Drew Butler

FridayDec13,2019at11:01AM

The Ardmore Institute of Health presented two local organizations with special Partner of the Year awards for their efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. This was the first year the award was presented with Ardmore Family YMCA and Ardmore Parks and Recreation receiving the honors.

AIH Program Director Michelle Sinkler said it was difficult to pick only one partner of the year because both have been such strong allies in achieving the mission of improving the health and vitality of the public in order to live more meaningful lives.

In order for citizens to make daily healthy lifestyle choices, the opportunity must be made available and encouraged, Sinkler said. Ardmore Institute of Health has sought you out community change agents and community champions and you have partnered with AIH this year and in years past to provide the opportunity for Carter County Citizens to lead physically active lives.

Sinkler said the Ardmore Family YMCA has partnered with AIH in a variety of ways over the years, however their help in bringing pickleball to the community is one partnership that stands out in particular. Not only did they open their facility to host the pickleball tournament during the first annual Ardmore Senior Games, the YMCA remained open to those wanting to learn the game for months afterwards.

If you wanted to learn pickleball and participate in pickleball you could come to the Y and play for free for six months, Sinkler said. They have encouraged that game to grow, and now its grown so much that I dont even know how many people are playing on a weekly basis.

The second partner of the year award went to Ardmore Parks and Recreation, and once again Sinkler said they have worked together on many programs. However their efforts in bringing the aforementioned Senior Games to town, put the parks department over the edge.

When Ardmore Institute of Health wanted to bring the Senior Games games for people who are 50 years of age and older to Ardmore, we found out the Ardmore Parks and Recreation was also interested in the same thing, Sinkler said. For two years now they have been our partner with the Ardmore Senior Games. The first year we had 74 participants and this year we increased that number to around 100. Next year theyll be taking over the project full-time.

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Making the healthy choice the easy choice - Daily Ardmoreite

CAMP HILL, Pa., Dec.13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers that enroll or renew their coverage in 2020 with Ambetterfrom PA Health & Wellness will have access to an enhanced member rewards program. My Health Paysis a year-round rewards program that motivates members to complete simple healthy activities, allowing them to earn up to $500 in rewards.

Through the My Health Pays program, Ambetter from PA Health & Wellness members can receive reward points when using their health insurance for activities such as scheduling a wellness exam with their primary care physician or receiving the flu vaccine. New this year, the enhanced My Health Pays program helps members set and reach health goals at their own pace by providing seasonal suggestions for activities and guidance to help members stay on track. It also serves as an educational program by providing resources and videos that help members identify and practice healthy lifestyles.

"At PA Health & Wellness, we recognize that health and wellness is a journey. We are committed to providing guidance and motivation to help our members achieve their own healthy lifestyle," said Justin Davis, CEO of PA Health & Wellness. "Through our enhanced My Health Pays program, we're dedicated to our members' health journey by working with them every step of the way to eat right, be more active, and make healthy decisions."

As Ambetter from PA Health & Wellness members earn rewards points, they can use those points to shop for items in the My Health Pays Rewards Online Store, or convert them into dollars to spend on healthcare-related expenses or other items such as:

The open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2019. To enroll in Ambetter from PA Health & Wellness or learn more about its health insurance offerings, please visit https://ambetter.pahealthwellness.com/.

About PA Health & Wellness PA Health & Wellness is a managed care plan that provides health insurance to the people of Pennsylvania. Established in 2017, PA Health & Wellness exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. PA Health & Wellness is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise. For more information, visit http://www.pahealthwellness.com.

SOURCE PA Health & Wellness

https://ambetter.pahealthwellness.com/

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Enhanced My Health Pays Member Rewards Program Helps Ambetter from PA Health & Wellness Members Take Charge of Their Health - PRNewswire

The Healthy Lifestyle Institute (HLI) hosted its second annual summit on Friday, Dec. 6 on the Pittsburgh campus. The summit consisted of presentations and updates from researchers across campus on their work to transform lifestyle research into health and wellbeing for people in all stages of life.

