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Monday, June 30, 2014

Sacred Heart Diet Tips

The Sacred Heart Diet, also known as the Miracle Soup Diet, requires dedication. With a limited intake of calories and few foods to choose from, this diet should only be followed for one week or two at most.

Diet Guideline

    Each day, you can eat soup (see recipe in Resources) and just one food group.

    Day 1: Eat just fruit and soup.
    Day 2: Eat just vegetables and soup.
    Day 3: Eat both fruits and vegetables with soup.
    Day 4: Drink skim milk and eat three bananas and the soup.
    Day 5: To get enough protein, you can eat unlimited quantities of meat and soup.
    Day 6: Consume beef, vegetables and soup.
    Day 7: Eat wild rice and soup.

    Drinks permitted include coffee, skim milk, water and unsweetened juice.

Variety Is the Best Spice

    Though you can have "just" fruit on Day 1, select an abundance of different fruits. Produce offers a wide selection of fruits and vegetables that range in taste. An avocado, tomato and peach taste completely different but all are fruits. Likewise, meat can come in the form of patties for hamburgers, steaks or chunks, and each can make a very different meal. Use the variety of each food group to keep meals each day interesting. Cooking techniques can also keep dishes fresh: Sauteing, steaming or boiling foods create very different tastes.

Stay Hydrated

    The soup is high in sodium, so drink plenty of water to combat it. The Mayo Clinic warns that too much sodium causes fluid retention and increased blood pressure. Though fruits and vegetables on Day 1 to 3 are water-rich, on other days, particularly the last, drink plenty of fresh water. Always carry water with you as well.

Keep It Portable

    Fresh fruits, vegetables and this particular type of soup will not be readily available at the office or restaurants. Planning ahead is important: Take a gallon of the soup with you to work and place it in the fridge. Keep your desk stocked with fruit. Dried fruit is especially portable.

Get Support

    To avoid feeling left out when your family and friends go out to eat, ask one of them to join you on the diet. By dieting as a team, you can stay motivated and commiserate when others are unsympathetic toward your endeavor. Your friend might have great ideas for how to make tasty smoothies on the first day or how to make a rice stew on the seventh day.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

About the Coconut Oil Cleansing Diet

There are a wide variety of detox diets on the market, all utilizing different approaches to cleansing to help you improve your health. One of the more popular detox methods is the coconut oil detox, which consists of a seven-day fast where you are to consume little more than coconut oil. This process purportedly has the ability to destroy Candida yeast, a potentially harmful compound found within your digestive system.

Cleansing Diets in General

    Cleansing (or detox) diets refer to any heavily restricted diet that is designed to improve your health through the elimination of toxins present within your body. Cleansing diets vary both in length and in composition. These diets range from several days to several weeks, incorporating all manner of compounds to supposedly help you detoxify your body.

Coconut Oil Cleansing Theory

    According to Dr. Bruce Fife, a certified nutritionist and naturopathic physician, a coconut oil detox helps to cleanse the body of potentially harmful Candida yeast. Overgrowth of Candida yeast can cause full-blown yeast infections, or just cause an individual to exhibit a variety of undesirable symptoms, such as joint pain, fatigue, bladder infection issues and irritability. A coconut oil cleanse can help purge the body of this nuisance by removing Candida's primary food source---sugars.

Coconut Oil Cleanse

    Dr. Fife recommends a seven-day coconut oil fast to help curb the symptoms of Candida overgrowth. During this time, you are to consume nothing but coconut oil, unsweetened (natural) yogurt and sugarless lemonade. According to Fife, the fatty acids present in the coconut oil will help to destroy the Candida, while the yogurt will replenish your digestive tract with beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

Alternative Coconut Cleansing

    If you are looking to benefit from coconut oil but are unwilling to go through the full seven-day cleanse, Dr. Fife suggests an alternative. The best way to use coconut oil without resorting to a full-blown fast is to make it a part of your daily cooking routine. Coconut oil can be liberally added to your existing diet---it can be used for cooking, frying and baking. Additionally, it can be consumed as is or mixed into a protein shake or smoothie.

Considerations

    When purchasing coconut oil, remember that price and quality often go hand in hand. The more expensive oils often have a superior texture and flavor, making them far more palatable than the inferior brands. For your best bet, search for a "virgin" coconut oil that retains both the taste and smell of coconuts. Not compromising when making your purchase of coconut oil can help you to get the best possible experience from your cleanse.

Cleansing for Weight Loss

Cleansing for Weight Loss

Many proponents of detoxification believe that a cleansing diet is a key part of an effective weight-loss strategy. While burning more calories than you consume is the only proven method for slimming down, cleansing strategies should not be overlooked as a means of facilitating the weight-loss process. Toxins can build up in our bodies over time as a result of the things we eat, drink and breathe, and are stored primarily in fat deposits, which in turn may slow down metabolism. Detoxification diets may help to clean out your system and enhance the results of your weight-loss efforts.

Breakfast

    Staying hydrated is crucial for internal cleansing. Begin each day with a large glass of water. Jump-start your metabolism by eating a healthy breakfast. Fruit cocktails are an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants and cleansing fiber. Chop up apples, oranges, pineapples, strawberries and peaches. Throw in some blueberries and grapes as well. A serving of fresh fruit for breakfast can trigger metabolic function in the body while providing you with essential detoxifying nutrients.

Snack 1

    Avoiding solid foods in favor of liquids is a standard part of a cleansing diet. Make a detox smoothie for a midmorning snack. Fill your blender with fresh diced fruit, ice cubes and water. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or honey. Blend these ingredients until the smoothie has a consistent texture. The fruit has antioxidants and fiber, which may help your body eliminate excess waste. The lemon and honey may have cleansing properties as well.

Lunch

    Continue to drink large amounts of water. Ideally, you will drink more than 64 fluid ounces of water throughout the day. Proper hydration facilitates the detoxification process, helping to rid the body of free radicals. Focus on dietary fiber for lunch; a fresh salad is one option to fuel your body while cleaning out your digestive system. Eat mixed greens combined with diced onions and tomatoes. Rather than adding flavor with salad dressing, squeeze a lemon over the salad for flavor and to further help with detoxification.

Snack 2

    You may be feeling hungry and dizzy by this point in the day. This is natural when you are on a cleansing diet. Boost your energy with a single serving of whole-grain crackers. The complex carbohydrates provide energy, and the dietary fiber is good for cleansing the bowels.

Dinner

    Boil brown rice, a food rich in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Prepare broccoli or spinach to serve alongside the rice. Add other raw vegetables, such as carrots and celery, for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eat small portions for dinner. This is the last meal of the day and you want your body to have enough time to metabolize all the calories before you go to bed as part of your weight-loss strategy. Drink water until you feel full if hunger pangs strike later in the evening.

Precautions

    According to an article by Health24.com, a cleansing diet should last for no more than two or three consecutive days. A low-calorie liquid cleansing diet depletes your energy levels and should not be continued for extended periods of time. Resume regular eating habits after a few days of detox. Remember to eat natural foods low in fat and calories, even after finishing your cleansing diet. It is possible to feel full and energetic while still losing weight if you use common sense when choosing what to eat. Make sure to rest while you are on your cleansing diet. The limited intake of calories and solid food may drain your energy and lead to dizziness and fatigue. Hold off on any exercise or strenuous activities until you have finished the detox process.

Effectiveness

    A 2009 article published by the Louisville Courier-Journal makes some insightful points about the nature of cleansing diets and weight loss. Dr. Stephen McClave, a professor of medicine and director of clinical nutrition at the University of Louisville, says a brief cleansing diet may lead to rapid weight loss at first, but this kind of weight loss is not sustainable. The pounds may return when you resume eating normally. However, a cleansing diet can serve as an effective starting point for a long-term weight-loss plan that includes eating healthier and exercising regularly.

How to Make Zero-Point Margarita Mix

Zero-point margarita mix is a great alternative to the usual high-calorie cocktail. Most margaritas have a lot of calories because they're made with sweet-and-sour mix or traditional margarita mix, both of which contain a lot of sugar. With zero-point margarita mix, you can enjoy a margarita without worrying about your waistline. Serve this delicious low-calorie margarita to guests and they won't be able to taste the difference. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

    1

    Open two 12-oz. cans of Fresca diet soda and pour it into a pitcher.

    2

    Pour two packets of Crystal Light lemonade sugar-free drink mix into the pitcher of Fresca and stir. The zero-point margarita mix is now complete.

    3

    Add 6 oz. of your favorite tequila to the pitcher and stir. The tequila adds points, so if you want to keep your margarita non-alcoholic and zero points, skip this step.

    4

    Put ice into four cocktail glasses and fill them with the margarita.

    5

    Garnish each glass with a lime wedge.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

What Can a Type 2 Diabetic Eat?

What Can a Type 2 Diabetic Eat?

Type 2 diabetics can eat a wide variety of foods, but have to limit saturated fats, sweets, and high-carbohydrate products. Snacking should be curtailed, but a doctor or dietitian might suggest eating smaller meals more often to stop in-between hunger pangs. The type 2 diet also requires meal planning, since it calls for a cutback on prepackaged and processed foods.

