Monday 22 August 2011

Top 10 diet foods that can make you fat

Juices and smoothies

When totting up our daily intake of calories, many of us forget to take into account those that come in liquid form. However, the drinks you consume throughout the day can vastly contribute to weight gain. While smoothies and juices count towards your daily intake of fruit (and swapping fry-ups for a morning smoothie would certainly do wonders for your waistline!) supplementing meals with these sugary fruit drinks could add hundreds of extra calories on to your daily intake. Smoothies and juices contain more sugar but less fibre than whole fruit, making fresh fruit a much better snacking option.

Cereal bars

Many of us believe that cereal bars are the perfect healthy snack and breakfast-on-the-go. However, most breakfast bars are packed with cane sugar and corn syrup, not to mention high levels of fat. In fact, despite their healthy image, cereal bars can contain as much fat, sugar and calories as an average chocolate bar, and can cause crashes in blood sugar levels which will leave you craving more food.

Dried fruit

As with smoothies and juices, dried fruit has many beneficial properties and counts towards your daily intake of fruit. However, due to the concentration of sugars that occurs when fruit is dehydrated, it is also very high in calories and sugar when compared to the same amount of fresh fruit, and is much lower in fibre and nutrients. On top of this, many brands add sugar to dried fruit to improve the flavour, which boosts the calorie content even further.

Diet drinks

Many of us turn to sugar-free versions of our favourite drinks to help stay trim, yet diet drinks may actually be causing you to pile on the pounds. Research by the Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that those who consumed diet drinks daily experienced a 70 per cent greater increase in waist circumference than those who drank none, while a previous study showed that obesity risk increased by 41 per cent for each diet drink consumed. A suggested reason for this is that artificial sweeteners trigger appetite, and they may also inhibit the brain cells that make you feel full.

Salads

When eating out or buying food on the go, salads are generally presented as the “healthy option”. However, often this is not the case. While salads contain vegetables and other healthy ingredients, these are often buried under a layer of oily, sugary dressings which can be high in both fat and calories. Many salads do contain good fats that can help with weight loss (such as in the case of avocados and olive oil), yet this is not always so. Avoid those sneaky calories by drizzling your salads with a light dressing such as balsamic vinegar, or skipping the dressing entirely.

Soup

While soup can be the perfect weight loss food when prepared correctly, not all soups fall into the diet food category. In fact, many soups can rack up a significant amount of fat and calories, particularly those containing dairy products such as cream or cheese. On top of that, many soups are very high in salt, which can lead to bloating. To help stay trim and cut calories, try purchasing (or better yet, making your own) vegetable-based and cream-free soups.

Dips

Hummus is often perceived as the perfect diet-friendly dip. However, while the healthy snack is undoubtedly nutritious, it is also packed with calories and fat from its principle ingredients of oil and tahini. Another dip for dieters to watch out for is guacamole which, while traditionally packed with nutrients and good fats, often contains calorie-laden double cream. While most dips can be eaten in moderation, if you want to splurge guilt-free go for a homemade tomato salsa which is packed with nutritious ingredients and is almost fat-free.

Vegetable crisps

Many people view vegetable crisps as the “healthy” alternative to the potato variety. However, while some vegetable crisps contain slightly more fibre and vitamins than potato crisps, this is not always the case and the difference is generally very slight, with most of the vitamins derived from fresh veggies being lost in the process of making them into crisps. On top of this, vegetable crisps are often just as high in fat and calories as potato ones and contain just as much salt.

Popcorn

Air-popped popcorn is a great nutritious, high-fibre and diet-friendly snack. However, when butter is added into the equation, the tasty snack can quickly lose its healthy credentials. Store-bought and cinema popcorn can be extremely high in fat and calories due to its liberal coating of butter and/or sugar, and is often also served in large quantities. Furthermore, as the TV-friendly snack is often eaten in front of a screen, we can easily consume far more than we intend to due to mindless snacking.

