Vegetables That Boost Your IMMUNE System !!!

Adding immune-boosting vegetables to your diet is one of the most critical lifestyle changes you can make. The difference veggies make in your health is worth any effort. They reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers.

Veggies help you not only get well and stay well but also look good! When your body gains nutritional sufficiency from vegetables, your hair, skin, and eyes all show the signs of health.

Don’t hesitate to load your plate (with a minimum of two) of the following veggies:

1

Cruciferous vegetables are the gold standard in immune-boosting vegetables.

Although all vegetables have nutrients and some protective powers, for these vegetables, it’s off the charts. Cruciferous vegetables have a special chemical composition: They have sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent flavors. When they’re broken down by biting, blending, or chopping, a chemical reaction occurs that converts these sulfur-containing compounds into isothiocyanates(ITCs). ITCs prevent and knock out cancer and have infinite proven immune-boosting capabilities.

They contain antiviral and antibacterial agents that keep you disease free. Adding the following cruciferous vegetables to your daily plate is like taking an anticancer pill: arugula, beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, or watercress.

2

Garlic is surely one of the world’s most potent medicines, and its potent smell is what makes it so powerful.

The active ingredient allicin turns into organosulfurs, which are the compounds that keep your cells safe from all the destructive cellular processes that can cause major chronic diseases. Garlic is a natural antiseptic; it prevents cancer, fights infection, and prevents colds. Research also states that garlic may prevent or decrease chronic diseases associated with age, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, brain aging, cataracts, and arthritis.

3

Onions are rich inquercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer.

Like garlic, onions also contain the amazing compound allicin. Red and purple onions containanthocyanins, the same antioxidants that make berries so robust in healing powers. In addition to being extraordinary at preventing and healing cancer, the quercetin contained in onion makes them a safe therapy for allergies; it also helps prevent heart disease and reduce high blood pressure.

4

The power of mushrooms comes from their ability to enhance the activity of natural killer T cells (NKT).

These NKTs attack and remove cells that are damaged or infected by a virus. Mushrooms are associated with decreasing most cancers and significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. They prevent DNA damage, slow cancer or tumor growth, and prevent tumors from acquiring a blood supply.

5

Tomatoes are also the richest source of the exceptionally potent antioxidant lycopene,a substance that prevents cancer, particularly cancer of the prostate.

Tomatoes also have high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They have high dietary fiber and taste delicious raw or cooked.

6

Beets are an amazing blood purifier.

Beets are rich in iron and produce the disease-fighting white blood cells. They also stimulate red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the cells. Beets prevent cancer and heart disease, and the detoxifying properties make them good for your organs. Beets are also high in fiber and nourishing for digestive health.

7

Spinach is rich in beta carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A, triggering your immune response to keep you well.

Spinach prevents cancer and heart disease and is rich in the disease-fighting mineral zinc. The vitamin C helps you resist colds and infection and keeps your skin healthy; the B vitamins keep you calm and more energetic.

8

Asparagus’s biggest talent is its ability to encourage the body to flush out toxins, due to its natural diuretic abilities.

Asparagus is both cleansing and anti-inflammatory to the body. It has the antioxidant glutathione,which can lower your risk factor for heart disease and cancer. It’s useful for all inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

9

Artichoke supports the liver.

The substance cynarin gives artichoke its detoxifying qualities. Artichokes’ B vitamins increase mental alertness and strengthen your immunity.

10

Red bell pepper is bursting with vitamin C, making it a powerful immune builder.

Red bell pepper’s high level of beta carotene turns into vitamin A, making it a strong defense against disease. Although green and yellow peppers are certainly healthy, they’re more superfoodish. Although they both have similar amounts of vitamin C, red bell peppers have quite a bit more of the superstar beta carotene.

 
11

Sweet potatoes are far superior than the run-of-the-mill white potato.

The orange variety contains beta carotene, which makes them filled with robust antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer abilities. They’re also full of fiber and the vitamin E they contain is healthy for the skin.

source ::::: Wendy Warner and Kellyann Petrucci from Boosting Your Immunity For Dummies  in bbc.com

natarajan

“SMS” Lingo Takes a Toll On Language Vocabulary !!!

 In ancient times, it used to take ages to deliver and convey messages from one place to another. But, thanks to the massive development in the field of information technology, the world has now turned into a global village where any messages or information is delivered in the speed of light.

SMS, e-mail, social networking sites are now speedy ways to send messages. SMS turns out to be a hit among all as it is an inexpensive way of conveying messages. Unfortunately SMS is now tagged along with its own set of short forms and spellings that are no where the correct form and are known to everyone as ‘SMS lingo’. The students are the most affected ones when it comes to the habit of using SMS language as it saves their time while taking down notes in classroom or while writing assignments, reported Kevin Mendonsa and Saira Kurup for TOI.

