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Ideal Food During Winter

In these really cold days, it is good to know which foods contribute to warming the body and feel the heat. Some food should be included in the daily menu, but some should be avoided because they cool the body.

According to Chinese diet and macrobiotics, during winter it would be desirable to use more root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, as well as corn. Buckwheat is great for winter because it warms the body, so the traditional buckwheat porridge breakfast in welcomed in cold countries like Russia.
All foods of animal origin, including meat and eggs are among the group of foods that heat the body. Vegetarians can alternatively use the high-protein soy products – tofu and tempeh, as well as an extremely powerful energy-product of wheat proteins, seitan.

There are ingredients are known to have a thermogenic effect, that is, to increase the feeling of heat in the body. Here are a few of them, that would certainly be included in winter meals.

Coconut oil
It consists of medium-chain acids that are known to have a thermogenic effect (heat). In addition, those fatty acids go from the intestine directly to the liver where are converted into energy, rather than circulating in the form of particles of fat in the bloodstream, as is the case with most dietary fats. Coconut oil usually has a number of beneficial effects on the body.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of high quality fatty acids, which help regulate cholesterol. Also, almonds are one of the richest natural sources of magnesium (contributing to the spread of blood vessels, and thus improving blood flow). Just do not overdo it! Nutritionists say that 30 grams per day is more than enough.

Berries

With its juicy, tender and tasty fruits, berries are an excellent source of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, wild strawberries and currants  grow  as wild fruits. Also, they are grown as domesticated species  in gardens.

Berries are rich in plant phenols, particularly flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties. These are the pigments which originate from the color of fruits and their characteristic taste. These substances play an important role in the immune system and help the plants ripen in the sun, and not “burn”.
Certainly, berries  have a positive effect on our health. In combination with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E and provitamin A) , flavonoids bind free radicals and thereby protect the integrity of cells. It is therefore advised to consume berries in order to strengthen the immune system, in cases of anemia and fatigue, to relieve various symptoms of allergies. Furthermore,  people who are prone to frequent infections should eat berries. Berries reduces the risk of emergence of some cancers, especially stomach, esophagus, colon and lung. Most of these flavonoids, including quercetin, can be found in currant, blueberries and red grapes.

Recipe for Apple Cider Vinegar

As it is well known, apple cider vinegar is highly appreciated and used for many diseases. It is known that has diuretic property so it is used to remove excess water from the body. Therefore, apple vinegar is recommended for people who have kidney and urinary problems, as well as problems with heart and blood vessels, accompanied by the appearance of the swelling. Apple vinegar allows better drainage of toxins that accumulate in the body. Heart patients and those with high blood pressure use apple vinegar because it reduces blood viscosity, and hence reduces the workload of the heart.
Also, cider vinegar is an effective means to treat diarrhea. It can also help in some cases of sterility, and is recommended in diets. A teaspoon of apple vinegar in a glass of water three times daily can help to lose the excess pounds. Cider vinegar is also used externally as a compress to treat varicose veins, inflammation of joints and rheumatism. Also, rubbing the body with diluted apple vinegar removes fatigue, and it is a good preparation for the removal of dandruff.

Pure apple cider vinegar can be bought and made. Now we present the recipe for getting it in the home version.

With Balanced Diet Against Infertility

Balanced and complete diet is a key to many health problems. For example, in some cases it is enough to improve nutrition in order to solve infertility problems. Let us see what should be eaten in cases of infertility:

1.Folic Acid. Folic acid (folacin or vitamin B)  stimulates the secretion of estrogen, production of female gametes and ovulation. Folic acid together with vitamin B12 participates in synthesising nucleic acid (DNA) and some amino acids. Moreover, with vitamins B6 and B12 improves the function of sexual glands in women and men.
It can be found in: brewer’s yeast, soy, wheat germ, whole grains, legumes, asparagus, broccoli, potatoes, green leafy vegetables, chicken liver, egg yolk, bananas.

 2.Vitamin A. Vitamin A boosts immunity, protects against infection and finally it is a powerful antioxidant. It is important for the reproductive system in men ( it is necessary for sperm production). People who consume too much alcoholic suffer from infertility because alcohol bothered converting provitamin A in its active form in the testes. The best sources: unrefined fish oils, cold pressed vegetable oil, yellow and red fruits, yellow, red and green vegetables, green leafy vegetables, legumes, egg yolk, milk and dairy products.

3.Vitamin C.

7 Tips How To Get Rid of Stress

Stressful situations are everywhere around us; it can be seen as a common condition among many people. While some kinds of stress can be positive, unwanted stress is be very harmful. Symptoms may include anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, stomach problems, sweating, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and irritability. Many health problems are associated with various types of short-term or long-term stress, including alcohol abuse, asthma, chronic fatigue, erectile dysfunction and male infertility, headaches, heart disease, high blood pressure, immune system dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, pregnancy complications, rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases, problems with wound healing, and others. Problems with recovery from surgery and lack of concentration at work are also associated with excessive stress. Most of the population suffers from some form of stress. Following these steps, you can help reduce destructive conditions of stress:

1.Take Vitamin C: it helps normalize stress hormone. Take at least 1 gram of this vitamin  every day.

