Archive for the ‘protein’ Category

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Things that make Coconut Oil a Perfect Diet

Friday, December 7th, 2012

One of the biggest issues for people today, especially women, is unwanted weight gain. There are various reasons why people gain weight and one of the most obvious and common of these is unhealthy eating habits. While some people gain weight due to over eating, others gain weight owing to lack of exercise and love of snacks which they munch on, all day long. One of the best ways that science has found for losing weight effectively, safely and fast is to use coconut oil. This oil has numerous benefits and is used everywhere from diet to lotions to hair conditioners and now, has shown amazing benefits for health too, through research.

Coconut oil works for the inside of the body in three major ways. Firstly, it works by keeping one full. This oil is full of antioxidants and hence, is powerful for the body. Its main power is that it powerfully works to lose weight. The oil keeps the stomach fuller for longer and hence, keeps hunger signals from reaching the brain, telling it that there are enough calories. This keeps one from eating again and again or even feeling like eating for hours. As a result, 60 calories are kept away. Research has it that this amount adds up to make 6 pounds per year. Another way that it works to reduce weight or keep weight gains under control is that it fires the metabolism up. While fats coming from other sources such as butter, mayonnaise and vegetable oil take a lot of time to break down and burn, coconut oil fastens this process to a great extent, several times faster. Hence, it digests quickly and also burns fats and calories faster. This is how the oil works wonders in staying light yet, keeping one fuller for hours and providing the right levels of energy for the day. The best part about this oil is that it does not store into the body like a fat, despite being fat.

Reference: Coconut oil wonders

 

The Healthy: Pea Protein Power Shake

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

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

Top 3 Foods that Boost Immunity

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

It is very important to maintain your immune systems, this helps with fighting fatal diseases like cancers and promotes longevity. To boost immunity you need to make sure you are eating the right foods. Here are the three immunity boosting foods.

Tahini: One of the fabulous immunity boosting foods is Tahini! It is made from sesame seeds paste and is like a peanut butter and you can use it like one too. It’s a super food that you can use as a spread or as a dip. Here’s a recipe for a Tahini Veggie Dip:

To make a Tahini Veggie Dip: 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 clove garlic minced, 1 tablespoon of Tahini and juice of one lemon. Mix them all up and use as a dip. It is loaded with lots of magnesium, protein and zinc and is very tasty and medicinal.

Black pepper and Oregano: Black pepper is a common spice used in many foods. It has a chemical known as pepperine that helps absorbing properties of other spices and makes them available for the body. This makes black pepper as essential ingredient for body making joints and bones healthy. It also added more flavors to the food.

Oregano, a leafy version, when you crunch it, releases aromatic oils that fight germs making it a powerful anti flammatory tool. Look for the little tiny leaf in bottle while shopping, avoid grounded oregano.

Pumpkin: It is another immunity boosting food that can be used in many ways. A pumpkin soup is enough to boost immunity and has long been used for medicinal purposes.

To make Pumpkin Soup: Roast 4 lb pumpkin for 45 min at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, scoop out seeds and blend the pumpkin, squash with garlic, chicken stock and onion together. This soup is filled with vitamins and is a perfect bowl of anti-oxidant and anti-flammatory agents.

Another great recipe by Dr. Oz is the pumpkin puree. Have a can of 100% pumpkin puree, with a teaspoon of cholesterol lowering spread and a dash of stevia and cinnamon, heat in microwave. Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about a minute. Let cool and serve.

All the above mentioned foods have proven to boost immunity and people have prevented themselves from all kinds of diseases by adding these to their daily diet.

Reference: Three Foods to Boost Immunity

 

Eat Clean Greens: Dr. Fuhrman Special

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012


Want to know what are you suppose to eat to burn that fat? You are definitely at the right place.

It is very simple when you consider salad as the main dish. Vegetables are anti-cancer and have the nutrients that are so needed by the body. Most vegetables (mostly greens) have anti-cancer healing properties. Recipes by health expert Dr. Fuhrman mostly feature seeds, berries, mushrooms, onions and all the green vegetables that are tasty and be used in salads.

You need to realize that salad can give you healthy and encourage longevity. Therefore, for lunch, have salads and make them the main dish. But, you need to make sure you are enjoying your salads or in other words, make healthy food taste great! You can easily do this by making yourself vegetable soups that feature all anti-cancer foods like tomatoes, onion, capsicum and related vegetables.

Nothing is more important than health, therefore you need to take your time out from your busy schedule and have foods like Kale, Avocado & Apple Salad – lots of it. It’s easy to make your salad tasty if you are adding low calorie healthy foods topping.

Another thing you need to realize that junk food is strictly bad for your health. It’s no good. Most junk foods come in small package and are loaded with calories. A small chunk of cheese burger is about 400 calories and when it goes into your belly, you still get hungry shortly, consuming more calories. However, a big bowl of kale salad is hardly 400 calories and you can eat it all day long and still won’t get more calories.

Also think of making tasty salad dressings. With the help of roasted mushrooms, vegetables, nuts and grains, you can help yourself make a tasty dressing for a vegetable salad.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman is a welcome stepping stone toward bringing the notion of healthier food consumption to a more mainstream audience, much like Mehmet Oz was with introducing non-allopathic modalities into patient treatment protocols at Columbia Presbyterian. At Dr. Oz show, he came up to present his ideas that have changed the lives of his patients. By eliminating the fatty chemical loaded foods and by promoting greens and beans, his patients were successful in maintaining blood pressure, heart problems and burning fat.

