Weight loss Surgery May Increase Suicide Risk

I have talked about my thoughts on weight loss surgery before on fat burning spot. The latest research shows an increase in rate of suicide for people who have undergone weight loss surgery. It is not a major increase however any increase when it comes to life and death is major. I feel fat burning diets are a better solution.



A report by the American Journal of Medicine showed the increase in risk of suicide among those who had the surgery when compared to the general population. Read more

weight loss surgery

Rapid Weight Loss Diet

Here are the Best Rapid Weight Loss Diet Techniques that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim sexy head turner body

First thing you should do if you're over-weight is to seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss diet. This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to your determination of proper weight loss technique. And to lose weight fast and effectively, 4 aspects of your life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, your behavior and the activity level.

Here are Extreme Weight Loss Diet Tips that can change your life:

1. Rapid weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements. Begin by learning a diet food plan that you can easily get familiarized with. Include an exercise plan that allows even at least 15 minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

2. Set realistic goals. The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those unwanted pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, you will never be discouraged and you'll stay focused.

3. Listen to your body. Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different rapid weight loss diets, programs and plans. Try substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction. Exercise program must be suitable to your body, as you may not be able to exercise as rigorously as others can. If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. Muscles burn more calories than fats so it is also best to put on a little muscle and look good too.

4. Eat more fibers because it makes you feel full sooner and longer, slowing down the rate of your body's digestion. A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster. Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body's insulin level. Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

5. Avoid fried foods especially deep-fried; this contains a great amount of fat. Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried. It is recommended, if you're on a strict diet to opt for grilled food because this doesn't have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

6. Drink lots of fluid. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed and hydrated. Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

Overall, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success. By following this Rapid Weight Loss Diet Techniques: Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation in a regular way everyday; will result in faster weight loss than having a crash diet only to go back to old habits. This would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

Celeb Diet Secrets: Celebrity Diets that Work

Here are some of Celeb Diet Secrets that Work

Celebrities always look great and fabulous. Whether appearing in movies, or television or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to amaze us.

Truth is, it takes a lot of effort to look the way they do, and being the public figures that they are, they cannot afford to slack off when it comes to taking care of their physical appearances. Aside from the clothes, the hair and the makeup, celebrities have to take good care of their bodies.

Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebs:

1. Jennifer Aniston
The star of the phenomenal television show Friends not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay slim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:
40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
-Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes
30% lean proteins
-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy products
30% essential fats
-nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils
It is essential that every meal should contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

2. Kate Hudson
The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed quickly before commencing on her next film. From her previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has gained abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in Hollywood.

3. Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of fans and audiences. Known as one of those celebs who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked figure in age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out 5 days a week, spending 30 minutes on the treadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of fruits and vegetables, legumes, fish, nuts, chicken and dairy products that are low-fat. She limits her intake of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her slim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow
A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, lean meat and brown rice. She does yoga everyday and also eliminated dairy from her diet.

5. Madonna
The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by having Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

6. Claudia Schiffer
The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

7. Christie Brinkley
Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

Celebs are just like ordinary people. They need to maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye.

It's no surprise that these celebs have their own diet secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy and gorgeous?

Ordinary folks can have celebrity-like bodies, too, and by following these celeb diet secrets and fitness plans, they can also look like red-carpet worthy.

Which Chocolate is Best for Weight Loss?

Dark Chocolate vs Milk Chocolate: Which one's best for weight loss?

There’s evidence that the body responds differently to the calories in dark chocolate versus milk chocolate.

Milk chocolate contains more sugar and, as such, is more likely to trigger cravings and be stored as fat. Dark chocolate contains less sugar and is more satiating: A study at Denmark’s University of Copenhagen found that compared with milk chocolate eaters, women who enjoyed 3.5 oz. of dark chocolate reported fewer cravings and ate 15 percent fewer calories over the next five hours.

That’s likely thanks to the healthy monounsaturated fatty acids in dark chocolate , but not in milk chocolate.

Tip: Did you know that having goodies in the house limits munching?
Stocking pantry shelves with tempting treats can actually reduce the urge to indulge, according to a study at Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

The researchers concluded that, while being exposed to pictures of a treat (such as a chocolate) on TV can lead to overeating of any available food, weight-conscious women who had a stock of the temptation in their homes felt more in control and were less likely to cave in to cravings.

Quinoa for Weight Loss

What makes Quinoa a Super Weight Loss Food?

Swapping whole grains for refined carbs is a smart way to add extra nutrition- and waist-whittling perks- to comfort foods. But instead of reaching for the same-old brown rice, consider Quinoa.

This hearty seed (a relative of spinach and Swiss chard) contains plenty of stomach-satisfying insoluble fiber. But here’s the difference: One cup of cooked quinoa also packs 9 grams of protein (nearly twice as much as brown rice), which was shown in British studies to trigger the release of the hunger-reducing hormone peptide YY.

This potent combo of fiber and protein means you’ll feel full and enjoy a steady stream of energy that lasts up to 12 hours, according to research in The New England Journal of Medicine. What’s more, quinoa is a rich source of energizing magnesium and immunity-boosting riboflavin. This grain may seem like an unusual pantry staple, but quinoa has been enjoyed in its native South America for years.

You can find it in supermarkets, or order Now Organic Quinoa Grain. For the best deal, look for it in bulk bins at health-food stores. Cook quinoa like rice on the stove or in a rice cooker for 15 to 20 minutes.

Tip: rinse with cold water to remove saponin, a natural compound that can make it bitter.

List of High Fiber Foods and Fiber Content

Here are typical High Fiber Foods along with the approximate number of grams of fiber they contain.

A list of high fiber foods helps you know which foods to include in daily meal planning. Obtaining adequate fiber is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

The recommended daily fiber consumption should be about 25-30 grams for an adult. The walls of plant cells are the sources of dietary fiber.

Fiber contents shown below on the list of high fiber foods are for a food quantity of 1/2 cup unless otherwise noted:

• Bananas, 3 grams - medium 8" long
• Beans, 6-10 grams - baked beans, black beans , great northern beans, kidney beans, garbanzos, pinto beans, white beans
• Berries, 4-5 grams - blackberries, raspberries
• Bran Cereals, 5-10 grams - All-Bran, Bran Buds, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran
• Bread, 4-7 grams - 2 slices whole wheat, pumpernickel, seven-grain
• Broccoli, 4-5 grams
• Brussels Sprouts, 2 grams
• Carrots, 3-4 grams
• Dried Figs, 10 grams - 3 figs
• Fruit, 4 grams - medium apple, medium pear
. Green Beans, 2 grams - broad beans, pole beans, snap beans
• Greens, 4-6 grams - beet greens, collards, kale, spinach, turnip greens
• Lentils, 6 grams
• Lima beans - 4-6 grams
• Peas, 7-9 grams - black-eyed peas, green peas
• Potatoes, 4-5 grams - medium baked Idaho or sweet potato
• Sweet Corn, 5 grams

The best fiber supplements are rice bran or psyllium made from ground-up psyllium seeds.

