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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Muffins
Kelly calls these her magic muffins, but there's nothing magic about making them -- just the Sweet Truth method of combining several gluten-free flours, using agave, stevia and Swerve instead of sugar, and making sure all your ingredients are organic. For these muffins, there's also a low-fat chocolate ganache for dipping. Tip: Always spray your spatula before spooning your batter.
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- Healing
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Breast Cancer Survivors Make Art
Learn how a group of breast cancer sufferers and survivors uses creativity and art to cope with the the terrible threat of breast cancer. Through sharing and camaraderie, these women comfort each other in a time of need and provide each other a safe healing environment.
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- Yoga | Fitness
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Pilates Video: Abdominal Muscles
Exercising your abdominal muscles will simultaneously strengthen your spine's support system. Karon Karter gives tips on working your core.
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- Herbs | Supplements
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Supplements For Hair
Avoiding starches, taking B-vitamins and zinc will keep your scalp -- and your locks healthy.
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- Healthy Home
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Friendly Seating With Feng Shui
Oftentimes, seating is placed directly across each other - a confrontational design. The fix? Open up your furniture arrangment.
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- Pregnancy | Parenting
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Pregnancy Diet: Foods To Avoid
Amanda gives tips on herbs and foods to avoid as well as which greens and fruits will best help you through your pregnancy.
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Jimmy Fallon vs Michelle Obama Video: Who Is The Better Athlete?
2/8/12
Late night talk show host and comedian Jimmy Fallon took-on the First Lady of the USA, Michelle Obama in a head-to-head athletic competition events at The White House, recently.The goal of the Jimmy Fallon White House visit was to help promote Let's Move - an inititiave launched by The Frist Lady to help encourage kids to follow an active, healthy life. If you suspected that Michelle Obama kicked the dimunitive derriere of Jimmy Fallon, you are correct. Who won the push up competition between Obama and Fallon? hands down Michelle Obama won; the tug-of-war competion? Well, Obama had some help; Dodge ball- yup Jimmy Fallon lost that too; and the fianle, the potato sack race betweeen Michelle Obama and Jimmy Fallon, well it was a photo finish but watch the video and judge for yourself.Michelle Obama vs Jimmy Fallon Video
Yoga for Beginners
2/2/12
Yoga for beginners: Purifying Mind, Body and Soul Yoga is an ancient system for health of mind and body developed over the centuries by the Sages of India. Yoga practice has been around for over 5,000 years. It started as a spiritual meditative practice in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It acts as a means of self-purification to achieve oneness with the supreme creator. Fortunately, this technique in its simplified form can easily be incorporated into our busy schedules to benefit mind and body. The goal of yoga is to calm the mind so that our soul expresses itself. What to expect at a Yoga class Yoga clothing Baggy T-shirts are fine for guys, but women may consider choosing tighter fitting tops so that when you are in an inversion (like Shoulder Stand), the top stays in place (and covers what you want it covering!). Yoga can be done in shorts, leggings or sweats. But many choose leggings, quick-dry Capri or full-length fitted pants as these help your instructor check your alignment. Yoga gear If you are new to yoga you may want to buy yourself a yoga mat. Alternatively, most studios have mats that you can borrow or rent. Most studios provide basic props, such as blocks, which are used to help with alignment, and straps, which can help if you are new to yoga. You also want to bring some water and a towel. Yoga tips & etiquette Get there early: Arrive at least 10 minutes before yoga class to get a spot where you feel most comfortable. After you arrive: Take off your shoes and socks before you walk into the room; you can ask where to place them or just watch what everyone else is doing. Communicate: Before class starts, introduce yourself to the instructor. Tell the instructor whether you have any injury, especially a recent one, so he or she can give you modifications. Breathe: It's common for new students to hold their breath during yoga poses they find challenging. Breathing deeply can help you relax. Practice your basic poses at home: If you practice some of the basic poses at home, such as Downward-Facing Dog, Upward-Facing Dog, Warrior 1 and Warrior 2, which are part of any yoga for beginners class, you will feel more comfortable. Don't leave in the middle of Corpse pose: Most yoga classes end with the Corpse pose, also called Savasana (pronounced sha-vass-ah-nah). With this pose, you lie flat on your back, close