31 May 2019

Energy Boosting Superfoods

It seems everyone these days is using some sort of energy drink. How often have you heard co-workers say they need coffee or chocolate or an "energy drink" to make it through the day? One of the main problems is that with all of these approaches to energy, they introduce artificial stimulants into your body and who knows what kind of unwanted dangers they pose. In addition, a lot of energy options are high in sugar and artificial additives.


We have a solution - go natural - use superfoods!
It is possible to use superfoods to give you that additional energy boost that everyone is looking for. By eating the right foods and small meals throughout the day you can boost your metabolism and get that extra energy pump you were looking for.
Here's a list of known superfoods that will ramp up your metabolism - perfect solutions for people on the go:
Goji berries
Rich in antioxidants, goji berries have also been found to boost energy and even enhance your mood.

Green tea 
This superfood has been used for hundreds of years. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found green tea can produce an energy bump similar to caffeine.
Chia seeds 
Aztecs used chia seeds to prepare for battle. Research shows the chia seeds can absorb ten times their weight and are very slow to digest, which translates to sustained energy and it stays for several hours. People add chia seeds to protein shakes and their regular meals to help give them added energy that lasts all day.
Quinoa
Here is a power house protein rich food, which is actually a grain. It's related to the spinach and beet families. The Incas used quinoa as a source of energy for battle and NASA is even considering growing it in space because of it's impressive nutritional profile.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

30 May 2019

Tips For Natural Weight Loss This Summer

Are you a summer weight loss fanatic? Summer weight loss normally springs to mind when the sun begins to shine and everyone seems to be wearing shorts. If you leave it this late to get organized you won't have time for healthy natural weight loss and you're going to struggle to lose those unwanted pounds.

Natural weight loss must be planned so you can enjoy this summer and show off your lean toned body on the beach without having to starve yourself to get there. Summer weight loss can be simplified by making slight alterations to your daily eating habits and daily exercise routine.
If you spend time planning for your summer weight loss in the same way as you plan your summer holiday then you should have no trouble in losing weight.
Let's face it. You didn't gain your weight in a few days and it's going to take time and commitment to lose it. So you must begin your natural weight loss diet about two months before you intend to wear your shorts or bikini.

Natural weight loss means burning up more calories than you're eating and starving yourself is not the answer.
It's a good idea to work out a rough plan so you can pace yourself. You need to know how many weeks you have for your summer weight loss diet and how much weight you hope to lose.
You must build your summer weight loss diet around healthy food; you need to give your body the greatest nutrition benefits in the least amount of calories. This doesn't mean you have to go on a starvation diet it means you cut out all the useless foods and unwanted fats.
Your daily allowance of food must then be split into five or six small meals at three to four hour intervals to allow natural weight loss to take effect.
The reason for this is because every time you eat your body burns up calories to digest the food. By eating six times a day you are forcing your body to burn calories six times a day instead of just 3 times if you just eat three meals a day.

Eating more often for natural weight loss may seem strange to you but this method really does work.
So your daily food routine should look something like this: breakfast, mid morning break, lunch, afternoon tea, evening meal and supper.
For natural weight loss eat a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, slow release carbohydrates such as cereals, whole grains, whole grain bread, pasta, brown rice and good quality protein such as lean chicken breast, lean ham, oily fish and low fat dairy products.
You summer weight loss diet is not going to work on its own, you need to find some physical activity you enjoy doing like walking the dog, weight training, vigorous housework, going out for a bicycle ride or even horse riding.

The secret to burning up calories for natural weight loss is to increase your heart rate for at least fifteen minutes to burn calories every day. It will also help to increase your muscle mass and make you look more toned. Because muscle burns fat even when you're resting once you get into this new routine your summer weight loss will become more effortless as time goes by.
All you efforts will pay off when you reach your summer weight loss target and you're wearing your shorts with pride and showing off your lean toned legs.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

29 May 2019

Green Nutrition - How Can It Benefit Me?

Green nutrition, smoothies, juices, we've been hearing these terms more and more. 'But what exactly is it, and how can it benefit me?' 

