Category Archives: Health

Get the facts on a range of emotional and physical health issues, including pregnancy and parenting, plus advice on health treatments and further support.

How to do feverfew plants

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Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium ), a member of the sunflower family, has been used for centuries in European folk medicine as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, and fevers The term feverfew is adapted from the Latin word febrifugia or “fever reducer.”

Feverfew is also used to treat menstrual irregularities, labor difficulties, skin conditions, stomach aches, and asthma.

The botanical name of feverfew is Tanacetum parthenium, and the number of names for the plant itself includes altamisa, chamomile grande, featherfew, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, midsummer daisy, mutterkraut, nosebleed, wild chamomile, wild quinine This multi-naming is probably one of the proofs that feverfew has long and widely been known and used in world medicine.

Feverfew is herbaceous and perennial plant. It can grow in any ordinary good soil, although best favors the ground with well-drained, stiff, loamy ground, enriched with good manure. Just once planted, feverfew gives a rich supply of blossoms year after year The best time for planting is the end of April, but it can also be done in autumn.

A perennial herb, which should be planted in full sun, 38–46 cm (15–18 in) apart and grows up to 61 cm (24 in) tall. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 (?30 °C (?22 °F)) and should be cut back to the ground in the fall. Outside of its native range it can become an invasive weed.

image of  fever

Latin NameTanacetum partheniumDescriptionFeverfew leaves standardized to 7% Parthenolide and dosed according to the studies at the London Migraine clinic.UsageFeverfew helps maintain normal blood vessel tone.**Recommended Daily DosageTake one capsule daily with water during a meal Best results are obtained with continuous use The following list is for serving size of 1 capsulePrimary Ingredients Amount USRDA Feverfew Leaves 370 mg 0% Feverfew, dried extract (leaf), 2% parthenolide 80 mg 0% Other IngredientsGelatin.

photo of Hormone headaches

There are several factors that may cause migraines and headache pain in women. These include genetics, stress, age and hormonal changes. Hormone headaches or migraines usually occur when the female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, and as a result, trigger other hormones that lead to headache pain Higher estrogen levels help improve headaches, while lower levels can trigger or worsen headache pain.

the sources:

http://www.umm.edu

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.chinese-herbs.org

http://www.livestrong.com

How to do fever and chill

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(which can accompany chills) is the body’s natural response to a variety of conditions, such as infection. If the fever is mild (102 degrees Fahrenheit or less) with no side effects, no professional treatment is required. Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.

Evaporation cools the skin and thereby reduces body temperature. Sponging with comfortably warm water (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) may help in reducing a fever. Cold water, however, is uncomfortable, and may increase the fever because it can trigger chills.

Medications such as acetaminophen are effective in fighting a fever and chills.

Rigor is a shaking occurring during a high fever. It occurs because cytokines and prostaglandins are released as part of an immune response and increase the set point for body temperature in the hypothalamus.
It is sometimes considered a synonym for “chills”

Fevers tend to peak in the late afternoon or early evening. Some diseases are characterized by fevers that appear and disappear during the course of the illness, or that remain high for several days or even weeks Frequently, the fever is interspersed with chills Most fevers disappear within 48 hours, but any fever higher than 103 degrees that is accompanied by recurrent shaking or chills, or that lasts for several days, needs medical attention.

image of Resistance to disease

Human beings are warm blooded animals who need the body temperatures to be maintained at an optimum level When measured with an oral thermometer, this optimum level is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Centigrade A slight variation within this range is also considered normal However, if the temperature rises by more than 1or 2 degrees then a person is said to have a fever However, fever is not a sickness or disease In fact it is a sign that the body is fighting infection causing pathogens that may have entered the body.

Temperature measurement is very important

Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees centigrade) when taken with an oral thermometer. Although there may be slight variations in either direction, a temperature that is more than 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual is considered a fever, and indicates the presence of an infection or another illness .

the sources:

http://adam.about.net

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.drkrider.com

How to do fade hair cut

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Start with a #4 or #6 guard all over. Then do the sides and back with a #3 all the way up the sides. Then use #2 not quite as far up the sides and back as you did the #3. Then use #1 not up the sides and back as far as the #2. You always want to use the bigger number guard first and continue with the smaller ones. This will make it blend in or “fade” nicer. Finish up with no guard on the sideburns and neck hair.
There are many possibilities for this kind of haircut. Variations like bald fades, low fades or half fades are just the beginning. Some people have three dimensional designs in their fade or use different types of shading. The possibilities are almost endless.

