Weight Loss Articles

21 Best Foods For Weight Reduction

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Losing weight can actually be a lot of fun! What you need to do is choose the right foods. So read on, and get yourself started on these natural wonder foods!

Eggs: Eggs have the best quality proteins, and low in calories and are one of the best foods for losing weight.

Oats: Rich in fiber, oats have a very high satiety value and are digested slowly. Oatmeal, rolled oats and even instant porridge oats will keep you full and healthy.

Lentils: They are high in soluble fiber and protein, and come in many varieties. Lentil protein regulates blood glucose and prevents build up of fat.

Blueberries: These are packed with antioxidants which help in fighting free radicals responsible for ageing and disease.

Skim milk: We all know that milk is a good source of protein, vitamins, calcium and other minerals. Skim milk gives you all these benefits minus the fat!

Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain phosphorus, licopene and have high water content. They are thus, good for your heart, keep you full and their tangy flavor makes them a versatile ingredient in almost all your cooking!

Sprouts: Bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts and sprouted pulses are extremely nutritious and tasty foods to add to your weight loss diet program.

Yoghurt: An ideal alternative to desserts, fruit with yoghurt/flavored yoghurt is a complete food rich in carbohydrates and protein.

Wild Salmon/Sardines: These are high in protein and omega 3 fatty acids, while being low in mercury. They help to maintain muscle and keep you heart healthy.

Green tea: Green tea is a natural antioxidant and contains theanine which is a stress buster. It can help to increase fat oxidation, and is a good alternative to traditional teas and coffee.

Apples: A healthy on-the-go fruit, apples are rich in soluble fiber and antioxidants.

Buckwheat: Unlike most cereals, buckwheat is high in fiber as well as protein. Include buckwheat pasta in your diet instead of normal pasta with lots of vegetables.

Pomegranates: These are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, folate and isoflavones. Opt for the seeds rather than the juice. This way you benefit from the fiber too!

Avocados: It is high in fat, but of the monounsaturated kind which is healthy.

Dried/frozen fruit: Apples, bananas, prunes, mango, papaya can be a good munching option when dried or frozen.

Parmesan: One serving of this flavorful cheese is good enough to satisfy your craving for cheese.

Steak: Organic beef is a good protein source which helps to retain muscle during weight loss.

Soy: Soybean is a known health food due to its fiber, omega 3 fats and isoflavone content. It can be had in the form of soy soups, soy milk, soy nuggets and in salads.

Olive oil: Olive oil has the highest monounsaturated fat content and also has anti inflammatory properties.

Pumpkins: This versatile vegetable is high in fiber and low in calories.

Spinach: Spinach provides you with iron, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin A, water and fiber.

[Via Diet Health Club – Click to read the full post]

7 Ways Recessions Impact Your Health

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Everyone knows about the financial burdens of the recession - lost income, layoffs, and depleted investment portfolios - and the people suffering from them. What has not been discussed so often are the health burdens increasingly falling on those very same people. Here are seven of the most serious and well-documented health-related implications.

Loss of health insurance: The most obvious recession-related threat to one’s health is the potential loss of health insurance. Because employers can deduct health expenses but individuals cannot, employees have come to rely on their jobs to provide them with health insurance coverage.

Depression: Something about the human brain makes us crave purpose and meaning from our lives. For most people, one’s occupation is a primary source of meaning, helping them to feel competent and worthwhile in addition to just paying the bills. So it’s no surprise that sudden, unexpected job loss is often enough to send someone spiraling into depression.

Anxiety: Few things are as anxiety-provoking as suddenly finding yourself out of a job. Especially worrisome are the eventual consequences of anxiety when it is left untreated. And, anxiety can bubble beneath the surface and devolve into full-blown depression.

Sleep deprivation: The tragic thing about so many of these health problems is that having one usually exposes you to a handful of others. Such is the case with sleep deprivation (both anxiety and depression are neurologically linked to sleep deprivation, a finding that was documented in the October 2007 issue of the scholarly journal Current Biology)

High blood pressure: People who suddenly lose their jobs face an increased risk of high blood pressure - even once they find new jobs! By forcing the heart to work harder at pumping blood, hypertension places undue strain on the entire body and in extreme cases can lead to total heart failure. Worst of all, hypertension is often referred to as a “silent killer” because many victims see no symptoms until serious problems surface later on.

Heart disease: Undetected and allowed to worsen, heart disease can form without early symptoms and eat away at your heart’s functioning until you (and doctors) are virtually powerless to heal it. And since unexpected job loss has already been linked to hypertension, it’s only logical that those who are laid off should be extra vigilant about adopting heart healthy habits.

Diabetes: Some readers might find it a stretch to tie a condition as debilitating and dreadful as diabetes to the stress of the recession. According to State University of New York sociologist Kate Strully, some 80% of people surveyed as having lost their jobs due to factors beyond their control (as is common today) developed problems including - among other things - diabetes in the eighteen months that followed.

