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Archive for April, 2011

It’s hard to avoid it. Fast-food restaurant are everywhere, junk food assaults us as we are checking out at the supermarket, and TV commercials are filled with ads for suboptimal “foods.” Unless you have a will of iron or have been on a healthy eating plan for a long time and just aren’t tempted by junk food, you may get cravings for some of those things occasionally. Here are some suggestions for healthy substitutions that still taste good.

Pizza. If you really must have pizza, how about at least getting one with a whole grain crust? Some pizzerias will make one for you, or you can buy one from your health food market. Another option is whole wheat pita bread. Simply cover a pita–or as many as you need–with prepared tomato sauce and fresh veggies; sprinkle on some vegan Parmesan if you want that flavor. Bake until everything is nicely cooked. Homemade pizza is certainly the best and most delicious choice, but often pizza is a spontaneous kind of junk food and you just don’t want to take the time to make it from scratch. Potato chips and dip. When you’re relaxing on the weekend, maybe watching sports or a movie on TV, and you get a hankering for chips, consider low fat brown rice crackers or rice chips or pretzels and hummus or homemade guacamole. Some carrot and celery sticks will almost make this snack into a meal. Chocolate. People sometimes say that carob will make a good substitute for chocolate, but a serious chocoholic knows that only chocolate will satisfy this craving. Luckily, there’s a lot more healthy chocolate around these days than there used to be. Your best choice is dark, vegan chocolate. There are so many choices at the natural foods stores. You can even easily find organic chocolate. Check out the book Naked Chocolate by David Wolfe and Shazzie. It’s filled with information about the history and health benefits of chocolate, as well as recipes and lucious-looking photos. You won’t believe these amazing gourmet creations are all raw! One of my favorites when the weather is cold is Chocolate del Diablo–raw “hot” chocolate with a delicious kick. Candy. Stock up on plenty of healthy choices for when the candy urge hits you or your children. Instead of the refined-sugar-laden packaged junk food candies at the supermarket, try organic raisins or dates or other dried fruits. Take a date and stuff it with a walnut half or an almond, wrap individually in waxed paper and keep in the refrigerator. These can be easily packed into a lunch for school or work. Of course, there’s always fresh fruit… that’s the best. Ice cream. Ice cream might be a standard item in your freezer. How about buying sorbet next time? It could be that the frozen sweetness will be satisfying enough for you. One of my favorite cold treats is a bowl of frozen grapes. I purposely buy too many of them so I can freeze them. If you haven’t tried frozen grapes, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you have a Champion juicer, you can run frozen bananas through for a yummy soft-serve type of frozen treat. The next time you go shopping, stock up on some of these foods so you can make a sane, healthy choice when the junk-food urge strikes. You won’t feel deprived if you can substitute something similar–sweet for sweet, salty for salty–and tasty. If you normally eat well and you do eat something you know isn’t the healthiest choice, don’t feel guilty. Just enjoy it and move on, knowing that you will make a healthy choice next time.

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Natural health supplements are becoming increasingly popular these days, and for good reason. All natural supplements are often very effective at improving overall health and treating a wide range of health problems. In addition, natural health supplements are often safer than over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications, having fewer side effects. They are also usually more affordable than prescription medications.

However, not all natural supplements are safe, and not all are effective. Here is what you should watch out for when selecting natural supplements.

Do they work?

While many natural supplements are quite effective, not all are. How do you know if a particular supplement is going to work or if it is a waste of money?

To start with, you need to do your research. The internet is a great tool for that. Don’t rely on advertisements that are trying to sell you products, but look for studies that test how effective a supplement is. Look for articles in medical journals or articles written by doctors. Look for explanations about why a particular supplement is supposed to do a particular thing, and think about whether it makes sense. And if it sounds too good to be true, well, then it probably is.

You can also consult with a health care professional who is knowledgeable about natural health supplements. Not all doctors are very knowledgeable about all natural supplements, so before asking your doctor his or her opinion about a supplement, ask about his or her training and education with regard to natural medicine. If you want to use natural health supplements regularly, find a doctor who is qualified to advise you about them. You might find other health care professional that can advise you as well, besides medical doctors. For instance, many chiropractors and dieticians are very knowledgeable about natural supplements.

Are they safe?

In general, all natural supplements are usually safer than over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications. They have fewer side effects and are less likely to interact with other medications you might be taking. However, it is important to understand that not all natural supplements are safe for everyone. For instance, echinacea is a popular natural supplement that is frequently used to treat colds and minor infections. It has been used for centuries for this purpose. It very rarely causes any side effects at all. However, people with autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis should never take echinacea, because it stimulates the immune system and might make their condition worse.

So how can you know if a supplement is safe for you? Remember, you need to do your research. It is usually not difficult to find information about which herbs or other supplements are not safe for people with certain conditions. But take the time to do the research. You can also ask your doctor. Again, make sure you have a doctor that is knowledgeable about natural health supplements. Some doctors will just advise you against taking any natural supplements because they are not educated about them. A pharmacist might also be able to tell you if a particular supplement will interfere with any medication you are taking.

