5 Essentials Foods To Boost Your Immunity Upcoming Monsoon

Top 5 Essentials Foods To Prepare Your Body For The Upcoming Monsoon

Monsoon diet: With the onset of monsoon, it is essential to boost your immunity to prevent infections. Here are some essential foods you can add to your diet for a healthy immune system.

Most of the cities have already started to experience the pre-monsoon showers and it's predicted that the monsoons should be here in full swing anytime! While this season is such a respite from the heat, the monsoon season comes with its own set of problems like viral fever, cough, cold, stomach infections, dengue, and malaria. Usually, with the onset of heavy reasons, your immune system tends to get compromised due to bacterial or viral infections. It goes without saying that a strong immune system and taking precautions is what's going to help you recover quickly and protect you against infections.

Whether it's prevention, recovery, healing - all that matters is your immune system as it's the first and last line of defense. Your immune system is made up of immune cells and each of these cells needs to have the right amount of energy through the food you eat, the water your drink, and the air you breathe. This is how one maintains a strong immune system.

There are foods that can help you enhance your immune system through this season, but these don't magically boost your immunity. They assist. Your immune system is a function of your overall lifestyle - right nutrition, quality and quantity of water, rest, recovery, sleep, emotional detox, and an active lifestyle to help circulate all the nutrients to all the trillions of cells in your body.

Simple, easily available, and inexpensive foods you can add to your diet this monsoon season

1. Hot Soups

Think monsoons, think hot soups. You can make pumpkin soup, tomato soup, moringa soup, green pea soup, mixed vegetable soup, or even something as simple as rasam. Pumpkin is a fantastic immunity booster due to a high concentration of beta carotene; vitamin C. Make sure you add garlic and ginger as they are highly anti-inflammatory and garlic literally works as an antibiotic and antifungal food. To this preparation, you can also add chilies, unless you have an acidity issue. Chilies are extremely rich in vitamin C too. In case you are a non-vegetarian, a simple chicken broth with spices and vegetables is fantastic immune-boosting food.

2. Oregano

Do you know why? Because of its extremely potent antifungal properties. Monsoons bring the risks of even acquiring fungal infections because the dampness and moisture provides a perfect and conducive environment for them to thrive.

You could simply brew oregano tea or season your salad and food with dried/fresh oregano leaves depending on what's available. Even 1-2 drops of edible oregano essential oil mixed in your water or soup works great. Oregano also benefits the respiratory system and helps loosen up the mucus and phlegm, especially when sipped warm.

3. Nuts and seeds

Whether it's hot or cold, you cannot go wrong with unsalted almonds, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. Make sure you have some amount of these in a day. It could be a handful or less than that, but do not overdo them. Keep them balanced.

4. Cooked Crucifers

These are cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, radish and are fantastic for controlling inflammation, fighting bacterial infections, and powerful immune boosters. Make sure they are well cleaned and cooked/steamed/blanched especially if you have a thyroid condition due to its goitrogenic effect. You can turn them into soups, stir-fries, soups, or vegetable preparations. 

5. Masala box/spice kit

Stock up on common kitchen spices because these are your go-tos during monsoons. Make use of common kitchen spices to boost immunity, such as turmeric, cumin, methi seeds, ginger, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, curry leaves, tulsi/basil leaves, and black pepper. You can make a concoction or a water infusion, or simply add these to your daily cooking.

You can also brew all of it together into a steaming cup of chai, without refined sugar. Instead, replace that with jaggery and you will notice how it only enhances the taste. So, in case your body craves that cup of chai this monsoon, you know you can go for it. Only make it the right way and add spices!