[Via Shrinkage is Good – Click to read the full post]

15 Unhealthy Foods That You Think Are Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:32:00 +0000

There are many terms, the misleading advertising in the food industry today. Let us look at some examples of bad food, the supposedly healthy:

Diet soda: What is it good for? A sugar-free version of the popular carbonated drink, you can drink on the go. Why is it so bad? OK, so soda is terrible for you, but also the sugar and add to carcinogenic artificial sweeteners, which, in conjunction with artificial flavors and colors, in all soft drinks, and you have a recipe for a tumor in a Can.

Sushi with white rice and imitation crab meat or vegetables: What is it good for? Seaweed contains essential nutrients such as selenium, calcium, iodine and omega-3 fats. Sushi is almost always wrapped in seaweed. Why is it so bad? This garbage is not worthy to be called Sushi. There are only small, compact, high-glycemic, high calorie, carbohydrate Nuggets.

Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter: What is it good for? All peanut butter provides a healthy cardiovascular significant amount of mono unsaturated fats. Why is it so bad? Most commercial peanut butter with the same kind of sugar, cake with frosting. Reducing the fat makes it even worse, because more bad sugar is added and contain less healthy fat.

Fat-free or reduced-fat salad dressing Salary: What is it good for? Less fat, less calories. Plus, fat salad dressing, like lard May and Crisco. Sick. Why is it so bad? First, because out, if fat, sugar goes in. Either, or artificial flavors and sweeteners. Secondly, since many vegetables are fat soluble, take the fat out of the association of salad means less nutrients are absorbed into your body.

Anything with soybean: What is it good for? It’s not. But in the spirit of the argument: vegetarians and vegans eat the stuff, so it is in their protein diets.Why is it so bad? Straight up, soy is associated with lower testosterone and estrogen in men and is also associated with increased breast cancer risk in women.

Fruit juice, dried fruit, and fruit cocktail: What is it good for? Well, because fruit is good for you. It has a ton of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, not to mention fiber. What is it bad? Fruit juices and fruit cocktail normally have sugar added. Some fruit cocktails come in a thick sugar syrup. They receive no fiber from fruit juice, and the stuff usually has preservatives added.

Smart Food (Cheesy Popcorn): What is it good for? As cheesy popcorn is oh so tasty. Why is it so bad? Because you are really only eat popcorn equivalent of potato chips. Seriously, compare total calories, and you will find that you do not save much on the front of calories by eating smart food instead of chips.

Beans packaged in a sweet syrup like Boston Baked Beans: What is it good for? Baked beans are good for you because these types of beans are loaded with fiber optics. Why is it so bad? The sugary syrup, as much as in a can of soda, is only spike your blood sugar and insulin.

Granola, white pasta, pasta salad, English muffins, bagels, croutons and Pretzels (9th – 15th): What is it good for? Granola has some fiber, pasta salad has some vegetables, croutons make our crisp salad, English muffins are a step from bagels and pretzels are a fast low-fat snack. Why is it so bad? One Word: carbohydrates. All these foods are associated with corn syrup and / or processed white flour. These foods will spike your blood sugar faster than Bruce Lee would have kicked in the face.

[Via Healthvee – Click to read the full post]

Top 5 Secrets Your Dentist Will Never Spill

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:31:00 +0000

Your dentist always tells you to brush and floss your teeth, but there are tips that the doctor could be leaving out that could improve your oral hygiene.

You Can't Fool Your Dentist About Your Smoking: People who smoke try to cover it up with mints our mouthwash, but the smell of smoke is embedded in the mouth and gum tissue.

Bacteria Can Spread From Mom to Baby on Food, Cutlery: The bacteria that cause cavities can be spread from mother to baby through indirect contact, meaning if you share utensils or food.

Most People Clean Less Than a Quarter of Their Mouths When They Brush: Most people, if they brush for 30 seconds, think it's a long time. Proper oral hygiene requires five minutes of brushing and flossing every day. This includes two to three minutes of brushing your teeth and one to two minutes of flossing. The average adult brushes 30 seconds total each time and kids do even less.

Over bleaching Can Make Teeth Translucent: If you bleach your teeth too often, it can thin the enamel. Your teeth can end up almost translucent.

Don't Get the Deep Cleaning When You Only Need the Regular Kind: Some dentists will say you need a deep cleaning because they can charge your insurance company more for that than for a standard cleaning. But unless an exam shows you have a lot of tartar on your roots or other specific signs of disease, you probably don't need it.

[Via ABC News – Click to read the full post]

20 Fascinating Facts About The Natural Healing Power Of Bananas

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Here is a story that even a monkey would go ape about. A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain. When compared to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. No wonder monkeys are so happy all the time!

Energy Boost: Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

PMS: The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Depression: Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Blood Pressure: The US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Hangovers: The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Quit Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Overweight at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

[Via The Thinking Blog – Click to read the full post]

Give Up Smoking Today Or Face The Consequences

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Smoking is injurious to health, you can find this logo on every cigarette packet but people still indulge in this habit. In spite of knowing its harmful effects, people take this poison and destroy their lives. Even though smoking is not the solution to your stress, people do not give up cigarettes. The feeling obtained after consuming a cigarette is relaxing and makes the person forget his troubles for some time. But the worst part is they are highly toxic and can lead to numerous health hazards.

