December 2012

Happy New Year

Thank you .. Thank you ...

Thank you for staying with us. We wish you a beautiful new year filled with peace and gladness. We look forward to seeing you again in 2013 :)

All about weight loss

There are many fictions and a lot of misinformation peddled about energy drinks by the media and marketers. People hardly know any facts about energy drinks as the hype and fictitious information has made it impossible to know what they really are. Considering that such drinks are becoming popular, it is very important to separate myths from the truth. According to a 2005 report, it is estimated that these type of drinks raked over three billion dollars in the U.S. in retail sales. With addition of other new brands in the market, this figure will continue growing. Below are true facts about energy drinks that everyone must know.

Energy boost

Although most individuals consume foods to increase energy levels in the body, some people undertaking strenuous activities need more energy than usual. Boost drinks provide the additional energy needed by the body because they contain glucose and complex vitamins. Vitamins are beneficial to the body as they stimulate the production of more energy. When glucose enters the bloodstream, it not only supplies energy to the muscles, the brain and other vital, but also helps in the oxidation processes. The effects of a cup of coffee are felt for one to two hours, while those of an energy drink can last for three to four hours. Caffeine, which is the main ingredient in most of these drinks, indeed enhances energy production.

Moderation

People are advised to consume such drinks in moderation to get the benefits associated with them. Adhering to the strict dosage of a maximum of two cans per day will immensely benefit the consumer. According to many researches, moderate consumption of caffeine can protect individuals from various diseases, such as Alzheimer due to its antioxidant effects. Most people start their morning with a cup of coffee or tea, which also contains a considerable amount of caffeine. Just like coffee, taking energy drinks in moderation will reduce the harmful effects associated with them.

Ingredients

These type of drinks can contain some good ingredients, such as B vitamins that help in enhancing energy production within the cells. Guarana is another main ingredient contained in energy drinks. This South American herb has been known to successful act as a stimulant, with long lasting effects compared to coffee. It is a main ingredient of green tea, which is lauded for preventing cancer due to the polyphenols contained in it. Taurine is another component of energy drinks, which is a naturally occurring amino acid with various benefits, such as regulating production of energy in the body. Ginseng is also contained in energy drinks and is safely used as an adoptogen, which helps in relieving stress.

Advantages

These type of drinks are associated with many benefits, such as easing fatigue, improving mental attentiveness and boosting energy levels. They also provide people engaging in strenuous physical activity, such as athletes with the additional energy needed to execute such tasks. People are also provided with the opportunity to choose the most ideal drink that suits their needs as they come in two types. The first ones contain more caffeine and are preferred by workaholics, who need to work for long hours during the night. The second types are those with higher levels of carbohydrates and vitamins that are suitable for people involved in strenuous physical activities.

Greg Reed is the owner of Boost Energy Drinks. For More Great Information On The Best, Healthiest Energy Drink Visit http://www.boostenergydrinks.com

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Tea - The Healthy Alternative

Tea has been drunk for thousands of years, the earliest records are in India and China.

Tea is the second most consumed beverage after water in the world. Your typical coffee connoisseur will believe that coffee would be the most popular after water - but this is not true. The juggernaut that is the coffee industry will believe that the coffee bean is king, but in actual fact the humble tea leaf ranks second. This popular drink is ideal to substitute and help you quit alcohol. Tea has stepped up to the plate and withstood the test of time - it has been consumed from ancient times until today. Tea, like alcohol, has been used as medicine, parts of rituals and a social beverage. Throughout the centuries alcohol has evolved, as has tea, to incorporate different flavors and brewing methods. It is an excellent substitute and tool to help you quit alcohol.

The beginnings of the humble tea leaf are believed to have begun in ancient India and China. There are many legends and myths associated with tea drinking - these are often parallel to the stories surrounding alcohol.

One of the most popular myths is about Shennon, the mythical emperor of China. According to legend, Emperor Shennon was drinking a cup of hot water when the breeze blew and some leaves fell into his cup. The Emperor did not throw away his water - instead he continued to sip, enjoying the flavor of the water. Following the chance of the leaves, Emperor Shennon enjoyed his tea so much he continued the ritual daily.
Traditionally tea has been used for medicinal purposes and as a part of rituals - not so distant from the path alcohol has traveled throughout the last five thousand years. As the world expanded and trade commenced in earnest tea traveled the globe making its home in many nations.

Tea began it's influential journey in Asia and China and the neighboring nations were the first to gain the benefits of tea drinking. On its journey, tea reached the Middle East in 1000 - 500BC. Tea took a longer time to reach Europe, and the first recorded instance was in 1650 at the time of the great Western expansion. When tea reached Europe, the popularity of tea took hold.

Tea has many variations and flavors, but the essential basic of tea is the Camellia Sinesis plant. From this one plant, the tea leaves we consume today are produced in their different colors and flavors depending on the age of the leaves and of its buds. Not so dissimilar to the production of wine! You may be wondering if this can be true - the variations of color are extreme - white, black, green and red to name but a few. A perfect example is the white tea and black tea; white tea comes from its young leaves, while the black tea comes from the fully oxidized leaves. Tea's which are also popular are the herbal or fruit infused teas which are readily available. These teas are made with leaves or plant products of herbs which are infused in hot water to make a type of tea or they are regular tea leaves infused with fruit flavors to provide a variation on regular tea.

Drinking tea, like alcohol, has evolved socially and culturally on a global scale. Tea has left its mark traditionally and culturally across the globe as it increased in its popularity. Tea crosses political and social boundaries - it has been the drink of choice for royals and commoners alike. Tea has been brewed and developed for thousands of years and will continue to brew for many more - perhaps its time to consider it as an alternative to quit alcohol.

