Top 10 Detox Foods

Top 10 Detox Foods

There are many detoxing programs and  techniques you can follow to detoxify your body. However, the best forms are always the most natural using the foods nature provides us with. The following is a list of the top ten detox foods you can take…

1. Fresh Organic Fruit - Contains high levels of liquid and antioxidants to flush out your system.
2. Green Leafy Foods - Foods such as alfalfa, spinach, arugula and kale contains chlorophyll which can help your digestive tract and aid your liver in detoxification.
3. Fresh Citrus Fruits - Fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit are wonderful for flushing out toxins. They contain vitamin C which is known to be the best detox vitamin around.
4. Green Tea - Contains antioxidants which can help aid in liver function.
5. Ginger and Garlic - Both are great for getting rid of free radicals that build up in the body.
6. Fresh Vegetables - Veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes and beets are wonderful natural foods that will purge toxins from your system. They contain Sulphur which helps the liver detoxify harmful chemicals.
7. Beans / Soybeans - Contain isoflavones, a type of antioxidant. Also a great source of fiber which can assist with the digestive process.
8. Nuts and Seed - Walnuts, almonds, flaxseed, sunflower and pumpkin seeds are all high in omega 3 fatty acids. They are a nutrient dense food and are easily digestible, especially if soaked.
9. Omega 3’s - Foods like avocado, olive oil, or even salmon contain high levels of omega 3 oils which help lubricate the intestinal walls and aid in the digestive process by eliminating toxins.
10. Water - Although not considered to be an actual food, probably the best key ingredient for any detox program or diet. Consume plenty of filtered water with fresh lemon every day.

TOP TEN HOME REMEDIES FOR SEXUAL DEBILITY AND IMPOTENCE

TOP TEN HOME REMEDIES FOR SEXUAL DEBILITY AND IMPOTENCE

Sexual debility usually results in people who are stressed up emotionally and physically or in people who overindulge in sex since an early age, resulting in poor sexual performance, resulting in the person further feeling low and depressed. Impotence is a condition that involves a partial or complete failure of erection of the penis with a normal sexual desire. This may occasionally resolve on its own within a few days, but if it persists then consulting a doctor becomes necessary. Avoid eating a heavy meal late at night. Taking a cool bath before going to bed may help in certain cases. Avoid taking excessive alcohol and stop smoking.

Give yourself some time to relax and avoid talking of work at home. 

SOME HOME REMEDIES

#1. Those who are suffering from the above said condition are advised to take a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits. They should avoid tea, coffee and all kinds of processed, canned and refined foods.

#2. Two to three cloves of raw garlic should be taken daily.

#3. Lightly macerated mixture of equal parts of dried dates (seedless), blanched almonds, pistachios and sugar is pickled in thin ghee for a week and one ounce is given to the person every morning.

#4. Milk in which figs (anjeer), roots, bark and tender sprouts of Banyan tree (vata) have been boiled is given with honey and sugar.

#5. The dried roots of asparagus (safed musli), about fifteen grams boiled in one cup of milk should be taken twice daily.

#6. Ripe plantains are taken with some ghee twice daily.

#7. Cooked rice eaten  with some ghee and soup of kidney beans (rajmah) is good.

#8. Juice of white onions and fresh ginger is taken with honey daily for a few weeks.

#9. Black raisins should be boiled with milk and taken thrice daily.

#10. Ten drops of the fluid extract of Black Willow (Salix Nigra) in a little hot water before meals is useful for sexual weakness and neurasthenia.

Top 10 Reasons Not to Diet

Top 10 Reasons Not to Diet

Are you carrying a little extra weight around the middle?  Maybe you’ve got more than just a little weight problem maybe it’s a rather large one and you need to get rid of the fat for health reasons.  Rest assured that you’re not alone! 
When you are overweight, it’s a serious issue.  Carrying extra weight can make you more susceptible to heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and various types of cancer.  It can also affect your body image as well thus causing problems with your self-esteem. 

1.  Diets don’t work. Dieters don’t lose weight in a lasting way. 
Dieting causes short-term weight loss, continuing no more than six months, followed by
weight regain. Often more weight is gained than was lost. (Studies show people who diet
are more likely to become overweight than those who eat normally.)

2.  Dieting can cause lasting injury and death. 
Sudden death from heart arrhythmia or electrolyte imbalance is a real risk. Each year dieting is related to severe health damage and deaths in the United States.

3.  Dieting disrupts normal body processes.
Rapid weight loss puts the body into a stressful, defensive state. The body tries to protect itself against weight loss by lowering metabolism, heart rate, temperature and sexual function. In addition, there is a drop in intellectual, emotional and social activity.

4.  Dieting causes weight cycling (yo-yoing up and down). 
Research shows higher death rates are associated with weight cycling.