I'm glad you asked!
Green nutrition is something that used to be reserved for patchouli-wearing hippies, right? Not anymore! Thanks to the incredible communicative power of the internet, you are finding more and more people learning about and using the variety of green foods available to them.

What I mean by "green foods" are specifically - certain foods that are, yes, green in color. They are generally referred to by their color not because the color itself is so wonderful, but because they all have similar nutritional benefits.
Green Superfoods are very nutritionally dense, in fact, incredibly so. They have an extremely high vitamin, mineral, enzyme, and antioxidant content, and have a great variety of health benefits, including battling with cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, and more. They also provide a tremendous amount of energy along with high quality protein, often with all amino acids for a complete protein.

Here's a few examples of foods that provide green nutrition:
  • Wheat, oat, and barley grasses
  • Alfalfa
  • Algaes such as Chlorella or blue green algae
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Spinach
  • Peppermint
  • Kale
  • Swiss Chard
  • Sprouts
  • Dandelions
And the list goes on!
Green foods are generally prepared in many ways, depending the food. Grasses are usually juiced or blended, and algaes are available as powders. Herbs can be added to smoothies or salads, and some of the leafy greens can be made into a salad or cooked.

There are a few things to consider when you want to get the most out of your green:
  1. Raw green foods are generally better than cooked.
  2. Fresh is better than dried, powdered or processed (though is unavoidable sometimes).
  3. Organic foods will usually be the most nutrient-dense.
And finally - VERY IMPORTANT - getting some green nutrition is better than none at all.
While you will certainly get the best nutrition from foods that you grew yourself without chemicals and then juiced or consumed within minutes of harvest - that's just not realistic for most people
One of the biggest obstacles we have when trying to change our habits is the "all-or-nothing" mentality. Does that sound familiar? Do not fall into this trap! It is perfectly OK to start off your journey into green foods using a powdered drink mix that you have every morning. Just do something!

The key here is baby steps. Once you get going and incorporate something into your routine, it soon becomes habit and -- guess what? You are then ready to add something new - kick it up a bit.
So to answer the original question, green nutrition IS for real, and it can benefit you by increasing your health and resistance tremendously. It is no miracle that will strip you of 100 lbs overnight or anything, but it really does make a difference.
I challenge you to give it two weeks - try green nutrition - a smoothie or juice or whatnot -- every day for two weeks. It will give you energy, vitality, and will make a huge difference in your day.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

28 May 2019

How To Create An Effective Weight Loss Plan

The first step for anyone losing weight is to create a weight loss plan. This may sound a little vague, but its true. You weight loss plan doesn't have to be as complex as a NASA launch plan.
You see, the people who plan are usually the ones who succeed. They are the celebrities, athletes, business men/women, and tycoons that run the show. They knew where they were, where they wanted to be, and how to get there. They planned it all! They planned their success and so must you.

Here are a few tips for you so that you may also be successful:
1. Make your weight loss goals realistic. You don't want be stuck with unrealistic goals. You see, many people think they can drop 20 - 30 pounds in under a month. Maybe with medical surgery help, but for those who want to actually lose weight. You'll be able to lose around 20 if less a month. However, you'll lose it in a healthy and natural way.

2. Your focus isn't weight loss, but fat loss. People always make the mistake that they need to lose weight. When really, it is fat that you want to lose. You can do this by measuring your size. If you're not sure how to do this, just do a quick internet search. You'll find a quick and easy method to measure your inches. This is what you are trying to get rid of. Weight will always adjust; muscle, bone, and tissue all play a role in weight.
3. Begin slowly and gradually build up your steam. You can't just start something in a hurried pace; you will fail. Start out slowly. Begin working out, exercising, and dieting, but do it all in a fashionable manner. Never rush into things or you might end up hurting your body. Create a plan for your work outs and diets. Know what you are going to do.