Be sure to have a print out of High Fiber Foods list so you can always have the best choice which healthy fiber foods to include in your daily diet.

Foods That Melt Belly Fat

Lots of people are looking healthy foods that can "melt" belly fat. I mean, how great would it be to be able to simply eat large amounts of some belly fat-melting food and watch as the pounds and stomach rolls fade away?? Unfortunately the whole fat-burning foods and "negative calorie" foods idea is way overblown. No food, all by itself, is going to get rid of all your belly fat problems.

That being said, there certainly are a few foods that can speed up fat loss, from your abdominal area and your entire body as well. Lean meat is probably the #1, most powerful fat-fighting food out there. Protein is a "hot burning" macro-nutrient because it requires so many calories just to digest. Lean protein, and especial lean meats, boost your metabolism without adding a bunch of unwanted calories in the form of carbs or fat. Protein has the added benefits of lowering appetite levels and stabilizing blood sugar/insulin levels, both of which help to melt off that stubborn belly fat.

High-fiber vegetables are another great fat-loss food. They fill you up yet contain a relatively small amount of calories. They're also packed with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that can help to optimize your metabolism and speed up overall fat loss, not to mention improve your health and protect your from disease (very important if you have too much deep intra-abdominal fat!). People who eat more vegetables and raw fruit tend to have much lower levels of belly fat. So eat more of these healthy foods if you want to lose belly fat naturally!

Probably the most surprising of all the foods that melt belly fat is omega 3 fatty acids, otherwise known as fish oil, krill oil, and flax seed oil. This vitally important fat is found in very low amounts in the typical Western diet. Yet it's a proven fact that omega 3 fats are necessary for all kinds of important body functions. Most important for people with too much stomach fat, omega 3's can speed up the metabolism and help to minimize hunger and food cravings.

So there you have it: 3 "belly fat melting" foods that are both delicious and useful. Just eat more lean meat and protein, more fiber-rich vegetables, and more omega 3 fats. As long as you're doing effective fat-burning exercise on a regular basis you should have no problem getting rid of that ugly, stubborn, and dangerous belly flab!

Cat's Claw: Nature's Powerhouse Plant

After a friend brought me back a salve made from Cat's Claw that she had purchased in Bolivia, I became fascinated by the plant. Putting it on my aching neck, I felt an almost instant relief from pain, which was quite different from the slower results I'd gotten from other ointments. Used mostly in tea and tincture form, I have been fascinated by the research I've done on what is called the "sacred herb of the rain forest."

Cat's Claw, otherwise known as Uncaria Tomentosa or the commonly used Spanish name, Una de Gato, was used by the ancient Incas and continues to be an important remedy throughout South America. The Askanika Indians of Peru use the plant as a sacred beverage, as well as a cleansing tonic for problems having to do with the immune system and intestinal tract. Known as a warming plant, it is excellent for healing inflammations such as gastritis, arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, asthma, gout, and urinary tract complications. It is additionally used to help heal gastric ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis, herpes, menstrual irregularities, viral infections, allergies, Chron's disease, and leaky bowel syndrome. Some South American tribes also use Cat's Claw for treating dysentery and gonorrhea.

Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in the jungle and rain forests that range throughout South America and Asia. It has a yellow or pink flower and sports thorns around the stem, allowing the plant to cling to trees where it can grow up to 100 feet tall. It is protected in Peru and Bolivia where it has been used for centuries due to its potent alkaloid and phytochemical content.

For Viral Conditions

Cat's Claw is an adaptogenic and anti-microbial plant that contains tannins and other phytochemicals that give it its essential antioxidant properties. The strong presence of alkaloids as a part of the plant's chemical makeup helps with the increased production of leukocytes or white blood cells, especially T4 leukocytes so important to blocking and stopping many viral diseases in their early stages, such as HIV. These components also help to decrease tumors and cysts, as well as increase energy and stamina in those suffering from exhaustion due to overactive physical or mental activity.

For the Immune System

Because it protects cells from free radical damage, Cat's Claw shows promise in strengthening the immune system and promoting longevity as well as fighting diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and prostate conditions. Because it contains rhynchophylline, one of the major alkaloids that works against hypertension, it also has considerable effect on lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, and controlling cholesterol levels, making it a strong choice for reducing the possibility of stroke and heart attacks. Due to its ability to protect the body from pain, Cat's Claw is also used in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and AZT protocols. 

For the Intestinal Tract

The leading herbalist and Chiropractic physician, Dr. Brent Davis calls Cat's Claw the "opener of the way" due to its ability to detoxify the intestinal tract. He tested the plant on a number of patients suffering from hemorrhoids, gastritis, ulcers, parasites, fistulas, and leaky bowel syndrome and found that it was powerfully effective in ridding the body of infections that lead to these problems. His studies conclude that Cat's Claw is effective in helping to heal problems associated with the liver, spleen, kidneys, thymus, and thyroid due to its inherent healing properties.

Further Studies on Cat's Claw

Ever since the 1970's, Cat's Claw has been clinically studied in Peru, England, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Hungary for its powerful properties. Claims that the plant is even more potent than Golden Seal, Echinacea, Siberian Ginseng, Astralagus, and Reishi mushrooms have been made by many researchers, and a recent article in Newsweek Magazine praises Cat's Claw as one of "nature's biggest sellers." 

In a book entitled "The Saga of the Cat's Claw," by neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Fernando Cabieses, he analyzes and explains his extensive experiments with the plant, revealing its powerful medicinal properties. 

An excerpt from the book, "Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and China," published by the World Preservation Society states: "Una de Gato from the Peruvian rain forest is a favorite for stimulating the immune system. World wide research done on this powerful herb has led scientists to patent many of the single chemicals found in it for use in healing cancer, arthritis, AIDS, and other diseases. However, traditional wisdom shows that using the whole plant can be far more powerful than any one isolated ingredient."

Because Cat's Claw exhibits so much potential for healing the body, it is the subject of many trials and studies regarding its relationship to positively affecting AIDs, HIV, and Alzheimer's, among many other life-threatening diseases.  As an overall tonic, the plant proves to be excellent in fortifying the internal system with no or very few side effects. This being said, it is important that you discuss taking Cat's Claw with your healthcare provider, as there may be counter-indications if you are pregnant, take specific medications or suffer from particular ailments that may not respond well to the plant.

