Healthy Body=Healthy Mind

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2012-03-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

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What are the Symptoms of Drug Dependency and Abuse?

2011-08-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

Drug Dependency and Abuse

Some individuals who have tried drugs or use them frequently will know when infrequent drug use becomes drug abuse and dependence. Denial however, is very powerful and may blind many people to the fact that drugs are becoming a problem. Drug abuse and dependence can be recognized by the following signs:-

Symptoms of Drug Dependency and Abuse

● Feeling that you NEED the drug or dependency towards a drug on a regular basis.
● Ensuring that you have a constant supply of the drug
● Behaving in uncharacteristic ways in order to use, such as stealing money, lying to loved ones, or becoming aggressive when something stands between you and your next drug taking session
● Feeling helpless to deal with life’s problems and stressors with out the ‘help’ from your drug of choice
● Repeatedly failing attempts at stopping your drug use
● Development of tolerance towards the drug
● Putting yourself and/or others in danger when under the influence, such as driving while intoxicated, or participating in other risky behaviors, including unprotected sex

The best Self care treatment for Bronchitis

2011-08-18T02:48:00.000-07:00

Natural cures for bronchitis include focusing some attention to maintaining personal health

What your body needs most when trying to fight off any infection is plenty of rest and water. You can also try an over-the-counter cough medicine that helps to loosen the cough from Bronchitis. While this may make you cough more, it will help to clear the infection sooner. It is important not to suppress the cough, as this can cause further infection by drying out the mucous membranes.

Thus, cough suppressants for treating Bronchitis are generally only recommended at night to help to you get some rest if the cough is interfering with sleep. In addition, you can try using a humidifier to soothe the cough, and avoid lung irritants (such as cigarette smoke). Another best Self care Treatment for Bronchitis is, If you are a smoker – it is essential that you stop smoking naturally.

Medical Treatment for Bronchitis

Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for bronchitis as the most common causes are viral infections. However, if your doctor suspects a bacterial infection, or if you are at high risk for developing complications (such as those people with a lung disease or asthma) antibiotics may be recommended as a precautionary measure. Remember, that as antibiotics rob your system of ‘good’ bacteria –it is important to take probiotics, such as live culture yogurt, after a course of antibiotics.

Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for the Treatment for Bronchitis

Herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used for centuries to treat a number to alleviate bronchitis symptoms have been supplied by nature. Herbs such as Althea Officinalis (Marshmallow), Hyssopus Officinalis (Hyssop), and Sambucus Nigra (Elder) have long been used for their soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes, while promoting respiratory health and vitality.

There are also a few tissue salts known for their tonic effect on the overall respiratory system such as Bryonia (30C) and Kali. Mur. (6C.) While these ingredients help relieve troubling bronchitis symptoms, other remedies for Self care treatment for Bronchitis are especially helpful in assisting with speedy recovery and boosting the immune system to help your body fight off infection.

Herbs such as Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceous, Inula helenium and Withania somnifera are commonly used for their antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties as best self care treatment for Bronchitis, as well as their ability to support the immune system. These herbs work as a tonic for the immune system and are often recommended to prevent and assist recovery from illness or infection from Bronchitis.

Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer- Diagnosis and Symptoms

2011-08-17T02:27:00.001-07:00

Mesothelioma which is sometimes referred to as asbestos cancer, is an aggressive cancer caused primarily by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The disease attacks the mesothelium, a protective, two-layered membrane that covers the internal organs of the body including the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, the cells produce fluid, which allows easy movement of the heart and lungs within the chest cavity.
The layer that covers the lungs is called the pericardium, which is where pericardial mesothelioma is known to occur. The peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity. Mesothelium or asbestos cancer also lines the male and female reproductive organs. Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer can affect any of these cells, but is usually seen in the pleural or peritoneal mesothelium. The most commonly diagnosed form of this cancer is pleural mesothelioma.

Development of Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer.
Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop, which is why it is more commonly diagnosed in older individuals. However, recent cases involving September 11th ground-zero first responders and clean-up crews show that high concentrations of asbestos can cause the disease to develop much more rapidly. A few WTC workers have already died of the disease asbestos cancer.

Diagnosis and Symptoms of Mesothelioma or asbestos cancer

The invasion of the mesothelium by cancer cells makes it very difficult for the patient to breathe, resulting in the need for oxygen, especially as the disease progresses. Those with the pleural form of mesothelioma may also suffer from pleural effusions. These effusions prevent the smooth movement of the lungs and other organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma also affects the stomach area and abdominal cavity, causing nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, which can result in dangerous weight loss. In addition to breathing difficulties and loss of appetite, mesothelioma victims also complain of excessive coughing, sleeping difficulties, persistent chest pain, fever, and pain in the lower back.

Malignant mesothelioma, in general, is a very painful disease and because it is usually not diagnosed until it's in an advanced stage. For this reason, the mesothelioma symptoms are typically quite serious. Late diagnosis also means that the cancer is more likely to have metastasized, or spread, making successfulmesothelioma treatment even more difficult.

Who Gets Mesothelioma?

Statistics show that, because of their work history, the disease most often affects men between the ages of 50 and 70 who were employed in an asbestos-laden environment before asbesto regulations were imposed in the late 1970s. Though women still have a much lower frequency of the disease, cases of second-hand exposure to asbestos has prompted more diagnoses among women, especially those whose male family members worked with asbestos. The occupations most associated with mesothelioma are shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, construction industry workers, pipefitters, boilermakers, and anyone subject to heavy exposure to dangerous airborne asbestos fibers.

An abundance of cases have also shown us that mesothelioma can develop among people who lived in communities where asbestos factories or mines were located. In some instances, entire towns have been adversely affected by the presence of asbestos in the air. For example, in Libby, Montana - site of a former vermiculite asbestos mine - hundreds have already died of mesothelioma.

