But fast food doesn’t necessarily have to be unhealthy. It can be fast, easy and fun and when planned correctly healthy. Many of today’s restaurants are trying to meet the needs of their diners. With the recent educational push for healthy diets to live long healthy lives restaurants are preparing to meet the needs of their customers.

But customers can also make healthy choices. Healthy eating at Chinese restaurants doesn’t have to be challenging. In fact, it can be quite easy since they are usually quite agreeable to making changes to the dishes to meet your needs. You’ll be looking at the menu with an eye toward choices that are lower in fat and sodium and higher in fiber. Healthy eating at a Chinese restaurant therefore will mean requesting that the food is made without MSG and salt. MSG is a derivative of salt but with more side effects.

Its pretty difficult to find options that include a salad or raw vegetables but you will find options that include cooked vegetables and little meat. You can choose your meat with the same vegetables and sauces beef, chicken or pork. Your choice should be chicken since the beef and pork are higher in fat.

When you order rice chose steamed rice and not fried rice. Steamed rice is lower in fat, is a complex carbohydrate and is lower in calories because it isn’t fried. If you can choose a Cantonese dish youll be ahead of the game. Cantonese dishes are usually made with fresh ingredients and are lighter with less calories.

If you let your server and restaurant know what you are trying to accomplish they will often try to accommodate your wishes if it is possible. They may also have suggestions you wouldn’t have considered. Many Chinese restaurants have vegetarian options that are steamed if this isn’t available ask if it can be done.

Many of the dishes at a Chinese restaurant are fried or deep fried such as fried rice (with eggs and a high cholesterol count), egg rolls, fried wontons, and most of the chicken, beef or pork dishes are fried on the grill with heavy sauces. Heavy sauces include fat content and oil that increase calories, cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Avoid these food choices in order to accomplish healthy eating at a Chinese restaurant.

Another tip for healthy eating at a Chinese restaurant is to utilize the take out option. Researchers have found that you are more apt to eat more when you aren’t eating at your own table. While eating at home you are better able to judge the size of the portions and your fridge is within arms reach for left overs.

Chinese restaurants are famous for their buffets. Unfortunately this makes healthy eating at a Chinese restaurant next to impossible. All you can eat buffets encourage over-eating, over heaping plates and the eyes-are-bigger-than-the-stomach syndrome. For some reason people feel that they should eat more at a buffet to get their moneys worth. They would pay the same price for a plated meal at the table for which you didn’t have unlimited refills. Doesn’t make sense, but it is human nature.

When you are eating out with friends or family consider sharing an entre. You can share an appetizer and entre, which automatically helps to decrease portion sizes and is cost effective too!

Standing at the grocery store with a red delicious apple in your hand you cant tell the difference between conventionally grown and organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and red. Both have vitamins, fiber and are listed as heart healthy foods. What makes them different?

Organically grown simply refers to the way farmers grow and process the products. Organic practices encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers also use special processes for fertilization, weed and pest control and preventing disease in plants and livestock.

A single product, such as produce, that is completely organic can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that are more than one ingredient, such as cereal, can either carry the seal or be labeled as 100 percent organic, organic (95%), or Made with Organic Ingredients (contain at least 70%). Foods that have less than 70% cant use the seal or the word organic on the label.

Nutritional health information about organic foods dont have conclusive research that shows the food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food. But the difference lies not in the amount of nutrition but in the pesticides that are left on the products.

Research has shown that pesticides have an adverse effect on our bodies over time. Some of these pesticides, in the right amounts, cause cancer and immune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, and diabetes. When farmers spray the pesticides on the produce it can, and often does, leave a residue on the product. Some fruits, when sprayed early in their growth, may also incorporate some of the pesticide into the fruit itself.

Many experts agree that the amount of pesticides on the food pose a small health risk to the consumer. How small that risk is to you is a personal decision. When you or your family members are diagnosed with a chronic illness doctors cant often pinpoint an exact cause. Is the cause the pesticides from your produce and processed foods? You’ll never really have the answer.

Scientists do agree that 80% of the pesticides in use today cause cancer and the chemicals are found in the milk of nursing mothers. People today are beginning to accumulate pesticides in their bodies in infancy!

Organically grown produce is also usually more costly. This is because the organic farmers dont use herbicides and pesticides to control their crops but instead use mulch, hand weeding and other labor-intensive methods. Their crops cost more to produce and they usually have a lower yield.

Most experts agree that the health information about organic foods is relatively equal to the foods that are conventionally grown. There have been some studies that foods grown organically have higher levels of folate but there haven’t been enough studies at the chemical level to concretely state that organic foods all are more nutritious.

The deciding factor for most people is the ingestion of pesticides that linger on the skin of the fruit. If you chose to eat conventionally grown fruit, always wash and sometimes peel the outside skin. Even for organically grown fruit and vegetables it is wise to wash because the farmer in the next field over could have been spraying pesticides that inadvertently entered the organic farmers crops.

When you are buying organic foods don’t confuse the terminology on the labels. All Natural does NOT mean organically grown. Look for the USDA Organic label. Buy your fruits and vegetables in season to get the best quality taste and nutrition from your purchase.

Health information about organic foods can be confusing. The deciding factor for you most people is how they feel about the information and who they trust. Make your decisions and then stick with them until you find information to the contrary. If you feel better and healthier then you are feeling the effects of organically grown produce.

Snacking is frequently blamed for weight gain. As a matter of fact, snacking properly on high protein and low carb snacks might help save you from unwanted calories.

Here are ideas for healthy snacking and high protein, low carb snacks.

What Are Snacks?

Snacks are like mini meals that help us get through the day. They do not need to be heavy or they’ll have the opposite effect. Eating at regular intervals helps increase your metabolism.

That is what is required to help incinerate unwanted fat from the body. Your metabolism is similar to a train engine that constantly needs to be stoked so that it is able to run at top speed.

All too often, we select the wrong sort of snacks to consume. A sufficient low carb snack is around one hundred fifty calories. Consuming 2 or 3 low carb snacks each day plus meals equals 6 smaller portions rather than 3 bigger ones. When you eat these high protein, low carb snacks more frequently, you do not need to consume as much to reach a feeling of fullness.

High Protein and Low Carb Snacks to Try

Most snacks are typically high in fat, salt or sugar. These things are full of empty calories. That results in you being famished again in 60 minutes or so, because your snack had no real nutritional value. Also, those vacuous calories will adhere to your waist.

The ideal snack would be filling and likewise leave you with additional energy. The way to do that is to select high protein, low carb snacks. The protein in your snacks helps to defend versus cravings. Protein likewise builds muscle.

The carb factor in your food keeps the blood glucose steady. Too much sugar in your snacks will give you an energy boost but it will be transitory. In about 30 minutes, you’ll come crashing down, craving some other sweet snack to follow that one. Thankfully, high protein and low carb snacks do not cause that kind of crash effect.

Complex carbs take longer to digest and thus keep the blood glucose at optimal levels throughout the daytime. Without cravings, you’re thinking less about sugar and more about your every day activities. You will be able to consume satisfying foods and littler meals without feeling deprived when you eat low carb snacks.

Here are a few examples of high protein, low carb snacks. Many are contained in one food but others require food combining.

* Nuts – nuts, one of the best low carb snacks, are a fine source of protein. They contain fats only they’re unsaturated fats that the body is able to use. Try a serving or 2 of almonds or pistachios for a snack.

* Cheese – did you know that cheese contains protein? To make it one of your favorite high protein, low carb snacks, consume it with a small apple for the right amount of protein, carbohydrates and sweetness to keep you satisfied until your next meal.

* Low-fat yogurt – Yogurt contains protein and calcium. Top with a bit of granola or bran to add carbohydrates and you have one of the best low carb snacks.

* Boiled eggs – A boiled egg supplies protein and it is one of the better low carb snacks. Mix it with mayo and add a whole wheat pita for a speedy snack. To keep the portion size little, use one egg, a tablespoonful of mayo and one-half a pita.

Related Natural Product

Slimmers Assist Tissue Salts is a proven, safe and effective natural remedy that helps to improve metabolism and the breakdown of dietary fat and can also reduce the craving for sweet foods. For maximum benefit, use together with Native Remedies‘ EcoSlim Drops. Tissue salts are easy to take, pleasant tasting and even children love to take them! Safe during pregnancy, nursing and for children and babies of all ages and free of side effects.

Regular use ensures systemic balance of biochemic tissue salts in the body, optimizes health at the cellular level, relieves symptoms of disease, restores health and vitality, optimizes the therapeutic effects of other remedies by improving systemic functioning and metabolism. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, Slimmers Assist is pharmacetuically manufactured to the highest standards.

Are you looking to gain a little bit of energy in the midst of your morning without adding unwanted weight? Try these high protein low carb snacks for a start.

I am notoriously horrible at maintaining good nutrition practices. Oh, I KNOW them.

I know I should follow them, but there’s always something else to handle, some place to go, a phone call to answer, an email to respond to – the list goes on and on.

(And I didn’t even mention laundry, dishes, letting the dogs out, meetings, and oh, yeah, taking a bath!)

The thing is, I’m educated in both natural healing modalities and the principals of good nutrition. I’m mom to six children (my ‘baby’ just graduated!) and I know full well how crucial eating right is to having a healthy body. The problem is, that knowing is not the same as doing.

So, because I know I’m not the only nutritional slacker out there, I’m going to share a few of my ‘short cuts’ which help me stay healthy when time simply does not allow me to eat as I should.

1) Every morning I make a protein shake with greens in it. I use Eseential Greens and Peaceful Planet High Protein Energy Shake. They taste good and are easy to use. I also add a dose of a liquid multivitamin called Tropical Oasis as I detest taking pills.  (as a side note, I also add Native Remedies Detox Drops and Fatigue Fighter to this mix – I simply need the extra boost and I love those two products!)

Health benefits:

Greens: Study after study has shown that anyone who doesn’t consume 5-10 servings of vegetables per day is missing out on nature’s ultimate insurance policy. Vegetables provide the body with compounds not found in other foods including: enzymes, minerals, antioxidants and chlorophyll. Vegetables are nature’s richest source of carotenoids including beta carotene and lycopene. Most greens powders surpass the raw food nutrition of five servings of fruits and vegetables.

Protein Powder: Protein powder is designed to be taken everyday as a dietary supplement. Even if you aren’t a bodybuilder, starting your day with a protein powder shake can provide nutritional benefits. While many nutritionists advise consuming protein throughout the day, a healthy boost of protein first thing in the morning can stabilize your blood sugar levels throughout the rest of the day. A protein drink or meal-replacement shake is a great morning meal for those get-up-and-go types who only are short on time but understand how important breakfast is to losing fat and gaining muscle. Breakfast is the most important meal of any healthy diet, so a quick protein shake is a must for people who just don’t have time to prepare a good breakfast.

Liquid Multi-vitamins: Because of their form, liquid vitamins can be assimilated immediately into the blood stream for a more systemic administration of the vitamin and its average absorption rate is approximately 90 to 98%. It is also three to five times more concentrated than vitamin tablets which leads to a higher bio-activity and greater therapeutic benefits.

