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• Think "big picture." Don't use your trip as an excuse to go off the program. Remember, if you continually take detours from your planned route, you'll never reach your destination.
• Take it with you. Pack some controlled-carb snack foods, such as 1-ounce portions of cheese in plastic wrap. If you're traveling by car, pack a cooler with cold cuts and cheese or salad.
• Eat first. Start out on the right foot by eating a well-planned, satisfying meal before you depart.
• Go a little nuts. Snack on nuts and seeds, which are high in protein and fat. You'll feel more satisfied and in control of your appetite after eating a handful.
• Don't skip meals. Tempted to pass on lunch to make better time? Don't do it. Omitting a meal could make you feel like you are starving, out of control and more likely to grab anything edible.
• Fly right. If you're on a flight where a meal will be served, call ahead and ask what's on the menu. You can probably find a seafood or chicken salad or another dish you can rework.
• Drink up. Consume lots of water, which will help you feel satisfyingly full. But stay away from coffee and diet sodas full of caffeine, which may increase carbohydrate cravings.
• Speed counts. If you do slip off the program for a day or more, get back on ASAP. The longer you're derailed, the harder it may be to get back on track.
• Be ready to compromise without quitting. If you find all your food options are poor, adhere to your diet as closely as you can.
  

Finally, remember who's boss. You are in control of what goes in your mouth at all times, even when you're not in your own home. When dining out, ask how things are prepared and give instructions. After all, you're paying for it. Even in a fast-food restaurant, you're entitled to have it your way.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:22 AM :: 0 comments

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6 Tips To A Fabulous Summer Body

Summer is fast approaching and everyone wants to know how to get a hot summer body. Well, there is no secret really, but there are some tips that may help you. You may have just enough time to lose another 10 pounds or so if you do it right. You don't want to use this time to go on fad diets, or try something drastic. You have a whole summer to look good, you don't want to get there too quickly and then start gaining the weight back. So, here are 6 tips that you can use to get down to your summer size and stay there:

1. Don't wait for inspiration. Begin and inspiration will come. Do whatever it takes for you to move that body. Surround yourself with healthy images or quotes in both your home and office that will remind me not to give up. If you are waiting for some sort of inner fire to fuel you to exercise, you can forget it. Get moving and the fuel for motivation will follow. No more excuses. I promise it will get better, but you have got to push past the inner voice that wants you to settle for less! Don’t be afraid to talk back to that internal critic.

2. Find a qualified fitness professional skilled in the method of Pilates and make your appointment right now. It sounds simple, but Pilates is one of the best ways to feel lean and in control of your body, as well as your mind.

3. In addition to your Pilates workouts, incorporate 30-45 minutes of any aerobic activity into your fitness regimen. If you don't have a gym membership, then you can start walking or jogging. The key is to move and to feel challenged when you are performing your aerobic activity. You must do this at least 3-5 times a week for a significant weight and body fat loss. Anything less than 30 minutes is still good for you, but the benefits are not geared for weight or body fat loss.

4. Take a picture of the body you want to look like and put it up right in front of you. Make it someone or something that gets you motivated to look and feel your best. Putting up a picture of a healthy, sexy and attractive fitness model is inspiring enough to bypass the chocolate cake, or prevent skipping a workout. Use images that exemplify all the qualities you admire and find attractive in a person: physically, mentally and spiritually. This will help you stay on track and maintain a razor-sharp focus.

5. Before a night out on the town, eat a healthy meal prior to leaving your home. This will help you stay away from the buffet table and keep you less tempted to cheat, thus sabotaging all of your hard work. Pack your lunches for work if possible, don't skip breakfast and make better choices at your favorite eating establishments.

6. Keep your wellness program and workouts simple and fun. Let's be honest, most of us cannot afford a personal chef and/or a fitness coach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The rest of us should simply immerse ourselves in any and all material relating to eating healthy, exercising do's and don’ts and support groups.


Do what it takes and never give up. With today's technology and the wealth of information that is at your fingertips, there is no reason why you cannot reinvent, reshape and sculpt that body into a sizzling hot body. Get informed and take action!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:28 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

Here is a quick and easy side dish that not only incorporates your veggies which you need for any low-fat meal, but extra protein and healthy fats found in the pine nuts. Since asparagus is now perfect for eating you may want to try this side dish before the summer is over.

