7 Detox Water Recipes For Weight loss, Anti aging and Beauty

Post written by Payal Singh.

I am a working lady, I do write my blogs in my free time and do my kitchen's work as well. So, I get very less time for myself. The time I save, I utilize it in a healthy way, as I am a fitness freak I prefer detox drink and healthy food which keep me energetic!

Whether you’re a college student, a working woman, a housewife, a busy mom or turning 50; you must be healthy and active. Save a minimal time for yourself, prepare and drink detox water and stay young!

Healthy benefits of drinking detox water:

• Liver and Kidney Cleanses
• Toxins removal
• Better digestion
• Refreshment
• Hydrate body
• Weight loss
• Increased energy level.
• Hair Growth
• Acne free glowing skin.

Better to take these drinks in the morning after your run or exercise. Then you can enjoy your break breakfast. Even you can take another detox drink in the night before go to sleep.

Here, I am sharing 7 Detox Water Recipes with easily available ingredients and their benefits.

1. HONEY, LEMON AND GINGER

Ingredients?

• 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed ginger
• 1 glass warm water

Direction?

1. Heat a glass of water. Do not boil it.
2. Add the lemon juice, crushed ginger and honey to the glass of water.
3. Drink it warm in the empty stomach.

Benefits?

• Honey contains vitamins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium and zinc. It metabolizes cholesterol an fatty acids and improves digestion.
• Ginger is a good source of antioxidant, it soothes the gastrointestinal tract.
• Lemon helps to burn body fat. It balances ph and metabolizes the flow of bile. 

2. AVOCADO, CUCUMBER AND FLAX SEEDS SMOOTHIE

Ingredients?

• 1/2 ripe avocado (brownish color)
• 1/2 cucumber
• A few flaxseeds
• A pinch of salt

Direction?

1. Cut the avocado in half, take the seed out and scoop out the creamy part.
2. Slice half cucumber.
3. Grind both the ingredients with flaxseeds.
4. Add a pinch of salt and spine it till it becomes smooth.
5. Keep it in fridge for a while or add ice cubes to it.

Benefits?

• Avocado has a rich source of vitamins(C, E, K and B-6), minerals, healthy fat(omega - 3 fatty acid) and fiber. They provide lutein and beta carotenes.
• Cucumber is high in nutrients and low in calories, helps to remove toxins and rehydrates the cells.
• Flaxseeds helps to detoxify the body and it also aids weight loss, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and decreases insulin resistance.

3. A MAGICAL GLASS OF DETOX WATER

Ingredients?

• 1 green apple
• Apple cider vinegar 
• Cinnamon
• Honey
• Water

Direction?

1. Add 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon honey and a glass of water.
2. Keep it in fridge overnight.

Benefits?

• Apple cider vinegar boosts immunity power, it regulates insulin, controls blood pressure and aids weight loss.
• Honey contains vitamins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium and zinc. It metabolizes cholesterol an fatty acids and improves digestion.
• Cinnamons has antioxidant properties and it controls blood sugar level, protect against heart disease. 

4. TOMATO, LEEK AND CUCUMBER SMOOTHIE

Ingredients?

• 1 middle size chopped tomato
• 1 stick of leek 
• 1 small size chopped cucumber
• Mint leaves

Direction?

1. Grind the chopped tomato, cucumber and stick of leek.
2. Add a mint leaves and give it one more slight spine.
3. Keep it in fridge for a while and drink.

 Benefits?

• Tomato works as an anticancer agent. It also has lycopene and antioxidant. It is a great source of vitamin C. It is good for your heart, bone and skin.
• Leek is rich in vitamin A, C, k, B-6, B-9 sodium and protein, fiber. It protect against cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity. It detoxifies your skin and protect your skin from ultraviolet ray of sun. It protects blood vessels too, improves vision, promotes hair growth and weight loss aids digestion. It's very much beneficial during pregnancy.
• As I have told before, cucumber is high in nutrients and low in calories, helps to remove toxins and rehydrates the cells.

