Why Do You Crave Carbs During PMS? What Can You Do?

Posted on July 4, 2012 by admin
Craving Carbs?

Craving Carbs?

Why Do I Have Cravings During PMS?

For a few days every every 3 weeks- I feel like a stoner with the munchies.  Yeah I have short menstrual cycle which pretty much sucks.  As soon as I have a diet under control- it gets out of control again.  Can you relate?

If you’re like an estimated 85% of women who experience pms symptons you probably relate.

Some months the cravings are stronger than others.  At the end of this article I’ll give you MY 10 Best Ways to Control Your Cravings.  But what is always the case- is I’m hungrier.  And I crave way more carbs and fat than usual.

Like today- I reached for the bakery samples in target I always pass up.  And I somehow picked up a package of Lindor Chocolates.  I never buy chocolate- but find myself drawn to buying chocolate at this time of month!

Have you wondered about Why You Have These Cravings During PMS?

I know I have.

PMS-induced food cravings actually make sense when we consider the effect our fluctuating hormones have on our brain chemistry. Those food cravings are often a result of out of control hormones, which in turn affect our cravings, and even the type of food we crave.

Not to bore you with high school science- but-an understanding of the menstrual cycle puts everything in perspective.

The Menstrual Cycle

I’d just like to point out some basic period-related body changes. The menstrual cycle is typically 28 days, although each woman’s body is different so can be shorter or longer. It starts on the first day of your period, and ends the day before your next period starts. As estrogen levels increase, it causes the uterine lining, or endometrium, to build up. The ovary releases an egg and is followed by an increase in progesterone levels (This is where the craving hit!)  This works with the estrogen to keep the endometrium thick enough to support the egg, should it be fertilized. If the egg is not fertilized, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, causing the endometrium to break down and be flushed from the body. This is your period.

PMS Cravings

It is estimated approximately 85% of all menstruating women experience at least one symptom of PMS, while 70% experience PMS related bloating, food cravings, irritability and mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms usually include a range of behavioral, emotional and physical conditions including bloating or water retention, breast tenderness, weight gain, irritability and mood swings . Many women experience a few of these symptoms; some find them more severe than others.

Types of PMS Food Cravings

Many women experience strong food cravings at some point during their cycles. These cravings, along with other PMS symptoms like bloating can make it very difficult for a woman to maintain healthy eating. But it turns out the foods we crave are often a direct result of our hormone fluctuations. Some women typically crave sweet foods with some fat, like ice cream or chocolate. Others find they crave salty things.

PMS Cravings and Hormones

We have our hormones to blame for those crazy PMS symptoms. As estrogen levels fluctuate, so do levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The body wants to keep these levels even, so it turns on the fight or flight response, causing us, the innocent bystanders of this whole thing, to crave carbohydrates and fat. Bring on the ice cream and potato chips. But there’s another culprit here; serotonin. Serotonin is that brain chemical that increases feelings of contentment. Foods can trigger serotonin, as can exercise and other lifestyle factors. If cortisol, the stress hormone is high, and serotonin is low, we’ll crave simple carbohydrates and fats, usually sugary treats like candy and chocolate. This is because these simple carbs will up our serotonin fast. If cortisol is elevated, but serotonin is normal, we’ll crave carbs and fat, but not necessarily that sugary treat. You may find you crave croissants or bagels loaded with peanut butter or cream cheese. Now that those cravings make sense, we can adjust our eating habits to curb the craving without completely destroying out healthy diet plans. Focus on eating whole grain complex carbs with a low fat product. So if you crave that bagel and cream cheese, choose wisely.

Remember too, that exercise boosts serotonin; even if you don’t feel like it, try taking a brisk 15 minute walk, and see if that helps.

For Solution to Cravings – Go To  My 10 Best Ways To Control Your Cravings 

For More Like This- Go to   Faraday Top 11 Diet and Fat-loss Tips                  What’s Better Intermittent Fasting or Frequent Feeding                                            4 Worst Protein Bar Ingredients

If you’d like to find out how my husband Dave has lost 18 lbs in 4 week while eating real food and no shakes.  Just Click Here!

If you like making the money the hard way- don’t check this out.  But if you want to make the easiest money you’ve ever made with a $6 sale that makes you $150 then click below  Make a $6 sale turn into $150-Today

To Make Money Blogging Watch This FREE VIDEO

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/is-pms-sabotaging-your-diethttp://women.webmd.com/tc/normal-menstrual-cycle-normal-menstrual-cycle

 

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Guide to Making Plant Strong Sushi

Posted on July 2, 2012 by admin
Plant Strong Sushi

Plant Strong Sushi

Is Plant Strong the Way to Go?

I’ve long taken advantage of the very well documented benefits received from the long list of anti-oxitants, vitamins, minerals and photo-nutrients found exclusively in plant based fruits and vegetables.

I’ll elaborate on my thoughts in another blog but there is real evidence of a reversal of heart disease/coronary artery disease that has been documented with an exclusively plant based diet.

In my exploration of the plant strong diet- I found sound very delicious looking recipes in the engine 2 diet blog– which was created by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s son.  You should definitely check them out!

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn has a long body of reseach and clinical experience to support a reversal of heart disease with a plant based diet.

Do you like sushi?

I personally love sushi.  Of course, I’ve never tried to make it.  I came across a plant strong recipe on  the engine 2 diet site and looked so good I thought I’d pass it.