If you are considering a fade haircut you should look for some examples of different kind of variations. That way you will have an idea of what’s possible and what fits your personality best.

Some may argue that a fade isn’t suited for a professional look. A good option is to square off the back of your haircut, this makes the fade look more professional and looks great with a suit.

If you find the cut you like, take pictures (various angles) with you to your Barber or Barbershop. Be sure to get the cut you want!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article on the fade haircut, I’ll be looking for other popular haircuts as well…
Instructions
Things You’ll Need

professional grade clippers w/ an adjustable fade arm.
standard guards
barber combs
mirror

1-After you have the hair brushed in the client’s desired style you want to start out by lowering the hair to the desired length. Most of the time this will require the use of one of the guards

2- After the hair is reduced you will need to create the fade line. This will be the basic start of your hair cut. Depending on your client’s preference this fade line can start anywhere from low to high on the head. Think of the side of the head divided roughly into thirds and place the line (low, medium, high) around the head parallel to the top of the head. You will want to have you clipper adjustable arm placed in the Low setting

3-Once the initial fade line is in the desired position, you will need to start your second fade line. Adjust your fade arm to the medium setting in place a second fade line above and parallel to your initial

4-You now will need to fade or erase the lines you just created by blending the different hair lengths together. Adjust your adjustable fade arm to roughly the medium low setting and start cutting the hair from the bottom to about half way to the second fade line you made.

5-You can now erase the first line by adjusting the clippers arm to the Low setting and using the same short angular stroke to erase the initial line

6-To finish the hair cut you will need to line the hair up. Make sure the hair is brushed forward and by using the liners holding them with your palm grasping the top casing of the clippers and your thumb on the back of the blade. Press gently with the clippers to start your line. You will want to start in the middle of the forehead and go towards one side. Make sure you duplicate the same line on the other side

7-Blend out any remaining lines by adjusting the lever on the clipper to finish up the cut.

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the sources:-

http://answers.yahoo.com
http://fadehaircut.blogspot.com
http://www.ehow.com

How to Do Jumping Jack

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How to Do Jumping Jack

Calisthenics include that old elementary school standby and popular military staple-jumping jacks. This exercise is for warming up and muscle stretching but can be used to develop stamina. Jumping jacks increase your heart rate and fitness no matter what your age.

Most calisthenic exercises are staples of school gym classes and boot camps, but that doesn’t mean they’re outdated. Most, like jumping jacks, are still excellent ways to get into shape. Jumping jacks work your shoulders, back, thighs and calves. They’re also good for your heart. The following steps will take you through this exercise.

To perform a jumping jack start by standing up straight with your hands down by your side and facing forward. Then jump and and simultaneously fling out your arms and legs so that when you land your feet are spread about shoulder width apart and your hand are reaching up to the sky. Then jump again to return to the start position.

Jumping jacks burn as much energy as skipping and also work the arms more. The faster you go the fitter you get and the more fat you burn.

Importance of Warm-Up Exercise

Jumping jack moves are a heart-healthy means of warming up prior to exercise. These movements increase the heart rate in gradual increments to get the heart pumping and oxygen and blood flowing to the muscles. When the heart and muscles are working at optimal performance, the body uses energy more efficiently.

Benefits of Exercise

What are the benefits of doing jumping jacks exercises? Here are a few of the many healthy advantages to this tried-and-true exercise:

* It increases balance and stability.

* Jumping ability improves.

* It strengthens the cardiovascular system.

* Stamina and endurance are enhanced.

* Coordination for sports and other athletic pursuits is improved by doing jumping jacks.

* The immune system is strengthened

How to do a Jumping Jack

Remember to move slowly and smoothly, and avoid jerky or bouncy movements. Keep knees slightly bent and toes pointing out.

1. Stand tall and keep abdomen taut.

2. Stand with feet together, hands at side, knees slightly bent and relaxed.

3. Jump and spread legs, swinging arms upward, and touching them over the head.

4. Return to start position with feet together and hands at sides.

To perform a side jack, assume the standing position as above, but instead of jumping, step to one side while swinging arms overhead. Return body to a standing position, step to the opposite side and swing arms up. Repeat the exercises in a smooth motion from side-to-side for about five to 10 minutes.