5.  Dieters often feel tired, lightheaded, and have difficulty concentrating. 
They may lack essential nutrients, including high quality iron, zinc, protein and sufficient calories.

6.  Dieting leads to binge eating, disordered and chaotic eating. 
Dieting disrupts normal eating. Dieters override inner signals of hunger and satiety, so they may no longer know when they are hungry or when they are full, and eat accordingly.

7.  Dieting is the primary precursor to eating disorders. 
Many experts believe the increasingly high rate of eating disorders in the U.S. is due, at least in part, to the high percentage of people who are dieting and restricting food.

8.  Dieting causes food preoccupation. 
People who diet spend more time thinking about food and eating. This 'drive to eat'when food is limited is believed to be a natural survival trait defending against starvation.

9.  Dieting diminishes women, and increasingly men and children. 
Dieting focuses attention on appearance, rather than self-worth, talent and personal fulfillment. And unfortunately, dieting mothers become role models for dieting children.

10. Dieters put their lives on hold, 'waiting to be thin.'
Instead of playing the anticipation game, accept yourself and others. You’re okay, just as you are. Move on to healthy living live actively, eat well, feel good about yourself  and let weight come off as a result, or not. You deserve the best, right now.

Top 25 Tips For Eyecare

Top 25 Tips For Eyecare

1.  Feed your eyes good food. Vitamins A, C, D, and E are especially important for both adults and children who want good eyesight. Eat lots of green, red, and yellow vegetables. Good fats, such as fish oil, are necessary, too.

2.  Don't make your eyes work too hard! Wear the correct contacts lenses and glasses. Keep your prescriptions up to date.

3.  Protect your eyes from injury. Wear top quality, shatterproof glasses and sunglasses.Wear safety glasses for hazardous work and sports, and always follow work safety rules.

4.  Keep your eyes clean! Bacteria can easily cause painful and damaging infections in your eyes. Be very careful putting on and removing makeup, inserting contacts, and keep tissues used for sneezing away from your eyes.

5.  Keep your blood pressure normal. Have it checked regularly. Use natural means to lower it when possible, drugs when necessary.

6.  Don't smoke. If you are around smokers, you are smoking.

7.  Give your eyes a break! Look away from close work like sewing and computer screens frequently. Blink often when doing close work to keep your eyes moist.

8.  Do “eye yoga.” Blink slowly, look gently as far as you can left, right, up, down, and at your nose.

9.  Wear sunglasses during high ultraviolet light times of the day; mornings and afternoons.

10. Make sure you have your half-hour eye checkup every year at your optometrist. Children should be checked before school starts for near- and farsightedness, astigmatism, Amblyopia (lazy eye) and general eye health. Adults should be checked for near and farsightedness, glaucoma, cataracts, and other issues with aging eyes.

11. You only have one pair of eyes. Once lost, your eyesight may never be replaced.

12. Unlike your teeth, your eyes do not usually hurt when there is something wrong.

13. The eye examination can pick up early signs of potentially blinding eye conditions, such as glaucoma.

14. The earlier a problem is detected the greater the chance of successful treatment. This is particularly true for young children and the elderly.

15. The eye examination can also detect a number of other underlying health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

16. An examination checks whether your eyesight needs correcting with spectacles and determines the best form of correction for your vision.

17. Good vision means working and playing better and safer in fact it means a better quality of life.

18. For young people, good eyesight is vital for learning. An eye examination will detect any problems in sight which may be affecting school performance.

19. Failing eyesight is often taken for granted as people get older. However, by having an eye examination and remedying problems in eyesight, older people can improve their quality of life significantly.

20. Poor eyesight is dangerous. Make sure that you meet the legal requirement for driving.

21.  Visit an optometrist regularly. Optometrists are professionally trained not only to test sight and prescribe glasses and contact lenses; they can also spot eye problems and treat infections.

22.  Be "eye aware" - make sure to check each of your eyes one at a time, and if you notice any changes, consult your optometrist.

23.  Parents, keep an eye on your children don't forget, they don't know what "normal" vision is, so watch out for signs that there may be problems. These include instances where children's eyes appear not to work together, if they rub their eyes often or if they seem to shut one eye to see more clearly.

24.  Contact lens wearers - never wear anyone else's lenses, wash them in tap water or sleep in them (unless your optometrist says you can) .

25.  Buy good quality, dark sunglasses - Sunlight can damage the retina and the lens of the eye, and we risk causing long-term damage to our eyesight. Good sunglasses don't need to be expensive: you can purchase perfectly adequate protective sunglasses from high street stores .

