Category Archives: Vitamin

More Coconut Oil Facts

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The fat gained from usually sources swells a person’s body while coconut oil makes up for the necessary good fats and gives energy rather than fatness and obesity. Hence, the oil is a wonderful ingredient to add to the daily diet and keep all the unhealthy fats away. There are many ways in which coconut oil can be used.

Since it hardens at lower temperatures, it becomes waxy, buttery or even harder if cool. Thus, it can be used with toast in place of butter and also used for frying and cooking. However, doctors have devised another ways of consuming this oil and that is using two tablespoonfuls of it each day. This is what can help one to reduce weight fast and look younger and better than ever before. Other than burning fat, coconut oil also works wonders in fighting off insomnia, thus resulting in better health. It is easily available in most grocery stores and is quite affordable. However, one should avoid buying labels such as ‘partially hydrogenated’ as these fats are not so natural and rather virgin oil should be bought as it works out great and is the highest quality oil available.

Reference: Coconut oil wonders

Two Calorie Cutting Tips for Desserts!

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Milk and chocolate are the two popular ingredients used for desserts. Many of us love desserts but end up avoiding and madly craving them while dieting. Here are two tips that will allow you to enjoy your favorite desserts without depriving:

Shelf-Stable Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Choose this milk if you want to cut fat, this is only 40 calories for a full cup – a perfect low calorie alternative. In addition to this, this milk won’t spoil quickly as compared to skim milk or regular milk. It is rich and creamy and unsweetened milk – perfect for your cereals, oatmeal and smoothie.

Cocoa Powder Packets: Nothing can be as tempting as a bar of chocolate, especially when it is cold and you are craving for one. However, they are fattening and what not! But you’ve got just your chocolate craving a guilt-free pass; with only 25 calories a cocoa powder pack can do some many wonders. Now you can enjoy not only hot chocolate but an ample of other foods like smoothies, desserts and baked goods. Chocolate everywhere!

Reference: Hungry Girl’s Food Tips

Low Calorie Versions of Your Favorite Foods | Hungry Girl Special

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Known for her amazing recipes and calorie-cutting food delights, Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien has shared her tricks to cut half the calories from your favorite dishes. We all adore eating but hate to diet – that’s an absolute fact. Getting or preparing special diet foods is almost impossible when you have to go through a busy work and life routine. So why not have the same food we love but the healthier versions?

Here are the tips by Lisa that will help you enjoy food that will fill your tummy without caring too much about calories.

Taco and Ranch Season Mix: We all love adding up flavors but we have to be careful while choose the dips and dressings. Always use the low-sodium varieties of the seasonings making sure you are getting low calorie dressings and dips. Taco Seasoning can be perfect for any food – not just for Mexican food! This can be perfect for any faux-fried food that requires breading. Ranch seasoning can be perfect to create a low-calorie version of your favorite creamy dips. Mix reduced-fat mayo or reduced-fat sour cream with reduced-fat Greek yogurt and your ranch seasoning is ready!

Canned Fruits and Veggies: These can be really nutritious but all you have you do is choose the best options. Don’t go for fruits cans with a lot of added sugar; simply go with their own juices. For vegetables, go for the can packed in water instead of those in oil.

Canned Crushed Tomatoes: These are extremely tasty and add a lot of flavor to the food but make sure they are fat-free and low in calories and sugar – which they are! Use the canned crushed tomatoes to make substitutes in high-calorie pasta and pizza sauces. It is also a perfect replacement for marinara sauce and other jarred sauces. This way, you can avoid making sauces at home that are both time consuming and expensive.

Canned staple keeps things simple but healthy.

Reference: Hungry Girl’s Grab and Go Essential

The Healthy: Pea Protein Power Shake

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Your breakfast will be incomplete if this secret breakfast shake isn’t on your dining table! Having a secret ingredient “Yellow Pea Powder”, it is not only delicious but loaded with proteins that will make sure that it is putting your protein deficiency to an end. Get yourself a pack of protein-rich powder and it will stop your hunger craving, making you slimmer yet healthier. Pea Protein Powder is the best powder to have when it comes to protein, incorporating it into a healthy shake is the best way to have it. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp pea protein powder
  • 1 cup fruit of your choice
  • 1 cup low-fat milk
  • 5 ice cubes

Directions: Mix in a blender until desired consistency is reached and enjoy!

 

Reference: Pea Protein Power Shake

Go Gluten Free – Without Torturing Yourself!

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Many people have symptoms that are related to gluten sensitive and it is very important for people to have gluten free foods especially if they are intolerant to it. To check if you are allergic to gluten or not or if it’s good for your health, see your doctor to test a gluten free diet.

