Sunday 30 December 2012

The Many Benefits of Green Tea for Good Health

Do you wonder why a lot of people talk about green tea as an element of their daily life? Do you wish to find out what makes this special drink so popular? Besides being an all-season beverage, green tea has a proven benefits for good health. Due to its immense health benefits, it is widely becoming a favorite drink of masses worldwide. Medical investigations have scientifically proved that  green tea is a rich source of flavonoids and antioxidants. Regular intake of this great drink helps provide the body many useful elements like catechins and provides the body with power to ward off health troubles.

 If you wish to further discover the efficacy of this great drink for your health, have a look at following:
  • Green tea helps to reduce the risk of CANCER. The amount of antioxidants in green tea is 100 times more effective than Vitamin C and nearly 24 times more effective than vitamin E. It thus helps the body protect against the damage to the cells that are linked to cancer.
  • Green tea helps with prevention of STROKE and HEART DISEASE. It helps to lower the level of cholesterol in the body. For those suffering from heart attack, it helps to speed up the recovery and prevents the death of cells.
  • Green tea has natural ingredients that have ANTI-AGING effects. Polyphenols present in the green tea help the body fight against free radicals thus promoting longevity.
  • Many people use green tea for WEIGHT LOSS. It helps to burn off those extra fat pads and boosts the metabolism naturally. It helps you burn as much as 70 calories a day.
  • If you wish to seek a GLOWING SKIN, green tea can help you with that unique glow. Besides this, green tea effectively helps to fight against skin cancer.
  • Intake of green tea is a great way to boost memory which ultimately helps in prevention of ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. 
  • Green tea is a great aid for those who suffer from DIABETES. It helps to prevent the sharp increase in the blood sugar levels.
  • Green tea is good for bones as well and helps in prevention of ARTHRITIS. It blocks the enzyme that has harmful effects on the cartilage.



In addition to the above, if you are a daily green tea drinker, it will help you increase your endurance enabling you to get more stamina for exercise. This ultimately helps you keep yourself fit and enhance the longevity. You can opt from freshly brewed, decaffeinated, and ready-to-drink preparations. Delicious spiced tea is a choice of many. You can add lemon or milk to your cup of green tea for your preferred taste. It can help you get over your nicotine urge. Go ahead, choose a healthier option for better health!!


Images thankfully taken from:
http://www.benefitsofgreen-tea.com/
http://www.mentalweightloss.org/blog/weight-loss-info/green-tea-and-weight-loss/

Thursday 27 December 2012

Easy Vegetarian Soups to Beat the Chill

In a cold winter day, nothing is more comforting than a piping hot bowl of your favorite soup. A soup is one of the most popular comfort foods and comes with wholesome goodness as well. Here are some of the vegetarian soups that are a perfect way to beat the chill and help those who are trying to cut back on the meat in the diet.
  • Cheddar Cauliflower Soup: It comes from one of the easily available ingredients in the kitchen. This healthy soup is cheesy and satisfying. It will not only soothe your hunger pangs but will also delight your taste buds with its rich taste. You can add finely grated cheese and finely dried herbs for that exotic taste. Add it up with your favorite vegetables if you wish to.
  • Vegetarian Tortilla Soup: This soup holds a special place in Mexican recipes.It is a vegetarian version of classic chicken soup but with lots of veggies and no chicken. This yummy recipe is a great option to satisfy your evening and morning hunger. It not only looks great but will give you a creamy and mouth watering appeal.
  • Vegetable and Ravioli Soup: Ravioli is a type of filled pasta which can be easily availed in fresh or frozen form.Simply add ravioli to your favorite vegetables when cooking this soup and this will turn your soup to a main course meal. You can use tortellini instead of ravioli too.Opt for whole grain versions for added advantage.


  • Sweet potatoes and Peanut Soup: Inspired by flavors of west Africa, this soup is a great option for soup lovers. It is a yummy treat for vegetarians. For those who love spicy flavors can pep it up with a finally cut hot green chili. Freshly sprinkled coriander leaves and chopped peanuts are basically used to garnish this soup. Tastes excellent with a mixed green salad.
                                      

  • Wheat Berry and Lentil Soup: This is an easy to make and satisfying soup option. This hearty winter soup tastes great with crusty bread. You can easily freeze this to be served for lunch during the weekdays. You can add roasted vegetables to it for an enhanced taste.