Regardless of your views on diet and nutrition- and my evolving thoughts I’ll share later I think you’ll enjoy making your own healthy plant strong sushi.  I can’t wait to try it.  And for you to try it and tell me what you think.

Guide to making plant-strong sushi.

December 1, 2011

sushirolls.jpg

One of our favorite meals is plant-strong sushi. It is healthy, really easy to make (once you get the hang of it) and is a great meal for friends and family who might be wary of eating anything plant-strong. This is also a great meal for kids to learn to make, just have the veggies, brown rice and nori ready to go and let them make their own sushi!

sushiplate.jpg

What you need:

Bamboo Mats (you can get these at any grocery store)

Plastic wrap

Brown Rice (short grain)

Nori sheets (or seaweed sheets)

Rice Vinegar

Veggies! – We like using mushrooms, peppers, avocado, sweet potato, cucumber, asparagus, carrot. It’s best to cut them legnth wise and thin. We also put raw kale (chopped up) in our sushi. You can use any combination of vegetable that you like.

Wasabi

Low sodium soy sauce.

Step 1 Cook your rice! Use short grain brown rice, wash it well, and add a little bit more water than the instructions call for and cook till it’s really done (all the water out) to make it more sticky.

Step 2: Cool the rice. Transfer rice to a non reactive bowl (glass or wood)

Step 3: Add rice vinegar. We pour the vinegar slowly over a large base wooden spoon, be sure to try and spread it out evenly. You do not need a lot of rice vinegar, just enough to cover the top of the rice lightly.

Step 4: Mix well with wooden spoon.

Step 5: Cover bamboo mat with plastic wrap.

Step 6: Cut and place nori sheet on mat, putting the shiny side up (some people toast their nori first). The nori should be about 7 inches by 3- 4 inches. This usually means you are cutting about 2 inches off the top. Save this for hand rolls.

Step 7: Spread rice over nori – we use our hands for this, because it’s easier. When you use your hands, put a little rice vinegar on your hands.

Step 8: Place your ingredients, in 1 single strip across the middle of the nori sheet with rice. Don’t use too much. It is best to use three ingredients.

*You can also make these rice side up, simply flip the nori sheet with rice over.

Step 9: Roll your sushi! Fold the bamboo mat over the ingredients and tightly roll the sushi.

Step 10: Remove roll from bamboo matt and cut with a SHARP knife! Serve with low sodium soy sauce, wasabi and ginger!

Step 11: EAT!

Try it- and Let me know what you think!  If you like this- Please SHARE, LIKE and PASS ON!

To check out my other blogs please visit www.joindaveandfara.com and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

For more articles like this Check out Do You Love to Eat More Than You Want To Lose Weight.  7 Mind-set Tip  and  Dieting for Maximum Fat-loss vs Maximum Performance  and  Faraday’s Top 11 Fat Loss and Diet Tips

If you’d like to find out how my husband Dave has lost 18 lbs in 4 week while eating real food and no shakes.  Just Click Here!

If you like making the money the hard way- don’t check this out.  But if you want to make the easiest money you’ve ever made with a $6 sale that makes you $150 then click below  Make a $6 sale turn into $150-Today

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Love to Eat More Than You Want To Lose Weight? 7 Mind-set Tips

Posted on June 30, 2012 by admin
Love to Eat?

Love to Eat?

You know I was thinking today- it’s really simple why it’s so hard for most of us to lose weight.  Basically, we love to eat!

More than eating to live, we associate pleasure and enjoyment with eating.  From a young age, we are conditioned to associate food with pleasure.  We eat cake and ice-cream at birthday parties.  We trick or treat for bags of candy.  We get goodies from Santa and the Easter bunny.  We enjoy pizza with friends at sleep-overs.  We meet friends and dates at restaurants.  We celebrate every American holiday with a bounty of home made goodies.

So it’s no wonder, it’s so hard to lose weight.  Truth is, most of the time- the desire to eat is greater in us than the desire to lose weight.

Which is fine and dandy if we don’t have any weight to lose.  But it creates a struggle of the pain (of being overweight) vs the pleasure (of eating).

And the only way to overcome the odds against us is when the desire to lose becomes much stronger than the desire to eat.  When your  reason “why” becomes stronger than anything else.

We all know how to lose weight.  I could cater a diet to any individual that would guarantee weight loss to anyone who followed it.

I could lose any amount of weight on just about any of dozens of different types of diets at any time I want.

Truth, is most of the time- I don’t want to.  I’d rather eat.

Every time I’ve got into the best shape of my life I’ve had a “burning why” that faded out the voices in my pleasure center.

Timing is different for everyone.  And sometimes we are not ready for change.  Because change is necessary.  And change is not comfortable.  And staying the same is comfortable.

The number one determining factor in your weight loss success is Mind-set.  Without the mind-set to succeed you will certainly fail.

How to you obtain the “mind-set to lose weight”?

There’s no one magic answer.  Only you can define your “why” but here are a few simple tips that might help you get there.

1.) Define your Weight-Loss Goal.  Put pen to paper.  Be precise.  If your goal is to to lose 10lbs of fat and gain 1 lb of muscle- put a timeline on it.  Example. I want to lose 10lb in 6 weeks and go fro 140lbs to 130lb before my cruise in August.  Now you have a visual, and a time-frame which helps you devise your plan.

