Garlic - My Favorite Healing Herb

Garlic is a wonderful healing herb and, unlike many of the other herbs, it tastes great and can be incorporated into a variety of meals. Garlic has been used for over 5000 years as a healing herb and has strong antibacterial, and antiviral properties. But it’s health benefits extend well beyond it’s infection fighting properties. It is also reputed to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as help protect against heart disease and stroke.

And the benefits of garlic don't stop there. A recent study has shown that taking a garlic supplement once a day can reduce the risk of getting a cold by 50% and help you gain a speedy recovery if you do happen to catch one. In fact, I tried this out recently when I felt a sore throat coming on – I toasted a piece of bread and added some raw crushed garlic to it. It was a bit pungent but I woke up the next day good as new! Aside from colds, garlic has historically been used as a remedy for infections, athletes foot, worms, respiratory ailments, some cancers of the stomach, colic, ear aches, bladder problems and high blood pressure.

Garlic is jut plain good for you too! it is loaded with vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, B and C, selenium, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium. But in order to reap the benefits, you must prepare it in a certain way. Researcher say it is the allicin that is released when garlic is crushed. If you are trying to serve yourself a garlic herbal remedy by adding garlic to your foods then make sure you crush it a bit ahead of time and don't add until the final 5 minutes of cooking. This will give the allicin enough time to develop and will insure you don't cook all the garlic health out of it.

Cooked garlic will not have as much benefit as raw and whole garlic cloves have little benefit at all. Another way to incorporate garlic into your meals without cooking is to make a garlic bread where you crush the gloves into a paste and toast bread - butter the toasted bread and spread the garlic on it - Yum!

Garlic can have an affect on blood clotting, so don't start taking supplements unless you discuss it with your physician first especially if you are on blood thinning medication or due to have surgery in the near future.

by
Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is a healthy diet along with a vitamin regiment that should prevent any sort of zit or blackhead outbreak. Here is a small list of healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts:

Vitamin A,
Vitamin B Complex,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin E,
L-Carnitine and
Zinc

In terms of diet the following measures can be taken with the hope of preventing an acne outbreak or at the very least minimizing further outbreaks of zits and blackheads. It’s recommended that you add more fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts to your regular diet. This can be accomplished by eating more salads, dried fruit and nut snacks and by drinking more juices.

It is recommended that you decrease your daily intake of caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates. There have been some clinical studies showing that caffeine can increase the levels of stress hormones inside your body, provoking or worsening acne conditions. This means you should cut back on your consumption of tea, coffee, chocolate and other beverages containing caffeine. The same advice goes for sugar and refined carbs. For instance white bread, rice, flour, and pasta can result in an insulin surge, resulting further in an excess of male hormones that stimulate skin to discharge lots of sebum, which in turn leads to clogged pores allowing bacteria to grow and acne to appear.

Finally it is also recommended that you decrease your dietary intake of red meat and dairy products. Since both are more difficult for our bodies to digest and some researchers say that when the body puts forth an increased effort in the digestion of high levels of animal protein, waste products are not completely processed as usual, instead they can shed slowly, blocking pores, causing acne.

Hopefully these few diet tips will help in your quest to stop the appearance of acne, zits and blackheads. And remember it hasn’t really been proven that roasted peanuts cause acne.

by
1. Avoid ordering an appetizer. It's not widely known that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course. Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It's not a healthy way to start your meal.

2. Say "yes" to salad. Salad is a healthy eater's best friend. Not only will it fill you up so you'll consume fewer calories overall, but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart healthy. Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream based dressings and go for the vinegar based ones. You also have the option of using vinegar and olive oil which is heart healthy.

3. Make the right entree selection. Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not only will you save calories and fat grams, you'll also avoid trans fats which are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order of vegetables with your entree. Very few Americans are getting the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the starch, you'll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato based sauces rather than cream based and you'll enjoy a considerable calorie savings. Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you can control the amount you eat.

4. Think about what you're drinking with your meal. By not ordering an alcoholic beverage, you've saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water with lemon. You'll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.

5. Indulge your sweet tooth wisely. Many of the chain restaurants now offer a low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health conscious eater and still allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn't available, try a cup of coffee with skim milk to help satiate your desire for something sweet.

