Pages

Showing posts with label the. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the. Show all posts

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Diet How to spend the holidays without damage

It is impossible to escape the "big food" season. In fact, why are we deprive these friendly fun, family and food, even if you are in battle with his or her cholesterol pounds?

Better wake up and manage without festive lunches "upset stomach", "Hangover", 3 kg or more.

The "must have" products are not so terrible that it


As of December 15 and 31 between Christmas for example, Eat less fat as possible.
Do you provide what is particularly rich in fat: meats, fermented cheese, pastries, too rich butter sauces but also in oil, such as mayonnaise, remoulade, etc.

Make your salad yourself.
Accommodate your salad with a little oil, even if it is olive, because it is as fat as the others, even if it is good for the arteries.

If you do not usually drink plenty of water between and during meals.

Fiesta Christmas office
Participate without much thought. So to have a clear conscience:

before, drink lots of water;
after, compensate. Vegetable soup, yogurt, apple and mandarin restore equilibrium;
and water, always water!

Review of essential
Lobster, crayfish and other crustaceans
They are rich in protein and do not contain lipids (fats). However, the sauces are well equipped, especially the traditional mayonnaise. You can replace it with a sauce of cream (less fat than oil), lemon juice and herbs. Delicious and more original.

Oysters and shellfish
They are quite recommended because of their beneficial richness in minerals and vitamins. But also their lack of fat and few calories they contain. Drink, then, without a second thought:

many with lemon juice (vitamin C);
with bread. Much work because you need carbohydrates;
with the least amount of butter on the bread, of course! Take it out of the fridge well in advance so that it is soft: so, it puts less on toast.
And Happy Holidays!


Read more »

Friday, April 10, 2015

Vegetarian diet what are the risks


Vegetarian and vegan diets are they exposed to deficiencies?

Why and how to fix it?



Vegetarian and vegan diet: whats the difference?
The vegetarian diet is to eat mainly of plant foods. Certain animal products are allowed, usually dairy and eggs, but excluding strictly meat.

But when strictly no animal foods are tolerated (meat, milk, eggs), the term vegan or vegan diet.

Are vegetarians exposed to deficiencies? How about it?
Without meat, one might fear a risk of protein deficiency.

Remember that protein intakes depend on those amino acids (basic protein components), some of which are considered essential that is to say, the body can not synthesize and must therefore be made mandatory in sufficient quantities by the diet.

But plants contain, too, of the essential amino acids. Thus, they provide good quality protein. However, beware, all food categories do not provide the same types of proteins. Thus, legumes and grains do not contain the same essential amino acids.
And unless there are animal products authorized in the diet, the more this association is crucial. Thus it must be systematic in vegans. This association is also found in many traditional dishes and chick peas in semolina couscous, chickpea soup and bread, curry rice and legumes (beans, lentils), etc.

Vegetarian attention to iron deficiency ...
This risk of iron deficiency is most feared among women due to their menstrual bleeding, and children whose needs have increased.

Among other vegetarians, the risk is low because even if the iron of animal origin is better absorbed than that from plants, it represents more than 85% of dietary iron. Moreover, absorption of iron increases when there is a deficit.

And finally, the high consumption of fruits and vegetables vegetarian makes a significant amount of vitamin C, vitamin known to enhance the absorption of iron by the body.

Regarding the two at-risk populations (children and menstruating women), iron supplementation may be necessary. Ideally, it should be considered in consultation with her doctor.

What are the best sources of vegetable protein?
Legumes: white beans, red beans, kidney beans, lentils, soy (tofu, soy milk), peas, peanuts.
Cereals: wheat, semolina, rice, corn, quinoa, millet, barley, oats, bulgur.


Read more »

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Wheatgrass The King Of Alkaline Foods

Whether or not youve ever held the title of Fast Food Queen as I once did, youve likely ingested your fair share of highly processed and chemical laden foods. Lets face it, in this day and age, its increasingly more challenging to eat a diet rich in whole foods that arent filled with chemical preservatives, additives and pesticides. Just take a look at the Dirty Dozen list – even fresh fruits and veggies arent immune.

Unfortunately, most processed foods are acidic and when we consume too many of them, our bodys acidity-alkalinity balance is upset. Prolonged acidity is very taxing on our cells and organs, and ultimately leads to illness and disease. 

The King of Alkaline Foods

Wheat grass has a high alkalizing effect, which helps restore the balance between acidity and alkalinity in the body. When your body’s pH levels are balanced, youll begin to notice an increase in energy, stamina and less need for sleep.

Ann Wigmore, author of The Wheatgrass Book, writes:
“Each of us is the keeper of ten trillion little batteries called cells. Like flashlight batteries, our cells hold a charge of electricity. In order for this charge to be strong and steady we need to have a steady supply of proper nutrients. With the addition of wheatgrass and raw foods to your diet, your cells will store a maximum electrical charge, and you will have plenty of energy.”
Rich In Chlorophyll

Wheatgrass contains an abundance of chlorophyll. The structure of chlorophyll is very similar to that of hemoglobin – the protein molecule in red blood cells – which makes it possible for our body to transform chlorophyll into hemoglobin. How cool is that? Drink your wheatgrass and increase your red blood cell count!

Scientists have found chlorophyll strengthens liver functions, neutralizes toxic compounds, as well as eliminates toxins in the blood. Take that, nasty chemical additives and preservatives!

