10 Foods That Burn Fat


Health Tip : Here are 10 Foods That Burn Fat

 1. Oats : Its not only tastes great but also reduces your hunger. Oats contains fiber which helps and stabilizes the levels of cholesterol.

 2. Eggs : Eggs are the rich sources of proteins and low in calories. Eggs helps us to build the muscles and develops the good cholesterol.

 3. Apples : Apples are enriched with powerful antioxidants and other supplements. Most importantly it contains Pectin which helps to reduce the fat cells in the body.

 4. Green Chillies : Green chillies contains Capsaicin which helps to develop the body growth cells and burns the calories in quick time.

 5. Garlic : Garlic contains Allicin which has anti-bacterial properties helps us to reduce the fat and removes the bad cholesterol.

 6. Honey : Honey is the best one to burn fat. Add honey in warm water and take it daily in the early morning.

 7. Green Tea : Green Tea is the most effective one which helps you to lose weight. It contains Antioxidants which helps and stabilizes our body weight.Take daily 2 cups of tea for a better results.

 8. Wheat Grass : It boosts our metabolism and helps to reduce the fat.

 9. Tomatoes : Tomatoes helps us to burn the fat in quick time. It also helps us to stay away from cancer. So Take tomatoes in your diet regularly.

 10. Dark Chocolate : Dark chocolate contains Flavonoids, anti-inflammatory properties which helps to reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood. It boost the growth of serotonin in the blood and also burns the fat.

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Why You Should Eat Almonds Before Bedtime

Why Eat Almonds Before Bed?
Your body is about to go without food for the next 6-8 hours.  If you are on a strict workout program your muscles are in a state of recovery, repair and growth.  Almonds are a calorie dense food packed with Omega 3s and healthy fats that take a significant amount of time to digest.  If you consume almonds about 30  minutes before bedtime along with a healthy shot of casein protein  your body will have a steady supply of nutrients throughout the night which will enhance your growth and recovery and prevent your body from shutting down and becoming catabolic at night.

 What Kind of Almonds Should I Eat?
Almonds are almonds, but the way they are prepared determines what to purchase.  Simply avoid any almonds that are prepared using vegetable oil.  Smoked, roasted or plain almonds are your best bet.

 I don’t like Almonds, Can I Eat Something Else?
If you do not like almonds you can substitute them with:
a) Walnuts
b) Pecans
c) Cashews
d) Brazil Nuts
e) In Conclusion

 It is unfortunate that only 8% of Americans eat nuts regularly as they are loaded with healthy fats, Omega 3s and other nutrients.  Most people shy away from nuts due to the high number of calories and fat that are present in most tree nuts.  A small handful of nuts every day can provide you with protein, fiber, unsaturated fats, and important vitamins and minerals.

 Note: Courtesy Via www.sixpacksmackdown.com & All the images are from google images.

Benefits of Soaked Almonds | Eat 4 to 6 Everyday

The health benefits of eating soaked almonds:
a) Helps in the proper growth of an unborn child’s body.
b) Keeps your digestion in check.
c) Controls high blood pressure.
d) Keeps your heart healthy.
e) Maintains a check on the levels of  ‘bad’ cholesterol.
f) Can help you lose weight.

Health benefits of soaked almonds are almost unlimited. Here, we have put together some of the most important medicinal values of this ‘wonder food’:

 1. Soaked almonds can make your food digestion smoother and faster by facilitating the entire digestive procedure. The external layer of the nut contains certain enzyme inhibitor which, when steeped in water, is released due to the presence of moisture. It activates the seeds, makes them easily digestible and allows people to get the maximum nutrition. Soaked almonds also release the lipid-breaking enzyme ‘lipase’, which works on the fat present in the food and aids in your digestion.
2. These are extremely beneficial for pregnant women. As moisture increases the availability of nutrients present in the nuts, they provide ultimate nourishment and energy to both the would-be-mother as well as the fetus. Furthermore, the folic acid content of almonds makes the delivery of baby trouble-free and helps the newborn stay away from any sort of birth-defect.

 3. Scientists have proved that the intake of 4 to 6 soaked almonds a day can serve the purpose of a brain tonic and boost the functionality of the Central Nervous System (CNS) to a great extent. Being full of essential fats, these can sharpen the memory and improve the intelligence of growing kids significantly.
4. Almonds immersed in water can reduce your cholesterol levels to a great extent. Basically, they are loaded with Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA), which lower the amount of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad cholesterol’ in your bloodstream. The Vitamin E content of the nuts is also helpful in fighting against LDL and raising the level of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in the body.

 5. By keeping your cholesterol levels under control with soaked almonds, you can maintain the heart health. They are good source of protein, potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for a healthy cardiovascular system. Apart from these, almonds are full of vitamin E which, being an antioxidant vitamin, combats several fatal heart diseases.

