Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Great Grains: Barley, The Perfect Food For Health


‘Superfood’ is one of those buzz words that we hear so often; they seem to change daily, divide opinion and have us buying bizarrely named berries that we have never heard of and taste awful, all in the pursuit of greater health and, ultimately, longevity. Sometimes, however, we overlook the simple things in life: introducing the humble barley. Barley is essentially a member of the grass family, which is widely cultivated as a cereal grain, although 98% of barley grown in the United States ends up being used in beer, rather than playing an active role in healthy lifestyles! Barley comes in different states, depending on how processed it is. De-hulled barley has simply had the outer, inedible husk removed and is a wholegrain, whereas pearl barley has been steamed to remove the bran, and is not a wholegrain.
But whichever state the barley is in, its list of health benefits is impressive. Firstly, barley is a carbohydrate, so can be compared to the likes of rice. The Glycemic Index (GI) of pearl barley is 28 compared to 89 for white and 50 for brown rice (Harvard University). In fact, it is the lowest of all the grains. Stabilizing blood sugar prevents the sudden cravings caused by dips in blood sugar, allowing a fuller for longer feeling and snacking resistance. This has the benefit of weight control and decreasing risks of Diabetes Type II. Not only does barley stop the food cravings, it is high in protein, which suppresses the appetite, and it contains no saturated fat, but it does contain a wealth of vitamins and mineral (Vitamin B1 and B3, selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and copper), phytochemicals, which may reduce heart disease, diabetes and cancer (American Cancer Society), and antioxidants, the great anti-aging chemicals.
Barley is a great source of dietary fiber. Unlike most other cereals, the fiber in barley is found throughout the grain, so even after being processed, a much larger proportion of the fiber is retained. The recommended daily intake of fiber is 25 to 30 grams (UCSF); however, the average intake is 18 grams. ½ cup (80g) of pearl barley contains 3g of dietary fiber compared to only 1.75g in brown rice. A diet rich in fiber is needed for good colon health, and can even prevent colon cancer. This is particularly true of insoluble fiber, known as roughage, which is found mainly in de-hulled barley but also in pearl barley. The soluble fiber (beta-glucans) in barley assists in healthy blood sugar by reducing the rate at which glucose is absorbed. It also reduces blood cholesterol levels, which helps to reduce to risk of heart disease.

So this ‘Superfood’ can reduce cholesterol, the risk of heart disease, Diabetes Type II and cancer, boost your fiber intake, give you a vitamin and mineral hit, control your food cravings and keep you feeling fuller for longer, all whilst being low in fat and only containing 100Kcals per serving? It can! Plus, compared to many other ‘Superfoods’ it is inexpensive and readily available in health stores and supermarkets. Many think barley is only for soups, but it can be easily substituted for other grains, so it can be made into risottos and pilafs, sprinkled on salads, baked into muffins and stuffed into artichokes.

Truly a great grain!

Written by Alice from http://www.tutorsville.net/


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

How to maintain water balance in the body throughout the day?


Maintaining a healthy balance of water throughout the day is extremely important all year round, but becomes even more important during the hotter summer months of the year. The body generally does an excellent job in regulating its own water 0 levels – the kidneys function to ensure that we have a stable amount of water in our system, and we have an automatic trigger of thirstiness when the levels become low. But there are other ways that we can help our bodies to maintain a healthy water balance, some of which I’ll discuss below.


First of all, you should ensure that you are drinking enough water throughout the day. Around 60% of our water level is taken in through drinking alone, which shows just how important it is that we drink the necessary amounts of fluids. The recommended amount of water a person should drink a day is from 1.2-1.5 litres. That amounts to around six to eight glasses of water per day. You should remember that you need to be drinking this throughout the day, and not all at once - drinking a litre in the morning and nothing in the afternoon, is not good for your body at all.

The recommended 1.2-1.5 litres of water is for a normal person with a normal lifestyle. That does not include those who are doing a lot of exercise on a daily basis, so if you are participating in extreme strain, such as gym training, you really must make sure that you are keeping your fluid levels topped up.