Tanya U. Ananin

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The Best Protein Sources for Vegetarians

Protein is a nutrient everyone needs in their diet; it is essential for muscle development and movement, protects the body from infections and acts as an enzyme in several biochemical reactions; so if your diet doesn't include meat, you'll need to discover some protein sources for vegetarians. The functions of protein are endless and most Americans get more protein than they need merely from animal products; however, protein can be found in many other foods besides animal products. If you are a vegetarian or are thinking about becoming one, this list will help you discover the best protein sources for vegetarians.

-Quinoa and other whole grains.
Most whole grains are considered "incomplete proteins" which means they do not contain all of the essential amino acids. They must be coupled with other incomplete proteins, like beans, in order to provide the nutrient adequately. Quinoa, however, is a source of whole grain that is considered a "complete protein." In fact, one cup of cooked quinoa provides about 18 grams of protein-so eat up!

-Beans, lentils and legumes.
All of these healthy foods are excellent sources of protein. You can add them to almost every dish or meal to make it taste even more delicious. They also contain several other nutrients that your body needs.

-Tofu and soy products.
People are often hesitant to try these items, but they are actually quite tasty! Soy ads plenty of flavor to foods-and is a great substitute for milk products. Several brands of tofu are fortified with other nutrients, including vitamin B12, iron and calcium - three nutrients vegetarians may need help with. You can add tofu to just about anything you cook, including stir-fries, pastas, soups and salads.

-Nuts, seeds, and nut butters.
These foods make great snacks for vegetarians, but should be enjoyed in moderation due to their high fat content. They contain a number of nutrients and a portion of fiber that should keep you nourished throughout the day.

-Veggie burgers and meat substitutes.
Most of these products are made from soy protein, wheat protein, or a combination of the two. They usually taste just like the real thing! These are convenient for vegetarians who want to attend barbecues and other events where meat is served.

-Tempeh.
Chances are that you haven't ever heard of tempeh. It is made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans and formed into a patty. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, so experiment with it to increase your protein intake.

There are some excellent protein sources for vegetarians, but it may take some experimenting to figure out what you like the most. Don't be discouraged-you will get plenty of protein if you regularly consume these foods.

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How to Create a Summer Fruit Salad

When the weather gets hot, no one wants to heat up the oven. Summer fruit salads are a good way to stay cool, healthy and nourished just when you need it most. Here are some ideas on how to create the perfect salad for you.

Fruit Salads for Lunch

Fruit salads are not necessarily like traditional salads but they can be just as filling. It all depends on the type of fruits that you include in your creation.

Fiber is your friend. There are several summer fruits that contain a boatload of fiber. As you know fiber fills you up and also helps to flush fat from your digestive system. To boost your intake, include fruits like apples, pears, berries, guava and kiwi. All would make a nice addition to your salad.

Try sweet summer fruits. Many types have natural sweetness that can satisfy even the pickiest sweet tooth. These can be your base for your salad. Suggestions: peaches, nectarines, watermelon and strawberries.

Have you heard the adage, "Too much of a good thing..."? That applies to fruit as well. So you get the sweet taste but not too syrupy especially for a meal, add some tangy citrus fruit to your salad. Suggestions: oranges, pineapples, tangerines, lemons and limes.

Some fruits can turn brown quite easily when exposed to air. Your creation might lose its appeal if the flesh looks mottled when it comes time to eat it. Try tossing your fruit with lemon juice to keep it from going brown after being cut.

To put your summer fruit lunch salad together, start with your favorite greenery. Some use lettuce leaves or kale or turnip greens. This keeps the juice with the fruit so it stays juicy from the time you serve it up until the last bite.

Cut the chosen fruit into cubes. Some fruits can be sliced with the skin on for better nutrition. Toss your fruit with a citrus juice to keep it fresh. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Fruit Salad for Dessert

Fruit doesn't have to be eaten as is for dessert. Liven things up a bit so that everyone will want more. Start with a lunch fruit salad and add a dressing. This is not your vegetable salad dressing. Think sweet and tangy and delicious.

Here are some ideas for toppings and dressings for your summer fruit salad:

• Yogurt and orange juice

• Brown sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla extract

• Sugar, cream cheese, lemon juice

• Yogurt and honey

Dressings can be served on the side or poured over the fruit salad. Toppings with brown sugar can be boiled to create syrup. Toss it with the fruit. Either way, you create a tasty dessert for a hot summer night. Beware of the extra calories you are adding too.

Want an alternative to a heavy meal this summer? Try a summer fruit salad for lunch and/or dessert.

I also invite you to check out our summer cooking tips which offers great advice on keeping your kitchen cool during the hot months.

Wendy Wright - Cooking Gadget Shop [http://cookinggadgetshop.com]

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How to Make a Simple Cobb Salad

Do not underestimate leftovers! Restaurateur Robert Cobb didn't. He took all the leftovers from his fridge at the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant back in 1930s, mixed them in a bowl and added dressing. That was he came up with one of America's most favorite, the Cobb salad.

Cobb salad comes in different variations but the classic one proves to be still the winner. It is kind of garden salad which main ingredients include vegetables, such as Romaine lettuce, endives, and watercress with crispy bacon, tomato, roast chicken breast, egg, avocado, Roquefort cheese, chives, and seasoned with red wine vinegar.

While most types of salad are tossed together, Cobb salad is served with all the ingredients arranged on the plate.

How To Prepare;

Below are your main ingredients and procedure for preparing your Cobb Salad.

Ingredients:

Hard-boiled eggs 3 pcs. peeled and chopped
Bacon Sliced
Romaine lettuce 1 head, cut into bite-size
Boiled chicken breast at least 4 cups, diced
Avocados peeled and diced
Tomatoes chopped
Roquefort cheese 4 oz., crumbled

Dressing:

Red Wine vinegar - 1/4 cup
Dijon Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Crushed garlic - 1 clove
Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Olive oil - 1/3 cup
Fresh ground black pepper - 1/2 tsp

Procedure;

First, fry the bacon, drain oil on a paper towel, and cut into crumbles.

