The 8 Habits of Healthy Living

1. Stop smoking. This is by far the most important habit, as it affects almost every single one of the leading causes of death. It’s also the hardest of these habits to change. It’s not at all impossible — I quit six years ago next month.

2. Lose weight (if you’re overweight). This is not exactly a habit — the best habit to form to lose weight is to eat less. Or eat more of things that don’t have a lot of calories, like fruits and veggies. Being overweight is just below smoking the worst risk factor for many diseases.

3. Exercise. You don’t need me to tell you to exercise, but listen to this: lack of exercise is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, colon & rectal cancers, diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you don’t exercise, you’re just asking to get a major disease. It’s almost a magic pill: do a bit of exercise every day, and you get healthy. You don’t need much — start with 5 minutes a day in the morning.

4. Drink only in moderation. Heavy drinking is one of the worst risk factors for many diseases. That’s more than 2 drinks of alcohol a day for men, and more than 1 drink for women. A glass of red wine is a good thing, but too many and you’re greatly increasing your risk of disease.

5. Cut out red & processed meats. Eating red meats, and processed meats like sausages, bacon, canned meats and so on, is a risk factor for colon/rectal cancer, stomach cancer, and high cholesterol, which in turn is a leading risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. While this won’t sit well with many people, the overwhelming mass of research supports this. I recommend going vegetarian.

6. Eat fruits & veggies. This is obvious, but it’s amazing how few veggies most people eat. Eating fruits and veggies reduces your risk of several leading diseases, and it’s one of the easiest habits to form. Eat a salad (without heavy dressings, bacon or other meats, croutons or cheese), add veggies to soups or veggie chili, cook up veggies as a healthy side dish with dinner or lunch. Eat fruits with breakfast and as snacks.

7. Reduce salt, and saturated/trans fats. Salt and saturated or trans fats are in so many processed or prepared foods, and they increase risks of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which increase risk for heart disease and stroke. Despite what the Weston Price Foundation and other people on the Internet tell you, saturated fat isn’t healthy — read the sources. Note that this isn’t a controversy in the medical community, but the “harmlessness” of saturated fats is perpetuated by the diary and meat industries, and lay writers like Gary Taube. Cook your own healthy meals instead of eating out or eating prepared foods.

8. Reduce stress. Stress is a risk factor for heart disease and high blood pressure, which is itself a risk factor for stroke. Simplify your workday so that you’re not overly stressed, and exercise to relieve stress.

[ LINK ]

8 Foods You Should Never Eat Out of Season

Share You ...

8 Foods You Should Never Eat Out of Season
by Amy Ahlberg

Tomatoes

DiMinno is adamant about eating fresh tomatoes when they're naturally ripe and delicious. "Eat them between early August and mid-to-late October, says DiMinno. "They can only gain their full potential sweetness and tenderness in the middle and late summer months." In the winter, bypass the cardboard-y orbs in the produce section and look for jarred, crushed tomatoes instead. 

Read the complete list on health.yahoo.net

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEAUTY TIPS AND TRICKS

Share You ...

The Christmas party season will be a breeze with these tips on hand.

By Emma Robertson

WHETHER your Christmas party is in a week, a day or less than an hour, here' s advice to guarantee you look great.  

Read more here: Christmas Party Beauty Tips

 Credited to : express.co.uk

Best, Worst Breakfasts for Your Health

Share You ...

By Lisa Collier Cool

Fast-food breakfast sandwiches could be “a time bomb in a bun”—and eating even one fat-laden morning meal has immediate adverse effects on your arteries, according to a new study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress meeting in Toronto... (Credited & thanks to www.health.yahoo.net)

Read more here on health.Yahoo.net

Natural Ways to Increase your Energy Level

Forget about the energy drinks or pills. Learn to increase your energy naturally, and have a healthy steady supply to get you through each day. By adjusting your personal eating, sleeping and exercise habits, you can boost your energy the natural way and settle into a self-sustaining rhythm.

Essential Water – Keep your body hydrated throughout the day. The first sign of dehydration is fatigue. Your body can’t function at capacity without that good old H2O. A steady supply of water will naturally keep things flowing–including your energy.

Improve Sleeping Habits – Often a small adjustment of your sleeping habits can already do wonders for your energy levels.

Lying in bed is not sleeping: Don’t go to bed if your not sleepy and end up lying in bed pondering and stressing. If you are drifting off at the computer, while reading, or watching TV, it’s time to get to bed. Your bedtime should and will vary from night to night. Let your body tell you when to sleep as opposed to the following the 8-hour rule.