They use this SMS lingo without realizing the consequences of it. Most of the time teachers tend to take a closer look at the notes out of curiosity at the speed of the students jotting down notes in class, and are often amazed to find the notes full of SMS jargon. All this happens despite the warnings given by the teachers not to use such language in their academics, especially during exams. Some teachers even correct such mistakes on the spot.

 

The students confessed of not using the SMS lingo deliberately but it is due to their regular use of sending text messages and chatting that makes them mix up with writing the same in exams. Kush Parikh, a class XII student of Prakash School in Ahmedabad is worried and said “Wanna , gonna, nuf (enough), dis and many more have unknowingly become part of my vocabulary and all my efforts to avoid them are in vain. I am looking for a way out.”

Most of the academicians are concerned on the ongoing deterioration of the usage of English language and its grammatical forms due to the passion for SMS shorthand and felt that strong action should be taken, mainly at times of examination. KS Rangappa, vice-chancellor, University of Mysore, expressed “Obsession with SMS lingo is marring the language and evaluators must deduct marks if it is used in exams,” reported TOI.

 

“Some common words you find in notebooks are ‘dat’, thnx’, ‘tmrw’. To curb this problem, we have started deducting their marks,” added Anjali Sharma, coordinator at St Soldier’s School, Mohali.

Deducting marks for using SMS words is also a difficult thing for teachers as more than 70 percent of students commit this mistake. The teachers frequently make the correction themselves.

Sonal Narang, Vice-Principal of Ahmedabad’s Anand Niketan School stated that “The problem starts right from class V and is more serious among class VII and VIII students,” as told to TOI.

On the other hand, the teachers and students of the capital city Delhi asserted that most of its classrooms are free from the SMS lingo mania as the students are aware that such lingo are meant for mobile phone usage only.

With more youth getting hooked on to social media through the smartphones, there is a fear that the English languages might get eroded in the name of ease.

 

Source:::::siliconindia net&  Times of India

natarajan

Message For The Day… Get Your Manava Guna Transformed into Madhava Guna ….

Human beings are a mixture of Divinity, Demon and Human (Daiva, danava and manava). The wickedness of the ogre can be overcome by the quality of mercy and charity (daya), sympathy and empathy. Pride can be overcome through self-control (dama), detachment, and renunciation; Egoism can be overcome by following the code of conduct (dharma) prescribed by the impartial sages, and by channelizing your instincts and impulses into fruitful action. When these three Gunas are thus sublimated, Manava (human) is transformed into Madhava (God). Make the best use of your Guru. Acquire from Him the skills for winning peace of mind and bliss (shanti and santosha), the Grace of God, the lessons of spiritual practice (Sadhana), and the fruits of good and holy company (sathsang); do not fritter away your energy and time, seeking sensory satisfaction in ungodly company.

 

Sathya Sai BabaG

வாக்கு சாதுர்ய வாலி !!!!

1.வாக்குச் சாதுர்ய வாலி

வாலியிடம் ஒரு சந்திப்பில் எழுத்தாளர் நா. பார்த்தசாரதி கேட்டார்.
நீங்க ஏன் வாலின்னு பேர் வச்சிகிட்டு இருக்கீங்க ?
வாலி சொன்னார் – ராமாயண வாலி யை யாரும் வெல்ல முடியாததற்குக் காரணம் அவன் எதிரில் யார் வந்து நின்றாலும்எதிராளியின் பலத்தில் பாதி வாலி க்கு வந்துவிடும். அதுமாதிரி நான் யாரை சந்திச்சாலும் எதிராளியின் அறிவில் பாதி எனக்கு வந்துடும்.

நா. பா அவரை கிண்டலடித்தார் – உங்களைப் பார்த்தா அவ்வள ஒண்ணும் அறிவாளியா தெரியலையே..!

வாலி சொன்னார் : நான் இன்னும் எந்த அறிவாளியையும் சந்திக்கலையோ என்னவோ !!

2. வார்த்தை விளையாட்டு வாலி

இங்கிலீஷ், இந்தி தமிழ் எல்லாம் கலந்து கட்டி அடிக்கும் கவிஞர் வாலியின் வார்த்தை விளையாட்டுக்கு ஒரு உதாரணம். வி எஸ் ராகவன் நடித்த டிவி படம் ஒன்றில் அவரின் ஒரு வசனம் — பப்ளிக் பிராசிக்யூட்டர் ( நீலு) குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டரை கேள்விகேட்டு வாதம் செய்கையில். குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டவர் சம்பவம் நடந்த அன்று நான் திருப்பதியில் இருந்தேன் யுவர் ஆனர் என்று சொல்லி திருப்பதியில் வாங்கிய லட்டு ஒன்றை சாட்சியாக நீதிபதியிடம் கொடுப்பார்..
நீலு லட்டை வாங்கி விண்டெடுத்து வாயில் போட்டு, நீதிபதியைப் பார்த்து
“மை லார்ட், திஸ் இஸ் பொய் லாட்

 

source:::::input from a friend of mine …

natarajan

“இன்று உங்களுக்காக இந்த தியாகம் ” !!!… சிறப்பு சிரிப்பு !!!!

