The Red Healthy Smoothie

So today I decided to make myself a big glass of smoothie since I have been eating a lot of junk lately and I realized I need to get in some good nutrients into my system.

A smoothie is a drink made from pureed veggies or fruits using a blender. While there are lot of ways to do one using milk or yoghurt. I opted for a super simple smoothie with just water and veggies/fruits.

I picked whatever was available in my refrigerator and I must say it tasted pretty good! So as always I love sharing anything that I feel will benefit you guys! To make this, you will need an apple, half a beet and 5-6 baby carrots, (If you are using the regular carrot, use just one. I for some reason love the baby carrots and find them juicer) and of course a blender. The detailed recipe is below.

Ingredients:

• Beetroot – 1/2
• Baby Carrots – 5
• 1 Apple (Red delicious)
• 1 Cup of water

Method:

• Wash and remove the skin of the beet and roughly chop it and boil it for 3-4 minutes in a cup of water. You can also microwave it it a bowl of water for 3 mins. Once it’s done, save the water, we are going to be using the same for blending.
• Roughly chop the carrots and the apple. Add the beets, apple and the carrots to the blender with half of the water. Blend well. Add the remaining water and continue to blend till you get a thick smooth consistency. Smoothies are supposed to be thicker, however you can adjust the amount of water according to your likes.
• Add in 1-2 ice cubes if you want them chilled.
• That’s it. Pour it out to a big glass and enjoy! Have it immediately as the veggies and water will start to separate.

My Tips: If you like it sweeter go ahead and add a spoon of honey into it. Also if you don’t find the consistency appealing you can add 1 more glass of water when you blend and then strain the fibre out and that’s going to be the juice version. It’s good to have a smoothie now and then as these are packed with nutrients and fibre. If you have little kids who hate to eat their veggies this is one great way of sneaking it into their diet.

In the coming days I’m going to be trying out different ingredients and will keep you posted! 🙂

Skin care products I love

Before I even begin, I want to give you a little background. Until I was 17, I had absolutely no interest in skin care or beauty products. I had no idea how a face scrub or even an everyday moisturizer are essentials to you skin care routine and what a difference it makes to your skin health. My mum insisted on me applying the Lacto Calamine lotion before heading out of the house and from then to today it has been a crazy journey trying to understand my skin type, testing what suits my face and how to keep my skin in good healthy condition!

Honestly I like to experiment and check on how certain products react on my skin, I don’t blindly go by what’s trending on social media. I try and get samples or travel size products to know how they work on my skin. It is important to understand what works for a lot of them out there might not work for you. I have a normal to dry skin type and the below listed products have worked really well for me and I have been using them for a while now. Here’s a list of top absolute favorites!

1.) Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Creamy Facial Cleanser

I have finally found a perfect cleanser! I was using the Pond’s White Beauty Spot Less Face Wash for a real longtime but had trouble finding it here in the US and I have finally made the switch. This one from Neutrogena is a calming cleanser. it’s super gentle on the skin and yet effective enough to wick away sweat and dirt after a workout, but won’t leave your skin feeling dry and tight. I use it in the morning and post my run/workout. The key is always wash your face with cold water. I have a normal to dry skin type and it works great for me.

2.) Dabur Gulabari Premium Rose Water

This one has been in my skin care routine since forever! I had always heard people say that toner is an essential step post cleansing and instead of switching to any other toner, I continue using this rose water from Dabur and it has served me well all these years. It smells amazing and refreshes the skin in an instant. I store mine in the refrigerator (I love it cold on my skin) and dab it on my face using a cotton pad just after cleansing.

3.) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer

I love this moisturizer and it works really well on my skin the summer months. This is a refreshing moisturizer and on the plus side, it works well under makeup as a primer since it’s quick absorbing and does not leave a greasy look on the skin. If you have an oily skin and don’t like moisturizers that make your skin even more oily, you can give this one a try.

