Tea And Talk

The word "Talk" begins with "T" or "Tea" for the matter at hand. It is not just coincidence. There is connection beyond the common alphabet. But before I go on to explain the subtle link between these two beautiful ingredients of life, let me first "tea" up the topic by talking about talk.

We talk every day. At home, we talk to our spouse, we talk to our children. At work, we talk to our colleagues, we talk to our customers. In addition to traditional face to face talks, we talk virtually through phone, email and Internet chat. We not only talk to each other, we talk to ourselves too.

Like foods and drinks, talk is an important part of our daily life. The most distinguishing characteristic that separates human beings from the rest is that we are social and live in a society. Our survival as well as our happiness and triumph are so much dependent upon the interaction among ourselves and talk is the most used form of the interaction we have with each other.

Let's evaluate how effective we are at talk.

I find we are great at opening a talk. We say "how are you" everyday to everyone, to our neighbors, to our co-workers and even to strangers. But I also find that we are not that good at talk when it comes to the real meaning of talk.

When we say "how are you?" we don't really mean it. We don't look at the person in the eyes and wait patiently to listen to his or her response. We don't really care about the answer.

We don't talk much to our spouse, to our children and to our parents. When we do talk to them, we tend to rush the conversation because we are stressed from our long commutes and challenging jobs in addition to mundane day to day chores.

Many of us are sons or daughters as well as parents. We know we should call and talk to our parents on regular basis. But many of us make the calls when we are on the road driving or waiting at the checkout line in a grocery store.

Not to mention about our poor record of talk when it comes to challenging situations such as talking to mediate conflicts, disputes and differences in ideas.

Along with unhealthy junk foods, talks have become hasty and unfulfilled.

Discovering the many health benefits of tea, more and more people are turning to the green leaves for the health of our body, mind and spirit. For the health of our human relationship, let's add tea to our talk too.

Tea can calm our temperament down and warm our heart up. Tea can slow down our pace and even help us pause when we attempt to rush. Only when we are calm and warm, we are able to enjoy the conversation and bring enjoyment to others.

People from eastern culture generally are not as expressive as those from western culture. For example, they hardly show their passion for the loved ones in words like "I love you." That does not means they talk less. They actually talk more. How can you say less and talk more? Isn't it contradictive? Well, the answer lies in the Tao of tea.

Next time before you pick up the phone and call someone; or when you and your friends get together, make a cup or a pot of hot and aromatic tea first. Let the rising mist, the unfolding leaves and the soothing liquor kick off the talk. Infuse the magic leaves into the interaction gradually and take the time to brew the conversation slowly. You will be amazed by the results of a talk infused with tea through time.

Tea, talk and time are the most powerful trio that works in tandem to enrich, enhance and enlighten our lives.

Jay is the owner of TaimuTea.com - an online tea store that focuses on tea knowledge, news and education in addition to providing quality fresh teas from Taimu Mountain and its surrounding areas in Fujian province of China. http://www.taimutea.com

[tags]Tea, Talk, Health, Foods, Drinks, Conversation, Eastern Culture[/tags]

Tea Time A Healthy Dimension

You are having a craft party. Cheer and excitement fill the room as you munch and share the joy of great company and fabulous crafts. Take this light hearted and prosperous occasion to a new level. Interject some health information with your snacks and beverages. Further enhance the knowledge and health of your team and customers by sharing the benefits of green tea.

Why you might ask? Because the high antioxidants in green team fight ovarian cancer. Knowledge is power. You can screen for breast cancer, You can screen for colon cancer. You can quit smoking. But it's really hard to screen for ovarian cancer. So, it remains on the hit list of nasty diseases without a concrete method of attack and prevention.

Studies have shown that many women who drank two cups of tea a day had a 46% reduction in their ovarian cancer risk. And for each cup of tea a day past two, another 18% reduction was achieved. This adds to the body of knowledge that leads scientists to agree that foods high in antioxidants have major health benefits.

Financial success and a good quality of life are affected by a healthy body. Take the opportunity to ward off the silent killer ovarian cancer. Educate your company about the benefits of green tea.

You do not have to be a health professional to offer green tea with a health clipping of information posted to a colorful sheet of paper or a internet search creatively mounted and displayed. Your goal is to promote awareness and get your group brain storming and sharing.

Not a big tea lover try drinking Chai. With lots of milk and cinnamon. Adding lots of milk gives you an additional boost of calcium to ward off osteoporosis. There are many tea options on the market. Green tea or White are what you want to look for as they are higher in antioxidants. Have fun, promote crafting, make money and stay healthy. Anytime can be tea time. Add a new dimension to your craft party one that promotes health and wealth.

(From the Archives of Internal Medicine: This Week, Dec 12, 2005 (2005:165, 2683-2686 Author Susanna Larrson) n.d.)

The majority of home business entrepreneurs don't REALLY want a business...They want money! To relieve the bill crunch. To help with their kid's school tuition etc….. See how I make 3000 per sale and never talk to anyone http://www.umakemoney247.com

[tags]home, business,work from, prosperity,automated system,income,money,internet,computer,PAS,freedom,job[/tags]

The Truth About Turkey

All along, turkey has been associated to once a year family feasts. You know, the Thanksgiving turkey. The Christmas turkey. Roast turkey stuffed with some yummy stuffing, eaten with gravy or cranberry sauce is a must for the end of the year celebrations.

The fact is, turkey is such a healthy meat, it should not be reserved ONLY for Christmas and Thanksgiving. You should have turkey as part of your daily diet. Especially the breast meat of the turkey, without the skin.

Why?

3 reasons.

1. Turkey meat has a very high protein content

2. Turkey meat itself has low fat content.

3. Turkey can be really delicious. My mom cooks a fantastic roast turkey. Here are 2 of her roast turkey recipes.

Protein

Ok, so we can get lots of protein from meat, fish and soya beans. Sure, beef packs plenty of protein that you body needs, but red meats are high in cholesterol.

For example, 1 oz of turkey contains between 15 mg and 24 mg cholesterol while 1 oz of beef contains 20 and 30mg of cholesterol. It all adds up to a large difference in artery clogging cholesterol between beef and turkey. That means if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, switching from beef to turkey can make a big difference.

As for protein, USA Poultry and Egg Export Council billed turkey as the perfect protein. It has more protein than chicken, or even a top loin beef steak.

That makes turkey the ideal food for growing children, athletes and anyone who wants lean muscle.

Fat

Most of the fat in poultry is found in the skin. That means, by trimming off the skin in chicken or turkey, you remove most of the fat. Beef, pork and lamb on the other hand have the fat embedded in the meat itself. So just by switching to poultry alone, and removing the skin, you effectively remove most of the fat.

In fact, 3 ounces of skinless, boneless turkey breast contains a mere 1g of fat and no saturated fat. That is a weight watcher's dream. This is about as healthy as you get.

This makes turkey the ideal meat for anyone who wants to stay slim, yet eat to his or her heart's content, without consuming much fat. Still even if you do switch to turkey, watch your portion size. Double the amount you eat and you will still gain weight.

The flip side is the lack of fat in turkey meat compromises the taste. After all, the yummiest food contain fat. Fat flavors food.

Then again, with the right seasoning, gravy and all, turkey can be delicious. Just try my mom's recipes like her roast turkey with rice stuffing or the roast turkey with bread crumb stuffing. It is time to switch to something healthy and yummy.. like turkey.

The writer is the webmaster of Kitchen which helps you find your kitchen essentials online, easily.

[tags]turkey,turkey recipes,turkey protein,turkey for health,turkey fat,cooking turkey[/tags]

Knowing The Value And Importance Of Orange Juice

The botanical name given is for the common sweet or Malta orange which was introduced into Europe from China and is now grown in many hot countries especially the U.S.A. Among other species are the Citrus aurantium which is the bitterly aromatic Seville orange and the most scented, the Citrus bergamia, from which the orange bergamot is prepared.

The first greenhouses were called 'orangeries' because the fruit is damaged by even a slight frost, and the nobles of seventeenth-century England and France would not allow so unpredictable a thing as the weather to stand between them and their enjoyment of this delicious fruit.

The orange has a modest mineral content but a good ripe fruit will have at least 50mg of vitamin C in 100g (4oz), a smallish fruit. There are also plenty of the interesting and probably important bioflavonoids. There is much experience which strongly suggests that when vitamin C is taken, for example as an anti-infective, the effect is reinforced in the presence of these bioflavonoids.

In nature they are often found naturally occurring in vitamin C-rich fruits such as rose hips and green peppers. Other names for the bioflavonoids include rutin and hesperidin. They have been used in concentrated form for the treatment of high blood-pressure, as anti-coagulants and as part of the treatment for colds.

Orange juice is very nutritious and pleasant to take at any time, but it is a good idea to take a regular glass daily during the winter months to make certain that you are having enough vitamin C. The fat soluble vitamins, A, D and E can be stored in the body, but you need your vitamin C regularly.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on all the natural and home made remedies with the value and benefits of orange juice.

[tags]natural home remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, health and beauty, orange juice, orange[/tags]

Smoked Salmon - A Healthy Low Carb Diet Choice

Nowadays, many people are turning to fish such as smoked salmon to give a little something extra to their diet. While most fish is loaded with healthy nutrients, smoked salmon serves up something that other fish are lacking in. Salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty

acids which a wonderful nutrients for the human body. These are some of the nutrients that can help to prevent

such problems as heart disease and some cancers as well as many other ailments.

Mercury is another concern of most consumers when they are looking to add fish to their diet. However, with smoked salmon, recent studies have shown that it has a very low level of mercury compared to other fish such as shark and swordfish.

When weighing all of your health options these days, most of the information can be a bit tedious and confusing at times. Studies of smoked salmon however, have convincingly shown over and

over that this is a great source of so many great nutrients that everyone needs.

You can add cold smoked salmon, or "lox" to your bagel with cream cheese in the morning. Or how about adding it to your salad at lunchtime for a nice bit of added taste? Try using salmon for treats the next time you are entertaining or have guests over for dinner. Most recipes are not only impressive but easy as well. Your guests, or friends and family will surely thank you for adding such a healthy food as smoked salmon to their diets.

