The Wonders of Cabbage

Attention diet planners! Ever heard of new cabbage soup diet? Or are you on to it? If you are then you just made the right choice.

According to study, cabbage is one of the most fibrous foods on earth. In clinical research it is known to induce fullness, reduce appetite, and facilitate long-term weight loss.

How does cabbage soup exactly work? Sensors lining the stomach respond to volume. High-volume, water-rich foods like those included in the cabbage soup diet work because they stretch the stomach so that it tells the brain it is full. Thus, eating snacks in soup form rather than whole food form resulted in double the amount of weight lost.

At cabbagesoupdietresults.com find out how the best 7 day cabbage soup diet plan is done and the revealed 5 secrets to its success.

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Are You Taking Good or Bad Carbs?

Most of people I know who are on diet are basically conscious with their carbohydrates intake. When I was in Cebu, I usually take a van for hire when I have to go to the city. One day, an obviously on-a- diet 'fleshy' lady beside me at the front seat took out a pack of crackers and munch it while we are on our way. Perhaps the kind of look I threw at her gave her a hint of what was at the back of my mind and voluntarily told me along that she was indeed on a diet before I could even say a word, LOL!

It wasn't the first time for me to see dieters who only consider taking crackers as their first meal of the day infact, I have known quite a few... including myself. Yes, I tried this too before but it never really help because I can be very undetermined too sometimes. Did I feel bad about it? Yes, somehow... but now no more after what I have just learned about the bottom line of the whole thing...

Choosing good ones instead of taking the wrong or no carbs at all! Are crackers good carbs? Hmm... let's see!

CATEGORIZATION OF CARBOHYDRATES

A. Very Good Carbohydrates

• Aspargus, brocolli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans, greens, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, palm hearts, green peppers, red peppers, spinanch, tomatoes, turnips, watercress and zucchini.

B. Good Carbohydrates

• Kidney beans and red beans (both rich in protein), apples, appricots, beans, beets, blueberries, cantaloupe, carrots, grapefruit, kiwi, lemons, lime, onions, oranges, peaches, pears, green peas, pineapple, prunes, raspberries, stawberries and water melon.

C. Medium Carbohydrates

• Bananas, bean sprouts, whole wheat bread, cherries, whole dark chocolate, cocoa, corn, grapes, muffin, baked potatoes, steamed potatoes and whole grain rice.

D. Bad Carbohydrates

• Cake, candy, caramel, cornflakes, crackers, croissant, honey, jam, milk, pancakes, pasta, pastry, pie, fried potatoes and potato chips.

From here I have learned that seeking for advice is still important and of great help all along, especiallyin deciding for important things in life.

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From Sugar Highs to Sugar Blues

We consume an average of 150 pounds of sugar and sweeteners per year for each man, woman, and child. That is more than three fourths of a cup a day.

I don't buy that much sugar. Where does it all come from?

Most of the sugar we consume is hidden sugar. Here are some of the ways sugar slips into our diet:

• Soft drinks. We average about 54 gallons of soft drinks per person per year. This works out to approximately two sodas per day. One 12-ounce soda may contain 12 teaspoons of sugar.


• Desserts. A piece of chocolate cake, for instance, contains 15 teaspoons of sugar; a cup of frozen yogurt has 12 teaspoons.


• Ready-to-eat cereals. Some are excellent. But cereals like Fruit Loops and Sugar Smacks have 48 and 64 percent of their calories coming from sugar. This isn't cereal, it's candy!

You will also fins hidden sugars in foods such as canned soups, pot pies, TV dinners, and many brands of peanut butter.

Should I check labels for sugar?

Yes, but realize that sugar may also be hidden by giving it a different name. Sucrose, dextrose, lactose, fructose, and maltose for instance, are all sugars. So are corn syrup, honey and molasses. More than 100 substances that are called sugar exist.

Doesn't sugar produce quick energy?

Refined, concentrated sugars enter the bloodstream quickly. Up goes the blood sugar, resulting in a quick energy boost -- a sugar high.

But the high is only temporary because it triggers a surge of insulin. Insulin brings down blood sugar level and, in the absence of the moderating effects of fiber, sometimes pulls it down too fast and too far.

Try eating an apple, a banana, or a bowl of brown rice. The fiber in these foods slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. The sugar level won't jump around so much, your energy will stabilize, and you'll feel satisfied longer.

