Did you know that variety is the spice of life in many things, including your precious health? The new food guidelines issued by the United States government recommend that all Americans eat between five and nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. That number may seem like a lot, but it is actually much easier than you think to eat that many servings of fruits and vegetables with your daily diet. For one thing, the produce department of your grocery store is fairly overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, fruits and vegetables are some of the least inexpensive, most nutritious, foods at the grocery store. With all these fruits and vegetables to choose from, it is very easy to make these healthy, delicious foods part of your daily meals and snacks.
When you take into account how much a serving really is, it is actually quite easy to get five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits per day. For instance, the recommended daily amount actually equates to two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables every day. When you consider the availability of fruits and vegetables, and how low the prices usually are, it is easy to see how attainable this daily requirement really is.
An easy way to get the nutrients you need from fruits and vegetables every day is to take advantage of the huge variety of these foods that are available. Eating the same thing every day quickly becomes boring, so pick a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, in all colors of the rainbow and in every imaginable shape, size and texture, to give yourself a wide-ranging diet every day.
When shopping for fruits and vegetables, it is important to choose a mixture of different colors. This is for more than purely creative reasons. Different colored fruits and vegetables have different types of nutrients, and choosing a mixture of colors will help ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need each day.
Finding new recipes is another great way to ensure you get those five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Almost everyone likes to try out new recipes, and the new recipes may just provide the momentum you need to eat all the required fruits and veggies.
New recipes can also provide you the key chances to try out some of those fruits and vegetables you have never tried before. For instance, almost everyone has eaten oranges, but have you tried kiwi fruit or mangoes? How about spinach or kale? Trying new things is a great way to find new favorites while getting the best nutrition possible.
A lot of people mistakenly think that they do not need to eat the full five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day if they just take a vitamin pill. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is because fruits and vegetables contain far more than the micronutrients identified by science and artificially manufactured in vitamin pills. While these micronutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E are important to excellent health, so are the hundreds of other essentials that are contained in healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. These fundamentals are not available in any pill. They must be taken in through a healthy, balanced diet that contains an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
To boot, fruits and vegetables are much less pricey than vitamin pills. Fruits and vegetables are very inexpensive, especially when purchased in season or grown locally. Ultimately, getting the nutrition you need from the food you eat is much less expensive, and much better for you, than those artificial vitamin pills.
It is easy to get your five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day by including fruits and vegetables as snacks, as garnishes, as side dishes as well as meals.
As the chefs say, presentation is everything. By using a variety of fruits and vegetables on your plate, not only with it look great and taste better, but also will provide you with the proper nutrition to carry on a healthy lifestyle and live longer.
Randy Rowles is a researcher and author with sorcerer Publishing. More Healthy Eating articles may be found at http://www.eating-for-better-health.info
Free online couponsInterest and motivation for creating a completely 'green' household is on the rise as awareness grows of the many potential hazards in the synthetic chemicals found in our modern lifestyles. Here are a few tips on going green by going 'purple', with the extremely versatile essential oil of Lavender. The flowering, fragrant purple tops of Lavender yield an essential oil that's inexpensive, and has diverse uses for your family's health and wellness. In many cases, Lavender can replace synthetic formulations that you just might not feel comfortable with for long-term use -- as you have little idea what the ingredients really are, if you are even able to pronounce them. So what can this wonder oil do? Let's have a look at some of its most common, simple to use applications.
The overall action of Lavender oil is both calming and regenerating. It's a profound effect, as our bodies need to be relieved of stress in order to heal, and lead healthy lives in general. The sweet smell alone bestows calm on folks of all ages; from the little ones all wound up when it's time for bed, to the wizened generation whom may be recovering from illness or loss. It has done the same for lab rats, hamsters and mice in many university studies. And this effect may be the most simple to produce, too. For personal use, you only need to inhale deeply from a bottle, or dab a couple drops on your wrists to get a little whiff of the scent now and then. There are several styles of essential oil diffusers available which release aroma into the air. Almost every one will work for stress reduction; it just takes a hint of Lavender in the air to have its effect.
