Tag: nutrition

When it comes to your regular workout, chances are you want it to have the fullest possible effect. Otherwise, what’s the point? Everybody wants to keep fit. The fact is, very few people actually take the right steps towards making their workout more worthwhile. Lots of people workout frequently, only to discover that it doesn't have quite the full effect they desired. If that sounds like you, don’t worry - all is not lost. There are a number of different techniques you can take advantage of to make your workout go much further. Next time you hit the gym, consider these top tips to make the most of your time spent there.

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Plan It

Like so much else in life, planning can make the world of difference. When you plan a workout, it means that you have a sense of what you are trying to achieve. Even just knowing this can make a huge difference to the effectiveness of your workout. That’s why you should plan it out before you start. Make sure that you know exactly what you are going to do, and for how long. That way, you won’t get lost during the routine. And what’s more - you will keep the whole session tight. This makes it more worth your while and also saves you some time.

Boost It

You have a few different options when it comes to getting more out of your workout session. One effective way to achieve that is by using supplements like these: https://1stphorm.com/shop/products/post-workout. Using these after your workout can make a world of difference. After you workout, your muscle fibers are not exactly in their best state. Often, they get badly torn up from the torture that you have just put them through. Their glycogen has been severely depleted, and as a result they are in disarray. These supplements can be of huge help in restoring them.

Keep It Short

One of the best things you can do for your workout is to keep it short. This might sound unlikely, but it’s true! Research has shown that most forms of exercise are more effective is they are around the thirty-forty minute mark. That’s right - keep it short and you are actually doing yourself a massive favour. Short, intensive exercise is much more effective than a longer period of less intense exercise.

Keep It Up

But far and away the number one thing to do is to keep going. When it comes to keeping your body in peak physical condition, persistence is absolutely the key. It does very little for you if you do not keep it up. One or two sessions a month is pointless - you may as well just not do them! Ideally, you need to be exercising at least three times a week. However, you could increase this to anything up to six or seven. Just remember, if you do increase it, to keep it focused and to keep each session relatively short. That way, you will maximise the benefits of each session. Your body will notice the difference in no time!

EMORY VODKA ENTERS THE PREMIUM SPIRITS MARKET WITH A PIONEERING PRODUCT CONCEPT INSPIRED BY NATURE’S GRAND DESIGN


New York based artist in Optic Modernism inspires newly launched ultra-premium line of naturally gluten free vodka with his signature Zebra Love collection


EMORY Vodka – the country’s first ultra-premium product to be conceptually inspired by one of today’s leading artists and the only vodka to originate from the art world since Romero Britto aligned with Absolut.

EMORY Vodka is one of the first artist-inspired creations to enter the ultra-premium beverage market as a 100% corn based product that is naturally gluten free while being six times distilled and triple-filtered using charcoal during fermentation.  This low-calorie alternative has a purity that vastly reduces the morning-after effects of consumption as a result of this process.

New York based artist Blake Emory, one of today’s most innovative pioneers in the “Optic Modernism” movement, has developed a unique extension of his existing Zebra Love oil on canvas signature collection for the brand design of EMORY Vodka. Michael Alden, CEO and President of Blue Vase Marketing, in partnership with Emory, has translated the Zebra Love concept on to frosted glass, releasing the limited edition premium vodka supported by one of the country’s leading strategic marketing firms for the beverage industry, Pearson & Pearson.  Bottled by the newly formed Zebra Love, LLC parent company, Emory’s Zebra Love design is embossed on to a signature artisan bottle, complete with Emory’s trademark red stiletto.  Emory Vodka marks the first brand extension in the Zebra Love series and features Emory’s “Shauna1” design for the inaugural product adaptation.  A portion of proceeds from the sales of Emory Vodka are being donated to the ASPCA to help prevent cruelty to animals.