How is nicotine addiction and weight gain related?: Nicotine diminishes your appetite and therefore food intake is less. Once you quite smoking, appetite levels are restored and you crave for food. The over indulgence in food makes you plump and gain weight rapidly.

Giving up smoking: Giving up smoking is a hectic process and many people do not have enough will power to take a strong decision. You can get help of from many websites and guides which is available on net to guide you in the right path. Follow them regularly and you can find relief from your illness. Stop smoking and stay healthy forever.

[Via HealthCareLogy – Click to read the full post]

The 7 Secret Foods that Only the Healthiest People in the World Eat

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:40:00 +0000

These foods are from the corners of the world and they will pack a super-punch into your everyday diet.

Cacao (Raw Chocolate): Raw chocolate is one of the most powerful sources of magnesium on the planet. Not only does magnesium help with alertness and activity, it also helps elevate your mood. Raw chocolate also contains tryptophan--an essential amino acid--which helps naturally produce serotonin in your body. This is great news for those who need an emotional boost.

Goji Berries: This little, bright red berry from China is one of the most potent sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C. These are both fantastic antioxidants. Goji berries also contain 18 amino acids and over 21 minerals which give them a serious power-punch to anyone’s system. Goji berries help stimulate your body’s natural human growth hormone which is critical in anti-aging and longevity.

Maca: Maca is a Peruvian root powder that is used to increase strength and vitality. It has more mineral content than potatoes and carrots--containing iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iodine. The Peruvians and many others claim, Maca can help fight depression, help with anemia and improve overall memory and vitality.

Raw Honey: Raw honey contains enzymes, phytonutrients, resins and propolis--bee glue. This unique combination of properties makes it versatile not only as a food, but as an anti-bacterial agent. Raw honey can raise antioxidant levels in the body, restore muscle glycogen after a workout and help lower cholesterol and the risk of certain cancers.

Spirulina: Spirulina is an algae that has high vegetable protein content, is high in B-12 vitamins and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). GLA and Vitamin B-12 are connected to mood, memory and general energy vitality. Many people believe that low B-12 levels for long periods of time is actually the cause of "old age" symptoms--fatigue, memory loss, confusion, etc.

Sea Vegetables: Sea vegetables are grown in an environment full on minerals that our body needs for optimal health--the ocean. The ocean water has up to 92 minerals can be absorbed by the plants growing in the sea. This makes sea vegetables are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

Pumpkin Seeds: The raw pumpkin seed, just like the cacao bean, is another feel good food. It is a great source of magnesium and tryptophan. You can find this super-seed right in your backyard if you live in the Northeastern US! Pumpkin seeds also are great sources of protein, fat and other essential minerals.

[Via Buzzle.com – Click to read the full post]

Six Once-Forbidden Foods That Aren’t So Bad For Us

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:39:00 +0000

For years, health experts have blacklisted sugar, butter, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and eggs. Recently, researchers have found that these foods are less sinful than we thought, and in some cases, can actually provide health benefits. Find out what makes these “bad” foods not so bad after all.

A Good Egg: The American Dietetic Association considers eating eggs in moderation a healthy habit and suggests removing some of the egg yolks to reduce fat and cholesterol.

The Case for Coffee: Forgoing coffee was like a badge of honor in health nut circles, but not any longer. Recent studies have refuted caffeine’s link to heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. In addition, health experts now tell us that filling up our mugs has health benefits.

Sweet Sin or Simply Sugar: Studies show that the substitutes are no better than the real deal. Whatever the original source, consuming too many of these sweet simple carbohydrates can cause health problems like obesity, type II diabetes, and tooth decay. Yet, cane sugar can be part of a healthful diet in reasonable quantities.

A Drink a Day: Within the last few years, there has been a growing body of evidence that alcohol in small amounts is associated with better health. Experts believe that having a few drinks a week may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Dispelling the Chocolate Myth: Chocolate is chock full of minerals and has some of the same antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables that ward off disease, particularly heart disease.

Butter Is (Sometimes) Better: According to the scientists at Harvard Health Publications, a little butter isn’t so bad and is actually better than stick margarines. Margarine was thought to be heart healthy because, unlike butter, it doesn’t contain cholesterol or saturated fat.

[Via DivineCaroline – Click to read the full post]

The 25 Best Foods For Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:38:00 +0000

There are, however, some very specific foods that help improve athletic performance. The foods listed below are particular important to keep in your diet. The following foods, in alphabetical order, provide premium fuel for the active athlete.

Banana: The perfect portable snack. They're one of the richest sources of potassium, which may help regulate blood pressure, and are good sources of fiber.

Beef: Truly lean beef is a great source of zinc, high-quality protein and iron.

Beans-Legumes: An excellent source of fiber (important for keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control).

