I used to think the best diet food is low fat and calories reduced. However, its not always true! The best diet food that is healthy, can fight disease and will slim you down is: Nuts! Nuts are fatty, but they keep you full, plus the extra protein they contain will revs up metabolism. Recent studies found that people who ate nuts on a daily base lost 39 percent more weight than those who didn’t , even though their calorie intake was the same! On top of that amazing weight loss fact, keep in mind that nuts can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and- cancer!!!  now, that a reason to go nuts, don’t you think ???!!!

Now, since you can`t find it on the shelf of most of your local grocers, I would check thier website first, for a store locator : http://www.thirdperspective.com/bpb/storeLocator.html 

Enjoy!

1. What do I drink when I`m thirsty?

2. Do I normally eat in front of the TV or computer?

3. How often do I eat out?

4. How fast do I eat?

5. Do I always finish my entire meal?

6. How many times do I eat during the day?

The answers to these questions could be very, however each one of us should be as closer as possible to these answers:

We should drink lots of water, whether thirsty or not, or at least drink what is based on water, like green tea or lightly flavored vitemins water. When it comes to where we eat, around the table is your best choice since otherwise we tend to be distracted and eat more then we should. When we eat out, it makes it harder to watch our weight and healthy eating since most restaurant food has extra portion, calories and fat. Try to cook at home more often, eat slowly and listen to your body. You would know when you full and should stop eating. Even if there is still food on your plate! yes my friend, you can save it for later and continue eating once hungry again! This is how you keep your stomach and therefore your metabolism working by eating small meals several times a day.

Good Luck!!!

The 34 year-old beautiful, talented actress manages to be both sexy and playful, with a constant reign on maintaining a youthful spirit. Diaz acne prone skin has made many a headline in the realm of Hollywood beauty, and apparently WATER IS HER BEST BEAUTY SECRET! She says she drinks plenty of water to help keep her acne at bay, and to make her skin look hydrated, refreshed and youthful. Drink Water my friends!

The health benefits of drinking water for your skin, and your body, are numerous. Water comprises approximately 60% of your body and since the skin is intricately tied to the overall health of your body, whenever your body is properly hydrated, you’ll look better and feel better!

All peppers are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, but Red Peppers are simply bursting with them plus considered to be a great source of Vitamin B6. This very nutritious vegetable and the antioxidants it contain help preventing cell damage, cancer, and diseases related to aging. Further more, Red Pepper support the immune function, can reduce inflammation like that found in arthritis and asthma, promotes proper blood clotting and strengthens bones.

With all of these great health benefits and nutrition values, I love cooking this Moroccan-style healthy veggie meal since satisfy as steak and tasteful as a gourmet dish:  With 302 calories, 9 grams of protein,  8 grams of fat and 4 grams of fibre per serving, you cannot go wrong with this MUST TRY RECIPE !!!

Couscous-Stuffed Red Pepper W/Yogurt:

Ingrediants:

85 grams of whole wheat Couscous
2 tbsp Raisins
50 ml hot vegetable stock
1 tsp clear honey
1 large lemon- squeez for juice
2 garlic cloves
small bunch flat-leaf parsley
150 ml tub non-fat natural yogurt
2 tomatoes , roughly chopped
2 red peppers , halved, cores removed
1 tbsp olive oil

How to make:

• Pre-heat oven to 400* degrees.

• Place couscous and raisins in a heatproof bowl. Stir stock, honey and lemon juice, then pour over the couscous. Cover and leave to absorb for 5 mins.

• Place the lemon zest, garlic and parsley in a mini food processor and whizz until everything is well chopped.

• Stir 1 tbsp of this mixture into the yogurt, then set aside. Stir the remaining mixture into the couscous with the tomatoes and some seasoning.

• Spoon the couscous mixture into each pepper half, then sit them in a small roasting tin. Drizzle with oil, then bake for 40 mins until peppers are tender.

• Serve with the yogurt and a simple green salad on the side, and- ENJOY!!! 

