Archive for March, 2010

Real People Need Real Diets That Work



Author : Jim Fisher

You’ve heard them all: “Lose a pound a day,” “Drop five dress sizes in five days,” or “Lose your belly with the Flat Belly Diet ” The sales pitches are endless, and so are the number of people who have been burned When it comes to weight loss gimmicks they’ve been around for decades

Thanks to research, most of the latest diets are based on scientific research that provides healthy results without all the hype These newer diets are not nearly as restrictive, and they give us plenty of information on how we gain weight and why we aren’t able to lose it That means you’ll be much more likely to be successful with your weight loss goals

The Weight Loss Connection Between The Mind And Body

The most significant awareness that recent dietary science has recognized is that individuals don’t just eat too much for the love of food, or because they feel obligated to eat Dietary science has shown that overeating occurs as a result of intricate relationships between physical and emotional need

The number one reason there are so many overweight Americans is because we use food to fill an emotional void, which encompasses relationship issues, money worries, and even day to day stress, all of which drive us to find comfort foods

Judith Beck, Psychologist and founder of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research, has a different concept for aiding dieters in their weight loss It works by changing the way a person thinks about food

Dr Beck, author of “The Beck Diet Plan,” focuses on aiding overweight patients in transitioning them to think about food just like thin people do Her diet lets patients keep eating those foods that are their favourites, while still losing weight They can achieve this because of the cognitive change that takes place in the dieter that will stop them from overeating by presenting the reader with cognitive ways to stay away from emotional or stress related eating, thereby reshaping the dieting landscape

How Instinct Play A Role In Eating

The authors Betty Sargent, and Susan Roberts of “The Instinct Diet: Use Your Five Food Instincts To Lose Weight and Keep It Off,” have put together a valuable weight control book

In their book they explain in detail how our bodies are programmed to keep us alive so we instinctively know we must eat These deep seated instincts vary depending on the foods that are available, the diverse choices, how familiar we are with certain foods, and of course the calories While this worked in early times, our world has changed and so have our foods making it harder for us to maintain our weight

This diet reprograms people’s instincts for healthier choices including a high fiber intake, non-calorie beverages, and eating three meals a day

The diet last eight weeks, and while the first two weeks are quite restrictive, the remaining six weeks are quite easy providing significant food choices At the end of the eight weeks you will be slimmer and have a different approach to eating

If your goal is to lose weight and keep it off, you need more than a fad diet You need to understand the emotional, instinctual, and psychological triggers related to eating, and then alter the way you eat so that you can achieve a healthier weight and lifestyle

Jim Fisher is a fat loss and physical fitness enthusiast focused on new and innovative methods of losing fat and staying in great shape at any age. For a limited time you can claim the ‘Insider Secrets to a Lean Body’ ebook absolutely free at http://insider-secrets.synthasite.com

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Eggs Power Food or Cholesterol Nightmare



Author : Jon Le Tocq

Are eggs good for you or are they bad for you? Or are they good for you in small amounts and bad when you eat lots? The old argument has suggested that eggs cause high cholesterol levels and blocked arteries which we know leads to heart problems sooner or later

In 2005, the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggested that no more than 300mg of dietary cholesterol should be consumed each day With an average egg containing around 220mg of cholesterol it seems logical that the fewer eggs you eat the better

However, this perspective is misleading because we need to consider the different types of cholesterol Not everything in life is black and white!

In the blue corner we have Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL’s) which clog arteries by carrying cholesterol to the sites of fatty deposits In the red corner we have High Density Lipoproteins (HDL’s) which are the good guys as they clean up LDL’s floating in the blood and transport them to the liver for eventual excretion

Also, cholesterol is required for cell function, nerve function and hormone function Trying to eradicate cholesterol completely is therefore an inaccurate and misinformed idea

Aside from cholesterol eeggs are an excellent source of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 and iodine These substances have many, many uses in the body but I want to focus on their benefits for those looking to lose body fat

First, protein You must eat lean, complete proteins 5-6 times per day to maintain / build muscle and to remain satisfied without eating high levels of carbohydrates In terms of losing body fat protein increases the thermic effect of what you eat which helps burn calories by eating!

Vitamin A aids bone growth and helps regulate your immune system both of which are necessary if you want to be able to train with weights regularly Again this is essential for creating your best body ever

This doesn’t mean you need to become a bodybuilder, quite the opposite Weight training is often avoided by ladies in particular looking to lose fat but they are doing themselves a massive disservice!

Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium Calcium is essential for ensuring strong bones for weight bearing activities and general health

Vitamin B2 not only helps process amino acids (from proteins) and fats but it also helps convert carbohydrates to ATP Don’t worry too much about what this stands for but know that it is used by the body for energy during very intense exercise

Finally we have iodine This helps regulate the hormones responsible for your metabolism ensuring you’re always burning calories efficiently

As you can see eggs provide a range of benefits for fat loss and maintenance or growth of muscles but the structure of eggs must also be considered

All of the cholesterol in an egg is found in the yolk The white provides a source of pure, complete protein

It therefore seems wise to limit the yolks you eat to one per day whilst you should feel free to eat more egg whites This will ensure you are getting enough protein – something few people do!

The truth is that it is saturated fats which cause the increasing heart problems in Western society Eggs therefore can be a main element of any fat loss plan with all other sources of saturated fat being minimised

Often you will hear people say they don’t eat eggs because they’re bad for the heart However, the same people will eat high amounts of processed foods, alcohol and other heart-stopping foods and drinks!

The positives provided by egg whites in particular cannot be ignored especially by those who do not wish to eat animal meat for whatever reasons they may have Vegetarians take note!

Some studies suggest that eating 3-4 whole eggs every day had no effect at all on blood cholesterol but if you are still paranoid, get your cholesterol tested by your GP You might even conduct an experiment of your own by eating 3-4 eggs per day for 2 weeks then having your cholesterol re-tested to see if there is any effect

To sum up, don’t believe everything you read or hear in the media as everything will be hyped up and made to sound like the end of the world Take time to research the truth and you will generally find that there is no need to panic!

Jon Le Tocq created the online Storm Force Fitness concept which continues to produce amazing fat loss and conditioning results without gym membership! You can join the fun at http://www.stormforcefitness.com

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Iron In Your Food



Author : Jim Brown

If you are feeling faint, are finding yourself frequently irritable and getting short out of breath a lot and are losing color on your normally pink cheeks, then you might be suffering from iron deficiency anemia As the name suggests, you lack a very important nutrient – iron Everybody needs iron This mineral is important because it is what aids our able bodies to produce hemoglobin The latter being the oxygen carrier in our red blood cells has the vital task of delivering oxygen from our should-be-healthy lungs to the rest of the parts of the human body Low levels of iron means low levels of hemoglobin And when our tissues are starved enough of oxygen then we get a dose of the terrible symptoms earlier mentioned

Iron is critically important during the growth year periods namely infancy, childhood, adolescence particularly for menstruating women and pregnancy It is on these stages when our body produces more blood tissues The more tissues we get, the more our blood volume increases and it follows that we need more iron to transport and distribute oxygen to the new additions Inadequacy and shortcoming of iron supply especially during the infant phase can cause grave consequences which might be life long Iron deficiency anemia at earlier stages will have a major effect on the cognitive functions and could even lead to mental impairment Tests have shown that children who were low with iron demonstrated low performances on aptitude tests and low learning curves as compared to those who had adequate intake of iron in their diets

As this is the case, it is imperative that iron should be greatly incorporated in our daily diets It is thus essential to know what the foods are that are rich in this mineral resource The most common source of iron is meat This includes lean red meats such as pork, beef and even lamb; pork, beef and chicken liver, meat from chicken and turkey Add to the list seafood namely clams, oysters, tuna, shrimp, salmon and mussels The egg yolk is also a good source of iron so you might want to remember that and list it down as part of your breakfast menu Animal sources are usually preferred because the body is able to absorb them better as compared to their green leafy counterparts

Vegetable sources of iron can comprise of black strap molasses, beans which may be kidney, navy, lima, black, pinto, lentils or soy beans, greens such as kale, mustard greens, collard greens, spinach and turnip greens and vegetables as swiss chard, asparagus, broccoli, watercress, parsley and brussel sprouts If you are having a hard time getting your child to eat these vegetables then you might want to try to trick him with a Popeye story The famous sailor man loves to gulp down spinach and the latter is actually a very good source of iron A great supply of iron can also be obtained from tofu, cereals, breads, rice and pasta You can also get iron by munching on nuts and dried fruits including raisins, apricots, prunes and dates

