We are in the thick of winter, and if you think that your hypothyroid or low thyroid symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, dry skin and the feeling that you will never feel warm again, ever) have a connection with the cold weather, your hunch may be right. A European Journal of Nutrition study published in 2011 connected cold weather with deficiencies in iodine, a crucial element the body needs to produce thyroid hormone. The study recruited approximately 400 healthy adults living in Brussels, Belgium, and reported that iodine concentrations in the body rose in spring and summer months and dropped in the fall and winter months. Continue reading Five Ways to Heal your Thyroid in Winter
Interview: Seema Dixit
Today I am delighted to feature my long time friend Seema Dixit on my site! Not only does Seema have multiple degrees in Nutrition, International Health and Policy, and Public Health and over 15 years of experience in Public Health focusing on health promotion, she is also a gorgeous soul! Extremely passionate about spreading the word about achieving good health through nutrition, here are her words of wisdom and practical tips on how to achieve a lifetime of good health and wellbeing . Continue reading Interview: Seema Dixit
Interview: Dr. Vandita Samavedi
Good bedside manner seems to come naturally to some and Dr. Vandita Samavedi is one of them. Warm, kind, and caring, she instantly puts you at ease and practices Internal Medicine at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. She also writes for Glow, a Women”s Health and Wellness blog and likes to volunteer at the Indian Seniors Health Fair and Rotacare free clinic. Vandita took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about health, nutrition and the mind-body connection from the heart. So do give it a read. Continue reading Interview: Dr. Vandita Samavedi
Interview: Dr. Indu Partha
When I decided to tackle the Interviews section of my blog, I thought of my friend Indu Partha almost immediately. I think of her as someone who has a great handle on life, her enthusiasm for life is very infectious and she seems to give life and work her all, every single day. And yet, she is so down-to-earth! Here are Indu’s sagacious words about health, cooking and life. Continue reading Interview: Dr. Indu Partha
Holy Basil for Stress
One of the most vivid memories of my childhood is that of following my grandmother around as she went about her daily morning routine of worshipping her Holy Basil (also called Tulsi) plant. Just like every other Hindu household, we had a Tulsi plant planted into a special four-sided structure that had a built-in niche to hold a tiny earthen oil lamp, in our small stone courtyard. The plant and the holy structure were as or even more adored and regularly tended to as the children of the house. Continue reading Holy Basil for Stress
11 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick on the Plane
Remember the H1N1 virus that created havoc in 2009? I wrote this piece back then. I’m not really sure about the bug nomenclature this year, maybe its H3.2N5.6, but that’s not the point, the point is that flights are getting increasingly crowded and the threat of picking up a virus or some other bug with a scary name on a plane is still real. Spring break may be history, but summer is just around the corner and most of us have been nursing serious cases of wanderlust since mid-January. Whether your destination is JFK, CDG or POO (the not-so-charming code for Brazil”s Poco De Caldas Airport) these tips will take you from one terminal to another in a happy and healthy way.
Continue reading 11 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick on the Plane
Mid-Month Wellness News Roundup
If you don’t have the time to sift through all the wonderful trending health news and make matching changes (we call them edits around here) to your lifestyle despite being a health enthusiast, don’t fret. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Here are the top 4 write-ups (according to me) of the at least thousand pieces that I have read in the wellness world this mid-month. One of them is just a facebook update of one of my favorite health gurus, and the other a gist of a television show, but the information is just as exciting and the advice, just as sage. Continue reading Mid-Month Wellness News Roundup
Greens 101: Charismatic Curry Leaves
What is Indian food known for? Tandoori, kebabs, gulaab jamun and curry, right? But have you heard of the curry leaf? It is time for some insight about this pungent leafy green that is often used in Southern Indian cooking as a flavoring agent. Recently, I came upon an article that reported all sorts of wonderful benefits of the leaf and the fact that it also helped prevent diabetes and cancer. I was inspired to dig deeper to find out more about the leaves that I often set aside on my plate, forget to eat and then throw away. Why are they so awesome? What makes them so healthy? And why do I hyperventilate when I peek into the refrigerator and find out that I’m almost out of them? Continue reading Greens 101: Charismatic Curry Leaves
Drink to your Health: Green Smoothies
It is a feeling that we can all relate to, your eyes are bleary, your brain feels foggy and getting out of bed seems, an act of courage. If you have felt like this day after day, you are probably more than ready to give your body a new lease on life. Could your diet, especially your substantial breakfast, be responsible for the energy drain? Continue reading Drink to your Health: Green Smoothies
Make a Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
Have a couple of hours on your hand and want to make your tresses look fabulous? Make a coconut hair oil treatment. Coconut oil has been used for millennia in India and other parts of Asia as a hair treatment of choice. Used for grooming the hair and as a conditioner, it is known to add bounce and shine to dry and damaged hair. When combined with other essential oils, coconut oil can also make an excellent dandruff treatment. Studies have shown that coconut oil has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and reduce protein loss as compared to other oils such as sunflower oil or mineral oil. In addition, it reduces breakage due to its strengthening effect on the tensile properties of hair. Remember to shampoo thoroughly, otherwise you will end up looking like you need a shower ASAP. Continue reading Make a Coconut Oil Hair Treatment