7 Breakfast Foods You Should Avoid That Make You Fat

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it is critical if you are trying to lose weight. As a matter of fact, nutritionists recommend us to get a healthy, nutritious, vitamin-rich breakfast, and then to gradually decrease the amount of food that we consume throughout the day.

Not only is breakfast crucial for losing weight (or maintaining a stable weight, for that matter), but it is also very important to a healthy and balanced diet, as well as for a healthy life.

Statistically speaking, the first meal of the day should sum up no more than 500-700 calories, and for this reason it is very important to know which breakfast foods are good for you and which ones should be avoided at all costs. Here you will find 7 of the most fattening breakfast foods that you should steer clear from:

1. Pancakes And Waffles

Pancakes and waffles are part of the traditional American breakfast, and we see them everywhere including in movies. Both waffles and pancakes are delicious: they are cheap and easy fixes, and they are the perfect meal before a hard day at work.

However, both of these breakfast foods are also packed with simple carbohydrates, which means that their satiety level is close to zero, and the chances are that you will feel hungry a couple of hours after you eat them.

Besides this, given the high level of sugar found in the pancakes and the waffles (let alone that found in the toppings!), these foods will also cause sudden changes in the blood sugar levels, thus increasing the risk for diabetes.

2. Breakfast Burrito

This is a relatively new invention that is designed for the fans of the classic burrito. If the traditional burrito as we know it is slightly too heavy for breakfast, the breakfast burrito is specifically designed for the first meal of the day: microwavable and portable, the breakfast burrito is ready within minutes and it is perfect for those who are always on the go.

Nonetheless, the burrito is filled with fat, processed cheese and trans fats, just like any other processed food on the market, and its nutritional value is questionable as well.

3. Store Bought Granola

Granola has a reputation for being healthy, and the truth is that it truly is, as long as it is homemade. However, the store bought granola turns out to be one of the worst breakfast choices you can possibly make, given the fact that it encompasses a variety of sugar-rich, high-calorie compounds that nobody should eat so early, like dried fruits, sugar or honey.

That being said, one small serving of granola has around 10 grams of fat along with more than 400 calories – while the 400 calorie-mark is within the ideal breakfast calorie count, it is important to remember that you will consume some drinks as well (be it milk, coffee or juice) that will add even more calories to your diet.
Granola is widely regarded as a dessert, rather than as a breakfast food, given the fact that it often tends to be highly processed and overly sweetened with added oils, sugars and honey.

4. Trail Mixes

The first thought that crosses your mind when you see a pack of trail mixes for breakfast at the local store is that this must be the healthiest and most nutritious breakfast food you can possibly have. Sure, trail mixes are packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, but they also contain dried fruits, nuts, peanuts and other compounds that are high in calories, sugar or salt.

Some of the commercial trail mixes even contain traces of chocolate for added taste – not only does the chocolate improve the taste of your breakfast, but it also adds to the calorie count.

Trail mixes are very energy dense, and they are often packed with concentrated sugar – while these mixes are great for professional athletes and those who workout a lot, it is important to understand that they also feature high amounts of fat and carbohydrates, which can ruin all your weight loss efforts.

5. Sugary Cereals

Cereals are convenient and time-effective, as they do not require any cooking time – however, starting your day with a bowl of cereals may not be the smartest choice, as they are not nutritious, they barely contain any vitamins and fiber and, most of all, they are packed with sugar.

6. Pastries, Cookies And Other Similar Sweets

Different people eat all sorts of foods for breakfast. Some of them opt for toaster pastries, which are specifically designed to come in a wrapped to-go packaging (and who are also very high in fat, sugar and calories), while others choose bagels.

The problem with bagels, which are very common choices for breakfast, is that just like toaster pastries they also burst with calories and refined carbohydrates. As a matter of fact, one morning bagel weighs up to 500 calories, and if you add extra butter or cream cheese to them, you just got a recipe for disaster.

On the other hand, two other very popular breakfast choices these days are muffins and donuts, both of which have around the same caloric value as the bagels described above (between 300 and as much as 500 calories).

Filled with carbs, butter, oil and all the other unhealthy ingredients, donuts and muffins can also come with up to 40 or more grams of sugar per serving, which is even more than the recommended daily dose of sugar.

Not only does this increase the risk for obesity, but it also triggers blood sugar peaks and increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Do not let yourself be fooled by donuts, as they come in many shapes and varieties: from honey-glazed and sugar coated donuts to jam-filled ones, they are all equally harmful to your health and your waistline.