your eyes and relax. This is a time for the whole class to relax and enter a state of peaceful calm. For this reason, please do not walk out of a class during Corpse pose. If you have to leave, do it before. Namaste: Don't be scared off when your instructor bows her head as if in prayer, clasps her hands together in front of her heart and says, "Namaste" (pronounced nah-mas-tay). You'll notice the class says it back as well. This Sanskrit word means "I honor you" and is normally said at the end of class. Beginner-friendly yoga moves Standing Forward Stretch (Uttanasana) This first move is a wonderful stretch to release the back muscles. Bend forward keeping the knees bent, chest on or close to thighs, holding your elbows. Don't tuck the elbows in close to the body - just let them relax as you hold them. Keep your head relaxed and your face soft. Feel the lower back start to release. Next, start to straighten your legs, still holding your elbows. Finally, let go of the arms and let them hang loosely. Feel the complete release of all stress and tension. Hold each of these poses for five to ten breaths, then slowly roll up to a standing position and reach to stretch over head with palms touching. Chest Expansion Start in a standing position and clasp fingers behind the back. Pull up on the arms to feel an increased stretch in the chest and arms. Tighten the lower body as you start to press the hips slightly forward and arch back, lifting the heart to the sky. Hold as long as comfortably possible. Standing Side Stretch - Crescent Moon Pose Start in a standing position and bring both arms up overhead. Grab the left wrist with the right hand. Inhale, and then exhale, as you start to lean over to the right, pulling the left arm over the ear. Hold for five to ten deep breaths. Repeat on the other side. Standing Forward Wide Angle Pose (Prasarita Padottanasana) From a standing position with feet together, bend forward and touch the floor if possible (bend knees if necessary). Slowly separate the feet 3 to 4 feet apart in a wide stance with legs as straight as possible. Grab the ankles or calfs as you gently pull the head closer to the legs. Hold for five to ten deep breaths. Place hands on the floor as you walk the feet back together and roll up slowly. Cat/Cow Pose (Durga-Go) Start on your hands and knees and begin by looking up, slowly inhaling and lifting the tail bone to the sky. Exhale while rounding the back like a cat, pressing the belly to the spine and pressing the hands deep into the floor. Tuck the chin into the throat. This move releases tension in the back and stimulates the thyroid by pressing the chin to the throat. It also can help to strengthen the abdominal muscles by holding and pressing the belly to the spine. Do this move five to ten times, always breathing deeply through the moves. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) Start by lying on your stomach with the hands directly under your shoulders, elbows bent. Begin by taking a deep breath and then on exhale bring the chest off the floor, using your back muscles. Keep the feet on the floor with the legs straight. If you want to increase the intensity, lift the palms off the floor while you hold the pose. Hold for five to ten breaths. Childs Pose (Balasana) Start in a kneeling position and then sit onto the heels. Walk the hands forward and relax down, resting on your heels with the arms outstretched on the floor in front. Keep the breath deep and relax on each exhale. Feel the complete release of tension through the fingers as the whole spine stretches. Yoga for Beginners: Cautions There are many variations to most postures. If you experience pain or discomfort in any posture, remember to stop immediately. Don't force anything; you can find an alternative. If you suffer from high blood pressure, you should NOT do inverted postures. These postures increase the blood flow and can cause serious problems. Pregnant women should always consult with their doctor before beginning a yoga practice. Yoga can help you adjust to the physical changes your body is undergoing, but it should be undertaken with care. Even those who were doing yoga before becoming pregnant should discuss continuing their practice with their doctor. While yoga can help you adjust to the physical changes you undergo during your pregnancy, there are several poses that you should NOT do. Mainly these are inverted postures, such as head stand, shoulder stand and hand stand, and those that place your weight on your abdomen. Do NOT do: Bow, Cobra (or the seventh part of the Sun Salutation), Plow, Peacock, Shoulderstand, and Headstand. To avoid knee injury when doing yoga, be sure to keep the knees straight (especially in standing poses). The knees should be forward in line with the ankle and foot. Do NOT let them push or twist inward or outward. Yoga started as a spiritual practice and has now grown worldwide. While some use it purely for aerobic fitness, others use it to find complete wellness with the integration of body, soul and mind. Yoga can be done by people of any age, but the poses will likely be modified for persons with health conditions or who are pregnant. It’s important to tell your instructor if you have any injuries, so he or she can tailor the class to you. Yoga is about learning to listen to your body, but also to yourself and the world.