Though still significantly rarer than other cancers, an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Other countries, notably the United Kingdom and Australia, report a much higher incidence of the disease. Nevertheless, the United States - like many other countries - has seen an increase in asbestos-caused cancer as men who worked in U.S. shipyards in the 1940s and 1950s, at the height of production, are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

A Healthy Breakfast and its importance

2011-06-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

We know exactly what the morning scene looks like in your house. Kids are waking up late, no one can find clean clothes, the teenage sister is hogging the bathroom, and you just found out that your son’s science project is duu today! Mornings in a family house can seem like out of control tornadoes threatening to wreck your entire day. It’s easy, then, to press a toasted pop-tart into each of your children’s hands as they scoot out the door to catch the bus and call it breakfast. But, while this breakfast choice is easier, you may selling your child short.

Healthy Breakfast Cereal Choices

Many breakfast cereals and breakfast pastries contain high amounts of sugar which gives your child “crash and burn” energy. This sugary breakfast food will give your kid high levels of frantic energy for about two hours and will then leave him or her with almost nothing to get through the rest of the day on.

Instead of giving your child the chocolatey, sugary, fruity cereal that happens to be popular in the moment, try to find cereals for your children that are made with whole grains. Many popular cereals are making the move to whole grains which sustain young minds for longer periods of time. Now, we know that kids love sweets, but instead of choosing a cereal loaded with sugar, try to find a slightly sweet cereal and dress it up with some of these suggestions:

Blueberries
Strawberries
Bananas
Wheat Germ
Apple Slices
Raspberries

Your kids will love the different tastes and textures of real fruit in their cereal bowls. Of course, cereal and fruit alone won’t be enough to sustain your child. All children need a healthy balance of carbohydrates and protein for their morning meal.

You can serve your kids healthy protein by making turkey bacon or turkey sausage which has all the flavor of breakfast meats without all the harmful fats. Or, try grilling lean ham or lean chicken strips and mixing them into a couple of eggs for a protein-rich omelet that your kids will love!

Alkalizing and alkaline food/drinks for your health

2011-06-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Alkalizing food

Alkalizing your body does not have to take a radical change to your eating habits. The most important thing is that you take steps to add highly alkaline foods into your diet. GREEN VEGETABLES are the most highly alkaline foods on the planet. If you are going to have a steak for dinner (which is a highly acid-forming food) be sure to at least start off your meal with a big salad (with no cheese and light dressing), and have some steamed or fresh veggies as a side-dish instead of the baked potato (also acid-forming) low fat food and snacks. This will help your body to counter-act the acidic byproducts with healthy alkaline byproducts.

Another tip is to supercharge your body with an ALKALIZING DRINK.

After a long night’s sleep, your body is often dehydrated and craving nutrients. Drinking some water with fresh-squeezed LEMON JUICE is highly alkalizing and nourishing for the body. In fact, you can get lemons anywhere: in a bar, restaurant or even at work. Just chop one up and create a highly alkalizing beverage. I often take fresh lemon water in the afternoon at work when my co-workers are running for a Starbucks. In fact, I’ve cut coffee completely out of my diet. I’ve found that once my body has detoxified from all the garbage I was putting in it, my need for caffeine has gone down a lot. This is not only healthier, but easier on your pocket-book than a twice daily latte habit!

Another way to super-charge your body, is to buy a GREENS POWEDER. There are many varieties out there, and most have dried greens from many sources, phytonutrients and lots of vitamins. You just stir a spoonful with some water or juice and you’re ready to go. I take 1-2 servings of a green drink every single day. In fact, I start off my day with one. I prefer to drink mine (I like the Greens First brand) on an empty stomach, about 1 hour before eating breakfast, right after waking up. Energise for life has a lot more information on produdcts for alklaine diets or general wellness. They also have a great blog with tips for getting and staying really healthy.

Lastly, if you are an athlete, you may be wondering how to keep the body alkaline while also getting in lots of protein every day. There are alkaline sources of protein, including tofu and lenils, certain nuts like almonds and brazil nuts and certain grains like Quinoa and Spelt. There are also some very good whole food supplements that are very high in protein. Personally, I take 1-2 servings of Vega every day. It tastes great, is highly alkalizing and is very high in protein (25 grams per 300 calorie serving).

Homeopathy is the best remedy for treating children's allergies

2011-06-21T02:12:00.000-07:00

Homeopathy treats allergies safely and effectively. The treatment approach is holistic for both acute seasonal and chronic allergies of all types. In my practice, I first treat flagrant, acute allergic conditions that children develop during the allergy season. I, thereafter, prescribe the ‘constitutional’ remedy, that resolves allergies from the inside-out, during the symptom-free part of the year. This is also the remedy that suits a child’s unique, individual temperament best.

Many children are born with allergic conditions. Some develop sinusitis and asthma, when their symptoms are suppressed by conventional medicines. For caring parents, such unpleasant consequences are annoying. Children love pets, such as dogs and cats. Some children are extremely allergic to pets; so, parents would do well to trim their pet’s hair. Homeopathy has an effective medicine to treat this allergic response too.

In a review published in The British Medical Journal (2000), researchers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK, a homeopathic hospital, and the University of Sydney, Australia, reported the outcome of a multi-centred, double-blind, placebo-controlled allergy study. It clearly showed the benefits of homeopathic treatment when compared with placebo (dummy pills). The same article also highlighted a statistical analysis of four independent studies pulled together. This included the referred study, in addition to three previous similar studies. The results showed a clear improvement after homeopathic treatment as compared with placebo.

Homeopathy pioneered the research and treatment of allergies. To cull a fascinating example — severe allergic reaction to bee stings is treated gently and effectively with Apis Mellifica, a homeopathic medicine made from honeybee. Picture this. It was the British homeopath C H Blackely who suggested, in 1871, that seasonal sneezing and nasal surges were triggered by exposure to pollen!

Menopausal problems can be solved effectively by homeopathy

2011-06-21T02:09:00.000-07:00

When a woman’s life changes from the ‘fertile’ to ‘non-fertile’ years, there may be weight gain, loss of sex drive and also hot flushes. It is suggested that hormonal changes are to blame for the onset of menopausal symptoms — this may in some instances last 5-7 years. Nearly 45 per cent of women who take treatment for their menopausal symptoms are given prescription hormones by conventional physicians. An equal number opt for the use of holistic treatment or natural therapies, such as homeopathy, for safe and effective relief, or they simply learn to live with symptoms as part of a woman’s life. It is a fact that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) comes with its share of problems — increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer etc.