Detox Drops: Promotes detoxification and toxin elimination, Supports healthy liver functioning and systemic cleansing, Improves energy levels and stamina, Supports healthy weight loss efforts, including the breakdown of dietary fats, Promotes clear healthy skin and Supports overall immune system health

Fatigue Fighter: Supports healthy energy levels, stamina and vitality, Maintains overall systemic health and support the immune system, Supports and maintains healthy systemic adequacy for physical performance and endurance, Addresses common feelings of listlessness associated with routine tiredness, Supports the health of the adrenal glands

2) Throughout the day I drink bottles of water (I actually fill my own bottles instead of creating more for the land fill!) to which I’ve added just a little splash of Bragg‘s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, a dropper of a liquid green tea supplement and sometimes a  flavored drink mix packet – usually one like Special K or nutritionally enhanced single-serve packet.

Health benefits:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, this amazing liquid has been known to:

* Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
* Balance high cholesterol
* Cure skin conditions such as acne
* Protect against food poisoning
* Fight allergies in both humans and animals
* Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
* Strengthen the immune system
* Increase stamina
* Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
* Improve digestion and cure constipation
* Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
* Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Green Tea: More than a decade’s worth of research about green tea’s health benefits — particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease — has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea‘s role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia. There are simply too many to list! For further reading, check out this article on green tea’s amazing properties: http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm

Water: An increased intake of healthy water will greatly enhance digestion‚ nutrient absorption‚ skin hydration‚ detoxification and virtually every aspect of better health! So many common ailments and illnesses can be prevented and possibly even cured with an increased intake of healthy water. Headaches, hypertension, back pain, arthritis, ulcers, asthma, morning sickness and fatigue can all benefit and in many cases be prevented by regulating the body’s natural fluid levels. Recently there has been a dramatic swing in medical theory and a long overdue realization about “healing”. The best way to prevent, treat and in many cases cure illness is to give our body the right tools and let it go to work. With the proper intake of healthy water, the right minerals and nutrients our body can over come almost anything.

3) In the morning I also grab either a bowl of nutritional cereal or about a cup to a cup and a half of my favorite yogurt (I love strawberry and strawberry/banana!) and to this I add a TBSP each of Wheat Germ (Toasted) and Sprouted FiProFlax Milled Flaxseed. It is REALLY good!

Health benefits:

Wheat Germ: Wheat Germ is a terrific source of B vitamins such as folate, niacin, thiamin, and vitamin B6, Calcium, Complex carbs, Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Omega-3 fatty acids, Phosphorous, Potassium, Protein, Selenium, Vitamin E, and Zinc. It also has a phytosterol content which has been shown to lower cholesterol and promote a healthy heart. In addition, it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as being important for nervous system functioning, and help elevate mood. Wheat germ is also a good source of fiber which has many benefits including improved bowel function and may reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes and prevent weight gain.

Flaxseed: Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries. Benefits of flax seed as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits show that it may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack. Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Research reveals that lignan in flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease — including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer. Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flaxseed oil in IBD (Crohn’s Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

4) At least a couple of times a day I’ll either have a bagel spread with Manuka or raw honey and then sprinkled with about 2 tsps of bee pollen, or I’ll just have about a tablespoon of the raw honey and dip it in the bee pollen. Great snack, tastes absolutely yummy and is very good for you! (sidenote: Royal Jelly is another great thing to use as a healthy spread!)

Health benefits:

Manuka: Manuka Honey is produced by bees that collect nectar from the Manuka Bush or Tea Tree (also known as Leptospermum Scoparium) indigenous only to New Zealand. Studies on the Manuka Honey benefits have shown that Manuka Honey, a special type of mono-floral honey contains an ingredient with powerful antibacterial, anti microbial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal properties.

Raw Honey: Honey is one of nature’s purest foods for promoting general health. There are so many health benefits to honey; it truly is nature’s super food. You might be surprised to learn that it is a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant. In terms of antioxidants, darker is better when it comes to honey. Processed honey is heated and filtered, robbing it of natural nutrients. Raw honey contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and 5,000 live enzymes. It keeps you healthy by fighting disease and boosting the digestive system. One daily spoonful in your tea or spread on your toast is all that is needed to reap these benefits.Honey has been used to treat wounds for thousands of years. The antiseptic properties of honey will clean wounds and inhibit bacterial growth. Its natural antibiotic and antibacterial properties aid in treating cuts and burns. It promotes healing, reduces swelling and prevents infections.

Bee Pollen: Bee pollen is one of many bee products (including propolis, royal jelly, and honey) said to have phenomenal health benefits – from lowering cholesterol to fighting cancer and improving weight loss. Bee pollen is a natural food made by bee colonies for their own use but which offers nutritional benefits to human beings as well. According to alternative health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola, bee pollen is “considered one of nature’s most completely nourishing foods” and is made up of:

* up to 40% protein
* free amino acids (protein building blocks)
* B vitamins which provide energy
* minerals and trace elements
* vitamins C, E, carotenes and other antioxidants
* an “antibiotic factor” which inhibits the growth of bacteria like salmonella
* fiber which may regulate digestion

Supplements I take (although I try to keep them to a minimum!) include: Omega-3 Fish Oils, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin E , Vitamin A and flax oil. These are all amazing for your heart and circulatory system as well as your skin and hair.

Why do I do all of this? Well, I’m 45 with heart disease in my family; I’m too busy to always plan out nutritionally sound meals, the raw honey, bee pollen, Fatigue Fighter and apple cider vinegar help increase my energy levels, I almost never eat a ‘normal’ breakfast, so I have to find something fast and tasty, and, I’m a snacker. I’d be about 400 lbs if I didn’t have healthy snacks to much on throughout the day.

I hope some of my ideas help you. I do know that if you try a few you will find yourself with more energy, healthier skin and hair and probably losing a few pounds in the process!

To find the products I use, click the links below  and then search for the product name. I’ve tried to find the best products at the lowest prices.

Sprouted FiProFlax Milled Flaxseed

Feng Hua Fen Bee Pollen

Manuka or other raw honey

Wheat Germ (Toasted)

Green Tea (gelcaps or liquid)

Bragg‘s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Essential Greens Drink Mix

Tropical Oasis Liquid Multiple Vitamin Mineral

Peaceful Planet High Protein Energy Shake

Who would have thought that your hair could tell you anything other than when it’s time to get your roots done? Well, hair can be used to detect deficiencies in the body, mostly mineral and vitamin deficiencies. There is a test called hair mineral analysis and it can tell you almost anything you need to know.

The test is specific for mineral analysis but this includes vitamins too. In the body, minerals and vitamins work closely together. For example, you need vitamin D to help with calcium levels in the body.

How It Works

A strand of hair is obtained from the subject. The hair usually comes from the nape of the neck. They use the first inch or so of hair closest to the scalp. There will be a momentary pinch as you pull the hair out but then it’s gone.

Hair strands can be used to detect conditions that aren’t yet detectable with a blood test. This includes deficiencies of certain nutrients in the body. It takes a significant deficiency to be detected in other ways. By then, your body will have gone through changes (and not for the good) as a result.

Hair can also be used to detect levels of pesticides that may be affecting the environment, and exposure to heavy metals. You might not notice it in your body because the body tries to excrete it – often through the hair, the liver and the bones. Before it gets to dangerous levels, your hair can be used to detect what is going on inside your body.

Minerals are very important in the body. The body can get vitamins and minerals from foods and multivitamins, so it’s important to detect these deficiencies early before too many essential minerals are lost.

What causes mineral deficiencies in the body? Well, one factor is the environment. Exposure to pollutants in the atmosphere and due to lifestyle choices (smoking) can lead to the depletion of certain minerals in the body. As a result, the body functions that those minerals control will experience changes: muscle weakness, tiredness and hormone imbalances.

Mineral deficiencies can also be caused by our diet, medications and stressors in our lives. Many people take supplements without consulting a doctor. However, you won’t know if you are taking the right amount. Even too much can cause problems in the body.

Performing a hair mineral analysis can succeed in finding out what is going on in your body even when other tests are not yet useful. It can lead to early detection and treatment.

Have you ever felt sluggish, foggy-headed, confused or irritable? All of these conditions can be attributed to a brain that doesn’t have enough power to work well. Brain power is not just important to do school work or your job, but also to help your body to function as it should. After all, the brain controls much of the functioning of the human body.

So, here are a few facts to digest. The body uses carbohydrates for fuel. The brain needs a lot of fuel. Actually, it needs about twice as much energy as the rest of your body. That energy comes from carbs being used to maintain certain levels of glucose in the blood. It is the glucose that is used by the body as fuel.

So, where do these carbs come from? They come from food sources. You get carbs from whole grains, a variety of vegetables and anything made from grains.

You can get carbs from a candy bar and also from a plate of leafy green vegetables, but they won’t necessarily function the same way in the body. Simple carbs are like the sugars found in sweet snacks. These carbs are rapidly absorbed by the body which leads to a spike in your blood sugar.

We’ve all experienced such a spike. For about an hour you feel like the Bionic Man but afterwards, you are moving slower than a turtle. To get more energy you eat more sweets and then the cycle begins again.

When you get your carbs from healthier food sources like green vegetables and whole grains, you are eating complex carbohydrates. This includes your whole grains and fruits and vegetables. These carbohydrates are broken down over time, keeping your glucose levels steady so the body gets a constant supply of energy throughout the day.

The way to break that cycle is by eating the right types of carbohydrates. Oh, yes, there are right and not-so-right types of carbs. One way that you can tell the difference is by the glycemic index. This measures the ability of a carbohydrate to affect the blood sugar. Carbs that are low on the glycemic index are complex carbs. Those that are higher are simple carbs that will cause major shifts in the blood sugar levels and your energy.

Many fad diets advocate high carb or low carb consumption. The fact of the matter is that if you don’t eat enough carbs in your daily diet, your body your body will start using muscle to create glucose and depleting the liver of its glycogen (broken down into glucose).

When the brain is deprived, you may feel lack of co-ordination, dizzy, tired and not in a good mood. Eat your carbohydrates every day, just make sure they are the best kind to keep your brain sharp as cheddar and the body is tiptop shape.

Of course, this is not always completely reasonable � you may not want to eat fish every single day. Another thing to consider is the fact that some fish may contain mercury, and this is not good for humans, especially pregnant women. Also, realize that fattier fishes like salmon have a higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids than other fish, like canned tuna.

That being said, let�s find out why other people take fish oil:

Fish oil is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Yes, the word �fatty� may throw you off, but omega-3 fatty acids are actually very good for your heart. That is why many people take fish oil as a preventative measure against heart disease. People who have a history of heart attacks in their family are likely to want to take fish oil as a supplement.

In fact, fish oil is a great supplement for anyone who already has coronary artery disease (even those who have not yet had a heart attack).

People who have auto-immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis should also consider taking a fish oil supplement on days that they do not eat fish. About 3 grams of omega-3s a day are recommended. Clinical studies suggest that fish oil can help with joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3s can suppress the immune response.

People who have high triglycerides may also benefit from fish oil, as well.

Other, possible benefits of fish oil supplements (not all of these are accepted benefits by the medical society at large):

* It can improve lupus symptoms.
* Fish oil cuts the risk of sudden death.
* Used during pregnancy, it can prevent diabetes.
* It could reduce stroke.
* Lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body.
* Increases the good (HDL) cholesterol.
* Again, you are much likely to get a dose of mercury from taking a fish oil supplement than from eating fish.
* Helps in the treatment of depression.
* Can help eczema.
* It aids in infant brain and vision development.
* Beneficial to dyspraxic children.
* Helps prevent cancer.
* Improves language and learning skills for autistic children.
* Some even say that it can reverse the brain damage caused by crystal meth.