Double jacks are more challenging, but an excellent way to get the pulse rate up safely. Start the exercise in the standing position and jump twice, swinging arms upward at the same time.

To keep a calisthenics routine interesting, try adding some variations to the jumping jack motion. Swing arm half-way up rather than over the head, or make a scissoring motion across the chest with arms while jumping. Alternate a jumping jack movement with another movement in-between – like partial knee-bends or a hamstring stretch – to vary the exercise session.

Exercise Disclaimer

Daily exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Warming-up before performing a vigorous exercise is the best way to avoid injury. Jumping jacks exercise is just one way to prepare the body for an exercise session.

Before starting or changing any exercise program, it is importance to consult with a health care professional. Follow the advice given regarding exercise.

Resources :

http://www.motleyhealth.com

http://www.brighthub.com

How to do an IUI at home

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Intrauterine inseminations (IUI) are done by inserting sperm through the cervix and directly into the uterus using a catheter. It’s a relatively short process time-wise and takes roughly five minutes. There is a wait time between semen collection and insertion, however, that can extend over the course of a couple of hours because it has to be washed prior to insertion to avoid complications.

homefertility

How to do an IUI at home

1. If you reside close to the health center, ejaculation into a unique type of condom that you can merely obtain at your private clinic’s office or into a sterilized collection beaker is possible. It cannot be straightforwardly placed into the uterus at this end. Everything away from sperm collection, unluckily, cannot be done in the house for the reason that the semen has to be cleaned prior to the insemination procedure to get rid of everything from the illustration, departing just the sperm.

2. Keep the illustration at body temperature as you obtain it to the health center. At the health center, you’ll get a predictable time about how long it will obtain for the sperm to be prepared for placing. Once it is prepared, the woman will take the clothes off from the waist downward and the doctor will place in a speculum pursued by the catheter. In lots of cases, the doctor will permit the woman to lie down on the table for about fifteen minutes subsequent to the process is completed.

3. Best timing for IUI with frozen donor sperm: There is so much controversy over when to time IUI with frozen donor sperm. Conservative estimates give a life of roughly 8 hours while optimistic estimates go as late as 72 hours. Tend to think that frozen sperm will live roughly 12 to 24 hours following thaw and in the uterus. Research has been done that shows the best timing for IUI is roughly 6 hours EITHER side of ovulation so you can IUI before or after O has occurred as long as it is done no later than 6 hours after ovulation. The egg begins to disintegrate roughly 12 hours after ovulation so you want to catch that egg before then as there is a higher likelihood of genetic abnormality if insem is done later than 12 hours post ovulation. Not everyone can feel themselves ovulate so you can time insem based on your first + OPK. Most women will ovulate roughly 24 to 36 hours after the first + OPK. OPKs should be done at 10:00 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at a minimum.

What are the dangers of at home IUIs?

Infection is the main concern with these at home procedures. Sperm should be placed inside of the uterus without anything else, including semen. Another concern with artificial insemination is making sure everything is sterile. For example, if the catheter is not sterile, it could cause an infection. One more concern is the expertise IUIs require. The average person would generally require assistance from a medical in order to ensure that the procedure is done correctly, making an IUI performed at home a less attractive option.

What are the potential side effects of IUIs that are not done at home?

While infection is the biggest risk against doing an IUI at home, there are some potential side effects for those procedures done in a doctor’s office, too. Most of them are not serious, however. A woman may have some bleeding after it’s done. Though this isn’t common, it usually is not cause for concern. She may also feel wet as the day continues, but this is not the sperm leaking back out; during the process, the catheter may loosen mucus in the cervix and that is what she feels. She may have mild cramping, but in most cases, women report IUIs to be painless.

The References

How to Do Exercises to Reduce Tummy

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How to Do Exercises to Reduce Tummy

Are you tired of your bulging tummy and ever wanted to get rid of those excess belly fat and love Handles that embarass you in front of other people? Well, it’s time to get rid of all those unwanted Flab around your waist and hips and get a chiselled rock-solid six-pack abs. What’s more…You can get it right at the comfort of your home!!!!!! In this hub, you can get to learn 4 simple but extremely effective exercises that will get rid of that ugly flabs for ever

First, you need to start with exercises that target your side flabs (Love Handles). Then, you can move onto exercises that target your frontal abdomen muscles to get the six-pack Abs. Many people keep doing heavy ab crunches for months but do not see any reduction in their mid-section. The reason is, they don’t realise that they need to work out their lateral abs area (Love handles) first before moving onto frontal crunches.