ஒரு ஹெலிகாப்டரில் இருந்து வந்த கயிற்றைப் பிடித்துக் கொண்டு 9 ஆண்களும், 1 பெண்ணும் தொங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர்.

இதில் யாராவது ஒருவர் கையிறை விட்டால் மட்டுமே ஹெலிகாப்டர் மேற்கொண்டு பறக்க முடியும். இல்லை என்றால் கயிறு அறுந்துவிடும்.

இந்த நிலையில், ஹெலிகாப்டரில் இருந்து யாராவது ஒருவர் தனது உயிரை தியாகம் செய்யுமாறு கோரிக்கை குரல் வருகிறது.

ஆனால், ஆண்களில் யாருமே உயிரை தியாகம் செய்ய முன்வரவில்லை.

அந்த சமயத்தில், அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்ற அந்த பெண் தானே முன் வந்து கயிறை விடுவதாகக் கூறுகிறாள்.

அவள் கயிறை விடுவதற்கு முன்பு, என் குடும்பத்துக்காக நிறைய தியாகம் செய்துள்ளேன். அதுபோல் இன்று உங்களுக்காக இந்த தியாகத்தைச் செய்கிறேன் என்று கூறினாள். இதைக் கேட்ட அனைத்து ஆண்களும், தங்களை மறந்து கைதட்டினர்.

பிறகென்ன… அந்த பெண் மட்டும் மீட்கப்பட்டு தனது இடத்தை அடைந்தாள்.!!!!

source:::::Dinamani Tamil Daily

natarajan

Best of National Geographic Images !!!

From the world’s mightiest and most elusive creatures, to spectacular landscapes in the farthest flung corners of the globe, National Geographic has been capturing the wonder and diversity of our planet and its inhabitants for more than a century.
Since 1888, National Geographic magazine has brought the people and places of our immense planet into the homes – and imaginations – of millions of readers.
Printed in 37 languages, and instantly recognizable by the yellow-bordered cover, the magazine is revered for its world-class imagery, showcasing the talents of its intrepid photographers.
The publication is now celebrating its landmark 125th anniversary.

Some of its most striking images that capture and encapsulate the beauty of the four corners of the globe

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas

 

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas


Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A lioness and her cubs huddle together

A lioness and her cubs huddle together.

 

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Monarch butterflies in flight

Monarch butterflies in flight

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg.

 

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions - including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions – including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

 

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

 

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

 

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

 

 Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro
Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Calcutta's streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis
Kolkata”s streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

source:::::mailonline.com US

NATARAJAN

 

 

 

 

 

Just For Laugh !!!…”Army To Rescue The Indian Rupee From Disaster Site ” !!!

Latest reports coming from various cantonments suggest that the soldiers in Indian Army have been asked to study textbooks on economics, finance, markets, etc. because they could soon be called in to take control of the Indian economy.

“The immediate task could be to rescue the falling rupee, though we are yet to be officially communicated,” an army spokesperson told Faking News.
Army is usually called in when civilian efforts fail or a natural disaster strikes. The government is sure that the current economic crisis falls in one of these categories, but not sure which one.
Citizens are wary of the move, but they think the situation can’t get worse.
However, sources in the government confirm that the government is sure that it would need army’s help in getting the economy back on track as most of its other attempts appear to be bearing no fruit.
“The phrase ‘Army called in’ appears to enthuse more confidence in people than phrases like ‘Government assures’, ‘RBI announces’, ‘Don’t buy Gold’ etc. so we thought we could try this trick as well,” a source in the Finance Ministry explained.
“No, no, we are not imposing army rule over the nation by calling the army to help us with economics. We’d continue to be a democratic country and lathicharge those protesting this move,” a government source clarified.
Experts too believe that such a step could prove to be more effective than other steps taken by the government.
“To be fair, the government did try to think out of box. The Finance Minister tried to change the behavior of people (by  asking them not to buy gold) to impact the market conditions instead taking the usual approach of changing the market conditions to impact the behavior of people,” an expert pointed out.
“Even the  upgrade by Fitch last week didn’t seem to have helped the sentiments, so maybe ‘Army called in’ could help,” the experts added.
Back in the cantonments, army men are trying their best.
“It’s all very confusing, now I know why our Prime Minister appears so lost and spaced out,” Lance Naik Ram Bahadur Singh said after his fifth Economics class in the last two day!!!!!!
source:::::unknown ….input from a friend of mine
natarajan

“Plant ” A Solution For Water Woes !!!!

