Wellness Blog: The Master's Vision of Beauty and Wellness

5 Eat-Right Rules For Weightloss

2008-05-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Rule 5: Drink Often

Many people mistake thirst for hunger. Staying hydrated helps to keep you feeling fuller and keeps your metabolism in high gear.

Choose naturally calorie-free drinks like water, sparkling water, herbal green or black teas and coffee. Limit caffeinated drinks to two per day.

5 Eat-Right Rules For Weightloss

2008-05-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Rule 3: You should have 3 ounces of protein for both lunch and dinner. If you're on a 1,700-calorie plan, eat up to 4 ounces.

Rule 4: Be sure to schedule healthy go-to snacks to replace that midmorning bagel or 3pm vending machine visit.

5 Eat-Right Rules For Weightloss

2008-05-13T15:12:00.001-07:00

Rule 2: Eat every 4 hours

Going longer than that can cause your blood sugar and energy levels to plummet and leave you more vulnerable to poor eating choices. Every day you should have a 400-calorie breakfast, 300-calorie lunch, 500-calorie dinner, plus a 100- and 200-calorie snack.

5 Eat-Right Rules For Weightloss

2008-05-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Rule 1: Stick to 1,500 calories a day

If you weigh more than 200 pounds, increase your daily intake to 1,700 calories.

The best way to do this is add a single 200-calorie snack or two 100-calorie snacks a day, or increase your protein serving at lunch or dinner to 4 ounces.

Wrap your Water Heater

2008-05-09T10:28:00.001-07:00

An electric blanket for your hot water heater can make a big difference at the end of the year.

Hot water heaters use a lot of energy and generate a lot of CO2. A blanket costs less than $18 and can cut your home's CO2 emissions by nearly 4 1/2 percent.

Change Your Filters

2008-05-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

Changing the air filters in your heating and cooling systems regularly can cut 2 percent off of your CO2 output every year.

Plus, it can make a big difference during allergy season, and is just plain good for your safety as buildup can be a fire hazard.

Turn down that thermostat!

2008-05-06T13:29:00.001-07:00

A great upgrade to any environmentally friendly home is a programmable thermostat.

Setting your thermostat to a little cooler in the winter and a little warmer in the summer, especially when you're not in the house, can make a big difference; 2 degrees can reduce a home's CO2 emissions by up to 9 percent over the course of the year.

Solar Power Your Garden

2008-05-02T13:51:00.001-07:00

Outdoor solar lighting is one of the easiest, environmentally-friendly home products you can purchase when working on the landscaping. They are cheap (less than $20), don't burn electricity (which saves you money), and don't produce any CO2. On top of all of that, they come in a variety of styles, which makes them the best outdoor lighting option.

Make the Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs

2008-05-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (or CFL) are slightly more expensive than the traditional variety, but last 5-7 years and use less than half the energy! If every household switched five regular bulbs for five CFL's, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off of the highway for one year.

Look for the Energy Star Label

2008-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

In just five years we can radically alter the course global warming is taking.
Here are a few things you can buy to do your part for a better world:

When buying home appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It's a sign that you're getting something that will be environmentally efficient and save you money at the same time.

Trick Your Kids Into Healthy Eating

2008-04-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the theme of kids eating their veggies, Jessica Seinfeld has a new book out called Deceptively Delicious, with tons of tips and recipes for getting your kids to eat healthfully. Try making your own veggie burgers with hamburger, carrots and cauliflower; the result is so delicious they’ll never realize they’re eating their veggies.

Getting Kids To Eat Their Veggies

2008-04-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

Having problems getting your kids to eat their veggies? Try blending up yummy veggie and fruit smoothies, putting them in McDonald's cups and telling the kids they're shakes! Ok, this may be a little extreme, but the idea behind it is sound. Give the kids fun cups and straws to use and they’ll suck their veggies down in no time.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Oats

2008-04-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

Packed with soluble fiber which lowers the risk of heart disease, oats have 10 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving, which makes them great for muscle-building energy. They are loaded with carbs, but the release is slowed by the fiber, helping to keep you full longer, which is why oats are a great way to start the day.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Walnuts

2008-04-18T12:03:00.001-07:00

Walnuts are superfood: they pack more heart-healthy omega-3's than salmon, are loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and have half as much muscle-building protein as chicken. Many nuts contain one or two of these things, but none have all three.

