A brief know-how about women’s health

The health of both men and women is a serious topic, but since a woman can be the backbone of her family, her health issues deserves a major concern. In the old times most of the women married earlier and became mothers at quite a young age; Because of this, their health suffered a lot and many of them died at a young age. However, the scenario is very different today. A woman may live to be 80-90 and even 100 years today, but only if she takes good care of her health.

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General health issues of a woman

A woman may face a number of health related problems throughout her life. Some of the most common are migraine headaches, gallstones, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and urinary tract infections. As soon as any of the symptoms of these ailments is noticed, women should visit their physicians as early as possible as these diseases can have a prolonged effect on their lives.

Common women’s health tips                                     

As said earlier a women’s health is a major issue of concern. A woman’s body need special attention and consideration and therefore even a small sign of any health related problem should not be ignored. Besides a regular check up, here we have three important tips related to a woman’s health that should be followed regularly to stay fit and active:

  • Diet: the first and the foremost step towards maintaining a good health is consumption of a healthy diet that includes all necessary minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients required to maintain a good health. Make sure to eat a well balanced diet. Avoid junk foods like, pizzas, burgers and French fries. While cutting on junk food is essential, eating regularly is also necessary. Eat frequently but eat healthy foods like fruits and salads. This will keep away the hunger cravings and will minimize the chances of fat accumulation in your body. Consuming a healthy diet will improve a woman’s immunity to fight diseases and will make her stronger.

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  • Workout: along with a proper diet, exercising is very essential for every woman. Although, most women may think that doing the household chores themselves is enough exercise, this is typically wrong as she would be concentrating more on the household tasks rather than her body muscles or workout. A woman should spare some time only focusing on herself and her physical health. Exercises like squats, push-ups, pull-ups, running and yoga will help women keep energized as well as concentrate better on other work she does.

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  • Regular health check-ups: it is recommended that every woman, whether sick or not must visit a health clinic at least twice a year and have a full check up done. This includes a comprehensive check-up for general health, including heart diseases, cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis and screening for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers. A woman should also talk to the doctor about any irregular symptoms that she may have noticed in her body, as ignoring them might lead to severe issues later.

 

Super Healthy Green Smoothie

Long gone are the days when people used to get their daily dose of nutrients from real juices. Smoothie is the latest buzzword among the health enthusiasts with its green version taking the forefront. Unlike juices, smoothies don’t strip away the dietary fibers and hence keeps you full for a longer period. It’s also a great way to disguise the super foods which you otherwise hate to eat and pair them with other healthy ingredients for a yummy sip. No wonder smoothie is here to rule!

Though popping a bottle of prepackaged smoothie sounds like a great idea for busy bees but the high price tag leads to a slimmer wallet. Instead, put the ingredients in a blender, blend and your daily dose of health is ready in a matter of minutes. While a plethora of smoothie recipes are there to serve you, green smoothies deserve a special mention. With green veggies being the core ingredient, green smoothies are meant to detoxify, nourish and load your body with cancer-fighting antioxidants; just like this creamy fruity delight. Fruits like peach and pineapples make sure that it doesn’t taste a bit like vegetables while the banana makes it deliciously velvety. The tart zing of lime brightens it up further and turns it into a drink you would love to savor during any part of the day.

The ingredients not only makes the drink taste mouth-watering good, but also turns it into an excellent source of flavonoids, folate, Vitamins A & K, iron, Magnesium and lots more. It drains out the wretched toxins from the body and is great for your heart as well. So grab your blender and go blending!

1Super_Healthy_Green_Smoothie

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 frozen ripe banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1 peach, peeled and sliced
  • 1 ¼ cups pineapple chunks
  • 1 lime, juiced and zest grated
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt

Instructions:

  • Toss the banana chunks into a blender and pour in the almond milk.
  • Blend for 3 minutes into a thick, smooth puree and throw in the remaining fruits.
  • Add the yogurt and blend further until smooth.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and blend into a smooth puree.
  • Pour it down into a tall glass and plop in a few ice cubes.
  • Serve chilled.