“We are pleased to announce the strategic roll-out of EMORY Vodka in key markets nationwide,” says Michael Alden, CEO and President of Blue Vase Marketing.  “We understand the premium spirits business and know how important it is to develop something marketable and unique for the consumer in an over saturated marketplace.  The exceptional design portrayed in Zebra Love by Blake Emory creates a strong artistic impression and will form tremendous brand recognition for the product.  This unique design element also allows us to develop alternate configurations for the new line while remaining creative and diverse.  Launching a one hundred percent corn based vodka that is naturally gluten free while being six times distilled will also deliver the ultra-premium taste that vodka lovers will expect.”

Priced at $29.99 for 750ml, EMORY Vodka is fully underway with its off premise campaign, targeting high volume cities around the country known for their trendsetting consumer audience, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Miami. The brand is currently on-shelf in New York, Texas and Massachusetts and is anticipated to be on shelf nationwide in established retailers such as Total Wine & More and Binny’s, as well as other major retailers, by Spring of this year.

Zebra Love is the latest anthology by the New York artist Blake Emory, whose collective series of theoretical works is capturing the attention of not only the fine art world, but also the country’s leading brand visionaries within the marketing community.

Emory’s Zebra Love series represents the artist’s inspired discovery of what he refers to as “nature’s grand design” that encapsulates an artistic expression of retro fashion with love, passion and “divine geometry” from the animal kingdom.  Zebra Love portrays an underlying theme based on a fluid visual depiction of Zebra stripes that are carved to form the foundation of a multi-dimensional approach to acrylic on canvas. Using an individual female model and form as the muse for every piece of work, the curvaceous and nude silhouette of each chosen woman is juxtaposed against the Zebra design and blended within the center of the frame to convey a layered optical illusion at first glance. Emory describes his final touch as a “passionate step in to the world of love needed to liberate us from the human construct,” illustrated by a retro-style red stiletto worn on one foot – giving the black and white design its signature dash of vibrant color, fashionable overture and overtly sexual connotation.

“I like to think of my work as representing the unity of mankind,” says Blake Emory.  “The Zebra is one of nature’s grandest designs and I fell in love with this beautiful formation and found that its geometry gave me a new form of expression in Optic Modernism.  The female figure represents the world of love and what I believe is a type of ‘social silhouette.’ Sharing my vision and inspiration through EMORY Vodka is an exciting new step in my career as an artist and I hope the impressionable brand design resonates with people everywhere.”

Each piece from Emory’s collection is entitled after the women whose voluntary participation is part of the creative process.  “Josephine” is Emory’s most beloved and original work of art, with “Flove” cited by Emory as the most “sexual” and “controversial’ from his collection. Other example names of his artwork include “Shauna,” “Billy Leigh” and “Levon.” 

Joint marketing efforts for the new line of EMORY Vodka by Blue Vase and Pearson & Pearson are being supported by a national PR campaign, social media and traditional advertising.

For further information on EMORY Vodka, visit www.emoryvodka.com.

On special occasions like the Super Bowl, many dieters allow themselves to cheat. Don’t be tempted! If you do, your body will revert back to storing rather than burning fat and it will then take up to 3 weeks to reverse the damage!

Dr. Charles Nguyen, Dr. Tu Song Anh Nguyen and health journalist Mary Ann Marshall have co-authored the forthcoming book The Thinsulin Program: The Breakthrough Solution To Help You Lose Weight And Say Thin (Da Capo, February 9. 2016) which reveals the real secret to healthy and sustainable weight loss: a focus on insulin not calories. 

Using this approach, you don't need to cheat. As long as you choose foods that won't spike insulin, you have many options that'll let you wake up Monday morning  feeling good about yourself and what you ate -- even if your team loses!

Below are 5 simple and delicious recipes for:

• Wings
• Ten-Minute Chili
• Kale Chips
• Meatballs
• Diet-Friendly Vegetable Platter (because not all veggies are created equal!)

And remember - for those drinks: Water should always be the first choice. But for those who really want something stronger, go for wine or hard liquor. Avoid beer, which is like eating bread!

