Dawn: a daily fiesta

A rooster crows to herald a new day. Gradually, the sky lightens and a chorus of birds, squirrels and cattle sounds waft in the wind. A startled peacock flaps noisily into the tall teak trees. Beyond the church, the river that was a silvery grey now turns to molten gold. In the pale sky, delicate egrets and majestic yellow beaked hornbills fly southwards. Every living creature is celebrating a new day dawning.

My most memorable sunrise was on the Matunga hill among the splendid ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi. Climbing up the steep rock face was daunting and exhilarating. A few tourists had camped at the temple on the hillock since sunset the day before. Everyone was silent. Then, quite suddenly, one saw the Book of Genesis come alive. The sky seemed to separate from the water. Trees gradually became visible. Clouds lazed over the horizon. Birds flew high in the sky. And then dramatically, cinematically, the sun rose… like a majestic God arriving on a slow chariot. When it was finally light, a sunbeam pierced the clouds and illuminated the golden top of the sacred Virupaksha temple. This remarkable Divine choreography happens every single day.

Many Indians celebrate the dawn with a Surya Namaskara, a dip in a holy river, hands folded in prayer; sacred chants are whispered and yogic asanas contort the human form. This ritual awakening is celebrated each day in India. Sadly, in many countries, it is routine to tumble out of bed at the sound of an alarm and race through a jog or hurtle to work. It is as if the sun is a cursed intruder, a slave driver, a sad reminder that another day of hard work is at hand. A pity! There is much to celebrate every single day at dawn. If nature does it so instinctively, we should all become a part of the almost miraculous process we call a sunrise.

Watching the sun rise and infuse life into the earth and its wondrous beings is vital to the optimism that energises a person. It illuminates the soul after the dark of night and gives one hope and positivity that there are joyous events to behold for the next 12 hours.

And the revelries continue…

Every morning, after the celebration of the sunrise, a breakfast tray arrives near my favourite balcão. At my feet is my menagerie of pets. A blue eyed Harlequin Great Dane called Zeus, a fiesty boxer Sophia and an adorable daschund christened Tyra. Three out of five cats are also within stroking distance. They live in harmony with their canine friends.

On the tray sparkling in the weak sunshine is freshly squeezed juice, an array of glowing fruits and water drawn from the well attached to our kitchen. And between all this, a bit of style that always makes me smile—a flower from the garden.

The flower does not belong on a breakfast tray, but it sits there glorious and resplendent. Some days it is a white hibiscus. On others an assortment of jasmines, arums, or the flowers from fruit trees… like this morning. The delicate pink petals and multi-stamened flower of the jaam [love apple] tree that will bear fruit a month from now. The flower on every serving tray is not just style. It helps celebrate whatever is on offer. Whether green tea or a glass of champagne.

Triumph in creating something new

In my studio every evening there is a celebration of a different sort. After a day of draping, cutting and creating… each a wonderfully blissful process, we have a cluster of garments that makes us all smile.

I cannot explain the miracle of my work. One day, there is an idea in my head that becomes a sketch. The next day the sketch becomes a garment that we celebrate because it gives everyone a high that we made this object of beauty. A month later, it is applauded on ramp. And a few months later, I see it in a room, worn by someone I do not know. It has come to life in a very real space. It is no more some object on a hanger or on a mannequin. It is a moving, living entity as part of someone’s life. At that moment my heart is singing in celebration.

When one reads my memoir The Green Room, it is obvious that I am the eternal optimist, opportunist, travel addict, foodie and art aficionado. I cannot fathom people who wonder what to do with the time on their hands. I always tell them to go for a walk or a drive. Outside your home is a world of wonders. There is so much to appreciate. A child’s smile. A wild flower growing in between a rock. The aroma wafting off the basket of a fruit seller.

Even in a bustling city, we can encounter sights and emotions that can instill happiness. Many are for free. An art exhibition, a film festival, a book reading by a celebrated author. Celebrations all! There is a choice… always… of how you want to plan your day. I could simply run from a cab to the train at the end of the day. Or I can turn it into a celebration. I love to do the unusual. Instead of hurtling to platform two at CST station, I sneak into the main building, go to the topmost floor and watch the fascinating spectacle of traffic and people below me. It is exhilarating. And all it took was five minutes.