Rise and Shine: Put an alarm and get up at the same time everyday.

Sleepy at Noon?: Try a powernap of 20 minutes in a quiet place.

Experiment and find out what your optimal sleep levels are.

Yoga, Exercising & Stretching – It sounds counter-intuitive, perhaps, but by expending energy on a regular basis, you will actually give yourself more of it in the end. The key is to set up a fairly regular schedule–about three times a week–and push to the point that you feel refreshed, not exhausted. Don’t overdo it. It may take a couple of weeks to get into the natural rhythm, so have patience and higher energy levels will follow.

Deep breathing exercise – Another great way to re-energize your body is with a quick deep breathing exercise. Sit on a chair with a straight back and breathe deeply while you focus on your breath going in – going out. At the same time use a powerful affirmation to invigorate your mind and body.

Eliminate Energy-Sappers From Your Diet – Have more alkaline-forming foods like fruits and vegetables. Avoid excess sugar and coffee as they lead to lower blood sugar levels–and less energy–after they give you an initial kick. Also one could pack some almonds and nuts for a quick and convenient protein snack.

Related Articles :

Fruit-eaters Seem to be Protected Against Cancers

Ten Food Variations

Heal Your Headache Naturally

Top 5 Foods for Lowering Cholesterol

Benefits of Walking Exercise

Natural Foods that Keep Your Arteries Clean

Regular Health Mistakes

Ways to a Natural Youthful Complexion

Do you long for that fresh, dewy, glow of youth? Pure, clean, baby soft skin? A natural and healthy complexion? Well look no further. The following steps could help you achieve the goddess like beauty you’ve always wanted!

1 – DIET. Yes – you are what you eat! It is true. The less junk that you eat, and the more clean foods that you eat, the better your skin will appear. Eat fresh fruits, veggies and salads, … particularly those rich in antioxidants such as dark berries and leafy greens. Other foods known to benefit your skin are salmon, and eggs (in moderation).

2 – WATER. No it’s not just an old wives tale. Proper hydration is vital for keeping your skin plump and youthful. Just look at the difference between the skin of a ripe and juicy apple, and the skin of one that has been left out in the sun too long. Try to drink pure, mineral or filtered water where possible.

3 – SLEEP. Beauty sleep isn’t called beauty sleep for nothing! A good nights sleep can do wonders for your looks. Make sure that you have a comfortable bed, clean bedding, and sleep in a well ventilated room to ensure that you wake up refreshed and rejuvenated each morning.

4 – FRESH AIR. Get out and about in nature. Breathe deep and enjoy the outdoors. A brisk walk will get your circulation pumping and it will show in your face.

5 – CLEANSE. Healthy skin is clean skin. Always remove make-up before going to bed. At night, use a natural and gentle cleanser to remove the grime from your day. Always be gentle, especially around the eye area.

6 – MOISTURISE. Keep wrinkles at bay by investing in a quality moisturising product made of natural ingredients. This will feed your skin from the outside, and keep it soft.

7 – PROTECT. Buy a moisturiser that contains an SPF of 15 or higher in order to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Alternatively wear a sunscreen, but try to find one that uses mostly natural ingredients and that is kind to your skin.

8 – DE-STRESS. Smile and be happy. It is often said that the face uses more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Have a really good laugh, have regular breaks from your work, treat yourself to an indian head massage … there are many ways to de-stress and keep the worry lines at bay.

About the Author:

For more YOGA visit - http://www.yogabhoga.co.uk

Loose Weight without Going to Gym

"It often happens that we end up missing on time to indulge in calorie-burning in an anticipation of triggering off a full-on fitness regime," says fitness exert Kiran Swahney. So, why not dig out occasions some where in the course of the day and cash in some real time to burn the fat.

We recommend you 20 physical and foodie alterations for weight loss... embrace them and staying fit won't be a long cherished dream any more! "On foot is a stylish way to exercise as its easy, versatile, kind to your joints and doesn't require conjuring too much of paraphernalia. So involve walking as much as you can in your routine." says L.Balasubramaniam, Technogym Olympic Master Trainer.

1. Get up and walk around your office or home: This should happen at least every two hours for 5 minutes. This brisk five-minute walk every two hours will give you an extra 20-minute walk by the end of the day without making any special efforts.

2. Wash something thoroughly once a week: Be it the floor, a couple of windows, the shower stall, bathroom tiles or your car...anything that makes you don your cleaning gloves and exert some pressure on your hands and elbows burns nearly four calories for every minute spent on cleaning. A washing session of 30 minutes and you've worked off nearly 120 calories.

