Will Meal Replacements Help You Lose Weight?

Stir in a couple spoonfuls of powder into a glass, add milk, pop a lid on it, shake vigorously and drink … an easy process, but is it effective as weight loss tool?

Meal replacements – coming in milkshake, energy bar, soup, biscuit and other drink form – are becoming increasingly popular among the dieting American public. And for good reasons. These can be an incredibly convenient time-saver as an individual doesn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing a healthy meal – mixing up a milkshake will take no more than a couple of minutes. Compare this to the time required to painstakingly chop all those vegetables to toss in a salad. The structure of a meal replacement plan may also be appealing to dieters; you will concretely know that your pre-measured calorie count will average between 1,200 – 1,400 calories per day.

In addition to making your weight loss plan easier, the instructions for use are also quite straightforward. A person should replace two meals of the day (breakfast and lunch are most recommended) and then wrap up the day with eating dinner.

But do meal replacements deliver? Well, it depends. Some meal replacements contain sugar, milk and some type of bulking agent, so they fill your stomach with considerably less calories. Those maintaining a strict low-calorie diet using meal replacements will probably lose one or two pounds weekly, on average. The potential problem is that meal replacements must not replace a healthy diet full of fresh foods and fiber.Sure, you’ll lose weight, but you shouldn’t live on meal replacements for the rest of your life.

Copyright © 2006-2009 Curb Your Cravings LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Calcium and Weight Loss – Is It for Real?

We all know that drinking your milk and eating your greens will build strong healthy bones and teeth, but did you know that the calcium in these foods may also help you burn fat? It’s true! Recent studies reported that consuming higher levels of calcium can increase the metabolism and burn more fat. And it may even prevent fat storage! While further study is needed to prove this conclusively, there is good evidence to suggest that calcium is a dieters’ dream come true!
Does this mean that you need to increase your calcium intake above the RDA? No. Since most people only get between 600-700 gm per day and the daily RDA is
1000 mg, it just means you need to add more to the amount you are currently getting.

How to Increase Your Daily Calcium by Intake:

High calcium foods (more than 250 mg):

*1 cup plain non/low-fat yogurt
*1 cup plain non/low milk
*1 cup calcium fortified soy milk
*1 oz Swiss cheese
*½ cup tofu processed with calcium sulfate
*½ cup tofu processed with calcium sulfate

Moderate calcium foods (100 – 200 mg):

*3/4 cup calcium fortified orange juice
*1 oz cheddar or mozzarella cheese
*1 tbsp blackstrap molasses
*1/2 cup pudding
*1/2 cup frozen yogurt


Low calcium foods (less than 100 mg):

*1/2 cup cottage cheese
*3 dried figs
*1/2 cup broccoli
*1 oz milk chocolate bar
*1/2 cup pinto beans

*Be sure to read the food label as the above are only estimates. Ingredients and fortification may vary.

Source:The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Nutrition Tip Sheet

If you know you are not getting enough calcium from dietary sources, you can use supplements.

For better absorption of the calcium, follow these suggestions:

Make sure they have added vitamin D, zinc and magnesium
Take one 500 mg supplement twice a day

Although more studies are needed to prove conclusively that higher calcium intake can indeed help you burn more fat, there is no danger in increasing the calcium in your diet. And when it is combined with a wholesome low calorie diet and a good exercise program, there’s no doubt you will be healthier and thinner in no time!

Putting more “Drive” in your Man’s Sex Drive

He will feel inadequate and inept; she will feel undesired and confused. Both partners will feel immensely frustrated. A potentially wonderful moment can easily be ruined by a man’s low sex drive and his inability to perform. This can easily lead to further problems behind a bedroom door and potential relationship break-ups. While there are many reasons for a man’s sexual difficulties and low sex drive (e.g.: stress, low self-confidence or exhaustion), he doesn’t always have to seek out potentially expensive counseling, medications and/or “toys” to solve the problem … the answer may be as simple as changing diet.

