SMILE: To Set Yourself Free

The family lines up; the photographer makes some changes to the lineup and then says “SMILE”. Everybody in the family show their glistening white pearls and then comes the sound of the shutter “click” and the moment is captured forever. Even after many years that photograph possesses the magic to usher smiles on the faces of the people looking at it. All the things in this world are transient. But what lasts are memories and the good memories always stay locked in some hidden corner of our hearts waiting to unleash a rapturous enchantment upon us in times of dejection.

We succumb to the forces of nature and end up in the heap of dust from which we were made. But we leave a part of ourselves here on earth.  So why not leave something lovely? A smile is the perfect solution to all the problems in life. Just imagine when a mother is exhausted because her baby is bubbling food out and the baby smiles, the mother forget all the messy misery and smiles with the baby. Just imagine when a nervous bride receives a comforting smile from her father at the altar, she warms up for a long life ahead. In the nutshell a smile is like a warm ray emitted from a heat source that reaches a cold and frail person.

Smiling is the key to emotional elevation which can be indirectly involved in improving physical health as well. But since we are surrounded by so many worries i.e. from worrying about increasing fuel prices to feeling blue due to a lost credit card, the art of smiling has somewhat evaporated from our lives. Here are a few ways we can add a smiley twist to our smile deprived lives:

1. Smile when you are angry: it is best to allow a mild smile to overpower the harshness of anger. So smile when you are angry, say 1, 2, 3 eeeeeeeee!!!!(Yes that’s how u should smile; all out!!)
2. Celebrate a “smiley” day: this one is for the over organized management freaks who write down everything in their event planner. Put down date in your planner and celebrate it as the smiley day. Make sure to smile during the entire day and spread the message as well.
3. Gift smiles: on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries gift each other smiles. A creative way to do it would be to actually wear funny masks to the occasion and shout smile whenever u fell the need to do it.
4. Take it to the next level: if you are already bored of smiling subtly then take it to the next level by getting rid of all inhibitions and laughing your heart loud. It lowers blood pressure and gives your facial muscles a free workout as well!!

What is most interesting to note is the weight of science that can be associated with smiling. We spend hundreds of dollars on expensive beauty treatments and despite that search for the ultimate glow. Do we ever look inside ourselves for that glow? Do we explore the recesses of our mind and heart? Or to put it in simple terms, do we smile? What is the science behind a smile?

1. Smiling actually helps release endorphins in our body which in everyday language can be called the “feel good hormones”.
2. It also improves the efficiency of the heart and lowers cortisol levels of the body which in turn reduce stress.
3. Smiling can also intensify our happiness and change our perspective. Try laughing a bit before you actually read a joke and see the difference!!

It doesn’t matter if it’s a phony smile or a genuine smile or an innocent smile. A smile is just a smile. So you should always remember. To smile is to be happy; to smile is to love and most importantly to smile is to live. Keep smiling because live is not just to exist but to LIVE!!

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo  credits: Mallu2007 ( www.flickr.com)

Eggplant – Turkish style

Ingredients

• One large or 2 medium size eggplants
• 2 medium size onions
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 medium size fresh tomatoes (diced)
• 5 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Put diced onions in the oil and cook for 2-3 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.

2) Wash, pill and cut eggplant in 1×1″ cubes. Add the eggplant, salt and pepper to the onion/garlic mixture and cook for 5-7 mins, stirring occasionally.

3) Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the eggplant and cook for 2 more minutes.

4) Let the mixture to cool down and enjoy as a cold appetizer, salad or side dish.

Did you know that……….

1) Eggplant is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which can help protect against colon cancer and balances the digestive system .

2) Chlorogenic acid is a plant compound that is known for its high antioxidant activity, it has a great capacity to fight free radicals.

3) Another important function of eggplants are that they act as antimicrobial, antiviral and antimutagenic.

4) The potassium helps to balance the salt intake, maintain a good hydration level and regulate the blood pressure of the body.

5) Eggplants are also used to reduce glucose levels of type II Diabetes. The vegetable known as a natural method of controlling diabetes.

