It is up to our colon to eliminate the bulk of the most toxic and putrid waste from our bodies. When we obtsin energy from the food we eat, we creat a waste product (feces) that should be eliminated within 24 hours or less. But if your consuming a diet high in fat, meat-based, low fiber, the average American has a trtansmit time of 72-90 hours, meaning this waste begins a toxic build up that creates numerous problems for the colon and everyother part of the body. This is one good reason for so many people becoming ill. We must lower our fat intake, increase our fiber and strive to eat a more vegetarin diet.

The Million Dollar QuestionHow do you include carbohydrates in you diet in a safe, effective, and controlled way? The “Please KISS Me” (Please Keep It So Simple for Me) plan for carbohydrate control is a wonderful tool that only contains 3 simple rules: RULE 1: Include the following in your diet:

• Fruits: 2-4 servings daily
• Vegetables: 3-5 servings daily
• Whole grain breads, muffins, bagels, rolls, pasta, noodles, crackers, cereal, and brown rice: 6-11 servings daily
• Legumes, beans and peas: 1-2 servings daily
• Low-fat and non-fat dairy products: 3 servings daily

RULE 2: Limit the following to less than 2 servings daily:

• Fruit Juice
• Refined and processed white flour products (bread, muffins, bagels, rolls, pasta, noodles, crackers, cereal)
• White rice
• French fries
• Fried vegetables

RULE 3: Eliminate the following from your diet or eat only on occasion:

• Sugary desserts, cookies, cakes, pies, candies
• Doughnuts and pastries
• Chips, cola and carbonated beverages
• Sugar, honey, syrup, jam, jelly, molasses

That’s it! A simple, effective carbohydrate-controlling plan that, when combined with your SparkDiet, allows you to reap the countless benefits of complex carbohydrates and fiber while enhancing your health and maintaining a healthy weight. The long term result will be a healthy you!

• More energy and stamina
• More confidence
• Sleep better
• Feel physically stronger and capable
• Look better in your clothes (due to fat loss, toning, better posture, etc.)
• Give you a feeling of accomplishment – just like we feel every time we do what we say we’re going to do
• Plus it drains off exercise stress energy (not to mention excess fat)
• And that's just the start...

It's also great for clearing your head and for feeling more grounded and centered. And feeling slim and toned is pretty darn empowering in and of itself. You are your own work of art! All it takes is learning how to lose body fat in ways that you can stick with and feel confident about.

We also show you how you can work out at home (for free!) in ways that keep you entertained and your body stimulated so you keep making progress with your fitness (and all of your) goals

• More energy and stamina
• More confidence
• Sleep better
• Feel physically stronger and capable
• Look better in your clothes (due to fat loss, toning, better posture, etc.)
• Give you a feeling of accomplishment – just like we feel every time we do what we say we’re going to do
• Plus it drains off exercise stress energy (not to mention excess fat)
• And that's just the start...

It's also great for clearing your head and for feeling more grounded and centered. And feeling slim and toned is pretty darn empowering in and of itself. You are your own work of art! All it takes is learning how to lose body fat in ways that you can stick with and feel confident about.

We also show you how you can work out at home (for free!) in ways that keep you entertained and your body stimulated so you keep making progress with your fitness (and all of your) goals

Chiggers - tiny six-legged larvae that mature into mites - are so small that you can't see them with the naked eye. They're most active in the American southeast in late spring and early summer, and chigger "bites" cause intense itching and raised, red spots that signal their presence in your skin. Unlike other seasonal pests such as mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers don't draw blood or burrow into skin, they sink their tiny mouthparts into a skin pore or hair follicle and inject a digestive enzyme that liquefies skin cells and hardens the surrounding flesh. This forms a feeding tube through which the larvae suck the liquefied skin cells. After about four days of feeding, the larvae drop off, leaving behind red welts that can continue to itch for a week or longer.

If this disturbing scenario is enough to make you want to avoid chiggers, take the following precautions:

• Avoid grass, weeds, wild berry patches and woodland underbrush in damp, shaded spots, areas where chiggers are most present.
• Wear loose clothing, as chiggers tend to attach to parts of the body where clothing fits tightly, such as around the waistline or under socks.
• Protect areas of the body to which chiggers are attracted: where skin is wrinkled or thin such as the ankles, armpits, back of the knees, in front of the elbow or the groin.
• Avoid sitting or reclining on the ground when camping, picnicking or working outdoors.
• Consider using a natural insect repellent such as a geraniol-based product.

If you think you may have been exposed, launder clothes in hot (125-degree) water as soon as possible, and shower with plenty of soap several times. Bathing in hot water after exposure may help dislodge the chiggers themselves but won't get rid of the itchy welts that formed where they were feeding. Tea tree or tamanu oil can help minimize the itching, which is important for more than just comfort - while chiggers themselves don't transmit disease, scratching the welts can lead to infection.

