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Breakfast is Important!
July 3, 2009 by Helen
Breakfast is the fuel for your body and the source of energy for your brain. Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day.A lot of people skip breakfast, either for the sake of loosing weight of just because they are lazy. They just don’t know that eating breakfast is good for weight loss and for maintaining a healthy weight.
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To have fuel from breakfast means to have a healthy breakfast. It should contain protein (low fat meat, diary, eggs) and fiber (whole grains, vegetables, fruits. Try to skip syrups, donuts and candies which will just wake you up but will not give you a long-lasting energy.
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If you don’t feel like eating a lot in the morning due to the fact that your body didn’t wake up yet, you can split the meal in two parts: you can easily grab a croissant and later have an apple.
And Remember: Having breakfast means caring about your health and mood. So, don’t skip it and take care!
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSHow To Choose Sunglasses
June 27, 2009 by Katerina
Choosing new stylish sunglasses remember that your first task is to protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Scientists distinguish three types of UV rays:
- UVA rays are not the most dangerous, however they still can potentially cause damage to your eyes and should be evaded.
- UVB rays are the shortest ones; they can penetrate deep into tissue, leading to cataract or keratitis (cornea desease).
- UBC rays do not give us any concern as they hardly reach the Earth, being entirely stopped and absorbed by ozone.
Find out whether the sunglass provides sufficient UV protection. You wil find this information on the price sticker. It is not recommended to wear sunglasses with lower then 60-70% protection.
The blue light is considered to be the one you shall avoid the most. Wear your sunglass and take a short look to the sky. Usual blue colour should turn to greyish.
Polarization is another useful sunglass characteristic. You will most likely need it if you like waterskiing or similar sports, and do not want to endure a glare. Polarization means the reflected from water or snow sunrays, which induce glare, will be stopped by the filter in special layer on the lenses.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSThree Perfect Indian Salads For Your Health
June 20, 2009 by Katerina
For sure there is no need to persuade you that salads are extremely healthy. They usually contain fresh raw products and therefore rich in essential nutrients. Indian food is fairly considered to be one of the healthiest as well. So take a deep bowl and mix all the benefits together. Let’s try Indian Salads.
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Green Salad of Lattuce
Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 1 head of crisp-lettuce
- 0.5 cup cut black olives
- 0.5 cup endives
- 0.5 shredded big garlic clove
- 3 teaspoons apple vinegar
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- parsley
- salt
- black pepper
How to make:
Tear in pieces lettuce and parsley, ground oregano. Place all the components in the salad bowl and mix together. Leave for 45 minutes. Mix up again before you serve the salad.
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Plum&Cream Salad
Ingredients:
- 150 g cream cheese in pieces
- 20 g of peanuts
- 4 big plums free of peel
- 100 g grapes
- 100 g strawberries
- 0.5 cup sour cream mixed with sugar
How to make:
Blend cheese pieces, peanuts, plums, grapes and strawberries. Bring in sour cream with sugar. Serve the salad!
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Tofu Salad
Ingredients:
- 150 g tofu in pieces
- 2 cut in rounds big tomatoes
- 1 big sliced and fried garlic clove
- 3 spoons soy sauce
- 1 spoon wine vinegar
- 1 spoon sesame oil
How to make:
Mix up tofu and tomatoes in the bowl. Bestrew mixture with garlic. Add sesame oil, vinegar and soy sauce. Mix up well, serve and enjoy!
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSGreen Tea Health Benefits
June 14, 2009 by Katerina
The same as black tea, green tea comes from leaves of the plant named Camellia Sinesis. The between black and green tea is that green tea leaves are steamed shortly after picking, while black tea leaves do not undergo this procedure. Being not fermented, green tea leaves keeps natural benefits of the tea bush.
It is known, that green tea has been used in China as medicine for several thousands years. So, where lies the secret? The point is that green tea contains such chemical compounds as polyfenols, mainly epigallocatechins (EGCG), which possess huge anti-oxidant activity and make green tea extremely useful.
