Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
10 foods that cleanse the liver
In the past, I talked about my favorite food cleaning. This list is a bit more specific and mainly focuses on foods that can help cleanse the liver. Besides taking a supplement liver cleansing and applying at least two year clean liver and gallbladder, eat the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and work the way you need. I encourage you to incorporate these foods into your weekly diet liver cleansing.
1. Garlic
Only a small amount of this pungent bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body eliminate toxins. Garlic also contains large amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that help cleanse the liver.
2. Grapefruit
Both the top and the antioxidants vitamin C, grapefruit increases the natural processes of cleansing the liver. A freshly squeezed grapefruit juice will help stimulate the production of liver detoxification enzymes that help eliminate carcinogens and other toxins.
3. Beets and carrots
Both are extremely rich in flavonoids and plant-beta-carotene; eat beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve liver function in general.
4. Green Tea
This magnet is filled liver plant antioxidants known as catechins beverage, a compound known to help liver function. Green tea is not only delicious, it's also a great way to improve your overall diet. Learn more about the benefits of green tea.
5. Leafy vegetables
One of our strongest allies cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. Extremely rich in chlorophyll in plants, green vacuum environmental toxins from the bloodstream. With its distinctive ability to neutralize heavy metals, pesticides and chemicals, cleaning these foods provide a powerful mechanism to protect the liver.
Try to include green leafy vegetables like bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion leaves, spinach, mustard, chicory and your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, a substance that eliminates waste of organs and blood.
6. Lawyers
This super rich in nutrients helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to purify harmful toxins.
7. Apples
Rich in pectin, apple keep the chemicals necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive system. This in turn facilitates the liver to treat toxic load during the cleaning process.
8. Olive oil
Cold pressed organic oils such as olive oil seeds, hemp and flax are perfect for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body lipid core can suck toxins in the body. Thus, some of liver burden is accurate in terms of toxic overload many of us suffer.
9. Alternative grains
Not only do you have alternative grains like quinoa, corn, wheat and their diet is that if you have wheat, wheat flour or other whole grains in your diet, it's time to make changes. The liver is the filter body of toxins, and cereals containing gluten are full of them. A study last year found that people who suffered gluten sensitivity test also had abnormal liver enzymes, and this is just one of many.
10. Lemons and Limes
These citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, which helps the body to synthesize toxic substances into substances that can be absorbed by the water. Drink freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.
Friday, December 26, 2014
How to Sleep like a Baby
It’s 3:00 a.m. where are you? Most people would probably be asleep. However, for a large majority of people, it is near impossible for them to get a good nights rest. Without it, they are unable to focus well, they have low energy, and let’s face it, they are usually in a not so good mood. Is there anything that the sleep deprived can do in order to help give their body the much needed sleep it needs? Aside from counting sheep, which rarely works, try some of the suggestions below.
First, start out by examining your bedroom for sleep distractions. Sleep distractions would be such things as clutter, the color of the paint, the noise level, etc. If your room is painted in bright, electrifying colors, you may want to consider painting it a soothing cool color. A pale green or a soothing blue would be good choices. You can’t expect to be able to sleep if the paint in your bedroom is so bright that it looks like an airport runway.
If your room is cluttered, consider scheduling a spring cleaning day and get rid of all those unwanted sleep thieves. If a room is cluttered, it gives our mind more things to focus on and think about during the night instead of sleep. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, and let’s face it, who wants piles of bills or junk mail in their sanctuary? Not too many people.
As far as the noise level goes, this is different for each person. Some people enjoy some form of noise while they sleep and may even purchase a noise machine, while others have to have quiet. If you fall into the latter category, try purchasing some heavy drapes to see if they block out any of the unwanted noise. While the drapes probably won’t get rid of every unwanted noise, you will notice a big difference.
Next, try not to exercise before going to bed. I’m not saying don’t exercise at all, because exercise is good for us, but we all know that exercise releases endorphins which amp us up. You can’t expect to be able to go to sleep if you feel like you could run a marathon. Try to keep exercise to either early in the mornings or to around four hours before bedtime. This will give your body time to calm down and will help you to drift off to sleep much easier.
Another suggestion to help you get a good nights sleep would be to take a nice warm bath just before you are ready to go to bed. The warm bath will not only help you to relax physically, but it will also give your brain some time to unwind as well. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, just 10 or 15 minutes should do the trick. As you are letting the water out of the tub, picture your troubles and cares being washed down the drain. A mind that is not burdened with troubles is a mind that can easily drift off to sleep.
