Saturday, August 7, 2010

Fun ways to keep fit in your office

'Fitness at workplace’ is the latest mantra in the corporate world. Companies have realised that regular exercise boosts employee morale, enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism and signs of burnout or depression. 

Nowadays, the corporate employees not only stretch themselves beyond their responsibilities, but also stretch their muscles in the office gym. 

A little bit of planning and a few small additions in one’s office routine can help one a healthier lifestyle. According to a World Health Organisation report, India could incur losses to the tune of $237 billion by 2015 due to rise in lifestyle diseases like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, because of unhealthy workplaces. 

Here are some easy everyday things you can do to get healthy and fit while at your workplace: 

Stay hydrated: Water helps your body with physical and mental performance, detoxification and digestion. Keep a water bottle at your desk and you’ll find it much easier to drink the recommend eight glasses of water each day. It will ease stress and result in sustained energy throughout the day. You can also supplement it with fresh lemonade and coconut water, etc, to avoid monotony. 

Make reasons to walk around: Give yourself several reasons to take a break and move around after every 40 minutes. Simply getting up and moving around for a few moments can keep you focused, less fatigued and feeling better. For example, avoid ordering a cup of coffee/ tea at your desk, go and get it yourself or while speaking with someone on cell phone walk around till you end the call. Get down from your car if driven by a chauffer a few blocks before your office and walk the remaining distance provided you leave home 10 to 15 minutes before your usual time. 

Hit the office gym in lunch hours: Try to exercise for 30 minutes during the lunch time and grab a bite at your desk afterwards. Encourage having an area of a simple gym in your office. It could be jogger or a stationary bicycle or a treadmill. 

Simple stretching: People often face stress, back and joint pains and weight gain problems at work. To get rid of such health problems, while sitting in your chair, flex your feet and circle your ankles, stretch your legs and arms as frequent as you can. 

Take the stairs: Whenever possible, get moving and take the stairs rather than the elevator. Taking stairs will keep you fit and energetic. 

Pack healthy snacks: Rather than buying chips, junk food and sodas during office hours, bring some granola, fruit or raw veggies to snack on. This healthy diet will keep your energy levels fit and steady. 

Conduct meetings on the go: When it's practical, schedule walking meetings or brainstorming sessions. Do laps inside your building or take your walking meetings outdoors. 

Participate in different office games: Office games such as table tennis, basket ball are an interesting way to keep healthy and fit. These games not only keep your energy levels high but also keep your body in good shape.
(Inputs by Dr Upendra Kaul, executive director, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi) 


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BABY FOOD RECIPES

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN HEARTS APPLE
Baby food recipes

Material:
250 grams of chicken liver
2 apples, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and cut into pieces
3 pieces potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 tablespoons green peas

Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)

BABY FOOD RECIPES - FISH APPLE
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 pieces of fish fillets
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces

Directions:
1. Boil the ingredients until cooked. Drain and puree.

Note:
For children 8 months, the food should not be crushed but only finely chopped. It is good to stimulate the growth of teeth and to train the muscles of the mouth and gums to bite.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CARAPPEAR
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 stalks carrots, peeled, cut into pieces
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces
2 pieces of pear, peeled and cut into pieces

Directions:
1. Kl Boil carrots for 10 minutes, then amsukkan apple and pear. Cook until soft.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)

BABY FOOD RECIPES - steamed fish
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 snapper fillet (or other fish species, according to taste)

Directions:
1. Steam the fish until cooked and then mashed.
2. Can be mixed with pureed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, etc.).

BABY FOOD RECIPES - Broccoli POTATO
Baby food recipes

Material:
7 broccoli florets, discarding the stem
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without salt or other seasonings)

Directions:
1. Steam the broccoli and potatoes until cooked.
2. Blend the two ingredients with the processor / blender.
3. Give the broth to taste.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - VEGETABLE INTERFERENCE
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
1 piece of potato, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas (can be replaced other green vegetables, eg broccoli,
zuchini, celery, etc.)
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without garammaupun other seasonings)

Directions:
1. Boiled / steamed until cooked all the ingredients and puree.
2. Give the chicken broth / meat taste.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN SOUP
Baby food recipes

Material:
1 piece of chicken thighs, remove skin, cut meat into pieces (bones were not removed)
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
1 stick carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas
500 ml water

Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Discard the chicken bones, then puree all ingredients

BABY FOOD RECIPES - puree CARROT
Baby food recipes

Material:
2 medium carrots, peeled
Boiled water to taste

Directions:
1. Steam the carrots until tender then puree. Add water as needed.
2. Presentation: Give the carrot puree as single or mixed foods
with pulp POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.

BABY FOOD RECIPES - pea puree
Baby food recipes

Material:
250 grams of fresh or frozen peas

Directions:
1. Boil peas until cooked and then mashed.
2. Strain the rough skin so do not take part inedible.
3. Presentation: Give peas puree as a single food or
mixed with porridge POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.