Smoked Salmon Delivered is excellent as a part of a low-carb diet. Having 15.55 grams of protein effective

carbohydrate grams smoked salmon fits right in with your low-carb diet. You couldn't choose a better food to

eat when you are on a low-carb diet. To help assist you with your goal we have assembled the Smoked Salmon

Delivered Carb Buster Kit. You will find enough smoked salmon to prepare 72 low-carb or low-carb snacks. Using

recipes you will find in our library, you can prepare restaurant quality meals with smoked salmon that are

great tasting, good for you and will impress your dinner guests.

Our smoked salmon Carb Buster Kit offers two units each of our most popular All Wild Alaska Smoked Salmon,

spreads, and canned Wild Alaska Smoked Salmon. All of our smoked salmon is processed at our facility located in

Ketchikan, Alaska.

Hundreds of thousands of people have discovered the health benefits of eating smoked salmon. The Journal of

American Medicine Association recently published a report stating adding Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon at least

once a week to your diet will cut the risk of sudden cardiac death in half.

Keeping your diet low-carb is a great way to stay healthy and smoked salmon is a fantastic and easy way to stay

on your diet!

Smoked Salmon Delivered makes it easy to get high quality smoked salmon. Start enjoying the health benefits of making smoked salmon part of your diet. To browse our fine selection of smoked salmon please visit Smoked Salmon Delivered today!

Smoked Salmon Delivered has a great selection of High Quality Smoked Salmon products and recipes to choose from. Please stop by http://www.smokedsalmondelivered.com today, browse the smoked salmon items and check out a recipe or two while your at it!

[tags]Smoked Salmon, Alaskan Smoked Salmon, Smoked Salmon Recipes, Omega-3 Fatty Acids,[/tags]

Fun & Healthy Snacks For Kids

Looking for a quick and healthy snack for the kids? Here are a few tasty ideas that you can surprise them with, or let them make on their own.

1. Bugs On A Log: They'll love it just for the name! Simply spread peanut butter onto celery stalks, and then top with raisins (the bugs). Yummy.

2. Melon Balls: Show them that ice cream scoops can be used for more than just ice cream. Scoop the "meat" out of watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe and serve them on a tray with colorful toothpicks in each one.

3. Quesadillas: You don't have to drive to a Mexican restaurant to enjoy these melted treats. Simply sprinkle shredded cheese onto a tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and microwave it until the cheese is gooey. Cut the quesadilla into triangle-shaped wedges and dip in salsa.

4. Frozen Grapes: The entire family will enjoy this cool treat once summer arrives. Place a washed bowl of grapes into the freezer for an hour or so. Don't forget to cut the grapes in half for smaller children and toddlers.

5. Peanut Butter Squares: Kids will eat just about anything that's covered in yummy peanut butter! Spread peanut butter onto a cracker (or a rice cake). Add a couple of apple slices then top with another cracker to form a little cracker sandwich.

6. Snackers Delight: Children change their minds with the wind, so be prepared with a medley of their favorites! Fill each cup of a muffin tin with different treats such as nuts, raisins, cheese cubes, pretzels, carrot slices and sunflower seeds.

About The Author

Deborah Shelton is a mother, freelance writer, and author of the brand new book, "The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones." Visit Deborah's website for more family-friendly ideas: http://www.fiveminuteparent.com

deborah@fiveminuteparent.com

[tags]snacks,healthy snacks,nutrition,kids,parenting[/tags]

The Precious Water

Can you remember what you decided to drink the last time you were thirsty? If the answer is something other than nature's most precious liquid nourishment, then you should reconsider your water drinking habits.

Every morning before setting off to go to work you probably drink at least a cup of coffee and perhaps, if you are conscious with your diet, you begin your day with a glass of water at room temperature and a drop of lemon. But, during the day, with a coffee spot on every corner and a vending machine in every office building and school, you seem to forget that your organism needs the most precious of all the liquids you may or may not consume; water.

Actually, with the deteriorating dietary and drinking habits, people seem to be dehydrated and not even know about it. In fact, the most important ingredient of a healthy lifestyle might be missing from the daily list of things we consume, just because a cup of coffee can wake us up, or an ice-cold soda can give us the sugary taste we want. But, if you feel fatigue, moodiness, or drained, and of course that you are always thirsty, then you probably are dehydrated and you have not even realized it. In fact, what has surprised me numerous times is when I am out with friends and I hear someone complain of being thirsty. While the 'normal' reaction would be to order a glass of water from the bar, I am amazed when a soda, a coffee or even an alcohol beverage arrives instead of a glass full of water.

Did you know that 45 to 75 percent of the human weight is actually from water and that your body's muscles are 75 percent water based? If not and this is the first time you have read this fact, then you probably should do some homework before getting to sleep tonight. As little as 1 percent loss of water can translate to an increase in core temperature during exercise, while if you loose more than 7 percent of water, then you most probably will collapse.

Thus, keeping yourself hydrated and adding at least 6 to 8 glasses of water to your daily liquid intake, can save your body from fatigue, pains and dehydration. More specifically, your weight divided by 2 for the number of ounces you should drink each day -there are eight ounces in a cup, so divide by eight to get the number of cups.

Most importantly, remember that water intake, although it comes also from other fluids and food consumption has to remain constant. Drink water every day and drink it whether you feel thirsty or not. A good tactic is to bring a water bottle with you everywhere and fill it as often as necessary. Do not judge how much water you need to drink only by examining when you are thirsty and remember to drink more than the recommended daily dose, if you are overweight, exercise or the environment you live and work is hot. Finally, avoid caffeine as much as possible, since it dehydrates your organism and do not drink water with meals; drink red wine or milk instead.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Nutrition, Food, and Fitness

[tags]Water, drinking habits, liquid intake, nutrition, health[/tags]

Shake It Up

Here's a healthful breakfast idea for busy, workaholic types: the fruit and yogurt smoothie. It's the ideal breakfast for people like you and me who don't have time for elaborate morning rituals. Not only is a yogurt fruit shake delicious and nutritious, but it affords maximum convenience and diet control!

Reasons Why Breakfast Shakes Rock

You decide what goes in. Allergic to bananas? Try peaches in your smoothie instead. Don't like nuts? Leave them out. It's totally up to you, what you add to your smoothie each morning. Mix up a "Berry Blast" one day and "Very Vanilla" the next. Smoothies are totally versatile and delicious!

They're so easy to make. It doesn't take a culinary master to throw a little of this or that in a blender with ice, give it a whirl on high speed and pour into your receptacle of choice. Stock up each week with a smorgasbord of smoothie ingredients and mix and match each day.

It's a meal in a glass. What could be better than a breakfast that's both nutritionally-optimized and can be ingested without chewing? This is the perfect food as far as I can see. Slurp one down just before that big meeting! Drink your meal while sitting in traffic. Brilliant!

Smoothies are easily transportable. Take one to work, carry one along in your gym backpack... your smoothie can go wherever you go, in a handy plastic container with a snap-on lid. Keep it cool in your take-along cold pack and enjoy a refreshing thirst quencher and energy booster any time of day.

Make it the night before. If you've got a full day scheduled, blend up your smoothie the night before, store it away in the fridge, and then in the morning you can just grab and go. Smoothies are for stress-free living!

Smoothie Ingredients: the Perfect Blend

When it comes to ingredients, there's really no set recipe to follow. It's your smoothie and you can make it however you like. Following is a list of foods that you may or may not include when dreaming up your own unique smoothie creation.

1. Yogurt. Just the right consistency to add body and texture to your shake. The tart flavor of yogurt contrasts nicely with fruit and natural sweeteners. A good source of protein for brain power, plus calcium to keep bones and teeth healthy. Active acidophilus cultures in yogurt help to maintain the bacterial balance of the stomach and intestinal tract.

2. Soymilk. The benefits of soy protein are vast! Used to curb hormone fluctuations in menopausal women, soymilk contains natural estrogenic plant derivatives that can reduce your risk of cancer. Calcium and B-vitamin rich soymilk also makes for healthier bones and improved nervous system function. Pour some into your morning smoothie as a healthy alternative to cow's milk.

3. Whole, rolled oats. Add fiber plus heart protection to your diet. Whole oats are packed with B vitamins and notorious for keeping cholesterol down. Remove artery sludge and reduce the risk of heart attack with a half-cup of oats a day. Cleverly hidden in your tasty breakfast shake, you barely even notice they're there.

4. Nuts or seeds. A source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids needed for glandular and cellular function, nuts and seeds are another ingredient you can toss in by the handful and get instant health benefits. Try any combination of peanuts, walnuts, filberts, pecans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or milled flaxseeds for added fiber plus a bold, nutty flavor.

5. Fresh fruit. Start your day right with a little jolt of seratonin from natural fruit sugar. Blueberries are known for their anti-carcinogenic properties. Or, try any of the other vitamin-packed berry varieties such as strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. Bananas, peaches and pineapples make great shake flavors as well.

6. Raw honey. Just a touch of honey in your smoothie adds that sweetness to counter the taste of nuts and oats. Known for its amazing healing properties, honey is the healthy man's sugar and makes for excellent flavor in your morning protein drink.

Instead of skipping breakfast tomorrow like you usually do, why not shake things up with a fantastic breakfast shake that takes less than ten minutes to make! It'll go down smooth and easy, and set the tone for an energy-filled and productive day.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Liked this article? Have more of the same emailed to your inbox each month. Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at Wordfeeder.com and learn to write search engine friendly web copy and market your web based business for free.

[tags]yogurt shake, breakfast shake, breakfast smoothie, healthy breakfast, soymilk[/tags]

The Wonderful World Of Peanuts

HISTORY

Before I begin with the history of peanuts you should probably know that the peanut is not a nut. The "pea"nut is actually more closely related to the pea. It is a member of the legumes family. Also, peanuts do not grow in trees like nuts do. They grow on the ground. They start out as flowers, and eventually wind up burrowing underground. Under ground is where they become a delicious peanut.