Rejuvenate Your Body

Studies and tests of wheatgrass have concluded that it:
  • Stimulates the repair of damaged DNA
  • Neutralizes infections
  • Assists in wound healing
  • Promotes healthy bowel function
  • Inhibits the activity of carcinogens
  • Reduces or eliminates offensive body & breath odors
  • Has a more potent anti-inflamatory effect than aspirin
Okay, so I think we can all agree that there are oodles of reasons to consume wheatgrass. But heres the thing: try as I might, I cannot seem to get past the taste. I quiver, and shiver, and gag. You get the picture.

Ive tried combining it with coconut water as well as adding it to various juices and smoothies to make it more palatable. Ann Wigmore strongly advises against this. Great. So whats a girl to do?

Well, a couple of months ago, I was introduced to the Best Organic Wheatgrass. The company name says it all. Really.

Ive been drinking their wheatgrass daily for the last month, and no gag reflex. In fact, I rather like the taste! It reminds me of green tea.

So, heres the scoop. Their Easy Pha-max wheatgrass is 100% organic and uses no artificial chemicals, preservatives or other ingredients. It is the only wheatgrass powder in the world grown Aeroponically in 100% oxygen – soil free, fungus free and pollution free.
Wheatgrass is lifted out of its tray with the roots. 
One pound or 1/4 tray of wheatgrass = 1 sachet of powder

Why Is The Root So Important?

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, the leaves of wheatgrass have a cooling effect, whereas the roots produce a heating effect. Combining both characteristics neutralizes the effect produced by each individually.

The active ingredients found in the root of wheatgrass, especially cancer fighting agents and 13 amino acids not found in the blades, stimulate damaged cells to undergo cellular repair.

Bonus: by combining the roots with the blades, the taste is not as strong and nauseous as juiced wheatgrass. Score!

After harvesting, the aeroponically-grown wheatgrass is cold dried to maintain its live enzymes and nutrients when combined with water. One Easy Pha-max wheatgrass sachet has the equivalent nutrients of 17 pounds of vegetables. Four packets are equivalent to one tray of wheatgrass. Yowza!

What About Folks Who Have A Wheat Allergy?

Wheat allergies are usually a reaction to the gluten found in the wheat berry.  Wheatgrass is a vegetable, cut before the wheat plant forms the grain (berry). Easy Pha-max wheatgrass has no gluten.

So, Whos Feeling Lucky?

The lovely folks at Best Organic Wheatgrass have offered to gift one reader of In The Raw a box of organic 100% Wheatgrass Powder, containing 66 individual sachets.

But wait, theres more! Because theyre so generous, theyre also going to include a box of Wheatgrass With Honey. Traditional Chinese medicine uses honey to prolong life and treat diseases. Honey reduces body heat, nourishes spleen and stomach, moisturizes intestine and lungs, improves urination, detoxifies, and reduces pain.

Mandatory Entry: Have a look around Best Organic Wheatgrass and tell me one thing you learned from visiting their site. Leave me a comment below this post.
You have until Midnight EDT, June 27th to get your entries in. Ill then call on Mr. Random Number Generator to pick a winner.

Meet you back here on Monday, when Ill announce the lucky winner. Ill also have a special treat for everyone else.

Good luck!

UPDATED 6-28-10: This Giveaway Is Now Closed
Congratulations to Mbwilkes, youre the lucky winner of 2 boxes of the Best Organic Wheatgrass!

But wait...everyones a winner today!

The kind folks at Best Organic Wheatgrass have generously offered EVERYONE WHO ENTERED a free 7 day trial sample of their product by going to their website and filling out the form. Just be sure to specify in the Comments that you had entered the giveaway on
In The Raw.

Now everyone can try the King of Alkaline Foods! The wheatgrass is best assimilated by drinking the first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. Simply mix one packet in an 8 - 10 ounce glass of water. Cheers!
Read more »

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Make the Right Move

America is always on the move-literally. Experts estimate that one out of five households move to a new residence each year. If you do the math, that amounts to a whopping 1.5 million moves every month. Those are some amazing stats, especially if you consider how trying and stressful such moves can be. Its a wonder that one household-let alone millions!-can pull it off.

If youre part of this statistic and on the verge of a big move, though, dont be daunted by the whole process of packing up your stuff, loading it, and dragging it to your new home. There is a way to move without losing any valuables, too much money, or your mind, whether youre moving across town, or across the continent. With some common sense, some help from professionals, friends, and loved ones, and the essential "Dos and Donts" list in this article, you can be successful and avoid all of the mishaps and stress that usually come with moving. 