NaturalNews) Essential oils extracted from common kitchen herbs and spices can be used as safer, less destructive pesticides, according to research led by Murray Isman of the University of British Columbia and presented at the Fall Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C."We are exploring the potential use of natural pesticides based on plant essential oils -- commonly used in foods and beverages as flavorings," Isman said.Isman's team has been researching the pest control properties of clove, mint, rosemary and thyme for 10 years, and has found that diluted mixtures of the essential oils from two to four of the plants can be used to both repel and kill agricultural pests. These natural pesticides have been effectively used to fight aphids and mites that would otherwise prey on spinach, strawberry and tomato crops.The essential oils provide several major advantages over synthetic pesticides. They are significantly less toxic to farm workers and the surrounding environment than synthetic chemicals. Because they break down quickly, they are less likely to cause lasting harm to the environment or human health. Researchers also claim that insects are less likely to evolve resistance to the plant compounds.Because they are not engineered but simply extracted from foods already deemed safe, essential oil pesticides do not need regulatory approval and can be used on organic crops.Because the essential oils degrade so quickly in the environment, however -- lasting as little as a few hours -- they need to be applied relatively frequently. In comparison, synthetic pesticides may remain in the soil for months and resist breakdown long after this time, which is part of what makes them so dangerous. The herb and spice-based pesticides also need to be applied in larger doses than synthetic pesticides."They're not a panacea for pest control," Isman said. "It comes down to what's good for the environment and what's good for human health."

Johnson & Johnson has issued a recall of over 40 Tylenol brand children's products, including Concentrated Tylenol Infant Drops, Children's Motrin, Children's Zyrtec, Benadryl and other over-the-counter products. The recall was triggered by what the FDA calls "manufacturing deficiencies." Douglas Stearn, a senior FDA official, said the manufacturing process was "not in control", which is the FDA's polite way of saying it was "out of control."

I have an experiment that I would like you to try. It revolves around the concept of change, but with a twist. I want you to pick some habit that you’d like to change or stop. For example, maybe it’s starting to exercise, eating better, not smoking or looking for that better job. Whatever you choose, I would like you to commit to it for two full weeks. Now for the twist. At the end of each day during these two weeks, I’d like you to look at yourself in the mirror and rate yourself from 1 (meaning not at all) to 10 (meaning very much) on the following: I like myself. I respect myself. I am proud of myself. I firmly believe that healthy change brings with it significant internal satisfaction. You can test my theory by participating in this two-week experiment. So pick something to change in your life for two full weeks, rank your self-image in the mirror daily and see if there’s any difference in your scores after the two weeks. Chaos Theory teaches us that even the smallest of changes can bring with it significant and monumental results. Are you up to this challenge today

The type of fats in women's diets may influence their risk of endometriosis. This often painful condition develops when tissue from the lining of the uterus migrates outside of the uterus and implants itself elsewhere in the pelvic cavity, where it can cause inflammation and pain and form scar tissue and adhesions. A study published on line on March 23, 2010, in Human Reproduction found that diets high in trans fatty acids increase the risk of endometriosis by 48 percent while those rich in omega-3 fatty acid reduce the risk by 22 percent. The data come from an analysis of the diets of nearly 71,000 women participating in the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study II by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School. Omega-3s are found in cold water fish including salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring while trans fatty acids are used in many processed and fast foods. The results have to be confirmed by other studies, but the lead researcher, Stacey Missmer, Sc.D., suggested that women who want to lower their risks could make sure that their diets include omega-3s and exclude trans fats.

Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention to help you feel calm and give you a clear awareness about your life. Eastern philosophies have recognized the health benefits of meditation for thousands of years. Meditation is now widely practiced in the West, with the belief that it has positive effects on health.

Two meditation techniques are most commonly used: concentrative and mindful.

• Concentrative meditation, such as transcendental meditation (TM), focuses on a single image, sound, or mantra (words spoken or sung in a pattern), or on your own breathing.
• Mindful meditation, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), does not focus on a single purpose. Rather, you are aware of all thoughts, feelings, sounds, or images that pass through your mind.

Meditation usually involves slow, regular breathing and sitting quietly for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

What is meditation used for?

People use meditation to help treat a wide range of physical and mental problems, including:

• Addictive behaviors, such as drug, nicotine, and alcohol use.
• Anxiety, stress, and depression.
• High blood pressure. A report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends transcendental meditation (TM) as one of the first treatments for high blood pressure.
• Pain.
• Managing hot flashes, which are sensations of intense body heat that affect women around the time of menopause.

Most of these conditions may also require conventional treatment for best results.

People also use meditation to relieve anxieties from long-term (chronic) conditions such as HIV and cancer.

Is meditation safe?