Again, realize that not all of the above-mentioned possible benefits are necessarily true. More studies must be conducted.

There are, of course, negatives associated with fish oil. In other words, just because fish oil may seem like a panacea, it does not mean that you should take it. Most definitely consult with your physician before you take fish oil or any other supplement that you have questions about.

Some possible negatives of fish oil supplements include:

* People with diabetes could experience an increase in glucose levels when they take large doses of fish oil (a large dose is generally 3 grams or more a day).
* Large doses can also cause nausea, belching (and a horrible taste in the mouth as well as bad breath), and diarrhea.
* A very large dose could actually suppress the immune system � people with weakened immune systems should consult a doctor before trying out fish oil.
* Fish oil causes a decreased ability for blood to clot � while this helps prevent heart attacks, it is a negative thing for people with bleeding disorders, hypertension, etc.

I mentioned it before, and I will mention it again: be sure to consult your doctor before you take fish oil. It is readily available and relatively safe, but for some people, the possible consequences may outweigh the possible benefits.

About the author

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on supplements, please visit this site.

Experts do not agree on this subject. According to a American Academy of Pediatrics, a diet based on the food pyramid. It will provide adequate amounts of all vitamins which a child requires for appropriate growth and development. However, it is very difficult to find a child who eats a diet based on the food guide pyramid. And, even in the adequacy and effectiveness of the food pyramid has come into question in the past five years.

It is safe to assume then that since most children are either picky eaters or may have a poor diet as well as a food pyramid guide which may not be accurate, many children and will require a multivitamin supplementation in order to provide their bodies with the right amount of vitamins and minerals to support optimal growth and development.

Other situations which may present themselves include children who eat a vegetarian diet, those who suffer from a gastrointestinal or metabolic disorder and those who have an immune deficiency, such as diabetes or lupus. According to new blog lungs and recommendations influence who are exclusively breast-fed should also receive 200 international units of vitamin D each day.

While the American Academy of pediatrics advises that a supplements is only necessary if the pediatrician recommend it other experts believe that a daily supplement is a good way to fill in any gaps in your child’s nutrition. The concern is that a child will receive vitamin over and above the recommended daily allowance which can lead to vitamin toxicity. However, since most children do not like vegetables and fruits a daily vitamin and mineral supplement will help them meet their recommended daily allowances.

Supplements and vitamins are not a substitute for healthy food and they should never be used in order to justify a poor diet or a picky eater. If a child is not eating well than a vitamin is in order but steps must also be taken to improve his eating habits.

One common deficiency in children’s diets are omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for proper nervous system and brain function. Kids who don’t like fruits and vegetables may also not be getting enough vitamin C which is important for the immune system. Vitamin B complex have several functions which involve carbohydrate metabolism. Many experts also believe that minerals are depleted in our soil and that much of our current produce is also deficient in calcium, zinc and chromium.

When you purchase a children’s vitamin in order to fill in the gaps it is important to get a high quality supplement from a nutrition store or a health food store. Not all vitamins are made a light. There are specific chemicals bound to each vitamin molecule which helps it to be absorbed in the correct place in the gastrointestinal tract. When these chemicals are of poor quality most of the vitamins end up in the toilet.

Remember that vitamins and supplements are not replacements for a well-balanced diet. In dead parents must remember to encourage their children to eat a healthy foods they need and allow the vitamins only to fill in the gap and the things they don’t receive.

And vegetarian diets aren’t boring either. In the past years agriculture has advanced in the quality and variety of foods that weren’t available 50 years ago. Although we are creatures of habit the next time you go to the grocery store take a look around. Look past the apples, oranges and bananas to the star fruit, mangos and kiwi. Although green peppers are a staple they also come in three other colors red, yellow and orange all with a distinctive sweet flavor.

Our sense of taste usually dictates what we will or wont eat but our bodies require a variety of foods to stay healthy. We have become slaves to our palates without remembering that we eat so that we can live. Not the other way around. We do not live so that we can eat.

Unfortunately many people fall victim to advertising and the fast food gimmick that is part of today’s culture. Some fast food restaurants are actually beginning to offer vegetarian diet options although the quality and nutritional benefits are questionable.

We actually have the ability to cultivate our tastes. A vegetarian diet can include a variety of greens, root vegetables, juices, nuts and seeds to ensure that our most important life insurance policy is paid up in full; that we are providing our bodies the health and nutrition that we need. We are, after all, exactly what we eat.

Some people take the position that something will get you at one point or another so why not enjoy all the things that life has to offer. Unfortunately it may not be the length of life that is affected but the quality. Vegetarian diets decrease your risk of living life with pain, medications, need for oxygen delivery systems or faced with a life in a wheelchair, which is the outcome and not certain death.

For instance, dietary habits in Norway were studied and found that women who ate a significant amount of fat from meat based diets had 2.5 times the risk for developing breast cancer than those who didnt eat meat.

Another argument against a vegetarian diet is that they require more work since you must be sure to get the correct amount of protein and essential amino acids. But, there are no perfect foods and even people who routinely include meat in their diets can be malnourished for exactly the same reasons.

Vegetarian diets are a choice. But what is interesting is that because you eat a vegetarian diet doesn’t mean it has to be a total vegetarian diet to get the heath benefits from eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Integrating vegetarian cooking and meals into your daily habits will only help to improve your health and increase your energy.

Did You Know You Can Tune Your Body?     

Like adjusting a piano, your body can be tuned to achieve optimal physical balance. Tapping two BioSonic tuning forks will instantaneously alter your body’s biochemistry and bring your nervous system, muscle tone and organs into harmonic balance. In seconds … your body enters a deep state of relaxation. Feeling centered, your mind will be at peace…

Experience states of deep relaxation in seconds, reduce stress instantaneously, increase blood flow, enhance immune response, fully integrate body & mind, and transcend to higher levels of consciousness by using tuning forks. BioSonic’s precision-tested tuning forks are easy to learn, simple to use and the healing benefits are miraculous. Learn more about healing with tuning forks at BioSonics now.

They get assimilated into the blood stream immediately and have a considerably higher rate of absorption than pills and capsules.

Generally the strength of the ingredients in liquid vitamins are up to five times more concentrated that those in pills, so while you might be paying more for them you will also be getting more benefits from taking them rather than pills.

The main problem with vitamin pills or tablets is the fact that they have to be digested and broken down into absorbable nutrients before they are of any benefit to you.

In this process of digestion a large percentage of the nutrients are lost with only the balance getting absorbed.

Liquid vitamins offer a better solution of digestion with up to three times the nutrient value being absorbed as compared to a similar product as a pill.

The decision on what is best for you can be determined from looking at all the factors of ease of use, cost and quality of the nutrients that will actually get absorbed and the products that are available and their nutritional values.

While liquid vitamins might appear to be more expensive you can take them in smaller quantities and still get better results than you would with tablets.

Often liquid vitamins have an unpleasant taste so it might be a good idea to have something else to eat or drink after taking them to make the experience a little more palatable.

Contrary to popular belief that our digestive system will render liquid vitamins ineffective the opposite has proven to be true. The body assimilates liquid vitamins better than pills, capsules and tablets.

About two thirds of all magnesium is found in the bones and researchers have discovered that it plays two very different roles in our health. Some magnesium is used to give bones their physical structure while others are found on the surface of the bone and acts as a storage site so that the body can draw upon it in times of poor dietary supply.

Magnesium and calcium, acting together, helps to regulate the nerve and muscle tone in the body. Magnesium may serve as a chemical Walker which helps the muscles to relax. If there is too little magnesium available the nerve cells become over activated and can send too many messages to the muscles causing them to contract. This can result in muscle tension, soreness, cramps and fatigue.

In fact, the role of magnesium in the body is so diverse that it is difficult to find a system that is not affected by a deficiency of magnesium. Magnesium is important in the role of the cardiovascular system, digestive system, nervous system, muscles, kidneys, hormones and brain-all relying on magnesium for their metabolic functions. And, be, as it plays such a wide role in the body, the symptoms of deficiency can also vary widely.

Some people experience changes in Durban muscle function which include muscle weakness, tremor and spasms. In the cardiovascular system this can result in an arrhythmia, irregular contraction and an increased heart rate. A deficiency in magnesium over the long term can also cause softening in weakening of the bone. Other symptoms can include imbalance blood sugar levels, headaches, elevated blood pressure, elevated facts in the bloodstream, depression, seizures, nausea and vomiting in a lack of appetite.

The best place to receive your magnesium is from your daily dietary intake. However, some individuals find that they can’t get enough magnesium from their foods and must take a supplement. Magnesium is not a water soluble vitamin or mineral, which means that when taken in excess is stored in the body. This can lead to signs of toxicity which are associated with high levels of magnesium.

The most common symptom of toxicity is diarrhea. In research studies the doses of magnesium associated with diarrhea usually ranged between one and 5 g per day but it can also occur in lower doses depending upon the individual. In 1997 the National Academy Of Sciences set an upper limit on the intake of magnesium supplements for individuals who were nine years of age and older. The limit was restricted to 350 mg per day through dietary supplements.

Many dietary foods are rich in magnesium but they often lose potency through the cooking process. In some foods, where there’s a great percentage of magnesium found in water soluble form, boiling, steaming or blanching will result in a substantial loss. In other foods, such as almonds or peanuts, there is very little loss when the food is either cooked or process.

People who have a deficiency in magnesium will get it from two different factors. In the first place, their dietary intake is low in magnesium and in the second place their gastrointestinal tract is unable to absorb enough from the foods that they eat. Digestive tract problems can include malabsorption, diarrhea and ulcerative colitis. Interestingly, there are also physical stressors that can contribute to these deficiencies, such as surgery, kidney disease, alcoholism and physical trauma.

Under the heading of digestive issues also comes interactions which occurred in the gut with other medications that you may be taking. Several types of diuretics and antibiotics have been shown to compromise the absorption of magnesium.

Foods that contain high amounts of magnesium includes spinach, mustard greens, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, halibut, kelp and summer squash. The recommended daily allowances for magnesium ranged between 80 mg for youngsters ages one to three all the way up to 420 mg for males ages 31 years and older. The vast majority of individuals fall between 300 mg to 400 mg based on age, sex and physical condition (pregnant or lactating women).

Receiving magnesium from your diet does not pose a health risk but is overdosing from pharmacological manufactured magnesium in the form of supplements can result in diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The risk of this toxic reaction will increase in individuals who have kidney failure. Signs of excess magnesium can also be similar to deficiencies in include changes in mental status, nausea, diarrhea, appetite loss and muscle weakness. Many of the over the counter antacids also contain magnesium and should never be taken in more often than recommended.

We all know that eating leafy green vegetables is something we are supposed to do, but do we know why? Swiss chard, kale, spinach and collards are among the top vegetables for boosting your nutrition. Leafy green vegetables contain calcium, iron, potassium and vitamin C. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts also give you the same amount of nutrients as leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin K is contained in asparagus, endive and romaine lettuce.

If you wish to get a full day’s amount of vitamin C in one vegetable, eat red peppers. They are the only vegetable that does contain a full day’s worth of vitamin C.

Another vegetable that is a good source of vitamin K is cauliflower, kohlrabi and also green pepper. They each contain a one-half day’s worth of both vitamin K and vitamin C.