Well start with the positive-the Dos on our list. Make sure to check off all of these before you even start stuffing boxes with your stuff. Do:
  • Line up help for packing and moving your stuff. It depends on your budget whether you hire professional movers or call in the volunteer brigade (your friends and family). Either way, round up somebody.
  • Have a chat with your post office, making sure they know to forward your mail to your new address. In many cases, you will need to fill out a mail-forwarding form.
  • Purchase brand-new moving boxes from your moving company or truck-renting company. Theyre worth the money. Bugs and vermin can stow away in old boxes. No need to give them a free ride to your new digs.
  • Sort through your stuff for old valuables you dont need anymore to sell. Be honest with yourself, and you may be able to pay for your move with the money you make-especially if you sell them at convenient and easy marketplaces like online classified sites.
  • Drop off old valuables that arent worth selling at a Goodwill or other charity thrift shop.
  • Think comfort and safety on move day. Pack a first-aid kit with medicines and hygiene products, as well as a change of clothes and light snacks.
Now onto the Donts. Avoid these missteps, and your move will feel like an exciting adventure, not painful torture. So dont:
  • Take on the entire move without any help and worse, without any planning.
  • Forget to find out your local post offices rules for transferring mail. And while youre at it, dont let it slip your mind to change your address, as well.
  • Move without your kids and pets or leave them home alone during trips to and from your old and new residences. For pets and small children, your best bet is a sitter.
  • Grab a few used vegetable boxes from the supermarket or grocery store. They may be cheap, but bugs and dirt may be hiding inside them. You want to start in your new home with a clean slate, not an infested one.
  • Haul old kitchen junk, like worn-out plastic containers and chipped glasses, with you to your home. You can save yourself a lot of heartache, and muscle aches, if you use the move as a chance to get rid of this kind of stuff.
  • Pack expired canned foods, leftovers, and perishables. Anything that can spill, go rotten, and cause a mess in any way is not worth the effort. Again, think clean slate.
  • Throw a garage sale, sell what you can, and save the leftovers for the garage sale you tell yourself youll have next spring. Truth is, this stuff will probably be clogging your storage space for years to come. If you want to sell it, try an easier and more profitable way, such as online classified ads.
  • Forget to unpack box after box after you move in and then when you cant find something (because its buried in a box somewhere), go shopping for it. Unpack as quickly as possible. You wont feel at home in your new place until you do.
These Dos and Donts will help you have a "moving" experience when you settle into your new home. But instead of tears of frustration and anguish pouring out your eyes, they will be tears of joy.
Read more »

The smell of olive oil helps to lose weight


Olive oil helps to stay slim because brings a feeling of satiety. Conclusion employees Munich Technical University of Vienna and is based on the observation of volunteers who daily for three months had consumed 500 grams of yogurt , as well as to supplement your diet with one of four kinds of fats : lard, olive , canola or butter , writes The Daily Mail.According to study author Peter Shiberle , those who consumed olive oil, received fewer calories and not gain weight . A blood test showed that they also have high levels of serotonin - the hormone that gives a feeling of satiety . Such an effect is associated with aromatic components of olive oil. Volunteers felt full , and the number of daily calorie intake decreased by 176." Participants in the study reported that yogurt with olive oil very subjectively satisfying . Within three years, none of them gained weight ," - commented P.Shiberle . According to his confession , the results surprised him work as rapeseed oil contains a similar set of fatty acids. It was then that he decided to spend an additional experiment and found that the whole thing in the aromatics." We have discovered a new way to healthy weight loss. Investigation proved that the aromatic compound regulates the feeling of satiety. We hope that the results contribute to the development of a line of new products designed to feel satiated and promote weight loss ," - says P.Shiberle .
Read more »

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Sprouted Quinoa The Mother Grain

I fell in love with quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) the first time I ever tried it in Ecuador. Its a staple food of the Quechua, the indigenous people of the South American Andes. The ancient Incas called quinoa the "mother grain" and revered it as sacred.

Technically, quinoa isnt a grain at all, but the seed of the Goosefoot plant. Grain. Seed. Whatever. I just love its delicate, slightly nutty flavor and the fact that its gluten-free. Its also considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. Grains like barley, wheat, and rice generally have less than half the protein of quinoa.

The seeds cook very quickly and always provided a nice, fluffy texture to my stews and soups. The thought of giving up my beloved little grain when I transitioned to a raw foods diet made me very sad. That is, until I discovered that quinoa seeds can be sprouted and eaten as raw, live food in salads and wraps. Turns out, it sprouts almost as quickly as it cooks. Well, not quite, but in 8-12 hours you have little baby quinoa sprouts. Hallelujah for the living mother grain!

For easy directions on sprouting quinoa, check out these Sprouting Instructions from the Sproutpeople®. And, from the basic to fancy schmancy, check out this assortment of sprouting kits.

Heres a couple of my favorite ways of enjoying quinoa in the raw.

Marinated Quinoa Salad

3 C sprouted quinoa
1/4 C olive oil
1 Tbsp tamari
juice of one lemon
juice of 1/2 lime
2 cloves garlic, minced
handful of fresh mint, rough chopped
10 grape tomatoes, sliced
1/2 onion, diced
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 C red bell pepper, chopped
handful of goji berries

Marinate sprouted quinoa for 20 minutes in olive oil, tamari, citrus juices and garlic. Add mint, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, goji berries and toss. Serve on a bed of red and green leaf lettuce.


Quinoa Raisin Cookies
yields two dozen

1 C quinoa, soaked overnight and rinsed well
1 C almond meal **
1/2 C local raw honey or agave nectar
1 C raisins, soaked
2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of sea salt

Place quinoa, almond meal, honey, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and process until dough-like. Transfer dough to a large bowl and hand mix in the raisins.

Using a spoon for scooping, place small dollops on a dehydrator tray lined with a Teflex sheet. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to gently flatten. Tip: Wipe the bottom of the glass between cookies to prevent sticking.

Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 4 hours. Remove the Teflex sheet. Dehydrate another 4 hours. Climate, temperature and humidity all affect dehydrating time. The cookies should be crispy on the outside and still moist inside.

**Almond meal is raw, whole almonds that have been finely ground. I like Trader Joes brand and you cant beat the price.
Read more »

Finding Joy In The Journey

Its howling outside my door right now. Howling. And tiny white stuff is falling from the sky. Wasnt it summer, like, five minutes ago?

