Banana Magic – Every Reason To Go Bananas Over This Fruit
March 7, 2008
Banana is a common fruit available in abundance in most countries. There are available in wide varieties and a favorite of most athletes. If compared to an apple, banana has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorous, five times vitamin A and iron. It is also an excellent source of potassium and contains three natural sugars-sucrose, fructose and glucose along with fiber.
Research has proved that two bananas can provide enough energy for a strenuous ninety minutes workout. There are wide ranges of benefits of eating this magical fruit.
1) Blood Pressure: Banana contains low salt making it best for those suffering from high blood pressure.
2) Mood Swings: The vitamin B6 in banana regulates the blood glucose levels which assist in controlling mood swings. It is also known to calm the nerves because of its high vitamin B content.
3) Anemia: It is rich in iron and stimulates the production of haemoglobin in blood.
4) Depression: With a vast majority of the world population suffering from depression, a survey was conducted by MIND. They gave bananas to patients suffering from depression. The response was tremendous as many felt much better. Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which helps people relax and improves the general mindset. It is also recommended to those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
5) Alertness: Students at Twickenham, Middlessex United Kingdom faired well in their exams by eating banana three times a day with their meals. This proved to boost their alertness. Its potassium content enhances the mind to perform well.
6) Constipation: Bowel movement can be regularized with bananas as it is very high in fibre.
7) Hangover: Banana milkshake with a dash of honey works wonders for hangovers. The fruit calms the stomach, honey builds up the depleted sugar content and milk hydrates the body.
8) Heartburn And Ulcers: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. It is eaten widely against intestinal disorders because it is easily digestible. It neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating and lining of the stomach. So heartburn patients can find relief if they consume this fruit regularly.
9) Pregnancy: Morning sickness is common in pregnancy. Eating bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and can help in preventing bouts of morning sickness. In Thailand, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperament as this fruit can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of the expectant mothers.
10) Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal Of Medicine, regular intake of banana can cut the risk of stroke by 40%.
11) Smoking And Tobacco Abuse: Bananas play a vital role for those who have decided to quit smoking for good. It helps the body to recover faster from the nicotine withdrawal symptoms because of its potassium, magnesium, B6 and B12 vitamin content.
12) Stress Management: Potassium is vital in our diet as it helps to regulate the heartbeat and water balance of the body. When a person is highly stressed, the metabolic rate rises and reduces the potassium content. These levels can be balanced again by consuming banana.
13) Skin problems: Banana peel works wonders in our diet as well on our skin. Mosquito bites can be irritating and sometimes cause swelling, if the affected area is rubbed with the inside of a banana skin, it gives instant relief. Banana skin is known to work on warts as well. With the yellow side out, place the banana skin on the wart and set it with a plaster or surgical tape. Learn more on “Advantages Of Consuming Banana Peel.”
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Mahashivratri – Obeisance To Lord Shiva
March 5, 2008
“Om Namah Shivay”
All our articles, researches and discussions conducted on Lord Shiva will never be completed in this lifetime. We can only touch a pinch of His Mahima (Omnipotent presence) and be grateful that He has blessed us with that much of His Grace hence we are able to spend a fraction of our time, contemplating on Him in this Kaliyug.
Lord Shiva has numerous names which describe various aspects of His nature. The most common one is Bholanath/Bholaynath which means the one who is simple and kind-hearted. There are numerous stories and legends where the Lord has been pleased and has granted boons to those who prayed to Him unknowingly.
Maha means Grand/ Great, Shiv refers to Lord Shiva and Ratri is Night. Mahashivratri is the night of great celebrations done in reverence to Lord Shiva. There are six or seven legends which relate to how and why this day came into existence and its special significance.
One of them states that Mahashivratri is the union Lord Shiva with his wife Goddess Parvati. In her previous birth, Goddess Parvati was known as Sati. She had married the Lord but her father King Daksha was not too pleased. He had organized a Yagna, a spiritual gathering where offerings are made to Agni Dev (Fire God). He had purposely not invited his daughter and her husband. When Sati came to know of this, she was furious and decided to go uninvited. Lord Shiva tried to persuade her to drop this idea but she was relentless.
King Daksha gave his reasons to Sati which was nothing but public humiliation of her husband. Angered by these insults, Sati jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Lord Shiva was torn apart and created havoc at the Yagna. Sati was reborn as Parvati. She had to undergo severe penances for several years until she got to unite with her better half again. So this day is their union. Lord Shiva is also known as Ardhanareshwar which represents half man and half woman.