Getting Rid of Cellulite: Goodbye Cellulite

How to get rid of cellulite on thighs without exercising:

"Cellulite treatments can indeed make a difference in reducing the appearance of dimply fat"

That's the word from expert dermatologist Jeannette graf, M.D. To get rid of cellulite, she recommends a combo of Endermologie, a massage treatment that thickens connective tissue to give skin a firmer appearance, plus stimulates the lymph system, and VelaShape, which combines radio waves, infrared light, massage and suction to boost lymph drainage and shrink fat cells.

Three hitches: It generally takes four weeks to see real results, cellulite treatments must be continued or dimples will return and each treatment costs about $100.

For a low-tech solution to getting rid of cellulite, take a cue from Brazil's bikini-beautiful women, who rub sand on problem spots as they lounge on the beach. The massage helps stimulate the lymphatic system to release trapped toxins, while the rough sand helps smooth the skin's surface.

Pre-beach season, try a body bar that features sand-like granules such as Buffy Body Butter by LUSH. It contains ground almonds, rice and aduki beans, and you'll say goodbye cellulite just in time for the beach season.

Drink Water to Lose Weight

Does drinking water help you lose weight? Yes! Here’s how:

Recent research in hydration science reveals that both the temperature of water and when it’s consumed trigger astonishing weight loss.

Although you’ve likely heard the advice to drink more water to lose weight, it’s crucial to employ this little-known approach: “The secret is to alternate drinking water of different temperatures- hot, lukewarm and cold- throughout the day since each of these temperatures plays a different role in weight regulation,” explains Barbara Hendel, M.D., coauthor of Water & Salt (Natural Resources, 2003).

In fact, alternating three water temperatures to capitalize on the unique benefits of each could make your body’s weight loss systems up to 50 percent more effective, allowing you to easily lose up to 10 pounds per week, according to research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. That’s a total loss of 30 pounds or more in a month.

“Water’s importance is often overlooked, yet it is the key to fast, hassle-free, lasting weight loss”, says Christopher Vasey, N.D., author of The Water Prescription (Healing Arts Press, 2006).

How drinking water in different-temperatures speeds up weight loss in unique ways:

1. Hot water triggers a body-wide detox. When cellular levels of toxins rise, your body concentrates them in the liver, lymph system, intestines and skin in an effort to speed their excretion, according to researchers at the University of Stirling in Scotland. Problem is, the stored toxins end up slowing down metabolism.

To the rescue: hot water. By flooding the GI tract with heat, it promotes peristalsis- muscle contractions that encourage the movement of toxins from the liver and lymph system into the digestive tract, stimulating their elimination from the body, suggests research at the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, California. “Hot water also makes your pores open slightly,” adds Dr. Hendel. “This allows extra toxins stored in skin tissue to evaporate into the air”.

2. Lukewarm water suppresses appetite. When lukewarm water enters the stomach, the organ registers fullness more quickly than with hot or cold water. “Lukewarm water doesn’t set off the drastic hot/cold alarm signals in the brain, so it’s easier to gulp down a full glass at once,” says Dr. Hendel.

This action causes the stomach to expand rapidly, stimulating the brain’s vagus nerve to turn off hunger pangs, she explains. Room-temperature water is also more rapidly absorbed by the stomach lining, so it doesn’t stall the digestive process the way liquids of other temperatures can.

The result: a quicker stabilization of blood sugar- which shuts down food cravings, adds Dr. Hendel.

3. Cold water gives your body a work out. Your metabolic rate jumps as much as 3 percent within 10 minutes of finishing a glass of cold water, and it stays elevated for 30 minutes thereafter, say experts at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

The reason: Your digestive tract has to work harder to heat cold water before the water can be absorbed and used by cells, explains Dr. Vasey. “This process takes an enormous amount of energy, which your body derives by breaking down food and fat to release their stored calories.”

Hydration produces amazing benefits:

- mental clarity increases by 20% in 30 minutes
- Late night hunger pangs disappear
- Energy levels increase by 89% in 24 hours
- Blue moods lift and sleep improves in 72 hours
- Exercise endurance increases in 4 days
- Chronic back pain end in 1 week
- Joint pain eases in 2 weeks
- Peptic ulcers heal in 3 weeks

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How to lose weight by drinking water, the tricks that will help you lose 30 pounds in less than a month

How to lose weight by drinking water: Tricks that will help you lose 30 pounds in less than a month

The Drinking Water Strategies proven to help lose up to 10 pounds a week.

Even slight dehydration slows all of the body’s function by up to 50 percent, including the actions of the weight-regulating thyroid and adrenal glands, note experts at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. And since the brain is 80 percent water, dehydration offsets appetite-regulating functions, as well. This means drinking 4 oz. of water every hour is essential for preventing weight gain.

But for amazing results, try these strategies proven to melt weight at the pace of up to 10 pounds a week.

The temperature tricks that turn Drinking Water into a miracle slimmer:

1. Start the day with 8 oz. of hot lemon water. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, plus 1 tsp. of freshly grated lemon zest, into a mug, then add 8 oz. of water that’s been boiled and left to cool for several minutes. Sip slowly. “Lemon and hot water promote peristalsis- intestinal contractions that speed the elimination of fat-storing toxins,” explains Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of The Fast Track Detox Diet (Broadway, 2006).

2. Alternate steamy and icy sips throughout the day. Switching between hot and cold water acts as a form of internal hydrotherapy that cleanses the body, says Christopher Vasey, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Switzerland. “Hot water helps your intestines flush toxins all day, while cold water keeps calorie burn high”. To do: An hour after drinking 8 oz. of hot lemon water, drink 8 oz. of ice-cold water. Repeat this cycle twice (at nonmeal times).

3. Drink lukewarm water before meals and snacks. Drinking 8 oz. of room-temperature water 15 minutes before a meal quickly signals satiation, Penn State research suggests. This easy strategy can lead to the consumption of 104 fewer calories per sitting- enough to help you shed 31 pounds every year. “To maximize the effect, down a glass of water all at once,” suggests Dr. Vasey. “This makes your stomach lining stretch rapidly, which stimulates the vagus nerve to shut down food cravings fast”. Water is absorbed when it’s at room temperature, and that means these premeal sips flood metabolically active tissue with water, raising its ability to convert food into energy.

Another sweet way to stay hydrated:
Fruit and veggies are typically 85 percent water, so enjoying 3 cups of them daily will provide up to 20 oz. of fluid. More good news: “Many of them are rich in detoxifying nutrients that speed the breakdown of fat-storing toxins in the liver, triggering a one-to-two pound weekly weight loss”, says Gittleman. Try pineapples, kiwis, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach.

