Why should you drink water from copper vessels?

According to Ayurveda, water stored in a copper vessel can balance all the three doshas in your body, (Vata, Kapha and Pitta) and it does so by positively charging the water. It was found that when copper leaches into the water, it not only purifies the water but charges the water with its positive properties.

In one of the studies published in NCIB, scientists studied the effect of storing water in a copper pot on microbial-contaminated drinking water, including harmful diarrhoeagenic bacteria, including cholerae, E. coli, and Salmonella. The scientists stored the contaminated water in a copper vessel for 16 hours at room temperature and found that the copper surfaces completely killed the bacteria.

Termed as the Oligodynamic Effect, this water has the potency to destroy harmful microbes, fungi, bacteria, etc.

So here are some more health benefits of drinking water from copper vessels:

• Strengthens your immune system - Copper acts as an extremely good immunity booster, which allows your body to defend itself from infection and heal faster.
• Slows down ageing - Copper is a strong anti-oxidant. This reduces aging by activating the production of collagen protein that aids in the formation of new cells and connective tissues.
• Anti-inflammatory and kills bacteria - Copper has anti-inflammatory properties. This helps relieve aches and pains caused due to inflamed joints
• Stimulates the brain  - Copper is known to have brain stimulant and anti-convulsive properties that prevents seizures.
• Good for heart health & fights free radicals  - Copper is packed with very strong anti-oxidant and cell forming properties, which helps fight free radicals
• Regulates melanin production - Copper is the main component in the production of melanin (a pigment that mitigates the color of our eyes, hair and skin) in our bodies.
• Helps in digestion & aids in weight loss - Water from copper vessels tend to stimulate your digestive system, it helps in breaking food down far more efficiently than usual and also detoxifies the body.
• Helps in absorption of iron in the body  - Copper helps in the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract and in the release from its primary storage sites like the liver.

It is recommended that you drink water stored in copper vessels first thing in the morning, so that your empty stomach can properly absorb it.

Start enjoying the health benefits of your own copper water bottle or jugs. AE NATURALS presents leak proof water bottles made with pure virgin copper which will keep you hydrated.

Click here to check out more styles and variety on the copper bottles and jugs.

Announcing various new brands and categories on www.shophealthy.in

www.shophealthy.in is pleased to announce the addition of brand new categories of products besides Kitchen items such as Beauty, Ready to Eat, Seeds, Dry Fruits and products for various other health conditions such as Diabetes, Weight Loss, Heart Health, Health Supplements, General Wellness / Immunity  and a lot more. Do take a look at the refreshed e-store with a plethora of new brands and products that have recently been added. 

Also hurry to avail the latest offer of 10% of on Vedantika Herbals Food & Beauty products! 

Vedantika Herbals is a certified herbals cosmetics and foods manufacturer. Their products are 100% natural and do not contain preservatives, colors or fragrances. Vedantika Herbals Food products include Instant Energy Drinks, Healthy Candies, Milk Shakes and Instant Soups. Our Beauty category includes their products including herbal shampoos, face wash, face packs etc. For a limited time only there is a 10% introductory promotion on all Vedantika's products. 

Visit our website and click on home page banner to see Vedantika's great products especially for you. We hope you enjoy them!

Recipe - Power Packed Smoothies

I got introduced to juicing (especially vegetable juices and fruits and vegetable blends) through Julia Indichova of the http://www.fertileheart.com fame. Ever since then, I have invested in a powerful juicer that can pretty much swallow whole apples, beets and pretty much anything you throw at it and result in a wholesome juice with pulp on the side. My take on juicing and how it helps is a story I will save for another post though. Today, I wanted to share another idea for a wholesome nutritious drink which we call a Smoothie.

The dictionary definition of a smoothie is essentially a thick beverage of fruit pureed in a blender with ice and milk, yogurt or juice. My definition though is slightly different. I make several changes to this basic recipe to make it nutritious and power packed.

Here's how:

1. First I select a base. You can choose milk or yogurt or folks who are dairy intolerant can use water, coconut water or any other fresh un-sweetened fruit juice. 
2. Then I pick a fruit as the flavor of choice such as mangoes, apples, bananas, etc. My daughter especially loves mangoes so she enjoys what I call a "power packed mango milkshake" during summers.  
3. This is followed by adding a dose of nutrition through a natural health supplement  such as wheatgerm or wheatgrass powder or spirulina powder or moringa leaf powder or barley grass powder etc.  
4. Then I add a boost of power by adding healthy seeds such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or a blend of all of them. 
5. Last but not the least, in go nuts such as almonds or walnuts for extra power. 
6. Mind you - I do not use any refined sugar. The smoothie is sweet enough on its own if you use fresh fruit juice as the base. For milk or yogurt based smoothies, I use only natural sweeteners if at all (such as palm sugar or stevia).
7. That's it - blend away and enjoy!

