Saturday, January 30, 2010

Mother's Pride Republic Day 2010 Celebrations














Friday, January 29, 2010

February Event Calender

Mother's Pride Panchkula February Event Calender

Week 1: Vegetable Week

Events of the week:
  • Potato Day
  • Spinach Day
  • Carrot Day
  • Peas Day
  • Me Too Popyee: Drama
  • Chalo Sabzi Mandi: Visit to Vegetable & Fruit Mall
  • Chop and Pop: Salad Making
  • Vegerace: The Vegetable Race
  • Miss and Master Green: Fancy Dress Competition

Week 4: Sports Week

Events of the week:

  • Collage Making Competition
  • Healthiest Tiffin Competition
  • Outdoor Sports Competitions
  • My Father Strongest: Fittest Father Competition

Other Events

  • Birds of a Feather: Club Allocation Day
  • My Smile Sweetest: Toothcare Day
  • My Heart Beats 4 U: Valentine Card Competition
  • Almond Day
  • Poetry Competition
  • Outing to Chhatbir Zoo

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Benefits of Almonds - 4

Almonds are a feel-good and good-for-you food

An ounce of almonds — about 24 nuts — can help you reach your daily vitamin E goal of 15 mg alpha-tocopherol.

Munching on almonds is a beneficial way to spend calories and fat. They offer an array of nutrients the body needs for peak function. At 164 calories per ounce - about the same number as 12 ounces of soda or one and a half ounces of pretzels, and approximately 50 calories less than a typical small order of fast food French fries - almonds fit the bill as a snack or meal ingredient that delivers a great package of nutrients.

Benefits of Almonds - 3

Almonds have cholesterol benefits

Almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol reported in a today’s rapid access issue. Canadian researchers conducted the study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, to determine whether almonds can help reduce heart disease risk by lowering high cholesterol and at what consumption level.

Some previous research has suggested that nut consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Because previous research has suggested that eating more nuts increases calories, nuts generally are not recommended for people who need to restrict calories.Twenty-seven high cholesterol patients (15 men and 12 postmenopausal women, average age 64) completed the three-phase study. Their average total cholesterol level was 260 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) at baseline.

Three one-month diets were undertaken. For one month each participant ate a full dose of almonds (average 74 grams), which represented a little less that one quarter of their total daily caloric intake. For one month they took a half dose of almonds (average 37 grams) – described as a “handful” of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.

The muffin snack served as the control diet because it had about the same amount of calories, protein and saturated and polyunsaturated fats, explains lead author David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., director at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. The only difference was that the monounsaturated fat was swapped for the starch in the muffin, he says. Jenkins is also Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Toronto.Researchers measured cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight in the subjects. They found that patients reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL – bad cholesterol) an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion. “We were quite impressed,” says Jenkins. “If you look at the ratio of LDL to HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol), the reduction was 7.8 percent for the half dose and 12 percent for the full dose by the fourth week. That ratio is very important in assessing cardiovascular risk.”The patients’ cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.Jenkins says that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or “dry roasted” without added oils or salts.

Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated (e.g. almonds, pecans, walnuts).

Participants in this study were carefully counseled on how to use nuts in place of other foods in the diet.

Benefits of Almonds - 2

Almonds Could Help Lower Cholesterol

Keep eating them, researchers say, because they might help lower cholesterol levels. Canadian researchers found that almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol. The study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, is published in Monday's rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.Although some previous research has suggested that eating nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, nuts generally aren't recommended because of their high calorie content, according to the study. Researchers from the University of Toronto studied 27 high cholesterol patients for three months. In the first month, each participant ate a full dose of almonds, averaging 74 grams a day. During the second month, they took a half dose of almonds, averaging 37 grams, which was described as a "handful" of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.

They found that patients reduced LDL cholesterol -- or "bad" cholesterol -- levels an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.The patients' cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.Dr. David Jenkins, Canada research chairman in nutrition and metabolism at the university, said that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or "dry roasted" without added oils or salts.Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated, such as in almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
Benefits of Almonds

Super foods refer to items that have great performance and are packed with nutrients, like spinach and salmon. Almonds are another super food. Eating just a few almonds a day provides many benefits -- and they taste great, too.Rich in Nutrients

Almonds are a great source of Vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, and zinc. Vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals that come from stress and, in particular, heart disease. Although they are fatty, most of an almond is considered “good fat”—that is, unsaturated, and therefore heart-healthy. Some studies even show that almonds reduce cholesterol.