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Healthy diet for women to stay fit

In order for a woman to stay fit and active she must eat a
healthy and nutritious diet.  Along with providing good nutrients to the body,
a well-rounded diet is a must for a woman to keep her energized as well as
looking and feeling great throughout her life. Here we have certain healthy
food tips that will help every woman to maintain her health:

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·        Include fruits and vegetables in your diet
along with beans, legumes and other fibrous meals that keep you full for long.
Make sure that these foods are minimally processed and locally grown.

·
Since a woman is more prone to getting
osteoporosis than a man, she should make sure to add calcium rich foods in her
diet to support bone health.

·
Although protein is considered to be an
essential nutrient in a healthy diet, animal-based protein or a diet with
excess of protein levels can be dangerous for a woman. An excessive level of
protein in a woman’s body can lead to a loss of calcium from bones that may
subsequently lead to osteoporosis.

·
Consuming iron rich food is another
important thing that a woman should keep in mind. Iron which is an important
mineral for maintaining a
woman’s health, is
heavily lost during the menstrual cycle. It is therefore important for women to
eat iron rich foods to assist in preventing anemia.

·
 A woman should cut back on the
consumption of alcohol and also caffeine. Consuming a high quantity of alcohol
can lead to a loss of calcium and can cause osteoporosis. Caffeine consumption
on the other hand can interfere with the hormonal balance.

·
Along with a healthy diet, a woman may
also take iron and calcium supplements, mainly to make sure they do not face
the deficiency of these two minerals. Also Vitamin D supplements are important
for a woman. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium, and vitamin C
supplements helps in the absorption of iron.

 

Here is a list of a few of the essential foods that a woman
must include in her daily diet:

 

·
Milk: milk is one of the most essential dairy products
that every woman must necessarily include in her diet as it is one of the
richest sources of calcium and other nutrients like riboflavin, vitamin B12, potassium. Besides getting strong teeth and
healthy bones, it also helps in cutting the risk of breast cancer.

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·
Vitamin C rich fruits: fruits rich in vitamin C like  strawberries, papaya, orange, grapefruit, guava, apples,
and citrus fruits should also be included in a woman’s diet. Vitamin C of these
fruits is a powerful antioxidant and also reduces the risk of coronary heart
disease.

·
Green Vegetables and whole grains:  green vegetables like cabbages, spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce, and
various others possess a number of health benefits. Along with fiber, these
include a range of essential vitamins and folates. Whole grains like oatmeal
take care of the digestive system and reduce the risk of diabetes.

Poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce

 

Did you ever imagine having a dip for breakfast? No, I’m not taking about the creamy dips you serve at parties, but rather a saucy dish which you can mop up with chunks of crusty bread. And when it has eggs floating on top, it’s a lavish breakfast dish everyone wants to wake up to. Take a hint from this recipe of poached eggs with a twist.

This recipe makes sure that the poached eggs are not left alone. A spicy tomato sauce gives yummy company to the regular poached eggs and adds sparkles to a boring breakfast selection. The tartness of the tomatoes marries the warm flavors of spices to create a dish you simply can’t say no to. However, unlike a classic poached eggs recipe which leaves the yolks runny, this recipe makes sure that the eggs are well-done.

In spite of its luscious flavors, this breakfast delicacy is inexpensive, simple to make, and keeps you full till lunch which makes the dish even better. It can be easily made with basic ingredients available in all kitchen pantries and customized to meet your dietary needs. So give your own touch of creativity by adding leafy greens, broccoli, herbs and even chunks of lean meat for enhanced flavors. You may also serve it with a healthy side dish and transform it into a light meal.

