The Underground Bootcamp - Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Product Review

Health Benefits of Black Rice

2010-09-09T20:27:32Z

Rice is one of the earliest, life sustaining, crops known to mankind. Some of the earliest records of rice cultivation date back to around 150 B.C. To this day, rice cultivation is so important that in many parts of the world the phrases “to live” and “to eat” are synonymous with the phrase “to eat rice”. That is because, according to TheWorldHealthiestFoods.org, over half of the world’s population derives the majority of its daily calorie needs from rice, a crop that is available year round.

Rice plays such an important role in Asian cultures that in several Asian languages the words “rice” and “food” are identical. Therefore, it is not surprising that a host of ceremonies and legends, deeply rooted in the heart of these ancient cultures, revolve around the planting and harvesting of rice. Of these ancient Asian cultures, the Chinese are the ones who have played the biggest role in the cultivation of rice. Chinese records of rice cultivation date as far back as 4,000 years ago. In fact, it is a little known fact that it was the Chinese who first introduced rice to India, before the time of the Greek empire.

Legend of The Forbidden Rice

One of the most interesting legends surrounding rice is that of “The Forbidden Rice”. Legend has it, that in China there was a special, heirloom variety of rice grown exclusively for the emperor. This variety of rice was the rice we know today as black rice or emperor’s rice. Black rice was cultivated in small amounts, in specially designated fields, by highly trusted servants and its seeds were guarded day and night. It was strictly forbidden for anyone, but the emperor, to consume this variety of rice.

The reason black rice was so highly valued, and closely guarded, by the Chinese emperors was because in ancient Chinese medicine, which relies heavy on the philosophy “food is medicine and medicine is food” black rice is seen as a main source of good health and longevity. In ancient days, black rice was viewed as the mystical source of the emperors’ good health and longevity and was consumed as a tonic. Therefore, anyone caught cultivating or consuming this rice was believed to be sabotaging or “stealing” the source of good health and longevity reserved especially for the emperor and thus was punished, severely.

History of Black Rice

Luckily, times have changed and no one will be punished today for consuming black rice. Though highly popular in Thailand and Indonesia, black rice is not a stable source of carbohydrates in most rice-consuming cultures such as the Indian culture, and the Arabic and Persian cultures. That is mostly due to the fact that the Greeks banned the cultivation, importation and consumption of black rice when they conquered the Middle East because they believed that the consumption of this food helped their enemies in battle. They did not however, ban white rice, which they deemed worthless. As a result, India, one of the largest exporters of rice to the Middle East, both then and now, stopped cultivation of black rice due to lack of demand. Therefore, white rice replaced black rice as the dominant source of carbohydrates in all Middle Eastern cultural cuisines. Due to events such as these, black rice, a food once highly reveled by the world’s most powerful figures, faded into oblivion.

Health Benefits of Black Rice

Though there is still a lot we do not know about the health benefits of black rice, a series of scientific studies have labeled it “The Long-Lost Superfood“, a treasure house of antioxidants, fiber, nutrients, minerals and amino acids capable of combating and preventing a host of health problems ranging from cancer, diabetes, and heart disease to Alzheimer’s. Apparently, the emperor’s of ancient China were right.

The Following is a List of The Recently Discovered Health Benefits of Black Rice:

A Rich Source of Antioxidants: The black, outer layer of this rice, contains antioxidant-rich bran. The purple and reddish pigment of this rice, which gives it its black appearance, contains Anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in such prominent superfoods as blueberries, Acai berries and grapes. But, according to Dr. Zhimin Xu, Ph.D., an associate professor at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, in Baton Rouge, “black-rice bran has an advantage over blueberries, because blueberries still contain a high level of sugar.” Best of all, according to Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, “Some antioxidants in brown rice are fat-soluble, while Anthocyanins are water-soluble and can therefore reach different areas of the body.”
May Help Prevent Heart Attacks: In 2008, a group of scientists studied the effects of Anthocyanins on the heart. This study, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition and used mice as its primary source, concluded that Anthocyanins are capable of preventing the progression of atherosclerotic plaques, the main cause of most heart attacks, in the main arteries of the heart. The study also established that Anthocyanins play a key role in lowering triglycerides. Most astonishing of all was the finding that Anthocyanins are just as effective in lowering cholesterol levels as the prescription drug Simvastatin, a drug used to lower cholesterol levels.

Lotus Foods Organic Forbidden Rice, 15-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)

7 Medicinal Herbs

2010-09-09T21:15:02Z

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is often referred to as “the better green tea”. That is because the yerba mate plant contains a higher number of antioxidants and naturally occurring nutrients than green tea. Green tea contains 8 polyphenols whereas yerba mate contains 11 polyphenols,which are newly discovered antioxidant compounds believed to possess powerful cancer-fighting abilities. Yerba mate also contains over 24 essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, Iron, and vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5 and B Complex.