 6. Acute hypertension can also be treated by soaked almonds. The low sodium and high potassium content of the nuts can prevent your blood pressure from escalating. In addition, magnesium and folic acid present in the seeds are helpful in lowering the chances of artery congestion.
7. Soaked almonds are a wonderful natural remedy for healing diabetes mellitus. They help to keep your blood sugar level under control and stay away from the daises.

 8. There are very few chemical or organic compounds that can promote weight loss like soaked almonds. Being loaded with monounsaturated fat, they satisfy your craving for food and help you shed off additional body weight.

 9. Those who suffer from chronic constipation can also get benefitted by consuming soaked almonds. The nut is full of insoluble fibers, which increase the amount of roughage in your body and help you get rid of the problem.

Note: Courtesy Via www.stylecraze.com & www.thehealthsite.com/, And All the images in this article are downloaded from google images.

Health Benefits Of Eating Guava Fruit

Many of you may have tasted this mouth-watering treat, or have at least seen or heard about it. Guava is very common in Asian countries, but is increasingly available in the western world, particularly as more of its health benefits are revealed. It is a somewhat round or pear-shaped seasonal fruit, and is light green, yellow, or maroon in color on the outside when it is ripe. Guava also has white or maroon flesh and lots of small hard seeds enveloped in very soft, sweet pulp. It is eaten raw (ripe or semi-ripe) or in the form of jams and jellies.

Weight loss:
Guava is very helpful for those who want to lose weight without compromising their intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber.

Eyesight:
Guavas are extremely good sources of vitamin-A, which is well known as a booster for vision health. It can help slow down the appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration, and general health of the eyes.

High Blood Pressure:
Guava helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that food stuffs which lack fiber (such a refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to quick conversion to sugar.

 Cough & Cold: 
Juice of raw and immature guavas or decoction of guava-leaves is very helpful in giving relief in cough and cold by loosening cough, reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs and inhibiting microbial activity due to its astringent properties.

Skin care:
Guavas can improve the texture of your skin and help you to avoid skin problems more than even the highest ranked beauty creams or skin toner gels. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents in the fruit (more astringent is present in immature guavas) and in its leaves.

Qualities and Benefits Of Psyllium Seed Husks | ( Isabgol, Ispaghol )



The main origin of Isabgol is Persia and from here it is imported into India. Nowadays it is cultivated in India, in the states of Gujarat, U.P, Punjab, and Haryana.For medicinal use its seeds and seed husk are used. Appearance Its plant is one to three inches tall, it is seasonal, does not have trunk and it falls into the category of shrub. There are three leaves at the tip and is undivided, six to nine inches long and resemble wheat plants. We can see small flowers and the boat shaped fruits on the branches. On the seeds we see a white ash like thing, which is called seed husk. When this husk comes in contact with water it becomes a sticky substance, which is odorless and tasteless.

Chemical Combination The seeds contain a large amount of Mucilage and Albumin. Mucilage and cellulose are generally found in the husk of Isabgol.Qualities It is oily and purgative, controls dysentery and loose motions, the husk is strong and helps in proper bowel movement. It is sweet in taste, cool and nutritious. It is sticky, sour, causes vata, pitta and removes phlegm.

Catarrh: In pitta nature its husk is useful if swallowed. Take Isabgol in case of phlegm.

Headache: Grind Isabgol with eucalyptus leaves and apply the paste on the forehead.

Earache: In 10 grams of sticky substance add 10 grams of onion juice heat it, when it’s cool pour it in the ears to relieve pain.

Bad Breath: The bad breath stops when sticky substance is used as mouthwash.

Toothache: Soak it in vinegar and apply it on the tooth.

Asthma: Three to five grams of Isabgol seeds should be taken with hot water in the morning to get relief from asthma, breathing problem.

Diseases related to Stomach:
• During indigestion, diarrhoea, dysentery, 2 spoons of Isabgol husk should be added in curds and taken twice or thrice daily.

• Boil three equal parts of Isabgol in 1 litre of water till it reduces to half, remove from flame and make three equal parts of the mixture and consume thrice daily, this will give relief in dysentery, spasm and Diarrhoea.

• Put fresh seeds in the water, when the husk is formed mix it with sugar and consume, this will give relief in amoebic dysentery, dysentery, diarrhea, loose motions and spasm.

• This can be used regularly for the children suffering from constant diarrhea.

• To get relief from pain or burning sensation in the intestines, 100 grams seeds or the husk should be swallowed with cold water or it can be soaked in the water and swallowed.

• The seeds of Isabgol can be roasted and swallowedto get relief from diarrhoea. Medicinal use

Constipation:
• One to two spoons of Isabgol husk should be consumed with hot milk during night this will be helpful in proper bowel movement.

