Be sensible! Eat foods that will tip the scales to your favor

Yes, believe it or not, there are many foodstuffs and dishes that can actually help you lose weight. Here are a few:

FRESH VEGGIES AND FRUITS. You can eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits for only a few calories–as opposed to a hamburger, a serving of which can already give you your daily caloric requirement.

SOUPS AND FRESH FRUIT JUICES. Sometimes, some people misconstrue thirst for hunger pangs. Being hydrated is as important in dieting as lower caloric intake. Eating soup for one before every meal can give you that full felling as it has lots of liquid-thus, making you eat less. Fresh fruit juices on the other hand – aside from giving you a full feeling – provide fiber as well.

EAT WHOLE WHEAT, EAT BEANS. Fiber is good and can make you fell full. This is also true in bread – despite its reputation for being crab rich. Whole wheat bread provides one the fiber needed for being full and for digestion. Beans also provide the same service with the added benefit of being a very good protein source.

GOT MILK? DRINK IT? Believe it or not, recent studies indicate that the calcium in milk may actually help inhibit the storage of fat in the body! Indeed, this was observed in people who are already eating a well-balanced and low-fat diet. The calcium also seems to target the midsection. Thus, making a person less fat in that area.

Source: www.lutongbahay.com

Ingredients:

For the fondant icing:
6 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
½ cup water
2 tbsps. light corn syrup
1 tsp. almond extract

For the chocolate cake:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour, sifted
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs

1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
2 tsps. baking soda
1 cup hot coffee
½ cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup cocoa
Chocolate frosting
Readymade cake
Decoration of balloons in various shapes and stars

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Grease and flour a 9″ x 13″ -pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ingredients in order, one at a time.
Mix well at low speed after each addition.
Pour into pan.
Bake in a preheated oven for about 40 minutes.To prepare the fondant icing:

In a saucepan, combine confectioner’s sugar, water and corn syrup.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a temperature of 92ºF.
The mixture should be thin enough to pour but thick enough to coat cake.

To cover the cake:

Frost the cake smoothly with chocolate frosting and place on a cooling rack.
When cool cover with fondant icing.
Start from the center and move out in a circular motion.
Touch up the sides of the cake with a spatula if needed.
Decorate as desired.

Source: www.lutongbahay.com

Carbohydrates may come cheap but they are the chief source of energy. They have an essential functions to perform. They provide most of the energy in the diet and supply an appreciable amount of protein.  About 50-57% of our calories should come from carbohydrates, to supply us with energy to keep us alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic. Root crops that have high starch content include cassava. Cassava has the biggest amount of starch (34% ). Cassava is commonly served as suman or boiled, topped with sugar and grated coconut. It can also be served into a special treat during parties yet economical. Cassava cake is delicious and provides significant amounts of carbohydrates to supply the energy needs of the active child, growing teener, busy housewife and working father. Below is the recipe for special cassava cake:

Ingredients:

• 5 cups cassava, grated
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup powdered whole milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 5 cups coconut milk

Toppings:

• Cheese, grated
• Condensed milk

Procedure:

• Mix thoroughly the first four ingredients.
• Add coconut milk and mix well.
• Pour into a greased baking pan.
• Bake in moderate heat for about 45 minutes or until the top is almost dry.
• Remove from oven.
• Pour condensed milk evenly on top of cassava cake then sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake again until golden brown ot until cheese and milk melt.

Source: May-June 2004 issue Health and Home

Logical consequence is used to teach children what is inappropriate in disciplinary cases where there is no natural consequence or the natural consequence would be too severe. Imposing a logical consequence can teach a child a lifetime lesson. The beauty of using natural and logical consequences is that children can never truthfully shout, “Unfair”. They begin to learn that the discipline fits the act, and that they deserve to suffer the consequences. Here are the guidelines for imposing consequences:

1. Don’t shield your children from consequences that in the long run would be beneficial to them. 

 2. Don’t allow your children to blame others for the predicaments they get themselves into. Neither should you pile blame on your children. It is enough that they are suffering from the consequences of their actions.  

3. If the natural consequence is too harmful, or if there is no immdeiate consequence, impose a logical consequence that is linked to their unacceptable behavior.    

4. Support your children in accepting a consequence as beneficial experience. Help them develop the attitude that a valuable lessoncan be learned from each mistake.   

5. Don’t let your children face major or traumatic consequences without your support. When the consequence is a tough one to bear, stay close, if possible, and let your children know that you care. 

6. Decide in advance what logical consequences you would imppose on your children for the following acts:                                                                                                                                                                      * Breaking a toy through carelessness.   

* Eating a candy bar before lunch. 

* Playing with matches. 

* Scribbling on the wall.  

* Hammering dents in the table.    

* Forgetting to notify you when they will be late.  

* Going some place without permission. 

* Telling a lie. 

* Being disrespectful to an adult.

It is not really easy to think of what consequence you are going to impose to your children but just remember, although it’s not always easy tot hink of a logical consequence, the closer the consequence is to fitting the crime, the more effective it is likely to be. And just don’t forget to pacify them and explained to them that you love and care them that’s why mom doesn’t want a child who is bad so that they will understand your punishment.