5. TENDER COCONUT WATER AND KIWI SMOOTHIE

Ingredients?

• 2 cups of tender coconut water
• 1 big size or 2 baby kiwis
• 3 - 4 crushed mint leaves

Direction?

1. Peel the kiwi(s) and blend them.
2. Pour the kisi juice into a glass and add the tender coconut water.
3. Add the crushed mint leaves.
4. Keep it in fridge for 10 - 15 minutes and drink it.

Benefits?

• Kiwi is full of nutrients like vitamins C, K, E. It contains folate and potassium which are source of antioxidants. Kiwi is a good source of fiber too. It controls the blood sugar level and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Tender coconut water works as a natural electrolyte. It helps to prevent kidney stone. It hydrates body and skin as well.

6. FENUGREEK SEEDS, CELERY LEAVES AND CUCUMBER

Ingredients?

• 1 tablespoon Fenugreek seed
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 english cucumber
• 1/2 lemon
• A pinch of salt
• 2 - 3 crushed mint leaves

Direction?

1. Fenugreek seeds need to be soaked into a glass of water for overnight.
2. Roughly chop the celery and cucumber and blend them.
3. Take all the fenugreek seeds out from the glass and filter the water.
4. Pour the smoothy into that glass and mix juice of lemon.
5. Add a pinch of salt.
6. Add the crushed mint leaves.
7. Add  ice cubes and the drink is ready!

Benefits?

• Fenugreek seed is highly nutrients. It balances cholesterol, soothes digestion, reduces menstrual cramps, helps relieves symptom of PCOS.  It has high fiber and mucilage content. It promotes hair growth, weight loss and enhances breast growth. It's beneficial during breastfeeding. It aids diabetes treatment and it treats acne too and makes skin glow.
• Celery is a great source of important antioxidants and phytonutrients, which reduces instances of inflammation in the digestive tract, celles, blood vessels and organs. It has a slow steady effect on blood sugar and reduces high cholesterol and the risk of urinary tract infection, it treats high blood pressure, prevent ulcers, liver diseases and aids in weight loss too.
• Cucumber is high in nutrients and low in calories, helps to remove toxins and rehydrates the cells.
• I mentioned before as well that lemon helps to burn body fat. It metabolizes the flow of bile. 

7. BITTER GOURD AND AMLA JUICE

Ingredients?

• 1 small size bitter gourd
• 1 amla
• A pinch of black salt
• A pinch of black pepper.
• 2 - 3 mint leaves

Direction?

1. Seed the bitter gourd and amla and blend it well.
2. Add mint leaves and spine it one again.
3. Strain the juice into a glass.
4. Add black salt and black pepper. Stir well.
5. Add 1 - 2 ice cubes and drink it.

Benefits?

• Though the bitter in taste, but bitter gourd has polypeptide will help you to lower the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. It has powerful antiviral property. It also stimulates the immunity power aids in digestion.
• Amla is one of the most important fruit in the Ayurvedic medicine. It's a great source of vitamin C, it prevents and cures sore throat and cold, reduces constipations. It improves eyesight and metabolism, boosts immune system and regulates blood sugar and lipid, It has anti aging properties which is good for your skin and it also good for your hair growth.

THE ENDING NOTE

You can block your 7 mornings or nights for different drink, so that you don’t need to repeat the same drink like a medicine! 

Glory of Women in Vedic Period

Post Written by Payal Singh.

Today, our society is called as ‘Male Dominated Society’. The most famous topics in internet are gender discrimination, inequality in education and etc. Our morning starts with the news of rape, murder, molestation, domestic violence, sexual harassment and bla bla bla!

Are these incidents happening since our ancient age? The answer is: No.

Since the ancient age to the Vedic period, women were graced with respect, dignity and equality.

Examples of Gender Equality 

in Purana

If we go back to Purans, there every God was shown in consort of their wives(Brahma with Saraswati, Vishnu with Lakshmi and Shiva with Parvati). Idols of god and goddess were depicted with equal importance to both genders.