OK - so where did these little guys come from you ask? Well, they are thought to have originated in South America...possibly Brazil or Peru. When the Portuguese began to explore "The New World," they took peanuts back home with them. Portuguese traders took them as far as Asia and Africa.

In the United States, peanuts became popular during the Civil War. Then around the 1900's many mechanical devices were invented to help with the processing of peanuts. As a result their popularity increased even more. Speaking of inventions...George Washington Carver invented over 300 uses for the peanut, including; medicine, ink, soap, shampoo, ice-cream, and axle grease.

Today, peanuts are eaten all over the world. They have become a huge money making industry. In the United States alone they contribute well over 4 billion dollars yearly to the economy

PEANUT TRIVIA

Americans consume 700 million pounds or 3.3 pounds per person, of peanut butter per year….that's enough to coat the floor of the Grand Canyon.

To enhance the flavor of a cola drink, Southerners put peanuts into the bottle.

There are approximately 810 peanuts in an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter.

The peanut is unusual because it flowers above the ground, but fruits below the ground.

Peanut oil has a very high smoking point. This allows peanut oil to be heated to a higher temperature than most oils, making it an excellent choice for frying.

Since peanuts are a legume, they reduce the need for additional fertilizers as they return nitrogen to the soil as they grow.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Peanuts are packed full of healthy stuff, including; antioxidants, niacin, Vitamin E, monounsaturated fat, bioflavnoids, protein, and they have more resveratrol than grapes (which lowers LDL - aka "bad cholesterol")

That's not all...Some medical researchers say that they lower the risk of heart disease and provide protection from some types of cancer (colon, prostate, and breast).

Well, as you can see there are some great reasons to eat peanuts...as if the fact that they are delicious isn't enough.

THE DARK SIDE

Peanut proteins can act as powerful allergens, even in tiny amounts. That is why Peanut allergies are the most common cause of death by food in the United States. Some people can have a ruthless reaction just for inhaling the scent of a peanut. People can die from very small amounts.

So, if your allergic to peanuts...or think you could be...don't risk even going near them. You can substitute almonds or any nut for any of the recipes below. For the cookies...you'll have to make your own 'nut butter.

YUMMY...PEANUTTY RECIPES:

CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER

Put 2 cups of peanuts in a blender and blend until smooth.

For added texture and/or flavoring add one or more of the following:

2 Tblsp honey

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract - or any other extract you like.

1/4 c mini chocolate chips

1/4 c rice cereal

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS...USE YOUR IMAGINATION!

CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 3 c. salted peanuts2 Tblsp. butter Measure 1/2 peanuts and put aside. Empty remaining peanuts into blender container. Cover and blend on low speed until the peanuts are chopped. Add butter, cover and blend on low speed 15 seconds. Turn off the blender and scrape down sides with rubber spatula. Cover and blend on low speed 5 seconds.

Repeat this process 3 or 4 times until the peanut butter starts to get smooth. Cover and blend on highest speed 1 minute. Add the 1/2 cup peanuts, cover and blend on medium speed for 3 - 5 seconds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

MAMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. light brown sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Mix peanut butter and butter in large mixing bowl until smooth. Then gradually add all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spoon batter onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies with a criss cross fork print. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.

Copyright © Lara Velez

This article is free for reprint, ONLY if you keep the author box in tact, all links active, and do not change ANY part of this article.

About the Author: Lara Velez is a Homeschooling WAHM. She lives in the Sunshine State with her lovely daughters and husband. She is a published author, web publisher, web designer, and editor. She owns two successful websites, Moms of Faith: http://www.momsoffaith.com and, Home Business Resource Directory: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com She also owns her own Health and Wellness business: http://www. mymonavie.com/HlthyLiving/mystory.asp

[tags]peanuts,cooking articles,peanut recipes,recipe,peanut history,peanut health benefits,health,peanut[/tags]

Food For Free; The Delights Of The Humble Blackberry

I have always loved foraging, and have happy memories of childhood forays with my mum; finding nut trees, a splendid abandoned apricot tree, a majestic old fig tree which produced only a few of the most wonderful enormous figs; the countryside all over the world has plenty of interesting food on offer . Last weekend I went out with my girls, and we found hoards of blackberries, a mountain of damsons to make jam, unloved lonely plum trees begging to be picked, and a bag of wild hazelnuts. It was a great mixture of fresh air, a good walk, fun together, and the wonder and excitement from the children that they could collect all of this food; they were desperate to get home and eat it. We were careful to avoid even the most tempting berries from near roads, and our bounty had the benefit of coming straight from nature; fresh and organic.

Even in the cities, there are abandoned or unkempt areas where the hardy blackberry will flourish, and I will wager that most people will be able to harvest at least a pies-worth! Blackberries are sadly neglected now that we can eat year-round tropical fruits, but they were an important part of the northern diet since Neolithic times. The blackberry is a good source of Vitamin E, Folates, Magnesium, Potassium and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber. It is extremely high in Vitamin C, and also contains Vitamin K and Manganese. Only 10 blackberries will provide 20% of your RDA of vitamin C, and frozen berries will retain much of this important vitamin for about 6 months. If you like making your own juices and smoothies, a freezer full of blackberries will provide you with weeks of healthy vitamin-packed FREE fruit to add to your juices. I cannot resist an apple and blackberry pie, which I make with wholemeal pastry and hardly any sugar, a scrummy treat with half-fat crème fraiche, and a huge improvement on fatty, sugary, processed supermarket pies. If you want to make your own Christmas presents, now is the perfect time to collect damsons, blackberries and sloes; freeze them overnight, then steep in gin or vodka and a little sugar to make a beautiful pink sloe gin to give away to friends (or damson vodka, or blackberry and raspberry liqueur!). Seek out interesting old recipes, find out what wild foods are in season, and go out and grab some; it is fun healthy, and great exercise! Why not get out this weekend and see what you can find?

Have fun fellow-foragers, but avoid anything from near a road, and EVERYTHING which you do not recognize!

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. Vikki lives in Bristol in the U.K. with her partner Jeremy and two young children. Enquiries for nutritional advice, personal training, corporate wellness and general enquiries.

If you wish to receive Vikki's free newsletter please visit http://www.getfitter.net/

[tags]foraging, wild food, berries, nutrition, home-made food, organic food, healthy-eating, juicing[/tags]

Health Benefits Of Wu Long Tea

Research studies on the health benefits of wu long tea (also referred to as oolong tea) reveal the brew's potential to reverse signs of aging, facilitate weight loss, and promote overall wellness.

While all teas possess similar properties including caffeine, catechin, polyphenals, and teaflavin tearubigin that provide benefits to the human body, the quantities and percentages differ depending on the extent of oxidation during production.

Therefore the health benefits of wu long tea, which is semi-fermented, vary from those offered by green tea with its limited processing and black tea with its extensive oxidation process. Following are some research studies that point to the health benefits of wu long tea consumption.

WEIGHT LOSS:

Scientists from Japan's University of Tokushima School of Medicine found that people who regularly consumed oolong tea experienced more than twice the calorie-burning results compared to those who drank green tea.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Investigation found that women who consumed wu-long tea directly after a meal increased energy expenditure by 10%. This compared to an energy expenditure of 4% for green tea drinkers and 0 for water drinkers.

Researchers at the Suntory Research Center in Osaka, Japan found that drinking wu long tea 15 minutes before eating foods high in carbohydrates curbed rises in insulin, thus reducing some of the fattening effects of carbohydrate intake.

ENHANCED SKIN CONDITION:

Researchers from Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science found that drinking wu long each day helps to clear up skin problems within one month.

Dr. Kenichi Yanagimoto and colleagues from the University of California found that people who drank wu long tea on a daily basis experienced a fifty-percent reduction in free radicals within 15 days.

Free radicals are damaging substances in the body that contribute to signs of aging, including wrinkles and dark spots that are caused by ultra-violet rays, chemical food additives, pollution and stress.

HEALTHY TEETH:

A study by the Department of Dentistry at Japan's Osaka University showed that regular consumption of oolong tea strengthens teeth and helps prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the build-up of plaque.

STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM:

According to a study published in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, test subjects who consumed wu long were found to have stronger immune systems and a reduced risk for infections.

While the results of these and other studies are promising, you should always talk with your doctor about the health benefits of wu long tea before adding the brew or other varieties to your daily diet for therapeutic purposes.

This article was written by Jules Sowder. Visit Learn-About-Tea.com for more information on tea, including varieties, health benefits, selection, accessories, gift-giving and entertaining.

[tags]wu long tea, health benefits of wu long tea, wulong tea, tea, oolong tea, wu-long, wu-long tea,[/tags]

Tonic In A Teapot!

Many people love to relax with a cup of coffee but tea is fast becoming popular as the beverage of choice due to the delicious flavours now available and the reported health benefits.

The legend of tea maintains that over 5000 years ago in ancient China, an Emperor by the name of Shen Nung required all drinking water to be boiled as a hygienic precaution. One summer day while Shen Nung was out travelling his kingdom, he stopped to rest. In accordance with his rule, the servants began to boil water for him to drink. Dried leaves from a bush nearby fell into the boiling water and a brown liquid was created. The Emperor drank the liquid and found it very refreshing, and according to legend, this is how tea was created.

Whether or not this legend has any basis of fact, tea has played a significant role in Asian culture. Chinese scholars regarded the brew as a cure for ailments, the nobility considered tea drinking as a status symbol and the commoners simply enjoyed its flavour.

As the craze for things oriental swept Europe in the 1600s, tea became part of the way of life. By 1650 the Dutch were actively involved in trade throughout the western world and by 1680 the first reference of adding milk to tea was made.

Tea arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and by 1820, tea was the drink of choice and enjoyed by all Australians regardless of their position in society. Early folklore talks of swagmen roaming the countryside, sharing tales beside campfires whilst drinking their "cuppa". Swagmen and soldiers used to carry their tea leaves in their kit and the sundowner was rarely without his billy as he arrived at the stations often at dusk hoping to be granted some free rations.