Homeopathy is a safe, gentle form of treatment. It helps to deal with women’s health issues, including menopausal problems, safely — as nature wanted it to be, without the side-effect profile of conventional medications or treatment. In a study, 80 out of 102 patients reported improvement of menopause symptoms after homeopathic treatment. The primary symptoms were hot flushes, sweating and tiredness, anxiety, sleeping problems, mood swings and headaches. Those referred to homeopathy could not take HRT, or HRT was unsuccessful, or did not want to, or had to come off HRT.

The homeopathic remedy Lachesis is useful during menopause with nosebleed, headache, hot flushes and burning on the vertex. It relieves the discomfort of women who may have never felt well since menopause. Other equally helpful remedies are Pulsatilla, Sepia etc., selected on the basis, or nature, of presenting symptoms in an office consultation with a homeopathic physician.

The addiction from smoking, some facts

2011-06-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

Smoking Addiction

The nicotine in cigarettes acts on that particular area of the brain which produces feelings of pleasure and reward. This is, quite possibly, one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to give up smoking – who would want to do away with pleasure and reward? And that too in as less as 8 seconds – yes, that’s all the time it requires for nicotine to reach the brain once you take your first puff of the cigarette.

However, nicotine also has many harmful effects on the lungs, heart, blood pressure and other organs apart from making you look and feel much older than you are (call it the rapid ageing effect). The brain literally craves for nicotine in its absence and this leads to the addictive effect.

When a person who is addicted to smoking gives up cigarettes, initially he/she experiences feelings of depression, frustration, irritability and restlessness. This can get quite overwhelming and in 90% of cases drives the person to take ‘just one more puff’ and down into the drain goes your resolution to quit smoking – once again.

How do we remedy this, in case you really really want to give up smoking? Homeopathy has an answer – and a simple yet effective one. Tabaccum is one of the remedies that helps you curb the craving for smoking and also helps the nicotine-withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, giddiness, lack of concentration, etc. Caladium seguinum is another very useful remedy that helps to quit smoking without experiencing any major withdrawal symptoms.

One important thing to be kept in mind is not to be affected by what others say about your resolution to quit smoking – there will always be people to push you to take just one more cigarette or those who will discourage you from quitting. However, in the end, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you, your health and your family.

Homeopathic treatment for managing health

2011-06-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

Stress is often an outcome of shock, grief, disappointment or life-changes. When stress is left untreated, stress responses can become longterm, or chronic. Stress and health are closely linked. And homeopathy helps to rebalance the mind and emotions. It is effective in people of all ages — from children with emotional or behavioural problems to adults bogged down by stress, anxiety, marital discord, or job loss. Ignatia Amara, for example, is useful for stress associated with a sad event, or after shock, apprehension and emotional despondency. Natrum Muriaticum is, likewise, effective in stress, accompanied by intense fear. Piper Methysticum is useful for general or everyday stress.

There are a handful of practical measures that can help one to reduce and manage stress in conjunction with homeopathic treatment. They are: try to do something different, when stressed or anxious; practice relaxation techniques, or listen to soft music, and sing or dance along. Or help others, be with others, speak to or visit friends. Physical exercise — walking, swimming, working-out at the gym, cycling, or taking the stairs instead of the lift — is also useful. Likewise, a hobby can be relaxing and enjoyable. Most important: don’t “take” stress always. Learn to say no.

In a national survey, conducted by The Society of Homeopaths, UK, and published in the reputed journal, The Homeopath, 87 per cent of patients who complained of stress related mental and emotional problems reported positive changes after homeopathic treatment.

Low fat food and snacks

2011-06-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of some low-fat foods and low-fat snacks.

Most fruits and veggies are naturally low in fat. Some, such as the avocado, are very high in fat, but the fat is monounsaturated. This type of healthy fat has its own benefits, such as helping to lower cholesterol.
Nuts: peanut butter, almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios and most other nuts are a good choice for low-fat snacks.

Seeds: Sunflower, pumpkin and sesame
Whole grain breads and other grains such as oatmeal, popcorn and barley
Dairy: Choose skim or 1% milk, low-fat yogurt and cheeses
There are many great low-fat snack options
- Popcorn (of course, you’ll want to skip the butter)
- Angel food cake
- Cookies made with whole grain, such as oatmeal cookies
- Low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Pretzels
- Certain crackers

Even if you go to the store armed with a low-fat foods list, you still need to read every label when choosing items. Ignore the front labels which can be misleading. Make your decisions based on what is on the nutrition labels.

Low Fat Foods That Fill You Up

Following a low-fat diet does not mean that you have to feel hungry. There are many low-fat foods that are very filling.

Oatmeal
Soup – Naturally, you will want to avoid heavy, creamy options and choose a healthier soup.
Pasta – whole grain is best
Legumes are a wonderful, filling option.

A low-fat foods list is not the end all and be all of good health. Still, if you cut down on “bad” fats while increasing your intake of “good” fats that can have a very positive impact on your weight and your health.

Richest Carbohydrate foods

2011-06-11T02:02:00.001-07:00

Carbohydrates are the elements of food that provide us with the crucial energy required to get through the day. We need carbs to survive. However, if too many carbs are consumed and not enough carbs are converted to usable energy, the leftovers are transformed into fat reserves: your body is attempting to save those carbs for a rainy day, and you end up with a spare tire around your midriff.

