Things Not to Have in Your Healthy Eating Menu

Things Not to Have in Your Healthy Eating Menu

We have all heard of all the healthy foods that we should have in our healthy eating menu. Having balanced meals in a healthy menu is quite easy with all this information on eating healthy. There are so many sources of information and guides to creating a healthy menu for daily living that people have access to. 

This information is detailed with all the benefits of eating healthy and all the detrimental effects of not sticking to a healthy eating menu. However with all these guidelines on how to eat healthy, it is also important to know what not to compromise on when it comes to a healthy menu.

GMOs are a latest feature in the food market, providing a larger and faster yielding variety of foods to the people. But with the level of controversy surrounding these types of foods, they should not feature in your healthy eating menu. This is because the nutrient quality is affected by the procedures and additions of chemicals and artificial fertilizers that the growth of these foods. A healthy menu should contain foods of excellent nutrient quality. Foods that do not have this quality should be exempted from a healthy eating menu.

Highly processed and packaged foods are also a no-go zone in a healthy eating menu. This is because these foods are usually added with artificial preservatives and passed through many processing procedures to ensure that all bacteria is destroyed to ensure that they last longer in the shelves. The problem with such foods in the healthy menu is that the same procedure used to destroy the bacteria also affects some of the nutrients and vitamins in the food making the nutrient quality much lacking. For your healthy eating menu, always go for fresh produce as it does not contain these preservatives which are not good for your health.

Finally, fast food and foods from restaurants cannot be classified as foods to be part of a healthy eating menu. You cannot add these foods in a healthy menu as these foods are usually prepared in mass amounts and overcooking or using excess oil and salt among other types of seasoning can always occur. 

Unless you have overseen the full process of the preparation of the foods in a healthy menu, anything else does not suffice. A healthy menu should contain. A healthy eating menu should contain foods that have been prepared with detailed precision ensuring that the nutrient quality is preserved through the whole preparation process.

Weight Loss Healthy Low Calorie Recipes

Weight Loss Healthy Low Calorie Recipes - Lose Weight Diet Tips & Healthy Foods Menu 4 Men-Women

Looking for advice on weight loss, or is it healthy low calorie recipes to lose weight you want, if so read on. Are you considering what the best weight loss plan to choose is? Have you found a low calorie diet that sounds great, but at the same time you feel wary about? Or, do you just want to lose weight fast and not sure how to go about it?

With the right help and best diet, along with guidance on choosing healthy low calorie recipes best suited to your taste - then you're onto a winner for shedding the pounds.

Is it belly fat you want rid of? Are your legs on the fat side? Are you obese and think you look gross, and want to do something about it? These are common reasons why overweight people come looking for ways to help them get slim.

Most people want to lose weight fast to get their body back in shape so they look good, while this is a good thing; it is also a bad thing if health is not considered first. Your health needs to take priority over beauty. Get a bad diet and all is lost. Pick the right diet and you get the best of both worlds (a good looking healthy body).

A lot of folk think they know all there is to know about dieting. Knowing the basics is not enough; in fact it can be dangerous. Most think if they eat less food the weight will drop off. While this is true, certain factors have to be considered first "health." If you ignore this and go swallowing diet pills you know nothing about then serious complications can happen and leave you extremely ill.

Weight Loss

Losing weight is simply a matter of burning more calories than you eat. Okay, if it as easy as some make out then why are there still fat people walking the streets. A lot of the time those with weight problems find it hard to follow a weight loss program. These same people take drastic steps no matter the cost to their pocket, or health. They take up diets and consume slimming pills that contain risky elements, and this is worrying because they are that desperate they'll suffer the consequence, just as long as they lose the weight.

If you're to be successful with your weight loss plan you will need to make some changes. Forget about instant results and settle in for the long run and enjoy your time dieting.

To lose one pound of fat, you must burn about 3500 calories over and above what you already burn during the day. You don't want to do this. Take one step at a time and decide what you need to do daily to burn or cut out those extra calories.

Remember to calculate your basal metabolic rate. What is BMR? Simply explained it is what your body needs to keep normal functions like breathing and digestion in order. This is the smallest amount of calories you should try and consume every day. It's good to keep a diary with your figures written down.

Calculate your activity level. You can purchase a calorie calculator which you will find helpful when following a weight loss plan. The calculator is your best friend throughout this time; it will help you figure out how many calories you burn while sitting, standing, exercising, and lifting heavy weights during the day. Keep a daily activity log, or wear a heart rate monitor that calculates calories burned. Ask your doctor, dietician, or speak to a pharmacist for details about the heart rate monitor. Keep track of the amount of calories you eat.

1 out of 4 low calorie healthy recipes

Shrimp dish Serve with brown rice or roasted vegetables.

Sauteed Shrimp recipe - 134 calories

Ingredients:

1 1lb large shrimp, peeled and de-veined

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon herb seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

2. Add the shrimp and saute (1 minute.)

3. Add the herb seasoning, lemon juice, salt and pepper; stir to coat the shrimp.

4. saute (3 minute until cooked through).

5. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley.

Servings: 4

Nutritional information for one serving:

Calories: 134

Total fat: 3.5 g

Cholesterol: 220 mg

Sodium: 545 mg

Total carbs: 0.8 g

Fiber: 0.1 g

Protein: 23.8 g

Weight Watchers points: 3

Everyone loves Nutella, so just for you here is a delicious recipe for you to try and share with others, well maybe not with others, it is your call.

Number 2 of 4 low calorie healthy recipes

Nutella Biscotti Recipe - 90 calories

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup hazelnuts (optional)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 large eggs

2 tablespoons cocoa

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy.

4. Add the sugar and continue beating for about 2 minutes.

5. Stir in the Nutella.

6. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir until well combined.

7. Stir in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts (if using).

8. Flour your hands well and divide the dough into 2 or 3 logs; arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet. Press the logs into rectangles approximately 1/2 inch thick.

9. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes.

