Healthy eating is difficult to achieve because we have so many health factors to consider and food choices to make. We know antioxidants are good for us so we want to eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables because they contain phytochemicals like carotenoids and flavonoids which neutralize the free radicals that cause the age-related degenerative diseases. We know that we may not get all the antioxidants that we need in our food so we take supplements to ensure an adequate supply of antioxidants. But what about the actual food we eat. One of the major problems with our modern diet is that the food we eat is a tasty combination of saturated fats and highly processed and quickly digested carbohydrates. However in the last several years, people have become so concerned about fats in their diet that they have substituted carbohydrates and avoided even the good unsaturated fats in lean meat, olive oil and other plant oils. Now everybody seems to be eating a medium- to high-carbohydrate diet without giving proper attention to the type of carbs that they eat.

Not all carbohydrates behave the same in our bodies. We have been told for years to avoid simple carbs like honey and white bread and eat complex carbohydrates that our body doesn’t digest and turn to glucose as quickly. However determining whether a food containing carbohydrates is absorbed and raises our blood sugar quickly or slowly is not at all intuitive. Scientists have done a lot of rigorous testing over the past several years and have found that white bread and baked potatoes raise our blood sugar level much faster than honey, jams and chocolate bars. These scientists developed a numerical index called the Glycemic Index or GI to compare the ability of different carbohydrate containing foods to raise the body’s blood sugar levels - or in other words the speed of conversion to glucose. GI values are determined by feeding human subjects who have fasted overnight a fixed amount of the food and then measuring their blood glucose levels at fixed intervals of time. Pure glucose is set at 100 and then other foods are compared to this profile. Testing is time consuming and the tests have to be averaged for a number of individuals. However these studies have yielded some surprising results such as the fact that the starches in rice, bread, potatoes and many types of cereals were absorbed and raised blood sugars very quickly but the sugars in fruit, candy, chocolate and ice cream did not result in prolonged rises in blood sugars. In other words many of the starchy foods had a much higher Glycemic Index than many of the sugary foods. Needless to say these results seem counter intuitive and have caused a lot of controversy in the food industry. The rate of absorption is very dependant on how the carbs are bound up with the food fiber and the particle size. For example less gelatinized products like al dente spaghetti and oatmeal have lower GI values and stone ground flours have lower GI values than finely ground flours. The fibrous coat surrounding beans and seeds stop enzymes from getting at the starchy carbs inside and will slow the digestion of grainy breads, legumes and barley. The acidity of foods also slows down digestion and vinegar, lemon juice, pickles and sourdough bread will result in lower GI meal values.

The Glycemic Index is important not only to diabetics but also to non-diabetics because we need to know what foods will keep our blood sugars on an even keel and not raise them too high and then have them plummet down again causing hunger. The slow digestion of low GI foods and the gradual rise and fall in blood-glucose response helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels and increase their sensitivity to insulin. Low GI foods will help healthy people delay hunger pangs and promote weight loss in overweight individuals. In addition low GI carbohydrates can reduce blood cholesterol levels and also reduce our risk of heart disease. High blood glucose spikes can result in oxidative stress leading to the formation of plaque that can cause atherosclerosis and even blood clots. So keeping our blood sugar levels fairly level and low seems like what we should be trying to achieve through healthy eating. How do we go about achieving this?

The first step is to look at what carbohydrates we are consuming and the GI levels of the meals that we are eating. Then we should try and ensure we have at least one low GI food in each meal to keep the overall meal GI close to 50. Most fats and proteins have no effect on the GI level of our meal because they don’t contain carbs. However watch out for saturated fats and too many calories. Let’s look at some meals and see what substitutions we could make. The GI values are shown in brackets.

Breakfast

Cut back on Corn Flakes (92), Rice Krispies (82) and substitute All-Bran (32) or switch to a cereal based on oats, barley or bran. Stop eating white bagels (72), white bread (70) or whole-wheat bread (77) and switch to pumpernickel (50) or sourdough (55). Fruits are mostly low GI foods and surprisingly orange juice (46) is very good.