Since meditation usually involves sitting quietly for a period of time and breathing deeply, anyone who cannot sit comfortably or who has respiratory problems may have difficulty practicing meditation. Some people with mental health problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or schizophrenia, may not be able to use meditation therapy effectively.

Meditation is not thought to have any negative side effects or complications alone or when combined with conventional medical treatment, but it is not considered appropriate or safe for acute, life-threatening situations.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

If you are looking for a tasty food that can help lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and protect against heart disease and stroke, reach for an avocado. This versatile fruit (botanically, it's actually a large berry), can be used in everything from guacamole to ice cream to soup. It's a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and folate. While avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free, don't overdo it, as they do contain fat, albeit the heart-healthy, monounsaturated kind. This time of year the Bacon, Fuerto and Zutano varieties are ready to eat - if you buy one that's hard, you can speed up the ripening process by placing it in a paper bag for a few days.

Bottled Water

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I’m sure that you heard that all the time when you was a kid. But, it is true. Breakfast is one of those meals that people today tend to skip. I really don’t understand this. Maybe this is why people are so uptight in the morning. They have the shakes from not eating. You might have a busy lifestyle, but you need to make sure that you have time for breakfast. Breakfast is one of those meals that you must eat. I don’t think there is any choice about it. I know that most people who do eat breakfast, tend to be the type that run out of the house with a donut in their hand. This really isn’t a good idea. I don’t know why people jump to the sugary breakfast foods. I guess it is why people drink coffee. They need that bolt of energy to wake them up. Or they think that maybe they can avoid eating a good meal by eating something full of sugar. After all, they feel energetic after eating a bunch of sugar.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to wake up at work? Have you noticed how during the day you get tired? This is because you aren’t getting the right foods for breakfast. You don’t realize how important this meal is. Every day you should have a good meal for breakfast?

What are some good things to eat for breakfast? First, let’s start off with what you shouldn’t eat.

Don’t eat donuts: For the reasons we spoke above.

Don’t eat any cereals that are loaded with sugar. This is nothing more than empty calories. They don’t offer you anything. Not only that, but too much of this and you will gain weight. Have you ever noticed how sluggish you feel before lunch? This is because you are eating too much sugar!

Don’t eat a ton of fried foods: Don’t eat a bunch of bacon, fried eggs, and some french toast. The added fat will weigh you down.

Don’t eat those pasties that come in the boxes: These are loaded with sugar. They don’t offer you anything that is actually good for you. They rob you of all the things that you should be eating.

Don’t load up on coffee: Don’t think because coffee can give you energy, that you can drink it instead of eating. Now, what you should be eating.

Eat a cereal that is low in sugar: Cereal with milk is a great breakfast. It is a good all around meal.

Try a new egg sandwich: People seem to love the egg sandwiches at fast food restaurants. Why not make one at home? You can put some cheese or some lean ham on yours. Use your imagination, these are fun to make.

Eggs are good for breakfast: I’m not going to go through the whole mess about how they say eggs are bad for you. Don’t buy it. Eat them, but eat them in moderation.

Pancakes: These can be great from time to time. Try to get yourself one of those griddles that you don’t need to add fat too. If you get one of those, you will be able to eat these more often. To cut down on calories. Instead of using butter and syrup, put fresh fruit on yours. I love eating mine with fresh fruit on top of them.

Juice is great for breakfast: Get that pick me up that you need without the caffeine of morning coffee. You don’t have to worry about getting the shakes if you drink too much juice. Though, you might get the shits, but not the shakes.

Old fashioned toast: This is still a great thing to eat. Just don’t load it up with too much butter or other things.

Oatmeal: I know that most of you probably hated oatmeal when you were a kid. But, this is some great stuff. Add some milk and a bit of sugar and you have a breakfast that will stick to your ribs.

Fruit salad can be great for breakfast: I love things that taste refreshing that don’t take all day long to make. Throw your favorite fruits together and call it a meal! There you go. A good breakfast isn’t as hard as you might think that it is. All you have to do is stay away from the drive through window and you will be fine. Also, don’t eat those pasties in a box. They are nothing but junk food.

One of the things that I have noticed about single men is, they don’t have the right tools in the kitchen. I have never understood this really. I mean, if you are single or in a relationship, you still need to eat. I have known men that didn’t have a can opener or a pot big enough to cook pasta in. One thing a man should never do with out is, a blender. It is a good for many things in the kitchen. It is also good to make mixed drinks with. Your lady friends will love the mixed drinks you will make in your new blender. Most women like sweet fruity type of alcoholic drinks. If you can get her drunk….. You know the rest of the story.

Blenders can be a great way to make easy meals. I love to use mine to make fast meals that I don’t have to stand around a hot stove to make. I call it fast food at home. I also try to make a little extra so that I have some leftovers I can eat the next day for dinner or take it to work for lunch.

Here are some easy recipes that you can use in your blender.

