Keeping a Healthy Body With The Right Food

Your body has all the mechanisms in place to take care of itself but it needs the proper fuel to do that. It's just like any other equation. Junk in, junk out. Quality in, get quality results. If you are health conscious and want to stay healthy, making sure the food that you eat is quality. Food is fuel. Food and nutrients are ultimately nature's medication.

Eating clean is all the rage now and it's not a fad. Eating clean and organic is here to stay. No matter your activity level, what you put in your body decides how you feel and even how you look. Packaged foods were developed to help prevent food shortage and became very useful in times of war. However, the odds of a modern country having a famine or food shortage are very low. The fact is, packaged and processed foods are not good to eat for extended periods of time. Studies show that chronic disease like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, are preventable by decreasing the amount of packaged and processed foods in the diet. Have you ever looked on the back of a package of food to read the ingredients? If you haven't, you should try it. Most of the ingredients are very difficult to pronounce because they are chemicals, not food. How about packaged goods that can sit on the shelf for months and not go bad. If bacteria, fungus and bugs, which help the process of "rotting" food, don't want to eat it, why should you?

Using manufactured medicines have become standard practice, but every illness had a natural remedy. All foods have properties that meet your body's needs. Leafy greens, bright colorful vegetables, fruits, red meat, poultry, fish, herbs, and spices all contain nutrients that our body needs to support and repair. When you are not feeling your best, look at what you've eaten. Have you been eating a lot of processed foods? Foods that come in packages? Fast food? Too much protein? Lots of starch? Are you eating enough to fuel your body? All of these things contribute to how your body functions and feels.

The best way to make sure you look and feel your best is to make sure you are eating quality foods and getting all the nutrients your body needs to work properly. Make sure you plan your meals if you have a hectic lifestyles. Proper planning prevents you from eating bad food, which always seems more convenient and cost-effective. The right nutritional supplements help bridge any nutritional gaps left open from not eating enough or not having a balanced diet. Sometimes, even a balanced diet does not insure that you are getting enough of everything you need.

Eat clean. Make sure your meals are fresh foods. Minimize consuming preservatives and ingredients that you cannot pronounce. If you don't plan anything, plan your meals. Take a nutritional supplement to make sure you are getting all of the proper nutrients your body needs.

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Do You Know The Benefits Of Kefir?

As a person who understands the benefits the Hay Diet has on the digestive system I found it difficult to ignore the apparent amazing effects which kefir has to offer.

It is clear that commercial kefir does not come close to the benefits the home-made variety has to offer as commercial Kefir is made from either a freeze dried powdered form of the culture which means it has considerably less healing power.

On the other hand homemade kefir contains billions of friendly organisms per millilitre, and the organisms are reproducing right up until the kefir is consumed along with ample amounts of kefiran and variations of the polysaccharide.

Kefir benefits from an abundance of tryptophan which is one of the essential amino acids and is, well-known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. Therefore kefir has a particularly calming effect on the nerves. Rich in the B Vitamins: Kefir is an excellent source of Vitamin B7 (biotin), which aids the body's absorption of other B vitamins, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) B3 (niacin), B6 (Pyridoxal phosphate), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin).

As an experiement the bacteria E. Coli was injected into Kefir. Within 24 hours the E. Coli was destroyed by Kefir whey's beneficial bacteria. Kefir has also demonstrated the ability to kill H. pylori infections when bacteria alone could not. In addition, the complex micro flora of Kefir has also shown a keen ability to greatly stimulate our immune system, ward off infections. This is because when Kefir is consumed as a drink, it creates a healthy mucous lining in the colon, which acts as a good medium to support the growth of beneficial bowel flora which helps to prevent parasitic infections and cancer as well as constipation. This means Kefir is beneficial in preventing many gastrointestinal disorders.

20 of the known health benefits of live Kefir

1. Strongest natural remedy against any allergy

2. Strongest natural antibiotic without side effects

3. Treats liver disease

4. Treats gallbladder, dissolves gall bladder stones

5. Clears the body of salts, heavy metals, radionuclides, and alcoholic products

6. Cleans the body of chemical antibiotics

7. Treats kidney stones

8. Good bacteria in kefir are able to fight off pathogenic microorganisms

9. Lowers level of LDL cholesterol

10. Cleans the gastrointestinal tract

12. Treats gastritis

13. Treats pancreatitis

14. Treats ulcers

15. Prevents and treats colon cancer

16. Improves digestion

17. Improves the body functions

18. Improves the human immune system

19. Cures Candida

20. Cures hypertension



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9086008

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The Best Food to Lose Belly Fat Easily

The balance between eating right and exercise can help us reduce weight easily. Learn about the different foods, which are beneficial for weight loss and step in the path of weight loss. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle rather focusing on starving.