Lunch and Dinner

Eat your colored vegetables and make your salad dressings with olive oil and vinegar. Avoid parsnips (97) and substitute pastas like al dente white spaghetti (38), linguini (46) or macaroni (47) for Instant white rice (87) and potatoes - baked (85), red-skin peeled and boiled (88). Except for parsnips and potatoes most vegetables have a low GI value.

Additional information on GI values can be found at the University of Sydney website http://www.glycemicindex.com/ or in the “The New Glucose Revolution: Shopper’s Guide to GI Values 2006.

Muffins are a wonderful treat but one that diabetics are always watching because of the sugar and carb content.  Now that we are into fall, and a muffin is perfect with a hot cup of coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate, I thought I would bring out a couple of muffin recipes that are perfect for diabetics as well as dieters or anyone wanting to eat a more healthy muffin.  Following are two ideal muffin recipes for the above mentioned persons.  Tropical Muffins is exactly that, a reminder of being in the tropics, eating tropical fruit and enjoying the warm sunshine and ocean breezes.  Healthy Carb French Toast Muffins are as the title indicates.  Healthy with a bit of flaxseed and whole wheat and yet the tempting taste of French toast.  Yum!

TROPICAL MUFFINS

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup Equal Sugar-Lite OR Splenda

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

3 medium ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1 egg, beaten OR 1/4 cup egg substitute

1 tsp orange zest

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

Vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray 12 muffin cups with vegetable oil spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, Splenda or Equal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Stir in the coconut and make a well in the center of the mixture.  Combine the remaining ingredients together and put into the well of the dry mixture.  Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.  Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full.  Bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

 

HEALTHY CARB FRENCH TOAST MUFFINS

non-stick cooking spray

1 1/2 cups egg substitute

1/2 cup fat-free half and half cream

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 tbsp Splenda Granular

2 tbsp milled flaxseed

1 tsp vanilla

6 slices whole-wheat bread, cut into chunks

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients except bread chunks.  Gently fold in the bread.  Let set 5 minutes to soak the bread chunks.  Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, overfilling slightly.  Bake 25 minutes or until puffed up and set.  Serve immediately. 

Per muffin:  140 calories, 17 g carbs, 11 g protein

This recipe is adapted from one in the Healthy Carb diabetes Cookbook

 

 

 

 

 

We multi-level marketing people are an idealistic lot. We truly believe our mlm oppurtunity is for everyone. We live and breathe sharing it to help others find health, wealth, peace, and freedom. And in doing that, there’s a good chance that we can find it for ourselves also. We truly mean well.

But you probably want to know why Oprah came to town and cried. It was because one mlmer had a dream. He dreamed that everyone was suddenly saying yes to his mlm opportunity.

Gone were the agonizing days of being told no day after day after day. Yes this was different. Everyone listened and everyone signed up.

He approached one hundred and fifty neighbors per month. His 1st month’s check was over $5000.00, his 2nd month’s check was over $12,000.00, and his 3rd month’s check was over $23000.00. What happened next was unexpected. A sort of viral word of mouth had taken place. Hearing of his mlm success and how the wellness products were benefiting the people, everyone wanted to know how they could duplicate what he did.

Because of the viral word of mouth there was no need anymore for a presentation or party plan. He told them to emphasize the under $30.00 start-up fee, and to tell the people to just switch at least $50.00 from where they shop now to the mlm company. He gave them an example of naturally based products like shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergent, and vitamins. The mlmer also reminded them to tell the people “just say yes, just say yes.” This was a chant he created for the people.

Like all good dreams, everyone said yes. Now hundreds of people were experiencing the same income as the mlmer. Thousands more were seeing amazing amounts each month. He was now approached with handshakes and embraces. ” Thank you! thank you!” was the community’s chant to him. Everywhere he went the people clamored to shake his hand. He now had the distinction of being an mlm consultant. Gone were the days when he was a solicitor.

