The Benefits of Rice

Considering that more than 3 billion people around the world rely on rice as a main dietary component, it should come as no surprise that rice is a nutritious food source that provides over 15 needed vitamins and minerals. Rice is the second most produced crop after corn in the world.

In addition to the vitamins and minerals, rice is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates. It is these carbohydrates that are good for the body as they are stored n the muscles and provide the human body with energy when it is needed. When compared to other grains, rice contains high quality proteins  which is unusual for high carbohydrate foods. It also contains eight of the essential amino acids: leucine, lysine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanain, theronine, trytophan, and valine. It is these acids that help to build and maintain the tissues in the muscles and also helps to produce enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. The human body can not produce these things without the enzymes naturally.

If the body does not get enough of the essential amino acids, the body will begin to suffer, including the muscles until the amino acids are provided. The body is not able to store extra amino acids as it can with fats and starches, allowing the body to use it as necessary. Instead, the amino acids need to be included in the foods we eat each day.

Different types of rice have different health benefits. In the United States, white rice is the choice for the most consumers. However, many of the nutrients found in rice are lost during processing. Thiamin and niacin as well as iron will be added in again but this process is what is makes rice known as enriched rice. White rice is not a provider of Vitamins A or C and it does not provide calcium. White rice does provide iron but only about half as much as brown rice does. Both white and brown offers vitamin E and choline. Brown rice also offers six times as much thiamine, three times as much riboflavin, five times as much niacin, and twice as much vitamins B6 an K that white rice does. Brown rice also provides the body with important nutrients including magnesium, zinc, and manganese. White rice also offers these nutrients but in much smaller quantities. Brown rice also contains approximately 4 times as much fiber as other types of rice.

Another benefit of rice consumption involves the keeping the bowels healthy. Rice contains a resistant starch, which means it reaches the bowel undigested and helps with the growth of necessary bacterias that keep the bowel healthy.

8 Great Tips For Great Teeth

There are lots of products on the market as well as expensive procedures for getting whiter teeth and a better smile. The majority of these products and services are very expensive and often unnecessary.  Plus, some of the products just do not work. But having a healthy mouth is very important to your overall health at any age. Additionally, a healthy mouth promotes a healthy smile, which can be a large part of a person’s self-esteem.

Instead of blowing a budget on useless items, you can work on your great smile at home by following these simple tips:

Brush Regularly and Well
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day. Take your time and brush properly with the right kind of toothbrush. Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Regularly Floss
It is recommended that you floss your teeth at least once a day, before you go to bed. You help keep plague from building up on your teeth. It also helps to prevent decay from occurring in between your teeth, causing cavities and gum disease.

Dental Visits Are A Must
It is essential that you visit your dentist regularly at least each 6 – 12 months for check ups and cleanings. Good dental hygiene will help you keep your teeth healthy and white and can prevent bad breath.

Don’t Smoke
Smoking is already known to be bad for your health but cigarette smoking can also be a big factor in yellow stained teeth and bad breath. Tar deposits will also cause brown staining of your teeth, taking away from a nice smile.

Watch What You Eat
Avoid sugary foods and drinks and replace them with healthier fresh fruits and vegetables to promote stronger, whiter teeth. Also, monitor what kind of foods you eat including garlic and spicy foods which can cause lingering bad breath. Eating plain sugar-free yogurt can help reduce the amounts of hydrogen sulphide which is a compound of bad breath. Also, reduce intake of coffee, tea, and red wine which can lead to the discoloration of your teeth.

Break Bad Habits
For some people, stress leads to nailing biting that can lead to weak and broken teeth. Find ways to break the bad habits of nail biting to keep your teeth strong and reduce the amount of daily stress in your life. Stress can also result in chronic grinding of the teeth, which can also lead to damage and pain.

Your Healthy Rainbow

Some people still remain confused about which fresh vegetables are good for what part of your health. Interestingly, there is a memorable point of reference you can use to remember what to eat and why for healthier eating. That memorable reference point is a rainbow. Experts have said that in order to determine at a glance whether or not a meal is well balanced, you should look and see how colorful your plate is. The same is true in the rainbow theory. Different colored vegetables and fruits have different benefits for your health.

