Health Benefits of Fasting

 Hello friends 

In this post, I will share some health benefits of fasting and why is it so necessary.

* Fasting helps in weight management 

Overweight or obesity is a common problem now in people of all age groups.

Fasting helps to control those hunger pranks and do mindful eating. 

Less calorie intake helps in weight loss. 

* Fasting promotes better health by fighting inflammation

One study has shown that intermittent fasting helps to decrease levels of inflammatory markers.

* It may improve heart health by improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

* Boosts metabolism 

Fasting actually boosts metabolism which helps in weight control and weight loss.

* Could delay the aging process 

The most common types of fasting which we can practice are: 

* Water fasting 

One needs to drink plenty of water for a particular time period avoiding any solid food.

This also helps to cleanse the system and remove toxins from the body.

* Liquid Diet 

In this case, one can take only a liquid diet for a day or two, like fresh juices, coconut water, soups, etc. 

* Intermittent Fasting 

Here food intake is restricted for a few hours like 14-16 hours.

This helps to cleanse our body thoroughly and also helps in weight management.

* Partial Fasting 

In this case, few foods are restricted like fast foods, nonveg, sweets, etc.

This also helps in weight management.

* Calorie Restriction 

In this case, calorie intake is restricted so that one can easily do weight management.

Apart from this, we all know that all religion teaches the importance of fasting.

In Islam, we observe Roza during the holy month of Ramadan 

Entire month all are supposed to fast during day time, can eat in evening and night.

Very small kids can skip, it's for the 7+ age group.

Initially kids are made to fast for a day or two and as they grow older they are asked to keep more. 

We have been practicing this since childhood, so doesn't look difficult, in fact, is easy for us :) 

Kids are taught about the benefits of fasting, taught to respect food, thank almighty for the food we are getting daily, help poor and needy who can't afford good food like us. 

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful. 

Do share your views in the comments section below. 

Oats Porridge Recipe

 Hello Friends 

Back with one more healthy recipe :) 

Today I will share a simple and easy-to-prepare oats recipe.

We all know that oats are healthy and should be included in our daily diet.

There are several sweet and savory oats recipes that we include in our diet.

Sharing one Oat porridge recipe.

Ingredients 

* Oats - 1 cup

* Milk -2 cups 

* Dry fruits ( any of your choice ) 

* Fox Nuts ( Makhana ) - 1/2 cup 

* Olive oil /ghee - 2 tspn 

* Sugar ( as per taste) 

* Coconut powder - 1 tspn 

I took cashews, pistachios, raisins, figs, dates.

Method of preparation :

1. In a pan add ghee/oil, fry makhana, and dry fruits.

2. In a mixer grinder make a coarse powder of makhana and dry fruits.

3. In the same pan add oats and coconut powder, dry roast it for a few minutes on low flame, take care that it doesn't get burned.

4. Add milk and boil it on low to medium flame, once the milk starts boiling add dry fruits and sugar.

5. Cook it on a medium flame for 10-15 minutes till oats get cooked well.

Delicious oats porridge is ready to serve and enjoy :) 

Some Tips: 

* One can use fat-free skimmed milk.

* One can add or skip the sugar if they want to make it more healthy.

* Adding dates and fig requires less sugar.

* Using olive oil instead of ghee makes it more healthy.

This is good for breakfast as oats are rich in fiber and nutrients and help in digestion and weight management. 

Oats also help to control blood sugar levels and manage high BP problems. 

Do try it, you will surely like it :) 

One can check one more healthy recipe of  Talbina which I shared some time back.

Ghazala 

Benefits of Running An Instagram Giveaway

 Hello friends 

Back with one more interesting post for my readers :) 

In Today's post, I will discuss the benefits of running an Instagram Giveaway :) 

We all know giveaway helps to connect with our followers & readers.

It also helps us to get new followers, more engagement on our page.

But it has several other benefits too :) 

During my initial days of blogging some six years back, I started with Blog Giveaways 

That actually helped me to get genuine readers for my blog posts, some of which are still reading my posts regularly.

Then it was Facebook contest & giveaways in collaboration with a few brands, that also worked well and helped me to get new readers for my blog :)

Next, the trend was Instagram 

Which is still the most popular social media platform for many.

Initially, I did some giveaways of my own on Instagram, then in collaboration with some brands which helped me to get more followers.

Two years back I started a Giveaway page on Instagram with one of my closest blogger friends Zainab Raazi :)

Since both of us have done lots of giveaways together, we thought of starting a page.

Initially, it was too much work, too many confusions but gradually within 4-5 months things settled and it was easy to manage. 

We are doing monthly giveaways with some bloggers and brands. 

Our brand partners sponsor their brand's products as gifts :) 

Now after running it successfully for two years :)

I have a few things to share : 

1. It helped me to grow as a person 

This is the best thing that happened :) 

I got connected with new people, Influencers, bloggers, brands, and participants.

2. I learned Business

Yes, this is true for a person who has no background in the business.

I learned how to deal with Clients 

How to convince brands to collaborate :) 

For July Giveaway we collaborated with a celebrity Rakshandha Khan :) 

Again that was a different kind of experience dealing with a celebrity :)

3. Growth of my Instagram page 

From the giveaway page, every month I am gaining new followers and very good engagement from participants. Which is so good for my blogging profession.

4. WE could help many needy people via giveaways

This sounds a bit strange but it's true. Many of the giveaway winners personally messaged me and thanked me for the money and gifts they won from our page, said during the lockdown period financial situation was not good and the prize money helped them.

Again this made me think 

We should have more cash giveaways where our winners get cash amounts as prizes.

So, for me, this journey can be called a Happy Journey :) 

Sharing my page's link

Do check it out

 The Prizes Galore 

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful.

Do share your views in the comment section below.

Ghazala