By boosting the amount of antioxidants within the body (by consuming more vitamins), a man may more easily reach arousal. Vitamins A, C and E are specifically helpful. Here are some suggested sources:

Vitamin A

*Yellow and/or orange fruits including cantaloupe and apricots

*Yellow, orange and/or green vegetables including broccoli, spinach, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin

*Dairy products including milk, butter, cheese and whole eggs

*Meat including liver

Vitamin C

*Fruits and fruit juices

*Fruits and fruit juices

*Vegetables

Seafood

Vitamin E (the sex vitamin!)

*Nuts (e.g.: almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and peanut butter)

*Corn and/or soybean oil

*Wheat germ

*Raw spinach

In addition to eating properly, a man can help himself by avoiding excessive drinking, white-flour food products and sugar. Alcohol can fool a man into thinking he can perform; however, it has just the opposite effect. White-flour foods and sugar rob the male body of stored Vitamin B and zinc plus add to overall fatigue. Try a diet change … it’s so easy. You have nothing to lose and, potentially, everything to gain!

Getting the vitamins he needs is simple - just get him Vita-Super Multivitamins!

Copyright © 2006-2009 Curb Your Cravings LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Sweet Heart Healthy Flax Apple Pancakes

Ok, so you're budgeting both your time and your money - AND YOUR CALORIES! You can still eat foods that make you drool and think "oh man, I bet I gained 10 pounds from this!" But you won't gain anything with this recipe!

These sweet pancakes are fluffy and delicious and loaded with heart healthy Omega-3. At only 3 grams of fat and 75 calories per pancake, they’re perfect for your healthy lifestyle. Bet you're thinking "Ya, but what about the butter and the syrup?" You can buy fat-free syrups, you know, and fat-free butter spreads, too. In other words...what's your excuse for NOT enjoying these?


Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 75
Fat per serving: 3 g
Carbs per serving: 12 g

INGREDIENTS

6 egg whites
1 tbsp vegetable oil
¼ tsp nutmeg
2 apples
1 cup skim milk
2 tsp double acting baking powder
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
½ cup oat bran
½ cup whole wheat flour
2 tbsp flax seeds


DIRECTIONS:

Mix the dry ingredients together. In another bowl, combine all the wet ingredients except egg whites and apples. Beat egg whites until stiff. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir until barely mixed. Fold in beaten egg whites until no chunks can be seen. Heat a frying pan and spray lightly with cooking spray or olive oil. Scoop out big chunks of batter and spread onto pan. Cook over medium heat. When brown, turn over and brown other side. Serve with syrup, butter or applesauce.

Copyright © 2006-2009 Curb Your Cravings LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Top Five Cold and Flu Remedies

So you have a cold, or worse yet the flu, and you are miserable! What can you do to help you feel better until the virus has worked its way out of your system? Try one of these five natural remedies:

Echinacea
Echinacea can work wonders to help you fight that cold or flu. It has the ability to raise the levels of properdin, which is responsible for increasing defence mechanisms that help fight viruses and bacteria. It is also a blood cleanser and helps to move dead cells and other particles through the lymphatic system. To get the full benefits that echinacea can offer, make sure you take it as soon as you feel the cold or flu coming on. It is available as a tincture, capsule or tea.

Garlic
Garlic is well-known for it ability to boost the immune system. It contains allicin, which is one of nature’s most powerful antibiotics. If you combine garlic with echinacea, you will have a dynamic duo working on your behalf to fight off viruses and bacteria.

Ginger
Ginger not only has antiviral properties, it offers pain relief, antiseptic qualities and is an antioxidant! Not only will it help to reduce the pain and fever, it is a mild sedative to help you rest easier. You can drink ginger tea, make a tincture by soaking it in water, or add it to a fruit smoothie.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is probably the best know natural remedy for colds and flus. You can either take a supplement or eat a wide variety of citrus fruits because of their high Vitamin C content. A great recipe to try is a combination of oranges, pineapple, seedless grapes, lots of fresh ginger, banana, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe mixed in a blender with orange juice as needed.