Asparagus with Romano Cheese and Pine Nuts

Ingredients
1 pound Fresh asparagus (cut in half, using the top half of the spear)
1 1/2 tablespoons Olive oil
1/4 cup Romano cheese, fresh grated
1/4 cup Pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
1 Fresh lemon

Preparation
Turn on the broiler to high heat. Arrange asparagus on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil on both sides of the asparagus. Add the cheese and pine nuts. Broil for 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Add pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Nutrient Information
64 Calories
5 g Total Fat
1 g Saturated Fat
1 g Polyunsaturated Fat
2 g Carbohydrates
2 g Protein
20 RE Vitamin A
6 mg Vitamin C
34 mg Calcium
31 mg Sodium
1 mg Iron
1 g Fiber

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:54 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, May 25, 2007 10 Ways To Get Your Water

You know you should be drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, but did you know you can get some of those recommended 8 to 12 (8-ounce) glasses per day from foods and beverages?

Certain foods have a high water content that can contribute to your daily fluid requirement. To boot, they are low in calories, so they’ll help fill you up on less. Try these alternatives:

1. Jazz up a plain glass of water by adding a spritz of lemon or lime or a splash of fruit juice.

2. A whopping 90 percent of your morning orange juice or milk counts toward your daily fluid allowance. A glass of milk will also provide 1/3 of your daily calcium requirement and orange juice offers 100 percent of your daily vitamin C.

3. Foods that melt at room temperature, such as gelatin or ice cream, contain a fair share of water. A 3-ounce cup of JELL-O will provide 1/2 cup of water, while 1 cup of frozen yogurt or a 2-ounce ice pop will give you 1/3 cup of water.

4. A serving of soup provides 3/4 cup of fluid. But be sure to choose low-salt varieties (look for those with five percent or less sodium per serving). Or make your own soups using fresh veggies and broth.

5. Believe it or not, 70 percent of that 11-ounce smoothie counts toward your fluid allowance (1 cup). Watch out for ready-made versions, which can be jammed with unwanted calories. Make your own, using fat-free milk and your favorite fruit for a refreshing, nutritious and low-calorie drink.

6. Most fruits and vegetables are 80 percent water, so they can contribute 3 to 4 cups toward your fluid intake. Meet both your daily fluid requirement and your fruit and veggie recommendation of five a day. Here are some higher water-containing fruits and vegetables (over 90 percent water).

Watermelon (1/16th wedge) = 1 1/3 cups water
Strawberry halves (1 cup) = 3/4 cup water
Apple or apricot, or 1 1/2 cups grapes = 1/2 cup water
Squash (1 cup cooked) = 3/4 cup water
Broccoli or cauliflower (1 serving) = 2/3 cup water
Cabbage (1 cup shredded) = 1/2 cup water
Cucumbers, radishes or celery (1 cup sliced) = 1/2 cup water
Carrots (1 cup) = 2/3 cup water
Lettuce, shredded (1 cup) = 1/3 cup water
Green peppers (1 cup sliced) = 1/3 cup water

7. One cup of cooked pasta and rice will provide 2/3 cup of fluid and 1/2 cup of fluid, respectively. If you have additional vegetables then you can double your intake of fluid.

8. A portion of gravy counts as almost 90 percent fluid.

9. Avoid caffeinated beverages, such as tea, coffee and soft drinks as well as alcohol, they can actually rob your body of water. Only 2/3 of a caffeinated drink counts toward your daily water intake (just 8 ounces of that 12-ounce diet soda).

10. Steer clear of foods with low water content, such as dried meat and fruit, chocolate, cookies and cakes. For example, a small amount of raisins (1.5 ounces) has the same calories as 1 1/2 cups grapes, but negligible water content.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 10:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

TOMATO SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

4 cups fresh tomatoes
2 bunches of green onions with tops
1/2 tbls. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. of pepper (freshly ground)
1 cup fresh basil (chopped)
1 yellow pepper

1. Chop tomatoes in small cubes, finely slice the green onion and toss with the chopped basil.

2. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt & pepper. Pour over the salad mixture, let stand at room temperature for two hours or so, marinating.

3. Cut the yellow pepper in half, removing all seeds and pulp. Fill with the salad mixture. Put left over mixture in a small bowl in the center of serving plate with pepper halves on either side.

Yield: 6 Servings: Per serving (including the marinade) Calories 54, Fat 1.6 gr., Cholesterol 0 mgs., Sodium 194 mgs., Carbohydrate 11 gr., Dietary Fiber 2.5 gr. Sugar 7.3 gr. Protein 1.7 gr.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:54 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, May 24, 2007 7 Must Have Munchies

Before you grab your car keys and head to your local fast food restaurant, simply open your pantry and get a healthy snack that is good for your diet! You don’t have to kill your diet by wanting some munchies. A common dieting fear is that you will find yourself hungry all the time. Don’t worry, snacking is OK if it is healthy and eaten in moderation.

