Mind-blowing food facts!

Natural Foods  1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller  The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University. 2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack                         This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure.  3 Onions are natural antibiotics                              They might make your breath bad but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system. 4 Mushrooms can ward off colds                              They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University. 6 Blueberries can boost memory                              A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory. 8 Eat chocolate, live longer                             Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year.  9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working                        If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down.  10 Never drink tea or coffee with meals                          Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it.  11 Cherries can cure gout                          Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation.  12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's Disease                          According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition.  13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma                           The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell.  14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight                            This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision.  15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verrucas(A verruca (plantar wart) is a wart on the sole of the foot. It is the same as a common wart, but the weight of the body presses it into the foot, which can be painful.)                             Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime.  16 You can have too little salt                            Too much salt isn't good for us but not getting enough can trigger low blood pressure in those susceptible. Consult your GP before making any major diet changes. 17 Figs can delay brittle bone disease                             Good news for the three million osteoporosis sufferers in the UK - it is possible to slow its progress by eating calcium-packed figs. 18 Soya can mimic breast cancer drugs                            A team of Cambridge researchers discovered that a diet high in soya can have a similar effect to anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen.  19 Barbecued-food can cause cancer                           Eating meat that's chargrilled or burnt could lead to stomach, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer because it creates high levels of carcinogenic compounds.  20 Cinnamon can help diabetics                            Just half a teaspoon a day of this spice can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, says US research.  21 Chillies can help you breath more easily                              Capsaicin, which occurs in chillies, shrinks the mucous membranes which can ease blocked noses and sinuses.  22 Watermelon is good for the prostate                              Men will be glad to know that the red flesh contains the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps keep the prostate gland healthy.  23 Coriander can lower your cholesterol levels                           This aromatic herb can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems. 24 Nibbling nuts can prevent blood clots                             Nuts boost nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and eases blood flow.  25 Banish bad breath with natural yoghurt                             A few spoonfuls of natural yoghurt can neutralise halitosis, according to Japanese researchers.

(Information furnished is as received from an email. Thanks to Google for Images)

10 documents to be secured

IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US...

Keep these essential papers in place and inform at least one family member so that your heirs don't have to run from pillar to post to inherit what is rightfully theirs.

1) Primary documents

These include your birth certificate, marriage certificate, PAN card, passport, election ID card and the Aadhaar card. Will be needed when transferring assets to your heirs.

2) Insurance details

The purpose of life insurance will be defeated if your family is in the dark. Make a list of all the policies, mentioning the name of insurers, policy numbers, insured sums and the tenures.

3) Pension documents

If you have an NPS account, mention the account number and nomination details. Give the pension account number with your employer.

4) Property papers

All property-related documents should be in one place. If the property is mortgaged, keep photocopies. Mention the loan account number and the latest outstanding amount. If property is insured, mention policy coverage.

5) Bank account details

Make a list of various bank accounts, giving the name of the bank, the account number, holding pattern and the nomination details.

6) Bank locker details

Mention the name of bank, locker number, ownership pattern and whereabouts of the key. Maintain an inventory of items kept in the locker and update every time you operate it.

7) Demat account details

Give the name of depository partner, demat account number and nomination details. If possible, update the details of the securities in the demat account.

8) Other investments

Give details of the PPF account and folio numbers of other post office investments. Make a list of mutual fund investments, mentioning folio numbers, ownership pattern and nomination details.

9) Loans and Receivables

If you have taken or given private loans to relatives or friends, mention the amount and the date by when these are payable/receivable.

10) Online 10 passwords

Though these are to be kept secret, keep a list for emergency reference. Mention the website, the online ID and the password.

Keep this in mind

This information is to be kept secret and accessed only if the main breadwinner of the family has either died or is in a medical emergency.

Make sure to update the information regularly. How often you do this depends on your convenience and the changes in investments.

The information listed above is very basic. You may want to add more details of other assets along the same lines.

You may want to make an online version of this information as well, but make sure it is on a secure site.

Benefits of Waking Up Early & Tips for waking up early

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Ben Franklin 

Getting up early is not easy for so many persons. But if they practice this good habit there are many benefits associated with it.The benefits of waking up early are myriad. It doesn’t take much to change your lifestyle to avail these benefits. After all, personal and professional well-being, and ultimate success are what everyone seeks. 

