By now I’m sure you’ve read that Simply Slim (diet pills) have been recalled with immediate effect.  This comes after laboratory tests on what Simply Slim claims to be a  “100% herbal product”  was found to contain 27mg of  sibutramine. According to health regulations any pill containing sibtramine must be registered as a prescription medicine and must contain no more than 15mg sibutramine. Side effects of sibutramine include an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

What is absolutely shocking is an article I found on just how prevalent the practice of adding sibutramine to slimming products is.

This excerpt taken from the The Witness website

“A South African purchaser who knows little about the pharmaceutical industry heard the following promotional statement when he was in China about a month ago to obtain information about slimming products for a South African client: “How much sibutramine can we add to your 100% herbal slimming product, 10 mg or double strength? Or do you want the weak formula? “Just remember, 80% of our clients prefer the chemical product, because their consumers want to lose weight fast.” The man, who has 15 years’ experience in the purchasing of other products in China, told Beeld he didn’t even know what sibutramine was. It was only when he gave feedback to his client and later did some research on sibutramine that he realised with a shock he had almost been involved in an illegal activity.”

So next time you see 100% herbal slimming products advertised- make sure it’s scientifically tested because if it isn’t think about the implications of what you could be doing to your health.  Food for thought.

Aging is a natural procedure, which one cannot help and seems to be one of the major dilemmas for the females, as every woman wants to look younger and younger. Many of women use different types of treatments and skin care for anti aging, many herbal treatments are also there for this purpose. But we forget that nature has a precious contribution in our lives.

Studies have proved that a diet consisting of natural food rich in anti aging, helps to keep the body healthy and diminishes the rate of aging. Anti aging foods are also beneficial for the skin, as the antioxidants in them help in protecting the body against free radicals and flush out the harmful toxins from the body and keep it clean.

List of Anti Aging Foods for Skin

Here are a few anti aging foods for skin, which are a must when it comes to your daily diet.

Avocado

One of the best anti aging foods, avocados contains significant amount of vitamin E, which prevents aging and thus helps in maintaining a healthy glowing skin. The monounsaturated fat present in avocado helps to reduce the amount of toxins and bad cholesterol in the body. The fruit is also used in facial mask and hair conditioner preparations.

Berries

Various varieties of berries, ranging from blackberries and blueberries to raspberries and strawberries, are rich in flavonoids. These flavinoids are powerful antioxidants, which help in protecting the body and skin from free radicals and natural aging.

Broccoli

Broccoli, as well as broccoli sprouts, are rich in antioxidants such as  quercetin and isothiocyanates, which help in tackling the damage caused by free radicals. In fact, broccoli sprouts has 30 times more isothiocyanates than regular broccoli.

Beans

Beans, such as black soybeans and black beans, are rich in anthocyanin, a water soluble pigment, related to flavinoids which helps to curb aging and neurological diseases. In fact, soybeans also contain isoflavones which are rich in anti-aging properties.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and radish, are rich in vitamins and fiber, which help the body to fight against toxins and cancer. They are also high in vitamin C which helps the formation of skin rejuvenators – elastin and collagen.

Garlic

Garlic is yet another herb having several health benefits. It is an effective anti-inflammatory agent which combines to remove heavy metals from the body and thus helps in keeping the skin healthy and ever glowing.

Green Tea

This may come as a surprise for many, but green tea is one of the best anti aging foods for skin. Green tea, is rich in catechins, the tannic acid, which acts as an antioxidant and helps to keep the skin healthy and beautiful.

Nuts

Nuts contain significant amounts of good fat, antioxidants and minerals. Adding nuts to your daily diet will not just help you to have a healthy skin, but will also boost up your immune system and help you in fighting various diseases.

Root Vegetables

Yellow and orange root vegetables, such as carrots, root potatoes and squash, are rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene, also referred to as super-antioxidant, is beneficial for skin as well as the eyes.

Salmon

Salmons are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high quality protein which are beneficial for the skin. Studies reveal that including salmon in your diet, at least thrice a week, helps you to stay healthy and sport a beautiful skin.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in lutein, an antioxidant which helps in keeping the skin healthy. It facilitates skin hydration, and eventually gives the skin a glow making it look more young and beautiful.

Tomato

Lycopene present in tomatoes is a powerful weapon used by the body to fight free radicals. It doesn’t just help in neutralizing free radicals but helps in tackling sun induced aging as well.

Watermelon

One of the most effective anti-aging foods for healthy skin, watermelon contains a long list of nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, essential fats and zinc, which help in fighting free radical damage and skin aging. Read more on nutritional facts about watermelon.

Water

Last, but the most important component of anti aging diet for skin is water.It’s important to keep yourself hydrated all the time. Water he lps in getting rid of the toxins and unwanted waste materials which are either ingested or produced within the body. It is recommended to have at least 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday.

These were some of the best anti aging foods for men, women and children alike. Other than including these anti aging foods in your daily diet, you will also have to cut down on sugars and unsaturated fats, in order to live a healthy life. Refined foods and sugars tend to increase free radical activity and therefore are best avoided. These anti aging foods for skin and a few precautions are bound to help you in living a healthy life, and more importantly, look young and beautiful!

This is the little tale of my perfect coffee break…. it starts with a quiet house, everyone else is out at work or school, the windows are open just a little way, I can *just* begin to smell spring,  I can hear birds singing and I meander into the kitchen where my lovely coffee machine awaits, I freshly grind the beans, set myself a cup and saucer and pour a delicious double espresso.

