Wednesday, August 26, 2009

So What Exactly is This Acai Berry?

Posted by Kay at 8:44 PM 1 comments


Have you heard about acai berry juice before? If you are not aware about acai berry juice, you need to understand its health benefits. The juice of acai berries is vital for your health. Well, here is why it is considered vital for your health.
  • It Is Natural And Effective
The biggest advantage of the juice of acai berry is that it is completely natural in nature. The acai juice is derived from the acai berries. The berries are plucked from the acai palm which is found deep in the confines of the Amazonian Rain Forests of Brazil. If you are using an ordinary health, you are risking yourself to numerous harmful preservatives.

  • It Is The # 1 Super Food
The wonder berries from the acai palm are considered to be the #1 super food of the world. In simple terms, if you are making use of this food supplement, you need to understand that they are an effective source of providing the missing nutrients to your body. The acai juice is therefore a complete food in itself and it can also serve as a staple diet.
  • A Fat Burner
The juice of the acai berries are also considered to be effective fat burners. If you are obese and are hoping to lose weight at warp speed, there is no better weight loss supplement than the acai berries supplement. It not only burns body fat, it also helps you retain your lost weight. The acai berry juice is vital for your health. It is natural, effective and the #1 'fat burner' in the entire world. Grab your Free Trial packs of Acai Berry and Colon Cleanse TODAY. These Free Trial packs have been used successfully by millions of weight loss enthusiasts. They have also been recommended by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_C_Coleman

Monday, August 24, 2009

How to recover from a cold: Easy Steps!

Posted by Kay at 10:19 PM 2 comments

Hey everyone! I'm back! Some of you might have been wondering where I've been lately- at home sick! I think I caught a cold after going to the pool late at night. I had a high fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, and whooping cough! But thank goodness I'm doing better now! I will be posting more throughout the week ;) I've decided to give you guys some tips on how to recover from a cold quickly and easily!

Credits: “Frederic Patenaude, is the author of the best-selling e-book "The Raw Secrets"


Sleep It Off



The main problem people have when they get a cold is that it interferes with their already busy life. How are you supposed to work if you feel really bummed? So you take drugs or even just herbal medicines to alleviate the symptoms, and you continue working like crazing, staying up late, going out, eating out, and never giving your body the chance to heal!


When you get a cold, you should do this opposite. Think to yourself, “Great! A cold! That's my opportunity to catch up on the rest I desperately need, and my chance to let my body heal itself!”

What you'll need to do is start spending long hours in bed. Rest as much as possible. Cancel those appointments that are not urgent, those nights out, and other activities. Stop your exercise program for a few days, and rest as much as possible.

If that's not possible, at least take it really easy, and go to bed super-early. Give your body a chance to heal and it will do an amazing job at it, I promise.

Eat Properly

95% of people I've met still think that there's some kind of food they should eat that could “increase their immunity” or “boost their metabolism” and help them “fight” the cold better.

They still haven't realized that the common cold isn't something that should be fought or stopped!

Here is however a few recommendations that will definitely help you recover from a cold in the shortest time possible.

  • Eat only fruits and vegetables. Those are the easiest foods to digest. Avoid protein foods or fat, or starch.
  • Drink plenty of warm water.
  • Eat a very simple diet. Smoothies, fresh juices, raw fruits in vegetables. No cooked foods except at the most, steamed vegetables.
  • Eat according to hunger and if not hungry skip a few meals. There's no harm and only good in doing that.


Eating a simple raw food diet when you have a cold will help you recover in the shortest time possible, without doing any harm to the body.

Combine that with plenty of rest, and you'll have a winning formula to getting rid of that nasty cold.

By learning proper nutrition habits, you'll also make sure that you stay healthy all the time and never have to go through that again!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Healthy Recipe: Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken! (Yum!)

Posted by Kay at 11:20 PM 4 comments


Delizioso!

Ingredients

    For the Chicken:
    2 boneless, and skinless chicken breasts 3 tablespoons of fat-free Italian dressing

    For the dressing:
    1 & 1/2 tablespoons of fat free mayonnaise
    1/4 teaspoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
    1/2 teaspoon of red wine vinegar
    1/4 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
    1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
    1/2 of a clove garlic, minced
    1 & 1/2 teaspoons of water
    Freshly ground black pepper; for taste

    For the Salad:
    4 cups romaine lettuce
    1/2 ounce (about 3 tablespoons) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
    1/2 cup whole-wheat croutons

Directions

1. Add the chicken and Italian dressing in a fresh sealed plastic bag.

2. Put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, and turn the chicken over after 15 minutes.

3. Prepare a hot fire on a charcoal grill, gas grill, or broiler.

4. Stand about 1 foot away from the fire and lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

5. Grill or broil the chicken breasts until browned and cooked through on eash side.

6. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into strips.

