Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Be Happy Eat Your Chocolate!

People today are very health conscious and eating sugar is avoided or kept to a minimum either due to health conditions like diabetes or, in some cases, from the simple desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle। Chocolates, on the other hand, are the favorite food item of many people and it is very likely you'll come across individuals where these two contradictory conditions are at loggerheads with each other।

That is to say a person likes chocolates but cannot eat them due to the large amounts of sugar that go into the making of mainstream chocolates। As they say, "where there's a will, there's a way," therefore it is not surprising that an alternative exists for such people, namely the sugarless chocolate. Although the name is self explanatory, that does not mean that such chocolates are not sweet (which would defeat the primary goal of your palette and your love for munching them). There are several artificial sweetening agents commercially available which can be used to simulate the affect of sweetness on the tongue, but do not have the harmful affects associated with table sugar. Although there is a certain level of uncertainly regarding the safety of such products like saccharin (which was demonstrated to produce cancerous affects under laboratory conditions).

Despite the doubts, there does exist several types of sugar alternatives in the market, and these alternatives are being used by manufacturers of food products, including chocolate. Lucky for most of us wishing to be slim and fit, many of the major producers of chocolate have their sugarless chocolate alternative apart from their mainstream sugared counterparts. The consumer is now given the ability to use their own discretion when deciding which type of chocolate to consume. Chocolate has a long and illustrious history and people will continue to be drawn to everything chocolate! For diabetics or people with weight problems, chocolate is no longer out of their reach. With care and proper research fine foods once forbidden to many can go back on their diets. From holidays to just a relaxing part of anyone's day, sugarless products are making it possible for everyone to be happy!

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Monday, June 4, 2007

Cider Vinegar

Cider Vinegar

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" (the dentist too!) is an oft quotation which should not be considered as just an obsolete "Old Wives Tale", as there is more than meets the eye in these axioms of yore. Apples are among the most healthgiving fruits available as they contain a host of nutritious properties via: Phosphorous, Chlorine, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Fluorine, Silicon, plus many trace elements ....... and all of these are found in
PURE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.

What Does it Do?

Among other things, cider vinegar is very effective in detoxicating various organs in the body together with the blood stream. Hence it is a purifier, as it has a means of breaking down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. It therefore, promotes the health of the vital organs of the body e.g. kidneys, bladder, liver etc., by preventing an excessively alkaline urine.

Cider vinegar also helps oxidate the blood which consequently prevents the blood from becoming too thick and gluey, which gives rise to a strained heart and blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure. Cider vinegar also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination and it neutralizes any toxic substance taken into the body.

There have been a number of instances where people who had taken a mixture of cider vinegar and water before a meal were unaffected by diarrhea, or digestive upsets, whilst their companions who ate the same meal were. Hence the cider vinegar seemed to neutralize the harmful substances in the food eaten.

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Vinegar For Health

Food has certainly been the downfall of man's health. With all the rubbish he stuffs into his delicate, yet adaptable organism, it is no wonder that there is so much unnatural disease rampant today.

From the day he ate his first meal man has forever abused his system
with the wrong types of food. He has not been rational in his eating habits, but has merely satisfied his banal desire for stimulating, refined and processed fare. The day will come, however, when he suddenly realizes that his food habits affect his physical as well as mental well being.

He will then realize that he had been satisfying his debased taste buds, rather than sustaining the body. The wise, however, look toward nature for their answer; with patience and perseverance they have rediscovered the answer to man's dilemma.
The answers although simple are extremely effective as they do not entail unnatural chemical compounds it is the utilization of these wonderful gifts from nature which are so efficacious and free for all!

There have been many natural curative formulae discovered throughout the centuries, which have proved themselves safe and yet effective.
Natural resources have been used since the days before Christ via: Sunshine, Water, Air herbs and homebrews has been used for generations too by our ancestors. Honey is also a natural wonder, together with many other folk preparations which have been handed down through the ages.

Amongst these APPLE CIDER VINEGAR has been widely used as a successful remedy for a number of ailments. We find that, with the abuse of the body, inordinate amounts of waste matter have accumulated within the system. In the early stages these are not so apparent as the body is still vital enough to deal with this extra burden.