10. Remove from the oven. Turn down oven heat to 300° F.

11. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs into 1/3-1/2 inch slices. Arrange on a baking sheet and return to the oven.

12. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, then turn the biscotti over and bake for about 10-12 more minutes (depending on the thickness of your slices).

Servings: 36

Nutritional information for one serving:

Calories: 90

Total fat: 2.5 g

Cholesterol: 17 mg

Sodium: 62 mg

Total carbs: 15.8 g

Fiber: 0.7 g

Protein: 1.7 g

Weight Watchers points: 2

3 of 4 low calorie healthy recipes

Stuffed Mushrooms recipe - 175 calories

Ingredients:

28 large (2 1/2-inch-diameter) white mushrooms, stemmed

1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1/2 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Stir the Pecorino cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, mint, parsley, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium bowl to blend.

3. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

4. Drizzle a heavy large baking sheet with about 1 tablespoon olive oil, to coat.

5. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange them on the baking sheet (cavity side up).

6. Drizzle the remaining oil over the filling in each mushroom.

7. Bake for about 25 minutes (until the filling is golden on top and heated through and the mushrooms are tender).

8. Serve.

Servings: 7 (4 mushrooms per serving)

Nutritional information for one serving:

Calories: 175

Total fat: 13 g

Sodium: 264 mg

Total carbs: 9.4 g

Fiber: 1.3 g

Protein: 6.8 g

Weight Watchers points: 4

4 of 4 low calorie healthy recipes

Southwestern Onion Rings recipe - 171 calories

Ingredients:

2 large sweet onions

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 tablespoons water

2 teaspoons chilli powder

2 teaspoons salt

1-2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon sugar

Preparation:

1. Slice the onions into 1/4? slices and separate the rings.

2. Place the rings in a bowl and add the buttermilk to cover the onions.

3. Soak for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. In another bowl, beat together the eggs and water.

5. Combine the flour, chilli powder, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder and sugar in a shallow dish.

6. Drain the onion rings.

7. Dip the rings in the egg mixture first, then dredge in the flour mixture.

8. Fry the onion rings in 1? of oil heated to 375 degrees, a few at a time, until golden brown on each side.

9. Drain and serve immediately.

Servings: 12

Nutritional information for one serving:

Calories: 171

Total fat: 2.4 g

Cholesterol: 55 mg

Sodium: 688 mg

Total carbs: 29.8 g

Fiber: 1.6 g

Protein: 7.5 g

Weight Watchers points: 3

Number 5 of 5 low calorie healthy recipes

Eat healthy and live longer by watching your diet.

Healthy Foods to Lose Weight

Healthy Foods to Lose Weight

Forget the diets that tell you to eliminate entire food groups or that tell you to eat only one thing every single day. Those plans do not work for a number of reasons. You only need to rely on healthy foods to lose weight, and no gimmicks. Gimmicks and tricks do not work. Fad diets and crazy plans do not work. Using healthy foods to lose weight does work.

There are only a few rules for using healthy foods to lose weight. Food that is as close to natural is generally what you should be basing your healthy food menu on. It is next to impossible to get fat eating fruits and vegetables after all.

Learn the "healthy version" of every food and what is the best or top choice in every good group. Learn how to serve these foods in more than one way so you don't get bored with them. For example, the blueberry, one of the best healthy foods to lose weight with, can be eaten as is, frozen, served in a smoothie or mixed with other berries. It can be tossed on top of yogurt for a dessert or on top of a salad as an interesting addition to a common side dish item.

There are so many fruits and vegetables in the world that we may have never heard of before, and while there are other foods that we may not be as familiar with, some are healthy foods we can use to lose weight. Look for foods that you may not know at farmer's markets, ethnic stores and other locations. While you are there, ask advice about choosing the best one and how to serve it for the best flavor. At some places, the seller might be interested in showing you how to make these items and may even give you a sample.

Recently, a number of articles were released that told people that the days of eating dried veggies are over and done with. Thankfully, it was discovered that a number of the vitamins and minerals in these foods are better absorbed by the body when they are accompanied by some healthy fats. The best tip then was to cook your veggies lightly in healthy fats such as olive oil for the best absorption of the vitamins and minerals.

There are other healthy foods to lose weight with including protein foods such as nuts, dairy foods and lean meats. Some varieties of fish give not only lean protein but healthy fats and Omega 3 fatty acids as well. The trick with these foods is not just in knowing which are good to eat and which are not but in knowing the proper portion size for your healthy diet. Nuts, for instance are high in calories, so it only takes a small amount for the proper serving size.

Refreshing Summer Drinks to Stock Up on This Summer

Refreshing Summer Drinks to Stock Up on This Summer - Along with those perfect summer days and nights comes the oppressive heat and humidity. Excessive heat can be very uncomfortable without air conditioning. Whipping up something chilled and refreshing can be easy if you have all the ingredients at home. So why not shop at your local cash and carry and stock up on some wholesale products.

Stock up on these refreshing summer drinks products.

Concentrated juice is a variety of juice that is often diluted with water. These juices can also be mixed with other drinks to give it a sweeter taste. Concentrated juices come in 1 litre, 3 litre or 5 litres options. There are various flavours available to tantalise all taste buds. Such flavours could include orange, lemon and many others.

Drinks that come in sachets are popular amongst children. Drink-o-Pop, for example, makes flavoured drinks that can be mixed with water. Children may take this drink to school as part of the lunch box. The sachet contents can be mixed with chilled water in the morning before your child goes to school. Choose a reusable drinks bottle that your child will love and fill it with the mixed cool drink. It is a great way for parents to save space in their kitchen cupboards. It is also a good way to minimise the use of drinks bottles that are usually discarded after one use. The individual sachets make one glass of cool drink. If you are planning on buying them in bulk, they are available in small boxes of 72 sachets and these are packaged into a larger box of 8 units.