Getting older maybe beyond our control but how we age is not. It depends on how handle our day to day activities. I subscribed a news magazine from the internet Total Health Breakthroughs and I would like share this article entitled ” Five Tips for Aging Backward by Jackie Silver“

1. Trick yourself into exercising. I’m one of the lucky ones — I love to exercise. But even I can fall into the “couch potato rut” every now and then. When that happens, I put on my cutest workout outfit and tell myself I’m just going to play along. I’m not really going to exercise. In fact, I’m just going to the gym to check out the buff guys. I’ll take a class or hop on the elliptical machine with the intention of faking it, but five or ten minutes into the workout I find renewed energy I didn’t even know I had and I’m going full speed ahead. Try it!

2. Keep your brain sharp. According to the Mayo Clinic,¹ “The secret to memory improvement may be something you already know is good for you: exercise.” According to researchers, “Exercise can increase your brainpower, help put off normal aging-related memory loss and, perhaps, even prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” That’s powerful stuff.

You’ve also heard that working crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, and other brain teasers can help keep your brain sharp. Here’s one you may not have thought of: memorize numbers. I spend a lot of time in my car, so I like to take the opportunity to train my brain at the red lights.

With the advent of cell phones and PDAs, we don’t have to remember phone numbers the way we did only 10 or 20 years ago. When I get to the red lights, I memorize phone numbers on the billboards. I’m not going to call them — it’s mostly realtors and personal injury attorneys where I drive, but I keep my brain sharp by practicing memorization.

3. Give back for health and longevity. Sir Francis Bacon, philosopher and statesman, said way back in the 1500s, “The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.” Volunteering makes us feel wonderful on the inside and that inner glow radiates to the outside.

Studies show that giving back can have numerous health benefits. The Corporation for National and Community Service released its most recent report on the health benefits of volunteering, which showed that, “States with higher volunteer rates also have better health and that there is a significant statistical relationship between states with higher volunteer rates and lower incidents of mortality and heart disease.”²

4. Ease into better eating habits. The best way to achieve weight loss and optimal health is with a diet rich in protein and healthy fats and consisting of low glycemic carbohydrates. If your eating habits are way off, here’s a way you can ease into changing your diet for the better — start with portion control. Portions in America are way too large and that has been shown to contribute to the obesity epidemic.

A study conducted by nutritional experts³ found that, “The largest excess over USDA standards (700%) occurred in the cookie category, but cooked pasta, muffins, steaks and bagels exceeded USDA standards by 480%, 333%, 224%, and 195%, respectively.”

Instead of “super-sizing,” try “half-sizing.” I knew a girl in high school, Frederica, who lost 50 pounds over the summer break. I asked her how she did it and she told me, “I just ate half of everything I wanted.” It all starts with portion control.

5. Use visualization and keep stress levels low. Can what we think actually affect our bodies? It’s called the “mind/body connection” and according to researchers it can have a real effect on our health. The American Academy of Family Physicians’⁴ web site lists a number of ailments that can be attributed directly to stress, including back pain, chest pain, high blood pressure, insomnia, stiff neck, and shortness of breath, to name a few.

One of my best secrets for keeping my stress level low is to use earplugs. I carry them wherever I go. Not only do they block out stressful surroundings and noise levels, but they also allow me to focus on my breathing, a proven meditation technique.

Experts say it takes 21 to 28 days to form a new habit or break an old one. Try these tips, make them into habits, and you’ll be on your way to recapturing your youth. As I like to say, “It’s never too late or too early to start Aging Backwards.”

Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. According to behaviorism, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental states.

There are two major types of conditioning:

1. Classical conditioning is a technique used in behavioral training in which a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a response. Next, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke the response without the presence of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response.
2. Operant conditioning Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

Source: About.Com: Psychology

             Kendra Van Wagner

by: Lani Misalucha

I never believed in love
I was deceived by love
I never had much luck with lovers before
And I couldn’t compete
I seemed just part of the street
To be walked on by everyone but thenThen, I found a very special love in you
It’s a feeling that’s so totally new
Over and over, it’s burning inside
I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I’m never gonna let go

You’re not like the rest
I know you’re one of the best
You give more than you should and take nothing in return (in return)
Stay always with me
And I always will be
The one person that you can count on always to love you

And I found a very special love in you
It’s a feeling that’s so totally new
Over and over, it’s burning inside
I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I’m never gonna let go
But I…

Found a very special love in you
It’s a feeling that’s so totally new
Over and over, it’s burning inside
I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I’m never gonna let go
(repeat and fade out)

———————-

Happiness is something
we create in our mind,
It’s not something
you search for.

It’s just waking up
and beginning the day.
By counting our blessings
and kneeling to pray.

It’s gives up thoughts
that breed discontent.
And accepting what comes
as a “gift heaven sent”.

It’s giving up wishing
for things we have not,
And making the best of
whatever we’ve got.

It’s knowing that life
is determined for us,
And pursuing our tasks
without fret, fume, or fuss.

For it’s by completing
what God gives us to do,
That we find real
contentment and happiness too.

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