Grains

    Stick to whole grains, since they help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Try whole wheat or rye bread, brown rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and high-fiber cereals.

Fruits

    All fruits are good for diabetics, but some are better than others. Among those that raise blood-glucose levels more slowly are apples, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, various berries, and cantaloupe. Grapes lower insulin resistance, allowing insulin in your body to more quickly lower blood sugar.

Vegetables

    Sichuan Shrimp

    Green leafy vegetables are better than starchy choices like potatoes, corn, and lima beans. Broccoli is among the best things to eat, especially for type 2 diabetics, since it contains high levels of chromium, found to regulate blood sugars. Other good vegetables include legumes, like pinto beans, kidney beans, and navy beans, as well as squash, zucchini, kale, and okra. Avocados are a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, which help lower bad cholesterol.

Protein

    The most important thing to watch when you consume protein sources is the fat content. Eat chicken or turkey without the skin, and make sure selections of beef and pork contain no gristle. Among seafood, enjoy tuna, salmon, clams, crabs, oysters, shrimp, and mussels. Eggs are a good choice for breakfast, but limit yourself to just a few a week. Nuts are a good way to get protein, especially almonds, which are high in fiber.

Dairy

    Watch the fat content in the dairy aisle, too. Pick out low fat milk, cheese, and yogurt. Cottage cheese is another important item, as the bacteria in the curds is thought to help the pancreas produce insulin more efficiently.

Snacks

    Any number of the foods listed above, particularly yogurt and fruit, make an excellent snack, but if the mood strikes for a more traditional item, watch the carbohydrates. Open up a bag of low fat chips, pretzels, crackers, or popcorn.

Liquids

    Water is always the best choice, but in a pinch, have diet soda, iced tea, or lemonade. High blood sugar causes dehydration, and sugary drinks only add to that problem. For the same reason, juice intake should be kept to a minimum, at no more than four ounces a day.

What to Do Before Starting the Master Cleanse Diet

The Master Cleanse diet, also called the lemonade diet, is a 3-to-10-day diet that focuses on detoxing the body. The Master Cleanse claims to remove excess waste from your body that has been building for years. It is almost the same as fasting in that you are consuming very few calories. Someone who wants to break nasty eating habits would also benefit from the Master Cleanse diet.

Before You Start

    Before starting the Master Cleanse diet, there are a few steps you should take.
    First, gather all your supplies to create the recipe, which include: pure filtered water; grade B organic maple syrup; formaldehyde-free, organic cayenne pepper; organic lemons; and sea salt. Optional items include herbal laxative tea and natural herbal tea.

    You want to make sure you are mentally prepared because if you aren't, you are setting yourself up for failure. At least three days before you start the diet, grab a calendar and mark the day you are going to start. Hang the calendar somewhere visible, so that every time you walk past it you are reminded about your start date.

Write it Down and Keep Busy

    Get a notebook or computer, and write down the benefits you will achieve by following this diet. Writing down your every thought motivate you; you can go back and look at your words as a reminder of why you started the diet.

    While you are on your Master Cleanse diet, make sure you plan activities so that you don't break your diet. Keeping yourself busy will keep you from constantly thinking about food.

Detox Your Cupboards

    On the night before you start your diet, go through your cupboards and get rid of any potential food traps you might fall into. You don't have to throw the food away; just get rid of it. Give it to friends or family, or even donate it to a charity.

    Remember that this is a 10-day-long diet, and while you may think you can resist food that is in your cupboard, it will become quite difficult after a few days on the Master Cleanse.

    Always consult your doctor before starting this diet, especially if you are on prescription medication.

Friday, June 27, 2014

How to Do The Apple and Water Cleanse

How to Do The Apple and Water Cleanse

Heard of the apple and water body cleanse? It is a 3 day, once a month cleanse to clean the body of toxins. If you don't know how to do this cleanse and want to give it a try, then follow theses step-by-step instructions.

Instructions

    1

    The first thing you must do is strongly decide that you are going to do this and stick with it for three days. If you are doing this to loose a bit of weight, then weigh yourself. If you are doing this to clear up your acne, or improve your acne, then take before and after pictures.

    2

    Start this cleanse at 12:00am. If you go to bed earlier, then you can start at that time. Just remember the time you started.

    3

    From here, all you need is apples and water. The only thing you can eat is apples and the only thing you can drink is water.

    4

    Through these three days, eat as many apples as you want. Drink all the water you want or need. You generally need at LEAST eight cups of water a day.

    5

    After your three days are up, you can drink a cup of grape juice, just to get your appetite back to normal. Get on the scale and see how much weight you have lost.

    6

    Do not just jump to foods after your three days are over. Gradually work your way up. Start with softer foods like yogurt and oatmeal. Enjoy a cleaner body.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

How to Make Icy Cold Lemonade Like the Lemonade from Your Childhood

How to Make Icy Cold Lemonade Like the Lemonade from Your Childhood

Lemonade refreshes and hydrates you, and is especially enjoyable on a hot summer day. Sipping lemonade takes you back to your childhood when you played outside all day and your mother made you and your friends a nice, cold pitcher of lemonade. Homemade lemonade may be more refreshing than lemonade you can buy in a store, and offers a significant amount of Vitamin C. Quench your thirst with a batch of lemonade prepared with fresh lemons. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

    1

    Place 1 cup of water in a small saucepan on the stove. Add 1 cup of sugar and bring the water to a boil.

    2

    Reduce the heat under the saucepan to medium and stir the sugar-water until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the stove and let the water cool down.

    3

    Cut six lemons in half on a cutting board with a knife.

    4

    Juice the lemons using a hand juicer. Place a lemon on the juicer, and rotate it back and forth, twisting it with your wrist until juice has stopped coming from the lemon. Pour the lemon juice into a large pitcher.

    5

    Add 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Add the sugar-water to the pitcher. Stir all the ingredients together. Add a dozen ice cubes and serve your icy cold lemonade.

Beer Calories Vs. Liquor Calories

Beer Calories Vs. Liquor Calories

Many consumers enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage, whether it is a beer or a cocktail. When trying to determine which choice has fewer calories, it is best to select beer. A 12-ounce light beer has approximately 100 calories, while some liquors can contain twice that amount in 1.5 ounces. Many liquors are also mixed with other beverages to create cocktails, which in some cases can double the amount of calories.

    Beer has fewer calories than most liquors.
    Beer has fewer calories than most liquors.

Misconceptions

    Many consumers do not consider the high calorie count of alcoholic beverages. This leads to misconceptions concerning the actual calorie intake after just a few drinks. According to nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, R.D., "The reason you gain weight from alcohol is that you don't compensate by eating less later. You still eat the same amount, regardless of whether you had the drink." Beverages do not give the feeling of fullness that meals or snacks might, causing many people to fill up on calories without actually being full.

Types

    Most 1.5-ounce shots of liquor contain more than 100 calories. Popular cocktails can contain triple that amount once the mixer is added. A daiquiri has more than 300 calories, while a Long Island iced tea has 275 calories. A rum and coke contains 182 calories, a Manhattan has 210, and a margarita has 246. A dark 12-ounce beer has 150 calories. The amount of calories found in beer and liquor vary by brand, but liquor with less alcohol content will have fewer calories.

Comparisons

    To put the numbers into perspective, consider that one 12-ounce beer has approximately the same amount of calories as one 3.5-ounce roasted skinless chicken. A martini can be compared with a slice of cheese pizza, and a gin and tonic has a similar calorie count of a bowl of chips and salsa. Five ounces of Baileys Irish Creme is comparable with a meal consisting of a 3.5-ounce lean steak, baked potato with sour cream, and a green salad.

Fewer Calories

    For drinks with the least amount of calories, choose a light beer. If you prefer liquor or cocktails, a Bloody Mary has 123 calories. A martini has 135. For shots, select liquor with a lower proof. A shot of 80 proof liquor contains fewer calories than one that is 100 proof. Brandy and cognac have the least amount of calories; each contains 64 calories per 80 proof shot.

Considerations

    When choosing a beer, remember that the amount of calories is usually directly related to the color of the beer. The darker it is, the higher the calorie count it contains. Also, remember that when consuming liquor, adding a mixer of 6 ounces of carbonated soda can increase the calorie content by 65-75 calories. Keep track of the beverages you are drinking so that you do not consume more calories than intended.

Safe Liquid Diets

Safe Liquid Diets

A liquid diet is a plan where dieters do not eat any solid foods. Typically, dieters consume between 800 to 1,000 calories a day in the form of shakes. Liquid diets are safe only when used for a specific period of time. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before you begin this diet to discuss the benefits and side effects.

Optifast

    Optifast was developed in 1974 and was the first liquid diet plan. It is designed for patients who weigh 50 pounds or more over their ideal weight. Optifast is only available through medical clinics and requires close medical supervision during the 26-week program. The first 12 weeks of the program are strictly liquid calories, but then you slowly transition regular food back into your diet over the remaining 14 weeks.

