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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Eternal Youth


Who does not want to look and feel eternally young and beautiful? Those who notice receding hairlines and dark patches around eyes, appearing wrinkles or sagging breasts tend to get worried with age catching up with them. Those who are young want to look even younger with well-toned bodies, fairer skin, a permanent glow and radiance. The brands aggressively promote moisturizing creams, fair skin, colors for free flowing hair, no dandruff solutions, toners, anti -ageing creams and a score of other products that guarantee results within a fortnight. It is difficult to estimate the actual volume of money spent just in promotion of these products leave aside the cost for the actual manufacture, distribution, logistics, and storage and dealer commissions! The road sides have huge hoardings, the prime time TV is hogged by advertisements, major events are sponsored and every known gimmick is used to sell such products by the companies.
The fact remains that popularity and sales figures are directly proportional to the visibility of brands and recall value of each advertisement. In nutshell all of us are in the race to possess these to look younger. Movie stars, sportsmen, prominent personalities, stage actors are in constant demand in campaigns for promotion of these products, to allure the masses!
The secret of eternal youth was known to the rishis and yogis and they defied the human life span by remaining young forever and no one knew their real age. Markandeya , the son of rishi Mrikandu was born with a blessing of a very high intelligence but a short life span of 12 years. Markandeya was a devout follower of Lord Shiva and when he attained the age of 12 years, Yama the god of death came and threw a noose around Markandeya to take his life. It accidentally landed on the ‘Shivlinga’ and this enraged Lord Shiva who went to a point just short of killing Yama. He was spared by Lord Shiva on the condition that Markendeya would live forever. Thus the name ’Kalantaka’ was given to Lord Shiva and to this day, Maha Mrityuanjay  Stotra  is attributed to Markandeya and is often recited to conquer the death!!
Greek and Roman mythology are replete with accounts of quest for eternal youth. Hebes was the ‘Goddess of Eternal youth ‘according to the Greek mythology and the name meant ‘youth’. Maharishi  Charak the founder of Ayurveda knew the link between wellbeing and diseases and factors responsible for the diseases namely movements(Vata) transformation(Pitta) and Stability(Kapha). Thousands of years back Sage Chayvan promoted use of a jam like paste called ‘Chyavanprash’ comprising of olives, herbs etc to work wonders if used  for a long time for a healthy body.


 In recent times more modern and scientific theories have been propounded by likes of Dr Robert Atkins are the basis of the ‘Atkins Diet’ which promotes curbing consumption of carbohydrates. So the quest for the eternal beauty and long life has a long history behind it!

Most of us are so carried away with the promotional messages on the media, instead of leading a  healthy life style. A tried and tested recipe is being shared for those who would like to try. Start the day with two/ three glasses of ordinary water/warm water with honey and fresh lime. Thereafter, go for a walk, exercise, or yoga, for about half an hour. Soak some Anjeer(Figs), Munnaka(Dried white Sultana grapes), Almonds, Dates etc overnight. The breakfast of cereals, fresh fruits/eggs , multi grain bread and the soaked dry fruits with a few kernels of cashews and walnuts !Plenty of water and all colored fruits like black grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits rich in antioxidants and seeds act wonder! Do not throw the skin of fruits like papaya/lime/mango/melons but gently rub them on the face and leave it for half an hour as a natural mask! Eat ordinary lunch not too rich in oil and lot of salads especially of sprouts, green leafy vegetables. In the evening a cup of tea with light snacks followed with early dinner of a multigrain bread or chapatti with seasonal vegetable, yoghurt and salad alternatively meat cooked in low oil preferably not red meat. Do not forget an evening walk before or after dinner. The key to a graceful ageing is being regular in routine of ‘early to bed and early to rise to make happy healthy and wise’.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them!"

2 Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

PS- Images Kind Courtesy Google



59 comments:

  1. Nice wholesome post.

    After the loads of money which is spent on promotion of beauty products,i wonder how much value goes into the contents.

    I,for one,have no grouse against age because at every age we get many benefits endowed by experience.

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    1. Very true Indu!Ageing is a natural process and yes graceful acceptance of the same is the best !

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  2. Thanks for the story of Maha Mrityuanjay Stotra. I follow typical Indian eating style, pretty much what you said here. Though will use the peels for skin treatment now. :)

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    1. I am sure you must be enjoying the easy life style adopted by you. Please do tell if you found the peels adding to radiance and glow:) Thanks a lot !!

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  3. Thnx for the tips Rahul Sir.
    we spend thousands on cosmetics (myself included) despite knowing that a healthy diet and exercise would do the trick. if one is happy from with in then one is definitely beautiful on the outside. :)
    Nice post..:)

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    1. Thank you Jemina for agreeing with some of these very simple day to day solutions that do the trick:)

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  4. Loved the conclusion a lot! And everything you said makes sense.

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    1. Getting your stamp on these simple things of life adds weight to the post, Rachna:)

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  5. Well said. Had it not been for expolsion of cosmetic Ads on TV,our GEC and news cahnnels would have shut down by now.
    Damn it,there seems to be a whitening cream for every part of the body.??

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    1. True Mr Chowla how easily we get carried away with these crazy campaigns and burn hard earned money on things that are basically a waste!

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  6. This is a great one to bookmark, Rahul. Excellently said! ;-)

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    1. I am so happy that you agree to some of these very simple things to follow, Vidya:) Thank a lot!