Tea has also inspired much poetry and song and features in Banjo Paterson's "Waltzing Matilda" written in 1895 as well as in "While The Billy Boils" written in 1863 by Keighley Goodchild. Tea evoked a sense of nostalgia and togetherness, particularly for the Australian soldiers abroad who were mailed packets of tea to remind them of home.

Afternoon tea and devonshire tea is still fairly popular in Australia and due to the diverse mix of races and cultures in Australia since the 1950s, most cultural variations of tea are now available.

As discovered by the emperor and testament to his good taste, tea is now second only to water in worldwide consumption and the word "tea" actually originates from the Chinese word "T'e" pronounced "Tay".

India and China are the actual largest consumers of tea on the basis of total leaf used. The English have the reputation for being huge tea fanatics but the largest consumer of tea per capita is actually Ireland where the average person consumes 2.5kg a year.

In Australia, 83% of households use tea-bags with 600 tea-bags, per household used every year. On average 22 million cups of tea are consumed every day in Australia which equals 44 tonnes each day and it accounts for 18% of everything we drink in Australia.

In the United States, tea typically is served at all meals as an alternative to coffee or soft drink. Afternoon tea is rarely served in the States except on special occasions such as an afternoon out at an exclusive hotel or restaurant. America is unique in its tea consumption habits with approximately 40 billion out of the 50 billion cups consumed each year are over ice.

Iced tea debuted in 1904 and the tea bag was also born the same year. A Boston tea merchant began sending samples of tea in small silk bags for customers to try. Eventually, the convenient sacks came to dominate the tea market.

Prior to World War II, the US preference for tea was equally split between green tea and black tea. The war cut China and Japan off from the United States and its primary sources of green tea, leaving it with tea almost exclusively from India, which produced black tea. After the war, nearly 99 percent of tea consumed was black tea although this has changed in recent years as has the popularity of the loose tea which has increased in the specialty tea sector.

Tea is among the richest natural sources of antioxidants, which have been linked with cancer prevention, decreased risk of stroke and reduced blood cholesterol. Green tea has also been associated with fighting cavities, slowing down blood clotting and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent in arthritis. Green tea has also been shown to increase metabolic rate so that you can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day.

Coffee usually has two to three times the caffeine of tea. An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains around 135 mg caffeine; tea contains only 30 to 40 mg per cup. Recent research has also shown that tea and other caffeinated beverages contribute to our fluid needs but will have the opposite effect if you drink five or six cups in a short period of time.

Young people, looking to move away from traditional coffee drinks, have started to drink tea and the emergence of bottled teas have brought tea to younger people who would normally view it as a drink for the older generation.

Some people are particularly fussy as to how their tea is brewed. Follow these tips and you are bound to get more enjoyment out of your "cuppa".

• Always use fresh water as water which has been reheated a number of times can give tea a flat taste.

• Make sure the kettle has been fully boiled for black or herb tea and if making green tea, that the water is hot (cooled slightly after boiling).

• Pour the boiling water over your tea or tea bag and steep to the desired strength.

• If possible, use a saucer to cover the cup to retain the heat.

• It is always best to brew tea by the clock and not by colour as some teas brew light and others dark. Try three to five minutes for green and black tea and four to six minutes for herb teas. If you steep too long you'll end up with an acidic taste.

• If using a tea bag, give it a gentle squeeze as it will enhance the colour and the flavour.

For iced tea, brew your tea with boiling water as described above and then chill with ice and keep in the fridge.

Lu Yu (733-804) who is respected as the Sage of Tea for his contribution to Chinese tea culture and best known to have written the first definitive work on cultivating, making and drinking tea adds:

"The best quality tea must have creases like the leathern boot of Tartar horsemen, curl like the dewlap of a mighty bullock, unfold like a mist rising out of a ravine, gleam like a lake touched by a zephyr, and be wet and soft like a fine earth newly."

But Henry Fielding, the English novelist, makes the occasion even tastier when he remarked, "Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."

So what are you waiting for? Cuppa anyone?

Michelle Sweeney is the owner of Tonic Gifts (http://www.tonicgifts.com) - the online gift store which specialises in selling beauty and bath products, accessories, baby gifts, books, toys and many other great gift ideas.

[tags]tea,shopping,online,coffee,gifts,australia,china,health,tonic[/tags]

The Benefits Of Avocado Juice

Avocado is sometimes known as the alligator pear because of the texture of its skin and its pear-like shape. The avocado contains a good supply of carotene, there being three times as much in a well-colored ripe fruit as in a hard one. Analysts have found no less than 11 vitamins and 17 minerals in avocado, making it a very comprehensive storehouse of the nutritional needs of man.

There is a high level of oil which contains the vitamins A, D, and E, and is rich in the mono-unsaturated fat oleic acid. This type of fat is the principal constituent of olive oil which is rapidly gaining credence for preventing of heart disease. Although the calorie count of the avocado is large, there being 165 calories in l00g (40z), it is of excellent nutritional worth

The avocado is also rich in vitamin 86, with an impressive 530 micrograms per l00g (40z). There is evidence that the leaves and fruits of the avocado have been shown to contain a substance known to be somewhat toxic to goats, rabbits, horses and canaries. There is no evidence that there is any danger to man, but for the sake of prudence it is best to have no more than one avocado a day whether juiced or fresh.

Happily the fate of the unfortunate canary need not affect the use of avocado juice in the therapy because the best effect is found when the juice is employed as an external application to the skin. Avocado juice is a good way of having a balanced quantity of the oil of avocado. The oil is second only to lanolin in being the most penetrating oil known when applied to the human skin.

Yet, unlike lanolin which is thought by many experts to be the cause of more cases of sensitivity to cosmetics than any other ingredient, avocado is emollient and innocuous without any known sensitizing effects. It can therefore be used externally as the ideal treatment for soothing sensitive skins. Avocado reduces ultra violet light and is a useful sun screening lotion for use prior to moderate exposure to the suns rays.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on information on common cold as well as importance and value of avocado juice.

[tags]natural home remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, health and beauty, avocado juices, nutrition[/tags]

Cherries - The Supercharged Fruit

The little red fruit that has been enjoyed by countless millions offers more than great taste.

Are cherries truly fruit for a healthy you? Recent studies have revealed that cherries offer an assortment of health benefits including the ability to offer natural relief from joint pain caused from gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.

So what makes the tasty red fruit so beneficial? The wonder of the cherry is the anthocyanins. According to research from Michigan State University tart cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which inhibit the enzymes Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and prevent inflammation in the body. These compounds have similar activity as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. Further investigations revealed that daily consumption of tart cherries has the potential to reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation. Many consumers are choosing to drink cherry juice, eat cherries or consume tart cherry pills to starve off the pain of gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.

Linda L. Patterson is a living testimony of the soothing affects of cherries on her joint pain. "I enjoy crocheting and lately my hands have been so painful, I couldn't crochet for more than about 30 minutes.", says Patterson. In an attempt to find relief from her pain, she located Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules, a supplement made from red tart cherries. "Within the first week of taking the tart cherry capsules my hands felt so much better.", says Ms. Patterson. "I am now able to crochet without the pain in my hands."

In addition to the health benefits offered by cherries, many people are just eating the fruit for the taste. John Simms, a life-long resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, eats cherries for the convenience and taste. "As a short-haul truck driver, my diet isn't the best, I would eat fast food every day. A year ago, my wife bought some dried cherries and I began eating them to keep my weight down. Now I eat a handful of cherries instead of eating fast food."

Not only are cherries a great way to maintain a healthy body they are a natural product. According to Andrew LaPointe, Director of Marketing for Traverse Bay Farms, www.traversebayfarms.com "many of our customers are looking to eat healthier and fruit products fit this trend. It's certainly better than fast food." Traverse Bay Farms sells Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules and cherry juice concentrate.

About The Author

Tony Anderson is a freelance writer.

admin@youronlinebusiness.com

[tags]cherry,cherries,fruit,food,healthy food,nutrition[/tags]

Make Eating Healthy Foods Fun

Children everywhere in the world have an on-going love affair with junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a single child who has these same strong feeling for the healthy food that they need such as grains, vegetables, fruits and foods reach in nutrients such as meat, beans, fish and nuts.

Fortunately, there is one tied and tested strategy to make kids eat the kind of healthy food that some of them may not want -- that's by making it fun.

That's right, make eating healthy food fun. And how do you do that? Here are some tips:

(1) The Sneak Attack. Try sneaking in some of those fruits and vegetables along with the kind of food they like, say, making muffins out of bananas or apples. There are lots of vegetables the you can throw in when you're serving the kids pizza. You could also make them look funny by arranging them creatively on a plate or making them stand up like people. Sure, some people don't want their kids playing with food, but if it will help them get healthier, it may be worth the effort.

(2) Funny Name Game. If your kids are below the age of four, here's a nifty trick that gets them every time. Give the fruits and vegetables funny names and concoct elaborate stories. Some stories will end with these funny-named vegetables getting swallowed alive by the giant child. In another version, the vegetables run for cover and hide from their enemies by entering a big cave that happens to be your child's mouth where they quickly get gulped down.

(3) The Taste Test. Kids dislike vegetables because they don't like the taste. Therefore, make the healthy foods taste better and your child will love them. For instance, put peanut butter on celery or add a dash of flavor to broccoli with ranch dressing. I'm sure you can think of dozens of ways to spruce up healthy food.

The key is to find creative ways to make your children enjoy eating healthy food. And once they've acquired a taste for it, eating healthy foods will be second nature to them.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Food, Home Improvement, and Outdoors

[tags]Eating, foods, healthy food[/tags]

Fennel - Delicious And Nutritious

I love Fennel (the bulb) – which surprises me because I never liked aniseed (even when, at 16, Pernod was the only thing to get drunk on in friends' parents' drinks cabinets!). I'm not that keen on liquorice either and the flavour of fennel is definitely in that taste area – only for me at least – sufficiently different to be one of my very favourite veggies.