Chocolate milk drinks are a healthy and tasty drink especially for children but also loved by adults. The traditionally warm chocolate milk drinks can also be mixed with cold milk in the summer months. Nestle Cocoa and Milo are popular chocolate milk drinks. After school, fill a glass with cold milk and mix in about 3 to 4 teaspoons of chocolate powder. Give the milk a good stir to dissolve all of the cocoa granules. For an added treat, you could add a spoon or two of ice cream to create a chocolate milkshake. Children love this variation of the chocolate milk drink. Nestle Cocoa and Milo are both available in resealable containers that can be bought in bulk packs of 6 containers.

These are summer drinks that will be in demand during the following months so be sure to stock up at your local wholesaler.

2 Steps to Ease Fears & Speed Metabolic Rate

Green Energy Drinks - Worried About a Slow Metabolism? 2 Steps to Ease Fears & Speed Metabolic Rate

We all want a fast metabolism. A fast metabolism means that our bodies are efficiently converting food into energy and burning fat as fuel instead of storing it for a rainy day. In other words, with a good metabolism, we're energetic, active, healthy, alert and lean, and with a slow metabolism, we're hungry, sluggish, foggy-headed, unhealthy and fat. No brainer, right? Especially when a slow metabolism can keep your body from getting the nutrients it needs, eventually leading to breakdown.

A fast metabolism is tied to a simple healthy diet with the right ratio of lean protein (like fish or whey protein), unprocessed carbohydrates (like leafy greens or green drink powder) and healthy fats (like nuts or flax oil).  It's not tied to processed quick-fixes like diet pills, caffeinated drinks or sugary beverages that make you feel "speedy" and then make you crash. No, these ups and downs throw off your blood sugar and slow your metabolism even more! Plus, they only further add to environmental toxins building up in your body and slowing your metabolism.

The good news is that there are easy, all-natural ways to speed your metabolism that last all day. And whey you feel energetic on a steady basis, you're more active and less hungry causing a snowball effect that benefits your overall well-being and body tone in the long-term.

One of our favorite energy-boosting metabolism speeders is green energy powder. The higher energy levels it gives you keeps you moving and burning more fat and leaves you with that fast metabolism snowball effect. Here's how healthy energy drinks give you more energy naturally:

o  They have all-natural green tea, a natural stimulant.

o They're full of antioxidants that keep cells healthy, giving you plenty of energy to use on whatever you want.

o They contain probiotics and digestive enzymes that help digestion, keeping the body cleaner, more efficient and more energized.

o They have lots of chlorophyll that alkalizes and cleans the blood. This gives you more red blood cells to carry oxygen in and metabolic waste out.

o They're all-alkaline and help keep your body in ideal alkaline PH state.

So how can you speed up your metabolism naturally to stay energized and lean? Follow This Breakfast Shake 2-Step Plan!

#1. Get the optimum amount of protein, carbs and fats at every meal and snack. What's the optimum amount? A fist-size portion of unprocessed carbohydrates, a thumb-size portion of healthy fats, and a fist-size portion of lean protein.  Your body needs all three to :

o Turn carbs into glucose to fuel your body and brain
o Stabilize blood sugar
o Provide fiber to curb hunger
o Burn body fat

#2. Have a green energy drink for breakfast and plan ahead by having the ingredients on hand. This breakfast drink is easy to prepare, tastes delicious and has the perfect nutritional balance that we just talked about in step #1.

Blend the following to desired smoothness:  liquid (water, milk); green drink powder; pure protein powder; good fat (omega oil);  fresh fruit; ice; optional essences and spices (ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, mint, vanilla ).

Ready to be energized all day long thanks to a healthy metabolism? Start by shopping for the ingredients for your breakfast smoothies...

Is Raw Milk Safe? Learn When it is Okay to Drink Unprocessed Milk

Is Raw Milk Safe? Learn When it is Okay to Drink Unprocessed Milk

Have you read the articles lately about real milk and how healthy it is for you? Maybe you've heard conversations here and there and have been asking yourself, "Is raw milk safe to drink?" It can be confusing when you hear commercials on TV telling you how healthy milk from the grocery store is. But is it really? And just how can you know it is really okay to drink unpasteurized real fresh milk straight from the cow?

Well let me clarify one thing here. I don't generally drink the milk "straight from the cow" per se. I do bring it into the house, strain it through a filter, pour it into glass jars, and then quickly stash it in the freezer for a couple of hours to quickly bring the temperature down. The faster you can cool your milk the longer it will stay fresh. Anyway, you could technically drink it right out of the cow but that is not to my liking. Some people do though.

But I digress.

You simply want to be informed about how to know when and why this is safe. Okay, well there are a few things to look out for. First, you want to purchase your milk from someone who has a healthy cow (or cows). This will most likely be a small independent farmer. They will generally not mind at all if you tour their farm, visit the cows, and even watch them milk. Be sure to check that they milk under sanitary conditions and, as I mentioned, have some way to get the milk pretty cold pretty fast after milking.

If everything seems good so far, the next thing to ask is what they feed their cows. Best case scenario is totally grass fed or perhaps a small amount of grain. If they say they feed a mostly grain-based diet you should avoid buying milk from them. But you will not normally find this to be the case except at very large dairies simply because that is the most cost-effective way to do things. They want to push their cows to produce the most milk possible, and they can do that by feeding lots and lots of grain. So avoid this type of farm.

The raw milk will be perfectly healthy and safe for you to drink as long as you follow this criteria. Of course the best way to know this is to buy your own cow and commence to milking! But as long as you do your due diligence, you will be able to find some safe, healthy, and delicious fresh milk.

Healthy Fruit Drink

Healthy Fruit Drink

Fruit makes up a very critical component of a human beings diet. This is because it is jam-packed with nutrients and minerals that are essential for health and vitality. Fruits contain antioxidants that are essential in fighting free radicals that damage cells, cause premature aging and diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Fruits also contain essential vitamins and minerals that may not be found in other food groups or from other sources. For instance, fruits contain Vitamin C (that prevents scurvy), Vitamin A (that is good for eyesight and prevents macular degeneration), potassium, folate and other minerals.