Health Management Resources

    Heath Management Resources was founded in 1983. Their liquid diet program requires medical supervision and is designed for individuals who need to lose a significant amount of weight. Dieters consume five to six shakes a day. Health Management Resources offers many different flavors of shakes to choose from.

Slim-Fast

    Slim-Fast was started in 1977 by S. Daniel Abraham. A big advantage in this diet plan is convenience as Slim-Fast is available in supermarkets and drug stores across the country. You are not required to check in with a medical provider like many other liquid diet plans. Slim-Fast shakes contain approximately 200 calories per shake and you consume them to replace breakfast and lunch for weight loss.

How to Use Water with Lemon for Weight Loss

Water with lemon helps speed up weight loss. Drinking water with lemon for weight loss is also an effective way to help eliminate toxins, clean internal waste, and promote energy boosts. To use water with lemon for weight loss, follow the steps below.

Instructions

    1

    Drink a warm glass of water with a lemon slice upon waking in the morning. Drinking warm water with lemon for weight loss in the morning helps a sluggish digestive system, so it's a great way to start the day after sleeping all night. Boil water in a pan or microwave. Wash the outside of the lemon and add a slice to the water. Sip like tea.

    2

    Cleanse your body with lemons for weight loss. Many cleansing diets use lemon to detox the body. Add a slice of lemon to drinking water throughout the day. If desired, wash a lemon in the morning, and use a food processor to grind the whole lemon. Place the lemon puree in a small jar and add it to water throughout the day. The pectin in lemon peel is an excellent source of fiber, which helps stop the body from absorbing sugar quickly. Pectin also helps eliminate cravings. Drinking water with a whole lemon for weight loss is an excellent way to speed up weight loss and detox the body.

    3

    Mix lemon puree or a lemon slice with tea and apple cider vinegar to help maximize weight loss. Apple cider vinegar and lemon help people lose weight faster. Some of the best teas for weight loss with lemon are green tea and oolong tea. Use one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with tea once or twice a day.

    4

    Make sure to drink a lot of water with lemon for weight loss. Drinking a lot of water helps people lose weight more quickly.

Monday, June 23, 2014

How to Lose Weight With a Detox Diet

Detox diets are intimidating yet intriguing. Celebrities and Hollywood hopefuls swear by detox diets to help them obtain the body of their dreams; however, losing weight with a detox diet is challenging and not necessarily permanent. Still, results can be achieved in as little as a couple of days to a month of careful planning.

Instructions

    1

    Drink a lot of water and green tea. This will help you begin flushing the toxins out of your body.

    2

    Eat lots of organic fruits and vegetables. If they are not organic, remember to wash your vegetables and fruits to get rid of pesticides.

    3

    Stay away from eggs, diary products and red meats. Do eat fresh fish or tofu.

    4

    Eat raw nuts or beans and legumes. The salted versions only increase sodium, something to be avoided on a detox diet.

    5

    Choose brown rice and oats over any wheat products.

How to Self-Cleanse

The purpose of a cleanse is to help restore your body to homeostasis. Diet, stress, and environmental conditions flood our bodies with toxins every day. A cleanse helps you release and eliminate toxins. The result is higher energy levels, increased mental awareness, and a calmer emotional state. The principles of a cleanse are simple: reduce and eliminate the toxic input and give your body time to clear out the waste. The process is more difficult, as it requires self-discipline with lifestyle changes and perhaps a fast of some sort.

Instructions

    1

    Choose the type of cleanse you want to do. There are several types to choose from. The Master Cleanser is a 10-day fast on a lemonade diet composed of lemons, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. A fruit-juice fast is similar to the Master Cleanse but allows for a variety of freshly squeezed juices. There are other cleansing programs where you consume only raw foods and eliminate all processed products.

    2

    Prepare your body for the cleanse. This is most important if you will be fasting for any length of time. You should take a week to reduce the amount of processed foods you consume. The days before you should consume only fresh fruits and vegetables.

    3

    Quit smoking and consuming alcohol. There is little benefit to a cleanse if you will be ingesting nicotine or other toxins into your system.

    4

    Follow the directions of the cleansing program. If this is a fast, be aware of the common side effects such as headache, lethargy, and moodiness. Dangerous side effects include dizziness and drops in blood pressure. For a less stringent program such as a raw food diet or cleansing supplements/teas, be sure to follow the directions to get the best results. For example, this may mean having the milk thistle supplement prior to eating to help the liver digest your meal more efficiently.

    5

    Ease out of the cleanse in the same manner as you eased into it--only in reverse. Once again, this is especially true if this is a fast. You will want to begin introducing broths and then juices into your diet and slowly add fresh fruits and vegetables. You will probably want to make certain lifestyle changes at this point like using less salad dressing or eating fewer processed foods. This will keep you feeling energized and make the results of the fast last longer.

After Care for Kidney Stone Removal

Kidney stones can be extremely painful and cause complications. During recovery from kidney stone removal, you'll need to change your diet, take medications and take it slow. If patients follow their doctor's advice, a full recovery is normal.

Medication

    Patients having kidney stones removed will probably be prescribed several medications. You should keep a list of medications you currently take and medications your doctor prescribes for after the stone removal to show your pharmacist.

    You should take all your medications as directed. If some of your medications make you drowsy, it is especially important to heed warnings like, "don't operate heavy machinery" and never drink alcohol while taking those medications. Always take antibiotics as directed, even if you feel better. Only the full dose of antibiotics will prevent infection. Also take pain medications at prescribed intervals. If you wait too long to take your pain medications, they may not be as effective.

Activity

    Too much activity after kidney stone removal may hinder your recovery. During the first few days, things like blood in your urine and mild to moderate abdominal pain are common, making activity painful. Get plenty of rest during your recovery. Do just a little bit more each day, but take it slow and don't push yourself. Usually, patients can return to work when they feel able.

Diet

    Patients may need to change their diet after having a kidney stone removed to aid recovery and help prevent new kidney stones from forming. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. You may need to avoid or limit meat, poultry and fish because they increase acid in the urine. You will need to drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine, which may dehydrate you. You'll also want to encourage regular bowel movements by getting adequate amounts of fiber.

When to See your Doctor

    Your doctor will probably schedule a follow-up appointment a week or two after removing a kidney stone. At this appointment, the doctor will make sure you're recovering as planned, and if you have a stent, it will probably be removed at this time. Always keep your follow-up appointments.

    After kidney stone removal, complications may occur. Common complications include blood clots near the kidneys, nerve palsies, pancreatitis and obstruction caused by leftover kidney stone fragments. You should see a doctor if you suspect any of these complications. You should also see a doctor immediately if you're having trouble urinating, you have an increasing amount of blood in your urine, your pain is unmanageable, you have chest pain, you have a fever or you're vomiting.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Cayenne Pepper Diet Instructions

Cayenne Pepper Diet Instructions

The Cayenne-Pepper Diet, also know as the Master Cleanse or the Lemonade Diet, is a 10-day liquid diet designed to cleanse the body and rid the intestines of harmful toxins. The Cayenne-Pepper Diet is most popular, however, for the drastic weight loss that some individuals have achieved by strictly following the diet. Following the rapid weight loss of stars such as Beyonce, Jared Leto and Rachel McAdams, the diet has become popular among men and women throughout the world who want to drop weight quickly.

Instructions

Ease-In Diet

    1

    Prepare your body for the Cayenne-Pepper Diet by reducing your food intake and eliminating processed foods from your diet. On Day 1 of the Ease-In, consume only whole, natural foods such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, meat and dairy.

    2

    Eliminate solid foods from your diet during Day 2 of the Ease-In Diet. Consume only blended foods, fresh juices and broths to help prepare your body for a completely liquid diet.

    3

    Make 2 liters of homemade orange juice for Day 3 of the Ease-In Diet by manually or electrically juicing fresh oranges. The orange juice can be diluted with water to taste, and 2 or 3 tbsp. pure maple syrup can be added to increase the caloric intake. Consume only the homemade orange juice for the final day of the Ease-In Diet.

    4

    Take a laxative the night before you begin the Cayenne-Pepper Diet to aid in the removal of waste and toxins from the body.

Cayenne-Pepper Diet

    5

    Determine whether you will continue taking a nightly laxative for the length of the cleanse, or whether you will do a daily salt water flush, which involves drinking 1 qt. water with 2 tsp. sea salt dissolved in the water. Both help eliminate as much harmful waste as possible from the body. If you choose to do the salt water flush, begin it on Day 2.

    6

    Make the lemonade by combining 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup, 8 oz. pure, filtered water and cayenne pepper to taste. To make sure that the drink doesn't lose any of its healthful enzymes, it is important that the drink be made fresh immediately before it is drunk. It is also important that that lemons be kept on the counter---not in the refrigerator where the enzymes become dormant.

    7

    Drink between six and 12 glasses of lemonade each day to curb your hunger and provide you with the calories that your body needs to function properly. In addition to the lemonade, drink as much pure water as you'd like.

    8

    Take an herbal laxative each night before bed if you are not doing the salt water flush. The laxative should produce a bowel movement upon waking in the morning. If you do not have a bowel movement, increase the dosage slightly on the next night. If you experience bloating or cramping, decrease the dosage slightly.