Wings

• Boil hot water

• Boil or poach the wings and drumettes for 5 minutes to release excess oil from skin
• Take the wings and air dry for 10 minutes
•  Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper
•  Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F
•  Lay wings and drumettes on baking sheet
•  Bake in oven for about 20 minutes until golden brown, then flip
•  Bake for another 20 minutes until other side is golden brown
•  Drizzle hot sauce over wings or serve the hot sauce on the side

Ten Minute Chili

• In a saucepan, add 1 pound of ground turkey, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp ground cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste

• When meat is cooked, add 1 cup of chopped tomatoes, 1 cup of chopped green bell peppers, 1 cup of chopped onions
• Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Kale Chips

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
• Cut kale leaves from stems and tear them into bite size pieces
• Wash and thoroughly dry kale with salad spinner
•  Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle with salt
•  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until edges are brown but not burnt

Vegetables Platter

• Use celery, broccoli, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers
• Don’t add root vegetables such as radishes or carrots!
• Serve with a healthy dip of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper and spices such as curry or dill on the side

Meatballs

•  Preheat oven to 375 degree F
•  Using a skillet, over high heat, heat 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
•  Sautee ½ large chopped onion in the skillet for 5 minutes, until softened
•  Add 1 ½ tsp minced garlic and cook 1 minute more, remembering to stir frequently
• Transfer garlic and onion to a bowl;  mix in the ½ lb. ground beef and 1 lb. ground turkey        with 4 egg whites, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp of black pepper
• Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs
• Place on jelly roll pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until brown

Charles Nguyen, M.D., is the medical director of the Lorphen Medical Weight Loss Clinic in Riverside, CA. Charles earned his M.D. from the University of California at Irvine, where he completed his psychiatry residency training and, as a faculty member, won excellence in teaching awards for seven consecutive years. He also won the Thomas F. Riley Community Service Award, the NAMI Bridge Builder Award, and the 2010 Orange County Physicians of Excellence Award. The same year, Orange Coast Magazine recognized him as best physician.

Tu Song-Anh Nguyen, M.D., is the medical director of N.N. Medical in Orange County, CA, which provides medical management of weight loss with an emphasis on behavior modification. Tu graduated with top honors from the University of California at Riverside and from Loma Linda Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at U.C.L.A./VA Wadsworth, received the diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1995, and has practiced in the field of bariatric medicine ever since.

Editor and magazine journalist Mary Ann Marshall was a former staff writer and fiction editor at Sassy Magazine and penned the book Now Hiring: Music (Crestwood House). As a cover story writer and features reporter for Glamour, she covered investigative health and social issues, and interviewed celebrities including Halle Berry, Ashley Judd, Britney Spears and Faith Hill. She has contributed to numerous magazines including Cosmopolitan, Spin, Seventeen, and Health. She lives in the Greater Los Angeles area.

KIND Snacks Urges FDA to Redefine “Healthy”

Company, with Support of Nutrition Experts Petitions U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Update Guidelines Established 20+ Years Ago

 KIND Snacks, with support from leading nutrition, public health and public policy experts, has filed a Citizen Petition urging the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to update its regulations around the term healthy when used as a nutrient content claim in food labeling. http://dnr.vnr1.com/2015/11/30/KIND_Snacks

KIND Founder and CEO Daniel Lubetzky explains that wholesome and nutrient-rich foods like almonds, salmon, olive oil and avocados cannot be labeled as healthy because of these foods inherent fat content.

The petition also reflects the importance of eating whole foods and foods made with wholesome and nutrient-rich ingredients as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

Currently, the FDA mandates that the word “healthy” only be used as a nutrient content claim to describe individual foods that contain 3 grams or less total fat and 1 gram or less of saturated fat per serving. Fish and meat must have 5g or less total fat and 3g or less saturated fat per serving to use healthy as a nutrition content claim.

