The Most Expensive Coffee – Good To The Last Dropping

Posted by oreo | Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Lifestyle | Saturday 21 August 2010 12:10 am

worlds_most_expensive_coffee_01The most expensive coffee in the world does not hail from Jamaica or Hawaii, but instead from Indonesia.

Kopi luwak or civet coffee, is coffee made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract. A civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. In its stomach, proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet’s intestines the beans are then defecated, having kept their shape. After gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, these beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness, widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world.

Apparently the internal digestion ends up adds a unique flavor to the beans, removing the bitter flavor, and then beans are then picked up by locals and sold. The most expensive coffee beans can cost up to $600 a pound, and up to $50 per cup, if you can get over the fact that you are drinking such a strange brew.

You would know if you drank the most expensive coffee in the world, because the quantities of it are tiny amounts.

kopi

Organic Meat

Posted by Belly | Food and Drinks, Health | Wednesday 18 August 2010 1:09 am

Organic-MeatIs it healthy to eat meat? Should we avoid meat completely? Isn’t it high in bad stuff and cruel to the animals? If you want to eat a healthy diet, then maybe you can eat meat and still be healthy – sometimes healthier than people that don’t eat meat.

With the fear of some of the illnesses that come from food like; Mad Cow disease, E.coli, salmonella, improper food handling, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones, concerned consumers are looking to healthier options to feed their families. Instead of avoiding meat altogether, some people are turning to organic meats, poultry and dairy.

But what is organic farming? First, what it isn’t. Organic farming is like the good old days of traditional farming before technology took over. Driven by low cost and high profits, conventional farming tends to use as many means as possible to produce more meat for every acre. But that compromises the health and sanitation of the animals to be slaughtered, and raises the issue of a sewage overload  contaminating the land and water supply. Conventionally farmed animals are kept in tightly confined areas and fed animal by-products, cheaply grown feed, and sometimes manure instead of natural grass or good quality organic feed. This really inceases  the incidence of sickness and disease with the animals. Conventionally raised feed is genetically modified and heavily treated with pesticides. The animals store the residues of these pesticides in their fatty tissue. Similarly, the animals store the residues of animal by-products they are fed as well.

So, what is organic farming? George Siemon, Founder of Organic Valley Family of Farms, an organic family farming cooperative, explains this simply: “Organic farming starts at the bottom of the food chain by raising healthy soil, which grows healthy plants, which grow healthy animals, which make healthy humans.” Certified organic meats are carefully scrutinized and tested for food safety and for strict compliance to the regulations at every step of the process. Here are some of the qualities of organic meats: No pesticides, antibiotics or hormones. They are 100% certified organic feed and pasture, which means no genetically modified foods seeds or feeds or and is raised without herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. There are no nitrates, nitrites or preservatives. The animals are never fed animal by-products. The animals have freedom of movement with full access to the outdoors and they are treated humanely. Also, farm and farm records are inspected every year by a third party to ensure the standards are being enforced.

Animals grown organically are naturally healthy – they rarely get sick. If an animal does get sick and has no alternative except for antibiotics, a farmer must treat the animal or risk losing certification. However, once the animal is treated with antibiotics, it can no longer be certified organic. After treatment involving drugs, the animal is moved to a conventional farm. So, when buying organic meat, not only are you assured the meat is virtually residue-free, you are guaranteed that you are getting meat from an animal that was healthy throughout its life.

Organic meat is an option worth exploring. We are what we eat. Choosing high quality organic animal products will reduce the amount of contaminants we consume. Beyond that, the health benefits of organic foods and farming reach far beyond our bodies to our environment as well. So check out organic meats next time you go grocery shopping.

5 Sexiest Cocktails

Posted by oreo | Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Luxury, Party | Monday 9 August 2010 5:34 am

There are three keys to making a sensuous cocktail: First, it should look bright, attractive, sleek, or curvy. Second, the ingredients must invoke some visceral sense—either with palate-tickling fruit or earthy accents from herbaceous spirits. And finally, the name has got to suggest passion, seemingly begging to be consumed. These five drinks fulfill the mission nicely.