Last month I went to an exhibition in Delhi. Indian calligraphy on stone, wood, cloth and paper. Straight from the airport, I took a half hour break en route and I am so glad I did. It changed forever my vision of our country. Through objects of great beauty, I could see why we are one of the best countries on earth. Before me were the various scripts of India. Each different, each potent and every one of them fantastic. Which nation has so many scripts? Europe and the Americas have Roman and Greek. Japan has Japanese. China has Mandarin. But India…shall we start counting or shall we simply begin to celebrate?

I was watching Sridevi in the movie English Vinglish the other day. Every single sari was a celebration of our clothing legacy that we wear. Since over 4,000 years, we must be one of the few countries that wear our clothing heritage. It is a pity that even enlightened countries like China are now in the limited repertoire of Western casual wear.

Trailing through many countries and a fabulous assortment of cuisines, we have been fortunate to celebrate via travel. For my 50^th birthday, we took a cruise that began in Grenada, went round the Cape Horn and up to Acapulco. On the way, we saw the carnival in Rio, tango in Buenos Aires, penguins in the Falklands, Nazca lines in Chile and the most beautiful sunset in Torres del Paine in Patagonia.

Star studded finale to the day

When the day is done, my partner and I go on our little boat in the backwaters of the Mandovi. A cool breeze whispers against our skin. In that open expanse the sky looks bluer, the clouds more plentiful. We have learnt to identify each bird that flies past. And we know where large crocodiles inhabit the island of Corjuem or the Cambarjua canal. When I took Lisa Ray, Malaika Arora and my godchild Arhan into the small rivers, I could see the wonder in their eyes at this daily spectacle we enjoy.

Talking about Lisa, we have just dispatched her wedding dress to Canada. What a brave heart she is. Battling and winning a dreaded disease and embracing each day like it is a celebration gifted by God. Like her, we should celebrate each day. Not just on festivals and weddings. Those are special in any case and we Indians know how to do those in grand style.

Don’t miss » “I believe with all my heart that I will heal completely”—Lisa Ray

When light falls on the river and the sun seeps into the horizon, we steer our boat to our favourite spot in the river. The sky is pink above and like an ombre dyed fabric, orange at the horizon. The waters reflect this wondrous colour palette. This spot is almost sacred to us because of what transpires next.

From beyond the hills of Chorao Island arrives a fleet in the sky. We are in the daily migratory path of birds returning to roost from the South. Friends like Amitav Ghosh, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna and Orhan Pamuk, among many others, have gasped in wonder as tens, then hundreds, then thousands of birds float home in the pink sky. It is the perfect way to celebrate another beautiful day gone by.

It turns dark now. The planet Venus shines brightly. The stars come out and are reflected in the inky waters. Suddenly I see fireflies flitting about and it seems as if the stars are above, below and now flying between us. The fireflies are an indication that the monsoon is nigh—our beautiful Goan monsoon. Soon the hills will turn green and the fluorescent green paddy fields will flourish, turning the landscape from summer brown to verdant green. There is always something to celebrate on this earth!

The post A million reasons to celebrate appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Our review kit contained four vibrant looking packs that would tempt anyone to open them right away. Each pack had 14 muslin tea bags presented in beautiful wrappers that open like a flower blooming. Each wrapper has a quote that inspires your mind even as you expect the tea to do the same to your body. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”, said Zig Ziglar in the first tea bag that we unwrapped (Watch Unwrapping a Hillcart Tales teabag below).

The entire process of unwrapping the tea bag and immersing it into the cup of hot water feels oddly rich and satisfying, taking our expectations from the actual product sky high.

So did the tea meet our expectations? Indeed! We could say that it exceeded them. Each infusion we tried uplifted the senses. Tiramasu Delight, the dessert tisane, was our favourite. The pack says: “A velvet smooth blend with indulgent flavours of rosehip and cinnamon. Mild and creamy aroma of mascarpone perfectly complements this delicious brew of Rooibos tea.” Smooth it certainly is, this infusion! And the delightful aroma soothes your entire being.

The Hillcart Tales’ century-old lineage lends them expertise at blending the flavours, a skill they use deftly to create the finest infusions. Many of their products can that can be savoured hot or cold.

