HoodiaPharm HungerAway
Monday, December 31, 2007 Fresh Versus Frozen

Americans typically eat only one-third of the recommended daily intake (three servings instead of nine) of fruits and vegetables, so if you’re in a bind, a vegetable in any form is better than no vegetable at all.

And as winter approaches, fresh produce is limited—or expensive—in much of the country, which forces many of us to turn to canned or frozen options. While canned vegetables tend to lose a lot of nutrients during the preservation process (notable exceptions include tomatoes and pumpkin), frozen vegetables may be even more healthful than some of the fresh produce sold in supermarkets. Why? Fruits and vegetables chosen for freezing tend to be processed at their peak ripeness, a time when—as a general rule—they are most nutrient-packed.

While the first step of freezing vegetables—blanching them in hot water or steam to kill bacteria and arrest the action of food-degrading enzymes—causes some water-soluble nutrients like vitamin C and the B vitamins to break down or leach out, the subsequent flash-freeze locks the vegetables in a relatively nutrient-rich state.

On the other hand, fruits and vegetables destined to be shipped to the fresh-produce aisles around the country typically are picked before they are ripe, which gives them less time to develop a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Outward signs of ripening may still occur, but these vegetables will never have the same nutritive value as if they had been allowed to fully ripen on the vine. In addition, during the long haul from farm to fork, fresh fruits and vegetables are exposed to lots of heat and light, which degrade some nutrients, especially delicate vitamins like C and the B vitamin thiamin.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 10:48 AM :: 0 comments

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New Commitments For A New Year

You probably know that hundreds of different fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. But the foundation of every successful weight-loss program still remains a healthy diet combined with exercise. You must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits to lose significant weight and keep it off.

How do you make those permanent changes? Follow these six strategies.

1. Make a commitment

Permanent weight loss takes time and effort. It requires focus and a lifelong commitment. Make sure that you're ready to make permanent changes and that you do so for the right reasons.

2. Get emotional support

Only you can help yourself lose weight by taking responsibility for your own behavior. But that doesn't mean that you have to do everything alone. Seek support when needed from your partner, family and friends.

3. Set a realistic goal

When you're considering what to expect from your new eating and exercise plan, be realistic. Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. To do this, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day through a low-calorie diet and regular exercise. Losing weight more rapidly means losing water weight or muscle tissue, rather than fat.

4. Enjoy healthier foods

Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake. But decreasing calories need not mean giving up taste, satisfaction or even ease of meal preparation. One way you can lower your calorie intake is by eating more plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without giving up taste or nutrition. Cutting back on calories is easier if you focus on limiting fat.

5. Get active, stay active

Dieting alone can help you lose weight. Cutting 250 calories from your daily diet can help you lose about half a pound a week: 3,500 calories equals 1 pound of fat. But add a 30-minute brisk walk four days a week, and you can double your rate of weight loss.

6. Change your lifestyle

It's not enough to eat healthy foods and exercise for only a few weeks or even several months. You have to include these behaviors into your life. To do that, you have to change the behaviors that helped make you overweight in the first place. Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 10:00 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Savory Breakfast Muffins

If you're tired of sweet breakfast muffins or just looking for a savory breakfast, try these. You'll love the smoky flavor from the Canadian bacon and the fresh-tasting combination of red bell pepper and scallions.

Total Time:45 min

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

1 serving: Calories 217; Carbohydrates 24g; Cholesterol 50mg; Dietary Fiber 3g; Fat 9g (Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 3g); Sodium 339mg

INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 each eggs
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup thinly sliced scallions
3/4 cup diced Canadian bacon
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400° F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper and salt in a large bowl.
Whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil and butter in a medium bowl. Fold in scallions, bacon, cheese and bell pepper. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan (the cups will be very full).
Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:32 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Savory Breakfast Muffins

If you're tired of sweet breakfast muffins or just looking for a savory breakfast, try these. You'll love the smoky flavor from the Canadian bacon and the fresh-tasting combination of red bell pepper and scallions.

Total Time:45 min

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

1 serving: Calories 217; Carbohydrates 24g; Cholesterol 50mg; Dietary Fiber 3g; Fat 9g (Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 3g); Sodium 339mg

INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 each eggs
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup thinly sliced scallions
3/4 cup diced Canadian bacon
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400° F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper and salt in a large bowl.
Whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil and butter in a medium bowl. Fold in scallions, bacon, cheese and bell pepper. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan (the cups will be very full).
Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:32 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, December 28, 2007 Curb The Fast Food in Children

According to reports all over the medical world, kids who eat fast food end up consuming more calories throughout the day than kids who do not eat fast food. Studies also found that more than half of the daily calorie consumption of fast-food eaters came from just one fast-food meal.

The bottom line is that overindulgence of fast food is hazardous to our children's health. It is recommended that you have plenty of healthy foods available for your kids. Try to keep fresh fruit and veggies chopped up in the fridge ready to eat. The more available you make healthy food, the more likely your children are to eat it. It’s all about planning and preparation.

For many kids and families, getting away from fast food is tough because it is so convenient. Soup and sandwiches can be healthy alternatives. But if you don’t have time and MUST opt for fast food, skip the fries and ask for extra lettuce and tomato. Many fast food restaurants also offer the option of exchanging the fries for a salad, fruit, or yogurt. The better choices your kids can make now, the better their health will be later.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:49 AM :: 0 comments

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Foods To Help With a Cold or Flu

Winter doesn't have to mean the misery of colds, flu and other viral infections if you feed your body what it needs to fight them off. A rundown body that is out of balance internally and externally provides an inviting environment for viruses to come in and stay for a while. Even though it's difficult to live in a society and not come into contact with the multitude of germs that are literally everywhere during the winter months, you can reduce your own susceptibility and strengthen your immune system by simply choosing the right foods to put on your plate.

