Sumptuous Healthy Breakfast Dishes

Beans with Italian bread
Ingredients:

4 slices of Italian bread, ½ cup beans, 50 gm eggless mayonnaise, salt as per taste, black pepper, few drops of lemon juice

Method:

Wash the beans with nicely and peel off their skin. Now add them to water in bowl having salt dissolved in it.
Now mix the beans with mayonnaise. Add salt, black pepper and lemon juice. Mix well.
Bake the Italian bread in an oven.
At the end, spread the beans mixture on it and serve hot.
Cheese balls
Ingredients:

½ cup water, 2 tsp butter, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp grated cheese, ½ tsp black pepper powder, oil for frying, salt as per taste

Method:

Boil water and add salt flour, butter and salt in it. Mix till fine paste of thick consistency gets prepared.
Now, remove the above mixture from flame. Add grated cheese and black pepper powder.
Prepare small round balls from same mixture.
Heat oil in pan and fry these cheese balls till they turn crispy and golden brown in color.
Serve hot with chilly sauce and tomato sauce.
Potato sandwich
Ingredients:

1 packet fresh bread, 2 chopped potatoes, 2 tsp oil, 1 chopped onion, 1 tsp jeera powder, cheese slices, salt and pepper as per taste

Method:

Heat oil in a pan. Sauté chopped onions in it.
Add potatoes with salt and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add other seasonings and keep aside to cool down.
Spread cheese slice on one bread and potato mixture on other and then attach them with tooth pick.
Serve hot with chilly sauce.

Best Sources of Protein for Vegetarian and Vegan Diet

Since you are reading this you probably need some information on what are the best sources of protein. Well, firstly it will largely depend on your nutrition. For example, if you are a vegetarian or a vegan (strict vegetarian) you cannot eat animal derived products so you will need to find a good vegetarian protein or vegan protein.

In general the best sources of protein are definitely animal derived foods. In this group you can find meat, chicken, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, eggs and dairy (milk, cheese, and yogurt). But if you are inclined to more strict diet which prohibits these foods than you can turn to other good sources of complete protein like soy, nuts (pistachio, walnuts, almonds, etc), seeds (flax, sesame, pumpkin, etc), grains (brown rice, oats, wheat, bread, etc) and other quality vegetarian protein sources (plant derived foods).

There were a lot of talk about plant foods and how they contain only incomplete proteins, which do not have all the essential amino acids and therefore should be considered not as good for your body as foods with complete proteins. Later studies have shown that plant foods are equally as good, even for people engaged in intensive physical activity.

Hair loss treatment

Medical treatment can prevent hair loss and facilitate the growth of new hair. In the case of hereditary hair loss, medication can only protect and strengthen the roots that remain, and the lost roots cannot be restored, but if the hair loss occurs due to non hereditary reasons, the disease can be treated by medication..

Any sound programme for restoration of hair lost due to ailments incorporate medication that contains vitamins, anti-oxidants and enzyme blockers. The medical practitioner prescribes such medicines on prescribed days to complete a cycle. This cyclical treatment controls hair fall within two month and promotes the growth of lost hair by four months. The regrowth is however confined to hair follicles that are “sleeping” and not completely dead. Each hair follicle has a four month sleeping phase before they die out.

One common misconception is that oil applied to the scalp promotes hair growth. Oil at best acts as a conditioner that allows one to set the hair better and acts as a moisturizer that keeps the hair and skin soft. When applied on hair, it occupies the space between the scales of the hair and does not allow harmful elements that may damage or impair the hair to get into the hair strand. Oil thus protects the hair from pollution, dirt, chemicals, and other such substances, but in no means promotes hair growth.

The use of hot oil for massaging hair boosts blood circulation. However extremely hot oil could end up damaging the hair besides causing other side effects.

WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

Weight-control is indeed important in order that a person may live longer. In fact, the formula for losing weight is actually very simple – consume fewer calories than you burn.
Here are some tips that have helped some people lose weight and keep it off:
1. Watch what you eat. Cut down on foods rich in sugar and fats. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Lean proteins include fat dairy products, chicken, fish, and lean cuts of port and beef. Eat more whole and natural foods over processed foods whenever possible.
2. Watch the amount of food you eat. Reduce the portion sizes of the foods that you usually eat in each of the three regular meals. Cut down on snacks. Don’t eat too much of a good thing. While it is true that salads are healthy for the body, salads that are smothered in dressings and mayonnaise are high in fat content.
3. Take control of what you eat. Do not overeat at a fiesta, party or in a restaurant. You do not have to eat everything that is sitting on the buffet table or everything that is served to you.
4. Learn to recognize and control environmental cues that make you want to eat when you are not hungry. A good example of a cue is the scent of a delicious steak being fried as you walk past a restaurant.
5. Eat more fiber. It helps you feel full sooner and mobilizes fat through the body faster. It also helps in keeping bowel movements regular and ward off certain gastrointestinal diseases. Foods rich in fiber include whole grains (such as wheat, oats, and barley), vegetables, fruits, brown rice, and legumes (such as beans, lentils, and peas).
6. Become more physically active. Exercise regularly. Walk towards your destination. You don’t need to take a ride going somewhere at a walking distance.
7. Finally, keep records of your food intake and physical activity. This way, you can monitor the amount and types of food that you eat as well as see if you are getting enough physical activity to burn off those excess calories.