James Brown writes about DrugStore.com coupons, VitaminShoppe.com on-line coupons and Zone Diet Products discount codes

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Author : Dee Overly

You don’t need to be a vegetarian or vegan to reap the benefits of eating healthy Even the most devoted vegan must watch what they eat; sugars and fatty foods are out there everywhere and everyone can fall victim to them Knowing what to eat and how much to eat is the key Avoiding some foods all together will help, just as adding a little of this and that every once in a while will aid you as well

Soy foods have always been associated with health foods There was the tofu craze of the early eighties and then, in the nineties, people found themselves buying soy yogurt and soy ice cream Unfortunately, the media frenzy has died down but the benefits associated with eating these foods have not

How Soy Works to Help Promote Weight Loss

Soy foods are great for weight loss; they contain protein that is easily digestible, unlike animal proteins that can be stored in the body for days Soy protein has also been linked to helping reduce the risk of obesity in direct correlation with Type-2 diabetes Studies show that replacing animal protein with soy protein can decrease short-term appetite and calorie intake

For those of you who watch your weight and study all the fad diets, you undoubtedly know that fiber plays an incredible role in weight loss Soluble fiber, which can be broken down in the body, helps in lowering cholesterol levels and fighting disease

Insoluble fiber is great for bulk or, as dieters like to say, roughage This type of fiber helps you stay full, go to the bathroom regularly, and keep your body’s systems running efficiently Fiber can also help eliminate other fats that you eat from your body Because soy fiber helps the body and the digestive system, the fat doesn’t stay in the body as long, therefore less is absorbed into the blood stream

The Assistance of Isoflavones

Soy hormones or isoflavones have been linked to reducing breast cancer risks as well as eliminating certain menopausal symptoms like hot flashes Further studies have also linked these isoflavones to weight loss One study at the University of Illinois proved just this Research concluded that the hormones aided in boosting the metabolism and degrading lipids It seems the inherent medical properties of the soy isoflavones help with weight loss, independent of calorie content

Diabetic studies have linked soy foods to regulating sugar levels and minimizing insulin fluctuations, meaning fewer sugar cravings This is due, in part, to soy products being a low-glycemic index food Many people have added the recommended 25 grams of soy protein to their diets for this reason alone

However, soy foods have a tremendous amount of other healthy qualities as well For instance, the FDA says eating soy foods can lower your cholesterol and help fight disease The American Heart Association has also gotten on the soy bandwagon It’s a healthy food that aids the body in fighting many diseases, and an added benefit is losing weight

Dee Overly is a mother and artist who discovered the health benefits of soy milk and now sells a Soymilk Maker at www.SoymilkCrossroads.com. Stop by and pick up your Free Vegetarian Recipe Book and check out the blog.

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Creating Standards Costa Rican Coffee



Author : John Hilaire

Costa Rica is known for producing some of the best caffeine in the entire world Characterized as being clean, mild, and balanced, Costa Rican cafe comes from over 130,000 small and large farms from all over the country These farms, located in different growing regions, produce slight subtle differences in the taste of the caffeine

Costa Rican coffee sets the standards high for other cafe throughout Central and South America Few people have found a way to criticize a cup of Costa Rican caffeine – besides to say that it is too perfect!

The History Of Costa Rican Coffee

Coffee arrived in Costa Rican near the end of the eighteenth century As caffeine growing expanded throughout the country, it provided a base for cafe to become established as an industry in Costa Rica It was the first Central American country to do so

The export of coffee from Costa Rica expanded quickly; it began with the export of caffeine to Colombia in 1820, but by 1923 Costa Rica was already exporting cafe to Chile as well In turn, Chile repackaged the coffee and exported it to England The first shipment of caffeine directly to London occurred in 1854

Costa Rica has come to thrive off of the economic benefits and elevated status that the cafe industry brought it Today, Costa Rican coffee is considered a fine delicacy

Different Types Of Costa Rican caffeine

There are several different types of Costa Rican cafe The variations depend mostly on the zone and altitude at which the coffee bean was grown

Cafe La Carpintera is grown in the Tres Rios region, which is known for its fertile soil and pleasant climate This caffeine bean is grown at an altitude of 1200-1400 mts , and it produces a uniquely exquisite blend Cafe Atarazu comes from the Terrazu region of Costa Rica, known for being rocky and mountainous It is typically grown at 1200-1750 mts

