A man was lost while driving through the countryside. As he tried to reach for the map, he accidentally drove off the road into a ditch. Though he wasn't injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help.
"Warwick can get you out of that ditch," said the farmer, pointing to an old mule standing in a field. The man looked at the decrepit old mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating, "Yep, old Warwick can do the job." The man figured he had nothing to lose.
The two men and the mule made their way back to the ditch. The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins, he shouted, "Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick!"
And the mule pulled that car right out of the ditch. The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule, and asked, "Why did you call out all of those names before you called Warwick?"
The farmer grinned and said, "Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he's part of a team, he doesn't mind pulling."
Friday, March 19, 2010
FASCINATING FACTS
The sentence,”The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”, contains all the letters of the alphabet.
- At an altitude of 7,620 metres a pilot can see for a distance of 312 kilometres.
- A female mosquito can produce 150,000,000 offsprings in one year.
-Taiwan is the largest exporter of mushrooms in the world.
-Rain contains Vitamin B12.
-The Mona Lisa was first bought by Francis I King of France, who used to decorate his bathroom.
-The largest eggs are laid by sharks.
-There are 3,000 sweat glands to every square inch of skin in the palms of our hands.
-The penguin, an Antarctic bird, can no longer fly, but it can move through water faster than a submarine.
-Sodium burns fiercely when placed in water but can be stored quite safely in paraffin.
-Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world.
-Banana oil does not come from bananas, it is a chemical distillate obtained from coal.
-There are now over 5,000 different languages and dialects spoken in the world, with 845 of these spoken in India alone.
-The thirteenth day of the month is more likely to fall on a Friday than on any other day of the week.
-The hair spring of a watch was originally a pig’s hair.
-Termites can produce substances in their bodies that can rust metal, disintegrate glass and burn through lead.
-There is no soda in soda water.
- At an altitude of 7,620 metres a pilot can see for a distance of 312 kilometres.
- A female mosquito can produce 150,000,000 offsprings in one year.
-Taiwan is the largest exporter of mushrooms in the world.
-Rain contains Vitamin B12.
-The Mona Lisa was first bought by Francis I King of France, who used to decorate his bathroom.
-The largest eggs are laid by sharks.
-There are 3,000 sweat glands to every square inch of skin in the palms of our hands.
-The penguin, an Antarctic bird, can no longer fly, but it can move through water faster than a submarine.
-Sodium burns fiercely when placed in water but can be stored quite safely in paraffin.
-Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world.
-Banana oil does not come from bananas, it is a chemical distillate obtained from coal.
-There are now over 5,000 different languages and dialects spoken in the world, with 845 of these spoken in India alone.
-The thirteenth day of the month is more likely to fall on a Friday than on any other day of the week.
-The hair spring of a watch was originally a pig’s hair.
-Termites can produce substances in their bodies that can rust metal, disintegrate glass and burn through lead.
-There is no soda in soda water.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
STRESS REDUCING FOODS
Stress Management Diet
Stress management can be a powerful tool for wellness. There’s evidence that too much pressure is not just a mood killer. People who are under constant stress are more vulnerable to everything from colds to high blood pressure and heart disease. Although there are many ways to cope, one strategy is to eat stress-fighting foods. Read on to learn how a stress management diet can help.
Stress-Busting Foods: How They Work
Foods can fight stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm oatmeal, actually boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can reduce levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time. Finally, a nutritious diet can counteract the impact of stress, by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure. Do you know which foods are stress busters?
Complex Carbs
All carbs prompt the brain to make more serotonin. For a steady supply of this feel-good chemical, it’s best to eat complex carbs, which are digested more slowly. Good choices include whole-grain breakfast cereals, breads, and pastas, as well as old-fashioned oatmeal. Complex carbs can also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Simple Carbs
Dieticians usually recommend steering clear of simple carbs, which include sweets and soda. But these foods can provide short-term relief of stress-induced irritability. Simple sugars are digested quickly, leading to a spike in serotonin.
