5 Ways to Spot a Fad Diet

Lots of today's popular diets take advantage of our desire to drop weight quickly. Unfortunately, though, "quick-fix" diets don't work. 

Here are 5 clues that a diet may be more about empty promises than real results: 

1. The diet is based on drastically cutting back calories.

Starvation-type diets that require the body to fast often promise quick results. But our bodies simply aren't designed to drop pounds quickly. In fact, doctors say it's nearly impossible for a healthy, normally active person to lose more than 2 to 3 pounds per week of actual fat, even on a starvation diet. 

Here's the trick that very low-calorie diets rely on: The body's natural reaction to near-starvation is to dump water. So most, if not all, of the weight lost on quick-weight-loss diets is not fat — it's just water. And the body sucks this lost water back up like a sponge once a person starts eating normally again. 

2. The diet is based on taking special pills, powders, or herbs.

These are usually just gimmicks — and the only thing they slim down is your wallet. 

Many diet pills contain laxatives or diuretics that force a person's body to eliminate more water. Just like restricted-calorie diets, the weight lost with these supplements is mostly water, not fat. 

Other supplements claim that their ingredients speed up metabolism; suppress appetite; or block the absorption of fat, sugars, or carbohydrates. For most diet supplements, there's no reliable scientific research to back up their claims. And doctors consider diet supplements risky for teens because not much is known about how the ingredients affect the growing body. 

3. The diet tells you to eat only specific foods or foods in certain combinations. 

There's no reliable scientific proof that combining certain foods works. And limiting the foods you eat means you might not get all the nutrition you need. 

4. The diet makes you completely cut out fat, sugar, or carbs.

Depriving our bodies of needed food groups is a bad idea (especially when they're still growing). It's better to eat smaller portions in well-rounded meals (meals that contain servings of protein, grains, fruits, and veggies). When your body gets the right balance of nutrition, it's less likely to send you willpower-busting cravings! Eating smaller portions also helps you set good eating habits that will help you keep the weight off. 

5. The diet requires you to skip meals or replace meals withspecial drinks or food bars. 

As with diets that ban certain food groups, skipping or substituting meals can mean you don't get the nutrition needed to support healthy development. Plus, you miss out on the enjoyment of sharing a satisfying meal with friends or family. 

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Sources: http://kidshealth.org

March Madness

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have dinner with grassroots supporters from across the country at Boundary Road Restaurant in Washington on Thursday. Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron will attend and NCAA tournament basketball game in Ohio, an election swing state.

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9 Ways To Improve Your Body As Quickly As Possible

If you get in your car in Los Angeles to drive to New York, do you just pull out of your driveway and start down the road? Or do you get a map and plan your route? The answer is obvious – careful planning pays off. So if your goal is to become fit, lean and strong it’s important to know exactly what you need to do to reach this goal.  Here are some valuable tips to include in any plan which will help you arrive at your goal safely and efficiently.

Tip #1: Be Alert For Opportunities All Day Long

Focus on becoming stronger because there are myriad opportunities throughout the day to strengthen your body. As simple an effort as walking up the stairs to the third floor, rather than taking an elevator, will eventually produce a noticeable effect. Yes, weights lifting, exercise machines and structured sessions are powerful – but so are simple activities carried out every day.

Tip #2: Rest Is Just As Important As Exercise

Make certain you value and allow rest and recovery time. Many believe that if an intense workout feels good and will build muscle quickly, then the smart thing to do is to exercise even more. Muscle builds when exercise tears the muscle down, because it recovers as newer, stronger muscle. Without that recovery time, your muscles absolutely cannot increase in size or strength. Beginners usually start with three workouts per week and the duration and frequency can increase as they grow in strength and power but your body will respond more quickly and more dramatically if allowed to rest during strenuous activities.