Housed within theSchool of Education,HLI was founded in 2017 with amissionto develop, translate and implement health and wellness programs for the Pitt community and around the Pittsburgh region.

At the summit, HLIs founding directorJohn Jakicic(EDUC 95G), introduced HLIs Schools on the Move initiative, which will provide grants to support innovative physical activity programming at 43 K-12 schools in the Pittsburgh area.

Were asking teachers to get creative. Were not just providing schools with basketballs and nets, said Jakicic, who alsoserves as chair of theDepartment of Health, Physical Activity, and Exercisein the School of Education. Were really interested in seeing how these projects unfold.

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Healthy Lifestyle Institute Hosts Second Annual Summit, Announces 'Schools on the Move' Initiative - UPJ Athletics

FRONTENAC, Mo., Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand, is bringing its second athletic lifestyle resort to Missouri. The opening of Life Time Frontenac, located just 15 minutes from the heart of St. Louis, brings the Life Time count to 149 destinations across 40 states and 30 major markets in the U.S. and Canada.

To celebrate the massive opening, city officials and Life Time leaders will be present for a grand opening ribbon-cutting and event on Thursday, December 12 from 6pm-8pm. Following an exclusive weekend opening for its first Founding Members from December 13-15, the club will officially open to all members on Monday, December 16 at 5am.

Life Time Frontenac will provide its members with an unmatched, complete health and wellness experience including personalized training programs, an array of group fitness classes, a fast-casual caf, luxurious spa, and other world-class amenities.

"It's been more than 11 years since Life Time first came to Missouri with our West County-Chesterfield location and we've been honored to help so many members live healthier, happier lives," saidJeff Zwiefel, executive vice president and chief operating officer. "With the opening of Life Time Frontenac, we're eager to bring ourunmatched health and wellness experience to even more people with first-class services, amenities and programs for all ages."

Highlights of the more than $55 million Diamond Club destination include:

Life Time Frontenac will be open seven days a week from 5am to 11pm at 2051 South Lindbergh Blvd, Frontenac, MO 63131. A wide range of membership options are available for individuals, couples, and families. For more information, please call (314)-888-0806 or visit their website. You can also check out Life Time on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.

About Life Time Healthy Way of Life Life Time champions a healthy and happy life for its members across 149 destinations in 40 major markets in the U.S. and Canada. As the nation's only Healthy Way of Life brand, Life Time delivers an unmatched athletic resort experience that goes well beyond fitness to encompass the entire spectrum of daily life. Building upon its current portfolio, Life Timeis building its brand through thedevelopment of large, mixed-use lifestyle centers that feature Life Time resorts, Life Time Workco-working spaces and Life Time Living high-end leased residences. These concepts, combined with distinctive programming, encompass the full spectrum of a healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment experience for individuals, couples and families of all ages.

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Life Time Expands Presence in Missouri with Grand Opening Celebration of Massive Athletic Resort in Frontenac on Dec. 12 - Webster County Citizen

The globalwomen's health app marketsize is expected to reach$3.9 billionby 2026at acompounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., San Francisco. Public and private sector organizations are focused on women's health across the globe, which is likely to drive the market in the coming years. Increasing use of mobile phones is one of the key factors driving the market in developed countries.

Related:Study: MHealth Beneficial in Helping TB Patients Adhere to Meds

Health and fitness mobile apps are gaining popularity among smartphone users across the globe. Approximately 700 million people have internet access and 86% of the people are reported to have internet connection on their phones. Therefore, increasing use of smartphones to access mobile applications that can track fitness parameters is driving the market, the report states.

Here are key findings:

Based on type, the menstrual health segment held largest market share in 2018. Growing awareness among women regarding importance of menstrual health will drive the segment's growth;

North Americaheld largest women's health app market share in 2018 in terms of revenue, thanks to technological advancements and presence of major market players in the region;

Asia Pacificis expected to showcase the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. Government initiatives for reimbursement and raising health awareness among people is driving regional growth;

Some of the key players in the market are Flo, Clue, Apple, Eve, Tracker, Google, Withings, and Fitbit.