However, if an attempt is not made to eradicate these toxic accumulations, the body has to deal with more and more pressure, resulting in aches and pains. Later in life these efforts to eliminate these encumbrances result in influenza, bronchitis etc; and, if these healing efforts are suppressed by continued wrong living and drugs, the acute symptoms become chronic and insidious.

Rheumatism, arthritis, cancer, heart ailments, high blood pressure etc, are all signs that the body has been neglected by the suppression of natural healing crises. There are certain preparations, however, which assist the body in eliminating these toxic substances and this is where these natural curative methods have found a valuable place in the healing arts.

To abstain from those foods and drinks which add to this unnecessary accumulation, is a great assistance to the body i.e. those refined and denatured food items such as bread, starch, white sugar, and their products; together with the unnecessary food items which cause excessive mucous and toxic waste in the system e.g. meat, eggs, dairy produce, legumes, cereals.

However, one may now ask what should one eat if these are to be eliminated from the diet. Where one cannot completely abstain from these products, moderation is the key word in this instance, together with certain herbal and folk preparations which assist in the breakdown of the acids and mucous waste.

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Sunday, June 3, 2007

Instead of a Soda, Try a Vinegar Beverage?

Dilute some vinegar in water and you can wash your windows to a sparkle. A few drops of vinegar in the dryer make a great fabric softener. Add some to your olive oil and you can dress a salad. Vinegar is versatile. There are ton of uses. Yet regardless of how many household tips you’ve seen using vinegar, and no matter how many of the recipes filling those books in your kitchen cupboard use vinegar, you still probably haven’t thought about doing something that is gaining in popularity in Japan. Japanese companies are producing and marketing vinegar-based soft drinks, selling them as a healthful and refreshing drink.

These vinegar drinks are, of course, diluted with other ingredients. Straight vinegar, after all, can be hard on even the toughest of stomachs and no one needs a stomachache with their refreshment. Some are based on vinegars derived from fruits or berries and seem to have found a market niche with the younger set, particularly women. A more traditional well-aged rice vinegar, called black vinegar, is a popular item with older Japanese consumers.

The purveyors of these vinegar drinks espouse the numerous health virtues of the acidic liquid and the response has been nothing less than positive. Buoyed by claims that vinegar helps the circulatory system and can energize the lethargic, sales have increased steadily over the last few years and Japanese marketers are planning to push more products onto store shelves in coming years. Soon, they hope, vinegar based beverages will take up a significant amount of shelf-space alongside bottled water, juices and traditional soft drinks.

One can argue about the nutritional benefits of products that often contain less than 2% vinegar, but there is no doubt that the ingredient does have some medicinal value. Other beverages touting health benefits, such as waters containing amino acids have been successful, so there is little doubt the inclusion of vinegar—a product long held to have significant curative powers in Asia—should connect with health-minded consumers.

The key to the products’ success, it would seem, is flavor. The reaction to the drinks already on the market seems to indicate that Japanese beverage manufacturers have cleared the flavor hurdle handily. Many consumers consider them flavorful and refreshing. Popularity has been increasing with every check and doesn’t appear to be headed for a slowdown.
The more pungent black vinegar is definitely more difficult to swallow in terms of flavor. Most products aiming at the black vinegar market are not making an effort to mask of hide the acidity. Instead, black vinegar products are being sold less as refreshment and more as a medicinal supplement. This registers well with older Japanese consumers who have long believed that vinegar has significant curative properties. Consumption of black vinegar has been on a steady rise for several years, a trend that shows no likelihood of abatement.

Japan has often been at the forefront of consumer trends that later had a significant impact on U.S. markets. Japanese producers made transistor radios, economy cars, video games and a host of other products popular stateside. In our current climate of welcoming new ideas from world cultures (witness the recent boom of sushi in the United States, for instance) it would not be surprising if the Japanese innovation of vinegar beverages tries to crack the American market. The U.S. is filled with consumers constantly seeking new experiences and at least professing to be health-conscious. It is possible that vinegar beverages could begin appearing with some frequency in U.S. retail outlets soon.

What remains in question is whether such products would ever be able to overcome our commonly held perceptions of the liquid. Certainly many Americans are aware of vinegar’s health benefits, but in the U.S. vinegar is often thought of less as a consumable and more as a household helper. It remains to be seen if Americans will ever be comfortable with the notion of drinking a vinegar-based beverage instead of a bottle of Coca Cola or water.

