Love to eat a Healthy Salad

There are many salads nowadays but how would you actually make the most of it. Here are pointers from the experts, It will change the way you make your salads.

1. For the citrus fruits, make sure they are firm and fragrant upon smelling.

2. For the meat, as long as it's vacuum packed. Or if buying pre-packed meat, it should be pink and to red in color.

3. For the prawns, go for those that are gray and firm.

4. For the salad greens, go for leaves and herbs that are fresh and crisp.

With salads it's nice to try out the different textures like crunchy and soft, This can also be something chewy, Having different textures, as well as different flavors gives dish some variety, Making it more enjoyable. Because usually if it is vinaigrette or a vinegar or a citrus-based dressing, you would want to balance the acidity to something sweet. So a balance of sweet and sour is nice, and if you can put a little bit of a bitter taste, a little bit of salty taste, even better.

Salads are a versatile type of dish, and aren't just measured by dressing and lettuce. Experimenting is a good way to spice things up. There are different ways to of doing the dressing, and not just the usual oil or vingar, fruits or vegetable purees are options. For starters try mango or raspberry puree.

Healthy Beans Healthy Eating

You don't like your beans? well, you have to learn what they can do to you and then how you can eat them without the pain.

Garbanzo beans

these beans may help you reduce the level of the hormone insulin, lowering the risk of diabetes, this is based by the reports of Australian Scientists,

How to eat? Make your own hummus by blending 12 ounces of garbanzos with a tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice and peanut butter, Add chopped garlic clove, seasoned with salt pepper and cumin.

Pinto

Based on an Arizona study they have found that eating 1/2 cup of pintos daily can cut LDL cholesterol by 9 percent.

you can eat this by topping for chicken breasts mix a can of pintos with 1/4 cup each chopped red pepper, green pepper, and red onion add 1/4 cup corn, the juice of lime and 1/2 teaspoon cumin.

Kidney beans

These beans contains antioxidants that may help prevent the hardening of the arteries. That is based on the North Dakota State University Researchers.

You can eat this by doing a spicy sandwich spread, mash one can of kidney beans with two teaspoons of chili powder, the juice of a lime, and a clove of minced garlic.

Black beans

The dark skin of the beans has a great benefit because it contain potent disease-fighting anti-oxidants, according to a Cornell university study.

You can eat this in an Enchilada, Stuffed black beans chopped zucchini, and chredded cheddar cheese into whole grain tortillas. bake at 204 degrees C for 20 min.

Why some people are so into organic?

Whenever you are buying your groceries like maybe meat, milk, fish. It can be a little tricky. There are so many signs that are posted there saying "organic" and other stuffs, but how would you really know the difference, Knowing the meaning of those specific names, will actually help you in your buying decision. If you are going to spend or save on something worth buying or maybe not.

The term natural is always associated with vegetables and fruits, Honestly this is just a marketing strategy to tell you to purchase their products, Fruit and vegetables are natural right? Well, Unless it’s a new kind of food that has been developed and processed, the product is natural. But are you looking for Organic?


Remember organic are foods that are grown without fertilizers or pesticides or any other chemicals, You might be asking why many people are so into organic? Because it has benefits.

Here are the main benefits:

First and foremost, Our mother nature is thanking you for helping her, because no chemicals are being used to grow those plants, thus helping to protect the environment from harmful chemicals. Second, is that your helping yourself because you don't let those chemicals get into your body (through those food of course). Healthier food means healthier you.

But Organic food maybe a little pricey, So if you are in a very very tight budget, you have choices whether your going to buy organic or not. For example:
You don't need to buy organic fruits and vegetables that you can peel, like bananas or oranges, because you are actually peeling the chemicals off from the fruit or vegetables, so if you're going to buy organic, go for fruits like apples because you eat its peel. Just always make sure that you always wash your food before you eat and cook them

You probably heard or see a very tricky sign that says. no "hormones". This is usually associated with dairy products, meat products, well this is false, why? because hormones are naturally produce by all animals, It is very essential to all animals, it regulates body organs, so what does " no hormones" means, Some hormones are given to the animals unnaturally, to increase the production of the milk, so if they say no hormones, maybe it means no hormones were unnaturally given to the animals.

