Quick Tips 4 U

Quick Tips - January 16, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

Health:
We need daily intake of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables to help repair damaged cells. Green, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are your best for maximum antioxidants. Recent studies have found that dark fruits, like blueberries and grapes are also excellent sources.
Paprika for Antioxidants

Wealth:
Track free coupons, weekly and discount deals with best online and offline shopping centers. I love the coupon sites on the Web and I make one shopping time coupons only. I get some comments from shoppers in line when they see how much I saved.

Exercise:
Make your exercise simple enough to do in the comfort of your home. I find putting on some fast paced music and dancing around my living room can get my heart racing as if I'd run a mile, and if I do it long enough, I get that 'runner's high'.

Diet:
Never, never skip breakfast and try to always have a protein and carbohydrate at your first meal of the day. The carb will burn quickly to give you energy and the protein will keep you from getting hungry too soon.

Style: The latest fashion trends for Spring. Color, color, color.

Inspiration:

Let the beauty of nature become the beauty that you see, especially when you are feeling not so beautiful.

Quick Tip 4 U - December 29, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:52:00 +0000

Health::

Snacks are a great way to refuel. Choose snacks from different food groups - a glass of low-fat milk and a few graham crackers, an apple or celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, or some dry cereal. If you eat smart at other meals, cookies, chips and candy are OK for occasional snacking.

My afternoon pick me up is a chocolate graham cracker spread with peanut butter and a dab of honey. It restores my energy.

Wealth:

Gift Cards---I once read that stores make a great deal of money through unused Gift Cards. Keep yours all in one place and keep a separate list of the gift cards and amounts in a notebook.

Check out

Diet:

Avoid any food that is white. Try it for a week or 10 days. That includes white bread, potatoes, rice, or pasta. It will make a huge difference in your calories count and your fat burning ability.

Beauty:

Drink lots of water. That means at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drinking water is one of the best ways to keep your skin healthy. Water helps to hydrate the skin and move waste and nutrients through the system.

Beauty Tip #2: Just because it's winter don't skip the sun screen.

Exercise:

Make it Fun – If you don't enjoy what you are doing, you won't stay with it. Make it simple.

Inspiration:

The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.
Henry Ward Beecher

For the best of your life and the rest of your life, check out

Healing Herbs and Spices

Quick Tips Sat. Dec 10

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:03:00 +0000

Health:

Science is finding more truth to the wisdom that food heals, but mostly they are finding that food is one of the best illness preventatives. Recent research has shown that cabbage might be an anti breast cancer food.

Turmeric-Food or Medicine - Is a natural liver detoxifier. A natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

Wealth:

Save on your power bills by opting with your service to cycle through your utility use. They generally will turn off your heating system for a brief time giving you a discount on your bill.

Diet:

Not a breakfast eater. Have something even if it's just a smoothie with yogurt and fruit or a protein bar. It will keep you from grabbing a fast food, high calorie snack before lunch.

Exercise:

Strength Ttraining for Seniors Exercise:

No time to workout? It's been found that giving yourself short bursts of exercise as you go about your day such as swinging your arms when walking from one place to another, can be useful as an exercise routine.

The time you allot to exercise is your best investment. If you think that you cannot make time for exercise now, then be sure to make plenty of time for illnesses and hospitals later.

Click on the link above for details on this fabulous book from Amazon.

Style:

Warm, mushroom brown eye shadow looks good on all skin shades. You can wear it from day to night and it always looks just right.

Spiritual:

The poorest man, the humblest soul can be happy if he but opens and revels in the infinite storehouse of unseen treasures that are his. Anon

Watch for special holiday tips e-Book coming this week - Dec. 11-17

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:47:00 +0000

Health:

Incorporate celery and green peppers, proven memory boosters into your daily food plan. They contain high levels of luteolin that studies show can block inflammation linked to memory loss.

Wealth:

Not close to your bank's ATM and wants to omit ATM fees? There's always something you can use or might need at a nearby grocery or drug store where you can get cash back without fees.