Oatmeal

Breakfast like a king is the key to weight loss. People who want to lose weight easily should eat fiber-rich oatmeal that stays in your stomach for hours. Snack attack increases the blood sugar levels so avoid sugary flavored varieties or stave off from doughnut.

Nuts

Almonds and walnuts are the best nuts, which can help you, lose fat fast. Nuts help in keeping one full for longer period of time. However, do not overeat and skip salted nuts as those are not healthy.

Olive oil

Olive oil is always a good option as it helps in keeping cholesterol under control and satisfies cravings. The monounsaturated fats found in olive oil are best and they are not loaded with unhealthy trans fat.

Berries

If you love fruits then go with berries. Add it to your oats, wheat flakes, or salads and make it an interesting food. Berries have lots of filling fiber in them. Go for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or any other berry for a healthy lifestyle. However, jelly is not a good option.

Eggs

Eggs contain vitamin B12, which helps in metabolizing fat. People who eat eggs have been found to lose weight than those who ate bagels every morning. People who have high level of cholesterol in their body should avoid eggs completely.

Beans

Beans are low in calorie and are packed with protein and fiber. It is the best food as it helps in toning up the body and losing weight. You can always make bean dish and add it into your burritos or tacos for a healthy combination.

Lean meat and fish

You body burns more calories when digesting protein. Fish such as tuna and salmon are full of omega 3 and thus helps in preventing stress chemicals that promote fat abs.

Green vegetables

Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are added with fiber and are also low in calories. You can start your meal with a salad made from arugula, romaine or spinach for a healthy diet.

Herbal medicines

Herbal medicines are the best way to lose belly fat. Popping two tablets a day can make you live smart and fit.

Herbal cart is an US based company that sells different products related to health, skin and weight loss. Besides, these herbal medicines, many other kinds of medicines are available triggering men's health and women's health.

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How To Choose Healthy Food at the Grocery Store

Food is man’s greatest need to survive in this world. It is the most essential necessity of every human being. How do you think we would be able to live without food to get rid of our hunger and starvation? Fried rice, beef stew, sautéed pork, grilled chicken, vegetable soup and fruit salad are just some of the scrumptious cuisines we always like to eat. But little do we know that some of the luscious and mouth-watering foods we crave for are not so healthy for our body. How do we know if the foods we eat are right and healthy for us?

Healthy foods are composed of low-sugar and low-fat and are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. According to health organizations, food is considered to be healthy when it is low in fat (particularly saturated fat), cholesterol and sodium. It should also contain at least 10% of vitamin A or C, calcium, iron, protein and fiber. When buying foods, especially in grocery stores, not many shoppers think of the foods they purchase will contain sodium or less protein. It has been a habit for most of us to just easily buy the food we want without even checking if it is healthy for us to eat.

So here are some tips buyers should note when purchasing healthy foods in grocery stores.

Look at the food label. Check the nutritional values of foods you purchase. It must contain more protein, vitamins and carbohydrates and less content of sodium, fat and sugar. Often, we don’t check the food labels of the food we buy anymore making us ignorant of the unhealthiness of those foods.

Buy fresh and organic foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods contain the largest quantity of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that provide our body with the greatest amount of nutrition. They don’t have any preservatives and chemicals that may harm us if continuously consumed. Fresh and organic foods are known to be the purest and healthiest foods of today.

Choose lean meats and poultry. Lean meats and poultry are way better and healthier than other high-fat beefs we buy. White meat from the breast of a chicken without the skin, round, chuck, sirloin or tenderloin from lean cuts of beef, tenderloin and loin chops from lean pork are just some of the healthy lean meat and poultry you can buy.

Avoid buying preserved and processed foods. Not many people know but most processed products contain certain additives and chemicals that may bring harm to our bodies. They have a lot of saturated fat and nitrates that cause high blood cholesterol and sometimes may lead to cancer. It is important to avoid these as soon as possible to prevent diseases.