More Healthy Water Options:

If you drink mostly bottled water: In a test of 1,000 bottled water brands, 22 percent had chemical amounts above state health limits. “Your liver has to filter these chemicals, and that stalls its ability to burn body fat for weight loss,” notes Dr. Hendel. Two chemical-free picks: Poland Spring and Evian Natural Spring Water. For a list of other safe brands, log on to nsf.org/certified/bwpi.

If you drink mostly tap water: Consider a filter to get rid of lead, mercury, herbicides, industrial chemicals and other metabolism-slowing toxins. Two that ranked tops in Consumer Reports studies: Countertop Superior Water Filter System and the Brita® Faucet Filter System.

Slimming Tea: Lose 10 pounds every week!

Research reveals an approach that turns Tea into a slimming agent so effective, women are losing 10 pounds every week.

With a few strategic adjustments to the normal routine of most tea drinkers, tea can seriously fast-track weight loss, helping millions of women losing 10 pounds every week.

Here are the benefits you’ll enjoy just by following these smart –sipping strategies that will make slimming a cinch.

1. Drinking tea calms cravings. Savoring a strong cup of tea when you feel the urge to eat shuts down food cravings in as little as two minutes. In fact, the slimming magic of tea sets in before you even take the first sip. “When inhaled, tea’s odor molecules travel from the olfactory bulb to the limbic lobe of the brain, where they activate the brain’s satiety center”, explains Alan Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

2. Drinking tea soothes stress eating. Ingesting L-theanine, an amino acid in tea, stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, UCLA scientists report. This includes a calm state that inhibits stress eating in as little as 10 minutes.

3. Drinking tea speeds metabolism. Research suggests that within 24 hours of starting a tea-drinking habit, your resting metabolic rate rises. “This helps the body burn 100 additional calories daily,” says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D., senior scientist at Tufts University at Boston. That alone can shed 10 pounds a year. Thanks to tea’s catechins, they block the breakdown of noradrenaline, a hormone that stimulates the release of trapped fat so it can be rapidly burned for energy.

4. Drinking tea steadies blood sugar. Drinking 8 oz. of tea 15 minutes before meals helps dieters lose four times more fat than women who count calories without adding slimming tea, according to research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “The credit goes to tea’s theaflavins, tannins and other polyphenols,” says Steven Pratt, M.D., assistant clinical professor at the University of California at San Diego and coauthor of The SuperFoods Rx Diet (Rodale, 2008). “These antioxidants nourish the body’s insulin-regulating system and optimize the burning of carbs and fat.”

5. Drinking tea targets belly fat. Women who switched from coffee to green tea reduced visceral fat (the kind that accumulates in tissue surrounding the abdominal area) by 76 percent in four months, according to research in the journal In Vivo. “Tea’s L-theanine reduces production of the stress hormone cortisol by as much as 47 percent,” explains Mark Ukra, author of The Ultimate Tea Diet (Collins Living, 2008). “Cortisol increases belly-fat deposits and prevents fat breakdown, so as cortisol levels drop, belly fat is lost, slimming your waist line.”

6. Drinking tea keeps weight off. “On most diets, at least half of the weight lost is calorie-hungry muscle, which is a recipe for disaster because less muscle means a sluggish metabolism and a higher risk of regaining pounds,” says Harry Preuss, M.D., professor of physiology and biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “But on a tea-rich diet, up to 90 percent of weight lost is fat, and many women actually gain three to four pounds of metabolism-boosting muscle. This makes it easier to stay slim since metabolic rate hasn’t slowed down”. What’s more, preliminary research reveals that the powerful tea antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) helps block the formation of new fat cells. In one study, taking EGCG helped women keep off 60 percent more weight than those taking a placebo.

Look at what Tea can do:
Tea’s health benefits extend beyond slimming. It’s a proven remedy for bad breath and dry mouth, it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and it doubles the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Drinking five cups a day can also reduce:
1. Breast and colon cancer risk by 30%.
2. Ovarian cancer risk by 46%
3. Rheumatoid arthritis risk by 50%
4. Stroke risk by 69%

Drink five-plus servings of tea a day, including one cup before each meal. For best results, eat three balanced meals that contain at least 50 percent veggies, fruit and whole grains, plus a serving of lean protein and a bit of fat.

Cook with Tea to Slim even faster.
Seasoning dishes with tea (pulverize loose tea in a coffee grinder for one minute) will significantly up your antioxidant intake. "Fruity teas can eliminate the need for sweeteners in breakfasts or desserts", says Ukra. "Or use tea as a seasoning, which enhances flavor and seals the juices into meat so less fat, sugar and salt are needed. This simple step can help you shed an additional two pounds weekly."

For a healthy spice rub: In bowl, mix 2 tsp. ground black pepper, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tsp. kosher salt and 1 tsp. finely ground oolong tea. Sprinkle on chicken before baking for a full-bodied smoky flavor. Slimming benefit: Blending black pepper with tea leaves enhances absorption of pound-paring catechins by 60 percent.

Enjoying these tea-packed products can deliver similar slimming benefits as drinking the brew:

Overwhelmed by Stress? Each packet of Kashi Heart To Heart Instant Oatmeal contains a hefty dose of green tea (100 mg) and white tea (50 mg). For a sweet start to the day, try the apple cinnamon flavor.

Craving Fizz? A 12 oz. bottle of fruity pomegranate or raspberry Steaz Organic Sparkling Green Tea fills in for an afternoon soda while delivering the health benefits of a cup of green tea.

Need a Chocolate fix? Smile Chocolatiers Choclatea bars (at Whole Foods Market stores)are an infusion of crushed tea leaves and chocolate. Coconut-Green Tea dark chocolate is truly tasty.

Tips to help speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight.

Here are the best weight loss tips that works to help speed up your metabolism plus help you lose weight.

Easiest way to lose weight fast and safely is to cut your calorie intake by eating more on fiber, fruits and vegetables. You'll feel full with fewer calories on them. Fruits, vegetables and fibers are packed with nutrients but less on calories.

1. Fill up on Fiber and Lose Weight Fast

Foods rich in fiber will make you feel satisfied and help curb your appetite, helping you to lose weight fast and safely - so make sure to pack your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

2. Boost fat-burning metabolic rate by 50% by sipping coffee

Sipping coffee before a meal can suppress appetite by 35%, plus boost fat-burning metabolic rate by 50%, according to extensive research at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The study-proven dose: 250 mg of caffeine daily, taken either in supplement form or by sipping to cups of coffee or 4 cups of tea.

3. Lose Weight just by eating Yogurt

Yogurt is a calcium-rich food. Research links calcium with lower cortisol production, and it has been proven that women who increase their intake lose up to 40% more weight than calcium avoiders.

