HoodiaPharm HungerAway

HoodiaPharm HungerAway

Thursday, January 31, 2008 Varying Your Foods

It's often been said that variety is the spice of life. Interestingly, the average person only knows and uses about ten exercises in their workout program. Similarly, the average person only eats approximately 10-12 foods on a regular basis. When you consider that there are literally thousands of exercises and hundreds of food choices it's obvious that people are bored both at the gym and at their dinner table.

Eating the same foods over and over is one of the most sure-fire methods to developing a food intolerance. Not to be confused with a food allergy, food intolerances are negative reactions to foods that produce symptoms such as nasal congestion, skin conditions, headaches, itchiness, lethargy and a variety of other maladies. These conditions are thought to be brought on by a 'leaky gut,' which is characterized by the passing of undigested food particles through the gut wall and into the liver. When our liver becomes backed up from the many food additives, chemicals and pesticides so many of us consume, the undigested food particles end up making it to our general circulation, which causes an immune response from our body. Over time, if we continue eating those foods our body considers harmful, the immune system continues mounting a stronger and stronger response, shown by the many symptoms described above.

One particularly successful method of reducing the chances of developing intolerances to certain foods is to eat foods on a rotating basis. It's generally accepted that food stays within your system for approximately 48-72 hours, with an average of 55 hours. Therefore, eating your food on a four-day rotation works well for many people and has eliminated many of the symptoms associated with food intolerance because they avoid exposing themselves to foods from the same families, or genus, minimizing the immune response. To make this way of eating work for you I recommend what I call a "training rotation plan," which is much easier than a true rotation diet that requires monitoring foods by families (taxonomic relationships). With a training rotation plan, you keep a notepad in your pocket and write down everything you eat and drink on a daily basis. At the end of the day you look at all the foods and don't allow yourself to eat those foods for another 72 hours. For example, if you ate eggs, chicken, cauliflower, mushrooms and drank orange juice on Monday, you would not eat any of these foods nor drink orange juice again until Friday.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:48 AM :: 0 comments

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5 Ways To Become a Walkaholic

1. Always be ready. Keep a pair of walking shoes and socks at work and by the door at home, so an impromptu stroll is easy.

2. Dress right. Choose loose, comfortable clothing that gives you plenty of room to move your arms and legs. A good pair of walking or running shoes, with socks, is also a must. They don't have to be expensive — but don't skimp on comfort to save a few pennies, either. (Just think of walking shoes as your cheapest form of health insurance.) Replace your shoes when they become worn down.

3. Enrich the experience. Listen to your favorite music while you work out — research suggests it will help you stick with your regimen longer. Or try talk radio, podcasts or books on CD. You can also make your walks a destination in themselves, by trying a new course every once in a while — perhaps a local park, lake path or arboretum instead of your usual neighborhood walk.

4. Mall-walk. Indoor walking eliminates the "bad-weather" excuse and it's a great place to meet a friend and socialize as you move. To avoid temptations to buy at the stores (not to mention the fiendishly aromatic cinnamon buns at the food court), leave your wallet and credit cards behind.

5. Find a walking partner. Besides having someone to talk to and make the walk more interesting, a partner helps make you more accountable. You'll be less likely to skip a walk if you know someone's waiting for you. If you feel unsafe or self-conscious walking alone, a partner can make all the difference. Need help finding a partner? Check your local mall or neighborhood recreation center for walking-club information.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:17 AM :: 0 comments

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Learning Your Food Triggers

What makes you eat? Each of us has different eating triggers, and some might be more obvious than others. (Rereading your food journal is one excellent way to spot occasions and foods that tend to trip you up.) Learning to recognize your own eating cues will help you figure out how to manage them better, so let's take a look:

Certain places or actions.
Walking in the door when you get home from work, sitting down in front of the TV or even sitting in a particular comfortable chair can be powerful "feed me!" triggers. Or perhaps you can't talk on the phone or read the newspaper without having something to nibble. However it began, you may have come to associate those activities with eating a snack.

Seeing and/or smelling food.
Tantalizing aromas and seductive visuals of food can get your digestive juices flowing and activate your "hunger" meter. Some people seem to be more susceptible to these cues than others. If walking by a pizzeria or a doughnut shop gets your senses reeling, you might be one of these food "hyperresponders."

Boredom.
If you've got downtime or are busy with a task that doesn't command your full attention, you might crave food simply to have something engaging to do. Going to get something to eat might feel like switching channels to a better station.

Emotions.
While some people react to stressful or unpleasant situations by losing appetite, many people find themselves eating more to help them cope. It's easy to see why: food is pleasurable and comforting, and after all, eating is one major way we care for ourselves. Overeating can even produce a drowsy calm (some call it a "food coma") that can be quite soothing. The act of eating itself can be a distraction, too, if you're a procrastinator: ever wonder why you're longing to cook up a delicious, complicated dinner when you have a deadline looming?

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

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Recipe of The Day

Roasted Pepper Soup

The full color spectrum of bell peppers tossed in lemon juice and roasted with whole cloves of garlic are pureed with fennel infused vegetable broth to create this colorful low-fat soup.

Serves 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 70 minutes
Total time: 80 minutes
Calories: 180.03
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 2.44 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 32.23 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 7.29 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients
1 green bell pepper
1 large red bell pepper
1 large orange bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
8 cloves garlic
0.5 lemon
3 cups vegetable broth
0.25 teaspoon garlic salt
ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fennel seed
0.25 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) , halve all peppers (remove seeds) and peel garlic.
2. Place halved peppers, cut side up in shallow baking dish. Place one garlic clove in each half and squeeze lemon juice generously over peppers. Roast for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile pour vegetable broth into a 2 quart sauce pan and add fennel seeds. Bring to boil, cover and simmer.
4. When peppers are done, remove from oven and set aside to cool. When cool enough to touch peel skin from peppers.
5. Strain fennel seeds from broth and return to a boil. Add thyme and simmer 15 minutes, reducing amount of broth.
6. Slice a 1 inch section from each color of pepper and cut into pieces. Set aside for later garnishing.
7. In a blender, place remaining peppers, garlic and a 1/2 cup broth on blend just long enough to shred the peppers, but not puree them. You want to see the different colors. Pour the blended peppers into the broth and stir well. Add garlic salt and black pepper.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:50 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Men's Weight Loss Vs. Women's Weight Loss

We have always thought that men lose weight faster than women. Although there's still a lot of research to be done, it can generally be explained why men lose at a faster pace than women. They tend to be more active and have faster metabolisms.