Miraculously, the community was now tranformed. It was as if a veil of worry about their health and incomes had been lifted. Minimum wage earners, seniors on a fixed income, and single moms were now earning more than they ever thought possible. With the help of the wellness products, they looked and acted younger. They smiled more, greeted each other more, and seemed to stop and enjoy life more.

Since prescription drugs were not being purchased, prices were coming down. With everyone less stressed even the local hospital’s ER had less traffic. The local stores, feeling the pinch of products staying on the shelves were now lobbying the manufacturers for healthier and better quality products.

The community had no time for dismal economic news. Their incomes were not tied to the economy. They could survive in a good or bad economy. With their new-found zest for life and extra leisure they began to ponder world problems like global warming, war, and poverty.

And this is when Oprah called. She came to their town and heard how they no longer had crime in their community. Theft and burglary were not needed anymore since everyone was making so much money. They told her how the dividing lines of color were gone. Everyone had it just as good as the next person. They introduced the mlm consultant to Oprah. They told Oprah that if it hadn’t been for him teaching them to “just say yes” all of this couldn’t be possible. Tears streaming down her face, she congratulated him on his mlm success. She thanked him for so much positive change in the community. She also thanked him for helping to bring the world’s other problems to light.

The mlm consultant awoke with a smile on his face. He noticed the internet blinking, almost winking at him. An idea came to him. He’d heard it said that in the time you speak to one person in the real world you can speak to one thousand on the World Wide Web.

http://www.Veg4Health.com Learn how to prepare healthy recipes and re-claim your health. Free E-course descibes how you can learn to eat healthy, simply and very easily at www.Veg4Health.com

The Special guest!! NKOTB
On Rachel..haha funny video

The effects of green tea have long been associated with weight loss. That notion has only gained even more ground over the years as scientists and doctors discover more amazing facts of green tea and how it can benefit us. Back in 2004, the green tea diet first became renowned globally when it was mentioned on the award winning Oprah television show.

Dr Nigel Perricone, highly popular author of various numerous health and dieting books, had a guest appearance on Oprah’s show. It was then that he introduced the world to the countless advantages and health benefits of green tea - weight loss, anti-aging, increased metabolism, higher fat oxidation, etc.

He had wrote in his book, “The Perricone Prescription”, that if we replaced coffee with green tea instead, we could lose up to 10 pounds in six weeks. That statement went on to create such a hype that health and weight enthusiasts started to take notice of the much underestimated benefits of it.

Oprah has also been reported to say that green tea is very much a part of her diet. The Green Tea Diet has helped her attain her weight loss and dieting goals, a problem that has been bothering Oprah for a very long time, as her faithful fans would testify. Other than that, it has also done her health and well-being a world of good.

Some other facts of the Green Tea Diet:

* Cancer Prevention

* Anti-aging

* Increased metabolism

* Increased fat oxidation

* Appetite suppressant

* Caffeine substitute for coffee, minus the calories

While the benefits are aplenty, adopting the green tea diet is by no means the magic formula for instant weight loss. It would not help at all, if you are going to indulge on junk food and stick to your 5000 calories a day diet. It is important to bear in mind that a healthy and balanced diet is still the benchmark.

So what is the optimal amount of green tea to consume in order enjoy the health benefits? Experts have varying opinions, but the general consensus is 3 - 5 cups per day. That would be equivalent to burning an extra 70 calories per day, or 7 pounds per year. However, if you find that 3 - 5 cups per day is too much, tea extract, tea pills or a tea patch are equally viable alternatives.

Would you like to find out the amazing weight loss effects of the Oprah green tea diet?

Check out this Green tea weight loss drink now!

Part 3

I know, I’m retarded. Leave me alone

A hot bowl of homemade soup has to be one of the most inviting meals on a cold day. Combine it with a loaf of warm fresh bread, and you have a meal that is sure to please most anyone.

Delicious healthy soup recipes are easy to follow, and will produce surprising results with a minimal amount of effort. A pot of delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is as simple as adding some store bought chicken broth, fresh vegetables, cooked chicken meat, herbs, and spices together in a pot, and simmer on the stove for a couple of hours.