4.) Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Skin Therapy Oil

Ever since I was introduced to their shea cocoa butter lotion by my sister, i have been a fan of this brand. I tumbled upon this specific face oil and have been loving it ever since. It is made with cocoa butter to moisturize, retinol and vitamin C to brighten the skin & lighten dark spots. It is mildly scented. If you tend to have oily skin and are prone to a breakouts this might not be the one for you. For me personally, my skin tends to be dry at night so I use a few drop of this oil before bedtime on alternate nights on top of my moisturizer and massage it well into my skin. I wake up with soft smooth skin. This oil will last for ages since you just have to apply little very few drops. It’s definitely a good value for your money

5.) La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Make it a rule, don’t head out without a sunscreen, ever. This tinted sunscreen gives your skin a beautiful healthy glow and blends in very nicely. At first, it applies as oily but it dries down to a silky finish within minutes. I use my moisturizer and then this product. It is light weight and matte on reapplication. The texture is great and you really don’t need a foundation on a busy regular days with this product. I get a lot of compliments on my skin when I use this sunscreen! Overall, I recommend this sunscreen hands down and investing in a good sun protection for your skin is a must. It’ll pay off years down the road!

6.) La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm

From the same brand LRP, this one is a moisturizer that has worked so well for me this past winter. It is both fragrance-free and paraben-free. My skin gets really dry in winter (a problem I did not have back in India) and this product has been a great addition to my skin care routine. I generally can’t stand the feeling of heavy products on my skin so I am so impressed with how hydrating this is while absorbing perfectly and quickly. My skin instantly feels smoother and fresh.

7.) Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I have heard nothing but great things about this mask for months before I bought it for myself. This product is recommended to be used with apple cider vinegar however I started off using it with my rose water and it worked great! You get an instant glow post washing off your mask. I switched to mixing it with apple cider vinegar and it works well for me with no breakouts or irritation (Make sure you pick the organic option) I use the Bragg organic apple cider vinegar. It makes the clay mix denser and easier to apply. The clay will cause a tingly sensation and a tightening feel once it dries off. It can be drying once you wash it off so make sure you use a good moisturizer afterwards to replenish your skin’s hydration. Remember that a little goes a long way with this clay. one and a half spoon each of the powder and the vinegar should do the deed.

How to stay positive in difficult times

Life can be hard and not always fair. There are days when I feel on top of the world and days when I just wish I could hibernate. We are all humans and we have our ups and down. I try to be positive most of the times and these little habits have helped me over the years.

Before we begin, If you have any signs of depression, please seek a professional or call a hotline for better assistance. There is so much help out there all you have to do it reach out. I’m in no way a professional. These are simple tips that have helped me avoid negativity in my life and helped me be a happier person. And I would love to share them with you.

Express your feelings

There are a lot of things that keep happening in our lives and sometimes we decide to hold it inside ourselves. Have you ever realized how much better you feel by just expressing these bottled up emotions? There will be people who care, your close friends, your spouse, a family member who you know is trustworthy and you could talk and they would understand what you are going through. When we keep suppressing our emotions for a long period, it might create a chaos in our mind and hence push us towards negativity. Life is basically one challenge after the other. We can’t let that get the best of us. That’s why we need to let it all out. Reach out to the one’s that care. They will always be willing to help you.

Get active, Get moving.

Staying active can help put you in a better headspace. Studies show even small bouts of body movement decreases negative thinking. If you don’t have access to the gyms (considering the current scenario) you can still keep yourself active by playing a Youtube workout video on your laptop/phone and get yourself moving for 20 minutes. I follow @MADFIT on YouTube and she has tons of great workout videos that will get your heart pumping. There are always days where you feel low and it’s hard to even get yourself off the couch, on those days make a little extra effort and go for a long walk with a family member or spouse or a friend or even by yourself while listening to a good podcast or music. Nothing refreshes you like fresh air.

Surround yourself with positivity.

