20 Detox Friendly Foods

I don’t necessarily believe in detox only diets, but I do think that adding more detox friendly foods into the diet can help with over health, energy, skin health, good digestion, weight management, and quality sleep. Below are 20 of my favorite detox foods which I consume on a weekly basis and absolutely love!

Lemon: Lemons have strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and can be used as a weight-loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemon juice can also help manage acid reflux and reduce the acidity in the stomach. 

Cayenne Pepper: Peppers are one of the richest sources of Vitamin C. All hot peppers contain capsaicin, a compound known for it’s ability to regulate body temps, improve circulation and help reduce appetite and burn more calories.

Ginger: Ginger is perfect for getting your metabolism moving and flushing waste and toxins out of the body. Ginger is also a natural stomach ache cure.

Grapefruit: Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin c which helps to support the immune system. Vitamin C-rich foods like grapefruit may help reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms. Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, and is therefore also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Green Tea: Green tea can help increase and even change your metabolism, so you burn more calories from fat. Studies show that green tea can also help you keep weight off once you’ve lost it.

Kale: Kale contains powerful antioxidant compounds that can help cleanse the body of harmful substances and potentially prevent cancer causing free radicals. It is also high in fiber, which helps cleanse the intestinal tract. 

Asparagus: Asparagus is a natural diuretic that can help rid the body of excess water weight and toxins seeking to rid the body. 

Turmeric: This powerful root is both an anti-inflammatory—great for sore muscles—and contains antioxidant properties. It’s one of the top ingredients in immune boosting shots, juices and supplements. I’ve also noticed smoother, clearer skin from my daily dose of turmeric. 

Broccoli: Broccoli has a strong, positive impact on our body’s detoxification system, and is able to support all steps in the body’s detox process, including activation, neutralization, and elimination of unwanted contaminants.

Cucumber: The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Raw apple cider vinegar is alkalizing, helps with digestion, and can help with fat metabolism. Look for raw, 8 unfiltered apple cider vinegar to get the most benefits. 

Cinnamon: Studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar which is great for people trying to lose weight or manage diabetes. Cinnamon can also help lower cholesterol in the body and is heart healthy.

Pomegranate: Pomegranates are high in antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, minerals. With potassium, vitamins C and K, this winter fruit is great for your heart, skin, immune system and it’s great for post workout recovery. 

Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds are high in essential fatty acids like heart healthy, Omega 3, in addition to vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and fiber. They are one of my favorite ways of adding heart healthy protein into my diet. 

Garlic: Garlic contains manganese, vitamin B6, antioxidants, anti- inflammatory properties, as well as valued sulfur compounds that contribute to heart health! 

Probiotics: Probiotics are an excellent way to add good bacteria back into the intestinal track and help with digestion. 

Blueberries: Blueberries contain natural aspirin that helps lessen the tissue-damaging effects of chronic inflammation, and also act as antibiotics by blocking bacteria and thereby helping to prevent infections.

Strawberries: Berries are high in antioxidants like resveratol, essential vitamins and also contain fiber to keep you feeling full! Strawberries are also a great source of folate which has been shown to help keep your heart healthy. 

Fish Oil: Some experts believe that getting fish oil can help you regulate your cholesterol in the body, because fish oil has high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Besides cholesterol regulation, fish oil benefits include anti inflammatory properties and positive effects on the bodies composition.

Water: Water is the bodies best form of detox. Since our bodies consist of primarily water, increasing water intake is like feeding the body in its most natural state. If you really want to feel great and flush out toxins, drink up!

http://www.eatsimpleloveyoga.com/20-detox-friendly-foods/

Raw Food Diet Cleanse A Safe Effective Natural Way to Lose Weight, Feel Great and Clean Your Body

The purpose of a raw food cleanse, sometimes called a raw food detox, is to eliminate and cleanse the body of stored toxins. This is accomplished using only raw and preferably organic foods. A this type of cleanse can last anywhere from 7 to 90 days depending on what particular cleansing instructions you choose to follow. The goal of a raw food cleanse is not only to eliminate stored toxins, but also to give your organs such as your kidneys, gall bladder, intestines, stomach, pancreas-- all your organs-- a rest from the efforts of processing hard-to-digest food products. This type of cleanse will result in a higher level of noticeable wellness and health.

