How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

By Amy Feigns

For generations, poppy seeds have played vital importance in various human activities like as a medical remedy and as a tasty ingredient in various recipes. In our time, a lot more cooking recipes have been developed with the use of dried poppy pods as its enticing component. Poppy seeds have been a part of various dishes due to its various health benefits and the unique taste and appeal they provide.

Most frequently, poppy seeds are a favorite in a wide variety of baked goods like muffins, cakes, bread, and more. One tasty and healthy example is the lemon poppy seed cupcake. To make this tempting dessert, you will need a salt, baking powder, baking soda, yoghurt, all purpose flour, blue poppy seeds, vanilla extract, zest of lemon, softened butter, and sugar. To come up with an icing to make it perfect, you must have an icing sugar and lemon juice or water.

To start with, grease the muffin cups properly and evenly. Have the oven preheated under the temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit r 200 degrees Celsius. While doing this, you can start mixing the sugar and butter utilizing the stand mixer within 3 minutes until it gets creamy and light. You may then start adding the eggs one at a time as you continue with the stirring with an interval of one minute in each gap.

Afterwards, you may then pour in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. You may then follow on adding the blue poppy seeds directly into the mixture. On a separate mixing bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. After a few minutes of continuously mixing the wet ingredients, pour in the dry ones as well as the yoghurt alternately both starting and ending with flour.

Once you get finished with the mixture, you may then pour it into the prepared moulds and then securely have them evened out to the top. Bake all of the mixture into the oven for about 18 to 20 minutes. You can also determine if the muffins are already fully baked when a thin knife comes out clean. After you have confirmed that the muffins are already well baked, you may then start unmoulding them and wait for them to cool within five minutes before you apply some icing on the top. This is important as the icing will definitely melt on top of an oven fresh muffin and will look ugly.

For making the icing, you must first stir the icing sugar with the lemon juice until it gets moist. Add a little in every interval while you continue stirring the mixture until you have achieved the desired texture. The perfect texture for the icing is white and creamy which will serve as the muffin's mouth watering topping. And there you go, the healthiest and tastiest thing you can go for a dessert or snack. - 17268

About the Author:

These seeds had been notorious in the past, but people have recently been aware of its health benefits. Find out more about the great health benefits of poppy seeds in this site: http://www.PoppyPodsDirect.com.

How Can Starting an Aerobics Program Actually Help Me Prevent Bruising?

By Carolyn Cooper

If you were to glance down at your arms right now, would you notice any bruises, or would you recall having bruises there recently? The condition that a lot of people must deal with is that as they get older, they become more likely to bruise easily and much more likely to notice bruises also. When you are younger, the body is considerably more resilient and in the event bruises did appear, they went away quickly. That being the situation, what can a person do?

It is a known fact that treating easy bruising can be somewhat different for every individual, because there are a variety of different situations that you may have to contend with. One method of dealing with bruises may be the consideration of starting an aerobics routine. You have the choice of practicing aerobics at home behind closed curtains and closed doors, or you can go meet your friends at the gym. An effective and consistent aerobics program can help you regardless of the location of your practicing.

What does an aerobics program do to address bruising easily? The major benefit is that it can improve your blood circulation. Researching poor blood circulation will show that it can become a major component of bruising causes; as we age, our cardiovascular system contains thinner walled blood vessels which are much less efficient and flexible than they were when we were younger. Keeping this thought in mind, you'll discover that there are a variety of reasons why aerobic programs can provide the solution to our easy bruising problem.

With aerobics, you are going to get your blood pumping, and this in turn will help your blood vessels in terms of becoming more toned and flexible. This means two things; first they will be less likely to rupture if they come into contact with something, and secondly, they will help improve your body's immune system, making you much more quick to heal.

If you are considering starting an aerobics program, you don't have to start with two hour workouts to begin with. To maintain your interest in the new program, you should build up your activity level over an extended period of time. This will help keep you from burning out on the program, and it will also insure that you don't injure yourself from over activity.

