Vegetarian food for health and happiness

FOOD AND HEALTH:Vegetarian food has already stormed the dining table in many households throughout the world today. The enthusiasm over vegetarianism has been growing over the years due to its nutritional value and its resistance to diseases.

Consultant Cardiologist Dr. D.P. Atukorale says that vegetarian food contains all the nutrients needed for our healthy living and a balanced, nutritious diet will keep away many common diseases such as hypertension, heart diseases, infections and even cancer.

A nutritious diet should consist of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fat, Vitamins, Minerals and Fibres.

Carbohydrates are found in food such as rice, bread, Potatoes, Kurakkan and fruits. It provides strength and energy and make our muscles strong.

Vegetarian food containing proteins like milk products, grains, seeds, vegetables and nuts helps reducing cholesterol in blood, increases bone strength and reduces the risk of Osteoporosis.

Avocado, cashew nuts, gingili Oil and sun flower oil are among many that contain fats. Fats are necessary to keep our bodies healthy and unsaturated fats reduce the incidence of heart attacks, he says.

Vitamins are essential for normal metabolism, growth and development of our bodies. There are a number of vitamins, each work to protect our bodies from different ailments. Soya, dairy products, vegetables and fruits contain many variety of vitamins.

Calcium, Magnesium, iron, phosphorus and potassium fall under the category of minerals. Calcium is essential for the formation of bones and teeth and mainly minerals in spinach, gotu kola and local vegetables ensure smooth cardiac functioning and nerve and muscle function. Fibre is not found in meat, fish and egg but only present in vegetarian diet. Green vegetables, kohila, jackfruit, yeast and fruits contain fibre.

Diseases of the stomach and the intestine

Our gastrointestinal system is similar to that of non-meat eating animals such as monkeys, rabbits and deer. The hydrochloric acid (HCL) content in human stomach is quite low.

Our small intestine is about 23 feet long and the large intestine is about 6 feet long and this is an adaptation for maximum digestion of plant foods. When the toxic products of the meat remain longer in the intestine of vegetarians there is the tendency for developing cancer.

Obesity

Obesity is a condition, non-vegetarians are often faced with. Statistics show that in the United States, 60 percent of the population over 40 years of age are over-weight. Those who are over-weight are more prone to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, varicose veins and cancer.

Hypertension

(High blood pressure)

The set up of hormones in non-vegetarians is different from those of vegetarians. There is scientific evidence to show that incidence of hypertension is lower among vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians.

Heart disease

Vegetarians are less subject to heart disease because

(a) Vegetarians are less prone to obesity.

(b) Vegetarians have lower levels of blood cholesterol than meat-eaters as

(I) unsaturated fats in vegetarian diet tend to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and

(ii) vegetarian food does not contain cholesterol

(c) Diabetes is less common among vegetarians.

(d) Smoking is rare among vegetarians.

(e) Alcoholism is not common among vegetarians.

Cancer

Vegetarians are less prone to develop cancer. Meat eaters are more prone to develop cancer of the stomach, large intestine, prostrate, breasts, bladder, cervix and ovaries.

Antioxidants in vegetarian diet (fresh fruits an vegetables) such as vitamin E, vitamin C and betacarotene prevent development of cancer. Vegetarians have less free radicals compared to non-vegetarians. As such they are less prone to cancer, heart disease other degenerative diseases.

Bacterial and viral infections

Vegetarians will never get infected with diseases like Mad Cow Disease and Tape Worm Disease (which occur in people who eat infected pork, fish and beef)

Food poisoning is an ailment common among non-vegetarians and is very rare among vegetarians. Food poisoning is due to contamination of our food by bacteria such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Campylobacter and is characterized by severe vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea few hours after taking meals usually in a restaurant or a five star-hotel.

Mental diseases

Mental disease are more prevalent among non-vegetarians compared to vegetarians. Migraine is less common among vegetarians. Addiction to liquor is very rare among vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians.

Behaviourial patterns

When one has a heavy meal consisting of meat, a good night's sleep is not possible. Food rich in carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and sweets taken before one goes to bed, helps to relax people and helps one to wake up with pleasant feelings and a restful nights sleep makes one able to concentrate on his work better.

In the Indian prison camp Golier, prisoners when given vegetarian food became less quarrelsome. But when reverted to meat diet became boisterous and quarrelsome.

A Japanese Professor has pointed our that, there would be peaceful co-existence and that the world would be a better place to live in if the world population subsisted on a vegetarian diet.