Broccoli: A wonder food! - one of the best nutritional bets around. Not only is broccoli high in fiber and vitamin C, it provides folic acid, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Brown Rice: A good source of complex carbohydrates that provides twice as much fiber as white rice.

Carrot Juice: Probably the most concentrated source of beta-carotene, which, in addition to its possible role as a cancer fighter, may play a key role in preventing the formation of cataracts later in life.

Low Fat or Fat Free Cheeses: Great sources of calcium, but read nutritional labels carefully.

Chicken: Three ounces of skinless chicken breast has only 3 grams of fat and contains vitamin B6, a nutrient important for metabolizing protein.

Corn: An often-overlooked source of fiber and carbohydrate.

Dried Fruit: Because most of the water has been removed, dried fruits are terrific concentrated sources of energy and good sources of iron - a mineral that helps prevent anemia.

Fig Bars: A favorite among cyclists and runners because they pack a strong carbohydrate punch and are easy to eat during exercise.

Grapes: Once thought to provide few significant nutrients, now researchers find that grapes are a good source of boron, a mineral believed to be important in building and maintaining healthy bones.

Kiwi: The odd little fruit in the fuzzy brown wrapper proves that good things can come in small, ugly packages.

Lentils: Good sources of protein and complex carbohydrates, lentils also deliver a good amount of iron, particularly if you're limiting your intake of red meat.

Skim Milk: Skim milk is an excellent low-fat source of calcium and vitamin D - both important for maintaining healthy bones.

Oatmeal: A good source of soluble fiber, and then some: In a research study, adding 2 ounces a day of oatmeal to a low-fat diet significantly lowered subjects' blood cholesterol in about four weeks.

Orange Juice: Besides being an excellent source of vitamin C, one 6-ounce glass provides nearly as much potassium as a banana and about 23 percent of the RDA for the sometimes-hard-to-find B vitamin folic acid.

Papaya: Papaya is a treasure trove of nutrients. It's also a good source of cancer-fighting beta-carotene.

Pasta: Pasta is loaded with complex carbohydrates for long-lasting energy, whether you're an athlete or a couch potato.

Potato: The potato is probably one of the most underrated foods. Besides being a powerhouse of complex carbohydrates, a 6-ouncer also provides almost twice as much potassium as a banana, just over one-third of the RDA for vitamin C and 66 percent of the RDA for iron.

Salmon: Salmon is one of the richest sources for omega-3 fatty acids, which may provide some protection against heart disease.

Strawberries: Sweet, delicious strawberries are excellent sources of vitamin C and fiber.

Water: The most critical nutrient in your body, it's needed for just about everything that happens, and you lose it fast.

Whole-Grain Cereals: Besides providing lots of complex carbohydrates, they're a great way to get fiber in your diet - a prevention measure that the National Cancer Society strongly recommends.

Fat Free Yogurt: Among the few truly excellent sources of calcium - 452 mg per 8-ounce carton - and riboflavin, yogurt's also a strong source of vitamin B12.

[Via The Center for Health & Athletic Performance – Click to read the full post]

8 Surprising Uses For Olive Oil

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:19:00 +0000

It's long been reported that there are a number of health benefits of olive oil. As a foodstuff it has a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, Olive oil is also known to be gentle on the digestive system, and even may help prevent gallstones and soothe ulcers, contains valuable vitamins and nutrients, and it is loaded with antioxidants, which many believe help protect the body from cancer.

1. Get Healthy Skin (And Fight Cancer!): People have used olive oil for centuries for personal care. It is a great skin moisturizer, in part because it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, but which prevents water from evaporating.

2. Tame Tangled and Damaged Hair: Comb a bit of the stuff through dry or frizzy hair to help tame and moisturize your locks, especially in winter or on humid days. Olive oil can also provide some relief for damaged hair.

3. Care for Your Cat: According to curbly.com, add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs, as well as promote a shiny, healthy coat. Olive oil is likely to be more gentle on a cat's system than petroleum-based anti-hairball lubricants.

4. Ease Snoring: Kitties aren't the only ones who can take advantage of natural lubricating properties of olive oil (yes it can be used as a "personal lubricant," in case you were wondering).

5. Polish Furniture and Metal (and Condition Leather): Silverware, copper and other metal items can be polished with ketchup or toothpaste. After you're done rub a bit of olive oil on to prevent streaks, corrosion and tarnish.

6. Free Stuck Zippers: There are few things more annoying than stuck zippers. So if you are vexed by this particular problem, break out the olive oil.

7. Fix Squeaky Doors: Olive oil can actually be used as a lubricant in many applications. It's safe to keep around the house, so you don’t have to worry about children or pets getting into it.

8. Cure an Earache: A number of folks swear by olive oil as a natural remedy for earaches. One suggestion is to "very carefully use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax."

[Via The Daily Green – Click to read the full post]

Anti-Cancer Superfoods

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:17:00 +0000

Did you know that what you eat could determine whether or not you get cancer? Your diet could protect you from being one of the unlucky one in three people who are affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

Brussels Sprouts: The humble brussels sprout has been found to protect against cancer of the colon, stomach and bladder. Sprouts contain something called an indole, or aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. These stimulate the liver to break down hormones in the body and speed up elimination of waste products. This means that as well as making your bowel work more efficiently, horomone-dependent cancers do not have time to develop.