The solution, however, is not to cut carbohydrates out of your diet completely. This is unwise and very dangerous. Instead, you simply need to count the number of carbohydrates you consume on a daily basis. You can achieve this with a simple carbohydrate food list. An example of such a list is provided below:

Whole Wheat Bread, x carbs
One Green Apple, x carbs
Linguine Pasta, x carbs
Potato Chips, x carbs
Yogurt, x carbs
Ice Cream, x carbs

It’s simple, isn’t it? To begin, jot down a list of the foods you eat on a regular basis. You can include anything on this list, even foods that you suppose to be a little on the unhealthy side. Next, research the carbohydrate content of all the foods on your list and jot down the carb content next to the food item. This process will help to educate you about the foods you eat, as well. If you want to make your list a little more thorough, you can convert it into a starch food list or amino acid food list by jotting down those content numbers as well. Now, you have a list of your favorite foods with an easily referenced guide as to how many carbohydrates each serving of a particular food contains.
Carbohydrate Counting Food List

Once you have your carbohydrate food list, it’s time to start counting those carbs! First, determine how many carbs you should be consuming every day in order to either lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. This number will depend upon your activity level, your age, your height and your weight. You can find this information on any health reference website. Once you know the magic number, you can start referencing each food you eat to determine how many carbs it contains. Keep a careful log of your carb intake, and adjust your diet if necessary!

A List of the most healthy food

2011-06-11T02:01:00.001-07:00

A common misconception is that all healthy food is either fat-free, carb-free, or sugar-free. This is simply not true. None of these things we’ve mentioned are inherently bad. Sugars, carbohydrates, and even fat have their place in a healthy, balanced diet. That’s the key: balance. When we list healthy diet food, we are focusing on foods that offer a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It is important to access these nutrients from a variety of different sources because different foods offer different advantages and disadvantages. Spinach, while it is one of the healthiest vegetables, cannot provide you all the nutrients you need to live a healthy life. A diet of only spinach would be a dangerous diet in deed, unless you’re a rabbit.

A good list of healthy food is divided into several different subsections. These sections take into account all the different nutrients and vitamins you will need for healthy survival. Here is an example of an incomplete list of healthy food:

Lean Protein: Lean red meat, chicken, turkey or wild caught fish will provide you with lean protein. Eggs are also good protein sources.
Simple Carbohydrates: Fruits and fruit juices will provide you with easy to digest carbs for quick energy
Complex Carbohydrates: Pasta, Whole Grains, Whole Wheat Bread, Brown Rice, and Bran are great sources of slow-digesting carbohydrates for long term energy.
Vitamin K: For Vitamin K, seek out dark, leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin C: Bright orange and red foods have plenty of Vitamin C; try oranges, lemons and red bell peppers.
Calcium: Skim milk and fresh cheese will provide you with ample amounts of calcium for strong and healthy bones.

List Healthy Diet Food In Groups

As you can see, a good and thorough list of healthy food gives you plenty of information of the different vitamins and nutrients offered from a variety of different foods. With a list such as this, you can easily pick food items from each category to ensure that you and your family are receiving the nutrition that you need. Without this easy categorized list, you may neglect a crucial nutrient from your diet.

Cheap but healthy meals for your family

2011-06-11T02:00:00.001-07:00

Many adults think that the only way to find healthy food is by going to a fresh farmer’s market or a store like Whole Foods Market. Now, these stores do offer a wider selection of wholesome, organic, and nutritious foods; however, the foods at these locations may cost a little more. However, you can find wholesome and nutritious, healthy choices at your local grocery store if you only know where to look! With a little careful planning, and some thrifty tips and tricks, you can quickly be preparing healthy meals for your family at a fraction of the cost!

Healthy Budget Meals

If you are on the lookout for healthy meal options, good for you! Deciding to change your diet is the first step in transforming your life. Here are some things to think about when you are navigating through the overstocked aisles of your local grocery store. Remember, you don’t have to break the bank if you know where to look!

Grab the whole grains: Most grocery stores are beginning to stock bread, pasta and rice in whole grain options for only a few pennies more. Opt for whole grains instead of processed grains for a dramatic lifestyle change!
Switch from whole milk to 2% or skim: This healthy tip will actually help you to save money! 2% and skim milk has less milkfat than whole milk and can cost up to a dollar less per gallon!
Go for Poultry: Instead of loading up on expensive read meat, plan to have poultry for most of your meals. Lean chicken and turkey is nutritious and less expensive than red meat with less fat!
Frozen Foods are Your Friends: Instead of wasting money on fruits and vegetables that are going to go bad, stock up on freshly frozen vegetables and fruits that you can steam in five minutes for your family’s dining room table! Vegetables like broccoli, peas, and Brussels sprouts come in healthy, frozen options that will keep for months at a time! No more wasted produce!
Turkey, Turkey, Turkey: Skip the pork sausage and the fatty bacon and go for some turkey sausage or turkey bacon. This meat product is leaner, healthier and still tastes delicious. Your family will barely be able to tell the difference!

Most Healthy and Unhealthy food for your family

2011-06-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

Your grocery store may seem like a living headache, but odds are it’s actually loaded with foods that are high in nutrition and low in adverse effects. You simply have to know where to look. The first rule of thumb is: fresh is the best. Avoid foods that are overly processed or foods that possess a high number of additives; your family doesn’t need those. If you are at the end of your rope, play it safe by picking foods from this list of the 10 most healthy foods:

Broccoli, Zucchini, Green Bell Pepper: Dark green is your friend at the grocery store. These vegetables pack a nutritious punch.
Oranges, Red Bell Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers: the brighter the color, the better the produce. Choose these fiery colored fruits and vegetables for your Vitamin C.
Tea: This flavorful beverage often gets overlooked in the grocery store, but tea is one of the great soldiers for human health!
Salmon: arguably the best fish available, salmon is loaded with vitamins and nutritious fatty acids.
Spinach: Popeye knew what he was talking about. Spinach is chock full of iron and Vitamin K.
Walnuts, Almonds, Unsalted Peanuts: we need fat in our diet, and unsalted nuts are a great source of good fat and great protein.
Tomatoes: brimming with amazing levels of lycopene, tomatoes are crucial to a healthy life!
Turkey: instead of fatty red meat or boring chicken, spice things up with lean and delicious turkey breast!
Berries: blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are great snacks with lots of nutrition.
Yogurt: it’s creamy and delicous, but yogurt also contains live bacteria cultures which are essential for healthy digestion.