• Husk of Isabgol and Triphala churna should be taken in equal quantities (three to five grams) with hot water in the night. This will help in free motions. For stomachache and pitta problem this works wonderfully.

• Bleeding piles: If we drink the syrup the bleeding will stop.

• Thirst: Mix the husk in Gudhal squash to quench thirst.

 • Amoebic Spasm: in case of amoebic spasm add 100 grams of Isabgol husk in 50 grams of aniseed and 50 grams of sugar candy consume two to three spoons twice or thrice daily.

Urinary Problem:

• In case of mild or very mild urination or burning sensation while urinating or in urinary bladder take 4 spoons of husk, glassful water, and soak it for a while. Add sugar candy as per the taste and consume it. This will give relief in urination.

• Two grams of Sheethal Mirch, 500 grams of kalmi shora should be swallowed for relief in urination.

• Night pollution: Isabgol and sugar candy should be added in equal quantities and consumed with half glass milk one hour before going to bed to overcome this problem.

Rheumatism: Joint pains, poultice of Isabgol should be tied on the joints. When a glass piece is swallowed: Husk of Isabgol should be consumed with milk twice or thrice daily.

Disadvantages: It is harmful for nerves and hips. The woman should not use this medicine just after delivery. The seeds should not be powdered.

Cure: Sikanj seeds and honey.


Courtesy Via www.remedyspot.com &http://www.healthline.com

30 Minutes Daily Walking Benefits | It Makes You Healthier


It gets you out of the house—and also, as new research reports, out of mental ruts and into terrific physical shape. A step-by-step guide to the simplest fitness plan ever.
There are countless physical activities out there, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all! It's the simplest positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health.
Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:

  1. Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
  2. Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
  3. Improve blood lipid profile
  4. Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
  5. Enhance mental well being
  6. Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
  7. Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
  8. Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

There really are so many benefits for such a simple activity!

Courtesy Via http://www.realsimple.com & http://www.startwalkingnow.org

Two Reasons You’re Overweight, and It’s NOT What You Think

Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is when people fear for their food. Since the individuals in question don’t have enough money to pay for their needs, they are insecure about their meals. They usually think they wouldn’t have enough food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This eventually causes them to gain weight. Based on a study, the risk of obesity is higher for families who have low income.
There are parents who disturb the eating patterns of their children, because they fear they wouldn’t be able to afford more food for the family. This happens when mothers or fathers restrict the amount of food they give to their child when he or she is hungry. There are also some occasions where the parents pressure the child to eat more than they should and this usually takes place when the child is still full. Unfortunately, this does not help the children in controlling their hunger and they may not even recognize that they are full already. This is why they overeat and this eventually leads to weight gain.

Stress
Since there may not be enough money in the household, it is easy for everyone to be stressed out. A stressful environment can definitely cause people to overeat and therefore gain more weight rapidly. Unhealthy eating habits become the result of such challenges.

You may think that stress here pertains to just psychological stress, which can include losing a job, getting stuck in traffic, or having a fight with your loved one. Psychological stress is indeed a major reason for overeating, but there are actually problems that cause physiological stress and can also lead to being overweight.

These include the following:

  1. Insomnia or the sleep disorder where sleeping at night is difficult to do
  2. Chronic infections
  3. Environmental toxins
  4. Autoimmune disease

Stress is a huge problem because it does not just affect your weight, but can also cause several health conditions. Stress has the ability to raise your blood sugar levels, which can turn you into a diabetic. Also, it creates a sort of blockage that inhibits glucose to enter your cells. Stress can indeed make you fatter because you get hungrier when you are full of problems and to make yourself feel better, you might want to grab a sugary treat.

Food insecurity and stress don’t just happen to low income families though, especially the second one. Anyone can have a problem with their budget and this can lead to stress. By handling your finances properly, you can manage both money problems and other causes of stress. In the end, you fight a winning battle against weight gain.

Courtesy via http://www.stethnews.com/

Healthy Reasons To Drink Coffee | Benefits of Coffee


Coffee is healthy for your heart.
A landmark Dutch study, which analyzed data from more than 37,000 people over a period of 13 years, found that moderate coffee drinkers (who consumed between two to four cups daily) had a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease as compared to heavy or light coffee drinkers, and nondrinkers.


How it works: There is some evidence that coffee may support heart health by protecting against arterial damage caused by inflammation.

Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat
Did you know that caffeine is found in almost every commercial fat burning supplement?
There’s a good reason for that… caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning.
Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11%.
Other studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people.

Coffee may lessen your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A growing body of research suggests an association between coffee drinking and a reduced risk of diabetes. A 2009 study found that the risk of developing diabetes dropped by 7 percent for each daily cup of coffee. Previous epidemiological studies reported that heavy coffee drinkers (those who regularly drink four or more cups daily) had a 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than light drinkers or nondrinkers.