Amaretto-Cranberry KissAmaretto-Cranberry Kiss

Vodka and cranberry have been a pair on numerous occasions (most notably in the Cosmo). In this drink, orange juice smoothes out the flavor of the tart cranberry. To avoid making an overly sweet Kool-Aid-like concoction, try using unsweetened cranberry juice or adding more OJ. The amaretto contributes sweet almond flavors (you may have seen the Disaronno Originale brand on liquor shelves) and adds yet more alcohol. Beware: This Kiss packs quite a punch.

 

 

Bitter CrushBitter Crush

Italian Aperol, an orangey aperitif that is the base of this drink, lends a provocative bite that can make the cocktail quite bitter (thus the name). You can toy with the flavor balance by adding more or less sugar and by adjusting the dilution: Serve it chilled for full force or on the rocks to mellow it out. Either way, the luscious red color beckons for a second and third sip. Ideal as an aperitif before a meal.

 

 

FeverFever

If bright-red drinks don’t communicate the seductive subtlety you were striving for, consider this variation on a martini. The Fever plays up some alluring, exotic flavors, combining a nutty spiciness with a sexy hint of anise. By adding Dubonnet Rouge, which contains red wine, the drink achieves a touch of pink. As a whole, it’s dry enough to pair with many foods, and simple enough to stir up at a moment’s notice.

 

 

The New Bee's KneesThe New Bee’s Knees

“Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee” goes the famous expression (a classic example of Muhammad Ali braggadocio). He could have been talking about this variation on a classic drink: The scent floats across the nose with enchanting floral aromas thanks to the addition of lavender. Lemon and honey create a deceptive sweetness; the gin kicks in soon enough.

 

 

Blood Orange French 75Blood Orange French 75

Champagne cocktails are, by their very nature, celebratory. The rising bubbles function not just as eye candy but as palate stimulants, and the alcohol in carbonated cocktails enters the bloodstream faster than in noncarbonized ones. This version of the classic French 75 adds complexity in the form of bitters, an element that goes well with the blood oranges that make up the drink’s pulp. Serve it before a romantic meal or the day after, with brunch.

Eating Raw Meat – Good or Bad ?

Posted by oreo | Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Health, Lifestyle | Sunday 8 August 2010 6:00 pm

A new trend, nowadays, is eating raw meat, and only eating a raw meat diet. Much as we have heard about the harmful effects of eating raw meat, the supporters of a raw meat diet argue that our ancestors would also consume raw meat, and there is very little evidence of sickness caused due to raw meat. Since we are their descendants, our body is naturally adapted to eating raw meat. The raw meat diet is also followed by popular celebrities such as Uma Thurman, and Demi Moore, who swear by the health benefits of eating raw meat. Take a look at a raw meat diet, its benefits and harmful effects.

Raw-Meat-1

The Raw Meat Diet

Many of us may consider eating raw meat as primitive, unhealthy, and disease causing. However, there is a group of people who believe otherwise. Several people believe that only eating raw meat is the key to good health, and that cooked food destroys all the nutrients that are present in its raw form. They thus, follow a diet that contains raw eggs, raw dairy and raw meat, which they find very beneficial for digestive health and highly nutritious.

People who believe that eating raw meat for health is essential, frown upon cooked or even smoked meat. They believe that cooking any type of raw meat above a temperature of 104 ºF causes the meat to lose its nutritional value, and renders it unhealthy. The food that can be included in the raw meat diet is:

- Uncooked/Unprocessed meat

- Raw eggs

- Raw dairy

- Aged meat/Fish

- Organ meats such as liver

- Century eggs (aged raw animal food)

All the meat that is consumed in a raw meat diet is free-range or grass-fed. Free-range is a type of husbandry, where animals are not caged or controlled in any manner. Instead, they are allowed complete and free access to the farm. This is done so that the cost of feeding is reduced, and so that the quality of meat is better. The environment also has an effect on animals, and the happier they are, the better the final product for you to consume.

Benefits of Eating Raw Meat

Based on several research studies, and the experience of people who have taken to eating raw meat, the following benefits have been discovered: ssssssssssssss22

- Studies have shown that the body digests only raw food thoroughly, not cooked food that produces carcinogenic toxins. These toxins are known to have several side effects on the body.

- Several people have found that switching to a raw meat diet, has given them better health, and have reversed diseases that they were severely affected by.