Diet:

Cut 100 calories by mixing your juice with seltzer, low sodium club soda. I've mixed my juice half and half with no calorie iced tea.

Exercise:

I've found it much easier to do three 10 minute walking sessions a day, sometimes I do two 15 minutes-I found once I start I get inspired to go longer. It's the getting started that's hard.

Style:

Slip a ring around a long, stylish scarf, draped down the front. Tie a knot below the ring to secure.

Spiritual:

Allow yourself the opportunity to live the life you desire. Do not set limitations on yourself that are based on someone else's negativity.

Author Unknown

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Health:

When you get your calander for 2012--make an appointment for a dental check up for you and your family. Poor dental health can be the catapault to serious body ailments.

Wealth:
Starting January 1 - keep a log of everything you spend for a month or two. You'll be amazed at where you can cut something and put the amount of money you would spend in a savings jar or transfer it from your checking to savings in your on line banking source.

Beauty:
Go to a well known cosmetic counter for tips on how to enhance your eyes, or lips or any feature you feel should be focused on. The girl at the counter should also be able to show you how to take focus off something you would rather not have prominent.

Exercise:
You know the easy way to add exercise to your day--walk up stairs, park further away than usual and get a dog--they have to be walked.

Diet:
Remind yourself to sip a cup of low cal soup or broth before lunch or dinner. Cuts your appetite and can add nutrition if it's a source of vegetables.

Cooking:
Try using salsa, chili, salad dressing such as Ranch, or any delicious dip on your baked potato. Eat one half---save the other half for potato salad or homefries to cut out calories at one meal and turn a baked potato into two servings.

Fashion:
The average person tries on about 10 pairs of jeans before finding the perfect fit. Be sure to have several well fitted pairs for various occasions. You can dress them up or down.

Spiritual:

Even if you don't believe in prayer, take a few moments every day to be thankful for things in your life and mention something you'd like to have or do.

M. Bradley McCauley invites you to visit her Lens Master web page at:
Web Pages of Interest

Disclaimer:

This article is intended for general information only based on the author's research and is not a substitute for proper medical advice. Always seek the advice of your medical advisor before making changes in

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Health:
Combine massage with aromatherapy and music to reduce your stress level by more than 50%. A study done with emergency room nurses proved the value of music and aroma with massage. Stress is one of the leading causes of illness.

Wealth:
The best store bargains are on the lower shelves of your supermarket. Retailers place the most expensive items at eye level where we all look first.

Diet:

Got cravings? Eating habits are controlled by the subconscious mind. Control your thoughts and you can control your health and weight. Check out www.easywillpower.com. I'm not affiliated with the program, just think it is one that will benefit most of us to correct bad eating habits.

Exercise:
Try to incorporate weight training in your usual workout routine. Weight training tones your muscles which looks great and raises your basal metabolism...which causes you to burn more calories 24 hours a day. You'll even burn more calories while you're sleeping.

Spiritual:

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." Siddartha Guatama Buddha

Trying to decide what to get for Holiday Gifts--check out:

Books as Gifts

Quick Tips 4 U Update

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Health: -

Put some sun in your life to increase serotonin in your brain for a natural anti-depressant.

Wealth:

Select a credit card where the rewards program automatically puts 10% of the reward into an investment account.

Beauty:

Make your own mineral scrub using sea salt infused with lavender oil and olive oil.

Exercise:

Of course you know to Walk! Walk! Walk! Start out slowly and build up. You won't regret it.

Diet:

Cayenne pepper increases metabolism which helps you burn calories.

Spiritual:

Feel the presences of love around you. Visualize it surrounding you then imagine it funneling into your heart.

Cooking:

Top a baked or nuked potato with chili, salsa, or vegetables with grated cheese. Can be a side dish or meal.

Fashion:

Tie on a colorful scarf to brighten a plain outfit.

Disclaimer. This article is intended for general information only based on the author's research and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

Quick Tips for This Week -Nov 5

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Things we know but sometimes a reminder can be good to keep us in the right direction.