Recommended link: grabber from musicians friend

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Home Treatment for Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are typically thought of being a childhood problem, but they're actually common in older people -- and they can be more serious the older you get.

Most nosebleeds can be treated effectively with home remedies. Some, though, need emergency care and may be a sign of serious  underlying problem.

Anterior and Posterior

Nosebleeds come in two types, and the causes, severity, and treatment options differ:

• Anterior nosebleeds. These involves bleeding from the front of the nose. They account for more than 80 percent of all nosebleeds but are generally not serious. It originate in one of the tiny, blood-rich vessels that run through the front of the nose. Dry air and trauma to the nose are the main causes.Blood thinning medications, which include aspirin and anticoagulants, can make you more susceptible to them. You can treat most of them at home. If you have recurrent anterior nosebleeds, see your doctor. He or she may recommend that you have the vessel that's causing the problem cauterized. This procedure creates a seal on the vessel by burning  it with silver nitrate, electric current, or a laser beam. In rare situations, doctors perform a septoplasty, a surgical procedure that straightens the wall of cartilage between your nostrils. A bent septum can cause anterior nosebleeds to recur.


• Posterior nosebleeds. These nosebleeds are more serious but less common.  They occur when one of the large vessels in the inner portion of your nose breaks.Blood streams down the nasal cavity into the throat rather than out the nostril, so blood loss is more difficult to monitor. Home treatment won't stop the bleeding -- a trip to the emergency room is necessary. At the emergency room, doctors typically tries to stop the bleeding by inserting a strip of petroleum jelly soaked gauze, called a "posterior pack", deep into the nostril.
  Rarely, the posterior pack procedure fails to stop the bleeding. Then, doctors may surgically tie off (ligate) the bleeding vessel. A short hospital stay usually follows either procedure.

A Red Flag

Nosebleeds happen to people of all ages, but they occur most commonly in adult males over age 50. Even for older adults, most anterior nosebleeds can usually be treated at home.

For all age groups, though, posterior and recurring anterior nosebleeds can be a sign of other health problems, including:

• Anteriosclerosis. This is the thickening and the hardening of the artery walls, which makes them suscpetible to cracking. Anteriosclerosis occurs more often in older adults than in younger people.


• High blood pressure (hypertension). This common condition causes damage to arteries and creates higher pressure in them, making them more prone to rupturing. Recurrent nosebleeds or those accompanied by a headache could be an indicator of hypertension and should be treated immediately at the emergency room.


• Bleeding disorders. Clotting problems and low platelet counts can have serious underlying causes, such as liver or bone marrow problems or leukemia.

Stop the bleeding. Most nosebleeds are just shirt-staining annoyances. But they can be an important warning sign of serious health problems. That's why it is important to stop the bleeding and be aware of possible causes.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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Brain Damaging Habits

NO BREAKFAST
This is a tendency especially to night owls (I used to be one) or people who are not used to waking up early in the morning. According to study, people who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

OVEREATING
I am not sure if I should be guilty on this but overeating causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

SMOKING
Needless to say smoking doesn’t do any good to our health. It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

HIGH SUGAR CONSUMPTION
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

AIR POLLUTION
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

HEAD COVERED WHILE SLEEPING
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

WORKING YOUR BRAIN DURING ILLNESS
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

LACKING IN STIMULATING THOUGHTS
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

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The Upside of Depression

Depression. You feel as though you're at the bottom of a deep, dark pit and there's no way out. But there's help. There are more effective ways to deal with it than ever before.

Environment

Where you live and work affects how you feel. Being depressed saps your energy, but keep things tidied up anyway. Don't wake up to face yesterday's messes! Deliberately make things pleasant - a few  flowers, a sweet-scented candle, soft but cheerful music, colorful pictures. And stay connected with supportive friends.

Health

Your diet affects your feelings even more when you re depressed. You crave sweets (and everything else), or you don't feel like eating. Fixing balanced meals? Impossible. It;s much easier to snack. OK, then, snack on the depression fighters: fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and protein foods. Plan simple meals -- blender fruit drinks, veggie trays, heart bread from the store or your bread machine, nuts, prepared tofu patties. If you cook, make a double batch and save some for later.

Exercise releases endorphins, those brain chemicals that make you feel good (the natural versions of the drugs people take to get high). Endorphins is a gift from God; they reward you when you do things that are good for you, such as exercising, nursing your baby, or accomplishing a meaningful task. Exercise is especially important during depression. Besides releasing endorphins and improving general health, it helps regulate your appetite and your sleep patterns.