Caf?El Gran Vito is a relatively new blend, grown as a result of the experimentations of Italian immigrants Grown in the region of Coto Brus, this blend of cafe was first attempted in 1941, and it continues to be heavily influenced by Italian elements On the other hand, Cafe Zurqui is known for being one of the oldest blends of Costa Rican coffee It is grown at 1200-1500 mts in the Heredia region, which is known for having the oldest caffeine plantations in the country

The Search For Quality

Costa Rica was not the first country in Central America to grow cafe, nor was it the last However, if you are looking for a delicious, quality cup of coffee, you can’t go wrong with one of the many Costa Rican blends!

John Hilaire is a webmaster for the Keurig Coffee Maker related website.Find Gevalia Coffee at http://www.gevaliacoffeereviews.com.

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Making Your Very Own Candy



Author : Jimmy Cox

It has been the aim of the author to gather the precise formulas of the best candies made from private recipes, also those sold by confectioners, and present them in such manner and a form so simple that any school girl or boy may concoct for themselves or friends the finest of candies at very little expense

There is a class of people who, from stern necessity, cannot afford to indulge in the best chocolate creams ; so to this class of people these recipes will also be invaluable, not only placing within their reach the choicest of confections, but practically eliminating the cost, because nearly all kitchens contain the various ingredients that go to make candy, and only the formulas are needed to combine them into the most delicious foods

CHOCOLATE BONBONS

Take two ounces of powdered gum Arabic and soak it in a cupful of boiling water; then strain through a cheese cloth; add a teaspoonful of vanilla and enough powdered sugar to make a stiff paste Form the mixture into balls about the size of marbles, and set aside to dry Now make an icing Melt five ounces of sweet chocolate; put in with it two tablespoonfuls of water

Beat up the whites of two eggs, adding sufficient granulated sugar to make a soft icing; then stir in the melted chocolate Dip the balls into this icing, one at a time, and place on waxed paper to dry

MARASCHINO BONBONS

Are made the same as Chocolate Bonbons, with the exception that a teaspoonful of maraschino is used in the icing instead of chocolate

COFFEE BONBONS

Proceed as directed for Chocolate Bonbons, using coffee extract in the icing instead of chocolate

CRYSTALLIZED CHERRIES

With a cupful of best granulated sugar mix a table-spoonful of butter and four tablespoonfuls of water; then boil to the point that if you drop some mixture into cold water, it will form a hard ball Have some choice cherries, stoned and ready in a pan, and pour the syrup over them Gently move them around, so that they will be well coated, and set aside to cool When nearly cold, dry them in a warm place

CRYSTALLIZED PLUMS

Select ripe plums of the best quality Slit them on one side and remove stones; then proceed precisely as for Crystallized Cherries Other fruits may be coated in a similar manner

CRYSTALLIZED NUTS

Beat the white of an egg and in it put the nut kernels Stir them around and drain the egg off Beat it again, repeat the operation, then roll the nut kernels, one by one, in powdered sugar Place them on a plate and put the plate in a cool oven When the icing becomes dry and firm, take them out and keep in a dry place

FROSTED CHERRIES

Take the white of an egg and beat it well, adding a teaspoonful of cold water, and into this dip the cherries, one at a time, holding them by their stems; then roll the cherries in pulverized sugar and lay them on waxed paper to dry Keep in a cool place until ready for use

BUTTER SCOTCH

To a cupful of brown sugar add as much water and a tablespoonful of vinegar; set to boil and after coming to a boil add one and one-half ounces of butter; then continue boiling until brittle when dropped into cold water Remove from fire and pour into buttered pans to cool

Mix together a cupful of granulated FUDGE sugar, an ounce of butter, one-half cupful of milk, and place over a fire to boil Stir continuously When the mixture commences to boil add an ounce of finely-chopped chocolate, and continue boiling about ten minutes Test frequently in cold water, and when it reaches the degree where if you drop a small amount into cold water it will form a ball which cracks softly when you bite it, add a half tea-spoonful of vanilla, stir until quite stiff, and pour into buttered pans to cool When partly cold cut into small squares

The above candies are very delicious, and as mentioned above, can be made by almost any keen young schoolchild Enjoy!