Here is an overlook at the colors of the rainbow and how they can impact and improve the quality of your own health:

Red
Red fruits and vegetables are rich in lycopene which is an antioxidant that prevents cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Healthy food choices are watermelons, tomatoes, and red grapefruits.

Orange and Yellow
Fruits and veggies that are orange or orangey-yellow in color contain vitamins A, E, and K, folate, potassium, and fiber. They are also a big supplier of vitamin c.

Green
Green fruits and veggies contain a high amount of lutein, which is an antioxidant the prevents heart disease and promotes healthier vision.  Carotenoids are also found in green foods, including beta-carotene. Green fruits also offer vitamin C. Kiwi fruits, avacados, and beans are all good green foods.

Blue/Purple
Purple food such as eggplants, blueberries, cranberries, and red grapes contain anthocyanidins, which help to strengthen capillaries, support capillary walls, and prevent blood clots. It is also a cancer-preventing agent. Purple foods also help promote healthy livers and gallbladders.

Other foods such as beans that come in an assortment of colors are high in fiber and antioxidants. In fact, the darker the bean is, the more antioxidants it has. It isn’t really hard to incorporate more healthy foods into your daily life. Many fruits and veggies can be added to compliment the things you already eat or be blended together for a tasty smoothie treat. The next time you plan out your dinner, aim for a rainbow covered plate to ensure you are eating the foods that will promote good health. Remember when you want a snack, it can be easy to skip the junk food if you have fresh, cut up fruits and veggies already waiting for your in the fridge. Eating healthier can be as simple and tasty as you want it to be.

Back To School Lunches

As summer winds down, parents across the country are thinking about all kinds of kid-related things before sending their child off to school once again. Visions of backpacks, notebooks, school clothing, and other supplies are at the forefront of parental minds but one of the most important factors of a child’s school day is often a last thought effort.

The school lunch has gone a bit techno in recent years. School cafeterias use credit card-like devices to take lunch money and allow parents to check out what their kids are eating each day. Sadly, many parents to not take full advantage of computer network that displays a child’s food choices. Some systems even allow parents to not only monitor their choices but also allows them to block certain food items, like junk foods. Parents who are not looking to see what a child is eating can be assured that on some level the child is not always doing what is preferred in the food arena. Peer pressure at all ages of school children can be hard to resist.

So what can you do to improve the lunch time battle?

Monitor and Discuss
Make a habit of checking out what your child orders for lunch as often as you can. When you seem some choices that are not in the healthy category, ask your child about it. Don’t yell and fuss but rather discuss with them what healthier options might be available instead. Children may not realize what constitutes junk food or understand why it is not the healthiest choice for them.

Make Compromises
Denying a child from all junk food is likely to make the more curious and more sneaky about getting their junk food fix. Be flexible in letting the child make their own decisions and allow a candy bar now and again to take out the curious factor. However, when they do indulge in their sweet treats, encourage them to brush their teeth afterward to prevent cavities.

Eat Right At Home
Parents who eat healthy, nutritious meals at home with your family. Kids who see parents making healthy food choices may be more inclined to do so themselves. Don’t keep too much temptation in the home either. Always have fresh fruits and vegetables available for snacking and after school snacks.

Pack Right
If you prefer to pack your child’s lunch or if your school does not offer lunch programs, you should always remember to plan ahead when selecting groceries. A rushed parent may be more likely to grab quick pre-packaged meals that are not very nutritious. Get a little creative with your packing as well. Little kids will love fruit cut in funny shapes and other inventive ways parents devise to keep brown bag lunches fun. Also the availability of insulated lunch boxes allow for refrigerated items like yogurt and fruits to be sent along for lunch.

Involve the Children
Older school children may not want to be a part of any idea you have but getting your kids involved in creating fun snacks and lunch time foods can help make it less dramatic to train your kids to avoid junk and eat healthier. Teaching kids early any life lesson and then doing it yourself as a parent will help your child to grow up with the right knowledge that may be less influenced by growing peer pressures.

Staying Healthy in College

Sometimes college students have trouble keeping themselves healthy. The “freshman fifteen” is just one of the many health problems that can become prevalent in college students. Many other less obvious problems can become trouble in the future, but there are ways to keep yourself healthy throughout your college experience.

