Ask the Internet How Do You Organize Your Recipes

Sweet Angela, Bea, and Rosalind, readers! Ask and ye shall receive. Last week, I threw myself at your feet and you lifted me up with more slow cooker tips and recipes than I can use in this lifetime. I am heartily grateful.

This week’s multi-part question is born out two-parts need for decluttering solutions and one-part sheer curiosity:

Q: Readers, I gotta know, 1) how do you keep track of your recipes and 2) what’s your favorite method for reading a recipe while cooking? Dog-earred cookbooks? An index card file? Are you going digital? 3)What are your favorite recipe organization tools/applications?

A: My 1-ft by 1-ft countertop makes using cookbooks cramped and messy. Recently, I used Charming Boyfriend’s smartphone to pull up a recipe while at the farmer’s market and then in the kitchen while preparing the dish. (See last week’s Top-Crust Peach and Cardamom Pie on Serious Eats.) More and more, I find myself replacing my tried-and-true (and recklessly scattered) index cards, which I magnetize to the fridge, with my laptop, which I set it on top of the fridge and use as a recipeasel (though I fear one day it may meet a fiery end).

What about you, beloved readers? Do you still prop up the cookbook on the counter with a canister of flour and a wooden spoon or is the iPad-integrated kitchen on your wishlist? The comments are ready to accept your wisdom.

Want to ask the interweb a question? Post one in the comment section, or write to Cheaphealthygood@gmail.com. Then, tune in next Tuesday for an answer/several answers from the good people of the World Wide Net.

Little Known Secret How Traffic Lights Can Help You Maintain Your Weight

No I dont want you to go and stare at a set of traffic light you will be relieved to hear.Let me explain, all too often when we are in the process of losing weight and keeping it off we unintentionally sabotage ourselves by getting caught up in a dieters mind-set.I have a technique for you to integrate into your weight loss efforts that I think will really help you.Lets say for arguments sake that you have lost X number of pounds and you now weigh 150lbs (insert your weight) and are considering taking a well-deserved break.

This is when dieters mind-set rears its ugly head and can very easily undo all your good work, but not if you know how to work with it instead of against it.The conversation inside your head normally goes as follows, "I have to stay at exactly 150lbs" not a pound more not a pound less"... sound familiar.

This mentality will absolutely guarantee that two things will happen next, the first is that you will be constantly miserable as you are giving yourself a task that will need superhuman effort to maintain.

The second thing to happen is that your weight will creep up a pound or two and you will start accusing yourself of being weak willed, a failure, or any of your other favourite put downs you use on yourself, all because your expectation exceeded reality.

What about a new way of thinking with the method I shall now explain.

We all know how traffic lights work dont we? Red amber green, you know the drill, so lets say as before your weight is 150lbs, well that would put you in the green zone and you can afford to put on a pound or so without any undue concern.

If you put on two pounds you are now in the amber zone and it is time to formulate a plan to lose that weight, if you put on three pounds then you are in the red zone and it is now time to put that plan into action and stick with it until you are back in the green zone, which should only take a week or two at most.

Such an easier way of looking at things dont you think?

No beating yourself up, no feeling like a failure, just you making a choice of thinking a new way instead of trying and failing to stick to a rigid all or nothing plan.

I use this plan myself and it has helped me first to take off 60lbs and then to maintain it, this plan allows me to have occasional treats and rewards because I know I have a three-pound window to play about with,.if you want to lose weight and keep it off permanently then youre thinking has to change from what you have done in the past.

Are You Starving Your Hair

Blame it on the weather or a terrible cut, but the real reason behind
consistently bad hair days may be what your eat, not what you use
to style your hair.

The first step in getting healthier hair is modifying your diet, which can be as
simple as cutting out foods that provide no nutritional value, vitamins, or proteins.

HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH: A diet rich in protein, especially soy, is believed
to encourage hair growth.

STOP DANDRUFF: Necessary to repair damaged hair and cells, zinc, which
is found in whole grains, also reduces the incidence of dandruff.

KEEP THE SCALP HYDRATED: Found in flaxseed, walnuts, and salmon,
omega-3 fatty acids act as a natural conditioner of sorts for the scalp.