Oranges
Oranges make the list for their wealth of vitamin C. Studies suggest this vitamin can reduce levels of stress hormones while strengthening the immune system. If you have a particularly stressful event coming up, you may want to consider supplements. In one study, blood pressure and cortisol levels returned to normal more quickly when people took 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C before a stressful task.
Spinach
Popeye never lets stress get the best of him – maybe it’s all the magnesium in his spinach. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol levels and tends to get depleted when we’re under pressure. Too little magnesium may trigger headaches and fatigue, compounding the effects of stress. One cup of spinach goes a long way toward replenishing magnesium stores. Not a spinach eater? Try some cooked soybeans, or a filet of salmon, also high in magnesium.
Fatty Fish
To keep cortisol and adrenaline in check, make friends with fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and tuna, can prevent surges in stress hormones and protect against heart disease. For a steady supply, aim to eat three ounces of fatty fish at least twice a week.
Black Tea
Research suggests black tea can help you recover from stressful events more quickly. One study compared people who drank four cups of tea daily for 6 weeks with people who drank a tea-like placebo. The real tea drinkers reported feeling calmer and had lower levels of cortisol after stressful situations. Coffee, on the other hand, can boost levels of cortisol.
Pistachios
Pistachios can soften the impact stress hormones have on the body. Adrenaline raises blood pressure and gets your heart racing when you’re under stress. Eating a handful of pistachios every day can lower blood pressure, so it won’t spike as high when that adrenaline rush comes.
Avocados
One of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure is to get enough potassium -- and half an avocado has more potassium than a medium-sized banana. In addition, guacamole offers a nutritious alternative when stress has you craving a high-fat treat.
Almonds
Almonds are chock full of helpful vitamins. There’s vitamin E to bolster the immune system, plus a range of B vitamins, which may make the body more resilient during bouts of stress. To get the benefits, snack on a quarter of a cup every day.
Raw Veggies
Crunchy raw vegetables can fight the effects of stress in a purely mechanical way. Munching celery or carrot sticks helps release a clenched jaw, and that can ward off tension headaches.
Bedtime Snack
Carbs at bedtime can speed the release of serotonin and help you sleep better. Heavy meals before bed can trigger heartburn, so stick to something light like toast and jam.
Milk
Another bedtime stress buster is the time-honored glass of warm milk. Researchers have found calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension, as well as easing anxiety and mood swings linked to PMS. Dieticians typically recommend skim or low-fat milk.
Herbal Supplements
There are many herbal supplements that claim to fight stress. One of the best studied is St. John’s wort, which has shown benefits for people with mild-to-moderate depression. Although more research is needed, the herb also appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and PMS. There is less data on valerian root, another herb said to have a calming effect.
De-Stress with Exercise
Besides tweaking your diet, one of the best stress-busting strategies is to start exercising. Aerobic exercise is the most effective, because it increases oxygen circulation and produces endorphins -- chemicals that make you feel happy. To get the maximum benefit, aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
Stress management can be a powerful tool for wellness. There’s evidence that too much pressure is not just a mood killer. People who are under constant stress are more vulnerable to everything from colds to high blood pressure and heart disease. Although there are many ways to cope, one strategy is to eat stress-fighting foods. Read on to learn how a stress management diet can help.
Stress-Busting Foods: How They Work
Foods can fight stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm oatmeal, actually boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can reduce levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time. Finally, a nutritious diet can counteract the impact of stress, by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure. Do you know which foods are stress busters?
Complex Carbs
All carbs prompt the brain to make more serotonin. For a steady supply of this feel-good chemical, it’s best to eat complex carbs, which are digested more slowly. Good choices include whole-grain breakfast cereals, breads, and pastas, as well as old-fashioned oatmeal. Complex carbs can also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Simple Carbs
Dieticians usually recommend steering clear of simple carbs, which include sweets and soda. But these foods can provide short-term relief of stress-induced irritability. Simple sugars are digested quickly, leading to a spike in serotonin.
Oranges
Oranges make the list for their wealth of vitamin C. Studies suggest this vitamin can reduce levels of stress hormones while strengthening the immune system. If you have a particularly stressful event coming up, you may want to consider supplements. In one study, blood pressure and cortisol levels returned to normal more quickly when people took 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C before a stressful task.