Another favorite stress reduction technique is the Lavender bath: just add 20-30 drops of Lavender to an already drawn bath for a soak. If one needs to unwind before they make it home from work, small diffusers are available that plug into the cigarette lighter of a car. A few drops placed on the pad can really go a long way to relieving the tensions of the day while still in the evening commute!
Associated with its calming effect is Lavender's ability to improve sleep. One headline proclaimed 'Lavender Beats Valium' in sleep studies. If you or your children have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, Lavender can be a profoundly effective home remedy. For a really simple method, sprinkle just a drop or two (really just a litt1e as too much can actually be a stimulant for some folks) on the bed sheet, on-top-of, or under the pillow before bed. It's especially nice to fall asleep to a hint of Lavender, and catch another whiff if one wakes again in the middle of the night. For some, it works well to utilize a diffuser set to run on low all night long, or one on a timer that cycles on for a minute or two every hour. Think about how the scent is relaxing your whole body; using lavender regularly this way may continually improve the aroma's effectiveness as a sleep aid over time.
Lavender essential oil is a surprisingly effective wound healer. We sometimes think a product needs to be more medicinal smelling, or sting at least a little bit to work, but it was actually Lavender that began the modern 'medicinal' aromatherapy revolution. Dr. Rena Maurice Gattafosse, a French scientist, burned his hand in a laboratory accident; he thrust it immediately into the closest vat of liquid, which happened to be filled with Lavender essential oil. He recovered from his injury so quickly that he was inspired to write the first book on the medical use of essential oils, coining the term 'Aromatherapy' as the title.
As you can guess, Lavender works exceptionally well on burns. It can be used neat, undiluted, on any burn where the skin is unbroken; it will bring quick pain relief and speed healing. Lavender is considered anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and regenerative, so virtually all cuts, bruises and scrapes will also respond well. You can use in combination with Helichrysum for burns and bruises (Helichrysum is a powerful anti-inflammatory/regenerative/pain reliever as well), or with Tea Tree for a stronger, yet still soothing anti-bacterial formula (a 50/50 mix of Lavender and Tea Tree can replace any sort of topical anti-bacterial formula used under band-aids and small dressings). Lavender can work well on a sunburn, at a 10% dilution in water dabbed over the area. A drop of lavender on a bug bite or sting is also highly effective, and is useful for many itchy and irritated skin conditions as well.
Lavender's antiseptic properties make it an excellent natural household disinfectant. Sprinkle baking soda and Lavender in place of chlorine-based cleansers and scrub away! Add a little lemon essential oil too for greater potency, and a very uplifting scent. Lavender and Lemon can be added to a bucket of water (use about 30 drops of each) for larger surfaces and floors.
Getting a nice, sweet Lavender essential oil is important when using it for stress reduction and as a sleep aid. Some Lavender's are labeled 'high-elevation'; this is because the plant produces a higher concentration of the more floral components of the oil when grown in mountainous regions. The most lovely aromatically are typically from France -- these oils might be higher-priced, but are worth it for these uses, especially as you only need a little at a time. If buying the oil for antiseptic and anti-inflammation, a medium quality oil can be acceptable. Looking for a real bargain is likely to be counterproductive, as a mass-produced poor quality oil will not have the same stress-relieving therapeutic effects no matter how much you use. The finer the oil, the less you're likely to need in any application -- and the more likely you and your family will make a lifelong friend with Lavender.
Misty is a consultant to the therapeutic blending of essential oils at The Ananda Apothecary. She is exceptionally fond of Lavender essential oil, a staple in aromatherapy for its well-loved aroma and broad range of effects.
Beauty TipsThere are so many health insurance plans out there when it comes to buying your own health insurance. How do you know which one is right for you? Each one offers a different combination of deductibles, copays, premiums, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, prescription drug coverage amounts, maternity coverage options, exclusions and waiting periods.
Life would be so much simpler if there was an affordable, one-size-fits-all medical coverage option for everyone. However, until universal healthcare becomes a reality, we really have no choice but to compare health plans and pick the best one that suits our budget and our needs.
Health insurance is a necessary evil. Unless you are one of those people who rarely ever require medical care, or unless you have never had to and never plan to raise a family, in which case a low-premium high-deductible solution would be best for you, you would need to spend a good amount of time to research and to compare health plans.