Poachedeggs

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • One can chopped tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • One handful chopped red peppers
  • One handful cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 large pinches finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • One handful feta cheese
  • One pinch smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Olive oil, as required

Instructions:

  • Place a heavy-based skillet on the stove and heat it over medium high heat.
  • Drizzle olive oil on it and heat until it simmers.
  • Add the crushed garlic and fry for a minute until it is fragrant.
  • Stir in the chopped peppers as well as cherry tomatoes and empty the can of chopped tomatoes into it.
  • Sprinkle a dash of salt and stir them all together until mixed well.
  • Drizzle honey over the sauce and stir along with a pinch of smoked paprika.
  • Reduce it to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until the tomatoes turn mushy.
  • Mash them into a chunky pulp and cook further until the sauce reduces to half.
  • Stir in a large pinch of chopped cilantro and crack the eggs on it, side by side.
  • Cook until the eggs are nicely poached and the yolks are set.
  • Crumble the cheese on top and scatter the remaining cilantro over it.
  • Cook for a minute or two to allow the cheese to melt and remove from heat.
  • Serve warm alongside chunks of bread.

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Essential nutrients for keeping up a woman’s health

From puberty till menopause, there are a lot of physical changes in a woman’s body that can lead to serious illnesses in old age. However, if good care is taken like having a proper nutritious diet, regular physical exercise and a routine medical follow up, then a lot of big issues posing damage to the health of a woman can be avoided.

If you are a woman then one thing you must know is that your family’s health and well-being may completely depend upon you. Therefore it is a must for you to keep healthy; and good health starts with good foods that you eat. You should always eat a healthy nutritious and of course a well balanced diet. It not only helps to boost your immune system but also help you to maintain a general health. You cannot maintain a nutrient rich diet unless you know about the nutrients required by your body. If not all, then you must at least know about the essential nutrients. Here we have a list of 5 important nutrients that should be contained in the diet of every woman.

Calcium: this is one of the most essential minerals that help in fighting osteoporosis and stress fractures. This is required for maintaining bone health. An average of 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium per day is required by your body, which can be fulfilled by including dairy products like skimmed milk, yogurt and cheese, veggies like broccoli and turnip greens in your diet. You can also take calcium supplements along with vitamin D for its absorption.

folic

Folic Acid (Folate): a deficiency of folic acid may although not affect your everyday performance, but it may have a great impact on your overall health. This particular nutrient is helpful in preventing genetic diseases, colon cancer and cardiac diseases and also keeps off certain birth defects in our babies. About 400 micrograms of folic acid per day can be introduced by eating whole grain bread and cereals, and plenty of green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Fiber: this is another essential nutrient for your body that helps to keep your digestive system on track and also helps maintain your body weight. Around 20 to 35 grams of fibrous diet is necessary everyday to combat digestive problems and keep away colon cancer. Raw vegetables like carrot, radish and celery and fruits like apples, pears, as well as whole grain cereals are rich sources of fiber.

Iron:  females are more prone to being anemic because of deficiency of iron. At least 15mg to 18mg of iron is required by a female to fight anemia and several other women’s health issues. Iron can be included in your diet by eating red meats, seafood, chicken, beans, and green vegetables. Iron is also necessary for menstruating women along with vitamin C for its absorption.

  • Potassium: this is an electrolyte required to keep your nervous system in shape, keep your blood pressure normal and also tone your muscles. Around 4700mg of potassium is required by your body per day. Include foods like bananas, grapefruits and avocadoes, broccoli, carrots, nuts and seeds in your daily diet for eliminating potassium deficiency.

5 best exercises for women

Many people realise the importance of exercising only after they have put on excess weight. It is then that they start working out seriously to get rid of that extra weight. However, exercising daily will not only help in keeping away those extra pounds, but will also help you to maintain an overall health. A routine exercise of at least 150 minutes a week is a must for every woman to stay fit and active and toned as well. Here we have a list of 5 best exercises along with their benefits for maintaining a women’s health.