Remember that you should wear light clothing that breathes well, because the last thing that you want to do is to get overheated. Some people also like the idea of having a step that will let them do step aerobics, while others prefer a quasi-martial arts activity like Tae Bo.

With all of the opinions there are about how much activity you can and should do, you should understand that you will need to answer some questions about how you want to design your personal program. One decision you'll need to make is whether you're going to spend just twenty minutes a day every day or whether you're going to work out on alternating days with longer workout periods.

Take a moment to consider how much aerobics can help you. This is something that can make a huge difference in helping you to prevent bruising. Also don't forget that you can combine working out with a good, all natural, daily supplement program like Bruises Be Banned, which can help prevent bruising altogether. - 17268

About the Author:

Carolyn Cooper is recognized as a renowned expert on bruise treatment through a combination of her educational experience in nutrition and her real life expertise with nutritional supplements for athletes, ranging from kids to the professional ranks. Get a free Special Report on bruising causes and see what she's done to get us past the nightmares of easy bruising and prevent bruising

Summary of Research on Agaricus blazei

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Cultivation of the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei began in Japan in 1993, even though the strains used were collected from fields northwest of Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Research on Agaricus extract has largely focused on its anti-cancer properties. Results on uterocervical cancers appear promising. [25]

One study reported that Agaricus extract contained a higher level of beta glucans than any other medicinal mushroom. So while not included in this article, it may be worthwhile to also look into beta glucan related research. [25]

Research on Agaricus extract against cancer cell cultures (in vitro) have yielded primarily negative results, but testing on live individuals (in vivo) have shown some positive results. What this tells us is that Agaricus blazei's effect on cancer is by stimulating the immune system rather than killing off cancer cells directly. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]

In fact, one Japanese study from 2002 showed that when stimulated by Agaricus extract, macrophages would deliver a two punch knockout to cancer cells. (Macrophages are a type of white blood cells.) Eight hours after taking Agaricus extract, the patient's macrophages excreted a cancer killing compound known as alpha tumor necrosis factor. Then four hours after that, the same macrophages excreted another compound specifically targeted to finish off the now weakened cancer cells. [141]

An additional cancer protective property of Agaricus extract is that it helps inhibit the production of aromatase, a human enzyme associated with breast cancer development. [142]

Both alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei have been shown to contain important medicinal compounds, [143] particularly extracts of the mycelium ("roots"). [25]

The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]

Some words of caution: A 2003 comparison between different sources of Agaricus blazei reported that samples from China contained significantly higher levels of the heavy metal cadmium than samples from the U.S. [145]

Secondly, although Agaricus extract has demonstrated some powerful anti-cancer properties, it also contains a family of cancer-inducing compounds known as agaritines. (These are also found in button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms and portobellos.)

A paper by Stijve et al. published in 2003 reported that Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei extract, produced in Washington state, contained drastically less of the carcinogenic agaritines compared with samples from China or California by a factor of 8000% and 2000% respectively. [145]

"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]

In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Agaricus extract to have a beneficial effect: Viruses; Blood Sugar; Cholesterol; Colorectal Cancer; Sarcoma. [134]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes. - 17268

About the Author:

Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He now focuses on medicinal fungi, including Agaricus Extract, in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Extract of Agaricus blazei page and click on any number indicating a reference.

A Guide to Finding the Best Frozen Acai Berry Pulp

By Travis Van Slooten

Acai berries can't be come by in America and so the closest thing most Americans will be able to get is frozen acai berry pulp. The good news is it is every bit as healthy and delicious as the fresh berries themselves. If you have found yourself considering a trip to Brazil so you can try the incredible super fruit for yourself, you may be able to save a lot of time and money by simply buying a high-quality frozen pulp product!

How are the Supplements Different?

