Chocolate Is Incredibly Healthy, If You Eat It Raw

Almost daily in the news we see reports of chocolate’s health benefits. It’s a potent antioxidant, and is chock-full of chemicals and nutrients that have been attributed to making us happy. Yet many of us remain skeptical; eating lots of chocolate doesn’t seem to make us feel better, and in fact can lower energy levels for awhile. So what gives? If chocolate is such a miracle food, shouldn’t we be able to eat it all the time, without guilt and feel great? Well, yes, we can, but the way chocolate is prepared is crucial to unlocking its true potential as a health food. If you’d like to learn how to have a healthy dose of chocolate daily, read on…

Like so many things in our modern world, its the processing of chocolate that makes all the difference. This isn’t just the New Age Hippy types saying this either (as one, the author feels comfortable making this statement). The scientists measuring all the chemicals in our food, telling us which bits are good and which are bad are saying it to. It’s RAW, minimally-processed chocolate that’s the miracle food. Un-roasted, un-cooked plain old powdered chocolate, better known as ‘Cacao’, is far superior in every way for your health. It’s called a ’superfood’ by many, as it’s list of super-good for you super-nutrients is extensive. Note that ‘organic’ does not mean ‘raw’. Even the premium organic hot-chocolate powders found in the high-end health food stores is still roasted and usually processed with alkali (called ‘Dutch Processing’, making it easier to dissolve in water, and destroying most of the antioxidants at the same time). This means that 99% of the chocolate products on the shelves are NOT the superfood you wished they were, but it also points the direction to how to include chocolate in your life on an exceptionally health daily basis. We’ll get to some recipes in a moment, but first a few points to help you remember why raw chocolate is where it’s at.

Energy and stimulation is at the heart of the chocolate experience, but many people are sensitive to chocolate’s effects. There are however, significant differences in the alkaloid structures of raw and roasted chocolate. Raw chocolate’s stimulation comes primarily from theobromine, which has little anxiety producing effects. Studies by natural wellness professionals and user reports both note that while commercially prepared dark chocolate has a very stimulating action that caffeine sensitive individuals may find too strong, an equivalent amount of raw cacao does not. The stimulating effects are reported mild, gentle, and without a ‘crash’ that is often associated with caffeine. A reason for mothers to think about creating their own raw chocolate treats for their children, too. The jury is still out on the actual amount if caffeine in raw chocolate; some investigators have found none, some have found small amounts in the ’skin’ of the cacao beans, and others of found only small amounts in beans that have fermented somewhat (an indication of a lower-quality cacao). Either way, if you’ve refrained from chocolate because of it’s caffeine content, raw cacao may just be your answer to enjoying this treat again.

The really big news about chocolate has been it’s antioxidant profile. Chocolate contains significant amounts of polyphenols — the same important antioxidants found in green tea, red wine and green apples — but in greater amounts. Dark chocolate contains an impressive 5% of these compounds, yet raw chocolate is made up of an incredible 10% concentration of these possibly life-extending molecules. Both roasting and processing with alkali (to make Dutch cocoa) reduce antioxidant concentration. Further, the increased absorbability of powdered raw cacao (perhaps the most versatile form of raw chocolate) over cacao nibs give them an edge in ORAC value, a measure of Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity.

Maybe the most intriguing constituents of chocolate are it’s mood-altering chemicals besides its stimulation. Many users of raw chocolate find and even greater boost than from commercial chocolates. Like caffeine, some of the molecules attributed to mood-enhancement are also heat sensitive. Tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, is present in significant amounts and is known to be broken down by heat (and apparently it’s not the Tryptophan in the turkey dinners that makes one tired, it’s the three servings followed by pie and ice cream!). Other natural constituents are dopamine and precursors to dopamine, one molecule called the ‘love chemical’ and another called the ‘bliss chemical’. Add to these monoamine oxidase inhibitors which actually enhance the activity of all of the above mood brighteners. Finally, there’s lots of easily absorbed magnesium in raw chocolate, a mineral associated with serotonin production (many pharmaceutical antidepressants increase serotonin activity), and the ability to relax. Raw chocolate offers the healthiest and most effective means of adding these happy-making nutrients to your daily diet.