Tip #3: What’s “Best” Is What You Will Persist In Doing

There is a constant and ongoing war among fitness experts about whether free weights or weight machines are superior. As far as you are concerned, whatever works best for you is the right choice. If you love competing with the weights on a machine then by all means choose that option. If you despise machines, but eagerly grab that set of dumbbells, then go for it. There is no point whatsoever in choosing exercises that you hate and won’t stick with, no matter what the ‘experts’ say.

Tip #4: You Didn’t Arrive At Your Current Condition Overnight

If you’re flabby and overweight – in other words, totally dissatisfied with the condition of your body – always remember that you didn’t get there overnight. In other words, impatience is a huge mistake. It requires years of neglect and misuse to create problems in your body and it will take some time to repair them. Exercising for a week and then quitting because there are no visible changes is foolish and short sighted. Not only that, but more failure will further erode your confidence and increase the sad condition of your body. You can drastically shorten the time it takes to achieve superb conditioning by using wisdom and discipline but you won’t see changes by 5PM on the first day.

Tip #5: “Compound” Exercises Are More Efficient

Consider that “compound” exercises will get results faster than those exercises that use only one muscle or one muscle group at a time. Yes, your abs may be a disgrace but focusing only on an ab machine won’t pay the dividends of full body exercises. And always remember that exercises which work multiple muscle groups will build fitness much faster – and that’s what we all want, isn’t it?

Tip #6: Don’t Exercise Mindlessly

Don’t exercise of mindlessly. If you pay close attention to your muscles and your body while working out, your results will be much more powerful. On the surface, that doesn’t seem to make sense. But famous, skilled athletes and bodybuilders have stated time and again that they can literally direct their muscles as they see fit.

Tip #7: Natural Sleep = Health and A Fit Body

Get as much ‘natural’ sleep as possible, meaning that drugs and sleeping pills interfere with the natural repair of the body that occurs every night. When we sleep, growth hormone, or HGH. is released into our bodies. HGH stimulates healthy growth, cell repair and the regeneration which is necessary for muscle development. Growth hormone is naturally produced by the body and many athletic scandals have occurred because athletes were building their bodies with the use of artificial HGH. Synthetic growth hormone, even when legal and prescribed by a doctor, can have dangerous side effects. You want to maximize your production naturally and this is done while we’re asleep.

Tip #8: Pepperoni Pizza Is NOT The Perfect Diet Food (Sorry!)

The perfect diet for an athlete or body builder centers around proteins, certain fats that include essential fatty acids (EFAs) and complex carbohydrates like vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Most fitness experts recommend eating multiple small meals rather than three larger ones. This keeps the metabolism working constantly and is less likely to result in fat or overweight.

Tip #9: Water, Water and More Water

Drink lots and lots of water. Water keeps your muscles hydrated which makes them work more efficiently and helps them recover more rapidly. It’s important to know that soft drinks, tea and coffee generally dehydrate the body so don’t assume they are helping your muscles. They’re not.

Superlative fitness requires self-discipline and long term dedication to your goal. Anyone who is going to make this kind of serious commitment naturally wants to reach their goal as quickly as possible and to do this we must be efficient. Following these rules will speed you to your ideal body as quickly as possible.

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sources: http://www.lifehack.org

Beautify the City

A group of students finish a mural on a supporting pillar of the Cikini railway overpass on Sunday. The project is part of the Jakarta 2012 Mural Festival, which is aimed at improving the city’s social environment.

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Aspirin may shield against skin cancer

People who took painkillers like Aspirin and ibuprofen long-term seem to have a lower risk for some forms of skin cancer, Danish researchers have found.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, were associated with a lower risk of developing some types of cancer in previous studies.

For a study published in Tuesday's issue of the journal Cancer, researchers from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark analyzed the medical and prescription records of people in northern Denmark from 1991 through 2009.

During that time, about 18,000 of the 200,000 participants had been diagnosed with of one of three types of skin cancer.