Heading to the fridge for some food? Here is what you should keep in stock to maintain your diet and snack healthy:

1. Hummus
This lovable Mediterranean spread tastes great on whole-wheat pita chips or even on sandwiches. Plus hummus contains no saturated fat, no cholesterol or sugars and is high in protein and fiber. Hummus is an easy way to add some more flavor to vegetables, too. Carrots, celery, cucumbers and broccoli are great to dip with hummus. Not only will you provide protein and fiber from the hummus, but also vitamins and minerals and fiber from the vegetables.

2. Berries
Full of anti-oxidants and immune-boosting vitamins and minerals, who can go wrong with some berries? Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are great for you and are a healthy snack! Put some berries in a blender with some skim milk and ice and have a delicious and low-fat smoothie! Almost all berries are super foods, they are full of fiber great for heart health and weight control.

3. Low-Fat Yogurt
Yogurt can be a creamy delicious treat, and it is also good for your diet. Studies have shown that the live bacteria in yogurt can aid digestion and protect you against other harmful bacteria. Low-fat yogurt for snack at the office or in the middle of the day is a good way to get the calcium you need for strong bones while keeping the calories you consume at a minimum.

4. Low-Fat String Cheese
Low in fat and high in calcium, this snack is sure to curb your cravings. Grab a pack and your ready to go. Right out of the fridge, it is a great, healthy snack for adults and children. The key with cheese is portion control, we often eat more than a serving. These are the perfect size.

5. Celery with Peanut Butter
Celery is low in calories and packed with vitamin C and several other active compounds that promote health. It has ingredients that may help lower cholesterol, and may be useful in cancer prevention. This is a great way to mix vegetables with protein. Make this veggie a savory snack by adding some peanut butter to the mix!

6. Low-Fat Sliced Turkey
A great way to add some protein into your diet. Low-fat, low-sodium sliced turkey is an easy way to get some protein in your diet and is low in fat and calories.

7. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a great way to get protein without having to eat a pound of chicken. Add it to a variety of snacks (along with some fruit or even atop some melba toast) and it will pack a powerful punch to your diet!

No longer do you have to snack in fear, these healthy snacks are great-tasting and great for your diet. Just remember the key is moderation, too much is, well, too much.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:49 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

There are plenty of healthy foods for you to eat while you are watching your weight, but none as important or as good for you than fish. Fish not only has the amino acids that your body needs, but it is low in carbs and calories. It gives you the recommended protein that your body craves, and there are so many versatile ways to make it! Here is a great recipe that will leave your mouth watering.

Fish Florentine
Serves 4

Ingredients

4 packed cups spinach, fresh, or 10 oz. frozen
1-1 1/2 lb. fish fillets (see tips below for suggestions)
1 lemon, scrubbed, sliced thinly
6-9 cloves garlic, peeled, sliced
4-6 tomatoes, cored and thickly sliced

Optional toppings:
Parmesan cheese, grated
Breadcrumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray inside of 3 1/2 or 4-quart cast iron Dutch oven and lid with olive oil.

Layer the bottom thickly with spinach leaves, or slices of frozen spinach. Add a blanket of fish and spray lightly with olive oil. Cover with a single layer of lemon slices and garlic. Lay down another thick layer of spinach. Fill to 7/8 full and arrange tomato slices on top. If desired, sprinkle lightly with Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs, but it is not necessary.

Cover and bake for 45-52 minutes, or until aroma wafts from the oven and fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with other half of lemon cut into wedges and, if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

TIPS:
Traditionally, this dish uses a flaky white fish such as a sole, cod or halibut, but it does wonders for a salmon fillet or even orange roughy.

Pack as much spinach as possible into the pot as it will cook down significantly. Don't be afraid to literally push down the leaves with the heel of your hand. Just be sure that the rim of the pot is clear (no leaves hanging over) and the lid sits cleanly on the base before it goes into the oven.

Nutrition per serving: calories 154, protein 28g, carb 12g, fat 2g, cholesterol 54mg, sodium 147 mg, Fiber 1.6g

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:41 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Teaching Your Kids To Be Fit

As parents, I think we can all agree that when it comes to encouraging kids to make healthy choices, well, it's not the easiest of tasks. So what's a parent to do?
It begins by creating healthy choices without being too obvious about it. After all, for many kids if you say the word healthy, they'll turn up their nose in disgust. It isn't uncommon for kids to push aside healthy options for the "fun" food, which is heavily promoted through television.