So, a healthy fruit drink is an excellent way of ensuring that you get the daily recommended amount of nutrients and minerals. This is particularly so for children who may not take time for eating the fruit itself. Having them drink a fruit drink is an easy way of getting them the nutrition that they need for their bodies to grow strong.

A major advantage of a healthy fruit drink is that they do not contain near as many calories as fruit drinks typically contain. They also will have no fat, though they have a little sugar that provides energy. Fruit also contain enzymes that aid in digestion so that the pancreas is not overworked.

There are numerous healthy fruit drinks that are easy to make and very delicious. The best fruit drinks can be categorized into fruit smoothies and fruit juices. Fruit smoothies are made of blended fruit that may be fresh or frozen (or both), yoghurt, milk or water, ice cubes and sometimes ice cream. Juice on the other hand is made by extracting the liquid from a fruit. Therefore, a fruit smoothie and a fruit juice are different because a smoothie is made using the whole fruit (even the skin if it is edible), but when juice is made, the fruit pulp is usually gotten rid off.

Between the two kinds of healthy fruit drinks, the general consensus is that the fruit smoothie is more nutritious than the fruit juice. By using the whole fruit, the smoothie contains the fiber and pulp that are necessary for healthy digestion. The fiber also ensures that the sugar found in the fruit is slowly released so that there are no sudden spikes in blood sugar levels which can cause diabetes.

Smoothies are also more versatile than fruit juices when it comes to the number of ingredients that can be added to them. You can add yogurt, spinach, protein powder and any other ingredient you choose. This is because the ingredients of your healthy fruit drink are blended together so that even the solid ingredients are well integrated into the mixture.

It is best to make your healthy fruit drink at home as you can control the ingredients. However, you can purchase them from health food stores and supermarkets. If you do buy them instead of making them yourself be sure and always pay attention to the label of the fruit drinks to know all the ingredients. You should choose a drink that has no additives and is not made from concentrate.

The best thing of course about a healthy fruit drink is that it taste so great. How many foods do you find in life that have a delicious taste but are still good for you?

Good Food Good Health - For A Healthy Heart Drink Milk

Good Food Good Health - For A Healthy Heart Drink Milk

For a healthy heart drinking a pint of milk a day can improve your hearts healthiness.

This really is good news for all of us and especially for my family, and myself as I have always loved dairy products and have never skimped on them.

I have only ever eaten and used butter mainly because there are generally no additives apart from salt, where as in many margarine or butter substitutes I do not actually know some of the listed additives and also the fact that I have never managed to find one that I liked the taste of.

For quite a while now dairy products have been labelled as bad for our health, but new studies by researchers show and claim the complete opposite. They say that dairy products actually help to protect our bodies against a wide variety of serious health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes.

The study found that by having a regular consumption of dairy products, and this does not matter whether it is cheese, yoghurts or any type of milk, actually halves the chances of developing metabolic syndrome, which in the UK affects up to a quarter of the population.

Metabolic syndrome is also known as and called insulin resistance, which affects the body's metabolism by increasing cholesterol, body fat, blood glucose levels and blood pressure.

People that suffer with this condition have almost double the risk of coronary artery disease and have four times more chance of diabetes than those with out metabolic syndrome. Also more alarming is that these people are fifty per cent more likely to die earlier; a twenty-five year study has shown.

During the past twenty-five years milk consumption has plummeted, thought to be about concerns of the effect of the high saturated fat content may have on the heart and general health.

Growing evidence suggests this is false, as reviews worldwide on dairy products and vascular disease, show there are benefits also includes rates of heart disease and strokes.

The evidence has shown that there is a very powerful effect that totally goes against today's public perception that milk and dairy products are bad for your heart.

There has been over 300 publications from this study and they all point in the same direction, and the evidence shows that the effect is the same for both men and women.

On the study it was found that those who ate and drank dairy products regularly were far less likely to have the syndrome than those who drank and ate little or none.

By drinking a pint of milk a day they were also 62 per cent less likely to have the syndrome, and if they ate other dairy foods regularly 56 per cent less likely.

Researchers have also found that milk is more effective than anything else including water and expensive special formula sports drinks, for replacing fluid and salts that are lost through sweat.

So after any type of exertion such as sports, keep fit and manual labour, a glass of milk is the best for re-hydration. Tests show that milk keeps the body re-hydrated for at least four times longer than water or powerade - Cola's sports drink.

Milk is naturally rich in potassium, sodium and other vital salts that the body loses in vast quantities through sweating.

The combination of the protein, sugar and fat found in milk is the reason that it is removed much slower from the body than other drinks.

Milk really is an excellent drink and is so versatile, I know many people do not actually like milk but you can always make it into custard, rice pudding or semolina etc: to get your daily intake.

Our youngest daughter was always against drinking a glass of milk, and still is today, but she actually consumes more milk than the rest of the family.

She absolutely adores cereals, eating up to four bowls a day and of course this is with milk, summer or winter. She also loves chocolate milk shake and fruit smoothies with a blob of ice cream, but the smoothies are often left for me to prepare, as she does not like clearing up the blender afterwards - teenagers!

It is a shame that schools do not give out the daily milk drink that as a youngster was a great part of the school day. I believe if this was still the case in primary schools, more children would be happy to drink milk and less likely to go for the fizzy drinks that are available.

I hope you find this interesting, and now not so worried about eating dairy products. Think of all the great sauces you can make to enhance your culinary skills and know they are actually good for you. My favourite has always been cheese sauce, but I am equally partial to white sauce with fish or over broad beans.

Cheese on toast is a staple part of our daughter's diet, so much so that cheese is one of the first things that runs out in our kitchen, and now they laugh and say they can eat even more now! Pity they do not know where Sainsbury's is.

