I am always amazed at the number of drug commercials and over the counter pills they have to help keep your bowels working correctly. The problem with cleaning out all the 'bad' stuff too often is that you also clean out all the 'good' stuff, like the good bacteria that lives there. (I would recommend if you are using a colon cleanse, that you supplement with a good probiotic as well.)
This being said, you really don't need any of the OTC stuff to get yourself regular. Eating a few prunes, every day, or drinking a small amount of prune juice daily, will do the trick better than any pharmaceutical.
Prunes contain three ingredients that work together to keep your digestive system on track. First, prunes are high in insoluble fiber, which is perhaps the key to preventing constipation. Insoluble fiber isn't absorbed by the body. It stays in the digestive tract, where it absorbs large amounts of water, increasing bulk, which helps everything go smoothly.
Second, prunes also contain soluble fiber, the type that lowers cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
Lastly, prunes contain a compound called dihydroxyphenlisatin which stimulates the intestine, causing it to contract. This process is essential for regularity.
If you're eating prunes for regularity, about 5 a day is all you need. If you would rather drink prune juice, six ounces is all you need.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Weight Loss Tip
Shrink your appetite, your calorie intake, and your pants size with just one little addition to your rice: vegetables.
In a recent study of normal-weight people, mixing vegetables into a plain rice dish at lunch helped people feel fuller for the rest of the day. So much so that they ate way fewer calories at dinner than the folks who had their rice straight up. Mixing veggies with the rice also lowered the calorie density of the lunch dish, shaving off a solid 100+ calories from the meal. So whether you opt for brown, basmati, or long-grain, adding things like broccoli, carrots, peppers, and onions to your rice can help cut calories from your day twice. And that's twice as nice for your waist!
It's not entirely clear why the lower-calorie veggies-and-rice dish produced a better effect on all-day hunger compared with the rice-only dish, but researchers suspect the high water content of produce may have been part of the key. High water content makes vegetables bulky, creating the visual illusion that the rice-plus-veggie serving was extra generous and hearty, and therefore more filling. Plus, eating high-fiber veggies helps slow stomach emptying. Whatever the hunger-quelling mechanism, it's simple to toss a few of your favorite vegetables into not only rice but just about any meal
In a recent study of normal-weight people, mixing vegetables into a plain rice dish at lunch helped people feel fuller for the rest of the day. So much so that they ate way fewer calories at dinner than the folks who had their rice straight up. Mixing veggies with the rice also lowered the calorie density of the lunch dish, shaving off a solid 100+ calories from the meal. So whether you opt for brown, basmati, or long-grain, adding things like broccoli, carrots, peppers, and onions to your rice can help cut calories from your day twice. And that's twice as nice for your waist!
It's not entirely clear why the lower-calorie veggies-and-rice dish produced a better effect on all-day hunger compared with the rice-only dish, but researchers suspect the high water content of produce may have been part of the key. High water content makes vegetables bulky, creating the visual illusion that the rice-plus-veggie serving was extra generous and hearty, and therefore more filling. Plus, eating high-fiber veggies helps slow stomach emptying. Whatever the hunger-quelling mechanism, it's simple to toss a few of your favorite vegetables into not only rice but just about any meal
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Do you meditate?
Everyone knows that meditation is a good thing, but most people will say that 1. they don't have time, and 2. they don't know how. I am always amused to see all of the books out there on how to meditate - don't get me wrong, I'm sure they are all great and help many people. But meditation doesn't have to be that complicated, especially in today's society.
We are surrounded by noise, whether it be ambient or self-inflicted. Cell phone, computers, ipods, T.V., HD Radio, etc.. So, what happens when you turn all of these off for a while? Well, most people will go through withdrawls, especially without the cell phone. But the first step to how to meditate is to turn off all of the technology. Don't put it on vibrate or sleep mode - turn it OFF.
O.K., if you're still with me - how do I meditate? Here are two simple methods:
1. Take a walk in the park - walking in nature is a great way to meditate - remember, no ipods or technology allowed. Just walk in silence and enjoy the surroundings - you will be amazed how this can clear your mind and relax your body.
2. Close your eyes, sit and breathe. That's it, nothing else. You don't have to sit in lotus position, you don't need scented candles or incense, you don't need chanting music. Just sit. Breathe. Relax. Just 5 minutes a day will make a huge change in your life.
Are there other benefits to meditation? Here's a list from Dr. Andrew Weil :
The benefits of meditation are numerous, and include:
Namaste,
Tom Pasley
We are surrounded by noise, whether it be ambient or self-inflicted. Cell phone, computers, ipods, T.V., HD Radio, etc.. So, what happens when you turn all of these off for a while? Well, most people will go through withdrawls, especially without the cell phone. But the first step to how to meditate is to turn off all of the technology. Don't put it on vibrate or sleep mode - turn it OFF.
O.K., if you're still with me - how do I meditate? Here are two simple methods:
1. Take a walk in the park - walking in nature is a great way to meditate - remember, no ipods or technology allowed. Just walk in silence and enjoy the surroundings - you will be amazed how this can clear your mind and relax your body.
2. Close your eyes, sit and breathe. That's it, nothing else. You don't have to sit in lotus position, you don't need scented candles or incense, you don't need chanting music. Just sit. Breathe. Relax. Just 5 minutes a day will make a huge change in your life.
Are there other benefits to meditation? Here's a list from Dr. Andrew Weil :
The benefits of meditation are numerous, and include:
- Helping lower blood pressure
- Decreasing heart and respiratory rates
- Increasing blood flow
- Enhancing immune function
- Reducing perception of pain
- Relieving chronic pain due to arthritis and other disorders
- Maintaining level mood
- Bringing awareness and mindfulness to everyday aspects of life
Namaste,
Tom Pasley
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