Creative hobbies are another way to relieve depression. You won't feel like doing much, but if you  join a friend, it's easier to get started. Watching TV may seem to feel good, but it pulls you down. If you do watch TV, make it a comedy and watch with someone else.

Sunlight is essential for some types of depressions and helps nearly all kinds. Make it a point to get outside in the fresh air and sun every day. Indoors, use bright light.

Treatment

Several psychological treatments are proven to approve symptoms and prevent relapse, even in severe cases. The better the therapist, the better the treatment work. Cognitive therapy helps you change the way you think about what happens to you. Simply said, it puts you in charge of your thoughts in order to improve your feelings. Cognitive therapy may include scheduling fun activities, learning social skills to deal with difficult people, or practicing active stress management.

Medication can help restore balance to your brain's chemistry. It works better when prescribed by a Psychiatrist rather than an internist or family practice doctor. Psychiatrists are more familiar with the best ways to use these medicines.

Some herbal medicines help depression, but please use these only under your doctor's direction. There is a potential for harmful side effects, or interactions with foods or medicines. Even though they're sold over the counter, they can cause you serious harm.

Depression is a treatable illness, but it's not a do-it-yourself project. Get help! You deserve to feel better!

Some herbal medic

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Fibromyalgia Pillow

Ever heard of Fibromyalgia? It is a disorder characterized by pain due to fatigue, anxiety, depression and restless sleep. Its cause is unknown and is said to more likely affect women.

Last week my sister and her family came over to celebrate an occasion with us. It was kind of a huge event that necessitates them to stay for the night. But since she is pregnant, she needed a place that separates her from the crowd and the buzzes they’re making that time so I offered her my room. I tried to help her get utmost rest she needed but to my surprise none of what I did helped. She felt restless all night and couldn’t sleep.

Prior to that I already have read about Fibromyalgia… Of course I didn’t think it was her condition. Somehow I know how it is like being pregnant but how I wish I have that fibromyalgia pillow thing. I’ve heard it is chiropractors and medical doctors’ recommended and it does not only help people having fibromyalgia disorder but also help soothe those who have other sleeping issues like heavy snoring, insomnia, and even those who are suffering from migraine like me as well as allergies and asthma. See how useful it is? But then such pillow is never available in any stores so I guess really have to save for one... or maybe two!

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Eye Problem Solution Need Not Be Expensive

For every problem there is a solution. And such solution needs not to be expensive at all times. That is what Great Eye Glasses is all about. They provide the best remedy to your eye care needs at a very budget friendly price you can afford.

Prices at GEG starts at $19.99. Cheap? Yes, so now you may quit asking where are the cheapest bifocals instead head on and start looking.

No other sense can provide us with physical and emotional wellness like our eyes does. We count on it everyday so let's give no room for hesitation when it comes to its health.

 

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Tinnitus: Causes and Remedy

Really weird things do happen in every one's life. We may not know what they are called or understand why they happen but Science sure knows and has explanation of about everything that has something to do with the human body.

Ever heard of tinnitus? The word is maybe common to some but not to many. To me it's something new and for that I've made a little research about it. According to Wikipedia, Tinnitus is a perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. In short, it is a ringing noise in the ear.

In many cases, it is not a serious health condition but rather a nuisance and a symptom of underlying causes such as natural hearing impairment, ear infections, foreign body in the external ear or wax build-up.

Withdrawal from "benzo" addiction can cause tinnitus as well. Now this gives us a better understanding why we find people who are drug dependents restless most of the time or worst talking to their own selves.

If you happen to read this post and know of someone who suffers tinnitus, do not hesitate to help. I'd like you to read a story of Max here, a tinnitus sufferer and how tinnitus miracle brought peace to his then difficult and unpleasant life.

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Gum Disease

Gum disease is treatable especially if it is taken care of early. It is not something that can be ignored and will just go away. It will just get worse without proper treatment, eventually leading to the loss of your teeth. Not only are your gums being infected when you have gum disease, but also the bones that are holding your teeth in place.

Have you had more than the normal discomfort of a toothache? Do your gums look swollen, red, or bleed? This is probably the beginning of gingivitis which is usually caused by not having regular cleaning of your teeth.