6. Learn to control your portions. Many restaurants are serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you'll be less tempted to overindulge.

By following these steps, you can make your dining experiences not only healthy, but enjoyable. Your heart will thank you!

by
Here's the advice from nutritional science:

Cut the JUNK fats: Most people do not need an ultra low fat diet. But most of us could improve our diet by cutting out the junk fats. Basically, these are the processed fats: hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated oils that have been heated, and fats that are combined with junk carbs. Processed fats are the fats most likely to put on flab and clog your arteries.

Cut the JUNK carbs. Most people do not need an ultra low carb diet. But unfortunately, so many people who go on a low fat diet continue to eat highly processed foods - they switch from processed high-fat to processed low-fat. And when food manufacturers create low fat foods, they tend to replace the fat with junk carbs, that tend to pile on the pounds. Basically, junk carbs are low-fiber carbs. Like sugar, fructose (and all the other *oses), flour, cornstarch, fruit juice. Yes, fruit juice is a junk carb too! - After all, how much fiber is there in fruit juice? - Virtually none - its yet another junk carb. You should eat the whole fruit instead, with its fiber intact.

Cut the JUNK calories. Most people do not need an ultra low calorie diet. But just think what your diet would be like if you dropped the processed fats and the low-fiber carbs. You'd be eating mainly natural proteins, with lots of vegetables plus whole fruits - and the odds are that you would be eating far fewer calories as well. That's the kind of calorie cutting most of us should be doing.

Eat a balanced NATURAL-FOODS diet. By natural foods, we mean the foods that would have been eaten by your hunter-gatherer ancestors: - lots of whole vegetable foods for vitamins and fiber; moderate to small portions of meats, fish, seafood, and other animal and protein foods, grilled, stewed or baked; and small portions of fresh whole fruit in season. This is the diet on which the human race evolved, and the diet which, for the vast majority of people, makes for optimum health

So the next time you're about to order a meal with fries and sugary soda, think about how it could be improved. Replace the fries with a salad, and the soda with mineral water, and you've already made significant progress towards a more healthy, balanced meal.

And at home, look for recipes that use whole, fresh foods, with a minimum of processing. Make sure your meals include natural unprocessed foods, with lots of healthy vegetables, both cooked, and raw in salads. Avoid processed fats and processed low-fiber foods.

A sample menu:
- grilled fish with steamed green beans, and peppers
- large mixed salad, dressed with small amounts of olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice
- fresh fruit platter

Yes - A healthy, balanced diet can be that simple!

by
If you have ever watched TV ads about latest machines that will
magically reveal your abs...

If you have ever gone to a gym and saw tens of people lying on
the floor doing crunches....

then beware because chances are you are a victim of the two
biggest abdominal training hoaxes!

Myth No: 1

Just doing some midsection exercises can reduce your "love
handles".

Fact

You cannot reduce fat from a certain targeted area of your body
just by using exercise alone.

And the abdominal area is no exception.

So if you want to get a flat stomach and to reveal your abs,
losing the fat covering them is the way to go.

And the only way to do this is to lose fat proportionately from
your entire body by burning more calories than you consume.

How? By doing these two things:

1) Have a healthy and balanced permanent diet: dark green
vegetables, fresh fruits, whole wheat and whole grain products,
non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry breast, lean red meat, egg
white.

Yes, you should cut out all sugar, soda, non-whole grain products
and saturated fats: these aliments should only be a reward for
achieving a goal, not a habit!

2) Start exercising

Aerobic and weight training will raise your metabolic rate. In
result, your body will burn more calories.

* aerobic exercising

3 times per week, practice an exercise that keeps your heart rate
elevated for at least 30-45 minutes (ex: walking, running,
cycling, swimming, aerobics, etc)

* weight training

Alternate days of aerobics with weight training. You will build
muscles that will burn more calories, even when at rest!

Myth No: 2

You have to do tons of crunches.

Fact

Overuse of crunches will only shorten your abs, pull your head
forward and gives you a bad posture. Do you really want to looks
like Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre-Dame?