THE HAIR STRENGTHENER: All types of vitamin B, like B2, B6, and B12,
are beneficial since they carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalps and hair follicles, improve hair strength and regulate sebum production.

FOODS TO AVOID:
When modifying your "hair" diet, you may want to cut your intake of these foods by at half since they can prevent the absorption of B vitamins, iron, and zinc.
* COFFEE
* ALCOHOL
* BLACK TEA
* SUGAR

Tips Tricks That Makes You Look Fabulous

Weather, stress, sleep, and hormonal changes can affect your skin color,

so its worth it to have a wardrobe of three or four concealer colors.

"It is more for you than an extra lipstick."



HIDE DARK CIRCLES: Applying concealer under your eyes and in the inner corners next to your nose automatically brightens your face. Use a small, flat brush and pat with your finger to blend.



CsayaPLEXION: Blush is the fastest way to look radiant. Choose the formula---powder,cream, or gel --you find the easiest and apply it on the apple of your cheek, sweeping up into the hairline.



DEFINE YOUR EYES: Black mascara looks great on everyone and makes enough impact that you can skip other eye makeup. Work from the base of lashes to the tip.



FINISH WITH A SOFT GLOSS: Gloss is very flattering as you get older--it draws light to the face and makes your lips look fuller. Opt for one with a subtle shine in a shade.



DID YOU KNOW:

* Anti-Agers make skin look worse than before.

* After age 40, sunscreen is pointless.

5 Herbs To Help You Lose Weight

Are you exercising and eating right, but not seeing weight loss results? You may need a natural boost with herbs!

Feeling hungry all the time and having an insatiable appetite are two of the biggest challenges to losing weight. If this sounds like you, youre in luck.
Herbs for weight loss are appetite suppressants because they trick the body into thinking its full. Other herbs help the body process food efficiently, resulting in more energy to burn more calories. With these two herbal effects, you are setting yourself up for the best way to burn excess fat.

Classification of Herbs – How They Help Burn Excess Fat
Herbs, that enhance weight loss, restore the body to its most natural state. These herbs act by flushing toxins out your body that slow down fat burn. They also help you consume less, so the body doesn’t have to work as hard to process vitamins and nutrients out of what food you do eat. The following are the four classifications of herbs for weight loss:

Diuretics
These types of herbs help you excrete excess water that your body does not need. During this excretion, you rid your body of toxins that slow down bodily functions.

Cathartics
Restores gastrointestinal balance. Regular bowel movements help you consume fewer calories because your body is better able to digest the food you eat.

Stimulants
Fatigue can slow you down physically inside and outside of your body. A lack of energy keeps you from exercising and slows down bodily functions, which both result in less calorie burn. Stimulant herbs boost up the energy to speed up bodily functions, giving you more motivation to work out and burn more calories.

Appetite Suppressants
This herb helps emotional eaters, cravers and insatiable appetites by:

Boosting mood
Increasing satisfaction
Expanding in the stomach to leave less room for food

Reach Your Weight Loss Goal with These Herbs:
Green Tea
Green tea raises metabolic rates and boosts fat oxidation, according to Dr. Abdul Dulloo, of the University of Geneva in Switzerland[3]. One of his studies found that green tea extract with caffeine produced more energy than just caffeine. What does this mean for you? Green tea can help your body use fat efficiently by increasing your metabolic rate to give you enough energy to make it through the day or exercise (to burn even more fat).

Guar Gum
Guar Gum will help you feel full faster and reduce hunger. It’s also a laxative, so what you do eat will be used by your body and then excreted as soon as your body is done with it.

Flax Seed
If you’re looking for an herb with vitamins, phytonutrients, protein and fiber, you have found it! This is great herbal remedy for cravings and appetite control. When ingested, this herb will expand as much as five times. That means, if you take it 30 minutes before you eat, you’ll already be on your way to feeling full.

Gymnema Sylvestre
Calling all sugar addicts! This will be your key to weight loss by stopping your sweets cravings. This herb is great for pancreas health and functioning. It will help your body maintain blood sugar levels so that you don’t have drastic level changes, which can cause cravings.