Granola

It’s marketed as a health food, is sold in health food stores and even looks remarkably healthy, so it must be a diet food, right? In the case of granola, sadly the answer is no. While granola is undoubtedly nutritious and full of fibre, it also contains high quantities of sugar and oil, making it extremely high in fat and calories. To help save your waistline, try eating granola in small portions or, better yet, switch to a lower fat sugar-free muesli which will deliver the same health benefits without the calories

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Healing Miracle for Burns

BURNS
A young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it.  He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors inflamed and engulfed him.  He jumped from his truck, screaming.  His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs, yelling: "bring me some eggs!"  She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks.  The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites on the young man's face.  When the ambulance arrived and when the EMTs saw the young man, they asked who had done this.  Everyone pointed to the lady in charge.  They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face."  By the end of the summer, the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her.  His face was like a baby's skin.

  Healing Miracle for Burns : 

 Keep in mind this treatment of burns which is included in teaching beginner fireman this method.  First aid consists to spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced and stops burning the layers of skin.  Then, spread egg whites on the affected are.

One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water.  In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg white from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution.  The whites then dried and formed a protective layer.

She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white.  By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn.  10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color.  The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins.


Monday 8 August 2011

Testing - Tester

Testing - Tester

Friday 5 August 2011

Dark Circles under eyes

Causes of Dark under eye circles

  • Dark Circles under eyes are normally due to a lack of sleep, fatigue, stress, shortage or some disease
  • Dark circles can be due to genetic factors
  • Nasal congestion may cause dark under eye circles
  • Chronic atopic eczema on skin may dark circles
  • Dark circles under eyes may be due to aging which thins the skin around the eyes
  • Eyelid swelling or eye puffiness can produce shadows creating light dark eye circle

Home Remedies for Dark circles under Eyes

  • Drink at least ten glasses of water each day.
  • Take all safety measures to avoid strain on the eyes
  • Eight hours of sleep is a must for all of us, particularly for people having dark circles under their eyes
  • Do not leave cream on the skin around the eyes for long time. Eliminate the cream applied around the eye after 10 min. No cream must be left on the skin around the eyes for long periods
  • Close your eyes and cover eyelids with slices of raw potato or cucumber for 20-25 minutes. Wash with warm water and then apply a cream. This remedy is best Home Remedy for Dark circles under Eyes
  • Home Remedy for Dark circles under eyes: Create a 1:1 mixture of fresh potato and cucumber juices. Soak some cotton and put on your eyelids and stay for 20 minutes and then wash your eyes with cold water
  • Apply a mixture of lemon and tomato juice (equivalent parts) on the dark circles 2 times a day.
  • Home Remedy for Dark circles under eyes: Make a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice and apply it for dark circles under the eyes
  • Apply compressed mint around the eye
  • Home Remedy for Dark circles under eyes: Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bed time daily for 2 weeks and see the development. Almond helps to get rid of dark circles, and is an excellent "skin food". .
  • Home Remedy for Dark circles under eyes: Massage the area with a powdered Vitamin E capsule and wipe off with a mixture of honey and egg white
  • Put hot and cold clothes alternatively under eyes for 10-15 minutes. Then apply some almond oil on the dark area before going to bed

Puffiness of Eyes:

  • Elevate the head of your bed at night. This helps avoid fluids from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep.
  • Apply vitamin E or olive oil for puffiness.
  • Bind some potato grates in a cloth and put over eyes for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Place chilled cucumber slices or damp tea bags over eyes for about 20-25 minutes.
  • Apply a cool tap water squeeze to the skin under your eyes for about 15 minutes

For better Vision:

  • Eat vegetables and fruits wealthy in vitamin A.
  • Dip carrot leave in hot water and leave for a few minutes. Drink the liquid 3 times in a day before meals.
  • Dip cotton balls in rose water or cold water and stay under the eyes for 10 minutes..
  • Try placing chilled chamomile tea bags over and around the eyes. 
    Source: http://www.himalayahomeremedies.com/homeremedies_eye_dark_circles.htm



 


Thursday 4 August 2011

5 Tips on How to Get Rid of Under Eye Dark Circles and Puffiness

1.If you have suddenly developed pronounced under-eye “bags”…

It could be a symptom of an allergitic reaction or kidney infection. If other symptoms are also present, such as fever, skin rash, or difficulty breathing, consult your doctor right away. If an allergy is involved, find out what foods you are allergic to and eliminate them from your menu.
The most frequently occurred allergies are to newfangled foods, such as commercial pasteurized milk from hormone-treated cows, processed grains, fruits and veggies with residual pesticides, and other products that people had never eaten until just several generations ago.
Allergies can also be caused by commercial beauty products such as under eye creams and mascaras.