Those who filled at least two prescriptions for NSAIDs had a 15 per cent lower risk for developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 13 per cent lower risk of the rarer but more dangerous malignant melanoma, Sigrún Alba Jóhannesdóttir and her co-authors reported.

Skin cancer prevention strategy

In the study, researchers compared the painkiller records of patients diagnosed with cancer to cancer-free patients of the same age and gender.

"We hope that the potential cancer-protective effect of NSAIDs will inspire more research on skin cancer prevention," Jóhannesdóttir told reporters.

"Also, this potential cancer-protective effect should be taken into account when discussing benefits and harms of NSAID use."

Many of the prescriptions were for heart conditions or arthritis.

The higher the dose of NSAIDs and the longer someone was taking the medication, the greater the protection measured.

"Given the high skin cancer incidence and the widespread and frequent use of NSAIDs, a preventive effect of these agents may have important public health implications," the study's authors concluded.

There was no association between use of NSAIDs and risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common and least aggressive form of skin cancer.

NSAIDs work by blocking certain enzymes involved in inflammation. High levels of these enzymes have been found in skin cancer

The researchers cautioned they didn’t know about participants’ other possible skin cancer risks, such as lifestyle factors and exposure to UV radiation. Only 60 per cent of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma cases were recorded in the Danish Cancer Registry.

The study also relied on dispensed prescriptions, which may not reflect actual drug use.

The Clinical Epidemiological Research Foundation funded the research.

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sources: http://www.cbc.ca

Final Touch

Polishing the clay pots.

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Toxin-free Nail Polishes

The Big Three 

The trend right across beauty and skincare is cutting down on chemicals and making products that are natural and healthier. There’s nothing particularly natural about nail enamel of course, but the big beauty companies have started to phase out chemicals that are known to aggravate some skins and be potentially harmful. 

If you have sensitive skin with a tendency to rashes and break-outs, it makes sense to minimise the chemicals you’re putting on or near it. With nail polishes, the Big Three are: Formaldehyde – a hardener that often can be found in treatment products and nail protectors. Toluene – a solvent that makes the product easy to apply. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – a plasticiser that prevents chips and cracks.  

Sorbets 

The hot shades this season are sorbets – and I’m absolutely loving them. They’re slightly translucent and give a lightly glossed look to toes and fingernails. 

How to polish nails 

For salon-perfect nails, paint a fat stripe of colour down the centre of your nail and then do the sides. Use any polish left on the brush to paint the nail-edge. This helps prevent chipping. Finally, clean up any errors with a cuticle stick wrapped in cotton wool and dipped in polish remover.

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sources: http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz

Sustenance

Warung Bu Nico provides a free lunch for residents and guests of Kampoeng Percik.

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Medication Safety and Your Child

We all know that medications can help our children live healthier lives, but when medicines are misused or stored improperly, they can also be dangerous. You will want to follow all the medication safety guidelines for adults, but if you have infants or children in your home, here are some special medication safety reminders just for you:

• Avoid accidental poisonings. This applies to medicines and many household substances. Some common household items and everyday medications are surprisingly dangerous. For example, flavored toothpastes can be tempting to kids, but if children swallow a few mouthfuls, the fluoride can cause serious problems. Another surprising danger is automatic dishwasher detergent. It's strong enough to clean your dishes without you scrubbing them. If a child swallows a mouthful, it could burn his throat. Fragrances like lemon or orange make cleaning products more tempting to children. Children's vitamins can also tempt young children to eat them like candy—but they aren't. And too many vitamins can be dangerous. Keep everything out of reach or securely locked so that kids under the age of five cannot get to things that could poison them. If your child does get into something, or if you think that he might have gotten into something, stay calm and call your regional poison control center.

• Use child-resistant caps. Make sure all medicines in homes where children live or visit have child-resistant caps. Be sure to put the cap on correctly and tighten it when you're finished taking or giving the medicine or a child could still get into it.

