10 times more effective than any drug

10 times more effective than any drug

Make sex the vital root of health and happiness in your daily life. There are immense benefits of sex such as pleasure, satisfaction and above all, it keeps you healthy. Up to 200 calories can be burnt if you engage in energetic sexual activities. I will be going into details of why your sex life is a very important part of you…

Sex reduces the risk of heart diseases
Take the case of women. Till they are 40, heart diseases are rare amongst them. But once they cross the age of menopause, the heart walls thicken, arteries stiffen and women become more prone to heart diseases. But you know what; an active sex life can make matters easier for you. Researchers at the Queen’s University say that making love three or more times a week helps women as well as men stay away from many diseases relating to the heart.

Improved sense of smell
The production of the hormone prolactin surges after sex and this causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb, its smell center.

Weight loss, overall fitness
A vigorous sexual encounter is the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. Sex increases the production of testosterone which leads to stronger bones and muscles.

Sex as a Pain Reliever
During sex the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body which in turn causes the release of endorphins {natural pain and stress fighters}. Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as a powerful analgesic, elevating the pain threshold and helping to relieve the aches of conditions like arthritis, whiplash and headaches.

Sex reduces Stress / improves Sleep and Relaxation
Frequent sex relaxes you. Researchers indicate that couples sleep more deeply and peacefully after satisfied sex. At this hour you may be able to let go of distracting thoughts that might hinder sleep.
There is more to health than just exercises and a well balanced diet. So, it is important to engage in active love making at least thrice a week as the benefits you mold out of this pleasurable act is truly significant in your healthy life.

Couple bonding
A happy sexual life brings couple closer in marriage. It brings sexual satisfaction and emotional happiness and in turn boosts your health.

6 Tips for a Healthy Vegetarian Diet

6 Tips for a Healthy Vegetarian Diet


Kirstie Alley learned the hard way that cutting meat from your diet is not a magic route to svelteness. As she told People magazine earlier this year, "For seven months I was a vegetarian, and I can't tell you how much weight I gained being a vegetarian!" (She actually does tell us: 83 pounds.) Indeed, while a plant-based diet has been associated with many health benefits—including a smaller risk of death from heart disease, lower LDL cholesterol levels, and a reduced incidence of diabetes, obesity, and cancer—the diet has to be "appropriately planned," as the American Dietetic Association said in its recent position statement on the subject.

What does that mean? Here are six tips to keep in mind if you’re thinking of going all—or partially—veggie.

Define what you mean by vegetarian. There are lots of variations on a vegetarian diet. Most strict are vegans, who eschew any kind of animal products, including butter and eggs. (Vegans disagree over whether to eat honey; some feel it’s cruel and exploitative of bees.) Less stringent are vegetarians who eat eggs or dairy. Some, oxymoronically, eat fish, though the accurate term for them is pescatarian. And then there are the newest additions, flexitarians, who recognize the benefits of a plant-based diet and choose to reduce but not eliminate their meat consumption. What route you go is a personal decision, depending on your tastes, preferences, and views on the environment and the proper role of animals. Think it over and figure out what fits into your life, practically and philosophically. (Here's the skinny on red meat and health.)

Remember, the root of vegetarian is “veg,” not “junk.” Some vegetarians are overweight, of course, and for reasons similar to those that cause obesity among meat-eaters. (See this blog by a vegan doctor for details.) So beware of swapping out meat for nutritionally empty, calorie-dense foods. After all, says Walter Willett, chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, a diet based on Coca-Cola, pizza, and french fries is technically vegetarian. But “the healthiest vegetarian diet will have a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes,” he says. At meals, half of one's plate should be devoted to nonstarchy, colorful vegetables, he says. Whole grains also are important, but confine those to a quarter of your plate. The other quarter should contain lean, plant-based sources of protein, like tofu or beans.

Replace the meat. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not particularly hard for vegetarians to get enough protein, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a Chicago-based nutritionist and author of The Flexitarian Diet. As sources of protein, an ounce of meat and a quarter cup of cooked beans are roughly equivalent. Soy and quinoa are both good choices because they’re complete proteins, meaning they contain the essential amino acids in the right proportions. People used to think you needed to eat incomplete proteins together in the same meal to make up a complete protein, but that view has been debunked; simply eat a variety of plant-based protein sources throughout the day, and you’ll be fine. To replace the savory taste of meat, try a portobello mushroom burger, cooked tomatoes, seaweed products, and (in moderation) Parmesan cheese, says Blatner.

Watch your nutrients. Vegetarians, especially vegans, should be careful to get enough omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12, according to the ADA. It says a balanced vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for those nutrients. For calcium and vitamin D, consume enough dairy or a milk substitute that’s been fortified, Blatner says. The ADA also recommends leafy greens like bok choy and kale and calcium-fortified fruit juices as sources of calcium that's bioavailable (that is, in a form your body can readily use). And many breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamins D and B-12.