Keep in mind: Avoid foods that contain gluten such as wheat, barley and rye. The traces of these foods can be found in a lot of other food. So be concerned about these foods. Any food that has one ingredient doesn’t have gluten, for example, foods like broccoli, lentils and all the fruits and foods with no ingredient label. You can lose a lot of weight with gluten free diet but can gain a lot of weight if done in the wrong way.

Here’s a gluten free diet – which is clearly not a deprivation diet – you will love this experience:  You can go gluten free without torturing your intestinal system. Eat fruits & vegetables, meat and fish, dairy, lentils and nuts, rice and corn, wine and chocolate.

Reference: Right Way Go Gluten Free

Metabolism and its Types – Healthy Food Choices

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Whether you crave salty food, sweet food or a food that has a mixture of both tastes, you have unique metabolism type and what you eat reflects your personality. Therefore you need to understand the foods that your metabolism can accept and handle.

Metabolisms are of three types and each type has its own specialty. Read below to see which metabolism type you belong to.

Metabolism Type A – People belonging to this type have a strong appetite which means that they crave fatty salty foods. People belonging to this type often suffer from fatigue and anxiety if their food intake isn’t balanced or right. However, these are talkative and outgoing which indicates their healthiness.

Diet experts suggest Type A folks to have 50% Protein, 30% Fats and 20% Carbs in their plate. This means, the main part of their food must be healthy proteins like meat, chicken and fish. It’s feasible for them to have a good amount of dairy products like cheese, eggs, milk and other healthy fats.

Metabolism Type B – People belonging to this type have a weak appetite and crave sweet foods. However they are ambitious organized but also stressed. When it comes to their mood, they can be sensitive. Luckily, these people are free to have the desired amount of carbohydrates because their metabolism needs them – but only the right and real ones.

Diet experts suggest Type B people to have 70% carbs, 20% protein and 10% fats. When they say carbs, they mean 100% healthy or organic carbs like bread, tortilla and related foods. Avoiding inorganic chemical loaded carbs is a must.

Metabolism Type C – Known for having unpredictable appetite and craving salty foods and sweets. Most people belonging to this group suffer from fatigue, anxiety and nervousness. They also suffer aches and pains but because of natural causes and of course food choices. People belonging to this type should be careful about eating food and must make healthy food choices. Since their food craving is diverse, they eat both sweet and salty food which can be both healthy and unhealthy if the choices are not right.

Dietitians require people belong to this type to have 33% fats, 33% protein and 33% carbs.

Keep these types in your mind and determine yours in order to make healthy food choices and prmote health. Foods you eat change your personality and also reflect your personality.

Reference: Metabolism Type

Kirstie Alley’s Healthy Meal Plan: All Organic!

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Kirstie Alley is a charismatic Hollywood actress who is known for her popular films and a recent weight loss success story. She has been sharing her stories and helping people lose weight with her tips and recipes that have helped her lose an amazing amount of weight. Despite her tough routine, she took her time out and appeared at Dr Oz show to share her three favorite recipes that can help you shed significant amount of pounds.

During breakfast, Alley prepares her fresh tortilla with a delicious top. She mixes egg white with finely diced avocado, jalapeno, and home-made salsa and spreads them on a low fat toasted tortilla. These are all organic and low in calories and chemical free.

In lunch, she makes herself a bowl of tortilla soup which is very easy to make. Featuring a good amount of chicken breast, it also has tasty avocado, chicken broth, onion, tomatoes and put “some” tortilla chips in it. All she does it prepares chicken broth and cook all the veggies and chicken in it and the bowl is hardly 300 calories and enough to fill your tummy.

Kirstie Alley loves to have an all organic roasted chicken in the dinner. For this, you have to get yourself an organic chicken, baby potatoes and lots and lots of arugulas. Simply rub the chicken or slightly coat it with some sea salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil and put it in the oven with baby potatoes. In a separate bowl, place the nicely sliced baby arugula and mix with virgin olive oil and a bit of lemon and lime. Enjoy chicken with the arugula salad.

The key is to stay away from the chemicals and have food that is organic. All organic foods are effective when it comes to good health and they have endless benefits. Eat as much as organic foods keeping all the inorganic, chemical loaded food away.

Reference: Kirstie Alley’s Meal Plan

 

 

The Tasty Manicotti – Clean Version

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Here is one of the recipes that Dr. Oz’s presented in his Calorie-Cutting Challenge. This low calories manicotti recipe is a light version of the traditional dish that features Greek yogurt, fiber-loaded vegetables and cheesy delight.