Plus Yogurt has live microorganisms which helps proper digestion and absorption of nutrients we take. Make sure to get yogurts that say "with live microorganisms in labels/packages".

4. Try this Hunger-Taming Trick

Cut fat and you'll cut cravings. Consuming a high-fat diet may suppress your body's natural satiety signals, according to a new study from Pennsylvania State University. Animals who'd been consuming a diet rich in fat ended up eating 40% more of a high-calorie snack than those on average diets. Keep your fat intake to less than 30% of total calories.

5. Feel full on less food.

Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that slows the digestive process, so you'll feel full on less food. The result: You'll eat just enough food to make you happy, reducing calorie intake.

6. Studies suggest people pursuing a healthy weight could lose more weight and burn more fat by including 24 ounces a day of low fat or fat-free milk in their reduced-calorie diet, instead of 8 ounces or less.

7. Speed fat burn with Cranberries.

The ascorbic acid in cranberries helps thin liver bile, making it easier for the organ to emulsify fat so so it can be quickly flushed out of the system rather than stored in cells.

8. Boost your protein intake and lose almost a pound a week without hunger.

Boost your Protein intake- You can try protein smoothies. Packed with nutrients and low in calories, smoothies are a fast, easy and great tasting way to achieve good health.

You can find a wide collection of Healthy Fruit Smoothies here.

By boosting your protein intake from the typical 15% of total calories to 30%, you may be able to cut your daily calorie intake by 440-enough to lose almost a pound a week without hunger, according to a recent University of Washington study. "A high-protein diet appears to fool the brain into thinking you've eaten more than you have," says the study's lead author, Scott Weigle, M.D., a professor of endocrinology at the University Of Washington School Of Medicine. Stick with lean protein rather than high-fat, artery clogging meat and dairy products. For breakfast, use low-fat milk instead of water in your oatmeal and sprinkle nuts on top. Eat plenty of beans, fish and skinless chicken breast.

9. To counteract a binge, keep your body's fat-burning furnace running on full blast by drinking Green Tea.

Green Tea contains caffeine and the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) , which is proven to boost metabolic rate. In fact, in a recent 3 month study, participants who took Green Tea extract lost 4.6% of their body weight without changing their diet. To get the benefit, drink at least 3 cups a day.

Whenever I eat too much, I just drink green tea and I don't have to worry gaining weight.

10. Speed weight loss and double energy levels by eating Coconuts.

This tropical treats contain medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), a unique fat that is shuttled straight to the liver and immediately burned for fuel. Research shows this little detour revs metabolic rate by up to 50%, speeding weight loss and doubling energy levels.

A Favorite Tip: Before you eat, drink a glass of water. This will help you feel fuller without additional calories.

Olive Oil and Mayo: Hair Food Deluxe

We all crave beautiful, shiny, manageable tresses and our consumption of thousands of hair products stands as a testimonial to this common desire. As slaves to hype, we spend countless dollars on hair conditioners, often throwing away formulas after a first disappointing try. Instead of continually searching for the perfect manufactured product, we can turn to what the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used in their tried-and-true beauty regimens: a simple dose of extra virgin olive oil to create shiny, healthy tresses.

What Hair Needs
Hair needs protein, moisture, and essential nutrients. As a dead protein, the more our follicles are nourished with these elements, the greater the chances our hair will be strong, elastic, and healthy. When hair is excessively dry, due to an overuse of products, chemicals, and dryers for example, extra conditioning with a reliable, natural product can help repair the damage. When weather conspires to sap the moisture from our follicles, extra conditioning with an additive-free product that hydrates and smoothes dry or splitting ends is the answer.

Why Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a generous amount of vitamins A and E, which are known to repair and renew cells. Additionally, it is chock full of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are powerful anti-oxidants that work to strengthen and heal any cells that have undergone damage. Because olive oil is hypo-allergenic, it is an ideal treatment for any type of hair, be it course or fragile.

Why Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a combination of egg yolk and olive oil. Because of the nutritious elements in olive oil combined with the protein found in egg yolks, mayo helps to strengthen damaged, overworked hair while providing extra shine and elasticity. Because of their nutritious elements, both mayonnaise and olive oil help to control dandruff by lubricating the cells of the scalp. Mayo is also used topically to rid the scalp of head lice by suffocating the creatures with its inherent oil and fat.

Using Olive Oil and Mayonnaise Directly on Hair
Both of these excellent foods are natural moisturizers, while also providing UV protection. Adding a few drops of olive oil on damp or dry hair helps keep down the frizz in humid weather while adding shine in dry winter conditions. Giving your hair a hot oil treatment by warming up a few tablespoons of olive oil or mayonnaise in the microwave and then massaging it into the scalp helps to lubricate the skin while saturating hair follicles with nutrients and protein. Place a shower cap over your hair, wait twenty minutes to let the oils do their work, and then wash your hair thoroughly. Or cover your hair in plastic wrap and keep the natural conditioner on while you sleep. Using olive oil or mayo on the hair in addition to including it in the diet also helps prevent hair loss due to both ingredients' power to fortify and nourish the entire system.

Adding Olive Oil and Mayonnaise to the Diet
Including olive oil and natural mayonnaise in the diet helps maintain a healthier head of hair by nourishing the body, cells, and hair follicles with needed nutrients, such as vitamins A and E, along with Omega 3 fatty acids. Be sure to get the finest quality ingredients you can, meaning in the case of olive oil, a cold, first-pressed virgin and preferably organic brand. In the case of mayonnaise, you can make your own using extra virgin first cold pressed olive oil, or you can select a brand that provides you with the natural ingredients and no additives.

Note: Because heating olive oil destroys many of its properties, its best to use it over salad or steamed vegetables rather than cooking with it. For cooking, use coconut oil or ghee for the most flavor and vitamin content. (More about this in future articles.)

The Fastest & Simplest Way to Lose Your Stubborn Belly Fat FAST!

Looking for a fast, simple, and healthy way to lose your stubborn, ugly, dangerous belly fat? Then you'll like this short post. Below I'll show you one of the fastest and simplest methods for burning belly fat. You can use this method anytime you want. It's not exactly "easy" but it's not that hard either. And it's certainly easier than starvation dieting or being miserable with your flabby belly rolls all the time!

You must use the tips below in combination. That's the secret to shedding your extra abdominal fat as fast as possible. OK ready? Then let's get going...


5 of the FASTEST Tips to Get Rid of Your Belly Fat

1. Drink water... a lot of water. Drink about a gallon of pure water per day. This is a proven technique for boosting the metabolism, suppressing hunger and food cravings, increasing energy, and shedding several pounds quickly. It's one of the best and fastest methods for getting rid of stomach fat quickly.