In fact, yerba mate is so nutritious that investigators from the Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific Society concluded that yerba mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” They focused especially on Pantothenic Acid, remarking that it is “rare to find a plant with so much of this significant and vital nutrient. It is indeed difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to Mate in nutritional value.”

Meadowsweet

Also known as the pride of the meadow, lady of the meadow or queen of the meadow, this perennial herb is highly valued amongst herbalists for the fact that it contains salicylic acid, a highly effective natural painkiller. In fact, meadowsweet is so effective as a painkiller that many herbalists use it in the same way mainstream physicians use aspirin. This herb is especially beneficial to people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. Warning: Individuals who are sensitive to aspirin or those who suffer from asthma should not use meadowsweet. Likewise, this herb should not be given to children as its use may lead to Reye’s Syndrome.

Kava

The Polynesians were the first to discover the medicinal and sedative powers of Kava. However, due to various reasons, this powerful herb faded from the limelight around the early 1900′s and did not resurface till the early 1990′s. In 1993 a scientist by the name of H.J. Heinz conducted a double-blind study in which he compared the effects of Kava to those of prescription sedative drugs. His study concluded that Kava is an excellent non-addictive sedative that allows its users to perform many of the tasks prescription sedative users are urged to avoid, such as driving a car and operative heavy machinery. Just three years later, a team of scientists in Germany established that Kava is also effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Due to the findings of these and many other studies today Kava is widely used by both herbalists and mainstream physicians to treat anxiety and nervous disorders.

Camphor Laurel

Camphor, a white crystal-like substance, derived from the camphor laurel tree, and the active ingredient in Tiger Balm, is a natural muscle relaxer. In order to enjoy the full benefits of camphor’s muscle relaxing powers apply camphor oil topically. The oil penetrates the skin and is highly effective in relaxing aching muscles without the side effects (grogginess, sleepiness, etc..) that often accompany the use of prescription muscle relaxers. Since camphor oil is also an anti inflammatory agent and stimulant that increases blood flow to sore muscles and helps improve circulation it is especially effective in the treatment of the pain associated with sore muscles, due to exercise, and the joint pain that accompanies arthritis and rheumatism.

Camphor is also used as a decongestant and cough suppressant. White camphor oil is safe for ingestion and is widely used as a highly effective natural cough suppressant.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is the most widely used medicinal herb by both herbalists and mainstream physicians. That is because witch hazel can help ease the pain and complications of a variety of inflammatory conditions as well as treat a wide array of skin conditions, such as acne.

Witch hazel gets most of its medicinal powers from a substance known an Tannin. Tannin is an astringent compound, meaning that it has the ability to dry and contract tissue and stop bleeding or secretion. The presence of tannin is what makes witch hazel such an effective topical remedy for acne because tannin can tighten pores, block excess oil production and reduce inflammation. Furthermore, witch hazel has also been shown to possess disinfecting properties that can help prevent the recurrence of acne by cleansing the skin of oils, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria. Best of all, witch hazel also possesses an anti-irritant compound that has a numbing effect on tissue. Thus, when used topically witch hazel can also help ease the pain associated with most types of acne.

It is highly recommended that you consume witch hazel in tea form. Do not consume the drug store variety of witch hazel as most of it has isopropyl alcohol mixed into it. To make witch hazel tea, simply place a small amount of the herb in boiling water and let simmer for a few minutes. Due to its natural anti inflammatory abilities witch hazel is widely used by most herbalists to help ease the discomfort babies experience when teething. To make a highly effective, natural pain and inflammation relieving gum rub for your teething baby simply mix a teaspoon of witch hazel tea with one drop of myrrh and one drop of clove oil and rub on baby’s gums.

Dang Gui

The root of the plant Dang Gui, also known as the backbone of traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used as a fertility aid in both men and women; though its main power lies in treating women’s reproductive health issues. It’s hard to believe that the roots of dang gui contain a series of compounds called phytoestrogens, which mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Thus, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine firmly believe that dang gui can help balance women’s hormones and thus use it extensively in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal symptoms, including migraine, cramps, mood fluctuations, and hot flashes.Warning: Under no circumstances should this herb be used by women who are or think they may be pregnant.

Dang gui can also help relax the smooth muscles of the body, such as those of the uterus and arteries. By keeping the smooth muscles in the arteries dilated dang gui helps maintain regular blood flow and heartbeat. Therefore, dang gui has traditionally been used by both herbalists and mainstream physicians to treat angina, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. A series of scientific studies have gone as far as proving that the antispasmodic, dilating effects of dang gui may help treat chronic pulmonary hypertension in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially when taken in combination with the drug, Nifedipine.

Milk Thistle

The seeds of this member of the sunflower family house the highly potent medicinal ingredient Silymarin. The antioxidant ability of silymarin is what enables it to remove free radicals from the body. Therefore, it is not surprising that milk thistle is highly beneficial to the health of the liver. Milk thistle detoxifies the liver and protects it from toxins such as alcohol. Milk thistle is also helpful in the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver as it has been shown to facilitate liver cell regeneration and help reverse liver damage.