Green Leafy Vegetables and Fish are Good for the Brain

Preventing Mental Decline that Comes with Aging

Why let your mental faculties decline when you can stay sharp, even as you age? According to researchers at the University of Alberta, symptoms of mental decline related to aging are neither universal nor pervasive, and that most people can actually reverse the condition.

The researchers add that mental decline is pathological for about ten percent of the general population, over 65 years of age. But the other 90 percent of the population, cognitive decline can be prevented.

How?

According to the researchers, there are various types of classes and metal exercises that people can do to keep their minds vibrant, but what effectively keep the mind healthy and sharp are engaging in “ecologically valid” activities - those that can be done on a regular basis - that can improve such cognitive abilities as reading, traveling, memorizing poetry, playing card games, doing crossword puzzles, learning how to play a musical instrument, taking continuing education courses and surfing the internet.

Green leafy vegetables, fish good for the brain

Eating leafy green vegetables may keep your brain sharp even in old age, reports a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to the study, folate, which is a type of Vitamin B found in leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits, may protect against cognitive decline in older adults. The study furthers that men who has more folate exhibits less decline in verbal fluency skills over the course of three years than do men with lower dietary folate intake. Likewise, high folate levels, both in the diet and in the blood, appear to protect against declines in spatial copying.

In a separate study from Archives of Neurology published online, it was found that eating fish at least once a week likewise slows down cognitive decline in the elderly by as much as ten percent. Fish is a direct source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote neurocognitive development and normal brain functioning.

Leading Life as a Pure Vegetarian

People who are pure vegetarian are kept away from a few vitamins and fatty acids and for them having certain vitamin and health supplements become prime thing. If you are prone to certain diseases and disorders then to keep your defense system better your physician will prescribe you with a few vitamins. Vitamins, health supplements etc. are also helpful for those who have taken up weight loss seriously. They are essential for having a healthy and good life. People who are into sports and games need vitamin supplements badly. Also, old people with joint problems and lower immunity will need better set of vitamins.

To end with, nothing is better than the organic and natural food for deriving vitamins. But in case, if you are not getting enough from your daily diet then you will have to rely on vitamins, supplements and other health products. the intake of such products ensure a healthy body as well as mind.

Black Bean Brownies - An Easy Healthier Alternative

What would life be without chocolate now and then? Simply not as sweet. Not only is dark chocolate good for you, but baked goods can be included in a healthy lifestyle in moderation.  Black bean brownies fit a healthy diet because they are low in fat, high in fiber and protein, and most importantly - chocolate!

The simplest method is to take a brownie mix and substitue a can of black beans for the eggs and oil. First rinse the black beans throroughly, then just cover with water before pureeing well in a blender. Slowly add the black bean puree to your mix and combine. Bake as directed on the package. You can use this method with different types of brownie mixes to see which you like best.

Black beans are almost tasteless once rinsed and pureered, making them easy to slip in other places as well. Try black bean cupcakes or cakes, or you can make a flourless type of vegan brownie torte using black beans, banana, and applesauce.

This method can also be used to making your own vegan brownies from scratch. Most commerical brownie mixes contain white sugar and powdered milk that would make them non-vegan. When making your own be sure to choose dark chocolate chips made without dairy. Cocoa powder is pure cocoa so it’s vegan already.

Leaving out the eggs and oil means you lose several grams of fat and cholesterol. Enjoy savoring the health benefits while you get your chocolate kick at the same time.

Make breakfast organic

A great, easy way to be a little healthier is to look at what you’re having for breakfast. One way to make breakfast healthier is to go organic.

I just had these fabulous toaster pastries that are from Nature’s Path and are vegetarian and certified Organic. They don’t have any frosting on them, but the taste is so superior to Pop Tarts you can only compare them because they’re rectangular and have filling inside and you make them in the toaster.

Beyond that, they’re worlds apart.

The reason they’re vegetarian and not vegan is they’re processed in a plant that has milk products. There are no milk products in the toaster pastries, so depending on just how vegan you are these might work for your dietary needs. They are also produced in a plant that has nuts, so if you have severe food allergies, you’re going to have to avoid this product as well…but if you’re not allergic to milk or nuts, and you don’t mind that your pastries are produced in a plant where milk products live as well…you can eat these on your vegan diet.