Children WILL choose to eat healthy food. It's just a process that takes time and creativity. There are plenty of good foods that your kids can learn to enjoy. It’s simply a matter of making gradual changes and allowing their palate to adjust to the changes. In other words, their palate is used to the high sodium and fat levels in food, therefore they will need to adjust to foods that don’t contain so much salt and fat. This process takes awhile.

A couple of changes that I made in the beginning for my son was something as basic as making a smoothie with yogurt and fruit versus a milkshake. I served baked tortilla chips and salsa instead of french fries and ketchup. And for a snack, they ate sliced apple with peanut butter instead of boxed snacks high in sugar, fat and calories. Eventually, they get used to it, trust me!

Keep in mind that the changes you make cannot be dramatic. In order for changes to stick, it must be a slow and steady process. In other words, don’t clean out all your cabinets and refrigerator in order to eliminate all of the junk food, your kids will flip out, not to mention fight you every step of the way. To change nutrition habits, it needs to be a "work in progress" but once you’re there, your children will be eating and feeling better, and so will you!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 11:36 AM :: 0 comments

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Going Bananas??

Bananas are a staple of almost everyone's kitchen. They are quick, easy to eat, they taste good, and most kids love them. But there is so much more to them! They are actually healthy for you and work well with your new eating plan. They can be fit into almost every breakfast in some way, and they are inexpensive to buy so you can buy many of them to eat for all sorts of reasons. Here are some facts about bananas:

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

A banana (with milk) constitutes almost a complete balanced diet with potassium, vitamins and fiber.

Bananas are famous for containing potassium, an essential electrolyte that helps improve carbohydrate metabolism by helping the muscles act efficiently.

Bananas are rich in folate that helps improve concentration and memory.

Bananas give you 17 percent of your daily value of vitamin C, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals (harmful waste products) in your body and helps produce collagen, the building block of the connective tissues such as tendons and cartilage that keep your knees strong.

The average American eats 25 pounds of bananas a year.

Now you have no excuse whatsoever to run out and get a large bunch of banans for your family!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 10:24 AM :: 0 comments

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3 Valuable Tips

Looking for some small but valuable changes to get you and your family into a healthier lifestyle? Here are some simple suggestions:

Get rid of the kitchen TV
Did you know the average American watches 170 minutes of TV a day and only gets in 19 minutes of exercise? Don't encourage eating and sitting. Lose the kitchen TV and you just might lose some unwanted weight!

Read food labels
Some nasty stuff can be hidden in foods that appear to be healthy. I remember when my son was little, and I bought these fruit snacks that said, "Real Fruit Juice!" What I didn't know is that it had every kind of chemical in it to achieve it's color and consistency. So make sure you know what's in the food you're feeding your kids.

Just say "no" to fried foods
I do not allow my family to order fries or onion rings when we're ordering out. I pretty much have taught them to focus more on the sandwich places versus the burger places. Sure, some sandwiches can be unhealthy, too, but the likelihood of ordering a turkey sandwich with reduced fat chips and finding the same sodium and fat content as you would in a burger and fries is not likely. Check out the nutritional guide in the link to the sidebar to find out what's in the fast food you're family is eating.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:30 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

Muffins are incredibly delicious, and incredibly high in fat and calories if you buy them at your local bakery or donut store. That is why you must try this fabulous recipe for a great muffin that your whole family will enjoy!

ORANGE POPPY SEED MUFFINS

1/2 cup honey, divided
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces and well chilled
1 1/4 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
2/3 cup mashed banana (1 large)
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup nonfat milk
1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 12 standard-size muffin-pan cups with cooking spray, coating muffin-pan top surface around cups as well.

In a small saucepan, bring 2 tablespoons of the honey, the orange juice and the lemon juice to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat; let glaze cool.

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissors fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in poppy seeds and rind.

Lightly beat together banana, remaining 6 tablespoons honey, egg whites, milk and orange extract in small bowl. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until evenly moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups, dividing equally.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan to wire rack. Brush tops with the orange glaze. Serve warm. Yields 12 muffins.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:02 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Take Time For Yourself

Ever feel as though all your responsibilities are literally weighing you down? Caring for kids, helping out aging parents, meeting demands at work, and the list goes on. When so many people and activities vie for your time and energy, it's easy to keep pushing your own needs farther down your list of priorities. You chuck your good intentions to exercise more, plan healthier meals or attend the next Weight Watchers Meeting, and the less attention you give yourself, the more the pounds add up.