We have accounted for 60% of our water intake through drinking, but what other ways do we keep our water levels topped up? Well 30% comes from moist foods, and the final 10% comes from cell respiration. One of the reasons that we need a balanced diet is to make sure that we are getting our other 30% from foods. Fruits and vegetables are always high in water content, which makes them especially good to maintain a good balance of water in the body.


Other than being thirsty, however, there are other ways that the body regulates the water balance in our bodies. One of the ways the body does this is through keeping a constant level of sodium in the blood stream. The sodium that we consume through our diet is very important – too much sodium and we will cause us to be thirsty, and not enough sodium will cause the body to produce more urine to lower the level of fluid in our body. This means that it is very important that we maintain a good level of sodium in our diet. We are often told that too much salt is bad for us, but the same is true for too little. A balance of sodium is exactly what the body needs to help maintain a good level of water throughout the day.

We also need to ensure that we have a good level of potassium in our bodies to maintain a water balance. Too much and too little potassium can be very dangerous, manifesting itself in heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythm. The body keeps the electrolytes found in potassium at a constant rate through the digestion system and sweat. The kidneys work to make sure that the balance of potassium and the water level is correct, so that you can function properly.

The best thing that you can do to maintain a water balance is to drink the right fluids. Stay away from sodas and tea/coffee. While they are all fluids, they contain too much caffeine which works against their gain. You can drink them, but do not count them in your recommended water intake.

Written by Alice from http://www.tutorsville.net.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Why Personal Trainers Are Effective


If you’re a personal trainer or you’re managing a facility that offers personal training, it can be hard to make a case for the added expense of personal training. However, there are many ways in which the benefits of using a personal trainer can justify the additional cost. Keeping track of your personal trainers and their clients is easier if you use a gym management system.


 

One-on-One: Studies have shown that one-on-one counseling, whether with a psychologist, nutritionist, or personal trainer, is the most effective way to change behavior patterns. A personal trainer can set up an exercise program that is tailored to individual needs. Trainers are not locked into one kind of exercise (unlike a class), but can use a variety of approaches in one session. Also, if an exerciser has health problems or needs rehabilitation, a trainer can design a program that’s specific to him or her. A personal trainer can also correct mistakes in form that can cause injuries and can teach safe exercising.

Changing Attitudes: One study in the Journal of Sport Science and Medicine found that working with a personal trainer was an effective method for changing attitudes toward exercise, increasing motivation, and increasing a person’s amount of physical activity.

It makes sense, since a personal trainer can customize the exercise to an individual’s specific needs and can give the kind of encouragement required when motivation flags. They can show the exerciser what he or she is capable of and help develop exercise habits that can last a lifetime.


How to Exercise: If a person hasn’t been exercising in a while, a personal trainer can set up an exercise routine that is specific to his or her goals. For someone who has been exercising, a personal trainer can suggest cross-training options and new exercises – and can ensure the person is exercising properly. A trainer can figure out what kinds of exercise an exerciser enjoys and can tailor a program that is specific to a particular body’s needs. This maximizes the efficiency of the workout time and gets the best results.

Exercise Effectiveness: Having someone present during exercising can make a big difference in how well someone exercises and how hard they push themselves. One study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise separated a group of men into supervised and non-supervised exercisers when doing weight training. After 12 weeks, the supervised exercisers showed significantly steeper increases in their training capacity and the amounts of weight they could lift. Increases of 26 to 30% have been reported.

