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5 Winter Drinks and Beverage To Keep You Warm

winter drinks

During this nice chilly winter weather, there’s nothing more warming than a hot bowl of soup or a nice healthy drink. So why not take that warm feeling to the next level with some healthy winter drinks and beverages? 

Winter is a season of abundance – abundance of holidays, festivals, love and gratitude. This abundance is extended with the availability of a variety of fresh produce and a high metabolic rate that keeps making us feel hungry. A perfect opportunity to replenish your body stores of some crucial nutrients that you might need throughout the year. This makes it even more imperative for one to opt for healthy options and make the most of it.

While hydration and drinking water or fluids is considered to be a summer thing, it is equally important to keep yourself hydrated in the winters! Winters are dry and windy, and it takes more of your body to keep your skin moist and supple. Moreover, infection rates are higher during these times and hence, it is crucial to keep up your immunity game strong. Water is a simple tool for hydration and flushing out the infectious agents from the body. However, warm fluids give an added comfort, soothing the throat, warming your insides and a very filling effect on the stomach.

5 Winter Drinks and Beverages To Keep You Warm 

1. Soup
With bountiful fresh produce, seasonal vegetables and liberty of spices and herbs, it is the most convenient time of the year to cook soups and relish a hot bowl. Gourd soups with pumpkin, bottle gourd and tomatoes; The CBT soup with carrot, beetroot and tomatoes; Dal and tomato soup that has the goodness of moong dal proteins; Lemon coriander soup; Spinach soup; Broccoli almond soup.; Mushroom soup are just a few examples from the wide array of choices for this season, as all of these vegetables are easily available during this time. It has the benefits of vitamin A from the gourds, Vitamin C from lemons, and they both help build immunity. Quercetin from tomatoes and anthocyanins from beets enhance heart health. While spinach and broccoli have the goodness of calcium and vitamin K essential in bone health. Season soups with ginger, garlic and herbs like pepper, basil and oregano; some whole spices like bay leaf, star anise. Drizzle the bowl of soup with good fat like olive oil or sesame oil and you are good for a slurpy meal. Keeps you full for long, helps in weight loss and easy on the gut. Avoid packaged and ready to eat/cook soups, they contain very little natural ingredients and are very high in sodium which causes more damage to the body than benefiting it.

2. Spiced Turmeric Lattè
Our traditional Haldi doodh got glorified recently and became the turmeric lattè, which is simply hot milk with turmeric and a dash of cinnamon and pepper powder. It is the best remedy to find relief from sore throats and respiratory diseases. Turmeric invariably has the benefits of curcumin on heart, kidneys, helps control diabetes and wards off infections. For a subtle sweetness, one can add some honey or dates pureè. Sprinkle some dry rose petals and sliced nuts over it.

3. Hot Lemon Gingeràle
Hot water infused with lemon and ginger extract and slightly sweetened with honey gives the hot comfort of the lemon ginger water, soothes the throat and has a relaxing effect on the brain. Ginger has a compound called gingerol and the antioxidants as well as vitamin C from the lemon gives your immunity a boost. A pinch of cinnamon can enhance its flavour.

4. Black or Green Tea (variant: Kashmiri kahwa)
Black or green tea with a slice of lemon can be the most comforting thing ever. Black or green tea are a great source of antioxidants of the catechin family and lemons are rich in vitamin C and limonin, all involved in maintaining the metabolic rate and good blood circulation. The heaven on earth Kashmir is also home to some of the best culinary magics, and one of them is the Kahwa. Kashmiri Kahwa is Kashmiri green tea, boiled with saffron, cardamom and almonds. This drink has the ability to warm you up in the coldest of the winters, like those of Kashmir. 

5. Kaadha
It is an age-old method of curing or preventing winter diseases with a kaadha. Kaadha is a term in Ayurvedic medicine that stands for a concoction or extract of medicinal plants and herbs. Our Indian culture is blessed with a number of spices and other food additives that are not just food but have medicinal benefits too. Indigenous adjuncts and methods of cooking are appreciated worldwide. One can create a simple and beneficial kaadha at home with the following ingredients that can be easily found in any Indian household: 

  • 5-6 tulsi leaves
  • 2-3 mint leaves
  • A small piece of dalchini (cinnamon)
  • 2-3 laung (cloves)
  • 1 elaichi (cardamom)
  • 2-3 kalimiri (black pepper pearls)
  • 1 teaspoon of sauf (fennel seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon of jeera (cumin seeds) 
  • Small piece of ginger
  • Half a lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of honey

Boil all the whole spices in 1 litre of water and let it reduce to half a litre. Then slightly cool down this water, strain it and squeeze half a lemon over it, then add the honey. Sip this water throughout the day for at least 3 times a week. It will keep away common cold, sore throat, maintains your digestive health, eliminates flatus (gas) or bloating, and helps you lose weight by speeding up metabolism.