It really is as simple as that. If you and your family eat three servings of each of those food items every week, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy lifestyle!

Most Unhealthy Foods

It’s not enough to just include the good, you have to exclude the bad to change your life! Avoid buying these no-good foods:

Potato Chips or Corn Chips
Frozen Potatoes, Frozen French Fries, Frozen Tater Tots
Canned Fruit in Corn Syrup
French Vanilla Ice Cream
Enriched White Bread

A balanced diet menu for staying fit and healthy

2011-06-11T01:57:00.001-07:00

Most Americans have learned, by now, that a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your family. Kids, on the other hand, are not thinking about balance. Instead, they are usually thinking about three things: pizza, candy, and sugar. While we won’t deny that a child’s idea of a balanced menu is appealing at times, we mothers know better. How, then can you teach your child the importance of a balanced diet in a way that will actually stick to their brains the way jelly sticks to their faces?

The Food Pyramid Menu

Years ago, the United States government was wrestling with this exact problem, and they came up with a pretty ingenious solution to the dilemma of mothers nationwide: the Food Pyramid Menu. This colorful artistic rendering illustrates to a child, and to a husband, the proper way to balance the foods that you eat. The food pyramid shows exactly how many servings of each food group should be consumed on a daily level. If you need a refresher, here are the levels of the food pyramid:

Tier 1: Whole Grains. The Food Pyramid recommends six to eleven servings of quality, whole grains every day.
Tier 2: Vegetables. Fresh, Frozen or Canned, the Food Pyramid recommends between four and seven servings of vegetables daily.
Tier 2: Fruits. Fruits have higher sugar content, so the recommendation is a little bit lower than vegetables: about three to five servings.
Tier 3: Meats and Protein. Eggs, Fish, Beef, Poultry, Ham, everyone needs their protein. About two to three servings a day.
Tier 3: Dairy and Cheese. Dairy products are loaded with calcium and other vitamins. At least two servings a day.
Tier 4: The no-no Tier. Sweets, Sugar, and Starches. If you must eat from this tier, keep it to a minimum. One serving a day.

Easy and healthy lunch for kids

2011-06-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

The key to serving sandwich combos for quick and healthy lunches is to pair each main part of the lunch up with a fruit or side dish. Many combinations can be made this way, adding variety to kids’ diets. SOme suggested pairings include the following lunch combinations. Adding a snack food may be necessary at times when there is a long break between lunch and dinner. Pretzels, popcorn, and crackers are popular choices for older children.

1. Egg Salad & Apple Cinnamon Wedges: Prepare a few hardboiled eggs and dice. Mix with mayonaise and serve on wheat bread or toast with a few lettuce leaves. Apple wedges can be seasoned with a cinnamon and sugar mix.

2. Tuna Melts & Side Salad: Tuna melts are easy to prepare. Mix canned tuna with some mayonaise and spread on a slice of wheat bread (openfaced). Place in a toaster oven or broil in the oven after placing a slice of cheese on top until cheese melts. Tomato and lettuce may also be added, and a toasted slice of wheat bread can top the final sandwich.

3. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup: Lightly butter two slices of wheat bread and place one in a warmed skillet or pan on the stove. Put a slice of cheese on top of one slice and cover with the second slice. Flip once. Cook until toast is tan to brown in color. Tomato soup can be warmed stovetop or microwaved and served with the grilled cheese. Some kids like to dip the sandwich in the soup.

4. Turkey & Red Grapes: Dress up a turkey sandwich with some lettuce, tomato, and any other healthy food that will fit on the bread. Thin sliced turkey from the grocery deli works best for kids. Red grapes can be served on the side. This is a great lunch for warmer weather.

5. Ham & Cheese with Applesauce: The classic ham and cheese sandwich can be made many ways. Start with wheat bread and choose Swiss, Cheddar, or American Cheese and some light mayo or mild mustard. Put all together on the bread and serve with a side of applesauce.

Soup Lunches

Soup lunch combinations can be prepared easily and are great choices for winter months. Homemade soups are the healthiest, but even prepared canned soups are often better than fast food choices. Pair each soup with a side and offer saltine or oyster crackers to garnish the soup.

1. Chicken Noodle Soup & Crackers with side of Yogurt
2. Vegetable Soup & Fruit Slices

Happy Face Pizzas

These easy to make pizzas can be one of the first meals that children can learn to make with you in the kitchen. English muffins, pizza sauce, mozzerella chees, and a few toppings are the main ingredients for this kid friendly lunch. Place English Muffins open face on a cookie sheet or toaster oven rack and spread some pizza sauce on. Sprinkle mozzerella cheese generously over the sauce and top with favorite pizza toppings to make a “face” on each muffin. Broil in the oven or toaster oven for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and started to turn golden at the edges. Serve with some fruit slices, side salad, or yogurt.

Roll Ups

Roll Ups are a variation of the typical sandwich. Purchase some soft tortilla or quesedillas (vegetable, whole wheat, plain) and place some lunchmeat, light condiment spread, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, or any number of other combinations on the flatbread tortilla or quesedilla. Roll up and secure with a toothpick. Larger sizes may be cut into small, kid-sized slices. Serve with some side dips or plain.

Pasta!

Kids seem to love pasta and there are many fun varieties on the market to add pasta as a regular lunch meal. Whole wheat pasta is available, as well as many vegetable based, colored pastas, fun-shaped pastas, and the classic spaghetti noodles. Add some spaghetti sauce or butter and parmesan cheese to make a quick lunch for kids. Serve with a small side salad, slice of garlic toast, or fruit.

Fresh Salad Bowls

Fresh salads make a great lunch for kids, especially when they include vegetables or fruits. Pre-bagged salad mixes offer a variety of different salad blends that are extremely easy to serve as lunch. Toss in your own extra carrot shavings, shredded cheeses, croutons, cucumbers, or other salad staples. The greener the lettuce, the healthier, so choose some of the greener blends once in awhile for better nutritional value. Lunch meats can be sliced into small strips and added to make Cobb type salads. Add spinach to any salad by purchasing a bag of fresh baby spinach and adding it to a regular salad mix.

