Weightloss - It's Like Learning to Ride a Bike

Another 2 pound weight loss this morning, why oh why did I not find this eating plan earlier?  It's so easy to follow and as I am proving - it really does work!!

Have you ever tried to lose weight on a particular diet and failed?

If you answered yes to that question, all it means is that you are approaching weightloss in an unhelpful way.

Weightloss is not a pass or fail situation. Indeed it’s this attitude that leads so many people to giving up on their dreams of losing weight.

How many times have you heard people say -

"I tried to lose weight on that diet, but couldn't stick to it"

"I didn't have the willpower to stay on that diet, so I gave up"

Why do people talk like this? It's part of the "diet" culture. The way that most diets are promoted is by treating dieting like an exam. You either lose weight or you don't. If you succeed, well done - If you fail, sorry, bad luck.
And people who don't stick perfectly to the diet are "cheating".

But just like we wouldn't brush our teeth once and think that our teeth were clean for the rest of our lives, we shouldn't view losing weight as a one-off event that we either pass or fail.

Managing your weight is a process. It's something you need to learn, much like a child learns to ride a bike. When a child learns to ride a bike we don't tell them they've failed when they've fallen off. We encourage them to get up and try again. It would be a rare child indeed that started riding a bike the first time they tried it. Similarly, if you want to change the way you manage your weight, you are going to make a few mistakes before you get it right.

Therefore it isn't failure when you make a mistake on a diet; it is a necessary part of the process of discovering how to manage your weight successfully.

And part of this process includes being flexible with your approach. Not all methods work for all people. We are all different hence the approach that is most flexible for you is the one most likely to succeed. So you should be willing to try different strategies.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket and then give up when it doesn't work out.   If this happens - something doesn't work as well as it should then try something else. There really is no other way of finding a way to manage weight successfully.

Don't let a few setbacks put you off. You are learning a new way of doing things. You need to keep trying different things until you discover what works. And just like the child learning to ride a bike, the only way you can fail is by giving up.

For further information and help with the correct eating plan for you


Click Here

by Alison Cormack

The Truth About Cholesterol

Hi

Well what can I say, it's going really well!!  Another 2 pounds this week following Isobel's
Diet Solution Program - if you haven't had a look at it yet then you are missing out
I am on week 2 (so that's 5 pounds weightloss in two weeks)
My food intake this week has included 5 Chocolate Brownies and 3 Chocolate Fudge so I'm very happy:)



I am going to let you in on something shocking. Cholesterol is not the major culprit in heart disease. I know this may be hard to believe after all we have heard about the dangers of high cholesterol from our doctors, and the media. But the truth is, it is not the cholesterol levels themselves or the cholesterol containing foods that are the culprits in heart disease, it is those foods and any other thing that causes inflammation in your body that is the major cause of heart disease (as well as diabetes and high blood pressure).

What is cholesterol and why do we need it?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells. It’s an important part of a healthy body because it’s used to form cell membranes. Cholesterol also aids in the manufacture of bile (which helps digest fats), and is also important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D and of the various steroid hormones (which include cortisol and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and the sex hormones progesterone, the various estrogens, testosterone, and derivatives ).

How could something so good be so bad?

Click Here to Continue

Are you Drinking Too Much?

I thought I would give you an update on my Weightloss.  I started the Diet Solutions Program last Monday and I found  it incredibly easy to follow and I couldn't believe how much I could eat !!

I weighed myself yesterday morning and Wow, I've lost 3 pounds, I wish someone had told me about this before

Have a look and see what you think - CLICK HERE

Also, an interesting article on Water

Water

If ever there were a magic potion for weight loss, water would be it. Every good nutritional program insists that you drink a minimum of 8–10 glasses of water per day. Most people don’t drink the recommended amount because they don’t fully understand how important water is in maintaining good health and losing weight.

Our bodies are composed of approximately 75% water. Any variation from the natural balance causes serious disruptions in many metabolic processes that are crucial to weight loss.

• Water helps the body metabolize stored fat.