The solution's easier said than done, but worth the effort. Adopt a "me first" attitude. You'll have a better outlook, more energy and greater stamina when you invest in yourself, and the improvements in how you feel and function will benefit those who rely on you. Try these self-care strategies and activities:

Accept that spending time on you does not deprive others - Taking half an hour or an hour for yourself won't really hurt someone or something else so do it, and do it as often as you can.

Plan a personal pause - Take some time to reconnect with who you are and what you value. Try yoga or meditation, take a walk or listen to music, pick up an old interest or hobby.

Take a cooking class - Don't limit yourself to Low-Fat Cooking 101, go ahead and delve into ethnic cuisine if that's more appealing. Preparing your own meals keeps you away from high-fat restaurant food and allows you to choose healthier ingredients.

Make every step count - If you burn time running errands for others, make sure you burn calories too. Park in the farthest space, take the stairs instead of the elevator, hoof it between stops whenever possible. If you're deskbound, pace back and forth while you're on the phone or meet colleagues for walks instead of lunch or drinks. Hook on a pedometer, and you'll soon see what a difference those seemingly small steps make.

Start a food diary - Take time to note each bite you take, and you'll likely think twice before you gobble up leftovers or mindlessly polish off a bag of chips. If it's too much hassle to make notes all day, every day, just do it for a day or two each week, or focusing on the most troublesome time of your day — after work, while watching TV or whenever you tend to overeat.

Sign on for a walkathon - Lots of women band together to train for an endurance event for a charitable organization. They find themselves doing something they never thought they could, and they help themselves and others at the same time, so why don't you grab a group of your friends and sign up for one yourself!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:05 AM :: 0 comments

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Marinades

Marinades are an excellent way to add flavor but not calories to a meal. You can take something so simple as a piece of fish or beef and make it a whole new eating experience, just by trying some of the marinades below. You can cook them in your kitchen or on the grill on a balmy summer night when turning on the over just isn't an option.

Winning Combinations
Marinades are composed of three parts: an acidic liquid, oil (to help coat and keep things moist) and seasonings. The details are up to you: Pick a liquid—citrus or tropical fruit juice, tomato juice, soy sauce, vinegar, wine, buttermilk, yogurt—and use about 3/4 cup for 2 pounds of meat (but don't sweat the proportions—you can't ruin anything). Next, whisk in 2 teaspoons of oil. Finally, build flavor with herbs, spices, onions or garlic.

This is a great opportunity to use some of those dried spices on your spice rack, but remember that simple is often best. Choose one predominant flavor you want the food to taste like, such as lemon, soy sauce or jalapeños, and pair it with others that will complement, not compete with, it.

Think globally.
Need a few suggestions to get you going? When the Caribbean beckons, go for steak in mango nectar. Swordfish or tuna say Sicily: Try crushed tomatoes and black olives. Lamb kebobs, a Middle Eastern staple, call for plain yogurt with mint and cumin. Your trip to the French countryside is the spark for bathing chicken in a lemon-tarragon concoction.

Here are three marinade examples:

Pineapple-Ginger
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp molasses
1" piece ginger, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp roasted peanut oil

Honey-Mustard
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Chipotle-Lime
3/4 cup lime juice
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded, chopped plus 2 tsp adobo sauce
3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp chopped red onion
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

How to Marinate
Put meat in a freezer bag or other airtight container and whisk marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Add marinade to meat. Seal the bag or container, pressing out all the air, and place on a plate on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator; turn occasionally. For even more flavor, bring marinade to a boil after removing meat, then use as a basting or dipping sauce. (Never re-use a meat marinade for any purpose without boiling first.)

Marinating Times
Seafood: 15 minutes to 1 hour
Chicken: 1 to 6 hours
Beef, lamb and pork: 4 to 24 hours
Vegetables, cheese and tofu: 30 minutes

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:13 AM :: 0 comments

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Organic Foods

Even with all the foods out there to choose from to add to your "eating healthy lifestyle" you can certainly add oganic to it as well. However, organic foods often have a pretty large price tag attached to it. This is where it really does pay to know what you are getting, and if it is worth the extra money you spend.

