CELEBRATE THE VALENTINE MONTH BY GIFTING YOURSELF SELF-CARE
This year, instead of writing about how to celebrate the love month with your beloved (could be a partner, parent, friend or even a dog). I am going to instead talk about how to love the one person closest to you. Yourself. Corny, yes. Unnecessary , no. Many women treat their bodies —– and their heart, kidney, liver, and lungs —– with little semblance of self-love. Most are so busy putting the needs of other people — their spouses, careers, kids —- before themselves that they forgot they are equally deserving of the attention. Shower a bit of love on yourself by:
EATING SMART
This seems hard when life is overwhelming but it’s surprisingly easy to balance indulgences with healthfulness. Instead of overloading your system, take care of yourself by eating at home most of the week, and practising portion control when you’re out. Nourish yourself with good quality carbs (including vegetables and fruits), protein (lean meats, quinoa, dal, egg and seafood) and unsaturated fats so that you get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. And avoid things that come in boxes, packets or tins.
EATING FREQUENTLY
Gift yourself better metabolism by eating every two hours. Did you know that apart from walking, jogging or even breathing, digestion is a calorie-burning activity? By breaking up four main meals (breakfast, lunch, teatime snacks, dinner) into eight small meals (two hours apart), your body burns some of the calories as you eat them, putting your body constantly in the ‘gym’.
EXERCISING
Exercise is one of the best way to show yourself you care. Try exercising for an hour a day: walking, jogging, or even aerobic dance, coupled with light weight training. You could break up the hours into 20 or 30 minute blocks in the day.
HYDRATING
Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pumps blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently. Hydrate your life by drinking water because it helps in the daily functioning of your body, which helps in maintaining its equilibrium.
GETTING YOUR DAILY DOSE OF ANTIOXIDANTS
You can do this by drinking a glass of vegetables juice every day. Blend three different raw vegetables in a mixie (not a juicer), add half of pulp to a glass, top with water and season. Drink immediately to enjoy a host of wonderful antioxidants that flush out your system of toxins. You’d be doing your body — and your life — a great service.
Can a high-fat food be good for you? Almonds challenge this oxymoron perfectly well. It’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that have a heart-protective role and are excellent for your brain and skin health. Almonds are also rich in Vitamin E, magnesium and potassium, all of which go hand in hand to maintain normal blood pressure, improve blood circulation and maintain healthy heart function. Trace minerals like copper and manganese found in almonds have added to their health quotient. Both copper and manganese are needed in very small quantities, but have an important role to play. Eat in small quantities (4-7 pieces) daily to get a whole entourage of health benefits.
The outer layer of the shelled walnut -the white-ish, flaky, sometimes waxy part has a bitter flavour. But resist the urge to remove it. Research shows that 90 per cent of the antioxidants -including the phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids -are found in the skin.Walnuts are excellent sources of Vitamin E in a form that is unusual to find gamma-tocopherol. It has a major cardio-protective role. Along with great taste and health benefits, they are sources of monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids. Add them to salads, desserts or just pop , them daily (3-4 halves).
Incredibly delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, required for normal human growth, wear-n-tear and overall wellbeing. Rich in fructose and dextrose, dates provide simple sugars easily and are a good way to start the day and jump-start the body’s metabolism. Enjoy 1-2 medium-sized dates daily. Over indulgence can turn the tables on you.