Recycling grey water with the roots of plants like Canna can give you a perennial source of water. Hema Vijay tells you how

In Gandhi Nagar at Adyar, an eight-flat apartment complex revels in the luxury of a perennial ground water source, enabled by a simple plumbing arrangement and a few Canna Lily plants. Here, a PVC pipeline takes grey water (bath water, wash basin water and washing machine run-off water) from the apartment to a narrow Canna plant bed.

As grey water trickles down, it gets purified by the action of the Canna roots and the natural microbes present in the soil, and the treated water enters the ground water table. “This system is absolutely safe and easy. Our bore well has never gone dry, and we have never needed to buy water”, says V.S. Sukumar, who built and lives in this apartment block.

Since grey water accounts for 50-60 per cent of a household’s average daily water consumption of around 920 litres, this apartment recharges its ground water with roughly 4,000 litres of water every day.

Elsewhere in the city, former DGP V. Vaikunth and President of Home Exnora S. Indrakumar too recycle grey water in their homes. Dr. Indukanth S. Ragade, grey water recycling (GWR) expert and author of Self-reliance in Water – A Practical Manual for Town and City Dwellers has installed GWR systems in a few apartments.

At a time when our parched city is looking everywhere for water, these isolated efforts hold out a crucial roadmap

.Make it mandatory?

Countries like Japan and Israel have successfully addressed water shortages by recycling used water. In the US, states like Arizona and New Mexico promote GWR with tax credits. Should GWR be made mandatory in Tamil Nadu? “The law which made rainwater harvesting mandatory in October 2002 also says that grey water has to be recovered in situ and used for flushing of toilets. (chennaimetrowater.com). Known as the TN Municipalities Building Rules Act (1972), it was amended to include RWH and grey water reuse,” says Dr. Sekhar Raghavan, founder, Rain Centre.

In practice, we have unfortunately ignored GWR.

Purification process

“Plants like Canna indica (Kalvazhai), hedychium (sugandhi) and heliconium supply oxygen to the soil in the root zones. Using this oxygen, soil bacteria break down organic compounds in grey water and render the water clean,” says Ragade. Grey water consists of very small quantities of exhausted and unexhausted soaps and detergents, and small quantities of organic salts like washing soda. “Bacteria consume the organic components like Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (LABS). Detergents also contain inorganic compounds called STPP (Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate). This acts as a nutrient for the plants and is consumed under aerobic conditions,” says Raghavan. Adds Ragade, “The treated water may be used to recharge groundwater, or collected in dug wells/sumps and used for flushing toilets; it is safe for these uses.” The treated grey water has been tested by the Chennai water and sewerage board (CMWSSB) and found satisfactory.

However, kitchen waste water does not quite work. It contains suspended organic matter that could lead to foul smells; it requires much larger soil spaces (6-8 sq. ft per person). Bath and wash water are safer for recycling.

While organic alternatives are available and preferable, mild cleaning chemicals can still be handled by the natural cleansing action of soil and plant roots. However, do avoid powerful synthetic chemicals and detergents that promise swift action.

Meanwhile, a few recycling residents have been inspired to go totally organic. “I use soap nut powder with ash and a little baking soda, which keeps my vessels spotless; vinegar for cleaning ceramic ware; activated effective microorganisms (AEM) as a toilet cleaning agent; soap nut powder as washing powder, and lemon grass oil for floor cleaning,” says Kavitha Ramakrishnan.

 

Roots of Canna lillies. Photo: S. Thanthoni

source :::: Hema Vijay  in “The Hindu ”

natarajan

Keywords: canna plants, grey water recycling

Message For The Day….Be an Example to Others Through Your Conduct ….

A true devotee will have no eye on the profit of any kind that can be derived from their service. If you quarrel with your spouse and desist from food for a day, that does not count as fasting in the book of God. Also praising one God as great and decrying another is incorrect. Any of these acts reflect the fact that you are unaware of the elementary rules of spiritual discipline. Dhana (wealth) is the currency of the world. Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) is the currency of the spirit. Be an example to others through your conduct – sweet speech, humility, reverence to elders and steadfastness in truth and faith. This way you will influence more people into practicing spirituality; it is better than establishing societies, collecting donations or running temples. The Lord looks for sincerity, simplicity and steady joy in the contemplation of His Name and Form.

 

Sathya Sai Baba