Convinced? Ready for a little raw chocolate power? First its critical to find a good source; make sure the chocolate you’re buying is raw - it’s most often labeled as ‘Cacao’, the name for the raw chocolate beans and the tree on which they grow. Cacao nibs are small pieces of pure raw chocolate that can be eaten straight, or mixed with other healthy snacks like dried fruits. But the best-loved raw chocolate preparation is the original chocolate drink: hot chocolate. Now it won’t be hot enough for long enough to convert any chemicals or to cook the chocolate, just to make it a warm comforting drink - and of course, heating the water isn’t necessary at all (though in recipes calling for Coconut oil, it helps to blend the oil into the drink). So to make a cup, use powdered raw chocolate (grinding the nibs or beans in a coffee grinder can work, though you’ll find this challenging as the natural oils in the chocolate will heat up and liquefy before the grinding is complete, leaving little crunchy bits). Put one or two tablespoons powdered chocolate, one to two teaspoons raw dark agave nectar (a low-glycemic index natural sweetner) and one to two teaspoons of Coconut oil in a blender. Add eight to twelve ounces almost-boiling water and blend for ten seconds. That’s it! You’ll find your personal favorite formula after a few preparations - more or less chocolate, oil, sweetener or water.

There are many, many recipes available online and in books about raw chocolate. Some favorite additions to the drink are Maca, cinnamon, tocopherols (a form of Vitamin E), and for the truly hard core, blue green algae and spirulina. Your own raw chocolate bars are very easy to make, really just by omitting the water and adjusting the oil and sweetener ratios to make a thick chocolate paste. Add some chopped nuts if you like, press into a casserole dish and put it in the refrigerator long enough to make it firm. Experiment; it’s chocolate! You’re supposed to have fun. And with raw chocolate, it might be the most fun you can have eating while positively benefiting your health.

Try Natural Fruit Over Sweets

I’ve just been informed by my boyfriend that he and his mother are going to Weight Watchers, which would be great news if they hadn’t been several times previously and can never follow it through.

Although I had little faith in them I had to show my support, and said that I would get rid of all their cookie, candy and the like. Now I suffer from being underweight so a heap of it went home with me, and I still threw stacks away. No wonder they needed to go to Weight Watchers!

I felt that they needed to discuss what foods they would have in the house so neither felt like they were missing out. My boyfriend was as laid back as ever and said he would have anything, his very picky mother was very agreeable when I suggested fruit!

Fruits are the perfect snack. They can easily be popped in your bag and when you get that mid morning or afternoon yearning for something sweet. Reach for them instead of the bars of food. Junk food is just another way of describing convenience foods, so make your fruit as convenient by always having some with you.

A good tip to make sure that you eat plenty is to keep a bowl in a prominent place near a door so you will always see it on your way out and grab some.

It’s always a worry that food might spoil before you get it eaten. There are two things you can do here; either buy it in smaller quantities or do what I do, always keep in frozen fruit juice and dried and frozen fruits.

So if you want to look and feel great, do as my boyfriend and his mom have done, replace the cupboards full of candy with bowls of fruit.

Ditching your candy for fruit will be tough at first, but you’ll get there. It’s just like breaking any bad habit, except this one will have a great effect on your health.

Besides food, this writer also frequently contributes articles on the rolling laundry cart and garden cart wheels for sale.

What The Supplement Companies Don’t Want You To Know

The majority of Americans take some type of dietary supplement to improve their health. Do you take supplements?

You see, as a nation we spend an absurd amount of money on supplements, to the tune of billions per year.

Unfortunately, a lot of what is sold to the public is under the umbrella of deceptive advertising. We are talking about fake pictures and ridiculous testimonials. Even worse, some supplements are extremely unhealthy.

Thus, without further delay, here are common falsehoods the supplement companies don’t want you to know:

1. They don’t have side effects: Look, just because the supplement companies market their products as natural does NOT mean there are 100% safe. In fact, there are many “natural” substances that are lethal. Also, remember that a lot of supplements are super concentrated concoctions of different ingredients. Thus, at this level, the naturalness tends to fade.

2. Dietary supplements are backed by peer reviewed research: Very few supplements actually undergo the rigors of peer reviewed research. In fact, the majority of research you see in the advertisements are fly-by-night studies performed by the companies themselves.

3. Supplement manufacturers are acting in our best interest: The bottom line is that millions and millions of dollars are spent on advertising to get you to buy. And the reality is that when so much money is involved, things can get a little out of control. Ephedra is a perfect example here. So please do not be swayed by the sexy advertising.

4. Word of mouth is reliable: Word of mouth is definitely convincing, but it should not be taken as the end all be all to a supplements efficacy. You see, the placebo effect is extremely strong. In fact, if you gave a sugar pill to 100 people, 40 would claim a noticeable difference!

I recommend staying on the safe side here. And the best way to do this is to only take supplements that have undergone peer reviewed research. You see, peer reviewed research is the closest we can get to the truth. And with the truth you will be better informed as to what decisions are right for your health.