Regular Intake Of Fruit, Vegetables, Poultry And Fish Could Prevent Cancer!: Research in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that plenty of fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish appeared to have a protective effect against cancer. The study identified two major dietary patterns, one consisting of high intakes of meat, fat, desserts and refined foods and the other consisting of high intakes of fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish. Those that ate more fruit and vegetables had higher survival rates and those on fatty Western diets had higher death rates and more recurrences of disease.

[Via Women’s Health Online – Click to read the full post]

Health Secrets 12 Ways To Boost Your Energy And Wellbeing

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Take a load off: A large number of us suffer back pain from sitting for long hours at desks, overdoing it with lifting and a range of other causes.

Note your nibbles: Crash diets don’t work for long enough; instead maintain a food dairy to note your daily eating habits.

Take ten deep breaths: Breathing slowly and deeply helps shift thing along with our lymphatic system. This is important as it eliminates cellular and metabolic waste.

Put your fork down: This is a simple thing, but it doing this forces you to chew your food more carefully and helps to prevent digestive problems that can arise from over eating or eating too quickly.

Make a list: Making a list of things to do is one super stress fighter. Trying to retain more than around 7 things in your short term memory will make you feel overloaded.

Massage your feet: If you suffer from poor circulation, it could be stealing your sleep. To sleep comfortably your temperature should decrease slightly prior to sleeping. To do this, you usually dispel heat through your face, hands and feet.

An organic apple a day: The benefits of an apple have often been stated - remember the old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’?

Change your tea bag: Whit is the new green, but if you haven’t heard about the benefits then now is the time to find out more.

Eat dried apricots: A lack of concentration, tiredness and irritability can be caused due to a lack of iron.

Don’t skip meals: If you eat three meals a day you will have a healthier body. This is a super simple way to maintain well-balanced blood sugar levels and keep your mood, energy and concentration high.

Keep it crunchy: Raw vegetables hold higher amounts of vitamins and minerals. This can be lost when cooking, so aim to include some raw food as often as possible.

Focus on your feeling: While you may have an ultimate goal of slimming down, this goal can take time to achieve.

[Via Web Health Guides – Click to read the full post]

10 Quick Headache Cures

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Drink iced coffee: Both ice and caffeine are vasoconstrictors, meaning they'll help the throbbing vessels in your head shrink down and may provide fast relief.

Remove your head gear: If you're wearing a hat, headband, helmet, ponytail holder -- even goggles or sunglasses -- try taking them off (when it's safe to do so, of course). Tight accessories can cause something called external compression headaches, which are more common in people who have migraines.

Try acupressure and massage: Applying pressure to the acupressure point in the webbing between your thumb and index finger may be helpful in easing the pain of a headache.

Grab an ice pack: Applying an ice pack to the back of your neck has been shown to ease the pain of a migraine.

Drink some water: A common symptom of dehydration is a headache. Drinking water can often provide the only relief you need.

Get some sleep: Lying down in a dark, quiet room is the best remedy for many migraine patients.

Practice relaxation: Meditation, yoga, and biofeedback can help to ease tension headaches and prevent headaches triggered by stress.

Try aromatherapy: Some studies have shown that peppermint oil may be as powerful as over-the-counter pain relievers in the treatment of tension headaches.

Take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can all be helpful in treating a headache, especially when taken early.

[Via OrganizedWisdom Health – Click to read the full post]

Healthy Cheese: What To Buy?

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:40:00 +0000

I love cheese. I love nibbling on it with a glass of wine, shredding fine slivers of it over salads, and even using it in large quantities to make comfort foods like creamy queso (a Mexican cheese dip) or scrumptious sauces. Yet when I walk into most grocery stores, the vast majority of items on the cheese aisle hardly resemble traditional cheeses anymore. The choices can be daunting, particularly if you want to by the most nourishing cheese you can for you and your family. So what to buy?

BEST CHOICE: Raw cheeses from grass-fed cows producing milk high in A2 beta casein and relatively low in A1 beta casein — that means milk from Jerseys, Guernseys, and other traditional cattle breeds rather than newer Holsteins. Raw goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, and yak’s milk only contains A2 beta casein and arguably makes better cheeses than cow’s milk anyway.

SECOND: Cheeses from the milk of grass-fed cows, goats, sheep, or yak that aren’t fed antibiotics or growth hormones. This can be harder to discern, but easier to find. What do I mean? Well, most cheese makers don’t advertise what they feed their dairy cows on their labels (some do, but most don’t). It’s up to you to be a detective and start calling companies to find out how they raise their cows and what they’re fed.

THIRD: Cheeses from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, or yak that aren’t fed antibiotics or growth hormones. This will usually be right on the label, as this is a MAJOR selling point here in the U.S. these days. I’m not familiar with every brand out there, but I do know that Tillamook cheeses are antibiotic & growth hormone free.