Top 18 Baking Tips

Top 18 Baking Tips

1. Remember when shopping read labels carefully.  Anything ending in "ose" is a sugar.
2. Always remember, too much baking powder is just as disastrous in baking as too little.  Try to be exact.
3. For lighter and faster rising dough and batters, substitute the liquid from the recipe with powdered milk and water.
4. Spray your counter top with non-stick cooking spray before rolling out dough to prevent sticking of dough.
5. Storing plastic wrap in the fridge prevents it from sticking together and makes it easier to tear.
6. When making icing, try creaming with shortening instead of butter and add a few drops of vinegar. The icing will not harden and will be easy to cut.
7. Test baking soda for freshness by adding a spoonful of soda to a cup of vinegar or lemon juice. If it "fizzes" it's still active.
8. If you forgot to grease your baking pan, place a damp cloth beneath it for a few minutes then the baked item can be easily removed.
9. To keep muffin papers in place while you fill them, rub the bottom of the muffin tin cups with shortening before you put the papers in place.
10. Use an ice cream scoop to pour muffin batter into muffin cups. This will ensure all muffins are uniform in size.
11. Make a quick and easy whipped topping by adding a sliced banana to one beaten egg white. Beat the two together until mixture is stiff.
12. For fluffier whipped cream, add a teaspoon of honey as you whip, followed by a little icing sugar.
13. Glass and ceramic baking dishes retain heat better, allowing you to reduce oven temperature by up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
14. To keep the crust from getting too hard when baking bread or dark fruit cake, place a small dish of water in the oven while cooking.
15. When baking a milk pudding, place the dish in a pan of water in the oven to prevent the pudding from burning or boiling over.
16. An entire batch of bread dough can be frozen to be baked at a later date.  Mix the dough, wrap and freeze or let it rise once, punch it down and then wrap and freeze. When it thaws, put it in bread pans for the second rise and then bake.
17. To give dinner rolls and buns that "just baked" freshness, fill a brown paper bag with water, then pour it out immediately. Fill the bag with the rolls or buns, rolling the top of the bag to close. Place it in a low temperature oven for 5 -10 minutes. They will then have that "fresh from the oven" taste.
18. Freeze water in muffin tins or bundy pans to make ice for punch bowls.

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Life

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Life

1. Eat Healthy
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There’s more truth to this saying than we once thought. What you eat and drink and what you don’t eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is at an all time high in the United States, and the epidemic may be getting worse. Those who are overweight or obese have increased risks for diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Eat better, get regular exercise, and see your health care provider about any health concerns to make sure you are on the right track to staying healthy.

3. Get Moving
More than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. For adults, thirty minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week is recommended. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money, but it does take commitment. Start slowly, work up to a satisfactory level, and don’t overdo it. You can develop one routine, or you can do something different every day. Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good, such as dancing, gardening, cutting the grass, swimming, walking, or jogging.

4. Be Smoke-Free
Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer and lung disease. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged. Second-hand smoke - smoke that you inhale when others smoke - also affects your health. If you smoke, quit today! Helplines, counseling, medications, and other forms of support are available to help you quit.

5. Get Routine Exams and Screenings 
Sometimes they’re once a year. Other times they’re more or less often. Based on your age, health history, lifestyle, and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers of the skin, prostate, and colon. When
problems are found early, your chances for treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.

6. Get Appropriate Vaccinations
They’re not just for kids. Adults need them too. Some vaccinations are for everyone. Others are recommended if you work in certain jobs, have certain lifestyles, travel to certain places, or have certain health conditions. Protect yourself from illness and disease by keeping up with your vaccinations.

7. Manage Stress 
Perhaps now more than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the health of organizations. Balancing obligations to your employer and your family can be challenging. What’s your stress level today? Protect your mental and physical health by engaging in activities that help you manage your stress at work and at home.

8. Know Yourself and Your Risks
Your parents and ancestors help determine some of who you are. Your habits, work and home environments, and lifestyle also help to define your health and your risks. You may be at an increased risk for certain diseases or conditions because of what you do, where you work, and how you play. Being healthy means doing some homework, knowing yourself, and knowing what’s best for you because you are one of a kind.

9. Be Safe-Protect Yourself
What comes to mind when you think about safety and protecting yourself? Is it fastening seat belts, applying sunscreen, wearing helmets, or having smoke detectors? It’s all of these and more. It’s everything from washing your hands to watching your relationships. Did you know that men at work die most frequently from motor vehicle incidents, machine related injuries, homicides, and falls? Take steps to protect yourself and others wherever you are.

10. Be Good to Yourself 
Health is not merely the absence of disease; it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s getting enough sleep, relaxing after a stressful day, or enjoying a hobby, it’s important to take time to be good to yourself. Take steps to balance work, home, and play. Pay attention to your health, and make healthy living a part of your life.