Choosing healthy foods must be taken seriously by most buyers because it concerns not only their health but also of their family’s health. Most of the time, we just choose the foods we want without considering how it will affect our body. It is always good that everyone is knowledgeable of the nutritional content of the foods they purchase. Moreover, all must be careful in choosing the right foods for it may either make or break their lives.

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How To Change Your Relationship with Food

Dieters use emotional relationship words to describe their eating habits. I love chocolate. I love ice cream. I was so good this week because I stayed on my diet. I cheated yesterday and feel so guiltybecause I ate dessert.

Like most doomed relationships, the object of your affection does not reciprocate. Food cannot love. Food does not care how much you need it, or want it and it will never return your "love". It is a doomed relationship from the start and food is just not that into you.

Change your vocabulary. When you’re talking about your weight loss program, eliminate all relationship words such as cheat and guilt and replace them with the word choice. Give yourself thepower to choose instead of feeling powerless over emotional feelings related to food. Take control over your relationship; the food won’t care.

Don’t measure your life’s experiences with your food relationship. You don’t have a good week or a bad week depending on the choices you make regarding food. Measure your worth by the friends you have, the family you love and the accomplishments you make at work and at home. Your character is measured by what you give to the world, not by what you put into your month.

Reward yourself with material things that will last. Replace the message, "It’s my birthday, let’s all go out for a special dinner, with "It’s my birthday, I’m going out to buy a new pair of shoes." You won’t ever feel guilty about what you put in your mouth if you have something really great to put on your feet. And unlike food, shoes do not end up in the toilet at the end of the day.

Find ways to be happy which are not food related. When you’re having a bad day, replace the line, "I feel sad, I’m going to have an ice cream cone so I’ll feel better" with "I feel sad, I’m going to a comedy show", or "I feel sad, I’m going to buy a new pair of shoes! Food is only a temporary fix, like phoning an old lover and hanging up after they answer. Food will never give you the happiness or the love you need, because food doesn’t care about your happiness. Food is selfish like that.

Write food a "Dear John" letter. Write down all the reasons you are no longer interested in your particular favorite food. Make the food jealous by telling it about all the new loves in your life; smaller jeans, healthier lifestyle, compliments from friends, and all those really great new pairs of shoes!

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How To Use the Food Pyramid

The food guide pyramid may not look the same as you remember it.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently revamped it to be more accurate and user friendly.  Here is a handy guide to understanding the new food pyramid.  

1. Grains-The orange portion on the very left hand side of the pyramid is the section dedicated to grains.  A minimum of  3 oz. of whole grains are recommended per day for the average adult.  Grains come in the form of bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and crackers, to name a few.  It is important to choose "whole" grains to give you the most health benefits.
    
2. Vegetables-The next stripe to the right is green and stands for vegetables.  You may have as many servings of dark green leafy vegetables as you desire each day, but a minimum of 3 servings (usually ½ to 1 cup per serving) is recommended.  Vary your veggies to include all colors to get the biggest benefits out of your vegetable servings.  Dry beans also count toward your vegetable intake.
    
3. Fruits-Next step on the pyramid is the red section for fruits.  At least 2 servings are necessary to maintain optimal health.  Fresh fruits and canned or frozen varieties without added sugars or syrups are highly recommended.  Fruit juices tend to be high in sugar and limited consumption is suggested.
    
4. Milk-The light blue section of the pyramid symbolizes the milk category.  Three 8 oz. servings of milk, or products made with milk like cheese or yogurt, are necessary each day for a healthy diet.  Choose low-fat or fat-free varieties to get the most value.
    
5. Meat and Beans-The final purple section on the food pyramid is meat and beans.  5-6 oz. of these protein rich foods should be eaten daily.  All meats, including beef, poultry, and fish, as well as most beans, eggs, and peanuts fit into this category.  You probably already eat enough foods from this category, but most people need to choose leaner cuts for a more healthy diet.

Understanding the food pyramid and how to use it correctly is the first step toward making the right nutrition decisions.  Getting enough of each category is important and a great way to begin a healthy diet.  

Caution:

• Eating from all of the food categories does not guarantee weight loss. If you are interested in losing weight, you need to be concerned with Calorie intake while eating foods in each food group.

Quick Tips:

• Oils and fats should be used sparingly. Try choosing low-fat or non-fat varieties of food when available and cook with little oil and butter.
• Eat a variety of colors. Each color of vegetables and fruits has different benefits. Eating a broad range of colors ensures you are getting all the nutrients you need.