First you should know what organic means. To be labeled "organic" foods must meet the following conditions:

• Produce must be grown without man-made pesticides, fertilizers, sewage sludge or irradiation.
• Produce cannot be grown from seeds that have been genetically modified.
• Animals that are raised organically, including milking cows and egg-laying chickens, must eat organic feed, must not receive antibiotics and must have access to the out-of-doors.
• Grains must be grown without use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers and without artificial preservatives, irradiation or genetic engineering.
• Processed/packaged foods labeled "100% organic" must contain all organically produced ingredients, including no artificial sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, or trans fats.
• Processed/packaged foods labeled "organic" must contain at lease 95 percent organic ingredients; remaining ingredients are approved for use in organic products.
• Processed/packaged foods labeled "made with organic ingredients" must contain 70 percent organic ingredients.

While the USDA makes no claims that organic foods are safer, more nutritious or better in any way than conventional foods, some differences do exist. Studies show that some organic foods are higher in antioxidants than their conventional counterparts.

For example, USDA researchers found that the three brands of organic ketchup they tested had 55 percent more of the antioxidant lycopene than the non-organic brands they bought. One had double the amounts. At the University of Washington, ongoing studies show that organic strawberries have more vitamin C and antioxidants—and are sweeter—than conventional.

Another benefit of eating a diet of organic foods is that it may result in lower amounts of pesticides in your body. According to a University of Washington study, when a group of school kids switched to a diet of organically grown foods, the amount of pesticide residues in their urine dropped to undetectable levels. Then they went back on their regular diets.

If you choose to buy organic, you'll want to know how to get the most for your grocery dollar.

It will pay most to buy organic if you choose:

Foods that, when produced conventionally, contain a lot of pesticides.

Foods that you eat most frequently or in great quantities.

Foods eaten by pregnant women and children under age three.

It doesn't pay to buy organic when:

You're buying foods already low in pesticides.

It's a food you don't eat often.

You know where the food comes from and how it's grown.

You're buying fish.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:30 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

The mouthwatering combination of crab meat and avocado is shown in this quick-and-easy recipe. Whether it is for a summer treat, or anytime of the year this protein-packed meal is so good, and so good for you!

Crab Salad-Stuffed Avocado

5 oz. crab meat, canned
1 green onion
1 large celery stalk
1/4 cup whole-milk yogurt
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 whole avocado

1. Drain crab meat and set aside.

2. Rinse and finely chop green onion and celery rib.

3. Whisk lemon juice into yogurt to make dressing.

4. Mix crabmeat with chopped vegetables and yogurt dressing in a bowl. Spoon into pitted avocado and serve.

Makes 1 serving. Nutritional values per serving: 350 calories, 19g fat (4g sat), 34g protein, 13g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, 135mg cholesterol and 550mg sodium.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:47 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, May 21, 2007 E.V.O.O.

If you watch Rachel Ray at all, then you already know what I'm talking about - Extra Virgin Olive Oil of course!!

Olive oil is perfect for just about everything, even making omelets in the morning. Anything that usually gets cooked in butter, you can use olive oil for. Olive oil has significant health benefits. It’s been shown to lower total blood cholesterol levels without lowering HDL (good cholesterol) levels, and it may even raise them. It’s a good source of carotenoids and antioxidants as well, including vitamin E, an elusive antioxidant that appears to help prevent heart disease.

Shopping for a bottle of olive oil these days is a little like shopping for wine. There are many varieties and estate-produced bottles, and the prices can range from a few dollars to upwards of $20. Typically, the more you pay, the purer the flavor, but there are some relatively inexpensive olive oils available in supermarkets. They are high quality and great tasting.

The one to use most often is extra-virgin, which means that the oil has been cold pressed without chemicals. It’s the fruitiest of the oils and adds wonderful flavor to food. In fact, the flavor is so intense that a little dab will do enough. Using a small amount will help you keep your calorie intake down.

Keep a light olive oil around as well, which is good for dishes where you want other flavors to really come through. Light olive oil, for instance, works well in an Asian stir-fry, because it doesn’t overpower, or mix badly with, flavors like sesame, ginger and rice wine vinegar. In an Indian dish, light olive oil can be substituted for the staple "ghee", which is really clarified butter, without obscuring the cumin and curry flavorings. It's healthier and with Indian food becoming so popular you will be the hit of any party or get together.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:49 AM :: 0 comments

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9 Tips From Personal Trainers

Everyone wishes that they had a personal trainer when they begin to exercise. Where do you begin? What do you need to do to have the best workouts you can? A personal trainer may not be affordable to most, but just by incorporating these trainer hints and tips, can make it feel like you have one. Here they are:

1. Buddy up. One of the best benefits of having a personal trainer is having someone to hold you accountable for your exercise. A trainer is paid to do this for you, but the easy and free solution is within your own circle of friends. Ask a reliable friend to be your workout partner and just the knowledge that they are depending on you to work out will increase your odds of staying on track with your exercise.