[Via Food Renegade – Click to read the full post]

Small Bites For Better Health

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:39:00 +0000

My grandma used to say, “Eat slowly, with small bites, so that you digest your food.” She was partly right. Health and weight reasons aside, eating slowly and leisurely can be a reprieve from our rushed lives, and can have a profound effect on our well-being.
A new neat study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looks at the effect of bite size and the time that a food morsel spends in the mouth on food intake. All sessions were conducted at lunchtime or dinnertime, on a fairly empty stomach with at least three hours of no food before the test, and tests were separated with at least one day of non-testing between them.
The results were very clear: a smaller bite size led to lower intake. Details:

Mean intake in the small bite experiment was 381 grams for the three-second mouth-transit time and 313 grams for the nine-second mouth-transit time.
Mean intake in the large bite experiment was 476 grams for the three-second mouth-transit time and 432 grams for the nine-second mouth-transit time.

The results clearly show the time the food spent in the volunteers’ mouth also made a difference; they ate more when the oral exposure was three seconds rather than nine seconds.
These results should of course be taken in context: the volunteers ate under experimental conditions, using only one food item that was semi-solid, but there are other studies to support the advice to eat with small bites, slowly, with as much oral sensory exposure in order to feel more satisfied with less food.
[Via Dr. Ayala Healthy Living Blog – Click to read the full post]

10 Reasons To Drink Your Milk Raw

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Fresh, organic raw milk and dairy items are a treat – and a worthy treat at that. The consumption of organic raw milk and dairy products is linked to relief from asthma and eczema. Furthermore, organic raw milk is a living food replete with enzymes and beneficial bacteria that would otherwise be killed through pasteurization. In this post, I tell you more reasons to drink raw milk.
Raw milk is a living food: Unlike pasteurized and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk, raw milk is a living food. Several of milk’s natural components including beneficial bacteria, food enzymes, natural vitamins and immunoglobulins are heat-sensitive.
Raw milk is rich in beneficial bacteria: As a living food, raw milk is rich in beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are critical to your health; indeed,beneficial bacteria are so critical to human health that you cannot live without them.
Raw milk is rich in food enzymes: As a living food, raw milk is also rich in natural food enzymes: lactase, lipase and phosphatase number among many of these natural enzymes. These enzymes help your body to better digest milk and better metabolize its vital nutrients.
Raw milk is rich in natural vitamins: The butterfat present in raw milk is rich in natural fat-soluble soluble vitamins, particularly preformed vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin E. Raw milk is also rich in water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B-complex vitamins.
Raw butterfat is rich in Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Meat and milk from grass-fed animals is rich in fatty compound called Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA. Actually classified as a trans-fatty acid (but a good transfat!), CLA offers myriad myriad positive effects for those who consume it.
Raw milk supports small farmers, not feedlots: Pastuerization of milk was born out of necessity – as unhealthy cows from concentrated animal feed operations produce unhealthy milk.
Raw milk is not homogenized: Raw milk is not homogenized; rather, the beautiful fresh raw cream rises to the top to produce a lovely creamline. You can skim this cream for use in making butter or a beautiful panna cotta, or just shake the jar up to evenly distribute the cream into the milk for drinking.
Raw milk is easier to digest: Fresh, raw milk is easier on your stomach and digestive tract. Components naturally present in raw milk, but killed by pasteurization, enable you to digest raw milk better than cooked, pasteurized milk.
Raw milk clabbers: Leave a carton of pasteurized milk out on the counter for a day, and you’ll end up with a putrid, stinking glop. By contrast, raw milk will clabber as its beneficial lactic-acid producing bacteria proliferate and turn raw milk into a probiotic-rich, yogurt-like food.
Raw milk supports your local economy: 100% of the money you spend on your raw milk stays in your farmers pocket and in your local economy.
[Via The Nourished Kitchen – Click to read the full post]

Natural Remedies For Influenza

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:29:00 +0000

There are many different virus strains that cause Influenza, which is more commonly known as “the flu.” The flu shares some of the same symptoms as the common cold, but they tend to be much more severe. With the current threat of a swine flu pandemic looming in the horizon, it’s a good idea to learn how to make and use natural remedies for influenza.
Water intake – Be sure to drink enough water every day.
Fast – Avoid eating solid foods until your fever is gone.
Stay away from sugar! – Sugar lowers the ability of your immune system to fight pathogens.
Peppermint – cleanses and strengthens your entire body. It is a great flu remedy.
Goldenseal - goldenseal is an antimicrobial herb. It also helps your body get rid of excess mucus.
Echinacea - Echinacea helps to strengthen your immune system. It also helps to fight of viruses and microbes.
Garlic – garlic is a natural antiviral herb. It helps to cleanse your blood and eliminate toxins and wastes from your body.
Sage – has natural antiseptic properties. Hot sage tea will cause you to perspire and throw off some of the toxins.
Lemon – lemons have natural antiseptic and cleansing properties.
[Via Natural Health Restored – Click to read the full post]

3 Steps To Simpler Health Goals

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:54:00 +0000

We’re all so busy, and the fact that we’re constantly bombarded with new diet and health information means we often don’t know who or what to believe in. Personally I think we need start simplifying things. So, rather than going on the latest whim of the media, try trusting your gut instincts a bit more. So, here’s how to do it…

1. Do Less: Do you have what seems like a zillion ideas in your head of how you’re going to get healthier, or lose weight by Summer? It’s very difficult to simplify your life when you’re trying to do so many things at once.