- Research has also shown that people who suffer from vomit and diarrhea are the ones who eat cooked food, and not raw food. Apparently, the microbes and pathogens that cause food poisoning are found in the environment, and not in the food itself. This is how perhaps, those who have eaten raw meat may have suffered from food poisoning.

- Eating raw meat that is free-range makes it less prone to the development of harmful bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella. This means, the risk of developing disease from such dangerous bacteria is greatly reduced.

- According to a research, the amount of E.coli in such meat that is grass-fed is minimal. This amount cannot survive in the human system, and is easily eliminated from the body.

- Raw meat that is grass fed, and not grain fed, also has high quantities of vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids.

While eating raw meat diet, you have to ensure that the source you purchase it from is a good, hygienic one. Grocery bought meat will never be safe, if eaten raw. Make sure that you acquaint yourself with a local raw meat supplier, identify his sources, and then start with eating raw meat.

Harmful Effects of Eating Raw Meat

If you are resorting to a raw meat diet, you have to make sure that the meat is organic, free-range, and fresh. If you do not, following are the risks you may be undertaking:

- You may contract the bacteria called E.coli, effects of which include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and dehydration.

- Salmonella is another bacteria that can be ingested, causing symptoms of a salmonella infection such as a severe stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea.

- Another bacteria that can be consumed while eating raw meat is Campylobacter jejuni. This can cause severe abdominal problem, fever and headaches.

- Several people have already suffered from food poisoning and indigestion because of the consumption of undercooked meat.

- You also run the risk of getting tapeworm if you start eating raw meat.

Every human being has a digestive system that is different from the other. How your body adapts to the raw meat diet may be different from someone else. So, before you take to eating raw meat, do ensure that you consult a doctor, and a nutritionist to guide you in the right manner, and tell you how to eat raw meat so that it is beneficial for you, without any side effects.

 

Chocolate Family

Posted by oreo | ETC, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks | Wednesday 4 August 2010 11:21 pm

- CHOCOLATE -

20081015-chocolate-healthy

In almost every country, chocolate is a popular ingredient which is able to add to many types of desserts and foods to increase deliciousness. And each year, the best cocoa beans are selected out and many different varieties are carefully blended to achieve that deep, rich flavor that chocolate lover’s prize.

A type of chocolate depends on quantities of different ingredients which are added in chocolate and also depend on the temperature and the length of roasting to develop the chocolate flavor. These are types of chocolate which are generally produced around the world.

1. Unsweetened chocolateUnsweetened chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate is chocolate in its rawest form. This unadulterated chocolate is also known as baking, plain or bitter chocolate and popularly used as the base for cakes, brownies, confections, and cookies. Unsweetened chocolate is made from pure chocolate liquor that has been refined and contains 50-55% of cocoa butter. Since no sugar has been added to the chocolate it has a strong, bitter taste that is used in cooking and baking but is never eaten out of hand. Unsweetened chocolate, if well wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place with good air circulation, could be kept for several years.

2. Dark chocolate
dark-chocolate-lg
Also known as “plain chocolate”, Dark chocolate is chocolate without milk as an additive. The U.S. Government calls this “sweet chocolate” and determines a 15% concentration of chocolate liquor as its ingredient, different from Europeans who requires a minimum of 35% of chocolate liquor. Dark chocolate is considered as healthy chocolate. According to studies of two prestigious scientific journals, it states that eating more dark chocolate can help lower your blood pressure, but you have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.

3. White chocolate3box_white_chocolate_moose_and_saparate_on_filt

In fact, white chocolate cannot be called “chocolate” because it does not contain chocolate liquor. White chocolate is the combination of cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, vanilla, and lecithin, and is able to be kept from 6-10 months if stored in a cool, dry place. Generally, white chocolate is ivory-colored, but white chocolate which is made with vegetable fat is white-colored. White chocolate was first made in New Hampshire after World War I and become popularly distributed in America in 1984 with the introduction of Nestlé’s Alpine White Chocolate bar.