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Author : Helen Hecker

If you’ve thought about eating a healthier diet a good way to do it is by substituting some raw food recipes for some of the daily cooked food recipes you use now This is just another way to look at copy cat recipes

Although most people think a raw food diet consists of eating fruits and salads and maybe a handful of nuts and seeds, the raw food diet is much more than that You can prepare dozens of copy cat recipes, those that mimic the standard American diet fare you are probably used to eating

For example one of the best raw food recipes that is easy to make is almond milk You can easily make your own almond milk cheaply, at home, to substitute for harmful cow’s milk and boxed soy and rice products Soy milk and other boxed milks are highly processed Although a better alternative to cow’s milk they still do not have the health benefits you get from a nice tall glass of homemade almond milk

Making almond milk is relatively easy and doesn’t require any unusual ingredients You can use dates, honey or agave nectar for sweetener and still keep it in its living or alive state

To make almond milk you only need about a cup of raw almonds Make sure not to buy or use roasted almonds You soak these overnight in pure water, drain and put in a blender along with 3 cups of pure filtered or spring water and blend for about 2 1/2 minutes Then pour into a nut milk bag, sprout bag or fine mesh strainer Squeeze tightly if you are using a bag Pour into a glass jar, add your sweetener and refrigerate

Almond milk will keep for up to five days or so Use it on sliced strawberries and bananas in a bowl, drink as is, add nutmeg for an eggnog flavor etc Use it wherever you would use other milks

Of course it can be used on cereal, muesli, granola in a bowl if you still eat those At the least try to incorporate it into your diet It’ll vastly help improve your health This is especially true if you eliminate cow’s milk and other dairy products Raw food diets are the healthiest diets and help you lose weight naturally

There are many other copy cat raw food recipes you can make with living foods that will replace the cooked foods in your diet If you’re a mom with young kids or teenagers, you will be greatly benefiting your kids’ diets with almond milk and other great living food recipes They will never know the difference and their overall health will benefit There are many other simple and easy raw food recipes you can fix for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner

For more raw food recipes, raw food diets, losing weight with raw foods, curing breast cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sinus, digestive and sleeping issues, acid reflux, headaches, allergies, etc. see a nurse/raw food expert’s: http://www.RecipesRaw.com

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Author : Ben Welch

“Antioxidant” is a word we are hearing more and more these days Its connection with good health is continually being tested and proven in many labs “Antioxidant” is the term for a group of nutrients with many health-promoting properties They are found in raw foods and are associated with many desirable qualities – ranging from better eyesight to possible cancer prevention

If one were to make a triangle similar to the well-known Food Pyramid from the USDA, antioxidants would make up nearly the same categories They are plentiful in the fruits and vegetables category, and are represented by the protein classification of meats, poultry, fish and nuts Antioxidants are found in grains as well If you eat a balanced diet that includes a variety and lots of leafy greens, you are sure to get your needed supply of antioxidants

What is the function of antioxidants in the body? There are many studies being conducted to find out just how important antioxidants are to one’s health and well being They help to stabilize free radicals Free radicals can cause damage to cells that promote the development of cancer

Where can you find antioxidants to be sure your diet is rich in this valuable nutrient?

Lutein is found in vegetables like spinach and kale It is credited with eye health Beta-carotene is recognized by the orange color of the fleshy parts of fruits and vegetables alike Examples that include this vital nutrient are squash, apricots, mangoes and carrots

Lycopene can be found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava and more natural foods Anthocyanins exist in berries, cherries, red grapes and the Brazilian acai berry Proanthocyanidins are located in cranberries, apples, strawberries, grapes, and peanuts

Antioxidants have been found to reduce the danger of disease while promoting improved health Studies have made the connection between antioxidants found in these naturally occurring food sources and diminished risk of cancer and like ailments Antioxidants are found in the healthy body, so be sure your diet is rich in these necessary foods

If you ensure that your diet includes a wide variety of these antioxidant rich foods, you have a better chance of living a healthier, longer life After all, don’t all of us want to be able to live life to its fullest? Don’t we all want to make the most of our lives? I know I do! Healthy eating – and particularly an antioxidant-rich diet – should be a priority for all of us

Acai Guru writes articles about the Acai berry and it’s antioxidant benefits. You can find Acai antioxidants and Acai Juice products by visiting Monavie.com or by reading Monavie news.

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