This is a blog that many people can relate to. Here we will give you all the latest weight loss solutions as well as health tips, diet tips, and the real facts on how to lose weight the healthy way.
With beefy bean burgers that are ready in less than 30 minutes, you can have your meat and fiber, too.
Prep Time:10 min Start to Finish:25 min makes:5 servings
1/2 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef 1 can (15 to 16 oz) great northern beans, drained, rinsed 1/4 cup finely crushed saltine crackers (about 7 squares) 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 egg Leaf lettuce, if desired 5 whole-grain hamburger buns, split 5 teaspoons barbecue sauce Sliced tomato and sliced onion, if desired
1. Heat gas or charcoal grill. In large bowl, mix beef, beans, cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, the pepper and egg. Shape into 5 patties, about 1/2 inch thick. 2. Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place patties on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium heat 5 minutes. Turn; cook covered 5 to 6 minutes longer or until meat thermometer inserted in center of patties reads 160ºF. 3. Place lettuce and patties on bottom halves of buns. Spread each patty with 1 teaspoon barbecue sauce. Top with tomato and onion. Cover with bun tops. Broiling Directions: Place patties on broiler pan. Broil with tops 4 to 5 inches from heat using times in recipe as a guide, turning once and spreading with barbecue sauce after turning.
Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 330 (Calories from Fat 60); Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 1/2g); Cholesterol 70mg; Sodium 410mg; Total Carbohydrate 44g (Dietary Fiber 7g, Sugars 9g); Protein 23g
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
5:44 AM ::
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Health Benefits of Watermelon
A cool wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day? Refreshing, for sure.
But watermelon is more than just a seasonal treat. Here are three great health reasons to dig into this juicy fruit:
It's loaded with lycopene. Watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. That’s good news for your body, because early research suggests that lycopene may be a cancer crusher.
It can make your skin pretty. Watermelon is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes. Say no more -- bring on the melon!
It's practically calorie-free. With fewer than 50 calories in every cup, watermelon is one smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth. And with a whopping 141 grams of water per cubed cup, watermelon will keep you hydrated, too
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
8:55 AM ::
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How many times have you wished that you could just wave your hands or twitch your nose and you would be thinner. Well obviously magic isn't real. So, with that in mind, what can we do for quick, easy and sure weight loss?
1. Drink 64-plus ounces of water each and every day.
2. Get cardio exercise EVERY day; gradually building to the point where you get a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
3. Add fresh raw fruits and vegetables to your daily diet.
4. Limit the "bulky" carbs: white flour, potatoes, cereal, etc.
5. Identify the biggest obstacle you consistently face that stymies your weight loss and overcome it, rid yourself of it and banish it from your life forever!
Sound too hard? Seem impossible?
It isn't. The above mentioned 5 tips are really nothing more than a recipe for healthy living. You aren't food combining impaired. You aren't willpower deficient. Your weight is, in most cases, a direct result of what you are consuming and how much you aren't moving.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
8:22 AM ::
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What's so great about summer when it comes to your weight-loss efforts? Besides the obvious -- warmer temperatures and more opportunities to be active outdoors -- this time of year brings an abundance of low-calorie fresh fruits and vegetables that can make a healthful meal plan more delicious, more nutritious and more exciting for those winter-weary taste buds.
Some of nature's sweetest offerings hit their peak at this time of year. From strawberries to blueberries and black raspberries, these are seasonal treats that can add interest to almost any meal as well as a serious dose of good-for-your-health nutrition. In fact, one study found that blueberries surpassed other fruits and veggies when it came to antioxidant activity time and time again. Antioxidants provide protection from substances that can damage the body's cells and lead to a number of diseases, including cancer.
In addition, an even more recent study showed that black raspberries seem to possess still greater antioxidant power when it comes to cancer. Rats that were fed freeze-dried raspberries had 80 percent fewer tumors than those who ate no raspberries.
And all of these special breeds of fruits will give you a berry healthy dose of nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, potassium and folate.