Health:
Promise yourself you will take care of you. Get enough sleep! This is vital to avoiding slumps and over indulging in caffeine.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Get enough physical activity and exercise.
If you can follow these three health tips--getting through the up-coming holiday stress will be easier.

Wealth:
Make a budget that includes identifying all of your expenses, income and spending habits. Start in January and write down every penny you spend for two months. Review in March and adjust your spending according to the things you spent money on that you know you can do without.

Diet:
Set realistic goals. Don't expect to lose weight overnight. Gradually change your eating habits, first by having smaller portions, then by substituting good healthy food for bad.

Exercise:
Listen to external stimulus to take your mind off of the physical activity. That’s the secret to making “exercise time” fly.

Style:
Fashion style is very much about attitude. Feel confident in yourself about the way you look and that will come across to other people.

Spiritual:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

August Quick Tips 4 U

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Health:

Relax your back with massage. It helps by increasing blood flow and nutrients to tissues. A gentle rub or deep massage will ease that pain away.

Wealth:

You know that lowering your water heater temperature will reduce your energy bill but you can reduce it even more by putting it on a timer to turn it off when you least need it.

Diet:

Taking a multi vitamin to make sure you get all your daily nutrients will often times eliminate cravings. We usually crave what our bodies are lacking.

Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Vitamins & Minerals with Lycopene and Lutein 400 Tablets

Exercise:

Make use of all your waiting time by tightening and relaxing various muscles, especially the abdomen. Tense and relax your arms, your calves, even do facial exercises.

Beauty:

Sparkles on a top over jeans will add glamor. Add a sparkling bracelet or earrings to highlight a basic outfit. When everything is so hectic you need to feel a bit of glamor.

Spirit:

The best place to find your spirit is to go within. Use soft, meditative music. Be aware of your breaths. Welcome your spirit and listen for guidance. It's there. You just need to be in touch with it.

Thinking Spring--Thinking Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:51:00 +0000

I'm thinking spring may finally be here and time to start my garden for the year. I live in a 2d floor apartment so my gardening is in containers. This year it will be herbs, spices and edible flowers. Listed below are some edible flowers you can grow in pots even if you have a large garden.

Pot/Container gardens can save you money. You can create them very inexpensively.

Buy one packet of flower seeds like sweet alyssum; divide the seeds among various pots and soon you'll have lovely blossoms scent the air.

Have a large pot? Mix various colorful seeds for a variety of color.

You don't have to buy expensive pots for your plants. You can use any item just be sure there are drainage holes or a row of stones to avoid water accumulating and having root rot.

Grow herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, lavender in pots and make your own fresh spice rack.

You can even grow edible flowers. One of my favorites is Nasturtiums--they have a peppery flavor.

Violets have a sweet and sometimes tangy or spicy flavor.

Marigolds have a spicy, herbal or lemon flavor, depending on the variety.

Always be careful that any flowers you choose to eat have been grown without pesticides or other chemicals.

April Quick Tips

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Wealth:
Save on your power bills by opting with your service to cycle through your utility use. They generally will turn off your heating system for a brief time giving you a discount on your bill.

Diet:
Not a breakfast eater. Have something even if it's just a smoothie with yogurt and fruit or a protein bar. It will keep you from grabbing a fast food, high calorie snack before lunch.

Exercise:
No time to workout? It's been found that giving yourself short bursts of exercise as you go about your day such as swinging your arms when walking from one place to another, can be useful as an exercise routine.

Style:
Warm, mushroom brown eye shadow looks good on all skin shades. You can wear it from day to night and it always looks just right.

Spiritual:
The poorest man, the humblest soul can be happy if he but opens and revels in the infinite storehouse of unseen treasures that are his

Simple Health Boosters for Right Now!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:50:00 +0000

A few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference in how your body reacts to cancer causing factors.

Of course you know not to smoke and if you do, quit. Get medical help if you need to but QUIT.

