Detoxs Diet Benefit

What to Expect when Detox Dieting

All detox diets are a little bit different. Some restrict food down to almost nothing while others allow for mostly veggies, beans, fruit, and rice. There are a few things that you should expect when beginning a detox diet, so that you can receive the full detox diets benefits.

Your body is significantly used to adjusting to toxins and poisons running through your body. One of the greatest detox diet benefits, naturally, is that you will rid your body of these toxins and poisons. There are side effects of receiving these detox diet benefits. If you are particularly used to that steaming cup of caffeinated beverage in the morning, you will experience caffeine withdrawal. While it may not seem like it while you are experiencing caffeine withdrawal, this is one of the detox diet benefits. Once your body has adjusted to the absence of caffeine, you should find that you have more energy.

Constipation is considered a leading cause of lethargy and fatigue. One of the detox diet benefits is the cleansing of the colon, which can cure even long term constipation. I had a room mate that was on narcotic pain relievers for over a year due to a severe injury. The narcotics kept her chronically constipated. The day she was finally through with her narcotic pain relievers, she went through a detox diet. She found that the detox diet benefits included relieving her body of the narcotic dependency as well as relieved her chronic constipation. She now regularly cleanses and detoxifies her colon when she is having difficulty going to the restroom, with obvious detox diet benefits as she returns from the restroom with a pleased grin on her face instead of the anguish she used to live in.

Even with the detox diet benefits, some people report feeling a bit weak about one week into the detox diet. Most detox diets do reduce food consumption, which can have an effect. The basic key is knowing how to elongate the effects of the foods you do eat. Those who really struggle with the lowered food consumption report that splitting the lunches into 2 meals works better for them than eating just the suggested breakfast and lunch. This still gives them the detox diet benefits but doesn't introduce additional foods into the scenario. Most detox diet experts state that provided you are not adding additional foods to the diet, segregating the meals into smaller snacks is perfectly acceptable.

The excessive water consumption associated with the detox diet is going to encourage your system to flush, which means you will be visiting the rest room much more often. This is a positive detox diet benefit. The more water that flushes your system the more toxins that will exit your body when you excrete it, and excreting it often will enhance the productivity of the entire process.

One of the little known detox diet benefits is the regeneration of the liver that can occur while following a detox diet. Milk thistle is typically recommended as part of the supplementation of the detox diet. Milk thistle aids in the liver's ability to regenerate. It's not a cure for liver disease, however it can help in the prevention of a liver disease, along with other changes to your lifestyle.

What Not to Expect when Detox Dieting

Detox dieting is designed to alleviate the ailments associated with large quantities of toxins that are built up in the human body. Detox dieting is not a "cure" for every disease. While most people experience great relief from every day annoying symptoms, detox dieting does not eliminate diseases that are already in the system. For instance, you can not rid you body of cancer cells by detox dieting. The cancer cells, for starters are not an actual toxin. They may have been caused by toxins, but the cells themselves are not something that can be flushed away.

Most people drop several pounds when detox dieting. There are those who drop a significant amount of weight when detox dieting. This is normal, and while some of it can be contributed to the flushing of fat cells, water weight, and calorie reduction, there is some permanent weight loss happening provided you do not return to eating habits that are probable for weight gain. This means that if you were prone to eating potato chips and cookies prior to detox dieting and you return to eating potato chips and cookies after detox dieting, you will gain the weight back. This may seem obvious, but there are plenty of foods that people believe contain a low calorie and low fat content but in reality they contain quite the opposite. An avocado for example contains nearly three times the amount of fat and calories as a measured serving of enriched white rice. While detox dieting, learn to recognize the foods you are putting into your body and what they actually do once they enter your gullet.

Detox dieting is not a cure for serious emotional or mental conditions, such as clinical depression. While many people admit to feeling less "depressed" during and after detox dieting, there is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. Clinical depression requires medication. Detox dieting can not take the place of medication that is necessary to function on a day to day basis. Situational depression may be alleviated through detox dieting simply because you are taking control of your body, your health, in essence, your situation. These two depressions are significantly different.

How is Detox Dieting Different from Other Diet Plans?

Diet plans are a dime a dozen. There are grapefruit diet plans and the Atkins diet plan and the green tea diet plan and the national chain diet plans. An individual can spend countless hours and thousands of dollars "trying on" various diet plans. Some will work while others will ultimately fail. Why? Because not all diet plans will work for everyone. Does detox dieting work for everyone? Yes. Why? Because losing weight is a by product of the goal. The goal is to clean the body of the various toxins and wastes which have accumulated over the years. This is a process of ridding the body of the ailing chemicals we introduce it to on a daily basis while eliminating the build up of residual toxins. Weight loss occurs as a result of numerous factors, but weight loss in not the primary goal of a detox diet plan.

Keep in mind that not all detox diet plans are the same. Some detox diet plans are put together by professionals who understand the body's ability to cleanse itself of these harmful chemicals. While diet plans are typically put together by an entrepreneurial spirit, the detox diet plan was actually something that originated by a naturopathist, an individual who studies the various body types and how they process things on their own unique level. Since the detox diet plan was developed, there have been a remarkable number of "knock off" detox diet plans that have shown up on the market. These are all plans that suggest you stop eating and drink only diluted juice for several days (beyond twenty four hours this becomes unhealthy) and then limits food intake so dramatically that people find it impossible to stick to. If you're going to try any diet plan at all, it would simply make sense to start at the beginning. The beginning of healthy weight loss is a healthy body.

The dramatic detox diet benefits is that people who tried to detoxify their bodies using the original detox diet plan found themselves losing weight as a welcome surprise. Detox dieting has grown in popularity due to its dual effect. Detox dieting cleanses the body of the toxins and as a result, weight loss occurs. There simply isn't another diet plan that can match that no matter what they claim.