This isn’t a one day job. You work on it, every single day. Be around people who bring out the best in you. You have the choice to stay away from people who put you down and instill negative thoughts. If you are a reader, pick up a good book. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a self-help book, just something that puts you in a good mood. Try to find inspiration in everything you read or listen to. Find a hero and try to adapt their qualities to your journey. I personally love listening to Sadguru. You won’t see a dramatic change overnight, but by slowly adding in these positive mindset techniques, you may find yourself handling adversity better than ever.

Stay away from negative people

‘You are what you eat and you are who you spend your time with by choice’ I read this on a magazine and it has stayed with me ever since. As you grow up you realize, what you consume will consume you. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self this. Although difficult at first, make a diligent effort to distance yourself from negative people. Get rid of negative people or influences that do not provide a positive element or growth in your life. Chose your mental health above everything. And you don’t have to be sorry about it.

Shift towards a healthy lifestyle.

I can’t emphasize on this enough. Having a healthy lifestyle is such an important factor towards mental health. It starts with good night’s sleep, nutritious foods and exercise. Your lifestyle has a direct impact on your mood. Have you noticed how irritated you get when you lack a good night’s sleep? I for one can’t do without a good 8 hour sleep. Focus on your health, make conscious efforts to keep your body and mind healthy.

Set Goals

I have always been curious and eager to learn new things. One of the reason being, it keeps me busy and motivated towards a particular thing that I focus on these goals and it gives me little time to ponder on my negative thoughts. Start with small achievable goals, write them down and journal how you are progressing towards it. Get them done, and see how good you feel. Then go on to set some goals that take a little more effort. And see how you feel when you get those done. When you keep setting goals no matter how big or small you will find that your mental state of mind is more positive. The fact of the matter is that when you are more productive, you are happier. By default, setting goals can create positive emotions.

Practice Gratitude.

I had heard so much about this and how it affects your mood, I thought of giving it a try. It is simply an act of noticing and appreciating all the good things in your life. So from there, a gratitude practice is training yourself to notice and appreciate the good things, then expressing gratitude for them. Sounds simple in theory. But training yourself to focus on what you’re grateful for, instead of the negative things going on around you, takes practice and commitment.

Be grateful for all of the good people in your life, and always have hope that things will get better, and that you will do everything in your power to make them so. Every night before you go to bed thank the universe for the life and family and friends you have. And most importantly remember, life is going to be just fine!

Hope this helps 🙂 Sending out lots of positive energy your way..

tips towards a healthier lifestyle

Over the past few years I have been reading and learning a lot on improving my health overall and I realize that making a few changes in our lifestyle and eating habits can actually make a big difference in the long run. However, making major changes to your diet & lifestyle can sometimes seem overwhelming. Instead of making big changes, it may be better to start with a few smaller ones.

1. Pick The Whole Grain Bread: If you are bread lover like me, it is time you make a switch from refined flour bread to a whole grain bread. Whole grain breads consists of unrefined grains that haven’t had their bran and germ removed by milling and hence, all of the nutrients remain intact. Whole grains are better sources of fiber and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium and magnesium. I have been using the Nature’s own 100% whole wheat bread and I love having them with eggs! Any bread made with 100 percent whole grains, whether it is whole wheat or whole grain, is the most nutritious option. But be careful, just because a label says ‘whole grain’ doesn’t guarantee that the product contains exclusively whole grains. The best way to learn about your bread is to look out for a 100% Stamp, which means all of its grain ingredients are whole.

2. Increase Your Protein Intake: Growing up I never understood the importance of proteins, the more I read the more I understood how important it it for your body and not just for athletes and body builders. That doesn’t mean you need to start drinking protein shakes every day. Most people can get the proteins that they need from a healthy and a balanced diet. Protein comes from a variety of sources, including meat, milk, fish, soy, and eggs, as well as beans, legumes, and nut butters. When proteins are digested, they leave behind amino acids, which the human body needs. Plan your meals in a way that there is always a source of protein included. Inclusion of greek yogurt in your diet is a great option. You can even add nuts and fruits to it and have them as desserts. On days when I know that I haven’t consumed enough proteins, I go and make myself a protein shake.