Eat leafy greens every day. Kale, spinach, seaweed and algae are excellent sources of vitamin D, the immunity-booster we usually get from sunshine in the summertime. Along with contributing to a stronger defense against coughing colleagues, recent studies indicate that higher vitamin D levels can help protect against ailments as diverse as osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.

Include kiwis, grapefruit or orange juice in your daily routine. All are great sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant we’ve known for decades to be powerful in fighting colds and flu. It’s also found in cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes, cayenne pepper and broccoli.

Snack on almonds and sunflower seeds. They not only supply vitamin E, an antioxidant that fights off free radicals and keeps skin soft and young-looking, but also are a great source of essential fatty acids to keep body systems running smoothly.

Enjoy your garlic! The stinky bulb was once worn in a garland to ward off disease, a superstition that actually has scientific basis as eating garlic can provide a variety of health benefits, including a boost to the immune system that can help ward off nasty bugs. Besides, eating garlic usually ensures that people keep a bit of distance - always a desirable action for avoiding contagion with a flu virus.

Spike it with ginger. Ginger, long used as a folk remedy, can open nasal passages, soothe nausea and help the immune system work.

Finally, don‘t overlook the power of complex carbohydrates from whole grains, sweet potatoes and beans. Our bodies need complex carbs for energy, and when not enough are present the body begins cannibalizing body tissues for the power needed to function. This creates a deficit somewhere else in the body, weakening the defenses along the line and opening a toehold for invading germs.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Foods To Get Rid of in 2008!

Convenience foods are fast food. They are processed foods that are often used for a quick meal at home or on the go. Many of these foods contain high amounts of trans fat, so be careful.

Trans fat, also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, is commonly found in convenience food. It is manufactured by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil. Hydrogenated vegetable oil is the cooking oil used to fry foods. Hydrogenated oil costs less and has a longer shelf life.

Trans fat, like saturated fat and cholesterol, raises the LDL (bad) cholesterol that increases your risk for heart disease. Trans fat lowers the HDL (good) cholesterol that helps to decrease your risk for heart disease. It’s been estimated trans fat prematurely kills 30,000 to 75,000 Americans a year.

The American Heart Association guidelines advise people to limit trans fat to 1 percent of their daily calories. This equates to about 2 grams for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Americans typically eat about 5.8 grams of trans fats per day, nearly three times the recommended guideline. That's 4.7 pounds of trans fat per year!

As you will see from the Trans Fat Bad List, many of our everyday convenience foods contain trans fats. Remember to read the ingredient listing of these foods - even if the label reads, “zero trans fat” or “no trans fat.” Technically food manufacturers can claim there is no trans fat in a product if the amount per serving is less than 0.5 grams. These relatively small amounts of trans fats can add up in the body.

Remember, creating a healthy lifestyle is all about balance and moderation.

Trans Fat Foods to Avoid:

Breads and Bread Products
Biscuits made from mix
Biscuits/rolls made from refrigerated dough
Coating mixes for fish, meat and poultry
Stuffing mixes
Taco shells
White and wheat flour breads

Breakfast Foods
Cinnamon buns
Danishes
Doughnuts
Muffins
Pastries/bakery items with frosting
Toaster tarts/strudels

Candy
Caramels
Chocolates
Fruit chews
Seasonal candy
Taffy-like candy

Desserts
Cake sprinkles, decorations
Baking chips
Cakes and cake mixes
Cakes/cupcakes with icing
Ice cream cakes
Pie crusts
Pound cake
Ready-to-spread frosting
Refrigerated cookie dough

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:24 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Quick Chicken 'n Veggies

For those nights when you know your busy schedule will practically demand a drive-thru meal, consider taking five minutes in the morning to get dinner ready using your crockpot. This easy recipe will make you wish you plugged it in sooner, and will have the family begging for more.

Ingredients

4 skinless chicken thighs
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 onion -- chopped
1 turnip -- cut in 1/2-inch slices
1 carrot -- cut in 1/2-inch slices
1/2 tsp. tarragon
2/3 can chicken broth
1/3 cup white wine -- optional
1 1/3 Tbsp. butter
1 1/3 Tbsp. flour
2/3 cup half and half

Directions

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until browned, about three minutes. Remove from skillet; salt and pepper to your taste.

Reduce heat, add the onion to the skillet and cook for two minutes. Add remaining veggies and tarragon, tossing well to mix, but don't cook. Place vegetables in the crockpot, then layer chicken on top. Pour in the chicken broth and wine.

Cook on low for five to six hours or so. (Your time may vary -- it depends on the age, size and brand of crockpot. Check your manual for a similar recipe to approximate time). When chicken is cooked, remove chicken and veggies; keep warm.

In a saucepan, melt better over low heat. Add flour and whisk together till well blended (no lumps). Cook for a minute, but don't brown. Gradually add cooking liquid and bring to a boil; simmer for a minute. Add half and half and bring up to a low simmer; cook until thickened, about five minutes. To serve, pour the sauce over the vegetables and chicken.

Makes four servings. Nutritional values per serving: 254 calories (51.5 percent from fat), 14g fat, 17g protein, 12g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 82mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium and 10g net carbs.

Add mashed potatoes and a big salad.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:47 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, December 27, 2007 The Do's of Weight Loss

Do consume frequent, small meals throughout the day that are well-balanced.
Eating frequent, balanced meals can help you to avoid hunger and fatigue by keeping your blood sugar stable. If you go for long periods of time without food, you are more likely to end up binge eating. When you go without eating for more than a few hours, your body senses deprivation and shifts into starvation mode. The importance of frequent feedings is even more pronounced when you’re trying to lose weight.