7. To make the Caesar dressing, add mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic and water. Whip together until smooth. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.

8. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, croutons and the Caesar dressing. Toss thoroughly until the lettuce is coated with the dressing. Transfer the salad to individual plates.

7. Top each salad with the grilled chicken and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

8. Serve immediately.

Buono appetito! :D


Friday, August 7, 2009

Healthy Recipe: Low Fat Peanut Butter Cookies

Posted by Kay at 9:38 PM 2 comments


Only 45 Calories!

Ingredients:

1 can (preferably 14 oz.) of low fat sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup of reduced fat peanut butter

1/4 cup of fat free egg substitute

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups of reduced fat biscuit mix

1/4 cup of sugar


Directions:

1. Prepare a large bowl to mix in ingredients

2. Mix the milk, peanut butter, egg substitute and vanilla with a mixer on a low setting until smooth.

3. Add the biscuit mix and blend well.

4. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.

5. Preheat your oven to 350.

6. Drop the dough by teaspoonful 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet coated with nonstick spray.

7. Sprinkle with sugar and bake the cookies until lightly browned about 6-8 minutes.

Enjoy the cookies! :D

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Healthy Recipe: Energy Bars!

Posted by Kay at 10:42 PM 0 comments


Servings: About 24 Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups of uncooked Quaker Multi-Grain cereal (Or any healthy whole grain cereal- your choice)

1/2 cup of raisins

1/2 cup of snipped small pitted prunes

1/2 cup of coarsely chopped (unblanched) almonds

1/2 cup of unsalted sunflower seeds

1/ 1/4 cups of flour

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

2/3 cup of brown sugar

1 large egg

1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

2 teaspoons of vanilla


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Lightly grease a 9x 13 (nine by thirteen)-inch baking pan.

3. In a large bowl, mix the cereal, raisins, prunes, almonds, sunflower seeds, flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, brown sugar and egg until it is blended.

4. Stir in the applesauce and vanilla. Add the (previous) dry ingredients, and stir until well blended

5. Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Cool until lukewarm on a rack before cutting into bars.

7. Serves 24 bars.


Bon Appetit! :)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Healthy Recipe: Potato Soup

Posted by Kay at 10:19 PM 0 comments



Ingredients

    1 teaspoon of olive oil
    1 large fennel bulb, chopped
    1 cup of chopped red onion
    2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
    3 cups of chicken broth (Try to get one low on sodium)
    1 cup of fat-free milk (Yes! Fat Free!) ;)
    2 teaspoons of lemon juice
    2 teaspoons of toasted fennel seeds

Directions

1. Prepare a large soup pot

2. Heat the olive oil over medium heat.

3. Add the fennel and onion to the pot.

4. Saute the vegetables until they are soft, it will likely take about 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the potatoes, chicken broth, milk and lemon juice. Cover the pot, reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are nice and tender, probably about 15 minutes.

6. If you own a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth. Pour the soup into the pot and heat until warmed.

7. Ladle into individual bowls and garnish with toasted fennel seeds.

8. Serve immediately!


Bon Appetit!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

It's Summertime! Get Outside!

Posted by Kay at 2:05 PM 3 comments


It's a gorgeous day out here in New York, warm 89 degree weather and the sun has been shining all day long. And how did I spend this beautiful day you ask?
Staying on this computer all day! My neck and shoulders are killing me! I'm planning on going to the beach in an hour to get some relaxation. Here are some tips for posture while using your computer.


Posture & Positioning

  1. The first step to better posture at a desk is to alter your chair to the right height for computer work. Your feet should be flat on the floor, your thighs parallel to the ground, knees forming a 90 degree angle.
  2. Second, adjust your computer to level your eyes with the top of your monitor. Tilt the monitor at an angle of approximately 15 degrees for an optimal neck position that will not strain your spine. For the sake of your eyes, be positive that you are sitting far enough from the screen so that there is at least 20 inches of space between your face and the monitor.
  3. Pull the keyboard tray out towards you, level with the height of your elbows when your arms hang loose at your side. In order to protect your elbows and shoulders, make certain never to reach forward to type. Maintain a right angle in the elbow joint.



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For The Back

  • If you are presumable to lower back pain, you may find that a durable cushion positioned in the small of the back gives you the support you need.
  • Try putting a wedge-shaped block under your feet to raise your toes slightly upwards.