4. Milk chocolatemilkchocolate22

Milk chocolate is the combination of chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla, milk solids, and lecithin. This type of chocolate could be kept up to a year if stored in a cool, dry place. Milk chocolate must contain at least 10% of chocolate liquor, 3.7% milk fats, and 12% milk solids. The U.S. Government requires a 10% concentration of chocolate liquor while EU regulations specify a minimum of 25% chocolate liquor. This makes European milk chocolate better than American milk chocolate, because the more chocolate liquor added the more delicious it gets. Generally, milk chocolate is popularly used in decorating cake and cookies.

5. Semi-sweet chocolate and Bittersweet chocolate 512px-Semi-sweet_chocolate_chips

Semi-sweet and Bittersweet chocolate are the same kind of chocolate, both refer to dark chocolate. In America, dark chocolate refers to Semi-sweet chocolate while in Europe dark chocolate refers to Bittersweet chocolate. The two  types of chocolate are able to use interchangeably. Both Semi-sweet and Bittersweet chocolate contain cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, and sometimes lecithin. Semi-sweet and Bittersweet chocolate, if well wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place with good air circulation, could be kept for several years.

6. Couverture chocolateCouverture

The word “couverture” translates to “covering” and refers to one of the finest quality of chocolate in the world. Couverture is produced with premium cacao beans and a high percentage of cocoa butter. Additionally, this type of chocolate also contain a total fat content of 30-40%. Couverture are often used by professional pastry chefs in many famous chocolate manufacturers such as Valrhona, Felchlin, Lindt & Sprüngli, Scharffen Berger, Cacao Barry, Callebaut, and Guittard.

7. Ultra Couverture chocolate

In fact, Ultra Couverture chocolate is equal in terms of quality to Couverture chocolateCouverture chocolate. Because because this type of chocolate contains a higher content of cocoa butter, the name “Ultra” is therefore added. Ultra Couverture chocolate is not easy to produce because it is difficult to balance higher cocoa butter content while retaining superb taste and texture. Therefore, a few chocolate manufacturers are able to successfully produce this type of chocolate.

8. Compound Chocolate Compound chocolate

The term ”Compound Chocolate” refers to a type of chocolate which is made by a combination of cocoa and vegetable fat, usually tropical fats and/or hydrogenated fats, as a replacement for cocoa butter. Compound Chocolate is primarily used for candy bar coatings, but because it does not contain cocoa butter, then it is not called “chocolate” in the US. Compound Chocolate is sometime added with flavors such as mint, orange, or strawberry to increase its deliciousness.

How Healthy Are Energy Drinks?

Posted by oreo | ETC, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Health | Tuesday 3 August 2010 8:00 am

Energy drinks are very popular among young adults. Most of the energy drinks contain Caffeine and Sugar. Now a day’s people tend to replace their morning cup of coffee or tea with energy drinks to boost their energy.

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Energy drinks are beverages which are meant to keep people energetic. Energy drink should not be compared with sports drink because both are totally different from each other and have a different role to play.

Energy drinks helps a person to remain fresh and work throughout the day. Caffeine is most widely used ingredient in energy drinks that keeps you energetic.

It is always advised that people check the label of the energy drink before purchasing the same so that they get to know the ingredients and then decide whether it would be suitable for their body or not. Energy drinks should be taken only when it is required by the body.

It is always recommended to take the energy drinks only once a day that too only when required because multiple doses of energy drinks can have ill effects on an individual’s health due to the high content of Caffeine present in it.

Energy drinks can give extra energy to a person to perform extra tasks. Energy drink helps sports people to remain active. Caffeine, which is the main ingredient in most of the energy drinks stimulates central nervous system and keeps people energetic. Ginseng which is a herbal plant extract is also usually present in these energy drinks and relives stress.

Carotene is also present in energy drinks which help in turning fat into energy. Glyconutrition is also present in energy drinks, which helps to sharpen a person’s memory. Energy drinks also contain carbohydrate that helps in enhancing the general performance of the body.

Some of the energy drinks also contains proteins in higher level. The main advantage of the energy drink is that is very easy to digest compared to food. The disadvantage of energy drink is acid that dissolves your teeth. Too much sugar in the energy drink may lead to rise in blood sugar levels.

Too much caffeine when used for a long period of time may be harmful to your nervous system. These energy drinks are harmful when it is mixed up with alcohol.