We live in a cluttered and chemically enriched society. Compare our lifestyles, our food products, and our basic need for heat and eat meals to the lifestyles and foods of people in remote and natural regions such as the Pacific Islands. People in natural regions are healthier overall. They eat natural foods that haven't been laced with chemicals and they live natural lives that don't revolve around the constant breathing of polluted air. Their bodies are not only healthier, but they are naturally thinner. They have fewer health complaints such as headaches and toothaches and stomach cramping.

The detox diet plan can help you jumpstart your body toward a healthier state of being. Naturally, effective detox dieting requires an effective detox diet plan. You really shouldn't just linger out there in cyberspace hoping the right detox diet plan will pop up into your browser. There are very few detox diet plans that I would dare put my stamp of approval on. However, one in particular I have found has excellent reviews by some actual detox dieters. Finding an authentic detox diet plan that is effective, safe, and of course reliable shouldn't be left to luck.

Bobby Ryatt, If you enjoyed reading this articles, then go to my website where the detox guide is available. You will have all the information on the subject. The facts will open your eyes and expose some real truths. http://www.detoxmanual.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Ryatt

Fantastic Figs

Image via Wikipedia

There is nothing nicer than a fresh, organic, wonderfully sweet fig. Sadly they are not available all year round, so the next best option are dried figs. Figs are very nutritious, great for your health, and can be added to both sweet and savoury dishes.

Figs are the fruit of the Ficus tree, which is a member of the Mulberry family. They can be traced thousands of years ago to Egypt and later to Greece and Rome where they were held in high esteem.  Spanish missionaries introduced them to the Americas. Figs come in many varieties and colours, like the pale green/yellow Calimyma with amber flesh, the dark purple  Mission with pink flesh and the green Adriatic with tan flesh.

They are a very healthy fruit to add to your five-a-day, whether they are fresh or dried.  They are a good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, iron, vitamin B6 and calcium. Figs are low in sodium but high in fruit sugars.  Internally figs' potassium helps to control blood pressure, their fiber content is a good weight management aid and also relieves constipation, their calcium helps to promote good bone density and drinking fig juice helps to soothe irritated bronchial passages.. Externally the juice of green figs is said to soften corns, reduce skin pigmentation, and relieve many other skin problems. Fig leaves are said to help diabetic patients reduce their amount of insulin intake.

Note : Figs contain measurable amounts of oxalates. Therefore individuals with kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating figs.

Fresh Figs are very perishable so only purchase what you intend eating in a few days. Store figs in the fridge.  They can also be frozen. Freeze individually then store in a plastic container in the freezer for up to 3 months.  Freezing will change the texture and the figs will be much softer when thawed, but will still be very tasty. Some people like to dehydrate any excess figs rather than buy commercially dried figs. If buying commercially dried figs, look for those that are organic, sun-dried, and which have no added sulphites.  

Figs are in season in the North at the moment, so those lucky enough to see them in your local shops, pop a few in your basket and enjoy a very tasty treat.

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There was an Old Person of Ischia,

Whose conduct grew friskier and friskier;

He danced hornpipes and jigs,

     and ate thousands of figs,

That lively Old Person of Ischia.

Edward Lear  (1812-1888)

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Fig and Mint Salad

From About.com   By Jolinda Hackett,

This unusual combination of figs and fresh mint makes for an unusual raw food salad ~ Jolinda

handful of fresh strawberries, sliced

6 fresh figs, sliced

2 tbsp agave nectar

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

Toss together all ingredients in a large bowl until fruits are well coated. Enjoy!

Nutty Fig Bites

By The Vegan Chef    

20 dried figs

1 cup pecans or peanuts

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup peanut butter

finely chopped peanuts

In a food processor, place the figs, pecans, raisins, and cinnamon, and process for 1 minute to combine. Add the peanut butter and pulse a few times to combine. Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, and then roll the balls in the finely chopped peanuts. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2 Dozen

Fresh Fig and Rose Smoothie

From the Chocolate and Zucchini blog.

6 ripe black figs (about 250gms/9ozs)

2 or 3 large oranges (about 250 ml / 1 cup juice)

2 tsps rose water, plus more to taste

Remove the very tip of the fig stems and quarter the figs. Juice the oranges. Combine the quartered figs, orange juice, and rose water in a blender, and whizz until smooth. Taste, and add a little more rose water if desired. Serves 2

Marinated Green Bean Salad with Dried Figs, Almonds and Olive Vinaigrette

From California Figs   Created by The Chef's Table Restaurant, Fresno, CA

1 shallot, white part only, minced

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 tbsps balsamic vinegar

6 tbsps virgin olive oil

1/4 cup pitted mixed ripe and green olives, chopped fine

2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed, cut crosswise in 1/2-inch length, and blanched

6 dried California figs, diced 1/4-inch

4 tbsps sliced almonds, toasted

In large bowl, combine shallot, garlic, vinegar, olive oil and olives; mix well. Add green beans, figs and almonds; toss to coat well. Cover and chill. Divide and serve on lettuce leaves, if desired. Serves: 4

Take Care of Your Lovely Hair

Beautiful and strong hair is one thing that peoples dreamed. Some people take care their hair condition with anything’s. The simple ways in preserving hair health are shampoo and using the right kind of hairbrush. Using shampoo and conditioner properly can help improve your hair's health and condition also prevent you from hair losses. To maintain good hair growth you need good circulation to your scalp so use hairbrush for make a good circulation of your scalp. Don’t forget in keeping the hairbrush clean if you want to have beautiful hair.