Place romaine lettuce on a plate to serve as bed for the other recipes. Next, top the lettuce with chicken, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, avocados, and Roquefort cheese arranged in rows.

Prepare the dressing in a bowl. Mix the garlic, salt, pepper, mustard, Red Wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, put the olive oil and whisk. Pour the dressing on the salad and serve.

Health Facts;

The colorful and yummy Cobb Salad is not only a delectable dish with an interesting history. It also makes for a healthy main or side dish. For one, Cobb salad has enough proteins, the amino-acid carrying nutrient that is responsible for keeping your cells, skin, nails, and hair healthy. The Romaine lettuce is also rich in anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, Vitamins C and K, iron, calcium, and folate, among others. Avocado is also high in B vitamins, potassium, and good fats.

Cobb salad is not actually an ideal meal for those who are on strict diet because of the high amount of calories gained through avocado, cheese, eggs, bacon and chicken.

But if you can't resist the Cobb Salad's tempting colorful, and yummy look, you can always put away half of the cheese, avocado, eggs, and bacon and leave just enough to satisfy your cravings without loading up the calories.

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Salad Basics - How To Make The Perfect Salad

Salads have become a meal time standard. Toss up a starting course of some mixed greens, mix up a side dish of creamy potato salad or a hearty pasta salad for center stage. Now lets brush up on our salad basics.

Selecting Storing And Handling Salad Greens

You'll want to choose fresh, crisp greens with no bruises, discoloration or wilting.

You can choose from the below or mix as many of them as you like for a delicious green salad.

1. Arugula, has small slender, dark leaves that are similar to radish leaves. You'll want to choose smaller leaves for a milder flavor.

2.Radicchio, looks like a small loose leaf cabbage with small tender leaves and a some what bitter flavor.

3. Mixed Salad Greens (Prepackaged ) You'll find these for sale in most supermarkets and grocery stores and you can use these salad greens as a base for lots of other salads.

4. Spinach, you can choose packages of baby spinach and add a lot of flavor to any salad. Baby spinach is also very good for you.

5. Cabbage, you can add finely shredded red, purple, or regular cabbage to your mix and add a lot of body, flavor, and depth with this choice.

6. Wild Greens, you'll usually find these sold as a prepackaged mix and they include dandelion, oak leaf lettuce, chickweed, chervil, and a few others. These pack a lot of flavor.

7. Iceberg, This is one of the old time favorites that a lot of people use. Shred it up in long ribbons and add a delightfully unique texture.

Once you've chosen your green mixture you can add red sweet onion, radishes, bell peppers, green onions, chives, cucumbers, broccoli, canned washed and drained beans, hot peppers, tuna, chicken, baby corn, and lots of other choices to come up with a delightfully delicious salad that will have people including you wanting more.

You'll want to be sure to choose fresh, crisp greens that have no bruises, discoloration or spots. If the greens look wilted or discolored discard them and don't use.

For best results mix mild flavored greens with more flavorful ones. Try tossing iceberg with spinach with a few pine nuts thrown in to build a delicious flavorful salad with a lot of body and flavor. Top it with feta cheese, diced fresh tomatoes, and crumbled bacon for a tasty treat that will have you wanting more.

Tomatoes have a lot of water in them so wait until your just about ready to serve your salad before you add the tomatoes. Try all the new heirloom tomatoes showing up at flea markets and farmers markets now. If you do you'll find some delicious new flavors.

And finally no recipe is written in stone. Try thinking outside the box and come up with combinations that you like. Your going after flavors that you like or that compliment each other or you should be. Try adding pine nuts, fine chopped anchovies, crumbled blue cheese or other unique ingredients to bring out delightfully new flavors that people are sure to love.

Thomas Byers has been an award winning Chef and Herbal Researcher for over forty years now. You can click the below link and check out all his latest Hub Pages.

http://crazyhorsesghost.hubpages.com/

You'll find that he enjoys writing on a variety of subjects and he really enjoys sharing recipes, herbal information, and cooking advice with his readers. Mr Byers has been a working Executive Chef for over forty years and he has a lot of great cooking knowledge to share.

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Top 10 Healthy Breakfast Foods

When you get up in the morning it's really important to have a meal. Why? This is because of the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives your metabolism the necessary energy level to start your day. Here are the top 10 healthy breakfast foods to have a good start in the morning.

1. Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with sliced oranges, peaches, blueberries, low fat granola and 6 oz. plain, nonfat yogurt is a healthy recipe to start your day and it can easily be prepared in 10 minutes.

2. Spinach and Tomato Omelet is another healthy breakfast treat that could start your day. It could give you your needed fiber and protein in order for you to get your day right. If you want to make a spinach and tomato omelet on your next breakfast then the recipe is as follows: 3 eggs or 6 egg whites, slightly beaten, º cup cooked spinach, nonstick spay, 6 pieces sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Try it and you will be amazed on how it tastes.

3. If you are planning to make pancakes for your breakfast then you should consider making them healthy. Healthy pancakes have the same taste of the classic breakfast treat minus the high-glycemic carbohydrates and the added calories. If you have the following ingredients then you can easily make one for yourself: 2 eggs, º canola oil, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 cups low fat milk, _ teaspoon salt and wheat germ and 1 _ cups whole wheat pastry flour.

4. If you are looking for a protein packed breakfast then scrambled tofu can be your best bet for a high protein breakfast. Add some green peppers, onions and some light tamari sauce, garlic powder and black pepper to your tofu then stir-fry it with a little olive oil. It may sound simple but it will surely give you give you a fulfilling breakfast.

5. Kashi Golean Crunch or any whole grain cereal is also a good choice. Just add milk or soymilk and some fresh fruit to it and you instantly have a treat.

