5 Places That Are Full Of Germs

You may be the type of person who is very health conscious. You eat right, exercise, have quit smoking or never started and do all you can to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But do you know and are you careful about the 5 places that are full of germs?

There are common things that can make you and your family sick. Here are the top five places that are full of germs, and information on what you can do to keep those little pests at bay.

Clean Up Your Act:

1) Your toothbrush. The germ filled reality is that every time you flush the toilet, your toothbrush can get sprayed with bacteria. Experts say the average toilet bowl contains 3.2 million germs per square inch, and when you flush, these germs fly up to six feet.

How to fix it: Store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, or keep it in the medicine cabinet.

2) Your kitchen sponge. Lots of studies have shown that a sponge is one of the most germ filled objects in the house and can be home to billions of bacteria. These bacteria could even be staphylococcus or salmonella, which can cause you or your family to get very ill.

How to fix it: An article published in The Journal of Environmental Health states that dampening your sponge with water and then putting it in the microwave for two minutes will help kill the germs. Some experts say that it's better to rinse sponges with soap and water and let them dry out between uses. Either way, it's important that sponges be replaced every few weeks in order to prevent excessive bacteria buildup. As well, there are lots of ‘use and discard’ products on the market.

3) Your purse. Researchers at Nelson Laboratories say that women's purses can carry a host of nasty little germs including salmonella and E. coli. These little germs can cause gastrointestinal and eye problems. As well, researchers found trace fecal contamination on the majority of purses tested. Gross….but true

How to fix it: Don’t your purse on the floor of a train, bus, car, or public restroom. Also, wipe it down with antibacterial wipes at the end of each day. If your purse is washable, toss it in the washing machine every couple of weeks on a gentle cycle.

4) Your office desk. A study at U of A study showed that the average office desk contains 20,961 germs per square inch. The worst desktop germ holders? Phones, computer keyboards, and mousse. All of which can serve as a breeding ground for germs and the viruses that cause colds and flu.

How to fix it: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), you can cut down on these germs by wiping down the desk with disinfectant and not eating at your desk.

5) Your makeup. You might think that tube of lipstick is beautiful, but there may be more to your makeup than making you look good. Cosmetics and the applicators act like sponges. They harbor tons of germs, which could lead to eye and skin infections.

How to fix it: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends replacing powders and eye shadows every two years, foundation and lipstick every year, and mascara every three months. Applicators should also be washed regularly with soap and water.

Do You Need Colostrum

Colostrum is the name given to milk produced immediately after birth. In cows is it is referred to as bovine colostrum, which cam be beneficial to children and adults alike.

Bovine colostrum contains components such as immunoglobulins, antibodies, proline-rich polepeptyde, lactoferrin and glycoproteins, which are very important in fighting viruses in the human body.

There are over 90 components in bovine colostrum, which are divided into two classes, immune factors and growth factors. These two factors contribute largely in maintaining health, making bovine colostrum a buzz word for a growing number of people.

Bovine colostrum is said to rejuvenate your brain, assist generation or improvement of aged muscles, burn fat, assist the internal regulation of blood glucose levels, and repair the body's DNA and RNA. Also, the vitamins and minerals present in bovine colostrum act as coenzymes, which maintain the chemical process in the body.

There is a misconception that only children can benefit from colostrum. Actually, as we age, we stop producing immune and growth factors that help us fight diseases, so there may be a need for colostrum in adults.

Colostrum is a natural food having no side effects and can help the body to utilize the proteins and vitamins obtained from foods.

Bovine colostrum is said to be right for people of every age. However, consult your physician before taking colostrum.

Does Food Lose Nutrients Over Time

The answer to this question depends on the type of food.

One example is a drink product that claims to have Vitamin C in it. The manufacturer of this drink has to put an extra amount of that vitamin in the product because some of the vitamins will deteriorate over a period of time. This depends on the temperature of the storage of the product. The higher the temperature or the longer the storage time, the more of the vitamin will end up deteriorating.

Vitamin C happens to be one of the most sensitive vitamins. If the product is to contain 100% of vitamin C at the end of the shelf life, then the manufacturer may have to put in 200% to begin with because they know that 2 years later it will have lost half of its value.

Fats can also oxidize. If you have ever had a bag of cake flour on your shelf in your kitchen and two or three years later it is full of weevils and you smell it and it has an awful smell, it is usually because the fat that is present in the flour has oxidized.

The moral of the story, it is always best to use your food in a timely manner and check expiration dates to make sure to get the most nutritional value from it.

Tasty Ways To Fight Against Coronary Artery Disease

More and more people are joining the growing trend of eating reduced fat meals to fight coronary artery disease. You see when fat deposits line the wall of arteries; it can lead to some serious complications, one of which is coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease can be debilitating and lead to heart attack or the need for intervention such as having stents placed or having bypass surgery.