7. A Breakfast Smoothie

The breakfast smoothie is perhaps the least fattening choice for breakfast, out of all the other fatty foods described above. The smoothie is healthy as long as it is prepared at home, but the store-bought varieties tend to come with extra full fat milk, ice cream, regular cream and tens of grams of refined sugar.

Source: healthdigezt.com

Top 10 Foods for Beautiful Skin

With people all over the globe spending billions of dollars on skin-care products every year, you’d think cosmetics companies had replicated the fountain of youth in the laboratory.

In fact, skin creams have gotten more and more expensive and less and less based on real science. According to most experts who aren’t hawking half-ounce jars of $200 youth serum, the science behind skin care is simpler than most of us think.

As with most health benefits, it comes down to lifestyle rather than how much you can afford to spend on products.

The things you can do to beautify your skin are remarkably similar to what you can do to live longer and better: Get regular exercise, sleep enough, avoid sun damage and eat well. And, as it turns out, foods can work from the inside out or the outside in to brighten your complexion.

So what are we looking at when it comes to beautiful skin from your own kitchen? In this article, find out what you’ll want to throw in your shopping cart to make your skin gorgeous and why those foods work on traits like smoothness and tone.
First up: a dessert ingredient for your epidermis.

1.  Honey

We’ve all heard that a diet high in sugar is bad for the body, but it turns out that slathering a substance that’s 98 percent sugar on your face is just fine.

Honey is a natural humectant, which means that it both attracts moisture and helps lock it in. It’s exactly what parched skin craves, so if you’re suffering from itchy, flaky skin, add some honey to your bath.
But honey’s skin benefits aren’t limited to its moisturizing properties. Honey is also a potent antibacterial agent.

Its high sugar content combined with its acidity makes it a poor environment for bacteria to flourish. Diluted honey generates hydrogen peroxide, which no doubt a school nurse has dabbed on one of your scrapes to disinfect it.

Before World War II, honey was often used in wound dressings to stave off infection. It’s growing in popularity again as studies have shown that it might be an effective weapon against strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, like MRSA. An added benefit is that it seems to make wounds smell better, no small matter when it comes to festering ulcers.

Because of its antibacterial qualities, many people think honey might also be beneficial for acne. But know that not all honeys are created equal — where it comes from and how it’s processed affect its antibacterial properties.

2.  Seafood

Most of us have heard that fish can be really good for your overall health — it’s a primary component in what’s known as the Mediterranean diet. Many types of fish and shellfish can also work wonders for the skin, especially oysters and fatty fish like salmon.

The primary nutrients that make fish so good for your complexion are zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation.

Inflammation can cause skin to age faster, and research shows that getting too little omega-3 may contribute to inflammatory disorders like eczema and psoriasis [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep the heart’s arteries clear and thus improve circulation. Good circulation is crucial to skin health.

Zinc can help fight acne because it’s involved in metabolizing testosterone, which affects the production of an oily substance caused sebum, a primary cause of acne. Zinc also assists in new-cell production and the sloughing off of dead skin, which gives the skin a nice glow.

You’ll also find these benefits in flaxseed oil and walnuts.
On the next page, an ingredient that you do want on your face, despite a popular idiom.

3.  Egg

When it comes to eggs, there’s no need to separate the benefits — both yolks and whites hold skin care gifts.

Egg yolks are an important source of vitamin A, which helps your skin repair itself. If you’re not getting enough of it from your diet, it will show in your skin.

But the vitamin also works from the outside. Vitamin A derivatives like tretinoin (more commonly known by the brand name Retin-A) have been shown to help erase acne as well as wrinkles.

Egg yolks are also a source of biotin, a B-complex vitamin, which is needed for healthy skin and nails. There isn’t much evidence to support popular claims that biotin supplements will improve your hair and nails, but it’s definitely something you want on your plate [source: University of Maryland Medical Center].

(In an interesting twist, raw egg whites can interfere with the body’s absorption of biotin, anti-yolk folks might want to reconsider their stance.) The yolk also contains lecithin, which is an emollient that softens the skin. Try an egg yolk beaten with some olive oil for an inexpensive hair mask.

The white of an egg, the albumen, is composed of 40 different proteins and water. The egg white facial is known as an “instant facelift” because of its temporary tightening effect.

But it’s those proteins in the white that make it such a great conditioner; the ionic charge of its amino acids helps it bind to hair. It’s also possible that one of the proteins can help skin that’s irritated from the sun.

4.  Citrus Fruits

Vitamin C is a prime skin-care ingredient in tons of beauty creams. This vitamin aids in the body’s production of collagen, a protein that forms the basic structure of your skin.