18 Ways to Stay on Top of Stress

18 Ways to Stay on Top of Stress

So the stress of the holidays is over, but now you might be catching up on missed work and dwelling on the tear-flavored ham and mimosa binges. Well, don’t worry too much about that, because crying while eating is actually a healthy way to reduce stress. 
All this craziness and high-speed living isn't going away. Since we can't change our genes, we have to create a map to navigate this crazy life. What can you do to try and stay on top of the stress so it doesn't affect your health, happiness, or waistline?Want to know more ways to stay on top of stress? Just keep reading! 

1. Exercise. Amen for endorphins. Believe me, they've helped me many days with my perspective. If you

have to work out, then go take a brisk walk and get that blood flowing. It isn't about working out to lose weight it's about being healthy and staying sane.

2. Eat the real stuff. Crappy food (fast, processed, and loaded with sugar) doesn't help your chemical brain and body handle stress. Living food, real food, helps support your mind and body while it's trying to deal with the million things coming its way. Every time I reach for the chocolate, I'm looking to feel something from it. Don't get me wrong if it's just a little here and there because I enjoy the taste of it, great. But if I'm using it the minute I feel overwhelmed, then that's when that food is no longer OK to eat. It doesn't make the problem go away, and then I just feel bad about eating the food to pacify myself. Grab green food instead. Put things in your mouth that are going to support your immune function and keep you levelheaded.

3. Notice. Try not to let the stress overtake you. Recognize the situations that cause the stress and notice them coming your way. You have a better shot at fending off the full effects of the stress when you can anticipate it.

4. Get it off your chest. Talk to a friend or partner about the stress. Sometimes just getting it off your chest can help unload some of the burden.

5. Keep your sense of humor. If you do have the chance to talk about it, try to see the irony and humor in the wacky bits. I think someone is dead in the water once they lose their sense of humor.

6. Stay grateful. My daughter has large lungs and verbal skills she likes to display. Just when I start to wishfully think about her being quiet, I remind myself to be grateful that she can talk to me at all. In almost all of our problems are boatloads of blessings. "Oh, I don't feel like going to the gym." Well, Amen that you have the means and the health to even be able to wrestle with the idea of going to work out. Make a habit of saying thank you. You will notice the sunny spots a lot more often, and not just the gray skies and storms.

7. Ask, "What's the hurry?" Have some fun. We're always so busy going somewhere, we miss just enjoying

the moment. If an opportunity comes your way to do something fun, take it.

8. Take a deep breath. When you feel the stress getting to you, take a moment. Get away, even if it's just for an hour, to be with yourself and your thoughts. Some people like to take a walk, meditate, lock themselves away in a beautiful bath, or go to church. Find the peace and the silence.

9. Keep it simple. Simplify where you can. Does Junior really need to be in 78 activities at the age of 5? Do you have to go to every little party or gathering you're invited to?

10. Turn of the TV. A lot of it is bad news anyway, and it robs us of hours that we could use to be getting other things done. Since everyone complains that they have no time, get some by unplugging from the tube.

11. Sleep. If you're rested, you have a better shot at handling things. Not to mention, you may not stress out as easily if you have a chance to recover at night.

12. Drink water. I have said it before: Americans consume 21 percent of their calories through liquid consumption. Hydrate with water. Help you entire system function better just by drinking enough water. Oh, and by the way, if you don't think that weight loss and proper hydration have a relationship, think again. Shift the paradigm on its side -- don't think about exercise and nutritional eating just as something you have to suffer through to get into those jeans. Instead, think of them as armor that will protect you in this crazy world, with all of the bazillion details you deal with every day.

13. Don’t go to work. Avoiding what I call “hot spots” of stress is key to not having stress. If work is stressing you out, don’t go. If your marriage is stressing you out, don’t go home. If school is too stressful, drop out. You don’t need school to get where you want to be. Look at me, I didn’t go to school and I’m a doctor.

14. Complain to anyone who will listen. Are you lonely? Don’t keep it inside! Tell your wife, tell your State Farm agent like I do, tell that dude at the gym. When we bottle our emotions it’s like bottling a beer: it’s worthless until you open that bottle of beer and let it out.You have to open yourself and let people hear your tasty sad stories.

15.Enjoy natural sunlight, especially in the winter. It can be depressing to be stuck indoors during the shortened days of winter, but a brisk walk in the sunshine can be a real mood enhancer.

16. Keep up your journal every day. Self-monitoring your food, fitness, and emotional feelings is an excellent way to become more aware of your triggers and behavioral patterns.

17. Relax. Give yourself 15 minutes each day of peace and quiet, a time to be reflective, meditate, or simply unwind. Soaking in a hot bubble bath can help release your troubles into thin air. Breaking free from the family, a breath of fresh air, or escaping to a quiet room will energize and empower you.