The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they are not working at full capacity, the liver must take over some of the load. The liver’s function is crucial to weight loss and if the liver has to do some of the kidneys’ work, it cannot adequately do its job (metabolizing fat). As a result, the liver metabolizes less fat, more fat is stored in the body, and weight loss becomes slow or stagnates.

• Water is crucial in ridding the body of waste.

During weight loss, the body has a lot of waste to eliminate: excess fat and stored toxins. Adequate water consumption helps the body flush out these wastes.

• Water is a natural diuretic.

Many people retain fluid and become dependent on synthetic diuretics to lose excess water weight. Surprisingly, drinking enough water is actually the best treatment for water retention. When it doesn’t get enough water, the body perceives a threat to its survival and begins to hold on to every drop of water that it can. If you give your body the amount of water that it needs, it will quickly release any retained water.

• Water is a natural laxative.

When the body does not get enough water, it takes it from other internal sources. If the colon becomes dry, stool becomes dry and difficult to pass, resulting in constipation—possibly with gas, bloating, and painful elimination. If the body receives sufficient amounts of water, the colon will be rehydrated and proper bowel function restored. To experience significant weight loss and optimal health, it is crucial to drink a sufficient amount of water every day. By “sufficient,” I mean that you should drink half your body weight (in pounds) in ounces of water each day: (body weight, in pounds/2). For example, a 200-pound person should drink 100 ounces of water.

In addition to this baseline recommendation, I suggest that you add 8 ounces of water for every 8 ounces of caffeinated beverage consumed and another 8 ounces if you have exercised. Also, drink water at room temperature. Cold water will sit in your stomach until it has warmed to body temperature; only then will it move to the small intestine for absorption. Many people mistake thirst for hunger because both sensations tell the brain that the body is in need of energy. So, a person who is dehydrated may misinterpret this feeling and end up overeating. Several studies have been done in which people were told to drink water at the first sign or feeling of hunger. In most cases, the hunger quickly passed, and subjects lost 35–40 pounds in less than a year. If you do not drink the recommended amounts of water for your weight and experience hunger pangs during the day, then chances are your body is thirsty. Because water is a natural appetite suppressant, drink 8 ounces of water at the first sign of hunger and 15 minutes before the start of every meal.

Although drinking the appropriate quantity of water is essential, it is equally important to drink high-quality water. Unfortunately, no matter where you live, tap water is contaminated with heavy metals, chlorine, and waterborne toxins. I highly recommend that you filter the drinking water in your home. If you buy bottled water, some of the best brands are Evian, Volvic, and Fiji. Glass containers are best to keep stored water fresh and pure. Plastic containers can leach plastic by-products into the water, affecting taste and purity, especially if exposed to direct sunlight, so always keep bottled water in a dark, cool area. Never purchase water in smoky plastic containers, which leak estrogenic chemicals (which can disrupt hormone levels) and phthalates (which have been linked to asthma and allergies) into the water.

Is Fat Making You Fat?

Hi

With the amount of obesity and overweight people nowadays - isn't it time we knew our Fats?
Some interesting points with this post
Fats
Because fat is so important for so many bodily functions, you must consume an adequate amount of fat each day. Unfortunately, our society has developed a fear of fat. In turn, many companies have produced fat-free or low-fat products that contain high amounts of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, both of which increase hunger and cravings for sugary foods.

Because fats are an essential part of any meal plan, it is important to recognize them as good or bad. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to tell the difference.

Fats to Avoid
All fats are not created equal. The most detrimental fats are hydrogenated ones called trans-fatty acids (also called TFAs or "trans fats")—most commonly listed as hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated oils on food labels—and should be avoided in your diet.

Hydrogenation is a chemical hardening method commonly used to create fats that are shelf-stable and have a higher melting point than their source material.