Acai berry supplements come in different forms, although most companies sell acai in capsule form. The good thing is, there are also a few companies which offer acai products that are not in the usual capsule so that consumers can also get to taste the acai goodness while taking in all of its nutritious benefits. There are acai juices and energy drinks, although you also have to exercise caution as some of these may contain sugars and other additives. There are also pre-mixed acai smoothies and shakes available. And then of course, there's frozen acai pulp.

What Makes Frozen Acai Berry Pulp Better?

If you are someone who likes variety, you may like the ability to buy frozen acai berry pulp. Not only are you getting the closest available thing to the fresh berry, but you are also getting a product which is as versatile as you are. There is nothing worse than a boring health food and a company like Acai Roots knows that. Their frozen acai berry pulp is not only easy to turn into ice cream or smoothies, but they also give you a recipe for a local Brazilian acai berry bowl. You can eat a recipe popularized by the native Brazilians who grow the berries themselves. The frozen pulp of the berry also offers you 100% of your daily value of antioxidants and is completely non-dairy.

Where Can I Get the Best Acai Products?

Discovering the best place to get acai berry products may be the biggest challenge for anyone looking to buy supplements. There are many places selling acai products, but finding a reliable and trustworthy company can be a headache. As you assess companies, look for those that use wild-harvested, organic acai in their products. It's also a good idea to buy from companies that give something back to the natives of the Amazon rainforests of Brazil where acai comes from. A select few companies will give a portion of their profits to these communities and will protect the acai palm trees from deforestation.

Finding frozen acai pulp is not that difficult anymore but you want the best quality products you can find for optimal nutrition and health. If you use the criteria outlined for "grading" companies, you'll be able to easily spot the best products and companies. - 17268

About the Author:

Why get your health supplement needs from just any company? Check us out to learn more about the company that sells the highest-quality frozen acai pulp currently in the market! They not only sell acai berry pulp, but they also offer a complete line of pure acai berry supplements.

Being Obese Is Killing Us

By Marilou Lissandrello

ATTENTION EVERYONE who's overweight. If there was ever a time to get ourselves motivated to loose those unwanted pounds, this is it. Most people don't understand what obesity is costing this country. It is killing us financially and physically.

If you thinking I'm talking about the cost of food, I'm not. I talking about the billions of dollars that are spent to treat obesity. Obesity drastically increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

Let me say it another way, 6 out of every 10 Americans are obese and that number doesn't even include our children. America, we need to change and change now. I'm not talking about super model skinny either, but having a healthy body weight and a BMI between 20 and 25.

This message is for me as much as anyone else. My husband and I had lost around 40 pounds total and it felt great. Unfortunately, we got a little lazy with our exercise and eating plan after we got a taste of being thinner.

Now, we have gained a few of the pounds back and unless we get back on the horse, we will both be back up to where we initially started. It is a never ending struggle but one we must not give up on. If you are overweight, your body is telling you that you are consuming too many calories and not exercising enough.

This is common knowledge but what do we do with that information? The answer is not to eat less though. You need to eat food with fiber that will give you the feeling of being satisfied. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain a lot of fiber so I recommend that you get 3 servings of whole grains and 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Here are some more weight loss strategies:

* Drink plenty of water, zero calories beverages, and non fat milk.

* Take your time when eating your meal. When you realize that you are no longer hungry STOP and move away from the table.

* If you are eating out, put half of your meal in a doggy bag before you even start eating.

* Do not skip meals - always have some type of fruit, vegetable or lean protein nearby.

* Get rid of all high calorie foods in your house. You will not be tempted to eat them if they are not there.

* Write down all of the food that you eat - You will be amazed at the end of the day what you've eaten.

* Get moving - walk or run at least 30 minutes every day.

