tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45034836248365929392023-06-20T06:15:51.911-07:00soy milkTwo Ways to Make Soymilkmakemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-12504060064394412442010-07-06T22:47:00.000-07:002010-07-06T22:47:00.309-07:00Is Soy Milk Healthy Or Not?<div id="body"> <p>We have heard that it's extremely bad for you and we have heard that it's extremely good for you.</p><p>Long has soy been a part of different Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, Japan and so on. And we all know that they are healthier than their western counterparts by a long shot. I have heard that they don't go crazy on soy and use as much as it as we are beginning to do now though.</p><p>That is part of our problem. We take something that we deem healthy or have heard is healthy and we overindulge. We need to learn to stop overeating and start eating what we need and in moderation.</p><p>But getting back to soy milk, I found many pages of advantages and dis-advantages that said the same things over and over again. I did not find many studies on the subject to back up some of the claims while of course other points are obvious such as low calcium or high fiber.</p><p>Keep in mind that most of the benefits and negatives I found could be argued either way and while some did have studies to back it up, the studies that I found had factors that could change the reasoning for such conclusions, such as in one study that looked at older Japanese men and their lifetime diet of soy and it was found that the men who consumed more soy were at a higher risk of low cognitive skills than men who did not. Although it was not taken into factor other parts of their diet as well, and the study took place in Hawaii instead of in Japan where more soy is consumed and with different growing conditions and other variables.</p><p><b>There are benefits to soy milk such as:</b></p><p>• Soy milk is high in proteins and contains more fiber than cows milk due to the fact it's made from beans<br />• Soybeans have all of the essential amino acids our body requires which makes it a complete protein. They are the only plant food that can claim that.<br />• Soy milk is an aid in reducing high cholesterol.<br />• Soy milk can help to prevent and treat menopausal symptoms.<br />• Isoflavones are found in soy milk. They are quite similar to the hormone that we call estrogen. They are associated to the prevention of many cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and more. They are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA against oxidation.<br />• Some studies have shown that cows milk can result in insulin dependent diabetes over time whereas consuming soy milk has not reflected this outcome.<br />• Only 0.5 percent of the children are allergic to soy milk, whereas 2.5 percent are allergic to cows milk.</p><p><b>The negatives of soy milk are:</b></p><p>• Calcium levels are not the greatest. Even though they do add calcium to soymilk it is still not as healthy as natural occurring calcium but calcium can be obtained from other sources like green leafy vegetables and almonds to name a couple.<br />• Soy food contains goitrogens. Goitrogens are compounds that interfere with thyroid function and in extreme cases can cause an enlarge thyroid. It is also contained in other foods as well. To rectify this eat a well balanced diet. If you are a vegan you should make an effort to include adequate sources of iodine in your diet.<br />• Estrogen is found is soy. Testosterone in males, including young boys, can be suppressed by ingesting soy products.<br />• Soy milk and infertility have been linked together and from the information I found, giving an baby soy formula is comparable to giving a baby up to five birth control pills per day but I also found that that research has been very limited in regards to the advantages and disadvantages to babies drinking soy formula.<br />• The increased level of estrogen can manipulate the menstrual cycle in women.</p><p>The other thing I want to state here is that most of the information that I have found about soy milk and soy products is not listed in benefits or cons but mostly as only one or the other. People seem very adamant about the way they feel about soy and because of their intensity I have started to question what is true and what is not true now.</p><p>For me, there is too little actual evidence that supports the health dangers to humans from soy; although, I don't think I would take a chance with the claims about giving babies soy milk. There needs to be more research done.</p><p>The best statement I found was that 'moderate amounts of soy foods have been eaten happily by entire civilizations for thousands of years'. And to me the key word is moderate. And what comes with moderate? Diversity. The two best things, I believe, you can do for your diet and health.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Isabelle is the owner of <a target="_new" href="http://www.thehealthyvegetarian.net/">The Healthy Vegetarian</a>. For all your vegetarian information, news, articles, and recipes visit us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.thehealthyvegetarian.net/">http://www.thehealthyvegetarian.net</a>.</p> </div>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-57485126722166122032010-07-03T22:46:00.001-07:002010-07-03T22:46:47.737-07:00Soy Milk May Be Tied To Infant Deaths<div id="body"> <p>Although the autopsy is inconclusive and tests on the food are not yet complete, a porridge made of EdenSoy Extra soy milk and cornmeal may be responsible for the deaths of two infant brothers living in Brooklyn.</p><p>When their mother attempted to wake them, shortly after noon, she found they were unconscious and took them to the hospital. Both were pronounced dead on arrival.</p><p>Initial thoughts were that the twins had been overcome by a gas leak, but tests showed no leak.</p><p>Because medical examiners also found no evidence of choking as a result of consuming the food, or any signs of foul play, the police instead began focusing on what the infants had eaten. The police cleaned out two nearby supermarkets of EdenSoy milk and cornmeal for testing.</p><p>New York Times October 21, 2005 Registration RequiredNYNewsDay.com October 22, 2005</p><p>Dr. Mercola's Comment: If you ever wondered why I'm so concerned about the health dangers tied to the rampant use of soy products -- especially in processed foods -- this kind of incident is exactly the reason. In my view there just simply isn't any justification to ever use soy formula or worse, soy milk, in infants.</p><p>This isn't the first time soy milk has been investigated for its toxic side effects. Separate incidents in California and Arkansas prompted the FDA to issue a 1990 warning against using soy milk as a formula substitute. Most brands have followed the tougher FDA labeling guidelines, except EdenSoy, says Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food.</p><p>In fact, the deaths of three infants prompted the Israeli Health Ministry to issue a health advisory earlier this year, recommending babies not be fed soy formula -- except as a last resort -- and severely limiting a child's intake of soy products.</p><p>Without question the best food you can give your infant is breast milk and this should be your primary choice if at all possible, as it is the healthiest source of milk you can give to your infant. I believe very strongly all soy formula should be avoided andis not fit for human consumption.</p><p>If breastfeeding is not an option,the best article I ever read on the topicis one published in a recent edition of the Weston Price ogranization. I am on their board and was able to obtain reprint rightsfor their article onhealthy alternatives to breast milk and commercial formula from Sally Fallon to run it in our newsletter. I would strongly encourage you to review thismulti-part series in this issueif you are unable to breastfeed.</p><p>When making the alterntaive to breast milk described in the article, ideally, it would be best to use raw milk as the base (other ingredients to add are described in the article). The best way toget it is tofind a local dairy farmer in your areathrough your local health food store orthe Real Milk Web site. Raw milk is a safer and farhealthier alternative to pasteurized milk.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>This article is reprinted from <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mercola.com/">Mercola.com</a>, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test" to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm">http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm</a> right now to take this quick test!</p> </div>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-1692537933941262692010-05-11T04:05:00.000-07:002010-05-11T04:05:00.360-07:00Tips For Vegetarians and Vegans to Eat Healthier<div id="body"> <p>You no doubt understand the importance of having a balanced diet for your good health. This means a diet that is rich in all the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy body, but of course this balance is especially challenging for vegetarians and vegans.</p><p>When you eliminate one entire food group such as meat and poultry and even dairy, this balance in one's diet becomes more difficult to maintain. Meat and dairy both contain many important nutrients, including protein, calcium, and many different vitamins as well.</p><p>Vegans of course face the most challenges in this area since vegetarians often eat dairy products while vegans do not; this means no meat as well as no eggs, milk, butter, and so on. Vegans often are deficient in vitamin B12 and often need a supplement to replace this important part of their nutrition.</p><p>These types of problems do not mean that vegetarians and vegans need to sacrifice their health in exchange for their choices. Many are even healthier than those who eat meat on a regular basis. However they can and should pay attention to their dietary needs and also should be aware of signs of deficiencies in nutrition. Usually just some moderation and balance is needed, as it is with all diets, and a wide variety of foods should be eaten as well so that nutritional needs can be met.</p><p>Protein of course is a common concern when it comes to vegetarians and vegans, and even their friends and family members may wonder how they get enough when they don't eat meat or dairy. But often those who eat meat are getting more protein than they even need, so this itself isn't always a concern.</p><p>For vegetarians who eat dairy products they can often get all the protein they need from milk, yogurt, cheese, and so on, and they may also opt for soy based products and items like nuts, seeds, lentils, and beans, all of which are high in protein. It's also possible to get protein from many non-animal products, so their protein levels should be sufficient in most cases.</p><p>Vegans too can get enough protein in their diet even without eating dairy products such as milk and cheese. They can fill up on nuts, lentils, seeds, beans of all sorts - pinto beans, soy beans, black beans, kidney beans, etc. - and on many other items that are full of necessary protein but that don't come from animals.</p><p>Many vegans also opt for tofu and other soy products for their meals and soy contains a high amount of protein so this too may be sufficient. Meals that are high in beans are also great sources of protein. Did you know that a cup of cooked beans - of many different varieties - has the same protein as two ounces of meat?</p><p>Everyone needs to be concerned about nutritional deficiencies, whether vegetarian, vegan, or just the general populace. Vegetarians and vegans who follow a balanced and varied diet typically have their nutritional needs met just as well as anyone else.</p><p>Of course vegans do have some special concerns and they should be aware of those concerns, include the risk of developing a vitamin deficiency, or of lacking calcium and protein. Many animal based products contain these items and so when they're left out of the diet, a deficiency can develop.</p><p>Most typical when it comes to the deficiencies of a vegan's diet are the B vitamins, specifically vitamin B12. The majority of ways to get vitamin B12 in most diets are animal based products. Most vegans take a B12 supplement, or are sure to eat plenty of foods rich in this vitamin or that have been supplemented with this. Included in this are soy milk.</p><p>Calcium too is a concern for many vegans since most people get their calcium from milk and dairy products. Having a calcium supplement or eating foods that have been fortified with calcium are common solutions. Soy milk and many cereals are fortified with calcium as well as vitamin D, which again most people get from animal products.</p><p>Whether vegetarian or vegan, you can have good health even without animal products. You simply need to have a balanced diet, make the right food choices, and of course get plenty of exercise as well!</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>For a <a target="_new" href="http://getrealaboutweightloss.com/tips-for-successful-weight-loss/">guide to losing weight</a> get your free report, "The Seven Personal Trainer Secrets to Weight Loss" visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.getrealaboutweightloss.com/">GetRealAboutWeightLoss.com</a>.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anu_Morgan"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anu_Morgan </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-57078362686372701222010-05-10T04:04:00.000-07:002010-05-10T04:04:00.408-07:00Natural Breast Enhancement Foods - Your Breast Size Will Increase With the Right Enhancing Foods!<div id="body"> <p>The Chinese culture has long been a proponent of healing and enhancing through natural means. They believe that the way to get ideal bodily proportions is by controlling it through proper diet and natural supplements, amongst other things. In this regard, they are not alone since a number of other cultures also believe that foods can affect the body's development, including for natural breast enhancement.</p><p>Studies have shown that 8 out of 10 women with underdeveloped breasts can attribute it to hormonal imbalance and that eating the right foods can correct this imbalance and consequently improve breast development.</p><p>Soy and soy products are among candidates for this food, as well as other whole grains and some yams that contain a substance called phyto-estrogen which can help in breast development. This substance can be found in abundance in the Chinese diet in the form of soy sauces, curds and paste.</p><p>There is some disagreement to this claim due to the fact that the amount needed to sustain the necessary levels of phyto-estrogen in the body can be quite large. However, there have been claims by actual women who have seen the results and attained bigger breast through the long term consumption of these food groups.