To hydrogenate a liquid vegetable oil, the oil is first washed, bleached, and deodorized and then heated to a high temperature along with a metal catalyst (nickel, zinc, or copper). Next, hydrogen gas is bubbled through the mixture. Partial hydrogenation results in a product that is semisolid at room temperature (like margarine or a salad dressing oil that doesn’t separate), and full hydrogenation results in a product that is solid at room temperature (like Crisco shortening). Regardless of the ultimate result, hydrogenation completely alters the liquid oil’s molecular structure so that it no longer resembles a natural fat; in fact, it becomes an unhealthy trans fat. Because the body does not recognize the transformed molecule as a natural fat, it cannot process it and treats it as a toxin.

The molecular structure of a trans-fatty acid is closer to that of plastic than to that of a normal fatty acid (Chek 2004, 72). Still, many processed foods—even some considered to be healthy are laden with trans fats. Food manufacturers use hydrogenated oils because they have a long shelf life and are cheaper to use than the real thing, but research has shown that these fats are detrimental to your health.

Trans fats can raise levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, commonly known as "bad cholesterol") and lead to clogged arteries, elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer (Mercola with Droege 2003). The body has no use for trans fats and stores them in fat cells and arteries. Consuming trans fats actually causes fat cravings; these cravings continue until the body receives the essential fatty acids (EFAs)—the good fats that it needs.


===> Watch Video Here

Good Fats
Good fats are derived from healthy food sources. Adequate amounts of the ideal fats for your metabolism type naturally occurring in your food, used in cooking, or taken as supplements・will fulfill your daily nutritional needs and keep you from getting hungry.

Essential Fatty Acids

The human body cannot survive without some fats specifically, EFAs. EFAs are necessary for the healthy function of every bodily process, including

brain and nervous system activity,

regulation of hormones,

function of organs and the immune system,

cell function, and

digestion.

Our bodies need EFAs but cannot make them on their own; therefore, we must get them from the foods we eat. The two kinds of EFAs are omega-3 and omega-6. Foods that are high in omega-6 fats are grains, commercially raised meats, oils used in processed foods, and many commonly used cooking oils, including corn, safflower, and sunflower. Omega-3 fats are found in leafy green vegetables, oily fish (like salmon), walnuts, organic eggs, and naturally raised meats.

The ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats is between 1:2 and 1:4. Unfortunately, because the typical American diet is abundant in grains and cooked oils and lacking in vegetables and healthy fish, the average omega-6 intake is high and omega-3 intake low. This ratio has been calculated in some people to be as high as 1:50! Clearly, we must make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of omega-6s and increase the amount of omega-3s that we consume to bring that ratio back toward its ideal. Omega-3 fats are vital for the development and maintenance of the adult brain and nervous system. In The Omega Diet, Artemis Simopoulos and Jo Robinson describe a study in which mice fed a diet low in omega-3 fats (i.e., the most common American diet—lots of carbohydrates; packaged, processed, and fast foods; minimal fruits, vegetables, and whole foods) led to a decreased mental performance compared with mice fed a diet with adequate omega-3s (Simopoulos and Robinson 1998, 87).The same authors state that many behavioral and mood disorders are associated with a lack of omega-3 or an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fats in the diet. Their list of recognized disorders (Simopoulos and Robinson 1998, 16) includes but is not limited to

asthma

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

cancer

depression (even among children)

diabetes

heart attack

insulin resistance

obesity

stroke

While I normally like to keep supplements to a minimum and focus more on nutrients from fresh foods, fish oil supplementation may be vital if you do not consume fresh fish on a regular basis. Also, the health of our oceans and thus of the fish that live in them is not as good as it used to be. Elevated mercury levels are increasingly found in most fresh fish sold for human consumption. Incorporate one serving of fresh fish (especially wild salmon) every week or two, but avoid fishes that often have elevated levels of mercury, such as tuna, shark, and swordfish.

Whatever your choices, consume at least two or three servings of omega-3 fats daily.