Eating: The first and most obvious step is to avoid junk food. “But pizza is quick and cheap!” Sure, but so are a lot of other things that are a lot healthier for you. Check the grocery store for frozen meals. Some of these meals can cost you only $2.00, but they are much healthier than the pizza you may be tempted to eat. Lean Cuisine even offers a line of individual pizzas that are filling, flavorful, and cheap. Trying alternative foods like this can help you to avoid the freshman 15, and maybe even help you to lose a little extra weight and feel more energy.

Partying: The occasional party is fine, but sometimes the constant partying may be tempting. Choose to go to a party once a month, and do not drink yourself into a stupor. For one thing, alcohol is high in calories and will pack the weight on you extremely fast. Plus, partying all the time will zap your energy and possibly lower your grades. If you treat yourself every once in a while, instead of constantly, you’ll have more fun.

Exercise: It may seem hard to exercise in your small door room, but a few moves are easy to accomplish and can keep you toned in little time. Try hooking your feet under a shelf or your bed and do sit-ups. Also, lay on your side and do leg lifts. If you walk around your campus on top of this, you can feel very healthy and look healthy too.

Sleeping: Don’t stay up late every night, especially during the semester. If you make sure to get rest, you’ll have more energy to do the things that you need to do. You’ll also have the energy to do the things you WANT to do. Without that rest, you’ll slowly deteriorate and lose the energy that you need to survive college.

All in all, a few simple changes can keep you healthy and make your college experience much more enjoyable. Don’t take yourself for granted, and make sure to take your studies seriously too. Your brain is just another part of your health, so your shouldn’t take it for granted either.

When Diet Becomes Obsession

In society it’s looked down upon to weigh certain amounts. Whether you’re too “fat” or too “thin”, it’s easy to feel bad about yourself and feel the need to do something about it. Because of this, certain people may take dieting too far and put themselves in danger. Here are a few ways to get yourself healthy, without overdoing it.

Don’t Over-Manage: It can be easy to get too caught up in counting calories. Don’t focus so much on the actual number of calories, of the specific serving size. It’s okay to have some chips as a snack, but instead of reading the label and saying “Okay, I can have 7…” grab yourself a handful, put them on a napkin, and put the bag away. This way you can enjoy a good amount, keep yourself from eating more than that, but also keep yourself from obsessing over the calories. If you obsess over calories, it will soon become impossible to enjoy food. Instead, you’ll just worry about it.

Exercise: While exercise is great for your body, some people may over-exercise. If you exercise too much, you could make yourself too thin or much worse. Instead of exercising at a high level, try exercising for shorter periods of time. 20 minutes should be enough time to keep your body working, without over exerting yourself. If you feel like this isn’t enough, try exercising at a high level, but for fewer days of the week. If you are a body builder, obviously this isn’t enough. But if you’re just trying to lose a bit of weight, or maintain your weight, this could be right for you.

Weighing: Do NOT weigh yourself constantly. This is a dangerous habit that many people can fall into. Weighing yourself once a day can be bad for some people that are extremely concerned with their weight, but a lot of people can weigh themselves over and over again during the course of a day. If this happens, it can be very easy to fall into some sort of eating disorder. Your weight in the morning is your true weight, and if you check it frequently during the day, you’ll just be confusing yourself.

Don’t feel the need to be stick thin. Having some meat on your bones looks healthier and much more attractive, so try to keep yourself at a healthy weight. If you find yourself falling into bad habits, try to break them. You may save yourself a lot of trouble, and your health.

Organic Beauty Products – Worth the Cost?

Organic products have taken the nation by storm over the past few years. Mineral makeup, natural lotions and creams, organic hair care products; some of them cost a lot more than their synthetic counterparts, but are they worth the extra cost?

Mineral makeup is supposedly great for people with sensitive skin, but this may not be true for everyone. Some people develop rashes or their skin breaks out soon after using their mineral makeup. This does not happen with everyone, but it does happen. While it has not been confirmed with scientific evidence, some research has found that the possible culprit for this is an ingredient found in many types of mineral makeup – Bismuth Oxychloride. If you have ever had an adverse reaction to mineral makeup, this may be why. You should try it once, but if you have any trouble with it, it is not worth the extra money.

Another problem with organic products is that it may be harder to keep organic products from different types of microbial contamination that it would be with synthetic materials. So while organic products are supposed to be healthier than artificial products, if they were to become contaminated they would be much more dangerous.