</p><p>Since most of these food groups are also health foods, there is little risk in consuming them in quantities that are necessary to sustain the proper phyto-estrogen level in the body. It will also be easy to ingest them because they are palatable, easy to prepare, and very flexible. They can even be used as replacements for meats and other protein sources for vegetarian or vegan diets, and soy milk can be used to replace cow's milk even in desserts and other dishes where the use of milk is called for.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>To know more about how to <a target="_new" href="http://ultimate-guide.makebreastsbigger.com/">Increase Breast Size</a> with foods and other natural methods, please <a target="_new" href="http://ultimate-guide.makebreastsbigger.com/">Click Here</a>.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Bigsby"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Bigsby </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-56472447124732935052010-05-09T04:04:00.000-07:002010-05-09T04:04:00.637-07:00The Hidden Dangers of Soy<div id="body"> <p>Are you one of the millions of people suffering from unusual weight gain and who could be developing thyroid disease and never thought that soy might be the cause?</p><p>Do You Believe Soy Is Healthy? With obesity, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, and a host of other problems on the rise, you may want to reconsider.</p><p>Did you know that the soy industry is a $70 billion a year business? I started researching soy when I developed a severe allergy to soy in 2003 (the anapylactic shock type). What I learned is very disturbing.</p><p>We are eating soy products today at levels never before seen in history. Advances in food technology have made it possible to isolate soy proteins, isoflavones, and other substances found in the bean and add them to all kinds of foods where they have never been before. The number of processed and manufactured foods that contain soy ingredients today is astounding. These days it can be hard to find foods that do not contain soy flour, soy oil, lecithin (extracted from soy oil and used as an emulsifier in high-fat products), soy protein isolates and concentrates, textured vegetable protein (TVP), hydrolyzed vegetable protein (usually made from soy) or unidentified vegetable oils. Even canned tuna lists contains soy on their ingredient label. Now why would you need soy in that?</p><p>Most of what is labeled "vegetable oil" in the U.S. is actually soy oil, as are most margarines. Soy oil is the most widely used oil in the U.S., accounting for more than 75 percent of our total vegetable fats and oil intake. And most of our soy products are now genetically engineered.</p><p>There was considerable research done in 1966 about the harmful substance within the soybean. Soy contains several naturally occurring compounds that are toxic to humans and animals. The soy industry frequently refers to these toxins as anti-nutrients, which implies that they somehow act to prevent the body from getting the complete nutrition it needs from a food. The soy toxins (such as phytic acid) can certainly act in this manner, but they also have the ability to target specific organs, cells and enzyme pathways, and their effects can be devastating. As with any toxin, there will be a dose at which negative effects are not observed.</p><p>Health experts are particularly concerned that breast-cancer sufferers who take soy or phyto-estrogen supplements could feed the disease and reduce the effectiveness of their treatment. Those soy food or isoflavone supplement manufacturers that proclaim the anti-cancer properties of their products are guilty of giving false hope to millions; but worse they may be placing consumers at greater risk of contracting the same horrendous diseases they are trying to avoid</p><p>Another area of concern is infant soy formula. New research suggests high concentrations of manganese found in soybean-based baby formula can lead to brain damage in infants and altered behaviors in adolescents.</p><p>They say soy can reverse child obesity because soy foods provide critical vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. They claim soy foods contain less calories and fat grams making weight loss easier. Kid friendly foods like soymilk, frozen pizza, taco-style meat and chicken-style nuggets. This does not sound like a healthy diet to me. When in actuality, soy is depleting the vitamins and minerals a growing child needs.</p><p>When you hear fast food chains are making the switch to 0 trans fats, that means they are using soybean oil!</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>And, now I would like you to claim your free chapter of The Hidden Dangers of Soy and also receive soy free recipes. <a target="_new" href="http://www.hiddensoy.com/soy-milk-thyroid.php">http://www.hiddensoy.com/soy-milk-thyroid.php</a></p><p>Dianne Gregg, author of "The Hidden Dangers of Soy" decided to write this book after developing a severe allergy to soy. She has done extensive research on this subject and wanted to share this crucial information to protect your health. The fact of the matter is that soy is not the "health food" it's cracked up to be.</p><p>Listen to Dianne on the radio Tuesdays, 4pm - 5pm EST <a target="_new" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Health-Watch-Radio">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Health-Watch-Radio</a> interviewing experts in the health and wellness industry.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Gregg"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Gregg </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-46270875871852684782010-05-08T04:03:00.001-07:002010-05-08T04:03:00.813-07:00Prostate Health Meets Soy Health<div id="body"> <p>One passage into middle age for men is the dreaded prostate exam. No it's not fun but it is necessary. Prostate cancer is men's second most frequent cancer in the United States.</p><p>But one must look at the world in order to fully understand prostate cancer and men's health, in general.</p><p>Prostate cancer is a disease that is more common in certain populations. If you're an African American male living in the United States, your chances for developing prostate cancer is greater than if you are an Asian man living in Indonesia.</p><p>Due to this phenomenon, many studies have found that prostate cancer can be directly linked to diet and food choices. In fact, it is believed that an estimated 75% of all diagnosed prostate cancers could be avoided if better eating habits and dietary changes were followed.</p><p>That's a promising note for American males, so let's dive into the particulars and see why soy is so great for prostate health.</p><p>Isoflavones are plant compounds found in soy products. Isoflavones act as hormones in the human body and can actually have great effects on several bodily functions.</p><p>For example, they can help lower your cholesterol, maintain good blood glucose levels, and even help build healthy bones. But for men, they can also act as inhibitors for prostate cancer.</p><p>It is for this reason that many studies have asked why? Why is it that Asian men are more prone to avoiding prostate cancer? Why is it that the American male tends to have larger prostates in their later years their Asian counterparts?</p><p>The best found answer to this question has been diet. It is no secret that the Asian population has been eating soy for over one thousand years. Most infants and children in the Asian population will find themselves eating the 80 to 100 mg of soy per day. After a number of years, the isoflavones in their bodies will build and their chances for prostate cancer will be reduced with each bite.</p><p>One recently conducted study focused on a group of 41 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer. These patients were given 100 mg of an isoflavone supplement twice a day for 6 months.</p><p>Results showed a lowering of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and ultimately a slowing of the prostate cancer growth. PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The higher the PSA level, the more likely there is cancer present.</p><p>Isoflavones are found in all soy foods. One need only drink one 8 ounce glass of soymilk per day to receive 40 mg of isoflavones. Currently there is no recommended dosage of isoflavones to help lower prostate cancer risks.</p><p>However, the FDA has recommended that a person needs approximately 25 grams of soy protein per day in order to lower cholesterol levels.</p><p>Although more studies are underway to further investigate the relationship between soy isoflavones and prostate health, preliminary studies contain a hopeful future for the male population. When it comes to lowering the risks and avoiding prostate cancer, it seems that diets high in soy have been labeled a promising ally.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Dee Overly is an artist who discovered the health benefits of soy milk and now sells a <a target="_new" href="http://www.soymilkcrossroads.com/page/1387867">Soymilk Maker</a> at <a target="_new" href="http://www.soymilkcrossroads.com/">http://www.SoymilkCrossroads.com</a> Stop by to grab a free Vegan recipe book and check out the blog.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dee_Overly"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Overly </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-73748114494389322542010-05-08T04:03:00.000-07:002010-05-08T04:03:00.500-07:00Hot Flashes Remedy - Is There One that Really Works?<div id="body"> <p>Looking for a much needed hot flashes remedy? Then you are obviously experiencing "the change." Hot flashes are the first sign of approaching menopause and the one symptom that most women would like to conquer. Before you run to your doctor and begin hormone therapy, try employing a few simple tips that can work as your hot flashes remedy.</p><p>One little known hot flashes remedy is apple cider vinegar. Taking a little of this vinegar has given many women relief from migraines, sinus headaches and even allergy symptoms. More importantly, women report fewer hot flashes! If apple cider vinegar works as your hot flashes remedy it may even increase your energy, alleviate dry skin and aid in weight loss. For no known side effects, I say bottoms up!</p><p>Another more prevalently known hot flashes remedy is exercise. Women who reported hot flashes so severe that they plagued them day and night sing the praises of exercise as the ultimate hot flash cure. The amount of exercise required to diminish your symptoms and act as your hot flashes remedy will vary. Reportedly, moderate exercise for 1-2 hours a day, 4-6 times a week has squelched hot flashes completely. On a side note, when the regular exercise stopped, the hot flashes immediately came roaring back. Talk about an incentive to keep exercising!</p><p>An increasingly popular hot flashes remedy is to drink soy milk or take soy products. In some women a glass of soy milk has almost a miracle effect. One woman reported that a glass of daily soy milk kept her hot flash free during the day, but she was continuing to experience night sweats. After warming up a good old cup of soy and enjoying it before bed, her night sweats disappeared and she finally got that elusive good night's sleep. As long as you're not allergic to soy, there's a great possibility it may be your long sought after hot flashes remedy.</p><p>Soy not doing it for you? How about trying a little Tumeric? Women in India use this powder to help ease their menopause symptoms. This spice is said to not only ease hot flashes, but also soothe irritated skin. Taken in a small dose Tumeric has no known side effects, but they have the potential to help your fight in finding your hot flashes remedy.</p><p>A more common hot flashes remedy is cutting out the sugar in your diet. Cutting your sugar intake is known to help with many physical and emotional ailments, but also may decrease the frequency and intensity of your hot flashes.</p><p>If the above suggestions don't help, never give up! There's no need to live in misery for years and years to come. There are many other natural remedies that relieve hot flashes. It is simply a matter of systematically finding what your triggers are and eliminating them, then trying some of the many remedies that are readily available to you. Keep at it and you will eventually develop your own hot flashes remedy.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Discover how YOU can <a target="_new" href="http://www.survivemenopause.com/">relieve hot flashes</a> and menopausal symptoms without Hormone Replacement Therapy at Linda Bruton's Survive Menopause site. Pick up your free special report "Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way" (a $27 value) by clicking here: <a target="_new" href="http://www.survivemenopause.com/">http://www.survivemenopause.com</a></p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_J_Bruton"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_J_Bruton </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-42296388077970972722010-05-07T04:02:00.000-07:002010-05-07T04:02:00.542-07:00Soy Candles Instead of Paraffin Candles? Yes!<div id="body"> <p>Researching this article has definitely been eye opening! In trying to find the pros and cons of soy candles over paraffin candles, I discovered more that I did not know, especially about paraffin!</p><p>To begin with, paraffin comes in 3 states, solid, liquid and gas. The simplest paraffin molecule is that of methane, CH4, a gas at room temperature. Heavier paraffin molecules such as octanes (or kerosene) are liquids. Another one of its liquid forms is known as mineral oil, which as everyone knows is used for treating constipation. And the way we all know paraffin best is in the solid form, wax.</p><p>There are many uses for paraffin-in crayons, as a food additive (in candy, cheese coatings, etc.), jet fuel, forensics, coating surfboards, skis and snowboards, and as a propellant for bullets through the chamber. I found many more uses for paraffin but I will not list them here.</p><p>Paraffin is not changed by adding most other chemicals to it, but it does burn readily. Because of the relatively low melting point of paraffin, stearic acid was added to elevate the melting point; this enabled the manufacture of free standing candles such as tapers and pillars. The lower melting paraffin (without stearic acid) is used more in container candles. This allows candle makers and manufacturers to tailor their own blends using their own blend of wax additives. This in turn lets the candlemaker have more freedom from batch to batch.</p><p>Soy has a very unique background also. The first thing I think about when I hear the word soy is the bean. It has been shown to have many healthful benefits and is good to eat. Soy is also used as a base for some infant formulas, and as feed for livestock. We use soybean oil for cooking too. What I did not realize was that after WWI Henry Ford was a leader in soybean research. He had chemists come up with a way to produce artificial silk from soy and even had a suit made from it! Also he used soybean oil for painting his automobiles. This research led to the development of soy milk, ice cream and non-dairy whipped topping.