Here's another blogger who has a very nicely illustrated post on green smoothies if you are up for giving that a try next. This one has green leaves incorporated into it and sounds very tempting to me. I am going to venture into this next and let you all know how it goes. Here is her illustrated picture that gives you all these steps in such an easy to remember way...

So tell me - will you or did you give this a try? Or do you have a secret nutritious recipe of your own? Please do share - we'd love to hear!

Tips & Product Suggestions for Weight Loss - Part 3

In our third and final article for the weight loss series, let's talk about the benefits of a few other products that are extremely beneficial towards trimming those extra pounds.


1. Green Tea


Enough and more has been written about the benefits of green tea on our health. According to an article on www.webmd.com, aside from fighting heart disease, cancer, and other diseases, a new study shows that drinking green tea may also fight fat.The study showed that people who drank a bottle of tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea. Researchers say the results indicate that substances found in green tea known as catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat.


Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. But unlike the other two varieties, green tea leaves are not fermented before steaming and drying. Most teas contain large amounts of polyphenols, which are plant-based substances that have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral properties. However, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins. These substances have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but recent research in animals show that catechins may also affect body fat accumulation and help increase metabolism.


Where to Buy
You can browse various organic brands of green tea in our online store under the category of Teas.

2. Moringa Leaf Powder

The moringa's role in weight loss efforts may be chiefly attributable to the plant's low-fat, high-nutrient qualities that make it an acceptable, low-calorie substitute for many other foods. Moringa is also high in Vitamins B1, B2 and B3, which your body needs to convert food to energy instead of storing it as fat.


Benefits
Moringa leaves provide dieters with a rich array of necessary vitamins, proteins and minerals that deliver nutrients without unhealthy fats or high-calorie carbohydrates, according to researchers from John Hopkins University. Each oz. of moringa leaves provides a dieter with more vitamin A than an oz. of carrots, more iron than an oz. of spinach, more calcium than an oz. of milk, more potassium than an oz. of bananas and more vitamin C than an orange, according to a scientific study and nutritional analysis conducted by scientists at the Trees of Life organization. The same study reported that moringa leaves contain protein quality at similar levels to whole milk and eggs, without the fat and calories.


Role In Weight Loss
Moringa leaves are low in fat and highly nutritional. Because they are packed with so many nutrients, they offer dieters a healthy alternative to eating many higher calorie foods. Moringa leaves provide 42 percent of the recommended daily minimum requirement for protein, and 125 percent of the recommended daily minimum requirement for calcium. The B vitamins in moringa leaves also help you digest and convert foods to energy and may increase your metabolism, according to MoringaTreeofLife.com. 


Consumption
Moringa leaves are often eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable in places where the tree is native or cultivated, according to the Environmental Society of Australia. Crushed moringa leaves are available in a dry powder that may be stored on a shelf for years without deterioration or loss of nutrients. Dieters may also steep and drink moringa leaf tea daily for its low-fat, low-calorie nutritional value.


Where to Buy
Our store carries various brands of organic Moringa Leaf Powder under the Overall Health section within Supplements.


3. Seeds Blend


You must be already familiar with usage of flax seeds (or flax seed powder) for weight loss. Other than these power packed omega-3 rich seeds, there are others that have unique nutritional value as well - such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc. Seeds are high in fiber, vitamin E and monounsaturated fats that can help keep our heart healthy and our body disease free. Healthy seeds are also great sources of protein, minerals, zinc and other life-enhancing nutrients. Numerous studies have shown that different types of seeds and nuts can actually prevent weight gain, the development of heart disease and the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. If you are going to add seeds to your diet, I would recommend that you eat only organic seeds, in their raw state. Snacking on nuts and seeds is a great way to win the war against the bad kind of fat, and lose weight in the process. 


According to an article on http://www.globalhealingcenter.com, here are the benefits of the 5 healthiest seeds you should add to your diet: 

i) Sunflower Seeds: 
The perfect phytochemical-rich seed for those of us looking to lose weight, as they promote healthy digestion and increase fiber intake.
Sunflower seeds are also extremely rich in folate, a very important nutrient for women. They are packed full of good fats, antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, selenium and copper, all crucial elements in preventing heart disease, cancer, and other forms of troublesome cellular damage. 

ii & iii) Sesame Seeds (White & Black): 
Sesame seeds are very high in calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron, B1 and phosphorus, sesame seeds are unique in their chemical structure. Possessing important cholesterol-fighting fibers known as lignans, studies show that these seeds can lower blood pressure, as well as protect the liver from damage. Sesame seeds also may help prevent Arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches, menopause, osteoporosis and PMS.