To perform the Bhujangasana, you should be in the lying position with your belly on the ground and head resting on your lower arms. Then, you should bring your forehead up so that you are looking upwards and place your palms on the floor next to your shoulders. The weight of your body should be resting on your hands and chest. Lift yourself up slowly, keeping the weight on your arms. Come up slowly, and as you do, straighten your arms such that they are now perpendicular to the ground. Try and go as far back as possible. Your weight should be on your hands and your pelvis. Stay in this position for as long as you can, and then go back down to position one. It is important to remember not to strain yourself when you go back.

Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Engaging in moderate-intensity exercises such as walking is your best way to reduce tummy fat because cardiovascular activities help you lose weight and tone muscles; you may even see that your tummy fat is the first to go, according to MayoClinic.com. How much moderate-intensity exercise you get will depend on factors such as how active you are and how much weight you want to lose. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that most healthy adults should get at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week.

Bicycle pumps. Lie on the floor flat on your back. We have a curvature of the spine on our lower back that usually elevates it a bit and barely touches the floor. Make sure you press your lower back to the ground. Put your hands above your head. Raise you left bent knee and raise your right elbow to touch it. Without bringing your raised knee and arm down, do the same knee-to-elbow touching on the other pair. Repeat these bicycle pumps twenty times before returning to your original position. This, in conjunction with the other exercises below, will reduce stomach fat.

Full circle torso twist. Stand upright on the floor, feet apart, hands on your waist. When you feel stable enough, raise both hands and clasp them together on top of your head. Face right without moving your legs, from this position you will bend down and sideward to your right, going toward your foot, and twisting till your torso arcs in a circle that passes your left foot and completes the arc with your hands raised and clasped on top of your head again. You can start from the left or right as you so choose. Do five full circle torso twists starting on either side, then switch sides.

Lying side leg raise:

Lie down with the left side of your body on the floor. Place your left arm to support your head with your elbow resting on the floor, and the right arm rested on the upper side on your body. Slowly lift your right leg vertically as far as you can go. Return back to the starting position(Make sure not to be move your left leg). Repeat for 15-20 times. Perform the same exercise with the other side

This exercise woks on the oblique muscles and gets rid of Love handles(excess flab on the sides on the abdomen)

Crunches. Basic and effective. Some people forego crunches thinking they are medieval or difficult to do, or both. Don’t be like them. Crunches target the excess fat accumulated in your belly section. Begin by laying on the floor, facing the ceiling. Make sure your knees are bent, and that your feet are flat on the floor. Place your hands at ear level and with your fingertips just behind your eats. Your lower back has a curve that renders it slightly above the ground. Press your whole lower back till it touches the ground. Arc up till your shoulders are above the ground by some inches. Hold that position for five seconds. Release. Return to original position and repeat.

Resources :

http://ezinearticles.com

http://healthfitness.frs.com

http://hubpages.com

How to Do Acai Berry

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How to Do Acai Berry

Your body’s digestion is an essential part of your make up. Without it, food would be wasted, and you would soon die. Your digestive system is fallible, though, and if you test it then it will trip up. Throwing too much carbohydrate, fat or sugar at it will soon mean you put on weight. Large volumes of food just can’t be digested all at the same time. This is why doctors recommend ‘grazing’ (i.e. eating small amounts on a regular basis) rather than ‘gorging’ (eating everything at once!).

It is also why super foods like Acai Berry are becoming so popular. Your body hardly needs to work in order to get the goodness out of an Acai Berry juice drink, you see. If you eat a potato then your body’s digestive system has to do a lot of work just to start breaking it down. Eventually the digestive system might just decide that you don’t need all the carbs that you’ve put into your stomach, and it will store it as fat. Not good for weight loss, and not good for your health, not good for your diet.

Some things to consider:

1. Is the product FREEZE-DRIED Acai? Acai has become so popular that many companies are pumping out products that are very low in quality. It is very important that the berries are freeze-dried. Other processes use heat to remove the water, which destroys the antioxidants and other nutritional benefits. For more info on processing the acai berries

2. Is the main ingredient actually Acai? Many products only contain a small amount of Acai, but claim to be “Acai juice”. While most Acai drinks will contain other fruits in the mixture, you must make sure that the main ingredient is actually Acai. If you’re not careful you could end up buying an overpriced bottle of grape juice. For more info on finding a quality Acai Juice.