3. Drop a movie for an active date: Yes, it's a weekend and you're planning to spend time with your love. Why not head to the local park rather than sit idle in a movie hall? This will not only give you a chance of walking hand in hand, but will also avoid the calories that a large bucket of butter popcorns holds in. What's more? Explore other active dating ideas like cycling together; enjoying a tennis match or a swimming championship...even losing to your love will be fun here!

4. Take a walk before dinner: Yes, you are reading it right! Walking post dinner helps in digestion and burning calories, walking before gorging on your favourite dinner cuts down on your appetite. "Twenty minutes of walking reduces appetite and increases sensations of fullness as effectively as a light meal,"

5. Make the most of your TV time: This one is for the cricket crazy men and soap obsessed women who spend hours being a couch potato. Now make the most out of the commercial breaks to burn some calories and tone-up your body with the following set of exercises: • As the break starts, do 25 jumping jacks. • Then jog on the spot for the count of 30. • Do 25 abdominal crunches. • Lastly, get on the floor and place your feet up on your coffee table and do 25 hip lifts. By the time the break ends, you would have burnt a major chunk of calories.

6. Kiss your partner passionately: Lock your lips in passion at least 10 times a day. Not only it will keep your love life buzzing, but every minute spent kissing will burn 6.4 calories. Ten minutes a day of kissing can burn approximately 23,000 calories in a year...that's the power of love!

7. Anywhere tummy workout: For this you have to create a vacuum in your belly by sucking it in and holding it for as long as you can. "Your tummy will be exposed to powerful isometric tension rather than the normal concentric tension, which you get from your regular crunches and sit-ups. This adds up to quicker results as the sucking focuses on the lower abdominal and not your upper abdominal," Holding it for anything more than 15 seconds gives good results.

8. Shrink your stomach fat: Rub your hands together vigorously until they become hot. Now, rub the hot hands on your belly for about 30 seconds. Repeat the procedure for a total of 3 minutes, twice a day. This should be the first thing you do as you wake up in the morning and last thing you do before going to bed. "The heat from your hands reaches the fat cells of your stomach and destroys them. Also, this practice improves digestion and you end up losing weight,"

9. Love the stairs: If you are an elevator lover, opt for the stairs now! Instead of regular climbing, try these variations:

• Take two stairs at a time for one flight and then one step at a time for the next.

• Turn sideways and go up the stairs one step at a time using the leg that faces the top of the stairs. Switch directions on the next flight.

• Start on one side of the steps and as you step up, step all the way to the other side of the next step up, like a zigzag. Continue this until you reach the top.

• For a more advanced variation, hop up one step at a time.

10. Happy baby exercise: This can be done at your bedtime, sans any extra effort. Lie on the bed; hold your legs close to your chest in bent-knee position by clasping your hands together across your shins.

In this small "ball" position, close your eyes and breathe slowly for 10 seconds, then release the position and lie flat on the bed for 10 seconds (continuing to breathe slowly with your eyes closed). Repeat this sequence 5 to 10 times.

Regular Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs

Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don"t want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush

How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we"d be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don"t massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you"re damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often

There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you"re getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast

Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it"s been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.

High heels

High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.

Sleeping on a soft bed

You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows

No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support

Not exercising

So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. " Make the change now "

You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

Simplest Cure for Insomnia

For years I had a mild-to-medium case of insomnia, often staying up late watching crappy television and eating junk food because I couldn’t fall asleep, no matter how tired I was.

It is miserable. You walk through the day like a zombie, unable to function properly. You desperately try to sleep but nothing works. Sleeping pills leave you feeling drugged out.

My first simple cure was running. I’d try to get up 15 minutes earlier each day to run, and the running would leave me very tired but I still had a day ahead of me. I’d be so exhausted by bedtime that I slept instantly. Hard exercise is a great fix for insomnia.

Recently I’ve had another slight bout of insomnia, and so I rediscovered a trick I learned several years ago. It’s so simple it seems like it can’t possibly work, but it unfailingly does.

The simplest cure for insomnia: get comfortable and close your eyes, and then replay your day in your head, in every detail possible, from the moment you woke up. Start from the moment your eyes opened, and replay every movement — getting out of bed, starting the coffeemaker, going to the bathroom, washing your hands, or whatever. Don’t summarize — leave nothing out.

It works. I’ve never made it to mid-morning in my mind movies. I inevitably fall asleep. It’s much better than counting sheep (I’ve tried) and even better than meditation (I’ve done that too). Try it, and when it works, praise me in your dreams.