18. Be good to yourself. Have a list of motivational sayings that inspire and strengthen your resolve. Use affirmations daily to help you feel good about yourself and your mission to lose weight.

Top Ten Reasons to Exercise

Top Ten Reasons to Exercise

#1. Feel more energized  
When engaging in physical activity, the blood vessels that go to your muscles dilate, causing an increase in blood flow and oxygen to the working muscles. This, along with a temporary increase in your metabolic rate, causes you to feel more energized. This “burst of energy” not only occurs during exercise, but also after you exercise. For example, working out in the morning or afternoon will cause you to feel energized throughout the day. Even if you are an evening exerciser, you will still burn just as many calories and feel better!

#2. Burn more calories at rest
Cardiovascular and resistance exercises are equally important when it comes to making a workout plan and burning calories. Doing cardiovascular work such as running, walking, or biking results in a temporary rise in your metabolic rate. Thus, compared to being in a resting state, you will burn more calories per minute when performing cardiovascular work.Furthermore, by doing resistance exercises such as weight machines or free-weights, you will increase your muscle mass. Muscle burns far more calories at rest than fat does, so by becoming more muscular, you are increasing your resting metabolic rate.

#3. Improve overall appearance  
Not only can exercise help you feel better, but it will help you look better as well. Along with eating a healthy diet and utilizing effective stress management, you can look your best by becoming toned and defined. However, you need to remember that genetics play a major part in what we look like. For example, a person can be a healthy eater, exercise daily, be a non-smoker and a non-drinker, and STILL have high cholesterol because it is in their genetic makeup. The same goes for how a person looks. Some individuals are born into a family with genetically larger “frames.”  These people are sometimes called “big boned.”  If your parents happen to be short and small-framed, more than likely you will be, too. There is little we can change about our genetics, but we can make healthy and happy choices with the bodies we have.

#4. Be able to withstand stress
Recent research has shown exercise to be a stress reliever. There are many reasons to explain why. One includes the fact that exercise increases the hormone epinephrine, another name for adrenaline. This hormone is responsible for an increase in blood flow, which carries more oxygen to the brain, thus making you more alert. Being more alert and aware of your surroundings helps you to deal with stress effectively. Also,exercise stimulates the release of other hormones called endorphins, or the “feel good hormones.” These help to improve mood and feelings. Many people find that they feel better after a stressful day if they exercise.

#5. Decrease risk of illness
Exercise builds up and improves circulation of our white blood cells, which we need to fend off harmful bacteria that cause us to get sick. This helps to prevent us from getting sick. owever, after we become ill, our improved circulation due to regular exercise can help us become well again.

#6. Speed up recovery from injury or surgery
By exercising daily and living a healthy lifestyle, your body can better repair itself from damage done by injury or surgery. When you increase muscle tissue and white blood cells by exercising, your body is better able to reduce inflammation that occurs from injury and surgery.

#7. Keep focused
Being able to stayed focus when engaged in everyday life activities is very important in order for your day to go as planned. By exercising regularly and eating healthfully, blood flow is improved and your hormones are at optimum levels, thus increasing your ability to concentrate.

#8. Build up cardiovascular endurance
Everyone knows that if you study hard for a test, you will more than likely do well. The same concept applies when we say we are “getting into shape.” You have to build up your cardiovascular system through endurance activity in order to have an efficient circulatory system. Regular physical activity not only strengthens your heart muscle and improves your blood’s oxygen carrying capacity, but also improves your breathing and muscular contractions.

#9. Improve flexibility
By stretching before and after exercise your muscles become more elastic, improving your overall range of motion or flexibility. Another way to improve flexibility is to engage in a yoga or Pilates class.

#10. Increase lean body mass 
Increasing lean mass is important because it reduces your body fat and increases your metabolic rate. If you perform cardiovascular exercise most days of the week and resistance exercises 2-4 days of the week, you will increase muscle mass while decreasing fat mass!

Top 10 Health Benefits of Dates

Top 10 Health Benefits of Dates

Dates can provide lot of health benefits. Dates are high in iron content and fluorine. Dates are rich source of vitamins and minerals.  Consuming dates regularly can help to lower cholesterol and keep many health disorders away. Read on to know more about the top 10 benefits of consuming dates.

The health benefits of dates are innumerable. It is, in fact, a dry fruit that is sweet in taste and is rich in minerals and vitamins. The cultivation of dates can be traced back many years in history. Have a quick look at top 10 health benefits of dates.