Author Katherine Crawford, a Harvard fitness expert and former arm fat sufferer, instructs women on how to tone arms quickly. Figure out how to get sexy arms by visiting her blog about shrinking bingo wings now!

Tummy Tuck Liposuction: “Am I A Good Candidate?”

Liposuction, or the removal of unnecessary fats from many various parts of the human body, has reached recognition through the years. It may also be the worst perpetrator for people declining to exercise and control the food they eat. The liposuction procedure actually started in Rome, Italy in 1974. Two American surgeons, Giorgio and Arpad Fischer developed the base for this process.

One of the hottest liposuction procedures to mention is the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Before deciding to go for a tummy tuck liposuction, you need to be aware of its side effects. Its risks in reality involves infection, bleeding, healing problems and reaction to anesthesia. Thus, if you are in good figure but just want to eliminate a few kilos, there may be other non-invasive option for you. You are a good nominee for tummy tuck liposuction if you:

1. Have excess fat in their abdominal area

2. Have unneeded skin in their abdominal area

3. Have laxity of the abdominal skin

4. Have a protruding abdominal area

5. Are not overweight or only somewhat overweight

6. Have not reduced huge amounts of weight

7. Have never been pregnant

8. Are 35 years old and under

Tummy tuck liposuction is best done on a patient with loosed abdominal skin, dispersed stretch marks of weakened muscles in the abdomen. A tummy tuck liposuction gives one a firmer tummy, but results in a very visible mark in the abdomen. Talk with your surgeon as to where you want your scar to be placed.

A tummy tuck liposuction process take between one to five hours, depending upon the severity of the patient’s unnecessary fats. Pain after the process can be strong. Refer to your surgeon as to the advisable ways to minimize the infliction. Speak with your surgeon as to the best means to take care of yourself post-procedure.

Discover where to get the best Tummy Tuck Liposuction and other Plastic Surgery treatments at the most affordable prices.

Natural Appetite Suppression with Fibre

Often, actually almost always health and weight loss specialists recommend including in your diet fibre rich products. Why? Fibre is a natural appetite suppressant aiding in body weight reduction as well as bringing other health benefits such as reduced risk of suffering from bowel related illnesses and even reduced cholesterol levels.

Adverts on TV for example, where cereals rich in fibre are show as a great start of the day and a great energy source for the rest of the day. Breakfast is an important meal and having fibre will help you full for longer as well as will help you be healthier. Making small changes here and there can increase your overall fibre consumption for a greater good.

I must agree that the most common opinion on making changes in our diets is that it’s hard but as I showed little changes matter. Add few more adjustments, change few products you eat and your efforts may result into real and noticeable changes in your body and your overall feel.

Few facts about fibre and why it is so good … It is made up of several carbohydrates and can be either insoluble or soluble. It contains no calories, vitamins or minerals unlike most other foods we consume and therefore passes through your body without being digested. These are reasons why individuals who suffer from constipation are encouraged to eat more fibre.

Don’t think that fibre can be gained from eating meat. Only sources of fibre are plants where it is present in the cell walls. Most common fibre rich products are grain, vegetables and fruits - all highly recommended for inclusion into healthy diet.

Appetite suppression and weight loss is just a fraction of all positive aspects from eating lots of fibre. Reduced risks of bowel and colon cancer, better overall feeling, reduced risk of having haemorrhoids, normal blood sugar levels are few of additional health benefits, of course with one condition, add fibre to your everyday diet.

It’s proven and told many times and by many experts that if you after natural appetite suppressant then fibre rich products is choice number one. Benefits from fibre are far more than just appetite suppression and weight loss.

Looking to find the best deal on natural appetite suppressants, then visit www.natural-appetite-suppressants.co.uk to find the best advice on appetite suppression for you.

Get Your Stomach In Shape For The Summer

People today seem to be more informed about weight and belly fat than they ever were. With recent research confirming that your body shape can be a reliable indicator of health factors such as risk of heart disease, who can blame anyone for wanting to find the fastest way to a flat stomach?

People who watch a lot of television can attest to the daily bombardment of infomercials featuring products that promise to reduce their belly fat and help them achieving a flat stomach practically overnight. These products don’t always work as advertised and do very little to enable you to achieve a flat stomach.

Getting a flat stomach is all about working out effectively and regularly. There is no easy way to reduce belly fat and keep it off without hard work and diligent effort.