High Calorie Food for Easy Weight Gain

2011-06-11T01:54:00.001-07:00

The calorie is the basic unit of energy in all the foods we eat. Calories come from different sources: some come from protein, others come from carbohydrates that are complex and digest slowly, and still others come from simple carbohydrates like sugars that turn quickly into fat. It’s true that to gain weight you have to increase your caloric intake. There is no beating around this simple fact. However, you can be selective as to which high calorie foods you take in to increase your chances of healthy weight gain.

Not all foods are created equal. Some foods have a higher calorie density than other foods: this means that one cup of one food may have more calories than a cup of another food because the calories are more concentrated. If you need to gain healthy weight, you need to focus on calories from four major areas:

Calorie-Dense Proteins: Things like red meat, peanuts, pork, sausage, and salamis have a lot of protein which means a lot of good calories. You should incorporate protein-rich foods into your diet plan.
Complex Carbohydrates: Pasta, whole grains, cereal, potatoes, beans and rice all have high levels of complex carbs which means weight gain.
Simple Carbohydrates: For gaining weight, skip the vegetables and try eating more fruits filled with fructose, a sugar that is a simple carbohydrate.
Good Fats: A tablespoon of olive oil, peanut butter, or flaxseed oil is loaded with good calories from good fats for healthy weight gain.

Healthy Weight Gain

Weight gain can be very crucial for your health. If you are preparing to complete a lot of strenuous activity, you should prepare for this by building up as much muscle mass as you can. You do this by ingesting higher levels of proteins and complex carbs. Being conscious of the things you eat will make you have healthy weight gain and not useless weight gain.

Soya milk and Pregnancy

2011-06-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Soya milk is rich in lean plant protein. As proteins are considered the building blocks of the body, it can prove to be very useful for the developing fetus. Besides, it can also serve as a source of nourishment for the mother. As the fetus derives its nourishment from its mothers diet, it can also benefit from soy milk. Earlier soya milk was linked to breast cancer in mothers. However, a study has not only proved the correlation wrong, but has also established the fact that soy milk actually reduces the risk of cancer. However, as the study was conducted on only a few subjects, its findings are questionable. Nonetheless, there is also no evidence to suggest that soya milk affects the mother's health negatively.
The most serious argument regarding soya milk dangers during pregnancy is that it affects the male fetuses. Isoflavone in soya milk is a phytoestrogen, meaning it mimics the role of estrogen in the body. This isoflavone can adversely affect the size of male fetus's genitalia. The effect of phtyoestrogen on a baby's penis size is inversely proportional to the soya milk consumed by the mother. Again, there is no solid evidence to back this argument. There is no way of knowing, if phytoestrogen can actually enter the placenta and cause undesirable effects in the baby's body.

In short, there is no clinical evidence that can support either of the arguments. While it is known that many women drink soya milk without experiencing any undesirable effects, there are still no known cases that suggest negative implications of soy milk. In that regard, the answer to the question 'is soya milk safe during pregnancy' is yes. However, you may still want to take some caution and limit your intake of soy milk. This will enable you to derive nourishment from it, without exposing your baby to any unknown hazard of soya milk.

Women with known allergy to soya milk should look for other alternatives during pregnancy, so as not to trigger the allergic response. If you intend to give up soy milk and resort to cow's milk, then make sure you are drinking only pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk can induce several health risks for mother as well as baby.

Diet for brain development during pregnancy

2011-06-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone is aware of the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy. It is important to understand that what you eat and the way you eat determines the health and wellbeing of the developing organs of the fetus; especially the brain. The most important organs like the heart, brain, hands, feet, etc., start to develop from the 4th week of pregnancy. However, women should start consuming healthy food as soon as they find out about their pregnancy. Experts even advocate that women should make proper dietary changes beforehand, while trying to conceive.

According to experts, a pregnant woman should consume at least 300 extra calories so that both the mother and the unborn baby can get enough amount of energy. There are various nutrients that women should include in their daily diet. These nutrients are, omega 3 fatty acids, Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, (which is one of the essential omega 3 fatty acids), protein, iron, folic acid, various natural sources of antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, choline, zinc, calcium, iodine, etc. All these nutrients are abundantly available in nature and hence rather than nutritional supplements, it is always crucial to consume their healthy natural sources. Here are the healthy foods for brain development during pregnancy.

Seafood
As all of us are aware, seafood, especially fatty fish, is an excellent natural source of omega 3 fatty acids and DHA fatty acids. Since the human body does not produce DHA, gaining both these substances from their naturally available sources is extremely important for early brain development of the fetus. Some of the best fish types that a pregnant woman can eat include Atlantic salmon, Pacific cod fish, tuna (avoid white canned tuna). Along with these fish, they may also eat other seafood like crab, catfish, pollock, shrimp and tilapia. It is important to stay away from all large and predatory fishes, since they may contain mercury and many other toxic substances that are extremely harmful for both mother and the unborn baby. Foods that are advocated to be consumed, should be consumed in a limited amount (6 oz per week). It is also important to avoid eating raw and undercooked seafood, which bring in the risk of food poisoning.

Vegetables
There is nothing healthier than fresh, dark, green and leafy vegetables. These vegetables are rich in folic acid and iron; both of which are crucial for baby brain development. Consumption of fresh and green leafy vegetables during first trimester of pregnancy is extremely important. The first trimester is the time when the baby brain and nerves start to develop. Various vegetables like spinach, all the types lettuce, collard greens, kale, arugula, dandelion greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, etc., strengthen the neural tube and prevent the unborn baby from various birth defects like spina bifida. Along with folic acid, vegetables are also a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. As a result, pregnant women need to consume fresh and raw forms of the aforementioned vegetables as much as possible. They can consume vegetables by preparing salads, stir fried, vegetable wraps, and vegetable juices and soups!

Meats
Along with seafood, other animal food sources like lean meat parts of chicken, turkey, beef and pork are rich sources of calories, protein, and zinc. It is the reason why meats are one of the important foods for brain development in pregnancy. According to the experts, a pregnant woman should consume at least one serving of lean meats every day. Meats like beef liver is also a rich source or choline, which is an important nutrient for early brain development.