4. Start planning your motivation factors. You can do this with a mirror, pictures, or videos. It really doesn't matter, but it has to effect you psychological. If you look into a mirror and don't like what you see, you'll be more motivated to exercise and diet properly. You'll stay pumped. You can also try this with pictures. Have a friend or relative help you out if you need it. This will also create embarrassment and embarrassment is a natural motivation by itself.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

20 May 2019

Two Fabulous Spinach Salad Recipes

Spinach is another great salad ingredient! If you want to make tasty food that is also good for you, you must check out these salads. Are you looking for a spinach salad recipe? There are lots of people who are looking for information on making salads with spinach and other great ingredients. There are lots of different salads to choose from. Read this article for tasty spinach salad recipes that are also good for you!

Spinach is another great cooking ingredient that is extremely versatile, and, as a result, can be used in many different dishes. It is great with fruits, such as peaches or strawberries. It is great with nuts, such as almonds. It is great with vegetables, such as onions as well. For example, you can combine spinach with strawberries and almonds, dress the salad with raspberry vinegar and olive oil, and you got a very tasty Strawberry Spinach Salad.
Or, you can combine it with red onions and peaches and dress with coriander, vinegar and olive oil, and you will get another delicious salad.
If you are looking for a great spinach salad recipe, check out these two great recipes - they look great and they taste great:
1. Strawberry Spinach Salad
This is a great looking and great tasting, very colorful dish. The combination of green spinach and red strawberries makes this salad great to look at, and it also makes the salad very tasty!
Photo: Tastemade.com
Here is how to make this salad with strawberries and spinach. Chop the spinach. Slice the strawberries. Chop the almonds.
Combine spinach, strawberries and almonds in a salad bowl. Dress with a bit of raspberry vinegar and olive oil, and mix.
2. Spinach, Peaches And Red Onions Salad
Here is another very easy dish that you can make. Just like the spinach strawberry salad, this one is also very colorful and it looks very nice. Green spinach, orange peaches and red onions look great together in this recipe.
Photo: Dole.com
Here is how to make this - chop spinach, peach and red onions. Make a tasty dressing for this salad with coriander, vinegar and olive oil. Combine the spinach, peach and red onions in a salad. Dress with the coriander dressing and mix.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

17 May 2019

Raw Banana Avocado Ice Cream

Many health conscious people are trying to incorporate more raw foods into their diets. They do this for many different reasons, including the preservation of enzymes and important nutrients. Most health care professionals agree that people need more fruits and vegetables in their daily diets, and eating them raw is a natural choice.
I try to eat foods that will contribute to good health. However, I will not give up flavor in my quest for healthy foods. Years ago I stumbled upon a single ingredient recipe for a banana ice cream substitute. It involved simply freezing a banana and puréeing it in the food processor. The author of the recipe promised it would taste like soft serve banana ice cream. It didn't.
Photo: Divinehealthyfood.com
The resulting concoction had a watery taste that didn't mimic ice cream in any real way. It was similar to the taste of a banana popsicle, but had no creaminess to it. It wasn't bad; it just wasn't what was promised.
I began to wonder how I could keep this recipe as healthy as it was while making it taste a bit more like ice cream. I tried adding almond milk, coconut cream and a few other creamy products. Nothing gave it the right texture and taste. That is until I added an avocado. I know it sounds weird, but avocados are loaded with good monounsaturated fatty acids. These good fats combine with the banana to create a creamy, tasty treat your taste buds won't believe. Top it with chopped nuts for an even more satisfying snack.
Photo: Divinehealthyfood.com

This is what you will need for four servings:
4 very ripe bananas
1 ripe hass avocado
2 teaspoons freshly ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
Cut the bananas into one inch slices. Put into a sealable bag and freeze for at least twelve hours. Transfer the bananas to the food processor work bowl, fitted with a multi-purpose blade. Let sit at room temperature for five minutes to slightly thaw. Process until smooth. Add the avocado and spices (if desired) and continue to process till well combined. At this point it will be the consistency of soft serve ice cream and can be served as is. If you want a firmer texture, return it to the freezer for 30 minutes. Do not allow to completely freeze or it will become too hard.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

13 May 2019

What Makes 'Organic Food' Organic And Clean?