Enjoy more great recipes: Eggplant salad, Egg Salad and Green Beans.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

*image credits: photos by sweetbeetandgreenbean on flickr

Laughter Meditation

Laugh yourself to peace of mind and well-being.

We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medication. But laughter can also be the best meditation. Although traditional meditation forms regard silence, stillness and focus to be their mainstay, some of the expressive or dynamic meditation forms such as dancing, screaming, shouting, crying and laughing are proven to be quite fulfilling and nurturing as they provide a much needed release of negativity or excess energy. Of these, laughter meditation is the most popular and known for its many benefits.

First of all, meditation or not, laughter is a healer. Mentally, emotionally and physically. Laughter soothes the mind, heals the heart and aids in regeneration by oxygenating the blood and increasing circulation.

Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm, and increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen. Laughter is a good workout for respiratory, abdominal, leg, back and facial muscles.

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A hearty laugh relieves physical tension, leaving your muscles relaxed. When we laugh, the stress hormones in the body are greatly reduced, alleviating tension and depression instantly. Epinephrine and cortisol are the killer stress hormones, that are the number one cause of many diseases. Levels of dopamine, associated with blood pressure are also decreased. Laughing is proven to be very beneficial for people who suffer from hypertension.

When the happiness chemicals endorphins and oxytocin are released, so are immunity boosting antibodies thus improving your resistance to disease. Increased levels of endorphins in the body create a sense of well being as these are natural pain killers and greatly help in coping with the suffering from arthritis, migraine and muscular spasms, and all aches & pains. Endorphins improve our attentiveness, pulse, and heart rate.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter dissolves distress and elevates mood. It is not possible to feel anxious, angry, or sad when laughing. Humor is powerful way to break the ice, heal resentments, resolve disagreements and build relationships.

Although quite possibly the simplest type of meditation to practise at home, many towns have laughter clubs or meditation groups where you can guffaw yourself to inner peace with others. A laughter meditation class can typically include warming up with breathing exercises, laughing for an extended period of time and ending with a quiet meditation to reflect on the self and the effects of this frenetic experience.

Most find that sharing the practice increases its benefits. The synergy works wonders for the experience itself while laughing is an essential tool in effective relationships, improving interpersonal exchange, removing inhibitions and enhancing bonds.

Trying laughter meditation costs nothing and feeds the whole body and mind. It may at times seem difficult to laugh without a subject to laugh at or about, but even forcing a laugh can provide all the above benefits and soon it will become a natural practice. Beginning the day with laughter meditation can lend a sunny, joyous quality to your entire day, or you can unwind with a session at the end of the day if that suits you.

*Image credits by lululemon athletica, premasagar and eschipul on flickr

Living Foods: Adopting a Raw Food Diet

Many yogis and yoginis the world over are joining the raw food revolution, that is preparing and eating meals centered around raw foods. Foods are raw if they are uncooked – never heated above 42 C/118 F degrees, unprocessed – as fresh and to their true form as possible, and organic – with no irradiation, preservatives or pesticides.

A raw food diet is a good way to detoxify the body. When practiced properly, it can eliminate toxins or other contaminants that are stored in the body’s fat and cells. Raw foods are also nutrient packed and are alkaline. In general, our bodies are too acidic and alkalis will neutralize them and introduce more oxygen into the blood, lack of which causes many diseases. Raw foods are also low in fat and sugars and can help one lose weight or just become healthier. Other benefits include less mucus in the body, better skin and hair, more energy, improved clarity of mind, better muscle and joint function and prevention of cancer and heart disease.

One of the disadvantages of raw food however, is that it’s hard to get the required energy (calories) from a purely raw lifestyle. Another problem with being 100% raw is that it takes more effort than preparing regular meals and meals or ingredients are harder to acquire all the time like when on the move, at work or spending time with friends.

So while we would never advocate a completely raw lifestyle, we know that incorporating raw foods into your diet can bring about significant changes to your physical and spiritual self.