• Keep a list. Make sure your child's health care professionals know all the medications your child is taking, whether prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines, like vitamins or dietary supplements. When it's time for your child's annual checkup, bring all of your child’s medicines and supplements with you to the appointment. This serves as a reminder to talk about the medicines and discuss any problems.

• Mention allergies and reactions. When your child is getting a new prescription, make sure the health care professional is aware of your child's allergies and reactions to medicines.

• Make sure you understand. When the medication is prescribed and when you pick up the prescription, make sure you understand this important information: What is the name of the medicine? What is it for? Is this the right dose for my child's weight? How often should my child take this medicine and for how long? Should I give the medicine throughout the night or just during the day? Is this medicine safe with my child's other medicines? Are there any foods, drinks or activities my child should avoid while taking this medicine? When should my child start improving?

• Take measure. Make sure you understand the proper dosage before giving medication to your child. Medications for children are sometimes dosed by the "dropperful" or by the teaspoon. The definition of a dropperful may not be clear. It may mean to the upper mark on the dropper or filled to the top. Or some parents may use a dropper other than the one that came with the product, which may not be the same size. Even small variances in dosage can be critical in small children, so make sure you understand the directions. Keep the product dropper with the product, and use only the dropper that was supplied. If it calls for a teaspoon or tablespoon measure, don't use a household spoon. Use a measuring spoon or a marked plastic syringe provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Remember that some infant medicines may be more concentrated than similar medicines for older children or adults. Don't assume that you can give a baby 2 teaspoonfuls of infant medicine, just because you give your older child 2 teaspoonfuls. Always read and follow the label instructions.

• Know the side effects. If you know what side effects could occur, you will be better prepared if something does happen. If your child experiences side effects, alert the doctor and pharmacist right away.

• Create a chart. Children's medicines often taste good, so if you ask a kid if he's had his medicine, he may say no—just to get another dose. Create a chart or list to help you track which medicines were given at what times. This is especially important if your child is taking several medicines or several people are involved in the caregiving. But it's not a bad idea in any busy household—and what household with kids isn't busy?

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sources: http://www.healthywomen.org

Caring for Teeth To Stay Healthy

To keep the teeth remain in good health, provide the nutrients needed by the whole structure of the teeth and gums. As a form of daily care, you should try the following tips:

1. Avoid foods that are sticky on the teeth, because it will leave spots.

2. If you often get a sore tooth, you should always brush your teeth after the meal was over.

3. When brushing your teeth, rub the right way.

4. If you experience vomiting, immediately brush your teeth and rinse thoroughly. Vomit fluid is mixed with stomach acid. If stomach acid is attached to the teeth in a long time, that is what will be the cause of cavities.

5. The main key to dental health care is cleanliness.

6. Avoid drinks or foods that are too hot or cold.

7. Do not get used to clean up leftover food in your teeth using a toothpick.

8. Clean your teeth twice daily using a toothbrush and toothpaste.

8. Try brushing your teeth for 3 minutes, every time you clean your teeth.

9. Rub the brush slowly so as not to damage the sensitive gums.

10. Rub all parts of the tooth, not least on the inside of the tooth.

11. Do not forget to brush your tongue and palate to eliminate bacteria.

12. Consult a dentist regularly to the dentist every six months.

Healthy Diet to Lose Weight

A healthy diet to lose weight the way, namely by eating foods "4 healthy 5 perfect" and assisted with light exercise. A healthy diet, you should not eliminate the meal, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon, is still being done. In the morning, a small piece of bread, oatmeal, is sufficient to support the fiber and nutrients for the body to start the day.

A healthy diet to lose weight by eating foods that do not work too contain oils such as fried foods. If you can select the menu for breakfast foods that are high in fiber and drink orange juice plus. If you like a drink of milk, you should also not select a full cream. Please drink consumption of low fat milk.