2.) Take A Get Started Photo– Documentation beats conversation every time.  A photo will give you a starting point and help you accurately track your progress.  Being able to see positive visible changes over time will further motivate you, keep you focused and keep you more accountable.  Take it a step further and take measurements to compare against your results each week.

3.) Make a List of your Why’s- Write them down and visualize them.  Visualize how you’ll feel being at your lighter weight looking hot and sexy on your cruise in 6 weeks.  Think about how you’ll look in that sexy black dress on the dance floor.  Visualize how much energy you’ll have running on the beach or playing with your kids.

4.) Put Together a Plan of Action– And follow it!  You’ve got all the elements to succeed now.  10lbs in 6 weeks means you have to lose close to 2 lbs a week.  That means you will have to cut your calories by 500 a day and increase your exercise.  If you normally eat 2000 calories, shoot for 1500.  Write everything down.  Make a meal plan to fit that goal in advance.  6 meals of 250 calories.  5 meals of 300 calories.  3 meals of 500 calories.  You decide.  You devise a plan you can live with.

5.) Post your goal, your why’s and your plan where you can see it everyday.  Put it flat dab on the center of your refrigerator or on your bedroom mirror.  Put it somewhere you can see it everyday- and review it every morning.

6.) Positive Reinforcement  Visualize yourself being successful, following through with your goals.  Visualize that you are unstoppable, a force of nature, nondefeatable.Visualize that you are already successful in reaching your goal and it will become a foregone conclusion.

7.) Get a Diet Buddy  It’s a lot easy to be more accountable and be much less miserable if you have a gung-ho buddy to go along with you for the ride!

Hope that helps!  These are the tips that have helped me over and over again.  Hope they help you too!

If you enjoyed this blog- Please like, share and pass on to others!

If you’d like personal weight loss coaching from me and a great support team to help you opt into our site below.  You’ll also find out how my husband Dave has lost 16 lbs in 3 week.  Just Click Here!

If you like making the money the hard way- don’t check this out.  But if you want to make the easiest money you’ve ever made with a $6 sale that makes you $50 then click below

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FDA Approves First New Anti-obesity Drug in 13 Years!

Posted on June 27, 2012 by admin

If you havn’t heard- The FDA approved the first anti-obesity drug by Arena pharmaceuticals.  The stock exploded.  Does Arena’s Belviq hold the answer to lasting weight-loss?

Without knowing exactly how the “anti-obesity drug” works, who am I to say?

I am positive that there are 3 Factors that are 100% essential to lasting weight loss- regardless of the product or diet program someone follows.

1.) Mind-set   No matter what diet aid or diet plan one follows- they have to have 100% mind-set that they really want to lose weight and improve their health.  Without a strong mind-set to lose weight, change eating habits and get healthy- you will fail.

2.) Changes in Eating Habits   60% of American did not become over-weight by not exceeding their calorie requirements and they will not lose the weight continuing on the same path.  Lasting weight-loss requires lasting changes.

3.) Exercise  While it is possible to lose weight without exercise, without adding   exercise which includes some resistance training to maintain muscle while you lose weight- you will fight an uphill battle.  Muscle will be lost along with fat leading to a less than optimal body fat ratio which will lead to easier weight re-gain.

So, my thought?  Weight loss aids can certainly help- some people more than others.  I would carefully consider whether Belviq is worth the drug risks.  For a reported 5% change in body-weight over a 1 year period I’d focus on “you” first.

The results with Vivus Inc’s Qnexa that is not yet approved seems a little more promising for obese patients with a 11% average weight-loss.  But then again- we’ll understand that drug risk more when the FDA  makes it’s decision to approve or not in July.

Bottom line,  There is no magic bullet  You alone determine your success!

Here’s the info on Belviq posted earlier today

What’s your opinion?  Please share with me in the comments below.

FDA clears first new weight-loss pill in 13 years Wednesday – 6/27/2012, 4:35pm  ET

Does The Anti-Obesity Drug Hold the Answer?

Does The Anti-Obesity Drug Hold the Answer?

This photo provided by Food and Drug Administration shows Arena Pharmaceutical’s anti-obesity pill Belviq. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Belviq, the first new prescription drug for long-term weight loss to enter the U.S. market in over a decade. The agency cleared the pill Wednesday for adults who are obese or are overweight with at least one medical complication, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. (AP Photo/Food and Drug Administration)

By MATTHEW PERRONE
AP Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration has approved Arena Pharmaceutical’s anti-obesity pill Belviq, the first new prescription drug for long-term weight loss to enter the U.S. market in over a decade.

Despite only achieving modest weight loss in clinical studies, the drug appeared safe enough to win the FDA’s endorsement, amid calls from doctors for new weight-loss treatments.

The agency cleared the pill Wednesday for adults who are obese or are overweight with at least one medical complication, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

The FDA denied approval for Arena’s drug in 2010 after scientists raised concerns about tumors that developed in animals studied with the drug. The company resubmitted the drug with additional data earlier this year, and the FDA said there was little risk of tumors in humans.

“The approval of this drug, used responsibly in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, provides a treatment option for Americans who are obese or are overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbid condition,” said FDA’s drug center director, Dr. Janet Woodcock, in a statement.

Arena and its partner Eisai Inc. of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., expect to launch the drug in early 2013.

With U.S. obesity rates nearing 35 percent of the adult population, many doctors have called on the FDA to approve new weight loss treatments.