The policy effort, which cites evidence from multiple nutrition studies and current federal Dietary Guidelines, is supported by a number of leading health and wellness experts including Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPhD, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts; Sara Baer-Sinnott, President of Oldways; and Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian and former President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

For more information, visit KIND Snacks’ blog at www.KINDsnacks.com

I’ve heard so many people say that they can eat what they like because they work out. The reason they usually say this is because of the concept that calories in vs. calories out will help you lose weight. While that’s true, what you put into your body really does matter, whether you exercise or not. Let’s take a look at why nutrition is the most important part of health and fitness:

Your Body Composition

While you might technically ‘lose weight’ from exercising and eating what you want, you
won’t change your body composition. You’ll probably just become something called skinny fat. This means you still have a high body fat percentage (unhealthy and podgy) even though your actual frame has gotten smaller. When you change your body composition, you lose fat and build muscle in all of the right places, giving you an all round tighter and fitter appearance. You can only change your body composition if you’re eating the right foods at the right times. Organic whey protein powder is a brilliant supplement for after a weight workout. Much better than a burger and chips!

Health

Many people take on an ‘if it fits your macros’ approach. This means they can pretty much eat whatever they like providing it fits into their set protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake. Burger and chips included! While this may work for some people, it won’t work for all. Plus, you need to consider the health aspects of things too. If you want to be healthy and not just look it, you need to eat like it!

Fuel

The food we eat is fuel. It’s as simple as that. It keeps us going and allows us to go about our day with ease. More people need to look at food as fuel, rather than as a way to pass the time. You can still enjoy your food, but its main purpose shouldn’t be enjoyment. Having a treat every once in a while is so much better than having them every day. Each time you eat something, ask yourself whether it’s beneficial to your body. Is it nourishing you and fueling you? If not, you should re-think your food choices.

image from Flickr

Cravings

We all get cravings from time to time. We’re only human! Fitness professionals love chocolate and doughnuts like everybody else. However, the body will get more cravings for what it eats most of. If you get into a consistent routine with vegetables, you’ll find yourself wanting to eat more of them. If you get into a routine with chocolate and crisps, then you’re going to want more of them too. It’s a vicious cycle. You need to break bad habits and introduce new ones to really make a change to your body!

Hopefully, you now see why nutrition is the most important part of health and fitness. Staying active is important, but if your diet isn’t on point you won’t get very far. Don’t listen to people who say they can eat pizza everyday and stay in shape!

Every gym enthusiast appreciates that diet plays a massive role in achieving their goals. After all, muscles are built in the gym but are revealed in the kitchen.

For many people, this is the hardest part of the whole process. However, with the right plan of action, you’ll have no trouble getting this crucial aspect under control. I’m sure you’ve got the determination, so this push in the right direction can make all the difference.

Follow these four simple tips, and it should set you on the road to success.

Drink More Water

Food is undoubtedly important, but there’s no doubt that water intake is the most important part of your eating and drinking habits. Increasing your daily consumption is one of the easiest upgrades you can make, but it’s also one of the most influential.

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Better hydration will improve your body in a whole host of different ways. Skin and hair will see vast improvements while it should help your level of performance too. If you’re looking to lose weight, have a glass before meals to suppress your appetite slightly.

Our bodies are two-thirds water, so it’s imperative that you top up your levels.

Cook From Fresh

One of the main issues with nutrition is knowing what you’re actually putting in your body. As easy as it is to fall into the trap of cooking processed foods all the time, it’s not a great option to take.

With a slow cooker, you can make food from scratch just as easily. Meanwhile, cooking up several days’ worth of meals and freezing it makes it very convenient to get a healthy midweek treat.

Once you’ve taken the time and effort out of cooking from fresh, you’ll have no excuse to take the processed option. This will make a vast improvement to your nutritional habits.

Take Supplements

Your body needs the right energy to perform. If your food isn’t providing the right nutrients, then it’s time to seek a boost.