While another legend plays a more prominent role on this day- during the great churning of the ocean-Samudra Manthan to find the divine nectar/ambrosia, there came out a poison called Halalhal. The Lord saved mankind by drinking the poison and stored it in his throat. This poison turned his throat blue and so he is also known as “Neelkantha / Neelkant” (Neel- Blue, Kantha- throat). Wise sages advised the other Gods to keep Lord Shiva awake the whole night. So they decided to sing and dance and everyone kept a vigil, contemplating on their Lord. At day break, Lord was so pleased with everyone that He granted them boons and fulfilled all their wishes. This tradition continues to be practiced till today where devotees sing bhajans, kirtans and meditate on their Lord Ashutosh, the one who gets easily pleased. Lord Shiva stayed in Rishikesh for a while and left the Halahal there and went to His abode Mount Kailash. There is a beautiful temple surrounding this poison and is called Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir, located on a mountain top.
Temples of Lord Shiva are decorated weeks in advance as devotees throng in thousands to offer their prayers. There are 12 main Jyotirlings where His Lingam is Swayambhu (Formed naturally by nature)
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Somnath in Gujarat
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Mallikarjun in Sri Sailam, Andhra Pradesh
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Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
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Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh
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Kedarnath, Uttaranchal
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Kashi Vishawanath, Varanasi
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Bhimashankar, Nasik, Maharashtra
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Trymbakeshwar, Nasik
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Nageshwar, Near Dwarka, Maharashtra
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Gruneshwar, Near Aurangabad, Maharashtra
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Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu
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Vaidyanath, Parali, Maharashtra. Some devotees consider this place as one of the Jyotirlings while others also consider Vaidyanath in Deogarh, Bihar
Apart from these 12 jyotirlings, Pashupatinath (The Lord of the Animals) located in Nepal too has His Swamyambhu form. Prayers have been offered here for over 1500 years. Each of these Jyotirlings has reasons for their formations and has different Shringars (Dressing of the Lord). Prayers and offerings are presented daily but Mahashivratri is the biggest celebration of them all.
Devotees fast on this day consuming only milk and fruits. They bathe the Lord with holy water of the Ganges and milk or Pancha Amrut which is prepared with water, milk, ghee, honey, sugar and curd. They offer Bel leaves, white fragrant flowers, incense… Why I am listing how to pray to Lord Shiva? He is the Lord who accepts everything offered to Him in devotion so do what your heart says and leave the rest to Him.
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Get The Temptress Look And Hook Your Hunk
March 3, 2008
Is there is a femme fatale inside you screaming to come out? Are you unsure how to unleash it? Or are you just a plain Jane trying to join the Diva brigade? Whatever maybe the reason, there are simple techniques to stun your audience.
There maybe over 100 ways to look glamorous. It all depends on your bone structure, complexion, ethnicity, age and personality. What we are aiming is that the end result of all these combinations should be a traffic-stopping makeover.
Daytime make-up cannot be a stunner as many disapprove such an image at the office. But you can enhance it with nude shades with a touch of class in combinations of peach colors and pinks. These give a natural look. To make this work, it is crucial that you choose the right concealer to hide marks and blemishes. Then select a perfect foundation and compact. The finishing should be natural and flawless. A bit of baby pink blush or peach can really give you that wonderful feeling of elegance. Don’t forget kohl for the eyes, mascara, a light lipstick or gloss. These will compliment your luminous complexion.
Using the same products with different shades can easily create that temptress look.
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A dazzling glow can be created for the night with a cream bronzer or powder shimmer depending on your skin type-normal to dry or oily. This can be blended on the T-zone to highlight the face.
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Contouring the face really helps to enhance your cheek bones. So do it with sweeping strokes, moving towards the temples. Choose the right color according to your complexion. Warmer, dark shades like wine, burgundy, deep pinks and oranges are some colors that you can experiment with.
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The eyes cannot be ignored. Use eye-shadow highlighter for creating the doe-eyed look. These are to be used below your eyebrows. But make sure that you have plucked/ tweezed/ threaded your brow and it is well-shaped. You can choose silver, gold or bronze colors, blend it evenly and don’t ignore the inner corner of the eyelids.
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Eye-shadows can be powder based or cream based. For the temptress look the color should be metallic. Choose the right shade either matching your outfit or go very bold to match with your shoes and handbag. How far you want to seduce your audience with your looks, I leave the decision to you.
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You can also define the eyes with kohl or eyeliner pencil for the lower eyelid. But never forget the mascara. There are wide range of shades in mascaras and also the volumizing ones.
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Lipstick shades should be dark. Use a lip-pencil for a well-defined structure, fill it up with the lipstick and dab a little shimmer in the centre. The pout should look luscious and kissable.
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Dab a little perfume behind the ear which will make you even more irresistible. You are now all ready to set the night on fire with your temptress look. The choice of outfit should compliment your figure. Select your accessories like jewelry, handbag accordingly and also wear the right kind of stilettos to react the desired impact.
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