According to Statista, a German online portal for statistics, inApril 2019, 4 billion users used mobile phones wherein mobile devices accounted for 48% of views on web pages worldwide. Fitness apps are extensively used due to rising consumer shift toward healthy lifestyle and wellness therapies. Key market players such as Fitbit and Apple are introducing apps that can track menstrual cycle, predict ovulation period, and calculate fertility window.

The 80-page report can be found here:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/womens-health-app-market.

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Women's Health App Market Worth $3.9 Billion By 2026 - Managed Healthcare Executive

Obesity is a well-recognised global epidemic. In the last 30 years, worldwide obesity has doubled. The prevalence of obesity in India is 12 to 31 per cent in various age groups. About 22 to 39 per cent Indian population suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The most significant impact of overweight on bone and joints is associated with degenerative OA of the knee. The treatment of end stage osteoarthritis of knee is surgical total knee replacement (TKR). Good lifestyle incorporating a balanced diet, physical fitness and exercises lowers the risk of obesity and thus the risk of OA of the knee.

In India the risk of OA and need for total knee replacement surgery increases after the age of 50. The increasing life expectancy and increasing prevalence of obesity in our country pose a new health hazard of obese patients requiring knee replacement. Obesity during early adulthood predisposes to OA. Obesity is a leading driver of knee replacement demand and imposes increased risks of surgical complications. Obesity is the greatest modifiable risk factor for OA knee. A body mass index (BMI) of more than 30kg/m2 is 7 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis knee. The relationship of body mass index to osteoarthritis is significantly higher in women than men.

Overweight causes degeneration of joints, especially knee by not only increasing the mechanical loading of the joint but also hormonal dysregulation in the body. OA causes limitation of all aspects of the life through pain and limitation of mobility. It is estimated that the economic burden of osteoarthritis was only second to diabetes in USA, and we are not far away from this situation.

Weight reduction or maintaining healthy lifestyles such as regular exercises, walking, jogging, and sporting activities not only can keep the knee and other joints healthy but can keep the articular cartilage nourished and prevent early degeneration of the joints. Balanced diet can help in maintaining a good metabolism in the body in patients with obesity, diabetes, and cardiac illness which often coexist.

It has been proved in multiple studies that the weight reduction helps in relieving pain and improving function in patients suffering from crippling knee degenerative arthritis. The high impact exercises such as running, jogging, and treadmill are not advisable in patients, once the degeneration in the joints is already set in. The exercises for patients with knee arthritis include muscle strengthening across the knee including the quadriceps strengthening and hamstring strengthening exercises. Joint mobilisation exercises to prevent stiffness and a possible development of deformity, help in relieving the arthritic pain to a great extent.

Once the knee arthritis becomes severe, the various exercises to reduce weight and maintain active lifestyle become a challenge. Hence a good awareness of modifiable risk factors for obesity and arthritis of the knee can help us to lead a happy healthy and pain free life. Avoiding obesity by using good lifestyle, balanced diet, and exrercises not only reduces array of medical disorders (diabetes, increased cholesterol, heart disease, osteoporosis, etc) but also significantly reduces the risk of OA knee, and thus, the need for knee replacement surgery.

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Avoid obesity, maintain healthy lifestyle to lower risk of knee replacement - Business Standard

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Forever Living Products is hosting a landmark meal packing event to celebrate reaching the company's goal of providing more than 5 million meals to help feed families and combat hunger worldwide.

More than 200 volunteers and employees will package meals on December 18th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club West Lawn Pavilion to mark the successful completion of the Forever We Rise Campaign. The initiative was launched as part of the partnership between Forever Living Products and Rise Against Hunger with the goal of packaging 5 million meals by 2020.

"Thanks to the dedication and effort of more than 17,000 Forever Living employees and business owners around the world, we didn't just meet, but exceeded our 5 million meal goal," said Forever Living Products President Gregg Maughan. "These meals provide more than sustenance. They help fuel dreams and build stronger communities as we work together to create a world where no child has to go to bed hungry or wonder where their next meal will come from."