Source:

Some people wrongly view supplements as cheating. But it’s actually one of the best ways to ensure your body is getting everything it needs. Moreover, fat burners can give your progress a healthy push in the right direction. Visit https://www.garciniacambogia6000.com.au for more information.

It doesn’t matter how your body gets its nutrients. The important thing is that you give it the fuel needed to succeed.

Appreciate The Benefits Cheating

They say cheaters never prosper, but that’s not always true when it comes to your fitness goals. For starters, going on a detox plan could get your body transformation up and running in style.

As a more permanent plan, though, understanding the benefits of cheat meals is essential. This is a great way to keep your body on its toes and can actively enhance your results. The key to this success is moderation.

Essentially, a little treat never hurt anyone. If nothing else, knowing you’ve got this break to look forward to can prevent you from throwing in the towel altogether. Embrace this crucial part of your nutrition, and you should see great results.

Source

It is universally agreed that a balanced diet is the best way to meet nutritional requirements. All the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at an optimal level can be found from natural sources. This cannot be disputed. The subject of nutritional supplements, however, brings more polarising views. For those with deficiencies, they are absolutely required to give their body the boost it needs. Others see them simply as a marketing gimmick, cashing in on the health conscious generation.

With so many contrasting views to wade through, it can be difficult to understand the possible benefits. Just what is the truth about supplementing?  Well, for starters, let's make a few things abundantly clear. Supplements are NOT to be used as a substitute for clean eating. Their makeup is simply not designed to replicate the micronutrients and essential dietary fibre of whole foods. But when consumed alongside a well-planned diet, there are health benefits to be found in supplements.

So, who are the kind of people that may find the most benefit from supplements?

• Vegans, for example, may lack Vitamin B12 as this can not found from plant-based sources.
• Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid and iron supplements as a means of increasing their daily intake.
• Those with eating disorders or a lack of appetite may need to supplement their nutrient intake to remain healthy.
• People whose bodies struggle to break down or absorb nutrients in food.
• Bodybuilders and gym goers may need protein supplements for muscle growth and repair.

You should always seek medical advice if any of these issues affect you. Consult a dietician about how supplements may be helpful in maintaining good health. Speak to your doctor about introducing them into your regular diet.

So, you've decided that you'd like to give them a try. What next? Most reputable supermarkets and health stores stock a wide range in powder, liquid and tablet form. You can even find supplements online very easily. Remember always to read the label carefully. You want to look for products specifically designed to provide all the essential nutrients your body needs. The best supplements generally supply an even amount of your recommended daily allowance for all vitamins.

Some supplements contain many different kinds of multivitamins. You may instead choose to take a specific product depending on your needs. You can buy a variety of pills that are specifically targeted towards certain vitamins in which you may be lacking.

Be careful about taking in too much. If you normally have a good diet, you'll likely get a good variety of vitamins and minerals from your food alone. Supplements are designed to give your intake a boost and maybe make up for areas in which you are already lacking. Watch what you eat and adjust your consumption accordingly.  Food products like fortified cereals have added vitamins and minerals. Taking too many could be harmful. An overdose of iron, for example, could cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Always consume supplements before their expiration date.

Six Plant-Based Foods You Should Try Today
By Vanessa Chamberlin

The glorious thing about plant-based eating is that your grocery store or farmer’s market is full of an incredible array of foods, flavors, and textures that are just waiting to be discovered. Even a typical grocery store has a produce section that carries seasonal and ethnic foods that often get passed-over, but are convenient, inexpensive, and yummy.

If you’re stuck in a rut of getting the same lettuce-tomato-onion-type foods that you always get, take a walk! Look at some of the other plant-based foods and see how you can work them into your diet.

Not sure where to start? In the spirit of a number that signifies longevity, here are six plant-based foods I totally love that are healthy and tasty, but not part of the average diet. What are some delicious food discoveries you’ve made and put on your grocery list each week?