You can find fiber and foliate in avocados, parsnips and peas.

A baked potato with the skin contains both fiber and iron.

You can increase your daily intake of vitamin C and vitamin K by eating iceberg lettuce, celery, turnips and radishes in a salad. The combination is truly healthy eating!

Another healthy vegetable is yellow squash because it contains 5% of a day’s recommended daily allowance of carotenoids, vitamin C, fiber, and also vitamin K.

All vegetables contain valuable phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are chemicals found in plants and are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective and disease preventive properties. Researchers believe that phytochemicals can help prevent cancer.

Did you know that eating vegetables could help you lose weight? It is true; eating your vegetables can actually help to control your weight. Vegetables are low in fat and low in calories. They are a good source of dietary fiber and can give you loads of energy. The high fiber content of vegetables means that they fill you up so you eat less of other foods that might be higher in calories.

The reasons why vegetables help you to lose weight is because they are low in fat, are low in calories, are low in sodium so you retain less water, and they fill you up quickly because of the high fiber content. They are high in nutrition so they increase your vitality.

Related Natural Product

Finding a good multi-vitamin for the entire family can be difficult, but Xtend-Life’s Total Balance Unisex is the perfect supplement for everyone, even children from age 12 and older. It’s also perfect for women who have gone through menopause. In fact, Total Balance Unisex addresses issues that affect everyone, and it does so with a blend of all natural ingredients. The bio-actives present in Total Balance Unisex provide a great way of keeping healthy no matter what your age or gender.

Healthy eating tips for kids should be enforced for the child and the whole family. Children thrive and learn through role models. If they are being told one thing and their parents are doing quite the opposite they will mimic the parents. Its the old Do what I say and not what I do theory. It just isn’t practical and it doesn’t work.

That said, health eating tips for kids and adults can be easy and tasty. Your first task is to establish a routine. It may be difficult at first but sitting down together for breakfast, lunch and dinner together goes a long way toward developing healthy eating habits for kids. And eating together as a family has also been found to help children build good character as well.

The trick to this task is to be consistent. Children need routine in their lives; just as they thrive on a consistent bedtime routine they also do well with a consistent meal time habit. That meal time habit should include fruit for dessert after dinner and a way to integrate vegetables each day through salads, steamed vegetables and included in the main course.

Some parents, seeking a way to reward their children for their good works, will offer candy or ice cream for work well done. Instead parents should offer other rewards such as their attention hugs, kisses and smiles and your time. Children learn habits around their behavior. In other words when children grow up they learn to reward themselves with food each time something goes right in their lives or comfort themselves with food when things go wrong.

Parents can help to develop healthy eating tips in kids and adults by stopping the arguments about sugar and processed food snacks before they start. Leave these snacks at the store. They aren’t helpful to either of you.

When kids are thirsty use water. If they crave flavored water use a squirt from a real lemon or lime. Add ice and you have a great drink with flavor, nutritionally needed by your body and is cheap.

Kids are highly influenced by radio, tv and their friends. When they are begging for sugary, high fat foods they probably learned about them from their friends and the media. It will take persistence, diligence and good role models at home to overcome the influence of people outside the family. The grass is always greener on the opposite side of the fence even for parents. Those snacks may look good but they don’t fit into healthy eating tips for kids and adults.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but watching television doesn’t fit into a program for healthy eating tips for kids or adults. How does television affect your eating habits? Sitting in front of the television encourages snacking and definitely doesn’t expend any calories from exercise.

Part of having healthy eating tips for kids and adults includes spending time together as a family. Eating together is important but eating at home consistently is really important. It is so much more difficult to have healthy eating habits when faced with appetizers, fried foods and desserts that no one has to prepare.

Eating at home requires a bit of planning and smart grocery shopping. Before leaving for the store make out a menu and prepare a list from the menu. Leave the high fat, high salt, high processed foods off the list and out of the house. Youll be thankful at 10 pm when you are craving the potato chips and they aren’t there to tempt you or the kids.

When you do go shopping find substitutes for the high calorie snacks because snack time will come and without food in the fridge the kids will be left to eat whatever they find. Keep plenty of seasonal fruit cut, cleaned and cubed so kids can reach into the fridge and grab a handful of grapes, cantaloupe or watermelon. An apple core slicer will be a hit to slice and dice an apple quickly. With a spoonful of peanut butter the kids will think they’ve bitten into a caramel apple.

Try getting your kids involved in the meal planning, grocery shopping and snack plans. If the kids are involved they’ll have a vested interested in making the process work. When you are beginning healthy eating tips for kids don’t expect them to like something new immediately. Introduce things slowly and encourage them to keep trying. Show them a good example by eating them yourself!

What Are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds come from a type of sage, Salvia hispanica, which grows in South America and Mexico. They come in a white or black variety, and there is said to be no nutritional difference between the colors. Chia seeds were a staple food among the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, and it is said that the men would eat Chia seeds before going on a hunt in order to increase endurance. Natives are also reported to have used Chia seeds to stave off hunger on long journeys.

What Makes Chia Seeds So Healthy?

Probably the most familiar health benefit of Chia seeds is their healthy fat content. Chia seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids (some sources claim they also contain Omega-6 fatty acids), the health benefits of which are numerous. Omega-3s have been shown to have positive benefits in promoting cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, regulating hormones, and improving mood.

Here are some of Chia’s other reported healthful qualities.  

* Blood sugar regulation – If you put Chia seeds in water and stir them, in about 25 minutes they will form a gel-like substance that can become quite thick. Research in this area has implicated that a similar gel forms in your stomach when you eat Chia seeds and drink liquid (or mix the seeds with liquid and ingest them that way). This gel may slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugars, helping to stabilize blood sugar.

* Intestinal health – The smooth, gelatinous quality of Chia seeds and their fiber content are strongly implicated in intestinal health. The gel-like consistency and fiber content may act as a sort of toxin-absorbing mass that moves through the intestinal tract with minimal irritation.

* Endurance and energy – As noted above, ancient peoples used Chia seeds to promote endurance and energy. The word “Chia” is said to be derived from the Mayan word for strength. Chia’s reputation for generating energy and endurance may be due to its nutrients, its slowing of the digestion of sugars, or its gel-like qualities.

* Weight loss – Due to the gel it forms and its high fiber, Chia may slow the rate of digestion, helping you feel fuller longer. Also, its blood sugar stabilizing effects and energy-boosting properties may contribute to weight loss.

* Nutrients – In addition to fiber, Chia seeds contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and zinc.

Now that you know about the health benefits of Chia seeds, the next question is,  how can we use them? Many people don’t even know they’re edible (associating them with Chia Pets), much less how they taste or recipes to prepare them. If Chia seeds have you curious or if you just need some new ideas on how to eat them, here are some ideas and recipes.

1. Chocolate “Tapioca” Pudding

Chia has a natural gelling quality that makes it perfect for making a pudding. Here is a simple recipe for Chia chocolate pudding that is reminiscent of tapioca.

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup Chia seeds
* 1 1/2 cups chocolate nut milk or chocolate cow’s milk
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* Sweetener of your choice to taste (Stevia is a popular choice)
* Pinch of salt

Directions:

Simply stir all ingredients together in a bowl and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will thicken and the Chia seeds will swell into soft, tapioca-like balls. You can refrigerate this during the gelling process.

2. Chia Granola

Think of this recipe as a springboard for making your own granola, or adding Chia seeds to your favorite granola recipe.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1 tablespoons Chia seeds
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2 tablespoons raw honey
* 1 tablespoon safflower or canola oil
* Pinch of salt

Directions:

Combine and stir dry ingredients together in a bowl. Stir in the honey and oil, stirring well until the dry ingredients are coated evenly. Spread the mixture on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet and back at 300 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool thoroughly (it will get crunchy) before eating.

3. Yogurt Swirl

Mixing fruity Chia gel into yogurt makes a nutritious and flavorful breakfast food.

Ingredients:

* 1 tablespoon Chia seeds
* 1 cup unsweetened fruit juice, such as apple, berry, orange, etc.

Directions:

Stir the Chia seeds into the juice. Let them sit for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. When the gel has formed, top your yogurt with it and swirl it gently into the yogurt.

4. Raw Almond-Chia Cookies

These cookies need no baking!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup almond butter (you could substitute peanut butter)
* 1 1/2 tablespoons raw honey
* 1 tablespoon safflower or canola oil
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
* 2 tablespoons ground Chia seeds

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or electric mixer and form mixture into balls. Roll balls in chopped nuts or shredded coconut if desired. Refrigerate or freeze and enjoy as a snack or dessert.

General Tips

Try adding a few tablespoons of Chia seeds to your favorite baked goods, or sprinkle them over cereal or yogurt. Add them to smoothies or sprinkle them on peanut butter.

Related Natural Product

Scientists have established the effectiveness of Omega 3 in a number of health areas, including your Heart, Brain, Joints, Skin, Immune system, Vision, and Digestion. Like any product on the market today there are ‘good fish oils’ and there are ‘bad fish oils’! With a bad one you may be unwittingly introducing substances into your body that you DO NOT want… such as Mercury and PCB’s for example. We impose tougher standards on the purity of our fish oil than any other known manufacturer. DHA is the most important fatty acid in the human brain. High in DHA and proven to be pure and free of contaminants the Xtend-Life brand is considered to be the ‘Rolls Royce’ of concentrated Omega 3 fish oils at an affordable cost and has been enjoyed by thousands of customers in more than 40 countries for the last eight years.

When we eat nutritious foods on a daily basis we do give our bodies what they need to grow properly, to renew cells, and to have the energy needed to function properly. The result of eating good nutrition is that we have healthy bodies. We look good, we feel good and we can perform well because we have the foods in us to do accomplish these things.

When we overeat, taking on more calories than our bodies need, we gain weight. Excess body weight is linked to many diseases such as diabetes. When we eat foods high in saturated fats we can increase our risk for heart disease. There are so many connections between the food or the amount of food and disease that everyone should be more aware of what food is put into our bodies if we truly want to be healthy.

Today many diets are geared towards helping improve our health if we have certain health conditions such as the heart smart diet, and the cancer diet. You can also find a diet if you have diabetes, or diverticulitis, There is a diet for those who are lactose intolerant. There is also a Gluten-Free diet, an ADHD diet, and an IBD diet.

Women can go on the Menopause diet, or the Osteoporosis diet, or the Breast Cancer Diet or even the diet designed specifically for the needs of the pregnant woman. There are diets to help you eat healthy while dining out, and diets to help you lose weight. There are bodybuilding diets, and athlete diets. Everyone of these diets use certain types of foods in order to gain a certain result from the body based on what the foods do for the body. These diets are a perfect example of the fact that what we eat has an impact on our health.

There are healthy eating guidelines set forth with the purpose of helping us to decide what to eat and how much of each food to eat. These guidelines are to help us eat healthy and reduce the risk of developing nutrition-related diseases. Nutrition-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease have been studied along with the effect that certain foods have on them.

Guidelines such as the food pyramid are geared towards individuals without major health concerns and those who are over 14 years of age. Those with major health concerns may need a special diet and should be guided by their doctor when it comes to making food choices. Those who are younger than 14 should be eating foods that are for young children who are still growing.