Health Benefits of Consuming Dates

1.   Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals.
2.   They are rich source of protein, dietary fiber and rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 along with vitamin A1 and C.
3.   It helps improve the digestive system as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers and different kinds of amino acids.
4.   Dates are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose. To get more advantage add dates to milk and make it a very nutritious snack. Dates are very low in calories and are extremely suitable for health conscious people.
5.   Dates are rich in potassium and reduced in sodium. This helps regulate a healthy nervous system. Researches have revealed the fact that potassium intake up to a certain extent can reduce risk of stroke. Dates also help in lowering of the LDL cholesterol.
6.   Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anemia. The patients can eat many dates for better advantages. Dates also have fluorine that slows down the process of tooth decay.
7.   It helps people suffering from constipation. Soak dates overnight and take it along with water to have added advantage.
8.   It helps increase one’s sexual stamina. Soak one handful of dates in goat’s milk overnight. In the morning grind the dates in the milk and add honey and cardamom powder and drink it.
9.   Dates help in weight gain and are beneficial for those who suffer from over slimming problem. Dates are excellent for alcoholic intoxication.
10.   Cures abdominal cancer. The best thing is that it does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural as well as it works better than medicine. It also helps in improving eye sight and helps in curing night blindness as well.

Dates can be chipped and sprinkled on sweet dishes, cakes and puddings and this enhances the state of the dish too. Selection of dates is very easy and you can have good ones if they appear fleshy and evenly coloured. Make sure there is no artificial sugar coating. Wash the dates properly before you eat because dust accumulates on the dates easily. In addition to all these, storing dates is not a big deal. They are dry fruits and so you do not have to face hassles to store them.

Dates can be introduced in daily diet in any form. You can introduce it in the form of snacks. Adding dates in any form makes the food tasty and healthy too. It fills anyone with energy no matter how tired he is. Keeping in mind the health benefits of dates, one should take utmost care while choosing the right quality of dates.

Do not forget to wash the dates thoroughly so that the dust is cleaned properly before consumption. Buy and consume only those dates that are properly packed and processed. No matter how beneficial eatables are, you need to take care while choosing them and so go for the good ones even if you have to pay a little bit more for that.

Top 10 Best Healthy Foods

Top 10 Best Healthy Foods

1. Berries

While the term superfood has been conferred on some berries more than others, the entire family has been a hotbed of research for scientists. Acai berries, blackberries, blueberries, both wild and cultivated, raspberries, strawberries and even cranberries - all have distinct health benefits, showing that the term variety does indeed have merit. Some berries defend against certain cancers while others promote healthy arteries. Others still fight against cognitive decline.

2. Broccoli (and the Brassica family)

Here's another powerful disease-fighting family whose members are also known as the cruciferous family. Brassica includes arugula, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, various cabbages, cauliflower, collards, horseradish - including the hot Japanese horseradish wasabi- kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radish, rapini, rutabaga, turnips and watercress. Just this year alone, dozens of studies have examined various substances in these foods and their powerful action in fighting different types of cancer. And these vegetables work in diverse ways to combat cancer at all different stages of the disease.

For those who aren't cruciferous fans, repeated tasting helps. And for broccoli, some garlic and lemon with a splash of extra virgin olive oil might change your minds.

3. Whole grains

Naming the number one whole grain choice isn't fair. All whole grains have something to offer and by eating a mix, you can gather an assortment of perks. Some, like barley, oats and rye, supply benefits for blood cholesterol and regulating blood sugar while others, like whole wheat, provide advantages for regularity. Read labels and look for whole grain as the first ingredient. Be aware that enriched wheat equals refined grain.


4. Green tea

This member of the Camellia sinensis family continues to reap accolades in scientific circles. A defender against different cancers - prostate, skin, bladder, oral, you name it - it seems that green tea's brew of chemicals offers some benefit. It also acts as an antioxidant playing a part in keeping arteries healthy. Bone health and green tea is another area of research. And for those concerned about their weight, a few cups a day may aid in shedding pounds.

But go for the real thing: There have been reported cases of liver toxicity with green tea extracts.


5. Apples

 They're packed with soluble fibre, the type that reduces blood cholesterol and plays a role in regulating blood sugar. But there's more to their apple a day reputation than previously thought. Apples contain high levels of flavonoids, which appear to reduce inflammation throughout the body. And scientists now know that inflammation is involved in the development of many chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Eat the peel to up your antioxidant intake.

6. Cold-water fish

Salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna are all super sources of omega-3s, a type of fat that's in short supply in the diets of most Canadians. And they're vital right through the life cycle from pregnancy through to old age. They're key to the brain health of an infant and to that of an elderly person. In between, they're also essential for a growing list of disease-fighting actions from protecting arteries and mental health to maintaining good vision.


7. Extra-virgin olive oil

Simply put, it's the juice of an olive and it's filled a wide assortment of substances that offer a diverse range of health perks. Besides being a monounsaturated fat, EVOO is chock full of compounds with health-promoting effects. In fact, it's the same substances that provide olive oil's distinctive tastes and colours that are responsible for all kinds of weaponry against disease.