Quest Protein Bars: The Only True Low Carb Protein Bars

2010-09-05T17:29:07Z

As a consumer, I am well aware of the challenges health conscious individuals face. Therefore, I have made it my mission to sift through the hundreds of products mascarading as “health food” in an effort to find and share with you those products worthy of being called “healthy”.

My latest Internet treasure hunt led me to discover Quest Protein Bars, the only protein bars I am confident to call ‘The Healthiest Protein Bars’ on the market today.

Why Quest Protein Bars Are The Healthy Alternative

Though all protein bars claim to be healthy, a conscious walk-through of the ‘weight loss supplements’ aisle of any given grocery store reveals the fact that most nutrition bars, often also referred to as health bars, meal replacement bars, protein bars, or bodybuilding protein bars, are nothing more than loosely disguised candy bars containing such unwholesome ingredients as high fructose corn syrup, high maltose corn syrup, sugar alcohols and canola oil. Worst of all is the fact that a large number of protein bar manufacturers use the ingredient Hydrolyzed Collagen “Gelatin” which has not been proven to have a positive effect on muscle growth. This ingredient is mainly used to inflate the overall protein count of these bars and trick consumers into thinking they are purchasing a truly high protein nutrition bar.

Quest protein bars, on the other hand, are the only low-carb, high fiber nutrition bars whose list of ingredients features such wholesome ingredients as whey and milk protein (for optimal muscle growth), Chicory root fiber (a natural ingredient also used in FiberOne cereals to increase the fiber content of foods without boosting carb counts), and my favorite ingredient, Lo Han Guo (which is a sweet fruit primarily grown in southern China and is often thought of as a longevity aid since an unusually high number of the inhabitants of southern China, who include this fruit in their diets, habitually live past the age of 100).

Who Uses Quest Protein Bars

Though Quest protein bars are designed to provide optimal nutrition to people of all walks of life (kids, expectant mothers, dieters, diabetics, triathletes and bodybuilders) the fact that such prominent athletes as Shannan Yorton, a national level figure competitor, and Chester Yorton, best known as ‘The Father of Natural Bodybuilding’, have chosen to make these bars a part of their rigorous training plans speaks volumes about the nutritional quality, effectiveness and taste of these low-carb protein bars.

The makers of Quest protein bars are so confident in the fact that their use of wholesome and nutritious ingredients has led them to make the most nutritionally balanced and delicious protein bars on the market today that they are willing to let you order a single bar, with no obligation to purchase more, so that you can try this amazing product for yourself.

Pilates, Pals or Puppies

2010-09-03T07:04:38Z

Guest post by Ayanna Nahmias, the highly acclaimed author of the internationally renowned blog, The Nahmias Cipher Report.

After my traumatic divorce I was faced with raising a child by myself. I was blessed to have the support of my mother and sister. However, the burden of good parenting usually falls upon the shoulders of the individual who has custody. Thus began my quest to return to health and fitness.

Prior to my son’s birth I was an incredible athlete. I ran triathlons, raced roller-blades, rode horses, and worked out two to three times a week with a personal trainer. My body was my temple, and like many people who live in South Beach, Miami, maintaining the perfect physique was not only desired but required. Like many busy professionals, I waited to have children and did not get pregnant until I was nearly forty.

Throughout my pregnancy I continued to exercise, eat a low fat diet, and follow all of my obstetrician’s advice. I talked to other mother’s about postpartum exercise regimes and weight loss techniques. I was wisely advised to breast feed as it usually speeds weight loss. It worked quite well for me, and then when my son was just a few months old my milk dried up and so did the significant weight loss I had experienced. In fact, I noticed, to my chagrin, that I even started to gain weight, despite carefully watching my diet.

I found it increasingly difficult to balance single-motherhood with a workout regime. I paid for several sports club memberships which ended up as a waste of money because I was either too tired or too busy to make it to the gym. Next, I bought a home step machine which I used in the evenings, but after a few weeks I lost my motivation. Then I decided perhaps Pilates, Tai Chi, or Yoga might help me lose weight and reduce my stress.

I managed to make it to several classes before once again the hectic demands of work and motherhood intruded. I promised myself that as soon as my schedule relaxed I would return to the tranquility of the studio. But, this commitment, like previous efforts, remained unrealized. By this time I was very unhappy with my appearance as I had gained over forty pounds and gone from a size 4 to a size 12.

It was then that I decided to join a mother’s group. Theoretically women in this group could understand the challenges of trying to stay fit while raising young kids. I imagined that I could become close to one of these women and we would become workout ‘pals’. The approach seemed sensible; however, I found that it was hard to bond with women who were usually fifteen to twenty years my junior.

