How to Distinguish Natural Honey and Artificial Honey?!

Humans have been using natural honey as early as 2,500 years ago. Honey is a gift from nature (or honey bees, to be more accurate) that do wonders. It has many useful applications throughout human history since it was being discovered. Natural honey is used in cooking, for beauty/wound/disease management, help weight loss, is an energy source for our body is rich in vitamins and minerals, has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, for pest control and many more. As we know, honey is usually expensive, and there are manufacturers out there making imitation honey to satisfy consumers' need. You may want to know how to tell the real honey from the artificial one. This is to prevent you overpaying for honey that is claimed "pure", where in fact, it is not.

There basically are three classes of honey: Natural (pure), adulterated and artificial. Natural honey is the purest of all, which is made from raw honey and rather pricey. Adulterated honey contains natural honey but with other added ingredients. Artificial honey is not honey at all, but made of syrup from sugar or corn, additives and food coloring mimicking the real. This article will show you how to distinguish natural honey, artificial honey and everything in between, so you know what you are paying for.

Instructions:

• Read the Label

Honest manufacturers will list all the ingredients on the container. If the honey is not pure, it should say so on the label, including the percentage of real honey (if any) that is in the bottle.

• Finger Feel

Rub some "honey" between your index finger and thumb until it disintegrates (some will be absorbed into your skin; pure honey is a good skin regimen). Natural honey is not sticky, but it would not be the case if sugar or artificial sweetener is added. You can easily feel the difference after rubbing.

• Paper Test

Place a few drops of "honey" on a notebook paper or tissue paper. Pure honey would not perforate the paper for a long time. This is because real honey does not contain water (0%).

• Ant Experiment

Ants love sweets. Drop some honey where you see ants. Bees instinctively build beehives on trees and between rocks. They add an additive to the honey in order to protect it from pests (i.e. ants). Ants will not disturb natural honey.

• Raw Egg Test

Mix "honey" with an egg yolk (no white) in a bowl. Give the "honey" and yolk a good beat with a fork. If the honey is pure, the yolk will look like it's been cooked after beating. The yolk will appear it has no affect from the artificial and adulterated honey -- still looking raw.

• The Water Method

Fill a glass of water and add one tablespoon of "honey" into the water. Pure honey will lump and settle at bottom of glass. Adulterated and artificial honey will start dissolving in water.

• Use Bread

Spread "honey" on a slice of bread. Natural honey will harden the bread in minutes. Adulterated and artificial honey will "wet" the bread because of the water content.

• Feel in Your Throat Method

Real honey will give you that "tingling" feel just before swallowing behind your mouth. Adulterated and artificial honey cannot achieve and give that sensation like real honey would; you will be tasting and swallowing like ordinary sugar water.

• The Shelf Life Test

Pure honey will crystallize over time. Imitation honey will remain looking like syrup, no matter how long it is stored.

• Light a Fire

Dip the tip of a matchstick in "honey", and then strike it to light. Natural honey will light the match easily and the flame will burn off the honey. Fake honey will not light because of the moisture it contains.

• The Microwave Oven Test

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons "honey" in a microwave-proof bowl. Heat "honey" on high power until hot. Natural honey will caramelize quickly and will never become foamy. Adulterated and artificial honey will become bubbly and difficult to caramelize.

Tips & Warnings

• If all possible, buy directly from the beekeeper. Many beekeepers sell honey directly at their bee farms to consumers. You can also use the opportunity to ask questions regarding how their bees are raised, what flowers are used to produce the honey, and many educational information about honey bees.
•   Pure honey contains 0% water. Water will promote fungi growth, and bees do not want that happen to their combs.
• Do not feed pure honey to infants under 1 year of age. Depending on the kind of pollen used to produce the honey, it is known that certain honey contain a bacteria that will cause stomach cramp and blood poisoning, that the immature immune system cannot handle.

Things Your Eyes Say About Your Health

Glaucoma and cataracts aren't the only problems that can be seen by gazing into someone's eyes.
Looking people straight in the eye may or may not reveal their honesty but the eyes *can* tell you about cholesterol, liver disease, or diabetes, if you know what to look for.

"The eye is a unique window into health, It's the only place in the body where, without surgery, we can look in and see veins, arteries, and a nerve (the optic nerve)."

The eyes' transparency explains why common eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration can be detected early with regular eye exams.

Unfortunately, people get busy and delay not only eye exams but regular physicals. That's why eye doctors sometimes discover other issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Especially vulnerable people like caregivers, who worry about others around them while neglecting care for themselves.

1. Disappearing eyebrows

What it means: Shaved eyebrows are a fad (or fashion, if you will) in some circles. But when the outer third of the brow (the part closest to the ears) starts to disappear on its own, this is a common sign of thyroid disease either hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). The thyroid is a small but critical gland that helps regulate metabolism, and thyroid hormones are among those critical to hair production.

More clues: Brows tend to thin with age naturally. But with thyroid disease, the brow-hair loss isn't evenly distributed; it's a selective dropout on the ends. There's usually a loss of hair elsewhere on the body, too, but the brows are so prominent, it's often noticed here first. Early graying is a related sign of a thyroid problem. Women are more often affected than men, and hyperthyroidism especially strikes women in their 20s and 30s.

What to do: Mention this symptom to a dermatologist or your regular doctor. Most other symptoms of both hyper- and hypothyroidism are notoriously broad and general. Before you see a doctor, make note of any other changes you've noticed, possibly concerning weight, energy levels, bowel or menstrual regularity, mood, or skin changes.

2. A stye that won't go away

What it means: The vast majority of the time, a small, raised, often reddish bump along the inner or outer eyelid margin is just an unsightly but innocuous stye (also called a "chalazion"). But if the spot doesn't clear up in three months, or seems to keep recurring in the same location, it can also be a rare cancer (sebaceous gland carcinoma).

More clues: Actual styes are plugged-up oil glands at the eyelash follicle. Fairly common, they tend to clear up within a month. A cancerous cyst that mimics a stye, on the other hand, doesn't go away. (Or it may seem to go away but return in the same spot.) Another eyelid cancer warning sign: Loss of some of the eyelashes around the stye.

What to do: Point out a persistent stye to an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in the eye). A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. The stye is usually removed surgically

3. Bumpy yellowish patches on the eyelid

What it means: Xanthelasma palpebra, the medical name for these tiny yellow bumps, are usually a warning that you may have high cholesterol. They're also called "cholesterol bumps" -- they're basically fatty deposits.