The Virgin Club Med Breeze

350-400 ml strawberry yogurt 1/2 cup skim milk (or 2%) 1 sliced banana 2 tsp lemon juice 2 tsp grenadine syrup 2 scoops protein powder This is a drink that women will love. A few of these and both of you will have a nice buzz and a quite evening around the fire place will be so relaxing. You may want to skip the powder if you are making it for your woman.

Gazpacho

2 ripe tomatoes cut into big pieces 1/2 cup chopped parsley or coriander 2 tbsp breadcrumbs 1 avocado, sliced 3 tbsp lemon juice 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 cup of tomato juice 1 cup of ice-cold water 2 tsp Tabasco or chili sauce Salt, pepper, and dried herbs to taste Throw everything in the blender and watch it go. This one tastes great. I usually add just a little more hot sauce to mine. I might also add some crushed red pepper flakes after I have blended it. I love hot and spicy foods.

A simple pesto is a great way to use the blender. Since everyone has a way to make it they like, I suggest that you look on google or another search engine for a good recipe. I would try to avoid the oil. Some people put a lot of oil in theirs. Also, if you use pine nuts, I would suggest that you use ones that are dry roasted. Make sure you don’t get the ones that are deep fried.

The blender can also be a great way to make deserts. Try this one.

Two cups ice cream. Two handfuls of strawberries Half a banana Some chocolate syrup. In the last pulse, put in some walnuts. Get them chopped up, but not too fine. You want to make sure that you can feel the walnuts in your mouth.

Serve this in a bowl or on top of a piece of low fat cake. I love eating this with low fat chocolate cake. I bake a cake and don’t put any frosting on it. I make it in a square pan. I put the ice cream on the cake like it was frosting. Garnish with a few whole walnuts. You and your guests will love this

It’s conventional to wait until the end of the year to decide which new food product deserves the award for worst of the year. But once in a while, a product comes along that's such an obvious choice there’s no need to hold off giving the award until all the entries are in.Next week, KFC is introducing just such a product: their new Double Down sandwich.It’s not entirely clear how this product actually qualifies as a “sandwich,” since there’s no bread involved. It’s two pieces of bacon and two pieces of cheese served between two pieces of fried chicken. There’s nothing even remotely resembling a vegetable—not even ketchup.Given all the public concern lately about eating balanced meals and reducing the health risks associated with a high-fat, low fiber diet, you have to wonder: What was KFC thinking? And the answer to that question might just be more disturbing than the Double Down itself.According to this article, KFC has designed this product (and the advertising campaign that goes with it) to appeal to one of our worst human foibles: our tendency to sabotage our own best interests by doing something that’s clearly not good for us, just out of spite. We’re all familiar with this situation. You know what you should eat for good health and weight management (and if you don’t, there’s no shortage of people who will be happy to tell you). But sometimes you just get tired of all the “shoulds” and decide to eat something guaranteed to make the food police very unhappy with you.There’s nothing abnormal about this—most of us like to thumb our noses at authority and convention at least once in a while, and no one really likes being told they shouldn’t eat certain things they want, especially when those things are particularly tasty and you see them everywhere. This is one of the main reasons why many diet and nutrition experts recommend against having extremely strict diet rules and “forbidden food” lists, and support an “everything in moderation” approach. But it’s one thing to say there’s room on the menu for items that won’t make it onto anyone’s list of healthy foods. It’s something else altogether, I think, to deliberately design and market a nutritional nightmare just because it’s likely to evoke this nose-thumbing, anti-conventional wisdom attitude and appeal to people on that basis.

It has been estimated that 30–40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary

measures alone. Obesity, nutrient sparse foods such as concentrated sugars and refined flour

products that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism (which leads to diabetes), low fiber

intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats all contribute to

excess cancer risk. Intake of flax seed, especially its lignan fraction, and abundant portions of fruits

and vegetables will lower cancer risk. Allium and cruciferous vegetables are especially beneficial,

with broccoli sprouts being the densest source of sulforophane. Protective elements in a cancer

prevention diet include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, chlorophyll, and antioxidants

such as the carotenoids (

α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin). Ascorbic acid

has limited benefits orally, but could be very beneficial intravenously. Supplementary use of oral

digestive enzymes and probiotics also has merit as anticancer dietary measures. When a diet is

compiled according to the guidelines here it is likely that there would be at least a 60–70 percent

decrease in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and even a 40–50 percent decrease in lung

cancer, along with similar reductions in cancers at other sites. Such a diet would be conducive to

preventing cancer and would favor recovery from cancer as well.

Health consciousness is the new trend in the contemporary world. With majority of women ready to jump into the bandwagon, workouts and exercises have become the modern day slogans. What follow is a religious workout plan. You may be one of those women who are on a regular workout schedule. However, it is quite possible that you may not be getting the desired results despite all your efforts. You may be wondering what is missing from your workout plan.