But why not cook?

• Cooked foods are low in digestive enzymes, as heat destroys them but they are required for proper digestion.
• This will make you tired and sluggish, like you feel after a heavy cooked meal and sends your body into overdrive trying to make its own enzymes for digestion.
• Destroys life force. Raw foodists believe that raw food is live food with energy, while cooked food is dead. Similar to how a raw fruit or seed continues to grow or ripen, but a cooked one decays.
• Applying heat to food changes its ph balance it acidic. Acidic bodies are poorly oxygenated and therefore disease prone.
• Destroys vitamins, nutrients and turns minerals inorganic and therefore hard to absorb.

So if you’re thinking of adopting a raw diet into your lifestyle, consider these and choose foods that have straightforward ingredients, are easy to digest, full of nutrients and vitamins, and are not highly processed or complex.

• Start with buying organic. The difference food grown without added preservatives, hormones or chemicals will make in your life is magnanimous.
• Be gradual. Make healthier choices. Begin making and eating salads and sorbets and smoothies, lettuce wraps, dips and slaws.
• Get juiced. Jampacked with enzymes, organic minerals and vitamins, fruit and vegetable juices will give you vitality. Your immune system will be boosted. Don’t buy the bottled stuff either, squeeze your own and make different healthy variations. Plus you can take it anywhere with you for bursts of energy throughout the day.

Avoid poisoning by getting informed. Some foods must not be consumed raw as they can be toxic. Remember, awareness about the benefits and risks of the raw lifestyle are important as you take up the challenge but relax, eating raw is good for you, your body and your surroundings, it oft endorses the compassion aspect it shares with yoga as most raw foodists are also vegan and it is an excellent way to purify and simplify your life and diet.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

*Photo credits: Wild Tofu, su-lin, massdistraction, Food Thinkers, on flickr

The Power Of Sleep

Sleep like a baby

Well, a quiet baby who loves to sleep. In the modern world, most adults aren’t sleeping enough. Frenetic lifestyles and busy schedules have most of us sleeping less than the required seven to eight hours a night. And it’s not a good sign. Chronic sleep loss can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decreased immunity to disease.

There are many reasons to get enough sleep. Here are some.

Learning and memory: Sleep debt contributes to slower response to stimuli and does not process new information. Memory consolidation occurs during sleep, a process in which people commit data to memory. People who are well rested remember things better.

Metabolism and weight: Sleep deprivation alters the chemicals and hormones in the body that affect appetite and metabolism. Proper sleep ensures a fired up metabolism, while debt makes processing carbohydrates and removal of wastes sluggish.

Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep unintentionally. Poor focus and lapse in judgment may cause accidents particularly while driving or operating machinery, errors at work or school, etc

Mood: Cranky much? Sleep loss may result in irritability and fluctuating moods. It leaves one unable to concentrate, with poor focus and little patience. And lethargy will settle in making one inactive.

Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, irregular heartbeat and poor immunity.

Disease: Deprivation of sleep can affect the immune system, depleting valuable hormones required for cell activity. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight disease including cancer.

Clearly, sleep is essential for proper functioning of the body and mind. For maximum performance at your forty winks and subsequently during the day, here are some tips that may help you sleep like a baby.

Eat several hours before you go to bed
Avoid large meals and beverages late at night. Too much food can cause indigestion which will interfere with sleep. Too many fluids at night can cause you to urinate frequently through the night.

Don’t consume alcohol, nicotine or caffeine
It might help you doze off but alcohol keeps you in the lights stages of sleep. When the sedating effects have worn off, you will find yourself restless, and also most likely dehydrated. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulants, whose effects can take upto 8 hours to wear off. Consuming them at night inhibits good sleep.

Turn off technology
Turn off anything noisy and bright that can be distracting. Don’t just watch one more episode, or click on one more link. You know what that does. Some electrical products buzz, and flash even in hibernation so turn them off.
Try dimming the screen, adjusting the room lights with a dimmer to enhance preparation for sleep.