When coming to the questions how healthy are energy drinks, it is highly beneficial for people who are in sports and indulge in very active things. It is not suited for people who are less active and do less work. It is recommended that they take some other nutritional supplements instead of these drinks.

Eating Raw

Posted by Belly | Food and Drinks | Thursday 29 July 2010 1:09 am

Eating-Raw

What’s it mean to eat raw foods? Is it like eating raw beef and raw fish and raw potatoes? Not exactly. There are some definite things you should and should not eat on a raw diet. We’ll get into those. And, we’ll also look at some of the great things said about eating a raw food diet and how much it can benefit your health. Let’s get started.

The raw food diet is a diet based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, nuts, dried fruit, and seaweed. So, meat is not really included. The reason why is because it is said that heating food above 116 degrees F is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in the digestion and absorption of food. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and “life force” of food. So, in order to qualify for a raw food diet, at least 75% of the diet must be living or raw. Once again, this means items from the vegetable and fruit kingdoms. No live bugs included!

What are the purported benefits of eating a raw diet? People say you get increased energy, improved skin appearance, better digestion, you lose unwanted weight, reduced risk of heart disease and you just plain feel better all the time. It is also reported you sleep more soundly, risk of cancer goes way down, you feel more alert and your energy skyrockets. Risk of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes is also a reported benefit.

Well, ok then. How do I do it? Here are some details on the foods to eat. Unprocessed, preferably organic, whole foods such as: Fresh fruits and vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Beans, Grains, Legumes, Dried fruit, Seaweed, Unprocessed organic or natural foods, Freshly juiced fruit and vegetables, Purified water, and fresh, young, coconut milk.

How do you prepare the food? Specific cooking techniques make foods more digestible and add variety to the diet, including: Sprouting seeds, grains, and beans, Juicing fruit and vegetables, Soaking nuts and dried fruit, Blending and Dehydrating food.

So, whether you want to be a fruitarian (Fruitarians eat primarily or exclusively fruits and nuts), juicearian (Juicearians process their raw plant foods into juice), or sproutarian (Sproutarians adhere to a diet consisting mainly of sprouted seeds.), you may find a new you in eating it raw.

In conclusion, it must be said that there are as many diets as there are people in this world. Some appear to have energy and health, glowing radiant skin but we only see them eating Big Macs and hot dogs. Others seem to watch every bite to be sure it fits some philosophy, but look anemic and are always low on energy and lacking positive vibes. It has been said by the wise that one’s outlook on life can make the biggest difference. If you eat your food with anger, fear, or stress the quality of the food, may not matter. And, certainly your quality of life will go down as well. So, maybe it’s a good idea to pay as much attention to what you think as you do to what you eat.

Achieve a Slimmer Waist by Changing Your Lifestyle

Posted by oreo | Beauty, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Health, Lifestyle, Models | Tuesday 27 July 2010 9:27 pm

iljfkioasWhen in spite of doing regular exercise, spending lot of time on the treadmill, you are not able to achieve a slimmer waist, and you can’t just let that flab leave your waist, then you have to understand that problem lies somewhere else and exercise is not the only solution for it.

Changing some lifestyle habits which are restricting your weight loss efforts can help you to achieve your goal. There is no doubt that eating right food and doing regular exercise is the best ways to achieve a good figure, but when this essential method is not working properly then consider changing these habits.

Late Night Sleeping Habit

Modern lifestyle has changed a lot. Most city dwellers have the habit of sleeping late at night, because of the late night parties, late nigh TV shows and the like. If you too have the habit of sleeping late at night, you have to skip that habit to get a slimmer waist. Lack of sleep creates imbalance in your hormone and slows down body’s ability to burn fat.

Your body needs minimum eight hours of sleep everyday, especially when you are exercising regularly to lose weight. Lack of sleep reduces the insulin production by the liver and fails to cut down the fat deposits from our body.

Habit of Skipping Meals

Many women when don’t find expected result, start skipping meals out of frustration. They apply this method as a last option to get a slimmer waist. But health expert today suggest just the opposite of it.

They suggest to divide your meals in six short meals in roughly equal size. Make a calorie chart and find out your daily calorie requirements. Divide them in five or six equal portion. Eat healthy nutritious meal every time, without skipping any of them. it will help to increase your metabolism and make possible  to achieve slimmer waist.