Forever Living assembled volunteer teams in 38 cities across 24 countries to reach their meal packing goal. The meals provided will impact over 51,000 lives in 16 countries, including Zimbabwe, India, El Salvador, Cambodia and South Africa.

Forever Living is bringing the final meal packing event of the Forever We Rise campaign home to Scottsdale to celebrate the volunteers who made reaching this goal possible.

About Forever Living Products

Forever Living Products is the world's largest producer, manufacturer and distributor of aloe vera products worldwide. Founded in 1978, the company has grown to operate in more than 160 countries by offering a wide range of innovative products to help people adopt a healthy lifestyle and earn income through Forever's direct selling opportunity. Forever supports Rise Against Hunger from their global offices and through the charitable organization, Forever Giving.Learn more about Forever Giving atwww.forever-giving.org.To learn more about Forever Living Products, visitwww.foreverliving.com.

About Rise Against Hunger

Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization, which has facilitated meal packaging for millions of meals distributed to 74 countries around the world. For more information about Rise Against Hunger, see http://www.riseagainsthunger.org.

SOURCE Forever Living Products

http://www.foreverliving.com

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Forever Living Products Packages 5 million meals to fight world hunger - PRNewswire

A fathers diet can have a significant effect on the future health of his offspring, affecting everything from blood pressure to heart function and putting them at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research.

The lead author of a British study says the findings show that men who want to start a family should have a healthy, balanced diet from at least three months before conception.

A study from researchers at the University of Nottingham published in the Journal of Physiology shows that poor paternal diet, specifically one that is low in protein, may impact the heart health of the offspring by changing sperm, and the seminal fluid, which bathes sperm.

We have known for a very long time that what a mother eats during pregnancy can influence how her child develops, and whether or not it will develop obesity, type two diabetes and heart disease, explains senior author of the study, and lead researcher, Prof Adam Watkins, assistant professor in reproductive biology at the universitys faculty of medicine and health sciences. However, the importance of the fathers diet on the health of the offspring has been largely ignored or overlooked. We were interested in investigating whether a fathers poor-quality diet at the time of conception might affect the long-term health of its offspring.

Researchers carried out their study on male mice on a poor, low-protein diet, monitoring the cardiovascular health of their offspring. The way mice produce sperm, the way the embryo develops, the way the foetus develops and the way a mouses blood and heart function are all very similar to humans. This means we can use mice to identify important biological processes which we can then look at in human patients.

What his research found, he reports, was both that the way the mices blood vessels worked, and the level of certain important factors in their blood, which regulate heart and blood vessel function, were significantly altered in response to the poor diet of the father: The blood vessels in the offspring did not work as well as they should do. This can ultimately affect blood pressure.

The normal proteins in the blood which would regulate blood vessels and heart function were altered, says Prof Watkins, adding that essentially what this meant was that the young mice were at increased risk of developing cardiovascular ill-health or heart disease.

We know that a poor lifestyle in men does have negative influences on sperm quality and that being overweight or smoking, or consuming excessive alcohol is not good for reproductive health. What we dont know yet is what the long-term implications of a fathers poor diet or lifestyle might be, he says.

We know that the sperm provides genetic information from a father to the egg it fertilises, and we know that poor diet in males can change that. We also know that the seminal fluid in which sperm is carried, interacts with the uterus and initiates a range of responses in the maternal immune system. These responses prime the uterus for the embryo.

We know that the sperm provides genetic information and that the seminal fluid primes the uterus for the embryo, so here are two possible ways that a fathers diet could influence how the offspring might develop.

Essentially, Prof Watkins explains, the Nottingham research shows that the health of mice offspring is influenced by sperm and fluid and that both of them have an equal influence on offspring health.

However, he says, while the research has to date only been carried out on mice, it has significant implications for human fertility in fact the researchers hope to run clinical trials on humans within the next two or three years.

We know that it can take about 75 days to make a sperm, and that seminal fluid is reproduced every 24-48 hours, says Prof Watkins.