Do boost your metabolism by doing the following things:
Drinking green tea. Green tea has caffeine and other compounds that can increase your body’s metabolism by up to 4 percent per day. You can either consume green tea in pill form or by brewing green tea leaves into a beverage. If you do consume green tea as a beverage, refrain from cream and sugar.

Do exercise beyond your comfort zone. When it comes to working out, nothing is more important than intensity. Since the human body strives to maintain stability, it is essential to push your muscles beyond what they are used to lifting.

Do Consume healthy omega-3 fats. These important fats are found in coldwater fish (salmon, tuna, trout), flaxseed and walnuts. You will slow down your metabolism if you avoid them.

Do Schedule the occasional cheat day to keep your metabolism stoked and your cravings in check. Believe it or not, scheduling cheat days for yourself is a great way to keep from feeling deprived.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:46 AM :: 0 comments

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Fun Ways To Burn Winter Calories

If you're letting winter be your excuse to hibernate on the couch, shake off the dust bunnies and get busy with these fun winter routines:

Ice skating: Yes, ice skating counts as exercise! And the best part is, as you glide across the ice, reliving your childhood (or grip on the railing, wondering why you've never tried it before) you'll burn about 425 calories per hour playing Peggy Flemming.

Skiing: Need an excuse to hit the slopes? How about that it's one of the most efficient calorie burners around? It's true. Cross country skiing burns approximately 510 calories per hour, and downhill skiing burns about 374. Feeling frisky? Grab a snowboard and burn 428 calories per hour perfecting your 180s.

Snowshoeing: If you haven't seen one in awhile you may not recognize today's snowshoe. They don't look like big tennis racquets anymore. And, while you treck through pristine mountain passes (or even your own neighborhood) you'll burn a cool 544 calories per hour doing it.

Shopping: As long as you're out hunting down good sales, you may as well count it as part of your weekly activity, right? In fact, shopping can burn 156 calories per hour. Make it really pay off with an occasional power walk circling the mall, shopping center, or main street boutiques.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:09 AM :: 0 comments

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Eat Your Greens!

Winter isn't the season usually associated with fresh greens, but the truth is there are many tasty greens in peak season during the colder months. Called "cool weather greens" they include Swiss chard, kale, collards, beet tops, kale, turnip and mustard greens, to name a few.

Not only are these greens some of the best fresh vegetables available right now, they're also packed with good-for-you nutrients like Vitamin A, C, calcium, iron, potassium, folic acid and fiber. Plus, as long as they aren't drenched in butter or oil, greens are low in calories, too at just 25 calories per cup!

Unlike salad greens, these are best enjoyed lightly steamed. First, wash away any grit by dunking them in clean, cold water, then draining. Next, put the greens into a frying pan along with a few tablespoons of water over medium high heat and cook until wilted (watch closely, it happens fast). Shake up the flavor with some minced garlic, a splash of lemon juice, or perhaps a drizzle of Oyster Sauce (available in the Asian section of most grocery markets) which tames the bitter bite winter greens can sometimes have.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:43 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

German Chocolate Bundt Cake

We bet you never thought you'd see a German Chocolate Cake you could indulge in and still lose weight, did you? Cake lovers, get your forks ready!

Ingredients

Streusel:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. chilled butter or stick margarine, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Cake:
Cooking spray
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 oz. sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup boiling water
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. butter or stick margarine
4 tsp. fat-free milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

To prepare streusel, lightly spoon 1/4 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup flour and brown sugar in a small bowl; cut in 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in coconut and pecans.

To prepare cake, coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Set aside. Combine cocoa and baking chocolate in a small bowl; add boiling water, stirring until chocolate melts. Set aside.

Combine 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1/3 cup butter at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about five minutes). Add vanilla and egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon 2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in cocoa mixture.

Spoon half of batter into prepared pan; top with streusel. Spoon remaining batter over streusel. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.

To prepare glaze; combine powdered sugar and butter in a small bowl. Add milk; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over cake.

Makes 16 servings (serving size: 1 wedge). Nutritional values per serving: 302 calories (29 percent from fat), 9.8g fat (5.3g sat, 3.2g mono and 0.8g poly), 3.8g protein, 58g carbohydrate, 0.7g fiber, 16mg cholesterol, 1.6mg iron, 224mg sodium and 58mg calcium.

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

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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 5 Tips To Good Exercise!

Are you the type to set your alarm in the morning when you plan on working out, but never quite make it? Or are you the one who packs a gym bag, but are so exhausted by the end of the day, you drive right by the gym on your way home?

Do these routines sound familiar? For many of us, we go through this for a few days then we just give up altogether. If we’re lucky, we were motivated enough to start a routine, but couldn’t keep going with it. How do you make sure you stick with it?

You have to make it simple. The first suggestion is not to start off going all out. Take small steps. Placing too much pressure on yourself can be overwhelming and become a reason for failure.

There is no magical solution to making sure you get your exercise in every day. Everyone’s schedule and lifestyle is different. But here are five keys to assuring your success.

1. Consistency is the key. As mentioned above, start out light. Commit to two workouts per week. It doesn’t seem as demanding so you won’t start making excuses not to go. Two days a week adds up in a year. Plus, if you start feeling stronger and healthier, you may want to go more often anyway.

2. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to perform all your exercises at once. Break it up throughout the day if you can’t find one lump sum of time to get everything in. Go for two 10 minute walks a day – one before or after work and one at lunch. That’s 20 minutes of exercise everyday that you didn’t really have to think about.

3. Set your alarm earlier than you usually would to get up and go workout. There’s no need to rush. Set your workout clothes next to your bed. When your alarm goes off and you wake up, get motivated by looking at your running shoes. Commit to three power walks a week.