Extra super news if you're trying to whittle your waistline: berries are incredibly low in calories (with about 25 calories per half cup) and contain zero fat. So get to the market while they're at their juicy finest -- strawberries hit their peak in June, and blueberries and raspberries are in season through the summer. Then, be sure to use them!
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
6:17 AM ::
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Discover the magic of marinade! After you fix and forget it, the marinade flavors and tenderizes.
Prep Time:40 min Start to Finish:8 hr 40 min makes:6 servings
Teriyaki Marinade 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped Pork 2 pork tenderloins (about 3/4 pound each) 1 pineapple, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1. Mix all Teriyaki Marinade ingredients. Fold thin end of each pork tenderloin under so pork is an even thickness; secure with toothpicks. Place pork in resealable plastic food-storage bag or shallow glass or plastic dish. Pour marinade over pork; turn pork to coat with marinade. Seal bag or cover dish and refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours, turning pork occasionally. 2. Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. If using charcoal grill, place drip pan directly under grilling area, and arrange coals around edge of firebox. Heat coals or gas grill for indirect heat. 3. Remove pork from marinade; reserve marinade. Cover and grill pork over drip pan or over unheated side of gas grill and 4 to 5 inches from medium heat 25 to 30 minutes, brushing occasionally with marinade and turning once, until pork is slightly pink in center. Cut pineapple slices in half. Add pineapple to grill for last 2 to 4 minutes of grilling, brushing with marinade and turning once. Discard any remaining marinade. 4. Remove toothpicks from pork. Cut pork across grain into thin slices. Serve with pineapple.
Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 220 (Calories from Fat 70); Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 70mg; Sodium 540mg; Total Carbohydrate 12g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 8g); Protein 26g
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
5:01 AM ::
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
6 Steps to Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals
QUALITY TIME! You don't need to go away to have a relaxing vacation. Just a few moments can do the trick. Try going for a walk outside, or go take in a movie by yourself. Taking time for yourself will help you occupy your free time with more fulfilling activities than eating, therefore not only helping you lose weight but also feeling better about yourself! And who couldn't use that?
GET IN MOTION! Move that body! Joining a gym is a great idea, but only if you'll actually go. If you don't have the time, save the money. You can stay active by riding your bike, doing yard work, cleaning your home, chasing the kids around the house, etc. You may also consider buying an exercise video or workout machine. Any increased physical activity, of any kind, is better than none!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU! Not every weight-loss program will work for everyone; we are all different. You know what you will most likely have the best chance of following through with. If you have a sweet tooth, you know that limiting carbs would probably not work for you! Some people succeed best with the "point system," while others would rather try a "low carb" plan if they crave heartier meals! Choose a program that you can stick with.
GET A CHECK UP! Getting regularly checked by your physician and keeping your health up is so important. Avoiding smoking or drinking is ideal, and ridding your body of excess calorie intake, getting enough sleep, and taking a multi-vitamin will shape up your insides and help you feel overall healthier and more energetic.
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HABITS! Starting with baby steps is vital. Don't feel you have "blown it" after one slip-up. Keep your fridge stocked with fresh vegetables and clean out those lurking temptations (you know the ones...cookies, snacks, etc). Pack a decent lunch instead of using a drive-thru. One change is better than none, and will probably lead to more. It is undeniably empowering to be in charge and in complete control of this one aspect of your sometimes seemingly unmanageable life!
BE GOOD TO YOURSELF! You don't need to wait until you've completely fulfilled all your weight loss goals in order to reward yourself! Ofstein asks you to consider, "Isn't getting there most of the battle?" Don't wait to buy yourself a new shirt, buy it now! You deserve to show off the new, transforming you!
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:21 AM ::
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Trying to save money, food companies introduced High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) into the food market in the 1970s. Sweetening manufactured foods this way is profitable, because it is less expensive and much sweeter than sugar, yet easy to transport because of its liquid state. Today HFCS is found in a variety of foods from soda pop to ketchup, fruit drinks to salad dressings, cereals, breads, flavored yogurt, and sauces.