So how can you get a better weight loss workout? Let us examine a cardio weight loss program which can be performed within 15-20 minutes. The program utilizes high intensity exercises along with short periods of rest in between. Not only would the workout optimize the fat-burning hormonal response, but also improves the metabolism of your body.

Begin your workout with stretches and warm-up. Perform a few appropriate stretches, jog or walk for nearly 5 minutes. Try doing the exercises in any order with a gap of 10-30 seconds between any two activities. You can also perform wind sprints. This means sprint to your maximum capacity. For instance, try running for 50 yards, then relax for about 10 seconds. Later, sprint again.

Push-ups are yet another way of improving your workout plan. However, the number of push-ups performed by an individual is decided by his strength. Therefore, you need to build your stamina for performing the push-ups.

You may need to squat a hundred times in a day. However, performing some squats is definitely essential for the improvement of your workout. Start with a few free body weight squats. For a second time, the number of squats is decided by your stamina. Try doing as many as possible. Now, take rest for about 10-30 seconds. Now do the squats again. You can also perform a few squat jumps. Start with squatting down as during a usual squat. However, try jumping high rather than standing up again. Also, add a session of pull-ups to your workout plan.

All the exercises can be performed one after the other in any random order. Try to do at least 3-5 sets of each exercise. These exercises would not ensure a better weight loss workout, but also increase your level of fitness and agility

Survey found most people thought they were fine, while their docs disagreed

By Peter WestHealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Despite rising rates of obesity and diabetes, a new survey has found that a majority of Americans believe their health is just fine - it's everyone else who has the problem.

More than 50 percent of respondents said that other people's health "was going in the wrong direction." In contrast, only 17 percent said their own health was going in the wrong direction.

Commissioned by GE Healthcare, The Cleveland Clinic and Ochsner Health System, the survey looked at how Americans and their health-care professionals rate the country's health. The findings, which were released Tuesday, show a big disconnect between how Americans rate their own personal health and how they rate the health of their fellow Americans. Furthermore, Americans seem to think they are in much better shape than their doctors believe they are.

"Either people are denying reality about themselves or they don't have the correct knowledge and believe they are doing the right things," said study author Dr. Michael Roizen, chairman of The Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute. "Personally, I think there is a lot of misinformation [about healthy habits]."

On the other hand, Roizen added, many physicians may be overstating their concern about the health of the general population because they tend to see the sickest.

According to the study, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the United States late last year:

• Nearly 30 percent of the respondents gave themselves an A for managing their personal health, while 92 percent of doctors gave them a C or lower.
• Nearly a third of the study respondents gave themselves an A for eating healthy. Once again, 92 percent of doctors gave them a C or lower.
• About a third gave themselves an A for getting regular exercise, while 91 percent of physicians gave them a C or lower.

One disconnect is that in a land where a majority of people are overweight or obese, people tend to compare themselves favorably with their more overweight neighbors, explained Eva To, a registered dietician in White Plains, N.Y.

"Everything is relative," she said. "In America, everything is big. But if you put them in an Asian country, they will compare themselves to someone else."

Another problem seems to be that many respondents didn't know their basic health numbers - blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level and other measures. Just 24 percent knew their body-mass index; 29 percent knew their blood glucose level; 33 percent knew their daily caloric intake; and only 36 percent knew their current cholesterol levels.

And yet a majority reported that keeping those numbers in a good range was key to good health. Ninety-five percent agreed that regular checkups with their physicians were important, even though 70 percent said they had taken actions to avoid their doctors, such as hoping their health problems would go away on their own or asking a friend for medical advice instead.

"It is important that patients communicate with their personal physicians to help manage their own health," said Dr. Scott Hayworth, president and CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group in New York. "With this comes an obligation to be aware of how well they are following guidelines for exercise, diet and weight management."

It's a task that may be easier said than done, according to To.

"Americans are just not into prevention," she said. "If they are not sick, they think they are healthy. But most of the killers are silent diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. We don't feel it, but they are killers all the same."

People also tend to rationalize their bad behavior by believing that the good things they do cancel out the negative. An extra slice of pizza, for example, may be justified as OK after a workout.

"People may say they eat salad for lunch, but what about the salad dressing?" said To. "They look at one element and not look at the whole picture."

Bad Food

Every type of energy that you express to someone else is reflected in your own inner experience. So if you express hatred toward some other person or subject matter, there is an element of that energy that is also expressed internally in that moment. To hate someone else is to subject yourself to some reflection of that own hate, in other words.

