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November 9, 2024 By Mitali Ambekar 28 Comments

Fox Nuts: The Lotus Seeds & Its Nutritional Benefits!

Fox Nuts - Makhana - Lotus SeedsAs a kid, my mother used to feed me fox nuts – which I hated because they were tasteless. A few years ago, someone reintroduced me to them, and to my surprise, I still wasn’t a fan. I wondered why people liked them.

Thankfully, my mom had a way of getting me to eat them. She roasted the nuts, adding some spices and condiments, creating a healthy version of popcorn. Crunchy, flavorful, and the perfect tea-time snack!

Fox nuts are seeds from the lotus flower. They are cultivated in water, largely found in India, and known as “Makhana.” They are also found in Korea, Japan, and Russia, where they are referred to as “Gorgon Nuts” or Euryale Ferox.

Highly nutritious, fox nuts have been popular as a snack and are commonly used in various recipes, especially in Indian cuisine. They can be enjoyed roasted or fried and stored long-term in airtight containers. The Chinese have used them medicinally to strengthen the spleen and kidneys due to their many health benefits.

The Health Benefits Of Eating Fox Nuts

  • Fox Nuts are considered nutritionally superior to dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and coconut in terms of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content
  • They are rich in antioxidants, which help prevent signs of aging like white hair, wrinkles, and premature aging.
  • Their high fiber content helps to avoid constipation. It helps the body flush out waste and prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body 
  • It is also an aphrodisiac, helping in fertility issues like premature ejaculation, increasing the quality of semen and also helps women in overcoming infertility
  • These nuts are low on saturated fats and Sodium and high on Magnesium, Potassium and helps in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes as well
  • Fox Nuts help in controlling palpitation and insomnia as it has calming properties
  • It helps in relieving arthritis – numbness and pain in joints
  • As it is has astringent properties, it also helps cure diarrhea and have a better appetite
  • It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst

Here is my mother’s simple recipe to make it more tastier!

Fox nuts can be included in cereals or soups to support good health. High in protein, they make a great vegetarian snack. However, since their taste is neutral, most people don’t eat them raw. Here’s a simple recipe my mother used to make them more flavorful:

  1. Heat 2 teaspoon of homemade ghee in a pan
  2. Add salt and turmeric, stirring for few seconds. You can also add red chili, curry leaves, and mustard seeds for extra flavor.
  3. Add the Fox nuts and roast them for a few minutes

This snack is ideal for between meals or with tea or coffee. Fox nuts are also enjoyed as a fasting food in India, where they are regarded as sacred. Apart from snacking, you can add them to cereals, vegetable dishes, rice, or even desserts. So, what are you waiting for? Add fox nuts to your diet today!

Found this article helpful? Read up more on nutrition here. To get these tips, recipes and learn more about different foods, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

November 7, 2024 By Divya Thampi Leave a Comment

The Unexpected Cause Of Ageing And Stress

ageing and stressHave you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and been surprised at the ever-increasing wrinkles or the swiftness with which the salt in your hair seems to be overtaking the pepper? Have you found yourself feeling tired at the end of a not so busy day? Found yourself hating the thought of Mondays and eagerly waiting for Saturdays every week? If you have, then you are not alone. There’s a huge percentage of population in their late 30s and 40s who feel stuck in their current jobs despite it seeming like they are living a successful life.

So you followed the life script of studying hard to get good scores, scrambling to get placed in the best of companies, chose your life partner carefully (or your family helped you with that), went on to have kids as per every one’s expectation and suddenly you are here with what looks like a happy family, decent lifestyle, a good designation at work,  month on month salary, plus that void that you feel in your chest. That void is the only thing no one warned you about. Hence, not only are you at a stage in life where it feels like you are living someone else’s dreams but you experience pangs of guilt for feeling so deflated and dissatisfied.

Recently, while watching an interview of Dr. John Demartini, a world-renowned business consultant and author, the interviewer asked this wise 66 year old speaker for the secret to his youth and without blinking an eyelid he replied “I live in congruence with my highest values and that maintains my vitality at the peak levels”. It was a bulb on moment for me. This highly successful man who could easily pass off as a 40 year old, didn’t talk about his diet, his workout regimen or his skin care routine when asked about his youth. He spoke about his values and priorities instead! He said that he lives his life in congruence with his most important values and spends his time doing the things that he feels passionate about.And the absence of that is the exact hidden cause of ageing and stress. When we are living life in a way that is in NOT in sync with what we value most, we are easily overcome with distraction, boredom and frustration. When we are doing things that don’t match our values, we are not playing our ‘A’ game and this leads us to second guessing our own motivations and capabilities. While confidence and enthusiasm evades us, we feel like fakes and suffer from the imposter syndrome. And is that surprising? No! If we are not doing the things we value most, we are being fake (though not deliberately) and trying to do things that doesn’t fit with who we truly are!