By eating heart healthy one may lower the risk of coronary artery disease.

Check out this tasty, low in fat recipe.

ROCKPORT FISH CHOWDER

2 Tbsp olive oil

3/4 cup coarsely chopped onion

1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery

1 cup sliced carrots

2 cups potatoes, raw, peeled and cubed

1/4 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp paprika

2 cups bottled clam juice

8 whole peppercorns

1 bay leaf

1 lb fresh or frozen (thawed) cod or haddock fillets, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1/4 cup flour

3 cups low-fat (1%) milk

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and celery and sauté about 3 minutes.

2. Add carrots, potatoes, thyme, paprika, and clam broth. Put peppercorns and bay leaves in cheese cloth. Add to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Add fish and simmer an additional 15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily and is opaque.

4. Remove fish and vegetables; break fish into chunks. Bring broth to a boil and continue boiling until volume is reduced to 1 cup. Remove bay leaves and peppercorns.

5. Shake flour and 1/2 cup low-fat (1%) milk in a container with a tight-fitting lid until smooth. Add to broth in saucepan with remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and is thickened.

6. Return vegetables and fish chunks to stock and heat thoroughly. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Serving Size: 1 cup and contains the following:

Calories: 186
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 34 mg
Sodium: 302 mg

The Facts About Spirulina

Spirulina is a green micro alga. They are microscopic plants which grow in fresh water. They are green due to chlorophyll.

It is sold in the form of powder and can be found also in veggie capsules.

Spirulina is an amazing food. And it is a food, not a medicine. It contains a lot of protein, three times more protein by weight than beef. This protein is more digestible than beef, so you take in more of it into your system and Spirulina contains complete protein, all eight essential amino acids.

As well, it contains vitamin B12, and being a plant it’s a vegetarian source.

It contains the second highest amount of the essential fatty acid, GLA, available. The most GLA available is found in human breast milk. GLA enhances the immune system.

Spirulina also contains chlorophyll and beta-carotene, both powerful antioxidants. They help support your immune system and may have anti-cancer effects. Spirulina is also an excellent source of calcium. And of course, they are full of photochemicals.

You may want to give Spirulina a try. You may find that it will improve your health and support your efforts at healthy living. However, before adding something like Spirulina to your diet, talk to your doctor first.

Can You Eat Cookies And Lose Weight

Believe it or not there is a diet called the cookie diet. This particular diet lets you have one meal only per day: dinner. The meal is made of 6 ounces of chicken, turkey, fish or seafood and one cup of vegetables.

The cookie diet frowns on red meats because of the fat content. The only other food on the diet is six ‘special’ cookies per day. The cookies come from the diet creators own bakery are only available to his patients.

The cookies on the cookie diet are not breakfast or lunch , but to be used when one is hungry. Along with the whopping 800 calories allowed per day, dieters should also have eight glasses of liquid a day, which includes coffee and tea.

Most professionals agree that 800 calories a day is too low and that the cookie diet lacks nutrition.

The cookie diet is just another fad diet that sounds good because of the cookie gimmick. I am a cookie lover but not at the expense of starving the rest of the day and I’m not sure if 800 calories would give me enough energy to pick up one of the cookies…..

Lose 20 Pounds Fast With the Beyonce Diet

Beyonce at the premier of Dreamgirls.

Beyonce Knowles needed to lose 20 pounds in a short period of time when she was shooting the movie Dream Girls. She used what is now being called the ‘Beyonce Diet’.

The correct name of the diet that Beyonce used is the ‘Master Cleanser’ diet which is a liquid diet that is said to clean cells, detoxify and stimulate the growth of new tissue. Other names for the ‘Beyonce Diet’ are the ‘Master Cleanser Lemonade Fast,’ the ‘Lemonade Diet,’ or the ‘Lemonade Fast’.

The ‘Beyonce Diet’ version has been said to have included vegetables during the 2 weeks that she was trying to drop some pounds. However the original ‘Master Cleanser’ diet only includes a mixture of fresh lime or lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper mixed into water.

This is to be taken 6 - 12 times a day as well as taking an herbal laxative tea 2 times a day and nothing else. This sounds to me like one would have to spend 2 weeks in bed due to weakness and close to the bathroom.

The Beyonce Diet is said to be safe for 10 days and longer dependent upon ones health. This may be safe for the individual but you may want to tell everyone else to stay away because I’m sure you will be hungry and not in a great mood. If you are pregnant or nursing, stay away from this diet.

Anyone who is considering such a drastic dietary change should seek the advice of a health care professional first.

