Vegetarian Means Vegan, Right?

Actually vegetarians tend to differ from what Vegans consider themselves to be. The exact reasons for why, evade me at the moment.

I eat plenty of vegetables but also enjoy eggs so I think this means I may be a vegetarian but I am not a vegan because eggs are not on their menu. I need to watch my calories and weight.

Veganism, if I may, seems to be more like a religion than just a healthy eating regime. I think the term is applied to not only eggs but even to wearing things that may have once been alive, like leather.

I have no feelings on this one way or another and think our life choices are just that, our life choices.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Making Every Occasion Special with Cookie Gift Baskets

By Darren Bradley

How do you make any occasion special? Generally speaking it is our visitors, guests, and loved ones that make an occasion special. However, to really top off the event, gift baskets will make an event even more special.

One of todays most popular gift ideas is to give cookie gift baskets. The primary reason for this, is because there is a going back to childhood feeling among adults who receive the cookies as gifts. And who wouldnt be delighted to receive a bundle of chocolate chip cookies, right? It helps to create the happiness that the occasion brings.

If you are experienced in baking or know your way around a kitchen, you can make and bake your own cookies and put them in a cookie gift basket. If you are so talented, you will not be limited to the cookies that you put inside of it. You could include a wide array of cookies, and since you have made them on your own, the labor of love that you have exerted adds even more to the specialness of the occasion. Cookie gift baskets do not have to solely include cookies. You could put in cupcakes, brownies, or even chocolate bars. You are not limited to what kinds of delicious edibles or baked goods you include inside a cookie gift basket.

Of course, cookie gift baskets can hold more than just cookies. If you want to add a little variety you can always throw in a few chocolate bars, cupcakes, or even brownies. With a little creativity, you can build anything you can imagine.

Another factor when you design your gift basket is the theme or occasion that you can create it around. As an example, if you are going to give the baskets as treats to children during the Halloween, you could design it like a pumpkin. The only limit to how you can design your baskets is your own creativity.

In case you are not naturally inclined to baking or dont know your way around the kitchen, you need now worry because there are boundless websites on the internet where you can buy them from. Its as simple as going to your favorite search engine and searching for companies that offer gift baskets. These are easily personalized by adding a design to the box or perhaps the recipients names.

Whatever the occasion, cookie gift baskets are an affordable way to make it a memorable one. Special things can come in small packages, as long as it is given with sincere intent, and a gift basket is something everyone can appreciate.

Cookies in gift baskets are great gift ideas that fit every occasion. Making an occasion even more special does not have to be very expensive. After all, the best things come is small packages, and cookie gift baskets are a perfect example of this. With the upcoming holidays ahead of us, consider giving a cookie gift basket. In doing so, you can be assured your gift will be loved by young and old, alike.

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Free Weight Loss Diets

By Owen Jones

The march to health and fitness is on and a lot of people are getting in on the act. Some people do it in order to have a beautiful body, some people do it because they are embarrassed about their body as it is now, while others do it just to remain fit and healthy. As such, there are thousands of health programs on the Internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centres all over the world. Some are too expensive - so expensive that you will lose weight quickly, just because you have to work hard to earn the money to pursue these fitness programs.

One might not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend a fortune just to slim down and obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the bookshops offering weight loss programs that seem easy and cheap. However, the books are not though. These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity because of their publicity, testimonials and reviews and you might be confused as to exactly which one to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading the following precis of the most popular diet programs around today.

The Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This weight loss program promotes a high protein diet and less carbohydrates. You can eat loads of vegetables and meat but must not eat bread and pasta. You are not restricted on your fat intake so it is all right to pour on the (right) salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, during the diet, some people may find themselves short on fibre and high on fat and cholesterol. Grains and fruits are also strictly limited.

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan also advocates low carbohydrate food. It approves eating meats, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. however, warns against taking in too many carbohydrates. "Reward" meals can be very high in fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose: by Dr. Goor. Restricts fat intake. You are given a "fat" budget and you are given free reign on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate consumption. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is no problem. You may also consume vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is quite healthy, because it recommends correct amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated fats. Watch your triglyceride levels though. If they are high, trim down on the carbohydrates and eat more unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Advocates eating a fairly moderate amount of fat and protein but lots of carbohydrates. It was initially created to reduce blood pressure. The diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages a high consumption of whole wheat grains as well as fruit and vegetables and low-fat dairy. However, some dieters consider it advises too much consumption to produce a significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less: by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Advises to look out for low-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is low in calcium and restricts the consumption of healthy foods like seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: This diet is really unusual because it bases its recommendations on your blood group. For instance, it advises plenty of meat for people with the blood type O. However, diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally unbalanced and very low in calories. Furthermore, just for the record, there is no proof that blood type can affect dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle: It is focused on trimming the number of calories by eating watery foods that make you feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is OK, although it limits protein sources to lean meat, seafood and poultry. It is healthy because it provides low amounts of saturated fats and large amounts of vegetables and fruits. However, it is low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics: It provides for eating fewer calories. It recommends the same foods as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is reasonably healthy given the high volume of fruit and vegetables as well as being low in calories and saturated fats.

