You’ve probably heard of alkalizing your body by now and how it will boost your health. But in order to fully appreciate how an alkaline body helps in our daily living, it is imperative to know the components of an alkaline diet and the importance of maintaining the pH of our body.

pH refers to the measure of acidity or basicity of a solution. More accurately, it pertains to the extent of dissociation of hydrogen ions of our body. If we consume the right types and amounts of nutrients and minerals conducive to our body’s development, our body is able to maintain the right pH balance. But you may wonder for a moment what exactly are the ‘right’ nutrients and minerals? This is where alkaline diet comes into the picture.

The concept of alkaline diet is ultimately about foods that leaves an alkaline residue in our body after digestion. Our body’s pH balance fluctuates with each intake of food, and in order to maintain it at the optimum pH, our body must have enough alkaline reserves which can only be obtained if we include at the minimum 80% of alkaline foods in our diet.

How do we classify foods into acidic or alkaline foods?

Chlorine, phosphorus and sulfur in food will probably give acidic residue after the food has been digested. Conversely, minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium found in food will leave an alkaline residue.

We should always bear in mind that all foods leave residue in our body after digestion. If you recall the food pyramid taught in Health education classes, meat and seafood, dairy products, alcoholic drinks, chemical sweeteners, sweets and chocolates, and even grains forms acidic residue! However, green leafy vegetables and fruits low in sugar contain organic aids and are full of alkaline goodness after digestion. So do remember to include a larger proportion of greens and fruits in your diet to maintain an alkaline pH in your body.

Why is it Important to Alkalize the Body?

People living in the modern society are plagued with many diseases and the growing number of sufferers far outstripped our ancestors? Why is such a scenario happening? It can be attributed to our diet which is heavily acidic. Foods that leaves a high content of acidic residues revolves in our circulatory system and are not rid of by our kidneys, lungs and bowels.

According to Dr Theodore Baroody, author of the critically acclaimed book “Alkalize or Diet”, the reason for these diseases was due to excessive acidic residue in our body. Acidic mediums are conducive for the breeding of diet-related diseases, which will lead to death. When our body is deprived of the essential alkaline reserves, nutrients and minerals, excessive acids in our bloodstream may lead to slow poisoning of our body due to our diet which comprises of a high percentage of acidic foods. Excess acids will also weaken and in severe cases, damage our bodily functions and cellular actives such as respiration, digestion, hormone production and blood circulation.

Start with an Alkaline Diet Today!

If you are guilty of consuming acid-rich food, fret not. You can definitely reverse the situation through alkalizing your body today. We will be able to enjoy a new lease of energy if we maintain the pH balance in our body. On top of that, another benefit of the alkaline diet is to remove the acidic environment that serves as the breeding ground of acidic toxins which will over time result in an onslaught of diseases. Nutritionists and medical doctors recommends a daily consumption of at least five servings of vegetables and green foods which are highly alkaline.

Affluence and technology have resulted in an epidemic of diet-related diseases. However, there is no need to remain pessimistic. Instead of blindness pursuit of wealth and fame, which will come to naught without good health, why not change your health for the better starting today? We should all grab this opportunity and start incorporating the alkaline diet into our everyday life. It may be difficult to give up your favorite acidic foods at the start, but be assured that your efforts will pay off when you see your overall health being restored. Instead of consuming supplements and medicine, start with the root of the problem – diet. And the solution is to begin alkalizing your body by providing an alkaline environment for every cells and bodily functions in your body to thrive.

About the Author –Emma Deangela is one of the key authors for Alkaline Diet. She loves to share her experience with her readers on tips to stay healthy, disease free, and how to lose weight the alkaline way. Her alkaline diet newsletter is available at http://thealkalinediet.org/registration/; if you would like to find out more about juicy alkaline diet tips and recipes.