    9

    Follow the cleanse for 10 days for the maximum benefit, being sure to drink adequate amounts of lemonade and to do either the salt water flush or the herbal laxative each day.

    10

    Ease out of the Cayenne-Pepper Diet by following the Ease-In Diet instructions in reverse. This step is extremely important for preparing your digestive system for solid food.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

How to Make Fresh Lemon Pudding for a Diet

Bland food is often the reason behind dietary failure, as being forced to subsist on the same handful of items for weeks at a time can drive even the most dedicated dieter mad. To alleviate this problem, make your own diet desserts by taking regular recipes and implementing some simple substitutions. While fresh lemon pudding will likely never be an entirely diet friendly food, this lemon pudding will allow you to enjoy one of your favorite desserts without compromising your dieting efforts too greatly and will soon become a favorite around your house, regardless of whether you are currently dieting or not.

Instructions

    1

    Mix together the artificial sweetener and the cornstarch in a small pan. Pour in the skim milk and beat until the mixture is smooth, with a generally even consistency. Add the egg yolk substitutes into the mixture, along with the lemon zest and the salt, continuing to stir until the yolks are properly blended.

    2

    Place the pan on your stove over medium-low heat. Continue stirring the mixture with a spoon throughout to prevent clumping or burning, making sure to scrape both the sides and the bottom of the pan throughout. Continue heating the mixture until it partially congeals. Ideally, the mixture will thickly adhere to the back of your stirring spoon before being complete.

    3

    Strain the heated mixture into a large serving bowl to remove any sediment from the mixture.

    4

    Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a fitted lid placed gently on top. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to cool for several hours, keeping it closer to the front of the fridge so that the pudding does not inadvertently freeze or form ice crystals. This will keep in the fridge for several days, so you need not prepare it on the intended day of use.

    5

    Serve chilled, adding berries and low-fat whipping cream on top to add additional zest.

Friday, June 20, 2014

How to Start a Lemonade Concession Stand

How to Start a Lemonade Concession Stand

Making a lemonade stand is an American pastime, evoking memories of young entrepreneurs sitting outside on hot summer days selling ice cold lemonade for pocket money. A lemonade stand, however, can be quite lucrative if you are willing to treat it like a serious business. Choosing a location, setting prices, ordering inventory and selling are all required to create a successful lemonade stand. Make sure to check your city or town's ordinance and zoning laws if you plan to set up a stand in a public area like a park.

Instructions

    1

    Build your lemonade stand using plywood, nails, screws or whatever materials you would like. Simply make sure that your stand is sturdy enough to stand up by itself but light enough to move. Adding hinges to either side is a good way to increase the portability of your stand, which is very convenient if you ever have to relocate.

    2

    Decide on an inventory for your lemonade concession stand. Some people choose to offer more than just lemonade, but giving your customers too much choice in such a small setting may actually discourage patronage. If you choose to carry snacks, make sure that they will hold up in hot weather and that they pair well with lemonade.

    3

    Determine a suitable location for your lemonade stand and make sure to check with your city's ordinances and laws to make sure that you are allowed to solicit without a permit. (If you need a permit, apply for one.) Make sure you pick an open space with enough room to accommodate both your stand and your customers. Find a backup stand location, just in case you are forced to move for any reason.

    4

    Schedule your selling days to coincide with hot days and you will be more likely to catch the attention (and sales) of pedestrians who pass your booth. Check the weather often to make sure that you are open on days that are most likely to bring in a high volume of business. You could take it a step further and adjust your prices based on the weather, setting your prices a bit lower when traffic is lighter to draw in more customers.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

How to Detox in 4 Days Quickly

How to Detox in 4 Days Quickly

When detoxing, it is important to provide the body nutrients it needs to function properly. A safe and fast detox, that can be done in four days, will need to incorporate vegetables that contain the proper vitamins and minerals. According to "Williams' Essentials of Nutrition & Diet Therapy," a detox should only be done under the supervision of a health practitioner.

Instructions

    1

    Drink only liquids on the first day of the detox. "The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs" recommends a dandelion root tea for a detox. Dandelion root tea is made by boiling the root in water then draining the water into a mug to drink. This can be consumed every four hours. Drink plenty of plain water and drink something like tomato juice at meal time.

    2

    Intake thicker drinks on the second day, like smoothies with protein powder added to keep the body running properly. Only use a minimal amount of fruits on this day. The natural sugars in fruit can deter the detox if too much is eaten. Also, drink vegetable juices and water.

    3

    Continue with the liquids on the third day, but at dinner time add some raw vegetables. Fresh is better, according to "Nutrition: The Science of Eating," as they have more nutrients and will continue to help flush the system.

    4

    Eat only raw foods and continue drinking plenty of water on the fourth day. "Nutrition: The Science of Eating" says that after four days of detoxing, the system should be clean of toxins. On this day, it is time to start to work the body back up to eating normally. Do this slowly to avoid diarrhea.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Lemonade Colon Cleanse Recipe

Lemonade Colon Cleanse Recipe

Lemon is a popular ingredient in colon cleanse recipes. Lemons contain potassium, phosphorus, folate, vitamin A and calcium as well as the vitamin C for which citrus fruits are well known. There are several different recommendations for ways to perform a colon cleanse using lemons or lemonade, but the recipes are essentially the same.

Basic Recipe

    Maple syrup

    The basic recipe for the lemon or lemonade colon cleanse is 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (about half of one lemon), 8 to 10 ounces of very warm spring or distilled water and 1 to 2 tablespoon of real maple syrup. Mix this thoroughly, then add a pinch of cayenne pepper (the ground spice) or to taste. Grade B maple syrup is recommended; it contains trace minerals that are considered beneficial. Drink one glass of this mixture every few hours, for a total of 8 to 10 glasses daily. The lemonade colon cleanse may last from 1 day to several days.

Recipe Variations

    Fresh cayenne peppers

    Some recipes call for using the entire lemon half, without seeds, rather than just the lemon juice; organic lemons are recommended. Other recipes call for the lemon juice and zest, but avoid the seeds and pith, which are bitter. Some sources recommend using a vegetable laxative when taking the lemonade colon cleanse as a source of fiber.

Cautions

    When you are performing a colon cleanse, avoid becoming dehydrated. If you become weak or light-headed, you may wish to discontinue the cleanse earlier than planned; you should also avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how you react to the cleanse. You may find a morning glass of warm water, lemon juice and honey or maple syrup every day is more manageable and beneficial. If you have hypoglycemia or diabetes, a colon cleanse of this type may be harmful to your health. If you are under a doctor's care or taking prescription medication, talk with your doctor before beginning any colon cleanse regimen.

How to Make a Ginger Lynchburg Lemonade

A ginger Lynchburg lemonade is a simple twist on a classic cocktail, replacing triple sec with ginger liqueur. Ginger Lynchburg lemonades can be served on a variety of occasions, and work well for both elegant meals, served before or after dinner, or for outdoor barbeques and summer pool parties. You can even make batches of ginger Lynchburg lemonade and keep the drinks in large pitchers on ice or in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

    1

    Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice.

    2

    Add the Kentucky bourbon, ginger liqueur, lemon juice and lemon simple syrup. Cover the cocktail shaker and shake for 15 to 20 seconds to combine the ingredients.

    3

    Strain the ginger Lynchburg lemonades into highball glasses half-filled with fresh ice cubes.

    4

    Add lemon-lime soda to fill the glasses. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately while cold.

Lemonade Tycoon Tips

"Lemonade Tycoon" is a game that can be played online or can be downloaded for free on many different smartphones. The goal of "Lemonade Tycoon" is to make money and keep customers happy with great-tasting lemonade at prices they are willing to pay. The game has many different features that must be monitored constantly before the beginning of each business day for your to tailor the lemonade for the conditions and placement of the business.

Fast Money

    One way to earn money quickly and easily is to set your lemonade recipe to 0 lemons, 0 sugar and 0 ice and set the stand in the suburbs, which costs no rent. Purchase cups as your only supplies. Customers will purchase your lemonade and you will earn money selling them water only. Customer service will drop, but popularity will rise. Do not keep the recipe for too long -- a large drop in customer service will cost your customers.

Weather

    The weather plays a large role in the game. Each day, the temperature and conditions change during the course of the day. Each weather condition will change how your lemonade stand needs to be managed, including the recipe for the lemonade and the price that is charged for each cup. Also monitor the news feed under the weather; it can help determine where the stand needs to be or to help estimate the amount of supplies needed for a day's work.

Lemonade Recipe

    The lemonade recipe is critical for continued success in "Lemonade Tycoon." Typically, the hotter the temperature, the more ice and less sugar that is required. Cold days require the opposite -- less ice and more sugar. On days over 90 degrees, a recipe of 8 lemons, 4 cups of sugar and 3 ice works well. A recipe that is popular no matter what the condition include 5 lemons, 3 cups of sugar and 3 ice. Monitor the customer feedback on your lemonade and experiment with the recipe.