Otherwise, no matter which health insurance option you go with, if you and your family need to make frequent visits to the doctor or are taking prescription drugs, then you will end up paying a hefty amount of money for your medical costs. The only difference among health insurance plans in terms of overall financial outlay is who gets your money: the insurance companies or your medical provider.
If you have a low monthly premium, you may erroneously believe that you are saving money. However, that is not necessarily true. Plans with low monthly premiums tend to have higher deductibles. Therefore, you would end up paying more money out of your pocket. Plus, when you have a higher deductible, your medical costs become more variable, and you will need to ensure that you have money saved up and set aside for paying your deductibles as the bills for them come due.
If you have a higher monthly premium, you are paying more money up front to the health insurance company, but then you will have a lower deductible, and therefore, your monthly medical expenditures will be more predictable and easier to budget.
Compare multiple health plans and get a free health insurance quote instantly.
Gym EquipmentHerbal medicine is the use of leaves, barks, roots and flowers of plants for the treatment or prevention of ailments or the promotion of good health. Like China, the Philippines is another country long known for using herbal medicines long before its popularity in the west. In recent years, medical researchers, organizations, pharmaceutical companies and government health agencies took a serious look at folkloric herbal medicines often used by Filipinos in rural areas.
Research and studies by the academe, industries and government confirm the effectively of certain herbs in the treatment of diseases. Many of these herbs also proved to have health benefits in addition to their curative value. The Philippine Department of Health, after thorough evaluation and years of clinical trials have endorsed 10 herbal plants as alternative medicines for various diseases ranging from asthma, hypertension to diabetes.
The 10 herbs endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health are:
1. Akapulko for fungal infections.
2. Ampalaya for diabetes.
3. Bawang for hypertension.
4. Bayabas as antiseptic.
5. Lagundi for asthma
6. Niyog-niyogan for intestinal infestation
7. Sambong as a diuretic
8. Tsaang Gubat for intestinal motility
9. Ulasimang Bato for gout
10. Yerba Buena as analgesic
Caution however is advised to those who wish to try herbal medicines. A lot of research is still to be done and standards of dosage have to be established. Many of the commercially available herbal medicines are listed as supplements and have not passed the stringent standards required by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration. Some herbal medicines also react to prescription & nonprescription drugs. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.
Author: Arnold A. Alvarez of the Philippine Herbal Medicine Site
When gods are displeased they don't consider your delicate situation. They simply unleash there wrath and you are left in the middle to suffer the divine onslaught. You keep thinking what was it that you did wrong to invite it, but what works better is to stand up to the challenge and face it like the brave person He made you. Now, the only choice you have is to deal with it when it comes headlong or prepare yourself beforehand for any such eventuality.
Disability insurance comes in handy on such occasions. There are number of companies offering it, so it is important that you weigh the pros and cons of each policy separately and decide for yourself what suits you best. Here is a list of 5 things that you must remember before signing a disability insurance deal.
1.The policy you choose must be capable of providing you enough money to sustain the standard of living you and your family are accustomed to so that you do not feel at a pronounced disadvantage in the time of difficultly. In other words, choose a policy that makes you feel no financial difference when you are not working.
2.The terms of the policy should be flexible enough to suit any particular situation as well. This is to ensure that if something utterly unexpected strikes, the policy could stretch its umbrella accordingly.
3.The coverage should be such, that it helps you bear the burden yourself without compromising on your independence or dignity.
4.Another important thing is your future goals and ambitions. There is little sense in taking a policy that provides the security but hampers your dreams. Therefore, look for a policy that provides you with enough cushions, and, if possible, a springboard to relaunch yourself after you are fit and fine again.
5.Carefully compare the amounts of premiums to be paid and weigh the advantages of paying higher premium. Do not make the mistake of assuming that higher premiums necessarily mean better coverage.
Getting disability insurance is actually an investment and a security net rolled into one. Therefore, it is important that you get the best returns out of it. Make a wise choice, and you'll not have to worry about the trying times.
To get more information about disability, disability insurance and social security disability benefits visit http://www.about-disability.com/
Quickoffice Symbian Crack / KeygenWhen we apply for and take out a mortgage on our property we are normally in good health and fully employed otherwise the mortgage company would not have entertained us. However, rarely in life is our path smooth and straight and at a time of unemployment or bad health, the last thing we would want to worry about is losing our home. This is where mortgage payment protection insurance comes into its own.