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These days, yoga is becoming more and more popular. people are beginning to understand the various benefits of yoga mainly to do with:

• Healing properties
• Weight reduction
• Mental health
• Beauty/ Skin condition
• Sex

Now, there are even fashions that have been specifically created for yoga, such as yoga pants. We see all kinds of people carrying around their yoga bags. You know the ones: They look like fabric tubes with a shoulder strap. But, what is really in these bags, and how much gear does one really need to be able to practice yoga?

What’s In the Bag?

Let’s take the mystery out what is in that tubular little bag that thousand of people are carrying around with them every day. First of all, the most important thing anyone needs to do yoga is a mat, which can be purchased for less than $20. These are lightweight, and usually measure a couple of feet wide and about four or five feet long. They are rolled up and easily slide into the yoga bag. A lot of people opt for larger yoga bags, so they can carry their workout clothing with them too.

Make a Yoga Bag

If you have any sewing skills at all, this is one of the simplest projects you can do, and it shouldn’t take long to make. All you need is a piece of fabric (denim is durable, and looks cool), about two and a half feet long and wide enough so that when formed into a tube-shape, the opening, when opened into a circle, is about eight to ten inches across. Sew the long seam. Cut out a circle to fit the opening of the tube, and sew in place. Sew a one-inch hem at the top, leaving the ends open. Turn bag inside out, and run a drawstring through the hem. Your yoga bag is ready to use.

Make a Yoga Mat

Yoga mats are pretty cheap in the first place, but if you really want to save money, you can make your own in just a few minutes. All you need is a piece of carpet underlay, which is soft on top and will grip the floor. You may have scraps left over from home carpeting projects, or, you can pick up remnants at flooring stores for just a couple of dollars, or free. Cut a piece the size of a regular yoga mat, and you’re all set. With your gear ready, you can start practicing yoga and getting into great shape, both physically and mentally.
Authored by Brittany Carter from ExtremeHomeWorkout.com. Get the Shaun T Insanity workout and get in great shape.

Yes! Friendly-tips has taken a “U turn” today & we are taking about the benefits of smoking.

I started with the intention to write on Tips to Quit Smoking, but soon realized that it is easier said than done.  Especially people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will find it extremely hard to kick this habit.

A good friend once joking said : “ It is so easy to quit smoking, I have quit so many times.”

Here is a boon for such friends & for their friends ( passive smokers like me) – Green Cigarette. Commercially these products are known as Electronic cigarettes or alternative cigarettes. The benefits of this modern day wonder are:

• No tar or carbon monoxide to darken your lungs
• No ash, no second hand smoke (passive smoke) & also no risk of fire.
• No offensive smoke, can be had even in “No smoking areas”
• Produces a smoke like vapour which is harmless to the ozone layer.
• ( Yes it does have nicotine) & you can choose between 0-16mg nicotine levels of cigarette.
• These electronic green cigarettes can be used to even kick the habit of smoking.

Now for the obvious question “ where can I buy these e-cigarettes ?” The best quality green cigarettes can be bought here “ Buy cigarette online“

For all those readers who  would  rater still quit smoking here are few tips for serious trier.

• Go Physical : 30 minutes of moderate physical activity will distract you from early morning cigarette craving.
• Try Yoga/ breathing exercises/relaxation techniques :  Improved breathing increases will power & will be a great asset in your battle against tobacco.
• Chew…chew..: Give some activity to your mouth:  chew gum, carrot sticks or bar . Do anything that distracts the urge to grab the next puff.
• Publicity stunt: Announcing publicly that you have quit smoking will increase your chances of sticking on to your decision.
• Nicotine replacements: Try nicotine substitutes like nicotine patch/ gum. It is here that green / alternate cigarettes will be most useful.

To discover more about electronic cigarettes visit “ Cigarettes on line”

The famous chili is back in news. This time it’s not for bringing tears in your eyes or for burning your tongue, but for its health benefits.