8. Nuts

These small packages of goodness continue to impress - a decreased risk of diabetes, blood cholesterol lowering and anti-cancer action is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig in, but practice portion control. They're super as snacks to bridge the gap between meals.

9. Pulses

 Also known as legumes, dried peas and beans, pulses just don't get the respect they deserve. True, they're thought of as peasant food but these days, that's not such a bad thing. Put that together with the research that shows these foods can reduce blood cholesterol levels, help to regulate blood sugar and blood-pressure readings, and legumes are a clear winner as a meat substitute. The one drawback is flatulence - but if you consume these foods regularly, you can reap the benefits without the unwanted side effects.

10. Vitamin D

While it's not a food and you likely can't get enough of it just eating food, vitamin D can't be left off the top 10 list for 2010. The sunshine vitamin, as it's also known, used to be considered mainly for its role in keeping bones healthy. But after years of people practicing safe sun habits and levels of vitamin D dropping, the potential costs to health of vitamin D shortages are now coming to light.

And they are staggering: Just the impact on immune-system functioning alone is astounding. Besides compromising our ability to fight illness, a deficit of vitamin D is linked to an epidemic of type 1 diabetes in children and other autoimmune diseases like MS. It's also being named as a culprit in the development of a number of cancers as well as heart disease. Experts are now saying that adults should take a supplement of 1,000 IU per day.

Top 10 foods that make you feel full

Top 10 foods that make you feel full

More than how much you eat, what you eat determines the satisfaction level of a meal. Nutritionist Sneha Jain lists 10 foods that make you feel full, without making you fat.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which, besides lowering cholesterol, also hasten the metabolism rate. Omega-3 fatty acids alter the level of leptin — a hormone that directly influences metabolism and determines whether you burn calories or store them as fat. Fish also provides ample protein and the best way to eat it is grilled, with steamed vegetables on the side.

Citrus Fruits

Fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, sweet lime, papaya, guava and tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and fibre. Vitamin C helps the body process fat faster and also stimulates the amino acid known as carnitine — carnitine speeds up the body’s fat-burning capacity. Citrus fruits also have high water content and provide around 50 to 75 kcal, leaving us satiated for a longer period of time.

Green Vegetables

Spinach, asparagus and broccoli have a high thermic effect on the body and a low calorie density. This means that it’s almost impossible for them to be stored as fat because most of their calories are burned off in the digestion process. Apart from that, the fibre in these foods provides roughage and contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help you feel full.

Popcorn

Popcorn is rich in fibre and low on calories. Also, since eating it keeps our mouth busy for a longer time, the satiety levels are high. However stay away from the overly buttered, caramel and cheese cousins.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate which takes longer to digest — hence it releases energy slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer. It also keeps blood sugar and insulin levels stable, which helps prevent fat storage. Oatmeal is the most satisfying breakfast cereal, providing more protein per serving than any other grain. Mix it with yoghurt or skimmed milk and it’ll keep you full all morning.

Almond and Walnuts

Raw, unsalted nuts, especially almonds and walnuts, provide essential roughage, protein, fat, minerals and micronutrients. Munching on handfuls of these nuts keeps you full and energetic for longer without adding to your waistline.

Low-Fat Dairy Products

Skimmed milk, low fat cheese and yoghurt are a good source of calcium, which helps break down fat cells. Some studies indicate that not getting enough calcium may trigger the release of calcitrol, a hormone that causes fat storage.

Beans

Beans are high in fibre and a good source of protein. They also take longer to digest, making you feel full for a longer time. Also, protein has the highest satiety index (which determines how long will you feel full) than any other element.

Whole grains

Jowar, bajra and ragi contain complex carbohydrates, which release glucose slowly when broken down during digestion. The glucose helps in maintaining your blood sugars levels and combats sugar craving. They are also a rich source of fibre and Vitamin B complex that play an important role in metabolic control.

Apples

High water content and ample fibre is the reason why you feel full after eating an apple. An apple’s skin contains pectin soluble fibre that is a natural appetite suppressant. Seems like an apple a day keeps the weight away.

Dietitian's Top 10 Diet Tips

Dietitian's Top 10 Diet Tips

Dietitians share their own strategies for eating healthfully despite life's challenges.  We all know it's a challenge to eat healthfully in our drive-through, junk-food world. But what about those people who make a living urging folks to improve their diets? How do they manage to pull it off themselves? I asked a sampling of dietitians from all over the country how they eat well despite life's challenges, and they shared some favorite diet tips that they use in their own lives.