[ LINK ]

From Overweight to Healthy

Make one change today.

If you’re overweight and unmotivated to change your life drastically, just make a tiny change.

You’re not alone. There are more overweight people today than ever before, as a percentage of our population and in sheer numbers. When we’re overweight, we often go into denial. We think it’s not a problem, or that we’re not that unhealthy, or that it’s something we can fix later. Or more likely, we try hard not to think about it. But it’s there, at the back of our minds if nowhere else, making us feel bad about ourselves and our lives, influencing the rest of what we do.

If it were just a body-image thing, I’d say learn to love your body — and I believe that. Forget the cover models on magazines, the perfect people on TV and in movies. They’re just being used to sell us stuff, but the result is that we get bad body images for not having rock-hard abs. Forget about that. What worries me, though, about friends and family who are overweight is their health — having a big belly puts you at risk of heart disease, diabetes and other similar problems. Scary stuff.

You make one change. A tiny little one.

For me, it started with quitting smoking (which is a big change), but then I took up running (starting with just 10 minutes), and then I started changing my diet in little ways.

One small change leads to another, forming a spiral of success. But you don’t need to worry about all the other changes you’re going to make later. What Change to Start With

Really, you could start with almost any positive change. What matters is that you start.

But if you’d like a recommendation, here are a few:

1. Eat more veggies. Go to the store today and buy a basket of veggies. Eat them raw as snacks (dip in hummus if you like, not fatty dressings), steam them as side dishes for lunch and dinner, puree them and put them into your usual recipes, eat a salad before your meal. You can start with just one of these changes, and slowly add more veggies each week. This is an easy change but it’s actually huge — more fibre, more vitamins and minerals, fewer calories equals leaner you.

2. Walk. Best exercise ever. Just walk for 10 minutes to start with. Get a friend or your significant other to walk with you and enjoy the conversation. Enjoy nature. After you’ve gotten used to walking, try intervals: 3 minutes of fast walking, 3 minutes of conversational walking, repeat.

3. Drink water. People drink too many calories — soda, beer, smoothies, mochas, frappucinos, shakes, juice, Gatorade. None of those are necessary. Get used to drinking water, which is refreshing, delicious and healthy.

4. Get rid of the junk. This is actually a bit of a drastic change but it makes a really big difference. Take all the junk food in your house (chips, pastries, ice cream, cookies, prepared foods of any kind, fried foods) and toss them. Clean out your fridge and pantry. Buy fruits, veggies, nuts and beans instead, and try some new flavorful recipes. If the junk isn’t around, it won’t tempt you.

How to Make That One Change

You’ve picked your one small change … but how do you get started?

Just take the first small step. Nothing huge or scary. Just a really, really easy one.

Make a list of your favorite veggies, or set a time today to stop at the grocery store for veggies (later try a farmer’s market). Or find a recipe or two that incorporates veggies.

Set a time to walk today or tomorrow. Talk to your spouse about walking together. Get your walking shoes ready. Any of these steps will do — just do one.

Fill a thermos with water. Buy a reusable water bottle. Get rid of the sodas in your fridge. Choose one of these. Get a garbage bag and toss your junk food.

Choose one, and do it. Celebrate (in your mind, not with a sweet treat). Do another small tiny easy step. Celebrate again. Tell people about the changes you’re making. Do another tiny step. Celebrate some more. You’re on the road to healthy.

Thanks to: Zenhabits

Reasons to Eat Slower

One of the problems in our daily lives is that many of us rush through the day, with no time for anything … and when we have time to get a bite to eat, we gobble it down.That leads to stressful, unhealthy living.

And with the simple but powerful act of eating slower, we can begin to reverse that lifestyle immediately. How hard is it? You take smaller bites, you chew each bite slower and longer, and you enjoy your meal longer.

It takes a few minutes extra each meal, and yet it can have profound effects.

Lose weight. A growing number of studies confirm that just by eating slower, you’ll consume fewer calories — in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. The reason is that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we’re full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we’re full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we’re full, and stop on time. Now, I would still recommend that you eat healthier foods, but if you’re looking to lose weight, eating slowly should be a part of your new lifestyle.

Enjoy your food.This reason is just as powerful, in my opinion. It’s hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. In fact, I think it’s fine to eat sinful foods, if you eat a small amount slowly. Think about it: you want to eat sinful foods (desserts, fried foods, pizza, etc.) because they taste good. But if you eat them fast, what’s the point? If you eat them slowly, you can get the same amount of great taste, but with less going into your stomach. That’s math that works for me. And that argument aside, I think you are just happier by tasting great food and enjoying it fully, by eating slowly. Make your meals a gastronomic pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.