We had long known chili to be Rich in Vitamin A & C ( Did you know that chilies have more vitamin C per gram than Orange ?). Another astonishing fact about chili is that it’s rich in beta carotene too. The best know benefit of chilies is its ability to reduce pain. Eating chilies will aid release of endorphins which in turn reduces pain.

The famous chili is back in news for another good reason- “ Eating chili will help in weight loss.”

Dr. K. D. Ahuja and Dr.M. J. Ball of the University of Tasmania (Australia) found that a “freshly chopped chili” eaten daily slowed the oxidation of cholesterol even more effectively than taking vitamin E and antioxidant supplements. The same team, along with Dr. I. K. Robertson and Dr. D. P. Geraghty, also found that consuming chilies for a month lowered resting heart rate in men.

This week, there came further evidence that chilies indeed aid fat loss. Scientists are reporting that the compound capsaicin (found in chilies), helps in weight loss by triggering certain protein changes in the body. The lab experiments were done on rats by feeding them fatty food & fatty food with chilies. Rats on a diet of fatty food with chilies lost an astounding 8% body fat ! Click here to read the complete details of this research

No article on Chili can be complete without a recipe. So here is my famous Chili salsa recipe:

Recipe of chili salsa:

Ingredients:  1 red capsicum, 1 green capsicum, 1 cucumber, 4 tomatoes, 4-5 spring onions or 1 medium onion, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tsp of red vinegar, 1 bunch coriander & 1 bunch of mint leaves.

Method :

Char the capsicum over flame & remove skin & seeds.

Blanch tomatoes to remove skin.

Remove the skin & seeds from cucumber.

Roughly chop the other vegetables & herbs.

Blend all the ingredients in a blender. ( you can chop them fine too.. I prefer blended)

Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Now enjoy this salsa with pack of favorite wafers or bread.

Chili lovers can click here to discover the book “600 Chili Recipes for Chili Lovers.”

a. The Myth of Good and Bad Cholesterol

There are actually two types of cholesterol, which is not a known fact for people who misconstrue it as something bad. HDL is the name of the good cholesterol, while the bad one is called LDL. A bloodstream with too much LDL will result in plaques in the arteries. Over time, blood will have a difficult time travelling your arteries because the opening becomes narrow thanks to the amount of bad cholesterol in it. Dietary cholesterol is not the culprit for your having high cholesterol in the blood. Rather, it is copious amounts of saturated fat along with Tran’s fat that is to blame for the tightening of the artery. To keep your cholesterol on the low level, you should eat plenty of unsaturated fats and fibrous foods, as well as exercise often.

b. Cholesterol Numbers and What They Mean

On an average, adults will usually need to have cholesterol checks every five years. Each time you get a cholesterol check it will yield four results –  total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides. You will probably need more exercise and dietary change if you go above or below the healthy levels.

Total Cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L)

LDL Cholesterol – less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)

HDL Cholesterol – greater than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)

Triglycerides – less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)

c. Can Vitamin E Protect Your Heart?

Vegetable oils, nuts and leafy vegetables are good sources of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is not proven to stop you from getting a stroke, but it can lessen your heart disease risk level.

d. Five Great Foods to Lower Your Cholesterol

1. Oatmeal and Oat Bran: These contain a high amount of soluble fiber, which can lower LDL.

2. Fish: Fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which lowers LDL and raises HDL.

3. Nuts: Not only are nuts high in fiber, but they contain the healthy fats you need to keep LDL in check.

4. Plant Sterols: This is found in foods like margarine, salad dressing, orange juice, and functional cookies. 2 grams per day will lower your LDL by 10-15%.

5. Soy: This popular meat replacement can lower LDL by up to 3%.

e. Plant Sterols and its Healthy Benefits

Foods such as VitaTops Muffin Tops, Benecol Spread, granola bars and fat free milk are rich sources of plant sterols. You can easily help your heart when you start eating foods packed with plant sterols and avoid eating foods that contain saturated fats. A saturated fat-filled diet is not canceled out by this. Exercising often as well as eating healthy food will keep your cholesterol in check.

