It is a well-accepted fact that apart from medication and good rest, there is nothing like a hot broth that can nurse you back from flu and cold. The effects of a cold will stay for about a week, and you may be fatigued, low on motivation, and spend time before the stove. Here are some easy-to-make recipes, within 45 minutes or less, with ingredients available in any pantry. 1 . Quick bacon and cauliflower chowder Chop four slices of bacon into 1” pieces and cook them till crispy in a large pot. Place it in a paper towel-lined plate and save 2 tablespoons of fat. In the same pot, add 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped yellow onions, 2 stalks of celery, salt, and cook for about 5 minutes or more until the veggies are soft. Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook for a minute. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and stir fry for 2 minutes. Now, add 2 chopped sprigs of thyme leaves and mix well. Add cleaned small florets of 1 cauliflower head. Pour 1 quart of vegetable broth and 1 cup of whole milk. Allow it to boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes.

We cannot control the impact of air pollution on our lungs and respiratory system unless we relocate. Unfortunately, that’s not a feasible option for most of us. But a proper diet can help. Many harmful foods increase mucus secretion, trigger inflammation, or bloating, impacting the lungs immediately. Here, we’ll go over the eight worst foods for lung health. Avoid them at all costs to keep your lungs healthy. 1. Cold or chilled food The respiratory mucosa is a mucus membrane that covers our respiratory tract to protect it from pathogens. When you drink a cold beverage or ice cream, the lining tends to shrink and exposes the respiratory tract to infections. Chilled food can also aid in mucus production. So those at risk or already suffering from lung-related diseases like bronchitis or asthma should avoid cold beverages. 2. Dairy products A compound called casomorphin is released when milk is broken down during digestion. Casomporphin can increase mucus production. Hence, those at risk for lung diseases should reduce milk consumption to one glass a day and avoid rich dairy products like cheese and sour cream. 3. Carbonated beverages If you’re healthy and hooked to sodas, stop! There’s more than enough evidence to prove that sodas have zero value.

When you think of throwing a party at home or looking to host an evening for a special occasion, one of the main lists you want to pay close attention to is the drinks, and in particular cocktails. The drinks you pick should blend with the event and, more importantly, cater to the crowd for the occasion. Here is a list of the best cocktails that go well with any occasion: 1. Mojito You cannot possibly throw a party without a mojito as it is a common crowd-pleaser. The flavor is classic, and more importantly, it is a sharp and refreshing drink made of white rum with a perfect mix of lime and mint. Who doesn’t love a good mojito? 2. Manhattan If you have a crowd to please and need to keep up the spirits of the evening, the Manhattan cocktail could be the best choice of cocktail for your occasion, whatever it may be. You can choose the classic rye base or spice things up with a bourbon base. It is an upgrade from the classic old fashioned with the vermouth added in. 3. Old Fashioned If you have a serious crowd with a picky palate, you can add an old fashioned to your cocktail list.

Keeping kids busy through the day is a challenge, but getting them to eat healthy can be tricky too. While a home-cooked healthy snack is what all parents aim for, whipping up a meal or snack can get a little too overwhelming on a hard day. Here are a few healthy packaged snacks for kids that you can turn to on such days: 1. Quaker®Chewy Granola Bars The whole-grain organic bars from Quakers are healthy and delicious packaged snack options for kids. You can stack up on a bunch for when you or the kids need a handy snack. You can choose from a range of flavors, including strawberry, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate for a healthy treat that’s free of artificial flavors and added colors. 2. Annie’s Protein bars This is the ideal protein bar to pick if your child has a sweet tooth. You can opt for peanut butter or chocolate peanut butter-flavored bars in cookie dough bases that kids will surely love. They contain organic peanut butter, are made with non-GMO ingredients, and have zero artificial colors and flavors. 3. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish® crackers You can choose from multiple flavors when buying this healthy packaged snack for kids, but the veggie crackers are the ideal choice for kids.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder affecting a person’s thoughts, speech, emotions, and actions. Those diagnosed with schizophrenia will be delusional, experience hallucinations, and find it difficult to differentiate between reality and perception. They will be low on motivation and have difficulty thinking and speaking. Lifelong medication, psychological and behavioral therapy, and the right diet play a key role in improving their condition. Diet plays a crucial role as they generally do not pay too much attention to it. Some foods can worsen symptoms of schizophrenia and should be replaced with healthy alternatives. The following five groups of food have to be avoided as much as possible. 1. Gluten-rich products Research from the early 1950s has consistently linked wheat and gluten to a higher risk of schizophrenia. Gluten has been associated with celiac disease for some time, and those diagnosed with it are thrice more at risk of being affected by schizophrenia. Hence, reducing gluten can prevent gluten intolerance and reduce symptoms of multiple mental health issues, including schizophrenia. Avoid bread made with refined flour or wheat and look for bread with gluten-free whole grains. 2. Sugar and artificial sweeteners A growth hormone found in the brain known as a brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BNDF is low in people with schizophrenia.