Unwrapping The Hillcart Tales teabag

The individually handcrafted, environment-friendly muslin bags are reminiscent of their place of origin—from the plush and exotic locales of Darjeeling, to the expansive gardens of Assam; high grown teas of Rwanda and the misty gardens of Taiwan. The multi-layer packaging ensures that customers savour the distinct classic and contemporary tastes.

The company proudly states that each of their 32 variants are harvested from leaves of fresh virgin buds and the first few of their kind obtained from select gardens, picked only after thorough examination of suppleness and freshness. The careful selection of the choicest leaves forms the constancy and originality of the broad range of their rare teas.

Presented in packs of 7 and 14 tea bags and 150g or 75g loose leaf teas of Green, Black, Infusions, and Exotic Teas, we think The Hillcart Tales belongs to every tea lover’s kitchen shelf.

The post The Hillcart Tales: Refreshingly Royal appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

We’ve put together a list of benefits that coffee offers. And for non-coffee drinkers thinking this does not apply to them, think again. Energy drinks, tea [even green tea] and most chocolates too contain caffeine.

1. Coffee can boost your workout sessions

Caffeine may trigger release of adrenaline, a hormone that prepares you for physical exertion. It keeps you alert and also helps in performance. Drinking a cup of black coffee an hour before your workout will help increase your endurance and make you perform better. This can also reduce the soreness you feel after a strenuous workout. Coffee also helps to break down body fat and make it available as fuel.

2. Drinking coffee could reduce feelings of depression

Depression is a serious mental health disorder; we’re in no way suggesting you can cure it with a few cups of coffee. But coffee does have active ingredients that stimulate the nervous system and boost production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. These play a huge role in elevating your mood and keeping you happy. In a study carried out by Harvard school of Public Health it was observed that coffee had reduced the risk of suicide by 50 per cent.

3. It helps you stay attentive

People who consume 200 milligrams of ground coffee or, for instance, the 8oz cup of coffee in Starbucks, have a higher recall level. It improves various aspects of brain functioning such as memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels and your general cognitive function.

4. It may boost your weight loss efforts

As mentioned earlier, caffeine helps to burn fat and that’s the reason why it is a major ingredient in fat burning supplements. Black coffee without sugar is really effective. Of course, drinking coffee must be combined with a healthy diet and exercise. If you’re adding milk, cream or sugar to your coffee with a donut on the side, your weight loss will remain a pipe dream.

5. Coffee may safeguard you from Alzheimer’s and Dementia

A regular habit of drinking up to four cups of coffee a day from the age of 40 years can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Continuous caffeine consumption can help reduce cognitive decline in older adults.

6. The benefits of coffee for skin

Cosmetic companies have woken up to the benefits of coffee because it makes your skin look flawless and reduce cellulite. It is one of the popular ingredients in skin care products. The antioxidants that are present in coffee can help eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. It is also used in scrubs and soaps and has several benefits such as diminishing dark circles, skin softening and skin brightening.

7. Caffeine can reduce the risk of developing cancer

This Cup-of-Joe can help reduce the risk of various oral and throat cancers. Adults who consume about four cups of coffee daily are less likely to fall prey to this treacherous disease. Decaf may have a weaker or slower effect.

The post The many perks of drinking coffee appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Tea was first discovered in China as a medicine. And it is no surprise that even today it is praised for its health benefits.

Tea is the dried and processed leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis and all types of tea come from this. The infusion of these leaves in hot water is what makes up tea.

There are four main types of tea.

• White
• Green
• Oolong
• Black

The difference between these teas is in the harvesting and the drying process. The darker the tea, the more processing it has undergone—which means that some nutrients too have been stripped away.

White tea

White tea is the healthiest of teas and is very time consuming to harvest. It is made from the young leaves that are picked before the buds have fully opened. Hence only small quantities are yielded, which makes it an expensive buy. White tea undergoes minimal processing, as it is simply steamed and dried, maintaining its natural state.

Benefits:

• Builds up the immune system against viral and bacterial infections
• Helps prevent tooth decay and cavities
• Helps to fight cancer cells
• Has immense anti-ageing properties.

Green tea

Green tea is a milder tea, made from the leaf bud and the top most leaves. The leaves are simply withered and then roasted or dried; they are not fermented like black tea, so it does not become oxidised.