Your pediatrician can help with meal planning for this age group to be sure they have all the nutrients they need to be healthy while growing. A basic healthy eating guideline for those over age 14 are to eat 30% fruit and vegetables, 30% bread, potatoes, rice and pasta, and 15% milk and dairy foods, along with 15% meat and fish and 10% of the fat and sugary types of foods each day.

Strive to cook using less fat. In order to use less fat in your cooking you need to remember to remove, replace, and reduce. It is important to remove as much of the fat from your cooking as possible. Remove fatty ingredients and add natural favor instead. Cook with onions, spinach, mushrooms and garlic to bring out the flavor in foods instead of using fat to flavor.

You can replace fatty foods in recipes with more nutritious ingredients such as when a recipe calls for sausage replace the sausage in the recipe with turkey kielbasa.

You can also reduce the amount of a fatty ingredient in a recipe such as when making a hamburger dish use half the amount of one meat that contains fat and then use half of another meat that is less fat such as for recipes calling for a pound of ground beef – use 1/2 pound of ground beef and 1/2 pound of ground turkey. You won’t miss the 1/2-pound of fat and the recipe will turn out great. You can also use the “light” version of an item instead of replacing half of it. An example would be to use light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise.

You can also use a better fat when cooking Use mono-unsaturated fats in cooking such as olive oil. Do not buy the extra light or virgin, as it will change the flavor in your food. Avoid food items that have “saturated fats” on the label.

When cooking try to cut down on the amount of sugar in recipes. Less sugar means fewer calories. Items like soft drinks, baked goods, candy, and frozen milk desserts all contain sugar. An average adult should have no more than about nine teaspoons of sugar content a day.

Cook with whole grains including brown rice instead of white rice and whole-wheat flour in recipes that call for flour instead of using white flour. If this is difficult for you or your family just like with the fats you can go half and half – half white flour and half whole-wheat flour. Whole grain food has more nutrients, and also more fiber and more beta-carotene. All healthy stuff for a pattern of healthier eating.

Another healthy thing you can do for your family is to use flaxseed whenever possible. Flaxseed is rich in antioxidants, which protect healthy cells. It is also a great source of fiber. You can add flaxseed to muffins, stew, smoothies, shakes, baked into breads, and put on hot cereals. When you add to your muffin recipe be sure to decrease the amount of all-purpose flour by 1/4 cup and replace that with 1/4 cup of flaxseed. Just sprinkle the flaxseed into stews and soups. Add one to two tablespoons of flaxseed into your smoothies or shakes before blending them.

Add fruits and vegetables to your recipes to add color, fiber and betacarotene. Pasta dishes are easy to add fruits and vegetables to. Think about adding bananas, cantaloupes, grapes, kale, cabbage, oranges, spinach, sprouts, and tomatoes to recipes. Beans are also an excellent source of fiber and betacarotene.

When choosing your meat make sure you go for the leaner meats such as chicken, turkey breasts, pork tenderloin, ground sirloin, the center cut of pork loin, and if you eat ham, go for the extra lean ham. A serving size should be no more than 3 to 4 ounces of lean meat.

When following recipes and butter is called for, use less or replace the butter with light or non-fat sour cream. You can replace butter in cake mixes with oil, liqueur, sherry, fruit juice, pureed fruit, or crushed pineapple. Try fat free sour cream in brownie mixes. You can also substitute half the oil amount with applesauce. You body does need to have some fat so substituting half is better than taking all the fat out of a recipe.

We Recommend:

Has your Doctor told you that your cholesterol is too high and he/she wants you to use a statin drug to lower it?  You need to be wary about starting a statin drug as there are many dangerous side effects associated with them. Your first line of defense against high cholesterol should be to try the natural approach. Xtend-Life Cholest-Natural is considered one of the world’s best natural options for balancing cholesterol levels. Cholest-Natural only uses natural ingredients with strong clinical evidence supporting their efficacy and safety. Thousands of Xtend-Life customers have found that this product has worked successfully for them.

Tofu – it even sounds foreign rolling off the tongue. We know it is a vegetarian favorite and it is usually seen in a white block in the vegetable section, but what exactly is it and will you even like it? Here are a few facts about tofu that you may not have heard.

One, tofu is a source of soy protein. It is soybean curd. Hot soymilk is curdled with a coagulant. It is strained to remove as much moisture as possible. Then, it is pressed into the desired shape.

Tofu comes in many forms: soft, firm and extra firm. Depending on your cooking needs you will choose one of the three. As a protein source it can be used in place of meat in soups, casseroles, lasagna and other dishes. Because it is moldable, it can be shaped to resemble a chicken patty, a steak, a turkey breast or even ground beef.

Second, tofu is a source of good fats. It derives almost half of its calories from fats, but it also provides protein and carbohydrates. It is a complete food.

Third, tofu is versatile. We touched in this fact a little above, but that was just scratching the surface. Have you seen those frozen vegetarian foods? The meat-like substance is made from tofu. It can be cubed and used in place of meat in stir-fry, cooked on the grill and also sautéed in a pan.

Softer tofu can be blended into a creamy base for sauces and dressings. Instead of cream cheese filling in your cheesecake, try tofu. Usually, anywhere your recipe calls for a soft cheese, you can use a type of tofu as a substitute.

Fourth, tofu has no taste. This is good. Do you know why? Tofu can take on the flavor of any food that it comes in contact with. You can marinate your tofu in chicken or beef broth or even the same types of spices you would use for meat. Add some bread crumbs and you have a savory protein addition to your meal.

Compare tofu to some of your other protein sources. It is low in calories. And, it is a leaner source of protein than meat. Unlike meat, tofu can be used in place of cheese and even yogurt in dips for veggies and fruit.

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to try tofu. Look up a few recipes and see if it meets your approval.

Here are some examples of superfoods and easy ways you can add them into your daily diet.

Berries

Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries are superfoods which contain important vitamins and minerals, and are rich in antioxidants. Most health experts agree that the antioxidants and nutrients are more numerous and effective when these berries are eaten raw. These superfoods are great to eat out of hand, along with some of these other ways:

* Blueberries, sliced strawberries, and raspberries are good on hot or cold cereal.
* Freeze any berries and use them in smoothies.
* Puree berries and freeze into popsicles.
* Frozen berries are tasty eaten out of hand.
* Serve a mixed fruit salad that includes berries.
* Top shortcake with whipped cream and berries.

Green Tea

Green tea is not only considered one of the superfoods which is full of antioxidants; it’s also purported to help boost weight loss. Many stores offer flavors of green tea to make it even more enticing and fun to include in your diet. Green tea can be consumed in various ways.

* Brew green tea and drink hot for your morning cup.
* Mix green tea with your regular black tea, hot or iced.
* Coffee can also be mixed with green tea.
* Flavor green tea with fruit juice and drink it iced.

Flax Seeds

Health professionals point out that flax seeds (one of the healthiest superfoods) should be ground up into a flour or meal for you to get the full nutritional benefits. Whole flax seeds pass through the digestive tract intact, meaning you don’t get any of the healthful benefits. Try including flax meal into your everyday diet with some of these ideas.

* Replace part of the flour in your favorite baked goods recipe with flax meal (breads, cookies, muffins, and so forth).
* Sprinkle flax meal on hot or cold cereal.
* Add flax meal to smoothies.
* Sprinkle it on yogurt.

Nuts

Look for raw nuts in your local grocery or health food store. Raw nuts are probably healthier, as they do not contain any added fat or salt, and heat has not destroyed the healthy fatty acids in these little superfoods.

* Sprinkle chopped nuts on oatmeal, cold cereal, or salads.
* Roll peeled bananas in chopped, raw peanuts.
* Dip apple slices in melted dark chocolate and roll in chopped nuts. Apples and dark chocolate are considered superfoods, too!

Fish

Due to high Omega-3 Fatty Acid content, fish is one of the best superfoods to protect your heart and cardiovascular system. If you’re not used to fish, it can seem intimidating. But it’s really an easy food to prepare. Here are some ideas.

* Have a “fish night” at least once a week.
* Mild white fish can be cut into strips and used to make healthy homemade fish sticks.
* Broil salmon and baste with lemon juice and olive oil.

Another great way to get the Omega 3‘s found in superfoods such as flax and fish:

Scientists have established the effectiveness of Omega 3 in a number of health areas, including your Heart, Brain, Joints, Skin, Immune system, Vision, and Digestion. Like any product on the market today there are ‘good fish oils’ and there are ‘bad fish oils’! With a bad one you may be unwittingly introducing substances into your body that you DO NOT want… such as Mercury and PCB’s for example.

We impose tougher standards on the purity of our fish oil than any other known manufacturer. DHA is the most important fatty acid in the human brain. High in DHA and proven to be pure and free of contaminants the Xtend-Life brand is considered to be the ‘Rolls Royce’ of concentrated Omega 3 fish oils at an affordable cost and has been enjoyed by thousands of customers in more than 40 countries for the last eight years.

It can be challenging when you attend that potluck lunch or dinner at Aunt Janice’s. It’s only polite to try everything, right? Stick with that approach and you’ll be headed down the slippery slope to horizontal expansion. You can still enjoy yourself without offending anyone. Here’s how:

Choose smaller portions. You don’t need a mountain of mashed potatoes with a cup of gravy. Simply choose to eat less of each food and give your stomach time to settle before attempting to get any seconds.

Use a smaller plate. Dinner plates are often larger than we need, and an appetizer plate fits all the nutrition required. While you may not want to try this at Aunt Janice’s dinner table, it’s great practice at your own home or when surveying a buffet table.

Put more vegetables on your plate. You can’t go wrong with vegetables, but avoid adding butter and other sauces. Just a little pepper to bring out the natural flavor is all you need.

Plan ahead. If you know you’re going to have a big potluck lunch at work, plan a light and healthy dinner. Or if dinner is going to be an indulgent event, choose a nice big salad with a little bit of whole wheat bread for lunch.

If you receive treats, share them. If you’re at work, put them out on your desk and invite your co-workers to help themselves. If your home looks like a Hershey’s factory, consider donating your extras to the food bank.

Reduce the sugar. Obviously, too much sugar is not good for you, but the consumption of sugar can lead to cravings for more sugar, creating a vicious cycle for your diet during the holidays.

Reduce your alcohol consumption. Not only does it add extra calories, it loosens your inhibitions and can lead you to make poor food choices.

Bring a healthy contribution. If you’re bringing something to a party, there is no rule that it has to be an indulgent sweet or savory treat. Try a fruit salad, healthy pasta dish or other healthy item.

Steam your vegetables. When preparing your own meals or contributing to a potluck, steam your vegetables and add seasonings, instead of cooking in oil or adding unnecessary fat.

As you can see, there’s still plenty of room to enjoy food, friends and family this holiday season. Just curb your portions, choose healthier options and indulge a little now and then.

Do You REALLY Want to Lose Weight and Get Fit?? Here’s The BEST Workout We’ve Found and it makes a WONDERFUL Holiday GIft!

I know, you’ve seen it on TV and heard all the hype, but honestly, the Total Gym is hands down the best piece of workout equipment that we at NHH have ever found. All of our editors use this in their own homes. Why?

1) It’s quick – You can get a full body workout in only 10-20 minutes a day.
2) We have room for it in our homes – it folds to about the size of an ironing board and slides under a bed or couch easily!
3) It has everything you need – stretching, pilates, cardio training, resistance training – on only one machine!
4) It’s also for muscle building, not just weight loss and general fitness – simply set a higher incline to build and sculpt muscles!
5) No hassle – it comes FULLY ASSEMBLED! and…
6) There’s no risk – you can try it risk free for 30 days for only $1!

