Swami Ramdev can solely take the credit for changing the image of yoga and its practice. In other words, this is yoga, according to Swami Ramdev! He is neither the front man of a Rock ‘N’ Roll band nor he is a magician or an actor, but he has the looks, charisma, the body, movement and the capacity to alight an entire stadium with his presence. He doesn’t stalk the stage like a panther, but mostly he sits in Padmasana or Vajrasana, except when he is worshipping the sun or walking on his hands! He does magical things with his abdomen, but only with the use of fresh air and a bit of muscle power.

He is a celestial being completely detached from worldly pleasures and committed to serving the humanity; he has this great desire to change the world into a ‘healthy world’ with no illness. And how does he plan to do this? Just with the aid of controlled breathing and fresh air, otherwise known as ‘Pranayam’. Swami Ramdev, who brought Pranayam to the forefront, believes in 75%of Pranayam and 25% Asanas to remain healthy and get rid of diseases, quite different to the earlier concept of Asanas being the main component and thereby giving Pranayam a subsidiary role! Though Pranayam was known to be an essential part of Yoga practice, it was seldom given the pride of place it deserved.

He does not preach religion, but the divine power surrounds him like a halo and anyone who comes near him feels that power and draws on that infinite energy. In spite of all these attributes, this saint of a man, almost celestial is very humble but has the power to hold an audience in the palm of his hands by doing just a little Nouli! (For the un- initiated few, Nouli is the magical massaging movement of ones ‘stomach’)

If anyone is wondering if such a person exists, ‘the saintly golden wonder from India’, His Holiness Swami Ramdev who has transformed India to wake up to a healthy tomorrow, is the answer! Swami Ramdev was initiated in the ascetic order on the banks of the sacred River Ganga. He established Divya Yog Mandir Trust in 1995 with the help of Muktanand Maharaj and Acharya Balkrishen. His kindness, loving nature and dedication to serve humanity have won him an enormous following in India and all over the globe, just within a short span of 6-7 years! He is highly proficient in Ayurved and Vedic philosophy, Sanskrit and yog practice.

Yoga is an ancient Indian art that has been in practice for over 5000 years. But it was Saint Patanjali who compiled it so that the common man could understand it and called it the Ashtanga yoga, the eight yogic practices, that brings about the positive way of thinking. Swami Ramdev follows in the footsteps of Maharshi Patanjali and he brought it to the masses, in the form of simple Pranayam and Asanas. One must understand that ‘Yog’ is not a religion and the word ‘Om’ is not part of only the Hindu religion, but the Buddhists and Gregorian Monks used it as the sacred sound for chanting; Yog is oneness with the divine, a holistic approach to the art of living through commitment and understanding.

It is paramount that everyone understands the real meaning of yoga and the practice of its various techniques to correct the imbalance of prana (life force) and physique, which will then be reflected in the body, mind and intellect. Therefore, the presence of Swami Ramdev and his yog workshops in the UK was a blessing in deed. These workshops were of colossal magnitude, attended by people of multinational origin. Language was no barrier as Swami Ramdev is beyond any language; his presence was enough motivation for the adoring crowd and they followed his every single word and magical move!

Swami Ramdev was in total control of what went on at each session and he conducted it with such grandeur that, three hours of music, asanas, Pranayam, Ayurved and teaching of philosophy looked like only a few minutes! His wonderful sense of humour kept the audience captivated and Bastrika, kabhal-bhati, Anulom Vilom, Bahya Pranayam, Omkar japa, Bhramari and asanas were conducted like a well choreographed works of art. Though there are various methods of Pranayam and Asanas, Swami had selected seven methods of Pranayam that can be completed in about 20 minutes and a few highly useful Asanas, which would give maximum benefit. His unique wonderful sense of humour was evident at every session through the week.

The benefits are endless to those who complete these chosen exercises. Manipulation of breathing pattern will improve transmission of impulses resulting in functional changes leading to an increase in immunity and finally an evolved state of eternal bliss. Various systems in the body improve maintaining good health and treatment of ailments to those who are in poor health. Diseases like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, allergy and Hay fever, migraine, diseases pertaining to lungs, heart and brain are cured by doing Pranayam, at least 5 to 15 minutes, twice daily; improvement in Parkinsons disease, eye sight and memory also are noted; hair loss and premature graying are relieved by rubbing ones nails — impulses are sent through the pressure points.