Benefits:

• Helps to control blood pressure and reduces cholesterol
• Aids in preventing viral infections such as the flu
• Helps in weight loss as it encourages the body to burn fat
• Reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Oolong tea

Oolong is a traditional Chinese variety of tea, somewhere in between green and black in oxidation level. Hence, one could say that it has the best of both worlds.

Benefits:

• Has anti-oxidant properties
• Reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

Black tea

The leaves undergo a complex fermentation process that changes their colour from green to copper. Black tea is more oxidised, stronger in flavour and may contain more caffeine.

Benefits:

• Reduces your chances of a heart attack
• Prevents dental cavities.

What are herbal teas?

Herbal teas are not actually teas and are referred to as infusions or tisanes. They  are a simple and effective way of extracting the goodness and flavour from the aerial parts of herbs. Tisanes can be made with fresh or dried leaves, soft stems, flowers, seeds or roots. Dried fruits steeped in hot water are called fruit infusions.

Four popular herbal teas and their uses

Chamomile

• The flowers are used in the treatment of mouth ulcers, diarrhoea, insomnia, eczema, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal complaints
• Is mildly sedative and gently stimulates the digestive system.
• Ginger
• Ginger can be used for heart disease, constipation, asthma, vomiting, migraine headaches, morning sickness, motion sickness and rheumatoid arthritis
• Ginger is a warming herb, making it ideal for colds and flu.

Peppermint

• It is used for calming the digestive system, relieving nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and travel sickness
• Traditionally used in the treatment of colds, fevers and influenza.

Fennel

• Also known as saunf, it has anti-spasmodic properties
• Particularly good for constipation, colic and flatulence
• Fennel is also a good detox, it helps to clean the kidneys and rid the body of impurities.

Mix and match

Apples are a nutritious addition to any herbal beverage. Mix equal parts of unsweetened apple juice with green tea and chill to make a delicious and healthy drink

Hibiscus flowers [fresh or dried] and rose petals can be added to herbal teas to complement the taste.

Thin slices or peel of orange and lemon can add a tang and help to bring out the natural flavour of many herbal teas.

Caramel apple tea and vanilla spice chai can be incorporated in ice-creams too. While making ice-cream, add the brewed tea just before final whisk and chill.

Three super uses of tea

1. Hydrate your skin
   Brew tea, let it cool and then use it in a face pack or as a face mist.
2. Make plant food
   Don’t throw away the tea leaves after you’ve brewed your cup. Instead toss it into your potted plants over the soil, as it acts as a natural fertilizer.
3. Relieve tired or sore eyes
   Place chilled tea bags on your eyes, for 10 minutes to relieve puffy eyes. The tannins in tea also help to reduce dark circles.

Snigdha Manchanda, a tea sommelier, guarded her teas from around the world in her dad’s vintage trunk until the day she realised that tea tastes best when shared. Tea Trunk is the home of her teas and their aromatic stories.

This was first published in the March 2014 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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Next to water, tea is the highest consumed beverage in the world. The antioxidant and flavonoids in ‘Camellia sinensis,’ simply known as tea, have helped millions, over the centuries fight cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, cholesterol and improve mental alertness. The antioxidant in black tea protects heart health. On this parallel, green tea has the most powerful antioxidants known to inhibit cancer cells and lower cholesterol.

Caution Owing to its caffeine content, excess tea intake can cause headaches, nervousness, irritability, irregular heartbeat, confusion and tremors. The tannin compounds in tea destroys iron and inhibits its absorption from food. It can exaggerate anaemia, when it is consumed with meals. The tannins in your tea can be diluted by adding some milk. Also, refrain from drinking tea along with meals. Allow for a time gap of at least three hours between a meal and drinking tea.

Healthy limit Restricting the intake of tea to three cups per day will help dodge its undesirable side-effects.

Spinach

Could there be anything bad about this seemingly harmless green? No doubt, spinach is a marvel of nutrient synergy. It harbours lutein, vitamins A, B6, C, K and minerals such as selenium zinc, copper, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Now that’s a lot of goodies for your health, but you shouldn’t over indulge.