There is this another label that tells if the animals in this meat was penned or caged, doesn't have any difference when it comes to nutritional value of the meat or the quality of it, Well. it matters with the animal rights.


All of these products may be a little expensive than the usual, but it's still up to your so learn to read the labels. and know what it means!

The Health Benefits of Durian Fruit

Is this a healthy food to try or a fruit to avoid?

Durian. The first time i tried this was when i was 11 years old, The smell is really bad, and i just don't like it.. But that was then,(when i was young i tend to hate odd looking fruits) Well, I like it now more than before. My sister often tells me that people has only two views for this fruit " Hate it or Love it" All i can say is that I'm in between. It is known in South and East Asian Countries as the "King of all fruits".

Tracy asked me last time about the fruit with porcupine type skin. Well, there were 3 fruits on my mind that day. But for now I'll post Durian first. The smell may repel you but it really tastes good. So, What are the health benefits that you could get from Durian?

Durian is packed with proteins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytonutrients.

I can still remember my granny used to tell me that you can't just pick this fruit from a tree and eat. You have to wait for this fruit to fall from the tree. And wait for few more days until it ripened before you can actually eat it. This fruit is known to be high in Tryptophan,

Tryptophan increases brain levels of serotonin and melatonin, both are known as sleep-inducing hormones. So it helps to relaxes your brain and get sleepy. This fruit maybe consider as a good sleeping aid. If your travelling to South East Asian Countries, you may want to give this fruit a try. Expect that the smell would be unpleasant but it's worth the try.

Add Nuts to Balance your Diet

Almonds, peanuts, pistachio, cashew, walnuts, hazelnuts etc. Who doesn't like nuts?, I only know few people who dislike nuts, Mainly because of health problems and they can't take it. but the rest just all love nuts. When you start eating, sometimes you just can't stop. It's hard to tell yourself. " okay go get 3 pieces only! " We usually end up with a handful or two handfuls or even three. There is nothing wrong with that As long as you have to know when to stop. Nuts are usually high in calories when taken in large amounts. You should at least eat 2 ounces of nuts a week.

You may want to add nuts in your diet but you have to balance it. when nuts are combined with other very healthy foods, The results can be surprisingly remarkable. You can try to switch your unhealthy snacks to nuts, such as potato chips or high calorie cookies and chocolates. Nuts may not cure any diseases directly but its a step or a way to help battle those illness.

Here are the lists of benefits you get from being nutty, i mean from eating nuts.

It has arginine, a substance that may help you improve the function of your blood vessels.

Nuts has mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which is good for the heart. So if you love your heart eat nuts.

the omega-3 usually found in walnuts, another helpful fat that helps heart problems.

And finally nuts may helps you lower cholesterol. Again, good nutrtion works best with a well balanced diet. So don't just grab some nuts and eat as much as you can. Balance it. ! happy eating!

Raspberries: One Healthy Fruit

Talking about Healthy foods. My daughter loves cherries and i knew it's healthy, but there's more nutrients behind those sweet berries. All the "berry" fruits such as cherry, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry all have anti-inflammatory compounds that reduces cell damage. we know that cell damage may lead to cancer.

Raspberries. Raspberries are high in fiber. The production of fiber is actually higher compare to other berries. It is rich in Ellagic acid and Selenium. Both helps our body to prevent and protects it from cancer. Based on research studies, Raspberry or raspberry extract may actually reduce the risk of oral and liver cancer cells. Of course it still depends on your daily consumption.

A cup of raspberries, 2 to 3 times a week will be good enough for your body.Even cherries and cherry juice are healthy too they also contain ellagic acid like those in raspberries.

Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C, Folate, Fiber and anti-oxidants which are all good for the immune system.

Blueberries are very known for so many health benefits such as reducing the bad cholesterol in our body,thus preventing strokes and other heart problems. Very high in Anti-oxidants which is very much known to neutralize free radicals that leads to cancer and other diseases.

Now i know why my mother-in-law always tell me not display my fruits on the table. Especially, if it's not going to be eaten yet, She used to tell me to leave my fruits in the fridge, Frozen berries or other fruits has small amount of water that makes the fruit high in concentration of protective compounds compared to those fresh fruits.

How to choose a Healthy Salad

There are many salads nowadays but how would you actually make the most of it. Here are pointers from the experts, It will change the way you make your salads.