As more and more people wanted to eat food that was free of chemicals and unnatural processes, they began growing their own crops without the use of harmful chemicals. Smaller farmers also began to revolt against factory farming and they returned to old school farming methods. Then those farmers were able to offer us the alternative to industrially grown produce.

This food began to be called organic because the term implies that everything was produced using only living matter, like plants and animals instead of chemicals.
Pretty soon the big guys could see the attraction that was growing in the market place. They began to adopt the labels and slap them onto the same stuff they were already growing. False advertising? Pretending? Just think of all the "green" products you see in the supermarket.
So the term, organic, had to be regulated somewhat. Finally, standards are set now, and farmers have to meet those standards before they can call their food "organic." The standards are exactly what you think they'd be (who knew the government could do something straight-forward?).

Organic farmers are not allowed to use bioengineered genes (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge-based fertilizer, or petroleum-based fertilizers. Organic livestock need to be fed organic feed and they also need to be able to go outdoors and roam in minimum space.
Fortunately, the guidelines prohibit growth hormones, antibiotics, and animal-by-products as well. Of course there are marketing cheats aiming to fool us with false claims so we need to be on our toes. If it says anything but "Organic" or "Certified Naturally Grown" they're probably hiding something.
If you're not familiar, "Certified Naturally Grown" is an alternative to organic which is controlled by a non-profit organization. They're held to the same standards as "Organic" but they're inspected by other farmers instead of the government. It is not the same as a food simply saying it's "natural" so be careful, they like to trick us.

Affects of Pesticides On Your Body
The whole reason we want organic food is to protect our health; non-organic foods can have some serious health implications. Studies have revealed that pesticides show up in our bodies from eating non-organic food, and often at levels several times higher than is "safe."
Many of these chemicals have been linked to serious health issues like birth defects, infertility, and cancer in both adults and children.
Are you pregnant, or planning to be anytime soon?
Pregnant women can be extremely vulnerable to pesticides because they increase the stress on an already over-stressed body. Even worse, the chemicals can even be transmitted from you to your child, whether still in the womb or through breast-feeding later.
Some tests of children have revealed the presence of nerve-damaging chemicals at 4 times what is officially deemed as "safe" levels. Those chemicals are deliberately designed to kill insects by targeting their nervous system.

Frankly, it seems too obvious to me that those same chemicals will damage our nervous systems exactly the same way they kill the insects. Yes, pesticides come in doses much too low to kill us, but even an only slightly unhealthy diet will catch up to you after years of maintaining it. Another part of that same study revealed significantly high amounts of organochlorine pesticides in women. You might ask, "What's so special about that?"
Well, organochlorine pesticides can be passed down to your child during pregnancy. If that happens, it causes a disruption in vital brain development - leading to learning disabilities and other neurological problems. None of us want that happening to our children. Processed foods are a danger but not the only one. Contaminated food comes out the farm gate on the way to the factory before processing, so we need to be careful where we get our "clean" foods from.

What Foods Are Best To Eat Organic
Ideally, if it was once alive, whether plant or animal, then we want it to be organic. You've probably heard of organic animals, right? That's because animals aren't spared the treatment we get; farmers feed them the same crap they feed us. They use crops in their feed filled with pesticides, but they also include growth hormones and keep the animals locked up indoors 24/7. It's cheaper.
Organic animals are pesticide and hormone-free so you don't need to worry about putting those harmful chemicals in you or your family's bodies. Organic is expensive, though. We can't always afford to spend extra on the better quality stuff, so are there some guidelines we can use to put our money in the best spot?

Yes, there's a list of the "Deadly 14? foods that should always be bought organic. The Environmental Working Group studied data from 9 years of research and told us the 14 foods which tested the highest for pesticides:
* Apples
* Grapes
* Strawberries
* Peaches
* Spinach
* Celery
* Cherry tomatoes
* Potatoes
* Imported snap peas
* Imported nectarines
* Cucumbers
* Sweet bell peppers
* Hot peppers
Do you like blueberries? A lot of us do, but did you know that if you buy domestically grown blueberries they can have organophosphate insecticides? Organophosphates are a common nerve agent used for chemical weapons. It's used to kill us humans, not just insects.
Even low levels of exposure inhibits brain development, often resulting in not only slower learning and reduced physical coordination for our children, but ADHD too. If you've got a growing family, you may want to think twice about buying non-organic blueberries...or anything else.