There were many patients in the audience at each venue who were completely cured of various ailments such as asthma, hypertension, migraine, diabetes, high cholesterol, hay fever, fibroid uterus, crohn’s disease, skin conditions such as leucoderma, psoriasis, eczema, ovarian cysts, and improvement in nervous disorders. I was amazed at the revelations at the workshop I attended; there were even consultant physicians, surgeons and GPs who were disclosing details of cure among their relatives and patients. The unmistakable improvement in spinal ailments, paralysis and especially in PD (Parkinsons) was reassuring to many of the sufferers who attended the venue.

It was overwhelming to witness the benefits of Pranayam in fibroid uterus, ovarian cysts, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, fibrosis of lungs, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, migraine not responding to any treatment, various malignancies. Etc, narrated by the patients themselves in most instances, showing benefits within 4-9-12 months. (Graves disease, carcinoma of prostate and bladder were among the cases disclosed) These patients had the test results with them taken prior to starting Pranayam and during, at regular intervals. (Anulom Vilom, Kabhal bhati and Basthrika are most beneficial). Obesity showed remarkable improvement, loosing from 5- 11 kilograms and even up to 40 kilograms in a few, in 4-12 months! These revelations are quite difficult to believe until one has witnessed it and even I was skeptical in the beginning. His desire to meet all doctors attending the workshop was highly commendable; the conference was arranged where medico-legal points were discussed and the need for evidence-based medicine was stressed. Most doctors were of the opinion that publication of data from Swami Ramdev’s clinical trials is of paramount importance.

The benefits and the real meaning of Kabhal Bhati (glow on the fore head/ healthy glow) were quite evident on Swami Ramdev! I could not help thinking that one does not need to go to a gym to get a perfect body, just one look at the ‘treasure chest of India’ was enough to convince anyone that he is a living advertisement for Pranayam, to achieve the ‘perfect triangle’ and the tummy to die for! (no disrespect to Swami, of course). Swami Ramdev believes that spinal and joint injuries with the careless use of weights at a gym could be avoided among youngsters, by practicing Asanas and Pranayam. His kindness and empathy with each person at the venue was unmistakable and the blessing he bestowed on each of those who were suffering was ecstatic to witness. His captivating mannerisms, his charisma and the way his arm goes up in the air when he wants to stress a point, almost a ‘Mercurial gesture’, reminded me of the Rock ‘N’ Roll legend with an inimitable voice! Swami’s extensive and thorough knowledge of allopathic medicine, acupressure and Ayurved only add to his greatness as a Yogic Master.

During the summer months many people decide to splurge on a variety of foods. Many of us have an increased amount of soda, chips, and candy. This is mostly due to the family/friend barbecues, beach parties, bonfires, and pool parties. Summertime is often key word for fun and many people tend to lose focus when it comes down to their diets. So what are some of the healthy foods that we can consume during these hot summer months?

The best way to maintain your diet this summer is to splurge on the fresh produce of the season. Consuming a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables is beneficial for your diet as it provides your body with plenty vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. And best of all, you don’t have to worry about portion control as fruit and vegetables are very low in calories. One of the summertime favorites is watermelon. Watermelon is a great thirst quencher and sweet tooth fulfiller. And since watermelon is made up of mostly water, it will leave you feeling full for hours.

Another great summertime food is salad. Salads are great summertime foods because they are refreshing and fun. A cool and crisp salad is a summertime must have. You can also have fun creating different salads. You can add fruit, vegetables, nuts, low fat cheese, or whatever you wish. You can try different combinations and see what you like the best. Another great summertime food is soup. This does not mean sodium packed canned soup. This means low calorie, broth based soup that you make at home. You can make your soup thick with vegetables thereby making it more filling. You can also include a whole grain roll to accompany either the soup or the salad. These are just a few ideas toward a healthy diet this summer.