Specifically, a typical raw cleanse will not only utilize 100% raw natural foods, but will also eliminate foods such as meat, dairy, grains, sugar, flour, cooked foods, preservatives, artificial additives such as as MSG, coffee, other types of caffeine, soda, artificial sweeteners and alcohol. Just removing all of these foods from your diet will naturally elevate you to a healthier state of being. The most effective food to cleanse the body is raw food. Raw organic food has about 80% fewer toxins than standard processed foods.

Raw food is an ideal internal cleanser. This is because raw food is natural food. Raw natural food is unharmed by the damaging effects of heat and in this perfect state, can effectively help the body release toxins and also nourish and heal the body.

The raw food used in this type of cleanse should also be organic. Organic foods are "clean foods," and are free from the harmful pesticides sprayed on conventionally grown foods. The pesticides used on conventionally grown foods also depletes the soil of nutrients. So when choosing organic you are not only "eating clean," but the level of nutrients is greater, which is important, especially during a cleanse.

Another important part of a raw cleanse is simply pure water and lots of it. Since you are encouraging your body to release stored toxins, drinking water helps to flush these toxins out of your body through the kidneys and even your skin. Water is a vital component of skin tone, brain function, metabolism, digestion, every organ system of your body. While pure water should be an important part of every day living, drinking water during a cleanse is more necessary to thoroughly rid your body of wastes and toxic materials.

Fasting may or may not be a part of a raw detox. Water-only fasting is an ideal way to quickly rid the body of toxins. Combining a single day or even a few days of water fasting with a raw foods program is less severe and more gentle to the body than fasting for several days.
Another important component of a raw food cleanse is exercise. Exercise moves the lymph fluid though our body, helping to remove cellular waste products. Exercise is the only way to move the lymph. Exercise also helps to tone the body while you are losing weight and aids in reducing any uncomfortable side-effects of the raw cleanse, such as a possible bout of constipation.

Who Should Do a Raw Food Cleanse?

A raw cleanse or detox is beneficial to anybody who wants to be healthier and wants their body to operate at peak performance. This internal cleansing will show on the outside and some of the noticeable benefits of cleansing internally will manifest themselves in better looking skin, weight loss, more energy and healing.

Even if you are eating totally raw now, doing a cleanse using only raw foods will be helpful because this type of cleansing gives you different tools to add to your raw food diet. Some of these "tools" can be a day or two of juice feasting, a day or more of water fasting, a day of eating concentrated greens, and so on. The different tools will vary according to the type of raw food cleanse that you choose to do. No matter where your health is, cleansing using raw food for a specific amount of time will help you to achieve your optimal level of health.
Benefits of a Raw Food Cleanse
When you start to cleanse or detoxify your body you will notice numerous wellness benefits including weight loss, a better complexion and increased mental clarity. Some people have reported that aches and pains are reduced or eliminated and other health challenges have cleared up.
A raw detox is an excellent weight loss diet since it is both very safe and extremely effective. For those who do not need to lose weight such as athletes, pregnant women or those at their ideal weight, but want to be more healthier, feel better and look vibrant as well as other health benefits including ridding their body of toxins, a raw food diet cleanse is ideal. All you have to do is simply add more calories in the form of nut milks, juices and/or greens.

A raw food cleanse is beneficial for health and wellness for those those don't want to go totally raw with their daily diet. Doing a raw detox for a week or more will not only cleanse the body of stored toxins, but will contribute to overall wellness since it offers the organs a rest from the difficult task of digesting hard-to-digest substances and those lacking in nutrients such as meat, non-raw dairy products, processed and cooked foods. A raw food cleanse is also an ideal, but not a necessary way to start a raw food diet. After finishing this type of cleanse, you have the option of continuing to eat only raw food to help you go on to better health and wellness.