To minimize wrinkles and keep skin looking healthy as you age, limit your sun exposure to no more than 1/2 hour daily and don't smoke. The following vitamins and natural extracts may also help:

1. Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10). This antioxidant may help encourage the turnover of new skin cells, protecting them from sun damage and minimizing wrinkles.
2. Vitamin A. As a topical retinol, vitamin A may help reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. It may also lighten age spots and encourage the sloughing off of dry skin cells.
3. White and green tea extracts. Both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and evidence shows that topical white tea extracts may help protect against sun damage, while green tea may protect against skin cancer.
4. Mushrooms. Several species of Asian mushrooms have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce redness and minimize inflammation

Source Weils, MD

(NaturalNews) Weight Watchers has now officially endorsed Chicken McNuggets as a "healthy meal" in New Zealand, where McDonald's restaurants will begin carrying the Weight Watchers logo on several menu items. This bizarre and inexplicable decision has now made Weight Watchers the laughing stock of the health world where nutrition and weight loss experts normally don't use "McDonald's fast food" and "weight loss" in the same sentence.As The Guardian reports, "As part of the deal, which the company says is the first of its kind in the world, McDonald's will use the Weight Watchers logo on its menu boards and Weight Watchers will promote McDonald's to dieters."Nutritionists, not surprisingly, were shocked at the announcement. The idea of eating at McDonald's to lose weight seems a bit ridiculous, and anyone who believes that eating Chicken McNuggets will cause you to lose weight is arguably one nugget short of a Happy Meal. Sometimes you just have to point out the stupidity of these things, even at the risk of offending someone who has convinced themselves that eating more Chicken McNuggets is their ticket to a slim, fit and sexy body.

Watch your weight balloon!

Weight Watchers, by the way, never actually claims that eating the foods they endorse will cause you to lose weight. If you examine it carefully, even their name isn't really about weight loss. It's about weight watching... as in, watch your weight grow larger by the day...A "weight watch" is sort of like a "tornado watch" or a "tsunami watch." You keep your eyes peeled and wait for something disastrous to happen -- such as ballooning to 300 pounds while engaging in unhealthy eating McHabits based on snarfing down meat parts from factory-farmed cows raised in bovine concentration camps that might more accurately be called "Cowschwitz."If Weight Watchers is going to endorse McNuggets, then why not just endorse the entire McDonald's menu and throw the logo behind Big Macs and ice cream shakes, too? It's not like Weight Watchers is trying to "protect its reputation" by not crossing a line, you know. Once you've endorsed McDonald's as "healthy" food, that line is no longer anywhere in sight.Of course, McDonald's products merely join a long list of questionable foods marketed under the "Weight Watchers" brand name -- a brand that in my opinion has discovered great commercial success in selling the false hope of weight loss to clueless consumers who are unwilling to read ingredients lists on food labels.Not coincidentally, Weight Watchers has now become the "McDonald's" of the weight loss industry -- and industry filled with so many scams and shams that the idea of eating Chicken McNuggets to lose weight doesn't even seem that strange to many people.We live in a world where corporate promotional lies are disgusting at best, and criminal at worst. We're told that psychiatric drugs will make you happy, that chemotherapy will make you healthy and that eating at McDonald's will make you lose weight. We're told that sugary junk drinks will give you "energy", that toxic vaccines are necessary for your immune system to work correctly and that buying silly pink-ribbon products will somehow cure cancer.At the same time, we're told that vitamins are dangerous, that sunlight causes cancer and that there's no such thing as a cure for type-2 diabetes. Everything that's good for you is discredited as bad while everything that's toxic is hyped up as "healthy."I suppose in light of the corporate-sponsored sick-care insanity that passes for medical advice these days, the idea that eating at McDonald's will make you lose weight doesn't seem as insane as it really should.But that doesn't make it any more true.In a world gone mad with dietary misinformation touting fictional foods, insanity can now be marketed to the intoxicated mainstream as if it somehow made sense.... and people swallow it.Sources for this story include:http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/...

NaturalNews) Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood pushing against the walls of one's arteries. If the pressure rises significantly and remains there for an extended period of time, it can cause damage to the body. Lucky for us, one of the most common vegetables we use today - celery - with its stringy stems and crisp texture provides a natural way to lower blood pressure. It decreases a potentially dangerous situation without the risk of possible side effects that might accompany prescribed medication.A blood pressure reading is measured by two numbers. The top number referred to as systolic is the measure of pressure the blood exerts while the heart is beating. The lower number, diastolic, is the measure of pressure the blood exerts while the heart is relaxed. The suggested optimal blood pressure is 120/80.Just how could celery juice affect this measurement? This versatile veggie contains active compounds named phthalides. These compounds provide health benefits by naturally relaxing the muscles in and around the walls of the arteries which cause those vessels to dilate, creating more space inside the arteries that permits the blood to flow at a lower pressure. Phthalides also have been reported to lower blood pressure and promote a healthy circulatory system by reducing what are known as stress hormones. This biennial vegetable also contains high amounts of magnesium, potassium, and calcium. The beneficial effect of these minerals in celery serves to calm the nervous system, automatically counterbalancing stress levels.Although Hippocrates (a Greek physician considered the Father of Medicine, c. 460 BC - c. 377 BC) prescribed the juice of this leafy-topped stalk to patients suffering from nervous tension and although Chinese medicine has long recognized celery juice to reduce high blood pressure, only recently has it been studied in the Western world. The University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) is credited with one of the first studies of celery's effects on blood pressure. In one instance, the father of a scientist at UCMC experienced a drop in his blood pressure from 158/96 to 118/82 after just one week of eating about four stalks a day.To test this theory, a physician at the Whitaker Wellness Center and her father both drank celery juice for thirty days, mixing it with a little orange juice to camouflage the slightly bitter taste of juiced celery. Their results? The father's systolic level dropped from 148 to 128, and the physician's went from 120 to 105.Including this most nutritious juice as a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle just may help keep the risks of high blood pressure from ever becoming an issue