Lighting is another issue that effects sleep. If your bedroom window lets the light of a nearby street light into your bedroom, you might want to try some of those room darkening curtains to eliminate that problem. If you can’t find any or can’t afford them, try putting a quilt up instead. If your curtain rods are sturdy, they will usually hold up the extra weight of the quilt. Either of these two things will help darken your bedroom and help you drift off to what could be the best nights sleep you’ve had in a while.
Of course, don’t forget to flip your mattress every so often to keep it from getting worn. However, if your mattress is not in good shape and you can’t afford to buy a new one (because we know they don’t come cheap), consider buying a mattress topper. This will give you the sense of a new mattress, but will cost you a fraction of the price. Toppers come in a variety of styles, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your needs.
The last tip, try and keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level. You don’t want the temperature too hot or too cold. You want it just right. Again, it is up to you, as an individual, to decide what your perfect temperature is. Try these few tips out and see if they help you get the peaceful nights slumber your body has been missing. Pleasant dreams sleep deprived.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Let Me Entertain You
When it's your turn to entertain, use it to your advantage calories. Just prepare meals and how low-fat snacks and stay with the same healthy eating rules that you follow for the rest of the year. And keep in mind that not only your waistline that benefit - your friends and family will also be thanking you come New Year!
Know your nibbles
1 Very often are the snacks between meals festive accumulate in pounds instead of meals are available. Gaining a pound of fat is as easy as eating about 70 chocolates in a check box - which may seem a lot, but a couple of handfuls every day grows fast. If you do not want to pile on the pounds, then follow these simple tips.
2 Do not be tempted to store many festive foods before Christmas - just starting before eating and then buy more. There is also the possibility of staying with a lot of things - and you know you'll only find a way to get rid of them!
3 Make your own dives fat cream using low-fat, low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese fat free. Add a variety of condiments such as lemon juice, black pepper, fresh herbs and spices. Meanwhile, they serve with vegetable crudités or breadsticks instead of chips or fries.
4 It may be tempting to nibble while you're preparing meals for family and friends. But it is very easy to work your way through nearly as many calories as the food itself. Avoid the temptation to keep your mouth busy with a piece of sugarless gum.
5 Buy low-fat versions of favorite snacks like chips and dips. Nobody will ever know the difference - remember to hide the packaging!
Have a go at making their own pies using phyllo dough instead of broken, puff or flaky. Is lower in calories and fat than other varieties - most are used less. Check out the table below.
Pastry per 100g (uncooked) | Calories | Fat g |
Filo | 304 | 2.7 |
Puff | 401 | 25.6 |
Flaky | 424 | 30.7 |
Shortcrust | 453 | 29.1 |
6 If you do not like to experiment with phyllo, simply chop bake cakes instead. Leaving aside the top of the dough save about 40 calories and fat 3G.
7 Cut the fat content of ready-made minced, mixed with a little apple baked before use to fill pastry boxes. It tastes good, too.
8 Locate low-fat versions of your favorite foods such as Christmas pudding, Christmas pudding and pies. Alternatively, simply reducing the size. Many supermarkets now sell the mini pies that contain only 100-150 calories each, instead of the usual 200-250 calories each. Okay, they're gone in just a few bits, but at least not lost.
9 Do not use leftovers to create, fatty foods high in calories, like bubble and squeak and turkey coronation. Instead, make delicious low-calorie foods like turkey soup, turkey curry with brown rice or simply served with a jacket potato and salad.
10 Where is the famous turkey sandwich, it healthier by using whole wheat bread feast with a little fat cranberry sauce instead of butter, choosing breast instead of dark meat and pile on the salad.
Sweets per 100g | Calories | Fat g |
Fruit gums | 172 | 0 |
Fruit pastilles | 253 | 0 |
Real Turkish delight | 295 | 0 |
Marshmallows | 327 | 0 |
Boiled sweets | 327 | 0 |
Jelly beans | 365 | 0.2 |
Peppermints | 392 | 0.7 |
Toffees | 430 | 17.2 |
Assorted filled chocolates | 460 | 18.8 |
Monday, December 22, 2014
Baby's First Christmas - Celebrity Edition
The year of 2014 brought big changes in the lives of some of our favorite celebrities. New records, new releases, and new awards are always exciting, but nothing can measure up to the beauty and amazement of the birth of a baby. Meet all the new mini-celebrities that will be celebrating their very first Christmas this year.