For The Wrists

  • While using the mouse, move from the shoulder instead of the wrist.
  • Avoid wrist pads that create a bend in the wrist.
  • Keep wrists flat, forearms stiff and parallel to the floor.
  • Use reinforced wrist braces if it is needed.

Movement

Remember to take breaks and get moving. Instead of going straight from sitting at your desk to sitting in the break room, take time to stretch your limbs, rotating each joint slowly, several times different directions. Don't ignore your sore spots!


Monday, August 3, 2009

Late Night Cravings!

Posted by Kay at 11:10 PM 0 comments

Healthy "Good Night" Snacks

Snacking can be a favorable thing, however it has to be done mindfully. Many times we choose fat packed, sugar and salt soaked, and completely unhealthy foods to focus our snacking needs. We also over eat and bite a lot more calories and food then we can chew, and this is an important issue. Finally, there is a time for snacking and a time to be careful in your late night snacking. The midnight snack is often a bad choice because the digestive system slows down after you go to sleep. However, if you are careful you can snack healthy even at night!


Watch What and How Much You Eat

The foremost thing that you're required to do is watch what you eat. This can be hard because a lot of night time snacking is done with cravings. Usually they are broken into salty snacks such as potato chips or something sweet such as chocolate and ice cream. You can make food choices for snacking in an easy and comparable way. Replace the unhealthy options with low fat options either in the salty or sweet category. Here are some good options:


Salty Foods

  • Popcorn - If it isn't high in butter content. If you are popping your own, pop it in a little oil and sprinkle salt for popcorn flavoring. If you will be popping it in the microwave, choose a light butter or a low fat butter option. These are often less salty as well. Also, don't get too carried away; watch your portions.
  • Nuts and Seeds - Being that its covered with salt and high protein content, it is a food that should fill you up fairly quickly. Because this, only select a handful to diminish your craving or to help fill you up.
  • Cheese - You can have a small amount of cheese (low-fat is recommended). This includes string cheese, cheese slices, and even cottage cheese!
  • Veggies in Dip - Most dips are very unhealthy for you, and are very fattening. However, you can make a great dip from low fat sour cream or better yet, plain yogurt! To make it tasty add seasonings and herbs of your choice (be sure to stay light on the salt!). This is a low fat option that will taste fabulous and you can dip all of your favorite vegetables in it!
  • Pickles - It may sound like an unlikely snack, but it is salty, tasty, and low in calories.
  • Pretzels - a low fat healthy crunchy salty option. Don't dip them unless you make a low fat dip from low fat sour cream or plain yogurt or choose low fat ranch.


Sweets
  • Fruit - There are a lots of good options including bananas, melons, and berries.
  • Cereal - Having a minimal bowl of cereal can make you feel full and fulfill your sweet tooth. Pick on that is low in calories and fat, with just a bit of sweet to it.
  • Toast with some honey or jam - Make toast and skip the (peanut) butter. Add a bit of jam or honey for a healthy and delicious twist!
  • Rice cakes - crunchy and satisfying. Finish it off with a small glass of milk or juice and you should be feeling good!
  • Yogurt - Have a small bowl or dish of flavored yogurt. There are tons of options to choose from and even the categories that are regular have very little fat and only a few calories. Worried about fat and calories, no big deal choose a low fat or no fat option.




Drinks
Often times a good night time snack is complete with the perfect drink. Soda may be tempting, but really unhealthy. Here are a few options that are better for you. However, you should think moderation.
  • Milk - Aim for less fat and choose a low fat or no fat option (skim, 1%, 2%). Drink just under a cup and it should help fill you up.
  • Juice - Make sure you are drinking real juice (100%) and not a small portion type of juice with lots of added sugars.
  • Tea - Whether you like it hot or cold a good cup of tea can help make for a good night. Favor something herbal or decaffeinated so it doesn't keep you up during the night.


Tips for Limiting Night Time Snacking

Sometimes late night snacking has to do with cravings and the activities that we participate in, but then there are times when night time snacking has to do with actually being hungry. The first thing night time some snackers need to make sure of is that they aren't snacking just because they're hungry.

1. Eat well at each meal.
2. Snack between meals, but never enough to skip a meal.
3. Don't replace a meal with a large snack, this will only lead to more snacking.
4. Drink plenty of water. Often times we tend to mistake thirst for hunger. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to reduce our food consumption.

You're in Control!