It is definitely time to call your dentist and make an appointment. With the help of dental treatment and keeping your teeth and gums cleaned, this gum disease can be avoided. You can have healthy gums and teeth if you act quickly.

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The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Many people with only few choices prefer to settle into a highly risky yet a decent paying job than to count themselves in to the league of jobless and let their family starve. This maybe a sad truth but did you know that industrial workers like ship builders, contractors, auto mechanics, construction workers as well as miners has a great chance of developing Mesothelioma and Asbestosis? If your husband or one of your family members is doing any of these above-mentioned jobs, you may as well pay close attention to this.

Mesothelioma is a very rare but a deadly form of cancer caused by direct asbetos exposure. It targets the mesothelium - a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. The latency of its symptoms made it extremely difficult to detect and once diagnosed, victims are often seen to have a less chance of survival. Asbestosis on the other hand is a non-cancerous, chronic lung disease that is also tied to asbestos exposure. It is often diagnosed along with mesothelioma.

However, on the legal side, patients and their direct families must know their right at hand. People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are often entitled to financial coverage. Consulting with an experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer would make a big difference. They will help you fight for the compensation that is eligible to you.

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Healthy vs. Unhealthy Anger

Are you unpredictable, prone to anger and easily gets irritated? One minute you are cheerful, the next minute the whole world seemed to turn upside down.

Ever wonder if you are still being healthy at all?

Study says: Anger is a natural and necessary emotion. In itself it's neither right or wrong, healthy nor unhealthy. It is the expression of anger that makes it healthy or unhealthy. When expressed appropriately within the context of the situation it is a necessary emotion. Feeling anger is different from expressing anger and it is the inappropriate expression of anger that makes it unhealthy.

Healthy Anger: is appropriate to the situation that evokes it. Healthy expression of anger involves facing what makes you angry and an effort to set boundaries for yourself by determining what you will do in response to what makes you angry.

Unhealthy Anger: is a component of abusive relationships. This kind of anger or rage is experienced with great intensity and expressed likewise by yelling, physical expression of anger, violence or threats of violence, sulking, manipulation, emotional blackmail, and anger used to punish.

Anyway, there are lots of helpful ways to suppress anger. Listening to music for me is one. My fondness to music would certainly set my mood no matter how upset I’m maybe. I’ll shop for hipshot tuners at Guitar Center and that should make me feel great. That’s how of a music person I am.

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What Happens When You Skip Breakfast

Ever wonder why you are irritable in the mornings? It might have something to do with your eating routine. I got this information as I opened my mail today. I usually disregard unsolicited emails that go through my inbox but the subject itself caught my attention so I read through.

Report from American Dietetic Association says that people who skip breakfast tend to be tired, restless, and irritable in the mornings. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day as the nutrition we get from the food we eat fuels our body thus making us productive either at work or at home.

Now I'm not saying do it! I am as well guilty on this. Not for anything else but I just couldn’t draw some appetite in the morning most of the time and is probably one of the reasons why I can easily get cranky. The rest of my family members do eat regularly. I don't! But there's always room for change. It's just a matter of doing things regularly with discipline to make it a good habit.
Cereals do works for me at times, though. What about you?

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June is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Goodbye May, hello June!

As you probably remember, June is “Breast Cancer Awareness” month. Please help convey the importance of regular examination and early detection of breast cancer in order to catch this disease when it first erupts, maximizing the chance of survival and recovery. So in doing my bit to help spread awareness on the issue of breast cancer to women, here are several facts on breast cancer that everyone should know about.

• The first sign of breast cancer usually shows up on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present.

• Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

• Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.

• Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years.

• Over eighty percent of breast lumps are not cancerous, but benign such as fibrocystic breast disease.

• You are never too young to develop breast cancer! Breast Self-Exam should begin by the age of twenty.

 

Resources: American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute Komen Foundation

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Beauty Eats

7 Foods Every Woman Must Eat

Here's good-food news: The more you munch on healthy eats, the less you need to worry about Friday night's fat burger and fries. Harvard's medical school has found that women who routinely nibble nutritiously slash their risk of dying from the usual culprits, including heart disease and cancer. To up your odds of living a long and healthy life--despite occasional blow-outs --make sure you regularly include these 7 nutritional powerhouses in your diet.They're the cream of the healthy-foods crop.

1. BERRIES
Ounce for ounce, berries have more protective plant antioxidants than almost any other food. These compounds not only lower your disease risks, they help prevent memory loss. Since berries are high in fill-you-up fiber, they may also help curb weight gain.