Exercise (but not just before bed)
Exercise induces great sleep, but make sure you work out many hours before bedtime as a racing heart and released endorphins is the last thing you want keeping you up at night. Exercise in the morning or evening should have you set for the day and sleeping like a dog at night.

Unwind
Take time to relax before bed. A peaceful activity, such as reading or listening to soothing music can be made part of your bedtime ritual.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

*Image Credits : Pictures by bitzcelt, Frankincensy on flickr.

The Key To Meditation

How to Meditate

Modern life is frenetic and fast paced, and stress and over exhaustion are commonplace. But daily meditation can be beneficial in taking the edge off. One of the principles of yoga, meditation is the art of silencing the mind. The ultimate goal is to have a mind completely free of thoughts. Meditation does not discriminate. It is not religious in any way. It is about consciousness and being fully aware of ourselves and our thought process. As little as ten or fifteen minute spent in this state a day will help you find inner peace and balance and ultimately make you productive at all your other endeavors. In our introduction to meditation, we focused on the importance of meditation in yoga and our lives. Read on for how to meditate and why you should.

Some of the many benefits of meditation

- Meditation can make you more patient and tolerant and less bothered by little things.

- Meditation can make you detached from your thoughts, as if you and your thoughts are separate entities. This gives you a sense of control over your thoughts.

- It stops you being a slave to your thoughts. Control over your thoughts will help you block out negative thoughts as well as declutter your mind of unnecessary, distracting thoughts.

- Having a sense of control over your thoughts will also help you cultivate constructive and positive thinking, and be more creative.

- Meditation leads to better health. Stress can cause and aggravate disease. Meditation alleviates stress.

How to meditate

Allocate a time in which you feel ready to quiet your mind. It could be at sunrise before you face the morning, mid afternoon on a hectic day or late evening after a workout.

Choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a position you find comfortable. Traditional cross legged is popular but it doesn’t really matter, just try to keep a straight back as it will assist proper breathing. You can even sit in a chair or lie down, but don’t fall asleep. Meditation requires you to be alert, even if it is a peaceful time.

Close your eyes if this will help you focus.

Some people use repetitive activities such as deep breathing, humming or chanting of mantra to help induce a meditative state. There are many mantras you can try. Find one that feels right to you or use the simple and powerful Om.

If not an incantation, use a word that reflects how you’d like to feel like ‘relax’, ‘calm’, ‘clarity’ and repeat that.

Mental quiet can be difficult to achieve at first so try concentrating on only one thing, such as a candleflame, a water feature or your heartbeat.

Once you can focus on a single thought with ease, trying throwing out any thought that pops into your head until you can achieve complete mental nothingness.

Aspire towards the inner silence. Meditate with intensity. Most importantly, be patient with yourself and don’t give up. Meditation should make you feel rejuvenated even if it seems tiresome at first.

Once you’ve learned to meditate, you don’t have to keep being seated in the lotus position in a private sanctuary. You can use any time you deem fit from during a busy commute to a boring movie to shut out the world and find your inner silence.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: connerdowney, HckySo on flickr

Seven Ways to Boost your Mood

Seven Ways to Feel Better

Every so often all of us fall into a slump and require something different to a coffee to pep us up. Here are some things that will instantly lift your spirits when you’re feeling less than great.

Smile and laugh
Funnily enough, the behavior of smiling and laughing causes the feeling of being happy as much the feeling causes the behaviour, as it releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel good chemicals. You can make a conscious choice to change your mood by acting the way you want to feel. Smiles are contagious. Laughter connects us to one another, and teaches us about ourselves. Spend time with those you love, a small playful child or a cute dog, watch comedies that make you laugh, tell jokes, read humorous blogs and books.

Listen to music
Your favorite music will instantly banish the blues and boost your mood. Listen to a piece of music that reminds you of a special time, when you were feeling great and having the time of your life, and you will experience an instant mood lift. If you can’t think of any, introduce yourself to some peppy and melodic jazz, some playful hiphop, some big riffs with some resonating bass or some frenetic electronic. It will get your feet moving and your mood up.