About the Writer – Deborah H. Land writes for cholesterol reduction diet site, her personal hobby blog she uses to help people lower bad cholesterol levels.

Flax seed health benefits are established beyond any doubt. If you are looking for preventive medicine, flax seed benefits are second to none.

Here is a look at 5 benefits of flax seed:

1. Flax seed is fiber rich & adding a little flax to ones meal will improve your colon.
2. Flax seed stabilizes blood sugar in the body; this is a great boon to diabetics.
3. These in enough evidence in various researches done to suggest that flax seed aids in the shrinkage of cancerous tumors.
4. Flax seed oil is sweet smelling compared to its closest competitor (fish oil). Flax seed also wins against fish oil with respect to calories per teaspoon.
5. Flax seed has omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are sure to improve your life span by:

• Strengthening the immune system
• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Help in combating depression.

You can source best quality flax seed oil here by clicking the link here Highest Lignan Flax Oil by Barlean’s Organic Oils

Omega 3 fatty acids are also an anti-inflammatory food because they help in reducing joint pain.

Despite all the nutritional benefits of flax seed, if you are trying the flax seed for the first time you may not like it due to its bland taste. The best way to consume it is by sprinkling a little flax seed on top of your favorite dishes & using flaxseed oil. A gentle reminder that too much even good things are bad, please use flax seed in moderation till your body gets used to it & live a long healthy life.

Organic flaxseed is the best flax seed you can get for your family’s health Buy best quality organic flax seed at an offer prize here.

Study better & have fun too! Yes it is possible to get better grades even if ones is of average IQ. In fact getting better grades has got do very little with your intelligence & IQ score.

This article may not help you immensely if you are reading this just a day prior to exam. “How to get better grades at school” is an ebook that may help you in that case. Here are friendly-tips to help any student get better grades at college & school:

3 tips on how to get better grades & have fun

Read only in 20 minutes bursts: Research proves that we tire after 20 minutes of study & the information stored & alertness levels reduce when to continue studying after that. Thus I strongly suggest that you take small breaks after every 20 minutes: have a cuppa , listen to a song, flex muscles etc. By dividing your 1 hour into 3 time zones, your brain’s performance peaks 6 times instead of two. Click here to get free copy of speed study techniques in your mail box

Record the answers in your voice: I had great difficulty in memorizing the French wine names. The fact that I had no knowledge of French didn’t help me either . I read these wine labels loudly & recorded then into a cassette player . I played this tape on my walkman ( Those were the days of walkman) repeatedly on the way to the college. By the time I wrote the beverage exam , those complex terms were a part of my subconscious memory .

Write & study: Writing an answer is as good as reading the same for seven times. This has got something to do with brain relaying signals to hand, then to eyes & back to brains errr… confusing ? You don’t need to understand this, just practice the above and see your marks soar. They say that faith can move mountains, we are just talking about improving grades here.

All the best

here are selected related articles from the net that you may enjoy:

You can instantly download 100′s of summer recipes here

In this article we are going to see two delicious summer recipes, a simple cold soup & a fantastic drink; both of which can be made with simple ingredients available in the summer season.

Quick summer recipe No 1 : Indian Raw Mango Cooler ( Aam Ka Panna)

My mom used to prepare this drink during my summer vacations. This is probably the summer food which kept the summer flu at bay.

Ingredients :

Raw Mango : 2  Nos

Cumin Seeds: ½ tea spoon

Salt : A Pinch

Sugar : ¼ cup

Mint leaves : A Sprig

Method : Wash the raw mango & dry it fully. Boil the mango , cool it & extract the pulp. This extracted pulp can be refrigerated for almost 10 days in an airtight container. Powder the cumin seeds & flavor the pulp with cumin powder, crushed mint leaves & salt to taste. Mix water & sugar. Refrigerate & enjoy this cool summer drink. Some like to spice up this drink with ginger powder, but ginger is a heat inducing food. I prefer to sweeten this summer food with honey instead of sugar.