More clues: Sometimes people mistake these bumps for a stye, but with xanthelasma, there tends to be more than one bump and they're quite small.

What to do: See your doctor or a skin or eye specialist. A diagnosis can usually be made by sight. An ophthalmologist can also examine the eye and see deposits; for this reason, in fact, sometimes high cholesterol is first diagnosed during a routine eye exam. The problem usually isn't serious and doesn't cause pain or vision problems. A physician will also evaluate you for other signs of coronary artery disease.

4. Burning eyes, blurry vision while using a computer

What it means: You might be a workaholic, and you definitely have "computer vision syndrome" (CVS). The eyestrain is partly caused by the lack of contrast on a computer screen (compared with ink on paper) and the extra work involved in focusing on pixels of light. What's more, by midlife the eyes lose some of their ability to produce lubricating tears. Irritation sets in, adding to blurriness and discomfort.

More clues: Does the problem worsen in the afternoon (when the eyes tend to become drier)? Is it worse when you're reading fine print (more eyestrain)? People who wear glasses or contacts tend to be bothered more by CVS. Sometimes the problem is made worse by a fan positioned so it blows right in the face, noting that the air further dries tired eyes.

What to do: Reduce glare by closing window shades, investing in a computer hood, or checking out antireflective coating for your glasses (if you wear them). Simply tinkering with the contrast of your screen can help, too. White areas should neither glow brightly like a light source nor appear gray. Flat-panel LCD display screens (like those on laptops) cause less eyestrain than older models. Keep reference material close to the same height as your monitor, giving your eyes a break from having to refocus so much.

5. Increasing gunk in the eye

What it means: Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, especially at the edges  can have several causes. Two of them, surprisingly, are conditions better associated with other body parts: scalp dandruff and acne rosacea (which causes flushed red skin, usually in the faces of fair-skinned women at midlife).

More clues: The eyes may also feel irritated, as if specks have gotten in them. They may burn, tear, or feel dry. The crusty debris tends to gather in the lashes or the inner corners of the eyes, or even on the lids.

What to do: With clean hands, apply a warm, damp washcloth to the eyes for about five minutes at a time to loosen debris and soothe the skin. See a doctor, who may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics, as well as artificial tears.

6. A small blind spot in your vision, with shimmering lights or a wavy line

What it means: An ocular migraine (also called an "ophthalmic migraine," "optical migraine," or "migraine aura") produces this disturbed vision, with or without an accompanying headache. Changes in blood flow to the brain are thought to be the cause.

More clues: The visual distortion starts in the center of the field of vision. It might appear as a bright dot, dots, or a line that can seem to move and disrupt your ability to see properly, as if you were looking through a pocked or cracked window. It's painless and causes no lasting damage. Individuals seem to have different triggers (ranging from chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol to stress). A headache, possibly severe enough to cause nausea, sometimes follows.

What to do: If you're driving, pull over until the phenomenon passes (usually within an hour). Do have an eye specialist check it out if vision impairment lasts more than an hour or so, to rule out serious problems such as a retinal tear; or if you also experience other symptoms elsewhere that could indicate stroke or seizure (such as fever, loss of muscle strength, or speech impairment).

7. Red, itchy eyes

What it means: Many things can irritate eyes, but itchiness accompanied by sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion, and/or a runny nose, usually screams "I'm allergic!" When the eyes are involved, the trigger is usually airborne, like pollen, dust, or animal dander.

More clues: An eye allergy can also be caused by certain cosmetics or ointments. Some people, for example, are allergic to the preservative in eye drops used to treat dry eyes.

What to do: Staying away from the allergic trigger is the usual treatment. Antihistamines can treat the itchiness; those in eye-drop or gel form deliver relief to the eyes faster. If the problem turns out to be an allergy to eye drops, look for a preservative-free brand.

8. Whites of the eye turned yellowish

What it means: Two groups of people most often show this symptom, known as jaundice: Newborns with immature liver function and adults with problems of the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts, including hepatitis and cirrhosis. The yellow in the white part of the eye (the sclera) is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, the by-product of old red blood cells the liver can't process.

More clues: "Other tissues of the body would have the same look, but we can't see it as clearly as in the whites of the eye," says ophthalmologist Iwach. (Skin can also turn yellowish when a person consumes too much beta carotene found in carrots but in those cases the whites of the eyes remain white.)

What to do: Mention the symptom to a doctor if the person isn't already under care for a liver-related disease, so the jaundice can be evaluated and the underlying cause treated.

9. A bump or brown spot on the eyelid

What it means: Even people who are vigilant about checking their skin may overlook the eyelid as a spot where skin cancer can strike. Most malignant eyelid tumors are basal cell carcinoma. When such a tumor appears as a brown spot, then  as with any other form of skin cancer it's more likely to be malignant melanoma.

More clues: Elderly, fair-skinned people are at highest risk. Look especially at the lower eyelid. The bump may look pearly, with tiny blood vessels. If the bump is in the eyelash area, some eyelashes may be missing.

What to do: Always have any suspicious skin spots or sores checked out by a dermatologist, family physician, or eye doctor. Early detection is critical, before the problem spreads to nearby lymph nodes.

10. Eyes that seem to bulge

What it means: The most common cause of protruding eyes is hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland), especially the form known as Graves' disease. (Former first Lady Barbara Bush has it.)

More clues: One way to tell if an eye is bulging is to see whether there's any visible white part between the top of the iris and the upper eyelid, because normally there shouldn't be. (Some people inherit a tendency toward eyes that bulge, so if the appearance seems to run in a family, it probably isn't hyperthyroidism.) The person may not blink often and may seem to be staring at you. Because the condition develops slowly, it's sometimes first noticed in photos or by the occasional visitor rather than by someone who lives with the person every day.

What to do: Mention the symptom to a doctor, especially if it's present in tandem with other signs of Graves' disease, including blurry vision, restlessness, fatigue, increase in appetite, weight loss, tremors, and palpitations. A blood test can measure thyroid levels. Treatment includes medication and surgery.

11. Sudden double vision, dim vision, or loss of vision

What it means: These are the visual warning signs of stroke.

More clues: The other signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the arm or leg or face, typically on just one side of the body; trouble walking because of dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; slurred speech; or bad headache. In a large stroke (caused by a blood clot or bleeding in the brain), these symptoms happen all at once. In a smaller stroke caused by narrowed arteries, they can occur across a longer period of minutes or hours.