Hossein Noshirvani is the Executive Vice President for Motionsoft. His long-time involvement in the fitness industry gives him vast knowledge and keen insight into running a fitness center, including how to operate your facility more efficiently using an automated gym management system.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

10 Useful Tips for Kitchen Hygiene and Food Safety


People only tend to keep their kitchen clean for aesthetically purposes only. But do you know how big role kitchen hygiene plays in food borne diseases? Lack of kitchen hygiene and food safety causes illness. If you want to keep a healthy diet, you have to keep your kitchen clean. It is as simple as that.
Keeping a kitchen clean is not as hard as it looks. It requires a simple plan you have to follow. Say goodbye to casually scrubbing your kitchen cabinets and follow these ten wonderfully easy tips which would make your kitchen spotlessly clean and hygienically perfect.
1. Purchase good quality cleaners and keep them all in one cabinet

We will start from basics. The first thing to do is to purchase good quality cleaning liquids. Keep a separate cabinet for them. This would allow you convenience when you want to clean your kitchen. This may be a small step but you’ll be surprised of how much time and effort it will save you.

2. Separate cutting boards

Use separate cutting boards for meat, chicken, seafood and all the other raw forms, and use a separate one for ready made foods which are precooked. Try to use wooden cutting board as compared to cutting board – although that depends entirely on the quality of the board.

3. Pay particular attention to canned food and boxes’ lids

Make sure that you wash the lids of the boxes that contain food. They have grooves and that allows the dirt to stick around.

4. Keep kitchen cleaning cloths sanitized

It’s not very often that people sanitize the kitchen cleaning cloths. They should be washed with extreme care. If you observe closely, sponges and kitchen towels are often the dirtiest things in any kitchen. One should also look to replace them with new cloths after sometime.

5. Try to air-dry dishes and spoons

This one’s a bit hard. People mostly use towels and cleaning clothes for dishes and spoons, but the ideal way is to blow dry them. But if you are not able to air-dry them, make sure that the cloth/towel you are using is exceptionally clean.

6. Clean blenders and grinders thoroughly

It would be ideal if you can open the blenders and grinders apart and wash them thoroughly. Leave them out to dry before putting them back again.

7. Use sealed containers for storing edibles

Use sealed containers for food even when you are putting it in refrigerator. This probably is the most basic step which everyone knows and yet it is very often ignored.
 
8. Use gloves

Use gloves when you are preparing food that needs handling. And make sure that you use separate gloves for cleaning and washing from when you are cooking and baking.
9. Stove gets greasy clean it with care

Cleaning the sticky greasy stove is probably the hardest thing to do in a kitchen. Nevertheless it is very important.

10. Run vacuum at least once a week

I am sure you run a vacuum in your living room but how often do you do it in kitchen? You sweep the kitchen and scrub the floor but running a vacuum through the kitchen once a week is highly recommended.

Nuur Hasan is a website developer and a part time blogger. Kitchen remodeling is one of his hobbies.



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Stock these foods, stop hair falling

If you are worried about the thinning hair on the top of your head that you have just encountered recently, or if you are experiencing hair fall while having a shower or just combing your hair, then yes I can understand the feeling you are going through. There are ways to counteract this or at least reduce the rate of hair fall provided you really want to do something instead of blaming your genes! Trust me on this when I say that I have also gone through this phase but I never quit, I started doing my own research on the foods that could help me with my problem. Fortunately our kind mother Nature is full of foods which are surprisingly beneficial for our health, all we need to do is to know about them and utilize them properly, and I did exactly the same. For those of you who are tired of those hugely advertised quick fix hair fall solution and products, go through this article and know about the natural ways that really work, at least they did for me and I am no different from you all.


Protein- What I did is to find out what is a hair made off, and then kept searching for foods which are full of those elements. My first priority was to concentrate on those foods that can provide me a lot of protein as it is the primary element of a hair, however at the same time I also had to avoid the foods which are high on fat, because foods like this increase the level of testosterone in our body which is bad for hair growth, so I chose to eat fish, chicken, soya foods and tofu as my primary source of protein.



Iron- It’s important that your scalp tissues receive a good supply of oxygen all the time in order to keep your hair in a healthy state. Our blood carries oxygen with the help of hemoglobin, and Iron is an essential element of this particle, so when the hemoglobin is at a healthy level in our body then everything happens smoothly and it helps in hair growth as well. Dried fruits are excellent source of iron, eggs, dates, leafy vegetables can be added to the list as well.