Parents: Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe
Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe (celebrity stylist) welcomed their very first baby this year, Schuyler Harris. Judging from his custom made shoes and his Missoni stroller, I think it's very safe to make the assumption that Schuyler's first Christmas will be filled with Gucci, Prada and Chanel.
Baby Flynn
Parents: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Actor Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings) and model Miranda Kerr may have given birth to the cutest baby alive. With brown hair and big blue eyes, he has been making headlines since day one. This is an extra exciting time of year for Baby Flynn; he will be celebrating his first birthday on January 6th.
Baby Haven
Parents: Cash Warren and Jessica Alba
Producer Cash Warren and actress Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City) welcomed their second daughter, baby Haven Garner in August, much to the delight of big sister Honor Marie. Jessica recently took both three year old Honor and four month old Haven to meet Santa Claus in their local mall. How sweet is that!
Baby Morocco and Baby Monroe
Parents: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
Nick Cannon (America's Got Talent) and singer/actress Mariah Carey welcomed their twins on April 30th of this year. This adorable duo made one of their first public appearances last Christmas when Mariah was visibly showing during her Christmas Special. Morocco was named after the Moroccan inspired room in which Nick proposed to Mariah, and Monroe was named after one of Mariah's longtime role models, Marilyn Monroe.
Baby Harper
Parents: David & Victoria Beckham
World renowned power couple David (English soccer star) & Victoria Beckham (designer) welcomed their very first daughter this year. Baby Harper Seven joined older brothers Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.
Baby Bingham
Parents: Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson
Matt Bellamy (front-man of Muse) and actress Kate Hudson (Bride Wars, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) welcomed their first baby, Bingham Hawn in August. Baby Bingham joins Kate's older son Ryder, who affectionately calls him Bing.
Baby Arabella
Parents: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Jared Kushner and entrepreneur and daughter of Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, married in October 2009, welcomed their very first baby, Arabella Rose on July 17th of this year.
Baby Aleph
Parents: Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman
Producer Benjamin Millepied and actress Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) welcomed their first baby, Aleph this year. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a sweet tribute to the Hebrew background of the couple.
And there, my friends, are the newest celebrities of 2011. Merry Christmas to all the baby celebs and their parents! I can't help but wonder which celebrities will make this list next year...
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Chocolate Cake
About this recipe: This is the most delicious, moist chocolate cake! Great for a birthday cake. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Serves: 10
- 2 eggs
- 200g (7oz) caster sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 250g (9oz) vegetable oil
- 50g (2oz) cocoa powder
- 125ml (4 fl oz) buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 275g (10oz) plain flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 250ml (8 fl oz) boiling water
- 175g (6 oz) plain chocolate chips
- Buttercream Chocolate Icing
- 125g (4¼oz) butter, softened
- 125g (4¼oz) icing sugar
- 50g (2 oz) cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
Method
Prep:20min › Cook:25min › Ready in:45min
- In a large mixing bowl, add the following ingredients one at a time, beating well after each addition: eggs, caster sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, oil, 50g cocoa, buttermilk and vanilla.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt; add to the sugar and egg mixture. Blend well and fold in the boiling water.
- Place batter in two greased and floured 20cm round cake tins. Divide the chocolate chips in half and sprinkle them over each pan. Bake at 180 degrees C (gas mark 4) for 25 minutes. Cool.
- To make the icing: Begin by beating together 125g butter, icing sugar and 50g cocoa; add 1 teaspoon vanilla, milk and coffee. Beat until very smooth. Add more icing sugar until you obtain the consistency you want. Spread on cooled cake.
Molten chocolate cakes
About this recipe: These warm, soft and gooey mini chocolate cakes are perfect for that ubiquitous chocolate fix. A good-quality plain chocolate is necessary for the success of these cakes.
Ingredients
Serves: 4
- 125g (4 1/4 oz) butter
- 1 (100g) bar good-quality plain chocolate
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons plain flour
Method
Prep:20min › Cook:8min › Ready in:28min
- Preheat the oven to 230 C / Gas 8. Butter and flour 4 ramekins.
- In the top half of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and the chocolate until chocolate is almost completely melted.
- Use a hand held electric mixer to beat the eggs, egg yolks and sugar together until light coloured and thick.
- While beating, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour and mix until just combined.
- Divide the mixture between the 4 ramekins and bake for 6 to 7 minutes. The centres of the cakes will still be quite soft. Turn ramekins out on serving plates and let sit for about 15 seconds, then unmould. Serve immediately with fresh cream, if desired.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)