When a product gets as popular as Acai has, you need to be careful that you don’t get ripped off, like the Acai Berry Scams mentioned above. This is why you must stick to trusted vendors like Acaiberrysite.com. The other suppliers of top quality Acai products are Acai Roots and Sambazon, although you will pay more and their product line is not as complete.

How much acai berry is good for the body? What is the correct acai dosage? These are some of the most common questions that potential acai users ask. People are asking these questions because they want to avoid any potential side effects of acai berry while maximizing the health benefits of acai berry.

Acai Berry has been featured on many popular TV shows and magazines (including Oprah Show, CNN, and RealAge)

Acai Berry actually is not only used for diet but also for digestion improvement, skin improvement, vitamin, cleanse and detox. Acai Optimum, as the leading brand in Acai Berry industry, is the perfect diet pill to help your obesity problem. It can help you to lose 8-18 lbs in a month.

The Acai berry can be found in the Amazon Rainforest. It is fruit of Acai palm trees and looks similar to purple grape. The fruit is 90 percent seed pits and rest of it is pulp. For the product fruits are processed to get pulp pure. The fruit has unique fruit flavor and has been found to carry exceptional nutrition values.

Traditionally this fruit has been used in Amazon area along with Guarana as energy booster. Natives along the Amazon River in the Northern Brazil have been using the fruit in their diet for hundreds of years. Healing properties of the fruit are legendary and are used in whole of the Amazon area

You might have a use for an Acai Berry supplement if you are:

* trying to gain muscle

* trying to lose fat

* have any nasty ailments like arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia

* trying to look and feel younger

* experiencing sexual dysfunction

* preparing for old age by taking all the health supplements you can get your hands on

* looking for either the holy grail or the fountain of youth

* experiencing digestive issues

* healing from an injury

Resources :

http://www.projectswole.com

http://acaiberrysite.com

http://bestpills4weightloss.com

How to Do Abortion Pills in the Philippines

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How to Do Abortion Pills in the Philippines

A medical abortion uses a combination of abortion pills to cause the non-surgical termination of an early pregnancy up until the 9th week of pregnancy. The safest, most effective type of medical abortion requires the use of two different drugs. These medicines, are called Mifeprisone (also known as Mifepristone, RU486, Mifeprex or Mifegyne) and Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec , Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Cyprostoll, Misotac or Misotrol)

This website acts as a referral service in forwarding your information and request for a medical abortion to a doctor, after the online medical consultation. The doctor can provide you with an abortion with pills . To enable the doctor to decide whether you can obtain an abortion with pills without risk, it is crucial that you provide accurate and complete information. Omitting any information requested could result in damage to your health.

* You do the consultation and answer all questions according to the truth.

* You will be obliged to provide a valid e-mail address and provide your address and phone number.

* You will be asked to make a minimal donation of 70 € (no sale). This way we can guarantee the service remains available for other women as well.

* You will receive a confirmation by e-mail from the doctor to whom you have been referred.

* The medical abortion will be obtained from a pharmacy. A consultant will ensure that the medical abortion service is delivered by express courier at the address you gave to the doctor.

* Normally, the shipment takes about 7 days to arrive.

* After few weeks you will receive an e-mail with the follow-up consultation.

Atienza, also chairs Pro-Life Philippines and has stood up to the international population control lobby on many issues. He has also been excoriated in the foreign press for pointing out that a condom is inadequate in the campaign against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. “A condom is not a guarantee against AIDS because the virus is so minuscule, smaller than a sperm cell perhaps, that it can pass through it,” he said.

In February 2000, Atienza declared the city’s “commitment and support to the responsible parenthood movement, natural family planning . . . while discouraging the use of artificial methods of contraception like condoms, pills, intrauterine devices, surgical sterilization and others.”

Abortion groups, funded heavily through the United Nations population control body the UNFPA, unused as they are to their agenda being effectively opposed, have complained that they feel they are being persecuted. Carolina Ruiz-Austria, of the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) said, “They were told that what they are doing is forbidden in Manila. It’s unnerving.” Such groups also complain that there is a growing opposition to their efforts in the Philippines and that the country is becoming more pro-life in public opinion.