Each sex has its own advantages when it comes to losing weight, but men do have an edge. The good news is that the more we learn, the more likely it is that members of both sexes will be able to lose weight successfully.

Exercise factors into the weight-loss equation, and that's where each of the sexes can learn from each other. Here are some of the differences, and what we can learn from the results of the studies done:

Women tend to focus on cardio, and men focus on strength training.
To get results: You need both for weight loss and maintenance. Aim for 30 minutes of cardio, like running, on most days of the week and 20 to 30 minutes of resistance training, like weights, 2 to 3 days a week.

Men are more likely to exercise solo while women are more likely to socialize while they work out.
To get results: Working out with a partner can keep you motivated. The key is finding someone who complements your style. Just remember that even if you exercise with a buddy, it's important to push yourself and focus on maintaining your individual fitness goals.

Women may not push themselves hard enough, but men may push themselves too far.
To get results: Both men and women should check in with an expert, such as a certified personal trainer, from time to time to be sure their workout is on par with their fitness level.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:44 AM :: 0 comments

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Stopping The Late Night Eating

For some, eating right goes well all day until the after-dinner snacking starts and a perfect day is ruined by a bowl of ice cream or too many handfuls of chips. With individuals who are struggling with weight control, late night eating is often described it dieters biggest problem. The first place to start tackling the late-night hunger is to realize your motivation and then determine the best strategy for either changing your motivation or dealing with it.

Here are 3 common reasons people have the nighttime snack attack:

Boredom
You may be bored or dealing with another emotion like stress, and use this time to preoccupy or anesthetize yourself with food.

Restriction
You have restricted your calories too much during the day and truly are hungry.

Off-Limits Thinking
The psychological nature of dieting prompts you to feel as if late-night eating is taboo, which, in turn, creates the off limits thinking. Sometimes when we tell ourselves we can't have something, we end up wanting it all the more.

To combat those cravings, here are some real-life survival tips for beating the refrigerator battle:

When you feel the tug to comfort yourself with late-night snacks, try reading a good book or even going to bed early.
Keep your hands busy by visiting dieting forums and watching message boards that have people on them that are going through the same exact thing you are. Often it is good for your psyche to see that others are struggling also. You can give each other support.
Write in your journal how you are feeling and why you want to snack. Often by the time you finish writing you don't feel quite as hungry.
"Close" the kitchen by turning out all lights, doing the dishes, and simply putting it out of your mind. Brush your teeth and make sure that your mind knows that you are not going to be eating any more that night.
Eat enough throughout the day to make sure that you really aren't hungry.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:03 AM :: 0 comments

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Yogurt For Weight Loss

Yogurt is one of those versatile foods that is not only delicious to eat, but easy to work into your daily snacks and meals. Now we have found out that it also can help with your weight loss.

Yogurt provides essential nutrients including the calcium that needed to build healthy bones. If you eat 3 servings of low-fat dairy products, including yogurt, it helps with losing weight instead of just cutting calories without dairy. It has been shown in studies that people who add dairy into their daily regimen lost an average of 22% more body weight than people who just dropped their calories without adding dairy. They also lost 61% more body fat. Most importantly they lost a whopping 81% more fat from their middle sections - the fat that has been known to cause serious health problems. Honestly, it isn't quite known how dairy calcium helps to promote weight loss, but one theory is that dairy plays a role in mobilizing stored fat.

Yogurt also is a good source for protein which is perfect for people with Diabetes. When eating moderate carbohydrates combined with yogurt it helps you to build muscle mass when you add in daily exercise. When you have higher muscle mass you burn more calories and more effectively.

Here are some ways to add yogurt into your daily diet:

Yogurt is a perfectly portioned snack to grab as you walk out the door for breakfast
Turn it into a parfait by alternating layers of vanilla yogurt, strawberries, fresh berries, and granola
Use it for dip for vegetables when adding in a vegetable soup mix
Use it for a smoothie
Add plain yogurt to mayonnaise or cream cheese for a low-calorie sandwich spread
Eat it on top of potatoes, burritos, or bean soup in lieu of sour cream

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:41 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Gnocchi

Mashed potato, flour and an egg is all you need to need for gnocchi.

Serves 4
Prep time: 102 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 132 minutes
Calories: 289.09
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 1.99 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 58.82 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 8.97 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients
2 potatoes
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg

Directions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Peel potatoes and add to pot. Cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and mash with a fork or potato masher.
2. Combine 1 cup mashed potato, flour and egg in a large bowl. Knead until dough forms a ball. Shape small portions of the dough into long "snakes". On a floured surface, cut snakes into half-inch pieces.
3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Drop in gnocchi and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until gnocchi have risen to the top; drain and serve.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 5:55 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Healthy Tips For Traveling

Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile, check out these on-the-go eating and exercise tips.

1. Go for H20. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after long plane flights to keep your body well hydrated. Hydration may help ward off jet lag and reduce symptoms of discomfort at high-altitude destinations that may accompany travel.

2. Stay on schedule. If you normally exercise in the morning, try to do the same when you are on the road. Keeping to your regular routine as much as possible may help you stick with healthy habits.

3. Eat small. Try eating off the kids' menu, or choose appetizers, soup and salad, or half portions instead of a typical entrée. Choosing smaller servings may add up to fewer calories when choices are healthy.

4. Stock smart. If possible, get a room without a minibar or request that the hotel empty it before you arrive to reduce temptation later. Opt instead for smart choices such as fresh fruit, whole grains, and low-fat items.

5. Brown-bag it. Carry nonperishable nutritious snacks with you to help curb your appetite between meals. Being prepared with your own snacks may help decrease urges for not-so-healthy choices that you might be offered.

6. Find fitness adventure. If your hotel offers fitness classes or unique equipment, try out something new. Check with your health or exercise club at home to see if it has locations or partner-relationships in the area you'll be visiting.