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How To Choose More Healthy Food

If you snack on junk food and eat convenience foods on a regular basis, you probably already know that you need to change your eating habits. A diet of unhealthy foods can take its toll on your body over time, so it's important to make changes to your diet now. Here are some guidelines that you can follow in your quest to choose more healthy food:

1. Follow the food pyramid. The Food and Drug Administration's food pyramid has been revamped over the past few years. But even though it has changed with the times, the underlying principle has always been the same: eat more whole foods and eat less fats and sweets. If you adapt the principles of the food pyramid into your lifestyle, you will find it easier to choose healthier foods. 
2. Ditch the processed foods. We live in a world of convenience and it is taking its toll on our health. Packaged and processed foods -- from artery clogging potato chips to fat laden cookies and crackers to overly processed cheese products -- are found in most American households.
   One of the most important changes you can make during your journey to choose more healthy food is to eliminate packaged and processed foods from you diet. Yes, it will be hard at first and yes, it will take some getting used to (especially if you have kids in your house) but it is well worth it!
   Make your own "convenience" foods by having pre-cut fruits and vegetables available for your family when they are craving a snack. The world of convenience food is everywhere, so it has indeed moved into grocery store produce aisles as well, where you can find pre-washed bagged salads, fruit chunks and pre-cut vegetables. 
3. Follow some simple grocery store "rules." There are a few tricks you can use when you go grocery shopping that can greatly help you to choose more healthy foods. First of all, don't go shopping when you are hungry -- you will be more prone to buy convenience junk foods if your belly is growling.
   Also, always shop with a grocery a list. If you make a list of healthy foods -- and stick to it -- you can ensure that you won't be bringing junk into your house.
   Finally, don't shop with your kids. Children have a way of "sneaking" junk food and sugary cereals into the grocery cart. In addition, you may find yourself bribing your child with "a treat" if he or she behaves at the store. If your goal is to choose more healthy foods, it should be a family affair. Besides, junk foods that you buy for your kids will prove to be tempting for you, especially in the early weeks of your healthy eating plan. It's best to just stick to your list and move on. 
4. Go organic! Gone are the days where you had to search all over creation for organic foods -- most grocery stores now carry lines of organic produce, dairy products and meats. So what are the health benefits of organic foods? Organic produce is free from pesticides and organic meat and dairy products come from animals that are not fed antibiotics or hormones.
   Organic foods have more nutrients than non-organic foods and even though organic foods are more expensive, you really can't put a price on your health. Start out slowly, by buying organic fruits and vegetables and then venture over to other organic areas of the supermarket. 
5. Read labels and nutrition information. Most foods have detailed nutrition labeling on them, so read the labels and don't buy products that are loaded with chemicals (hint: if you can't pronounce an ingredient or have never heard of it, it's probably an additive of some sort). If you must eat at a fast food restaurant, ask at the counter for the nutrition information before you order. 
6. Try shopping at a variety of stores. After a few weeks of healthy eating, you may get bored of seeing the same old items at your regular supermarket. Try shopping at other stores every so often.  Stores like Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats and Trader Joes have a much larger variety of organic and healthy foods than most supermarkets. 
7. Try something new. Part of the joy of healthy eating is experimenting with new foods and recipes. Sample a variety of exotic fruits, whole grain breads and soy products. Eat more heart-healthy fish, like salmon. Make a decision every time you put something into your mouth and stop eating unconsciously. After a few weeks of changing your habits, you will find that choosing more healthy foods will just come naturally.

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How To Differentiate a Food Allergy from Food Intolerance and Food Sensitivity

Often food allergy, food intolerance and food sensitivity are confused. Even doctors tend to interchange these terms as they have food in common and treatment for each can be similar. They are very different and it is important to know which one you actually have.

1. A food allergy is an anaphylactic immune response. It is usually severe, requires immediate medical attention, and is life-threatening. Early symptoms of an allergy include rash, swelling of the tongue, throat and face. Some of the most common food allergies are to peanut, shellfish, clams, egg, corn, wheat and milk.

2. A food intolerance has several causes, depending on the intolerance. Milk or lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of an enzyme called lactase. Gluten intolerance (gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats) is caused by an antibody present in the intestines that attacks the gluten. Both can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and diarrhea though with intolerances, symptoms can vary. Some people show no significant symptoms but in the case of a gluten intolerance, it is important to be diagnosed early to avoid severe damage to the intestines. It is hereditary and advisable to get tested if an immediate family member is diagnosed.