2. Shorter workouts can be as effective as longer ones. Sure, everyone would like to be able to workout for 45 minutes of uninterrupted time, but let's be realistic. With today's busy schedules and demanding jobs, finding time to exercise can be a struggle. The good news is that you don't need a huge block of time to see results. Studies have shown that workouts as short as 10 to 15 minutes can strengthen the body and improve your health. Fit several brief workouts in your day and you not only increase your metabolism, but you also reach the ideal activity level of 45 minutes to one hour. Don't let yourself be discouraged by a lack of time, just do the best with what you've got.

3. Gym membership isn't required. It's too easy to use lack of a gym membership as an excuse for not getting it done. The fact is, bodyweight workouts are just as effective, if not more, than conventional gym equipment. It reduces the risk of injury, and everybody has their own bodyweight to work with.

4. Add variety to see results. The fastest way to see changes in your body is to keep surprising it. Changing up your routine every few days prevents your body from becoming conditioned to the same exercise day after day and requires it to call on different muscles for different activities. This means more muscles are worked over the course of just a few days, so you see the effects on your body in much less time than usual. An excellent method of adding variety is to incorporate weight lifting into your cardio routine. This requires the body to respond to challenges to balance. It speeds up your results as well.

5. Intensify for more strength. Most trainers recommend increasing the intensity of your workout to see improvement in your strength and aerobic capability. Too often people become comfortable with their level of exertion and aren't working as hard. Boosting the intensity keeps the body challenged and working harder. Taking deep, wide steps during aerobics and squeezing the buttock and thigh muscles challenge the body to a higher level of exertion and produce some amazing changes in just a few workouts. Those of you who weight train should try adding 3-5 pounds to your current weight and see the difference in toning and strength after a few sessions.

6. Know your excuses and head them off. People make all kinds of excuses to get out of a session or to avoid a certain exercise. When you are your own personal trainer, it can be difficult to discipline yourself to your exercise schedule unless you give yourself an advantage. Sit and write down all the excuses you would use to avoid exercising or eating better. Once you've done that, go back and counter all your excuses. If you wrote down lack of time as an excuse, oppose it with suggestions for short, frequent workouts rather than one long session. If you wrote down sugar cravings in the evenings, be prepared for those by having a pre-determined meal plan. If you can anticipate your own excuses and know how to respond to them, you've won half the battle.

7. Make it fun! Perhaps the most common complaint about exercise is that it becomes boring too quickly. Personal trainers help you get through boredom by changing your routine or offering you new choices for activities. Help yourself break out of the boredom by choosing activities that appeal to you. Instead of spending 30 minutes inside on the treadmill, go for a hike on a local nature path. Rather than doing your aerobics video for the millionth time, go outside with your kids and jump on the trampoline for a while. The goal is to choose an activity that you enjoy and that requires physical activity.

8. Schedule and commit. Signing up for a personal trainer is a commitment of your time, money and energy, and perhaps because of that commitment people with personal trainers tend to stick with the program and get results. Apply that same sense of obligation to your personal at-home exercise program and you'll increase your chances of having a consistent workout plan. Schedule your workouts just like any other appointment and write it on your calendar or your schedule planner. Knowing that you have set aside time for exercise can help you follow through and stick to a successful program.

9. Reward yourself. Set checkpoints throughout your exercise program to assess your progress. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle or simply improve your health, take the time to check up on your improvement and then reward yourself for all the hard work.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe Of The Day

This is yet another pefect summer recipe! Everyone loves their fried chicken during the summertime, but chances are if you are on a diet you will never be able to eat it...until now! Here is a variation on fried chicken that is tasty, unique, and delicious!

Ranch Crispy Chicken

Serves 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Calories: 149.72
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 1.56 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 6.14 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 27.78 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 (1 ounce) packages ranch dressing mix
0.25 cup dry bread crumbs

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Combine dressing mix and bread crumbs in a plastic bag. Add chicken and shake until coated.
3. Place coated chicken pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Serve with rice or potatoes, if desired.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:27 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, May 18, 2007 Wake Up To Walking

You go to sleep with good intentions, ready to leap out of bed to take your morning walk as soon as the sun comes up. When that alarm goes off however, you hit the snooze button, begging for just a few more minutes. Next thing you know, your walk time was eaten away by sleep time.