Remember to eat good food for good health

Ways To Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy, And Live A Long Life

Ways To Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy, And Live A Long Life

Quality care provided to your bird will determine the length of its life here on earth. People can't predict how its existence is going to be until the end; but as owners, your job is to maintain its healthy living in order to increase its lifespan.

 Ways To Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy, And Live A Long Life

Regular Check-Ups -It's necessary for your bird to visit an avian veterinarian regularly. This way, you can be updated of its health status. Birds have the tendency to keep signs of illness unnoticeable. This is because birds out in the wild, signs of being weak can invite hungry predators. With regular check-ups, existing problems can be identified earlier and be treated right away.

Appropriate Cage Size -As birds, being able to spread its wings and fly at certain levels even in its cage is very vital for its healthy living. Being in cages doesn't mean they are not allowed to perform their natural activities. So a spacious cage is a great way to provide it with its feeling of satisfaction, keeping it calm and avoiding stress brought by small cages.

For safety and security, cages should be placed at one corner of the room. Don't attempt to place it in draft areas and places with direct sunlight. Clean its cage regularly by brushing off dried droppings; this will prevent airborne infections to arise anytime.

Cages made out of stainless steel is ideal. It can be a bit expensive, but hey, it can live even longer like your pet bird will. And harmful paints can be disregarded for this type of cage.

Constant Social Interaction -For pets, it is important that a constant interaction with its owner will help them live long without feeling stressed by the feeling of being locked up. Birds react in different ways, so better research on how your breed reacts on activities as these can also decrease risks of health threats in the future.

Stress usually is evident by feather plucking and violent behaviors. With these, problems can arise in no time.

Proper Feeding -Inquire about the type of food your bird breed eats; just make sure that food and water should always be fresh.

Purified Air -Living things, like your birds, need clean air to survive. Other than that, health would deteriorate and lives are at risk.

Air purifier can help you maintain clean fresh air around the area to keep the health of your bird in good condition.

Breastfeeding Fact or Fiction : 10 Things You Need To Know

Breastfeeding Fact or Fiction: 10 Things You Need To Know

One of the healthiest decisions you can make as a mother is to breastfeed your newborn. Many prevailing myths abound that may work to discourage you or cause apprehension but this article will separate the fact from the fiction about breastfeeding to simplify your choice.

 Breastfeeding Fact or Fiction : 10 Things You Need To Know

1. Breastfeeding alone will not be enough - It will be plenty! This all natural, completely organic milk has everything that your baby needs and you will be able to provide more than enough of it. If you observe signs that your baby is still hungry this simply means he or she must nurse longer.

2. A woman cannot breastfeed while working - This actually can be arranged with pumps and planning. You can store the excess milk for later meals or times when you will be busy. Breastfeeding and working will require a bit of extra juggling of time and task on your part but can most definitely be accomplished.

3. You are the only one who can feed the baby if you nurse - Anyone trustworthy can feed your baby with pumped and stored milk! It is like feeding formula.

4. Babies who nurse are spoiled - An infant is too young to be spoiled actually, all they want is plenty of good food and nursing provides them with that in a calming way that creates a strong, healthy bond with mommy, nothing else.

5. Nursing should stop when the baby can talk - There is absolutely no specified time to stop breastfeeding! It is a personal choice made by you based on your needs and the needs of your growing baby.

6. Breastfeeding stops if you take medicine - This decision should always be guided by your doctor! Some medications for breastfeeding mothers are perfectly safe but you should consult your health professional before taking anything, including vitamins.

7. You cannot get pregnant while nursing - Although you may be less fertile while breastfeeding, you are not normally infertile! If you are concerned about becoming pregnant there is a birth control pill with no estrogen, a hormone which may interfere with lactation, so ask your doctor but it is not safe to assume you cannot become pregnant while nursing.

8. Breastfeeding is going to hurt - Nursing will not cause pain so long as everything is normal and done right. Tenderness may sometimes occur as will a rare nibble which will have nothing more than a startling effect on you, but there is no pain associated with normal breastfeeding.

9. Breastfeeding and formula cannot both be used - If you are interested in quick meals or occasionally offering your baby something other than your breast, a healthy formula will do no harm! Be careful not to go too long without nursing or your supply may be interrupted.

10. Nursing should not be done in public - This issue has caused controversy and the most practical approach is tact and discretion. There is a big difference between people knowing what you are doing and you showing them. A nursing blanket is easily placed over you and your baby so that you should be able to feed him or her wherever you please.

Clearly distinguishing between fact and fiction when it comes to breastfeeding is necessary to enable you complete comfort when choosing to nurse. It is a beautiful and highly beneficial way to provide your baby all that he or she needs while bonding, relaxing and getting to know each other.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE THEATER HOSTED A CHARITY BALL IN AID OF THE AIDS PATIENTS

THE DIRECTOR OF THE THEATER HOSTED A CHARITY BALL IN AID OF THE AIDS PATIENTS

Mary entered the house. She looked very nervous.

"Where have you been?" Michael asked her. "It's late."

"I don't want my problems to be a part of your life."

"You don't have a real problem. You are only pretending to have one."

"I can do anything I want."

"Maybe there is just one real problem. You don't know what you want."

"I know exactly what I want, but I just can't stay focused in anything is important because of you."

"Do you still wait for someone to take care of you?"

"Don't look too much into the mirror of irony. You can get sick."

"What 's the matter? Are you afraid to risk to take your life in your own hands?"

"No, I feel paralyzed by some forces and I am unable to control them."

"But I'm unable to harness your inner strength."

"You cannot do everything you want. The world of the free people doesn't exist for you."

"I know exactly who I am and what I want."

"Yes, but you cannot do everything you want."

"Maybe, but I accept my resignation."

When people are in the hospital, they love to see their friends coming to visit them. The flowers are nice and the personal contact is very meaningful. Sometimes, people don't visit anyone in the hospital. They are nervous when they think of what they have to do and say.

"I admire your strength in all you're going through your whole life. Is there anything I can do for you? I know that you suffer. Can I say a little prayer for you to ease your pain?" Ella tried to be gentle.