In addition, almonds are a great source of protein and fiber. As a result, eating only a few almonds will make you feel relatively full. They are almost a complete source of nutrition. A recommended serving is 1/3 cup, which amounts to 306 calories. Some people advise filling a bag with the recommended serving and taking it along to eat throughout the day.Almonds come in many palatable flavors, including smoked, honey-roasted, and frosted. While these are all great and offer the same health benefits, plain almonds are also delicious. Enjoy them with salads, baked goods, and a variety of other dishes. You might also consider trying almond butter, a highly recommended alternative to peanut butter, if you are trying to lose weight or generally improve your diet.

Almonds Could Help Lower Cholesterol

Keep eating them, researchers say, because they might help lower cholesterol levels. Canadian researchers found that almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol. The study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, is published in Monday's rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Although some previous research has suggested that eating nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, nuts generally aren't recommended because of their high calorie content, according to the study.

Researchers from the University of Toronto studied 27 high cholesterol patients for three months. In the first month, each participant ate a full dose of almonds, averaging 74 grams a day. During the second month, they took a half dose of almonds, averaging 37 grams, which was described as a "handful" of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.

They found that patients reduced LDL cholesterol -- or "bad" cholesterol -- levels an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion. The patients' cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.

Dr. David Jenkins, Canada research chairman in nutrition and metabolism at the university, said that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or "dry roasted" without added oils or salts.

Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated, such as in almonds, pecans, and walnuts.

Almonds have cholesterol benefits

Almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol reported in a today’s rapid access issue.

Canadian researchers conducted the study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, to determine whether almonds can help reduce heart disease risk by lowering high cholesterol and at what consumption level.

Some previous research has suggested that nut consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Because previous research has suggested that eating more nuts increases calories, nuts generally are not recommended for people who need to restrict calories.

Twenty-seven high cholesterol patients (15 men and 12 postmenopausal women, average age 64) completed the three-phase study. Their average total cholesterol level was 260 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) at baseline.

Three one-month diets were undertaken. For one month each participant ate a full dose of almonds (average 74 grams), which represented a little less that one quarter of their total daily caloric intake. For one month they took a half dose of almonds (average 37 grams) – described as a “handful” of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.

The muffin snack served as the control diet because it had about the same amount of calories, protein and saturated and polyunsaturated fats, explains lead author David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., director at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. The only difference was that the monounsaturated fat was swapped for the starch in the muffin, he says. Jenkins is also Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Toronto.

Researchers measured cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight in the subjects. They found that patients reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL – bad cholesterol) an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.
“We were quite impressed,” says Jenkins. “If you look at the ratio of LDL to HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol), the reduction was 7.8 percent for the half dose and 12 percent for the full dose by the fourth week. That ratio is very important in assessing cardiovascular risk.”

The patients’ cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.Jenkins says that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or “dry roasted” without added oils or salts.Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated (e.g. almonds, pecans, walnuts).
Participants in this study were carefully counseled on how to use nuts in place of other foods in the diet.

Almonds are a feel-good and good-for-you food

An ounce of almonds — about 24 nuts — can help you reach your daily vitamin E goal of 15 mg alpha-tocopherol.
Munching on almonds is a beneficial way to spend calories and fat. They offer an array of nutrients the body needs for peak function. At 164 calories per ounce - about the same number as 12 ounces of soda or one and a half ounces of pretzels, and approximately 50 calories less than a typical small order of fast food French fries - almonds fit the bill as a snack or meal ingredient that delivers a great package of nutrients.

In addition to being an excellent alpha-tocopherol source, almonds offer:· Monounsaturated fat (70 percent of almond's fat is monounsaturated)· Fiber· Protein· The minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc· The B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and folate· Phytonutrients, beneficial plant substances that may be protective against chronic illnessAnd as always, almonds are cholesterol-free

Benefits of Almonds - 1

Benefits of Almonds

Super foods refer to items that have great performance and are packed with nutrients, like spinach and salmon. Almonds are another super food. Eating just a few almonds a day provides many benefits -- and they taste great, too.Rich in Nutrients

Almonds are a great source of Vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, and zinc. Vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals that come from stress and, in particular, heart disease. Although they are fatty, most of an almond is considered “good fat”—that is, unsaturated, and therefore heart-healthy. Some studies even show that almonds reduce cholesterol.