6. Fresh fruit salad is also a good choice. How can you go wrong with fresh fruits? Just choose some fresh fruits, cut it up and add some lemon juice or lime to it. Voila! It tastes just perfect.

7. Whole-wheat toast and almond butter with grapefruit is one of the best combinations for a healthy toast. Put a little sugar on top of the grapefruit and combine it with almond butter to have the right amount of protein for your day. It may sound sinful but it sure is healthy!

8. Protein shakes with extras can help you get your needed nutrients easily especially when you are on the go. You can use a soy protein powder with low fat or soymilk then add frozen blueberries or bananas to give your protein shake a tasteful twist to it.

9. Cottage cheese and fruit can also be combined to give you both carbohydrates and protein. Choose your favorite fruits and add to them to the low fat cottage cheese. You can keep them in a plastic container if you want them to be accessible even if you are in a hurry.

10. Oatmeal mixed with fruits and milk is a staple item in the category of healthy breakfast foods. This breakfast treat has been for ages and it helps you lower down your cholesterol while giving you your required fiber intake for the whole day.

You can find more health breakfast recipes and information at our blog http://yeahtips.com/2009/11/21/eat-your-breakfast-children.

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Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes

Often at the beginning of the New Year emphasis is placed on bettering ourselves through New Year's resolutions concerning health. This may be by getting out and walking more, hitting the gym or just watching less television. One of the most important facets of getting healthy and creating that physique we want is eating well planned and healthy meals that encompass all of the food groups without piling on the calories. It is easy to find healthy dinner recipes that meet this goal and create an avenue with which to begin your path to a better you!

One of the basic steps when thinking about eating is beginning the shift from processed food that has been chemically altered and the nutrients have been modified to fresh, seasonal foods that you prepare yourself in your own kitchen. While it seems daunting to some, cooking is just like any other undertaking, practice will lead to perfection. In addition, just like any other hobby or new skill one learns, do not be scared to ask for help from experts or seek out help through the use of cookbooks or online resources. Time may be a factor for some emergent chefs to be, but many recipes are created with constraints in mind and numerous healthy meals can be prepared in very little time. With a small investment of some cooking gear, time and the willingness to learn a new hobby, just about anybody can be a master of their kitchen and begin healthy eating.

When planning healthy dinners it is important to look at portion size. A healthy portion of any meat dish is four ounces. That is about the size of a deck of cards. When planning a steak or chicken dinner keep that in mind as you are cutting your feast. A deck of cards may seem small but when paired with an array of healthy sides, it can also be very filling. It is helpful to consider your plate as you mete out your food. The bulk of your meal should be leafy greens and vegetables, the more colors you have on your plate, the more vitamins you have on your plate. If you imagine your meal being divided into three sections it is easy to visualize half your plate being greens and veggies, a quarter being meat based and the final quarter being reserved for a whole grain. Eating can be simple and healthy.

There are many websites devoted to healthy cooking so finding how to prepare that meat dish or how to spruce up that drab salad can be an easy adventure in culinary arts. Even a novice cook can pick most of these recipes right off the site and begin to prepare it. Keep in mind while looking for recipes to seek out ones that use a variety of vegetables and greens and allots for healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados and nuts. Look for recipes that are low in sodium and do not pile on the salt. Salts should bring out the flavors of foods, not over power them.

With a little practice and by focusing on fresh ingredients that you prepare yourself, you can easily get out of the processed fast food rut and find food bliss in your own kitchen by preparing healthy dinner recipes.

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How To Make Yellow Split Pea Ham Soup Recipe

If you and your family enjoy eating soups and stews, you might like to learn how to make this yellow split pea ham soup. It is an adaptation of an old fashioned Swedish soup recipe. Long ago, they would make and serve this soup to their family and friends. They might serve it with hot punch and buttered rye bread. For dessert, they might serve some homemade preserves over some very tiny pancakes. Interestingly, while eating this type of soup they would dip their spoons in mustard and then into their soup before eating it.

You may or may not want to recreate the same type of meal they enjoyed back then. This is fine since you can serve this soup with assorted crackers or assorted breads. A green side salad with cherry tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, mushrooms, and shredded cheese will go well with this soup.

The most important thing is to enjoy your time with family and friends while preparing some healthy and wholesome meals and snacks for everyone to enjoy. Soup and stew recipes are popular with many people. Soups and stews are some of the oldest of comfort foods you can enjoy today.

Recipe for Yellow Split Pea Ham Soup

What You Need

1 pound split yellow peas
6 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium diced onion
2 diced garlic cloves
2 cups diced celery
2 smoked ham hocks
1 pound lean boneless cubed pork
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Prepared mustard

How to Make It

To prepare the yellow split peas you will need to soak them in the 6 cups water or more to cover the peas. Allow them to sit overnight in a large Dutch oven or stewpot.

Pour off the water the next day and add more water. Turn on the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover and cook for about 2 or 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Allow the beans to stand covered with a lid for 1 hour.

Pour off the water and add enough water to cover the beans. Return to a boil and then add the salt, diced onion, diced garlic cloves, diced celery, smoked ham hocks, and boneless cubed pork.

Cover and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Simmer on low for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender and the meat is done. Stir two or three times toward the end of the hour to reduce scorching and burning. Add more water if necessary.

Remove ham hocks. Cut and dice meat from the bone. Discard the skins and bones. Return meat to the pot.

Add the marjoram, thyme, and pepper. Stir to combine. You can serve this immediately or allow it to cool for a bit before serving. Traditionally, you will serve this type of yellow split pea ham soup in a soup plate with a little prepared mustard dabbed on the rim of the plate.

You might like to try this is delicious soup. However, if you are interested in learning how to make a beef stew recipe or even some crock pot beef stew, you should visit our website today. We have many great tasting ideas to share with you and your family.