3. A food sensitivity has been linked to many health problems including ADHD, hyperactivity, autism and many others. While how exactly these health problems are linked to foods is not known for certain, studies using the elimination method (eliminating certain foods from the diet) show improvement of symptoms. Some common foods to look into would be caffeine, chocolate, artificial colors or flavors, soy, casein (protein in milk), corn, and/or gluten, just to name a few.

If you suspect that you have a food allergy, food intolerance, or food sensitivity, it is advisable to see your doctor. There are many tests that can help you narrow down which of these food-related ailments you might have and the foods causing your symptoms.

One thing you can try on your own is an elimination diet. Try taking the offending food or foods out of your diet for a week. Try reintroducing the foods back one at a time, about one new food every five to seven days, and see what happens. It is also helpful to keep a food journal. Write down what you eat and how you feel as you eliminate and reintroduce foods.

For most food-related ailments, the treatment is to avoid the food entirely. Lactose intolerance is an exception and can be treated by taking an enzyme that aids in digestion. If you find that you have a food ailment, it is important to seek support. To completely avoid a food, you have to learn a lot about it in order to understand the benefits of eliminating it. Also, you can start feeling very isolated because you're afraid to get sick. You are not alone, and as time goes by, coping gets easier.

Quick Tips:

• Don't be afraid to ask your doctor for specific tests if you suspect a certain allergen or intolerance.
• Take your food journal to your doctor; it will help him with his diagnosis.

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How To Control Food Portions

A common problem that is rapidly increasing in near epidemic proportions is the number of obese people throughout the United States and Europe. While diet and exercise do play a major role in determining if you will gain or lose weight, another area that requires just as much attention is portion control.

Over the last few decades this has increased for most people, now whenever you buy something instead of receiving the serving size for what a normal person would eat, it is now the serving size of two to three people. At the fast food restaurants this has been taken a step further with their extra large or supersized menus to give you an even larger portions of soda, food and deserts. While this can seem challenging there many different ways to control food portions such as:

One, use a smaller plate; one of the easiest ways to be able to effectively control food portions is to use a smaller plate. What happens is when you are putting your food portions on the smaller plate it will seem as if you are eating more food when in reality you are eating less, effectively controlling food portions that you eat.

Two, add lot of vegetables, another way that you can control your portions is to add lots of vegetables and salad. What you want to do is fill up half your plate with lot of vegetables or salad. Studies have shown that when you increase your vegetable portions you are causing your stomach to fill faster when it is eating this type of low calorie food. Meaning that you are lowering food portions for the less unhealthy foods and increasing food portions for the more healthy foods helping you to lose weight.

Three, take a break during your meals, another way besides controlling food portions that will help you to lose weight is to take breaks when you are eating. Recent studies show that when you are eating it takes the stomach approximately 20 minutes to let the brain know that you are filling up. This can often lead to eating more food portions than you should. To be able to control food portions effectively means that you must take a break when you are eating. After about 10 or 15 minutes your stomach will feel full compared to what it was before you started eating. A major problem that many people wrestle with in an effort to control their weight is controlling food portions that they eat. By using the above tips you will be able to eat smaller food portions helping you to lose weight.

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How To Deal with Food Cravings

Everybody experiences food cravings every now and then. The key question here is, how will you respond to it? If you're in the middle of a weight-loss program, it's more crucial that you find out what the proper ways are to deal with these food cravings.