How it works: Scientists believe that coffee may be beneficial in keeping diabetes at bay in several ways:  by helping the body use insulin and protecting insulin-producing cells, enabling effective regulation of blood sugar;  preventing tissue damage; and and battling inflammation, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes.  One component of coffee known as caffeic acid has been found to be particularly significant in reducing the toxic accumulation of abnormal protein deposits (amyloid fibrils) found in people with type 2 diabetes. Decaffeinated coffee is thought to be as beneficial, or more so, than regular.

Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter
Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels.
This is because it contains a stimulant called caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels into the brain.
In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine.
When that happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons.
Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function.

Data Courtesy Via http://www.onemedical.com & http://authoritynutrition.com

What Are the Benefits of Doing Crunches?

Crunches are exercises that require you to lie on your back, tighten your abdominal muscles and lift your head and shoulders upward. When you perform them properly, they can improve the strength of your abdominals and provide a variety of other benefits. However, when performed improperly, they can trigger pain and/or injury in your lower back.

Strengthening Your Abs
 Crunches are an exercise that target your abdominal muscles. When you perform crunches and exercises such as pushups, side planks and glute bridges, you teach the muscles in this region to work in a coordinated manner. Since most athletic activities require core movements, this coordination can significantly improve your balance during organized sports or exercise, as well as in everyday life.

Additional Benefits
 Regular performance of crunches can help you tone and strengthen the muscles in your abdomen. Since you don’t need any equipment to perform them, crunches are available to you at any time, whether you’re at home, in the gym or on the road. Proper performance of crunches also makes you slow down and pay attention to your exercise technique. In addition, crunches and other core exercises provide an often-overlooked component of a full-fitness program and fit well into your existing aerobic, strength-training and flexibility routines.

Back Pain
 In addition to the muscles at the front and sides of your abdomen, crunches and situps engage muscles called hip flexors, which run from your thighs to the front of your lumbar spine in your lower back. When you repeatedly perform the motions required for a crunch or situp, or perform them with improper form, you can overwork and tighten your hip flexors and produce significant symptoms of lower-back pain. If you develop pain while performing a crunch or situp, you can use side planks, front planks, glute bridges and other core exercises called standing lifts to relieve your symptoms and make crunches unnecessary.

Modified Crunches and Considerations
While traditional crunches and situps help you tone your abdomen and stabilize your core, other exercises typically do a better job of helping you achieve this objective. They include exercise ball crunches, reverse crunches, vertical leg crunches, the captain’s chair and the bicycle maneuver, as well as abdominal hollowing, pelvic lifts and pelvic tilts. Consult a certified fitness instructor to learn how to perform these exercises properly. You can also ask your doctor or a fitness trainer for more information on the benefits of crunches and other core exercises.

This Article Courtesy Via LiveStrong.com

How Long Should You Walk to Lose Weight?

How Long Should You Walk Each Day?

Walking continuously for 30 minutes or more is best for fat-burning. At a brisk walking pace, you will cover a distance of 1.5 to 2 miles or 2.5 to 3.3 kilometers in 30 minutes.

Walk most days of the week for at least 30 minutes to burn an extra 1000 to 3000 calories per week and to improve your metabolism each day.

  • A walking workout of 30 to 60 minutes at 50-70% of your maximum heart rate is recommended for walking for weight loss. Use the Target Heart Rate Calculator to find the right heart rate, which varies by age.
  • Start with walking at an easy pace for 5-10 minutes.
  • Stop and do some stretches and flexibility exercises.
  • Walk at a brisk pace at your target heart rate for 30-60 minutes.
  • Cool down at a slower pace for 5 minutes.
  • Finish with some gentle stretches.
  • For longer walks, walk 30-60 minutes at your target heart rate and slow a bit to complete 90 or 120 minutes at a comfortable pace.
  • Maximize your 30-minute walk

What if I Can't Walk for 30 Minutes?
  • Start with the Beginners Walking Tutorial or our daily Let's Get Walking 4-Week Beginners Course to build up your time and endurance.
  • If your schedule doesn't permit walking continuously for 30 minutes, break it up into walking twice or three times a day for shorter periods of at least 10 minutes at a brisk pace. Always warm up for 5 minutes at an easy pace no matter what duration you will be walking.
  • Mazimize Your 15-Minute Walk

How Long Should I Walk Each Week?
  • For weight loss, walk most days of the week.
  • Time spent walking per week should be 5-10 hours.
  • On your non-walking days, try some strength training exercises.
  • If you find yourself worn out, take a day off. But be sure to get back walking the following day.

5-Minute Workout to Lose Belly Fat at Home

Losing belly fat cannot be done with just exercise. You must create a caloric deficit daily, by reducing your calories to help burn fat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests cardio training most days of the week for 30 minutes to lose weight; however, adding a five-minute abdominal routine after your aerobic training can help you lose more belly fat. You can also complete several five-minute workouts throughout your day to banish your belly fat.