Make Something Ordinary Into Something Extraordinary - EasyStewRecipes.com

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Vary Your Use Of Bread In Recipes

When thinking about bread recipes, common recipes will come to mind, whether it is thanksgiving stuffing, bread pudding, breaded fish, or French toast. The possibilities for uses of bread are endless, and can be showcased in a lot of new and unique ways.

Bread Crusted Salmon

A show stopper is a bread crusted piece of salmon. In this recipe, a salmon fillet is lightly brushed with dijon mustard. After the salmon is seasoned with a favorite blend of fresh herbs, such as tarragon, parsley, or thyme, the salmon is "crusted" in bread. A slice of white bread is trimmed of the crust, and then rolled very thin with a rolling-pin. The fish is then topped with the piece of rolled out bread, and then cooked, bread side down, until the bread is golden brown in color. The salmon is flipped, and then placed in the oven to continue cooking until the desired level is reached.

Bread in Sauce

Another unique use for bread is to utilize it in a sauce. A Spanish sauce called romesco, is a wonderful sauce used to top vegetables as well as meats such as chicken, or beef. Romesco is an almond, roasted pepper, and tomato based sauce which is pureed. The addition of sherry wine vinegar, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs are added as well. The sauce showcases bread as it is added to the tomato blend, and creates a thickness to the sauce.

Bread in Soup

Similar to romesco sauce, a variation to romeso is a Gazpacho, which is a chilled tomato based soup. Gazpacho utilizes the similar ingredients to romesco, but typically has the addition of cucumbers and onions. This refreshing soup utilizes typically sourdough bread to thicken the soup and give it a wonderful feel.

Bread in Salad

A fantastic leftover use for baguettes would be to make croutons, and better yet, the famous Italian salad known as a panzanella. Panzanella comprises of rustic pieces of olive oil seasoned baked croutons, with the addition of fresh tomatoes and basil. Fresh spring mix field greens, and a light balsamic vinaigrette make up this delicious salad. The key to the salad is to serve it at the very last moment, to make sure that the bread remains crunchy, which gives the salad its textural contrast.

French bread Pizzas

One of the easiest and quickest bread recipes to prepare during the week is to make French bread pizza. A baguette of bread is sliced in half, and spread with tomato sauce. Assorted toppings and cheese can be added, and then can be baked in a 375 degree oven until the bread is toasted.

Aside from bread recipes, bread can be used in a very handy way to degrease gravies and soups. If a visible lining of oil coats a certain sauce or soup, a chef trick is to take a piece of bread, and lightly skim the top of the soup or sauce. This allows the bread to absorb the oil without losing any of the sauce or soup you make.

With so many varieties of bread and bread recipes, and so many applications, bread can truly be elevated in dishes beyond the typical use of making sandwiches or toast.

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Cleanse Your Body After An Alcohol Rich Christmas

Addaction shows Britain incurs a 40% rise in alcohol consumption during the month of December. This is comprised of 600 million units of alcohol drunk due to 41% of women and 54% of men drinking over the recommended guidelines. Furthermore, with New Year's Day topping the highest UK hospital admissions, close behind in second place is the Saturday before Christmas, contributing an average of 176 admissions directly from acute intoxication.

Unfortunately, according to the Guardian newspaper, this has made Britain often appearing as the country with the highest level of alcohol consumption during the Christmas period, more than any other country in the world.

In addition to the short term effects, the Independent warns people of the long term effects such as liver disease and other alcohol related problems that can occur from the average of 18 pints of beer, 3 bottles of wine, 1 bottle of spirits and 4 glasses of fortified wine, every Briton drinks during the 12 days of Christmas. Without considerations to the longer term, many people recommend trying out a variety of hangover remedies to reduce the painful effects of over drinking during Christmas.

The major reason to your terrible condition the morning after is due to lack of fluids. The NHS shows how alcohol deprives the body of fluids causing dehydration. The way to fight the negative effects is to make sure you eat a carbohydrate rich meal before drinking and continue to drink plenty of water during and after your alcohol drinking session. In addition to rehydration through water, many others claim to ease the effects through other complementary sources.

Fruit and vegetable juices are widely known for their hangover fighting benefits. BBC Health state that the vitamin C in fruits such as Oranges, speed up the metabolism of alcohol in the body, therefore reducing that horrible feeling the left over alcohol in your body promotes. Consequently, many companies have made their name from manufacturing juices in order to fight the downsides to life. From BluePrint cleansing drinks to Oz Ultra detox drinks, demand for maintaining a healthy body has never been larger.

Majority of this demand will probably be seen through the growth of a fitness focus. With thousands just in the UK with gym memberships, exercising will have its annual peak in January due to the after Christmas weight gain. Along with working out, demand for recovery drinks and protein shakes will undoubtedly see its yearly high with people wanting to fight off all those alcohol calories but without more suffering.

As warned, the Christmas period is one for heavy drinking and even heavier after effects. If you are one of those unfortunate enough to endure alcohols painstaking consequences, then why not try an added intake of juice nutrients and recovery drinks while you work all those liquid calories off.

Arnold Nevsky has been writing articles for many years an has a lot of experience. However with his latest article he needed help from Muscle Finesse, a supplier of good supplements, due to their knowledge of the industry.

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Easy Vegan Nutrition Tips For Optimal Health

If you're new to the vegan diet or just considering making the lifestyle commitment, you may have questions about achieving optimal vegan nutrition. The most common concerns seem to be centered on protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and DHA. Obviously, you want to stick to your goals and beliefs without sacrificing your health - or your family's health - in the process. This brief guide should help clarify any confusion so that you can make ideal choices to support your vegan diet.

Protein

One of the biggest myths perpetuated by non-vegans is that vegans will suffer from some protein deficiency and eventually experience a failure to thrive. Not only do we not need animal protein, we don't need the huge amounts of protein typically found in the standard American diet. In fact, eating too much protein can cause significant damage to your health.