You don’t need to starve yourself on a crazy fad diet if you want to look leaner and sexier in your shorts or swimsuit this summer. The secret to weight loss is to choose healthy foods and to take in fewer calories than you burn.
It’s just easier to make better food choices in summertime, when heavy, high-calorie dishes seem less appealing. The best foods for weight loss in summer are light, refreshing and, most important, keep you out of the hot kitchen. It’s just best to go fresh!
The single easiest way to trim calories from your summer diet, experts say, is to load up on nature’s perfect foods. Produce is at its peak in summer. Delicious fruits and vegetables abound at farmers’ markets and in your local grocery. Besides high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, these foods choices are also much lower in calories than traditional comfort foods.
Any in-season produce is sure to taste delicious and add flavor to your favorite dishes in abundance. You will find that including these amazingly tasty fresh treats will begin to shrink your belly fat and give you more energy throughout your days.
Oranges and apples can be eaten for fall, and load up on fresh berries, melons, greens, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beets, pea pods, and all the super-nutritious and low-calorie fruits, greens and vegetables that grow in your garden.
Be sure to visit your local farmers market if you have one and support the local farming community. You will not only save a TON of money by doing this, but you will be contributing to local produce supply which means fresher fruits and vegetables for you next season!
The fresher your choices are…the more your weight loss efforts will become apparent. All without using any extra crazy weight loss programs!
To keep your cool and cut your time in the kitchen, start with prepared produce, such as cut-up fruit and washed greens. Add rotisserie chicken, prepared soups, and pre-threaded kabobs when you need something a bit heartier. Pre-prepped foods may cost a little extra, but they save time in the kitchen.
Here are some great fat loss picks for some of the best foods to help with weight loss during the summer. Be sure to use your outdoor grill for a great change of taste!
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 1: Chilled Soups
All kind of produce in cold soups are great low-calorie dishes. Chilled soups like gazpacho or cucumber-dill that contain lots of chunky vegetables are a great way to start a meal.
Research shows that a low-calorie, broth-based soup at the beginning of the meal will fill you so you eat less at the meal. This is a common trick that celebrities use to slim don quickly.
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 2: Watermelon
Who doesn’t love diving into a crisp, juicy slice of watermelon when it’s hot outside? I know…crazy question.
Half of the watermelon comes from water. It’s a wonderful way to satisfy thirst and a yen for something sweet. Be sure to choose organic produce sources for better tasting, healthier results. The biggest thing with fruit is to make sure that fruits are not genetically modified (GMO). They are usually higher in sugar.
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 3: Grilled Veggies
A plate of grilled vegetables is a summertime must-have if you want to turn up those fat burning abilities. Keeping a plate of grilled onions, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, and garlic in your fridge is a great way to keep a healthy snack on hand whenever you need it.
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 4: Salads
Salads are probably one of the best diet quick fixes available. Including just 1-2 salads per day in your diet can be enough to start losing weight even if no other modifications are done to the diet. The key is that your diet must be done right!
To make a healthy salad give the produce a quick rinse; slice up some grilled chicken/beef, dice, toss fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds with some salad greens and a lemon and olive oil, light raspberry or ginger vinaigrette. The key is to avoid adding cheese or conventional dressings to your salad. They will ruin the fat burning properties of the salad.
Flavoring your salads with herbs from the garden so you can go light on the dressing is a good idea. When adding meats or fish to your salad you will find that the salad becomes very filling and satisfying.
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 5: Low- and No-Calorie Beverages
Stevia sweetened coffee drinks, teas and go down so easily, especially when it’s hot outside. But the key is to use the herbal sweetener Stevia and avoid all processed sugar drinks and artificial sweeteners. Recent studies show that artificial sweeteners can be just as bad for your metabolism as sugar!
Beverages can be the sole reason for any summer time weight gain. So it’s key to keep them in check by using water as your stable beverage of choice and only drinking sweeter drinks that you yourself have sweetened with your own Stevia packets.
Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 6: Fruit-Based Desserts
Keep your cravings under control by substituting all sweets with healthier, natural solutions such as grilling fruit with your favorite meals. You will find that partially caramelized fruit can be a very satisfying and yummy alternative to ice cream. Also try cooling mashed avocados for a unique and tasty choice!