During the intervening years I managed to loose some weight and was now wearing a size 8. However, I seemed to hit a plateau and remained unable to achieve my pre-pregnancy weight, despite all efforts. By then my son had grown into a handsome and very active eight year old. He loved animals and wanted to add a dog to his menagerie of frogs, snails and fish. As I already cared for these creatures, despite my son’s promises, the idea of taking care of a puppy seemed overwhelming.

We decided to get a rescue dog and adopted a Labrador Retriever puppy. We brought him home when he was 8 weeks old and it turned out to be the answer to my long pursuit of a return to fitness. Since we live in an apartment building, we have to take the dog out for walks quite often. In the beginning it was every two hours, but now at three months old, he lasts between five to seven hours between outings.

He is a very active puppy with a lot of energy and enjoys walking quite fast. Our ‘power walks’ are so enjoyable that I didn’t even realize how much energy I was expending until one day I had nothing to wear and decided to slip on a pair of size 6 jeans. Imagine my surprise when they fit beautifully. At long last, I had discovered the secret to weight loss and a healthy exercise regime; a puppy named Mr. Fluffy.

Ayanna’s Bio

Ayanna Nahmias was born in 1964 in Florida into a military Christian family, but was subsequently raised Muslim. The eldest of three children, her father studied and earned his degree in physics and mathematics, while her mother taught English. In 1970 her radical, Islamist father who had a deep hatred for American values and culture moved the family to Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Three years later they relocated to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania after a grueling three week cross continent journey by car.

Several years later, her mother fled from her husband’s oppressive and tyrannical rule, and returned to the United States with Ayanna and her siblings. Ayanna completed high school in Bethesda, Maryland, and received a Benjamin E. Mays academic scholarship to pursue her tertiary education at Bates College in Maine.

During her third year, she completed a semester abroad at The Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, a Bates College exchange program at Oxford University. Upon her return to the States she was awarded a Bachelors of Arts degree in English Literature.

Ayanna was recently interviewed about her life in Africa and what it was like to survive cerebral malaria and to successfully conquer many other life challenges. She was featured on Radio Netherlands Worldwide program titled, “The State We’re In”, a show that highlights “first-person stories from around the world about human rights, human wrongs and how we treat each other.” The interview broadcast on 21 August 2010 in the US on an NPR affiliate stations and will be available for download on the net.

Ayanna currently resides in Arlington, Virginia where she publishes an internationally followed, highly rated blog titled The Nahmias Cipher Report. In addition to writing her memoir titled “Memoirs of a Cipher,” she also cares for her mother, an ordained Baptist Minister; and she is raising her son as an Orthodox Jew. Because of her unique history she adheres to and instills in her son a deep and abiding respect for his biracial heritage and for all People of the Book.

The Adverse Health Effects of Genetically Modified Food

2010-09-09T21:48:22Z

In the early 1990′s a group of scientists, working for the FDA, warned the agency regarding the adverse health effects of genetically modified food and urged the organization to conduct further rigorous and long-term studies regarding the possible dangers of this new biotechnology. These scientists’ concerns regarding the inherent dangers of genetically modified foods included such factors as hard-to-detect allergies, poisons, gene transfers to gut bacteria, the onset of new diseases and nutritional problems.

However, due to political pressure from the White House, the FDA responded by recruiting Micheal Taylor, Monsanto’s former attorney, to lead the formation of the Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) policy. This policy, which is in effect today, serves as the means through which the government denies any knowledge of the scientific community’s concerns regarding this form of biotechnology. Through the enactment of this policy Monsanto and other biotech companies gained the power to be able to determine if their food products are safe, without interference from the FDA or any other health or community welfare organization. In return for his troubles, Mr. Taylor became Monsanto’s vice president.

The Recommendation of The American Academy of Environmental Medicine

In their position paper, published in the summer of 2009, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urged “Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.” In this paper, which stressed the importance of long-term independent studies and labeling, the AAEM sited the following reason regarding its concerns, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system”. The paper concluded by stating, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation. The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies”.

As a result of all the concern regarding genetically modified foods amongst the medical and scientific communities more and more dietitians, nutritionist and doctors, such as Dr. Amy Dean, a Michigan internal medicine specialist and board member of AAEM, are urging their patients to avoid consuming genetically modified foods as much as possible. However, this is not an easy task for consumers since under the current (GMO) policy food manufacturers are under no obligation to label genetically modified foods as such.

Too Many Questions, Not Enough Answers

AAEM states, “GM foods have not been properly tested” and “pose a serious health risk”. That is because, to this date, not a single human clinical trial on genetically modified organisms has been conducted. The highly acclaimed Canadian geneticist, David Suzuki, clarified the situation in this statement, “The experiments simply haven’t been done and we now have become the guinea pigs. Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,’ I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying”.

What this means is that we do not know if genetically modified foods are contributing to the rise of such health issues as cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, reproductive problems or any of the other common health problems plaguing our society today. In an effort to shine some light on this topic Dr. Pushpa M. Bhargava, a world famous Biologist, took it upon himself to review more than 600 scientific journals before concluding that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a major contributor to the sharply deteriorating health of Americans.