Diet Tip No. 1: Enjoy Fast Food Weekly, but Make Smart Choices
This is one of my own favorite tips on how to live in the real world as a dietitian and mother and still aim for healthy eating most of the time. When my now 16-year-old was in kindergarten, I started bringing lunch to my two daughters on Fridays when I had volunteer duty at the school -- and "fast-food Friday" was born. My girls are now in high school, and believe it or not, I still do this. (Apparently, they're willing to brave the embarrassment of meeting their mom at the front of the school if it means getting a break from bag lunches.)

The way I see it, this is actually an exercise in moderation. By having it once a week, my girls are exposed to fast food, but it isn't standard fare. They've also learned how to make healthier fast-food choices - fast-food Friday often consists of BBQ grilled chicken sandwiches on whole-grain buns, bean burritos, or vegetable-topped personal pizzas.

Diet Tip No. 2: Drink No More Than 1 Diet Soda a Day

You find soda everywhere in our culture, whether you're at a fast-food restaurant, gas station, vending machine, or a friend's house. Some people limit sugary drinks, but allow themselves boundless diet sodas. And considering that research has found that the number of calories we get from beverages has increased by more than 200 from 1965 to 2002, diet soda may seem like a great solution. But I would personally rather keep my intake of diet soda and its alternative sweeteners to about one per day. One benefit of that is more room for water and healthy green teas!

If you enjoy diet sodas, as I do, try limiting your intake to one can when you want it the most during the day (for me, that's right after lunch or midafternoon). So yes, you'll find diet sodas in this dietitian's refrigerator -- but you'll also find plenty of alternatives like mineral water, lots of tea options, freshly squeezed orange juice, and low-fat milk.

Diet Tip No. 3: Pizza Night!

Marcia Yamashiro, RD, a northern California dietitian who counsels people with eating disorders, participates in a weekly "pizza night" with her family of four.

Sound surprising? The truth is that pizza can definitely be a better choice if topped with vegetables instead of fatty meats, and especially if you ask for extra pizza sauce (it's rich in phytochemicals from the tomatoes). Serve the slices with a green salad and/or some fresh fruit for a more balanced, fiber- and nutrient-rich meal.

Diet Tip No. 4:  Breakfast Cereals With Fewer Than 3 Grams of Fiber Need Not Apply
Carol Ann Brannon, MS, RD, a nutrition therapist and food coach in Georgia, makes sure all the breakfast cereals in her pantry have more than 3 grams of fiber per serving.

"This way I get my youngest daughter to seek out cereal with fiber, and these are usually the ones lower in sugar, too," says Brannon.

Diet Tip No. 5: Pump Up the Protein
Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, makes a point of eating protein at every meal and snack. In an email interview, she suggests trying whey powder or egg white as a protein source at some of your meals or snacks.

Diet Tip No. 6: Keep Score of Fruits and Vegetables

Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE, clinical dietitian at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, keeps score of her fruit and vegetable servings during the day. "If I get to the end of the day and a piece of fruit or vegetable hasn't touched my lips, then guess what we're having for dinner!" says Quinn.

One of Brannon's favorite real-life diet tips also involves the produce aisle -- she tries to include a vegetable and fruit at every meal. Gerbstadt says she also tries to add veggies to meals and snacks every chance she gets.
Diet Tip No. 7: Have Alcohol Only on Weekends

 "If you enjoy alcohol, be aware that the calories add up quickly -- and one way to control it is to limit consumption to the weekends," says Kathleen Zelman, MS, RD, director of nutrition for WebMD and the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic.

So try limiting your liquor to Friday and Saturday nights - and keep it to a drink or two each night.
Diet Tip No. 8: Have an After-Dinner Drink

Following dinner with a nice, hot cup of tea or a decaf latte can help satisfy your dessert cravings and keep your hand out of the cookie jar, says Zelman. About an hour or two after dinner, many of us get the munchies -- and enjoying a no-calorie or low-calorie beverage can keep your hands and mouth busy during those times.

Diet Tip No. 9: Pre-Dinner Produce Munchies

"Before I start cooking dinner, I cut up veggies or fruit for everyone to snack on while I'm cooking," notes Bonnie Liebman, MS, director of nutrition for the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest.

This keeps her family from reaching for less healthy snack foods while they're waiting for dinner and encourages healthy eating in two other ways, Liebman says in an email interview: It gets a serving or two of produce into everyone before there's competition from other foods at dinner -- and people are more apt to like foods when they are really hungry.

Diet Tip No. 10: Count 4 Colors in Each Meal
Jennifer Reilly, RD, senior nutritionist for The Cancer Project in Washington, D.C., makes sure each meal her family eats naturally contains at least four different colors. "Skittles don't count!" Reilly jokes in an email interview.

"For example, dinner could be veggie chicken nuggets (GOLD), sweet potato fries (ORANGE), cucumber slices (GREEN) and cranberry juice (RED)," Reilly says.