Even in the practice of Homa (ritual involving fire, and offerings to fire), every mantra or Shloka is addressed to Swaha, the wife of Agni, instead of Agni himself. This aspect of Swaha as Agni's wife is mentioned in Mahabharata, Brahmavantara, Purana, Bhagavata Purana as various hymns.

Position of Women in the Hindu Dharma

The roots of Hindu religion are in the Aryan society of the patriarchal system. The family unit was regarded as the significant one. Women were provided freedom. In the Hindu Dharma, there is prevalence of the viewpoint that man and woman represent the two aspects of one person. Scriptures says that Lord Shiva consists of the body in two halves, one is of the male and the other is of the female which is known as Ardhanarishvara.

The Women Educational Structure of 

Vedic Era

Women, in the Vedic era, so excelled in the sphere of education that even the deity of learning was conceived of as a female popularly known as ‘Saraswati’. Girls were allowed to enter into the Gurukulas along with boys. Co-education of boys and girls (going through Upanayana and Bramacharya) was the rule. The Atharva Veda and Upanishada mentioned girls as ‘Brahmacharini’.

(‘ब्रह्मचर्येण कन्या युवानं विन्दते पतिम्’ | A youthful girl who graduates from Brahmacharya, obtains a suitable husband. — Atharva Veda.)

There were also instances of female Rishis, such as Ghosa, Kakhivati Surya Savitri, Indrani, Shradha, Kamayani, Yami, Shachi, Poulomi, Urvashi etc. The scholarly women were classified into two categories:

The Brahmavadinis: who did not marry and acquired knowledge of the Vedas throughout their lives. They were the life-long students of philosophy and theology.

The Sadyodvahas: who studied the Vedas, till they get married by the age of 15 or 16 years.

The women, who studied the Vedas, were known as Paninis. The female teachers were called upadhyaya or upadhyayi.

Feminine Freedom to Showcase Skills 

and 

Talents in Rig Vedic Age

In the Rig Vedic period the women not only composed hymns but also learnt music and dancing. The women, belonging to lower strata or caste also mastered the skills of spinning, weaving, embroidery and needlework. There were many women poets and philosophers during this period. The Vedic period, witnessed many capable women like Apala, Ghosha and Visvavara, who performed the job duties of composing the mantras and rose to the rank of the sages or rishis. Lopamudra is one of the female teachers of this period. Yajunvalykya had imparted divine knowledge to Maitrey and she had not only been able to comprehend high philosophy but had also acquired divine knowledge.

Social Recognition of Women in Veda

Religion has a strong hold over any society. It acquaints a person with his identity, people, culture and traditions. It teaches him his way of life. Women enjoyed social recognition and were placed equivalent to men in social and religious ceremonies. Religious rituals performed by men were considered as incomplete in the absence of their wives. Men and women equally participated in Vedic rituals. Atharva Veda suggested men to make their wives equally participate in yagya and other rituals. Women were not considered as ‘weaker sex’ who could not participate in religious rituals.

The Portrayal of Vedic Marriage

The couple prayed that their love and friendship should not break down. The Vedic literature also contained that the Kshatriya girls were allowed to settle marriages in accordance with their own wishes. This was done through the custom of ‘swayamwar’ or self-choice. This is an indicator of their dignified status in the Vedic society. Atharva Veda proclaims equality between husband and wife in marital life.

In Mahabharata, the story of Draupadi's marriage to 5 men is a case in point. This pointed to the fact that polygamy was matched with polyandry during the Vedic era. Women could select their husband in an assembly called 'swayamwar'.

The Concept of Dampati or “two joint owners of the household”

The ritual of ‘daan’ or gift was prevalent in the Vedic period. But the practice of dowry was unknown. The wife held an honorable position in the household. She enjoyed freedom of movement and was not confined to the house only. In religious performances, the wife occupied a prominent position. Even the performance of certain ceremonies was invalid without the wife.’ Monogamy was the form of marriage during the Vedic days. The term ‘Dampati’ was frequently used in the Vedic texts. The term meant “two joint owners of the household.”