Any standing exercise that will contract your abs will do but you
should specifically target your lower back to strengthen the
muscles that support your spine.

The easiest exercise is sucking the gut in, also known as the
"stomach vacuum" :

1. Exhale. Suck your gut in.

2. Maintain the contraction for 10 to 20 seconds.

3. Repeat 10 to 15 times, as often as you like throughout the day
(for example while in the shower, sitting at your desk, while
driving or in the bus).

Time now for YOU to take action!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.

by Emily Clark

Many family traditions include a yearly visit to the beach. Tucked away in our memories are the smell of coconut oil, the warmth of the sun and sand mixed with cool beach breezes. However, gone are the days of baby oil and metal sun reflectors, replaced with safer sun practices to preserve our natural skin color and condition. Sun protection comes in a variety of options to include sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, sun protective swimwear and cover-ups.

An important part of your beach planning will be your sun protection. Sun tanning and trips to your local tanning salon aren’t the best idea anymore. That’s because both emit harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause painful sunburn and may eventually lead to skin blemishes, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye problems, weakened immune system and skin cancer. And if the Earth’s ozone layer continues to deplete and the approximate rate of four to six percent per decade there will be more UV radiation reaching our skin.

It is true that light skin is more susceptible to sun damage, however darker skinned people such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans can be affected. Everyone should be educated about the affects of the sun and the steps needed to safer sun exposure.

The easiest way to protect you from the sun is simply by avoiding the sun; the sun’s rays are strongest between 10am and 3pm. Cloudy days may be deceiving as the clouds only block about twenty percent of UV radiation, this is also true when swimming in the water (the UV rays can still reach you).

If you are going to be out in the sun in your bikinis or swimsuits, either sunscreen or sunblock should be used. Both sunscreen and sunblock come in creams, lotions, ointments, gels or wax sticks, and when applied to the skin will reflect, absorb or scatter either all or at least some of the sun’s harmful rays. Currently on the market are some makeup items containing sunscreen (lipstick being one example). Sunscreen products are believed to block a large percentage of harmful UV radiation. The FDA requires that any label of sunscreen products state the sun protection factor (SPF), the higher the number the longer a person is able to stay in the sun before burning. It is recommended to wear at least a sunscreen with SPF 15, the product should also be applied liberally 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. The sunscreen should be applied to all areas of skin that will be exposed to include; lips, ears, eyelids (be careful not to get in eyes), neck, nose, scalp (for those with thinning hair), feet, and hands. Children under 6 months should not wear sunscreen (covering their skin is the best bet against sun exposure), as they might be too sensitive to the ingredients. Sunscreen should become a regular habit for children whenever going outdoors.

Sunglasses are a very important part of sun protection. Not only do sunglasses help us see in the glaring sun, but also protect our eyes from sun damage. Price doesn’t matter as long as the glasses are blocking ninety-nine to one hundred percent of UVA and UVB radiation (it should say on the label). Try and select sunglasses that protect your eyes from all angles, a large framed wraparound style is suggested. Don’t forget to put sunglasses on your children as well; they can start wearing sunglasses as early as one year old. It is important to purchase real protective sunglasses for children, not toy sunglasses. Even if you’re wearing sunglasses you might want to put some sunscreen on your eyelids (be careful not to get the sunscreen in you’re eyes), as the sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays not the skin around the eyes.

Hats are an easy and fashionable ways to protect you’re eyes, ears, nose, neck and scalp from the sun. Try and purchase a hat with a three- inch brim all the way around the hat if possible. There are such a wide variety of hats available in styles ranging from lovely straw hats with wide brims, to cotton hats with brims and baseball caps (some with material draping down the sides and back if desired).

Another popular form of sun protection is available in the sun protective swimwear and cover-ups. This swimwear covers the areas of the body most sensitive to sunburn, giving effective sun protection. The swimwear comes in styles similar to a t-shirt with adjoining shorts, and is a great idea especially for children. The swimwear and cover-ups boast a SPF 50 (highest rating for fabric) and most often offers approximately ninety-eight percent sunblock, the nylon-lycra mix is lightweight and fast- drying. There are also sunsuits combined with buoyancy aids (another great idea for children). The sun protective swimwear, t-shirts, cover-ups and hats are available in babies, children and adult sizes. Although the protective swimwear is quite popular it has yet to be approved by the FDA.