Does this sound too difficult or complicated? No, it is so easy but it all depends on your frame of mind. Stop procrastinating and get started today. Change one meal, one day at a time. a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Instead of an all-or-nothing approach at this, remember to go slow and steady. Remember this is a lifestyle change and not a diet fad. Don't look back only go forward and let me how your progress goes. - 17268

About the Author:

Marilou Lissandrello is fervent about cooking healthy recipes in order to maintain her and her husbands current weight loss and to live a improved way of life together. Her very no-nonsense guide on how to cook healthy recipes for dinner is obtainable free from her blog, Eat Right Tonight.

Dementia: Eight Things People Should Avoid

By Esther Dacamay

Proper nutrition is the building block for which our bodies fight disease. Therefore, it only stands to reason that knowing what NOT to eat as well as how NOT to prepare your food is the first step in fighting the affects of Dementia. These eight steps can assist you in deciding what you should and shouldn't put in your mouth.

1) Say No to Milk - Anyone with Dementia should avoid dairy milk. Instead, they should seek out their dairy needs from other sources such as soy, rice, goats and almonds.

2) No Red Meat - All forms of red meat and processed meats such as hot dogs or sausages should be eliminated from the diet. Instead, seek protein from alternate sources such as soy, alfalfa sprouts or fish. The best fish includes salmon, cod, tuna and sardines are an excellent source for high quality Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are highly beneficial to the body.

3) No Fried Foods - KFc, McDonalds, Burger King and all the other fast food restaurants serve up delectable foods. However, they are prepared in saturated fats which contain free radicals that are not good for the body.

4) Beer or Wine - All alcohol consumption should be limited. In France, a recent study showed that those partaking in one or two glasses of red wine per day were able to fight stress more diligently. The reason for this beneficial reaction is the antioxidant activity in theoligomeric proanthocyanidin substances found in the wine.

5) No Sugar! - Eliminate refined sugars from foods such as cakes, donuts, cookies, brownies, etc. Also eliminate foods containing aspartame/Nutrasweet/Equal or saccharine.

6) No Red Vines! - If you're a fan of the bitter-tart taste of licorice, youre out of luck. This candy potentiates cortisol and compromises potassium intake, which can lead to hypokalemia.

7) Be Happy - Stress can be harmful to the body in many ways including cortisol, which mentioned above compromises potassium intake. In addition, it is very important not to inflict undue stress on the body with things such as red meat, caffeine, refined sugar, processed foods and nicotine.

8) No Aluminum! - Don't cook with any materials made from aluminum. That means no pots, pans or ladles made with aluminum. There has been significant speculation that an intake of aluminum from foods, antacids, cookware or antiperspirants may play a role in contracting Alzheimers disease, a cortical type of dementia. - 17268

About the Author:

Esther Dacanay is a reputable editor and featured writer on Clivir.com where she provides and shares more information about Dementia Stages and other information about Dementia Signs and Diagnosis Symptoms.

Is Cutting Out Dietary Fat A Good Way To Reduce Fat Arms?

By Katherine Crawford M.S.

In your journey to get rid of fat arms you've probably come across a couple different types of diets. Perhaps figuring out which diet to follow created a little confusion.

You see, with all the different choices floating around, how did you know which one to choose? Now don't worry, I had to go through the same thing.

But to further complicate things, all the different marketing schemes can create a giant minefield of lies and confusion. After all, it's the marketing department's job to make their diet seem like the best thing since sliced bread.

Thus, today I will provide an analysis of low fat diets for getting lean arms.

The good:

1. Easy to do: Cutting out fat isn't rocket science.

Here are the cons:

1. A metabolic drop: A lack of dietary fat will have your cellular machinery working at a crawl. You need fat in order to burn fat.

2. No more crossword puzzles: Cells in your brain need fat in order to communicate with speed. They also need fat in order to grow.

3. More sickness: This one is huge because once you get sick, your sexy arm mission will be delayed a lot. Again, your body needs fat to maintain a properly functioning immune system.

4. Carbohydrates towards arm fat: This happens via an increase in insulin resistance. Once insulin resistant, your body will send more calories towards arm fat.