How Often Should I Do A Raw Food Cleanse?
The choice to cleanse your body is totally up to you. While some do seasonal house cleaning, others think of an internal cleansing as "personal house cleaning" and do a cleanse seasonally. Others may do a cleanse whenever they feel their body would benefit from it. The exact frequency and times of cleansing is totally personal and up to you. Your body will thank you and reward you every time you do a cleanse.
How Do I Start A Raw Food Cleanse?
If you are interested in doing a raw food cleanse, my advice is to seek out a knowledgeable person who will help you in doing a cleanse. This can be a holistic doctor, a naturopath, a health coach or someone who is simply helping others to eat raw and has helped other to do raw cleanses. You should not make up your own type of cleanse, especially if you have never done a cleanse before. Your cleanse instructions should include a specific meal plan for each day of your cleansing so that you can have your food prepared. I had the opportunity to interview Jinjee Talifero, creator of the 21 Days Raw Cleanse. Read that interview and learn about the raw cleanse she has successfully guided many through at http://www/raw-food-diet-magazine.com/raw-food-cleanse.html.
No matter what particular type of raw cleanse you do, a raw food cleanse is a gift that you are giving to your body and your body will thank you by giving back better health and vitality.

http://goarticles.com/article/Raw-Food-Diet-Cleanse-A-Safe-Effective-Natural-Way-to-Lose-Weight-Feel-Great-and-Houseclean-Your-Body/5264719/

Why Your'e Never Too Fat To Get Fit

Peddle power: A stationary bike can help when walking is difficult. Photo: iStock

Finding the motivation to get fitter with regular walking deserves a pat on the back – so imagine how it feels if instead you get yelled at from passing cars by people poking fun at your size.   

Welcome to the world of people whose weight makes it harder to get moving. It’s a world that exercise physiologist Dr Adam Fraser knows well. He specialises in helping people with diabetes get fitter and many of his clients have BMIs of 40 plus.

“Self-worth can also affect our ability to lose weight – we need to cut overweight people some slack.” 

“Many people don’t understand how physically and emotionally complex obesity can be – including some health professionals,” he says. “Often their approach is ‘you’ve just got to lose weight' but with no attempt to see what might be driving someone’s weight problem or finding out what exercise they might enjoy and be motivated to do,” he says. “Some health professionals think if you just beat people over the head hard enough with guilt and statistics they’ll lose weight.”

Fraser believes more GPs should work with Accredited Exercise Physiologists who can tailor exercise programs to suit overweight people with physical problems such as pain in overloaded joints that make exercise harder.   

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“We have to find something that doesn’t hurt and is sustainable,” he says. “Ideally it’s a mix of different exercises that give a range of health benefits. If walking is difficult, using a stationary bike and exercising in water are good - they help bear the weight and are easier on joints.

“If you’re very overweight strength training is good because it allows you to stay in control of the movement.  It burns kilojoules, improves blood glucose control and strengthens muscles around joints – that’s important because if you’ve been inactive and are very overweight exercising puts a load on the body that you’re not used to,” he says. “Strength training is under-recognised for overweight people – if you strengthen the muscles that support the joints physical activity becomes easier.”  

Once people become more active, it doesn’t take long to see results, especially with blood pressure and blood glucose control which improve quickly, Fraser says. The challenge then is getting people to stick with an exercise habit if they’re self-conscious about walking in public, let alone joining a gym.

In New York or Chicago this could be easier – there’s a gym chain, Downsize Fitness, catering especially for overweight people. But in Australia that’s not an option yet.    

“Some people cope by going to the gym during the day when there are few people around – others learn to suck it up,” he says. As for walking outdoors, some people stick their ear buds in to block out any abuse.

Staying motivated also depends on having specific exercise goals rather than good intentions.   

“The goal isn’t to  ‘exercise more’  it’s to  exercise four times a week at 6am for 45 minutes,” says Fraser. “You also need to set up your environment to maximise your chances of success – like having workout clothes and shoes laid out the night before.  