7. Gear up. Don't forget to pack your sneakers and exercise clothes--including layers for unexpected weather changes--so you can keep up your healthy efforts away from home.

8. Navigate menus carefully. Look for broiled and baked fresh fish options, and choose plenty of fruits and vegetables. Be aware of portion sizes, skimp on high-calorie foods, and limit alcoholic beverages to keep calories in check.

9. Explore your destination safely. Before you walk or run in new or unfamiliar locations ask the hotel staff for safe routes. They often can provide maps, places to explore, and times of day that may be best.

10. Keep moving. Stretch and move about the plane, train, or bus by walking up and down the aisles. When traveling by car, stop frequently and stroll historic sites, parks, or rest areas to take a break from driving. Walk and explore the airport terminal shops and amenities when waiting for connecting flights.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:40 AM :: 0 comments

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If you are exercising to help in your weight-loss effort you should get a heart-rate monitor. Without one, you won't know if you are burning fat or getting more aerobically fit, or potentially exercising too hard. Knowing your heart rate (or pulse beats per minute) during exercise is critical to exercising efficiently and, ultimately, to weight loss.

During exercise, your heart moves blood from your lungs, where it picks up oxygen, to your muscles, where it burns the oxygen as fuel, and sends it back to your lungs again. The harder you exercise, the more fuel your body needs and the harder your heart has to work to get oxygen to your muscles. The harder your heart works, the faster it beats. This is where a heart-rate monitor comes in.

You need to get your heart rate to a certain threshold to ensure that you are working hard enough and getting more fit. If your heart rate is too low, you're not working hard enough and your body won't benefit as much. If your heart rate is too high, you might be damaging your body. A heart-rate monitor can tell you when your exercise is at the right point. Keeping your heart rate in this so-called target zone is key to burning fat and getting in shape.

Figuring out your target zone is easy. First, figure out your maximum heart rate, which is typically 220 minus your age. (This is a general measurement; more extensive tests are available with your doctor.) Multiply that number by .60 to get the bottom end of the target zone and by .80 to get the top end. Then, stay in that zone throughout for an efficient workout. You burn body fat at the first part of the zone, until about 70 percent of your maximum, you build endurance from 70 to 80 percent.

The key to an effective workout is staying in the zone for at least 20 minutes per exercise session. By the way, your resting heart rate is typically 60 to 80 beats per minute, depending on your level of fitness. Olympic athletes are so fit that their resting heart rate is typically around 30.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Bow-Tie Pasta With Red Pepper Sauce

A sensational puree of red bell pepper, oregano, chicken broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and honey tossed with sweet and tender peas, parsley and bow tie pasta.

Serves 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Calories: 96.67
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 0.61 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 18.69 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 4.11 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients
2 cups red bell pepper, chopped
0.5 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
0.25 tsp. salt
0.25 tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. honey
2 cups bow tie pasta
1 cup blanched green peas
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Directions
1. Combine bell pepper, broth, oregano, salt, and pepper in 2 quart saucepan. Cover. Cook over medium low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bell pepper is tender.
2. Stir in tomato paste, vinegar, and honey; remove from heat. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain.
4. Mix together pasta, red pepper sauce, peas, and parsley.

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

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Monday, January 28, 2008 Is Dried Fruit Really Healthy?

Consumers are so disadvantaged because reading ingredient labels often require a PhD in biochemistry! Here’s one tip - The fewer the ingredients listed, the less processed the food is. If you’re buying dried fruit, the first ingredient should be fruit, such as raisins, dates, apricots or figs, and that’s about it. It sounds as if you chose a dried fruit that's been processed with hydrogenated fat. Dried fruit is a healthy food, a good choice for energy and fiber, and naturally fat-free. Dried fruit, by weight, is higher in calories than the fresh counterpart, and although concentrated in calories, it’s also more concentrated in other nutrients, for example, although fresh grapes are not a particularly good source of iron; raisins, which are dried grapes, are rich in iron. One cup of sliced fresh plums has only 91 calories; only 1 percent of the Daily Value for iron, a cup of prunes has 406 calories and 23 percent of the DV for iron. You don’t want to eat an entire cup of prunes if you’re watching your weight, but a couple of prunes diced into your cereal is tasty and nutritious, too.

So natural dried fruit is good for you, but you need to watch the portion size - especially when you're watching your calories. Getting back to your food item, adding sugar and fat to dried fruit changes the item's healthy nature. There's no reason to add sugar to dried or fresh fruit, because it's naturally sweet. And adding trans fat (partially hydrogenated sunflower oil) to dried fruit makes it higher in calories, and bad for your heart. You may choose organic dried fruit without added sulfites or preservatives or you can buy conventional dried fruit, which may be treated with sulfites or ascorbic acid to prevent browning. The bottom line is that you should always choose dried fruit without added sugar or fats.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:47 AM :: 0 comments

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A Plan For The Big Game

Are you dreading what "The Big Game" could mean for your diet?

Afraid you won’t be able to resist the wings, the chips and the pizza? Relax. Before you park yourself in front of the big screen, we can help you lay down the strategy that will take you through the fourth quarter without any weight-loss penalties.

Make a good call. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. If the party is happening around dinnertime, offer a well-rounded meal, plus the snacks and hors d’oeuvres. If you just nibble all afternoon, you may feel like you never really ate despite having taken in more than your fair share of calories. As a result, you may end up eating again later. Serve dinner early so you and your guests don’t go overboard on snacks while you’re waiting.

Pass the smart snacks. If you want to keep some more "traditional" Super Bowl party fare, opt for low-fat versions. Some ideas from your plan include low-fat nachos, snack pizzas, picante potato wedges, hummus dip with crackers, crackers and cheese, sour cream dip with carrots, tortilla chips with salsa, baby carrots, popcorn, pretzels and cheesy pita chips. Just don’t forget to pay attention to portion sizes.

Jump into the pool. If you’re bored by the game or can’t get excited about the competing teams, you might be tempted to turn your attention to food. Instead, create a pool that will take everyone’s mind off the snacks. Ask questions like, “How long will the National Anthem last?” “How many different entertainers will take the stage at half time?” “Which company will have the first advertising spot during the game?” “How long will the game last?” That way, everyone feels involved. Have guests turn in their answers before the game starts and you can all keep track of the score. Let the winner take home the centerpiece.