</p><p>So there we have a brief history of paraffin and soy; but what about the advantages and disadvantages of each when it comes to a candle? The only advantage that I could find for using paraffin was that the manufacturer could tailor his use of fragrance additives to make his own unique blend. Paraffin, being a petroleum product, has soot as a by-product of burning, which can blacken walls and place carcinogens into the air you breathe. Soy burns clean and is nontoxic. Soy candles last longer because of their lower melting point, thereby enabling the candle to burn longer, as much as three times longer! So you get more for your money! Soybean oil is biodegradable and cleans up easily with a little soap and water; have you ever tried getting a paraffin wax stain out of something? It is not easy, if even possible. Lastly, soy is a renewable resource and growing soybeans benefits our farmers. The only people that benefit from using paraffin are the oil companies and they already have enough of our money!</p><p>I have come to the conclusion that the way to go is soy; therefore I offer only soy candles on my site, Peaceful Being. Feel free to check them out-loads of styles and fragrances from which to choose!</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>After being in nursing for many years, I decided to retire from nursing and devote my time to my web business. TLC is so much a part of me, and I am working hard to help people feel better about themselves--body, mind and soul. The business I started is called KKAT VENTURES LLC and the web URL is <a target="_new" href="http://www.peacefulbeing.com/">http://www.peacefulbeing.com</a>. My site is geared to natural and organic products although the fragrance oils are synthetic (but some of the best on the market!). I offer a wide variety of items, from aromatherapy to bath and body, to soy candles, incense & potpourri to fragrance lamps/fuels. I would love to have you visit my site! I am also a grandmother of two adorable children (what grandmother doesn't say this!!!). I enjoy gardening, reading,especially British murder mysteries and historical fiction, and crosswords and Sudoku. And yes, I have a cat!</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Terri_Atwell"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_Atwell </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-70237408502363129632010-05-06T04:02:00.000-07:002010-05-06T04:02:00.307-07:00Verduras o Vacas? Vegetables or Cows<div id="body"> <p>Argentina: meat central, yes? This is not necessarily so anymore. As a committed vegetarian (that means I do eat dairy products) unlike vegans (no dairy or eggs) I feared moving to Argentina and being deprived of vegetarian options. I would be in carnivore heaven and starve, well maybe not. What could I eat except for deep fried cheese, pizza and be completely deprived of nutrients. (and about 25 pounds heavier)</p><p>I was surprised! There are many vegetarians in Buenos Aires (compared to the USA its not that high) and numerous vegetarian dining and cooking options.</p><p>My top restaurants for a guaranteed healthy and tasty meal include:</p><p>Pura Vida Restaurant on Uriburu 1489 and Pena (look for the bright orange awning). This is a juice bar that also serves soup, sandwiches and salads. It has been open less then a year ago by two expats from the United States. One owner is a strict "raw foodist" (nothing baked) and the other is a vegan. At Pura Vida you will have delicious liquados (smoothies) or jugos (juices). My favorite smoothie is the "Strawberry Fields Forever" which has banana, blueberry, raspberry, apple juice and I request spirulina to be added.</p><p>The other option although not solely vegetarian but carnivore friendly is California Burrito Company in Microcentro on Lavalle 441 and San Martin (4328-3056). This restaurant was also opened by three expats from the United States. This restaurant has an assembly line system to ordering your meal. They claim 15,000 variations can be created for a fajita, burritio or taco. As a vegetarian, you choose from either pinto or black beans, various salsas, spicy mole, guacamole, sour cream (non-vegan), and vegetables. The burrito also includes a beverage of your choice all for under the price of $20 AR.</p><p>In the Collegiales neighborhood, you will find Verde Llama on Jorge Newbery 3623 (4554-7467). This is a raw foods restaurant run by Diego, an Argentine and staunch believer of the "life foods philosophy." If vegetarianism is radical in Argentina then raw foodism is sacrelegous. At Verde Llama nothing is cooked. The base of the foods is made from cracker like food made from sprouts processed in a "dehydrator."</p><p>The menu includes salads, lasagna, coconut curry, and an extensive juice and wine list. They also have a mate mousse for dessert. Diego is very passionate about "life foods" and gives classes at the restaurants on preparing raw food dishes at home. One of the chefs at Verde Llama is also a baker and sells his wares for $10 AR at the restaurant along with some other ready made products.</p><p>As a vegetarian, its easier to prepare meals from home then scout out what I can and cannot eat from a menu. (Its also more cost effective to eat in!) The supermarket chain, Jumbo in Palermo (near the mosque) is a good resource for buying vegetables, soy sauce and some other staples. For more extensive shopping its worth a trip to Barrio Chino in Belgrano.</p><p>Barrio Chino is made up of about 2 or 3 blocks and there are many restaurants (some vegetarian) and shops crammed into this little area. You can always find soy milk in Barrio Chino. At Asia Oriental Market on Arribenos you will find an extensive supply of baked tofu, silken tofu,prepared foods such as vegetarian sushi, vegetables and fruits.</p><p>I have seen on expatriate websites in Buenos Aires people searchin for coconut oil, sesame milk and other items easily found at The Whole Foods market chain in the USA. However, these products are not easy to find here. The solution? People are learning to make their own almond, and sesame milk. There is clearly a market for a Whole Foods market here in Buenos Aires. There is a growing market to accommodate vegetarians and with all of these people opening up restaurants and markets the demand will increase. Perhaps, Argentina land of carnivores will become famous for vegetarian living too!</p> </div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"> <div id="sig" class="sig"> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_Scheiffle"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Scheiffle </a> </p> </td> <td> <div style="padding: 5px; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-43907094446788151442010-05-05T04:01:00.000-07:002010-05-05T04:01:00.173-07:00Cow's Milk and Constipation in Children<div id="body"> <p><b>Cow's Milk: Cause Of Constipation?</b></p><p>I did not associate cow's milk consumption with constipation until this week. My daughter started complaining of stomach cramps and this went on for four days. She would crumple up in agony. It was very strange because there was no vomiting or diarrhea and she hadn't eaten anything unusual or that she was allergic to. Or so I thought.</p><p>I drink milk myself, and it tends to have a laxative effect on me. It was only after a trip to the local GP and another to the hospital that I learned the cause of her trouble might be cow's milk. Apparently, cow's milk may cause constipation in young children.</p><p>The connection never occurred to me because I thought milk would have a laxative effect rather than the reverse. After all, this is what happens with me. I thought if my daughter was at all intolerant to milk, it should manifest as diarrhea instead of constipation.</p><p><b>Evidence Of Link Between Cow's Milk And Constipation</b></p><p>I researched the subject and came across an interesting study done at a university in Italy in 1998. It involved 65 children with chronic constipation who had been prescribed laxatives after dietary changes had failed to cure the constipation. Each child received either cow's milk or soy milk for two weeks, had a rest week, then for the next two weeks had the other milk that they didn't get the first time. When the results were analyzed, it was discovered that while they were on soy milk, 68% of the children were no longer constipated. In contrast, their conditions remained the same when they were on cow's milk.</p><p>Dr Alan Greene of DrGreene.com suggests that it could be the protein in cow's milk that is at the root of the problem, and that switching to soy milk can dramatically improve the quality of life of a child suffering chronic constipation.</p><p><b>Preventing Constipation</b></p><p>Switching to a dairy-free alternative is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to treat a constipation issue.</p><p>What about preventing constipation? Besides ensuring the child has enough fibre and fluids in her diet and gets enough exercise, is there anything else a parent can do?</p><p>Research has shown that probiotics, those friendly bacteria that prevent harmful microorganisms from building up in the body and poisoning it, can help prevent constipation by aiding in the proper digestion of food and nutrients and maintaining a healthy ratio of good to bad intestinal bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are also useful for rebuilding immunity that has been compromised by long-term use of antibiotics. This is something parents want to watch out for, especially in Western cultures which endorse the liberal prescription of antibiotics for all sorts of ailments.</p><p>If your child has no major digestive health issues, good for you! Keep her that way for as long as you can with a fibre-rich diet, lots of exercise and a good quality probiotic supplement.</p><p>If your child suffers chronic constipation, then you may want to experiment by simply switching her to a non-dairy diet.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Serena Tan believes that modern lifestyle diseases can be minimized and prevented through education.</p><p>Through her website <a target="_new" href="http://www.greenfamilyorganics.com/">http://www.greenfamilyorganics.com</a>, she offers healthy gift ideas, safer skincare and makeup and tips on how to read ingredient labels.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Serena_Tan"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serena_Tan </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-65974405152862912342010-05-04T04:01:00.000-07:002010-05-04T04:01:00.460-07:00Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe - 4 Tips, 2 Recipes<div id="body"> <p>Yes, yes, I know homemade hot cocoa is supposed to be better than hot cocoas that begin with some mix named Nestle Quik, Ovaltine, Carnation, or Swiss Miss -- but when I want a cup of hot cocoa at the end of a long day, or when I'm planning a casual gathering with friends, the last thing I think of is finding some blocks, chunks, or chips of chocolate to melt down in a water bath.. Consider me spoiled by convenience -- wonderfully, gloriously spoiled, and ready to share my tips on how to make a hot cocoa mix recipe shine.</p><p>Here's Tip No. 1: Your selection of a hot cocoa mix should be the only shortcut you take toward your destination of a rich, decadent, completely satisfying cup of warm chocolate bliss. Hot cocoa mix is already diluted chocolate -- all mixes have cocoa powder blended with sugar, many of them have cocoa powder blended with milk solids and fat (some are meant to be added directly to water), and many of them are processed with additives that assist smoothness of texture (pure cocoa powder is very gritty). None of these facts by themselves prevent you from using hot cocoa mix to make some spectacular cups of cocoa, but if you cut corners in other areas, you're headed for disaster.</p><p>Tip No. 2: When using hot cocoa mixes meant for milk, forget that most common of all modern kitchen shortcuts -- the microwave. Sure, you can put a cup of water into the microwave, heat it up, and then put a water-ready cocoa mix into it to your heart's content -- it won't be the most spectacular cup of cocoa, or the warmest (because your mix will cool down the water), but it will work. But you just can't take chances with your milk. In the first place, milk has a tendency to overcook quickly. Given the variation of strengths in microwaves, you are taking a big chance with the quality of your milk -- and nothing ruins a cup of hot cocoa like some overcooked milk. Nothing, that is, except overcooked chocolate, which also tends to overcook and scorch quickly. This is why chocolate is always melted in double boilers or water baths -- and it is also why you should take out a nice heavy-bottomed pan and heat your milk carefully within it, never, ever allowing it to boil. Simmer is the word, and gently simmer at that, if you must -- and once you've added the hot cocoa mix, you'll need to be very gentle indeed. The chocolate does not need to cook in the pan -- once you've added it and gotten it mixed in, it's time to get the cocoa into the cups or mugs.</p><p>Tip No. 3: Avoid all things "nonfat" like the plague. I am now going to praise skim milk and its counterpart, nonfat soy milk, before I bury them. Skim milk and nonfat soy milk are wonderful for many things. With cereals, particularly those that tend to be better as they soak up liquid, they are delightful. As regular beverages for those of us that need to watch our cholesterol, they are honored staples, and make acceptable additions to our coffee and tea. Skim milk has a further boon; because of its calcium, it makes wonderful fertilizer for tomatoes. But tomato season is usually well over when hot cocoa season begins, so when hot cocoa is in view, it is past time to put the nonfat stuff away. A water-ready cocoa mix with water will be richer and rounder in taste than a milk-ready mix with skim milk. Nonfat soy milk would be even worse. Hot cocoa is about decadence, not denial -- save the nonfat items for your cereal or daily consumption, and use a reduced-fat milk or soymilk if you can't bring yourself to take the calorie hit of whole milk or half-and-half.</p><p>Tip No. 4: Take special care about sweetened soy milk or milk treated for those with lactose intolerance. Many brands of soy milk are flavored, most often with "vanilla." Basically that boils down to added sugar. By contrast, milk treated for consumption by those who are lactose intolerant is not sweetened, but the process by which the milk sugar -- lactose -- is broken down into two simpler sugars leaves the treated milk sweeter to the taste than regular milk. Hot cocoa mix already contains sugar; adding it to sweetened soy milk or milk that has had its lactose broken down may lead to a cup of cocoa that tastes too sweet. I would avoid the sweetened soy milk entirely; there are plenty of unsweetened brands. As for the treated milk, you may have to add a touch of cocoa powder to balance out the perception of extra sugar -- or melt half a block of unsweetened chocolate into the pan.