Watch your exposure to UV, sunlight rays. Wear sunscreen every day and if you are very fair skinned, wear a hat and cover up exposed areas, especially during the hot summer months and in close to the equator areas.

You need daily intake of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables to help repair your damaged cells. Green, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are your best bet to help prevent cancer. Recent studies have found that dark fruits, like blueberries and grapes also have anti-cancer properties.

Cut back, to almost eliminate red meat which contains more fat than poultry and fish, and links to various cancers have been found to a diet made up of numerous servings of red meat. High fat diets are also a major cause of obesity, which is a risk factor for many types of cancer.

Other factors in lifestyle being linked to cancer are alcohol, toxic work environment, exposure to fumes, dust and chemicals.

Exercise! exercise! Exercise! The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week for cancer prevention.

Holiday Tips!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Get your FREE Quick Tips 4 U eBook. See 'cart button' on right!

Health:
Promise yourself you will take care of you. Get enough sleep! This is vital to avoiding slumps and over indulging in caffeine. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Get enough physical activity and exercise. If you can follow these three health tips--getting through the holiday stress will be easier.

Wealth:
Make a budget that includes identifying all of your expenses, income and spending habits. Start in January and write down every penny you spend for two months. Review in March and adjust your spending according to the things you spent money on that you know you can do without.

Diet:
Set realistic goals. Don't expect to lose weight overnight. Gradually change your eating habits, first by having smaller portions, then by substituting good healthy food for bad.

Exercise:
Listen to external stimulus to take your mind off of the physical activity. That’s the secret to making “exercise time” fly.

Style:
Fashion style is very much about attitude. Feel confident in yourself about the way you look and that will come across to other people.

Spiritual:
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Walt Emerson

Thieves Oil for Health!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:03:00 +0000

I've recently heard and read about Thieves Oil and can't believe the theraputic remedies it is used for. It's recommended that you apply it to cuts or open wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.

Mixed with water you can use it as an effective gargle and applied directly to the skin of your upper chest and throat can ease the problems of bronchitis.

I'm not sure about this one but I've heard it works. Put a drop on the roof of your mouth for a headache.

It is often used to get rid of acne but be sure to dilute it before applying.

Apply to bee and wasp stings to neutralize the toxin and relieve the pain.

As a gum disease prevenative, apply it directly to gums and for oral health, use it on your tooth brush. Not only does it kill germs but it has been claimed to reduce cavities.

Put a couple drops in a cup of tea for overall health benefits.

These are only a few of the unbelieveable remedies for Thieves Oil.

A recipe to make your own Thieves Oil:

For more natural remedies check out Natural Healing Spices

and

Heal With Food

Stay well, eat healthy and get your flu shot early!

This article is for information only and should not be taken as professional advice. The author, M. Bradley McCauley is a writer of health articles and always recommends consuting with a medical adviser before changing any health routine.

7.

Alzheimer's Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Dr. M. Fiala, David Geflen School of Medicine, wrote that research found a form of Vitamin D called D3, and a chemical in the spice Turmeric, called curcumin, offer promise for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's. The study showed that combing the two helped stimulate the immune system to clear away destructive plaques in the brain that are a hallmark of the disease. He also said more studies are needed.

In previous blogs and Squidoo lenses, I've written about the healing powers of both Vitamin D and also of Turmeric. I also noted that it is suggested that patients undergoing chemo should not use Turmeric.

Go Here to view The healing Power of Turmeric

It's amazing how much science if finally learning about the healing power of food. So much research is indicating we truly can improve our health with healthy eating.

Great Ues for Leftovers

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Here are a few quick ideas for using some leftovers, besides those we use in tomorrow's meals.

Lemons:
Toss lemon rinds into your garabage disposal, whirl it around and you'll have a fresh smelling sink. Other citrus fruits work as well.

Cooked Rice:
Place leftover rice on a cookie sheet, place in a low temperature oven until completely dry. Put into freezer bag, seal and place in freezer. Now you have a cold pack for those bruises and aches and pains.

