Category - Carboholic of the Month

Weight Loss Tips You Can Count On

Weight-Loss-Letters

It is not easy to lose weight, and that is why so many people become discouraged when they try to do it. You have to make sure to have patience because results may not happen as fast as you would like. If you employ the right methods you should be seeing positive results after a while.

You may actually want to avoid working out if you are trying to lose weight. This is a good tip for people who aren’t into exercising. You can sneak exercise into your routine by doing things you enjoy like walking your dog or playing ball with the kids. This way, the exercise doesn’t seem boring or work-like.

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If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll have a much easier time if you exercise. Exercise keeps your body’s metabolism from going into a deep dive, which is especially important for people as they age. The key is to find a physical activity that you really enjoy and go for it. Love to dance? Sign up for a dance class or the like. Love to ride a bike? Find a way to bike to work or to the store. Even those who don’t love exercise – and there are a lot of us out there – can find ways to work physical movement into our lives in an enjoyable way.

If you are looking to lose weight you need to focus on cardiovascular activities. Cardiovascular exercises will burn fat by quickening your pulse and pushing your body for energy. The main requirement for a cardiovascular exercise is that it keeps your heart rate steadily high, so find something enjoyable that qualifies and enjoy your workout!

Try to fit as much exercise as possible into your day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Stand instead of sitting and if possible, walk instead of stand. Pacing can be very helpful. Fidgeting has been shown to help with weight loss, as well. Jiggle your foot, tap your toes and drum your fingers. It may not seem like much, but it adds up quickly!

Watch how many calories you are ingesting if you want to lose weight. If you burn less calories than the calories you eat, it is going to be really difficult for you to shed weight. Consuming an excess amount of calories will hinder your weight loss efforts. Try to write down all of the calories you are eating if you are trying to lose some girth!

Consider dieting and exercising with a friend, or consider joining a weight loss support group. Exercising is much more fun when you have someone else to join you. You will find that losing weight is also easier when you have someone to encourage you and share your weight loss experience.

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When you are watching what you eat, don’t forget to also watch what you drink. Research the calories of your favorite beverages so that you can fit them into your diet comfortably. Also, switch to “light” versions of your drinks of choice to ‘shave excess calories off’ your daily intake.

A helpful way to lose weight is to start reading the labels on the food that you eat. Doing so will make you aware of the good and bad chemicals that are in your food. Reading the labels also familiarizes you with the amount of calories you will be consuming. This knowledge can be a deterent to eating unhealthy, which can lead to weight loss.

Decide what your biggest guilty-pleasure food is and incorporate its flavors into healthy dishes. For instance, if you love Mexican food, add salsa to your egg-white omelet, or use fajita seasoning to spice up your chicken. When you use the fundamental flavors of your favorite food in everyday cooking, you help eliminate cravings for it. Plus, eating becomes a more enjoyable experience.

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Use cinnamon instead of sugar. Fruits can get a little boring after a while. Before you give in and go after a more sugary dessert, give cinnamon a try. Put a little cinnamon on your fruit before eating it. It changes things up a bit and is a delicious alternative to sugar.

It has been shown that having a small amount of sugar after exercising can actually be beneficial. When consumed in conjunction with proteins, the sugars will break down the proteins and deliver the nutrients to your muscles that you just worked out.

Nuts are one of the best foods that you can consume to reduce your hunger and cravings. Instead of going out for fast food, drive to the grocery store and purchase a can full of nuts. There is a wide selection of nuts to choose from and they are very tasty and filling.

Believe it or not, many restaurants do not list all available food preparation options on the printed menu. Most of the time, chefs and cooks are willing to oblige reasonable requests from diners who prefer to have their food pan-seared or broiled rather than fried, or cooked using healthier alternatives like sunflower or olive oils instead of lard or other animal fats.

Don’t let your friends or family play the devil’s advocate by enticing you to deviate from your fitness routine or dietary plan. Even the tiniest slip up can have dire consequences for the future success of your weight loss program. You might also explain your feelings to the offending party; he or she should be respectful of your decisions.

 

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You should even eat healthy at restaurants. For example, many eateries use more dressing than is needed; and you really only need about half of it. Managing your weight is easier when you go to the restaurants you love yet are able to eat a healthy diet.

Like it said in the beginning of the article, trying to get the pounds off is not a task that is as simple as many would like it to be. The best thing you can do is be healthy and make sure to use safe methods. Reward yourself when you start to see progress.

Superfoods for Super Sex by Kevin Angileri

Superfoods for Super Sex by Kevin Angileri

Superfoods for Super Sex by Kevin Angileri

Every aspect of a food – its color, shape, scent and texture – can make it sexy. In addition, certain foods contain substances that make us feel good by interacting with our hormones or stimulating our brain. Consider incorporating some of the following into your next candlelight dinner to help you and your partner get in the mood.
Oysters are a good source of minerals like selenium and zinc, and are also high in protein. A perfect appetizer to a beautiful meal – but be careful when purchasing, as some can have high levels of pollutants and PCB. If you’re pregnant, oysters should be avoided.