Oh, it would have been so easy to just say "screw it" instead of getting all bundled up and taking my daily morning walk. But, I didnt. I donned the polar fleece, grateful that I am able to get out and walk. It wasnt that long ago when a trip to the end of the driveway left me tired and out of breath.

Its been four months since I embarked on this journey with the intention of changing my relationship to food and regaining my health by transitioning to a diet high in raw, living plant foods. Chronic health problems that I had begun to accept as "normal," have vanished. Ive regained my bohemian lust for life, and released 62 pounds along the way.

Whenever Ive felt like chucking the whole thing and diving back into the highly refined, processed food, Id get out a letter I wrote to myself and re-read it:
I’m writing you this letter to help you remember why you’re choosing to change your relationship to food and live a raw foods lifestyle.

Remember what it was like buying a pair of size 28 jeans and having them fit so tightly that you couldn’t breathe when you sat down or bent over?

Remember looking in the mirror and not recognizing the obese woman looking back at you? Remember how you felt both sad and repulsed at seeing your disfigured body, stretched to over 300 pounds?

Remember how frustrating it was going to the store and trying on clothes? Everything fit like skin on a baloney or like a huge tent that just hung on your body.

Remember how swollen your feet and ankles became and how painful that was? You had such a hard time finding shoes that fit.

Remember lying down in bed at night and
not being able to breathe freely?

Remember walking up a flight of stairs and being winded?

Remember having no energy and sleeping for hours during the day?

Remember how lonely you felt and how isolated you had become?

Remember how starved you were for human touch but you wouldn’t allow anyone to be intimate with you?


Remember how sick you would feel after gorging yourself beyond being full; like you wanted to vomit?

Remember how you wouldn’t do things that you enjoyed, like swimming and dancing, because you were so self-conscious of how you’d look?

Remember feeling out of control?


Keep up the good work! You are becoming healthy – in body, mind, and spirit. I’m very proud of you. You are changing your life today.
The Buddha reminds me that "Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most."

I still have a long road to travel before my body can fully repair itself and heal from the debilitating effects of morbid obesity. But Ill walk that road each morning, even in inclement weather, with gratitude in my heart and a skip in my step ~ and Ill likely kick a few more pounds to the curb along the way.

In Other News...


I recently had the fun opportunity to sit down at the Kitchen Table with naturopathic physician, Dr. Nicole Sundene, and chat about my raw foods lifestyle. Pull up a chair and go check out our interview here.

Read more »

Monday, March 9, 2015

Why cut out the Wheat

What is wheat?

Wheat is a grain which is a cultivated crop. There are a lot of different varieties of wheat from Durum wheat to Kamut to Spelt.  There are hundreds of varieties of wheat.  One which I came across most recently was EinKorn it is meant to be over 20,000 years old.  The interesting thing was I bought the EinKorn wheat derived from a crop which was within a 50 mile radius of the famous crop circles found in Wiltshire.  I gave it a try as it is meant to be ancient form of wheat.  The wheat itself was a good texture and taste, and the scones came out okay (rather like rocks!).  Okay so I decided to let go of the wheat (alien invasion bread!).


To Eat Wheat or to not Eat Wheat That is the Question


Why go wheat free?  A traditional food that we have known for generations and manipulated along the way (sounds familiar to us?).  Available everywhere and in everything, unless you scrutinize the ingredients of every item on the shelf (or just eat fruits and vegetables) then wheat is in almost everything!

It is expensive not to eat wheat and if you choose to not eat wheat then what exactly do you eat?  Im thinking more fruits and vegetables at this point.


What is Gluten?

The Latin for glue it makes you wonder what is going on in your intestinal tract when this pervasive ingredient lodges in there causing a wide variety of health issues.  Gluten can irritate the small intestine and cause inflammation.  It also contains chemicals that "stimulate the same parts of the brain that are responsive to morphine" - David PearlMutter MD.
Therefore, it makes more sense to ditch the wheat than to eat it.



I have replaced my wheat eating with Quinoa, for now.

What I have experienced not eating wheat

  • Dropped weight
  • No puffy eyes
  • Blood sugar stabilized
  • Smoother skin
  • Better digestion
  • No spots
  • Skin hydrated
  • No wheezing
  • Overall improved flexibility
Read more »

Recovery foods What to choose Review of the research

Often people wonder if buying a commercially engineered sports food (drinks, gels, bars, etc) is better for you when compared to regular food to aid in muscle recovery from exercise. If it is packaged to say so, it must be right? 

Well some of those products do work, but they are not necessarily better. They may be convenient, but they do not contain any magic ingredients that cannot be found in foods you regularly purchase. A study was done comparing a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (sports drink) and a bowl of cereal with nonfat milk. The objective of the study was to determine what, if any, difference the two foods had on muscle recovery from exercise. 


This study recruited eight male and four female cyclists or triathletes. The athletes rode a bike for two hours. Immediately after the ride, a muscle biopsy was done on the subjects (ouch!). Then the subjects were given either the sports drink or the cereal with nonfat milk. They waited an hour and another muscle biopsy was done. The researchers found that both increased glycogen in the muscle, but only the cereal significantly increased muscle proteins. 

Whole foods, like the cereal and milk, are a great option for muscle recovery and are often less expensive. 