What to do with it - the raw...

I particularly like it raw, either grated or shredded on a mandolin in a green salad or added as an exotic twist to homemade, dairy-free coleslaw, so... white cabbage, carrots, onions and fennel with a dressing made from a blend of sunflower oil, apple cider vinegar and almond butter. Absolutely delicious.

...and the cooked.

If I eat it cooked, I like to sweat it in a teeny bit of oil with leeks, onion, garlic and plenty of dried tarragon. The tarragon does something really special to the flavour of the fennel and leeks. A divine combination. I introduced my gourmet father to this recipe back in April and he has served it at dinner parties twice since then - only he uses naughty butter instead of oil. It really is delicious and I urge you to try it.

I also like it as a soup. Again it's a doddle to do. Simply place half a red onion and a crushed, chopped clove of garlic into a pan with a splash of olive oil. Gently fry until they start to go clear then add a roughly chopped fennel bulb to the pan along with a Marigold organic, yeast- and gluten-free vegetable stock cube and some water. Bring to the boil and then allow to simmer for about 7 minutes. I take it off the heat at that point and using a hand blender, blend it in the saucepan, sat on the chopping board. Blend until smooth and return to the heat for a minute before serving with a handful of sprouted seeds sprinkled on top.

How about roasted? Not the best way to cook from a nutrition point of view I know, but if you go really easy on the oil and keep the chunks small enough to reduce the cooking time, it's delicious chopped and roasted with chunks of red and yellow pepper, whole garlic cloves and slices of onion, sprinkled over with rosemary.

So that's a few ideas on what you can do with it, but what does it do with you?

Well, it's an excellent source of fibre, so aside from helping lower high cholesterol levels, there is also evidence that it can help diarrhoea or constipation too, so if you suffer from IBS you should try it. And since fibre also removes potentially carcinogenic toxins from the colon, fennel bulb may also be useful in preventing colon cancer. Like broccoli, it contains those all important phytonutrients including one called 'anethole' the primary component of its oil. Believed to enhance immunity, anethole has been shown to reduce inflammation and to help prevent the occurrence of cancer. It seems to be able to protect the liver from toxic chemical injury. At 100mg per 100g, it contains just a little less calcium than full-fat milk (118mg per 100g*) except unlike milk, fennel is very low in cholesterol. It is a great source of Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium and Manganese and a good source of Niacin, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper.

So if you are having a BBQ this weekend, how about making a batch of the coleslaw suggested above or adding some fennel to your green salad. Or even skewering chunks of it with organic chicken and red and yellow pepper to make some delicious kebabs. Don't forget to invite me round!

*The Dairy Council

Claire Raikes is a Wellbeing Coach, Speaker and Writer who 'cured' herself of a chronic, disabling and potentially life-threatening bowel condition without the use of steroids, surgery or any other traditional medical intervention. She now shares her passion for natural and vibrant health through coaching, speaking and writing about the importance and power of a truly healthy diet.

She publishes a free weekly eZine, In Essence and is compiling an eBook of Healthy Fast Food with 25% of the proceeds going to The Cancer Project, a charity set up by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and nutritionists to educate the public on the benefits of a healthy diet for cancer prevention and survival. If you have a recipe you would like to submit, visit the Live In Essence website for further details. To book Claire to speak at your event, email her at hello@claireraikes.com.

[tags]healthy recipes, healthy food, fennel, IBS, coleslaw, soup, veggie, vegetarian, kebabs, colon cancer[/tags]

Darling, Honey Is Good For You!

A little honey article for your little one.

Kids just love honey, but they often think that the sweet liquid simply comes from the grocery shops. This article helps adults explain to their little ones (3-6+) what honey really is, where it comes from, and the goodness it brings in a simple language young children would be able to appreciate.

What is honey? Honey is a sweet syrup bees make for their food. They make honey from the nectar of flowering plants. Nectar is the sweet juice in the centre of a flower. Honey is good for us to eat!

How bees make honey? Long time ago, people collected honey from the nests which wild bees make in tree holes. Later, people found that bees would bring their nectar to a wooden nest made by humans. This is called a hive.

Bees suck up flower nectar with their long tube called proboscis. At their hive, they hold the nectar in their stomachs. This turns the nectar into a sticky liquid called honey. A special wax called beeswax come from the bodies of bees. Bees shape the beeswax into six-sided cells to form honeycomb. They then put the honey into the honeycomb. They also put beeswax lids on these honeycomb cells to stop the honey from coming out.

Collecting Honey Most honey is made in big honey farms. People who keep bees for their honey are called beekeepers. They keep their hives near the flower fields.

Bees mostly make honey in spring and summer when there are lots of flowers. They eat some of this honey and keep the rest in their nests for winter. Bees make much more honey than they need so beekeepers can take a lot of the honey for people to eat. Beekeepers collect honey in the spring. They wear special clothes to protect themselves from bee bites. They take the honeycombs out from the hives. Before they can get the honey, they have to scrape the beeswax lids off the honey comb. This is called uncapping.

A special machine called an extractor takes the honey out of the honeycombs. The machine spins the honeycombs around very fast to make all the honey come out. The honey is then passed through a net with tiny holes to make it clean and clear. The honey drips through the holes and any small bits of beeswax are left in the net. Machines pour the liquid honey into jars. Lids are put on the jars to keep the honey fresh. Labels on the jars tell the people who are going to buy what kind of honey is in the jar. Every year, beekeepers sell millions and millions of jars of honey.

Different Kinds of Honey There are hundreds of different kinds of honey in the world. The colour, taste, and smell of honey depend on the kind of flowers the bees visit. Every kind of flower has a different nice smell. When bees make honey from a type of flower, this nice smell becomes part of the honey. Liquid honey is cooled in a special way to make it thick and creamy. You can spread cream honey on bread or toast like butter. You can also use it as a topping for yoghurt or pudding.

Honey is Good for You Honey is a carbohydrate. This means it is a kind of food that gives us energy to walk, run, think and play. Honey contains vitamins. Vitamins help to keep us healthy. Honey is very good for us, so it is used in lots of things we buy in the shops. People use honey in breakfast cereal, cakes, biscuits, barbeque meats, and even shampoos and cough medicines.

By Tan R. http://www.benefits-of-honey.com All Copyrights Reserved. 2006

Tan R. is the owner of the website http://www.benefits-of-honey.com

[tags]benefits of honey, honey facts, bees honey facts, health benefits of honey, kids and honey bees[/tags]

Jerky Is Healthy! Buy The Best Or Even Make It Yourself!

Did you know…jerky made from fresh, lean meat is low in cholesterol, low in fat and very high in protein? This makes jerky an excellent and nutritious snack! Jerky is excellent for sustaining energy when biking, skiing, playing sports, backpacking, hiking, or anytime! There are excellent packaged and bulk jerky products out on the market. Great American Style® beef jerky (available at www.greatjerky.com) provides high quality meat products that are packaged in various convenient sizes. This makes for an easy and convenient snack option when you are on the go, or when you are doing just about anything. You can also find an extensive recipe section for making your own healthy, low fat, high protein jerky. In this article, we will include some expert tips used by Great American Style® beef jerky to help you create the best jerky in your own home! That's right - make it yourself!

Jerky can be made from various kinds of meat, at Great American® Jerky lean beef is the primary meat of choice, but chicken or turkey breast, and wild game also work extremely well for jerky. Quality meat means quality jerky, but that doesn't mean you have to pay high prices for it! A great at-home tip: Watch for local supermarket sales! Sales are great for getting high quality meat at a lower price, and the meat can always be frozen for later jerky making! Lean ground beef makes great jerky, and can be shaped with cookie cutters for fun jerky!

Flank steaks are one of the best buys – it's all lean red meat that's easy to prepare because of its consistent grain. Chicken and Turkey breasts make for even lower fat jerky snacks. Deer, rabbit, and other wild game meats are great for jerky making, too! Just make sure the meat has been handled properly.

Jerky meat should always be cut with the grain, otherwise it will crumble and fall apart when you cook it. Beef and Deer meat should be cut into ¼ inch thick strips about 1 inch wide. If you are making jerky from poultry, slice it thinner (about 3/8 inch). Be careful! If the meat's too thin or too thick it won't cook evenly! Season your meat strips with your favorite seasonings and recipes – many of the steak and chicken marinades already on the grocery store shelves work wonderfully for jerky as well. Store the meat in a zip lock bag or sealed container over night. The meat will absorb all your favorite flavors.

Jerky has to be cooked! This can be done with a dehydrator, on the grill or a smoker, or even right in your own oven! For basic oven cooking, pre-heat to 200 degrees and place strips of meat on a cookie sheet (make sure they don't touch each other) and cook for an estimated 1 hour and 20 minutes – turning pieces regularly. Test after one hour to determine doneness and desired consistency.

Again, jerky is a healthy snack for all ages! Take it outside – take it anywhere! Jerky makes an excellent gift as well! It's a fun activity for kids to help out in the kitchen. Get the whole family involved. Jerky recipes can be customized to tatse - Hot and Spicy to Sweet and Tangy...whatever your tastebuds desire! Just be sure to check your meat often, to avoid over cooking and overly dry jerky. Wash your hands and surfaces after handling any meat products, and make sure the Jerky is sufficiently cooled before tasting.

For more great jerky tips, recipes, and excellent jerky products and opportunities…visit www.greatjerky.com now! You can also call toll free (800) 574-1288 or (208) 359-0590 for more great jerky information and ordering! And remember – Jerky is Healthy!

Great American Beef Jerky has been providing high quality meat products to consumers for over 15 years! To learn how you can receive Free Jerky, visit http://www.greatjerky.com now!

[tags]jerky, beef jerky, Beef Jerky, homemade jerky, healthy,low fat, high protein, recipes, recipe, beef[/tags]

Health Benefits For Chai Drinkers

What is Chai Tea?

