Tag: Healthy

Importance of hydration, water and sanitation initiated by Coca-Cola , TERI University and USAID

Posted on by Aziz Ampanwala

Water, as soon as we spell it we feel life, vitality, eternity, sanctity and all positive vibes following around us. Life without water is very much unimaginable, water works wonder and proves magical only when it is in its purest forms – the form in which the creator created it, in the sense as pure as the water from a mountain spring or as water flowing down deep the oceans, that form of water is the one which bears all properties of pure water, but sadly the same water can work as the breeding ground for thousand of germs and viruses when it gets contaminated and polluted, thus shattering growth, hindering life and causing infinite diseases.

Some important pointer towards why water hydration and sanitation is important for families and society:

1) Will decrease the chances of diseases which develop in and under water
2) Proper Sanitation and disposal of waste will ensure a healthy and eco friendly society to live in.
3) Globally, an estimated 2,000 children under the age of five die every day from diarrhoeal diseases and of these some 1,800 deaths are linked to water, sanitation and hygiene as per Unicef reports, which is an alarming signal thou if proper sanitation is maintained in society this can be avoid or removed completed.
4) Educating children about the importance of water hydration and sanitation from early age in schools and social gathering will only lead forward towards a healthy living environment as they are the future torch bearing of the learning and understanding towards the same.

At this stage it is very much necessary to bring this water to its very original and pure form using whatever ways of filtration and hydration possible so as the society can remain healthy, revitalized and rejuvenated by the benefits of water and in this campaign TERI University and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in association with Coca-Cola and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)  conducted  the ‘Strengthening Water and Sanitation in Urban Settings” initiative in Kolkata. The WASH programmes (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) aim to reach 50,000 beneficiaries in low-income settlements and over 300 professionals through WASH governance studies. It will also reach out to 2,500 students through 20 municipal schools across India, this is one of a kind association which has never been done before that will lead to the healthy development of low income settlements in the area.

Collaboration for Wash Programmes in association with Coca-Cola, TERI University and USAID Collaboration for Wash Programmes in association with Coca-Cola, TERI University and USAID 2

The goal is to help achieve the Government of India’s sanitation targets by conducting a WASH risk analysis in slums of Kolkata and Chennai. As first steps, two urban neighbourhoods – Kannagi Nagar and Nedunchelliyan Nagar in Chennai, and areas in KMC wards 57 and 58 (Khayari basti, Arupota and Dhapa) in Kolkata – have been chosen for household surveys.

 The project will assist in developing participatory intervention strategies in urban areas, and in building the capacity of faculty and students through a model sanitation curriculum.

To understand more about the initiative please visit their page “Strengthening Water and Sanitation in Urban Settings”.

Indulge in Healthy Breakfast Habits

Posted on by Aziz Ampanwala

Doctors suggest having a heavy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner, sounds right, but as in many Indian homes its complete opposite, we have light breakfast bread butter or eggs, moderate lunch and a hefty fulfilling family dinner, doesn’t sound right! But when everything is taken for granted then you are pretty much consolidating with your health and diet to stay fit.  

The alarm rang in full glory to wake Mr Shukla up, Mrs. Shukla from the kitchen shouting above the alarm from the kitchen to wake him up, both (alarm and Mrs Shukla trying their best however it’s a Saturday morning and Mr Shukla is feeling lazy to open up his eyes and fresh up as its holiday, but after skipping couple of alarm snooze he finally wakes up, dragging himself to the bathroom to freshen up. Yawning with arms stretched wide Mr Shukla asks what’s for breakfast honey, he gets a reply as today is holiday I have prepared omelet, roti, some leftover chicken and yes paratha’s with chutni, happy Mr. Shukla said bring it on, after having a so called yummy breakfast Mr. Shukla goes out for walk and have some chit chat with Mr. Guptaji, who is a lecturer at a collage and also society secretary. Mr Gupta always has a smile on his face and has solutions of his sorts to all the problems.