Caution Spinach contains ingredients which increase the risk of developing kidney stones. It also reduces absorption of calcium and can irritate the teeth temporarily.

Healthy limit Half or one cup of spinach a day should help soak up the goodies.

Garlic

Garlic the superstar and antidote to high blood pressure contains the compound allicin that shields us from bacterial infections, H. pylori and cancer. Crushing the clove and allowing it to rest for about 15 minutes before heating, activates its protective enzymes.

Caution Overuse of garlic emanates bad breath and body odour apart from instigating burning sensations in the stomach. Vomiting and diarrhoea are not uncommon if consumed excessively. The risk of bleeding may be further augmented on consuming too much fresh garlic.

Healthy limit One clove of fresh garlic each day is recommended.

Dry beans

This versatile powerhouse is packed with low fat protein, soluble and insoluble fibre and iron. Beans can keep you feeling full for long, reduce bad cholesterol and help control blood sugars.

Caution Beans conceal several anti-nutritional properties, which reduce the absorption of zinc, iron, magnesium and calcium. Soaking, sprouting and cooking well, reduces its harmful effects. In spite of their outstanding nutrition contribution, legumes are not completely digested in the colon and can lead to cramping and flatulence. Astonishingly, beans coupled with inadequate water can lead to constipation. Boiling thoroughly helps reduce this effect by softening its fibre.

Healthy limit Half or one cup of beans, cautiously increased in amounts and distributed through different meals, can help assimilate all the valuable nutrients.

Flax seeds

Lately, many recipes have been revved up to incorporate this mesmerising functional food. Flax seed owes its phenomenal popularity to the three compounds—ALA, lignan and fibre. Flax seeds are known to reduce triglycerides, risk of certain cancers, cholesterol and plaque formation.

Caution Ground flax seeds lose their nutritional potency due to oxidation. Grind flax seeds only if they will be consumed immediately. Flax seeds contain an anti-nutritional compound called cyanide in trace amounts and heat helps to break down cyanide. To avoid toxicity, roast flax seeds on mild heat. Don’t be over generous while sprinkling these seeds on your food because having them with inadequate water causes abdominal discomfort and increased bowel movement due to its laxative effect. Its lignans have an oestrogen like effect and perturb menstruation. Flax seeds also exaggerate the risk of bleeding due to enhanced blood thinning.
Healthy limit The Flax Council of Canada recommends 1– 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed each day as a safe intake.

Dark chocolate

For every chocoholic, there is some good and bad news. Good news is that dark chocolate with 70 per cent or more cocoa contains potential antioxidants. These help to unclog arteries, thwart the risk of a stroke, improve lipid profile and prevent diabetes and varicose veins

Caution Now for the bad news, the anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting benefit is surpassed when consumed in excess. Excess consumption leads to caffeine-related side effects such as, migraine headaches, anxiety, increased urination, sleeplessness, dehydration, irritability, raised blood pressure, confusion and palpitations. The high oxalate content may also increase the risk of kidney stones.

Healthy limit By restricting to 50g of dark chocolate per day, you can have your chocolate and eat it too.

Coffee

The morning cuppa not only perks you up but also lowers the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. Recent research suggests that coffee offers protection from Parkinson’s disease and liver cancer. Regular coffee drinking reduces the risk of developing gall stones.

Caution Wake up and smell the coffee! High consumption of coffee can worsen acidity. The caffeine in coffee elevates blood pressure and adrenaline. It can make one feel dehydrated because of its mild diuretic effect. The aftermath of the sugar and milk added in coffee can divert one from their weight goals. Caffeine, the mild addictive stimulant may compel reduced absorption of calcium. Over-consumption would induce cardiovascular effects like increased heart rate, blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, irritability and lack of sleep.

Healthy limit 2 – 3 cups of coffee will avoid all unsolicited effects.

Bran

Muffins, cakes, breads—they are all being adorned with this super food. Bran is exuberant in insoluble fibre, selenium and vitamin E and B. It helps to feel full, regulate bowel movements, lower cholesterol, control blood sugar and also deter haemorrhoids.

Caution The abuse of bran leads to excess flatulence and abdominal discomfort. This is because methane gas is produced when the gut bacteria acts on it, especially during initial use. Excess fibre also reduces the uptake of certain essential minerals. Ensure a gradual intake with adequate water, to avoid cramps.