New Year Decisions?

It is said that adults should give an example to children.  But it is not always the case. For example,  a mom has stopped smoking thanks to her son. Her son is only seven years old, has an allergy to gluten and is not allowed to eat about  forty ingredients. He has set a  question to his mother: “Mom, why you can not leave cigarettes? ” If you have a similar problem then you know how much effort and sacrifice is required to maintain such a diet. If not, try to imagine.
We adults are often not even aware how much we can learn from children. One thing is self-discipline. Imagine a boy who resolutely refuses chips, chocolate, cakes and other things because he knows that this can not be eaten. While other kids in the store tell parents what they want to buy them, pointing their fingers to boxes with colorful candies, this boy patiently waits for his mom to buy rice or gluten-free biscuits.

Decisions on new goals are usually made around New Year. We resolve that next year will be completely different. We promise ourselves that we will eat healthier,  exercise, stop smoking… But very soon all these promises are forgotten as if they had never existed. Let this time be different. Promise yourself that you will fulfill your New Year’s promises.
I would like to get involved in your personal desires and goals but I suggest you that the first promise be  that during the holidays you will not overdo the eating and drinking. So, start with the promise (and keep it) . Whether you decided to stop a bad habit or to start with a useful, be persistent. Forget the excuses!

 

3 Mistakes That Slow Down Your Metabolism

Did you actually know that losing muscle slows down your metabolism? This is  because muscle burns calories even while at rest. One study found that aerobic exercise with strength training burn twice as much fat than aerobic exercise alone.

1. Change exercises:  If you constantly do the same exercise, for months, you will not achieve much results. Whether it is a daily 30-minute walk or exercise that is repeated every day, your body will stop responding to these efforts. Bring innovations in practice. Instead of walking during weekends, hiking is a better option. It is also recommended to find a new exercise for the same muscle groups that you have practiced so far. Put some new exercises in your daily routine. Any change is desirable.

Christmas Trees – Cookies

We are in the time of preparation for Christmas. Cookies are excellent as a present for someone, but also we can enjoy in their taste during long and beautiful winter evenings. Here is a recipe how to easily prepare these gorgeous edible Christmas trees:

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

250 gr. of butter
1 / 2 cup (2, 5 dl) powdered sugar
1 / 2 cup ground hazelnuts
1 vanilla sugar
2 glasses of flour

Frosting

200 gr. of chocolate
3 tablespoons of oil
teaspoon of butter

 

Preparation

Oranges

During winter time, I usually eat a lot of oranges. It is for a variety of reasons, some of them are that they represent a tradition in my family. Oranges always remind me of Christmas and childhood. Also, they are vary healthy and  now we are going to see how.

Although they are usually recommended because of the high percentage of vitamin C, oranges have many other useful features. Oranges are a rich source of vitamin B1 (thiamine), folate, potassium, vitamin A and calcium. Oranges contain a flavonoid called herperidin. Studies have shown that herperidin lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Since it is located mainly in the cortex and white matter, which is located in the heart of the orange , do not completely remove the white substance while eating this fruit.

Moreover, oranges are an excellent source of limonoids, which are known to have a preventive effect against some cancers. Unlike polyphenols from green tea, which act similarly but are active only 4 to 6 hours, limonoids found in citrus fruits, including orange, remain in the body 24 hours. There is also one another flavonoid, cryptoxanthin, that is found in oranges. It has been shown that have a preventive effect against lung cancer. Finally, daily consumption of orange juice, according to the British Journal of Nutrition, increases the pH of urine and the excretion of citric acid, which reduces the risk of  kidney stones.

Natural Remedies For Bacterial Infections

Our body is inhabited by bacteria in the digestive tract, in the mucosa of the nose, as well as on the skin on the genitals. We live in symbiosis with the “good” bacteria that help digest food, synthesize vitamins, regulation of pH of the skin and vaginal mucosa. However, in case of injury, or entry of strong antibiotics,  low immune system,  the bacteria have the chance to multiply. If the body is unable to react adequately and prevent the spread of bacteria, it leads to the development of the infection. Then, an inflammatory process is being developed as a response of the body to the  infection. Antibiotic therapy destroys both good and bad bacteria, so after the use of antibiotics, a hyperinfection or fungal infections develop. In order to prevent complications of antibiotic use, children are encouraged to take probiotics – good bacteria (taken 2 hours after antibiotics).

In a bacterial infection occur, a dual approach should be applied: antimicrobial agents to prevent further development of infections and strengthen immune system, which failed to deal with an attacker.