Solitude

Baby & Health-  Glass vs. Plastic Baby Bottles Decades ago, the only baby bottl es av ailable to parents were made of glass. But glass was heavy and, more importantly, breakable. So when plastic bottles came along that were lighter and shatter-proof, the glass bottle became almost obsolete. However, recent reports that a type of plastic found in baby bottles might cause potentially harmful changes in developing babies has left parents wondering if perhaps old-fashioned glass wasn't such a bad thing after all. Baby Bottle Worries The problem with glass bottles is pretty obvious -- drop one on the floor in the middle of a late-night feeding, and you'll have a roomful of shattered glass to clean up. Glass is also heavy and cumbersome. On the upside, glass bottles are sturdy, and they don't contain any chemicals that could potentially get into the baby's formula. Plastic baby bottles are lightweight, strong, and unbreakable. However, concerns ...

The secret to losing weight isn’t just watching what’s on your plate; it’s also about watching what’s in your glass. Popular soft drinks, fruit juices, and energy drinks can be loaded with added sugars and carbohydrates that can sabotage your weight-loss strategy. Here are five tasty ways to drink up without packing on the pounds.   1. Water We all know this one, but it’s important to remember that water is the single best choice for effective weight loss. Whether it’s still or sparkling, aim to make water your go-to beverage choice. Think water is boring? Try adding fresh lemon slices, lime, cucumber, and even a slice of tomato to add flavor without adding many calories. 2. Vegetable juice Whether in a can, bottled, or homemade, vegetable juice is an excellent way to get the fiber and nutrients your body needs to fuel your weight loss. If you can find a low-sodium variety, even better. The veggies will keep you fuller longer and the tangy flavor will keep your taste buds happy. ...

Where can you find happiness?    A boy was standing at a beach facing the bright sun when it was about to set. A old man who passed him just had a look at that young boy, he found that boy was crying. He inquired the boy, he said I am not happy. The old man asked Why are you not happy?. What ever I do I fail in that, I don\'t succeed. Is that the only reason for your lost happiness questioned again by the old man. He said, hell a lot of things are there, why should I tell you all those stuffs. Old man looked into the boy\'s eye and told, happiness lies within you. It was a shock then for the kid, he asked how come? I am not happy still. In reply to the question old man gave a simple formula to the boy, Happiness = Adjustments / Limitations He then explained the boy, life is full of happiness when you have adjustments and limitations. Happiness is directly proportional to Adjustments and inversely proportional to Limitations. When you feel ...

Quick tips for the frequent traveller. Frequent travellers often adopt a sitting posture irrespective of the mode of travel (by air/land). During the journey their spine is subjected to prolonged stress owing to bad posture, vehicle vibrations and poor ergonomics in the vehicle. Repetitive stress in frequent travellers leads to mechanical injury that, if left unattended, results in disabling conditions. The importance of maintaining a good posture and following proper mechanics during lifting heavy baggage, in prevention of back injuries, cannot be overemphasised. Neck Isometrics:  Place your hands against the back of your head. Begin putting foreword pressure against the back of your head and resist the movement with your neck muscles. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat 5-8 times. Shoulder stretches:  Clasp hands behind the back and raise the hand till you feel a mild stretch over the chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of 10 and relax, Repeat 2-3 times Hamstrings stretch: ...

There are plenty of reasons for us to invoke the power of positive thinking in ourselves, but most of the benefits of a positive attitude can be sized into one of these more prominent "Big Three Lesses" below: 1. Less Stress   Imagine all the times you were complaining about somebody or something - chances are those negative feelings were leaving their mark on you in the form of stress.A lot of times, an occasional complaint may seem like an instant stress reliever. But what about such an attitude in the long run? Getting into the habit of constant grousing, particularly over trivialities or things not directly in our control (like other people's attitude, for instance), is a sure fire way to invite the negative power of stress into our being. Since stress feeds on negativity, reducing stress is a good reason to eliminate negativity and stay positive in life.  "Attitude is everything. Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking ab...

