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June 16, 2019 Events and Festivals, International, Lifestyle

Five healthy things you can offer your father

Barack Obama once said: “Anyone can have a child and that doesn’t make him a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes him a father”.

Father’s Day – A day dedicated to fatherhood and dada around the world. It is a day that marks the true essence of a real man, who with his courage and heart raises his child with love, affection, and responsibility. It’s also a day for people around the world to appreciate and make their fathers feel special.

We all have fathers and we all will be fathers. But how many of us realize the work, care, share, and protection our father had showered on us. He was the first person to rise up and stand by us during any crisis. This Father’s Day take the opportunity to appreciate his fatherhood by gifting him a gift of life – a gift of health.

Perhaps there is nothing that could counter his fatherhood, but still to show your appreciation for all that he has done for you his entire life.

Following are some great healthy gift ideas that will help you to select the best for your father.

A Road Bike (for seniors)

People lose their physical strength and abilities gradually as they age. Older people, who are especially above the age of 60, have more possibilities to get affected with mobility issues, overweight, knee and back problems, and other health issues.

As a result, a lot of elders develop a love of riding. Riding bicycles for daily rides and exercise as well. But at the same time, it has to be considered that their rides do not take a lot of toll on their ability and it is comfortable at the same time. Gifting your dad a road bike to a perfect option. These bikes are lightweight and comfortable for smaller rides across the neighborhood.

A health rate and fitness wristband

With hospital costs skyrocketing and without the safety net of full-time professional care, this wearable can not only keep your dad safe but healthy also. Seniors are very proactive with their health and love wearing a fitness band that will give them all their health status at easy reach. It will help him keep track of his fitness level and inspire him to improve further. The heart monitor tracks heart rate, the cardio monitor shows his heart conditions and provides suggestions, and some even are equipped with BP monitors to read the blood pressure levels without any effort.

A phone especially made for him

Your father may not be a gadget freak but needs a phone that is easy for him to use and stay in touch with his loved ones. Get him a phone that is specially designed for seniors. These phones gave larger keys, backlit keypads, and even voice prompts for dials and keypads. Raised buttons and generally white backgrounds make it easier for him to see and dial, read text, and send messages whenever required. Some of them even are aided with fitness trackers that will make it easy for your dad to track his daily steps and health activities like climbing stairs and others.

A wireless RF Item Locator

Fathers have the habit of forgetting especially if he is turning old. He is the one who will often misplace the simplest of things like his keys, wallet, and medicine box. With small receivers that can be attached to almost everything, your father will have no excuse to go out for losing his keys or not having his timely medicines. Controlled by a simple remote and console multiple things can be attached with this wireless RF item locator.

A massage pillow

Nothing can be more relaxing and soothing for an aching back and neck of your father than a gentle and warm massage. This electrically heated massage pillow can be used at any time – while sitting and watching TV or reading books and even sleeping and comes as a welcome relief from backaches, shoulder and neck pains, and even pain from arthritis. A great relief for pains that come with age.

There are plenty of ways you can make your father feel special, but the key element behind gifting should always be practicality and functionality. This Father’s Day, show your love and appreciation by gifting him with something that he can cherish for the rest of his life, and always remember and bless you.

MS. SHEELA SEHARAWAT

PG –Dietetics and Hospital Food Service (DHFS)

Practicing since 2005 as a registered dietician under IDA, Sheela Seharawat is the founding member and chief mentor of Diet Clinic, operating around 35 outlets successfully all over the country.

A motivational speaker, an expert dietician, and a strong believer in healthy and motivated living, she has transformed the lives of many through her breakthrough diets and inspiration for living a healthy life. Another feather is added to the name of Diet Clinic Health Care as the esteemed magazine and organization “Silicon India Start Up City” has recognized and awarded “Diet Clinic” in their annual listing of “10 Best Startups in Fitness, 2017”.

What to gift this Father’s Day

You may like to read What to Gift this Father’s Day

June 3, 2019 Adventure, Lifestyle

Run up a mountain

Both inspiring and intimidating, a mountain marathon can be a great way to find your stride.

Everyone has a different connection with the mountains. Some find it by slowing down and picking up a book while others prefer to get their soles dirty and scale its heights. There is something elemental about scaling a mountain on foot.