What to do: Seek immediate medical help by calling 911.

12. Dry eyes that are sensitive to light

What it means: Sjogren's (pronounced "show-grins") syndrome ,also known as (Mikulicz disease) is an immune system disorder. It impairs the glands in the eyes and mouth that keep them moist.

More clues: Sjogren's usually affects women over age 40 with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Usually the eyes and mouth are affected together. The person may also have vaginal dryness, dry sinuses, and dry skin. Because of a lack of saliva, it can be difficult to chew and swallow.

What to do: A doctor can diagnose Sjogren's through testing. Artificial lubricants (such as artificial tears) are usually necessary to protect the eyes, as well as to improve eating. Drinking plenty of water also helps.

13. Sudden difficulty closing one eye, inability to control tears in it

What it means: Bell's palsy is an impairment of the nerve that controls facial muscles (the seventh cranial nerve), causing temporary paralysis in half the face. It sometimes follows a viral infection (such as shingles, mono, or HIV) or a bacterial infection (such as Lyme disease). Diabetics and pregnant women are also at higher risk.

More clues: Half of the entire face, not just the eye, is affected. Effects vary from person to person, but the overall effect is for the face to appear droopy and be weak. The eyelid may droop and be difficult or impossible to close, and there will be either excessive tearing or an inability to produce tears. The effects tend to come on suddenly.

What to do: See a doctor. Most cases are temporary and the person recovers completely within weeks. Rarely, the condition can recur. Physical therapy helps restore speaking, smiling, and other tasks that require the facial muscles working in unison, and it also helps avoid an asymmetrical appearance. Professional eye care can keep the affected eye lubricated and undamaged.

14. Blurred vision in a diabetic

What it means: Diabetics are at increased risk for several eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. But the most common threat to vision is diabetic retinopathy, in which the diabetes affects the circulatory system of the eye. It's the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

More clues: The changes linked to diabetic retinopathy tend to show up in people who have had the disease for a long time, not those recently diagnosed. The person may also see "floaters," tiny dark specks in the field of vision. Sometimes diabetes causes small hemorrhages (bleeding) that are visible in the eye. There's no pain. People with poorly controlled blood sugar may have worse symptoms.

What to do: Someone with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam annually to catch and control the earliest stages of retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, or other changes  before they manifest as changes you're aware of.

To Buy or Not to Buy Organic?!

Is organic food really much better for you?

Prior to the Second World War, there was no need for organic food because of the care taken with the soil and the purity that was maintained with the fruits and vegetables being grown in that soil. In fact, fruits and vegetables were organic without being labeled as such. However, in nature, “perfect” fruit has always been rare. One of the reasons that chemicals started being added to fruits and vegetables was to improve their appearance. The organic apple is smaller, has a duller sheen, and the skin is a subtle blend of colours and imperfections. Chemicals were also added to keep the bugs away and prolong shelf life.
If a food has a “certified organic” label, with a code beginning with a 9, it means that each ingredient and every process qualifies it as organic and chemical free. Organic foods contain no:

• Preservatives, pesticides, artificial fertilizers or food colouring; these chemicals affect digestion and immunity, causing food sensitivities, allergies and other illness.
• Genetically modified ingredients, which result in new proteins being formed. Remember, adverse reactions to foods often occur because the body cannot break down proteins.
• Heavy or unnecessary antibiotics; only antibiotics that are necessary for individual animal treatment are used.

Also, organic food is grown in nutrient-rich soil that is rotated regularly. An organic apple has ten times more nutrients than non-organic. As a result, organic foods taste better than non-organic foods!

One excuse I often hear is that they cost more and "I can't spend a penny more for groceries." I also hear "What I do is not going to make enough difference to matter." I was also told by one person that their spouse read that everything that was labeled "organic" was not necessarily so. Is that true and, if so, how does a person know if something really is organically grown?

These are some common objections:

1) How can you be sure that food labeled "organic" really is organic?
Use of the term is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture. In order to put the word "organic" on a food label, the grower or producer must get the product certified as organic by a USDA-accredited certifier. Those who knowingly label or sell non-organic products as "organic" can be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. The word "organic" is becoming little more than a money-maker for corporations who want to jump on the bandwagon.

A "certified organic" product can actually have a mix of organic and conventional ingredients. In fact, under the law, you could manufacture "organic beer" with completely conventional hops, label it "USDA Certified Organic," and charge a premium price for it, hops are allowed to be non-organic under USDA Certified Organic products.

As Farm Wars puts it:

"It's like putting gasoline in a glass of pure water and charging a premium for that water because it only contains 30 percent of the contaminant. 30 percent contamination is probably better than 100 percent, but would you want to drink it? The whole glass of water is poisoned due to the gasoline, yet the companies selling this product would like you to believe that because it contains pure water it is good."

2) What exactly does "organic" mean?
On a food label, "organic" means the food was produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetic engineering or irradiation. In the case of animal products, it additionally means the animal received no antibiotics or hormones and was fed organic feed containing no animal by-products. An organic label also means animals had access to the outdoors, though "access" is not defined in a meaningful way, which makes this the weakest provision of the regulations.

3) Are some foods with an "organic" label more organic than others?
Yes, among processed foods with multiple ingredients, those displaying the USDA organic seal and/or called "organic" on the front label have the most organic content: at least 95 percent. Those labeled "made with organic ingredients" on the front may be as little as 70 percent organic. (The latter cannot display the USDA's organic seal, but may display the logo of the certifying agent.)

4) Is organic food better for the environment?
Yes. By eliminating massive quantities of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used in conventional farming, organic methods help protect the health of our air, water and soil. Another benefit of organic food is that it does not add to the problem of antibiotic resistance which makes antibiotics ineffective for treating illness because antibiotic use in organically-raised animals is not allowed.

5) Is organic food safer for you to eat?
Yes. Unlike conventionally produced food, organic food exposes you to no synthetic pesticides or growth hormones. Many of these substances have been proven to cause cancer, birth defects and damage to the nervous and reproductive systems in animal studies, though at higher levels than commonly found in food. What has not been studied is whether exposure to low levels of these substances, individually or in combination as happens in the real world as distinct from the lab also has adverse health effects. In the absence of this information, the safest course is not to expose yourself to chemicals designed and proven to kill other forms of life. This is especially true for children, as their developing nervous and endocrine systems put them at much greater risk of harm than adults.