Negative people are an unfortunate fact of life. Whether it’s the coworker who is always complaining about the company or the sister whose judgmental remarks make every visit an ordeal, they drive us nuts. Here’s the bad news: we’re not going to change them. But we can learn to react to them in ways that protect our self-esteem as well as our sanity. So we’ve gathered some great tips for you: Steer the conversation in a neutral direction. Talk about books, movies, celebrities  — anything that will stop the complaining or snarking. If a person is talking about a specific problem  (the high cost of medical care, the amount of work she has to do), just listen to her and try to understand how she feels. If you want, ask if there’s anything you can do to help, but only if it won’t drain you. Don’t argue.  That just draws you into the cycle of negativity. Complainers are likely to think that you’re trying to talk them out of feeling angry, and that can make them even angrier...

Meditation has been established as a powerful tool for ushering in peace of mind and putting an end to stress and related maladies like tension headaches, premature ageing and chronic fatigue syndrome If there is one thing that can travel faster than the speed of light, it is the human mind. From dawn to dusk, a jumble of chaotic thoughts crowd our subconscious, demanding our time and attention. This can affect the health and peace of mind. Promoting healing In simplistic terms, meditation is a kind of conscious relaxation—an inner journey towards calmness and tranquillity. According to information released by the Meditation Society of America, regular sessions can improve one’s I.Q., foster creativity and imagination; reduce blood pressure while promoting clear thinking and healing emotional scars and balance. Meditation does not have to have spiritual or religious implications, nor even any rigid rules. Though there are different techniques, the American  Journal of Health Prom...

The weight loss industry grows at six per cent a year and yet the incidence of obesity also increases by six per cent every year! Obviously something is not working. To make matters worse, we are deafened by a cacophony of conflicting dietary advice from the Cookie Diet to the Cabbage Soup Diet and everything in between. If you’ve found it hard to maintain or lose weight, you need to go beyond the familiar “diet and exercise” mantra. There are three hidden causes for the obesity epidemic. 1. The “Overfed / Undernourished” Syndrome Depleted soil conditions and refining give us nutritionally bankrupt foods which fill us without nourishing us. This leads to constant hunger at the cellular level. Solution: Turn to “superfoods” such as wheat grass and alfalfa sprouts to satisfy your ‘cellular’ hunger. Voila! You will eat less and feel more satisfied without dieting! 2. The “Craving-for-Refined-Foods” Syndrome It is not the lack of will power, but undiagnosed food allergies that make you...

I think I am too fat', ‘too short', ‘my hair's too straight'… if you are the type who never tires of self-assessment, then get ready for a mental makeover. Self-image is how you see yourself which reflects on how you feel. Today's youngster often suffers from poor self-image. It's a young people's ‘thing'. Sometimes even something as simple as walking across a room may be traumatic, as the person feels like all eyes are on him/her, judging and analysing. Ask any person how they feel about their looks and you will probably get something like, “I'm too fat” or “I could've been a little taller” or “Maybe if I had straight hair, I'd look better” or “I'm a shade too dark” ... Very few actually say they feel perfect, inside out. It's nobody's fault, really. All in the mind In today's world, with so many ‘beautiful' people around, one who is different from the conventional perception of beauty may actually feel awkward. “I rem...

“Am I fit?” How many times would you have asked yourself this question? Self-evaluation on fitness is tough because you never know what you are supposed to be looking for! Even a “slim” woman could be unhealthy. Conversely, a “stout” man could be really fit. So what are the criteria? Let's reflect just a little bit on fitness and what it means. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and take a good, hard look at yourself. Do you see a slouching body that needs to stand tall? Pinch your midriff. Are your fingers picking up a roll of fat? Smile. Does your face glow; do you feel energetic; are you in shape? Remember, your mirror tells you a lot. Often, it is more accurate than the opinions of people around, so pay attention! These questions tell you where you are right now. But, as you are aware, your fitness status could keep changing. There could be phases in your life where exercise is minimal such as during the monsoon season, or when you are on a vacation. You have to make a co...