Lets face it- There are many myths regarding bad affects or certain risks when it comes to using Birth Control Pills. While there are more then hundred milion women around the world who take birth control pills we should all be aware that as any other pill there are possible sides affect, however- they are very rare. On the other hand, there are many health and beauty benefits that contradict most myths.

These are several Health & Beauty facts regarding the use of Birth Control Pills you might wanna be aware of:

• Birth Control Pills DO NOT make you FAT. Especially with today`s low level hormones pills.

• The overall use of Birth Control Pills significantly reduce the risk of many types of cancers.

• Birth Control Pills help control not only birth but have a great beauty care benefit while controlling ACNE, in all ages. The effect is powerful and recommended by many dermatologists regardless the need of birth control matters.

• Using Birth Control Pills DOES NOT effect or reduce the chances of conceiving furute wise. The other way around- Birth Control Pills can actually protect the uterus.

• As long as you are a non smoker, and your blood pressure is balanced, even if you`re over 35, you should not have any concern taking Birth Control Pills.

• While taking as prescribe, every day at the same time, Birth Control Pills are %99.7 effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy.

• Many recent researches have proven there is no risk in continuously taking more then 21 pills at a cycle while skipping 1 or two periods. More then that- it is recommended for women who normally suffer from heavy bleeding, pain or migraines during their monthly period.

• There is no phisical need “cleaning” your system after a long use of Birth Control Pills, taking a break from its use after certain period of time and is considered as an unnecessary act.   

Supermarkets shelves are loaded with products claiming to contain 0 trans fat.  However, what many of us are not aware of is that this “zero” on labels isn’t necessarily a REAL Zero! Since according to the FDA trans fat labeling rulesand guideline, products may contain up to 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving in order to be claimed as “Zero” trans fat on their label. Companies are simply taking advantage of these regulations which results in deceiving us, the consumers!

Before you purchase your next box of crackers, cookies or any other product with a “zero trans fat” or “trans fat free” labels, take a look at the ingredients list. Be aware that labels don’t always tell the full story and try to pay attention to the nutrition facts which are normally located at the back of the product, in smaller fonts. That would tell you if the “Zero” is a real non-fat or maybe it is 0.3 or 0.4 grams of trans fat!  The reason this is so important is since the recommended daily limit of trans fat we should consume is 2 grams only! (about %1 of the daily calories, based on an 2,000 calorie diet). Just one of these so-called “zero grams trans fat” servings at each meal could easily adds up, therefore- Awareness please!!!       

Admitting I am totally addicted tvito French Fries, I must say it was kinda hard reducing the amount I used to eat ever since keeping a healthy weight watchers lifestyle and dieting routing. However, I have recently discovered there is a much healthier and even tastier way to enjoy the sense of eating fries! since I love sweets, I really enjoy the flavor you get from Sweet Potatoes. More then that- they are so nutritious, which makes it a smart, healthy choice to make! Sweet Potatoes contain many health benefits such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Both are powerful antioxidants, which may help prevent cancer, and not only they taste like a dessert they are considered very good food for diabetics since help in stabilize blood sugar levels. In addition, Sweet Potatoes are rich in minerals like Calcium, Iron and Potassium. Be sure to add these wonderful naturally sweet vegetables to your meals throughout the year! and not only as fries, since they are some of the most nutritious vegetables around!

Check these nutrition facts for these baked, throw into the oven for 20 min Sweet Potatos Fries, from Trader Joe`s , my favorit brand:  Only 190 calories, 9 grams of fat and 26 grams of carbs and 0 cholesterol!!!  SWEET!!!

Amazing how a supermodel can be so deep and proves to know nutrition, yoga and inner peace knowledge. According to a latest interview, the 26 years old Miranda Kerr has been working on a book over the past few years, `Treasure Yourself`, which is a motivational self-help book to encourage young women and girls to respect their own beauty and feel confident in themselves. Miranda has an incredible busy modeling career especially with `Victoria Secret` and she somehow manages to be one of the most grounded girls in the fashion and modeling business. She credits her inner calm to YOGA and MEDITATION, which have shown to improve heart health, lower bad cholesterol, cut stress, reduce migraines, bolster the immunity, lessen depression and fight pain symptoms.