While the tribe of trekkers and campers keep spiralling every year, one can also see a steady rise of athletes and marathoners taking to such unforgiving terrain and lung-searing attitude. When, and how, did the call of the wild green terrain become so irresistible?

Mountains are unpredictable. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience.

The weather might suddenly change, the track might disappear.

It is this lure of seeing more, experiencing more which is pulling people towards these runs

~ Akshay Appu, digital media professional who has done runs in Manali, Bir Billing, and Mawkrywat, says city runs do not offer much in terms of views, challenges, different routes or terrains.

Call of the wild

All runs in the city are done on tar roads. Mountain runs on the other hand, come with the promise of a new challenge with every run, different topography, beautiful views, no pollution, and peace and quiet. No marathon in the hills is the same. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience, “

~ Appu.

Humbling experience

The world of trial and ultra-running is becoming big because it’s not just athletes but track and road runners and even amateurs- after a good training- are signing up for these races to test their body and mind.

run up a mountain Image by skeeze from Pixabay

“Many a time you may be faced with situations that you can’t really train for a wild animal crossing your trail or a sharp incline that will make you dig into every little bit of strength and energy you have left. And just when you think you can take no more, you go ahead and do it.”

~ Gauri Jayaram, founder of a leading marathon touring company, such marathons give you the chance to connect with nature at a personal level

A lot like real life, except that we have forgotten these most simple lessons.

Our age of excess and 24*7 connected lives has pushed us far from nature- not just physical nature but our own inner selves. We have forgotten to tap our own potential and push our boundaries because we live and think in tiny little boxes. A run in the mountain is a perfect therapy for our tired souls. You are stripped to the barest of essentials- good running shoes, minimal clothing, a bottle of water, just enough food to get you through a day on the ridges, and a clear mind that sees the glory of nature.

Climb every mountain

Hills are all about incline, elevation, altitude. Priti Zaveri, a Pinkathon ambassador, believes mountain running teaches us that the obstacles we face everyday must not dampen our spirits or deter us from moving forward.

“Running up there is all about conquering the distance, and let me tell you, every distance is a challenge. It is all about endurance.”

Mountain climbing — Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Experiences like these teach us humility- and the fact that everything is competing, but the real battle is to conquer our own fears and compete with our own selves.

What mountain marathons and trekking teach us about life

There is no finish line:

Somewhere while going up and down the slopes, you realise life is much like that. It is not about getting there, it is about reaching new heights with each step, because when you get to the top of any mountain, you are simply at the bottom of another greater climb.

Inhale the present:

Being out there in the wilderness of mountains tells you that things happen in their own time. There is a time to let go, time to shut off the phone, turn away from the computer and leave the camera at home. All we ever own is the inhalation of the present.

Best things in life are free–

Clean air and water, unfiltered views, abundant greens and nature’s produce.

You can’t control everything:

You can’t predict nature’s moods, the challenges of the terrain, the supply of food and the night you spend in a tent. You are at the mountains’ disposal and they overpower you. The best you can do is be humble.

*/ The above article was written by Supriya Sharma and was published in Times Life…rev up your life dated May 26, 2019. */

10 Appetizing Trends in Confectionery Packaging

The packaging is the essential element of any product as it provides protection to the product from any external damage and presents it beautifully to the buyers. Due to this, every market from confectionary to toys, and from food products to daily use products, focus on creating an appealing package for their product.

The need for effective packaging is more significant in confectionary products because the flavour and aroma need to be protected. Furthermore, confectionary packaging also helps in providing the healthy and hygienic end product to the customers.

Along with all of this, the most attracting confectionary packaging seduces the taste buds of viewers, especially kids who already love candies and chocolates! In this way, it boosts the sale of the products as well.

Due to its so many benefits, confectionary manufacturers follow various packaging trends to make their product appetizing.

Let’s have a look at top 10 confectionary packaging trends:

A Special Focus on Aesthetics and Design:

With the aim to attract more consumers, confectionary companies are focusing on the aesthetics and design elements of the packaging. Yes, a packet is no more a mere protection layer, but it is a tool to market the product and communicate with the buyers.

This is the main reason why you can easily find attractive designs, innovative aesthetics and unique texts on your sweets packet. Confectionary products like candies, lollipops and chocolates focus more on such things to attract kids.