Reference:
Cereal and nonfat milk supports muscle recovery following exercise by Lynne Kammer, Zhenping Ding, Bei Wang, Daiske Hara, Yi-Hung Liao, and John L. Ivy
Read more »

Salty pastries baked Recipe healthy and nutritious diet for the salty pies Diet

Salty pastries baked ..Recipe healthy and nutritious diet for the salty pies Diet


Amounts of dough:

110 grams yogurt tray
Half the standard tray yogurt olive oil
1 egg
Salt + white pepper and possible workshop thyme
Black and white flour together as needed until the dough consistency
Small hanging Baking powder
Way
Ingredients kneaded then uniqueness and cut the then fillings cowardice and thyme, olive or vegetable. Possible fillings minced meat or any kind you like.

Pastry stacked on a sheet or tray lined with foam to prevent the flour paste and then paint the face Yolk pastry eggs and then enter a hot oven at 180 until golden color.

Note: possible spray and hand painted Fteer Yolk eggs pond pill or thyme or a few cheese grated turkeys

you can read also

apple diet -diet foods
Salty pastries baked ..Recipe healthy and nutritious diet for the salty pies Diet
diet foods-Bakery Cheese Lite Bakery healthy alternative to chips
Tummy tuck in a week, a tummy tuck sagging-diet sport
Calories for most foods, juices and dairy-diet foods
Pears and cranberries help to burn fat, the benefits of pears and berries in the diet,diet foods
Fast diet: How do you know if was too dangerous -diet foods-diet life
Over-nutrition and control the quality and quantity of the food we eat-diet foods-diet life

Abdominal obesity is the biggest enemy of your health!-life diets
Diets that include less calories-diet foods
Juices and magic recipes for slimming;
Lemon peel the fastest way to melt body fat
Broccoli, cabbage, white meat is organic, pepper.-diet foods

Recipes for Diet 2013; recipes for diet; food diet; authorities Diet 2014; recipes for agility -diet foods
Double nutrients important for a healthy body-diet foods
When eating emotion reduces weight loss -diet foods-diet life
Calorie diet with the installation of weight; way to install after the accursed weight / diet; install weight after diet -diet foods
Yogurt salad with potatoes in a healthy way; Salad DIET light; diet foods

diet foods
Eating habits cause obesity; overweight; reasons obese; How do I avoid weight gain -diet foods
Grilled liver diet | described the work of grilled liver diet-diet foods
easy diet-diet foods
Satiety with less food diet advice-diet foods
GOLDEN PAPER FOR DIET

Read more »

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Coconut Chili Lime Corn on the Cob—For Your Vegan Friendly BBQ



Happy 4th of July!
Corn on the cob is a favorite this time of year, especially as a side dish for your 4th of July BBQ. Unfortunately, it is usually drowning in butter. For a healthier and vegan friendly way to serve this popular food, try this easy recipe.

Instead of butter, the fat used in this recipe comes from virgin, expeller pressed, unrefined, organic coconut oil. This type of coconut oil has been extracted by methods that do not use harmful chemicals or high heat and is readily available at Whole Foods, Trader Joes or your local health food store.

There is much debate and even more confusion as to the health benefits of tropical oils. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat but has no cholesterol. Being saturated, it is a stable fat which makes it less likely to form harmful trans-fats when heated. Although there has been much negative press in the past about tropical oils, (much of it sponsored by the American Soybean Association and the Corn Products Company), the places in which coconut and other tropical oils are consumed on a daily basis do not have a high incidence of heart disease. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid which the body converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin has antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoan properties.

That being said, coconut oil is high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. I get a bit concerned when I see the quantity of coconut oil used in raw food dessert recipes. In a recipe like this, however, a few tablespoons is a good alternative to butter.

***

Coconut Chili Lime Corn on the Cob [serves 4]
4 medium ears of corn, each cut into 4 equal pieces
2 tablespoons virgin, unrefined, organic coconut oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, room temperature
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt

Gently melt coconut oil (put on low power in microwave for 10 seconds or more). Mix with lime juice and salt. Put all 16 pieces of corn in a large bowl. Pour the lime, coconut mixture over the corn and with your hands, thoroughly coat each piece. Sprinkle the chili powder evenly over the corn and place on a BBQ grill at low heat. Cook on all sides for a total of 10 to 15 minutes.

Per 4 piece serving: 139 calories, 8 g fat, 6.5 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 3 g protein, 17.6 g carbohydrates and 2 g of fiber.
Read more »

2014 The 5 Bite Diet Day 13


I had a little movement on the scale today. I still think it is just my body making adjustments to the diet. The main important thing to report is that I feel good. I try to conserve my energy so that I dont feel weak. I really dont know that I have to go to any extremes in that regard. I do physical activities, but I try to pace myself. I will eat crumbled ground beef for awhile because it is easy and quick and I like it. No one at work has really noticed anything, except that I dont except any offers to go out to lunch. I get about one - two offers a week to go to the local Chinese buffet. I just say that I am a little tight on money and I leave it at that. I think that living alone at home makes things real easy too. I dont have to watch others eat or be surrounded by lots of snacks around the house.