The Only Published Human Feeding Study Of (GM) Food and Organisms

The only published human feeding study, regarding genetically modified foods, studied the function of non-organic genetically modified soybeans inside the human gut. This study concluded that the gene inserted into these soybeans becomes mingled with the DNA of the bacteria living inside our gut and thus continues its function long after the food itself has been digested. When this gene transfer evidence was presented at medical conferences around the US, doctors cited the increase of gastrointestinal problems among their patients over the last decade.

The Findings of Unpublicized (GM) Animal Feeding Studies

According to the AAEM, “Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, associated with asthma, allergies, and inflammation” all of which are currently on the rise in the United States.

In India, where it is common to let sheep graze on cotton plants after harvest, the sheep which were allowed to graze on genetically modified cotton plants died. Their autopsies showed severe irritation of the intestines. Doctors stated, “preliminary evidence strongly suggests that the sheep mortality was due to a toxin… most probably Bt-toxin”. In a follow up study, which was conducted to determine the validity of the first finding, all the sheep which were sheep fed genetically modified cotton plants died within 30 days. On the other hand, those that grazed on natural cotton plants remained healthy. Other genetically modified crops, such as corn, have also led to animal deaths. For example, in Germany horses and water buffaloes which were fed genetically modified corn died. In fact, according to a top French Toxicologist by the name of G. E. Seralini, Monsanto’s own study showed evidence of poisoning in major organs of rats fed biologically modified corn.

Other health issues, such as reproductive problems, also plague animals fed GM foods. For example, a group of investigators in the state of Haryana, India revealed that most buffalo that ate GM cottonseeds had complications during pregnancy. These complications ranged anywhere from premature deliveries, abortions, infertility, to prolapsed uterus. Most disturbing of all, though, was the fact that many of their calves died. Furthermore, in the United States, a group of farmers reported that thousands of their pigs became sterile after consuming certain GM corn varieties. Some of these pigs also experienced false pregnancies or gave birth to bags of water.

Pull-Up Bars: A Great Upper Body Workout

2010-08-31T21:27:14Z

Guest Post By Andrew Sheridan

Pull up exercises, also called chin ups, are some of the most important exercises for building the strength of your upper body, back, and core muscles. All that is required is a pull up bar, which can be an elaborate, free-standing piece of exercise equipment or a simple bar placed within a doorway. These pull up bars can be purchased online or at any sporting goods store.

Despite the fact that they are often overlooked by athletes, pull ups and chin ups should be an important part of exercise programs for people of all fitness levels. A traditional pull up uses an overhand grip on the pull up bar, while chin ups employ an underhand grip.

In order to do a pull up or chin up the pull up bar should be at a height that requires you to jump to grab it. To start, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, jump up, and grab the pull up bar. Once your feet are off the ground, bend your legs and cross your ankles for a more balanced position. Pull yourself up until your chin is level with the bar, and lower yourself until your elbows are straight. Repeat the movement without letting your feet touch the floor. The entire movement should be done in a slow and controlled motion. It is also important to stop when your form starts to deteriorate to avoid injury.

If you find that you can’t perform one full pull up or chin up, there are ways to build your strength to the point where you can do this exercise safely. Most gyms have pull up assist machines, which is a good place to start. You can also have a trainer “spot” you by providing a gentle lift while holding onto the tops of your feet. Static pull ups, in which you raise yourself into a “finish” position with your chin level with the pull up bar and hold yourself up, and negative pull ups (starting in the usual “finish” position and lowering yourself slowly) are also good ways to build your strength. Both exercises generally involve standing on a box to reach the pull up bar.

Using a lat pull machine is another way to build upper body strength if you find pull ups and chin ups difficult. With this machine, you stay seated with your knees held down while you pull the weight down yourself. It is not an ideal way to work towards performing successful pull ups and chin ups, but it’s a safe way to get started.

No matter what technique you use, exercises with pull up bars are great ways to develop upper body and core muscle strength and should be a part of any exercise routine.

For more information regarding pull-up bars please visit http://pullupbars.info

Bio:

My name is Andrew Sheridan. I’m certified in alarm security and I have helped in starting over 7 websites. I like sports, I really enjoy baseball. I love to fish, hunt, and I love racing and working on cars. I’m interested in business, and architecture. One of my pursuits in life is to own a business chain that is worldwide.

I hope you like my article!

5 Ways To Burn 200 Calories

2010-09-09T16:17:36Z

Guest Post By Ernesto Martinez

We all know the saying, “Dieting is about calories in and calories out”. But, burning calories does not have to be a chore nor does it require constant trips to the gym. Here are 5 ways to torch 200 calories from your “calories in”.

Clean Up

Straightening up your living area is a great way to turn up your heart rate and burn calories. 23 minutes of high intensity cleaning is all you need to burn 200 calories. Get creative and move with purpose.