Posted by Kay at 3:31 PM 2 comments
Strategies for Healthy Eating




  • Consume sufficient calories but not too many. acknowledge a balance among your calorie intake and calorie expenditure—that is, do not eat more food than your body utilizes. The customary recommended daily number is 2,000 calories, but this depends on your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity.

  • Eat a wide variety of foods. Healthy eating is a timeliness to expand your rank of choices by experimenting foods—especially vegetables, whole grains, or fruits—that you don't normally eat.


Keep portions moderate, especially foods high in calories.



  • Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes—foods high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, low in fat, and free of cholesterol. Try to get fresh, local produce

  • Drink more water. Our bodies are about 75% water. It is a lively part of a healthy diet. Water helps flush our systems, especially the kidneys and bladder, of waste products and toxins. Most Americans go through life dehydrated.

  • Try to limit sugary foods, salt, and refined grain products. Sugar is added to a vast array of foods. Studies show that consuming just one 12-ounce can of soda daily for one year can increase your weight by 16 pounds.

  • Don’t be too hard on yourself. You can enjoy your favorite sweets and fried foods in moderation, since they are an occasional part of your overall healthy diet.

  • Make some activities and get to moving. A healthy diet improves your energy and feelings of well-being while reducing your risk of many diseases. Adding a balanced amount of physical activity and exercise will make any healthy eating plan work even better.

  • Baby steps first. Establishing new food habits is much easier if you focus on and take action on one food category at a time.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

5 Foods you should be eating for your body

Posted by Kay at 6:37 PM 0 comments

1. Green Beans
The major health benefit of common beans are their capability to lower cholesterol due to their rich source of fiber. Studies have shown that the high fiber contained in beans prevents blood sugar levels from elevating too quickly following a meal. This makes beans a definite good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypoglycemia. Common beans promote heart health due to their fiber, antioxidants, folic acid, vitamin B6, and magnesium. Folic acid and vitamin B6 help to lower levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid that is an aid product in an important metabolic process called the methylation cycle. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine are an independent risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. These elevated blood levels are found in 20 to 40 percent of patients with heart disease. Research has showed that beans are also protective against cancer.



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2. Salmon
Salmon is low in calories and saturated fat, yet great in protein, as well as an unique kind of health-promoting fat, the omega-3 existent fatty acids. As their name infers, essential fatty acids are existent for human health but since they cannot be brought about by the body, they must be obtained from foods. Fish contain a type of essential fatty acid called the omega-3 fatty acids. Wild-caught cold water fish, like salmon, are higher in omega-3 fatty acids than warm water fish. In fact, the fat composition of salmon has recently been evaluated as excellent not only because of its rich omega-3 content, but including because of its great ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s and its health-supportive match of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. Each of these features in the fat composition of salmon helps reduce risk of unwanted inflammation and help maintain the integrity of our immune and circulatory systems. Besides being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon are an excellent source of selenium, a very beneficial source of protein, niacin and vitamin B12, and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B6.


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3. Blueberries
Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University examined 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries ranked highest in their capacity of level free radicals. Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical defect to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can affect to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, correct the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to better the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and balance the collagen matrix (the ground material of all body tissues).


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4. Watermelon
Analysis displays that eating foods that are full of water, such as watermelon, helps keep you satisfied on less calories. (Interestingly enough, drinking water alongside foods doesn’t have the safe effect.) At 92 percent water, watermelon is a favorable source of vitamin C. When it’s the red variety (several are orange or yellow), it too has lycopene, an antioxidant that may help defend against heart disease and some types of cancer. Other foods that are produced mostly of water include cucumbers (95 percent), salad greens (90 percent) and strawberries (91 percent).


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5. Tomatoes
Eating more vitamin-C rich foods, such as oranges, tomatoes, strawberries and broccoli, may be a secret to smoother skin. The carotenoid found in tomatoes has been comprehensively analyzed for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. The antioxidant function of lycopene-its ability to help protect cells and other forms in the body from oxygen damage-has been linked in human research to the protection of DNA (our genetic material) inside white blood cells. Prevention of heart disease has been shown to be another antioxidant role acted by lycopene.
In comparison to many other food phytonutrients, whose effects have only been studied in animals, lycopene from tomatoes has been recurrently studied in humans and found to be protective against a growing list of cancers. These cancers now include colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

Becoming a healthier you

Posted by Kay at 3:15 PM 0 comments
Hey reader! Thanks for checking out my blog! I hope to share great info with you about healthy decisions in your mind and body and share tips and recipes! Be sure to check in every once in awhile to support me! Thanks and have a blessed day.

-Kay
 

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