Collagen breakdown, which starts speeding up significantly around the age of 35, can leave your skin saggy. Consuming extra vitamin C in foods like oranges, grapefruits, Acerola cherries (a single Acerola has 100 percent of your vitamin C for the day) and tomatoes can help tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles.

Vitamin C also may fight inflammation, and its antioxidantproperties can neutralize the free radicals (highly reactive oxygen molecules) that damage cells and can prematurely age your face.

In case you get tired of eating all that fruit, hot peppers, bell peppers and sprouts also have good amounts of vitamin C.

5.  Oatmeal

f you have eczema or have suffered through a nasty bout of poison ivy, you know how soothing a bath with milk, uncooked oatmeal and a little bit of honey can be.

Oatmeal is nature’s balm for dry, itchy, irritated skin — just ask the ancient Egyptians and Romans.
Colloidal oatmeal, which is made by pulverizing and boiling oats, is the ingredient you’ll most often see in skin care products.

It fights itch, helps keep moisture and contributes to the barrier your skin tries to maintain to protect you from outside elements.
Oats happen to be full of all sorts of goodies

• Fats that lubricate the skin
• Polysaccharides that cling to your skin and eliminate flakes
• Saponins, natural cleansers that have antifungal and antibacterial qualities
• Polyphenols that are anti-inflammatories and antioxidants
• Proteins that help the skin barrier
• Starches and beta glucan that hold water in

Talk about a lot of bang for your buck.

6.  Red and Green Vegetables

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It makes sense, then, that what’s good for your whole body is also good for your skin — and as far as food goes, it doesn’t get much better than vegetables.

You’ll especially want to look for red-orange and green vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.
Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene.

Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and premature aging.

Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones, reducing dryness and keeping your face looking bright and young.

Mangoes are also a great source of vitamin A. It’s best to get this vitamin from food and not from supplements , though, since too much vitamin A can cause health problems

7.  Shea Butter

Any woman looking to get rid of stretch marks has at some point been recommended shea butter to lighten those tell-tale discolorations.

While there’s no strong body of evidence to back up that particular claim, shea butter is packed with skin care benefits.

This substance from sub-Saharan Africa has been used for generations to treat ailments from arthritis to leprosy. It’s even used on dogs to protect their skin and paws.

Shea butter is composed mainly of triglycerides, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic fatty acids. These make it a fantastic emollient, and, combined with its thick texture and creaminess, a moisturizer that really sticks.

But it’s the other part of shea butter that researchers are more interested in: the unsaponifiables. They’re the parts of oils and fats that don’t form soaps.

Shea butter is full to the brim with them, and they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. And, to make it even better, cinnamic acids in the unsaponifiables absorb UV radiation.

8.  Nuts

As with many of the skin-healthy foods on our list, the good stuff in nuts — especially almonds — has to do with antioxidant activity.

Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage due to UV-sunlight-generated free radicals. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger.

Pairing vitamin E with selenium can enhance its antioxidant abilities, so go ahead and throw some almonds into your cottage cheese (great source of selenium) for a skin-revitalizing snack.

Almonds, pistachios and walnuts also provide a nice supply of those omega-3 fatty acids that we mentioned earlier.

9.  Goat Milk

Goat’s milk cheese is delicious, but it turns out that goat milk is also a treat for your skin. It contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant, as well as vitamins A and E. An abundance of triglycerides act to hydrate the skin and keep moisture in.

But there’s a secret ingredient to give an added boost to the moisturizing quotient: caprylic acid.
This fatty acid creates a lower pH in the skin’s mantle, the barrier that protects us from bacteria and infection. Balancing alkalinity in this way makes it easier for the skin to absorb all the nutrients, so they don’t just end up sitting on top of the epidermis.

10.  Whole Grains

The “whole food” movement has whole-body advantages, not the least of which is great-looking skin.
Whole foods are basically unprocessed — whole wheat bread instead of white bread, for instance.

Whole grain buckwheat is a good source for the antioxidant rutin, which helps combat inflammation-related skin damage.

Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don’t have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly.

In general, whole grains instead of processed carbohydrates can improve your complexion. Processed (or refined) flours can cause an insulin spike, which in turn can encourage acne. Replacing your refined-flour pancakes with buckwheat pancakes is a good acne-reducing move. Incidentally, this would also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

Source: healthdigezt.com

15 Health Benefits of Basil that You Should Know

Basil is a native to India and holds a sacred place in the Hindu religious customs. Indians worship basil every morning and evening, and if you see the medicinal properties of this holy herb, you will also understand its significance.

Here’re a few health benefits of basil.

1. Heals Fever and Common Cold
Possessing anti-bacterial properties, basil leaves are highly effective in the treatment of various fevers, including malaria, dengue and chronic fever.