Better digestion. If you eat slower, you’ll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you’ll have to do in your stomach. This can help lead to fewer digestive problems.

Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to our eating, can be a great form of mindfulness exercise. Be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next. When you eat, you should eat. This kind of mindfulness, I believe, will lead to a less stressful life, and long-term happiness. Give it a try.

Rebel against fast food and fast life. Our hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives — the Fast Life — leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. This is a lifestyle that is dehumanizing us, making us unhealthy, stressed out, and unhappy. We rush through our day, doing one mindless task after another, without taking the time to live life, to enjoy life, to relate to each other, to be human. That’s not a good thing in my book. Instead, rebel against that entire lifestyle and philosophy … with the small act of eating slower. Don’t eat Fast Food. Eat at a good restaurant, or better yet, cook your own food and enjoy it fully. Taste life itself.

Have a Great Hair By Fruits

Do you want to have great hair? I think most people would say yes. In fact, some fruits can help you achieve the goal.

Orange: also called sweet mandarin, contain much vitamin C. Essential oil extracted from the orange peel can strengthen the immunity, calm the nerves and drive away the anxiety and psychological pressure. The essential oil applied to the hair, it can remove the scurf, and make people cool and relaxed.

Kiwi fruit: it can be called the king of fruit. It is rich in carotene, vitamin C, and arginine. It has functions of anti-aging, anti-oxidation, radio resistance and anti-free radicals. What’s more, it contains ALA acid which helps the hair keep the moisture and improve the condition of hair completely.

Apple: it contains many nutrients that the skin and scalp need. For example, malic acid and pectin keep the hair moisturized and vitamin C whitens the skin. Besides, other nutrients in apples can restrain the growth of scurf, calm the scalp and relieve itching.

Kumquat: a large amount vitamin C contained in it can promote the metabolism of the scalp and keep the shiny color of dyed hair. Meanwhile, the fresh scent of kumquat can help you awake and relaxed.

Nectarine: nutrients such as proteins, fat, sugar, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B and vitamin C contained in it can deeply moisten and firm the skin. As a result, the skin becomes smooth, elastic and healthy. Meanwhile, it keeps the hair moisturized and soft.

Pawpaw: it is called “longevity fruit”. Its enzymes are similar to growth hormone of human bodies, and thus, eating more pawpaw can keep people young. Besides, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, carotene and lutein in pawpaw provide the hair with many nutrients, deeply cleaning and nourishing the hair.

Fig: it has a high medical value. It helps digestion, clear away heat and prevent cancers. The rich minerals such as potassium, calcium and iron effectively let the moisture stay in the hair.

Carambola: it is a juicy fruit, regarded as the spirit of vitamins. It contains a most sugar, including cane sugar, fructose and glucose. Meanwhile, it contains malic acid, citric acid, oxalate, vitamin B, vitamin C, fat and proteins. All nutrients together help people’s digestion and preserve their health. For the hair, they keep its moisture and strengthen its elasticity so that it gets back its natural beauty.

And thus, we should pay attention to our daily diets. Make sure there are enough vitamin E, vitamin B, zinc, iron, silicon and so on. Eat fruits or other foods good for the hair every day, such as linseed oil, almonds, and nuts. Of course, water is indispensable. You’d better drink eight glasses of water every day. In addition, don’t expose your hair to the sun too much.

Sweaty Armpits - Getting to Know It’s Effect on One’s Life

In order to regulate body temperature as well as remove waste from our body, people normally sweat. However, some suffer an abnormal increase in perspiration which causes them to produce more sweat than they should, a condition called Hyperhidrosis or more popularly known as “Excessive Sweating.”

This condition occurs mostly on areas where sudoriferous glands or sweat glands are highly concentrated such as the hands, feet, and the most popular one: the armpits or axillae, when these areas become overly active. This slowly affects one’s self-esteem and at times, limits a person’s social activities, especially if that person has a sweaty armpit.

It can be socially embarrassing to have a sweaty armpits because most people associate it with poor hygiene but what people need to know is that it is a medical condition and such poor hygiene only exacerbates the problem.

It can be generally classified into two: (1) Primary Hyperhidrosis and (2) Secondary Hyperhidrosis. The former has no known cause but is believed to be triggered by psychological factors such as nervousness or anxiety. The latter, on the other hand, is caused by another condition or disorder; which makes Hyperhidrosis a side effect only of that underlying cause. Hyperthyroidism or other diseases affecting the endocrine similarly, Obesity, and Menopause are a few to mention.