The summer is a great time of year for baking. The natural response to the warmer weather would be to enjoy the outdoors rather than baking in your kitchen, but it is quite the opposite. Although you are working in the heat of the oven, the snacks you can create are enough to cool you off while enjoying the process of creating deserts yourself. The countless flavors that are fitting for the summer atmosphere will make you forget about the heat in the kitchen. Many baked goods also do well when served cold or frozen, making them perfect to help you cope with and enjoy the summer. When it comes to baking in the summer, fruit is often the centerpiece. Strawberries, mangoes, limes and a wide variety of melons are commonplace. Homemade cream mixed with berries also finds its way into many summertime desserts. Muffins and pastries with exotic fruit flavors also stand out this time of year. Then there are the cakes. From decadent to fun, there is an abundance of variety available when it comes to summertime cakes. Using fruit for baking is wildly popular in the summer. The sweet juicy flavors refresh the palate and provide a wonderful touch to recipes that fit the warm weather. Making jam is also popular in the summer. Taking your favorite fruits and turning them into jams and preserves is not only delicious, but also relatively easy. It is a baking activity fit for the entire family. If you really want to make the activity outstanding, bake your own bread to go along with the jam. You can even bake the bread over a fire when you are out camping for a perfect culinary adventure. Pies are also a popular use for sweet, summertime fruits. If a classic pie does not quite fit your style, you can use piecrusts, cookie dough or even basic pizza dough to make fruit pizza. Make the dough yourself, use yogurt or a similar spreadable food for your sauce and spread fruit around the dough to make an irresistibly sweet delight. Muffins and pastries are also very popular baked goods for the summertime. Mixing your favorite fruits into your favorite variety of muffin dough can make a perfect summer breakfast. Peaches, strawberries, raisins and bananas make for wonderful ingredients in your muffins and pastries with these fruits are a perfect baked good for your sweet tooth. Kiwi, pineapple and blueberries also go wonderfully in your muffins and pastries in the summertime. A great part of summer baking is cakes. Fresh fruits find their way into cakes as well. Banana cakes, strawberry shortcake, pineapple cakes and others are all extremely popular when the weather heats up. Fruit filled cheesecakes also tend to be baked frequently in the summertime. Including ice-cream with your cakes is a great way to keep everybody cool. Another summertime trend is making cakes in exotic shapes. Whether it is a watermelon cake both in flavor and in design or a towering castle of confectionary delight, the options for cake design in the summer are infinite. Other popular elements of design are flowers, butterflies, vines and collections of fruit. As if the fruit muffins, pastries and cakes are not enough, summertime baking also features includes ice cream. Bake some French toast or Belgium waffles then add your favorite ice cream, fresh fruits and any other toppings you may enjoy. You will have yourself a dish to cool the summer heat and delight your taste buds simultaneously.When you have exhausted these recipes, you can try making your own scones or fried dough. Another option is to make your own jam to go with your dough. If there is still more that you want to do, try fondue. Melt some chocolate or peanut butter and add in your homemade jams, this allows you have all the dips you could need. Bake some fried dough, mix in fresh fruit, and dip it all together to liquefy your dessert. Baking in the summer has endless possibilities. However, in the end it all boils down to using a wide variety of fresh fruits. Whether you are making jam, bread, muffins, pastries, and cakes or enhancing your ice cream, the key to baking in the summer is in the fruit.

There are foods that are associated with specific seasons-foods and drinks too that we reach for traditionally when the weather turns warmer or colder by turn. What would the winter be without a nice bowl of steaming oatmeal to start the day? And how much nicer is it to look out the window at a snowstorm when you’ve got a nice hot cup of hot chocolate in your hands?
Then there are the old standbys for the summer months as well. What better way to cool off in the middle of a heat wave than with a cool Popsicle? Who hasn’t enjoyed a baseball game while munching on a hot dog? It seems there are foods and drinks for every season and most of them really add to our enjoyment of any particular time of year.
One of the all-time favorite summer foods is one that we’ve been enjoying in North America for one hundred years. Ever since Gennaro Lombardi opened the first pizza place in New York in 1905, we’ve been enjoying the tasty treat that’s got a very interesting history. Of course it might be no surprise that pizza’s origins are claimed by the Italians, and as you munch a piece of Toronto pizza in the middle of little Italy, you might think that the food’s history only goes back to turn of the century Europe, but pizza has an even bigger past.
Although modern people munching Hamilton pizza might not have considered it on a hot July day, most historians agree that Italians have more than likely been eating the food since the Stone Age, perhaps as far back as the 6th century BC where soldiers baked a kind of flat bread and covered it afterward with cheese. The word itself has some interesting historical connotations.
‘Pizza’ is obviously Italian, but not many people know that the word means ‘a point’ and the earliest forms of this popular food were baked like a lot of other things beneath the stones of a fire. At first, this early form of the modern food that has been popularized as Mississauga pizza was used as a kind of plate to sop up the excess gravy that was left over from other meals. However, like all great ideas, it wasn’t long before pizza took off in its own right.
It seems that another great culture, The Greeks, helped bring what we now know as the modern day pizza along. Because their version of the flat bread was convenient for the working man and his family at the time, they decided that the flat round bread they were using for meals should have some kind of topping, and in this way the predecessor of the modern pizza pie was born.
It wasn’t until years later that the modern world caught up to this popular summer food and in 1957 frozen pizzas were introduced and soon became the most popular food that you could get from the freezer.

*Pizza is not good for health.