Alexander's mother closed her eyes and breathed in. She knew exactly what Ella was talking about. Her shaking hands stopped only for a second before reaching the Ella's coat. She touched Ella's arms with her hands. She turned her head and she could whisper to be heard. "Your words are always picking me up. I always pray for you. Let me introduce you to Claire. She's my room mate. She's waiting for a liver transplant. She's a good friend. I always feel good being around her."

" I listen spiritual tapes and spiritual music and this keeps me occupied. I spent months waiting my death. The disease makes me lonely enough. It says that the agony is a whisper in the roar of hurrying existence". Claire was incredibly nice and she could make you feel comfortable. She used to answer all your questions and to communicate without rushing you. She was super knowledgeable and she could be a great friend.

"We don't ever get bored here," said Martha, another patient. "Claire is a very merry yarn and a caring person, despite her illness."

"Why are you here?" Ella became curious.

"I received a spleen transplant. I ripped my stitches a bit and I had a lot of pain."

"You're just having a bad day as everyone of us," said Claire.

"If my husband had been here, he would have helped me the most. When I was in pain, my daughter was here by my side, patting me and showing me her love." Martha said that their pastor had been tremendously helpful by reaching out to her family. She said that the pastor was generally working to create a peaceful atmosphere within their homes and within the congregation for the persons who are ill. She described how her priest had helped this to happen in her congregation.

"My husband is looking for me, but he cannot enter the hospital. Ella, can you tell me what to do?" Claire said, after receiving a call from her husband.

"He must mention your name or the room number. I was interned in another hospital and I remember that the visitors weren't allowed to go into the patient's room, unless they were given the permission by the nurse." Ella wanted to be useful.

Martha told them that her mother died having the same disease. She complained that she had excessive perspiration in the groin area, palms and soles. She used to drink large quantities of water. She also told them that she was unmarried and she had been having no sexual desire since a very long time. She described herself as a loner and a very sensitive woman. When she was younger, she loved so much to travel. She hated the routine of work, but she had to earn for her living. She has always had a fear of being robbed or raped. Her most painful memories could describe her breaking up relationships.

Alexander's mother was waiting for a heart transplant. Otherwise, the doctors told her she would die of heart failure. She knew that other patients had waited for three months in the hospital before they received their heart transplants. She didn't wait a person to die for receiving the heart, but she hoped that a miracle would save her. She knew that one death can allow one life, even there is no guarantee of restoration of health and life. Alexander's mother chose a private hospital. She was aware that the operation would cost a lot of money, far too much than she could afford to pay. She had a bank deposit. Alexander decided to make a bank loan by mortgaging the house. Ella told Alexander's mother that he had achieved the financial loan. Ella also told her that she was two months pregnant.

In the morning, Ella left the hospital and went home again. Alexander told her that Michael had reconciled with Nora and they had been invited to a ball, on Saturday night. This house party was hosted by the local theater, having a purpose to organize a fund-raising for AIDS patients.

"It is very hard to host a house party for three hundred people. Our director must be very busy," said Alexander.

Nora and some of her friends, who have belonged to a women organization, have decided to assist the director in having a successful party. They have chosen the date for the house party. They provided as much support as possible. They have chosen specialized people to organize the party, based on their fund-raising experience. They started planning the party twelve weeks before this event. This gave them the plenty of time to put together the guest list, to choose the basic donors, to send the invitations, to make the calls and to get the necessary food. After sending the invitations, they knew exactly the people they would expect. They requested a sum donation in the invitations. They thought that they would make an additional pitch for funds during the party by using a speech. They sent the invitations four weeks before that moment. They spent a lot of time calling and answering the phone.

"This is the most important thing you can do to ensure that everything turns out good. People may be able to ignore an invitation, but they will respond to the call. The most important idea about these calls is that you can mirror what's in the invitation and you can tell the prospective guests that their attendance matters to you." Nora became very critical. She said that her father was a very critical man and she grew up acquiring this same trait. She remembered that she used to hear a wonderful concert, but when the soloist missed a note, she could remember the mistake, not the beautiful music that surrounded it. She related to people in a similar fashion. The quality of her life reflected her focus. Because she focused on the negative, what she saw inside herself and all around her were the flaws and the problems.

"Should I ask them to have a checkbook or credit card with them?" Laura wanted to change and to improve the organization of the party.

"It is essential to know when your guests are prepared to make a significant financial contribution," said Nora.

"The party is not for the ill people. They benefit from it, but the party is for the healthy persons. We must think that they love being able to have dinner with other people around them, to have a couple of drinks and to hear other people laughing," said Lisa. She needed to learn how to get out of that situation. She didn't want to come, but she couldn't refuse Laura, because Laura was her friend. She used to build her masked ivory tower and put herself in there. She tried to learn all her life how to deal with it.

"We have had a tough year, but we had made it to be a good one. My collaborators might not look the same, but I really like them and I am happy to work with them. I am in the trenches with them everyday. I want to be with them. It is the time to remember the laughs and the tears that we had. It is the high time to remember the success we had." Laura concluded and tried to explain why she had an unconventional style of work.

She was the prosecutor's wife and she owned a small printing company. She was a very strong woman. Laura had narrow hands, long fingers, and nails very well manicured. She was tall and thin. Something in her big blue eyes made her to be quite attractive and charming. She had a nice sad smile obviously reflecting her goodness of soul. She had a black heavy hair, which hung like a mantle on her shoulders. She had soft thick eyelashes. She had an attractive little face and a scar upon her upper lip, which made her to look very sad.

"We can add more events as barbeques or pool parties. Alternately, we can add events and formalities," said Lisa.

"The donor parties are usually formal events ending with the cocktail parties. We must follow the rules," concluded Nora.