The important thing here is to know. Find out what causes a sweaty armpits and then do something about it. Do some research and benefit from the tons of information the internet has. Keep in mind though, that seeking the opinion of a physician is always the best first step to take to detect the root of the problem.

Many people suffering from sweaty armpits tend to worry too much about it, not realizing they are only making things worse, as stress from worrying will only trigger its over production of sweat. Relax and know that there are solutions available through which this condition can be cured and though most are temporary, it all proves to be helpful.

Put an end to excessive armpits sweating quickly, easily and naturally. No drugs, no injection and no surgery. Wear your favorite cloths again, never having to use anti perspirant again and feel cool and confident again. A lifetime solution in no less than 2 weeks. Visit us on http://sweatyarmpitscure.net/to find out more !

Foods that every Woman must Eat

Five nutritional eats that every woman should include in her diet.

Leafy Vegetables

It is not possible to meet your nutritional needs without having leafy vegetables in your diet. Spinach, legumes, asparagus, lettuce, fenugreek leaves, broccoli are available in abundance and are huge sources of fibre, Vitamin C and K, folic acid. It is also a vision protector and provides four essential minerals, i.e. calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. Try to have it daily in your diet and darker the better.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have up to 96 per cent more fibre and essential nutrients and vitamins than refined grains. Advises diet expert Honey Shah, "I advise my clients to have whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice as they are high in essential nutrients and do not contribute to weight gain. You can start your day with whole wheat cereal or a whole wheat bread toast."

Nuts

Make nuts an essential ingredient in your diet. Sprinkle it on salads or breakfast cereals or stir them into yoghurt because they are an excellent source of protein, magnesium and B & E vitamins. They are useful in fighting heart disease and cancer. Nuts are high in fat calories, but their fat is the heart-healthy kind. You can also eat them as an evening snack. But make sure you don't overdo them. About a quarter cup or about 15-20 almonds, cashews, walnuts are good enough a week.

Yoghurt

Low fat or plain yoghurt is a great source of vitamins, protein and calcium. It also has healthy bacteria which can fight diseases. "Three to four cups a week is good enough for your diet. But make sure you don't add sugar to it. Instead choose plain yoghurt and add fruits or berries to it," suggests dietician Pinky.

Berries

Ever wondered why most of the diet fibre products have berries in them? Reason being berries are high in fill-you-up fibre and also helps curb weight. Berries have more protective plant antioxidants than almost any other food. These antioxidants not only lower your disease risks, but also help prevent memory loss. You can have a bowl full of them thrice a week. It could be fresh or frozen, benefits stay!

Related Articles :

Daily Diet for Working Women

Natural Ways to Increase your Energy Level

Take Control of Your Weight

What Happens to Your body if you stop smoking Right now?

Fruit-eaters Seem to be Protected Against Cancers

Artificial Light At Night: Higher Risk Of Prostate & Breast Cancer, Study shows

Daily Diet for Working Women

Health experts suggest women make time for food breaks. Make a custom food chart to maintain a healthy diet and avoid hunger pangs during the day. It can be fun! Use these points as a guide.

7 am: Begin with lemon

"Add three teaspoons of lemon juice to lukewarm water and drink it first thing in the morning," says Dr Ravneet Arora, a nutritionist. This concoction facilitates absorption of nutrients and eliminates fat from the body.

7.30 am: Tea and Biscuits

Biscuits prevent acidity in the morning. "Eat digestive biscuits or cream crackers which give the body fibre," says Dr Arora.

8.30 am: Breakfast like a queen

"You should eat plenty of carbohydrates in the morning to give your body enough calories for the day," says Rajesh Desai, a fitness expert. Dr Arora says a good breakfast should include one of the following: wheat/oat flakes with milk or a brown bread sandwich.

"Breakfast should be a full meal because the stomach has been empty for 10-12 hours," she says.

11.30 am: Mid-morning snack

"Drink fresh fruit juice to speed up fat absorption. Squeeze in two biscuits or plain wheat khakras to avoid feeling too hungry by lunchtime," says Dr Arora.

2 pm: Eat lunch like a common man

Lunch should be lighter than breakfast to avoid feeling lethargic in the afternoon, says Desai. "Lunch should fulfill your nutritional requirements for the day. It can include salad, wheat," says Dr Arora.

5 pm: Mid-evening snack

Dr Arora recommends eating at least one seasonal fruit along with some roasted nuts, popcorn or whole wheat bread in the evening. "A handful of roasted nuts are ideal since they satisfy your hunger without getting too many calories in," she says.