15 WORLD BEERS YOU’LL BE EMBARRASSED TO ORDER IN PUBLIC

15 WORLD BEERS YOU’LL BE EMBARRASSED TO ORDER IN PUBLIC 

1.  400 Pound Monkey Surely a monkey you want on your back. This English Style India Pale Ale from Colorado, US is packed with 6.80% ABV. (Text: Kunal Guha)
2. Bitch Creek Try and look beyond its name and you won’t be disappointed with this one. Winner of several awards, this special strong bitter beer from Idaho, The US is a full-bodied beer that manages to convey the big malt sweetness effectively
3. Arrogant BastardThis Californian beer has an attitude to go with its edgy name. With strong notes of grapefruit and hops, beer connoisseurs attest that it would require an acquired taste palette to appreciate this one
4. What The HuckRight from the Rocky Mountain region in British Columbia, Canada, this smooth and creamy beer has got its name from the fact that it also a touch of huckleberries
5. Moo ThunderA couple of these and you’ll be ready to bring the stable down. This craft beer from Upstate New York is a Sweet Stout that contains 4.9% ABV
6. Panty PeelerWith a name like that, there’s little chance you’ll call for one. But if you dare to, this Alaskan beer has a serious aroma of bitter orange peel and is strong as hell too (8.5% ABV)
7. Pork SlapNo, this isn’t a bacon-flavored beer. Caramel-coloured with a hint of honey, this one from Butternuts Beer & Ale, New York has a subtle biscuit flavor
8. FreaktoberfestThis blood-red lager from New York is a popular Halloween beer that is available in four-packs and kegs (in select outlets) and contains 6.66% ABV
9. Missing ElfThis beer from Lithuania puts forward the curious case of a missing elf. After downing, a couple, try checking the label again and you just might find him
10. Dead FrogThis nut brown ale from British Columbia, Canada may put most off by its name but if you can look beyond it, this one is a refreshing dark ale which has hints of chocolate and espresso
11. Dogs BollocksDon’t be alarmed by its controversial name, this golden-colored brew by the Wychwood Brewery in the UK was a limited edition to commemorate the reunion concert by the Sex Pistols at Finsbury Park on June 23rd, 1996
12. Nasty HabitA varied blend of malts blend with pure mountain water to produce this Canadian beer. A habit worth inculcating, we'd say!
13. Naughty HildegardThis Canadian beer brewed by Driftwood Brewery in Victoria belongs to the bitter premium variety. And if 6.5% ABV knocks you off, this could be your naughty poison
14. VerginaThis Greek Pale Lager may go down smooth but imagine yourself screaming across the bar for another round of Verginas
15. The Men's RoomUnlike the ladies' room, this one has very few secrets. Brewed by Elysian Brewing Company in Washington, US, it is said to have a fruity aroma of American yeast with notes of honey and biscuit malt

Early experiences have larger effect on mood

Early experiences have a larger effect on mood than more recent ones: Study

Washington: New insight on how our experiences during a task or interaction shape our current mood has been recently reported by an international team of researchers. Published in the open-access eLife journal, the study suggests that early experiences may have a larger effect on our mood than more recent events. These findings hold implications for the timing of events in experimental or clinical settings and suggest new directions for mood interventions tailored to individual patients. People routinely report on their moods during everyday activities and when they interact with clinicians providing mental health care. It is commonly believed that the most recent experiences during a task or interaction with someone else may have the strongest effect on how an individual feels at a given time. But in a series of experiments, researchers show that early experiences can have a more significant impact on someone's mood. The research team included first author and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Hanna Keren and colleagues at the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, US.

To address the question of how the timing of an event can impact our current mood, Keren and colleagues began with a computational modeling approach. They developed a novel Primacy model, based on the concept that experiences occurring early in an interaction or game prevail over more recent ones in affecting our mood. They then pitted this model against a Recency model, based on the idea that more recent experiences have a stronger effect on mood. They showed that the Primacy model accounts more for self-reported mood when compared to the Recency and other computational models. They also examined their models concerning the moods of people of different ages, as well as healthy and depressed participants. To do this, they recruited a group of adult volunteers to participate in an online gambling game with small monetary rewards based on their success in the game. They invited the volunteers to report their moods using a sliding scale at several points during the game.

In the second set of experiments, they recruited a group of adolescent volunteers to play a similar game in the laboratory while measuring these participants' brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging. They also collected data on whether the participants had depression, as this can also impact an individual's current mood. The researchers found that early events during the game had the greatest impact on mood in both the adolescent and adult groups. This was also true for individuals with and without depression.

Their imaging data also suggested that earlier experiences in the game 'switched on' parts of the frontal brain associated with moods, rather than later events. These results provided evidence for the neural encoding of the team's Primacy, but not the Recency model. Altogether, the findings raise some important questions, such as why adverse experiences early in a task or interaction may have lasting effects on an individual's mood. Future studies assessing the impact of events on mood over longer time periods might help answer these questions.

In the meantime, Keren and the team suggest their current work may have implications for the way clinicians providing mental health care interact with patients or assess the effectiveness of their treatment, as the timing of good and bad experiences may affect how patients feel about their treatment. 