These organophosphates aren't unique to blueberries, everything else on that list above can also be sprayed with these deadly chemicals But, I know we don't always have the money to spend extra on organic foods, some of us have a tight budget to keep. That's why I've got another list for you.
This one has the foods that tested the lowest for chemicals:
* Onions
* Pineapple
* Corn
* Avocado
* Asparagus
* Mango
* Kiwi
* Sweet peas
* Cabbage
* Papaya
* Eggplant
* Winter squash
* Bananas
* Cauliflower
* Broccoli
* Melons
You may have noticed that most of them have a skin we peel or cut off before eating. At least, most of us normal people do. The chemicals tend to not make it all the way through the skin into the good part we eat, so we get food less tainted by chemicals. Good ol' nature protecting itself from us.

The other foods, like broccoli, are just unappetizing to pests so they're not sprayed as much. If only they'd leave our other food alone too. Although organic food is not any more nutritional than mass produced foods, it is a great fit for a clean eating diet simply because it is free of chemical pesticides. And let's face it, your body must be better off without additives that are powerful killers of insects, don't you think?


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

9 Weight Loss Tips - Lose Weight Naturally

Everyone has a desire to rid themselves of their weight as quickly as they can. I wish that I had a magic wand that I could wave over every obese person out there and his/her excess fat would be gone forever. This simply is not the case. Here are some easy to follow weight loss tips to help you slowly and methodically get to your goal. So I hope you enjoy reading these 9 weight loss tips.
Weight Loss Tip #1: Want It!
In order to be successful at weight loss you have to want to lose the weight. You must commit to this want, not just say that you want to lose the weight. The best way to commit to losing weight is to make a goal, write it down, then stick to it.
A goal does not have to be just about the weight you lose or want to lose. You could write a goal using your body measurements or percentage of body fast lost, or it may be your desirable clothing size. Set your goals in a way that they are attainable. For example, I want to lose 15 pounds by Christmas or I want to drop 2 dress sizes by my sister's wedding.

Once you have set your larger goals, you need to set smaller ones to make sure you are on schedule to achieving your long-term goal. Keep track of your goals by using a weight loss chart, a food journal, or an exercise chart. Keeping a journal is the best way to track the foods you eat, the amount of water you take in, the amount of daily exercise, and to daily write out those goals. You can even track how you are feeling throughout the day. This will help in knowing whether you are eating because of a particular mood or not. Keeping a journal is good way to stay committed to your weight loss.
Weight Loss Tip #2: Keep it in the Kitchen
The of the worst habits that people have is not eating at the kitchen table. They are either standing to eat while doing other things or they are in front of the television. Experts say that generally people who eat while watching television eat larger servings of food. Our focus is on what we are watching, not what we are eating.

We need to move away from our family rooms and back into the kitchen. During this time eat slowly and spend some time with your family. Talk to the spouse and children. Pay attention to what you are eating as well as how much you are eating. When you eat slower, your stomach will have the time needed to signal you that you are full and you will not have over-eaten and feel miserable.
Weight Loss Tip #3: Throw Out Temptation
In order to remain faithful to your weight loss regime, you must remove all temptation from your cabinets, freezer, and vehicle. Replace the candy and fatty foods with the right foods. Sugar-free gelatin and pudding is a wonderful way to take care of that sweet tooth in a correct portion without adding a lot of calories. Low-fat popcorn or low-fat flavored popcorn is another wonderful replacement to fatty snacks.

Try not to eat unhealthy snacks for a couple of weeks. Keep a bag of crunchy vegetables, like carrots handy to help with hunger. Most crunchy veggies tend to satisfy you more and are lower in calories.
Weight Loss Tip #4: Find Support
Weight loss is a challenge alone, but with a partner, it will seem much easier. Look for a weight loss support group on-line or a forum. Facebook even has support groups. If you prefer, not to have someone on-line then start your own support group in your home or someone else's home. Otherwise, all weight loss companies offer a support group or sometimes a little one-on-one counseling.