8 pm: Eat dinner like a pauper

According to Desai, dinner should be the lightest meal of the day. "Dinner should include soup, porridge or salad, with wheat ," says Dr Arora.

10 pm: A glass of warm milk?

Before going to bed. "It takes care of your calcium intake and some claim it helps them sleep better," says Dr Arora.

"Your metabolism depends on the frequency of eating and the amount of exercise you do," Dr. Arora adds.

So pin up this timetable at the soft board on your desk, or set reminders on your cell phone. You need to eat every 2- 3 hours to stay healthy.

Related Articles :

Natural Ways to Increase your Energy Level

Take Control of Your Weight

Fruit-eaters Seem to be Protected Against Cancers

Ten Food Variations

Keen To Lose Weight, But No Time To Hit The Gym ....

Top 5 Foods for Lowering Cholesterol

Take Control of Your Weight

Substitute Water. Our bodies are about 65-70% water. It follows that water would be not only essential, but the best possibly choice of liquids to ingest. In fact, our bodies will sometimes simulate a hunger response, when in reality the body is craving hydration. When hungry, drink a glass or two of water to check if it suppresses your hunger.

Chew Your Food. Chewing our food very slowly and deliberately has several benefits that are often overlooked. It gives us the ability to relax, and enjoy our meal. Slow chewing is the first, and highly important, step in a complex system of digestion. Besides, if we eat slowly, we might feel full before finishing the whole meal, and can leave the rest for the next meal.

Exercise daily. How silly of me to include something as obvious as exercise. I did a 30 day trial with waking up, and walking for 30 minutes first thing in the morning. My journal records that I was feeling amazing during the period of time that I was following this habit.

Publicize your intentions. Start a blog, join a forum, and have other people keep you accountable to help. Tell other people your plan, it would help you get the motivation to go with it!

Create a food schedule. Plan your day so that you’re eating at approximately the same time each day. This scheduling will incorporate itself into your circadian rhythm, and aid in digestion.

Do not over eat. Know your limit and stop eating when you are full. I have often been a victim of wanting to finish a meal so that it doesn’t go to waste. This has left me with many a stomach ache. Next time, doggy bag it for later, and don’t hurt yourself!

Choose your snacks wisely. Put down the Lays® and cheese puffs. Pick up the apple and baby carrots. Make the right decision, I know you can do it.

Lifestyle. Remember, it’s not about special diets, or special exercise programs. The real secret is in turning your health into a lifestyle, and focusing on this healthy lifestyle with every choice you make.

What Happens to Your body if you stop smoking Right now?

I think one of the main reasons it's so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting and all the dangers of continuing seem very far away.

Well, here's a little timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how that will affect your body RIGHT NOW.

In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased.

All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.

In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

So, you have more immediate things to look forward to if you quit now besides just freaking out about not being able to smoke.
-
-

Fruit-eaters Seem to be Protected Against Cancers

London, Oct 13 (IANS) Scientists have found a possible explanation for why fruit-eaters and vegans may gain protection against the spread of cancers.

They have shown that a fragment released from pectin, found in all fruits and vegetables, binds to and is believed to inhibit galectin 3 (Gal3), a protein that plays a role in all stages of cancer progression.

'Most claims for the anti-cancer effects of foods are based on population studies,' said Vic Morris from the Institute of Food Research. 'For this research, we tested a molecular mechanism and showed that it is viable.'

Population studies such as EPIC, the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer, identified a strong link between eating lots of fibre and a lower risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. But exactly how fibre exerts a protective effect is unknown.

Pectin is better known for its jam-setting qualities and as being a component of dietary fibre. The present study supports a more exciting and subtle role, according to a release of Norwich BioScience Institutes.

Interaction between dietary carbohydrates and mammalian proteins, of which this research is an example, may provide an explanation. Other food carbohydrates such as beta glucans are considered to be bioactive and their anti-cancer action can be attributed to different types of carbohydrate - mammalian protein interactions.

'For a whole combination of different effects, it is best to consistently eat a range of fruits, vegetables and high-fibre foods,' said Morris. 'You don't necessarily have to eat a superfood.'

The next stage of Morris' research is to identify how pectin can be taken up by the body and released so it can exert its effect on cancer cells.

The research was published in The Faseb Journal.
-
-

Artificial Light At Night: Higher Risk Of Prostate & Breast Cancer, Study shows

ScienceDaily (Feb. 4, 2009)
A new study at the University of Haifa discovered that worldwide, countries with the highest levels of artificial light at night also have the highest rates of prostate cancer.