• Drink water first. More often than not, our cravings can be satisfied simply if we drink a glass of water. Just try it, drink water first before you even consider giving in to the temptation. Remember, not only does water have no calories, but also drinking frequently contributes to your wellness. So feel free to regularly drink up!
• Choose wisely.  Usually our body craves for carbs. But instead of the usual selection that our body seems to want, such as pizza, chocolate, french fries, and baked macaroni, you can satisfy your craving with good carbs, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Not only are they friendlier to your diet, but they also provide you with nutrients your body will welcome.
• Wait it out. Sometimes, cravings disappear. After drinking water, try to occupy your mind with other things. Read a chapter of your favorite book, take a brisk walk, or have a refreshing shower. There is a chance that you just forget all about your craving and move on, saving you tons on calories.
• Start a cravings journal.  Write down everything you eat everyday. This will give you a clear idea of how many calories you consume per day. It will make you more disciplined in making the right choices (there's nothing like seeing your food intake in black and white!). Aside from that, write down what your food cravings are, and whether or not you gave in to them. Try to write down exact details such as what time you experienced them, what you were doing around that time, and what could have triggered it. By taking an objective look at your food cravings, you might be able to avoid them in the future.
• Clean out your pantry. If you're a stay-at-home mom, clean out any fat-rich food in your pantry (Don't say they're for your children. They don't need the junk food either!). If you stay at your office cubicle, get rid of anything that might tempt you. Remember, if food is accessible, then it's going to be easier for you to eat it even when you're not really hungry. Or, you could just replace your junk food with healthier options.
• Find other means to cut down on stress. Most of the time, stress causes these food cravings. Find other means to satisfy your stress. Get a pedicure, have a massage at the spa, read your favorite book, or watch a movie with your friends.
• Allow yourself to give in sometimes. Sometimes, the best way is just to give in to your cravings. However, make sure that you still carefully monitor your intake.  For example, instead of eating three-fourths of the chocolate mousse cake, you could eat just one slice. Eat slowly and relish every bite, and stop when your stomach is full.

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How To Lift Your Mood Without Food

Do you turn to food when you are feeling down, depressed or just a little "blah"? Well, you are not alone.

I used to run to the kitchen every time I got a sinking feeling in my heart or felt any kind of emotional or mental pain. I knew that the food would take me out of that "blah" depressed state and would lift my mood temporarily... or sometimes I wouldn't even be that aware of it... one minute feeling "blah", the next minute I'm sitting on the couch staring down at an empty container of Ben and Jerry's and I have no idea how it even happened... But then I would have to deal with the intense cravings, the sugar crash and the guilt over what I had done.

I felt hopeless and upset every time I did it but I kept doing it anyway. And every time I did it, I just felt more and more hopeless that I would ever be a healthy woman or that I would ever lose the weight that I had been talking about losing for years.

Sound at all familiar? Let me share a secret with you... I discovered a way to pull myself out of that destructive habit and now, when I feel down or depressed, the last thing I think about is food. Here's how I did it:

1. Discover what makes you happy. What do you enjoy doing so much that when you do it, it's as though time has stopped because you are so "lost" in the activity and you get that blissful feeling of happiness and comfort filling you up on the inside? Do you like singing? Do you like to paint or garden? Do you love yoga or meditation? Do you enjoy journaling? Hiking?... Playing with your kids?... Wrestling with your lover?... Dancing around your living room? Figure out what activities you really love to do BEFORE you ever start to feel crummy.
   Spending just a little time to figure this out will pay off BIG time, not only to help you break free from the grips of emotional eating, but also to give you a more fun and fulfilling life.
2. Make it easy and accessible. Whatever activity (or activities) you figure out for yourself, make them available to you at a moment's notice. You never know when the urge to pig out is going to come up (or maybe you've begun to see patterns in when it happens - so you can be even more prepared)... So be ready!
   As soon as you start to feel the sadness or depression coming on, remember that you have choice. There are other ways to feel good. And you've made it easy for yourself to choose the positive choice by setting it up beforehand and making it accessible.
3. Get rid of the food temptation. It's going to be a lot harder to say "no" to fattening, unhealthy food if it is around you all the time. Clean out your cupboards and throw away all the food that you know is keeping you "stuck" in this emotional eating trap. The best time to do this is when you are full after eating a meal. The hungrier you are, the harder it will be to "let go" of the fattening food.
   Not having the fattening, unhealthy food around will at least make it inconvenient for you to just fall into mindless eating - you will have to "go out" and get it. This extra step requires thinking and making a choice.
   
4. Reward yourself every time you choose health. Now that you have created choices for yourself to lift your mood, reward yourself every time you make a positive choice. Take a nice long bubble bath. Write down in your journal how great you feel about yourself and the choices you are making... Or just take a quiet moment to give yourself gratitude and love. I like to just close my eyes and bring my hands together in front of my heart, sending a silent beam of love into my heart and thanking myself for being a person who cares about giving myself health. These "quiet moments" have become a really important part of my life and my relationship with myself. And you know what else? It has made it A LOT easier to choose positive habits over destructive emotional eating because I get SO MUCH out of getting the "excuse" to give myself love.
   I used to be an emotional eater... Now I'm an emotional healer. Every time I feel down or depressed, I turn to choices that will heal me and take me to a higher level in my health and happiness. That's a much bigger "high" than any food has ever given me. There's no food "escape" that can even come close... And unlike a food rush that leaves you feeling even MORE depressed and guilty afterwards, these choices leave you with good feelings and health for a lifetime.
   Pretty cool, huh? Try it for yourself and see how it works for you.