5. Hunger swings: Fat plays a critical role in slowing down digestion. So if you eliminate it, hunger and digestion will go for a roller coaster ride. No joke!

The truth is that low-fat dieting is not good for getting arm tone. Instead, make sure you get plenty of fat in your diet. It simply has too much of a beneficial effect on your body. Good luck! - 17268

About the Author:

Sleeveless in 7 review creator, Katherine Crawford, a Harvard fitness expert and recent flabby arms victim, teaches women how to lose fat arms rapidly. Discover how to get sexy and toned arms by exploring her website about arm tone right now!

Maitake - A Medicinal Gourmet Mushroom

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Known for its high content of beta-glucans [71, 72], powerful immune-stimulating polysaccharides, the gourmet mushroom Maitake is one of the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

American mushroom hunters will know Maitake by its common English name as Hen-of-the-woods, so named because it resembles the fluffed up tail feathers of a hen that grows in the woods. As one of the most easily identified food mushrooms of North America, Hen-of-the-woods can be found in the eastern U.S. down to the Mid-Atlantic States, as well as eastern Canada.

Maitake extract has been found to increase the so called tumor-necrosis-factor [73, 74, 75] as well as other cancer fighting mechanisms. [76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81] Specific cancer types studied include colorectal, prostate, liver, lung and breast. [82] FDA has approved a Phase II study of Maitake extract on breast and prostate cancer. [83]

Other Maitake research has focused on its ability to enhance the immune system, both in general [84, 85, 86] as well as in cancer patients. [87] The anti-viral potential of Maitake extract has been of particular interest. [88] Viruses are, after all, notoriously difficult to treat. Research on Maitake and HIV is being conducted. [89]

Of further interest is the well demonstrated blood sugar lowering effect of Maitake extract. One study on insulin-resistance found blood glucose drops of 25% average. [90, 91, 92]

Apart from research conducted specifically on Maitake extract, there's also a sea of research done on the active compounds themselves, most importantly the beta-glucans. For example, there is a patent application on "Methods of using beta glucan as a radio-protective agent." More specifically, the patent "relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity," [93] which is probably why NASA gives beta glucans to astronauts, for the prevention of radiation poisoning and the degradation of the immune system.

Many other effects of Maitake extract have been researched with promising results, including: blood pressure regulation, respiratory conditions, stress and nerve tonic, anti-bacterial and anti-Candida. [25]

Medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets, in his book Mycelium Running, also lists Maitake extract as showing some positive effect on leukemia. [134]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.

Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references. - 17268

About the Author:

Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in the area of natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently focuses on medicinal fungi, including Maitake Extract, in partnership with the business Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the numbered references in this article, go to the Maitake Supplements page and click on any number to view its reference.

Many Uses of Ganoderma Extract

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Revered in the Orient for two millennia as the "Mushroom of Immortality," Ganoderma has been demonstrated to have a therapeutic effect on 16 out of 17 areas of health in Paul Stamets' chart on medicinal mushrooms. That's more than any other mushroom species.

In Tibet, it goes by the name Ling Chi, and many Buddhist temples and shrines are adorned with artistic renderings of this beautiful fungus. Tibetans have a long tradition of using Ganoderma extract for infections as well as high-altitude sickness. [25]

In spite of Ganoderma's ancient history, only contemporary healers might attribute its life extending properties to an exceptionally high level of antioxidants [34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41], which help protect against free radical damage, one of the major causes of aging.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Ganoderma's triterpenoid compounds may be another contributing factor to its life-prolonging properties. [42, 43, 44, 45] Inflammation is, after all, involved in many of our most prevalent illnesses, from the common cold and bronchitis, allergies and asthma to arthritis [47, 48, 49, 50, 51] and atherosclerosis. [46] In fact, any part of the body may be susceptible to inflammation, from brain [52] to reproductive organs. [53]