The doctor first determines if the woman is actually pregnant and for how long. In the United States, mifepristone can be used only within 7 weeks from the last menstrual period. The woman takes three pills of mifepristone during this first visit. After 36 to 48 hours, she has to return to the doctor to take two tablets of misoprostol, a drug familiar to many Filipinos by its brand name Cytotec, which has been long been in use locally as an abortifacient, distributed through the black market. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that makes the uterus contract to expel the embryo.

Finally, two weeks after initiating the abortion, the woman has to return to the doctor to make sure the abortion is complete and that no fetal tissue remains in her uterus. In about 5 percent of the cases using this misoprostone-misoprostol combination, the abortion is incomplete and the doctor will have to surgically remove the fetal tissue from the uterus.

We can see this method of abortion is not without problems. The most common side effects are bleeding, cramping, nausea, headaches and diarrhea. About 1 percent of the women may experience bleeding that is so severe it will require blood transfusions. In France, where RU-486 has been legal since 1988, the number of abortions has not increased, with some women actually complaining that taking the pill can be more distressing than going through a surgical abortion (known locally as raspa).

Despite its potential adverse effects, the misoprostone-misoprostol combination is still a safer method compared to many of the other abortion methods. In the Philippines, women still rely on ineffective or unsafe methods such as medicinal plants, the insertion of foreign objects (e.g., catheters) into the uterus and vigorous abdominal massage. The use of Cytotec, which has now become more common, is relatively safer but still carries many risks mainly because it is self-administered at home, and without access to trained health professionals. Bleeding and incomplete abortions are the most common problems with self-administered Cytotec and may be serious as to require hospitalization.

Eventually, we might find the “abortion pill” being smuggled into the Philippines but if it continues to be used under clandestine circumstances, it will probably end up being administered like Cytotec, with similar problems of post-abortion complications.

Resources :

http://pinoykasi.homestead.com

http://www.womenonweb.org

http://www.fesitenews.com

How to Do Jacket Potato

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How to Do Jacket Potato

Probably one of the most deliciously simple dishes ever to come out of the kitchen, the jacket potato has become one of the most popular dishes on earth. Usually, any place where food is served will provide a well-cooked and well-filled jacket potato; but avoid eating them at any school/college/university canteen as they have been mass prepared and certainly lose some of their appeal.

Preparation and Cooking

First, select a large potato, such as a King Edward. Then, take a skewer or another sharp-pointed instrument, as long as it’s clean, and prick the surface of the potato gently.

1. Hopefully, the oven will already be turned on to about 200°C / Gas Mark 6. If it isn’t, do so now.

2. Brush on a little bit of melted butter or, if you’re on a tight budget, vegetable oil.

3. Wrap the potatoes in oven foil.

4. Put them on a baking dish in the oven, and leave them for one to two hours.

To check if the potato is done, gently stab it with the skewer; if it feels soft, it’s done; if it’s hard, come back later. If it’s mushy, throw the potato away and get your mother to cook them next time.

Put the potato on a microwave-proof dish, put the microwave on to full power, and cook the potatoes (one at a time) for 8 – 10 minutes each. Microwaved potatoes are hot. Very hot. Always wear oven gloves if you want to handle them.

The Fun Bit

Any jacket potato must be filled, otherwise it wouldn’t be a jacket potato. Anything can be used for a filling… and be adventurous; but remember, you are going to have to eat the end product. Once you have chosen the filling, simply split the potato into two lengthways; spread a little butter over the insides of the potato, and pour the filling over the top. An alternative method is to scoop out the potato from the skin, and mash it up with the filling, before scooping it back in. This method is particularly favoured by children.

Here are some favourite fillings to make the perfect jacket spud:

* Grate lots of cheese, sprinkle over the potato, let it melt, and eat. You could even cook up a can of beans, and pour them over the dish as well.

* Cottage cheese is a favourite for those on a diet. If you have the time, you could add bits of herbs into the cottage cheese. Pineapple also gets mixed into the cheese occasionally.

* Opening up a tin of tuna and mixing it with a little mayonnaise and maybe a bit of sweetcorn results in a sloppy mess that is also a good accompaniment for your cooked potato.

* Chilli Con Carne is yet another sloppy filling. Being tasty, spicy, smelly and exceptionally messy means that you may need lots of napkins and mints.