In addition, almonds are a great source of protein and fiber. As a result, eating only a few almonds will make you feel relatively full. They are almost a complete source of nutrition. A recommended serving is 1/3 cup, which amounts to 306 calories. Some people advise filling a bag with the recommended serving and taking it along to eat throughout the day.Almonds come in many palatable flavors, including smoked, honey-roasted, and frosted. While these are all great and offer the same health benefits, plain almonds are also delicious. Enjoy them with salads, baked goods, and a variety of other dishes. You might also consider trying almond butter, a highly recommended alternative to peanut butter, if you are trying to lose weight or generally improve your diet.
Almond Day is celebrated on Feb 16th. History of Almonds Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. They were a prized ingredient in breads served to Egypt's pharos. Their exact ancestry in unknown, but almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia.Explorers ate almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean -- especially in Spain and Italy. The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. The moist, cool weather of the coastal missions, however, did not provide optimum growing conditions. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland. By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley. Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's "Book of Numbers" tells the story of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval. The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. Today, Americans give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year.

Benefits of Almonds

Super foods refer to items that have great performance and are packed with nutrients, like spinach and salmon. Almonds are another super food. Eating just a few almonds a day provides many benefits -- and they taste great, too.Rich in Nutrients
Almonds are a great source of Vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, and zinc. Vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals that come from stress and, in particular, heart disease. Although they are fatty, most of an almond is considered “good fat”—that is, unsaturated, and therefore heart-healthy. Some studies even show that almonds reduce cholesterol.

In addition, almonds are a great source of protein and fiber. As a result, eating only a few almonds will make you feel relatively full. They are almost a complete source of nutrition. A recommended serving is 1/3 cup, which amounts to 306 calories. Some people advise filling a bag with the recommended serving and taking it along to eat throughout the day.Almonds come in many palatable flavors, including smoked, honey-roasted, and frosted. While these are all great and offer the same health benefits, plain almonds are also delicious. Enjoy them with salads, baked goods, and a variety of other dishes. You might also consider trying almond butter, a highly recommended alternative to peanut butter, if you are trying to lose weight or generally improve your diet.

Almonds Could Help Lower Cholesterol
Keep eating them, researchers say, because they might help lower cholesterol levels. Canadian researchers found that almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol. The study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, is published in Monday's rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Although some previous research has suggested that eating nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, nuts generally aren't recommended because of their high calorie content, according to the study.

Researchers from the University of Toronto studied 27 high cholesterol patients for three months. In the first month, each participant ate a full dose of almonds, averaging 74 grams a day. During the second month, they took a half dose of almonds, averaging 37 grams, which was described as a "handful" of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.
They found that patients reduced LDL cholesterol -- or "bad" cholesterol -- levels an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.
The patients' cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.
Dr. David Jenkins, Canada research chairman in nutrition and metabolism at the university, said that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or "dry roasted" without added oils or salts.
Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated, such as in almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
Almonds have cholesterol benefits
Almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol reported in a today’s rapid access issue.
Canadian researchers conducted the study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, to determine whether almonds can help reduce heart disease risk by lowering high cholesterol and at what consumption level.
Some previous research has suggested that nut consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Because previous research has suggested that eating more nuts increases calories, nuts generally are not recommended for people who need to restrict calories.
Twenty-seven high cholesterol patients (15 men and 12 postmenopausal women, average age 64) completed the three-phase study. Their average total cholesterol level was 260 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) at baseline.
Three one-month diets were undertaken. For one month each participant ate a full dose of almonds (average 74 grams), which represented a little less that one quarter of their total daily caloric intake. For one month they took a half dose of almonds (average 37 grams) – described as a “handful” of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.
The muffin snack served as the control diet because it had about the same amount of calories, protein and saturated and polyunsaturated fats, explains lead author David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., director at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. The only difference was that the monounsaturated fat was swapped for the starch in the muffin, he says. Jenkins is also Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Toronto.
Researchers measured cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight in the subjects. They found that patients reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL – bad cholesterol) an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.
“We were quite impressed,” says Jenkins. “If you look at the ratio of LDL to HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol), the reduction was 7.8 percent for the half dose and 12 percent for the full dose by the fourth week. That ratio is very important in assessing cardiovascular risk.”
The patients’ cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.Jenkins says that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or “dry roasted” without added oils or salts.Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated (e.g. almonds, pecans, walnuts).
Participants in this study were carefully counseled on how to use nuts in place of other foods in the diet.
Almonds are a feel-good and good-for-you food
An ounce of almonds — about 24 nuts — can help you reach your daily vitamin E goal of 15 mg alpha-tocopherol.
Munching on almonds is a beneficial way to spend calories and fat. They offer an array of nutrients the body needs for peak function. At 164 calories per ounce - about the same number as 12 ounces of soda or one and a half ounces of pretzels, and approximately 50 calories less than a typical small order of fast food French fries - almonds fit the bill as a snack or meal ingredient that delivers a great package of nutrients.
In addition to being an excellent alpha-tocopherol source, almonds offer:· Monounsaturated fat (70 percent of almond's fat is monounsaturated)· Fiber· Protein· The minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc· The B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and folate· Phytonutrients, beneficial plant substances that may be protective against chronic illnessAnd as always, almonds are cholesterol-free

ALMOND DAY

Almond Day is celebrated on Feb 16th.