6) Is organic food worth the extra cost?
Yes, in the sense that you really do get extra value in the form of safer food that's better for the environment. But you still might not be able to afford a diet of it. If so, try picking and choosing your organic purchases. A study by the Environmental Working Group of 43 fruits and vegetables shows that you can reduce your pesticide exposure from produce by up to 90 percent by avoiding the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. If you have young children, a high priority might be organic milk.

7) Will your purchases make a difference?
Yes. The reason organic food is now the fastest-growing sector of the food industry is that consumers like you have shown they want it by buying it. There is, in fact, no other way to promote organic food than by buying it and encouraging others to do the same.

8) Is organic food always the best choice?
Not necessarily. Locally grown conventional food that travels a hundred miles to get to you may be a better choice than organic food grown 1,500 miles away. Why? Because transporting food a short distance causes much less global warming pollution. That local farm is also preserving open space in your area and contributing to your local economy.
Better yet, get food that is both local and organic.
Finally, it's worth noting that when it comes to what is best for the earth and human health, the USDA's organic standards are not the be-all and end-all. Some farmers have their own standards that might allow the occasional use of an antibiotic to treat real illness or a chemical to control a catastrophic pest outbreak (which would prevent organic certification), but actually do much more on a day-to-day basis to cultivate naturally fertile soil, promote biodiversity, provide for animal welfare, keep water supplies safe, protect agricultural workers' health and grow safe, delicious, nutritious food.

To Buy or Not to Buy Organic

Organic food was once only available at health food stores, marketed to consumers willing to pay extra for natural, environmentally friendly foods. Today, it's available at most grocers. People who buy organic are seeking assurance that food production is gentle to the earth, and/or they're looking for safer, purer, more natural foods. But with today's shrinking dollar, is buying organic worth the extra cost?

Buy Organic: Peaches

Going organic is good for you and the Earth, but if you can't always afford it  since organic can cost 50%-100% more  experts recommend spending most of your organic food dollars on produce and the foods you eat most often. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., recommends going organic on produce that is most susceptible to pesticide residue, like peaches.

Buy Organic: Apples

Apples are a good source of fiber especially if you eat the peel. The peel also has healthful phytochemicals that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. But the peel is also where pesticides accumulate. So buying organic apples is a good use of your organic food dollars. If you can't afford to buy organic apples, scrubbing their skins under running water can help reduce pesticide residues, too.

Buy Organic: Sweet Bell Peppers

While bell peppers are among those vegetables with higher pesticide residues, the USDA makes no claims that organic foods are safer, healthier, or more nutritious than conventional foods. Government limits set safe levels of pesticide use in growing and processing foods and residue allowed on foods. Although some pesticide levels are assumed to be safe, the chemicals used are toxic. Because kids' immune systems may not be fully developed, they may be at greater risk from some pesticides than adults.

Buy Organic: Celery

A crunchy, low-calorie vegetable with a bit of vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, and manganese, one large stalk of celery only contains about 10 calories. Whether or not you buy organic celery, you can do your part to reduce pesticide residues, dirt, and bacteria by thoroughly washing the stalks under streaming water. Do not use soap

Buy Organic: Nectarines

This juicy fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, niacin, and potassium. An average-sized nectarine contains about 65 calories. Scrub or remove the peel to help reduce pesticide residues.

Buy Organic: Strawberries & Cherries

Strawberries and cherries are a great source of vitamin C. And while buying organic berries may give you a lot of bang for your organic buck, you may also want to consider buying local. Locally grown foods are usually fresher and kinder to the environment than produce that's been trucked across the country in energy-consuming vehicles.

Buy Organic: Pears

Pears rank second to the apple as the most popular fruit. A medium-sized pear contains about 103 calories and is a good source of health-promoting vitamin C and fiber. But they frequently have higher pesticide residues than many other fruits. The USDA has found almost 30 pesticide residues on pears. It's a good idea to scrub a pear's skin to reduce pesticide residue and bacteria, even in organic pears.

Buy Organic: Grapes

Grapes are a delectable low-calorie snack or dessert. One cup contains about 104 calories and is packed with vitamins C and K. Raisins (dried grapes) are also a good source of iron. Try to avoid imported grapes, which often have higher pesticide residues, but don't eliminate them from your diet if you can't always buy organic. Consider buying organic grapes for children and if you're pregnant.

Buy Organic: Spinach & Lettuce

Spinach  a great source of protein, vitamins A, C, E, and K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese has about 7 calories a cup. Lettuce has about 5 calories per cup. But they also have high levels of pesticide residue  the USDA Pesticide Data Program found 57 pesticide residues in spinach and 51 in lettuce. Buy organic or grow your own (greens do well even in large patio containers).

Buy Organic: Potatoes & Carrots

Potatoes are a good organic purchase especially since most conventional potatoes are pesticide intensive crops. They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, and fiber. A medium-sized baked potato contains around 161 calories without the fixings. Sweet, crunchy carrots are loaded with vitamins A and K and are a good source of fiber.

Buy Organic: Milk

Cows raised on conventional farms are often given recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to increase the amount of milk they produce. Does rBGH pose a health hazard to humans? Scientists don't agree. But if you have an infant or child who drinks milk, consider taking precaution and choosing rBGH-free or organic. Organic milk comes from cows that have not been given antibiotics or hormones. Many conventional brands are rBGH-free but aren't labeled as such.

Buy Organic: Beef

According to the Organic Trade Association, livestock on an organic farm cannot be given antibiotics or growth hormones unnecessarily  a common practice in conventional agriculture. Some experts think using antibiotics this way may contribute to the rise of superbugs. And although the risk to humans isn't clear, added hormones do show up in supermarket beef.

Buy Organic: Peanut Butter

Kids tend to eat a lot of peanut butter, so you may want to make sure they're not ingesting chemicals along with a PB sandwich. And peanut butter made from just organic peanuts and salt is healthier than conventional peanut butter with added hydrogenated oils and sugar. The natural oils in organic peanut butter may separate and form a layer on top of the jar if so, just stir it all up so it's creamy again.

Buy Organic: Baby Foods

Because kids' immune systems are not fully developed, they may be at greater risk from some pesticides than adults. Feeding them organic baby food provides peace of mind and ensures you give your baby the best start.

Look for the USDA Organic Seal

Don't confuse "free-range," "hormone free" or "natural" with organic. Look for the organic seal which means the food is grown, harvested, and processed according to USDA standards that include restrictions on amounts and residues of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Natural pesticides are allowed. Organic foods cannot be treated with any sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation.

