DaHLia's ZoNe

Strawberry For Health

2010-10-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

A cup of strawberries has up to 130% of the DV of Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that boosts production of collagen fibers that help keep skin smooth and firm.

More C means fewer fine lines too. People with lower intakes were likelier to have dry, wrinkled skin. Early research also shows that ellagic acid, an antioxidant abundant in strawberries, protects the elastic fibers that keep skins from sagging.

Strawberries may lower your risk of cancer by inhibiting the development of malignant cancer cells. In one study, people eating the most strawberries were 3 times less likely to develop the disease.

Antidote To A Heavy Meal

2010-10-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Have you just indulged in a decadent meal? If so, consider fruits for dessert. Studies by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that eating antioxidant-rich fruits, including berries, grapes, kiwi and cherries, helps minimize the free-radical damages that occurs after a meal.

Eating caloric meals, without antioxidant –rich food like fruits and vegetables, can have harmful-effects over time. So, always try to finish your meal with a generous portion of fruit.

Eat Potatoes To Look Young And Gorgeous

2010-10-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

How does it help? It will reduce wrinkles, and build a strong and energetic body.How? Potatoes have Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, B6, copper, tryptophan, and fiber, all of which are great to calm you down and relieve joint health.

Having healthy nerves and joint health not only help you feel better, but you’ll walk and talk differently than if you’re in pain or stressed. In fact, eat potato and you’ll be walking and acting like a carefree youth. Potatoes can be eaten almost daily.

Foods Trigger Adult Eczema, Too

2010-10-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

Doctors and parents have long known that eczema can flare up in babies and toddlers who’ve had milk, eggs, or wheat products like bread and noodles. Now. evidence is mounting that adults with eczema may reacts to foods, too.

Researchers have found that one in four adults with severe eczema have food allergies. Culprits in one small Italian study included nuts, tomatoes, milk, eggs, and grains. Don’t cut out food on your own; work with your doctor to see if foods are affecting your skin and eliminate one at a time.

Beating Food Cravings

2010-10-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Looking to take control over your cravings? Then do indulge (in moderation). Denying yourself of the very treats you love is only going to make you want them more, and of you cut the out completely you may find yourself binging on them within a week’s time.

Better to keep yourself in check by practicing moderation. Love chocolate? Eat two small squares daily rather than the entire bar. Is it crunch you crave? Trade in fatty potato crisps for a healthy chip alternative.

A Bad Breakfast

2010-10-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

You know you’re not supposed to skip breakfast, but did you know that what you eat in the morning sets the tone for your meals, throughout the day? Skip the pastries, energy bars, and sugary juices and enjoys a breakfast that is full of protein, fiber, and healthy carbs such as fruit or whole grain bread.

Patience Key To Good Exercise Habit

2010-10-09T05:54:00.001-07:00

It takes at least two weeks, and probably more like four to eight weeks, to turn a new exercise strategy into something that’s second nature. You have to stick with it long enough to face all the challenges you meet regularly in your life and find a way to fit it in, no matter what.

If you can do something for three weeks in a row, you’ve established a good habit. You’ll know it is working because if for some reason you can’t get your usual exercise, you’ll miss it, or suddenly realize that you’re not feeling so good because you haven’t had your usual exercise “dose”.

Oatmeal Help To Fall Asleep

2010-10-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

It may be favorite for breakfast, but you might want to pair a bowl of oatmeal with some coffee to make it through the day. Grains in oatmeal trigger insulin production much like whole-grain bread.

They raise your blood sugar naturally and make you feel sleepy. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which relaxes the body and helps you fall asleep.

Posture Practice While Driving

2010-10-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

We’d like to have better posture. Take your car time as an opportunity to hone your ability to sit up tall. As you’re driving, bring your awareness to lifting the back of your neck up.

This basic adjustment ripples all the way down your spine and helps it unfurl to its maximum length. Keep checking in with this spot as you drive; you’ll find again and again that you’ve sunk back down into your usual slouch. Just start again. It becomes an exercise for your mind as much as for your body.

The FRESH Boost In The Morning

2010-10-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Want to really give your body a shot of energy the natural way that won’t crash your energy level hours later?

Drink freshly squeezed oranges or grapefruits, and eat freshly cut fruits. The natural enzymes from fresh foods will really jolt you to alertness, and you won’t be weighed down by heavier foods like bagels with cream cheese or omelettes.

The Benefits of Cinnamon

2010-10-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

A 2003 study showed that as one teaspoon of cinnamon per day can boost the body’s weight-loss ability by reducing blood sugar and promoting healthier processing of carbohydrates. It also lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) by seven to 27% and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%.

Plus, cinnamon has been shown to prevent the metabolic syndrome commonly seen in pre-diabetics. But before you go on piling the spice by spoonful, note that cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin, which can lead to liver damage if consumed in very large amounts.

Stay Happy By Staying Warm With Hot Cocoa

2010-10-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

Clutching a steaming beverage, coffee and tea also do the trick, can elicit flood of positive feeling, according to a Yale University Study. This may be because people associate physical warmth with emotional warmth, say the researchers.

Study subjects held cups of either hot or iced coffee; those gripping warm mugs were more appreciative of friendliness in others and also felt more generous and trusting themselves.

Cholesterol-free Egg Whites

2010-10-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

An egg is full of cholesterol, Mayo Clinic says, with a single, large egg weighing in with nearly as much cholesterol recommended in your full day’s diet. The full 213mg of an egg’s cholesterol, however, is all in the yolk. Eat only the egg white and you’re instantly removing the egg’s notoriously detrimental element.