Bharat Biotech says it received no advance payment from Brazil govt for Covaxin

Bharat Biotech says it received no advance payment from Brazil govt for Covaxin

Reacting to the Brazil government nixing the Covaxin deal, Bharat Biotech on Wednesday 30 June 2021 said the company followed all step-by-step procedures and the vaccine price in the international market too was in public knowledge.

As the Brazil government suspends the deal to purchase 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin over allegations of graft in the the deal, the Hyderabad-based vaccine maker on Wednesday issued a statement and said as of June 29, the vaccine maker has not received any advance payment from the Brazil government. "In the case of procurement of Covaxin by Brazil, a step-by-step approach was followed towards contracts and regulatory approvals, during the 8-month-long process. EUA received was received on June 4. As of June 29, we haven't received any advance payments nor supplied vaccines to Brazil," the company said in a statement.

Brazil suspends Covaxin deal as Bolsonaro faces graft charges

"The pricing of Covaxin has been clearly established between $15-20 per dose for supplies to Governments outside India. The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at $15 per dose," Bharat Biotech said.

The ₹2,400 crore has turned the heat up for the Jair Bolsonaro government as it was alleged that the government struck a deal with Bharat Biotech to acquire about 2 crore doses of Covaxin at a higher price, and at a time when the vaccine was not approved by the regulator of Brazil. Covaxin received emergency use authorisation in Brazil in the first week of June, though the negotiation process has been going on for the last seven-eight months.

Here's what happened

1.       Brazil Health Ministry official Luis Ricardo Miranda who acted as a whistleblower in this case raised suspicion about the deal as Pfizer was reportedly offering Brazil its Covid-19 vaccine at a lower price.

2.       Miranda looks after the imports of the health ministry and when he had to approve an import license, he refused to do so as the company mentioned in the invoice was not Bharat Biotech, the company with which the deal was signed, but some Singapore-based Madison Biotech.

3.       Luis Ricardo Miranda also told senators that he was under pressure to clear the deal.

4.       Bolsonaro defended the allegation saying that there was no corruption as the government did not pay any money and did not receive any vaccine.

5.     Covaxin was granted emergency use approval on June 5. Bharat Biotech also corroborated Bolsonaro's statement that no vaccine has been sent and no money has been received.

6.      Bharat Biotech has, however, said that Madison Biotech is its global sales and marketing arm.

7.     An investigation into the deal began in April.

8.     Brazil's newspapers reported that Bharat Biotech had initially quoted a price of $1.34 per dose, the government agreed to pay $15 per shot.

9.     Whistleblower Miranda and his brother who is a lawmaker met Bolsonaro “The President looked me in the eye and said, ‘This is serious’,” adding, “'If I interfere with this thing, you know what kind of shit it’s going to stir up. This must be so-and-so’s deal.’” the whistleblower has told the investigators.

10. Bharat Biotech said it followed all processes in Brazil as in other countries while the price of the vaccine in the international market was made public beforehand.

Explaining the process of how a country can procure vaccines from Bharat Biotech, the vaccine maker said that the company first received a letter of intent, following which it applues for emergency use authorisation in the country. Once the vaccine gets approval, the health ministry of that country releases a purchase order. Even if the order is placed before the approval, the procurement happens only after the approval.

Once the purchase order is released, the company raises a Pro Forma Invoice based on which the ministry makes the payment. Once the payment is received, the company proceeds to supply the vaccines. In this case, the company received no money from the health department of Brazil, Bharat Biotech said

Maldives to resume visa-on-arrival for tourists from South Asia

Maldives to resume visa-on-arrival for tourists from South Asia

Male: The Maldives to resume visa-on-arrival for tourists from South Asian countries Including India starting from July15.The Ministry of Tourism, Maldives tweeted on Tuesday, Maldives will restart issuing of on-arrival tourist visas starting 15th July to tourists traveling from South Asia. Tourists should have a negative PCR result before landing on the Island.

At the Press Conference held in the President's Office, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that the Maldives will restart issuing tourist VISAs to South Asian tourists and travelers from July 15 onwards. Further details regarding this issue will be announced soon.Additionally, from July 1, work visa holders will be able to re-enter the Maldives. After crossing the border, they will be subject to quarantine in the Maldives. 

The ban was imposed on travelers from across South Asia in the Maldives in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were among the countries affected by the restriction, in addition to India.

However, after reviewing the current situation and the drop in the number of cases the Ministry will decide to allow tourists to the Island.

