8 Exercises That Burn More Calories Than Running
5 Foods for More Beautiful Skin
Difference Between Added and Natural Sugar
What’s the Big Deal about Intermittent Fasting?
10 Golden Tips For A Flat Belly
Listen to the Most Relaxing Song Ever

Chocolate-Covered Banana-Oat Cookies

Ingredients:
3 Bananas
2 cups rolled oats
Optional ingredients:
walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, dried fruits, and/or pieces of dark chocolate

Preparation:
First blend the bananas. Once the bananas are blended, put them with the other ingredients in a bowl and mix together till you have a good blend of all the ingredients.
Use fingertips to make small balls or different shapes by hands or cooking molds.

The cookies will get their sweetness from the bananas and the other ingredients such as dried fruits or the dark chocolate. If you wish a sweeter taste you can add 1-3 teaspoons of row honey.

Bake for 15 minutes at 390 ºF

After the cookies are baked you can cover them with melted dark chocolate.

10 Important Health Benefits of Fiber

You may have heard that eating more fiber is good for health. But what is fiber and why is it good?

Fiber is present in many vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. It is a component of food that is good for relieving constipation. Other than this, there are many health benefits of including more fiber in the diet and it is also not hard to select tasty foods which are rich in fiber. Fiber is not digested by the body. Instead it is passed intact through the stomach to the small intestine and colon and out of the body. Fiber can be classified as soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is present in apples, carrots, citrus fruits, peas, oats and beans. It dissolves in water. On the other hand, insoluble fiber aids in digestion and is commonly found in potatoes, cauliflower, green beans, wheat bran, whole wheat flour and nuts. Some of the important health benefits of fiber are mentioned below.

1. Promotes heart health

A number of studies have suggested that eating more fiber can promote heart health and prevent diseases related to the heart.

2. Prevents cancer

Including foods high in fiber in the diet can provide protection against many different types of cancers including colon, uterine, ovarian and breast cancer. Read more

10 Golden Tips For A Flat Belly

One of the common problems that most people face today is a bulging belly. While there are many reasons people tend to put on more weight around the midsection area, it is often always hard to get rid of the excess fat. Fat around the belly area is the most dangerous because a large waistline is an indication of disease and health problems. People tend to gain weight around the belly area when there is an increase in cortisol levels and one of the main reasons for this increase is stress. When stress gets worse with poor diets, the type of tissue that is responsible for burning calories efficiently breaks down. There are no magic bullets to target abdominal fat, but there are a number of things that you can do to reduce fat around your midsection. Given below are the top 10 golden tips for a flat belly.

1. Don’t skip breakfast

When you are trying to lose weight, it may sound counterproductive to eat, but according to a number of studies, eating within one hour of getting up can help keep insulin levels in check. Healthy breakfasts such as oats, eggs, and fresh fruits can help you feel fuller for long and also control your weight. Read more

101 Reasons to Exercise

1. Burns up extra calories
2. Makes you feel happier
3. Increases muscle size
4. Reduces tension and stress
5. Improves bone density
6. Strengthens your immune system
7. Prevents cold
8. Improves your body shape
9. Reduces or prevent boredom
10. Has anti-aging effects
11. Makes you feel more alive
12. Decreases body fat
13. Enhances the function of the cardiovascular system
14. Gets your mind off of negative thoughts
15. Reduces joint pain
16. Improves digestion
17. Improves athletic performance
18. Increases the level to HDL (the good cholesterol)
19. Decreases LDL (the bad cholesterol)
20. Assist in efforts to stop smoking
21. Decreases triglycerides
22. Invigorates the body & mind
23. Reduces illness
24. Makes it easier to relax
25. Stimulates & improves concentration Read more

Eggs: Myths vs. Facts

Eggs are among the healthiest foods available. Although they are great in value, taste, nutrition and convenience, they have been vilified for a long time. Many people believe that eggs contain high levels of dietary cholesterol. But, a number of researches and studies reveal that eggs do no contain as much cholesterol as it was previously recorded. In fact, healthy adults can eat eggs without worrying about increasing the risk of heart problems. In fact, studies have also shown that eating eggs can lower blood pressure as well.

Recent studies show that a large egg contains no more than 185mg cholesterol. Previously, it was recorded that a large egg contains at least 215mg cholesterol. Similarly, there are many misconceptions which have been swirling around eggs. Here’s a look at some of the myths about eggs and their facts.

Myth: eating eggs raises cholesterol levels in the body.

