Changing Your Fridge to a Healthy Fridge

Author: Jude Simons

You don't have to give up all the foods you're used to eating to become more healthy and to start eating raw, organic and live foods. You know the best place to start changing your life and your diet? It's at the grocery store, of course. Even if you're at a good weight and pretty healthy, take a tip from dieters. Go shopping with a list and don't go to the grocery store hungry. Make sure this shopping trip you can resist those Oreos and potato chips.

Clean out your refrigerator and your cabinets. Throw out the half-empty bags of snack foods. Put any microwaveable foods in a dark bag and stash them somewhere in the back of the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind.

Do stock up on dried fruits and nuts for snacking. Transform your kitchen from a processed food haven to a healthy kitchen. Invest in a good juicer. Clean out those crisper drawers to get them ready for an influx of new organic and raw foods.

Load up on fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you can't give up meat and fish, consider getting super fresh tuna that you can just sear and serve with sesame seeds and a small amount of soy sauce. (I'm getting hungry just thinking about this!)

Make eating this way fun. Invest in those big, white square dishes that are good for serving sushi. It's easier to arrange small portions of different foods that way. And getting new white dishes will be symbolic of this new, purer way of eating. Get some good chopsticks so you can take your time eating. This is really fun!

Go to a bookstore and get a cookbook or a food book so you can learn about eating raw foods. Buy a big vase and a bunch of sunflowers to symbolize letting the sun into your diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/changing-your-fridge-to-a-healthy-fridge-642841.html

About the Author:
Read about alphonso mango and mango tea at the Mango Fruit website.

The Health Benefits of Seeds, Nuts, Fish and Oils

Author: Scott Meyers

Sunflower seeds are not just fun to eat; they are also very nutritious to the body. While sunflower seeds contain approximately the same amount of polyunsaturated fats as their counterpart nuts, they are much richer in antioxidants that ward off cancer, cataracts and heart disease. Sunflower seeds are also high in vitamin E content. It has been shown by research studies that consuming high amounts, which is to say in the area of 100 IU (the RDA is presently at 15 IU on a daily basis) of vitamin E on a daily basis helps to cut the risk of developing heart disease by approximately 40 percent.

Fish and fish oils contain the very important omega 3 fatty acids that the body requires to help lower the blood fats, and in particular triglycerides. It is believed that high amounts of triglycerides in the blood are more dangerous for females than they are for males. Eating regular portions of fish is also beneficial for lowering blood pressure and for easing many of the discomforts that arthritis brings with it. The fish highest in omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, blue fish, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring and lake trout. It is recommended that an individual eat two to three servings of fish per week. It is not recommended that you start taking fish oil supplements unless you first discuss it with your physician.

Nuts are very good for the heart. In particular, walnuts have been found to lower levels of bad cholesterol a great deal. By getting rid of saturated fats in the diet and instead substituting polyunsaturated fats that are contained in nuts you can do a great deal of good for your heart. Nuts, listed in order of those containing the highest levels of monounsaturated fatty acids to the least include macadamias, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pine nuts and walnuts.

Olive oil is very rich monounsaturated fat, which helps to decrease the level of cholesterol in the blood. Olive oil is a mainstay of those living in the Mediterranean region. Oliver oil can be purchased in regular, light tasting, virgin and extra virgin. If you do not particularly like the taste of olive oil then reach for canola oil as it contains plenty of monounsaturated fats and is low in saturated fat content. Other types of oils that are healthiest because of their monounsaturated fats include flaxseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, soybean oil and walnut oil. If you want to decrease your bad cholesterol (LDL) by anywhere from seven to ten percent then substitute either olive oil or canola oil fro butter or margarine (more so if you are replacing butter which contains more fat than margarine). Be aware however that all oils have at least 144 grams of fat, not to mention 120 calories for every tablespoon.

Flaxseed oil is another oil that is beneficial for health. This type of oil comes the flax plant and is an "oilseed." Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as lignans. Eating a diet rich in lignans helps to decrease the risk of developing many different kinds of cancers, not to mention osteoporosis and circulatory disease.

Seeds, nuts, fish and oils have many health benefits and if you are looking to live a healthier life they should become a staple in your diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-health-benefits-of-seeds-nuts-fish-and-oils-394628.html

About the Author:
Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

Soap Nuts!