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Here are some health benefits of Green tea – one of the most powerful antioxidants:
- Drinking green tea decreases stroke chances by up to 70%
- Green tea has been shown to prevent heart attacks
- Antioxidant compounds, containing in green tea were proved to inhibit the growth of cancer cells
- Good news, girls: green tea also increases body’s ability to burn calories, helping weight lost
- Improves digestion, reducing abdominal swelling
- Normalizes healthy micriflora in the bowls
- Helps reduce periodontosis, dental decay, and bad breath
- Due to ability to destroy bacteria green tea can be useful in food poisoning prevention
- Improves the ratio of so called good cholesterol to bad cholesterol
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSSafe Tan – Is It Possible?
June 10, 2009 by Katerina
Regardless lots of information on the dangers of tanning, we still try to get the ‘perfect tan’.
A tan is actually a sign of skin damage caused by sun and a defensive attempt to protect itself from further harm, even though many people mistakenly believe tan signifies health and beauty. So is there any way to have a safe tan?
Skin cancer experts tend to state that there is no such thing as a safe tan. So let’s examine sun tanning and its alternatives.
Sun tanning
Tans and skin cancer both begin with DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. Its really worth noticing, that ultraviolet radiation conduces to premature ageing of the skin.
Two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB, negatively affect the scin.
UVA rays tends to cause skin cancer after prolonged periods of time. UVB rays cause sunburn and the redness, which are also a strong risk factor for skin cancer.
Salon tan
Using a solarium is not a safe way to tan as well. Solariums offer enclosed beds, which contain light tubes emitting UVA and UVB radiation. Please remember, that UV radiation from a solarium can be four-five times as strong as the midday summer sun.
There is a recommended time that one should not exceed within a year when using a tanning bed. According to the deramatologists one should not surpass more than 10 hours of exposure per year.
Fake tanning
Wash-off tanners
This is the simplest way to create an instant tan on your face and body. You have to smooth on the cream over your body and then wash it away at the end of the day.
Bronzing powders
Use powders on your face in the same way as a blusher.
Self tanners
Self-tanning products come in several forms, such as lotions, wipes, gels, sprays.. They stimulate the skin pigment to change without any harmful exposure to the sun, which is actually a positive preventive alternative to sunlight.
All of these tanning products have ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is absorbed by the surface skin cells and turns brown in the presence of oxygen. This process usually takes several hours hours, and the effects from a few days up to a week.
If you decide to use self tanners, be aware of following rules:
- Use a body scrub first to rub away the dead skin that can soak up colour, creating a patchy finish.
- Massage in plenty of body lotion over the area to be treated.
- If you are going to choose a shade, go with the lighter one – you can always apply a second layer later on to get deeper shade.
- Remember, that excess of the product left on the body surface is likely to go patchy.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSHeart Attack Prevention In Women
May 20, 2009 by Katerina
Heart attacks in younger women are on the rise. You will need to have the facts about this silent killer. Heart attack is only second to breast cancer in death toll. It is a myth that heart attacks are more prevalent in men than women.
Warning signs for a young woman usually show up a month before a heart attack. These can be subtle so you will have to know what to look for.
As a young woman, you will want to do research and arm yourself with the knowledge of what to expect when a heart attack occurs..
Blood Pressure
You will want to get regular checkups to make sure your heart is in good shape. If you have any symptoms such as unusual fatigue, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath then you may want to be concerned.
There are things that you can do though to prevent yourself from having a heart attack. One thing that you will need to get checked every year is your blood pressure. Depending on what is going on in your life, your blood pressure could be affected..
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that can affect your heart. You will need to keep a close eye on this if you have it. You will need to go to your doctor on a regular basis.
Make sure to check your blood sugar at the times your doctor advises. Stick to your low sugar – low carbohydrate diet..