Buy Conventional or Local: Papayas &Mangoes

The Environmental Working Group lists several foods as having the least pesticide residues and not worth spending the extra money to buy organic varieties. Tough peels on some fruits and vegetables absorb much of the pesticide. If you discard the peel, the remaining food has less pesticide residue. Papayas and mangoes are among these foods.

Buy Conventional or Local: Broccoli

The health benefits of conventionally grown produce far outweigh potential risks from pesticide exposure, so enjoy broccoli raw or cooked after washing well. Florets that are dark green, purplish, or bluish contain more beta-carotene and vitamin C than paler or yellowing ones. This vitamin C-packed veggie is also a great source of vitamins A, K, and B6, folate, potassium, and manganese. One cup of raw broccoli has about 31 calories.

Buy Conventional or Local: Cabbage

Cabbage is a great source of vitamins C, K, and B6, as well as folate and manganese. One cup of raw cabbage contains only about 22 calories. Remove and discard the outer layers to cut down on dirt, bacteria, and pesticide residues. (Avoid buying precut cabbage, as the leaves may have already lost their vitamin C.)

Buy Conventional or Local: Bananas

It is a good idea to scrub even produce with inedible skins such as bananas before eating them; that way you keep any contaminates on the skin from spreading to the edible part of the fruit. Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and manganese, and a great source of vitamin B6. A medium banana contains about 105 calories.

Buy Conventional or Local: Kiwifruit & Pineapple

An excellent source of vitamins C and K, a medium kiwifruit contains about 46 calories. Pineapple is a great source of vitamin C and manganese. One cup of the fruit contains about 74 calories. Scrub and peel the skins of these fruits before enjoying the sweet flesh.

Buy Conventional or Local: Peas

A half cup of fresh peas contains about 55 calories and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, thiamin, and manganese. Peas are also a good low-calorie source of protein. A 100-calorie serving of peas (about 3/4 cup) contains more protein than a whole egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter, and has less than 1 gram of fat and no cholesterol. Rinse them before preparing.

Buy Conventional or Local: Asparagus

Asparagus can be found in green and white varieties. Four cooked spears of asparagus contain about 13 calories and are a great source of protein, vitamins A, C, E, and K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and selenium. Wash thoroughly before preparing.

Buy Conventional or Local: Corn

A good source of thiamin and folate, one cooked ear of yellow corn contains about 111 calories. Make sure the corn husks are green, tight, and fresh looking. Pull them open a little to make sure that the ear contains tightly packed rows of plump kernels. The kernels should be smaller at the tip of each ear. Large kernels at the tip are signs of overmaturity.

Buy Conventional or Local: Avocados

Avocados are loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Avocados contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas. This fruit is an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fat. While it's a good source of vitamin K and folate, an average-sized avocado packs about 227 calories. Wash and remove the skin before enjoying.

Buy Conventional or Local: Onions

A great source of vitamin C, one medium onion contains only around 44 calories. Remove the outer layers of skin before cooking or serving raw.

Understand Organic Terminology

When buying organic, look for the following USDA regulated terms on food labels:

• "100% organic"  This means the food has no synthetic ingredients and can use the organic seal.
• "Organic"  This means the food has a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. It can also use the organic seal.
• "Made with organic ingredients"  This means the food must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. These foods cannot use the seal.
• Meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy labeled "organic" must come from animals that have never received antibiotics or growth hormones.
• Standards for organic seafood and cosmetics have not been set.

Reduce Pesticide Residues

Whether or not you buy organic, you can do your part to reduce pesticide residues on foods with the following tips:

• Wash and scrub produce under streaming water to remove dirt, bacteria, and surface pesticide residues even produce with inedible skins such as cantaloupe. Don't use soap.
• Remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables.
• Eat a variety of foods from different sources.

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables

One thing the experts agree on: Regardless of whether you choose locally grown, organic, or conventional foods, the important thing is to eat plenty of produce. The health benefits of such a diet far outweigh any potential risks from pesticide exposure. Government guidelines recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Adults should aim for 4-5 cups of produce every day for their health-promoting, disease-preventing substances.

Have a lovely night! :)

Clean Up Your Diet!

Achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyle has a lot to do with your environment. For most people, your environment includes home, work, and all points between. Changing the types of foods you eat on a daily basis can help your body rid toxins and absorb new nutrients  giving you that fresh new feeling...
The first step is getting rid of “dirty” foods. This list seems to be never-ending, but includes most processed foods, fast foods, sugary foods and drinks, foods containing enriched flour, alcohol and artificial sweeteners. Nonorganic foods also contain chemicals that can slowly poison the body and put added stress on the liver, kidneys and other vital organs. All of these foods seem to make the body dirty by causing inflammation, digestive problems, inadequate detox, weight gain, dehydration and lack of energy. Start with Adding some more healthful foods while cutting out some processed snacks can help your overall health. And don't forget the water!!
Some Tips:

• Toss a few heavily processed staples

Instead of overhauling your pantry all at once, start by eliminating corn oil and soda both highly processed. "That alone is a huge first step." Another easy step is replacing refined breads and pastas made from white flour with ones made from whole grains.

• Focus on favorite foods

To keep it simple, assess what part of your diet supplies the most calories, If you're an omnivore, buy meat that comes from grass-fed cattle and eggs from pasture-raised chickens, but stick to conventional produce instead of organic. If you're a vegetarian, buying organic produce makes more sense.

• Shop the perimeter

Most whole, natural foods are on the outside aisles of grocery stores that's where the produce, dairy, and meat sections usually are. As you go deeper into the center of the store, you encounter more processed and packaged food. "Find the stuff that spoils,"

• Check the labels

It's the easiest way to distinguish a "clean" food from a highly processed one. Think about it: a head of lettuce has no label (totally natural), while a bag of ranch-flavored corn chips has a dozen or more ingredients (highly processed). Instead of eliminating all processed foods, study the labels on the packaging and choose those with fewer and simpler ingredients (avoid hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and colors, stabilizers, preservatives, excessive amounts of fat and sodium, and added refined sugar).

• Think nutrients per serving

Consider the amount of nutrients in a product rather than focusing solely on price. Ask yourself if the price of the food is worth the nutrients (or lack thereof). You can make this assessment on every item by comparing the protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins against fat, sodium, sugars, and chemical additives. Some clean eaters also focus on the environmental impact of the food. Some stores are promising to make the assessment easier.