Mr Shukla had gone to Mr. Gupta for some discussion on the general meeting to held in the society and were discussing agenda’s, meanwhile Mrs. Gupta interrupted and asked, will you guys have something tea, coffee snacks? Mr. Shukla replied yes i will have tea but please don’t bring any snacks, cause I have already had a good enough breakfast cum lunch, giggling and contained Mrs. Gupta said, you don’t seem healthy and fit Shuklaji, I think I need to invite you and Mrs Shukla for a breakfast tomorrow and have a good chat over some healthy tasty snacks and breakfast, dont say NO Mr. Shukla because you have to be there.

After completing the session with Mr. Gupta, he went back home and asked Mrs Shukla, do I look unhealthy?  She replies: No not at all, you don’t seem unhealthy to me but unhealthy to a person who is a health conscious, and Mr. Shukla replied; how do you know that? And she replies; well, I just wanted to say, you seem unhealthy but I didn’t want to make you feel bad about it, and Mr. Shukla says did you know what Mrs. Gupta told me? She said I seem unhealthy and unfit and she has called both of us to her place over a chit chat, healthy snacks and breakfast.

Sunday morning and it was a beautiful sunrise, Mr. Shukla and her misses got ready and headed towards Mr. Gupta’s home for a Sunday brunch,  Mr. Shukla  and Mr. Gupta both were discussing about politics and Mrs Gupta called up Mrs. Shukla to the kitchen to discuss about some healthy alternatives considering Mr. Shukla’s health.

Let’s check out the alternatives Mrs. Gupta suggested:

Apple Cinnamon Cornflakes 10341715_1068823029801445_6297259744697487370_n Chapatti Cornflakes Chivda 10400767_1072166286133786_4827741788568150936_n Cornflakes Coconut Ladoos 10987388_1074480939235654_1420944845646161066_n Fulfilling veg cornflake salad 11041788_1069989636351451_2442174925576577749_n

Sitaphal Cornflakes 11081336_1072175216132893_4654613932050038427_n Mrs. Shukla couldn’t thank Mrs. Gupta enough for providing her such useful, easy to make, yummy, light, and delightful yet so power pack with the goodness of nutrition, irons, fibre combine.  So, let’s make our life healthy and include such healthy, nutrition rich food in our daily routine and benefit from the whole goodness of a combination of taste as well as health. 

Sunfeast Farmlite – A Healthy Life

Posted on by Aziz Ampanwala

Sunfeast a brand of ITC is a well known for its much loved biscuits, has given one more reason for all of us to stay fit and how, few months back they had launched a new range of Sunfeast FRAMLITE health oriented biscuits with oats and wheat fibre, they are available in two variants – almonds and raisins.

Staying fit and health is quite a challenge in this fast moving smart age, where time is money and there is no time for us to take care of diet and health, thou with Sunfeast new range of health biscuit there is some solace at last and how ! With its yummy taste and health benefits it’s a win win combination.

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Let’s now give you some good reasons to stay fit, active and enjoy the goodness of Sunfeast’s FARMLITE health biscuits with oats and wheat fibre which are available in the market in two variants – almonds and raisins.

A review on the ad campaigns of Sunfeast Farmlite, you will love these ideas for sure and would like to tryout one of them!

1) When you are sufficient enough to do household work then what’s the need of a bai! This way you can contribute in your way to the swaach bharat abyaan and flex some muscles and be fit and healthy … thou your bai would not like this idea but anyways give the  bai a break sometimes.

2) Do you know if you feel very bored cleaning or doing stuff that you don’t want to, then a alternative is indoor games, the household favorite “carom” , this really excites me, every time no matter how old I grow, it’s such a convenience to sit back and burn some calories while you are having fun with family and friends.

3) We always have a good vibe when we have to perform something to get self satisfaction, it can be many physical activity, out of the many, the one which everyone would have given a try is “GARBA” sounds fun isn’t it! When the rhythm of folk songs beat and touches your ears all you want to do is get in sync and roll about your hands and legs in joy and enjoy with what give you satisfaction and helps you exercise in a way like no other! Isn’t it a good idea if you are feeling bored to exercise generally or do yoga … so why not give it a shot and keep ourselves healthy.