Fennel
If you’re looking for a diuretic that expels water weight, and also improves energy and decreases appetite, fennel is your herb. You can take it in pill form or as a tea, just be careful to take it as directed, as it can be toxic.

Check with Your Medical Doctor
While herbal remedies are relatively safe, it’s important to consult your physician to discuss starting an herbal regimen. Herbs can have serious side effects and can have drug interactions with other herbs and prescription drugs.

Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol Through The Food You Eat

Cholesterol is measured in three ways, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Cholesterol is determined by a couple of different factors genetics, diet and exercise. One’s diet is the easiest factor to control. However, peoples eating habits have declined over the years and diets are filled with highly processed, high fat, and high sugar foods. This raises the bodies LDL bad cholesterol and lowers the HDL good cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels are bad because it raises blood pressure, increases plaque build up in arteries and increases the risk for heart disease and heart attack. Lowering your bad cholesterol should be a major concern and by eating these foods you can start reducing your LDL levels today. Remember to eat a variety of these foods on a daily basis to get the maximum cholesterol lowering effects.

1. Oats/Oatmeal- Oats are part of the whole grain group of food and should be consumed on a daily basis. Oats are one of the best sources of soluble fiber. It is recommended to consume 20-35 grams of fiber a day, with 5-10 grams being soluble fiber. Due to the switch to highly processed flour and refined grains, which are cheaper and easier to produce, Americans are taking in less fiber and our cholesterols are rising because of it. Soluble fiber is important in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also known as bad cholesterol. Soluble fiber works by reducing both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. So eat a bowl of oatmeal or cold oat based cereal to boost your fiber intake and lower your cholesterol. Also include oat bran, barley and other whole grains n your diet to reduce your risk for heart disease.

2. Beans- Beans are another source of valuable soluble fiber. Therefore eating 1/2 cup of beans a day can reduce your cholesterol. Additionally beans fill you up and take a long time to be digested by the body. This is why beans are a perfect food to lower cholesterol. Plus there are so many different choices of beans such as navy, kidney, pinto, lentils, garbanzos, black eye peas, etc.

3. Nuts- Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and some pine nuts are great for lowering LDL cholesterol and raising good HDL cholesterol. Nuts are rich in unsaturated fats, which keep the blood vessel to the heart healthy. These fats make LDL cholesterol unable to oxidize therefore reducing the plaque build up in arteries, which can cut off blood flow to the heart. By reducing plaque build up you reduce your risk for heart disease. Nuts are high in calories so limit your intake to about a handful or 1.5 ounces a day and avoid salted or sugar coated nuts.

4. Olive oil- Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, which lower LDL cholesterol. Olive oil is also rich in phenolics, a plant substance that makes blood less likely to clot. Because olive oil is high in calories, limit your intake to 2 tablespoons a day. To reap all the heart health benefits of olive oil use it in place of butter, lard, or shortening. To get even better cholesterol lowering effect use extra virgin olive oil because the oil is less processed and contains more antioxidants. Other vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and safflower oil also provide cholesterol-lowering benefits to the body.

5. Fish-Fish, especially fatty fish are a heart healthy addition to ones diet. Fatty fish have high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce blood pressure, and development of blood clots. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides in the bloodstream, which lowers LDL cholesterol and keeps blood vessels clear and healthy. Fish should be consumed at least 2 times a week. Examples of fatty fishes include salmon, halibut, mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna. The best way to consume fish is by baking or grilling it. Omega 3’s and fish oils are available in supplementation, however fresh fish have additional nutrients such as selenium that you will miss out on when taking the pills.

6. Fruit- Fruit is a great food for a healthy body. In addition to their vitamins they are low in calories and should consume 4-6 servings of a day. Fruits such as apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits are rich in pectin a soluble fiber that helps to lower cholesterol. Blueberries have been called a super food because of its nutritional benefits to the body. Blueberries lower LDL cholesterol in the blood, which reduces plaque build up in the arteries. Blueberries help support liver function by removing cholesterol from the system more quickly. Avocadoes are also a heart healthy fruit, full of monounsaturated fats. Avocadoes lower LDL cholesterol and remove triglycerides from the blood stream. Avocadoes are high in calories so limit your intake to a few slices per serving.