A new organization called the Ecological Food Manufacturers Association is pushing companies to go even further. "A consumer should be able to pick up a product and, by looking at one little score, instantly know how safe, planet-friendly, and nutritious it is,"

• Cook more meals at home

This is an easy way to shift more of your resources toward whole food and potentially save money. Plus, many restaurants rely on highly processed food to create their meals. To make home cooking easier, master a few one-pot or one-pan dishes with simple ingredients that you can whip up quickly and that will feed the family for days. Cooking helps you appreciate and enjoy your food more, especially if you share the process with others. Involve your family by giving them a job (wash, chop, stir, set the table, etc.). As a bonus, you will notes that people who cook tend to eat more healthfully and weigh less than those who don't.

 

• Adjust your tastebuds

If you're accustomed to eating food with lots of salt, sugar, fat, and other additives, you'll need to retrain your tastebuds to appreciate the more subtle flavors of whole foods. For instance, if you don't immediately like the taste of brown rice, mix it with white (in decreasing amounts) until you adapt. (You can do the same thing with whole grain pasta.) It works for salty and fatty foods, too. Instead of switching immediately to, say, low-sodium soups, mix a regular can with a low-sodium version and adjust the ratio toward less sodium as you get used to the flavor. It can take up to 12 weeks to adjust, says Richard Mattes, MPH, PhD, a professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University.

• Follow an 80-20 strategy

Eating plans go bad (and are eventually abandoned) when they turn obsessive. Clean eating is no different. To avoid that trap, take an 80-20 approach. That is, try to eat natural food percent of the time, with a 20 percent buffer for when you're traveling or socializing or simply can't.

• Discover pleasure in real food

Clean eating is all about the pleasures of food. Celebrity chef Alton Brown of the Food Network says "You know, as long as it's made with love ..."
It really goes back to the whole French paradox thing: While the French are talking with family, drinking wine, and turning eating into a celebration, we're scarfing down handheld food in our cars. His message was to think about where your food is coming from, who's preparing it, and especially how you're eating it."
In other words, be mindful. It's a word that comes up repeatedly in discussions of clean eating. Be more mindful of how you shop, how you cook, and how you eat.
Choose to eat this way for many reasons, One of the biggest is enjoyment. There doesn't have to be a trade-off between pleasure and health. If you eat this way, you can have both.

Healthy-eating Mistakes You Could Be Making!!

Food used to be simple. You ate what you grew on the land or you bought from nearby farmers. Processed food was nothing more than canned, frozen, or cured. Today, food is much more complicated  and we're both better and worse off for it.
We can eat a greater variety of healthy foods than our ancestors did (think fresh berries in Winter), but we also can eat a lot more highly processed, chemical-laden ones. And that fare seems to be winning the day, if our epidemics of obesity and diabetes are any indication.

But an increasing trend toward clean eating with its emphasis on whole, fresh, traditional fare could mark a turning point in our sometimes dysfunctional relationship with food and help us achieve good health, culinary satisfaction, and optimal fitness.
To help you clean up your own diet and reap the benefits (weight loss and possible decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), Start taking baby steps to adjust your diet, and you'll be eating clean in no time!

•  If you count calories, Determine the right intake for you

You already know this: Take in fewer calories than your body needs to maintain your current weight and you will drop pounds. But only 11% of Americans correctly estimate their ideal daily calorie requirements, according to one survey. The rest of us tend to overestimate. Let's say you assume that consuming 2,000 calories per day will allow you to reach your target weight, but it really takes 1,800: Those extra 200 are enough to keep an additional 20 pounds on your frame.

Do it better: Go to  Calories Calculator and plug in the weight you want to be (as well as your height, age, and activity level) to get your daily allowance of calories. Then set limits on your meals and snacks. If 1,800 calories is your max, split it into three 500-calorie meals and one 300-calorie snack.

• If you're consistently active, Rev your routine

When you spend a few hours running errands, it feels like you've worked off some serious weight. But despite all those aisle laps at the mall, hauling around shopping bags, and loading and unloading the car, you burned only about 400 calories that's about 1/10 of a pound.

Do it better: Short bursts of intense activity burn more calories and up to 36% more fat, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Strolling around the mall or a park for an hour works off about 150 calories; pick up the pace 1 minute out of every 5 to burn over one-third more calories (try a similar method if you bike). Swimmers can switch from freestyle or breaststroke to a more challenging crawl every few laps, or just go a little faster.

• If you choose nutritious foods, Keep portions in check

What you put on your plate is important, but healthy eating is also about being mindful of how much you consume. For example, your husband has pancakes with butter and syrup for breakfast, your son grabs a doughnut, and you opt for a cup of oatmeal with a handful of walnuts, a sliced banana, and a large glass of organic blueberry juice. You may win on nutrients, but when it comes to calories, you're dead last: That healthy-sounding meal adds up to almost 700 calories, more than a third of your allotment for the day.

Do it better: The best way to know if you're eating too much is to write it down. "Even if you note it on a napkin and then throw it away, that's okay. Just the act of writing makes you more aware,". Portions control cues help too: a baseball-size serving for chopped veggies and fruits; a golf ball for nuts and shredded cheese; a fist for rice and pasta; and a deck of cards for lean meats.
Also, swap higher-calorie healthy eating foods for high-fiber, lower-cal varieties like these:

Vegetables: Per 1 cup, raw spinach has 7 calories and boiled eggplant contains 35 calories; mashed sweet potato, however, has 249.
Fruits: A 1/2-cup serving of strawberries has 23 calories, while a medium banana has more than 100. An orange has almost half the calories of a glass of orange juice. More low-cal picks include melon and blueberries.
Whole grains: Two full cups of air-popped popcorn (a whole grain) has about the same number of calories as three little whole wheat crackers.

• If you order the "healthiest" menu item, Do your dining out research in advance

Choose the turkey sandwich over pizza and you think you're being good, but again, looks can be deceiving. A turkey sandwich at Panera Bread comes on focaccia with cheese and mayo and delivers 970 calories. Two slices of pepperoni pan pizza from Pizza Hut total 520 calories. Put your sandwich in a spinach wrap instead of regular bread? It's the same difference, says Tara Gidus, RD, a former spokesperson for the ADA "My clients think they get more nutrients and save on calories with 'healthy bread,' but often that's not the case."

Do it better: Look up fast-food nutrition facts before you eat there. Many restaurants offer nutrition information. See if your favorite eatery has nutrition facts online or in the store you may be surprised at what you see. We were when we checked out Baskin Robbins: A medium strawberry-banana smoothie has 80 more calories than a strawberry milk shake!