Keep score. When you eat party mix or chips directly out of a large serving bowl, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve consumed, especially when your eyes are on the game. To intercept distracted eating, give each guest his or her own little “super bowl" (in festive team colors, of course) and make scooping out a specific amount and keeping track of quantities effortless.

Never touch down. Instead of sitting close to the munchies where you’ll be tempted to reach for another plate, busy yourself refilling drinks, heating up hors d’oeuvres, chatting with other guests or playing with the kids. The less time you spend sacked out in front of the food, the fewer calories you’ll let pass your lips

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:21 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Cheesy Pita Chips

1/2 pita bread, approximately 6 inches (2 oz.)
1 serving cooking spray
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 oz. low-fat or nonfat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush pita with oil and cut into eighths. Arrange the pita chips on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 5-6 minutes, until lightly browned. Top with cheese and garlic powder, return to oven, and bake for 2-3 more minutes, until cheese is melted.

Amount per serving: Calories 149; total fat 2g; saturated fat 0g; cholesterol 5 mg; sodium 208mg; total carbohydrate 20g; dietary fiber 3g; sugars 1g; protein 7g

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:26 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, January 25, 2008 Reasons For Losing Weight

How bad do you want to be thin? Have you got the necessary willpower to stick to your diet and reach your weight loss goals? You may think just shedding those extra pounds would be satisfying and provide enough willpower. But, of course, it would be nice not to avoid seeing your reflection in shop windows and to receive admiring glances as you walk down the street.

You need to remember that if you want to lose weight for the wrong reasons, there's a strong chance that either your weight loss efforts will fail or that you will put the weight back on once you stop dieting. If you want to lose weight for you, you are much more likely to be pleased with the results! It's all about willpower and if you want something badly enough, you will have the power to make it happen.

3 Bad reasons for wanting to lose weight:

To make a bad relationship good
To make someone proud of you
To make someone like you

3 Good reasons for wanting to lose weight:

To get fit
To avoid health problems
To improve your self confidence

Try these positive attitude exercises:

See yourself spending time with those who support you - Make your picture as attractive as you'd wish it to be in real life. Let your thoughts gravitate towards all the things that inspire and motivate you.
Hear yourself speaking encouraging words to yourself and hear the positive things that others are saying to you now that you have achieved your goal.
Decide what it is that you really want. For example, if you want to lose weight, think of what it is that you really want, instead of what you don't want, being overweight. Now say this in a positive way for example, 'I am fit, energetic and slim'.
See yourself as this new you and visualise yourself doing all the things that you would most want to do. Who else is in the picture? What are you wearing? Perhaps those jeans that you haven't been able to fit into for over a year?

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:47 AM :: 0 comments

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Must Have Frozen Munchies

1. Birds Eye Steamfresh veggies
With less than 200 calories for the whole bag, stick it in the microwave for five minutes and voila! Steamed veggies are healthy and delicious and easier to make than ever before! They come in different varieties of vegetables so you never get bored.
It is important to get our vegetables in daily and now you can have them at any time.

2. Skinny Cow ice cream
These delicious ice-cream sandwiches are 97-percent fat free and have only 140 calories! Every now and then we all get a little craving for something sweet. But no longer do you have to stray from your diet to get a delicious treat. With flavors like chocolate mint and caramel swirl they certainly hit the sweet spot!

3. Sugar-Free Popsicles
These are perfect for that after-meal sweet tooth we all get. They are low in calories and sugar-free. These are especially great in the summer. They can be a perfect substitution for high-sugar drinks. There are even sugar-free fudgesicles and creamsicles available that will help you stay on your diet while curbing your sweet tooth.

4. Edamame
Also known as soybeans, edamame is a delicious and healthy Japanese snack. Soy has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease, improves bone health and help reduce certain types of cancer. Simply pop the beans in your mouth and discard the shell. They are low in calories and easy to make - all you have to do is boil some water.

5. Gardenburger
These patties are full of flavor and healthy ingredients. Simply heat in the microwave (usually 35 seconds or so) and have it as a snack. They even come in vegan varieties and different flavors. For you meat eaters who get the craving, look no further. These are delicious and hearty and have around 100 calories per patty. Just be sure not to go overboard with toppings.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:14 AM :: 0 comments

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7 Secrets To Staying Thin

Secret #1: Practice Intuitive Weight Maintenance
Naturally thin people have a stable weight and don't worry what it is. Naturally thin people don't weigh, measure or otherwise keep track of their bodies' dimensions. You won't even find a bathroom scale at the naturally thin person's house. They don't need to weigh themselves, because they trust their bodies to regulate their own weight.

Secret #2: Apply an Intuitive Attitude
Naturally thin people have a positive view of themselves and their lives. People who have never had a weight problem know that the key to happiness is in how they perceive themselves and their lives. They have a wonderful self-image, because they have not allowed society's pressure to influence them. Besides appearance, some people criticize themselves for their thoughts, feelings, behaviors - everything. How they see their bodies is a reflection of how they tend to see their entire lives.

Secret #3: Know Intuitively Why to Eat
Naturally thin people eat when they are hungry, but for other reasons as well. They eat because their bodies need fuel, but they also eat sometimes even if they are nut hungry. People eat to fulfill physical need (75 to 100 percent of the time), physical desire (0 to 25 percent of the time) and emotional desire (0 to 10 percent of the time). The key is proportion - to be attuned to the body's signals of what it needs, but also to eat once in a while out of desire.

Secret #4: Know Intuitively What to Eat
Naturally thin people eat exactly what they are hungry for. They seem to have an inherent sense of what they really need. They'll go out of their way to get what they are hungry for, even if it means making a shopping trip. If that's not feasible, then they substitute another similar food.

Secret #5: Know Intuitively How Much to Eat
Naturally thin people stop eating before they get too full. They often leave food on their plates when dining out, because the typical restaurant portion is more than a body needs. When dining at home, they often finished what is on their plates if they served themselves, because they are in tune with how much food their bodies will need and only put that much on their plates. Eat slowly, pay attention to how you feel as you get full and learn hot to recognize fullness cues.