The top families in town were invited to the party as well as all the business people. When the party began, someone dimmed the lights and everybody took a seat at the table. There was a screen above the disco stage, showing everything around. People began to dance, to drink and to eat. Jeff, the director of the theater, climbed up the platform and tried to organize the speakers, who helped him to collect the funds. He wanted to keep a close eye on everything. At midnight, Jeff asked Brandon, the director of the hospital, to give thanks to all the supporters of this cause, along with a little speech about those ill people.

"Thank you for helping me!" Brandon needed to become thankful to Jeff.

"My involvement is obviously controversial," said Jeff, drinking his water.

Jeff had small black eyes, tight skin, a large mustache growing from both the upper lip and cheeks and a short platinum hair. He wanted to make it clear that, despite all the stories about him, his involvement was not for the money.

"I wanted to give to this party a heightened sense," said Jeff.

"The first step is to pay attention and to get this party as organized as possible. Otherwise, you'll get what you deserve. But don't worry, everything will be fine," replied Brandon.

"Hey, David, where is your wife?" Jeff asked him, while he was using a paper towel to wipe his forehead.

"She couldn't come to the party tonight," David said. "She loves your parties, but she is very tired. She remained at home."

David was a very rich business man.

"Do you want to eat some fresh fruits?" Lisa asked David, while she was stretching a fresh fruits plate. Lisa was Jeff's wife.

"Yes, thank you, I like the fresh fruits and the vegetables," said David. "I'm a vegetarian."

"I'm not like you, a vegetarian," said Jeff and his spastic bile-soaked voice became almost indescribably sarcastic.

"Where is Michael?" Lisa began to look after him. A huge smile appeared on her face.

Lisa went on the balcony and she saw Ella talking with Nora. They were seemingly involved in an endless discussion. When they saw Lisa, they stopped talking.

"What a lovely green dress!" Lisa exclaimed. She was visibly impressed because Nora was looking very beautiful in her French dress.

"I love it so much. It's a very expensive unique dress. I bought this piece in Paris, a few months ago."

"I adore it!" Lisa continued. "Where is your husband?"

"He is in the pool room."

Lisa entered the next room for searching Michael. He was there. He was talking with Klaus. Michael had a glass of wine in his hand.

"Did you eat something?"

"Not yet," said Michael, seemingly ignoring her. In fact, while he was talking with Klaus, he was looking at her face very inquisitively. After he had finished the discussion, he went out to search Jeff. After thirty minutes, he returned and searched her. She had been staying there waiting for him, slowly tendering her own face with her hands. After seeing him, she trailed her fingers down to her ears and to her blond hair. She has tilted her head to clearly see his eyes. He looked down to her body. Her breasts had begun to sag. Her body was slender and her long legs were shapely formed. She smiled, showing her teeth. Her green eyes sparkled. She closed her eyes and took a little breath. Opening her eyes, she looked at the man. Michael had never been very thin, but he was a special man, having a well proportioned beautiful body.

"I am a very methodical man," said David.

"I think it is very important to decide your own fate in life. Sometimes, it is very heavy to make your own fortune," said Michael.

"I have a deep respect for the regularity. I am who I am because of this," continued David.

"You're right. This is the secret for being a good business man. Try to understand where a merchant is a genius and where he's an ass," said Michael.

"Maybe he's both of them at the same time."

"Many boys run away from their home at the age of ten to search jobs. I understand them because I was very poor. I learned very hard to be a good actor, while I was working," said Michael.

"When I was fairly eighteen, I found myself doing a good outdoor cleaning service business. I was proud to do this work at my age."

A television channel has announced that the policemen had caught several major drug dealers with a total of one hundred kilos of drugs. They were arrested, being also linked to some crimes. The cocaine was hidden in some containers. David dropped the glass.

"Sorry!" David whispered.

"A business must always be done in a business way. This is the first lesson," said Michael. "What did you say?"

"Did you hear the news?"

"I didn't pay attention. The truth is that I had learned, in time, to jog on into the old routine." He tried to continue his idea.

"An old hunk knows very well to put up his own business. Try to stop him and you will be destroyed," said Klaus, the judge, who had been listening to the discussion since the beginning. He was short of stature and stocky. He had a groomed mustache and a small mouth. His bulging and very expressive eyes had always a quizzical look.

"How are you, my dear friend?" Michael cordially shook his hand. "You're the same Klaus as always, seemingly unchanged."

"Yes, I am. Look, a jealous husband shot and killed his wife, after he had caught her making love at home with another man."

"Tell me the story," said Michael.

"He had to go to work, but he became suspicious because of his wife. He decided to go to a bar to have some drinks. After that, he returned home. His wife had invited her male lover to her matrimonial bed. She was making love with him, when her husband knocked at the door. His wife didn't open the door. The man had to force the door to open and he was very stunned when he saw his best friend with his own wife. The jealous husband shot her wife in her head with a shotgun. After that, he shot her lover. Now, he is guilty of premeditated murder."

"I'm very sad when I hear about someone's death," said Lisa, somewhat scared.

"It's a true and very sad story," replied Klaus.

"It is possible to love and hate someone at the same time. How do you feel?" Lisa tried to catch his attention.

"Someone said that richness is nothing in comparison with health. Sometimes, the demands of the profession are too much for my delicate state of body. I'm an old man," said Klaus courteously smiling.

"Where is my wife?" Michael asked Lisa. "On the balcony!" She replied, suddenly becoming very distracted.

Michael disappeared. Michael met Helen. She was a woman having almost thirty five years old. She left her family and moved in the town, after falling in love with an elven wood cutter. The man had been working in a sawmill for a while but he got very ill.

After the wood cutter had passed away, she has worked as a prostitute to pay off his debts. She had no reservations about what she had to do for living, even she was a mother of a six years old boy. She possessed a slanted sense of morality, which guided her life. Helen was beautiful. She didn't need to blatantly flirt on the street with the men for making them her clients. She was approached by the men. She used to select only beautiful young men and rich old clients. She was working on the main street corridor almost every day. She had ten regular johns associates for doing this kind of work. Some of them had been drugged before being fifteen years old and, after that, they have been selling sex for money.