Connect with nature
A big reason for dampened spirits is a lack of sunshine and a missed connection with the elements. Recycled air, hard flooring and harsh lighting can induce headaches and stress so get outdoors. Sink your feet into the ground, breathe deeply and take it all in. The fresh air, open spaces and the warm glow of the sun or the cold frost of the snow will kiss your cheeks and shoulders and make you feel better.

Banish negativity
The wrong relationships can be very toxic for your soul and mind, sapping all your energy and making you listless. Get rid of your emotional baggage by cutting out people who make you feel hurt, insecure and worthless. Avoid places that bring you down and experiences that are unfulfilling. Surround yourself with positive thoughts and strong, healthy relationships.

Fuel yourself
Most people wouldn’t use substandard fuel in their cars but will put all sorts of rubbish in their own system. The truth of the matter is you are what you eat and a lack of nutritious foods will make you feel flat. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar and foods high in fat and sodium if you need an energy burst and mood lift. Load up on foods and supplements high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Don’t forget fibre, as a sluggish digestive system will make you feel fatigued easily.

Be grateful
A great way to release worries and get happy is by being grateful for what you have (or don’t have!) Focus on the positive, say thank you to those who show kindness to you and count your blessings every single day. Life is unpredictable and nobody gets out alive. Live in the moment and be thankful for what you have.

Get active
Get that body moving. Inactivity leads to further lethargy and feeling worse. An active mind always accompanies an active body so set time aside to work out. Exercise releases endorphins which are a natural pain killer and stress reliever. Even a brisk walk or twenty minutes spent doing yoga will pump oxygen into your blood and have you feeling better. Try some energy boosting poses to help.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: Arnett Gill, iwona_kellie, D Sharon Pruitt, Iain Farrell,  on flickr

Nourishing Yoga: Body, Mind and Spirit

The Reasons we do Yoga

Why do you practice yoga? Or why don’t you, if you’re one of our few readers who need convincing to begin? When I started to give up my vices, with every endeavor, with every new habit I’ve picked up and incorporated into my lifestyle, I posed the question ‘why?’

I started doing yoga as it embodies holistic living, and for me it was adopting a lifelong practice that took care of the whole of me, not just the blood and bones. Yoga means union in Sanskrit and helps you get in touch with yourself, and your true unconscious self. It is body, mind and soul food. Yoga does not discriminate either – you can adopt it into your lifestyle as a child or in old age, male or female, fit or fat, sick or well. If you’ve done yoga and kept at it, chances are you don’t need to read on. However if you’d like a little inspiration.

Body

Like many at first, I considered yoga just for the physical advantages. Because there are a multitude of body benefits to practicing yoga.

For one, it improves circulation, which makes the digestive and endocrine systems much more effective and it strengthens the immune system. Yoga practitioners have a much greater sense of vitality. Respiration is improved and the increase in muscle tone also helps fire up the metabolism.

From a aesthetic and health point of view, it lowers fat and improves muscle tone greatly, yogis and yoginis tend to be lean and poised, and look younger than their real age. And most definitely feel it. Physical energy is increased dramatically.

It also increases flexibility and strength not to mention stamina. Holding those poses requires endurance and it translates the same into daily life, making everyday tasks seem much easier.

Even those who are generally active sports persons claim that yoga provides them with a different physical training than their own activity. Yoga improves athletic performance. Many top athletes are devout yogis.

It is also a great pain reliever. Yoga can quickly rehabilitate the bodies of those who have suffered injury or undergone any type of surgery.

Mind

Yoga also teaches you to quiet the mind and remove distractions particularly helpful when trying to accomplish a task or attain a goal. Just like your body, your mind feels energized by yoga as opposed to tired. It will help you be more alert and focus your energy on where you want it to go. It improves concentration tenfold.

Yoga encourages clear, positive thoughts. It provides practitioners with clarity when dealing with difficult situations. It reduces stress by helping one relax and alleviating tension.