Vegans can easily get high quality protein from soy products, seitan (derived from wheat), legumes (beans and peas), nuts, grains (particularly quinoa), and even some vegetables such as artichokes are excellent sources of vegan protein.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most misunderstood nutrients. Cow's milk is served in our public schools as a lunchroom requirement and is often pushed as the only way to have healthy teeth and strong bones. However, this is not entirely correct.

Leafy green vegetables (especially kale and collards), tempeh, broccoli, fortified nut or hemp milks, and blackstrap molasses are all high quality vegan options for calcium. One of the easiest ways to integrate blackstrap molasses is to make your own vegan barbecue sauce for spreading on grilled veggie burgers or dipping your chicken alternative nuggets.

Vitamin B12

Supplementation with vitamin B12 is widely accepted as necessary for vegans and vegetarians alike. If you eat meat, you may get enough vitamin B12 because grazing animals obtain theirs from the soil while munching on pasture grasses. However, we don't pull veggies out of the ground and eat them with the dirt still on them due to fears of bacterial contamination. Consequently, we need other methods to ensure adequate intake.

Fortunately, there are many fortified foods that offer vitamin B12. You can also find vegan sources of supplements that you can take orally or as a patch. Additionally, you can add fortified nutritional yeast to your diet in the form of sauces and gravies quite easily and it tastes good too! Adding just one tablespoon to your meal gets very close to the recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12.

DHA

DHA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid most commonly found in fish. The typical vegan diet does not contain enough of this critical nutrient and over time, you can end up with a deficiency. Even though walnuts, hemp seeds and flax seeds have adequate ALA that our bodies can convert to DHA, most vegans and vegetarians will require supplementation.

So if you can't take fish oil capsules, what do you do? DHA supplementation derived from microalgae is a natural vegan alternative. There are sources that are grown in laboratories instead of being derived from our seas and oceans for people who are concerned with the increase of toxins (namely mercury) in our water sources.

Living a healthy lifestyle utilizing vegan nutrition alternatives is not only possible, it's easy with just a little planning ahead.

Serena Li is a web content contributor with Basic-Natural LLC, a socially conscious company dedicated to providing consumers with up-to-date information on the sustainability industry. For news, information, and everyday green living tips, please visit the company blog.

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Healthy Diet Recipes Are the Way to Overall Health

The number of people who are currently overweight or clinically obese continues to grow every day, and if you find that you have joined the ranks of the millions of Americans who are trying to control their ever-growing girth, then it may be time to try healthy diet recipes in your own kitchen.

One of the worst things that has happened over the past two generations it that fast food is now an accepted dining choice for most families. What used to be a treat that a family would have once a month is now a normal meal, and often times it is a daily meal. What makes matters worse is that the average portion size served at the major fast food restaurants has literally doubled over the past ten years.

If you find that you don't have time to cook, you might want to re-think this. There is always time to make healthy diet recipes, many of which you can make at the beginning of the week and refrigerate or freeze for a later date. This is actually a less time-consuming and certainly a lot more affordable option to sitting in a fast food drive-through line.

Of course, eating healthy diet recipes is not just about losing weight. Yes, you will find that when you start eating natural foods at home that everyone in your house begins to lose weight, but you will also notice an increase in energy and overall fitness. The advantages of eating foods that aren't highly processed, deep fried, or saturated with artificial colorings and flavorings go well beyond your waistline.

Cooking natural, healthy, and fresh food is much easier than you think and with the help of a good recipe book, you will find that it is some of the tastiest food you or your family has ever eaten.

Jana Moore is a writer and researcher on products for households such as healthy diet recipes. Save time and money by getting a FREE in-depth review of this product and many others including discounts and best prices at this blog: healthydietrecipesinfo.com

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Power Recipes For Juicing That Target Specific Health Concerns

Are you satisfied with your health? If you could change something about your health, anything, what would it be? Of course, juicing probably won't fix everything...but it can do a lot. When you employ strategically targeted recipes for juicing you can, in fact, get relief from some of your most troublesome health problems.

The most common reason that people get into juicing is because of the numerous health benefits. Certainly, a well-balanced juicing program is the most logical approach...but when there are specific health problems that need to be corrected you will want to find recipes that are effective in helping your body to heal itself. Please observe that the focus here is on the body's natural healing power. Juicing doesn't heal. It merely provides your body with the super powered nutrients it needs to do what it was designed to do.

It is not hard to find strategically targeted recipes. A simple web search will get you going. First of all, you need to become knowledgeable about your health problem. Second, you want to discover which nutrients work best for targeting your problem. And then thirdly, you will need to find fruits and vegetables that are high in potency for the vitamins and minerals you need for tackling your problem. Your final step will be to create recipes from your research.

Following are some simple juicing recipes that will give you an overview of how simple this process can be. Keep in mind that healing is not instantaneous but you should begin to see an improvement in your health in only a few weeks.

One of my favorite juicing recipes...and one that I believe we all need is an alkaline mixture. Most of our bodies, due to our modern diets, are highly acidic. Juicing vegetables will help bring your body into a proper alkaline/acid pH balance. To strategically target the problem you will need a 4th of a head of cabbage and 3 stalks of celery. Yeah...I'm not in love with the taste...but this combination will work wonders for your health. If you have a heartburn or acid reflux problem this juicing mixture is right on target.

Many of us have a problem with regularity. Rather than taking a harsh laxative take advantage of what Mother Nature gave you. Juice 2 apples and one pear. By the way...this powerful elixir not only provides great health benefits it also tastes great.

Do you lack energy? Here's a great energy booster: 6 carrots and a handful of parsley. You can also throw in a couple of stalks of celery and 2 cloves of garlic for a little extra kick.