Using shampoo and conditioner

Using shampoo and conditioner properly can help improve your hair's health and condition. For the first, consider what kind of shampoo and conditioner you want to use. There are lots of shampoo and conditioner, and each one claims to make your hair healthy and better. To pick the right shampoo and conditioner combination, you have to choose at least four to try first.

There are about four kinds of shampoos, but most of them are a combination of two or more types. For example, there are shampoos with sulfates that claim to be “natural” and are only for people with colored hair. There are shampoos that have no sulfates, claim to be “organic”, and are only for people with dry or damaged hair. Try to pick the four best products that sound good to you, and then judge them by how your hair feels after you tried that shampoos. Does your hair feel too dry or brittle? Is there a change in texture, good or bad? Is there excessive hair fall? How does your scalp feel (tingly, nothing etc.)?

Sometimes, using a shampoo and conditioner the right way can make your answers to these questions more on the positive side. Here's how you can shampoo and condition your hair effectively:

1. First, make sure that your scalp and hair are completely wet. This means drenched. Make sure that you are using cold water, so that your hair does not become dry or brittle.
2. Put only a quarter-size of shampoo onto your palm. Place the shampoo onto the back of your neck. Using the pads of your fingers, massage the shampoo and gradually move the suds up to the rest of your head.
3. Massage your hair for at least two minutes. This will ensure that you are getting rid of dead skin cells.
4. Using cold water, wash the shampoo out completely. Once you are sure that your hair is squeaky clean, use about three quarter-sized dollops of conditioner and place only on the tips of your hair. Leave the conditioner on for at least five minutes. Wash it for only thirty seconds.

By making sure that you do not put conditioner on your roots, you are helping to decrease your chances of developing dandruff.

Hopefully, these tips will teach you how to use your shampoo and conditioner more effectively, so that you can use them to help you attain healthy hair.

Brushing Your Hair

To maintain good hair growth you need good circulation to your scalp. You need also need a clean scalp with little oil and dirt accumulating in your hair follicles. The boar hairbrush helps you achieve this when you regularly brush your hair.

Brush your hair when it is dry. This prevents breaking of your hair. When you brush, the gentle pulling of your hair stimulates your scalp bringing in more blood to feed your hair. Also the slight pulling stimulates the release of oil from your follicles, which lubricates your hair.

Brush your hair with a boar bristle hairbrush twice a day for the best hair care in the morning and night. For short hair brush for three minutes and for long hair brush five minutes.

By bending your head to the floor, when brushing, you will increase the blood circulation to your scalp. Now, brush from your neck forward to the front of your scalp, then, from sides to your crown. Lastly, brush from the front of your scalp to the neck.

Cleaning Your Boar Hair Brush

If possible, you should clean your brush every day. If you have two or more hair brushes then it will be easier to do this. Your boar bristle hairbrush accumulates dirt and oils from hair when you brush. Without regular cleaning of your hairbrush, this dirt and oil will redeposit onto your hair. Over time this added dirt and oil will plug up your hair follicles and lead to hair thinning or permanent hair loss.

You can clean your brush every day when you shower. Clean it with shampoo and scrub the bristles with your hand back and forth. After cleaning, you can dry the brush with a towel and let it sit until the next day. By the next day, it is ready to use and your other brush is ready to be cleaned.

So, using a natural hairbrush like the boar bristle hair brush is the best way to care for your hair. Gentle daily brushing stimulates your scalp and keeps you hair healthy. But don' forget to keep your hair brush clean, since your don't want to put the dirt and oil on your brush back onto your scalp.

Source : http://www.hairlossinwomen.for--you.com and others

Strawberry Milkshakes...

With fresh strawberries galore, I thought I would make a Strawberry milkshake for my husband on our stay-at-home-date-night. Now, I must admit I automatically thought I wouldn't like it (hence I didn't make one for myself!) because I had childhood memories of "strawberry FLAVORED milkshakes or ice cream" and thought it would taste fake and overly sweet--- but my oh my, was I pleasantly surprised---- the real thing tastes SO different.... it was delicious, give it a go for yourself!

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh strawberries (you can use frozen if you must)

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

3-4 ice cubes

** 1 TBSP honey (if it's not sweet enough, but mine was perfect without!)

Directions:

Dump it all into your blender or Vitamix, give it a whirl, and enjoy! My husband thought it would be fun to top with whip cream... but he'd probably like to top a lot of things with it! And don't overestimate the delish and timeless dessert of a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate and freshly sliced strawberries- that's a real crowd pleaser as well!

Love Bananas?? Cut your strawberries down to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 a banana! Get Creative!!!

Strawberry Short Cake from Scratch...

We have had a ton or ripe, juicy, delicious strawberries around here (thanks to my husband who farms next to the best strawberry grower in town!!!) so we have been making many-a-dish (or dessert!) with our fresh strawberries!!!! Here's a recipe for old fashion shortcake, we served it at a shower, it's prefect for guests and makes about 12-16 cakes which you can leave whole or slice in half.... here's what to do.

Ingredients for Short Bread:

3 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1 cup butter

2/3 cup heavy cream

Ingredients for Whipping Cream:

1/2 pint heavy cream

3 TBSP powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

**Don't forget your fresh strawberries!!!

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder- stir well. Then add your heavy cream and your cold butter (not melted) you are going to cut your butter into the batter with a knife. Keep mixing and cutting your batter until you feel like it's well combined (you are still going to see nuggets of butter in there, they will melt together with the rest of the dough when you kneed it). I used a plastic thin cutting board, sprinkled with a little flour and turned my dough out onto it. Kneed your dough for about 2-3 minutes, this is where you will really see if coming together. With a large spoon, scoop dollops of dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15- 20 minutes until the edges are golden. Immediately after taking them out, remove them from a baking sheet (so they stop cooking) and place them on a rack or wax paper, sprinkling the tops of them with a pinch of sugar.