Tender leaves of basil, boiled with tea, can reduce the effect of these ailments to a large extent. In case of the common cold, the juice of basil leaves must be imbibed to get a quick relief.

2. Treats Respiratory Disorders
A decoction of basil leaves with ginger and honey is an excellent remedy in treating various respiratory ailments, like cold, influenza, asthma, and bronchitis. This decoction opens the lungs blocked due to mucus, and helps the sufferer to breathe properly.

3. Cures Sore Throat
Gargling with lukewarm water mixed with the extracts of basil is extremely helpful in getting rid of sore throat.

4. Good for the Heart
Capable of trimming down the cholesterol levels in the body, basil also tops the list of being one of the healthiest herbs for the heart. It prevents the danger of cardiac weakness and strokes.

5. Anti-stress in Nature
It is recommended for everybody to chew at least twelve leaves of basil in a day to get good health. Basil is also an anti-stress herb, which significantly protects your body and mind from the menace of stress and depression.

6. Strengthens the Kidneys
Basil is an extremely efficient herb that maintains the health of kidneys by fortifying them. Moreover, basil is supportive when it comes to kidney stone, as well. It has been suggested to imbibe basil juice with honey for six months to dispose of stone from the body.

7. Cures Mouth Infection
Leaves of basil are excellent for treating mouth ulcers and infections. Simply chew a few leaves of basil to get a quick relief. It is also a good mouth freshener.

8. Curative against Insect Bites
A spoonful of basil juice or paste of fresh basil roots is very helpful in curing insect stings and bites. Fresh juice can also be used directly on the affected parts to get fast relief.

9. Maintains Teeth Health
For those, who suffer from the problems of gum bleeding, bad breath and tooth decay, basil can prove very effective.

The anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties of basil can aid in preventing such oral ailments. Sun dried and powdered basil leaves can be mixed with mustard oil and it should be used daily to give your teeth a healthy massage.

10. Excellent for Eyes
Basil has vitamin A in it, which is superb in upholding the health of the eyes. It averts diseases, like night blindness and sore eyes. To treat sore eyes, even a few drops of basil juice can prove miraculous.

11. Protects DNA
Basil leaves contain an array of fantastic phytonutrients and antioxidants, which protect the cells from getting damaged from ultraviolet rays and oxygen-based harm.

12. Relieves Frequent Vomiting
To get immediate relief from frequent vomiting, imbibe basil juice with honey and ginger juice.

13. Prevents Cancer
Basil contracts the blood vessels that nurture cancer-causing tumours, and is helpful in treating a number of cancers, including breast cancer. The anti-carcinogenic properties of basil also inhibit the growth of oral cancer.

14. Cures Lung Disorder
Vitamin C, Eugenol, and camphene, which are found in basil, are effective in curing lung congestion and damage caused by T.B., smoke, etc.

15. Helps You Quit Smoking
Basil helps a lot in quitting the habit of smoking. Eat fresh basil leaves whenever you feel the urge of smoking. It will curb your urge.

Source: healthremedies.com

13 Effective Home Remedies for Kidney Pain

Kidneys are one of the crucial organs in our body that performs the function of excretion. They are primarily responsible for regulating various functions, like maintaining acid-base balance, leveling electrolytes balance, and also regulating blood pressure.


Kidneys flush out waste products from the body in the form of feces and urine while straining and retaining useful components inside the body.

Due to many reasons, like eating habits and other body infections, the functioning and efficiency of kidneys gets hampered. Sometimes malfunctioning may also results in terrible and unbearable pain in kidneys.

In contrast to males, females are at more risk to get prone to the kidney infection. The pain is curable and can be treated with much efficiency at home itself.

Causes
•Bleeding inside kidney
•Tumor in kidney
•Urinary tract infection
•Blood coagulation in kidney veins
•Horseshoe kidney (where both kidneys fused together and form a horseshoe like structure)
•Stone inside kidney
•Enlarged prostate
•Blocked or hindered flow of urine

Symptoms
•Pain in the lower back
•Feverish feeling
•Shivering, accompanied by chills
•Feeling fatigue
•Loss of appetite
•Burning sensation while urination
•Bleeding while urinating
•Foul smelling urine or often cloudy urine
Bedwetting (generally in case of children)
•Pain in the lower abdomen

Home Remedies

1. Water Whenever you suffer from any kidney related disorder or pain, water is the foremost thing that can cure your disease. Water is really essential for your kidneys as it helps them flush toxins out of your body, effectively. It is highly recommended that you should consume at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day.