 

by Isabel De Los Rios

Alison

Welcome to Days 5 & 6

Day 5

Breakfast                           2 x Eggs   Cals 192
                                          Black Pudding   Cals 74
                                          Mushrooms   8 Cals
                                          Sausage   86 Cals
                                          Toast  with Butter  38 Cals

Snack                                Time Out   85 Cals

Lunch                                2 x Bread with Butter   350 Cals
                                          2 x Ham   38 Cals
                                          2 x  Low Fat Cheese  144 Cals

Snack                                Chocolate Krispie Biscuit   156 Cals

Snack                                2 x Non Alcoholic Beers    Cals 150

Evening Meal                   2 x Toast with Butter  350 Cals
                                          4 x Cold Meat  76 Cals
                                          Chocolate Krispie Biscuit  156 Cals

Total  1903 Cals


Day 6

Breakfast                           Sausage Sandwich & Salad   450 Cals
                   
Lunch                                2 x Bread with Butter   350 Cals

Evening Meal                   Curry & Rice  695 Cals
                                          Bread  & Butter   175 Cals
                                          Custard   150 Cals

Snack                                2 x Non Alcoholic Beers   Cals 150

Total  1970 Cals

Starting New Regime on Monday 2 July
Click here toView it

Well I think Day 1 was very successful, now for Day 2

Breakfast  2 x Weetabix   134 Cals
                 150 ml Semi Skimmed Milk   75 Cals
                 1 Small Banana   75 Cals


Green Tea 0 Cals

Lunch  Chicken with Mixed Vegetables   191 Cals
            Homemade Soup   150 Cals
            Muller Rice Original  196 Cals


Afternoon Snack Small Banana 75 Cals


Evening Meal  Cheese & Ham Omlette made with 2 Large Eggs, 2 slices Ham and one slice of Low Fat Cheese cooked in a little Olive Oil and Potato Salad   427 Cals


Green tea and Time Out   85 Cals


Snack Green Tea and a Pear   65Cals

Total 1473 Cals

As I mentioned yesterday, I am studying a new way of Healthy Eating

Click here to Check it out for Yourself

Alison

Shape Up for Summer

Lose Weight and Be Healthy
There have been a growing number of people who are suffering from weight problems, however if you really want to lose weight, there are lots of ways to do it.

There are a lot of people who tend to neglect their health which may be the reasons why they suffer from obesity or weight problems. They usually eat whatever they want and don't find time for physical activity as they are too busy with their work which in many cases requires them to sit for eight hours in front of a computer.
So a lot of people are getting fat, because they tend to neglect themselves.

But it doesn't mean where you are obese or have weight problems, you have to give up hope, there are lots of things you can do in order to lose weight - what it really takes is focus and determination.

If you are really determined to lose weight, find a Herbal Remedy that can help you - you can use a Herbal Remedy like Hoodia which is one of the most popular diet pills that can help you lose weight. It comes with a money back guarantee in tablet form and it can also be in a liquid form if you prefer.

There are lots of Herbal Remedies out there in the marketplace. Check them out and choose which you believe is best for you, but in choosing make sure that it has certification in order for you to know that it will really work effectively and with no harmful side effects.

You can choose and purchase a Herbal Remedy which suits you and use it in conjunction with your daily regime. Please do not think a Herbal Remedy will work on its own, you still need to eat a healthy diet.

If you want to lose weight and be healthy, you have to do something about it. Maintaining a balanced diet is advisable. You have to be aware of the foods you eat and their calorie intake as this is helpful for losing unwanted fats. Eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily.
Eating the correct amount of fruits and vegetables can help you to lose weight and can make you healthy and strong.

Another important thing you need to give time to is exercise. Walking, cycling, swimming or something that suits you for 30 minutes each day can be helpful in losing weight and becoming healthy.

So to summarise, in order to lose weight and be healthy - purchase a Herbal Remedy such as Hoodia and add it into your daily healthy eating plan, keep an eye on those calories and exercise for 30 minutes each day if you can

Also, if you are unsure then ask for help from your doctor. You can consult him or her and let them know your plans and the Herbal Remedy you are considering taking. Your doctor can give you advice on the best plan of action for your weight loss.