Secret #6: Exercise With Intuition
Naturally thin people enjoy a variety of fitness activities in reasonable amounts. They exercise on a regular basis without going overboard. There is consistency without compulsively. They use exercise guidelines, but in a way that honors their bodies needs. Some exercise for longer durations than others, and some work out at more advanced levels than others.

Secret #7: Live an Intuitive Life
Naturally thin people have truly fulfilling lives (and it's not because they are thin). Thinness is part of their experience, but it is not the source of their fulfillment. They have meaningful relationships with others. They enjoy significant experiences in both their professional and personal lives. They focus far beyond the number on the scale. Their focus is on enjoying life, exactly as it is, and making the best of things, exactly as they are.

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

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Recipe of The Day

Slow Cook Thai Chicken

Slow cooked chicken breasts in a rich, peanutty, slightly spicy sauce.
Serves 6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 300 minutes
Total time: 320 minutes
Calories: 410.00
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 23.60 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 18.30 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 34.90 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
0.5 cup chicken broth
0.25 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
0.66 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
0.25 cup lime juice
3 green onion, chopped
0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
0.5 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Directions

1. Place the chicken breast strips, bell pepper and onion into a slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and 1/4 cup soy sauce, then season with cumin, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to blend, then cover and cook on low for 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
2. Remove 1 cup of the liquid from the slow cooker, and mix this with teh cornstarch, peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and lime juice. This should blend into a fairly thick suce. Stir the sauce back into the slower cooker and place the lid on the pot.
3. Cook on High for 30 minutes. Serve over rice if desired. Garnish with green onions, cilantro and peanuts before serving.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:00 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, January 24, 2008 Mistakes in Dieting

When we discover that we are heavier than we want to be, we have a natural inclination to eat less food. We may skip lunch or eat only a tiny amount of our dinner in the hope that if we eat less our body will burn off some of its fat. The problem is that eating less actually makes it more difficult to lose weight.

When researchers compare overweight and thin people, they find that they eat roughly the same number of calories. What makes overweight people different is the amount of fat that they eat. Thin people tend to eat less fat and more complex carbohydrates.

Losing weight is not something one can do overnight. A carefully planned weight loss program requires common sense and certain guidelines. Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation floating around and lots of desperate people are easily duped and ripped off.

A survey was done recently to try and determine if any commercial diet program could prove long-term success. Not a single program could do so. So rampant has the so-called diet industry become with new products and false claims that the FDA has now stepped in and started clamping down.

The myth is that people get heavy by eating too many calories. Calories are a consideration it's true, but overall they are not the cause of obesity in America today. Americans actually take in fewer calories each day than they did at the beginning of the century. If calories alone were the reason we become overweight, we should all be thin. But we are not. Collectively, we are heavier than ever. Partly, it is because we are more sedentary now. But equally, as important is the fact that the fat content of the American diet has changed dramatically.

People who diet without exercising often get fatter with time. Although your weight may initially drop while dieting, such weight loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the weight returns, it comes back as fat. To avoid getting fatter over time, increase your metabolism by exercising regularly.

Select an exercise routine that you are comfortable with and remember that walking is one of the best and easiest exercises for strengthening your bones, controlling your weight and toning your muscles.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:48 AM :: 0 comments

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7 signs of emotional eating

When a craving to snack hits, try asking yourself if the desire to eat is caused by true or emotional hunger before you head for the kitchen or vending machine. Not sure? See if any of these emotional eating warning signs apply:

You strongly crave a certain comfort food, and a healthier choice won't do.
The urge to eat passes if you delay a few minutes.
The urge to eat is accompanied by a trigger, such as an emotion (stress, boredom or even happiness), particular place, person or situation.
You are eating to fill a void (loneliness, emptiness, lack of fulfillment).
You eat quickly, gobbling the food down without tasting or enjoying it.
You want a snack to relax, unwind or reward yourself.
You've eaten within the last two or three hours.

The key to breaking emotional eating isn't avoidance or willpower, but understanding. Even if you give in, ask yourself what's going on and come up with a strategy to react differently next time. Soon emotional eating won't be so automatic.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:28 AM :: 0 comments

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5 More Tips To Quick Workouts

1.Tired at night and just want to sit in front of the TV? Try this technique: Take periodic five-minute exercise breaks and perform some muscle-stimulating and calorie-burning exercise. For example, take five minutes and perform only ab crunches. Then, when it's time for another five-minute exercise break, perform modified push-ups for five minutes. Then for a final five-minute break, perform stationary lunges. Try to do as many as possible in five minutes and try to beat your amount of reps during each subsequent break. It won't seem daunting because it's only five minutes at a time, split over a 30 or 60-minute time frame. Instead of rest breaks, you'll take exercise breaks. You don't really need to watch that new commercial do you?

2. How about performing one exercise movement per day for 7 to 10 minutes? For example, Monday: free-standing squats for seven minutes. Tuesday: chair dips for seven minutes. Wednesday: crunches and hip lifts off the floor for seven minutes. Thursday: modified push-up for seven minutes. Friday: stationary lunges for seven minutes. It's quick, simple and teaches consistency.

3. Want things even simpler? Take the longest route every time you have to walk somewhere - even if it's to a co-worker's office.

4. Double-up the stairs. Every time you take the stairs, simply take a double step or every other stair. It will be just like lunges and the Stairmaster combined. Great for the legs and butt.

5. Perform any of the above with your spouse or a friend. I'm sure you can find someone who is in the same situation. The support will give you more motivation and you just may find that you can create even more workout time for yourself.

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

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Recipe of The Day

Chicken Chili Soup

Diced chicken is simmered with tomatoes, kidney beans, corn, bell peppers, chili powder, cayenne and cumin in this easy soup.
Serves 18
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Calories: 161.52
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 1.10 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 21.56 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 16.35 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

1.75 pounds diced chicken breast meat
2 green bell peppers, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
0.5 cup frozen corn kernels
4 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans with liquid
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
0.5 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

1. Coat a large pot with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chicken, bell peppers and onion until chicken is brown and peppers are just tender. Stir in corn, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce and water. Season with chili powder and parsley.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:43 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Energy Boosters

As much as we’d all like to think energy comes in a bottle, it doesn’t. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t find it elsewhere. You just have to know the right places to look for it!