"Chai" actually means "tea" in Hindi, so calling "chai" "chai tea" is actually rather redundant. However, marketers in the western world thought that "chai tea" would help them sell the "new" product to the western market. Chai is actually centuries old, with its origins in India. Generally, it is a milky, spiced tea made with black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper, and various other spices. It is usually sweetened – most commonly with sugar, but some drinkers prefer honey. There is not a universal recipe for chai, as different drinkers like it different ways, so the spice list can change depending on who's making it.

It is most likely this list of ingredients not often found in western beverages that makes chai seem "exotic" to westerners. But in India, chai is as common as tea is in Britain and coffee is in the United States. In fact, it's so common that in many Indian households, the first thing a host offers a guest is a cup of chai.

Potential Health Benefits of Chai

Some tea companies tout the health benefits of drinking their chai product – but buyer beware. While chai is certainly better for the body than a drink such as coffee, because not all chai is made with the same ingredients, it's not really possible to state that chai is universally beneficial. And it's also more likely to benefit the drinker when the drinker has brewed his/her own chai, rather than buying boxed chai or chai in tea bag form. Why? Simply because the spices and herbs being used are much fresher. Here is a list of some of the benefits of the different ingredients in most chai recipes:

1) Cinnamon: In a recent study by the US Agricultural Research Service, cinnamon has been shown to benefit diabetics because the cells are less likely to let insulin in. In lab rats with Type 2 diabetes, cinnamon helped lower blood pressure and prevented cell damage. Cinnamon's oils also help to stop the growth of certain bacteria and yeasts.

2) Ginger: In the Far East, ginger has been used for over two millennia to treat upset stomach, diarrhea, arthritis, and heart disease. Recent research by western scientists also suggests that ginger may help lower the risk of colon cancer.

3) Cardamom: Like ginger, cardamom is often used to soothe digestion problems. But it is also used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma or people suffering from other kinds of respiratory spasms. Further, in Saudi Arabia, animal studies have shown cardamom to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing muscle spasms.

4) Cloves: Used in Ayurvedic medicine as an analgesic, cloves are most often used to soothe toothaches and remedy halitosis. It also has antiseptic qualities, and can be used to kill intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria. These latter qualities have also led cloves to be used for treating diarrhea and similar digestive ailments.

5) Pepper: Most chai recipes do not usually contain enough black pepper for it to be of significant benefit to its drinkers. However, black pepper does reduce intestinal gas and works as an antioxidant.

Just remember: The best way to ensure that your regular cup of chai provides you with the health benefits you're looking for is to brew it yourself. Then you can select the herbs and spices that benefit your specific health condition.

About The Author
Rachel Medlock is a connoisseur of hot drinks, including chai. She also operates the informational website http://www.MyChaiTeas.com.

[tags]chai tea, chai product, drink chai[/tags]

Gas Grills Healthy Grilling

Sometimes you may be caught wondering to yourself, gee that grilled hamburger looks good, I wish I could grill everything from now on. Well the truth is, you can! In fact, you can grill anything you want and not just the traditional barbeque fare of hot dogs, steaks, and sausages, etc.

The truth is you can grill lots of other stuff, and also add some healthy foods to the mix as well. In addition to your chicken and other white meats you can add a huge assortment of delectable vegetables. It's really simple to just slice and dice them anyway you see fit and prefer, and dab some olive oil, apply a dash of pepper and salt and any other seasoning that you prefer and voila! You've got yourself a meal fit for king!

Make sure to place everything on an aluminum foil (heavy duty variety), and bring up the sides to create a mini cooking "container" for the foods. This is a quick and easy way to prepare a fun, hearty meal for you and all your neighbors and loved ones!

This is just one of many ways to cook a convenient and delicious meal using your favorite grilling techniques. So go on, get grillin!

Make haste onto our web page for good and useful content on ducane gas grill parts insider tips this minute!

http://www.gasgrilldeluxe.com

[tags]metal wine rack,hanging wine racks,iron wine rack,metal wine racks,corner wine rack[/tags]

A Note To Food Manufacturers

Food manufacturing in the US has always been about convenience, product availability, taste and price. The more society ventured away from the family garden and kitchen, the more food manufacturers developed a market or niche for their products at home in the cupboards. Processed foods no longer are limited to flour and sugar on the country store shelf, but have evolved to include the variety of foods eaten daily and taken from restaurants, grocery stores, super markets and convenience stores.

As the commonality of quick processed foods increases throughout the world, health problems such as obesity, diabetes and cancer have also become common and inevitable to the point that *"1 in 3 American adults have Insulin Resistance, a pre-diabetic condition", and this will only be the beginning.

The philosophy behind Functional Food is to create food additives and ingredients that will enhance the bodies health by making manufactured foods more beneficial to the consumer with out losing quality or taste.

It is the intention to not only create additives and ingredients that will benefit todays market but will benefits today's generation as they age.

By using products such as "SugarBlendtm",and "FlourBlendtm,, in drinks, cakes, cookies, candies, breads, pastries, and snacks, today's children will have increased mineral uptake, aiding in the prevention of Osteoporosis as they age, increasing bowel function, reducing the chance of colon cancer and by aiding in the control of blood sugar swings that may cause diabetes later in life. These "Functional" properties are accomplished without side effects that may cause consumers to reject manufactured products. These side effects include sweeteners that cause a laxative effect, gas, bloating, aftertaste and degrading sweetness in high heat. Styrofoam-like textures, no taste, distasteful smell and color in cooking flour substitutes.

We see that parents today are becoming more aware and educated in the direction of nutrition, especially with regards to growing children. If foods are eaten that increase calcium in the bones today, twenty years from now, it is possible that this generation won't suffer from Osteoporosis or Colon Cancer. If foods are eaten today that keep the blood sugar steady and absorb slowly in the gut, not only will the child have protection from disease, but they will have a lessor chance of developing diabetes twenty years from now also.

The main objective of Home Blend Gourmet and others that manufacture functional food is "The Health of Humanity". Manufactures using these products today can influence the health of future generation and secure their markets for tomorrow. We create first rate ingredients and additives by being on the cutting edge of research. The demands of fast paced lives and lifestyles shouldn't cost the health of the human race. We can help food manufactures become more health conscious and competitive with marketing strategies that will put them above the rest of the pack.

Today, the education of the general public on nutrition is vastly brought about through mass media, by informational commercials, through news media, T.V. talk shows, magazine articles and newspaper articles.

High protein, low-carb, low-fat diets have gained popularity through media blitzes on celebrity books, university studies, restaurant menus and nutritional labels. These diet plans have also gained popularity by the prove results, some of the newest diets include Glycemic Indexing, or the blood glucose response to the manufactured products. We check our food formula's for impact to blood sugar response by doing in vivo oral tolerance tests. Each formula is created to not only aid in control of nutritional conditions, but that the side-effects of that formula is beneficial to the human body. We offer In Vivo testing for any of our manufacturing clients that would like to use Glycemic Indexing guidelines for marketing their products. We are South Pacific Health Enterprises, and we license our food formulas only to Home Blend Gourmet.

*AACE, AC of Endo. Conference, 08-25-26, 2003

About The Author

D.S. Epperson is the top formulator for Home Blend Gourmet / South Pacific Health, a leader in the functional food industry in the U.S.. With 20 years of experience in Nutritional Biochemistry, she has written reference books on botanicals and manufacturing of medicines from botanicals, and published articles on health, fitness and foods. She has formulated over 240 formulas and inventions for health, the environment and agricultural uses, and continues to research and study microbial advantages in nutraceuticals and functional foods. For more information or to view the articles that she has written: http://www.sugarblend.com.

online@sugarblend.com

[tags]food,fda,health,fitness,nutrition,food label,food manufacturing[/tags]

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes

Did you know that tomatoes were once considered poison? It's true, the tomato is a member of the nightshade family, and was at one time considered to be toxic. Tomatoes were first eaten in the U.S. in the early 1800's, when a gentleman by the name of Robert Johnson shocked his hometown by eating a basket of tomatoes in the middle of town. When he didn't die, or even get sick from the tomatoes, they became a part of the American diet.

We now know that tomatoes are not toxic, and in fact are quite nutritious. First of all, tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is quite beneficial, as you've probably heard. Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, an important protein skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage by free radicals.

Tomatoes also contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Studies have shown that men consuming 10 servings of tomatoes a week cut the risk of prostate cancer by 45%. Lycopene also lower the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, and inhibits the growth of other types of cancer cells. Lycopene may also help older folks remain active.

Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acied are also found in tomatoes. These two compounds are thought to block the effects of nitrosamines, which are formed naturally in the body, but are also a strong carcinogen in tobacco smoke.

Tomatoes may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Niacin has been used for years to lower cholesterol. Potassium has been shown to lower high blood pressure. And vitamin B6 and folate are used by the body to convert a dangerous chemical called homocysteine into more benign compounds.

Vitamin K, found in tomatoes helps to maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K1 activates a protein in the bones called osteocalcin, which anchors calcium inside the bone. Without enough vitamin K, bone mineralization is impaired.

When you buy tomatoes, be sure to buy the ones with the brightest red color. This indicates high amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene. Lycopene is found in the cell walls of the tomato, so by cooking it in a bit of oil, more lycopene is fully released. Also, cooking the tomato in a bit of olive oil helps your body to absorb the lycopene. If all you can find are canned tomatoes, that's fine. Cooking and canning don't cause tomatoes to lose any of their nutritional value. So cooked and processed tomatoes are just as beneficial as fresh tomatoes.

So tomatoes, once thought to be deadly poison, are now a nutritious staple of our diet. They help to fight cancer, and they contain a good amount of vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. So go ahead and start adding tomatoes to your diet.

Spaghetti Sauce:

1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you want)
1 lb ground beef (optional)
4 28oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 28oz. can of tomato sauce
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp dried oregano
3 bay leaves

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion, and cook for a couple of minutes, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic, and cook briefly. Be sure not to burn the garlic.

If using ground beef, cook the meat in a skillet until browned. Drain the meat, and add it to the pot.

Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, oregano, and bay leaves. Stir everything together, then turn the heat to medium low, and simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Remove the sauce from the heat, and serve over pasta. The leftover sauce will freeze well.

Tim Sousa is the webmaster for Negative Calorie Food. A blog about losing weight eating negative calorie food.

[tags]tomatoes, lycopene, nutrition, cooking, health[/tags]

Cheap, Healthy Foods - Watch Your Weight And Your Budget

A major issue for those who are trying to create a healthy lifestyle is the cost of healthy food. There are many products on the shelves of your local grocery store that are healthy, but most of them have a larger price tag than the unhealthy, high-fat foods. There are options. If you shop wisely, you can eat healthier than you ever have before and decrease your grocery bill at the same time. Nutritious eating doesn't need to be expensive.

Less Junk = More Savings:

In choosing healthy foods, keep in mind that you will automatically be spending less than before due to the absence of junk foods that you may normally purchase such as soft drinks, sugary snacks, and high fat meats.

Less Waste = Less Waist:

Healthy eating is not just eliminating certain foods from your diet; it is replacing them with healthy foods. And, if weight control is your goal, you will also be reducing your portion sizes, which will mean less money spent on each meal.

Less Meat, More Veggies:

Reducing the amount of meat you eat and replacing it with vegetables is a great way to save money. Fresh vegetables are not nearly as expensive as meat or poultry and your body will thank you for it. Salad is another cheap, healthy food. The pre-packaged salads will cost a bit more than if you purchase the lettuce and other vegetables separately and prepare the salad yourself.

Frugal Fruit:

Fruit can be a somewhat expensive, but if you purchase canned fruits in low-sugar syrup or water, you will pay relatively little in comparison to fresh fruit. Apples and oranges are inexpensive compared to some other fruits and you can often find sales that will further reduce your expenses.

Beans and Rice are Nice:

Legumes and rice are very inexpensive and you can use either or both of these to replace meat several times per week.

Save on Meat:

Canned fish costs considerably less than fresh fish and still contains most of the nutrients. Canned tuna and salmon are very cheap and are very low in fat and calories if you choose the varieties packed in water rather than oil. Chicken is less expensive if you purchase a whole chicken and remove the skin yourself before cooking.

Healthy food does not have to be expensive. You can purchase cheap healthy foods and not only eliminate unhealthy fat and calories, but you can actually save money if you shop wisely.

Would you rather spend time doing the things you love rather than being stuck in the kitchen? http://www.freequickrecipes.com -- has quick recipes for mothers... and others. And, if you are looking for a fun way to trim your thighs, don't miss http://www.funexercisevideos.com

[tags]article submission, articles, writers, writing, publishing, ezine, email marketing, email newsletter, email[/tags]

Fig - The Natural Way To Good Health

The fig occupies a high position among fruits. Soft, sweet and puply, this delicious fruit promotes health. It is a pear-shaped hollow fruit, with sugary pulp and a large number of small seeds of golden color sticking to the wall of the cavity. It is variable in size and color. The ripe fresh fruit is juicy, wholesome and delicious. However, being highly perishable, it if sold in the world markets in its dry form.

Origin and Distribution

The fig is a native of Asia Minor and spread early to the Mediterranean region. It is a plant of extremely ancient cultivation and was grown in Egypt around 4,000 BC. It has been used as a principal food in the Mediterranean countries for thousands of years. The main areas of fig cultivation in India are Pune in Maharashtra, Srirangapatnam in Karnataka, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and parts of Gujarat.

Food Value

An analysis of the fresh fig shows it consists good amount of moisture and little protein, fat and carbohydrate. The dry fig has a high nutritive value. Its most important food element is sugar which forms 51 to 74 per cent of the whole fruit. It can be taken in various ways, either by itself or in combination with other foodstuffs enrich their food value. When taken with white flour, it removes much of its constipating effect. It combines very well with milk. Figs are often used for preparing cakes and jams. They are also made into pudding.

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

Many medicinal virtues have been ascribed to the fig. It is considered a restorative food which helps in quick recovery after prolonged illness. It removes physical and mental exertion and endows the body with renewed vigour and strength. It is an excellent tonic for the weak people who suffer cracks in lips, tongue and mouth.

Constipation

Taken either fresh or dried, the fig is regarded as a dependable laxative on account of its large cellulose content and its tough skin. The tiny seeds in the fruit possess the property of stimulating peristaltic or wave like movements of intestines which facilitates easy evacuation of faeces and keeps the alimentary canal clean.

Piles

Owing to its laxative property, the fig is an excellent remedy for piles. Two or three dried figs should be soaked in cold water in a glass of enamelware in the night after cleaning them thoroughly with hot water. They should be taken next morning. Figs should be taken similarly in the evening. This will remove straining at stools and thus prevent the protrusion of the anus. The piles will be cured with regular use of figs in this manner for three or four weeks.

Asthma

Figs are considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Phlegmatic cases of cough and asthma are treated with success by their use. It gives comfort to the patient by draining of the phlegm.

Sexual Weakness

Figs can be beneficially used in the treatment of sexual debility. They can be supplemented by other dry fruits like almonds and dry dates along with butter. Their use has proved effective in such cases

Corns

For corns of long duration, the milky juice of green figs helps to soften them. The milk has a mild necrotic action

Precautions

Figs should be washed thoroughly before use. The skin of the dry fruit being tough, the soaked fig is easy to digest. It is, however, essential to take the water along with the fruit as much of the nutrients come out into the water.

Note:

Information in this article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advise provided by your own physician or other medical professional. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

Cindy is the host of http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com, a Free Asian Recipes website dedicated to all things on Asian Cooking and Culinary Guide with thousands of Cooking Tips.

Besides, she is also the co-host for http://www.vietnamese-recipes.com and http://www.alldessertrecipes.com

[tags]fig,health,fruits,food[/tags]

Enjoy Healthy Eating!

Can you enjoy healthy eating? Some people seem to think that healthy eating is some kind of punishment. On the contrary, it's a pleasure!

There are so many delicious dishes that can be made with less fat and sugar. It's a new world to discover. When I go out for dinner or cook in my own kitchen I often choose a vegetarian meal. There are lots of different ingredients to choose from and the combination possibilities are almost endless.

Sometimes I just pick a few products in the store without having any idea of what to do with them and then I surprise myself with a new tasty dish. It's fun! Use your imagination. Eat what you enjoy and enjoy what you eat! You don't have to exclude meat in your food, but we all need much more vegetables. We should try to see the vegetables not just as accompaniments, but as a meal in itself, with its own value.

Relax!

Try to give yourself time in the kitchen. You need to slow down and be free from stress to be able to enjoy eating. Think of your time in the kitchen as an important part of your day. Make your kitchen a place where you can relax and feel comfortable. Make it nice, put a cloth on the table and some flowers. Light candles. Many people seem to want to get out of the kitchen as soon as possible. If you feel that way, you won't be able to enjoy your meal. Be present, focus on the meal, don't watch TV or read any paper or magazine while you're eating. Enjoy the food, see how it looks, feel the appetizing smell and taste of it.

Eat slowly!

When you are enjoying something you want it to last long, right? Eat slowly, take your time to enjoy every bite. Chew it well. When you eat slowly like this you will notice that your body will tell you when it's time to finish. You will know when you are content and you can avoid eating too much. Stop eating when you feel content even if there is still food on your plate.

Make a small lifestyle change!

When you go to a restaurant next time, order something new that you haven't tried before. Next time you go to the store, buy some low fat or light products that you haven't tried. Find out if they really are as boring as you might think they are. Maybe you'll be surprised. Maybe you will find new favourites and get new ideas for delicious meals to enjoy! Then you have made a small lifestyle change. And all major achievements start with the first step.

About The Author

Ingela Berger started her own Internet business Lifestyle Plans in 2003 out of a desire to inspire and encourage others to make reality of their dreams of a personal, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, acting, history of art, history of ideas, health communication and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she went back to college and is now a health and lifestyle consultant.

[tags]health,nutrition,healthy living,diet,food,lifestyle[/tags]

Nutritious And Healthy Uses Of Apple Juice

Apple juice is good as a nutritious drink but excellent in overcoming a liverish feeling, in helping sort out digestive disturbances and for flushing the kidneys. Many of these health providing properties are retained in cider vinegar, so if you cannot obtain apples to prepare your juice you can use instead two teaspoonfuls of cider vinegar in a glass of water.

Besides being a great cleanser, the apple juice diet purifies the blood and is helpful for skin and liver, and as a general tonic. After juicing, the liquid often oxidizes quickly so it is best to store for even a short while in the refrigerator. Apples contain some 15 calories per oz (220KJ per 100g). The vitamins present include C, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, carotene, B6, biotin and folic acid.

There is a little sodium and a lot of potassium and phosphorus. Until the 1930s apples were regarded as an important indicated source of vitamin C. Then some scientist carried out a few analyses which indicated very low amounts of vitamin C. It took years for the poor apples to return to favor, for what the chemist found out was partially true. Modem research shows a fluctuation between 2.3mg per 100g (4oz), in the worst varieties, to 31.8mg in the best.

Those high in vitamin C include Ribston Pippin, Golden Noble, Reinette, Ontario, King of the Pippins, Bramleys, Beauty of Bath, Blenheim Orange, Cox's and jonathans. The poor providers include Rome Beauty, Laxton's Superb and James Grieve. Around the low middle are such favorites as Golden Delicious and Worcester Pearmain.

Oranges and lemons are more important as providers of vitamin C, but apples, unlike citrus fruits, have very high mineral contents, and also pectins, malic acid and tannic acid, all of which are of the greatest therapeutic importance in normalizing the intestines.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on some nutritious juices of apple which is good for diet as well as nutrition.

[tags]natural home remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, health and beauty, apple juice[/tags]

Asparagus Juice For Cooking And Nutrition

Asparagus juice is usually taken in the quantity of a sherry-glassful three times a day before meals. Asparagus extract has been used not only to remove water from the body but as a purifier of the blood, to tone up the nervous system and as a gentle laxative.