Zinc- If you want to solve your hair fall issue, then you must think about zinc, the element which plays a big role in cell reproduction and body function as well. It has been seen that those who suffer from hair fall are the victims of zinc deficiency, so it’s important that you keep zinc reached foods in your list such as red meats, shrimps, oysters, nuts etc. But excessive zinc can lead to hair loss too, so I chose to take zinc supplements along with my normal diet.


Avoid fast foods- Everyone likes fast food, but these greasy foods are the one that you should stay away from if you want to save your remaining hairs. Honestly it was hard for me to forget those delicious burgers and macaroni, pizzas so the only thing I could do was to cook it myself, and I did.

There is a saying that if you really want something then you just go for it rather than seeking excuses, the same applies here also. It’s a pity that you don’t realize the value of something until it’s gone…your hair is a precious gift, love it and nurture it when you still have time in your hand.

David is a businessman by profession and father of a two year old and 6 year old. Writing has always been his field of interest and the same also reflects in his articles about hair fall and treatment, life of a vegan, hair fall and Finasterid 1mg etc.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Leading a healthy and happy life

We often tend to become nostalgic when we talk about health and food habits. This is true whether we are talking about our personal lives or about the world in general. Everything that belonged to the past always seems to be better than what we have at present. The past was great, the present bad, and the future bleak – that is how most casual conversations of the so called modern generation go. At the same time, we all know what made the past good and what makes the present bad; then why cannot we simply adopt the good things from the past into the present. “Hey, time’s up. Got to go. Got a lot of work to do.” Exactly! This is how most such conversations end. Work, work, and more work have made our lives dull and unhealthy.

In this scenario, rather than simply being nostalgic, what we must do is take some active steps towards healthy living. Work, stress, and frustration are part and parcel of our modern day existence. We cannot shirk from work related activities. But we should know where to draw the line. We should not succumb to pressure after a point. Instead of waiting till everything explodes in our faces, we must think early and act positively. If it is overwork that is destroying our lives we must find room for entertainment activities to balance the stress. This is why companies provide ample opportunity for their employees to even simply fool around by way of fun activities. The work that we do might not be always interesting, or we might not have landed in the profession that we had dreamed of. There is no use blaming our profession or circumstances. The solution here is to bring in things that we enjoy doing into our work or create time for doing those things. In this light, good exercise and nutritious food are two things that must form part of our daily routine.

There are many people who bunk eating while they are at work. They sit at their computers or stay at their work site without even taking a coffee break. They are too dedicated to their work. This over-dedication easily leads to ulcers, body pains, and other physiological and psychological issues. Such workaholics must realize that the ultimate reason for them to work is to get enough money to buy something to eat. Therefore, whatever is the work that they have at hand, they should be able to allocate it in a time efficient manner and find enough space for food breaks. There is another problem with the breaks that people take while at work. This is the issue of junk food. In order to get back to work as fast as possible, people fill their tummies with the easily available fast food items. If such foods become a part of daily diet, that will again lead to further problems.


Therefore, finding a balance between our work and other daily activities and taking conscious care of our food habits are the means for a healthy and happy life.

Matthew Anton is a professional online marketer offering search engine optimization services through BackLinksVault

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Food for Muscle

Whether your goal is to get a six pack, get strong for a sport, or get a body like Jay Cutler’s, the key to achieving your goals remains pretty much the same: pack on some lean muscle.

Even if you’re looking to lose weight and get “ripped”, you still need to pay attention to your lean muscle mass – lose too much weight too quickly, and you’ll end up looking small, skinny, and soft, which is not the look you’re going for!

Building lean muscle is simple. All you have to do is lift heavy weights, and eat the right foods in the right quantities. A lot of people manage the lifting bit, but end up burning out because they don’t see results after a few weeks. The lack of results is usually down to bad judgement in the kitchen, rather than in the weight room. Here’s a few tips to help you get things right in the kitchen.