Next make your whipping cream in a chilled bowl, beat all ingredients together until your whipping cream begins to peak. Cover and chill until serving.

And last, slice up your strawberries. Mine were super sweet so I didn't add any sugar, but I pre-cut them so they could marinate in their own juice for a while. If yours aren't really sweet, add a spoonful of sugar, stir, cover and refrigerate until serving. Unfortunately I totally spaced and forgot to capture a picture of the finished product, but it looked similar to this to give you an idea!

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

OK folks, sorry about the serious delay in posting recipes.... I realize I have been M.I.A. for the last few months- but I have good reason. I have been eating things lately that most normal people wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole... things like lemon yogurt, pickles, bean burritos, apples, and eggs, tons of eggs... because this is how I eat when I am pregnant. I have the worst morning/all day sickness again with this baby (#2)--- I don't even want to cook, I don't want to eat, I don't even want to think about food--- which doesn't go well with trying to keep up with a blog centered all around food! But I am entering into week 15 and hoping the sickness is coming to an end (with my daughter is tapered off around week 16.... maybe one more week to go!!!!) So here are a few little things I have managed to make in the past 3 months.... just little recipes & ideas until I get my cooking apron back out during the week :)

Homemade Waffles

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup oil

1 TBSP sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions: Super simple, pour everything into a bowl, whisk until all the clumps are gone, and pour into a HOT (and oiled/sprayed) waffle iron. Serve with a side of fresh fruit, maple syrup, or caramelized apples (recipe coming soon!) ** Made about 10 waffles in my grill (which you can freeze or refrigerate and toast for later!)

What is your dreaming? Is it influence with your health?

What is your dream if you’re success? If I success in making money, I am dreaming on having Cadillac Escalade. It is a courageous and luxurious car right? Since birth of the first Escalade in 1999, General Motors provided a luxury Sport Utility Vehicle through their popular Cadillac model. The 2003 Cadillac Escalade came a long way from the basic model, successfully competing against rivals in the German and Japanese SUV market. When considering the purchase of an SUV, you will find three different choices that were introduced in the 2003 Cadillac Escalade. Each model possesses an appeal that usually attracts a certain type of customer. There is the standard Escalade Wagon option, as well as the Escalade EXT Pick Up Truck. One of the more expensive choices is the Escalade ESV, which features a lengthy base.

Look at that picture, there is a good car looking right? Can you imagine if that car completed with appropriate car accessories? Yes, you will stun. With appropriate luxurious Cadillac Escalade accessories, this car will look more luxurious, extravagant, courageous, elegant and also powerful. Today's Cadillac Escalade offers more than just incredible off road ability, as it also is one of the most luxurious full-size SUV's on the market, truly making it unmatched in amenities and ruggedness.

Don’t worry about buying appropriate car accessories for your dreamed Cadillac Escalade. There are lots of online store that sell appropriate accessories for Cadillac Escalade. There is Carid.com for example. There are lots of car accessories stored out there including Cadillac Escalade accessories. It is simple ways in buying car accessories at Carid.com. Just visit their website, looking around and choose what you need.

Calcium in a Vegan Diet

One question asked by people when becoming Vegan is, will they get enough calcium without supplementation? Yes they will, as calcium is found in most veggies, fruit, nuts, cereals and seeds. Plus the fact that plant protein does not cause calcium loss from bones, unlike animal protein. Research has shown that people who live in countries where the diet is typically plant based have little osteoporosis, even when calcium intake is lower than that in dairy consuming countries. 

Calcium is not only required for bone health it is necessary for the teeth, blood clotting, metabolising iron, the transmission of nerve impulses, the regulation of the heart's rhythm and it alleviates insomnia. It is a major mineral in our bodies and is approximately 2% of our body weight. 

Some examples calcium content of plant food :

1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses 200mg

1 cup broccoli 170mg

1 med baked potato 26mg

1 cup cubed acorn squash 90mg

1 med avocado 30mg

1 cup cubed papaya 50mg

6 dry figs 100mg

1/2 cup golden raisins 43mg

1 cup boiled white beans 150mg

2 tablespoons almonds  50mg

2 tablespoons Brazil nuts 80mg

2 tablespoons sesame seeds 170mg

1 cup quinoa 80mg

1 cup hummus 120mg

1 glass Alpro Soya Milk  240mg

8oz soy yogurt 150 to 300mg

Daily allowances (RDA's) vary by country but basically they state under 8 years - 200 to 800mg, 9 to 12 years 800 - 100mg, 13 to adult 1200mg, adult 1000mg, seniors 1200mg,  Which with a balanced Vegan diet is easily achievable. Vitamin D either obtained by sitting in the sunshine for around half an hour per day or by supplementation will aid with absorption and use of calcium. If you feel the need to take calcium supplementation note that it is best taken in the evening before bed. Note that other causes of calcium loss from the body, other than animal protein, are high sodium intake, caffeine, and smoking. Some medications also affect calcium absorption and calcium loss so check with the pharmacist when filling a script.

On the other side of the coin, the well-known author and supporter of the raw-Vegan lifestyle, David Wolfe  states "Calcium does not build bones. This is one of the biggest misconceptions ever." He believes that silicon and magnesium are the keys to increasing bone density and we should stop taking calcium and start taking them to increase our bone density.  Read  Use Tips from David Wolfe to Increase Bone Density. and decide for yourself. 