If a man goes on a crash diet a week before getting his partner pregnant, he explains, the sperm will continue to reflect the old, poor quality diet,while the seminal fluid will reflect the newer, better-quality diet.

Therefore there may be a situation where the sperm and the fluid are not compatible to each other, so we are saying that if the sperm and the fluid are different, we see the biggest effect on offspring health.

The potential message is this, he warns: If men and women are thinking about changing their lifestyle and becoming parents, we would say that ideally they begin the changes three months before trying to start a family. That is an ideal time frame to change over from a poor diet and lifestyle to a healthier one in terms of its implications for the mans reproductive health.

The Nottingham research findings have interesting implications for what we know about the role of seminal fluid and sperm DNA fragmentation (a term used for the presence of abnormal genetic material within the sperm, which may lead to male subfertility, in-vitro fertilisation failure and miscarriage) believes Dr Bart Kuczera, consultant gynaecologist and fertility expert at Beacon Care Fertility:

What we know is that men with a poor lifestyle in terms of diet, smoking and drinking can have a condition called sperm DNA fragmentation.

Men are advised to live a healthy lifestyle in order to keep their sperm in the best condition, because, he explains: Sperm DNA fragmentation can be affected by poor diet, stress and overeating, for example. This study would make the case for a good diet and lifestyle for men; that is, a normal balanced protein diet.

Sperm quality of men in the western world, he warned, has been shown to have deteriorated in the last 40 years: We believe this is very linked to lifestyle and the environment, to the sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet which reaches the recommended carbohydrate level but would not include a diversity of food.

In the greater picture you could potentially have a population of children who would be affected in terms of physical health problems and weight gain as a result of the paternal diet at conception. It is important to spread the responsibility between the man and the woman at the time of conception, he says, adding that this study suggests that the father may have an equally significant impact on his offsprings health problems.

This study has implications for our knowledge about diet and lifestyle in terms of fertility and men should be made aware of it, believes Dr Hans Arce, fertility consultant and medical director of ReproMed, a leading Irish fertility and IVF clinic network. The majority of our knowledge in relation to diet and lifestyle in terms of fertility comes because we studied women. Women were the ones who got pregnant and they were the focus. We saw, for example, that women with obesity had children with a higher risk of obesity and diabetes.

However this study showed the offspring of male mice with poor diets ended up having the expression of inflammation, and more of a tendency to high blood pressure, for example.

Men should be made aware of this. Its something the schools, the public health service and the GP should be telling men about that our diets can affect their future childrens health. Studies like these have implication for human beings, he says, adding that the results point in the direction of the fact that the health of a man may have implications for the health of his offspring.

What this study says, he observes, is that a mans diet will not just affect his own health, but potentially has implications for the health of his offspring: We dont have proper human studies yet this is mice but it is pointing in that direction!

Lifestyle is the single biggest issue when it comes to fertility, believes consultant nutritionist Gaye Godkin.

Godkin believes the University of Nottingham study is a further endorsement of what she says, is the role of epigenetics in health outcomes from pre-conception health across the life course.

There is a growing body of evidence showing just how much the fathers diet impacts on the pre-conception phase, in terms of its
impact on sperm and seminal fluid and from there on to the long-term health of his offspring.

Epigenetics, she explains, is the environment in which the sperm lives prior to penetrating the egg. Sperm is produced around every 75 days or so but new seminal fluid is produced every 24 to 48 hours.

If the man has a long-term poor diet, it will affect his sperm, she says, adding however, that a man can have healthy sperm, while at the same time his seminal fluid could be of much lower quality because of a poor diet just before conception.

Normal sperm carries DNA. A poor diet has a negative effect on the DNA and the DNA enzymes which in turn are crucial to the formation of a healthy foetus.

In fertility clinics, they measure the level of a condition called DNA fragmentation in the male sperm. This test shows the quality of the sperm. For years I have worked with men who have high levels of DNA fragmentation in their sperm. I believe that it is strongly linked to diet, as well as to lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, excess weight and the effect of pesticides.

While the Nottingham study was based on a mouse model, she says, its findings were moving in the right direction in terms of our understanding of the volatility of sperm quality and what affects it, as well as its relationship with the internal environment of the male body.