Ingredients: Serves 12

2 red peppers, preferably organic

2 zucchini, preferably organic

1 large eggplant, preferably organic

1 cup packed organic baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped

6 oz low-fat greek yogurt

15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese

8 oz part-skim mozzarella, diced

3 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf Italian parsley

8 large basil leaves, chopped (extra for garnish if desired)

1 egg

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Olive oil in a mister

2 boxes whole grain lasagna noodles

1 jar of tomato sauce

Direction: Simply pre-heat the broiler and peel off the zucchini along with eggplants – slice them lengthwise with the help of mandolin slicer. Now get a baking sheet the place these sliced vegetables making sure they are lined and sprayed with olive oil. Also sprinkle fresh ground black pepper and garlic powder on the top and let it all broil for 5-7 minutes until it’s golden.

Next, flip over the veggies and let them broil on the other side for about 7 minutes. Now remove them and place on a place to cool. Now foil line a baking sheet and place the whole red peppers on it and cook under the broiler. Let them broil until the skin becomes burnt and charred. Now remove the pan off the oven and wrap the peppers loosely and let them steam. Let them cool and remove the burnt skin along with seeds and stems. After cooking the zucchini and eggplant, dice them well along with the peppers.

Now time to prepare the cheese filling. Simple take a large mixing bowl and combine yogurt, ricotta and half of the mozzarella cheese – save the rest for the topping. Take two tablespoon of the parmesan cheese along with half basil, parsley and egg. Also take ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and mix them all up. Now throw in some spinach leaves and cooled veggies and mix them well. Now a large pot of water and bring it to boil and cook about 24 lasagna noodles in or simply follow the package directions.

Take 1½ cup of tomato sauce and pour it on the base of each baking dish. Now carefully place the lasagna noodles on a board and pour the filling into a freezer bag that should be a gallon. Create a nozzle by cutting of the corner and squeeze the filling down making sure that it’s equal to the length of the noodle. Then roll the noodles and put seam side down in the baking dish. Now spread about two cups of tomato sauce over the stuffed manicotti and garnish mozzarella cheese along with a few basil leaves.

Now the last step: cover the baking dishes with the help of aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Now take off the foil and bake for additional five minutes. Then take it out from the oven and allow it to rest for approx 10 minutes. The taste dish is ready to be served!

Reference: Calorie Cutting Challenge

Hawthorne: The Heart Tea

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Want to live long and healthy? The best way to make this dream true is by keeping your heart healthy. By having a strong infrastructure of blood vessels and a hearty healthy heart, you can live longer, healthier and happier.

Commonly grown in England and Europe, Hawthorne is an important herb that relaxes and maintains the cardiovascular system. The herb also balances blood pressure and treats people who have been having vascular system problems and stress. By eradicating the stress hormone, it relaxes one mind, body and soul.

Hawthorne is loaded with flavanoids that maintain the strength of blood vessels, by keeping them strong. It also lowers cholesterol and keeps heart healthy. People who are having poor heart condition must have this. This herb should be taken by the patients throughout the day. Usage of this herb is extremely safe especially for a person who has cardiovascular issues and stress. Use it in a tea form along with other relaxing herbs like chamomile. This could also be taken in the form of drops and tablets.

Recap: Hawthorne Tea – See product at: http://www.imedmart.com/Alvita-Teas/Hawthorn-Berry-Tea/24-TEA-BAGS.html

 

Reference: Teas That Fight Stress

 

 

Insomnia Remedy: Ashwagandha Benefits

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Ashwagandha is an herbal medicine that has long been used in the continent of Africa. Known as an adaptogen, this herbal medicine is also commonly grown in the Mediterranean and India. This type of herb is considered to have an ability to fight stress as it reduces – or in extreme cases ends these hormones. It’s a potent antioxidant that relaxes body and helps it maintain strength. Containing a chemical known as ashwagandholine alkaloid, the Indian ashwaganda herb is a mild relaxant that tranquilizes central nervous system.  

Ashwaganda herb’s benefits can be obtained if taken in the form of tea. Before going to bed, have a cup of boiling milk mixed with a half-teaspoon of the powdered herb or extract, even dried leaves work. The mixture should steep for 15 minutes. It’s a safe tea.

Recap: Ashwagandha Extract – See product at: http://www.imedmart.com/Himalayan-Institute/Ashwagandha-Standardized-Extract

The tea is best for you if you are exhausted and nervous especially after experiencing a lot of emotional and physical stress. People who have insomnia can be treated with Ashwanganda as well. It also works as an immune stimulant for patients who have low white blood cells. Drinking this tea revives a person’s energy and soul.

Reference: Tea Benefits