2. Sustainable Packaging is Stealing the Limelight:

As people are becoming more familiar with their duty to save the environment, they have become more inclined towards sustainable and environment-friendly packaging. In such a scenario, confectionary brands are moving towards plastic-free sustainable packages.

Big companies like Nestle are substituting the plastic straws with paper and more biodegradable alternatives. Like this, many prominent companies are moving to either paper-based or recycle-able ways of packaging.

3. Single-Serving Packaging Fulfils Everyone’s Dream:

People who avoid taking sugar-based products for maintaining their diet plan can now have a taste of it! The single-serve packaging is making it easy for people to buy confectionaries that contain only a bite or one piece of the product.

These packets are helping such people in controlling their sweet cravings. Moreover, kids who can’t keep their hands off the chocolate packet after opening it can be satisfied as they eat the entire product from a single-serve packet!

4. Mini-Sized Packaging for a Healthy Lifestyle:

Mini-sized packets are much similar to the single-serve trend. The basic difference is that some confectionery products can be separated for single packages, while others can’t. For example, a big muffin or a big pastry won’t fulfil the health purpose of single-serve packaging.

So, such product manufacturers are launching mini versions of the same products which health-conscious people can eat in one go without much calories intake.

5. Stir and Eat Packaging is Customers’ Favourite:

Confectionary products that contain moist and crunchy ingredients are moving towards stir and eat packaging. This type of packaging allows them to keep the wet and dry ingredients of the product separate until a person mixes it to eat.

These packages also attract kids as they love to do something different rather than just opening a packet and eating the product.

6. Multi-Unit Packaging for Sharing Buddies:

Multi-unit packaging is also in the trend as it is perfect for people who avoid visiting the markets on a regular basis. These packets contain many small packets of the same product such as lollipops, chocolates, wafer biscuits etc.

Multi-unit packages are ideal for sharing, and buyers can also save some amount by buying a single bulk packet instead of small ones. Mostly, all the confectionary brands have launched multi-unit packages for storing purposes.

7. Easy to Open Convenience Packaging:

Packages that are convenient to open and store the product for future consumption are considered best among the customers. People are so busy in their life that they find 3-4 layer packaging quite annoying to open especially when they are feeling hungry or in a hurry.

So, confectionary companies are launching easy to open packages that even kids can open without any extra efforts. Plastic stand-up pouches are one such example. They are lightweight as well as easy to open and use.

8. Reseal-able and Portable Packages Cut the Struggle:

Usually, confectionary products like sweets contain a syrupy substance which makes it quite difficult for people to carry them outside their house. This becomes a much bigger problem, especially when the packet or box is opened once. Considering this, many confectionary manufacturing companies are moving to this packaging trend.

The packets which are re-closable and easily portable are gaining popularity nowadays. You can find many packets that can be resealed with Velcro, zippers etc. People can easily carry such packets to their workplace or kids can take them to school without any mess.

9. Health-Focused Messages on the Front-of-Pack:

People check the amount of glutton, fats and other health-related elements before buying confectionaries. People are interested in knowing “what is not added in the product” more than “what is added in the product”. That’s why companies are adding this health-related information on the front of the pack to gain more attention.

You must have seen messages like “100% glutton free” on the front of many confectionary packaging. This is done mainly to highlight that healthy aspect of the product to gain more health-conscious customers.

10. Box Packaging for Serving Gifting Purposes:

Many confectionaries manufacturers also launch big beautiful boxes that contain a few products from their company. These boxes are specially designed for gifting purposes. You have seen many boxes of famous companies like Cadbury, Haldirams etc. during the festive season.

The trend of these packages in the confectionery market is very strong because sweets and other such products are mainly exchanged by people on festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas etc. So, innovative boxes containing varied items are produced by all the big companies to gain benefits of the festive season.

May 21, 2019 Food, Lifestyle

Functional Food and Beverages: Is it the future of Human Health?

The food and beverage industry is ever evolving. It is also an industry that is directly related to human health and wellbeing. The diversity of the industry has a new and growing trend these days and that is the concept of functional foods and beverages.

It is also a fact that people these days are more prone towards adopting natural and convenient ways to improve and maintain their health. While food industries and manufacturers are responding to this growing demand by bringing into the market, ever increasing numbers of new and unique functional food and drinks products.