We hope these easily available winter drinks and beverages help you have a healthy winter! For more tips on staying healthy during winter, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

#BeTheForce 

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Egg – An Antidote For The Immune System

egg

If you’ve been looking to up your protein intake and boost your immunity then look no further than the egg! It’s a staple for most of us at home and makes for the perfect breakfast meal but there is so much more to the versatile egg than just that! 

Health Benefits of An Egg 

    1. Proteins: Eggs are a complete source of protein as they have all the 9 essential amino acids which our body cannot produce on its own but has to obtain from a diet. Proteins are the building blocks of our body and a single egg provides 7g of it.
    2. Superfood: These easy to cook eggs are loaded with selenium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and vitamins like B 12, D and E and K. Thus, making them the powerhouse of nutrition. Zinc and selenium helps fight infection and improve immunity.
    3. Healthy Heart: While consuming an egg, eat the whole egg that is the white part and the yolk too. Egg yolks have been in controversy for a long time. But contrary to the popular belief, the egg yolk can be consumed daily. It is rich in nutrients and cholesterol and this cholesterol has less effect on blood cholesterol. It is the junk food or the saturated fats which raises blood cholesterol. Although, consult your doctor or nutritionist before consuming eggs especially if you’re suffering from high cholesterol.
    4. Energy Booster: Riboflavin, a Vitamin found in eggs, helps the body convert the food we eat into energy. Include this in your daily diet and say goodbye to lethargy. This inexpensive food, found all around the year, can be the constant source of energy.
    5. Sharper Brains: Eggs are rightly called the brain food because of the essential nutrient choline. Choline is said to keep neurological disorders away. Pregnant women are advised to have eggs to prevent any neural tube defects. Omega 3  fatty acids present in eggs protect against Alzheimer and improve cognitive function.
    6. Stronger Bones: One of the natural sources of Vitamin D is egg. Vitamin D ensures strong bones and teeth. It prevents osteoporosis and rickets. Vitamin D helps in absorption of Vitamin C which promotes a healthy heart and a healthy gut. Vitamin D plays a vital role in cell formation, immune system and reducing inflammation.
    7. Boon for Weight Watchers: The high protein content of the egg helps the body stay full for a longer period of time. It provides satiety and prevents binge eating.

With the myriad of benefits offered by the humble egg, we should try including it in our daily diet. It never gets boring because you can boil it, poach it, fry it, scramble it or eat it as a sandwich or any other accompaniment you like. How do you like eating your eggs? Let us know in the comments below! 

For more informative topics, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for personalised health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

#BeTheForce

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Top 5 Brain-Boosting Snacks For A Productive Workday!

brain-boosting snacksWe can’t deny that there are days when you’re a little slow, lethargic or just not focused enough to push through all the work that’s on your plate. Well, don’t worry, it is just a matter of eating the right food! Try these awesome brain-boosting snacks which will improve your memory, focus and concentration while working or even studying!

 Top 5 Brain-Boosting Snacks

  1. Nuts: It’s ironic that while referring to someone we perceive as insanely stupid, we call them a nut. While, on the contrary, nuts actually make us more intelligent. They are the powerhouse of omega-3, omega -6, and Vitamin-E! They improve brain functions and help prevent cognitive decline, especially in older adults. Eating nuts as a snacking option is good for your brain as well as for the heart. Eat a fistful of nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, peanuts) instead of munching unhealthy biscuits, chips, namkeen, etc. during your tea break at home. Do check with your doctor before you do, in case you’re allergic to nuts. 
  2. Pumpkin Seeds: are richer in zinc among other seeds. These seeds include other valuable nutrients like magnesium, copper, and iron which enhance memory and reduce stress. They are the precursor to the good mood chemical called serotonin and contain very powerful antioxidants that protect the brain from free radicals. Toss them with your nuts or sprinkle over salads, soup, smoothies, etc.
  3. Blueberries: are my favourite! They provide numerous health benefits for our brain. They are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich, which helps improve communication among brain cells and improves brain memory. Many studies have suggested that the consumption of blueberries may be effective in improving or delaying short-term memory loss. You can also add blueberries in your breakfast cereal, smoothies, etc. 
  4. Whole Eggs: are great for brain power as they are a rich source of several nutrients that are linked with brain health. Many brain-boosting compounds like choline, vitamin B6 and B12 are found in eggs. Hard-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs are a wonderful snack option in the evening for busy workdays. 
  5. Dark Chocolates: are packed with brain-boosting compounds like flavonoids – which boost memory and mood. As a well-known brain food and mood booster, it’s no wonder that people who eat dark chocolate experience increased positive feelings and better performance in mental tasks. Have it any time you feel unhappy, low, depressed or find yourself in between excess work pressure and don’t forget to share it with your loved ones. Remember though – moderation is key!