You deserve the BEST that this life has to offer for your body, mind and spirit. It all starts with how you treat yourself. Start giving yourself alternative choices to lift yourself up when you are feeling down, and you may find that you get "hooked" on the blissful feelings you get when you give yourself health and love. I'm sending you Love and healing light to surround you on your journey.

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How To Overcome a Food Addiction

What's that heavenly smell wafting down the street? Maybe it's pizza, or perhaps donuts or barbecue. Wouldn't you give your right arm for some of that divinely smoked meat? Wouldn't you pawn your wedding ring for just a slender slice of the pizza pie? When there's a hot pizza in front of you, it's hard to say no to one more slice, even after you're stuffed to the point of bursting at the seams. Believe it or not, if this sounds familiar, you may be a food addict.

The notion of food addiction is often met with incredulity. Most consider "addiction" to be a word only applicable to serious drugs like alcohol, nicotine and meth. But this perception of food as being harmless makes an addiction to it all the easier to deemphasize and, consequently, all the more dangerous.

1. How addiction works. Food addicts respond to food much the way an alcoholic responds to beer. The taste, smell, sight and even anticipation of it release dopamine in the brain.
2. The good news? Habit can determine what foods trigger the release of dopamine. Moderation of those "guilty pleasure" foods must be your goal. Kicking the addiction to these foods requires that you replace your old cravings with new, healthy ones. 
   
3. Possible signs of food addiction.
   • You eat even when you're not hungry. The sight of others eating, the smell of favorite foods, the suggestions of eating from movies or books, or the habit of eating while you watch TV, proves impossible for you to resist.
   • You know the food is bad for you, but you can't help eating it.
   • Your eating habits lead to feelings of guilt.
   • You obsess over your weight. Your awareness of the problem leads to the development of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
   • You eat in secret when no one else is around. You feel discomfort eating around others who eat less than you.
   • Stress and sadness lead you to consume certain foods. You look to them for comfort.
4. Consult a primary care doctor. Common consequences of long-term food addiction are obesity, eating disorders and diabetes. You don't want to exacerbate any of these or other conditions during your recovery from the food addiction. Talk to your doctor as you plot your treatment course.
5. Counselor or therapist. These professionals can definitely raise your chances of recovery as well. Part of your food addiction is psychological in nature. You have used food as a patch to cover up deeper emotional issues. You don't have to confront these deeper issues alone.
6. Identify trigger foods. For some people, it's sugary foods. Others long for pasta and carb-laden snacks. You can find cheese-addicts, chocoholics, fat-cravers - "trigger foods" differ from person to person. Pinpointing your trigger foods is the first step to recovery (aside from admitting a problem, of course). 
   
7. Slowly reduce amount of trigger foods. Uber-aggressive diets and cold turkey methods usually fail spectacularly, leaving the food addict even more depressed and destructive in eating habits. To succeed, you must adopt a graduated approach. When you feel like you absolutely must have the trigger food, add a small helping of fruit or veggies before you indulge. Do this each time you eat the trigger food or foods, each time adding a little more of the healthy food and eating a little less of the trigger food. Eventually, you will not only associate the healthy food with the dopamine response of the trigger food, but you will ultimately remove the trigger food from your diet.
8. Exercise. For a food addict (as with any addict), trigger foods bring a much-desired high, a rewarding feeling in the body. But you may not realize that exercise can usher in similar highs as well! This makes exercise doubly helpful for a food addict. Not only can it help keep your body fit and healthy, but it can also come to replace the high you miss from trigger foods. Joining a gym will help keep you motivated, as you will get to know others who share your goals.
9. Your goal should be smaller, more frequent, balanced meals. Easier said than done, right? But with some effort, you can definitely succeed! As you reduce your trigger food consumption and replace the food highs with healthier highs (such as those from exercising), keep providing the nutrition your body needs by eating at least three balanced meals a day (or more, depending upon your exercise regimen). Your primary care doctor or a dietitian can provide sound dietary advice. If you belong to a gym, a trainer can also help you to determine how to replenish what you lost through exercise.