 Cardio Training
Cardio training scorches calories and promotes fat loss from your entire body, including your abdominals. The American Council on Exercise suggests that the most effective way to cardio train is to train with intervals. Interval training burns more calories than traditional cardio in a shorter amount of time. Interval training requires short bursts of high intensity followed by a recovery period. You can complete five rounds of intervals in five minutes. Choose a cardio exercise, like running high knees. Run high knees in place for 30 seconds at a high speed and slow your speed for 30 seconds. Repeat this interval for five minutes to burn calories and melt belly fat.

Pilates
Pilates was created to elongate and strengthen the muscles of your body. You can create lean muscle in your midsection and lose your belly with Pilates training at home. Pilates moves like the scissor kick and rollups are all designed to tighten your midsection. Scissor kicks are performed lying on your back with your neck relaxed on the floor. Lift your legs up, allowing your toes to point to the ceiling. Slowly lower your right leg until it hovers above the floor and lift it back to center. Slowly lower your left leg. Alternate legs, completing three sets of 20 repetitions. Complete rollups by beginning on your back with your legs extended and your arms above your head. Slowly lift your arms up and roll your back up off the floor, using the strength of your abdominals. Let your hands touch your toes, folding over your body and slowly lower back down.

Yoga
Yoga can also help define your midsection. Yoga uses your own body weight for resistance, allowing you to build strength in your core. The "Yoga Journal" explains that poses like plank and side plank can help develop the obliques, transverse abdominals and the rectus abdominus. Hold each yoga pose for 30 seconds and build your way up to a minute with proper form. Complete a plank by beginning at the top of a pushup. Your hands are directly under your shoulders and your back is flat. Draw your navel in and hold your pose. Begin your side plank by starting in plank pose. Slowly transfer your weight into your right hand and right foot and stack your hips. Hold this pose, keeping your abdominals engaged and hips lifted off the ground.

Considerations
Consider monitoring the foods that you eat when trying to lose belly fat. You can exercise, but if your diet is high in calories, you may not see any results. Choose to consume foods that fuel your body and keep you feeling full, which prevents overeating. Lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables are encouraged. Processed foods, fast food and soda should be consumed less often.

Courtesy LivingStrong

Exercises That Burn 1000 Calories a Day

Burning 1,000 calories a day is not an easy task, but with dedication and intensity, it can be accomplished. The amount of calories burned depends on a person's weight and fitness level, as well as the intensity level and the type and duration of activity. Exercising at a high level of intensity burns more calories due to energy expenditure. An overweight person burns more calories because the body requires more energy to move while exercising. To burn 1,000 calories a day, you can perform exercises all at one time or break them up into segments over the course of the day. Wearing a heart rate monitor or using a calorie burn calculator can help accurately calculate calories burned.

Running

 Running burns a large amount of calories in a short amount of time. According to Prohealth.com's Exercise and Activity Calculator, a 150-lb. person running at 6 mph (10-minute mile) burns approximately 1,022 calories in 90 minutes. Increasing speed burns more calories in a shorter period of time. The same person can burn 1,020 calories in 60 minutes running at 9 mph (6.5-minute mile). Running stairs burns 1,020 calories per hour.

 Jump Rope

As one of the highest calorie-burning exercises, jumping rope burns about 11 calories per minute. Varying speed and increasing intensity while jumping can burn up to 20 calories per minute. Prohealth.com's Exercise and Activity Calculator estimates that a 150-lb. person jumping rope at a moderate level (140 revolutions per minute) burns 1,022 calories in 90 minutes. Jumping rope at a fast pace (180 to 200 revolutions per minute) burns around 1,020 calories in 75 minutes.

Biking

Calories burned while bicycling depends on intensity and terrain. The amount of calories burned will differ when riding a stationary bike versus an outdoor bike. Based on Prohealth.com's Exercise and Activity Calculator, a 150-lb. person bicycling at a racing pace (16 to 19 mph) for 75 minutes burns about 1,020 calories. Biking 14 to 15.9 mph (vigorous effort) burns close to 1,022 calories in 90 minutes.

Courtesy livestrong

How To Get Your Legs Stronger To Jump Higher

Anytime you work your legs, you have the potential to build strength to propel you higher in your vertical jumps. Targeting the right muscles makes this more effective, but you can't stop there. Practicing some explosive jumping moves helps train the leg muscles to work together, increasing the strength of the upward-thrust so you can reach your jumping goals -- even if you only need them on your driveway basketball court.

Step 1
Target your jumping muscles, such as your quadriceps, hamstrings and the gastrocnemius and soleus in your calf, during your normal leg workout. Perform lunges, squats, calf raises to build strength in these muscle groups.