Other Hints

    "Lemonade Tycoon" has many additional factors that must be managed during game play. When purchasing supplies, buy the items in bulk to reduce cost. The only exception to this is the amount of ice purchased. Purchase enough ice for one day since it melts. Keep advertising costs low -- below $3 a day, for example -- as it does not create large amounts of additional sales. A cash register and a freezer are worthwhile upgrades, while the other options are costly and do not increase sales or help with income.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Cellular Cleansing Diets

Cellular Cleansing Diets

With so many different diet plans that all claim to provide instant results, it can be difficult to know which diet to follow. Losing weight is about more than just looking great and fitting into your skinny jeans; it also means better overall health, increased energy and better self-esteem. Cleansing your body of toxins helps you achieve weight loss and better overall health.

Water

    The human body is made of mostly water. Staying hydrated is an important part of cleansing your body and staying healthy. Drink a minimum of eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated. Remaining hydrated also helps quickly flush toxins stored in your body.

Raw Foods

    Consuming raw foods, such as uncooked fruits and vegetables, cleanses your body at a cellular level. Raw foods are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, all of which are used by the body for cellular healing and to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system. The average adult should consume 20 to 25g of fiber per day. Consuming enough fiber allows the body to move waste and toxins out of the body quickly.

Green Tea

    Green tea is high in antioxidants which cleanses the body, including catechins, which helps the liver detoxify the body quickly. Drinking green tea daily is also a good way to stay hydrated.

Citrus

    Adding citrus to water or tea not only adds flavor to drinks, but also adds extra health benefits. Lemons and limes are inexpensive and easy to add in slices or squeezed juice to your beverages. The high vitamin C content of citrus fruits helps convert toxins stored in body fat into toxins that can be excreted from the body through water.

Drastic Diets That Work

Each year, millions of people start diets that promise to help them shed weight quickly and with minimal effort required. There are diets that actually help you drop a few pounds quickly, but they are quite drastic. Diets like the Lemonade Diet, the Hollywood Diet and the Cabbage Soup diet promise to help you lose lots of weight quickly.

The Lemonade Diet

    The Lemonade Diet, or Master Cleanse, is a diet in which users drink a special lemonade mixture and a salt water mixture for a minimum of 10 days. Dieters lose around one to two pounds each day, according to Momswhothink.com. To make the lemonade, you need 2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp. organic maple syrup, a 1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper and 1 cup purified water. To make the salt water, you need 2 tsp. uniodized sea salt for every quart of water. Consume the salt water after waking up, and consume the lemonade throughout the day. Consume herbal laxative tea at night before bed. This diet may cause frequent bowel movements, especially in the morning, so be prepared.

The Hollywood Diet

    The Hollywood Diet, or 48-hour Miracle Diet, is a drastic diet that involves consuming a diet drink. This diet is a juice fast that allows dieters to lose up to five pounds in 24 hours. The weight lost is around two pounds of fat, while the rest is waste and muscle weight, according to Dietspotlight.com. Drinking only the juice for two days detoxifies your body's waste, which causes you to shed weight fast. This drink is made of all natural juices, minerals, vitamins, oils and antioxidants. You don't eat anything while on this diet, just a mixture of four fluid ounces of the juice concentrate with four fluid ounces of water over a four-hour span.

The Cabbage Soup Diet

    On the seven day Cabbage Soup Diet, users can lose up to 10 pounds in a week just from eating cabbage soup. It's suggested that users consume at least four glasses of water each day to stay hydrated, as well as take a multivitamin to stay well nourished. Though this diet is fairly strict, you can eat as much cabbage soup as you want. To make a day's worth of cabbage soup, you need to combine and cook six green onions, one can of tomatoes, three carrots, two green peppers, one can of mushrooms, some chopped celery, a half of a head of cabbage, a pack of Lipton soup mix, salt, pepper and one 48 ounce can of V8 juice. This diet constricts your food choices to cabbage soup, fruits, vegetables, skim milk, baked potatoes, tomatoes and beef. Because of the restricted 800 to 1,000 calories each day, dieters lose a weight fast.

How Does a Lemon Detox Work?

Introduction

    Detoxification is a process of cleaning the body and removing toxins, impurities and other harmful substances. A lemon detox is a natural remedy that uses lemon juice as a main ingredient in cleaning the inside of the body. There is now a popular detox program called the lemon detox that is used around the world to improve health. The underlying idea is that lemon juice has beneficial properties that aid in cleansing, detoxifying and healing the body.

Detox Defined

    Detoxification is the internal cleaning of the body. Most people use detoxification as a method to naturally improve their overall health. For others, detoxification is a way to remove harmful chemicals from the body such as prescription drugs, alcohol and illegal drugs. By getting these addictive toxins out of the system, a person can end his dependency. Whatever the reason for the detox, it is beneficial to the health of a person.

    Every day people are subjected to a wide range of toxins, chemicals and other impurities from the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat. Once these harmful substances are in the body, they are stored in the fat deposits. The less body fat you have, the fewer toxins are in your body. Fat is necessary for the proper functioning of the body so trying to eliminate all the fat in the body is not possible, nor is it safe. Fortunately, there are other ways to clean out the toxins.

How the Lemon Detox Works

    There are many ways to detoxify the body and fasting is one method frequently used. The lemon detox is liquid food. When on a fast, the lemon detox provides the nourishment needed for keeping the body functioning.

    Human beings have a limited amount of energy to use for carrying out the various processes of the body. Fasting allows the body to rest from the complicated function of digesting food and removing wastes. With less energy used for the digestive system, the body has more energy for self-cleaning and self-healing.

    The lemon detox contains lemon juice, Madal Bal natural tree syrup and cayenne pepper. The lemon juice is acidic, and this helps to clean the tissues and organs of the body. The Madal Bal tree syrup is made from the sap of maple trees and palm trees. Together these two saps contain all the minerals a body needs to run efficiently. The syrup also provides the sugar or glucose needed for the body to function. The cayenne pepper can be added just for taste.

How to Do the Lemon Detox

    To make the lemon detox drink, you have to buy the Madal Bal natural tree syrup which is available in health food stores. The drink is made with two tablespoons of lemon juice and two tablespoons of the natural tree syrup mixed with one-half pint of hot or cold water. You can add a tiny bit of cayenne pepper or ginger to improve the taste.

    The lemon detox drink can be used for a 5 to 7 day detox. During this time, no solid food is eaten. This liquid drink is the only thing you should have, besides an occasional glass of peppermint or chamomile tea. If you are new to fasting, start out doing the detox for just 3 to 5 days.

    Drink 7 to 10 glasses of the lemon detox drink each day of the fast. Many benefits are attributed to the lemon detox including better digestion, weight loss, clearer skin, shinier hair, and more energy.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Lemonade Diet Weight Loss

When it comes to weight loss scams of the 21st century, topping the most popular list is the Lemonade Diet, which goes by numerous names, including the Master Cleanse, Maple Syrup Diet, Lemon Detox Diet, and Lemonade Cleanse. While it's possible to lose weight extremely fast on the Lemonade Diet, this method of weight control is extremely unhealthy--and often dangerous when used long term.

Lemonade Diet History

    The Lemonade Diet began in the 1950s, when other liquid weight loss fads, such as the Cabbage Soup Diet, were becoming popular. Stanley Burroughs, who called himself a physician but had no medical license, created the Lemonade Diet as part of one of many unorthodox treatment methods used to treat gullible patients. Despite the popularity of his lemonade fast, which was described in his booklet "The Master Cleanser," Burroughs spent a lifetime fending off legal problems. In 1984, the state of California charged Burroughs with second-degree felony murder of a terminal cancer patient he treated with his lemonade diet. He was twice brought before the California courts for practicing medicine without a license. Despite the findings of the court, Burroughs' followers continued to believe in the Lemonade Diet. Since its inception, the Lemonade Diet has been interwoven into the fabric of American fad diets, along with the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Rice Diet and the Vinegar Diet.

Other Lemonade Diet Weight Loss Claims

    In "The Master Cleanse," Burroughs claims that dieters can lose two pounds of fat per day on the Lemonade Diet--and indeed, most fad dieters use the Lemonade Diet for the express purpose of losing weight quickly. However, Burroughs' writings could also be responsible for the rash of "detox" fad diets and the misbegotten notion that toxins form in the body, which are, according the Burroughs, the sole cause of all diseases and ailments. Burroughs, who claimed that all bacteria and viruses were innately benign as long as a dieter was properly "detoxed," attached mythical properties to the Lemonade Diet--it cured cancer, alcohol and drug addiction, impotence, infertility, resulted in smoking cessation and increased mental health. In "The Master Cleanse," Burroughs wrote of disease: "The basic cause is the habits of improper diet, inadequate exercise, negative mental attitudes and lack of spiritual attunement, which combine to produce toxic conditions."