2. Eat a "clean carb" diet. Eat a diet that includes only "clean", 100% unprocessed carbs. These include whole fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, large seeds (non-grain seeds), nut butters (like natural, no-sugar peanut butter), and -- if you must have starch -- whole brown rice. Cut out all sugars and processed carbs, especially wheat/grain flours. This will lower your blood sugar and insulin levels, helping to create an idea belly fat-burning environment inside your body.

3. Eat protein 6 times a day. Eat a small amount of high-quality protein 6 times per day, spaced out about 2 to 3 hours apart. This will stabilize blood sugar, insulin, and energy levels while minimizing hunger and food cravings. Protein is the "hottest burning" macronutrient so it will also help to boost your metabolism throughout the day. You can eat your protein solo or in combination with clean carbs and/or healthy fats.

4. Do a short, high-intensity, full-body workout every other day. Do a 15 to 20 minute workout that involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by rest periods (aka "interval training"). Choose exercises and workouts that involve all or most of the major muscle groups in the body. 15 minutes of pushups, squats, and inverted rows can burn more belly fat than 40 minutes of steady-pace jogging. Plus you'll have a stronger metabolism for hours and even days after the workout is completed!

5. Sleep. Almost everyone in the world needs at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night. If you don't get that much your body will produce hormones that make it nearly impossible to shed tummy fat. But if you do get 7-8 hours of sleep per night you'll have much more energy, less hunger, fewer food cravings, and a faster metabolism!

So there you have it: one of the fastest, simplest, and BEST ways to lose belly fat. Just drink more water, eat clean carbohydrates, "graze" on protein throughout the day, do a quick, intense workout every other day, and get enough sleep to set up the ideal fat-burning environment inside your body. Try these tips for a week and you'll see that your stomach fat begins to melt away.

Good luck and get going!

:)

Any 3 Minute Legs (Scam) Reviews?

OK so here's the deal: I saw the "3 Minute Legs" infomercial on TV for the first time late last night and I want someone to prove to me that it's not the dumbest fitness machine ever created. I mean dang! How can they sell this crap on television?? Please provide any reviews in the comments section below...

This "exercise machine" is apparently designed to help you slim down and tighten up your lower body. You know: butts, legs, thighs, hips, etc. How does it do that? With squat and lunge motions, 2 of the absolute best exercise movements in existence -- and not just for "lower body reduction".

But here's the 2 major problems with this scam product:

1. It makes squats and lunges less effective by supporting your body weight and decreasing resistance. Why the heck would we want to do that? If anything, we'd want to make these movements a little bit more difficult by adding some resistance (like weights, resistance bands, or even a heavy book balanced on your head!).
   
2. 2. It costs money. Why would someone pay money to do two of the best FREE exercises known to man?
   

Bodyweight squats and lunges are great if you want to boost your metabolism, burn fat, lose weight, build lean muscle, tone and tighten your lower body, and basically improve your entire body. In fact the bodyweight squat may be the single best exercise known to man! But don't waste your money on this incredibly dumb product.

If you really wish to make squats easier just hold onto the back of a sturdy chair or something similar while you do them. It will be significantly easier to balance and you can use your upper body strength if you need some assistance. If you do this type of "assisted squat" on a regular basis you'll soon build up your leg strength and stamina and you won't need a chair for help, much less the 3 Minute Legs gadget!

Don't agree with me? Then please share your own reviews and opinions of the 3 Minute Legs device. I'd love to hear why it's not the biggest piece of "fitness" crap ever and a huge rip-off. Thanks!! :D

Oh I almost forgot, here's a video of the 3 Minute Legs commercial:



That's just hilarious.

A Hard Look at Soft Drinks

Did you know that ¼ of all beverages consumed in the US are carbonated? Targeting young people, the soda industry's triumph in selling its products means that, according to the National Soft Drink Association, over 600 twelve-ounce servings per person are consumed per year. And, since the 1960's, the size of soda bottles has gone from 6 ½ ounces to 20 ounces, with places such as movie theaters and 7/11s serving a popular 64 ounce size.

Spending billions of dollars on advertising, the soda industry is dedicated to keeping its followers addicted. Containing sugar, aspartame, fructose, caffeine, citric acid, phosphoric acid, artificial flavors, and other additives, carbonated soda has no nutritional value and is a leading candidate for causing a myriad of health problems. In 1998, a paper entitled "Liquid Candy" was published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI accusing the food industry of "mounting predatory marketing campaigns [especially] aimed at children and adolescents."

Lets first talk about the sugar.  High doses of sugar increase insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other problems, including stimulation of pancreatic cancer cells. Sugar is the leading culprit in cases of tooth decay, weight gain, and premature aging. Most sodas contain over 100% of the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA.

In 1942 the American Medical Association Council on Food and Nutrition stated: "From the health point of view it is desirable especially to have restriction of such use of sugar as is represented by consumption of sweetened carbonated beverages and forms of candy which are of low nutritional value. The Council believes it would be in the interest of the public health for all practical means to be taken to limit consumption of sugar in any form in which it fails to be combined with significant proportions of other foods of high nutritive quality."

Aspartame is a chemical used as a sugar substitute.  When aspartame is kept in a warm place for too long, it changes to methanol, an alcohol that then converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, two known carcinogens.  There are 92 side effects associated with aspartame, some of which are birth defects, brain tumors, diabetes, kidney decline, seizures, and emotional disorders.

In a study to determine the risk of artificial sweeteners on women, it was found that women are at risk for early kidney disease through excess consumption. Women who drank two or more sodas within a 24 hour period were shown to have an excess amount of albumin in their urine, which is an early marker for kidney disease.

Fructose is a natural sweetener that contains the same biochemical components as sugar. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism claims that fructose can be responsible for inducing a hormonal response in the body that creates weight gain.  It is also cautioned that fructose can tamper with collagen development and also may cause copper deficiencies. Further studies have shown that because fructose is metabolized by the liver, test animals on a high fructose diet have developed liver problems similar to alcoholics.

Caffeine, along with sugar, is a highly addictive substance that creates a physical dependence made obvious by the withdrawal symptoms that occur when it is taken out of the diet. Caffeine is responsible for stimulating the adrenal glands, causing adrenal exhaustion when too much is consumed. Some of the symptoms caused by caffeine are jitters, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, jitters, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, and gastro-intestinal distress and stomach lining erosion due to increased acids in the stomach. Caffeine has also been linked to birth defects and some forms of cancer. 

In a 2008 study, caffeine was shown to create an increased risk of miscarriage. Women who drank 200 milligrams or more caffeine per day, whether it was coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, or hot chocolate, were shown to have twice the risk level as those women who drank none.  Additionally, a fetus has a difficult time metabolizing caffeine, which decreases blood flow to the placenta and tampers with cell development.  According to a report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a controlled study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research shows that women consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily face a 40% risk of miscarriage.