Go For a Swim

Beat the summer heat and go to your local swimming pool. 27 minutes of wading in the water will do the trick. Just remember to pack the sun block SPF 15

Play With Your Kids

16 minutes of running around the yard, friendly wrestling, and other great activities with your kids is a perfect way to get the blood flowing and spending time with the most important people in your life.

Go Grocery Shopping

Pushing the cart around the store for almost 43 minutes is just the start. If you can manage to carry your own bags to your car, into the house, and put the food away you can add another 200 calories or more to your daily total!

Go Bowling

44 minutes of bowling with family and friends is another great way to burn calories and have fun at the same time. A 49 minute game can scorch 200 calories.

There are literally dozens of other ideas to get exercise without going to the gym. You can make even the most mundane activities fun and a little more exciting by doing them with more oomph. The point is, just do it!

Bio:

Ernesto is a fitness junkie with 22 years of martial arts experience. He is also the editor for You On a Diet, a health site offering free weight loss tools, dietitian advice, diet reviews, and more.

What is Genetically Modified Food?

2010-09-09T21:56:32Z

According to VOANews.com, in February of 2010 the government of India announced its decision to refuse the commercial cultivation of a genetically modified eggplant, India’s first genetically modified food crop. This eggplant, better known as BT Brinjal, would have been the world’s first genetically modified vegetable.

India’s Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh cited a lack of clear consensus regarding whether the eggplant is safe for human consumption in this official statement, “When there is so much opposition from state governments, when responsible civil society organizations and eminent scientists have raised many serious questions that have not been answered satisfactorily, when the public sentiment is negative, and when BT Brinjal will be the very first genetically modified vegetable to be introduced anywhere in the world and when there is no overriding urgency to introduce it here, it is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary principle-based approach, and impose a moratorium on the release of BT Brinjal.”

Supporters of this genetically modified eggplant, which primarily consist of members of India’s Genetic Engineering Committee, stress the fact that this method of eggplant cultivation has the ability to boost eggplant yields by 50%. This is significant in the sense that the eggplant is an extremely popular vegetable in India and a main ingredient in many Indian dishes. Yet, due to the fact that this crop is vulnerable to attack by a specific pest, commonly known as the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodesorbonalis), eggplant crop yields in India are low and the cost of eggplants is high.

The environmentalists, government health organizations, and politicians opposing the cultivation of this genetically modified food by the Mahyco corporation, the Indian partner of the American company Monsanto, sited lack of substantial research and a series of unresolved environmental and health hazards as the reasons behind their opposition of this project.

What is Genetically Modified Food?

The term “genetically modified” applies to any food or food items that have had their DNA subjected to the latest molecular biology techniques in an effort to enhance such desirable traits as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content.

Contrary to popular belief, the genetic modification of crops is not new. However, the problem with conventional plant breeding methods, According to csa.com is that, “The enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through breeding, but conventional plant breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. For example, plant geneticists can isolate a gene responsible for drought tolerance and insert that gene into a different plant. The new genetically-modified plant will gain drought tolerance as well. Not only can genes be transferred from one plant to another, but genes from non-plant organisms also can be used. The best known example of this is the use of B.t. genes in corn and other crops. B.t., or Bacillus Thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. B.t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer”.

This is a short list of the thousands of genetically modified food items lining our grocery store shelves today:

Vegetable Oil
Canola Oil
Cotton Seed Oil
Non-Organic Corn
Non-Organic Tomatoes
Non-Organic Potatoes
Non-Organic Honey
Non-Organic Meat
Non-Organic Dairy Products
Tobacco

What is Wrong With Genetically Modified Food?

The fact of the matter is that scientists are not capable of providing a definite answer regarding whether genetically modified foods are harmful or helpful to human health and environment because of lack of definite and conclusive research.

One of the suspected dangers of genetically modified foods is the possible creation of new allergens. According to CSA.com “Many children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions. Extensive testing of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies”.

Top 10 Most Effective Upper Body Exercises For Women

2010-08-27T03:42:27Z

The fact that women lack natural upper body strength is not a secret. In fact, most health and fitness professionals agree on the notion that unlike men, whose upper body strength is often equal to their lower body strength, on average, women’s upper body strength equals only about 50% of their lower body strength. For example, most men who can bench press 100 pounds can also leg press 100 pounds. However, the average woman, who can leg press 100 pounds, will only be able to bench press 50 pounds, max. Making matters worse is the fact that, unlike men, women loose a great deal of their upper body strength as they age. Experts believe that this is mainly due to hormonal changes that contribute to muscle loss. In an effort to help improve women’s health, an overwhelming amount of research has made a compelling case for the fact that all women, especially those over the age of forty, must incorporate a certain degree of weight training into their regular workout routines. That is because, besides the aesthetic benefits, women who engaging in a moderate weight training program also enjoy the wide array of health benefits this sport has to offer.