Drink Plenty of Water and Eat the RightFoods
Because your body needs all its energy to fight the cold or flu virus, it is best to avoid big meals when you are sick. However, drinking lots of water is imperative to help your body eliminate the toxins and wastes.

You may also find the following foods healing for your body:

• Bananas – to soothe upset stomachs
• Blueberries - helps prevent diarrhea, may lower fevers and relieves aches and pains (high in natural aspirin)
• Chili Peppers - helps break up mucus in the lungs
• Cranberries - helps to prevent bladder and urinary tract infections
• Onion- phytochemicals can help to clear bronchitis and other infections
• Rice - helps with diarrhea.

While it is true that there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are remedies you can use to help relieve the symptoms. So next time you feel the sniffles coming on, reach for the echinacea, drink up your Vitamin C smoothie and relax knowing that you are providing your body with the right weapons to fight the battle.

Need to boost your immune system even higher? Trust bio-nutrient Immune Support. Your 100% natural one-a-day immune system boosting supplement!

Home Style Whole Wheat Apple Molasses Muffins

Delicious, nutritious and so easy to make, these healthy muffins are lower in calories and fat than any commercial muffin you can buy. For a quick breakfast or a healthy afternoon treat, nothing beats a low-calorie muffin.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories per serving: 264
Fat per serving: 8 g
Carbs per serving: 45 g

INGREDIENTS

1 egg
½ cup skim milk
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 large apple
2 cups whole wheat flour
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder

DIRECTIONS:

Peel, core, and finely chop the apple. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease eight 3-inch muffin pan cups. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add Apple and stir. In small bowl, beat together milk, molasses, oil, and egg. Stir into dry INGREDIENTS and mix just until blended. Fill muffin pan cups with batter. Bake 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool.

Copyright © 2006-2009 Curb Your Cravings LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Happy New Year!

It's a New Year and it's time for a New You! In the ideal world, we’d lose weight with a snap of our fingers. In the real world, it takes a lot more time and perseverance to successfully keep the weight off. Health experts have dubbed it the “false hope syndrome”—the trend where dieters tend to have unrealistic expectations of how long it will take them to reach their ideal weight.

This doesn’t seem like that big of a problem until you consider that else the experts say: having impractical ideas about weight loss can actually contribute to weight gain because setting too high expectations can often trigger failure. Experts have been saying for years that the best way to lose weight is to do it slowly by setting small, realistic goals for yourself. By setting mini-goals, you will be able to take pride in the little accomplishments, which will give you the confidence you need to lose the weight for good.

Still having trouble? Try these 5 ideas to help you set do-able goals:

1) Control your appetite to control your weight! After the holiday season food fest, taking control of your portions and eating smaller meals can be difficult. Your body gets used to constant snacking and those cravings can be such a nuisance! Powerful new Hoodia 24k™ is a 100% natural formula that stops cravings and hunger fast! In fact, you will eat up 1000 fewer calories each day! The results? You’ll lose weight and feel amazing. Only Hoodia 24k™ contains the most superior blend of Hoodia Gordonii available, making losing weight in the New Year quick and easy, and without side effects!

2) Celebrate the short-term accomplishments! Sure, you might have 25 pounds left to lose, but instead of focusing on the “big picture,” take some time to commemorate the first five pounds that you’ve lost! You’re on the right track!

3) Keep yourself on track. Keep a record of your goals and accomplishments in a journal, so you can reflect on your successes when you’re feeling discouraged.

4) Slowly, but surely…make a conscious decision to lose 1-2 pounds a week. This may seem too slow for some folks, but studies show that the faster you lose weight, the faster that you’ll just pack it back on. This means that you’ll have to be realistic about a time-frame. For instance, if you need to lose about 25 pounds, figure that you’ll need at least five months to reach your goal. One thing that can help you is the pink patch. Easily drop the weight without the hunger!

5) Change your habits to lose weight. Remember, by making the decision to lose weight, you are choosing to change old eating habits and forge new ones that will keep you healthy and happy. When you focus more on changing behavior, rather than losing a set amount of weight, you will find that these new eating habits will motivate your desire to attain your weight-loss goals!