2. Lemon Juice
Lemon contains a plethora of citric acid, which is helpful in breaking down of calcium agglomerates inside kidneys. As you drink lemonade, you will pass urine more frequently and that is really good in flushing out toxins and also useful for people having stone in kidneys.

3. Nettle Leaves
Nettle leaves are quintessential in making a smooth flow for water through both- bladder, as well as kidneys. They also promote smooth urination. They keep bacteria away and hinder crystals inside the body to take the shape of stones. One, who is suffering from kidney pain, should drink nettle tea at least 2-3 times a day for getting relief from the kidney pain.

4. Whole Wheat Bread
Whole wheat breads are rich in nutrients, such as proteins, fibers, magnesium, etc. They promote well being of the kidneys while preventing the formation of oxalates inside them. Besides bread, one can also eat whole grain cereals, pasta, etc.

5. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are really efficacious in treating any kidney infection or pain, including stones, etc. Remove beans from inside the pods and boil pods on low flame for hours till they become tender and soft. Now, strain the liquid and allow it to cool down. Now, again strain it once again and drink it several times a day for beneficial results.

6. Basil
Basil is regarded as a superb tonic for kidney pain and infections. One, who is suffering from kidney-related pain or disorders, should consume a tablespoon of basil juice mixed with equal quantities of honey for effective results. However, the treatment should be carried for around 5 months to get the desired results.

7. Celery
Celery has got antiseptic properties and hence, drinking celery juice can be really pain relieving. Celery juice helps in eliminating out the toxins from the body that causes the formation of oxalates. Besides, it is also a diuretic, which helps in breaking down the existing stone in the kidney.

8. Pomegranates
Pomegranate juice and seeds can be beneficial in treating the kidney pain and infections. Pomegranates have astringent properties, and hence, they can be really helpful in the treatment of kidney stones. Besides, they are extremely hydrating, so one should consume at least a glass of pomegranate juice every day or should eat one pomegranate daily to keep kidney-related problems at bay.

9. Watermelon
Watermelon is rich in potassium and is useful in removing stones that are composed of phosphates and carbonates. They also regulate the level of acidity in urine. Besides, watermelon is one such fruit that contains the highest level of water concentration and thus, can be really effective in hydrating your body and flushing out the waste products.

10. Tomato Juice
Drink a glass of tomato juice before you consume anything else, followed with a glass of water. It will help you in getting relief from the pain. You can also chop tomatoes and wrap them in a thick cotton cloth. Place it on the patient’s back for relieving him/her from the pain.

11. Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is yet another effective method that subside pain, related to kidneys. Mix equal quantities of olive oil (virgin) and lemon juice and drink it up. Although, it will taste awful but is worth an effort to get the desired results.

12. Warm Compress
Put a warm compress on the aching area. It will decrease the kidney pain.

13. Dandelion Root Tea
If you are looking for a herbal remedy to get rid of kidney pain, dandelion root tea is the best. Dandelion root tea acts as a diuretic and cleanses the kidney, thereby relieving you from the pain.

Homeopathic Medicines for Kidney Pain

1. Aconite
This one is useful in case of acute pain. Urine passed by the patient is hot and sparse. Urine might have traces of blood and patient perspires profusely.

2. Arnica
This remedy is prescribed when patient witnesses a brick colored segment in his urine, which is accompanied by painful urination.

3. Belladonna
It is useful in the treatment of bloody urine. Urine is scanty, cloudy and often painful to pass. Patient might also experience sensitivity in the upward region of bladder.

4. Berberis vulgaris
It is prescribed to those patients, who complain frequent urge to pass the urine even after they have passed urine completely. Urine contains mucus and sediments, and there is often a bubbling sensation in kidneys.

5. Calcarea carbonicum
It is useful for patients, who complain about dark brown colored urine or urine that contains white sediments.

6. Cantharis
This one is effective against symptoms, like a burning sensation in urine, and there is often an urge to defecate while urinating.

7. Colocynthis
It is used when a burning sensation is experienced while passing stools and often there are red crystals found in urine. Pain can be relieved by bending forward.
Other useful homeopathic remedies for the treatment include Nitric acid, Lycopodium, Sarsaparilla.

Preventive Measures
•Drink as much water as you can (minimum of 8 glasses in a day).
•Do not stop or restrain yourself from passing urine.
•Do not use body sprays around urinary area.
•Eat fibrous foods in your diet.
•If you are more susceptible to urinal infections, stop consuming contraceptive pills and using devices, such as condoms and diaphragms.
•Urinate in clean and hygienic places.
•Besides water, drink more of fruit juices, especially cranberry juice.
•High sodium diet can augment the chances of developing kidney stones. Hence, avoid the consumption of a large quantity of sodium in your diet.
•Avoid foods that can create oxalates in your kidneys. Examples are tea, spinach, beets, chocolates, nuts, etc.