Occupational Health

 Occupational Health:- 

Occupational health is defined as the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations. According to #worldhealthorganization(WHO), #occupationalhealth deals with all aspects of health and safety in the #workplace and has a strong focus on the primary prevention of hazards. #COVID19 has made a big impact on everyone's social, professional, and personal #life and #health. IF it was not taken care then Occupational Health #risk will become another headache and new health issues can arise.
The Two Big Occupational Health Risks in this Pandemic are:-
1)     Occupational Psychological Stress
2)     Occupational Fear Factors
The best way to overcome it the companies and the employers should reduce the workload and #createawareness camps and those people who have lost their jobs, they can take the help of Ancient VEDIC Practices like doing some #stress-free Yoga, Adopting Ayurveda #Lifestyle, Pranayama, or can do meditation and spending some qualities of time with Friends and Families to get refresh and re-energized.
https://lnkd.in/ey-wrrn
  #stressawareness #stressmanagement #healthandsafety #healthcare #healthyliving #psychology #mentalhealth #depression #wellness #selfcare

Lift your mood in 6 simple ways

Lift your mood in 6 simple ways

Ways to improve brain health include staying connected, calming practices such as meditation and deep breathing, showing empathy and gratitude.

Life is full of ups and downs. We have no control over happenings that cause us to feel low but these stressors keep accumulating over time. Stress is part of life and, though some amount of it is good and makes life Interestingly, an overload can affect our mental well-being in the long run.

Stress can be physical (trauma, illness, environmental and more), psychological (related to emotions such as anger, frustration, jealousy), psycho-social (stemming from relationships with others) or psycho-spiritual (disconnect with core beliefs). 
“Start small but start today! That’s my message to anyone thinking about living a healthier and fuller life. I hope these simple hacks — that can easily be done each day — can go a little way towards improving our wellbeing and optimizing our brains for a more engaged mind, " says Dr. Marcus Ranney, Champion of Wellbeing. 

These easy ways to dissipate built-up tension might help:

1. Light up your life with sunshine - The pandemic has meant that most of us have been homebound through the last nine months. The human body feeds its need for Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. It is essential not just to keep bones healthy but is vital for proper brain functioning. Experts recommend between five and 30 minutes of daily sun to shore up Vitamin D levels. A deficiency has been linked with depression and some other mental disorders.
2. Let your artistic self loose - When was the last time you picked up a pencil to draw? Research has established that creating art boosts cognitive health and this why art therapy is frequently recommended for people with mental health issues.
3. Add some greenery - Research shows a direct relation between greenery and cognitive development as well as mental well-being. Employees at workplaces that offer contact with nature show improved mood and a decrease in general health complaints.
4. Laugh your way to happiness - The positive effects of laughter help overcome stress. In India, laughter therapy is a prevalent practice. Endorphins released during laughter help improve depressive states of mind. So go ahead and watch a comedy series, giggle with loved ones, and generally seek and create opportunities for that infectious laughter.
5. Take the stairs more often - Research shows short bouts of stair-climbing increase energy levels in daily life, with participants, feeling less tense and less tired. Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits of exercise on mental wellbeing and climbing stairs is one of the easiest as well as cheapest ways to achieve that.
6. Eat your way to mental health - Feed your body and also the brain. Eating food that has balanced quantities of minerals and vitamins such as iron, vitamin D, B vitamins (especially B12, B6, B3, and folate B9), choline, zinc, magnesium, iodine, selenium, manganese, copper, and potassium is crucial for neural health.

Other ways to improve brain health include staying connected, calming practices such as meditation and deep breathing, showing empathy and gratitude. #Act Now

Mirror Placement at Home

Mirror Placement at Home for Influence Wealth And Health Status

A mirror is a very small object, but it plays an important role in bringing positive energy to your house. It has a significant Vastu component, which is capable of affecting positive as well as negative energy. It is capable of affecting the energies at home, if not placed in the right direction. Traditionally, the mirror is used as looking glass, but few know about the effect it can have on positive and negative energy. Vastu experts state that mirrors can stagnate the flow of energy through your home. Mirrors also have the power to Influence in bringing prosperity and health, while sucking up the negative energy lurking around you when used right. Read on to find out how you can use this accessory in the correct way, to ensure that you reap the benefits it has to offer.

Applying simple changes in mirror placement could increase wealth in your house. Following are few Vastu tips regarding mirror positions.