Walnuts are especially great for a post-workout snack.

One serving of walnuts is about seven nuts.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Black Beans

2008-04-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

All beans are good for your heart, but black beans are great because they also boost your brainpower.

They're chock full of anthocyanins; antioxidant compounds that scientists have found to improve brain function.

A 1/2 cup a day will provide 8 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Blueberries

2008-04-15T12:10:00.001-07:00

They boast more antioxidants than any other fruit; help prevent cancer, diabetes, and improve your memory. Rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, blueberries also help to boost cardiovascular health.

Blueberries maintain most of their potency when dried, frozen or in jam form.

Shoot for one cup fresh or a 1/2 cup frozen or dried per day.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Carrots

2008-04-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables often contain carotenoids, which are fat-soluble compounds that lower the risk of many cancers, as well as inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis.
Carrots are the most healthful option, but other great substitutes are sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper and mango.
Aim for a ½ cup a day.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Tomatoes

2008-04-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

Red are the best as they're packed with lycopene, and processed is just as good as fresh.
Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease the risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin and stomach cancers, as well as coronary artery disease.
Shoot for 22mg of lycopene per day, about eight cherry tomatoes or one glass of tomato juice.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Yogurt

2008-04-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

What makes yogurt so great for you? Millions of probiotic organisms are formed during fermentation that boost your immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts contain the beneficial bacteria though; look for brands labeled “live and active cultures”. Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich stuff a day.

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day: Spinach

2008-04-03T22:55:00.001-07:00

Spinach really is a powerhouse when it comes to your health. Rich in omega-3’s and folate, spinach helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. It also contains lutein, a compound that fights age-related muscular degeneration.
Shoot for one cup of fresh or 1/2 cup of cooked spinach per day.

Worrying About Your Weight May Be Worse Than Being Overweight

2008-04-03T09:41:00.001-07:00

A study, published in The American Journal or Public Health, found that the more weight men and women want to lose, the more unhealthy days they have each month. This means that worrying about the weight may actually be worse for your health than how much you actually weigh.

A Happy Marriage = A Healthy Heart

2008-04-01T23:24:00.001-07:00

Researches studied married and single adults monitoring their blood pressure for a 24-hour period. Those happily married had consistently lower blood pressure throughout the day, with an average four points lower during sleep. Previous studies show that a lower blood pressure during sleep translates to greatly reduced risks of cardiovascular disease. Researchers suggest the cause for lower blood pressure among the happy couples is the emotional support they have with each other. Even singles with solid emotional relationships couldn't compare to those happily married.

On the flip side, the study also showed that unhappily married couples have much higher blood pressure than their single counterparts.

Detoxing your Body

2008-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

In today's over-processed 21st century world, it's imperative to flush the toxins from our systems on a regular basis.

Fasting can be very beneficial to your body and provide a great boost to your overall health. Most nutritionists say that 1-2 20-hour fasts per week can be a great benefit both physically and mentally. While many different types of fast exist, the simplest is to spend a 20-hour period eating nothing and drinking only water. Some even take it a step further drinking herbal laxative tea from the health food store or soaking in a bathtub of Epsom salts to encourage removal of toxins from the body.

Olive Oil: The Fountain of Youth

2008-03-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Olive Oil:

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Olive oil has long been known to have great health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, just two tablespoons a day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Olive oil is also thought to lower cholesterol, and help to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Those in the natural remedy crowd also use olive oil in both their diet and on their skin. Jeanne Calment, who holds the title of the longest confirmed lifespan at 122 years, often attributed her longevity and relatively youthful appearance to olive oil both in her diet and on her skin.

Choosing a Multivitamin

2008-03-19T12:57:00.001-07:00

With shelves of vitamin supplements on the market, it can be a daunting task to choose the right one for you.

First, it is ok to choose generic brands, oftentimes these brands are just as good as the ones with fancy advertising.

Also, there is a slight different in the multivitamins for men and women. Women's vitamins often contain iron, which is a necessary supplement, whereas men need little or no iron.

Lastly, test your vitamins by placing one in a glass of water. It should dissolve in under a half hour. Some vitamins can take up to two hours to dissolve and are therefore useless, as they won't absorb into the bloodstream.