Healthy limit 20g of bran a day should shorten your toilet stay.

Soya

Soya has become the vegetarian’s answer to anyone who demands a good quality vegetarian source of protein. Moreover, its texture is such that it can be incorporated in non-vegetarian recipes and can be substituted for meat, without compromising the taste. This protein-laden food contains all the essential amino acids.
Caution One needs to be scrupulous about excess soya consumption due to the presence of phytoestrogens. These are plant compounds but they are similar to oestrogen in their action. Isoflavones may lower the hormone thyroxine and hinder thyroid function, particularly if your diet does not include much iodine. Soya has an inhibitory factor on iron absorption.

Healthy limit The American Heart Association [AHA] recommends not more than 25g of soy protein as a part of one’s daily diet.

Oats

From bears depicted in fables to humans, almost everyone relishes this delectable super food. Oats has made its way into Indian kitchens and is being used to make everything from khichdis to idlis and upma.

Oats have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties.

Caution It is vital to note that not all oats have the same glycaemic index [GI]. Instant oats have a high GI rating, while rolled or steel cut oats have a lower GI rating; thereby the latter will lead to a comparatively smaller insulin spike and delay hunger. If you eat too much of this health promoting food, it may cause digestive discomforts like soft stools, belching and flatulence with delayed blood clotting.

Healthy limit 50 – 100g of whole oats product each day is considered safe.

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These few days for celebration are just compensation—because these societies have taken away all celebration out of your life. And if nothing is given to you in compensation, your life can become a danger to the culture.

Don’t get fooled by society

Every culture has to give some compensation to you so that you don’t feel completely lost in misery, in sadness. But these compensations are false.

These firecrackers and lights outside cannot make you rejoice. They are only for children; for you they are just a nuisance. But in your inner world there can be a continuity of lights, songs, joys.

Always remember that society compensates you when it feels that the repressed may explode into a dangerous situation if it is not compensated. The society finds some way of allowing you to let out the repressed. But this is not true celebration, and it cannot be true.

Think beyond the calendar

True celebration should come from your life, in your life. And true celebration cannot be according to the calendar, that on the first of November you will celebrate. Strange, the whole year you are miserable and on the first of November suddenly you come out of misery, dancing.

Either your misery is false, or the first of November is false; both cannot be true. And once the first of November is gone, you are back in your dark hole. Everybody in his misery, everybody in his anxiety.

Life should be a continuous celebration, a festival of lights the whole year round. Only then you can grow up, you can blossom.

Celebrate like the Japanese

Transform small things into a celebration. For example, in Japan they have the tea ceremony. In every Zen monastery and in every person’s house who can afford it, they have a small temple for drinking tea. Now, tea is no longer an ordinary, profane thing; they have transformed it into a celebration.

The temple for drinking tea is made in a certain way—in a beautiful garden with a beautiful pond, swans in the pond, flowers all around… guests come and they have to leave their shoes outside. It is a temple.

And as you enter the temple, you cannot speak; you have to leave your thinking and thoughts and speech outside with your shoes. You sit down in a meditative posture. And the host, the lady who prepares tea for you—her movements are so graceful, as if she is dancing, moving around preparing tea, putting cups and saucers before you as if you are Gods. With such respect… she will bow down, and you will receive it with the same respect.

The tea is prepared in a special samovar, which makes beautiful sounds, a music of its own. And it is part of the tea ceremony that everybody should listen first to the music of the tea. So everybody is silent, listening… birds chirping outside in the garden, and the samovar… the tea is creating its own song. A peace surrounds….

When the tea is ready and it is poured into everybody’s cup, you are not just to drink it the way people are doing everywhere. First, you will smell the aroma of the tea. Then, you will sip the tea as if it has come from the beyond, you will take time—there is no hurry.

Somebody may start playing on the flute or on the sitar. An ordinary thing—tea—and they have made it a beautiful religious festival, and everybody comes out of it nourished, fresh, feeling younger, feeling juicier. And what can be done with tea can be done with everything—with your clothes, with your food.

Celebrate anything…everything

People are living almost in sleep; otherwise, every fabric, every cloth has its own beauty, its own feel. If you are sensitive, then the clothing is not just to cover your body; then it is something expressing your individuality, something expressing your taste, your culture, your being.