Want to cleanse your liver? For this strategic recipe you will need 3 carrots and and one-half of a beet. "Did he just say raw beets?" Indeed I did. You will be pleasantly surprised with the flavor. More importantly, you will be very pleased with the health benefits.

To cleanse your body you can use the same recipe that was suggested for your liver. Just modify the combination a little bit with 4 carrots, a whole beet, and one-half of a cucumber.

Based on the information that I have shared, you should now have a good idea of what you will need to do to create health-smart recipes for juicing. Be persistent, positive, and constant in your pursuit of new vitality, better health, and wellness through the amazing power of juicing and you will see amazing results.

Richard Weirich is a juicing expert. For more great tips, resources, and information on recipes for juicing visit http://www.juicingpro.com.

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Cheap Healthy Meals: Chicken Broth Recipe

The base for a host of easy, cheap healthy meals lies in preparing a good meat or fish stock or broth. Rather than get into the somewhat irrelevant controversy over what the difference is between a stock and broth I will just call this my chicken broth recipe.

Before we jump into the mechanics let's discuss the health benefits of making your own chicken broth from scratch, not to mention the much superior tantalizing flavors. To begin with, you really want to start with a bird that has been raised humanely with space, fresh air and sunshine and access to natural forage.

That way you will be assured of obtaining all of the important nutrients in the gravies, soups, sauces and other dishes you use the broth as a base for. If you prepare the broth properly it will be chock full of minerals drawn from bone, marrow, cartilage and the veggies.

These minerals are very easy for our bodies to assimilate as they are in the form of electrolytes. One of the biggest boons in a properly prepared broth, which is largely absent in commercial products, is the gelatin pulled out of the bones during the long simmering.

This gelatin is hydrophilic, which means it has the rare property of attracting liquids. This greatly enhances digestion by drawing digestive juices to the food. This is why traditionally prepared gravies and sauces were added to meals as well as why, in many cultures, soup was served before the main course.

Gelatin from a bone broth also spares protein. This is an important aspect of preparing inexpensive nutritious meals because you can do with a smaller portion of meat. It provides a means of getting all of the necessary nutrients and attaining the same level of satiation while spending less money.

For whatever reason, chickens raised commercially in overcrowded conditions, never seeing the light of day while being fed cheaply with primarily genetically modified grains and filled with antibiotics often do not produce gelatinous broth.

I enjoy eating chicken prepared in a variety of ways including roasted, in soups, in pot pies or in a wrap to name a few. Hence, I have adopted two basic ways of making broth, which allow me to make the most of the birds I purchase.

The first way I make it is with a whole bird. Then after simmering for about 24 hours I carefully collect all of the meat and put it aside for soups and pot pies and stuff. This way I have gravy ready for when I roast a bird.

As much of the flavor and many of the nutrients have been drawn out of the meat I preserve, I make the subsequent dishes with the stock. This not only returns the flavor and nutrients but add more drawn from the bones, marrow and gristle, which would otherwise be waste.

The second way I make a broth is to freeze the carcasses of roasted birds till I have 3 or 4 then make broth with them. In either case I cut up the gizzards and add them also. Organ meat is a great source of vitamin A and its widespread use in traditional cuisines throughout the world attest to its health benefits. Being somewhat frugal I usually save the unusable greens from leeks, carrot ends and trimmings from celery stalks.

So, when I make a broth I just grab whatever I have in the freezer for vegetable trimmings. For those of you who are not quite so frugal you can add a couple of onions, a couple of carrots and a few stalks of celery all coarsely chopped.

I cut up my whole chicken and put it or the carcasses in a large stock pot with a couple of gallons of water along with the veggies and chopped gizzards and a ¼ cup of vinegar. Cooking it with vinegar, which is acidic, helps draw out the minerals especially calcium, potassium and magnesium.

I let it stand for about an hour to give the vinegar time to work then bring it to a boil. I then carefully skim off all of the scum which surfaces as this will otherwise ruin the broth. Then I simmer it for about 24 hours.

Probably about 6 hours will suffice to make a nice stock, but the longer time draws out more nutrients and flavor. About 10 minutes before I turn it off I add a couple of sprigs of fresh parsley. I then let it cool and if I used a whole chicken I collect and preserve the meat for the above noted uses.

After straining the liquid I place it in the fridge in a large bowl till the fat congeals so I can skim it off. If the broth does not gel you can reduce it by simmering it till it does. If it is one mass of gel you can make it go further by thinning it with water.

I freeze mine in yogurt containers or cheap ones from the dollar store in convenient sizes for subsequent recipes. Having homemade broth on hand greatly facilitates me in preparing cheap healthy meals.

More ideas for cheap healthy meals can be found at our diamond author's website at culinarytidbits.com.

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Weight Loss Exercise Plan

Regardless of your commitment to lose weight in terms of the food you eat, exercise will be an essential part of your weight loss program. Consider the tips below for maintaining motivation and maximizing your potential weight loss by changing your exercise routine four times a year.

Consider consulting with an exercise professional four times a year and communicating your goals for exercise change pursuant to your losing weight goals. Many professionals offer three-session packages that are reasonably priced that will help you ascertain reasonable exercise changes that will yield continued positive results.

Keep track of your exercise routine change times with any calendar in order to give yourself a clear idea of start and stop dates for a particular exercise routine. Incorporate the use of a symbol such as a checkmark for the days during the exercise period that you actually exercise. Record your weight during the four times during the year to keep track of your weight loss goals.

If you are not satisfied with weight loss results at the end of a particular three-month period, first determine whether you missed more days of exercise during that period of time than you typically miss during a specific three-month period, as well as other outside weight loss factors such as holiday seasons before determining that the exercise routine did not work.

If your failure to meet your losing weight goals during a specific three-month period coincided with a time when you took a lot of days off from exercise, change your time of day for exercise during the next three month period. Consider partnering with someone else or scheduling training with someone you pay to further encourage yourself to stick with exercise for weight loss.