Now, inflammation is of course also part of a natural and well functioning immune system. So it bears mention that Ganoderma extract is an immune system "adaptagen", which means that whereas it will slow down an overactive immune response, it will likewise improve an underactive immune system. In other words, it helps the immune system to "adapt." [48, 54, 55] Case in point, one study showed Ganoderma extract as having a dampening effect on HIV replication in lymphocytes. [56]

Another rejuvenating (anti-aging) effect of Ganoderma extract relates to its effect on the alveoli of the lungs and increased oxygen absorption, [57] as well as increased coronary flow and decreased blood pressure, [58] both of which contribute to an energizing and vitalizing effect. For this reason, two studies have shown promise in the use of Ganoderma with chronic fatigue. [59, 60]

Ganoderma extract also contains anti-cancer compounds. Research has specifically shown results with tumors of the liver, lungs, prostate, cervix, blood and bone. [61, 62, 63, 64, 65] It appears that this anti-tumor effect may be secondary to the general immune stimulating properties of Ganoderma. [66, 67]

In addition to these general systematic benefits, Ganoderma extract also seems to aid specific organs. Two Chinese studies have shown promising results in aiding the liver, both in cases of chronic hepatitis [68] and post-hepatic cirrhosis. [69]

Another study showed Ganoderma extract having a restorative effect on spleen function. [34] Powdered Ganoderma has also been used to treat skin conditions [70], including but not limited to poison ivy rash [25] and poison oak.

In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Ganoderma extract to have a beneficial effect: Candida; Diabetes (Blood Sugar); Cardiovascular Health; Cholesterol; Kidney Health; Respiratory Conditions; Nerve Tonic; Stress. [134]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.

Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references. - 17268

About the Author:

Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. His current focus is medicinal mushrooms, including Extract of Ganoderma lucidum, in partnership with the business Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For research references to this article, please go to the Extract of Ganoderma page. Click on any number to find its corresponding reference.

The Road to Success with P90X

By Austin Mcgonigle

I thought I would address something that I hear way to often. It never fails that I run into someone that proceeds to tell me they can't get the motivation to workout because they never notice any changes. I normally proceed to ask these people what their workout routine is, and what their diet consists of, and with out a doubt they proceed to tell me they can bench press 240 pounds 50 times, and can curl a car, which is all good and fine, but they never answer the part about the diet . You see that's a very small part of it, you can move all the weight you like, but if you're out there eating a big mac combo 2 times a day 5 days a week, you're fighting a losing battleThe ONLY way you going to get the results you desire is by changing what you eat. Now you don't have to use the P90x nutrition guide, but you will need to make some changes to your diet, to achieve maximum results.

You can exercise all you want, and lift all you want, but if you're not doing some kind of nutrition you're not going to get true visible results***RIPPED ABS!, I'm not saying you won't be in amazing shape, you just won't have amazing definition. When I started P90X I went a little far, I completely cut out soft drinks, processed foods (for the most part), sugars, fast food, and anything else I thought was junk. Now I know that's not realistic for everyone, but everyone can make little changes to get them on the path. I I thought I would give you a few ideas, buy telling you all what I eat on a daily basis. I'm not saying this is what you have to eat, just giving you a little food for thought so to speak

Now this next part is EXTREMELY important and I need you to pay close attention, because the is the key to a good nutrition planmake SURE you eat breakfast every day. I'm sure a lot of people think they're doing themselves a favor by not eating breakfast, or just don't have timewell, the truth is you're probably sending your body into starvation mode. Now think about this, you should stop eating 3-4 hours before you go to sleep, now assuming you do that, and most people get at least 6 hours of sleep, and you decide to skip breakfast and eat lunch some where around 12:00, and you went to sleep at 10 the night before and stopped eating at 7, that's 17 hours you went with out eating. That sends you body into starvation mode, slows your metabolic rate, and you body becomes very picky about the where it burns calories, which means that less calories are being spent, and more fat is being stored. The purpose of that huge run on sentence up there was to explain why breakfast is soo important .so eat something in the mornings!!!