To gently ease yourself into gear, do a mini-stretch routine right in bed. It loosens your muscles and gets your blood flowing before you even put your slippers on. It gives you a few more minutes in bed, yet wakes you up, and it only takes about 5 minutes. These moves will have you feeling refreshed and ready for your morning stroll.

Knee to Chest

Lying on your back with your legs straight, lift your right leg, and grasp it behind your thigh with both hands. Gently pull your knee toward your chest until you feel a slight stretch in the back of your thigh. Hold in this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Then without letting go of your leg, lift your head, and bring your forehead toward your knee. Hold for another 5 to 10 seconds, then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with your left leg. Do three times for each leg.

Knee Hug

Bring both knees in toward your chest, wrapping your arms behind your thighs. Hold in this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Then without letting go of your legs, lift your head, and bring your forehead toward your knees. Hold for another 5 to 10 seconds, then slowly release. Do three times.

Spine Twist

Lie on your back with your knees bent, your feet flat on the bed, and your arms out to your sides. Slowly lower your knees to the left while looking to your right. Go only as far as comfortable, and keep your shoulders down on the bed and your upper body relaxed. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat to the right. Do three stretches to each side.

Cat Stretch

Kneel on all fours. (If your bed is really soft, you may prefer doing this one on the floor.) Pulling your belly toward your spine, drop your head, and round your back. Hold for three deep breaths. Slowly release, dropping your belly toward the floor, arching your back, and looking up toward the ceiling. Hold in this position for three deep breaths, then return to the starting position. Do three times.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:41 AM :: 0 comments

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What To Eat To Beat Stress

A stressful day could send anyone on the hunt for chocolate, but if you regularly reach for ice cream, cookies, or cake when you're upset or tense, it may have nothing to do with a lack of willpower.

For you, carbohydrates may stimulate an especially powerful release of pleasure-producing hormones in your body. Like a nicotine addiction, such a compulsion is tough to break, but it is not impossible. Surprisingly, food can help you do it.

Sweet but nutritious complex carbohydrates such as the foods listed below have the same calming effect.However, they're less harmful to your waistline, because they have fewer calories than the candy bars or other calorie-rich foods you might normally seek.

You'll also be less likely to overeat throughout the rest of the day if you treat your choice like a meal instead of a mindless snack. Find a place away from your office or away from whoever is upsetting you. Then sit down, and slowly enjoy your food.

Here are just some of the foods you can eat when you have had an emotional day but you don't want to ruin your diet:

Tomato soup
Oatmeal
Whole wheat toast with jam
Multigrain waffle with light syrup
Fresh fruit
Sweet potato, or baked potato with light sour cream and chives
Lightly sweetened whole grain cereals such as Multi-Grain Cheerios

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:48 AM :: 0 comments

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Tips For Effective Dieting

Almost all people wish to become healthy and be in good shape. For a lot of people being healthy first implies weight loss. However, successful dieting can bring added bonuses above and beyond weight loss.

With the proper diet you can indeed drop weight, experience more energy and strength, avoid poor health, look better, and even live longer. Isn't that what we all want?

The following are several easy, practical keys to encourage your success in dieting:

Find and read Diet Reviews and Information

Devote some time to research which approaches to dieting whether familiar or fashionable, genuinely work. With a small amount of focus, you will be able to discover a diet strategy that is perfectly suitable for you. Accessing details about dieting has never been easier because of the pervasiveness of the web. You can certainly go through the archives on this site to get a huge amount of information!

Get Going with Your Diet Strategy

Once you've picked the diet you will try, don't procrastinate. Put down the day you will start on the calendar and then begin your diet when that day comes around.

The first couple of weeks will be the biggest challenge and the most important. Afterwards, the regiment you have developed plus, the resulting sense of achievement you’ll experience will propel you toward reaching your goals.

Get Motivated

The web is full of success stories of ordinary people, just like you, reaching their objectives of shedding weight and increasing in health. These stories can fuel your sense of confidence and self discipline.

Gather Diet Resources

Becoming bored with dieting is a guaranteed way to blow it. Be diligent to look through the web to find delectable recipes and meal plans to keep it interesting. Create your meals with variety, delicious tastes and a portion of excitement.

Seek Out Those who can Support You

It’s important to come together with others in your diet adventure and join with individuals who are also dieting. Join other dieters for support, encouragement and discussion. If you want to, this also can be done on the internet with plenty of diet groups, forums and chat rooms.

Take Your First Step

Eat one meal that are less calories than you normally eat. Walk on that treadmill. Once you have done it even just one time, you have taken your first step!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:33 AM ::