1. For the citrus fruits, make sure they are firm and fragrant upon smelling.

2. For the meat, as long as it's vacuum packed. Or if buying pre-packed meat, it should be pink and to red in color.

3. For the prawns, go for those that are gray and firm.

4. For the salad greens, go for leaves and herbs that are fresh and crisp.

With salads it's nice to try out the different textures like crunchy and soft, This can also be something chewy, Having different textures, as well as different flavors gives dish some variety, Making it more enjoyable. Because usually if it is vinaigrette or a vinegar or a citrus-based dressing, you would want to balance the acidity to something sweet. So a balance of sweet and sour is nice, and if you can put a little bit of a bitter taste, a little bit of salty taste, even better.

Salads are a versatile type of dish, and aren't just measured by dressing and lettuce. Experimenting is a good way to spice things up. There are different ways to of doing the dressing, and not just the usual oil or vinegar, fruits or vegetable purees are options. For starters try mango or raspberry puree.

Healthy foods that we always have!

Most of us know which food are healthy and which food are not, but sometimes we tend to forget the real nutritious food. so here's a list of top ten most nutritious food:


1. Tomatoes- tomatoes are rich in lycopene an anti-oxidant. It maintains healthy cells. You can also try Ketchup and tomato juice. Tomatoes are well known to prevent cancer.

2. Citrus fruits - Oranges, lemons, calamansi and other citrus fruits are all high in Vitamin C. That helps to prevents Colds, Asthma and arthritis.

3. Green vegetables- Vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and other green leafy vegetables are very significant in maintaining a healthy body. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. In my opinion if you love veggies or let me say you eat veggies daily, you don't need to take too much of vitamins. Not just being practical but you save money right? It is also good in prevention of different diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, stomach problems, colon cancer and other cancers.

4. Fatty fish - Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines has omega-3. Omega-3 takes care of our heart. It prevents stroke and lowers bad cholesterol in our body.


5. Carrots - Carrots are good source of Vitamin A promotes better eyesight. A,d for those who are trying to lose weight, try half cup of carrots it only has 35 calories. Sol let's teach our children to eat carrots.

6. Bananas - This is the most nutritious fruit for me. It can help cure ulcer and other stomach problems. If you are suffering from diarrhea bananas can help. It can calm stomach cramps because it is high in potassium. If you sweat a lot and needs energy. Try to eat bananas.Many athletes consume bananas in the middle o a game or before a game. It provides energy and alertness.

7. Apple- an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It has vitamin c and pectin that flushes out toxins in our body.

8. Water- it may not be food but it is still part of our daily diet. It can prevent UTI, stomach acids and promotes healthier skin.

9. Milk, Cheese and Yogurt- Dairy products are products that we can call "complete foods" Milk has proteins, carbohydrates, fats and calcium for women. but for those who are on a diet. try low-fat milk.


10. Garlic- garlic lowers cholesterol, but just be careful with your consumption too much garlic can give you upset stomach.


These are just 10 of the most nutritious but there's a lot more. Just keep in mind that This list is just a reminder that you don't need to buy very expensive supplements to be healthy. We just need discipline and proper diet. So check your daily meal and be sure to include these foods to your list. Happy eating!

Cinnamon an emerging Health food

Cinnamon is a good food that got mixed up with bad food, examples of fatty food results are: cinnamon buns, cinnamon sugars, cinnamon swirl raisin bread. But without the sugar content of this foods cinnamon is actually has a good benefits for our health. Its a amazing, Its a emerging true wonder food in terms of health. Research has linked the copper-colored stuff can reduced blood sugar, cholesterol level, and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes. And a recent study that adding a little more than a teaspoon to rice pudding even helped tame blood sugar in people without diabetes.

Cinnamon also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that create healthier arteries and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The spice's energizing scent has also been found to help increase alertness. Cinnamon is easy to add to food that we eat and makes it taste more even better. Both ground and stick forms are equally healthy, but sticks cinnamon have a longer shelf life at least one year longer compared with six months for ground cinnamon. No need to grind your own, pre ground store bought is a good as fresh ground and saves the hassle. Aim for 1/2 teaspoons or 1 to 2 sticks of cinnamon a day.

Here are samples on how to ad cinnamon in to your food:

• Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon straight into your coffee, latte, or cappuccino

• Add 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 teaspoon to hot oatmeal or cold cereal, or a table spoon to pancake batter.