I wander into the lounge, I sit on my favourite chair, with my feet up, I reach out for my Living Magazine so that I can read all about the things I *need* to have in my life, I sip my coffee and I nibble just a few squares of Green & Blacks 70% Dark Chocolate and relax into the lovely ‘feel good’ chocolate haze which follows enhanced by me thinking all about the fabulous antioxidant properties of dark chocolate (find out more from Green & Blacks) .

I sit and enjoy the coffee, enjoy slooowwly eating the decadent dark perfectly bitter chocolate, enjoy the 15 minutes feet up, enjoy the flick through my magazine, it’s delightful and I shall do it all over again tomorrow… at around 11am.

This post is in response to the request from Green & Black’s that I talk about their chocolate which they kindly provided for free as I am a participant in their taste test

whew. 30 minutes in the elliptical – iPod chose some blinding songs – England 2 – Columbia 0, Empty, Are You Gone?, Badhead. A nice little whoosh through my history, and the spur to burn 250+ calories.

Oh, and it seems to be snowing, and the defunct flourescent tube in here just started working again. what a start to the day!! And the week…

Kimchi [ 김치 ] also know as Kimchee; is one of the main staples if not the main staple of South Korean cuisine. It dates back as far the known establishment of Korea itself about 3000 years back. A fermented spicy and pickled  combination of many vegetables (Cabbage, cucumbers, Korean radish, chilly peppers, carrots, scallions, etc,.), traditional Korean spices (Hot pepper paste, rice vinegar, oyster sauce if desired), water, salt (if needed). The entire mix of ingredients is placed into large  jars usually made from glass or treated clay, kept in a cold environment such a common refrigerator, a Kimchi Refrigerator (“Yes!, Korea take its Kimchi very seriously that refrigerators with special compartments, temperature settings, freshness timers are made just for this product alone”), coolers, and if weather permitting within a clay pot buried underground during the Winter season. After the desired fermentation all  will sum up to a predominant aroma and taste unique to Kimchi.

The Kimchi is varies not only by region in Korea, by weather season; but also by the purpose for which the Kimchi would be used. It can be eaten as a compliment to the main course, as a treat, implemented into anything like a soup, stew, cakes, rice, fish, pork, beef, noodles, and so on.

Kimchi is not only a great dish, but it is filled with nutrients, vitamins, natural probiotics, anti-cancer agents and minerals. It is used to prevent common colds during the Winter months due to the spiciness, as a dietary supplement through out the year, and even as a refreshing drink in the middle of the summer (Referring to the lightly fermented and watered down Kimchi).

After last week of talking about what poop is and is not, people starting talking to me about their poop problems. Now I am by no means an expert in poopology (is that even a word), but I have learned a bit about achieving the perfect poop.

These are the two most common complaints that I have heard

Constipation

A friend I know called me up to ask what to do about constipation. Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week.  According to WebMD Constipation, it is a common problem  can give some very uncomfortable symptoms, such as stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate.  My friend was having about one a week, which is not good. He was looking for a Doctor who could prescribe him a ongoing laxative to help him poop. I was shocked, why would anyone want to talk medication when they haven’t tried a common sense approach is beyond me. But some people believe in better living through chemicals.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea describes bowel movements (stools) that are loose and watery. It is very common and many people will have diarrhea once or twice each year. The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects the digestive system. The infection usually lasts for two days and is sometimes called “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”  Others have diarrhea often as once a week, and is usually related to the diet.  Fat, carbohydrate or sugar malabsorption is the most common reason for loose or watery poops.

The magic word is fiber

The most common cause of all stomach problems is not enough fiber and water.  Much of our processed food removes the fiber, leaving it with just sugars, carbohydrates and fats. Our colon is a muscle that needs to be worked just like any other muscle: arms, legs or even our brain.  The colon works with a peristaltic action - like the way a worm moves. If we aren’t using this muscle to its fullest potential it will  becomes slack. By adding bulk the colon is able to grip on to the poop and process it better and faster. Fiber and water helps to bulk up the stool, collecting excess waste, hormones, bile and cholesterol and eliminate it efficiently, and ideally, regularly.

Now how can fiber help diarrhea. Eating fiber-rich foods helps regulate the stools so that it’s not too hard or too loose. Fiber in the body works by either pulling more water from the colon to loosen stools (for constipation) or by absorbing water into the colon to firm up stools (for diarrhea). Basically all around it’s a good thing

How do we integrate Fiber in our diet?

• Eat more whole grains (if not possible switch your breakfast to oatmeal or a high fiber cereal)
• Eat 5 fruits or vegetables (see my post of what is a serving of vegetables)
• Eat less fat (it fills you up and exacerbates bowel problem)
• Dried fruit

Two other thing that can help poop!

Drinking enough water: staying hydrated helps our digestive track work more effectively and routinely

Exercise: helps your body work the food through your body, plus its moves the blood around collecting toxins for waste disposal

According to the mayo clinic

“While there is little scientific evidence to support or refute the benefits of colon cleansing, critics say it’s generally unnecessary and at times may even be harmful. Although doctors prescribe colon cleansing as preparation for medical procedures such as colonoscopy, most don’t recommend it for detoxification. Their reasoning is simple: The digestive system and bowel naturally eliminate waste material and bacteria — your body doesn’t need enemas or special diets or pills to do this.”

In other words, if you want to solve your problems on the flip side examine what you or eating on the top side.

We’ve decided to stick to our budgeting principle and we know how much role budget meal recipes play. Today we bring you the best of all ways to have your chicken, the Chicken a la King. It is as easy as ABC to prepare while ridiculously cheap for the taste. Try it, it will be the only thing you want to have for dinner every day.