Less intake of water

Many women do not drink enough water throughout the day. This is a great obstacle for achieving a slimmer waist. Those who want to get a slimmer waist must drink about a liter of water the moment they get up from bed. This will help to increase the metabolic rate and burn calories.

Secondly the water intake in empty stomach will help to expel toxin from the body and in turn help to reduce fat. Also make a habit of drinking at least seven to eight glass of water throughout the day to detoxify your body and lose the flab accumulating around your waist.

How Good is Kimchi

Posted by oreo | Beauty, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks | Monday 26 July 2010 11:34 pm

kimchikimchiIf you’re up for something healthy and Asian, here’s the perfect food for you. Kimchi is literally the ‘hottest’, the most addictive and the healthiest Korean food you might ever come across. It’s basically a condiment which is made by fermenting cabbage with other ingredients.

Kimchi can be dated back to as long as 3000 years where it was first invented in China and in later years it passed over to Korea and till today, it’s been the favorite condiment of the Koreans.

How is kimchi made

The main ingredients in kimchi includes the cabbage and the vinegar which later ferments in the presence of water to produce good bacteria. The mixture of vinegar along with garlic, ginger and soy sauce is firstprepared and smeared over the cabbage leaves. This is later preserved in th earthen pots for several days until it completely ferments.

Health benefits

Obesity – This is all thanks to the fermentation process the kimchii is made to undergo. During this process, it releases lactic acid produced by the bacteria Lactobaccilus kimchii. This further promotes better digestion and also regulates digestion and therefore reducing the fat. This is probably the reason why obesity has rarely been a problem among east asians.

Since it contains a large amount of garlic and onions, it potentially eleminates the bad cholesterol and keeping the arteries clear for the blood flow. So if you’re suffering for any of the heart diseases, you better start eating one of these.

Diabetes – Garlic also further acts as a protective shield for diabetics and hypoglycemics since it regulates blood sugar levels. Onions also have the same effect, so the final combined effect is too potential to ignore.

Clears intestine – Kimchi also acts as a major natural scavenger, cleanign up the intestine and promoting better absorption of nutrients. This job is done by the lactobacteria and the bifidobacteria that drives away the unhealthy bacteria and thus keeping the intestine clean. It also promotes the production of vitamin B12.

Ulcers – This is where the cabbage come sinto picture. The fermented cabbage that forms the core of this condiment works out best to get rid of the ulcers.

Kimchi is also said to be very good for skin since it promotes a smoother and a glowy skin.

Honey Benefits

Posted by oreo | Beauty, Cosmetics, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Health | Monday 26 July 2010 9:42 pm

141360_f496Even today Europeans use honey as a substitute for sugar, in their sweet drinks. During recent times, however, even as sugar has taken over this function the world over, honey has become a skincare product.

It is well known that honey is a medicine for treating many maladies like fatigue, allergies, anemia and poor digestion. Since it is a good moisturizer, it is used in many makeup and skin care gels and lotions.

Honey is made of fructose, glucose and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, copper, zinc, iron, apart from Vitamins. Honey in its natural state can help nourish the skin through its power to attract water.

Honey is now being used in many cosmetics including body lotions, anti aging creams, cleansers, shower gels, masks, etc., mainly because it retains moisture. Known for its rejuvenation capacities, many women prefer to use it for nourishing their skin. Moreover as an antiseptic, it can kill bacteria instantly.

 

Benefits from Honey to skin and General Health are indeed many:

It is safe even on irritable or sensitive skin; it can make fine lines and wrinkles vanish; skin is rejuvenated with honey; honey can prevent infections by nourishing the skin; pure honey is anti-allergic; it is a good moisturizing agent and helps prevention of dehydration of skin.

It makes skin supple and smooth; it takes away discoloration of skin and brightens the skin; honey can remove free radicals since it functions like an antioxidant; you can treat pimples with honey, as well as wounds, sores and burns as it restores damaged skin; honey is used for treating eczema, acne and other skin conditions and lastly honey restores skin damages through its antioxidant qualities.