Chocolate has been a symbol of love and lust for centuries due to theobromine, a stimulant to the brain that creates a pleasurable effect. Chocolate also contains antioxidants that may lower cancer and heart disease risk. However, chocolate is also very high in fat, so self-restraint should be exercised. Dark chocolates are usually lower in sugar, but higher in antioxidants and theobromine than milk chocolate.

Kiwi and papaya are colorful fruits have an alluring and interesting aspect about them that can help flip the switch. Loaded with antioxidants, tropical fruits help fend off heart disease and cancers. Kiwi actually has more vitamin C in it than an orange, and papaya is rich in beta-carotene and high in fiber.

Honey was thought in medieval times to sweeten the marriage when mixed into a drink. Bear in mind, however, it’s still pretty high in sugar, so use sparingly.

Asparagus can also help get your partner in the mood. It’s one of the few good sources of vitamin E and is a natural diuretic. Steaming is the best way to prepare them without losing nutrients, and they can easily be eaten by hand.

A good cup of coffee or tea after that romantic dinner stimulates the release of epinephrine, which contributes to stimulation in the body. It can also be found in dark chocolate. Just don’t consume too much caffeine before bed, unless you plan on being awake all night long

by Kevin Angileri

 

Superfoods that Fight Depression by Kevin Angileri

Superfoods that Fight Depression by Kevin Angileri

We’ve all had the blues once in while. But when they happen on a more frequent basis, it becomes cause for concern. But there are ways to adjust your diet to help stabilize your mood. It’s imperative to eat meals at regular intervals in order to keep your serotonin levels in check, a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. Good nutrition is your best defense for managing depression.

Carbohydrates are linked to serotonin production and lack of carbohydrates may cause changes in your mood. Here are more food ideas to help you combat depression and kick those blues.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon and mackerel are always a great choice for dinner. Omega-3 fatty acids also help prevent heart disease and stroke and may help prevent some cancers. Plus, salmon contains selenium, an important antioxidant mineral. Be sure to choose wild salmon at the grocery store or local fish market, since it contains more omegas than farmed, or Atlantic, salmon.

A recent study indicated that people who suffer from depression also have lower levels of the antioxidant vitamin E. So, though oil is high in fat and should be consumed in strict moderation, canola oil is rich in vitamin E. It’s a healthier alternative for sautéing foods and vegetables.

Dark green vegetables like spinach and peas are high in folate, a key player in the production of serotonin. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Fresh is always the best option, as canned versions tend to have lower nutritional value. Legumes are also high in folate and protein and low in fat, and are an excellent option for those who are vegetarian or meat-restricted diets.

Chickpeas are rich in fiber, iron, and vitamin E. For a simple snack, combine a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with some minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and olive or canola oil in your blender or food processor. Add salt, pepper and other spices as you wish. The resulting hummus makes a healthy and hearty vegetable dip.

Chicken and turkey are both rich in vitamin B6, which plays a role in serotonin production in the body. They are both a good source of selenium and other vitamins and minerals, too.

And please, if you’ve been dealing with the symptoms of depression for a while, please contact your doctor to discuss available treatment options and medication that may be available to you.

By Kevin Angileri

Tools for Preparation by Kevin Angileri

Tools for Preparation by Kevin Angileri

Tools for Preparation by Kevin Angileri

You don’t need to make a huge investment in eating raw and living foods. In fact, you’ll probably be saving money by cutting back on highly processed convenience foods. All that high-fat, high-sodium microwaveable foods are pricey, too!

If you’re new to this, eating raw foods isn’t just about putting something different in you mouth. It’s an experience that goes beyond the act of eating. When you’re shopping for your food, make it an aesthetic experience as well. Fill your cart up with all the colors of these delicious live foods.

Invest in a good juicer. There are cooks’ catalogues that carry them. Shop online. Maybe you can find a good used juicer on an auction site. A juicer is NOT really a blender. It’s much more powerful because it needs to liquefy foods that can be highly fibrous.

You want some good knives too, for cutting up your fruits and vegetables. Invest in a few good ones. Turn the work of chopping up your food into something artistic.

If you don’t have a steamer, invest in one of those too, so you can lightly steam your vegetables if you want. Buy specific types of steamers. We’ve seen an asparagus steamer that’s especially designed to steam the woody bottoms more than the tender tips.

Get a few chopping tools that are also garnishing tools. It’s just as easy to cut up carrots with a ridged cutting knife to make them more attractive. There are special slicers that get your fruits and veggies really thin and therefore more fun to eat.

And do invest in a new cutting board. You don’t want to use the same cutting board for all your fresh new foods that you’ve used through the years to cut up chicken or other foods. No matter how much you scrub, your cutting board can absorb bacteria. Start fresh in all things – not just your food!

By Kevin Angileri