</p><p>Tip No. 5: Color matters, before the pan and in the pan. I have my favorite cocoa mixes, and I have them for several complicated reasons, but for you I just put forward one point. You don't want a pale hot cocoa mix. Before the pan, a light-colored mix means that the ratio of cocoa powder to the other ingredients is low, and you need an abundance of chocolate, not sugars, milk solids, fats, and other additives. In the pan, you will have to use a great deal more of a low-chocolate mix to get the flavor you want -- and then you still won't get that, because the other ingredients will be piling up as well. The whole brew will also begin to take on an uncomfortable thickness -- and while it is sometimes very desirable to serve yourself or your guests the equivalent of fudge in a cup, dark, thick, and just short of being warm chocolate mousse, it is emphatically not desirable to serve a sludge composed mainly of sugar, fats, milk solids, and other additives. Just because you don't have to pull out your double-boiler does not mean you don't have to pay attention to the reality of chocolate -- whatever hot cocoa mix you pick should have a great deal of chocolate in it, and one of the ways to tell is by the mix's color.</p><p>Those are the basics, the instructions for the fundamentally blissful cup of hot cocoa from a cocoa mix. And here are the basic recipes (just double the amounts as needed).</p><p>For hot cocoa mixes requiring milk:</p><p>1. Eight ounces of reduced-fat milk (or whole if you can stand it)<br />2. Two heaping tablespoons of your chosen cocoa mix <br />3. Dash of cinnamon (optional)<br />4. Dollop of heavy whipped cream (optional)</p><p>In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat milk on the stovetop until it is very warm (not boiling!), continuously stirring. Add cinnamon if desired; stir. When milk is hot (again, not boiling!) and you can smell the cinnamon, put in the hot cocoa mix, turn off the heat, and stir until milk is a uniform color, with no lumps. Serve immediately, topped with whipped cream if desired. Makes one eight-ounce cup or two four-ounce cups (you know, those cute little teacups).</p><p>For hot cocoa mixes requiring water:</p><p>1. Eight ounces of water <br />2. Two packets of your chosen cocoa mix <br />3. Dash of cinnamon (optional)<br />4. Dollop of heavy whipped cream (optional)</p><p>Heat water in a pan on the stove (or a microwave it in a cup if you want and you're just serving yourself), then add cinnamon and two packets of your chosen hot cocoa mix. Use two packets because, tablespoon for tablespoon, there is generally less chocolate in a mix made to be used with water than there is for cocoa mixes that work with milk. Stir vigorously, serve immediately, putting whipped cream on top if desired. Makes one eight-ounce cup or two four-ounce cups (those same cute little teacups).</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Deeann D. Mathews is the Creative Director of Praising Pilgrims Music, but this businesswoman still has time enough to indulge her passion in the kitchen. For more recipes based on this article's model, head on over to <a target="_new" href="http://www.squidoo.com/hot-cocoa-1">http://www.squidoo.com/hot-cocoa-1</a> (scroll down to the bottom of the page).</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Deeann_Mathews"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deeann_Mathews </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-55671062327978898482010-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:002010-05-03T04:00:00.939-07:00Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives<div id="body"> <p>There are many people in the world today who are lactose intolerant. Having the uncomfortable feeling of gas or even getting sick is never a good idea for anyone. This is why it is always good to research the non-dairy milk alternatives section at your local grocery store. There are many non-dairy milk alternatives to choose from. These alternatives will help you get the flavor you want without the gas. These alternatives are:</p><p>1. Margarine- Everyone likes to put some butter on their sandwiches or other types of food, but lack the ability because of the dairy content. With margarine such as those that are non-dairy, margarine is the best choice for the lactose intolerant.</p><p>2. Milk- There are many types of milk to choose from the rice milk to the soy milk, today's society welcomes the lactose intolerant and gives them milk they can drink. Packed with vitamins, these milks are for those who cannot drink the normal 2 percent.</p><p>3. Soy- Many products have dairy products replaced by soy. Meat, pasta, and milk are to name a few. Soy offers a safe haven for the lactose intolerant, but also allows the non-lactose person to be indulged with vitamins and nutrition that is found in soy products.</p><p>4. Desserts- These delicious dairy products have been the nightmare to all those who are not able to eat them. But thanks to the non-dairy milk alternatives, there is plenty of desserts which those who are lactose intolerant can eat. With the replacement with soy and rice, the desserts are for anyone.</p><p>When you are thinking healthier and wiser of your lactose intolerance, you can feel better for yourself. Many people are always looking for a healthier way to live. With the replacement of dairy with non-dairy milk alternatives, the health world is better now that there are more products to help. For the lactose intolerant, you can finally have a chance to eat normal food again.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Dr. Barry Lycka is president of <a target="_new" href="http://www.lestout.com/">LesTout.com</a>, the number one source of internet guidance.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lycka"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lycka </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-18175221669372450582010-05-02T03:59:00.001-07:002010-05-02T03:59:00.940-07:00The Portfolio Diet: The Solution to Heart Disease<div id="body"> <p>What if there was a combination of foods that were as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol as prescription drugs? Would it be worth adding some new foods to what you eat each day to avoid medication?</p><p>This is what the latest in a series of research studies Dr. Jenkins from the University of Toronto shows. Studies have previously shown that various foods, such as nuts, soy protein, oat bran, and plant sterols all can have a cholesterol-lowering effect. But what if you combined all these foods together? Dr. Jenkins' latest research shows that combining all these foods together is as effective as taking a statin drug. The results showed a 30.9% decrease in LDL cholesterol from the statin and a decrease of 28.2% from the portfolio combination of all these foods.</p><p>Dr. Jenkins is calling this a dietary portfolio, but it's becoming known as 'The Portfolio Diet'. The concept is to add all of these foods, in a type of portfolio plan, like investments, to cover all possibilities for better heart health. This is not a weight loss diet, however, although the concepts for weight loss and lowered cholesterol could certainly be combined, with proper education and guidance by a qualified nutrition expert.</p><p><b>What is the Portfolio Diet?</b></p><p>Just follow these guidelines:</p><p>1. Substitute soy foods for meat. Drink soy milk instead of milk and substitute soy protein foods for other meats.</p><p>2. Eat as much 'sticky' fiber as possible. People in the study took three daily servings of natural psyllium supplements. Oats and barley replace other grains and preferred vegetables include eggplant and okra.</p><p>3. Include plant sterol-enriched margarines, such as benecol and Take Control. Plant sterols are also available in capsule form as dietary supplements.</p><p>4. A handful of nuts every day. In the study, almonds were eaten and the Almond Board of California offers portfolio diet recipes on its website (look at recipes on <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.almondboard.com/">http://www.almondboard.com/</a>), but any tree nut will reduce cholesterol.</p><p>Here are some examples of a typical day:</p><p><b>Breakfast </b>- Include soy milk, oat bran cereal with chopped fruit and almonds, oatmeal bread with sterol-enriched margarine, and some jam.</p><p><b>Lunch</b> - Soy lunchmeats, oat bran bread, bean soup, fruit.</p><p><b>Dinner</b> - Stir fry with vegetables, tofu, fruit and almonds.</p><p><b>Snacks </b>- Include nuts, yogurt, and soy milk thickened with a psyllium supplement such as Metamucil.</p><p><b>Has this diet shown to be effective?</b></p><p>Jenkins et al were curious how this diet would work in the real world, so they signed people up who said they wanted to lower their cholesterol levels. They told them what to eat and gave them sample menus -- but they didn't provide any prepared foods.</p><p>Dr. Jenkins said that about 30% of the people had a 20% reduction in their LDL cholesterol levels after six months. Another 30% had a 15% reduction in LDL levels, and another third failed to lower their cholesterol levels, believed to be because they were unable to follow the diet as strictly as those with good results. What seemed to be the biggest obstacle for people was eating soy food products. Dr. Jenkins said that most people could eat almonds and substitute plant sterol products for margarine.</p><p><b>Is the diet for you?</b></p><p>Many people are concerned about heart disease and stroke, especially if they are struggling with weight control and high blood cholesterol levels. However, many people are not comfortable going on prescription medications. Since this is an eating plan that does not eliminate food groups or follow some type of fad, there is no risk to going on this 'diet'. In fact, it's not really a 'diet' at all, but a way of eating. And no one has to do anything but substitute some of the recommended foods for foods they normally eat today.</p><p>So, let's say you would like to try the diet, but, like many other Americans, are concerned about adding soy foods to your diet. You have never eaten them and don't even know where to find them! Well, they are actually in your favorite supermarket already! It may be time to experiment, though, because not everyone is going to like all the soy foods that are available. For more on soyfoods, check out the Soyfoods Association of American at <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.soyfoods.org/">http://www.soyfoods.org/</a>. Here is a list of foods to consider:</p><p><b>Soy milk</b>. There are multiple brands and different fat levels. You can buy whole fat, low fat and non fat. You can buy 'regular' (no flavoring), or any number of flavors. I have personally found one brand that I like over others and you may have to experiment to find one you like, as well.</p><p><b>Edemame</b>. These are frozen whole soybeans that are harvested when still green. They can be found in most health food stores, such as Trader Joes or Whole Foods Market, in the frozen food section, usually next to the lima beans. These can be found shelled or in the shell. You can add them to soups or stews or eat them by themselves. I like to eat them as my protein for breakfast.</p><p><b>Tofu</b>. Also known as 'bean curd', tofu is a soft, cheese-like food made my curdling soymilk. The curds are then pressed into a solid block. There are different levels of firmness; silken, soft and firm. Silken is a creamy, custard-like product that works well with pureed or blended dishes. Soft tofu is best used in recipes that call for blended tofu, or in soups. The firm tofu is more dense and solid and holds up well in stir fry dishes, even on the grill. The firm tofu is higher in protein, fat and calcium than the other forms, but since this is a plant fat, this should not be an issue. For recipe ideas, see this link from the Indiana Soybean Board; <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.soyfoods.com/soyfoodsdescriptions/tofu.html">http://www.soyfoods.com/soyfoodsdescriptions/tofu.html</a></p><p><b>Textured Vegetable (or Soy) Protein Products</b>. This is the soyfood product that many soy burgers and other 'meat substitute' products contain. The best way to determine if these foods are for you are to experiment with a few options.</p><p><b>Miso</b>. Miso is a rich, salty paste condiment that characterizes the essence of Japanese cooking. Traditionally, miso is made by combining with a grain, salt, and a mold culture and then aged in cedar vats for one to three years. Readers may recognize the name because this is a popular soup.</p><p><b>Soy nuts</b>. Soy nuts are whole soybeans that have been soaked then baked. They can be found in snack isles and manufacturers now include soynuts in any number of coatings, including chocolate.</p><p><b>Tempeh</b>. This is a traditional Indonesian food that is most commonly found in Asian stores. It is a chunky, tender soybean cake. It can be marinated and grilled or added to soups, casseroles, or even chili.</p><p>It can be very easy for some people to add nuts to their diet. In fact, it may be harder to not add too MANY nuts! It may also be 'doable' to add more sticky fiber to your diet, also, with a little planning. However, it may be a greater challenge to find soy foods that can be enjoyably substituted for meats you are used to eating. However, if your health depends on it, and you refuse medications, this may be a great thing to try, especially since there are no risks involved with adding these foods to your diet. Just remember that these are foods to be substituted, not added, to the diet. Since calories do also still count, adding extras to your current diet could result in weight gain, leading to new concerns.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Marjorie Geiser helps people overcome their confusion and distress they may feel when trying to add healthy eating and fitness into their busy lives. She offers a free, weekly teleclass phone series to subscribers of her Health Focus teleclass series, which covers all aspects of health each week. She is a Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer and Life Coach. To learn more about her services, go to her website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.megfit.com/">http://www.megfit.com</a> or email her at <a href="mailto:margie@megfit.com">margie@megfit.com</a>.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marjorie_Geiser"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marjorie_Geiser </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-67553214297193643702010-05-02T03:59:00.000-07:002010-05-02T03:59:00.225-07:00How to Treat Hyperpigmentation<div id="body"> <p>Skin Pigmentation, or your skin's tendency to develop dark spots is caused by a tendency to form excess melanin. As we age, the pigment in our skin can begin to look darker or more uneven. These dark spots are called melasma, while hyperpigmentation is caused by skin trauma (insect bites, scratches, razor burn and even acne).</p><p>There are many options in treating hyperpigmentation: laser therapy, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. They work by removing or resurfacing the top layers of skin, patients experience brighter, lighter looking skin.</p><p>For those looking for a less expensive option, skin lighteners can help. Over-the-counter pigment changing products work by:</p><p>* Slowing or shutting down melanin production in the skin.</p><p>* Removing existing melanin cells from the epidermis.