… continued
Over time the person with anorexia nervosa changes in appearance.  They may wear big clothes to hide the weight loss but if you maintain physical contact with your child you will sense the changes.  Their bodies are frail and emaciated.  The natural puberty cycle is often stunted in their bodies.  For girls, menstrual periods stop or donít start at all.

Anorexics are headed for trouble.  With the lack of nutrition being given to their bodies, the cells get what they need wherever they can.  Bones become weak because cells are robbing calcium from the bones.  Lack of energy is a common symptom because there is no fat for fuel.  The organs will eventually begin to shut down.
… continued
All the while, the person suffering from anorexia nervosa is in denial.  They do not believe that they are doing anything wrong and are reluctant to talk about what is happening to them.  Depression sets in because no one understands them.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition.  The first step in curing it is to get help at the first sign that something is wrong.  In order to do that, communication between you and your child or other family member must be open and healthy.

Ingredients:
2 cups canned butter beans
2 cups canned kidney beans
2 cups canned green beans
2 cups yellow beans
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup red onions, chopped
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp celery seeds

Method:
Add all drained cans of beans to a large serving bowl. Add chopped celery, pepper and onion and gently stir.

In a saucepan, combine vinegar, olive oil, celery seeds and sugar and bring to a quick boil. Pour the mixture over the beans and gently toss.

Cover and marinate for 24 to 48 hours.

This is a great salad to take to a potluck BBQ. Enjoy!

Among the various diets found in today’s world of searching for better health, you can find what is known as a juice fast or detoxification diet. This type of fast diet involves the consumption of only water, raw vegetable and fruit juices for a certain period of time. The reason behind this diet is for the beneficial antioxidants and vitamins contained in fresh juices. This diet is considered one of extreme detox as there is no solid food consumed for the duration.

There are many reasons people may choose a juice fast diet over another type. Juice fasts can be used for losing weight, religious reasons, or to assist in weaning oneself from possible unhealthy habits. These could include overeating, caffeine addiction or smoking – to name a few. Then there are fasters who are a little more serious about their routines with juice fasting. They use it as an alternative healing technique to many conventional treatments. It may be used as a healing method for pain management, arthritis, infections resistant to antibiotics and other ailments as well.

There are certain people for whom juice diets aren’t recommended. This group of people includes pregnant or nursing women, children, diabetics, or people with anemia. Anyone with an impaired immune system, low blood pressure, terminal illness or epilepsy should also stay clear. People with any chronic illness or condition should steer clear of a juice fast unless they doing so under strict medical supervision. Never try a juice fast before or after surgery.

When considering how long your juice fast is going to last, there is an easy rule of thumb to follow. Continue with the juice fast until you have two days without any symptoms of detoxification. If you wish, you can also stick to a juice fast three or four days a week while eating a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables the other days. Along with sipping your juice during the day, it is recommended you also consume approximately six glasses of water at room temperature.

Whey protein powders are quite popular as a supplement in the diets of athletes and bodybuilders. Proteins are an essential factor in the repair and building of muscle. A supplement of protein in your diet is important – not only to protect you from injury but especially for those who are looking to build more muscle.

The most common form found is whey protein. It’s a product derived from milk used during the cheese-making process whey protein is collected and separated from the cheese. It is quite easy to frequently find fantastic deals on this already inexpensive product.

While searching for whey protein powders, you will see just how many different types are out there. Whey protein concentrates (the least expensive) and whey protein isolates are the most common. The purity of the protein powder in the concentrated form is approximately 75% protein by weight.

Although types containing a higher quality by weight will be of higher quality and have better absorption rates into your body but they will carry a heavier price tag as well.

Our bodies need amino acids in order to be used as fuel for the rebuilding of muscles. Whey protein happens to contain these amino acids at the appropriate level for rapid intake and usage. This helps to increase the response from both hormones and cells, but it must be consumed immediately following a workout. Not only will this assist in building muscle – it will also enhance muscle endurance while reducing any deterioration. These amino acids will have the ability to be metabolized directly into the muscle tissue rather than the liver as with other amino acids.

It’s not to be assumed, however, that you will become bigger with larger amounts of protein consumed – no matter what your lifestyle is. Leading a sedentary lifestyle isn’t going to make the whey protein achieve anything miraculous. The more exercise you do, the more protein you need. It is recommended that strength athletes consume an approximate 0.7 to 0.8 grams of protein for each pound of body weight. However, going over this amount will only lead to extra fat to burn, no matter how much strength training you intend on doing.

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

2 blocks firm tofu (16 oz)
1/4 cup tamari soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange peel

Fresh parsley or fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Cut tofu into large bite-sized pieces and place into a dish. Combine all other ingredients and pour over the tofu pieces. Marinate for one hour.

Remove tofu and place into a small baking dish with 1/2 cup of the marinade. Bake in oven for about one hour, occasionally stirring and basting with the remaining marinade.

Sprinkle finished tofu with chopped parsley or coriander and enjoy with brown rice and a tossed salad. .

A great vegan dish!

People have discovered what their ancestors knew a long time ago:  the earth can be used to heal the people who live on it.   Some remedies for cuts, scrapes, cold, fever and internal ailments are as close as the kitchen in your home.  Two of those cures are found in honey and garlic.