All the above brain-boosting snacks are not fried. Avoid nuts with salt. These can easily be consumed and are available as well! So let’s boost brain power and make working from home more effective and enjoyable!

If you still want more healthy snacking options, you can explore healthy snacks such as Gourmet Toasted Coconut Chips, Quinoa Puffs and Protein Puffs from the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii App.

Eat healthy, eat right and #BeTheForce

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Causes of Bad Breath & How You Can Prevent It!

bad breathBad breath always turns people off. No amount of intelligence, beauty, or high fashion sense can make up for bad breath. It negatively affects all aspects of your life and turns you into a person who’s insecure with low self-esteem and no self-confidence at all. Imagine all the business deals and relationship opportunities you’ve missed because of your bad breath. Why suffer from this miserable condition? It’s time to take action and get rid of your bad breath. You can continue covering up those nasty odors or you can take action now to finally address your problem.

What is Morning Breath?

Morning breath is also called dragon breath or Halitosis. When food particles while eating, grind into small particles, it halts on the surface of the tongue, between the teeth or gum tissue. The bacteria in your mouth will break down those food particles which releases bad breath in the morning.

What Causes It?

  • Dryness in the mouth due to reduced saliva production at night or not drinking enough water through the day.
  • An unhealthy diet filled with salt, sugar, strong tasting foods like onion, garlic and fish, if the particles of food remain within the mouth in between your teeth.
  • Sugary diuretic drinks like tea or coffee or packed juice/soda or alcoholic beverages are additionally a standard reason for bad breath.
  • Nicotine products like cigarettes and tobacco also cause bad breath.
  • Medication like antacids, antibiotics leading to dryness in the mouth.

Serious health conditions which cause it include: 

  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) also can contribute to bad morning breath.
  • Gut issues like IBS, Pylori infection, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to regurgitation of undigested food which can cause bad breath.
  • Liver & Kidney Disorders provides you foul ammoniac breath.
  • Respiratory disorders –like Pneumonia & Bronchitis like the formation of pus.

How Can You Prevent Bad Breath?

  1. Hydration: Drink more water to moisten your mouth saliva before going to sleep at night. Keep a bottle on your nightstand just in case you wake up thirsty.
  2. Good oral hygiene: Brushing 30 min after a meal & before bedtime for a minimum of two minutes. It’s imperative to get rid of the food particles. 
  3. Tidy your tongue: Give your tongue a fast cleaning with a tongue scraper within the morning or evening after an extended day. Preferably used copper/tin scraper which has bacteria resistance properties.
  4. Oil Pulling: Every morning on an empty stomach put 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed oil within the mouth. You can use cold-pressed coconut oil/sesame oil for this purpose. Avoid using refined oil. Swish this oil within the mouth for 10 minutes then spit the oil out. This may assist you to scale back toxin not only from the mouth but also detoxify the body. Microorganism in our body is roofed with lipids (fat) so when spit the oil out the bacteria waste alongside the oil is pulled out from the digestion tract. It gives whiter teeth, fresh breath & overall healthiness. Check out other benefits of Oil Pulling here.
  5. Keep track of late evening/night meals: Avoid late-night snacks or sugar-rich desserts which promote bacterial growth and make your mouth acidic. Try to not eat at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Minimize foods with strong-smell and high sulphur content like garlic, onions and boiled eggs that cause bad breath.
  6. Reduced smoking & tobacco use can improve your overall health. Chewing on fennel seeds cloves, chewing twigs like using the bark of Neem Datun are traditional practices. It helps your saliva pH+ by making more alkaline due to antibacterial properties, reducing dental cavities and bad breath.

If you suffer from bad breath, do try these suggestions. If the issue still persists, check with your dentist right away! For more useful information like this, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]