</p><p>* Preventing the transfer of melanin cells to the upper layer of the epidermis.</p><p>Topical agents such as Trentinoin (also known as Retin-A) and alpha-hydroxy acids, as well as the organic kojic acid and licorice extract have shown some results in lightening dark spots on the skin.</p><p>When looking for lightening products, be sure to check for some of these common lightening ingredients: Hydroquinone, Mequinol, Monobenzene, Soy Milk, Niacinamide, Cucumber, Kojic Acid, Calcium Pantetheine Sulfonate, Azelaic Acid, Arbutrne and Hydroquinone.</p><p>Melasma</p><p>To treat Melasma (the darkening of the top layer of the skin), use: Rosehips Oil; Soy Milk; Mandelic Acid; or a Lactid Acid Peel.</p><p>Freckles and Age Spots</p><p>To lighten freckles and age spots try this: Imedeen Time Perfection Pills and/or Sunblock.</p><p>Hyperpigmentation</p><p>When treating any type of hyperpigmentation, use any of the products listed above, as well as: Lactid Acid Cream.</p><p>Under Eye Circles</p><p>Give your face and eyes the glowing radiance of youth with: Vitamin K and Cucumber.</p><p>No matter what type of hyperpigmentation you are trying to treat: freckles; age spots; melasma and more, try this basic homemade treatment. It's easy and effective:</p><p>Squeeze the juice from several lemons, being sure to squeeze all you can from the rind. Next, peel, chop and puree a cucumber (with the seeds) in a blender. Pass the puree through cheesecloth, squeezing out any excess juice. Finally, mix equal parts of the lemon juice with the puree, apply to skin for as long as 30 minutes. Rinse. Moisturize.<br />Other Valuable Resource <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.treatmentforpigmentation.com/">http://www.treatmentforpigmentation.com</a></p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Hello Dear Friend<br />My name is Aigars Porietis, and I've got ONE question to ask that could change your life forever...</p><p>Are you frustrated with dark patches of skin pigmentation on your face, neck or anywhere else on your body?<br />Get Your Complete Guide <a target="_new" href="http://www.treatmentforpigmentation.com/">http://www.treatmentforpigmentation.com</a></p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aigars_Porietis"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aigars_Porietis </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-1578160633115986622010-04-30T03:58:00.000-07:002010-04-30T03:58:00.756-07:00Foods That Balance the pH Level - Going From an Acidic to Alkaline Body<div id="body"> <p>An imbalance in the pH level (acid-alkaline) of your body can affect your nervous system (depression), cardiovascular system (heart disease), muscles (fatigue) and skin (aging). If your body is too acidic, mineral reserves are depleted and your body uses what ever source it can take minerals from, a process which can cause health problems. Whereas, in an alkaline environment, your body reaches an ideal weight and corrects health challenges naturally.</p><p>In order to provide your body with the nutrients it needs, introduce alkaline foods into your diet. Alkaline foods neutralize acids and toxins in the blood, lymph and tissues, and strengthen your immune system, organs and well-being. As a rule of thumb, 80% of your diet should be alkaline foods.</p><p><strong>Shopping List - Alkaline Foods:</strong></p><p><em><strong>Produce</strong></em></p><p>Avocado, Beets, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Cucumber, Dark lettuce, Eggplant, Garlic, Herbs (fresh), Jicama, Kale, Leeks, Lemon, Lime, Onion, Parsley, Red new potatoes, Seasonal fruit (when in balance), Spinach, Squash, Tomato, Zucchini</p><p><strong><em>Refrigerated Section</em></strong></p><p>Borage Oil, Fresh salsa (no vinegar), Flax seed oil, Hummus, Sprouted Wheat Tortillas (by Alvarado Street), Tofu, Udo's Choice- Perfected Oil Blend</p><p><strong><em>Freezer Section</em></strong></p><p>Boca burgers (vegan), Manna bread (sun seed or whole wheat)</p><p><strong><em>Seafood/Meat</em></strong></p><p>Salmon, Trout, Free range turkey (on rare occasions)</p><p><strong><em>Health Food Section</em></strong></p><p>Almond butter, Almond milk, Amaranth, Basmati rice, Brown rice cakes, Buckwheat, Dulse flakes, Flours (spelt, millet, amaranth, etc), Grape Seed Oil, Hummus, Kamut, Millet, Olive oil, Quinoa, Rotini (quinoa, spelt), Soba noodles (rice or buckwheat), Spelt, Soy milk, Sprouts (any), Sun-dried tomatoes (in olive oil), Tahini, Vegetable broth (yeast-free), Wild rice</p><p><strong><em>Legumes</em></strong></p><p>Adzuki, Black, Black-eyed, Cranberry, Garbanzo, Kidney, Lentils, Mung, Pinto</p><p><strong><em>Nuts/Seeds</em></strong></p><p>Almonds, Brazil nuts, Flax seeds, Filberts, Macadamia nuts, Pecans (seasonal), Pine nuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (seasonal) Note: all nuts/seeds should be raw and unsalted</p><p><strong><em>Salts</em></strong></p><p>Bragg's Aminos, Sea Salt, Real Salt Brand</p><p><strong><em>Spices</em></strong></p><p>Cinnamon, Cumin, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Parsley, Thyme , Spice Hunter Brand: All Purpose Blend, California Pizza, Cowboy BBQ Rub, Curry Seasoning, Deliciously Dill, Garam Masala, Herbes de Provence, Italian Spice, Jamaican Jerk, Mexican, Pasta Seasoning, Spicy Garlic Bread, Szechwan, Thai Seasoning, The Zip</p><p><strong>Foods to Avoid</strong></p><p>Try to stay away from citric acid, mushrooms, yeast, vinegar, peanut products and corn products.</p><p><strong>What is pH?</strong><br />The potential of Hydrogen (pH) is a logarithmic scale that measures the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Solutions are measured from 0 (totally acid) to 14 (totally alkaline). 7 is neutral. The intracellular fluid should have a pH of about 6.8. Many health food stores sell pH test paper so you can measure your pH balance at home.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>See a list of foods that <a target="_new" href="http://www.alternativehealthyliving.com/articles/alkaline_foods.htm">balance your pH level (alkaline-acid). Click here</a>.</p><p>Click on this link to learn how <a target="_new" href="http://www.alternativehealthyliving.com/articles/depression_linked_to_food_choices.htm">depression is linked to food choices</a>.</p><p>Click here to review <a target="_new" href="http://www.alternativehealthyliving.com/articles/foods_high_in_fiber.htm">a list of foods high in fiber</a>.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Logan_McKnight"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Logan_McKnight </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-79462727967935726752010-04-29T03:57:00.000-07:002010-04-29T03:57:00.230-07:00Milk For Baby and Toddler<div id="body"> <p>Breast milk of course is the absolute best milk for your baby during the first one or two years but if this is not possible there are other alternatives; but which one do you choose?</p><p>In days gone by, babies were given watered down "carnation milk", "condensed milk" or cow"s milk; some added "Pentavite" for vitamins, some did not. Research has shown that these are not the best choices for babies and could even do harm.</p><p>Today in 2010, we are fortunate enough to have infant formula that has been researched, modified and tested and continues to be researched to provide milk closest to living breast milk. It is commercially synthesised therefore it will never reach the premium standard of natural breast milk but at least it has to be better than what our ancestors used.</p><p>Up until the age of 12 months a baby requires an infant formula for optimum digestion and nutrients.</p><p>There are many types and brands of milks listed under the age categories of starter (1), follow on (2) or toddler (3). 'Starter' and 'Progress' formulas are complete food substitutes but 'toddler milk' is like a vitamin in milk form and not a food substitute. 'Progress' (2) formulas have added iron and nutrients for increased growth and development requirements but if the 'starter' formula is better tolerated after six months and solid food has been introduced then it is not absolutely necessary to use.</p><p>Cow's milk based infant formula - This is commercially modified cow's milk to resemble breast milk and is suitable for most babies. It is not suitable when babies have a cow milk protein allergy, lactose intolerance or have parents who want to keep away from animal based foods. Some milks have now been further enhanced with added docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Omega - 3 fatty acids and prebiotics and probiotics for added immunity and digestion. Research is ongoing for even further refinements.</p><p>Goat milk based infant formula - This commercially modified goat milk contains slightly less lactose than cow's milk with the protein similar to cow's milk but forms a softer non clustered curd. These facts can make goat milk formula easier to digest for some babies. It is more rapidly digested therefore can be helpful for a baby with reflux.</p><p>Soy based infant formula - This milk is commercially made from the soya beans which have similar protein content to cow's milk. It contains lactose. During processing the protein is isolated without its cofactors needed for digestion and metabolism and therefore is not a good choice for babies.</p><p>Lactose free infant formula (LF)- This milk is usually cow milk based and has no lactose. This formula may help babies who suffer from excessive wind, explosive poos and unsettled sleep patterns due to lower bowel pain.</p><p>Anti Reflux infant formula (AR)- This is usually a cow milk based formula that has been thickened using either carob bean gum or maltodextrin (enzymatically derived from any starch but usually corn or wheat). This thickened milk is for babies who have difficulty keeping milk down. Depending on the thickening agent used this milk may not be suitable for babies who are lactose or wheat intolerant.</p><p>Protein modified cow milk infant formula (HA)- In this milk the cow milk protein has been broken down to make it easier for babies to digest and is an alternative milk for babies who have a primary risk of dairy allergy. Do not use if a baby has already been exposed to dairy through breast milk or another formula.</p><p>Protein free infant formula - An extensively hydrolysed 100% whey protein specialty formula for babies with a diagnosed dairy protein or soy allergy. Medical supervision is required for babies on this formula and in Australia is only available by script.</p><p>Casein dominant or whey dominant infant formula -Whey and casein are the proteins found in milk. Whey dominant formula is the most common on the market, is closest to breast milk and digested quicker than casein based. Very hungry babies are thought to do better on casein dominant formula.</p><p>After 12 months the gut of a baby is mature enough to progress onto cow's milk or an alternative such as rice milk, oat milk, soy milk, goat milk or toddler milk. These milks are not natural or organic but the choice of which one to use is yours. Babies require full fat milk until at least 2 years old.</p><p>Goat milk has a similar protein in a comparable quantity to cow's milk but forms a softer, non clustered curd and contains slightly less lactose, possibly making it easier to digest. It is more rapidly digested, therefore may be helpful for an infant with reflux or frequent positing. It is usually not tolerated by those who have a cow milk protein allergy.</p><p>Cow milk is a nutrient dense food when ingested in its raw organic form (breast milk or unpasteurised milk) but unfortunately vitamins and minerals are lost today with the pasteurisation and homogenisation process (heating it to make it better for us!) There is also a difference in milk produced from relaxed cows grazing in open fields of grasses and flowers to a mass produced commercially fed cow living in overcrowded cement floor stalls. Milk just is not the same milk as years past. Lactose free cow's milk is also available.</p><p>Soya milk is made from soya beans and has the equivalent amount of protein to cow's milk therefore it is not tolerated if allergic to cow milk protein. Research shows that processed soy can prevent the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. The commercial processing involved in isolating the protein in soya beans leaves out the natural digestive and metabolism cofactors, deeming soya milk often difficult to digest.</p><p>Rice milk is made from brown rice, has no lactose and is usually fortified with vitamins and minerals, and is higher in carbohydrate and lower in protein and calcium. A suitable milk alternative when cow, goat and soy milks need to be avoided.</p><p>Oat milk is made from whole oats making it higher in fibre than other milks. It is usually calcium fortified and naturally sweet.</p><p>Toddler milk is marketed for toddlers 12 months to 3 years. Yes, it contains added nutrients and iron but if a toddler's diet is adequate then this milk is unnecessary. It can be helpful for a poor eater as it increases iron into their diet which will improve their appetite as well as supplying a balanced amount of nutrients. Do not give more than the required milk intake as it is NOT a substitute to food.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Jan Murray has been committed to studying and working as a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Child Health Nurse for over 25 years. Jan is a mother of 5, Child Health Consultant who co-founded and directs Settle Petal. Jan provides information and support for parents to develop their knowledge base and confidence. Receive your FREE Routines eBook at <a target="_new" href="http://www.settlepetal.com/">http://www.settlepetal.com</a> to unlock a secret to helping babies settle, sleep and grow.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Murray"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Murray </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-49172391727974360712010-04-28T03:56:00.001-07:002010-04-28T03:56:01.097-07:00Can Soy Help Relieve the Symptoms of Menopause?<div id="body"> <p>Most women that are going through the symptoms of perimenopause are looking for a quick way to help ease the symptoms, or get rid of them altogether if possible. Recently, researchers have found that chemicals in soybeans can reduce the effects of menopause in rats, which is good news for those already are taking soy products that hold the promise of relief.</p><p>These researchers found that dietary supplementation with soy aglycons of isoflavone (SAI) - which is a group of chemicals found in soybeans - helped to lower the cholesterol, boost the anti-oxidative abilities of the liver, and prevent degeneration of the vaginal lining in female rats who had their ovaries removed. Ok, that's great, right? But does it work in a human, that's what you would like to know, I'm sure.</p><p>According to these researchers in Taiwan, they state that "SAI itself has weak estrogenic properties, and we've shown here that menopause-related syndromes can be prevented or improved by dietary supplementation with the compounds it contains." So this may not be the conclusive evidence that some would require for proof, such as the FDA, but it sounds like a pretty good start to me.