People with no health problems should eat no more than 300mg of cholesterol per day, while those suffering from conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease should eat no more than 200mg of cholesterol per day.

Getting Perfect Running Shoes

2010-10-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Shoes are a runner’s most important piece of gear. Like tires on a car, they are the only thing that touches the ground while we are in motion. Wearing the right kind of shoe (natural/cushioning) can help distribute the forces of impact.

Choose one that fits best and not just for the looks. Better still, do a few test runs few feet within the shop. You will know it is the right one if it feels and runs just nice.

Turn Off The TV

2010-09-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Chilling out in front of the television may feel like a good way to relax, but an emotionally draining or violent program actually provokes turbulent thoughts, which can result in insomnia, indigestion, even headaches.

Unless you’re looking at images of baby animals frolicking in a field, or something just as innocuous, skip the late-night TV, or at least turn-off the tube a half hour before you turn off the lights, so you have time to direct your attention inward.

This will help your brain separate the heart-pumping drama on ‘24’ from the more tranquil reality of your bedroom, and let your mind settle into peaceful state.

Sticking To A Natural Sleep Schedule

2010-09-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

If you’re having problems sleeping, try to align your schedule more closely with nature’s. Your body clock, hormones, temperature and blood pressure fluctuations measure out a 24-hour day that’s in tune with the rising and setting of the sun.

When you stay up into the wee hours reading a books, baking a cupcakes, or doing a few extra loads of laundry, the odd hours you’re keeping throw off your body’s production of melatonin, the hormones that controls sleep regulation and wakefulness. Syncing up your daily routines with the rhythms of your environment will help you maintain mental clarity.

First Aid Fallacies

2010-09-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Some common first aid misconceptions: Seizure victims can swallow their tongues: Despite what Hollywood has taught us, it’s physically impossible to swallow one’s own tongue, and forcing your fingers or a spoon or spatula into someone’s mouth is only going to injure you and the victim.

At times, a seizure sufferer may sound like he is gagging on his own tongue, but by rolling him onto his side, you’ll help keep his airways clear.

If someone with head injuries fall asleep, they could go into a coma: Not true. The only reason to keep person with head injury awake is to observe her symptoms, say the experts at the American College of Emergency Phsyicians.

And if you’re too worried about the victim’s symptoms to let her go to sleep, then you should take her to the ER. Otherwise, wish her good night and sweet dreams.

Tennis Ball Massage

2010-09-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing compared to strong hands of professional massage therapist, but you can ease some muscle tension with this brilliant trick: Stuff a tennis ball into a long sock or a par of stockings, then throw it over your shoulder and lean against a wall (you can also try lying on the floor).

Move around on the ball until you find that annoying knot in your back and hold it there for a minute. Take deep breaths and allow your muscle to relax.

Eating Fish Makes You Smart

2010-09-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

For kids up to age three or four, this is indeed the case. Fish, especially oily ones, such as salmon, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is particularly beneficial in the first two years of life for brain development, cognition, and visual acuity.

And a 2008 study in Clinical Pediatrics showed an increase in vocabulary and comprehension for four-year-olds who were given daily DHA supplements. Omega-3 option for fish-phobic? Try avocados, walnuts and canola oil.

More Face Time For A Healthier You!

2010-09-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Between a hectic work schedule, school, email, and phone calls. it is easy to put off actually seeing your friends. And we are not talking about Video Chats here! Maintaining good friendships is key to healthy living.

Researchers have shown that having good social relationships may help you live longer. And on the opposite site of the equation, poor relationship were found to be more harmful than not exercising.

Tomatoes For Healthier Glowing Skin

2010-09-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Eating red helps keep skin from turning red. Volunteers who consume 5 tablespoons of high-in-lycopene tomato paste daily for 3 months had nearly 25% more protection against sunburn in one study. Even better, skin had more collagen, which prevents sagging.

Another reason to toss extra tomatoes in your salad: German scientists report that higher skin levels of this antioxidant correlate to fewer fine lines and furrows. Health Bonus : Research suggest that lycopene may also lower your chances of heart disease: In one study, the women with highest level of it had a 34% reduced risk.

HOW You Brush More Important Than WHAT You Brush With

2010-09-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

You can buy the best toothpaste and toothbrush on the market, but if you aren’t brushing correctly, you won’t see results. To do it properly, you need to position the brush at 45 degree angle so that you get some of the bristles in between the tooth and the gums.

Move the brush in small circles in those areas, and then continue on to the rest of teeth. This process should take about one to two minutes to complete.

Energy or Protein Bars Not Really Goods For Diets

2010-09-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

These calories-laden bars are usually stacked at the checked out counter because they depend on impulse buyers who grab them, thinking they are more wholesome than a candy bar. Unfortunately, they can have very high fat and sugar contents and are often as caloric as a regular candy bar.

They are also two to three times more expensive than a candy bar at $2 to $3 a bar. If you need a boost, a vitamin-rich piece of fruit, a yoghurt, or a small handful of nuts is more satiating and less expensive.

Testing Egg Freshness

2010-09-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Put two teaspoons of salt in a cup of water and place an egg in it. A fresh egg will sink, an older egg will float. Because the air cell in an egg increases as it ages, an older egg is more buoyant. This doesn’t mean a floating egg is rotten, just more mature.

Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for any funky odor or appearance. If its is rotten, your nose will tell you. (Bonus fact: if you have hard-boiled eggs that are difficult to peel, that means they are fresh!)