1. Time to Exercise

Waking up early gives you the time to exercise. You can easily go for a jog, do a few laps in the pool, practice yoga or hit the gym with plenty of time at hand.

2. Time to Meditate

There is nothing like beginning the day with a dose of meditation. It will help calm your mind and sharpen your reflexes to keep you going through your busy schedule of work.

3. Experience the Charm of Early Morning

Only an early morning person knows the charm and serenity that those hours offer. The silence, the birds chirping, the absence of cars honking, and the sunrise are all advantages only early rising can offer.

4. Increase Productivity and Efficiency

A study conducted at the Texas University in 2008 revealed that early risers are more prone to be productive and efficient at work. In fact, students who wake up early are known to get higher grades than those who wake up late.

5. Eating Breakfast

Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day. Often, you may land up skipping it if you are running late for work. An early start to the day ensures that this significant meal is never given the slip.

6.Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas

"A healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” says Dr Jyothi Prasad, chief dietitian, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore.“There’s a nearly ten-hour long gap between dinner and breakfast, during which the body is on fast mode. As the name suggests, breakfast is the meal you eat to break that fast,” explains Dr Prasad, “It refuels your body with essential nutrients to kick-start your day. So don’t skip it.”


 Less Stress
Giving you ample time to get ready on time, waking up early ensures that you suffer less stress. Beat the traffic and drive to work at ease.


7. Set  Routine
Once you get into the habit of rising early, you are able to set a routine and that obviously leads to better productivity not only at work, but also on the home front and as an individual.


8. Brighter Mood


Early risers are known to be happier and more optimistic than night owls. The latter are known to suffer depression, insomnia and pessimism. The bright start with exercise and optimism is bound to keep you feeling energised and optimistic all day.


9. Better Health


Proper routine and exercise are known factors in ensuring better health in the long run. Waking up early ensures you set aside time to work out. Late risers lack the advantage of time for this.


10. Better Finances


Improved health, enhanced productivity and ameliorated energy can only result in one thing – a higher rate of success. And when this happens in your career, can financial triumph be far behind? So, rise early to kickstart a really great way of doing well in the professional sphere as well.

Here are some tips given by Leo Babauta to get up early

(Source:http://zenhabits.net/10-benefits-of-rising-early-and-how-to-do-it/)

How to Become an Early Riser

• Don’t make drastic changes. Start slowly, by waking just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Get used to this for a few days. Then cut back another 15 minutes. Do this gradually until you get to your goal time.
• Allow yourself to sleep earlier. You might be used to staying up late, perhaps watching TV or surfing the Internet. But if you continue this habit, while trying to get up earlier, sooner or later one is going to give. And if it is the early rising that gives, then you will crash and sleep late and have to start over. I suggest going to bed earlier, even if you don’t think you’ll sleep, and read while in bed. If you’re really tired, you just might fall asleep much sooner than you think.
• Put your alarm clock far from you bed. If it’s right next to your bed, you’ll shut it off or hit snooze. Never hit snooze. If it’s far from your bed, you have to get up out of bed to shut it off. By then, you’re up. Now you just have to stay up.
• Go out of the bedroom as soon as you shut off the alarm. Don’t allow yourself to rationalize going back to bed. Just force yourself to go out of the room. My habit is to stumble into the bathroom and go pee. By the time I’ve done that, and flushed the toilet and washed my hands and looked at my ugly mug in the mirror, I’m awake enough to face the day.
• Do not rationalize. If you allow your brain to talk you out of getting up early, you’ll never do it. Don’t make getting back in bed an option.
• Have a good reason. Set something to do early in the morning that’s important. This reason will motivate you to get up. I like to write in the morning, so that’s my reason. Also, when I’m done with that, I like to read all of your comments!
• Make waking up early a reward. Yes, it might seem at first that you’re forcing yourself to do something hard, but if you make it pleasurable, soon you will look forward to waking up early. A good reward is to make a hot cup of coffee or tea and read a book. Other rewards might be a tasty treat for breakfast (smoothies! yum!) or watching the sunrise, or meditating. Find something that’s pleasurable for you, and allow yourself to do it as part of your morning routine.
• Take advantage of all that extra time. Don’t wake up an hour or two early just to read your blogs, unless that’s a major goal of yours. Don’t wake up early and waste that extra time. Get a jump start on your day! I like to use that time to get a head start on preparing my kids’ lunches, on planning for the rest of the day , on exercising or meditating, and on reading.