For lunch, eat ¼ or ½ servings of rice and vegetables also contain enough carbohydrates. Before eating and after, drink water first, or a piece of fresh fruit, even this Sunnah. According to research, drinking or eating fruit before eating, will inhibit the absorption of cholesterol into the blood, and would "glut" our stomach so as not to overeat.

Eat slowly way. And do not forget to multiply drinking water, many people can not distinguish between thirst and hunger, when thought was hungry (though, actually thirsty), you will consume the food (which actually does not need you consume), how to test it, that drinking a glass of water and wait up to 10 minutes to find out if you are still hungry. If yes then you are really hungry.

Eat your way slowly (Why Americans are more susceptible to obesity than the French? The answer, not only because Americans are eating more, but also because the French people really enjoy their food in every chew, so tend to eat slowly), it This causes the stomach will feel full faster which in turn helped to suppress appetite and eating.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, try this trick: Put a spoon or fork while you're chewing, drinking mineral water after each chew, and chew food a few times before swallowing. Use a smaller plate. Custom in our country is spending food presented on a plate, regardless of the number of calories of food and size of these plates. As a workaround, use smaller plates. You'll feel full with less food.

One great when most of us have argued that a healthy diet to lose weight applies only to lose weight, it's main diet is to achieve a fit and healthy body. As per the saying "You are What You Eat". If your main goal to lose weight healthy blood money, you will be willing to eat foods that are less good. Compared with good food that is often hidden behind the negative things. Limit carbohydrates.

Dinner, the good done around 5 pm until 7 pm. Fruit or eating foods high in protein, eg fish, is the best dinner option to control body weight. This is because protein makes you full longer. If you want to eat carbs, avoid simple, because it is more likely to be stored as fat rather than used as energy. Water content and high fiber, also contain vitamins and nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help the health and vitality of the body as a whole.

Switch from simple carbohydrates to complex carbohydrates. Eat less white bread and white rice, eat more wheat (bread wheat or rice grain). Wheat able to provide long-term energy and provide satiety longer because it has high fiber content. Drink a multivitamin if you feel the nutrients you consume less.

A healthy diet helped you lose weight by exercising good, because for burning calories. Exercise can also increase metabolism. It did not take long and only mild exercise such as climbing stairs 3 × 10 minutes a day is enough to make your body healthy.

And do not forget to sleep enough. Lack of sleep can be at high risk of obesity because it makes the body feel hungry. The good sleep about 8 hours a day. Avoid sleeping with a full stomach condition / full, because it can result not good for health.

Healthy Foods for Pregnant Women

Healthy foods for pregnant women, among others, need an average of 2200 ± calories (9500kJ) per day, so that maternal and fetal health. For mothers who are pregnant, it is to consider food to be consumed. Healthy foods for pregnant women are also advised to food that is cooked, especially undercooked eggs should not be eaten, because it feared contain salmonella bacteria that can harm the fetus.

Raw foods such as fresh vegetables, sushi, steak undercooked lebik best avoided. Also avoid soft cheeses, milk is not sterilized or pasta because it was feared that contain the bacteria listeria can cause miscarriage.

Milk is also very good for pregnant women, because it contains calcium. Choose pregnant milk containing folic acid and other vitamins, such as "skim milk". Healthy foods for pregnant women are also advised to consume green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, beans are very good for pregnant women. Mom can also eat potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and beans.

Healthy foods for pregnant women one of which is fruit. Fruit is also very important, such as apples, oranges, grapes, tomatoes should be washed thoroughly before eating terlebihdahulu. Foods that maternal food (try) must contain calcium, protein, vitamin C, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin A, folic acid, and iron.

Avoid lots of snacking on unhealthy food (junk food) because it will make the weight of the mother during pregnancy increases a lot, so it will be difficult to lower it after childbirth.

You start eating healthy food from now than beneficial for the mother is also very helpful maternal fetal growth. Healthy foods for pregnant women I think is very easy to get.