Step 2
Add weights to increase the intensity of your leg workout and build additional strength. Use a barbell when you squat and perform calf raises and dumbbells when you lunge, for example. When performing a farmer's walk with weight plates or dumbbells held by your sides, walk on your toes instead of on flat feet to build your calves.

 Step 3
Incorporate plyometric training, which builds strength while conditioning your leg muscles to work together as you jump. Plyometrics employs fast, powerful moves to build jumping strength. Perform jump squats, where you raise your arms and jump as you lift out of each squat, for example, or do tuck jumps, in which you jump quickly eight to 10 times in a row while trying to bring your knees up to your chest. Another option is lateral leg hops -- jumping from side to side using only one leg.

Step 4
Add water resistance. Doing basic jumps in a pool can help build your jump height, or try exercises such as bounding, in which you jump forward on one leg at a time -- almost like an exaggerated run. Try other plyometric moves such as the squat jump, making sure the water isn't so deep that it goes over your head as you sink into the move. Pool plyometrics can result is less soreness and joint pain than plyometrics on land, according to Ohio State University.

Things You'll Need

 Barbell
Dumbbells
Weight plates

Courtesy Live Strong

Handmade Resin Bracelets Preserve Flowers For Eternity -

You know how a flower folded and pressed inside a diary or a book has an eternal and timeless beauty to it? 


That same beauty was put to use by Sarah Smith, the artist based in Oregon who’s behind


 She uses pieces of bark, flowers, leaves etc, to make bracelets and bangles out of resin.


This technique allows the vegetation to be preserved inside for a long time and it looks raw and natural and so it also looks beautiful.


Feathers, flowers, seashells all preserved inside a crystal shape is a sublime sight. And it takes quite a while to prepare a piece.


Sarah says it takes her 2 to 3 weeks to make one and despite that she also takes custom orders to make bracelets from bark and shells people send her.



Courtesy Via http://www.thescienceworld.com/

Japanese Soldiers Use 3500 Tons Of Snow To Carve Star Wars Sculpture

Star Wars Episode VII is releasing this Christmas and every fan is getting in the mood.











So much so that the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces’ 11th Brigade carved out a huge snow sculpture dedicated to the franchise.


More specifically its dedicated to Darth Vader, the stormtroopers and the legendary TIE fighters.


They used 3500 tons of snow and the sculpture was part of the 66th Sapporo Snow Festival.

Courtesy Via http://www.thescienceworld.com

This Man Hasn’t Watered This Sealed Bottle For 54 Years and It’s Still Living

David Latimer planted this beauty in 1960 and it’s still living it large (within it’s own ecosystem). For 54 years since that fateful Easter Sunday, this 80-year-old man has kept this lush micro-forest alive and well in, what would be scientifically termed as, a closed system.


He was a young man when Latimer began this lifelong project. He began by putting some compost and a quarter pint of water in a 10 gallon glass carboy and inserted a spider wort sprout through some wires. He sealed the system and except for once in 1972 to add some water, he has never opened it. All that gets in is sunlight.


The system effectively acts as a self sufficient organism. The bacteria in the compost break down the dead plants and break down the oxygen given off by the plants, turning it in to carbon dioxide that the living plants need to survive. The little garden is an example of how the earth functions without anything but sunlight from the outside world.



“The forest eats itself and lives forever.” -The Poisonwood Bible
Courtesy
Via www.thescienceworld.com

Stay Away From These If You Have Inflammatory Problems

If you have arthritis, there are some foods you need to avoid to stop aggravating inflammation. However, this is not the only thing that happens when you have too much inflammation in your body. This can also result to acne as well as serious illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease.
Inflammation causes a painful and burning sensation / Photo by dowhoranzone.deviantart.com

In truth, the body depends on a bit of inflammation, so it can fight off injuries and infection. When inflammation becomes chronic though, the immune system will start attacking your healthy cells and this will result to destruction, instead of the immune system healing your body. In this case, it is only right that you know how to control inflammation in your body by avoiding the following foods:

 1. Alcohol
Consuming high amounts of alcohol, including wine, beer, and cider, on a regular basis can inflame and irritate your liver, esophagus, and larynx. Chronic inflammation resulting to high alcohol consumption can increase tumor growth and cancer. Instead of drinking alcohol, just choose water or jasmine green tea, which is an anti-inflammatory beverage.

 2. Dairy Products
You may be a part of the 60% world population that cannot digest milk as it is an allergen than triggers inflammation. This can cause stomach problems, diarrhea, constipation, breathing difficulties, and skin rashes. Milk and dairy products, along with butter, cheese, and other goods sold with dairy content should be avoided. If you’re not allergic to milk, choose yogurt and kefir instead, as they are easier on your stomach and they have good bacteria as well.