Eat For the Body You Want, Not the Body You Have

Before you can figure out what you need to eat, you need to decide your goals. If you want to lose weight, you’ll have to eat differently to the way you’d eat if you wanted to pack on some lean muscle mass.

Photo by: pdstahl
The first thing you need to do is figure out your current BMR (Base Metabolic Rate), and your maintenance calories (which is based on your BMR, and your usual daily activity level). Once you’ve worked that out, you can figure out how much you need to eat to achieve your goals. If you have a lot of weight to lose, start by eating around 500 calories fewer per day than your maintenance, this should lead to you losing about 1lb of weight per week, and most of that should be fat loss, rather than lean muscle loss.


If you have only a few pounds to lose, shoot for 250 calories fewer per day than your maintenance. This will lead to slower weight loss, but again, it should be mostly fat loss.

If you want to gain strength and “bulk up”, eat around 250-500 calories more than your maintenance each day, and try to eat a lot of protein.

Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fat
Photo by CleanseAndBlend
Proteins, carbohydrates and fat are the three “macro-nutrients” that make up your diet. The first thing you need to remember is that none of those macronutrients are the enemy. Fat doesn’t make you fat, and neither do carbs. The reason people think that carbs and fat are bad is because fat is so calorie dense, and carbohydrates are also calorie dense, and tend to not leave you feeling full for long. When you’re trying to lose weight, what matters is the number of calories you consume. Some foods are more satisfying, and therefore a better choice for someone on a calorie restricted diet, but no food is “evil”.


If you’re trying to gain strength and build muscle, then eating a lot of protein is a good idea. Chicken, turkey, tuna, and lean cuts of meat are all good choices. Snacking on nuts and cheese can also help with your protein intake. A good goal is 0.8g of protein per lb of lean body mass. If you’re struggling to reach that through food, try having a protein shake post-workout.

Don’t neglect vegetables, however. Green, leafy vegetables are a good source of nutrients, and very low in calories too. No matter what you’re training for, there’s a lot of value in a balanced diet.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Slimming.com who have great ideas to help you build lean muscle.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

What Are Some Blood Healthy Foods?

There are ways to avoid a trip to your doctor’s office, blood testing labs, or sti testing centers in California for example but, one way that will help keep you healthy and allow you to steer clear of such places is food. Food sources rich in folic acid, iron or Vitamin B-12 are known as blood builders. The term blood building foods refer to foods that promote the formation of new blood cells. The term is often utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and alternative medicine.

Nutritional Supplements:

Folic acid, iron and Vitamin B-12 may be obtained through nutritional supplements available at most pharmacies. Vitamin B-12 is required for proper red blood cell formation. Iron is required to carry oxygen to the blood cells. Folic acid is necessary for both red and white blood cells.

Beneficial Food Sources:

Black Strap Molasses - The sugar cane plant grows deep into the soil absorbing minerals never reached by other plants. Refined sugar, which is not good for the body is produced from the sugar cane
plant along with black strap molasses. One tablespoon of black strap molasses meets the recommended
daily requirement of iron.

Fruits and Vegetables – Dark grapes, grape juice, raisins, apricots, figs, cherries, peaches, prunes, dates, berries, bananas and even apples are all considered blood building foods. Blood building vegetables include asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, kale, kidney beans, leeks, parsley, watercress and wheatgrass. A person is not likely to overdose on too much iron from fruit and vegetable sources due to the body's ability to regulate it. Many fruits and vegetables are high in Vitamin C, which improves the absorption of iron into the body.

Herbs – Alfalfa, cardamon, ginger and licorice are all herbs that contain blood building nutrients. Folic acid and iron are both found in alfalfa sprouts. Cardamon is native to India and Southeast Asia. The aromatic spice is often utilized to flavor many foods. Ginger is an herb root that may be utilized fresh or dried to flavor foods, but must be added at the last minute of cooking to avoid evaporation of essential oils. Licorice has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine and is rich in Vitamin B-12.