• If you satisfy cravings with "diet" treats, Eat the real thing, but downsize your portion

When you want something sweet, all those fat-free, sugar-free options seem like a smart choice for weight loss. But researchers found that overweight people who choose low-fat versions of snack foods rather than the regular kinds consume, on average, twice as many calories. "The terms fat-free or sugar-free can create a green light effect, triggering people to eat more,". But many fat-free foods have about the same number of calories (or more) as their full-fat counterparts. One variety of oatmeal-raisin cookie has 107 calories and 9 g of sugar, and the fat-free version of the same brand has 106 calories plus 14 g of sugar.

Do it better: Go for reasonable amounts of the real thing. If you love ice cream, have a small scoop of premium. "You won't stick to a diet that doesn't include your favorites,". Bottom line: Life's too short for forbidden foods

• If you’re a crunches queen, Don’t forget your cardio

One of the biggest mistakes women make when trying to lose belly fat: too many crunches, too little cardio. No matter how toned your abs are, your belly won't look flat until you get rid of the layer of fat on top of them. For that, you need to rev your calorie burn. Interval training, in which you alternate high-intensity bursts of activity with easier bouts, has been shown to zap more belly fat than steady-paced moderate workouts.

Do it better:  Each week, aim for three interval sessions and two or three moderate, steady-paced workouts of 30 to 60 minutes each along with ab exercises for best results.

• If you eat snacks to quell cravings, Be more mindful of your intake

You may think you're vigilant about watching what you eat. But research shows that stolen bites and tastes (such as handfuls of a friend's popcorn at the movies or tasting the dough while baking cookies) can rack up a few hundred uncounted calories, which can put on pounds fast.
Eating while distracted can cause mindless eating too. When women who normally watched their portions had lunch in different situations, they ate 15% more (72 additional calories) while listening to a detective story, compared with when they ate alone and free of any distractions.

Do it better: Avoid eating when your mind's elsewhere (while on the computer, for example), and eliminate unnecessary distractions (turn off the radio; set aside the book). Tend to graze while you cook dinner? Chew gum. You have to take it out every time you sample your cooking, so you realize what you're doing.

Have a beautiful day! :)

Quick Tips to Overcome Sugar Cravings!!

Before I explain how you can help overcome your craving for sugar I thought it might be a good idea to explain why you have these cravings in the first place:

• Wanting to eat sweet things is what comes naturally and is in our genes as the first taste we all prefer from birth is for sweet things.
• Sugar is a form of carbohydrate and carbohydrates cause the release of serotonin a feel good brain chemical.
• Eating sugar also releases calming and relaxing endorphins that provide a natural “high”.
• Last but not least sweet things tastes good and because of this we use them as a way of rewarding ourselves.

However sugar cravings can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance or a medical condition such as diabetes or by stress. It is therefore very important to seek the advice of your doctor if you start to suffer from sudden and unexplainable cravings.

Tips that can help you to beat sugar cravings:

• Chew sugar free gum.
• Eat a few berries.
• Eat a sugar free jello.
• Eat a fat free yogurt, this contains a small amount of naturally occurring sugar.
• Have a Low Carb Creamy Hot Chocolate (but not too often!) or other sweet treat such as an oat bran muffin.
• Eat few tomatoes or hard boiled egg. It really works!!
• Eat regularly every 3 to 5 hours as this helps keep your blood sugar levels stable.
• Go for a walk and see if the craving disappears.
• Drink a glass of water and make sure you are drinking enough water each day. Being dehydrated can also cause sugar cravings.
• Don’t shop on an empty stomach as you will find it very difficult to control your cravings with all that food around!

Enjoy Your Day!! :)

Dark Under-Eye Circles, Causes And Treatment!

Most people think that dark under-eye circles are caused by staying up late watching monster movies, or having that last drink the night before, or sitting up with your laptop trying to finish the quarterly report. Most people think that their behavior is somehow linked to dark under-eye circles.

Well, most people are dead wrong!!

How and why your body creates dark under-eye circles

You need to know that dark under-eye circles are not your fault. They don't mysteriously appear when you misbehave or are stressed out, only to vanish when you get 8 straight hours of sleep. Dark under-eye circles are a by-product of the very same mechanism that produces bruises (and you don't blame yourself for bruising, do you?). Changing your behavior will, in almost every case, NOT get rid of your dark under-eye circles.

• What causes dark under-eye circles?

Your shiners, your raccoon eyes, your blue luggage... whatever you call your dark under-eye circles, here's what they really are: oxidizing hemoglobin.

Dark under-eye circles begin in the capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that web the delicate skin around the eyes. Now, your capillaries are so small that red blood cells sometimes have to line up, single file, to get through. Frequently, red blood cells get lost and wander into the surrounding skin. This isn't a problem; it happens all the time and your body has a mechanism to mop up these escapees. Enzymes in your body break down the red blood cells, including their hemoglobin (the molecule that gives them their distinctive red color).  No problem, right? Except for one thing: when hemoglobin is broken down, its remaining components have a dark blue-black color. Just like a bruise. So your dark under-eye circles are actually caused by leaky capillaries.

• How dark under-eye circles are like bruises?

When something hits you, blood vessels are traumatized and sometimes broken. Blood leaks out into the surrounding skin. Your body begins the mopping-up process, and you see a dark, purplish or blue-black discoloration.  So, as you can see, dark under-eye circles are very similar to bruises. The same mechanisms produce them.

• Why are dark under-eye circles so visible?

It's quite possible that capillaries all over your body are leaking small amounts of blood all the time (I don't know if this is true or not). But the reason dark under-eye circles are so apparent is this: the skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest, most delicate skin of your entire body. The capillaries are much closer to the surface of the skin there. Many people's skin is not only thinner around the eyes, but also more translucent.

The combination of capillaries near the skin's surface and translucent skin makes this discoloration much more apparent. And that's why you have those dark under-eye circles staring back at you in the mirror.