As you lose weight you should pay attention to toning your overall body with your exercise changes to maximize the benefits to your appearance from weight loss. Don't use the excuse of not belonging to a gym to avoid changing your exercise routine. A change can be accomplished by adding carrying light weights during a walk or by adding crunches to your routine.

If you find an exercise that you particularly enjoy, you do not have to omit that exercise from your routine when you make changes. Enjoying an exercise means that you're likelier to do it which will support your weight loss efforts. If you prefer a specific machine such as a treadmill or elliptical over a bicycle, don't remove activities you prefer but instead combine them with other activities you prefer less, such as splitting your cardio between treadmill and bicycle.

If you belong to a gym, consider trying out the express fitness routine that many gyms have in order to determine whether new machines or activities should be part of your next exercise routine change.

Your weight loss goals must be supported by an effective exercise routine in order to maintain your health. Use the tips above to incorporate changing your exercise routine four times a year as a means of maximizing your ability to achieve your weight loss goals.

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A Planned Approach to Weight Loss

Weight loss occurs when the body is using more energy than it is consuming, it will use stored reserves from fat or muscle, gradually leading to weight loss.

In addition to resorting to an ideal diet that has less calories, action needs to be taken to increase the metabolic rate of the body. Regardless of one's age this can be achieved.

If one is consuming 2000 calories daily but burning only 1500 calories surely this will result in weight gain. This unfortunately is a daily occurrence. There are many people who have gained a considerable amount of weight and keep wondering "how did that happen?" in the first place.

When the amount of muscles in your body is increased especially after weight training exercises, the muscles are metabolically active even after exercises and continue to burn calories even when resting. This type of exercise is highly recommended if convenient.

Not everyone is able to go to the gym and carry out weight training. However if more people were aware that simply moving practically any part of the body will result in calories been burnt they would do so. One should pace up and down, open and close the fists, tap the feet, move the head around use the stairs more often. Just imagine moving almost any part of the body instead of remaining motionless.

How about going to the park for a brisk walk for at least half an hour three times per week? That would certainly be great for weight loss. Think of the overall advantage to the body to do these exercises for at least ten minutes at a time each day, not only would weight loss be achieved, but the entire body would gain maximum benefit.

After one sticks to an exercise and calorie routine, then it is very important to carefully monitor one's calorie intake. In order for one not to gain weight easily, the scales should be used at least once per week to monitor your weight stability.

Of course sometimes when one is losing weight, one can easily exceed the amount of weight one intended to lose. Here the calorie intake need to be increased until the intended weight is achieved.

Eating healthily is so important. To maintain good health, means to have a balance diet daily. Fruit and vegetables are so important in our daily food intake, cereals and potatoes, milk and other dairy foods, meat and fish. These all form a part of a balance diet. Foods that are high in fats and sugar should be consumed in small portions. These include biscuits, cakes, soft drinks, pastries. These foods are among the best tasting foods, but could prove detrimental.

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Weight Loss Tips That Will Take You to the Top

Are you one of those people who have tried just about everything out there to help you lose weight and have failed miserably time and time again? So why do you think that you have fallen short of your goals? Well if you stop and take a look at the big picture for a minute, you may realize that it might just be something that you are doing (or not doing) that is the main reason that you have not succeeded in your weight loss goals.

It's the truth that you will always get out of something what you actually put into it. So it's safe to say that you have been failing on your program not because the particular diet or supplement regimen didn't actually work, but because it was you who didn't actually work. So here are some extremely helpful tips for you so that you can change your future at this moment and start succeeding at the weight loss game.

The very first thing that you need to do is accept the fact that your success lies in your hands and in nothing else. This can also be referred to as taking responsibility for your actions. So when you see that you have failed at losing the weight that you set out for yourself, know that it was your decision and not the fault of anyone else or anything. Realize that your future is in your own hands and that you have the power to change it.

After you have accepted responsibility, you must then get your head in gear and light the fire under your seat. In essence, you must be determined beyond belief that you are going to trim down your belly fat and fit into those jeans that you did when you were much younger. All success starts in the mind with the proper mindset and attitude, so get yourself psyched up and ready to tackle the toughest obstacles that stand between the you that is right here and the you that is waiting for you after you dropped the pounds. The main point is to believe with all of your heart that you will achieve your goal and get into the best shape of your life.

When you have taken responsibility and set your mind with determination then you will be able to control the amount of food that you eat every day. Overeating is the main cause of obesity and the one thing that you must take care of right from the start. Being able to control your portions is much more important than the actual types of food that you are eating. Most people could see a great reduction in bodyweight if they just started eating smaller portions and cut their calories every day. It would be ideal to get a lot of fruits and vegetables in every day but in the real world this is not always possible. SO the best suggestion is to limit the amount of food that you are eating each day and you will see the numbers start to reduce on the scale too.

After you have your self control in check it is time to start burning up all of that extra belly fat with some intense workouts. When you hear the word "intense" please don't think that you need to go to a gym to get your burn on. There are many ways that you can get a killer workout in right at home or at the Public Park or recreation center. Try doing some interval training where you are exercising at 100% of your physical capacity for a short burst followed by a lighter interval. An example would be to sprint for 30 seconds followed by a light jog for 60. Then you would repeat this several consecutive times and will ultimately get a serious fat burning workout without stepping foot into a health club.

Although these suggestions are really simple, they will go a long way in helping you to take responsibility, take action and take your weight loss to the next level. So get off your couch and get going to a successful weight loss program for the ultimate in health and fitness.

If you are interested in getting the absolute most out of your weight loss program then a weight loss supplement like Phen375 may be what you need. Be sure and get the facts before you buy Phen375 so you can find out if using a product like this is the right thing for you.

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