Bees have known since the beginning of time that they were special.  They spend their entire lives gathering pollen to create nectar and turn it into honey.  You enjoy the sweet-tasting fruit of their labors in your tea and desserts, but what about when you are sick?  Honey has a wide range of applications for curing what ails you.

Honey has properties to fight infections in the body.  When you cut yourself, apply a little honey to the wound to kill any bacteria in the vicinity.  It is sticky and dries quickly to form a seal over whatever it is resting on.  If it happens to be your scrape or cut, honey can be just as good if not better than a bandage for keeping dirt and bugs out of a healing wound.

Honey has been added to tea to soothe tired vocal cords and reduce the irritation of a sore throat.  Forget the tea and eat a spoonful of honey every day to induce a restful night of sleep and keep your immune system operating at optimal levels.  That same spoonful of honey can turn that irritating cough into a productive one by loosening mucous secretions.  Mix it with vinegar and apple juice for a stomach soother.

What about garlic?  It is not a desirable smell on your breath, but it does wonders for your body.  Garlic and onions are from the same family of plants that contain a substance called allicin.  This substance has been found to lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure and cut the symptoms of a cold.  Those who ingest garlic regularly are doing a good thing for their heart and vascular systems.

The best way to get garlic is to include it in your diet.  Pills are a second choice, but the garlic tastes so much better sprinkled on a baked potato or baked into a steak.  Garlic is activated when it is cut; that is when the smell of the allicin is given off.

Garlic is known to be an anti-microbial agent, fighting bacteria, fungus and viral infections.  It strengthens the immune system to fight colds and their symptoms.  Eating hot soup infused with garlic keeps the body strong against colds, flu and sinus issues.   You can use garlic in a paste or poultice directly on the body to aid in healing of cuts.

Garlic has a strong odor but it also does a mighty job.  Add a little garlic to your daily menu to keep the body healthy proactively.  As for honey, just ask a bee how helpful it is.

Ingredients:
1 lb dried black beans (or other beans your choice)
8 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp pepper
2 cups onions, chopped
2 cups red potatoes, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrot, sliced
6 garlic cloves, minced
1.12oz can stewed tomatoes

Method:

Place black beans into a bowl, cover completely with water to about 2 inches above the beans and leave overnight. Then drain.

Add beans to large crock pot, add 8 cups of water and remaining ingredients. Cover with lid and simmer for about 2 1/2 hours on very low temperature or until vegetables are tender.

Serve hot with a crusty French bread.

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp walnuts
1 cup of vegetable broth
1 cup mushrooms, such as fresh shitake, sliced
1 head of broccoli, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water
3 tbsp soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Seeds to garnish

Method:

Heat oil in a wok and sautÈ carrots and onions until almost tender. Add broccoli and walnuts and stir. Add 1 cup of broth and cook until veggies are tender. To thicken the sauce, add the dissolved cornstarch. Stir briefly, then add soy sauce, salt and pepper to your taste.

Sprinkle with seeds of your choice and serve with whole-grain noodles.

1/2 cup sesame seeds
16oz bow tie pasta
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp white sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp black pepper
3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, cut in strips
1 red bell pepper, cut in strips
1/3 cup green onions, chopped

Method:

Heat a little pan over medium heat and add sesame seeds. Stir constantly and cook until toasted. Be careful not to burn them! Set aside.

Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain finished pasta and rinse under cold water. When cool, place into large serving bowl.

Blend vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger and pepper. Add to pasta and toss gently. Mix in chicken, cilantro, green onions and bell peppers.

This makes a great and wholesome take-away lunch.

image from: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/and-now-the-exercise-resistant-dieter/

Losing weight is never easy, especially after pregnancy.  You have given your body as a comfortable home for your baby until his birth.  Now, it’s time to get that house back in order.  Here are some tips for regaining that pre-pregnancy baby body.

1.  First of all, give yourself some time.  The most important thing to be concerned about is the baby.  Your body also needs some rest after nine months of sharing a body.  Give it two or three months at the least before you think seriously about starting your weight-loss regimen.

2.  Start slowly.  The only way to stick with an exercise plan is to ease into it.  Women who dive head first into exercise may get discouraged by aches and pains.

3.  Don’t have unrealistic expectations.  It takes time to get up enough energy to do a full workout and to lose the weight. In order to avoid discouragement star with small goals you would like to achieve.

4.  Do something that you love to do.  You may have to work back up to it but that’s okay. For example, if you love jogging, start out walking until you are ready to jog.  Exercise because you want to not because you have to.

5.  Exercise at least two days a week to begin with.  Twenty to thirty minutes two days a week will help you start the process to lose weight and keep your heart and lungs in shape.  Leave a day of rest in between each workout so your body can recover. Use the buddy- system, find a friend that want to get in shape and that way you have a great support system for those days you don’t feel like putting your jogging shoes on!

These tips are the beginning to getting your body back in shape, once you have started this regimen and you feel comfortable with your rhythm, start adding more days, then add more time- one hour every other would be ideal, last but not least, when you feel your body is ready add weights to your ankles and/or arms to your walk or jog for example.

Getting back in shape is not easy, but the rewards are amazing for the body and soul!