While there is no medical treatment available for DNA fragmentation, says Godkin, she has found that 90 days on a good-quality diet which also features a reversal of poor lifestyle factors can lead to fragmentation levels being significantly reduced to the extent that a couple are in a position to use their own sperm to achieve conception.

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Diets of fathers can affect future health of offspring, study finds - The Irish Times

The American Heart Association hosted the 2019 Miami Heart Walk & 5K at Maurice A. Ferr Park this past November 24th, with Biscayne Bay and the downtown Miami skyline providing picturesque South Florida landscapes.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the American Heart Association

The Miami walk is one of 300 Heart Walks that take place throughout the U.S. annually, promoting a healthy lifestyle free of cardiovascular disease andfunding groundbreaking research and lifesaving programs through the passion of walking together to change lives.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the American Heart Association

The Miami edition featured the participation of thousands of residents, businesses, and organizations. Almost one million people participate in Walks every year.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the American Heart Association

Haute Living proudly participated this year as a media sponsor.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the American Heart Association

Runners and walkers trecked through the Magic Citys Biscayne Boulevard, took the bridge onto MacArthur Causeway and finished on the walkways within Bayfront Park, all the while onlookers engaged with the spirit of the event in a perfect November morning in Miami. The children present also participated in the Kids Dash. This years Miami Heart Walk has raised over $320,000.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the American Heart Association

Couldnt make it to the event but looking to have a healthier heart? Here are seven tips from the American Heart Association to boost your activity level:

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2019 Miami Heart Walk & 5K, Once Again A Healthy And Fun Event - Haute Living

The age-old secret to a longer life really comes down to a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet. Good nutrition is key to leading a healthy lifestyle. The foods a person eats gives the body information and materials they need to function properly. If a person eats too much food, or food that gives the body the wrong instructions, their risk of potentially life-threatening diseases increases and lifespan shortens. What is the best diet to help a person live a long, healthy life and reduce their risk of deadly diseases?

A study has been published in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal and reignites debate around increasingly popular vegan diets amid conflicting medical advice and evidence over the impact of ones health.

The study found every three percent in calories form plant protein was found to reduce risk of death by 10 percent.

The figure rises to 12 percent for risk of dying from heart disease. By contrast, raising the share of animal protein in ones diet by 10 percent led to a two percent higher risk of death from all causes.

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Experts recommend eating more plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Lean protein and low-fat dairy products are also recommended.

Numerous research suggests eating at least seven portions of fresh fruits and vegetables per day may lower the risk of dying from cancer by up to 15 percent.

Dr Mingyang Song said: Overall, studies have supported the importance of the sources of dietary protein for long-term health outcomes.

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How to live longer: The diet proven to help you stave off cancer and boost life expectancy - Express

All my friends started calling me Millet Amma and after a point they told me that they wouldnt be accepting the batter for free. That is how the startup was birthed, says founder Ruchika

As someone who does not like the toast-cereal-milk routine, I was thrilled when I moved to Bengaluru because I could finally eat yummy dosas every day! This versatile Indian pancake is widely available, super healthy, filling, and is a wonderful option for not just breakfast, but also lunch and dinner.

But what if it could be made healthier?

Millet Amma, a startup by Ruchika Bhuwalka in 2018, is striving to do exactly that by selling millet-based dosa and idli batters, that can be used to make dosas that are not just supremely nutritious but also delicious.

Want to try Millet Ammas delicious and healthy products? Check them out on Karnival!

While she began by primarily catering to friends and family, she now has 4000 customers!

I truly believe that watching what you eat is something that would help us lead a healthy life. Therefore, all the products that we sell are hand made from organic grains sourced from 300 farmers spread across Karnataka and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives, she explains.

Ruchika was born and brought up in Kolkata, while her ancestral home is in Rajasthan. I grew up among foodies. We literally ate everything in sight without keeping a calorie count, laughs the 42-year-old.

However, once she shifted to Bangalore in 2003, she realised the importance of a healthy diet.