Jicama

Jicama, also known as a Mexican potato, is a big, heavy, brown fruit that really does look like a weird potato. The excellent thing about jicama is that it is very crisp and crunchy, but has a mild flavor like a cucumber. Jicama can be sliced and used with dips as an alternative to chips, eaten in sticks like any other crunchy veggie, or added to salads for a snappy texture without confusing the flavor profile. It’s a great summer side dish served with a spritz of lime juice and a dusting of chili powder if you’d like a little kick!

Bok Choy

In Asian cuisine, bok choy is a staple! For most of us, though, we’d never think to work bok choy into a dish, which is unfortunate because of how versatile and healthy this veggie is. Bok choy can be added to a salad, but it can also be eaten like you’d eat celery with a little hummus or nut butter. It can also be added to soups or stir-frys, or braised or grilled on its own, and given a little seasoning to become a brilliant side dish.

Pluots

Pluots are an incredible, juicy little snack that comes from mixing a plum with an apricot. They’re so good! Plums aren’t terribly uncommon, but not a lot of people are familiar with pluots. It’s a shame because they’re easy to carry in a lunch for you or for your children, they’re a little sweet with the benefits of both plums and apricots, and they’re another inexpensive fruit. They might be seasonal depending on where you live, but look for a fruit that’s a little smaller than a plum, and more yellow, in the plum area of your grocery store.

Rutabaga

Rutabaga is popular in some countries around the world, but it frequently gets forgotten in the US. With a little bit of a punch like a radish, rutabaga is an awesome root vegetable. If you like the spicy snap of it, it’s great to be eaten as a raw veggie. Others would enjoy rutabagas along with things like potatoes, parsnips, and squash in a cold-weather harvest stew!

Nopal/Cactus

A lot of people feel strange about eating cactus, but prickly pear cactus (also known as nopal) tastes great and is SO good for you! It can have positive effects on blood sugar and managing diabetes, and it can help lower cholesterol. I suggest buying it cleaned already because the spines can be difficult to deal with if you’re new to the food, but many average grocery stores (and I imagine every Mexican or Hispanic market) carry cleaned nopal ready to cook. Similar in texture to something like a green pepper, nopal is great in dishes like scrambled tofu, or really anything sautéed. It tastes like other green veggies (think green peppers or green beans) with just a little lemony tartness. It goes really well with spicy dishes.

Dandelion Greens

The wonderful world of leafy greens leaves us with plenty of options at pretty much every grocery store, but dandelion greens aren’t something most people eat every day. The green leaves are great in salads and slaws, but they can also be boiled like spinach or sautéed and seasoned. They’re just a little bitter, but fun to try, and you can even forage for them if you’re really up for an adventure!

When people tell me that they don’t do plant-based eating because they don’t want to limit themselves, I have to laugh. People limit themselves all the time! Even with great options and an endless menu of flavors and colors, most people fall into a routine of eating the same things all the time. This is your wake-up call to use plant-based eating as a way to EXPAND your diet, and bring in fantastic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans that you otherwise never would have enjoyed.

Vanessa Chamberlin is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Lifestyle Coach and author of The Fire-Driven Life: How to Ignite the Fire of Self-Worth, Health, and Happiness with a Plant-Based Diet. For more information, please visit, www.vanessachamberlin.com and connect with her on Twitter, @vkchamberlin.

I absolutely love what uber is doing #uberhungerto check out below what they are doing to help hunger in Toronto.

At Uber, we want to do our bit to help - and help in a way that only Uber can. That's why we've partnered with local restaurant The Goods, along with food rescue organization Second Harvest, to bring meals to those in need on what we're calling #UberHUNGERTO day. Here's how we kicked it off:

Pay it forward by popping open your Uber app between 11am-2pm today on Friday, September 25th, to order a meal through UberEATS. We'll match your order and will ensure someone in need receives lunch. This is not a one day thing. Uber is committed to aid hunger relief by donating any extra UberEATS meals to local food banks daily.