With Nature’s Path toaster pastries, I find the flavors really “pop” in your mouth. You can taste the maple and brown sugar like you mixed them together in a bowl to make homemade cookies. This means you don’t need to use as much so your nutrition information doesn’t have the huge numbers on sugar, fat, and calories like Pop Tarts.

Knowing they’re organic means all the products they’re made from (80% anyway) are all organic. No pesticides, no weirdness going into your food. You know you’re eating certified organic, and to me, that makes anything taste a little better.

Spring into Health

The beginning of spring is the best time to rejuvenate your diet.

Fruits are getting fresher, farmers’ markets will be opening soon giving you the ability to pick up really fresh fruits and veggies…if you have been thinking about going vegetarian for a week to see if you can do it, spring is a great time for this.

Our bodies tend to crave fresh fruits and vegetables more starting in the spring, because our internal clock knows these things are available. If you haven’t had any fruit or vegetables in a long time, or you think you hate everything that doesn’t come from a drive through or out of a box from the store…give it a try. You don’t have to buy five pounds of broccoli to give it another try, just grab one stalk. You should always keep trying new things, because you never know when your taste buds will change and you will find that carrots are now much sweeter than you remember them being as a child when you refused to eat them!
Have you been thinking about juicing for health? Spring is a great time to start with the abundance available, and the weather getting warmer, starting your day with a glass of apple & carrot juice instead of coffee will be easier because it’s not so cold out anymore. Plus the vitamins in the apple & carrot juice will give you a much smoother boost than caffeine.  As much as I love coffee, some mornings I just don’t feel like it…but I still need to wake up. This happens a lot more often in spring, and when it does I grab some oranges, apples, a carrot and go to town with the juicer.

I feel awake, alive, and rejuvinated.

Food Recalls - A Bigger Problem Than You May Think

  

Pictured left to right: salmonella, listeria, E. Coli

Consumers are wary of anything containing spinach and everyone has stopped buying and selling it. However as more news comes out, it has become apparent that this is not a surprise to people in the food, drug and health business. These problems have been going on for some time and we the consumers are only just finding out about it. As it stands now, going to the grocery story can actually turn into a game of Russian Roulette because we never know what food might be tainted with bacteria or foreign objects, lets say metal fragments (what in the world?!). Here is a list of recently recalled items that you may or may not know about.

Carrot Juice - Botulism

Botuslism is a rare food poisoning that happens in over 200 people a year but is considered very rare. It is mostly found in foods that were canned and preserved mostly at home, such as fruits and vegetables. Some symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, speaking and breathing as well as blurred or double vision. 

Raw Oysters - Vibrio

Vibrio is typically found in saltwater, which is why it was found in those raw oysters. If ingested it causes gastrointestinal illness. If it gets into an open wound it can cause infections. The illness is usually gone in 3 days but those will be an unpleasant 3 days. Symptoms include: watery diarrhea often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting fever and chills.

Ground Beef - E. Coli 

We are specifically talking about E. coli O157:H7 that is usually found in feces (yuck) and can make its way into our food if people are not carefully washing their hands and taking other precautions. It can also be caused by under cooking certain foods such as meat. You can also recieve it by drinking raw milk or swimming and/or drinking water that was contaminated with sewage (another yuck). If infected you can have bloody stool, kidney failure and even death.

Potato Salad - Listeria 

Listeria is a very tricky bacteria. While most bacteria do not grow in cold temperatures, Listeria does. It can be found in and grow in foods at below zero temperatures and can also be found and grown in regular human body temperatures. It can also be found in a variety of foods. From raw and cooked meats, vegetables and dairy products. This bacteria is usually found in soil and vegetation.

Crab Dip - Listeria 

Alfalfa Sprouts - Salmonella 

Some symptoms of salmonella includes: nausea, abdominal cramping, and bloody diarrhea with mucous and also Reiter’s syndrome, a rare but very debilitating form of arthritis. Salmonella is another bacteria that can be found in under cooked food such as poultry and beef. Doctors also urge people to not consume raw eggs as that is another cause of salmonella poisoning.

Beef Products - E. Coli 

Mushrooms - Listeria

Nacho Tortilla chips - Soy 

Soy is an allergen that can be fatal to individuals who are very allergic to it.

Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bars are being recalled because they may contain metal fragments. Nice to know you get a little surprise with your food isn’t it?

Monterey Mushrooms of Watsonville, CA is recalling 10,000 cases of fresh sliced white mushrooms and fresh sliced baby bella mushrooms because they might contain Listeria monocytogenes. It has list of consequences that is bad for the young, old, pregnant and anyone in between.

Most people worry about how much the food is going to cost or what food is best for their health and diet. I don’t think that many of us choose food on the basis of will it kill us or not.

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