For me breakfast doesn't change much, the only thing that really changes are the days I that I eat certain things on, it always pretty much consists of: Turkey sausage, some kind of fruit, slice of wheat toast, and a glass of juice **the rest of the day it's nothing but water** Protein shake and fruit 8ox Oatmeal, fruit, and juice 3 egg whites with chopped onions/mushrooms/ham, slice wheat toast, and a glass juice. And that pretty much takes care of breakfast, those for things on a repeating cycle.boring I knowbut as I said before it's what works for me, and that's what's important. Sometime after breakfast but before lunch I'll have a snack, now by snack I don't mean run out to the gas station and load up on a 44oz soda, and hoho's, snack's are fruit, nuts, turkey jerky, or a protein bar/shake.

Sadly to say lunch never changes for me, I'll have a can of all white albacore tuna, I don't mix it mayo and pickles and all that, I just eat the tuna, sometimes I'll put a little balsamic vinegar on it, with a salad. If I can't get home, and have to eat lunch out, I'll normally find a deli, have a half of some kind of sandwich on wheat, along with a salad.

Dinner is the most important meal of the day, because in the past I would eat just to have something to do , so I make sure that dinner is good, so I don't have to go looking for something to do in a couple of hoursJ For example I would do a tuna steak on sear it on both side for a couple of minutes, maybe some steamed vegetables, and either brown rice or wheat pasta. Something along those lines would be a good dinner that would keep me happy till morning. I cut a lot of red meat out of my diet now, so it's mostly tuna, pork, chicken. Now I'm not saying red meat is bad, it was just a personal decision, and I still love a great steak, just not as many as I used to love. Do whatever works for you, like I said this is what works for me, the important thing is to put some kind of plan into action, and follow through..GOODLUCK and STICK WITH IT!!!!! - 17268

About the Author:

Get the help you need to stay on track and achieve maximum results try and follow the p90x nutrition plan

Thai Mangosteen Fruit

By Matthew Pang

Mangosteen juice is not only popular for its wonderful taste but also for its rejuvenating properties. When bought commercially, it is fairly expensive because a mangosteen tree takes up to 12 years to yield fruit. The juice is rich in vitamins B and C as well as phosphorus, iron and calcium. Studies have revealed that people who take mangosteen juice on a regular basis generally enjoy holistic health. Its beneficial effects are said to be noticeable in as little as 4 weeks of continued use.

Mangosteen is rich in the group of antioxidants known as xanthones and may therefore have an anti-aging effect too. It is an accepted medical fact that the ingestion of antioxidants promotes overall metabolic resistance to disease by boosting the absorption of vitamins. Eating fruits has always been the key to a healthy diet: add exercise to it and your body will reward you with tremendous energy. While some of us love our fruits, some can hardly swallow a handful a week. Eating smart helps a great deal in promoting good health. Try and learn a tiny bit about your daily food, and thus you will be able to eat right even if you dont consume the exact quantity required daily.



The Thai Mangosteen tree requires warm temperatures and abundant rains to grow. Its growth is slow, and it reaches its peak in about 10 years but by then it is producing huge quantities of Mangosteen fruit annually. The health benefits from Mangosteen juice is quickly absorbed by the body rather than eating fresh or dried. The most important health benefit from Mangosteen juice probably is the rich content of antioxidants within in each fruit.

People drink Mangosteen juice for good health. These health benefits can include such things as ones daily doze of vitamins and minerals, because mangosteen contains vitamins such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, iron and fiber. While the health benefits from Mangosteen juice are vast, it should not be taken instead of required medicines, as it only complements our immune system by helping it fight infection and other such diseases; it does not cure any illnesses on its own. All fresh fruits and vegetables are beneficial for our health and well-being learning, which will help us stay ahead and be ready to face anything that comes our way.

Preparing our body with natural ingredients found in nature without any preservatives or additives is the only way to ensure a long, healthy and happy life. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as often as possible to maintain yourself in great health and spirits.