Coffee Grounds:
It's getting to be fireplace season. When you need to get rid of ashes, sprinkle damp coffee grounds on them to keep dust from flying around. Household plants like coffee grounds too and of couse if you are composting, they should go directly into your compost container.

Onion halves:
Got an indoor grill? Stick a fork in one end of the onion, and rub it on a still warm grill. Watch those stuck on bits disappear.

Flat Soda:
It makes a wonderful glaze on ham and pork. Just baste it as the meat bakes and you will most likely never roast them any other way.

Vinegar and Oil:
Not necessarily leftovers but they are good for more than salad. How about 'furniture polish'? I keep a jar under my sink with other cleaning supplies.

1.Combine 3 parts olive oil with 1 part white vinegar in a glass or ceramic container.
2.Apply the polish with a soft polishing cloth. Do not rub it in too hard but leave it to soak in.
3.Allow to air dry.

It really works great and no harsh chemicals.

If you find your household is budgeting more than usual, you want to check out Living On A Dime eBooks

You can get one or all 13 Living on a Dime eBooks. Click Here

They are some of the best I've seen in my Cutting Expenses Easily research!

Seniors and Team Sports

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:22:00 +0000

According to the new guidelines abstract, "The promotion of physical activity in older adults should emphasize moderate-intensity aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening activity, reducing sedentary behavior, and risk management."

Try Team Sports For Fun and Health

If you find exercise boring, you can look into various sports, especially team sports. Consider these:

Bowling

Softball

Volleyball

slo-pitch softball

Do you know about pickle ball, the sport with a funny name? It is an excellent way to stay in shape. It is a tennis-like sport played on a smaller court using a whiffle-type ball. It produces less pounding on the joints and is often favored by tennis players with tennis elbow problem

Table Tennis
Table tennis is a very senior-friendly sport. It helps improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Table tennis can be enjoyed at many levels from the beginner to the advanced player. It is also a fun way to get a great aerobic workout.

"don't stop playing when you get old. You get old when you stop playing."

From -

Senior Sports and Fitness

Includes an updated section on Seniors and Romance

Hormones and Aging

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Hormones contain the essence of life and when in decline, can age us faster than most any other deficiency - They are in control of growth and cell activity, and play a major role in the process of aging and in the anti aging battle.

Hormone levels decline with age - which has huge implications for what happens to our bodies.

They are messenger chemicals that spark changes in the body. Everyone knows about the surge of hormonal activity at the onset of puberty when a massive increase in the hormones leads to changes in body shape, reproductive systems and brain function.

As women age, estrogen levels become less and low estrogen levels affect the production of collagen -- which results in drier. thinner skin, sagginess of tissue, and lack of muscle tone -- all of which contributes to a change in your body shape.

If you think your hormone levels are low, check with your medical adviser but first know what options are available to you.

To learn more about hormones and aging go to

Hormones and Aging

Be Ready for Flu Season

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:26:00 +0000

It's been found that you can replace your blood pressure meds with hot cocoa... halt diabetes with peanut butter... soothe arthritis pain with onions... and lose weight simply by eating eggs!

Easy fixes for everything from Asthma and the blues to muscle aches and heart health. You can do it yourself with these natural guidelines.

The best place to start, is to eliminate common viruses, cold and flu, you've got to stop the bad guys--germs that invade your space, especially the spaces you touch.

A healthy immune system is a must to fight those germs that lurk everywhere you turn, like doorknobs, money, even the coffee cup from your local cafe contains germs that you don't see.

Create a healthy immune system and you can fight those germs instead of letting them fight you with disease and illness.

Natural Healing Spices

Can You be a Successful Entrepreneur?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Entrepreneurship is collectively defined as exhibiting one's vision, taking action, and pursuing that vision as a goal to be achieved in life as service to reality.

Have you decided it's time you became your own boss? Are you looking to become a successful entrepreneur? These are attitudes you need to have.

Are you---

Risk-taker! Are you willing to take chances and risk failure?