The Lemonade Diet

    The Lemonade Diet, as taken from the pages of its creator's book, "The Master Cleanse," is as follows:

    "2 Tablespoons lemon or limejuice (sic) (approx. lemon)
    2 Tablespoons genuine maple syrup (Not maple flavored sugar syrup)
    1/10 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste
    8 oz water, room temperature
    Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz glass jar w/lid and fill with the water. Shake it up and drink. (Cold water may be used if preferred.) Use fresh (organic) lemons or limes only, never canned lemon or limejuice (sic) nor frozen lemonade or frozen juice."

    Burroughs stressed that only maple syrup must be used, as it contained "positive and negative sugars," advised against the consumption of honey, and warned dieters not to take vitamins because their lymphatic glands were too "clogged" with toxins to process them. On the Lemonade Diet and even afterward, dieters are not permitted to ingest any type of protein; Burroughs claims that humans get their protein from breathing in oxygen.

Internal Saltwater Bathing

    A second component to the Lemonade Diet weight loss plan is the salt water flush, which involves dieters consuming an inordinate amount of water mixed with sea salt. Drinking salt water is an ages-old folk remedy for constipation, and those who fall prey to the Lemonade Diet attest that drinking salt water results in excessive and chronic diarrhea. To further along weight loss and "cleansing" on the Lemonade Diet, Burroughs advises drinking copious amounts of laxative tea. Disturbingly, the original text of "The Master Cleanse" also advises mothers to use the Lemonade Diet on newborn infants (see Resources).

Lemonade Diet Debunked

    Disturbed at the media attention given to this fad diet, Dr. Ed Zimney was one of the first physicians to debunk the Lemonade Diet on his web blog, "Master Cleanse = Master Scam." According to Zimney, the diet works only because it is essentially a water fast, with the maple syrup accounting for a nominal number of daily calories (around 600) that prevents lemonade dieters from outright starvation. The lemon juice serves no practical purpose, and the cayenne pepper is added to irritate the bowels, resulting in the holistic equivalent of laxative abuse. Zimney thoroughly and accurately discredits the notion of the diet's "detoxification" properties--that's a job that the liver and kidneys naturally perform. Long-term use of the diet will result in malnutrition and possible malfunction of vital organs, including the kidneys, liver and heart. Deprived of caloric intake, dieters will experience temporary weight loss on the Lemonade Diet--it just won't be permanent.

Fibroid Treatment with Diet

Fibroids of the uterus are benign tumors that grow on the uterine wall. Quite common in women of reproductive age, they are usually small and often have no symptoms, though may grow larger in time and eventually cause heavy bleeding or infertility. Another type of fibroid called fibroadenoma appears in the breast (similar but not identical to the fluid-filled cyst), which is also a non-cancerous growth, though they may cause discomfort or pain. Instead of opting for surgery to remove the fibroid, try treating it through diet, which is simple, safe and often quite effective.

Causes and Symptoms

    Fibroids are an overgrowth of normal tissue produced by hormone imbalance. Estrogen dominance (too much estrogen and not enough progesterone) causes the uterus to grow, but without sufficient progesterone to counteract the estrogen, it keeps growing. In some women, this can result in uterine fibroids. The same thing happens in the breasts, which are primarily fat, and estrogen is stored in fat tissue. Fibroids don't occur before the body starts producing estrogen, tend to grow faster during pregnancy when estrogen levels are higher and usually stop growing after menopause when the body's estrogen production decreases.

    Conditions that are estrogen related and therefore contribute to the cause of fibroids are obesity (more fat equals more estrogen), multiple pregnancies (higher levels of estrogen), chronic stress (continually elevated levels of cortisol are converted from progesterone, resulting in a progesterone deficiency and estrogen dominance) and diet (an overworked liver makes it unable to break down estrogen).

    Often, uterine fibroids have no symptoms, but in some cases, you may find excessive bleeding during your period or pelvic discomfort. Breast fibroids are painful or sensitive to touch.

Diet Therapy

    Because most fibroids are a result of hormonal imbalance---too much estrogen in the body---a simple change in diet and lifestyle may be the solution. Include plenty of phytoestrogens in your diet such as flax and sesame seeds, hummus, garlic, dried apricots, alfalfa sprouts, dried dates, chestnuts, almonds, olive and coconut oil, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts and kale. Phytoestrogens are both mildly estrogenic as well as anti-estrogenic, which means that they block stronger, harmful estrogens from attaching to estrogen receptors in the body.

    Get sufficient vitamin A (liver, egg yolk and milk), vitamin C (citrus fruit and leafy vegetables) and vitamin E (nuts and seeds) to support hormone health. Eat cold-water fish like salmon several times a week for its essential fatty acids, which help to balance hormones. Substitute antioxidant-rich green or herbal tea for soda and coffee, and drink lots of water to flush excess toxins from the body. The liver is where estrogen is metabolized, so detox your liver with milk thistle, goldenseal, burdock root, dandelion root, vitex, blue cohosh and dong quai to keep it healthy and strong.

    For prime health, cut out or reduce caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt and non-organic meat and dairy, and exercise regularly.

How to Use Honey and Cinnamon to Lose Weight

Did you know that honey and cinnamon can be used to lose weight? Many people who regularly take honey and cinnamon powder together lose weight. Regular consumption of honey also reduces the risk of heart disease and reduces cholesterol. Honey and cinnamon help make veins and arteries regain their flexibility. Honey and cinnamon are also purported to aid hair loss, bladder infections and toothaches.

To lose weight with honey and cinnamon, follow the steps below.

Instructions

    1

    To lose weight with honey and cinnamon, go to your neighborhood health store and purchase raw honey and cinnamon powder. Do not buy cinnamon with sugar added.

    2

    Combine one teaspoon honey with one-half teaspoon cinnamon powder. Soon you'll be losing weight.

    3

    Boil one cup of water, honey and cinnamon in a pan. Pour the mixture into two half cup servings. Let the mixtures cool for several minutes.

    4

    Consume one serving one half hour before breakfast, and consume one serving before going to bed at night. Make sure to wait a half an hour to consume the mixture before eating meals.

    5

    Watch the numbers on your scale go down. By following these suggestions, a person should easily lose three to five pounds a week without dieting.

    6

    To lose weight faster, exercise, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.

    7

    Make sure to keep your honey and cinnamon well stocked in your cupboards. They are good for many other ailments besides weight loss. See resource section below.

About Lemon Syrup Cayenne Pepper Cleansing

The lemon syrup cayenne pepper cleansing is better known as the Master Cleanse or Lemonade Diet. Started by Stanley Burroughs, the cleanse uses lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper to release toxins from the body. Followers of the cleanse have reported losing substantial weight as well as other benefits during the 10-day fast, though doctors warn that the cleanse is not nutritionally sound.

Identification

    Followers of the cleanse create a lemonade concoction of freshly squeezed lemons, cayenne pepper, Grade B organic maple syrup and water. They drink the lemonade in place of food every 1 to 2 hours, or about six drinks a day.

Function

    The lemonade concoction gives cleanse followers the nutrients needed to go without food for 10 days. The maple syrup acts as a sweetener and helps maintain the body's metabolism. Burroughs specifically recommended Grade B syrup because of its higher mineral count and flavor. Fresh lemons, instead of lemon juice, was also recommended because of the lemons' enzymes.

Benefits

    Followers of the cleanse reported feeling lighter, having clearer heads and feeling more at peace. Many also reported losing more than 10 pounds on the cleanse.

Famous Ties

    Singer Beyonce Knowles and radio host Robin Quivers both lost weight on the cleanse. Knowles lost about 20 pounds in preparation for her role in the movie "Dreamgirls." Quivers, who works with radio jock Howard Stern, lost 70 pounds.

Warning

    While Burroughs recommended that followers stay on the cleanse for a minimum of 10 days, researchers warn against its prolonged use, saying that the body won't get the proper nutrients it needs.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Enzymes and Diet

Enzymes and Diet

Enzymes are proteins used by the body to help break down food in order to provide energy to body cells. Proponents of the "raw-food diet" believe that a diet consisting solely of raw foods is superior to a diet that contains cooked foods because enzymes found in food break down when heated. Scientific studies demonstrating the validity of this belief are lacking as of 2010.

Enzymes and Digestion

    Enzymes act as catalysts--that is, they get a chemical or metabolic reaction rolling without being changed themselves. Digestive enzymes help the body begin the process of digesting food, or breaking down food particles into glucose molecules. Glucose is then broken down further in order to harvest energy for body functions.

    According to enzymestuff.com, if food is not properly digested, it can cause a buildup of bacteria in the stomach, immune system problems and other health problems. Enzymestuff.com also says that the body can suffer from having to devote too much energy to digestion because of poor enzyme production.

Where Do Digestive Enzymes Come From?

    The article "Digestive Enzymes" on the website healthyrecipes.com says that digestive enzymes are produced naturally in the body as well as taken from food during the digestion process. According to this article, we do not get enough enzymes from food because of the use of herbicides and pesticides on food products.

Raw-Food Diet

    Some alternative health-care practitioners recommend a raw-food diet. The raw-food diet requires that people eat as much raw food as possible. The theory behind this diet is that cooking food breaks down enzymes so that the body cannot gain digestion enzymes via eating.