4. Visualize what you want your body to look like. Don’t take more than a minute or two, but imagine how your hard work of committing to a fitness routine will turn out. Positive thinking can be an excellent motivator.

5. Hire a personal trainer. If you’re committing to a fitness routine when someone else (and money) is involved, you may think twice about making excuses not to go. Not only will you learn from the experience, but it will give you that push you needed. After you feel comfortable without a trainer, you’ve already established that routine of exercising so many times a week. And by then, you’ll be feeling too good to stop going.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:50 AM :: 0 comments

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Creating Your New Years Resolution

This New Year, as you toast to health and happiness, friends and family and hopes and dreams, what will you be looking forward to in 2008?

It's a funny thing about a new year... It's like you're getting a clean slate. 2007 has come and gone, and now 2008 holds the promise for a whole new beginning. January 1st is a time to start fresh, to be your best, to really set your mind to doing the things you want to do.

Do you want to fit in your favorite jeans again? Lose 10, 20 or 100 pounds? Maybe you want reduce stress, get a new job, learn more about wine or keep in touch with friends more. New Year's resolutions can be as big as changing to a whole new, healthier lifestyle to as small as simply getting rid of those pesky piles around the house.

Whatever you decide your New Year's resolutions will be, we look forward to your success. And from all of us at HungerAway, here's to a new you!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:24 AM :: 0 comments

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Three Ways To Boost Your Weight Loss

Three ways to lose an EXTRA pound of fat (at a minimum) each month!

By "extra," I mean aside from the fat you will already lose as a result of your daily exercise regimen. What I am talking about here is making a small change in your lifestyle to lose a ton (well, maybe not quite that much) of weight over the course of a few months.

So how do you do this? The question then is how can you easily put on extra miles? It really isn't very difficult at all. All you have to do is set a goal of walking an extra mile each day. Not all at once, but throughout the day. To do this, simply change your daily habits. Consider doing the following:

1. Park in the back of the parking lots whenever you go out. This simple little trick not only racks up the mileage with minimal extra effort on your behalf, but it also can save you a lot of potential headaches. If you notice, many of the people that park in the spaces close to the door are very selfish. They fight like cats for those spaces, and they will wait forever for someone to pull out of a close space. You've seen them. They will hold up traffic for several minutes waiting for the person to relinquish that cherished close space.

Meanwhile, there can be many free spaces in the back. No one wants those spaces because it means extra walking. Believe me, you can park in the next parking lot and still be in the building long before the person that circles around waiting for that close space. Also, the door dings tend to happen in the spaces close to the door. Is there a correlation here?

2. Take the stairs instead of the elevators. I know it is tempting to ride the vertical car, but just stay focused on your goal. Remember, you are looking to change your lifestyle. This means you must "waste" energy throughout the day. Taking the stairs is one way to do this in a big way! When you take the stairs you are using your largest muscles (your legs and back) and getting back dividends!

3. When you are working, take a break and walk around for just a few minutes. If you took four or five breaks during your work day and took a leisurely walk for just five minutes each time, you would have walked an extra mile!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:42 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Moroccan Tofu Salad

Rich spices and flavors characterize this exotic cuisine. Our Moroccan Tofu Salad gives you an excellent taste of Morocco while using many ingredients you may already have in your pantry.

This is a delightful meal to prepare and serve, and one fit for company!

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. dry couscous
2/3 cup water
1/2 bell pepper
2 green onions
1/2 cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans) canned, low-sodium, rinsed and drained
4 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1-1/2 medium fresh tomatoes
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. oregano
3/4 cup chopped or sliced cucumber
4 1/2 oz. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2/3 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions

1. For couscous, bring water to a boil over high heat; remove from heat, add couscous, stir and cover. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

2. Rinse and drain garbanzo beans, set aside.

3. Peel cucumber and chop tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and cucumber into bite-sized pieces and place in serving bowl.

4. Drain and cube tofu. Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Saute tofu a few minutes or until slightly golden. Combine couscous, tofu, beans and vegetables in a serving bowl.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning and oregano; pour over couscous mixture, combine. Serve.

Makes one serving. Nutritional values per serving: 491 calories, 0.0g fat (0.0g sat), 4g protein, 70g carbohydrate, 15g fiber, 0mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium and 19g sugar.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:20 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, December 24, 2007 The Love of a Good Pet

If you want to know the secret to a long and happy life, the answer may be waiting at your nearest pet store. Though owning a pet can be expensive, time-consuming and a great deal of responsibility, these animals provide many benefits to their human companions. There is even research to support what animal lovers have suspected all along: Pets are good for your health.

Studies have shown that pets can help reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, prevent loneliness and lead to an increased feeling of psychological well being.

Yes, pets can be time-consuming and expensive to keep, but think about what you get in return: love and devotion, more physical exercise, improved blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, less anxiety and depression, fewer visits to the doctor and more family fun.

Studies have shown that people sometimes feel more stress in the company of other humans than they do when accompanied by their dog. Another study of people with high blood pressure found that pets might even help in some areas where medicine does not. The study involved two groups of stockbrokers, who were already being treated for high blood pressure with ACE inhibitor medications. While the medications taken by these subjects are useful for lowering resting blood pressure, they are often not effective in controlling blood pressure increases related to stress. The group with pets had a considerably less severe physiological reaction to external stressors.

Animal lovers know in their hearts what science is just beginning to demonstrate - that animals have a remarkable ability to make us feel better simply by being there.
So what are you waiting for? If you want to improve your health and quality of life, head to the nearest animal shelter and fetch yourself a devoted companion.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:15 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Smooth, creamy and heady with garlic cooked slowly in milk, this cream sauce is enriched with cream cheese and thickened with cornstarch and Parmesan cheese. Toss with hot noodles and sprinkle more cheese and a bit of parsley over the top.