7. Vegetables- Vegetables are very healthy for the body as a whole. They are full of vitamins and minerals are very low in calories and you should consume 6-8 servings of vegetables a day. Tomatoes are full of lycopene, which inhibit LDL production. Lycopene lowers LDL cholesterol and breaks down artery clogging plaque. Asparagus, beets, okra, carrots, eggplant, green beans, and cauliflower also help to lower cholesterol. When these vegetables are served steamed it improves their cholesterol fighting abilities. Steaming these vegetables helps to bind bile acids, therefore the liver requires more LDL cholesterol to make bile, further lowering LDL cholesterol.

Authors Resource Box

Sarah Labdar graduated with a BA in exercise science and has worked in the medical field since. Her focus is alternative medicine and how it interacts and works in conjunction with traditional medicine.

http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Foods_for_Cholesterol.html
Article source :  Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol Through The Food You Eat

Health Reforms for You

One of the major policies that have been made in the field of health development is known as health reform. This policy deals with various sorts of changes and creations that affects the services positively that are connected to health care at a given place. It is purely a government initiative.

Health reforms have been formed for the purpose of achieving certain goals which are as follows:
• To increases the number of people who will be receiving the health care coverage. They can receive these highly beneficial health packages either through privately run insurance companies or by approaching the public sectors programs that are indulged in providing health insurances to common people.
• The plan consists of the expansion of areas that were previously under the array of health care providers. This will give the consumers a wide range of options to choose from.
• Easy access to various health oriented specialists in different parts of the world.
• To bring about a great improvement in the quality of the health care services provided by the medical practitioners.
• A remarkable decrease in the expenditures related to health and treatment.

The health reform legislation focuses on the denial of the pre-existing clauses that were once part of the whole reforms system. There are a number of rounds on which more amount of flexibility have been introduced. With the introduction of more resources to it, it has become more advantageous for people to get it done so that they can use it during the time of emergency. This can prove to be of great help for both you and your family.

If you deny getting it done only because you have to invest a particular amount of money monthly or annually, then it would be an act of sheer foolishness. You simply do not understand how much beneficial it can prove itself in protecting the health of your family and providing the excess of money when needed for any particular treatment.

The author of this article is a health reformer. He also takes great interest in writing blogs and articles on various issues. To read his articles do visit this site http://onlinedatingrelationship.blogspot.com.

Article by : Tom Glennon, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Glennon

Chewing 8 Minutes Help You Lose Weight

You may need to chew food like gum a few minutes before a big meal to help lose weight. Recent research states that the act of chewing can reduce the amount of food you should eat to feel full.
A team from Wageningen University and Switzerlands Nestle Research Center in the Netherlands conducted a study of 26 people who received the pump tube through the nose and throat to determine the amount of food in the stomach.
Study participants were then asked to chew the food for a minute or 8 minute without swallowing. Thirty minutes later, each participant was asked to eat and the researchers looked at how much food is consumed through tubes have been installed earlier.
The results showed that people who had been chewing up eight minutes before a big meal, eat 19 percent less than those who chewed just a minute.
This happens when you chew your food in a long time, oral sensors provide stimulation to the brain so that the brain think that you have been eating and help quell hunger.
Although the body is not absorbing any one macronutrient of food, chewing has triggered a physiological response which makes you feel full.
 But chewing food for too long can cause a bad taste in the mouth, so maybe you need to chew gum half an hour before dinner to get the same benefits.
Here is another way that is supported by science so that you feel full without having to eat large servings:
1. Choosing the right scoopPeople who eat a smaller spoon eating 21 percent less than people who eat a larger spoon, according to a study from the University of Utah. This can slow down eating and slowly increase satiety.
2. Presenting desserts in a smaller plateThe team of researchers from Cornell University found that people will eat ice cream 31 percent more if served in a large bowl. People tend to spend a dessert without knowing he is full or not.
3. Eating interspersed drinkingDrinking water between mouthfuls of food can slow down eating and increase satiety. Every time feeding food, chew slowly, put your spoon for a moment, and drink for the delay. Eating too fast can make the brain responds to satiety and tend to overeat.