    According to an article on healingdaily.com, a website devoted to alternative health practices, cooking food renders digestive enzymes unusable and requires the body to devote more energy to digestion than a raw food diet would do.

Science and Raw-Food Diet

    As of May 2010, there are no scientific studies backing up the claims made on pro-raw-food diet sites. Dr. Paul Kouchakoff, a Swiss medical doctor, studied 10 patients in 1930 and concluded that cooking food was harmful to the immune system because more white blood cells appeared to be generated in patients who did not eat raw foods. However, Kouchakoff's study involved a small sample size, and his paper does not describe the experiment in sufficient detail for it to be replicated.

Enzyme Supplements and Digestion

    People who suffer from digestive problems sometimes take enzyme supplements rather than changing their diet to help them digest food more easily. According to enzymestuff.com, enzyme supplements are not effective because they are man-made. The site says that the body may reject the supplement as a toxin or otherwise not digest it properly.

How to Lose Weight Eating Chicken Broth

Many fad diets are out there, from popcorn diets to all you can eat dessert diets. It is very hard to know which ones are real and which ones actually work. Chicken broth can be an interesting diet to try out. It does have sodium in it, but chicken broth can be an excellent drink to fill your hunger gap. Learn how you can lose weight eating chicken broth.

Instructions

    1

    Start by having a chicken broth drink in the morning when you get up. This soup can be high in sodium so be careful if you have high blood pressure or other health problems. Chicken broth only has 10-20 calories and it will help you cut down your calorie count in the day and then lose weight.

    2

    Try having a chicken broth drink for dinner. Have a hearty breakfast and a nice lunch to satisfy your hunger. When it comes to around 6pm or so have a big cup of chicken broth. It will be easier on your stomach and digestive system.

    3

    Drink your drink in the morning when you feel hungry. You might find that broth settles your stomach if you had a fun night of cocktails the night before. Drink it slowly and taste the flavor.

    4

    Have a snack in between breakfast and lunch. Try vegetables or fruits to tide you over in the meantime. Then make yourself another cup of broth and let it fill your stomach and your hunger pains.

    5

    Eat a regular dinner and see how you feel. Try drinking chicken broth during different times of day for a week and see if you have lost any weight. Chicken broth drinks fill the gap and have a great taste. You can also buy the beef bouillon cubes to try a different taste.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Is It Good to Do a Colon Cleanse When Starting a Diet?

Is It Good to Do a Colon Cleanse When Starting a Diet?

    Colon cleansing may or may not be good for diets
    Colon cleansing may or may not be good for diets

Colon Cleansing is Essential

    According to Dr. Aundrea Adams, a naturopathic nutrition consultant, colon cleansing can remove 10 to 25 pounds of fecal matter from the colon. In addition, Adams asserts that an unhealthy colon can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This, he said, makes it a key step to perform before starting a diet.

Colon Cleansing is Unnecessary

    WebMD's Dr. Matthew Hoffman says that there is no evidence that colon cleansing works for dieting, or for anything else. The lack of evidence is echoed by the July 22, 2008 issue of Harvard Medical School's "Healthbeat," which adds that the reasoning manufacturers give to explain colon cleansing is usually flawed.

Bottom Line

    While some may believe colon cleansing is good to do before starting a diet, there is no specific research on the matter. If you choose to do a colon cleanse before starting a diet, you may be going to a lot of trouble for something totally unnecessary.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Best Liquid Diet

The Best Liquid Diet

Vanderbilt University has done research and studies concerning weight loss through liquid diets and found that they can be employed to improve health conditions. Normal dieting results in slow, but steady, weight loss which indirectly can decrease health risks. But because most liquid diets consist of a daily intake of 400 to 600 calories, and the average American needs an intake of 1,800 calories, it is a method of losing weight that should be reserved for only those at serious risk of health. The following are some liquid diets that aren't too detrimental to one's health.

The Master Cleanse

    All the ingredients you need for The Master Cleanse is plenty of water, some sea salt, a bottle of maple syrup and a couple of bottles of concentrated lemon juice

    The first, the Master Cleanse, is the most popular of all liquid diets today.

    This liquid diet consists of mixing together 14 tablespoons of lemon Juice, 14 tablespoons of maple syrup, teaspoon cayenne pepper and two liters of water. This is your drink for the entire day. Take the two liters of lemon Juice and whenever you feel a pang of hunger, drink a cup of it and then chase it with some water. You can drink as much water as you like. This will give your stomach the illusion of being full while cleansing your palette, throat and stomach of the lemon, pepper and maple syrup.

    In the evening, you're going to do what's known as the Salt Water Flush. Be within a few minutes of a restroom as your bowels will be ready to empty once you drink this solution. Mix in a full tablespoon of salt with a liter of warm water. Chug the entire contents. You should have to go to the bathroom within 30 minutes.

    Not only does this help you lose weight, but the pepper and maple syrup, in addition to the warm salt water, helps to clean your stomach and intestines of any toxins left in there. You will start to feel lighter within two days of the Master Cleanse, as well as very dizzy. Don't worry. Your mind will begin to sharpen by day five or six. Don't try this diet for longer than 14 days.

Fruit & Vegetable Juice Fast

    Buying a juicer won't only help during a fast but help prepare healthier foods in the future

    JuiceFasting.org, a website providing information on juice- and liquid-only diets, said a juice fast is the best balance between nutrition, health sustainment and weight loss.

    In order to do a juice fast properly, you will need a juicer to cut up your fruits. This is to make sure that you are drinking natural juices and not juice loaded with concentrates and unnatural sugar. And you can also put more than fruits into the juicer. Tomato juice is loaded with antioxidants. Carrot juice has an incredible amount of Vitamin A. One cup of spinach juice has up to 500 percent of the amount of iron you'll need for the day.

    Foods not included to be eaten during a Juice Fast include all animal flesh of any kind (fish included), eggs and dairy products. Honey is allowed in small doses for sweetening purposes. Try and stay away from artificial sweeteners as the point of a fast is for your body to get rid of toxins, not put more in.

    The following Juice Fast is intended for two weeks and for beginners to the fasting process:

    For breakfast everyday, juice up four tomatoes. Add a little hot sauce to the tomato juice(it's just like a Bloody Mary) and eat some almond paste (almonds are loaded with antioxidants and protein).

    For lunch, put enough carrots in a juicer to get a full glass. With that, eat a cup of plain yogurt. Nothing solid should be in the yogurt.

    For dinner, drink fruit juice. Pick fruits with low acidic levels to help your stomach while you sleep. Low acidic foods include apples, bananas and carrots.

Liquid Detox Diet for Weight Loss

Detox diets are very popular with people seeking to lose weight and lose it quickly. Many celebrities have endorsed a variety of detox cleanses and credit these diets in helping to get rid of pregnancy weight or excess pounds for a movie or tour. These diets are fairly straightforward, but you need to be aware of the dos and don'ts of these diets to use them safely and effectively.

Liquid Detox Premise

    By replacing solid food with liquids, your body does not need to use metabolic energy to break down complex carbohydrates and proteins. Protein in particular is very hard on the liver and kidneys. By consuming only water and juice, nutrients go directly to the intestines to be absorbed. You will most likely consume less calories and draw on fat reserves for metabolic function, thus burning off weight. Additionally, your body is able to release toxins that have built up and can flush them out. Many people find they are able to lose five to 10 pounds with a week's detox.

Process

    In order to effectively do a liquid detox, you need to prepare your body. Prior to the detox you should consume only fresh fruit and vegetables for at least two days. This prepares your stomach for less bulk and will help prepare you mentally for the hunger pangs.

    There are many liquid detox diets, but all work on the same premise. Replace solid food with liquids that help your body more readily absorb nutrients. Depending on the diet, a detox may last anywhere from one to 10 days. During this time you consume only water and juice. It is best to consume fresh-squeezed juices because antioxidants degenerate quickly once exposed to air. Avoid processed juices that contain sugar or syrups, as these impede the process.

    When you are finished with the detox, there is still work to do. You must reintroduce solid food to your system. This may be the most frustrating part. Since you have survived not eating, you will be tempted to chow down on that BLT at the closest diner. Don't. Start with fresh fruit and vegetables on the first day, and add small amounts of bread and meat on the second. This will also help create a lasting adjustment of eating less now that your stomach is smaller.

Warnings

    Consult your doctor prior to starting any detox diet, as it may not be suitable for you. When doing the liquid detox diet, know that your body is releasing stored toxins that may be responsible for fatigue and lethargy in your day-to-day endeavors. You may also feel sick. This is not uncommon and will subside.

    It is important to be aware of how your body is responding to the detox. Feeling like you have a cold is normal. Don't plan a detox when you have a heavy schedule. Give yourself time to rest. Drink up to 3 liters of liquid per day. If you become light-headed for an extended period of time or dizzy, consult a doctor immediately. This may be the result of an electrolyte imbalance caused by too much liquid and not enough minerals.

Lemon Detox Cleanse

Made popular primarily by celebrity Beyonce Knowles, the lemon detox cleanse diet is one of the latest fad diets to gain in popularity. Also known as the lemonade diet, the lemon detox cleanse is essentially a 10-day fasting program, aided by an unusual lemony concoction.