It may be difficult to visualize yourself enjoying a drink made from your favorite window cleaner and silverware restorer, but if the Japanese market is any indicator, you might have a chance to add a six-pack of vinegar drinks to your refrigerator some time soon.

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Three Exotic Vinegars and How to Use Them

Most everyone is at least casually acquainted with white, rice, malt, balsamic and cider vinegar. Common vinegars are listed as ingredients in a host of great recipes and can be used for a tremendous variety of household chores and tasks. It’s hard to find too many pantries that do not contain at least two bottles of the best-selling vinegars.
There are, however, a variety of more exotic vinegars offered as well. Many of us are not familiar with these less common vinegar types and if we were to notice them on our supermarket shelves we would not have any idea of how to use them properly. Some are readily available at your corner store, others may require a visit to a specialty shop.

These exotic vinegars, however, offer interesting new opportunities in the kitchen. Three of the more interesting vinegars frequently available are coconut vinegar, cane vinegar and raisin vinegar.

Coconut Vinegar

Coconut vinegar is derived from the toddy, or sap, of the coconut palm. It is white in color and has something of a cloudy look to it. Coconut vinegar possesses a sharp, acidic flavor and is used primarily in Asian cuisine. Coconut vinegar is a frequent ingredient in dishes from both the Philippines and India.

Coconut vinegar is often available at larger grocery stores and is almost always easy to find in Asian specialty food stores. Although not frequently used in the United States, coconut vinegar is a staple item in many Asian pantries.

Coconut vinegar can be used in a variety of ways. Some have recommended it as an alternative to lemon zest in some recipes. It can also be used in dressings for cold salads, especially those based on cabbage.

This exotic vinegar is known to be a great ingredient in recipes using salt fish. The vinegar is said to reduce the saltiness of the fish and to help in creating a mellower flavor when added to sauces.

Cane Vinegar

Cane vinegar, as the name suggests, is derived from sugar cane juice. However, if you are to buy cane sugar expecting a sweet flavor, you will be disappointed. Little of the residual sugar remains in cane vinegar. As a result, cane vinegar is said to have a taste somewhat similar to rice vinegar, only milder.

Cane vinegar is produced in Europe and the United States, but the primary nation of origin is the Philippines.
Cane vinegar can range in color from yellow to a mellow brown. Cane vinegar is said to age well and has a long shelf life.


Cane vinegar often finds its way into sauces. It is particularly popular in pepper-based hot sauces and shows up as a frequent ingredient in teriyaki sauces, as well. Cane vinegar is a relatively flexible ingredient and can be used in place of other vinegars when a slightly milder flavor might be desired.

Raisin Vinegar

Vinegar made from raisins is a popular ingredient throughout the Middle East. This cloudy brown vinegar is primarily produced in Greece and Turkey.

Raisin vinegar, which is known for its mild flavor can be used to create a sweet raisin vinaigrette salad dressing. Raisin vinegar can be a good match for dishes involving eggplant. Raising vinegar is sometimes noted as an alternative to balsamic vinegar in recipes.

We all know about the common vinegars we encounter in typical grocery stores every day. However, there are other less common vinegars that do warrant attention. Exotic vinegars such as coconut, cane and raisin types provide an opportunity for kitchen variety. The vinegars each bring a unique flavor and quality with them, but are still similar enough to mainstream vinegars to allow cooks to comfortably experiment with them. Their special tastes may very well suit some of your recipes even better than the typical variety with which you may be accustomed.
Running low on vinegar? Though it’s fine to reach reflexively for another bottle of white or balsamic, consider searching the shelves for something else, too. A bottle of coconut, cane or raisin vinegar might invigorate some of your existing meals while giving you a fun opportunity to play with new flavors

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Three Vinegar Myths

We all know there are a lot of things vinegar can do. It can boost a laundry detergent’s effectiveness, make an effective skin astringent, help dress a salad and wash windows. Vinegar has been produced for centuries throughout the world and has a legion of fans who swear by it as a recipe ingredient, a household helper and a medicinal wonder.

Sometimes it is as if vinegar can do anything and everything. Its great versatility might lead one to believe that vinegar is capable of just about any feat. As a result, we have often been led to believe some things about vinegar that just aren’t true.