 Source: healthdigezt.com

Health-Care Basics: Spend or Save?

When to spend and when to save on eight essentials that affect your health every day.

1.  Toothbrushes

The American Dental Association maintains that both budget-friendly manual and pricier power brushes can effectively clean teeth, so the choice is yours. 

 

Whatever type you prefer to use, avoid a toothbrush with hard, stiff bristles, which can cause enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and receding gyms. 

 

“The best option is a soft brush with nylon bristles that have rounded ends,” says Perle. Additional features that you pay for, like ridged bristles or an indicator that signals when it’s time to trade in a brush, don’t aid in oral health, though they may make caring for your teeth more comfortable or help you to remember to replace your brush after three months. 

 

If you prefer an electric brush, opt for the oscillating-rotating kind. A 2003 review by the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health group, in Manchester, England, found that these models provide a modest benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis compared with manual brushes.

2.  Pedometers

If you got your pedometer via a kids’ meal or a cereal box, don’t count on it to tally steps accurately or for long. Dan Heil, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist and researcher at Montana Sate University, in Bozeman, found that pedometers that gauge movement with a flimsy mechanism called a hairspring and that cost less than $15 often wear out within six months. 

 

He also found that pedometers driven electronically or via a more substantial coiled spring, and which cost about $25, are considerably more accurate at counting steps. 

 

However, he warns, “distance, speed, and calories-burned measurements have a tendency to be inaccurate no matter how much a pedometer costs.” So skip those kinds of features, which are found on the most expensive models.

3.  Heating Pads

 

The most low-budget yet effective option is a rubber hot-water bottle, which can conform to any part of the body and never needs to be turned off. 

 

It does lose heat over time, however. So if you need prolonged heat or don’t want to deal with heating water, a wallet-friendly electric heating pad is a better choice. 

 

There are only three features it needs, which are standard to most pads in the $15 price ranges, says Roger Herr, a Seattle-based spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association: a size big enough to heat your back but small enough to wrap around an ankle; a soft cotton cover, so skin doesn’t get burned or irritated; and at least two temperature settings. 

 

Why two? Smaller areas of the body, like your hands, feet, and head, can tolerate higher temperatures for longer than larger areas of the body, which need a lower heat setting. Pricier pads with extras such as moist heat don’t offer added benefits, so they’re generally not worth the expense.

4.  Dental Floss

Most people find that inexpensive waxed floss makes this chore easy and a little more pain-free than just-as-economical unwaxed floss. 

 

“It slides comfortably between most teeth and doesn’t fray as much as unwaxed floss does,” says Charles K. Perle, D.M.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry and a dentist in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

 

But if your teeth are spaced closely together or if you have old fillings that have expanded, you may want to spend an extra dollar or two on smooth, snag-resistant dental floss or tape (thin, flat floss). It glides between tight teeth even more easily and can be more gentle on gyms than waxed floss.

5.  Humidifiers

Sure, you could pump a fine, 80 degree, lavender-infused mist into the air with a fancy humidifier, but it’s not necessary; a standard model (about $40) has everything you need. 

 

The only factor to consider is temperature, says Dorsen: “If you have small children or pets, don’t get a vaporizer version that spits warm mist into the air, because it can burn delicate skin” (and inquisitive snouts).

 

In homes without kids or pets, the temperature choice is yours. “There haven’t been any studies that relate mist temperature to effectiveness,” she says. 

 

If your water has a high mineral content, however, opt for a more expensive evaporative model or a vaporizer. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that basic humidifiers are prone to dispersing those minerals into the air, which can irritate lungs. An alternative: Use distilled water in any style humidifier.

6.  Reading Glasses

 

For those who are young or who need only low-magnification nonprescription glasses to read, the lenses in specs that cost less than a few lattes (about $15) will be as effective as those costing as much as a cappuccino machine (more than $125). 

 

That said, if the distance between your eyes, known as your pupillary distance (PD), is unusually narrow or wide, budget glasses may not be comfortable, since their magnification is focused in the center of each lens.

 

“You won’t damage your eyes by wearing them, but you may get a headache,” says James Salz, M.D., a Los Angeles―based spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. And as you age, your PD becomes more important. So if you do have an unusual one, you may find that prescription glasses are more effective.