iv) Pumpkin Seeds: 
Some scientific studies have shown that the components of pumpkin seeds may stop the triggering of cancerous behavior in male prostate cells. Pumpkin seeds are high in a form of antioxidant known as carotenoids, a special plant derivative that enhances immune activity and disease fighting capacities. These seeds are also high in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, two important nutrients that may play a role in warding off inflammation, arthritis and osteoporosis. Finally, pumpkin seed are high in phytosterols, plant components that aid in keeping stable levels of cholesterol, enhanced immune response, as well as cancer-fighting attributes.

v) Flax Seeds:
Flax seeds are called the miracle low carb whole grain these days. Flax seed is high in most of the B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese, but this little seed is just getting started. There are three additional nutrient groups which flax seed has in abundance, and each has many benefits. Flax Seed is Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Flax Seed is High in Fiber. You’d be hard-pressed to find a food higher in fiber -- both soluble and insoluble -- than flax. This fiber is probably mainly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax. Fiber in the diet also helps stabilize blood sugar, and, of course, promotes proper functioning of the intestines. Flax Seed is High in Phytochemicals, including many antioxidants. It is perhaps our best source of lignans, which convert in our intestines to substances that tend to balance female hormones.  


Where to Buy
The unique seeds blend available at our store contains a perfect blend of 5 of these most power packed seeds from mother nature. Once there, you can also read about its usage ideas, dosages etc. in the product description.

Tips & Product Suggestions for Weight Loss - Part 2

As promised in my previous post, here is part 2 of the tips and product suggestions for weight loss. 

1.  Barley Grass

According to an article on livestrong.com, an online journal for food, fitness and health through healthy living, Barley grass contains a variety of nutrients and confers health benefits such as support for healthy weight loss. The same article continues as follows:


Nutrition
Barley grass is rich in beta carotene and calcium and it contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Barley grass is packed with fiber and has more iron than spinach. Barley grass can be harvested for grain, cut and juiced, or dried to be put into capsule form.


Benefits
Barley grass is nutrient-dense food because it provides full body nutrition. Barley grass powder is easily digested, which allows for rapid and quick nutrient absorption by the body. Barley grass provides all nutrients needed by the body. It aids cell repair; improves skin health; eases arthritis, asthma and migraines; combats cancer; and helps reduce fatigue.


Weight Loss
Barley grass is also rich in chlorophyll, which is the basis of all plant life. Chlorophyll has been shown to alleviate blood sugar problems in addition to other benefits like neutralizing toxins, purifying the liver and rebuilding blood cells. Balancing your blood sugar keeps your hunger in check by preventing mid-afternoon hunger pangs or cravings. Barley grass and powder have been shown to help stimulate weight loss when added to a healthy diet. Fiber also helps regulate your blood sugar and helps keep you full between meal times. Fiber also binds fatty substances in the intestine and excretes them as waste.


Consumption
The best way to consume barley grass is to drink it freshly pressed. In order to have this readily available, however, you would need to grow your own barley grass. Barley grass is also commonly consumed through powder form, which can be mixed with juice or water. The manufacturing process for the powder retains most of its nutrients and some of its enzymes. However, barley grass pills or tablets are void of healthy enzymes.


Dosage
Enjoy all of these benefits by having just one serving of 3.5g daily.


Where to Buy
Our store stocks various brands of Organic Barley Grass Powder for you to choose from. You can find it in the Supplements section under Powders.

2. Flaxseed Oil


Flaxseed contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and essential fats that have many health and disease-fighting benefits. Flaxseed can be ground but also cold-pressed to produce flax oil. 


Nutrition
Flax oil contains high levels of the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid - almost 8 gms per tablespoon. Omega-3 is a good heart-healthy fat that has the reverse effects of saturated fats, which are known to contribute to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and other degenerative diseases. Taken in supplement form, flaxseed oil can also be beneficial for weight loss because essential fats naturally satiate your appetite, help increase your metabolism, and curb cravings.


Suppresses Appetite
The same online health journal livestrong.com says that the essential oil found in flaxseed actually helps the stomach to retain food longer. When you take flaxseed oil with each meal, the food you've consumed is released more gradually into your small intestine, which slows digestion and helps regulate insulin levels. The result is a gradual steady drop in your blood sugar levels rather than a prolonged plateau, providing you with more energy and a sense of fullness after each meal.


Curbs Cravings
The fatty acids in flaxseed are essential nutrients meaning your body is actually unable to convert other sources of foods into the essential fatty acids naturally found in flaxseed oil. Your body actually seeks out these essential nutrients in the foods you eat. When it can't find them, it detects a nutritional deficiency. The result is you continue to crave unhealthy fats and sweets.