</p><p>In actuality, soy products have been a staple of the diet in China, Japan, Indonesia, and many other countries for centuries. In these countries, it is known from personal experience that soy products can play an important role in disease prevention. So why do we doubt that they help in controlling menopause in this country? For the simple fact that many women have not been exposed to the benefits of soy, and simply aren't familiar with it's properties.</p><p>Perhaps it's time to give this simple food product a try? You can find many foods that contain soy such as tofu, tempeh, and miso. There are many foods now that the Western world is finding more marketable with soy, such an ingredient in protein powders, hot dogs, burgers, cheese, cereals, sports bars, and even snack foods.</p><p>There is also soy milk, textured soy protein, and soy cheese, which have been used as nutritious alternatives to cow's milk products and meat. If you are thinking of switching to a vegan diet in the future, there are many alternatives that can help with your symptoms of menopause!</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>There are many <a target="_new" href="http://www.natural-menopause-remedies.com/">symptoms of menopause</a> and also many cures for these symptoms. Learn as much as you can about them, and you can take positive steps to find relief for yourself. Learn more by visiting us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.natural-menopause-remedies.com/">http://www.natural-menopause-remedies.com</a> and reading our massive article collection!</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Doug_Hart"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Hart </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-54779269002509775772010-04-28T03:56:00.000-07:002010-04-28T03:56:00.219-07:00What are Allergies?<div id="body"> <p>Allergies are one of the leading causes of diseases in USA. The annual amount spent on allergies in USA is $18 billion. Allergies could get complicated and even ruin a person's life. Allergies generally mean over reaction or hyper sensitivity to a certain substance or product. The substance could make a person sneeze, wheeze or create rashes etc.</p><p>Allergies have also been linked to many respiratory diseases. Sinus, Asthma, Bronchitis are some diseases that are caused by allergies. Allergies can be managed by taking precautionary measures. Some allergic reactions can be very bad. Allergies can also be inherited like balding. Some people are allergic to specific allergens, some to soy, milk, fish etc. Like adults, children and infants are also allergic to certain substances. Cows milk allergy is very common in children. If a child is allergic to cows milk, as a substitute they are provided soymilk. More than 50% of children develop allergies to soymilk.</p><p>Allergies due to dust and pollution are very common nowadays. The dust particles enter the nose and make a person sneeze. It could also lead to other diseases like bronchitis and asthma. Allergies due to pollution, candle smoke, incense stick etc could create various upper respiratory problems. People with upper respiratory problems have itching in the throat and ear also. Breathing difficulty could also exist. At home, dust particles in the mattress, pillows etc could also lead to allergies. Even domestic cats and dogs hair could lead to allergies. Consult your physician if you are allergic to any substance immediately.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn612.html">http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn612.html</a></p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Cris"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Cris </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-50706021712260334252010-04-27T03:55:00.001-07:002010-04-27T03:55:00.945-07:00Think Before You Drink Soy Milk<div id="body"> <p>I stop by Starbuck's every now and then for my morning coffee. The other day I noticed they'd put some pamphlets on the checkout counter about how good their soymilk is for you. I'd like to share my thoughts on this with you. Many people think of soymilk as a healthy milk substitute, they seem to buy into the media hype- and I doubt Starbuck's means its customers any harm. But you shouldn't drink it.</p><p>Soymilk can be bad for you. Not just the brand Starbuck's uses - any brand. It's the unnatural byproduct of soy that your body can't digest without processing. If you were to eat unprocessed soy, it would cause cramping, nausea, and can cause more serious health problems. Here are a few of the pamphlet's false claims about soymilk (and the truth about them):</p><p>Claim: "In countries where soy is a dietary staple, such as China and Indonesia, soy consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases."</p><p>Fact: This is only half-true. The soybean itself is inedible. It contains toxins meant to ward off insect predators. These include:</p><p>* Anti-nutrients that prevent your body from absorbing essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.<br />* Enzyme inhibitors that make it harder for your body to absorb protein.<br />Both of these substances can give you abdominal pain, gas, nausea, cramps, and other gastrointestinal problems.<br />* Hemaglutinin, a substance that promotes blood clots.<br />* Goitrogens, which cause gout and thyroid problems.</p><p>Societies that depend heavily on soy-based foods use traditional preparation methods thousands of years old that neutralize or eliminate these poisons. This process is not the one used here in the United States. Tempeh, miso, natto, and soy sauce are fermented products. The fermentation process destroys the toxins. Tofu comes from the pressed "curds" of the soybean. The rest is thrown out - and the bad stuff along with it.</p><p>Compare this with the industrial processes that go into making soymilk: washing the beans in alkaline or boiling them in a petroleum-based solvent; bleaching, deodorizing, and pumping them full of additives; heat-blasting and crushing them into flakes; and then mixing them with water to make "milk."</p><p>This only adds more dangerous chemicals without removing any of soy's natural toxins. This is NOT a "dietary staple" in China, Indonesia, or any other country. And it shouldn't be here, either.</p><p>Claim: "Also, interest in soy is rising because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavone appears to reduce the risk of certain diseases."</p><p>Fact: The opposite is true. Recent science suggests soy "isoflavones" are dangerous to your health.</p><p>Isoflavone isn't actually a single substance, but a category of substances. Isoflavones include "phyto-estrogens," plant-based compounds that mimic the female hormone. Eat enough of these and you'll upset your body's hormonal balance. The young are especially vulnerable: research published just last year found that soy-based phyto-estrogens could cause "precocious puberty." The study focused on a four-and-a-half year old girl who had developed breasts because her parents fed her too much soy formula. Clinical research also links two of these phyto-estrogens, genistein and daidzein, to childhood leukemia and breast cancer.</p><p>Stick with a little organic raw milk or half-and-half in your coffee. It would be great if Starbuck's offered organic dairy. That would be truly healthy. Keep some on hand at home and in the office if you have access to a refrigerator. As for soy products, the traditional fermented soy foods like tempeh, miso and soy sauces are safe and healthy. (Again, go organic if you can.)</p><p>These small changes in your diet to rid yourself of unnecessary toxins are well worth it. Remember also, that anything pasteurized or homogenized kills and removes any good that may come from the milk, so stay away from those processes also.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Marti Angel, MA<br />"America's Health and Expert Lifestyle Coach"</p><p>Marti is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Yoga Professor, RYT, Reiki Master level 2, Certified WATSU water therapist, Certified Meditation Instructor, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor (Health Excel, Inc), Certified Nutraceutical Consultant, Certified Health/Lifestyle Coach, Motivational Speaker and founder of the number one alternative therapies site on the web, <a target="_new" href="http://www.angelhealthinc.com/">http://www.angelhealthinc.com</a></p><p>Her blog-- <a target="_new" href="http://www.martiangel.com/">http://www.martiangel.com</a></p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marti_Angel"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marti_Angel </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-26301859664650987932010-04-27T03:55:00.000-07:002010-04-27T03:55:00.503-07:00Soybean Side Effects - Mad About Soy<div id="body"> <p>Not because I hate soy but because I hate the way the Soy industry has lied to us and poisoned us for profit. You must read Kaayla T. Daniels's book The Whole Soy Story to truly understand the history and damaging effects of soy. The book contains many compelling testimonials, about the dangers of soy, from real people. The serious health problems caused by heavy soy consumption are unbelievable. Soybeans are a cheap, crappy, hard to digest, food source with many harmful side effects. Once again you have been lied to and I will not tone down the truth so corporations can market waste products as health food. I know what you're thinking. If soy is so bad then how come most people think it is good? This is why:</p><p>First of all, the origins of soybean use, 3000 years ago, in ancient China, Japan and Indonesia came out of poverty and famine. The soybean did not serve as a food until the discovery of fermentation techniques.1 Soybeans were used for crop rotation to add nitrogen to the soil.</p><p><strong>They were not eaten.</strong></p><p>These ancient peoples would have rather eaten fish and meat they just did not have enough. Soy Protein or Tofu evolved as a poor man's meat substitute. It was discovered that fermenting the soybeans gave them a better flavor, made them more edible and medicines could be created from the soybeans-like Nattokinase. It is the fermenting of soy that makes it healthy in small quantities. This fermentation of foods has been used since ancient times to preserve food and create medicines from food, and is known as "Alchemy".2</p><p>The Chinese did not eat unfermented soybeans because of the large quantities of natural toxins or "antinutrients" that can cause serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and conditions of the pancreas including cancer.1 Unfermented soy is not healthy at all and large quantities, such as the levels currently consumed in America, is very detrimental to our health. It has been linked to hypothyroidism, early puberty in children, loss of testosterone, and many other hormone related health problems.2 The American soy industry took the unfermented soybean, genetically modified it and bastardized it into an unhealthy food that nature never intended. What is further compounding the problem is the relentless multi-billion dollar marketing campaign to convince us that soy is health food and we should eat it in quantity.</p><p>"Marketing costs money, especially when it needs to be bolstered with "research", but there are plenty of funds available. Soybean producers pay $80 million annually to support <em>United Soybean</em>'s program to "strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for uses for soybeans and soybean products." Private companies like <em>Archer Daniels Midland</em> also contribute their share. ADM spent $9 million for advertising during the course of a year."1 ADM is, of course, the corporation that brought us Hydrogenated Soybean Oil or "Trans Fats". The marketing is working. "Sales from soy milk alone have risen from $2 million in 1980 to over $300 million in the US last year."1</p><p>The best marketing strategy for a product that is inherently unhealthy is, of course, a health claim. 1</p><p>Claims that eating soy can "lower cholesterol levels" and "reduce cancer" have been approved by the FDA after heavy lobbying and "alleged research" from the soy industry supposedly proving a health benefit. The opposite is actually true. Soy contains "antinutrients" that are toxic and carcinogenic to the human body.2</p><p>Soy protein (Tofu) is the spoogy waste leftover from making soybean oil. This sludgy byproduct from the soy oil industry was considered a waste product and animal feed until recently. By the way, animals do not like soybeans either and will only eat them when they are starving to death.</p><p>When I first started weight training I picked up a tub of vanilla flavored soy protein powder and started chugging down some chalky, ill tasting shakes with glee. I thought I was doing myself a big favor but little did I know I was actually reversing any chance of muscular gains. Scanning through a recent "Muscle Magazine" I saw an article supposedly reviewing the different protein powder supplements available on the market today. The article pictured animated protein tubs with friendly faces on them and the names "Soy", "Whey", "Casein" and "Egg". Whey and Soy were portrayed as the best choice for health, low cost and nutritional value. Now listen carefully to what I am going to tell you next. THEY ARE LYING TO YOU! Whey and Soy protein are waste products from the food industry, cleverly disguised as "health food" and heavily marketed to the American consumer.</p><p>Soy Protein Isolate is a heavily processed product. A slurry of soybeans is acid washed and then mixed with an alkaline solution. Acid washing in aluminum tanks leaches high levels of aluminum into the final product. The curd is then dried at high temperatures completely denaturing the final product and making the protein ineffective and drastically altered from what nature intended. Animals on soy feed have to actually be given lysine supplements for normal growth.2</p><p>Don't trust <em>Men's Fitness</em> magazine either. "Open a copy and you will find pages and pages of full color ads for soy based candy bars and instant beverages promoted as a way to create the macho man with perfect abs. Sadly-ironically-most issues contain the requisite article advising these super-built Lotharios how to have great sex. Were <em>Men's Fitness</em> to warn it's readers about the fact that soy lowers testosterone levels in men, advertising revenues would dry up and the magazine would fold."2 (Kaayla T. Daniel)</p><p><strong>Tear up your Fitness and Muscle Magazines that are filled with lies and eat a delicious steak or fish dinner.</strong></p><p>Maybe you have heard of Edamame, the new "healthy" baby green soybean pods. While eating at a local Sushi restaurant recently I noticed tables of customers around me happily munching on Steamed Edamame appetizers. Surely this must be good, right? Wrong! Edamame is crap too! The good news is these baby soybeans still in the pod are tender and more palatable. They also contain less of the harmful plant estrogens that diminish testosterone. So I would compare them to light cigarettes. They are much less harmful than regular soybeans that are loaded with anti-testosterone hormones!