Energetic! Do you have the drive to work hard? Can you keep a level of energy going for long hours?

Creative! Can you think 'outside the box' and follow through on any creative ideas you feel might work?

Optimistic! Do you have a positive attitude in spite of possible set backs and obstacles along the way?

Read more detail about becoming a entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Success You owe it to yourself to check it out and see.

Natural Skin Care For Any Age!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Skin care products, especially anti aging skin products are a major source of income throughout the world. Billions of dollars are spent on cosmetic products, even during recessions. Go to any cosmetic counter in a department or drugstore or even in the cosmetic aisle of your supermarket, and you'll find vast displays of products to create a younger, smoother, clearer skin.

The most recent trend in creating and marketing products is the use of natural ingredients. You'll see vast marketing ads for Green Tea, antioxidants, herbs, and fruits. Ancient herbal remedies are being used, not just to improve our health but in modern products to improve our skin.

I think all of us have read about and even tried honey as a facial mask, or yogurt. Olive oil has long been used as a moisturizer. I've even heard of shortening being used as a night cream.

Beauty Advice eBook is created for a woman who cares of natural beauty. Natural cosmetics do not contain any cancerogenic or toxic components, are inexpensive, can be easily made at home and use healthy, easy-to-find ingredients. Take a few minutes to check it out, see if it's for you. Beauty Advice eBook

Here are two skin care recipes that I recommend you try. They are quick and easy and your skin will feel and look amazing!

Try this Honey Almond Facial Scrub:

1 Tablespoon Honey

2 Tablespoons almonds

1/2 orange

1 mint leaf

Grind almonds, I use my coffee grinder. Finely chop the mint leaf and squeeze the juice from the orange. Add the honey and mix well. Use to gently scrub your face then rinse with warm water. Leftover will keep for a week in the frig.

Skin Enriching Mask

1 Tablespoon honey

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1 tablespoon yogurt

Whisk the honey, egg yolk and yogurt thoroughly. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking briskly. Apply to skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

I've been researching and writing articles about using natural herbs, spices and food, and was absolutely delighted to find this natural skin care book.

Back to nature is where I am in my life and I can feel and see the difference.

M. Bradley McCauley has numerous articles about natural health and healing as well as a novel, several ebooks, and CDs. Some of her most recent articles are published at http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/marymc

Healthy Baking Substitutes

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Butter
It's a key ingredient in many baked goods; unfortunately, it's also high in saturated fat and calories. For cookies, cakes and muffins, fruit purees can lighten up a recipe. Cut the butter in half and use applesauce or pureed prunes to make up the difference. Or take out the butter entirely and use canola oil instead.

Eggs
Eggs are a great binder and leavener, but they're also high in cholesterol. For each replaced egg, grind a tablespoon of flax seed and dissolve it in 3 tablespoons of water. When it breaks down, it will have the same gooey consistency as an egg, and possess the same binding power. It's also a shot of nutritional goodness, as flax seed is a good source of essential fatty acids. As a replacement leavener, substitute two egg whites for each whole egg.

Dairy
Soy, rice and nut milks are great substitutes for dairy. They can have added sugar, though, so either use an unsweetened version or adjust the amount of sweetener in your recipe. Use the same quantity of non-dairy milk that the recipe calls for. To replace buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice to non-dairy milk and let it sit for about 15 minutes before using.

Sugar
Honey and maple syrup are two healthier alternatives to refined sugar and they make baked goods moister. Use 3/4 cup of honey or maple syrup for every cup of sugar called for in the recipe. If the flavor of honey or maple syrup is too strong, agave nectar, available in health food stores, is neutral in taste and low on the glycemic index. Use the same quantity you would honey or maple syrup.

White Flour
To give your baked goods a healthy kick, substitute half of the flour with whole grain flour, or swap all of it for lighter whole grain pastry flour. If gluten is the issue, substitute the amount called for in the recipe with soy, rice or nut flours, or oatmeal finely ground into a powder.