FDA Regulations

One thing you want to keep in mind with regard to natural supplements is that the FDA regulates them they way they regulate food, not the way they regulate medications. With medications, the FDA requires that the manufacturer prove they are safe and reliable. But the FDA does not require that for natural supplements. The FDA is not strict about the quality of ingredients in supplements and they are not even strict about the amount of the ingredients in the supplements. You might think you are buying herbs in a certain strength, for example, but not really get that. Therefore, when you are researching whether a particular supplement is right for you, also do a bit of research about the companies that make the supplement you are interested in. Your doctor or dietician might also be able to direct you toward reputable companies.

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Nothing can be more exasperating than waking up with raccoon eyes, which means having puffy eyes surrounded by dark circles. But before the rest of your waking days are ruined for good, you should know that there are things you can do to avert the development of unsightly eye problems.

Here’s a list of all-natural remedies for tired looking eyes.

1. Get Enough Sleep

It can’t be anymore obvious than this. But if you really want to banish tired-looking eyes, your best bet is to get enough sleep. For many people, it’s easy to sacrifice bedtime hours for other things like homework, late-night movies, and non-stop partying. No wonder then that a lot of women — and men — are bothered by dark eye circles and under-eye bags.

But with ample sleep, you should see your eyes improve. Experts suggest around nine hours of sleep every night to remedy tired looking eyes and strengthen your overall health.

2. Eat a Balanced Diet

Everybody knows that eating a balanced diet is essential for a stronger body. But did you know that eating right is important for beauty as well? By eating a healthy diet, your body gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to become, among other things, more efficient in eliminating toxins and wastes that make you look tired and wasted.

And part of a healthy diet is the reduced consumption of salt. You see, salt allows your body to retain excess amounts of water which consequently triggers the puffiness in many areas like your tummy and eyes. To avoid having eye bags, you can try to take the salt shaker out of your sight.

3. Increase Intake of Fresh Fruits

This can easily be included in your quest to eat a balanced diet. But your increased intake of fresh fruits deserves a special mention. As most fruits contain healthy amounts of copper and Vitamin C, they are excellent sources of nutrients that restore cells damaged by free radicals. In a nutshell, fruits can help you delay the signs of aging such as fine lines, bags, and skin discoloration in your eye area. So eat more fresh fruits.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is an essential agent in cleansing away toxins and other unwanted materials that ruin your skin and make you look old and tired. It doesn’t matter how much fruits and vegetables you eat or how healthy your diet is, if you lack water in your body, harmful elements inside you will not be eliminated such that they remain to wreak havoc in your body and in the way you look. Doctors actually recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday.

5. Teabags and Cucumber Slices

You may find this funny. But what you think happens only in movies and TV shows can actually help you restore the glow and vibrancy of your eyes. We’re talking about putting on a couple of cucumber slices on your eyes before you sleep. Cucumber has been known to ease puffiness in the eyes. You can also opt for tea bags whose tannin compounds have been proven to also remove swelling and skin discoloration in the eye area.

Take note, the part surrounding the eyes is different from all the other areas of the skin. Such area can be more delicate and requires special attention. If you have had enough of you looking old and tired, then it’s about time you give your eyes a little more TLC.

Every night, before you go to bed, make sure to put on eye treatment applications. One good example is dabbing some almond oil in your under-eye area to improve eye puffiness. You can also invest in skin care systems made especially for the eyes, just like Eyelastin.

These may not be guaranteed solutions, but I love home remedies on solving skin problems, or just for pure beautifying routines. Some of these tips I got from my friends, those who spend most of their time in the kitchen.

If you run out of your favorite eye cream, or waiting for the next delivery, you can’t just get through the days without doing anything to maintain your skin’s health. These regimens can help assist your eye creams, and the best of all, they’re all natural, straight from your kitchen.

Reduce Eye Puffiness – The favorite cucumber to take away the puffiness in the eyes. Get a quarter of cucumber and slice them thinly. Before putting the cucumber on your eyelids, spritz your eyes with water. Allow the cucumber to remain in your eyes for ten minutes while you lie back and relax.

Tighten Baggy Eyes – To tighten the bags under the eyes, slice 1/4 raw potato in thin slices, spritz your eyes with water, and allow them to remain on your eyes for ten minutes or more. Basically similar to our puffiness regimen, only this time with a different vegetable.

Reduce Crow’s Feet – Crows feet is a bit more difficult to reduce. No more slicing this time. For this regimen, beat 1 egg white until soft peaks are nearly formed. Dab the solution around your eye, along the cheekbone and outer eye area. Allow it to settle and let it remain for 10 minutes. After the specified time, removing the film requires a little more effort than the previous two. Just spray the applied area with water, and then use a cotton ball dipped in cool water, or a soft washcloth to slowly wipe it off. Be careful of the applied pressure, or we may create new lines instead of reducing them.