Boosts Metabolism
The essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil help increase your body's metabolic rate allowing you to burn excess fats your body doesn't need, including even unhealthy ones. According to the website, Ask Dr. Sears, your body burns this unwanted fat through thermogenesis, "...a process in which specialized fat cells throughout the body (called brown fat) click into high gear and burn more fat when activated by essential fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)."


Consumption 
Taking flaxseed oil with each meal increases the nutritional value of other foods you're eating, especially foods rich in sulfated amino acids such as yogurt, cabbage, and animal, fish and soy proteins that help the absorption of essential fatty acids into your cell membranes. 


Dosage
The recommended dosage of flaxseed oil for weight loss or maintenance is one to two teaspoons per day divided between each meal


Where to Buy
Our store stocks Organic Cold Pressed Flaxseed Oil that you can find in the section for Oils.

Tips & Product Suggestions for Weight Loss

Ever since we started this venture (our store www.shophealthy.in), the question we have been asked more than any other is – “Do you have some products for weight loss as well?” My answer to this has always been – there is nothing better than regular moderate exercise and a balanced diet. Also you need to remember to burn more calories than you consume.


Here is some more information on additional steps you can take – either to switch to healthier substitutes or use products to aid the goal of weight loss. This article is the first in the series that will discuss various weight loss aids and substitutes.

For this first one, I’d like to focus on Natural Sweeteners. The search for healthy, natural and low calorie sweeteners is not new to households fighting obesity. If you actually think of the  spectrum of sweeteners ranging from least healthy to most healthy, here is how it would look like in the order of bad to good for your health:

Refined Sugar (also called white or regular Sugar)  – Brown Sugar – Jaggery – Palm Sugar and/or  Stevia

Here is a comparison and some facts that you’ll find interesting:

Factor	Stevia	Palm Sugar	Regular Sugar	Brown Sugar
Calories	0	Low	16 (1 teaspoon)	11 (1 teaspoon)
Carbs	0	Low	100%	100%
Glycemic Index	0	35 (Low)	60-90 (High)	66 (High)
Nutrients	Numerous vitamins and trace elements like Selenium, Cobalt and Chromium (powerful antioxidants)	Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and C are naturally present in it. Also has some natural protein and fat.
Made Of	Dried Stevia leaves. (Stevia  is a non-caloric herb that is native to Paraguay).	The sap of palm trees by making several slits into the stem of a palm tree and collecting the sap. The sap is then boiled until it thickens.	Processing sugarcane, crystallized, bleached to make it white and then refined to make it free-flowing.	Molasses mixed with refined sugar
Pros	1.   Excellent for diabetics and weight watchers due to 0 calories, 0 carbs and 0 GI.        2.  Highly sweet        3.  Helps control blood sugar, reduce blood pressure,  preventing hypertension, suppressing appetite	1. Great for people who are weight conscious or diabetic.        2. It cooks, dissolves and melts just like regular sugar.        3. Has a far superior taste than regular sugar        4.Absolutely free from bleaches and preservatives		1. Does not contain the harmful chemicals in bleach since it is not bleached to make it white.  2. It has a slightly lower caloric value than white sugar
Cons	1. Bitter after-taste        2. It does not melt or cook like sugar does	1. It is not completely free of calories or carbs.	1.  White cane sugar is bleached using harmful chemicals like phosphoric acid, formic acid and sulpher-di-oxide	1. It is still 100% carbs and with the same high GI as regular white sugar

If you are like me, after reading these facts you’d like to know more about the regular or brown sugar you’ve probably been consuming all these years.

• So sugar as we know is made out of processing sugarcane, crystallized, bleached to make it white and then refined to make it free-flowing. Bleach contains harmful chemicals like phosphoric acid, formic acid and sulphur di-oxide.
• Sugar is 100% carbs and its GI ranges anywhere from 60-66 (High).
• Brown sugar is often produced by adding cane molasses to completely refined white sugar crystals.
• It may have a slightly stronger flavor with a hint of caramel in taste.
• Brown sugar has a slightly lower caloric value by mass than white sugar due to the presence of water.
• Brown sugar is also 100% carbs though and its GI is the same as white sugar (60-66). By comparison, the GI of honey is 55-60.
• The difference is that brown sugar does not contain the harmful chemicals in bleach since it is not bleached to make it white. And it has a slightly lower caloric value than white sugar. 

But neither white nor brown sugar come even close to all the nutrition and benefits that is provided by Stevia or Palm Sugar.

So here’s the bottom line. If healthy and natural is what you are focused on, make the switch from regular sugar to Palm Sugar. If diabetes is what you are trying to control, then Stevia is the best natural choice for you as a sweetener.