Spinach
Popeye never lets stress get the best of him – maybe it’s all the magnesium in his spinach. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol levels and tends to get depleted when we’re under pressure. Too little magnesium may trigger headaches and fatigue, compounding the effects of stress. One cup of spinach goes a long way toward replenishing magnesium stores. Not a spinach eater? Try some cooked soybeans, or a filet of salmon, also high in magnesium.
Fatty Fish
To keep cortisol and adrenaline in check, make friends with fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and tuna, can prevent surges in stress hormones and protect against heart disease. For a steady supply, aim to eat three ounces of fatty fish at least twice a week.
Black Tea
Research suggests black tea can help you recover from stressful events more quickly. One study compared people who drank four cups of tea daily for 6 weeks with people who drank a tea-like placebo. The real tea drinkers reported feeling calmer and had lower levels of cortisol after stressful situations. Coffee, on the other hand, can boost levels of cortisol.
Pistachios
Pistachios can soften the impact stress hormones have on the body. Adrenaline raises blood pressure and gets your heart racing when you’re under stress. Eating a handful of pistachios every day can lower blood pressure, so it won’t spike as high when that adrenaline rush comes.
Avocados
One of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure is to get enough potassium -- and half an avocado has more potassium than a medium-sized banana. In addition, guacamole offers a nutritious alternative when stress has you craving a high-fat treat.
Almonds
Almonds are chock full of helpful vitamins. There’s vitamin E to bolster the immune system, plus a range of B vitamins, which may make the body more resilient during bouts of stress. To get the benefits, snack on a quarter of a cup every day.
Raw Veggies
Crunchy raw vegetables can fight the effects of stress in a purely mechanical way. Munching celery or carrot sticks helps release a clenched jaw, and that can ward off tension headaches.
Bedtime Snack
Carbs at bedtime can speed the release of serotonin and help you sleep better. Heavy meals before bed can trigger heartburn, so stick to something light like toast and jam.
Milk
Another bedtime stress buster is the time-honored glass of warm milk. Researchers have found calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension, as well as easing anxiety and mood swings linked to PMS. Dieticians typically recommend skim or low-fat milk.
Herbal Supplements
There are many herbal supplements that claim to fight stress. One of the best studied is St. John’s wort, which has shown benefits for people with mild-to-moderate depression. Although more research is needed, the herb also appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and PMS. There is less data on valerian root, another herb said to have a calming effect.
De-Stress with Exercise
Besides tweaking your diet, one of the best stress-busting strategies is to start exercising. Aerobic exercise is the most effective, because it increases oxygen circulation and produces endorphins -- chemicals that make you feel happy. To get the maximum benefit, aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
10 Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Stress On-the-Spot
If your hectic lifestyle has got you down, experts say relaxation techniques can bring you back into balance -- some in five minutes or less.
By Jenny Stamos Kovacs
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
The kids need a ride to school, your husband can't find his shorts, your boss has just scheduled an online meeting, and your best friend desperately needs your help -- all at the same time.
Is it any wonder that you can't find a minute for relaxation? In fact, if you're like most women, you may have even forgotten how to relax.
And while experts say that some stress is good for you -- it can sharpen your senses and your mind -- too much stress is bad for your mental and physical health. At the same time, relaxation can do wonders to restore balance in your life -- and may even reduce some of the health risks associated with stress.
WebMD talked to the experts to learn more about relaxation -- and how to attain it. What follows are 10 on-the-spot techniques you can use -- any time and almost anywhere -- to reduce the tension in your life.
1. Meditate
If you're thinking meditation means twisting your body into an uncomfortable position and uttering "oohs" and "omms" for an hour, guess again. Any repetitive action can be a source of meditation, says Herbert Benson, MD, author of The Relaxation Response anddirector emeritus, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. This includes walking, swimming, painting, knitting -- any activity that helps keep your attention calmly in the present moment.
When you catch yourself thinking about your job, your relationship or your lifelong to-do list, experts say to simply let the thought escape, and bring your mind back the repetition of the activity. Try it for just 5 to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop.