First of all, don’t believe the hype. No matter how many commercials you see with energetic, skinny people running around, they didn’t get like that from whatever product is for sale. It’s called acting, and the product is most likely a scam.
Second of all, one of the most well-known sources of energy drain is stress. You’ll see as soon as you learn techniques to reduce stress, your energy levels will increase. One great suggestion to try is deep breathing; another is meditation.

With that said, check out these five surefire tips to aid you in regaining an upward momentum:

1. Get adequate sleep - This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people suffer from different forms of insomnia. Although the average amount of time is eight hours, it’s whatever you need to feel rested and only you can determine that. Avoid caffeine and alcohol to assure a good night’s rest.

2. Stay hydrated - It is not only important to stay hydrated for your skin and digestive health, but your overall engine running, as well. Remain conscious about how much you’re drinking throughout the day. You’ll feel better when you’ve imbibed enough water.

3. Take a multivitamin -- Eating a balanced diet doesn’t insure you’ll get the minimum dietary requirements you need for energy. To remind yourself, put your bottle of multivitamins next to your toothpaste or something else you know you’ll use at least once a day.

4.Exercise - Although many people think exercise makes you tired, it does just the opposite if done in moderation. Exercise actually increases energy by getting the heart pumping, providing oxygen to working muscles and by increasing cardio respiratory capacity.

5. Eat breakfast - Many may think it’s not that important, but those who eat breakfast sure can tell the difference on days they skip. Your body is resting all night and the only way to get it started in the morning is by feeding it. It’s like trying to start a car without gas - it won’t work. Something light and healthy is a great way to start your day.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:49 AM :: 0 comments

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5 Fat Burning Tips for a Quick Workout

1. When you first wake up, commit to 10 minutes of continuous exercise. Choose only three movements and perform each in succession without stopping for 10 minutes. For example, you can perform modified push-ups on Monday, followed by crunches for your abs followed by stationary lunges. On Tuesday, you can perform free-standing squats with hands on hips, double crunches for abs and close-grip modified push-ups (hands 3 inches apart) for your triceps. All in 10 minutes! Just take a quick breather when you need it.

2. Perform timed interval walking in your neighborhood or at lunch. If it takes 10 minutes to walk to a certain destination near your office or in your neighborhood, try to make it in 8 minutes. You can also do this first thing in the morning before work as well as on your lunch break.

3. If you have stairs in your home or in your work place, commit to taking the stairs a specific number of times. Tell yourself that you'll take the stairs six or eight times (no matter what).

4. While seated, perform some isometric exercise to help strengthen and tighten your muscles. For example, while in a seated position, simply contract the abdominals for 30 seconds while breathing naturally. You can also tighten and contract your legs for 60 seconds. Perform about three sets per area. You'll feel your muscles get tighter in just three weeks if you perform this a few times per week.

5. For about $15, you can invest in a pedometer. It's a small device you can carry that records the amount of miles you walk per day. Each week, simply try to add just a bit more to the mileage. For example, let's say you walk one mile total during the day in the normal course of activities. Simply try to make it two miles total the following week. Just make a game of it. You'll burn more calories.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:30 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Elbow macaroni is baked in a casserole with canned chicken soup, sliced tomatoes and processed cheese slices.

Serves 10 9x13 dish
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Calories: 294.58
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 6.45 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 43.03 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 16.11 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
0.75 cup milk
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 tomatoes, sliced
12 slices precessed sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. 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.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium saucepan, heat soup and milk over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat and stir in macaroni. Pour macaroni mixture into 9x13 baking dish. Place a layer of tomatoes, then a layer of cheese slices over macaroni. Repeat.
3. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 6:52 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008 5 Salad Bar Toppings That are Bad For You

If you're patting yourself on the back for heading to the salad bar for a snack or meal, beware. While lettuce and raw veggies hardly contain any calories at all, pile on the wrong toppings and your "wise" choice can easily turn in the fat and calorie equivalent of a hot fudge sundae! Go lightly on:

Salad dressing: A quarter-cup ladle of ranch adds 292 calories and 30 grams of fat! Opt for 2 tablespoons of the fat-free Italian, and add a mere 14 calories instead.

Cheese: Colorful shredded cheddar cheese may look appealing, until you realize it has 110 calories and 9 grams of fat per quarter-cup serving. Add color with fewer calories with shredded carrots, instead.

Croutons: These toasted bread pieces may look innocent, but a one-cup scoop can add 186 calories and 7.3 grams of fat to your plate. Try crumbling a package of two saltine crackers on instead, at just 39 calories.

Nuts: Sunflower seeds look like a healthy choice, and they are in moderation, but pile them on and you'll add 165 calories and 14 grams of fat per quarter cup. Stick to just a sprinkle.

Potato and macaroni salads: Watch out. Potato salad packs 217 calories and 12 grams of fat per half cup. Macaroni salad is even worse, at 360 calories and 26 grams of fat per half cup. Opt for a scoop of three-bean salad instead, at 80 calories and 0 grams of fat per half cup.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:04 AM :: 0 comments

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Shopping Mall Super Snacks

January has become the season for shopping-mall mania. It's now a tradition to return those gifts that were well-meant, but oh-so-wrong. And who can resist hunting for those "75 percent off already-discounted clothes" deals?

But when you walk by the mall's food court, it's tempting to make this the season for unplanned snacking as well. Here's the math:

1 humungous cinnamon bun dripping with butter and icing
+ 1 Paul Bunyan-sized mug of creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
= A day's allotment of calories (and a week's portion of saturated fat!)

Instead, get to know how to enjoy healthy treats amidst the mall's food traps Knowledge is power, and the opportunity to stay on your diet. Most mall food courts contain fast-food restaurants, and an increasing number of those provide nutritional information on their Web sites. Look up your favorites and choose the lowest in fat and calories. For example, McDonald's offers a fruit and yogurt parfait. Choose the no-granola version and enjoy 130 calories of tasty and healthy food.