 3. Sugar
Acne, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome can happen due to excessive sugar intake. Forget soft drinks, punches, and other sources of dietary sugars, as well as food products that list corn syrup, fructose, maltose, and sucrose as the ingredients, since these are just alternative names for sugar. Instead, opt for honey, blackstrap molasses, and other natural sweeteners.

 4. Trans Fats
Trans fats can increase your bad cholesterol and promote inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity. Avoid fast foods, deep fried foods, and baked goods sold commercially. Products in your grocery list should not have trans fats, vegetable shortening, and partially hydrogenated oil.

 5. Vegetable Cooking Oils
This type of oil has high omega 6 fatty acid, instead of omega 3. Consuming high amounts of omega 6 leads to inflammation and can cause heart diseases and cancer. Grape seed, sunflower, and safflower oils are common cooking oils to avoid. Use macadamia oil or extra virgin olive oil to get the balance between omega 6 and 3 in your diet.
This is not to say you should completely avoid the foods listed above. In fact, they are still acceptable as long as you consume them in moderation.

Article By http://www.stethnews.com

How to Eliminate Processed Food from Your Diet

Check your kitchen and ref, chances are you hoard a lot of unhealthy processed foods / PicHelp

Research after research has shown that processed foods are bad for our health. They are loaded with sugar and fructose corn syrup, which can lead to insulin resistance, increased bad cholesterol, and accumulation of fat in the liver and abdominal cavity. They also lack the essential nutrients and energy needed by the body. And the worst, they contain all sorts of artificial ingredients (e.g. preservatives, colorants, flavorants and texturants) that can be harmful to health. So, if you want to live healthy this year, start cutting off processed foods from your diet. Here are a few tips to help you eat clean.

Know the difference between real food and processed food
Obviously, most foods you see in groceries and markets are processed – milk is pasteurized and bottled, and ground beef has been grounded in a machine. But when talking about “processed foods,” we’re talking about those foods that have been chemically altered, processed and made from artificial ingredients. Examples of which are sodas, French fries, and deli meats.

 Go for real beverages
Starting today, limit your drink choices to “real” beverages – i.e. water, milk, tea, coffee and fresh fruit juices. Avoid colas, power drinks, instant juices, coffees, lemonades and many other sugary drinks.

Choose fresh meat
While deli meats, such as sausages and meatloaves, are tempting and convenient, there are a number of reasons why you should avoid them. One is that they increase your risk to cardiovascular disease by 70%. Even those deli sandwiches, which include refined grains, low fat cheeses and low fat deli meats that are promoted as healthy, can increase your risk to the disease by 8% per serving.

 Take a Fast from Fast Food
Fast food is addictive and it can make you fat. A 15-year study participated by over 3,000 people found that eating fast food can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain. Also, one study found that most fast food has potentially addictive substance that can create fast food dependence in vulnerable population. So starting today, take a fast from fast food. Limit it to at least once a month. Your body will thank you for it.

Via http://www.stethnews.com/

Why Tomatoes are Good for You

Tomato has been found in the laboratory to be very rich in anti-chemical compounds / PicHelp
More than 200 years ago, tomatoes were thought to be poisonous in the United States because their relative species are. However, now these are considered to be among the healthiest food in the world. Tomatoes are called a functional food because they provide more than just basic nutrition. Since they contain healthy phytochemicals like lycopene, they are able to help prevent chronic diseases. Moreover, there are many reasons why people should love eating tomatoes. Anyone who wants to be perfectly healthy should know these to improve their diet.

Benefits of tomatoes
Eating tomatoes can improve the health of a person. Since they are a rich source of many beneficial nutrients, they can be trusted to fight illnesses and help maintain wellness. Here are some of the health benefits of eating these nutritious veggie-fruits.

Tomatoes are known to be a good source of folic acid and vitamins A and C. Furthermore, they are rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, alpha-lipoic acid, lutein, beta-carotene, and choline. For the information of everyone, lycopene is responsible for making tomatoes red in color. Alpha-lipoic acid aids in converting glucose to energy. It can also help in controlling blood glucose, preserve nerve and brain tissues, and even improve vasodilation. Then, choline is a valuable nutrient that helps with memory, learning, muscle movement, and sleep.
Eating tomatoes can also help improve heart health. Tomato extracts and fresh tomatoes are proven to help decrease total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Tomato extracts can also aid in preventing the clumping of platelet cells together in the blood. This helps lower the chance of having atherosclerosis and other heart problems. The reason why tomatoes are good for the heart is because they contain phytonutrients that provide heart-protection benefits. Among these phytonutrients are esculeoside, which is a glycoside, and chalconaringenin, a flavonoid. As more nutrients are discovered about tomatoes, they increase their popularity as being one of the best food for the heart.

Fight against diseases
Aside from being good for the heart, tomatoes are known to help prevent other diseases. Here are some of them.