Xanthones have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties and they are very potent antioxidants. The mangosteen fruit is considered safe and also helps protect the entire gastrointestinal system, unlike many drugs which are not safe. The body requires antioxidants because of the damage done to the cells by free radicals, which can trigger the initial phases of certain illnesses. Dirty air, smoke, stress, over exercise, and environmental pollutants are the cause of free radicals getting into the body. These free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, helping to stop disease from occurring and promote wellness.

The power of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, can be measured, and this is called the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value. More free radicals will be neutralized, as the value of ORAC in your blood is higher. If you want to receive the full benefits of the nutrients in the mangosteen, it is best to check for independent laboratory tests performed on a particular mangosteen juice product.

Research has found that Mangosteen juice using cold processing when being prepared is of much higher quality. This is because it's been found that some nutrients in the Mangosteen fruit die at the time they are cooked. Cooking the juice (pasteurization) can render some preservatives more harmful, and also make the juice acidic. Its best to select a Mangosteen juice which uses cold processing when being prepared since it is of higher quality. A liquid formula is more bioavailable (body ready) so that the cells in the body can absorb it more readily. The phytonutrients and xanthones are within the Mangosteen whole fruit, which includes the pericarp and the pulp, and they work synergistically. Powders and pills cannot include the mangosteen whole fruit, so these may not provide the health benefits that a liquid product provides.

We have examined what to consider when looking at the different brands of Mangosteen juices- Independent testing, amount of xanthones, amount of phytonutrients, the ORAC value, the other nutrients in the product, the way the product is processed, and whether it is a liquid product or not. For a fair comparison of price and quality, have a look at how many bottles of a less expensive product you would need to give you the same amount of nutrients as a more expensive product has. What you think is a 'cheaper' product may be a lot more expensive when you do the Mangosteen juice product comparison carefully. - 17268

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Before you buy anything online, be sure to check the most potent, best-tasting and best price for Mangosteen and Mangosteen Juice products.

10 Reasons Why People Are Crazy About Acai

By George Alarcon

Originating from the rainforests of South America, acai berries contain antioxidants, fatty acids, protein and fiber. Recent media coverage in the United States has increased the popularity of the small berries. Continue reading to discover the health benefits of the acai berry and find out why its being touted as the newest superfood.

1. Acai berries give people increased energy and strength without suffering through the crashing side effect that follows from coffee and artificial energy drinks.

2. Studies have shown that the Acai can fight off certain types of cancer and increase the body's resistance to other diseases because it naturally fights against free radicals.

3. In addition to fighting cancer and other diseases, the Acai Berry has many heart related benefits. It can allow the body to maintain a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol level, strengthen the heart, and reduce the risk of other heart related problems.

The enhancement of the male and female libido has been a positive effect from taking Acai Berry.

5. Acai berries encourage weight loss. The antioxidant properties of the berry and the additional energy it provides contribute to weight loss.

6. Acai berries improve digestion. The high fiber and Omega fatty acids contained in the berries expel toxins and break down food in the digestive system.

7. All the benefits of the Acai Berry increase a person's life span. This reduces the effects of aging and inevitably makes people look and feel younger.

A strengthened immune system is also an effect of the large amounts of vitamin C that the berry contains. Acai Berry has three times the amoount of vitamin C than a blueberry.

Another healthy reason is that the Acai berry helps improve memory loss and elevates the mood.

Last but certainly not least, the Acai Berry is down right delicious. It can be used in smoothies, shakes and juices. It's sweet but slightly tart taste has tantalized more that a few taste buds, and has proven to be a definite winner among those who fateful enough to try it.

There is plenty of evidence that the Acai Berry is nature's little wonder fruit, and no wonder so many people have already made it it the most popular fruit in the world. If you haven't already tried Acai Berry, then you are missing a small miracle. - 17268

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Discover why people are going nuts over acai: http://www.acai.vg