Springtime Health Ideas

Spring...the season or preparing... planting... sprouting. Whether its seeds in your garden or ideas for a new project on the job or on your home, Spring brings the energy and desire to create something new. Time, energy and money are spent to "make-ready" your home, yard, automobiles and wardrobe, but how much attention is given to your body for the transition into the next season?

It's time to put away snow shovels (we certainly hope it is!), winter coats, gloves and boots and don lighter, brighter, more comfortable Spring attire then grab the garden tools...or golf clubs.

Seasons change, we change. Physiological needs of the human body are profoundly affected by rhythms and cycles of seasonal changes. Perhaps you are coming out of Winter with a few extra pounds anticipating more outdoor activity in Spring. Nutrition needs will change from heavy, warming comfort foods of a colder season, to lighter, crisper, foods of Spring, which help the body cleanse and shed unwanted Winter leftovers. The body's need for water also changes as outdoor temperatures rise and you exert more energy. Metabolism increases with warmer weather however, extreme heat causes a slowing of the metabolism.

Historically, foods that were naturally available in Spring (greens, sprouts, fruits) were created to offer exactly what the body needed in this season. Fruits, high in water, hydrate the body, flush out Winter excess, cool the body and provide sugars as an energy source. Greens and sprouts, high in vitamins and minerals, aid digestive function, which help the weight loss process. For you avid golfers, some of you may need to expand your definition of "greens!"

As the body becomes more active, more energized and more toned, your endurance is increased, the risk of injury is reduced and mental acuity is sharpened ...not a bad combination for a winning round of golf!

Some suggestions for a super Spring certainly include drinking more water, especially when you are outside, in the heat and exerting energy. Current research promotes the benefits moderate alcohol consumption may offer, but beware of the health risks. As a diuretic, alcohol directly affects dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Mild to moderate symptoms may include thirst, light-headedness, dizziness or weakness. Alcohol can cause inflammation of the stomach lining, deplete the body of B-complex vitamins, alter glucose levels and contribute to a fatty liver. Alcohol messes with your body's natural rhythms such as body temperature, normal cotisol levels, and cognitive ability. Women should be aware that hormonal changes and alcohol produce an unpredictable response both physically and psychologically.

It is Spring and time for a new beginning ...a new way to prepare your body (and mind) to perform at peak levels. Choose an energizing breakfast or lunch before you tee off instead of that drive-thru, high-fat, gulped-in-the-parking-lot meal. Drink plenty of water during the day and save alcoholic beverages for the 19th hole victory

• Weight loss
• Lower Blood pressure
• Stronger bones and decreased risk of osteoporosis
• Lower total cholesterol levels
• Decreased levels of the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol
• Elevated levels of the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol
• Decreased levels of triglycerides (the other fat in our blood)
• Increased strength and coordination which leads to decreased falls and injury
• Enhanced immune system
• Overall increase in the sense of well-being
• Improved sensitivity to insulin

Did you know that replacing overeating with healthy meals, decreased portion sizes, and exercise will improve your wellness and if done right will help you lose or maintain your weight. How unfair it is that some people are able to overeat without gaining weight. However, life would be boring if we were all the same. The fact is you may have to work harder than others to keep your figure or lose weight. Controlling what you put in your mouth and adding exercise will improve your health.The traditional three square meals a day is not working for most because the food overflows from the plate. Portion sizes are too big. Reduce your portion sizes! If you are hungry in between meals, snack on nutritious foods. If that doesn't work for you, eat three meals with no snacks in between. IMO, eating eggs, potatoes, meat, and bread for breakfast is just too much. Remember, you do not need to clean your plate. Whether you eat it or throw it away, the end result is waste. When you overeat you are stretching your stomach and over time your body responds by needing more and more food. Before treating yourself to a sweet treat, think about how you will exercise to burn off those extra calories, sugars and fat. Finally, don't underestimate the power of water! While controversial, it makes sense - water will help you feel full. I have provided tips below that helped me to lose the 60 pounds of weight I put on with both of my pregnancies. As with any change implementation, motivation and commitment are key. Set goals and reward yourself!