Images thankfully taken from:
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/cream-of-cabbage-soup
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/easy_vegetarian_soup_recipes?slide=4#leaderboardad
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/easy_vegetarian_soup_recipes?slide=5#leaderboardad
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/easy_vegetarian_soup_recipes?slide=6#leaderboardad


Wednesday 26 December 2012

Vegetarian meals don’t suck – Check this out



Research reveals that eating lower on the food chain is an effective way to minimize your personal environmental impact. Gone are the days when vegetarian diets were known only for those who wished to lose weight. Except those baby carrots and rice cakes, there is much more in vegetarian menu to delight the taste buds.

If you have been wondering about trying out vegetarian meals that are actually yum, try these:

Ø  Scrambled Tofu: It is a great breakfast. You just need to have some fresh vegetables and few spices for prepare this yummy treat. It is quite an experimental dish that allows you to put anything that you like. Add chipotle or jalapenos for that Latin twist. It  looks and tastes great.



Ø  Salsa with guac: It comes with the basic ingredient as guacamole. You can add in some organic blue corn chips. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, this dish is yummy and healthy.

Ø  Grilled mixed salad: Easy to make and light on stomach. When lettuce spears, cucumber slices, apple bits, steamed vegetables are topped up with tangy lemon juice and your favorite salad dressing grilled to perfection, you get a delicious recipe by your side.


Ø  Strawberries coated with chocolate: For all those with a sweet tooth, dip your strawberries in molten chocolate for a mouthwatering treat. It not only helps to provide you with the needful nutrition but acts as a great aphrodisiac too.

Ø  Chickpea curry: Popularly known as ‘chana masala’ in India, it is a nicely textured and rich flavored recipe that tastes best with brown rice and hot flatbread (chapattis). No wonder every Indian is in love with this dish.




Ø  Pancakes: Simple recipe that is good for every age group. Besides being 100% vegan, they are too good. They make great evening snacks and can be a healthy option when it comes to your young fussy eaters.


Ø  Spring Rolls: You need not be a vegan to try this but this vegan recipe really rocks! The taste of fried and sauté vegetables in a crispy roll is sure to take your taste buds on adventure. It makes a great snack.




Low Fat Diet Plans - Discover The Benefits

With obesity becoming the universal problem, more and more people are getting inclined towards low fat diet plans. These diet plans are much in vogue as they are based on the low fat intake and high fiber content in the regular diet. A  low fat diet offers an effective solution for those who are looking to get freedom from their undesired fat pockets in different parts of the body including tummy, thighs, arms, buttocks, and neck.

If you too wish to seek benefit from the low fat diet plan, it is imperative to know that the diet alone will not get you anywhere. You need to introduce few changes in your lifestyle and dietary habits to make the most of it. In addition to low fat diet plans, you will need to stress on:


  • Increasing the level of physical activity
  • Pushing clear liquid intake.
  • Cut on the sodium consumption.
  • Decrease the intake of complex carbohydrates
  • Practice portion control
  • Eat fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
A low fat diet is a great way to ward off the cardiac diseases besides helping you come closer to your weight loss targets. However, you need to invest some time looking for the options available in terms of low fat intake. Find the diet plan that is just right for your needs. With regular following of your diet plan, you will soon be able to get freedom from the hassles of excess weight and maintain a fit body.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Are you a vegetarian?

The growing body of evidence reveals that vegetarian diets have plenty of more advantages than the complex fat components of a meat diet. Studies have revealed that a well balanced low fat and high fiber vegetarian diet decreases the incidence of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and many forms of cancers. A vegetarian diet is a healthy option, it may consist of:

Ø  Cereals and grains.
Ø  Seeds, nuts, and legumes.
Ø  Dairy or soy products
Ø  Vegetables and fruits.

In order to stay healthy and free from those extra fat pockets, try being a vegetarian for some time. You can start with couple of meat free days in a week. There are many meat free dishes and healthy salads that are not only nutritious but they help you stay active, alert, and full of energy.