However, when it comes to meat, it is always advisable to stay away from raw meat, raw poultry (turkey or chicken), deli, refrigerated pates, raw meats, meat spreads, etc.; as a precaution for food poisoning during pregnancy which could prove fatal for you and the baby. Uncooked and undercooked meats should also be strictly avoided. Always make it a point to eat meats that are thoroughly cooked. Once cooked, you can enjoy the meats in various forms.

Dairy
Various dairy products like milk, yogurt, various types of cheese, buttermilk, etc., are some of the healthy foods that help brain development in prenatal stages. Various dairy products including milk products and eggs are a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, calcium and iodine. All these nutrients are extremely healthy for mental growth, memory and a healthy brain. Drinking three cups of milk daily is said to be extremely crucial to prevent various mental defects like mental retardation and unhealthy bone structure of the brain. If you are overweight, then you may consume skimmed or low fat version of various dairy products.

However, it is important to not to exclude milk products from your daily diet. Make sure that you are consuming milk products that are healthy, cooked and pasteurized. As far as eggs are concerned, you need to avoid consumption of raw and undercooked eggs.

Consumption of whole grains, lentils, legumes, beans and nuts is also beneficial, since these are rich and vegan sources of nutrients for pregnant women. As far as consumption and serving size of the aforementioned foods for brain development during pregnancy is concerned, it is always advisable for you to consult the ob-gyn and dietitian first.

Anti Aging Skin Care Tips

2011-06-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wrinkled skin is typically the first sign indicating that age is catching up. As human nature would have it but, most folks wish to appear sensible even in recent age. Unfortunately, the wrinkled and later sagging skins do nothing to flatter folks's good look. With cosmetic surgery out of many individuals's concerns thanks to the expenses or risks connected to the identical, anti aging skin care product remain the only real other alternative for such folks. Most merchandise in the anti aging class target trouble areas just like the face, neck, hands and decollate.

As alternative product meant for the skin, anti aging skin care products are created to cater for various skin sorts. This means that that one is possible to get maximum benefits from the anti aging merchandise if she is tuned in to his or her skin type. Ideally, obtaining a dermatologist to hold out a skin take a look at and later recommending the anti aging brands to be used must be the best technique to travel concerning shopping for such product. If not, one should conduct thorough analysis on the offered choices.

Interestingly, manufacturers are aware of people's zeal to fight age. As such, one can expect to hunt out many misleading merchandise accessible. For instance, some product in the anti aging skin care bracket may not deliver on their promised results. To avoid being duped, customers want to be looking for unsubstantiated claims. One of the ideal ways in which that patrons will minimize the probability of being conned is by conducting some analysis before buying merchandise.

Overall, obtaining the correct anti aging skin care merchandise is analogous to several totally different selections that consumers have to form at some purpose in life. Making the correct client decision so needs one to realize some data referring to the various merchandise offered. As most dermatologists would readily tell however, no skin care regimen, no matter how sensible it's, will remedy for the hurt caused by skin-damaging lifestyles.

Steps to stay healthy

2011-06-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

1. Are aware that health is both mental and physical. To achieve the maximum enjoyment out of life, you need to pursue the care and feeding of both the body whilst your mind. Warning signs of distress that you saw should be understood has gone south all your body, not just the immediate area affected. Think of your wellbeing as a broad goal for both one's body and also your mind. Doctors found patients with medical conditions who received a variety of physical and mental therapies were two and a half times prone to making a long run successful recovery than patients who receive treatment only for the shape.
2. Relax a bit. You Can Worry Your well being Away.
Feeling beyond out of control, feeling feeling of dread, and feeling feeling of inadequacy are threats to the dispositions and also threats to the health habits. After we feel vulnerable, we're also not as likely to help keep living habits and a lot more prone to use unhealthy and excessive behaviors as being a comfort to our feelings. However, the relief is pretty temporary, even though the health effects are lasting. Doctors discovered that folks who experience high quantities of anxiety were up to seven times very likely to practice poor health habits.

3. Understand that the road into a fitness is situated in your home plus your health.
The road with a healthy life is not present in doctors' offices or hospitals. It's present in our homes and our everyday life. Enjoying your lifestyle as well as people around you will help with your state of health and reduced upshots of aging. Individuals who described their house lives as satisfying were 24 percent more prone to live beyond normal life expectancy.

4. View your Home Life.
The usual understanding has it realistically work stress could be the main hurdle to healthy living. For most of us, however, home our life is a far more significant element in general health than work life. The positive effect of your good home life is a lot more powerful versus the negative effect on the bad work life. Researchers who studied the consequence of training and marriage on health learned that the strain of ones job was unrelated to long-term high blood pressure. Those with strong marriages, though, showed an 8 percent improvement after a while. Those with struggling marriages, conversely, deteriorated by 6 percent

5. Maintain Healthy Relationships with Those people who are Important in Your health.
Our overall health is not only just an expression individuals habits, it is additionally an expression your lifestyle and the people around us. Those who enjoy strong relationships are healthier given that they feel less anxiety generally and are likely to cope with stressful situations better. Cherishing your relationships with family and friends is usually as essential to your quality of life as good nutrition and exercising.

Tips on Sugar intake during Pregnancy

2011-06-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

The primary function of a healthy diet is to provide the body with energy and nutrients. The most healthiest forms of food that can be converted to energy are carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are more prone to being used as energy, and most unlikely to be stored as fats. What is advised is pregnant women should get at least 60% of the total energy required from carbohydrates. So for example, if your total calorie consumption is 2000, around 1200 should be in the form of both simple and complex carbohydrates.

Simple carbs will comprise of sugar and other foods, that include powdered sugar, cakes, jam, jelly, pizzas, chocolates, processed foods, etc. So whenever you plan to combine simple and complex carbohydrates in your diet, make sure you consume more of complex carbs like whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and a small portion of simple carbs. Women tend to eat more calories during pregnancy, while supporting the 'eating-for-two' statement. The fact is that even if the mother is responsible for the nutrition and energy of the baby, the recommended intake is an extra 300 calories per day only, which takes care of the baby's requirements.