SFO Yoga Room Video: San Francisco Airport Opens Yoga Studio
1/27/12
There is an oasis of tranquility for travelers in San Francisco Airport's Terminal 2. SFO has opened a Yoga Room for people who need to stretch, mediate, and do asanas that will get them onto their next flight on American Airlines or Virgin Airlines (two of the big airlines that use Terminal 2) feel, perhaps a wee bit better, calmer.SFO Yoga Room LocationThe San Francisco airport yoga room is located past the security checkpoint, near the Recompose Area. An SFO media release says, “When we began to remodel Terminal 2, one of our goals was not just to bring the glamour back to air travel, but to also make the entire experience less stressful and more enjoyable,” said Airport Director John L. Martin. “With the opening of the Yoga Room, SFO has taken another giant leap forward in providing our travelers the opportunity and space to relax and decompress on their own terms.”The media release continues, "The room itself is painted in a "calming blue color. A floating wall symbolizes a buoyant spirit and enlightened mind. Large, felt-constructed rocks (to be installed later this Spring) will be arranged throughout in a nod to the Zen garden spaces of the Japanese tradition. Light levels are set low and warm in juxtaposition to the bright, light filled concourse. Gensler Design Director Melissa Mizell explains, “Throughout the terminal, Gensler’s design aims to elevate the passenger experience. The Yoga Room gives modern travelers a space that fosters and supports quiet and reflection. Those aren’t emotions that people typically encounter at the airport.”Twitter Reaction to SFO Yoga Room (#sfoyoga)The reaction was postive and at time incredulous from Twitter users. Cameron Kramlich @kramlich Thanks @flysfo for opening the first in airport yoga studio. What an innovative way to improve travel! #sfoyoga ow.ly/8IlP0 anine @PeppaNan "I'm sure business people will use this as their office instead of relaxing :)" @Enriq_7 "really... a yoga lounge... only in California" SFO Yoga Room Video Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Plus Size Model Magazine | Controversial Nude Photos of model Katya Zharkova
1/16/12
Plus Size Magazine challenges assumptions of beauty with nude photo spread. The images of two nude models Plus Size Magazine, one "runway" thin, the other plus sized is compelling and startling at the same time. Plus size model Katya Zharkova's shapely figure is a sharp contrast to the more conventional, thin model (see below) Plus Size Magazine Nude Photospread Open publication - Free publishing - More 16 Just as compelling as the images, and more perhaps more importantly, is the text that accompanies the photos. The captions and accompanying editorial challenge the fashion and retail industry to stop spinning the fantasy that all women are thin, and that thinness equals health. Some of the points the editorial makes include; Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia. 50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller The editor-in-chief of Plus Size Magazine writes :"We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat. Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy. What we desire is equality to shop and have fashion options just like smaller women. Small women cannot be marketed to with pictures of plus-size women, why are we expected to respond to pictures of small size 6 and 8 women? We don’t!"The article and response to it has spread on Twitter and Facebook, with well over 230 comments on the Plus Size Model Magazine Blog. The comments are wide ranging with some people writing that fat people should just lose weight. Other commentators write about the dfficulty of finding decent, fashionable plus size clothes for women. "I have a decent job and life and I want to dress like I give a tootie about myself. It is very hard to find clothes over size 14 that don’t make me look like I escaped from the circus or belong in a nursing home," writes one commentator.Another commentator writes "This article is fantastic and you are disrespecting the author with your infantile behavior. In the fashion industry, we need to have more realistic models. End of story. There need to be fat models, skinny models, athletic models, handicapped models, trans models, average models, and everything in between. Our world is diverse. So is our fashion. Shouldn’t the models be?"