How To Get Relief With A Fibromyalgia Diet

Anyone who suffers with fibromyalgia is overwhelmed by a variety of symptoms. Fibromyalgia is considered to be a serious neurological condition and the exact cause of the disorder hasn’t yet been found. There has been a connection established between abnormal brain activity and the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

A healthy diet is important for physical and mental strength and a good immune system. A good fibromyalgia diet is a good way to relieve the symptoms of the disorder. Unhealthy lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, smoking, the abuse of alcoholic beverages are all considered to be factors of risk in the development of fibromyalgia. By using a fibromyalgia diet, it’s possible to feel improvements in your health.

Alcohol and smoking are discouraged on a fibromyalgia diet as well as caffeine.

A fibromyalgia diet has less dairy products, especially those with a high fat content; use soy replacements instead.

Cut back on wheat products if you have fibromyalgia, as well as sugar.

Foods that contain additives, colorants and preservatives are discouraged on a fibromyalgia diet, eat more organic meals.

Avoid any kind of fried foods and drink more liquids.

Cut down on salt, spices and meat.

A fibromyalgia diet has lots of vegetables and fruits, as they are a vital source of vitamins and minerals.

These are some basic tips in establishing a good, effective fibromyalgia diet. For a more detailed plan, ask your doctor.

Body Wrap To Lose Weight And Firm Skin

When using a body wrap to lose weight and firm skin there are other benefits as well. A body wrap produces therapeutic and cosmetic benefits by cleansing the body of toxins and reducing inches.

As well when using a body wrap to lose weight one gets the added benefit of improving the tone and firmness and the look and texture of their skin. This helps who have loose skin from weight loss or pregnancy. Also those who experience joint pain and inflammation will benefit from the therapeutic effects of body wraps.

A simple body wrap to lose weight can be a mixture of clay and some natural sea salt. You can add more complex ingredients such as herbs and up to 2 tablespoons of an essential oil like lavender, sage, lemon, sandlewood, lemongrass, rosemary, grapefruit or olive oil. Herbs to use include Alfalfa leaf powder, ground basil, chamomile flower powder, rose petal powder or rosehip powder.

Body wrap to lose weight recipe:

1 cup bentonite or green clay

1/4 cup sea salt

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 cups water

Boil water and add sea salt until it is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Adjust the water if necessary to form a wet paste.

Rub the mixture over your entire body and cover yourself with thin towels or a clean white sheet. Using proper wrapping sheets helps to squeeze the tissues together for greater results.

Lay in the tub for a minimum of 45 min. to one hour.

Take a warm shower before applying the wrap to open the pores.

Drink lots of water both before and after your wrap to help flush out toxins.

You can cover yourself with an inexpensive foil thermal blanket to keep warm.

Avoid caffeine, sugar, fried fatty foods, soda drinks and alcohol for the next 48 hours.

Free Weight Loss Tips You Have To Know

You can go all out with your weight loss program, or your weight-loss program could be as simple as your budget allows. Here you will learn a few free weight loss tips that can help you to shed those pounds.

They include:

1. Reduce your calorie intake so that it is less than your energy expended for you daily life and activities.

2. Properly hydrate your body so that it can function at its optimal level.

3. Perform a moderate level of exercise on a very consistent basis to burn calories.

4. Increase your body's metabolism rate by eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

If you try to lose weight only by reducing your calorie intake you run into the situation where you have to almost starve yourself to death. You are always hungry and cranky and easily cheat just to get rid of the feeling of hunger.

Therefore, another free weight loss tip; you need to increase your exercise level, which enables you to burn fat without reducing your food intake to a starvation level.

Your body more easily burns fat when it is being fed regularly. This is why it is important to eat between six and seven smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to one big meal or even the regular three meals per day.

One last free weight loss tip is; you need to understand that your body burns fat on a relatively equal basis across your entire body.

Your body is not capable of losing fat only in a specific area. For example, you cannot lose fat only on your belly or on your hips and nowhere else.

Keep these fre weight loss tips in mind whehn your’re trying to shed some pounds and as always speak to your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise program.

Is Nutrition Linked To Breast Cancer

Cancer is the number 2 killer in the United States just below heart disease. It has been estimated that 1/3 of cancers are linked to diet.

Researchers have found that women who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a much lower rate of breast cancer. The minimum servings per day recommended are 5, aiming for 10 servings.

The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables play a key role in reducing the risk of breast cancer. These nutrients include vitamins C and E, and beta carotene. Beta carotene is best when it comes from foods instead of supplements. As far as vitamins C and E, supplements are both relatively safe and effective when taken in the correct dosages.

Fiber may also help reduce breast cancer risk. One can increase their fiber intake by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Being over weight is a strong risk factor for developing breast cancer. Researchers believe that even a 10 to 20 pound increase in weight over a woman’s life span can increase the risk of breast cancer.

A healthy diet and a healthy weight is beneficial to good overall health as well as having the added benefit of helping to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about more ways to reduce the risk.