2. Picture Yourself Relaxed
Is your mind too talkative to meditate? Try creating a peaceful visualization, or "dreamscape." To start, simply visualize anything that keeps your thoughts away from current tensions. It could be a favorite vacation spot, a fantasy island, that penthouse in New York City -- or something "touchable," like the feel of your favorite silk robe or cozy sweater.
The idea is to take your mind off your stress, and replace it with an image that evokes a sense of calm. The more realistic your daydream -- in terms of colors, sights, sounds; even touch and feel -- the more relaxation you'll experience.
3. Breathe Deeply
Feeling stressed evokes tense, shallow breathing, while calm is associated with relaxed breathing, says Michael Lee, author of Turn Stress into Bliss and founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in Bristol, Vermont. So to turn tension into relaxation, he says, change the way you breathe.
Try this: Let out a big sigh, dropping your chest, and exhaling through gently pursed lips, says Joan Borysenko, PhD, director of Harvard's Mind-Body Clinical Programs. Now imagine your low belly, or center, as a deep, powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire belly, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your belly, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time.
4. Look Around You
"Mindfulness is the here-and-now approach to living that makes daily life richer and more meaningful," says Claire Michaels Wheeler, MD, PhD, author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. It's approaching life like a child, without passing judgment on what occurs. Mindfulness means focusing on one activity at a time, so forget multi-tasking! Staying in the present-tense can help promote relaxation and provide a buffer against anxiety and depression.
Practice it by focusing on your immediate surroundings. If you're outdoors, enjoy the shape and colors of flowers, hear a bird's call or consider a tree. In the mall, look at the details of a dress in the window, examine a piece of jewelry and focus on how it's made, or window-shop for furniture, checking out every detail of pattern and style. As long as you can keep your mind focused on something in the present, stress will take a back seat.
5. Drink Hot Tea
If you're a coffee-guzzler, consider going green. Coffee raises levels of the notorious stress hormone, cortisol, while green tea offers health and beauty, says Nicholas Perricone, MD, author of 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity.
Chamomile tea is a traditional favorite for calming the mind and reducing stress. And black tea may be a stress-fighter, too, researchers from University College London report. Participants who drank regular black tea displayed lower levels of cortisol, and reported feeling calmer during six weeks of stressful situations than those who drank a placebo with the same amount of caffeine.
6. Show Some Love
Induce the relaxation response by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse, or talking to a friend about the good things in your lives, says psychologist Deborah Rozman, PhD, co-author of Transforming Stress. When you do, you'll be reducing your stress levels.
Why? Experts say social interaction helps your brain think better, encouraging you to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible, she says. Studies have also shown that physical contact -- like petting your dog or cat -- may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.
7. Try Self-Massage
When your muscles are tense and you've no time to visit a pro, try this simple self-massage technique from Darrin Zeer, author of Lover's Massage and Office Yoga. Relax, and travel straight to Zen-land.
• Place both hands on your shoulders and neck.
• Squeeze with your fingers and palms.
• Rub vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed.
• Wrap one hand around the other forearm.
• Squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers.
• Move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again.
• Repeat with other arm.
8. Take a Time-Out
Adults need time-outs, too. So when you sense your temper is about to erupt, Jeff Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes In the Evening, suggests finding a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat. Quiet your mind and remember: Time is always on your side, so relax. The stress can wait.
9. Try a Musical Detour
Music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul, the experts say. So, when the going gets rough, take a musical stress detour by aligning your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song. And you might want to make that a classical tune. Research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music may produce calming effects equivalent to taking 10 mg of Valium.
10. Take an Attitude Break
Thirty seconds is enough time to shift your heart's rhythm from stressed to relaxed, Rozman says. The way to do that: Engage your heart and your mind in positive thinking. Start by envisioning anything that triggers a positive feeling -- a vision of your child or spouse, the image of your pet, that great piece of jewelry you're saving up to buy, a memento from a vacation -- whatever it is, conjuring up the thought will help slow breathing, relax tense muscles and put a smile on your face. Rozman says that creating a positive emotional attitude can also calm and steady your heart rhythm, contributing to feelings of relaxation and peace.