7.  Thermometers

Old-school mercury versions, which are hard to read and can break, have gone the way of the Walkman. An inexpensive digital thermometer (about $6) is the new classic and more than adequate for the average person. Two things to look for: a big, backlit display that’s easy to see in a dark room, and a fast reading time of about 15 seconds, says Caroline Dorsen, a board-certified family nurse practitioner in New York City. 

 

Go for an under-the-tongue variety, as ear (or tympanic) thermometers are less reliable. A study done at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, found that parents using home tympanic models failed to detect a fever 25 percent of the time. 

 

If you have to check someone’s temperature hourly, invest in a temporal artery (forehead) thermometer. It’s even easier to use but a bit more expensive (about $35).

 

Source: healthdigezt.com

6 Surprising Ways to Avoid Getting Sick This Year

Seems like every year around this time you start feeling worn down, a little congested, maybe develop a scratchy throat, and before you know it, you’re faced with a full-blown cold.

But this year can be different! Arm yourself with these 6 tricks to evade nasty bugs before they knock you out.

#1. Keep Clean, the Right Way
Hand washing is so important to keeping those harmful germs out of your body, but there is a right and a very wrong way to do it.

The biggest bad-news culprit when it comes to washing your hands? Antibacterial soaps. Triclosan, the antimicrobial chemical, is a hormone disruptor; it damages your heart, and createsantibacterial-resistant superbugs.

And it’s totally pointless! The Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association have found that antibacterial soaps are no better than using regular soap.

(In fact, triclosan is so toxic that Minnesota is banning the stuff.) Check out this list to make sure you’re not making these 5 classic hand-washing mistakes.

#2. Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Can’t find a sink? Hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Just make sure you’re not slathering on more triclosan. Instead, try this natural recipe from Renee Loux, author of Easy Green Living, for a clean hands spritz.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon plain aloe vera or lemon witch hazel
1/8 teaspoon tea tree oil
24 drops essential oils of lavender, lemon, cinnamon, peppermint, and/or thyme (use two or more varieties for good action and a balanced aroma, and also because these oils are potent)
4 drops grapefruit seed extract

Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients in a 1-ounce glass spray bottle.
2. Shake well before using.
3. Spray two or three times on grimy paws and rub them together.

#3. Bundle Up Strategically
Staying warm doesn’t just help your immune system focus on the real threat; it can also help protect you from germs in the environment.

Avoid warm winter clothing with claims of being “antibacterial,” “germ-fighting,” or “odor-free.” These are often catchall terms for chemical- or nanoparticle-based ingredients. For a safe, warm, naturally antimicrobial material, look for hats and winter gear made of wool, like those from Icebreaker.

#4. Say “Ohm” Instead of “Ah”
“Stress really hammers the immune system,” says Danny Penman, PhD, author of Mindfulness. He explains that the human body evolved to suppress the immune system during times of great stress, such as getting chased by a tiger.

“Under acute stress, the body diverts all its resources to escaping,” he says. “The body doesn’t waste time when we’re being hunted with maintenance. The problem is, under long-term stress, the body has the same reaction, so it can’t repair itself the way it’s supposed to.”

And, while most of us aren’t getting chased by tigers, we do face sustained stress from sources like jobs or financial worry.

The good news is meditation is the perfect solution to immunity-killing stress.  Research has shown that participating in meditation programs decreases biomarkers associated with disease and increases activity of the immune system’s protective “killer cells.”

#5. Trust Your Gut
Your gut bacteria are also proving to beinsanely important for a strong immunity. In fact, research has shown that probiotic foods can help prevent colds in kids (a demographic that’s especially prone to getting sick since young ones tend to constantly put things in their mouths).

#6. Eat Your Breakfast



Not only is breakfast a chance to load up on nutrient-rich foods, such as eggs, but it also may keep you healthy. Research from Cardiff University found that eating breakfast was significantly related to lower rates of illness.

This is a correlational study, so it’s possible that those who ate breakfast also generally took better care of themselves, but we’ll never balk at a good reason to eat some breakfast greens (warning: hilarious but explicit language).

Source: healthdigezt.com

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Everything: The Nickel Pincher

It’s fall, and a casual stroll through any grocery store will tell you that that means anything that can be flavored with pumpkin is.

This year saw more pumpkin-flavored food introductions than ever before, according to the restaurant trend tracker Datassential—which shouldn’t be all that surprising considering that, in addition to the pumpkin-spice lattes, muffins, and doughnuts of years past, we now have pumpkin-flavored candies, teas, chips, sodas, vodkas, bagels, breads, Pop-Tarts, dog treats, yogurt, and…the list seems endless.

Their one unifying characteristic? None of them contains any real pumpkin. And that’s a shame because pumpkin is a great flavor in its own right and is full of nutrition and fiber.