Cover-ups should be worn whenever possible if out in the sun. A cover-up can include any lightweight, loose-fitting, long sleeved shirts, skirts, pants or robes that provide protection from the sun. There are toweling robes manufactured that serve both as a towel and a cover-up after swimming. Almost all materials and colors absorb or reflect the sun’s harmful UV rays. However it must be noted that it is suggested to avoid wearing wet clothing in the sun, as the sun’s rays can much more easily pass through wet clothing.

It is important to avoid artificial tanning as much as possible. It has long been a belief that the ultraviolet (UV) rays from tanning beds are harmless as they emit mostly UVA rays and barely any UVB the rays considered to be most hazardous. However it has been found that UVA rays may be the cause of the most serious forms of skin cancer (melanoma). This is scary considering some people use the tanning beds all year long, thus increasing their exposure to the harmful rays at an alarming rate.

An alternative to a real tan may come in one of the self-tanning products available on the market. Self-tanning products are sold in tanning pills, sunless tanning lotions and sprays, cosmetic bronzers and extenders and tanning pills. Through a bit of trial and error you can usually find a product that will produce a desired look from a subtle glow to a deep dark tan. Caution should also be exercised with these self-tanning products. In particular the tanning pills that use carotenoid color additives which are approved as additives for coloring food but not for use in tanning pills, if consumed in high levels they may be harmful. The tanning accelerators using tyrosine have not been FDA approved and should also be used minimally. The bronzers and extenders use color additives that are approved by the FDA and because they wash or wear off quite quickly are quite safe.

Although it’s important to practice caution while being out and about in the sun, your day at the beach or lake can still be a wonderful experience. We just have to take a more careful approach to our sun seeking ways to ensure our future health. So pack away your coconut oil and reflectors, replacing them with sunscreen and great sun protective hats and cover-ups.

by
Endomorph

The Endomorph body type is the most prone to body fat when compared to Mesomorph and Ectomorph while at the same time can gain muscle easily.
So keeping this body type in good shape would be the result of moderate exercising and aerobics.

But the health risk of this body type is that it's more prone to heart disease.

Mesomorph

The Mesomorph body type has a increased rate of building muscle on the body.

Including little to no body fat and a high percentage of muscle mass.


Ectomorph

The Ectomorph body type has a high metabolic rate that leads to the existence of very little muscle mass but the benefits are that this body type can maintain a lean figure.

And since the high metabolic rate works against building muscle mass you can counteract this by doing strength training and taking in more protein.

by
Mineral and natural cosmetics are often considered synonymous. Although there are similarities between the two, they actually refer to two different types of products for the skin. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a product that is "natural" contains ingredients that are derived from plants or animals. It also has determined that any products that contain stabilizers (additives) of color that are derivatives of earth are considered mineral cosmetics. An example of an ingredient that is added to mineral cosmetics is titanium oxide. This additive is generally added to face powders to create the various shades of color.

One of the great benefits of mineral cosmetics is that they are resistant to water. Unlike traditional cosmetics that “cake” and “run” in water, mineral cosmetics cling to your skin, maintaining the flawless skin tone you want to display. Another benefit of using mineral cosmetics is that you protect your body from harmful chemicals. When you use mineral cosmetics you use those elements that are natural to your body and that create a natural look. Traditional cosmetics contain chemicals that are not natural to your body and that may clog your pores and cause blemishes, or worse, result in you developing cancer. The fewer chemicals that you introduce to your body, the more you reduce your risk of cancer.