Fact: dietary cholesterol in eggs is different from the cholesterol that is already in your body. The body is responsible for making its own cholesterol, and it has little to do with the kind of cholesterol you eat. Trans fats and saturated fats fuels the cholesterol making process in the body and eggs contains very little saturated fat. You can find about 1.5g of saturated fat in one large egg which is just a fraction of the saturated fat that can be found in one tablespoon of butter that the egg is cooked in. Eggs are healthy and it would be a bad idea to eliminate them completely from your diet. Read more

Difference Between Added and Natural Sugar

Sugar is the most common ingredient used today when it comes to adding sweetness to a dish. But, this ingredient has gained bad reputation and it is also believed that it can be as addictive as alcohol. There are different types of sugar out there and they are not created equal. One is added sugar and the other one is natural sugar. Too much sugar is not good for anyone, but is it true that one type of sugar is healthier than the other? Let’s take a look at the difference between added and natural sugar.

Added Sugar

Added sugar is any sweetener that is added to foods when they are prepared or processed. This could be granulated white sugar, raw sugar or even corn syrup. The degree of sweetness usually varies and so does the flavor depending on the source of the added sugar. Added sugar is a pure source of carbohydrate and one teaspoon of added sugar can have about 15 calories. When a person consumes large amounts of added sugar, they can put on weight drastically. They will also often have a poor control on their blood sugar levels. The most significant amounts of added sugar can be found in energy drinks, sports drinks, soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream and candy. Read more

10 Non-Dairy Foods Highest in Calcium

Calcium is one of the essential nutrients needed by the body. It is needed by almost every cell in the body in one way or the other. It is required for the health of your teeth and bones. However, it also affects your nerve function, muscles, hormones and the ability to form blood clots. According to research, calcium may help with problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and PMS.

Calcium is stored in the bones which provide support to the body. But, when we age, the ability to absorb calcium from the foods we eat decreases. This causes the body to take calcium from the bones and over time, the aging process leads to osteoporosis which is a kind of bone disease where the bones become brittle and weak.

Dairy products such as milk and cheese are considered as good sources of calcium. But, there are a number of nutritionists and health experts who suggest that you should not be entirely dependent on dairy products to get all the calcium your body needs. There are some nutritionists who are against the use of dairy in diet. In fact, some nutritionists and health experts have reported that consuming calcium from dairy products alone can reduce its absorption. An average adult needs about 1,100mg of calcium per day and according to recent studies, only about 30 percent of calcium is absorbed by the body when it comes only from dairy sources. Read more

5 Ways To Avoid The Flu

The flu season is here and if you don’t take the right steps and precautions, you could be the next one to sneeze and wheeze in your bed. While the 2012 flu season was the worst ever, it is believed that at least 20% of people are affected in any given flu season. Having the flu to many of us means suffering. You have to be in bed for at least a week and suffer headaches, body pains, fever and even vomiting. Those who have a weak immune system or those who are already suffering from a health condition such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes are more likely to be affected during the flu season. Flu can claim lives and every year, at least 3000 people die as a result of having flu.

So if you don’t want to be knocked out this flu season, here are some proven strategies which can help you avoid the flu. Read more

10 Foods That Make You Look Younger

You can’t really stop the clock, but did you know that you can take small steps to stay healthier and look younger for years to come. If you understand that smoking and too much sun exposure can cause premature aging, then you must also understand that your diet plays a major role in aging. What you eat affects how you look so let’s take a look at the top 10 foods that make you look younger.

Blueberries

This brain boosting food contains high levels of flavonoid which improves memory. Adding a handful of blueberries to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal can help you maintain your youthful glow for years.

Red Grapes

Did you ever hear that red wine can help you have healthy and clearer skin? This is true and it can be attributed to the fact that red wine contains grapes. Drinking a glass of red wine or eating a handful of these fruit regularly can also protect your skin from damage caused by UV radiation from the sun. This fruit is beneficial for the skin and your overall health. Read more

7 Ways To Boost Your Energy

If you are constantly yawning at your desk, feel sleep deprived or have a feeling that you are running on empty, it means it is time now to do something to boost your energy levels. Without energy, it is not possible to carry out day to day activities efficiently. While your body is not a fatigue fighting machine, small changes to your lifestyle and diet can help you improve your performance. In this article, we will take a look at the top 7 ways to boost your energy so you can feel refreshed, revitalized and keep the feeling of sluggishness at bay.

Don’t skip breakfast

People who have busy lifestyles tend to skip breakfast most of the time. They don’t realize that breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it provides the energy you need to start your day right. People who eat breakfast in the morning feel less stress and fatigue during the day. Foods which are high in fiber like oatmeal will keep you feeling fuller for long. They will give you enough energy to accomplish your daily tasks easily.

Increase your magnesium intake

Having a balanced diet will ensure that you are getting all the minerals and vitamins your body needs. But, if you are feeling lazy most of the time, then it is possible you have a magnesium deficiency. Read more