It also unlocks the mind and increases creativity. Yoga helps one surrender their ego which is vital to the creative process, and allows the mind to relax and ideas to flow from within.

Spirit

Yoga helps you get in touch with the emotional being, nourishing and soothing the spirit by creating a sense of well being and calm. Gives a sense of union, or oneness as its meaning implies by building awareness of your body, your feelings, the world around you, the needs of others.

Yoga also plays a big role in boosting self esteem and encourages self acceptance.

Practitioners feel more centered and balanced even when facing external distress be it everyday ordeals, life changing events or hormonal changes.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: lululemon athletica, Brenda-Starr, alicepopkorn on flickr

The ‘Bean’ifits Of Legumes, Pulses and Beans in Your Diet

Years ago I’d seen beans pop up in lists like ‘ten superfoods you need to add to your diet’ and ‘five healthy reasons you should eat chilli’ and I couldn’t resist. I love beans. Having gained a bad reputation as a flatulent food group, they’re probably best avoided just before a class or social gathering but otherwise there’s no reason to give them a miss. In fact, after reading about the overlooked benefits of these little gems, you’ll be popping them in your shopping trolley in no time.

There are many different types of beans – lima beans, kidney beans, red, black, soy, garbanzo beans, butter beans, broad beans, fava beans, haricot, mung and of course, lentils. Where you live will probably determine which beans are easily attainable by you, but canned varieties of just about any bean are readily available in any supermarket.

All types of beans have significant amounts of dietary fiber with one cup of cooked beans providing between nine to thirteen grams of fiber. They contain both types of fiber – soluble and insoluble which the body requires.

Insoluble fiber or ‘roughage’ is the kind that the body cannot process and therefore removes it, taking with it waste products and toxins. Insoluble fiber is necessary for elimination of waste. Soluble fiber however, remains in the body and helps with the processing of fats, lowering cholesterol and slowing the release of sugar into the bloodstream. The risk for heart disease may be reduced by as much as 22% in bean eaters.

Beans also are a great source of B vitamins and folate, calcium and even potassium, which helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Extremely low in fat (3% or less) with a low glycaemic index, giving you energy for longer, beans also help you feel more full, so you’re less likely to binge on other, unhealthy foodstuffs. They’re also great for boosting metabolism. Beans are complex carbohydrates but also happen to be good sources of complete proteins, a rare quality in plants.

Beans are also full of antioxidants. Their ability to protect the body from free-radicals and outside agents means beans have cancer reducing properties!

If just the health benefits aren’t enough to make you choose beans for your next meal, remember that beans are cheaper than chips. Probably the most inexpensive addition to your pantry, even organic beans cost less than most other foods. Considering their benefits, they’re a bargain.

Secondly, they’re delicious. And they’re also super versatile.

If you’re wondering how to utilise the bean in your kitchen, there are countless dishes you can conjure up. Apart from the ubiquitous breakfast dish – baked beans, you can make all sorts of soups and salads with beans, they add a lovely texture to both and are a great accompaniment to greens. Beans are used widely across cultures – Indians love a creamy ‘rajma’, slow cooked kidney beans; while Mexican food like tacos and enchiladas would be nothing without the humble bean; stewed, casseroled, in chillis; bean dips to go with crusty bread or crunchy vegetables; you can even bake with bean flours or make a chicken or tofu dish with bean sauce. Why, plenty of Asian cultures even used beans in desserts – like red bean icecream!

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Photo credits: Francesco Desideri, He-Boden, Su-lin, Elana’s Pantry and jessicafm on flickr

5 Cooling and Easy Indian Drinks to Quench Your Thirst This Summer

There’s no better way to beat the Heat of the Summer than with a cool refreshing drink! But, keeping inspired living in mind, we’re you looking to inspire you with these all natural drinks of India. A country familair with sweltering summers, these traditional Indian beverages like Lassi, Nimboo Pani (lemonade- Indian style), Masala Chaas, Kayree Panha and more are made not just as a simple refreshment, but the natural cooling properties of their ingredients are designed to keep your body cool. So here’s a look at some super cooling and easy-to-make drinks…

Mango Lassi (Yogurt drink)
Mango Lassi is a refreshing sweet yogurt drink perfect for a hot day. Traditionally Lassi is a Salty drink where yogurt is blended together with water, salt and spices until frothy but a more recent twist on the drink is it’s sweet version either plain or flavored by fruit. Mango Lassi is very easy to make.It’s best made with fresh mangoes but can also be substituted by canned mangoes or even mango juice.