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Toasted Quinoa Salad

From Chet Day   by Karen Railey        

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup minced parsley or cilantro

2 sliced green onions

juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime (or 1 - 2 tablespoons of each)

1-1/2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

2 cloves minced or pressed garlic

1 teaspoon chili sauce (tobasco) (or use a pinch of cayenne, a few red pepper flakes, etc.)

Rinse quinoa and drain. Put in a pot and dry toast until a few grains begin to pop. Add 1-1/2 cups of water, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool. Mix carrot, red pepper, parsley and green onion in large bowl. Add cold quinoa and toss to combine, Whisk together lemon and lime juices, tamari, garlic and chili sauce. Pour over salad and combine well. Chill until serving time. This recipe can be fun. Try throwing in a few fresh raw peas, some fresh raw corn, fresh sliced raw green beans, etc.

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• Calcium-Rich Foods (lifescript.com)

Tofu Revisited

I  realized last week that I had not eaten tofu for at least a month. I wasn't avoiding it, I just didn't think to buy it. Time to correct that as it is a wonderful food for Vegans due to it containing all nine essential amino acids the body needs to build protein. In other words tofu a complete protein. It might not be as high quality protein as soy beans themselves but as part of a balanced Vegan diet it  will give us a good and inexpensive portion of our required daily protein (RDA +/- 50 grams).

Tofu, or bean curd as it is known in the East, originated in China over 2000 years ago. It only became popular in Japan around the 1600's and in the West as late as the 1960's. It is made from dried soybeans and comes two main styles, silken and firm. It is nutritious as it is an excellent source of tryptophan, a very good source of manganese, iron and protein, and a good source of calcium, omega_3, selenium, copper, phosphorus, and magnesium. A cup of tofu will give you approximately 20 grams of protein.

Healthwise tofu is low in saturated fat and studies indicate that regular intake of tofu and other soy products lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Tofu also contains isoflavones which act like a mild form of HRT and so help to relieve menopausal symptoms and assist with maintaining healthy bones. The iron in tofu with the assistance of the copper it contains aids oxygenation of the blood which in turn lifts energy levels. Tofu's selenium content helps reduce levels of  free radicals and also DNA repair.

Warning: Anyone allergic to soy beans will also be allergic tofu. Tofu also contains oxalates so those with existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating tofu regularly.

Storage of tofu depends on it's packaging. Long-life boxed silken tofu can be kept without refrigeration until expiry date or opening. Once opened should be refrigerated and used within a couple of days.  Refrigerated tofu can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks but once opened should be in a container filled with water and used within a few days. Change the water daily. Tofu can be frozen as well. Drain the water, wrap in freezer wrap or foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. The texture changes once frozen, it becomes spongy and chewy.

Tofu has very little flavour, so is easy to add to almost any dish whether sweet or savoury. One last point, make sure your tofu is made from organic soy beans and not GMO soy beans.  Enjoy!

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Tofu and Wild Mushrooms

From Weekday Vegetarian by Kelly Rossiter at Treehugger

Taken from the book Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir and Mika Ono

8 dried shiitake mushrooms

2 tbsp sesame oil

1" / 2cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

2 green onions, cut into 1/4" / 1/2cm pieces, roots and tough tips discarded

1 package firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 tbsp cold water

1 tbsp powdered kudzu, arrowroot, cornstarch of other thickener

1 tbsp soy sauce, or to taste

1 tsp lemon juice, or to taste

Soak the shiitake mushrooms in 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water for 20 minutes, or until soft. Drain, reserving the liquid for later use. Cut off and discard the stem, if desired, and slice the remainder in 1/4 inch pieces. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant. Add the shiitakes, green onions, and tofu. Add 1 cup of the mushroom liquid, cover and cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, turning the tofu once, until the tofu is cooked through. In a small bowl, stir together the water and the kudzu until no lumps remain. Add the kudzu mixture and soy sauce to the tofu mixture and stir. Cook for another minute. Lemon juice to taste.

Scrambled Tofu

From FatFree.com   By Kate L Pugh

I think it's the dill and nutritional yeast that make this taste like eggs. I'm in the UK as well - I use Engevita nutritional yeast distributed by Marigold, from my local health food shop. I use Sainsbury's own-brand plain tofu - it's best if the tofu hasn't been frozen. ~ Kate

2 tbsp finely-chopped onion

vegetable stock to saute

1/2 pack / 150gms / 5oz plain tofu (not silken), grated

2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes

1/8 tsp garlic granules

1/4 tsp dried dill

salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Using a non-stick pan, gently saute the onion in a little vegetable stock until softened but not browned. Add the tofu and stirfry for about another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the nutritional yeast, garlic granules and dill with    a few tbsp water to form a thinnish sauce. Season with plenty of salt and pepper. Add the sauce to the pan and stir and cook until the liquid is gone and the scrambled tofu is fairly dry. Serve on toast. Serves 1-2

Mini Coconut Cream Pies

From the Vegetarian Times    These little coconut pies are sturdy enough to travel in a lunch box or picnic basket.

1/3 cup sweet flake coconut

6 oz / 180gms soft silken tofu, drained

1/3 cup raw sugar

5 tbsps cornstarch

1 14oz / 390ml can light coconut milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp coconut extract

6 mini Vegan graham cracker pie crusts

Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.  Spread coconut on baking sheet, and toast 5 minutes, shaking pan occasionally, or until golden. Blend tofu in blender or food processor 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth. Set aside. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Whisk in coconut milk, and cook over medium-high heat 8 minutes, or until thickened, whisking constantly. Remove pan from heat. Fold in tofu, vanilla and coconut extracts, and coconut. Divide among mini pie crusts, and chill.  Makes 6 pies.