How to Follow the Lemon Detox Cleanse

    For 10 days, you may eat no solid food. However, what you may have is up to 10 tall glasses of lemon juice "cocktail" containing purified water, organic lemon juice, cayenne pepper and organic grade B maple syrup. But that's not all; you do get to drink saltwater in the morning and a laxative tea at night.
    Part of an extreme detoxifying diet called the Master Cleanse; this program began over 60 years ago. Invented by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs, who wrote the book, "The Master Cleanser" back in 1976, the lemon detox cleanse has gained a new generation of followers who are buying his book and trying it out for themselves.

Celebrity Testimonials

    Although the taste of the cocktail may be barely palatable, musician/actress Beyonce Knowles appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007, singing the praises of this lemony cleansing plan. Beyonce said that weight loss was her motivation for trying the program. She told the world that she successfully dropped 20 pounds using the lemon detox cleanse, to prepare herself for her starring role in "Dreamgirls."
    In fact, it seems that Beyonce has become a major spokesperson for this diet, if you visit the main United States website promoting it. Beyonce is featured on this website promoting a specific type of maple syrup to use in making the lemon detox cleanse.
    Another celebrity who has spoken out about her success with the lemon detox cleanse is Robin Quivers, the sidekick of Howard Stern. Quivers told People Magazine that she dropped a total of 73 pounds on the lemon detox cleanse, and also said that the diet helped combat fatigue and alleviate joint pain to boot.

Helpful Tips

    It is recommended that two days prior to beginning the cleanse, to begin the colon cleansing saltwater treatment. One teaspoon of sea salt should be added to a 24-ounce, warm glass of purified water. This saltwater solution may be drank once in the morning and once in the evening. Be aware that beginning this saltwater cleanse may cause frequent bowel movements, as it is designed to begin the colon cleansing process.

    After beginning the lemon drink, continue drinking the above saltwater drink a minimum of once daily. If you have never been on a fast before, it may be a good idea to only conduct the cleanse for 3 days, the first time you do it. While not a long-term weight loss program, the lemon detox cleanse may be conducted several times a year; perhaps once every season. Although you may experience rapid weight loss on the lemon detox cleanse, keep in mind that it is primarily intended for detoxification purposes.

    According to Lemon Detox.com, the acidity of the lemon juice acts like an "internal detergent," to dissolve excess fats and the cayenne helps speed up metabolism, thus "promoting circulation and the elimination of toxins." They say that the drink provides enough nutrition to support the body's "alert functioning" and is "assimilated directly into the bloodstream."

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The History of Dr. Pepper

From humble beginnings in a small Texas drugstore in the late 1800s to a national introduction at the 1904 World's Fair Exposition, Dr Pepper was a forerunner in the development of the global soft drink industry. While there appears to be little question about the beverage's origins, mystery still shrouds the genesis of the drink's name. Add this to my Recipe Box.

History

    Charles Alderton, a pharmacist at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, developed the formula for Dr Pepper in 1885 by mixing a variety of fruit flavorings in a carbonated drink. According to the Dr Pepper Museum, the new drink's popularity among local patrons led store owner Wade Morrison to partner with a regional bottling plant owner to expand distribution of the beverage beyond the Waco area.

Significance

    Dr Pepper claims the title as the oldest major soft drink still being sold in the United States. Its invention occurred just months before the development of Coca Cola in May of the following year and helped spark the growth of today's multi-billion dollar carbonated drink industry. Diet Dr Pepper was introduced in 1963 (originally called Dietetic Dr Pepper, according to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, owners of the Dr Pepper brand). Dr Pepper also introduced Cherry Vanilla and Diet Cherry Vanilla versions in 2004.

Theories/Speculation

    It is commonly believed that Dr Pepper is named after Charles Pepper from Rural Retreat, Virginia, a physician whom Wade Morrison worked for as a teenager and the father of a girl that Morrison loved. According to "Dr Pepper FAQ" by Christopher Flaherty, the story may not be true. Flaherty writes that research by a curator at the Dublin Dr Pepper bottling plant museum in Texas shows that Morrison lived at least 40 miles from Rural Retreat, probably never worked for Charles Pepper, and was much older than Charles Pepper's daughter. Flaherty says the curator suggests that another physician named Pepper who lived near Morrison and had a daughter closer to Morrison's age is a more likely candidate as the real "Dr. Pepper."

Identification

    According to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Dr Pepper is a blend of 23 different flavors. While the company says that the exact formula is proprietary information, one change from the original version involved discontinuing the use of pure cane sugar in favor of cheaper high fructose corn syrup. The original cane sugar formula is still produced today at the Dublin Dr Pepper bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, and can be purchased through the facility's website at dublindrpepper.com.

Considerations

    There is no period after Dr in the name Dr Pepper. The original name included the period, but the company says it was dropped in 1950 because of the use of a different type font. More Dr Pepper fun facts are available to visitors to central Texas, where two facilities bring the beverage's past to life. The Dr Pepper Museum in Waco showcases soft drink memorabilia. Less than 100 miles away in Dublin, the oldest Dr Pepper plant still in operation is open for tours.

Bowel Changes in Detox Diets

Bowel Changes in Detox Diets

Although there are a number of detox diets to choose from, the underlying promise is to cleanse your system of harsh chemicals and preservatives, while also helping you lose weight. Along with radical changes to your eating habits can come changes to your hunger patterns, moods and especially your bowel movements.

High Fiber in the Raw Food Diet

    Proponents of the Raw Food Diet believe cooking kills powerful nutritional enzymes, so the diet recommends a menu of mostly uncooked foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, rolled or flaked grains, along with some herbs and spices for seasoning.

    Due to the high fiber content of the diet, along with water-rich fruits and vegetables, it is not uncommon to experience diarrhea, constipation or both, especially if you previously did not consume a lot of fiber. Many raw foodists recommend starting slowly to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Constipation on the Fat Flush Plan

    There are three phrases of the Fat Flush Plan. During the first two weeks, you are limited to 1,200 calories a day and forbidden from consuming alcohol, sugar, oils or fats except for flaxseed oil, grains, bread, cereal, starchy vegetables and dairy products. Even herbs and spices are to be used only in moderation. In phase two, calories are increased to around 1,400, while you continue to refrain from certain foods until your goal weight is reached. Foods may then be slowly reintroduced in phase three.

    The main emphasis on the Fat Flush Plan is the daily recommendation of 225g of animal protein. Therefore, if you choose this program, realize that you may experience constipation, at least in the first few weeks.

Digestive Issues on the Liver Cleansing Diet

    The Liver Cleansing Diet claims to rid your overworked liver of toxins by only eating organic vegetables, fruit and some grains, which also must be organic. Alcohol, dairy and caffeine must be avoided. As with the Raw Food Diet, you may experience diarrhea, constipation or abdominal bloating if you did not consume much fiber before.

Range of Side Effects on the Master Cleanse

    Of all the detox diets, the Master Cleanse is perhaps the most extreme and most punishing on your body. For at least 10 to 14 days, all you consume is a drink made from fresh lemon or lime juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper. Tea is allowed at night and a "salt flush" is required in the morning. You are not allowed to eat any solid food. As with other diets, you may experience constipation, as well as headaches, fatigue and nutrient deficiencies.

Warning

    Please note that it is advisable to consult with your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program. Also, many health experts and practitioners have expressed concern over the long-term effects that detox diets have on the body.

Steps for the Master Cleanser

Since the Master Cleanse became a favorite of celebrities like Beyonce and Jennifer Aniston, men and women all over the world have tried it. There are many variations of the Master Cleanse, but the ideas and principles remain the same. It is a way of detoxing one's body, cleansing it of all toxins that naturally build up over time. The most effective way to cleanse is to fast, except for your master cleanse beverage. while doing it so your body has a chance to get rid of all wastes before accumulating new ones.

Shopping List

    Your first order of business before starting the Master Cleanse is to make your shopping list. You are going to need spring water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. Each ingredient serves a special purpose and you will require each one. The maple syrup provides your body with energy, and the pepper is what breaks up mucus buildup and promotes healthy blood flow. Your master cleanse drink will be the only thing you are allowed to consume while doing the Master Cleanse. You are also permitted to take a daily vitamin, so if you do not currently have those, you may want to pick up a bottle.

Directions

    First, you will want to mix your drink, making enough to last you throughout the day. You will need 14 tablespoons of lemon juice, 14 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 2 liters of water. This will be enough to last you throughout the day. Every time you have a hunger pang, take a few drinks of your "lemonade mix" followed by a bottle of water. Carry this drink with you all day, as this is all you are allowed to have.

Results

    Most people follow the Master Cleanse for 10 days, though if you have never done it before you may want to start off slower, for perhaps 1 or 2 days at first. It is advisable to go off the diet slowly, adding fluids the first day, preferably juices, and then slowly integrating fruits and vegetables before returning to a normal diet. Typically, a master cleanser can expect to have three to seven bowel movements a day and lose up to 10 pounds.