Lululemon Yoga Video | Shit Yogis Say
1/11/12
Lululemon Spoof Yoga Video | Shit Yogis Say Consider this: Here is a Lululemon Yoga video deriding the very creature the retail chain has helped to create - Case in point - the Shit Yogis Say video gently mocks the terminology some yoga practitioners get caught up in. The character is one those (and let's fess up, we have all encountered these types before, trolling yoga studios and in Lululemon) dittzy yoga devotees - who drop a "Namaste" before you can say "hi. Watch Lululemon Spoof Yoga Video
Awesome Yoga Breakdancing Video
1/11/12
More breakdancing than yoga but still... Of the hundreds of thousands of youtube breakdancing videos this new one is right up there. The title is of the Youtube Video uploaded by a user named ZyPhReX. There is not much information to go by besides the title of the video, Yoga Breakdancing. The flexibility demonstrated by the dancer may well indicated that he is trained in Yoga - either way his moves are remarkable. Watch this awesome Yoga Breakdancing Video
Green Tea And Weight Loss
12/23/11
Introduction The relationship between green tea and weight loss has an ever growing number of studies of support it. The tea works on a number of levels. It boosts the metabolism, suppresses the appetite and increases the body’s heat production that leads to fat burning. Green tea as a weight loss tool is a relatively new phenomenon. The ancient tea has been drunk for centuries for its taste and health properties. The tea has high antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and metabolism boosting qualities. It can help boost the body’s immune system and has been found to help lower your risk of a number of diseases. Green tea’s origins The Chinese were the first people to discover the benefits of green tea. It is believed that the Chinese have been using green tea for four thousand years. However, there is no exact record when the use of green tea started or who discovered its beneficial effects, only myths and legends. One of the main legends is about Sheng Nong. Shen Nong was a medical expert and most of all a great Chinese leader. One day when Sheng Nong was boiling water under some tea trees, some leaves fell into his pot. When Shen Nong drank the boiled water, it was said that he felt stronger and better. Shen Nong immediately included the tea tree leaf into his list of medications. This story is said to have happened in 2737 BC. During the Han Dynasty, green tea was used as a common beverage of people. During the Ming Dynasty, green tea was a trade good. It was Buddhists that introduced green tea to Japan in the 6th century. Later in the 16th century, the Portuguese introduced green tea to Europe. This is when green tea began to be known as an international drink. Green tea became more popular as the trade between China and the western countries began to grow. Active reagent in Green Tea that helps with weight loss. The active reagent of green tea is the green tea extract. According to studies, the green tea extract contains numerous chemical substances beneficial to your health, including epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine, vitamin C, manganese, zinc, carotenoids, tocopherols, selenium, and phytochemicals. Green tea has shown that it can contribute to weight loss by increasing the metabolism. The source of this property of green tea is caffeine. While green tea has less caffeine content than coffee has, green tea can burn more energy than coffee. This may be due to the other chemical that is found in green tea that helps with slimming, vitamin C. It has been known that vitamin C can also contribute to weight loss because it contains carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel. A study performed at Birmingham (UK) University, showed that average fat oxidation rates were 17% higher after ingestion of green tea extract than after ingestion of a placebo. Other studies have shown that consumption of green tea lowered blood pressure and cholesterol. This means that green tea can also help in preventing people from getting fat or obese with regular consumption of green tea. Drinking green tea will not only help weight loss, it is has been shown to help prevent cardiovascular disease, heart problems, some cancers, mental disorders, and eye problems form developing. Green tea - how effective is it at helping with weight loss. Green tea has been proven by studies to increase the metabolic rate and fat oxidation rate too. This has been shown in a number of studies from universities worldwide. However, the effectiveness of green tea and weight loss will vary with every individual. If people just drink green tea, without making the corresponding changes to diet and exercise, it will likely be hard to lose weight. Green tea can only help in weight loss. While green tea can increase the rate of fat and calorie burning, you still need to decrease the number of calories consumed to lose weight. Green tea does not replace dieting. It can be a valuable addition, helping your immune system as well as weight loss, but it needs to be combined with the right diet and exercise. Will other types of tea work? It is said that the Chinese oolong tea also has weight loss properties. Like green tea, oolong tea is said to stimulate the body’s metabolism so that calories will be burned faster. Oolong tea is also said to have the ability to block fat absorption. Cinnamon tea speeds the metabolism too, helping the body break down glucose and for that reason it is recommended for diabetics. Actually, most teas can aid weight loss because all of them can dampen the appetite of people. The advantage of green tea is that it has a number of different weight loss chemicals – vitamin C, polyphenol antioxidants and caffeine. It is also considered to be one of the healthiest kinds of tea. Precautions Green tea is widely seen as a helpful weight loss tool. But don’t overdo it; it contains about 30 mg of caffeine per cup. (This is compared to about 133 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz cup of coffee). Excess caffeine can cause insomnia, irritability, muscle tremors, nausea, racing heart rates, high blood pressure, risks to cancer and reduced bone density. Pregnant women should not drink too much green tea because caffeine is a diuretic, and can cause dehydration. Conclusion Green tea is widely accepted as a natural weight loss tool. Its advantage over other teas is its efficacy as it has several chemicals that work together to speed the metabolism and rate of fat burning. To work effectively, it must be combined with the right diet and exercise. And it is helpful to overall health in other ways too.