Women as Warriors in Rig Veda

Women have also been quoted as warriors in Rig Veda. Women were trained to become warriors. The period mentions gallant women combatants who fought with valour in the battle field. We thus hear of Mudgalini winning a battle, Vishpala who lost her leg and Vadhrimati who lost her hand in battle. Vadhrimati and Sasiyasi are also mentioned for their heroism in the battlefield. Rig-Vedic period reflects a relatively egalitarian society where hierarchy on the basis of socio-economic factors, castes and gender did not thrive.

The Conclusion

This glorious Vedic era was existed more than 3,000 years ago where rules were more and crime was lesser unlike today. 

All good rules were made to make a peaceful kingdom but only the dark sides of all remained like the ritual of ‘Daan Pratha’ or exchanging gifts during the marriage turned into the evil custom of dowry which has taken many bride’s life in last few years and still kept on taking! Thousands of soldiers are dying in the borders to save our country but who will make those miscreants understand that violence against a woman is pandemic? It just taking this society and civilization a step ahead towards the end.

I Can Balance My Hormones.

Post Written by Payal Singh.

In the last blog, I have written about Hormonal Imbalance. Here, I wrote some natural remedies to balance your hormonal harmony through diet and effective lifestyle that you can start trying today to get the result which will make you feel the best in a supportive yet inspiring way.

• The benefits of balancing your hormones include:
• Reverse infertility to get pregnant.
• Prevent and cure acne.
• Lose weight.
• Improve sex drive.

1. Protein at Your Every Meal Keeps Your Hormones Healthy and Greens will keep you Evergreen!

Our food supply forms the building blocks for our hormones. In particular, we need to eat healthy fats and protein to produce healthy hormones. Always eat uncooked and unsalted nuts and seeds. Add to breakfast, and choose over crisps!

• Eat fish 3 x per week.

• Use olive oil on salads and coconut oil to cook with (adding food at the same time, so that the oil doesn’t overheat).

• Use avocado and/or hummus as a base for your toast instead of butter or margarine.

•  If you are going for dine out then choose bread with olive oil over fries, and fish dishes instead of meat.

• If you are at the pub, choose bowls of nuts instead of crisps.

2. Your body needs healthy Fat. Why don’t you eat plenty Fatty Fish, Eggs white and Fiber?

• Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones, including saturated fat and cholesterol.

• These essential fundamental fats produce hormone in your body and keep inflammation levels low.

• Healthy fats boost your metabolism and promote weight loss.

• Healthy fats have the opposite effect of refined carbohydrates.

• Salmon nutrition is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

• Your body needs steer clear from oils high in omega-6 fats come from sunflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean and peanut.

• There is a type of omega-6 fat that you must get in your diet called GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) supports having a healthy progesterone levels.

• Load up on rich sources of natural omega-3s instead wild fish, flax seed, chia seeds, walnuts and grass-fed animal products.

• Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and eating whole eggs as part of low-carb diet increased insulin sensitivity, improves several heart health markers.
• You must consume a high fiber diet to improve your gut health and maintain your weight.
• I call these my Detox Warriors! Cleansing, leafy greens such as spinach, Chard and kale, celery can help to cleanse your body and support the liver.

3. Keep Yourself Engage in Regular Exercise

• For those with hormone imbalance, intense extended exercise can actually make the problem worse in the short term.

• Sleep is much more important, at least during the balancing phase.

• So focusing on relaxing exercises like walking or swimming and avoiding the extended running, cardio, and exercise videos, can help the body in the short term.

• While extended cardio can be bad, short bursts of heavy lifting (kettle bells) can be beneficial since they trigger a cascade of beneficial hormone reactions.

4. Can anything be better Than a High-Quality Sleep?

a) Sleep may be among the most important factors for hormonal balance. 

b) Levels of some hormones may rise and fall throughout the day in response to issues such as the quality of sleep.

c) The adverse effects of sleep disturbance on hormones may contribute to Obesity, Diabetes, Problems with appetite.

d) Regularly getting a full, undisturbed, night's rest may help the body regulate hormone levels.

e) Avoid artificial lights may help regulate hormones and restore a natural circadian rhythm.

f) Exposure to blue light, such as from cell phones or computer screens, can disrupt the sleep cycle.