</p><p>Supporters of Soy debunk milk and supporters of milk (from pastured animals) debunk soy. They are both right and they are both wrong. Small amounts of milk from pure pastured animals would be nice and ideal but not necessary. Small amounts of fermented soy products like Nattokinase and Miso prepared the ancient way are OK and considered medicine in the East.</p><p>If you are not eating organic, you should know that 99% of the non-organic soy we eat is genetically modified and has one of the highest percentages of contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.1 This processed, genetically modified "American Soy" that we know, is poisoning us and causing illness and disease.</p><p>Soy Protein excellent for lowering Testosterone</p><p>Eating Soy protein causes lowered Testosterone levels. This is especially troubling to men and bodybuilders. To a bodybuilder, soy protein is like Kryptonite! The plant estrogens will rob you of your manhood, shrink your muscles and lower your sex drive. Ancient monks used to eat extra tofu to help them to easily maintain their vows of celibacy.2</p><p>Vegetarians who consume tofu and bean curd as a substitute for meat risk severe mineral deficiencies. The results of calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are well known; those of zinc are less so.1 I met someone recently who was vegetarian and ate lots of tofu because she "loves animals". For gods sake don't eat a waste product from a crappy bean because you love animals! Love animals and eat raw nuts, "quality" beans and maybe some eggs. I love and respect animals as well and I am often astounded by the awesome beauty of nature's wild creatures. Humans, however, did not rise to the top of the food chain just to step aside and eat tofu because we love animals. I love them, respect them and eat some of them too!</p><p>Dump your milk down the sink! Spit your Tofu out the window! Throw your milk and soy products in the dumpster today and be healthier tomorrow!</p><p><strong>Sources:</strong></p><p>1: Fallon, Sally & Enig, Mary G., Newest Research On Why You Should Avoid Soy</p><p>2: Daniel, Kaayla T., The Whole Soy Story, New Trends Publishing, 2005</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</b> Ian Kelley is the author of The Organic Body fitness and cookbook. Ian is a lifelong chef, competitive natural bodybuilder, holistic health advocate and writer. His website, <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.organicbodybuilding.com/">www.organicbodybuilding.com</a>, provides informative articles and resources on natural/organic bodybuilding. Ian is now offering a FREE copy of his "Organically Ripped" Pre Contest Diet to all who subscribe to his FREE newsletter.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Kelley"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Kelley </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-85206936762338175022010-04-26T03:54:00.000-07:002010-04-26T03:54:00.244-07:00Protein Shake Recipes For Bodybuilding Nutrition<div id="body"> <p>Professional bodybuilders and athletes in training already know that eating a high protein diet offers several health and training benefits, which is why many add whey protein shakes and powders to their daily diet. However, consuming ready-made shakes and supplements can become boring, making it difficult to stick with a training diet for the long term. Trying new protein shake recipes can help.</p><p>Protein powders can be mixed with dozens of ingredients and flavorings to create rich smoothies and shakes that not only taste great, but provide ample nutrition. David Heber and Susan Bowerman, authors of the book "The L.A. Shape Diet" point out that it's best to adjust shake recipes to suit your protein needs; most people need to consume a shake mix that provides at least 9 grams of protein before adding other proteins such as soy milk or skim milk. If you're getting tired of your usual nutrition program, here are a few delicious protein shake recipes to try:</p><p>Banana Protein Shake: Mix together 30 grams of vanilla protein powder, 1 medium banana, 1 cup soy milk, 1 teaspoon golden syrup and 3 to 4 ice cubes in a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt and blend until smooth. This shake can be enjoyed as a meal replacement or consumed after workout for muscle repair and recovery.</p><p>Strawberry Nut Shake: Mix together 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder, 1 cup of low fat strawberry yoghurt, 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and 5-6 shredded macadamia nuts or pine nuts. Blend until smooth and enjoy as a snack or after a workout.</p><p>Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake: Mix together 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder, 1 cup of soy milk, 1 cup of water, 1 spoonful of instant coffee and 5-6 ice cubes in a medium blender. This protein powder shake recipe tastes a lot like the creamy, frozen concoctions available at the coffeeshop and can be consumed for breakfast, as a dessert, or as a snack between meals.</p><p>Wild Berry Protein Shake: Mix together 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup chopped strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries and 1 cup of soy milk in a blender. Add a few ice cubes and blend until cubes are crushed. This frothy protein shake is a great pick-me-up in the late afternoon, and can also be enjoyed for breakfast or after a workout.</p><p>Peanut Butter Protein Shake: Mix together 2 scoops vanilla protein, 1 tablespoon butterscotch pudding mix, 1 tablespoon chunky peanut butter, 1 cup cold soy milk and 3-5 ice cubes in a blender until smooth. This is a very rich and sweet shake that can be a great addition to a high protein meal, or consumed as a snack between meals.</p><p>Oatmeal Cinnamon Protein Shake: Mix together 1 cup dry oatmeal, 2 scoops vanilla protein, 3 dashes of cinnamon, 12 oz. soy milk, 1 tablespoon chopped almonds and 2 tablespoons of sugar-free maple syrup in a blender until smooth. This thick shake is an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats, and is best enjoyed as a meal replacement.</p><p>Pina Colada Protein Shake: Mix together 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon each of rum and coconut extracts, 1 packet of artificial sweetener and 1/4 cup soy milk in a blender. Add 4-6 ice cubes to thicken and blend until smooth; serve immediately.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Natural Supplementation is a Beneficial Way To Enhance Your Well Being and Improve Your Performance. <a target="_new" href="http://www.truehealthyproducts.com/">Stemulite</a> is an Excellent, All-Natural Supplement, Used by Many Body-Builders and Athletes. People Also Frequently Report Having a Deeper, and Fuller Sleep when Taking <a target="_new" href="http://www.truehealthyproducts.com/index.php/Products.html">Stemulite</a> Before Going to Bed.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Marrs"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Marrs </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-78575806615231385912010-04-25T03:54:00.000-07:002010-04-25T03:54:00.145-07:00Hemp Milk - A Super-Nutritious Alternative to Dairy Or Soy<div id="body"> <p>Many people have tasted almond milk or even soy milk in their exploration to find alternatives to dairy.</p><p>However, many people have begun to hear of the amazing power of hemp foods, and the power of hemp nutrition to meet an incredibly wide variety of human health needs.</p><p>The seed of the hemp plant is currently illegal to grow in the United States, even though there is no THC in the seed. THC is the active compound in marijuana. It is legal, however, to import the seed from Canada and other countries, so that we can use this amazing food in our everyday diets.</p><p>I'm a big fan of hemp seeds, since they are a very high-protein food, and they also have the ideal ratio of essential fatty acids for humans (including the elusive "omega 3s" that most Americans seem to be sorely lacking).</p><p>Hemp seeds also contain upwards of 23 minerals and trace minerals in each serving, including the powerful blood sugar stabilizing minerals such as chromium.</p><p>Udo Erasmus, in his book <em>Fats that Heal, Fats the Kill</em>, claims that hemp seed is the #1 food meant for human consumption--it's THAT nutritious, and that complete!</p><p>The hulled seed is also very soft, so there is no need for any special processing prior to eating. You can sprinkle hemp seeds on your green salad, or onto your fruit salad (they easily go both ways).</p><p>You can also blend them with water, a little sea salt, and some sweetener (like raw agave nectar, yacon root syrup, stevia, or raw honey), and you will have a most fantastic, tasty hemp milk. They can be eaten straight with a spoon, or mixed into a highly-nutritious trail mix, for days when you are on the go.</p><p>Many raw foodists know that eating too many nuts or seeds can be rather unbalancing, and they often therefore "soak" these items for 4-12 hours prior to eating, to deactivate the enzyme inhibitors. Hemp seeds do not need to be soaked in any way to be completely edible and digestible.</p><p>Many health food stores are now carrying hemp seeds, though one of the standard 10 ounce bags never seems to last very long for me, as I often consume 1/4 to 1/2 cup of these precious seeds per day--mostly blended into hemp seed milk smoothies, mixed with raw cacao (raw chocolate) powder, and some of the various green superfood powders on the market today.</p><p>To be more economical, search for the 5 pound bags available from many places online. Store the seeds in the freezer, and they will last for many months.</p><p>Some additional blending addition suggestions for making delicious hemp shakes:</p><ul><li>Add fresh or frozen fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.</li><li>Add 5-20 raw organic cacao beans or "cacao nibs" for a chocolaty nutritious treat</li><li>Add 1-3 tablespoons of raw cacao powder to make a non-dairy chocolate milk. This increases the protein content of the already-high hemp milk, since for every 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder you use, you get 6 additional grams of raw protein.</li></ul> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Michael Golzmane is a health educator and online writer about super health and super nutrition, especially through raw and living foods.</p><p>Please visit his website for a FREE ONLINE COURSE describing the benefits of today's top superfoods, such as raw cacao (raw organic chocolate beans), goji berries, hemp seeds, and raw maca powder from Peru!</p><p>Each lesson has instructions on how to incorporate healing foods into your everyday routine, along with recipes and extensive resources on how to get the best possible products at the best prices!</p><p>Click here to sign up for your free e-course:<br /><a target="_new" href="http://www.chocolatehealingsecrets.com/">http://www.ChocolateHealingSecrets.com</a></p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Golzmane"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Golzmane </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-74661847269348945252010-04-24T03:53:00.000-07:002010-04-24T03:53:00.461-07:00The Hazards of Soy<div id="body"> <p>For years I have purchased soy milk, stocked it on my shelf, told myself I should open it and include it into my diet. After opening it though, it just sits in the refrigerator for a month or two. Then, of course, it's too old to drink, so I throw it down the sink and the cycle repeats itself a couple months later. Now I believe that my body was telling me that it didn't want the soy milk as I've been reading up on the soy controversy lately. Here is a summary of that information...</p><p>Isoflavones-the estrogen-like hormones that all work to help you stay young and healthy may not be the magical food that you have been led to believe. Soy is just one example of the many fad foods/ supplements/ cures that I find myself exposed to in trying to decipher the long-term health benefits before sharing them with my clients.</p><p>Soy has been marketed as a health food when, at one time, it was only a toxic by-product of the vegetable oil industry. Hmm....that doesn't sound right, does it? Don't we eat soy in lots of things now?</p><p>Advances in technology make it possible to produce Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) from what was once considered a waste product-defatted, high-protein soy chips-transforming something that looks and smells terrible into products that can be consumed by human beings. Flavorings, preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers and synthetic nutrients have turned SPI, the food processors' nightmare into a very lucrative business.</p><p>All soybean producers pay a mandatory assessment of one-half to one per cent of the net market price of soybeans. The total-something like $80 million annually-supports United Soybean's program to "strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for soybeans and soybean products."</p><p>Soy milk, made from raw soy, has posted the biggest gains, soaring from $2 million in 1980 to $300 million in the United States last year. Recent advances in processing have transformed the gray, thin, bitter, beany-tasting beverage into a product that Western consumers will accept.</p><p>The first soy foods were fermented products like tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce. At a later date, possibly in the 2nd century BC, Chinese scientists discovered that a purée of cooked soybeans could be precipitated with calcium sulfate or magnesium sulfate (Plaster of Paris or Epsom salts) to make a smooth, pale curd they called tofu or bean curd.</p><p>The Chinese never ate unfermented soybeans as they did other legumes such as lentils, because the soybean contains large quantities of natural toxins or "antinutrients." These antinutrients are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking. They can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In test animals, diets high in these antinutrients called trypsin inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer.</p><p>Other harmful substances in soy products include haemagglutinin, goitrogens, phytic acid, nitrates, and phytoestrogens (in large amounts.) What are these things? Well...</p><p>Haemagglutinin is a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together.</p><p>Trypsin inhibitors and haemagglutinin are growth inhibitors that are deactivated during the process of fermentation. In precipitated products (like tofu,) enzyme inhibitors concentrate in the soaking liquid rather than in the curd. Thus, in tofu and bean curd, growth depressants are reduced in quantity but not completely eliminated.</p><p>Soy also contains goitrogens - substances that depress thyroid function. This is a major concern of mine as I see our population having more and more thyroid issues with each passing year.</p><p>Soybeans are also high in phytic acid, present in the bran or hulls of all seeds. Phytic acid can block the uptake of essential minerals-calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc-in the intestinal tract. Scientists are in general agreement that grain and legume-based diets high in phytates contribute to widespread mineral deficiencies in third world countries.