The Zone: It is fairly low on carbohydrates yet moderately high on proteins. It advises low-fat protein foods such as fish and chicken plus vegetables, fruits and grains. It is also a healthy diet but short on grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: High carbohydrates, yet moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet plan and very flexible too. It allows the dieter to plan his own meals rather than offering recipes, although there are WW TV dinners in the shops.

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Resveratrol and Its Effect On Your Health!

By Laura Lane

Oprah Winfrey is known for providing her viewers with expertly researched advice concerning the latest advancements in medical advancements, particularly as they relate to the concerns of an aging American population. Recently, Oprah featured the Turkish-American cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz. According to Dr. Oz, the recently discovered antioxidant known as resveratrol may be the key to slowing or even-in some cases-reversing the aging process.

Toxin Eliminators

Oxidants are toxins that attack the body's organs. These toxins are responsible for wrinkles, organ damage, and can even produce cancer. Antioxidants, as the name suggests, are the archenemies of oxidants. They protect the body's organs and cells, particularly its nervous system. Consequently, antioxidants at once destroy toxic oxidants and restore damaged tissue.

Resveratrol and Sirtuins

Among antioxidants, resveratrol is one of the (if not the most) powerful found by our scientists and doctors. As a catalyst, resveratrol sends out a kind of "call to action" to one of the protectors of our immune systems: "Sirtuins." Sirtuins are durable genes that assist in stopping cellular decay, allowing other cells to rejuvenate themselves. An aging individual who ingests resveratrol regularly-in large enough doses of course-will therefore notice that he or she has more energy, reduced fatigue, and a healthier appearance, complete with softened wrinkles and lines.

There are in fact numerous blessings derived from regularly imbibing resveratrol. This amazing antioxidant is capable of preserving the body's immune system and even aids in the struggle against cancer. If your body is subject to radiation it will help to prevent radiation sickness. In addition, it is extremely beneficial to those of us who need to shed a few pounds.

Nevertheless, we have only begun to skim the surface of the possibilities that resveratrol has to offer! The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline has funded analyses of the antioxidant with close to a billion dollars, and there are no signs to indicate that we have come close to comprehending all resveratrol's beneficial aspects.

A Natural Solution

Chances are you have already consumed resveratrol at some point in your life, though you probably weren't aware of it! Utilized for ages in the East as a restorative cure found in Japanese Knotwood, resveratrol was given the name "ko-jo-kon" in 1963. Japanese Knotwood is not, however, as exotic as you might imagine. In more than thirteen states it has been designated as a hostile and overwhelming weed, with the capacity to overrun your backyard in no time. The power of this plant is generated by-you guessed it-the large amounts of resveratrol contained within it. Knotwood has so much resveratrol that companies have begun using it to create dietary supplements, although some people simply cultivate it and cook with it: Knotwood is a tasty replacement for rhubarb.

Another source of resveratrol is the peanut. Yes, the same peanut you can purchase at a supermarket has the capacity to improve your quality of life. Although peanuts have been traditionally considered to be very fatty and unhealthy, medical inquiries have demonstrated that those people who consume peanuts every day are healthier, with lower body fat than the majority of the population.

In 1992, resveratrol was discovered in both grapevines and the red wine produced by them. While the health effects derived from drinking a glass of red wine are becoming common knowledge, think about this: it takes somewhere around one thousand bottles of red wine to equal the amount of resveratrol found in a single day's dose of a resveratrol supplement!

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Exercises To Help You Lose Weight

By Austin Stern

Each and every year, people make different New Year's resolutions at the beginning of the year. often times, these resolutions are to try to be a better person, or to get a new degree or finish a degree they hadn't finished before. The most popular resolution, by far, is to decide to lose weight.

If you are looking to get slimmer and to build lean muscle then working out is a great way to do it. You tear your muscles, which repair themselves and grow bigger and stronger, when you provide resistance or exert yourself. There are different ways, either with cardio or even lifting weights, that you can burn fat (and calories).

Different muscles will be exercised and used depending on the type of workout you choose. You'll be burning calories no matter which way you choose though. As long as you are working out and burning more calories than you are consuming by eating, then you will begin to see good changes in your body.

If you are doing cardiovascular activities, your heart pumps faster which in turn, causes you to burn even more calories. Jogging, swimming, biking, and running are all great examples of cardio exercises. Your oxygen capacity is also boosted when you do cardio, which allows you to be active for a longer period of time without causing as much stress on your heart and lungs.

When you do weight training (otherwise known as strength training) you lift weights which cause your muscles to tear, only to be built right back up again and stronger to boot! Because people can see the effects from strength training, it is one of the most popular forms of working out. Your body will become more attractive and toned, and hey, you'll get to burn quite a lot of calories while you are at it!

Body resistance training is a fantastic and cheap form of strength training. When you're doing this, you are only using your body's weight as resistance, nothing else (like weights or resistance bands). Push ups are the prime example, as well as sit-ups and jumping jacks.

Strength training exercises are fantastic because they help to burn fat quickly. You may be worried because muscle weighs more than fat and you don't want to weigh more. But strength training helps to build lean muscle tissue, which burns away fat quickly, and helping you to look tone.

Whether its the middle of the year, or New Years, its never a bad time to start working towards your weight loss goals. Not only will you slim down, but over time youll discover your level of strength raise and your energy increase as well. As the old catch phrase and t-shirts said, no pain no gain.

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