Meats – Physicians may prescribe a diet rich in iron for some patients. Beef or calf liver is extremely rich in iron. However, duck, goose and lamb are all exceptional blood building food sources. Some seafood such as oysters are high in iron.

Foods to Avoid:

Some foods are believed to challenge the liver and contain very little nutritional value. To promote the production of healthy new blood cells it is best to avoid foods that may actually deprive the body of nutrients. These foods include alcohol, coffee and refined sugar.

Darcy Fonner works for a blood testing lab in California. When she is not blogging about helpful health issues she enjoys surfing and spending time on the beach.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Lose Weight Without Dieting


When trying to lose weight there is no need for drastic measures or fad diets. You can be successful at weight loss by eliminating simple carbohydrates such as cookies, white bread, cakes and soda, while increasing your consumption of delicious, healthy foods which are naturally low in fat and calories. Maintaining a healthy weight is possible by maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some foods which should become a staple in your diet for weight loss and to maintain a healthy lifestyle after you reach your weight loss goals.


Eating lots of lean protein can help you to lose weight. Good sources of lean protein include chicken breast, turkey, and seafood. These foods give you just the right amount of good fats and the protein can help you to burn fat by increasing your metabolism. However, preparing these foods the right way will make a difference. Meats should be grilled or baked without any added fats for optimum benefit.

Fresh fruit is good for weight loss because it is naturally sweet without any added sugar. Certain fruits such as melons and citrus fruits contain lots of water. This can help you to feel fuller without taking in a lot of calories. Fruits are also good for you because they contain many vitamins and nutrients needed for good health. Fruits are a great way to receive a sweet treat while still being able to lose weight.

Fresh vegetables without any added fats are also a good choice when trying to lose weight. You can eat these in abundance because they are very low in calories and fat. They are also nutritious and will help you to maintain good health. For optimum benefit, raw vegetables are a better choice than cooked vegetables.

Certain types of carbohydrates are also good for a nutritious weight loss diet. Complex carbohydrates include food such as whole grain breads, oatmeal, and healthy cereal. These high fiber foods can help you to feel full while also giving you lots of energy.


In addition to the right foods, many natural supplements are also great for losing weight. Caralluma is a natural supplement that is known for its ability to assist with weight loss. A substance in this plant has been proven to suppress appetite. This plant is an edible cactus that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is also available in the form of a supplement capsule. Another supplement known for its weight loss properties is Green tea. In addition to its numerous health benefits, this tea has been proven to help burn fat and increase metabolism. Supplements such as these can be a helpful addition to a weight loss plan that works.

This has been a guest post from Australia's leading Caralluma website. You can find out more about this diet-assisting plant at the site if you're interested.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Follow weight loss tips to remain healthy and fit


Obesity is one of the most common problems from which many people suffer. There are various kinds of problems with obesity and it is better to get rid of it as soon as possible. Losing weight is one of the things that any obese person should be concerned with. But he/she must make sure that the various weight loss methods that he/she adopts should be safe and should not affect the body adversely. There is a scientific approach to weight loss and that must be followed in the weight loss regimen so that only the excess fat is shed off in the process. Many people plan to join the gym for losing weight effectively. However, there is no need for such things.

Here are some very useful and highly effective weight loss tips that can help in combating the problem of obesity in a great manner:


Tip 1

It is very important to maintain an exercise routine daily. In fact maintain a routine for daily life. This will not hamper your exercise routine in any way. If you devote 30 minutes daily to exercising at a particular time of the day, continue that. Do not compromise with the 30 minutes until and unless there is real urgency for something.

Tip 2

Usually when people talk of weight loss tips, the first thing that they say is stop eating, which is completely wrong. It is recommended to take in food so that your hunger is satiated. However, it is recommended to eat healthy foods that are rich in different kinds of nutrients that are required to maintain a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Tip 3

One of the main components that lead to obesity particularly in teenagers and young people is the incessant intake of various kinds of junk food. If you are planning to lose weight effectively, reduce the amount of junk food that you take. You do not need to totally cut it off, but try to eat it in some limitations.