If you are having weight problems, then I hope this has helped you on your way to your weight loss journey. Start taking good care of your health and soon you will start to see great results
Good Luck

by Alison Cormack

Mother's Day 18/3/12

Mother's day is almost here and it is time to shower the female loved ones in your life with some extra special attention.The most important person in your life is your mother. She is the one that brought you into this world and since your mum is such an important figure in your life, you need to recognise her each and every year on Mother's Day. It is the one day out of the year where you take care of your mum instead of her taking care of you.

Mother's Day has become a time for families to get together. A vast amount of cards are sold on Mother's Day and florists also experience one of their biggest days. On that day, one splendid gift idea is a family outing or a picnic.(Weather permitting)
Take your mum to one of her favourite restaurants, she will really appreciate this. If your mum is 'watching her figure' or trying to lose weight then please take this into consideration when choosing a place to eat or if you prefer, you could make something for your mother and she will love it as this will show her that you made an effort to make her something special.

One of the best gift combinations that never fail is the duo of flowers and a card. It is such a simple but meaningful gift. Make it even more special by giving your mum her favourite flowers.

Also, congratulations to all new mums and Happy First Mother's Day. I'm sure you will receive something very special with daddy's help.

Lastly, let's not forget all those mums that are no longer with us, to all of them Happy Mother's Day

Lent

Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday (called Clean Monday) and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

Pancake Day

Why the World Celebrates International Pancake Day

The Pancake Day Feast

Flipping the pancake with a neat flick of the wrist, niftily maneuvering the pan with the right hand - is a scene thought of by both young and old on Pancake Day.

For many people worldwide, the passion of pancakes began with the old tradition of a day of pancake distinguished throughout the world beginning in England on Lent leading to Shrove Tuesday and now celebrated as Pancake Day. It is a day celebrated on different dates in different countries associating the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting in the Christian calendar.

Pancake Day, or "Shrove Tuesday", is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Since Lent is the time of abstinence, it is the time of giving things up, or using up foods that are not allowed during Lent. In an effort to use up all of the household's dairy products, fats and eggs, it became a routine to mix these ingredients altogether to make pancakes.

The Pancake Day Race

On Pancake Day, there is also a traditional activity known as the Olney Pancake Race. This started in the village of Olney in Buckinghamshire, England in 1445 with a woman and her actions. When she heard the shriving bell while she was making some pancakes, she didn't' want to be late for the church service so she ran all the way to the church in her apron and frying pan.

This old and amusing pancake race is now world famous and is a longed-for episode of Pancake Day Feast. Participants have to be local housewives wearing an apron, a hat or scarf carrying a frying pan containing a hot pancake. Competitors must toss the pancake three times during the long course before sprinting to the finish line. Even kids today can play the game for some fun.

Pancakes are splendidly charming and delicious. The experience of this round soft velvety piece of cake in a pan has been ongoing for many years, and when combined with the comfort of home cooking there goes the feeling of a special day. It is a day shared by children and parents everywhere when all forms of tasty pancakes are eaten. Even though rolled pancakes in butter and maple syrup can be totally appealing, pancakes do not need to be always thick, stodgy and smothered in syrup. With the many pancake cookbooks we have today, you can get ideas on how to make your own Pancake Day a sweet day not necessarily loaded with calories.

A lot of people compliment this tradition as a great way to present information about the Christian festivals which is very much needed in the world today. Thru this Pancake Day, many people who do not know about these festivals will put prominence on the beauty of conviction along with everyone's experience of faith, regular worship, or attending church on Sundays.


By Terry Retter

Why is Valentines Day Celebrated?

>Happy Valentine's Day<

Valentine's Day is no doubt one of the most popular days that is celebrated all over the world. Globally, people plan different and unique ways to celebrate and surprise their loved ones on this very romantic occasion making them feel special by expressing their love for each other through different ways like small gifts, cards, romantic meals and much more.
There are so many people who celebrate Valentine's Day but are not aware of the story behind celebrating this day of love.

There are different stories that people have associated with the Valentine's Day celebration though it is quite obvious that the real man behind this is St. Valentine. As per one of the stories associated with the celebration of Valentine's Day is that this is the day when St. Valentine died in his prison cell. Before his death, St. Valentine wrote a letter to a girl whom he loved very much. He ended his letter with "From Your Valentine" along with his signature.
After his death considering him a true lover, lovers all over the world have adopted this as a way of expressing their deep love to their loved ones.
Today, you see these wordings on cards and gift cards. This means that you are relating your deep love for your partner with the historical love St. Valentine had for his girl.