Because of the effects caffeine has on the brain, it depletes the appetite, which can lead to starvation of nutrients essential for the body's needs.  As it relates to soda, a 12 oz can of Diet Coke contains 42 milligrams of caffeine, which is 7 more mg than Coke Classic. Pepsi One has 56 milligrams of caffeine, which is18 more mg than regular Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. Stimulant soft drinks like Jolt and Red Bull use very high levels of caffeine. A December 2000 article published in The Lancet claims that the Irish government ordered "urgent research" into the effects of these high-energy soft drinks after an 18 year old died from consuming three cans of Red Bull.  Aggressive behavior and violence has also been noted when people consume high stimulant soft drinks after drinking alcohol in order to stay awake.

Because carbonated drink labels do not give us enough information on caffeine content, we are often kept in the dark about how many milligrams we are actually drinking with each can or bottle.

Citric Acid often contains MSG, or monosodium glutamate, which is neurotoxin.

Phosphoric Acid inhibits our ability to use calcium properly, which can lead to tooth decay as well as osteoporosis where the mineral content of our bones is reduced, causing them to become more fragile. Peak bone-building years occur during childhood and adolescence, where soda has become the popular beverage choice.  In a 1996 study published by the FDA's Office of Special Nutrition in the Journal of Nutrition, it has been noted that high phosphoric acid consumption interferes with bone mass formation.  A 1994 Harvard study associated cola beverages with bone fractures in teen adults due to the severe reduction in calcium content. Phosphoric acid also interferes with digestion by neutralizing essential hydrochloric acid in our stomach. 

Additional synthetic additives such as acetic, fumaric, gluconic acids increase symptoms of gastro-intestinal distress due to their adverse affect on the stomach lining.

The very act of carbonation is often a cause for discomfort.  A cold carbonated beverage releases carbon dioxide gas that can become trapped in the stomach, distending the organ and causing uncomfortable pressure. Often the gas is released through burping, but until that time it can cause unnecessary bloating.

Mark Pereira, PhD, Associate Professor, and senior author of a study on soft drinks conducted at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota followed 60,534 soft drink-consuming males and females in Singapore.  The study continued for 14 yrs, with the conclusion that those consuming two or more soft drinks per week had an 87% increased risk of disease compared to those who drank less.  

A 2008 study of men ages 40 and up shows that high levels of soda consumption can lead to the painful joint disease, gout.  Gout is caused by excess uric acid in the blood. The study showed that growing cases of gout over the last ten years coincides with increases in soft drink consumption where high sugar and fructose content is raising uric acid levels. Researchers by U.S. and Canadian doctors have been examining the relationship between soft drinks and gout and have documented over 755 new cases of gout over a 12 year period as the increase in sugar-sweetened beverages has risen. 

So what is the healthiest way to quench our thirst?  Fresh fruit juices made in a juicer, herbal teas, lacto-fermented beverages, and that time-honored famous, clean, delicious beverage: fresh, purified water.  

 

Asparagus: Power Vegetable Supreme

Asparagus is a sweet, tender plant that is actually a part of the lily family. Cultivated for over 2,000 years, it gets its name from the ancient Greeks, who chose it to refer to the plant's tender shoots that are picked while they are young. The early Romans grew asparagus and distributed recipes for it, and Luis XIV was so in love with the vegetable that he had special greenhouses built so that he could enjoy it throughout the year. For this, asparagus has been pegged, the "food of kings."

Asparagus is considered one of the most well-balanced of vegetables, with a plethora of vitamins and minerals in addition to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The National Cancer Institute claims that asparagus is one of the most powerful vegetables for fighting cancer.  High in amino acids, asparagus helps to detoxify the body, making it an excellent food for nurturing the kidneys by stimulating urination and helping to prevent kidney stones. Asparagus's high beta-carotene content helps to strengthen blood vessels, making the plant beneficial for those suffering from problems with their capillaries, including symptoms of varicose veins. As a diuretic, asparagus helps reduce water retention in addition to reducing inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatic conditions, while also working as an anti-viral and antifungal agent.

Asparagus contains fiber, which acts as a natural laxative, protein, and carbohydrates in addition to vitamins vitamin C, which helps with collagen production for maintaining healthy cells and tissues. It also consists of vitamin A, K, iron, calcium, potassium, and is especially high in folate or folic acid, which helps produce RNA and DNA while also fortifying women during pregnancy. Asparagus also contains a substance called glutathione, which slows down cataract growth in the eyes, is a cancer fighter, and is said to fortify sperm in men.

Other attributes of this wonderful vegetable include helping to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, fight high blood pressure, reduce symptoms of depression, fight chronic fatigue syndrome, lower cholesterol, minimize menstrual cramp pain, and assist in maintaining fertility as well as milk production in nursing mothers. It is even said that asparagus can be successfully used as an aphrodisiac.

Grow Your Own

Growing asparagus in your backyard is easy with the right kind of preparation and a lot of patience, as it takes up to three seasons for the plants to reach their proper maturity for harvesting. A perennial yielding tender spears every year, once their roots have matured, your asparagus plants will continue to grow from 15 to 25 years.

To grow asparagus at home, it is best to go to your local nursery and find the small one-year-old plants called "crowns," which is much easier than growing the plant from seed. Find a well-drained site on your property where the plants can get partial sunlight. Your soil should be slightly acidic, with the best pH being around 6.5. Asparagus can tolerate more alkaline soil if it has to, going well up to 9.0 pH.

Prepare for planting in the springtime by tilling the soil to get rid of all weeds, as they will compete with the plants for water and nutrients.  Loosen the soil from 12 to 15 inches deep and mix in a layer of compost placing it throughout the area in a two or three inch layer. Then you will need to create trenches or a single trench, depending on how much asparagus you wish to plant. If you are creating several trenches, place them approximately four feet apart with a width of 12 inches and a depth of 6 to 12 inches, or create a single trench with the same width and depth. Once you've prepared the ground, soak the crowns for a short while in tepid water before planting them.

Take your hoe and form a mound in the center of your trenches running lengthwise. Then place the crowns 12 to 15 inches apart on each mound, draping the roots over the sides. Gently cover the crowns with a mixture of one part compost and three parts topsoil, bury them up to two inches deep and water them sufficiently. After about a month when the shoots start to emerge, add more soil to your trenches.

Make sure you keep your asparagus beds well weeded, without disturbing the roots. Pull the weeds out by hand, adding more topsoil around the shoots to keep the trenches filled. Give the plants enough water by irrigating the area so that the soil is wet up to four feet deep. As your asparagus grows, place a 4 to 8 inch layer of mulch around the plants, consisting of leaves or hay. 