The thickness of the asparagus used has little effect upon the value, only upon the cost. So choose fresh looking stems that have not dried out and gone floppy. The white, woody base of the stem helps prevent it from losing moisture. It can be stored for a few days wrapped with a damp cloth around the base and kept in a cool place.

Asparagus is a luxury vegetable that still grows wild in Mediterranean countries. Old herbals called it sparrowgrass and farmers still call the plant 'grass'. A big helping will contain less than 40 calories and it is a good provider of vitamins C and E and folic acid.

The therapeutically active substance found in the asparagus is the alkaloid asparagines which exert a rapid effect upon the kidneys, stimulating them and coloring the urine a dark yellow within hours of consumption. The asparagines is much reduced in quantity during cooking, so that the use of quite a small amount of the raw juice produces a good diuretic effect.

Not only is the urine colored, the asparagus also imparts quite a strong smell to it, so do not think anything is amiss should this phenomenon surprise you. The essential oils which give asparagus its distinctive and pleasant flavor are very powerful because they are present in such small amounts that special analytical methods have to be employed to detect them.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on asparagus juice can be used as laxative as well as used for blood purification.

[tags]natural home remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, health and beauty, asparagus juice, laxative[/tags]

Fruits - Savior Of Health

There are certain healthy foods that prevent mental, physical and sexual senility and prolong youthful vitality and appearance. The usefulness of some of the more important foods noted for such properties rendering good health are discussed here.

Almond as a health food Known as the king of nuts, almond is a highly nutritious food. It is rich in all essential elements needed by the body. Almonds are highly beneficial in preserving vitality of the brain, strengthening the muscles and prolonging life. It is an effective health building food both for the body and mind.

Substances such as Copper, iron, phosphorous aand vitamin B1 present in almonds exert synergic action and help the formation of new blood cells. They also play a major role in maintaining the smooth physiological funtions of the brain, nerves, bone, liver and the heart.

Almond is a valuable health food for several common ailments, including anemia, constipation, skin disorders and respiratory diseases. The best way to consume almonds is to soak them in water and eat it after peeling or grinding in into a paste after peeling.

Another health food: Apple Apple is invaluable in the maintenance of good health and in the prevention and treatment of many ailments. This fruit is a highly nutritive food and contains minerals and vitamins in abundance. It has been found beneficial in the treatment of anemia, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery stomach disorders, headache, heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatic afflictions, eye and dental disorders.

The various chemicals present in apple such as vitamin B1, phosphorous and potassium help the synthesis of glutamic acid. This chemical substance controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple with honey and milk is very valuable in the nervous disorders like extreme tiredness, lack of concentration, lack of memory, mental irritability and mental depression. It acts as a very effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life. The apple is the best fruit to tone up weak and run down condition of the human system.

It removes all deficiencies of vital organs and makes the body stout and strong. It tones up the body and the brain as it contains more phosphorous and iron than any other fruit or vegetable. Its regular consumption with milk promotes health and youthfulness and helps build healthy and bright skin. It has a calming and relaxing effect.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies and the importance of fruits such as apple and almond.

[tags]natural home remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, health and beauty, apple, almond, fruits[/tags]

Virtually Vegetarian!

Being a vegetarian is still something of a conversation killer even in today's health conscious society. "What do you eat then?" is muttered quietly whilst images of the gourmet meat pies are tossed aside for green salads at the next dinner party.

Vegetarianism has actually shown a slight decline over the last decade although statistics have shown that many people have been a vegetarian at one period in their life. But overall, the vegetarian lifestyle is still as popular as ever as shown by the ever increasing range of vegetarian products and meat substitutes entering the market.

Whilst the vegetarian terms may seem confusing at first – the concept behind the terms are actually quiet easy to follow.

Lacto-Ovo – Most people when they hear the term vegetarian would think of a lacto-ovo. The term refers to people who do not eat any fish or meat but who do eat dairy products and eggs.

Ovo – This term refers to vegetarians who will eat eggs but will not eat any dairy products in their diet.

Lacto – Refers to a person who will not eat any meat or eggs in their diet but who will eat dairy products.

Vegan – Vegans are the strictest form of vegetarians as they do not eat any form of animal product or by-product.

Semi – The term semi-vegetarian has become increasingly popular with the rise of the so called "fad diet". This category is set aside for people who want to try the vegetarian lifestyle but who still enjoy the occasional hamburger.

Many vegetarians choose this lifestyle not only for the health benefits associated with it but also for their belief against animal cruelty and associations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) now champion animal rights.

Before the advantages of the vegetarian lifestyle were well documented we assumed that vegetarians were insipid, thin, pale creatures but with the number of famous celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney and Alicia Silverstone touting the benefits, the attitude has been given a more positive makeover.

Vegetarians can run the risk of suffering from a lack of iron, protein, Vitamin B and calcium if they do not balance their diets. But a little bit of education and knowledge of vegetarian sources should ensure that this does not occur. Protein can easily be found by eating nuts, seeds, tofu, veggie burgers and grains. Vitamin B2 can be found by eating leafy green vegetables, almonds and mushrooms and many vegetarian products are now fortified with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D as an aid against any deficiency which may occur. Calcium can be found in tofu, leafy green vegetables, dried fruit, watercress and many of the soy milks found on the markets are calcium fortified.

Dining out can also pose a problem as many restaurants still have few vegetarian options and some vegetarian products may be more expensive than their meat counterparts.

The upside about being a vegetarian is that you do not have to worry about raising cholesterol levels by eating too much red meat. Research has also shown that many vegetarians suffer less from obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, diet related cancers, constipation and gall stones.

Even if you don't embrace the vegetarian lifestyle wholeheartedly, trying a veggie meal once in a while certainly can't do you any harm.

Recommended Vegetarian Recipe Websites:

http://www.sanitarium.com.au/recipe/recipes.do?cat-id=312
http://www.vnv.org.au/Recipes.htm
http://www.vegsoc.org.au/recipes.asp
http://www.annabella.net/vegetarian.html

Michelle Sweeney is a self confessed vegetarian of over 12 years. She is also the owner of the online gift store – http://www.tonicgifts.com.au. Tonic Gifts registered as a business in October 2004 with an aim to provide quality and affordable gifts to online shoppers both in Australia and overseas and to make the whole experience as simple and enjoyable as possible.

[tags]vegetarian,vegan,health,food,fad,vegetarianism,vege,ovo-lacto,recipe,cooking,kitchen,lifestyle[/tags]

The 5 Beliefs About Food That Keep You Fat

1. Food should not be wasted

We have learnt not to leave food even though we don't really want it. If we cooked it, bought it, served it up on a plate or ordered it in a restaurant it has to be eaten because "it's a sin to throw away good food". So we use our bodies as a kind of human waste disposal unit and pile unwanted pounds onto our hips.

We learnt to clean our plates when we were kids, mostly from well-meaning parents who wanted to make sure we got enough nourishment and tried to make us feel guilty about all the starving people in the world. We learnt to eat stuff we didn't really want or need to please our parents and sometimes we got more food as a reward ("Eat your dinner or you won't get dessert").

Now you're an adult you can take a different approach. Buy less, cook less, serve up less and order less but if it's still more food than you need, throw it out rather than down your throat. It's a greater waste to over feed your body than it is to throw out excess food.

2. Food equals love

We learn from birth to link love and comfort from our mother with being fed and that feeling is reinforced throughout childhood. We equate food with being cared for. So it's often the first thing we turn to when we want to experience those feelings of love and comfort again.

But food is not love. A double-chocolate chip cookie or plateful of fries will never love you back. Only people can do that.

If you need love, you need contact with other living breathing humans. Call up a friend and talk, don't eat.

3. Slim people can eat as much food as they like

This one is actually true but not in the way we often believe it. Slim people eat as much as they like but they don't live for food. They like to eat as much as they need and they do. Sometimes they overeat. That's when you see them eating chocolate cake and pizza and you think they have it made. But other times (more likely when you're not seeing them on an evening out) they're satisfied with soup and a salad. It's a balance thing. If slim people ate too much all the time they would be overweight too!

Even so, you may find that your friend can eat more than you and not get fat. You may put it down to the luck of a fast metabolism but actually the slight variances you find in metabolism make very little difference. Naturally slim people simply move around more during the course of the day even if they don't take regular exercise. They're forever on the go. They're up and down more. And they fidget more. Studies have shown that they use up more calories than others in that way.

If you eat and move like your slim friends you will have little to envy.

4. Healthy food doesn't make you fat

You can get fat eating anything - although, granted, it would be difficult to overeat lettuce. But some natural foods are high in calories - in particular nuts and seeds - so you can easily take in too many calories with these. And fruit juices, smoothies and shakes can really pile on the pounds. Too many complex carbohydrates, whole grain though they are, will go straight to your hips too. Healthy foods are great but they still have to be eaten in moderation.

Having said that, true healthy natural real foods are not generally the real problem. The main culprit here are those foods which are branded as healthy by food manufacturers - the foods that are "full of goodness" or low in fat or carbs or whatever. They offer so-called healthy options for cookies, cakes and pies that you could do well without eating. They just tempt you to eat more because you think they are healthy or low in calories. Check the labels and give them a miss.

5. Only unhealthy food tastes good

You may have spent years assaulting your taste-buds with fat and sugar confectionary, salty snacks and fried foods and that is what they have learnt to know and love. But actually many foods that you eat have sugar and salt added to give them appeal they wouldn't otherwise have. Once you start tasting quality natural foods and delicious healthy recipes you will never look back. Become a true gourmet and learn to love good natural food in moderation. Take the time to prepare and enjoy it properly and you will find your taste buds dancing with delight.

Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small

Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach, slimming club owner and author of "The Diet Exit Plan", an 8 week coaching program for automatic permanent weight loss. Request her FREE 15 page report "How to lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.com TODAY!

[tags]beliefs about food, lose weight, myths about food, healthy food, fattening food, diet, diet food[/tags]