"Hello!" Michael was all eyes, searching for the snug in her body look.

She walked near the car.

"What's up with you?"

Michael told her to climb into his car. Holding a big plastic bottle filled with brandy, she opened the door and she hopped in.

"Are you Helen?" asked Michael.

"Yes. I am."

"I suppose you're a resident," said Michael.

"You're right. How did you guess?"

"Mark told me," continued Michael.

"Mark told me to get in touch with you," said Helen.

"We may have to do some smooth talking to get the deal," continued Michael.

"You probably want to get an idea about me, before you give me what I need," continued Helen.

"I guess you're right," said Michael.

"Where are we going?"

"You will see. You're a very curious woman," smiled Michael. "Anyway, it is a very pleasant place." After that, he turned to her and he looked right into her eyes. He said, "Your work is very pleasant."

"Especially for men," laughed Helen.

"Isn't it pleasing for women?"

"Oh, yes, sometimes."

She had a very sad smile.

The house was situated on the beach. They entered the house. He invited her into the living room and he offered her something to drink. She saw a large poster on the wall with a kangaroo.

"Why do you keep this?" Helen asked him. Her eyes found his gaze and a curious expression was plastering itself across her face.

"I like that she holds her baby in her pouch. Go and take a bath."

"Of course!"

After thirty minutes of washing, she left the bathroom to enter the living room. She was wearing a long white coat. Michael invited Helen to eat. On the table there were all the sorts of dishes she had never eaten before. After twenty minutes, they went into the bedroom. The room was decorated in red and black. They started having sex. The sound of the waves, ebbing on the sandy shore in the distance, was soothing. Her mind was occupied by so many thoughts. She had no idea why she felt so scared, even nothing could really scare her. She was surprised to feel the softness of his skin.

"I want you so badly!" Michael took her in his arms.

"I want to swim to the shallow end of the pool," said Helen.

"Later!" Michael said. "I need you now."

He began to cut off her words by kissing her. He scooped her into both his arms and lifted her for pushing his wishes within her dreams. All of a sudden, she felt her mind fading out because her senses have become diluted. She could no longer grip for her own satisfaction upon him. She could only wait and moan in her spirit because she felt trapped in her own body. She could no longer move her body, she felt paralyzed by his movement while he had sex with her. She had a strange feeling. It was like a creature had split her body up. She could not resist anymore. It was ecstasy and agony. She lost her control.

"Take care of her, Mark!" Michael told him and he got out of the house to return to the party.

Lose Weight After Pregnancy By Eating These 4 Super Foods

Lose Weight After Pregnancy By Eating These 4 Super Foods - Weight loss is the first thing that may draw your attention after giving birth. After all, most new moms expect that they will regain their figure immediately after pregnancy.

But much to their chagrin, new mothers still have to face the nightmare of looking pregnant. Many get carried away by celebrity endorsed fad diets in order to lose weight after pregnancy. Some choose to workout extensively while at the same time almost starving themselves thin.

Well, these shortcuts do work and you might just achieve that hot bikini body in no time. But almost all health and fitness experts are unanimous in saying that such methods must be avoided at all costs.

The main reason why most experts guide against fad diets and extreme workouts is that such workouts harm the body in the long run. Just like any other type of weight loss, you must prepare a schedule and a plan if you are willing to lose weight after pregnancy.

Though most of the excess weight you gained will shed off naturally, yet the few pounds that remain are the source of most discomfort. Remember that losing weight after pregnancy is a gradual process and may test your resolve at many times.

The food you intake is an important part of your weight loss regime. No amount of workout will suffice if you fill yourself with fatty and unhealthy foods. Since your body is recuperating and you have to handle the demands of motherhood, it is very essential that you choose to eat healthy.

It is advised to eat a well-balanced diet that provides you with at least 1500-2000 calories. Anything less than that and your body may need to call upon your reserves in order to handle the workload. This will leave you tired and depleted throughout the day.

As a new mother it is also important that you stay well hydrated. Water is very essential as it helps you to keep refreshed and avoids dehydration. At the same time juices can also be consumed in order to meet the daily fluid requirements of the body.

But keep in mind that fruit juices are full of sugar and must be consumed in a controlled manner. At the same time limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption to a minimum. Remember that if you really want to lose weight after pregnancy, then water is your best friend.

Apart from all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are necessary part of your daily diet, you may also eat these 4 super foods in order to supercharge your weight loss:

1. Apples

It has been rightly said that "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away". Apples are a great source of calcium and Vitamin A. The best thing about apples is that they have 0 percent fat content. So make it a point to add an apple to your breakfast.

2. Green Tea

Almost all of us might have heard about the benefits of drinking green tea. Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants and has been linked to weight loss. Try substituting your tea or coffee intake with a cup of green tea. It has no side effects and will help you burn the fat off.

3. Avocado

The biggest mistake that most new mothers who want to lose weight after pregnancy make is to eliminate fat completely from their diet. Keep in mind that fat is not your enemy provided that you intake "good fats".

Avocados are very rich in Oleic acid which is a monounsaturated fat. Now, do not ring the alarm bells until you read this. Monounsaturated fats are good for your body. In fact Oleic acid helps your body to curb the hunger pangs.

Apart from keeping you from overeating, avocados are also rich in fiber and protein.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries are called miracle berries for a reason. These are full of vitamins and antioxidants. They have the highest antioxidant levels of all the fruits that are commonly consumed.

Blueberries will help you to keep full and will also provide you with the essential calorie needs. You may also consider eating blueberries for their anti-aging effect. Look young and lose weight at the same time. Now isn't that what everybody wants?

In order to lose weight after pregnancy, device a schedule that fits your time and your body needs. Careful planning now will save you from a lot of hassles later and will also keep you from quitting when you hit a setback.

Be diligent and persistent. If you follow a good diet and exercise routine, you will not only lose the excess weight but also keep it off for good. And to top it off, add these 4 super foods to your diet and watch that fat melt away.