Another benefit associated with using mineral cosmetics is that you actually help your skin to remain healthy. The natural ingredients in mineral cosmetics have a healing effect that can help to improve skin conditions such as skin damage and acne. Dermatologists generally forbid an individual suffering from these skin conditions to wear traditional cosmetics because they can make the conditions worse. Mineral cosmetics also provide the skin with natural moisture. If you have very dry skin you still may want to use a moisturizer.
The two downsides of mineral cosmetics are cost and availability. The process to obtain and add the necessary ingredients to mineral cosmetics is costly. The Internet does provide some release in the sense that the companies that advertise there don’t have to worry about overhead so that they can charge better prices. Your best bet of locating these products is to find a health food store. These stores generally carry a variety of mineral cosmetics and have knowledgeable staff available to assist you if you should have any questions. If you don’t live near a health food store, you can perform a search online for companies that sell mineral cosmetics and request a catalog.

by
Remember, everyone's body is different and not all techniques work for everyone. Consistency is the key, so give your body a chance to adjust with time to the changes. It may take a while to see results but the end result is worth it.

A good fat burning tip is adjust your current diet by reducing your calories and limit your salt intake to reduce your fat. Excessive sodium combined with fat can cause your body to retain water which in turn causes weight gain and body fat. Be sure and watch the sodium levels in the seasonings you cook with, they can be well hidden and sneak up on you.

Some of these fat burning tips may sound too simple to be true. But they go back to the basics of what works. Burning fat is all about using up more calories than you take in. Learn to substitute lower calorie foods for the high calorie ones you are use to eating.

Another good fat burning tip is learn not to eat, at least, 2 hours before you go to bed, You'll be amazed at what this simple tip alone can do for keeping your weight down. Eating anything before you go to bed means you'll be wearing that as fat. Think about that next time you want a late night snack.

To prevent body fat from building up you also need to exercise. You must be active to change your bodies metabolism to burn fat instead of storing it. Fat burning exercises will speed up your metabolism. With a reduction in calories, and this type of exercise, you will reduce body fat.

Some of these fat burning exercises include walking, jogging, running, elliptical trainer workouts, cycling and swimming. The key thing to remember here is the more muscle groups you use, the more fat you'll burn.

These aerobic fat burning exercises increase your metabolism, which means, you'll burn calories long after you exercise. People who exercise on a regular basis develop more fat burning enzymes than someone who doesn't exercise at all.

If you want to discover a fat burning secret that works, it's eat properly to reduce body fat, while combining it with fat burning exercises. Remember not exceed your daily calories allotted each day and increase your physical activity. Try these fat burning tips and get results that will work.

Copyright (c) 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.
by
It is a well rounded exercise program that encompasses muscle toning, stretching and flexibility, increasing strength and stamina through aerobic sparring and mental challenges through becoming proficient at the patterns or forms.

Most classes start out with warm-ups. These exercises are the calisthenics such as push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, trunk rotations, squat kicks and various leg stretches. For certain you will tighten your abs and strengthen your arms just from performing the warm-up exercises. Before you know it, you'll be doing fifty knuckle or triangle push-ups at rapid-fire pace and will be able to lean up against a wall and have someone lift your leg up so that your toes touch the wall behind your ear. Tae Kwon Do will definitely help you to become or to stay limber.

Sparring is fighting in a controlled environment. It's not street fighting and all participants wear protective gear: helmet, gloves, shin guards and feet guards, called kicks. Usually you will spar in three minute rounds. It's basically kick boxing. Then a minute rest; switch partners, then spar again and repeat. You will get extremely hot and sweaty. Jab, punch, upper cut, side kick, reverse punch, round house, hammer fist, bob and weave and repeat. It's an excellent aerobic exercise.

Learning the forms or patterns can really tax your brain. Many of the forms have 26+ different movements. It's your job to remember them, in order, and learn them proficiently. In theory, by learning the forms, it'll help you to become a better fighter. For example, one form might start out: high block, front kick punch left; high block front kick punch right. Turn 90 degrees, down the center, knife hand left, knife hand right, knife hand left, spear hand. And so it goes. If you master these, when it comes time to spar, you can implement some of these patterns into your match.

Many people enjoy Tae Kwon Do, or any of the martial arts for that matter, because it is an all inclusive exercise program. It's fun, it's challenging, and it's an excellent way to get in or to stay in shape. As with any exercise program, start slowly and consult your physician. If you haven't participated in much physical exercise in a while, your muscles will be very sore for the first few weeks. Don't be intimidated by the other students may appear to be in better shape that you are. Everyone started out as a white belt. Just have fun; and get moving!

by