Mango Lassi Recipe:
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup mango pulp (fresh or canned)
1 cup crushed ice
3 table spoons sugar / Use sugar substitute for a healthier option (or if the mangoes are sweet enough don’t use any at all)
A sprig of mint or a slice of mango to garnish

Blend all of the above. Add a little water if the consistency is too thick. Keep refrigerated. Serve chilled. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Makes 4 servings. It’s as Simple as that!

*Can’t find mangoes? Try strawberries or your favorite fruit and it’ll be just as good!

Nimboo Pani (Lemonade)
Loved in the US as pure simple “Lemonade”. Nimbu Pani is the Indian version of the same. It’s Lemonade with an Indian twist of Jaljira, a spice blend with cooling properties that packs a real flavor kick!

Nimbu Pani Recipe:
Juice of 4 lemons
Sugar/honey to taste
2 tbsps Jaljira powder (available at most Indian groceries)
Chilled water
Crushed ice
Lemon slices and mint to garnish

* Squeeze all lemons to remove juice and strain the juice to remove seeds. Pour into a large jug.
* Add all the remaining ingredients to get desired strength and sweetness and mix well.
* Serve in chilled glasses garnished with lemon slices.

Kairee Panha (Raw mango drink)
Made with fresh raw mangoes known for their cooling effects on the body and abundantly found in the summer months in India, Kairee (raw mango) Panha originates from the state of Maharashtra in Western India. It is a sweet-sour-spicy drink you’ll just fall in love with! This recipe makes 6 tall glasses.

Kairee Panha Recipe:
4 medium-sized raw green mangoes
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 tbsp coarsely ground black rock salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 tbsps Aniseed/fennel seeds ground coarsely
2 tbsps cumin seeds roasted and ground coarsely
Chilled water
Crushed ice
Sprigs of mint to garnish

Preparation:
* Wash, peel and grate the raw mangoes. Mix the mangoes, sugar and water in a deep saucepan and boil till the mangoes are soft.
* Put this mixture into a food processor and blend till smooth.
* Put the blended mix back into the saucepan and on a medium flame.
* Add the remaining ingredients and cook for another 20 minutes.
* Take off from the fire and allow to cool completely.
* Pour into glasses, dilute with a little chilled water if needed, mix well and add crushed ice.
* Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve.

Masala Chaas (Spiced buttermilk)
Chaas is Buttermilk. Masala Chaas is it nothing but a spiced buttermilk is served as an aperitif and digestive drink.It’s traditionally served in a small clay glass which adds an earthy flavor to it. While yogurt itself has cooling properties, the cumin is what makes this drink so special for the summer. Boiling a teaspoon of cumin in a glass of water to make a tea cures problems in the urinary tract, cleans the bladder and kidneys. And eaten simply or chewed it promotes digestion and boosts immunity making this an all round drink.

Masala Chaas recipe:
1/2 cup yogurt
4 glasses chilled water
1/4 cup of chopped coriander (cilantro)
1/4 cup of mint leaves
1 green chilly
1 tea spoon cumin seed powder
2 tea spoon Black Salt
Salt to taste

Method
Put all the ingredients in a blender till coriander and mint leaves crush very well. Serve cold.

Tender Coconut Water
No Recipes here. The absolute best cooling and refreshing drink there is! All natural- No artificial sweetening, no added flavors or colors….just plain Coconut Water straight from a coconut.

*Photo Credits: blueSkySunHigh, elana’s pantry, DraconianRain, ampersandyslexia, feministjulie on flickr.

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