By Jenny Stamos Kovacs
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
The kids need a ride to school, your husband can't find his shorts, your boss has just scheduled an online meeting, and your best friend desperately needs your help -- all at the same time.
Is it any wonder that you can't find a minute for relaxation? In fact, if you're like most women, you may have even forgotten how to relax.
And while experts say that some stress is good for you -- it can sharpen your senses and your mind -- too much stress is bad for your mental and physical health. At the same time, relaxation can do wonders to restore balance in your life -- and may even reduce some of the health risks associated with stress.
WebMD talked to the experts to learn more about relaxation -- and how to attain it. What follows are 10 on-the-spot techniques you can use -- any time and almost anywhere -- to reduce the tension in your life.
1. Meditate
If you're thinking meditation means twisting your body into an uncomfortable position and uttering "oohs" and "omms" for an hour, guess again. Any repetitive action can be a source of meditation, says Herbert Benson, MD, author of The Relaxation Response anddirector emeritus, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. This includes walking, swimming, painting, knitting -- any activity that helps keep your attention calmly in the present moment.
When you catch yourself thinking about your job, your relationship or your lifelong to-do list, experts say to simply let the thought escape, and bring your mind back the repetition of the activity. Try it for just 5 to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop.
2. Picture Yourself Relaxed
Is your mind too talkative to meditate? Try creating a peaceful visualization, or "dreamscape." To start, simply visualize anything that keeps your thoughts away from current tensions. It could be a favorite vacation spot, a fantasy island, that penthouse in New York City -- or something "touchable," like the feel of your favorite silk robe or cozy sweater.
The idea is to take your mind off your stress, and replace it with an image that evokes a sense of calm. The more realistic your daydream -- in terms of colors, sights, sounds; even touch and feel -- the more relaxation you'll experience.
3. Breathe Deeply
Feeling stressed evokes tense, shallow breathing, while calm is associated with relaxed breathing, says Michael Lee, author of Turn Stress into Bliss and founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in Bristol, Vermont. So to turn tension into relaxation, he says, change the way you breathe.
Try this: Let out a big sigh, dropping your chest, and exhaling through gently pursed lips, says Joan Borysenko, PhD, director of Harvard's Mind-Body Clinical Programs. Now imagine your low belly, or center, as a deep, powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire belly, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your belly, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time.
4. Look Around You
"Mindfulness is the here-and-now approach to living that makes daily life richer and more meaningful," says Claire Michaels Wheeler, MD, PhD, author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. It's approaching life like a child, without passing judgment on what occurs. Mindfulness means focusing on one activity at a time, so forget multi-tasking! Staying in the present-tense can help promote relaxation and provide a buffer against anxiety and depression.
Practice it by focusing on your immediate surroundings. If you're outdoors, enjoy the shape and colors of flowers, hear a bird's call or consider a tree. In the mall, look at the details of a dress in the window, examine a piece of jewelry and focus on how it's made, or window-shop for furniture, checking out every detail of pattern and style. As long as you can keep your mind focused on something in the present, stress will take a back seat.
5. Drink Hot Tea
If you're a coffee-guzzler, consider going green. Coffee raises levels of the notorious stress hormone, cortisol, while green tea offers health and beauty, says Nicholas Perricone, MD, author of 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity.
Chamomile tea is a traditional favorite for calming the mind and reducing stress. And black tea may be a stress-fighter, too, researchers from University College London report. Participants who drank regular black tea displayed lower levels of cortisol, and reported feeling calmer during six weeks of stressful situations than those who drank a placebo with the same amount of caffeine.
6. Show Some Love
Induce the relaxation response by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse, or talking to a friend about the good things in your lives, says psychologist Deborah Rozman, PhD, co-author of Transforming Stress. When you do, you'll be reducing your stress levels.
Why? Experts say social interaction helps your brain think better, encouraging you to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible, she says. Studies have also shown that physical contact -- like petting your dog or cat -- may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.