Zinc is found in soy products, legumes, grains, cheese, and nuts, the ADA says. As for iron, the form found in plant foods is different than what's in meat sources, and its absorption may be influenced by other components of the diet—coffee and tea inhibit absorption, while vitamin C enhances it. Good sources or iron: fortified cereal, oatmeal, lentils, beans, tofu, and spinach. (Do not take iron supplements unless your doctor recommends them.) The jury is still out on whether plant-derived omega-3s are equivalent to those from seafood sources. One way to hedge is to take an algae extract supplement to get the two forms of omega-3 that aren’t found in plants
Read labels. Vegetarian packaged and processed foods are subject to the same hazards as the nonvegetarian alternatives. As pointed out in the Eat This, Not That Supermarket Survival Guide, there are better and worse choices in the frozen meatless entrée aisle. One package of Celentano Eggplant Parmigiana, for example, contains 660 calories, 44 grams of fat (10 of which are saturated), and 960 milligrams of sodium. Compare that to Kashi Black Bean Mango, with 340 calories, 8 grams of fat (1 gram saturated), and 430 milligrams of sodium. Blatner recently did an analysis of meatless hot dogs and burgers and found that while they generally have less fat and more fiber than the meat alternative, they also have more sodium and less protein. So look at labels showing nutrient content and ingredients the same way you would with any other food. And don’t forget the calories—they still count, as Kirstie Alley found out.

Ease into it. If you’ve decided to become a vegetarian, don’t go cold no-turkey. “Try making half your meals during the week meatless,” says Tara Gidus, a nutrition performance coach and ADA spokesperson. “Then try three quarters of your meals the next week.” And remember that it’s not all or nothing in terms of your health. If vegetarianism is not for you, pick lean cuts of meat, and don’t make them the center of every meal. Instead, sprinkle them into a diet based on vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and “good” fats like olive oil. Omnivores can be perfectly healthy, too! Related: Making Meat Without Killing Animals Could Fix a Host of Problems.

( By Katherine Hobson )
source : ( http://health.usnews.com )

Vegan Breakfast Burrito with Tofu

 

 Vegan Breakfast Burrito with Tofu

 

An easy vegan breakfast burrito recipe for a quick and nutritious vegetarian breakfast. This breakfast burrito combines tofu with some veggies and spicy tabasco sauce for a healthy meal to start the day. You might also want to try this vegetarian egg and bean breakfast burrito or this basic vegetarian breakfast burrito recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 flour tortillas
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 pound firm or extra-firm tofu, chopped into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/8 tsp turmeric
• dash Tabasco sauce, or to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• non-dairy vegan sour cream (optional)
• grated vegan cheese (optional)

Preparation:

Warm flour tortillas over stove or in microwave until heated and soft. In a large skillet or frying pan, sautee the garlic and onion in vegetable oil for a minute or two, then add tofu, mushrooms and tomatoes and cook, stirring frequently for 4-6 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft.
Remove from heat. Mix in turmeric and a few dashes of Tabasco sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Place a couple spoonfuls of the tofu and vegetable mixture in each flour tortilla. Top with vegan sour cream and vegan cheese if desired, then wrap and serve hot.

 By Jolinda Hackett
source:  http://vegetarian.about.com/od/breakfastrecipe1/r/veganburrito1.htm

Easy Breakfast Biscuits

 Easy Breakfast Biscuits

 

Make a fresh homemade batch of quick and easy biscuits for breakfast or to go along with mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner. If you need to know how to make quick and easy flaky homemade biscuits, try this easy biscuit recipe. Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council. Like making biscuits for breakfast, brunch or dinner? Scroll down for more homemade biscuits to try.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup 2% milk

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Make a well in dry mixture; add milk all at once. Stir with fork just until dough clings together.
Knead gently on lightly floured surface (10 to 12 strokes). Roll or pat dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter; dip cutter into flour between cuts.
Bake on an ungreased baking sheet in preheated oven until golden, about 12 minutes.
Makes 10 biscuits.
Calories/Serving: 161
Nutrition: One biscuit provides approximately: 161 calories, 3 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 8 g fat (2 g saturated), 1 mg cholesterol, 33 mcg folate, 1 mg iron, 290 mg sodium.
More easy homemade biscuit recipes to try:

Quick and easy vegan biscuits

Sweet potato biscuits

Biscuits with rosemary and cheese

Gluten-free buttermilk biscuits with potato flour

 By Jolinda Hackett
 source: http://vegetarian.about.com/od/breakfastrecipe1/r/biscuit1.htm

7 Quick Tips for Vegetarian Health

Most of these tips really apply to everyone, not just vegetarians. They may seem trite, but they are tried and true and you will notice the difference in your health and energy levels. Need a little inspiration? Check out how more than 60 people lost weight and improved their health on a vegetarian diet.