These trendy items are really flavored with pumpkin spice blends, which are added to other questionable ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, and then dyed orange with artificial food coloring.

Soon, all those pumpkin-flavored creations will disappear, to be replaced by winter-spice-flavored everything.

If that prospect leaves you going through withdrawal, never fear! Whipping up your own versions can be super simple and much healthier for you—because you can add the real deal and reap all of pumpkin’s amazing health benefits.

Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin spice is perfect with (or without) pumpkin, and not just for pie. Use it to flavor drinks or juice up baked winter squash, or simmer it in water on your stove to perfume your home.



Pre-mixed blends are widely available, but they’re expensive and easy to replace with spices you already have in your cabinet. Feel free to adjust the amounts of any of the basic spices to your taste.

I like to add a pinch of cardamom for a special twist.

3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg (fresh-grated is especially good)
1½ teaspoons ground allspice
1½ teaspoons ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)

Combine and store in a small glass gar with a tight lid in a location away from light and humidity, such as inside a dark cupboard. Once it’s made, you can use it to flavor any food you want. Here are a few of my favorites.

Pumpkin Spice Latte


All the taste and delectable aroma, without the high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavor, and hassle of driving across town and waiting in line only to discover your favorite coffeehouse has RUN OUT!
The secret ingredient is Pumpkin Spice Syrup, and it is really easy to make your own.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup 


1 cup organic granulated sugar
1 cup water

Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer, stirring frequently, until all the sugar has dissolved. You can also make a honey-based syrup with 7/8 cup of honey and 1 1/8 cups of water, or a calorie-free syrup with 1 7/8 cups of water and 4 teaspoons of stevia extract.

Then, add to your saucepan:
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree*

Simmer the syrup, spice, and pumpkin puree for about 10 minutes on low. Strain. Use immediately or store in a glass jar for up to a month.
*Make your own by roasting your own pumpkin so you can avoid the harmful BPA in canned-food liners)

Crafting a Latte
2 ounces Pumpkin Spice Syrup
8 ounces organic whole milk
1 to 2 shots espresso or 4 ounces cold-brewed coffee concentrate

Steam the milk and put half in your mug. Add the syrup and the espresso or coffee concentrate (heated). Stir and top with the rest of the steamed milk. Top with a pinch of pumpkin pie spice, if you’d like.

Pumpkin Spice Tea: Not a coffee fan? Mix 1 ounce of your syrup into a mug of hot tea.

Pumpkin Spice Soda: For a refreshing cold drink, add 2 ounces of your syrup to 8 ounces of unflavored seltzer water, and add some ice.

Pumpkin Spice Cocktail: Need a cocktail to serve at your holiday gatherings? Combine 2 ounces of vodka with 2 ounces of your syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a thin slice of fresh ginger.

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese 


This, too, made an appearance at many a fast-food joint this fall—but dyed orange with food coloring and laden with unhealthy processed food additives.

Make your own to spread on bagels, graham crackers (it tastes like cheesecake, and the crackers provide the crust), or toasted pumpkin bread.

8 ounces organic cream cheese (or Neufchâtel for a lower-fat version)
½ cup organic pumpkin puree (plain)
¼ cup organic sugar or honey (or stevia, to taste)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Allow the cheese to warm to room temperature. Combine all ingredients until well blended. Use immediately or store in a glass container in the fridge for up to a week (if you can keep it that long without eating any).

Spicy Baked Pumpkin Veggie Chips 
Enjoy the flavor of the season in a great snack that also packs the nutritional punch of pumpkin rather than just the flavor.

My favorite variety is “neck pumpkin,” which looks like a butternut squash with a really long neck. The entire neck is solid flesh and has no seeds, making it easy to slice and use.

White-and-green-striped cushaw is another tasty pumpkin variety. Explore your local farmer’s market and try some of the great varieties out there.

1 pound whole organic pumpkin, raw
1 to 2 teaspoons organic olive oil

Pumpkin pie spice
1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line two baking sheets with unbleached parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet to make cleanup easy.

2. Peel, seed, and slice the pumpkin into 1/8-inch-thick slices.

3. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared pans (don’t overlap, or they will cook into mush rather than chips). Use a pastry brush or spray applicator to apply a thin coat of oil to the slices, then flip them over and coat the other side. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and place them in the oven.

4. After 10 minutes, use tongs to turn the chips, and repeat that process every 5 minutes until they are as crispy as you want. You will need to watch them carefully, as once they start to brown, they will progress from done to burned very quickly.

5. Total baking time will be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how thick your chips are and how brown you like them.

Source: healthdigezt.com