Can food influence mood? The simple answer is yes, and science has backed this up in several studies. There is a growing field of science known as nutritional psychiatry that uses foods to treat mental health conditions and boost overall well-being. Depression can leave an individual drained and cause them to lose interest in things, but simple lifestyle changes can help combat the condition. This article lists a few diet management tips to beat depression. 1. Eat the right carbohydrates This nutrient takes different perspectives in various diets. Carbohydrates help produce serotonin, which is an essential mood enhancer hormone, but all carbohydrates are not good. That said, one must not eliminate them from the diet. It’s just about eating the right types of carbohydrates—complex carbohydrates—to boost and maintain physical and mental health. The best sources of complex carbohydrates are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and other fibrous foods. 2. Include vitamin D-rich foods in the diet This is perhaps one of the most commonly prescribed supplements for people struggling with depression. So, including foods like fish, tofu, and dairy products is an effective diet management tip to beat depression. That said, the best source of vitamin D is sunlight, so taking a walk in the sun at the break of the day can help.

If there are two words people dread hearing together in a sentence, it is deserts and diabetes. But, what is commonly not realized is that there are no dessert-restrictions for diabetics as long as the carb- and sugar proportions are controlled. You need to go with natural sugar substitutes and avoid ingredients that can spike your blood sugar. 4 diabetes-friendly dessert options 1. Avocado chocolate mousse When we think of a mousse, we think of chocolate and its rich, creamy texture. But you can very well make this scrumptious delight diabetes-friendly by using the creaminess of the avocado and smooth, sugar-free chocolate. Instead of refined sugar, you can sweeten the desert via a natural sweetener or stevia. A better idea would also be to substitute regular chocolate with a 70% or higher level of dark chocolate. This way you can control the carbs by keeping them within 16gms per serving. 2. Berry ice-cream The thought of getting an ice cream pack and indulging may sound fun but is in no way diabetes-friendly. You can make your healthy yet delicious ice cream at home with the use of bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. Add in a low-fat cream and blend the combination; you don’t need any fancy topping to make it fun.

Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response as it tackles foreign bodies. These external bodies may be physical, chemical, or pathogenic. The body’s ability to fight inflammation can reduce due to deficiencies in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients, and physiological processes like aging. Therefore, it is important to consume foods that help reduce inflammation. Some foods that have anti-inflammatory properties include: 1. Turmeric This healthful spice is abundantly used in curries and spicy dishes in Eastern cuisines. Besides adding color to food, you should note that turmeric is loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients. It contains curcumin, which reduces the inflammatory markers in the cells. Consume turmeric with a little bit of pepper. Add it to curries and end or begin your day with a turmeric latte. 2. Fatty fish Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, lake trout, and herring, among other fatty fish, turn off pro-inflammatory genes in your body. They are also crucial to heart health. It is advisable to consume fatty fish roughly four times a week to lower inflammation. 3. Berries Berries contain anthocyanins, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects. They also increase the production of natural killer (NK) cells, which help the immune system function properly.

Eating foods that contain high levels of saturated fats will end up spiking your cholesterol level. These foods can cause serious health issues over some time and put you at high risk for severe coronary heart diseases. It is therefore important to not only watch what you eat but also make conscious choices to avoid foods that worsen your cholesterol. Below is the list of worst foods to avoid for lowering your cholesterol and keeping it in check: 1. Egg Yolks In general, the recommended egg intake for adults is one to two in a day. But those at risk of other diseases due to high cholesterol will need to stick to not more than four egg yolks in a week. This will allow you to keep the cholesterol in check and avoid the risk of heart diseases. 2. High-fat Meats You have to be highly conscious of what meat cuts you eat because adding the wrong fats ends up raising your cholesterol levels. Common cuts you need to avoid are tenderloin, top loin, and porterhouse. It is best to also stay away from any form of duck or goose meats. This also certainly means that you should not use goose or duck fats as oils for any food preparation.

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is a group of illnesses that affect the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one type of IBD that targets the colon, rectum, or both. It is characterized by irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the lining of the colon. The disease does not have a definitive cure, but treatments are known to reduce flare-ups and improve quality of life. Let’s have a look at the symptoms and causes of ulcerative colitis. Causes of ulcerative colitis The malfunctioning of the immune system causes ulcerative colitis. Inflammation is an essential part of fighting infections and healing. However, when the immune system is, for some reason, impaired, the inflammation proves to be problematic. The swelling and sensitivity can develop into ulcers and open sores in the colon. Ulcerative colitis is an auto-immune condition, as the white blood cells attack the intestinal lining that provokes the inflammation in the first place. The exact reason is unknown, but generally, there are three common triggers. 1. Genes Ulcerative colitis is known to run in families. The exact genes are under study, but research indicates the presence of abnormal genes in people suffering from this inflammatory disorder. 2. Infections Since the immune system is implicated, bacterial and viral infections that set off immune reactions must undoubtedly be a cause of ulcerative colitis.