Also, according to another legend it is stated that Valentine was a priest in Rome and he served during the third century during the rule of Emperor Claudius II.
The Emperor announced that no single men were allowed to get married as he believed that in order to get better soldiers for the security of the country it was important to keep all the young men single so that they didn't have wives and families to distract their attention from their responsibilities and duties.
As a result St. Valentine raised his voice against Emperor Claudius II as he thought that his decision to outlaw marriage for young men was injustice of the decree. Defying Claudius, St. Valentine secretly continued to perform marriages for young lovers. After some time when Claudius got to know about Valentine's actions he ordered his execution.

There are some who believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of the February to commemorate the death anniversary of Valentine's which took place in around 270 A.D.
St. Valentine sacrificed a lot for the sake of love even his life, therefore, today we celebrate Valentine's Day to remember him.

For many years we have been celebrating Valentine's Day with great respect all over the world. This day is also considered as the day of love and young couples globally celebrate this day with great passion by coming up with different ideas to mark the day. There are different specially designed gifts and cards available in shops that people use to express their love to each other.

Oranges and Lemons

Oranges:
Oranges and lemons are both citrus fruits. But while lemons are very sour and not really consumed as a fruit, oranges can be sweet to taste and are eaten as fruits.
Oranges and lemons both are rich sources of vitamin C and citric acid.
Orange juice is very popular as a breakfast beverage. Given its orange colour, naturally makes it a good source of carotene and beta-carotene, and vitamin A. Both, lemons and oranges belong to the protective food group as they help build up the body’s immune system.
The vitamin C present in these citrus fruits helps in the absorption of calcium and iron in the body. Oranges have high levels of beta-carotene which have anti-oxidant properties, and thus help in protecting our body cells from damage.

Indian oranges sometimes have green coloured peels, but the fruit is sweet to taste.
Orange peel and orange extract are also ingredients of skincare products such as face peels, face masks and face washes. Take a segment of freshly peeled orange and rub on the face. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then wash off. Your skin will look and feel fresh.
Oranges can be consumed as fruits, juice, jams, jellies, orange pie, orange souffles etc. To get maximum benefits, consume the orange uncooked as it will give you all the nutrients intact. Cooking often destroys the nutrients such as ascorbic acid and vitamin C.

Lemons:
Lemon is an easily available citrus fruit, inexpensive most of the times, but in summer its price may escalate; it is popular for its culinary and medicinal uses.
It is very high in natural vitamin C and citric acid. Though it is a fruit, lemons are very sour and not really eaten as they are but the juice of lemons is used to prepare a variety of food and beverage recipes such as lemon rice, lemon chicken, lemon pickle, lemon tea, lemonade, lemon meringue pie and many others. Also at Cocktail Bars they are widely used. A slice or lemon garnishes many a cocktail glass.
In addition to lemon juice being a part of many recipes, it is also used as a garnish or to add flavour to the food . In India, when one is served food in a traditional way, a slice of lemon is part of the meal, along with salt, pickle, and chutney. Dahl and rice taste excellent when a few drops of lemon juice are added to the mixture just before eating it.
Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C but Vitamin C is destroyed when heated, thus if you want to get the most of the Vitamin C present in a lemon, it is best to have it fresh and uncooked as in the form of adding lemon juice to water or fresh lemon juice added as a garnishing to foods. In addition to Vitamin C, lemons are a good source of Vitamin B6, Iron and Potassium, and an excellent source of Dietary Fibre. They are very low in Cholesterol, Saturated Fat and Sodium.