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Push ups: this exercise is on the top amongst total body exercises, as it involves the exercising of your upper body, core and lower body, all together. If you have weak flabby arms and chests then incorporating push ups in your daily regimen will not only work for your arms and chest but will also tighten up your shoulder, triceps, back, and abs. It requires no special equipment or training and is considered one of the most convenient exercises. Many women have a weaker upper body due to various ailments they may suffer. Including daily push ups in your fitness regimen will make your upper body, including the pectoral muscles, shoulders and chest stronger.

Squats: another exercise included in the list of total body exercise is the squat. It might seem while performing it, that only your lower body is worked out. However, several body parts including your core, quads, hamstrings and calves are also exercised. Your core body is relied upon when executing a squat making it strong. Squats help in toning your overall body and burning calories. This exercise also helps in improving your cardiovascular system keeping your heart healthy and strong.

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Pull ups or chin-ups: considered an advanced set of exercises, pull-ups or chin-ups are the best strengthening exercises for a woman. A wide overhand grip or pull up will work out for your upper body muscles making them strong while a narrow reverse grip or a chin up will show a greater effect on the biceps. This exercise is again beneficial for the cardiovascular muscles.

Walking or running: walking or running is the best exercise for an overall fitness. While walking can keep the heart healthy and improve mood, running can help burn the body fat that can cause trouble in later stages. These exercises, specifically running, help to fight cancer and boost energy. It also helps in improving the joints and reduces the risk factor of osteoarthritis. Running as well as walking increase the flow of oxygen throughout your body and also flush out toxins.

yoga

Yoga: involving yoga practice in your exercise schedule will help you in attaining a stress free life. This exercise works for each and every part of the body and mind as well. You can get a glowing skin and a better sleep. Yoga will help you in enhancing your mood and will keep you energized.

 

Blueberry beef patties

 

Freezer-friendly meals are a bonus to busy moms who don’t have the time to sweat in the kitchen for hours to cook a sumptuous meal. You can make a huge batch of your favorite freezable dinners and store in the freezer for weeks as your go-to dinner. Beef patty is one such dish which can be frozen raw till you get a meat craving. Simply defrost and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F until its internal temperature soars up to 160 degrees F to enjoy a comforting dinner after a tiresome day as a busy mom. While sandwiching these patties between bun halves is the most popular way to enjoy them, have them with crunchy leafy greens and sweet potato fries for a yummier, healthy dinner.

But no matter how you serve beef patties, they tend to taste boring at times. Though different choices of meat and seasonings kill the monotony to some extent, but introducing an unconventional ingredient can make the flavors pop! Blueberries do the job perfectly and not only add a pleasant fruity sweetness to the otherwise savory flavors of the patties but also make them melt in your mouth. And using healthy berries in your dinner has its own perks too! To begin with, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A and K, calcium, iron and potassium. They supply a healthy dose of carbs that restore the energy you have lost throughout the day.

Let’s not make you wait anymore and run off to the recipe!

Blueberrybeefpatties

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef
  • ½ cup fresh blueberries
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • ½ cup steel-cut oatmeal
  • 1 tbsp. cumin powder
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions:

  • Toss the oats, blueberries and garlic with Worcestershire sauce and a dash each of cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Place the ground beef in it and mix them together with your hands until nicely incorporated,
  • Split the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each of them into 4’’ wide patty of 1’’ thickness.
  • Mist cooking spray on a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat.
  • Place the patties on it and cook each side for 4-5 minutes or until its internal temperature rises to 160 degrees F as indicated by an instant-read thermometer.
  • Slide two on each serving plate and enjoy with your family.

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Does eating differently colored veggies help you lose weight?

Does eating differently colored veggies help you lose weight?

Vegetables may be in any bright color–red, green, yellow, orange, purple… However attractive the colors may seem to you, each one comes to you loaded with basic nutrients. So, if you are overweight, a plate full of vegetable salad every day could help you shake off the extra weight and slim down overall. Wouldn’t you like to look younger and feel fitter?