There’s no need to feel like a sucker if you have believed one of the many vinegar myths—after all, we are talking about the same liquid that can make a great condiment and a wonderful floor cleaner. It’s hard to think of something vinegar cannot do. But there are a few things the “miracle” liquid doesn’t really do…

Myth: Vinegar will give your hair a shine.

Once upon a time, back when mass-produced soaps were made using a process that guaranteed post-rinse residue, a little bit of vinegar in your rinse might have helped. Vinegar probably would have helped strip away the soap’s waxy remains.

Today, however, soap and shampoo production have advanced incredibly. The rationale for using vinegar as a hair rinse has long disappeared. Hypothetically a little vinegar could still be of assistance to someone who used way too much hair product and did a poor job shampooing, but for everyone else the advantage of a vinegar rinse is nonexistent.

Myth: Vinegar will automatically help you shed pounds.

The claim that eating vinegar, in and of itself, will help you lose weight is based on what is known in scientific circles as SDA and TEF. SDA stands for “special dynamic action.” TEF stands for “thermal effect of food.” The notion behind those two concepts is that some foods require more energy to be expended during the digestive process than was gained by ingesting the foods. In other words, it takes more calories for the body to process the food than the food contains.

This line of thinking has led some to believe that a diet rich in foods with high TEF values could lead to a net loss in weight. The problem with applying this thinking to the ultra-low calorie fluid we know as vinegar is twofold. First, only a relatively small percentage of one’s diet, even under vinegar-obsessed diet plans, can actually be composed of vinegar itself. Secondly, the impact of TEF and SDA are mitigated by the overall composition of a meal. In other words, the stuff you might use vinegar upon, even if healthy, may have specific properties that decrease the effectiveness of the vinegar.

Eating vinegar is healthy, but it is not an automatic weight loss device.

Myth: Vinegar will allow a drug-user to pass urine tests.

Somewhere along the way someone who was appropriately concerned about his or her chances of passing a drug test drank some vinegar and managed to pass the test. The vinegar ingestion and passed test were two discrete events, completely unrelated. But the lucky user who managed to pass the urine screen decided to connect the dots. A myth was born.

Vinegar could, hypothetically, reduce the window of opportunity most drug tests have for finding amphetamines. Vinegar lowers the pH of urine and that can cause a more rapid excretion of amphetamines. However, the effect of guzzling vinegar is more likely to be a sour stomach than a passed urinalysis. The impact on a test’s ability to find amphetamines is very slight at best.

If one is concerned about a urine test, they probably need to reconsider their personal choices instead of focusing on which type of vinegar they find most palatable for drinking.

If you hear someone telling you about using apple cider vinegar as an air freshener, or someone extolling the virtues of vinegar in cleaning porcelain, believe them. If you encounter someone discussing Japanese soft drinks featuring vinegar, don’t doubt their honesty. If you find someone telling you about how they can soften the skin by adding some vinegar to the bath, accept it.

But, if you hear anyone trying to tell you that vinegar will add shine to a mop of hair or that vinegar is the key to successful dieting, feel free to correct them. You can let them know that it will not help them pass a drug screen, either.

Vinegar is an amazing curative, an awesome household tool and a delicious ingredient. It can do many things. Its flexibility and versatility, however, are not infinite. There are a few things vinegar cannot do even though many (understandably) believe it can.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Alternative Cardio Workouts

Health professionals recommend that we engage in cardio activity 3 to 5 days per week to provide the resistance our heart needs to maintain optimum cardiovascular fitness। A good cardio workout requires that you reach your target heart rate, which can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220। While tread mills, elliptical machines, and weight training are all excellent ways to get your heart pumping, the conventional gym scene doesn’t appeal to everyone। Following, are 5 great alternatives.