• Eat a dark green vegetable (broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens) at least three times a week. These nutritional powerhouses are packed full of vitamins such as calcium and iron. On the run or hate spinach? Try drinking your greens. I recommend Naked Juice's Green Machine-its made with fruit juice as well as greens, so it tastes better than others.
• Take a vitamin supplement that contains B12 or include nutritional yeast in your diet regularly, especially if you're vegan or mostly vegan.
• Water water water! It's been said over and over again for a reason-because its true! Most people don't drink nearly enough. Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go and invest in a simple filter for your home. Water is especially important when adjusting to a new way of eating, as it will help curb any cravings you may experience.
• Make it a goal to eat at least one piece of raw fruit or a handful of raw vegetables every dayI try to eat an apple first thing in the morning to get it out of the way.
• Reduce your refined sugar intake. I've got as much of a sweet tooth as anybody, but I try to keep it under control by using such sugar replacers as brown rice syrup, stevia and agave nectar whenever possible (such as in coffee and tea) and indulging in the refined stuff only occasionally.
• Keep your favorite salad dressings on hand. I find that I'm much more likely to eat my greens or some raw veggies when my favorite salad dressings are in the fridge. A little variety is great too--I try to keep at least two kinds, either store bought or homemade on hand at all times. Some of my favorites are homemade goddess dressing, Thai peanut sauce from my local Asian grocer and rasberry vinaigrette. A vegan ranch dressing was helpful as well when I was trying to wean myself off dairy.
• Eat the rainbow! Fruits and vegetables all contain different nutrients. A simple way to remember to eat a range of vitamins and minerals is to vary the colors of the vegetables you eat. Of course, greens are always good, but try eating a rainbow of tomatoes, yellow squash and purple cabbage! 

 By Jolinda Hackett
Source :  http://vegetarian.about.com/od/healthnutrition/qt/HealthTips.htm

Ballarat in Bloom luncheon

What a sensational day we had in Ballarat yesterday!! I was thrilled to be invited to attend the "Ballarat in Bloom" luncheon and take my wonderful readers on a journey to some of Ballarat's key venues, beautiful food and brilliant attractions. 

The day saw us hear from key speakers and visit some amazing places. The day commenced at Jackson and Co. for a delicious fruit cocktail punch and some light refreshments. This Hotel sits on the site of the first major intersection in Ballarat, Lydiard and Mair Streets. It has recently experienced a sympathetic restoration including the original verandah.

Life is all about having balance. I enjoyed both the scones with fresh cream and jam, along with a plate full of fresh fruit. Everything is made fresh, daily.

Funny, funny historian Barry Ryan runs us through the history of Jackson and Co. in the rooftop terrace.

Did you know there were 466 pubs in the Ballarat region during the 1800's and now only 46 exist. Amazing how times and lifestyles have changed!

I love fruit especially with a rooftop view. Overlooking our beautiful city

Our day then saw us walk to Doveton Street towards The Forge Pizzeria and past some amazing vintage cars. 

To arrive at a beautifully styled table filled with lunch specials including their most popular pumpkin vegetarian and Shearer's lamb pizza's. The Forge Pizzeria is a great casual dining restaurant and I highly recommend to any visitors (if you can get a seat). This place caters for everyone and has an awesome industrial feel to it.

I then struck gold when some special guests arrived....

What an awesome tourist attraction Sovereign Hill is. Our kids absolutely love that place and personally, I love it too. I remember visiting when I was younger so it's great to share this same experience with our kids today. My tip is to take advantage of the multi-day pass as there is not enough time to see and do everything in one day. If you are a local, I recommend a yearly pass allowing you to come and go as you please 365 days of the year. Sovereign Hill hosts so many events throughout the year you will get value for money. 

We then arrived at The Golden City Hotel, named after our glorious city which earned it's nickname in the 1850's during the gold rush. We had some more super tasting canapés and refreshments. Check out these little miniature hamburgers over looking Sturt Street. 

What a view right? We have such a picturesque regional city and we are super lucky to have these historic buildings surround us. Ballarat is steeped in history and is within reach of Melbourne. Only a little over an hour from the CBD it is well worth the trip to see what I am talking about.

Hang on!!! Who's this??? 

Pickles the wombat from the Wildlife Park popped in. He couldn't miss out on this luncheon. He's even changed his eating habits and eating more healthier "green" meals too. 

Such a beautiful variety of canapés. Hats off to the chef at The Golden City Hotel!

It was then time to head around Lake Wendouree and visit the Botanical Gardens, at which point I had to bid farewell to my amazing group. I waved everyone goodbye as they rode off on a vintage bus. 

This following picture is courtesy of The Couriers IG page. A Knight in shining armour pictured with some beautiful flowers from The Botanical Gardens 

This amazing knight can be found at another awesome theme park in Ballarat, Kryal Castle. Another one our favourite family things to do. See more on our experience at Kryal Castle here.

Happy Saturday everyone!

XxDani 

November #ffs_style challenge

Let's have some fun this week. Please tag the word per day, use the hash tag #ffs_style and get creative. You can Tweet, Facebook, Pin, Google+, Instagram etc... We'll find you!!!

Day 1 - lunch at The Golden City Hotel, Ballarat

How amazing do these little hamburgers look??? I attended the Ballarat in Bloom luncheon today and can't wait to share more pictures of my day on my next post. 

For now get snapping! I look forward to checking out the #ffs_style gallery and seeing all your pictures. 

Happy Friday!

XxDani