7. Try Self-Massage
When your muscles are tense and you've no time to visit a pro, try this simple self-massage technique from Darrin Zeer, author of Lover's Massage and Office Yoga. Relax, and travel straight to Zen-land.
• Place both hands on your shoulders and neck.
• Squeeze with your fingers and palms.
• Rub vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed.
• Wrap one hand around the other forearm.
• Squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers.
• Move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again.
• Repeat with other arm.
8. Take a Time-Out
Adults need time-outs, too. So when you sense your temper is about to erupt, Jeff Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes In the Evening, suggests finding a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat. Quiet your mind and remember: Time is always on your side, so relax. The stress can wait.
9. Try a Musical Detour
Music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul, the experts say. So, when the going gets rough, take a musical stress detour by aligning your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song. And you might want to make that a classical tune. Research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music may produce calming effects equivalent to taking 10 mg of Valium.
10. Take an Attitude Break
Thirty seconds is enough time to shift your heart's rhythm from stressed to relaxed, Rozman says. The way to do that: Engage your heart and your mind in positive thinking. Start by envisioning anything that triggers a positive feeling -- a vision of your child or spouse, the image of your pet, that great piece of jewelry you're saving up to buy, a memento from a vacation -- whatever it is, conjuring up the thought will help slow breathing, relax tense muscles and put a smile on your face. Rozman says that creating a positive emotional attitude can also calm and steady your heart rhythm, contributing to feelings of relaxation and peace.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
EATING FRUIT...
It's long but very informative
�
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.
�
What is the correct way of eating fruits?
�
IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
�
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
�
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
�
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....
�
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!
�
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
�
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
�
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
�
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
�
KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
�
APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
�
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
�
ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.
�
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.
�
G UA VA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
�
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
�
A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack . Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive...
�
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
Live Long With Good Health
�
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.
�
What is the correct way of eating fruits?
�
IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
�
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
�
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
�
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....
�
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!
�
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
�
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
�
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
�
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
�
KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
�
APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
�
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
�
ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.
�
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.
�
G UA VA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
�
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
�
A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack . Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive...
�
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
Live Long With Good Health
Monday, February 15, 2010
Boost Your Metabolism
By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer
Growing up, my brother was "big-boned." I was skinny. My dad affectionately called us the stick and the brick. As we got a little older, my brother's bone affliction was redefined as a slow metabolism and his problem was at least identified.
Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about a slow metabolism…right?
The truth is that genetics do define our metabolic rates to some degree but, like other genetic predispositions, there are factors that we can control. Diet and activity levels are lifestyle choices that affect metabolism, according to eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein.
"Even if slow metabolism is in your genes, you can do things to help increase it. Focus on exercise (to build lean muscle) and eat more often," says Pam. "Yes, I definitely said to eat more. Each time you eat, you stimulate your metabolism and feed your muscles. If you starve your body, it actually stores more fat. You defeat the purpose and can actually gain weight."
Pam recommends eating 5-6 times a day (every 2-3 hours). It will keep your metabolism running smoothly and help you avoid the pitfalls of hunger, such as overeating because you're starving. Proper nutrition is the first step of supercharging your metabolism, but to really get your metabolism firing on all cylinders, you will also need to add a fat-blasting workout.
Many people looking to lose weight incorrectly assume that lifting weights will lead to a bulky look and they can achieve their goals with cardio alone. This is a fallacy. While cardiovascular exercise is crucial to weight loss, weight training is crucial to boosting your metabolism.
Experts agree that resistance training is the best way to build and preserve lean muscle mass, which speeds up your metabolism. You can get the most fat-burning benefits by using a combination of strength and cardio training to lose more weight.
"There's a fitness term called the 'after burn'," says eDiets Chief Fitness Pro Raphael Calzadilla. "This refers to the calories that you burn 24 to 48 hours after your exercise session. What that means to you is a faster metabolism that burns fat at an accelerated rate."
Not only will exercise speed up your metabolism after your daily workouts but, if you are building lean muscle mass, it will increase over the long run as well. This is crucial because your metabolism actually decreases as you age.