(Other popular fruits that are rich in antioxidants are blueberries, kiwi and raspberry but since all these are seasonal apart from being quite expensive, local tropical fruits like oranges, citrus, lime and the most common banana would do.)

2. SALMON

Sure salmon is a prime source of omega-3s, the healthy fats that fend off heart disease and maybe more, but are you aware that a mere 3 ounces of the fish serves up 170% of your daily vitamin B12 and more than 80% of your D.

3. LEAFY GREENS

It's almost impossible to meet your nutritional needs without eating dark leafy greens, from spinach and romaine to collard greens and chard. They're huge sources of fiber; vitamins C and K; folic acid (a B vitamin that guards the heart and memory and fights birth defects); lutein, a vision protector; and four essential minerals: calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium.

(Other common fibrous leafy greens are lettuce, cabbage and the local pechay.)

4. WHOLE GRAINS

They have up to 96 percent more fiber, magnesium, zinc, chromium and vitamins E and B6 than refined grains. This nutritional powerhouse helps prevent the same health problems that refined grains help cause: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and even obesity.

5. NUTS

They're excellent sources of protein, magnesium, B vitamins and E--trusty fighters in the war against heart disease and cancer. Yes, nuts are high in fat calories, but their fat is the heart-healthy kind. Replace junky snacks with them and you won't gain an ounce.

6. GOLDEN VEGGIES

Just one serving of fiber-filled, deep-yellow-orange vegetables supplies five times the beta carotene you need daily to lower your cancer risk, defend against colds and other infections, and protect your skin from sun damage. The potassium in these veggies also keeps your heartbeat in sync and your blood pressure down.

7. YOGURT

Low- or no-fat plain yogurt is a terrific source of B vitamins, protein, calcium and --if it has active cultures--the healthy bacteria known as probiotics, which crowd out disease-causing germs.

The payback part? As one of the Harvard researchers would likely tell you, eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

by Elizabeth Somer, RD.

RealAge

 

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High Energy Biscuits - Food For Emergencies

If you we’re once (though I hope you’re not) a victim of typhoon or maybe incident of flooding and other types of natural disaster, you probably have come across of High Energy Biscuits provided by the World Food Programme (WFP).

High Energy Biscuits are wheat biscuits containing high-protein cereals and vegetable fat. Procured by the World Food Programme (the food-aid branch for the United Nations) these no-cooking required biscuits provide immediate meal solution to natural disaster victims like we were once was.

As typhoon and flood victims, we’ve been receiving all sorts of assistance and supplies from different government agencies and private sectors the whole time, even until now. For a month we’ve collected over hundred packs of this strength booster biscuits. The kids love it and so are we, adults.

Its composition according to Wikipedia’s data reads:

Per 100 g, HEBs have a minimum of 450 kcal of energy, 4.5% maximum moisture, a minimum of 10-15 g of protein, a minimum of 15 g fat, and 10-15 g sugar at a maximum.

HEBs have the following micronutrients at a minimum per 100 g:
Calcium: 250 mg
Magnesium: 150 mg
Iron: 11 mg
Iodine: 75 mcg
Folic acid: 80 mcg
Pantothenic acid: 3 mg
Vitamin B1: 0.5 mg
Vitamin B2: 0.7 mg
Vitamin B6: 1.0 mg
Vitamin B12: 0.5 mcg
Niacin: 6 mg
Vitamin C: 20 mg
Vitamin A-retinol: 250 mcg
Vitamin D: 1.9 mcg
Vitamin E: 5.0 mg

(SOURCE)

HEB has been provided to Georgia after the 2008 South Ossetia War; also airlifted to Kenya, distributed in aid in the 2010 Haiti Earthquake and recently afforded to the Tunisian border in response to the Libyan crisis.

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Who Says Wines Are Just for Special Events?

Not everyone choose to think wines are just for special occasions. Not me! I am not big on parties and social gatherings, in fact I only consider going to parties every December and if not for the chance of meeting old friends from High School and College, I won’t bother. But not going to parties or hosting events by myself doesn’t stop me from keeping wine supplies. I do it as part of my goal of staying healthy.