* Coleslaw is a bizarre mixture of cabbage, carrot, onion and mayonnaise but works surprisingly well in the humble potato.

* Personal choice is the magic of the jacket potato – you can eat it with whatever you want.

Resources :

http://www.bbc.co.uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk

http://www.lovepotatoes.co.uk

How to Do Acai Berry Diet

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How to Do Acai Berry Diet

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is the berry of an Amazonian palm tree with a long history of traditional usage in Brazil.

After Dr. Perricone highlighted the berry as the number one antioxidant food on the Oprah show and Oprah herself mentioned that she has incorporated the berry into her diet, there has been an explosion in the popularity of acai berry based weight loss plans.

Some websites are promoting the acai berry diet as Oprah’s new diet plan however this is basically a marketing tool used to attract more attention to acai berry supplements and is not related to any particular diet plan.

Acai Berry is known to be the one of the best option for reducing weight. Acai Berry is used along with the dieting procedure which helps to maintain the level of vitamins and minerals that are not in abundance in the diet of the person.

The Acai Berry plays a vital role in reducing and maintaining the desired weight. Acai Berry has proven to be very effective remedy for weight loss. It increases the metabolism in the body, which helps in reducing the unwanted fats from the body.

Is the acai berry healthy?

Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids.

The word anthocyanin comes from two Greek words meaning “plant” and “blue.” Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple, and blue hues in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Foods that are richest in anthocyanins — such as blueberries, red grapes, red wine, and acai — are very strongly colored, ranging from deep purple to black.

Anthocyanins and flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help defend the body against life’s stressors. They also play a role in the body’s cell protection system. Free radicals are harmful byproducts produced by the body. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process by neutralizing free radicals.

By lessening the destructive power of free radicals, antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

An acai berry diet can be a great way to lose weight, helping you to shed pounds naturally and improve your overall health at the same time. Since acai berry juice is full of powerful antioxidants and counts toward your daily fruit requirement, it makes an excellent diet aid. Here’s how to do an acai berry diet.

Research the health benefits of acai berries. Like grapes, they are rich in antioxidants that can help protect you from cancer. However, they will not make you lose weight with no other effort, or at least, not much. Start your acai berry diet with the understanding that acai is not a magic cure-all, and that it should be included as part of a healthy diet plan.

Obtain juice and supplements for your acai berry diet. Avoid drinks touted as acai berry diet aids but that have low amounts of actual acai berry. Avoid those with added sugar or flavors. Look for 100% acai juice and powder or pills from acai with nothing added.

Create an acai berry diet plan that fits your lifestyle. For example, if you are more sedentary, your plan will need to include a lower caloric intake. If you are more active, you can concentrate on exercise and acai supplements and not have to cut as many calories.

Take acai supplements in the morning, either as pills or powder mixed in juice or shakes. Drink acai juice in between meals and instead of soda. Eliminate processed foods and sugary drinks and desserts form your diet, using acai juice instead.

Track your acai berry diet progress. Record your daily acai juice intake and weight yourself weekly. Celebrate progress with a extra lap around the pool, or more acai juice.

Diet Basics

There isn’t a specific acai berry diet but rather dieters use acai berry in conjunction any other weight loss plan they prefer to follow. It is often paired with a colon cleansing product or with other nutritional ingredients that are said to enhance weight loss.

The acai berry is promoted primarily for its antioxidant effects, which exceed that of other foods that are high in antioxidants such as blueberries and red wine. Advocates of the acai berry diet claim that these antioxidants will enhance general well-being and vitality which will support weight loss.

Acai berries are also said to have many other benefits that include improving digestion, cleansing and detoxifying the body, boosting immunity, supporting cardiovascular health, increasing mental clarity, enhancing vision, reducing insomnia, and slowing down the aging process. Not all of these claims can be supported by scientific research and much of these possible benefits are speculations at this stage.

In regard to the effects of acai berry on weight loss; promoters of the diet say that the berry has a combination of essential fatty acids, amino acids and phytosterols that work in unison to improve metabolism, enhance digestion, and reduce appetite.

People can lose weight only if they have self belief and determination. None of the remedies will work if the person is careless in his food habits. Acai Berry will increase metabolism but what if you increase your intake too. You will not loose wait .You could get your dream figure but only if you are ready to work for it.

Resources :

http://www.everydiet.org

http://ezinearticles.com

http://www.webmd.com