Fructose, a monosaccharide, is sometimes called “fruit sugar” because it is naturally found in fruits. Fructose is also found in honey, and is a component of table sugar (sucrose), which is a disaccharide composed of fructose and glucose.
When we eat most carbohydrate foods, the blood sugar level increases and insulin is secreted to transport the sugar into the body’s cells. Besides helping to transport blood sugar, insulin also triggers the release of a hormone called leptin. Leptin helps control hunger by signaling the brain that the body is full and therefore to stop eating.
The interesting fact about fructose is that it is metabolized in a totally different way than other carbohydrates. It does not stimulate or require insulin for transportation to the cells. Since there is no need for insulin release, there is also no secretion of leptin. Therefore the feeling of satiety is altered—you continue to eat and possible overeat.
Fructose should not be eliminated from your diet. It is primarily found in fruits, which provide a wealth of nutritional benefits to the body. Fructose found in fruits is fine! However, are we setting up our bodies for damage by constantly feeding it foods that have been filled with sucrose (fructose and glucose) and heavily loaded with HFCS, which is approximately one-half fructose.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:00 AM ::
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Want to add some color to your cookout? A wide range of colors not only adds visual appeal, but also gives you a variety of valuable nutrients.
We all love hamburgers and hot dogs as the standards at backyard barbeques, but sometimes it's nice to grill up something different -- something colorful. To spice up your cookout, try adding kabobs to your grilling repertoire.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to kabobs. As long as you can cut the food into similarly sized chunks -- and can run a skewer though it -- you can make a kabob out of it. It's that simple.
To make sure you get the most visually appealing, flavorful meal you can fit on a stick, here's a guide to the rainbow of colors you can use to craft the perfect kabob and what nutrients each color carries.
Red: Contains lycopene, ellagic acid, quercetin and hesperidin. Benefits: Reduces the risk of certain cancers, lowers blood pressure, reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, scavenges harmful free-radicals and supports joint tissue in arthritis cases.
Orange/Yellow: Contains beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium and vitamin C. Benefits: Reduces age-related macular degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promotes collagen formation and healthy joints and fights harmful free radicals.
Green: Contains chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, calcium and beta-carotene. Benefits: Reduces cancer risks, lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalizes digestion, supports retinal health and vision, fights harmful free-radicals and boosts immune system activity.
White: Contains beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG and lignans that provide powerful immune boosting activity. Benefits: Boosts immunity, reduces the risk of several cancers and balances hormone levels.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
6:43 AM ::
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Add sizzle to dinner salad with chicken hot off the grill and a peppy fruit salsa.
Prep Time:40 min Start to Finish:40 min makes:2 servings
Apricot Salsa 1/3 cup orange juice 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots 1 tablespoon apricot preserves 1 teaspoon olive or vegetable oil 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 1 medium green onion, sliced (1 tablespoon) 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
Salad 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (5 oz each) 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 3 cups bite-size pieces mixed salad greens
1. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the orange juice; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat apricots and remaining orange juice to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 5 minutes or until most of the orange juice is absorbed. Cool 15 minutes. In small bowl, mix reserved 1 tablespoon orange juice, the preserves and oil. Stir in apricot mixture and remaining salsa ingredients; set aside. 2. Heat gas or charcoal grill. Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt. Place chicken on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Cut chicken into 1/2-inch slices. 3. Divide salad greens between 2 plates. Top with chicken and salsa. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Cover and grill over medium-low heat.
Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 300 (Calories from Fat 60); Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 1 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 85mg; Sodium 230mg; Total Carbohydrate 26g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 20g); Protein 33g
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
5:59 AM ::
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Monday, July 21, 2008
4 Secrets To Watching Your Weight on Vacation
Worried that your getaway will turn into an exotic free-for-all? Being away from home can make it harder to stick to your dieting guns. But experts offer these stick-to-it secrets for your waist-watching vacay:
Fill up with a high-fiber, low-fat breakfast that includes some protein. Take along some of the fruit, nuts and healthy cereal for two mini meals during the day (add yogurt if you're hungry). Then have veggies, lean protein and fruit at night.