The Top 10 Health Benefits of Weight Training For Women

Increased overall physical strength
Increased overall bone density
Increased overall physical endurance
Increased overall balance and coordination
Lower overall body fat percentage
Lowered overall risk of arthritis related complications
Lowered overall risk of developing heart disease
Lowered overall risk of developing diabetes
Lowered overall risk of developing breast cancer
Lowered overall risk of developing hormone related depression

Though the sport of weight training can also help boost women’s metabolisms, and help stop diet plateaus by burning significantly more calories than any other form of exercise, the number of women who have embraced this sport is low. This is mainly due to the fact that a lot of women believe that the sport of weight training will cause their muscles to “bulk up”. This fear of developing a bulky physique is the most common misconception women harbor regarding this sport. Therefore it is imperative that all women understand the fact that it is physically impossible for women to develop large muscles, as a result of natural weight training, because the female body simply does not have the testosterone levels necessary to build big muscles. With this said, I would like to stress the fact that since us, women, are naturally at a disadvantage with regards to upper body strength it is imperative that we make a conscious effort to build and maintain our upper body strength through weight training.

To Get Started …

I recommend the following pieces of equipment to get you started with these workouts at home. These workout tools are highly rated and reviewed by Amazon customers for their quality, ease of use, and pricing. Take a look at the items below and let me know what you think!

10 Videos Demonstrating Effective Upper Body Exercises For Women

The Wrist Curl

The movement of our wrist muscles are responsible for helping us grasp and manipulate objects. Yet, we often neglect to train and strengthen these intricate muscles. Furthermore, our forearm muscles, in combination with our wrist muscles, are used in virtually every activity involving our upper bodies. Therefore, it is imperative that we strengthen and train these muscles continuously in order to avoid wrist injuries as well as help maintain improved hand function in our old age. Wrist curls strengthen the forearm muscles and the joint around the wrist which in turn makes the wrist less susceptible to injury.

The Bicep Curl

The bicep curl is a basic exercise designed to increase the strength and muscle endurance of your upper arms. Contrary to popular belief, the bicep muscle, located in the front of the arms, is a much smaller muscle than the triceps muscle, located in the back of the arms. Despite its small size, the bicep muscle is used as a secondary muscle in virtually every activity involving the major muscle groups of our upper bodies, mainly the chest, back and shoulders. Therefore, it is imperative that we train this muscle to withstand the strain of everyday life.

The Push-Up

In the fitness industry, the pushup is affectionately referred to as the king of all upper body exercises. That is because this single upper body exercise engages more of your upper body muscle groups, collectively, than any other upper body exercise and can be used to measure an individual’s overall physical fitness. The pushup is primarily designed to train the pectorals, or chest muscles. But, it also engages the biceps, triceps, forearms, wrist, shoulders, and core muscles. Therefore, doing a few sets of pushups a day is the fastest way to build your overall upper body strength.

The Triceps Overhead Extension

Ladies, are you looking for a fast and effective way to banish those bat wings, permanently? If so, than look no further than the triceps overhead extension. That is because this exercise is designed to isolate and target your triceps muscle, the large muscle located in the back of the arms. Besides its aesthetic benefits, training the triceps muscle will also greatly increase the strength of your arms.

The Skull Crusher

The skull crusher is the advanced version of the triceps overhead extension. Like the triceps overhead extension, the skull crusher is an exercise designed to primarily target your triceps muscle, the large muscle in the back of the upper arm. However, unlike the triceps overhead extension, the skull crusher also engages your wrist, forearm, core and quad muscles, to a lesser degree.

The Triceps Push-Up

The triceps pushup is a pushup in the sense that it targets all the major muscles groups of your upper body, such as the arm, chest, shoulder and core muscles. However, what sets the triceps pushup apart from a regular pushup is the fact that by placing your hands closer together you put more emphasis on the triceps. This is a great exercise for those of you looking for a fast and highly effective way of tonning your upper bodies, especially the area in the back of the upper arms, which is on the top of most women’s list of problem areas.

The Dumbbell Shoulder Press

The dumbbell shoulder press is a compound exercise designed to target all of your shoulder muscles as well as your triceps muscles and trapezius muscle, the large muscle located at the side and back of the neck, which extend as far down as beneath the shoulder blade. The trapezius muscle is one of the largest muscles found in the human body. Those of you who spend a great deal of time sitting behind a desk may be experiencing tension and muscle spasms in the back of the neck, which often reverberate down the arms and midback making such everyday tasks as bending, standing, sitting or climbing stairs painful. Strengthening your shoulder muscles, primarily your deltoids, as well as your trapezius muscle, through this exercise will help alleviate many of these aches and pains as well as improve your overall balance and posture.

The Side Dumbbell Lateral Raise

The lateral raise is a secondary movement exercise designed to work the deltoids muscles of the shoulders. Strong deltoids muscles are crucial for good balance and posture. These muscles also play an important role in helping increase our arms’ range of motion. That is because our deltoids muscles, located in the front and back of the shoulders, are primarily responsible for helping keep our shoulders high and pulled back. This, in turn, prevents sagging of the shoulders, in old age, and helps our arms maintain their optimal range of motion.