Author: Cathy Herard

If you haven't already heard of or tried soap nuts, you are going to want to find out where you can get them and wonder why you haven't been using them your entire laundry washing life! They are amazing and grow on trees. Basically, soap nuts are the dried shells of the soapberry. The shells actually contain a substance called saponin, which provides a soaping affect, but no foaming like chemical filled commercial "detergents." The trees grow in India and Nepal and are a sustainable resource that gives a source of income to the local population. I have personally switched to using soap nuts for my laundry needs and am way more pleased than ever! There are no harsh chemicals being used to launder my family's clothing and better yet, I don't use any type of fabric softener because the soap nuts do that naturally! Just like with traditional detergents, soap nuts sometimes need a little "support" in getting out tougher odors and stains. I usually add borax if this is the case with my laundry.

Soap nuts are truly the most organic and pure way of cleaning your laundry and other things around your home. There is minimal waste(no big plastic jug like with commerical detergents) for a much smaller impact on the environment! My favorite soap nuts are from a company called NaturOli. A visit to their website gives you a feeling of relaxation, purity, and wellness! Besides soap nuts they offer many other pure and natural products as well. I love and have tried several of their skincare line as well as their soap nuts! Check them out, you will be glad you did. www.letsbegreentogether.com www.naturoli.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/soap-nuts-635107.html

About the Author:
Cathy is an advocate for all things eco-friendly which includes everything organic and and as close to natural as possible. She is devoted to creating a healthier environment for her family and their future.

All Natural Creations: Shea Butter Face Cream- Compact For Safe Cosmetics Signor

Visit All Natural Creations here

I've been on the hunt for a new face cream that is natural and free from
harsh chemicals. It wasn't easy. But alas, I found
All Natural Creations Shea Butter Face Cream.

This has a healthy rating on the Skin Deep database, and is
NOT linked to cancer like so many name-brand products are. Yay!

All Natural Creations IS a Compact for Safe Cosmetics signor.

This Q&A from the Skin Deep database
"Are ingredients in personal care products actually harmful?
While some companies make products that are safe to eat, other companies choose to use known human carcinogens or developmental toxins. Nearly all these chemicals can penetrate the skin, and some we ingest directly from our lips or hands. More than one-third of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer. When risky and unstudied chemicals are used in cosmetics, the stakes can be high — unlike trace contaminants in food or tap water, chemicals in cosmetics are base ingredients."

Olive Oil Skin Care Tricks For Healthy Skin

Author: James Allen

We all want to keep our skin looking and feeling as young and healthy as possible, right? Because the price of many skin care products is so high though, you might think you'll never be able to afford to give your skin the treatment it deserves. Stop thinking that way. You see, one of the best products you can use to improve and maintain your skin's health is also one of the simplest and least expensive. It's olive oil. Here's just a few olive oil skin care solutions you can start using today.

Many name-brand skin moisturizers are not only expensive, but contain many unnatural chemicals in them. If you want to save money and improve the suppleness and glow of your skin, replace these with a simple mixture of one cup virgin olive oil mixed with a half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of water. You can use this as you would any moisturizing cream. You'll find that the olive oil immediately makes your skin feel softer, while the mild acidic properties of the vinegar help cleanse the skin.

You can use this on your face, your feet and your hands. (Don't get any in your eyes though.) If you use this as an overnight treatment, put cotton gloves or socks on to improve the results.

Keep in mind, olive oil is quite effective straight out of the bottle too, especially when rubbed on dry patches of skin. This is great for particular problem areas such as ankles, elbows and knees. Take your time to rub it gently into these areas, but don't overdo it as excessive rubbing could further crack and damage these dry spots before they have time to moisturize and heal.

Also, some people have reported excellent results in terms of improved skin glow just from adding a few tablespoons of quality olive oil to their bath. A few drops of your favorite oil, such as patchouli or sandalwood added to the mix makes for very relaxing tub time that will further improve your skin with no real effort at all.

There are other areas of your skin that often need extra care and attention and olive oil works wonders for these too. For example, chapped and dried lips will benefit very quickly from the application of a bit of oil. Furthermore, if you have a problem with dried and cracking fingernails, or flaking of the skin around your cuticles, you may find that soaking your fingers in a bowl of oil for fifteen or twenty minutes each day puts an end to these annoyances.

So before you go and shell out any more of your hard-earned cash for expensive skin care products, swing by your local grocery store or natural food store and pick up a bottle of inexpensive virgin olive oil instead. Not only will you save money, you may also discover this natural skin care solution is even more effective.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/olive-oil-skin-care-tricks-for-healthy-skin-95394.html

About the Author:
Many people also add nutritional supplements such as sea vegg to their diet to improve skin health. If you're concerned about your skin, you can learn more about this and other effective supplements by visiting http://www.1ThinkHealthy.com right now.