But a long line of prescription weight loss offerings have been associated with safety problems, most notably the fen-phen combination, which was linked to heart valve damage in 1997. The cocktail of phentermine and fenfluramine was a popular weight loss combination prescribed by doctors, though it was never approved by FDA.

In a rare move, the FDA explicitly stated in a press release that Belviq “does not appear to activate” a chemical pathway that was linked to the heart problems seen with fen-phen.

The FDA said the drug acts on a different chemical pathway in the brain, which is believed to reduce appetite by boosting feelings of satiety and fullness.

Obesity Society President Patrick O’Neil said he’s encouraged by the drug’s approval because it underscores the idea that lifestyle changes alone are not enough to treat obesity.

“This is good news because it tells us that the FDA is indeed treating obesity seriously. On the other hand, it’s not the answer to the problem _ or even a big part of the answer,” said O’Neil, who teaches at Medical University of South Carolina and was the lead researcher on several studies of Belviq.

Even if the effects of Belviq are subtle, experts say it could be an important first step in a new line of treatments that attack the underlying causes of obesity.

“The way these things tend to work is you have some people who do extremely well and other people don’t lose any weight at all. But if we had 10 medicines that were all different and worked like this, we would have a real field,” said Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the weight loss program at Weill-Cornell Medical College.

Belviq is one of three experimental weight-loss drugs whose developers have been trying for a second time to win approval, after the FDA shot them all down in 2010 or early 2011 because of serious potential side effects.

Vivus Inc.’s Qnexa is thought to be the most promising of the drugs, achieving the most weight loss. But the FDA has delayed a decision on that pill until July.

Shares of San Diego-based Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. jumped $2.54, or 28.7 percent, to close at $11.39. Shares of Mountain View, Calif.-based Vivus rose $1.94, or 7.4 percent, to $28.33.

Arena’s studies showed that patients taking Belviq, known generically as lorcaserin, had modest weight loss. On average patients lost just 3 to 3.7 percent of their starting body weight over a year. About 47 percent of patients without diabetes lost at least 5 percent of their weight or more, which was enough to meet FDA standards for effectiveness. By comparison, average weight loss with Qnexa is 11 percent, with more than 83 percent of patients losing 5 percent of their weight or more.

The FDA said patients should stop taking Belviq after three months if they fail to lose 5 percent of their body weight. Patients are unlikely to see any significant weight loss by staying with the drug.

Side effects with the drug include depression, migraine and memory lapses.

In May a panel of expert advisers to the FDA voted 18-4 to recommend approval of Arena’s drug, concluding that its benefits “outweigh the potential risks when used long term” in overweight and obese people.

Experts say the challenge of weight loss drug development lies in safely turning off one of the body’s fundamental directives: to eat enough food to maintain its current weight.

While several drugs are available for short-term weight loss, until Wednesday there was only one FDA-approved prescription drug for long-term weight loss: Xenical from Roche, which is seldom prescribed because of unpleasant digestive side effects and modest weight loss. Belviq is the first new prescription drug approved to treat obesity since Xenical’s approval 13 years ago.

Other safety failures for diet pills have continued to pile up in recent years.

Four years ago Sanofi-Aventis SA discontinued studies of its highly anticipated pill Acomplia due to psychiatric side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts. In 2010, Abbott Laboratories withdrew its drug Meridia after a study showed it increased heart attack and stroke.

So there you go!  Decide Wisely.  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

My husband Dave has been having great success with an all natural plant-based organic weight loss product which eliminates the cravings for sugar.  He’s struggled with his weight for a long time so he’s very excited about it.  Thousands of people are pretty astounding results with it.

To Find Out More about Dave’s Natural Plant-based Organic Ingredient Weight Loss Remedy that has helped him lose 10lbs in 2 weeks and totally cut his craving for sugar  Just Go Here

To visit my other blogs- visit www.joindaveandfara.com  and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

To Find Out an Easy Way to Make $300 Today with a $6 sale that pays you $150 Check out This FREE VIDEO

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Dieting for Maximum Fat-loss Vs Maximum Performance

Posted on June 3, 2012 by admin
Dieting For Maximum Fat-loss or Maximum Performance?

Dieting For Maximum Fat-loss or Maximum Performance?

Dieting for maximum fat-loss is quite different than dieting for maximum performance.

While opinions are very different as to what the healthiest diet is- research over time- does point to which diets maximize fat-loss and which diets maximize performance.

Every time I see people reaching in their pockets to pay for this diet e-book or that diet e-book I want to shout out to them- Don’t spend your money!  I’ll help you for FREE!  It’s really quite simple and I’m happy to do it.

On a basic level- whether dieting for fat-loss or dieting for performance– it all boils down to calories.  When dieting for fat-loss- it’s about creating a calorie deficit– Simply put- that you are eating less than you are burning.

There are only 2 ways to create a deficit– 1.) through eating less and  2.)  through exercising more– and the best way to go is a combination of both!

You need a 3500 calorie deficit to lose 1 lb in a week.  That’s 500 less calories you need to be putting in your mouth each day or 500 more calories you need to be burning through exercise each day.  And preferably a combination of both.

Obviously,  if your objective is a maximum performance diet– you don’t want to be operating in a calorie deficit.  You want to maximize your energy with enough calories, vitamins, mineral, and photo-nutrients which comes from a variety of foods and a healthy balanced diet.

Dieting for Maximum Fat-loss requires a little more specialized knowledge than just reducing calories to lose weight.