Opt for flavor, not fat. You can create my own low-calorie, high-flavor treat by asking them to prepare a platter filled with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, a few slivers of raw onion, and lots of low-calorie, fat-free salsa instead of opting for the higher fat taco at a well known taco food court favorite. With a large bottle of water, this snack is satisfying and high in vitamins and minerals.

Worried you won't be able to resist the food court's tempting fragrances? Then skip it! Pack an energy bar and a bottle of water in the car and take it with you into the mall. Eat it when you fatigue and need a break. Then go for a walk around the exterior of the mall with your renewed vigor, and you'll feel the power.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:26 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Low Fat Spaghetti Sauce

A long, slow simmer of tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, sugar and a pinch of baking soda yields a rich, dark sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese and keep simmering. Let the flavors meld overnight, then serve with your favorite pasta.

Serves 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 875 minutes
Total time: 880 minutes
Calories: 212.26
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 2.02 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 39.37 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 9.15 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

4 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
4 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
3 cups water
4 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoons white sugar
0.25 cup chopped fresh basil
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 pinches baking soda
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Mix together whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, mushrooms, onions, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper, basil, and 1 pinch of baking soda in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce to a simmer, and cook for 4 hours minimum.
2. Stir in another pinch of baking soda; the sauce will foam. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and almost brown. Make sure to scrape the sides of the pan in to the sauce.
3. After the sauce is fork consistency, stir in Parmesan cheese. Watch that the cheese does not burn. Taste sauce. If it is too tangy or acidic, add another pinch of baking soda and simmer another 1/2 hour.
4. Cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, reheat and serve.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:55 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, January 17, 2008 Making Your Mind Up To Lose Weight

Goal-setting, positive self-talk, and self-esteem are all very important aspects of physical fitness and weight loss. How you feel about yourself can have a huge impact when it comes to starting (and staying on) an exercise and weight loss regime.

Just like you can reshape your body with diet and exercise, you can also reshape your self-image. An excellent way to improve your weight loss mind-set is to begin to create realistic goals. When you meet the goals you set, you will feel better about yourself. The higher your weight is, the lower your self-esteem tends to plunge. Meeting even the smallest goal, such as walking an extra 10 minutes each day renews your self-esteem.

Defining and meeting your goals will be a huge boost to your self-image.
Additionally, goal-setting can improve other aspects of your life. It will help you understand what is important to you, such as making lowering your blood pressure your top goal, or, simply being able to walk your dog an extra block or two within a few weeks. Goals will also keep you motivated, so you will then be more likely to make and meet new, more difficult goals. Perhaps other challenges in your life will begin to seem less daunting when you see what you can really do!

It is important to always write goals down - big or small, long-term or short-term. Just put it in writing. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but you could send yourself an e-mail, make notations in your calendar or journal, or simply write them on a piece of notebook paper. By doing this, you get the feeling you are making a contract with yourself which makes you less likely to forget or ignore them.

The most important piece of advice in goal-setting? Stay realistic. Setting unachievable, unrealistic goals is far more harmful than helpful. Not only will you suffer trying to meet them, the discouragement you'll feel when you inevitably don't meet them will leave you down in the dumps. Then it will be too easy to get so down on yourself that you may not even want to try anymore. Just keep it real and that won't happen.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 9:19 AM :: 0 comments

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10 Ways To Drink More Water

It's no news that you should be drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Doing so has many health benefits, including promoting weight loss, improving your skin, ridding your system of toxins and more. As we have heard many many times before, water is essential in not only helping us lose weight but it is also necessary to keep it off. However, it can be hard finding time to drink all of that water! If you need some help working it all in you can try these 10 tips for ways to drink more water:

Take a water bottle to work.
Take a water bottle for each person whenever you go anywhere in the car.
Drink a glass of water before each meal.
Keep a bottle of cold water in the refrigerator.
Use a larger glass at meals. If you normally use an 8-ounce glass, try a 10-ounce.
Take a full water bottle on all bike rides.
Buy a waist pack that holds a water bottle, and take it with you on walks.
Use sports drinks before, during and after any summertime activity.
Have at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Make a fruit smoothie for breakfast. Blend fresh fruit, seltzer water and vanilla yogurt for an easy pick-me-up that's also a good source of fluid.

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

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Heart Healthy Foods

If you ever pick up a newspaper or surfed the Internet, you've certainly heard that obesity and high-fat, high-sugar diets are on the rise. All of these things are contributing factors in heart disease. If you aren't doing it already, isn't it about time to get a handle on your diet, and show your cardiovascular system some mercy? The following diet and eating habit suggestions will help set you on the road to a healthier heart.

1. Eat low-fat meats - This means generally avoiding red meat, and sticking with poultry and fish. But, of course, you have to take method of preparation into consideration as well, meaning skip the fried chicken and go for grilled. Can't do without burgers? Try substituting low-fat ground turkey or soy-based veggie burgers. Fish - especially oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel - are an excellent part of a heart-healthy diet because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower triglycerides and may help improve your overall cholesterol profile as well as help lower blood pressure. If you're not much into fish, you can take supplements or consume other foods that contain omega-3, such as walnuts, soybeans and flaxseeds.

2. Cut back on certain fat and cholesterol laden foods - The main culprits are saturated fats and especially trans fats. The American Heart Association recommends that saturated fats make up no more than seven percent of your daily calories, and that trans fats make up no more than one percent. But you'd do very well to cut out trans fats altogether, which isn't as difficult as it used to be. More and more processed foods such as various crackers, breads, chips, etc that used to contain trans fats (usually in the form of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils) have been dropping them in recent years, and more and more fast food restaurants are removing trans fats from their foods as well. This doesn't mean you should now give yourself license to pig out on the stuff every chance you get, but it does mean that the occasional order of French fries isn't as harmful as it once was.

3. Eat whole grain foods - The easy rule of thumb is to go for brown over white every time. So brown rice instead of white rice, whole wheat or multiple grain bread instead of white bread, bran cereals instead of the sugary, food-colored variety. Whole grains provide you with fiber, since by definition they still contain germ and bran. They're also rich in various vitamins and minerals, some of which are important in regulating blood pressure.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:09 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipe of The Day

Shrimp Paella

Shrimp, rice, and diced tomatoes all simmered in chicken broth and gently kissed with the essence of saffron.