Extraction from "Vegetarian Food for Health and Happiness" by Dr. D.P. Atukorale.

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Forever happy feet

BEAUTY CARE: Our feet are often the least pampered part of our bodies, put the spring back in your step by giving some tender loving care to your feet.

Our feet carry our weight but we tend to neglect them until they start hurting, forgetting they deserve the best especially after long tiring summer days.

The biggest favour we can do for our feet is to make sure that feet skin is in good condition. According to the Chinese, washing your feet at night is a must as during the day toxins are excreted through the feet, which can be reabsorbed at night and helps you stay clear of infections.

Tackling foot problems

Your feet need comfort at all times, choose fashion footwear sensibly. Chiropodists are of the opinion that trend for high heels and narrow toes make it much more likely for today's women to develop Bunion.

Bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe, it is not an old age disease; younger women are getting them often these days. Nobody is born with bunion, wrong footwear encourages the disease mostly by toenails growing into the nail bed and causing infection.

Diseases like hammertoes, bunion and corns are result of crowded toe conditions. Always do shoe shopping after morning hours as your feet are still rested in the mornings. So next time you go for fashion shoe hunting, look for comfort!

Diabetics must not let neglect take a toll on their feet. For happy feet they must have their feet examined regularly to look for problems as early as possible, with diabetes under control, the chance of developing foot ulcers is always less.

A close look at feet everyday between toes and for reduced sensation or numbness must be made into a habit. Any cut, abrasion, redness and swelling must be attended to immediately by your doctor or chiropodist. Avoid dealing with corns on your own.

Do not use corn remover plasters (acid) without the knowledge of your doctor. Tread carefully, avoid injuries. Do not walk bare feet as there is always a chance of damaging your skin.

Take care that you don't want exposure to chemicals. Poor circulation is another challenge for diabetics. Avoid socks that are too tight around the ankles.

For silky, soft feet

Add honey in your footbath. Apparently, honey forms hydrogen peroxide, which is a great anti bacterial agent. It also contains anti- oxidants and attracts moisture (humectants).

Wash your feet in warm soapy water; do not soak them as the soap will rob your feet off natural oils. Dry thoroughly especially between toes.

Use moisturiser liberally as severe dry skin may result in deep cracks in the skin's surface, especially in the feet.

Keep hard skin at bay with using a pumice stone, foot file on ongoing basis. Do not remove all the dead skin on the hard heel padding, leave some to protect and cushion the heel.

Minimise the risk of ingrown toenails. The trick is to cut the nail across to discourage infection. Athlete's foot is a common disease that causes flaky skin and cracks between toes sometimes causing infection. Best treated by anti- fungal cream.

For clean feet and to get rid of bad odour, mix together half water and lemon juice. Dip a paper towel and wipe feet.

People with corns must see a chiropodist every 10 to 12 weeks.

Always dry feet after bath and before wearing socks and foot wear to avoid fungal infection.

When your feet have notched up plenty of miles, it is advisable for tired feet to go for a footbath. Add up to 12 drops of cypress oil to warm water for smelly feet and the same amount of lavender or peppermint in cool water on hot days.

Never wear the same shoe for two days; it takes 24 hours for them to dry thoroughly. Damp shoes encourage fungi to thrive.

Happy feet make happy people. But the happy feet don't just look lovely they are truly healthy!

(The Tribune)

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A Feng Shui Bedroom tip for a good night's sleep

HOME: Each area of your home needs to have its own special aspects looked at. Your Feng Shui decorating will have to be individualised for the purpose of each and every room that you live in.

For example the rooms that you use for entertaining should be bright coloured to bring in some energy and vitality while other rooms like your bedroom should be softer and more comforting. Arranging your bed room according to Feng Shui tips will bring you relaxation along with a undisturbed sleep which leads to a bright, energetic morning.

A good Feng Shui bedroom tip is to paint your bedroom green. Green is perfect for this room because it will bring balance to the room and it is also a healing and a calming colour.

Finding a free Feng Shui tip like this one can change the way that you live your life from day to day. You will finally be able to have some control over the energy flow of your home with the use of Feng Shui.

Another great Feng Shui tip for home is to start using dimmers on your lighting fixtures. This is a wonderful way to help you control the energy.

You will be able to adjust the lighting and thus change the entire feel of the room simply and easily.

These switches are affordable and quite easy to install so anyone can add them to their home with ease.

You see, Feng Shui does not have to be difficult, all it takes is a little knowledge and know how. Start slow and learn as you go and make use of any Feng Shui tip that you come across in your travels.

(Art of Feng Shui)