Eating healthy food to improve your health. (page 2 entails fun exercise tips)1. Limit your intake of red meat and bacon to three times per week.2. Keep breakfast light. For example: Yogurt, bread with peanut butter, cereal with fruit or an omelet.3. If you must have a large meal for dinner eat a light lunch, such as salad.4. Sugar/carbohydrates turn into fat if you do not burn it off.5. Fruits, vegetables, popcorn, and healthy trail mix are great healthy snacks. Celery is very low in calories and has no fat.6. Track your intake - Count your calories and also be aware of carbohydrates and fat. This is a great site for discovering nutritional facts of foods and beverages. www.fitday.com/ Check out the differences in breads. A plain donut is actually better than a bagel.7. Calculate how many calories you can consume in order to lose or maintain your weight. 8. Fiber and protein rich foods and snacks will make you feel full.9. If you must get food fast, choose salad or low-fat sandwich/sub from subway and don't eat too fast!!10. Alcohol and soft drinks have a lot of empty calories and as we all know, isn't good in excess - so watch it! Drink 1 glass of wine every other day. (I skipped this step while breastfeeding.) Drink water in place of soda. Exercise will benefit your health and mental wellness.1. Did you know you could exercise without even moving? Burn the fat while you work by doing isometrics at your desk or while watching TV.2. The Nintendo Wii is great for exercising and having fun all at once. You won't even know you're working out...until tomorrow.3. Walk, walk, walk. Park at the end of parking lots to gain additional steps.4. Women are great at "saving steps" - don't. Instead of making a pile of things to take upstairs, take each up at different times.5. Swimming, aerobics, biking, hiking, and running are great cardiovascular exercises.6. Play with your kids. Whether it's wrestling around, doing the airplane, hide-n-seek or sports, everyone benefits and has fun.7. While waiting in a long line, don't stop moving - do more isometrics or shift weight left to right.8. Spend extra time targeting areas that need extra firming. For me, as for most women - abdominal, butt and thighs.9. Don't forget to breathe properly. For example, when lifting weights exhale on exertion and inhale to complete the motion.10. Saved the best for last - 'workout' with your partner, until you're both satisfied.I wish you luck on your journey to a healthier, stronger you!!

Certain body shapes can be healthier than others, but it's most important whether or not you're overweight

or underweight. Now overweight is not particularly healthy at all, but if you're overweight where your body

stores its weight becomes very, very important. If you store your body fat in the upper body, around the belly

area, for example, you're considered to have an apple shape.

If you store your body fat primarily in the hips and thighs, you're considered to have a pear shape. And this

is all genetically determined. You cannot change your inherent body shape.

But you can do a few things to become more aware of where your body stores its target="_blank"and that can

influence what steps you take to control your weight.

It's important to understand that body fat around the waist is associated with more chronic health problems

especially hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. So keeping track of your waist size no matter what your

weight is, is a good thing. It's important for men to keep their waist size below 40 inches. It's important for women

to keep their waist size below 35 inches because below these limits you have a much lower risk of contracting the

effects of heart disease, diabetes, and these other chronic health problems.

Any way you buy them - fresh, frozen or dried - blueberries are packed with nutritional power. If you need reasons beside taste to snack on blueberries, keep these nutrition facts in mind. Blueberries:

1. Provide antioxidants. Anthocyanins, the pigments that make blueberries blue, are potent antioxidants: A half cup of blueberries provides the antioxidant power of five servings of peas, carrots, apples, squash or broccoli.
2. Are a healthy, low glycemic-index carbohydrate, an especially good choice for diabetics.
3. Are a source of vitamin C, important for a supporting your immune system.
4. Help meet your need for daily fiber - two grams per one-half cup serving.
5. Have shown promise in addressing the effects of aging: animal studies have demonstrated improved motor skills and a reversal of age-related short-term memory loss associated with consuming blueberries.
6. May have other health benefits ranging from preventing cancer and defending against urinary tract infections to protecting the brain from stroke damage and reducing heart disease risks.

Look for organic blueberries, and toss some in a salad, on cereal, eat as a snack, or make a blueberry pie. If fresh organic blueberries are cost prohibitive, substitute with frozen or dried products - all three forms provide health-protective benefits. Keep in mind that dried blueberries are a concentrated source of sugar, so enjoy them in moderation.

Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. It does this mainly by removing

impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination.

The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and

skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren't properly

filtered and every cell in the body is

adversely affected. A detox program can help the body's natural cleaning process by: 1) Resting the organs through fasting; 2) Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body; 3) Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin; 4) Improving circulation of the blood; and 5) Refueling the body with healthy nutrients. "Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.