3. Bake Or Shallow Fry Instead Of Deep Frying: Don’t get me wrong, I love my fried pakoras occasionally but look out for alternatives whenever you can. The way you preparing your food can drastically change its effects on your health. Deep-frying and grilling are all popular methods of preparing meat and fish. However, during these types of cooking methods, several potentially toxic compounds are formed and these compounds have been linked to several diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Healthier cooking methods include baking, broiling, simmering, slow-cooking, poaching and pressure cooking. Try baking your fish and meat next time and trust me with the right temperature and ingredients you will be surprised to see how good it tastes!

4. Eat Your Fruits Instead of Drinking Them: We all know that fruits are healthy and are loaded with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, eating fruits leads to a reduced risk of several diseases. Since fruits contain fiber and various plant compounds, their sugars are generally digested very slowly and do not cause major spikes in blood sugar levels however the same is not true for fruit juices. Most fruit juices that are sold in the market aren’t even made from real fruit and consists of concentrate and sugar. Even the real fruit juices lack the fiber and chewing resistance provided by whole fruits. This makes fruit juice much more likely to spike your blood sugar levels. And It also makes it way too easy to consume too much in one sitting!

5. Get Active: can’t stress this enough. Aim to do about 30 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise each day, or simply take the stairs and go on short walks whenever possible. If you don’t have access to a gym, there are so many great workout videos on youtube pick one and get going! keep your body moving. Exercise can be such a great mood booster and as well as decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and stress.

6. Be Conscious While Dining Out: My husband and I are big time foodies and we love to explore food options in our area. However we have a list of places we mostly order from and they aren’t fast food joints! If you actually look out there are tons of healthy options that are tasty and satisfies your cravings. Make simple small changes, ask for sauces on the side so you can add them sparingly, get a side of salad when you the option. If you are ordering in food transfer the food contents to your daily eating plate, you will be surprised to see how big of a portion it is! You can always save them for a later meal. The most important part is be mindful of what and how much you eat.

7. Don’t Eat Out of a Packet: I remember a few years back when I used to finish a pack of chips in one sitting without realizing that I was actually full halfway and continued to eat because I was just bored. The trick is to take some of the chips/snacks put it in a small bowl/plate and take it away from the kitchen. If you want a refill you know you have to come back all the way.

8. Cook at Home More Often: Make a habit of cooking at home rather than eating out too often. By cooking your food yourself, you’ll know exactly what is in it. You won’t have to wonder about any hidden unhealthy ingredients and eat with no regrets. I was never a fan of cooking but ever since I have started making the effort it has been a great learning experience. You understand the spices, the flavors and you can make your own tweaks and get your own twists to tons of recipes on the internet. And did you know cooking at home has been shown to reduce the risk of excessive weight gain? that’s a win.

9. Eat Your Veggies: You have been listening to this since you were a child but how much vegetables do we actually consume on days when we have our favourite chicken curry meal? Try to incorporate some kind of vegetables on every meal. The goal must be 3-5 cups per day. Easiest way to do it to try and add it to your breakfast menu. For lunch and dinner let half your plate consist of plant foods. This will likely reduce the portions of food groups that many eat in excess. In addition, look for opportunities to include these foods as snacks. Carrot sticks with hummus is such a great combination for evening snacks.

10. Slow Down & Reflect: Life gets busy and that is a fact. But it is important to take a pause and appreciate the beauty of the world around you. Make time to enjoy each part of your day. Take a few moments in the morning to check the weather. Admire the nature, what better way to start the day but with connecting with mother nature. Learn to appreciate your self and the people in your life and most importantly always find the time to do what you love.

Making big changes overnight is going to be a recipe for disaster. Instead what I suggest is to incorporate some of the small changes mentioned above to make your diet & lifestyle healthier.

Trust me in the long run they will have a big impact on making your overall diet healthier and more sustainable.