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20 simple ways in valuing your body

Some peoples cannot feel comfortable with their body and live. Peoples like that inclined has loss their faith. Peoples like that can easily sick. Are you satisfied with your own body? If you aren’t satisfied with your own body, you can follow Margo Maine, Ph.D suggestion in valuing your own body, e.g.:

1. Your body comes from great creative power of God so start to value’s your body.
2. Make some table which fills the capability of your body and what are your bodies can do. Read and update this table everyday.
3. Aware with what are your bodies can do everyday. Remember that your body is an instrument of your life not only an accessories.
4. Make a list of peoples, who are your idol, peoples who have more positives contribution in your life, in society, and in this world. Look at them, are their physical look more important in enhancing their success and their achievement.
5. Walking with upright heads, support with self-confidence.
6. Don’t let your weight and posture of your body blocking you in enjoy your activities that you like.
7. Use the comfortable clothes that you like and appropriate with your body.
8. Count your favor from God and never count your bad luck.
9. Think another things that you can achieve with the times and energy that used for worrying your body and style.
10. Be a friend and supporter, not an enemy for your own body.
11. Think that your skin can regenerate every month, your stomach can regenerate every 5 days, your liver can regenerate every 6 weeks and your bone can regenerate every 3 months.
12. When you wake up in the morning, never forget to thanks to your God for the rest so your body feels fresh.
13. When you go to bed in the night, never forget to say to your body, how important of your body in doing your activities all days.
14. Find some sports exercise method that you can enjoy and you can do timely. Never doing sports exercise for fat losing or to attack your own body. Doing your sports exercise for your health, strength and because you can feel comfortable.
15. List your 10 positive things of your body without think your physics.
16. Write “I’m look interesting inner and outer” and adhere it in your dressing table.
17. Find nice things in the world and inside your own body.
18. Remember when you feel comfortable with your live and talk to your self if you can feel it again although you has not younger.
19. Start talk to your self that lives is too short if spending for hating your own body.
20. Eat when you are hungry and take a rest if you are tired. Find some friend who can help you to remember your outer and inner beauty.

source : www.kompas.com

Roasted Parmesan Parsnips

Here's a new way to cook parsnips, thanks to the fabulous blog Sprouted Kitchen! She has great ideas and AWESOME pictures, take a gander when you have a free minute- she makes cooking meals into an ART! These Roasted Parsnips are soft and gooey thanks to the parmesan cheese, and yet bursting with flavor with all the different herbs--- they were so yummy I could have eaten them all myself!!!

Ingredients:

4 Parnips, peeled & chopped

1 egg white

1/2 TBSP dried Oregano

1 TBSP Rosemary, finely chopped

2/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, fine

s & p

Directions:

Super simple. Peel & chop your parsnips, put them in a bowl. Separate an egg white and toss the parsnip sticks in it, then add your seasoning and give it another toss, then add your parmesan (I had to chop mine be cause it was shredded and needs to be a fine consistency). Toss it all together, pour it out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and cook for 20-25 minutes on 425 until they are golden and done to your liking! You can serve plain or with a marinara sauce.

Mung Beans - Nutritious and Tasty

Image via Wikipedia

We all know of bean sprouts, having seen them in supermarkets or in Chinese and Thai food, but not everyone knows that they are sprouted mung beans. Mung beans are seeds of the pods of the Vigna radiata plant which is part of the legume family. They are native to Asia. In the West mung beans were originally grown as animal feed. 

Mung beans are small and dark green in colour and in many places also known as moong and green gram.  They are sweet, and soft, and they are easily digested. They are sprouted,  split and hulled (mung dal), or ground and their starch extracted and made into cellophane noodles. Mung dal,  is referred to as the "queen of lentils"  in Asia, is light yellow in colour and is used in many Ayurvedic dishes.

Mung dal and mung beans are a source of protein, dietary fiber,  B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorous, folic acid (folate), iron, manganese, zinc, copper and aminos. Sprouting the whole beans improves on their nutritious content and adds vitamin C.  They are low in sodium and a cup of bean sprouts contains 3 grams of protein and a cup of boiled mung beans contains 14 grams of protein.

Enjoy the sprouts in stir frys, salads and added to sandwich fillings.  Neither whole mung beans not mung dal needs soaking before cooking and have a butter soft consistency once cooked and are used in soups, stews, and salads.  Due to it's energy and strength giving benefits mung dal is part of a popular Ayurvedic dish called Kicharee. It is eaten during cleansing and detoxification programs, when recovering from illness, by the elderly, and also to balance one at the change of seasons. 

So pick up a packet of mung dal or a packet of mung beans to cook and to sprout today.  Inexpensive, tasty and nutritious!

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Kicharee 

From Pukka Herbs' Ayurvedic Recipes

Try eating kicharee regularly: it is easy to digest, very nourishing and delicious.

1/3 cup split mung dal 

2/3 cup basmati rice (or other grain)

3-4 cups of water (a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4).

1/2 tsp each of organic turmeric, ginger, roasted cumin and coriander. Adjust flavour to your preference.

seasonal vegetables like spinach, peas, seaweeds, shitake mushrooms.

Simmer the mung dal and rice in the water. Add all the herbs and then the vegetables. The best practice is to cook it on a very low heat in a covered saucepan and DO NOT stir it after all the ingredients are added or it will go mushy. Stir in a teaspoon of hemp seed oil at the end.