Positive Effect

1. If mirrors are placed opposite the locker of your house, this can double wealth.
2. Placing mirrors in the north direction is fruitful. As the north is the center of Lord Kubera- God of Wealth, it is important to keep this direction energetic and positive.
3. To sustain good energies that help increase wealth, any kind of businessman can place mirrors adjacent to the cash box. This will not only increase the wealth but will also attract more customers.
4. For better health, mirrors in the bathroom should be on the east or north walls. This helps in removing negativity and bring in brightness.
5. In dressing rooms, mirrors should be placed within 4 to 5 feet above ground level.

Negative Effect

1. Southeast is a fire direction. If you enhance this by placing a mirror, chances of quarrels and tiffs will become greater. So, avoid fixing looking glass in this direction.
2. Vastu Shastra advises not to place mirrors as opposed to each other. This will encourage restlessness.
3. According to Vastu, the kitchen should not be in the northeast direction. This direction magnetic energy. So, fire can easily destroy positive magnetic energy.
4. According to Vastu, mirrors should not face north or east. This may reflect away positive energy entering from the north or east direction.
5. For good health and peaceful sleep, mirrors should be avoided in bedrooms. According to Vastu, if there is a mirror in the bedroom then it should not face the bed.
6. Mirrors should not face the entrance or the entry gate of the house, as they reflect the energy entering the house.

Mirror Vastu Tips

Mirror Vastu tips

Tip No.1:- Right Placement Matters

As per Vastu shastra, the wrong placement of mirrors at home can do a lot of harm. Never place two mirrors opposite to each other, since they can harbour negative feelings. Ensure that the mirror has been placed at a height of around four to five feet above the ground. Keeping a large side table or dressing table alongside the bed is considered to be auspicious. But make sure that none of the body parts are reflected into the mirror while sleeping.

Tip No.2:- Shape Play 

Go for a square or rectangular mirror, since they are considered auspicious according to Vastu. Avoid buying oval, round, or other irregular-shaped mirrors. Play around with the size of mirrors, since Vastu does not impose restrictions on that. You can create interesting patterns using square or rectangle-shaped mirrors.

Tip No.3:- What Should Reflect 

If you have a beautiful view outside your window, then place a mirror opposite to that window, such that the landscape is reflected in that. This replicates the positive energy and the beauty of the view, filling your home with it. If you feel negative energy creeping in your home or something feels negative, then placing a mirror in front of it will ensure that it sucks the negativity out of it. Also, never place a mirror, glass object, or any shining thing in front of the main gate.

Tip No.4:-  Should Yoy Placed it in the Dinner Room 

The answer is yes! Vastu shastra experts suggest that placing a mirror in the dining room, such that it reflects the dining table is very auspicious. It aids the doubling up of health, food, and wealth. At Livspace, our designers can help you by giving you various options for placing mirrors in this room. One popular way to make your dining room stylish and Vastu compliant is to install a mirrored wall that reflects the entire dining room.

Tip No.5:-  How to Double up Prosperity

If you have a cash locker at home and want to double up prosperity, then make sure you place a mirror in front of it to attract more wealth. Ensure that the mirror is clean and does not show a distorted image of the locker. A clear reflection is a must when you’re using mirrors as per Vastu shastra rules. 

Tip No.6:-  How about the Bathroom  to Double up Prosperity

Do not forget your bathroom when thinking about placing mirrors in accordance with Vastu shastra. When you are putting up a mirror in the bathroom, make sure that you light up the area. Do not place mirrors in the darkness. It is considered inauspicious according to Vastu shastra. Also, try placing the mirror on the North or East wall in the bathroom.

Other Vastu Mirror Tips

1. Square and rectangular mirrors are good for the house; oval and round-shaped mirrors should be avoided.
2. For positive results, individuals suffering from sleeplessness, headache, or heart problems could place a three-inch mirror between the mattress and the bed, facing upward.
3. Mirrors in the bathroom should be sufficiently lighted and should be never kept in the dark. 
4. Mirrors reflecting sunlight, a bed, or the main door attract negative energies. Hence, they should be carefully placed.
5. Discard broken, rusted, or unused mirrors in the house. These can be a source of a hindrance for the overall positive environment.
6. It is believed that using large mirrors on the dressing table and looking at oneself in it early in the morning increases positivity and is regarded auspicious.
7. However, care should be taken while placing the dressing table in the bedroom. The mirror should never reflect the person on the bed that can lead to health issues.
8. Never hang mirrors on the ceilings or the south walls as they can bring negative energies.
9. Window panes and doors made of glass also act as mirrors. Cover them with curtains to avoid any ill effects.
10. Mirrors should not be positioned opposite to one another which can cause restlessness, impatience, or anger.