So, are you living a life of congruence? The gauge for whether you are or not is your level of satisfaction and enthusiasm in your day to day life. But, in case you are not living such a life of authenticity, don’t despair! Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself which will help you to get some clarity about what are those things that you value most and what your true priorities are.Make sure that you give yourself an undistracted 30 minutes to read through and reflect on these questions because this could change the way you see yourself and your life ahead. Adapted from Dr. Demartini’s methodology, following are the five questions:

  1. Look at your physical surroundings at home and observe the three things that you tend to surround yourself with. You have to choose three. Are they your work material? Or books on poetry? Or paintings that depict nature? Or is it clothes and accessories? Or maybe somethings to do with a particular sport? Or photographs of your loved ones?
  2. What 3 things do you spend most of your time and energy on? Is it your workout regimen? Or music? Or reading about astrology? Or watching programs/videos on a certain topic? Or maybe it is socializing with friends? Or may be checking out recipes or cooking something new? Or is it solving people’s problems? Or on having the right look? Or it is financial planning?
  3. What are the 3 things that you spend most amount of money on? Leaving aside the basic necessities of life that are needed for survival, what things do you end up spending your money on and feel excited every time you are about to buy it? There may be things that you may be spending money on reluctantly, those don’t count.
  4. What are the top three things that you think most about? Whenever you are not focusing on an assigned task, where does your mind drift to? What does it spend a lot of time automatically focusing on and feeling energized about?
  5. What are the areas in your life where you are most disciplined and organized? You may think of yourself as a disorganized and undisciplined, but there are areas where you are neither. It could be the way you organize your work files or the way you maintain your shoes and clothes or the way you plan your holidays or the way you organize meetings. You will have to think a little to identify these areas because they exist.

When you answer these questions, you will see certain areas/ aspects that show up repeatedly. While it is important that you answer these questions in one sitting, keep reading them and going through the questions and answers over a few days or weeks because the real responses will emerge over a period of time. The list you thus form, are your true priorities and the things that you value most. Consider deliberately thinking more about those areas and how you can live by those values and watch your life change for the better. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

We hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below! For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

November 5, 2024 By Madhu Soni 7 Comments

Easy Hacks To Control Hunger Pangs

control hunger pangs

Hunger is an important signal that should not be ignored, but how often have you felt that this is a genuine one? Although growling and gurgling in the stomach are real signals to watch out for, here are some simple and effective hacks to control hunger pangs.

Effective Ways To Control Hunger Pangs

  1. Chew Well: This advice has probably been repeated several times since childhood but is often ignored. Mindful eating begins by sniffing the aroma and savoring every bite. When we chew the food properly, the flavors linger in the mouth, bringing about a satiety value and a feeling of fullness. This helps curb binge eating.
  2. Stay Hydrated: Quite often, our body signals hydration, but we end up eating instead. Getting confused between thirst and hunger is very common. Drinking water from earthen pots quenches thirst more effectively than refrigerated water. You can add lemon water and buttermilk to your diet. Summer coolants like aam panna and kokum sherbet are also great.
  3. Adequate Protein: If, despite eating breakfast, you find yourself eagerly waiting for lunch, you may need to look at the protein content in your diet. Research has shown that adequate amounts of protein help keep you full for a longer period. Ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone that signals you to eat, is lower with high-protein intake.
  4. Soup: is a great rescue from the immense hunger pangs, especially in the evening. The high water content, along with fiber from the veggies, helps control hunger. Having a warm soup surprisingly reduces the appetite. Stick to broth-based soups rather than creamy ones.
  5. Spice It Up: Major Hunger pangs occur due to bland and unsatisfying food. Adding a few spices not only curbs your appetite but aids digestion. Spicy food is known to increase satiety. A simple salad can become interesting if you add a dash of lemon, sprinkle some chaat masala, or throw in some mint dip!
  6. Healthy Snacking: What you eat when hungry during odd hours plays an important role in controlling hunger pangs. Having a small mid-meal snack is good, but watch out for the quantity and quality. Seasonal fruits will keep you full and healthy. Nuts and seeds, being rich in proteins, are good as well. 
  7. Limit Excessive Sugar: There is a direct link between sugar consumption and increased hunger pangs. Besides keeping a check on high-sugar food intake, watch for hidden sugars in food labels. Opt for natural sugar sources like jaggery, dry fruits and fresh fruits.
  8. Exercise: Many people believe that exercise increases appetite. However, with regular aerobic exercise, appetite actually decreases
  9. Sleep: Lack of sleep can impact our eating patterns. Inadequate sleep leads to low energy levels. To compensate for this, we often choose sugary foods, leading to a cycle of empty calories and overeating.