Reference: Dr Fuhrman Low Calorie Tips

 

The Tasty Manicotti – Clean Version

Saturday, September 15th, 2012

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

Insomnia Remedy: Ashwagandha Benefits

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

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

 

Passionflower Tea to Kill Anxiety

Friday, August 31st, 2012

The origins of Passionflower belong to Southern United states where it has long been used as a plant medicine. It is loaded with flavones chrysin that is known for eradicating stress and can work as a perfect alternative for Xanax (Alprazolam). It is very simple to make a Passionflower tea. I can be made by boiling 1 tablespoon of dried herbs in a cup of boiling water. The mixture should steep for at least 10 minutes. By drinking it near bedtime, you will have a restful deep sleep. This is a safe choice and better than having powerful drugs like Xanax. However, it should not be mixed with alcoholic beverages.

Women who are lactating or pregnant should not use passionflower, especially children who are under 6 months due to the fact that there haven’t been studies to prove the affect of it on these individuals. Passionflower is perfect for people who are having anxiety. People who experience a lot of obsessive thoughts and circular thinking can be treated with this natural product too.

Passionflower in market comes in many forms. You can find its extract that can help you have amazing sleep by mixing at least 20 drops with water (see the directions on packing). You can even find it in raw form which will allow you to infuse it with hot water and have it as tea before bedtime.

Recap: Passionflower Extract – See product at: http://www.imedmart.com/Nature-s-Answer/Passion-Flower-Alcohol-Free-Extract/PASSIONFLOWER-1-FL-OZ.html

Reference: Tea Fight Stress

 

 

The Artichoke and Sweet Potato Gratin Recipe

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

Preparing and having a pure antioxidant diet was never this easy. Here is a recipe that is simple and high in antioxidant.

To prepare this amazing recipe you will need two diced tomatoes with 2 ¼ cups of artichoke hearts and a bunch of scallions with two tablespoons of olive oil, 1 ½ teaspoon of dried oregano and 1 teaspoon salt. You will also need a 15oz can of cannellini beans with ½ cup of chicken stock, ½ teaspoon black pepper and 1 ½ lbs of sweet potatoes.

Direction: Get your oven hot at the temperature of 350° F. Then mix the chopped artichoke hearts and tomatoes and mix with scallions along with olive oil and half salt and oregano. Blend peppers, salt, oregano and beans in a blender.

Now slice the sweet potatoes and all them to a lightly oiled dish. Now it’s the perfect time to add the remaining pepper and salt along with artichokes, bean puree. Add more potatoes to cover. Now top with tomato slice and remaining seasoning to cover. This requires baking of at least an hour. After baking, remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes to get a golden brown topping.

 

Recipe: Antioxidant Diet

Kill the BACK PAIN: Gua Sha Treatment

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

If you want to be pain-free and on the go, there’s a tip for all those who are suffering from chronic pains such as back pain. This innovative solution will ease your pain for once and for all:

Treat Back Pain with Gua Sha:

This kind of pain is one of the most common pains in America. However, a traditional Chinese medicine can do wonders. Gua Sha is a Chinese technique to end pain and has been used to treat other health issues like digestive problems and fevers along with back pain.

Known for being the best treatment for over 700 years, it works by being a vacuum that helps evacuate body’s toxic debris and replaced with fresh healthy blood. The surface of the skin is scraped in order to discharge myofascial tension and it amazingly relives muscles.

With the help of Chinese ceramic soupspoon, the gua sha process can be carried out. However, in today’s world, people use modern smooth edged instrument for gua sha treatment. The treatment offers warming sensation and offer leaves red marks for days and weeks. These marks are known as “sha”. For those who have back pain and go for this treatment for once only, as it is enough to relieve the back pain. However, a medical or license acupuncturist is important to be contacted.

Reference: Pain Solutions

 

Reduced-Fat Potato Skins

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

Potato Skins that are served at chain restaurants are loaded with calories and fats. Here is a low calorie potato skin recipe that is made with oil spray, reduced fat cheese and turkey bacon instead of high calorie butter and oil.

Ingredients:  You will need 4 medium russet potatoes and a cup of reduced fat cheddar cheese along with 8 teaspoon of turkey bacon pieces and a tablespoon of fresh chives. You will also need a 1/3 cup of reduced-fat sour cream and canola oil’s non stick cooking spray and salt to taste.

Directions: Bring your oven to heat for around 400°F and let potatoes bake for an hour –making sure that they are tender. Once they have cooled, divide them into two lengthwise cuts making sure that you have 3 1/2-3/4 inch slices. Take out the middle slices and put them aside for a dish of mashed potatoes. Now you have two potato skins per potato.

Now scoop the potato out the each skin with the help of a spoon and leave about ¼ inch of potato in the skin. Heat oven to 450°F. Now take an oil spray and coat each potato skin with it and place them in a baking sheet. Make sure the edges of the skin become brown, you will have to cook them for 15 minute with open side up and salted according to your taste.

It is time to spread two tablespoons of cheese on every potato skin and sprinkle a teaspoon of bacon pieces to top the cheese. Now bake them for 2-4 minute making sure that the cheese has melted. Once they are ready, transfer them to a serving plate and combine the chives with sour cream and serve in a sauce cup and place in the center of the plate – as shown in the picture.

 

Reference: Reduced-Fat Potato Skins

 

 

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