Start/Current/Goal
 250/   245.8  /180

Day 01 250.0 lbs
Day 02 249.0 lbs
Day 03 248.8 lbs
Day 04 248.2 lbs
Day 05 248.0 lbs
Day 06 247.6 lbs
Day 07 247.0 lbs
Day 08 246.8 lbs
Day 09 246.4 lbs
Day 10 246.2 lbs
Day 11 246.0 lbs
Day 12 246.0 lbs
Day 13 245.8 lbs

Menu
B black coffee & water
L 3 oz crumbled ground beef
D 3 oz crumbled ground beef
Read more »

Exercise Quickie HIIT as 24h Muscle Builder for the Elderly Caffeine Without Ergogenic Effects on Biceps Curls

Caffeine wont do the "last rep" for ya.
Time for a brief review of the latest exercise and supplementation science in the SuppVersity Short News. You can see an overview of all previous articles in an RSS feed here.

This time you can take a look at the surprisingly lasting pro-anabolic effects of HIIT as measured by skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the elderly and the similarly surprising finding that caffeine - even if its consumed in significant doses before a workout - will not have you curl an extra pound on either barbell or dumbbell curls.
Read more short news at the SuppVersity

Exercise Research Uptake Nov 14 1/2

Exercise Research Uptake Nov 14 2/2

Weight Loss Supplements Exposed

Exercise Supplementation Quickie

Exercise Research Uptake Jan 12, 2015

Read the Latest Ex. Science Update
  • 27% increase in protein synthesis even 24h after HIIT exercise in the elderly - Resistance exercise (RE) and aerobic exercise are recommended for older adults for fitness and strength. High-intensity interval exercise (HIIT) is an understudied but potent potential alternative to aerobic exercise. A recent study from the McMaster University aimed to determine how each mode of exercise affected the integrated day-to-day response of muscle protein synthesis.

    To do so, they recruited 22 sedentary men (mean age = 22; 67±4 years; body mass index: 27.0±2.6 kg m- 2 [mean ± SEM]) who were randomly assigned to perform resistance training, aerobic exercise, or HIIT. The participants consumed a stable isotope tracer (D2O) for 9 days. Daily saliva samples were taken to measure tracer incorporation in body water. Muscle biopsies were obtained on Days 5-8 of D2O consumption to measure tracer incorporation into muscle at rest, 24 hours, and 48 hours following each exercise bout: RE (3 × 10 repetitions: leg extensor and press, 95% 10RM), HIIT (10 × 1 minute, 95% maximal heart rate [HRmax]), or aerobic exercise (30 minutes, 55%-60% HRmax).
    Figure 1: Myofirillar (left) and sarcoplasmic (right) protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) at baseline and postexercise. Data are means ± SEM. Bars bearing different letters are signifiantly different within each exercise group | AE = aerobic exercise; HIIT = high-intensity interval exercise; RE = resistance exercise (Bell. 2015).
    What the scientists found is quite surprising: While resistance training showed, as it was expected, the greatest increase in fractional protein synthesis immediately, post workout, only the HIIT protocol lead do significant increases in sarcoplasmic protein fractional synthetic rate 24-hour postexercise (2.30±0.34% d- 1 vs 1.83±0.21% d- 1).

    That does not mean that HIIT is the better muscle builder, though. Specifically in view of the fact that its the myofibrilar, not the sarcoplasmic protein synthesis rate that bunks with aging (Balagopal. 1997), the higher myofibrilar post-workout protein synthesis after the relatively low volume resistance training session is more important than the long-lasting elevation of the protein influx into the sarcoplasma, a muscle protein fraction that is involved in the anaerobic ATP production, intracellular transport, and several other enzyme functions. 
  • Stronger biceps with caffeine? No, ... at least during insometric contractions the administration of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg caffeine does not have ergogenic effects on the elbow flexors.
    Thats at least what the latest study from the University of Kansas shows. In their 13 recreationally trained male subjects, the ingestion of the aforementioned amounts of caffeine in form of of a caffeineated drink did not lead to significant increases in any of the relevant performance markers.
    Figure 2: Caffeine did not have significant ergogenic effects; at least the rate of torque development did increase, though (Trevino. 2015).
    In contrast to previous research which has indicated that under certain conditions, caffeine may increase muscle force production during anaerobic activities (3,6,15,17). The results of our study revealed that caffeine did not significantly affect peak torque during the maximal isometric contractions. As Trevino et al. point out, this finding may result from a variety of factors:
    Figure 3: In contrast to the study at hand a study by Beck et al. found significant increases in bench press performance in slightly better trained subjects (Beck. 2006).
    "Past equivocal findings with caffeine ingestion and anaerobic performance may have resulted from the type of muscle action and exercise performed, caffeine dose used, muscle group tested, or training status of the subjects. Our protocol used a single-joint isometric exercise to test the effects of caffeine doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg of body mass on maximal strength of the elbow flexors in resistance trained males (participating in at least 2 training sessions per week). Beck et al. (2006) reported that a 201 mg dose of caffeine significantly increased bench press 1RM in resistance trained males (participating in at least 4 training sessions/week). 
    Because significant results were found with a caffeine dose less than ours (average absolute doses in the current study were 426.7 and 853.4 mg for the 0 and 5 mg/ kg body mass conditions, respectively), it seems that the exercise test and training status may have led to different findings between the studies" (Trevino. 2015).
    Next to the training status and the lack of familiarity with performing maximal muscle contrations (the subjects in Beck et al. (2006) trained 4 times per week, the ones in the study at hand only two times), the exercise may play a role as well. The bench press is after all a multi-joint exercise requiring dynamic involvement of the pectoralis major, deltoid, and triceps. The biceps curl, on the other hand is the classic single-joint exercise, where the CNS activating effect of caffeine may simply offer less benefits than on bench presses, squats and other multi-joint exercises. The same may be true for comparisons of large and small muscle groups and could explain why Astorino et al. (2010), Jacobson, et al. (1992) and Kalmar et al. (1999) found beneficial effect of caffeine on the leg extension performance of their subjects, while Trevino et al. were not able to detect ergogenic effects for the small elbow flexors.
The Latest on Caffeine, Exercise, Fat & Weight Loss - Increased Performance, Energy Expenditure (6%) & Fatty Acid Oxidation (27%) vs. Decreased Sleep Quality & Burnout | Learn how caffeine can benefit your exercise performance and energy expenditure and how much caffeine is too much caffeine in a recent SuppVersity article.
Bottom line: Let me make this clear. Neither of the two studies refutes any of the given truths of strength training and muscle building. The Bell study does in fact confirm that resistance training triggers the most pronounced increases in skeletal muscle protein synthesis - the fact that HIIT may have longer lasting overall effects, specifically in the sarcoplasmic protein fraction, is nice, but its practical relevance is highly questionable.