Everything you do should be expressive of you; it should have your signature on it. Then life becomes a continuous celebration.

Even if you fall sick and you are lying in bed, you will make those moments of lying in bed moments of beauty and joy, moments of relaxation and rest, moments of meditation, moments of listening to music or to poetry.

There is no need to be sad that you are sick. You should be happy that everybody is in the office and you are in your bed like a king, relaxing—somebody is preparing tea for you, the samovar is singing a song, a friend has offered to come and play flute for you…. These things are more important than any medicine. When you are sick, call a doctor. But more important, call those who love you because there is no medicine more important than love.

Call those who can create beauty, music, poetry around you because there is nothing that heals like a mood of celebration.

Medicine is the lowest kind of treatment. But it seems we have forgotten everything, so we have to depend on medicine and be grumpy and sad—as if you are missing some great joy that you were having in the office! In the office you were miserable. Just one day off, and you cling to misery too; you won’t let it go.

Make everything creative, make the best out of the worst—that’s what I call ‘the art’. And if a man has lived his whole life making every moment and every phase of it a beauty, a love, a joy, naturally his death is going to be the ultimate peak of his whole life’s endeavour. The last touches… his death is not going to be ugly as it ordinarily happens every day to everyone.

Excerpted from Beyond Enlightenment/Courtesy: Osho International Foundation/www.osho.com

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Hence, detox diets—and even weight loss diets—require us to forgo some food groups. While some diets restrict carbohydrates, others say no to sugar or salt, still others forbid caffeine intake.

But evidence suggests that whenever our body observes the lack of supply of a particular ingredient, it reacts in a certain way, sometimes even violently. Let us have a look at the withdrawal symptoms of various food categories.

Withdrawal symptoms of a detox diet

Caffeine detox

Tea/coffee are the most targeted food group in a diet. A lot of people are addicted to tea and coffee and sometimes have several cups a day. On completely discontinuing tea or coffee, some changes take place in the nervous and vascular system, as the body tries to get rid of the poisons and realign its systems according to the new regime.

“Caffeine in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks is habit-forming. It therefore creates dependability and withdrawal signs show up when it is stopped,” says Sheela Krishnaswamy, an independent diet, nutrition and wellness consultant.

Withdrawal symptoms of caffeine

The first symptom to manifest is a headache that stays for 2 – 3 days. You may also experience pain in the stomach and joints, which subsides after 3 – 4 days [the time taken by the receptors in the brain to be free of caffeine consumption]. Clogged sinuses and a running nose are other symptoms. For many people, tea and coffee work as a laxative, so constipation too is a common occurrence. Besides that, you may feel irritable and drowsy.

Cure: Take a couple of analgesics and ample rest. Having a very small amount of tea or coffee may also alleviate the symptoms. Switch to herbal teas or decaffeinated brews.

Cola detox

Soft drinks can be the primary source of calories and sugar for you. According to dietician Joanne Larsen of dietitian.com, there are nine teaspoons of sugar in each 12 ounce [355 ml] can of soda.

Caffeinated soda and energy drinks may contain other stimulants too, which may make you feel nervous. Reducing or eliminating caffeinated soda and energy drinks with stimulants should reduce feelings of nervousness.

Withdrawal symptoms of cola

Strong cravings and headaches are common symptoms. Dehydration may occur if soda is your main source of water for the body.

Cure: Switch to natural juices and decaffeinated drinks. Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

Simple Carbs detox

Food items made of refined flour such as bread, cake, candy, pasta, noodles, and white rice are associated with a higher incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even breast cancer. And eating refined carbs, over time, results in almost certain weight gain.

Withdrawal symptoms of refined carbs

The first week is miserable, with a feeling of fatigue and acute craving for carbohydrate-rich food. You may feel constantly hungry and irritable or even experience nausea.

S K Thakur, a senior gastroenterologist, explains, “When your source of income dries up, you utilise assets like gold and silver. Similarly, when the intake of carbohydrates gets restricted, the body starts using the stored fats.” This process is called ketosis. As a result, the insulin levels in the blood drops, stabilising the blood sugar and the body loses weight. After the first week, the person starts to feel better and the craving pangs reduce.