Anyone who is interested in the fastest way to a flat stomach should first take a long and hard look at the diet. You need to be able to eliminate saboteurs such as soft drinks, burgers, fries, etc. from your diet. It certainly sounds difficult because it’s more about changing your lifestyle and it’s an important step towards getting a flat stomach. However, getting a flat stomach requires making the right food choices.

Protein rich foods should be the core of your diet. Don’t overemphasize calories counting at this stage since your first step towards eliminating excess body fat is to burn it off by consuming more protein and fewer carbs. You cab eat almost any lean meats along with fish. Don’t avoid vegetables and fruits as they are a good source of healthy vitamins and minerals and a good addition to your diet. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

You should eat a high protein dinner because your body works even when you are sleeping. A high protein dinner will ensure that your body continues to burn fat while you sleep. However, stop eating at least two or three hours before you retire for the evening to give your body a chance to begin processing the food.

You are not exempt from exercising. While it may be true that you might be able to get away without exercising if you don’t have much fat on your body but it will not work for people who have accumulated lots of fat over the years, especially in the stomach area. You can start your exercise routine by doing a few crunches followed by sit-ups that focus on your abdominals. You can then gradually build up to more advanced exercises that focus on various parts of your body. A good diet and a regular routine of aerobic and strength training exercises will be the fastest way to a flat stomach.

Trying to diet is not really enjoyable, when you need to lose belly fat it can be a frustrating time. Finding the right exercises for belly fat removal is imperrative.

Lose After Pregnancy Fat - Fast And Easy Info On How To Lose The Weight

Are you trying to lose fat after pregnancy? Losing fat after pregnancy can seem like it’s almost unattainable. Possibly you are unenthusiastic and beaten down because you have waited this long to begin attempting to lose fat after pregnancy.

Lose Fat After Pregnancy

Are you wondering if it is too late for you to begin your weight loss. The just right time to start losing weight is correct now. Right at the present is the top time for you to get started. Right at the present - not yesterday, not tomorrow.

If you begin losing that weight correct at this instant you will be able to achieve to your goal that much sooner than if you were to put it off even longer. You do not have to worry about thinking, what if I started sooner. Just do whatever you can do to start right now.

Lose Fat After Pregnancy

Yes as you can see the number 1 way to succeed is just to get started. This perhaps will seem like a weird tip to attain but think about it. How countless times do you think about starting out on a weight loss routine? How lots of times does this go through your head - ” I want to achieve this pregnancy fat off!?”

This is the day that you should start to labor to lose fat after pregnancy. You can do this. To achieve started on your weight loss journey all you need to be on your way to get back to being a hot Mama is a good plan - just start today!

Have some faith in yourself and quit putting of your life off until tomorrow. You can begin making big changes today. There is no way that you can be a failure when you attain your plan in action. You are worth the extra effort and time. Get the body that you have always wanted.

Need to get more info on how to Lose Fat After Pregnancy ? Click here : http://www.LosingBabyFat.com for more free info.

Eliminate Flabby Upper Arms Without Exercise!

Could it be possible to lose flabby upper arms without exercising? Yes, because I’ve seen countless women do it.

The secret lies in spontaneous fat loss. This method of losing the flab is the easiest one out there, I promise.

Instead, it focuses on manipulating the tools you eat with (spoons, bowls, glasses), the environment you eat in and the types of foods you eat. And the arm fat melts away without any conscious effort on your part.

So here are 4 awesome tips you should consider so that your flabby upper arms begin to melt away:

1. Buy foods with labels from not-so-cool places. Studies have shown restaurant goers will unconsciously eat up to 500 fewer calories at dinner if they are presented with wine that comes from an undesirable wine-producing area. You have to be creative here, but it’s worth it.

2. Stay away from high glycemic index carbohydrates. It was shown that boys who ate low glycemic index carbs consumed 621 fewer calories in a meal versus boys who ate high glycemic index carbs. Stay away from high glycemic index carbohydrates at all costs.

3. Consume salad before dinner. Have 1.5-3 cups of salad before dinner. Studies have shown that restaurant goers eat 100 fewer calories per meal when given salad beforehand. Be careful with the dressing, though.

4. Avoid saturated fat. But make sure to have unsaturated fat. When given olive oil instead of butter, people ate 200 fewer calories during their meal. In case you were wondering, olive oil is an unsaturated fat and butter is saturated.

With the above steps in mind, you can lose those flabby upper arms without breaking a sweat. There is a body of scientific evidence that backs this up. So make sure to act on this information now!

One more thing: for best results, exercise should be part of the equation. Although you can lose fat without exercise, it will definitely speed up your results.