Similarly, the study by Trevino et al. which shows minimal, but non-significant beneficial effects of caffeine on the elbow flexors does not negate the many previously established beneficial effects of caffeine supplements on exercise performance. What it does, however, is to remind us that it is not possible to transfer the results obtained in one group of trainees on one particular muscle group 1:1 to another group of trainees and/or another muscle group | Comment on Facebook!
References
  • Astorino, Todd A., et al. "Effect of two doses of caffeine on muscular function during isokinetic exercise." Medicine and science in sports and exercise 42.12 (2010): 2205-2210.
  • Balagopal, P., et al. "Effects of aging on in vivo synthesis of skeletal muscle myosin heavy-chain and sarcoplasmic protein in humans." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology And Metabolism 273.4 (1997): E790-E800.
  • Beck, Travis W., et al. "The acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement on strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 20.3 (2006): 506-510.
  • Bell et al. "Day-to-Day Changes in Muscle Protein Synthesis in Recovery From Resistance, Aerobic, and High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Older Men." J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci (2015). 
  • Jacobson, B. H., et al. "Effect of caffeine on maximal strength and power in élite male athletes." British journal of sports medicine 26.4 (1992): 276-280.
  • Kalmar, J. M., and E. Cafarelli. "Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function." Journal of Applied Physiology 87.2 (1999): 801-808.
  • Trevino, Michael A., et al. "Acute Effects of Caffeine on Strength and Muscle Activation of the Elbow Flexors." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 29.2 (2015): 513-520.
Read more »

Diet Tips The health risks of crash and fad diets



The allure of the rapid and easy weight loss that crash and fad diets offer is often times too much for some people to resist.
This is especially true if you have struggled with your weight for a long time, or feel like nothing you do has worked so far.
However, before you try the newest fad diet, consider the risks involved to your physical and emotional health and well-being. It can not only be dangerous physically, especially if you have an existing medical condition, but also mentally and emotionally because the odds you will keep the weight off are slim to none.
The number one claim of crash diets is that you will see weight loss quickly. This is accomplished by eating little food, or maybe a high-liquid or no carb diet. However, what’s actually happening is your body is going into starvation mode.
Starvation mode slows your metabolism and means your body is burning your supply of carbohydrate glycogen, and water, but not fat, which is what you need to burn in order to truly lose weight. In the long run, if you continue to crash diet, your metabolism will become lower and lower, making it even harder to lose weight.
You will eventually feel a slew of other things such as nausea, light-headedness, dizziness and hunger, which leads to irritability, being tired, lethargic and moody because your body and mind are being deprived of the essential nutrients it needs to be sharp and energetic.
Over time, if you keep participating in crash diets it can be dangerous because you won’t be as mentally sharp or physically strong, and it can affect your work, the safety of yourself and your family, and also could lead to depression and other eating disorders like anorexia.
Long term risks of crash dieting can also include robbing your organs of vital nutrients and in turn your body will burn the tissues of your organs, which can lead to heart attack, stroke and liver and kidney damage.
Exercising and raising your heart rate causes your metabolism to go up and help you to build muscle, fat cells and calories. This, along with healthy eating provides your body with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to function properly. Losing weight  is only accomplished by eating healthy foods, a balanced diet and by maintaining a physical, active lifestyle.
Source: http://www.therecord.com/community-story/5210347-the-health-risks-of-crash-and-fad-diets/
Read more »

The Guide To Healthier Fast Food In Toronto Health Infographics


Source: http://www.designinfographics.com/health-infographics/the-guide-to-healthier-fast-food-in-toronto
Read more »

How To Take a Healthy Cruise Have Fun Without the Weight Gain

Azamara Journey 16 day cruise through the Panama Canal.

A healthy custom egg white and veggie omelette for breakfast.

Or have oatmeal with optional ground flax, raisins and seeds.

A blueberry smoothie from the custom smoothie station.

A combo of different veggie and seafood salad offerings.

Or make your own salad from a salad bar available all day.

Fresh fruit and cottage cheese makes a nice, light lunch.

You could order "steamed" veggies in any of the dining rooms.

There was always a nice selection of baked fish.

They offered custom stir-fries every night with fresh ingredients.

Start the day with an exercise class or work out in the gym.

Dancing in the New Year while burning more calories!