Cure: Drink plenty of water to enable fat metabolism. Eat protein-rich foods like eggs and dal. You can take a teaspoon of good quality MCT oil or even pure coconut oil — it helps ease your cravings for carbs. If you feel nauseous, take adequate rest. “Substitute refined flour with complex carbs such as jowar, bajra or nachni to help you feel fuller without the negative effects,” suggests Mukerjee.

Salt detox

Salt is a chemical compound consisting of sodium, which is detrimental to health. While reducing salt intake is good, when a person drastically restricts his intake of salt for an extended period of time, the old accumulations in the body are excreted through the skin and kidneys.

Withdrawal symptoms of salt

In the initial days, there may be a salty taste in the mouth. “Cramps are initially experienced as salt is removed from the diet or rapidly excreted from the body,” adds nutritionist Honey Khanna. Other withdrawal symptoms include high blood pressure, lethargy and drowsiness, and excessive urination [as salt is water retentive]. In extreme cases, you may experience hypernatremia [electrolyte disturbance in the body] and fits.

Cure: Reduce salt intake slowly. Replace regular salt with rock salt or low-sodium salt.

Meat detox

Meat eaters have a high acid content in their body. When they stop eating meat, the body attempts to revert to the healthier, alkaline condition.

Withdrawal symptoms of meat

As the acids leave the body through the pores, they leave behind a disagreeable smell, foul breath and a bitter taste in the mouth. You may also experience some hair loss and muscular weakness. Once all the acid has been neutralised, these symptoms disappear.

Cure: Consume lots of fruits, vegetables and fluids.

Dairy detox

Milk is considered by many as a complete meal in itself. However, some people become lactose-intolerant and have to cut down on milk. Milk contains tryptophan [essential amino acid], which is sleep-inducing.

Withdrawal symptoms of dairy

Lack of sleep, lethargy, grogginess, mood swing, and headaches are common. You may also experience ailments like multiple bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.

Cure: Replace regular milk [cow or buffalo milk] by soy milk. “By completely eliminating dairy products from our diet, we deprive ourselves of calcium, a mineral that’s imperative for strong bones and teeth. This is an open invitation for diseases like osteoporosis at a later stage in life,” explains Deepika Malik, executive director, LifeCentury, and a qualified Ayurveda practitioner. You can also meet your calcium requirements with the help of supplements.

Sugar detox

Many dieticians treat sugar as slow poison. Not only does it promote weight gain, but it is also deadly for a person with diabetic tendencies. In many ways, what seems harmless is actually a cause of diabetes, obesity, and a variety of other problems.

“We take sugar withdrawal as seriously as addictions to substances like alcohol or drugs,” says Malik.

Withdrawal symptoms of sugar

Due to low blood sugar levels, the first symptom is acute craving for sugar and sugar products. Next is fatigue, in the absence of the energy boost sugar gives.

Depression, anxiety and mood swings may be experienced as sugar enhances these emotions too. It is also common to experience headaches, similar to the ones experienced in caffeine withdrawal. Other withdrawal symptoms include drowsiness, skin rashes and throat discomfort. In extreme cases, fever with tremors, unconsciousness and seizures are observed.

Cure: Cut off sugar slowly instead on stopping all at once. Switch to fresh fruits, salads and nuts.

Fat detox

A major chunk of our population suffers from obesity. The prime suspects are our fat-intensive diet and sedentary lifestyle. However, fats also provide many of the necessary vitamins. Embarking on a fat less or low-fat diet, reduces the level of vitamins like A, D, E and K in the body.

Withdrawal symptoms of fat

All problems related to the deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E and K manifest. You may also suffer from dryness of skin and hair, itching, weakness of bones, and night blindness.

Cure: Eat good fats like almonds and walnuts and fresh fruits.

A word of caution about detox diets

While going on any type of diet, reduce in stages instead of imposing a total stop on the consumption of any food item. “If you are cutting down on the consumption of above foods, you can avoid some of the symptoms by doing it slowly. If the craving persists, substitutes can be used,” suggests Khanna. Some withdrawal symptoms like that associated with wheat/caffeine withdrawal might require medical management.

■ This article was last updated on 18^th February 2021

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