Reducing calories will result in weight-loss regardless of the diet you follow.  Eating 1200 calories, whether on Weight Watchers, Nutri-system, Jenny Craig, Atkins, The South Beach Diet, or even the Twinkie Diet have all been shown to result in weight loss.  Yes I said it- you will even lose weight with 1200 calories on the Twinkie diet. (not that I recommend it).

Dieting for maximum fat-loss, however, means maintaining muscle  while losing as much fat as possible.  A 1200 calorie a day diet is a a very low calorie diet which will likely result in some muscle loss along with fat-loss.

In order to maximize fat-loss while maintaining muscle– calories need to be reduced minimally and gradually over time- with an increasing reduction in carbohydrates while keeping protein high and fat moderate- and preferably to split it up in small meals through out the day.

I recently went into great detail with my Faraday’s Top 11 Fat-loss and Diet Tips.  Please refer to my blog for all the details to maximize fat loss.

Dieting for Maximum Performance is achieved with a well-balanced diet that provides all the energy and nutrition necessary for optimal growth and development.  In short, a maximum performance diet is achieved with an appropriate balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein.

Balance

Carbohydrates provide 40 to 50 percent of your energy requirements during the early stages of physical activity.  For vigorous activities lasting longer than 90 minutes your body begins to draw from your fat reserves. Consequently, a maximum performance diet will require a greater percentage of carbohydrates than a maximum fat-loss diet.

Some studies suggests that athletes need to consume about 70 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, which is slightly higher than the recommendations for the average person.

Protein requirements for athletes are thought to be higher than for the average person.  Recommendations for athletes have been suggested to be at  1.2 to 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Strength-training athletes need slightly more at 1.6 to 1.7 grams per kilogram.  Fat intake has been recommended at 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories.

Calories

Athletes and physically active people require more calories than the average person. Dietary guidelines have estimated that physically active adult women may need as many as 2,400 calories per day, while active adult men may need as much as 3,200 calories a day.  Depending on your sport or activity, you may require more or less.

Meal Frequency

When the goal is to maintain a high energy level throughout the day, it is beneficial to eat more frequently, according to Penn State University.  Eating four to six meals per day is thought to have several benefits for athletes. First, it helps to balance your blood sugar to reduce energy spikes. Second, it keeps a steady stream of vitamins and nutrients flowing to your muscles. Lastly, it can help you feel full throughout the day since you are eating more often.

Hope this was helpful.  I definitely enjoy eating for maximum health and for maximum performance over eating for maximum fat-loss.  Who wouldn’t?  However, if your goal is normal fat-loss you can still reach your goals with a happy medium between the two.

For more article like this one you can go to 10 Ways To Control Your Cravings

or To Gain Muscle Do Less Not More

If you enjoyed this article please like and share with others!

To check out my other blogs you can visit www.joindaveandfara.com  and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

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How to Fight Cancer- How Someone Fought Back and Won!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin
Fight Cancer with Veggie Power!

Fight Cancer with Veggie Power!

I came across an interesting article by Dr. Mercola who is a researcher, health expert and also very opinionated and outspoken on some of our greatest health challenges- including cancer and heart disease.  In this article, Dr. Mercola talks about how one of his researchers fought back against cancer after a period of false diagnosis and questionable procedures.  The controversy in his article questions whether the diagnostic tools including mammogram and the most commonly used procedures are actually contributing to the problem.

I share the link to his interesting article here and at the bottom of my post.

Some of the information his researcher, the cancer victor, shared was not unexpected.   She transitioned to an anti-oxitant rich diet loaded with fruits and vegetables and cut out commercial meats because of the carcinogenic processes used which go along with it.

There has been pretty much concensus in the scientific and medical community for decades of the anti-cancer benefits received from a “plant-based” diet.

“People who eat a plant-based diet are the healthiest people on the planet,” says Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RA, LD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman. “Eat at least five cups of fruits and vegetables every day.  Use olive oil instead of butter. Eat plenty of seafood. These are nutrition recommendations that won’t change.”

“Functional foods” is a word we are hearing more and more about.  And “food as medicine” is being talked about.

What is so powerful about plant based foods?

It all starts with the  Antioxidants: Vitamins, Flavonoids, and Minerals!

Here’s a quote from a Web-MD

“Plant foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are your best bet to obtain disease-fighting antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, the mineral selenium, and flavonoids.

The protective benefits of antioxidants seem to stem from their ability to protect your cells from dangerous free radicals, which you are exposed to as the result of natural processes and pollutants in the environment.”

I often see studies where scientists isolate a particular enzyme, chemical or anti-oxitant (and still do) and demonstrate it’s anti-cancer benefit. But more and more- the emphasis  lies in “food synergy” or the way nutrients in the different foods you eat interact with one another.

Doctors like  Dr. T. Colin Campbell PHD and and Dr. Caldwell Esselstein support the notion of “whole plant based foods” working synergistically to promote health.

“An important result of research in recent years is less emphasis on any single nutrient in preventing cancer, with more support for the way that a balanced, plant-based diet provides a bounty of nutrients and compounds that work synergistically to protect us against cancer,” says Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, and nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Beyond fighting cancer- The benefits you get from eating a diet rich in plant-based foods loaded with antioxidants go far beyond fighting cancer.