During the first year of growth, you won't be harvesting your plants, as they will need to mature. Just keep the dead foliage away when fall comes and keep the area covered with compost. When the second year comes around, you should continue to keep your asparagus beds well mulched, adding compost in the spring and early autumn months. This should be the regimen for the years to come, with the real harvesting of your plants happening in the third year when the spears start thickening. Cut them off just above the ground when they get to be around 6 to 8 inches tall. Make sure you don't pull them out of the ground, as this will disturb their root system. Let the weaker plants enjoy an extra season before harvesting them so that they have a chance to reach their full potential.

There are several types of asparagus, all of which are sweet and tender once they are prepared for eating. Most plants are green, but you can also get the purple or white variety, or you can plant a combination to experiment with the subtle differences in flavor. It is well worth the work and wait to have a garden full of these delicious, and healthful plants once they are finally ready to be prepared and eaten.

Negative Calorie Foods: The more you eat, the more you lose weight!

Eat negative calorie foods as much as you want without worrying about weight gain.

Just by eating negative calorie foods, you burn more calories than what you actually consume without worrying about weight gain.

You don't need to count calories, eat less or skip meals to lose weight. You need to know that skipping meals is not good, resulting to a slower metabolism and you'll end up overeating on your next meal as well. Eating less, just as counting calories will make you feel deprived, which may lead you to emotional eating. Just by eating negative calorie foods, you burn additional more calories without worrying about weight gain.

Truth is, there is no "negative calorie foods". The reason why certain foods are referred to as "negative calorie foods" is because the body requires more calories to digest these foods than the calories they contain. The body needs to work harder to breakdown and process these negative calorie foods.

For example, eating a food that requires 200 calories to digest but only contains 100 calories will get your body to use an extra 100 calories to digest it. In other words, you only consumed 100 calories but burnt 200 calories just by eating that food, resulting in a net loss of 100 calories. This way your body is burning up stored body fat.

Negative calorie foods are high in fiber and carbohydrates with very less fat. You already know that eating foods high in fiber makes you feel full longer. Foods high in fiber are very filling and are good for the body; carbohydrates are difficult to break down (the body works harder on carbohydrates so it can use the calories as usable energy), while fats are easily added to our body. So the more you eat negative calorie foods, the more you lose weight!

Some Negative calorie foods include:

1. Spinach
2. Cucumber
3. Beet
4. Berries
5. Lettuce
6. Broccoli
7. Grapefruit
8. Lemon
9. Orange
10. Papaya
11. Turnip
12. pineapple
13. Celery
14. Cauliflower
15. Garlic
16. Carrot
17. Apple
18. Cabbage
19. Zucchini
20. Asparagus

You can add these negative calorie foods in your every day meals and snacks without worrying about calories, to lose weight. So instead of skipping meals, eating less or counting calories, just eat these negative calorie foods and you're on your way to a slim healthy body.

Spinach Apple Cayenne Smoothie

Here's another amazing pick-me-up or super breakfast, if you don't want solid food in the morning.

One granny (green) apple
A large handful of spinach
One lemon
About a quarter of a teaspoon-full of cayenne pepper (less or more according to taste)
Optional: maca, flax seeds, pollen)
Spring water to cover - less if you want a thick smoothie, more if you want it really liquid

Blend until smooth. 

Delicious and full of iron and vitamin C, plus all the batteries you need to get you through the day!

5 Easy Smart and Simple Strategies to Lose Weight

Easy Tweaks In The Morning So You Lose Weight And Feel Better Than Ever

1. Get Moving Early. Kansas State University researchers found that exercising on an empty stomach burns 12 percent more fat than exercising after lunch. And Dr. Smith assures it doesn't have to be strenuous to be effective.

Simply going for a stroll, climbing the stairs in your house or trying a beginner's-level workout DVD will do.

2. Snack every 3 hours. People are so programmed to think that dieting means eating less and going hungry, says Dr. Smith.

The advantage to eating every three hours: According to UCLA researchers, doing so shuts down your brain's starvation protection mechanism (SPM), a biochemical system designed to shield you from famine by slowing metabolism and triggering a 27 percent increase in appetite.

In fact, studies at Queen's Medical Center in the United Kingdom suggest that people who deactivate their SPM with frequent mini meals are slimmer, stronger and more muscular and energetic than people who eat three square meals daily- plus, they have the highest metabolic rate and the lowest percentage of body fat of all study subjects, even if they're eating the same number of calories.

3. Keep meals light. Studies at the Harvard School of Public Health and elsewhere suggest that simply opting for smaller meals can cut blood sugar and insulin by up to 66 percent. This reduces food cravings by as much as 81 percent and doubles energy levels and fat burn in as little as 48 hours.

4. Eat 90 minutes before bed. This advice turned out to be so much more successful when applied to real life than I thought it would be, reveals Dr. Smith. And that's because the tip isn't as stringent as it sounds: While your dinner should be a mini meal 90 minutes before sleep, you are allowed to have one or even two small healthy snacks up to 15 minutes before going to bed.

Keep it light so that your body will be able to properly spend sleeping time building and repairing calorie-hungry lean muscle tissue, cautions Dr. Smith.

5. Sip herbal tea. While herbal teas don't contain any appetite-stimulating caffeine, the real reason that drinking them helps keep food cravings at bay is that the heat of the brew forces you to take slow sips, explains Dr. Smith, which provides satisfaction for quite a while.

Reduce Caloric Intake with Pear Smoothies: Enough to Lose 5 Pounds Monthly

Lose 5 lbs monthly with Pears

Studies at the Smell n Taste Treatment Research Foundation in Chicago reveal that inhaling sweet scents like the aroma of prickly Pear activates the brain's satiety center, reducing caloric intake enough to lose 5 pounds monthly.

One more reason: Savoring the refreshing flavor of prickly Pear is a delicious way to put a smile on your face. Researchers at the University of Vienna Austria discovered that the Pectin in this plant slows carbohydrate absorption so glucose enters the bloodstream more slowly. The result: Blood sugar levels remain steady, preventing the mood swings that come with spikes n dips. - First Magazine

Here are 2 great Pear Smoothies:

PEAR AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

1 large pear, chopped
1/2 cups green grapes
1/4 avocado
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Blend and top with chopped pecans

PEAR RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE

2/3 cups soy milk
1/4 cups dole country raspberry concentrate
3 ripe pears, cored
12 ice cubes

Place soy milk (or your choice of any other milk or non-dairy substitute) and all remaining ingredients in blender in order given.

Blend until smooth and creamy.