1. Kick Boxing

Why not try high-impact cardio kickboxing? Similar to aerobics, it has the intensity needed for strengthening the heart while toning muscles. But different from aerobics, kickboxing is not repetitive, making it easier to maintain an interest in doing it regularly. You will punch, kick, or even jump rope while engaged in this full body workout. The activity fits well into busy schedules, taking less that 50% of the time that it takes to do traditional exercise on gym equipment.
2. Bicycling

Relying on leg strength, bicycling increases endurance if you vary your path. Map out a plan that includes both small and large grades with level spots in between. It’s not likely that you’ll get bored bicycling as you can use several path variations to keep the scenery fresh and interesting.
3. Swimming

Swimming, like kick boxing, is a full body exercise. But in contrast, the support of the water makes it easier on the joints, minimizing the risk of injury. Swimming benefits the heart, stimulates circulation, and lowers blood pressure. It is ideal for those who travel, as you can generally gain access to pools through destination hotels, YMCAs, or health clubs.
4. Walking

Walking is something you already know how to do. Just step it up a few notches and you have a convenient cardio exercise. As in bicycling, choose paths with built in resistance. This is a great exercise to do with a friend, allowing each person work at their own pace, engage in a little friendly competition, or to simply act as moral support.
5. Racquetball

Racquetball includes side-to-side sprints, turning, and twisting. You’ll have no problem getting your heart rate up in this strenuous game. It takes practice to learn the game, so don’t start out playing with someone who is experienced--it would be too easy to get hurt. Begin by taking lessons or playing alone.
All forms of cardio exercise should have warm-up, stretching, and cooling-down activities. The duration of your actual exercise time should be 20 -60 minutes, depending on the type of exercise you choose. You can test your heart rate at any time while exercising. To do this, place your thumb on your wrist at the underside base of your opposite hand to locate your pulse. Count the beats for 15 seconds. Then, multiply that number four. The answer is your heart rate. If it isn’t in your target range, re-evaluate your methods. You might need to step it up or slow it down. Monitoring your progress will ensure you get the highest possible benefit from your cardio workouts.

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Effective Stress Management

What would you do with increased stamina, decreased anxiety, and solid peace of mind? You would probably get more done in less time--at the very least, each day would be more enjoyable. In the long term, you would certainly experience better physical health and a longer life span.

The only thing standing between you and a higher level of general well-being is the unpreventable occurrence of stress. Daily stress can rob us of our potential, weakening every aspect of our lives. Consider the following:

•Stress breaks down the efficiency of the immune system leaving our bodies vulnerable to illness and disease.

•Stress causes heart problems and high blood pressure.

•Stress contributes to addictive behavior, causing alcoholism, eating disorders, nicotine addiction, and workaholic tendencies.

•Stress causes social withdrawal, perpetuating symptoms and leading to destructive isolation.

To avoid stress and related symptoms you must be proactive, nurturing your body and mind through a balanced diet, exercise, and reserved time for relaxation.

A Balanced Diet - We know that a balanced diet can improve your health, but can it really do anything for your stress level? Experts say it can. Research has found that good nutrition has a tremendous impact on our ability to ward off the damage stress can do to our systems. Sure, you’ll still feel tense, but with your body nutritionally armed for battle, you’ll handle things better. There are many things you can do to maximize your body’s fighting power.

One of the most significant things you can do is to reduce the amounts sugar and white flour in your diet. Sugar and white flour cause a host of problems you could do without. By reducing these items in your diet, you will be able to maintain better weight control, reduce the risk of heart disease, and increase your energy level. Why? Because items made with these products metabolize too fast in your blood system. The result is unhealthy spikes in your blood sugar, rapid depletion of energy, and damaging stress symptoms.


Exercise - In addition to eating right, exercise can be a tremendous help in fighting stress. As you get moving, your circulation delivers oxygen and nutritional elements throughout your body. The result is muscle relaxation, the release of mood elevating chemicals, and a strengthened immune system. Studies show that those who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from stress related illness.

Relaxation. When your body relaxes, it reverses stress symptoms. You experience a sense of control as you eliminate the feelings of helplessness that often accompany stress. Find that one thing that really helps you to kick back and forget about things for a while. Here are some suggestions:

-Catering to our senses, such as sight, smell, and sound can reduce anxiety. So put on some favorite music, keep fresh cut flowers in view, and sink into a warm bubble bath.

-Reduce the clutter in your life. Passing a stack of papers as you leave for work, tripping over boxes, or stuffing a breakfast plate into a sink of dirty dishes, creates underlying tension that acts as a fuse when something gets you fired up.

-Deal head-on with anything that has been bothering you. Ignoring problems won’t make them go away--resolving them will.

-Get a good night’s sleep. Your body needs this time to heal and “reboot” in preparation for the next day’s challenges. Deny this basic need and you drain all of your systems of their strength.