History of Almonds

Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. They were a prized ingredient in breads served to Egypt's pharos. Their exact ancestry in unknown, but almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia.Explorers ate almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean -- especially in Spain and Italy.

The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. The moist, cool weather of the coastal missions, however, did not provide optimum growing conditions. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland. By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley.

Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's "Book of Numbers" tells the story of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval.

The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. Today, Americans give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year.

Almond Day is celebrated on Feb 16th. History of Almonds Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. They were a prized ingredient in breads served to Egypt's pharos. Their exact ancestry in unknown, but almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia.Explorers ate almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean -- especially in Spain and Italy. The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. The moist, cool weather of the coastal missions, however, did not provide optimum growing conditions. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland. By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley. Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's "Book of Numbers" tells the story of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval. The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. Today, Americans give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year.

Benefits of Almonds

Super foods refer to items that have great performance and are packed with nutrients, like spinach and salmon. Almonds are another super food. Eating just a few almonds a day provides many benefits -- and they taste great, too.Rich in Nutrients
Almonds are a great source of Vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, and zinc. Vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals that come from stress and, in particular, heart disease. Although they are fatty, most of an almond is considered “good fat”—that is, unsaturated, and therefore heart-healthy. Some studies even show that almonds reduce cholesterol.

In addition, almonds are a great source of protein and fiber. As a result, eating only a few almonds will make you feel relatively full. They are almost a complete source of nutrition. A recommended serving is 1/3 cup, which amounts to 306 calories. Some people advise filling a bag with the recommended serving and taking it along to eat throughout the day.Almonds come in many palatable flavors, including smoked, honey-roasted, and frosted. While these are all great and offer the same health benefits, plain almonds are also delicious. Enjoy them with salads, baked goods, and a variety of other dishes. You might also consider trying almond butter, a highly recommended alternative to peanut butter, if you are trying to lose weight or generally improve your diet.

Almonds Could Help Lower Cholesterol
Keep eating them, researchers say, because they might help lower cholesterol levels. Canadian researchers found that almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol. The study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, is published in Monday's rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Although some previous research has suggested that eating nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, nuts generally aren't recommended because of their high calorie content, according to the study.

Researchers from the University of Toronto studied 27 high cholesterol patients for three months. In the first month, each participant ate a full dose of almonds, averaging 74 grams a day. During the second month, they took a half dose of almonds, averaging 37 grams, which was described as a "handful" of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.
They found that patients reduced LDL cholesterol -- or "bad" cholesterol -- levels an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.
The patients' cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.
Dr. David Jenkins, Canada research chairman in nutrition and metabolism at the university, said that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or "dry roasted" without added oils or salts.
Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated, such as in almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
Almonds have cholesterol benefits
Almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol levels in a study of people with high cholesterol reported in a today’s rapid access issue.
Canadian researchers conducted the study, funded by The Almond Board of California and the Canadian government, to determine whether almonds can help reduce heart disease risk by lowering high cholesterol and at what consumption level.
Some previous research has suggested that nut consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Because previous research has suggested that eating more nuts increases calories, nuts generally are not recommended for people who need to restrict calories.
Twenty-seven high cholesterol patients (15 men and 12 postmenopausal women, average age 64) completed the three-phase study. Their average total cholesterol level was 260 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) at baseline.
Three one-month diets were undertaken. For one month each participant ate a full dose of almonds (average 74 grams), which represented a little less that one quarter of their total daily caloric intake. For one month they took a half dose of almonds (average 37 grams) – described as a “handful” of almonds. In the last month, they ate a low-saturated fat, whole-wheat muffin as a daily snack.
The muffin snack served as the control diet because it had about the same amount of calories, protein and saturated and polyunsaturated fats, explains lead author David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., director at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. The only difference was that the monounsaturated fat was swapped for the starch in the muffin, he says. Jenkins is also Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Toronto.
Researchers measured cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight in the subjects. They found that patients reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL – bad cholesterol) an average 4.4 percent with the half portion of almonds and 9.4 percent with the full portion.
“We were quite impressed,” says Jenkins. “If you look at the ratio of LDL to HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol), the reduction was 7.8 percent for the half dose and 12 percent for the full dose by the fourth week. That ratio is very important in assessing cardiovascular risk.”
The patients’ cholesterol levels did not significantly drop after the muffin phase.Jenkins says that practitioners should encourage patients to eat almonds as part of a healthy balanced diet as long as they are natural or “dry roasted” without added oils or salts.Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a good source of protein, according to the American Heart Association. However, the association stresses that the potential benefits of nuts may be negated if they are added rather than substituted for other foods in the diet. While nuts and seeds tend to be very high in fat and calories, most of the fat is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated (e.g. almonds, pecans, walnuts).
Participants in this study were carefully counseled on how to use nuts in place of other foods in the diet.
Almonds are a feel-good and good-for-you food
An ounce of almonds — about 24 nuts — can help you reach your daily vitamin E goal of 15 mg alpha-tocopherol.
Munching on almonds is a beneficial way to spend calories and fat. They offer an array of nutrients the body needs for peak function. At 164 calories per ounce - about the same number as 12 ounces of soda or one and a half ounces of pretzels, and approximately 50 calories less than a typical small order of fast food French fries - almonds fit the bill as a snack or meal ingredient that delivers a great package of nutrients.
In addition to being an excellent alpha-tocopherol source, almonds offer:· Monounsaturated fat (70 percent of almond's fat is monounsaturated)· Fiber· Protein· The minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc· The B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and folate· Phytonutrients, beneficial plant substances that may be protective against chronic illnessAnd as always, almonds are cholesterol-free

