PMS cravings are related to the boost in metabolism

Do you know that?

The dirtiest room is the kitchen, the dirtiest spot is the sink and the worst culprits are the sponge or dish towel. Bacteria colonies with a total population exceeding 50 million can live on a single dirty sponge. And that’s what you use to wipe down countertops, forks and drinking glasses. Eeeew..

The best bet is to soak the sponge for about a minute in a solution of bleach and water (approximately 1 ounce of bleach to a quart of water will do) after each use. Another option is to boil the sponge for three minutes. Nuking a sponge is not as effective, since microwaves have dead spots, and dishwashers won’t necessarily reach 155 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature needed to kill germs.

Scrub off that germs

Common soaps only help wash the germs off your skin. Antibacterial soaps do kill bacteria, though they are not effective against all fungi and viruses, which can also make you sick.  Ultimately, the type of soap you use means little without the physical action of scrubbing germs away with a strong and thorough technique. For the best wash, scrub your palms, between your fingers, across the top and under your fingernails for about 15 seconds—the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”—then rinse and repeat for another verse. And don’t forget to dry your hands when you are done.

Chicken,not!

Did you know that opting for a chicken salad or sandwich over an old-fashioned burger isn’t always the healthiest choice at fast-food restaurants? A new report shows some fast-food chicken salads pack more fat and calories than a Big Mac.

Although chicken is low in fat and calories,researchers says the villains are the toppings and the fillings that the chickens go with.For example, the chicken in Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad has only 120 calories and 3 grams of fat, but the bulk of the calories and fat come from the dressing, crispy noodles, and almonds that come with it. Those additions bring the total calorie and fat count to 630 calories and 35 grams of fat, more than the 570 calories and 25 grams of fat in Burger King’s Chicken Whopper.

So,next time you order at a fastfood restaurant,opt for the simplest meal in the menu.

Did you know that?

Beer is a health drink?
Researchers at Oregon State University say a key ingredient in beer helps prevent prostate enlargement and cancer. One problem: it takes 17 beers a day to achieve a proper dose. Meanwhile, the Germans have developed a beer with a concentrated version of the compound.

ssshhhh,don’t tell your husbands..

Good diets gone bad

You’ve heard about Anorexia.You’ve heard about Bulimia.

There’s a new eating disorder in town and it’s called ORTHOREXIA.

Orthorexia is the colloquial term for an obsession with eating only healthy foods. It is motivated by a desire to feel healthy, natural, and “pure” — as opposed to anorexia, which is motivated by a desire to lose weight. In short this is healthy eating gone out of control.

Orthorexia begins, innocently enough, as a desire to overcome chronic illness or to improve general health. But because it requires considerable willpower to adopt a diet that differs radically from the food habits of childhood and the surrounding culture, few accomplish the change gracefully. Most must resort to an iron self-discipline bolstered by a hefty dose of superiority over those who eat junk food. Over time, what to eat, how much, and the consequences of dietary indiscretion come to occupy a greater and greater proportion of the orthorexic’s day.

He obsesses up to the last multivitamin of the day.
When an orthorexic slips up (which may involve anything from devouring a single raisin to consuming a gallon of Haagen Dazs ice cream and a large pizza), he experiences a fall from grace and must perform numerous acts of penitence. These usually involve ever-stricter diets and fasts.

Microwave cooking is hazardous to your health

Sometimes when I am too lazy to cook,all I do is I pop the food in the microwave just wait until it’s cooked but I encountered an article that says that microwave cooking is not natural, nor healthy, and is far more dangerous to the human body than anyone could imagine.

Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic energy, like light waves or radio waves, and occupy a part of the electromagnetic spectrum of power, or energy.

The article said that these energy alter the food that we cook in the microwave and makes it harful to the human body.

Scientific evidence and facts

In Comparative Study of Food Prepared Conventionally and in the Microwave Oven, published by Raum & Zelt in 1992, at 3(2): 43, it states

“A basic hypothesis of natural medicine states that the introduction into the human body of molecules and energies, to which it is not accustomed, is much more likely to cause harm than good. Microwaved food contains both molecules and energies not present in food cooked in the way humans have been cooking food since the discovery of fire. Microwave energy from the sun and other stars is direct current based. Artificially produced microwaves, including those in ovens, are produced from alternating current and force a billion or more polarity reversals per second in every food molecule they hit. Production of unnatural molecules is inevitable. Naturally occurring amino acids have been observed to undergo isomeric changes (changes in shape morphing) as well as transformation into toxic forms, under the impact of microwaves produced in ovens. One short-term study found significant and disturbing changes in the blood of individuals consuming microwaved milk and vegetables. Eight volunteers ate various combinations of the same foods cooked different ways. All foods that were processed through the microwave ovens caused changes in the blood of the volunteers. Hemoglobin levels decreased and over all white cell levels and cholesterol levels increased. Lymphocytes decreased. Luminescent (light-emitting) bacteria were employed to detect energetic changes in the blood. Significant increases were found in the luminescence of these bacteria when exposed to blood serum obtained after the consumption of microwaved food.”

Scary, huh?

Fish can help you lose weight

Do you know that not only do fish fats keep your heart healthy, but they shrink your waist, too?”Omega-3 fatty acids improve insulin sensitivity—which helps build muscle and decrease belly fat,”. And the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns. Opt for wild salmon; it may contain fewer pollutants.

You don’t need to do much to enhance salmon’s taste, says Sidra Forman, a chef and writer in Washington, D.C. “Simple is best. Season a fillet with salt and pepper, then cook it in a hot pan with 2 tsp oil for 1 to 3 minutes on each side.”

You think bagels are healthy?

Think again…

Like most people,chances are you grab a bagel either for breakfast or anytime of the day.Well,whether you have it everyday or once in a while,the important thing is you’re aware of bagel’s nutritional value.

Bagels are extremely high in calories.It depends on how and where it’s made but most bagels contain around 300 to 380 calories.Then most people often add many unhealthy toppings to their bagels.A lot of these toppings are very high in fat and calories.Cream cheese,for example,about two tablespoons of regular cream cheese add around 100 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat. This will make your bagel the saturated plus trans fat equivalent of a doughnut and the calorie equivalent of one or two donuts. Light cream cheese is a healthier topping with 90 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat, but peanut butter is even healthier.

So choose carefully,you will need to look for whole grain bagels for a much healthy and nutritious choice.

Remember: One Bagel is the Equivalent of Three to Four Slices of Bread

That was actually my breakfast in the picture.I only have a bagel once in a while..

Simple Healthy Snack Ideas

Here are some snack ideas that are both healthy and delicious.

• Raw vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with a lowfat dip.
• Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereal.
• Lowfat yogurt.
• Fresh fruit in season, cut in slices or halves, such as apples, oranges, cantaloupes, bananas, peaches, grapefruit, grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
• Unsweetened fruit juices.
• Nuts such as Almonds and Walnuts

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