 Cancer
Since tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, they can help fight free radicals, which cause cancer. Among the types of cancer that can be prevented by eating tomatoes are prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.

Depression
Tomatoes have folic acid that helps decrease the risk of depression by stopping the formation of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine can prevent nutrients and even the blood from reaching the brain. When this happens, the production of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are called feel-good hormones, is interfered.

Constipation
Tomatoes are also rich in fiber and have high water content. Therefore, they can also aid in curing constipation. Eating a lot of tomatoes will keep the person hydrated and even help in regulating bowel movements. Studies show that people who have high intake of tomatoes are less likely to suffer from constipation.
Without a doubt, tomatoes can do a lot to help lower risk of certain diseases. Moreover, they can keep people healthy and fit. For this reason, increasing tomato intake is advisable and should be promoted by health institutions.

Via http://www.stethnews.com/

Easily Burn 100 Calories in an Hour or Less

Believe it or not, you burn calories without breaking a sweat. From breathing to sleeping to standing, you can get rid of 100 calories just like that. Even everyday chores can help you eliminate the calories you get from the food you eat. If you have been counting your calories and you feel that you need to burn at least 100 calories to achieve your fitness goals, here are 11 guaranteed ways to help you:

1. If you’re at the gym, perform seven minutes of a tough spin class to burn 100 unwanted calories.

2. Do some exercises, including sit ups, squats, push-ups, and jumping jacks. Switch from one exercise to another as quickly as you can for eight minutes.

3. Take your skipping rope and use it for at least 10 minutes.

4. Do some yoga poses for 15 minutes.

5. Ask your partner to dance with you for 20 minutes. You can also do this with your kids.

6. Go biking for at least 23 minutes. You don’t have to do some intense cycling since casual biking would do the trick.

7. If your kids don’t want to dance, play with them outside for 25 minutes.

8. Get rid of the fallen leaves in your yard for 25 minutes.

9. If you have a dog, be a good owner and walk your pet outside for about 30 minutes.

10. If your house is untidy, you have a chance to clean up the place and even remove excess calories. Get your vacuum, wash the windows, de-clutter, and even tend to your plants for 30 minutes to burn
100 calories.

11. If you need to restock your fridge, shop at the grocery store for 45 minutes.

Bonus:

As mentioned, everything you do can help you burn calories. Even your everyday activities can lend you a hand in torching 100 calories or more. These simple activities include:

1. Showering, brushing your teeth, and doing other tasks to take care of yourself for 45 minutes can burn at least a hundred calories.

2. If you sleep enough, you can get rid of calories. A hundred calories can be eliminated when you sleep for two hours. Imagine how much more you can burn when you sleep more than the said number of hours.

3. Avoid the elevator and use the stairs for six minutes.

4. Stand up while waiting or talking to people for at least an hour.

5. Prepare food for 50 minutes to remove extra calories.

6. Carry your baby for 24 minutes.
As you can see, burning 100 calories is easy. By simply being active and getting enough sleep, you can get rid of at least a hundred calories every day.

113 Year-old-man reveals his secret: 5 Foods for long life

Bernardo LaPallo is already 113 years old and still kicking.

Bernardo LaPallo is not an ordinary man. Born in 1901 and at 113 he is older than any of you and that happened not by chance but by sheer discipline and desire to live longer. He has a few secrets though; five of them to be exact and he shared that so you can live a long life too.
LaPallo who hails from Mesa, Arizona claims that he has never been sick a day in his life and that he has avoid red meat and eats mostly organic food and vegetables. His secret is a recipe that he inherited from his father who was a doctor and a much disciplined man.

If you think that yeah maybe he’s 113 years old but can’t live decently, you’re wrong. He can still do a lot of stuff including solving crosswords and reading books – not ebooks, he is traditional like that.
Check the video done when he was 110 below to learn his 5 secret foods for long life, and yeah he’s still alive:
We listed the five foods below for your convenience:

Garlic
Garlic has been used in many continents as a medicinal herb. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that have been proven to work effectively without the side effects.

 Honey
Honey, nature’s best sweetener has been featured in our website several times for its wonderful effects. If you need a sweetener, our 110-year-old legend wants you to use this.

 Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular food enhancer and while extracts from the bark of the cinnamon tree have also been used traditionally as medicine throughout the world, the very cinnamon power you can buy in stores can lower blood cholesterol and prevent onset of diabetes.

Chocolate
The food of the gods is called as such for a reason. And if you think chocolates are just for kids or those with sweet tooth, you’re wrong. LaPallo says it’s a vital ingredient in having a long life.

 Olive oil
Wars have been fought for olive and its oil. We’re not kidding. But today you can easily buy them in groceries and they’re not expensive at all. Incorporate it in your daily diet and feel the difference.
Bernardo LaPallo holding a bottle of olive oil during an interview with the press.