There has not been a standard recommendation for sugar intake during pregnancy. Every women will have a different rate of metabolism, and hence a fixed amount of sugar intake cannot be advised for all women in pregnancy. What experts suggest is that, a sugar intake amount depends on the blood glucose levels of the expecting mother, and the weight gain. Women who have minimum control on the blood sugar level, should avoid intake of sugar. Whereas, women who are required to increase weight during pregnancy, can have a higher amount of sugar. It is most strongly advised to keep the sugar intake minimum, otherwise, and more so when you are pregnant. You may consider consulting a doctor if you have been advised to increase your weight during pregnancy. So even if high sugar intake during pregnancy is not harmful for you, there has to be a moderate and balanced consumption.

Remember that sugar is not only sugar in a crystalline form, what we know as brown sugar, syrups, powdered sugar, etc. There are surely harmful, but Xylose, Lactose, Dextrose, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose, Corn syrups and sweeteners are all sugars. Processed and canned foods are also high in sugar. So when you plan to cut off the sweet delight, make sure you consider all these as well. After all, the health of your baby is the most important, so even the sweetest of carvings too, is a big and a bitter no!

Getting Pregnant with a boy child

2011-06-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to know how to have a boy. Maybe they think it’s important to continue the family bloodline, or maybe they already have girls and would love to have a son. The main thing is that they do have options when trying to conceive a boy.

Thanks to modern technology we now know that there are ‘how to get pregnant with a boy’ methods available that don’t involve deliberate mutilation. Some methods of conceiving a baby boy involve using the medical profession, whereas other methods of conception are cheaper and therefore available to everyone.

How to have a boy the medical way involves going to a gender selection clinic. Success rates and costs vary tremendously, and if you choose this route, you need to make careful checks on the clinic you use for conceiving a baby boy.

When you conceive on the early a part of your fertility window, you're allowing many viable, in any other case completely good boy sperm to die off before they may lead to a pregnancy and you're filling your fertility tract with hardy lady sperm that don't have any bother surviving for days.

So, to conceive a boy, you will need to pinpoint the top of your window - this means the day of (or the day after) ovulation. Sure, this technically "wastes" fertile days, however with the precise instruments, it would not necessarily matter as a lot as you think.

For gender choice that actually works, you need to be very precise. You can do this by getting a dependable ovulation predictor (I like saliva because I find it the most accurate) but get what works for you. Quaint methods like basal temperature, the rhythm technique, and cervical mucus leave much to be desired in my view as a result of they don't give you the exact yes / no reply that you just need.

Other Ways To Get Pregnant With A Son: Intercourse Positioning:

Undoubtedly, timing is essential, but it is not the one factor you'll have to address. You may wish to send the Y sperm to their target as quickly and efficiently as you possibly can as a result of they're weak. So, have intercourse in such a means that places this sperm as close to your cervix as is possible (deep penetration). This allows those fast little fellows every advantage.

Making Your PH Lower / Becoming Much less Acidic And Extra Alkaline:

Even when you do the whole lot I've already talked about (timing, intercourse positions), there's still yet one more variable to address. You'll want to deal with the Y sperm as gently as possible. The final means to do this is to lower your vaginal acidity. The reason for it's because boy sperm can't stand up to a high PH. So, to provide these guys the perfect probability, you may need to turn into extra alkaline. So many couples are scared off by this step, however there is no reason to be. Once more, the fitting tools make all the difference. And, the very best instrument here's a PH tester you can get at nutrition centers or on-line.

Once you employ this, you'll know where you stand. When you take a look at and end up being acidic or need to make alterations, don't be concerned, you'll be able to change this. One approach to lower is thru consuming an alkaline diet. (Yes, this requires an eating regimen for a small time frame, but it will be value it.) The second approach to get into the "boy zone" is by using alkalizing douches (and that is normally more than baking soda.) Now, this isn't as hard as it sounds. There are lists that may let you know what foods to eat and which douches to use.

Tips for maintaining healthy hair.

2011-06-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

1. Apply olive oil (or Musturd Oil) at bed time and wash off the hair next morning.
2. Boil mustard oil. A regular massage of this oil is helpful.
3. Always maintain a balanced diet with exercise for healthy hair. Drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables is probably the best way to achieving healthy hair.
4. Wash your hair with a paste of cooked Urad dal (black beans) and fenugreek (methi) 2-3 times a week.
5. Trim the hair every 4 to 5 weeks even if you are growing it.
6. Coconut oil mixed with lime- juice on the hair applied daily is also good for hair health .

7. Don't use any old rubber band as they tend to break or split hair. Instead just use a scrunchy or a fabric coated elastic band.
8. Don't brush wet hair too harshly because its three times weaker and more likely to break off mid strand. Towel dry hair first, then gently detangle using a wide toothed comb.
9. Rinsing your hair with lemon juice can bring life and shine back to dull hair.
10. If you have dandruff then apply a mixture of vinegar and water on the scalp before you go to bed. Keep it overnight. Rinse your head with vinegar water again in the morning. You will see the result within few weeks.
11. Another good way to get rid of dandruff is to soak ground fenugreek seeds overnight in water and massage the paste on the head, leaving it for a few minutes and then wash it.
12. Mix Banana in Honey and apply on hair for 30 - 40 min, and then wash it for that sheen in your hair.
13. For stopping your hair from getting grey, you can mix Bhringraj (Eclipta elba), Amala, corals, iron and black sesame seeds. It is very useful and even stops the graying of hair.
14. Another good way is to keep head of healthy hair is to Apply juice of green coriander leaves on the head.
15. Massage of olive oil and almond oil on your scalp is a good cure of dandruff.
16. Mash eight strawberries with one tablespoon mayonnaise. Massage into washed, damp hair. Cover with a shower cap, then a warm towel. Wash out with a shampoo/conditioner combination. This luscious mix of rich acidic berries will leave your hair both conditioned and with rich gloss.