2. Be in the Zone: It’s not enough to just simplify your goals, you also need to become more mindful of what you’re trying to achieve.

3. Disconnect: Are you constantly reading the latest diet info, or listening to broadcasts about what’s happening in the dieting world? Sometimes it’s good to just switch off, you know more about yourself than some guy or gal on TV, don’t you?

[Via Dietriffic – Click to read the full post]

5 Reasons To Eat More Cherries

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Fresh, canned or frozen, this flavorful stone fruit is great for your health. Find out why you should make cherries a regular part of your diet.

1. Ease aching joints: Cherries’ rich red colour comes from anthocyanins—the antioxidants found in grapes (and red wine)—that inhibit enzymes associated with inflammation, and may help soothe soreness linked to muscle and joint pain.

2. Guard your colon: These mighty fruits also contain quercetin, which is a flavonoid with anti-carcinogenic activity.

3. Control cholesterol: All cherries are high in pectin—a soluble fibre that helps to prevent heart disease by lowering “bad” cholesterol.

4. Help your eyesight: A precursor to vitamin A, it helps maintain eyesight and healthy skin.

5. Improve your sleep: Cherries, part of the stone fruit family that includes apricots, peaches and plums, are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythms and our sleep patterns.

[Via Best Health – Click to read the full post]

10 Secrets To Lifelong Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:40:00 +0000

If these tough times are getting you down, take heart. Finding more joy and meaning in life—even when faced with difficult challenges—may be easier than you think. Brighten your outlook with these 10 simple tips.

Find Instant Calm at Work: Frazzled at work but too busy to do anything about it? Think again. Just four "mini-relaxation" stress management sessions (1 1/2 to 2 minutes) over the course of the day reduced work-related stress as effectively as 15-minute blocks of progressive muscle relaxation, according to a University of Connecticut study.

Make the Most of Your Bad Mood: Complaining can be cathartic--as long as you go about it the right way.

Go Ahead … Smile: Staying happy can have as powerful an impact on your physical health as avoiding cigarettes, says Dutch social scientist Ruut Veenhoven, PhD.

Laugh: It Does a Body Good - Laughter is indeed the best medicine. Studies show that a hearty chuckle doesn’t just feels good, it can also help: Boost your immunity, improve your mood, ease aches, relieve stress, change your outlook

Give Long-Term Depression The One-Two Punch: If you're prescribed antidepressants to combat an episode of depression, staying on them for years after symptoms ease may not be worthwhile, according to a new study. A better way to keep depression away: If symptoms have been relieved by meds, then switch to cognitive therapy, suggest the researchers.

Squeeze In 20 Minutes of Exercise Once A Week: We already know that regular workouts can fight depression. Now, new research shows a single 20-minute exercise session per week is enough to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and boost happiness and energy levels, reports a new Scottish study of about 20,000 adults.

Speed Up Your Thoughts To Cure The Blues: Think as fast as you can--racing thoughts lift the blues in minutes, says Princeton University psychologist Emily Pronin, Ph.D.

Need to Boost Your Mood? Knock Next Door: Socializing with a cheerful person in your neighborhood increases the likelihood that you'll be happy--much more so, in fact, than spending time with an upbeat sibling, found a new study.

Go Fishing: Fish and foods rich in B vitamins are nutritional pick-me-ups, whether you've been diagnosed with depression or just feel down once in a while.

Let There Be Light: Light encourages production of serotonin, the mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Insufficient exposure to light, particularly on the short days of the winter months, can lead to mild depression.

[Via MSN Health & Fitness – Click to read the full post]

Using Vitamin C to Help Curb Vaccine Side Effects

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:39:00 +0000

While the lifesaving benefits of vaccinations can’t be debated, part of the problem lies in the side effects and potential dangers. It has now come to light that there may be a link between Vitamin C and warding off the ill effects as the result of vaccines.

One study completed in Australia demonstrated this. In Australia, children of Aborigine descent were found to be particularly sensitive to immunizations and often died after receiving the injections. In the study, a group of immunized children was given Vitamin C in oral form immediately following the vaccination. This was shown to have a positive effect by diminishing intestinal problems and stomach upset, and also greatly reducing the death rate.

If your child is scheduled for upcoming vaccinations, you may want to consider adding vitamin C supplements to their diet the day of the scheduled immunization and following four days. This can be administered orally as drops, capsules, or chewable vitamins. Real vitamin C is always better than pill form so ensuring the child’s diet is rich in fruits and vegetables may also be beneficial.