Tip 4

It might sound very strange, but drinking water in good quantities help in losing weight to quite a great amount. We usually tend to drink less amounts of water. That should be stopped immediately. Drink few sips of water from time to time to make the weight loss process smoother and easier.

Tip 5

Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables can help in losing weight quite effectively. In fact this is one of the most recommended weight loss tips for people suffering from obesity issues. It is suggested that you keep your kitchen well stocked with different kinds of fruits and vegetables and take them when you are hungry than munching on the fatty and oily snacks.

Tip 6

Did you know that unhealthy lifestyle, stress and tension also could lead to obesity in people? Various kinds of studies and researches have established the fact. One of the best weight loss tips is to combat tension and anxiety in life. Leading a healthy life style is also very important to lose weight effectively without adverse side effects.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Taking Care of Ageing Parent: Step by Step Guide

It’s the cycle of life that the human race has been going through over the years. People are born; they grow older, get married and have babies. They become responsible parents and care for their young ones. Soon their kids grow older and parents begin to age. However, not all children are lucky to have the opportunity to care for their ageing parents.

It is a wonderful opportunity because you get to share special moments with them. Older parents have a different importance in our lives. Therefore, look at the whole experience as a wonderful opportunity to show them love and affection. There are ways to make them feel cared for and loved, for example:

photo courtesy : csrf.org.uk
1. Make arrangements for them to move in with you. This means allocating a room to them, making sure it is comfortable and has all the necessities. It must have a cozy bed, soft and warm. If it can have an attached bath and convenience, that’s even better. Moreover, make sure it is free of insect infestations, dirt and is properly lighted.

2. Make the whole house safe. If your parents cannot walk on their own, they may need some form of support. You must make sure there is no obstruction anywhere in the house, so that they can move around without restrictions.

3. Avoid leaving unattended sharp edges. With age parents lose coordination and sense of direction. They also grow weak sighted and tend to bump into furniture and corners in the doorway. Avoid accidents by making sure the house is generally safe.

4. Temperature regulation is important. During winters, their bones need warmth because ageing parents grow frail and delicate. Arthritic pains in aged or ageing parents is very common, that’s why anyone taking care of ageing parents must read more about it.

photo courtesy : ombudsman.org.uk
5. Spend time with your parents. Just having them in the house is not enough. They need your attention. Listen to them and discuss things with them. Update them about your personal activities and let them know they matter. Putting up a smile on their faces is a gift, and an opportunity to make your old parents feel happy and proud of you. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

6. For aged parents who have disabilities and who need constant watch, make sure you or your family members (spouse or kids) play a major role. Help them wear their cloths; help with a bathe and help them with the lavatory too. Having an attendant is also an option, but don’t leave them entirely at the mercy of the attendant.

7. Lastly, make sure they have a healthy and proper diet. If they cannot digest solids, explore new recipes to entice them to eat soft tasty food.

Follow these steps and you will have a wonderful experience taking care of your ageing parents.

Andy has been working in the aged care industry for over 4 years distributing commode chairs and nursing homes supplies. Andy is also a regular blogger and forum contributor.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Food Help Us to Maintain Our Health


Everyone is familiar with food is and how it benefits us. Food is anything that we can consume for fulfilling our nutritional requirements. It helps us to grow and is our primary source of energy. But even though we get energy by consuming almost all kinds of food, not every consumable food is good for our body. Some foods are statistically more nutritious compared than others which are low in nutritive value. Some food are more beneficial for our body while some can make us ill. The spectrum of benefits and disadvantage of food is so wide that we are still unable to understand the advantages and disadvantages of all the available food items properly. Nevertheless we don’t give much thought while munching a handful of cashews, biting a piece of steak, or drinking a glass of milk.