5.Learn to Manage Stress

a) Cortisol is known as "the stress hormone" because it helps your body cope with stress over the long term.

b) According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, internal emotions have a direct impact on a person’s health and addressing emotional imbalances, external factors and lifestyle choices can help to prevent health conditions associated with hormonal imbalances.

c) Emotions of fear, frustration cause disease in your reproductive organs, kidneys and adrenals, affecting cortisol levels. This can lead to serious conditions like PCOS and infertility and estrogen imbalance

d) Practicing meditation or healing prayer can be extremely beneficial, and so can deep breathing exercises, spending time outdoors and exercising every day with listing to music.

e) Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies like Acupuncture and massage can also help to improve hormonal balance, combat stress and improve blood flow.

6. Adaptogen Herbs for Your Hormonal Health.

Adaptogen herbs are a unique class of healing plants that promote hormone balance and protect the body from a wide variety of diseases, including those caused by excess stress. In addition to boosting immune function and combating stress, research shows that various Adaptogen — such as Ashwagandha, Medicinal Mushrooms, Rhodiola and Holy Basil — can improve thyroid function, lower cholesterol naturally, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce brain cell degeneration, stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, support adrenal gland functions.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha benefits thyroid function by supporting a sluggish or overactive thyroid and it help to overcome adrenal fatigue.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil is also known as Tulsi helps to regulate cortisol levels, thereby working as a natural remedy for anxiety and emotional stress and also protect your organs.

Vitex/Chaste Tree Berry

Vitex nourishes the pituitary gland and helps lengthen the luteal phase.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Red Raspberry Leaf is a well know fertility herb that is also helpful in reducing PMS and cramping. It has a high nutrient profile and is especially high in calcium and is a uterine tonic. It is available in capsule form, but makes an excellent hot or cold tea.

7. Take Supplement Wisely!

It’s sometimes necessary to supplement in order to fill nutritional voids that can be leading to a hormone imbalance. 

Evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil contains omega-6 fatty acids helps to relieve premenstrual and PCOS symptoms. It also helps to create a healthy environment for conception.

Vitamin D

Sunshine is really the best way to optimize vitamin D levels because your bare skin actually makes vitamin D on its own when exposed to even small amounts of direct sunlight.

Bone Broth

Bone Broth contains healing compounds like collagen, proline, glycerin and glutamine, which have the powder to boost your overall health.

Probiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can actually improve your production and regulation of key hormones like insulin, ghrelin and leptin.

Maca

Women who use this often see improvements in fertility, reduction in PMS and better skin/hair. Maca is a good source of minerals and essential fatty acids which is one of the ways it supports hormone balance.

8. You Gonna Use Essential Oils!
To balance your hormones naturally, it’s important that you eliminate toxins in your body by avoiding conventional body care products that are made with potentially-harmful chemicals. A better alternative is to use natural products made with ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil. To replace toxic body care and cleaning products, use these hormone balancing essential oils

Clary sage Oil

• Clary sage helps to balance estrogen levels because it contains natural phytoestrogens.
• It can be used to regulate your menstrual cycle, relieve PMS symptoms, treat infertility and PCOS, and even reduce the chances of uterine and ovarian cancer.
• It also serves as a natural remedy for emotional imbalances, like depression and anxiety.
• Diffuse 3-5 drops of clary sage to help balance hormone levels and relieve stress.

To ease cramps and pain, massage 5 drops of clary sage with 5 drops of coconut oil into your stomach and any other area of concern.

    Fennel Oil

• Problems with your gut health have been found to cause autoimmune reactions, including thyroid disorders.
• Use fennel essential oil to relax your body, improve your digestion and gut health, boost your metabolism and reduce inflammation.
• You can rub 2 drops of fennel into your stomach or add 1-2 drops to a class of warm water or tea to take it internally.