[Via Methods Of Healing – Click to read the full post]

10 Healthiest Hospitality Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Water of course!: Be sure to always filter water at your tap instead of buying plastic bottles that clog our systems with BPA as well as landfills.

Pomegranate juice: Be sure to drink juice as a TREAT. I reward myself with a little pomegranate juice each day as it is part of my anti-aging program.

Wine: Red wine is better than white when it comes down to ORAC testing (an antioxidants ability to quench free radicals that destroy our cells.) But white wine is okay too. They say a glass or two of wine is good for you due to the antioxidant capacity of the resveratrol.

Green Tea: In Japan green tea is the ultimate hospitality drink. If you really want to get your full antioxidants, I recommend the bright green powdered version that can be whisked in to a boglike foam.

Heart Healthy Herbal Cocktails: I previously wrote an article sharing my favorite recipes for mixing pure fruit juice with herbal teas, also a fantastic way to get herbal medicine in to small kids. Have fun experimenting and come up with your own special “house blend.”

Top Shelf Vodka: You can make a “Pomtini” by shaking ice, vodka, and pomegranate juice in your martini shaker, or you can buy a flavored vodka and drink what I call my “Supermodel Cocktail” of Raspberry Stoli and Soda (that is calorie free carbonated water NOT tonic or sweetened soda) with a squeeze of lime.

Organic Beer: A beer or two is always good for family functions and there are many good organic beers out there.

Dr. Nicole’s Smoothie": Here is the recipe to my favorite anti-aging smoothie. You can serve this up to guests or drink it in front of them.

Organic Coffee: Coffee is actually quite healthy for us, and has been shown to prevent Parkinson’s. I am happy to do my part and drink two cups a day to prevent Parkinson’s.

Chamomile Tea: An herbal sedative is always great for those visiting a house full of screaming kids. Passionflower tea is also delicious!. There are also many wonderful caffeine free herbal blends out there for those that don’t do caffeine.

[Via Kitchen Table Medicine – Click to read the full post]

Mindfulness for Beginners

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:25:00 +0000

Disconnection is a factor in many of the modern medical issues, including pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even cancer. Mindfulness technique is a way we can break this cycle of obliviousness in our own lives. This technique seeks to teach us to experience and explore the current moment. To actually experience our bodies and the world around us can lead to an opening of the mind and heart.

Mindfulness technique is based upon Buddist meditation which seeks to focus attention and awareness. The mind is focused to be aware of ourselves, and our surroundings. Through this awareness, we develop a sense of self, unlocking who we are and the beauty of being alive. Opening the mind in this way, being aware and being honest with ourselves can have a profound effect on our mind, bodies, and health. Being mindful and compassionate to our own body, even if that body experiences pain, will make us a more whole person.

[Via Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic – Click to read the full post]

Choose Whole Foods For Optimal Health

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:25:00 +0000

Whole Foods are foods as they are found in nature with flavor and ingredients that nature intended. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or chemicals. Whole foods are minimally processed and provide more natural ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. Whole foods are regular, ordinary foods and include the following:

Fruits and Vegetables: They are most flavorful and nutritious when eaten in season and should be eaten with every meal.

Grains: Whole grains contain more natural vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber than refined, processed grains.

Legumes: Legumes are a good source of protein and fiber.

Seafood: Seafood is a good source of protein with various vitamins and minerals.

Meat/Poultry/Eggs/Dairy: Animal food sources provide us with protein and calcium and are healthiest when the animals have not been treated with antibiotics and added hormones and toxins.

Oils: Butter, coconut oil, olive, and grapeseed oils are great for sautéing foods.

Seasonings: Seasonings such as herbs, spices, garlic, ginger, lemon and lime enhance and add flavor to food.

Sweeteners: Refined white sugar can be substituted with agave nectar, brown rice syrup, date sugar, dried cane juice, fruit juice concentrate, honey, molasses, pure maple syrup, and stevia.

Making these simple changes will create a huge benefit in your health and vitality.

[Via Sandpoint Wellness Council – Click to read the full post]

Herbal Treatment Options For Combating Baldness

noreply@blogger.com (blog1) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:59:00 +0000

While many herbs have shown to be beneficial in treating hair loss, they are not a guarantee. However, herbs can help to postpone hair loss or slow it down or prevent complete baldness for a period, but they won’t stop it completely.

There are several herbs available today to treat baldness, in men and women. Consider the following herbs, if you are looking for a natural treatment to baldness or hair loss:

Green tea – It is believed that the ingredients in green tea can inhibit the production of DHT. DHT is the main cause of hair loss in men and women.

Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo is known to have properties which increase circulation of the blood. It is thought that when blood circulates better to the brain and scalp more nutrients will be delivered.

Stinging Nettle – Stinging Nettle has shown the ability to prevent the hormone testosterone from turning into DHT.

Make sure you discuss the medications you are already taking with your doctor; to make sure you do not experience a drug interaction. You may also want to discuss any allergies you have with your doctor.

[Via Alternative Medicine Zone – Click to read the full post]