Tallmadge and many other say that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants may have many health advantages, including:

  • less cancer
  • lower inflammation levels
  • lower heart disease risk
  • less Alzheimer’s and dementia 

So that ‘s what I already know- that you should try to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, broccoli, garlic and onion, tomatoes,  cauliflower, blueberries, carrots, and bell peppers.

Beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine also contain antioxidants that may offer protection against many diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

Beyond diet, Dr. Mercola has interesting information and insights on the prevention of cancer.

Some of the issues Dr. Mercola addresses are:

Can mammograghy actually be increasing the incidence of cancer?

Are unnecessary biopsies and procedures accelerating the breast cancer?

Is chemo-theapy and radiation doing more harm than good in some cases?

Does aspartame cause breast cancer?

These were some of the interesting subjects covered by Dr Mercola and his associate’s story who beat cancer.  To access his interesting article and his associates interesting and empowering battle against cancer- you can find it here.  It’s titled “My Researcher’s Own Story.  Did Overzealous screening cause her cancer?”

I hope you enjoy!  To check out my other blogs please visit www.joindaveandfara.com and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

To find out how You can make up to $1000 a day working a few hours from home in nothing but your underwear if you choose- Click Here!!

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The Health Benefits of Broccoli

Posted on May 6, 2012 by admin
Health Benefits of Broccoli

Health Benefits of Broccoli

I love broccoli.  Actually, I love the whole cabbage related family family.  Cauliflower is my probably my favorite.  But I love the broccoli benefits even more.  Widely heralded as the “anti-cancer” super-food and nutritional powerhouse- I make sure to include broccoli in my diet every week.

Here are some of the Health Benefits of Broccoli I’ve put together and why eating your broccoli every week should be a “no-brainer”!

Health Benefits of Broccoli

1.) Cancer-Fighter Properties

Broccoli is an excellent source for many biochemicals that are known to fight cancer. One of the most well known and extensively studied is the isothiocyanates. These powerful chemicals are thought to stimulate enzymes which act to neutralize the effects of cancer causing agents that enter the body. The result is less damage to DNA which can give rise to tumors. In studies, these chemicals  have even been shown to slow down the progression of existing cancer cells!

Another broccoli cancer fighting chemical  is indole-3-carbinol. This powerful biochemical has been shown in studies to alter levels of estrogen  in such a way as to potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer. The power of indole-3-carbinol to prevent and slow down growth of breast cancer cells has been repeatedly demonstrated. The same goes for reducing prostrate cancer.

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which helps produces the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body of a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Scientists believe there are other important cancer preventative agents in broccoli that have yet to be identified.

It’s not clear how much broccoli you need to get all the anti-cancer benefits.  One way to get the protective effects of broccoli without eating it at every meal is to supplement with broccoli sprouts. Broccoli sprouts have been shown to have anywhere from ten to one hundred times the level of isothiocyanates as the vegetable itself.

2.) Vitamin C
One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for fighting against free radicals. Besides Vitamin C, broccoli is a rich source of beta carotene, folate, and fiber.

3.) Nervous System
Broccoli contains a high amount of potassium, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as promotes regular muscle growth.

4.)Blood Pressure
Along with a high amount of potassium, Broccoli also contains magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.

5.) Heart Disease
The carotenoid lutein is thought to potentially slow down or prevent the thickening of arteries in the human body, thus fighting against heart disease and stoke. The B6 and folate in broccoli also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.

6.)Bone Health
Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.

7.) Immune System
As little as a cup of broccoli bolsters the immune system with a large dose of beta-carotene. Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium, further act to strengthen immune defense actions.

8.) Vision
Studies have demonstrated that lutein most often assiciated with tomatoes- but generously  found in broccoli too ( helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as possesses anti-cancer effects. Additionally, broccoli is a good source of vitamin A that is needed to form retinal, the light-absorbing molecule that is essential for both low-light and color vision.

9.) Sun Damage
Broccoli contains glucoraphanin which is helpful in repairing skin damage and which helps the skin to detoxify and repair itself.

10.) Weight-Loss  Broccoli is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli 3 grams of protein per serving and only 50 calories per service.

11.)  Birth Defect Fighter   Pregnant?  A cup of broccoli supplies 94 mcg of folic acid, a B-vitamin essential for proper cellular division because it is necessary in DNA synthesis. Without folic acid, the fetus’ nervous system cells do not divide properly.

Deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy has been linked to several birth defects, such as spina bifida. Despite folic acid’s occurence  folic acid deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the world.

I was really to surprised to find out how much protein has.  If you eat the volume of broccoli I do you are getting as much protein 4-5 egg whites or a small piece of lean meat.

Preparation Points:

Steaming broccoli for 3–4 minutes is recommended to maximize potential anti-cancer compounds, such as sulforaphane.  Boiling reduces the levels of suspected anti-carcinogenic compounds in broccoli, with losses of 20 – 30% after five minutes, 40 – 50% after ten minutes, and 77% after thirty minutes.  However, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying had no significant effect on the compounds.

So hope that helps convince you- why you should eat your broccoli!

Here’s to your health and wealth!

To check out my other blogs- please visit www.joindaveandfara.com and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

 



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What is pneumonia? How do you get pneumonia?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

To say I was shocked to find out today that I had pneumonia is an understatement. I never  thought it was a possibility. I never get sick- not even a cold- and isn’t pneumonia like a serious infection in the lungs? That people can die from?