International Carrot Day


The International Carrot Day or the Carrot Day is celebrated every year on April 4th and is the pinnacle for carrot lovers all around the world. It is the day when the carrot is celebrated through carrot parties and other carrot related festivities.

Join the fun and celebrate the Carrot Day yourself

HISTORY OF CARROT DAY

The Carrot Day was founded 2003 to spread knowledge about the carrot and its good attributes around the world.The day is increasingly popular and April 4th 2008 carrot celebration was reported from France, Italy, Sweden, Russia and Japan.

Now it is your turn to be carrot ambassador and continue spreading the message!

To find more about carrots visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot


THE CARROT PARTY

To gather your friends to a carrot party is an excellent way of celebrating the International Carrot Day. Treat them to carrots as snacks and after that a tasteful carrot cake or some other carrot dish. Recommended drink is carrot juice or carrot drinks and carrot shots.



Clothing is important! A true carrot lover celebrates the Carrot Day in a carrot dress or orange Tail Suit with green hat. But for the newcomer it is enough to wear something orange.



Don’t forget to trim your home in order to attain that a homely carrot feeling.Good luck!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Proud Republic Day

Interesting Facts about India

  • India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
  • When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization)
  • The name 'India' is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.
    The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name 'Hindustan' combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.
  • Chess was invented in India.
  • Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.
  • The 'Place Value System' and the 'Decimal System' were developed in India in 100 B.C.
  • The World's First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola.
  • India is the largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest Country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.
  • The game of Snakes & Ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. It was originally called 'Mokshapat'. The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. In time, the game underwent several modifications, but its meaning remained the same, i.e. good deeds take people to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.
  • The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.
  • India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.
  • The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.
  • The world's first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
  • Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
  • India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by India's wealth, had come looking for a sea route to India when he discovered America by mistake.
  • The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word 'NAVGATIH'. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word 'Nou'.
  • Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.
  • The value of "pi" was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.
  • Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus also originated in India.Quadratic Equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 (i.e. 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C.during the Vedic period.Even today, the largest used number is Terra: 10*12(10 to the power of 12).
  • Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world (Source: Gemological Institute of America).
  • The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.
  • Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery and brain surgeries.
  • Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient Indian medicine. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism,physiology, etiology, genetics and immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.
  • India exports software to 90 countries.
  • The four religions born in India - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world's population.
  • Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.
    Islam is India's and the world's second largest religion.
  • There are 300,000 active mosques in India, more than in any other country, including the Muslim world.
  • The oldest European church and synagogue in India are in the city of Cochin. They were built in 1503 and 1568 respectively.
  • Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively
  • The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.
  • The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world's largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.
  • Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.
  • Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called "the Ancient City" when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
    India provides safety for more than 300,000 refugees originally from Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who escaped to flee religious and political persecution.
  • His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, runs his government in exile from Dharmashala in northern India.
  • Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.
    Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.