Rockin' Pumkin Soup (Raw)

From Raw Pleasure, created by Jenergy      

For a long time I believed that raw pumpkin soup was not possible. 'Tis! This is one of my favourite raw dishes. Easy on the tummy, easy on the eye and a treat for the taste-buds!  ~ Jennie

Soup

2 cups diced butternut pumpkin, diced

½ cup of brazil nuts

½ teaspoon of salt

½ clove garlic

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 kaffir lime leaf

1-2 cups of water, depending on how you like your consistency

Croutons

corn kernals, off one cob

1 red or yellow capsicum, diced

1 small cucumber, diced

1 cup of mung bean sprouts

In your high speed blender add the pumpkin, brazil nuts, salt, garlic, cumin, kaffir lime leaf and water. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into a bowl and add your croutons. Jennie's Note: Whenever I make a soup I like to dice in some fresh vegies for the chew factor. When we chew our mouth releases saliva which is the first stage of digestion with our food. This helps our tummy immeasurably. I've used my favourites for this recipe but you can also use carrots, celery, tomato, other greens, finely chopped nuts or seeds, parsnip, cauliflower or broccoli. When it comes to vegetable croutons you are only limited by your imagination. Go for it. Have fun! 

Gingery Mung Bean Sprouts Pancake (Gluten-Free)

From All Recipes By Kaoru   

This is a savory pancake. Make it with plenty of mung bean sprouts! Unlike other bean sprouts, mung sprouts are eaten cooked in Japan. They are economical and nutritious! I created this recipe for my wheat-free diet, but if you like go ahead and use wheat flour for barley flour. It tastes like good old Japan to me!! ~ Kaoru 

2 tbsps / 10 gms minced fresh ginger root

1 tbsp / 15 mls tamari

1/4 tsp sea salt

6 tbsps / 55 gms barley flour

1/4 cup / 60 mls water

1 cup / 105 gms  mung bean sprouts

1 tsp vegetable oil

1 tsp sesame oil

ground cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix together ginger, tamari, sea salt, barley flour, and water. Stir in mung bean sprouts, coating the sprouts with the batter. You may want to break some sprouts into smaller pieces before adding to the batter. Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and pour in batter to make one 6 inch pancake. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side. Serve hot or cool. Sprinkle cayenne pepper or more soy sauce over the cooked pancake if you like!

Mungous Dip (similar to Hummus, but Green)

From Yoga Murrieta    

1 cup mung beans

4 cups Water

2 limes squeezed

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tbsps sesame tahini paste

2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil 

1 tsp salt

squirt Braggs

1/4 tsp black pepper

dash of cayenne pepper

Bring mung beans to boil in water and turn heat to low and continue to boil for 35-40 minutes until done. Or pressure cook for 12 minutes with a quick release. Strain mung beans and smash or blend with the rest of the ingredients. Use as a dip with green vegetable slices for the Green Diet or the Mungs Beans & Rice Diet. Vegetables such as cucumber or zucchini slices, bell pepper squares or celery sticks, etc... Enjoy.

Toasted Flat Bread...

Get them before they're gone!

Here's a yummy treat, a great compliment to any salad really. Take a piece of flat bread, lightly butter it or use a little olive oil evenly, then add some Garlic Salt and sprinkle some parmesan cheese and put it in the oven on Broil for a few minutes (watch it, it will cook quickly and can burn easily!). Then slice it up and serve it as a fun crunchy side to a salad.

Cooks Quickly and perfect for a last minute meal!

I love Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Flat Bread. It is really soft and chewy, and is great for many things. I use it to roll up sandwiches, even sandwiches for kids- it makes a great peanut butter, banana, & honey sandwich all rolled up and chewy! Give it a whirl!! You're gonna love it!

Carrot Cake with Creamy Frosting

This tasty little treat is just in time for Easter!

So my daughters 2nd birthday is this weekend and I was looking for a yummy recipe that was light on the sugar and BIG on flavor- so I combined 2 -3 different recipes and came up with this little treat. They are flavorful and filling, they are dense like a normal carrot cake and yet unusual with the addition of the lemon zest and nutmeg. You can make this in a loaf pan or cupcakes or perhaps even in a sheet cake. The frosting has no sugar and you can make it as sweet as you like by adding more or less honey.

Directions:

Super simple. Take out your cream cheese brick so it can soften while you prep. Combine your dry ingredients in a bowl, then your wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Then add your dry ingredients into your wet and mix thoroughly. Now, if you use a pan you may want to spray it first or rub some butter on it to prevent sticking, I used cupcake liners and it was fine, but if you are concerned about them sticking to the cupcake liners you can add 2 TBSP melted butter to the recipe. Bake them at 350 and keep an eye on them- cupcakes took about 15-18 minutes (use a toothpick to test them) and a loaf pan could take up to 50 minutes or more. Sorry I don't have better time estimates- I ALWAYS forget to set my timer and end up watching everything by eye!

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour, I used whole wheat but you can use white

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 TBSP cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/4 cup applesauce (I substituted apple sauce for oil)

1 1/2 TBSP Molasses

1 TBSP vanilla

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

1 1/2 tsp lemon zest

2 cups freshly grated carrots

Frosting Ingredients:

1 brick of cream cheese

1 tsp cinnamon

3-4 TBSP honey (or more to taste depending on how sweet you like it)

1 drizzle of vanilla

Pesto Chicken, Sundried Tomatoes, & Artichoke Heart Pasta

Now that's a mouth full! Here's a simple pasta, easy to throw together in a pinch using the recently posted Pesto recipe. It's super simple and very flavorful!