A simple way to determine which food is better than the other is by determining its nutrients and calorific value. Food is made up of nutrients such as proteins, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, etc. Any food that is obtained from plants or animals contain a combination of the above mentioned nutrients but their proportions vary. Some food items are rich in vitamins while some are rich in fat; some has greater proportions of iron whereas some contains more calcium. The varying combination of these elements and compounds in each food item makes it difficult for us to realize which food item is more nutritious then the other.


Our body requires these elements in the right propitiation's for staying healthy and a majority of diseases and syndromes gets activated when there is either a deficit or excess of these components in our body. Deficiency or overdoes of minerals and nutrients can lead to mild or severe illness and syndromes. Diseases caused by deficiencies or overdose generally don’t occur abruptly and takes a longer time to develop without your notice. For instance if you consume food rich in fat and calories, there are pretty good chances of you suffering from obesity and cardiovascular diseases in the future. Hence determining the nutritive value of your food is important if you desire to stay healthy and look forward to gain most of the food you consume. Perhaps the best way by which you can save yourself from deficiency or overdose is by eating a wide range of food items in the right proportions. Food items that are rich in nutrients and minerals are often recommended by doctors for regular consumption so that we can replenish our body properly.

The Doctor’s Health Press publishes monthly newsletters and e-bulletins on a wide range of health topics and breakthroughs in health, focusing on natural and alternative medicines. It is the health publishing division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Healthy Tricks to Make Comfort Food Less Sinful this Winter


As the weather starts to cool outside, we desire meaty, cheesy, soupy and creamy comfort foods. While pastas, meat loaf and casseroles may warm your soul, they take quite a toll on your diet. Typical comfort foods are filled with fat, grease, sodium, and simple carbohydrates, not so comforting after all.

The good news is you don't have to give up the foods you love. Making some simple changes in the way you cook can help you make comfort foods a little less unhealthy while remaining completely delicious.

Always Go for Whole Grain

Whether it's making a sandwich, a hearty pasta or rice for stir fry, you should always opt to use whole grain products. Whole grains have more of the fiber your body needs, fill you up faster, and help you stay full longer.

A whole grain switch will give you more energy, improve your digestive system, and could even help you lose weight. Plus, the wheaty taste of complex grains is much more interesting than plain white bread, pasta or rice.




Rethink Hamburger Meat

That typical 80/20 ground chuck is very popular for meatloaf, meat balls, lasagna and casseroles (yum!). What you may not know is ground turkey tastes the same with fewer calories, less fat, and less cholesterol. Test your family and friends by making your next meal with ground turkey and see if anyone notices the difference. You’ll be presently surprised, and the kids from your son's military friendly college will be over to eat all the time!

If turkey just isn't your style, you could still improve your dishes by using 93/7 meat instead of 80/20. With so much less fat, calories and cholesterol and the exact same flavor, there’s really no reason not to make this switch.

Kick the Cream

I know it sounds like a crime, but using cream just adds calories and fat. In just about every dish, you can substitute plain low-fat yogurt or evaporated skim milk for cream. If you're skeptical, try it out! Make your next stroganoff with yogurt and do a taste test.

You can also use yogurt in dips, salads (like tuna salad), mashed potatoes and any other dish you would usually use cream for.

Bake, Bake, Bake

For your fried chicken or any other fried goodies, try baking instead. Just coat your meat in bread crumbs and pop it in the oven! You’ll get the same flavor without all the added grease. Instead of French fries, cut up some sweet potatoes, drizzle with olive oil, add some sea salt and bake. This makes a delicious
side dish that’s good for you, too.

There’s no reason to cut out your favorite foods when such small adjustments can make a huge difference. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself liking the healthier versions better than your old recipes! Healthy food tastes fresh, fills you up, and keeps you satisfied. It’s a win-win situation!

Carly is an aspiring writer who currently works for a military friendly college. In her spare time she loves writing about anything and everything. She loves that blogging allows her to share her writing with people all over the world.