4) In this campaign, they have tried to mimic those old marketing  tele ads to showcase a tired and overweight husband who is basically very depress about his weight gain specially the tummy, The guy is very laid back, office work that needs him to sit in the office for long hours and do his work, he comes homes tired and dead and there is no energy remaining in him to do any sort of work, he feels left out, even when he goes socializing, people make fun of his tummy and overweight thus he tries to get help from his elder brother who suggests him to be more active and do normal work which he avoids like giving a help hand in household work and so on and forth. This ad campaign was my favorite in many ways as it showcases the scenario of many household fights specally between husband and wife.. This gives way a positive message and an initiative to start off with a good habit to stays fit and healthy, giving a way for a lively lifestyle.

5) Woow this is really a tale of all husbands and wives … hmm maybe not all but many …. The fighting to do work.. ya work apart from work that is home work I mean house work …. Sounds tiring … but when your wives torture you to do those house hold work don’t you wish to shut them up … or give them a good reason to shut. But if you give it a second thought maybe they might be trying to benefit you in ways but don’t want to discuss about it … any guesses? Yes maybe she is embarrassed about your laziness and oversize weight. So the next time your wife give you some work don’t ignore the signs maybe she wants to see you fit and healthy.

6) Last but not the least and definitely a exercise you want to try … Laughter … Yes you got it right … you know that laughter helps you in many ways and break even all those ties within you … this is what the ad showcase was in one such ad campaign, where they have taken a annual sales meet and shown it in a more lighter and funny manner … just goes to show that even small things have great health benefits and allows you to practice it with no or minimal efforts.

             To sum all the ad campaigns of Sunfeast Farmlite, there is a clear message in all the ads that be healthy and fit and enjoy the many flavors of life and get happiness in smallest of thing. To be consistent in this practice Sunfeast have well introduced these health specific biscuit which can be a healthy snack alternative and a good source of fibre and vitamins in disguise of yummy treat to your tummy in mouth watering varients of almonds and raisins flavors.

You can check more about Sunfeast Farmlite on their webpage

Image courtesy: sunfeastworld

STRESS BUSTERS

Posted on by Aziz Ampanwala

Hey you stressed ones, Welcome to find some Stress Busters for yourself. The following are some of the points that can provide some help in busting stress. Now these are not the only ways but some of those which are quite useful and have been tried out by myself. So relax, read, enjoy and stay healthy.

1.    Reward and Pamper– Regular light exercise will do wonders to lower stress levels, so block out the time for a 30 minute walk, swim or cycle at least three times a week. Relaxation techniques of yoga, meditation and massage help to release beta-endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make you, feel calm. A weekly massage or yoga class is a great habit to start and will help to lower corestrol levels.

2.    Start right – Researchers in Wales recently found that having breakfast regularly is associated with a reduction in stress levels and improved health. People in the trial who ate cereals and grains for breakfast had lower levels of corestrol. Start the day with whole grain cereal and/or bread and some protein like eggs or milk.

3.    Early to bed – Working late into the night can increase your weight. The stress of several long days in a row causes the corestrol to spike, and corestrol stimulates hunger. While you are working, you are also more likely to grab snack food on the run rather than eat a proper healthy meal.

4.    Fish food – Eat cold water fish like tuna and salmon several times a week. Swiss researchers found that when they fortified the diet with the omega3 fatty acids found in fish, the corestrollevels were unchanged while stress tests were performed. The  corestrol levels increased by 30%.

5.    Don’t just sit there – An Australian study showed that people who sat for more than six hours a day as a requirement of their job, were more likely to become overweight. The answer here is to take regular breaks from the desk every couple of hours. Stand up and do some stretches to relieve back, neck and shoulder tension. Take a walk around the hallways; go outside and gulp in lungfuls of fresh air, invest in a ten minute brisk walk at lunchtime – and make sure you have a light, nutritious lunch.

Stress affects your work, relationships and health – three good reasons to put these five simple stress-busters into your life.

5 brain friendly foods

Posted on by Aziz Ampanwala

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  1. Fish: The original “brain food” contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils.
  2. Vegetables: This is a great source of antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of developing cognitive impairment.
  3. Fruits: Red and dark berries, plums, avocados, oranges, cherries and kiwis are rich in antioxidants.
  4. Water: Not a food, but very important. Stay hydrated!
  5. Chocolate: Last is cocoa beans, which contain flavanol epicatechin and antioxidants. The sweetest way to improve memory.