2. If you suffer from under-eye puffiness on a regular basis …

Check if it is related to your monthly cycle. If puffiness appears several days before your period, consider it a manifestation of PMS
Try to use natural diuretics, such as gren tea, and eliminate salty foods, most carbohydrates, and excess liquid from your menu about one week prior to your period.
Such measures should drastically reduce hormonal-induced dark circles and puffiness under your eyes, which are caused by premenstrual water retention.

3. Heredity can be involved in the condition, especially when we approach our 40s …

4. You have swollen eyes, especially when combined with fatigue

That shows that your body is lacking dietary proteins, essential fats, B-vitamins, and folic acid.
Change your diet by including more ecologically-clean meats, fish, and cultured dairy products from pastured cows. Remember that Vitamin B-12 is only contained in animal products, whileVitaminB-6 is most abundant in raw milk, meat, and fish.

5. Under-eye puffiness is often caused by insomnia, stress, long work days in front of a computer, too much TV, or just great tiredness …

If so, a good long nap would be a miraculous cure. Various eye applications could be helpful, too. While resting, try to apply eye masks made of fresh cucumber slices or moist cold tea bags.

Source:  http://allwomenstalk.com/five-tips-on-how-to-get-rid-of-under-eye-dark-circles-and-puffiness/2/#actual-content

 

Home Remedy for Dark Circles

. Using Almond oil Almond Oil as we know is an excellent natural emollient and its fine texture and moisturizing properties is perfect for any skin type. Ayurvedic practitioners love Almond Oil and they have been using this oil for dark circles.
Almond Oil is readily available from health and aromatherapy stores as it’s commonly used as a carrier oil. Carefully rubbing a little in to the skin around your eyes each morning and night should leave the skin softer and more supple.
2. Using Tomato and Lemon
Tomato is rich in Vitamin A, C and Iron, whereas lemon can act as “natural bleach”. By combining the two ingredients, you will notice the dark circle will lightens after a few days of treatment.
To conjure this mixture, take one teaspoon fresh tomato juice. Add to it 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and a little less than a teaspoon of  gram flour Mix all these thoroughly to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the dark circles around the eyes and leave for about 10 minutes.
Before it becomes too dry, start removing by rubbing very gently with your fingers. Later, wash your face. This application is recommended once daily. More quantity of the ingredients can be taken in the proportion specified to have sufficient amount to apply on the whole face.
3. Using Cucumber Juice
cucumber has cooling and astringent properties that are very good for tired eyes. This remedy is a “quick-fix” to any eyes woes.
Squeeze the juice from a cucumber and cool it in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Add a little lemon juice Make cotton pads and dip into the mixture. Place on your eyes for 15 minutes. The effect is cooling and relaxes your eyes.
Make sure to wash the area thoroughly afterwards and apply a little almond oil around the eyes to moisturize the area.
4. Using Grated Potato
Another effective home remedy is peeled and grated potatoes. Firstly, grate the potato, wrap it in thin cloth and place it over the eyes. Use this overnight at least three times a week.
Make sure to wash the area thoroughly and apply a little cream or oil around the eyes to moisturize the area.
5. Using Metal Spoons
This is one of the most effective “Old Wives Tales” that don’t need much effort. :)
Cool a metal spoon under the cold tap for a few minutes, dry off the water and hold the spoon to your eyes for at least sixty seconds. Be gentle; don’t press too hard.

Source:  http://organicpassion.info/how-to-reduce-dark-circles-naturally/

What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?

What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?