Shortening
Few things produce a light, flaky dough quite like shortening. Butter is a close second, but not much better from a health perspective. Coconut oil is a better option because while it's high in saturated fat, it also contains vitamins and minerals that the other two don't. Because it has the same consistency -- solid at room temperature, and easily melted -- the same amount can be used. Skip the variety labeled "virgin," as it has a strong coconut flavor.

Vegetable Oil
Applesauce is by far the best baking substitute for vegetable oil as it cuts the fat and keeps dough moist. Choose the unsweetened kind, or adjust the amount of sweetener. As a general rule of thumb, add half the amount called for in the recipe.

Nuts
Nuts are pretty healthy, but they're not great for weight loss. Sunflower seeds are a lower-calorie option that still pack a satisfying crunch. Use half of the amount of seeds as you would nuts. Or, cut the quantity of nuts in half and toast them before adding to intensify their flavor.

Chocolate
Chocolate desserts don't have to be sinful. If a recipe calls for sweet or semi-sweet chocolate, substitute heart-healthy dark chocolate in the same quantity. For a dairy-free option, use 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon of oil for each ounce of chocolate called for in the recipe.

Foods To Fight Belly Fat

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Recent studies by scientists at Boston University found that women following a low-fat diet rich in fiber and other nutrients were three times less likely to put on weight around the middle than those who ate less-healthy fare but 400 fewer calories. .

Here are some foods you need to eat more of to keep the weight off that belly area.

Melon: "Both honeydew and cantaloupe are high in potassium, which is a mineral that keeps sodium levels low and beats belly bloat."

Wine: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people who averaged a serving of alcohol a day had slimmer waistlines than their teetotaling counterparts.

.
Whole-grain bread: Researchers at Penn State found that dieters who ate at least five servings of whole grains, while following a low-calorie diet shed 24 percent more abdominal fat than those who averaged the same number of calories but ate refined grains.

Grapefruit: Vitamin C fruit was found in research that people who ate the least amount of this nutrient were 131 percent more likely to have larger waists than those who got the most. Other studies suggest that grapefruit can curb the insulin spikes that lead to fat storage.

Walnuts: Omega-3 fatty acids lower levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, that can contribute to fat storage. To get more omega-3s, sprinkle some ground flaxseed on your yogurt, eat fish or take supplements.

Energy Boosts For You!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:24:00 +0000

According to some research, one night of sleep deprivation can make a person function as if they had a few alcoholic beverages.

1998 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, the loss of one night's sleep can cause short-term sleepiness. The habitual loss of sleep, even by 1 or 2 hours a night, can lead to chronic sleepiness. Studies show sleepiness leads to car crashes by impairing reaction time, decreasing attention and focus, and decreasing the ability to perform mental tasks.

Do you feel like you are 'hungover' even when you haven't been drinking? Not having a good night's sleep can make you feel like that.

Try this:

Keep a regular sleep schedule - Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends.

Sunlight increases melatonin, which regulates your sleep-wake cycles. Try to get at least two hours of sunlight a day.

Develop bedtime rituals - soothing rituals, like taking a bath or playing music will help you ease into sleep.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol. While alcohol can help you fall asleep, it usually restless sleep.

Enjoy a snack such as crackers, cereal and milk, or yogurt or warm milk. The old wive's tale about warm milk is true, it helps induce sleep.

Relieve stress with meditation and yoga.

Let's Do Yoga Here

Tell Me About Antioxidents and Why I Need Them!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Bradley McCauley) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:24:00 +0000

When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals which can cause damage. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and hence prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer etc are all contributed by oxidative damage. Indeed, a recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.

A bountiful source of antioxidants that many people don’t know about is herbs and spices.
Researchers within the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered that herbs are an abundant source of antioxidants – not to mention how they make your food tastier.

According to the research, on a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than certain fruits and vegetables.

For even more details on healing spices, go to - http://www.squidoo.com/spicehealth With flu season on its way, you'll be glad to build that immunity system.

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