Writer Katherine Crawford, a Harvard fitness expert and recent arm fat sufferer, teaches women how to tone flabby arms. Unearth how to get sexy and toned arms by exploring her blog about bingo wings now!

How To Get The Best Deals On Infrared Saunas

If you have thought about purchasing an infrared sauna you may wonder how to get the best deal on the model that you want. If you have never heard of these units but are considering installing a sauna in your home you may want to find out a little more about them.

If you have ever sat in a regular sauna you know that different areas of the room are warmer and cooler. This is because they use steam or dry heat to provide indirect heating to the body. An infrared sauna works differently. Instead of one central heating unit they have a number of infrared heaters positioned around the sauna. This provides deep, direct heat to the body and can be a more effective way of raising the body temperature. They are often more easily tolerated by people with breathing problems than a steam sauna may be due to the lack of humidity in the room.

Infrared models are often used by people with joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. People who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis are often interested in using them as well. They find that the direct heat penetrates the affected joints and can reduce pain and stiffness. Even if you are someone who suffers from cold damp weather you may find that an infrared sauna makes you feel much better.

Pain conditions are not the only ones that can benefit from an infrared sauna session. If you are trying to lose weight you may want to try one out as well. This is because they can often help the body burn more calories in a short period of time than it would without being heated. You may find that this is more or less effective than other weight loss methods so you might want to try one out at a gym or spa before you install one in your home.

Whether or not you want one for health or for comfort, an infrared sauna can be easier to install in your home than a regular one could be. Many people do not like the idea of keeping a heat source like a stove going for safety reasons and saunas can take some time to heat up as well. But if you are someone who lives in a very damp or cool climate you may find that a sauna can keep you more comfortable and happy during cold or wet weather.

Finding deals may take a bit of work but you can often save a lot of money. You want to think about what your budget is and only look at models within that price range. This is because infrared saunas can range in price quite a bit depending on the size and number of heating elements they have. You may find that infrared models are less expensive than traditional saunas because they are much easier to install. Beware of do-it-yourself models however unless they are plug in models or you have a lot of experience with home renovations. You may find that a do-it-yourself model ends up costing more in the long run.

If you find a model you like, try surfing the internet to find better prices. You may find that if you are willing to wait until newer models come out, you will be able to find better deals on the model that you like. Make notes about the features you like best and look for the same features in other models. You may find they are less expensive than the name brand model you had in mind.

Saunas can be soothing and invigorating. Spending time baking in the heat can help your joints feel more mobile and less painful. Aches and pains that come from damp weather can be banished by a few short sauna sessions. Spending your money and getting the best model for your budget can be a fantastic way to stay in the best health possible.

As sauna helps one relax, infrared heat therapy helps to remove toxins, allowing one to feel refreshed. Saunas also offer infrared benefits including improving one’s immune system and skin texture.

5 Myths On How To Tone Up Arms

Figuring out how to tone up arms can be hard with all the free and subpar information out there. In fact, I believe that many women are utterly lost when it comes to finding the right approach.

I can tell because of all the emails I receive.

Now before you kick yourself in the butt, understand that it’s not all your fault. You see, clever marketing and the endless promotion of bogus products has created a surplus of faulty information.

So here are some common misconceptions on how to tone up arms:

1. Working out every day is best. I strongly recommend NOT working out every day. This will leave you burned out, unable to get sleep and absolutely dreading the whole process. Your muscles and nervous system need rest in order to progress.

2. One arm is stronger than the other, therefore something is wrong. This is completely normal. In fact, I’ve never worked with a client whose arms were equally strong. The good news is that over time this difference will equalize.

3. I should be able to do 15 repetitions for every set. 15 repetitions is not the magic number to tone up your arms. In fact, you should experiment with much lower repetitions to fully work all your muscle fibers. This will bring you accelerated results.

4. You should never get tired when working out. This is not true. And expect to get extra tired whenever you are breaking a personal best. The only time you should stop is if you start feeling queasy or sick. Otherwise keep on pushing through so that you get maximum benefit from your workouts.

5. If you’re sore a couple days after exercising, something is wrong! This simply means that you had an intense workout-just what you need to do to tone up those arms. And keep in mind that this delayed soreness will decrease as you eat better and your body learns to recover faster.

Please steer clear of all the marketing hype out there. Stick to unbiased sources of information and learning how to tone up arms will be that much easier. Only then will you get the sexy arms of your dreams!

About the author: Sought after writer, Katherine Crawford M.S., a Harvard fitness physiologist and former arm fat casualty, teaches women how to lose arm fat. Figure out how to get sexy arms by exploring her blog about arm fat right now!

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