"Unfortunately, our metabolisms slow as we age -- especially for us women," says Pam. "But eating right and exercising can help speed up that slowing metabolism and help reduce a number health risks like heart disease and osteoporosis."
Pam is also quick to point out that it's important to make sure your caloric intake meets your needs. You may need to reassess your caloric intake as you lose weight and adjust it higher or lower. Often, eating more of the right foods will stimulate your metabolism.
Ultimately, we discovered my brother's weight issues were due to a combination of his diet of sugary treats and salty snacks and a fairly excessive cartoon habit. But, don't worry, this story has a happy ending.
My little brother joined the Marines, where he got all the exercise he could handle. When he came home he was a lean, mean fat-burning machine. I, on the other hand, went to college and -- without sports to keep me active -- focused my efforts on fast food, beer and my studies (read: girls).
I couldn't blame my ballooning waistline on genetics or a rare bone-enlarging phenomenon. I had to face the facts and get myself back in shape. I ate better, moved more and got myself back on track for better health.
Your metabolism can either be your ally or enemy. If you can get it to work with you, it will make weight loss much simpler. It's never too late or too early to change how your body looks, runs and feels -- so get started!
Staff Writer
Growing up, my brother was "big-boned." I was skinny. My dad affectionately called us the stick and the brick. As we got a little older, my brother's bone affliction was redefined as a slow metabolism and his problem was at least identified.
Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about a slow metabolism…right?
The truth is that genetics do define our metabolic rates to some degree but, like other genetic predispositions, there are factors that we can control. Diet and activity levels are lifestyle choices that affect metabolism, according to eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein.
"Even if slow metabolism is in your genes, you can do things to help increase it. Focus on exercise (to build lean muscle) and eat more often," says Pam. "Yes, I definitely said to eat more. Each time you eat, you stimulate your metabolism and feed your muscles. If you starve your body, it actually stores more fat. You defeat the purpose and can actually gain weight."
Pam recommends eating 5-6 times a day (every 2-3 hours). It will keep your metabolism running smoothly and help you avoid the pitfalls of hunger, such as overeating because you're starving. Proper nutrition is the first step of supercharging your metabolism, but to really get your metabolism firing on all cylinders, you will also need to add a fat-blasting workout.
Many people looking to lose weight incorrectly assume that lifting weights will lead to a bulky look and they can achieve their goals with cardio alone. This is a fallacy. While cardiovascular exercise is crucial to weight loss, weight training is crucial to boosting your metabolism.
Experts agree that resistance training is the best way to build and preserve lean muscle mass, which speeds up your metabolism. You can get the most fat-burning benefits by using a combination of strength and cardio training to lose more weight.
"There's a fitness term called the 'after burn'," says eDiets Chief Fitness Pro Raphael Calzadilla. "This refers to the calories that you burn 24 to 48 hours after your exercise session. What that means to you is a faster metabolism that burns fat at an accelerated rate."
Not only will exercise speed up your metabolism after your daily workouts but, if you are building lean muscle mass, it will increase over the long run as well. This is crucial because your metabolism actually decreases as you age.
"Unfortunately, our metabolisms slow as we age -- especially for us women," says Pam. "But eating right and exercising can help speed up that slowing metabolism and help reduce a number health risks like heart disease and osteoporosis."
Pam is also quick to point out that it's important to make sure your caloric intake meets your needs. You may need to reassess your caloric intake as you lose weight and adjust it higher or lower. Often, eating more of the right foods will stimulate your metabolism.
Ultimately, we discovered my brother's weight issues were due to a combination of his diet of sugary treats and salty snacks and a fairly excessive cartoon habit. But, don't worry, this story has a happy ending.
My little brother joined the Marines, where he got all the exercise he could handle. When he came home he was a lean, mean fat-burning machine. I, on the other hand, went to college and -- without sports to keep me active -- focused my efforts on fast food, beer and my studies (read: girls).
I couldn't blame my ballooning waistline on genetics or a rare bone-enlarging phenomenon. I had to face the facts and get myself back in shape. I ate better, moved more and got myself back on track for better health.