I must admit, I still tend to overeat sometimes especially during dinner – the only chance I get to dine with the whole family and on Sundays – the so called family day. During those times is when a glass of red wine comes in handy for me. It helps ease that certain subtle pressure high up in my stomach over gluttonizing. You must have also experience the same. I am not sure though what component of a red wine does that but I do sure know of the other health benefits (if you won’t mind looking it up) and they’re the reason why I try not to run out a bottle after another for my personal consumption.

Oh and it was also through me that my family learned to have a bottle of red wine so we could raise a glass together during holiday seasons and especially when welcoming a brand new year. :)

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Crazy Weather and Why Shouldn't I be Scared of Getting Sick

Weather is really crazy these days here in my part of the globe. The sun gets so bright and the next minute there’s the drizzle if not a cloudburst. Times like these no one, not especially a WAHM like me can afford to get sick and meet mister rolling medication cart at any hospital premises – not now – no never!

Still nothing beats the natural way of preventing illness from taking place so I make sure my family has their daily consumption of Vitamin C-rich fruits like apple.

I personally only have few preferences when it comes to fruits and apple is one of them. Trivia: I never like fresh pineapple no matter how sweet it is unless it’s sugared and turned into jam or marmalade. :D

I get bruised easily and have poor healing when struck with even just mild condition and I found out it’s all because I lack Vitamin C. Why walk through the drugstore when it’s way easier and not to mention cheaper to shop for fruits at the market and again prevent bugs from bugging your system, right?

My family may not take apple the way the slogan “An apple a day keeps a doctor away” says but we do at least have it on a weekly basis along with mangoes, bananas, avocado (if available) and oranges - among of our favorites. :)

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I need to Lose Fat, Not Weight!

Oh no, just yesterday I made quite a tale of how good it feels to lose weight. But is losing weight really the issue I want to address? This has got me thinking. Perhaps I need to re-evaluate my goal.

Yes even if I’ve seen results in what I do, my search on how to shred pounds and to hopefully do it right never stop. And last night I came across few articles about Losing Weight vs. Losing Fat! Again, that had me wondering. Am I really doing the right thing here? I must have confused losing weight is equivalent to losing fat. God, I was so WRONG! And that’s probably the reason why I can’t get rid of belly fats all the way no matter how hard I try.

So I’m supposed to lose fat, not weight!

Now here’s the thing…

Our body is made of lean body mass and fat. Muscle is the most active tissue that keeps you active. It has been shown to greatly improve insulin sensitivity. Lack of insulin sensitivity basically causes weight gain and will increase your body fat. While fat is just your storehouse of energy. Obviously we don’t want to lose muscle mass because study says it increases metabolic rate and burn up 15-20 times more calories than fat. Excess fat however, just sits around our body and that is what we want to get rid of

How to ensure you lose fat and not muscle?

A lot of misguided dieters (and I’m not gonna lie, I used to be one of them) have that theory that the less you consume, the more you lose weight. We should know by now how much of a crappy thinking that is, right?

Apply a balanced meal. It has always been a proven key to losing weight. Forget restricting calories but do not consume more than what your body needs. Enforcing weight loss with so many diet restrictions causes a lot of personal stress and is rather not sustainable. And don’t forget to couple your diet with physical activities like strength training and cardio workout – that should keep your lean body mass intact.

So this is it…I need to lose fat, not muscle mass! And perhaps it’s also now time not to think so much about the weighing scale and start using the measuring tape instead. ;)

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Way to go!!

So yesterday morning I woke up and realized it’s another weekend. How I wish I have ways to make the most out of it like I always do for a long time now other than just sitting around just like what I do on ordinary weekdays doing the same thing. So for a change, I’ve decided not to allow boredom to take place before I could even start the day – I stretched out, stood before the mirror, seizing myself a bit and changed – getting ready to kick off the day with a workout!

I spent a total of 4 hours and it felt really great! ;)

Thanks for the free instructional videos – truly a life-saver. Ever since, I couldn’t imagine myself being in a gym hanging out with other goers while trying to lose weight. I’m way better off doing it at home and by myself using these videos that I get to download for free. The only downside though is when you tend to get lazy and skip doing it when you’re supposed to. Instance like this is likely to happen because you have nothing to lose anyway- gym fees wise- except that you have to make it up double for yourself. But you know you can always combat issues like such – just a matter of discipline and sticking to your goal.

Hmm, let's see...

Original Weight: 72 kilos or 158 lbs.
Last Bathroom scale check:  66 Kilos or 147 lbs.
Weight Goal: at least 54 or 120 lbs.

Way to go!!

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