To be honest, I really didn’t know much about pneumonia.  So I pulled up Google.  I was curious. “What is Pneumonia?” and  “How do you Get Pneumonia?” and How long does it takes to kick pneumonia in the butt?”.

I really have my dad to thank for getting me to go to the hospital. Because I would have done what most people do- just lay in bed and wait it out. But now that I know that I have pneumonia- I thought I’d share the information I found.  Turns out pneumonia is much more common than I thought.

My infection is in my right lung. My dad tells me that is the most most common lung for it to occur in. Probably why I never experienced any breathing difficulty. My left lung did the work. Or that’s my thought..

Some of the things I was surprised to find out is that there are many types of pneumonia and many types of different causes of pneumonia.  You can get it from a bacteria, a virus or a fungi.  Most pneumonia is caused from a bacteria and that’s what they are treating me for with antibiotics.  But viral pneumonia often results after first acquiring the flu virus.  Getting viral pneumonia then puts you at greater risk for bacterial pneumonia.  So maybe a good idea to lay off the exercise when you get the flu.  🙂

Did you know that prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia died from the infection?  Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.  Scary!!

I was wondering if there could be some connection to the swimming pool and swimming in cold water. Couldn’t really find anything.  I found something called legionella pneumonia caused from exposure to hot tubs and fountains and cooling towers.  That’s going to make me think twice about getting in that hot tub at the gym!

Did you know there was a pneumonia vaccine?  First time I heard of it!  Just like the flu vaccine.  I never had a flu vaccine because I’ve never had the flu.  But I never had pneumonia either.  So maybe worth some consideration now.  Plus I know I never want to feel so lousy again.

National Heart and Lung Institute has a great amount of great information about pneumonia, causes, treatments etc.  Plenty of info to get fully informed! Here’s what I found from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Also- all different ages and many otherwise healthy individuals get pneumonia- and often the symptoms like mine show up as a simple fever to start with.  You don’t get a fever for no reason.  So if it doesn’t clear up in a couple days- get it checked out.  It’s better safe than sorry.  Here are some testimonials of people and the symptoms they experienced when they got pneumomia.

As far as being contagious from pneumonia, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t that likely to get pneumonia from simple exposure to a person with pneumonia.  The common cold and flu virus are more easily transmitted person to person.

And can I give pneumonia to my pets?  From the best info on the web I can find.  Very unlikely.  Thank Goodness!!

I’m wishing the best of health to you if you’re reading this- and hope you steer clear of pneumonia!

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3 Simple “Super-Food” Blender Soups to Try

Posted on April 23, 2012 by admin
Super-Food Soup

My Super-Food Soup

I’ve had a lot of interest lately in my instant fresh veggie blender soups.  If you’ve never tried fresh veggie soups in a blender– Try them!  You’ll be very surprised!  These are the best soups I’ve ever tried!

I’ve posted 3 recipes to my JoinDaveandFara Blog over the past few weeks.  For those of you that missed those recipes- I’m reposting all three here.

If you like these recipes- You’ll also like the others recipes I’m working on now.  To receive my FREE RECIPE Ebook when it’s complete simply send a blank email to faradayfitness@aweber.com.  You will also receive My FREE REPORT 12 Top Diet and Fat-Loss Tips to Guarantee Your Most Lean Physique Ever!

 

Broccoli, Spinnach, Onion, Garlic, Cilantro Soup

Steam broccoli, spinnach, onion, garlic for 5-7 minutes

Add all ingredients to blender

Add  1/2 cup to 1 cup cilantro (to your taste)

Add 20 ounce chicken broth

Add cajun spice if you like

Blend for 10 seconds.

Voila!  Instant gourmet power soup!  You will love it!  I never thought making fresh soup could be so simple and so delicious.  Salt and Pepper to your liking.

 

My Soup CreationMy Blended Soup Creation!

Super Simple Broccoli Cawliflower Spinnach Garlic Onion Soup

Steam broccoli florets, cawliflower florets, spinnach, garlic and onion for 5 minutes.

Place in blender with 1 sliced tomato and 15-20 ounces chicken broth.

Blend for 5-10 seconds!

That’s it.  Voila!  Yummy.  Enjoy!

 

Simple Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussell Sprout Soup!

Roast asparagus for 15minutes  (amount as desired)

Boil or steam chopped broccoli for 5 minutes (amount as desired)

Boil or roast brussel sprouts for 15 minute (amount as desired)

Let vegetables cool

Chop vegetables

Put vegetables in blender with 20oz chicken broth

Blend!  Voila’!  Instant Soup-Quick and Easy!

I heated mine 1 minute in microwave and added salt and pepper.  The consistency was thick and it was delicious as is.  Enjoy!

I think you will enjoy all three of these recipes and plan to share many more with you in the future.

If you’d like to see what I’m doing with my other blogs- please visit www.joindaveandfara.com  and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

And if you’d like to see how I make money when I blog just CLICK HERE

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Can Athletes Thrive on a “Meat-Free” Diet?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by admin

More and more athletes are moving towards a meat-free diet for health reasons and/or ethical reasons as a stand against the cruel and detestable treatment of animals on factory farms.

Names of Vegetarians on the list include 5X Mr. Universe Bill Pearl,  7X Ms. Olympia Corey Everson, Olympic Track and Field Star Carl Lewis, Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, Pro football player Tony Gonzales, Martial Art’s Star Mac Danzig- and the list could go on and on.