Serves 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Calories: 200.65
Calories from Fat: N/A
Total Fat: 2.03 g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Total Carbohydrate: 23.46 g
Dietary Fiber: N/A
Sugars: N/A
Protein: 22.14 g
Vitamin A: N/A
Vitamin C: N/A

Ingredients

0.5 cup uncooked white rice
1.5 cups water
0.5 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pound fresh shrimp, shelled and deveined without tails
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
4 saffron threads

Directions

1. In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the garlic and shrimp for about 5 minutes or until pink.
3. Pour in broth, tomatoes and saffron; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Stir in 2 cups of the cooked rice and reduce heat to low. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:32 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Bad Habits and Weight Loss

Once you realize that most weight problems are related to bad habits you will understand that if you can eliminate these bad habits weight loss will follow.

The first step in the process is to determine what your bad habits are. Look at the times when you tend to overeat and see if you can understand what triggers these reactions. If you can eliminate those triggers and you can only do that by determining what they are in the first place then you will find it a lot easier to sort out your eating problems.

You should also look at the types of food that you go for during these times. Often they will be comfort foods and more often than not these comfort foods are of very low nutritional value due to that fact they will stimulate overeating. By simply changing your comfort foods, with those that are of a higher nutritional value you will still be satisfying your needs by eliminating the negative side effects that are associated with poor food choices.

Most things that we do in life are habitual. We rarely think about the actions we take as we go about our daily routines on autopilot. Unfortunately, everything we do throughout the day includes both good and bad habits and it is those bad habits that are causing the damage. As we age, more and more aspects of our life become habitual. It becomes more difficult to realize we have these habits and even more so to get rid of them particularly if we have had them for a long time.

With a bit of personal analysis you will quickly become notice the various different things that are leading up to your eating and weight problems. If you only target one of these habits at a time it becomes a lot easier to make the changes. Changing one habit can have a positive affect on many other habits. The process certainly becomes easier the more you do it in and by concentrating more on that area rather than the food itself you will find that weight loss is not such an overwhelming part of your life.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 8:13 AM :: 0 comments

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Six Steps To a Slimmer You

Step 1: Double up on your aerobics

Instead of exercising for 30 minutes on the treadmill, step it up to 60 minutes. You don´t need to walk, step or jog faster, only longer. Extending your workouts past 30 minutes gives your body more time to burn fat, as opposed to only burning carbohydrates for energy.

Added tip, don´t eat more because you exercise more. Lean bodies are nutritionally efficient bodies.

Step 2: Go to bed the same time every night before 11pm

When bodybuilders train for a show, you can bet on one thing for certain, they´re snoozing by 11pm every night. Getting to sleep consistently by 11am gives body fat the one-two knockout.

Early sleep lowers the amount of cortisol levels in your blood. Higher than normal cortisol levels encourages fat storage. As an added boost, when you regulate your sleep, your levels of melatonin kick in like clockwork each night to not only enhance your sleep, but to actually burn fat better.

Step 3: Wake up 30 minutes earlier

OK, you have to get your double exercise time from somewhere, so it comes from your sleep time. Getting up earlier also helps you sleep better. With the added fatigue from exercising and going to sleep at a regular time, your dozing hours will be more restful and you probably won´t even notice those 30 minutes that you skimped on.

Step 4: Eat you last meal by 7:30pm

If you meet a successful fitness model, one thing you´re sure to encounter is that she has her eating habits down to a science. Closing down you kitchen a 7:30 has several weight loss benefits. First, by not eating for a full twelve hours each day, you give your stomach time to empty itself and allow you body to use excess fat for energy.

Second, if your last meal is at 7:30pm and you crawl into bed by 11pm, your body will not be so busy digesting food all night long- making your rest all the more peaceful.

Step 5: Eat more frequently, 6-8 times a day

Metabolism manipulation is the cornerstone of weight loss. Manipulate your meals and you manipulate your metabolism. If you normally eat 3-5 meals a day, break those feasts in the 6-8 mini meals. Remember, do not add more food just split the meals in two. Regularly feeding your body keeps the body´s energy level at its optimum. Moreover, you´ll have the energy you need to make it through an extended cardio session.

Step 6: Replace one snack with a glass of water

Daily, you might be tempted to eat a 300 calorie sweet or fattening snack. When you get up or reach for your cellulite creating snack, drink a glass of water first. After drinking the water, go back to what you were doing.

Sometimes we snack simply out of boredom or because we need an emotional distraction. Next time that happens to you, drink water first. The act of drinking water will fill that mental void and help you avoid mindless eating.

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:30 AM :: 0 comments

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It's Not Time To Quit Yet!

You know the saying "Quitters never win and winners never quit!" but sometimes it is hard to stay on your weight loss journey when it doesn't seem the light at the end of the tunnel is bright enough. Weight loss is not a quick fix, it never will be. That doesn't mean you should quit when the going gets rough.

I've you find yourself wavering in your latest endeavor then just ask yourself these following questions before you give up completely. By answering them honestly you may just find yourself with a bit more motivation and understanding of what is going on in your life that you are willing to throw in the towel. It will get you back on track and may even give you some renewed enthusiasm.

Why do I want to lose weight?
How will I feel if I quit completely?
How will I feel if I succeed?
Do I always quit before I hit my weight loss goal?
Why do I think this is so hard?
What does work for me?
What do I need to change so it works for me?
What do I need to learn about weight loss?
What strategies could I use to become motivated again?
How do I get more support for the ultimate weight loss?
What will I achieve by quitting in the middle of my quest?
What will I do then?

Chances are you will find that you don't actually want to quit. You may just be getting bored with your exercise routine, or you may be getting down on yourself for not losing as much as you had hoped up to this point. Don't quit though! Look for more options, more exercise routines that excite you, and maybe join a support group for people trying to lose weight. You can do this!

Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway :: 7:18 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Foods That Help You Lose Weight

Red meat

Lean red meat especially sirloin is a great choice for women who are trying to shed pounds. It is an excellent source of protein. Also, as protein takes longer to digest, it can reduce hunger and h