The dark circles under the eyes are actually dilated blood vessels in the eye region. Since the skin in this general area is quite thin, the blood vessels are much more easily seen through the skin, giving the appearance of dark circles rather than the actual amount of blood that is rushing through the area.
When you are tired, you tend to frequently rub the area under your eyes. This stimulates the dilation of the blood vessels and therefore leads to the formation of the dark circles. A similar effect may be seen with medication that has the side effect of dilating blood vessels.
In the case of tiredness, the overall paling of the skin contributes to the visibility of the blood vessels under the thin skin under the eyes. Ageing also contributes to the appearance of dark circles. This is due to the gradual disintegration and thinning of the skin, which of course leads to the heightened visibility of the underlying blood vessels. 

Massaging Dark Circles Away

In the case of tiredness or other non age related dark circles under the eyes, massaging them away is actually a very useful method—as long as it is done at night before going to sleep. Essential oils made from almonds or eye creams that include almond butter and honey are perfect for dealing with dark circles before they remain in place overnight.
It is a good idea to wash the face with lukewarm water, to make the skin more pliable and likely to take up the nourishing substances in the under eye cream. Then gently massage the substance into the sensitive skin under the eyes. Do not get it into the eyes, or you may end up with red ringed eyes in addition to dark circles underneath them. It is important to massage, not rub, when applying this cream.

Soak Dark Circles Away

If you do not have the time to let the eye cream work overnight, then moist, lukewarm teabags are a great idea. They should be moist, but not so wet as to let water run into your eyes. Lean bag and place a moist teabag under each eye. Keep them on for about 10 to 15 minutes. It does not really matter what kind of teabags you are using. It is the fact that the area is moistened with a cooling agent that causes the blood vessels to gently and slowly constrict that makes all the difference.

Emergency Constriction of the Blood Vessels under the Eyes

If your dark circles are really bad and you have to be somewhere important in the next 20 minutes, there is the possibility of applying a thin layer of Preparation H under the eyes. This is the medication suggested for those with hemorrhoids but you may be surprised to learn that it has since found its way into a large number of makeup kits belonging to actors, models, and others in the know.
Be extremely careful not to get the Preparation H into the eyes. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary emergency fix and does nothing to actually smooth or relax the dark circles away. Instead, it only serves to temporarily constrict the blood vessels under the eyes and therefore lessens the appearance of the dark circles. It does not actually deal with the problem that put them there in the first place.

Reduce the Incidents of Dark Circles under the Eyes

Staying hydrated is the number one way of keeping the thin elastic and healthy and therefore from thinning out. Moreover, having a nightly regimen of applying collagen rich eye cream underneath the eyes is another means of prevention the thinning of the skin that eventually leads to the visible dark circles. Get sufficient amounts of sleep and limit the eyes’ exposure to irritants, such as smoke, that lead to rubbing the eye area frequently. These steps alone can greatly cut down on the number of eye treatments to reduce dark circles under the eyes you undergo.

Be Careful Not To Apply Makeup without Moisturizer under the Eyes


One of the most common misconceptions is the notion that by applying foundation and concealing creams under the eyes, you have a chance of making the circles appear less prominent. Keep in mind that these circles have appeared—in part—because the skin under the eyes has thinned a bit and needs building up. Since most kinds of makeup lack the moisturizer needed to make up for this lack of collagen, they will actually make the area under the eyes look more prominent.
Counteract this common makeup faux pas by applying collagen rich moisturizer first. This kind of moisturizer is usually found in high quality eye creams that may be used overnight. Gently apply the moisturizer, let it soak into the skin and then follow it up with a light layer of bright foundation. The natural thinness of the skin will make your regular foundation look darker than it would appear on your cheeks or forehead. Skilled fashion mavens have a special foundation that is a few shades lighter than what they are using on their faces, just for this eventuality!

Visit a Dermatologist


If you are diligent about your under eye care and regularly apply eye cream to your eyes, you should not have too many mornings where you notice dark circles under the eyes. When hydration and even the teabags under the eyes fail to provide you with lasting results, there may be a reason for the skin’s thinning and also for the dilation of the blood vessels under the eyes. Visit your dermatologist to rule out any physical problems that might contribute to the appearance of dark circles and that might need professional attention rather than just a beauty treatment. 

Source:  http://knol.google.com/k/how-to-reduce-dark-circles-under-the-eyes#