Weight Loss Tips
12/23/11
Shed the Pounds with Top Tips As much as 64% of the United States adult population is considered either overweight or obese. This percentage is defined by the Body Mass Index, which is simply a measure of your weight in proportion to your height. Being overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more. Obesity is defined by a BMI of 30 or more. Athletes sometimes fall into the overweight category even though they have very little body fat. This is because muscle weighs more than fat. For this reason, athletes are advised to use a different measure for obesity, such as body composition tests. However, in general your BMI is a good guideline for your ideal weight. How weight loss works The only way to loose weight is to burn fewer calories than you consume. Sounds simple, but losing weight can be a challenge for anyone! The core principles to any weight loss diet are cutting out saturated and trans fats, switching to unsaturated or monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, eating fruits and veggies, fish, lean meat, and lots of nuts and grains. Many people find it helpful to follow a diet plan so that you know the size and quantities to consume. There is no ‘presto ‘ way to lose weight. It always takes time, patience and determination before anyone sees the results of their weight-loss program, regardless of which it is. Don’t get discouraged! If you eat too much one day, try not to beat yourself up, but simply keep to the program the next day. Whatever program you follow, here are some helpful tips. Weight Loss Tips Drink a glass of water before you start the meal. Water fills the empty space in your stomach so that you feel fuller without actually having to eat as much. Have another glass of water while you are having the meal. If you’re trying to lose weight, lots of water will make your life that much easier. The average body is between 60 -70 percent water. So drinking lots will fill you up without adding extra calories. Try going to bed a little hungry: Try not to let yourself get too hungry during the day because the temptation will be to over-eat to compensate. You’ll probably find that when you finally consume a meal, you eat very quickly which is a sure fire way to pile on the pounds. But if you go to bed slightly hungry, your appetite resets itself overnight. You’ll find the pounds falling off. Use a nonstick frying pan for your cooking so that you do not have to add oil. The golden rule is to try and avoid as much oil as possible. A nonstick pan is an ideal solution. Include in your diet things that contain more water. Foods like tomatoes, watermelons and pickles contain 90 to 95 % water so that there is nothing that you have to lose by gorging on them. A great source of fluids, they fill you up without adding to the pounds. Eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. When you eat fruit, you are taking in a lot of fiber, which is needed by the body, and fills an empty stomach. And juice is often sweetened but fresh fruits have natural sugars. Stay away from sweetened bottle drinks, especially sodas. In diet terms, sweetened drinks, are just flavored sugar water! They may taste great, but they have no nutritional value and are terrible for piling on the pounds. If you do want to drink sodas, stick to diet ones. Chew your food! Often it takes time for the appetite to shut off even when the body is full. You keep eating even though your body has had enough. One easy way to remedy this is to chewing all food about 8 to 12 times. It may be a bit boring, but it really works! Even try it with soft foods like ice creams or yoghurts. Focus on “satisfied” not “full”: Your body rarely needs those last few mouthfuls, but you may find you keep eating because it tastes so good! There is an old Chinese adage that says, “Eat until you are eight-tenths full.” Words of weight loss wisdom from an ancient culture. Weight loss can be emotionally and physically challenging. But no matter what diet and exercise regime you decide to pursue, there are some helpful weight loss tips to cut down those hunger pangs and make sure you don’t over-eat. Remember even if you feel hungry and discouraged don’t give up! Slow and steady wins the race.
