Saturday, November  30, 2002
M A I N   F E A T U R E


Arrest old age
Swarn Gakhar

Increase the intake of salads, soups and fruits to add life to your years
Increase the intake of salads, soups and fruits to add life to your years

OLD age can be the most critical and longest phase of life. There are no fixed number of years for old age. Some people seem to be active even at the age of 80, whereas some at the age of 60 show signs of a weak body and mind. But the fact is, with simple and sensible eating habits, positive attitude and will power, old age can be arrested for a fairly long time. We spend almost all our lives serving others — that is mainly our children and other near and dear ones. In our workplace, we serve outsiders. Old age is the time to serve ourselves.

This stage of life is accompanied by many problems — social, mental and physical — most of which are inter-related, one leading to another. For example, deprivation of social status, or a feeling of neglect can result in boredom, which can adversely affect our physical and mental well-being. The only answer to all these problems is that one should have certain hobbies, and keep certain interests alive during this stage of life. Try to find out what interests you. It can also be very satisfying to contribute to society keeping in view your physical, mental and financial potential.

 


Give a new direction to your life by taking up morning walks, mild exercises, yoga, meditation, study of spiritual books — all of which are a great source of peace. Even if you are alone, you will not feel lonely. Even if you have retired, you will not feel tired of life. Choose a lifestyle which can protect, promote and prolong old age.

Another problem faced by the aged is that they continue to desire tasty food. A person may get old but his taste buds remain the same. How can one tackle such desires?

Even low-calorie nutritious food can be delicious and satisfying. Using less fat, increasing the intake of salads, soups and fruits, and adopting the methods of steaming, boiling and baking for cooking are some of the ways to promote health as well as satisfy your taste buds. Make sure your food is fresh, appetising, nourishing and a pleasure to eat. Take fruits, either taken fresh or stewed, for dessert. After sixty, the secret of agelessness lies in eating intelligently and liking only those foods which are good for you. This way you can add life to your years. Given below are two low-calorie recipes.

Healthy breakfast

Ingredients:- 4 tb spoon bajra flour, 1 tb spoon wheat flour, 1 boiled potato, 1 carrot grated, 1 onion grated, 2 green chillies chopped, little bit ajwain, coriander leaves, ¼ tsp mango powder, salt to taste, little bit melted butter.

Method: After sieving both the flours, add everything. Make soft dough, take small portion from the dough and roll it into a ball. Take a neat polythene paper and keep it on the chakla. Grease it and keep the ball on the polythene sheet. Wet your palms and keep pressing the ball till it becomes a very thin roti. Heat a non-stick griddle, cook the roti on both sides and smear it with some ghee. Make rotis with the remaining dough in a similar way.

Quick apple delight

2 tsp butter (reduce according to age), 2 golden apples grated, 1 tsp honey, 6 almonds peeled and well ground, 2 tsp walnuts crushed.

Method: Take a heavy frying pan, put butter in it. Let it be very hot. Now add grated apples. Mix nicely. Cook for 5-7 minutes. Add crushed walnuts. At the time of serving, sprinkle honey and almond powder. Serve hot.