“But if you’re very overweight see your GP first to make sure there are no underlying problems with your heart or with blood pressure, or check if any medication you take is likely to be affected by exercise -   exercise can increase the potency of some medication.”

As for the rest of us, Fraser’s message is that obesity isn’t as simple as we think.

“I know women who eat little and exercise a lot but still have difficulty losing weight because they have problems like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome that make weight loss harder.

“Self-worth can also affect our ability to lose weight – we need to cut overweight people some slack.”

If you have a chronic health problem that can be improved with exercise, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, you may be eligible for five rebated visits annually to an exercise physiologist – ask your GP. 

To find an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in your area go to Exercise and Sports Science Australia

Have you improved your fitness despite your size - and did other people make it easier or harder?

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/blogs/chew-on-this/why-youre-never-too-fat-to-get-fit-20131007-2v32i.html

Weight Loss That Works for Men

At it's heart, weight loss is quite simply eating less calories than we use. But, being human, that's way too easy for us to understand so we seek to complicate things. Whether that's by excluding certain items (sugar, fat, carbs, whatever), eating certain things on certain days, etc.

And being male we tend to like the slightly complicated rules of some diet plans because they seem to help us feel more in control of our ever bulging bellies.

So, what weight loss plans work for men? And why would they be different from weight loss plans for women?

Answering the second question first, there's no real difference apart from men can get away with eating a few more calories than women and still lose weight. Other than that, it's down to what's on the plate.

At their most basic, any weight loss plan will work for men. But some seem to work better than others.

If you're in any doubt, obviously you should have a chat with your doctor before implementing a diet or an exercise plan. That makes sense, even if you haven't quite got round to having that chat yet (but you will, won't you?!)

I'm old enough to remember the adverts here in the UK that said if you could pinch an inch of flesh you were probably overweight. And - despite having lost quite a bit of weight - I can certainly still pinch an inch or two.

But I'm getting there. I'm noticeably slimmer than I was a year ago and I've dropped from 38" waist to 34" and will soon be in 32". Which means that whatever is working for me could easily work for you.

Start by getting back in the kitchen.

If you're at work during the day, stock up the fridge and freezer. And batch cook, freezing down the remaining portions (remembering to label them). Then thaw a portion in the fridge during the day so it's ready to cook at night.

Rice takes between about 10 and 12 minutes to cook from boiling and a 50 gram portion is actually quite a good size, especially if you use Basmati rice which seems to "fluff up" bigger than other rice, which is part of the eating your food with your eyes side of things.

Pasta is another quick staple. Again, 9 or 10 minutes to cook from boiling.

Make sure you have variety. Don't just eat chilli or whatever every day because you've made a pot for the week. Vary the meat you use (assuming you're a carnivore) and use fish in the rota of foods you eat as well.

If you can, don't have the same main meat or fish twice in a row. This gives your body some help in various ways and also means if you don't totally get on with that particular food, your body can cope anyway.

The same goes for the vegetables. Don't just have peas or whatever with every meal!

Fruit is helpful but not essential, despite what the five-a-day advice says. Think about it: our cave men ancestors would only have eaten fruit in season and they lived fine on that kind of diet.

Apart from that, weigh yourself daily. And keep a note of it - I use a spreadsheet. Ideally, boast about your weight loss to your friends. Then they'll help you keep on track when you stray occasionally.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Weight-Loss-That-Works-for-Men&id=8027169

How Does Protein Help You Lose Weight?

Protein is an essential nutrient to help you lose weight. According to the Insanity Nutrition Guide, your diet should consist of 40 percent protein. When you have the proper amount of protein in your diet, your blood sugar levels will remain stable, which will help with weight loss.

A study found that when people ate a diet that contained at least 30 percent protein they ate 400 less calories per day. They experienced less hunger, more satisfaction and they lost weight. Researchers have found that when people eat a high protein diet, their brain receives lower levels of hormones that stimulate the appetite. In another study, people on high protein diets lost more weight and fat than people on high carbohydrate diets. The loss of weight and fat are due to the increased feeling of fullness that a high protein diet provides.