Serves 8

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Calories: 294.28
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 4.03 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 49.55 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 14.96 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

1.5 cups nonfat evaporated milk
10 cloves garlic
1 pound dry fettuccine pasta
0.5 cup nonfat milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons lowfat cream cheese
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Combine 1 1/2 cup evaporated milk and garlic cloves in a pan, heat and simmer until garlic is soft (about 15-20 minutes). Milk will reduce a little.
2. In a blender, puree milk and garlic mixture with cream cheese until smooth.
3. Return mixture to pan and add 1/2 cup nonfat milk and cornstarch. Heat to simmer. Sauce will thicken slightly. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
4. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Toss sauce with cooked pasta. Season with salt and pepper and serve with parsley sprinkled on top. Serve remaining Parmesan cheese separately.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:06 AM :: 0 comments

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Ways To Boost Your Metabolism

Ready to transform your sweet self into a lean, not-so-mean, fat-burning machine?

You may be surprised to find that don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle.
People make the mistake of thinking they have to make drastic changes to lose weight and get in shape, but the secret is to make small changes and incorporate them into their lives permanently.

Dropping your caloric intake below 1,000 calories a day on a consistent basis will signal your body that you are in starvation mode, and will slow down your metabolism. When the metabolism slows, we store food as fat and gain weight.

Calories do count, but it's also about how efficiently your body burns those calories. Your metabolism plays a big part in regulating your weight. Metabolism is the way your body uses up calories from the food you eat and turns them into energy. Metabolic rate is the speed at which you use up those calories. The goal is to get your metabolism into peak operating condition so you will burn the most calories all day long - even while you sleep.

If you follow these 3 tips to speed up your metabolism, you might never again find yourself facing the next bigger size of cute jeans at your favorite store.

Tip 1 - Determine your daily caloric needs: To rev up your fat-burning engine, don’t overload your system with too much food. Figure out how many calories you need to consume each day to lose weight and keep your metabolism humming. Caloric level is determined by taking into account your age, sex, height, weight, lean body mass and activity level. Here’s a quick formula to give you an idea of your magic number: Multiply your body weight by 11. For example, a 140-pound woman would need to consume 1,540 calories per day to lose weight. If you’re very active, you can multiply your weight by 12.

Tip 2 - Divvy up your meals: Kick-start your metabolism and curb your appetite by dividing your meals into five to six small, nutritious meals a day instead of three squares. Eat a 200-400 calorie mini-meal every three to four hours. Your body will expend more energy to digest the food and your metabolic rate will increase.

Tip 3 - Just move! Physical activity accounts for 20 to 40 percent of calories burned each day. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that a good goal for many people is to work up to exercising four to six times a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. If you can’t do that much, do what you can. Walk the dog, park the car at the far end of the lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator, clean the house, just do something.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:45 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, December 21, 2007 Tips To Changing Your Lifestyle

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. For example, if you look at the fruit snacks that they market to kids, they look very healthy. They even say "Real Fruit Juice!" What you don't know is that it has 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.

Do not allow your kids to order fries or onion rings when you order out. Have them 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 at www.hungeraway.com to find out what's in the fast food you're family is eating.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:08 AM :: 0 comments

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Getting Whole Grains Into Your Kids Diet

Getting kids to eat healthy foods can be a battle for many parents. Since the food pyramid was changed to include more whole grains, many moms and dads have tried to get more whole grains into their children's diets.

Many doctors believe that it is sometimes possible to "hide" whole grains in meals made for children - allowing parents to rest easy and kids to still enjoy the foods they love. Here are some following tips so you can try to see if you can get some whole grains into your child's diet:

For breakfast, if your children insist on their favorite "kid cereal," use 3/4 of a healthy whole-grain cereal and top it with your child’s favorite sweet cereal variety.

For variety, include low-sugar, hot, whole-grain cereals such as oatmeal.

Use multigrain pasta and find ways to include pasta in meals other than dinner. A cold pasta salad makes a great lunch. Throw a few handfuls of multigrain rotini into your next batch of chicken soup.

Add whole-grain cereal to dishes such as meatloaf and meatballs. It won’t alter the taste and kids can still enjoy these delicious meals

Use half whole-wheat flour/half white flour in cakes and baked goods. Talk about a sweet way for kids to get their whole grains; they’ll never notice the difference.

Save some whole-grain bread that is a few days old and make it into bread crumbs. You can add your favorite spices. They work just as well on chicken breasts, fish fillets or in meatballs.

Ease your kids into eating whole-grain bread. Serve them their next peanut butter and jelly sandwich using a slice each of whole grain and white or try a whole-grain-white variety.

Switch to whole-grain snacks such as popcorn, low-fat tortilla chips and whole-grain crackers.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:46 AM :: 0 comments

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Safety First When Exercising

Most people can and should exercise. However, there are individuals who should get their doctor's permission prior to beginning an exercise program. Anyone with an unstable medical condition will want to seek an exercise prescription from their doctor.

Injury may also require an individual to wait for the healing to be complete prior to beginning exercise. If you have cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease, you should begin your exercise in a medically supervised environment. Think about these factors the next time you exercise:

Start Slowly - Listen to your body and your doctor. For moderate endurance exercise, simply walk a little further each time you exercise and gradually increase the pace of your walks as the weeks pass. For strength exercise, lift a weight that you usually lift, but do it more times than normal.

Impact - Some activities involve jumping or pounding that may be uncomfortable or can lead to injury. Swimming, cross-country skiing, in-line skating, cycling and rowing are easier on the joints.

Convenience - Some aerobic activities require expensive equipment, are seasonal or are not readily available in certain locations.

