiber and goodness of various nutrients. Multigrain products and those made from semolina, bran and oats are excellent alternatives too.

2)     Fruits and vegetables should be in your meals 3-4 times a day. Pick dense fruits and vegetables like potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, bananas, mango, berries, pears, apples, pineapples and dried fruits etc.

3)     Add generous amounts of healthy oils like olive oil, palm oil, canola oil, safflower oils, sunflower, groundnut, rice bran oil and coconut oil. However avoid margarine and hydrogenated oils found in packed foods and snacks as it is low quality fat that is injurious to the heart.

4)     Have good amount of proteins as they are accessory to building up muscles. Soy beans, peanut and peanut butters, cheese, chicken, fish, milk, whey proteins supplements, soy milk are few options to choose from.

5)     Drink milk daily but make sure it is not fat free or skimmed but whole fat milk and also indulge in other milk products like cream, cheese, yogurts, curds, puddings, custards and shakes.

6)     Nuts can be great snacking options. They are full of fiber, fat and proteins. It also contains heart healthy omega 3.  All nuts are good and effective; a mix bowl is a great option.

7)     Eat an Egg every day - a whole egg comprising of both the yolk and white, provide necessary calories, proteins and other vital nutrients as well as good cholesterol. 

8)     Go for accompaniments like Jams, jellies, spreads, mayonnaise, honey, pickles and various sauces and dips that will make eating interesting.

After diet, Exercising is equally important for gaining weight as it is to lose. Exercise your muscles daily, to build them up but care should be taken that all the muscles in the body are worked out. Perform complex and compound exercises like-

·         Pull ups, push-ups, Squats and Dips
·         Dumb-bell presses , dead-lifts, bench presses

Lastly, it is important to get adequate rest and Sleep; at least 8-9 hours daily as Sleeping will help muscles to grow.  This is easy and I guess can be achieved effortlessly. If you are not careful about your sleep it will definitely reflect upon your health.  Sleeping is as important to body as eating so don’t neglect it.

I have complied list of foods that can be ideal snacks with providing up to 500 additional calories.
·         A heavy breakfast of eggs and bread butter/peanut butter or jam along with a glass of milk or tea. I specify, ‘eggs and bread butter’ not ‘or’.

·          A glass of Milk shake (banana, mango, apple, custard apple), an hour or two after breakfast, made from 150 ml milk and two banana/ one big apple or mango.

·         Mixed fruit bowl, or orange (2), grapes or pineapple, carrot or tomato, whole or as juice along with lunch. A bowl of mixed fruit or vegetable salad. Try to double up the amount of food you eat in lunch.

·         Buttermilk or yogurt or curd during or after lunch helps with extra calories.

·         Cheese pizza, cheese sandwich with tea or during tea time. Multigrain biscuits at least 4 will also do with tea. If you are not a tea fan go for a glass of juice, unstrained or a protein shake.

·         A little later in evening pop up some nuts and dried fruits like almonds, walnuts, raisins, dried figs, apricots, pistachio, cashews,  peanuts, groundnuts  etc. 5-6 of at least three different nuts and dried fruits  or a mix bowl of all.

·         A salad, fruit and curds along with a proper dinner.

·         Before sleeping or bedtime a dessert in the form of porridge or custard, pudding. If not, a fruit and glass of milk can suffice.

I hope this sample plan can help you work out your diet and help you achieve your goals. To sum it up all, 

“Eat and you will be well,
But Healthful be it, I tell.
Don’t skip or stall, eat at every bell,

The tiny you, I promise will swell!”


(Also read the article on how to choose healthy oils-Not that fat!)

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