Its Easy to Lose Control on an "All You Can Eat" Vacation
When Doug suggested we take a 16 day cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary I was both delighted and terrified. The last time we went on a cruise or an "all-inclusive" land vacation, I put on pounds that took a long time to remove. These vacations all start out the same way. For a day or so we examine every little morsel that goes in our mouth, avoid the heavy desserts and check out the gym. After a few days we stumble into a margarita tasting or an ice cream social and by the end of the vacation we are ordering multiple entrees and eating a dessert at every meal. We hear ourselves saying, "what the heck, were on vacation" and "its paid for". We manage to squeeze into our largest outfit and fly home avoiding the scale for weeks and hating ourselves for losing our will power. If we take a 16 day cruise (almost twice our longest trip), well have to have a better plan.

How To Take a 16 Day Cruise Without Gaining Weight
First of all, you need to develop a plan that includes "Your Goal", the "Plan to Meet the Goal" along with "Rules for Avoiding Calories" and "Rules to Burn Calories". Dont forget, youve got to write it all down. Heres what I did:
My Goal
To take a 16 day cruise through Christmas and New Years to the Panama Canal WITHOUT gaining a single pound. My pre-cruise weight was 115.5.
The Plan
(1) Keep a journal and write down every calorie eaten and every calorie burned.
(2) "Net" 1386 calories a day. (To maintain weight, you need around 12 to 15 calories for every pound of body weight. To be conservative I used 12 X 115.5 calories or 1386). Net calories is all calories consumed minus all calories burned.
Rules for Avoiding Calories
(1) Skip the bread. I told the waiter to NEVER bring bread and butter to the table. Once that beautiful basket of assorted hot bread is sitting there in front of me, its almost impossible to resist.
(2) Limit alcohol to one glass of wine or Champagne a day and try to skip some days all together (not an easy task given this cruise was over the Christmas and New Years holiday). Avoid high calories mixed drinks completely.
(3) Be VERY specific about food preparation. I asked for "steamed" vegetables, "plain" baked potatoes, salad dressing "on the side", "hold the sauce", "grilled or poached" fish.
(4) Avoid events that give away alcohol or fattening food like martini tastings or ice cream socials.
(5) When eating buffet style, make one visit for the salad/appetizer and one visit for the main meal. Use a smaller plate.
(6) Limit dessert to one small and relatively healthy one per day like fresh fruit, low fat frozen yogurt or a mini fruit tart.
(7) Keep a food journal and WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Count all calories consumed (I brought the "Biggest Loser Complete Calorie Counter book with me).
Rules to Burn Calories
(1) NEVER take the elevator on a cruise ship. Walking up and down steps burns lots of calories.
(2) Use the gym every day.
(3) Sign up for exercise and self improvement classes. Azamara offered stretch and exercise classes and gave lectures on acupuncture and detox and tested for body composition. You could even hire a personal trainer.
(4) Walk around the track.
(5) Take the most "strenuous" excursions. Walk, hike or swim and avoid "site seeing bus tours".
(6) Dance
(7) Reward yourself with a massage
(8) WRITE ALL ACTIVITIES DOWN and record calories burned.
Smart Meal Choices if Available
Breakfast
Oatmeal with ground flax, cinnamon, raisins and sunflower seeds
Raw fruit smoothie
Cold cereal like Cheerios or All Bran with soy or skim milk
Egg white omelette with veggies and smoked salmon
Poached egg on an English muffin with Spinach
Yogurt and fruit
Lunch
Salads with lots of raw veggies, garbanzo beans, beets, etc. with a light dressing
Fresh fruit platter with low fat cottage cheese
Tuna or lean turkey sandwich with veggies and mustard.
Plain baked potato with steamed veggies
Grilled kabobs and veggies
Dinner
Custom stir fry with lots of veggies, shrimp and white meat chicken on rice or rice noodles
Miso soup and sushi
Grilled or poached fish with steamed veggies and plain rice
Grilled chicken or lean meat with steamed veggies and a plain baked potato
Light, non-cream based soups
Entree sized salads with shrimp, scallops, lobster, chicken breast or flank steak
Desserts
Small piece of chocolate
Low fat frozen yogurt
Sherbet or sugar free ice cream
Small fruit tart
Results
Even though I passed on the richer meals, the food was still amazing. With the beautiful fresh salads and fruit and the delicious selection of seafood, I didnt feel like I was missing out on anything. I ate three wonderful meals a day and a few healthy snacks in between.
I didnt really know how much I weighed on the cruise. The scale in the gym varied with each wave so I had to wait until I got home to see the results. I stuck to my calorie goal and worked out every day. I felt really great. Even without weighing myself, I felt like I was in better shape than when I got on the boat. After getting home I waited a day for the "salty" food to get through my system since I knew that would hold some "water weight". But the moment of truth came the next morning when I stepped on the scale and weighed 115.5 - EXACTLY what I weighed the morning I left for vacation. Doug, who ate and drank a bit more than I did,(but also worked out more) managed to actually lose one pound.
It was the best vacation we ever took. We saw the Panama canal, walked through the cloud forest in Costa Rica and released baby sea turtles to the ocean in Acapulco. We also visited Jamaica, Columbia, Nicaragua, Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas. Best of all, we didnt go home feeling badly about our loss of self control. My hats off to Azamara Cruises for offering all those delicious healthy choices. My "fear of cruises" is gone forever!
Read more »