Your metabolism can either be your ally or enemy. If you can get it to work with you, it will make weight loss much simpler. It's never too late or too early to change how your body looks, runs and feels -- so get started!
Foods to Eat Every Day
A common misconception is that eating healthy has to be difficult -- it doesn't have to be. Eating right doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot or take up all your time if you know which foods excel in ease of use, nutrient density and versatility.
"The trick is to have healthy, easy options on hand when you're grabbing a snack or quick meal," says eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pamela Ofstein. "Preparation is the key. If you have healthy options, like apples or nuts, you'll get a tasty snack with health benefits, instead of foods high in calories and low in nutrition."
So, instead of eating foods loaded with calories and lacking in nutrients, add these foods to your daily diet to stay full, feel good, lose weight and get healthy.
Oatmeal is a quick and easy breakfast or snack. Oatmeal has protein, carbs and fiber. It's simple to make -- and cheap! -- plus you can add berries or fruit to make it even more nutritious.
Apples are easy to grab and take with you anywhere. An apple is a perfectly portioned serving of fruit, a great source of fiber, inexpensive, loaded with nutrients -- and all you have to do is wash them and they're ready to eat! There's a reason for the old adage: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Yogurt has calcium for our bones, as well as being a good source of carbs and protein. It comes in individual containers, making it easy to take and eat anywhere. Make sure it says "live active cultures" on the container, which have an added benefit for your digestive tract.
Berries are perfect to add to yogurt, oatmeal, cereal or eaten alone. They are delicious, packed with antioxidants and just need a thorough rinsing to be ready to eat.
Spinach is a super food that's loaded with minerals, vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. You can mix it into a salad or top a sandwich with it for added health benefits.
Beans are a great source of fiber and protein. Eating beans with brown rice makes for a complete low-cost vegetarian protein source.
When water gets boring, it's tea to the rescue. It's loaded with antioxidants, calorie-free and can be enjoyed anywhere. Get it with or without caffeine.
Nuts have heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and vitamin E, and studies have shown nuts help to prevent heart disease and cancer. Grabbing a handful of nuts is a great way to snack on the go.
These foods are great to eat every day, but you can get too much of a good thing. Eat proper portions to make sure you're not getting excess calories. Just because something is healthy doesn't mean it's calorie free.
"The trick is to have healthy, easy options on hand when you're grabbing a snack or quick meal," says eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pamela Ofstein. "Preparation is the key. If you have healthy options, like apples or nuts, you'll get a tasty snack with health benefits, instead of foods high in calories and low in nutrition."
So, instead of eating foods loaded with calories and lacking in nutrients, add these foods to your daily diet to stay full, feel good, lose weight and get healthy.
Oatmeal is a quick and easy breakfast or snack. Oatmeal has protein, carbs and fiber. It's simple to make -- and cheap! -- plus you can add berries or fruit to make it even more nutritious.
Apples are easy to grab and take with you anywhere. An apple is a perfectly portioned serving of fruit, a great source of fiber, inexpensive, loaded with nutrients -- and all you have to do is wash them and they're ready to eat! There's a reason for the old adage: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Yogurt has calcium for our bones, as well as being a good source of carbs and protein. It comes in individual containers, making it easy to take and eat anywhere. Make sure it says "live active cultures" on the container, which have an added benefit for your digestive tract.
Berries are perfect to add to yogurt, oatmeal, cereal or eaten alone. They are delicious, packed with antioxidants and just need a thorough rinsing to be ready to eat.
Spinach is a super food that's loaded with minerals, vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. You can mix it into a salad or top a sandwich with it for added health benefits.
Beans are a great source of fiber and protein. Eating beans with brown rice makes for a complete low-cost vegetarian protein source.
When water gets boring, it's tea to the rescue. It's loaded with antioxidants, calorie-free and can be enjoyed anywhere. Get it with or without caffeine.
Nuts have heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and vitamin E, and studies have shown nuts help to prevent heart disease and cancer. Grabbing a handful of nuts is a great way to snack on the go.
These foods are great to eat every day, but you can get too much of a good thing. Eat proper portions to make sure you're not getting excess calories. Just because something is healthy doesn't mean it's calorie free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)