Your support groups can include family, friends, coworkers or even your neighbors. Your group could be as large or as small as you like. Ask everyone you know to support you in your weight loss endeavors with some encouragement.
.Weight Loss Tip #5: Stop Bad Habits
Most learned or old habits are hard to break. It's time we make a change. We do not have to eat everything that is on our plate. Most of grew up knowing that we must eat everything on our plates because there are starving children in Africa. It is okay to leave a little food on our plates every now and again.

We need to listen to our bodies and stop eating when we are full. We must eat smaller portions of our food. We need to avoid having seconds. Try to eat 6 small meals instead of three large ones. Eat breakfast, have a morning snack, eat lunch, have an afternoon snack, eat dinner, have an evening snack.
When you eat out at a restaurant either order from the children's menu or ask when you order for the waitress to bring you a to go box. When the food arrives, place half or more of the food into the to go box.
Weight Loss Tip #6: Add Variety
You need a little variety in your life. This goes for food too. You will get bored eating the same thing week in and week out. Once this boredom hits, you will slip back into your old habits. Eat a little something from each of the major food groups, including fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, whole grains, and fats.
In order to stay energized, eat five to six small meals everyday. This also helps your metabolism. Eat a protein with most meals, including eggs, beans, lean cuts of meats as well as fish. We need to try to eat a minimum of five servings and up to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. If you are watching your sugars, also watch the amount of fruit you are consuming. You really need to eat more vegetables than fruit. Also you need to eat a variety of both fruits and vegetables. Don't just eat the same foods daily. Remember the key is variety.

The bread, pasta, and cereal you consume needs to be whole grain. If you have never had whole grain pasta, then mix with regular pasta and gradually add more and more whole grains until you are used to it. It holds true for bread especially if you make your own. The complex carbohydrates and high fiber in whole grain bread and pasta help to speed up your metabolism. The dairy products you consume should be low-fat or fat-free.
Also make sure you are eating good fats, such as olive or safflower oil. Your body needs a certain amount of the good fats. Make sure that you read your labels and stay away from foods that have trans-fats. Trans-fats are extremely bad for you.
Weight Loss Tip #7: Satisfy the Sweet Tooth
On your weight loss journey there will be times when you will crave something sweet. If you want it then have a small piece of whatever you are craving. It is better to have a small piece of it than ignoring your craving and then bingeing because you have deprived yourself from it for so long. 

Don't get into a habit of eating this way daily though. It is okay to give into the craving from time to time, but not daily.
Weight Loss Tip #8: Watch What You Drink
Of course the number one choice to drink is water clean of chlorine. You need a minimum of six glasses of good water. You can also drink green tea. Consumption of green tea can help with weight loss.
Several people do not track or think about the amount of calories in their beverages. A regular flavored cola has more than 100 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugars. Fruit drinks are also high in sugar and calories. Switch to diet drinks and drink more green tea and water.

Beware of your alcohol consumption. Most alcoholic drinks have lots of sugar and are high in calories. Alcohol turns to fat and sugar in your body. Limit how often you have a drink. Save it for special occasions and try to consume lower calorie beer or wine.
Weight Loss Tip #9: Get Active
Getting active is an import key to weight loss. We need to get moving if we want to lose weight and keep it off. However, sometimes when you start an exercise program, you go from couch potato to exercise fanatic. You want to gradually start the exercise regime over time.
Start off with just walking. Walking takes no special equipment other than a good pair of shoes. Walk at a pace that is good for you and walk for twenty minutes, three times a week. As time goes on, walk a little faster and add more time. You can add strength training twice a week. Start with something light like two cans of soup then gradually move to light hand weights.

Exercising will burn excess fat and calories. The strength training helps build lean muscle mass. The more lean muscle mass you have the more calories you burn due to your higher metabolic rate.


Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Nutritional Facts About Probiotics

Do you know why you should be using probiotics? Probiotics has been around for a long time and there are still some people that are not upda...