I’ve personally purchased dozens of exercise machines – whatever’s being advertised, I fall for it. The Total Gym is the ONLY one I’ve stuck with – and I have to say that I LOVE it! So worth the cost – and with their payment plans, a single mom like me was able to afford it.

Learn more about the Total Gym today – then come back here and share your story with us! We’d love to hear from you.

The lifestyle of the cave person, or ancient hunter-gatherer is probably the best example we can use to help us understand our nutritional requirements as human beings. Remember that there has been little change to our bodies (in a genetic or physiological sense) since that time.

With the exception of regional changes, our foodstuffs are very similar also. Nature takes a great deal of time to make changes. Humans on the other hand can make radical changes in lifestyle, behaviour and diet, in the space of a generation or two.

This is much too fast to expect our bodies and digestive system to adjust. So, what did the hunter-gatherer eat? Remember that they had no storage facilities for their food and a limited ability to cook. It’s unfair to assume that these people ate a very simple diet of fresh food, most of which would have been eaten raw on the spot.

Theirs would have been a relatively mono diet. In other words, when they came to an apple tree they probably sat down and ate only apples. Food would have been eaten in season. Fresh unsprayed fruit and vegetables are extremely rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin C. No doubt they liked variety, but they would not have had the opportunity to combine as many foods at one sitting as modern man does.

With a simple selection of enzyme-rich food, their digestive system would have operated superbly. Whenever possible they probably caught reptiles and small game. This would have been eaten fresh with Most of the animal consumed. Meat was an occasional treat rather than the bulk of the diet.

Of course this hypothetically idyllic lifestyle wasn’t all roses. Early man had to contend with starvation, predators and accidents which no doubt took a great toll. However, from the dietary perspective his food intake was potentially as near to perfect as you can get.

Other factors contributed greatly to the cave person’s health. Plenty of exercise, fresh air and relaxation.

The Primitive Diet

Let’s examine this primitive diet of the cave person. Firstly his food was gathered fresh. This meant that it was just at the right stage for eating. Hardly comparable with our early picking and artificial ripening techniques which mean that nutrients don’t develop fully.

Some nutritionists estimate that a fresh organically grown tomato provides around one gram of Vitamin C. The fact is that these days you are lucky to get 50 mg (1/20 th of a gram) from an artificially ripened and stored tomato. You can see the dramatic difference in the nutritional value of this food according to the growing and harvesting technique.

Fresh food eaten at the right time is also packed with natural Enzymes. Enzymes are the important catalysts for the digestion and metabolism of our food. Food without enzymes is devitalised food. Because enzymes, like many vitamins, are unstable, nearly all are lost in stored fruits and vegetables – the only foods containing enzymes.

Already we have a picture of the vast difference in the quality of nutrition between early man and our present day, and we have only just begun. As a result of vastly improved hygiene and some useful drugs we have conquered the ravages of many of the infectious diseases like Smallpox and T.B. Thus we are living longer lives.

Our problem now is that we are falling victims to Nutritionally related degenerative diseases and stress. These include arthritis, heart disease, hypoglycaemia, diabetes and cancer. Such problems are epidemic and are claiming more people than ever before. Dietary discipline is essential if they are to be overcome.

So why not get with a good diet? After all, these problems are nothing more than a gift showing us where we are going wrong.

Getting back to our cave person … as we’ve seen his diet was simple with not too much variety at each meal. This meant that his digestive juices were only dealing with a few foods at any one time. There was much less chance of incompatible food combinations.

Modern society views our enormous variety of available foods as a sign of affluence. The more varieties, the better. This is great for the taste buds but it is a disaster for the digestive system. Remember that digestion is the first stage in providing the body with fuel to sustain itself. If digestion is not functioning efficiently, you are in trouble.

Storage and Cooking

There were no refrigerators in ancient times so there was little food storage. Our cave person had only limited opportunity to cook his food. Pots and pans weren’t around then so most of his food was raw and packed with live enzymes. Cooking destroys these enzymes, most enzymes are destroyed at 107o F. The stove is very much the curse of modern man.

Relaxation

With a few exceptions, our cave person ate his meal in an unhurried and relaxed way. After all, he had little else on his mind. Food was a major priority in his life and he was going to enjoy it. In this relaxed state, his cardio-vascular system would direct the blood supply to his abdomen and digestion was completed efficiently.

There is little comparison here with us today. With the exception of rich, tasty meals, food is truly low priority stuff. Our taste buds are the only consideration. The stressed state that most of us operate in means that there is always some adrenaline pumping through the system. Thus our blood is directed away from the digestive areas and into the muscles in preparation for all of our little emergencies.

This means poor digestion, indigestion, bloating, flatulence and eventual illness. Stress is the greatest killer in society today. The need to address this problem is inseparable from the need for good, fresh, whole food.

Processing and Bowel Health

Because of the lack of processing plants, our primitive person’s food was eaten whole. He got plenty of FIBRE. This meant that his bowel was stimulated and his elimination was regular and efficient. In contrast, modern man’s elimination is dreadful. Our bowel is the last stage of digestion and absorption of nutrients from our food.

Because of the relatively slow passage of chyme through this organ, it is susceptible to accumulation of debris and waste matter. Refined food provides none of the prickly roughage which is so necessary for regular bowel action.

The result is a clogged bowel and the reabsorption of toxins and waste material. No wonder bowel cancer is one of the greatest killers in Western society.

Refining and Storage

This brings us to yet another major problem … processed food and its lack of nutritional value. The refining and storage process robs most of the fibre and nutrients from our food. Most of the ‘B’ vitamins and the precious ‘E’ vitamins are lost in the processing of wheat and flour.

White flour is not only valueless, it is literally poisonous to the body. Similarly all other processed cereals, fruits and vegetables have lost most of their nutrients and almost all of the very unstable VITAMIN C – which is so important that our bodies require it in abundance.

It is required in even greater quantities if we live under stress – and who doesn’t? The amount of Vitamin C available to us in the average Western diet is often not enough to prevent scurvy, let alone run our bodies efficiently.

The Diet of Modern Man

In comparison to the primitive man, modern man eats almost exclusively of processed, stored and artificially ripened food, grown on artificially fertilised soil and sprayed with poison up to 20 times during the growing season.

He eats anything, at any time, because we have learned how to make most foods readily available through processing and storage. He eats almost no whole food. It is nearly always the tasty parts of the food only. He insists on a large variety for taste, because he believes that this is of greater importance than quality.

More often than not, he eats in a hurried and unrelaxed way and during the few times he sets aside for relaxing and social meals, he drowns them in alcohol, tea and coffee.

Well, imagining is over.  Researchers have found several foods that are reported to have super qualities that improve the health of the user.  Here is a list of 12 Super Foods that will help to improve your health today!

Blueberries: Blueberries are an antioxidant super food that are packed with phytoflavinoids and are high in potassium and Vitamin C.  They will lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Actually inflammation is the key to most chronic diseases, so blueberries have lots of benefits.  When choosing your berries recognize that the darker the berry the more anti-oxidants they have.  ½ a cup of berries a day is a serving and reportedly the frozen are as good as the fresh.

Omega-3 rich foods: new super foods are great for the hearts, joints and memory.  Researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids lower the risk of heart disease, help arthritis and can possibly help with memory loss as well as prevention of Alzheimer’s.

Omega-3 fatty on since are most prevalent in fatty cold water fish such as salmon, hearing, sardines and mackerel.  These fatty acids can also be found in plant foods, most specifically flaxseed.  It’s actually quite easy to get an adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids every day or weekly by adding milled flaxseed to your salad or cereals.  The addition of flaxseed in the milled state adds no additional flavor.

Another easy superfood is soy. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that a diet of soy fiber which would also include proteins from oats and barley will help to decrease or lower cholesterol levels.

This award which is needed is from tofu, soy milk or edamame and not soy powder which means soy sauce won’t do the trick.  An important note: if you have a family history of breast cancer is not recommended to eat extra soy because it also contains plant-based estrogen which is necessary in the growth of breast cancer.

Fiber: a diet high in fiber will maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels and will help you feel fuller longer which is a great weight loss tool.  Good sources of fiber are whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.

Tomatoes: tomatoes contain lycopenes which are in antioxidants more potent than vitamin C.  These lycopene stimulate immune function and can slow the progression of degenerative diseases.  Work to include at least one medium tomato each day into your diet.

Sprouts: sprouts are highly nutritious and are produced when the seed starts growing into a vegetable.  They’ve very in texture and taste and are high in living enzymes.  Because sprouts are the beginning of a plant they are concentrated source of living enzymes that is lost when the food is cooked or not picked fresh from the garden.  They are also much easier to digest than seeds or beans.

Acai: studies have shown that this little beer he is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world.  Pronounced ah-sigh-ee this berry is from a special Amazon palm tree and harvested in the rain forests of Brazil.

It tastes like a blend of beer he is and chocolate and packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.  You can find it in several health food stores and go gourmet stores or currently produced as unsweetened pulp.

Nuts and seeds: Venus are an incredible way to dramatically decrease the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes as well as control your weight with no hunger pains.  Nuts and seeds also reduce visible signs of the I Ching like wrinkles and sagging skin.  You can add nuts to your salad, cooking or just grab a handful in the afternoon to enjoy as a filling and satisfying snack.

Tea: recently in green tea has received much press as a superfood for lowering cholesterol and inhibiting cancer.  Green tea also has antioxidant which has been found to lower cholesterol levels and keep them lower individuals who drank a cop of tea a day.

Calcium: you know that calcium helps build strong bones and bodies and helps to prevent osteoporosis but other studies have shown that calcium also helps to improve weight loss.  Calcium is found in dairy products such as milk and cheese or can be taken as a supplement.  Interestingly calcium is also found in green leafy vegetables which means you don’t need to each your ice cream in order to get your calcium.

You may have noticed that these “super foods” are nothing new or unusual.  Instead these are foods which researchers and doctors have been telling us for years to include in our diet to improve our overall health.

Just remember that health is not a sprint but rather a long distance run or marathon.  You must eat good foods every day to maintain your health over the coming years and you won’t change your health by increasing the amount of super foods you eat on a daily basis for just one week.

Most food allergy reactions are mild. Symptoms are easily managed at home and families may not even report them to their doctor, especially if they don’t recognize that their symptoms are a result of a food allergy. But, some food allergies cause severe reactions that can be life-threatening and definitely require a doctors care and hospitalization.

People who suffer from food allergies shouldn’t be fooled by an initial mild reaction to a food allergen. This early reaction can be followed quickly by a much more severe food allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. People who are experiencing anaphylaxis will experience constricted lungs, severe lowering of the blood pressure and suffocation by swelling in the throat. These symptoms are all symptoms of a severe histamine reaction following exposure to a food allergen. Each year there are 150 people who die from allergic reactions and 30,000 emergency room visits.

Food allergies are unlike environmental allergies to things like pollen. While you may be able to develop de-sensitivity to environmental allergies, food allergies can’t be cured. The person must strictly avoid the food allergen and recognize and manage any reactions as quickly as possible to prevent serious consequences.