</p><p>The Japanese have traditionally eaten small amounts of tofu or miso as part of a mineral-rich fish broth, followed by a serving of meat or fish. This is not how vegetarians and vegans consume soy. The results of calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are well known; those of zinc are less so. These are the exact mineral deficiencies I have been seeing in my practice.</p><p>Many people in my practice now come in with that tell-tale tan chin, indicative of iron deficiency. They are low in energy and worried about osteoporosis, but they look like thyroid cases. Their thumbs point toward their hips as they stand and walk instead of pointing forward, and they carry more weight evenly dispersed on their body. Most of my clients are also low in zinc.</p><p>Zinc is needed for optimal development and functioning of the brain and nervous system, it is used in protein synthesis, collagen formation, in the blood-sugar control mechanism thus protecting against diabetes, and is needed for a healthy reproductive system. Zinc is a key component in numerous vital enzymes and plays a role in healthy immune system function These uses are among hundreds of other ways zinc is used by the body.</p><p>Soy processors have worked hard to get these antinutrients out of the finished product, particularly soy protein isolate (SPI), the key ingredient in most soy foods that imitate meat and dairy products, including baby formulas and some brands of soy milk. (For more information on that, read my other article on soy, The Hazards of Feeding Soy to Children.</p><p>Nitrites, which are potent carcinogens, are formed during the spray-drying process of making Soy Protein Isolate (SPI). Test animals fed SPI develop enlarged organs, particularly the pancreas and thyroid gland, and increased deposition of fatty acids in the liver.</p><p>If this is so, then why are SPI and textured vegetable protein used extensively in school lunch programs, commercial baked goods, diet beverages and fast food products? (Yikes!) Soy is also heavily promoted in third world countries and forms the basis of many food giveaway programs.</p><p>Researchers studying soy-based foods in one school research project noted several alarming symptoms after children ate soy-based meals including: "occasional" vomiting, periods of moderate diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, rashes and fever.</p><p>Many ask then, why do the Japanese have less cancer than Americans? Do they? I've heard over the years that the Japanese, who allegedly eat 30 times as much soy as North Americans, have a lower incidence of cancers of the breast, uterus and prostate. BUT the Japanese, and Asians in general, have much higher rates of other types of cancer; particularly cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, thyroid and liver.</p><p>Just how much soy do Asians really eat? A Cornell study conducted by Colin T. Campbell in 1998 found that the average daily amount of soy protein consumed in Japan was about eight grams for men, and seven for women. This is only less than two teaspoons. Do Japanese really eat more soy than Americans? At this point, I don't think so.</p><p>Except in times of famine, Asians consume soy products only in small amounts, as condiments-not as a replacement for animal foods-with one exception. Celibate monks living in monasteries and leading a vegetarian lifestyle find soy foods quite helpful-because they dampen libido.</p><p>So what are the side-effects of too much soy? (These are only in alphabetical order and not by the proportion of incidence.)</p><p>o Bloating<br />o Breast cancer (Soy isoflavones mimic estrogen)<br />o Calcium deficiencies (soy blocks calcium absorption)<br />o Cognitive decline (esp. in post menopausal women that have increased levels of estrogen in their blood) <br />o Constipation<br />o Depression<br />o Endocrine disruption <br />o Fatigue <br />o Goiter<br />Hair loss<br />o Hot flashes<br />o Hypothyroidism <br />o Infertility<br />o Irregular periods<br />o Lethargy<br />o Loss of muscle tone<br />o Painful periods<br />o Premature aging<br />o Thyroid cancer<br />o Thyroid disease<br />o Thyroid Stimulating Hormone increase <br />o Uterine cysts<br />o Vitamin D deficiencies<br />o Weight gain despite workouts and dieting</p><p>How much is too much soy? In 1991, Japanese researchers reported that consumption of as little as 30 grams or two tablespoons of soybeans per day for only one month resulted in a significant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone, and 100 grams of soy protein, (promoted for its bone-building isoflavones and cholesterol-lowering effects) contains the estrogenic equivalent of the Pill. In vitro studies suggest that isoflavones inhibit synthesis of estradiol and other steroid hormones. I wonder if it's really safe to take this kind of supplement if you have a family history of estrogen-influenced breast cancer. I don't think I'd chance it. We get enough xenoestrogens in our environment as it is.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/">http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com</a> and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter which contains a column that discusses health topics in the news.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Denice_Moffat"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denice_Moffat </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-69198117407115778412010-04-23T03:53:00.000-07:002010-04-23T03:53:00.162-07:00Low Sugar Glycemic Index Choices<div id="body"> <p><b>Satisfying Low Sugar Glycemic Index Choices</b></p><p>Preparing for your new low sugar glycemic index diet plan will not be a monumental task, but certainly some effort on your part will be required to adjust. You will have to find not only what appeals to your taste buds, but what also satisfies your appetite. For you to begin choosing all low sugar glycemic index food sources that are bland by taste would be a discouraging way to start any new diet plan. But as you become more familiar with the glycemic index, you will notice from the get go how flexible it is for you to customize your meals. This will include both the tasty and inevitably not so tasty low sugar glycemic index choices. Via the glycemic index, you will be able to satisfy those fussy conditioned taste buds we all have.</p><p><b>Some Low Sugar Glycemic Index Foods - Dairy Milk and Soy Milk</b></p><p>A great source of a low sugar glycemic intake would be milk. Milk, preferably low fat, is nearly 30 on the glycemic index chart. Milk, a kind of wonder food drink, is very high in nutrients with upwards of 15 essential minerals and vitamins. It is high in calcium, a source of protein with essential amino acids. The next time you pick up a box of cereal, notice on the box where it states the nutritional contents on one side, then directly to the right of that information you will notice an added column of nutritional contents when milk is added. The nutrients (vitamins and minerals) sources skyrocket. Proving how much goodness is in every glass of pure milk.</p><p>If you have a problem with milk consumption (lactose intolerance), you can always switch to a nearly as tasty and almost as nutritional alternative, soy milk. Soy milk is rapidly becoming more popular, and has increasingly been stocked into grocery dairy shelves more and more over the past decade. Even coffeehouses are now beginning to add soy as an additive choice along with non-fat milk. Soy milk, just as regular dairy milk, is a low sugar glycemic index source. For those who have not tried soy milk as of yet, do so the next time you go grocery shopping. Put soy on your list. You will find several flavours to choose from, but it is best to stay with the unsweetened kind. If you really do want that sugary sweet flavour, then try chocolate soy milk. Chocolate mixed with either dairy milk or soy milk is still okay as far as being a decent low sugar glycemic index choice.</p><p><b>Spruce Up Your Plain Yogurt With Natural Sweets</b></p><p>And then there is yogurt. Unsweetened yogurt, preferably low-fat, is quite low on the glycemic index list. It also has its own beneficial nutrients. For those who find plain yogurt hard to eat, try to avoid the fruit bottom or stir kinds. Both are sugar-laced and gelatin packed, which ultimately counteract the nutrients of the yogurt itself. What you could do if you are one of those who does not gravitate to plain yogurt so easily, is just get some fresh berries of any kind and add those natural 'sweets' into the mix. That will liven your tastes buds enough to make you want to go back for more. Yogurt is a very slow digesting food source that does not give quick spikes to your blood sugar levels. This is a good thing, and what you want to find in all your low sugar glycemic index choices from now on. The more gradual the carbohydrates in your food sources digest into your body, the better. The quicker the sugar spike you get and subsequent sugar crash, the worse this is for you related to your overall health, and importantly, issues pertaining to weight loss. Remember to stick to the low to moderate range scores.</p><p><b>The Peanuts Gang</b></p><p>Then there are peanuts. Peanuts are a low scoring food on the list. They are actually very low. And it is the fairly high protein in it that slows the peanut down from digesting too quickly into a sugar source. So for you to eat peanuts as a snack or on the go is not going to give you any sugar type of crashes from the carbs in the peanuts themselves. They will give you a turtle pace release of energy, which is a good thing. Peanuts stand at less than twenty on the list. If you can buy your peanuts raw, all the better, but if you do find you like the roasted variety for instance, consume these tasty snack morsels 'unsalted'.</p><p><b>Tomatoes In Any Form </b></p><p>Tomato lovers rejoice. They fit nicely as a low sugar glycemic index food choice. Feel free to add them to your daily diet - everyday! In whatever form, tomatoes as close to their raw state, provide you with a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Due to their plentiful health benefits, tomatoes are increasingly becoming a highly recommended food choice by nutritionists.</p><p>Try out a tomato based sandwich or tomato salad recipes more often. And as mentioned in another article written on glycemic index vegetable food sources, treat yourself to some grape or cherry tomatoes and eat them like candies if you wish. Hands down, nutritionally they beat the harmful sugar-laced sweets you may be consuming too often. And also consider tomato soup more often. Sticking with the low in sodium brands, tomato soup still sits low on the glycemic index list as a positive low sugar glycemic index food choice.</p><p>You will have plenty of low sugar glycemic index food sources to pick from. Pick out what you like, and if it is low to moderate in range, incorporate them more and more into a well balanced diet. Also, let your common sense prevail once you get the ball rolling and begin implementing low sugar glycemic index sources into your everyday personalized meal planning.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p><b>About the Author</b><br />Darryl, amid many interests, is a health and wellness enthusiast looking to also help others focus themselves on a clearer path to better awareness of 'what is good for you'! For more content regarding <a target="_new" href="http://glycemicbook.com/low-sugar-glycemic-index/">low sugar glycemic index</a> topics and overall concise information on the glycemic index related to weight loss and healthier eating, please do visit <a target="_new" href="http://glycemicbook.com/">http://glycemicbook.com</a> AND also signup for a <b>free 7 part mini-course </b> while you are there ! Upon sign up, you will immediately receive a free glycemic index basic list of common foods (mini-report) within lesson # 1 - directly to your email inbox!</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Darryl_S"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darryl_S </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503483624836592939.post-42192943235523845102010-04-22T03:52:00.000-07:002010-04-22T03:52:00.210-07:00Can Milk Induce Asthma?<div id="body"> <p>A question that I've heard a lot is "can milk induce asthma?"</p><p>The answer is that yes, milk can cause asthma problems in some people. I know this from research, as well as from first hand experience. On days when I'm having asthma problems a glass of cold milk or even a bowl of cereal can worsen my breathing problems.</p><p>The reason why milk causes asthma problems isn't so clear. Asthma experts have to possible theories. The first is that milk causes the creation of excess mucus in a person's airway. So someone with asthma, who already has problems breathing, milk can make the problem worse. The other theory is that many people have dairy allergies, so it's therefore a trigger of asthma attacks. Or it could be a mix of both for some people.</p><p>The problems don't stop with milk. They include other foods in the dairy group like butter, cheeses and yogurts.</p><p>If you have problems with milk and asthma, you have to be careful with what you eat and where you get it. Many restaurants put butter on their steaks. Many butchers slice meat and cheese on the same machine, so even if you're not getting cheese, you might have problems. It comes down to knowing what's on your food and what you're putting in your mouth.</p><p>The best solution is to no longer eat or drink the food item that's causing your problems. Of course, this is easier said than done, but in the long run it's worth it. On days when I'm having asthma problems, I switch to soy milk, which seems to not cause any problems for me.</p><p>You can also prevent the problems by taking allergy medicine.</p><p><strong>Other Foods That Cause Asthma Problems</strong></p><p>The bad news is that problems for asthmatics can extend throughout the whole grocery store.</p><p>Peanuts can be one of the most dangerous foods when it comes to causing breathing problems. Even a small bite can trigger a serious attack in some people.</p><p>Even foods made of wheat like certain breads and cereals can cause asthma problems in some people.</p><p>Another common problem food is fish. And even people with egg allergies can have problems with asthma.</p><p>The easiest solution is to find out what your allergic to and to avoid it as much as possible.</p> </div> <div id="sig" class="sig"> <p>Mike Crimmins isn't just an asthma researcher, he's also a life long asthmatic. Learn about how he's controlled his asthma at <a target="_new" href="http://asthmaanswers.net/">http://asthmaanswers.net/</a></p><p>Learn more about milk and other food related <a target="_new" href="http://asthmaanswers.net/information/can-milk-induce-asthma/">asthma problems</a>.</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Crimmins"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Crimmins </a> </p>makemoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14902445582407384967noreply@blogger.com0