Causes of Dark Circles

• Dark circles occur more frequently and are more noticeable with age, because as we get older, our skin loses collagen and becomes thinner and more translucent.
• Nothing says exhaustion and strain like dark circles under your eyes. The problem is, you may be getting plenty of sleep every night and still wake up with puffy raccoon eyes. Now what
• Allergies are another common cause of dark circles. When you rub and scratch your itchy eyes, it irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing puffiness and discoloration. If allergies are the root of your problem, simply treat them or avoid what you're allergic to. If your dark circles or puffiness are constant, you may have an undetected food allergy or an allergy to a chemical in your surroundings. Consult an allergist to determine what you may be allergic to.
• Chinese medicine considers dark circles as a sign of weakness in the kidney network. Kidney weakness is due to exhaustion and overstrain coupled with lack of rest and relaxation. Since the kidney network in Chinese medicine governs the hormonal system, it affects the pigment melanin. It is said that unhealthy and depleted kidneys produce pigment deposit under the skin around the eyes and other parts of the face.
• Many cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often thought to be due to vitamin K deficiency or a lack of Antioxidants in the diet.

• It is also believed that lack of the mineral iron can cause dark circles. An iron deficiency may point to anemia, which is a potentially serious medical condition that requires treatment. If you believe you may have anemia, see your family doctor to schedule blood work.

Under-eye Remedies
Reduce the puffiness and lighten your circles with these all-natural solutions:
1.  For starters, be sure you are getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

2. What you eat counts! Eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and make sure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals. Be sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, spinach, and other leafy greens. Eat at least 2 cups of organic fresh spinach everyday. Additionally, eat a handful of raw almonds (unsalted and unroasted) between meals. Avoid salty foods, as salt causes the body to retain water, which equals bloating and puffiness that is particularly noticeable under the eye.

3. Asian pear is a juicy and crunchy fruit that has long been prized by Chinese herbalists as a way to lighten under-eye circles. Asian (or Fuji) pears are packed with copper and vitamin C, antioxidant nutrients that help protect you from cellular damage caused by free radicals. When free radicals damage enough skin cells, signs of aging begin to appear. Copper is an essential component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that attacks these harmful agents when they enter the body via air pollution and other toxins.

4. Treat your skin while you sleep. Just before bed, lightly wet a washcloth with cold water and place over your eyes as you sleep. By morning, you should see an improvement.

5. Apply cucumber slices or cool tea bags to your eyes. Cucumber slices are famous for their ability to reduce puffiness, and the tannin in tea bags has been found to reduce swelling and discoloration. Lie down, close your eyes, and place fresh cucumber slices or cool, damp caffeinated tea bags over your eyes for about ten minutes every day.

6. Gently apply almond oil under your eye every morning and evening until you see improvement.

7. Avoid smoking, as it causes vascular problems that not only threaten your health, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent under the skin.

Treating your skin will help, but there may also be an underlying cause. Imbalances in your life show up on your face and skin. You may consider seeing a doctor.
I hope these tips will help! :)

Some of Your Favorite Things Can Make you Depressed..

Why is it that?!!
With every new study that comes out, we have to learn about one more enjoyable thing that's actually bad for us? This time, things are looking pretty bleak. According to some leading British experts on mood disorders, some of our favorite things could actually be causing depression:

Hot Weather
let's start with hot weather. Apparently there's such a thing as a summer form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where depression is triggered by too much sun. As someone who goes into hibernation mode all winter long, just waiting for June weather, I definitely know I'm not one of the tens of thousand who suffer from summer SAD.

Lead researcher Dr Lisa Page offered a number of explanations, the most interesting of which explains, "People tend to drink more alcohol in summer  not only does it have a depressive effect, it also disinhibits us, so we are more likely to act impulsively. Hot weather also disturbs sleep and this could possibly tip someone over the edge."

Doughnuts
It may be considered a comfort food, but according to the British Dietetic Association, doughnuts are anything but comforting, for both our weight and mental health. Sugary snacks like doughnuts give us a temporary high because it spikes dopamine levels, but once those levels begin to fall, sadness sets in. Researcher Helen Bond explains, "We tend to crave sugary and fatty foods for a quick mood fix, but the sugar crash that follows could make you feel worse."

Coffee
There's a little good news here; you don't have to give up coffee altogether. The key is to cut back and refrain from drinking it after a certain time. Drinking coffee throughout the day makes it harder to get a good night's sleep when the sun finally goes down, and lack of sleep can lead to depression. But it's like an endless cycle "I’m always amazed by the number of people I see who feel depressed because of sleep problems, yet who drink endless cups of tea and coffee, even late into the evening''

The other reason for this is simple and it has to do with the sugar and the caffeine that comes in coffee. When we drink a coffee we usually get a caffeine hit and a sugar rush. This picks us up for a few minutes or perhaps even an hour but then comes the inevitable low. Then we start to get feelings of sadness and stress and we cannot figure out why we are feeling so bad.
Test it out for yourself. See how you feel before a coffee, immediately after a coffee and then about two hours after a coffee. You might be surprised!!

Meat
People who started eating a vegetarian diet claim that they wonder how happy and “light” they felt all the time. So I decided that I need to do some research in to the matter and see whether eating meat causes stress or depression and it turns out that many ancient medical practices believe that it does. Every time I eat meat now I feel heavy and quite sick.

Many people in the East will tell you that feeling depressed after eating meat is due to the negative karma that is accrued due to killing an animal. Some more modern science, however, tells us that it might be due to the damage meat can cause your insulin levels as well as several other systems in the body. Meat has been linked to cancer, diabetes and other serious illnesses. One study even showed that vegetarians are happier than meat eaters!

Alcohol
Alcohol has been shown to change the chemistry of the brain and make you more likely to experience long term depression. With alcohol we are not talking about a depression that lasts a little while; it is one that lasts a long time and usually leads you to your next drink. You then need to drink more than you used to, to feel better and end up in a fast downward spiral. This is called tolerance and is a big part of why alcohol and any other drugs are so addictive.

The sad thing is that people who are already feeling a bit depressed use alcohol to treat the depression. This just makes them feel even more depressed and doesn’t really get you anywhere.

Fast food
I have always thought that the fast foods were bad. They are full of preservatives, salt, sugar, saturated fats and a host of other horrible chemicals. Think about all the antibiotics and hormones that KFC pump in to their meat before they lace it with salty bread crumbs and deep fry it. No wonder you feel heavy after you eat it. Try and avoid these foods at lunch time if you are feeling stress and anxious and depressed. This will also distract you from your work because you will feel full and sick.

The best thing you can do for your health is eat a natural diet that has as little man-made foods as possible. A diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, raw milk, eggs and other natural things will leave you feeling lighter, happier and full of long lasting energy. Avoid foods that are overly processed and full of refined sugar, salt and saturated fats.

Does anyone have any experiences with food making them feel terrible?!