Kerr has studied Yoga for more than 10 years and she even studied health and nutrition for 18 months at the Academy of Natural Living in Cairns, Australia. She simple has that awareness! “Yoga is so important to me“, said Miranda. “I’ve been doing it for a long time now and I’ve taken it to a fairly serious level. Through yoga, I became interested in meditation and positive affirmations!” Nice!

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from many diseases, illnesses and early aging of the skin is to eat right and keep a healthy diet. It is the best natural powerful defense against cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke. Whether or not you have a family history of those diseases, what you eat and how much you eat can help reduce the risk.

What does Eating Right mean?!
Making healthy, smart choices whenever it comes to foods, on a daily base. Whether you`re eating inside or outside, gourmet food, or fast food- with today`s variety of ingredients and products, there are always better, smarter choices you can make:

• Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day!

• Choose whole grains over processed (refined) grains and sugars

• Substitute healthier fats for not-so-healthy fats

• Beware of portion distortion, and help trim down the number of calories you eat.

• Substituting lower calorie and lower fat foods for higher in calories and fats foods to help maintain a healthy diet and weight.

OATS:
Oatmeal or oats crackers have the highest satiety ranking of any food. Unlike many other carbohydrates, oats digest slowly, so they have little impact on your blood sugar, making them the most filling choice.

EGG WHITES:
Dig in to eggs whites. They won’t harm your heart, but they can help you trim inches. A recent study from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge reported egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day!

ORGANIC STEAK:
The protein in beef helps you retain muscle mass during weight loss, and since regular beef has reputation, the organic choice would be healthier! The best way to eat beef while dieting is grill or broil top round or sirloin kind, sliced thinly and combined with mix of veggies.

WHOLE GRAIN:
Read the full story about why whole grain is better for your diet:

Don’t you just love chewing cookies plus actually eating right and fresh at the same time?! Another helpful diet secret of mine, or if I may say- a great sweet tooth saver, is keeping a box of Whole Grain baked Figs Newtons Cookies in hand. 2-3 cookies aside my afternoon cup of coffee are healthy, delightful choice for my in between meals craving. Contain only 2 grams of fat , 21 grams of carbs and 110 calories per servings, I cannot resist the real figs fill. Seriously- one of the bests tasty, healthy, real fruits and cookies combination I have ever had! A must try product for any weight watchers, dieting lifestyle or simply healthy living smart choices makers. 

Discover more about the health benefits of figs:

Discover more about Whole Grain health benefits:

Healthy diets almost always contain fish, which have fewer calories and higher nutrition values than other meat sources. It’s also one of nature’s most versatile foods – can be steamed, baked, fried or poached and even great as raw, in the form of sashimi.
Many health institutes recommend eating up to two portions of fish a week, based on several different studies. Eating fish could lowers the risk of death from heart disease by 36 per cent, thanks to the oils in fish, that appear to reduce stickiness of blood, therefore can prevent it from clotting. Fish also contains selenium which thought to have cancer-fighting properties plus omega-3 fatty acids which are believed to raise levels of the brain chemical- Serotonin, which aids in reducing depression. Omega 3 regulate the body’s inflammation cycle as well, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis and cystitis.

One of the benefits I like the most, from eating fish, is its ability of reducing signs of age! Some dermatologists say that a fish rich diet acts like a facial smoothing-out age lines.
 

Recommended fish: Salmon, Trout, Sardines and Tuna:

Try some of my favorite healthy recipes, taken from MyRecipes.com:

Baked Salmon With Dill Herb:

 
Tuna with Ginger Cream:

Trout with Brown Butter and Pecans:

Sardine and Potato with Romesco Sauce:

There are many myths regarding coffee beans and drinking coffee habits. However, recent Japanese reserches found that having a cup of coffee a few times a week, thanks to the Antioxidants coffee contain, may lower not only the risk of mouth AND throat cancers by up to %50 percent, but link coffee to lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancers as well! 

Now, since caffeine raises blood pressure, if you enjoy drinking a lot of coffee, you may wanna choose decaf. It has the same healthy benefits as regular coffee.