When protein is eaten and enters the stomach, the body produces a hormone called PYY. PYY is believed to decrease a person's hunger. When a high protein diet is eaten, the body produces more PYY, which decreases hunger and help a person to lose weight.

Anytime you go on a diet, your body loses both muscle and fat. High protein diets help to preserve muscle mass. Protein contains amino acids. These amino acids help your body to build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn each day. One of the most important amino acids for weight loss is leucine. When your diet is high in protein that is rich in leucine, your metabolism will speed up and your will lose weight. Good sources of leucine include whey protein powder, cottage cheese and red meat. When you maintain your body's muscle mass, your metabolism will stay revved up. Protein also requires more calories to digest than an equal amount of fat or carbohydrate. This means that fewer calories are available to your body.

Studies have shown that a high protein diet with less than 150 grams of carbohydrates will help with weight loss, improve heart health and stabilize blood sugar levels. This high protein diet will help to lower levels of triglycerides in the blood. This help the brain absorb leptin more easily. This means that you will feel fuller on fewer calories. When leptin levels increase in the brain your metabolism will rise and your appetite will decrease.

The Insanity Nutrition Guide recommends that you eat five meals a day. All meals have roughly the same calorie count. When you eat a balanced meal every few hours, it will keep your metabolism steadily burning fat. Each meal and snack that you eat should contain protein.

Good sources of high quality, low fat protein include eggs, egg whites, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, lean red meat, nuts and beans. Look for protein that is low in saturated fats. There are also many protein powders and bars that can be added to your diet.

A high protein diet is a delicious way to lose weight. You can enjoy eggs for breakfast, chicken for lunch and steak for dinner, all the while knowing that you are helping to stoke your body's fat burning furnace. This high protein diet will help to get your metabolism running in high gear and help to keep your appetite in check.

For more information about the Insanity Nutrition Guide you can visit videoworkoutreview.com where we have everything you want to learn about the Insanity Workout program. We offer an in-depth Insanity Workout Review, post info about the Insanity Workout Schedule and much much more...

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Protein-Help-You-Lose-Weight?&id=7523094

Weight Loss and Sugar

Slimmimg down doesn't Jive with Sugar.

We understand that your diet plans can sometimes take a back seat to your sugar cravings. This is something that most folks can have trouble with. And yes, your diet can end up taking a hit. That inner need to feed the sugar bear that lies just under the surface can be a grizzly bear before you know it.

It's important to understand how sugar plays a role in your weight plan & what exactly sugar is?

Definition: A sweet crystalline or powdered substance, white when pure, consisting of sucrose obtained mainly from sugar cane and sugar beets and used in many foods, drinks, and medicines to improve their taste.

If you're like me and you're at the mercy of your sugar tooth, weight loss can be a long and uphill battle. But the good news is that you can take control and own your sugar cravings.

Reason of leave sugar behind:

1) Sugar is one of the main causes of weight gain.

• Processed sugar is full of 'bad' calories and your body stores these 'bad' calories in your fat tissue.
• That tasty treat that you know you shouldn't eat, is most likely full of amino acid and glucose (sugar).
• One of the biggest issues with taking in so much sugar in your diet is that you are not eating the right foods and then that leads to putting on more weight.

2) Sugar contributes to Diabetes, Kidney and Heart problems.

Diabetes:

• Too much sugar can also have a devastating affect on your pancreas and it's ability to execute correctly.
• Candy and other bad foods that contain sugar will lead you down the wrong path and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• When a person consumes food that causes an increase in blood sugar, your system creates a lot of insulin in-order to handle the increased levels and will attempt to remove it from your bloodstream. This can bring on diabetes.

Kidney Failure:

• Your kidneys will slowly break down as your blood sugar level increases over a period of time.
• Protein molecules are moved through your kidneys leading to larger amount of glucose and eventually destroying your kidneys altogether.
• Long-term problems arise when people who suffer from diabetes do not change their eating habits.
• Kidneys are susceptible to severe damage when having to deal with too much sugar over a long period of time.
• This can result in kidney failure, which can have serious effects on your over all health.