Select specific nights or moments for special treats, and "pay back" by exercising the next day. Many vacation spots have gyms on site so if you do anything at all, just head over there for 30 minutes or so and get in some sort of exercise. Even better than that, walk to all of your sightseeing places so that you don't have to hit the gym!
Make the trip an active one, with water sports, hiking, biking or walking tours. There is usually plenty to do on vacation so find at least one thing each day that makes you sweat!
Arrange a hotel room with a refrigerator; pack or buy paper goods and baggies so you can manage treats and even breakfast—you'll save bucks and calories!
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:36 AM ::
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The debate rages on. What's most important, a healthy, well-balanced diet or an active lifestyle that incorporates some type of exercise? Let's take a close look at what each can do for us, and at what cost.
Dieting (or temporarily changing one's eating habits in order to shed body fat) is, at best, a band-aid approach to weight loss. A more sensible method involves taking the time to learn how to eat, what foods are good for you and what you need to avoid or moderate in your daily diet.
Instead of blindly following the latest fad diet, educate yourself through reading, seeking out a nutritionist or even consulting your doctor on what's best for you. Eating right can involve a bit of legwork, but eventually you'll learn that fad and gimmick diets are just a waste of time.
Sticking to a sensible eating program can also involve some discipline and sacrifice. Running into the nearest McDonald's whenever time is short and hunger hits is no longer a viable option. But, the hundreds of unwanted fat calories you'll avoid (that would have otherwise found their way directly to your belly) will be well worth the sacrifice.
Most experts agree that the best way to reduce body fat is to never let the unwanted calories cross your lips in the first place. The simplicity of this statement is lost on many of us, but you'll be amazed at how much less you need to exercise when you stop eating too much of the wrong foods.
At the same time, nutritional requirements of protein, carbohydrate and even fat must be met. You also need minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, as well as plenty of water and fiber. This is where the self-education really kicks in. Starvation just won't work, and it can lead to serious eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
But don't forget about the fringe benefits of eating sensibly. The resulting lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels reduce your risk of heart disease, while stable blood sugar minimizes your risk of diabetes and related problems. Your risk of developing certain types of cancer is also significantly lessened.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:06 AM ::
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As the lazy days of summer string together, we're spending more and more time around the grill. And why not? After all, grilling is one of the best low-fat cooking techniques around -- assuming you're not piling your plate with potato chips, pasta salad and ice cream sandwiches.
But sometimes the basic rotation can get boring: Burgers, dogs, chicken, steak, chicken, burgers, dogs, chicken, burgers and so on…
Hamburgers are a staple at a cookout -- they're relatively cheap, easy to make and can be eaten with your hands, making cleanup a snap. However, your standard beef burger can get stale. A hamburger graduates to a cheeseburger, then to a bacon cheeseburger, and before too long, you're just packing on fat and calories to change up the flavor.
Burgers can get boring, but fear not, my grill groupies, here's an exotic way to spice up burger without expanding your waistline:
Indian Beef Patties
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 1/3 cup cucumber, chopped and seeded 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped 1 medium jalapeño pepper, chopped and seeded 1 Tbsp. fresh mint, snipped 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced 1/4 tsp. salt 6 oz. 90% lean ground beef
For the sauce: Stir together the yogurt and cucumber in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the burger: Combine the onion, jalapeno pepper, mint, cumin, garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the ground meat; mix well. Form mixture into two 3/4-inch-thick patties.
If you're using a charcoal grill: Place patties on the grill rack directly over medium coals. Grill, uncovered, for 14 to 18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the patty registers 160 degrees F, turning once.
If you're using a gas grill: Preheat. Reduce heat to medium. Place patties on the grill rack; cover and grill as directed above.
Serve the patties topped with yogurt-cucumber sauce.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
5:23 AM ::
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Think about the activities you do every day, like opening doors, putting the toothpaste back on the top shelf of your medicine cabinet, carrying grocery bags into the house, and so on — what do they have in common? They all involve using the muscles of your torso. Want to participate in sports, or just improve your ability to do simple, everyday tasks? Study the torso muscle groups and apply this knowledge to some select training exercises.