Skill - Activities that require a lot of skill may discourage you. Try to avoid activities that do not fit with your skill base, and don't quit before you've developed the skills you need for the activity to become enjoyable.

Social Factor - Exercising with a group can be fun and beneficial. Sometimes exercising with other people is such fun that you're more likely to continue your fitness program. For safety reasons, some aerobic activities are best done with a group.

You should always be able to catch your breath and speak comfortably while exercising. It's normal to sense a little discomfort, but you should never sense pain. Always remember to warm up slowly and to cool down gradually. If you use a trainer, be sure to check credentials. The exercise industry is not well regulated, so be sure to ask questions and seek certified individuals.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:11 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Chicken Vegetable Stew

You will be delighted with the ease with which this tasty stew is made.

Serves 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 90 minutes
Total time: 100 minutes
Calories: 267.47
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 1.89 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 31.61 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 30.99 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces
1 onion, chopped
0.5 pound baby carrots
4 potatoes
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 tablespoons tomato paste
0.5 cup water
0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large pot, put the chopped onion, chicken breast meat, carrots and potatoes. Add the salt and turmeric. Dissolve the tomato paste in water and add. If desired, add garlic powder and ground black pepper to season.
2. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours on medium low heat. Serve.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 4:40 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, December 20, 2007 10 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds

1. Read the fine print - When you’re dining out, you can lose 10 pounds per year by choosing a “light” entree, such as grilled chicken and salad. Those healthy choices can have at least 250 calories less than traditional meat dishes.

2. The sundae solution - Pour a tablespoon of chocolate over fresh fruit and your total calorie intake for this snack is 110 to 160 calories compared to the 250 calories found in a candy bar or the 500 calories found in an ice cream cone.

3. Set your alarm - Even a modest amount of exercise such as walking 15 minutes, 5 times a week burns calories, especially when you get up early to do it.

4. Pedal while you talk - Next time you're chatting on the phone, get on your bike. Pedaling on a stationary bike at 10 miles an hour for 25 minutes burns 100 calories. A faster pace of 17 miles per hour for 15 minutes also burns 100 calories. Get spinning.

5. Beware the burger blast - A half-pound of grilled hamburger meat has about 800 calories. The same amount of lean roast beef has half this amount.

6. Cooking with spray - Each tablespoon of butter or margarine has 100 calories. Substitute a vegetable oil spray for one tablespoon.

7. Join the snack committee - Healthful snacks make an incredible difference. Swapping a serving of fruit for the usual super cookie each week will save you at last 500 calories. And you’ll probably save 1,000 calories since few of us stop at one cookie!

8. The Happy Hour trap - Suppose you avoid three happy hours a month. You could possibly lose up to 31 pounds in a year (if you are usually somewhat of a party animal).

9. The secret is plastics - When you use plastic containers to store meals - especially batch meals you prepare ahead of time and you’ll forego all those calories that come from lunches at greasy spoon dinners.

10. Slash corporate calories - Office-prepared dinners, a frozen dinner or frozen leftovers, will easily have 400 fewer calories than restaurant meals. If you work late an average of three times a week, this change alone will help you lose about 18 pounds a year.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:56 AM :: 0 comments

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Making Exercise More Fun

There is something instilled in people who have found the secret to exercise... something that keeps them coming back for more. It has nothing to do with weights, cardio or stretching. You won't find it hidden under a bench press, climbing the Stairmaster or running on a track. The only place you will find it is inside yourself. It's called fun.

For many people exercise is a dreaded word. The only way they will ever break free from this notion is to change its meaning. The word exercise has been beefed up and disguised under sweatbands and health recommendations. But if you look closely, you will see exercise is nothing but a fancy word for playtime.

Some people enjoy lifting weights. They like the feeling of letting go of their stresses by pumping their energy into lifting. While this is a great way to release the mind and let it escape for a while from everyday problems, it's not the only way. There are no limits to what you can do to get active. As long as you are having fun and moving, then you are accomplishing the true meaning of exercise.
Here are a few suggestions to help ignite your exercise fire so you can burn away all those previous misconceptions. The earth is your playground -- go have fun!

1. Dance
2. Play catch
3. Play tennis, soccer, football and every other sport in the book
4. Explore your surroundings… on foot
5. Ride a bike
6. Put music on, jump around and have fun while you do housework
7. Find a workout buddy
8. Join a league
9. Go people watching at the park or mall and literally shop 'til you drop
10. Jump rope

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:53 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Chicken Jambalaya

Chicken breasts are chopped and simmered with onion, green pepper, tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder and mixed with instant rice for an impressive meal you won't have to slave over.

Serves 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Calories: 377.41
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 4.96 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 41.91 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 41.28 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil
3 onions, diced
3 green bell peppers, diced
0.5 cup water, divided
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
2 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved
garlic powder to taste
onion powder to taste
chili powder to taste
2 cups uncooked instant rice

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions and peppers for 5 minutes.
2. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and add chicken. Cook 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.
3. To the chicken add the tomatoes, with juice, remaining water, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder. Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Stir in rice, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Mix well and serve.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:34 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Cutting Calories While Baking

Watching your weight doesn't necessarily have to mean swearing off baked goods. It just means learning to bake smarter. Alter your current recipes with the following switches:

Cut fat and calories by replacing your usual ingredients with low-fat versions.

Replace whole milk with skim, for example, or eggs with egg whites.

Try using an equal amount of applesauce instead of oil or shortening for your baked goods.

Substitute an equal amount of pureed prune baby food for oil or shortening in brownies and other chocolate baked goods.

Use Splenda Sugar Blend for baking in place of regular sugar. It's a mix of half sugar and half Splenda, giving baked goods the proper texture and browning using Splenda alone cannot.