Natural honey is a natural medicine and thus whether for skin damage or skin care, it is considered as one of the much preferred constituents to restore the skin health. One important aspect is that you must use honey in its natural state. Many times honey that is available in the market is synthetic, made from a base of flours and sugar. There are online suppliers of honey these days.

Boost & Raise Your Metabolism and Lose That Excess Weight

Posted by oreo | Beauty, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Health, Lifestyle, Models | Thursday 22 July 2010 10:39 pm

If you think that people who exercise with free weights turn into musclemen and musclewomen, you are absolutely wrong!!!  There is more to having big biceps and triceps.

istock_000004921901smallTraining with weights helps a lot in shedding off pounds since it increases the metabolism, which is necessary for burning calories and excess fats. By doing this kind of workout, you are able to build more muscle mass, which is essential in burning more calories, even while the body is resting.

There are many ways to exercise with weights. You can use dumbbells, free weights, barbells or simply use a rod or staff. For those who lack these tools, they can make use of their own body weight. Some ways to do this is by means of squats, sit-ups or push-ups. These exercises can be done in the comfort of your home.

Combined with weight training, eating the right foods can help in reducing weight. Here are some of them:

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is considered as one of the “negative calorie foods”. Although it has calories, it takes more caloric energy to digest it than what it actually contains. It is one of the foods that have an advantage of burning fat. It is also rich in fibre so it helps in digesting the foods we eat. It also helps to lower the levels of insulin in our body that stores excess fats.

Green Tea

One of the more popular antioxidants, Green Tea helps us in burning more calories because of the presence of Catechin that increases the activities of the brain and nervous system.

Peppers

If you enjoy having peppers such as Jalapenos and Cayenne in your taco dip, wait till you know their benefits. They, naturally, contain Capsacin which speeds up your heart rate and metabolism that helps burn calories and excess fats. Since these are hot, those who want to take them can opt for supplements that come in the form of capsules.

Coffee

There are recent findings on coffee as being beneficial to the body because it contains antioxidants. It also keeps us mentally alert. That is why people drink it to stay awake and attentive. There is a warning, though. Drinking too much of this may cause heart palpitation and nervousness.

Now, you know that strength training with the use of weights and eating calorie burning foods are essential in increasing your metabolism. Not only this, it helps you achieve a well-toned physique.

Healthy Hair..Healthy Diet

Posted by oreo | Beauty, Food & Drink, Food and Drinks, Hair, Health | Tuesday 6 July 2010 3:34 am

Healthy-HairHair is not healthy and shining, not because of what you apply to your hair, it is the food that you consume which makes it healthy. Hair care needs conditioners and shampoo, but these can only provide health to your hair to a certain extent. Healthy hair is obtained not in the salon or during shower; you have to go into the kitchen.  

Hair on our bodies grows at the rate of about 6 inches annually and it is the nutrients in our food which makes our hair grow luxuriantly. A good diet will help you have stronger cells and hair will also be healthy. Though you may get food supplements to make your hair thick and hasten its growth, you should take nutrients from your diet. Supplements can also have adverse effects.

Only right diet can stimulate hair growth. Right diet will include correct amounts of green vegetables, milk, fish, eggs, beans and nuts, along with plenty of water.

Among fishes, Salmon has plenty of fatty acids of Omega-3 variety and are full of B-12 Vitamin along with Iron, which are all necessary to ensure health of your scalp. Oysters which are good antioxidant and Zinc can help your hair to be healthy. Zinc can also be obtained from red meat.

Diet should also include legumes, since lentils or Kidney Beans supply plenty of protein, along with Zinc, Biotin, and Iron for good growth of hair. Eggs are also a good source for protein, which should be included in your diet. Eggs have Biotin and B-12 vitamin, known as nutrients to enhance beauty. Among others, Chicken can help healthy growth of hair.

Vegetables which are greenish, like Broccoli, Spinach or Swiss Chard contain good quantity of Vitamin A, and also C, which we require for producing Sebum. Sebum is a natural hair conditioner, which is secreted by the hair follicles. Vegetable diets should include Calcium and Iron, which is available aplenty in Carrot. It also contains Vitamin A for a healthy hair growth.

For good growth of hair, you should use dairy produce with low fat content, because these contain plenty of Calcium, while skimmed milk or yogurt also have Whey and Casein to help proper growth of hair.

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