Many of these vividly-colored vegetables have significant health benefits such as reducing your cholesterol levels, preventing heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many such diseases. Just 2.5 cups a day can prevent you from succumbing to medical conditions no one ever welcomes. Let’s check out these soldiers of our good health.

vegatables

Why should we eat differently colored veggies? Some people are used to certain foods so therefore they rarely like to try new foods especially vegetables. When our vegetables are divided on the basis of colors, there is more of a variety to choose from. These differently colored vegetables contain important nutrients called phytonutrients.

To be in good health and shed unwanted pounds, it is important to choose one vegetable of a different color and eat this multi-colored bowl of salad. This kind of diet keeps cancer, diabetes and heart disease away from you. For weight management, it is better to eat more of green, white and black foods rather than orange, red and yellow foods.

Let’s check out the different colors and flavors of good health and weight management:

Green vegetables: These vegetables include avocado, cabbage, bamboo shoots, asparagus, broccoli, cucumbers, spinach and zucchini. They are not rich in fats but are nutritious and therefore healthy for everyone, especially for weight watchers. Not only can you lose weight by eating these veggies but it also has a positive impact on your moods and keeps you stress-free.

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If you have sufficient folic acid, it will help to metabolize your protein content well and stabilize your insulin levels, thus reducing belly fat storage and keep you slim.

Blue/Purple vegetables: Loaded with anthocyanins, purple vegetables include eggplant, blue potatoes and red cabbage. They are powerful antioxidants that get rid of free radicals that cause premature aging. They also reduce abdominal weight.

Phytonutrients aren’t the only advantage that these vegetables offer you. They are also rich in fiber, so eating a bowl full of veggies keeps you full for long. This means you end up eating much lesser than before and so lose weight. Thus, no matter which vegetable group you discuss, they are all geared to shed your extra pounds.

Quinoa and vegetable soup

Don’t underestimate this quinoa soup as a mere starter. The quinoa and chock full of veggies turn this soup into ‘dinner in a bowl’ which nourish and satisfy the appetite without making you feel heavy on the stomach.

Every sip of this soup will warm your soul. It hardly calls for any seasoning other than salt and pepper and gets its mild flavors from the veggies cooked in the broth. In spite of being loaded with veggies, this soup is surprisingly light and easy to digest; thanks to the quinoa. This is particularly beneficial for women who have a tendency to develop gas or find their meal difficult to digest. Apart from its easy digestibility, quinoa supplies you with all the eight essential amino acids as well as iron and fiber, thus making this soup a balanced meal, all by itself. The nutrients from the veggies are an added bonus!

This healthy broth is not only deliciously nutritious, but is also fast and fuss-free to make, especially once you are done with prepping the veggies. It makes a large meal with lots of leftovers which freeze well for months.  What an absolute lifesaver for busy ladies!

Quinoa

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup quinoa, washed
  • ¼ cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced sweet potatoes
  • ¼ cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup finely chopped white onions
  • 1 cup finely chopped Swiss chard leaves
  • 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro leaves
  • ½ tsp. dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 tbsp. light olive oil, plus more as necessary
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Avocado slices, to serve

Method:

  • Drizzle oil in a large soup pot and heat it over medium heat until it simmers.
  • Throw in the onions and fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until they turn soft.
  • Add the carrot and sweet potato chunks and continue to sauté for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the veggies well with the oil.
  • Stir in the uncooked quinoa along with a dash each of oregano, black pepper and a dash of salt until nicely incorporated.
  • Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
  • Plop in the frozen peas and reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Place a lid on top and continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the veggies are fork-tender while the quinoa is cooked through.
  • Drizzle little extra olive oil in a separate skillet and heat over medium heat.
  • Throw in the chopped Swiss chard leaves and flash fry for a minute.
  • Tip them into the simmering soup and ladle it into serving bowls.
  • Sprinkle the chopped cilantro over them and arrange the avocado slices on top.
  • Serve warm.

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