Replace Microwave Popcorn With A Stainless Steel Stove Top Popper And Organic Popcorn Kernels

I love my stainless steel stove-top popcorn maker!
Making fresh popcorn has become a daily treat.
For oil, I use EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and you can
pick up some organic kernels at your local health food store.
YUMMY!

Why should you replace your microwave popcorn with a stainless steel (stay away from aluminum) stove-top popcorn maker?

A chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The EPA has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.”

Click here to find out the dangers of Aluminum

Tips to Eat Sugar-free

Author: Brian Jenkins

If you have decided to eat a sugar-free diet, whether due to medical reasons or personal preferences, you probably need some help getting started. Most foods contain either processed or natural sugars, even if they do not taste particularly sweet. You can use the following tips to make your transition to a sugar-free diet much easier:

Tip #1: Cut back slowly on your sugar consumption - If you currently eat a lot of sugar, it can be hard to stop eating it all of a sudden. Not only is it more of a challenge to find good, healthy foods to eat, but it can also have a negative effect on your body. Someone who goes from eating a lot of sugar to no sugar at all can feel irritable, drowsy, and nauseated. So, step down your sugar consumption slowly. In general, quitting anything cold turkey can have very unpleasant side effects. There are healthier ways to go about things.

Tip #2: Learn to read food labels - It might seem easy enough to choose healthy foods, but did you know that most no-fat and low-fat items are loaded with sugar? That is how they get flavor without fat! Do not assume that “health food” is healthy. Instead, get into the habit of looking at the label and making a healthy choice that way. Keep in mind that comparable food items labeled as “sugar free” may be surprisingly high in fat. By law, the labels have to be correct, and although they are confusing to read at first, learning to look at the nutritional value can really help you cut back on the sugar in your diet.

Tip #3: Watch what you drink, not just what you eat - Drinks, even those that sound healthy like apple juice, are often loaded with sugar. Most people know to avoid soft drinks, but you should be mindful of the amount of sugar in your tea, coffee, and juice as well. Keep in mind that sugar can be found even in “diet” drinks and some kinds of flavored waters. Read the labels of everything you are ingesting, not just your foods. Finally, keep in mind that wine, beer, and mixed alcoholic drinks all typically contain sugar, and usually in high amounts. Cutting back on the amount of alcohol you consume can really reduce the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis.

Tip #4: Make your own foods - Cooking and baking are not as hard as you may think, even if you are a beginner. The problem with processed foods is that they contain preservatives and massive amounts of sugar to prolong the shelf life and make them taste good. Buying fresh ingredients to prepare snacks and meals does not take that much more time and it is typically a lot healthier for you than buying food in a box or can. You can control the amount of sugar you use, and you can even find recipes that use sugar substitutes instead of granulated, powdered, or brown sugar.

Tip #5: Learn how to decode the word “sugar” - Just because something is labeled as sugar-free does not mean that it does not have some form of sugar in it. This is where things get tricky. The following terms are all words to describe various forms of sugar: honey, lactose, fructose, corn syrup, glucose, dextrose, and galactose. Fruits (and their juices) also are a source of sugar. While some options, like honey, might be slightly healthier for you than other alternatives, if you are trying to avoid sugar altogether, make sure you learn the terminology. Products are legally allowed to be labeled as sugar-free if no sugar has been added, but that does not mean that the foods do not naturally contain sugar.

Tip #6: Cut the carbs - Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, and as such, carb-heavy foods contain sugar. White breads, pastas, and so forth might not taste sweet, but they are full of sugar. Choose healthy carbohydrates instead, like whole grains, potatoes, and other foods high in fiber. Remember that your diet should be full of proteins and green vegetables if you want to cut as much sugar as possible from your diet.

Tip #7: Talk to your doctor - Simply put, even if you are diabetic or have another medical reason for wanting to cut the sugar out of your life, you should not suddenly switch to a drastic diet to avoid all sugars. This is unhealthy for your body and, in the long run, the body does need sugar – just not in the forms so prevalent in our everyday lives. Instead, choose healthy carbohydrates, natural forms of sugar, and other healthy foods to fill your meals. Your doctor or a professional nutritionist can help you come up with a great sugar-free plan that will fit your lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/drinks-articles/tips-to-eat-sugarfree-694736.html

About the Author:
tBrian Jenkins is a freelance writer and blogger who offers tips about health, diet and fitness. Mr. Jenkins also writes about specific issues and products such as sugar-free cooking and" target="_blank">www.splendidlife.com/ancillary/samplingprogram.do"> Splenda