What can I say, it makes me feel much better now, recommending drinking coffee with my favorite low fat soy based creamer:

Coffee Mate makes drinking coffee more “sophisticated”! It is a great healthy choice for your healthy lifestyle, and there are so many different flavours to choose from so then you never get board with the same old taste! This product works great for someone like my mom, which is lactose intolerant lack enough of an enzyme called lactate, and aren’t able to completely digest the natural sugar found in milk which calls lactose. All COFFEE-MATE coffee whiteners are lactose free, low fat and low calories, with few sugar-free versions available as well, which makes adding only 2 spoons of it to your cup of coffee makes it unnecessary to add any kind of sugar or other sweetener!
I like several flavors coffee-mate offers and it is very much fun finding new flavour on the market shelves every time I shop for groceries! I like the `Irish Cream` the most…

Some food can benefits our skin in different levels. However, these following ones are at the top list, and are highly recommended if you wish to keep your natural beauty skin as healthy and glowing as possible, before even applying any type of facial creams or anti-aging products. It is simple-  Stay healthy and look great at the same time! Eat more of these foods:

• Wild Salmon: A prime source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce skin inflammation and prevent redness, wrinkles and future sagging

• Yogurt: (and make sure it is a low-fat one, of course) gives bone boosting and more calcium then a glass of skin milk.

• Oysters: Yes, ladies and gentlemens, Oysters are a top source of Zing, which helps build collagen and speed up skin renewal and repair.

• Blueberries: from my Antioxidants  list, blueberries are full of them, and can prevent long term cell damage.

• Kiwifruit: One of my favorite fruits. It is rich in potassium as banana, however add its plenty of vitamin C and you promote glowing, wrinkle free skin! Luv this one!

• Sweet Potatoes: full with Beta-carotene, which helps smooth the skin.

•  Tomatoes: are major source of lycopene, combined with their anitioxidants can protect against sunburn.

• Walnuts: rich with omega 3 and help fight against skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema.

• Dark Chocolate: last but not least, great news for the chocolate lovers: it is full with antioxidants and nutrients cocoa, which helps boost hydration, smoothness and protection against sun exposure.  (choose chocolates with %60 percent cocoa). 

One of the healthier, lighter and low in calories breakfast I can recommend is a simple, yet perfect combination of Bananas, Peanuts, Whole Wheat bread and Skin Milk. With this nutritious concept of natural healthy carbohydrates, potassium, protein and fiber you would feel not only full, but keep your blood sugar steady so then you would gain an all day energy!

Try this healthy, high in nutrition -

Banana-Peanut butter Sandwich: 

Add a small cup of skin milk and get your ALL DAY ENERGY breakfast, with only 450 calories, 9 grams of fat, 25 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber !

Ingredients:
1 tablespoons reduce fat peanut butter
1/2 Banana, sliced 
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted

ENJOY!

 

You may find this surprising,  however, eating dark chocolate holds several Health Benefits AND Beauty Secrets :

A 12 weeks German study, which examined women who downed a cocoa-rich drink daily (equivalent of 3.5 ounces of Dark Chocolate), shows they experienced less dryness. Their skin had better blood flow which pinks the cheeks, and was even more resistant to Sun Damage, thanks to the Antioxidants! WOW… 

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries!), help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, balance certain hormones in the body and even helps reduce the risk of diabetes.

I guess now we can stop feeling bad about eating Chocolate! (As long as it is DARK…)

Ever wondered why smiling, laughing, happy people always look prettier?  There is a simple proven secret for that:  There are many health benefits of laughing, and our sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools we have to make certain that our daily mood and emotional state support good health.

Look how many benefits you can gain from a simple LAUGH:

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy, enhancing relationships and supporting both physical and emotional health. In addition to the domino effect of joy and amusement, laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. With so much power to heal and renew, I recommend looking for several daily positions which can make you laugh, in order to improve your lifestyle and health!

In this post, I will explain how to choose the best oil for each purpose, keeping in mind flavor, health benefits, and cooking secrets.