Use cooking spray instead of shortening to coat pans.

Reduce the cooking time on altered recipes by five minutes or so, to help retain a moist texture.

In most cases, your friends and family won't taste a difference in your trimmed down goodies and you can continue losing weight during the holidays!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 10:21 AM :: 0 comments

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Resolutions Worth Making

Can you believe it is this time of year again - time to start making resolutions?? It goes by so quickly!

Before we talk about the things we should resolve to do in 2008, I would like you take a look back at this time last year. Did you make any resolutions last year? If so, how did you do with adhering to them?

I remember many times in the past when I would make resolutions such as, "I am going to lose weight this year" or "I am going to get happier and more organized this year." I would jump into the New Year with a commitment to realizing my resolves and an intense enthusiasm for doing so. The problem was that my resolves were too vague and I didn’t have a plan to follow, merely an idea of what direction I wanted to go. That was a plan to fail, or more simply put, I failed to plan!

This time, PLAN to succeed and you will!

So, without further ado, here are the 2008 resolutions you need to make.

1. I resolve to make a plan that is realistic and contains small achievable goals to help me realize my bigger goals and resolutions!

2. I resolve to stop drinking all soft drinks and I resolve to stop eating all fried foods.

3. I resolve to increase my fitness level and get regular exercise.

4. I resolve to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.

I promise you this, if you follow each of these resolves then 2009 will ring in with YOU being much healthier, more fit and highly empowered! That would make for a great 2008, wouldn’t it?

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:31 AM :: 0 comments

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Calcium Facts You Need To Know

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, and it has several important functions. More than 99 percent of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones and teeth, where it functions to support their structure. The rest is found throughout the body in blood and muscles and is needed for muscle contraction, blood-vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and sending messages through the nervous system.

According to the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes of Individuals, 78 percent of women ages 20 and older are not meeting their recommended daily intake for calcium. When calcium intake is low, bone breakdown occurs because the body must use the calcium stored in bones to maintain normal biological functions. This can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis when teamed with other risk factors such as being female, thin, inactive, of advanced age, cigarette smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and having a family history of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is by far the most common bone disease, responsible for 1.5 million bone fractures every year in the U.S. This is because with osteoporosis, the composition of the bone is normal, but the mass is so reduced that the skeleton loses its strength and becomes unable to perform its supporting role in the body. Minor falls can cause fractures, and in extreme conditions bones may even break under their own weight.

Studies also show a relationship between calcium intake and lowering the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). Women who ingest at least 800mg of calcium per day, have a 23 percent lower risk of developing high blood pressure than women who get 400mg/day or less. High blood pressure affects about one in four adult Americans, and, if left uncontrolled, hypertension directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease -- potentially leading to a heart attack.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:06 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Chicken With Mushrooms

Chicken breasts sauteed with onions and mushrooms, then braised in herbs, spices and a brandy/chicken broth mixture. Delicious!

Serves 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Calories: 235.18
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 2.96 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 6.18 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 38.64 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

2 small onions, chopped
1 pound fresh mushrooms
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
0.5 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons dried parsley
0.5 cup chicken broth
0.25 cup brandy
2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard

Directions

1. Saute onions and mushrooms in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove onion/mushroom mixture from skillet and reserve; add chicken breasts to skillet. Saute for 4 minutes, then turn over and add mushroom mixture on top.
2. In a small bowl mix salt, pepper, paprika, chives and parsley together then sprinkle mixture over chicken. In a medium bowl combine the broth, brandy and mustard and blend together. Pour over chicken, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:29 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Cutting Calories By Ditching Alcohol

A beer here, a Cosmopolitan there. Before you know it, your jeans are feeling a little snug. When it comes to calories, not all alcoholic beverages are created equal, especially when sweetened mixers drive up the calorie count. That 2.5-ounce Cosmo, for example, has 150 calories. A happy hour-worthy margarita (six ounces) has around 350 calories. And an eight-ounce Long Island iced tea can pack a whopping 600 calories. Beer and wine aren’t exactly low-cal either. So, before you raise a glass, get the cruel calorie facts on that bubbly, beer and Bordeaux…

Are you drinking your calories? One nightly glass of wine adds an extra 700 calories to your diet every week, adding more than 10 pounds of potential flab a year. But don’t just point the finger at wine: all alcoholic beverages can pack on the pounds.

Eighty proof bourbon, brandy, gin, rum, scotch, tequila, vodka, and whiskey each have 65 calories per one-ounce serving. If you’re on a diet that restricts carbohydrates use club soda, diet soft drinks or water instead of a sweetened mixer. And choose clear liquors, which have fewer carbohydrates, over wine, beer and dark liquors. In general, liqueurs cram in 70 to 120 calories per ounce.

To get a sense of how quickly the calories from alcohol stack up, use the handy cheat sheet below. (Calorie information is per 8-ounce serving, unless otherwise noted):

White wine spritzer 80
Red wine 170
Champagne 86
Light beer 75
Bloody Mary 130
Dry martini [2.5 oz] 163
Dessert wine 174
Hot buttered rum 254
White Russian [4.5 oz] 404

By reading this you may want to think about having that drink next time! Or perhaps you can skip the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instead!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Just when did holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas morph from messages of love and giving to ones of food and gorging?

Whether it’s one, three or seven pounds, experience says that most of us will gain weight between now and New Year’s Day. So it bears repeating that moderation is the key to enjoying a fun and healthy holiday season.

This year, shake off the ghosts of food-crammed Christmases past! Fill up instead on family and friendship rather than food and feasting. Make a concerted effort to fill your heart with love - not cholesterol - and you’ll start the New Year with a brighter outlook instead of a desperate resolve to shed pounds! Here are five ways in which to do that:

Imbibe with caution. Alcohol accomplishes two negatives: extra calories without nutrition, and a relaxing of inhibitions. You need all your willpower to resist the cheese dips and fried snacks, so staying sober is a good strategy. Check out these diet-friendly alcohol choices for more tips.