This discovery joins the findings of a previous study by the same researchers that found a connection between exposure to artificial light at night and the incidence of breast cancer.

Countries in which nighttime artificial lighting is used more intensively tend to have a higher risk of prostate cancer in men, concludes a new study that was carried out at the University of Haifa. This joins a previous finding that was published in Chronobiology International in 2008, that exposure to artificial lighting at night increases the incidence of breast cancer in women.

The study, carried out by Prof. Abraham Haim, Prof. Boris A. Portnov, and Itai Kloog of the University of Haifa together with Prof. Richard Stevens of the University of Connecticut, USA, was intended to examine the influence of various factors - including the amount of artificial light at night - on the incidence of three types of cancer: prostate, lung, and of the large intestine, in men around the world.

Data was collected from a database of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, on the incidence of these types of cancer in men in 164 countries. Data on the levels of lighting at night were gathered from DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) satellite images. The nighttime illumination data were adjusted by the geographic distribution of the population of the country, in order to reach an accurate measure of "the amount of artificial light per night per person." The researchers also examined additional factors, such as electricity consumption, percentage of urban population, socioeconomic status, and other variables.

At the very first stage of the study, it already became clear that there is a marked link between the incidence of prostate cancer and levels of nighttime artificial illumination and electricity consumption. Several different methods of statistical analysis were used to arrive at this conclusion.

Next the researchers isolated the "amount of artificial light at night per person" variable in order to examine its particular effect. The countries were divided into three groups for this stage of the study: those with little exposure to lighting at night; those with medium exposure; and those with high exposure. The results demonstrated that the incidence of prostate cancer in those countries with low exposure was 66.77 prostate cancer patients to 100,000 inhabitants. An increase of 30% was found in those countries with medium exposure: 87.11 patients per 100,000 inhabitants. The countries with the highest level of exposure to artificial light at night demonstrated a jump of 80%: 157 patients per 100,000 inhabitants.

According to the researchers, there are a number of theories that could explain the increased incidence of prostate cancer due to exposure to lighting at night, such as suppression of melatonin production, suppression of the immune system, and an effect on the body's biological clock because of confusion between night and day. Whatever the cause, there is a definite link between the two. "This does not mean that we have to go back to the Middle Ages and turn the lights out on the country. What it means is that this link should be taken into account in planning the country's energy policies," the researchers pointed out.

The researchers added that an increased use of artificial lighting is considered by the World Health Organization as a source of environmental pollution. As such, the appeal made by Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection to use energy-efficient lighting is problematic, as this type of lighting is also much brighter. The country ought to encourage energy saving in lighting as well as limiting the pollution level.

Ten Food Variations

Ten food variations to help you fit into that treasured 'hope' couture:

1. Water your flab away:
Drinking water is the easiest way to put your body in the weight losing mode. It boosts your metabolism, and higher metabolism helps you lose weight even while you sleep.
Water acts as a natural appetite suppressant and replaces false sensation of hunger. Drink a good amount of water during the day, especially in the evening to raise your metabolism while you sleep.

2. Let high-calorie foods be moderated:
Want to eat fruit cream or fruit salad with ice cream? Let a spoonful of ice cream be the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown.
In case of salad, make veggies the crown and cheese the jewel. When munching on chips, pair each bite with veggie dip and fresh salsa.

3. Instead of three, eat five or six small meals:
Distributing the same number of calories into six meals keeps you full through out the day.

4. Go for restaurant eating even at home:
Keep those bowls off and stick only to the plate and as the plate goes empty, don't reach for second round.

5. Most calories before noon:
Go heavy in the morning so that you don't crave for food at night. Following this routine will help you ensure that the body consumes the morning calories rather than working on the evening ones.

6. Fruit instead of fruit juice:
Eating whole fruits not only keeps you satisfied for longer hours than a mere glass of milk but also adds fibre to your diet.

7. Go for loads of vegetables:
Another way to include water in your diet is to gorge on water-rich veggies. Start eating tomatoes, soups, salads and cucumbers during meals to reduce your overall calorie consumption.

8. Don't eat by time, but by feeling the hunger:
Eating should be induced by actual hunger rather than boredom, nervousness, habit or frustration. So, the next time you plan on eating wait until your stomach is growling.

9. Avoid white foods:
Chuck the white flour, white breads, white rice and sugar from your diet and indulge in plenty of whole grain breads and brown rice.

10. Carry a notebook:
Do this for 10 days. Write down every single thing that you eat or drink - even water in your diary. By the end of ten days you'll know why you are putting on weight.
-