The three major muscle groups in your torso are located in the chest, the upper back, and the shoulders. The major muscle of the chest area is the pectoralis major. It is thin and fan-shaped. The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle positioned below the pectoralis major. The chest muscles are responsible for movements like throwing and pushing.
The muscle that makes up most of the upper back is the latissimus dorsi, or "lats," which is a long, broad muscle whose primary function is to pull your arms backward and downward, as in pulling and climbing motions.
The shoulders comprise eleven muscles, of which the deltoids are the most important. The deltoids are actually one muscle made up of three separate parts, or heads. The anterior deltoid, found on the front of the shoulder, is used when you raise your arms forward. The lateral deltoid is located on the side of the shoulder and is involved when you lift your arms sideways. The posterior deltoid resides on the back of the shoulder and is used to draw your arms backward. The deltoids play a vital role in throwing, pushing, carrying, and climbing.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:37 AM ::
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Want to lose weight? Drink water. Want to have better skin? Drink water. Want to speed up your metabolism, protect your joints and organs and help minimize and eliminate toxins, skin sagging, breakouts and constipation? Are you getting the picture? Welcome to the wondrous world of water.
It's here, it's there, it's essentially everywhere, and our bodies are constantly asking us for more. Inside nature's perfect beverage, you will find no taste, no color and no odor. What you will find is a vastness of pure goodness for your health.
More than half of our bodies are made up of water, and we make sure to put it to work. It suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize fat. It also regulates our body temperature and flushes our bodies of toxins. On top of all that, water also works as a nutrient and oxygen transport and for absorption and utilization of vitamins and minerals.
While you may already know that drinking water is good for you, your taste buds might want to veer you elsewhere in search of more flavorful options. Unfortunately, no other beverage can take the place of water when it comes to its natural benefits. The good news is there is a middle ground. There are plenty of ways to spruce up the blandness and add a little more zing to your H20. Try adding a lemon wedge or lime.
Another bonus of the ever-present liquid powerhouse is that you can get plenty of your daily requirements without having to drink it all. There are a plethora of fruits, veggies and other beverages that help out in that department.
When it comes to your health, water is undoubtedly the first-prize winner. Here are a few different things you can do to quench your body's thirst for H2O:
1. When you wake, start the day with a glass of water. 2. Keep a pitcher of chilled water in the fridge. 3. Always carry a bottle or jug of fresh water with you. 4. Avoid drinking a large amount of caffeinated beverages. 5. Take a few sips from a water fountain whenever you run into one. 6. Drink a glass with every meal even if you are drinking another beverage. 7. If you're hungry, drink a glass before you go for the snack. 8. Increase your fruit and veggie intake. 9. Order soup before your meal. 10. Plan ahead and make daily goals
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
7:12 AM ::
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So you think you need a machine to work your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, huh? Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't think so. He relied on stiff-legged dead lifts, which produce killer glutes if done properly. They were cool in the seventies and eighties, but modern machines made them seem a little too low-tech to be effective.
This classic exercise of the bodybuilding era, however, is worth a second look. Working the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back in a free-form position means that the rest of your body has to work a little harder to support itself during the exercise. And that provides bonuses, such as improved coordination and balance. It also burns more calories.
Want to give this dead lift a try? Here's how to do it.
Stand with your feet slightly closer than shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent, or "soft." Hold a barbell with both hands, or dumbbells in each hand, in front of your thighs, with your palms facing your legs. Keep your back straight and your shoulders pulled back.
Allow the torso to slowly bend forward and lower the bar or dumbbells toward the floor. Keep your knees slightly bent and your back flat throughout the entire movement. Lower the bar until your torso is almost parallel to the ground. From this position, focus on your hamstrings and exhale while slowly lifting your body and the weights back to the starting position. Repeat.
Adhering to proper form is extremely important during this move; otherwise you can injure your lower back. To prevent injury, keep your eyes focused forward. This keeps your back in the appropriate position. Don't round your shoulders or bend your knees too much, and be careful not to use too much weight.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
6:08 AM ::
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