To help Americans avoid the risks posed by food allergies Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. The law applies to all foods that the FDA regulates and that have been labeled on or after January 1, 2006. This law mandates that the labels must clearly identify not only the ingredients by the common names but also the source of those ingredients. As a result this will help consumers to identify foods to which they have allergies so they can be more easily avoided.

There are 8 major food groups that cause allergic reactions in people. These include Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean shellfish (like lobster or shrimp), tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanuts, wheat and soybeans. The food allergen that gets the most press are nut allergies and allergies to crustacean fish since these are the two that most frequently cause anaphylactic shock reactions leading to life-threatening reactions.

The law specified that the labels must contain the source of the common ingredient as well as the name for instance flour (wheat) or lecithin (soy). Or the labeling must include a list of sources near the list of ingredients such as: Contains Milk, peanuts, Soy.

If you, or someone you are with, experience symptoms of food allergies they should seek medical attention immediately. Most common food allergy symptoms include a scratchy, itchy throat, hives, coughing or wheezing, stomach, vomiting, swelling in the throat, difficulty breathing, skin rash, and face, tongue or lip swelling.

Once you have exhibited a food allergy you must be very careful about reading food labels. Unfortunately there is evidence to suggest that while the first or second exposure to a food allergy may result in a mild reaction subsequent exposures can escalate the severity of the reaction.

Lowering disease risk, boosting your immunity and helping you lose weight are among the reasons why certain foods should make appearances in your diet regularly.

To have a balanced diet, you must include items from every food group from grains to meat and fish to vegetables and fruit. The list below includes representation from these groups and represents some of the healthiest foods in the world:

1.  Berries – Virtually every edible berry is a candidate for the super food list. And because different berries are available at different times of year, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a selection no matter what. Food scientists note that berries contain many phytochemicals which are high in antioxidants as well as disease-fighting components.

They have plenty of fiber, vitamin C and B vitamins like folate. What you do not want to do is cook or heat the berries because they will lose these powerful properties. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries are but a few of many around the world.

2.  Salmon – There are a lot of fish in the sea with great nutritional properties but salmon is a clear winner when it comes to promoting great health and disease fighting components. Salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acids which help lower the “bad” cholesterol in the blood and promote lower blood pressure and better heart health. When given the choice, select wild salmon over farm-raised salmon as they have more of the healthy components.

3.  Dark Green Vegetables – While many vegetables regardless of color are quite healthy for you, it is the dark green kind that seems to possess the most phytochemicals in addition to the many vitamins and minerals your body needs. Iron, calcium, vitamins A and C and fiber are typically present and are great health boosters. Asparagus, kale, bok choy, spinach, dark lettuce, collard greens and others retain the most disease-fighting phytochemicals when consumed raw or stir fried.

4.  Whole Grains – When you shop for whole grain foods, make sure that you see the word “whole” in the ingredients not just derived from whole grains. “Whole” refers to the fact that the grain possesses all three essential parts – bran, endosperm and germ – which are necessary to reap the maximum health benefits.

What is so interesting is that whole grains contain antioxidants and other phytochemicals that cannot be obtained from the consumption of vegetables and fruit.

Of course, they also have plenty of fiber, B vitamins, E vitamin, iron, magnesium and more. Always choose whole grains like whole wheat, barley, rye, oats, quinoa, brown rice and others that are classified as “whole.”

There are many other foods that could join the list but the four listed above are absolute musts when it comes to consuming disease-fighting and immunity-boosting foods.

Basically, if you can avoid anything that must be manufactured, refined or processed, you are doing great. Start finding ways of incorporating more of these foods in your diet plan today.

Related Natural Product

Finding a good multi-vitamin for the entire family can be difficult, but Xtend-Life’s Total Balance Unisex is the perfect supplement for everyone, even children from age 12 and older. It’s also perfect for women who have gone through menopause. In fact, Total Balance Unisex addresses issues that affect everyone, and it does so with a blend of all natural ingredients. The bio-actives present in Total Balance Unisex provide a great way of keeping healthy no matter what your age or gender.

Most everyone has had a craving for a certain food at one time or another. For me, chocolate ice cream seems to be my biggest downfall in the cravings department!

But, did you know that cravings can signify something lacking in your diet that your body needs? Well, it can.

So, the next time you just HAVE to run out to the store at midnight to grab a carton of Rocky Road, remember that your craving may be your body’s way of saying “Hey! I need some help here!”

As a side note – knowing what a craving can signify can greatly increase your chances of success when trying to lose weight if you’re one who ‘falls off the diet wagon’ due to an almost unholy urge for cheesecake or salty French fries!

Lung cancer is an umbrella term for a type of respiratory cancer that develops in any of the cells lining the air passages, not just the lungs themselves.

It is commonly diagnosed every year across Western society, with around 222 520 Americans potentially being diagnosed this year, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and with almost half of these potentially developing into fatal numbers.

Although lung cancer is notoriously difficult to treat once it has taken hold, French scientists have discovered several natural substances that offer substantial protection from the malignancy.

In a study of almost 400 000 participants, those who had higher blood levels of vitamin B6 and the essential amino acid methionine (found in forms of protein in the diet as well as in supplemental form) had the lowest risk of lung cancer – even those who were former or current smokers – although it is obviously important to remember that quitting smoking, passively or otherwise, would significantly reduce cancer risks by a huge factor in itself.

For the study, which was just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Paul Brennan, Ph.D., of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, and colleagues documented B vitamins and methionine levels based on serum samples from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort study.

In all, they investigated 385 747 research subjects from 10 European countries. By 2006, 899 had been diagnosed with lung cancer; they were compared to 1 770 control participants and all were individually matched by country, sex, date of birth, and date of blood collection.

The results of the researchers’ analysis revealed a dramatically lower risk for lung cancer among participants with the highest blood levels of B6 and methionine. In addition, a moderately lower risk for lung cancer in former and current smokers was observed in those with higher serum levels of folate.

Similar and consistent decreases in risk were observed in never, former, and current smokers. Of course with former and current smokers risks still remaining higher than those who have never smoked, even passively, but still a significant reduction was acknowledged.

The magnitude of risk was also constant with increasing length of follow-up, indicating that the associations were not explained by preclinical disease (JAMA).

The results suggest that…”above-median serum measures of both B6 and methionine, assessed on average five years prior to disease onset, are associated with a reduction of at least 50% on the risk of developing lung cancer.

An additional association for serum levels of folate was present, that when combined with B6 and methionine, was associated with a two-thirds lower risk of lung cancer.”

How could these natural substances keep lung cancer at bay?

The key may be found in previous research which has shown that B vitamin deficiencies likely increase the probability of DNA damage and subsequent gene mutations. “Given their involvement in maintaining DNA integrity and gene expression, these nutrients have a potentially important role in inhibiting cancer development, and offer the possibility of modifying cancer risk through dietary changes” the scientists confirmed.

They also pointed out that B vitamin deficiencies are known to be high in many western populations, hence a potential contributing factor to increased risks and resulting cancers in those countries.

As an additional, and literal “food for thought”, other news was presented earlier this year at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference. Scientists found eating a handful of pistachios (raw) daily may also offer a degree of protection from lung cancer risks.

Remember of course that cancer prevention – or cure – isn’t reliant on just 1 or 2 simple steps such as this. It surrounds a regime of general healthy eating, good lifestyle, sufficient pure fluids, and overall nutritional supplemental protection.

This includes the use of many specialized ingredients, which all need to be used at certain adaptive dosage, including the ones mentioned above. If you take a look at our Total Balance formula, for example, you will see these in more detail.

The above ingredients form a part of this complex and necessary regimen of protection and treatment aid, along with potential products such as our Omega 3/DHA range to help with anti-inflammation, a common internal complication or contributory factor to systemic and organic degeneration into chronic disease, including many types of cancer.

by Joanna Machin of Xtend-Life

Ref:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/..

Magnesium happens only in 1% concentration in the blood and the body has to work very hard in order to keep levels constant. It is required to carry out a variety of biochemical functions including enzymatic activity. The recommended dietary allowance for men is 410 mg up to age 18, 400 mg to age 30 and 420 mg for 31 and above. The recommended daily allowance for females is 360 mg up to age 18, 310 mg up to age 30 and 320 mg for ages 31 and above.

Researchers have found that magnesium will protect the cells from a variety of toxins such as aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel. Evidence is now mounting a low levels will contribute to the heavy metal deposition in the brain that precedes Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.

In addition to the before mentioned conditions a deficiency in magnesium has also been clinically associated with anxiety disorders, arrhythmia, arthritis, asthma, autism, cavities, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, constipation, depression, diabetes types one and two, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, infantile seizures, heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, PMS, Raynaud’s and thyroid disorders.

Symptom solve magnesium deficiency can also include increased menstrual cramps, urinary spasms, difficulty swallowing provoked by eating sugar, photophobia, noise sensitivity, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, Agoraphobia and premenstrual irritability. Individuals can also suffer from cardiovascular symptoms including palpitations, heart arrhythmias, angina, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse.

According to several nationwide studies the diets of most adults are deficient in magnesium and the diets of non-hispanic black Americans are more deficient than Hispanics or non-hispanic whites. Apart from the deficiency in the diet it is also excreted through the urine or through the gastrointestinal system if there is a disorder. The excessive or chronic diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to a magnesium deficiency.

Other causes of a magnesium deficiency can be related to decrease in the absorption or intake, lost through disease and illness or due to genetic disorders.

Diagnosis of this deficiency is rather limited since laboratory testing is of limited value. This year a magnesium can be normal in spite of a significant deficiency. There is a magnesium loading past in which the patient collects 24-hour urine sample on the total magnesium is measured. After this the individual is given an injection of a specific amount of magnesium and another 24-hour urine specimens collected. If the body retains more than a certain amount that it is concluded that the body is deficient. However, the best diagnosis is done through a combination of signs and symptoms which improve as a therapeutic trial of either oral or injected magnesium.

Those who are deficient you can change the situation by drinking water from mineral rich springs, having bottled spring water delivered to the home or installing carbon filters at the sink and shower since trace minerals are small enough molecules to be able to make it through carbon filter. Others may find it more convenient to take a mineral supplement in liquid or pill form or to use natural rock salt for cooking.

It is not difficult to get enough magnesium in your diet on a daily basis in order to take care of the magnesium needs that we all have in order to function appropriately. But it does mean that we must be intentional in our nutritional goals.

However, in our modern culture of artificially-colored foods, many of us have lost the sensitivity to foods’ natural colors, and we may think of brightly-colored foods as unhealthy (in the case of artificial colors, this may be true!). It’s time to look at nature’s food rainbow and point out the health benefits!