What is Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance?
In essence, it is an insurance to continue and cover the mortgage repayments in the event that we cannot due to unforeseen circumstances. These circumstances would include and are usually:
- Unemployment
- Critical Illness
- A Debilitating Accident
Money for Nothing?
The providers of mortgage protection insurance though do not readily and continually throw money at you and these policies have strict criteria. These would include:
- Voluntary unemployment is not eligible.
- Not positively seeking work following genuine unemployment.
- Taking on part-time work after losing a job.
- Payments not made immediately following an eligible claim. Normally a period of between 3 & 4 months need to elapse and if still eligible then the mortgage payment protection insurance will commence payments.
- Re-qualification on a monthly basis. A form will normally be completed with supporting evidence of continued eligibility.
- Payments restricted to a certain term or period. This could be for a 6 or 12 month term depending on the type of mortgage payment protection insurance taken out.
- Payments made are generally one month in arrears.
Like any product, there will be many choices to make when considering mortgage protection insurance and your own circumstances and cover required will dictate the right policy for you. Whilst you may need to go through certain hoops should an eligible circumstance occur, it would be well worth it for the peace of mind it offers and to protect and keep your home and property.
If you need more information or resources to help research for a planned mortgage, looking at mortgage insurance or even a Bad Credit 2nd Mortgage, please visit our informative web site: 2nd Mortgages.
Click here to try our Free Mortgages Calculator.
Quickoffice Symbian Crack / KeygenFocusing on food for a healthy immune system can increase overall good health and nutrition. Foods that build your immune system are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and omega-3 fatty acids. Including these foods in your weekly diet can improve your energy levels and decrease the number of colds and other bugs that you get every year.
Some people rely on daily multi-vitamins and dietary supplements, instead of food for a healthy immune system and good supplements are always a good idea. It is not always possible to eat the right foods in the right combination every day. For instance, you may think of oranges or orange juice when you think of foods that build your immune system, but oranges are not the only foods that contain Vitamin C. And if you dont have enough calcium and magnesium in your diet, then your cells cannot efficiently absorb Vitamin C. Complicating things further, if you drink a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk, then the acidic content of the juice can sour the milk, leading to stomach upset.
People who have frequent heartburn or are lactose intolerant may not be able to include either orange juice or milk in their diets. Citrus fruits are highly acidic and trigger heartburn in many people. Regular milk causes bloating, pain, gas and diarrhea in people who are lactose intolerant. So, what is a person to do?
Crabmeat, lobster and oysters are all rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C. Salmon is an important food for a healthy immune system and is often referred to as a super food by dieticians and nutritionists, because it contains numerous vitamins and minerals, plus a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids, believed to be beneficial in preventing heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Broccoli, tomatoes, peaches and apples are good sources of Vitamin C and are all foods that build your immune system. Broccoli is another food that contains numerous vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and selenium. Not familiar with selenium?
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that may not be included in your daily multi-vitamin, but very important to human health. It is essential to proper immune system function, as well as numerous metabolic pathways. Remember chicken soup? Chicken is another good source of selenium and is one of the foods that build your immune system strength.
Like mushrooms? Researchers studying foods that build immune system strength by increasing white blood cell counts learned that shitake mushrooms worked. The study concluded that beta glucans found in edible mushrooms increased white blood cell counts. White blood cells are primary infection fighters. Dont like mushrooms? Beta glucans are biologically active compounds found in numerous plant foods and some immune system dietary supplements.
So, in order to include some of the best foods that build your immune system in your weekly diet, eat salmon, tuna and/or seafood three or four times a week, chicken three or four times a week, a variety of fruits and vegetables including broccoli and mushrooms, whenever possible. Relying on food for a healthy immune system may not be enough, depending on where you live or work. A daily multi-vitamin can help and there are immune system supplements that contain beta glucans, herbs and other ingredients that can also help, particularly during cold and flu season. To learn more about food for a healthy immune system and supplements that can boost your immune system, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.
Patsy Hamilton has been a healthcare professional for more than twenty years and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Read more at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.
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