Heart Problems:

• For many decades now doctors have been telling us that the connection between heart disease and sugar is not only real but is deadly.
• Simply stated; that you can draw a straight line between sugar and heart disease.
• Studies have found that over 20% of people who use sugar (over and above recommended amounts) are 3 times more likely to suffer from heart disease.
• When we consume food and beverages that contains added sugar such as soft drinks, bakery goodies, salty snacks and candy bars etc., we increase our risk of metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

3) How much sugar is safe to eat.

• We contacted the American Heart Association and they explained to us that less than 5% of your daily calories should come in the form of sugar and no more.
• A regular can of Pepsi Cola that contains close to 40 grams of sugar alone. Drink that can of Pepsi along with a bag of chips and a candy bar and you've almost exceeded you weekly sugar in-take in one day.

4) What can you do to help with your diet.

• Drink Water! There is no better liquid to put into your body than water. You are made up of 78% H2O. So it would only stand to reason that you would need to replenish your body with a constant in-take of water.
• Decrease the amount of sugar you add to your coffee and tea (here's a hint> try eliminating sugar from your caffeinated beverages altogether) and see if can you enjoy it that way. It may take a little time to get used to the taste without sugar, but you'd be surprised how easily you can train your taste buds.
• When you're at the super market, buy whole-grain cereals instead of ones that are laced with sugar. If need be, you can always add your own sugar at home and this way you have control over the amount of sugar that is in your breakfast.
• Another way of reducing your sugar in-take is to simply eat smaller portions.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Weight-Loss-and-Sugar&id=7953233

Exercise and Cancer: the benefits

Written by Melanie Bowen

Physical activity is beneficial for anyone going through cancer. For those who have experienced difficult treatment and surgery for more deadly cancers like mesothelioma, or more common cancer such as breast and colon, it’s important that you help your body heal but also repair itself. Some of the leading medical journals have described physical fitness as one way patients can help themselves get healthier in addition to traditional treatments. While it was once thought that more rest and relaxation allowed the body to repair, many now firmly believe that with daily exercise and activities, you can greatly impact your return to a healthier state.

Getting the Most From Fitness

It starts with just light activity. You don’t have to push yourself in the beginning. Most likely, you won’t be able to move around or have the endurance to go on long
runs, uphill hikes or eight-mile bike rides. However, with some low impact exercises designed to help with bone and joint problems, you can ensure safely getting back
into the swing of things. Some preferable low impact exercises stem from yoga, row machines, cycling, strength training and even martial arts. It’s up to you where you
start, but each day, you can build upon these fitness routines for a stronger body in the end.

Planning Your Fitness Routine

You should start off every day with light stretching. You can help keep your muscles loose this way. Warming up with a short walk is another way to help your fitness
routine go smoothly. Plan for light exercise in the morning, about 20 minutes if possible. However, even something as short as 10 minutes can start you on the path
towards better fitness after cancer. In addition, physical activities also will help you maintain your bone and muscle growth, which is imperative after chemotherapy and
radiation.

Physical Activity Reduces Cancer Risk

Many studies have been released that daily exercise can reduce the risk of cancer significantly in both men and women. Studies have shown that physical activity
reduces the risk of cancers that affect the lining of the uterus, lungs, prostate, and even prevent heart disease. In addition, those who exercise every day for at least
30 minutes are able to better maintain their weight and gain the necessary energy to perform all kinds of other activities. Exercise produces endorphins, which can also
help to improve mood.

If you have been considering what types of physical activity to do after cancer, just start out with something short and light, like a walk or light jog. With weight
training, yoga and exercise machines like ellipticals, you can find your groove for a better you. Talk to your doctor today and see what exercises are conducive to your
condition and treatments.

http://www.claudiasfitness.com/exercise-and-cancer-the-risks-and-benefits/