Greens 101: Wonderful Watercress

Take one bite of this leafy green and you’ll know that it means serious business. A plant with a 4000 year old history, Nasturtium Officinale, commonly known as watercress has been revered world over for its medicinal properties. Belonging to the mustard family, natural chemicals found in this leafy green that impart a characteristic pungency and kick to it are also responsible for its kickass healing benefits. Through its bright green color and its sinus clearing horseradish like taste, watercress can turn a ho-hum salad or a sandwich into a totally epic one. Continue reading Greens 101: Wonderful Watercress

How to Prevent Ear Infections

Ear infections in children are a common childhood illness. While common, they can cause extreme discomfort in children and often result in a trip to the doctor”s office and a prescription for an antibiotic. In addition, sometimes children who suffer an ear infection cannot hear well for sometime after the infection clears. Children suffering frequent ear infections may have language delays due to having hearing problems in a developmental phase that is critical for language acquisition. Some simple proactive steps go a long way in preventing this painful condition. Continue reading How to Prevent Ear Infections

Relieve Anxiety With Essential Oils

Essential oils can relieve anxiety and promote a relaxation response in the body. Used either as individual oils or as blends, these oils are surprisingly effective. A gentle and pleasurable way to soothe fear, restlessness, and negative emotions that often accompany anxiety, aromatherapy is a simple and drug-free way to induce a sense of well-being. While it is best to seek medical help for chronic anxiety and panic attacks, essential oils are certainly worth a try for short-term anxiety related to specific events. Continue reading Relieve Anxiety With Essential Oils

Do Phthalates in Cosmetics cause Adverse health Effects?

Commonly found in cosmetics, learn why some phthalates such as dibutyl phthalate have been linked with cancer, neurotoxicity and male reproductive problems.

Virtually omnipresent in the modern world, phthalates are synthetic chemicals with multifunctional properties. Known as plasticizers, they are added to plastics to make them flexible and resilient, and are used to manufacture medical devices, vinyl flooring, garden hoses and children’s toys. Continue reading Do Phthalates in Cosmetics cause Adverse health Effects?

Making a Case for Fasting

I have often argued with my mother about her eating habits. On most days she eats breakfast at 11 AM, lunch at 3 PM and snacks on fruits for dinner. She regularly skips meals when she is not hungry and fasts regularly for religious reasons. I was convinced that her erratic eating patterns are responsible for all her existing health conditions. Or was I? Continue reading Making a Case for Fasting

It takes a Mango and Some Kefir: Mango Lassi

Mangoes and cardamom in the smoothie promote digestion

Mango lassi is a traditional drink from India made with mangoes and yogurt. Made popular by Indian restaurants all over North America, mango lassis are yogurt based smoothies made with canned mango pulp, sugar, and whole milk yogurt. Although the restaurant version is not exactly junk food, it is high in sugar, fat and calories. Made at home, a little twist to the traditional recipe can turn mango lassi into a healthy, refreshing, digestion promoting drink that is absolutely delicious! Learning to make it at home is easy. Continue reading It takes a Mango and Some Kefir: Mango Lassi

Edit Your Blood with WellnessFx

I’m never satisfied with the “everything looks fine” phrase that I hear from my doctor when I get the results of my blood work. It’s like, “Is that it? I just let you peek into the depths of my life-source and all you have to say is everything looks fine?”  Besides, what does that “fine” really mean? Continue reading Edit Your Blood with WellnessFx

Healing Comfort Foods

My grandmother’s kitchen was warm and cozy. ‪In a corner of the kitchen was an age-old stove. On it sat a ancient copper pot that held an equally ancient grain. Ganji, a simple rice and water porridge was an all day affair. It was served with all the main meals and sometimes as a snack too. Our grandmother tended lovingly to the pot all day long and we could count on getting a bowl of the hot, steaming porridge whenever we cared for it. I remember once when I was all of six years old and my best friend declared that she had a new best friend, running into her kitchen to cry my heart out. While listening to my tearful outburst, she handed me a bowl of steaming ganji. ‬ Continue reading Healing Comfort Foods