Lemons also have a number of health benefits:
Weight loss: take a glass of lukewarm water; add a tablespoonful of fresh lemon juice. Drink early in the morning before eating anything else. This can help with losing weight. You can add a dash of honey to the mixture if you wish.
Lemon water helps cure throat infections and common colds as it has high vitamin C content.
Lemon juice is also effective in treating bleeding gums.
Diluted lemon juice when applied on the skin may help hydrated skin from the sun for example
Lemon juice has stringent properties and is an ingredient of many face packs, skin treatments and face washes. Lemon is harsher on the skin compared to oranges, so never ever apply undiluted lemon juice to your face.
If you suffer from dandruff, cut up one lemon and squeeze the juice. Apply this juice to your scalp and leave for 20 minutes and then shampoo or rinse off. You can mix the lemon juice with some hair oil if you wish.
To decide whether a lemon is of good quality or not, good-quality lemons will be firm, smooth-skinned and heavy for their size, medium to large sized lemons are generally better and have more juice.
Avoid buying lemons that are soft, spongy, wrinkled or have bumpy, rough or hard skin. Coarse, thick-skinned and light lemons will have less juice.

Pub Grub

The Pub Grub Guide
Pub Grub can be salty, fatty and tasty but that doesn't mean we have to rule it out completely
Here's how to enjoy the grub without gaining those extra pounds

Most pubs cater to drinkers first and diners second, which often means a limited menu. However instead of nuts and crisps try making some smarter choices

"High Fat, High Calories and Big Portions are the Big Sellers,"
It's very tempting. You don't want to sit there not eating whilst everybody else is

When deciding what to order, look for the lower calorie but filling options, such as big salads, tomato or broth-based soups, or fish choices with new potatoes

Also:
1. Don't drink on an empty stomach
Alcohol enhances appetite, If you intend to eat a meal, it's best to order it right away before the alcohol takes over your healthy choice

2. Do your homework
If the pub offers its menu online, take a look at it and decide what to order before you get there. That way you won't be rushed into making a bad decision.

3. Fill up on fibre
When you choose dishes based on starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and potatoes, go for whole-grain options where possible, for extra fibre

4. Cut down on salty foods
Avoid salty snacks such as crisps and nuts, and heavily salted foods such as bacon, cheese and pickles, and try not to add extra salt.

5. Make meals low in fat
If you're having a baked potato, ask for a low-fat spread instead of butter or, if you are having pasta, choose a dish with a sauce made from tomatoes or vegetables instead of cheese or cream. Steer clear of bacon, sausages, battered or deep-fried foods and creamy desserts.

6. Choose a dish with plenty of vegetables
A portion is roughly three heaped tablespoons of vegetables. Salads and vegetarian dishes are good options. If a dish comes with fries and vegetables, ask for new potatoes instead or ask for extra vegetables.

7. Go for grilled, boiled, poached, steamed or stir-fried dishes
These involve less fat in the cooking. If you can't tell from the menu how a dish is cooked, ask the waiter

8. Opt for fruit
If you want a dessert, choose a fruit salad or apple crumble.

9. Look for pubs that prepare food on the premises
That's where it will be more practical for you to request healthier options.

10. Think drink
There is nothing wrong with having drinks with your meal, you are having pub grub after all. However, alcohol is high in calories, so be sure to keep track.

Tip of the Day

Apple Cider Vinegar

There is limited scientific support for the claim that apple cider vinegar can promote weight loss. However, one small study (published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 2009) found that obese people who consumed acetic acid daily for 12 weeks experienced significant decreases in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference, and triglycerides.


The Facts on Apple Cider Vinegar
By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide
Updated September 15, 2011

Tip of the Day

Add 1 teaspoon of Lighter than Light Margarine (approx. 19 calories) to Wholemeal Pasta for a healthy, delicious, creamy taste

How To Lose Weight Quickly - 3 Tips for Massive Results

Happy New Year

Wow can't believe that's Christmas/New Year over once again!!

I don't know about you but I've decided that 2012 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER
My friend has just started a new diet and I have just watched the video.  If like me you are looking to lose weight then it's worth a look at www.coreworld.co.uk 

Take Care
Alison

New Year New You

Make 2012 the year for you.  

Lose weight the natural way.  Please enter your details in the box for a Free Gift