High Cholesterol
If you are a young overweight woman, then your cholesterol need to be checked. You will want them to check your LDL and HDL’s.
Cholesterol builds up in your arteries and can cause the arteries to your heart to be blocked. These blocked arteries can cause a heart attack.
This is why you will need to take getting rid of cholesterol seriously. You will want to avoid foods high in cholesterol. Another thing they will need to check would be your Triglycerides. Triglycerides are fats within your bloodstream that can block your arteries..
Smoking
Smoking is another risk factor when it comes to heart attack. This habit can cause high blood pressure and blood clots. These factors can affect whether you have a heart attack. Of course it would be a good thing for you to quit smoking.
If you are a young woman who takes birth control pills and you smoke then this doubles your chance for a heart attack. In addition, if heart disease runs in your family and you smoke cigarettes you will have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack./
Physical Activity
Heart attack risk can be greatly reduced by getting enough exercise. If you are inactive then you could get a heart attack.
Exercise will get your blood pumping in your heart. It also helps oxygen to flow in your body. A good exercise will really get your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. One type to consider is aerobics.
With an awareness of what your body is doing, it should be easy for you to take preventive measures when it comes to heart attacks.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSThree Tips On How To Utilize A Natural Sleep Remedy To Work Better
May 18, 2009 by Katerina
There are reasonable health remedies for almost any condition. If you are bothered by nights of sleeplessness, you really don’t have to resort to drugs right away. Fortunately for you, you can try a health sleep remedy that is a great substitute to sleeping pills that are habit forming and produce nasty effects the next day. Since it is unsophistical, you know that it will not be harmful to your body.
But once you get a hold of a natural sleep remedy, don’t expect it to work like bewitching. Like many other natural health remedies you have to know that it does not work on its own. As with anything else in life, there has to be a certain balance for you to have a pleasing, insistence-free one. So a natural sleep remedy, for it to work best, also needs some work on your part. Read on to learn about the unconventional ways that can help you achieve a restful sleep naturally.
Tip # 1: Relax
The key in fascinating natural sleep remedy is that it helps the body to relax. This is the starting point of sleep. Many do not recognize this points. There are those who think that just by taking in the natural remedies, they will feel drowsy and sleep in no time. This is not the case.
What a routine sleep remedy does is relax your body, take away the stresses of the day, and make you feel comfortable; it puts you in the minded to sleep. However, many do not recognize this. Once they feel at ease and relaxed, they start doing a lot of other stuff and activities. This should not be the case. As an alternative, get a magazine or book and start reading or simply sit idly before the television set and watch a good show. Relax and let the genuine sleep remedy do its work.
Tip # 2: Drinking a cup of chamomile tea is a natural sleep remedy.
After a short while, you will be off to slumber land. There are those who have the misconception that by drinking more of the tea, they will go to nap faster. This is not true at all. Taking in more than just a cup of chamomile tea might even have harmful effects. It can cause an upset stomach. Rather than of enjoying bedtime, you will dread it. Enjoy that cup of tea; take in long, slow sips. Let the natural sleep remedy take its typical course. It will relax and calm you down.
Tip # 3: Develop a schedule
Part of a natural sleep panacea is training your body to follow a definite schedule especially during the night. Finish all the chores that need to be done. Learn to modulate. Give yourself a long, warm bath. Immerse yourself in that interesting book or magazine. Cozy up and watch TV. Or better yet, nuzzle and get comfy with your loved one. Your body will anticipate these wonderful feelings if you make it a routine. When the body is fully calm, sleep will eventually follow. Have a restful night with your choice of natural remedies for insomnia.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSSProtect Yourself From Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics and Household Products
May 8, 2009 by Katerina
by Laura Costa, Ph.D.