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How To Make Your Own Meal Replacement Shakes

Losing weight really is all about determination, persistence, and strategic planning. You should alter your lifestyle so that you will get more exercise, and so that your body will take in less calories. One of the strategies that will help you cut back on unnecessary calories is to take meal replacement shakes. These shakes, made of healthful ingredients, can give you enough fiber to make you full, and enough protein to give you energy. These shakes can easily take the place of lunch or dinner, and here are some of the basic steps for making your own meal replacement shakes:

• Choose to make your shake using natural ingredients. You could of course use brands such as Herbalife and Slimfast, which would make it easier for you to prepare your shake. The problem with this, however, is that you might end up spending quite a lot on these brands in the long run. Making your own shake out of natural ingredients is still the best option.
• Know Recipe # 1. There are many different recipes that you could try out, but one will call for the following ingredients: 8 ounces (1 cup) soy milk, 2 tablespoons brown sugar (you could use honey as a healthier alternative), 1 tablespoon flaxseed (ground), and 1 tablespoon of a liquid multivitamin. Simply combine all these ingredients and put them in a blender until they are smooth. Some optional ingredients you could add to this shake include ½ cup of frozen strawberries, or ½ cup frozen banana slices.
• Know Recipe # 2. Another recipe requires the following: 8 ounces rice milk, 2 teaspoons natural peanut butter, 1 teaspoon unflavored oatmeal, some strawberries, some blueberries, 1 scoop whey powder (vanilla), and 4 ice cubes. Combine them in the blender, blend until smooth, and serve chilled. This is a great shake to drink up after a workout.
• Know Recipe # 3. This next recipe is rich in protein and is great if you have a particularly busy schedule ahead. You will need the following: about 3 ounces milk, a tablespoon of yogurt, whey, ½ banana, 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter, ¼ scoop protein powder, a teaspoon of honey, any fruit of your choice, and some ice cubes. Put them together in the blender. You may also want to try adding in a large raw egg into this shake, but do not attempt this if you have a particularly sensitive stomach.
• Know Recipe # 4. If you are particularly fond of fruits, try out this recipe: 8 ounces milk, a medium-sized banana, 1 cup of fresh strawberries, 1 cup crushed pineapple (unsweetened), 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter, 1 tablespoon protein powder, and some ice cubes. Mix them altogether in the blender.

There you have it! These are just some of the most basic and simplest recipes for making your own meal replacement shakes. Do know that you should consult with your doctor first before you start this kind of diet. Also, for this diet to be truly effective in helping you lose weight, you have to compound it with sufficient exercise. Good luck, and hope this helped!

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Is Eating Frozen Corn Bad for You?

Since corn contains about 32 grams of carbohydrate per cup, you may want to limit your consumption if you're on a low-carbohydrate diet. Otherwise, frozen corn is generally a nutritious vegetable choice and a good way to get closer to the recommended intake of at least 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day and 4 to 6 cups of starchy vegetables per week.

Frozen vs. Fresh

• By the time you actually eat your vegetables, fresh, frozen and canned vegetables have a similar nutrient content, according to the American Council on Exercise. Fresh corn starts to lose its nutrients right after it has been picked, so sometimes frozen corn is even more nutritious than fresh, since it is flash-frozen right after picking. The blanching process that occurs before freezing can cause some losses in heat-sensitive and water-soluble nutrients, such as the B vitamins and vitamin C, however.

Unthawed Versus Cooked

• While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, some people like to eat corn straight from the freezer. Don't worry, eating your corn still frozen isn't really bad for you. In fact, since corn straight from the freezer hasn't been cooked as long, it contains higher amounts of the water-soluble thiamine, niacin and vitamins B-6 and C.

Potential Food Safety Issues

• If corn is contaminated with organisms that cause foodborne illnesses when it is frozen, these may still be present after freezing. Often, the freezing process only helps keep these organisms from multiplying. Heating your frozen corn to a safe temperature without thawing it first is the best way to limit potential risks for food poisoning. Should your freezer stop working, you can safely consume frozen corn or refreeze it, if it still has ice crystals or if it hasn't been kept at a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 6 hours.

Other Considerations

• You don't need to worry about pesticide residues with corn, as corn is one of the types of produce with the least amount of these residues, according to the Environmental Working Group. You can also safely eat frozen corn that is freezer-burned, which tends to occur if your food isn't properly wrapped, the freezer is not kept cold enough or a food is kept too long in the freezer. Freezer-burned corn may not taste as good or have the same texture as corn that isn't freezer-burned.

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