Red

Red-colored foods tend to be high in lycopene, which acts as an antioxidant and possible cancer preventative. Lycopene (sometimes called anthocyanins) is actually the pigment that makes red foods red, and has also been implicated in promoting heart health. In addition, red foods are often high in Vitamin C and other important nutrients. Here is a list of some healthy red foods:

* Pink grapefruit
* Watermelon
* Tomatoes (particularly cooked or canned tomatoes – this processing seems to help the lycopene be absorbed by the body)
* Raspberries
* Strawberries
* Rhubarb
* Cherries
* Beets
* Red/Purple cabbage
* Red bell peppers

Yellow and Orange

Yellow and orange foods are usually lumped together in the same category, all getting their color from carotenoids. Carotenoids, or beta-carotene, are converted to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is said to be an important nutrient for eye health and hormone regulation (especially in women). Studies have also shown beta-carotene to promote heart health. Here are some yellow and orange foods to include in your diet:

* Cantaloupe
* Sweet potatoes
* Yellow and orange bell peppers
* Carrots
* Peaches and apricots
* Yellow corn (note that white corn does not contain as many carotenoids)
* Oranges
* Papayas
* “White” grapefruit
* Pineapple

Blue and Purple

Again with anthocyanins – blue and purple foods contain these antioxidants which are reputed to protect against a host of diseases, including cancer, heart disease and stroke. Blue and purple foods are also said to help prevent memory loss. Here are some to try:

* Purple grapes
* Blueberries
* Eggplant
* Raisins
* Plums
* Blackberries
* Prunes

Green

When you think of vegetables, this is probably the color you think of first. The darker the green, the healthier the food, say multiple sources. The green pigment is due to chlorophyll, the plant chemical that makes all green plants green, from broccoli to oak trees. Some dark leafy greens contain lutein, another eye-healthy nutrient; others, like broccoli, contain indoles which are said to protect against cancer. Go green by adding some of these foods into your diet:

* Brussels sprouts
* Spinach
* Kale
* Lettuce (leaf varieties)
* Cucumbers
* Green bell peppers
* Kiwi fruit
* Asparagus
* Green cabbage
* Peas

Related Natural Product

Bio-Oxidate Defense is a safe, non-addictive natural herbal remedy formulated by a team of experts in the field of natural medicine which can be used consistently to safely support cell integrity. Bio-Oxidate Defense contains a selection of herbs high in anti-oxidant properties that are well-known for their supportive function in maintaining healthy cellular processes.

This remedy supports the body’s ability to fight harmful free radicals, thereby helping to maintain routine performance of bodily systems and encourage a slower hand of time. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, Bio-Oxidate Defense is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

Depending on the age of your child, he/she should eat between 2 to 4 servings of vegetables everyday. If you are finding it difficult to get the vegetables into your child’s mouth here are some fun ways of offering them to the kids.

Create fun vegetables that will seem as if they are enjoying playtime instead of eating vegetables and watch the kids gobble up the insects and monsters…. I mean vegetables!

Make Ants on a Log by spreading natural peanut butter on the top of cut celery sticks and then put raisins on top of the peanut butter as the ants.

Make a mini vegetable pizza and put on veggies such as artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, olives and mushrooms and tell the kids it is the brain of a monster!

Some vegetables are just plain fun to eat like cherry, grape, or plum tomatoes because of their size. Serve these and watch the little ones gobble up, “the little ones”!

Don’t forget that salsa served with chips counts as a vegetable serving, and so does the pizza sauce on that pizza.

Make dipping veggies fun by making a game out of it and using a dip that the kids like.

Be sneaky and hide the vegetables in casserole dishes, in your sauce, or by putting them in soups.

Try a variety of cooking methods and you might be surprised that the kid who won’t eat carrots raw may love them cooked. Try shredding vegetables, or adding a topping they like such as cheese to make the vegetable more appealing.

Did you know that the best way to get kids to eat vegetables is to allow them to watch you eat and enjoy them!

Don’t give up, try something new everyday and always serve vegetables at every lunch and dinner. Serve 2 to 3 different vegetables each meal and allow the kids to sample each one on their plate. Do not give too large of a serving size, let them ask for more.

Try using flavoring and spices in your vegetables, or even a little butter and salt to season butternut squash and mashed potatoes.

Try these fun tips for getting kids to eat their vegetables and you might be surprised at the success you will notice. If all else fails try letting someone else serve the kids vegetables several times a week like a babysitter, or grandparent. Sometimes kids will eat vegetables just because someone else is serving them, go figure!

I knew a three year old who flatly refused to eat vegetables at dinnertime with his parents but would gobble them up at lunchtime in my daycare home. His mom was stunned one afternoon when she arrived early to pick him up and actually watched him happily eating his vegetables.

The benefits of sesame seed oil seem to go on and on.

Sesame seed oil has been used extensively in India due to the many sesame oil benefits as a healing oil, including in experiments which showed it was useful in unblocking arteries. In recent experiments in Holland by Ayurvedic physicians, the oil has been used in the treatment of several chronic disease processes, including Hepatitis, Diabetes and Migraines.

In vitro, Sesame seed oil has inhibited the growth of malignant melanoma (a skin Cancer): PROSTAGLANDIN LEUKATRINES and ESSENTIAL Fatty Acids 46: 145-150, 1992.

Also in vitro, Sesame seed oil has inhibited replication of human colon Cancer cells: ANTI Cancer RESEARCH 11: 209-216, 1992.

Research shows that another one of the benefits of Sesame seed oil is as a potent Antioxidant. In the tissues beneath the skin, this oil will neutralize oxygen radicals. It penetrates into the skin quickly and enters the blood stream through the capillaries. Molecules of Sesame seed oil maintain good Cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad Cholesterol (LDL).

Sesame seed oil benefits include its action as a cell growth regulator and slows down cell growth and replication.

In both the small intestine and the colon, some cells are nourished by fat instead of sugar. The presence of Sesame seed oil can provide those cells with essential nourishment.

One of the more surprising benefits of sesame seed oil: In an experiment at the Maharishi International College in Fairfield, Iowa, students rinsed their mouths with Sesame oil, resulting in an 85% reduction in the bacteria which causes gingivitis.

As nose drops, sniffed back into the sinuses, Sesame seed oil has cured chronic sinusitis. As a throat gargle, it kills strep and other common cold bacteria. It helps sufferers of Psoriasis and dry skin ailments. It has been successfully used in the hair of children to kill lice infestations. It is a useful natural UV protector.

And there are more benefits of sesame oil: Used after exposure to wind or sun it will calm the burns. It nourishes and feeds the scalp to control dry scalp Dandruff and to kill Dandruff causing bacteria. It protects the skin from the effects of chlorine in swimming pool water. Used before and after radiation treatments, Sesame seed oil helps neutralize the flood of oxygen radicals which such treatment inevitably causes.

On the skin, oil soluble Toxins are attracted to Sesame seed oil molecules which can then be washed away with hot water and a mild Soap. Internally, the oil molecules attract oil soluble Toxins and carry them into the blood stream and then out of the body as waste.

Used as a douche mixed with warm water, the oil controls vaginal Yeast Infections.

Sesame seed oil absorbs quickly and penetrates through the tissues to the very marrow of the bone. It enters into the blood stream through the capillaries and circulates. The liver does not sweep Sesame seed oil molecules from the blood, accepting those molecules as friendly.

Sesame oil benefits include helping joints keep their flexibility. It keeps the skin supple and soft. It heals and protects areas of mild scrapes, cuts and abrasions. It helps tighten facial skin, particularly around the nose, controlling the usual enlargement of pores as skin ages chronologically.

There are many ways to enjoy the skin benefits of sesame seed oil and it is not known to have any kind of side effects on the skin. Sesame oil can also be mixed with other oils to increase its skin benefits. Listed below are some of the benefits of sesame oil for skin.

•     The vitamin E in sesame oil make it a very good emollient and moisturizer, which, if used regularly, keeps your skin moisturized, healthy, hydrated and nourished. Hence, sesame oil is known to be extremely beneficial for dry skin care.
•     Sesame oil has natural sun block and sunscreen properties. Application of sesame seed oil on the body parts exposed to the sun can help prevent tanning and other damages caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun. This is one of the important sesame oil benefits.
•     Sesame oil has tranquilizing and soothing properties hence it is popularly used in massage therapies and aromatherapy. A sesame oil face or head massage before going to bed can help you get some sound sleep and rest and is beneficial for people suffering from insomnia.
•     The soothing and healing properties of sesame seed oil also proves useful in the repair of damaged skin cells and for skin rejuvenation. Application of sesame seed oil to the skin improves blood circulation which helps repair damaged skin cells and gives the skin a healthy glow.
•     Sesame oil also seeps into the skin or is absorbed by the skin very easily, which helps skin feel soft, hydrated and light.
•     Sesame oil has the ability to attract and trap toxins that are soluble in oil. This detoxification of the skin can be done by applying warm sesame oil to the skin, let it stay for around 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water without using any soap. Read more on facial skin care.
•     The antioxidants that it contains helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps you maintain youthful skin for a longer time.
•     Topical application of sesame seed oil is also known to be beneficial in the treatment and cure of skin related disorders like psoriasis and eczema.
•     Sesame oil is also very beneficial in the cure and prevention of acne due to its oil pulling properties.

Teen boys and girls have learned, wrongly, that all oil is bad for their facial skin. Heavy oils and toxic oils and creams are bad for all facial skin. But Sesame seed oil is the one oil which is actually good for young skin. It helps control eruptions and neutralizes the poisons which develop both on the surface and in the pores. With Sesame oil, no cosmetics are needed. The oil will cause young facial skin to have and display natural good health.

Used on baby skin, particularly in the area covered by a diaper, Sesame seed oil will protect the tender skin against rash caused by the acidity of body wastes. In the nose and ears, it will protect against common skin pathogens.

For children going to school, who will be in the presence of other children with Colds and sniffles, the benefits of Sesame seed oil swabbed in the nose can protect against air borne viruses and bacteria.

When using the oil as a massage oil, stroke the long limbs up and down. Use circular motions over all joints to stimulate the natural energy of those joints.

As you have  now learned, the benefits of sesame oil are wide and varied and even somewhat amazing – and no home should be without a bottle of golden, pure and incredibly useful sesame oil. You can purchase this wonderful, natural oil and reap the sesame oil benefits by clicking here.

Chronic abdominal pain might signify a more serious condition such as peptic ulcers, Gallstones, dyspepsia or diverticulitis. Minor abdominal pain is usually caused by heartburn, excessive acid in the stomach, heartburn or indigestion.

A good way to avoid turning a minor stomach problem into a major one is by taking a homeopathic approach. Eating food that is high in fiber is possibly one of the most important things you can do to keep your abdominal area healthy.

One of the best herbal supplements that you can use is matricaria recutita. It has been used to treat abdominal pain for many centuries. Matricaria recutita is both an excellent anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory.

Keeping your digestive system in top shape is extremely important to your body’s overall health. There are a lot of simple things you can do to keep your digestive system working properly. American’s tend to not get the recommended amount of fiber in their diet.

If you are not sure about whether you are getting enough fiber then you should double your intake to around twenty to thirty five grams a day.

Keep in mind that there are two different kinds of fiber. Soluble fiber can be found in Fruit, vegetables, bran and oatmeal. Insoluble fiber is found in Wheat, whole grains, cereals and wheat bran. Get in the habit of reading labels so you are sure to get the right amounts and types of fiber.

Replace some of the low fiber food you have been eating with more sophisticated grain’s. At least be sure to do this for two of your three daily meals. If you do that then you should be right in your target zone of twenty to thirty five grams per day. It is important to be sure you are increasing your daily intake of water or juices alongside the fiber.

If you are going on a road trip be sure to take along a fiber supplement. Also, if you normally go out to lunch while at work you can keep a fiber supplement with you at work. This way you will not always be stuck with getting all of your nutrition from eating out.

When adding fiber to your diet you should do it gradually. The last thing you want to do is to send a shock through your system. For the first week maybe you can make one meal a day higher in fiber and then go from there.