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds pasta, I used brown rice pasta

3 chicken breasts, baked

1/2 jar sundried tomatoes, julienne sliced

1/2 jar marinated artichoke hearts, divided

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

pesto sauce

Directions:

First get your chicken baking, I cooked 3 breasts in a pyrex dish (sprayed with Olive Oil) and seasoned with s & p and garlic powder on 400 for about 30- 40 minutes (check center before removing from oven, time will vary due to thickness of breasts). Next get your water boiling and your pasta cooking (per directions on the pasta bag). Then make your pesto sauce and then start combining things as they are done. Drain the pasta, cover it in the pesto sauce, chop your chicken, add your sun dried tomatoes & artichoke hearts and toss in some fresh parmesan and you are ready to serve your hearty and tasty pasta! Ta-duh!!!

Chocolate Fix

Here's a tip. Let's be honest, sometimes throughout the day or even when you are done with your tasks at night, you need a little chocolate fix. You don't need a whole bar, just a square, a snip-it, a morsel that soothes that inner chocolate gland that's sounding like an alarm. I know this alarm well, so it makes me extra conscious of the treats I keep in the house, this being the only one I bring home, it's my one cheat. So let me spill the beans. I buy the Dark Chocolate "Pounder Plus" from Trader Joe's. It's more than a pound of dark chocolate (72% cocoa) goodness that comes in perfect, little bite size squares. I chop it up on my cutting board and store it in a little jar on my butcher block- out of constant sight, but not in a secret hiding spot... somewhere in between the two. Then when the moment hits, I simply indulge in my chocolate fix, replace the lid, and carry on as I was before! Only one rule for me: only one trip to the chocolate jar each day.... that's not to say that there haven't been days when those sneaky fingers of mine grab a second piece on that solo trip though!


** And if you prefer, they carry Pounder Plus in Milk Chocolate too!

Kale Chips

This is an idea that has been floating my head for awhile- I have had a few friends tell me about the idea and I have seen it a few times in cookbooks or cooking sites, and well, I am just now getting around to posting it! It's super easy, takes little effort, and is an easy way to incorporate dark green veggies into your diet- NOT TO MENTION that my child ate almost the whole plate herself- they have the crunch and crispy flavor of a potato chip- your little ones will probably like it too!

Raw Kale with Grape Seed Oil and Sea Salt

Baked Kale or "Kale Chips!"

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale, rinsed & patted dry

2 TBSP grape seed oil

1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:

I rinsed my kale then chopped it into 3 inch pieces (you can chop or tear it) then I through mine in my salad spinner. I removed the tough stems before putting them in a bowl with the oil and salt. Toss them well and then lay them on a cookie sheet to bake for 20 minutes on 325. Bake them for 12ish minutes, then with a pair of tongs, turn them over and bake for another 8- 10 minutes until the edges are browned and the leaves are crispy. Serve them immediately as an appetizer or a side, they don't stay crunchy for too long, so gobble them up quick!

Pregnant Mom’s lifestyles can affect their babies’ health

Everybody knows that Mom’s lifestyle habits bring into pregnancy can have lasting effects on her baby's health. It’s proofing by some research. A Dutch research found that some women who smoked, had low folic acid and had high blood pressure in early pregnancy had babies that were smaller in the first trimester of pregnancy and had a higher risk of complications later. This research followed 1,631 pregnant women from their first trimester through their pregnancies. The growth of their offspring was assessed until the children were 2.

"Our study demonstrates that several maternal physical characteristics and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and non-use of folic acid supplements, affect first-trimester fetal growth," said study senior author Dr. Vincent Jaddoe, a pediatric epidemiologist at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Dr. Jaddoe said that the first trimester of pregnancy was very critical period for fetal growth and development. This is important, since it suggests that the fetus is already affected before pregnant women visit their midwife or obstetrician.

Researchers found that some special factors could affect to the babies size. Babies whose mothers smoked, had higher diastolic blood pressure readings (diastolic is the bottom number in blood pressure) and had low folic acid consumption were more likely to be smaller.

The babies who had small size during their first trimester pregnancy had a higher risk of certain complications in the pregnancy, such as premature birth or low birth weight.

Until this time there are a lot of women didn’t know that she was pregnant, sometimes until they have 2 month pregnancy still not know that she was pregnant. It means they have passed her 2 month of pregnancy that include in the first trimester that it was very important period.

"The fetus is very vulnerable, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. For women who are planning to become pregnant, it seems important to optimize their lifestyle habits before they become pregnant. From a health care perspective, we need to consider preconception care to help women to optimize their lifestyle habits before they become pregnant," said Jaddoe.

Source : www.healthyday.com

Subliminal Self Hypnosis Audio Sound Healing CD, MP3 & Video

In this century there are many alternatives medical therapy. One type of medical therapy is Hypnotherapy. There are also many type of hypnotherapy. Here we would like to introduce Subliminal Self Hypnosis. What do you think about Subliminal Self Help? What about Hypnosis and hypnotherapy? What is the benefit of Subliminal Self Hypnosis?

A subliminal self help program contains a highly focused message embedded into something such as music; subliminal self help is designed to avoid the critical, doubting, self sabotaging nature of your own thoughts. These accelerated subliminal self-help messages are able to sidestep the critical conscious mind, and it is assumed they are captured, comprehended and implemented readily by the subconscious mind.

Hypnosis is a mental state (state theory) or set of attitudes and beliefs (non-state theory) usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preliminary instructions and suggestions (such as with music). Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, or may be self-administered ("self-suggestion" or "autosuggestion"). The use of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes is referred to as "hypnotherapy".

Now there is one type of hypnotherapy that called Subliminal Self Hypnosis. Most of this type of hypnotherapy use music or video as a mediation. Sound healing, subliminal and self hypnosis audios and videos utilize the life altering power of binaural beats, sound healing frequencies and the sound vibrations of the Chakra and healing Solfeggio frequencies. There are many benefit of this program. For increase your knowledge you can read it at www.subliminalselfhypnosis.com