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  7. Oh that's why I look old then! Ah ah ah! I will follow these tips from now on!
    Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
    Facebook
    Bloglovin'

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    1. How can a Fashion blogger look old:)They are fitter than the most!!

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  8. Hi Rahul
    a very sensible post indeed and loved your point no 6 on being ALIVE :)

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    1. Thanks a lot Jaishree for liking the post! True it is so important to be ALIVE while living a life:)

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  9. Excellent post Rahul, I have to print out all your useful tips, our mental health and well being also plays a major contribution to our age.

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    1. Wow! What a compliment! Thanks a lot Sam:) There is a direct correlation between what we eat, and how we exercise and keep a mentally happy state to keep the equilibrium for well being. These have an effect on the ageing too....so agree with you:)

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  10. We should accept ageing gracefully, they say. Yes, it is difficult I know. Exercising and eating right food is the best method to keep ourselves young.

    The main ingredients might cost only 10% and the rest of the buyers' money goes on other lines of promoting the product.

    I love the point no.6. We must always remember this point!

    Thanks for the beautiful post, Rahulji!

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    1. Am indeed grateful to you Sandhya for having liked the post! Accepting the process of ageing gracefully is the key for still looking young:)

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    2. Please don't use the word 'grateful'. I enjoy reading your posts and they are always on different topics!

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    3. Sandhya, anyone who takes time off in this busy world even a few minutes deserves to be thanked. What bigger reward can one ask for than appreciation that someone likes to read what you write:)

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  11. What a lovely post Rahul. You constantly amaze me with your wonderful posts and wide range of topics. Thanks for the Markandeya legend. Was not familiar with it. Loved the 10 awesome tips on staying young and healthy. I think I should start eating Chyvanprash from tomorrow, I have been meaning to do it, but never got round to it.

    Btw...smart of you to revisit my blog and read the comments. As you are always the first one to comment, you always miss what other writers have to say. Let me tell you something honestly, I cherish you as my first blog commentor :)

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    1. Rachna, I still use your posts as if a school kid uses Wren and Martin book for grammar:) Not enough words to thank you for your kind appreciation and words which push me to look for things of interest to write!

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  12. Every time i come here to read an update, I end up spending more than half an hour reading the other posts as well.I must confess, I literally scroll the reading list to find your blog.So much positive vibes at one place. xD This post was amazing too. :)

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    1. A huge thanks Sunakshi and I consider my self fortunate to have readers like you that spend time in browsing through earlier posts too! This is probably the best reward any writer could ask for:)

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  13. Every word makes sense. Loved the tips on how to stay young.

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  14. You took a very interesting topic for this post and I loved every bit of it!Nothing is amiss!

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    1. Thanks Padmaja! Most of this is simple to follow and helpful!

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  15. That is a great post! We are what we eat..It is all about lifestyle and a good and healthy living :)

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.com

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    1. Well said Megha! We are what we eat:)Thanks a lot!

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  16. A wonderful post on healthy life and living. If we could cut the shortcuts out and instead concentrate on incorporating simple rules like these as you mentioned, our entire life would become so much more beautiful right till the very end.

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    1. Absolutely!The shortcuts never take anyone very far, Arti! Thank you:)

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  17. For every recipe that claims health benefits there is another one disputing it. Personally, I follow a homeophatic protocol with limited sugars and limited or no white flours.

    The one recipe where there is no dispute is the 10 points on how to stay young. You got them all

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    1. You are right! Everyone chooses what suits him/her but generally being with the nature always helps:) A big thanks that you liked the 'Ten Commandments':)

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  18. Couldn't agree more. A positive attitude to life is the best anti-ageing therapy.

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    1. A positive attitude towards life makes all the difference and could not agree more Purba:)

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  19. the way to eternal youth is being a child at heart :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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  20. Welcome to my blog! Thanks for that comment! I fully agree that being child at heart is the easiest way to keep mentally and physically young:)

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  21. Eat well and be well

    yogis, rishimunis were so well equipped with this kind of knowledge.. no wonder they rarely got sick :)

    interesting and knowledgeable read..
    will apply your tips :)

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    1. Thanks a lot for reading Jyoti! Hope you will find these tips useful :)

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  22. You are helping me with those points. Thanks uncle! :)

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    1. Feels good to know that you found the points helpful Pria:)

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  23. Very interesting blog.. i first time visit here. I agree 100% with tips above. To live and enjoy the simplicity of life and to appreciate it...Its truly energetic..

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    1. Welcome to my blog Kiran! Thanks a lot for your nice comment! Hope to see you here again:)

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  24. ✿·.¸.•
    ♪✿°•.¸ Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos do Brasil.♪✿°

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  25. Not sure of eternal youth, but it makes sense for everyone to stay fit for as long as they live. Thanks for sharing the tips.

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    1. Thanks a lot Ramakant! Staying fit and youthful is the key to happiness:)

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  26. Excellent post for a healthy survive!

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  27. Thanks a lot, Jeevan for liking the post!

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  28. Those are wonderful tips Rahul sir :D and I see that you have not just written it for a post sake but you are the example for all the things you have written here which motivates us to live better :D

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    1. Ha Ha Ramya, thanks for that ! Seriously, keeping fit should be everyone's agenda:)

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  29. Please do write your version too Ashwini! Would love to read:)

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  30. Thanks for this. Really loved the points.. I have a long way to go to implement some of them :D

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  31. Welcome to my blog Roshan Radhakrishnan! Thanks a lot for those kind words and if my memory serves me right you are a doc:) So coming from you, it means a lot!

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