Dr. Linda M. Katz of the Federal Food and Drug Administration has said, “Consumers should not necessarily assume that an ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ ingredient or product would possess greater inherent safety than another chemically identical version of the same ingredient.” In other words, buying organic doesn’t mean you’ll be any safer or healthier than if you were to buy artificial foods.

While this may be true for organic cosmetic products, buying organic produce may be more beneficial to your health. Produce that is not organic may be sprayed with dangerous pesticides. It can absorb the pesticides, so no matter how much you clean it, they can still have nasty chemicals inside of them. Organic produce is supposed to be sprayed with organic pesticides as opposed to harsh chemicals. This means that you and your family would not be taking the risk of ingesting harsh pesticides. Organic produce is worth the extra cost, especially the thin skinned fruits and vegetables.
When looking into organic products, make sure they are really what you need. Beauty products may not be worth the extra cost, but produce is. Don’t be a sucker for organic gimmicks.

Look Like A Celebrity

While many people adamantly deny giving a hoot about celebrities and the fast paced life they live, the fact remains that the public in general has a love affair with well known celebrities.  Who hasn’t watched a movie or television show and wondered how actors maintain their physique?  What about models?  Do they really look like that in real life or is the image on the cover of your favorite magazine altered to make it seem that way?  Popular sports figures at least have a reasonable explanation for being in shape due to the physical nature of their job.  So how is it that while the rest of the nation is fighting a losing battle with obesity and unhealthy habits, there is an entire community of beautiful, healthy people who achieve their look effortlessly?  You may be surprised to learn the secret that helps celebrities stay in tip top shape and looking good for the camera is within your reach.

What’s The Secret?
Just like the rest of the population, there are some celebrities who really do not have to exercise or diet in order to maintain their figure.  These folks have been blessed with a fat burning metabolism that would make us all green with envy.  The rest of the celebrities, just like you and I, have to work diligently to stay fit and healthy.  As it turns out, the secret to having a body fit for a celebrity is not really a secret after all.  Here’s how you can get the body you have always dreamed of in three easy steps.

Have a plan-  Without a plan or goal, your attempts to turn your body from couch potato to red carpet will likely fail before you work up a sweat.  Celebrities live their entire life in the spotlight.  They are photographed or videotaped going to the grocery store, lounging by the pool or walking their dog.  They are acutely aware of their body image due to the fact their very livelihood often depends on their physical appearance.  Special attention is paid to traditional trouble spots and routines are designed to achieve specific goals such as weight loss, strength, endurance and toning.  You too need to have a goal and a plan to get there.  Start out small, since it can take months or years to undue a lifetime of unhealthy habits.

Have the right tools-  If your bankroll does not match that of a celebrity, you might wonder how you can duplicate the advantages of having a home gym, personal trainer and private chef.  Start by finding a workout buddy who will keep you motivated and accountable when you are tempted to quit.  Buy a gym membership, join a class or sign up for local sports to add both routine and variety to your exercise program.  Go to the library or search online for information about basic dietary needs.  Just because your body is adaptable enough to survive fad diets or other extreme circumstances does not mean you should put it to the test.  By providing the right fuel that your body needs to perform efficiently you increase your chances of success as well as your overall health.  Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regime to ensure you are not doing more harm than good.

Have a reward-  Eating a healthy well balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise has and always will be the secret to getting and staying fit.  Now that the secret is out, you can stop dreaming about having a celebrity body and start working toward your goal.  The benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle are more than just a shapely figure.  Not only will you look better you will feel better too.  Don’t forget to take the time to reward yourself for all your hard work. Go out and buy that new dress, set of weights or mountain bike that you have been secretly admiring.  Or better yet, schedule a professional photo shoot and capture your success on film.

Remember that health and fitness is not measured in pounds or dress sizes.  It is important to recognize when you have reached an ideal weight and accept the fact you may not look exactly like the celebrity you so admire.  That is okay as we are all stars in our way.

Simple Steps to Healthier Skin

People with that take care of their skin are usually thought of as healthier than those that neglect it. This could be because people with more beautiful skin have a healthier glow, or because people that take care of their skin also pay more attention to their health. You may not think you need to put much work into your skin, but by changing a few things in your routine you can look and feel much healthier.

