Most US women face stroke risk

There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of disease-fighting chemicals in plants. Here are some of the best food you can eat to stay healthy. Remember, not all have been medically proven to fight disease X,Y or Z. But healthy veggies never do any harm... 1) Soya beans helps prevent cancer of the breast, endometrium and ovary. 2) Onions and leeks may slow the development of tumour cells. 3) Carrots are a good source of the antioxidant beta carotene. 4) Broccoli helps stop carcinogens (cancer causing agents) damaging our DNA. 5) Carrots, celery and parsley all help slow down cancerous mutations. 6) Oranges are rich in the antioxidant vitamin C and help protect against stomach cancer. 7) Nuts and seeds are good sources of dietary fibre which speeds food through the gut, allowing carcinogens less time to interact with the lining. 8) Peas are a good source of folic acid, which helps in the formation of red blood cells.

Some tips: 1) Consume a protein-rich diet; do include milk, dairy products and pulses. 2) Increase your daily intake of green leafy vegetables. 3) Use garlic paste as a staple in your food. Garlic is an excellent antibiotic and antiseptic. 4) Massage your scalp regularly with mustard oil. 5) Drink a mixture of ground amla in water, before you sleep. 6) Soak amla, reetha and shikakai in water overnight. Strain in the morning using a muslin cloth. Apply to scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well with water.

Cucumbers are the perfect summer food. It's soothing and easy on the stomach as well. Best eaten raw, cucumbers go perfectly in a nice green salad. But too much of it might lead to a mild gas problem. If that is the case, then quickly boil it for one or two minutes before eating. MARINATED CUCUMBER SALAD: Ingredients: 3 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced 1 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 1/2 cup sliced celery 2 to 4 tbs chopped red bell pepper 1 cup vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp fresh chopped celery Salt and pepper to taste Iceberg lettuce Method: Combine cucumbers, onion, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients except lettuce. Pour over vegetables and toss lightly. Cover and chill 8 to 10 hours. Drain and serve in a lettuce-lined bowl.

What you need: Fresh herbs White or red vinegar Glass bottle Strainer Method: Use individual herbs, such as basil, or a combination like oregano, basil, and parsley to make flavourful herb vinegars. Use white vinegar, or white or red wine vinegar depending on which herbs you are using and your personal preference. Warm the vinegar, being careful not to boil it. Fill the glass jar with the herbs and vinegar using about 1 1/2 cups of fresh herbs for every quart of vinegar. When cool, cover the vinegar and set it aside. In about two weeks the vinegar should be nicely flavoured. Strain the vinegar into glass bottles. Add a fresh sprig of the herb used for flavouring to decorate the bottle.