Don't go wild. Hey, it’s a party! So it is. Enjoy a beer, glass of wine, or even a cocktail (made with club soda or diet soda, of course). Spend the rest of the party walking around with a full glass of club soda with lime. Keeping your hands occupied accomplishes two purposes: first, the hosts will not ask if you need a drink (you have one), and second, it’s harder to eat with one hand wrapped around a glass.

Choose to lose. Many people feel that if they don’t partake in the holiday feasting tradition, others will perceive them as rude or ungrateful. Hey, it’s your diet, your way. You have the right to eat what you want, where you want and in the amount you want.

Host your own party. Cocktail parties are so easy to make healthy. Too many hosts toss together a menu of fried foods, fatty cheeses, greasy chips and snacks, and unlimited nuts. There are plenty of great alternatives like grilled chicken and hor d'overes with yogurt dip, baked chips and pretzels. Get more healthy party food ideas.

Stay active. Nothing helps your reach (and maintain) a healthy weight like physical activity. If you’re like most, holidays keep you busier than ever, leaving you with less time for yourself. If you don’t have time to get to the gym, stay fit by walking daily. Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual and walk briskly. Repeat just before dinner.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:01 AM :: 0 comments

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3 Top Tips From Personal Trainers

Don't you wish sometimes you had your own personal trainer to guide you through your workout and give you hints about getting more out of your exercise? You may not be able to afford one of your own, but by incorporating these trainer hints and tips into your day, you'll be on your way to making your workout even more effective!

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.

A unique way of ensuring success is to allow each partner a certain number of cuts per month at a price. Failing to show up for a session with your trainer still costs you money and so should skipping your workout with your friend. Pony up $10 for each cut and let it accumulate for six months or longer. At the end of a predetermined time frame, count the money and use it to treat you and your workout partner to a luxurious splurge.

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 serious! 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; 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 one! You can see tremendous results while working out at home, with or without equipment!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:36 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Slow Cooker Chicken Creole

The stewed tomatoes and jalapeno pepper give this slow cooker recipe its Creole zing, along with seasoning and other veggies. This is an easy and tasty Creole chicken recipe. Just put all ingredients into the slow cooker and let it simmer all day.

Serves 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 720 minutes
Total time: 730 minutes
Calories: 192.33
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 1.83 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 14.32 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 29.64 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
Creole-style seasoning to taste
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
1 stalk celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

Directions

1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and Creole-style seasoning to taste. Stir in tomatoes with liquid, celery, bell pepper, garlic, onion, mushrooms, and jalapeno pepper.
2. Cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 5 to 6 hours.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:45 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, December 14, 2007 One Simple Change

Ever wondered why some people manage to keep their weight off easily and others just pile it all back on when they stop that new diet? The answer is easy; it comes down to one simple change.

People who keep their weight loss off change tiny things in their daily life.
Instead of full fat milk they have skimmed, they grill rather than fry and they choose to reduce the amount of cheese, cream, cakes and biscuits they eat, every single day.

Now you are immediately going to say that that is lots of changes not just one. To some degree you would be correct, but not completely.

If you look at a photograph it is one small picture but when looked at closely, it is made up of thousands of pixels. One small sugar cube is made up of hundreds of sugar grains, and a handkerchief consists of numerous cotton threads. Almost everything in the world, no matter how small, can be broken down into even smaller parts. All those tiny parts still only amount to one small thing.

You make several tiny changes to your lifestyle, which you genuinely do not mind and weight loss becomes easy. Remember, they have to be changes that you will hardly notice — low fat spread instead of full fat, low calorie squash or just eating more fruit.

Make the one small change to adjust your eating habits slightly and permanently and even if you break your diet program, you could still lose weight slowly and steadily.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:39 AM :: 0 comments

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Everyday Tips To Help You Lose Weight

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started, keep you going, and help you stick to your diet.

1. Never leave home “starving.” Always have a light snack before eating dinner in a restaurant, such as a piece of fruit, a glass of juice or a carrot.

2. Don't go food shopping on an empty stomach! You'll be tempted to buy everything in sight.

3. Don't be tempted by treats. Store them out of view, off counter-tops and as out-of-reach as possible.

4. Don't eat in front of the TV. Watching the boob tube — instead of watching your plate — lulls you into overeating. Also avoid being tempted by food and snack commercials.

5. Make it a rule in your house to confine your meals to the dining room or kitchen table! Never eat standing up! This leads to mindless snacking.

6. Think before you drink. Alcohol adds lots of calories, but no nutrients. Also, it weakens your willpower to avoid the wrong food choices. Hangovers can cause wicked cravings for fatty or high carbohydrate foods that can sabotage any attempt at weight loss.

7. Fill up on soup first. Begin every meal with non-cream hot soup; it forces you to eat slowly and fills you up so you won't overeat.

8. Take time to taste your food. Don't gobble food down! Rushing through your meals doesn't give your brain the time that it needs to signal your body that you are full.

9. When dining out, request sauces and low-calorie dressings on the side.

10. There is no law that requires you to finish everything on your plate.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:00 AM :: 0 comments

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How To Calculate Ideal Body Weight

How can you determine your ideal weight? It's just as easy as typing in your height and frame into a standard one size fits all website, but it may be more accurate. Although, it is true that one answer won't work for everybody. Here is a simple method to determine what that weight should be:

For Women: The ideal weight for a woman who is exactly 5 feet tall is 100 pounds. For every additional inch above 5 feet, add five pounds. If yo