Vice President of Membership, RI NOW
Every day, women are exposed to chemicals in cosmetics, household cleaners, plastics, food, water and many other sources. Common household chemicals have been linked to more than 200 health problems including asthma, depression, anxiety, various cancers (including breast, ovarian and brain), birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well as reproductive, cardiovascular and immune system disorders. Many of these chemicals are stored in our bodies and accumulate over time to cause health problems after years of gradual exposure.
The bad news: women are exposed to a far greater number of harmful chemicals than men . In general, women use more personal care products (such as makeup, perfume, nail care and hair care products), do most of the household cleaning (still!), eat more foods with artificial sweeteners, handle more indoor pesticides (e.g., bug sprays), sprinkle more carpet freshener, and burn more scented candles than men. For these reasons, women are at higher risk for health problems due to long-term, low-level exposure to harmful household chemicals. Although women are at higher risk than men, the group with the highest risk of all is young children. The liver is the main organ that removes toxins from the body and until two years of age, babies’ livers are underdeveloped and not fully capable of removing harmful chemicals from their bodies.
The good news: most household chemical exposure is preventable . By altering your practices, you can decrease exposure to household chemicals. By reducing your family’s daily chemical exposure, you can reduce the chances of developing illnesses such as cancer, anxiety, respiratory problems, and even heart disease and stroke attributed to low-level exposure during a long period.
Reducing exposure is not as difficult as you may think. Once you learn about the safe, natural alternatives for the chemical-containing products in your home, it’s simply a matter of learning which products and ingredients to choose and which to avoid. For personal care, cleaning products and pesticides, it means learning about the ingredients listed on the product labels. Here are some tips to help you do that.
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In choosing cosmetics and household cleaners, AVOID or MINIMIZE the following:
- Products that contain ingredients with long, difficult-to-pronounce names. These are usually synthetic (“man-made”) chemicals that are untested for their effects on human health.
- Products with strong scents or odors. This includes perfume, cologne, scented lotion, powder, etc. These items contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which destroy brain cells, disrupt hormone function and can cause cancer. When inhaled, these VOCs have easy access to the brain, bloodstream and organs. As toxic vapors, VOCs also “offgas” from new plastics, carpeting and toys, nail polish, paint, etc. Avoid or “air-out” these items for as long as possible before installing or placing them in a closed-room. (Unless you use an effective air purifier, your indoor air often is more polluted than the air outside your home due to fumes offgassing from products you bring inside.)
- Products with ingredients listed as “fragrance”, “perfume” or “scent”.
- Products with “Warning”, “Caution”, or “Danger: labels (i.e., cleaning products and pesticides). These labels are there because one or more of the ingredients has the potential for causing serious harm or death./
For safer options/alternatives, look for:
- Products labeled “organic” or “all-natural” (personal care products and foods), but read further to see how these terms are defined. To ensure organic standards, look for “USDA Certified Organic” or “Quality Assurance International” labels.
- Personal care products with plant-based oils such as almond oil or jojoba (rather than petroleum-based oils) and an ingredients list you can read and understand.
- Simple, natural cleaners such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Avoid antibacterials (e.g., triclosan) in all products since they are unnecessary for effective cleaning and can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause serious health problems.
http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSS8 Foods You Should Eat Daily for Optimum Health – Part II
May 6, 2009 by Katerina
5. Blueberries – Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname “brain berry”). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or ½ cup frozen or dried. SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form. PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.
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6. Black Beans - All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat. SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼ cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes. HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with ½ cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.
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7. Walnuts - Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken. HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.
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8. Oats - The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA’s first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy. SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt. PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to RSS8 Foods You Should Eat Daily for Optimum Health – Part I
May 4, 2009 by Katerina
1. Spinach - It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day. SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip. PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.
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2. Yogurt - Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food’s health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says “live and active cultures.” Aim for 1 cup of the calcium- and protein-rich goop a day. SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast—or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips. HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.
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3. Tomatoes - There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they’re packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it’s easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe. PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint.
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4. Carrots - Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids—fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis—but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for ½ cup a day. SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.
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