Lavender Oil

• Lavender oil promotes emotional balance, as it can help to treat anxiety, depression, moodiness and stress.
• It can also be used to promote restful sleep, which will help to balance your hormone levels as well.
• Diffuse 5 drops of lavender oil at home, add 5 drops to a warm water bath or apply 3 drops topically to your temples, back or neck or wrists.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

• Sandalwood essential oil can be used to increase your libido, reduce stress, promote relaxation, boost mental clarity and even help you to relax. 
• The powerful fragrance triggers peaceful feelings and results in the overall reduction of stress that can lead to hormone imbalances.
• Inhale sandalwood directly from the bottle, diffuse it at home or apply 2-3 drops to your wrists and bottoms of the feet.

Thyme Oil

• Thyme oil improves progesterone production.
• It helps to treat or relieve health issues like infertility, PCOS, menopause, depression, fibroids, hair loss and insomnia.
• To help balance your hormones naturally, add 2 drops of Thyme oil to a warm water bath or rub 2-3 drops with equal parts coconut oil into your abdomen.

9. Coffee is not your Cup of Tea!

a) Oops Killjoy!  But while a little good quality caffeine is  OK!

b) Most of us overdo it and it has been linked with exacerbating PMS symptom.

c) Too much caffeine can wreak havoc on the endocrine system. Especially if there are other hormone stressors involved, like pregnancy, presence of toxins, beneficial fat imbalance or stress.

10. Better You Relax with A Cup of Green Tea!

You probably already know some of the numerous health benefits of green tea.

a) It boosts metabolism and also contains theanine, a compound which reduces the release of cortisol.

b) It also has antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower risk of disease.

11. Stop Overeating. Avoid Sugar. Fix your Leptine.

a) Regularly overeating may lead to metabolic issues in the long term.

b) A study in Obesity found that even short-term overeating changes circulating levels of fats and increases oxidative stress.

c) The researchers also point to an increase in ceramides, which are fat cells in the skin, noting that a significant increase may promote insulin resistance.

d) Leptin is a master hormone and if it is out of balance or if you are resistant to it, no other hormones will balance well.

e) Fixing leptin will also help boost fertility, make weight loss easier, improve sleep, and lower inflammation.

f) Eliminating sugar from the diet may help keep levels of hormones, including insulin, in check.

12. Quit Smoking, Tobacco and Alcohol.

Alcohol? Yes, even red wine! Alcohol jacks up estrogen and increases chances of cancer. Tobacco smoke may disrupt levels of several hormones. For example, the smoke may alter thyroid hormone levels, stimulate pituitary hormones, and even raise levels of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, which is linked to stress.

13. Beware of Harmful Chemicals, Medications and Birth Control.

Harmful Chemicals

Harmful chemicals found in pesticides, plastics, household cleaners, and even mattresses can contain hormone disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones in the body and keep the body from producing real hormones. For those with a hormone imbalance or who are struggling to get pregnant, avoiding these unnecessary chemicals is very important.

Birth Control

 Are you taking safe pills? Some medications can disrupt your hormone balance, leading to side effects like fatigue, appetite changes, altered sleeping patterns, low libido, sadness and even depression. Birth control is another dangerous medication that alters hormone levels and causes severe health risks such as:

• Breakthrough
• Bleeding between cycles.
• It increased risk of uterine bleeding.
• Blood clotting
• Heart attack and stroke
• Migraines.
• Increased blood pressure
• Weight gain
• Back pains
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Benign liver tumors
• Breast tenderness.

The Bottom Line

Consuming nutritious foods, exercising on a regular basis and engaging in other healthy behaviors can go a long way toward improving your hormonal health. 

Eat a diet rich in healthy fats to ensure quality nutrition, but also reduce inflammatory stress responses in the body. Part of this is to eat a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, avoiding processed Carbs and Trans fats especially. If you’re looking forward to a pregnancy, simply make your health a priority practice and wait for the good news!