Thicken Eyelashes – This is a bonus. Not necessarily an eye problem, but will also help with your overall appearance. To get thicker and healthier eye lashes, simply dab a cotton swab with castor bean oil, then apply on the lashes, the oil may be allowed to remain the entire day. Repetition of this will help lashes become thicker, and healthier looking.

Many have asked the question, is there a burn fat fast diet that works? Although diet fads and crash diets might yield temporary results, generally they are unsafe and wreck havoc in your body over the long term. Experts advise to steer clear of anything that promises overnight or immediate results and rather invest your time in developing a burn fat fast diet that works for you.

How and when fat is ‘”burned” and how that affects body fat levels and weight is a very intricate area of physiological research. There have been hundreds of studies exploring the utilization of fat for energy and there is still much to be understood, but this is what we know for sure: diet and exercise go hand in hand and both components are to be incorporated into a successful burn fat fast diet.

In a nutshell, when your body moves it needs energy. The amount of energy needed is measured as a calorie (which is a unit of heat). The fuel to produce this energy comes from several sources, mostly fat and carbohydrates (glucose), and occasionally amino acids (protein). These sources of energy are found in the things we eat.

A good burn fat fast diet does not mean starving yourself. It simply means that what you eat needs to be well balanced, healthy and that your portions are appropriately rationed. Fried chicken and burgers although good tasting, are not going to help your cause. However, there are certain “super foods” that will aid you in your quest to burn fat and more importantly, will help you do so fast.

When it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, there are many wonderful choices such as blueberries, apples, oranges and tomatoes. These work due to their high fiber content and will help you to feel fuller for longer, aid digestion, and ultimately build up a leaner frame. The most powerful food from this family, however, is the tomato.

This super food contains enzymes that can increase the metabolic rate of the body, thus helping you to burn calories faster and more efficiently. This is a lifesaver on any Burn fat fast [http://libidoandhealth.com] diet and a key to your success when it comes to dropping weight. Also, logically you would need to stay away from high sugar, high starch, and high processed foods. These are absolute no-nos when trying to lose weight.

The truth of the matter is: In order to sustain long-term weight loss plan you need to adopt new habits and keep them for a lifetime. We simply cannot eat whatever we want, whenever we want to and expect to get away with it. We can eat takeaways occasionally, just not all the time.

The most important thing to remember is to take care of yourself as you work to burn the fat. Eating well and exercising regularly should be an integral part of a living a healthy lifestyle and will prove to be your best weapon when wanting to burn off unwanted fat and to keep it off for good.

Many people look at all kinds of cost cutting tips when they are trying to trim their insurance premiums. Is that the best option?

What about an entirely different kind of insurance?

This week, Progressive announced that it is adding itself to the growing list of insurance providers offering pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) insurance policies. Many people are able to save hundreds, even thousands, a year in insurance by using PAYD. Could you?

What is Pay-as-you-drive Insurance?

This is a type of usage-based car insurance. It’s been used in Europe for a while, but is just now catching on in the United States. Here’s how it works:

• You drive
• Your miles are recorded/li>
• Your miles are reported to the insurer
• You pay a flat rate for how many miles you drive

Why is this cheaper?

With traditional auto insurance, you pay a premium for coverage over a set period of time. While rates are partial determined by your annual mileage, many people actually pay far more for coverage than they actual use on the road. Drive 100 miles? Pay for 100 miles. Drive 10, pay for 10. It’s that simple.
By paying by the mile, you pay for exactly what you use. If you barely drive one month, you won’t pay much at all.

People who drive less than the average driver can save good money with PAYD. For people who barely drive at all, you can save over a thousand dollars a year.
If you have a bad driving record, PAYD allows you to really control your rate by driving less.

How are miles recorded and reported?

This seems to vary by company. There are several methods:

• Checkups
  You check in with an agency approved mechanic, dealer, or agent to have your mileage recorded. They send it to the insurance company, who then send you a bill.
• Honor System
  Smaller insurers may simply ask you to look at your odometer and tell them what it says. While it seems like they are just relying on you to be honest – and I’m sure most of you are honest – if the numbers seem off, they will not let it go. Should you file a claim and the insurer find out you’ve been lying about your mileage, they can drop you and stick you with the bill, claim unpaid.
• Black Box
  A black box is a GPS chip that automatically reports the whereabouts of your vehicle to the insurer’s computer. This also tracks your mileage automatically.
  This also makes it easier to recover a stolen vehicle, which saves the insurer some money. As a result, your theft coverage will be very inexpensive.
• OnStar
  PAYD insurance through GMAC for vehicle with OnStar is easy and cheap. OnStar automatically reports your mileage to GMAC. Since it’s OnStar, you can talk to an operator at any time to get your current money owed.

How to Find PAYD

Get car insurance quotes to determine the mile-to-mile rates. Car insurance quotes are quick and easy, saving you the time of talking to agents from every company. And since they are free, why not get car insurance quotes today?