Combine that with a loaf of your favorite bread, warmed in the oven for a few minutes, and a simple dessert, and you have an inexpensive meal, that everyone is glad to come home to.

There are many other soups, such as beef vegetable soup, that can be made just as easy, simply by changing the broth, and using beef for meat instead of chicken.

Soup is a versatile meal that will please just about anyone. Kids love macaroni, and adding their favorite type to their soup is sure to please them. Adding macaroni to any healthy soup recipe is a great way to enhance the flavor of your soup, and make it go further for very little extra money.

Homemade soup also freezes well. If you make a large pot, you can freeze what is left for another simple meal, with practically no effort at all. This can be a real plus for a busy family on the go.

Delicious homemade soup can also take care of lunches for the working family. Soup can easily be put into a container for heating later at the job, or put hot into a thermos ready to eat. Combined with a sandwich, it’s a comforting meal during a hard days work.

It’s been suggested, but never proven that soup may actually be good for you when you are sick. I don’t think anyone can deny though, that when you have a cold or the flu, nothing makes you feel better that a hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.

For people that are vegetarians, there are plenty of vegetable soup recipes that will produce a delicious hot bowl of soup without using any meat.

Another advantage of adding healthy soup recipes to your regular list of meals, are the benefits of weight loss. Soup can be very good for losing weight when you control what goes into the pot. By using low sodium, low fat broth, and eliminating fatty meats, and excessive salt, you can make a delicious low calorie soup using a combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Combine that with a salad, and you now have a delicious and filling low calorie meal. 

Soup is a meal that offers many benefits, and making homemade soup extends these benefits by being able to control the ingredients and eliminate unnecessary chemicals, and excessive salt.

The facts are in. Soup is just a meal that makes people happy when they have some.

Creative ideas can only go so far in Hollywood, as they usually end up in the courtroom, battling it out on who had the original idea and for intellectual property rights. Shows and movies that have garnered success are usually the victim of these law suits, as someone suddenly shows up, claiming that the original idea was stolen from them. Recently, the victim was Disney’s Hannah Montana, which was sued for a couple of cases.

This weekend, a comedy writer filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company, stating that in 2001, he already had an idea for a show, however with a different title.

Taylor “Buddy” Sheffield, a veteran comedy writer, is suing for alleged breach of contract, breach of confidence, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. The show he came up with six years ago was entitled Rock and Roland, which was about a middle *********** who had a secret alter-ego as a rock star. Sounds too much like Hannah Montana, in which Miley Cyrus stars as Miley Stewart, a school student who also is teen star Hannah Montana. On the show, only her father and closest friends know about her being Hannah.

The Associated Press reports that Sheffield had previously written for The Smothers Brothers, The Dolly Parton Show, and In Living Color. He also created Nickelodeon’s Roundhouse. A CBS affiliate also reported that in the lawsuit, Sheffield states that, “The series revolved around a junior high school student who appears to lead an entirely unremarkable life, but is secretly a pop/rock star and the main breadwinner for his family,” adding that Hannah Montana is a “blatant copy of ‘Rock and Roland.”

These kinds of lawsuits are common in Hollywood, as such has happened in 1977, when a writer claimed that Aaron Spelling stole the idea for a show called Family. In 2005, two individuals filed suit against Simon Cowell, accusing him of stealing the idea for American Inventor, which they claimed was originally The Million Dollar Idea. In 2006, Rachel Ray was also in the news as a man claimed that she stole his idea for Inside Dish with Rachel Ray.

For more resources about Writer Claims Hannah Montana Was His Idea or for the full story of Hannah Montana please review this link http://www.buddytv.com

Just wanting to find out what everyone’s favorite Rachael Ray Recipe is. Im Looking to try a few new one’s but it has to be something that you really Love. Something that you make often.

Mine would have to be: Bacon Sloppy Joes
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/sandwich-recipes/bacon-sloppy-joes/article.html