My husband suffered from excruciating backaches. We visited several doctors and learnt that while our sedentary lifestyle is to blame, diet also plays an important role. Eating a large amount of inflammatory food can cause muscles to contract without relaxing, and since the spine is what supports the body, an unhealthy diet can put a lot of strain on the back, she explains.

The duo changed their eating habits after the doctors visit and did away with food high in sugar.

But, I knew that a diet of just fruits and vegetables would not provide the nutrition that the body needs. Which is why I started experimenting with organic, unpolished indigenous healthy grains, recalls Ruchika. Thus began Ruchikas research and she stumbled upon millets, specifically barnyard millet which isvery similar to broken rice when cooked.

I substituted the rice in the dosa batter with the barnyard millet, and the results were fabulous! My husband couldnt even tell that it was made of millet, exclaims Ruchika.

Ruchikas barnyard millet-based dosa batter grew increasingly popular among friends and family members. So much that she even started requesting her to make this batter for them.

All my friends started calling me Millet Amma and after a point, announced that they wouldnt be accepting the batter for free. That is how the startup was birthed, smiles Ruchika.

Want to try Millet Ammas delicious and healthy products? Check them out on Karnival!

Ruchika started by making the barnyard millet dosa and idli batter, and today, she has diversified to batters made from grains like ragi, foxtail millet, red rice and brown rice. Jowar-based batters are made on demand.

Apart from all the batters, she also make pickles, chutneys, podis, and dips. Our Moringa (drumstick leaves) chutney is one of the most popular products. Not only is it rich in Vitamins A and C, but it is also a good source of iron, potassium and calcium. You can eat this chutney with you meals, dosas, idlis, chapatis and even as a sandwich spread, explains Ruchika.

Other interesting items include a curd dip with chilli garlic and dill, energy bars made using jaggery, dry fruits, nuts and seeds.

All of Millet Ammas products have the FSSAI certifications in place, and they are also hyper focussed on sustainability.

Customers who return empty dosa batter containers receive a 10 per cent discount on their next order, and we recycle the packaging. Also, the paper bags we use are bought from an NGO and are made by differently-abled children, says Ruchika.

Shikha Khanna is a baby photographer based in Bengalurus Whitefield area. The 38-year-old and her family follow a diet which is devoid of processed food and focus on whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, vegetables are essential components in her familys diet.

Shikha also moderates a health initiative called Health Diaries.

Here, we organise workshops and speak to people about healthy life choices. It is the easiest thing to do, and is, essential to keep diseases at bay, says Shikha.

Shikha would often visit exhibitions on organic products, and this is where she bumped into Ruchika.

I love Millet Ammas range of products because they are organic and healthy. My son is a huge fan of the pizzas I make with their pizza base, and we love the chocolate and millet cookies too, she declares.

Running a startup is full of challenges, even if it is successful, and this is true for Ruchika as well. Despite being able to run her startup successfully, there are a few challenges that Ruchika mentions.

The first is the shelf life of the dosa batter.

It has a shelf life of 14 days and getting it to customers on time was initially a challenge for us. Today, we have our delivery guys who have divided our customers based on areas to finish the deliveries well within time, she says.

In case of deliveries outside Bangalore, they have tied up with delivery partners and immediately ship the orders after personally speaking to the customer.

The other challenge that she faced was that the price of her products is continuously compared to other items in the market.

This is something we have encountered often. But our prospective customers need to understand that our products are not only preservative-free but also organic. Most of the grains that are used to make the conventional dosa batters are polished grains. We have ensured that we use organic whole grains that we have sourced ourselves, explains.

However, Ruchika is undaunted by these challenges.

I have not only seen family, friends and customers but also children enjoying our products. That makes me happy, and it is proof of the fact that they are not only healthy but also tasty. In the future, we hope to reach out to more customers with the hope that they too can adopt a healthy lifestyle, she signs off.

Want to try Millet Ammas delicious and healthy products? Check them out on Karnival!

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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This North Girl Combined a South Twist and Millets to Found a Healthy Startup! - The Better India