St Patrick’s day is hardly reason to think “get in shape” or “lose weight”, but the green holiday might be what it takes to get you eating healthier.

The Former Fat Guy Rob Cooper presents 6 ways in which we can take up the “green habit” on St Patrick’s day. Green smoothies, salad’s and soups make up the first 3 of his list but of note is what looks to be a quite delicious green soup recipe.

His thoughts on green foods for St Patrick’s day are great, but what about supplements such as blue green algae, spirulina or even hemp protein? I know, hemp protein is pushing it, but it kinda looks green.  Increasing green foods should help with acne prevention and green tea is said to be good as well.
Either way you look at it, St Patricks day is better know for beer and shamrocks than it is for dieting or weight loss, but maybe we should have a re-think of that.  Take up Rob’s challenge and eat more greens starting March 17th.

Popularity: 17%

Tags: acne treatment, weight loss, nutrition, diet

For no people on earth is it more true than the Japanese, when you say, “you are what you eat”. The Japanese are, by all accounts, the people with the least obesity problem, the highest longevity rate, and best health record. What are they eating?

The importance of rice

Rice is the main carbohydrate food in Japan, consumed with every meal. However, the real basis of the Japanese diet is not rice but fish, consumed at more than 70 kilos per person per year—which means 190 grams daily. This combination of rice and fish, as their staple food is far superior to the American meat and potato, the European little of this, little of that diets, and light years ahead of the Russian pork, potato and mayonnaise daily fare.

Let’s see what else they eat. Miso and other soy products! Miso is a fermented soy product, and a soup is made from it that is light tasting and easy to digest. One gets all the benefits of soy from it. Also, the famous soy sauce. Japanese people, on the average consume about 200 grams of soy products daily.

So why are they so thin and so healthy?

There are a few very good reasons. One is their sparingly consumption of sugar.

Low in sugar

Japanese consume only 20 kilos of sugar per year (compared to the American 71 kilos per year). Another is the Japanese consumption of cereals (which obviously includes rice) to be 105 kilos per year (compared to the American 68 kilos per year).

The human body appears to be doing much better with natural cereals and less sugar than fried potatoes and ‘sugar in everything you eat’ diets. The Japanese have far less incidence of heart disease and cancer than Americans. As they eat as much meat as the Americans do (or more), and smoke more, the theory is refined sugar and stress are the two biggest contributors to destroying one’s health.

Portion size

Another important factor in the Japanese diet is portion size. The portions are small.

This means they savor their food; eat slowly and enjoy it. No “scarfing” down hamburgers and fries here, and king size cola drinks.

Eating with chop sticks help, as you eat more slowly, take smaller bites and are able to appreciate what you are eating. This aids in digestion, and that is a proven fact.

There are two more factors which must be mentioned that make the Japanese diet so successful.

The first is breakfast.

The typical Japanese breakfast can (and usually includes) green tea, steamed rice, miso soup with tofu, spring onions and omelet and both raw and grilled fish.

This gives your body all it needs to start your day well. You will feel better, and such food does not add weight to your body at all. In fact, it stimulates the metabolism mechanism. You will not gain weight, and if overweight, will lose weight.

Variety Never be bored

The second factor is variety.

A typical American will have about 30 varieties of food per week. A typical European (especially southern European) will have about 45. The typical Japanese will have about 100 varieties of food per week, and will include lots of fresh fish, vegetables, fruit and a variety of meats.

There is one over-riding element here as well; the Japanese cook their foods lightly and thus are never feeling stuffed and stuffy after eating.

As you can see the diet is great and its healthy and is perfect for those wanting to lose weight and avoid illness.

For more FREE diet & health advice

for more on the japanese diet and other ways to lose weight and remain healthy. Go to our website for free articles, magazines and downloads:

http://www.net-planet.org

Popularity: 2%

The origin of pimples/acne is still unknown. There are still a few issues, which have not been brought to light. Nobody exactly knows why the pores collapse and pack the sebum content within the skin. Researchers have not been able to find as to how this process spreads from one sebaceous gland to another.

Acne is a skin disease, which is created by the clogged pores on the skin. It is a major problem for millions of teenagers, both male and female. It makes a person depressed and so proper treatment is necessary.

Though pimples are just a small bump on the skin, the effects could be traumatic on some as they lose self-esteem among peers. It is advised to get it treated with the help of a dermatologist who would recommend proper medications, which would heal and prevent acne. Proper care like cleaning the face after jogging, traveling etc are recommended. Shaving properly, avoiding sun and choosing the right cosmetics would help a lot.

Acne is a condition which 90 percent of the population goes through in their teenage years. For some this condition continues till their middle age too. Never pluck the acne as it could leave a mark on your face. The best way to counter this condition is by being health conscious and maintaining cleanliness.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1641.html

You are welcome to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL.

Popularity: 2%