As someone who has been ingrained in health and fitness for the past 25 years, I’ve most often followed whatever the popular thinking has been regarding optimal sports nutrition.

The body-building community has put an emphasis on a much higher protein intake than the non-athlete for maximizing muscle synthesis.  Most body-builders follow the recommendation of 1 gram of protein per lb of lean body mass.  That’s twice the recommended daily allowance for the average person.  And it’s been generally accepted that animal protein was superior and a more “complete protein” than vegetable proteins.

Do we really need that much protein?  Probably not.  To be honest, I’ve never seen a study that backs up 1 gram per lb of body weight is necessary to build muscle.  Although I’m sure there is one out there, along with a hundred others that state something else.  And as far, as animal protein being “superior” than vegetable protein, well I guess that depends on the source.

I do know that I’m finding more body-builders and pro athletes everyday that are building muscle and performing at an elite level and thriving on a vegetarian diet.

With that in mind-I’m forwarding a very good article called “The No-Meat Athlete” by Marzia Prince with Fitness-RX.  To find the original article from Fitness-RX you can go here.

The No-Meat Athlete

Written by Marzia Prince Friday, 13 April 2012 05:00

NO-MEAT-ATHLETE_ins1

A Plant-based Diet Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Build the Body You Want!

In recent years, a growing trend towards vegetarianism (not consuming animal flesh) and veganism (not consuming flesh or products) has been taking the world by storm. This new generation of plant eaters includes fitness professionals, bodybuilders, powerlifters and professional athletes. Incorporating a plant-based diet, whether you eat meat or not, is the purest form of sports performance supplementation that an athlete needs to burn fat, put on quality muscle and increase energy.

Can you build a body without animal meat?

In a world of carnivores, it seems impossible because nutrition is heavily focused on animal protein. Especially in the bodybuilding and fitness world, it seems like eating animal meat or products five to six times a day is the standard diet. One would think that you could not achieve the same results as you would consuming animal meat. I thought it was impossible until many world-class plant-based athletes proved me wrong.

A main topic of conversation for many people is that vegetarians and vegans “don’t get enough protein” on a plant-based diet. But that could not be further from the truth. According to the World Health Organization and the American Dietetic Association, a vegan or vegetarian on a well-planned, balanced diet has no trouble meeting their protein requirements. And if you really think about it, how many people do you know with a protein deficiency?

If you still don’t think its possible, here are some No-meat celebrity athletes that prove you can reach your fitness goals without meat:

Robert Cheeke, vegan bodybuilder

Rich Roll, vegan ultra endurance athlete

Brendan Brazier, vegan professional Ironman triathlete

Mac Danzig, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Andrea While, female bodybuilding

Claudia Lailhacar, NPC Figure Competitor

Where do no-meat athletes get their protein?

Protein is one of the three macronutrients the body needs for cellular repair. Very important for muscle building! Protein is made up of smaller components called amino acids. Our bodies do not synthesize nine essential amino acids, so we need to consume it from a plant or animal source to build and repair the body. So when consuming a diet low in animal products, a variety of plant-based nutrition is key. It is important to mix and match plant proteins to be able to form a complete protein. A complete protein is a protein that has all the essential amino acids. A good example of a plant-based complete protein combo is brown rice and beans.

 

Vegan proteins: NO-MEAT-ATHLETE_ins2

Beans

Lentils

Legumes

Quinoa

Amaranth

Brown rice 

Oatmeal

Nuts

Seeds

Nut Butters

Spirulina

Vegetables— especially leafy greens

Non-GMO soy or tofu

Tempeh

Seitan

Plant-based protein powders such as hemp, pea or a mixed plant blend

Vegetarian proteins: 

All the proteins listed on the vegan list, plus:

Eggs

Dairy

Fish

Whey protein power

How much protein should you eat?

In the bodybuilding and fitness world, the standard amount of protein is one gram per pound of bodyweight. You need to divide that number up according to how many meals you are eating a day. Taking in the proper nutrients every two to three hours ensures that your muscles will always be fueled and nourished, providing the best opportunity for growth and achieving desired results.

Remember not to exceed too much protein per meal. Your body can only assimilate what it needs at that time. Like any of the macronutrients, if you eat too much of it, it will store as fat. So be careful on your food portions.

Marzia’s Meatless Muscle Meal : Black bean quinoa salad

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons grated lime zest

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 2 cups quinoa cooked

• 1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 medium tomato diced or 15 baby tomatoes cut in half

• 3 scallions, chopped

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• ½ of small avocado chopped

Directions: Mix all together in a bowl and enjoy! Serves 2 people.

It is good to change up your protein sources to give your body different quality nutrition. Never underestimate the power of plants!

Marzia Prince is an IFBB Bikini Pro & Team Gaspari Athlete. Having a major health scare back in 2009, Marzia became a plant-based fitness athlete. Through her education and journey, she was inspired to help others. In 2011 Marzia announced her new brand The Healthy Housewives to educate women about the importance of incorporating a plant-based lifestyle for health and longevity. To contact Marzia via e-mail: Marzia@healthyhousewives.com.

I hope you enjoyed this article!

To follow my other blog- Please visit www.joindaveandfara.com  and www.workwithdaveandfara.com

To find out about how I make money online and how you can too Please visit www.cashinwithdaveandfara.com

To receive my Free Report Top 12 Tips for Maximum Fat-Loss  just send me a blank email to faradayfitness@aweber.com

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