And that’s it! Follow these hacks to control hunger pangs. If, despite these tips, you still feel ravenous, consider consulting a doctor. Check out other articles for healthy recipes and more topics on hunger, food, nutrition and health. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce! 

November 2, 2024 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Transforming Health and Life: Dhiren Matani’s Inspirational Journey to Wellness

Dhiren Matani - Healthy lifestyleIn the face of persistent health challenges, Dhiren Matani, (43), an entrepreneur from Mumbai, embarked on a journey of resilience and transformation. Battling weight issues and a heart condition for some years, he refused to succumb to the daunting odds. Through sheer determination, he took control of his health at the right time by adopting a disciplined lifestyle that nurtured positive change. With unwavering commitment, Dhiren not only managed to conquer these obstacles but also embraced a life of balanced well-being. His story is an inspiring testament to the incredible power of self-care, offering hope and motivation to all those on their path to vitality and wellness.

The Starting Point

So how did it start for Dhiren? In 2017, Dhiren weighed over 90 kg. He was walking 6 km daily and doing some exercises, but none of that reflected in weight loss. Then in 2018, he had a heart attack. That was the turning point for him.

“Post my heart attack, everything changed. I had to take care of my health. The doctor had recommended no running. Basically, I was restricted from doing any activity that would increase my heart rate. I was on medication for my heart issue,” says Dhiren. Dhiren continued with simple exercises like walking and yoga. However, he wanted to get healthy. And was looking for smart watch to help him align his lifestyle.

The Journey with GOQii

Dhiren’s search for a smartwatch eventually led him to GOQii. On reading about GOQii he realised the device came with 3 months personalised coaching. “I liked the fact that GOQii offered three months of personal coaching as well. I joined GOQii in February 2022,” says Dhiren.

On joining GOQii – His health goal was to reduce weight, maintain it, and also control his heart condition and blood pressure.

Dhiren’s initial coach, Gaurav, focused on exercises for weight loss and a reduced-carb diet. “I used to watch Jeet Selal’s video on Play and Exercise,” says Dhiren. Dhiren lost around 6 kg within the first 3 months of joining GOQii. Thereafter, his coach changed, and Meenal Khandelwal was his new coach.

With coach Meenal, the focus changed. Coach Meenal took a holistic approach. She explained the right diet and how to eat right. She focused on maintaining Dhiren’s weight.

Meenal says: “I had to introduce a few habits for Dhiren”, such as Reducing fat intake and adding healthy snack options. For a healthy, balanced diet, fruits and proteins were also added.

Take probiotics for better digestion and green tea with a pinch of cinnamon to control his Blood pressure.

The Challenges and Triumphs

It has not been easy for Dhiren. Maintaining a healthy routine is challenging due to busy schedules, temptations, and a lack of immediate results.

“Initially, it was difficult for Dhiren to change his routine due to his work schedule. But, slowly and steadily he worked towards it and was able to make the changes,” says coach Meenal.

Overcoming inertia, consistency, and adapting to setbacks require mental resilience. Yet, the rewards of enhanced well-being make the effort worthwhile, turning dedication into a catalyst for positive change.

Dhiren’s efforts to follow a routine and be disciplined and consistent helped him achieve his weight loss (his current weight is 78 kgs). However, nine months ago, borderline blood sugar levels were detected, prompting a precautionary course of medication due to a family history of diabetes.

The medication was continued for a period of 4-5 months. Following this, regular blood sugar monitoring revealed normal levels, leading to the discontinuation of medication. His blood sugar is now under control and is focused on maintaining it.

A Journey Towards Wellness

In Dhiren’s inspiring journey, we witness the transformative power of discipline and dedication. He not only shed excess weight but has taken control of his health. With his blood sugar now under control and medications halted, he stands as a testament to what one can achieve with resilience.

As he continues to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle with all his vital parameters under control, Dhiren’s story reminds us that every small step towards health is a giant leap towards a brighter, medication-free future. The journey is ongoing, and Dhiren’s determination keeps him on the path to lasting well-being.

If you or someone you know is on a similar health journey, share this article and consider subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here for guidance and support.

Explore more inspiring Health Stories here.

#BeTheForce

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