What actually are functional foods and drinks?

In simple terms, functional foods and drinks are dietary components or foods that are manufactured to provide additional health benefits on consumption beyond the basic nutrition that is inherently there in foods. These food and beverages aids in taking better control of one’s health as each one is meant to provide specific health benefits.

dietary supplement, functional food — Image is for representational purpose only
IC: fanaticcook.blogspot.com

Dietary supplements or functional food and beverages have biologically active components that imparts health benefits or you may say desirable physiological effects. So, in short, a functional food or drink is a health food that claims to have health promoting or disease preventing properties in addition to the natural supply of nutrients.

The term which was first used in Japan in the 1980’s is now fast emerging and gaining wide recognition amongst all health conscious people around the globe.

So, to sum up we can say that functional foods are not eaten or drunk for the sake of taste or any emotional or traditional reasons but are consumed for their practical health and energy values.

What are the types of functional food and beverage products available in the market? What are their health claims?

In general, functional foods are the ones that included biologically and scientifically processed foods that are fortified with health promoting nutrients. Fermented products with live culture are termed as probiotics, example is yoghurt.

Functional beverages are ready to drink products that are non-alcoholic and may have non-traditional ingredients like herbs, amino acids and vitamins. These beverages are meant to promote energy, immunity and heart health.

Real fruit juices are functional foods. — IC:agrofoodprocessing.com

Functional drinks are preferred more and in demand, as these are ready to drink, easy to carry and convenient in addition to them promoting health.

All functional food and drink products have labels pasted on them telling us about their health benefits and the reasons why we should have them. For example there are certain cereals that claim to have extra fiber and having food with extra fiber can help in reducing the risks of developing certain cancer types.

Also concurrent health issues keep on influencing the market. People these days are very inclined towards fat loss and weight management, heart diseases, gut health, cancers, diabetes and more. The possible means and ways to defend one-self from these health hazards leads to the use of more nutritious and functional foods and drinks.

Functional foods and drugs have been categorized in four types and these are: Whole Foods, Fortified Foods, Enhanced Foods and Enriched Foods.

The health benefit of each type is labelled on the product packaging along with its effects on our body. Say for example, calcium fortified juices is said to reduce the chances of osteoporosis and probiotic enriched foods and drinks are good for gut health and helps keeping it healthy and functional optimally at all times.

Understanding the current trend in India

In the modern era, there has been a growing attention on alternative ways to prevent and treat diseases. Neutaceuticals is one thing that is used extensively for the purpose. The term – Neutaceuticals refers to the link between the two domains – nutrition and pharmaceuticals. The human micro biota plays a vital role in maintaining health. Neutaceuticals have the ability to change the human micro biota for health benefits.

The global nutra-ceutical industry is one of the rapidly growing industries in the world today. Presently, United States, Japan and Europe accounts for almost 93% of the total industry and as these regions are approaching maturity, the current focus is one the emerging markets like China and India.

The growth and popularity of the industry in India is pretty fast and all can be attributed to health awareness and inclination towards nutrition. The Indian lifestyle is rapidly changing. With more preference of processed foods, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food choices, it has led to many lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardio vascular diseases and poor gut health. As a consequential result, Indian consumers, particularly the upper middle class and the high income group are preferring nutra-ceutical against prescribed drugs. They have slowly started to understand that food alone cannot fulfil their requirement of all vital nutrients and hence they are adopting to functional foods and supplements for disease prevention and healthy living.

To give consumers what they want, the food industry continues to innovate with new functional food and beverage products. The growing trend and the numerous benefits that we can reap out of these food and drink varieties makes us obviously think that functional food and beverage might be the future of human health.

Dr. Prakash Chandra Bhatt is the founder of Billion Cheers and Fermentis Life Sciences, a passionate research scientist with doctorate in pharmaceutical biotechnology from Jamia Hamdard University. His expertise lies in developing innovative products and processes by application of biotechnology, nanotechnology and fermentation technology. He is a proud recipient of Young Scientist Award and research grant from the Department of Science & Technology of Government of India.

He says, “Being a biotechnologist by profession I am convinced that microbiome is the most significant part of our body and plays a key role in our health. I believe that the focus of the future research for human health will revolve around microbiome.”