If you are interested in vegan ways & curing vegetarian recipes, click this link

Simple summer Recipe No 2 : Gazpacho Soup ( Cold Spanish soup)

Ingredients:

Tomato: 6 Nos

Cucumber : 1 No

Onion : I No

Garlic : 2 Pods ( optional)

Cumin Seeds : ½ tea spoon

Vinegar : 2 spoons

Olive oil : 6 spoons

Bread : 3 slices

Capsicum : 1 small

Black pepper : 2 corns

Slat : to taste

Method : Blanch the tomatoes, remove the skin & deseed them. Dry ground the cumin seeds & black pepper. Add garlic & capsicum, blend the mixture, add all the remaining mixture into the blender & blend into a smooth paste. Chill & enjoy this vegetarian summer recipe. You may garnish this soup with chopped cucumber & croutons.

Click Here! for fantastic ebook on vegetarian recipes & vegan way of life.

Selected related articles from the net.

Forex tip for beginners

Forex market might look quite lucrative, but trading in forex needs a lot of precautions. May be even more than Stock market. This is mainly because of the power of leverage. In most forex platforms you can leverage your money upto 200 times. While this means more money for you if your tarde does well, this also means that you are risking more with each trade. Here are few tips for beginners with e-toro.

1)      Do not, DO NOT trade with real money unless you have mastered the forex trading with demo account. I believe that e-toro is the simplest to understand trading platform for fx trading. You can download the free demo account of etoro by clicking the link below.

Click here for a free forex practice account

2)      A good forex strategy is to never invest more than 2% of your total trade in any one transaction.

3)      Enter the trade at the right time. If the trends are unclear to you( charts are up & down), wait till you get a clear trend to start the trade.

4)      Diversify your currency trading portfolio: Trade in different types of currencies & commodities.

5)      Follow the trend. E-toro platform shows you what the trend of trades for the day & for the last hour. It makes sense to follow what the forex leaders are doing. If most of the forex brokers are buying Us dollar against the Euro, you will benefit by doing the same. That’s the reason why I love e-toro. It makes fx trading the simplest that it can be.

Trade forex with eToro and get up to $1,000 forex bonus! Open a forex account today with a minimum deposit of just $50

Summer of 2010 is just settling in. Yahooanswers are already getting clogged with questions on nose bleeding, sleeplessness & indigestion.  Such questions get many sympathetic responses but very few address the root cause of the problem i.e. body heat. We need to eat differently in summer as compared to winter. In fact one needs to eat cooling foods in summer

Tell tale signs that your body is heating up is when you notice any of these symptoms:

• Nose bleed
• Dark yellow urine
• Mouth Ulcer
• Sleeplessness
• Acne

Let look at some healthy summer foods:

1)      Vegetarian food is best to prevent your body from heating up. Especially avoid red meat. Even fish will generate more heat or pitta (as called in Ayurveda).

2)      Eat food at room temperature. So called cool food like Ice-cream & cold water will also generate heat in your body. Refrigerated foods will initially cool our body but after 15 minutes of intake generate excess heat.

3)      Fully ripe sweet fruits like mango, cherries, avocadoes & watermelon are good to cool your body. Avoid salty & fried food. A simple clue to eat fruits of the season.

4)      Avoid carrots, beets & tomato. Instead of these feast on green leafy vegetables, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, pumpkin & beans.  Chinese have a very simple definition of yang ( heat inducing food). They say that vegetables that grow in sun are cooling & vegetables that grow without sun are heaty food.

5)      Surprisingly, milk & white butter are considered good for clearing pitta/ reducing heat from the body.

As a very basic guideline let’s eat food stuff with lots of water in them. These food items help us to sweat which further cools our body.

Watch out for next article -  “Summer food recipes”