Drink Water: It may seem obvious, but a lot of people think drinking water only helps them to stay hydrated. When you drink water, it can help flush toxins out of your body faster than if you drink soda or other liquids. When these toxins get flushed out, your skin will start to look fresher very quickly. Drinking water will also help your skin stay plump and hydrated. Hydrated skin is healthy skin.

Moisturize:  Some people don’t consider moisturizing an important part of their daily routine. By not moisturizing, your skin may look ashy and dull. By using some kind of lotion every day, your skin will look fresh and vibrant. This will also make your skin easier to maintain later in life, because moisturizing early in life will help to avoid wrinkles and other skin-related problems.

Supplements:  When people think of vitamins and other supplements, they may not think about their skin. But the best way to help your skin is by taking supplements specifically geared towards maintaining your hair and skin. They’ll help to make your hair shinier, and keep your skin clear and smooth. Another type of supplement to take would be fish oil. While it’s great for your hair, it can also help out your skin. Help your skin from the inside, and it will really show on the outside.

Spot Treatments If you do have acne, like a lot of people, the best spot treatment is tea tree oil. If you put a little bit on your pimple, it should dry it up quickly. Be sure to moisturize. Tea tree oil can dry up your skin as well as your acne, but if you moisturize you can save yourself this trouble.

If you take the initiative and work on your skin, you can keep it nice and vibrant for years to come. People with beautiful skin are considered healthy, and healthy people are respected. Plus if you choose to keep your skin healthy, it will thank you later.

Athletic Profile: Cyclist Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong has been competing since his childhood in Plano, TX. His career intentions started to show themselves when at age 13, Armstrong won the Iron Kids Triatholon and when on to turn pro at the age of 16. During his senior year of high school, Armstrong began training in cycling with the US Olympic development team in Colorado Springs, CO. This was the start of his cycling career and in 1989, he qualified for the junior world championships in Moscow and two years later became the US National Amateur Champion before turning professional.

As a pro, he proved himself time and again by winning championship titles and a victory at the Tour de France. He also won a spot on the US Olympic team. By 1996, Armstrong was ranked as the number one cyclist in the world and completed in the Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta. Soon after, he signed on as a member of the French-based Cofidis racing team.

Just as life for Armstrong seemingly could not get much better professionally, health-wise, Armstrong received news that would not only alter his career but his entire life. He began experiencing pain so excruciating that it prevented him from being on his bike. He soon discovered that he had advanced testicular cancer that has already spread to his brain and his lungs. At that time, Armstrong was given less than a 50/50 chance of recovery. While he was scared, Armstrong remained determined and began aggressive chemotherapy. Following the advise of specialists, he began a treatment where he might make a full recovery and less risk of losing his lung capacity. The treatment began to work and as Armstrong began fighting with everything he had, he mentally began to think about racing again.

The fight against his cancer was physically and emotionally draining but the athlete felt the experience was the best thing to happen to him. His changed perspective allowed him to think about more than cycling and his attention was turned to helping the cancer community that had helped him. He founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation shortly after his diagnosis to help other who were also fighting cancer. While his goodwill efforts carried along, Armstrong eventually was given a clean bill of health. His return to racing however wasn’t the smoothest of transitions. He has left his racing team and was unsure of where his career stood. The United States Postal Service ended up signing Armstrong and he in turn, set out with gusto to reprove himself as a leader in the sport of cycling. His professional comeback in 1998 didn’t exactly start out as planned. Early in 1998, during the Paris-Nice race, Armstrong pulled off to the side of the road and quit the race.

Many thought this was the end but Armstrong later admitted he wasn’t ready for a return. Taking some time off, he learned how to live post-cancer and build up the courage to race again. In 1999, after winning a handful of other races, Armstrong wanted one thing – a win at the Tour de France. While many would have considered his ability to race after the battle with cancer was a victory of its own, Armstrong wanted a win – and win he did. In the years to follow, he won 6 more times and awarded nearly every sports honor that exists, including Male Athlete of the Year by several top sporting organizations and media outlets.

Armstrong currently is in retirement. Through his LIVESTRONG foundation with partner Nike, Armstrong continues to support the cancer community as well as encourage and empower others to take control of their lives and their health. The foundation’s website LIVESTRONG.com offers many resources for the public to help promote health, fitness, and healthy lifestyles.

Next Page »