I have been thinking about running a survey on here to find out what it is that you the reader would like to see more of on this site. I decided against that as it only allows you to choose from options and answers that I give you. In order for me to provide the best possible content for you, then I am going to need to know exactly what you are thinking.

So, with that in mind please fill out the form below and tell me what your thoughts are. What would you like to see more of and what other ideas might you have for me that could help you.

I truly value your feedback so please take the time to fill this out! Thank you VERY much!

*****By filling out this form you will also be signed up for my mailing list. Don’t worry, you won’t get many emails from me, maybe 5 or 6 per month and It will be of value! I will also be sending you special gifts for being part of my list which nobody can get! If you prefer not to be on my list, then please leave a comment on this post with your feedback. I understand that not everyone will want to join my list, but I still find your feedback just as valuable! *********

I really can’t say enough about these workout routines. Simply make these part of your daily routine at home and you will be well on your way to a better body in no time!

Enjoy!

After a recent study conducted on red wine, researchers claim that a special chemical extracted from red wine can in future help in maintaining a “genetically young” heart.

The researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the chemical called resveratrol seemed to halt the changes related to age in the way the heart genes function. This chemical is found in grapes, pomegranates and red wine and is thought to be the mystery behind the greater longevity of the French despite consuming a diet which is rich in animal fats that clog the arteries. It is popularly known as the “French Paradox”.

The chemical was tested on middle-aged mice whose gene expression showed fewer changes over the years as compared to the other mice. This brought the study closer to the middle-aged people’s “consumption reality”. Similarities were noticed between the effects produced in the genes of the mice kept on resveratrol and that of the mice kept on a lowcalorie diet breeding speculations about the similar effects of the two. The natural process of aging in humans and animals is due to the changes produced in the expression or function of genes existing in the body organs. The exact changes produced by the genes have not been understood till now but this process leads to gradual, overall deterioration or weakening.

But what may not come as a good news for the wine lovers is that one cannot benefit from the chemical by drinking wine as this special chemical does not stay in the body long enough to produce any effects. Drinking wine would not be beneficial in any case as the liver metabolizes the resveratrol molecule leading to its quick removal from the stream of blood. The only way in which some effect can be produced in the body is to consume the wine in gallons which can’t be recommended in any case. The development of the chemical through further research into a form that would have some effect on the human body seems to be the only solution.

As it turns out, according to some recent studies the majority of kids are suffering from a disease called obesity. In such a scenario, it’s natural that mothers will worry for their kid’s health. Mothers find it difficult to say no to their kids when they see them gorging on their favorite foods, then the only solution of preventing the kids from getting obese is to serve them with healthy snacks. Read on to know how to keep your kids fit and happy with healthy snacks.

Preparing healthy snacks at home

Prepare healthy snacks at home and please your kids with their favorite fast food, which is high on taste but low in calories. Try these simple healthy snack recipes that can be prepared at home with ease.

• Fruit Smoothies: Combine different frozen or fresh fruits like berries and strawberries. Now, add low-fat yogurt or reduced fat milk. Blend ¼ cup each, yogurt or milk with chopped fruits Add ice cube and milk or yogurt for desired consistency. Serve chilled.
• Mini Pizza: Make a pizza base with whole-grain English muffin. Then coat the surface with ketchup sauce and grated cheese. Top with olives, shredded carrots and other vegetables. Bake and serve hot.
• Yogurt Crunch: First pour yogurt into a bowl. Then crush granola bars in a plastic food storage bag. Now, add yogurt and nuts. Then stir to mix all ingredients and finally top with strawberries and serve chilled.

Preparing sweet and healthy snacks

We do think that sweets make us fat, but not all sweets are to be blamed for this. It becomes simple to keep your kids fit by serving them healthy sweet snacks. Make some delicious sweet healthy snacks for your kids by following the below-mentioned recipes.

• Serve low-fat yogurt with chopped walnuts and molasses topping.
• Serve banana slices or dried whole apricots dipped in melted dark chocolate.
• Serve a pudding made of low-fat milk having a topping of fresh or frozen fruits.

Attracting kids with healthy snacks

What if you make healthy snacks for your kids but they hate to even taste them? Don’t loose hope; try these ways to attract your kids with your healthy snacks.

• Decorate your snacks, especially sweet snacks with your kids’ favorite toppings like strawberries and cherries.
• Kids love peanuts, walnuts and almonds, so try sprinkling few or use their essence in your healthy snacks.
• Try giving new and fancy shapes to the snacks, so that your kids couldn’t resist tasting them.

In conclusion, if your child is obese or bordering on obese….it’s YOUR job to do something about it. Your children are your responsibility and that means it’s up to you to make a change. There are absolutely NO EXCUSES for this! Parents in general are chronic enablers when it comes to overweight children and in many cases it’s because the children are in fact learning these behaviors from their parents.

Are you a chronic enabler?

Yogurt is a very healthy food and should be a part of every diet. It has a number of nutritional benefits derived from live bacteria cultures. These are “friendly” bacteria and very beneficial. Yogurt is made by bacterial fermentation of milk. These bacteria ingest lactose, and release lactic acid. This acid reacts with milk and thus yogurt is made.

Yogurt has many benefits.
1. Weight loss: - Yogurt contains a high quantity of protein. As compared to carbohydrates, protein is very satisfying and also helps to curb appetite.

2. It can be digested easier than milk. Lactose intolerant people can easily eat yogurt as it contains digestive enzyme lactase. Yogurt helps production of lactase and aids in breaking down the lactose. It helps such people get the necessary calcium required by the body.
3. Yogurt in itself is a very healthy food and supplements diet very well. It is known to contain calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin-vitamin B2, iodine, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid-vitamin B5, zinc, potassium, protein and molybdenum
4. Yogurt is known to reduce risk of colon cancer. Lactobacteria in yoghurt keeps digestive system active and colon free of body wastes.

5. Being a rich source of calcium, it helps prevent osteoporosis, and keeps teeth, gums and bones strong.
6. The wonderful properties of yogurt help the body to absorb nutrients better. This result in improvement of the immune system and thus the body becomes better prepared to fight germs and toxins. They help the correct bacteria to grow in the gut. These bacteria aid in digestion of food and prevent stomach infections. These also help relieve vaginal infections.
7. Yoghurt also helps get rid of Irritable bowel and constipation. The lacto bacteria help keep bowel movement regular.
8. Yogurt helps in reduction of low density cholesterol and helps raise high density cholesterol. A daily consumption of about 100 grams of yogurt helps to better the cholesterol levels.
9. It also helps in prevention and healing of arthritis. Lactobacilli are very helpful in curing all kinds of inflammatory diseases. It also helps eliminate Helicobater pylori, which is the bacteria responsible for causing ulcers.
10. Consuming yogurt reduces hydrogen sulfide levels in mouth and also other sulfides which cause bad breath. It also helps finish tongue-coating bacteria, dental plaque formation, cavities, and gingivitis

With such benefits, yogurt should be a staple in the diet for any health conscious person. Of coursse keeping the moderation factor in mind when eating yogurt. I don’t recommend a yogurt only diet by any means!