Good nutrition, exercise, and learning to enjoy life will help you ward off dangerous stress symptoms. It’s important that you take steps now to ensure a healthy future. That is why I dedicate several sections of my ebook series, A Balanced Approach to Health, to teaching you how to reduce the levels of stress in your life, instantly improving your quality of life. You’ll learn: How to cope rather than stress, 13 affirmations to move beyond stress and its impacts, how to become a relaxation guru, and much more.

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Monday, May 28, 2007

Dining Out On A Diet

You don’t have to stay home to eat healthy. Most restaurants have low fat options and are quickly adding low carb menus. Before going out, call around and find a restaurant with a menu that will be a good match for your diet. Once at the restaurant, there are ways to enjoy a guilt free meal. The secret to success is in the initial ordering—you don’t want to find yourself staring at a plate of bad choices, and regretting it only after the plate is empty.

Some experts suggest that once served, you should ask for a take-out container and put half of it away for the next day’s lunch or dinner. This works great if you are incredibly self-controlled. However, if the knowledge that there is more food under the lid of that Styrofoam container is too much—change the way you order. Side dishes, children’s plates, and appetizers are all great alternatives. Request that extras like gravy, butter, sauces, salad dressings, and sour cream be served on the side. Slightly dipping a fork in a condiment before you stick it into your food is a great way to limit the extra calories while adding flavor to your food.

Don’t be afraid to substitute. Substitute a salad for fries, a green vegetable for potatoes, or low fat versions for their fat laden counterparts. If there are no substitutions available, ask to have the item left off the plate. Such a request may result in your waiter explaining that you have to pay for it anyway. Simply let him know that you don’t mind—or you’ll end up paying with your waistline. Sometimes another person at the table will want the item you want left in the kitchen. If this is the case, ask the waiter to serve the item on a separate plate.

Fast food restaurants offer a challenge to the average weight loss plan. However, if you must go to one, there are usually a few healthy choices you can make. Order a salad, grilled chicken, or a roast beef sandwich. If you are on a low carb diet, request a plate and a fork with your sandwiches so that you can eat it without the bun. In casual and fine dining scenarios, simply choose items according to the way they are cooked, avoiding anything that is battered and fried. Instead, order items that are steamed, broiled, baked, roasted, or poached. Stay away from food that is creamed, cheese sauce, or items marinated in oil. Especially destructive to your weight loss efforts are casseroles and pastry crusts.

As for drinks-- water, diet sodas, and ice tea are all good choices. A single glass of wine fits nicely into most diets, but only if you have the willpower to pass on a second glass when offered. Desserts don’t have to be off limits, especially if everyone else at the table in partaking. This will only cause you to dig into the ice cream in your freezer with wild abandon once you get home. Choose a dessert that does not come with ice cream, whipped cream, or any kind of sauce. But only order it if you have someone willing to share it with you. Have the waiter bring it out already divided up.

There is no reason not to enjoy a guilt free dinner out. There are many options available, you just have to make the right choices. To be Continue in the next topic



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Weight Control: A Serious Goal

If you ask around, most people are on one form of a diet or another। But while losing weight may be a popular goal, for some it’s an absolute necessity। Becoming overweight or obese starts with a few extra pounds that quietly turn into 20 extra pounds, and then 40, and so on. With the extra weight comes an increased risk of heart attacks, diabetes, and some cancers. Other related health issues include:


• Sleep apnea
• Fatigue
• Liver disease
• Urinary incontinence
• Depression or anxiety
• Premature aging
• Early death

In addition, factors like stress, heredity, and lack of activity can cause further damage. Weight loss is the most significant way to reverse and eliminate these health concerns. This can be done through exercise, eating a balanced diet, and taking supplements to increase your metabolism. Of course, you should check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. However, you can get moving today by taking short walks or bicycle rides around your neighborhood. A diet that involves all food groups will help you fight fatigue and arm your body for battle against destructive elements. Through the use of supplements, you will also increase the rate at which body fat is burned and maximize the benefits of physical activity.

Don’t let the needle on your scale advance a single notch. Everyone can learn to enjoy life to the fullest by taking control of those things that can be controlled--your weight, your reactions to stress, and your lifestyle. There are many activities and products that can help to improve the condition of our heart, lungs, muscles, and other systems. I will introduce you to ways to eliminate the health risk of obesity for you and your family, explain ways to objectively and scientifically determine your current level of health, and much more. So Please visit my blog Everyday if you want to get information

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Understanding Fiber, Fat, Carbohydrates, Etc.

Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels on all packaged food items. Labels can be a tremendous help in controlling our diets—but only if we understand them. Here is a primer to use as you browse the labels in your panty and at the grocery:

Serving Size. The serving size is listed at the top of the label. This is an important part of meal planning and also where many people go wrong. To get the total number of carbs, calories, etc., in an item, simply multiply the listed units by the number of servings. You may be surprised at how many items you assume are only 1 serving that are actually 2 or 3. The smaller the item, the more likely you are to make mistakes.

Calories. Calories are the units of energy within a food item. When you eat, your body converts calories into energy, uses what it can, and then stores the rest in the form of fat. On labels, you’ll find separate numbers for calories and calories from fat. The fat calorie number refers to the number of calories derived from fat. The higher this number, the more fat in the product. For example, a can of diced tomatoes may have 30 calories (units of energy) and 0 calories from fat, making this a product your body can use efficiently. However, a prepackaged children’s snack may have 130 calories with 40 calories from fat, making the processed food item a less efficient source of body fuel.

Daily Percent Values (% DV). These tell you what portion of the recommended amounts of an item (fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.) are in a single serving in comparison to how much you need for a full day. You should take this number in account when selecting items from the grocery shelf. For example, it you are going to buy a bottle of pasta sauce, and Brand A provides 11% DV of fat and Brand B provides 40% DV of fat, the best choice is Brand A. Be sure to look at the numbers in the context of all the others on the label. If brand A turns out to be heavy on the sodium, you should continue to shop, taking a look at Brand C and Brand D.

Fat, Sugar, Fiber, Sodium and Carbohydrates. These are the sections of the label that seem to draw the most attention from dieters. However, everyone should consider them important. If you have dietary food restrictions, high blood pressure, or diabetes, these numbers could mean the difference between remaining in good health and heading towards the danger zone. If you are on a low carb diet, you can monitor your protein intake by paying attention to the carbohydrate and sugar content. Likewise, those on a low fat diet will want to know the fat and fiber content.

The FDA provides information on what specific label terms are supposed to mean.
“No fat” or “fat free” means that the item contains less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving, “Sugar free” means that the item contains less than 1/2 gram of sugar per serving, and “Good source of fiber” indicates 2.5 g to 4.9 g. per serving. A full list can be obtained from the FDA website. You’ll note that there is no definition for “low carb,” so be particularly wary when this phrase is used.

Proper nutrition is important. Reading labels is only one step of many in the development of healthy eating habits. In my blog I will provide the information you need to further improve and enhance your health. You’ll learn which foods pack the biggest punch in your healthier eating plan, the facts about diets, diet tips to jumpstart your healthier lifestyle, and much more.

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Saturday, May 26, 2007

Your Third Tips

The basic philosophy

A better approach towards unhealthy food is that – ‘I can have it, if I want it, but I don’t really feel taking it.’ In this way, you are not denying yourself your favorite sugar candy, but then you are encouraging yourself to eat with more awareness and with practice, you’ll learn to eat less of these foods and eat more of what your body needs.


The power of mind

Remember that it is always mind over body. Let your mind be fit enough to guide you to do the right thing always. Keep your cool and go ahead with your weight loss program.

Visualization

The very first thing needed is the determination to lose weight. So “make up your mind”. Tell yourself how wonderful you would feel if you were trim and slim with a perfect figure. Pamper yourself by mentally being in shape. Tell yourself that all is going to be fine and that you will make it happen!

Variety is the spice of the life

Healthy eating and obsessive denial don't go well together. If you constantly restrict yourself, it's harder to stick to healthy eating. An occasional, single scoop of ice cream, with sliced banana on the side is not going to do any harm, if you can balance the rest of the day’s food. Variety is the spice of the life and it keeps away boredom. This is applicable to exercise also.

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Your Second Tips

Will Donald G. Mitchell once wrote:
Resolve is what makes a man manifest; not puny resolve, but crude determination; not errant purpose—but that strong and indefatigable will which treads down difficulties and danger, as a boy treads down the heaving frost-lands of winter; which kindles his
eyes and brain with a proud pulse-beat toward the unattainable.