The Lower Back Extension

The lower back extension, the simplest of all bodyweight exercises, is the most effective exercise designed to isolate, elongate and strengthen the muscles of your lower back. By performing high repetitions of this bodyweight exercise, on a daily basis, you will notice a marked decrease in lower back tension and pain.

The Superman

The majority of women suffer from lower back pain as a result of the strain spending too much time in the sitting position places on your lower back muscles. Therefore, the superman is a great exercise for those of you who spend your days sitting behind a desk and consequently suffer from lower back pain. This exercise will strengthen your lower back muscles and consequently improve your posture and balance. After a long day at the office, this exercise will also serve as a stretching exercise for your lower back muscles and relieve the tension that often leads to lower back pain.

Top 10 Most Effective Leg Workouts For Women

2010-08-27T03:47:28Z

Our legs are the pillars of our strength. These large, intricate muscles effortlessly stabilize and carry our weight through virtually all of our day-to-day tasks. And yet, many of us fail to maximize our body’s potential for building lean muscle mass by effectively training these vital muscles.

Men, often neglect to train their leg muscles because they are too focused on training their upper bodies. Women, often neglect to train their leg muscles because they fear “bulking up” these muscles. As a result, many women end up spending hours upon hours at the gym doing low-impact cardio, to no avail.

Since our leg muscles are by far the largest and most important muscles in our body, with respect to movement, stability and overall power, training these muscles to the max boosts our metabolism and helps stop diet plateaus by burning significantly more calories than any other form of exercise. However, the most significant benefit of training leg muscles lies in the fact that, when pushed to the max, these mammoth muscles are capable of producing extraordinary amounts of growth hormones which circulate throughout our bodies and play a significant role in helping us increase the power, endurance and size of all of our major muscle groups, including those of our core and upper body.

Note: Ladies! Do not fear “bulking up” via an intense leg workout routine. Unless you use artificial means (steroids), the female body simply does not have the testosterone levels necessary to build big muscles.

To Get Started …

I recommend the following pieces of equipment to get you started with these workouts at home. These workout equipment are highly rated and reviewed by Amazon customers for their quality, ease of use, and pricing. Take a look at the items below and let me know what you think!

10 Videos Demonstrating The Most Effective Leg Workouts For Women

The Single Leg Bridge

This is an isometric exercise that works all of your core muscles (lower, middle and upper abs & back) as well as your leg muscles (glutes, quads & hamstrings). At first glance, the single leg bridge may appear simple but the key to this exercise’s effectiveness lies in its ability to lengthen and strengthen your muscle fibers by forcing them to contract to balance the body in this extremely unbalanced position. If you wish, you may increase the intensity of this position through the use of ankle weights.

The Outer Thigh Lift & The Inner Thigh Lift

The inner and outer thigh areas are at the top of most women’s list of “problem areas”. The following two videos demonstrate two extremely effective methods of isolating the upper regions of the quadriceps muscles. Besides isolating and toning the upper regions of the quadriceps, these two exercises are also extremely effective in strengthening the hips, which in turn help protect your knees against injury. This is especially true for women because, physiologically speaking, the width of women’s hips puts greater pressure on the knees thus making women’s knees more susceptible to injury. If you wish, you may increase the intensity of this exercise through the use of ankle weights.

The Dead Lift

The Dead Lift is a compound exercise that trains all of your legs’ major muscle groups as well as your core and forearm muscles, to a lesser degree. Performing this simple exercise is believed to be one of the fastest and most effective ways of increasing your overall lean muscle mass.

The Dumbbell Rear Lunge

The rear lunge targets the muscles of your lower body, especially your glutes and quadriceps. The majority of people, however, are more familiar with the front lunge than they are with the rear lunge. Though the front lunge is highly effective at isolating and training the quads and hamstrings, one of the major benefits of the rear lunge is that it does not put as much pressure on the front knee as lunges to the front do.

The Calf Raise

Calf raises strengthen and elongate your calves (the gastronemius and soleus muscles) which, in turn, increases your overall agility and speed. Most importantly, calf raises strengthen the joint around the ankle and make the ankle less susceptible to injury.

The Squat

In the fitness industry, the squat is affectionately referred to as the king of all leg exercises. The squat’s effectiveness stems from the fact that this functional exercise mimics real life movements. This means that when performing the squat our muscles are forced to work as an integrated system in the same manner in which they are designed by nature to perform. Since the squat simultaneously works more muscle groups than any other form of bodyweight exercise, such as the core muscles for stabilization purposes, and specifically targets the quads, hamstrings and glutes, it is often referred to as a whole-body exercise.

The following videos demonstrate four of the most effective variations of the squat.

The Single Leg Squat

The Barbell Hack Squat

The Barbell Full Squat

The Sumo Squat