Sunday 14 October 2012

Why whole wheat bread is better then white bread

Though white bread may be fortified with vitamins and
minerals, whole wheat bread is more nutritious and filling. It  contains more protein
and fiber than white bread which makes it very healthy, whole wheat bread is often recommended as a healthier alternative to white bread. But, do you really know what the difference between the two really is?

A huge difference is the fact that whole wheat bread is much higher in fiber than white bread. Fiber aids in healthy digestion. But, fiber's benefits go beyond healthy digestion. Fiber helps make you feel full quicker making it easier for you to control your weight. It also has many health benefits like the reduction of the risk of heart attacks and strokes due to this high content of fibre.
 Whole wheat bread has gone through less processing and has less preservatives.  Though preservatives haven't been proven to necessarily be bad, if you have the choice between putting natural grains in your body or chemically developed ones, which one would you choose? Personally i would pick the natural one knowing that everything i put in my mouth is in its original state and nothing extra has been added.


White bread has been bleached to get its colour, and the nutrients have been stripped away in the process of bleaching the flour. There are not enough nutrients or fiber to help the body stay healthy and full. Essentially, all you get from eating white bread is empty calories. The body takes the starch that that is produced by the bread and converts it to sugar and stores it as fat. Basically think of it as though you are eating high calorie sugary foods such as cake or candy, because there is not enough nutritional value. Also many whole wheat breads contain more calories then white bread. Dont be fooled by this fact those calories are from the vitamines and nutrients that are enriched in the bread. So next time you go to the grocery store be sure to think twice before buying a loaf of white braed.

The benifits of Strawberries



The heart-shaped silhouette of the strawberry is the first clue that this fruit is good for you. These berries protect your heart against decease, and increase your HDL (good cholesterol) levels. They also fights against cancer, and lowers blood pressure.
Strawberries are loaded with fibre and antioxidents. People with type 2 diabetes should add strawberries into thier diet. Since strawberries are a good source of soluble fibre the water content in these magical berries can be very benificial. Strawberries can help people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems. Eating strawberries and other high fibre fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to ease digestion and sooth upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea, and other symptoms. The antioxidents provided in these berries help with joint problems and keeping skin looking young and healthy.

 There are many uses for strawberries and in my family EVERYONE loves them!

When there are strawberries at my house the first thing that i do is make a strawberry smoothie. Its simple and refreshing. Sometimes if I feel too lazy to cook or I dont like what there is for dinner then I use it as a meal.

     Basically all you need is a handful of strawberries, plain yogurt or if available vanila yogurt, a few almonds or walnuts, and ice. and there you have it a delicious and quick smoothie!
 


Tips to losing weight

Over the summer I have tried many things to shed a few pounds. Though i am not fat i feel like the key is not just to lose weight but also to keep that weight off and live a happier and healthier life. Havng not much to do durring the summer I would do a lot of research on the internet. Searching for foods that not only boost your metabolism and keep you feeling full longer, but also give you more energy.  Many of these special diets and tips did not work for me. Some even made me gain a few pounds! But here are a few tips and tricks to help you lose weight the smart and healthy way. So lets get started!

1. Eat spicy food
Eating spicy food not only boosts your metabolism to help you burn fat, but it also slows you down from eating too fast which tends to make you feel hungry even though you have had enough to make you full. Eating slowly gives your brain a chance to process the fact that you are full and that you do not need to continue eating This helps you feel fuller quicker and adds a kick to your meal.

2. Eat breakfast
Studies show that eating breakfast helps you to foccus better through out the day and gives you a boost of energy

3. Eat smaller portions
One way to fool yourself into eating smaller portions is to use a smaller plate. Though if it is full it may seam like alot but you are eating far less then you would have normally. Another usful tip is to eat 4 to 5 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 huge meals.

4. Drink more water
Your body stores water in large quantities when it is dehydrated. The more water you drink the less your body needs to store excess water. And because there is a large quantity of water being put in the body the more toxins are being excreted out. Try and drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

5. Exercise
This is the easiest way to lose weight. Burn more calories then you eat simple! Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. It may seam like a lot but if you use the stairs instead of the elivator and walk to school or work you can exersise and not even notice your doing so!

6. Get your friends or family members to join in
losing weigth as a group is easier then doing it alone. If you are not strong willed then having others to help you every step of the way can make it that much easier for you, and help your friends lose a few pounds as well.

7. Eat more protein
eating protein helps to keep you full longer and aids in muscle growth

8. Drink water before every meal
Drink water before every meal helps fill your stamach which means you'll eat less and stay hydrated.

9. Drink lemon water
drinking lemon juice mixed with hot water in the morning and just before going to bed keeps your metabolism high throughout the day and helps burn fat while you sleep.

10. Use honey instead of sugar
Honey is a natural sweetener. It is high anioxidents and graet for boosting your metabolism.

Macaroni

Everyone loves a great macaroni recipe, whether it's macaroni and cheese, or a scrumptious macaroni salad. Macaroni is my go to dinner and if i could i would eat it for all my meals. its simple to make and tastes great! One of my new favourite macaroni recipes is one that me and my mom created today. Being a house wife my mom has lots of time on her hands and thus she has a amazing reputation of being a great chef in our family. Today having nothing to do, i asked my mom if we could make dinner together. We started off making macaroni but instead of making the usual sauce which basically for us is a mixture of spagetti sauce, a few herbs, and ground beef, my mom decided to take a few of her afghan recipies and mixed them together. In the end the whole family enjoyed it our new creation, and i know that this will definately be a ricipe that i will pass on to my childrenin the years to come.

 
 
here's the recipe:
1 large onion
2 bunches of green onions
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 clove garlic
2 cups chopped spinich
2 tomatos chopped
750 grams macaroni
parsley half bunch
greek yogurt (to top off)
dried mint (pinch)
2 pounds ground beef

instructions:
1. saute onion and garlic till golden brown
2. add tomato paste, and ground beef stir till browned
3. once browned, add chopped tomatos, green onions, and the rest of the veggies
4. fill a pot halfway with water
5. once boiled add the macaroni to the water
6. stain the cooked macaroni in a strainer and put in a serving dish
7. fill the dish halfway to the top and add the sauce
8. drizzle with greek yogurt and add the rest of the macaroni
9. again add the rest of the sauce and yogurt and top off with dried mint

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Shrimp stir fry


Shrimp, one of my favourite sea foods! whether its fried, or boiled, shrimp is an amazing appetizer and an even better meal pared up with a slice of bread, or alone.  Today I thought I would make a little something of  my own for dinner and so I came up with a new and delicious recipe for shrimp, one that I guarantee will spice up your meal and add a kick to your mood! :) It is an easy meal for those days you feel too lazy to cook, and can be made in less then an hour.
Here's the recipe:


3 cups cut and skinned shrimp
2 large onions chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
2 table spoons tomato paste
2 cups crushed tomato
dash of dried parsley
salt to taste
3 hot chili peppers