Will makes, men giants. While on a weight loss regimen, the above wordings should have a significant say on your scheme of things. Keep in mind that every goal comes with a price, and this price is the one you would not be willing to pay. Additionally, right now – even as you read these words – take a minute and admit to yourself that you are mentally lazy. You have the will power to do the things to reduce some pounds, but you are too lazy to get down to work. If you would like to change this fact, you need to resolve to get down to work. Instead of wasting your time sitting there, worrying about whether you can do it, decide that you WILL do it and that you are going to work at it. The best way to start is to eat something, which you hate most. Of course, it goes without saying that the food you choose should be desirable for weight loss.


You are unique in your own way.

“Every man with self-respect enough to become effective, if only as a machine, has had to account to himself for himself somehow, and to invent a formula of his own for his universe” - Henry Adams.

Your experience might have already taught you that, you are quite unique in someway or other. This rule applies to food too. I am sure that you might have already experienced some unlikeness to a particular food due to the uneasiness after consuming the same. For example, some people feel uncomfortable after taking potatoes, while some others love to eat that. You can be your own judge to detect such foods, which may upset you in some way. It’s always better to avoid such foods.


Enjoy and do

If you can apply this rule to your stratagem, then I don’t think any stumbling block can
come in your path to success. The moment you do these tasks mechanically, you will feel
monotonous. The key point, which you must bear in mind, is that the exercises and plans
explained here must be done with hundred percent involvements from your part.

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Your First Tips

One step at a time

It’s often found that, most of the so-called failures in a weight-loss attempt occur, when one tries to do everything in one go. Remember, you are not climbing the whole mountain in one go. You should never think that you have shouldered a Herculean task, which is bound to fail at any moment. Instead, think of your target for next two days. It’s always easy to conquer your excess weight, if you do it step by step. For example, think about all the positive things, you are going to have during a day’s schedule. Refresh your mind with the funny things you are going to do in the swimming pool or in the tennis court.

Affirmation


Repetition is the key to allowing any affirmation to have an influence on you. You must repeat these words several times a day. You should tell yourself that you are going to have a healthy living and will overcome all your negative thoughts towards the weight loss goal. You can also say them when you are confronted with situations, where your lower self is trying to pull your leg. Also, say these words several times before you are trying to get sleep at night. While saying these words, you should also visualize, you dominating your lower urges and becoming the master of them. When you are able to do this, you will feel stronger and the weight loss tasks, which may have seemed daunting, will become much easier to accomplish. Beware of complacency, though since you must keep your mental guard up to avoid backsliding.


Sense of pride

The human mind is indeed a remarkable thing. But often we tend to take it for granted. We do not give it the due respect that it deserves. I guess this is mostly because it is capable of taking care of itself. It does not demand any attention from us and so we do not give it any. But what if we did? We are always eager to do some tasks, if we get something in return on accomplishment of these tasks. So, what can be your motivation for your weight loss achievement? Let me assure you that from my experience there is no single factor than injecting a sense of pride that can make you feel better on achieving some goals. So, make it a habit to give a pat to yourself, whenever you are able to do some weight loss tasks, however simple it is.

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Loss Weight

Half the battle is making the decision to lose weight. Now you’ve done that, you’re already well on the way to achieving your goal.

Here are more than 100 fantastic recipes that abound with tips and are exceptionally nutritious. Your whole family can benefit from a new, healthier way of eating. Enjoy delicious dishes like Spaghetti Squash, Bubbly Berries, Irresistible Vegetable Soup, Fresh ‘n’ Tasty Salad, Butter Scotch Fiesta, Cauliflower Jumbo, Carrot Honey Mustard Bonanza, and Delicious Tropical Muesli. You're going to love shedding pounds while still enjoying your favorite foods. That's because great recipes that are easy to make is actually one of the secrets to losing weight and keeping it off.

Along with great tips like, Plain, low-fat yogurt makes a great, heart healthy base; choose plain low-fat yogurt for the fewest calories, and Soluble fiber found highly in dried beans, oat bran, barley, apples, citrus fruits, and potatoes may help achieve healthy cholesterol levels and possibly reduce blood pressure as well.

We hope you enjoy each and every one of these fabulous recipes and gain all the health benefits from eating good tasting and good for you foods!

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