• Shake three dashes into your favorite fruit smoothie.

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon into 2 tablespoons peanut butter and spread onto celery sticks.

• Coat 2 cups of raw nuts with a mix of 1/4 cup of honey and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and roast at 350F for 15 minutes.

• Microwave 1 cup soy milk and 1 teaspoon honey for 1:30, then add 1/2 teaspoon. Or simmer a stick and honey in soy milk for 5 minutes on stove.

• Add 2 teaspoon to store-bought rub for grilled chicken or pork.

• Stir 1/2 teaspoon into plain yogurt.

• Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon over sweet potatoes or carrots.

• Toss a teaspoon over broiled grapefruit or bananas.

Healthy Food Fruit Drinks

Image via Wikipedia Here are some list of healthy food drinks that has been making news on the Internet for some time now. just refreshing this good health information. If you love juices, this is for you, do try these out.

Ginger plus Apple plus Carrot
Helps to boost and cleanse our system.

Celery plus Apple plus Cucumber
Helps to prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and eliminate stomach upset and headache.
Carrot plus Apple plus Tomato
Helps to improve skin complexion and eliminate bad breath.

Bitter gourd plus Apple plus Milk
Helps to prevent bad breath and reduce internal body heat.

Orange plus Ginger plus Cucumber
Helps to improve skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.

Pineapple plus Apple plus Watermelon
Helps to dispel excess salts and nourish the bladder and kidney.

Apple plus Cucumber plus Kiwi
Helps to improve skin complexion.

Carrot plus Apple plus Pear plus Mango
Helps to clear body heat, counteract toxicity, lower blood pressure and fight oxidization

Honeydew plus Grape plus Watermelon plus Milk
Helps to increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.

Papaya plus Pineapple plus Milk
Helps to improve skin complexion and metabolism.

Banana plus Pineapple plus Milk
Helps to prevent constipation


Make you own healthy food drinks

• Combine your chosen fruits that you want to juice wash then thoroughly
• Remove the parts of the fruit that is not needed skin, stems, and pits
• cut the fruit into small pieces
• Place the combined fruits that you chose into the blender
• Add Milk and Ice then start the blender for at least 10 seconds
• Pour it into glass and that's it
• Serve fruit juice immediately for freshest taste and highest vitamin content.
• A healthy food drink shake

Speed up Metabolism right now

Image via Wikipedia Some of us are wondering why other people have a fast metabolism and we are not. I think its the way we live that affects our metabolism if we eat too much, if we dont exercise, and other things can really affect our metabolism. Here are some tips and foods that maybe can help to speed up our metabolism.

Mini-Breakfast - The act of eating speed up metabolism, So if we kick start our day with a 200 calorie mini-meal, we will actually have an elevated metabolic rate throughout the day. Eating a good breakfast first thing in the morning gets your metabolism up so you burn more calories throughout the day (digestion actually burns a lot of calories). Here are samples of breakfast food you can get started an apple, banana, toast with peanut butter, and eggs. we can call it metabolism foods for breakfast. Eating smaller, more frequent meals also speeds up your metabolism by keeping your digestive system active (and using energy to function) throughout the day.

Need to build lean muscle - If we have higher ratio of lean muscle to body fat, our metabolism will naturally elevate. We don't have to be a body builder to reap the rewards, even lightweight bearing activity promotes muscle growth. Exercising is one common way to increase your metabolism, at least 30 mins per day and 4 - 5 times a week

Eat after exercise - Yes we could eat after exercise, physical activity gives our metabolism increase, eat within 30 minutes after a sweat workout will keep our metabolism speed up for the next few hours.

Here are some Healthy foods that can help speed up our metabolism:


fruits:

apple
blackberry
cantaloupe
cranberry
grapefruit
honey dew melon
lemon
mango
lime
orange
peach
pineapple
raspberry
strawberry
tangerines
watermelon

vegetables:

asparagus
beet
broccoli
green cabbage
carrot
cauliflower
celeriac
celery
chicory
chili peppers
cucumber
dandelion
endive
fennel
garden cress
garlic
green beans
lettuce
onion
papaya
radishes
spinach
turnip
zucchini



But remember discipline is the key, speed up your metabolism right now good luck!