A little about OILS :

Oils are mostly liquid at room temperature. They come from plants such as seeds like Grape or Sun-flower, fruits like Olives, nuts like Peanuts and legumes like Soybeans. Oils are %100 percent fat, however their fat is made up of various pro-portions of few fatty acids:

• The “GOOD” Fats: Poly-unsaturated and Mono-unsaturated. Those can help improve blood cholesterol profiles, ease arterial inflammation and stabilize heart rhythms, which result in a healthier cardiovascular system. 

• And, the “BAD” Fat: Saturated, which can elevate harmful cholesterol. Another “bad” fat in oils is: Trans fat, which is created by manufactures by altering the chemical structure of oil in order to increase its shelf life.

An Ideal all purpose oil will be, of course- low in Trans fat and Saturated fat and high in Mono/Poly-saturated fat. In addition, look for a “Cold-Pressed” processed since it means- preserving antioxidants and vitamins, therefore worth the extra cost.

It is very important knowing what is the Smoke Point of each oil you consume since the smoke point is the temperature at which oil burns, becomes health-risky and can easily start a fire. That is the main reason why certain oils are better for high heat cooking then other.

A number of factors can impact the smoke point of any fat: presence of sodium, number of times oil is used, length of time oil is heated or storage of oil (exposure to oxygen, light, temperature). Fats that have gone past their smoke points contain a large quantity of free radicals which contribute to risk of cancer.

Oils such as: extra virgin Olive, Peanut, Grapseeds and Seseme have mid-low Smoke-Point at approximately 320F / 160C degrees, therefore recommended for dressing, low-heat cooking or beauty products. However, oils like Canola and Sunflower or Soybean can be used for high-temperature cooking as deep-frying. 

Olive Oil

Canola Oil

 

Blueberries are one of the most nutritious and powerful fruit in the world. It has been proven to have certain health benefits such as help regulate blood sugar levels- Important for those who want to slow down their aging process and preventing diabetes, reduce obesity, wrinkles and a host of degenerative diseases. Blueberries are chock-full of antioxidants as well, because of their dark color (most foods with dark colors in them have some of these really protecting antioxidant chemicals.

Click here to learn more about Blueberries: 

Blueberries: Natural Beauty

This herb is a considerable medicinal value as stimulant and carminative stomachic properties.  Is herbal benefits are great treatments to ailments and problems such as colitis and gas, healing of the skin and controlling of infections.

 The freshly cut leaves can be chopped up and used to enhance the flavour of salads and fish dishes, since its tangy spice blends with all of these healthy values!  

Here are some of my favorite supper easy- making, low-calories weight watcher`s salad recipes with Fresh Dill:

Corn & Mushrooms Mediterranean Salad:

Ingredients:     (4-6 servings)

2 cups sweet corn kernels

1 small red pepper, seeded and chopped

1 large chopped pickle

1 small canned sliced mushrooms, drained

2 table spoons chopped Dill`s leaves

2 table spoons low-fat mayonnaise

 Salt and Pepper as desired    

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and- ENJOY!  Only 120 calories and 3 grams of fat per servings!

Delicious Albacore Tuna Salad:

 Ingredients:     (4-6 servings)

1 large canned Albacore Tuna in water, drained and squashed.

 1 large chopped pickle

2 Celery sticks, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 table spoons chopped Dill`s leaves

2 table spoons low-fat Mayonnaise

1/2 Iceberg lettuce- chopped large

 Salt and Pepper as desired    

Preparation:

In a medium bowl, Mix all ingredients except lettuce. Place lettuce in a larger bowl and  top with the tuna mix.      

ENJOY!    Only 115 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per servings!

Light Cucumber Salad:

  Ingredients:     (4-6 servings)

2 large House Cucumbers or 6 medium Persian Cucumbers (recommended), sliced thin.

1 medium red onion, peeled, halved and sliced very thin

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 table spoons capers

1 single pack Splenda sweetener  

Salt, Paper as desired    

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and- ENJOY!  Only 45 calories and 1 grams of fat per servings!